Protecting our waterways

Dick Reaney once caught a 10-pound bass off the dock in his backyard.

That dock is on a canal that connects to Lake June, one of the many bodies of water he works to protect as president of the Highlands County Lakes Association.

He took photos of that ten-pounder, weighed it, measured it, then let it go.

While he enjoys catch-and-release fishing, Reaney isn't opposed to a good fried bass fillet (legal size), and according to him, the crappies and specs are good, too.

But just because the local lakes in the area appear healthy, and water levels are high, Reaney warned that all is not necessarily well.

"The county needs to develop a plan to maintain and spend money on the lakes," said Reaney, who has been president of the Highlands County Lakes Association since 2004.

He cited stormwater runoff from the highways as a problem, as well as overgrown canals, pollution from fertilizers used on waterfront properties, and trash in the lakes.

The retired steel worker from Pittsburgh was proud of the work the Highlands County Lakes Association has accomplished in recent years, such as clearing invasive plant material from the shoreline of Lake Jackson along U.S. 27.

He said that as the lake level has come up, small lagoons have appeared on the shore.

"These lagoons are extremely high in nutrients, but it's not going into the lake," said Reaney, explaining that these nutrients cause vegetation overgrowth and throw off the natural balance of the lake. "The levels in Lake Jackson are very, very good."

The association has also been working with the local Scuba Tales diving club to help clear trash out of swimming areas in Lakes June, Jackson and Viola.

"We'd come up with baby strollers and grocery carts, bowling balls . . ." Reaney recalled. "That's not what you want in a swimming area-nasty things that can cut and scrape."

Reaney lamented that lately the association's meetings have been poorly attended.

He theorized that it's because people aren't aware of the problems that exist.

"When there's no perceived problem, there's a lot of apathy," said Reaney.

If the lakes association didn't keep him busy enough, Reaney also serves as director of the county homeowner's association and just stepped down in January from the office of president of the Leisure Lakes homeowners association.

One of the projects Reaney has been active with is the construction of a new fire hall in the Leisure Lakes area of Lake Placid.

"We've designed a very functional drive-through bay fire department," said Reaney, who added that a similar fire hall will be replacing the West Sebring No. 10 station, as well.

While the Leisure Lakes fire department will be volunteer, Reaney said that eventually a full-time paid firefighter would be stationed there.

He also hopes the Daffodil extension will be completed-a one-mile road extension that would link Placid Lakes to the Leisure Lakes area and significantly reduce response time for rescue vehicles.

While Reaney is taking some temporary time off due to knee surgery, he is also actively involved in the races.

He often serves as a "corner worker," the person who stands and waves a flag to warn drivers of potential dangers on the track, such as a crashed or spun-out vehicle.

His love of racing is depicted in the oversized racetrack photo displayed above the window in his office, right next to a mounted 8-foot bass, which his father caught.

The home actually belonged to his parents before Reaney and his wife moved in, bought the property next door, and added several rooms and a pool.

"My dad tried to convince me to buy the next three lots over. I could have bought all three for $15,000, but I didn't buy them," Reaney said. Ten years later, he paid $18,000 for just the waterfront property next door.

"Dad was pretty smart," Reaney said with a wry grin.

It was Reaney's dad who introduced him to fishing and love of the water, including taking young Reaney out of school for a week to go cut ice up in Ontario, Canada for their summer fishing trip.

But these days Reaney prefers the milder climate of Highlands County, although he is not enjoying the 40s and 50s temperatures of late.

"I wish it would warm up down here," he said.

His bigger wish, however, is that more people who share his love of the water would join the Highlands County Lakes Association.

"We need fresh blood, fresh ideas," said Reaney.

The next meeting takes place Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Bishop Park.

For more information on the Highlands County Lakes Association, call 699-9588.