NEWS ANALYSIS
MARK SCHUMANN
Since the Indian River County Commission decided in 2009 to restore beaches and dunes by using sand from inland mines rather than pumping the sand from offshore, millions of dollars worth of mined sand has made its way to the ocean, much of it with a only a brief stop on county beaches. One of the mines from which the supposedly beach-compatible sand is drawn is owned by Brian Davis, a brother of County Commissioner Wesley Davis.
When the Commission made its decision, Davis recused himself from the vote, but not after forcefully arguing from his seat at the dais in favor of using mined sand. It was decision sure to benefit his brother.
Currently, the County is paying contractors to truck sand from the inland mines to beaches in Summerplace and Orchid. Much of the sand – and shell and rock — has already washed away, leaving behind cliffs –not exactly the Cliffs of Dover, but cliffs just the same.
For the full report on the County’s beach restoration projects, and on how and where tens of millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent, look for the February issue of Inside Indian River, to be issued Feb. 4
Indian River Guardian 
And yet we still vote these clowns back in every election. You get what you deserve.
Just the good old boys at their “best”. Thanks Bob and Peter.
Those dunes in the Wabasso Beach northward area reacted to the nor’easters the same way back in the late ’70’s – when I first ventured into the county. Apparently nothing changes when it comes to Mother Nature. I suppose that sand already in the ocean (and therefore close) would seem to be a better choice. The same people are selected, I think, because few candidates believe they have a chance in Hades of beating them. A political machine is not restricted to NYC or Chicago–in my opinion.