Comments on: Rare openings at Old Greenwich Yacht Club: no waiting list http://blog.ctnews.com/lincolnmillstein/2009/11/07/whats-with-the-strange-sewer-manhole-cover-at-the-beach/ Lincoln Millstein offers his unique views and insight on Greenwich and its community Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:06:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jay Louden http://blog.ctnews.com/lincolnmillstein/2009/11/07/whats-with-the-strange-sewer-manhole-cover-at-the-beach/#comment-615 Jay Louden Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:24:37 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/lincolnmillstein/?p=876#comment-615 I really haven't been paying attention if the subject of our new Fleet Captain - the Greenwich Harbor Master - is being aired. Whether it's a conflict of interest is, I suppose, a matter of one's perspective and his/her job performance, but I certainly would agree that it's probably inadvisable. The position, for now, is limited to an ordinance that was drafted in 1978, per news release by the First Selectman, following a disastrous public meeting on the draft of "new" regulations the harbormaster would be charged with enforcing. Enforcement neutrality could, perhaps, be more achievable with someone either not a resident or completely disinterested in local boating activities. In the end, the success of the position will turn on the ability of the current office holder to remain objective, fair and clearly aware of the pitfalls an official position in one of the yacht clubs presents. I really haven’t been paying attention if the subject of our new Fleet Captain – the Greenwich Harbor Master – is being aired. Whether it’s a conflict of interest is, I suppose, a matter of one’s perspective and his/her job performance, but I certainly would agree that it’s probably inadvisable. The position, for now, is limited to an ordinance that was drafted in 1978, per news release by the First Selectman, following a disastrous public meeting on the draft of “new” regulations the harbormaster would be charged with enforcing. Enforcement neutrality could, perhaps, be more achievable with someone either not a resident or completely disinterested in local boating activities. In the end, the success of the position will turn on the ability of the current office holder to remain objective, fair and clearly aware of the pitfalls an official position in one of the yacht clubs presents.

]]> By: Gene Fignar http://blog.ctnews.com/lincolnmillstein/2009/11/07/whats-with-the-strange-sewer-manhole-cover-at-the-beach/#comment-614 Gene Fignar Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:33:44 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/lincolnmillstein/?p=876#comment-614 Lincoln: Thank you for the great introduction of OGYC to the boating community of Greenwich. Our Club is a very special place filled with adults and children who share a love of the water in one of the most beautiful harbors in New England. As for the occasional rancor, every club (boating or volunteer) I have been a part of has a very small but vocal group for whom criticism is more important than cooperation and a sense of common purpose. From what I have heard from Commodores at other area Yacht Clubs, OGYC is not unique in that respect by any means. Gene Fignar Past Commodore, OGYC Lincoln:

Thank you for the great introduction of OGYC to the boating community of Greenwich. Our Club is a very special place filled with adults and children who share a love of the water in one of the most beautiful harbors in New England.

As for the occasional rancor, every club (boating or volunteer) I have been a part of has a very small but vocal group for whom criticism is more important than cooperation and a sense of common purpose. From what I have heard from Commodores at other area Yacht Clubs, OGYC is not unique in that respect by any means.

Gene Fignar
Past Commodore, OGYC

]]> By: Lincoln Millstein http://blog.ctnews.com/lincolnmillstein/2009/11/07/whats-with-the-strange-sewer-manhole-cover-at-the-beach/#comment-613 Lincoln Millstein Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:56:34 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/lincolnmillstein/?p=876#comment-613 Thanks Jay. Speaking of rancor, isn't it a conflict of interest for the town's harbormaster to hold an officer's position in a local yacht club, in particular, as fleet captain? What if one of OGYC's boats he overseas collides with another boat in the middle of the channel? Would the harbormaster be called upon to render a judgement on navigability? What if there is a dispute with one of the other clubs? I'm sure there are other examples I can think of if you gave me five more minutes. Thanks Jay.

Speaking of rancor, isn’t it a conflict of interest for the town’s harbormaster to hold an officer’s position in a local yacht club, in particular, as fleet captain? What if one of OGYC’s boats he overseas collides with another boat in the middle of the channel? Would the harbormaster be called upon to render a judgement on navigability? What if there is a dispute with one of the other clubs? I’m sure there are other examples I can think of if you gave me five more minutes.

]]> By: Jay Louden http://blog.ctnews.com/lincolnmillstein/2009/11/07/whats-with-the-strange-sewer-manhole-cover-at-the-beach/#comment-610 Jay Louden Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:38:47 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/lincolnmillstein/?p=876#comment-610 Lincoln, I was at the meeting, too, and must have missed the complaints about board nominations and boat maintenance. I did speak at this meeting - first one in two years - and you may or may not recall that I focused most of my comments on the inadvisability of increasing the expenses of running the club next year, in light of your observation about membership and the implications for our revenue stream. I guess that's an implicit criticism of the volunteer board, but with a significant amount of money at their disposal, I would think it would make anybody - even a volunteer - think twice about expenses. If that's rancor, just call me the ol' curmudgeon that my kids have always known; but having served on OGYC boards under 4 or 5 commodores, I think I'm entitled to a comment every other year. Potentially critical review of board (and board members) performance comes with the territory and such service is not mandatory. As to high turnover, it's true there's been an exceptional number of resignations in the last two years, including mine. I didn't check out early because of the noise, but rather the silence. Love the blog, Lincoln. Lincoln, I was at the meeting, too, and must have missed the complaints about board nominations and boat maintenance. I did speak at this meeting – first one in two years – and you may or may not recall that I focused most of my comments on the inadvisability of increasing the expenses of running the club next year, in light of your observation about membership and the implications for our revenue stream. I guess that’s an implicit criticism of the volunteer board, but with a significant amount of money at their disposal, I would think it would make anybody – even a volunteer – think twice about expenses. If that’s rancor, just call me the ol’ curmudgeon that my kids have always known; but having served on OGYC boards under 4 or 5 commodores, I think I’m entitled to a comment every other year. Potentially critical review of board (and board members) performance comes with the territory and such service is not mandatory. As to high turnover, it’s true there’s been an exceptional number of resignations in the last two years, including mine. I didn’t check out early because of the noise, but rather the silence. Love the blog, Lincoln.

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