SEAWALLS - Audio/Photo Presentation

[SHELLY]

Very interesting audio/photo presentation on seawall in SoWal. Once you enter the presentation, click on each number for a narrative.

Seawalls in SoWal

Was contained in an article in Pensacola News Journal:

Seawalls in Walton County

"BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH -- Beachfront homeowners in Walton County are taking desperate measures to keep their luxury homes from sliding into the water, and state officials seem either unable or unwilling to stop them.

Since Hurricane Dennis blasted ashore last July 10 at nearby Navarre Beach, construction crews have thrown up steel girders, buried giant sand tubes and erected dozens of seawalls along that 26-mile stretch of sugar-white beaches.

Although much of the construction appears to be illegal, bureaucrats appear reluctant to invite a showdown and are seeking ways to let the barriers remain.................."

[Beachlover2]

[John R]

great find shelly, thanks for that. as bmbv has stated, not all the gf owners moved forward illegally. but, the one's who have are responsible for thowing the negative light on the group as a whole.

[JB]

Does anyone know when the photos in this piece were taken? Unbelievably, we are staying at one of the houses shown in these photos in mid-May.

I am really worried now. I wonder if we need to look into moving somewhere else. Does anyone know of an area with small gulf front rental houses where seawall construction is NOT going on?

Unbelievable

[Richard]

Does anyone know when the photos in this piece were taken? Unbelievably, we are staying at one of the houses shown in these photos in mid-May.

The photos were taken 3/21/06.

[TooFarTampa]

Richard: Fantastic presentation. Thank you for your contributions.

[Smiling JOe]

Richard, you and Celeste made a great presentation. I must have just missed you at BMB on the 21st. Judging by the water lines, I was only an hour or so behind you.

[CastlesOfSand]

Thanks for the info.

[Franny]

Does anyone know when the photos in this piece were taken? Unbelievably, we are staying at one of the houses shown in these photos in mid-May.

I am really worried now. I wonder if we need to look into moving somewhere else. Does anyone know of an area with small gulf front rental houses where seawall construction is NOT going on?

Unbelievable

There are two new rentals (houses are not new) at the intersection of 30-A and hwy 395, Across from the village market. Private pools. I believe they are rentad thru Beaches of South Walton. They are the cute cinder block beach house. Hope this helps...no construction in front that I have noticed but just east of the houses.

[ecopal]

A different version of the same article also showed up in Florida Today:
ARTICLE TITLE:
Sea wall building frenzy worries coastal advocates
By PAIGE ST. JOHN and LARRY WHEELER
FLORIDA TODAY
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbc...EWS01/60325003

I found the following quote from this article particularly interesting because it represents the feelings of some beach front owners. In fact some friends of mine have said about the same thing:

" House Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City, a coastal developer by trade.
... said, "if I saw my home was falling off into the water, I would do everything I could to protect it as well. I'd fight the bureaucracy as hard as I could. You can't fault them (property owners) for trying to preserve their homesteads." "

I have other beach front owner friends that are concerned that spending considerable money on a seawall is foolish since they can't be certain if the wall etc. will be worth it in the long run and may end up doing more harm than good. Also they are concerned about liability issues with their neighbors and potential fines from government agencies. They feel the risk of putting in a wall/ geotube is more risky than not.

Some are putting in white sand, plant sea oats, and install sand fencing since it is less risky and less expensive and more environment friendly.

Some figure that it would be cheaper to just rebuild further back on their lot if they lose their home.

I would like to hear more from beach front owners that chose not to put up walls and their rationales.

The following article is very interesting.
I suggest you read the entire article but I quoted some of the passages for your convenience.

EXCERPTS...
"....Coastal advocates are alarmed at the unprecedented number of walls installed with so little oversight.

...."We never envisioned this number of walls," said county planning director Pat Blackshear. "People got really afraid they were going to lose their property."

......Twenty-eight of the 30 permits issued in the first 24 hours went to a company owned by Rosier "Ro" Cuchens, one of the county commissioners who voted to take advantage of the emergency law.

....Homeowners moved ahead with their erosion-prevention measures with no environmental reviews and no concession to Walton County's other notable denizens - endangered beach mice and leatherback sea turtles.

.....Three years ago, Georgia builder Tony Burton bought a sand-cliff lot in the area for $1 million. ....Burton and other homeowners are defiant at the possibility they could be ordered to pay federal fines and to remove their expensive new barriers.

