Island doesn't need more liquor stores, etc.

Having lived here 28 years and having owned property since 1977, we've seen a wonderful paradise come to fruition. Now we see an unelected committee recommending changes that could mean more liquor stores, tattoo parlors and other unwanted venues coming to the island in the name of redevelopment. We don't think this is what Charles Fraser intended. Who really wants this? Follow the money.

This island was intended to not be like Myrtle Beach, but to be a resort area where families could live surrounded by natural beauty, and tourists could visit, then return home and brag about their trip to Hilton Head Island. We saw no announcement of a meeting where residents could express how they feel about this particular revision of the land-management plan.

We have seen many changes as the town has grown and would like to see more businesses come here and create a broader tax base. That is why we assumed we are now paying $125,000 to a new director of the town's economic development corporation -- to find us this growth, not for the town to deliver it by edict.

We presume the mayor and some other council members are for this change, but we would like to see each of their positions quoted in the newspaper. Many property owners we have talked to feel the same way as we do.

Jack and Marilyn Young

Hilton Head Island

This story was originally published August 1, 2014 at 10:38 AM with the headline "Island doesn't need more liquor stores, etc.."