The North East Community Marina Authority held their monthly meeting Wednesday evening and the primary topic of discussion was their efforts to get the marina wall repaired, so docks could be installed and the marina reopened for boating. Their frustration was evident as they described the ever changing requirements from the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the amount of time involved in getting a response from officials before finding out the commission then wanted something more.
Numerous comments from the public in attendance noted their appreciation for the efforts of the board, but also their puzzlement over the Fish and Boat Commission’s actions. Also noted was the money being spent to make many upgrades at the Walnut Creek location in western Erie County while none was available for North East.
Contact your legislators to register your concerns
Several members of the authority suggested the public contact both PA Senator Dan Laughlin and PA Representative Jake Banta to ask for their help in getting this issue resolved. Though both have been involved to some extent, more pressure from the public might show the legislators how concerned their constituents are. PAFBC is a Pennsylvania commission and we need legislators at that level to exert whatever influence they may have to make this happen.
The marina has a huge economic impact on the North East area and supports many of the region’s businesses with the influx of boaters during the fishing and boating season plus it provides safety with the presence of the rescue boat which can respond to distress calls across a wide area of Lake Erie waters.
The PAFBC owns only two marinas in Pennsylvania, Walnut Creek and North East. Negotiations are underway to transfer ownership of the North East marina to the authority from the PAFBC and when that occurs, the authority will have greater freedom to take necessary actions across the marina property and facilities. It may happen soon, but authority members were unable to give any specific dates.
Restaurant opening very soon
It was also noted that the new restaurant at the marina should be open in a matter of days after a final inspection. The sign at the marina entrance will be updated with a temporary overlay until a planned upgrade with the new marina logo is built and installed. The members urged the public to support this new business because even without the docks in place, the restaurant will be open as well as the bait and tackle shop and the repair facilities which are both open now.
Salvatore Michael Vella says
What’s going on with north east marina .The have to do something. We tax payers want to know were our money is going?
Jim says
A few weeks ago, the mafia blocks were relocated to surround the wall damage with many safety signs and cones. Boats were being launched. Now, the blocks were repositioned to stop all through-traffic and launching. Why?