Turdists

[quote=sunspotbaby;577005] Just after 6 this morning!!

When you go to the other four pictures, the one with the big hole dug you will note the sun just coming over the top of the home in the Retreat. Sun rises about quarter to six. I did that intentionally, because I doubt someone ran out there and started digging at 5 to beat sunup. It was dug at least the day before.

I wouldn't blame all this on tourists. I would guess there are owners who come down to their summer home once the kids are out of school.

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Anthony

"I wouldn't blame all this on tourists. I would guess there are owners who come down to their summer home once the kids are out of school."


You are probably correct based on the location. I would imagine that these are the same "environmentalist" who hire rent-a-pigs to keep the evil poor folk off of "their" beach......

SJ and Ash thanks for the clarification. I was told it was the TDC dragging their feet and not wanting the enforcement of the ordinance, so I guess its a situation of depending on who you talk to, someone else gets the blame.

I spoke with Tracy Louthain from the TDC yesterday and she said the county is in the process of rewriting "Leave No Trace," and hopes are that the program will be reinstated soon (let's hope before someone gets hurt from the garbage left on the beach or before the end of turtle season). There was a lawsuit brought against the County from a condominium (sorry no details if it was an owner or an association), so they are doing a rewrite. Crossing there T's and dotting their i's this go-round I'm guessing.
The future will bring Code Enforcement as the enforcers of the "Leave No Trace" program, and the TDC will have what Tracy called "Ambassadors" combing the beaches each day and educating the beach goers.

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This sounds like wonderful news!

I would venture to guess that 95% of the problem is nothing more than education. The bad apples set a bad example that the unknowing take to be acceptable.

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Anthony

FYI- I am pretty sure the lawsuit came from Edgewater condominium, regarding their beach volleyball net, permanently planted on the beach. The lady from Edgewater spoke at the public hearing of this Ordinance, when proposed, and she stated on record, that she would be suing the County if she wasn't allowed to keep her volleyball net on the beach. She was completely happy with the Ordinance as written, as long as her volleyball net would be exempt via the County issuing a permit for variance of that item.

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One more time !

Hope that darned old constitution doesn't get in the way again.

The Ambassadors is a new twist - Why not call them "Beach Czars" - seems to be a popular thing right now - Pay Czars, Bike Path Czars and the like.

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Hey, does she have a permit to have that bike on the beach? Call the Beach Czar!!

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Anthony

If people did the right thing in the first place, there wouldn't be need for legislation.

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Actually it's an old idea that the TDC tried a few years back. Volunteers would be trained to educate visitors on the beach. There were calls for folks to give a few hours a week to do it. Unfortunatelly getting enough volunteers was the problem.
I think this might be a solution until the ordinance is approved.

I don't know. That Random Thoughts Thread in the Lounge has been going since May of 2007 and has over 4,300 reply's and over 36,000 views.

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Anthony

I think if you remove all the legislation and let the locals run the show, we would get the trash off the beach much quicker. I say about one week and this issue would be resolved.

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"You are your choices"
www.lifeonshore.com
http://bobbyjblog.com

I think the Beach Ambassadors program is a great idea...I believe it was mentioned on here some time ago.

In New Orleans the tourist office used to have --not sure after Katrina-- young people on the streets with maps, information, directions, available to answer questions from tourists. They are always super helpful, very friendly, seem to enjoy their job and even sometimes give out discount coupons from local restaurants and attractions. I think it is a value added component to the NOLA tourism and visitors bureau's effort.

Here, perhaps we could educate our visitors about not only keeping litter and abandoned stuff off the beach overnight, but also let them know about the turtle nesting, the coastal dune lakes, and the rip currents. All in all, it sounds like a win-win to me.

Maybe the locals who routinely pick up trash, could become a bit more organized and then let folks know about Adopt a Beach and Leave no Trace and get more members of the community involved in a meaningful way.

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

It is my understanding that the "beach ambassadors" will be this AFTER the new revision of the ordinance is approved. A collaboration with Code Enforcement of sorts. I could be wrong, but this was my interpretation.

