LETTER: Paradise lost in Walton County
I would like to make a couple of comments about Sheila Wachsman's letter about Walmart that appeared in the Feb. 27th Sun.
As someone whose ancestors settled in this area in the mid-1800s, I feel that I have every right to say that I agree with Mrs. Wachsman. Until the 1960s, this was one of the most beautiful areas in this country. You could visit the beaches just about anywhere there was a trail to get there. You could walk the beach without anyone running you off, because it was "their property."
The bay and streams had plenty of fish and shellfish. The oysters were the best in the south, now there are none. The Gulf had any type of fish you could want — and plenty of them. The roads were few because they were not needed, and most were sand, not paved. You could hunt if you desired.
All types of fruit were grown here, and there was plenty of timber. It was a peaceful lifestyle and the people here loved it.
Then someone found out about us, and overnight we have changed — a change that most here did not want. However, newcomers saw the potential and greed raised its ugly head.
As they say: "You know the rest of the story".
You will not find any of the "real locals" that wanted the newcomers here, because the beauty of this area was marred by these newcomers and is lost for ever.
To read Wachsman's original comments, click here.
R. E. Williams
Santa Rosa Beach
