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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - March 26, 2001 B-01 SMSpecial City Council Meeting Mokelumne River Safety Issues March 26, 2001 A. Mayor Nakanishi B. City Manager Dixon Flynn C. Staff 1. Chet Somera, Lodi Police Department - History 2. Bruce Agnew, San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department - What its agency can do D. Pat Stockar, Mokelumne River Task Force E. Council Member Comments F. Public Comments CITY OF LORI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA TITLE: Discussion and appropriate action regarding Mokelumne River safety issues MEETING DATE: March 26, 2001 SUBMITTED BY: Jerry Adams, Police Chief RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council approve the attached proposed Agreement between the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office and the City of Lodi for purposes of jointly staffing of the Mokelumne River/Lodi Lake Area for enforcement of safety issues. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Staff will make a presentation during the March 26, 2001 Special City Council meeting regarding the attached proposed Agreement. It is the intent of the Agreement to provide enforcement functions on the Mokelumne River in cooperation with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. The City's commitment will be to provide a part- time officer(s) position to assist with the Sheriff's boat patrol. The cost of the part-time officer(s) will be paid through the State of California C.O.P.S. Grant at no cost to the City of Lodi. Funding: C.O.P.S. Grant ft ectfully , 7rr A ams Police Chief JA/jsk/sl Attachment APPROVED: H. Dixon Flynn -- City Manager Mokelumne River/Lodi Lake Area Joint Staffing Agreement � 3�iL:1�►1 SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CITY OF LODI GOAL The goal of this agreement is to provide the citizens of San Joaquin County, the City of Lodi, and any member of the general public using the Mokelumne River, from the Woodbridge Dam to the eastern most boundary of the Lodi city limits, and Lodi Lake (hereafter referred to as the Mokelumne River/Lodi Lake area) with an increased law enforcement presence through a cooperative staffing agreement during the high use season. PARTICIPANTS Participants to this agreement are as follows; Baxter Dunn, Sheriff San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office Boating Safety Unit Lieutenant Stephan D. Moore — Coordinator 7000 Michael N. Canlis Boulevard French Camp, Ca. 95231 (209) 468-4461 City of Lodi H. Dixon Flynn, City Manager Jerry J. Adams, Chief of Police Lieutenant Chet Somera — Coordinator 230 W. Elm Street Lodi, Ca. 95240 (209) 333-6727 Page 1 of 4 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The San Joaquin County Sheriffs Boating Safety Unit members will be responsible for enforcing all laws and ordinances applicable to the waterways patrolled by it. Lodi Police Department personnel assigned to the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Boating Safety Unit are authorized to assist Deputies with their patrols of the designated waterways and enforcement of laws and ordinances. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF BOATING & WATERWAYS REQUIREMENTS The San Joaquin County Sheriffs Boating Safety Unit is a participant in the Boating Safety and Enforcement program sponsored by the California Department of Boating and Waterways. This program sets forth the following definitions and requirements. In accordance with section 663.7 (a) of the H&NC, the Department of Boating and Waterways recognizes basic boating safety and enforcement activities as the following: I. Enforcement of State and Local Measures for Regulation of Boating Activities, II. Inspection of Vessels III. Supervision of Organized Water Events IV. Search and Rescue Operations San Joaquin County Sheriff's Boating Safety Officers: All deputies on the water (both full-time and part- time) assigned to the Boating Safety and Enforcement program must have the appropriate training and qualifications required for the enforcement of State and Federal laws and local ordinances for the regulation of boating activities. The operator of any vessel legally owned by the California Department of Boating and Waterways, listing the participating agency as the registered owner, must be a duly authorized member of the participating agency. Lodi Police Officers: All officers assigned to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Boating Safety Unit will be sworn peace officers. When assigned to the unit, they will be utilized as assistants to the deputies. TRAINING Once the agreement is put into effect, Lodi Police Department staff to be assigned will be scheduled to work with the Sheriff's Boating Safety Unit Training Officer on the Mokelumne River, from the Woodbridge Dam to the eastern most boundary of the Lodi city limits, for a period of time to be determined by him. During this period, Lodi Police Department staff will be working in an on the job training mode. As their knowledge and skills develop, they will then be available for assignment to work with other Sheriffs Boating Safety staff as assigned on a master schedule. Due to the officers limited training, experience, and duties with the Sheriff's Boating Safety Unit; officers utilized in this assignment will be back up or secondary to the deputy on the craft. Page 2 of 4 In addition, all Lodi Police Department staff must meet their ongoing state and P,O.S.T. training certifications as required by law, in order to maintain their peace officer status. Each participant agency shall be responsible to provide all basic personal safety equipment of the type, style, and manufacture pursuant to each agency's general orders or policies to any officers assigned pursuant to this agreement. This is to include personal communication devices, i.e. portable radio, pager, cellular telephone, etcetera. The San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office, via the Boating Safety Unit, shall provide either a marked patrol vessel or marked personal watercraft for use by staff assigned to boating safety enforcement in the designated area. All Sheriff's Office vessels or personal watercraft shall be equipped with all required safety equipment pursuant to current California boating laws for vessel operation as well as required emergency equipment. All Sheriff's Office patrol vessels and personal watercraft shall primarily be stored and maintained at the Sheriffs Boating Safety Office located at Stephens Anchorage. Any assigned patrol vessel or personal watercraft will be towed to the launch ramp located at Lodi Lake for the days deployment and then be returned to the Boating Safety Office at the completion of the assigned shift. If during the high use boating season in the Mokelumne River/Lodi Lake area, the city of Lodi wishes to provide appropriate berthing and storage for a Sheriff's patrol vessel, maintaining a vessel at that location may be explored based on the overall operational needs of the Sheriffs Boating Safety Unit, Sheriffs Office staff shall wear the established Boating Safety Unit uniform (green uniform shorts, without body armor). Lodi Police Department staff shall wear the designated uniform (black uniform shorts, black uniform shirt, black tennis shoes, with optional body armor). SCHMULING Staffing for the Mokelumne River/Lodi Lake area pursuant to this agreement shall be for the deployment of one (1) Sheriff's Deputy and one (1) Lodi Police Officer on weekends and regular holidays during the peak boating season — May through October. The Lodi Police Department coordinator shall supply the names of staff designated to participate, along with any restrictions as to number of hours to be worked within the established pay periods or any other internal departmental restrictions. The Shedff's Boating Safety Unit Supervisor, subject to the approval of both agency coordinators, shall make the scheduling assignments of staff for deployment pursuant to this agreement. Page 3 of 4 The schedule shall reflect days to be worked, the start and end time for each shift and the location for staff to meet to begin each shift. Whenever possible the type of patrol vessel to be used shall also appear so staff may respond in the appropriate uniform for the type of craft to be operated. The Sheriff's Boating Safety Unit Supervisor shall develop a comprehensive schedule for the entire season to be submitted for review, In cases when unscheduled events are to be held in this area, notification shall be made to the Lodi Police Department coordinator as soon as possible for his review and authorization for participation pursuant to this agreement. OVERTIME The use of overtime for staff assigned pursuant to this agreement shall be utilized only when necessary to complete in progress investigations, i.e. reports, bookings, evidence collection, etcetera, or search and rescue activities in the Mokelumne River/Lodi Lake area. In all cases where overtime is required, the Boating Safety Unit Supervisor shall be contacted for authorization. The Lodi Police Department coordinator shall also be notified no later than the next regular business day of any overtime worked by Lodi Police Department staff. