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Highlands Today

Where Are The Boaters?

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Burt Watkins

Published: October 18, 2007

When I saw the make up of the Lake Denton Special Citizens Committee appointed by our county commissioners, I was concerned that boaters were apparently excluded. I suggested in a previous letter titled "Where's The Boater" that the words "boat ramp" would soon morph into the words "swimming beach." Seems like that's on its way to become a fact.

Today I read the newspaper report on the progress of the committee. It was most disturbing to me to find the following stated options from committee chairman, county commissioner Don Bates. One possibility is limiting boating," he said. "Options range from banning boats to limiting engine horsepower, allowing only electric motors, and permitting only paddling in canoes and kayaks." All of the above are completely unacceptable as far as I'm concerned.

The option I noticed by its absence was give the boat ramp back to boaters for which it was designed for. I was somewhat dismayed that no boating-related people were selected to serve on the committee, and I'm not aware of a single boating activity related group that has stood up and taken a stand on this issue. How sad is that?

Boaters have been shut off from safely using their boat ramp for so many years. They either don't know it's there, or they have given up on it. The boat ramp information sign posted along the highway went missing many years ago, as did the no swimming signs at the ramp.
I have to ask the question once again: Where are the boaters?

Burt Watkins
Avon Park

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