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County to Enforce Beach Parking Permits
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Headed to the beaches on Bolivar Peninsula this weekend? You better have a beach parking permit.

Galveston County is stepping up enforcement of beach parking permits beginning this weekend.

The $10 parking sticker, good for one calendar year, is required to park on peninsula beaches.

County commissioners decided Wednesday to spend $8,000 for a law enforcement officer to patrol the peninsula beaches on weekends and holidays until Labor Day. That officer will search for parking stickers in the windows of vehicles parked along peninsula beaches.

Commissioner Pat Doyle said officers are focusing more on compliance than citations. He said officers will try to avoid writing tickets, instead focusing on urging beach-goers to buy permits.

The officer will also ensure that vendors selling T-shirts and other merchandise on the beach are properly permitted by the county.

Having an extra officer on the beach should also clamp down on some of the reckless driving and other illegal activity, such as bringing glass bottles on the beach, Doyle said.

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Bolivar Peninsula Beach Paid Parking was a Success for 2007

Bolivar's beautiful beaches are going to get even better! County officials say the first year of a paid-parking program on Bolivar Peninsula beaches was a big success.

The program, which requires those who park on the beach to display stickers, netted $158,000: about $8,000 more than projected in August when county officials knew the program was exceeding expectations.

Commissioner Patrick Doyle and Parks and Senior Services Director Dennis Harris met this month with Bolivar residents to see how they wanted to spend the funds.

State law requires that any money from beach-parking fees must be spent improving the beaches.

Bolivar Beach Parking Permits
4102 Main St. (FM519) Lamarque, Texas 77568

Permits will be sold March thru December 2008 for $10.00 at the local businesses on Bolivar Peninsula. (you will need to specify if this is for a golf cart).
For more information contact the County Parks Department at 409-934-8100.

Comments

By Rufus McTavish @ Friday, May 23, 2008 1:56 PM

Funny how the stickers (permits) brought in $8000 dollars more than expected and they decided to spend the exact same amout $8000 to hire extra Law Enforcement to collect more money. Shows exactly what it is : a money making ponzi scheme set up by galveston County to bleed tourists dry.

By Michael Stuart @ Sunday, May 25, 2008 9:18 AM

The bulk of that money collected will go to good use, helping to keep our beaches clean, etc.

By Gail Bauer @ Monday, May 26, 2008 11:53 AM

$10.00 is a small price to pay for a full year of parking on great beaches, extra security, cleaner beaches, and whatever else that small fee can provide for the residents of Bolivar Peninsula. I'm very happy with the new sticker program!!!

By Eileen Tindall @ Tuesday, May 27, 2008 12:23 PM

Between golf course back to Selwyn, we're not seeing tickets or permits given out. Talked to two officers riding 4-wheelers in this area and obviously they were not interested in checking out permits. They rode through this area without even stopping. Majority of vehicles did not have permits although they were camped all weekend. Visitors did not mind leaving their trash behind along w/pampers, bottles, plastic bags. Getting old seeing this every weekend and nothing being done.

By Cathy @ Tuesday, May 27, 2008 6:23 PM

I am hoping that the increased sale of permits will bring about more trash cans and cleaner beaches. We bought property here a couple of years ago and are waiting to build. Over spring break we rented a beach house and we were horrified at the amount of trash left on the beach. It was all floating into the ocean. We ran down to the store, bought trash bags and with our children cleaned up other people's garbage for 4 hours. I have to admit, I have a real concern about living here permanently and facing this issue on a daily basis.

By Ronald Mondey @ Wednesday, May 28, 2008 5:07 PM

Eileen, the reason they aren't interested in the permit violators, littering, glass containers or any other illegal activity on the beach is because they are too pre-occupied with stopping us old timers from leisurely riding our UTV's on our beach.

Cathy, you are right about needing more trash cans and people to clean up because it is going to get worse before it gets better. With only selective enforcement of certain laws, the Galveston County sheriff's department seems to be catering to the younger folks who come in and party it up, litter it up and leave it for someone else to clean up.

By Mike Moreau @ Tuesday, June 03, 2008 1:57 PM

I see several times in this propaganda web site, comments about the "beautiful beach's". We live here in the Tideland's subdivision and we walk the beach for exercise. For the past couple of weeks, including last weekend, during our walks, we have observed the "beautiful beach" covered with litter such as trash, beer cans/bottles, plastic bottles, crates, etc.

