Check out this Youtube made at SeaGrove Beach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAhE2J-Fupw
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Minutes for Annual Meeting April 3, 2010
Your GBNA 2010 Board held its first Meeting May 25th and these Minutes were read and approved.
GBNA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
APRIL 3, 2010
11:00 AM
Meeting was called to order by President Grant Blackwell.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
All Board Members both old and new were introduced:
APRIL 3, 2010
11:00 AM
Meeting was called to order by President Grant Blackwell.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
All Board Members both old and new were introduced:
OLD BOARD MEMBERS: Grant Blackwell, Scott Provow, Shirley Sahlie, Pat Murphy, Ann Morrell, Kitty Taylor Mike Valentino
NEW BOARD MEMBERS: Billy Buzzett, Ann Morrell and Larry Jackson
THEME OF MEETING: “BUILDING OUR OWN LEGACY”
The 2009 Board has worked closely with our County Commissioners over the past year dealing with the following issues that had to do with Grayton.
1. Beach Driving IssueAs of January 12th the rules and regulations for getting a permit to drive on the beach has changed. A property owner in Walton County must have a home on his property to apply for a permit. They must have had a permit for the year 2009. Only one permit per household will be issued. The renewal date for permits will be from June 1st to August 1st, after that time any property owner who did not renew their permit will lose it. The county has agreed to look at this issue again in October. There will be 20 Charter Boat Permits issued each year.
2. Hotz Street One Way Issue
The County Commissioners did a last minute reprieve on this issue before taking the final step to make Hotz one way at the request of the Walton County Fire Chief. Restriping, blocking off of certain areas was done. It is up to the residents and our guests to be sure and park in the designated areas and to also make sure that all vehicles are not sticking out pass the designated parking area.
3. The Board is seeking approval of a change in the bylaws that would allow the Board when speaking to an issue that would affect Grayton to speak in one voice for our association. As of the meeting this was not permitted by the GBNA Bylaws. The proposed change:
ORIGINAL:5. The Board shall have the general power to act for the association in the conduct of normal business. The Board may not take a position representing the association before any governmental body without a vote of the Association under section IV.4. above.\
PROPOSED CHANGE: (Changes in red)
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 that immediate action is needed and in the best interest of the Association. Effective April 3, 2010.After discussion, motion made and seconded- Item 5 of the GBNA Bylaw is approved.
The 2009 Board has worked closely with our County Commissioners over the past year dealing with the following issues that had to do with Grayton.
1. Beach Driving IssueAs of January 12th the rules and regulations for getting a permit to drive on the beach has changed. A property owner in Walton County must have a home on his property to apply for a permit. They must have had a permit for the year 2009. Only one permit per household will be issued. The renewal date for permits will be from June 1st to August 1st, after that time any property owner who did not renew their permit will lose it. The county has agreed to look at this issue again in October. There will be 20 Charter Boat Permits issued each year.
2. Hotz Street One Way Issue
The County Commissioners did a last minute reprieve on this issue before taking the final step to make Hotz one way at the request of the Walton County Fire Chief. Restriping, blocking off of certain areas was done. It is up to the residents and our guests to be sure and park in the designated areas and to also make sure that all vehicles are not sticking out pass the designated parking area.
3. The Board is seeking approval of a change in the bylaws that would allow the Board when speaking to an issue that would affect Grayton to speak in one voice for our association. As of the meeting this was not permitted by the GBNA Bylaws. The proposed change:
ORIGINAL:5. The Board shall have the general power to act for the association in the conduct of normal business. The Board may not take a position representing the association before any governmental body without a vote of the Association under section IV.4. above.\
PROPOSED CHANGE: (Changes in red)
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 that immediate action is needed and in the best interest of the Association. Effective April 3, 2010.After discussion, motion made and seconded- Item 5 of the GBNA Bylaw is approved.
(This link will take you to the GBNA BYLAWS :http://graytonbylaws.blogspot.com/ )
OLD BUSINESS:
Projects Completed or On Going:
1. Communication with Our Members
a. Ann Morrell gave an update on the Grayton Beach Blog and also the Grayton Beach Facebook. Both are updated almost weekly and members were encouraged to bookmark both and check in often.
