LETTER: Says Bear Creek rules discriminatory

Posted by
Mike Buffington
in Opinions
Wednesday, June 17. 2009
Comments (10)
Dear Editor:

Jackson County is taking the lead in the development and operation of the access park and ramp for the Bear Creek Reservoir. This 5-acre park and launching facility, which includes bathrooms and a guardhouse, is being financed by the four county Bear Creek Reservoir partners (Clarke, Jackson, Oconee, and Barrow). Its current cost is over $300K.

What most Jackson citizens have not realized is this facility and the reservoir waters will be open to fishermen only. In other words, if any other citizen would like to park in the public launching area to enjoy the reservoir scenery, or if a non-fishing citizen puts a canoe or kayak on the water just to paddle, they can be removed. This includes Jackson County’s own Olympic kayak hopeful Cannie Ash (“Hoschton teen has Olympic dreams,” 06/10/09).

I find it incredible that our county would support restricting a young kayaker from a county-funded facility while allowing fishermen.
On July 22 at its 9:30 a.m. meeting, the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority will vote on this discriminatory set of regulations. I hope every citizen who might one day like to enjoy the reservoir either as a park visitor or a boater; who supports achievement-oriented young Jackson citizens like Cannie Ash; or who finds such discrimination unfit for our county, will express their opinion at this meeting. More information is available by emailing protectjackson@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Babs McDonald
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#1 I agree on 06/17/09 at 12:27 PM [Reply]
Along with that, I've been disappointed that East Jackson High School doesn't allow public access to its track and tennis courts. What gives?
#1.1 check it out first on 06/17/09 at 05:36 PM [Reply]
EJCHS does allow public access to the track and tennis courts. The track is open until 9 pm. I walk it each evening. Just check on it by calling the school.
#1.1.1 Oops! Maybe! on 06/18/09 at 01:09 PM [Reply]
Oops! I had visited there a couple of times with my daughter and the gates were locked. Maybe things have changed since then. I did attend the recent graduation, and there are signs that say use is not permitted without permission from the athletic director or principal (I think), so I assumed, apparently incorrectly, that the public was still not welcome. Thanks for mentioning this. I'll try again.
#2 Opinions on 06/17/09 at 04:21 PM [Reply]
Isn't there a constitutional amendment protecting non-fishermen?
#2.1 Other Opinions on 06/18/09 at 07:18 AM [Reply]
Aren't there about a hundred crooked politians you could bribe?
#3 on 06/18/09 at 11:07 PM [Reply]
When the county government doesn't even have the money to pave the pot hole infested roads in the county fixed what business does it even have funding the development of this park. With tax revenue shrinking & future taxes set to increase shouldn't the main focuse of this story be WHY THE COUNTY IS EVEN SPENDING THIS KIND OF $$$ ??? Another prime example of county government mismangement of our tax dollars. This falls right in line with the fire training facility and it's astronomical price tag. Maybe the Jackson Herald could find out the price tag of such a venture + the annual cost of maintaining this park. Another project of similiar nature that comes to mind is the expansion of the county airport. What is the cost of this project with respect to the amount of people in the county who will actually reep any benefit from it.

The sad part of this whole thing is that the hard working people of Jackson County would have to turn out at a public meeting to denounce such a project and its ridiculous restrictions when in fact the county commissioners should have already put this issue to rest. I'd like to know how this project even got started & who the bonehead was that got it going! It will be interesting to see how our county so called "Leaders" handle this situation!!!!
#4 Non-fisherman on 06/19/09 at 08:52 AM [Reply]
There are a lot of other places that non-fisherman can "put-in" at . Why can't the boater fishermen have this one place where they don't have to worry about being in the way of the non-fisherman? I think that it is very selfish to get upset with them when there are so many other places you can go. Why do you all have to impose on the fishermen?
#4.1 Dwayne Keith on 06/20/09 at 09:17 AM [Reply]
ok let me get this right, to keep a tax payer bulit lake, tax payer built boat ramp "$300,000" just so "fishermen" can have a place "where they dont have to worry about other boats" so the "fishemen wont be imposed on.
suggestions????
lets let the fishermen have the lake to themselves and let them pay the $300,000 for the ramp themselves
#5 Joe on 06/20/09 at 10:43 PM [Reply]
Well Jackson County has always gone with the good old boys and good old boys like to drink beer and fish. Look at animal control. Jackson County flag should be a three legged dog eating a dead buzzard
#6 Marcy Simmons on 07/01/09 at 11:18 PM [Reply]
I think it's a shame we have a local girl, trying to make an Olympic Team, and she won't be allowed to practice in her community. Even though her and her family are paying taxed, just like the rest of us. You know what. I'm sending this young lady a check for $5 to help pay for her a place to practice. It's the cost of a value meal, but she can get so much more from it! www.sponsorcannieash.com I'm sure everyone will cheer her on once she makes the team, but won't allow her to practice on our lake.
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