Charlotte Observer N.C. coastal fight builds

Interesting piece from the Charlotte Observer about the battle to build a terminal groin on Figure Eight Island. The residents want legislation passed that would allow the structure and have formed a PAC to pursue their goal. You have to wonder if something like this could happen on the Outer Banks, ocean front property owners joining together to protect their interests.

"Residents, some of whom are prominent and all of whom are wealthy, are pushing for an exception to a long-standing ban on permanent coastal structures such as jetties and sea walls. They want to spend millions to build a submerged wall, jutting into the sea, to keep the north end of the beach from washing away. Environmentalists say the plan would lead to erosion elsewhere and set the wrong precedent."

A similar structure has been discussed as an aid to erosion in South Nags Head. This provides a view of what it might take to get a groin approved. Its not an easy road.
Ciao

On Anonymity, Civility and Responsibility in blogs

Two different sources have turned my thoughts back to how best to handle comments and the role of anonymity in blogging and commenting. The Ethical Blogger posted More on Anonymity pointing out that while banning anonymous comments has become a major point in rules of procedure and unaccountable blogs have been a source of libel and worse, there is another side to anonymous blogging.

One of the biggest areas of debate so far has been about the utility of anonymous postings. I originally called for general transparency in the blogosphere here and mused on the counter intuitive credibility an anonymous blogger can have in oppressive environments, such as in China. We also had a touching comment from a teacher in the New York school system who was sanctioned for writing an op-ed, using a professional email address.

While the OBX is the China, there are consequences to comments, consequences that restrain the exercise of free speech. Kevin at Was a Dog put it very well a while ago.

I think this is why most of the most innovative bloggers are young or disguise their actual identities. There's not a technology gap, there's just a life gap that's a fact and its defined in chronological years and it's just math and nobody can do anything about it. Someone 46 can probably do much greater damage to their future quality of life by pissing a bunch of people off in a blog than someone who is 26.

So what to do. Obviously I don't blog anonymously so I am accountable for what I write. I have restricted comments to Google members only so that there is a bit more accountability.
The second article was a piece in the New York Times about the problems they have encountered as they opened their editorial and news sections to online comments. Needless to say they have drawn their fair share of beyond the pale comments. They monitor and censor comments using a fairly straightforward policy.

A particularly hot topic on a blog can generate more than 500 comments — 500, that is, that meet guidelines requiring that a comment be coherent, on point, not obscene or abusive, and not a personal attack. Though editors have mixed feelings about it, The Times has so far bowed to Web custom by allowing readers to use screen names, as long as they don’t claim to be Thomas Paine, Condi Rice or a famous porn star.

That seems to make sense even if it is subjective. The debate continues about how our society is best served by this unique tool. I will continue to monitor comments based on a policy similar to the Times. I am also going to open this blog to posts from anyone, including anonymous posts that meet the test. We will see what happens.
Ciao

Notes from the beach

I receive periodic emails from the Carteret County Shore Protection Office. Rudi Rudolph collects news reports and comments about beach issue. The primary focus is on erosion and dealing with its impacts but he also sends along stories about beach driving, the NPS to name a few. You can subscribe on their web site.
I thought I would share two brief pieces from the most recent edition. Neither is available on line. This is much easier than actually writing something of my own. Enjoy

Island Free Press (11//14/07)>

Dare County will ask to intervene in beach driving lawsuit. The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted in closed session after its Nov. 5 meeting to file a motion to intervene in the lawsuit that was brought against the Park Service last month by two environmental advocacy groups, the Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society, which are represented by Southern Environmental Law Center. The lawsuit claims that the Park Service has failed to regulate beach driving on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches according to federal law. If approved, Dare County would be allowed to participate as a party in the suit to represent the interests of the people who live, work, and visit Dare County and “to protect against the devastating negative economic impacts that would result if beach driving were further restricted or prohibited.” “It is important for us to have a seat at the table so the people have a voice in the matter,” said Warren Judge, chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners. “A process has been established to develop a long term ORV management plan to balance the interests of all involved. Until that plan is complete and the final rules are established, the Interim Management Plan must stay in place.” According to Dare County Attorney Bobby Outten, the motion is expected to be filed in the next couple of weeks in the U.S. District Court in Elizabeth City.

