February 14, 2008 10:19 pm
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At first this letter was going to be in response to Jim Langford’s article of Feb. 8, 2008 in The Tifton Gazette in which he stated so many falsehoods that I realized my response would be so long that it would never get published. Instead I would like to go down memory lane in response to the people that are in favor of the so-called Town Center/Beach Village. Meeting after meeting these people stand up and say how they had come to Jekyll 30 or 40 years ago and that it was such a truly special place then that they want to see it as that special destination for the people of Georgia once again.
I think people came to Jekyll Island State Park years ago for the very same reason that people continue to come here today. They enjoyed (now enjoy) the tranquility of the island and nature at its best. They enjoyed (now enjoy) being able to ride their bikes around the island in safety. They enjoyed (now enjoy) being able to walk the eight miles of beautiful beach (at low tide) seeing the dolphins swimming and playing just off shore; the children and adults alike looking for sand dollars or shark teeth; seeing eagle nests, wood storks perched high up in the trees and watching migrating birds rest and wait for others to catch up before continuing their migration. They did not come nor still come for the hustle and bustle of other vacation destinations available to them. They did not come nor still come so they can shop in some upscale stores. Jekyll Island State Park is unique in and of itself because it is also a barrier island.
Now for the Jekyll Island of the past that people remember with such fond memories.
Until about 10 years ago there was a draw bridge on the Jekyll Causeway (where the bridge is now) that would be raised every time a small boat went by and would stop traffic in both directions.
Until about 20 years ago there was an ABC package store (state-owned liquor store) on the causeway where the Welcome Center/State Patrol is now.
Until about six years ago there was no water park.
Until about 25 years ago there were two, not three, 18-hole golf courses and one nine-hole. Indian Mound was developed sometime in the 1970s.
Until about 23 years ago the Historic District (as we know it today) was practically non-existent, the historic cottages were in total disrepair.
I could go on but my point is that maybe what is being remembered is a time when people escaped their daily life to a quiet, natural, safe island where they could experience nature, animal and bird life in their natural habitat. Whether they came for the day or on vacation they knew that Jekyll Island was a very special place on earth. That is exactly what the people objecting to Linger Longer’s Town Center/Beach Village want. We want to preserve what is so special about this barrier island state park. The people this project is geared to are people looking for a resort style environment, spas, shopping, entertainment, etc. While there is nothing wrong with that, Jekyll Island is a state park with an emphasis on a different type of vacation. There are plenty of Hilton Head, Amelia Island-type resorts for people with that kind of vacation in mind but only one Jekyll Island-type state park on the whole eastern sea coast.
Rebuild the three torn-down motels, rebuild or revitalize the convention center, revitalize the existing shopping center and then stop until it is decided that more is needed. Things can always be added on, but once built cannot be taken away. Please do’t destroy a very special place on earth in the name of the almighty dollar.
Sandra Cerrato
Jekyll Island
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