The discussion about how Jekyll Island Residents can become part of the decision making process has been a constant point of discussion and contention over the years. So it is not surprising that given the impending major changes that are about to occur on the island, that such a discussion is yet again a hot topic.

But before we tackle how, when, and where such input can be, or should be, made available to concerned citizens, it is important to remember what previous governors already provided and why such provisions disappeared over time.

On July 1, 1995, the General Assembly passed HB 120 that allowed for the creation of a Jekyll Island Citizens Resource Council*.

The specific House Bill stipulates: “The Governor shall appoint a body to be known as the Jekyll Island Citizens Resource Council. The purpose of the Council shall be to improve, foster, and encourage communication and the exchange of thoughts and ideas between the authority and the community of persons interested in Jekyll Island including, but not limited to, residents of Jekyll Island, operators, and employees of businesses located on or providing services to Jekyll island; and environmental organizations.

The Citizens Resource Council shall consist of seven members. Three members shall be representative of the Jekyll Island residential and business community with two of these members being residents of Jekyll Island and one being an owner, manager, or employee of a business or commercial facility located on Jekyll Island…”

The first seven members appointed by Gov. Zell Miller were Tim Goddard, Kevin Runner, Jean Poleszak, Jimmy Veal, Ed Brophy, James Bradley, and Cecil Passmore**.

The initial road to success and communication with the Authority was a hard and tedious one, hence in the first three months of existence, three members left the council, two of which were replaced***.

To this day, the Jekyll Island Citizens Resource Council is non-existent and no members have been appointed, nor has any resident tried to revive said council.

The Jekyll Island Authority however proposed the re-institution of the Jekyll Island Advisory Forum in 2017****.

So, what exactly is the difference then between the “old” Citizens Resource Council and the “new” Advisory Forum?

There are plenty of differences, but the main one is who appoints the members and who do the members officially report to?

The Citizens Resource Council is appointed by the Governor and therefore reports to and communicates with his/her office directly. The advisory Forum is appointed by the JIA and reports to the JIA.

But one of the most important differences is its legal status and power to participate in the decision-making process. The Citizens Resource Council is an officially sanctioned body by State Law and therefore carries a lot more weight, something the Advisory Forum obviously does not have.

In this time of major changes to the 2014 Master Plan, and the continued development of the island that may have major long-term consequences for its permanent residents, it would be wise to opt for the reinstatement of the Jekyll Island Citizens Resource Council, with the full support of HB 120 and the present governor rather than be satisfied with a pro forma Advisory Forum that carries no weight.

For more information about the history of Jekyll Island State Park, feel free to visit my website or my blog page.

Enjoy, and I hope to see you again next week for another installment of my blog.

*OCGA 12-3-233.1

**Authority Board meeting, November 1995.

***Tim Goddard and Cecil Passmore left for unknown reasons, while James Bradley resigned because of a potential conflict of interest. (Museum archives, February 1996)

****The Brunswick News, September 2, 2017.