Our Surfside Vice President, Gary Williams, has a campaign sign in his front yard that supports Frank Wolfe for Pacific County Commissioner. Does Mr. Wolfe know that Williams is not a resident of the County, living in his home in Renton Washington? Williams has done enough damage to Surfside. Now he wants to damage the County? Wolfe may think he got a vote from Williams, which he can not, but he lost my vote.
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| 311th and I Street |
I took a short walk on the beach just South of the Oysterville beach approach to see where the dunes had been modified. I had no idea that it was so extensive. It covers an area the size of a football field. It must have cost thousands to do the work and will cost many more thousands to restore. The County and State need to set an example of this blatant violation for the law.
37 comments:
I believe Gary Williams does not care about the integrity and laws of elections in the USA or in SHOA. I wonder if he plans on engaging in voter fraud by voting in two counties. I bet he wishes Pacific County had proxies he could stuff the ballot box with.
I think those dunes looks great and wish the rest of us could do this. Also having a hard time thinking they didn't have a permit of some sort, that was a lot of sand to move around and the project was too big to be covert, it wasn't done at night or in an hour.
This is just my opinion, I'm sure our local environmental save the dune terrorists will start attacking me now.
These signs are being distributed by Clancy. Clancy hopes to run for Comments sooner in the near future and is hoping to get Wolfe’s support.
Thank you George for opening up this issue! I found the article in the weekender by Peggy Olds most interesting and wanted a platform to address the CARL statement. It’s time to start paying attention to what we as a HOA are supposed to be upholding and following.
1). When does it apply? If a landowner is clearing vegetation, grading or altering land, a county permit is required
2) what is a critical area? Critical areas include wetlands, aquifer recharge or flooded areas, or other areas. Critical area buffers are lands WITHIN 25 ft OF ORDINARY HIGH WATER MARk
This terrible act of bull dozing down the dunes has to be stopped. This is the third time since we’ve lived here that the owners of those condos have done this. I’ve tried in the past to report and get a fine or something done to put an end to this illegal activity. I was told about three years ago when it was done , that it was state land and the HOA had no jurisdiction!
Well this time I was able to contact the. County department of Community Development and it was investigated but to no avail! The rental company would not identify the person or persons who rented the equipment and is not “caught in the act” their hands are tied!
In my view the members and BOT need to get actively behind investigating this so it won’t happen again
The attitude of those owners is that “I own out to the high tide land so I’ll do as I please”. Really?
I find this illegal activity and plowing down the dunes much more alarming than a tree being over the prescribed height or someone’s lights being too bright! This act affects everyone in the long run in our perfect little community!
Tom Reber was at the site when this was happening, I can only hope he is following up on this and informing the BOT
Anonymous 8:20. You should really identify yourself if this is truly your thoughts! No matter how good you think it looks, it’s illegal! Extensive studies were done about Washington’s shoreline and rules and laws were established in order to preserve it for the future! I’d say get your anonymous head out if the sand and leave the conversations to grownups!
Only thing that will get any attention is one good king tide or tsunami.
You're expecting Reber to actually do something? Good luck with that.
I do find it interesting how some of the same people who complain about the HOA covenants and how people should be able to do with their property as they want are quick to complain about others who are doing just that, just because they don't agree with it.
A J P;ace board that only cares about their view, is not going to do anything about destroying dunes for a view. Kill the trees, destroy the dunes and cut the trees down around seabreeze lake. Noxious weeds and obnoxious people. Sure makes us a model community.You can see where williams cut trees along the canal in violation of the CARL. The olds created a stump patch. Clancy has an illegal pole barn. Thats the kind of leadership we have. Now we have stumps and blowing sand.
If the land isn't under Surfside purview what exactly do you demand the board do?
I was thinking that too 11:21, also looking at it today I think they probably have a permit to grade it to that height. I think there are too many Mrs Kravitz's in this area.
Clancy running for higher office, that's really hard to swallow. Maybe make his momma proud.
