June 2009 Letters to the Editor |
|
New Letters to the Editor....06.15.2009 10:45 am
New Letters to the Editor....06.08.2009 8:15 am Judge allows consent decree modifications and other access issues The quote of Judge Boyle posted on the Red Drum Tackle forum is disheartening to say the least. If there is anything to learn from that statement, it is that we now all know what his personal position is on the issue (and the Constitution). Robert D. Spohn Saxonburg, Pa. Has anyone pointed out to these officials that the birds are in no harm and that driving on the beaches isn't causing any problems? For the few, and I mean FEW, tourists who litter, how easy would it be to just add a couple of trash cans instead of littering the beach with posts, signs, rope, string. I mean they are saying that we are the ones causing this, and they just want to protect the wildlife. Last time I checked the foxes that attack the birds are wildlife too, and the Park Service is killing them. So doesn't that contradict the whole protect and preserve? Samantha Taylor Buxton Keep fighting these restrictions. Everyone wants to protect the environment, but human activity is a fact of life. These people (environmentalists) want to be the only ones with access to these areas. Apparently the wildlife isn't afraid when the Park Service goes in to check on these sites. These fanatics are probably the ones who are violating these sites to make it look as though ORV folks are guilty -- just like volunteer firefighters sometimes start fires. These people are unconcerned when they kill animals with their cars or when their house cat kills a bird or a mouse. Give someone the power to say no, and they will certainly use it. They would make perfect religious fanatics. One judge should not be able to decide. It should be put to a vote. Keith Townsend Strasburg, Pa. I am upset with the closing of Ramp 34 in Avon. I look forward to coming to the Outer Banks at Avon to surf fish. I am retired and I am not able to walk long distances carrying a lot of fishing gear. That is why I enjoy driving right to the fishing spot. I understand the bird nest closures, but I thought that was what Pea Island was for. For example, if the birds can't nest on Ramp 34, they will go to Pea Island. Nature has a way of guiding the birds to a place they need to be. Don't kill the economy of Avon because of the birds. Henry Johnson Lynchburg, Va. It seems that his honor Judge Boyle has again been indulging in some kind of separate awareness. When and where has he collected the information to make the attributed statements? These are the caliber of people in whom the "conservation" groups need to place their misguided beliefs? Please don't mention the blind leading the blind, but this is getting more and more opaque as time goes on. We have a judge rendering unrequested "decisions," making up law, and projecting imagined beliefs. Conservation groups setting parameters that exclude all the public for a smattering of birds and park police who haven't caught alleged transgressors for two years? Gee, folks, don’t we feel we are in competent hands? Perhaps we will meet Alice soon. Larry Cullen Buxton I think that the best explanation for Judge Boyle's comments is explained by the recent cartoon –“Non Sequitur” by Wiley Miller - where the character is reaching conclusions first and ignoring all evidence to the contrary since she is always right. I wonder if Mr Miller is writing for the Judge, as well as the newspaper cartoon section. She is a "pre-conceptual scientist" and he a “pre-conceptual” judge. This is not meant as an insult, just an observation and one fully covered by the First Amendment. Bert Smith Richmond, Va. "The public is being tremendously served because of the closures." These are the words of a man (Judge Boyle) unbelievably out of touch, bought and paid for by special interest groups. Outrageous! I sit here absolutely floored, barely able to type and what I would like to type could not be printed. This is a sad day. M. Breeden Virginia Beach, Va. What an excellent letter guest column by Robert Davis! It should be heard by the congressmen dealing with the bill in committee, then the full House and Senate! I agree wholeheartedly. The current state of affairs in CHNSRA is a travesty and it's illegal! Send this to every state and national representative and "Judge" Boyle, NPS, and DOI! Thanks Bob! Mike Stokes Kill Devil Hills Referring to the last paragraph of the report on modifications in the consent decree -- "This last part is painful to report: The judge also noted that ‘the public is being tremendously served because of the closures.’" He said that the same staffing level of rangers now have "less acreage. . .smaller. . .more concentrated areas" of public access so they're better able to enforce drunk driving, speeding, littering, camping, etc. laws which makes for "a safer and more wholesome" environment in the park. The judge pulled this out of a cloud presumably. There was no testimony by NPS to this effect, nor did he reference any reports or study. This is a prime example of one-sided legislating from the bench. The people affected by this type of behavior suffer because the judicial officials are not held accountable for