Should Public Pay?

* I found the article “Eroding Confidence” in the Oct. 8 edition very interesting. The owners of the exclusive [Surfside] seaside community are worried about the safety of their homes from the ravages of the sea. They complain that the government has delayed replenishing their beach with sand to prevent their houses from being damaged during winter storms.

The part that I find most interesting and a detail that has been left out of the article is that this area is completely surrounded by fences, as well as guards, in order to prevent the public from entering their pristine beach. These residents have about one mile of completely private coastline with almost no access for outsiders.

I am therefore a bit perplexed by the desire of the residents of this community for sand replenishment funds from a public they so detest. Why should the public pay money for a beach they cannot use? If the wealthy owners of this enclave expect the public to pay, the money should only come after the owners open up this beach to all.

LARRY S. SCHMID

Huntington Beach