(BLOG: http://graytonbeachflorida.blogspot.com/
(facebook link is on blog)
b. Newsletters, and membership applications were sent out in mid January, and email reminders were sent out both in February and March. Ann encouraged membership to return membership applications and dues as soon as they are received to help the Association avoid more mailing fees. She also said that another mail out would be going out in early May for those that did not have an email.
2. Grant shared information on the new radar sign on Defuniak and the three sign posts that had been put up on Defuniak.
3. Landscaping of the Triangle, and the Grayton Beach Entry, and Holiday decorating of the areas were shared by Grant.
4. A status report was given on the lake accesses, bike racks, and a kayak rack at the community boat launch.
5. Richard Veldman reminded the Board and members that the county collects lots of revenue for trash pickup. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day should be having 3 pickups a week per county verbal agreement. (Ronnie Bell and Lonnie Siegler). Richard shared that he is being stonewalled by the county which has diverted these funds to other departments. Richard requested that all GBNA members contact the County Commissioners to request help.
Continuous Concerns by Residents:
a. New road build up promotes flooding in yards
b. Auburn and Shady Lane roads in New Grayton have potholes- even though they are private roads the public uses them to get to beach access-can county help?
c. Parking- there is no parking ordinances for Walton County unless blocking ingress/egress/fire truck etc. Sheriff is working on developing an ordinance for Grayton.
d. Alley traffic-Lydia alley needs signs preventing through traffic for vehicles.
NEW BUSINESS
Billy Buzzett has put together a Grayton Beach History Presentation with help from Van Ness Butler and Malcolm Patterson and Gretchen Infinger The presentation is incomplete and needs your help - donate photos (they will be returned) for inclusion in presentation.
MEETING ADJOURNED AND LUNCH SERVED
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Rags to Riches-DATE CHANGE
Your GBNA Board was concerned that the date of RAGS TO RICHES might be in conflict with our parade and the number of folks visiting our beach on the fourth. Ms. Savage agreed to change the date. (Which is greatly appreciated.)
ALYS BEACH, GRAYTON COAST PROPERTIES, YELLOWFIN OCEANSPORTS, AND TRU SCAPES, INC
a local sailing Regatta from Grayton to Seagrove Beach
(for 16ft. Hobie's or equivalent)
In Honor of Independence Day
Join us on Saturday, July 3, 2010
Registration begins at 8am on Grayton Beach
Captain's Meeting to follow at 11am
$45 entry fee per boat
T-shirt, koozie, gift bag for Captain and Crew, and trophies for top three finishes
For more information contact Elizabeth Savage at 205.602.3426 or mailto:savage3@charter.net
a local sailing Regatta from Grayton to Seagrove Beach
(for 16ft. Hobie's or equivalent)
In Honor of Independence Day
Join us on Saturday, July 3, 2010
Registration begins at 8am on Grayton Beach
Captain's Meeting to follow at 11am
$45 entry fee per boat
T-shirt, koozie, gift bag for Captain and Crew, and trophies for top three finishes
For more information contact Elizabeth Savage at 205.602.3426 or mailto:savage3@charter.net
Fishing Tournament Video
Great Video of the Annual Kid's Grayton Beach Fishing Tournament posted on Sowal
http://www.sowal.com/bb/photos-videos/47651-4th-annual-grayton-beach-kids-fishing-tournament-2010-a.html
http://www.sowal.com/bb/photos-videos/47651-4th-annual-grayton-beach-kids-fishing-tournament-2010-a.html
Friday, May 14, 2010
Hay removed from the Beaches
May 14, 2010 4:30 PM
The up-and-down drama of the oil spill threatening the Gulf has a title and that is "no one really knows." The winds have shifted and the week’s forecast called for the slick to hit the Louisiana and Texas coasts. With hay bales and barrier walls removed from the beaches and placed in “strategic locations,” Walton County is in a "holding pattern," said Mike Gurspan, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office. But the county will be ready to deploy the hay and barriers if necessary.
On May 11, 2010 the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, including County engineers and legal counsel, participated in a conference call with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole and other staff in the State Emergency Operations Center regarding the State’s position on Walton County’s response plan. Highlighted below are specific issues discussed between the county and state.
1) Walton County’s boom plan is in place and is consistent with the United States Coast Guard Mobile Sector Area Contingency Plan and meets state standards.
2) Walton County’s plan to protect the coastal dune lakes will be approved by DEP after substituting sand berms for jersey walls. Silt fencing and absorption pads can be used in conjunction with sand berms. County engineers are currently making changes to the proposal.
