05 LC 98
0847
Senate
Resolution 560
By:
Senators Williams of the 19th, Chapman of the 3rd and Johnson of the 1st
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
Governor Sonny Perdue to appoint a Blue Ribbon committee to review all aspects
of initiatives at Jekyll Island relating to resource stewardship, tourism
infrastructure, economic development, land management, and future needs and
concerns of the island; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Jekyll Island was purchased in 1947 by then-Governor Melvin E. Thompson through
condemnation proceedings for $675,000.00 and formally opened as a state park in
March of 1948; and
WHEREAS,
the Jekyll Island State Park Authority was established in 1950 with island
access being mainly by boat until a drawbridge was completed in 1954;
and
WHEREAS,
today the island serves more than 1.3 million visitors a year who visit the
beach, attend conferences, spend more than $27 million to occupy rooms at the
island's ten hotels, play 85,000 rounds of golf on the beautiful golf courses
totaling 63 holes, shop at many of the local shops, generate more than $5
million in sales taxes annually, and generate a local economic impact of more
than $168 million a year; and
WHEREAS,
more than 600 residential leases exist on the island plus 16 retail leases and
ten hotel leases along with 15 miscellaneous leases for such facilities as
restaurants, churches, harbor marinas, cable, and telephones; and
WHEREAS,
state law requires that no more than 35 percent of the island can ever be
developed in order to ensure that the island's natural, historical, and cultural
significance be protected; and
WHEREAS,
Jekyll Island needs to receive special attention and have all existing plans
reviewed and updated through a comprehensive planning initiative that will
assess all aspects of the island's resource management programs, stewardship,
improvement to tourism, hospitality, and environmental infrastructure,
consideration of economic development needs and land use planning consistent
with Code Section 12-3-243 of the O.C.G.A., which pertains to the percentage of
the island to be preserved from development.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that this body hereby urges Governor
Sonny Perdue to appoint a Blue Ribbon panel consisting of a cross section of
business people, legislators, and other appropriate citizens to undertake a
thorough review of Jekyll Island that will recommend necessary long-term,
strategic actions designed to positively impact the operation, maintenance,
development, revitalization, resource stewardship, preservation, and
conservation of this island gem in order to ensure it best serves the people of
Georgia and visitors to our state.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report of this panel should be completed in time
for consideration to be given to its recommendations prior to the 2006 convening
of the General Assembly.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Governor Sonny Perdue.