Letter to the Editor

Carteret County News Times (11/16/07)

For several decades now we have been subjected to a steady stream of unsolicited advice from Dr. Orrin Pilkey on what to do about beachfront erosion on Bogue Banks. When beach nourishment was first proposed some 30 years ago, Dr. Pilkey’s advice was not to proceed with such a project because it was a waste of time and money and would not provide lasting protection for oceanfront property. When it was discovered that nourished beaches survive hurricanes and other storms better than unnourished beaches, Dr. Pilkey abandoned this tactic and began to talk about the damage nourishment does to the mole crab and coquina clam population. When it was discovered that these critters rapidly reestablish themselves following beach nourishment, this ploy was abandoned in favor of a new tactic, i.e., the quality of sand being placed on the beaches. Is it just me, or do others feel that a beach made up of sand, which is less than perfect, is better than no beach at all? My family has owned property in Atlantic Beach since 1940. We now have more thickly vegetated dunes here in Atlantic Beach than anytime since 1940, and this is due primarily to the three nourishment projects by the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Beach nourishment works. In the News-Times Nov. 14 article on beach nourishment, Dr. Pilkey venomously attacks beachfront property owners by saying, “To hell with them” because they built on an eroding shoreline.

When these houses were built there was little or no erosion. The erosion began with the deepening of the Beaufort channel by the Corps of Engineers. My advice to Dr. Pilkey is for him to stay on the west side of I-95 and let the people in Carteret County, who really care about the protection and preservation of our beaches, continue to do the wonderful job they have been doing. – James Lanier

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Welcome Back Jack

After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the lost tribe of SoNag has returned to claim there rightful place near (but not actually on) the beach. Uncle Jack is back. Maybe it only seemed like 40 years since Jack Sandberg let us know what the sunrise looked like from the beach at James St. , still it has been too long. Writers of Jack's quality are few and far between. Yes, he does have the advantage of a high school education and once labored as a college professor (it that work can be called labor) but we shouldn't hold either of those things against him. He remains the best writer frequenting the local blogosphere, press and local journals (sorry Manny) His observations are wry, concise and considered. Yes, we differ on the wisdom of piling large amounts of his money on the beach to watch it wash away. I have learned there are others with this view so I can't fault Jack for his stand. The only really bad thing that Jack has done is to put a lot of men in Lynchburg [Pop.361], Tennessee out of work, in his defense he has balanced this by supporting the economy of the state of California (more particularly the Napa Valley). No one, not even Jack is without their faults.
It is good to know that I can now enjoy my morning coffee with my morning dose of Jack. I can only wish that this will continue as long as there are beaches in SoNag (well maybe a litle longer than that).
Welcome back Jack, and thanks
Ciao

National Geographic: Ten Endangered U.S. Beach Towns Named

Saw this headline on the Kitty Hawk Free Press
Northern Outer Banks Named as one of Top
Ten Most Endangered Communities in USA
Couldn't resist this in depth analysis

National Geographic News Photo Gallery: Ten Endangered U.S. Beach Towns Named: "Since this 2.5-mile-long (4-kilometer-long) bridge was constructed more than 40 years ago, it's been an engineering headache. The inlet is migrating south, while the bridge stays rooted in place, forcing continuous dredging. Elsewhere on the island, the shoreline has receded, threatening other parts of the highway. Stanley Riggs of the Department of Geological Sciences at East Carolina University likens the fixes to a 'human hurricane' pitting engineers against sand. Residents are now asking for a new bridge, estimated to cost about 300 million U.S. dollars."

Want to read more... You can't. That quote represents the entire piece on the web. The National Geographic actually lists the "town" as Oregon Inlet/Pea Island and the quote follows, no further specifics, nothing about any developed area etc. On the home page for the article at the NG they cite "Pea Island and the Northern Outer Banks" as the threatened area. I guess geographic accuracy doesn't really matter to the National Geographic. The other "threatened" locations appear to be developed but then can you really trust a magazine that calls a bridge and a wildlife refuge a "Town".
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On Seamark and Starbucks