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT Either party may cancel this agreement without prejudice upon providing the other participating agency head with thirty (30) days written notice of termination. INDEMNITY Except for the gross negligence of the City or its assigned police department staff, San Joaquin County agrees to save, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the city of Lodi, its' officers, agents and employees, from liability of any nature associated with performance under the terms of this agreement. Baxter Dunn, Sheriff Date San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office N. Dixon Flynn, City Manager Date Jerry J. Adams, Chief of Police City of Lodi Lodi Police Department Page 4 of 4 Date SUMMARY of City Council Meeting Minute Research Related to "Boating" and the "Mokelumne River" Prepared by the City Clerk's Office for the Special City Council meeting of March 26, 2001 NOTE. This is a summary only. Refer to official minutes of the City Council for complete information. 06-04-41 Councilman Bull recommended a 1 -month trial period opening Lodi Lake to motor -boat owners one evening each week, and eliminating the 5 MPH speed limit for that evening only. 07-07-48 City Manager Weller reported on investigations looking toward elimination of the hazard caused by City -owned boats above Woodbridge Dam on the Mokelumne River, stating the danger is now much less but studies will continue. 01-28-76 Recreation Commission recommendations to Council (from its meeting of 01/06/76): 1. eliminate water skiing and use of high-powered boats on Lodi Lake, effective May 1976 2. close the existing boat ramp to public use 3. urge Council to contact the Board of Supervisors with concerns regarding high-speed and v -drive boats and the dangerous boating conditions that exist as a result of high speeds on the river, and further requested Council and the Board work together to Eemedy the dangers Council actions: 1) Approved apprising the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors of the City Council's concern for the safety of boating under the existing conditions on the River and that the City Council would favor the development of a plan for the continuation of boating and water skiing on the River, if safety could be achieved as part of the new plan; 2) Approved the continuation of water skiing & power -boating on the lake 5 nights per week (eliminate weekends) 01-26-77 Planning Commission reported no action takenlitem tabled for further consideration of recommendations to Council and the Board of Supervisors considering methods for control of the speed of motor boats on the Mokelumne River adjacent to the City limits. 06-02-81 Council directed City Clerk to respond to a letter from Rivergate Mokelumne Homeowners Association regarding hazards to boaters on the Mokelumne River 08-01-84 Council Member Olson indicated that she had received a call from a citizen of the community expressing concern for the safety of water skiers on the waters behind Lodi Lake. Staff was directed to check into what agency would have the responsibility for the safety of these waters. 08-15-84 City Manager provided a summary of the County Administrator's comments on boating safety on the river: 1. The County does not have authority to prevent boating on the river. Speeds can be limited to maximum limits or possibly horsepower limits might be placed on the boats using a portion of the river. 2. The County does have an ordinance regarding boating on waters within the County The City Manager commented that the Sheriff's Office provides minimal patrol, rarely needs to write citations, and accident reports seldom occur. 06-03-87 Council action. Set public hearing to receive public input regarding motorized boating on Lodi Lake. 06-17-87 Public hearing to review Recreation Commission's recommendations to eliminate all motorized boating with certain exceptions, and that the boat launching ramp remain open to provide access to Mokelumne River with prohibition of certain types of power boats. Council action: Directed Recreation Commission to devise a compromise plan and propose rules outlining time limits, etc. for motorized and non-motorized/leisure boating on the lake. 07-15-87 City Manager Peterson reported that the Recreation Commission, at its meeting of 07/07/87 voted unanimously to return to Council with its original recommendation to eliminate all motorized boating from Lodi Lake with certain exceptions, and that the boat launching ramp remain open to provide access to Mokelumne River with prohibition of certain types of power boats. Council action: Directed the matter be placed on the agenda for the Council meting of 08/19/87. Pagel of 3 08-19-87 Council action: 1. Established a schedule allowing power craft to use the lake from 8am to noon and 6pm to dusk on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and non -power craft allowed to use the lake from 8am to noon and 6pm to dusk on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. 2. directed that a survey be conducted on the lake's usage by non -power craft. 3. directed closing boat access from the launch on the lake to the Mokelumne River in March, 1988. 4. directed staff to return to Council with its recommendation on power craft which should be prohibited 07-06-88 Received letter of complaint from Patrick Coulston regarding Council's newly established guidelines for usage of power and non -power watercraft on the Mokelumne River, stating he is unable to enjoy canoeing on the river due to the limits set by the guidelines. Motion Failed - requesting City Attorney and Parks and Recreation staff to review guidelines. Council action: Mayor Pro Tempore Snider moved that it was never the intent of the City Council not to allow non -powered crafts access to the river. The motion also directed the Parks and Recreation Department to monitor accessing of non -powered craft to the river from the lake area for problems. 06-20-90 Mokelumne River North Bank Land Use preservation proposed by Mokelumne River Conservation Alliance. Motion Failed - approve preservation of land in its natural state, including a public access park in the area. Council action: approved concept of preservation of land in its natural state along north bank of Mokelumne River from US 99 overpass to Woodbridge Dam, including the feasibility of a public access park in the area west of the 99 overpass, namely the Mason property. 09-04-91 Mayor directed that a task force of property owners, members of the Mokelumne River Alliance, and other interested groups should be formed to study the Mokelumne River access issue. The task force following its review of the matter should present its recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Lodi City Council 10-16-91 Mayor Hinchman asked that a copy of a letter Council received from Captain R.E. Thull regarding access to the river be forwarded to the Committee recently formed to review Mokelumne River access. 