their actions. It is a shame that the actions of one person can change the promises made to the people by the government when the seashore was created. Not surprisingly at all until these types of actions are addressed, it will only continue while the people continue to lose their rights. Also, common sense tells the ordinary person that the closed areas will still have to be patrolled by law enforcement. J. Williams Midland, Tex. Well, (the modifications) are good for the fishermen, but the rest is just so much hot air. Does this judge have a clue? Any clue? Chuck Allison Avalon, N.J. The great Gulf Stream kayak fishing adventure Excellent recap, Joy, and we are glad you made it. I would like to add that, yes, there is always the chance that an interesting or possible frightening creature could appear on one of these trips. Anyone who has spent a few days in the Gulf Stream can probably say that they have seen a big fin or three. Thus far, our encounters in open bluewater have proven that a lot of predators are curious, yet very apprehensive, when it comes to humans. So, I have to say that there is always the danger factor, but we believe actual danger/chances of predator interaction is less then one might think.. I really wish to thank those that joined the crew for this trip -- Donnie Bowers and Rob Nichols, without whom the production couldn't have been what is was. “The Outer Banks Angler” crew consists of a three-man team. Russell Blackwood has been my mentor in open water videography and has become a permanent waterman for the show. Tony Britton of Island Shore Productions handles our dry camera action and is solely responsible for our editing. Most shows consist of a big production crew and post production crew. ‘The Outer Banks Angler” is just a few guys sharing our experiences in the waters of the Outer Banks. Thanks for the unbelievable support we receive from all. Rob Alderman Downtown Buxton I had a blast on this fishing trip and plan on doing another one real soon. I am the man sitting in the green kayak holding up the amberjack. That was the only fish I caught out of the kayak, but, man, did that thing put up a fight! Looking at the picture now, I estimate that the fish was over 50 inches long. After a brief photo and a kiss, it was back in the water. David Kimball Smithfield, Va. Joy, the only thing missing are pics of you catching and having a blast! Matt has been trying to get me to go fishing with him. I guess I'll have to "bite!" Steve Provoncha Rockville, Md. Scenic byway pathway is dedicated The pathway is more awesome and wonderful than we ever dreamed possible. Commendations to everyone -- to the residents of Buxton Back Road for their cooperation and willingness to participate in this project, also many thanks to our county commissioners and countless county employees, Hatchell Concrete, and of course the guys at Albemarle Associates who have helped bring this project to fruition. Now we need someone to open a skate and bike shop. Vicky Barris Buxton I am looking forward to the new trails when I visit my brother in Kitty Hawk this summer. Thank you, Island Free Press, for keeping me informed! Frances Price Summersville, W.Va. Kite get tangled in lines and knocks out power Regarding the signage, what is the government supposed to do? Anticipate every situation and put up a sign? Get a life and own up to your own mistakes. Neil Donovan Newport, Del. Nights in Rodanthe I just read your article, "Stalking Richard Gere," and enjoyed it just as much as the movie, “Nights in Rodanthe.” A few weeks ago I returned from the Outer Banks where I had stopped off in Rodanthe to take a few pictures of the beach house Serendipity that was in the film. Can you please tell me what several locals don't seem to know? Where was the small house of actor Scott Glenn's character located? I've heard maybe in Topsail Beach, but I can't get a definite answer. And if at Topsail, exactly where? Joe Paglio Salisbury, N.C. (Editor’s Note: A Web search turned up these North Carolina locations for the filming – Rodanthe and the Outer Banks, Carolina Beach, North Topsail Beach, Wilmington, and Southport. The exteriors of the Inn at Rodanthe were filmed at the beach house Serendipity in northern Rodanthe. There were also aerial and ferry scenes filmed on the Outer Banks. The party after the hurricane was filmed at the Rodanthe pier. Scenes were also filmed at Jo-Bob’s Trading Post in Rodanthe. According to my Web search, the interiors at the Inn at Rodanthe were filmed at a beach house on North Topsail Beach. Other interiors were shot at movie studios in Wilmington. Apparently North Topsail Beach and other locations were more convenient to the movie makers home base in Wilmington. I could find no mention of where the house belonging to Scott Glenn’s character is located. If anyone knows, please let us know.) New Letters to the Editor....06.01.2009 7:15 am A view from a Reg-Neg Seat The
National Park Service asked the Outer Banks Preservation Association to
participate in a process that favored negotiation over litigation, and
I agreed to accept the challenge,
willing to really sit down and work out a plan that protects the
resource and provides recreational access to the public.
