January 20, 2012

Dear Mr. Hampton,

I take this opportunity to send some of my thoughts concerning subject article.(VA Pilot)  I found it interesting that the article started out informing your readers of the forthcoming fees facing those folks that wish to continue driving on the beach to reach their favorite bathing, fishing and surfing spots. You referred to "locals", which struck me, as the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association has over 4,300 active members covering 44 states in this country. I think you would agree that that alone indicates concern of more than just locals.

It did not take long for you to give the floor to Mr. Rylander (from the Southern Environmental Law Center) who proceeded to provide you with some very detailed statistics (Best Available Science). Did you not think it strange that he quoted the years of 2002/2004/2010 & 2011?  Did you wonder what happened to all those years in between? He stated that no Piping Plover chicks survived to fly in 2004. Now, I ask you what that implies? If you will check the NPS release of Friday, you will note that it notes that there is no record of any Plover deaths attributed to ORV activity and only one turtle death, which occurred this past year while the beaches were closed to night driving. No one knows who was responsible. No one except NPS personnel were allowed on the beach, Legally that is. Now I am not going to point a finger on this one but, many did and it was at the ORV community.

You did, then include, interviews from some of the local affected residents and businesses and I am appreciative of that. The NPS says the effect on them is not significant enough to require certain studies  because the effect on the community is less than 100 million dollars. Not sure I am stating this properly but it's close. I don't know about you in the newspaper business, but I about fell out of my chair on that one. Our government sure looks at things differently than I do. But that really doesn't matter at this point of the article because Mr. Rylander has already set the stage for your article and it sure does not sound good for the People, especially the "Four wheel drive enthusiasts" which makes up the membership of the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association. I am not sure what a four wheel drive enthusiast is. I believe there are hundreds of Hampton Roads residents that are both NCBBA members and Virginian Pilot Subscribers, that wouldn't know either.

I would prefer that you think of us as people, just like you, that enjoy fishing and other activities on the beach and utilize four wheel drive vehicles to reach the desirable stretches of beach to partake of these activities. We are enthusiastic, very enthusiastic about what we do. Along with the fishing, we regularly clean the highway and beaches. We believe deeply in conservation and we do our very best to support everything in the best interest of the OBX and all it's inhabitants. Why would anyone not want to do this.

You don't know me and I don't know you, wish I did. I delivered the Pilot 55 years ago, my Father before me and my Son after me. Mr. Story, who recently passed away, was my route manager. I Feel like the Pilot is part of my family. The last thing I want is for anything to change that. I read your stuff and hope you will read mine. Might make me feel a little better. This has been a long battle and feelings run deep. Maybe we will bump into each other sometime. I would like that.

In the event someone else was primarily responsible for the article, I apologize for venting in your direction. Feel free to pass this on if you like. I do not expect a response. Just had to write it.

Respectfully,

Ron Saunders

NCBBA Director

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