03-18-92 The following recommendations (in part) were made by the Lodi Parks and Recreation Commission: 1. impose a 5 mph speed limit on the river adjacent to all City of Lodi properties 2. encourage all other areas along the river (private properties) to create a 5 mph limit 3. initiate a comprehensive master plan of the river (to be completed and adopted as a joint venture of the City of Lodi and San Joaquin County) addressing access, development, preservation, maintenance and resource management 4. full access for all types of crafts that can be realistically trailered from City boat ramps; that City staff address their boating controls/restriction as to motorized or non -motorized crafts on the Lake and the 5 mph speed limit on the City's waterway; that the City perform required maintenance on the Lake and river to handle the parks and control erosion problems 5. encourage the City to lead in working with the County for a patrol and enforcement plan 6. City -owned scenic overlook property be developed into a City park for boat access only 7. address Calif. Subdivision Map Act if/when Thorpe property develops 8. no access through the Mokelumne Village streets w/exception of City maintenance vehicles 9. encourage highway 99 bridge/flood plain for preservation and a wetlands area 10. add Knight's Lake and Woodbridge Regional Park to Comprehensive Master Plan and encourage formation of a river bank maintenance district for more economic erosion control The following recommendations (in part) were made by the Mokelumne River Access Task Force Committee: 1. adopt a Mokelumne River Comprehensive Plan of access, development, preservation, maintenance and resource management for the Mokelumne River from Highway 99 to Lodi Lake 2. watercraft shall have unobstructed access to the Mokelumne River from Lodi Lake 3. activities on Lodi Lake relative to alternating between speed boats and non -powered boats and their days and hours of operation remain the same 4. San Joaquin Sheriff's Office be requested to place river patrols on the river to enforce the 5 mph ordinance, and the City will step forth to demonstrate a willingness to participate in the patrol 5. maintenance to be performed on the Lake in the form of removing sand bars, etc., river bank erosion along river to be repaired through dredging and rocking, and maintenance of fallen debris, trees, etc. into the river Page 2 of 3 6. the City shall coordinate with County of San Joaquin to develop a comprehensive plan of development for Woodbridge river area that will be compatible with the City of Lodi Mokelumne River Comprehensive Plan, and ask County to adopt a 5 mph speed limit Council action: Voted not to proceed in adopting a 5 mph speed limit on the river; not to pursue access through the Thorpe property; to pursue a comprehensive master plan including the scenic overlook, to proceed to provide access to the river from Lodi Lake. 05-06-92 Received a boating plan/operations plan for Lodi Lake Park (presented by Parks and Recreation staff) addressing silt conditions, recommending a 5 mph speed limit on the Lake, sign warning of river condition and stating that the City has no control over conditions in the river — that all crafts/persons accessing the river from the lake do so at their own risk, construction of a log boom to restrict speeds when entering or exiting the lake, and fees and specifications proposed as a part of a boating policy approved by the Recreation Commission. Council action: Approved boating plan/operations as proposed with minor language amendment. 07-15-92 Introduction of Ordinance 1553, placing a 5 mph speed limit on Lodi Lake. 08-05-92 Adopted Ordinance 1553 01-19-94 Council action: Adopted Resolution 94-10 approving the Parks and Open Space Master Plan, with changes which included deletion of recommendation to request the County impose a five mile per hour speed limit on the Mokelumne River for that portion located within the Lodi area. 12-21-94 Council action: Rejected Planning Commission's recommendation to reconsider the Scenic Overlook at the corner of Awani Drive and Mokelumne River Drive as public access to the Mokelumne River and as a potential park site. 08-02-95 Council Member Davenport commented that a Shirtsleeve Session was held 08/08/95 discussing the Lodi Lake Master Plan and a possible berm connecting land masses to stop all boat traffic from going into the river. 04-02-97 Council action: Accepted recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission to reject the Cal -Boating Grant offer for the Lodi Lake Boat Launching Facility. In regard to the 5 mph speed limit, the City Council agreed that it shall be the Parks and Recreation Commission's decision on whether or not it will hear the matter. 07-05-00 Agenda Item H-2 "Mokelumne River Patrol Discussion" Police Chief Hansen stated that the river is under legal authority of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and the Army Corps of Engineers. He further reported that in 1996, discussions were held with the Sheriff's Office regarding the issue of river patrol, as concerned citizens regularly report poor conduct and river safety concerns to the Lodi Police Department. While no river patrol agreement was conceived, the patrol of parks was removed from the Parks and Recreation Department and became the responsibility of the Police Department. Chief Hansen stated the formation of the citizens committee is the proper course of action, and has assigned Sergeant Chet Somera to take the lead in representing the Lodi Police Department to work with the Sheriff's Office regarding discussions and possible coordination of safety patrol at the river. Chief Hansen then asked that a representative of the Sheriffs Office be allowed to address the Council. Assistant Sheriff Bruce Agnew, 2081 Sylvan Way, Lodi, stated that there are provisional speed limits when operating a motorized craft near moored boats and near established swimming locations, but that the remainder of the limitation is for the most part at the discretion of the operator as safety permits. Sheriff Agnew stated that about 10% of the river between the Highway 99 overpass and Lodi Lake would qualify for the 5MPH speed limit currently, and that many hazards exist, including blind corners, debris, swimmers, stationary craft, and high speed craft such as boats pulling skiers and jet skis. Further, he stated that in his experience, even extensive patrol in some areas does not solve the problem, but that the Sheriffs office was very interested in working toward a resolution. Council action: Authorized Mayor Mann to coordinate with the County to establish a balanced committee of 7 individuals to review and discuss all issues, concerns and recommendations brought before them and to provide recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors regarding Mokelumne River safety. Further, authorized Lodi Police staff to begin discussions with the Sheriffs Office to negotiate a Lodi Police/Sheriff's Office team partnership patrol agreement for shared responsibility of safety at the Mokelumne River in Lodi. Page 3 of 3 L Mayor Alan Nakanishi Lodi City Council P.O. Box 3006 Lodi, CA. 95241-1910 Dear Mayou'- SIL - JACK A. SIEGLOCK 222 EAST WEBER AVENUE ROOM 701 MEMBER ; ..'STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA 95202 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TELEPHONE (209) 468.3113 FOURTH DISTRICT FAX: (209) 468-3694 DE January 30, 2001 �1 ,� Legislative WARMERDAM f'J Assistant Thank you for having Assistant City Manager Janet Kecter contact me in regard to the Lodi City Council's discussion pertaining to the recommendations from the Mokelumne River Task force. Please find attached a copy of the proposal for your review and consideration. I would welcome your thoughts either individually or from the entire Council. At this point in time, I have asked the County Administrator's office to work with the Sheriffs Department and County Counsel in drafting the necessary policies and ordinances for Board consideration of implementing the recommendations. Thank you again for contacting me in regard to the recommendations of the Mokelumnc River Task Force. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at 468-3113. With best regards - - Sincerely, I J CK A. SILGLOCK S ICK District Four / MOKELUMNE RIVER TASK FORCE Recommendations November S, 2000 The following recommendations apply to the section of the river form Woodbridge Dam to the Northeast boundary of the city of Lodi. 1. The use of the Mokelumne River is to be shared. From 12:00 noon until 7:00p.m., the river may be used for all types of water craft in accordance with state and federal safe boating laws. From 7:00 p.m. until 12:00 noon a five m.p.h. speed limit will be in effect. Yes- Albert, Alegre, Sanbom, Stockar, Vaccarezza, Walters No- Bell 2. Due to the increased amount of debris, snags, sandbars, fallen trees and other obstacles, water-skiing, wakeboarding and other types of pull -behind recreation should be prohibited on the river. Yes- Bell, Stockar, Walters, Vaccarezza No- Albert, Alegre, Sanborn 3. An annual maintenance program for removal of obstacles where permitted, such as those listed above should be implemented. Yes- Albert, Alegre, Bell, Sanborn, Stockar, Vaccarezza, Walters 4. It is essential that die Mokelumne River should be patrolled by law enforcement agencies. Yes- Albert, Alegre, Bell, Sanborn, Stockar, Vaccarezza, Walters 5. In order to enhance public