|
Although we are in the depths of winter in Maine, the many forces and
factors impacting recreational boating are not in hibernation! Some of the following topics are really good and upbeat news, but others
highlight areas of serious concern. So please take a moment or two to read through this newsletter, and please contact the MBA Office with
your comments, questions, or other responses and input:
THE PROPOSED MAINE BOATING SAFETY COUNCIL. From the very inception of
MBA, our goal has been to work for greater understanding of the linkages among boating safety, boating law enforcement, and public boating
education. In Maine, these issues are especially complex because of the great diversity in recreational boating, but there is, in fact, a wealth
of experience and expertise in such matters. Over the past four years, we have identified and contacted some twenty-five agencies,
organizations and firms, who have a considerable stake in recreational boating safety.
Our early inclination was to seek corporate sponsorships, grants and other financial support, in order to convene and
organize a forum of these stakeholders, perhaps to be patterned after the National Safe
Boating Council. That not having come to pass, the MBA Board voted to propose that the "Maine Boating Safety Council" be established by State
statute, with its mission largely advisory in nature. Such matters as mandatory education, operator licensing, more effective law enforcement,
and improved methods of funding, would appear to be logical topics to be referred to the Council.
Several of the stakeholders have expressed interest and/or support for the Council concept and to date, there has been no negative response.
Some do prefer to wait for the bill to be "printed", before deciding to support it. However, until the bill is in final form, we do have
available the outline format which was presented to the Revisor of Statutes and it can be Faxed, E-mailed ("Word" document), or sent out by
regular mail, upon your request.
The sponsor is Senator Tom Sawyer of Bangor (who also serves as Chairman of MBA). Co-sponsors are already signing on, and they include members
of both houses and both political parties. As soon as the bill is scheduled for public hearing, MBA will publish an alert and issue news
releases to the media.
How can YOU help_ By contacting your legislators, requesting them to support the bill, and also asking them to co-sponsor the bill. Please
contact the MBA Office for more information, legislative addresses, sample letter, etc.
GAS TAX STUDY COMMISSION. Based upon the January 22nd unanimous vote of
the Legislature's Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W), the
work of the Gas Tax Study Commission is expected to move forward throughout this year. The boating portion of their usage survey will be
conducted by the UofM, by telephone, to a random sample of registered boat owners in the early Fall, and a final report to the Legislature is
scheduled for December.
The process will the focus on a bill to come before the Second Session in January 2002, calling for increases in the allocation of the state
gas tax, to the needs of boating, snowmobiling, and ATV use. In the case of boating, this could mean an increase in funding, upwards of $2
million annually to the Departments of IF&W, Marine Resources and Conservation. Whether this re-allocation of funding will occur, is in
part, dependent upon the condition of the State's fiscal affairs, especially for the "Highway Fund". However, it will also depend upon
the degree of support from those voters who enjoy boating, snowmobiling and ATV's, and their dedication to the premise of a fair and equitable
return of their tax dollars to support and enhance their areas of interest. Stay tuned!
MBA MEMBERSHIP SURVEY. Although a complete report of our first (and
probably annual) Membership Survey is not included here, due to space limitations, the full report is yours for the asking (by mail or E-mail
as an MSWord document). But here is an abbreviated report:
Out of 182 Survey Forms that were mailed out, 101 Members responded, for a return rate of 55.5%. Members were asked to rate 14 issues/needs, on
a scale of one to ten, with ten being their highest degree of interest.
1. The increasing cost of recreational boating. Rating 6.5
2. Expanding discounts for goods and services through group power. Rating 5.9
3. Mandatory public boating education. Rating 6.6
4. Establishing a Maine Boating Safety Council of key stakeholders. Rating 6.3
5. Fostering closer relationships with lawmakers and regulators. Rating 7.4
6. Seeking a greater return of tax dollars to boating needs/projects. Rating 8.0
7. Increasing the number of boating law enforcement officers. Rating 5.3
8. Stiffer penalties for irresponsible and criminal actions of operators. Rating 7.4
9. Seeking ways to raise boater consciousness for the environment. Rating 6.6
10. Expanding dialogue with environmental organizations/agencies. Rating 6.1
11. Developing and improving public access to the waters of Maine. Rating 6.5
12. Seeking peaceful solutions to "lobster pot hazard areas". Rating 6.9
13. Expanding contact with all appropriate print/electronic media. Rating 6.0
14. Fostering better networking among boating organizations. Rating 6.2
Overall, with the lowest rating being 5.3, it appears that all of these issues/needs have sufficient member interest for MBA to pursue current
levels of involvement (subject, of course, to continuing analysis and scrutiny). For instance, the 8.0 Rating on "return of tax dollars to
boating", would seem to justify the amount of time, money and effort that we have spent to support the work of the Gas Tax Study Commission.
