Dear editor,Regarding Comox council's intention to raise marina fees by 24 per cent over the next three years so that the rates will equal the Comox Bay Marina's rates:1. Let me remind you that what you are doing is price fixing. You are trying to match a publicly owned and publicly paid for marina's rates to those of a privately owned business.2. If you feel you should match some ones rates, then match the rates of the Comox Valley Harbour Authority. You will find that you need to reduce your rates to match theirs.3. The vessels that are moored in the Town's marina are older and smaller than the Vessels in Comox Bay Marina. The majority of vessels in the Town's marina are owned by seniors. The value of these older boats is on par with the value of an automobile. The boats in the Comox Bay Marina have a value more in line with a house.4. The Town of Comox marina was put in place as a convenience for local Comox boaters. It was never to be a cash cow for the Town. If the federal government thought Comox was going to use its marina as a revenue generator, we would never have received the federal grant.5. Moorage rates should be set at a rate that covers daily expenses plus a maintenance sum set aside each year for upkeep.6. At this time of year most of the vacant berths would be subleased to vessels that are moored out in the Bay. But alas the fees are too high so the berth stay empty all winter long and the extra revenues are lost.7. We are a seniors-driven community. We do not receive annual increases in our pensions that will pay for these fee increases. Give it second a thought.John Cryderman,Comox