Never mind that this had already been done in 1978. It had to be done again. I was worried about the size and make-up of the committee. Groups with no history in the seashore were granted seats at the table. The old adage, “Too Many Cooks Spoil the Stew,” loomed large in my mind. Before I could even sit down, the environmental groups filed a lawsuit in federal court. They said that they were not suing over reg-neg but that their suit was over the Interim Species Management Plan. My immediate question was: How do you separate the two issues? Didn’t the Interim Species Management Plan control ORV use in the seashore? The next 14 months were a lesson in micro-management. We spent countless hours arguing over what constitutes an ORV, when a clear description is in the executive order. We dealt with everything except where and when you will be able to access public lands in your family vehicle. Countless large “Post It Notes” were stuck to the walls from Avon to Kitty Hawk, where the meetings were moved after the citizens of Hatteras Island exercised their right of free speech. Those citizens were just taking a page out of the environmental groups play book. The NPS chose to move the committee to a secure area where the stakeholders, who wanted to destroy the history and culture of the Outer Banks, would feel more comfortable as they went about their business. The issue of the “best science available” was always present. The turtle expert wanted to compare Daytona Beach to the seashore, as if one size fits all. We heard that plovers, which I know now is pronounced “pluvers,” might be able to see further than other birds and required closures so large that you could park three aircraft carriers end to end. The environmental groups always brought up the Migratory Bird Treaty Act as justification for their position. I wonder what the population of Canada Geese, a migratory species in Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, thought of their protection when they were rounded up during molting season and gassed in trailers with CO2. It must really suck to be a species that is not the poster child of the environmental movement. In the end the facilitators tried to put together a smaller group of stakeholders. The idea was that the smaller group might make more progress. Sadly this attempt was not successful. So what did I learn from the process? The first thing was to question whether local economies matter to the environmental groups. They have a mission and disagreement is not allowed. I heard about replacement economies, as if the millions of visitors would come to the seashore for something other than public access to the ocean beach and sound waters. Let nature take its course made no sense to me. The natural landscape of the Outer Banks has been altered to provide for human access. The NPS continues to close areas, once open to the public, which results in habitat, once suitable for the birds, now predator habitat. Thousands of tax dollars are spent to kill species that are not on the approved list. It must be a powerful feeling to decide which lives and which dies. I remembered when a skulk of foxes took up residence at Hatteras Inlet. In the evening you could stop in the dry gulch, just past the cable crossing, and watch the kits play on the higher dunes. One night, as I went around to the back of the truck to get some bait, I came face to face with one of the adults, snacking on my bait. They are all gone now, trapped and shot because they were predators of the chosen few. The NPS project in the ‘70s tried to create breeding habitat and was successful, but never followed up on. It’s easier to close the area then actually manage it. As long as our government continues to pander to the environmental groups and their lawsuits, the public will continue to suffer. In the ‘50s, as a young child, I got to visit Yellowstone National Park. The ranger asked me to hold his “Smoky the Bear Hat” while he addressed the public. How does that child go from one of his proudest moments to an adversarial relationship? Sadly, I now understand the journey. It’s not about reality. It’s about who has the money to influence public opinion. The side with the most lawyers and biggest media buy wins. I continue to hold out hope that somehow the NPS will wake from their 37-year sleep and strike a balance between resource protection and public access. This will be up to the NEPA process, which begins this fall, when the NPS will unveil their plan for public access to what was the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. Do not fall into the trap that this about ORV use. The history of Reg-Neg shows us that all forms of public access are threatened. Pedestrians, windsurfers, kiteboarders and surfers are all targets. Once the environmental groups get rid of the dread ORV, your access will be next. Stay involved, knowledgeable and committed. It is not over yet. John Alley Hatteras Future of the island’s pharmacies is in danger Has anyone forwarded this to the governor’s office, the White House, congressmen, or senators? If not, please do. What would we all do without our pharmacies? Jane Metacarpa Frisco Losing the pharmacies on the island will be a painful loss to the island. The services provided, combined with the obvious concern displayed for our residents, will never be replicated by an off-island provider. Another sad victim of the changing times. Beth Bakley Rodanthe I was surprised and saddened to hear of this state situation and the possible closing of the pharmacies. As a long-time part-timer on Ocracoke, I have used Beach Pharmacy in Hatteras on numerous occasions and found Mr. Evans to be knowledgeable and helpful. Closing the pharmacy would certainly pose a problem if one was ill and needed medication quickly or came to the islands without needed meds. Certainly the state can make special arrangements for the islands. State employees, other locals, as well as visitors, deserve the right to chose whether to have their prescriptions filled at a convenient, local pharmacy or to have it filled elsewhere. Tourism, the state's big industry, would be negatively impacted. You know that word would get out very quickly and some would be dissuaded from coming to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please let us know how we from afar might be of help. Hope this will be resolved in favor of the local pharmacies and our communities. Gloria Van Nostrand Louisville, Ky. The state should subsidize the two pharmacies, if necessary. Their service is the most necessary--and appreciated--service on Hatteras Island. Chris Waters Buxton The local, state, and federal control of employee health care is scary. My parents have worked hard their entire lives building up for retirement. Last year my parents had their retirement home built in Florida, only to find out that my father had a rare disease and cancer to boot. My dad spent 34 years as a local government employee. After they discovered his illnesses, his state health provider was denying as many claims as possible, which rapidly cost my parents over $100,000. When they made their transition to Florida, they found out that the state health provider wasn't going to cover anything out of the state in which he was employed. Sounds crazy, but it's true. Now after 35 years of playing by the rules, my family may have to file bankruptcy because of state health care. State employees, beware and make sure you know your policies inside and out and then some. Please do not allow the state to start this prescription action. Not only will it destroy the Hatteras Island pharmacies, but it will also begin a downward spiral in the North Carolina state employees’ health benefits. Of this, I am sure. Rob Alderman Buxton Outer Banks Angling: Social networking Well said, Rob. The number of empty houses on the island was shocking. I expected some empty houses, but it was very sad. I still walked to the Point a few nights, but it just isn't the same. I miss the smell of eggs and bacon at the Point, while waiting for that cobia to come and get your feast of bunker you have cast out for it. I miss the kids playing and the smell of suntan oil combined with fresh cut bait. We will win this fight. It is going to take some time but we will win! Al Wilson Pennsville, N.J. |
Please see the Archives Pages for Previous Years
|
  |