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Highlands Today

Where's The Boater?

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Burt Watkins

Published: September 7, 2007

An ad hoc committee has been appointed by our county commission to make recommendations regarding the Lake Denton boat ramp fiasco. The committee makeup includes two Lake Denton residents, one retired scuba diver instructor and four concerned citizens. None of which appear to directly represent the interests of boaters for which the boat ramp is designed to serve.

Highlands Today stated in the Our Opinion section on Wednesday, that "It sounds like a good mix of opinions and expertise." Will someone please explain this to me. Since the primary subject being studied is a boat ramp, why does it appear to me that the boat ramp is not represented by a bona fide boater on the committee.

I know the background and history of several of the appointed members, and some I don't know anything about. What I do know is, I don't see any reference to boater attached to any of their names. Makes one wonder why the "good mix" does not appear to include at least one bona fide boater. In fact, I sense that the word boat ramp is being down played across the board.

I agree with Commissioner Don Bates. This issue should be easy to resolve. Here's my simple fix suggestions: Enforce the No Swimming at Boat Ramps rule (Ordinance), and return use of the boat ramp to boaters for the purpose of launching boats, which is its designed and intended use. How simple is that?

Boaters have been shut out from use of their boat ramp for many years because illegal swimming activities were largely ignored. And it seems that none of the many local fishing clubs, or other local lake focus groups, are willing to stand up and reclaim their boat ramp. Therefore, I have to wonder if the word boat ramp will morph into the word beach in the committee's final report.

As the famous forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee said several times during his testimony at an infamous celebrity murder trial, "Something wrong!"

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to stand up and state my personal opinion as a boater and fisherman residing in Highlands County.

Burt Watkins
Avon Park

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