Sebastian Lahara picked up the phone at his Stuart business Monday. As co-owner of Triathletica, part of Lahara's business involves selling and renting kayaks. But with many stretches of water coated with algae this summer, he told the caller on the other end, he's not renting any now.
“The last rental we’ve done is probably four months ago. The tours, probably three months ago. But we’re doing them in Vero Beach. Nothing in these local waterways," said Lahara.
A bait and tackle shop in the same shopping center has reduced its hours because of the toxic algae conditions.
Jack Camp with the US Small Business Administration says in the three weeks since they set up shop at the Martin County Fairgrounds, 65 people have come in to get information on disaster loan assistance available.
“They’re working capital loans to help people pay bills they could have paid had this not happened but can’t because of it. It’s basically designed to keep the lights on," said Camp.
So far, three loans, two in Martin County, and one in Lee County, have been approved to the tune of $352,000. But the word “loan” could be one reason why the room is empty Monday afternoon.
Sebastian Lahara says he doesn’t want to go back into debt.
“You want to help me out, help me out in a different way, clean up the water. I don’t care about the money, I want the water fixed," said Lahara.
