THE EDITOR, Sir:
THERE IS a public discussion on Lime Cay in your media and we wish to contribute information and to comment on an underlying theme namely, the use of our natural assets and the private management of public property.
Jamaica made the decision on the "highest and best" uses of our natural assets - including beauty spots - a generation ago. Today, we merely reaffirm this in that, attractions such as Dunns River, YS Falls, Puerto Seco, Lovers Leap - some owned privately others by Government - are developed for all to enjoy, not just those who "discover" them.
Second, the Government set up agencies such as NEPA and TPDCO to ensure that standards, national interest and sustainable practices are built, as these assets are developed. Though we sometimes question their pace, we commend their thoroughness. We are sanguine that our applications will meet their standards.
Third, we support the principles of privatisation. In 2000 when the advertisement inviting proposals to operate Lime Cay appeared, our stakeholders spoke to other Cay users and formed a group.
In 2001 they retained consultants to prepare proposals and represent them. In 2002 the tedious process of submitting documents on demand and interviews (involving NEPA, Contractor-General, TPDCO and other Government Agencies) continued.
Lime Cay, Jamaica was born when it took possession of the property in the summer of 2002 and the process of creating a quality Jamaican attraction started.
Until 2003 the Lime Cay property was not touched by us (except for the internal clean-up - the breeze usually clears the beach) and giving the existing caterers a Concession Agreement to execute, as required by law and in fulfilment of a "gentleman's agreement" to retain their services, as reached three years ago, before this all started.
The preliminary work included:
Work in the Jamaican Archives
Consultants checking the records at the Maritime Museum at Greenwich, Public Records Office and British Museum in the UK
Aerial photography by Tyndale Biscoe
Discussions with Port Royalists, long-time users of the Cay and public meetings at the Port Royal community centre and the Fisherman's Co-op.
Architect and Engineer and Diver visits
Environmental Consultants to study the property (the Draft final report is in hand)
Feasibility study on a closed waste disposal model (anaerobic system)
Visited public beaches in Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Florida and Costa de Sol
Contacted the SRC, Environmental Health Division, Survey Dept, Met. Office, GCT, TAAD etc. for data and advice and
Culled from the Internet and reports on Cays, beaches etc.
Finally in 2002 we wrote to NEPA for permits to operate a Beach and to erect a landing platform (Pier). We met, have been in dialogue and provided them with information as they request it.
Discussion about Lime Cay is healthy. Our freedoms are usually protected by a fringe, not a mass...it is a delicate balance. Public institutions as NEPA have a vital role when there are contending views. Their role must be technically driven, transparent, even-handed and geared to maintaining open communications.
Lime Cay, Jamaica has a simple plan. We expect to be sustainable and to provide value to Jamaicans and the tourists who visit. We intend to operate a "world class" beach (of its type and carrying capacity) with amenities; to erect a pier (for the safe transfer of patrons) and to create a trail with labelled plants on the property. Peak time for the "beach and boat" crowd (Saturday and Sunday) is different from that of the nature trail lovers - especially children and our "greying" population, starved for healthy recreation - (Tuesday to Friday). Monday is for the rest and restoration of the property.
We noted appeals being made for "petitions" and "boycotts" and would request that dialogue be the first approach. We disagree with the view that Lime Cay should be "not for tourists". This is a dangerous sentiment; "tourists not welcome" today; which group will it be tomorrow? Then where will it be next? Blue Hole, Emancipation Park, Lovers Leap?
Since summer 2002, we have been non-responsive to requests to hold dancehall "Bashes, Clashes" and "Blow Outs" on weekends and public holidays, as these were not in keeping with our strategy and the "feel" of the Cay. As a related matter, we agonised over cost recovery by this method, as opposed to a user fee. We eventually opted for the fee, as being more in sync with maintaining the original integrity of the property and allowing for better management control.
The "Beach and Benthic Survey (NRCA/DEMO/UWI, 1998) indicates numbers of people using the Cay as 125, 225, 300 (approximately) on a Saturday, Sunday and a public holiday respectively.
If we assume these numbers have doubled, even tripled, in the five intervening years, it gives us a perspective on the meaning of "free access to all". The "regular users" of Lime Cay are less than one tenth of one percentage point, of Kingston residents. In keeping with the same spirit of "access to all", we would also open up concessions to other providers from Port Royal who have been asking for a "share of the pie".
Contending views do not necessitate confrontation and abuse...dialogue is a better way. Work with us.
I am, etc.,
Dr. FRANKLIN JOHNSTON
P.O. Box 8644
Kingston