When the Chamber of Commerce initiated the "beach parking sticker" program by partnering with Galveston County, I was told by the Chamber President that the money would be used for "beach clean up" ,after I inquired how the money would be spent. This reply came following my statement to her, that this was just another frickin tax ;she argued it was NOT a tax but a fee. I responded, that anytime it is a enforced by a governental body, and you have no choice but to pay it, it is a frickin tax.

Now I read in this website that Galveston County has "contacted" Bolivar Officials (just who were these officials) to try to determine "how to spend the money"! Hello, what happened to beach cleanup? Also,since the program was a "hugh success", who in the hell approved the $8,000 expenditure for enforcement?. Friendly enforcement? You have got to be kidding!

Additionall, since we pay county taxes for roads, ditch clean up, beach cleanup, welfare, etc. where in the hell is the county equipment to scrape up the mounds of sea weed that is piled up on our "beautiful beach's", with a stinking sour smell, coupled with all the trash interwoven in it.?

Lastly, at least for now, we also bought a Polaris Ranger ATV 4 years ago for us to drive on the beach. I am 65 years old and my wife is 62 and now we are told that we cannot drive it on the beach!!!.

I would love to hear from the Chamber President about these complaints, but I bet I wont ever hear from anyone at the chamber. Especially since it is doubtful that anyone at the chamber actually reads this forum. We'll see.

Mike Moreau
2760 Gulfview Lane
409-457-3391

By Bruce @ Wednesday, June 04, 2008 8:29 AM

I second Mr.Moreau stated opions - We really got missled about how the Beach Parking Permits funds would improve our Beach front. Just go look at South Padre beach's and you will see how a clean-up program really works..... It is looking like beach parking permits funds (beach use tax) was really there to fund additional personnel ( law enforcment) for Galveston county. We already pay more than a fair share of taxes to fund the law enforcement as it is.... I sure would like to meet this new law enforcement officer our beach parking permit funds is funding, so I can find out why the other Galveston county officers continue to deal out selective enforcement on OUR beaches. It seems to me if the beach front is to be treated as a state road as Galveston county law enforcement keeps stating, we should see TXDOT personnel cleaning and perfroming road repairs/improvements ( building public restrooms trash clean/pickup). I quess this why everybody at first glance thinks that Glicrest, Crystal Beach, and Port Bolivar is such a great place until they try to use our beach front where they get introduced to Galveston county politics.......

By Lee Crowder, Manager Galveston County Road and Bridge @ Thursday, June 05, 2008 8:14 AM

I would like to share with everyone interested the addition services the Beach Parking Sticker Fee has added to Beach Maintenance for the Road and Bridge Department.

1) Trash Barrels - Increased the schedule to 3 times/week in the month of March (spring break), added (15) new barrels from Rettilon Rd to Los Patos. The barrels were re-positioned in this area and numbered with an aluminum sign. The barrels are equally spaced every 660' or 1/8 of a mile apart. There is currently 127 barrels in this area.

2) Added - ADA Port-a-cans (4) Additional units

3) Increased Liter Picking schedule - (3) Additional services for (April, May, June) Past years the county provided a vendor to hand pick liter after the four major holiday events. The three additional liter picking service provides continuous coverage from March to September.

The Bolivar Peninsula Beaches were hit with a moderate wave of sargassum, starting Memorial Day Weekend. The crews have worked diligently to remove the seaweed to date. The department approved overtime and rented additional equipment to expedite this process.

If you have any question or concerns pleas call 409-684-1472.

