Remember Jekyll Island

by Babs McDonald

Author Babs McDonald loves living near Jekyll Island in Georgia. In Remember Jekyll Island , she looks at what has happened since this piece of public land was put into the hands of a private corporation. Over 10,000 people nationwide have expressed outrage over the development plans for Jekyll Island, yet this supposedly public park continues to be under the gun for development by private corporations. Is there a conspiracy behind this development? Why do thousands of concerned citizens get nowhere in their fight to protect this land, while private corporations get everything they want? Is there a way for them all to work together? This terrifying tale is not simply the story of Jekyll Island. Pieces of public domain property are being overtaken by corporations looking for private gain daily. The inspiring true story of how citizen activism can - and does - make a difference, Remember Jekyll Island is a story which could impact the future of all of our nation's great State Parks.

290 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2010

Reviews

[Xulon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember Jekyll Island by Babs McDonald, PhD., passionately details the recent history of Jekyll Island State Park, in Georgia. In 2006, the Jekyll Island Authority entered into a contract with Linger Longer Communities, a development company. The commercial and private-sector development of Jekyll Island had begun. Almost immediately, citizens, especially Babs McDonald, were in an uproar. The Georgia state government and Linger Longer Communities negotiated with each other while Georgians all around the Island organized into a grassroots movement. The battle for Jekyll Island was underway. However, it soon became apparent that the growing grassroots movement held little sway over the actions of the government and corporate entities. Jekyll Island State Park belonged to the citizens of Georgia, but they realized that they had no say in its development... and the inevitable destruction of the Island's environment. A bitter fight to the end, with a compromise that left no party truly happy and no long-term resolutions, Remember Jekyll Island is a shocking examination of the highly political negotiations for public land that happen all over the United States. Babs McDonald lets us know how much we must fight for public land that is legally ours, as citizens of the United States.

You can read more at her website - http://www.rememberjekyllisland.com/

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

For all who love Jekyll Island and have been concerned about the revitalization in recent years, this is a good book from the conservationist's point of view. McDonald speaks passionately about a beautiful island and our need to protect what is there. I'll be making a trip to one of my favorite childhood places very soon, and hope that the remodeling and plans in the making have been in keeping with protecting something beautiful. True, there have been some needed improvements, but I will be looking around with concern about the future of one of Georgia's golden isles. Look up Jekyll Island Authority to learn about the newest updates.