SoWal Advisory Group

**GoodWitch58** · 02-08-2008, 04:43 PM

I am trying to be positive here. We obviously have a lot of experience and talent on the Board. We are able to articulate opinions, quickly "see" things, and are not shy about jumping into an issue.
I am wondering if we can design a way to serve the community BEFORE things happen...serve as a citizens advisory panel; a focus group; a sounding board...for some of the officials.
Most of us have commitments of home and family and jobs...many of us are only here part of the year...but we all have a vested interest in our community.
I have lived here for almost eight years and at first I attended meetings, signed up for committees, and offered my services...I stopped because I could not seem to get anywhere...and sitting through 3, 4, or 5 hour County Commission meetings is just not possible for me to do on a regular basis.
But, I would gladly serve on a focus group or sounding board, if "the powers that be" would seek input in a more focused way BEFORE decisions are made.
Thoughts anyone????

**Hop** · 02-08-2008, 06:24 PM

good idea...SoWal was become a voice already...

**Jdarg** · 02-08-2008, 08:20 PM

Excellent idea Goodwitch- many of us are already involved in "pieces and parts" around here. It would be nice to have a central, focused, and organized group, that was keeping track of meetings and such that affect the community.

**scooterbug44** · 02-09-2008, 09:02 PM

I already think of Sowal as an advisory group, and the best way to get the word out to the community about a potential issue.

Love how today's Sowal thread is next week's newspaper story!

IMO a dedicated advisory group/committee may just add to the trouble by adding another level of bureaucracy/red tape.

Definitely think that all "ideas" should be vetted through Sowal to avoid more gov't snafus.

**Beach Runner** · 02-09-2008, 09:08 PM

Yes, it's called the South Walton Community Council. Their website is http://www.southwaltoncc.org . We got a lot of support from Executive Director Anita Page when our neighborhood had an issue that we felt strongly about.

You can also go to http://www.co.walton.fl.us to get dates and agendas for Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners meetings. If you want to be involved in the process before decisions are made regarding issues that are important to you, you can either attend the meetings or email the commissioners (their email addresses are on that website).

**wrobert** · 02-09-2008, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

Yes, it's called the South Walton Community Council. Their website is http://www.southwaltoncc.org . We got a lot of support from Executive Director Anita Page when our neighborhood had an issue that we felt strongly about.

Anita is really good. She attends a lot of meetings and puts out some very good summaries that give both sides of many issues.

But even with their participation, it seems to me that things just do not get done. And it is frustrating for me and I just drive down to the area once a week or so. I would be a flipped out lunatic if I lived down there.

For example, when entering the temporary building that code enforcement and some of planning use in south Walton, they use to have a sign that said:

No Dogs' Allowed

except Service Dogs'

It took almost a year to get them to drop the ' from the word "Dogs". After explaining it to the person at the desk a dozen times I had to write three levels of government officials to get a sign changed so it did not portray Walton County as a bunch of uneducated people. And this is a small trivial example. But I believe an example of the overall attitude of government. Look how long this sign issue is dragging out. And several of the commissioners have told me that they want to see something changed, yet I see no one standing up and getting it done.

Oh well, enough ranting for the night.

**Smiling JOe** · 02-09-2008, 09:48 PM

Yes, Anita attends most BCC meetings held in SoWal, and she does represent SWCC. However, she is often only one of two people with the SWCC whom regularly attend the meetings. If you join a group like SWCC or any other group, it doesn't end there. You owe it to yourself and the group to actively participate. Don't expect someone else to do the work for you. I think that groups can be powerful, but even more powerful is a court room filled with individual free-thinkers.

**Smiling JOe** · 02-10-2008, 08:19 AM

The "formal committee" thing scares me a bit. I truly feel that if such a committee were formed, people would become more complacent because they would know that the Committee represents them, and their own voice would get muted. As the Yogi says, "we already have all we need." When there is no committee, everyone has a voice, and are typically more passionate about using it.

**Teresa** · 02-10-2008, 09:14 AM

I don't think a formal committee is necessary. and not even what goodwitch is suggesting. just to keep talking about the issues on sowal.com and making a real effort to make a difference is all it takes. and we do have this already in place, pretty much.

also, for those who enjoy being directly involved in the community, you can be sure to keep sowal members posted on issues and events, etc.

kind of an informal group of community members. TFT is right - this is our daily source of info, in leiu of any real newspaper, etc. I've NEVER seen the local news on TV. so this is really my only source. If jdarg does not tell us about the Play Park progress, I will not know a thing about it until I happen to drive by and notice there is a new park.

it's worthy of discussion anyway, just for awareness of members of how sowal members do make such a difference! many of you are already excellent sowal representatives.