ByCarol @ Thursday, June 05, 2008 7:46 PM

We travel a few times a year to the Port Bolivar/Galveston area, so that we can bring our RV down for a small vacation. My husband is a Gulf War veteran, and currently listed as 100% disabled due to military injuries. Our entire life has changed financially for the very worst, and I have had to become the head breadwinner for the family. I am a school teacher in a small, rural, East Texas town. The gas to bring down a RV to your area is now outrageous, and on top of it, the local RV parks have now raised their rates on top of the gas expense and other raised travel expenses. I really don't mean to complain, but some of us have enough to pay for without having to pay for a beach permit. It should be considered that, people who pay the high RV park/resort rates, should automatically receive a beach parking permit. We come down for a month, and the rates from last year to this year have increased by at least one-third. It is crazy to pay $450 a month to stay in your RV parks, when the majority of RV owners have enough added expense just moving it around to your area. Shame on you, RV park owners! When we come down, we eat out at your restaurants, go to your stores, buy your gas, and try to have enough money to find some entertainment, such as fishing, etc. I am not asking for a hand-out, but you should consider giving a Texas veteran, the elderly and disabled a break on the parking permits. The State park system does. Why can't you? If gas keeps going up, people like me will not have the money to drive an RV around--you guys in business there need to consider the future economic picture of our country, if gas keeps rising, because it affects everything else. Don't keep nickel and diming the rest of us who come down to your area for everything you can get out of us. It makes me angry to see that you have added a beach parking permit fee.

My husband has given his life for this country with over 20 years of active duty and reserve assignments, resulting in the loss of all but 1/3 of his stomach, has crushed vertebrae in his spine and a burned/grafted leg. He is on major medicines, and it is all we can do to find money to get away once or twice a year to your area, using our RV. All he can do is sit on the beach and watch the boats and birds, and ask for a little peace for a few hours a day. People like him deserve some kind of break from your continual efforts to get money, any way you can. Sorry, I don't want to offend anybody, but as the song says, "All gave some; some gave all."

By mlmoreau @ Friday, June 06, 2008 12:19 PM

I want everyone to know that I promptly received a reply (within 15 minutes) from a chamber representative, Ann Willis, concerning issues in my previous commentary post. She was extremely helpful and answered all my questions/issues satisfactorily.

Also, within the next day or two, the beach was scraped of all the seaweed, including all the litter, which I presume was encased in the seaweed. So, if Ann had anything to do with prompt action by the County, I complement her!

She gave me the name of the County representative to call.

She informed me that the "no ATV beach ban law" was in the process of being amended, to hopefully acceptable restrictions, rather than an outright ban. It will be interesting to learn a time frame for this proposal.

Lastly, I do not know who all reads these comments at the Chamber website, but I damn sure know Ann Willis does!!!!

Thanks Ann
Still your friend,
Mike Moreau

By mlmoreau @ Friday, June 06, 2008 12:36 PM

Responding to Lee Crowder, Manager Galveston County Road and Bridge @ Thursday, June 05, 2008 8:14 AM post.

Is the parking sticker money collected on the Bolivar peninsula, used strictly for beach cleanup for our beaches on the peninsula?

While I'm at it, the roads in my subdivision, Tidelands, have numerous potholes, some the size and depth of a small canyon. It is my understanding that the County is responsible for maintenance of these roads on the Bolivar Penisula.

Mike Moreau
2760 Gulfview Ln
Crystal Beach
409 457-3391

By Bruce P @ Friday, June 06, 2008 8:19 PM

I don't see any reason why disabled veterans or seniors shouldn't be able to get a free sticker upon presentation of the approriate document to the County ticket sales agent. I intend on writing to them to request just such a program be instituted. It never hurts to ask. Seniors and disabled veterans have paid enough.

By Bob @ Friday, June 06, 2008 11:33 PM

Mike......more people than you think read these posts. Anne does a whole bunch of things for the community that most folks never see. All of your issues and concerns are being addressed. As a member of the C of C and as a board member.......we continue to hear these issues over and over again. I can assure you that we take all issues seriously. We, as business owners DO understand that without people like you and ALL others that come to the peninsula, that without your continued patronage, none of us would be in business. Give us some time and it will be better. Together we can make things better.

By Brad M. @ Tuesday, June 10, 2008 10:46 PM

I am in favor of the parking stickers and have them on my vehicles even tho we dont drive and park on the beach. But, if you are going to have "rules", ENFORCE them ! 100`s of cars are "parked" on the beach on any given weekend without stickers. ENFORCE your own rules !

