Harbor master Charlie Blair announced his retirement through a letter read aloud at the Edgartown select board meeting Monday. He will step away after 30 years with the town.
Edgartown’s longtime harbor master plans to retire in early spring after nearly three decades on the job.
Harbor master Charlie Blair announced his retirement through a letter read aloud at the Edgartown select board meeting Monday. He plans to step down from his post on March 27.
Mr. Blair has been overseeing the town’s busy harbor since 1995 and plans to end his career on the 30th anniversary date of him taking the position. In the letter he said it has been an honor to watch the water, but needs to retire for medical reasons.
“Thank you for your efforts to keep the Harbor clean and protected and [for] your vision that our grandchildren will see it as it was when we were growing up,” Mr. Blair wrote in the letter.
Edgartown town administrator James Hagerty said the town will move quickly to fill the harbor master position and that he will have a list of candidates for the initial screening committee before the next select board meeting.
“We want to have the harbor master in place well before the summer,” Mr. Hagerty said.
Select board member Arthur Smadbeck said Mr. Blair has been instrumental to the town over the years
“He’s been amazing for the town and it’s going to be a big loss and hard shoes to fill,” Mr. Smadbeck said.
Comments
Thirty years of "Thank you,"
Don McLagan Sarasota FLThirty years of "Thank you," Charlie. -- H12 #487
Bravo Charlie..Bolero and
Linda May Smith EdgartownBravo Charlie..Bolero and Linda’s Worry send love and thank you.
Thanks for your dedication
John Klein EdgartownThanks for your dedication and professionalism over the years Charlie. Wishing you all the best in dealing with your medical issues.
Congratulations Charlie on a
Colin Ewing EdgartownCongratulations Charlie on a job well done! Enjoy a well deserved retirement!
Charlie, Thank you so much
Brian Conway EdgartownCharlie, Thank you so much for your common sense leadership and dedicated service. The harbor is so central to Edgartown, our lives and the town’s character and livelihood. You leave large boat shoes to fill! Best wishes for the next chapter.
You have dedicated your
Cynthia Alten-DeLotto EdgartownYou have dedicated your career to maintaining the beauty and culture of our harbor so you are leaving big shoes to fill! As a fellow sailor going back many years to Hotfoot days and 300 boats for regatta, I cannot thank you enough for everything! Smooth sailing ahead for you!
Charlie,
Clare Harrington Edgartown/NewportCharlie,
You have been the star of Edgartown Harbor and we appreciate your dedication and efforts more than you know.
Fair winds my friend.
Charlie Blair has been the
Alex Friedman EdgartownCharlie Blair has been the best Harbormaster on the East Coast, always balancing the demands of visitors with his unwavering support for commercial fisherman and aquaculture ... from swordfishing to storms, from draggers to dinghies, Charlie's maritime knowledge and commitment to Edgartown will never be matched (nevermind his unparalleled collection of squid jigs from around the world) ... Thank You, Charlie - the Harbor and town won't be the same without you. Fair Tides, always.
Charlie has had first hand
Albert GosnoldCharlie has had first hand knowledge of exactly what goes on in the harbor for over 70 years.
Wait for the book...
All the best my fisherman
Raymond Belsito PetershamAll the best my fisherman friend, from a decade ago with your kids on South Beach.
Good luck Charlie thank you
Josh Weisman Stamford and ChilmarkGood luck Charlie thank you for 30 years of service. I met you when I was 8 years old. You taught me how to fish during countless trips on the Nisa. I’ll never forget you thank you and good luck!
Congratulations, Charlie.
Hap Allen Berkeley, CACongratulations, Charlie.
All the best in the coming days.
Thank you Charlie! We very
Ed Berger ChappaquiddickThank you Charlie! We very much appreciate your work over the years. Thanks for taking so many young people under your wing and exposing them the maritime industry.
Class act and a truly great
Adam Darack Edgartown & VHClass act and a truly great guy. Have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Charlie for 17 years - he is an island icon! Congrats Charlie - definitely planning on staying in touch and wetting some lines out on the beach with you when the fish come back in.
We will miss you Charlie.
Hal Flack ChappyWe will miss you Charlie. You have been our steady hand, most respected advisor and dear friend for as long as I can remember.
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