Mooring fee is a money grab

Posted 4/14/15

To the Editor:

“I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

When you hear those words, run. And hide your wallet. Especially when State Representatives Scott Slater of Providence and …

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Mooring fee is a money grab

Posted

To the Editor:

“I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

When you hear those words, run. And hide your wallet. Especially when State Representatives Scott Slater of Providence and Joe Trillo of Warwick decided that Rhode Island’s lagging economy, dismal unemployment rate, fleeing college graduates and next to dead, least business-friendly status be put on the back burner and instead forge ahead with a redundant new state bureaucracy called the Marine Safety Patrol. Holding true to the state motto of “Hope (we can disguise this tax as a fee)” and leave no Golden Goose unslaughtered, they plan to pay for this intrusion into local coffers and jurisdictions by taxing existing moorings in all 17 coastal communities.

I have had a mooring for 15 years, and would gladly pay double what I am paying now. But only if those monies went back into maintaining the services required to keep Newport Harbor as safe and enjoyable as it has always been, not to fund an unnecessary layer of enforcement whose mission, policies and practices are nonexistent. Allowing state interference with locally managed resources sets a dangerous precedent. The DEM patrols already do a fine job, and the Harbormaster Division has set a high standard in service, patrol and enforcement at all hours, and both work closely with Coast Guard Station Castle Hill.

This is yet another not so thinly veiled state money grab and patronizing jobs giveaway program. And if you think the proceeds from a mooring tax and violations will go directly back to funding our new patrol division, think again. That money will disappear quicker than Gordon Fox. The fees will go up, and quality of service will go down. If this bill ever makes it to a vote, I’d love to show up at the State House to practice my heckling skills, but I’m normally asleep at 2 a.m.

Bob Sullivan

Newport

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