awareness and education, boat safety information and maps of the river should be located at boat ramps and at the entrance to Lodi Lake. Information safety signs should be installed at appropriate locations on the river. Yes- Albert, Alegre, Bell, Sanborn, Stockar, Vaccarezza, Walters orra 1q.e arcl s January 8,20017/-/4: ' Counsil Member Susan Hitchcock P.O. Box 3006 Lodi CA 95241-1910 Re: Mokelurnne River Dear Susan Hitchcock, Enclosed is an article I found in the Stockton Record (Dec. 2000). It addresses an environmental concern with regard to personal watercraft. This issue will not go away and will only magnify if something isn't done. I own land on the Mokelumne River and am also concerned with the safety of myself and my family who swim and fish in the river near Lockeford. Jet skis come up from Lodi Lake past my ranch. Until now I have only addressed the safety issue but it seems that there are environmental issues to consider. Rather than target the personal watercraft, a simple 5 MPH speed limit on the entire river would address both the safety and environmental issues. It is my hope you will have the foresight to deal with this issue now while it is small. You will be protecting this river for future generations. Sincerely, ja�—-P� v Stephen J. Borra SJ Blcjw Enclosure Cc: Pat Stocker 1301 E. ARMSTRONG ROAD . LODI, CALIFORNIA 95240 . (209) 368-5082 Personal -watercraft ban might grow LAS VEGAS (AP) — Personal water- craft could be banned from 21 more national parks and recreation areas after the National Park Service settled a lawsuit with an environmental group. Lake Mead on the Nevada/Arizona border, Cape Lookout , in North Carolina, Cape Cod in Massachusetts and Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area in Northern California are among the places named. in the agreement, Russell Long, director of the San Francisco - based Bluewater Network environ- mental group, said Friday. Federal parks, . lake shores and seashores in 16 other states also would be affected by the ban on the watercraft, _ widely known by the trade name let Skis. Long said the park service agreed that unless, it can prove the machines don't harm the environ - merit on a 'site -by -site basis, each will be added to a list of Jet Ski -free zones by Sept. 15, 2002. "This is a victory," Long said of the settlement reached Wednesday that avoided a hearing before a panel of federal judges in Washington, D.C. Bert Byers, a Park Service spokes- man at the Lake Mead National Recreational Area, said the pact will have no immediate effect at the huge Colorado River reservoir formed behind Hoover Dam. Most weekends, Lake Mead and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area at Lake Powell on the Arizona/Utah border are abuzz with personal watercraft. Byers said a study to be complet- ed next spring could yield a finding that Lake Mead is not harmed by personal watercraft. National Park Service officials in Washington could not be reached Friday for immediate comment. In announcing restrictions last March on the use of personal water- craft at 66 national parks, seashores and recreational areas, agency Director Robert Stanton acknowl- edged the machines are controversial. Stanton called the restrictions "a prudent approach" and specifically exempted Lake -Mead and Lake Powell among the others, which prompted Bluewater to sue. Manufacturers and owners com- plained that the restrictions went too far. They maintain that personal watercraft pollute less and are more maneuverable than motorboats. They said the nation's 1.2 million watercraft owners have a right to use public waterways. ; . Personal -watercraft opponents, including Long, complained the restrictions didrit go far enough. They said the machines' engines run at higher throttle speeds and at more horsepower, spewing more pollution than conventional boats. "Jet Skis are a bane to our nation- al parks and our nations waters," Long said. "They threaten . and harass wildlife, cause tremendous air and water pollution, disturb other visitors and cause horrific amounts of noise." The environmentalist pointed to the Park Service charter, which calls for maintaining parks "unimpaired for future generations." . "There's simply no way anyone can say harassing and threaterving wildlife, swimmers, other boaters and the environment keeps the parks in their unimpaired natural conditions," Long said. RESOLUTION NO. 2001-74 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL RECOMMENDING THAT THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ESTABLISH A 5 -MPH SPEED LIMIT ON THE MOKELUMNE RIVER FROM THE WOODBRIDGE IRRIGATION DISTRICT DAM TO GUILD AVENUE WHEREAS, the Mokelumne River runs adjacent to the City of Lodi and Lodi Lake from the Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam to Guild Avenue; and WHEREAS, the City of Lodi has an interest in protecting the health, safety, and recreational enjoyment of its citizens who use the river and Lodi Lake for recreational purposes; and WHEREAS, the Mokelumne River has numerous blind corners, snags, and narrow channels that make high-speed water travel dangerous; and WHEREAS, high speed watercraft create wakes that damage banks and levee improvements; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Lodi have overwhelmingly vocalized support for a 5 -mph speed limit on the Mokelumne River. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lodi does hereby recommend to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors that it establish a 5 -mph speed limit on the Mokelumne River from the Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam to Guild Avenue. Dated: March 26, 2001 I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. 2001-74, which was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a special meeting held March 26, 2001 by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hitchcock, Howard, Land, Pennino and Mayor Nakanishi NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None 2001-74 Q2,��� f air, s �b ►�.; I,d ID We, the undersigned, support the concept- of a quiet, tranquil and natural-parkat Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. .A. S� ni . S oi�5 eu.Y 0.Ydcrr.o 1.i �,.� lc,.wr itiw�T j; c r� v^s�. �-a,-<�t'-4a-�-=•_ \ �. G 4. C -c \ _E'"^;L � � �� `-� - �+4'3�i o fi�-r � •� 1L1 .., c�1c r4'.2(L i ll—C,�c-`»G �ly� SiL�A,-4,et `�is:a� [..,SN CIS1t,, We, the undersigned, support the concept of a 4uietz tranquil. and natural ' park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. 3 33- .3� Q-5� c 333-oq � IleL I I .. the concent of a quiet, tranquil and natural park at Lodi _ Lake,_ free from additional urbanization. 4 We. the undersigned, support the concent of a quiet tranquil and natural' park at Lodi Lake. free from additional urbanization. a 70 A F910 RIM i POP I ii ia.• , �► ► MM N t = R.. I r l ...% We, the undersigned, support the concept of a quiet, tranquil and natural ' park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. .t VAMP... A ADDRFRR TFT+F+PHONF (''nMMFNTC- r /' j 'A / WE wV6 THE I-AKE t (I,V, V Vd _ 1�!_•_ _�/2�i__S%�I �j�L�jpr✓! c� U I- ?.2p2 T4 s Aee cA 4 1,P VA, 4 i S: 6 -7i3 �A.G �! 3 ( Alr) 1.0sr s; D 36q r LA`S ! �' - -y-- rAl --- EMMWIAV-4 -H "0 MUM r /' j 'A / WE wV6 THE I-AKE t (I,V, V Vd _ 1�!_•_ _�/2�i__S%�I �j�L�jpr✓! c� U I- ?.2p2 T4 s Aee cA 4 1,P VA, 4 i S: 6 -7i3 �A.G �! 3 ( Alr) 1.0sr s; D 36q r LA`S ! �' - -y-- rAl --- We, undersigned, support the concept of a quiet. tranauil and of a 3 �4� 0-1 I k the conce»t- of NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE COMMENTS: M n swan 'elDr:t 355C 1 IL 15 M S -z v Z 19 6U ,6 -F S- 1 1AJ of s:;at C (- vrT l�' - 6-ti�- ?-Hf 13 ( iz- TYS!V k1 JAOFII Zl J , L-U`..C.Ck �, wt) � Vi jo _ ' < ' L 1 lir '' a M A"6scaifi�.w\ir'r.eAu�a�.;�t.:c_�a. k at / 8, u free and the )ark at Loi ,..2,g We the undergogA support the cone t. of a Quiet trap uil. and natural -park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. ADDRESS TELEPHONE COM M c 74 - - - - J c amoWH q'IIP,a2� 141-30 oM h5 CALLA f4 A ig 1200 C13Zz FoLs%A Art cpEll /0/ 7 13e-1 MA - m, ke s 3t v"O Va7� CFI e a," a w z4 '17 / _ S I i� ►=r . i.. RIS n_ � %:. 'a � �' �- -r-• I �•=•� i/� cI �z S• �2 l 4v r of Sty AKme WDT cA� q -5L4 i h` a, Z 3 cuL,,•� ,q Dr, ) jDt ch Isragb d s— We, the undersigned, support the concept of a quiet, tranquil and natural park at Lodi Lake, exempt from additional urbanization. :Jars -KtN ldQ I3oJ uj /--Dot Or,c3 ,at 66-/06.L 5' f5 -:= 4 We support the concept of a quiet, tranquil, and natural park at Lodi Lake, exempt of additional urbanization. 