Treasure Beach is a place that I love above all others. It is a place in which I still hope I will one day be able to live. I have never felt as comfortable in my skin, as 'home' as I feel in Treasure Beach, and I trust that feeling.

Sadly, I have not been able to afford a trip to TB in a couple of years. My own personal economic downturn hit before the global one. I read this board daily so I can keep up with what's happening in the home of my heart.

Lately, I have been more and more distressed by the news coming out of TB. There seem to be a lot of less-than-ideal changes happening in the area, and a lot of anger is being expressed in posts here.

Although my economic situation is slowly starting to turn around, it isn't looking like I'll be able to afford a trip to TB this year, either, and I'm worried that my 'home' is going to be irrevocably changed before I'm able to visit again ... worried that TB is rapidly becoming a very different place from the one I fell in love with ... worried that, if these changes are real and become permanent (sea planes, the destruction of Lignum Vitae trees, the out-size development that is the Sports Park, the inconsiderate blasting of music that can be heard throughout the community ...) TB will no longer be a home for me.

Before someone points out that one foreigner finding peace in TB is hardly important in the grand scheme of things: I know that. Of course me finding a home in TB is not a priority for anyone but me. But I worry that I will be only one of a large number of people who will find TB so changed that it will no longer be a chosen destination, one of a number of people who will have to turn away from plans to move to Jamaica and share my time and resources with the TB community.

Mostly I am worried that TB is being turned into a place that is so far removed from what seems to be its heart, it will be unrecognizable. Posts I've read in the last year give the impression that the HAVEs seem to feel quite comfortable doing as they like with little or no regard for the HAVE-LESSes.

I'm worried when people so casually destroy natural resources and when people belittle others' concern over this destruction because "it's only a tree, not a human being". I'm worried that comments are so quick to attack before all facts are known. I'm worried that no one seems to be taking seriously the attention and interest of Diana from JET and trying to get some grassroots activism going. I'm worried that the community I have come to love is splintering, allowing small fissures to develop into major faultlines.

Please don't misunderstand. I do not expect TB to stay exactly the same as it was the first time I visited. That's unrealistic and impossible. Any community that wants to stay alive changes over time. Of course there will be change, but people can manage change, can ensure positive rather than negative change, can turn away from change simple for its own sake -- just being able to do something doesn't always mean that the thing must be done.

No one 'owes' me any kind of response, but I hope someone will respond and help me see that the quiet strength and fierce pride that are hallmarks of the people of TB are still as strong as ever. I know they are. I read Karen Kennedy's posts about the scholarship winners, for example, and I am happy to hear how well those students are doing, and happy to know that the little bits of money I've been able to send to the Foundation each year are being spent on such wonderful, high-performing children. I was just as thrilled when I read about the TBWG health fair.

But there has to be more than this kind of news. These things are special and important but in some ways they feel like cooking a gourmet dinner while ignoring that the rest of the house is on fire. That's not fair, I know. The scholarship winners are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing -- working hard and getting good grades. The TBWG women are fulfilling their mission by bringing much-needed services the community. But there doesn't seem to be any indication that people are coming together to do something about the negative changes that have people so angry on this forum.

I may not be able to afford a trip to TB for a long time to come. I guess I'm writing this over-long message because I'm worried that I won't find the true heart of TB when I am able to return.

Dear Heart in Jamaica,

You are not the only person who is concerned about Treasure Beach. Many people are. Many more than you might imagine from reading this Forum.

People in Treasure Beach have not felt particularly empowered to handle their problems. Too many citizens believed they could not effect any meaningful changes. Who could blame them? Look at the scant attention paid to them by the government of Jamaica. Look at the infrastructure which needs attention - the roads, the water supply and so on. Look at the vile thing called the canal that was thrust on the community in the name of progress. The residents are certainly sufficiently caring and intelligent to understand these are critical problems, but they have not known what to do to solve them. They have not experienced the satisfaction of victory that comes from overcoming what they consider an adversarial situation - whether this be from the government or a powerful human being. Without the feeling of even a minor victory, it becomes more and more difficult to summon the inner strength to attempt to do something about another situation.

One of the most heartening examples of the ability of the community to make their voices heard happened at that March 2, 2009 meeting when the seaplane venture was discussed. With very little notice of the meeting, the TBWG was packed - standing room only - with people who were concerned and had come to either listen or to voice their concerns. The vast majority of the attendees were residents of Treasure Beach. People stood, unafraid to have their voices heard, expressing their opinions. Several in the community had circulated petitions, and a huge number of signatures had been gathered. People had investigated what was lawful and what was not and they made this information known. One person even had taken the time to make a PowerPoint presentation.

It is not only the Karen Kennedys and the TBWG and the people who come annually to organize the health fair who are each doing what they can for TB; it is now the residents.

Residents are pushing for Diana McCaulay and others from JET to return to Treasure Beach to explain what can be done - what HAS to be done - to keep TB from turning into another Negril.

More will happen. As the residents understand they have a voice and they have power, they will be less afraid to stand up and be counted.

Do not lose hope. You are not alone.

I wish I could add more to this but I cannot think of the proper words at this moment. I merely wish to keep this string alive because this person's words are so very important.