3) DEP does not want the county to submit any type of recovery plan for cleaning up oil. DEP’s position is that BP is solely responsible and as such we should not submit plans for recovery. DEP is reviewing BP’s proposed Coastal Protection Plan and will ensure BP complies with it. Having said that, Walton County has a recovery plan making use of existing contracts with Crowder Gulf should BP fail to meet all of their obligations?
4) While the Department does not advise volunteers to actively engage in oil spill cleanup without the appropriate training, there may be other roles for volunteering with response and recovery. Visit www.volunterflorida.org
5) The question was asked if dispersants were going to be used by BP or DEP in state waters. Secretary Sole advised that the determination of whether or not to use dispersants in state waters is made by DEP, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions Wildlife Research Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. At this time there are no plans to use dispersants in state waters.
6) Actions taken by Walton County to date are reasonable based on the information that was known at the time of implementation. Walton County is eligible and will seek full reimbursement from the $25 million block grant from BP given to the state.
DEP has conducted sediment and water quality testing in our area to serve as a base line comparison in the event of oil contamination. Private property owners are encouraged to document their own properties, i.e. photographs. Homeowners are encouraged to view the following press release for guidance on protecting Florida’s shoreline from oil spill impacts: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/homeowner_info_051010.pdf.
1) BP has shallow skimmers currently stationed in Pensacola and Panama City to be used in conjunction with booms.
2) DEP will not allow silt fencing along the shoreline in “inter tidal zones”.
3) DEP is requesting all persons immediately report any evidence of oil or sheen, on or offshore by calling the rapid response team at (866) 448-5816.
Walton County formulated a plan to address the oil spill in the Gulf prior to landfall when all evidence indicated oil arrival was imminent. This was to be accomplished by surrounding an area with boom and saturating it with hay. The hay would then be placed in lined containers on a barge. The purpose of this was to prevent or reduce the effects of an oil slick landfall.
Secretary Sole does not believe that Walton County will be affected by oil slicks. He advises that tar balls and oil sheen is most likely. If this is accurate, we would not attempt to use hay as an absorbent measure.
However, should we receive an oil slick locally, the Secretary advised he could not say the hay method would not be used. He further advised he would like to see a test conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this measure as well as other alternative methods such as polypropylene and absorbent pads.
Currently, the weather is changing and moving the oil in a northwesterly track away from our beaches. Due to this, Walton County personnel have begun repositioning the hay bales and the concrete jersey walls from the area beaches and placing them in staging areas. If the threat of oil presents itself again the materials will be readily available for redeployment. The Coast Guard is also staging boom along the coast for easy disbursement. This plan is a measured response to an evolving situation. As such, Walton County will continue to modify and adapt as necessary.
The up-and-down drama of the oil spill threatening the Gulf has a title and that is "no one really knows." The winds have shifted and the week’s forecast called for the slick to hit the Louisiana and Texas coasts. With hay bales and barrier walls removed from the beaches and placed in “strategic locations,” Walton County is in a "holding pattern," said Mike Gurspan, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office. But the county will be ready to deploy the hay and barriers if necessary.
On May 11, 2010 the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, including County engineers and legal counsel, participated in a conference call with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole and other staff in the State Emergency Operations Center regarding the State’s position on Walton County’s response plan. Highlighted below are specific issues discussed between the county and state.
1) Walton County’s boom plan is in place and is consistent with the United States Coast Guard Mobile Sector Area Contingency Plan and meets state standards.
2) Walton County’s plan to protect the coastal dune lakes will be approved by DEP after substituting sand berms for jersey walls. Silt fencing and absorption pads can be used in conjunction with sand berms. County engineers are currently making changes to the proposal.
3) DEP does not want the county to submit any type of recovery plan for cleaning up oil. DEP’s position is that BP is solely responsible and as such we should not submit plans for recovery. DEP is reviewing BP’s proposed Coastal Protection Plan and will ensure BP complies with it. Having said that, Walton County has a recovery plan making use of existing contracts with Crowder Gulf should BP fail to meet all of their obligations?
4) While the Department does not advise volunteers to actively engage in oil spill cleanup without the appropriate training, there may be other roles for volunteering with response and recovery. Visit www.volunterflorida.org
5) The question was asked if dispersants were going to be used by BP or DEP in state waters. Secretary Sole advised that the determination of whether or not to use dispersants in state waters is made by DEP, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions Wildlife Research Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. At this time there are no plans to use dispersants in state waters.
