I am the incoming commodore of Potomac River Yacht Clubs Association (PRYCA). Our association represents 22 member clubs on the Potomac River from D.C. to the Chesapeake Bay.

We are primarily a social organization, but we do, on occasion, pick up the legislative gavel to represent the needs of our member clubs.

I am conveying our concern over the Stafford County boat tax.

At a recent meeting hosted by the Aquia Harbour Property Owners Association, Supervisors Paul Milde and Jack Cavalier fielded questions about the prospect of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors reducing or eliminating the boat tax in Stafford County.

PRYCA Rear Commodore Chevy Rice attended this meeting and found the views of Mr. Milde and Mr. Cavalier very much in line with improving recreational boating on the Potomac.

Although I am a Fairfax County resident, I also have property and specifically a boat in Stafford County. I also have a larger boat but moved it to Mount Vernon because of the Stafford County boat tax.

I am only one of many who find ways of not being part of the Stafford County boat tax. Some move their boats to the north, and others go south.

Other counties surrounding Stafford have long realized that the boat tax cost them revenue in other forms and have eliminated it.

The elimination of the tax would provide a considerable economic gain to the businesses and residents of Stafford County.

Don Basham

Alexandria