In Wrightsville Beach, these kids' parents would be slapped with $300 in fines for unlawful possession of balloons.
Simply holding inflated balloons on a string while strolling the beach in one N.C. town will result in a $100 fine. Letting go of the balloons will cost you an extra $250, courtesy of Wrightsville Beach’s Board of Aldermen.
The possession and/or release of inflated balloons on the local beachfront was criminalized on Nov. 18 by a 3-2 vote. Mayor Pro Tem Bill Blair and Alderman Susan Collins dissented, saying the ban is an unnecessary assault on good old-fashioned fun enjoyed by young and old alike.
“You can’t criminalize balloon possession,” Blair scolded his colleagues. Collins echoed his sentiments, stating, “Supposing somebody’s just holding a balloon, they’re not releasing it or killing anybody.”
Alderman Lisa Weeks, who cast the decisive vote, said she did it “for the sea turtles.” She and her fellow balloon banners are convinced that sea turtles confuse deflated balloons for yummy jellyfish, resulting in suffocation and death.
Agree of disagree with the Board of Aldermen criminalizing the possession and/or release of inflated balloons? Share your thoughts with the Board of Aldermen (click link for email addresses and telephone numbers). Be sure to ask how many sea turtle autopsies reveal balloons as the primary cause of death.
I think you have lost any and all marbles you may have had in your head.
Heather, you look a little stiff on the Wii. Are you sure your Wii age isn’t higehr than your age??? I do see the kid is still in you with the balloons on each wrist. Does it help on the Wii?Hope you had a happy birthday!
It seems we are losing the war for common sense.
I suppose I’ll just have to carry an inflated condom instead….. Idiots.
OMG,
Has It Reached The Point Of Taking Away The Fun That Kids, Parents & Or An Elderly Person Walking On The Beach Can Have & Be Worried About A Silly & Ridiculous Fine As This.
Very simple…..Either VOTE them out next election cycle, OR start a recall pettion to get them removed from thier positions…..
Now I would get fined if I bring a balloon to the beach, but would bringing an Uzi to shoot at man eating sharks would be ok?
There wouldn’t be any “New” rules if people would be responsible, unfortunately this is a case of a few ruining it for all. I applaud the board for taking bold actions to do the right thing.
Several years ago, I used to get my kids balloons every time we went to the grocery store. More often than not the balloons would get away from us…. balloons are meant to fly. But even though they are made to fly… they eventually fall. For years, I never thought about the impact that a single balloon could have… they seem so harmless… and they are indeed fun.
Then during my son’s week long surf camp, they made a trip to the local sea turtle hospital. My son learned that sea turtles often mistake balloons as one of their favorite foods: jellyfish. You see, for a turtle a jellyfish is like an ice cream. And as the string hangs down it takes on the appearance of a jellyfish and the only way for a turtle to know if it’s a jellyfish is to do a taste test. When my son got home that day, he asked that we stop getting balloons and explained all of that to me. Of course, I listened.
But then I went on to do further research. Here’s the thing. Balloon litter (balloons released purposefully or accidentally are all litter) is harmful to all wildlife and pose a serious threat to birds, whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles… the list is a long one. I looked at countless images and read countless studies about what a seemingly innocent and fun child’s toy could do. Released balloons can land anywhere, including on nature reserves or other areas (including the ocean) where they pose a serious hazard to animals through ingestion or entanglement. And what happens if a balloon is ingested?? The animal dies a slow death from starvation.
Your question is: “how many sea turtle autopsies reveal balloons as the primary cause of death?”
My question for you would be: “How many sea turtles (or other marine animals) do we not know about that have died from ingestion of balloons (or other plastics) because they starved to death in the middle of the ocean??
So I suppose the questions that we all really need to be asking ourselves: Is the experience of going to the beach and not having balloons really going to change the beach (or waterway) experience? OR would not having the marine animals and birds at the beach affect our experience more??
No doubt the beach (and ocean) wouldn’t be the same without shorebirds… without dolphins playing off the coast… without any of the marine animals that make the ocean and beach what it is.
I, personally, applaud the three Board of Alderman– David, Bill S., and Lisa– for adopting a policy that is a positive step in the protection of our natural environment.
