Letter: No need to annex Bay Point

Drew Laughlin lost the election to Hilton Head Island’s current mayor mostly because voters detected and detested the lack of transparency in dealings and approvals of the USCB campus near the Sea Pines Circle. That issue pales in comparison with the lack of transparency apparent with the annexation attempt of Bay Point. The undercover secrecy of the whole deal stinks.

With annexation, Town Council is exposing taxpayers to unnecessary risk. The experience on Daufuskie Island teaches us that it is difficult, if not impossible, to attempt to build and manage a resort on an island without a bridge.

If the Bay Point owner, the developer and the resort manager want to attempt a project like this, so be it, but annexation to our town does not need to be considered. It is not necessary.

The Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, Sun City Hilton Head and Hilton Head Lakes in Jasper County all piggyback on our island’s name and reputation without annexation. What happens if a few years into the management contract, Six Senses decides it is not viable or profitable and withdraws? Taxpayers will be left holding the bag. This could be potentially a very costly mistake.

Recent history tells us that voters demand transparency, not secret backroom deals.

This story was originally published October 5, 2016 at 3:19 PM with the headline "Letter: No need to annex Bay Point."