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Woodsy · 02-26-2006, 09:01 PM

The Senators heard lots of testimony at the hearing that was extremely similar to the R,R & D committe hearings this past summer. They heard about 150' Safe Passage, pros & cons of radar, and all of the relevant enforcement issues of HB-162, including potential costs, and the logistics of using radar. What they didn't hear, was anything specific about excessive speed. The honorable Senator Burling was clearly looking to somehow reach a compromise with the two sides. Unfortunately, one rather long winded speaker actually refered to Hi-Performance boaters as criminals, and another went on and on, even though the Senate Commitee Chairman asked her politely to stop on numerous occasions and submit her testimony as written. (There was supposed to be a 3 minute limit on testimony, but like at the summer hearings, it was generously ignored)

There are a lot of ways to compromise. The problem lies in actually hammering out a solution. The proponents of HB-162 spoke about fear, and I have no doubt that thier fear is real. I addressed the issue when it was my turn to talk. As I told the senators, unfortunately no law is a magic wand that will eliminate fear. Fear can only be eliminated by education. If HB-162 were to pass, it really wouldn't do much to help out those trying to get to Bear Island from Y Landing. It is a congested part of the lake and a speed limit won't ease that congestion. But adding another NWZ will.

The summer camp director spoke about kids not being able to swim out to an island... I tend to agree with him that just stinks. But a solution might be to hire an MP boat for a few hours, similar to a detail cop for a construction site. A Marine Patrol boat with lights flashing would go a long way in insuring the safety of the young swimmers.

Most of the problems presented and testified tended be related more to congestion than excessive speed. I think with boater education and better funding for the Marina Patrol I think we would see almost immeadiate results and a much calmer atmosphere on the lake.

Woodsy

02-26-2006, 09:01 PM	#43
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,966 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	The Senators heard lots of testimony at the hearing that was extremely similar to the R,R & D committe hearings this past summer. They heard about 150' Safe Passage, pros & cons of radar, and all of the relevant enforcement issues of HB-162, including potential costs, and the logistics of using radar. What they didn't hear, was anything specific about excessive speed. The honorable Senator Burling was clearly looking to somehow reach a compromise with the two sides. Unfortunately, one rather long winded speaker actually refered to Hi-Performance boaters as criminals, and another went on and on, even though the Senate Commitee Chairman asked her politely to stop on numerous occasions and submit her testimony as written. (There was supposed to be a 3 minute limit on testimony, but like at the summer hearings, it was generously ignored) There are a lot of ways to compromise. The problem lies in actually hammering out a solution. The proponents of HB-162 spoke about fear, and I have no doubt that thier fear is real. I addressed the issue when it was my turn to talk. As I told the senators, unfortunately no law is a magic wand that will eliminate fear. Fear can only be eliminated by education. If HB-162 were to pass, it really wouldn't do much to help out those trying to get to Bear Island from Y Landing. It is a congested part of the lake and a speed limit won't ease that congestion. But adding another NWZ will. The summer camp director spoke about kids not being able to swim out to an island... I tend to agree with him that just stinks. But a solution might be to hire an MP boat for a few hours, similar to a detail cop for a construction site. A Marine Patrol boat with lights flashing would go a long way in insuring the safety of the young swimmers. Most of the problems presented and testified tended be related more to congestion than excessive speed. I think with boater education and better funding for the Marina Patrol I think we would see almost immeadiate results and a much calmer atmosphere on the lake. Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid. Last edited by Woodsy; 02-27-2006 at 09:11 AM.