I'm sure Jake and Linda will be embarassed by this post. That's okay.

Their character has been under attack on this message board for quite some time. The attack reached it's apex during the past couple of days.

Here is the character of Jake and Linda. Even though they have not known Tom for very long, when Tom suddenly fell ill, Jake and Linda were there to lend support. They took Tom's 14 year old niece (who had just arrived for a week with Tom and Wendy) into their home to care for her. They found people to be with Wendy through the day so she would not be alone, they made lots of phone calls to various people on Bonaire to help Wendy determine the options for Tom, and they send many emails to people in the states who were trying to help Tom's family here stay informed and make decisions. They got up early this morning to get Tom's niece to the airport by 4 am and stayed with her until she was checked through security. They also made arrangements with some fellow passengers to insure Tom's niece would get through customs in San Juan and get on her next flight safely.

If Jake and Linda show this type of caring and compassion to a new friend...imagine what they do for those very close to them.

So..to the "Jake and Linda basher" remember that actions and behavior count, not shallow words or cowardly attacks.

I'm really thankful to count Jake and Linda as friends. I know they will be there if I ever hit some rough times.

Thank you Jake and Linda


Scott

Well said!!

I found it apalling that someone who had been welcomed as a guest, in their home, by Jake and Linda could make such an unfounded character attack. I am completely unable to understand her motivation.

Bob

i also do not understand how anyone can find bad things to say about either jake or linda. first of all, they provide us all with such wonderful entertainment on the cams and this discussion group. just the effort of monitoring and keeping it all going is huge-not even counting the financial expenses. the information we all gather and share from the discussion group, is of great value. do we hear them complaining about all the emails and questions they have to answer? no.

i have known them for 2 years and count them as friends. they are fun, caring, good people. and their children are delightful. of course, they can count barry and i as friends too.

Well, I'm a "newbie" to this whole website, and am returning to Bonaire for only the 2nd time. I've watched and read what's been going on over the last few days, and I'm truly amazed! I haven't even met Jake and Linda, yet I feel as if I've known them forever. Everything you've said in their support shows how much they mean to you, and I'm anxious to meet these two wonderful people. I'm hoping to count them as my friends, and I only hope I'm lucky enough to be counted as one of theirs!!!! Keep the support coming!!! ;-)

Scott, well said...

I ditto with all that Sherry said and just wanted to add because of their dedication to BT, I have made a new circle of wonderful friends who share my same love for Bonaire, it's people and it's oceans! I also wanted to add that Jake and Linda will go well out of their way to help you.

One time I wanted to get a Bonaire flag for My husband's birthday and I couldn't find one any where. Michael helped locate it and Jake and Linda put up the money, brought it to the states on one of their trips and trusted me, a stranger at that time, for a check!!

Another time I wanted to go to Bonaire without my husband and found that hotels are quite expensive for single occupancy so Jake came to my rescue once again and found me a couple of roommates to travel with! That was the trip my roomates and I got stranded because of Sepember 11th. Linda was in the states at the time and Jake had my roomates and I over for what I call Thanksgiving dinner. It was very comforting to be around a normal family life during that horrible time that I was separated from my family!! He will never know how much that day meant to me!!

I also broke my knee on that trip and he took time to come by my room to sign my cast and lift my spirits. ( just for the record, I had a whole room full of friends from Bonaire who came to lift my spirits!! It was so incredible, I cried with happiness!!)

Like Sherry, I have only know Jake and Linda for a short period of time but I respect and hold their friendship with highest regards!!! Oh I forgot, Jake gives me the best bear hugs around!!!!

I've only met Jake and Linda once. It was because they generously threw one of their wonderful Bonaire Talkers barbecue. We met some wonderful people, including Jake and Linda, and had a great experience-our first one hooking up with people we've corresponded with over the Internet. First time we've been on an island and got to really socialize with locals.

I don't understand it either. I have a very good gut instinct about people; I liked both of them immediately, and have always thought they've tried to provide help,information, and friendship for those of us coming to Bonaire. Unfortunately, some people are just plain mean and spiteful.

I agree with everyone here - both Jake and Linda are fine people who I am glad to count as friends, even though I've only met them in person four times. Through them I've met other new friends who share our love for Bonaire. They've sponsored and nurtured this site to all of our benefits, and do not deserve the venomous attacks of a sick mind.

I can't think there's any way to figure HER rationale, as I don't think there's any "rational" in it.

To paraphrase from a silly movie I really liked about the Jamaican Bobsled Team: "what is wrong with her is no small t'ing!"

good gawd, well, embarassed or not Jake and Linda should be proud. My wife and I arrive on Bonaire next week (our first trip there). Her folks have enjoyed either 6 or 7 previous trips and are there right now (buggers), and had nothing but good to say about Jake and Linda. We will definitely have to stop by and say hi.

I vote Mimi " OFF THE ISLAND " !

This is the problem with the internet - you spend enough time on it, and you'll meet some crazies. Especially since its so much easier to be an idiot in front of a computer than in person (although it sounds like Mimi was both.

I completly agree with all the things beeing said about Jake and Linda. It's unusual for me to meet people so open, warm and caring as our two webmasters, hosts for BBQ's, enceclopedia's of Bonaire, and I can continue for a while like this. I know that they are willing to help everyone they can help in every way possible.

I can only say they can rely on all the help Angela and I can offer if they should need it.

Martin

Ditto from me for all the nice things that have been said about Jake and Linda. They are VERY MUCH part of the reason Bonaire is the Winter Island for us, and why we feel so at home there. It will be our pleasure to visit the island and the Richter family again next February.

Thanks, guys, for the joy we've found in BOnaire --- and the fact that I'm now a dIVER (I can still hardly believe it...)

Yea, Josie! Way to go.

The New Glue.

Jake and Linda are the new glue that help hold the folks and life itself on Bonaire together. They are the "salt of the earth" to borrow a phrase. They are characters with character...
We are all fortunate to know them as they bless all of our lives with meaning, insight, and by example.

Thanks J & L.

From Florida.
Bud

There is not much we (Joe and I) can add to this topic, but we do want to thank Jake and Linda for all they have done for us and others...they are, indeed, very special people. Carole

I still haven't found the msg where somebody trashed Jake and Linda. However, I ditto all the comments supporting them. They are great people.

I was in Bonaire 2 weeks ago and checked up on "Mimi". Turns out she has been asked to leave every resort on the island because of the trouble she causes. If you want some humor, stop in a Caribe Inn and tell Bruce that you hear she is coming back to stay with him. What a way to get him wound up.

Gregg try this link link