< Previous20 COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2023 FEATURE to enjoy the sand and surf in the same way we grew up. So, let’s work together and ensure that it endures at least another 64 years.” Seinsheimer sums up how the Open Beaches Act should be handled: Don’t mess with it. CAR WARS The initial open beach controversy in Galveston started about 30 years ago, driven by attempts to bar cars from the beach, former Land Commis- sioner Jerry Patterson said. The Houston native and former state senator for Galveston County recalls the island as his childhood playground. “My first trip to Galveston, I’m told, was in 1948 when I was 2,” Patter- son said. “One of the things we used to do with some frequency was go down to Galveston, pitch tents and everyone would stay on the beach, right by their cars. “When you drove off the end of the seawall, you could drive all the way down to the San Luis Pass on the beach. “I’d come with a girlfriend or cou- ples, and we’d start a fire, drink beer and smooch and whatever else, then head back home on the same night.” As more people came to Galveston and the West End developed, more and more restrictions on vehicles were put in place, Patterson said. If there was another way to get to the beach, such as by walking, such laws weren’t considered to obstruct beach access, he said. Patterson’s step-father, who was born on the island in 1927, was a stalwart supporter of the Open Beaches Act and vehemently opposed barring cars from parts of the beach, Patterson recalled. ‘WE’RE ALL COMMITTED’ Land Commissioner Dawn Buck- ingham, who took office this year, PHOTO: JENNIFER REYNOLDS (Above) Former Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson grew up visiting Galveston Island and remembers when people could drive along the beach all the way to San Luis Pass. Prohibiting driving on the beach was one of the early open beach controversies on the island. (Opposite) Cars line the beach on Galveston’s West Beach in the 1970s. Vehicle access on Galveston beaches is regulated through the Texas Open Beaches Act and the city’s beaches and waterways ordinance. Driving on the beach is allowed only during low season on the far West End of the island. “One of the things we used to do with some frequency was go down to Galveston, pitch tents and everyone would stay on the beach, right by their cars.” JERRY PATTERSON COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2023 21 PHOTO: COURTESY PBH IMAGES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO22 COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2023 FEATURE spent what she called a significant time in her life on the coast, some- thing she considers worth defending. The League City native lived in north Galveston County until the seventh grade, long before moving to the island for an 11-year stint earning a medical degree and having two kids — both BOI, which stands for born on the island. “Our beaches are very special and we need to be sure they can be fully accessed by all who want to visit them,” Buckingham said. “My family was in the 1900 Storm. Actually, my bedside table was washed down the stairs when the storm surge hit the second story of their home. They were the British consulate to the Republic of Texas.” Middleton argues his bills were never intended to erode the Open Beaches Act or undermine the un- fettered access Texans have enjoyed since there have been Texans. The Postcards depicting Galveston beach scenes, circa 1950. PHOTOS: COURTESY ROSENBERG LIBRARY bills were meant to give beachside property owners the same rights as those in the rest of the state by shifting the burden of proof from the property owner to the state in dis- putes about where the public beach was after storms caused erosion. And when two initial drafts of beach bills generated waves of constit- uent criticism, he met with Bucking- ham and Patterson to develop a more palatable version. “Senate Bill 2550 was drafted with the assistance of the GLO, to ensure that Texas’ constitutionally protect- ed open beaches are fully affirmed,” Middleton said of the third iteration of Senate Bill 434. “This bill protects renourishment projects, while also ensuring due process for private-property owners, which was the intent behind Senate Bill 434, filed earlier this year,” he said. One of Middleton’s favorite mem- ories growing up was going to the beaches on Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston, he said. “It’s a joy I now share with my own family of six, where we are a short walk from a public access point on the East End,” Middleton said. “Texas’ open beaches are enshrined in our Constitution.” Texans are quite dedicated and proud of their Open Beaches Act, Buckingham said. “I think we’re all committed to keeping that,” Buckingham said. “I just think we’re really unique in that we’re committed to the fact that our beaches are public property and to be enjoyed by the people who want to enjoy and walk on them.” Many islanders say any change to the Open Beaches Act is unwarranted. “When was the last time these people spent any time on the beach,” Maricelli said of those attempting to change access laws. “When’s the last time they spent any time on the beach that wasn’t on the deck of their mil- lion-dollar beach house?” Images, descriptions, and information provided are representational and conceptual based upon preliminary development plans, for illustrative purposes, may not be shown to scale, may contain non-standard optional features, and are subject to change. The Developer reserves the right to make modifications and changes to the project in whole or part including amenities and features and to the information contained herein without notice. Please refer to the