6) Actions taken by Walton County to date are reasonable based on the information that was known at the time of implementation. Walton County is eligible and will seek full reimbursement from the $25 million block grant from BP given to the state.
DEP has conducted sediment and water quality testing in our area to serve as a base line comparison in the event of oil contamination. Private property owners are encouraged to document their own properties, i.e. photographs. Homeowners are encouraged to view the following press release for guidance on protecting Florida’s shoreline from oil spill impacts: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/homeowner_info_051010.pdf.
1) BP has shallow skimmers currently stationed in Pensacola and Panama City to be used in conjunction with booms.
2) DEP will not allow silt fencing along the shoreline in “inter tidal zones”.
3) DEP is requesting all persons immediately report any evidence of oil or sheen, on or offshore by calling the rapid response team at (866) 448-5816.
Walton County formulated a plan to address the oil spill in the Gulf prior to landfall when all evidence indicated oil arrival was imminent. This was to be accomplished by surrounding an area with boom and saturating it with hay. The hay would then be placed in lined containers on a barge. The purpose of this was to prevent or reduce the effects of an oil slick landfall.
Secretary Sole does not believe that Walton County will be affected by oil slicks. He advises that tar balls and oil sheen is most likely. If this is accurate, we would not attempt to use hay as an absorbent measure.
However, should we receive an oil slick locally, the Secretary advised he could not say the hay method would not be used. He further advised he would like to see a test conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this measure as well as other alternative methods such as polypropylene and absorbent pads.
Currently, the weather is changing and moving the oil in a northwesterly track away from our beaches. Due to this, Walton County personnel have begun repositioning the hay bales and the concrete jersey walls from the area beaches and placing them in staging areas. If the threat of oil presents itself again the materials will be readily available for redeployment. The Coast Guard is also staging boom along the coast for easy disbursement. This plan is a measured response to an evolving situation. As such, Walton County will continue to modify and adapt as necessary.
BP to Hold Training Class At Sandestin
May 14, 2010 4:28 PM
Santa Rosa Beach, FL – British Petroleum has scheduled training for tomorrow (Saturday, May 15th) at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. The training will be offered at 8:00AM and 1:00PM. The training is a four hour class and is open to anyone, but you must first register.
On Monday and Tuesday of next week, training sessions will also take place at the Hilton. Those sessions will also get underway at 8:00AM and 1:00PM.
If interested one can call the toll free lines 866-647-2338 or 866-448-5816, or email horizonresponse@pecpremier.com. Include your name, a contact telephone number, and your preferred training location, date, and time in the email. In order to take the class, a person must be signed-up.
The contractor for BP Oil (PEC Premiere) will handle the scheduling for any additional training in relation to Deepwater Horizon. Those interested should contact the aforementioned toll free numbers. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office will continue to update our database of volunteers and post the training schedules on our website (www.waltonso.org).
Santa Rosa Beach, FL – British Petroleum has scheduled training for tomorrow (Saturday, May 15th) at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. The training will be offered at 8:00AM and 1:00PM. The training is a four hour class and is open to anyone, but you must first register.
On Monday and Tuesday of next week, training sessions will also take place at the Hilton. Those sessions will also get underway at 8:00AM and 1:00PM.
If interested one can call the toll free lines 866-647-2338 or 866-448-5816, or email horizonresponse@pecpremier.com. Include your name, a contact telephone number, and your preferred training location, date, and time in the email. In order to take the class, a person must be signed-up.
The contractor for BP Oil (PEC Premiere) will handle the scheduling for any additional training in relation to Deepwater Horizon. Those interested should contact the aforementioned toll free numbers. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office will continue to update our database of volunteers and post the training schedules on our website (www.waltonso.org).
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Grayton Oil Preparation
Thought you might be interested with the preparation that has been done at Grayton just incase the oil spill reaches our beaches.( Thanks to Larry Jackson for doing the counting)
Two booms across the outflow
12 bales hay near Defuniak Springs beach access
20 or so large concrete barriers stored at the DeFuniak Springs access
Two booms across the outflow
12 bales hay near Defuniak Springs beach access
20 or so large concrete barriers stored at the DeFuniak Springs access
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