April 2009 Letters to the Editor |
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New Letters to the Editor....04.27.2009 7:45 am
Beach Access Issues While I have no complaint with the effort to protect wildlife and even the tourist's "island experience" from dog owners who don't exercise sufficient responsibility for their pets [and I don't limit the term pet to dogs], the notion that a dog should be restrained on a leash not to exceed 6 feet for often hours at a time is neither rational, appropriate, or even humane. A line length of 20 to 25 feet maximum is far more appropriate during the active breeding season when the line is attached to a stationary vehicle and 15 feet for dog walkers, which is the average length of retractable leashes. In the off/non-breeding season, with fewer tourists around, the line length could be extended to 50 or even 100 feet attached to a stationary vehicle with no impact whatsoever on wildlife. In those instances where individuals choose to use a longer restraint, they are still responsible to ensure that their dog's temperament matches the length of the leash and could be cited if their dog misbehaves in a way that endangers other animals, the environment, or people. The current law is the typical response of all bureaucracies -- to maximize control at the expense of freedom, and thus make their own jobs easier. I would ask Superintendent Murray to put on a 6-foot leash attached to his desk for a day so he can appreciate the impact on another animal's quality of life from over-regulation. Maybe then we can have a little more common sense in how regulations are crafted, with at least some thought to the impact on the animal. Mike Fahey Frisco Today I read in another newspaper about the unemployment rate in Dare County. The article failed to mention the effects of the beach closures on the economy and the unemployment rates. Like all smokescreens now being put out by the federal government, they want to take your focus off of the truth with other things. Unfortunately, until they get the message via another election or when the people themselves have had enough to do something in a proper way to change things, nothing will get done. Those who do care in Congress are muzzled and tied down. Instead of representing the people, they are unjustly forcing their agendas down our throats. It is as bitter as a bad dose of medication. Thanks to all of those who continue in the fight to restore the use of Cape Hatteras National Seashore as it was not only promised but intended. J. Williams Midland, Tex. My family has vacationed at Cape Hatteras (generally the more remote parts) just about every year since 1995. The increasing amount of aggressive rule enforcement with regard to beach access, especially with regard to dogs and fishing, is causing us to rethink our vacation location plans for future years. Hatteras is no longer the free, unspoiled place it once was. Chris West Kettering, Ohio Rate hikes for coastal homeowners In regard to the current homeowner’s insurance controversy, I would like to bring your readers some important facts. We view this as an economic development concern because if the homeowner rates are unjustifiably high in the 20 coastal counties, as we assert, we are hemorrhaging a large amount of money on the coast. If they are $500 too high per average dwelling per year, which may be conservative, that amounts to $12 million in my county of Beaufort. That’s the equivalent of losing 400 jobs each year. The estimate for all the NC 20 counties is $251 million. Most homeowners here are paying three to five times the rates that homeowners are paying in Mecklenburg County. Why? North Carolina has a unique system of setting insurance rates. A Rate Bureau created by the state and composed of insurance companies recommends rates to the Insurance Commissioner who decides, with no public input, what the rates will be. (Bear in mind these are homeowner rates, including wind coverage, not flood – flood is a separate program under the federal government.) The insurance companies and the commissioner have assumed, falsely, that we are at much greater risk for hurricane damage. Another unfounded argument is that the coast has a lot of million-dollar second homes owned by rich people who can afford to pay more. Both arguments are false. Hurricanes, which we have documented from 1861, routinely hit the Piedmont, causing far more damage than on the coast, even if they come through the coast. Hugo is a prime example. It caused more than $400 million in damage west of us and came through South Carolina. Fran was even worse -- $600-plus million for the inland counties – three times the coastal claims. As for all the million-dollar homes, let’s get serious. We have a few – very few – enclaves of prosperity, but eastern North Carolina in general and most NC 20 counties in particular are poor, largely undeveloped, farm and forest land. We deserve better from our state government. Tom Thompson President NC-20 Washington, N.C. Economic suffering on Hatteras April showers were often said to bring May flowers. May, 2009, will be bringing Hatteras Island residents a 12.8 percent increase in electricity