Mexico Beach Councilwoman proposes launch fees

tk's joy

http://www.starfl.com/news/local-news/boat-launch-fee-ordinance-splits-mb-council-1.403710?page=0

This is one of those that just makes you shake your head and wonder just what the hell makes some people tick.

St. Joe Company, builds and donates to the City of Mexico Beach a new, albeit, much needed Boat Ramp. And, not just a boat ramp, a Blue Ribbon Boat Ramp, arguably the best municipal boat ramp in Bay County along with enough room to park plenty of trucks and trailers.

Now, we’ve all heard of re-gifting and Ms. Castro’s proposal to charge a fee for launching your boat in Mexico Beach kind of tops the cake. Oh, and the comment, “To stay competitive with Port St. Joe, Castro proposed a fee of $10 per day or $50 per year for ramp access”, give me a break.

Mayor Cathy and Councilman Jack Mullin oppose this fee with the other three council members supporting it and it has been pushed to the December Council meeting for a vote. I as a property owner in Mexico Beach oppose this as it sends the wrong message of what and who Mexico Beach is all about. It’s just one more case of “if you don’t mind, I’m just gonna’ stick my hand in your pocket one more time while you’re in town”. Not Thanks for buying your ice here, that box of cigar minnows that you forgot to pick up along w/ a couple of dusters at Mexico Beach Marine, a couple of 6 packs of beer and sodas from Gulf Foods, lunch for your wives while they areshopping while you boys are out bobbing around in the Gulf, breakfast at Sharon’s before your day on the water begins. Nope, nothing, nada not even a “ya’ll come back soon so we can do this again”.

If you fish the Mexico Beach area, as I know quite a few of you do from time to time, and oppose this fee, then the council members are listed below with email addresses and phone numbers. Drop them a line, or give them a call. This is one of those where you can let them know as a visitor whether or not you’ll come, spend some of your money and fish out of Mexico Beach because of this ridiculous launch fee if it is passed.

Mayor
Al Cathey - [email protected] opposed the fee.
Contact #: 850-648-5700

Council Group 2
Mary Blackburn - [email protected] for the fee Contact #: 850-896-5222

Council Group 3
Jack Mullen - [email protected]mexicobeachgov.com opposed the fee
Contact #: 850-648-4979

Council Group 4
Tanya Castro - [email protected] for the fee
Contact #: 404-660-7408

Council Group 5
Jeff Tendler - [email protected] Contact #: 850-728-1885

Justin

I agree! Horrible idea!

tk's joy

Then make a call. Write an email. Let them know this is a horrible idea. Don't just agree. Make yourself known.

Terry

Wally15

tk's joy wrote: »

Then make a call. Write an email. Let them know this is a horrible idea. Don't just agree. Make yourself known.

Terry

I just found this post. I spend my summer and fall camping at Rustic Sands and launching from the new ramp. I agree, it's a very good ramp, light years ahead of the old MB ramps. The wife and I, plus the kids and grandkids, spend a lot of money on the local economy.
What was the result of the December vote? Sorry I didn't catch this thread in time to contact the council members.
Personal opinion, if they (not St Joe, the MB council) would put in restrooms and a fish cleaning station at the new ramp, I'd pay the annual fee. Heck I already pay them $15 to drive a golf cart a few blocks.
Is there a public fish cleaning station anywhere near the new ramp?
Mike

tk's joy

Hi Mike,

The ramp fee passed, as without much support against, we knew it would. The nearest public fish cleaning stations as far as I know are along the canal on Canal Pkwy.

tk

Wally15

tk's joy wrote: »

Hi Mike,

The ramp fee passed, as without much support against, we knew it would. The nearest public fish cleaning stations as far as I know are along the canal on Canal Pkwy.

tk

Thanks for the update. Maybe now we can apply some pressure to get restrooms and a cleaning station put in at the new ramp.
Good luck with that!
The cleaning stations on the canal aren't very good. I like electric fillet knives. Plus you can't drive your vehicle with boat attached to them to the cleaning stations because you can't turn around.

tk's joy

(Smiling to self) Oh, you can turn around, it's just not a pretty picture. I imagine they'll do something to improve the new ramp area after they collect enough fees and people eventually start complaining, but I wouldn't expect electricity. I would think the campground would have some kind of facility. After all the years I've never even driven in the place. See you on the water come spring.

tk

Bakerman

"........Oh, and the comment, “To stay competitive with Port St. Joe, Castro proposed a fee of $10 per day or $50 per year for ramp access”........."

It seems like the boat ramps in PSJ/Gulf County ...Frank Pate park, the one at the canal, White City, CR 386, etc. don't charge an entrance fee. I've caught more fish out of those ramps. I'll just go there.

tk's joy

Bakerman,
I don't know. I got the impression that the PSJ ramp at Frank Pate park was charging, but I really don't know now that you bring it up. What I do know is that it's a pretty good shallow ride out to open water to get outta' there, but it's a nice ramp. Had to put in there a few times before the new dredge.

tk

Bakerman

TK....could be. Last couple times I was there and fished I took kayaks and stayed at the state park.