Scott Vreeland wrote > I want to thank Chris Johnson for his notes on the Park Board meeting and his > comments to the Park Board Commissioners. > Maybe the Padleford boats can make more money in Saint Paul and want to > deflect criticism for leaving. > I agree this seemed to come out of left field. In looking over the two companies proposals in the handout at the board meeting it seemed that they were only offering Lake Minnetonka-style luxury yacht charters. But now I'm not so sure. With the Grand Excursion coming up this summer Padelford may well feel they can make more money by keeping their boats in St Paul while two of them head downriver for the festivities.
I was sitting in the Calhoun Room doing some research this afternoon when President Olson saw me and stepped in to ask how I was. (I guess voluntarily taping board meetings gets you recognized!) He had a rather thick portfolio from one of the companies called Skipperliner when I mentioned my concern about the yacht experience versus the dinner cruise on a paddlewheeler experience. It turns out that Skipperliner also deals in paddlewheelers. Unfortunately the ones available now have smoke stacks that are too tall for the Hennepin Bridge. They are looking into the possibility of making the stacks tippable or commissioning a new boat that would fit. If you want to take a look at their boats here is a link to their web page: http://www.skipperliner.com/comm2.html He also reiterated Walt Dziedzic's point that the 5% gate fee Padelford had been paying was way too low and the Board felt a percentage of the overall sales would be appropriate. I also took the opportunity to ask him about the Corps of Engineers view of the proposed Marina and apparently they are in favor of it because it would justify keeping the lock open as the barge traffic is being greatly cut back since the Riverside Electric plant brings coal in by train instead of barge and the gravel operations should be phased out down the road. Just some food for thought.... Steve Nelson Willard Hay REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
