Archived Editorial Page 2

Archived March 3, 2008
Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) Consistantly Misrepresented the Situation!!!

The breaking news is that the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) has underreported its revenues over the past decade and quietly put over $11 million in a reserve fund for capital improvements, a fund not disclosed in its public documents. Perhaps this would not raise red flags if the JIA had not been claiming its dismal financial picture required a private revitalization partner to bring the State Park back to financial health. Yet, with this new picture unfolding, how trustworthy are JIA claims that Linger Longer’s town center overlooking Jekyll’s main public beach must move forward to revitalize Jekyll and the JIA’s bank account?

In my view, the Georgia Legislature owes the people of this State the opportunity for a full review of JIA and its plans for Jekyll Island. They cannot pass the buck and pretend that the Assembly has no responsibility to keep the JIA accountable to the people. Thanks to Sen. Jeff Chapman, who is willing to look into the details of State bureaucracy, these details have been brought to light, but what other facts still need to be uncovered?

Many thousands of Georgians have a different vision of Jekyll revitalization than does the JIA and its private partner, Linger Longer. Why shouldn’t the voice of the people have the opportunity to be heard as clearly as the voice of the JIA?

Latest Information - Jekyll Island Authority called a press conference but did not dispute the figures!

On Thursday Feb. 28 in a voice vote so that the names of voting members names were not recorded, the Senate Economic Development Committee rejected the Stewardship Legislation for Jekyll Island. The attempt by our Senator Jeff Chapman for a rational revitalization plan (instead of building on the most pristine beach on Jekyll) has failed.

“These bills provided for the long-term stewardship of Jekyll Island State Park and on-going revitalization opportunities without compromising the natural beauty of Jekyll’s open beach,” stated Senator Chapman. “The opposition mischaracterized the legislation as being against revitalization
and advanced their vision of a beach-front town center that frankly has more economic appeal to planners and developers. There is no reason that the last remaining open beach has to become commercialized,” said Chapman.

This vote now prepares the way for the Jekyll Island Authority’s private partner, Linger Longer, to move forward with plans for a town center, along with condominiums, overlooking Jekyll’s main public beach. Sen. Chapman, representing coastal Georgia, had introduced the bills in response to a ground swell of statewide opposition to Linger Longer’s commercialization of the State Park’s most popular public beach.

The one person other than the Governor who can be held most responsible in our opinion is Casey Cagle. He plans on a run for Governor at the next opportunity. However, early retirement may be a better plan for Lt. Gov. Cagle.

It is a shame that this country and this state and our area in particular is governed by greed rather than common sense. Only we, The People, can change this area, this state, and this country. You must make your voices heard. Speak often, and speak with your dollars and time.

The one voice of common sense from our area has been Senator Jeff Chapman. His re-election is coming up in middle July. The developers already have their man picked out to run against Senator Chapman. Let's send them a message that they can hear!