Sarasota Sailing Squadron

SNN 6 just ran a story about the Sarasota Sailing Squadron located on City Island adjacent to New Pass. Our City Commissioners desire to increase their rent from $40,000.00 to $130, 000.00 per year! Here is a group of people who teach sailing to our young children and encourage a lifestyle that is different than hanging out in malls. This facility also allows dockage and mooring facilities to many people who would not otherwise be able to enjoy our waters. They maintain and improve the facility, promote sailing, avidly protect the environment and preserve a touch of “old Florida”. I have been there more than once and you can feel a sense of Hemmingway in this place. This is truly one of our diamonds in Sarasota. Why destroy it, why impede or make it more difficult for mainstream Sarasota to enjoy our waters? Perhaps if there was one less consulting contract or little less waste there would be no need to raise the rent. As an independent to the County Board of Commissioners I could not overturn their decision to raise the rent but when the time came for the City to ask the county for help I will remember what they tried to do here. 70 Million for a stadium and government feels the need to “hammer” a great organization. All said and done, how pathetic is this!