By O Henry @ Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:10 PM

I understand the points written here and I posted my thoughts last yr. and included the Non English speakers with no stickers and their uncareing feelings for home owners and lease holders. trespassing and property stolen ect.
People camping on the beach left their tent and had everything taken. Pots pans and food.
My Having to stay in the dark to protect a boat from people trying to board after an accident took the owners to the hospital. No answer to calls for help. The list goes on and on.
We enjoy it here and feel the stickers should be strictly enforced. Not selectively. Now If we have access to all the beaches fines for littering should be written. Just because they claim not to speak and read ENGLISH is no excuse If I litter, ticket me. Deputys send people to Port Bolivar for free access. Instead send them to the Nude beaches. They don't mind doing all things in front of homes and families, pay nothing and leave their mess.
We are not young (70's) but I think the stickers a good Idea and needed.
We live here year round. Oh my notes were removed. Just the facts and true.

By Wayne Mask @ Monday, June 16, 2008 11:29 AM

We are planning another beach week in August as we have for the last 16 years. Is there a ban on UTVs, such as the Polaris Ranger, on the beach?

I sure hope not, we enjoy riding it up and down the beach, especially after my wife had a stroke, affecting her ability to walk for long periods of time. Thanks, Wayne Mask

By Brad @ Saturday, June 21, 2008 4:49 PM

supposed to be a law against the mule, rangers, 4 wheelers, etc. everything except a golf cart. Not to worry though, they`re not enforced ! Why have rules/laws if you wont or cant enforce them ?

By Bruce @ Monday, June 23, 2008 9:57 AM

WELCOME to Galveston Politics at Crystal Beach...... Where the county sherriff's selectivly choose to enforce what ever they want when they want...... But don't worry to much about the enforcement, for 80 to 90 percent of the time the county sheriff's will be found standing around talking and eating donuts at the ferry landings.......

By Bill @ Monday, June 23, 2008 1:42 PM

I was under the impression that texas beaches belonged to the people and were to remain free for their any fees. Does the Attorney general know these parking fees are in being imposed by the county?

By bill @ Monday, June 23, 2008 1:55 PM

The Texas Open Beaches Act - Applicable Excerpts

§ 61.011. "It is declared and affirmed to be the public policy of this state that the public, individually and collectively, shall have the free and unrestricted right of ingress and egress to and from the state-owned beaches bordering on the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico, or if the public has acquired a right of use or easement to or over an area by prescription, dedication, or has retained a right by virtue of continuous right in the public, the public shall have the free and unrestricted right of ingress and egress to the larger area extending from the line of mean low tide to the line of vegetation bordering on the Gulf of Mexico."...

"The attorney general shall strictly and vigorously enforce the prohibition against encroachments on and interferences with the public beach easement. The attorney general shall develop and publicize an enforcement policy to prevent and remove any encroachments and interferences on the public beach. The land office may assist the attorney general in enforcing this subchapter."...

§ 61.013. "It is an offense against the public policy of this state for any person to create, erect, or construct any obstruction, barrier, or restraint that will interfere with the free and unrestricted right of the public, individually and collectively, lawfully and legally to enter or to leave any public beach or to use any public beach or any larger area abutting on or contiguous to a public beach if the public has acquired a right of use or easement to or over the area by prescription, dedication, or has retained a right by virtue of continuous right in the public."...

"No person may display or cause to be displayed on or adjacent to any public beach any sign, marker, or warning, or make or cause to be made any written or oral communication which states that the public beach is private property or represent in any other manner that the public does not have the right of access to the public beach as guaranteed by this subchapter."...

"No local government may regulate vehicular traffic so as to prohibit vehicles from an area of public beach or impose or increase public beach access, parking, or use fees in any manner inconsistent with the policies of Section 61.011 of this code or the rules promulgated thereunder."

By Bruce @ Monday, June 23, 2008 5:29 PM

I quess Bill did not read the fine print --- THESE rules policies and LAWS do not apply in Galveston County...... Where else would you find law enforcement that looks at citizens as fish to hook(ticket) out of an overflowing pond.... At least that is what Ole Sgt Hudson of the Galveston county Sheriff's office has been telling people he has been ticketing at Crystal Beach....... Maybe he should look into being a game warden instead......

By Eileen Tindall @ Monday, June 23, 2008 5:51 PM

I really could not care less what is ridden on the beach, my beef was that we were paying for parking tickets that others were completely ignoring. As long as these people are respecting the 15 mph speed limit, it doesn't matter. Get these kids off these golf carts that don't know what they are doing.

