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Posted by Jim Lowry
on November 22, 2007, 10:40 am
166.214.201.218
Taken from the Keynoter
http://www.keynoter.com
EDITOR:
There has been a lot of talk lately about the City of Marathon Marina and Boot Key Harbor, about the new mooring field, the possibility of additional dockage, construction of new bath houses and laundry facilities, our two state-of-the-art pump-out boats and about the marina becoming financially self sufficient.
People are seeing manatees and dolphins come back into the harbor as a result of cleaner water. In fact, a workshop has been initiated to investigate further development of the marina office building and grounds.
What is the common denominator in all of these developments? It is the culmination of years of hard work and determination by harbormaster Rich Tanner and his staff. Rich took the position back in the early 2000s. At that time, there wasn't even a mooring field and the only dockage was at the marina bulkhead, which could only accommodate a handful of boats.
This coming season there is already a waiting list for the 226-unit mooring field and bulkhead tie-up. For the first time ever, the marina will cover all its operating costs and then some.
This coming season, with the procurement of grant money, two state-of-the-art pump-out boats will be able to service not only the mooring field but the anchorage area as well. This year, Rich has completed the state's sovereign bay-bottom lease. This will allow the city to take control over the harbor bay bottom and enforce the city harbor ordinances. By doing so, the marina will increase revenue and ensure cleaner water for all Marathon residents.
Tanner would like to see the park-like theme of the Community Park carry over into the marina grounds. He sees the marina as a place to bring together the harbor residents, the seasonal tourists and the land residents of Marathon to sit and enjoy views of the harbor. Currently, there is no public place for people to gather and enjoy this gem.
Even with the introduction of the new rate structure for the 2008 season, the relationship between the staff and harbor residents has never been better. A chord of harmony has been struck between the liveaboard community and marina staff.
Rich's newest project is making the marina compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Again, Rich and his staff are committed to solving the needs of the harbor residents.
We at the city Near Shore Water Committee would appreciate it if the Marathon City Council would extend a most-deserved round of applause to Rich Tanner and his staff.
Jane Packard, George Garrett,
Bennett Orr, Mary Belden, and Jeri Sears
Marathon
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