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I agree....my solution is to declare everything left on the beach between 7pm and 6am as "booty" -- free for the pickin'. Call it the "Move-it or Lose-it" program; post it on signs and have a banner plane fly over the beaches each evening at 6:50pm. Savvy entrepreneurs will be lined up at the beach entrances each night like ladies at Macys on Dec 26. The beaches will be cleared of junk every night at 7:05pm...problem solved.

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But hey...Top Ramen tastes a whole lot better when you eat it off of a Granite Countertop. (Mr & Mrs Too Much Homebuyer)

Florida State Flower

I agree. Some enterprising folks will invest their time and energy and vehicles collecting all this crap without destroying it, and then reselling it for a profit. All we need is the ordinance in place, the government can step out of it after that. Unless someone is actively using the property, it is considered abandoned after 7 pm.

Private property owners should have the option of permitting their stuff, as long as they can prove that it is safely anchored and will not become an airborne missile or otherwise hazardous to public safety. Permitted objects need to be clearly marked, and private property owners need some sort of option for legal recourse if their property is mistakenly taken. And they should be required to insure it, as they would any other personal property. I know, these are the tricky, sticky points, but I also know a solution can be found, it might just take a bit of compromise on EVERYONE'S part.

I love the turtles, but we need to leave them out of it. It seemed like a smart idea to bring mice and turtles and all sorts of endangered species into all of these environmental arguments a couple decades ago, because it gets the governments attention and funding... but the real problem is the narcissistic, egotistical and disrespectful attitudes that have developed and are prevalent in our society today. It seems everyone has forgotten how to be respectful of all the rest of the people sharing this planet, and if we can't respect each other, we certainly aren't going to be able to respect a turtle or a mouse.

We ALL deserve a little piece of this beach paradise, each and every one of us. Owners, renters, locals, tourists, rich, poor, people, turtles... The only price is to treat it with respect. Yet so many today are such gluttons they have no idea how to gracefully accept that little piece, and respectfully share the rest with everyone else.

Those photos are sickening, I had no idea it was so bad. I stopped for several groups of people today crossing from the south side to the north side of 30A, carrying floaties and chairs and wheeling wagons full of stuff back home with them. I wanted to get out and hug each one of them.

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"My life has been a huge adventure, always. I like them bold, I'm done with creepy." - Seagrovegirl

Damn! You do know how to shift a thread to the left.

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An umbrella was blown up the other day in Australia striking a tourist in the hand resulting in his death. So I still think we need to just go ahead and ban them completely. Totally too dangerous for meer mortals to use.

As for the other, the idea works great on the public part of the beach. But the private part would never happen. That is the problem now, making special rules for the private property owners that everyone seems to enjoy sucking tax dollars from, but abhors the fact that they own something that most can not afford.

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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.

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whoa... deja vu!

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I think a little proactive message is also appropriate. Until the new ordinance is written and approved, I am sending out (and have been since I received it in the mail several weeks ago) the attached document to EVERY renter that stays at our property. I feel it's my job to get them this information. I send them this and the Seymour Safety crab flyer, among other items. It's a cruddy copy, as my scanner is not the best, but it gets the point across. Hopefully. Feel free to use this for your renters as well.

Attached Files

leavenotrace.pdf (308.7 KB, 31 views)

Awesome, thank you! I wonder if local businesses would be willing to post this in highly visible spots, especially the ones that sell beach stuff... I dunno how much it will help, but it can't hurt!

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"My life has been a huge adventure, always. I like them bold, I'm done with creepy." - Seagrovegirl

ASH, your photos are appreciated but I have to say they make me want to grab a Louisville Slugger and something sharp and go to town. What a freaking disgrace;what kind of lazy, trashy, foul, rude, arrogant, vile person would leave that junk on the beach? It looks like something the Germans might have constructed in anticipation of D-Day!

They make great baby sitters for the slob parents who are too busy wasting away to Margaritaville to be bothered with wee little distractions.

