Reader calls for protecting the Lowcountry’s natural resources

Protect Lowcountry’s natural resources

Ask newcomers why they moved to the Lowcountry and most name the beauty of our salt marshes, rivers, beaches, and moss-draped oaks. Ours is a land with an abundance of sea birds and seafood. The rural farmland here yields fantastic crops. Those of us who call Beaufort County home are blessed by natural beauty and abundance, but with such riches comes responsibility. How can we preserve the land that’s integral to the quality of our lives?

This November we have an opportunity to do more than simply count our blessings; we can protect the sea islands, salt marshes, and maritime forests for generations to come.

Voting YES on Questions 1a and 1b will raise funds to be used solely to protect and preserve Beaufort County’s natural resources. A YES vote will 1) protect land that keeps pollution out of our creeks and rivers, thus safeguarding our drinking water; 2) protect natural hurricane barriers that hold flood waters and reduce storm damage; 3) protect farmlands.

If we don’t act to preserve these precious resources while we can, the loss will forever change the beauty and character of Beaufort County. If you love the Lowcountry, I urge you to vote YES.

Cassandra King, Beaufort

Pay disabled veterans more

Our disabled veterans are grossly under-compensated. This travesty of justice is causing enlistments to dry up. Danger!

In 2022 a totally disabled veteran with no dependents is compensated at the ridiculous rate of $39,984.72 dollars annually. The National Average Wage Index for 2020 was $55,628.60 dollars per annum and the median income for 2020 was $67,521.00. The per capita GDP in 2020 was $63,416.00 dollars. Huh?!

They have been asking various Administrations and Congresses for fair compensation since the end of WWI in November 1918. That was 103 years ago! In my opinion the basic reason for their gross under compensation situation is because they are only compensated for projected loss of wages due to their disabilities. They are not compensated for their low quality of life which is the norm now in personal injury cases in court. This is done to keep taxation low for the wealthy elites. So this means that the people that had their assets and overseas business interests protected the most by our now broken former troops pay essentially nothing to support them in their brokenness.Congress must correct this now!

Bradley Campbell, Beaufort

Know who you vote for

Time is drawing near; November 8 is the vote-in-person date to cast your ballot in the midterm election. Vote-by-mail is happening now.

This vote is essential to save our democracy, our way of life, so I ask each and every registered voter to do your homework and vote. If a candidate says they don’t accept President Biden as our current president, do not vote for them. They want to destroy our democracy.

Consider each candidate for office. Go to their website or hear them in person as they speak in our counties. Don’t vote straight party. More than ever, this time we need to consider each person’s skills and intentions. We need people who will stand up for our needs and fight for our rights regardless of party affiliation. Serving in government is an honor, not a business. We need to elect people who won’t take our democracy away from us. You can’t be for democracy and not support our fair and free elections in 2020. When you cast your vote, please be sure you know what you are voting for.

Susan Baukhages, Bluffton

Print my letter Island Packet

For years I have been able to send letters to the editor and most of the time they were published, however since the ISLAND PACKET took control none of mine have been published.

I state facts concerning the local people’s concern, i.e. the stupid penny sales tax. They state we will save on food and certain items but you dominate prices on other things. Motels, most military towns give a discount for staying with them but not in our ungrateful town. It used to be known as BEAUTIFUL BY THE SEA 28 MILES FROM YEMMASSEE but not know with all of the building. The council will not open the TRASH DUMPS 7 DAYS a week. Maybe some Congressman/woman (will) visit this place and see what is going on and talk to residents.

Robert E. Williams, Beaufort

This story was originally published October 23, 2022 at 5:00 AM.