This issue will be coming back to the County shortly. When the job was originally approved it was for the county to install T-groins along the shoreline and Hideaway would pay for the sand. At the time of approval, it was stated for "one time only." The T-groins were installed where the engineers thought they were needed, leaving a large area protected by Coconut Island which was not done. Who would ever suspect that Hurricane Wilma would obliterate the island altogether?

Since that time, the beach has eroded badly and rapidly. Now Hideaway is asking the county to complete the job not included the first time. I have a few zealous people in NORTH NAPLES who are enraged that I am even asking the TDC to complete the job. They said one time only, no more. Well, for goodness sake........who ever expected Coconut Island to vanish? I feel the county needs to step up to the plate and get the job done. Hideaway is now hosting many beachgoers and boaters, rather than a completely private beach, and that is what the TDC funds are for. It will be a fight, that's for sure. I plan to win. Stay tuned.