Comments on: The Beach at Jekyll Island: A Hopeful Reprieve http://www.whatisgoinon.com/podcast/2008/04/14/the-beach-at-jekyll-island-a-hopeful-reprieve/ Hosted by Wilson R. Smith, Attorney at Law on 100.9 FM WLYU. Presented by TCB Broadcasting, Lyons, Ga. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:11:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: susanme http://www.whatisgoinon.com/podcast/2008/04/14/the-beach-at-jekyll-island-a-hopeful-reprieve/#comment-362 susanme Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:34:52 +0000 http://www.whatisgoinon.com/?p=690#comment-362 Wilson, my ears have been tuned in to every word that was spoken in your interviews covering what's going on with Jekyll Island. I love your straight forward approach to the truth. It is not hard to figure out when someone doesn't answer a question or tries to evade it that they have something to hide. The people of Georgia need to know the truth about what is going on on Jekyll Island. And you have provided us with just that. Thank You, Wilson! Wilson, my ears have been tuned in to every word that was spoken in your interviews covering what’s going on with Jekyll Island. I love your straight forward approach to the truth. It is not hard to figure out when someone doesn’t answer a question or tries to evade it that they have something to hide. The people of Georgia need to know the truth about what is going on on Jekyll Island. And you have provided us with just that. Thank You, Wilson!

]]> By: BlueOnyx http://www.whatisgoinon.com/podcast/2008/04/14/the-beach-at-jekyll-island-a-hopeful-reprieve/#comment-361 BlueOnyx Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:04:13 +0000 http://www.whatisgoinon.com/?p=690#comment-361 And here we have the latest moves in what more and more is appearing to be a carefully devised plan to sell Jekyll Island's soul to the highest bidder. 1. Buried on Page 4A of The Brunswick News this morning, it appears the JIA board has stacked the cards in their favor again by choosing C. Jones Hooks as the new Director of the JIA. Though they're not saying it's a done deal yet, he's the only one left on the short list and hamptonroads.com is reporting he already has the job. Mr. Hooks is the President and CEO of Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance in Virginia, a public-private partnership for the purpose of business attraction and assistance. He's been described as "fearless." It would appear the JIA has itself a ringer! Imagine that. Hmmm...I wonder what his salary will be and how that will compare to what he's making at HREDA. Will his new salary be paid by the JIA or Linger Longer...or both? 2. In retaliation for the organized effort against irresponsible development of Jekyll Island, the JIA is now threatening to not renew the leases of private homes past 2049, when they all expire, apparently in an attempt to thwart the grassroots movement created initially by island residents. It's the old grade school mentality of, "If I can't have it, you can't have it either!" C'mon children...play nice! They are even going so far as to say that's the way the people want it, including Sen. Chapman. Now where have I heard this veiled threat before? Oh yeah...Jerry Keene, addressing a meeting of the Jekyll Island Citizens Association about a year or so ago. They like to pull this one out every time the natives get restless and threaten to throw a monkey wrench into their plans. I can’t for the life of me imagine that if the Linger Longer development comes to fruition that it will generate the kind of revenue required to grease all these palms. What CAN these people be thinking??? And here we have the latest moves in what more and more is appearing to be a carefully devised plan to sell Jekyll Island’s soul to the highest bidder.

1. Buried on Page 4A of The Brunswick News this morning, it appears the JIA board has stacked the cards in their favor again by choosing C. Jones Hooks as the new Director of the JIA. Though they’re not saying it’s a done deal yet, he’s the only one left on the short list and hamptonroads.com is reporting he already has the job. Mr. Hooks is the President and CEO of Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance in Virginia, a public-private partnership for the purpose of business attraction and assistance. He’s been described as “fearless.” It would appear the JIA has itself a ringer! Imagine that. Hmmm…I wonder what his salary will be and how that will compare to what he’s making at HREDA. Will his new salary be paid by the JIA or Linger Longer…or both?

2. In retaliation for the organized effort against irresponsible development of Jekyll Island, the JIA is now threatening to not renew the leases of private homes past 2049, when they all expire, apparently in an attempt to thwart the grassroots movement created initially by island residents. It’s the old grade school mentality of, “If I can’t have it, you can’t have it either!” C’mon children…play nice! They are even going so far as to say that’s the way the people want it, including Sen. Chapman. Now where have I heard this veiled threat before? Oh yeah…Jerry Keene, addressing a meeting of the Jekyll Island Citizens Association about a year or so ago. They like to pull this one out every time
the natives get restless and threaten to throw a monkey wrench into their plans.

I can’t for the life of me imagine that if the Linger Longer development comes to fruition that it will generate the kind of revenue required to grease all these palms. What CAN these people be thinking???

