1. Commodore's Comments
How it got to be 2008 I'll never know! What will the year bring to us individually? What will it bring to our families and our club? Perhaps the more relevant question is: what will each of us contribute during the coming year?
Projects
Vice Commodore Roberts, Rear Commodore Jennerich and their committees are hard at work (what else is new) with this term's projects. The spiders have begun their demise. The galley at Winslow will no longer be the scene of singed eyebrows and near explosions. The plans for replacement of the transverse dock should at least be in the final stages. The ugly dumpsters at the mainstation should soon be corralled and preliminary plans are being considered to make the main entrance to the clubhouse take on a more nautical appearance. In addition to making your club safer and more attractive, these projects create the perfect opportunity for you to contribute your time to the club and meet new members. Remember, if you pitch in, we don't have to hire someone to do it and we can do more with the club's money. Besides, you will have fun.
Highway 520
Since the state highways funding was not passed by the voters, the exact status of the floating bridge (520) became less certain which may be a good thing or a bad thing. There are certain elements in the highway group that just want to charge ahead and build the darned thing. We believe the state needs to remember that it is being built through the heart of the Montlake and Portage Bay communities, not the middle of the Palouse. One of the state's plans would even have a nine-lane interchange at Montlake, and six lanes across Portage Bay. We think that any substantial increase in the footprint of 520 is unwise. Our 520 Committee Chairman Gary Stone devotes hundreds of man-hours to making sure our voice is heard in hopes that it will turn the state's attention to viable alternatives. Gary Stone was the unanimous choice of SYC and QCYC to sit at the mediation table to represent the position of the clubs and the boating community at large. We have hired a professional to advise us on political communication, which is not cheap, but is crucial to keeping our message out there. If you can talk to your legislators and get them to realize that the more than 500 families in our club and the several thousand members of SYC, aligned with the interests of the boating community along with the Montlake/Portage Bay neighborhoods, represent a significant constituency, maybe we can get the electeds on our side. Also, next time you see Gary Stone, thank him.
Events
Hold onto your martini glasses-----Martini Madness is upon us January 26th, put on by madcaps Traci Hamblin and Scott McPhee. With these two in charge, this should be a blast, with numerous adult concoctions from the classic shaken not stirred of James Bond fame, to Andrea Schock's favorite "the Swimming Pool. Whether you like Martinis, or just want to "settle" for Willie's fabulous heavy hors 'd oeuvres, you have got to attend this party! The fun doesn't stop there--February 8th, Bob and Stephanie Marcelynas bring you the Sweetheart's Dinner. This is the event where you guys show your gals how much you love them by taking them out for a Valentines feast. See you all there.
Thank You
A big thank you goes to Butch Scherrer (who rescued us by stepping up at the last minute) for chairing December's Chet Gibson Memorial Lighted Boat Parade. This was our 66th year with more than 30 boats participating on Friday and more than 50 parading on Saturday. Butch and his lovely wife Nancy started a new tradition with chili and hot-buttered rum after the Saturday parade. The parade was led by P/C David Krows, who managed to navigate the tricky course without incident. The turn boat captains did a fabulous job. Thanks to Special Events Chair Tom Youngs for managing the winter fuel-up, which saved members a lot of money. Fleet Captain Paul Grimm and his crazy Hawaiians put on a fantastic luau, taking a bit of the sting out of the Huskies loss. Bill Field chaired a very successful Special Peoples Cruise under exceedingly adverse conditions. Sandy Werner put on a marvelous Children's Christmas Party. While it hasn't happened as of the date I am writing this article, I know that P/C Rich and Chris McCroskey will put on a terrific New Year's party.
Bill McGillin
Commodore
