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Chamber urges town unity in quest for new sand
“It is time we stopped operating as six municipalities and started acting like one Outer Banks.” full text of statement »
In a statement strongly critical of what it called “short-sighted opposition” by some political leaders, The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce urged Dare County towns to get behind Nags Head’s plan to pump sand onto its beaches.
While acknowledging that the other towns and Hatteras Island would need help in the long term, the chamber called problems in South Nags Head immediate and said images of battered cottages and debris-strewn beaches were damaging the reputation of the entire Outer Banks.
“We are met with a critical situation in South Nags Head, with major problems to follow in some of our other towns. Instead of finding ways to work together to meet this immediate need, while building the foundation for
future projects, we have leaders who are reverting back to the ugliest phrase of politics; ‘what’s in it for me?’ ” Chamber Chairman Paul Tine said in the statement.
“Our businesses are sick and tired of this approach and want our leaders to start finding ways to work together and get things done.”
The statement comes as Nags Head Mayor Bob Oakes prepares to take his case to three more towns this week.
The chamber expressed support for Oakes’ argument that Nags Head’s plan to nourish 10 miles of beach would address an urgent need and could demonstrate what a successful project might look like. The chamber statement noted that a proposal to re-impose the 1 cent local sales tax for beach nourishment had been dropped and the burden for funding would fall on the tourism industry and oceanfront property owners.
Nags Head proposes using $20 million from the Dare County Shoreline Management Fund, which would be replenished by an addition 1 percent on the 5 cent occupancy tax. The first five years of the extra 1 percent would pay off a revenue bond for the $16 million balance of the $36 million project. The shoreline fund is already made up of an existing 1 percent of the tax.
Later maintenance would be funded by a special assessment on oceanfront property owners, who would be petitioned to participate.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners, which decides how the money will be divided up, said it wanted some consensus from the towns before making a decision on Nags Head’s proposal. But the plan has already run into complications.
Two weeks ago, Oakes presented the plan to the Shoreline Management Commission, an advisory group of town and county elected officials. The same day, Kill Devil Hills offered a plan of its own that would seek later reimbursement from the federal government but require the county to front the town as much as $18 million from the shoreline fund. There is not enough money in the fund for both projects.
At a shoreline commission meeting last week, Kitty Hawk went on record as opposing any of the fund being used to pay back Nags Head’s $16 million bond and said the money should be divided up in proportion to how much occupancy tax each locality generates.
Shoreline commission representatives from Southern Shores, Manteo and Duck questioned the plan put did not formally declare a position on it.
Oakes next took the plan to the Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners. Mayor Ray Sturza said the board would take some time before considering a resolution drafted by Oakes in support of Nags Head’s plan.
Oakes is scheduled to present the plan to Kitty Hawk on Monday at 6 p.m., Southern Shores on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Manteo on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
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newjake says:
Although I feel this would be an engineering disaster, do I read it right that the proposed funding goes like this:
1. Nags Head gets almost all of the current balance.
2. Then they get a second loan in addition…
3. We raise the O-tax, but they get all of that new revenue TOO to repay the loan?
Projecting out 20 years, there would never be any money for anything, including disaster relief or sound flooding etc.
It seems like they are asking to spend all that we have, and getting “dibs” on all that we will have in the future. That’s no risk to NH, the rest of us are on our own.
What if this fails like so many predict? Don’t we want enough in the bank to go to plan B? (maybe some dunes, move the houses etc.)
Jay says:
Does anyone remember what Kitty Hawk looked like after Isabell? Several houses came down and instead of trying to leave them on the beach, they were removed AND THE BEACH GOT WIDER.
Is that just too logical for Nags Head?
Ray says:
After reading Tine’s comments, which clearly stretches his board’s resolution to the limit, one can only wish he had signed on last week to run for public office.
The voters would give him an attitude adjustment really quick. And, since when did the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce begin speaking for 80% of the voters in Dare County? If they really want “unity” in this matter, they should take a short lesson in election results here in the county.
sonny williams says:
First, it’s so hard to fight mother nature. I remember back in the early 90s, South Nags Head put those sand bags that we now see again. What did that cost the county?
