Mooring Controversy in Newburyport

[SOUNDBOUNDER]

A state Inspector General's report questioned the conduct of Board of Selectmen Chairman Joseph Story for what it said appears to be conflict of interest relating to his financial operations on the waterfront. Story owns property that abuts the river, and the report said that he should not be voting on matters that affect that sector of town.

Mooring Controversy in Newbury, MA | BoatingLocal.com

I know there were reports of similar problems in Hamburg Cove on the CT River this past year.

[SOUNDBOUNDER]

here is the Hamburg Cove story from last summer

The Day - Sailboat owner says Lyme's mooring permits system doesn't hold water | News from southeastern Connecticut

[joethecobbler]

Sadly, this thread apparently is of little interest to sailnetter's .
I find this dissapointing as situations like the one playing out in MA. are
quietly happening alot of places that historically have been locations of great
interest and some importance to cruisers and boaters in general.
As examples, St. Augustine was a great place to anchor until the recent mooring field implimentation , now there is NO anchoring pemitted in the area.
The same types of restrictions are being considered at many locations,where previously cruisers anchored for decades/centuries, no longer.
These restrictions IMO have been put in place after those w/ agenda's or commercial interests get involved. Often in conjunction w/ a mis-information and scare campaign sighting envromental concerns and expounding the issue of derelict vessels,groundings,threat of damage by loose boats damaging waterfront docks etc. etc.
While these are and have always been concerns to all parties , They are now used to justify Paid moorings and often elimination of a long standing Maritime practice.
Continue to turn a blind eye to these situations and it will and will continue to impact recreational boating. In what I consider a less than favorable manner.

[Don0190]

Doesn't really matter what boaters think of these issues. In the end we have no say in protecting our interests over that of the local land dewellers.