7 1. We, the undersigned,, support the concept of a quiet, tranquil. and natural -park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. We,, the undersigned, support the concept of a� quiet, tranquil -and natural - park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. -2-/0 the undersigned, support the concept of a natural' park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. NAME We, the undersigned, suuuort the concept of a natural -park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. ADDRESS TELEPHONE COMMENTS: �l .:)'S REM ,. j, 1 I • F 40 MAMMON II .l� L� wrXIMUMA IMA i �l .:)'S We, the the natural park at Lodi Lake, exempt from additional urbanization. 2s n -'Vv'" • �� �t . l LJ a Z 9 ,6. ?S 02 dc- - J ;1 ., and at Lodi I We, the undersigned, support the concept of a quiet, tranquil and natural • park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. NAMF ADDRESS TELEPHONE COMMENTS: e A. y14 \ �11A VLV�p'V1 v � r-- ..:_ .. Wiz.. _j j -7 A I/ t ( Ax : rn c d L'X'1, „(fox, 3 S- 57- e t `,, l We, the undersigned, support the concept of a quiet, tranquil and natural park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. We, the undersigned, support the concept of a quieL tranquil and natural park at Lodi Lake, free from additional urbanization. NAMEA DRE S TELEPHONE k4v/*woo -e- &q20 33 7r71 IRA f "3 tea/ ' e6 Tc ti_ the free from NAME. ADDRESS TELEPHONE COMMENTS! 3vl 4+ ch' s(u3bm�*f A b V Amy An rr&Z The Mokelumne River, from Highway 99 to the Woodbridge dam, is a twisting, snag -filled waterway. It serves as the northern border for the City of Lodi bordering luxury homes, the Lodi Lake Nature Preserve, and Lodi Lake rental sites. It is accessible from a boat ramp in Lodi Lake. This river is home to wildlife including, salmon, otters and nesting herons. We urge the Lodi City Council and the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to: A look bkjfltif3,�Z Higli t;�; ay 99 to the Woodbndgc dani, and into Lodi Lake S I1l 1,C) k"_K 0A:�;�_� Patrol tb.(; i.'lver f6i t1lie lfirst : eaj this :ipow d ordiniii. is in place. ANf-- believe tfm�rt 5 rrilph. Id per iod (Inc-lud ing leatIedri an,k:l ticketing offhigraxit, S f". nga ',:,:'. U1 s! Public a v/.:3.rerti ss c'arrip.,at o rn tfiat v+'i o;i.lj(j clearly de ineate thi.,,; .:>u-V-td--�A cAtip.; r°i--�,-r° as a 5 :one. Such a cfl:r�1P."1i2D 111it'llt filCl d fl"y-'01`' to hoai-ers bl tela Shi~ :riff'_; Lk.--arti-net'tt. well as -visible signage at. t t. 'irTILFAr_rc:e i.3t3c:it m:i.li oind if,'.( S ._"1:: Oc tocr:-Aicil.is �'-O ►.ilk 01-fe rk -:;I. We believe that because of the many snags in the river and its twisting course, speeds higher than 5 mph are unsafe, additionally, speeding boats contribute to habitat degradation and accelerate erosion of the river banks. Noise from speeding watercraft are incompatible with the tranquility people seek when using Lodi Lake, its riverside rental sites and the nature area. February 21, 2001 Dear Council Members: My name is Amy Fritz and my family and I live at 1234 Rivergate Drive, in Lodi. Unfortunately, we could not be here tonight, but my husband and I feel strongly about the river and wish to voice our concerns. Living on the river, we see a lot of what goes on there from most windows of our home. What we have seen during the seven years we have lived here has been upsetting, to say the least. The terrible accident that happened last summer is a realization of my family's worst fears. The speeds in which the boats are allowed to go in this small, winding river are a recipe for disaster. We have owned a ski boat for the last 18 years and have never launched it in the Mokelumne River because it's just too dangerous. It would only take one summer day watching the traffic on the river to figure this out!! How can such a narrow, winding river safely transport people on a regular basis without occasional fatalities? It's not possible!! We did purchase a Jet Ski soon after moving onto the river. It took no time at all for us to realize that this, too, was a mistake. Blind curves, crowded waterways and other jet skiers racing one another made the river chaotic and stressful. My husband, Dan, and I feel very strongly that there should be a five -mile per hour speed limit put on the river at all times of the day. By only requiring the 5 -mile per hour speed limit in the mornings and evenings only means that the worst accidents on the river will happen in the afternoon hours. It certainly won't mean a safer river. Since the Mokelumne River runs right through Lodi and feeds into Lodi Lake, we feel that the Lodi City Council should address the issue of speed on the river and take a stand to keep our citizens safe!! We ask you to please consider putting the issue of a five -mile per hour speed limit on your agenda in the near future. Thank you. Amy & Dan Fritz ELLEN AND PAT MCGUIRE P.O. Box 1247 Woodbridge CA- 95258 (209)3332818 mamman@catholicfanrilies.net August 23, 2000 Mokelumne River Task Force C/O Chet Somera Police Dept. 230 W. Elm St. Lodi CA. 95240 Lodi City Council P.O. Box 3006 Lodi CA. 95241 I am writing this letter in regards to the safety issue on the Mokelumne River. My husband and I have lived on the river for the past 10 years. Our house is located behind the Woodbridge Welding Shop. Our beach is located close to where the last fatal accident occurred. When we first moved here, we owned a motorized aluminum fishing boat. My husband and I took our small child out for a boat ride. A ski boat that was pulling a knee boarder on the back purposely tried to spray us. We were unable to get out of its way and it repeatedly targeted us. We were helpless. As we tried to escape, the boat once more sprayed us with water, this time hitting our boat and filling it with water. Luckily we were all wearing life jackets and we paddled to shore. After that incident we sold our small boat and we purchased a ski -boat with the belief that we would no longer be a helpless target. We took a few boat rides that summer and we even purchased a tube to let our children ride in behind our boat. Well, this also met in disaster. Every time we went boating something dangerous occurred. Boat skiers would come dangerously close to our tube riders, sometimes purposely and other times accidentally. Jet skiers would try to cross our boat wake and nearly hit our children. When the summer was over, we sold our ski boat as well_ For the past 6 years, we have not used motor crafts of any land. The lives of our family and our fiiends are precious to us and it just isn't worth the risk. Now we have our children and their friends use paddle boats, kyaks, and other floating devices in the river. They may only go out directly in front of our house, close to our beach. We have to watch the river like patrol officers to make sure that the boats and wave runners whizzing by at speeds up to 60 mph. stay away from our beach area Sometimes we have to make our children and guests get out of the water because of the irresponsible, disrespectful drivers who threaten the lives of others. We are also concerned with the beauty and tranquility of the Mokelumne. Occasionally we will take our paddle boat out into the river at 7:00 a.m, before the motorcrafts arrive. We have an opportunity to see and hear the wildlife in their habitat. The water is so calm and peaceful. It is hard to believe it is thesame place two hours later. By 9:00 a.m_ we are forced off the river. The boats, jet ski's and wave runners populate the river and the sound of loud engines and smells of August 10, 2000 Pat Stockar, Chairman Mokelumne River Task Force 221 W. Pine St. Lodi, CA 95240 Pat and Task Force Members: My intention on August 9`s was to attend your second meeting and give my input in person. However, since my children's Back -To -School Night went longer than expected, I now will need to give my input through this letter. I will try to keep my thoughts mccinct. First of all, thank you for your time and effort, it is appreciated. Secondly, the accident on the Mokelumne River in May was a sad and terrible event. My family and I live in the Willow Glen area. My wife, Lisa, and I have been on the Board of Directors for Willow Glen Property Owner's Association (WGPOA) for 10 years. We own a ski boat and a canoe. i am a water- skier, kayaker, caner and swimmer. I learned to ski on this river as a teenager. I have taught my two children to kneeboard and wakeboard on this river. We always tried to be off the river before noon, because that is when the "crazies" came out on the river. We haven't skied on the river in