Another challenge...

There is an article on the front page of today's Brunswick News, concerning proposed legislation by Sen. Jeff Chapman that would "effectively derail the $344 million revitalization planned for Georgia's only oceanfront state park, the chair of the Jekyll Island Authority warned Wednesday."

According to the B News, Chapman's draft legislation would 

-- "Prevent additional full-time residences from being built on the state-owned island." (What about part-time residences, for example, condos that are rented when the owners are not using them?)

-- "Create restrictions that would prevent construction of the proposed Beach Village near the waterfront." (Does it preclude development away from the waterfront?)

-- "More strictly define some legal terminology used in defining the redevelopment project, including 'average income.' It would be defined as the state-wide average wagers for workers of all industries."

The article suggests that Chapman's proposal would "seek to handcuff hotel operators in setting room rates through hot it defines certain terms. For example, 'lowest rates reasonable and possible' would mean the average daily rate charged by Jekyll Island hotels could not exceed the average daily rate charged for rooms of the same occupancy at other specified state parks, including Unicoi in Helen."

According to the article, rates for a double occupancy room at the Lodge in Unicoi range from $85 to $100 per night. "Chapman did not include in the measure parks like Stone Mountain, near Atlanta, where overnight rates range from $149 to $449."

I appreciate Sen. Chapman's efforts, and he deserves our support. I've got to wonder, though, whether his proposal mentions specific state parks, as suggested by the B News. If so, why? 

If you want to know more, visit Sen. Chapman's web site: www.jeffchapman.us

-- JB