I, also, urge you all who have doubts about the impacts of released balloons in our environment to do some research. Don’t make judgements on an educated decision until you know the facts.Several years ago, I used to get my kids balloons every time we went to the grocery store. More often than not the balloons would get away from us…. balloons are meant to fly. But even though they are made to fly… they eventually fall. For years, I never thought about the impact that a single balloon could have… they seem so harmless… and they are indeed fun.
Then during my son’s week long surf camp, they made a trip to the local sea turtle hospital. My son learned that sea turtles often mistake balloons as one of their favorite foods: jellyfish. You see, for a turtle a jellyfish is like ice cream. And as the string hangs down it takes on the appearance of a jellyfish and the only real way for a turtle to know if it’s a jellyfish is to do a taste test. When my son got home that day, he asked that we stop getting balloons and explained all of that to me. Of course, I listened.
But then I went on to do further research. Here’s the thing. Balloon litter (balloons released purposefully or accidentally are all litter) is harmful to all wildlife and pose a serious threat to birds, whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles… the list is a long one. I looked at countless images and read countless studies about what a seemingly innocent and fun child’s toy could do. Released balloons can land anywhere, including on nature reserves or other areas (including the ocean) where they pose a serious hazard to animals through ingestion or entanglement. And what happens if a balloon is ingested?? The animal dies a slow death from starvation.
Your question is: “how many sea turtle autopsies reveal balloons as the primary cause of death?”
My question for you would be: “How many sea turtles (or other marine animals) do we not know about that have died from ingestion of balloons (or other plastics) because they starved to death in the middle of the ocean??
So I suppose the questions that we all really need to be asking ourselves: Is the experience of going to the beach and not having balloons really going to change the beach (or waterway) experience? OR would not having the marine animals and birds at the beach affect our experience more??
No doubt the beach (and ocean) wouldn’t be the same without shorebirds… without dolphins playing off the coast… without any of the marine animals that make the ocean and beach what it is.
I, personally, applaud the three Board of Alderman– David, Bill S., and Lisa– for adopting a policy that is a positive step in the protection of our natural environment.
I, also, urge you all who have doubts about the impacts of released balloons in our environment to do some research. Don’t make judgements on an educated decision until you know the facts.
http://www.seaturtle.org/imagelib/?cat=663&thumb=1
http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/balloons.htm
It’s been nearly 4 years since my 3 young children have gotten balloons, not because I told them “no”… but because they understand that the things they do (intentionally and unintentionally) have an impact on the things they love…
:) Danielle
PLEASE carry an inflated condom…or, better yet, use it. We don’t need individuals who are not aware or are just numb to the obvious frail state our eco systems and are unsupportive of the steps our local lawmakers are taking to change the impact our generation and future has on the environment and the voiceless inhabitants with which we share this world…we don’t really need you to procreate and teach their children to be as close minded about the much needed change required to protect what is left for their grandchildren to enjoy. And, yes, I’m sure leaving that beloved balloon (that is non biodegradable and only lasts about 14 hours) at home may upset your toddler or granny, but if I had my choice to see Loggerhead Sea Turtle hatchlings run to the shore break or stand and hold a balloon…well, I’ll just say for those of you who haven’t witnessed turtles hatch and begin their long journey, you should make an effort to go, just leave your dumb balloon at home. And no, I’ve never seen a sea turtle choke on a balloon. I don’t want to see that…the reason for the vote to ban balloons is to STOP that from happening. My 6 year old does not like balloons and would never ask to bring one to the beach because she is aware of the hazard they can cause to marine life. She knows how easy it would be to lose the balloon and for it to end up in the ocean. And, lastly, for those of you who still don’t agree with or don’t understand the need for this “New” rule, due to irresponsible people and their disregard for the litter they leave at Wrightsville (don’t even get me started on cigarette butts)…don’t come to the beach. Stay at home and play with your balloon. Show up with your Uzi if you want to, but I doubt anyone is going to want to be your friend.
THANK YOU, BOARD OF ALDERMEN…now about that little cigarette butt issue…
THANK YOU, BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Balloons or WildLife
for me its WILDLIFE and hopefully soon for you Too !!
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Some illustrative post..