costs, as well as a 6.5 percent increase in homeowners' insurance. How can we cope in these hard economic times? I've never seen so many people out of work and using the food pantries. It breaks my heart to see so many businesses closed and/or for sale. Quite a few people are simply leaving the area. I spoke with a gifted teacher who may have to move because the cost of living is so high on the island. We make every effort to support local businesses. However, we often end up paying resort prices all year long. I think there needs to be a task force addressing the specific needs on Hatteras Island. I'd love to hear others comment on dealing with these issues. Helen Hudson Frisco Cancer Foundation Dance Much thanks for your continued coverage at these events! We truly appreciate it. Renee Burrus Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation Buxton Hatteras Island Real Estate This was an excellent article (on buying foreclosures and short sales). Is there a list of foreclosures on Hatteras? Heidi Harris Sandy Hook, Conn. (Editor’s Note: Real estate columnist Tom Hranicka says that anyone who wants a list of foreclosures and short sales can acquire the list from any real estate broker who is a member of the Outer Banks Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, or they can request a copy of the list at http://www.HatterasIslandForeclosures.com . New Letters to the Editor....04.20.2009 8:15 am Beach Access Issues
Regarding John Alley's letter and the NRA (Letter published April 15), he is finally getting what I have said for several years. I hope others also get it. Enviros, like anti-gunners, have a long term strategy to eventually "get it all." Their tactical approach is to take little bits at a time over a long period. Get some today; come back tomorrow for more. The NRA learned this years ago and hence their generally "no give" approach. Gun Owners of America (GOA) is even more rigid in this firm stance. What is given up to the enviros today will likely never come back, and they will be back for more later. Ted A. Hamilton (aka Salvo Jimmy) Salvo / Hampton, Va. NRA Life Member GOA Member I guess I'll cross off Hatteras as a place to visit. Keep closing the beaches, and in five years, the only living things that will be going there will be the birds. Keep it up and the natives will all be on the dole by winter. Or change the park superintendent designation to gamekeeper. Mike Campanelli Levittown, N.Y. It just blows my mind what the Audubon Society is doing. Before you know it, they will have all the beaches closed because of the sea gulls. Might as well close all of the businesses down, sell your homes, and move. It’s a damn shame. James Taylor Wake Forest, N.C. This is getting crazy. The area is turning into a bird sanctuary, not a park! It breaks my heart what is being taken away from human beings in order to possibly (really, only possibly) help a bird. People have no rights anymore. Rebecca Doughty Baltimore, Md. It is April 19, and 10 of us traveled from King William, Va., to enjoy fishing, and we find out the beach is closed do to birds that are not endangered. I guess they finally got what they wanted and closed the beaches to the people who pay taxes to enjoy them. We will no longer come to spread our money there and feel real sorry for the folks there who depend on us but mean nothing to our officials that we thought were looking out for us. Sorry we have to give up this yearly trip, but why come if we cannot enjoy land and water and resources there for us. A lot of people will lose while the ones who could help are turning their heads. Stuart Bush Aylett, Va. (Editor’s note: All of the beaches are not closed, but some of the most popular areas for fishing, such as Cape Point, are inaccessible.) Kiteboarder dies Let's not speculate on how this man died. (Article on Local News Page.) I was kiting at the same time. Keith Siilats was the one who spotted the kiter and called 911. The kiter was just floating getting dragged by his kite. No one has seen any kiter 40 feet in the air. He might have died of natural causes. Regards and my condolences to the kiter. May the wind be with you, Idriss Dafaa Kitemafia.com New York, N.Y. ‘Nights in Rodanthe’ I was watching "Nights in Rodanthe" and was checking the Internet for filming locations. I came across your article (http://www.islandfreepress.org/2008Archives/06.09.2008-NightsInRodantheWillBeInATheaterNearYouOnOct3.html),, and, yes, Richard Gere is fun to look at! Enjoyed the photo! Thanks! Valerie Haskins Manchester, Ga. New Letters to the Editor....04.15.2009 4:45 pm Cape Point is closed to ORVs to protect oystercatchers
