Page Forty-Nine  

30 DECEMBER 2005

Yet MORE plans to Save Our Ferry! 

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"Why can't the powers that be look for other uses that would generate a modest cash flow without even starting the ship's engines, like creating some onboard fine dining or renting space for private or public social gatherings?"

Mr. Troendle suggests the city of Rochester now get into the hospitality business?  "Fine dining"?  "Social gatherings"?  A $42 million floating party house is a REALLY lousy idea... the ship couldn't even make a go of it being used for what it was designed to do.  Anything less than the intended purpose will only prolong and increase the debt.  Obviously.

Where are peoples' minds?  Are locals so myopic and simplistic as to believe knee-jerk reactions based on pure fantasy scenarios are the answer to all life's quandaries?  That's what got the city of Rochester in this sad state of ferry malaise -- and now we're treated to yet MORE hackneyed reasoning and barroom analysis from clueless residents?

Logical and linear thinking works wonders.  How much would it cost to install a full-sized professional kitchen on board?  Retrofitting a ferry isn't the same as converting a land-based building and costs would be astronomical.  How does the city of Rochester go about hiring chefs, maitre d's, sommeliers, waiters/waitresses, kitchen workers?  Which city office has the experience to do the interviewing?  How much would it cost to buy full banquet/party house amenities?  Plates, glassware, tables, chafing dishes, linens, freezers, barware, chairs, serving dishes, candles, dishwashers, swizzle sticks, heating lamps, carving boards, storage containers, ovenware, server trays, sound systems, menu printing, prep tables, convection ovens... who in the city government has the experience to pull this all together?

Contract out?  Yeah, THERE'S a great idea.  Instead of contracting out to operate the ferry, the city would contract out to restaurateurs and banquet organizers and the profit margin is infinitely smaller.  How much would the city make on every plate of broiled scallops after expenses are deducted?  Liquor sales are higher profit makers, but unless enough booze to float the ship is sold (think residents of Charlotte want to see that?) there'd barely be enough profit to cover staff wages.

Donald Troendle needs to think before humiliating himself in a public medium.

"Heck, if they really wanted to make some cash, they could install some video slot machines. Oh no — sorry, that would be gambling. Excuse me while I check my Lotto ticket."

Sarcasm, right?  Hey Don, why don't you just run out and slap in some VLT's in your garage and make a bundle?  It's just that easy, right?  Nothing to it.

Let's not bother to think about piddling details like regulatory oversights to ensure crooked interests don't slip a 'fixed' unit or two in the bunch.  Nevermind that the city of Rochester knows even less about the gaming industry than it does the ferry business.  Forget about the legal and financial liabilities involved with being the 'house'.  Let's not bother to quibble over the fact that the process of acquiring and operating VLT's is an arduous, complex and extraordinarily lengthy process administered by the state.  Let's not consider the absurdity of expecting that a bunch of beer drinking VLT players sitting in a docked boat would provide enough income to cover the utility costs.  Why use logic to arrive at a workable solution when half-baked ideas are so much easier to spout off?

With these types of homegrown strategies being aired in the local fishwrapper, is it any wonder the ferry debacle was allowed to get off the ground?

"A smaller boat would be less costly to run and maintain and probably would only require ridership numbers that a city our size could support."

Kurt Vay's total avoidance of fact and logic defies explanation, but let's put this 'downsizing' plan to rest.

The facts: In less than 60 days, the city of Rochester's Ferry Corporation faces a payment of more than $2 million in addition to the $2 million already owed to Bay Ferries.  There is no money left in the account to pay this as of today.  There is no money.

Conservatively optimistic values estimate the ferry could bring in $25 million if sold today.  The city owes EFIC $40 million and if the entire amount of the ferry sale is put toward the loan, that would still leave some $15 million to be paid IMMEDIATELY to EFIC -- coming from ____?

The Lake Express -- smaller, but no more economical for Rochester

 How much are compact ferries going for these days?   The S.S. Badger, which runs between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin is a 410-foot, 620-passenger ferry built in 1952 and remodeled for service (link).   The Lake Express, which runs between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon, Michigan, is a 192-foot, 248-passenger catamaran ferry built by Austral USA in Mobile Alabama and has a top speed of 40mph (link).  The Spirit of Ontario is 284-feet and carries 774 passengers.

The Milwaukee-Muskegon Lake Express is the smaller cousin of the Toronto-Rochester ferry, built by the same company, Austal (only in the States and not Australia as was the case of the Lake Ontario ferry).  Does a ferry which carries one-third the number of passengers cost one-third the price of the Toronto-Rochester ferry?  No.  The Lake Express cost $18 million when it was built in 2004 (link); more than half the cost of the Spirit of Ontario ($32 million) even though it carries only one-third the passengers.