Now the politicians want to spent how many more millions to pump in sand that will wash away at some time? More money out to sea. Learn from our neighors but not, boardwalk, or learn to live with Mother Nature and quit wasting money, and help things like the food banks that had 700 more people this month, or help with finding jobs for the unemployed, the homeless, or the sick, things that really matter. The politicans need to stop spending and start thinking wiser.
Louise says:
Is the Chamber willing to put up the money? I do not want to pay for it.
jake gittes says:
Unity….is that like one police force, and one garbage pickup, and one fire department, and one municipal office?
GB says:
There are many very valid reasons to oppose the Nags Head plan.
If the Chamber is truly open to suggestions and comments, then let’s hope that they do not continue to paint their opponents as “short sighted” or suggest that their motivations are ugly.
Let’s have a comprehensive, long-term (more than 10 years), countywide plan in place before we talk about raising taxes and taking on debt.
Selena K says:
Whoa. As a local business owner and member of the Chamber since about 2003, I am disappointed to hear this. I will cancel my membership in a heartbeat if the Chamber wades much deeper into this territory.
Note the wording “Later maintenance would be funded by a special assessment on oceanfront property owners, who would be *petitioned* to participate.”
Not *made* to participate.
You know good and well the OF owners won’t agree to that! They want the voters and the rental guests to bear the burden. None of the SNH OF owners will ever pay a dime toward protecting their properties if not made to.
Yes, one or two get out there and clean up their messes, but the majority obviously do not.
If the Chamber wants it looking so nice, why don’t they advocate a fraction of the County’s $24 million go towards some kind of organized clean-up campaign, if they truly want to spruce up the image immediately?
Sheesh — can no one see the forest for the trees?! Why not at least try?
Craig says:
The Chamber should support removing some of those houses. Pouring sand on the beach is a fool’s errand. Surfer’s won’t like it much either — pumping offshore sand will wreck the breaks and harm the environment, costing millions of dollars only to be washed away in the next storm.
Nothing changes — I recall Christ saying something about the folly of people building houses on the sand.
Jim says:
I am also pretty irritated that the Chamber lumped me in as a nourishment supporter.
I do not support it in the slightest and am also reconsidering our membership with them.
Bob O says:
The occupancy tax funds, (and the former sales tax funds) total $27,156,335 as of January 31, 2010. These funds were all collected in for the purpose of shoreline mitigation.
By January 1, 2011, the funds total should be over $30,000,000. A new 1% occupancy tax would generate between 30 and 35 million, in addition to the current 1%, a total of 60-70 million dollars.
Yes, Nags Head is asking for a significant part of the current funds, and a five-year share of the new 1% tax. But at the end of 10 years, in 2021, there’s around $60 million available for other projects.
The low point in the fund would be in 2011, and the $5.6 million remains available as principal feeding the sand fence and beach grass projects, and about $4 million in occupancy funds.
The Nags Head project addresses 10 of the original 13 miles of the proposed federal project. Nags Head provides some of the best access to the beach in the state. Doesn’t it make sense to act before the ocean meets the road? These projects are expensive by their nature, but what’s the cost of moving the beach road back?
Clean up is complicated by the legal issue of forcing people to remove their homes from the public beach. It may take years to have some of these homes removed. Avoiding these health and image issues with nourishment is good prevention.
Yes, Selena, the Nags Head plan puts the burden for nourishment squarely on the property owners, and I believe they will approve a tax on themselves. It offers the best protection available against future storm damage, and the best protection for the tourism economy that drives the vast majority of commerce on the Outer Banks.
newjake says:
As you could likely get a check cut for at least 7 million tomorrow, is there a reason not to use that amount for a test nourishment of 2 miles (@$3.5 million per mile) to see if this could actually work?
Or is there another reason the entire fund has to go “All in?”
