Letter: Beach project must be stopped

It is with extreme surprise and utter frustration to read about the Town of Hilton Head Island going ahead with the beach renourishment project that will take place all summer. This is unacceptable.

We get the pleasure of living on this wonderful island and take many things for granted, including our tourists (like them or not). Can you imagine what you would feel like if you had saved your hard-earned money to take your family to the beach and arrived to find, not only the beach closed or in a wreck but the commotion of large earth-moving vehicles day and night? You would be utterly disgusted and extremely disappointed. You would demand your money back and have every right to do so.

Islanders get the pleasure of not having to deal with the project by going about our daily lives. Vacationing guests do not have this option. They came to relax and enjoy the beach. Bad publicity travels fast. The last thing we need is bad press.

But the financial implications are far greater. What about the lost revenue for property owners? Local businesses? Lost tax dollars?

And why do we “have” to do this now? The beach can’t wait another six months? This is the first islandwide renourishment since 2006.

And why is this contractor not being financially punished for not performing to its original agreement? This has to stop. Write your Town Council and demand this project be postponed.

This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 8:00 PM with the headline "Letter: Beach project must be stopped."