By Cherise @ Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:19 PM

My husband and I (permanent residents) have purchased our parking permits early each year for the discounted $5 and atleast five for friends/family. I understand that some cannot afford to do this. Although I can agree w/an earlier post regarding honoring senior/veteran discounts, I believe that the early-bird charge IS a discount. I wouldn't even mind buying an extra and if I see/hear of someone that truly cannot afford one, I would give them a sticker. BUT....when I ride my golf cart (w/parking sticker) to the beach and see "Joe Tourist" sipping a cold beer in bottle ($$$) and smoking his cigarette ($$$$) w/o his $5.00 ($10.00) sticker....give me a break. I have been present when the permit "police" have come by w/their hand out for the $10.00 and placed a sticker on the vehicle window and the people never complained. I am glad that the County hired someone specifically for enforcement, because I couldn't imagine adding another job duty to the two (sometimes one) green&white we have now, they can't handle what they have. I believe that the bottom line for all of us scratching our heads is the lack of consistancy in the enforcement. So, instead of going back and forth...call your news channels and newspapers. They love to dig into issues and maybe County officials will be prompted to address the enforcement issues w/a mic or camera in their face.
By the way, I believe this blog is regarding parking permit enforcement, not ATV/children on golf carts, although that blog really needs to get started!!

By Bruce @ Tuesday, June 24, 2008 5:31 PM

In other coastal beach front areas in the state where a permit is required they use High school kids to walk the beach and confront auto owners w/o permits to purchase one or leave. They worked on min. wage plus a comission for number of stickers sold. I know I was checked at least three to four times by different kids selling the permits in one afternoon while parked at a corpus beach. One of the permit chekers told me they are issued stickers each morning and every eveing before going home they account with funds the stickers missing. They are kept honest by knowing they will be held accountable missing stickers. The kids love it cause they get to hang out out the beach while earning money..... Been working for years at Corpus beaches......

By Local @ Saturday, July 05, 2008 11:55 AM

Bruce: Your comment was great. It simply makes too much sense to do here. People that are in control have no sense to make cents.

By Gary @ Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:48 PM

First off, let me say I hate to agitate Cherise and post this in the parking permit section but I like some others am an older US citizen and do own a Polaris Ranger ATV and wonder if it is permitted to be driven responsibly on the beach WITH the parking permit attached. I am not a permanent resident but we outsiders do bring a good deal of capitol to your area. It would be nice if this information was readily available. And it is a TAX no matter what anyone wants to call it. Ticket the people that liter and act up, it’s not that hard to pick them out.

By Gary @ Friday, August 01, 2008 9:59 PM

You should install a blog topic on the tax payers thoughts on ATV, Golf carts on the beach, I loved Bills input on June 23. Failure to install this new blog topic shows where you club stands on the issue. Bill that was great, more people should pay attention to the laws that are put in place to protect our rights. There are way to many personal agendas by the people that are supposed to be representing us, not their rich friends. Everyone please go vote a throw the leaches out.

By billsmith @ Sunday, August 03, 2008 8:10 AM

THE UTV RULING: LIKE SAYING BLONDS AND BRUNETTES CAN GO ON THE BEACH, BUT NOT REDHEADS.

Thank you to the Beach Triton for publishing the remarks by Mayor Ray Tuttoilmond of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office on ATVs/UTVs on the Bolivar Peninsula beaches.

He explained they have decided to interpret the new law in such a way as to outlaw Kawasaki Mules/Polaris Rangers/John Deere Gators and almost-identical-to-new-golf-cart vehicles.

They choose to not "look the other way" as they do on other violations — such as 8-year-olds driving wildly on the beach and around street corners in “legal” gas-powered, high-profile golf-carts.

Apparently the sheriff’s office would rather us drive our 6000+ lb., limited visibility, gas-guzzling, high-polluting pickups on the beach instead of our lightweight, high-visibility, slow-moving, minimal gas-usage, low-polluting, almost-identical-to-new-golf-cart vehicles.

Apparently Galveston County powers-that-be don't care that potential tourists (we know some!) didn’t come to Bolivar this summer because they were told they could no longer bring their “Mules” to ride on the beach.

But, hey folks, even though it’s sort of like ruling that blonds and brunettes are okay on the beach, but not redheads, there’s no point in screaming at local officials.

This is their stand,

So we need to address the law itself.

It's being said that, in January, when the new State Legislature meets, an attempt will be made to change the wording of the law-in-question, which was authored by:

Rep. Harvey Hildebrand
125 Lehmann Drive
Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 257-2333

If we want change enacted, we need to focus on the State Legislature.

