Talking Tourists

[John G]

Wow.
You need to start reading SoWal and pay attention to the Local Political on going drama.

Sorry to hear you had some issues, but I'll sum it up for you best I can. Rest assured my response will provoke much distain and disagreement but as someone with rental property and having lived here for about 15 years, I feel I have a pulse on what's going on.

1). The new breed of tourist coming here is the type of crowd that went to Panama City Beach. Many have never been to an upscale area and tend to behave like they are at a festival concert and feel the entitlement bestowed upon them as a "renter" in a short term vacation rental. They win every time.

2). This County has plenty of tools to combat the problems we face, yet our elected officials refuse to use them. We have had many a dispute over small businesses. "Popping" up and then vanishing, only to be replaced by another, all without any formal licensing or accountability. Weddings have gotten crazy with homeowners renting out their homes for full on wedding events. The neighbors complain to the local officials and get a ton of B.S. about why nothing can be done. Again the tourist is more important the the property owner.

3). Beach vendors gets violently attacked (grayton beach this summer) and the wedding guests \ tourists go free with no arrest.

4). Tourists invade private beach front property and set up shop! Law enforcement does nothing to enforce county ordinances or State Law on the beach.

5). The TDC ran unchecked and throttle wide open for years under its past leadership. These are some of the effects of their marketing scheme.

6). Local rental management companies strong competition for vacation property has driven down prices in several higher end communities and condos. Deep discounts were easy to find on July 4th! That's crazy!

7). Investors have gobbled up itreclosures and short sales. They don't care who stays there, just that there is a return on investment. The screw your neighbor mentality.

In closing, tourists rule! No respect for private property. Just read the posts on the scam the county is calling beach renourishment. Its called take your back yard you worked your butt off for and give it to those that "deserve" it.

Once you peel the layers of the Walton County Onion back, you'll find a significant part is rotten. Unfortunately, it can't be returned once opened (peeled).

Don't take my word for it, search facts and make you own assessment.

Look for Andy A. to respond to the beach issue and convince you otherwise...

 

[Andy A]

John G, you are right about me responding to the beach isssue. As long as they act responsibly, ANY AMERICAN CITIZEN should be able to enjoy the beach. Now in regard to your "pulse" of what's going on.

You are correct on #1, 2 and 5. It is a "wash" on 3, 6 and 7. As usual, you are completely wrong on 4, but I would expect nothing less. I have seen no tourists setting up "shop" anywhere. I have not heard nor seen anyone, tourist or local camping on the grass in your back yard or knocking on your door demanding admittence to your domicle. Walton County government is no more rotten than our National one or many others in this nation. It is too bad that you have lived here for 15 years and have no better understanding of life in Walton County and beach renourishment than you project.

 

[Jim Tucker]

John G - why so bitter?



1). The new breed of tourist coming here is the type of crowd that went to Panama City Beach. Many have never been to an upscale area and tend to behave like they are at a festival concert and feel the entitlement bestowed upon them as a "renter" in a short term vacation rental. They win every time.

Spend an evening in Panama City Beach and then you will think differently.
The vast majority of renters to our beaches are respectful.


2). This County has plenty of tools to combat the problems we face, yet our elected officials refuse to use them. We have had many a dispute over small businesses. "Popping" up and then vanishing, only to be replaced by another, all without any formal licensing or accountability. Weddings have gotten crazy with homeowners renting out their homes for full on wedding events. The neighbors complain to the local officials and get a ton of B.S. about why nothing can be done. Again the tourist is more important the the property owner.

The wedding industry here is about to get regulated. Not sure why so many people want a beach wedding but they will pay more and more for the privilege. It is up to us to make sure weddings don't ruin it for the rest of us.



3). Beach vendors gets violently attacked (grayton beach this summer) and the wedding guests \ tourists go free with no arrest.

One incident (or even a few) is no reason to get panicky.



4). Tourists invade private beach front property and set up shop! Law enforcement does nothing to enforce county ordinances or State Law on the beach.


Again, you are overreacting. I assume you have "no good interlopers" on your beach? This would explain your hostility.



5). The TDC ran unchecked and throttle wide open for years under its past leadership. These are some of the effects of their marketing scheme.

It has always been wide open and continues to be. That is actually why ot was created.




6). Local rental management companies strong competition for vacation property has driven down prices in several higher end communities and condos. Deep discounts were easy to find on July 4th! That's crazy!

The market drives pricing. Specials reflect the market. Don't blame rental companies. Look around at all the new rentals that have come on the market in the last 10 years. Building is breakneck pace right now.





