My name is Danny, aka the Boatman. My story began when I was eleven years old. Growing up along the water I had my own skiff and a small outboard motor. My favorite place to go was a place called Pine Island in Vancleave, Ms. It is an actual island located on Bluff Creek on the Gautier /Vancleave line and only accessible by boat. If my parents had known that's where I was sneaking off to I would have been grounded for life. It was a pretty rough place back in those days and continued on for many years into the future. I braved it all because of my love for the island and I became a fixture out there. I just loved being on the river and the first time I saw Pine Island I just knew I wanted it to be mine, it's been a lifelong wish. I'm fifty two now and my dream came true a few years ago, but quickly turned into a nightmare. The rough element I referred to was still there but had become somewhat manageable over the years. The owner had given me permission to oversee the island. That was fine for nearly a decade until I decided to purchase it. For some reason these people I had known for years did not like the idea of me owning it, even though we had all coexisted on the island for years. I had tamped down the rowdiness for the most part with a few exceptions, and nice families started to feel it would be a place they could come and enjoy the bbq's and the water slide for their children, a safe place for the community. I wanted it to be family oriented, the bad element did not. They began calling into the county complaining and dragging me into court for no valid reason. This island is not owned by them and is not close to any of their properties. They wanted to tell me what I could do on my own property. I wanted a safe space for family and community and to build all types of amenities for people to enjoy. They wanted drug fueled, drunken parties, and not to be inhibited by decent families who would disapprove. I have been stalked to this very day, my girlfriend and I physically attacked, been jailed, and verbally abused online and in public. Obviously the county is not for a family friendly environment or three years later I would not be dealing with harassment. They all have charges filed on them and because of the local powers that be they keep evading prosecution. So last year they burned the structures down including the water slide the kids loved so much. It was a three a.m. attack by someone we have on video and others waiting in a boat nearby. It is still under investigation by the fire marshall. These things take time but I feel assured they will be brought to justice.

What I will be doing with the money is adding 80 foot of dock for boat parking and this will make a safe place for the kids to swim at the same time. Also a high deck like we had before . A huge water slide for the kids I have the slide already . Will be some rope swings added and much more . At this time I am charging $10 a boat load for parking . I use that money to give away food every weekend that I am there and also we have a free live band once a month .

I have partially built back some things on the island and banned the bad element from coming for life. It has been very frustrating and I almost just shut it down and made it private. I won't let them win and keep decent people from having a nice place to go. It costs money and time so I'm asking for donations to help rebuild and repair what they have destroyed. I always wanted a decent place that was free for people to enjoy. They have ruined that dream for me and for all the children who waited for summers at Pine Island and the waterslide. Any donation would be appreciated. Don't let some bad apples destroy a good thing for the community. Thanks in advance for your support.