Belle 100th Anniversary cut down

Louisville not only got egg on its face but also two black eyes. This fiasco will not be forgotten in the river circles. As for Alan B I feel for him because like all causes he gets involved with he gives 100% plus. Alan was willing to give the Louisville group all his expertise and knowledge gained from ALL the Tall Stacks events. It was a sad ending to what could have been a real great showcase for the Louisville area. Now frankly I wonder about the Belle of Louisville's future.

Good news from Capt Alan B. The Riverfront committee in Louisville is reconsidering the calamity they created with the cancellation. Monday morning they are meeting apparently with renewed vigor. Word is they intend to plan a bigger more interesting venue than the old one. This is all good! Keep posted for the latest.

M. Blaser

I wonder if the wizards sitting down in Frankfort ever considered how many lawyers will be kept busy by cancelling all of the contracts with the boats and those that have already purchased tickets.

We're too great of a country to deserve those that we have elected to represent us.

BELLE's Future

Well Bill, we've expressed concern before about the BELLE's future after this event, and a few people have said Not To Worry! I think this fiasco shows the lack of knowledge/interest toward boats and operators and sadly I say again: To Worry! I hope I am proven wrong.

It will come as a surprise to no one that I am not (nor have I ever been) supportive of Waterfront Development Corporation operating the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE.

Although they have done a lot to keep the boat going, she has been more useful to their ultimate agenda. The need for her to operate is in no way a priority of WDC. At this point WDC is going into a self preservation mode after losing this state funding money and the future of their need for the BELLE can be nothing but suspect at best. Many sources have pointed out this setback for the Birthday Celebration is the harbinger of the end of her operational career. It has been clearly pointed out for the last two years that WDC is outgrowing their need for the BELLE and she is not in their future plans going forward.

Like Judy, I pray I am wrong in saying such. I pray another operator can impress the City and get her before something desperate happens to her. That would be what would make her a success, a knowledgeable operator coming in to run her properly. I can think of only two highly successful operators who have the experience necessary to operate an excursion steamboat in this day and age. I hope they are watching this thread and take the leap to save her and her phenomenal history.

She may have to leave the waterfront (as WDC already charges her wharfage fees and requires her crew (with salaries coming out of HER operational budget) to maintain the wharf in her area….at Cox's Park she could land for free). To keep her running and get her back to the success she has known in the past the only hope is to get her out of the clutches of WDC and into the hands of a proper steamboat operator. It'd be a shame to lose another operational boat, at this point, we have too few to lose!

We politely and patiently await announcement of the revised plans for the Centennial Festival of Riverboats. According to the latest list handed me, some 41 bus tour groups are/were slated to visit the Howard Steamboat Museum from Wednesday through Sunday. That's a LOT of visitors to have passing through the mansion over several days, but we certainly look forward to welcoming them, one and all, to our unique museum and -- whatever it takes -- we'll make it work!

The Belle's only gonna be ONE HUNDRED this one time!

All, I'm reminded of the death cart scene from Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail. "I'm not dead yet" nor is the Belle so for goodness sake come for her. If nothing else we need river people to spread the word about this event in support of the Belle. Forget about the politics involved and tell your friends friends friends to spread the word. She's only turning 100 once and the more cruise tickets/tour groups that come to be a part of that moment in history, the happier I'll be and the more it will show everyone how lucky Louisville is to have this local and national treasure at their front door.

Aaron

Preaching to the choir here

AJ, I don't think you need to urge us to forget the politics, etc. and support the BELLE. I suspect most everyone who actively posts on here will be there to support the event. Even though I fear for the future of the BELLE, knowing some of the politics controlling her, I'll be there 5 days, driving the 846 mile round trip as I do at least twice a year to support both the BELLE and the Howard Museum. As I mentioned in my posting, I've been around the AVALON/BELLE since 1951, and there are others on here who have been with her even longer. Our commitment doesn't waver. We may seem jaded to you, with your 'relative newness' to her, but we are loyal and dependable and will be there, as always, regardless of the missteps in the organizational process.

Everyone should keep a positive state of mind. Monday or Tuesday of next week will cast a new light on the outcome. Remember this is only the second week of April. Except for the Derby (which is a quasi private enterprise) this is just about the biggest event the City of Louisville has put together in some time.

QUESTIONS

Who is sitting in the WDC? Any steamboaters? If not, why not? How many of them are there? What are their qualifications? Who are they? Does anyone know any of them personally? If not, why not?

