BEFORE YOU DIG

Grayton has lots of underground utilities including TV/internet cables, gas lines, phone lines, and electrical lines. Before you DIG please call 811 annd the companies will come out and mark where the lines are. There is no cost for this service.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Beach Safety Goes High Tech

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/safety-6884-beach-walton.html

A new 35 MPH Area

For those of you who live in Grayton or visit that have street legal golf cars the county is going to change the speed limit on 283 from Grayton to just past Logan from 45 to 35 MPH to allow these slow moving vehicles to go from Grayton up into the shopping areas and restaurants in this area. It hasn't been done yet but Grant was notified that it would be taking place soon. Will Keep you updated.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Grayton Beach Rabies Alert for 60 Days

Rabies alert issued for Grayton Beach
May 25, 2011 1:56 PM
POSTED IN THE WALTON SUN

Walton County Health Department Administrator, Gail Allen, has issued a rabies alert for the Grayton Beach area of Walton County. This is in response to a fox that tested positive for rabies reported on May 23, 2011.
All citizens in Walton County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Walton County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under alert.
The recent rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the rabies alert is at Grayton Beach and includes the following area boundaries in Walton County:

Gulf Trace to the West

Tranquil Way to the East

Gulf of Mexico to the South

Logan Lane to the North

An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease.

The following advice is issued:

All pets should have current rabies immunizations.

Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.

Do not leave pet food outside. This also attracts other animals.

For questions regarding the health of an animal, contact a veterinarian.

Veterinarian staff and animal control staff should be alert for animals encountered with sign suspicious for rabies and use appropriate precautions, especially when working with unvaccinated animals.

Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Walton County Health Department at 850-892-8021.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Did you miss out on a Beach Permit Last Year?

Attention Please. Please spread the word to anyone that this might pertain too.

If you lost your Driving on the Beach permit last year because you didn't renew your permit by the August 31st deadline and you had a permit for the previous year...please send me your name and contact information...send it to:

Ann @ yzarctoo@aol.com

Can't promise but you may (please note the word May) be able to get your permit and be considered grand fathered in. You need to do this as soon as possible. Ms. Jones might be able to help us out.

GRANDFATHERED Beach Permits INFORMATION

OK, all you grandfathered Driving on the Beach Permits holders...here are the deadlines for renreing your Driving on The Beach Permits. This answer was researched and relayed back to me by Ms. Jones office:

All grandfathered permit holders have the entire year to renew their permit. Regardless of when they renew the permit, it will still expire on June 1st of each year. For example, if you currently have a permit it will expire on June 1, 2011. You will have until May 31, 2012 to renew that permit. If you wait until May 31, 2012 to renew, your permit will again expire on June 1, 2012.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Grand fathered Beach Permit Deadlines FYI

There seems to be no deadline (June 1st)...as I originally thought from the discussions at the Commissioner's meeting with the grandfathered driving on the beach permits. I was told today while at the Clerk's office, that there wasn't a deadline for renewing.
If you remember last year many of our our property owners lost their permits because they were late in renewing. I would suggest that you contact the Clerk's office and check this out for yourself , if you will not be able to renew your permit by June1st before your 2010-2011 permit runs out. Their number is: (850) 267-3066

This Ordinance has been confusing and has options in the verbage that are very confusing, plus a new office has undertaken this and they are also dealing with things that are brand new for them.     
                           

What you need for permit

When you apply for your driving on the beach permit you need to provide the following;
Proof that your taxes are all paid up...you need to bring a print out for them so that they don't have to look it up. You can get this online at http://taxsearch.waltontaxcollector.com/collectmax/collect30.asp?sid=3CAA7421DF3B4A0981686CE458294757

If you are getting someone else to turn your form in and pay for your permit you also need to provide a form giving that person permission to do this for you. If you contact the clerk's office at 850-267-3066, they will email you the form or tell you where to look on line for it.