7). Investors have gobbled up itreclosures and short sales. They don't care who stays there, just that there is a return on investment. The screw your neighbor mentality.

Almost every rental owner wants to squeeze every dollar out of their unit.




In closing, tourists rule! No respect for private property. Just read the posts on the scam the county is calling beach renourishment. Its called take your back yard you worked your butt off for and give it to those that "deserve" it.

If there is no beach nourishment there will be no beach. If you are so unhappy about it you should move. Life is too short to be so angry all the time. Developed areas in Florida are not for people who want it quiet.




Once you peel the layers of the Walton County Onion back, you'll find a significant part is rotten. Unfortunately, it can't be returned once opened (peeled).


What are you doing about it?

 

[John G]

Continue to try to educate you.

 

[30aconcerned]

John G - why so bitter?

1). The new breed of tourist coming here is the type of crowd that went to Panama City Beach. Many have never been to an upscale area and tend to behave like they are at a festival concert and feel the entitlement bestowed upon them as a "renter" in a short term vacation rental. They win every time.

Spend an evening in Panama City Beach and then you will think differently.
The vast majority of renters to our beaches are respectful.

2). This County has plenty of tools to combat the problems we face, yet our elected officials refuse to use them. We have had many a dispute over small businesses. "Popping" up and then vanishing, only to be replaced by another, all without any formal licensing or accountability. Weddings have gotten crazy with homeowners renting out their homes for full on wedding events. The neighbors complain to the local officials and get a ton of B.S. about why nothing can be done. Again the tourist is more important the the property owner.

The wedding industry here is about to get regulated. Not sure why so many people want a beach wedding but they will pay more and more for the privilege. It is up to us to make sure weddings don't ruin it for the rest of us.

3). Beach vendors gets violently attacked (grayton beach this summer) and the wedding guests \ tourists go free with no arrest.

One incident (or even a few) is no reason to get panicky.

4). Tourists invade private beach front property and set up shop! Law enforcement does nothing to enforce county ordinances or State Law on the beach.

Again, you are overreacting. I assume you have "no good interlopers" on your beach? This would explain your hostility.

5). The TDC ran unchecked and throttle wide open for years under its past leadership. These are some of the effects of their marketing scheme.

It has always been wide open and continues to be. That is actually why ot was created.

6). Local rental management companies strong competition for vacation property has driven down prices in several higher end communities and condos. Deep discounts were easy to find on July 4th! That's crazy!

The market drives pricing. Specials reflect the market. Don't blame rental companies. Look around at all the new rentals that have come on the market in the last 10 years. Building is breakneck pace right now.

7). Investors have gobbled up itreclosures and short sales. They don't care who stays there, just that there is a return on investment. The screw your neighbor mentality.

Almost every rental owner wants to squeeze every dollar out of their unit.

In closing, tourists rule! No respect for private property. Just read the posts on the scam the county is calling beach renourishment. Its called take your back yard you worked your butt off for and give it to those that "deserve" it.

If there is no beach nourishment there will be no beach. If you are so unhappy about it you should move. Life is too short to be so angry all the time. Developed areas in Florida are not for people who want it quiet.

Once you peel the layers of the Walton County Onion back, you'll find a significant part is rotten. Unfortunately, it can't be returned once opened (peeled).

What are you doing about it?

JT, your response was going well ( not that I agree with everything you or John had to say) until you came up with the old "if you're so unhappy about it you should move" diatribe. That's when your response lost all credibility. So if John doesn't agree with you he should move. What a narrow minded statement! Is that when you ran out of reason and logic in your response? Very belittling to you.

 

[Matt J]

JT, your response was going well ( not that I agree with everything you or John had to say) until you came up with the old "if you're so unhappy about it you should move" diatribe. That's when your response lost all credibility. So if John doesn't agree with you he should move. What a narrow minded statement! Is that when you ran out of reason and logic in your response? Very belittling to you.

Move or fix it, *****ing hasn't ever solved anything.

 

[30aconcerned]

Move or fix it, *****ing hasn't ever solved anything.

And that is the best response you can offer. OK. So moving along.

 

[Matt J]

And that is the best response you can offer. OK. So moving along.

You asked for a solution, I gave two.

 

[John G]

Solutions:

Enforce county ordinance / rules or get rid of them.

Create an occupancy regulation so that four bed room houses don't sleep 25+ (just example).

Encourage our beloved tourists to not all drive down in every vehicle the family owns (usually 3 or 4 full size SUVs).

For every SUV you leave at home you get a GIFT CARD!!!!

There's a starter list.

 

[Douglas]

If there is no beach nourishment there will be no beach.

Why not? Why do you think that?