.....Beach engineers cite the sheet-metal battlements being erected in Walton County as the second leading man-made cause of erosion in Florida, behind dredging.

......Local activists are alarmed at how quickly the Walton County beachfront homeowners installed their armoring.

......."Are we becoming like other areas where we are going to have walls but not beach?" asked Anita Page, executive director of the South Walton Community Council. "I'm frightened we may have created a situation where we are ultimately going to harm the beach itself."

.........Florida need look no further than the concrete coastlines of Texas and New Jersey to see how quickly concrete can replace sand, warned Orrin Pilkey, director of Duke University's Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines."

[SHELLY]

Officials seeking temporary ban on new seawalls
Paige St. John
News Journal capital bureau

TALLAHASSEE -- Save the sea turtles or save the homes?

Environmental regulators want control over seawalls that go up after hurricanes under the guise of an "emergency."

They point to Walton County following Hurricane Dennis, which set off an unregulated spree of armored walls, barricades and tube systems. The county is battling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the impact to endangered sea turtles and beach mice.

Link: Pensacola News Journal March 30

[Paula]

Great link to Fowlkes' photo documentary on sea walls. Thanks. It's a great resource because he says clearly that he defends the right of gulf front owners to protect their property, but to do so in a way that is consistent with the law and doesn't harm the environment.

[30A Skunkape]

Well this little photo spread is guaranteed to lead to heated argument on the board. If there is any positive spin in all this, at least the homeowners were nice enough to dump an honest to goodness mountain on Blue Mountain Beach.

[BlueMtnBeachVagrant]

Everyone,

I believe the real concerns don't lie with the retaining walls. That's right! You "read me" correctly. Everyone who has read the other 2 ACTIVE threads (Seawalls and Geotubes in Texas), will know that I'm a trouble maker.

I speak my mind. And I don't take crap from Simple Simons .

All the hostility is over something a lot more petty when you cut to the chase. Let's be honest....

All this bad blood that exists is because on Walton beaches, extravagant homes for the rich and connected dominate the landscape.

There.... that's it. I said it. Can anyone really deny it?

BMBV

[SHELLY]

BMVB: IMO seawallers and geotubers are just whistling past the graveyard. (But I certainly understand the desperate, last-ditch efforts being employed to save the "Lifestyle of the Rich and Connected")

Richard: Bravo on a wonderful presentation and getting the story "out there." A million thanks for caring about the beaches and caring about the turtles.

[Miss Kitty]

Everyone,

I believe the real concerns don't lie with the retaining walls. That's right! You "read me" correctly. Everyone who has read the other 2 ACTIVE threads (Seawalls and Geotubes in Texas), will know that I'm a trouble maker.

I speak my mind. And I don't take crap from Simple Simons .

All the hostility is over something a lot more petty when you cut to the chase. Let's be honest....

All this bad blood that exists is because on Walton beaches, extravagant homes for the rich and connected dominate the landscape.

There.... that's it. I said it. Can anyone really deny it?

BMBV

I am now calling you The Riddler. Just so I understand you, are you trying to say that those that don't own GF in SoWal are really just jealous of someone's house and not concerned about the natural beauty of the beaches? Do you stay up late thinking of these riddles? My head is spinning.

[Smiling JOe]

Everyone,

I believe the real concerns don't lie with the retaining walls. That's right! You "read me" correctly. Everyone who has read the other 2 ACTIVE threads (Seawalls and Geotubes in Texas), will know that I'm a trouble maker.

I speak my mind. And I don't take crap from Simple Simons .

All the hostility is over something a lot more petty when you cut to the chase. Let's be honest....

All this bad blood that exists is because on Walton beaches, extravagant homes for the rich and connected dominate the landscape.

There.... that's it. I said it. Can anyone really deny it?

BMBV

Wow! I didn't realize that I was jealous and envious of you. Now I see the light. Yes, followed the symptoms directly to the problem. How insightful. Now, I am a new person since you have shown me the light. Thank You!

Hogwash! BMBV, you must get down off that pedastal on which you climbed. I believe you may be the only one who sees yourself up there.

[Rita]

Wow! I didn't realize that I was jealous and envious of you. Now I see the light. Yes, followed the symptoms directly to the problem. How insightful. Now, I am a new person since you have shown me the light. Thank You!

Hogwash! BMBV, you must get down off that pedastal on which you climbed. I believe you may be the only one who sees yourself up there.