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Good grief, do you ever take a break from trying to get a rise out of somebody?

Now we might have a little insight into what Mary saw (allegedly). Those pics truly show what could make law abiding citizens go a bit bat sheet. I know I'd be hauling what I could up to the trash cans, myself.

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

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The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.

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.

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A sneak peek at a contestant in the new Miss SoWal Beauty contest.
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Miss Drapper Lake Outfall
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But hey...Top Ramen tastes a whole lot better when you eat it off of a Granite Countertop. (Mr & Mrs Too Much Homebuyer)

Florida State Flower

Quit encouraging me.

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How offensive!
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(I prefer "tourons")

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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.

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

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.

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Anthony

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.

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Anthony

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.

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Anthony

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.

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That just cost me a cup of coffee

ExcellenT!

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God is Great, God is Good!

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.

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Anthony

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?

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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

TurtleWatch3.jpg

Expenses By Category

TurtleWatch.jpg

Compensation

TurtleWatch2.jpg

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

I had a guy tell me the other day after he found out I did yoga that he was just not into mixing his workouts with religion! Ha! I told him it was probably a good thing because he probably could not work out at that level anyway.

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"You are your choices"
www.lifeonshore.com
http://bobbyjblog.com

So who gave her the right to destroy other peoples property? How can you bow down and make this woman your hero? Seems she has just lowered herself to way below the actions of any and all tourist leaving items on the beach. Didn't she just take the turtle watchers reputation down with her--what a shame.They work really hard to educate people about the turtles. What a fine example for our young. Just because I don't like what someone else does-------sounds like most of you have just opened the door for do as you please!?! Shame, shame. shame. What about the vandals at the church--do you bow down? Just because it's something you want to see changed, hopefully this is not the avenue you care to go. There is just no difference! Wrong is wrong is wrong. If you still call this woman your hero and bow down, then I hope to see you at church this Sunday.

Who's property was it? I'm sure if the owner came forward the TDC would like to know. I understood it to be abandoned. Do you know otherwise? Please share with us.

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God is Great, God is Good!

Majah, you are assuming that the trash on the beach was not abandoned and was actually still being claimed by someone.

It is ridiculous for a normal person to think that he or she can set up tents, chairs, coolers, etc, on public property, leaving it indefinitely, and expecting it to always be there. At what point does it become no different than an empty soda bottle on the ground? If throwing a cigarette butt onto the shoulder of Hwy 283 comes with a fine up to $500 in order to help curb littering, what fine should be associated with dumping rusty-framed beach chairs, tents, umbrellas, bottles of lotions, beer in coolers (hello, can you say liability for contributing to minors?), nets, buckets, shovels, plastic trays, towels, underwear, wet swim suits, plastic wrappers from new beach crap, price tags, and boogie boards? (by the way, all of this crap is one example from one encampment I recently saw.)

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I need an update. Does Kathydwells still hold the highest bid on the sea turtle drawing being auctioned on this thread, in support of the defense fund of the person being accused?

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And you are assuming that those that filed the complaint were not the owners.

Does your church encourage judgment of others?

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Incorrect assumption on your part. I am assuming nothing. I don't know the details. I certainly hope that you are correct on the idea that the persons logging the complaint were the owners. I would love to send them my thoughts about them leaving crap on the beach.

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In todays Sun

Seagrove Beach woman arrested

A 57-year-old Seagrove Beach woman was arrested June 16 and charged with destroying several canopy tents and puncturing floats behind Beachcrest Condominiums on County Road 30A.

Witnesses identified her as the one doing the damage on June 12, according to a Walton County Sheriff ’s office spokesman.

The woman denies causing the damage.

The charges are misdemeanors. She was booked into the Walton County Jail and bonded out.

Not exactly a detailed account - who, what where, when and how.

This comment doesn't seem to pass the "Straight Face" test.

I don't know about 'the right', but those trashy beach goers certainly enabled her, didn't they?

