Please Contact Governor Patrick Regarding the Docks at CBI

Members, friends, and supporters of Community Boating, I believe this is the time to strike with a large letter/email campaign to Governor Patrick regarding the replcement of our docks. We have been working hard to advocate for this project over many years and it is close but still too far away for any comfort. The DCR's budget plans call for the project to happen in 2014. The docks absolutely will not make it until then. This is a very black and white existential issue for CBI. We can't wait until 2014. We need now to bring this issue up to the Governor in the most direct way possible. In addition to writing an email, hard copy letters, and even phone calls to Governor Patrick are valuable.

To contact Governor Patrick directly, go to his contact web page at:
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_contact_us
Fill out the form and then cut and paste your letter into the "comments" field.

Please feel free to copy the letter below verbatim, or use it as a model to draft your own. If you use the sample letter don't forget to add your name to the signature.

Download the sample in Microsoft Word format, or copy and paste from the text below.

The Honorable Deval Patrick
State House Boston, MA 02133

Dear Governor Patrick,

I am writing to express to you my urgent concern about the condition of the DCR docks at Community Boating Inc. (CBI), in the Boston Esplanade. In 2000 the DCR first recognized the deteriorating condition of the facility. In 2003 there was a significant structural failure of a section of the dock which led in 2004 to the DCR and partner organizations (CBI, The Esplanade Association, Union Boat Club, Solomon Fund) beginning work on the design, engineering, and permits for a replacement dock. Today those plans are at the 90% completion stage, fully permitted and ready to go out to bid. I understand that the estimated cost for this project is in the $4,000,000 range.

In 2008, the Energy and Environment Bond Bill included authorization for replacing the docks and Commissioner Rick Sullivan has recently stated that replacing the docks is a priority of the agency and is listed in the DCR's capital plan, but not until 2014.

Only 3 months ago a 60' X 20'section of the dock was condemned by the DCR and removed and demolished by CBI volunteers. CBI has found a temporary solution for this immediate dock failure with the help of Head of the Charles. However, this is only a marginally acceptable and very temporary solution and what happens when more of the dock fails? It seems very unlikely that the docks can wait until 2014.

With the DCR, CBI delivers important high quality programming to children, families, and individuals with disabilities, consistent with our mission of eliminating barriers to the sport of sailing. CBI is nationally recognized and regarded as a model for community sailing programs around the world. I ask you to please bring your attention to the deteriorating condition of the dock here at the Boathouse and please engage in exploring options for funding this vital and worthwhile project. I believe that without your prompt attention and leadership, instead of seeing on the Charles River, a fleet of sailboats filled with children, the view will be that of a rotted, dilapidated and abandoned boating facility, where once there thrived a dynamic, bustling sailing program that served thousands of children and sailors with disabilities. Please don't let that happen.

Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,