I made some informal inquiries to some of my fellow Charter Boat Captains that work out of the Marina; one replied back that yes, it seems to be accurate, the City has removed the signs and now parking is open to all who wish to use it.
As many of you know, I quit using the City Marina ramp back years ago when they raised the launch fee on Captains from $75 per year to $1500 per year. After building our home in Fernandina we now get hit with some serious property taxes and I wasn't willing to pay yet another astronomical fee. Since the Fee hike, I haven't had a good relationship with the City. They're on my "poop" list.
Back in January of last year I wrote a lengthy post about the City's plans to transform the waterfront and I forecast that removal of the boat ramp would be on their hidden agenda. Sure enough, here it is. By removing the "No Parking" signs, that lot will fill up quick. Local residents will have no where to park their vehicles/trailers and will be forced to go to Dee Dee Bartels or elsewhere.
Watch for the next DMS (Dale Martin Survey). Good 'ole Dale (look up Bureaucrat in the dictionary - you'll see is picture) will procure a survey and then he will use those answers to justify closing the ramp. As an example,
1) How often do you use the City Ramp? Well heck, almost never (why would you if you can't find parking)
The next move will be to close the City Ramp. Once Atlantic Seafood is gone, that area will make for a great entrance to the "Greater Amelia Pentanque Courts".
Is anyone interested in starting up a Facebook Group -"Concerned Boat Ramp Users of Nassau County"? It seems we're getting stiffed.
This is more than a Charter Boat Captain issue. It is a City boater issue. City boaters deserve access to the water. I for one feel like the City should make plans to build a City boat ramp elsewhere. BUT, they need to plan and build it BEFORE they shut down the existing one. Here's the commissioners Email address's. All you have to do is Click on them and send them your opinion.