Bobby says:
Sounds to me like we are finally uniting in our common cause of preserving our beaches or not. Lots of good comments and interaction. I am a chamber member and will be interested in what other allies they can muster. Brave and bold move on their part but I respect it. And this will not affect my membership at all. We are a resort community that has our beaches as the main attraction and they need repaving badly.
BTW, I am not in an area that has any problem with erosion currently. But as a resident in a non-tourist type business, I still benefit as we all do from the tourist trade and its income that it generates and the many lives it affects.
I am excited to see action and interaction even though some it is skeptical, negative, but all is interesting.
Tim says:
Doing nothing is the most expensive option of all. Buying and retreating is also very expensive. Beach nourishment with jetty and artificial reef support would be the best option. If you are not a nourishment supporter, what do you support and where are the funds coming from to support your idea?
Tim says:
It would be great to be united in a effort to get state and federal help. They have benefited and will benefit greatly from our taxes. We have a great place to live, work and play. With a little forethought we can make it better.
GB says:
Bob, why not ask the Nags Head owners to put up 10.5 mil first? This would average just $200 per foot of oceanfront or $10K per 50 foot lot on average. Use a special assessment so that the percentage of revenue remains neutral for other towns and the tax does not continue forever. Correlate the assessment with erosion rates so that the owners with lots that are eroding more rapidly pay more and owners that own safer oceanfront lots pay less.
Despite my many other objections to your plan, this would allocate the costs of the imported sand much more equitably.
If the NH oceanfront owners don’t have enough faith to put up less than 30% of the funding, why in the world would the rest of the county want to raise taxes AND borrow money for this project when there are so many other pressing needs and better ways to invest in our collective future (education, educational centers, bridges, communications infrastructure, etc)?
Butch Stone says:
Yes, doing nothing is not a option.
If we retreat, we lose homes
If we pump the sand and we lose
Then we have just lost sand, not homes
these rental oceanfront homes are very important to the economy
newjake says:
The funds come from the same place. That is a “shoreline management” fund, not a “recklessly pump sand because some dredger says he can make it work this time” fund.
Why spend every last dollar on a huge risk? Then, when/if it fails, we’d be able to do nothing for about 5-10 years and still have a huge debt to repay.
And why pay anything for those houses? If they are on public land, condemn them and move on. Happens every day all across the nation.
DP says:
Making terse and condescending comments about people who have been elected to represent their constituents is in itself divisive. The Town of Nags Head is desperate. But has anyone looked at the size of the Town’s Fund Balance? Millions in the bank but seeking all of the funds intended to be used for the benefit of everyone. Here you go Tim, clean up the beach, divide up the money equitibly, and move on. Is that so hard?
Reacher says:
Validity is a virtue of arguments, but a good argument also needs to be sound. Moreover, even soundness is not enough: a good argument must actually advance our knowledge of the debate we are in. Begging the question gets us nowhere, as we just end up going around in circles. (http://www.fallacyfiles.org/begquest.html)
I believe that Mr Oakes is attempting to advance our knowledge and the debate that we are in. However, I believe that the question is that of how to establish and maintain a resilient, sustainable economy for the community. Let us lend our energy to answering that question as quickly as possible. Let us support our opinions with facts and truly advance our knowledge and the debate. Stay focused people! We really need to be working together on this.
Tim says:
It would be nice to think we could do nothing and move on. But doing nothing would be a logical fallacy. We are going to be spending millions of dollars tearing down houses and trucking them to landfills we have to build. ( more millions of dollars). As our beach deteriorates and the values plummet on the oceanfront area, those of us on the west side of the bypass will have to pay more taxes to pay for the services. To let the value of our tax base go is bad business. To let our beaches stay littered with houses and debris is bad for the environment. Drawing a line and stopping the destruction will give us a sustainable economy and the ability to pay for beach nourishment.
