We cannot allow the land of the treasured Gullah people to become ‘gwine wit de tide’ | Opinion
Stand up for Gullah land
The developer who says he’s going to develop Pine Island/St. Helenaville should have investigated the current zoning for the property, which is protected under the St. Helena Island Cultural Protection Ordinance.
Stated clearly: no gated community, no resorts and no regulation golf courses.
Still this developer wants to exploit loopholes in the law’s language and disregard the community’s property rights.
For almost a quarter of a century the community rights have been established in the zoning ordinance. Community rights are more important than individual rights because communities need to maintain order and serve the welfare of the majority of residents.
Changing the law for one person when the majority is opposed is absolutely absurd.
Yet that is being considered by the County Council.
The Gullah people have been ignored, taxed out of their homes, and are disappearing from our islands every day. It’s time for a stand.
Almost every citizen on St. Helena Island and other sea islands have spoken in opposition to exchanging the protective ordinance.
County Council, you’re up. Don’t let the Gullah culture and history be “gwine wit de tide,” I beg you.
Jerry Floyd, St. Helena Island
‘A lot at stake’
I was among the 450 area residents lucky enough to have seats at the recent rally at St. Helena Elementary School, where some of us were “binyas,’” born and raised here, and others of us were “cumyas,” myself included, lovers of where we’ve come.
Marquetta L. Goodwine, more popularly known as Queen Quet, chieftess of the Gullah Geechee Nation, was there as chairperson of the Community Protection Overlay Committee. The overlay was created by Beaufort County to stave off just the type of unwanted development being discussed at this rally.
There is a lot at stake for Queen Quet and her people. The Beaufort Sea Islands have been their home since before the Civil War.
But St. Helena and Pine Island are under threat. A wealthy investor from New York has purchased a large tract of land there with plans to build a gated golf community with as many as 165 homes, 80 docks and a golf course.
Fortunately the significance of the Gullah Geechee people in this region has not gone unnoticed, and was clear at the rally.
One disturbing comment was noted in your reporter’s story – an observation by Assistant County Administrator of Development and Recreation Chuck Atkinson.
Talking about the application by Pine Island Property Holdings for the development of the property, he said, “There is nothing unique or special about it. We’ve got developments like this going on all over the county.”
“Nothing unique or special about it.” Wow. That’s an awful lot of American history and culture gone by the boards in just six words.
But as Queen Quet told the crowd, “Whether you’re a ‘binya’ or a ‘cumya,’ we’ve got to stand up.”
Lura Aronstein, Okatie
Too few doctors
This letter addresses the uncontrolled growth of new homes and new people in the area.
It is a simple fact we don’t have enough qualified doctors/health professionals to cope with the people here now. We are currently in a crisis when it comes to medical care in Bluffton, and surrounds.
Most of us newcomers were not aware of this when we purchased our homes, and nobody rushed in to let us know. I never would have settled here if I knew finding a doctor was a full time job.
The towns and the developers did not plan this growth except to line their pockets, increase tax bases, and grow.
People who are looking for homes here need to know that quality healthcare does not exist here, or is in short supply.
The next wave of new residents will crush the system, and we will have a major crisis here.
Michael Sicherman, Bluffton
Arm teachers
Recent reporting about the tragic shooting in Nashville trumpets the quick reaction of the Nashville Police Department.
Left unsaid in articles I’ve read is that the principal, who was killed, was allegedly unarmed. Other reporting also indicates the principal had some form of contact with the shooter prior to the principal being shot herself.
Yes, the Nashville police arrived on the scene quickly and have been repeatedly lauded for, unlike in Uvalde, conducting a textbook operation when they located the shooter and shot her. Sadly, however, it appears the killings by the shooter took place before or just as the police arrived.
I have to wonder if the school’s principal had had a weapon and had been trained in how to use it, could she have stopped the killing before it started, thereby saving her life and the other five lives that were lost?
Roger Elmore, Beaufort
