Vote Yes On Prop 9 On November 3, 2009

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My friend Cliff Schlabach sent this and I urge all who care about our beaches to vote yes on Proposition 9 in the election of November 3rd.

November 3, 2009: Proposition 9: A Historic Choice
Something is happening in Texas that just isn’t right. Investors from other states and national investment companies have been buying up beachfront property in Texas, and lately, they have been trying to change our laws. These foreign investors are putting pressure on Texas lawmakers to keep Texans and visitors from enjoying “their” beaches. If they succeed, our right to have free access to Texas beaches will be gone forever. We must not let that happen.
Public beach access is not just a personal right. It is an important part of our tourism industry, an important source of state-wide revenues, to make sure visitors can enjoy the beach.
A trip to the beach is a time-honored tradition in Texas, and a part of who we are. Countless Texans and tourists have enjoyed the experience of splashing in the warm surf, building a sandcastle, taking a romantic sunset stroll, or just digging their toes in the sand and gazing out on a limitless horizon. They come to Padre Island, Galveston Island, Mustang Island, South Padre Island or any of the other beautiful beaches in Texas. A day at the beach is a unique and precious experience. It is a part of our heritage, something we must preserve and hand down to our children, and our children’s children.
The Texas Open Beaches Act currently preserves our free right to gain access to the beach, but it is under attack by these investors, who want to make “their” beaches private and keep others off. Fortunately, some have fought back. The 2009 Legislature put Proposition 9 on the ballot for November 3. Proposition 9 would place a guarantee of public beach access right into the Texas Constitution. Now your help is needed to preserve this right.
The annual Election Day on November 3, will not be as big as the Presidential election last year. It is still a big day. Voters who go to the polls on November 3will have a chance to make history by voting FOR Proposition 9. Your vote is needed.
Texas beaches are our heritage. We have the chance to make a historic choice on November 3, to guarantee to the public the free right of beach access, right in our Constitution.
Don't let this unique opportunity slip away, it's very likely that this will be our one and only chance to change the Texas constitution to include beach access rights for everyone.
Early voting starts on Monday, October 19.

Cliff Schlabach
Chairman
Texas Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation


The Surfrider Foundation is an international 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves & beaches, for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. http://www.surfrider.org/coastalbend http://www.surfrider.org 800-743-SURF