Opinion

Sep 5 2023
[Regarding transportation on SPI, as published previously by Island Matters.]Aug 15 2023
Editor ?? I have owned a condo on the island for 18 years and have been coming down since 1992. I like all the progress. It would...Aug 1 2023
Editor ?? I saw your recent story on the increase in property tax appraisal protests and thought I?d share my experience attempting to protest wh...Jul 25 2023
Editor ?? In response to the recent Island Matters Question about why we feel sales were off/ lower than expected for June / July: My ...
Jul 21 2023
Business Readers? Island Matters recently launched a campaign for readers to report what they see as newsworthy. Our See it, Snap it, Send i...Jul 11 2023
Editor ??I am a retiree and we spend February every year in spi. We have considered moving there permanently. But as long as Texas is anti...Jul 7 2023
Introducing our new real estate writer ? Tony Altermatt One of the top requests in our annual readers? survey was more frequent real estate infor...
Jul 4 2023
Editor ?? I think the State likes to spend money. What's interesting is beach renourishment only lasts for a very short time before it washes...

Jun 13 2023
Readers? Communities in Indiana are giving between $5,000 and $15,000 to remote workers to relocate to their cities. https://www.makemymove...
Jun 6 2023
We often go weeks and months without needing it. What if we consider this? When the beach looks like this on the days leading up to a week...
Texas Legislature approves open government legislation in session's final days
May 30 2023
Texas Legislature Approves Open Government Legislation in Session?s Final Days
May 24 2023
Editor ?? From: Patrick McNulty <pmcnulty@myspi.org>Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 11:49 AMTo: sarah@islandmatters.org <sarah@islandmatt...
May 15 2023
Letter from the Editor Thank You and an Apology Island Matters Readers? Thank you for completing our survey. We will do this ever...
May 11 2023
Editor ?? Should we rake seaweed into the dunes? It's going to be Memorial weekend tomorrow. This is unacceptable.
May 4 2023
Editor ?(Regarding Short-term rentals) Those who live here have an Island perspective of what is in the best interest of our community. Living he...
Apr 27 2023
Island Matters is frequently asked if SPI could allow non-resident property owners to vote? So Island Matters asked the Secretary of State ...


Texas business interests and family values collide as lawmakers debate legalizing gambling
Apr 6 2023
Texas Tribune: Texas business interests and family values collide as lawmakers debate legalizing gamblingHouse Bill 1942, written by Rep. Jeff Leach, ...
Mar 30 2023
Editor ?? We would like to enter into the discussion begun last week by Vic Sprecher?s Letters to the Editor regarding raking our beaches here on...
Mar 23 2023
Editor ?? Beach Raking. I grew up in Ocean City, MD. We raked the beach every day. It was beautiful. Huge crowds, great Atlantic water...
Feb 16 2023
Editor ?? The article on power is important. One problem with SPI is a lot of the secondary distribution is not street-side. It is behind the hom...
Feb 9 2023
Editor ? Can you give me an update on the status of the hospital and burying the power lines? Certainly.

Dec 30 2022
Editor ? Hello, I want to thank you for all you do towards transparency in our small city/town. So much happens politically in today?...

Dec 1 2022
Re Airlift vs Ground Transportation Editor ? I am not trying to tell you there is no transportation problem, I am just sharing our experienc...
Nov 17 2022
Airlift vs. Ground Transportationby George Block, Editor (Oct. 30, 2022, Harlingen, TX Airport) We arrived on the last Southwest flight Sunday ni...
Oct 27 2022
Editor ? If you own property, do real estate, or rent out your property, I highly recommend a massive "wake up" on South Padre Island as ...

The Livability Index: How Does SPI Stack Up?
Jul 21 2022
The Livability Index: How Does SPI Stack Up?by George Block, Editor, Island Matters The Economist magazine recently published their annual "Livab...

May 19 2022
Strengthening press freedom: 10 recommendations for the world?s democraciesby: The International Press Institute Editor-- In recent ye...
May 5 2022
At the root of democracy: Free flow of informationBy Kelley ShannonEditor-- As Ukrainians fight and die for democracy, Russia is arresting its ow...
Mar 24 2022
Why Corruption Rots Countries Like RussiaPutin?s war only happens because of the decay he enables.by Sean Kernan | Former financial analyst turne...
Mar 3 2022
The ?ART? of Businessby Eleana Jones Editor-- As a child, I always loved art, but I also loved math and logic ? not a common combination! So...
Feb 10 2022
Hunting for Jean Lafitte?s Treasure: A Couple?s ActivityBy Gilbert Hernandez Editor-- During that frigid, rainy, and windy weekend in Januar...
Jan 27 2022
Investing in Families Foreverby Shane Wilson, Founder/CEO, Fishing?s Future

Jul 14 2020
Dear Editor, It seems that based on my ad agency colleague, Don Breeden's letter to the editor, I believe that CVB budget numbers have begun to ...
Jul 13 2020
Dear Editor,After coordinating the advertising for the Brownsville Convention and Visitor?s Bureau for the last 15 years, I will jump in on this. Ste...
Island Matters - Letter to the Editor
Jul 7 2020
Dear Editor,Totally in agreement with CVB leadership! Every beach community and visitor destination is going after the same markets that South P...