Newspaper Page Text
500
JSLflND€R_
• Dave Barry -10
• Editorial
Back Talk -16
• Health - 7
• Movie Review
Angels and Demons -11 /'^
• Pew News -14
Surfin’
the News
Published by Permar Publications • P.O. Box 20539 • St. Simons Island, Ga. 31522 • 912-265-9654 • ssislander@bellsouth.net
May 25, 2009 Established 1972 Vol 37 Issue 21
County tries to
reach terms with
Altamaha park
association
By Pamela Permar
Shierling
On Wednesday, May 20 five
Glynn County Commission
ers met with members of the
Altamaha Park of Glynn, Inc.,
(APGI) to try to get facts aired,
dispel rumors that have hit the
media recently, and to iron out
differences between the Com
mission, the Park Association
and the leaseholders.
Commissioner Amy Cal
laway (District 1) who called
the meeting said, "I wanted
to bring the Commission and
the APGI Board together to
discuss the problem."
According to the current 10-
year lease agreement between
the County and APGI, which
has been in place since August
21, 2003, the lease holders pay
$50 a month for their lots in
the County-owned park. The
leases raise approximately
$27,400 a year. It is these
leases that Comm. Callaway
wants to do away with.
Comm. Callaway had pro
posed to the County Commis
sion that vacation cabins be
removed from the Park by Sep
tember 30, 2009. This item
was removed from the May 7
County Commission meeting
agenda to allow for additional
"research and dialogue," on the
issue. The Tuesday meeting
was part of that research and
dialogue.
Comm. Callaway continued,
"I want the park open to the
public permanently." Ms. Cal
laway does not want a continu
ation of the two year leases but
would like to see an RV park
in the area where there are
vacation cabins built on county
owned property.
"My position is that all ten
ants have to vacate (by Sep
tember 30, 2009)," Callaway
said. "Other commissioners
said we need to allow more
time and I am willing to allow
more time."
Vernon Lewis, representing
APGI, said, "In the past APGI
has not provided all the detail
Turn to Page 6
APGI
Casino ’Fun Zone' now open!!!
."W
v _■ ..jW* jjj
w 7 '- 1)
7 m
*j. ,
Mil TV'
■l, . 1 I'iS
It was all smiles last Wednesday afternoon (above) as Glynn County Commissioner
Tony Thaw (Dist. 3) (left) and former District 2 Commissioner Uli Keller were two of the
first kids in the water at the new Neptune Park swimming pool. A dedication ceremony
was held, despite the threat of rain, to open the 'Fun Zone 1 complex. Thaw and Keller,
along with Commissioners Cap Fendig and Don Hogan, were major supporters of the
park renovation project. Several years and a lot of hard work in the making, the Fun
Zone, Phase 1 of the overall park master plan, officially opened to the public on Satur
day, May 23. The Fun Zone is a multifaceted complex that includes a pool with splash
feature, putt-putt golf course and landside playground. The new facility also includes
a bath house and concession stand. The Fun Zone is located in Neptune Park on St.
Simons Island between the Casino and the lighthouse. The facility will be open from
Memorial Day weekend until labor Day. For more information visit www.glynncounty.
org/funzone.
Below: Even if you don't have a bathing suit you can torment your friends with one of
the water park's two water cannons. Islander Staff Photos
Chiefs get
extra breaks in
Torras barrier
By Matthew J. Permar
Glynn County Police
Chief Matt Doering recently
expressed concerns publicly
that the Georgia Department
of Transportation’s (DOT)
proposed design for the F.J.
Torras Causeway barrier wall
includes only one access point
for emergency vehicles and
personnel to get from one side
of the road to the other in
event of an accident.
Last week Doering aired his
concerns to the DOT and was
rewarded with two additional
emergency access points in the
Causeway wall.
Doering maintained that
limiting the access points on
the Causeway to one would
severely hamper rescue
efforts during accidents when
response time is critical.
Doering pointed out that
none of the five Causeway
Turn to Page 2
Torras barrier
Island residents
concerned and
confused about
zoning changes
By Pamela Permar
Shierling
Last Tuesday, May 19, the
Island Planning Commission
(IPC) approved a request to
add a new zoning ordinance to
the Glynn Comity Code which
will create zoning district 700
adding Village Residential
District (VR) to the code of
ordinances if passed by the
Glynn County Commission.
Permitted uses include one
family dwelling; government
owned or operated use, facility
or land; group home; acces
sory uses in compliance with
the provisions of Section 609;
home occupations established
under the provisions of Section
608.
Specific conditional and spe
cial uses are also named.
Maximum building height
is two stories not to exceed
Turn to Page 5
Zoning changes
