SoWal resident Jacquee M. posted in Walton County Visioning group recently:
Here is my letter to the editor regarding the WC CUSTOMARY USE SETTLEMNT AGREEMENT. It was published yesterday in the Defuniak Herald Newspaper.
FEEL FREE TO SHARE FAR & WIDE! EMAIL THE COMMISSIONERS:
Commissioner William Boots McCormick
mccboots@co.walton.fl.us
Commissioner Danny Glidewell
glidanny@co.walton.fl.us
Commissioner Donna Johns
johdonna@co.walton.fl.us
Commissioner Tony Anderson
andtony@co.walton.fl.us
It’s been a long journey since the fight for the customary use (CU) of our beaches became an issue with a powerful, political push allegedly from a former well connected local politico and their associates. In 2018 HB 631, designed to target the CU of Walton County beaches, was introduced in the Florida legislative session and was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott.
What has transpired since then has been a series of decisions and debacles that moved from the sunshine into the darkness. A passionate and engaged public with the most to lose, is being shielded from the negotiations of a supposed settlement. Two of the three interested parties are now involved in crafting the details.
Last week on June 14th I took a chance and asked Walton County public records for a copy of the CU settlement. The following day I received it. For the first time in months I, as a private citizen, I can read the terms. Prior, it’s been rumors about a settlement that have clued in the public about it’s possible existence. I thought that we were proceeding with the terms of HB 631 and the process it outlined. What happened and why weren’t we told about the transition? To think that one of the most consequential decisions in Walton County’s long history is being made out of the sunshine seems dishonest, foul and very shortsighted.
As I sit and read through the settlement I am outraged which turns to feelings of disgust and betrayal. I think to myself, who wrote this? Surely it can not be those “representing the public”. County leadership has always vocalized a steadfast support for the CU of Our Beaches since HB 631 became law, now they are surrendering.
I’ve been involved in community issues for several decades. Below, my opinions and my takeaways. I am not an attorney:
This agreement will supersede all others, thus abandoning the Doctrine of Customary Use forever.
Most of the power is being handed to a minority of Walton County owners.
5 years of gathering historical data, testimony, affidavits, means legal and research fees go to waste.
Promises of prompt and continual enforcement “…at all times…” will divert critical taxpayer dollars to a small minority of owners.
Emphasis is on minority property owner safety, i.e., overcrowding, when citizens have been clamoring for years to establish load factors across many areas of safety, I.e., roadways, parking and infrastructure, building, public beaches, etc.
Many beachfront owners “acquired” the sand between their original property line and the water, through stealthy quiet title actions. The county did not step in to represent the people’s interest. That has left a staggered line of properties along our shoreline that will create more confusion for all.
The text is confusing and subject to the whims of a changing minority.
Owners can opt out and/or enforce when they are not present.
The Walton County Beach Activities Ordinance will be promptly altered to meet the minority’s demands.
No mention of allowing umbrella use in a world fraught with skin cancer.
And the coup de grace, public curfews. Allowed use of the 20’ of sand from the water, which fluctuates, is from 9AM-4PM. That’s right, you must leave before sunset!
When tourism floats the county’s economy, how many additional hoops do our decision makers think that visitors will jump through while paying excessive rental prices before they decide to choose other destinations?
The beach is hallowed ground. It’s a sacred place where we go to relax, rejuvenate and forget our troubles. We share a mutual experience with friends, family and those that are not yet friends. Should this be adopted, our serenity will be artificially hijacked by signs, inches, guards and patrols by those that seek to exclude and hoard our precious white sand, our holy refuge. The heart and soul of our community will be changed forever. It is truly heartbreaking for this place that I love so much.
Jacquee Markel
Dune Allen Beach
Here is my letter to the editor regarding the WC CUSTOMARY USE SETTLEMNT AGREEMENT. It was published yesterday in the Defuniak Herald Newspaper.
FEEL FREE TO SHARE FAR & WIDE! EMAIL THE COMMISSIONERS:
Commissioner William Boots McCormick
mccboots@co.walton.fl.us
Commissioner Danny Glidewell
glidanny@co.walton.fl.us
Commissioner Donna Johns
johdonna@co.walton.fl.us
Commissioner Tony Anderson
andtony@co.walton.fl.us
It’s been a long journey since the fight for the customary use (CU) of our beaches became an issue with a powerful, political push allegedly from a former well connected local politico and their associates. In 2018 HB 631, designed to target the CU of Walton County beaches, was introduced in the Florida legislative session and was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott.
What has transpired since then has been a series of decisions and debacles that moved from the sunshine into the darkness. A passionate and engaged public with the most to lose, is being shielded from the negotiations of a supposed settlement. Two of the three interested parties are now involved in crafting the details.
Last week on June 14th I took a chance and asked Walton County public records for a copy of the CU settlement. The following day I received it. For the first time in months I, as a private citizen, I can read the terms. Prior, it’s been rumors about a settlement that have clued in the public about it’s possible existence. I thought that we were proceeding with the terms of HB 631 and the process it outlined. What happened and why weren’t we told about the transition? To think that one of the most consequential decisions in Walton County’s long history is being made out of the sunshine seems dishonest, foul and very shortsighted.
As I sit and read through the settlement I am outraged which turns to feelings of disgust and betrayal. I think to myself, who wrote this? Surely it can not be those “representing the public”. County leadership has always vocalized a steadfast support for the CU of Our Beaches since HB 631 became law, now they are surrendering.
I’ve been involved in community issues for several decades. Below, my opinions and my takeaways. I am not an attorney:
This agreement will supersede all others, thus abandoning the Doctrine of Customary Use forever.
Most of the power is being handed to a minority of Walton County owners.
5 years of gathering historical data, testimony, affidavits, means legal and research fees go to waste.
Promises of prompt and continual enforcement “…at all times…” will divert critical taxpayer dollars to a small minority of owners.
Emphasis is on minority property owner safety, i.e., overcrowding, when citizens have been clamoring for years to establish load factors across many areas of safety, I.e., roadways, parking and infrastructure, building, public beaches, etc.
Many beachfront owners “acquired” the sand between their original property line and the water, through stealthy quiet title actions. The county did not step in to represent the people’s interest. That has left a staggered line of properties along our shoreline that will create more confusion for all.
The text is confusing and subject to the whims of a changing minority.
Owners can opt out and/or enforce when they are not present.
The Walton County Beach Activities Ordinance will be promptly altered to meet the minority’s demands.
No mention of allowing umbrella use in a world fraught with skin cancer.
And the coup de grace, public curfews. Allowed use of the 20’ of sand from the water, which fluctuates, is from 9AM-4PM. That’s right, you must leave before sunset!
When tourism floats the county’s economy, how many additional hoops do our decision makers think that visitors will jump through while paying excessive rental prices before they decide to choose other destinations?
The beach is hallowed ground. It’s a sacred place where we go to relax, rejuvenate and forget our troubles. We share a mutual experience with friends, family and those that are not yet friends. Should this be adopted, our serenity will be artificially hijacked by signs, inches, guards and patrols by those that seek to exclude and hoard our precious white sand, our holy refuge. The heart and soul of our community will be changed forever. It is truly heartbreaking for this place that I love so much.
Jacquee Markel
Dune Allen Beach