Ok you anonymous jerks! No they did not have a permit per information from the county code enforcement officer! As I stated this is the third time they’ve done this in the past few years You may want to turn a kind eye, but I’m not!
First of all, the Shoreline Act is a detailed outline of how the shoreline areas are to be maintained, and what is required to depart from its' clearly delineated guidelines. To expect Surfside owners to respect State Law, and to provide proof of proper permitting when altering the Dunes in violation of State Law, is to have expectations that ALL State residents have the same responsibilities, no matter who they are, or how "important".
If in fact the owners of this property are NOT in violation of State Law, then evidence of that should be a point of pride, and the expectation of the HOA that such proof of proper permitting must be provided. The HOA has more clout than individual owners sending letters and filing formal complaints. Surfside policy has proven to be completely without respect for nature and esthetic beauty, and unconcerned with State Law or recommendations.
While they may not have a position of making decisions about such a massive alteration of the dunes, the HOA chooses to not take a stand on such a matter, which might reflect badly on their program of continued decimation of trees west of the ridge. What we know for certain is, the standard of Surfside Policy is to maintain the selfish interests of the individuals who sit on the HOA Board. Beyond that, there are no issues worthy of their concern.
Pacific County has done a poor job of enforcing the restrictions on dune modifications. It is the County responsibility, not the State. The State Parks has charge of the last dune and dry and wet sand to the ocean. The statement about the rental company not giving information, is pure BS. The County has the authority to get any information they want. The inaction here, is part of the County cover up for the miserable job they have done. This under the watch of Mr. Frank Wolfe. Now that Travis is the County Compliance Officer, can we expect the same enforcement there as we saw here? I hope not. .
The shore line laws were mandated by the State, with the County having the responsibility to enforce. The County would like to pass the buck and make you think it is up to the State. It is not. It is up to the County. They have failed miserably.
No anonymous 2:07, that parcel is being shown as state land! Thus the confusion of who should do what. The county would gladly do something if they had more proof of who had this done. Someone needs to step up to the plate and share information if they can.
End the Faction! Let's demonstrate at the office next weekend!
For crying out loud, complaining about campaign signs now? I just don't understand how someone can spend their days looking for something to complain/whine about.
Who cares if someone wants to back a candidate or not. Don't want to vote for the guy, don't. Just so you know, my household and neighbors are. Don't have a sign up but I'm thinking about doing so know.
Isnt it ultimately up to the county to refill the dunes?
I can't figure out this dune modification violation. It is stated that it has happened at the same site several rimes. What happened then and by whom?. If it is State property, it seems they should be the agency involved. Seems like we have a lot of people all going in different directions. We know it is wrong and a violation. There needs to be an example made so it will discourage others from doing the same thing. I don't think we even know if the State has been notified. Maybe the local paper can find something out and share it with the community. The Board could send a letter to all expressing the concern of the community. That's the least they could do. Better than the usual nothing. Just my thoughts and frustration.
True George it is confusing for sure! This was the third time this has been done. About 3 years in between incidents. I’m sure there were a few others who contacted surfside BO to try and make something happen to no avail. This year I was able to contact Community Development county office and they took over the problem. I was told no action without catching them in the act
I do know there’s a problem as those people who own their condos have deeds telling they own to the mean high tide line, but according to county records this land is listed as state owned.
I will contact the county office and see if they passed the information to the state. I just assumed they had! I’ll let you know
Thank you.
Sometimes you have to wonder if there is a large percentage of people who are illiterate, when people claim ignorance to written restrictions. Owning to the "mean high tide" does not mean you can alter the dunes, and that is exactly why the Shoreline Plan spells all of the details out. Lack of proper enforcement adds further confusion.
For beachside owners, a couple of hundred feet back from "mean high tide" cannot be altered without going through an elaborate application process, and if approved, payment of a $5000 permit fee. "Mean high tide" owners also must allow public use of the western-most part of their property. We own such a property, and I have researched this.