I am not certain what church was vandalized, nor do I think anyone here condones politically motivated vandalism of an institution. In fact, I among others helped clean up the McCain/Palin 'Victory Center' after some pinheads plastered Obama signs all over the front windows (even though I supported the winning candidate).

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Thank you for putting the information out there for us.
Now, since we are in the mood for full disclosure, may we see WCTA's balance sheet, expenses and compensation for the same year?

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Since it was a Friday, then yes I assumed it was in use. Since Beachcrest is private, unless there is a public access near it, then Beachcrest should clean up their beach, if they deem it abandoned. To me it is just a matter of wrong is wrong. Destorying anything that doesn't belong to you is wrong. There are always appropriate ways and means of handling things--destruction isn't one of them. It's really just in my eyes, that some people are proud (not all) of what this lady did and it's just not right. Simple right is right and wrong is wrong. Yes the people that left their stuff was also wrong and I'm not glorifying them either.

No -----not my church, but my maker holds everyone accountable for their actions be it large or small even those that lift up and praise wrong doings. We were all given free will.

This is where somneone should suggest that you read the entire thread. Since your statments are not making any sense to the timeline nor the incident, Just my 2 cents

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God is Great, God is Good!

[quote=Majah;577380]Since it was a Friday, then yes I assumed it was in use. Since Beachcrest is private, unless there is a public access near it, then Beachcrest should clean up their beach, if they deem it abandoned. To me it is just a matter of wrong is wrong. Destorying anything that doesn't belong to you is wrong. There are always appropriate ways and means of handling things--destruction isn't one of them. It's really just in my eyes, that some people are proud (not all) of what this lady did and it's just not right.
Simple right is right and wrong is wrong. quote]

"Just as every cop is a criminal, and all sinners saints,
As heads is tails, just call me Lucifer, cause I am in need of some restraint.."

--Jagger/Richards. Sympathy for the Devil.

You're committing a serious non sequitur, but if you're going to run in that direction I suggest reading the Gospel of John, chapter 2, verses 13-17.

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Hey, where did all the 'interested' people from the WCTA/Hudson/Nelson camp go? Where are those tax documents? You guys didn't hit the buffet at McLain's too often , did you?

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Your maker can KMA. "Back to the regularly scheduled program"

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Haters gonna hate, Ballers gonna ball

Glad to provide the information you requested. Our organization is a 501 (c)4 exempt organization. We are not a tax deductible entity. Due to the size of our gross receipts( less than $25,000) we are not required to file a 990 so I have provided you with the financial report from our Annual Meeting that year.

We have no paid employee's and no member receives reimbursement for travel.


IRS form 990 / form 990 EZ

Filing Requirements

If gross receipts are: $25,000 or Less—Normally not required to file IRS form 990 or form 990 EZ.

More than $25,000—Normally must file IRS form 990 or form 990 EZ.

$100,000 or less and total assets at year end are less than$250,000—May file IRS form 990 EZ or IRS form 990.

More than $100,000 and total assets at year end are more than$250,000—Must file IRS form 990; cannot file IRS form 990 EZ.




Chamber Membership 125.00
Postal Permit 175.00
Post Box 40.00
Annual Florida Reg. Fee 66.00
Northwest Alliance Mtg 273.74
Newsletter (4 Issues) 2,614.11
Copy Systems 130.00
Envelopes 120.13
DeFuniak Herald(ads) 425.25
Walton Sun (ads) 998.49
Copy Systems 131.64
Flowers(JBHillard) 45.00
Domain Name 6.95
Postage (4 newsletters) 423.13

Total Expenses $5,574.44


Current Balances (12/31/07)

Checking 2,187.38
CD 5,340.16

Just curious, I know nothing about this other than what I read in a newspaper article. Do you have inside information? Did you see the person destroy other people's property? Do you know the incident took place on property claiming to be owned by BeachCrest? Sounds like you must have witnessed the incident yourself, as you have already assumed the person is guilty of massive destruction to private property.

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Perhaps the people leaving all their crap on the beach should go to your church.

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darrrk siiiidded!

