Letters to the editor... Continued from page 4 the “renourishment” area and six mother turtles were turned back to the beach in same area because of lack of dunes. Four present council members have been “turtle parents” — Allen, Ensminger, Cashwell and Collier. We need renourishment for turtle protection, which is such a unique program few other beach areas enjoy. Not only the nest parents from the area get pleasure and enjoyment from this program, but many tourists say they book rentals year after year in hopes of seeing turtle nests hatch. Part of the new animal control officer’s duty is to help with the Ttirtle Watch program. The Corps of Engineers consults with Tina Pritchard, the turtle coordinator, about any and all work done on the beach. We all would benefit from a proper approach to the renoumishment program — includ ing our children and grandchildren in years to come ~ as we protect our precious and fragile coastline. Doris Windham Long Beach Quit smoking Tb the Editor: The article on kids smoking cigarettes touched on the frighten ing fact that many parents condone the habit and there are little conse quences for smoking at school. I’m shocked at the number of parents of 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds who let their kids smoke and even buy them cigarettes. I’ve heard more than a few parents say, “It’s better that they are smoking cigarettes than being out smoking crack.” Well, duh! That’s like saying, “It’s better for them to be hit by a car than to be hit by a truck.” A thousand people who took up smoking as kids are going to die from it today. Smoking is a health destroying, expensive, lifelong drug addiction. We didn’t let our kids play on busy streets when they were little so why on Earth would we let them get hwked pn nicotine now? Adolesces nave a hard enough time caiijjSa^utthemselves or looking to their future. How can a kid develop the self-esteem neces sary to get along in this world and stay away from other drugs if his or her own parents won’t “just say no” to dangerous behaviors? We must show our kids that they are loved and valued and we will not allow them to hurt themselves. If they don’t believe you, take them to visit a cancer ward or an emphysema patient. Kathleen Bass Smell of money lb the Editor: I read that ADM is going to do something about the odor so many people have been complaining about. Yes, it stinks. So did Pfizer. But look at how many people make a living working there. I well remember the days when the only “industry” here was the seafood industry. We were blessed with three menhaden plants that had a terrible odor — “stickwater,” a byproduct from the pogies that were caught and processed. What I recall most about that was, when the wind was from the west and the odor that was awful was all over town, people would say, “Phew, that smells like those shoes I need so badly.” No one minded. That was Southport; just about every family in town had someone working in the seafood industry. Before Hurricane Hazel when all the shrimp houses were on the waterfront, if the tide was astro nomically high the shrimp heads would float way up the beach and stay there until the next high tide. Did they stink? You bet your life they did. But it was all in a day’s work, so to speak. Money was being made by many people. There were two paper mills that caused an odor also. One was International Paper Co. in Georgetown, SC. When the wind blew from the west we got that odor and when the wind blew from the north we got the same papermill odor from Riegelwood. Yep. It stunk. I love CP&L, ADM, Cogentrix and anything else that puts people to work. Leila H. Pigott Southport. Irresponsible ^ lb the Editor: On Friday night, February 28, at the intersection of 8th and Howe streets, an incident of irresponsibil ity occurred. A black Labrador retriever was run over by a motor vehicle and, after suffering for some time, it died. There are two shocking facts about this occurrence. First, an irresponsible motorist ran over the dog and never stopped, leaving this helpless animal to die. Second, an irresponsible pet owner allowed the dog to run free, with no collar or tag. Section 3-4 of the Southport Code of Ordinance specifically prohibits dogs to run free. However, there are still people that simply do not care. I hope this act of irresponsibility will teach someone a lesson. This is not the first time I have encountered acts of irresponsibility, I see it everyday, when people do not follow local animal control laws. Then some wonder why they receive citations, all because of an act of irresponsibility. Charles A. Drew Animal control officer City of Southport Occupancy tax lb the Editor: I have noticed of late that there is a growing idea to increase the tax on short-term renters using the area. This is said to be needed to promote tourism. Brunswick County communities would be better served by enhanc ing their community services rather than increasing the size of another bureaucracy. Being a twice-a-year visitor, for a number of years now, I would be more inclined to sing your praises if my personal costs don’t increase. David B. Price Bloomingdale, OH Trash; pets lb the Editor: I agree with the others who have written about all the unsightly trash on the roads in the area. I have never lived anywhere where so much trash covers the roads. I have seen people driving as well as walking on the beach who toss trash and cigarette butts with no apparent regard for the environment or the beauty of the natural sur roundings. It makes for a disgrace ful appearance, not to mention the risk of fire with the smoking material discarded. I know we are a “throw-away” society, but trash cans and ashtrays are for that very purpose. The second issue I would like to address is the animals that are allowed to wander about alone. There is a leash law and that is for the protection of the animal owner, along with the driver who could damage a car and be injured. One night about 7 p.m. we were driving home when a German shepherd ran out in front of the car and we had to swerve to miss it. If we had hit the dog there would have been at least an injured dog, maybe worse, and some upset people and a terrible situation that could have been avoided by keeping the animal on a leash where it belonged. My pets are a loved and protected part of my family and it is difficult for me to understand when animals are not cared for and protected. I hope this issue will be rethought for us all, especially your pets. Dee Langston Long Beach Merci Tb the Editor: I want to thank all the parents and teachers who attended the Mardi Gras celebration at the February PTA meeting at Southport Elemen tary School. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the PTA executive and hospitality committees, Sherry and Harlin Powell, Cindy Poe and Richard Dallary, and Wine and Roses for their contributions. We are fortunate at Southport Elementary School to have such tremendous interest in the French program. The students and I are genuinely grateful for your support. I also want to extend an invitation to attend an important meeting on Thursday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. at South Brunswick Middle School. The purpose of the meeting and related survey is to obtain input from the community regarding foreign language instruction in Brunswick County schools. Please come and express the positive experiences your children have had as a result of their participation in the French program at Southport Elementary. Your comments and recommendations are essential and may have an effect on determining the fiiture direction of the program. Mme. Billman Anti-litter lb the Editor: I am writing to publicly commend Hardee’s of Southport on their generous contribution of a month’s worth of advertising in your newspaper to promote the new Swat-a-Litterbug “Clean It” (253 2648) reporting line which allows citizens to report incidents of littering. Hardee’s has shown its commitment to community involve ment by supporting this program. The ACT Group, especially Mr. Paul Johnson who made arrange ments with Hardee’s, also deserve the county’s appreciation for continuing efforts to make Brunswick County a better place for us all to live and work. Steffaney Batson Solid waste coordinator We know that no matter who you are or what you do for a liv ing, you want to see your family secure, your children educated, your retirement assured. 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