South coast guest houses without licences
published: Monday | December 18, 2006

Rayon Dyer, Gleaner Writer
St. Elizabeth:

St. Elizabeth-based hotelier Jason Henzell has said that a significant number of guest houses in Treasure Beach are not licensed with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), insisting that such practice cannot be good for the tourism industry.

Mr. Henzell made this dis-closure one day after the official start of the 2006/2007 winter tourist season while speaking at the annual general meeting of the citizens alert group of Treasure Beach, at the Sandy Bank Primary School on Saturday, December 16.

"We are trying to build a positive image in the tourism industry on the south coast, but at the same time there were a number of small properties in Treasure Beach that are not licensed with the JTB" Mr. Henzell said.

While admitting that things cannot continue like this, Mr. Henzell who is also a member of the JTB board said that in addition to this, a number of tourism-related properties in the area pay over very little of what is due to Government in taxes.

TPDCo help

In the meantime, Mr. Henzell said that with help from the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), some 20 fishermen are in the process of becoming licensed operators of their trade.

Turning to the matter of a central sewage system for Treasure Beach and the south coast in general, Mr. Henzell said that the time has come from the development of the area to be taken seriously. He said that if more guest houses and other properties are allowed to be erected without a mechanism to deal with the regulation of sewage, a major public health crisis could be looming for the south coast.

The citizens alert group of Treasure Beach despite being only one year old, was instrumental in getting the National Works Agency (NWA) to design a canal leading from the various ponds in Treasure Beach to the sea. A move many hope would address the problem of flooding in the community whenever it rains heavily.

It is my understanding that almost none of the guest houses or villas in Treasure Beach is "licensed" by the Jamaica Tourist Board AND that this is, by no means, a requirement. Also, it is not necessarily a measure of quality. Can someone provide a list of licensed establishments? And can someone confirm that licenses are or are not required?

So is this one!

Cops seize 10 guns in St Elizabeth

BY GARFIELD MYERS Editor-at-large South/Central Bureau
Thursday, December 21, 2006



SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth - Police yesterday seized eight AK 47 rifles, a .357 magnum revolver, a .38 revolver and assorted ammunition during a pre-dawn raid at the Great Bay fishing beach in the Treasure Beach area of south St Elizabeth.

Four men who police say were "interacting" at a house about 100 metres from the shoreline, shortly after allegedly offloading the guns and ammunition from a 30-foot motorized canoe which was also seized, have been arrested.

The names of those arrested have been withheld by the police, pending further investigation. Police say they are anticipating more arrests.
Chief of Police in St Elizabeth, Superintendent Maurice Robinson who led the operation told the Observer that the arms seizure - believed to be one of the biggest ever in St Elizabeth - is part of the "ganja for guns trade" that has been ongoing on Jamaica's south coast "for sometime".

Police believe the weapons arrived in Jamaica from Central America, possibly Honduras.

"We believe we have made a breakthrough in the operations of international gun smugglers on Jamaica's south coast," Robinson said.
The police say that acting on information from headquarters in Kingston, the raiding party took up position at Great Bay sometime after 7:00 pm on Tuesday night.

Hours later, shortly after 3.00 am, the 30-foot canoe pulled into shore with several men aboard. The police watched as the men ferried heavy packages to the house before moving in. There they found the guns and ammunition and arrested the four men. Police say they are all fishermen - two from Great Bay, one from the district of Newell in St Elizabeth and the fourth with addresses in Great Bay and Mitchell Town in Clarendon.

Robinson told the Observer that the success of the raid was the result of surveillance carried out for over a month in the Great Bay area by intelligence operatives from Kingston and St Elizabeth.
The ammunition seized included eight magazines for the AK 47 rifles, and thirty-six 7.62 mm cartridges. Two outboard motors, a 60 hp and 55hp, were seized along with the canoe.

From the Gleaner story: " 'We are trying to build a positive image in the tourism industry on the south coast, but at the same time there were a number of small properties in Treasure Beach that are not licensed with the JTB' Mr. Henzell said."

My comment: "Most properties of any size in Treasure Beach are not licensed by the JTB. And I doubt it matters."

From the Gleaner story: "While admitting that things cannot continue like this, Mr. Henzell who is also a member of the JTB board said that in addition to this, a number of tourism-related properties in the area pay over very little of what is due to Government in taxes."

My comment: Is there not a Collector of Taxes whose responsibility this is? If not, Mr. Henzell might like to offer up a list of the offending parties when next interviewed by the Gleaner.

