Hi All,

Ed, great reply.  Thank you for sharing your "inside" view.

I think a lot of us feel that "compared to prior Sail Boston's" this one fell short.  Most of us expected that, from following all the political posturing leading up to the event.

I know I feel, as a proud long time Boston and Massachusetts resident, I wanted our port & community to be the best visited by these vessels and crew, because it always has the potential to be that.

As the political battle began and ended I still feel the same;  Although, Mayor Menion had a legitimate gripe with funding, he also has the political where-with-all to have resolved it (quietly, behind the scenes) and then join with the rest of us in making the event what it could have been.  I will not stop believing that this was a very selfish move on his part and it should costs him in an election year.

All above said, it was still exciting to have the tall ships here.  We stayed at Spectacle Island Sunday night to be in good position for their departure on Monday morning. it was a good call, several WYC boats (and at least 1 MBS, Betty) were there with us.  It was a good plan.

Bill Scanlon Sr.