Inevitable wind of change is blowing. Won’t 65 homes make better neighbors than 166? | Opinion
Change is coming
In the mid 1980s, Alcoa bought Dataw Island and proceeded to build one of the most attractive subdivisions we have on St. Helena. This is a private, gated, golf course community that has contributed to Beaufort County in more ways than one.
Taxes alone are considerable, patronizing retail establishments, eateries, and more importantly their volunteers have picked up garbage on a 6-mile stretch of the Island for more than 30 years, collecting more than 500 bags of trash and garbage every year plus larger items.
Can you imagine what U.S. Route 21 would look like without these dedicated volunteers?
I have repeatedly heard that nobody wants us to be another Hilton Head. I think everyone feels like gated communities and golf courses will make us another Hilton Head.
It won’t happen.
Pine Island will be developed one way or another. So are 166 homes better than 65 homes? Are 100-plus deep-water docks better than eight? Please consider the traffic issue.
With 166 homes, we’ll have at least 500 new residents with 320 vehicles to add to the already unbearable traffic problem.
Future residents, children and grandchildren need to be considered here.
Elvio Tropeano must explain to the community exactly what his plans are for the community and children of St. Helena. They must listen with an open mind.
Maybe a definite decision should be postponed before a mistake is made.
I know everyone wants nothing to change, but change is inevitable.
Please look at the changes with the City of Beaufort, Port Royal and Lady’s Island over the last 40 years.
Something will happen. We need to make the best choice for the entire community and generations to come.
Pat Harvey-Palmer, St. Helena Island in Dulamo
Reading matters
As a former English teacher and a patriot, I find the growing influence of extremist groups horrifying.
According to the views they are espousing, anybody who is different from them should be silenced and shunned.
Case in point: school boards have been bullied into banning books that once before were considered perfectly fine.
It is essential that every student, regardless of gender or race, have the chance to see themselves reflected in what they read.
If the purpose of education is to groom law-abiding, tolerant citizens, this trend must be stopped. Otherwise, we run the risk of raising a nation of bigots.
Amy Mikell, West Columbia
Travel lessons
I went to Iseltwald, Switzerland, to stand on the dock where an episode of “Crash Landing on You,” a 2019 Korean drama was filmed. Never have I ever been compelled to follow a drama to the actual filming location.
This leads me to what I learned in Korea this year.
Their government budgets money to preserve history and culture. Tourists are a priority. They have a superior transportation system and there is no litter.
The older generation who went through the war will tell you how appreciative they are that America came and helped fight for their freedom.
Laraine Unik, Bluffton
