South Walton County man takes fight against offshore drilling to Facebook

SANTA ROSA BEACH — A South Walton County man has taken his opposition to drilling off Florida’s coast to a new level.

Jeff Swede, 32, has created an event on Facebook.com devoted to protesting offshore drilling and asks members of the online social networking site to write e-mails to Gov. Charlie Crist.

“I want to educate people, and the way I expressed my opinion through Facebook made the most sense,” said Swede, who developed the Fight Offshore Drilling in Florida event. “I have a link online of the actual bill. In my mind, I’m asking the question ‘Do I want oil rigs on my horizon?’ The bottom line is: I vote no.”

He said he came up with the idea after he attended the Hands Across the Sand demonstration at Seaside last month, when hundreds of people held hands along the beach to show their opposition to the proposal to drill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“I wanted to get the message across, but I’m busy,” Swede said. “I used what few means I have to try and fight for the cause, and people seem to be really interested in it. I get more and more responses every day.”

Dave Rauschkolb, who organized Hands Across the Sand, said Swede’s efforts are why he started the fight against oil drilling.

“My main goal was to create more awareness,” Rauschkolb said. “If someone has been motivated to act, then I couldn’t be more pleased. Everyone should know that a vote for oil is a perilous vote.”

Shane Moody, president and CEO of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is on Facebook, Twitter and other networking sites promoting its stance against drilling.

“Technology is the big trend,” Moody said. “It takes only a minute to do something, and I think any effort can achieve something as long as there is ambition and drive.”

Swede said he knows it will take more than just writing to Crist to prevent drilling. He also plans to send letters to local legislators.

“I plan to put out more information on the Facebook event and get more locals involved,” he said. “I want to be a part of the fight. I want to keep voicing my opinion."

CHECK IT OUT

To access Jeff Swede’s site, go to Facebook.com and type Fight Offshore Drilling in Florida.