Padre Island, Home of the Rich and Famous?

These Beaches Belong to the Public,Not Developers or Politiicans!
(Click on cartoon for larger image.)
The Corpus Christi City Council has voted in a final reading to close a nearly mile long stretch of beach in front of the sea wall on Padre island. John Marez was the sole vote against the measure and Bill Kelly abstained.
This vote has to be approved by the General Land Office of the State of Texas but there is little doubt this approval will be forthcoming.
This is a contentious issue and the battle is not over. Opponents of this measure fear, correctly, that this is just the the first step towards the banning of vehicular beach access altogether, thus creating de facto private beaches for condo, hotels and future developments along the beach.
There is a long time tradition here of being able to drive on the beaches, pick your spot and enjoy fishing, barbecuing, surfing, snoozing, walking or whatever you wanted to do. The miles of local beach provides plenty of room for all with no overcrowding.
Those wishing to ban traffic cite safety as their main concern. This is a bunch of bull! The beaches have a fabulous safety record as most respect the space and rights of others on the beach.
The real motivation for this action is that greedy developers, politicians and hotel and condo owners want a public treasure turned over to them for their exclusive use.
If you support our open beaches now is the time to stand up and be counted. There will be a petition drive forthcoming to place an amendment on the city charter to prevent the city council and future city councils from having the ability to enact such measures. Get involved with this movement.
Be a Son of the Beach and help Save Our Beaches!