Littering the beach
counterproductive
As usual, we were at my husband’s family home on Dauphin Island to celebrate the Fourth of July. Even though this summer is far from usual, we were trying hard to ignore all the unusual and enjoy the island, family and friends.
I was looking forward to my morning walk and understood the only unusual thing was going to be the berm I had to climb over to get to the beach. I couldn’t help but thank God and pray that there were no tarballs, oil sheen or dead animals polluting the beaches that have become home.
What I did begin to notice as I topped the berm was much more disturbing than the expected oil. Empty Gatorade bottles, water bottles and cigarette butts were polluting the beach in the berm and along the shore. I thought it was odd that there were so many empty bottles all looking the same, especially given the fact that BP contractors were supposed to be out cleaning up beaches.
I approached the worker tents set up on the beach. There were about 10 workers under the tent, sitting and — you guessed it — drinking Gatorade from the same type of bottles that were strewn along our shore. I was not only mad but, honestly, was also sad that anyone would not be responsible enough to simply throw away their empty bottles or properly dispose of their nasty cigarette butts.
I write this letter to plead to any contractor hired by BP, and to plead to residents and visitors, too: Let’s all work together to change what we can do for our city and make sure that we are not our own biggest polluters.
PATTI BURKHOLDER
Mobile
Why rent-free
condos won’t help
The July 2 letter titled "If BP pays, rent out condos for free" (a contradiction in terms) is so ludicrous it begs for rebuttal.
First, as an owner of a rental condo, I have not received one farthing, penny or pound sterling from BP even though a claim has been filed. Second, I have no idea of how much to expect, or when, if the company does respond.
But let’s return to the idea to "fill condos with families who will eat out and shop." If condo owners who receive payments from BP are required to provide "free" lodging, shouldn’t restaurants that are receiving payments be required to provide free food for a nominal tip? How about shop owners who are filing claims? Shouldn’t they be required to give away "free" merchandise?
Why not change the scenario? Require restaurants, shops and other venues filing claims to provide their services for "free" to anyone renting a condo. Why place the burden of attracting tourists only on the backs of condo owners? Shouldn’t the plan also include rental houses and hotel rooms?
If I put myself in the role of executive in charge of claims, my first question would be: How do we separate the guests who are willing to pay from the freeloaders? Don’t you think that willing payers might cancel and sign up for the freebies, leaving BP paying 100 percent of rentals?
I’m sure the writer means well, but the devil is in the details. When you work those out, I’ll pay attention.
NAN WILSON
Gulf Shores
Coffeeville coach
is a huge asset
Thank you for the article on Coffeeville High School’s football program ("Against all odds," July 2). We are blessed to have had LeBarry Jones to coach the Panthers.
Coach Jones turned a nonexistent program into a success. He has instilled in each player a sense of dedication and pride, even though he has faced many obstacles from the CHS administration. He took each obstacle in stride and turned it into something good. He has built a team and also has built character in each player, with the drive to persevere no matter what.
Coach Jones’ athletic funding has been inadequate even to provide basic needs. He often found outside sources in the community to provide for these needs. He has used his own personal mower for the football field. Mothers of players were seen on the sidelines as assistant coaches, since he had none. Alternate sources were used for pre-game meals, since the cafeteria was off limits.
Coach Jones used his personal vehicle for team transportation. Many of these players live 20-plus miles from Coffeeville, which is situated about 30-plus miles from the three main towns of Clarke County. Transportation would prevent many athletes from participating should they be sent to another school.
Coach Jones has not only his players’ best interests at heart but also the school and the local community. It would a shame not to rehire Coach Jones.
RALPH and JANET DUNAGAN
Coffeeville
Sea Lab will lead
in oil spill response
Started in 2002, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation supports the Sea Lab in its mission to provide wise stewardship of the marine environment through education and research.
With oil threatening our shoreline and the Gulf Coast’s way of life, the lab is in a perfect position to guide our community as we recover from this disaster.
The scientists at the Sea Lab have been doing research on these waters for over 30 years. Over the past five years, particular emphasis has been placed on baseline water quality and the marine ecosystem in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
This research was done in response to the proposed LNG terminal. The DISL was charged with determining what normal base levels are when our waters are at their healthiest.
The bottom line is that these dedicated scientists will be the ones to lead the way back to what is considered normal.
After the Exxon Valdez spill, Exxon continually claimed it was "not its responsibility" when issues caused by the spill continued to arise over the next 20 years. With its historical research data, the Sea Lab holds the key to holding BP accountable.
People who would like to support the foundation in its efforts to support the Sea Lab can log onto our Web site, sealabfoundation.org.
HELENE HASSELL
Executive Director
Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation
Dauphin Island