Dear Mr. Sweeting,

The Save Guana Cay Reef Association, would like to sincerely thank you for your efforts to share the Heads of Agreement for the proposed development, Passerine/Baker's Bay Golf Club, marina, foundation, etc. Please understand that we are committed to fighting this atrocity in the name of our livelihood and heritage, as well as our marine and terrestrial eco-systems. However, we do not hold you personally liable for decisions made autonomously by Cabinet and the Prime Minister on the behalf of the foreign developers. We would like to restate our official position to you, and to those who are exposed to this letter – "Our Association is owned and operated by born Bahamian citizens. The scale of the Passerine at Baker's Bay development, as proposed, is inappropriate for Great Guana Cay. Furthermore, the lack of consultation and consideration by government and investors to overwhelming local outcry against this proposal fuels a deep resentment that will not be overcome at this late stage."

Our displeasure and discomfort with you, Mr. Sweeting, as representative of the people, was obvious when you came here, our feelings were not hidden away - you heard and saw true feelings from true Bahamians. Although some attacks may have been misplaced, the people of Great Guana Cay are distrustful of their government. We now understand that you personally are not completely comfortable with the proposed development, and were yourself not properly consulted by the Prime Minister or the foreigners. The will of the people, from the very beginning of this fight, has been unequivocally "NO" to Passerine, Baker's Bay Golf, Marina, Foundation Club, etc. The government has not addressed our concerns properly, and you, as their representative bore the brunt of that very real, sentiment. You have told us that you oppose this development; others say that you have stated otherwise and even had meetings to the contrary. We want to believe you, and we want to support you in any fight that you have left for us. You are our representative, our community member, and we respect your word.

Why is saving Great Guana Cay Reef, saving the Bahamas? Because saving Great Guana Cay from economic and environmental disaster, at this late stage, is an unprecedented push, by an overwhelming minority, against all odds and monetary means, to preserve that which is theirs by birthright. There are communities throughout the Bahamas who by no fault of their own have been railroaded by Government and foreigners to squander a God given gift. We will not be another; we will not go away, where else have we to go? We fight for Family Island heritage and vision, which is steeped in perseverance, handiwork, limited means, pristine quiet – not Golf, big is not better in our Bahamas –our livelihood requires "smallness", sustainable growth, not forced dominion, not at all costs, not at the expense of what is best for us, for our children, and their children to come. We will not accept Passerine, or any development in Baker's Bay that seeks, by its very nature, regardless of proposed mitigation, foundations, etc, to undermine local heritage, economy, and democratic principle. Please know, Mr. Sweeting that we wish you would not have given up the campaign that you yourself started against this proposed project in late 2003 - please stand by us now, as we should have stood by you then. Furthermore, we call upon those in our surrounding communities throughout the Bahamas to heed our warnings lest you be the next to fall prey to foreign rule.

Very truly yours,

Save Guana Cay Reef Lobby