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For those that don't know you now have to pay $5.00 to launch, courtesy of the City of St. Marks. I'm assuming that since the price is written on Duct Tape stuck to the sign that the cost will go up come spring

Does anyone know where the funds came from to build the ramps?

Steve -

The ramp improvements were funded by a grant. I did the surveying for that project a few years ago.

- Steve Stinson

Yea- Its a rip but they know most of the folks paying it live somewhere else. Their folks are not going to complain.
I guess I'll just go to the lighthouse and skip the City of St Marks all together.
My Federal Duck Stamp lets me enter and launch for free.....

bman wrote:Yea- Its a rip but they know most of the folks paying it live somewhere else. Their folks are not going to complain.
I guess I'll just go to the lighthouse and skip the City of St Marks all together.
My Federal Duck Stamp lets me enter and launch for free.....

YEP!!! Can i get an AMEN!!!

If it was a grant, then we already contributed. It also cost the City of SM nothing.
Trash pickup and a little maintenance could be covered off one Saturdays launch for a whole year.

I'm pretty sure that project was financed by the state. I agree that we shouldn't have to pay twice.

The price being written on duct tape doesn't sound very official to me. Sounds to me like somebody's running a scam.

There is the lighthouse, which cuts 6 miles off running down then back up the river, 12 miles roundtrip; and just three more miles up from the fort is lower bridge. A very good double-wide ramp, but with limited parking.

I spoke with some fella's once at upper bridge. Three more miles up from lower bridge. They were coming in from scalloping and trout fishing. Said they put in there just for the boat ride down then back up the river.

Redfish Jim wrote:I'm pretty sure that project was financed by the state. I agree that we shouldn't have to pay twice.

You know I get frustrated with taxes, and the hassle of having to have $5 and deal with the envelope. I can afford the $5, and I don't mind paying for services rendered. And if there was a convincing evidence of need, I'd pay without a grumble. But I think government will take it from the taxpayers until taxpayers protest or boycott. As for me, I'm boycotting. Boaters that launch at the fort bring a lot of revenue to local businesses I'm sure. I got an annual St. Marks refuge pass which allows access to the lighthouse I think for $15.

How much is it to launch at Sheild's? How much does it cost to launch at the St. Marks Hwy. 98 bridge?

Here is my guess......

Due to the modified parking lot there is not near as many places to park anymore, if they charge $$ it will reduce the number of people using the ramp area. Now we have palm trees curbs and parking spaces. Also don't forget everyone must drive through the the parking lot to get to the ramp and the new driveway takes the room of many many parking spaces. I feel the new paking lot is only capable of housing 50% of the old storage and now we have three ramps instead one. Mays as well just left one ramp now that not as many boats can use the parking lot.

Just another case of money over brains.

Also years ago I heard where the state could not charge less then other businesses becuase it is not fare for private business to compete with the goverment. This was a boat ramp as well.

So who knows,

Hey Ty, you fishing club tournaments this year? We miss you.

Well here My .02 If you fish then u have to pay enough said

Jumptrout51 wrote:Hey Ty, you fishing club tournaments this year? We miss you.

Yea, are you back in town Ty? Good to hear from you.

I had a long really profane post about this crap but I deleted it before I hit submit. It chaps my tail!

SHOWBOAT wrote:

Jumptrout51 wrote:Hey Ty, you fishing club tournaments this year? We miss you.

Yea, are you back in town Ty? Good to hear from you.

Yes, I was in town (Talla.) for the last two weeks. Then got a call from an old co-worker in Orlando needing some help with a tie-back wall. So I'm here in Orlando right now. I will be working in Tallahassee for the next 2 to 3 years though begining in April/May.

Steve, I'm sure I will fish some of the tournaments with Shane Boy, He will be 6 this month.

BTW, I will be taking the Wife to Hawaii next week for a well deserved vacation.