Attached Images

darksided.JPG (5.5 KB, 388 views)

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FOX NEWS-WE ALTER REALITY, YOU GET SOLD A PRECONCEIVED NARRATIVE

Sorry I made some people mad with my comments. All of the info that I got was from the paper and you said I had made an assumption --so I agreed maybe I did. I didn't realize that me saying I think the woman was wrong in her doings would set off a tide wave of anger at me. It was just my opinion, same as others posting somewhat the same thoughts. I will also express that I mentioned before that the turtle watch people work very hard to get the word out about the turtles and how we can all help. The thread started with this woman getting arrested. That's all I was replying too.
And for the person saying my maker can kma is rude.
We all have an opinion.
P.S. everyone is welcome at our church.

Yes and yours was welcomed as such, At least by me. I did recommend that you read the entire thread, That might have helped you understand where this thread was headed, and


Most certainly you are correct IMO. I had read in the terms of use that Racial and intentional inflammatory remarks were not allowed (If not they should). Anonymous Aliases and knowing that they can most likely get away without a personal meeting face to face allows some mental midgets to say stupid things.

Very respectable, and kind, Thank you.

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God is Great, God is Good!

I wouldn't stand next to this poster during a thunder storm. Pretty much Mark 3:29

The news paper didn't state that she was guilty. You did. By your statement, you assume that she actually is guilty, since you say she was wrong. It is easy enough to believe that one's actions are right or wrong, but you have already found the lady guilty, which in my opinion, is wrong, and makes you no different than the others whom you accuse of needing to go to church.

BTW, if you are feeling anger, it is out of your own guilt. I am not angry with you.

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Interesting statement of the Bible, since Christianity also preaches that all who ask, will be forgiven. Seems contradictory to me.

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After a personal quick study this poster has not committed Mark 3:29. My apoligies to you and the poster and to all that I may have misled. Also, I do not beleive that the Bible has any contradictions only the application of its readers. Like me above. Sorry to get off track from this thread.

YOU ARE FORGIVEN!

Sorry just had to do it! Have a Blessed Day!

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God is Great, God is Good!

I feel better now oh wise one.

I'm not sure what it is that you like about me. You keep calling me out on the floor. Ok, just for you, I'm sorry. Please forgive me for saying things that I know nothing about.
I'm new at this thing and apparently failing big time.
I see your a moderator for this site. Didn't you have any comment about the person saying my maker can kma? You didn't say anything. You went right back to me. I give up. I can read that you don't say much when there are people praising her. Shouldn't praise her if she didn't do it.
Thank you to those that did reply against that person for the kma. I just wanted to point out that apparently that wasn't important enough for you to make a comment. You can learn a lot about the people you call friends on sowal. Have a good day. Waiting for your next love letter.

If you find a user being offensive, please report the offensive post, by clicking on the small red flag icon on the top right corner of their post. I'm not sure what "kma" means.

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I don't know what KMA means, but am guessing it means 'kiss my ass.' I'm still learning acronyms and such.

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

Brahahahahahahaha:ro lling:

You cost me a cup of noodles!

Lynnie you da man! Or Woman! depends what thread we are on

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God is Great, God is Good!

This thread actually started as "The ugly turtle" lady. I found that to be odd and typically when I see someone being picked on or the under dog I take their side. I truly wondered where the ugly part came from. There is a lot more to this story and having met the "turtle terrorist" on more then one occasion my gut tells me she may have provoked.

Probably careless to call her a hero but sometimes I get real sick of watching the people get in trouble for finally doing something about something! Some of you may feel she did nothing but set the cause back but I think this thread is getting lots of attention and raising awareness. So it may not be popular or the right thing and my kids may have a poor role model but I am still sticking with her being my new 30A Hero. Anyone know where I can buy a cape?!

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"You are your choices"
www.lifeonshore.com
http://bobbyjblog.com

Can she borrow yours for a while?