South Walton Courthouse Annex

31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Suite 500

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 267-3066

Monday, May 16, 2011

Annual Meeting Minutes April 23, 2011

The Annual Meeting was called to order by Grant Blackwell, President, at Shirley Sahlie’s yard at 11:20 AM, April 23, 2011. About 100 members, guests and family members attended the Annual Meeting and Picnic.

Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, Grant introduced the 2010-2011 Board Members and the new 2011-2012 Board as follows:

2010-2011 Officers:
Grant Blackwell, President
Scott Provow, Vice President
Ann Morrell, Treasurer
Larry Jackson, Secretary
Billy Buzzett
Kitty Taylor
Mike Valentino (Absent)

2011-2012 Board:

Grant Blackwell, elected for a 2011-2013 Term
Scott Provow, elected for a 2011-2013 Term
Andy Gray, elected for a 2011-2013 Term
Bill Wallace, elected for a 2011-2013 Term
Billy Buzzett, continuing, 2010-2012 Term
Ann Morrell, continuing, 2010-2012 Term
Larry Jackson, continuing, 2010-2012 Term

Bylaws Change:

Members approved the proposed Bylaws change to Article V - Para 5 to read: The Board shall have the general power to act for the Association in the conduct of normal business - the Board may take a position representing the Association before any governmental body without a vote of the Association if by unanimous board member vote, the board deems immediate action is needed and in the best interest of the Association.

In accordance with Article VI - Amendments, an amendment requires a simple majority of all association votes. Vote results were 101 Yes or 65%, 17 No or 11% , and 38 Abstain or 20%. This vote confirmed the acclamation voice vote at the 2010 Membership Meeting.

Minutes: March 15th minutes were approved by board member E-mails and posted to GBNA Blog.

Financial Report: Ann Morrell presented an update of our Annual GBNA Finances as of April 23, 2011.

Income: Deposits

2011-12 Membership Dues 171 Lots $ 4,275.00

Expenses :

2010 Annual Meeting/Party Expenses $ 1,604.62

Landscaping Triangle/ Entry Way $ 887.46

Donation Friends of Grayton Beach State Pk $ 100.00

Fourth of July Party/decorations $ 59.90

Membership 2011 Applications $ 525.08

Elegant Tent Rental April 23 Meeting $ 580.20

Total Expenses 2010-11: $ 3,757.26

Net Income 2010-11: $ 517.74

Account Balances:

Checking: $ 6,415.00

Savings: $ 10,669.85

Total: $ 17,084.85

Member Communications: Members were reminded of the two digital communications systems available - the Grayton Beach Neighborhood Association Blog at http://graytonbeachflorida.blogspot.com/ and the Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/login.php , enter Grayton Beach Neighborhood Association in the search window.

Member Directory: This directory will replace the 2006 Membership Directory. The ongoing collection of updated membership directory information is included in the returning 2011 ballots and member surveys. The 2011-2012 Board will seek sponsorship opportunities with local member businesses to support production and distribution of the directory.

Past Year: Grant covered association activities during the last year including the Oil Spill and the July 2010 work on containment dike to protect Western Lake.

Real Estate Update: Scott Provow gave attendees the profile of recent home prices and sales in the 30A area and in Grayton Beach. Sellers have seen bids generally below their asking price. He noted that 29 homes from Sandestin to Rosemary Beach have sold over the last year.

Beach Permit Ordinance: People with 2010 permits can apply starting May 15th for 2011 Permits. A lottery system for 150 permits for registered voters will start April 1st. See the BLOG for application details. The Board will continue to push for grandfather permit privileges for Grayton Beach property owners.

Kayak Rack: The Board is looking at a mobile Kayak Rack to be able to help secure day use equipment at the local boat ramp.

Public Works: Grant covered the positive work that the Public Works Department has done in the village; in large part to relationship building he has maintained with the department. Lately the Department has been improving the shoulders.

Member Comments/Questions:

Traffic and Safety: Several attendees discussed effectiveness of the speed radar indicator on DeFuniak Street. Other speed moderation approaches were covered including small traffic islands, flower planters and additional radar signs. One member suggested more bike path signage and markings to get bikes clear of the main traffic areas.