Anyone who claims they can do what they want with this land is willfully ignoring detailed information readily available to the contrary. Owners who can read, should know the restrictions, and there's no doubt, these Condo owners know they are breaking the law. Not enforcing this paves the way for other selfish owners to do the same. Both the HOA and the County are doing us all a dis-service by failing to enforce these standards.
Exactly Steve! The comment was made last time by a condo owner. “It’s worth it , we’ll just pay the fine if we have to!” This is not gossip, I know for a fact. My feeling also about the HOA getting involved! If they know it’s happening and just sit by saying it’s not in their domain, then they are just as guilty! We all have a responsibility to care for our earth!
Well said Steve. I would only add: The community needs to speak up and out, and make it clear that this kind of thing is not acceptable and we will hold those responsible, to enforce the laws.
There is some action which would work. An aerial photo documentation of the dunes would provide a benchmark. A drone would work. It could be done from the beach. Periodic repetition would provide documentation. Of course, do you want to spy on your neighbors like that? Does that have a familiar ring to the tree police? There is also the practice among MHT owners of cutting pines down before you can detect them above the dune grass. It's just, what kind of a world do you want to live in? I am reminded of the GEICO commercial out there recently. HOA's should be disbanded. Let the County worry about it.
I don't know where you came up with this claim that "there is this practice among MHT owners of cutting down pines before they can be detected." This is a ridiculous statement that is impossible to verify. As long as the tree is on private property, it is entirely up to owners as to how many trees they may want to allow to grow between their home and the restricted area of the dunes and beach.
The closer to the beach, the less trees grow in height, always battered by winds and tilting away from the beach. Over time, most owners will probably choose to remove some seedlings. Nothing wrong with that at all.
Makes one wonder if county/state personnel are getting paid to turn a blind eye. That might be a nice area for mass beach fires and group get togethers during the summer, no dunes, easy access, throw up some pop ups.
If anyone is interested on how the BOT feels about the recent destruction in the dunes with no permit, you will need to submit that question via Facebook, email or phone call. I contacted Tom Reber to inquire of the status of the problem and he stated that he turned it over to the county. I expressed my feelings that the members need to be reminded of the rules concerning the dunes to refresh their memory. So in order for this to happen, we the members, if you feel so inclined, need to contact the BOT.
The meeting as I understand it, will be on Facebook again with no ability for members to comment in real time. That’s why it’s necessary to contact them before the meeting with any questions and concerns.
Given the fact that we have many in our HOA that don't follow the covenants we have no right telling others what to do. Mind your business and get your own property in order.
Besides, Cox keeps going on about those 25 plus dunes that keep growing, right? So in no time these will fill in.
The dunes are not a part of SS. They did not exist when Ss was originally platted. People should be contacting the county directly. The board has no authority over it.
JoAnne, most of us don't really care about what they did to the dunes. May I suggest getting off this jag and doing something more productive?
Ok I tried.
to 8:05: Actually, those with Mean High Tide ownership also own the "accretions". That is, those dunes that have formed over the years. Their ownership extends to the Mean High Tide, regardless of where that is. Not all the property in Surfside has that designation. Some of it is Inland Upward Boundary. That is set by the County, I think. Those are the dunes that belong to the County. Then there are some dunes that belong to the State Parks....
Those who own the accretions, are not taxed for them and they are required to leave them in a natural state. That means they are not allowed to cut trees. As stated before, many do before they get above the dune grass. The owners are allowed to have a narrow path to the beach.
And what does the dunes have to do with political signs in your yard? Aren't those agaisnt the CC&Rs? What do you BOTs on this blog have to say to that question?
8:31....So as an anonymous person, you would like to speak for your imaginary friends, the majority ? That's rich.
And 6:39 A.M., what a dumbass statement. Your life is directly affected by various levels of government, and laws, ordinances, restrictions, traffic signs, law enforcement, on and on. It's perfectly reasonable to expect everyone to abide by the laws, the ordinances, the covenants, or at least try to be good citizens. By expressing your opinion, you are not "minding your own business". But you could make a lot better use of your freedom of speech.
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