Dear Source,
I attended what may someday be remembered as an historic meeting in Coral Bay today, June 26, and its cause was the announced development plans of the Moravian church here in Coral Bay. The meeting was called by Guy Benjamin and Pastor Ray Joseph, prominent and respected elders of the community who in their remarks made it crystal clear that it is time for the residents of Coral Bay to get more involved in the planning of our community. Sharon Coldren chaired the meeting. She is president and a board member of the fledgling Coral Bay Community Council, Inc., a nonprofit community based organization to promote public involvement and empowerment.
The diverse and energetically interested group who attended left the meeting ready to take numerous avenues of action to assure that whatever development that does eventually occur on the church lands (and all agreed that development is inevitable) must take into account both the wishes of the church congregation and the community at large. The role of the Coral Bay Community Council was greatly strengthened, as it appears that its membership (that has already topped 170) will continue to grow at an ever-increasing rate with greater participation by families who have lived here for generations and have much at stake in the community's future.
While it is unfortunate that it took a large development plan to spark this process, it is a blessing that the process has begun. Coral Bay is awakening to the need to grasp and shape its future and the Coral Bay Community Council has done us a great service in providing the structure to allow us to make a difference. The group has a website and can be contacted weekdays 11 a.m.1 p.m. at its office in the Town and Country building (opposite the firehouse) in Coral Bay. I urge all people who are residents or own property in Coral Bay to consider joining this worthwhile group. There is great strength in numbers and community involvement.
Sincerely,
Terry Conklin
Coral Bay

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