Rental House Trash Collection: It was suggested that the Board work with rental companies and individual VBO property owners to identify practical ways to manage their properties. Specifically, using the rule of thumb of one trash container per bedroom in determining how many trash containers are needed. The Board is supporting efforts by the rental companies to get an additional trash collection day.

Street Lighting: It was suggested the Board look at the need for street lighting in the village.

Fourth of July Parade/ Rags to Riches Regatta: The two events will be held in Grayton Beach over the 4th of July Weekend - Saturday, 2 July through Monday, 4 July. The Parade is scheduled for Monday morning, July 4th. The Rags to Riches Regatta will be a Hobie Cat race from Grayton Beach to Seagrove Beach and back. Additional information will be provided on the Blog site.

Feral Cat Population: Wynne Freeman covered the work they have been doing with Linda Draper, Alaqua Animal Refuge to operate a trap/spay/release program for feral cats in Grayton. The Freemans recommended that the GBNA to consider a contribution to Alaqua Animal Refuge in support of this program. They also recommended that the Association inform the membership how they can use the program to handle the feral cat population in their neighborhood.

Advisory Board Volunteers: Grant invited members to volunteer to be on an advisory board of members to help with the various projects we are doing throughout the village.

Neighborhood Watch: Grant advised attendees that they need to keep security in mind in protecting their property and belongings.

Logo: A concept logo for the Association was discussed. It was a stylized sea turtle with the letters Grayton Beach on the shell. The 2011-2012 Board will discuss the concept at a future meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 PM.

Submitted by Larry Jackson, Secretary

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Lottery Drawing Monday May 16th

Tomorrow is the big day of the first Beach Permit Lottery drawing. There will be an 150 new cars issued a permit that missed out on the original Driving on the Beach Permit Ordinance voted on in early 2010.  After reducing the number of cars from 1000 + down to about 800...the Commissioners, who's original goal was to reduce the number of cars on the beach, decided that they needed to up the number of cars and came up with the new ordinance that allowed the annual lottery. The only drawback only property owners that lived in Walton county could apply. If you were a non resident property owner, you did not qualify for the lottery. Then at the last minute before the final vote, the board said...we need to allow non property residents the ability to drive on the beach too...so they came up with the qualification of having a Voter's Registration card.  I have asked the Clerk of Courts' office to provide me with a break down of the "lottery winners" as to owing property vs. owning a Voter's Registration Card. I will post this information as soon as I receive it.
A friendly reminder....if you are grandfathered in with your Beach Permit...don't forget that if you fail to renew it by June 1st...you will lose it for ever.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

County Appraisers are in Grayton Beach

I asked the county appraiser, Patrick Pilcher, about why his staff was in Grayton going from house to house. I wanted to know if it was a county wide property assessment or just a Grayton Beach inspection. He gave me the following answer to share on our blog.

We have appraisers in the field in many areas of the County most every day. All properties in Florida are required to be re-evaluated each assessment year and physically reviewed within a 5 year cycle. Grayton Beach residential properties are being reviewed at this time. With declining property values most owners should see decreased assessments this year. The only increase in property value an owner would experience as a result of the review would be if improvements(remodel,increased square footage,etc.) were discovered that are not currently listed in our appraisal. Appraisers also look for negative changes in review properties (neglected maintenance,rot,demolition,etc.) Commercial properties, county-wide, are also being reviewed at this time.


Owners are encouraged to contact our office if they have questions,850-892-8123 ,or email pilpatrick@co.walton.fl.us .

Sincerely,

Patrick Pilcher
Walton County Property Appraiser





Monday, May 2, 2011

Grand Fathered Driving on Beach Permit Applications

Here is the link for Beach Driving Permit for those that are grand fathered in.  Remember if you fail to renew it by June 1st..you will lose it forever. They will start accepting these application May 15th.

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3389