Condominium Information Statement and the proposed condominium documents included with same for further information and disclosures. @TIARAONTHEBEACH/TIARAONTHEBEACH SALES GALLERY OPEN DAILY 4918 Seawall Blvd. Ste C · Galveston TX, 77551 Fill your day with more. Ownership at Tiara will offer you the finest in beachfront condominium living with an abundance of five-star resort-inspired amenities that include Pickleball, Climate Controlled Wine Lockers, a Pet Wash, and Private Beach Access with chair and umbrella valet. With so many choices, what will you do first? One, Two & Three Bedroom Condominiums from $1M | TiaraOnTheBeach.com · Call 409.974.4537Snapper Bowl with Seasonal Vegetables 408 25th Street Open Monday-Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm This MONTH May 20: Summer Dinner, 7 pm May 6: “ Cooking for Mom,” Mother’s Day Cooking Class, 4:30 pm Remember to Book Your Event Private Dining for Parties from 8 to 28 diners. Call 409-939-9403 or 409-762-0803 Join us for LUNCH EATcetera is a Local Family Eatery serving fresh, healthy lunch and light brunch fare. Dine inside or enjoy the dog-friendly sidewalk cafe under our signature red umbrellas. A multitude of vegan and gluten- free offerings available. Dessert too! Call 409-762-0803 See us on DoorDash.com26 COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2023 Conservation groups and island businesses are beginning the conversation about how to end the plague of single-use plastic that can harm wildlife and end up on beaches. COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2023 27 PERPETUAL MOTION A growing movement is afoot to rid the island of prolific plastic trash story by MICHELLE LEIGH SMITH | photos by JENNIFER REYNOLDS G alveston businesses and conservation groups in the past few years have ramped up efforts to end the plague of single-use plastic that harms wild- life, habitats and mars the beauty of island beaches. It’s an issue that will require governments to regulate, businesses to innovate and people to act. Island restau- rants are taking different approaches in what’s becoming a movement with momentum. James Clark, director of operations at Mosquito Café and PattyCakes Bakery in Galveston, attended a recent meet- ing at Moody Gardens hosted by Perpetual and the Turtle Island Restoration Network, coming away convinced his businesses could play a part in reducing plastic waste on beaches and in waterways. “I feel like the program is feasible,” Clark said. “What I learned in our conversations is that it really is going to take a fully immersive program.” Danny Hart, a founder of Galveston Restaurant Group, which owns Mario’s Seawall Italian & Pizzeria, Taquilo’s, The Gumbo Diner and Saltwater Grill, among others, said the company always is seeking more sus- tainable options. “We’ve gone to a ‘straws upon request’ policy, and we have had recyclable to-go items in the past — it’s just that we’ll order them and they will be out of stock for six months. The supply chain issues have really impacted this.” Yet, island restaurants and food service vendors are making inroads. Island Chef Alena Pyles, owner of EATcetera, and Victoria H. Newsome, her finance partner, long have held strong views on sustainability practices in the restaurant industry. They categorize all restaurant items, from food to furniture, based on whether they’re reusable, biodegrad- able, recyclable and compostable.28 COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2023 (Above) Chef Alena Pyles, left, owner of EATcetera, and Calley Brewer plate a sambal salad on paper plates at the 47th annual Epicurean Evening at the Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston. Pyles and her finance partner Victoria H. Newsome use recyclable, biodegradable or compostable foodware at the event. (Opposite) Newsome with some of the compostable and unbleached paper products the restaurant uses for takeout orders. COASTMONTHLY.COM | MAY 2023 29 FEATURE With those categories, they can identify which group an item belongs and work in a continuing improve- ment cycle to enhance internal and external sustainability practices, they said. Like other island restaurants, EAT- cetera has met with representatives of Perpetual, a nonprofit launched in early 2022 by a team that collectively has more than 20 years of experi- ence in the reusable foodware space. Perpetual’s mission is to accelerate the adoption of reuse, starting with foodware, in the United States. “Reusable foodware systems reduce the amount of waste created, which means less trash entering the envi- ronment and a cleaner Galveston,” said Ellie Moss, executive director of Perpetual. Perpetual is working with Turtle Island Restoration Network to reduce plastic waste and the harm it can do to marine life. “We have worked for over a decade educating the general public on the impacts of single-use plastic and Sty- rofoam products on the environment and people,” said Joanie Steinhaus, Gulf program director for Turtle Island Restoration Network. “When implemented, this project will reduce waste both in the form of litter and the amount going to the landfill. It is a win-win for people and the planet.” When EATcetera first met with Per- petual, Pyles and Newsome had the impression the reusability model was all or nothing, Newsome said. “Their most recent visit provided more clarity and let us know that starting with a subset of items in a specific geography works also,” she said. “Possibly, the first reusable item would be replacing go cups with a re- usable go cup. Reusability in the ser- vice industries is undoubtedly the best way we currently have to drastically reduce waste. The question is how will that model look in Galveston?” FILE PHOTO: JENNIFER REYNOLDSNext >