Protect Jekyll Island Message Center

Keep Jekyll Island for the Regular Folks

camille — Thur, 09 Oct 2008 13:44:00 GMT

My husband and I came down to J I on a two week trip from Charleston ending up at JI for a 10 day stay. We we right in the middle and on the tail end of Hurricanes the entire time and finally got to come into JI 3 days late and ride Hurricane Ivan out with the Evacuee's.
WE fell in love with the Island then and have been back three times a year since.
We use to take cruises, etc and we haven't been on one since....we choose to spend all of our vacation time on Jekyll Island and I have found an affordable way to do so.
We have made some Wonderful friends at Lattitude 31 and the Rah Bar and have met and fell in love with the Monroe's at the Putt Putt Golf shop.
We find the quite, laid back life there like Therapy for us and dread leaving every time we pull out of the Island.
It would break our hearts to see the Island turned into another Panama City or Destin.......if that is what you want....it is only a little further down the road......why disrupt this beautiful island and put all the Traffic and NOISE there, oh..I know GREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, once it done ...it'll be like AIG and all these other big Companies....they will have their MONEY and you will have your Noise, and a mess. There won't be any going back.
God has only made so much Land...........and he is not going to make any more.!!!
These people have been other places and built and why do you think they are coming To J I?????????????? GREED.... They don't care about the wildlife, the little folks, the beauty and simplicity of the Island.........
If it gets so pricey....I know we won't be able to return as we do and won't want to.........we can always find a Panama City................we will look for something close to J I where we can get some rest and enjoy the peace and the People of the Island and somewhere we Can Afford.
Please think before you turn this wonderful place over to a bunch of People like the ones that have gotten us into this mess with ECONOMY and then run off with our money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please keep it affordable so, we and people like us can come back.

Linger Longer Exec resigns

Patch — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:21:06 GMT

Rob Mitchell, the President of Linger Longer has apparently resigned according to a press release last week. He is moving to NC for a new job/business.

overkill

ashley — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:31:07 GMT

to see what jekyll will look like in the furture, just visit st simons island. looks like downtown atlanta @ rush hour

PLEASE USE HIM AS A RESOURCE!!!!

Jekyll_Junkie — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:16:07 GMT

As plans go forward for the so-called "revitalization" of Jekyll Island, I think it is critical that we do EVERYTHING possible to study the environmental issues and to find ways to increase visitors and visitor "experience" on the island in the natural settings, rather than merely building bigger and more "glitzy" s0-called attractions that may or may NOT accomplish the goals we want to see accomplished.

I have just returned home after 10 days on the Island and after attending the public "information meeting" on Monday, the 23rd, of September. Instead of staying in a motel this time, we stayed at the home of a friend who is a resident of Jekyll, and I really learned some valuable things about the island!!

Our friend, Albert Tate, is a Naturalist, teaching currently at Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta/Decatur, and he is vitally interested in Jekyll's future as he and his wife will retire there in a few years. He and I sat up almost all night Sunday night while he explained a wonderful plan he is working on to promote implementation of environmentally friendly attractions to Jekyll Island that would celebrate its fabulous biodiversity.

I hope you are aware of his dreams and goals for the island and that you will use him as a "serious" asset going into the immediate and long-range future.

How Do We Tell JIA!

Savetheisland — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:52:05 GMT

Jeykll Island is a State Park they need to listen to the voice of the people. Jeykll is not the place for private resort type development.

Maybe the JIA needs to hear from a ton of people who feel that Jekyll, as a STATE PARK, is not the place for private resort-type development but rather would be better served by amenities and facilities that are consistent with the mission of the Georgia state park system. Revitalization can and should take place on Jekyll w/o sacrificing what Jekyll's all about.

WHAT ABOUT THE TURTLES???

Savetheisland — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:59:52 GMT

Has anyone even thought about that if these developers build new high rise condo's that it might affect the Sea Turtles pattern. The lights form the high rise might cause the turtles not to come ashore to lay the eggs. This was one of my main concerns when I heard about Jeykll's redevelopment. WE MUST TAKE ACTION FOR THEM.
THEY WERE HERE LONG BEFORE US!

BEACH PROBLEM

ACPDALLAS — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:19:44 GMT

On Friday August first, as we drove back from a vacation in N. Carolina, my wife and I decided to spend the weekend in the area, which we attempted to do. We stayed Friday night in a Sea Island hotel and the next morning drove over to Jekyll for a day at the beach. That is where our vacation ended.

