RWC Planning Commission Meeting

Posted on by Brenda under Pete's Harbor

We were a bit in shock after the RWC Planning Commission meeting. Amazing stall tactics with a filibuster discussion of whether the RWC Costco should be allowed to increase their gas pumps by one island or two. Three hours–yes–three whole hours of that…I was beginning to think that it is possible for the RWCPC to consider things in depth, after all, they spent 3 hours on something seemingly pretty straightforward. Then, they showed us that no, they were just stalling. The lengthy Costco discussion created a situation in which the Pete’s Harbor project wasn’t even starting discussion until something like 10:30 pm. The PC decided that they’d hear the presentation of the project and EIR and only public comments from those who couldn’t attend the next PC meeting (Oct 30th).

We listened to a high level presentation by staff liaison Blake Lyon, and then the expected supporting statement from the land owner Uccelli turned into a very strange monologue about the tenants of Pete’s Harbor rather than the expected benefits of the project to the RWC. While puzzling over that, we then were subjected to a monologue by Uccelli’s lawyer which meandered but one intent was to discredit liveaboard boaters. When much of the public present unconsciously and collectively gasped at one point, the PC Chair admonished the public that there would be no such outbursts or he’d just shut down the meeting. The developer did get to give a high level presentation but no serious discussion of the EIR or additional unmitigated impacts was had. A few people who couldn’t be at the Oct 30th PC meeting made 3 minute public comment. Most were friends of the land owner Uccelli and a couple were interested public in support of keeping Pete’s Harbor, the landmark that it is, here in some way. The rest of the public comments will be heard on October 30th, 2012. I’ve attached a .pdf (link here) of the lengthy letter that we gave to the RWC PC before the meeting. We were unable to comment so didn’t actually present the single thing we were most interested in–the unmitigated impact to boaters of RWC because the slip situation has changed significantly since the original 2003 EIR was performed.

The next RWC PC meeting is Oct 30th and we’ll certainly be writing about it at that time.

The Wanderers

Posted on by Brenda under Musings, Quote of the Day

“To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea… “cruising” it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.

“I’ve always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can’t afford it.” What these men can’t afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of “security.” And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine – and before we know it our lives are gone.

What does a man need – really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in – and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That’s all – in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.

The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?”

― Sterling Hayden, Wanderer

Dock Walking

Posted on by Brenda under Pete's Harbor, photos

If you’re a boater, do you remember the days before you had a boat? I do. We knew we wanted to own a sailboat someday. We knew we wanted something we could live aboard and sail the world’s oceans. So like thousands of other dreamers, we spent our fair share of time dock walking. “Look, there’s a public marina!” back in the days before they were all gated and locked.

If someone were dock walking at Pete’s Harbor yesterday evening, this is what they’d have seen near Mahdee:

David carrying groceries down to the boat–