Dear Source,
I am a previous member of the Moravian Church and grew up in the Coral Bay area. I feel the anger and pain that the community is going through.
During the 20 years I've been away from St. John, the island has continued, and is continuing, to slowly lose its purity and the uniqueness that makes it the best of the three islands. A hotel of that nature and size has no place in Coral Bay; it is too large for that area! The roads can't accommodate the amount of vehicular traffic needed to maintain the hotel while trying to create a positive cash flow.
All of St. John residents need to stand up together and protest this development. Whether you live on Cruz Bay or East End, this project will affect you.
I fully understand that the church needs to pay the taxes, but there are other options available. The area could use a small shopping center, single-family homes or minimal amount of condos. Retailers would contribute to the continuation of the community, but I cannot see how the board of trustees/ church council could ever believe this outrageous idea would benefit our community.
In closing, has the Moravian Church Council, their attorney Karl Percell, or any environmentalist discussed the potential damage they may cause to the pristine nursery habitat on or around the reefs in that area? They should be trying to minimize potential damage, and provide additional protection for coastal and marine wetlands in that area, instead of destroying what is left of Coral Bay.
Tina Matthew
Alexandria, Va.

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