What remains most important is that we hear from MBA Members. As the broadcast evangelists used to say, "Keep those cards and letters
comin'!"
UPCOMING BOAT SHOWS. Boat shows provide MBA with two distinct
opportunities:
First, is active involvement of MBA Members, doing booth duty and networking at the show.
Second, is the fact that we gain new members from both the boating public and boating businesses &
organizations. If YOU can serve at one or more of the shows, please contact the MBA Office.
Currently, we will have booths as follows:
February 16-19 - President's Boat Show at Brunswick Naval Air Station.
March 23-25 - Pine State Boat Show at USM Gorham Field House.
March 23-25 - Maine Boat Builders Show at Portland Yacht Services.
We may be adding the Bangor Boat Show on March 16-18, but that has not yet been finalized. And a quick reminder: If
YOU know of an event (open house, owners' association, yacht club or other organization
gathering, where an MBA presence or presentation would be appropriate and welcome), please sing out!
2001 ANNUAL MEETING. Blessed with fair weather, MBA's 2001 Annual
Meeting was held in Augusta on January 13th. This represented our first guest panel discussion with government agency representation, and
provided a forum for frank and candid discussion on a number of topics.
Guest presenters included Al Johnson of the USCG in Boston, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist for the First Coast Guard District; Major
John A. Bennett, Deputy Chief of the Maine Marine Patrol; and Major Thomas Santaguida, Deputy Chief Game Warden and Field Commander of the
Maine Warden Service. Other guests included Captain Cynthia Coogan, Commander U. S. Coast Guard Group Portland, and Al Eggleston, USCG
Auxiliary Liaison to the Maine State Boating Law Administrators. Overall, the 2001 Annual Meeting served to focus upon and emphasize the
program of work for MBA. Many of the topics covered throughout this newsletter were explored in detail and thus more fully-reported under
those headings.
NEW MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE MBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Annual Meeting
elected two new Directors:
John A. Dexter, Jr. (Jack), an executive from Edgecomb, with 32 years of boating experience. Jack is a former President and CEO of the Maine
State Chamber, and is currently the Chair of Miles Health Care.
Patricia K. Jones (Pat), a real estate broker from Camden, with 20 years of boating experience. Pat is a District Commander for USPS and becomes
the first woman to serve on the MBA Board.
A hearty "welcome aboard" to both!
WE ALSO WELCOME OUR FIRST "ASSOCIATE" MEMBER. MBA Membership Classes
include Associate Members, and this class is open to government agencies, yacht clubs and other non-profit boating organizations. We
are especially pleased to welcome our first applicant for this class of membership: The Down East Yacht Club, based in Boothbay Harbor. The
DEYC already had several of its members who previously joined MBA. Now, the club has the distinction of being the first of what we believe will
become a long and valued list of Associate Members of MBA. Particular thanks go to Club Commodore and MBA Regular Member Bob Marshall of
Yarmouth, who presented the MBA story to his board. Other MBA Regular Members, who are also members of yacht clubs and other boating
organizations, are urged to follow his lead!
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS REMINDER. Members are reminded that the Association
offers some excellent benefits of membership, but we try not to be overbearing with our advertising:
MAINE COASTAL NEWS subscriptions are just $7.50 per year.
ACADIA INSURANCE CO. offers a 5% discount on premiums.
BOAT/U.S. dues are half-price on new memberships & renewals.
For more details on these special offers, please contact the MBA Office.
THREATS TO MAINE LAKES AND PONDS. Thanks to the Maine Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Maine Congress of Lake Associations (COLA), we have data and information available for
distribution, concerning "Invasive Aquatic Species" and legislative & regulatory proposals for preventing the spread of such miserable plants
as Eurasian Milfoil. Our understanding is that twelve Maine lakes are known to be already "infected", and if unchecked, a milfoil infestation
can "turn a lake into a swamp". Members involved in inland boating and others should contact the MBA Office with comments and questions.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! As you may already know, MBA Board Meetings are
open to all Members and their guests, but it helps for us to hear from those folks who plan on coming, in sufficient time to arrange for
adequate seating. Board Meetings are currently scheduled for Augusta, Maine on Wednesday, May 9, 2001 and Tuesday, October 2, 2001, from 7:00
to 9:00 PM, with the location to be announced.
The 2002 ANNUAL MEETING is scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 2002, also
for Augusta with the location to be announced. Please note that folks at this year's Annual Meeting, suggested the later date, which is
thought to be more conducive to a larger turnout of Members.
A FINAL THOUGHT. With the days getting longer and the sun getting
higher in the sky, we know that we are really gaining on Spring! Do keep the faith! - Jim
|