Jekyll Island Your editorial missed the point again. What Buckner and Chapman are trying to do is to keep Greedy developers from taking beautifully beach front for their condo’s and townhouses. These will be affordable to less than 15% of population. Room rates from $150 to $250 a night is again out of range for most Georgians.
Nobody will answer my question: Why do we need condo’s and townhouses developed on State property? I thought that Jekyll was to be for the average Georgian. The average wage for Georgia is less than $60,000 a year.
Everyone agrees that the present facilities need updated but not with condo’s and townhouses on the beach, renovate the facilities that are there.
It’s too bad that your paper has such a greedy outlook about this project. I would assume that your paper is read by more average Georgians than by people who can afford $500,000 condo’s.
Donovan Schoonover
Townsend, GA
I disagree with the commentary on the “Sneaky tactic…” on so many levels. First, Representative Buckner is only doing what the people of Georgia want - to protect the beach at Jekyll Island from overdevelopment and blocking access to the public. Also, if “no one knows what the final version of the plan will be”, why are we giving Linger Longer - or anyone - carte blanche to proceed as they wish? Jekyll Island will not continue to deteriate without this development. Hotels are already being replaced. Others are planned for renovation or replacement. Once these are completed, there will be plenty of nice, up-to-date rooms available and visitation will increase. Let’s go slow - once the bell has been rung, you cannot un-ring it.
Angela Ivey
Athens, GA
I would like to take exception to the commentary about “Sneaky Tactics”. There is plenty of rejuvenation already in the works on Jekyll Island. The issue has nothing to do with making the State Park better. The great asset is the beach and you think going shopping there on the beach will improve this? I do not blame Linger Longer Communities for wanting to maximize this resource as they were given directions by the Jekyll Island Authority to use that area of the island. That was the bad decision to begin with. The only professional consultants used for this misadventure have been financial consultants telling Linger Longer how many condos and time shares to sell to underwrite the rest of the project. Oh,and by the way, Rep. Buckner is not micro-managing; she is giving thousands of Georgians a voice. I would say that she and Jeff Chapman are heros in all of this.
Martin McConaughy
Tucker, Georgia
Your editorial staff apparently has not reviewed Linger Longer’s winning proposal for revitalizing Jekyll. You say ” it just wouldn’t make sense to deny people access to the one drawing card Jekyll has, which is the beach “. That is precisely what we opponents have been saying. The winning proposal as selected by the JIA calls for removing the existing convention center, moving Beachview Drive further from the beach and constructing condos, hotels and private residences from the present convention center site to Blackbeards restaurant. That effectively denies the general public access to the beach.
Lamar Williamson
Townsend, GA
The problem is we disagree with what it is that will improve Jekyll Island.
Maybe the answer is to let the sides take their ideas to the public, a
referendum on Jekyll. Actually putting the decision in the hands of the
people who, after all, own the place. Democracy, what a novel idea of a way
to conduct public business.
Janie Hopwood
Tifton Georgia
You are correct but misguided. The Governor and his hand picked Jekyll Island Authority are about to commit the ultimate sneak attack on the people of Georgia by placing in the hands of his political supporters for development,one of the most treasured portions of land in the State of Georgia. When I visit the beach, I want to see the dunes, sea oats and ocean views not hi rises and shopping centers. If I want to see these , I can visit Hilton Head, Miami or even Panama City. It is true Jekyll could use revitalization of motels etc., but this should be accomplished within the current areas without enlarging our destructive footprints to the remaining unspoiled portions of the island. If the politicians are listening, this is the same message they are being sent from across Georgia and it would be well for the message to be heeded.
Larry Pickett
Jackson, Ga.
I am intrigued with your complete support of the proposed Linger Longer development on Jekyll Island and no mention of other hotel development. Your paper makes it sound like it’s the Linger Longer proposal for revitalization or nothing. What Rep. Buckner is trying to do is save the heart of Jekyll Island, it’s central beach, from “Over Development”. Two hotels have been demolished and need to be rebuilt. The Shopping center needs redevelopment. Perhaps the convention center needs redevelopment. The magnitude of the Linger Longer Development is not needed.
Your article said that “…no one knows what the final version of the plan will be.” Rep Buckner is trying to make sure that the final version of the plan will not spoil the integrity of Jekyll Island.
Your article said that , “Secondly, why would anyone spend or invest $342 million in a project that would deny people access to the one drawing card that Jekyll Island has, which is the beach?” Rep. Buckner is attempting to make sure that everyone who visits Jekyll Island has access to the beach.
Judy Winiecki
White Bear Lake, MN
Talk about trying to shove something distasteful down the throats of Georgians!
Isn’t that exactly what you’ve been trying to do from the moment the island was handed over to Linger Longer?
Your endless boosterism on their behalf is incredible.