At about 1:15 as I walked the beach, I was attacked by an unleashed dog while his owner sat in a beach chair. The owner of this approximate 75 pound lab/retriever had to pull his dog off and restrain him. The owner, a young man in his mid to late twenties, apologized profusely and said the dog had never attacked anyone, and certainly not unprovoked. By that time my hand was bleeding from the dog's bite, so I hurried to my car for a first aid kit to clean the bleeding wound.

Although the bite was small, it bled alot. Between the blood and the size of the dog, I was truly upset. By the time I'd cleaned the wound, the dog's owner had packed up and left.

The only telephone number available was that of the welcome center shown on the "hand-out" received when you pay your entry fee. I explained what happened and that by then the bleeding had stopped and I could tell it was only a small puncture wound. The on duty manager insisted that he send out the island paramedics which he did. Incidentally, I had to meet them at the strip mall since the beach entries and restrooms are not lettered or numbered, so the Center manager could not determine where I was situated, which happened to be the most crowded part of the beach.

Now that youve heard my unpleasant experience, I'll get to the real purpose of this message. Originally from Georgia, for the past nine years I've resided on Florida's Gulf Coast. I'm infinitely familiar with the local beaches since I lived for five years "on the beach" (Longboat Key) and subsequently within ten minutes of the beach at Siesta Key. There is not one beach entry where parking is provided that is not properly MARKED. There is a sign posted with the do's and don'ts at each entry. Additionally, the entries are all have numbers, so in case of an accident, a specific locality can be sited to police or medics. Oh yes, they do include an emergency phone number in the postings and for those who can't read, there are symbols for each posting.

The point is that Jekyll's beach is poorly operated, more directly -- not operated at all. This is an area that a fee is paid for admittance; your guests, both Georgia residents and tourists , deserve better.

Yazoo Land Fraud & Great Jekyll Land Scam Sounds Like Twins

wordsb1truth — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:52:36 GMT

Georgia Constitution - State can NOT enter into Contracts beyond 30 years. Interesting since the state entered into 99 year contracts concerning Jekyll Island and the Altamaha Park LAND Leases.
And 50 years with the City/County Hospital, Using Tax Dollars to Improve the lands with roads, infrastructure and buildings then they revert back to the PRIVATE Owners Just like the Great Yazoo Land Fraud. or they trade or give it to the selected Private Owners.

Sea Island been doing this with other lands involving the county for years

Yazoo Land Fraud & Great Jekyll Land Scam Sounds Like Twins
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazoo_land_scandal

http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-663

hotel room cost

ssosebee — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:11:44 GMT

I just read the may 12th ,minutes of the jia board meeting. I thought they said they was going to keep the room rates cheap enough for the avarage georgian . by what they are saying. $135.00 a night isnt avarage for most of us.Why dont the public have any say in the prices. its our park. not just those who want to line their pockets with cash.

Hotel Construction?

danro2005 — Thur, 08 May 2008 01:28:40 GMT

Most of the old hotels have been down for over a year, and yet I didn't see any "rebuilding" activity when I was on the Island in April. Is there a reason none of the old hotel sites have started a rebuilding? Has the Jekyll board not approved those plans? Are they trying to "force" the Linger Longer development by keeping the hotel rooms on the island at a minimum?

Don't mean a thing if the beaches are gone

Fishface — Thur, 10 Apr 2008 17:11:35 GMT

This is what I don't understand about the whole debate. Hurricane Andrew took a big chunk of sand away from the beaches. There is now lots of exposed peat, and high tide washes up to the rocks on a good portion of the island.

Barrier ecology tells us that replacement sand comes from "upstream" barrier islands--that is, sand flows from north to south. However, the Corps of Engineers has dug a huge deep water channel to the north of the island. Sand that would natrually flow to replace beach sand at Jekyll falls into the channel, and is regularly dredged. Meanwhile, Jekyll sand continues to flow southward.

Until someone decides to tackle this issue, the whole development issue seems moot. No one will come if there are no beaches to come to, development or not. Peat bogs are no replacement for sandy beaches for your family vacation or conference.

Crabbing Hole Path Becomes Major Road

mbsullivansmith — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:48:59 GMT

After looking at the before and after pictures, I just realized that the path to the crabbing hole where my husband grew up crabbing and I have come to love will become a MAJOR ROAD on Jekyll!

Just this past weekend, my husband and I were nearly brought to tears when we took our two year on a walk (free of cars and noise, maybe the occaisional golf cart) to the hole to see some "frabs." We were free to let her run and play as there are no cars back there.

I agree Jekyll needs renovation, build two more stories on the existing hotels, but these pictures are worth a thousand words. Oh My, this will not even be Jekyll anymore. This is too much. How can anyone say this is needed?

