Readers Write 11/1

Environment

Jekyll Island State Park is among the most beautiful and accessible of this country’s national and state parks. Its miles of fabulous, uncluttered beaches are rare, unique, and precious to Georgians and to visitors from across the U.S.A. Generations of Georgians have vacationed at its hotels and romped on its lovely beaches, but the current crop of state politicians appears hell-bent to hand over this fragile, exquisite barrier island to wealthy campaign donors for their profit and exploitation — public opinion be damned.

Joan Lardin, Atlanta

Philanthropic spirit is missed on Jekyll Island

Re: “Jekyll giveaway robs our state jewel” (Opinion, Oct. 23): what Jekyll Island State Park lacks is the wise leadership that motivated Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt to champion the national parks system, accompanied by the conservation-minded, philanthropic spirit that inspired John D. Rockefeller to contribute millions to provide vast tracts of land to those public parks.

Such statesmen and selfless businessmen are sorely missed these days, as we watch Jekyll Island State Park fall victim to a public-private partnership agreement that should provide equitable profits and lend business expertise to an authority sadly devoid of it — but instead fills the pockets of another wealthy developer eager to build his legacy and his fortune. Meanwhile, the Jekyll Island State Park Authority board looks the other way, while the taxpayers front the deal. I doubt this is what Governor Thompson had in mind when he purchased Jekyll Island in 1947.

Dory Ingram, Atlanta

Jekyll Island deal will benefit all Georgians

Jekyll Island isn’t being sold, much less given away. It has taken five long years to plan, pass protective laws, issue infrastructure bonds, and negotiate contracts, but Jekyll is being revitalized after two decades of decline. Currently, there are seven projects programmed or coming out of the ground representing $312 million in private investment. Construction payroll will be over $56 million as desperately needed jobs will be created to boost the economy. Lease income from these projects will pay the $50 million bonds that will be invested in public parks, road improvements and a fabulous new convention center. All new construction is taking place in the footprint of existing development, and is guided by design guidelines that restrict height, density and preserves the low key character of Jekyll.

The rent structure and return to the JIA from the developer actually exceeds the appraised value of the land. In fact, when compared with the last three projects on the books, Linger Longer Communities’ contract yields a higher return to the JIA over a 15-year period. The hotels and businesses on the island have been in private hands since 1950, when the state removed Jekyll Island from the state park system. It was placed under the stewardship of the JIA to be developed as a public beach resort for the benefit of all Georgians. Soon thereafter, leases for privately owned motels and even a theme park were established. This is also when residential leases were created to help make the island economically viable.

With private businesses and private homeowners, Jekyll Island is more like a town than a state park. But with more than 65 percent of the island left natural (and no plans to alter that), Jekyll is indeed unique. By agreeing to partner with Linger Longer Communities and work side-by-side to revitalize this precious public resource, Georgians will soon see renewed facilities, parks, and accommodations that fit every income level.

Eric Garvey, chief communications officer, Jekyll Island Authority

POLITICS

Stop holding Atlanta hostage over traffic

Kudos to state Rep. Fran Millar for “Put MARTA under state control now” (Opinion, Oct. 18). It is incomprehensible that we have allowed the stagnation from traffic congestion to hold us hostage to mind sets of the leaders of the last 30 years.

Now is the time for Georgia counties to do the right thing for the future of this state. It may not be popular “back home” to appear to be helpful to Atlanta, but just think about the consequences for not fixing MARTA. We will be the laughing stock of the planet if we don’t fix this impending calamity now!

Rep. Millar, you have been controversial over the years on a number of issues, but thank you for being honest, and having the backbone to put this issue before the public in such a blunt and forthright manner.

We live in the 21st century, folks, and have been blessed with a platform to dominate the first half of the new millennium. The question before us is: laughing stock, or point of light? It’s up to us, and our elected political leaders. Don’t let Georgia down!

Don Speaks, Stone Mountain

Obama’s right; Fox News has conservative agenda

Charles Krauthammer misses the point in “White House attack on Fox undeserved and un-American” (Opinion, Oct. 23). The Obama administration is not trying to ban Fox News from the air, or trying to remove their White House reporter from the daily briefings. The administration is simply pointing out that Fox News has an agenda and a bias, in which they elevate the fringe elements of the Republican Party by using their news shows to repeatedly cover such stories as the Obama birth certificate, and by openly promoting and supporting the Tea Party rallies.

Fox News fooled people once with their slogan of being fair and balanced, despite having their nightly opinion shows completely slanted toward the conservative agenda. I believe the administration is trying not to allow Fox to fool people again. President Obama can handle criticism, but it is hard to find any examples of positive or even fair reporting about the president or his policies on Fox News. Fair and balanced: what a joke.

Michael Haremski, Tucker

Columnists attacking messengers, not message

I was amused reading Kathleen Parker’s “Obama gives Limbaugh, Beck more power” (Opinion, Oct. 21), as she recognized the growing popularity of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. What I never hear in columns like Parker’s are rebuttals of facts or statements made by conservative talk radio hosts and commentators. Parker attempts to belittle popular conservative opinion by denigrating and belittling these messengers, who are able to verbalize and express our opinions better than we conservatives could. Parker is correct that, “Americans really aren’t stupid.” I believe this will become apparent in the upcoming elections.

Richard Papp, Kennesaw