Here we go! The grossly unfair and seemingly illegal enforcement of a "decree" that serves to benefit only one side of the story should make all freedom loving people cringe. This is a no-win, lose-lose ruling where supporters of traditional beach access are punished for everything, ether it be some unapprehended moronic vandal or two non-endangered birds "wooing." Hawk Hawkins Mechanicsville, Va. Here we go again! They are taking this too far. The oystercatchers aren’t even endangered, and they are closing the beach. The economy is so bad and the OBX is already hurting. This is just another stab to the heart. Kristine Winslow Elizabeth City, N.C. Last week in California, someone shot two endangered California condors. This happened within 50 miles of 8 million people and the only response was a small article in the Los Angeles Times. Maybe Defenders of Wildlife needs to spend its resources out here protecting something that needs protecting. I cannot believe Dare County has not taken this to court to regain control of this issue? Keith McCabe Newport Beach, Calif. Absolutely ridiculous. Is there really more to say? Steve Blaisdell Kitty Hawk This stuff is ridiculous. These people are killing the area. The sad part is that the Park Service is going to work themselves out of a job, and they don’t seem like they care. Pretty soon if you want to see any kind of natural area, you'll have to subscribe to National Geographic. Brad Boyd Glen Allen, Va. More beach access issues I apologize to the National Rifle Association. All my life I thought they were radical extremists and would not bend in any way. “From my cold dead hands” seemed to be over the top -- no one is going to take away your right to hunting and shooting sports. Then I experienced the Regulatory Negotiation for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area ORV Plan and understood why the NRA cannot afford to bend. You simply cannot bend in the face of the environmental movement. You are faced with a wall, no way over, around, or under. You must submit to the will of the wall. I never met the individual who stood in front of the tanks in Tiananmen Square but understand his futile frustration. John Alley Hatteras Well, here we are again! The days of cold and wind and rain and even some snow seem to be departing and before long we will have the opportunity to throw a line in the water and battle the sea for its bounty. The grass is daring to turn green, and our flower beds are shifting to whatever color is planted therein. Have you noticed the newest "growth" on the islands? It seems a miracle! These “growths” have a long neck with red tape at the throat and a rectangular box where the head ought to be! Upon the head are not soft colors or wafts of perfume, but some type of scribbling that seems to upset many of the folk who inhabit this area. These "things" seem to grow at a phenomenal rate! They are sprouting up along the roads and on the beaches -- long rows of them that neither sway in the breeze nor spread any vibrant colors. I fear that we are having an outbreak of these ugly plantings and that they will destroy the beauty and peace of mind that so many used to come here to enjoy. . Perhaps they will stop their march to overtake the beaches, roadside, and anywhere else their propagators have in mind. Perhaps we can have a respite from these ugly distractions that keep us from enjoying the beaches and whatever else this recreational area can afford to give those among us who are not as fortunate or as rich as those who would deny them free access to God's beach and beauty. Perhaps those who are the perpetrators of that which afflicts us need to reconsider their cause and realize that it is man who is the endangered species in this case and his needs should be the first considered. A final thought: Who puts out all that money for those signs? It indeed seems a waste at this particular time to be spending all those resources on things that are redundant and ugly at best. Please apprehend those who are guilty of "destroying" placed barriers -- even if they are members of those who would keep the beaches closed by lawsuit or foolish judges. Larry Cullen Buxton I think all the fisherman are concerned about birds. But they are not stupid. Anyone with a nickel’s worth of common sense knows that a three-day storm surge will do more damage to a bird nesting area than a year of beach traffic. Over the last 50-plus years, I have seen the ocean up to the sand dunes. Question: How many nests has the Park Service counted? I was at a meeting 56 years ago in Avon when the seashore park was in the planning stage, and the question was asked “Will the fisherman be able to continue use of the beach?” So much for the word of the National Park Service. L.S. McDaniel Norfolk, Va.  A great day of charter fishingI was searching the Web and found a picture of our charter trip (on the Albatross Fleet ad on the front page of The Island Free Press). What a surprise it was! I am the one on the right of the photo. We had a great day of fishing for tuna, but the seas were very rough -- 4 to 7 feet. We had a great catch that day. We landed five yellowfin tuna, two blackfin tuna, and one albacore. I had a very big tuna hooked, and when I reeled it to the boat, the mate, Bryan Mattingly of the Albatross Fleet went to gaff it and it broke the line, Bryan still had the line by his hands, and the line broke again. Bryan said to me, “What a heartbreaker!” I can't say enough about the captain, Ernie Foster, and the mate. They did a great job of making our day safe and wonderful. The skills of the Albatross Fleet are indeed second to none! Les Liskey Elizabethtown, Pa. Thanks to the Dare County Sheriff’s