Gary says:
We’re paying a salary of 100k+ to a county employee who’s job is to manage a project that isn’t even a sure thing, yet we still have no Economic Development Director. What sense does this make?
bouy9 says:
Remember the beach project a couple seasons back from Kitty Hawk pier south? They brought in all this strange dirt that was muddy and dark and hard pack. Wasn’t beach sand at all. It washed away in no longer than a month in the Thanksgiving storm. The Lillian area, some of it remained but at least half was gone. That should be enough proof, enough that it could wash away in no time.
Butch Stone says:
to Bouy9
That sand was trucked in and it was not the same sand that comes from the ocean. It was real fine, almost like dirt, it was also a dune to help protect the homes and not to make the beach larger like the beach nourishment would do. When was the last time you went to Va. Beach,and Sandbridge?
That was a real nourishment and it has stayed for many a year,and is still there.
newjake says:
Virginia Beach’s sand has washed away in a single storm as well, though. That project is a constant $ drain. Remember, if we go through with this, our account is effectively empty for 5-10 years.
I surf our beaches a lot like most of us. I’ve also been in the water in Florida, Hawaii, and CA like most of us.
This is the most active water I’ve ever been in. The current, even on nice days, is unbelievable. We are at the confluence of two major currents, and they have their way with the beach. Perhaps if Oakes, Sadler, Cahoon and White could sit out there on a board day in and out, then visit other shorelines, they’d actually understand the ocean and the risk here.
It is such a gamble to go ALL IN with our shoreline fund, and our future fund, so why the pushback on doing a test nourishment for the amount of money we actually have?
bouy9 says:
My theory on Sandbridge and V.B is that out here we stick out into the ocean. Rodanthe is the closest beach to the continental shelf. The surf is usually and almost always larger and more frequent here, any surfer or fisherman knows that. They don’t have the same conditions and continually pump sand. The cape has rougher seas! AHOY
Paul T says:
I have read and enjoyed the debate concerning beach renourishment that has occurred on this website over the past day. I am glad that my letter has assisted in spurring conversation about what we should do as a community concerning our beaches. Over the past few months I have discussed this issue with many people and would like to make sure the community understands why we are supporting beach renourishment as the Chamber has in the past with resolutions in 2005 and 2007.
The first, biggest, and only reason was simply put to me by one of our business owners, “No Beach… No Business.” We are a tourism-driven economy and saving our beaches is essential. According to the N.C. Department of Commerce, $777 million was spent directly on tourism in 2008, directly supporting 11,250 jobs. When combined with the subsequent “indirect” jobs and spending, it is obvious that tourism is the most significant segment of our economy. According to the last survey of the Visitor’s Bureau, 94.8% of the visitors who came to Dare County did so to visit the beach.
The fact that our beaches support our economy is not just important to our businesses and workforce but to the people who work in local government, for our students and our retirees. The reason is that the resulting $74.63 million in tax revenue resulted in $5,164.85 a year in savings for local households. That goes to pay for the services, education and infrastructure that support our quality of life.
Our beaches are the number one asset in Dare County and we need to make sure we protect them. I understand that beach renourishment may not be the most desirable solution to our problem, but it is the only option we have. Hardened structures are not permitted by CAMA, sand fencing is currently being funded by the County with limited success, and even offshore options would require the beach be built up at some point. Engineered beach restoration projects do work, however. You can see successful ones in Emerald Isle and Virginia Beach. The key is making sure that the project is renourished on a consistent basis. If you still doubt that a project can be done successfully, let’s give it a test. Use the beaches in Nags Head as a demonstration project and let’s see once and for all what can be accomplished.
In response to those who felt my personal tone was too stern to our elected officials, I would like to share with you a few thoughts. First, the letter was not directed to every politician, as we have been working with some great partners in every single town that support beach renourishment. There are those, however, that insist on stonewalling the process, not because they do not think it will work, or even that it is a worthwhile endeavor. Instead they have stated that they want a piece of the accumulated occupancy tax to help the bottom line of their general fund. As I have stated above, our beaches are a critical infrastructure item in support of our main industry tourism. My remarks were meant to bring attention to this issue and judging by the rigorous debate it is working.
