Dear Source:
My husband and I have lived in St. Thomas since the sixties. We love and enjoy the Islands, the ocean and the lonely unspoiled keys that surround us.
Like many of the local residents we visit the beaches and camp at the keys. We love to watch the seabirds and the sea turtles fishing and nesting.
Sadly it seems as if this wonderful way of life is about to disappear from our shores. What a shame!
Isn't this very unspoiled remoteness what brings Visitors to our shores?
Isn't this the source of most of our economy as well as our own well being?
Of course the free spaces, unspoiled shores and islands we still have, also prompted many developers from off island to wonder what all this "green space" is doing here, where it could be so nicely covered up with cement in the form of roads and villas and condominiums and such!
On a recent visit to Tortola, we were horrified to see what is happening to little Scrub Island.
This once pristine island is now completely carved up by bulldozers making roads and space for huge buildings and luxury villas. Before long the island will be totally covered with concrete. No bird, not even a lizard, will find living space there anymore.
Now imagine Mandahl Bay, Inner Brass, Hans Lollick and Thatch Cay after the "environmentally friendly" developments get under way!
Where will the birds live? Where will the turtles be undisturbed enough to come on shore and lay their eggs? And what is going to happen to the very fragile and endangered coral that still survives around our shores and outer keys? Where will the families camp and show their children how beautiful the simple life can be on an unspoiled island?
Will we really let our lifestyle be changed forever by people who do not understand how important this is to the peace of mind and well being of our residents?
With sadness in my heart I plead for help.
Irmela Neumann
St. Thomas
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