A more constructive approach to the Jekyll Island issue

This morning's AJC includes an editorial by Atlanta businessman Art Hurt. In it, he suggests several ideas concerning the conduct of the Jekyll Island discussion. 

In his opening comments, Hurt writes, "The heated controversy over the master plan for Jekyll Island redevelopment was so unnecessary, so predictable and so avoidable that we must ask ourselves, 'What were they thinking?'" 

"With regard to the master plan for redevelopment, JIA has willfully and systematically excluded the public from any participation in the planning process," Hurt continues. "They have neither sought, nor allowed, any input from the public, and they have ignored pleas from the public for information and for opportunities to submit ideas for consideration for Jekyll's future. They have sought council only with the real estate developers. The public has reacted to being ignored and dismissed. Thus, JIA has created this ugly squabble.

"A logical way to begin such an endeavor would be with widely distributed questionnaires, town hall meetings, hearings, requests for letters of suggested plan components, and the appointment of a citizen committee to collect and compile the wishes of the public into a coherent contribution to the master plan. Then this should go to the developers, architects and engineers in the form of a guideline as to what should be accomplished."

If we want a more reasoned approach to Jekyll Island, Hurt concludes, we must contact the Governor and our state representatives. 

If you don't know how, here's a good place to start: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/ 

This is the official website for the Georgia General Assembly, and includes the names -- and contact information -- for all state senators and representatives.

-- Jekyll boy