Guest commentary: End of Texas' open beaches might be near

Those 3 know what they are talking about. I wonder what or rather, who is behind our State Senator's proposed legislation. Who does this help ? There is something not right here.

If this is what Middleton thinks is important he is an idiot. A few clueless rich people may support it but I have never met anyone who does. However, this is the sort of crap that gets snuck in and people really need to contact their legislators and state their opposition.

What happened to liberty and justice for all ? This is just one more attempt of the rich traitor Republicans attempting to destroy the rights of the lower classes of Americans. The idea of the open beaches act was to insure that all Americans can have access to the beaches, not only the rich. This is a fine example as to how the traitor Republicans want everything good only for them selves

The three are opponents of Mayes Middelton. Like all progressives they resort to creating lies for political power. If Mayes' bill passes and improves things for the public and property owners these three will try to overturn it. The liberal media got the opposition started, proof Mayes has a good idea.

Mayes is just putting into Law what I have been claiming for years, West End Private Beaches. Remove the bollards !!

It is hilarious that so many who vote for the liberals agenda, that the "village will raise your children," equity through government mandates, and thought the "Great Society" taking control of their health, education and welfare are now bemoaning big government (state legislators) dictating beach rights. Reflect on how much freedom you have over your personal life and property since the Democratic Party liberals have taken over the government. You may own it but the way you use it will encounter all the bureaucratic regulations. You water faucets have flow restriction, commodes must meet regulations, You want to be known as a perception of gender that is contrary to you biological genitalia is okay. You kill a illegal immigrant that trespasses and threaten you and you get charged with a crime and the trespasser gets a lawyer to sue you. The convolutions that the BIG TENT of the Democratic Party has inflicted on society has putrefied and segmented society.

What is a beach has no definition in the lexicon of a law or statute when the lawyer/president Clinton said "it depends on what the meaning of is, is",

Define a word, a persons gender or a beach today is legislative bodies activity for determination and will produce a Court's review where all the lawyers can perform obfuscation, prevarication and justification for persuasion of the judge, the appealing and on up the line of courts.

Washington D.C, State's and Districts are bastions of convolutions. Locals and citizens are the pawns they pander to for power.

Want a change back to local and citizen freedom, then quit swallowing the pandering and vote the lawyers and career politicians out and proven patriots into the positions of leadership.

Despite their personality traits of egotism and audacity Trump, Musk, and others that have identified/exposed the swamp creatures are the salvation of the "best hope of humanity."

Vote wisely!

The State of Texas has a landowners bill of rights which prevents government from just taking property without just compensation. And it has to be for the public common good and not for private benefit or governments (like Park Board) gain.

Unfortunately, land by beaches are treated differently. I see the Senator as trying to help in this area.

Galveston was sold by the Republic through Spanish and English land grants …. Then along came the government messing with projects that impact sand on a sand bar (seawall and jetties) and the Submerged Lands Act and the Open Beach’s Act, and you get a convoluted mess.

While I support open beaches, I keep thinking there must be a better way to protect property rights as well as access to the beach. Is this it? 🤔 still pondering.

Mr. Hardee….you not only hit that nail on the head…but drove it in in one stroke. Well played sir!

It a single person who’ve commented thus far have any idea of what’s driving this and I’m reasonably sure Middleton has only gotten a very biased update. For those still contemplating, the open beaches law, dune setback rules and erosion property lines all preceded the west end development by years. In fact standard policy for home sales is the buyer signs a paper in recognition of the facts of law

For years, folks haven’t liked what they signed up for. As a matter of fact, the last professional in our city in charge of beach setbacks and dune lines ( a state requirement) had a homeowner pull a pistol in him when told he was planning to breach the covenants. You need to study this —and it’s consequences to Galveston - a bit more than the congressman has

I very much appreciate that my comments are being noticed. Maybe my thoughts will change the way the Traitor Republicans think and consider that there are American citizens that are not rich . This beach grabbing is just one example of how they don’t want the average American to enjoy our beaches

These three former Land Commissioners, including one that is a democrat have stood strong in protecting our beaches for all Texans to enjoy. Babe Schwartz, another democrat,( may he rest in peace) and these men understood that if there were no strong rules and laws for the Texas citizens' continued access (since time immemorial ) that one day there might be no beaches for the public, nothing but houses on stilts or falling down. I guarantee you they know more than Middleton ever thought about knowing about the Texas Open Beaches Act, our right to use the dry sand along the beach and up to the vegetation line. They also understand how the money works for beach projects and how it would not work anymore. Lorraine Brown

“I’ve been contacted by a number of private property owners…..” or in other words “People are saying “.

Joseph, That sounds like an answer that Carlos would give.

Here’s to MAY MIDDLETON having another form of income. My wife & I will work to see he is not re-elected. He’s a disgrace.

Jerry Patterson was on the Michael Berry Show this morning - KTRH. He said the bill had no chance of passing but he added the caveat "in its present form".

And NO, Ted, that's not an answer I would give.

So Jerry Patterson weights in, huh! This is the man that stole $23 million from the west end of Galveston. Yep this is the guy that took all the Hurricane Ike Federal monies that were given to him by the communities with the PROMISE that he would rebuild the beaches and dunes. Remember those beaches and dunes serve everyone. Well he Jerry decided to that this money was best served being put behind the seawall. His argument was that our Supreme Court of Texas found for a land owner when the state was trying to take their property. With that, he redirected pipelines of sand that were about to start on the west end and moved them. Did he ask, nope he just did. SO for this group, yes Mr. Patterson I am looking at you, to say that beachfront owners also are at risk because of the new rules, he forgets that he already made that decision. Further the idea that local governments could stop using funds for the beach front, well wake up Boys, the City of Galveston stopped cleaning the beaches many years ago, so there is already no money going to these "Public Beaches". This means the folks going to the beach are enjoying the smell smell of seaweed, OR as is happening, each subdivision is cleaning the beach for its own community, BUT the public gets to enjoy the private monies being spent on things. Does anyone re call that our Texas Supreme Court, now twice, has already up held findings for property owners.

The net of this is that the law has changed due to the Supreme Court and that this has never been updated into current regulations. But the gall of Jerry Patterson to say anything after what he has done. Has anyone looked at the beaches on the west end? They are a shambles, they lack dunes and the only people paying to fix these are PRIVATE communities, not public. I support the Texas open beaches act, I don't support the fact that our public officials, to date have done little to save and protect our beaches for both the public and private landowners

Just an observation regarding this Bill by Senator Middleton. With so many other profound and significant issues we face as Texans, this "issue" should not be of "principal" concern. Just my thoughts. (32)