Why denegrate the guesthouse and villa owners? This is a sad commentary by someone who is supposed to be a Treasure Beach leader!! Even sadder is the fact that I am using an alias because I fear a reprisal.

Thank you Jason for bringing up the point on unlicenced Guest Houses

So am I to understand that the more guest houses that follow the proper form, get the license, pay the taxes, the more activity the JTB will see in TB, and with that, the possibly of fixing all the things that need fixing? (roads and drainage, etc...)

So if the JTB only has say, only 5 guesthouses licensed from TB, its probably not considered a tourist hotbed, and little attention would be given to the area (right)? But if 20 guest houses were licensed, perhaps that would be enough to raise awareness (and eyebrows) to the fact that TB is indeed a tourist destination and in NEED of some TLC from the government??? (roads and drainage, etc...)

Is that analogy correct?

Tax evasion, how interesting indeed.

Why the guns? I'm NOT coming back to Treasure Beach ! ! ! Starting to be like the rap artist(hoodlum) America. I will not risk my Familys safety. Sorry - - - - but this is inexcusable.
Do you have the guts to post this?

The Observer did not mention names but the Gleaner did.


"Charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition are 57-year-old Arden Ebanks of Mitchell Town, Clarendon; Alvin Ashby, 31; Carlington Parchment, 26, and 32-year-old Bryan Parchment, all of Newell addresses in St. Elizabeth."

I must say I am more than pleased to see our police at work! It's just a shame that this type of news is coming from such a beautiful community.

Guns for drugs... Lord help the little place call Treasure Beach. Guns for drugs, the whole world is a mess.

My family and I are headed to Viking's House in Great Bay in just a few days. I have been relying on information that this is a quiet and safe area ... good for families with children ... protected from harm, hassel and worry. Is this true?

This has been very disturbing news indeed. We are very saddened to see this happening in our precious community. And I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would not want this practice stopped.

I'm also sure there are many of you reading this saying, "Why did they print this on TB.Net?".

It was headline news on the day it happened. This is far from a 'secret'. Treasure Beach is a wonderful, peaceful, loving community. Is it perfect? No. Can we control all that happens within Treasure Beach? No. But let me give you a few statistics which may help to put things in perspective.

Anywhere there are shipping ports of any kind, you will more than likely come across illegal activities. As a shipping port, goods are shipped in and then taken away to be distributed elsewhere. I do not believe the guns were mean't to stay in Treasure Beach, but immediately transported elsewhere.

Jamaica as a country has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Jamaica as a country has one of the lowest rates of crimes against tourists in the Caribbean. St. Elizabeth, the parish which Treasure Beach is located in, has the lowest crime rate in all of Jamaica.

Are we a perfect country and community? Unfortunately no. Do I feel any guest visiting Treasure Beach was in danger when this incident occured at 3:30 a.m. the other morning? No.

It is, of course, your perogative to choose where you vacation. There are many destinations out there. We would love for you to visit our community of Treasure Beach and make up your own mind about us, and I am pretty confident you will come away with a positive impression.

I have been relying on information that this is a quiet and safe area ... good for families with children ... protected from harm, hassel and worry. Is this true? Yes, I believe with all my heart that this is still true and we look forward to hosting your family here in our beloved community for the holidays.

By IslandRefugee on Friday, December 22, 2006 - 04:49 am:
My family and I are headed to Viking's House in Great Bay in just a few days. I have been relying on information that this is a quiet and safe area ... good for families with children ... protected from harm, hassel and worry. Is this true?

You will be safe at Vikings. Great Bay is a quiet safe area (wich is likely why it was used by those criminals)

I live between Hells Angels, open prostitution,

wild coyotes, bears and cougars, in the freezing

cold.

I know about many of the dilemas in TB.

I do not lock my door at nights when I am in TB.

I triple lock, put on alarms and have my

sharp cutlass on the ready up North.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away from TB!

Looking forward to coming down, seeing old

friends and long sweet walks.

Be patient, be stubborn, Best, turey.

Hello IslandRefugee, Viking's house is in the midst of those of his immediate family.

You will be cared for by young and old.

Bring sun block and good walking sandals.

Enjoy.

"Protected from harm" There is no where on earth that could guarantee such a thing.

The sad part about this "news" is that because of the size of the community, no doubt most everyone will know, have heard of, met, or seen the criminals, in passing or in person, therefore making the information received more personal.

