COLUMN: Stand on the right side of the line in the sand

I was one of the many who attended Tuesday night's packed meeting of Okaloosa County Commissioners.

First, I was stunned to hear vice chairman Wayne Harris vilify David and Rebecca Sherry and mischaracterize their efforts on behalf of Okaloosa Island property owners and the Island's (public) beach.

In my opinion, his use of the word "reprehensible" in itself was reprehensible, coming from a public official who had not even heard the presentation from the other side of the issue.

I also thought it a very strange procedure for the commissioners to thoroughly discuss the sand issue before the Sherrys even made their presentation.

By the time the Sherrys' opportunity came about, it was much too late in the evening to do so. I do concede that the commissioners are a political group, and not a judicial body, but it seems to me that even the Board of County Commissioners should maintain some semblance of objectivity before making its decisions.

I agree that the Holiday Isle people have a major problem keeping sand on their private beaches, primarily, in my opinion, because of their specific location.

But as David Sherry pointed out at the meeting, they do have other options besides taking sand that properly and legally should go to Okaloosa Island. I think the commissioners took the correct position by again declining to sign on to the Holiday Isle resolution.

The Sherrys (and the Donovans) are the leaders of a much larger group of property owners on the Island. I am very proud to be a member of that group, and of the battle we have waged. I'm proud that we have been on the side of the law, and not of special interests.

It appears there are many people on the other side who earnestly believe in observing the law … unless they do not agree with that law. In that case, trampling on the legal rights of others is an acceptable option.

I also want to state, emphatically and unequivocally that Paula Hudson of the Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association does not speak for me. From my observation the Leaseholders' leadership is seriously lacking in dedication to its own cause and objectives.
    
James Gerald Archuleta is a Fort Walton Beach resident.