USVI-On-Line

Great stuff guys!

Just keep us posted as to when the site is up and a process for donating money for this is good to go - then we can all spread the word to Maho/STJ lovers everywhere!

When you talked to the guy from TPL, did he indicate to you if Little Maho was on their list of projects that they were working on? I kind of figured with them just buying the other Maho tract (and the government having not fully paid for it yet), that maybe it wasn't as high on their priority list as it is ours.

What I want to know is if we all started sending money to TPL and said "Please use this to buy the Maho Camps" would they do it? Do they allow people to earmark funds? Because if I could do that, I would write a nice-sized check tomorrow.

Maho is my most-favorite place in the world, and I can't stomach the thought of an all-inclusive resort with its own ferry boat taking over.

From everything I've read about Stanley, it's my take that he's realized that he can't afford to purchase Maho for what the Marsh heirs want, which is why he's expanded Concordia and focused more on that camp.

Lulu76 wrote:When you talked to the guy from TPL, did he indicate to you if Little Maho was on their list of projects that they were working on? I kind of figured with them just buying the other Maho tract (and the government having not fully paid for it yet), that maybe it wasn't as high on their priority list as it is ours.

What I want to know is if we all started sending money to TPL and said "Please use this to buy the Maho Camps" would they do it? Do they allow people to earmark funds? Because if I could do that, I would write a nice-sized check tomorrow.

Maho is my most-favorite place in the world, and I can't stomach the thought of an all-inclusive resort with its own ferry boat taking over.

From everything I've read about Stanley, it's my take that he's realized that he can't afford to purchase Maho for what the Marsh heirs want, which is why he's expanded Concordia and focused more on that camp.

Great points Lulu. From what I've heard, the TPL is bending over backwards to get a deal done with Little Maho. The issue is that they are asking an arm and a leg for the property. As far as writing checks to the TPL specifically for the purchase, they can't start taking donations until they have at least a tentative deal worked out. That's what the TPL told me yesterday. However, someone posted on one of these forums that they were told differently by the TPL. I'll call my contact there and get a clarification.

Thanks for taking the initiative on this. When we were there a few months ago, my friends asked me why I didn't just start passing the hat on the forum to save Maho. I just didn't have any inkling to begin. I do have some fundraising experience, but I just wasn't sure how the TPL worked, and I definitely want to go through them to do it -- I think they are the only ones who can save it.

Well, and all of us, of course, no matter how much or how little we can throw in the pot -- it all adds up.

Thanks guys for all you're doing with this. Keep us updated.

No problem. PianoGrl and fellow Texan. If you PM me your email address I'll add you to the list when updates go out.

Russ

Lulu, just some clarification of perpetually confusing points:
The Marsh family heirs have nothing to do with Little Maho, the family that does own it has no other connection to St. John that I know of (I met some of them at a fancy resort on Anguilla once).
History lesson:
The lIttle Maho property was part of a number of "small holdings" in the community of Mary Point, which in the 1930's was as large a community as any on St. John. Estate Maho Bay, on the other hand, is over 400 acres and was one of a large number of big St. John estates that belonged to William Henry Marsh, who bought them really cheap in the second half of the 1800's ($300-$400 per property).
Stanley Selengut has never indicated any interest in buying the campground property. I imagine he's had quite favorable terms for the last 30-odd years there, but I'd actually doubt if he'd even renew the lease-- if that were an option.

Thanks for clarifying, Hugo. I have read several articles on Maho, but my brain is fuzzy these days so I definitely could've misspoken.

I'm just glad that we're finally talking about this and trying to do something. I don't know how successful we'll be, but I feel like we have to try.