You know damned well that opposition to Linger Longer’s project is based on the the fact that it will overwhelm the beachfront with condos, hotels, and time shares where none have ever been before, on the most accessible beachfront on Jekyll.
And opposition is also based on the appearance (or the reality) of political cronyism. Jekyll was handed over to the Reynolds family by politicians & their cronies who most certainly stand to profit from this handout, directly or indirectly. To hell with the wishes of the people of Georgia.
But this island is not just a random piece of real estate to be tossed out as a political patronage plum.
It is an immensely precious place to millions of Georgians.
Why are you so rabidly bent on abetting the destruction of what is unique & beautiful about Jekyll? Why do you want to make it look like every other beachfront from New Jersey to Florida?
I have come to Jekyll at least yearly for more than 25 years because it is NOT Virginia Beach, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, St. Simons, Fernandina, etc., etc. etc.
If it is ruined by condos & beachfront development, I will never come back and WILL NOT SPEND ANOTHER DIME IN GLYNN COUNTY. EVER.
You have some nerve to criticize Debbie Buckner & Jeff Chapman for having the courage to represent the wishes of the people of Georgia.
Poll your readership, folks. You will find out exactly how angry you are making your readers pushing Linger Longer down THEIR throats.
They are not stupid people. They know lies, greed and cronyism when they see them. They know smoke and mirrors when they see them
Joan Lardin
Hawkinsville, GA
Jekyll Island thoughts, late as they may be: The reasons we enjoy it so much-bike paths winding through sand dunes, scrub oaks & ocean views; the fishing pier; clam cove picnic area; the miles of wild flowers along the road side leading to the island; river and marsh views; the historic refurbished Jekyll Island Club and its many cottages; the boardwalk. Nature and history side by side. The Sydney Lanier Bridge. Things that we could do without-the houses that are already there, they don’t fit either in design nor in philosophy of a State Park; obviously condo’s, town houses or more houses; Improvement’s that would be just that improvements-a central complex with a quality convention center of architectual interest and esthetic appeal, while still being usable. More board walk, extended bike/walking trails done with appearance as well as functional considerations. Fix the pier. It does not bode well that for the last several years a sign says a portion of the pier is unsafe due to unstable concrete underpinnings? The parking lot by the current convention center is unnecessarily large and quite ugly. Get rid of the strip mall, and incorporate shops, stores etc. into the central complex previously mentioned. Start buying up the many small leased homes, a few at a time, and eliminate them, or at least rebuild them with some thought to southern coastal living. Maybe duplexes or yes even town houses for rent, partially subsidized by the state, so that the average family could stay there? The conventioneers do need a place. Remember they need to look a whole lot better than the hodge podge that currently inhabit the island. Invest with thoughts of the long term. I believe the majority of Georgian’s would be willing to pay for such a plan, as well as the many people who visit from afar. Where do we send our $100? We do not need another Holiday Inn, nor do we need a modern day version of the Jekyll Island Club. We do realize that to some degree it has to be financially self sufficient. However, their must be philanthropists out there as well, have they been solicited?Frank & Pat Smith
Argyle, NY
What seems to be sliding under the news radar is the fact that revitalization of Jekyll Island is already underway. The Days Inn facility was remodeled; the old Holiday Inn and Buccaneer were razed in preparation for new hotel/condo facilities; what was once a seedy Jekyll Estates Inn is now the upmarket Beachview Club and millions have gone into the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and Crane Cottage. Does that mean the revitalization of the island is complete? No way! On the other hand, neither does it mean we need hundreds of new condos/vacation homes and 3 new hotels blocking the only available stretch of beach at high tide. Thousands of Georgians visit this stretch of beach every year. Itís their beach, not Linger Longerís.
The residents of Jekyll are not happy with the plans - not because we see property values declining with such a plan. Indeed, the values would probably increase substantially. We are in the minority when it comes to people opposing the plan. Thousands of people across Georgia and in fact, 48 other states have unequivocally stated their opposition to the plan. If you donít want to listen to Jekyll residents, fine ñ listen to six or seven thousand other Georgians. If you want to see the other side of the coin, just visit www.savejekyllisland.org.
We can accept that Jekyll must be self-sustaining. Thatís quite different from having it become a ìcash cowî for the state and for greedy developers.Howard Sculthorpe
Jekyll Island
I suspect the most prudent starting point on Jekyll Island would be to simply rebuild or renovate existing lodgings and maybe modernize the golf course etc. Then if more still seems needed, let’s cross that bridge when we come to it. Let’s keep it a lovely low key place of natural beauty, a wildlife sanctuary and an unpretentious refuge for all Georgians.
Modest upgrades like I’ve noted may well be sufficient to satisfactorily support whatever the needed amount of convention business may be and, if some conventioneers want more commercial and upscale accomodations, St. Simons is a very pleasant nearby alternative.
