Comments on: Beyond Bumper Stickers: Saving Jekyll Island

By: kturnerga

kturnerga — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:47:09 +0000

I am not a tree-hugger or a Democrat but I want the beach at Jekyll Island protected. Jekyll Island does not need to be priced out of ordinary citizens’ means. It is a state park designed for all. No, I don’t want to see cheap motels or have it turned into a state-owned Panama City Beach. But blotting out the beach with condos won’t solve the issues of old motels. Someone will come along and replace the lodging facilities- and without putting lodging out of reach of all but a few. Hit those phones and tell your legislators to protect Jekyll from over-development.

By: Bull Moose

Bull Moose — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:23:55 +0000

I can’t believe that a middle road compromise couldn’t be found.

The overcommercialization of Jekyll Island is not a good thing for our environment, our coast, or anyone else.

Yes, Jekyll needed sprucing up, but this just completely changes the character of the entire island and it’s purpose.

By: hldrum

hldrum — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:59:28 +0000

Great to see all of the comments which indicate understanding of The Jekyll Crisis.

The primary issue is destruction of the environment through over-development.

The secondary issue is quality of leadership provided by yet another controversial Governor-appointed board.

If you care about the environmental protection of The State of Georgia, please look carefully at this website: savejekyllisland.org

Please contact the Governor and legislators who refused to bring the Jekyll issue to light on the legislative floor. Plan to express your dissatisfaction at the next election, or, better yet, run for office and do it yourself!

By: Hollybluff

Hollybluff — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:41:39 +0000

I am very proud of Senator Jeff Chapman. He is truly representing his constituents in trying to protect Jekyll Island for all the people while Governor Perdue, the JIA, and the Pearson committee are looking out only for their rich developer friends. Why did Porter and Croy react so rudely and defensively to inquiries about Jekyll’s monetary accounts and about methods of counting visitors. My mom would say, “The bit dog always hollers.”
I will definitely be one of those who remembers negatively the committee members who voted down Sen. Chapman’s bills and others who have not stepped up to the plate to protect Jekyll as a state park. Lt. Gov. Cagle and Rep. Jerry Keen, are you listening? Jekyll Island is truly a gem. Please do not give it into the hands of those who will ruin it for all time. This is not like a new tax rate which can be rescinded later. A village with condos and timeshares etc. between the road and the beach will spoil forever what is now a beautiful expanse which inspires me every time I am lucky enough to see it. Please, please do not ruin Jekyll for all time.

By: TerryM

TerryM — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:26:15 +0000

Count me as another lifelong Republican (I have actually staffed campaign headquarters, made phone calls,etc.) who is disGUSTed and embarrassed at this outrage. I will no longer support the Republican party at all, and I plan to vote against everyone who had anything to do with making Jekyll Island a refuge for the rich instead of a state park for the average Georgian. And, yes, I am a native Georgian, and I live in Georgia. I and my relatives votes, and we remember.

By: cheekyelf

cheekyelf — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:58:22 +0000

I’ll definitely Remember in November. It’s just sad to think that those in power care only about what’s in it for them. Nobody is opposed to revitalizing Jekyll Island, but why is it necessary to put that development on the only part of the beach that is available at high tide. I guess those of us that can’t afford the high priced beach front real estate that we, the taxpayers, owned prior to revitalization, had better check the tide tables before we head out to Jekyll.

By: LyndaB

LyndaB — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:48:03 +0000

Will someone please tell me at exactly what point elected officials became “leaders.” These people are not our “leaders,” they are our SERVANTS. They are supposed to be representatives of the people. It should send up red flags when only developers and elected officials support this plan. The people are clearly against it. The only fair thing to do at this point is to put the development of Jekyll Island question as a straw poll on the November ballot. That would prove how unpopular this plan is in this state. Or don’t the politicians have the guts to do that?

For what it’s worth, JSBarrington…I AM a voter in Senator Chapman’s district. And I am not disappointed in him…I am proud of him and thankful for his efforts. He is the only politician that has the guts to stand up to the money interests and has clearly proven himself to be a man of the people. I would dearly LOVE to see this issue on the ballot!

By: Old Vet

Old Vet — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:43:26 +0000

It looks, realistically, like the fix is in and Jekyll will become a gated community. I admit my unworthiness to enjoy Georgia’s park, as evinced by my miserly pay check.
I’ve lived in good ole Ga six decades (excluding an overseas vacation paid for by Uncle Sugar). It’s a backwater run by snake handlers and petty flim flam artists. Never will amount to anything.

By: SE Georgia resident

SE Georgia resident — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:37:15 +0000

I live in SE Georgia and have always considered Jekyll Island to be MY state park. It’s a near-perfect place about to be destroyed in the name of ‘improvement.’ Let’s not have to look back and see that we had Paradise and replaced it with pricey hotels and condos.

By: Beachlover

Beachlover — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:46:28 +0000

My bumper sticker would read: Redevelop the Senate: Remove Pearson’s Mob.

They ignored the voters. Voters, ignore them on election day!

By: Outraged-in-Atlanta

Outraged-in-Atlanta — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:45:21 +0000

I don’t recall ever being so embarrassed at being a Republican.

The developers have developed every square inch of good, valuable SE Georgia ocean-front property they could get their hands on. Now, they have the JIA in their pocket — and strong allies in the Governor’s office, in the State Senate and elsewhere. Our elected officials have sold us out.

