Letters: Harbor District is takingfair and necessary action

I am writing due to my concern regarding some misleading statements that are being made about the Harbor District during the current election. I hope the public realizes that the district is working very hard to solve its financial problems. The district has implemented additional fees on fish processors, raised mooring rates, and increased service charges to reflect actual costs. None of these increases have been popular with our tenants and customers, but they are necessary for the harbor's financial survival. No business can continue to operate when services are provided below cost, and the harbor cannot either.

Lease extensions and rents have been particularly controversial. The district's fundamental goal is finding the highest and best use for each property and achieving market based rents for all properties. This is simply good business. The Harbor District, after all, represents the citizens of Del Norte County, and if we don't receive fair value for harbor properties we are doing a disservice to the entire community. Each lease request is carefully evaluated based on individual merits. When requests have been mutually beneficial, the district has negotiated new leases. For example, leases have been negotiated with Bistro Gardens, the Chart Room Restaurant, and BC's Boardwalk, and leases are being finalized with Talking Crow Studio and the Crescent Harbor Art Gallery. On the other hand, when a request is not in the best interests of the Harbor District, the district has declined to offer an extension or a new lease. Of course, tenants are disappointed when their request is denied, but this is simply good business on the harbor's part. Why should the district enter into a lease that only benefits the tenant and not the harbor?

It is true that over time some tenants have left the harbor. For example, the Harbor View Grotto (there is no restaurant called the Fisherman's Grotto) moved out of the harbor in 1995, 13 years ago and long before any of the present commissioners were on the board. The Dive Shop moved out of the harbor in 2002, before the majority of the current board was in office. The Captain's Table Restaurant closed in 2005, but because the restaurant closed, we now have Talking Crow Studio in the same building.

Every lease request has received careful, individual consideration. No tenant has approached the district with a legitimate investment project and been turned away.

Richard Young

CEO/Harbormaster

Crescent City Harbor District