By Sheesh

Apr 3, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

Any respite from development of Jekyll is a welcome one, however brief it may be. For people like Boclive, go to Sandestin or Amelia Island where those of us that go to Jekyll cannot afford to go and where development has taken away any semblance of a natural beach. The hotel where we stay is old but not nasty, it's kept clean or I wouldn't take my grandkids there where they are not run over by throngs of people and can enjoy a relaxing, fun vacation. Jekyll Island is not the Bahamas or a fancy resort "vacation spot" and those of us who enjoy having natural vegetation and an undeveloped beach area will continue to go there.

By greenga

Apr 3, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this

If you have been to Jekyll since this debate broke out about 2 years ago, you might be a little cynical about all of this like me. Last year the fight was to "preserve" the "pristine and environmentally sensitive" south end of the island. When I heard the news I thought I should check it out when I was visiting St. Simons. Turns out this area is the location of a run down 4H center and about a dozen rundown 1950's era ranch homes and one brand-new, pink gaudy monstrosity that I thought was a hotel, but I guess from the gate it was a home. The experience made me feel that everything should be removed from the south end of Jekyll and returned to nature (except for the 4H kids). Now this year we went round and round to save an asphalt parking lot? Let all give ourselves a big round of applause! My suspicion is that this fight was for other reasons and causes near and dear to me have been hijacked for someone elses purposesı

By Boclive

Apr 3, 2008 2:49 AM | Link to this

In fact, it's a real loss for the citizens of the state of Georgia that don't live on Jekyll Island. I think Ben Porter should be ashamed for keeping a resource like Jekyll away from the people and reserved for the few. Beautiful beach, but I'll never go back there. Hotels are nasty. This is great for the residents of the island. They get the benefit of a wonderful state funded beach without the inconvenience of sharing it with the rest of us that might like to visit for a couple of days. Funny how Sen. Jeff Chapman, R-Brunswick called it a victory for the people of Georgia. It's the opposite of a victory unless you happen to be a local to the area like uh, Sen. Chapman.

By Norma Matthews

Apr 2, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

I agree completely with Lynn Harrison Tessin, and couldn't have said it better. Jekyll Island was a wonderful place for "the average family" of Georgia to go. I along with Ms. Tessin share many memories of the beauty of Jekyll, and of State Conventions of the Georgia Rural Letter Carriers' Association.
I appreciate so much the efforts to not make it into another high-class "beach resort for the rich and famous".

By michelle

Apr 2, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

I cannot thank Sen Chapman and Rep Buckner enough!! They have both worked tirelessly to save our state park. And while it is certainly not out of danger yet, those of us that love that little island are cautiously optomistic.

By RTB

Apr 2, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

What good news! My family and I have been going to Jekyll since 1966. Even though Jekyll may be "run-down" now, we would rather go to Jekyll than to the beach islands that have been developed. We are excited about seeing Jekyll brought up-to-date in the right way. This jewel of Georgia should always be protected for the people of Georgia.

By Erica Frank, MD, MPH

Apr 2, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

Good news, but a "parking lot symbolized the commitment made by the state when the island was purchased, to keep it accessible to "people of average income.""

Might I suggest that a parking lot also symbolizes a commitment to a car-based transportation system that could possibly eliminate driving across the causeway in a few decades because of rising sea levels due to global warming.

Perhaps its time for some really forward thinking and substantive symbols now.

By fer

Apr 2, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

mog, don't those words taste great? I don't think I have ever enjoyed eating my words so much! What a marvelous day for Jekyll lovers!

By James Etheridge

Apr 2, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Well, I am cynical about anything the
State does, or says they won't do. I
am pleased that we will still have a
place to park,but I will have to see
it first to believe it. What they did
not tell us is what will be done elsewhere to screw up the island. The
developers are not going down without
a fight!

By Lynn Harrison Tessin

Apr 2, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

Thank you, Jekyll Island Authority and Legislators for saving Jekyll Island. As the daughter of a retired Georgia Rural Letter Carrier, I - along with many other Georgia Rural Letter Carrier families - spent the last week in June at the State Convention on Jekyll. This was primarily during the 60's and 70's. As children and teenagers we spent many hours by the pool and on the beach at the Wanderer and later the Holiday Inn. We went on our on Turtle Hunts and stayed out until 2-3:00 in the morning - and usually without adults unless you counted the college students; played hours of putt-putt; camped at the Campground; and biked miles around the Island. We went to Jekyll so often that crossing the Causeway was like driving down a dirt lane to go home. Our parents felt we were safe - and of course, then we were - but Jekyll needs to be preserved for the many that go there today to have the memories that those of us in the Georgia Rural Letter Carrier Family have. Thank you again for preserving this Georgia Treasure.
Lynn Harrison Tessin