over two years due to the sunken debris, unsafe drivers and the fact that the river is so windy it is a lousy tow. Nowadays we travel either 20 minutes to the Delta or 35 minutes to New Hogan Reservoir. The Mokelumne River is a mature river. Since our Valley's topography is flat, the rivers here meander slowly trying to carry their load They don't flow straight and fast like rivets that are cutting a new path. The distance from Hwy. 99 to the Woodbridge Dam is approximately 2 miles. In that distance ori the Mokelumne I count about 25 turns and I railroad trestle (see attachment). Of those turns, I count about 20 that are greater than 90°, and 10 of those are approximately 180' (hairpin turns). Not the best layout for fast vehicles, especially if they are dragging something behind them. Past discussion regarding this overall issue has been: - 1975 Lodi Lake Park Land Use MASTER PLAN - Discusses eliminating boats on Lodi Lake due to its relatively small size - 1987 Lodi Lake Park Master Plan - Mr. Richard Bigler, the architect, discusses: - Not using large power boats - Erosion from boats and natural forces - "I only have one reservation in my mind about the park's future development. That is the potential for overuse of the natural area This can not be allowed to happen. I mention this now, in the hope that some future citizen will read this, and speak out." -1992 Dock Was Closed (I don't know why) - Parks 8t Rec. recommended - Re -open dock (City Council approved) - 5 MPH along city property (City Council unanimously defeated) - City of Lodi Police "TAKE THE LEAD" in patrolling (has never happened) - 1995-97 13- Acre Improvement Project - $412,000 "LAUNCHING FACILITY GRANT- - 27 pull-thru parking places + 56 other spaces. - The main goal was to finish the 13 -acre development (but at what cost to the environment?) - Parks & Rec. recommended to turn back the money, but only after public outcry. City Hall 221 W. Pine Lodi, CA 95240 Re: Lodi Lake and Mokelumne River Dear Lodi Council, California Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Inc. Lodi, California, Ste 1 95242 Ph: (209) 368-1678 Fax: (209)388-2134 I was very disturbed over the death of the 11 year old boy last month and must write to you. I have water skied for 35 years and I enjoy the sport, but I must say that I would not ski in the river behind Lodi lake. I feel it is too narrow and difficult to see other boats, people and objects such as logs and debris in the water. My experience while canoeing in the river has been terrible. Boats flying up and down the river, cutting comers; basically having the attitude of, "get out of my way, or I'll run you over." Children such as the boys in the boat last weekend, have no maturity to realize the danger that could happen. I find it surprising that a parent would allow them to be out in a boat on the river. I am not against water skiing nor jet ski's, but I do not feel that the river or Lodi Lake is a place for such activities. Lets leave it to non -motorized craft and take the boats out to the delta or larger lakes where the risks are much less. I have a wife and four children ages 10, 8, 5, and 1 1/2. Until this matter is settled, I will not take them out into the river in our canoe. Life is too precious to have it taken from you lice it was for this family. Yoursve y, Eric S. Sorensen M . I J' Mayor's Office River Safety Committee Lodi, CA . Committee Members: L -RECE1 VED Aug. 24, 00 13 PH, SvSAH J. i;LACKSTOR CITYYOF61 LODI - I am a teacher for L.U.S.D. and a former resident of the city of Lodi, and as a user of the Mokelumne River waterway that runs from HWY 99 to Woodbridge, I have safety concerns. I paddle a small kayak and launch it at Lodi Lake Park. On days when my "timing" is good, I enjoy this natural'environment. Good "timing" means paddling early, before the river becomes busy with a variety of motorized water craft, ie: ski boats, jet skies, and personalized water craft. It is not, however, possible to always avoid these vehicles by paddling early, since they often have the same idea. Speed and this winding section of river is a hazardous combination. Many bends in this river are "blind curves" and speedy water craft, especially those pulling skiers and wake boarders, take the middle ofthe water way to avoid submerged objects and fallen trees near the shoreline. I have often been forced to quickly paddle toward shore to avoid ori coming boats that take their half of the river out of the middle. Hugaing the shore is not enou;h protection for kayaks and canoes, if the on -coming boat is pulling a skier or wake boarder. If the skier is not following the boat at the wake's center, then avoidance for the kayak paddler is even more difficult. If the boater and/or skier is the type who finds joy in spraying, swamping, or trying to startle the paddler, the�situation becomes truly perilous. [Near misses are frequent at these "blind curves," and getting CF numbers to report the intentionally unsafe boaters or skiers is usually impossible. It seems to me that an enforced 5 MPH speed limit needs to be instated for this section of the river before another injury or death occurs. ' - Sincerely,� Manuel J. Costa 8127 Mariners Dr. 3408 ` Stockton, CA 95219 0 N 0 •i Committee on River Safety c/o Mayors Office 305 W. Pine Street Lodi, CA 95241 Sirs: 139 Mokelumne River Drive R E C E E `1 veli, CA. 95240 August 15, 2000 H.,17 PH3:LAS. CITY CLERK CITY OF LODI We understand that your meeting last week was the final meeting for public comment. First I would like to say that it was disappointing that this fact was not made clear to the public, and that the entire meeting schedule was so poorly published. That said, I do hope that you will take into consideration the following. I will attempt to keep this concise, but should you need further clarification please contact us. We have lived on the river since 1989, through wet years and dry years. My first comment is, aside from safety and concerns, the negative environmental impact on the river brought about by motorized watercraft. We have heard the arguments that it is the high runoff that is primarily responsible for the erosion, but I can assure you through our observation, deep V hulls and jet skies wash away much more dirt from the bank, than does high water releases. This point was also clearly made a few years ago when a Cal Trans engineer testified at the city council on an earlier attempt at controlling river safety when the issue of erosion was brought up. Secondly is the release of petroleum products into the water from these vessels. Although we understand safety is your primary focus, please do not dismiss the magnitude of environmental impact. As for safety, I spent several years -in the. Coast Guard on search and rescue vessels and in the rescue coordination center as 'the controlling officer; , and have been a long time boat owner. Aside froth this experience, anyone who has spent any time on the water will know that this river is very unsafe with its blind curves, narrow channel and deadwood. Put this along with the fact that many of the users do not have any understanding of rules of the road or common sense and courtesy, and you have a very dangerous situation. Unsafe use is not restricted to kids. We have seen many older adults also acting in reckless and careless fashion. River traffic is down significantly this year, perhaps due to the exposure of the danger from the accident, possibly from the sheriffs patrols. I have noticed :at activity does pick up after the sheriff has made his run down the river so perhaps thosL who watch are waiting for this to be completed. I do not think that patrols are the answer. -ither in terns of safety or fiscal responsibility. There is no clear answer. Those irrespor_�- Ne users, of which there are many, will continue to operate recklessly if allowed on th- iver. At the same time, it is difficult to say ban all motorized craft; although give7 he lack of responsibility that exists today perhaps that is the only answer. There au nany other local areas more suited to safe water recreation. ?"