Letter. Editor 4/4/99

May 1999 Table of Contents

COMMUNICATIONS...

Dear Editor,

I certainly take exception to your Home Again In Abaco article by Marilyn Irr. Are we a community that is "...suffering from neglect..."? Are the residents seemingly giving forth an "...underlined sense of apathy..."? Are we saying "Treasure Cay is dead, but we can't do anything about it..."?

Are our enterprising businesses hanging on "...in spite dwindling trade..."? Have residents"...tightened their belts and spend as little as possible to keep properties in repair..."? Are tourists "...staying away by the drove..."? Is Treasure Cay Ltd showing "...a total lack of interest and pride in the place..."? Is the collective mood "...dreary..."?

Many a wise teacher has said that what one sees is nothing but one's inner reflection, as in a mirror. I say Treasure Cay is doing just fine. In my opinion, the working relationship between the Treasure Cay Property Owners Association and Treasure Cay Management has never been better.

This place is alive and healthy. We have our problems and solution is the theme of the day. Please come and visit again, Marilyn, and take another look. Remember beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Bill Durrell,
Treasure Cay Beach Villas.

Dear Editor,

Recently, I heard one homeowner say to another "Do you remember who told the good shark stories so people stayed away from Treasure Cay?" Could Marilyn Irr not find the person who told the shark stories to keep the people away from Treasure Cay so she wrote this article?

I think Marilyn needs to come and spend a bit more time in Treasure Cay. I'm not for sure who she visited or what she did, but I don't believe there is "a sadness blanketing the atmosphere" at Treasure Cay.

Did she not ride on the nice new paved roads in Treasure Cay? Did she not shop the stores? Did she not go to the beach to see the people having fun? Did she not see all the new boats that people have here (four at her old home)? Did she not see land that has had the Causuarinas bulldozed so we can see the beach? Did she not see the new homes that have been built?

I wasn't here during the time of Marilyn and may not realise the extent of "the once vibrant, viable community" of Treasure Cay, but the community is NOT experiencing "suffering from neglect" or "a sense of apathy".

People in Treasure Cay have had great experiences with the Yacht Club parties, golf tournaments, tennis tournaments, boat tournaments, sailing events, Junkanoo, and just plain beaching.

I agree that there is a minimum of business establishments which are struggling downtown, but we sure don't want the centre of Treasure Cay to turn into Marsh Harbour. Minimal needs of tourists and second home owners are met in the shopping areas. The Mini Market still provides the basics and the convenience store has offered shopping at many hours. Car, bike, boat, and golf cart rentals are easily available. The new hardware store seems to be doing well and adding more items. Florence still keeps chugging along. The Coco Bar is open and seems to have plenty of business as well as the Tipsy and Spinnaker. A new restaurant has been built on the Marsh Harbour road and the other restaurants have had or are having renovations done.

Sure don't see where residents are tightening their belts. Million dollar
homes are being built and sold. Property is exchanging hands so quickly we can't keep up with the neighbours. Remodelling and repairing is being done so much the construction people are months behind. Storage units and car garages have been or are being built at Royal Palm, Royal Poinciana, and Mariners Cove.

There have been so many tourists, plane seats are hard to come by as well as rental property. Nobody has marked down rental prices to entice tourists. A 50% deposit is required and balance due in 30 days for any rental even a year to two years in advance.

We all agree that clean up after Hurricane Mitch has not been handled quickly, especially the hotel. However, the Tipsy was in business in two days, the Spinnaker was repaired and opened shortly and has had excellent remodelling. Little Switzerland is being repaired and remodelled. The new offices of Treasure Cay are a delight and beautiful when you go to pay your (sometimes outrageous but we get great service and no blackouts) electric, cable, sewage, and water bill. The boatels are coming along, not as fast as we would wish, but still becoming presentable. How much can we ask?

Let's give credit where credit is due, also. The successful business people
here have been active, even though it has been tough, to improve the area. The underground telephones and repairing of highway on Windward Beach, night lighting, the new paved roads, verges kept neat, trash cans on the side of the highway. The TCPOA as well as individuals have been active here.

I don't know of any "collective mood" that is "dreary" when over 60 ladies
signed up to take a ferry ride to Guana for a day out. The only dreary part
was the weather was bad and we could not go but everyone wants to try again.

I think you are right that anyone here has a "deep and abiding love for
Treasure Cay". And I would dare say, most people really don't want a major change so it becomes like Florida, but isn't that what people are asking when they want Meister to sell the place. Treasure Cay does not need to be "restored". Treasure Cay is wonderful as it is. We can continue to improve things, but a large hotel will bring in more infrequent visitors, trash, traffic, and changes to the life we have chosen at its present. Remember, most people fell in love with Treasure Cay and bought here because they loved it. Why does everyone want to change it?

I guess everyone has a tendency to complain and those are the voices that are heard, but there are a lot of people in Treasure Cay who like it how it is. If you want to slam Meister, which I believe may not be all correct, go ahead, but don't tell us Treasure Cay is being killed. Treasure Cay is booming with wonderful "natives" or, more correctly, Bahamians, as well as second home owners who are living and loving it here.

Barbara Farnan,
Treasure Cay.

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