JOE BOUGHTON: Prioritize the Coast's marine interests

Rather than spending the BP oil spill money on unnecessary lakes in Jackson and George counties, I have another suggestion: How about each coastal county build a real pier for public use?

Not one of the puny ones that I've seen built here of wood and are close to the water, but real piers that are at least 1,500-feet long with concrete pilings and a deck 20 feet from water. These piers could be lighted and form a "T" at the end for concessions, bait, ice and restrooms.

If operated by the county, charging admittance would help defray costs to operate the facilities, and licensed vendors could bid on the concession slots.

For examples of the kind of piers I mean, look at the piers in Panama City Beach, Fla. They have four piers like this.

Locals and tourists would flock to these, and fishermen who don't have or can't afford boats would love them.

The BP oil spill money would be properly spent by improving marine interests, not building freshwater lakes.

JOE BOUGHTON

Gautier

This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 5:22 PM with the headline "JOE BOUGHTON: Prioritize the Coast's marine interests ."