turtle watch volunteer arrested

[NoHall]

:angry:Turdists:angry:

How offensive!
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(I prefer "tourons")

 

[GoodWitch58]

The Beach Ambassador program sounds good if the people are receptive to being educated. Unfortunately in our personal experience, many of the people who "need" to be educated don't appreciate being "educated" ... to the degree of becoming violent at times.

I know. That is why on another thread I said we might need to set up a legal defense fund for those trying to keep the beach clean. LOL

Why do you suppose this is true? Is there something about coming to South Walton that makes people react in such a way? What on earth could it be?

Why do they feel entitled to litter, trash, and generally behave in such irresponsible ways? Is it the times? This has only been happening since the late 90s I think and others have said that too.

Many Florida beaches and other beaches around the country have much stricter rules than we do for how to behave on the beach. Do we need to ban certain items, like the "funeral tents", big shovels, etc.

Not sure what the answer is and I agree it can be dangerous sometimes when someone asks another to abibe by the standards of common courtesy. At a homeowners association meeting the other night, we looked out the Club House door to see a couple and their dog--the dog not on a lead; which is against the rules; then, to our amazement, the dog squatted and began to answer nature's call right in front of the clubhouse door; the owners had not brought anything to dispose of the "poop" and began to walk away. One of the women from our group opened the door and in a civil tone, asked them to take care of their dog's poop and to please put the dog on a leash to conform with the rules of the HOA.

What happened next was unbelieveable: the dog owner started to scream that she always carried a baggie with her; that she had just forgotten--then she stomped off. In a few minutes she returned, picked up the poop and then opened the door to the clubhouse where our meeting was in progress and proceeded to yell and scream and threaten us that we should never again speak to her about her pet; that she would do what she wanted; that she had a right, etc, etc, etc, About half way through the tirade (in front of a whole group of neighbors) her husband jumped into the act. I actually thought he was going to get physical and I think if he had had a gun, someone would have been hurt or killed. Finally, with one more threat that is not appropriate on this board, she slammed the door so hard that the glass almost shattered...

I was shocked to see anyone behave in such a manner. We all sat there looking at one another, not sure what to do next. We simply had asked her to abide by the rules.

I have to say I have lived a lot of places for a good many years, and I have never seen anyone behave like that in similar settings. What is happening with our society? have all parameters of civil behavior been abandoned? How on earth will children grow up to be civil in society if this kind of role model is out there.....it is a mystery to me. I wanted to send that woman to a Good Manners class, but as you say, it appears that those who need educating the most are the very ones who react in such a violent way.

It is frustrating to say the least.

 

[ASH]

ASH...I really appreciate you taking and posting those "crappy" pics. Will you be sending them to the TDC?

Sharon Maxwell continues to send them to the county officials who will accept her emails in hopes of keeping this issue in front of them.

 

[ASH]

As has been pointed out I am bit bothered by the no bid contract to turtle watch. Especially when I find out that in 2007, $43,143 was paid out of the $80K I am assuming that they received that year in employee compensation. And that those dollars did not appear to go to volunteers who are giving their hours walking up and down the beach trying to save the turtles, but actually went to 3 members of the board of directors of the organization. Personally, I think something is fishy, and it ain't the turtles.


Those dollars should be going directly to getting more people on the beaches to accomplish their mission. That would be some change I could believe in.

The dollars do go directly to the cause. It is spent on advertising on the local papers such as the Walton Sun and NWF Daily news and many others. Pick up a paper. This stuff isn't free.

It goes to educational materials that every walker is handing out every day to people on the beaches. I was handing it out at 10 O'clock last night near Gulf View Heights because it was reported a turtle came ashore and people with cameras and flashlights harrassed the turtle to the point she left the beach without nesting. One did nest further to the East and I was blessed to watch her do her work. I didn't get off the beach last night until after 11PM.
It goes to flashlights for walkers, stakes to mark nests, hammers to pound in stakes, tape to rope off nests, surgical gloves. The list is extensive and again, this isn't free.

It goes to backpacks with a message on them about turtles that the group is trying to sell at a loss just to keep getting a message out.

Let's turn this on its head. You tell me of a volunteer organization that puts out as much information on the very regular basis that this one does and does it with $80K a year.

