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I just read the article in todays paper obout user fees and other rules that may be implemented regarding the use of our boat landings. All of them sound like great ideas but I also think they should be considering a rule to prevent people who do not have a boat from taking the parking spots at the landing. I know not all the landings have the problem with limited parking but ladies island does. During any holiday or event that most boaters go out for, it is almost impossible to get a spot unless you get there before 10 am. Or maybe they could take some of that land next to the landing and make a bigger parking lot. Either way some of the people who continue to park their cars at the landing just to catch a ride on someone elses boat should stop and think and have a little courtesy. Save the spots at the landing for people who have boat trailers. It is difficult at the least and sometimes dangerous to get in and out of the landing with your trailer at those high traffic times.(water festival, 4th of july, etc.)
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While on the topic of improving the use of boat landings for local boaters, I have another suggestion. Since there is a shortage of landings compared to boaters, why don't we make the downtown ramp USEABLE. Perhaps the horse carriages(and their urine stench)could be better placed than directly in front of the landing. Also,maybe the parking spaces originally created for boaters to park vehicles w/ trailers could actually be used for such; instead of being "reserved" for carriages and tour buses. Don't get me wrong, I am not
"anti-tourism" and I do like the quaintness that the carriage tours add to our fair city.
Yes, the downtown boat ramp was there first, as were more free parking spots. Long before any horses arrived. We, the locals, have lost much of our park, may we ever get it back?
Ya know, I agree with you about 100%. It is a pleasure to get out on the river, but it is hell going home. Nobody will give you a break whilst you are trying to get out on the highway with a boat behind you. WE just make room and then go 10 MPH to P them AHs off for being noncompliant. A landing fee is just another alternate source of revenue dreamed up to satisfy all them bigtimers who P and Moan about their tax assessments, and then sell their homes for more than they are appraised for to begin with. That's where Beaufort County should begin. Uncle Bert says "If you wanna dance, then you got to pay the fiddler." that makes good sense to me. Another source would be to increase the prices of Shrimp and Fish for them people who think you can buy everything without expension of energy and costs to suit them. Another good major move would be to lower the speed limit on Hwy 21 around the Boat landing and other landings and double the fines for speeding. We pay taxes for our boats, Registration fees and enjoy a nice day in the river fishing. They need to slow down. And pay. I think that the problem of pay for Emergency Employees is a inportionate problem for Beaufort County, and it is time to PAY for the great service which we get at cheap pay scales. Raise the Home Taxes to adjust, and if you can't afford it, then MOVE. Have an nice thanksgiving, and don't forget to thank God for the Brave young men and women with us in mind at all times. I think we'll have a Pork roast. But we aint gonna invite a bunch of Radical Muslim extremists and turn our cheeks. They might just cut our heads off lefties.
Why not restrict parking to those with boat trailers only? Then ticket cars without trailers.
When the LI ramp parking fills up, the BC landing at the PI bridge has a ramp and more parking than LI. And as far as the former downtown ramp turned horse urinal...well, that's politics for ya.
Lower the speed on 21? That would just make things worse. The slower the traffic, the closer cars move together down the road. All it would do is bottleneck traffic there. Speed on the bridge is 35. It increases to 40 before the ramp, which should open up spaces for traffic coming off the ramp. Problem is, the other direction is slowing from 40 to 35 which causes said bottleneck from the south. The only saving grace then becomes the BHS traffic light which changes only upon demand. What is needed is an additional lane for acceleration coming off the ramp. Not a lot of planning went into the ramp in its current configuration.
You mention compliance. Actually, compliance is required for those coming out of the ramp. State law says those on the roadway have RoW over those entering when there is no light.
Increase taxes you say? Taxes are too high now. Having a "user fee" makes more sense. You can afford a boat, you can handle it. Ya don't like it, YOU can move.
Forrest, you made some key points in your post... the issue of who will enforce, what rules, how much, where, and the like will continue to be topics that need to be discussed and changes will need to be made. I believe a traffic light at the Meridian road intersection will be sooner than later, I believe a user fee for launching needs to be studied more, (where would the money be spent, how do you pay, and whom would collect... Beaufort City has three ramps.. Most people do not realize that the lady's island ramp is in the city.. The issue of vehicles w/out trailers parked at the ramps needs to be addressed.. I'm not sure how many times commercial fisherman block access to waters, maybe south of the broad it's an issue but these people are not getting rich working the local waters and adding a fee for them to use the ramps seems like a bad idea..
Property taxs on boats, trucks, and business license fees seem to be paying for access to the ramps..
We need ensure water access in never taken away, (Down town ramp is about there) We should continue to look for places to build more access and indeed we need to pay our law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and teachers enough to keep them working... anyone that does not believe these people are underpaid should take the job and see for themselves..
