08/10 - No thanks, Rep. Davis

The Brunswick News
Date August 10, 2007
Section(s) Letters


Rep. Steve Davis' attempt to cloud the $10 million deal cut by the Jekyll Island Authority's board of directors with Trammell Crow by stating that it is Jekyll's residents who have the real sweetheart deal is a bit transparent.

The growth in property values along with the fixed rate of the current lot leases on the island to which Davis refers obviously have little to do with the main issue at hand here, and that is the attempt by the board to upscale Jekyll's oceanfront hotels to the disadvantage of mainstream Georgians.

Davis praises board chairman Ben Porter as a leader who will "return the island to its heyday." Would that be the era when Jekyll was a playground for the affluent?

With nightly room rates of $250, the Trammell Crow hotel complex, having been subsidized by the Porter board, will no doubt yield some fat profits, but is this the kind of redevelopment Jekyll needs?

Does Davis really believe this type of revitalization will benefit the Georgians of modest means, for whose benefit Jekyll Island State Park was set aside and whose interests he appears to champion?

The fact is there are thousands of off-island Georgians who have expressed their discontent with the direction in which the authority's board is steering Jekyll, quite a few of whom reside in Davis' own district.

Perhaps Davis might consider their wishes for Jekyll's future, as well as those of the Georgian public at large, before jumping on the Board's bandwagon.

Mindy Egan
Jekyll Island


Perhaps Davis should pay a visit to Jekyll

This is in response to the letter of Rep. Steven Davis who is either a prevaricator or totally ignorant regarding several areas of life on Jekyll, one of which is the taxing structure - especially when he says that residents "only pay the authority $300 per year for real estate."

Although the correct lease amount varies from approximately $215 to $700 , he neglects to acknowledge that all residents additionally pay real estate taxes to Glynn County based on the current market value of their residences as well as the value of the leasehold.

Of that amount, almost 80 percent goes to the general school fund or school bond.

Since the majority of the residents on Jekyll are retirees with no children in the county schools, Davis may want to initiate legislation allowing that payment to be directed to the Jekyll Island Authority instead of the county.

He may even want to visit Jekyll one day and speak to the Citizens Association.

I know he would be warmly welcomed.

Anthony Cerrato
Jekyll Island


We're already in the 'heydays', Mr. Davis

In response to the Aug. 1, 2007, letter from Rep. Steven Davis, R-McDonough, I would like to remind him that the heydays of Jekyll Island have been the past decades where Georgia families have enjoyed the pleasures of our state park and its natural beauty.

Would he see it returned to the days of the millionaires with the proposed upscale development?

Regarding the lease fees paid by Jekyll residents, that is an issue that could easily be addressed and changed to reflect increase in revenue to the Jekyll Island Authority.

Surely these residents would not oppose paying what other Georgia citizens pay for the privilege of having police and fire protection, and other services that come with home ownership.

An increase comparable to other island living should be considered before we try to fill the coffers from wealthy visitors to upscale development.

Let's build on what we have, not what we can eliminate.

That being we, the people of Georgia, who for decades have enjoyed our state park which we own by virtue of the taxes we pay to keep it going.

Carol Sue Ravenel
Roswell


We need a responsible representative

The outrageous letter from Rep. Steven Davis regarding sweetheart deals on Jekyll Island clearly demonstrates that the people of the state of Georgia must exercise the power of the ballot and oust him from office.

He needs to be replaced with someone who will be responsive to the needs and wants of the ordinary Georgia citizen and who recognizes that the unique treasure the state of Georgia has in Jekyll Island must be preserved.

Marilyn Fetzer
Burlington, Conn.


Needs for Jekyll can't be resolved overnight

As a former member of the Jekyll Island Authority, I'm concerned about how the current Jekyll Island board is recently being portrayed in the news.

It is no secret that the hotel and convention facilities are in great need of repair and replacement.

Having just completed my term on the authority board, this has been a great concern of mine and I continually encouraged addressing these issues at our monthly meetings.

This need did not develop overnight, and it cannot be resolved overnight.

I have personally served and worked with the majority of the current board, and I know for a fact that they have kept the best interests of Georgia and Jekyll Island in mind during their deliberations.

The board's agreement with Trammell Crow is a positive step and is one, that in due time, will benefit all of Georgia.

It is my hope that all concerned parties will allow this board of professional men and women the opportunity to take the necessary steps to address the needs of the island.

Tom Lewis
Atlanta


Jekyll residents pay taxes like everyone else

With due respect to Rep. Steve Davis, I attended every meeting of the House and Senate committees that reviewed House Bill 214, extending the lease to the Jekyll Island Authority.

I heard every word spoken by the residents of Jekyll Island, who traveled to Atlanta to attend those meetings at their own expense.

The residents were not there to ask for more money to be spent on improvements.

To a person, they supported the Jekyll Island Authority, fought to protect the south end, supported the revitalization of the island, and defended Jekyll as a state park for the average Georgian.

To set the record straight, Jekyll residents pay land leases, county taxes, school taxes, sewer and water, subsidize the fire department, and support the island's tourist and cultural attractions with countless thousands of hours of volunteer labor every year.

Shame on Davis.

Apparently he hasn't been paying attention.

Dory Ingram
Atlanta