I doubt the new development plan is in keeping with what Jekyll has long been, and what I hope it will continue to be. It is a unique and special place that I fear could be changed forever, headed down a slippery slope. I find it hard to believe most Georgians support the existing development plan, based on discussions I’ve had with other residents and visitors.
My family, friends and I have been meeting on Jekyll at least once a year for many years running. I am a fiscal conservative and revitalization is not a dirty word for me, but I feel Jekyll should remain Jekyll. We all refer to it as ‘Georgia’s jewel’ for a reason. I welcome the positions of Ed Boshears on the JIA, and Senator Jeff Chapman, and I suggest interested Georgians may like to visit www.savejekyllisland.org.Charles Busfield
Marietta, GA
Plans for Jekyll is all about money plus GREED. The Linger Longer plan is a set up for the well off people to get their hands on prime waterfront property and Linger to make a pot full of money. This is a State Park not a private development.
Less than 20% of Georgians will be able to afford the condo’s and townhouses. This does not strike me as something for the average Georgian who makes less than $50,000 per year. The price they are quoting for the room rates are also above the affordability of the average Georgian.
This brings me to the my main question, ‘WHY DO WE NEED CONDO’S AND TOWNHOUSES ON JEKYLL’.
I am not against renovation of the existing facilities but NO condo’s and townhouses are needed to get the average Georgian back to Jekyll.
I also have a comment about your editorial, ‘Jekyll plan opponents need to learn the facts’. Maybe it would be nice if the paper would report what is really going with the Linger proposal and how the average Georgian feels about this proposal. They are trying to steal millions of dollars of waterfront property to build condo’s for the upper class. This beach front belongs to every Georgians not just the few that can afford $500,000 condo’s
It goes back to what I said above, the Linger proposal is about GREED AND MONEY.Donovan Schoonover
Townsend, GA
The plan to revitalize facilities on Jekyll Island did appear to swell into something larger than life.
Why the argument? Why doesn’t the “opposition” just be patient and wait for the final proposal? Why can’t “everybody just get along”?
The Jekyll Island Authority has been discussing various ideas for upgrading Jekyll Island State Park’s amenities for years, resulting in several Master Plans for the revitalization of it’s aging facilities. They have held many open forums with residents, business owners, anyone who had an interest in the future of Jekyll Island State Park. They asked for our opinions on what Jekyll should become. Surveys were filled out, thousands of opinions were stated, and the results were tabulated. The people who had an interest in JISP had spoken. We were told, that the results of these surveys would be considered, and used to help arrive at a revitalization plan.
Building large hotels on the beach; interrupting Loggerhead sea turtles’ nesting areas; developing natural areas that were not in the allowable 35% portion of the island; blocking the view of the ocean by eliminating Beachview Drive; removing the parking used by day-trippers, school and church groups (many who have never seen the ocean), were never on the list to be considered for Jekyll Island’s future revitalization plans.
There has never been a step in this current LLC proposal process that has raised a glimmer of confidence that the current JIA Board will consider the wishes of the people, regardless of their words to the contrary.
Ignoring the Shore Protection Act and planning hotels on the beach, as well as carving out several acres of legally protected, unavailable land for development, makes me believe that there was little guidance given LLC in their invitation to bid this project.
There is good reason to believe that the final proposal will be just that. If we, who are opposed to any parts of this current proposal, don’t voice our concerns now, before the final proposal, there will be no incentive for the Jekyll Island Authority Board and LLC to change anything.
Jim Gertis
We are from Switzerland and spent last november our holidays on Jeckyll Island where our cousin lives. We had a wonderful time and specially enjoyed the nature of the island. We already than heard that there is a big project ongoing. Investors want to build big hotel infrastructure at the beachfront. We remember great bicycle rides along that cost and think that it would be a big mistake to build in that place. The unique nature, on land and in water, Jeckyll Island has should be protected and not destroyed. Tourists come because of the nature and once there is no nature left, tourists will not come anymore.
Monika & Roberto Mirasola |
Jekyll Island Club Member Cornelius Newton Bliss, one of the biggest dry goods merchants of New York, was frequently nominated for public office and just as frequently declined the honor, refusing opportunities to be elected governor and mayor of New York and even turning down the opportunity to be President McKinley’s running mate in the 1900 national elections before Theodore Roosevelt accepted the nomination.
Bliss had a relatively modest proposal for a beginning Forest Bureau, which he described as a trained corps of 50-60 professional forest agents, supervisors, patrolmen, and assistants to patrol the reserves and enforce regulations. While he was unable to establish a Forest Bureau during his tenure in office owing to a lack of funds, he did go a long way towards establishing a vision for preserving the nation’s forest resources. He spoke of the benefits of such a plan to preserve timber, prevent forest fires, and save the country’s forests for future generations.
