Auxiliary taking business away from private schools

I am writing this letter to make you aware of a serious problem facing small businesses here in New Jersey. There are over 70 state approved boating schools conducting safe-boating classes. They are being forced to compete with a civilian arm of the government, the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is considered by the IRS to be a charitable organization, but they charge the same as the private schools and say it's for "material." They don't pay instructors or rent. Where is this money going? No one seems to be able to tell us.

Do you agree that small business owners should not have to compete with the federal government? Do you believe the Coast Guard Auxiliary would be more constructive helping the Coast Guard in their mission areas such as harbor checks, safety patrols, vessel safety checks, marine environmental checks and search and rescue? If you do, then please let your readers and listeners know about this problem. Ask them to boycott the Coast Guard Auxiliary classes and support local small business in the 70 private boating schools in New Jersey.

Russ Binns

Owner

Coast Boating School

Toms River