Yep, I'm sad that this happened. Is it going to deter ME from visiting TB? No. I just took a trip up to Burlington VT to visit my daughter in college and I was more concerned about my safety THERE than any of my many solo visits to treasure beach!

My own experience with the safety of Treasure Beach has been that I've never stayed in a place where I've felt *more* safe, and I have traveled to many different countries. As a woman who travels alone, safety is of the utmost concern to me, and Treasure Beach passes on all counts. I have walked or gone on my bike from Billy's Bay to Great Bay at all times of the day and night, and been nothing but safe.

Rebecca is right: there is crime everywhere. But there are also wonderful things such as what happened during my first visit to TB: My first night in town, I lost my passport and didn't realize it was gone until later that night when the man who found it tracked me down and returned it. The next day I dropped a credit card while I was out walking (I'm generally NOT this careless, I swear!) ... and didn't realize it was gone until the woman who found it tracked me down and returned it ... my signature had worn off the card, so anyone could have signed it and run up some fun charges at my expense. Instead, the woman who found the card also handed me a pen when she returned it so I could sign the card immediately.

TB is one of the warmest, most welcoming, safest places I've ever been. While this story about the guns is disturbing, it won't stop me from keeping my plans and returning in the spring ... and I'm sure I'll find the same warm, welcoming, safe place I saw a couple of months ago.

As for the JTB issue, I'd like to know more. Is it required for guesthouses to be members? Are the costs of membership so high as to make membership prohibitive for small guesthouse owners? What are the benefits of membership for the owners?

Stacie

Rebecca ...

Thank you for the prompt timing and sensitivity of your response. I have a sight unseen but intuitive trust in Stephiane and Viking Genus and feel even more comfortable to continue with our holiday plans in Treasure Beach after reading your post. Thank you and all who lend travel guidance through this site.

Respect,

IR

Thank you, Rebecca, for your thoughtful response to "Island Refugee's" very real concerns. We'll be at Golden Sands within the month, and have also relied on this forum for positve information about Treasure Beach. The world is indeed a messy place, and it occasionally spills over into idyllic locations like Treasure Beach, unfortunately. We won't change our plans; we're sure TB and it's residents are just as honest and "beautiful" as we've been led to believe. We can't wait to "come home"!

Regarding JTB...as a villa owner, we see no redeeming value in being a member of the JTB. A friend of mine called once, inquiring about villas that they were interested in renting in Treasure Beach. The only place JTB could recommend was 'Jakes', so it's no wonder that Jason would support them. A few years ago we did a lot of research into JTB and what they have to offer small villa owners if we became memebers and we realized the answer was 'nothing'. It is not mandatory and as such we have no intention of being a part of that organization. We pay our taxes as everyone should, we are passed by Health and Safety, we are insured, and we try as best we can, given the lack of infrastructure, to be environmentally conscious. We don't need the JTB to tell us what they're standards are as I am sure our own personal standards are higher than theirs. On another note I am quite sick of the villa owners being the 'whipping boy' for everything 'wrong' with T'Beach. I wonder what would happen if all the villa owners pulled out? As we Jamaican's say...'dawg nyam yu supper'...and nyam it good, I might add.

Rebecca, thank you for a balanced response with content to ponder and I applaud TB.net's consistent willingness to be candid and reasonable. Is Treasure Beach Paradise? Closest place I've found.

It's common knowledge that the Jamaican Tourist Board has had a long and scandalous history of
mismanagement and financial improprieties. What's
perhaps not common knowledge is the current assessment of JTB by travel writers and industry professionals as inept, completely out of tune with tourism beyond all-inclusives, and moreoever, in their thrall and control.
To anyone who's read reviews on Travel Advisor,
including those of Mr.Henzell's establishment, being a member of the JTB is hardly a seal of Good Housekeeping, in either the literal or the benchmarked sense of the word.

Sports Park. Green Seal. JTB.
An interesting pattern of irrelevant choices.

Thanks Rebecca well said couldn't have said it better myself.

this is so disturbing i feel very bad for our little treasure beach things and time do change im glad that they caught all four men good job to the police officer i hope there is no more out there. i hope that this wount stop the good people from going to t.b rebecca i do agree with you that t.b is a peaceful and quiet place to be and the people makes you feel at home shame shame and more shame on the bad guys .

By uncadeez on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 10:21 pm:
Why the guns? I'm NOT coming back to Treasure Beach ! ! ! Starting to be like the rap artist(hoodlum) America. I will not risk my Familys safety. Sorry - - - - but this is inexcusable.
Do you have the guts to post this?