OK.  After selling the ferry for $25 million, EFIC still needs $15 million to close out the loan, Bay Ferries still needs its $2 million returned and now we need a new -- albeit smaller -- ferry to operate... another $18 million 'similar to the one in Michigan'.  By my math, $15 million + $2 million + $18 million = $35 million.  Where's the cost savings?

Given the cost carryover from the old larger ferry, and given the number of passengers will still be the same (notwithstanding the grand 'marketing plan'), where's the cost savings?  How will 'downsizing' save the ferry operation?  It won't.  It can't.   And that's assuming the current ferry can fetch the optimistic $25 million.  If the ferry sells for $20 million, that's $20 million + $2 million + $18 million = $40 million.  And we're right back to where we started.

Only THIS time, lenders won't be lining up for the opportunity to be stiffed by some small burg with delusions of grandeur who wants to play ball with the Big Guys across the lake.

The only logical conclusion to solving the ferry issue is to end the service.  There is no other option to save this business.

Memo to self:  Research pharmacological statistics on the per capita use of anti-depressants of the Rochester area.  Test personal theory that Remeron, Elavil and Prozac must be trucked into the region at staggering quantities to combat the pathologically disabling characteristics of an area so depressing, it makes double funerals seem downright giddy.

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OK, Fred's lost me.  Why would a boating enthusiast who tows the boat up and back to the Thousand Islands  -- presumably because they enjoy using their boat while there -- want to take the ferry, which would cost two arms and a leg to ride with both car and boat on board?  "Appreciate a break in driving"?  Since when is a leisure activity a mandatory obligation?  If the three-hour drive is too demanding, then why bother?

As for boosting "the economy of many of the upstate communities", I'm not sure many Rochester residents would be all that enthused about their dime being used to stimulate other localities' economic health.  They're already whining about the amount of cash flowing into the Toronto economy from the ferry business; it's hard to imagine they'd be any more cheerful about propping up the businesses of Clayton or Alexandria Bay.

I travel the Route 104 and I-81 corridor to Northern New York-Ottawa-Montréal on a year-round basis and can attest to the volume of vacationers heading to the Thousand Islands during the summer... especially on weekends.  In the 20+ years I've taken this route, I've never been unduly inconvenienced or delayed by the traffic but to listen to locals, one would think the presence of heavy traffic is reason enough to moan mightily of the 'terrible drive'.  Evidently, the notion of 'sharing' the road with other drivers escapes these chronic complainers who appear to feel an empty road is their birthright.

That might also explain the fear and loathing of the QEW as well.

Here's a suggestion for those motoring-phobics:  Why don't you just stay put and never drive outside your comfort zone?  That way, you wouldn't be stressed to the point of distraction and the rest of us who see driving as no big deal wouldn't have to listen to your whiny whimpering about perfectly typical traffic volumes.

Once again, Letters to the Editor reveal a local zeitgeist of small town irrationalities in addition to half-baked business sense.  Just keep those letters and comments coming, gang.  Canadians are still curious about the logic -- or illogic -- of operating a service with insufficient demand.

01 JANUARY 2006

No:ia!  ("No-yah": Mohawk "New Year")  News from my home region:

