Pat Neal wrong to destroy wetlands, mangroves for housing project

The negative comments about Pat Neal's plans to build on Perico Island has nothing to do with him. The negative comments are because he is destroying wetlands and will be removing mangrove trees.

We watched the big machines clearing the property while the egrets' tried to attack the machines. It was so sad to watch the birds trying to protect their young and their home.

We are from Charleston, S.C., and went through Hurricane Hugo and know what Neal is planning to do could have a big effect if Bradenton gets hit by a hurricane or bad storm. Neal will have destroyed the trees and disturbed the wetlands. There will have no protection from the storms and the water will rise and flood Harbour Isle.

This is so wrong to be building on wetlands, and we do not know how this ever got approved. Just because Mr. Neal has done so much good over the years does not mean that he can now ignore or turn his head the other way when he is destroying property that should never have been developed on.

Linda Frank

Bradenton

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Pat Neal wrong to destroy wetlands, mangroves for housing project ."