Send your letters to, or call, Rep. Harvey Hildebrand, as well as to all the other state legislators you possibly can.

If you don’t know your representative, log onto:

www.house.state.tx.us

and click on: Members.

If you don’t call or write and let them know how you feel, then you can’t complain if the law isn't changed.

Just because "everyone" says it will be, legislators do what folks who vote for them want them to do. If you don't threaten to vote against them, they just might now think it's worth the time and effort to change this law.

Bill Smith

By gary @ Thursday, August 07, 2008 5:58 PM

With all that has been written about the reasonable use of ATV type vehicles, today I got into a discussion about it with an employee of the company I work for in the Jacksonville Texas area. He and his family rented a cabin on the Bolivar peninsula a week or so ago. They were on the beach and his one and a half year old daughter was hit by a young man on a four wheeler while he and his dad were racing on the beach. Now that is bad enough but he decided after having words with the boys father to dig a ditch to act as a speed bump. Then from what I understand the father of the boy operating the four wheeler took exception and called the sheriff department about the ditch or they came across it on their own. I understand and I only know one side but this man is a very good honest hard working person, the sheriff department had issues with him and his ditch and there were some unfriendly and unprofessional words between them. For some reason the sheriff department had no interest in talking to the four wheeler operator or his father, don’t know for sure but I believe he is a judge, lawyer etc. in the community. Surely this had nothing to do with their lack of interest in that conversation. Later the father of the four wheeler operator approached this man and suggested if he didn’t like the way thing are done in Crystal beach area that the family should go back where they came from and that he, the four wheeler dad liked the way things were. Way to go Dad, you taught your son a good lesson, at least you didn’t take the four wheeler away for a month or two. That might have deprived your son of some fun. If your son would have killed the little girl I wonder what you would think.
Responsible use of the ATV/ golf cart type vehicles should be permissible on the beach but these type things don’t help

By Local @ Friday, August 08, 2008 7:21 AM

Gary,
Your post is a prime example of our selective law enforcement dished out daily at crystal beach.... The two morions acting irresponsible with there ATV's need to be banned from the beach, but they seem to believe they are part of the group here at crystal beach that do as they please..... I wished your friend would have called 911 and reported the accident. That way the ATV owners could be held responsible for there irresponsible act with ATV's. The UTV's that had been registered as Slow Moving Vec. are required to have liability insurance, but now galveston county has found a way to get TXDOT to invalidate the titles to these UTV's registered as SMV so they can selectively write citations when used here at crystal beach. There is a group getting together to try and get some kind of legislation passed in the 2009 session to allow the use of the UTV's in a responsible way, but galveston county has that same atitude as the ATVers had - They will do what they want weither it is the law or not ... And if you dont like it stay away from Crystal Beach....... Your friend was lucky that he and his family were not ran over by one of the many under age golf cart drivers found daily at crystal beach....

By Eileen Tindall @ Friday, August 08, 2008 7:40 AM

This behavior is absolutely pathetic and some people think they are above the law. A father that is so irresponsible to behave in this manner and disregard the law should be punished. My heart goes out to the family and I'm sorry for them, but we don't all act like this and experience the same issues they did. Until someone steps up to the plate and takes control of this situation, it is only going to get worse and pray no one losses their life.

By Cherise @ Friday, August 08, 2008 10:32 AM

Let me advise all on this website (and please pass along to those friends/vistors who are not) if you witness a child under the age of 16 driving a golf cart rented from Paradise Golf Rentals, call their office and give them the cart number. Their policy is NO ONE under 16 can operate there carts! They will call the parent and give them their "1st warning", if they witness or receive another call, the cart will be picked up and no deposit will be refunded! Trust me, I have called atleast four times. I commend them for taking the time and effort to ensure that when the cart leaves and the "babysitting begins" we can call and results from there company. They have a written policy that is read to the renter and then of course they have to sign (that is standard proceedure for all golf cart rentals), although not all companies have numbers on their carts...I absolutely believe that if all were to start calling on all company rental carts that were being abused, we would immediately see a difference. Way to go Paradise and thank you!