50 Gilbertson Dr. Simcoe, ON, N3Y 4L2 Phone: (519) 426-5710 Fax: (519) 426-9255 December 30, 2005

Ferry service a done deal: Erie Erie Port Authority has an agreement in principle to lease Port Dover property as a temporary dock Monte Sonnenberg - SIMCOE REFORMER Thursday December 29, 2005 The Simcoe Reformer — Fast ferry service between Erie, Pa., and Port Dover could be a reality as early as this summer. An appropriations bill in Washington, D.C., recently authorized the United States Congress to forward $500,000 to the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority for the purchase of a fast ferry. Coupled with federal and state grants and matching funds from the port authority itself, Erie officials have $1.5 million in the bank that they can devote to a boat. Yesterday, Ray Schreckengost, executive director and CEO of the Erie authority, said he’s preparing to open negotiations with a California boat yard for construction of a 54-foot passenger craft. The boat would be suited to daily service between Pennsylvania and Port Dover. “We’ve bought boats from them before,” Schreckengost said. “We’re extremely pleased with them. This is a boat they also build for the U.S. Navy.” The model from Willard Marine of Anaheim is capable of top speeds in the range of 45 miles per hour. The craft can hold 50 people. Plans are to dock at the Pring property on Harbour Street beside the Harbour Museum in Port Dover. The boat will debut late this summer or the spring of 2007. Schreckengost said the Erie authority has an agreement in principle to lease the Pring property as a temporary dock. Part of that lease includes improving the property so it can handle passengers and customs and immigration services. The 54-foot boat is only a stepping stone toward a more ambitious service. The Erie authority has also secured government funding for a business plan that will explore the feasibility of a larger ferry capable of carrying vehicles as well as passengers. Port Dover Coun. John Wells doesn’t know how this latest development in the ferry saga will go over with town residents. Yesterday, Wells said the idea of docking on the west side of the lift bridge in Port Dover will be well-received in some quarters. Many residents of Brant Hill in the area of the Port Dover Harbour Marina are anxious about the possibility of additional vehicles travelling through their neighbourhood on Dean Street and Pansy Avenue. The fact this ferry service will involve only passengers - at least at the outset - also changes the nature of the issue. “As far as people congestion is concerned, having an extra 50 coming to Port Dover isn’t going to hurt the community one bit,” Wells said. “That we can handle.” In the initial stages, the Erie service will cross the lake four times a day. Plans are to introduce the service as a twice-a-day return excursion for day trippers. Peter Knechtel, vice-president of the Port Dover Board of Trade, said the Erie authority’s plan will come as a shock to some. Yesterday, Knechtel said many thought the Erie ferry was dead once serious problems with the recently-resurrected ferry between Toronto and Rochester, N.Y., came to light. Knechtel isn’t sure ferry service will ultimately affect the way Port Dover is developing. Ferry or no ferry, the town is growing and business is booming. “The size and character of the town is evolving whether there is ferry service or not,” Knechtel said. “They were talking like they were going to build an airline terminal. Now it sounds like they’re building a bus stop.” In a press release, Republican Congressman Phil English said “we were able to make sure Erie residents get their fair share” despite “the tight fiscal constraints of the federal budget. “Final completion of the ferry will be a huge shot in the arm for both Port Dover and Erie, where we anticipate a boost in tourism in both regions. The ferry will not only enable increased access in and out of our borders, but will encourage job growth as well.” Monte Sonnenberg (519) 426-5710 ext. 150 msonnenberg@bowesnet.com

This ferry just might work.  But first, more Native storytelling.  You know the drill; long winded anecdote which all ties together in the end.  Bear with me; have I ever let you down?

Port Dover Ontario has been one of my favourite lakeside towns for over 20 years.  It's got the nautical thing going and plays up the maritime heritage of being on one of the Great Lakes with lots of history of fishing, recreational boating and Lake Erie winter storms like you can barely imagine.  I've seen winter storms roll in from the lake which are black, ominous and rather foreboding in their capacity to dump snow.  I was there on the infamous weekend of the storm which ripped out tens of dozens of cottages on Long Point back in the mid-1980's.  The destruction was unreal and can still be seen today.

Perhaps a map will help:

(The  S   N  just north of the highlighted Port Dover is my reserve of the Six Nations of the Grand River.) 

Port Dover has a great beach and and Harbour Street, which ends at the beach, has an assortment of gift shops, arcades, ice cream stands, beach dining and fine dining establishments.  The Erie Beach Hotel is a venerable institution in Port Dover while the Jimmy Buffet-types would love the beachside bar/restaurant of Callahan's Beach House.  And you haven't visited Port Dover until you've had a Knechtel's perch dinner... trust me on that.   The Port Dover Harbour Museum has artifacts from the wreck of the Steamer Atlantic which sank just off Long Point in 1852.  Main Street is tidy, clean, quaint, lively and a browser's haven without being obnoxiously kitschy.  All within walking from the beach area.

Port Dover is a summer haven and a great year-round place to live.  There's been a lot of development in the community but it's been, for the most part, extremely well planned and not at the expense of the unique character of the town.  Thank God for that.

Port Dover is pretty small by most standards... you can enter the town on Highway 6 and be out of it within 5 minutes... and there's plenty of wide open spaces just outside of town.  That's one of the things I love about Haldimand-Norfolk County... it's spread out with wide vistas and plenty of farm land.  Bucolic and serene.  Big skies.  Genuine, thoroughly unpretentious people.  Not an expressway for miles and church steeples are the tallest buildings in the region.  Just urbane enough to qualify for a label of progressive but decidedly NOT Torontoesque in the pace or focus of life.  Safe to the point of felony-free.  My kind of place.

Port Dover is 50 miles across Lake Erie from Erie Pennsylvania, if you dodge the tip of Long Point (which, by the way, is a fascinating place in its own right).  By car, the trip from Erie PA to Port Dover is some 170 miles, which translates into a solid three and a half hours of straight-through driving provided the Peace Bridge isn't packed -- as is usually the case in the summer.  The small ferry described in the Reformer reaches 45 mph, making the lake crossing in about an hour to an hour and a quarter.  No vehicles will fit on the proposed ferry which, at 54-feet in length, is a small canoe compared to the Spirit of Ontario's 284-foot length.