Is the problem that you feel a need to control the funds this group is issued and that you feel qualified in determining how the funds should be used or is it that you're just upset that you don't get these funds. I'm trying to determine what you have a chip on your shoulder about. Has this group offended you somehow? Did you used to be a walker and no longer can?

I'm telling you everything I know. Please tell us what's up your sleeve.

 

[ASH]

As has been pointed out I am bit bothered by the no bid contract to turtle watch. Especially when I find out that in 2007, $43,143 was paid out of the $80K I am assuming that they received that year in employee compensation. And that those dollars did not appear to go to volunteers who are giving their hours walking up and down the beach trying to save the turtles, but actually went to 3 members of the board of directors of the organization. Personally, I think something is fishy, and it ain't the turtles.


Those dollars should be going directly to getting more people on the beaches to accomplish their mission. That would be some change I could believe in.

BTW, the county was required by law to put a turtle program in place. There are not bunches of people lined up wishing they could have a crack at this program. It is not a no bid contract. Your misleading statements are destroying your credibility.

 

[30A Skunkape]

The dollars do go directly to the cause. It is spent on advertising on the local papers such as the Walton Sun and NWF Daily news and many others. Pick up a paper. This stuff isn't free.

It goes to educational materials that every walker is handing out every day to people on the beaches. I was handing it out at 10 O'clock last night near Gulf View Heights because it was reported a turtle came ashore and people with cameras and flashlights harrassed the turtle to the point she left the beach without nesting. One did nest further to the East and I was blessed to watch her do her work. I didn't get off the beach last night until after 11PM.
It goes to flashlights for walkers, stakes to mark nests, hammers to pound in stakes, tape to rope off nests, surgical gloves. The list is extensive and again, this isn't free.

It goes to backpacks with a message on them about turtles that the group is trying to sell at a loss just to keep getting a message out.

Let's turn this on its head. You tell me of a volunteer organization that puts out as much information on the very regular basis that this one does and does it with $80K a year.

Is the problem that you feel a need to control the funds this group is issued and that you feel qualified in determining how the funds should be used or is it that you're just upset that you don't get these funds. I'm trying to determine what you have a chip on your shoulder about. Has this group offended you somehow? Did you used to be a walker and no longer can?

I'm telling you everything I know. Please tell us what's up your sleeve.

Probably trying to reinforce the stereotype held among many that the turtle watch people are elitist south Waltonites who are using taxpayer's money to discuss turtles over mixed drinks and quiche at Alys Beach. These are the same masses who are easily led to believe that Led Zeppelin LPs played in reverse, yoga and high school plays are the gateway to Hell.

 

[Beanstalk]

P These are the same masses who are easily led to believe that Led Zeppelin LPs played in reverse, yoga and high school plays are the gateway to Hell.

That just cost me a cup of coffee

ExcellenT!

 

[ASH]

Probably trying to reinforce the stereotype held among many that the turtle watch people are elitist south Waltonites who are using taxpayer's money to discuss turtles over mixed drinks and quiche at Alys Beach. These are the same masses who are easily led to believe that Led Zeppelin LPs played in reverse, yoga and high school plays are the gateway to Hell.

I can assure you I'm not in such a group. I can't afford it. I don't even qualify for a sticker to drive my truck on the beach. I gotta walk. If such a group exists, I'd better understand where Wrobert was coming from.

 

[30A Skunkape]

I can assure you I'm not in such a group. I can't afford it. I don't even qualify for a sticker to drive my truck on the beach. I gotta walk. If such a group exists, I'd better understand where Wrobert was coming from.

Watch your PM's for an invitation. I will make sure that some of the 'missing' $40,000 goes to cover your dues. Do your prefer your martini shaken or stirred?

 

[WCTA]

The attached pdf file and the excerpts within this post are a matter of public record. Not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organizations must annually file a Form 990 (basically a tax return for not-for-profits). It is our policy to no disclose the names associated with salary data even though the info is a matter of public record - therefore we have blanked the names associated with this post.

It appears that many are interested in but lack the data to describe the financial workings of this organization and we therefore have chosen to make them available for all.

We as an organization take no position on this other than providing the facts.

Balance Sheet Info

View attachment 13377

Expenses By Category

View attachment 13379

Compensation

View attachment 13378

These panels are excerpts from the South Walton Turtle Watch 2007 990EZ

2007 South Walton Turtle Watch 990EZ

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF Files/TurtleWatch.pdf