According to an article in the OBSERVER last month, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) was awarded almost $700,000 for the Eagle Bay site in Sheridan. Is this more favored friends and family development shenanigans? According to the Chautauqua County GIS, that is the exact price that was paid for that parcel. Will New York state own this parcel for all to enjoy free of charge? It looks like an awesome area for four wheelers and campers.

No! It is another gift to a wealthy, private for-profit endeavor.

New York state is throwing hundreds of thousands of our hard-earned tax dollars into yet another shovel ready site for industry that is not showing up. That is not what the area needs. We need a huge attraction, while also stopping homes and property from being washed away into Lake Erie. The citizens demand the Army Corps of Engineers immediately begin construction of a break wall from the outer break wall in Dunkirk — extending 9 miles through the severe coastal erosion area, to Silver Creek.

Why? About 30 years ago, this area was deemed a severe coastal erosion area by the corps and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. What has the Town of Sheridan or the Town of Dunkirk done to help residents of this area mitigate these losses? How many grants have these towns worked to obtain in the last 30 years to resolve the problems?

Sewers and drainage should have been established at the time the waterline was extended down Lakeshore Drive East. It wasn’t. All the water people are using, goes through their septic’s and back into the ground causing groundwater erosion!

We watched helplessly as our neighbor’s cottage was swept into Lake Erie! Were the coastal guidelines being enforced for the last 30 years? Are they in the zoning laws? Are people that are building/buying homes in this area being warned of the severe dangers and told of the 75 feet setback and no mow area? The climate is changing, bringing high winds and harsher waves. How many people will die? How many more homes need to be damaged or lost to the lake? The recent flood washed away structures and land, turning the water brown and the shore muddy.

Imagine for a minute, this side of the wall will be an intercoastal waterway where people can enjoy non-motorized activities like swimming, snorkeling, canoe races, rowboats, floats, paddle boards, and all types of water activities. A beach protecting habitat, connecting and growing our communities. Waterfront businesses and real development. Maybe even housing for our snowbirds that return each spring. We are a small group of citizens, but if you are willing to believe, we need help getting the word out and getting petitions signed! Watch for an upcoming meeting.

Officials, help us or stay out of our way! Naysayers need not show up for the ribbon cutting.

Marguerite Kaczor is a Sheridan resident.