I don't remember how much it costed to change the signs. I seem to recall the original signs, which nobody liked, and nobody thought were necessary, costed way too much.
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South Walton TDC Director Resigns
- Thread starter Kurt
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The blue signs were planned and implemented before Dawn's tenure. I think Kris Titus was director when they were planned and Sonny Mares was director when they were removed and repainted. $70k for each sign is incorrect - maybe you are thinking of the total cost to remove them, paint them, and re-install. I don't remember the exact figure but it was large.
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/19590-photos-new-blue-signs-on-scenic-30A-1-26-08
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/19049-New-big-blue-signs-in-SoWal
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/20730-Opposed-to-the-Big-Blue-Signs-Get-Involved!
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/28253-Scenic-Highway-30A-signage-update
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/54154-Monster-Blue-Signs-Are-Now-Black
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/19590-photos-new-blue-signs-on-scenic-30A-1-26-08
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/19049-New-big-blue-signs-in-SoWal
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/20730-Opposed-to-the-Big-Blue-Signs-Get-Involved!
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/28253-Scenic-Highway-30A-signage-update
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/54154-Monster-Blue-Signs-Are-Now-Black
The search function works pretty well. I say that to help, not criticize. It's helpful when you want to check your facts or learn more. It's also helpful when you find something interesting and you want to let others know, or re-kindle a discussion.
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php/62825-Emeril-s-Florida-to-feature-South-Walton-in-2013
Remember that the county got tons of BP money and it came with stipulations on how it had to be spent.
I realized my figure of $70,000 was probably wrong, and I edited it. I remember the figure was staggeringly high. It seems like the amount for all the signs was around $250,000. I could be wrong , and Kurt pointing out that Dawn wasn't on board, while fair, really points out that the criticisms of the TDC are probably more about the entire structure and lack of two way communication with the public, rather than one personality.
The signs are up; the song and the TV show are paid for. Lets talk about how the TDC money should be used to benefit everyone. To those who say we do not need a TDC, you may be right, but be careful. The bed tax can be used to enhance tourism and the way of life in South Walton. If we scream too loudly that we do not need a TDC, those paying the bed tax will argue to eliminate it. At that point we give up external dollars that can build a better community for us all. Big mistake.
Very good thoughts. Most of the resentments seem to stem from a simple lack of communication and feedback from the community. We may have the tools in place to help that aspect of the TDC. "All Things TDC" could be a separate forum, right here on Sowal on which a recognized person from the TDC just chats about what we all want...I think what we all want is just a little more input in the decisions about how we are being presented and in what ways this entity, The TDC, has moved from promoting this area to developing this area into something most of us don't necessarily want.
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It's all about balance- first recognizing and agreeing that we need a good balance of quality of life for both tourists and residents, and actually making that balance a reality.
So if there is more input into the decision making and the decision doesn't suit your view does that make the decision wrong. Personally I don't necessarily think that the views represented on these boards represent a majority opinion. I do think it gives us the opportunity to participate by throwing out ideas with solutions that maybe those that get to make the decisions can look at and consider. In the end there are folks paid to make decisions and it is their responsibility to make it. To much input can bog the process and create barricades to making decisions. Just my opinion.
Trust me, I agree with "too much input can bog the process" ( I'm all for a "30-A Czar" who can simply drive down 30-A and fix all the ugliness and disarray ) but I'm not in agreement that a whole lot of input was requested in a lot of the projects the TDC has initiated. I have no idea that Sowal is an accurate indicator of the consensus views on these issues. I don't feel there are any adequate channels of feedback other than Sowal. We are unique in that we are rather removed from local television, we have very modest newspapers, and yet we have a robust interactive community because of this forum. Again, I don't think this animosity towards the TDC is any more than a criticism that the structure of it is not very democratic, and yet impacts residents in a far less favorable fashion than tourists. Are the "slings and arrows" that Ms. Moliterno has been subjected to, coming solely from Sowal? or from the community in general? or from DeFuniak?