Draw a line in the sand, homeowners

Mr. Terry Trojan (May 3, 2008) states that there is a legal requirement for Destin owners on the beach to agree to be assessed for costs to repair the beach. Since the state of Florida appears unable to contribute to this, no state money will be involved.

The TDC money comes from a tax on rental receipts, primarily from beach area properties south of Highway 98. Therefore, I see no justification for this repaired area to become public property, as the area owners themselves will be paying for it.

If it is not declared public, then the lawsuit pending before the Florida Supreme Court relative to Destin taking away people’s beach property rights should be rendered “moot” and save money for all involved. If the repaired area will be declared public property, then beach owners should not agree to being assessed.

Beach property owners already pay huge property taxes which finance most of the city of Destin and a large part of the county. But so far their property rights have been trampled by the “Establishment.”

This is their only chance to be heard — to keep their own money from being used to take their property rights away.

Bill Pope
Brandon, Miss.