This would wipe out the complete community of Mayport

To all good people who read this message

Is there nothing left that is sacred in our land, our small towns and the rights of our hard working, patriotic American people? We, the townsfolk of the litt5le fishing village of Mayport, Florida are asking you to join with us in our efforts to stop the Jacksonville port Authority from destroying the existence and integrity of the oldest, continuously working fishing village in the United States.

Mayport was founded May 1,1562 by French Captain Jean Ribault who According to his journals, was met by Satouriba, the chief of the Timuquan Indians with baskets of mulberries and blackberries without fear or misgiving. He named the river “ The River of May” The north shore of mayport, is now the southern boundary of the Timuquan Preserve nationally recognized bird sanctuary. Mayport consists of approximately 60 acres, More or less and is approximately seven blocks long and one block wide. The city of Jacksonville once conducted a survey and concluded that Mayport Village could not sustain a cruise terminal. It has limited access on the southwest by two lanes A1A North, and on the northeast by the only operating ferry in the state of Florida.

Now the Jacksonville Port Authority proposes to build and lease a cruise terminal in our small Village of Mayport and is able to use its power of eminent domain to force all of the non-consenting residents out of their homes to build five 4 story concrete parking garages down 200 feet on each street in Mayport and berth one or two 1000 foot cruise vessels in the adjacent Timuquan Preserve. They would take over the entire waterfront and there would be no place to dock the 24 to 36 shrimp boats that operate year round in Mayport, not to mention a vast number of sports fishermen who depend on the Mayport boat ramps and adjacent parking to launch and retrieve their small boats.

The gambling ships have done very little for Mayport nor would cruise ships, which hire all their blue collar workers abroad and who live on the vessel, except when they take leave to return or visit their home country. The Executive Cruise Staff are almost exclusively hired elsewhere and come and go with the ship. All the terminal would do is pollute the Timuquan Preserve, block one of the most beautiful views of the St Johns River and replace a picturesque landscape from both sides of the river with an asphalt parking lot and ugly concrete garage.

Throughout the years Mayport has produced numerous city employees, police officers, firemen, doctors, nurses, ministers, principals, judges, artists, poets, businessmen, lawyers, the first woman ever command a United States Search and Rescue Station . Unfortunately, we have also had our share of World War II casualties who died in the service of their country.

Every Sunday, you can still hear the 148-year-old Presbyterian Baptist Church bells ringing; alerting residents it is time for service. St Marks Baptist Church is full and has summer programs for children and, in conjunction with A.M.E. Methodist church has bible school and Christmas plays. There is the historic Mayport Lighthouse built in 1859, the old Spanish Mayport cemetery, the William Joseph King house a designated historic site and the marine oceanographic center at Jean Ribault School #32, the only one of its kind in Duval County, Florida.

The Village of Mayport has just last year been designated by the City Council a Special Zoning Ordinance 2006-452 known as “Mayport Village Working Waterfront” which requires new residents to accept and maintain the existing environment. Four beautiful new homes have been constructed since then in reliance of this special zoning. The area is in the process of being revitalized with more new homes, new shops, restaurants and stores which has been in the planning for some time, all geared to the concept of a working waterfront. You are invited to come visit us and see by the signs in the yards that most residents of Mayport are firmly against the construction of a cruise terminal, much as you would be if someone wanted to force you out of your home.

Please stand with us in saving Mayport Village and call or e-mail you mayor, city council member, legislator, congressman or anyone else in authority you feel could help, and please voice your opposition on the destruction of Mayport Village.



Residents and Friends of Mayport