I believe the issue of water access will be a huge topic and should not be taken lightly... Plan
Why in the world would we give recreational boaters priority over commercial users ? ( and my family qualifies as recreational)
Perhaps all Bft. county users should be required to purchase, for a nominal fee, an annual pass to utilize all county boat ramps. Those residing outside of the county or using the ramps for commercial purposes, should pay considerably more. Fees could be collected at the same time as county property taxes are due on the watercraft and displayed on the vehicle's windshield or on the boat trailer. Without a registered boat, an individual would not be eligible to purchase a parking pass, thereby eliminating non-boaters from the parking lot. Law enforcement officials w/ jurisdiction over each ramp could issue tickets for those not in compliance, just as they do downtown. The revenue could be used to maintain and improve the ramps in the county.
There...problem solved :) Just a suggestion, I'm sure it could be improved upon.
What about the legality of Beaufort County allowing commercial fishermen to use the county-owned docks? Might that not be a problem since our County is non-profit and does not pay taxes on any of its operations?
Commercial fisherman are running a business, their use of public facilities as part of their business operation seems questionable.
I think that would only be a problem if the commercial fishermen were actually utilizing the county property to conduct their business. For example, if fishermen were to fish or crab, etc off of the docks located at the boat ramps. In my opinion, this should be strictly prohibited under ANY circumstance. That is not the purpose of the temporary docks. They were installed as a convenience to the boaters loading and unloading boats. I might even go so far as to say that no one(commercial or recreational) should be allowed to fish or crab off of these docks. If you have ever witnessed the combination of boat launchers vs dock fishermen, it is truly a safety issue.
I take issue with that. I pay county taxes and my taxes help pay for those ramps. I have the same right to park there and use that facility as a boater. Also there are those that do not own boats, but are invited to go out on a boat with friends. Where would you suggest they park when they are meeting the boat owner to go out on their boat?
I take issue with that. I pay county taxes and my taxes help pay for those ramps. I have the same...
Paying county taxes does not gurantee you a parking spot on county parking lots. Try parking at the "Taj Mahal" on a court day when the only empty spots are reserved.
I would suggest riding with your friend until additional parking could be provided. That, or tow a trailer to the lot. LOL
No matter what resolution may come about, there will be some who take issue. Such is life. The idea is to come up with a resolution that is fair and amenable to as many as possible.
well since the people with boat trailers seem to be able to find parking say across the street at the bank, on maridian rd, ollies parking lot, etc. maybe the people who do not have a trailer should park there instead. It is much easier and safer for them to get in and out of the landing. I have been almost hit many times getting out to park somewhere else because half the spots at the landing are taken up by cars w/o trailers. Not very many people are willing to give a little courtesy around here. I'm sorry, if they did stop to let someone out they would be 20 seconds later getting to their destination. What was I thinking. I've also been cussed out at the landing by a non trailer party because they squeezed in somewhere and I parked in a designated spot and it blocked them in. Would it kill people to walk 200 more feet to give some courtesy to the people who have boats.
I first wish to address the Parking at Landings w/o a trailer. As a frequent user of the Ladies Island, City Landing, and Battery Creek Landings and as a friend of a Paraplegic (in a wheelchair) who enjoys boating, I must say prohibiting cars w/o trailers at the landings is short-sighted at best. I tow the boat, un-load the boat and she joins the crew from her own car. So shall she cross 21 at the Meridian road intersection?
Next idea and this is a novel one, why raise any more taxes, why do we not demand that the County spend the current money wisely? I am oppossed to giving any local government; County, Schools, City of Beaufort, Town of Port Royal, Town of Yemassee, Bluffton, Hilton Head, etc any more money until each and every one starts using the good common sense that the good lord gave each of us.
Since the Ladies island landing is in the city now, why do we not demand that Clarendon/Mcleod build us a new large BOAT landing? Not just picking on Clrendon/Mcleod, what about the Whitehall development just across the street, think the city asked the developer for parking? there are projects slated for Meridian road, dependant upon the City of Beaufort annexing the property, think the City of Beaufort asked for any landing concesions?
Think that Port Royal asked the Mobley girls for some land to enlarge the Chechessee landing that will soon be in the Town of Port Royal? Think that Port Royal has thought about expanding teh Sands landing with the impending Port Development?
Let's look at what is currently not being done by the powers that be before we start looking in my pocket for more money to waste.
Anyone agree?
Alton Aimar
Boating since I was 10 in Beaufort
As to your handicapped friend, why not have a couple of handicapped spaces just for them? The rest for POV/trailers.
there are spots to park reserved for hadicapped persons so that is a non issue.
There ya are, Alton. Ask and ye shall receive.