TO THE SISTER BAY MARINA COMMITTEE:

I AM WRITING TO YOU FROM THE CHICAGO AREA.  AS A REGULAR VISITOR OF SISTER BAY AND LONGTIME SEA LOVER, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE PRIVATIZATION OF SISTER BAY MARINA THAT WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT MYSELF AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO GO TO SISTER BAY EVERY SEASON TO ENJOY WATER ACTIVITIES AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY. 

BY REMOVING ALL COMMERCIAL BOAT OPERATIONS, WILL END THE LIVELIHOODS OF YOUR OWN PEOPLE, BUSINESS OWNERS, THEIR BUSINESSES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES. CAN’T YOU SEE THAT?  

THE PRIVATIZATION OF SISTER BAY MARINA WILL ONLY BENEFIT THE POCKETS OF THOSE IN FAVOR OF SUCH PROPOSITION AND THE ELITE, THE PRIVATE OWNERS OF LUXURIOUS MOTOR BOATS.  

THE PRIVATIZATION OF SISTER BAY MARINA WILL PUT AN END TO INCLUSIVITY AND MEMORIES MADE.  EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL WELCOMED AND BE ALLOWED TO ENJOY THE PLEASURE OF SAILING AND BOATING.  NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD TO BUY AND MAINTAIN A NEW SAILBOAT OR MOTOR BOAT.  

THE PRIVATIZATION OF SISTER BAY MARINA WILL HURT THE ECONOMY AND UNEMPLOYMENT.  SISTER BAY IS A TOURIST TOWN AND RELY ON THE REVENUE FROM THE COMMERCIAL BOAT OPERATIONS.  

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I’D LIKE TO SHARE SOMETHING THAT I HOLD DEARLY CLOSE TO MY HEART.  EVERY SEASON I DRIVE FOR HOURS FROM THE CHICAGO AREA TO GO SAILING IN DOOR COUNTY.  SISTER BAY IS MY LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN, AS I LIKE TO CALL IT, WHERE I CAN FEEL MY LATE GRANDFATHER’S PRESENCE WHILE IN THE WATER.  HE WAS A HARD-WORKING IMMIGRANT, SAILOR AND OWNED SAILBOATS HIS WHOLE LIFE, AND HE ACTUALLY HAND-BUILT MY CRIB, WHICH WAS A SAILBOAT.  I’VE ENCLOSED A PHOTOCOPY.  MY LOVE OF SAILING COMES FROM BIRTH AND SAILING IS A WAY OF LIFE IN MY FAMILY, BUT DUE TO LIFE EVENTS, I SADLY NO LONGER HAVE A SAILBOAT, BUT I GREW UP IN ONE.  

KEEPING SISTER BAY MARINA PUBLIC IS CRUCIAL TO THE ECONOMY, WATER INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW ALL FAMILIES TO MAKE MEMORIES AND WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW ME TO REUNITE WITH MY LATE GRANDFATHER SPIRITUALLY AND FIND SERENITY IN THE WATER WHILE SAILING. 

I HOPE THE RIGHT DECISION IS MADE, WHICH IS TO KEEP SISTER BAY MARINA PUBLIC.  

SINCERELY, 

ERIKA HOFFMANN (FURTADO)