The 3rd quarter 2017 lobby report was filed by Blank Rome earlier this week. It's showing they received another $30,000 from ACL to work on HR 619.
This brings the grand total since 2013 to $530,000 to stop the DQ exemption from happening.
re: Any updates on legislative status?
It has now been over sixty days since any news was shared on pending legislation related to the DQ. Any updates?
re: Any new news on DQ legislative efforts?
What is the current status of bills designed to save the Delta Queen? When last seen they were still hung up in the political process?
Looking for the Delta Queen
It has now been a month since I asked for an update. Went to Google Earth but did not see the DQ where I thought she has been. Has she been moved? Update would be appreciated. Keep your steam up!
This is probably a dog I shouldn't poke. I kept asking myself "Why would ACL spend a half million dollars to keep the DQ from getting it's exemption?" It can't be competition...the little DQ wouldn't hurt them a bit, ACL is too big and has too many boats (what do they have 12 or so?) and is too well established.
There must be some other reason. I think I've figured it out.
Jim Reising;36906 wrote: This is probably a dog I shouldn't poke. I kept asking myself "Why would ACL spend a half million dollars to keep the DQ from getting it's exemption?" It can't be competition...the little DQ wouldn't hurt them a bit, ACL is too big and has too many boats (what do they have 12 or so?) and is too well established.
There must be some other reason. I think I've figured it out.
Yeah? Lay it on us. 🙂
+2 chars
I am probably all wrong in my thinking, and this gets into an area that probably shouldn't be discussed in this open format. My thoughts are this...what is something that an operator of 12 or so passenger boats with crews of mostly young people not want anywhere near his boats? What cost the river industry millions to get rid or 30 or so years ago? What has the DQ's management said they will have when they begin operating again? It starts with a U and ends with an N......you can fill in the blanks.
I would spend a half million gladly to keep strikes, work stoppages, & inane work rules from getting a foothold in the passenger boat business.
Just my thoughts, like most things I'm probably wrong.
*GOOGLE Earth view photos*
Hi, Russ,
I also looked on GOOGLE air view photos sometime back to search out Houma and the DQ. GOOGLE and U.S. Geodetic Services periodically photograph and post on their sites. I'm finding photos of locations some years old now. For fun go on with the name of your own city or town, neighborhood and street to see what pops up. Best photos they have taken in late fall when trees and ground growth dormant so you can see all.
R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
*The ACL 'Factor'*
Hi, Jim and gang,
Interesting to read the above RE: what IS going on with ACL in addition to their lobbying efforts. I rather mused inside about he U...N factor. The new, younger generation only interested in jobs, benefits, good on board living conditions, time off on their rotations. I don't see them running to jump into a job just for the wonderful, romantic old time steamboat love. In spite of all, whether we like it or not, paying a lobbyist with a retainer is legal and part of the present political system. If you can't lick 'em then join 'em with a lobbyist. If there's no funding for a lobbyist then what is to be expected down the road? ACL is moving up, up and fast.
Recently I AGAIN wrote to the Transportation Committee a letter of support well balanced. Within a day I received a return notice, "You message on this initiative cannot be forwarded." But I note that they had to have read it as now I'm added to their E=Mail list for breaking news, hearings, programs. I am not holding my breath.
R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati
re: Back to an unanswered question
Happy April Fools Day and Easter all.
Interesting discussion. As Casey said, "it ain't over till its over"." Keep your steam up! Still puzzled why the DQ does not appear to be where she was when you look at an updated Google map. Can someone confirm her current location, please?
Best regards, think spring. Russ
*GOOGLE maps/Locating the DQ*
Steamboating colleagues,
Russ, I'm not sure about how updated your aerial GOOGLE maps may be. There is also the site for high level aerial maps from U.S. Geodetic Survey you could click and tool into. In the past when I wanted to track down, verify information on/about the DQ in Houma, I simply went on line to the offices of the local newspaper there to send an E=Mail of inquiry or phone. You can also narrow in on the local TV station down there too. *It's all perfectly legal and part of the public record. Good luck and let us know what you find and learn.
R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
The DQ is still sitting in her private shipyard slip in Houma, LA. If yore looking for official information on the DQ, I would suggest the Delta Queen's official website or Facebook page as any activity with the boat would be posted by the owners there. While a great forum and resource for discussion, this is a fan driven website and would not be where official information endorsed by the Delta Queen Steamboat Co would be found. Most of the posters here are pretty far removed from the DQ and her current status.
DQ website: Delta Queen Steamboat Company | Overnight Steamboat | Kimmswick
Phillip
*RE: 'Official' DQ website/Information*
Morning, Steamboating colleagues:
Many thanks to Phillip Johnson's communication on present status of the DQ in Houma, LA. Much needed to clarify some statements, rumors circulating around. Even last night at a dinner here I heard, "We hear the DQ has been towed up to Kimmswick, ready to undergo work to enter service soon." I drew a blank on that saying I'd possibly check. Important, as Phillip says, that the "official information" be from the owners, company at present. Too many rumors, statements circulating around from 2nd and 3rd party 'endorsers' for the initiative with some of these statements, rumors being pretty far fetched. This issue is an emotional one for many with that understood but also clarification that many are "pretty far removed from the DQ and her current status." Thank you, Phillip. I, for one, will go with the official word from those involved--no more and no less. Best wishes to you and your colleagues.
R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.