Signs are fine

The Walton County TDC demonstrated poor judgment and a lack of intestinal fortitude when they decided to remove the blue signs along the South Walton Highway 30A.
This is not the first time we have been down this road. At a past Board of County Commissioners meeting it became apparent that the county Scenic Corridor Committee was dominated by the private Scenic Corridor Association, which, in turn, was dominated by a single individual. At that meeting, after considerable debate, the BCC abolished the county committee.
It was later reestablished because it was required in the land development code. The arguments at that time also centered on signage. In these arguments, the purpose of signs becomes lost. Their purpose is to identify or give direction. Both functions were abysmally lacking in the south of the county prior to the erection of the blue signs. Even now, Sacred Heart Hospital is not conspicuously identified.
Given the importance of tourism to the Walton County economy, providing clear direction and identification to people new to the area would seem to be worthy of paramount consideration. Add to this the heavy traffic, and the inability for easy identification or direction becomes an invitation to a major accident.
It is to be hoped that the Walton County BCC will demonstrate better judgment, fiscal responsibility and intestinal fortitude when they consider the TDC recommendation.

Gene Ryan
DeFuniak Springs