/. "aa46� if 411liam R. Bier /. arilyn R. Stowell FFM : Advance Builders & FKXFMS FAX N0. : 20808 '70 Oct. 24 2000 01:24PM P2 ,ct ce sss.o. To: Lieutenant Chet Somers""` From: Michael & Rene Whiteside -Native Lodians Re: Mokelume River SPEED We have enjoyed the river & Lodi Lake our whole lives, one thing we can all agree on is it is truly a jewel of Lodi. People. CHILDREN have DIEM on our'jewel. We must change the speed limits now so not another family will suffer. All our roads have speed limits, Mokelume River should too. of vehichles rise. we need strickter As the pOpulatiOn & speed r the turns & laws to keep us all safer. on our roads, the more Sharpe the more narrow the road gets the slower we all have to drive. there are signs posted. l -%N } is just as windey &narrow as Mo kelume River is. On Hwy I you must drive 1S- 20 MpFI aroundnth7 s gQ ny !civet your saying been 12:OOP• On the Wkelurner people have DIED over speed the driver thinks is safe_ That -5 CRAZY. limit 2QMi't l or lower over every surr,wrw t ptfASE ke the speed can enjoy the on the 1�+tokieume River so everyone• e�ryday. all day, view & peace, n our jewel, the Lodi Lake & Moklelurm River. Sirterely. Mike & Renae Whiteside her Task force members read this please letter. better Yet P.S. le Please tet the of tonight, I know there s slot of ase read it at the meeting Wdlans who want our river safe a1so1 THANKYOUi AW From: Loren and Joyce Dickerson October 24, 2000 2029 W. Tokay St. Lodi, CA 95242 369-0722 r bjoy@gotnet.net ' C E I V !~ Q OJ QCT 27 (o: ?p To: Lodi City Council . 23 L 4 Ci C1T i Re: M Boating privileges on the Mokelumne River e' I �` GF L 000 Over the course of several years, we have been boat owners. A few times we have traveled up and down the Mokelumne River - it is a beautiful place with many twists and turns, fallen trees and brush, an interesting change of scenery. With all its turns and blind curves, this river is not a suitable place for waterskiers and fast moving watercraft. We have been in Lodi since 1965, and personally know of three fatal accidents on the river (Joey Rose, a young woman skier, and one other whom we cannot remember) as well as the recent senseless death of an innocent young boy and the serious injuries to his father. All were attributed to speeding boats. We have seen many near -tragedies behind Lodi Lake during the times we have picnicked there with our family. The proposed use of the river makes no sense - allowing fast power boats to use the area the major part of the day and hand powered craft only the mornings. The popular sport of rafting down the river cannot generally be accomplished by noon. It would seem more equitable to impose a speed limit of 10 or 15 miles per hour for all boats at all times on the Mokelumne. At this speed one can enjoy the sights and yet not create so much turbulence as to cause further erosion to the banks. At 10 or IS miles per hour a boat can quickly be stopped or diverted should a canoe or kayak or other small craft be in the area. As for using Lodi Lake for water skiing. This lake is really too small for safe and effective skiing. How many injuries do we need to make this clear? People who wish to ski and drive fast boats can easily go to Hogan, Comanche or to the Delta where there is plenty of open space - where the driver can see and be seen. This is only a 30 or 40 minute drive, and launching at Hogan is only two dollars. It's hard to believe that any caring member of the council would entertain the idea of opening the lake to skiing. Whatever the council decides on this issue, we will have to live with for a long time. Do we want to further erode the riverbanks, create more noise, deal with more injuries or deaths on the river? Or do we want to preserve the area for sensible use and for the enjoyment of the peacefulness and quiet of nature? October 24, 2000 Mokelumne River Task Force !30 t, , T 3 f P11 Lodi City Council "5' s 11 J. k .� JJei,-L4C.i�%5%, ,'t County Board of supervisors CPT Y CLQ:� i� :a riT}' or Lapp My name is David Goehring. I am un able to attend tonight, however, I do wish to explain my position on the issue of the Mokelumne River usage. I have been a resident of Lodi all my life. Much of my childhood and adulthood has been spent on the Mokelumne River both below and above Hwy 99. I feel that I know this river extremely well. I do believe that there needs to be some changes on the river, however, I do not believe that it should restrict waterskiing entirely. I am in agreement with the Task Force's recommendations on the following. 1. . Requiring removal of debris 2. Requiring boaters to complete,a drivers safety course (long overdue) 3. Frequent patrolling of water ways (necessary for any type of enforcement) 4. Providing boat safety and maps of the river. Where I do not agree is eliminating skiing altogether or just in Lodi Lake. My suggestion is to limit water skiing to 20 mph which will eliminate slalom skiing where a much higher speed is necessary. Additionally, primarily the only water skiing that can work at a speed as low as 20 mph is wakeboarding, trick skiing, and knee boarding. These three categories of skiers also use a shorter length ski rope for safer skiing. I do not agree with the time frame of passive and non -passive boating. I would rather see a rotation of days leaving the users without time restraints on their leisure. One area I see as a concern which I believe is being overlooked, is the use of the water ways above Hwy 99. My family owns property between Bruella Bridge and Hwy 99. I have spent considerable time in this upper area. I fear that restricting only the lower river will force many of the boaters (Jet skiers) up river where the conditions are much more dangerous due to more obstructions, narrower waterways, and swifter currents. This consolidation could be lethal. Additionally, the State of California cannot expect boaters to be aware of all rules and regulations without requiring some sort of licensing. Even comonsense is not good enough when it comes to consistent knowledge of U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations. Education is key as well as enforcement when done fairly. Sincerly, Above, Freddie Garcia; left, looks on as SalVidaura works on his block stamper project. At left, Refugio Luna, right, and Alex Garcia take a break .�i�. $ :­,-=!- .rr -r _ V1 7'o ay Liquors before tale abdpiiion, Benincasa said: Ifiguera and the other suspect grabbed the girl about 5:50 p.m. as she headed to her home several blocks away, police said. One of the suspect put his hand over her mouth to quiet her screams. Immediately after, a brown 1987 GMC van drove up near the store and the two men forced the girl in- side, Benincasa said. The van was last seen headed east on Lockeford Street. a AA= r au a ubcaLZC Yfa&r LLIU : 2EZSi38 The iiia has a spar mounted on the flack. It also h.- stickers .stickers of the Virgin Mari rear window. , Higuera is described as a FL is male, 5 feet 3 inches tali weighing 145 pounds. Police have identified the driver but are not releasin. name. Anyone with information the whereabouts of Cruz Mguera is encouraged to tail police at 333-6727. Lodi's opinion sougr on river safety issue By Chris Derr News -Sentinel staff In an effort to get the pulse of the local citizenry, the News -Sen- tinel is asking readers on its Web site how safety on the Mokelumne River and Lodi Lake can be im- proved. As of Sunday, with 223 votes tal- lied, two possible safety fix -its in the poll are neck and neck. While 37.7 percent say they believe there should be a 5 mile -per -hour speed limit on motorized watercraft on the river, 36.3 percent say all such craft should be banned outright. Another 16.6 percent want to see increased law enforcement patrols, and 9.4 percent say no changes are needed. Responses were also gathered from locals enjoying the waterways on a comfortably warm Sunday af- ternoon. While activity on :he terways was minimal, many at the park to picnic and .o various games. Louis and Roberta Presley. residents for 10 years, said have reservations about motor watercraft because of limited w space. "Power boats have'no busine: small areas," Roberta said. `; should be determined by footage of space available. I car them being used on the Delta. not here." Personal watercraft, the h powered vehicles which include popular Kawasaki Jet Ski, are lowed on the Mokelumne but ac Lodi Lake. "They have the right kinds o. - es here," Louis said, referring x lake, to the south of the river. Please see Safety, Pac at o�nrxr rpt alb of Fame• rely 01son: Pioneering community servic; ,h Harmer sentinel editor amber of years ago, Evelyn Olson was Bin- h friends. The conversation turned to the ;ItyCouncil and the need for both harmo- leadership. :k, for two cents, I'd ran for council my - ked Olson.. frfen�is, though, were not laughing. e : isly, they suggested, she had the :ufl oe a council member. a ran and won. career as a council member from 1982 through 1990 included two stints as mayor. Butit is only part of the record of pioneering commu- nity service Olson has achieved. Name an area of service or accomplishment and Ol- son has likely been there, done that. OLSON Art and recreation? Olson was chairman of the Lodi Arts Commission. She is a former mem- her of the board of the San Joaquin zoological Society. Business? She was president of the Lodi District ChE ber of Commerce and has helped her family _ two flourishing, if disparate endeavors, me and feed stores. Health? Olson is a member of the Lodi Commur- Hospital board. Government? Beyond being a council member and mai. Olson has served on LAFCO, the group studies and approves government boundaries Please see Olson, Peg( Q'-" t SUMS SONSf INE NUTMT[OM Com,- DQ*WTQllllN �fJE� cher didn't know what s,' L. .yid. "So, he joined i self-esteem that he had- ruary 1968 and joined the played a large role in the in 1966, and served on after which he was reas- .ERRY R. TYsowNew.