THANK YOU, Treasure Beach, for the warm welcome accorded me and my family after an (unintentional!) absence of ten years. Our twilight return to beloved 'Folichon' was the best--- glowing lights, the wafting aromas of fricassee, the unexpected presence of our dear Vanny, stalwart Vivien on duty, the quick appearance of Rebecca--- hugs and kisses all around from these cherished friends of 15 years.

With me were my wife, Jody, son Colin, daughter Katie with her fiance`, Dan (his first visit). Our oldest daughter, Molly, kept in Washington, D.C. this time with the responsibility of 3-year-old twins and busy times for her and her husband, Kevin, with government doings. (Soon come!)

We are grateful to note that TB is much the same as last we saw it. Most notable, sadly, is the drastic decline in fishing, with agriculture, once a mainstay of TB's fragile economy. This naturally requires the focus to be placed ever more on tourism as a means of survival--- a potentially treacherous situation, as I'm sure you all realize.

We are happy to see the greater success of our friends Bernard and Dennis with tourist business, and Angie and Lourine's newly improved and delicious 'Diners Delite'. Of course Jake's is the big dog in the road and keeps on expanding (tastefully!), now with Jack Sprat's shouldering Folichon for beach.

We are fortunate that Jason and Sally appreciate that TB is the ANTI-NEGRIL. THAT is what we have to sell. We are a quiet, honest, trusting, lowtech, geographically blessed community with an appeal to the creative and thoughtful visitor. The residents of TB are the most gracious people on the island, in my experience!
THAT is the goose that we hope to keep laying those modest little golden eggs.

I was dismayed to see two jet-skis pass by, and a helicopter land at Jake's! Also, the giant (and illegal?) stone wall on the beach up toward Pedro Bluff--- is there an effort to challenge it?

Is there any provision in Jamaican law to assign official 'historical status' to our area, whereby a review board with real powers may approve or deny permission for such things as jet-ski rentals, landing rights, construction projects, and so on? I'm sure all these things are hashed out on a daily basis in passionate conversation, and as a relative outsider I don't have a true sense of the push and pull of the forces at work in TB--- I just love it and want it to be well!

I expect it's not a rare offer, but if there's something we can do from home (US), we are surely willing to add our efforts to protect and preserve what is special and unique about Treasure Beach. I have expertise in architecture and design, as well as experience serving on local governmental boards for zoning and historical preservation. I would be willing to travel to TB to work with a local organization dealing with these kinds of things.

Meanwhile--THANKS again, for the love we feel in our beautiful 'home-from-home'!

[edited by TBNet] The noise the daily traffic, no speed bump, the cars drving as if no children lives next door. I would love Jason/Jakes to [edited by TBNet] set up speed bump leaving from Jack Sprat to the main road. [edited by TBNet] When the helicopter land there the dust is almost unbearable[edited by TBNet] The Government is ok with this type of operation, this is a pack of nonsense and I think those people need to go to Dr. Tufton and start complaining, I have seen him there so he is fully aware of the situation. I hate to stand by and see this happening and no one says anything [edited by TBNet] give me a break for Gods sake.

Fed UP,
Then don't stand by.
Are you one of 'those people' who need to start complaining?

Treasure Beach Net I realise you edit most of my posting I am not offended!!! as I enjoy coming to this site daily. I hope Jason/Jakes is reading my comments. Jamaica is divided between the have and have nots and that is a huge problem.

Excuse me Bob, but Fed Up IS complaining the best he knows how to do it. I would guess his complaint had a lot of strong language based on the numerous edits by the webmaster. If you could be so kind as to tell him a better way to complain, I am sure this would be most appreciated. MANY of us have seen Dr. Tufton at Jakes and Jack Sprats and presume he is already quite aware of these situations, so perhaps there is someone else who would be more receptive to Fed Up's complaints.