Office? We wish to thank the Dare County Sheriff's Department. Last August when we were heading north out of Avon at 4 a.m. and sped up upon seeing the 55 mph sign ahead, the deputy was “Johnny on the spot” to let us know ''EXACTLY'' when you should not speed up to 55. They were sitting right at that spot to catch the hapless traveler wanting to get out ahead of the throngs exiting. Last week they were sitting right on the southside of the Bonner Bridge at midnight, and if you miss the reduced speed ahead sign where 55 suddenly becomes 45, just for a very short distance before it resumes to 55, they will be right there for you as well. This type of revenue is penny wise and pound foolish. The money we have spent on the island over the years will be spent elsewhere in the future – money spent rentals, Food Lion, Dirty Dick's, Frank and Fran’s tackle shop, Askin's Creek gas, and even a few charters. We don't condone speeding, but we don't condone pathetic county revenue producing speed traps either. As an aside, last year we got behind a weaving drunk leaving Nags Head. We reported the driver several times and were informed that either the Park Service, county or state police would be intercepting this driver. We watched him hit the bridge at Bonner, leave the highway at least 20 times, and narrowly miss hitting pedestrians and bikers. We followed him at a safe distance all the way down to Avon with no police intervention what-so-ever where we turned and he weaved his way further south. Maybe the deputies had to nap so they could sit at the edge of town in the wee hours and nab those real criminals such as my wife, the 60-year-old elementary art teacher. Ron Barclay Orwigsburg, Pa. Extreme Makeover Hatteras style WOW! This story (on the Local News Page) speaks volumes about the residents of Hatteras Island. Thanks for publishing good news! Judy Latham Raleigh, N.C. New thrift store recycles old stuff for a good cause We will be in Frisco tomorrow and will drop off some items when we go to Ocracoke Island this weekend. We love to support youth -- the future. Debi McNichol Hampton, Va. Ocracoke Up Close George Brown’s photos (n the Features Page)are truly works of art. The texture and colors are stunning! He has captured the everlasting beauty of Ocracoke. I thank him for sharing his passion with us. Laura Archer Greensboro, N.C. New Letters to the Editor....04.06.2009 9:30 am Beach Access Issues
These vandalism incidents really upset me as I feel that these types of violations could be the acts of those who want the beaches closed to ORVs. They are not disturbing nests but merely knocking down signs. The result is more beach closure. Denise Oliff Warsaw, Va. I can't believe the simple joys I have shared with family and friends for well over 20 years, sitting in the sand on the Point and walking unfettered along the beach, are going to be denied to me now because of a few special interest individuals who are not looking at the hard science of the situation. This should be a moot point unless they can prove that the ORVs are a serious threat to the birds and wildlife they claim they are trying to protect. I hope a compromise is reached that respects the rights of all. Karen Franklin Manassas, Va. Time for beach closures to protect pre-nesting areas, huh? Did anybody ever consider that the individuals responsible for the violations may be from the environmental and wildlife groups that want to limit beach access? What's a better way to close the beach and indirectly support the cause than creating a violation so that the court-ordered, "kindergarten discipline" consent decree comes into play? What a great way to limit access. How about it NPS? Put a second and third shift on the job, get night vision goggles, and catch these bums! Locals don't have anything to gain from more closures. The economy is already bad enough. Bill Stavenger Chesapeake, Va. When I read about the South Point closure because of vandalism, my gut feeling was that it was done on purpose to have the closure extended. I literally roll coins all year to be able to visit in August for a few days. My hope is fading that I will be able to go to my "little bit of heaven" this year. As to the Ascher family, I am so sorry that this happened to you. (“Teen ticketed and facing criminal record for stepping into resource closure” on Beach Access Issues Page.) To the NPS ranger, shame on you! You had a choice, and you made a bad one. If the Ascher family never returns, who could blame them? Captain Stecher, you showed wonderful character in refunding your fee. I know it's not easy for you or the merchants on the OBX nowadays. Tears and anger here. Keep up the good work IFP. Mary Breeden Virginia Beach, Va. All that work and all that effort by the National Park Service (in negotiated rulemaking) to justify screwing us. There is something crooked at the highest levels of the Department of the Interior, in my opinion. What a shame. Thanks for your great coverage. Steve Coleman Severna Park, Md. I am fortunate to live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This area, which I call home, is a travel destination for people all over the world who enjoy