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	Name:	Harborcon -
	Subject:	I must admit that
	Date:	4/6/2007 11:04:58 AM

I was surprised when I learned about the "mean high tide line" statute. And I expressed that to the Orange Beach City Manager when we discussed it, as it would virtually eliminate any walking/sitting along the waterfront except at low tide! He said that few people make any attempt to enforce it and, as waterfront property there is largely rental property, and the tenants aren't really interested in enforcing property boundaries, it seldom presents a problem. Orange Beach, more and more, caters to the tourist/rental trade (from whence cometh their revenue, I suppose) and has in the last year or so banned any tents, umbrellas, etc., being left on the beach overnight. Property taxes there are ridiculously low (mine are less than $300/year), but I pay $45/month for sewer, water and garbage pick up, even though my water is turned off at the meter when I'm not there, and the only way I can get my garbage picked up is if I take it to the closest street. And there is now a $500 fine for leaving the can on the street, which means that if I am there on a weekend, I have to take the garbage home, because I won't be there on Monday morning to bring the can back after the trash folks empty it.

About five or six years ago, the City Counsel banned any further high-rises and limited structures to 12 or 13 floors. Of course, all those who were "grandfathered" in prior to that legislation are still stacking them higher and higher, and all the old wonderful beach "cottages" are being replaced with towers of glass. I hate 'em. But, to be completely honest, if someone offered me $1 Million for my little piece of sand, I would be hard pressed to refuse it. I am a person of very modest means, and it saddens me that the beautiful areas of our state (and country, for that matter) are gradually being restricted to enjoyment by only those with the wherewithal to pay the premiums. I am luckily blessed to have acquired both my beach and lake properties at a time when they were affordable, and I share both places with friends and family upon request.

I understand and empathize about business, industry, and just plain fun. I have lost about 6' of my lakefront to big waves from jetskis, pontoon and other boats who do not observe a no-wake rule in our relatively narrow slough. I don't own any of those watercraft, but I truly love to ride in/on them. I bitched and moaned about the jetskis until I rode one last year - what fun! And I'd love to have one just to sashay around our slough and neighboring channels. I like to think that I would be more respectful of the lakeshore, however, and not create erosion problems (not everyone has a bulkhead).

I will also admit that I voted against construction of a Super WalMart on the beach road just a few miles from my house. I will continue to drive the 10 miles to the new Target, or to Foley to Home Depot or Lowe's if I need anything. I am grateful for the protection afforded by the Alabama State Park along the beach, and the cabins they rent out on the backwater.

I won't even get into the litigation thing - I've been a paralegal for almost 30 years, so I have an inside track on that one. So many are looking for that "retirement" incident and, unfortunately, too many jurors are willing to give it to them. Certainly I remember the McDonalds lawsuit, and the acid rain on the BMW lawsuit. I must plead ignorance as to what liability there might be for a beachfront owner who is sued by someone who stepped on a jellyfish in front of their house...I might check around with my litigation friends about that (I do divorces and other family law). That's another discussion for another time...

See, there's room on that soapbox for all of us!