Waiting for something new ...

On Feb. 14, Lojo wrote:

JB - 

Thanks for keeping up with the Jekyll Island "rediscovery" happenings. 

I have been calling and writing my Senators (and yours) to encourage them to support Senator Chapman's legislative attempts to protect Jekyll Island. Thus far, I have only heard back from Senator Eric Johnson. While I do appreciate his effort and the consideration of his response, I disagree with his position on Jekyll's redevelopment. 

Senator Johnson says "The three bills sponsored by Senator Chapman, SB 426, 427, and 428, would prevent the conservative redevelopment and beautification of Jekyll. Instead, they would only allow the island to continue to deteriorate without bringing in the environmentally-sensitive redevelopment needed to keep the island beautiful." 

To the contrary - Senator Chapman's bills do not prevent the conservative redevelopement and beautification of Jekyll. I've read all three of Senator Chapman's bills - one of Chapman's bills basically prevents new development on the beach front of the island and one bans new permanent residences (condos and houses). It doesn't stop complete "environmentally sensitive" redevelopment of existing properties nor does it stop new development proposals on the west side of Beachview Drive, as long as it doesn't encroach on protected land. The other bill attempts to clarify the definitions and the wording used in the original legislative mandate creating the JIA and its authority - the part about keeping Jekyll affordable and available for the common people of Georgia really ticks the JIA and LL off!

These 3 bills combined serve to protect Jekyll during our lifetime and beyond.

I don't know if Senator Johnson is simply misinformed or if he is actually part of the problematic and corrupt political system facing Georgians. I am hoping that he is a victim of misinformation and that he will listen to the citizens of the State on this matter.

I have written back to Senator Johnson and expressed my sincere belief that an oceanfront town center would seriously detract from - and fatally flaw the #1 draw to Jekyll Island, the pristine, unspoiled, and nearly undeveloped public beach. It's been a couple of days and I haven't yet heard back from Senator Johnson. Maybe he's taking my respectfully submitted request for consideration and maybe he's looking into the Jekyll issue...


Thanks, Lojo! It's been awhile since I've written even though there has been a steady stream of news and comment in the local paper and Google News. I haven't lost interest, but I haven't seen anything new that hasn't already been said. I'm awaiting the "new plans" that Jim Langford keeps referring to in the various letters to the editor, etc that I've been reading. I'm really wondering how "new" they'll be, and whether they truly have heard -- and considered -- what I think have been reasonable questions and conerns. We'll just have to wait and see, I guess. 

Stay tuned.


JB