Good! Don't
Do you know of someplace to vacation that has never had any crime?

I am certain the locals know far more about the criminals who were apprehended than what the Gleaner and Observer have reported, but I can say with absolute certainty that this type of activity is unbelievably rare in Treasure Beach. Even more important, the guns were not intended for use in Treasure Beach; instead Treasure Beach was used as a drop (or transfer) point exactly because it is such a quiet and peaceful place. We have had hundreds of guests over the years, and not one has ever told us they feel unsafe; on the contrary, they tell us they feel unbelievable love and warmth from everyone they encounter in the area. Because of these feelings, they return again and again, along with their children, their grandchildren, and even with their aging and infirm parents.

On the JTB membership, to be “good members of the community” we also investigated signing up. The benefits to us were nil; the benefits to JTB would have been our annual dues. And, as was said by another owner in this string who also chose not to become a member, we believe we maintain much higher standards than the JTB requires. Our staff has food handler’s licences; our villa is kept exceedingly clean, inside and out; we use florescent fixtures wherever possible; we use solar water heaters; we use drip irrigation. And much more. And, yes, we pay ALL our taxes religiously; this includes five (yes, five) types of employee taxes alone, to say nothing of GCT, import duties, and all the other Jamaican taxes.

A look at the JTB website will say all this better than we can. Go to www.visitjamaica.com, search on Treasure Beach, and see what useless information you get.

By turey on Friday, December 22, 2006 - 06:49 am:
Hello IslandRefugee, Viking's house is in the midst of those of his immediate family.

You will be cared for by young and old.

Bring sun block and good walking sandals.

Enjoy.

You are so right. I feel safer in that area than at home in FL.

My wife and I as well as our two year old son will be coming to treasure beach to visit next week. She has never been out of the state of Arkansas and although I traveled extensiveley for 5 years after college I have pretty well been homebound for the past 5 years. We wanted to go somewhere away from the majority of the tourists and neon lights and have a relaxing vacation on the beach, but at the same time I wanted to be safe if I brought my family down there and something happened to scare her it would be the end of our foreign travels. I did a lot of research on Treasure beach and it's safety I'm well satisfied that this is going to be a wonderful tip see you guys next week!

Now!

How many potential rooms do we have if we count willing hosts with suitable accomodation all over the island. Yes private yard!

Did Mr Manley not introduce such a program?

Is the JTB against such a program?

Jamaica is indeed more than a beach.

To "Another American Tourist": I am happy you did research on safety because I know that has made you feel better about your upcoming trip, but I and so many others would have told you the same thing. Don't worry about the people of Treasure Beach. Instead, look out for urchins in the sea. That's probably all that might pose a safety risk.

I live in a supposedly very safe suburb outside Philadelphia, and my husband insists we keep our doors locked. In Treasure Beach the only reason our villa doors are locked at night is because the staff insists on it, and I don't have the heart to go against their suggestions.

Have a wondeful trip and let us all know how it was. If you enjoy it as much as I suspect, you'll be ready to book another visit to Treasure Beach within days of your return. We always do, and then we count the months, days and hours until we'll be back.

What more can be said.Jamaica is a place of tremedous beauty,but,its greatest asset is the heart and soul of its people,and thats what keeps me coming back.Irie!

Thank you Stacie for putting this issue about safety into perspective.The account of your personal experience is very heartening and speaks volumes aboutTreasure Beach. It is a small community; people know and care about each other and the guests that visit their community.I live in England and I too have had the misfortune of losing both my passport , credit card and other official documents.My experience was very different even though I live in what is supposed to be a low crime area.Do I still feel safe living here? Yes I do but I'd feel a lot safer living in Treasure Beach.To all those people who have made holiday plans I don't think you have anything to fear.

Hello Nurse, did you get that lifejacket for your

husband?

The Jamaica Tourist Board and its supporters are drinking their own Kool-Aid. Their advertising account has had problems for decades. As an example, from the October 7, 1989 issue of the New York Times:

“In the first criminal indictment of an advertising agency under Federal racketeering laws, Young & Rubicam was charged yesterday with bribing Jamaican officials with almost $1 million to obtain the Jamaica Tourist Board's advertising account in 1981.”

This was the first ever such indictment of an advertising agency under U.S. Federal racketeering laws. (To clarify, the $1 million was in U.S. dollars.) Moreover, The JTB is a statutory organization established by the Tourist Board Act of 1954 and is an agency of the Government of Jamaica.