This important issue is not about politics or politicians or even the Chamber of Commerce. It is about the long-term success of our businesses and our workforce. No Beach… No Business.
Again, thank you for your input and consideration on this important topic. I look forward to hearing your responses and to the work ahead.
Butch Stone says:
The experts say a test will not last as long and will be a waste. I would almost think it would make sense to do it from Southern Shores to the end of Nags Head all at one time, but doing anything would be better then what has been done.
Ray says:
Paul, you have made the charge; now back it up.
Tell everyone the names of the elected officials whom you say are “stonewalling” for the reasons you give.
so.shores says:
Paul T says:
“There are those, however, that insist on stonewalling the process, not because they do not think it will work, or even that it is a worthwhile endeavor. Instead they have stated that they want a piece of the accumulated occupancy tax to help the bottom line of their general fund.”
Why aren’t town officials who might need some of the fund if a storm hits (and it’s rightfully theirs) allowed to be concerned about this plan? It has flaws. Perhaps the chamber only represents Nags Head businesses now?
Ray says:
What the elected officials in all 6 towns really need to so is stop worrying about constant pressure brought forth by oceanfront property owners and special interest groups such as the chamber of commerce and come right out and say what is really in their hearts. I’ll wager that if they all did this, just like the voters, 80% of them would say, “It isn’t going to work…so we shouldn’t be wasting valuable tax dollars on it.”
If the chamber really wants to get involved, perhaps they should release to the public the results of that study they had done a couple of year ago. Or, better yet, take another poll and see how the majority of people in this county think about the success of such a venture.
I challenge Paul Tine to push that effort.
Tim says:
What the elected officials in all 6 towns need to worry about is what is not working. Doing nothing.
Butch Stone says:
Tim, Doing nothing to the beach, is what has always been done, unless you call putting up sand fences something.
Its nothing but ocean trash. his is what Kitty Hawk does to save the beach. What a waste of money, and now they want money that Nags Head needs and almost has the permits for.
Wake up Kitty Hawk and let Nags Head get all of the money, then let the money, build up, for whoever gets their permits next. Quit Fighting. Join together.
barbara says:
I think the biggest problem with this plan is Nags Head wants ALL of the accumulated shoreline money. Again, not one red cent is being offered by Oceanfront owners to pay for this. Again, they are the ones that benefit the most… not visitors like most people keep pounding down our throats. If the Town of Nags Head truly believes this project will work, is worthwhile and feasible surely it should offer to pay SOME portion of the cost! Kitty Hawk is correct, what if they need some of that $ to help after a storm. What about S. Shores, Hatteras Island and N.C. 12? Again, Nags Head property owners continually stand up and say “we don’t mind paying for BN” and then when it really comes push to shove not one of them has bellied up to the bar to pay their tab. I ask Bob Oakes how much $ have NH property owners contributed to the “trust fund” they started? How bout Tim and Butch, have you contributed any $ since you so strongly believe in it? This is a lot of money to spend on one town. I think NH should rethink this with some sort of Town contribution. That way there is still $ left for other towns in the fund. I personally do not think it will work, nor do I believe it has been addressed how renters will be notified of this major construction while its going on. Remember how many vactioners complained at Sandbridge when they drove hours to come on vacation only to find dredge pipes on the beach? Since occupancy taxes are being used to pay for this, shouldn’t vacationers be notified?
Gail M. Jones says:
GB…I like your idea of oceanfront homeowners paying $200 a foot for beach nourishment. I’ll up that to $300 to $500 a foot ( my lot is 75′ ) to save my property and not demolish my house. With the expense of demolishing, along with the heartache, I’d be more than happy to pay. I just wish The Town of Nags Head would ask. They may be surprised at the oceanfront homeowners’ response.
TO: SONNY WILLIAMS …Sandbags have never cost the County or Town one penny. Sandbags, sand pushes and sand trucked in have been paid soley by the homeowner. Protecting our property all those years actually put money in the County and Town’s pockets.