.... Please note my smilie with this ... heehee


-

[Kimmifunn]

I mean Kurt could...




I'm out.

[BlueMtnBeachVagrant]

Wow! I didn't realize that I was jealous and envious of you. Now I see the light. Yes, followed the symptoms directly to the problem. How insightful. Now, I am a new person since you have shown me the light. Thank You!

Hogwash! BMBV, you must get down off that pedastal on which you climbed. I believe you may be the only one who sees yourself up there.

Dear Smiling JOe,

Of all the people on all these threads, I thought I could depend on you for moderation. You've let me down this time in a big way.

....NO, not really.

You, my friend, were set up. Yep, I expected everyone else to "bite", but not you. Perhaps after I explain this post in greater detail, you and I (and I hope others) will continue our dialogs.

It's kind of like the old tuna fishing techniques where there were unwanted takes of dolphin. Yes you, my friend are an intelligent dolphin swimming in a school of tuna.

I apologize for yanking you in the way I did. Honestly. I was hoping based on past dialog, that you, of all people wouldn't turn your back on me so quickly.

BUT this was the only way that I could see to REALLY MAKE THIS POINT....

I said exactly the following,
"All this bad blood that exists is because on Walton beaches, extravagant homes for the rich and connected dominate the landscape."

Do you notice the bold text in the above text?

Guess what?

That didn't come from me.

That's right, I didn't originally say it nor do I believe it. Nor do I believe the bad blood part (for the most part - of course there may be exceptions ).



Then why in the world did I post this?

Remember the "freedom of the press" question that I poised to ecopal in the other thread. I asked him if he believed in "freedom of the press"? Remember all the boring case law he quoted when I said a simple yes or no would suffice?...even suggesting that one could be held liable if the terminology was akin to "fighting words" and that was not covered under freedom of the press.



OK OK.....I'll get to the point.


Shelly posted a link to an article in the very first post of this thread that the Pensacola News Journal published.

With me so far? Maybe now you remember and are now seeing the method to my madness, but I'll continue anyway....

The 9th paragraph of that Pensacola News Journal article is quoted below:

"On Walton beaches, extravagant homes for the rich and connected dominate the landscape."

That's all there was in that one sentence paragraph, PERIOD. That's it. Nada mas!


CALL ME CRAZY (which many of you have done already), but if it looks like a dead skunk, smells like a dead skunk, has about as much use as a dead skunk then it MUST be a dead skunk.


This article in the Pensacola News Journal is the epitome of class warfare. I didn't write it. I just read it and saw it for what it is.... toilet paper.

Gannett should be ABSOLUTELY EMBARASSED to allow an article such as this to be generated and not classified as an editorial. Maybe it is an editorial. Either way it "STINKS" to high heaven !!

Smiling JOe, I hope you now see why I did what I did (posting the "inflamatory" remark).

You and everyone else need to really walk a mile in our (GF) shoes and see some of this non-sense for what it is. It's a lot easier to spot when one is non-biased and slanted by the likes of ecopal.

Oh, just for the record, there are many of us GF property owners that are not as "rich" and are not "well connected" as this article would lead the average reader to believe.

[Smiling JOe]

I was set up? I don't get it. You are really clever aren't you?
BMBV, I have an idea. When you quote in the future, try using the "..." and citing you source. I didn't agree with that in the article and I didn't agree with you using it.

Until you know whose shoes I have walked in, perhaps you should refrain from telling me to walk in a GF onwers. For the record, I am not following ecopal's story any more than I am following yours. I have my own mind and think for myself.

I think I will take a break from this thread. If someone has something interesting and knowledgable that I may appreciate reading, please send me a pm and let me know to check the thread.

Peace Out!

[BlueMtnBeachVagrant]

Dear Reader,

I offer my apology to everyone for the "underhanded" technique that I employed regarding the "class warfare" point I was making.

I know many of you were drawn in (some a little too easy).

My intent is not to belittle those of you who read and post. My point, and I hope you now see it, is that there is an underlying current of negative activism in our little area of Blue Mountain Beach of which I have been a part of for about 6 years (BMB, not negative activism ).

I love this area. I love MOST of the people I meet down here. That's why this is where our second home is.

But with that said, I believe "we" have a perverbial fly in the ointment. Perhaps I'll bring that to light in due course. For some of you that really understand some of the "politics" in our area, you probably can appreciate what I'm saying already.

