Storm erosion imperils Plum Island cottage

First of all, my heart goes out to Mrs Buzzotta on the lost of her home. Such a shame that with all the requests for assistance, the DEP, Army Corp of Engineers, frederal, state and town officials have not acted to prevent the continued erosion that threaten not only Mrs Buzzotta's home, but over 1,200 homes on the island. Neglect and long-overdue repairs of the Merrimac jetty have contributed to the continued erosion at the center of the island. What will it take for action instead of reaction?

When the project to put in city sewer in on the island was going underway, the significant amounts of sand removed to lay sewer pipes was shipped off to other local beaches instead of being deposited on the shore of PI as the residents repeatedly requested. Whether or not this particular house could have been saved by that sand being placed on the beach on PI will never be known, but that was just one of countless examples of requests for sensible help being completely ignored. This situation did not arise suddenly, it was the result of malignant neglect.

I'm an islander and I also own commercial property there and it gives me tremendous grief to see what has happened to our neighbor. I hope we can create a workable plan and do something NOW to prevent more sadness.

We are sorry to see another home lost to erosion of our shorelines. As the president of Save Our Shores (SOS) in Saco, Maine and a homeowner in Camp Ellis, an area in much the same situation, I have seen too many houses fall because of bad beach management. Our plight involves the jetty at the mouth of the Saco River. We lost two homes to the Patriot's Day Storm last year, and 30+ over the past 100 years. I hope the Army Corps and DEP can come to some understanding that these are homes that have been in families for generations. Our thoughts are with the Buzzotta family.

IMy heart goes out to Ms. Buzzotta. I'd hope that the authorities could find a way to stabilize her home enough temporarily that some of her belongings could be salvaged. How could that not be happening?

IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO LIVE THERE
YOU CAN AFFORD TO LOSE IT ALL THERE
NO PITY FOR THE RICH
HOW BOUT SOME PITY FOR THOSE WHO NEVER HAVE HAD A HOME LIKE THAT EVER?
HOW ABOUT SOME PITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING WITHOUT A THANKSGIVING DINNER...NEVERMIND A HOME.
DISGUSTING COMMENTS BY SOME OF YOU RICH SNOTTY SYPATHIZERS MAKES ME FREAKIN SICK!!
YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!!

I'm shocked there is so much erosion now ..my family rented out the house, pictured to the right in the winter of 1988...there was at least 50' feet of marsh grass in front.

It's so sad that people feel a right to attack others in the midst of a plight on the eve of a holiday dedicated to thanks. While it is a tragedy that could surely have been prevented, it is a tragedy nonetheless. I hope this dear woman is able to retrieve her treasured possessions before her home is lost. What is missing from the previous comment is the realization that many years ago when this home was purchased, the economy supported the ability of families to subsist. The cost of living was much more in line with the average income.
Thanksgiving is not about the dinner, it's about accepting and being thankful for what one has rather than what one has NOT. Re-think your position. FF0ocus on the

hello all,
i dont live on the island but i heard whay was happening.My prayers go out to all that are in jeopardy of losing there home there.Its such a great place.

It is a shame for people to loose their homes. Anyone living on the ocean has to consider the erosional patterns of the beach. It is no surprise that erosion eventually claimed some homes. To think that you can control or stop erosional patterns at a reasonable cost without impacting down stream environments and homes is kidding themselves. I feel bad for anyone loosing their home but consider where some of these homes are being built....

To Erica Drakes,
We can afford to live there because 40 years ago my family purchased the property. We would never be able to purchase the property today. We ask not for your pity but for you to send the word that this is what happens when the government does not step in in time. Geri is not poor nor homeless as she has a loving family around her. We ask kindly to please not attack us or the people who sympathize for our loss but instead leave your opinions in your own home as it is a holiday and a time for thanks not hate.

To Erika Drake
Shame on you for your thoughts.
This is not about rich,this is about a home that someone has owned for some forty plus years.
You have bitter thoughts, which lead me to believe you a re a bitter person.
Again shame on you.....
This family asks for nothing especially form peoiple like you

Please help.