**GoodWitch58** · 02-10-2008, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Tootsie

I don't think a formal committee is necessary. and not even what goodwitch is suggesting. just to keep talking about the issues on sowal.com and making a real effort to make a difference is all it takes. and we do have this already in place, pretty much.

also, for those who enjoy being directly involved in the community, you can be sure to keep sowal members posted on issues and events, etc.

kind of an informal group of community members. TFT is right - this is our daily source of info, in leiu of any real newspaper, etc. I've NEVER seen the local news on TV. so this is really my only source. If jdarg does not tell us about the Play Park progress, I will not know a thing about it until I happen to drive by and notice there is a new park.

it's worthy of discussion anyway, just for awareness of members of how sowal members do make such a difference! many of you are already excellent sowal representatives.

Thanks, Tootsie. You are right--that's what I was trying to get across. I don't want a formal group/committee/meeting...just didn't know what else to call it for the sake of this thread.

I was simply trying to find a way to be proactive, so that we could save time, money, and not expend so much energy trying to "fix things" that many of us believe never should have happened in the first place.

Just think how different it might have been, if the TDC had posted the Sign Plan with Designs on Sowal and asked for the community's response....or if someone had asked our opinion of The Beach....

**Allifunn** · 02-10-2008, 10:10 AM

I am sure those of us that are part time residents, land owners, and soon to be residents will appreciate SoWal.com being a big voice in the community. When it comes to most issues, we are all of the same opinion...the betterment of SoWal, the conservation of the environment and the quality of life.

**florida girl** · 02-10-2008, 09:29 PM

I have to agree that SoWal.com is probably the best forum to discuss issues here, however, I don't think it necessarily covers the entire population, only the computer/internet savvy. We need more respect for all citizen's, not just the favored ones. The notion, if you don't like it move, is really not acceptable. We should be able to converse and discuss all aspects of an issue, as civilized adults.

**Smiling JOe** · 02-10-2008, 10:36 PM

Ms Kitty, did you read that? florida girl called you "internet savvy." lol.

**Miss Kitty** · 02-10-2008, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Ms Kitty, did you read that? florida girl called you "internet savvy." lol.

....just catching up! Thanks for the shout out!

**Darth Vader** · 02-11-2008, 10:22 AM

I say the key word here is Incorporate! Thats right all these people that are busy pointing fingers and want to tell the county how to spend the money they collect as a whole for one little strip on the south side of the county needs to "Incorporate!" That would allow people like Dave to run for Mayor and others to have the power to control what goes on in their "Incorporated" area. I say Walton county Tax payers need to stand up and say if you do not like it, INCORPORATE!. Have your own Police and Fire and heck even your own TDC. The 30A neighborhood is just that a neighborhood with subdivisions. Why would any of us that pay taxes allow a handful of "Oh My's" dictate what the county should do as a whole. This guy Dave owns a business in the Seaside subdivision of Walton County? He surely does not represent the entire business community.
If Seaside subdivision wants to have "Pretty" signs, than Incorporate and spend your own tax Money.

**ShallowsNole** · 02-11-2008, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Darth Vader

I say the key word here is Incorporate! Thats right all these people that are busy pointing fingers and want to tell the county how to spend the money they collect as a whole for one little strip on the south side of the county needs to "Incorporate!" That would allow people like Dave to run for Mayor and others to have the power to control what goes on in their "Incorporated" area. I say Walton county Tax payers need to stand up and say if you do not like it, INCORPORATE!. Have your own Police and Fire and heck even your own TDC. The 30A neighborhood is just that a neighborhood with subdivisions. Why would any of us that pay taxes allow a handful of "Oh My's" dictate what the county should do as a whole. This guy Dave owns a business in the Seaside subdivision of Walton County? He surely does not represent the entire business community.
If Seaside subdivision wants to have "Pretty" signs, than Incorporate and spend your own tax Money.

No incorporation, please. Look at Destin. And who patrols the streets of Destin? Who builds their beach walkovers? Hint: neither agency has the word "Destin" in their name.

**wrobert** · 02-11-2008, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by ShallowsNole

No incorporation, please. Look at Destin. And who patrols the streets of Destin? Who builds their beach walkovers? Hint: neither agency has the word "Destin" in their name.

Incorporate? If the problem is tax dollars how is that suppose to help? You get to keep paying county tax, plus a new city tax, and the county would be providing fewer services. I guess those of us in the boonies would appreciate it. We would have even more dollars to spend on things in our area.

**Smiling JOe** · 02-11-2008, 10:08 PM

I agree with WaltonGOP. If you think property taxes are high now, wait until you they double from having City tax on top of County Tax. Currently, property tax is less than .9 % (that is, point nine percent). The city from which I moved, had a combined tax amount of 2.8 % (city and county). I'm not sure how you think incorporating would benefit SoWallers. If you think it will make SoWallers take more of a stand, or show up at City meetings, than those who currently attend County meetings, I think you haven't been to a County meeting yet. It won't happen. In my opinion, it would just lead to more wasteful spending, and make things even more confusing.