Letters to the Editor
Saving Morris Island
We appreciate Mayor Joe Riley's interest in preserving the Cummings Point portion of Morris Island, and we are pleased this land will be protected forever from residential development.
However, we are surprised and concerned by the mayor's sudden move to take ownership of Cummings Point, which was expected to be under the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (PRC) and the town of Folly Beach.
The PRC has an excellent record of protecting the environment and the public interest, and we are grateful for the thought and effort they have devoted to planning Morris Island's future. In just a few short weeks, the PRC will publish a study and recommendations concerning access to Cummings Point.
This study was paid for with more than $200,000 in public money. It has been more than two years in the making. Historians, scientists, ecologists, conservationists, archaeologists, and local, state and federal officials have worked together to develop a plan that protects Morris Island. It is likely that this study will recommend against building a dock on Cummings Point.
Developer Bobby Ginn, the current owner of Cummings Point, has been open about his desire for increased large boat access to Morris Island by way of a dock. But the public has said overwhelmingly that it did not want a dock. Some 85 percent of the people who participated in the PRC's public input process voted against a dock, and a petition opposing a dock on Morris Island gathered more than 650 signatures in little more than a week.
We hope that when the city of Charleston takes ownership of Cummings Point, Mayor Riley will faithfully protect this fragile and historic place — and prohibit a dock. We also hope that, as he has promised, he will honor the PRC's recommendations rather than conducting his own in-house study and creating a new "visionary plan."
Charleston area residents already have a visionary plan. It's simple. Keep Morris Island the way it is and don't degrade it with a dock or other infrastructure.
AMY FABRI & ROBIN WELCH
Islanders for Responsible Expansion
Stiles Drive
James Island
Fallen officers
The family of Constable Robert Lee Bailey Sr. would like to thank all those who helped the family in Washington, D.C., at a very emotional time during National Police Week 2008.
More than 20,000 family, friends and law enforcement officers paid respect to 181 fallen law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in 2007, including four from the Lowcountry: S.C. State Constable Robert L. Bailey, Dorchester County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Deese, Moncks Corner Police Cpl. Marcus D. Stiles and Officer Lonnie M. Wells.
These officers, along with more than 18,000 men and women over the years, paid the ultimate sacrifice so you could live in peace in your communities.
We all cried, prayed and hugged over the loss of our loved ones, our friends and our law-enforcement brothers and sisters, and we did it as one.
The family would like to especially thank Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon, who provided an escort for the family. Among those escorting were Sgt. Harold M. Phillips of the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, Lowcountry Constable Association members Al and Tina Gunter, Mike Partaro, Danny and Glenda Smith, Cheri Hurbert, Charleston County Sheriff's Office Lt. Dan Isgett, the Fraternal Order of Police, C.O.P.S., S.C. Highway Patrol and Beverly Coates of C.O.P.S.
The year 2007 was the 37th most deadly year for law enforcement in U.S. history. So remember that police give more than speeding tickets. Just ask the family members of the 181 fallen officers.
Constable Bailey was my father-in-law, law enforcement partner and friend.
CARMINE D'AMATO Jr.
Branton Avenue
Ladson
As much to blame
A May 21 letter to the editor states that we should stop blaming the president for national problems and start showing him some respect. The writer also states that the blame lies with the Senate and House of Representatives, which could override the president's vetoes if needed. She is correct that Congress has the power to override a veto, but when the president has used his veto power only five times in eight years, it looks to me that he is as much to blame as is Congress.
STEVE DUPREE
Day Lily Lane
Charleston
Why tags allowed?
I saw them the same day here in Charleston.
First, it was a Volkswagen convertible with a "P" license plate. Later, it was a full-size, four-wheel-drive pickup truck, high up from the ground, with three stepladders and two extension ladders sticking over the tailgate. It had a handicap license plate.
It makes you wonder if these plates are given out without any care as to the type vehicle on which they are used.
KIRKY KIRKLAND
Magnolia Road
Charleston
Be thankful
As a child of a handicapped parent, I believe God can always make it so you, too, have a disability and must use handicap parking.
Be thankful that you are blessed enough that you don't. I'm sure many people would be glad to give up the privilege in exchange for good health.
Just ask my father, who is a heart transplant survivor.
ROXANNE RUFF
Wicker Court
Charleston
Preserve grand oaks
Last November, Roadwise presented its plan for improving the intersection at Folly and Camp roads.
Due to a public outcry, Roadwise held another meeting on May 21 to hear concerns of James Island residents who are outraged about the threat to one of our last remaining canopies of grand oaks on James Island. These oaks symbolize and define James Island.
They are why we are proud to call James Island home. Sadly, as our town grows and becomes more developed, we are quickly losing our trees and our heritage.
Without this canopy, our town will be a step closer to being a generic community.
Roadwise presented four alternatives for improving the intersection at Folly Road and Camp Road. Alternatives 1, 2 and 4 call for destroying as many as 41 grand oak trees. Alternative 3 would not harm any of the oaks. I realize that the intersection needs to be improved. However, none of the alternatives that were presented will actually improve the intersection.
The traffic will simply move from Folly Road to Camp Road, creating a bottleneck in front of the middle schools and a dangerous traffic merge. This will cause accidents and bring traffic to a standstill.
I find it devastating that 41 trees would be destroyed for nothing. There are more modest approaches that could be made so the intersection is improved without clear-cutting our grand oaks.
The deadline for public comment on the proposed improvements is May 30. I urge everyone to contact Charleston County Roadwise at ccroadwise.org and vote for alternative 3 and ask that Roadwise come up with a plan that does not destroy our oak trees.
Charleston County Council has the final vote on the improvements, so please contact our representative Paul Thurmond at pthurmond@tktlawfirm.com or telephone 937-8000.
JENNY CANTRELL
Stone Post Road
James Island
Help with food
East Cooper Community outreach (ECCO) would like to thank members of Christ our King, Seacoast Christian and East Cooper Baptist churches for their very generous participation in the latest Grocery Bag Sundays.
They provided ECCO with more than 1,100 bags of much needed food.
Our shelves are looking very good, but we are experiencing an increase in the number of people asking for help to feed their families. ECCO is very fortunate to have more than 20 East Cooper churches participating in our Grocery Bag Sunday program.
Without this help, we would not be in a position to assist in feeding the hungry in our area. God bless you all.
PAUL SUCHY
ECCO Warehouse Manager
Six Mile Road
Mount Pleasant
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