OPEN GOVERNMENT HEROES: BABS McDONALD and MINDY and DAVID EGAN, Jekyll Island activists: How many visitors does island get?

Babs McDonald realizes that open government comes with a price.

Earlier this year, McDonald, who lives in Athens, requested documents from the Jekyll Island Authority concerning sharp declines in the number of people visiting the island.

The information she wanted was not in one file, the authority responded, but she was free to examine all the files she wished —- 186 boxes containing 1,000 pages each, at a cost of $425. Or she could order copies of everything, which would come to $46,500.

“I could just imagine myself walking into a room with a monitor, i.e. guard, and looking at these boxes. Where would I begin?” said McDonald, who works for the U.S. Forest Service. “As a citizen of the state and as a scientist, I believe they ought to be held accountable for sharing how they arrived at those figures. I can’t imagine that the information would be on 180,000 pieces of paper.”

Eric Garvey, senior director of marketing and business development for the authority, said the authority’s staff was not able to reasonably fulfill McDonald’s request.

“She wanted all these archived documents. It was unfortunate that it did seem like a lot of money,” he said.

McDonald and others involved in the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island, which claims 10,000 members, are concerned about plans for a giant $352 million redevelopment of the island by Linger Longer Communities. The plan envisions a “town center” built on 63 acres on Jekyll with hotels, condominiums, time shares, a convention center and a retail center. It also calls for park space and an environmental education center.

Opponents say the authority, known as the JIA, has not been forthcoming in responding to requests for information related to the project.

Garvey dismisses those charges.

“Not only does the Jekyll Island Authority take its responsibility to open government seriously with respect to documents, we also answer any correspondence we receive,” he wrote in an e-mail to the AJC. “We understand we are a public entity, and if someone requests a document, most often times it is just handed to them. We do get more formal requests from time to time, and those we log and coordinate responses with our representative from the attorney general’s office.”

David and Mindy Egan are the founders and co-directors of the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island. Part of the Egans’ argument about the Linger Longer redevelopment plan is that the JIA has understated the number of visitors to Jekyll as a way of showing that the island is in need of redevelopment.

David Egan says visitation has not declined by 47 percent between 1996 and 2007, as the JIA reported, but by 15 percent.

In addition, the group is often told that information it wants from the JIA is not available, Egan says, or the information is not provided in a timely fashion.

The activist said he has not received a response to questions submitting in writing earlier this year about the original master plan for a 24-acre development, which now has more than doubled in size. When he asked that question at a board meeting in January, he says he was told to submit the request in writing.

“You get a question that people don’t want to answer, and the response is, ‘Stick it in writing.’ You stick it in writing, and it dies,” he said.

Garvey, the JIA’s marketing chief, said the authority has “no record of receiving this question in a letter or in e-mail.” He added that “we reject the charge that the JIA is not responsive to the public, and we are prepared to demonstrate our responsiveness with copies of our log, copies of correspondence, etc.”

The Egans have set up a Web site —- savejekyllisland.org —- and have become lightning rods in the debate over Jekyll’s future. They joined forces with McDonald in Athens and also found an ally in Atlantan Dory Ingram, a frequent Jekyll visitor who worries about the barrier island.

“Mindy and David have been completely dedicated to seeing that the visitors to Jekyll Island and the people of Georgia get their say” about development on the island, Ingram said. “This year, we’ve become a pretty prominent voice. It’s obvious that somebody out there is listening and is aware that the people are trying to make their voice heard.”

Babs McDonald, meanwhile, believes the Georgia Open Records Act is a vital tool. It was passed “so that government can be accountable, even when it doesn’t really want to be accountable,” she said.

