Following the devastating natural disasters around the world this past month, including four major hurricanes — Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria — that have hit Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and more, people are coming out in droves to help.
In the early hours of Oct. 22, Chris Dowling climbed aboard his 14-foot stand-up paddleboard just as he’s done countless times. On this day, however, he was surrounded by hundreds of other stand-up paddlers and kayakers, all gathered in the Tennessee River Gorge for the Chattajack 31 River Race — a grueling test of endurance unlike anything he’d had ever experienced.
Flying Point Surf and Sport on Main Street received Planning Board approval Thursday night. (Cyndi Murray photo)
The Greenport Planning Board green-lighted Flying Point Surf Shop’s site plan application Thursday night, despite some controversy last week over its premature opening.
Without discussion the application was approved 4-0, with member Chris Dowling recusing himself since he owns competing business One Love Beach on Main Street.
The smooth passage comes after a passion public discussion during last week’s Planning Board work session when business owners and residents expressed concerns over the store owner’s lack of regard for Greenport’s approvals process during the meeting, saying it was unfair the business opened without approval over Memorial Day weekend.
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Blake Dowling, a co-owner of One Love Beach, said at the meeting, “With the opening of Flying Point this weekend there seems to be an underlying theme of disregard for our [village] and its rules and its merchants.”
Planning Board member Pat Mundus pointed a finger at the village itself. “This is other example of lack of enforcement in the village of Greenport,” she said.
Flying Point owner Mark Zucchero said at the time that he “didn’t know the system.”
The shop was forced to close until it received approval from the board to open up shop.
Now that it’s officially, legally open, the store will carry beach apparel and accessories for men, woman and children and will be open year round.
Flying Point Surf and Sport opened last weekend without proper approval. (Credit: Cyndi Murray)
The owners of One Love Beach surf shop in Greenport and some village officials are not pleased that a competing business opened a Main Street storefront Memorial Day weekend without Planning Board approval — and that the store hasn’t been fined for not following protocol. (more…)