GB says:
Gail, if you as an owner are willing to pay a significant portion of the plan now and can get the other owners on board, then this debate will probably go away quickly. I am not a fan of beach nourishment for a long list of reasons and don’t feel that it will work, but if the permits are in place to reasonably protect the environment and you are willing to assume the financial risk without raising everyone else’s taxes, then most of the opposition will probably step aside. 400 a foot gets you 21 mil. If the owners are willing to put that much in and the 36 mil cost does not significantly increase, Getting 15 mil from the existing fund would be relatively easy. If my math is wrong here someone please chime in.
newjake says:
Gail, I agree as well. Good idea.
If Nags Head had any plan to absorb the cost itself (with their share of the fund of course), who could argue? It’s your beach.
I’ll give the nourishment a predicted life span of two storms, but it’d be your money. I’ll even start a nourishment washes away pool, 5 bucks, everyone can pick a date.
I’d have loved to be in whatever meeting it was where the NH BOC thought “hmmm, let’s try to get everyone to take the risk for our project, surely they’ll jump on board, and maybe we can get the new chamber guy to try to shame them into it.”
I personally just don’t want A) all the other towns endangered by depletion of the fund or to suffer if something big hits and they need it, or B) your sand to drift up and down the coast and f— up my surfing and fishing. (B is probably more important to me)
Gail M. Jones says:
newjake
I assume you are a registered voter and paying the same real estate tax to the Town and County as I am, as a non-resident. Without our income to the Town and County, you would not be enjoying the many assets such as a hospital, new schools, town and county facilities that we have helped provide while not using them. Do you hear any of us running around whining about that? I don’t think so. So why would you whine about a penny or two to help save the only industry the town and county has . . . THE BEACHES. The better the beaches the more people will come and the more money they will spend.
What if all non- residents choose to move back into their rental properties and become residents because they can’t rent without a beach. Then, that would really be a sad situation. How would we be provided for so far as needing new schools, etc.? I’d say the residents are having their cake and eating too. We’re helping you in the job market also. So why do the year-round residents resent helping by pitching in a penny or two to help their only industry survive. And as you put it, what if something big happens; I’m sure Obama will get a Stimulus Package down there. Go ahead and run your pool, I’ll sweeten the pot with a few bucks myself.
Rob Morris says:
Administrator’s note:
It’s OK to address your comments to specific people to keep the conversation going. But personal attacks and insults will not be posted.
Selena K says:
I think Bob O is a fine and upstanding man, citizen, and Mayor, and I support him even though I’m not for BN in its currently-proposed form.
Very turbulent waters he waded into, running for Mayor. That takes a special person and I applaud him.
Fish says:
Gail, I appreciate your position. But you’ve pulled tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars out of our local economy at the same time you’ve paid a tiny amount in taxes.
We would love it if you moved here full time. You would find that some owners are pretty cool. Some are rather arrogant. And some are just plain greedy.
Outdoors1 says:
The forest for the trees. As a former regular provider of revenue for your area, my perspective is of what the Outer Banks is to a visitor. OBX vacations are storied tales of kids chasing beach balls, dads pushing then on rafts in the surf, glistening and sunburned bodies and of course toes in the sand. We might have taken for granted the full time lives that maintain these vacation lands for us, but we are quick to notice when it is left in disrepair. I don’t know whether the technology of beach nourishment is the best idea or if your choice of starting in the most impacted and visible area is correct, but I do know that myself and many others are choosing to go where we can enjoy “the beach.” Yes, life’s pressures still largely get left behind as we cross the bridge, but the disappointment in not being able to enjoy the primary attraction of the area with my children and grandchildren is disheartening. Sadly, we now spend more time in VA Beach, of all places. I certainly never dreamed that to be the case. It’s true I do still come down occasionally to see the houses on the edge, so maybe you should market that and attract new and different visitors to see what a lack of regional cooperation and prevention looks like.
Bobby says:
If Outdoors1 doesn’t open up so eyes and minds….nothing will. If you don’t want beach nourishment, push for a better idea because doing nothing just won’t work. His comment should be taken very seriously or will you just say everything you can to prove him wrong also?