Initially, the Port Dover-Erie ferry will carry walk-on passengers such as day trippers and maybe the occasional overnighter carrying a modest suitcase or pack.  In this case, it looks like Port Dover stands to gain more from the influx of passengers -- although at a maximum capacity of 50 people, it's not as if the town needs to brace for an overwhelming crush of tourists piling off the ferry upon arrival. 

Erie, on the other hand, will barely notice the difference -- so other than to provide a little convenience of a quick tip across the lake for a few dozen Erie residents, it's hard to see why they'd bother.  Maybe it'll be wildly popular and demand for vehicle crossings will ramp up; at this point I don't think anybody knows.

Does Port Dover really have that much to offer... enough to compel Pennsylvanians to hop on a ferry?  Well, in my estimation, it definitely does.  It's a resort town which is small enough to get around without a car yet has plenty of diversions and amenities to make it a great place to spend a few days.  Driving from Erie to downtown Toronto is 190 miles; taking a ferry across to Port Dover cuts the driving down to only 75 miles.  You see where I'm going with this, don't you?

The Toronto-Rochester ferry offers none of the above.  For Torontonians, a trip across the lake to Rochester just isn't like spending a few days in a resort town where a car isn't mandatory.  There's nowhere near the savings in drive time, cost or distance compared to a Lake Erie crossing.  Both the perceived and very real threat of crime in Rochester for Canadians is virtually absent for Erie travelers to Port Dover.  The differences between the service and the planning of the two ferries couldn't be more dramatic.

Can the Port Dover-Erie route work?  That's a real 'Maybe', but even if it doesn't, it shouldn't be too much of a big deal to unload a 54-foot boat and nobody's going to be out of tens upon tens of millions of dollars for years to come.

Strange, huh?  A dinky little Canadian lakeside town might be successful at attracting ferry customers where the third largest metropolitan area in New York State couldn't.  By that standard, Port Dover has more going for it than Rochester.

MUCH more.  Sometimes smaller is better.

Not much has changed in this scene since the 1970's.  There's a new giant marina on the east side of the harbour now, but you'd never know it from the above vantage... even today.

A tale of two ferries, two lakes and two communities.

From the Don't-Blame-Me-He's-The-One-Who-Said-It files:

Well, OK.  Might as well be optimistic; the pessimism is perking along quite nicely without any additional help.

Each of the points raised above is spot on for the city of Rochester AND the Rochester area in general.  Despite the blissed-out Better Homes and Neighbourhoods the suburbanites seem to think they reside in, the loss of jobs hits home as solidly as the city dwellers feel -- maybe even harder as housing costs are higher, there's most likely a higher percentage of university-attending students in the suburbs (tuition bills, anyone?) and the costly effects of sprawl are more pronounced.

"Self-image and morale problem"?  Unrealistic self-image, perhaps?  An over-estimated self-image is equally as nasty as an under-estimated one and there's a grain of truth to the adage "To thy own self be true".  Just a thought.

As for the morale problem, somehow mass layoffs, growing poverty, a soaring crime rate with no end of a regional recession in sight just doesn't seem to inspire bright and cheerful dispositions.  I don't know why that is; one would think when residents learn there's a $26 million budget gap and the city is facing a potential $51.5 million debt on a ferry project which was doomed from Day One, they'd be jumping for joy with local pride and sense of accomplishment.  No?  Maybe it's the general funk which has been settling over this area for decades that's causing a wicked case of the blues.

That might account for feel-good projects which were supposed to inspire a sense of pride even though they were rooted in fallacy.  When the chips are down, even the lamest of ideas sounds good and By George, we're not going to listen to any defeatist attitudes around here.  So voila!  We have ourselves a ferry to save the day.   Let's not stop at just ONE money-losing undomed sports stadium; let's build ANOTHER one to collect snow and litter -- but no revenue -- for five months of the year.   Just as Frontier Field is doing at this very moment.

Are we having fun yet?  May I recommend occasional forays to localities in excess of 100 miles from Monroe County?  Preferably to an area of upbeat residents and economic health... like much of the province of Ontario?  Works wonders for me. 

As for Mayor Bob's enthusiasm, nothing speaks louder than results.  It would be refreshing and satisfying to see this area live up to its full potential instead of wallowing in traditional and conventional mediocrity.  That'll mean breaking with status quo outlooks, values and methods... a complete change in attitudes, habits and perspectives is the only way the Rochester area can hope to turn itself around.  It's all up to the local residents -- not some bureaucrat  -- to effect local change. 

Evolve or die.