Thank you, Don't Lose Hope, for your thoughtful response to my message. You are right, of course, that many residents are making their voices heard. I followed the thread about the seaplane meeting eagerly, pleased to read that many people were not only going on record here with their opposition to the plane, but that many had spoken at the meeting. I hadn't heard about the petition, however, so thank you for adding that information. I have also read the comments about the roads, the water and the hideous canal.

As a black woman living in a country that is more than happy to expolit, denigrate, or ignore me at every turn, it is easy to understand that the citizens of TB would struggle to see that they can 'fight the power.' I struggle with that understanding, too.

I guess I'm just feeling a lot of the anger, but not seeing enough posting about the positive action. That's really what I was asking for, for people who are taking positive action to share some of that here so that those of us who care so deeply for TB but are far away can see both sides of the situation, both the problem and the people who are working toward the solution. Your response helps so much, and I thank you again.

Thanks so much Heart in JA and Don't Loose Hope.

I, like Very Important Words wish to keep this thread alive.

I encourage the voices that have been wanting to talk to do so.

I do not encourage speaking against anyone, we all have habits and attitudes that are in need of attention.

Has any organisation invited Ms McCauley and arranged for her presentation and comfort?

I think the time of her availability is near or here.

I believe a meeting with Miss McCaulay is in the process of being scheduled. Let's hope it is very well attended by all segments of the TB population - homeowners, farmers, fishermen, restaurant owners, owners of other businesses and more.

As soon as it is scheduled, I trust it will be well publicized. I would also like to think that employers will grant their employees sufficient time to attend whatever portion of the program will allow them to learn. Too often, meetings are scheduled when people must be at work so they don't get to attend, and they don't feel included. Now that I think of it, this may be one reason there is not stronger participation from the community in many matters. Employees in a tourist-based environment do not have 9 to 5 jobs.

I do encourage speaking about actions that are contary to the health, wealth and sustainable development of TB.

If individuals or groups are responsible for any action/s being considered, they are then involved not because of who or what they are but what action/s they are responsible for.

Remember: Actions speak louder than words.

Correct again Turey. Actions speak MUCH louder than words.

Action would seem to be in order on a few new fronts now, too. The robbery and assault of Miss Judy and the idea Tranquility Bay being turned into a police adacemy definitely seem to be two things people need to act on.

A police academy at Tranquility Bay seems like a short-term-thinking idea. Yes, there is a lot of space at TranqBay, and I'm sure that space could be well and easily adapted to make a good academy. But is this good for the community in the long run? How have existing academies changed the communities in which they are located? I know in the community where I grew up, we were always taught to give new recruits a wide berth, as some of them were a little too high on their new (and dangerous) sense of power-over-everyone. My brother had several nasty encounters with trainees, and girls at the high school were routinely harassed -- particularly if they didn't seem sufficiently attracted to and awed by the trainees. I don't know if anything similar is true in JA, but it's certainly something to look into before an academy is allowed to open in TranqBay.

In Judy's case, not only do I hope the thieves are caught, but I hope the community is reaching out to Judy. Possessions can usually be replaced. Her sense of peace and security? Not quite so easy to get back. I can't imagine how frightening this experience must have been for her. I know she has many friends in the area, but I hope even those who only know her to see her are extending their help and kind wishes. No one -- and certainly not a woman living alone -- should have to go through what Judy went through.

I do still have faith in TB, but stories like this one about Judy hurt my heart. My thoughts are with her.

This thread is important to keep alive.

I just left TB last week, started out in Fort Charles, stopped in Billy's Bay and ended it in Great Bay -- there are changes happening everywhere in many ways, some people are not feeling heard and feeling suppressed and others just continue to try to keep the positive loving community thriving. My husband and I love TB, it too is one of our favorite places to be.

The police academy does seem like a short-term idea and I think would alter the whole energetics of TB and it's laid back, relaxed do as you please as long as you are respectful ways.

Interestingly enough, the TB police stopped at one of the places I stayed at and there was a 5-6 month old puppy there that pounce up to him in a nonaggressive/playful way and he pulled out a gun on it and kept it on it while it was wagging it's tail and trying to play -- we were all pretty surprised and quietly said "excuse me, relax he is just a puppy we will get him". The owner, staff, my husband and myself spoke about this afterwards for days in amazement and honestly, it did not make any of us feel safe with how freely he waived his gun around. I'm not sure what the academy will bring...safety, aggression, fear?

I am very sorry to hear about what happened to Judy and hope she is doing OK and she is receiving support.

I also hope that is not what is going to become of TB -- I am constantly asked is JA safe and my reply is yes and I direct them to TB if that is their initial concern. I know there are MANY safe places in JA, but TB is one of the most open, inviting, safe places I've experienced and anyone with an apprehension about JA can go there have a wonderful, amazing experience and usually wants to return to JA to experience it again.

Actions do speak louder than words and I wish I was there to help with actions...I am always sending positive vibes of faith, hope and love towards TB.

Nicole, your story about the police officer and the puppy is quite disturbing.

I echo many of the thoughts written on this thread. I love TB and love the peace that returns to me when I come back after a long time away. I have been away now for two years, and I have been afraid that I would find many unsavory changes when I return next year. Friends, and neighbors, please let us all come together and protect our little community. We do have the power to stand up for TB.