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Please forgive me for not reading but a few of the posts here. There are way too many to digest all of them. I know Ms. Brady. She is a bright, nice, and kind lady. I havent spoken to her personally about the allegations, But from my dealings with her, in my opinion, she doesnt have a mean bone in her body and it is totally out of character for her personality. If you knew her you would feel the same way. In most areas, this story wouldnt even be newsworthy. In any case, she is innocent until proven otherwise and that is the probably circumstance here. And, I'm betting those turtles are safe when she is around!!

Did you work with her at the Sun ?

Yes. And even if she did go Postal on some tents and floats, I am sure there must have been a good reason, hahahaha. She is not big enough to cause much of a commotion. I am sure the cops had a hard time apprehending her. I imagine they probably said BOO and scared the hell out of her. As I said, not knowing the facts and certainly not bored enough to read hundreds of posts, I believe she is probably innocent and it is all a misunderstanding.

Pretty compelling video evidence, but I hold judgement.

The photos are so compelling, I have been listening to what everyone has been saying, did not realize whow bad it is. We stay stay the Sugar Dunes and I have never seen this type of thing from there to the inlet at Eastern Lake. I fish at night and honestly see a few scattered beach items. I took the sign to mean that you cant leave it overnight, I am 61, each day I bring stuff down and then take it back, it is an inconveniece but I see the reasoning behind it. I may bring a trailer next time, I could probaly get enough tents to pay for my next trip, unless I get arrested. May hats off to all of you guys down there, keep it up.

Even if there is a video of her destroying this stuff, was it abandoned or not? Did she pull floaties off of children and deflate them? Was she shredding tents while folks were relaxing under them... or was she merely clearing the beach of litter, as so many of us do? Am I going to be arrested for criminal mischief the next time I pick up an abandoned water bottle or one of those shovels people use to dig a hole to China?

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"My life has been a huge adventure, always. I like them bold, I'm done with creepy." - Seagrovegirl

Is today the hearing? Please let us know how this goes! Thank you!!

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

Hearing is July 23rd.

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But hey...Top Ramen tastes a whole lot better when you eat it off of a Granite Countertop. (Mr & Mrs Too Much Homebuyer)

Florida State Flower

Wait, you guys do all that you do for less than $8,000, and it takes $80,000 for people to walk on the beach, that they are already walking on, and look for turtles?

I love that these people have enough time and sense of right/wrong to make a video of her supposed actions and call the cops, but not enough to pick up after themselves and keep their belongings from being a safety hazard.

And the WCSO/government has the personnel and funds to arrest and prosecute her for popping floats (to save an endangered species and keep our community clean), but can't track down someone trying to kill people.

SEVERE lack of priorities IMO!

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The enemy is ignorance.

Amen

Totally.

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"My life has been a huge adventure, always. I like them bold, I'm done with creepy." - Seagrovegirl

Due to budget cuts, they no longer have the little bottles to rub to make genies appear, and the goals of actually inventing all those cool little computer programs featured on CSI have had to be set aside. Under these absurd conditions, witnesses, video evidence, and an accurate description of the suspect can be tremendously useful when selecting the correct person to arrest. JMHO.

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I'm not talking about the ridonkulous CSI shows w/ apparently unlimited budgets and incredulous DNA and trace evidence tests, w/ fully rested multiple PhD's, I'm talking about not arresting someone for a vehicular crime w/ at least one uber-vocal eyewitness and a FULL license plate.

I can understand that you feel we are unfairly criticizing the WCSO on this one, but quite frankly that incident and its apparent lack of response and publicity make me feel unsafe. Hell, if there is something we are unaware of, an anonymous post, PM, or editorial would go a long way.

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The enemy is ignorance.

I agree. I completely respect and appreciate the work that the LEOs do. I want to feel safe and protected by them; at the very least that when something does happen, they respond in a prompt, courteous way and work tirelessly to solve the problem, whatever it is.

If there is some reason that this has taken so long, is there any reasonable explanation for why it's not known...at least to the victim?

In other places I've lived the LEOs went out of their way to have an active public information program so that the community was informed, and often members of the public were key in solving crimes--why is that different here?

