Letters to the Editor

Art enthusiasts

My husband and I moved to Port Aransas a year ago after coming down from the north to renovate an old building in Old Town to put in a small studio/gallery.

I wanted to write and say how grateful we are for all the Art Center for the Islands does in this town. The ArtFest at the Tarpon Inn was fabulous! Mary Rose, Bill, Jack and Bobby and all who volunteered: Wow!

The Songwriters Showcase the next evening was just the icing on the cake.

A town is truly healthy when it supports its local artists. This small town really does just that. We are thrilled to be a part of it. Thanks again, Mary Rose for all that you do.

Brenda Barnett

Port Aransas

Where to live?

There is a lot more work starting to pop up in our little town . . . hotels, restaurants, condos and much, much more. But the question I ask is, "Where do all the workers come from?"

Most I know have to drive from surrounding areas to the island because it's so hard to find a place to rent long term at (an affordable) price. Their drive includes the 18-mile road or the long wait in the ferry line (plus the high cost of gas).

We all know how that is, and it will only get worse as our town grows. I see all the land development going on, but it's all larger houses and condos. Plus, most places won't take the long-term renter because they get (their rental property) ready for the tourist season.

How will we run our great town with nowhere to live? The people who work and live in Port Aransas are a major reason people love to come here. We need the tourists like they need us, and we have to have places to live.

Always remember the working class.

Ashley Stockton

Port Aransas

Snakes alive!

I was thrilled to see you report the recent rattlesnake attack in Port Aransas.

As a new condo owner, I was not sure what to bring to the beach, and now I am armed and ready with a new tiny bikini and a big silver six-shooter and holster to match. On my last visit, I thought I was hallucinating when walking on the sidewalk with a 3-and 4-year-old, I spotted a 5-foot rattler straight in front of me and the grandkids. Not an hour later on the way back, another one, only about four feet.

Parents should be warned not to let kids walk in front of them. Don't you think it's time for a rattlesnake hunt?

To appease the environmentalists, how about extracting the venom from those captured to make anti-venom? This could be used for bites that will take place with all the snakes moving in to the sliver of land between the beach and the hotels, condos, homes, etc. as development continues. Hey, what if they go across State Highway 361?

Hope we can get some snake cowboys to instigate the roundup and take up the cause. It's getting harder to be road warriors, snake warriors, and then beach warriors to protect our children.

Carol O'Brien San Antonio