Name: A Comment for and About William H. Goodwin Junior | Fernandina Observer
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A Comment for and About William H. Goodwin Junior | Fernandina Observer

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Skip to contentDear Sir,I’ve been reading about you. I do that a lot: reading about people who have changed their cities and towns for the better – or, like Einstein, changed the world.You might not be up there with Einstein (who is?), but you definitely are up there in the rarified world of philanthropy. You have changed your city, Richmond, Virginia, much for the better, you’ve protected barrier islands, especially Kiawah Island, and your gifts to cancer research have been stunning.I am writing to you from another island, Amelia Island. It’s only 13 miles long and at most two miles wide. There are about 37,000 residents and about a million and a half annual visitors. They come for the beach, the marina, a lovely state park, a thriving little downtown, a well-preserved historic district and an old-fashioned, friendly culture. Oh yes, and dozens of great family-owned restaurants.We are at two obvious inflection points on Amelia Island: One is that there is not much more developable land left. The other is that there are a lot more people who would like to live here.A subtler but more important inflection point is that our homes are built on sand. What holds us together are trees and marsh grass. The roots of our majestic, mature live oaks&nbsp;&nbsp;and many other species have woven a protective barrier beneath our feet.We haven’t always been the most intelligent stewards of this island, but we have learned the value of space between dwellings, and we have learned about trees. We still have enough space and enough trees – but just enough.You are a businessman who has proven many times over that well-managed inflection points are crucial to success. Now you are at a very personal one as you turn your businesses over to the next generation. One small part of that transfer is a mere 50 acres on the south end of our island. It is a lovely spot, heavily forested and&nbsp;&nbsp;facing dramatic dunes, a lightly-used stretch of beach and the sea.The land cost you about $2 million when you bought it, and now it is worth more than $70 million. Independent appraisals have shown that the land is worth as much if sold for luxury single-family homes as high-rise condominiums.But the next generation and the managers it has hired think that eleven 85-foot condo towers would eke out even more value – despite the legal gymnastics needed to get past the county’s 45-foot height restriction. And despite the determined opposition of a community that understands careful stewardship of our sandy footing isn’t just laudable conservation – it’s good business, too.We’ll grant that the new generation has inherited your intelligence and your drive. But we wonder about its wisdom.You are justly revered by your city and your neighboring islands. But I am sorry to tell you that if those towers go up, the name of William H. Goodwin Junior will be compromised on Amelia Island,Respectfully,Michael PhillipsEditor of the Fernandina ObserverLoginI allow to create an accountWhen you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.I allow to create an accountWhen you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.Please login to commentCommentsInline FeedbacksView all commentsPort Director Exit Pay Will Cost More for Doing it RightSomebody needs to step in from the outside and fix this mess... Port Director Exit Pay Will Cost More for Doing it RightWhat a bunch of bumblers..shame on them..does anyone know wh... Port Director Exit Pay Will Cost More for Doing it RightHoly cow! What a bunch of incompetent boobs.Hotels Get Right to Make Walkway Over Public Dune and Heritage TreesSadly no surprises here..SMHPort Director Exit Pay Will Cost More for Doing it RightJust another example of the incompetence in the continuing s... Port Director Exit Pay Will Cost More for Doing it RightBill, Most people may not realize that the Ocean Port and Hi... Many Questions About a Dune Walkover for Two HotelsHard to find any redeeming elements of this ideaWe fight to... A Low Country Wonder: the World of Salt MarshesBeautiful writing, Lauri. I love the reference to Sidney Lan... Code Change Study: Clarity or an End Run on Neighborhood Character?Mr. Cain those of us that call Amelia Island home need to jo... Code Change Study: Clarity or an End Run on Neighborhood Character?Agreed, And a rushed process does not serve the interests o...wpDiscuzWould love your thoughts, please comment.Comment Author Info

Skip to contentDear Sir,I’ve been reading about you. I do that a lot: reading about people who have changed their cities and towns for the better – or, like Einstein, changed the world.You might not be up there with Einstein (who is?), but you definitely are up there in the rarified world of philanthropy. You have changed your city, Richmond, Virginia, much for the better, you’ve protected barrier islands, especially Kiawah Island, and your gifts to cancer research have been stunning.I am writing to you from another island, Amelia Island. It’s only 13 miles long and at most two miles wide....

A Comment for and About William H. Goodwin Junior | Fernandina Observer

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