]]> By: evevmiller http://www.whatisgoinon.com/podcast/2008/04/14/the-beach-at-jekyll-island-a-hopeful-reprieve/#comment-360 evevmiller Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:12:01 +0000 http://www.whatisgoinon.com/?p=690#comment-360 Thank you, Mr. Wilson, for covering this saga of the fight for Jekyll Island. As a native Georgian, I never thought such a proposal as the Linger Longer could be on the agenda. It appears that many Georgians now question the motives of self interest as the Jekyll Island Authority prepared to move forward with a ridiculous development, and though they have made a hic cup of change, all eyes and ears need to be open to what lies ahead and their willingness to truly act as guardian of the state park. People like Senator Chapman, Representative Buckner, and David and Mindy Egan have really towed the line to protect Jekyll. I sincerely thank you for your coverage and honesty. Thank you, Mr. Wilson, for covering this saga of the fight for Jekyll Island. As a native Georgian, I never thought such a proposal as the Linger Longer could be on the agenda. It appears that many Georgians now question the motives of self interest as the Jekyll Island Authority prepared to move forward with a ridiculous development, and though they have made a hic cup of change, all eyes and ears need to be open to what lies ahead and their willingness to truly act as guardian of the state park. People like Senator Chapman, Representative Buckner, and David and Mindy Egan have really towed the line to protect Jekyll. I sincerely thank you for your coverage and honesty.

]]> By: bigfoot http://www.whatisgoinon.com/podcast/2008/04/14/the-beach-at-jekyll-island-a-hopeful-reprieve/#comment-358 bigfoot Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:06:55 +0000 http://www.whatisgoinon.com/?p=690#comment-358 The Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) Board, in particular its chairman, Ben Porter and chairman of the Conservation Committee, Mike Hodges, have repeatedly restated their commitment to their mission “to be trustworthy stewards to conserve the natural and cultural resources of the island.” Nice sounding words BUT good stewards of Jekyll Island State Park WOULD HAVE: 1. Adopted the Conservation Plan as a guiding force in any “revitalization” of the park. Instead the board underwent a tedious process of taking out any language in the plan that would restrict development and then buried the plan in their lawyer’s office where it has sat for six months waiting for “review.” 2. Conducted environmental impact studies of the island which would include the delineation line of the Shore Protection, Marshlands and Wetland’s Protection Acts BEFORE fashioning a Request for Proposals for developers. Instead, Hodges and Porter insisted at a public meeting that identifying environmentally sensitive areas could be done CONCURRENT with development. 3. Focused on nature based/ecotourist attractions to increase visitation to Jekyll rather than to build more condos, hotels and time shares on a sensitive barrier island, especially considering that five hotels are currently in varying stages of being rebuilt which will add substantial numbers of new hotel rooms and condo units to the island. 4. Initiated capacity studies to estimate the impact of development on the island’s natural resources, animal life, infrastructure, and quality of visitor experience to Jekyll on their own accord rather than having to be pressured into doing so by conservation and concerned citizen groups at a late date in the development plans. The JIA board needs to realize that the people of Georgia understand that ACTIONS demonstrate stewardship responsibility NOT the empty words they have spoken time and time again, “We on the Jekyll Island Authority Board take our stewardship of Jekyll Island’s natural resources very seriously.” The Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) Board, in particular its chairman, Ben Porter and chairman of the Conservation Committee, Mike Hodges, have repeatedly restated their commitment to their mission “to be trustworthy stewards to conserve the natural and cultural resources of the island.” Nice sounding words BUT good stewards of Jekyll Island State Park WOULD HAVE: 1. Adopted the Conservation Plan as a guiding force in any “revitalization” of the park. Instead the board underwent a tedious process of taking out any language in the plan that would restrict development and then buried the plan in their lawyer’s office where it has sat for six months waiting for “review.” 2. Conducted environmental impact studies of the island which would include the delineation line of the Shore Protection, Marshlands and Wetland’s Protection Acts BEFORE fashioning a Request for Proposals for developers. Instead, Hodges and Porter insisted at a public meeting that identifying environmentally sensitive areas could be done CONCURRENT with development. 3. Focused on nature based/ecotourist attractions to increase visitation to Jekyll rather than to build more condos, hotels and time shares on a sensitive barrier island, especially considering that five hotels are currently in varying stages of being rebuilt which will add substantial numbers of new hotel rooms and condo units to the island. 4. Initiated capacity studies to estimate the impact of development on the island’s natural resources, animal life, infrastructure, and quality of visitor experience to Jekyll on their own accord rather than having to be pressured into doing so by conservation and concerned citizen groups at a late date in the development plans.
The JIA board needs to realize that the people of Georgia understand that ACTIONS demonstrate stewardship responsibility NOT the empty words they have spoken time and time again, “We on the Jekyll Island Authority Board take our stewardship of Jekyll Island’s natural resources very seriously.”

]]> By: rmill777 http://www.whatisgoinon.com/podcast/2008/04/14/the-beach-at-jekyll-island-a-hopeful-reprieve/#comment-357 rmill777 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:02:52 +0000 http://www.whatisgoinon.com/?p=690#comment-357 A great description of what has taken place regarding the impractical, overambitious and overhyped Jekyll Island Revitalization Plan proposed by Linger Longer and supported by some members of the Jekyll Island Authority. A great description of what has taken place regarding the impractical, overambitious and overhyped Jekyll Island Revitalization Plan proposed by Linger Longer and supported by some members of the Jekyll Island Authority.