PLEASE accept my apologies for my stooping this low to make a point that I thought was VERY IMPORTANT.... that is there are others out there, not me, that would bias you into believing our current issues regarding retaining walls, sand, etc., is a result of the "haves" as opposed to the "have nots".

I just see myself as a "have not" who just happens to own gulf front property.

Again sorry to have "intentionally" ruffled some feathers.

Sincerely,
BMBV

[katie blue]

You're the one who keeps on bringing up class warfare, even when 'cleverly' disguised as sarcasm, bait, irony, or a set-up. Hey, <sniff>...do I smell a dead skunk?

Let the games go. We're talking about the beach. Please, BMBV.

Oh:

[Allifunn]

All the hostility is over something a lot more petty when you cut to the chase. Let's be honest....

All this bad blood that exists is because on Walton beaches, extravagant homes for the rich and connected dominate the landscape.

Is about the only response to this ..sorry BMBV, I tried to give you some credit, but you obvioulsy, and sadly, don't deserve it

[aquaticbiology]

Is about the only response to this ..sorry BMBV, I tried to give you some credit, but you obvioulsy, and sadly, don't deserve it

agreed!

like the vegetation around the watersound pond - that was just so planted

i am so not jealous of your double-wide - i have my own!

resisting the urge to jump in the truck and go salvage the hoist hook (first things first), then take a fire hose to bmbv's pants, cause he must be full of sheet!

[Allifunn]

Is about the only response to this ..sorry BMBV, I tried to give you some credit, but you obvioulsy, and sadly, don't deserve it

I also have to add that obviously, the old addage is true, ....money does not buy class or style

[kimbug]

I also have to add that obviously, the old addage is true, ....money does not buy class or style

So true, Allifuun.

[Franny]

Is about the only response to this ..sorry BMBV, I tried to give you some credit, but you obvioulsy, and sadly, don't deserve it

I'm with you Allifunn!! I will be the first to sign a petition to ban this sob...look at his initials BM...BV!! NOT !

[Kimmifunn]

Everyone,

I believe the real concerns don't lie with the retaining walls. That's right! You "read me" correctly. Everyone who has read the other 2 ACTIVE threads (Seawalls and Geotubes in Texas), will know that I'm a trouble maker.

I speak my mind. And I don't take crap from Simple Simons .

All the hostility is over something a lot more petty when you cut to the chase. Let's be honest....

All this bad blood that exists is because on Walton beaches, extravagant homes for the rich and connected dominate the landscape.

There.... that's it. I said it. Can anyone really deny it?

BMBV

Oh please. The rich and connected are buying condos in Vegas. You should know that. Duh.

[Mermaid]

Everyone,

I believe the real concerns don't lie with the retaining walls. That's right! You "read me" correctly. Everyone who has read the other 2 ACTIVE threads (Seawalls and Geotubes in Texas), will know that I'm a trouble maker.

I speak my mind. And I don't take crap from Simple Simons .

All the hostility is over something a lot more petty when you cut to the chase. Let's be honest....

All this bad blood that exists is because on Walton beaches, extravagant homes for the rich and connected dominate the landscape.

There.... that's it. I said it. Can anyone really deny it?

BMBV

Vagrant \Va"grant\, a. [Probably fr. OF. waucrant, wacrant, p.
p. of waucrer, wacrer, walcrer, to wander (probably of
Teutonic origin), but influenced by F. vagant, p. pr. of
vaguer to stray, L. vagari. Cf. Vagary.]
1. Moving without certain direction; wandering; erratic;
unsettled.

That beauteous Emma vagrant courses took. --Prior.

While leading this vagrant and miserable life,
Johnson fell in live. --Macaulay.

2. Wandering from place to place without any settled
habitation; as, a vagrant beggar.
Vagrant \Va"grant\, n.
One who strolls from place to place; one who has no settled
habitation; an idle wanderer; a sturdy beggar; an
incorrigible rogue; a vagabond.

Vagrants and outlaws shall offend thy view. --Prior.

The name speaks for itself.

[katie blue]

Let's be honest...

All this bad blood that exists is because on Walton beaches, extravagant homes for the rich and connected dominate the landscape.
There.... that's it. I said it. Can anyone really deny it?

Oops, you forgot your "smiley"

Let's be honest... envious? You couldn't pay me to be in your position. I can see the water just fine, thanks. Exactly who is envious of who? just kidding, lighten up. ()

But thanks for that insightful gem, big guy.