Sure, Jekyll needs a bit of a facelift, BUT the most valuable part of the Island should not be for sale or subject to destruction by developers. The part the Island that the JIA wants to place in private hands is the MOST valuable part of the whole island — the beachfront. This is an outrage and an affront to every Georgian and every visitor to the Jekyll Island STATE PARK.

“Remember in November?” You bet!! Let’s not wait until November to start work on “excusing from office” those who have done us dirty.

And, thanks Senator Chapman for your work on the behalf of those of us who enjoy the peace and tranquility of Jekyll Island.

By: SOUTHERN BREEZE

SOUTHERN BREEZE — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:36:27 +0000

Here you guys need some cheese with your whine ??? Get over it! All 600 of you vote the way you want but move on, the real Georgians are sick of your rubbish !!!Your no more than a bunch of throwbacks from the sixties looking for a cause and a free meal ticket!!!!

By: long memory

long memory — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:09:41 +0000

I remember when the causeway was built to go to Jekyll. It was built with public funds, Georgia taxpayer money. I remember when there were only two motels on the beach. I remember when Jekyll was a prison. I remember the mandate to keep this park accessible for average Georgia families. I have see the data on the visitation numbers and I would not believe the Jia if they told me that the sun was up. They call Chapman a liar, but they don’t tell us where the money went, the money that the state auditor shows was taken in at the entrance to Jekyll. They have lied so much they can’t see the truth. My Senator is on that list. I called him approximately 20 times about this issue. He never acknowledged my call, never explained why he disagreed, or even recognized that I am alive. You think I’m not going to remember who he represents when elections come? His office told me that they had received upward of 300 calls and only 3 of those were against the bills. So unless someone can give me a reason to think otherwise, I have to assume that he flat doesn’t care what the people of his district think. What should he expect from the voters?

By: msbrash

msbrash — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:23:23 +0000

I have been a lifelong member of the GOP and I am appalled at what I have seen concerning the Jekyll development. It’s not very far from my backyard so I am holding my breath, praying the bulldozers will leave us alone. This is outrageous that this is happening with a state park. The JIA needs an overhaul. Why is there not an investigative reporter all over this?
For the first time. I am voting Democratic in November and I am voting against the very people who are supposed to represent me. I saw it mentioned that Senator Chapman’s job is to find compromise. They don’t want compromise, they want their way. I am happy to say Senator Chapman is representing what his people feel concerning Jekyll.
We are having this same problem all over the coast. We need to vote these guys out and save us!

By: Mae

Mae — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:59:10 +0000

The real question is whether there is accountability in GA politics or not. Georgians by the thousands have been saying that they want Jekyll to be the best it can be without losing its main public beach, yet the bill (SB 427)that would have protected that very beach was voted down by every single Republican member of the Economic Development Committee. Georgians, deserve to know who voted against the bill. What’s the problem with casting some light on who voted aagainst the bill? I would think the senators in question would welcome the chance to have the public know how they voted – they must b proud of their chocie or they wouldn’t have voted as they did. Right?

By: mangomama

mangomama — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:34:46 +0000

That is a wonderful “WELFARE FOR DEVELOPERS” program that you have in Georgia. What does it take to apply for the benefits?? I know lots of Florida developers that are looking to come your way after they ruined our state.

Wake up, Georgia politicians, Jekyll belongs to the people, not a greedy few. Chapman is a hero to the few “real” Republicans left who believe in conservation of our lands and natural resources for future generations.

By: The Comma Guy

The Comma Guy — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:03:32 +0000

Isn’t one of the problems the fact that WE really do own Jekyll? I thought that it was a state park. And what has happened is we have allowed the current leadership to section off a portion of the people’s land to the wealthy. And if they are allowed to change $Texas for their condos and rental properties, what is stop the others from increasing as well?

Georgia has so little coast line that is accessible as it is. Why are we selling it off?

What did Bill 3 do to irk Sonny & Company?

By: JSBarrington

JSBarrington — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:08:51 +0000

The role of a Senator or any elected official is to sit down and bring everyone to the table– to reach a suitable compromise that makes everyone happy.

Jeff Chapman is not at the table with anyone– he is lost in space– fighting invisible monsters.

Earth to Jeff, earth to Jeff…

It is displays like this that have and will always prevent Jeff Chapman from being involved in any rational, reasonable debate.

By: SOUTHERN BREEZE

SOUTHERN BREEZE — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:00:04 +0000

Well stated JS the senator has placed himself on an island no pundt intended. He has left the reservation and will look back on this issue as his undoing. He has allowed himself to be a puppet for a bunch of nuts and is an embarrassment to the party and should step aside.

By: JSBarrington

JSBarrington — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:22:29 +0000

Oh yes, Jeff Chapman has been such a leader on the Jekyll Island issue. Let’s see…

1.) The Senator who represents the island didn’t even get selected to be on the committee because as the Governor stated, “it would be a wasted seat”
2.) Chapman proposed 3 bills and he barely managed to get them heard by his colleagues in committee.
3.) Chapman has distorted the record on revenue on the island.
4.) Chapman is obstructing progress for his district

what else? Instead of being a leader on this issue and be a cheer leader for good economic development, Chapman has just tried again and again to halt progress.

If I was a voter in his district, I would be disappointed in his lack of leadership.

No one is proposing turning Jekyll into another sea island, they just want to make it attractive to “average families.” To be honest, you could pay me 100 bucks a night and I probably wouldn’t go there now.