]]> By: waiting4sanity http://www.whatisgoinon.com/podcast/2008/04/14/the-beach-at-jekyll-island-a-hopeful-reprieve/#comment-356 waiting4sanity Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:28:23 +0000 http://www.whatisgoinon.com/?p=690#comment-356 I also do not believe that our representatives are representing us. It appears they have lost the definition of their job. As for the JIA, I get that they want to "privitize" Jekyll, but then who would pay them? Public land should never be put under the management of a for profit company. I really think we need to go back to the beginning, look at the island, define the sensitive areas, and then plan for the redevelopment of the existing footprint. Every space that is natural needs to remain natural. That means, we don't put playgrounds, volleyball courts, or new buildings on the beach. We do not cut down or "transplant" 200 year old oak trees. We do not dredge out areas where bird and animal habitat will be destroyed. I , for one, am skeptical of the "new"plan. Will they, the JIA and LL, actually listen to us this time before they make a plan, or is the plan already made and we are just going to wait until after elections for them to show us what they plan to do with our island? Thank you so much for keeping Jekyll in front of the public. I also do not believe that our representatives are representing us. It appears they have lost the definition of their job. As for the JIA, I get that they want to “privitize” Jekyll, but then who would pay them? Public land should never be put under the management of a for profit company.
I really think we need to go back to the beginning, look at the island, define the sensitive areas, and then plan for the redevelopment of the existing footprint. Every space that is natural needs to remain natural. That means, we don’t put playgrounds, volleyball courts, or new buildings on the beach. We do not cut down or “transplant” 200 year old oak trees. We do not dredge out areas where bird and animal habitat will be destroyed. I , for one, am skeptical of the “new”plan. Will they, the JIA and LL, actually listen to us this time before they make a plan, or is the plan already made and we are just going to wait until after elections for them to show us what they plan to do with our island?
Thank you so much for keeping Jekyll in front of the public.

]]> By: BlueOnyx http://www.whatisgoinon.com/podcast/2008/04/14/the-beach-at-jekyll-island-a-hopeful-reprieve/#comment-355 BlueOnyx Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:04:18 +0000 http://www.whatisgoinon.com/?p=690#comment-355 If you've read in the paper about what's now on the drawing board for the beach area in question, it looks like there still will be limited beach access. It seems like most of the comments I've seen have been against removing the beach parking areas, but the proposed new plan replaces them with a nature center, bath houses and "green space." I'm wondering if it's like the green space that was put in where the parking lot below (south of) Blackbeard's used to be. Now a meandering road through man-made dunes and trees with limited parking spaces, the former parking lot has lost its appeal for beach-goers. Sure, it's prettier, but if you're not the first in line and you're not the most agile person in the world, you're going to have trouble getting to the once easily accessible beach there. The new proposal could still block access. I've been wondering for years why the JIA hasn't made any attempt to resurface the beach parking lots. Now I see it's so they can claim they're deteriorating (all to their own neglect, they fail to add) and do an end run around the only vehicle the people have to protect their beach access -- The Shore Protection Act. The new plan will still block the beautiful panoramic views of the water from Beachview Drive (if it even still exists after all this) and limit beach access parking. I've said it in other forums and I'll say it again here. If the politicians are so confident that this arrangement with a private partner to develop Jekyll Island is such a great thing, put it as a straw poll on the ballot in November and see if the people of the state of Georgia agree with it. I suspect you'd find in the end that they only supporters it has is the developers themselves and the politicians that are trying to gain something for themselves. I do not believe the people of this state agree with the drastic changes that are being proposed. If you’ve read in the paper about what’s now on the drawing board for the beach area in question, it looks like there still will be limited beach access. It seems like most of the comments I’ve seen have been against removing the beach parking areas, but the proposed new plan replaces them with a nature center, bath houses and “green space.” I’m wondering if it’s like the green space that was put in where the parking lot below (south of) Blackbeard’s used to be. Now a meandering road through man-made dunes and trees with limited parking spaces, the former parking lot has lost its appeal for beach-goers. Sure, it’s prettier, but if you’re not the first in line and you’re not the most agile person in the world, you’re going to have trouble getting to the once easily accessible beach there. The new proposal could still block access.

I’ve been wondering for years why the JIA hasn’t made any attempt to resurface the beach parking lots. Now I see it’s so they can claim they’re deteriorating (all to their own neglect, they fail to add) and do an end run around the only vehicle the people have to protect their beach access — The Shore Protection Act. The new plan will still block the beautiful panoramic views of the water from Beachview Drive (if it even still exists after all this) and limit beach access parking.

I’ve said it in other forums and I’ll say it again here. If the politicians are so confident that this arrangement with a private partner to develop Jekyll Island is such a great thing, put it as a straw poll on the ballot in November and see if the people of the state of Georgia agree with it. I suspect you’d find in the end that they only supporters it has is the developers themselves and the politicians that are trying to gain something for themselves. I do not believe the people of this state agree with the drastic changes that are being proposed.

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