SHARE

Jim O'Meara, Poulsbo

Marina changes would hurt boaters, merchants

The city of Poulsbo and Port commissioners are entertaining a concept of eliminating the existing marina bath, shower and laundry facility in favor of sharing space with a new public facility located in the waterfront park.

While this may be appealing to officials, it would prove financially devastating for the community. Case in point is the public shower, laundry, and bathroom facility located in the Port Townsend marina. While it was intended to serve marina tenants, it has become a magnet for homeless transients, drug addicts and suspicious patrons. Visiting boaters say they will look for other options rather than return.

The boating community that visits Poulsbo will soon realize, as they did in Port Townsend, that there are inconvenient and unsafe bathroom facilities in Poulsbo and then avoid our quaint shops and restaurants.

It is imperative the City realize that the most important piece of equipment on a boat is the toilet. The majority of resident licensee tenants in the Poulsbo marina operate small- to medium-sized vessels that depend on the existing bathroom facility, so as not to exceed a vessel's black-water holding capacity. The proposed public facility is geographically out of bladder control walking distance for most mariners. When you have to go, you go.

All live aboard tenants have signed a rental agreement which includes access to the existing port facility, assigned permanent "live aboard parking" and increased monthly residential fees. The Port and the City have an obligation to live aboard residents and the 225 licensees of the marina to provide private, safe, and convenient bathroom, laundry and shower facilities.