Dec. 8, 2003 – People who don't live in Coral Bay shouldn't make decisions for Coral Bay, said Sharon Coldren, president of the newly formed Coral Bay Community Council, at a meeting of the organization on Monday. About 50 people attended the meeting at the John's Folly Learning Institute.
The group is focusing most of its effort on Coral Bay's designation by the Planning and Natural Resources Department as an Area of Particular Concern.
Committees have formed for work on issues concerning land use, the watershed, ocean use and protection, infrastructure and services, and history and preservation, many of them areas covered in the APC.
"We need to be a champion for the area," she said.
Copies of the APC are available at Coral Bay Marine. Residents are asked to leave a deposit of $3 for a condensed version and $10 for the full version. When they return the APC, they'll get their deposit back.
One of the organization's first tasks will be forging relationships with the local government.
"It's like squeezing blood to get regulations," David Gray, a builder who was referring to the rules that cover construction, said.
One of the group's tasks on Monday was to come up with questions to pose to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull when he holds a town meeting Dec. 17 at the Legislature. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
The group was divided on whether to ask Turnbull his plans for opening a road through the south shore. Resident Joan Thomas said that the recent rains showed that Coral Bay needs additional access to Cruz Bay. The road runs through V.I. National Park from Lameshur through Reef Bay, exiting at Fish Bay.
Another resident, who asked about the environmental cost, suggested that a road through the south shore may also wash out.
"I'm detecting there may be some disagreement on this," Coldren said.
The group eventually decided to include a reference to the park in the question.
Coldren announced that the group will shortly open an office above K-2 Video in Coral Bay. Hours are not yet set, but Coldren said it would be open several hours a day.
"When you see our banner hanging outside, you know we're open," she said, pointing to the blue-on-white banner emblazoned with the group's name.
The next meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at John's Folly Learning Institute.
Voting memberships cost $20. Pick up a membership application at Connections East in the Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant complex or request one via e-mail.
For more information, call Coldren at 513-4298.
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