UPDATE - Upstate Boaters/Industry People?

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Hi guys,

I know, I know, where the Hell has Pete been??? Long story. As you probably know I've been out of the marine industry for about three years, focusing instead on the business community and most specifically Chambers of Commerce, and I havent had time to spend on BE like I used to. My apologies. I was President/CEO down at Mahopac-Carmel and active in the Hudson Valley Regional Coalition of chambers, but as of March 16 am now in Saratoga County as the President/CEO of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County in Clifton Park.

What I need advice with is this - take a look at a map, at Exit 9 on the Northway (where the office is) we are surrounded on three sides by water, and our logo is the Kosciuszko Bridge over the Mohawk, and on our website are pics of boats on the canals and stuff, but NO MARINE BUSINESSES ON EITHER THE HUDSON OR MOHAWK RIVERS ARE IN THE CHAMBER even though its our territory! Seems kinda silly, no? And to make things more disconcerting, I've been listening to some of the banter in the communities up here and hearing stupid stuff like "close the canals they cost too much money and only rich people use them", or being told that businesses in the River towns arent active with the Chambers of Commerce because they dont get any support from such organizations...

So I need some advice because I feel this disconnect has to be fixed and quick - local elected officials seem to be supportive of the revenue that people like you bring into the towns such as Mechanicville, Stillwater, Schuylerville, but whats seemingly lacking is a combined, concerted effort by the business community to stick together and support the wonderful resource that is found on the NY State Canal System. Any advice/connections/references that might be useful???

PS - I've reached out to Lakes to Locks and the Mohawk Towpath to put something together, so thats Step 1

PPS - Ken Daves or John Vargo if you're out there I have to give you a call...
 
Pete, why aren't they actively promoting boating on the canal? They should be reaching out to "downstate" boaters and marinas to provide them with info about the canal, attractions and events.

With fuel prices the way they are, and with marinas in LI charging transients $5+/foot, they should be able to take advantage and lure boaters north.

We have very much enjoyed our trips through the canals, and would like to do it more often.
 
They have such a great resource! It just needs to be promoted. Last i recall Pete that was one of your specialty's.
Hope all is well..
 
Pete,
I boat on the Sacandaga lake but agree with you. I've been on several trips on the Mohawk and the Hudson and am always shocked at lack of services available on the canal system. There are some nice marinas in the Capital District. Mohawk Marine, Albany Marine (in Crescent), The Crescent Boat Club, Schenectady Yacht Club, and the Schuylerville Yacht Basin all do a good job and should understand the need to buid canal trafic. There is nothing worth talking about to the West or North of those marinas.
Jim
 
Hi guys, thanks for the input. As you know, there's tons to do here along the waterways that border Saratoga County! Hell, my son's first fish of any consequence was caught on the docks at the Crescent Boat Club back when he was 2, when we took the old "Against All Odds I" to Sylvan Beach. We made so many memories here, so when I interviewed for this job I thought, "wow, I get to hang out in some of the places I love to play!" - imagine my surprise when all I heard was talk about the Race Track. No offense to the Racing Association or to my good friends in Saratoga Springs (they are Chamber members too!) but to me we've got a wasted resource running along the eastern and southern shores of this County. Take a look at my Chamber's website and you'll see something interesting:

www.southernsaratoga.org

See the logo??? Its the BRIDGE that carries I-87 over the Mohawk River. Yet nobody seems to know much about why it was chosen. Well, as Al said above, I know a thing or two about promoting stuff, especially when it comes to boats. So look for changes on this end, and quick :)

The Town of Halfmoon has put some $$$ into some amenities on the Canal, with more to follow in conjunction with the Town of Clifton Park. For example, here's something about a Canalway Trail that will be linked to the waterfront park if its not done already (gimme a break I've only been on the job two weeks, gotta get down there and have a look-see):

http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/trailNRT/Champlain-Canalway-NRT-Halfmoon-NY.html

Or from the Town of Halfmoon website:

http://www.townofhalfmoon.org/townparks.asp

I've driven by that path on the Mohawk, it does look interesting and is along the water. There's a Stewarts shop right along the canal near the Route 9 bridge, I remember tying up at the wall there and running up for some groceries - apparently this is still available.

Good news for boaters - Saratoga County is growing FAST, and Halfmoon and Clifton Park are leading the charge, so expect more "stuff" done along the waterways. Both Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett and Halfmoon Supervisor Mindy Wormuth seem to desire good working relationships with the business community to promote their towns big-time. I also met the Supervisor of Mechanicville Tom Richardson, he is a fan of the Champlain Canal and believes it makes a big impact on the local economy.

Bad news for boaters - GAS, and this crap about CAFE standards - hopefully we'll still be able to either (1) drive our boats up the River to get to the canals, or (2) trailer them behind vehicles big enough to pull them! Guess that is going to have an impact on the viability of the marine trades in this part of the state where customers are hard enough to come by as it is...

Stay tuned!
 
You may have already done this, but if not, I encourage you to introduce yourself to Mike and Susan at Lock 1 Marina. I haven't been there since the '09 season but they are true boaters and have really worked to make that place something special. It's the first marina I've been to that shuns the word "transients" in favor of "guests," and that speaks to their general attitude. I think they would certainly be very interested in what you're talking about.
 
Thanks! I'll be happy to do that. Just started up here so havent met them yet, but looking forward to it :)

I appreciate the tip...
 
UPDATE: Was chatting with the Mayor of Schuylerville today, he confirmed what I've been hearing - the PCB dredging is screwing up their chances for having navigational dredging done on the Champlain Canal. Some sailboats already have run aground last year. This doesnt bode well for the waterway. Sounds like we need to rise up and fight on behalf of the canal businesses if there is going to be an uninterrupted route between the Hudson and Lake Champlain!
 
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