Since then, agencies serving the JTB have come and gone. There have been agency resignations because of non-payment of invoices, exceedingly late payment of invoices, and disputes over invoices for the sole purpose of delaying payments.

I discovered all this because, as a visitor to Treasure Beach, I thought my tourism-oriented ad agency might have a shot at the JTB account. My CEO then told me the JTB history and indicated he’d be nuts to risk the agency’s finances on the JTB, no matter how delightful a destination Treasure Beach (or Jamaica) was.

On the other hand, if the JTB signs up enough new members, maybe they can afford to update their web site. Right now, for instance, the description under Jake’s says that honeymoon suites are “coming this fall,” but I believe they were erected about three years ago. Siwind is listed, but they no longer rent rooms.

JTB, I am compelled to use the saying: “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw rocks.”

To anyone who is concerned about safety in Treasure Beach, all I can say is: Do not worry. I know of no other safer place in Jamaica. I have felt 100% comfortable in taking my wife and two young daughters to Treasure Beach, and I will feel the same way when we return in the early spring.

Ok, so can a person cut out the middle man and just get licensed by the ministry of tourism, and forget about the JTB or are they one in the same?

I'm asking because if by showing numbers (of guesthouses)to the ministry means a chance at getting things repaired as they should be, wouldn't it be beneficial (for the entire community) for all to become licensed?

Just trying to get perspective here.

And...JTB!

A lack of response to this thread by you will reinforse the charges laid at your doorstep.

Do not think you are above answering your
masters the public?

Waiting!

Thanks to the visitors that have posted their experiences.

Most of us appreciate straight feedback.

Many times we have been depicted as happy go lucky stoned and irresponsible devils.

These are here too, the great majority of us take great care and pleasure in practicing an ancient Jamaican custom.

It's called .....Welcome!

Welcome is from the heart not from the thought of $ generated.

Those that have forgotten this need a refresher course. Come to TB for a lesson.

The insinuation that the numbers of places "licensed" by the JTP is proportionate to the care and attention to basic rights such as decent, well maintained roads is totally preposterous. I would challenge that notion by adding that there are many, many places in Jamaica with essentially no tourists but with roads much better than found in Treasure Beach. The JTB will not cause the deserving people of Treasure Beach to get what they should; that is the responsibility of our elected officials, the same people who only show up prior to elections.

Let's see - do we have this right? - villa owners and guesthouse owners pay a "registration" fee to the JTB, and the JTB can boast it has all these approved members, and then the tourists, knowing the listed guest houses and villas are "safe" (because JTB says they are), will flock in droves to Treasure Beach and then the JTB can go to whichever of its influential friends who can get TB's roads paved (to accommodate those eager hordes of tourists all wanting to feel "safe").


Those of us who visit TB love the way it is now, think that if the stadiums come in, if TB is "improved" from stem to stern with "modern" paved roads, if the all-inclusives start to rear their hideous heads, if a single monstrous chain restaurant should sprout in the "community", we might as well stay in our country, and go to Florida.

We who love Treasure Beach recognize that the fishermen are having trouble getting fish, and that jobs are important. But in our ideal world - in our ideal Treasure Beach world - we would like to see those in need of income get together and "brainstorm" ecologically sound ways to earn money to live in financial security.

Growth, stadiums, all inclusives, or even hotels much larger than the new ones going up now in TB, are not necessarily emblems of "Progress" or even true "Prosperity," unless money is THE driving factor in TB, and if that is so, and the balance is tipped in favor of too much tourism, too much "progress", too much hype, then Treasure Beach as we all know it and love it today will be lost. And once the process has begun, once "progress" is underway, the downfall accelerates quickly. And our extended family, and all those we know who love TB for what it is right now, might be forced to forsake going there.

p.s. Hey turey, where do you get those cutlasses? We would like to get one to go with the five deadbolt locks on our doors. :D

"The insinuation that the numbers of places "licensed" by the JTP is proportionate to the care and attention to basic rights such as decent, well maintained roads is totally preposterous."

I wasn't insinuating, I was asking if that was the case! I was asking if that was the nature of the beast.

From what I've read so far, there is no return on membership to the JTB, except a blurb on their website which is full of outdated information. What do they claim to do? (the jtb) Why wouldn't someone want to "join?" I don't live there, I don't know much about the JTB or the ministry of tourism. I do however, care about Treasure Beach and her residents and was simply trying to gain an understanding of the function of the JTB and or ministry of tourism! Jeesh.

