– An open letter from Jack Gierhart, CEO of US Sailing, in support of the US Sailing Center Miami.
Dear Sailors,
The lease is up for renewal at the US Sailing Center Miami. We need your help in renewing the lease to ensure this facility remains a Miami community sailing center and an official Olympic Training site.
The US Sailing Center Miami is one of only 18 official US Olympic Training sites sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the only one for sailing in the United States. This volunteer based, non-for-profit organization provides public access to Miami’s waterfront, along with public storage and launching, regatta hosting, team training and community outreach.
For the past 15 years, US Sailing Center Miami has served as a critically important training site for the US Sailing Team and Olympic sailing hopefuls with year-round training. Young sailors of all levels learn, train, compete, and make long-lasting friendships here.
Sailors come to the US Sailing Center Miami from all over the world to train and compete in premiere international regattas. The US Sailing Center Miami has hosted an internationally renowned Olympic Class regatta for the past 25 years, bringing thousands of world class, Olympic-caliber sailors to the waters of Biscayne Bay, while offering the local community an opportunity to learn more about the sport and the benefits of sailing as a sustainable recreational activity for everyone.
The Center has worked in collaboration with the Miami Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Miami to host sailing camps for Miami’s inner-city youth. The disabled community uses the Center to get out on the water and sail recreationally and competitively. This organization embodies inclusivity and has taken great pride in welcoming any and all individuals to this special venue.
They need our support during this critical time to impress the importance and value of the US Sailing Center Miami to the City of Miami Commissioners. They need votes of at least 4 out of 5 commissioners to obtain the lease renewal. Commissioner Ken Russell is supporting the lease renewal and has shown his tremendous advocacy for the US Sailing Center Miami and is a friend of the waterfront community.
Please show your support for the future of the US Sailing Center Miami by emailing Mayor Francis Suarez (fsuarez@miamigov.com) and the five City of Miami Commissioners, Joe Carollo (jcarollo@miamigov.com), Manolo Reyes (mreyes@miamigov.com), Willy Gort (wgort@miamigov.com), Ken Russell (krussell@miamigov.com), and Keon Hardemon (KHardemon@miamigov.com).
Please reference the language at the end of this letter to use in your emails of support, along with a message about your connection to this organization. You can also show your support for renewing the lease of the US Sailing Center Miami by signing the petition.
You are invited to the public hearing where the vote on the lease renewal will take place at Miami City Hall on May 10, 2018 at 9:00 AM. There will be a “Show Your Support Meeting” at the Sailing Center on May 8, 2018 at 6:00 PM as they prepare for the City of Miami Commission Meeting on May 10. We encourage you to attend.
We appreciate your friendship and support for our partners at the US Sailing Center Miami.
Kind Regards,
Jack Gierhart
Chief Executive Officer, US Sailing
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear ____________,
I am writing to you in support of the US Sailing Center Miami. The lease is up for renewal and I want to express my gratitude for this community sailing center and official Olympic Training Site.
For years this organization has provided outstanding waterfront access, offered opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to get out on the water competently and safely, and served as a training site for elite athletes and Olympic hopefuls.
[Write about your personal connection to the US Sailing Center Miami]