She's back ...

Bev the sea turtle is back.

Bev was among a group of sea turtles found on a beach along the Gulf of Mexico last year. According to an article in today's Florida Times-Union, Bev and the others suffered from an illness that prevented them from opening their jaws. Many of the turtles died, but Bev was kept alive by being hand-fed tiny bits of fish at a marine park in Panama City.

Because she was unable to eat normally, it was though that Bev would remain in captivity. Then someone suggested she be sent to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

The GSTC staff worked with Bev, providing physical and behavioral therapy until she could fully open her mouth and eat on her own. Fitted with a radio tracking transmitter, she was returned to the wild in November, from Panama Beach. 

Due to genetic differences between Gulf Coast turtles and those found along the Atlantic, scientists believed Bev would remain in the Gulf. Satellite transmissions showed that to be the case.

Then she 'fell off the radar,' so to speak.

When Bev's signal was detected again, she was found to be swimming off Florida's east coast, heading north with the Gulf Stream. When she reached colder water around the South Carolina border, she headed south again -- right back to Jekyll Island.

Bill Irwin, director of the Sea Turtle Center, says this was completely unexpected and highly unusual. Some scientists think she may have nested previously on Jekyll Island. Irwin says that may be true, given that Bev is behaving that way. They'll know for sure if she shows up on the Jekyll Island beach later this year.

In the meantime, Irwin and his staff will 'keep an eye' on Bev and she meanders about in the marsh behind Jekyll.

Stay tuned.

-- JB

Learn more about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

Now What?

In yet another example of "I don't give a shit what you think" representation, our county commissioners voted last evening to pursue eminent domain in their quest for domination of downtown Brunswick. Question now is, will this be another case in which the people have to go to court to have their voices heard?

"Da guys" tried to pull one over on the folks on St. Simons Island a couple of years ago when they voted to give away public land to the local Boys and Girls Club. This generated lots of protests, which the commissioners pooh-poohed. It took a credible threat of legal action to get them to back down.

It appears the gantlet has been thrown for those who believe that expansion of the county jail downtown is a bad idea. And, it has become more complicated. They've said, in effect, "if you don't play, we'll just take your land and go home."

That, in a nutshell, is what eminent domain means. Your government gives itself the right to take your land if it deems fit to do so. Sure, you get paid for the privilege. But it is guaran-freakin'-teed that the compensation you receive won't come anywhere near covering the disruption to your life, your business, etc. Neat, huh?

I went to the protest at the Courthouse last night. There were 'bout 300 folks on hand, making their voices heard, and their viewpoint known. MOVE THE JAIL. It's tempting to say there should have been a lot more, but I'm really not sure it would have mattered. The commissioners' votes were cast long ago. Last night's meeting was just a formality.

So, is it over? I'd like to think not. That being the case, what's next? 

As I see it, this is going to go one of two ways. The people are going to rally and stand up to these bullies in court. Or, they'll skulk away and let 'em have their way. I hope it's the former and not the latter.

Stay tuned.

-- JB

Let's Try This Again...

Defend Downtown Brunswick, LLC has announced that it will stage a protest march outside the Glynn County Courthouse, Thursday April 17 at 5:30 p.m. The march will precede the Glynn Commission's meeting. During that meeting, the commissioners will discuss whether to exercise their power of eminent domain in acquiring property for the proposed jail expansion.

DDB organizers, who have been outspoken foes of the Commission's proposal, claim the event will be the "largest gathering of protestors EVER in Glynn County's history!"

"Our County Commissioners have NOT listened to the voice of the people of Glynn," the group says in an email blast. "We MUST MOVE THE JAIL and we MUST MOVE THE COMMISSIONERS!! If you have an ounce of OUTRAGE at the proposed use of EMINENT DOMAIN by the County Commissioners, then come protest!

Protestors are asked to wear red to show solidarity, and to bring along their "Move the Jail" signs, friends, and family members. According to an article in The Brunswick News, the march will take place "rain or shine." Good thing; the last march was cancelled because of rain.

This issue is important. If you agree, please be sure to join in the march. If you want to know more, visit DDB's website.

-- JB

What's Good for the Goose ...

I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it seems that it has. 

The Jekyll Island Authority has opened the door to discussion of whether private homeowner leases should continue. According to an article in this morning's Georgia Times-Union, JIA will consider the issue of whether to extend resident leases beyond 2049. The State of Georgia extended the Authority's lease in 2007; however, the JIA has not made a decision about whether it will extend private homeowners' leases similarly.

Jekyll Island homeowners and hotel operators* have an interesting situation, in that they own the structure itself (the "bricks and mortar") but NOT the land. They lease the property from JIA, which administers the island for the state. In other words, they are at the mercy of decisions made by the Authority.

The discussion was begun at Monday's Authority meeting, by Finance Committee Chairman Bob Kreuger. He was inspired, the article notes, by Sen. Jeff Chapman who sponsored a bill during the recent legislative session, banning construction of any new permanent residences on the island. 

Residents are claiming retaliation. Others suggest they should have seen it coming, given their outspoken role in challenging new development on the island. They won the beach. Now they're making noises about challenging alternate plans. 

That's their right, of course, and they should stand up for what they believe in. At the same time, though, they might want to carefully consider their battles. Like it or not, new development is probably going to take place on Jekyll Island. 

Sometimes you can have it both ways.

Stay tuned.

JB

* The exception is the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. As part of the National Historic Landmark District, the main clubhouse and other historic hotel structures are owned by the state and leased to the hotel operators.