“I guess I wish that the people of the state would demand, because it is their state park, that the JIA open up its records,” McDonald said. “If they can’t, I think we ought to say, ‘Uh-uh, you can’t do this kind of project and not be accountable for the numbers.’ “

Tags: atlanta journal constitution, Georgia Open Records Act, jekyll island redevelopment, jekyll island revitalization
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On March 13, AJC reporter Dan Chapman filed a story that is nothing more than a re-hash of events that have already taken place and of information that has already be cleared up. Mr. Chapman was sent complete information that explains the accounting issue, along with letters from the State Auditor and reports from the Attorney General that show that the claims against the Jekyll Island State Park Authority are not true. Below are a few points to consider as you read this article:

1. The headline is remarkably similar to that used by Sen. Chapman in his discredited press release.

2. The writer refers to Sen. Chapman as the “region’s top legislator…” One must recognize House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons), Senator Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) and Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons). No disrespect to Sen. Chapman, but Rep. Cecily Hill (R-Kingsland) and Rep. Roger Lane (R-Darien) also appear to have more legislation and more committee appointments.

3. The State Auditor is Russell Hinton, and he has sent letters acknowledging that Jekyll Island Authority’s numbers do add up! Mr. Thornton is a staff person in the Department of Audits. We have talked to Mr. Hinton, and so have many legislators that wanted to get a direct an explanation.

4. Dan Chapman, along with Sen. Chapman play with words with respect to the 2006 Annual Report. It shows a net loss, after depreciation! Most people know that depreciation is a non-cash expense, so yes the Earnings Statement shows a loss. But when you convert it to cash flow, the Jekyll Island Authority did not lose money. We are not allowed to by statute, we must be financially self-supporting. And of course when you add Grant Funds, you have even more money. But then you also have to look at the expense side of those, and all that money was spent on specific capital improvement projects.

5. The words “local sales tax revenues used for sewer projects…” refers to SPLOST projects on Jekyll Island that were approved by voters of Glynn County. Just like Grants that do not have to be repaid, SPLOST funds go directly on the balance sheet against the specific capital improvement project. We think it would be more misleading to include that on an Earnings Statement.

6. Dan Chapman repeats a quote from Sen. Chapman that the Jekyll Island Authority is “crying wolf.” I asked Dan Chapman to look at our Annual Reports or any other communication that the Jekyll Island Authority has put out, and honestly determine if we do anything of the sort. All of our communication is about positive accomplishments. The simple fact is that we identified the clear downward trend in visitation and started talking about how to solve it many years ago. That is the basis we have used for the initiative to revitalize Jekyll Island. We have not pointed to year-to-year variations in statistics, but the long-term downward trend and how to reverse it.

Even if you want to acknowledge Mr. Egan’s assertion that visitation is down only 15%, it is still accurate to say that the trend is downward, that it is “lagging” as it is counter to the tremendous growth in the region both in terms of population and tourism.

7. Dan Chapman failed to mention that Sen. Chapman’s concern over the Trammell Crow agreement was reviewed by the Attorney General and he found no problems with it, and that it is incorrect to call it a tax abatement nor does it violate the gratuities law. The Attorney General determined it is a standard property lease.

8. I understand the local radio talk show host took particular offense to my quote at the end of the article. That quote was pulled from my statement to Dan Chapman specific to the question over the traffic data between 1996-1997, not financial information. I was trying to explain the purpose of compiling these visitation numbers, and that the focus of our analysis will be to determine the optimum amount of visitation for the experience we want guests to have on Jekyll Island. We are looking forward, and want to have expert analysis help answer this important question.

9. Lastly, the chart again only chooses to show the revenue differences. As we have shown, there are also expense differences that net out to basically reflect the fact that we put Grants right onto our balance sheet as an asset, and the Audit Department converts them to revenue to incorporate into their CAFR. So they have only shown half of the story.

Chairman Porter responds:

“Mr. Chapman is consistent. He consistently tells half of the story, and doesn’t bother to check sources and learn the other half. As usual, his story today contains partial, incorrect information intended to mislead the public.”

Tags: atlanta journal constitution, Dan Chapman, Jeff Chapman, jekyll island authority
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     This post is in response to Al Hurt’s editorial in the Atlanta Journal Constitution 02/05/2008.

     By Eric Garvey, Senior Director of Marketing & Business Development Jekyll Island State Park Authority

     Jekyll Island, Ga. — The Jekyll Island State Park Authority is not accustomed to making headlines or stirring up controversy. Most of our work here involves things like protecting sea turtle nests, preserving historic sites, serving conventioneers, taking care of day visitors and vacation guests; and maintaining some of the country’s most natural and pristine beaches.