I thought it would change when the new sheriff was elected--everyone had blamed the lack of transparency on the previous sheriff--but, it does not seem to be working out that way and it is puzzling.

It seems to me that having a supportive community and an active partnership to keep our area safe, would be a win-win for all sides.

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

If you will check TJ's thread again, you will see that he posted that the full license plate number that everyone keeps harping about was NOT the correct truck. If there are more eyewitnesses that can perhaps help pinpoint the correct truck - maybe the damage evidence hasn't been fixed by now - I am sure the assistance would be appreciated.

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Thanks - that explains a lot! I think a lot of folks missed that detail.

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The enemy is ignorance.

And I hope enough evidence can be found that will not only allow the perp to be located, but also that the SA will agree to prosecute.

I do know they are looking; not from anyone within, but due to the fact that our blue F-150 with a unpainted, recently repaired front left fender is drawing long, hard looks from LEOs who don't immediately recognize it as ours.

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Am I missing other bids, or is kathydwells still holding the highest bid at $100. As a reminder, deadline to bid will be Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 2:00pm Central. We are going by the SoWal.com clock, so don't wait to bid.

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What is Leave No Trace?
Leave No Trace is an international program that guides outdoor enthusiasts in their decisions to reduce their impacts while enjoying recreational activities.

What is Beach Ordinance No. 2003-07G?
Over the last three years, Walton County has made progress in promoting and enforcing beach ordinance No. 2003-07G, which states personal items including beach chairs, umbrellas, tents and other personal items left on the beach and around public beach accesses overnight (from one hour after dusk to one hour after sunrise) will be removed, unless otherwise permitted.

Why did Walton County enact this ordinance?
The beach ordinance was enacted due to the need for emergency vehicles to navigate the beach more safely and to protect wildlife such as nesting sea turtles (May - November). The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission are mandating to coastal counties that obstacles on the beach at night should be prohibited. This is in effect at other Florida beaches and is being more strictly enforced because of the large decline of turtle nests being recorded.

What is the Walton County Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) role in the program?
The TDC has been tasked by the Board of County Commissioners for marketing and educating visitors and residents of the ordinance and Leave No Trace campaign. The TDC is implementing a beach ambassador program, providing direct contact with beachgoers. There will be a TDC staff beach ambassador on the beach to interact with beachgoers from 6:00 am – 2 pm, from spring break through turtle nesting season to provide information on topics including Leave No Trace, beach rules and beach safety.

What is Code Enforcement’s role in the program?
Code Enforcement will enforce the ordinance. Code Enforcement officers will tag items left on the beach overnight, giving owners and beach vendors 24 hours to remove abandoned items. If items are not removed, Code Enforcement will remove the abandoned items and store them at the TDC Central Maintenance Facility for 48 hours before disposing of the items.

How does the owner of an abandoned item get it back?
Abandoned items may be retrieved between the hours of 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Thursday and 9:00 a.m. – Noon on Friday at the TDC Central Maintenance Facility located at 924 CR 83.Owners will be asked to provide a photo ID and sign an affidavit confirming that they are the owner of the property.

Can you get a permit for kayaks, larger items and permanent structures to be left at the toe of the dune? Yes. Code Enforcement issues permits Monday through Thursday for permissible items. Contact Code Enforcement at 850-622-0000 for an application. Code enforcement makes all determinations regarding permits.

When does this new procedure go into effect?
The new procedure was approved by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners on June 30. The County is currently focused on education and voluntary compliance. Once personnel is trained and tags are printed, Code Enforcement will begin full enforcement of the ordinance, including tagging and removal of abandoned items.

If you have additional questions, please call Code Enforcement at 850-622-0000.

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This works for me. Thanks Lori!!!

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Anthony

Times up. Unless I missed something, kathydwells needs to pony up the cash to Mary (or her defense fund), and I will personally deliver the drawing to her on her upcoming visit.

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Who is the artist? Very curious! I thought it was good!

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all