Alan says:
Bobby, the extremism, this “Nourish or nothing,” is a challenge for a lot of us who are working it through.
I don’t think anyone said “do nothing.”
Moving the houses is doing something. Then building a dune is something. Or finding a way to do a jetty is something. Or falling back, letting nature take its course, but building more homes on safe sand is also something.
Why don’t you start: In the event full nourishment cannot be funded or permitted, what do you, Bobby, see as the next best option…?
Bobby says:
Alan, no one is offering any other preservation choice. It seems like it is BN or retreat period. I would love to see an attempt at a combination play involving artificial reefs, a groin on the north end of OI and BN. I own no property affected whether they do anything or not, however, I have a business that does better in good local economies rather than disappearing ones. I believe in doing what is necessary to preserve and fighting mother nature is done every day in many different ways all over the world. Excepting the Outer Banks of course.
Alan says:
Fair enough, but you didn’t answer the question. (You don’t have to though, just curious)–
Would you head a committee to price out/work through permits for the groin? Or look into the same for reefs? Or a removal of houses/dune project? Or a small scale nourishment the town can actually afford?
The reason, I believe, that you say it “seems like it is BN or nothing,” is that is all the proponents will be happy with.
In the case it cannot work out, what will the proponents do next? Just be angry about another failure? Or work toward an alternative solution?
Bobby says:
Alan, I would ask you the same question. I would work with a committee that would seek a solution other than retreat since retreat means we have lost the use of beach also. I believe, though, under current NC law, BN is the only solution currently available and that is why I have said that currently it’s BN or nothing. Glad to clarify that for you.
Alan says:
Personally, I think that pulling the first row of houses over the next two years, as brutal as that may be, then trying to build some kind of dune system with adequate setbacks makes the most sense for the long-term financial goals for the town.
It would produce nice, wide beaches immediately, have no environmental outburst, satisfy the island majority, and not impact our tourism in the slightest. I also believe it would play the ecology card to its maximum. There is no need for massive funding, we can do it under our current budget and have money left over. There are no needs for permits either, which may never come under nourishment.
“Retreat” if you want to call it that means we gain the maximum use of the beaches, and without any need to deal with dredge equipment all summer. I would call it “not wasting all of our resources on a risky venture that could prove catastrophic.” Live to fight another day, and another way.
With retreat, we know the beaches will be fine as soon as the houses are off of them. With nourishment, there is too much risk in the way of bad sand, bad smell, and bad beach PR. The houses, to me, are just replaceable revenue units, and have already been replaced many times over.
Bobby says:
We are on opposite sides of the issues Alan. My guess is that you are retired and want issues to remain the same. Sorry, but change is inevitable and you and I won’t be able to change that. Go bait someone else since I am not interested in constantly rebuking your tale or in making the issues personal as you would like to do and have. There is no risk in beach preservation so challenge it all you might but I think that you simply want things to never change. Good luck with that! I will never forget the “advice” that locals gave me when I moved here. “Don’t tell us how to change things as we want them to remain the same”. Yeah, right, change will happen whether you or I like it or not.
And as more like minded families move here change will become the mantra and the old guard will fade away. Beach preservation will happen over time or the area continues to die.
Alan says:
Bobby, I read that, and at first I was irritated. But after I thought about it, I realized something. If you have not lived here through our previous (and very, very expensive) nourishment attempts, you will have different perspective. We have already tossed millions into that ocean, and the houses are still falling in.
I did not make it personal. I asked what other solution you might consider if nourishment (nourishment and preservation are two different things sir, keep them straight) fails again.
I assume you weren’t here the last two times it got beaten down by the majority. What happened after? Nothing. No dunes. No removal. No investigation into groins or reefs.
Would you rather fight for something that has a clear chance of failure, but still have a backup plan, or just fight for something that has a large chance of failure and have no plan?
Welcome to the island, BTW, I think after a few rounds of this your perspective will broaden.