Recent news articles reported the closing of the Seamark grocery in Nags Head and the approval of a Starbucks in Southern Shores. The two events are just the latest indicators of the globalization of the Outer Banks. From the big box Walmart/K Mart to the chain restaurants (Hooters, Applebee's etc) the demographics of Dare County now appeal to the chain stores in way they didn't just 10 years ago. I am not sure what the change was its not a good one.
There are 3 impacts from chain businesses that degrade the quality of life in a community. The first and most often cited is the threat to local small businesses. Seamark is the latest example of this impact. Talking with manager's at Seamark they explain how they can't compete, not just with other grocery stores but with a chain like the Dollar Store, that sells a loaf of bread for a buck. Seamark pays $1.40 wholesale for the same loaf. Food Lion and Harris Teeter have the resources to pressure the small retailer until they fold. It's hard to compete when the playing field just so uneven.
The second impact derives from the first. As locally owned business close wealth is taken out of the community, wealth bred by talent and commitment to the community. It is local business owners who provide much of the leadership for non-profit and community groups as well as the financing. The chains tout their support of local charities but it is limited to money not not nearly as much money as local businesses put back in. Look at the founders of the Outer Banks Community Foundation. Eddie Green, David Stick and George Crocker all successful local business owners joined by Andy Grifftih put up the seed money for this important community resource not Food Lion or Home Depot. Look at the current OBCF Board of Directors and again you find local business owners, committed to investing in their community. The more money that goes to global shareholders the less returns to local stakeholders. The equation is just that simple.
Finally, the spread of chain businesses destroys the unique local character of the community, yes there are still lots of great local eateries and some great local retailers but they are declining. The internet brings the world's retailers to our homes then the big box store puts it in our community. It's hard to be a bricks and mortar retailer in this environment. Meanwhile, the signs, the stores and the products are all the same. We look more like suburban DC than suburban DC.
Nags Head has tried to fight this battle with architectural standards and size limits but we are losing the fight. Other local communities seem to embraced the big box stores for their tax values.
Paula my Queen of the Surf Pirates, wrote this spring about shopping at local surf shops, well the same is true of other local businesses. If we don't patronize them then they will fail and they may fail even if we do, witness Seamark. If you are concerned about the beach keeping some of its identity then a good way to help is to shop locally, Christmas is a good time. Consider it an investment in your future.
Vote with your dollars, they are the most powerful votes you have.
Ciao

- Williams Shuts Out Amherst 20-0, Wins Little Three

Just to follow up my last post, here is a report on the Williams Amherst game/

For the first time since 1995 (a scoreless tie played in terrible conditions), and 1991 before that, the Williams College Ephs (6-2) shut out the Amherst Lord Jeffs (4-4) at Weston Field, 20-0. Amherst has not won a game played at Williams since 1985. The win gave Williams their 45th Little Three title.

Sound like another Williams rout. GO EPHS!

Eat your heart out ECU

When it comes to big time college football you don't think Williams College. College Bowl yes, Orange Bowl, not really. Yet this Saturday, ESPN College Football Gameday will be visiting the Purple Valley to broadcast the one of the oldest rivalries in college football, Williams College vs. Amherst College. I know the press box at Weston Field pretty well. I was the radio voice of the Williams College Ephs (the mascot is a purple cow). from '69 - '72. That includes the year that Jack Maitland (later a Super Bowl winner with the Baltimore Colts) set the New England single season and career rushing record.
Just so you understand what this match is about, this is Div. III football, no scholarships, the players are students first, athletes second. The most recent US News and World Report college rankings placed Williams first and Amherst second among the county's private liberal arts colleges. Williams college athletes have been awarded 18 NCAA post graduate scholarships and won 17 national championships. The list of Eph leterman (and women) includes 18 Rhodes Scholars, a Nobel Prize winner (economics) and many Fulbright and Marshall scholars.
But these student athletes aren't just smart they're good too. Williams has won 11 of the 12 Directors Cups awarded to the most successful Div. III program each year. No other school can claim that kind across the board dominance over more than a decade in any NCAA Division.
The game has traditions as well, in fact in 1992 Sports Illustrated called the Williams team's tradition " The Best Post-game Tradition in American college football

"The Walk" -- when the Ephs walk in uniform up Spring street singing "Yard by Yard (the college fight song that includes a verse that says -- yard by yard we'll fight our way through the Amherst line..... and stop at St. Pierre's Barber Shop for more celebrating and sometimes a few players elect to have their heads shaved --

Ok enough about Williams, for the record Amherst is a pretty good school too, almost as smart and successful as Williams. It will be a great day in Williamstown, lots of good college fun. We used to begin our broadcasts describing the scene, it was always the same:"The sky is blue, the grass in green. Its a beautiful day for football". Listen closely at the start of the next St. Patrick's day parade, you might just hear the echo.
Take some time to see what college sports is supposed to be about, not big dollars and bigger scandals. but young men and women building strong bodies and strong minds. The Williams - Amherst football game is the epitome of what college athletics should (and can) be.
Sat. the show starts at 10:00 a.m. ,kick off is at noon. Oh and root for the home team, they're the good guys.
Ciao

Pirates in Norfolk

The Virginia Opera is staging Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance in 5 shows starting tommorrow running through next Sunday matinee. If you are familiar with the show then you know how much fun it will be. If you aren't familiar with the grand tradition of British light opera here is a great chance to get acquainted. To show you how much fun this will be here is YouTube Video produced by the Va. Opera.

I grew up with "The Mikado" and "HMS Pinafore". My parents met singing in chorus at the Savoy Co., a Philadelphia group that stages Gilbert and Sullivan shows every year. If you get a chance to go take it. You will come out humming a new tune.
Ciao