     But since last fall, when the Authority chose a private revitalization partner to assist us in redeveloping the central area of the island, a small number of vocal critics have raised questions and, frankly, have spread misinformation about the Authority’s efforts and its mission.

     The General Assembly created the Authority in 1950 to manage Jekyll Island, a state-owned coastal treasure to be enjoyed by all Georgians. Each day we work hard to be trustworthy stewards, conserving and preserving the island’s vast natural and cultural resources through the use of revenues generated by providing services, programs and amenities that maximize benefits to everyone on the island.

     To accomplish our mission, we must attract visitors to Jekyll Island each year, and generate enough revenue to keep state taxpayers from paying the substantial cost of running the island.

     Faced with lagging attendance and declining revenue, the Authority launched an effort to revitalize its aging hotels, shops and convention center. Because the majority of the structures were built in the 1960s, it was clear that the change was going to involve a great amount of redevelopment. The Authority is not a real estate developer, and it made good sense to find a high-quality private partner to help us.

     In September 2007, the Authority concluded a public Request For Proposal by selecting Georgia-based Linger Longer Communities as our revitalization partner. In its proposal, Linger Longer presented a Beach Village concept that would create a wonderful new destination on the island.

      There have been understandable questions about the revitalization, but there are a number of key facts that the public should know:

      The Beach Village proposal is a concept plan. This is not a final plan, and public input is being used to change and enhance it. The Authority, working with Linger Longer, will take as much time as needed to ensure we have a plan that limits impact on the natural environment, returns reasonable revenue to the Authority, and best serves the people of Georgia.

      The Beach Village concept plan is contained for the most part to previously developed areas, where the aging convention center and strip shopping center sit. It covers less than 2% of the island and our final plan will improve both the view and access to this beach area.

      There are no plans to build on the beach. All construction will be behind the natural sand dunes, and will comply with Georgia’s Shoreline Protection laws.

      The Beach Village will be a model for an environmentally-sensitive development, using LEED and EarthCraft standards for all new construction. Jekyll Island will be the first coastal area to do this.

      The Authority has repeatedly committed that Jekyll Island, including the new Beach Village, will remain affordable and accessible to all Georgians.

      The Beach Village plan was recently discussed in a series of public meetings throughout Georgia. Linger Longer and Authority representatives have been touring the state talking with civic groups and environmental organizations, as well as many Jekyll Island and Georgia residents in their homes.

      The Authority’s Board of Directors and the Jekyll Legislative Oversight Committee have also held public sessions, the most recent on Jan.15th at the State Capitol. The bulk of these meetings have been dedicated to hearing public feedback.

      And as a state entity, the Authority holds monthly public meetings, always reserving time on its agenda for public comment.

      Our critics, though vocal, are a minority. Many people across the state, from business leaders to island residents to regular guests, support the plan to enhance the offerings on Jekyll Island.

      While recently in Brunswick, Gov. Sonny Perdue gave strong words of support for Jekyll Island’s revitalization. The Legislative Oversight Committee, including its leaders, Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams and House Majority Leader Jerry Keen also have commended the progress-to-date.

      The Glynn County Commission has publicly endorsed the plans, as has the Brunswick/Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. The Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia voted to support Jekyll Island revitalization, and meeting planners from around the state have committed more than $25 million in new business if the plans progress.

      Over the past fifteen years, Georgians have voted with their wallets — by not coming to Jekyll Island as they used to, and instead spending their beach vacations in other states. That silent, but powerful vote demonstrates a need for change.

      Based on public input that we continue to receive, the Authority with Linger Longer is making revisions to its plans, and we expect to release a revised version this spring. The revised concept will again welcome an additional round of public comment and review.

      In addition, we will continue each day to welcome all Georgians and their guests to Jekyll Island, care for sea turtles and restore our historic sites. And to help provide on-going facts, we will post updated information, here at the web address www.jekyllislandfacts.com.

Tags: atlanta journal constitution, jekyll island, jekyll island public comment, jekyll island redevelopment, jekyll island revitalization, linger longer
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