By Guy Hailey @ Monday, August 11, 2008 11:09 AM

I have purchased a beach parking sticker from the inception of this program. I never park on the beach but was buying into the program as a resident concerned with keeping our beaches clean. My wife and myself walk our dogs every day(and yes we do the pooper scooper chore) and as we walk we bring our own trash bags to clean up at least our beachfront area. My point is that we do our part to try to help preserve the beautification on the peninsula. Every weekend I drive down the beach front and count the vehicles parked without a sticker. The numbers would astound you. It is these same vehicles that leave mounds of trash right where they were parked. Sometimes 20 ft from the cans that are provided. This sticker program is obviously one big joke. Maybe 1 out of 25 vehicles have one. I have seen enforcement 1 time this summer. I know that I will never buy a sticker again for either of my vehicles as it has been displayed that only chumps pay 10.00 to park on our beaches. Where is the money going that is supposedly for clean-up? You don't see Galveston beaches full of condoms and beer bottles and trash. Are we not in the same county? Or is it going to take a high dollar resort and other urban sprawling establishments for any one that has a say to care? It's time for a new attitude for the peninsula and for the residents to begin to take some pride in our community and stop settling for being the proverbial red headed step child.

By Christy @ Monday, August 11, 2008 7:23 PM

Guy, Please join us at the Chamber meeting Aug 12, 2pm at the courthouse. The guest speaker is from that dept. We can let him know we need more signage and employees selling the stickers on the beach.

Thanks

By eileen tindall @ Tuesday, August 12, 2008 8:12 PM

I'm a number of the "chumps" and will not pay for another parking sticker again. I've purchased them since the onset and I've not seen any relief. Galveston's trash is now coming to our beaches and leaving their trash here and nothing is being done. Until someone steps up to the plate and does something, I will not support this. A lot of people have counted cars and the numbers are telling the story.

By Guy @ Tuesday, September 09, 2008 11:05 AM

Hello again fellow residents. I had the last 2 weekends off from work and was on the prowling mode again. Labor Day weekend I went down to the beach in my vehicle and drove from The Big Store all the way to Crenshaw school. I did this twice on both Sat and Sun. NOT AN ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN SIGHT!!. The weekend after that one..........I drove down the same route and counted how many parked vehicles had NO STICKER.........the numbers would again astonish you. I did see a GALVESTON COUNTY SHERIFF driving along the beach and to my surprise he didn't even stop one time to "ENFORCE" the parking sticker program. Again I say.........What a joke and a rip-off this ridiculous facade has become. I'll stick to cleaning my stretch of beach and will laugh next time I see a sign that says"Parking Sticker Required To Park On The Beach....Enforced"

By Jody @ Saturday, September 20, 2008 9:31 PM

I spent nearly every weekend at Crystal Beach the last 3 years. I have purchased the permit the last 2 years. Great they are cleaning up the beach, but I have counted nearly thousands of cars all summer for 2 summers that had no sticker. Thats lost revenue. Second why are they buying 4-wheelers to patrol the beach when I can't ride mine there. Also stop the little kids from driving golf carts and ATV's at 40 to 60 MPH. Someone is going to get hurt. Make it 18 and over to drive these.

By christ @ Friday, June 05, 2009 2:05 AM

This is a wonderful. The things mentioned are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone.
lenox
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Byparking sensor @ Friday, June 05, 2009 7:08 AM

The warm feeling I get when someone is thoughtful enough to say thank you for having been helped far outweighs the empty one I get when there's no feedback at all.

By Rob @ Wednesday, August 19, 2009 8:44 AM

I was there two times so far this 2009 summer nd I got hit by theone officer on the quad the second time I was there. I did not evn know about the permit until then.

By Dale @ Tuesday, August 25, 2009 8:37 PM

Big joke on the ones that want to help keep the beaches clean and pay for a sticker.I have bought stickers for all family vehickles for the last three years .Why is there no enforcement for the crowds that won't pay for one and trash the beach with bottles,broken glass,dipers,and garbage?Poor job preformance.

By Carlon McGough @ Tuesday, August 25, 2009 8:46 PM

We always buy beach stickers, and so do our guests and our children. We care about our beach and we also pick up broken glass and trash when we walk on the beach. We see large groups of cars and people in the same place weekend after weekend. These same spots are filthy on Monday. Why are we the only ones who see this? Where are the people we pay to notice these law breakers?

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