As a former resident and sailboat owner in Bristol, I'm amazed at the council's myopic rationale. Attempting to equate mooring fees, for which the boat owner receives little, if any, services or benefits from the town, with property taxes, in return for which the property owner receives significant services and benefits (or should), makes no sense. In addition, a for-profit corporation can off-set mooring expenses against revenue, thus reducing its income taxes. A non-profit can't do that. Moreover, the council's simplistic desire to match the fees charged for-profit entities with those charged non-profits appears to be a classic example of "a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds," to quote Emerson. Finally, aside from the actual benefits of producing new generations of sailors, the council's thinking also fails to perceive the intangible benefits to the town by promoting for tourism purposes its history as a seaport, boat building area, and sailing center, if not a home to many a sailor. Will the council now start charging for aesthetic views of the Bay from the town's shores?
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