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;|';6A:S*1A COAST ECH.i SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 1980 j
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By ELLIS CUEVAS
Some 200 persons jammed the incock County Courtroom Wed-iday night at a public hearing by the reau of Marine Resources on a rmit application from the American gion to improve the Washington eet pier.
Joseph I. Gill Jr., who conducted the aring, said at the end, ?This was the ?gest crowd I have ever seen in nine ars for a public hearing. It was also : most responsive and I have to say i like to see participation like this at a rings.?
\ total of 50 people were recognized d allowed to speak during the three ur hearing.
rhe front and back stair landings to e courtroom were jammed with ople backed down both stairways th the doors of the courtroom open. About 10 people voiced opposition to e permit requested by the American ;gion to restore a wooden pier with -foot extensions on both ends and the nstruction of a jetty to protect the lat launch.
In the neighborhood of 40 persons ioke in favor of the Legion and urged >proval of the permit.
Those expressing opinions were from hool age to retired persons, ?wcowrs to lifelong residents. Joseph Benvenutti, attorney, presented Clement R. Bontemps merican Legion Post No. 139. Henry aird, attorney, represented the op-ments. ^	,
Both attorneys made opening com-lents followed by opponents and -oponents of issuance of the permit. Ms. Gertrude Stanton, an opponent of
the pier stated, ?Hurricanes Camille and Betsy both picked up chunks of concrete and it knocked out foundations of houses. Why wasn?t the pier rebuilt after Bob and Frederick.?
Louis Fernandez, said he was representing the Board of Health, Historical Society and the Gun and Rod Club, spoke in favor of the proposal.
He said, ?I am in favor of this extension. Historically there was an oyster factory where big schooners came in and other commercial fishing boats in years gone by. I think the pier should remain.?
Waldo Otis commented, ?Yes, there was an oyster factory out there. There is a difference between a pier and an earthen structure. The structure changes the ebb and flow of the tide. I sink up to my knees in the mud. We asked for a cut and they haven?t done anything yet.?
Eugene Richardson, surveyor, displayed a survey which showed the structure as being within the property lines of the legion.
Some of the opponents had mentioned that the pier was encroaching on their riparian rights.
Luke Scianna who lived at 103 Washington Street for 23 years talked about how he had used the old pier to launch his boat.
Scianna said the jetty would help protect the boat launch and that it was needed. Two of Scianna?s children also spoke of how they enjoyed fishing and crabbing from the launch.
Fred Wagner an opponent to the I issuance of the permit said, ?It disturbs I me to see the difference of opinions of the two groups. I respect the American 1 Legion. There is a definite need for a
boat launch. I object to the location at | the head of Washington Street.?
Bay St. Louis Mayor Larry Bennett presented a resolution by the Council in support of the issuance of the permit.
Margaret Gavagnie stated, ?It makes my heart bring tears to my eyes when so few people can stop us from having the pier.?
Elizabeth Sullivan Holleman said, ?As a kid I fished on the shell pile and we have pictures to prove that. Children cannot swim in the water because of the pier, why won?t they move it to a commercial area.?
Dick Thomas said, spekaing as an individual, ?We are the only community on the coast without a boat launch. I am for the issuance of the permit to the American Legion.?
Gill, the Marine Projects Manager and conductor of the hearing said interested parties could send in written comments until June 20, 1980 and they would be included in the hearing.
The information will be studied and then a decision will be issued.
Persons interested in making comments can send them to: Bureau of Marine Resources, P.O. Box 959, Long Beach, Ms. 39560 and marked attention Legion permit.