I am searching for a particular photograph similar to the one above. I recall this photo was published in a magazine (popular science or similar type of periodical). The photo depicted the aftermath of a storm that had hit Plum Island many years ago - around 1980 or so. In this photo were three homes, located around the area of Southern Blvd / Annapolis way. All three homes were facing the water and had been undercut like the one above. One of the three houses in the photo had been undermined so badly that it had ROLLED onto its roof and was sitting upside down on the beach. The other two had their front washed away.

I would love to see this photo again. If you have any info, please drop me a line at: innomata@hotmail.com

Thanks.

Erika Drakes, since when was a police lieutenant ever considered rich, first of all? I certainly hope that your bad karma doesn't come back to haunt you too soon. How can you be so cold and heartless? Whatever has happened to you in YOUR life is no excuse to wish ill for others. I pity YOU for your poorness of soul. I hope you can work out whatever inner conflict that has made you such a bitter and horrible human being.

TO ERIKA DRAKES, YOU ARE A HEARTLESS MORON.THERE IS NO NEED TO BE SO PETTY JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO LIVE THERE. YOU ARE A LOSER AND PROBABLE A WELFARE MOM. GET A LIFE

ERIKA DRAKES.....YOUR COMMENT IS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR!

The poor woman! If she can afford to live there GodBless her! That is the dream of most people! Oh well!

Erika Drakes - What a small person you must be. Making such irrational accusations. I hardly doubt this poor woman was rich. If you bothered to read the article, it says very clearly that her husband built it himself from "a crumbling shack into what would become a comfortable, year-round home." Doesn't exactly sound luxurious. It must be lonely to be such a miserable person. If you want pity, you've got it.

This situation is a shame, best of luck to the buzzotta family.

Dear Ms. Erika Drakes

I am the daughter of geri buzzotta, and am responding to the email you sent in regarding the devestation that has hit my family. I am very hurt by your judgement and harsh words which you express toward my family without even knowing anything about us. Let me just give you a brief background.......
My parents have been in love since 15 years old, and sustained a loving, healthy relationship and marriage for over 60 years. They were both raised in old fashioned families where college was not an option, only hard work with their own two hands. My parents had three children, my mother stayed at home with us kids, while my father worked three jobs throughout our entire childhood. Many holidays he missed with his family, and there were no vacations.

Because Plum Island was a place they would go to visit during their highschool romance, they always dreamed of someday having a vacation home there to build memories of their own someday. For very little money ($12,000.00 to be exact) they purchased this old run down cottage. And little by little my fathers sweat year after year for 40 years turned it into a place that provided love and memories for their children, and grandchildren. After his sudden stroke 20 years ago (which the doctors couldn't believe he survived), he and my mother began the uphill battle to preserve his health, and tried to hold onto whatever quality of life he had left. And because of the love and committment, my mother took care of him day after day for 18 years until his death just 2 years ago. Plum Island was a huge expense for my mother to keep up with all these years, but because it was their own paradise, and a place that brought them such peace and happiness, and such valuable memories, it was a priority for her to hold onto it.
After his death, she lost his pension, money has been very tight, and this cottage became her primary residence. For the past two years, the erosion has been getting worse, and the fear of this nightmare has been weighing heavily on our minds. Well now it's done. My mother has nothing. She has no clothes, no furniture, no tangible memories of my father and their life together. She , at 79 1/2 does, however, have three adult children and their spouses, and eight grown grandchildren, which are all nearby and she is thankful for that !!!
Well now you know alittle bit about who you so harshly judged, and gave your opinion with such painful words. I can only assume that your life has not been so full, and you have not been as fortunate to have someone in your life who was willing to do whatever it took to build the memories that we all hold onto right now as we visit the site of a big empty sand dune. One point you are right about is that we ARE "weathly" with the memories we have, and the symobolism of what that house meant.
So in closing, i hope you find it in your heart next time you are perusing the internet, looking to prey on another victim, to keep your opinions, judgements, and painful words to yourself. There really is no room for them anywhere else.

I don't think anyone wants to see someone lose their home But you choose to live in an area where nature is in control. Erosion is a natural occurrence. You have a right to live where you want but to demand the government (taxpayers) spend money that would be a temporary fix at best. is absurd. You live there at your own risk and expense.