Bobby says:
Alan, I think that you are right that unless they do more than nourishment that it will just drift south and cause more problems to Oregon Inlet. I am pro-beach preservation, but it seems to me that the state has our hands tied and I have my doubts. Because I think that groins and reefs are part of the solutions, too. Thanks for your information and your patience with me.
Carey Kelley says:
The town of Nags Head (you the people) is a business, like it or not, and the business is the beaches and tourism. As a business owner if I allowed my store front to deteriorate like Nags Head has, I would be out of business. A business needs to reinvest in its appearence and upkeep to remain sucessful.
I am wondering if all oppossed are opposed to painting their houses, cutting the grass, replacing the roof. It will only grow again and the paint will only fade, the roof will only need it again in 15 years. Once the roof is leaking will you tear it down and still pay your mortgage? I make my bed every day but I guess that it is futile since I will have to unmake it each night.
My heart goes out to the owners of all the hotels, business owners, property owners, not just oceanfront owners but all owners back and across the beach road that want their kids and grand kids to enjoy the beach, who will have a mortgage and no way to pay, which will lead to more bankruptcies, foreclosers and broken dreams.
I am sure the Yatchsman, Comfort Inn, Owens Motel etc, never put in their business plans that one day they would have to tear it down and lose everything they spent years building. Especially since they, I am sure, have contriubutied to the local economy for years. (why not run those numbers over the life of the busineess to your economy)
As a business owner I realize there are many ways to look at things and find a solution. I see a situation that needs a solution. How can you tear down all those large structures, if they all decide to walk away. I would walk away, as a business owner, that thought by helping a community for as long as they have, only to be told, well we let you help us but now we don’t need you any more and we don’t care if you have a mortgage, a family and have supported us all these years.
I am sorry but my wife had to stop the grand kids from playing on the beaches south of the pier due to the hazards. The concrete, asphalt, wood with rusty nails. It was a full moon and the surf was lapping against the Comfort Inn, the dunes, houses, and she was afraid they would be in danger of the surf. This seems to be what the retreat solution will continue to offer all who would come to Nags Head.
Another solution to the situation is to tear down all homes and businesses back as far as beach road all at once so that the debris stops and the beach is clear so my kids, grand kids can SAFLEY ENJOY the beach. Is that what we are to expect from a BEACH Town?
I am no expert and don’t claim to have the years here to be able to say what is best for all in this BEACH town but I do know what I want from a resort that when Outer Banks has been mentioned for years I immediately think Nags Head, not Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills BUT Nags Head. I want a BEACH that can be ranked one of the best. To be the best look at what the best does and do what it takes or just let it all go and walk away.
Gail M. Jones says:
Fish, please explain how tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars have been pulled out of your local economy by non-resident taxpayers who are paying a tiny amount in taxes. I think I’ve missed that part of the puzzle.
Bobby says:
Yea Gail, I would like to know the answer to that one too! Thank God we have so many tax paying rental home owners that contribute significantly to our tax base without sucking it back out. And for the many visitors that come and spend lots of money. Let’s see, we have trash pickup and public safety but not much more than that. I have found moving here has been interesting and puzzling and I am still learning the ways of the town and the old guard’s resistance to effective change.
Carey Kelley says:
What about all the tourists that spend in the local area as they stay in the non-resident homes that take the time and money to keep them coming back, by hiring the local people to clean, paint, fix, maintain, build, mananage, replace dunes, decks, steps, install pools, hot tubs etc, to these non-resident properties? If all non-resident home owners took their homes and businesses and fled, how would the town of Nags Head derive its income?
I am sure all the non-resident home and business owners keep their properties and business in good shape in order to have their guests coming back only to see the town of Nags Head do nothing to maintain the beaches these people come here to enjoy.
It is too bad my family that came here to enjoy these beaches were told by their grandmother to stay off the beaches since there was so much debris, including asphalt, concrete, wood with rusty nails etc. and since it was a full moon there was no beach since it was lapping against the dunes and the motels and condos which have helped to employ many of the town residents.