What can I say....they built the dock they envisioned. Evansville, IN, isn't known for thinking too far ahead. Unfortunately, and you can ask the four to eight folks this past year that wanted part time jobs with me on different boats I was to bring in to our city and in the Ohio River Region, that the new Municipal dock wasn't fully thought out. It wasn't going to be. The new Municipal dock was built as they saw it. Ya' see, we've not had too many boats in our area since the early 1900's when our area was the busiest river traffice in the world--yes, the world. Before a New York, New Orleans, Chicago, East/West coast. We were it.
But, the goal was to bring to us the LST 325, from Mobile Alabama this year after Katrina and Rita. It is now housed permanently in Evansville, IN, and the government is wanting a Museum instead of looking at our dock and trying to make it more efficient. I've talked with city and state legislators and it is widely felt that it may take at least one or two more city administrations to change the dock as it is a lightening rod in our city. The public loves the Queen series, loves the Natchez, loves river traffic. The elected officials are just not there on the same plane. Call and ask any of the four to eight folks that wanted part time work with me this year and they will be furious. People want work, jobs that are fun.
In my company I'm trying to open up this area for boating. Our river region and neighboring cities understand the importance to grow with this as almost all of them are redoing their river fronts and have or trying to receive grants to improve their river fronts and docks. I'm one of the ones in the back ground that felt the LST 325 would be a great asset but you'd think I was new to town. It is a strange situation and our public is sick.
So, I'm trying to bring in any boats, so far between about $200 to $300 million in worth are coming or have been here for the next year and a half. It is exciting since it was an empty river. We did have the Chattanooga Star for a summer and it didn't make money. No marketing took place. And, that is exactly the size "they" built the dock for. Can you believe it. Docks all around us, all up and down the river and we build a dock for the smallest size boats. So, now, boat by boat, I have to see who fits, who wants to bunt up against an LST 325 cargo ship to use our dock. We are the largest city in the hub for two to three hours driving by car. We are the shopping center.
I hope that in the future we'll have a better chance to join the rest of the country to keep hosting many boats from around the country. I'm excited when each boat can come. I got chills when I saw the Natchez come. I felt at home when my first boat came in, The Spirit of Jefferson. The excitement continues. The rest of our river region is rebuilding, redoing, asking for grants between two to thirty million dollars to change, enhance, provide whatever any of these great boats need to dock here. I hope that someday our city can join the ranks. I must tell you that for a year I asked for a better and larger dock, for a year I told them that boats would be coming, for a year I stood my ground that boating is important to our city as the region gets it and needs it also. The region is what will carry the day, again, and someday I hope our city will join in. It will take time. I'm asking people to help me with a cruise for the Queen series, as I want to help all of New Orleans, LA, friends and they are so excited. So, that may be part of the spark for change.
I've stated for a year that the normal/what is done in the United States, the protocal is to call the local CVB for dock info. You'd think I was speaking Japanese. Protocal in 2005 wasn't done. Wasn't followed, no one caring, no one listened for the importance to our country boating treasures. I felt embarrassed for boats. Felt the icky factor and a local board had the wrong people in place to help disgrace our city on the dock issue. The CVB couldn't act correctly, in my opinion. They did well with what they had/could. Don't hold it against them....I keep the local CVB alerted of who/what I know is coming....the local CVB board isn't top notch, in my opinion and we are suffering.
Hang in there, in time, maybe an election or two, we'll have a better board...best in twenty years, but still needs some polish/talent. Boats got no or hardly any advertising from the local CVB. It was terrible....but, the boats did really well under some icky situations. Now, the LST 325 is docked and hopefully, the small, thuggish tones can diminish. I've helped raise millions in our city over the years and this past year I got the most threats than from any other project or situation in my life: by wanting to bring in river boats/steamboats. The public has been horrified. The LST 325 could benefit from boats coming in, but no one realizes that yet. No one.
Things will get better. Our public is for the Queen series and all of the wonderful, wonderful boats that will be coming. When anyone finds a boat for sale--keep me in mind....I'm not familiar with the Becky Thatcher, unless from St. Louis, MO, but will look into it. I'm hoping there will be a day that our whole region will enjoy a boat together. I am working with companies to do work here in the region for extended stays, and that will continue.
Well, that is the story of our new Municipal dock. It has taxpayer money to help build it, and our Indiana State Attorney General's office is well aware of that. So, they have to keep it as a Municipal dock, which wasn't the message early on. Things are changing.....we'll soon see by spring/summer time when my next set of boats come in. I may have a dock to sell you for a cheap price, as long as you keep it for charity.
Our public is for the Queen series, and we all wish you well. Keep in there, we're rooting for you and want you in this area, and in Evansville, IN, even if you have to bunt up against an LST 325 to come. We do hope you'll come. We are thankful that you are coming in this area for 2006 and everyone is hopeful, speechless, and excited. You are "Elvis" .
To my friends in the area....that are paying attention to this blog, Have a great day, Make it a great day. On a local TV show tonight, our Mayor felt the best job for the dock wasn't done.....it is a start....but, they know I have other boats starting to come in....and now the politicians want to join the public. All Aboard???? !!! Mary K. Hukill
