Memo to Gov. Ted Kulongoski:

Re: Removal of the New Carissa

Governor: For these past many years, the good folks of Oregon’s Bay Area have been, at turns, amazed, enthralled and yes, even entertained, by the exploits surrounding the wrecking and repeated removal attempts of the New Carissa.

That sturdy vessel has proved to be determined in its desire to remain on the South Coast, but no matter what, you seem equally set on prying what’s left of it out of the surf.

People here have tried to persuade you otherwise, arguing that the sand and Mother Nature will, soon enough, get rid of what remains of the salty old vessel; and that, meanwhile, what the heck! It’s a conversation piece and a tourist attraction.

That last bit of argument has been more than borne out this week, since The World broke the news that a long-since buried hulk of another vessel had been uncovered by the winter’s storms. A veritable conga line of visitors has formed on the North Spit. People have come from all over the state to see the “mystery ship.” Representatives of the media, including newspapers and television, also have made a bee line to the beach. Scores of people have called the local visitors centers and tourism officials are toying with the idea of offering tourists a “shipwreck package.”

So once and for all, Governor, will you just for Pete’s sakes, leave the New Carissa where it is? It’s not hurting anyone and it’s not befouling the water or the beach. The Sujameco, this new shipwreck and the New Carissa are turning out to be a veritable tourist trifecta!

Give us the New Carissa!

We’ll take it!

Now, about that $16 million you were planning on spending to pry that stern out of the sand ...