Lets pretend the road in front of a certain establishment was full of deep potholes. Or maybe flooded whenever it rained. Would that mean this was government payback for that particular place not paying their taxes? Or for them not being a JTB member? Come on people. Use your heads. And make our government honour their promises.

I've never felt safer anywhere in my life, than I do when staying in TB, Great Bay especially.

In light of the recent arrests, I should think that Great Bay is now considered too "hot" for more trafficking.

The spotlight will force activity to move elsewhere.

I can't wait to get back to GB. The only place I've ever felt safe walking alone at night or sleeping with an unlocked door.

Happy Holidays Treasure Beach!!
Soon come...

Kate

From what I see in JTB's website, there are only 3 accommodations from the immediate TB area, so what more must one pay to get a listing in their website?

Hi Kyle, Cutlasses are available in most hardware stores.

I like the short Martindale from UK.

Take it through customs dull. They can be sharpened to a razor edge, use with care.

Best wishes.

Sorry, Mair. Did not mean to sound so abrupt. Your questions were totally valid. I have asked several supposedly knowledgeable people about the requirements to be approved/licensed by JTB, and each has a different response. (Asking the JTB directly elicits no response whatsoever, which may provide another reason for my frustration.) Have a Merry Christmas.

I agree, Kate.

...and I love TB as it is as well.

I have just returned from a holiday. Upon reading the Forum, I cannot decide if I am more upset about the recent happenings in Great Bay or Mr. Henzell's negative comments about so many of the local establishments. Both seem quite unfortunate. I hope 2007 may be a year in which persons connected with TB choose to become less self-serving.

The smaller places are not raking in the $$$$ like Jakes.

Does that go for "Insiders" too Celeste?

Or are we going to do away with the "Outsider"/

"Insider" difference for 2007 and on?

Best, turey the "Inneroutersider"

Who's the insiders and who's the outsiders? This feels like a quiz I failed.

Ah Turey, I fear many of the "Insiders" are more self-serving than many who do not live there, presumably those you call the "Outsiders." However, I may not have understood your cryptic comment. If not, feel free to correct me and elaborate.

The Nurse speaks the truth. Many of the guest houses go for weeks without renting rooms, and people have to sit there everyday hoping someone will show up. Some of the villas are also empty for weeks or even a month or more. None of them have bars like Jakes which gets lots of people buying drinks even when Jakes is not full. Most of the guest houses and villas ask guests to pay for the cost of food and alcohol supplies, and it is cooked for them at no cost or a small additional cost. So there is no profit like in a bar or restaurant.

The above articles were posted to share public information, which they have done. We've also allowed a comment period but that is now, once again, degenerating into name calling and other offensive behavior. Therefore we are going to stop accepting comments on this issue unless it is something positive and offering solutions vs. further negativity.

Let us concentrate on healing and building each other up. This is a great and strong community. We have bounced back from disturbing events many times by holding strong to each other and to our vision of a united community. Let this be no exception.

With all due respect to the webmaster of this site, the previous post did not have the link to the webmaster's email we (if i may speak for others as well as for myself) have come to expect in official treasurebeach.net messages. So, webmaster, could you please sign and link your message above? We trust that there is no one masquerading as you, the Real Webmaster of treasurebeach.net. :-)

Thank you.

Kylelyk

Sorry for the exclusion. The email address for us is webmaster@treasurebeach.net.

Couple of points to add...

1) If a message gets posted then it means the moderators have seen and approved it. Therefore if it says its from TBNet, then its from TBNet. No email address required for authentication.

2) We've got a couple of emails asking 'why was my posting denied'? As our message above states, unless its 'positive and offers solutions', then we've decided not to add any to this particular thread. The ones which came through offered no new ideas. Please don't take it personally.

3) This message is a rare occurrence where we address deleted messages with a posting on the Forum. If you are curious why a message was not approved, then contact us directly via email at webmaster@treasurebeach.net. (But be prepared for a terse response. We need to spend our limited time on those postings which have followed the guidelines. AND make sure you've read #4 below)

4) To those of you who've sent multiple messages with the same content or asking about why a message hasn't been posted yet, please realize that in some cases we simply have not been able to review the first one you posted. While we try to look the queue several times a day, sometimes it takes a day or two to get to them. (We know that the Internet is supposed to be instantaneous, but it doesn't always work that way. Think of it as honing your 'soon come' skills :-)

Thanks for your understanding and observance of the guidelines related to this public space.

-TBNet