FOMC NEWSLETTER for 6/30/03

Editorial 2003 IN REVIEW

As president of FOMC I have been busy overseeing the wellbeing of the lakefront and tributaries of Chicago. Because of our/my need to know what is happening and being planned I reside on several Committees, sit on several Boards and attend many related lakefront meetings as well as go to other meetings of Organizations that we belong to be kept continually in the know. This takes a lot of time. So when you do not see a recent news- letter it is because I have to find the time to write that also. The Membership of FOMC should feel confident that FOMC is always where you would expect us to be, right in the thick of things.

With all the Clubs on the Lakefront there are thousands of boaters who do not belong to any Yacht Club, for example. Who will go to bat for them? Belonging to FOMC is where their piece of mind comes from. FOMC watches out for and speaks for the boater who just wants to enjoy his or her time on the lakefront of Chicago, yet feel they are not left unheard or left out.

I receive e-mails all the time with questions and always take the time to respond with an answer. Please use the FOMC web site and contact me by e-mail at hotline@fomc.net. I know what is happening in the City. If you have any questions or concerns, contact FOMC.

INFORMATIONAL STUFF

Since the last FOMC Newsletter in January a lot has happened, mostly positive. There have been many new Pump Outs added. Others were repaired with a new style, hopefully less confusing with better suction, in various harbors throughout the harbor system.

The Army Corps of Engineers are replacing the revetments/walls around the lakefront. There have been some concerns around Diversey Harbor’s entrance if there was any encroachment to the entrance. After a boat ride with Scott Stevenson of Westrec to review the site in question and reviewing the ACOE plans, Scott brought with him, there seamed to be little problem with the construction. Most of the issues are in the way things looked to the way they look now. However one solution, made by Westrec, to yet another concern, the waves crashing against the new wall that could cause turbulence to boaters entering and leaving the harbor. Though, not Westrec’s or the Park District’s project, Scott suggested to have large rocks, known as RIPRAP placed along the seawall to dissipate the wave action. This will be done to add safety to the entrance for the boaters.

The new Harbor in Monroe Harbor for over nine hundred moored boats will displace three hundred cans if the project is approved. As in all major Lakefront projects the processes are long and involve with numerous hearings and meetings. We will just have to wait and see. I can only speak for myself on this issue since it really is a personal issue and definitely impacts some but not all. If our members want to voice their opinion, we will have to vote on this issue.

EVENTS NOT TO MISS

FIREWORKS will be from Memorial Day to Labor Day, every Wednesday and Saturday, South of Navy Pier.

July

3^rd Fireworks

12^th Mac Race

30^th Tall Ships

August

1^st-4^th Tall Ships

2^nd Venetian Night

4^th-8^th optimist Races

9^th Dragon Boat Races

16^th Air Show

17^th Air Show

YOUY MUST DO THIS

There is a new organization you must join on the Lakefront, called Boaters PAC. PAC stands for, Political Action Committee. This organization will seek support from politically involved people such as Aldermen. If the boaters concerns are their concerns, this organization will support them financially and through volunteer efforts of its members.

All 501C3 organizations such as Yacht Clubs, FOMC and the CYA cannot, based on their charters, be involved with political issues or support those involved politically. However having a PAC organization as an option gives you an opportunity that the other organizations cannot offer you.

Each and every organization serves a unique purpose to their Membership. Every one of them need to improve your boating peace of mind. Needless to say the one taboo faced by all the other organizations, that Boaters PAC offers, is that it completes your lakefront ties to the political powers in City Hall.

You MUST join BPAC and secure your political voice as a boater in Chicago. If we had BPAC in place before the “MOORING TAX” our chances of defeating it would have been greatly improved. DO NOT complain if an issue comes about and we are not in a position to do something about it. The dues are important for your piece on mind as a boater. Visit b-o-a-t.net for a BPAC application and JOIN NOW!

Captain Sonny Lisowski, President, FOMC