Put Casey Cagle on the list

mikeinbuckhead — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:08:24 GMT

to vote against. Please see the attached article from the AJC.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/legbriefs0401b.html

Anyone considered the economy?

TnJekyllFriend — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:02:44 GMT

Let's say they build their condos and timeshares costing a $500 million apiece or more. With the current economy, what if they can't sell them? Sure some would sell...but I saw a very interesting news story talking about all the very expensive condos that have been built along the coast (and elsewhere) hoping to cash in on the booming real estate market, but a large percentage are not selling.

One example was one that only half occupied and not making enough money to pay for the building. They mentioned half completed, abandoned projects, now that the real estate market has tanked. Who is going to be buying these grossly expensive condos (not just on Jekyll, but country-wide) at the asking price, with so many empty ones to choose from? The selling prices are falling, but construction costs are not. Jekyll could potentially end up with all these units, and find that most don't sell.

To me, in light of the current economic situation, if they do manage to proceed with condos, it only makes sense to scale back the number of units. They simply are not going to sell anytime soon.

I don't live in GA, but I am seeing this very thing around Chattanooga where I live. They have been going crazy putting up condos along the river selling for up to $750 million and have plans for more. They were selling, but that has dried up and projects are stalling, owners are getting foreclosed...you know the story.
Of course, the ideal situation is forget this town center thing altogether and stick with renovating existing hotels. Otherwise the JIA and the taxpayers of GA are going to end up with a very expensive mess. Just my opinion.

Where Is Jekyll's Sustainable Future?

GreenMan — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:37:24 GMT

Apparently this missive did not make the 'Ga Politics Unfiltered' Blog as response to Linger Longer's Corporate Lobbyist's piece.
So... Georgia Politics can't be Green?
"Unfiltered" my...well...you know. Here's what I sent (though edited since):

With respect (?) to the current corporate mega real estate project on Georgia's Jekyll, where is any real sustainable plan?

Permeable byways and a limited number of green roofs are all well and good,

but where are solar & wind power, the incredibly efficient new recycled building materials and gray water systems, local food production and any number of other indication that this project actually looks to a truly sustainable future instead of quick profit made on Georgia's birthright?

Only a natural plan that respects both the unique nature of Jekyll and it's actual sustainable natural future should ever be seriously considered over any corporate profiteering when it involves such a colossal natural resource of inestimable value that is Jekyll:

A VERY sensitive Barrier Island State Park where past mistakes can now be corrected and further development done in the wisdom of sustainability.

Only by setting a cutting-edge example of positive change and improvement instead of status quo consumerism, infrastructure overload, traffic gridlock, reliance on fossil fuels, pollution and the corporate excess and debt that remains, will such a revitalization be of true and lasting value to the present and future citizens of Georgia.

This is an area set aside for lower to mid-income Georgians to enjoy a rare costal experience within their dwindling budget, and this plan offers little but a token nod to this important directive, being blatantly geared to a Country Club concept of exclusion to that very idea.

Four story condos and time shares replacing public access parking lots do exactly what to the infrastructure of this island? "Beach access" is certainly not the same as "beach accessibility", and runoff from a massive condo unit is the same as a beach-adjacent parking lot. The only difference is whom exactly has to walk further to enjoy the beach.

Traffic, sewerage, water, power...All are huge problems that this plan just does not adequately address, particularly with our current knowledge of these daunting and escalating environmental factors.

It appears that few problems are solved here, but many more created, however I certainly stand to be corrected, should the corporate lobbyist care to do so, but let's leave out the green-washing, please, and stick to the real world of actual sustainability.

It is a new day, and truly sustainable solutions are no longer an idealistic concept, but a cold, hard reality borne of absolutes that we should all be aware of, regardless of corporate assurances of rather hollow short term rewards and meaningless distractions from the transactions.

Know that this holistically sustainable idea is not a passing fashion,

but quite real and dynamic, a force that will not be ignored or denied by those whose financial interests it may seem to threaten. It doesn't have to.

Wise leadership should take note of this phenomenon and act accordingly,

and corporate developers should get on the green bus, as it is leaving the station as you read this. Eco-Tourism is saving the economies of entire countries at this very moment, so get with the plan, Chairman Stan.

Jekyll could use some "revitalization, however a corporately green-washed "Hilton Head" approach is not just not appropriate, but considering what we know now, a downright disastrous squandering of an opportunity to actually improve a State owned Island in an uber-green fashion that would be an outstanding example of a real world-class Earth-friendly project of local and global celebration, use, demand and interest for centuries to come....

...for ALL Georgians.

There is great wisdom in the Native American directive of making important decisions by considering those seven generations hence.

Let us use some of this wisdom here. Our descendants deserve it.