By MARCI BUSKALA

This is a letter I wish I did not have to write, but human nature in a vile form is raising its ugly head. As residents of Moran Beach for nearly 50 years, we have seen just about every type of behavior exhibited by the public. This behavior by individuals and groups has become totally unacceptable and is increasing in frequency.

We own our beaches to mean low tide. The beaches are our front yards. They are NOT a public restroom. Our area has 100 feet at the end of the road that was donated to the county as a school bus turn-around ONLY. At some point, the county designated it a park and our troubles began. People tell us we can’t own our beaches.  We do. Check with the county.

Many of us have been happy to allow polite, respectful people to walk through, fish and enjoy the beach knowing they will not disturb the logs and driftwood nor use the area for a restroom. Unfortunately the rude, insensitive people are becoming the majority.

To these people: Our boats are not for you to borrow, nor are they toys for your children. Our children’s playhouses are not there for you to use as a bathroom, nor for your bedroom activities. Our beaches and yards are not for your use. You have left your illegal treble hooks and line on our beaches to injure our children and pets.  Since we have not had rain, your urine stays in the sand and we can’t allow our children and grandchildren to play on the beaches because of you. You apparently don’t mind if your children play in it, because you allow them to roam unsupervised. Neither you nor your spouses, who you say work at the base or are in the military, pay our taxes as you say you do. If you feel they do, please obtain a receipt from the county so WE can apply for a refund. It is very sad to hear you yell obscenities at us in front of your children. They will grow up with your lack of manners, lack of morals and lack of respect for others.

Please be advised that it is unlawful to remove driftwood from any beach in the state of Washington, private or public. When you move logs and large pieces of wood to build your own private “bathroom” on the beach, the winter storms will wash the wood out and the beach will be a prime candidate for erosion. In the last 20 years, we have lost 60 feet of our beaches due to erosion.

It is also against the law to back a boat trailer or vehicle of any kind onto the beach from the landing. You may hand carry a boat to the water, if you so choose. For those who disrespect our rights as property owners, we will photograph vehicles and take license numbers to identify you if we decide to press charges against you. This applies to those who toss their Steel Reserve beer cans into the swamp when leaving the area.

The behavior of the crude portion of the public will necessitate the permanent closing of our private beaches to all people, and we will enlist the cooperation of law enforcement and county officials to permanently close the 100 feet of beach currently designated as a park.  This is long overdue since it was not to be public in the first place.

I wish to thank the people who pick up garbage others have left behind, including dirty diapers and beer cans. Thank you for your respect and cooperation regarding our beaches and private property.

Marci Buskala, is president of the Moran Beach Improvement Club.