AIRBOAT MONOPLY – Part I

We think everyone should understand the fight for the right to stay in business as an airboat company in Kissimmee. It has been and is still being challenged by an Airboat Giant on the south end of Lake Toho which is currently leasing from the county. They have hired expensive lawyers, made false accusations against other companies, and are doing everything possible to stop any other company from operating in the Kissimmee area. We live in a free country where this kind of power and monopoly should not be tolerated. Every meeting in Osceola County and the city of Kissimmee having to do with airboats has seen an all out assault against any company that might be competition to this Airboat Giant.

They claim to (ONLY) want a fair playing field where other companies would be paying for usage of boat ramp areas as they do. If this was the intent why do all the other companies that have agreed to pay find themselves in a bidding war against this Airboat Giant? They lease the South Port Park, Picnic Area, Camp Grounds, Shops, Restrooms, and other amenities for a little over $2000.00 a month. Currently 1 ramp at East Lake Toho and 1at South Port on West Lake Toho are controlled by this airboat company. O, did I forget to mention the new merger with a law firm as partner with this Giant on the Lake Cypress property that would take over the airboat operation there also? The company then enters a bid of well over twice that amount for airboat rights to Lakefront in Kissimmee to control it as well. Seems like with this many locations the Giant would like to draw business away from the Down Town Kissimmee Shops, Antiques, Restaurants, Parks, Arts, Hardware, Printing, Marinas, Fishing, Boating and Sightseeing to Makinson Island. Vendors already operating at Lakefront spend thousands of $ dollars monthly to support the local merchants and bring in tourist to help stimulate the economy. If the Airboat Giant gets yet another location would they not route all their business to one location as they currently do to South Port away from Down Town Kissimmee?

East Lake having only one airboat on site seems to be a shell used to keep others from operating from a great location while South Port is the main operation drawing 90% of their business. Speaking of shells, the same company used a new LLC to bid on the Lakefront Airboat Tours in Kissimmee. They have by their on words had lengthy discussions over the years with high ranking officials to gain control of the city ramp as well as the 2 already controlled by them. Maybe I missed something but this doesn’t look like they (only) want a fair playing field.

One of the owners of this Airboat Giant Company stated after a county meeting concerning airboats he was not worried about other little companies because they did not know how to play the game. We really don’t want to think he was insinuating that someone would have to do something immoral or illegal to gain favor on this issue. Personally I sure hope he is wrong as I have faith in God and our system of equal opportunity for all. Like a wise man said at one of the city meetings “Everyone needs to play in the sand box together or the sand box could disappear.”

In view of the economy and lack of jobs, every business that can generate income for our community should be trying to help other businesses not eliminate them. The Giant is in all walks of life and will be in business weather they win or loose this one. However if the smaller businesses lose it is an entire livelihood for several families and employees.

Thanks for your time, maybe this will shed some light on what we are against.

May God Bless,

Captain Jerry Sloan