Travis I'm sure knows the answer to your question, Lexie, but as far as I know it's filled with politicos and appointees.

*Louisville's WDC is open/public record*
Steamboating colleagues:
Lexie raises some pertinent questions above RE: Louisville's Waterfont Development Corporation herin known as WDC. Using any of your computer/internet search engines you can easly type in the above and hit GO. Many, many webs and links will pop up with information ranging from 'REPORT A PROBLEM' to the organization, incorporation, status, employees etc. of the WDC with all areas of their involvement listed. It's open public record. WIKIPEDIA also carries an in-depth summation dating back to WDC's "non-profit/stock corporation created by the Kentucky General Assembly, 1986." I legally opened their Budget Summary with flow charts as to employees, funds under 501(C)3 status able to accept donations. At present they have 18 full-time with 13 'seasona/other' employees totaling 31 at time of report filing. Monies come from other sources also.

One catching sentence to me reads, "Community leaders sought to create an entity that would be insulated from electoral politics and therefore free to enact long-term community vision for the revitalization of Louisville Riverfront. Note "insulated from electoral politics." In many ways the WDC in Louisville similar to the 'Port Authority' here in Cincinnati--but here it reaches far beyond just the 'port' of Cincinnati with increasing political power, money etc. Bill Judd, myself and others here who've entered in the political process can attest to the thinking you confront with scars, bruises to show for it. Politics is indeed 'A contact sport.' Wording on state legislature bills and votes may be obtained from your State House if you have the number etc. Your local representative in the state can also assist you if you phone, E=Mail.

I note with the WDC in Lousville the budget figures so far not listed beyond year 2011-2012 then with a Total expenditure of $3,281,400. Many promient names listed but none I know of from the river industry--but I could be wrong living here in Cincinnati. It's worth you time to key in, dig in and read dispelling a lot of ifs, ands' buts...who knows what? Why isn't...? At times such political/corporate/foundation interests don't owe us a thing beyond basic information. Other Kentucky web sites, reports mention the budget cutting now only in Frankfort but all over the state same as here in Ohio. There are no sacred cows it appears. All part of public record with no crime committed with research and sharing. Well, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

Press release should be out today regarding the Centennial Festival of Riverboats.

I have been a long-standing crew member and officer on the Belle. I have served on her under the operating board, when Hornblower was contracted, and now under WDC. I, along with many older crew members, have weathered our share of the political storms to keep the Belle operating. Like it or not, it takes much more than sweeping the decks, spreading some paint, and oiling the engines to keep her wheel rolling! As many of you well know, the Belle has been a political "hot potato" tossed around the city for as long as she has been in Louisville. We know she was a profitable operation at one time and operates with a subsidy from the city. Her ability to make a profit is not why she's been operating in Louisville for all of these years. I certainly believe from my experience with this and other marine operations, she has a better chance of survival as a publicly owned property than as a private business! As a city-owned property, the Belle is in a far safer place under WDC to weather political storms than any other division in the city. As far as who is involved in organizing her centennial celebration, I can tell you one person intimately involved who is now employed by WDC and once served on the Belle’s deck crew—my wife! Remember this comes from someone who has staked their livelihood for many years on the Belle!

*RE: Press release/Louisville Festival*
Hi, AJ,
Thanks for the heads up RE: the press release for Louisville's Festival of Riverboats. Keep us posted here. I'll click in also on the Louisville media coverage, release in the COURIER JOURNAL.

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

I would say wait and see. I believe there is more at play here than just the lose of $485,000 in state funding (David Karem might be saying to the state legislature "I'll just take my ball and go home since I didn't get what I wanted"). I understand the mayor is livid over the cancellation. Give it time, I think things will work out, the City has a lot at stake here.

Good News.............The Courier Journal reported today "Mayor Greg Fischer's administration has newly pledged not to consider any major reduction in activities planned for the Oct. 14 - 19 "Centennial Festival of Riverboats." But one aspect is being reduced the number of boats coming from 9 to 4. For the full story get on the Courier Journal website and look at page 1 of the metro section under "Waterfront cuts being studied".

Hey Jim, thanks for posting about the Courier Journal article. Glad things are moving forward with the event. Sad that because of the budget issues that the General Jackson, Colonel, and Anson Northrup won't be coming but still a fair number of boats to celebrate the Belle's Birthday! My family sure is looking forward to making the trip down for this event, still should be a once in a lifetime experience.

Aaron