Siding on the Side of Freedom
To the Editor:

I would like to express my dismay with a flyer the “Ocean Beach Village Preservation Committee” placed in the door of my home.

I had the misfortune of being present at the village board meeting where the charter members of the OBVPC expressed their displeasure with a property owner’s choice of LP Smartside. The manner in which two of its representatives acted was inappropriate to say the least. I was amazed that they were allowed to continue and were not removed from the meeting.

In the end, Mayor Loeffler, who had taken the time to investigate this new material, announced that it did meet the requirements of the new village code as a wood product, and the property owner was within his legal right to use it.

After reading the flyer, it is apparent that the OBPC does not like the way this product looks. What is ugly to one person may be beautiful to someone else.

A home is an expression of one’s self. A small but vocal group should not be dictating what my home or anyone else’s should look like.

What’s next? “The Ocean Beach Village Fashion Review Committee” dictating what clothing they believe the residents of Ocean Beach should or should not wear?

Dale Wyckoff
Ocean Beach

Thank You Fire Dept.
To the Editor:

To the community of Ocean Beach and its volunteer Fire Department, and Bandit:

I very much want to express my deepest heart felt gratitude. As you may know, High Dune, one of Ocean Beach's most historic and beloved homes suffered a fire this past week. The fire department did an incredible job and not only saved the house, but defended us all from what could have been a much worse situation. Although tragic, this event has shown me that Ocean Beach residents are a real community of caring people.

Many came to my aide in my darkest hour and I will never forget that. Anyone who knows me knows that I have worked very hard to restore High Dune and feel blessed to have the house. And, although it means the world to me, I know that virtually all of Ocean Beach has a connection to the house. It's an important part of the community's past and not just a piece of property.

For that reason I look forward to doing everything I possibly can to once again restore it to its original grandure for generations to come.

Thank you Ocean Beach.

Kevin Brousell
High Dune