2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. America250’s mission is to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial. They want to inspire us to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 wants to spark the imagination of Americans, tell their stories, inspire volunteerism in our communities, and honor the enduring strength, and resilience of the United States of America.
I am inspired when I see volunteers: cleaning up our beaches with Ocean Hour, working with non profits to monitor sea turtle nests or take care of rescued wildlife, serve as foster parents to the thousands of children who need a safe place to stay through no fault of their own. The America250 project is encouraging individuals to tell their personal stories or share photos about what they think makes America great. You should check it out at America250.org.
As a student of history the most exciting part of this commemoration is the goal to renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy. Can you imagine how frustrated, angry, and determined our founding fathers were when they penned this document? We should also celebrate and commend them for knowing that we needed a separation of powers in order to balance the power of our government as was written in our constitution years later. What they outlined in this and the other founding documents was their social contract: what they expected and would tolerate from a government. Unfortunately, I feel that I have witnessed a decline in the quality of our governing and I feel like our government takes advantage of the people. I see it at all levels and no, this is not new.
As an advocate for the beach and with our attempt to obtain fee simple title, I have witnessed first hand how difficult it is to get in touch with a commissioner, (not our own D4 rep or elected island rep), SRIA boardmembers, a state legislator, or our US Congressperson to even give a constituent a returned phone call much less a chance to talk in person. I am witnessing a United States Congress roll over and do anything their own party wants without checking or vetting the concepts. I’m watching our local officials give up what is good for the greater community in order to enrich their own district. It takes a huge will to make a drastic change in the way things are going, but it is necessary if the constituents of a democracy feel like their government is out of control.
For years, PBA has been asking for better representation for the residents of the Beach. We feel like we have been taken advantage of with taxation when we were promised we never would be, a lack of enforcement of provisions in our leases when there should be, the lack of protection of our public beaches and public rights of way on the sound when there should be, and with the silent treatment at board meetings when a question is posed by a leaseholder. Overall, treating us differently from the residents of the mainland, simply because we live on the beach. Like the colonists, I do not feel like SRIA spends our lease fees wisely nor represents leaseholders or residents fairly on the board. We have bureaucrats not elected officials making decisions for all of us. Leaseholders would not have any representation at all on the board if it were not for a bold move by residents Jane Waters and Fred Simmons years ago when they drove to Tallahassee to amend the proposed bill creating the SRIA. That is the spirit we need to embody in order to ensure democracy continues.
It takes bold action in order to enact change, and that is what we are trying to do with fee simple title. None of our legislators I have spoken with have told me they believe this is a bad idea. I want beach residents to continue to rally around this goal, and I want to alleviate concerns, of those who are less excited, that no one will be forced to take title if they do not choose to do so.
All of this to say that our democracy cannot stand and constituents cannot maintain their rights if they stand idly by. If we are unhappy with our current governing situation we need to make our voices known at the ballot box. We need to write our legislators and commissioners and SRIA officials when we deem their actions are not in the best interest of the voters. This is how a democracy works. How courageous and frustrated our founding fathers were, and how blessed we are for their courage 250 years later. Join PBA today and help us make the beach better tomorrow.