great family vacations and a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Although our year-round population is very small, we have a vast extended community who considers themselves, at heart, part of the Outer Banks. As a community coalition of full-time residents, visitors, and part-time Outer Banks residents, we have made a concerted effort to enjoy the beaches responsibly and in a way that is always in harmony with nature. That is why many of us are outraged that special interest groups have targeted our area and filed a lawsuit against the National Park Service to close the beaches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. Large numbers of the membership of these special interest groups do not live in our area and have never visited. Sadly, they have never had the opportunity to walk our beaches or talk with the people so passionately committed to working with the National Park Service to preserve this environment for future generations. It is important that you know how the mainstream community feels about the courts being used to force your will upon us. Let there be no doubt, your misguided actions have hurt our tourism-based economy. Because of you, people are without employment and unable to feed their families. You are hurting the very people who have labored for generations to protect and preserve this environment. People in our community are frustrated and hurting. I have heard the anguish and pain, first-hand, from my neighbors of all ages, races, and political affiliations. You deserve to know the truth. This is to those who would close our beaches: There are those of you out there, whom I believe want to see the beaches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore closed to all pedestrian and vehicular access. The overwhelming numbers of your group do not live on or near this area. You probably have never even taken the time to visit this area, walk the beaches, fish, surf, or just sit and bask in nature's creation. However, you have decided that you have the right to impose your will on the people who live here, earn a living here, and visit this area to vacation in this wonder of nature. We know that your groups are funded by people across the country who like to watch television nature programs showing birds, deer, and other animals with their young. Who would not be moved by seeing these pictures and being told that you must help prevent these creatures from becoming extinct? No one wants to see that. However, there are other messages that you seem to ignore. If you had your way, people would disappear from public lands and become the extinct species. You ignore the basic principle that people and wildlife can coexist and thrive. I wonder if you know that there are more deer in this country today than when the first settlers came to this continent. This is the case even though there are some 300 million people in the United States. Hunting and other uses by people of the woodlands has not resulted in the dreaded "E" word (extinction) and is not expected to happen in the future. Responsible use of resources by those who have a vested interest in their future use is the key to ensuring that these resources will continue to exist, not some dictum. Here on the Outer Banks, generations of residents and visitors have come to enjoy and preserve this gift of nature. Long ago people realized their economic future depended on maintaining the integrity of this natural world and sustaining its value for future vacation and recreational use. The local residents and visitors have been faithful stewards of the environment. Look around the Outer Banks and you will see a living testament to the concept that people and nature can live together in harmony. Now you and others with no vested interest in this area are seeking to impose your will on the residents and visitors by attempting to ban all people from large areas of the seashore. Have you forgotten that our Constitution guarantees that people are endowed with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? I claim that here on the Outer Banks the "pursuit of happiness" means the right of residents and visitors to continue our heritage of responsible access to the public lands that make up the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. To those who want to learn the truth about beach access, honest information is available at www.PreserveBeachAccess.org. Learn the history of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. Discover the promises made to the people in the enabling legislation that set aside the area for recreation. See "My Story" videos of how people are being hurt by the efforts to close our beaches. Help us preserve access to America's beaches. Jack Shea Dare County Commissioner Let's say you live in a small town with limited law enforcement. A series of crimes is committed that results in the residents being restricted from access to certain areas of the town. When the residents ask why they can't access those areas they are told that the police force doesn't have the resources to patrol the areas during those times, and unless the public catches the offenders, the areas will remain closed. The