Emergency BCC Meeting - 8/1/05

[Smiling JOe]

"Now where can we put all of that dirt???" We could bury the person that allows this to happen again?? Just a thought and I'm sure SJ and others already thought about that one.

There should be a smily that depicts someone beinig buried in dirt.... :nono1:

I am all about having fun on occasion, but I am not looking to physically injure any persons involved. I don't mind giving them my two cents worth, verbally, and installing a larger mailbox for them to handle all of the complaint letters that I will constantly encourage others to send. I know that some of you think by me mentioning Edward Abbey earlier, that I would seriously consider inflicting physical damage to the construction equipment on the beach. The last thing I want on the beach is a 20 ton loader or backhoe with a siezed engine, and a big spot of oil on what is left of the beach underneath them. I would be rather pissed if that happened. By the way, the contractors and equipment operators are just doing their job. It is the job of the County Staff to direct and monitor the work being completed on the beaches.

 

[CastlesOfSand]

Just wanted to say thanks for the update and WAY TO GO!!!! You guys rule!!

and by the way.....

I LOVE this site!!

 

[Paula]

As everyone else on this thread has said, thank you to all who went to the meeting and helped "raise the bar" for quality of life and nature in SoWal.

One way to ensure that private citizens don't use sub-quality sand is to charge them a fine and have them remove it at their own cost if they use it. That way, it would be in the interest of those who own homes (and want to sell them in the future) to stay within the County requirements.

And, of course, we need to remember to be appreciative to those private citizens who own gulf front homes and who uphold the beauty of the beaches by responsibly doing what's right without having to be monitored. As I said on an earlier post, one needs to factor in the cost and risk of hurricanes if one buys (or inherits) gulf-front property (or anywhere in Florida, but especially gulf-front) and not be surprised if a devastating hurricane hits with extremely costly consequences.

I agree with SJ and others that we shouldn't be building gulf front anyway, but since we allow it we should do it with the highest standards so that our beautiful beaches are maintained for everyone.

 

[Miss Kitty]

Thanks to all the locals and others able to attend this meeting and to SJ and Kurt for getting us the scoop on the meeting. This board is great!!!!! :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

As others have stated, I am very glad to hear that the commissioners have agreed to remove the dirt at the BMB access, raise the bar/standard on replacement sand, but would like to know if the commission gave any indication who and how they are going to insure that this "new" standard and policy is going to be reviewed and enforced. It appears that they did not admit any wrong doing but that they indicated that "they (the commissioners) only set the policy, and the Code Enforecment and County Engineer is in charge of administering the policies".

Since the commissioners only set them and don't enforce them and noone seemed to enforce the other standards communicated in the July 21st report, who is going to make sure that the Code Enforcement and County Engineer adheres/complies with these new policies? Did the commissioners outline the procedure, process, and who is going to make sure that the engineers will adhere? Is there any penalty of the "policy" is not adhered to?

Hopefully they discussed and communicated how this new policy was going to be enforced so this has no way of happening again.

Any info on this would be great. Again, thanks for being the eyes, ears and voices for all of us "remote locals". :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

I am so encouraged...YOU CAN FIGHT COUNTY HALL!

The above quote brings to mind one thing...it sounds like we had the fox guarding the chicken house! I have no doubt our heroes will keep us informed on the enforcement of the "NEW" policy.

SJ...I totally agree about Cindy Meadows. I was in SoWal during the elections last year and being oh so tired of the national race, I began to follow the local elections. Ms. Meadows was a bright spot in an otherwise typical mudslinging election. If I could have voted...Meadows was my choice! I'm going to write her immediately! BTW...when is Ro's term up? HINT HINT HINT!!!

 

[Miss Kitty]

I spotted you out of a line up of 200. :shock:

Although 1/2 were women and quite a few were elderly, and some were elevated with name plaques, and some had uniforms, and some had their names stitched over their pocket, and some were not smiling.

Sounds like an idea for a new reality show! "The Characters of Walton County"....my vote for those with real character are the ones who went and stood up for what was right and reasonable. Common sense is an underrated quality these days...thanks to everyone for sharing your common sense with those that have lost their way!

 

[wetwilly]

I am all about having fun on occasion, but I am not looking to physically injure any persons involved. I don't mind giving them my two cents worth, verbally, and installing a larger mailbox for them to handle all of the complaint letters that I will constantly encourage others to send. I know that some of you think by me mentioning Edward Abbey earlier, that I would seriously consider inflicting physical damage to the construction equipment on the beach. The last thing I want on the beach is a 20 ton loader or backhoe with a siezed engine, and a big spot of oil on what is left of the beach underneath them. I would be rather pissed if that happened. By the way, the contractors and equipment operators are just doing their job. It is the job of the County Staff to direct and monitor the work being completed on the beaches.

Just poking a little fun about "where to put the dirt?". :laughing1 I was not seriously suggesting that anyone should get hurt. I just hope someone is enforcing the policy going forward.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Just poking a little fun about "where to put the dirt?". :laughing1 I was not seriously suggesting that anyone should get hurt. I just hope someone is enforcing the policy going forward.

I know you were kidding, but I feel the need to clarify myself, due to my recent expressions of my frustration with this poop.

On another note, you all should know that most of the Gulf-front owners state that they are willing to play by the rules which they have been given, but are very upset that the local government is now changing what they already said. I, too, would be pissed. Many of these owners have already sured-up their falling properties with dirt that may have to be removed if it does not meet the 6.2 on the Munsell scale. Can't you just see Ro Cuchens, who according to several Gulf-front owners last night, is working several of the jobs at Blue Mtn, removing this dirt that does not meet the 6.2, causing the houses to fall. To the home owners, seeing the contractors excavate the dirt from around their homes would be worse than seeing Hurricane Dennis eye to eye. Some of these owners already have contracts for dirt based on what the County said earlier. Several upset homeowners stood up to say last night that due to the County's indecisive behavior, that contractors would not deliver sand to their homes. I cannot blame them. How do the contractors know that they won't have to come back at their own expense and remove it later? The County is changing faster than the tide coming in and out, and everyone should be concerned. This time it was mostly for the good in my opinion. What happens next time? This local gov't has so much potential, but they seem to be stuck in a rut, continuing to make bad reactionary decisions rather than smart pro-active ones with the long-term in mind.

The County needs to hold another emergency meeting to discuss future operations.

 

[Jdarg]

What a nice treat to wake up, check this board, and read about such great and hard working people. Thanks for your time and concern-from all of us who only wish we could live in paradise too!

And wouldn't it be nice if everyone everywhere would care this much about where they live?

 

[PureBeaches]

The beaches are eroding due to natural forces of nature. Those homes that have been undermined need to be removed. That was a risk the owners took when they bought them. Remove the houses and structures and let the beach heal itself.

 

[Smiling JOe]

The beaches are eroding due to natural forces of nature. Those homes that have been undermined need to be removed. That was a risk the owners took when they bought them. Remove the houses and structures and let the beach heal itself.

Would this be a time when the new definition of eminent domain could be used? Would aquisition of the beach front properties be for the better good of the public?