By Roger Gitlin – April 30, 2021 Some weeks back, I received phone calls and a few emails of complaints of closed restrooms and fecal and urine matter at the closed bathrooms at the boat ramps. I personally observed these conditions and upon conversation with the interim Harbormaster, was told the restrooms near the boat ramps would be re-opened and the human waste would be cleaned up. The Harbor has been slow to respond to correcting this unacceptable condition and, to date, the bathrooms remain closed and the health / hygiene matter has yet to be corrected. I will now elevate my complaint officially to the next level up. The community is abuzz with lots of visitors. It is unacceptable to allow our Harbor District to be indifferent to showing our best face to our visitors. These restrooms must be maintained and kept pristine. The restrooms must be open to match the hours of adjacent tenants like the Chartroom. Jambalaya and Englund Marine. The question begs to be asked WHY is our Harbor so shabby looking, weeds everywhere, ruts and potholes along Anchor Way. Unacceptable! Is this about lack of money to properly maintain one of our key visitor sites? Is this about blaming Covid 19 for poor administration? No! Many of you may recall, the Board of Supervisors supported a 2% increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to 10%. That is a charge visitors pay on their motel, vacation rentals in the County. The Board also supported dedicating that 2% increase to the Harbor District who complained current funding was inadequate. Each vote was 4-1. Here are the numbers: This past fiscal year, the County collected $397,000 in TOT. The County also dedicated 20% of those Transient Ocupancy funds ( 8% to 10%) to the Harbor District. The figure transferred was $77,000 !!! Why isn't that funding utilized to maintain the Harbor, cut the weeds, fix the potholes, open ALL the bathrooms, and clean up human waste? WHY? I am demanding a forensic audit of our Harbor. Where does all the money go? It is my hope the newer members of the District will ask the hard questions of financial accountability and maintenance to the president of the Harbor District: Brian L. Stone. 707 464-6174 707 501-7419 Cell The other Commissioners are: Wes White, Secretary Harry Adams Rick Shepherd Gerhard Weber EYE ON DEL NORTE seeks to bring a higher level of scrutiny and quality and hold the Harbor District responsible and accountable and to do its job! What say you folks? EYE ON DEL NORTE