Bay Point Island helps to protect us — so why would we even consider altering it?
On Bay Point
In July Audubon South Carolina submitted a letter to the Beaufort County Zoning Board of Appeals expressing its opposition to a proposal to develop a resort on Bay Point Island.
In doing so Audubon South Carolina joined a chorus of voices opposed to the proposal, including:
▪ Members of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
▪ Leading environmental organizations.
▪ Elected officials such as Gov. Henry McMaster, U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, state Sen. Chip Campsen and state Rep. Shannon Erickson.
With sea level rise pushing our barrier islands landward and development pushing them seaward, Bay Point represents one of the final lines of defense against a shrinking coastline — and the effects that hurricanes, storm-surge and flooding pose to nearby communities.
Instead of maintaining this protective shield, the proposed development would transform this shifting barrier island into a liability.
The development would also threaten vital habitat for South Carolina’s declining coastal bird populations — including both state and federally listed species such as the Red Knot, Least Tern and Piping Plover.
We hope the board will listen to the well-founded concerns of its constituents, and make the right decision by rejecting this proposal.
Nolan Schillerstrom, Charleston
Schillerstrom is coastal program associate for Audubon South Carolina.
On hate crime legislation
I applaud Rabbi Brad Bloom’s recent op-ed on the need for the state Legislature to pass the hate crimes bill. After Georgia’s enactment of a hate crimes bill in June, South Carolina is now one of only three states in America that does not have such a law.
The impacts of hate crimes against individuals in our society go far beyond physical or economic injuries; they also serve to fracture communities by intimidating and isolating people.
State Rep. Wendell Gilliard, the primary sponsor of the hate crimes bill in the Legislature, has noted that hate crimes in South Carolina have increased by 25% in recent years.
It is also important to understand what a hate crimes bill would not do: it would not limit free speech guaranteed under the First Amendment.
The time has come for a hate crimes law in South Carolina, and state legislators need to take immediate action.
Christine deVries, Hilton Head
deVries is the Democratic Party candidate for the SC House District 123 seat.
On Trump
After four days of lies and rewriting history during the recent Republican National Convention, we need need health care facts.
The Trump acolytes try to tell us that the coronavirus pandemic is over; they refer to it in the past tense despite 35,000-plus new cases each day and 1,100 daily deaths.
As colleges reopen, hundreds of campuses are experiencing large outbreaks; meanwhile, we are told that we need to reopen “for the economy.”
Really?
And while President Donald Trump says “slow down” the testing to cover up the reality of his incompetence, the virus keeps spreading.
Trump is in an alternative reality, and it is one of real incompetence.
John MacLaurin, Hilton Head
On virtual learning
I have an 8-year old granddaughter who attends Brockman Elementary School in the Richland One district.
Twice this year I have “monitored” my granddaughter’s virtual experience when her mother had appointments, and I have been highly impressed and awed by how the teachers are handling education in this new environment.
I know that many students lack the support they need for virtual learning, but if what I have observed is any indication of the level of commitment and professionalism of South Carolina’s teachers, we should be proud of what they have done in adapting education to virtual learning.
Kudos to South Carolina’s teachers!
They deserve a huge “Thank you” from all of us — and a major bonus from our legislators!
Stan Frick, Columbia
On personal injury lawyers
If we could get the personal injury lawyers to run for public office, we could eliminate half of the commercials on television.
Wayne Wicker, Beaufort
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 3:50 PM.