The island has changed a lot over the years — the people, the mood, the philosophy, the ambitions, the plants and animals. All different now than they were at the start.
Then
In the seventies, the place was imagined as a retreat for (mostly) professionals who had doubts about the sustainability of American society. They all sued each other into various levels of poverty and made several teams of lawyers very wealthy. That’s all over now. Most, not all, of the original participants have passed or moved away. Some did both.
Now
Today it’s a neighborhood of about fifteen families who mostly get along. Several volunteer to do the community work, when possible, instead of hiring crews from off island. It’s a mix of retirees and employed. Nobody is litigious at the moment.
We gather a few times a year to air our grievances, manage canal and causeway maintenance, count the money the HA controls, talk about what to do with the community lots, and then share a meal and frosty beverages. Not a lot gets done fast, but a little progress is made every meeting.
What’s on the Docket
At the last meeting we discussed a community garden and a possible shooting range. We’ve also talked about clearing weeds and silt from the canals, road topping options, and whether a seawall is worth the trouble.
So far, no one has suggested any oppressive rules that give the HA power over private property.
Amen.