slandmarks
Beach Comber
http://www.wmbb.com/gulfcoastwest/mbb/news.apx.-content-articles-MBB-2008-03-05-0011.html
Signs Spark Controversy in Walton
By Jessica Chapin
Walton County, FL-- Signs are sparking controversy in Walton County, but it's not about what they say, it's how they look. Residents are saying the new signs developed by the Tourist Development Council to label towns and roadways don't match their scenic highways.
"I was just driving down 30a and I though oh my goodness what is that?" said one resident, Lynn Nesmith, It's too tall, it's too blue, the colors are garish, it's not in scale with anything."
She says they're inconsistent with the area's natural beauty. That's why she's joined a citizen's organization called Scenic Pride Initiative to push for a change.
"TDC wants to give a brand and a cohesiveness," she said, "we're all for that, but we also believe in the uniqueness of all of our beach communities."
But the TDC spent 7 years of planning and $260 thousand on the signs. They're rust-proof and wind-resistant to withstand severe weather.
"We want them to serve their purpose which is to provide directions to our visitors, give them that sense of place and help brand Beaches of South Walton," said TDC publicity director Tracy Louthain, "but again give our community members something they can embrace and be proud of."
She says residents did have a say when designing the signs.
"Everything has been very public all the meetings have been public," said Louthain, "I guess there wasn't a lot of participation."
"Until we saw these tall blue signs on our beautiful scenic highway," said Nesmith, "we had no idea the scale."
Louthain says there are still plans for more signs in the works, but they're holding a public workshop first. The TDC will try to reach a compromise on the signs after hearing the public's suggestions during the meeting, on March 26th from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the Coastal Branch Library
Signs Spark Controversy in Walton
By Jessica Chapin
Walton County, FL-- Signs are sparking controversy in Walton County, but it's not about what they say, it's how they look. Residents are saying the new signs developed by the Tourist Development Council to label towns and roadways don't match their scenic highways.
"I was just driving down 30a and I though oh my goodness what is that?" said one resident, Lynn Nesmith, It's too tall, it's too blue, the colors are garish, it's not in scale with anything."
She says they're inconsistent with the area's natural beauty. That's why she's joined a citizen's organization called Scenic Pride Initiative to push for a change.
"TDC wants to give a brand and a cohesiveness," she said, "we're all for that, but we also believe in the uniqueness of all of our beach communities."
But the TDC spent 7 years of planning and $260 thousand on the signs. They're rust-proof and wind-resistant to withstand severe weather.
"We want them to serve their purpose which is to provide directions to our visitors, give them that sense of place and help brand Beaches of South Walton," said TDC publicity director Tracy Louthain, "but again give our community members something they can embrace and be proud of."
She says residents did have a say when designing the signs.
"Everything has been very public all the meetings have been public," said Louthain, "I guess there wasn't a lot of participation."
"Until we saw these tall blue signs on our beautiful scenic highway," said Nesmith, "we had no idea the scale."
Louthain says there are still plans for more signs in the works, but they're holding a public workshop first. The TDC will try to reach a compromise on the signs after hearing the public's suggestions during the meeting, on March 26th from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the Coastal Branch Library
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