Beaufort County kicks Harbor Island while its down

I have lived on Harbor Island for 20 years. I bought the lot 25 years ago.

Your recent article about some Harbor Island homeowners trying to get a FEMA grant is just one of many negative articles since Hurricane Matthew. All anyone reads about is the damage to some of our oceanfront homes, loss of our beach, negative, negative, negative. It would be nice if one time the Gazette took the time to report on the way the island has bounced back from Matthew, with homes repaired, and Harbor Island looking better daily. But that, of course, does not sell newspapers.

As to Beaufort County’s attempt at a land grab for a public beach on a small, private island in exchange for assisting with the FEMA grant to help the owners whose homes were severely damaged, that sure has the appearance of blackmail to me.

The comments about the county not having the staff or resources to assist with this grant are ludicrous. There are dozens of taxpaying property owners at Harbor Island who would have volunteered their time to assist Beaufort County on this application. Many retired professionals could have done the job at no cost to the county.

Nothing like kicking us while we are down and trying to take advantage of our misfortune. Shame on Beaufort County, shame!

This story was originally published August 31, 2017 at 7:54 PM with the headline "Beaufort County kicks Harbor Island while its down."