Quincy resident writes of Crescent Bar

GUEST EDITORIAL

CRESCENT BAR — Having read about many opinions regarding the future of Crescent Bar Island I feel compelled to write, and in some instances, correct what is being said. My credibility lies in the fact that I have lived both sides of the equation. My neutrality will surely not settle this issue, as it will pose many questions and just as many mitigating situations as viewed from both sides of the fence.

First, Ms. DalPorto mentions a man wanting to charge her $5 for each child to access a beach 20 years ago. I am very surprised a woman with her obvious intellect and moxie would let someone who was one step removed from being the village idiot buffalo her. He was wrong. My hope is that one bad apple over 20 years ago does not continue to color Ms. DalPorto’s opinion of Crescent Bar. There has never been a charge at the public beach, for its’ use or for parking, as previously stated. Although it is a public beach, it is a rare occasion when there was ever more than one or two cars parked there, excepting holidays. Its’ current condition (broken glass, graffiti, etc.) is due to General Public Use. I would unequivocally suggest that the residents of Crescent Bar did not degrade this area. It just doesn’t make sense to blame them. They have always been, and remain, good stewards of this Island.

This brings us to the future. This property belongs to the public, bottom line. The taxpayers of Grant County should not feel unwelcome. However, if anybody has the idea that turning these RV parks into a big campground is going to be anything short of a maintenance and logistical nightmare they are either deluding themselves or not paying attention. Most of this “public” will not come from your county or even from this side of the state. You would be trading a very stable and virtually crime-free population for a totally transient group who would not respect the facility one-tenth as much as the people who have a vested interest in it. It is like driving a rental car — good people will return it in good shape not having abused it; people with less integrity will drive it like they stole it. That translates into big money, money from the taxpayers. I doubt very seriously that campers would fill the nearly 350 lots every weekend as compared to the relatively steady cash flow of trade and business from these RV lots now. How would you like to be the guy who rides herd on that mess! This community has supported the town of Quincy, its’ tax base, its’ stores, its’ service clubs, and its’ volunteer work. I doubt the town of Quincy could depend on weekend campers to do that.

Speaking of money, Ms DalPorto, in my opinion, is correct in stating that good fortune to the leaseholders has followed the current RV contracts. Although she is pretty close on one or two leasehold payments, she has missed the mark on some others. Her bottom line is where else can anyone get a deal like that for a year’s use of a piece of recreational property that rivals that? That is correct. Extrapolating further, that sum of money from each lot could hardly be construed as profitable on Crescent Inc.’s books. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the leasehold payments need to be brought up to current valuation. In most instances, they are less than the yearly maintenance dues for a one week timeshare elsewhere. The investment property scenario described is correct. The leaseholders share from just one week’s rental of just say a condo is pretty close to the yearly leasehold payment from said unit. In some instances, it is more. The reality or potential beyond that amounts to public subsidy of a private commercial enterprise. I’m not sure letting anyone engaged in such practices or failing to see this point should have a hand in governing Crescent Bar in the future. Mr. Miner obviously cares about Crescent Bar and I’m sure he’s made it a better place, but sorry to have to remind you but this 39 acres is the focus. It must be realized the “lose what we got” should be read “lose a lease extension beyond 2012.” I fully recognize the stakes are very high indeed. They go beyond mere structures. Peoples’ very lives were built around these facilities at Crescent Bar, but every lease holder knew, or should have known, what the “end date” of their real estate contract was and what that had the potential of meaning.

 Next, I hear “working with the P.U.D. to run the Island as a non-profit.” Good golly, jeepers man — who would profit from this non-profit business — certainly not the taxpayers of Grant County. Certainly not Washington State. If this is not to be believed, just ask the Washington Dept. of Revenue how they feel about this. I am further amazed that I saw “but they run the Island like a profit organization,” like profit motivation is a dirty word. The amount of profit from the master lease, I can assure you, doesn’t compare to off-island contracts, given the amount of investment involved.

One begins to wonder what would have happened if profit was not the motive in the livelihoods of people or their businesses during their working lives. My bet is a person wouldn’t have the money to retire to anywhere, let alone Crescent Bar.

The quote of $35,000 per year rent to the Port for Crescent Inc’s lease is low. Someone should check their facts on that.

Diminishing the current golf and water sports flavor of the island would be contrary to the reason Crescent Bar Island was built. My father was among a group of Quincy businessmen who, although he didn’t golf himself, held a firm belief that the focus of water and golf should be the backbone of Crescent Bar Island. So much so, this group put up the charter money needed to get this golf course off the ground. I also believe this applies today. The placement of the additional campsites mentioned could possibly be placed in the big ball field beside the tennis courts if placement is to be judged by lack of usage. It is probably the least used of all of Crescent Bar Islands’ acreage. I say this tongue-in-cheek as I don’t think North Park R.V. would appreciate that.

Having a good community with good people will be a high wire act indeed. There has been interest by certain parties in taking over this soon-to-expire lease. As it was explained to me, “Anyone wanting to run Crescent Bar Island had better be able to conduct their own meetings effectively and have a fair and unbiased approach to the management style that it takes to represent the people of Grant County.” I’m not sure that self-government of Crescent Bar Island would effectively represent the people of Grant County and the general public. Sort of like the fox watching the hen house, it’s the reason the island’s current status is so far removed from the original lease intent.

I know I have probably ruffled some feathers with this letter. I have merely spoken the unbiased truth. This is a terrible situation for all concerned that cannot be cut clean. It is bound to have some jagged edges exposed. I am hopeful that over the next 2 years the issues will be put to debate, and will result in a satisfactory conclusion for all sides concerned. My hat goes off to the people who are having to make these decisions, as this will not be easy. My greatest hope is if you want to shoot me after this, can you all get together to pull the trigger and shoot me with just one bullet?