residents come forward and volunteer to provide personnel to cover the areas at the times the crimes are being committed, and report the offenders to the police. “No thank you” is the answer. One has to ask the question of why would the police not want to use all available resources to rid the town of the crimes that were restricting the public’s access? Since the police don’t seem to be interested in solving the crimes, I am left with the deeper question of why don’t they want to solve them? This is a theoretical problem, and I mean no offense to the local NPS enforcement. They are stretched thin and have a difficult job, under the best of conditions. It’s hard to attract qualified applicants to such a remote posting. Likewise I continue to support seashore superintendent Mike Murray. He has shown himself to be an honorable man in my view. Then there is the Department of Interior, which I blame for the whole mess. After all, the department is the boss of the NPS. These officials have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past couple of years. Dozens of temporary employees were brought in to chase birds up and down the beach with stakes, string and flagging, all to comply with the consent decree, where they rolled over like a puppy and let the plaintiffs rub their tummy. They let a series of small villages prosper on public access to the beaches of the seashore while ignoring an Executive Order for 37 years, and now they want the public to pay the price. They will move on to shutting down a power plant in Florida cause it threatens polar bears, and we will be a distant memory -- left in the dust of the environmental movement. So how about it, DOI? Give us some glimmer of hope that you have a conscience. Spread around some of those taxpayers’ dollars to stop the violations. It can’t be that hard, or is the problem it’s too easy and doesn’t fit in with your long-term plan. John Alley Hatteras Park Service aims to eliminate use of lead in parks We spend sic to seven weeks a year on the Outer Banks and have for the past 35 years, mainly in the Buxton-Frisco area. I find the idea of banning lead in fishing equipment alarming and overkill on the part of the government. If lures, weights, etc. are banned, how about the lead contained in wheel weights used to balance tires? They are thrown frequently and would pose the same imaginary problem as fishing weights. Charles Almer Oxford, N.J. Students demonstrate to get their teacher back Mr.Ted needs to go back in the school system and take control. Please don't let a student or parent make you resign! If the student had been disciplined at home, this situation would not have happened in the first place. If the teacher thought the student’s butt needed to be kicked, it probably did. Dee Jennette Buxton To the kids and to the parents, I encourage you to stand up for what you think is right, but not at the expense of your studies. There are ample opportunities to protest and have your opinions heard -- before school or after school, even during lunch. But missing class is only hurting you. Parent's encourage your kids to be active but not at the expense of their education. Good Luck! Jeffrey Del Monte Frisco Harvesting bay scallops Just had a meal of Hatteras bay scallops kindly sent up to me by my good friend David Hissey of Teach's Lair. Yum, yum. Thanks Dave! Earl Dowdy Mechanicsville, Va. April is Donate Life Month My name is Lisa White, and on May 29, 2007, I was the recipient of a lifesaving kidney transplant from my boss, so April of each year has become an important month in my life since it is National Donate Life Month. I want to make as many people aware of how important it is for us to have more living donors. I know that without the generous gift of my boss, I would be more than likely be on disability and dialysis right now, just as my brother is. He is awaiting a lifesaving kidney transplant as well. To get involved and become an organ/tissue donor please go to the Web site www.donatelifenc.org or The National Kidney Foundation Web site and sign up today. Become an organ donor and you will be greatly rewarded. For the last 20 years, my husband and I, along with our children and now their families, have visited Hatteras Island. We love the peace and quiet we find there and don't forget the fishing. It is such a wonderful place with such wonderful people. Our annual trip would not be complete without a visit to the Burrus Red & White, the lighthouses, Teach's Lair, and other sites. Oh, and don't forget the folks at Midgett Realty who have always made our visit complete with a home rented from them. It is my hope and prayer that the more people that are made aware of National Donate Life month, the more folks will sign up to become donors. And don't forget when you have your drivers license renewed, have that little red heart put on your license stating that you are a donor. Thank you so much for your time and helping me spread the word. I love reading the stories in The Island Free Press when I receive it. I hope that this letter will reach a lot more people. Take care! Lisa White Morganton, N.C. |
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