-sem" Jay evening at Hale Sponsored by the Together Coalition. Safety -. Continued from Page 1 Sergio Gomez, a Lodian enjoying the river on a personal watercraft while younger family members played on a large intertube, said he's had no problems during his frequent visits to the waterway. "I feel safe here,' he said. "If you're careful and not drunk, you'll be okay," he said. "It's a matter of respecting the rules.' Martha Sweilem, of Elk Grove, said she feels safer on the Mokelumne than the American Riv- er in Sacramento. "There aren't as many people here, so there's less chance of an ac- cident happening," Swei em said. Safety has become a hot topic lo- cally since a fatal boating accident on the river earlier in the summer. On June 25, an 11 -year-old boy was killed and his father seriously injured when an 19 -foot motorboat holding seven teen -alters and pulling another on a knee board crashed in- to the victims' canoe. According. to Megan Standard, a spokesperson for the state Depart- ment of Boating and Waterways, similar accidents have become all too common and that personal water- craft and the debate of voluntary - versus -mandatory boating education Dresses • Pants Tee's - Behs Shoes -Jewelry Scarves - Blouse Sins d-:6 JfmrdcP:dm I I North School St.. 368-9082 JERRY R. TYSONMews Senrirw Two young girls zip along the Mokelumne River behind Lodi Lake on Sunday afternoon. are two of the key issues facing the torized craft without supervision. department. To voice your opinion of the sub - Current California law allows ,ject, uisit the Lodi News -Sentinel's anyone 16 and older to operate a mo- Web site at www.lodinews.com. osT AMU THE #1 STOP LUMBER CENTER FOR ALL YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT 2411 Maggio Circle HOURS: Mon. -Fri. 7 to 5 Saturday a to 12 10% OFF CASH PURCHASEVATH THIS AD IEssludes Sale nems and BW Pauml Mcu eather Forecast For Lodi dues that many of the rld not afford, according :tion of the camp means i livi--- there do not re- .tte. they need. "It 'ortumty to make them .ey belonged to some - ."en said. has also given the boys Local Forecast Sunny and seasonably warm today. Highs 92.96. Clear tonight. Lows 60.64. Sunny and seasonable tomorrow. Highs 92.96. Plenty of sunshine Wednesday, comfortably warm. Highs 90.94. Sunny and seasonably warm Thursday. Highs 92-96. Almanac Slat= for Lodi through 5 p.m. yesterday Lodi Five-Dav Forecast Your Headquarters For WE MAKE THE WORLD'S BEST MATTRESS Best Price — Best Selection 280 W. Kettleman Ln. (Most to aen Frassdhq Lodi - 334-3116 aT ate. 1—T5rngW7- f—Tues a nes i fru -day iFriidW Sunnv, Clear. Sunny and Mmtty sunny.. Sunny and Sunny and seasmaoly seasonable. very warm. rather ha. i W ! 62e nlol�fs o o W/W pso o expenence new things, Tenlponmas California Forecast msmall y Fg* . La+►.._._......__. _.._...._....__.._ .................... so - _ lav ra�nn Mics T-Tow�arn .�•. , '' "n• .••• — Rn% -7(3. Our readers wr41 ite Present your politic other side, then fast- compromise. b) Pun( avoidable Tragedy tow, that's why they have an observ- Today, the official Your er in the boat — driving approxi- in school, naturalism, cre- winZthe champion. s, Editor: mately 18 mph plows over a parked ation of any sort, but hypocritically last second the vi. Yes, This letter has "I told you canoe. preaches that inequality advances away by a terrible so!" written all over it — unfortu- Now, with the boat patrol out the species through evolution. Grade You: a) Remind yo nately. there, you would have had another B. just a game, and th. My heart was ripped out when I person yelling at this driver to "And ace endowed by their creator more important thin saw your front page article dated "Watch where you are going," and with certain unalienable rights.": To- b) Punch Bob again. June 28 headlined "Finding solu- then he would have run over the per- days list of divisive "rights": Taxpay- HOW TO SCO tions, tragedy on the river." Two son in another part of the river. er funded pornography, the elevation swered "b" to both summers ago I was bank fishing People of Lodi wise up. Your big of sodomy, outlawing of prayer, and you are a male. I 1 with my 10 -year-old son at Lodi business people want to put in a new attacks on males. These certainly meat on a recent art Lake and witnessed a near tragic launch ramp so more boats can drive weren't the rights endowed by our York Times about tl-- accident from what appeared to be on this river and make more money Creator! Grade D. including humans a 12 -year-old driver on a personal for big business. The river area be- `That among these are life": Here, stress. watercraft. hind the lake does not have a wide certainly, lies America's greatest According to the The personal watercraft nearly enough area for two boats with shame, the widest departure from of psychology res collided with a family of four in a skiers to pass each other. This river our Founding Fathers' ideal, and` a made the breakthr canoe. I had a nice quiet day ruined has been dangerous for boaters for- monumental affront to humanity: that — prepare to k from all the noise and disregard of ever. The shoreline is also being erod- The acceptance of the killing of ba- males and females z. all the watercraft buzzing around. l ed by the power boats and if you bies before birth. Though most Amer- The researchers no longer fish out there anymore have ever been out there and watch icans are nauseated to think they by studying both ht: because it is not pleasant! the jet skiers, it's a real treat. would personally krill a child, the spir- which are very sim Now, I realize there are people The lake is a serene place of it of relativism prevents us from pro- except that they who are responsible that say we beauty and should be enjoyed by tecting the unborn babies of other enough to purchase have just as much right to be out everyone and not the elite few who men and women. And the rejection of The studies show t: there as anyone else seeking water send their teen-agers out to run innate human equality gives many a are under stress. t: --.creation. amok. Stop power boats using the sense of accomplishment when either fighting or When I wrote a letter two years river area now before someone- else -, .poor women kill their babies. -Grade R (the so-called "fight ago complaining a6but the -problem, gets killed.-,.- d1led.•_v "Liberty": Todjws governmeai`' `drdme);' wi�Areas fc which you pprinted, an angry adult Check the records and -see .how- regulates, taxes, manipulates , and - by nurturing oche: watercraft owner responded to my many people over the years have mandates far more than the little friends (the so -calif letter. Now we have a dead 11 -year- been killed or maimed by boating ac- 'stamp taxes that caused the 1776 re- friend" syndrome). old boy and a seriously injured fa- cidents on the river. I'm so sorry for bellion. Grade C. This finding is ther. We have a tragedy that never the family of this boy who were just "And the pursuit of happiness.": psychology commti should have occurred! out to enjoy the day. I hope your City Americans are still a great people. parently is locatec That .tragedy could have in- Council considers this issue as if it But the foregoing low grades attest planet. Here on E volved myself or anyone else. had been one of your own children. America's love for latitude and self. been aware for s, My heart goes out to that family Melinda Ball indulgence. Yes, we both permit and males and females and I certainly hope they will work Galt pursue happiness grandly, but at the ently to stress. We hard with the city of Lodi for a res- expense of justioe and human dignity. males bump into E olution to keep our valuable river a Grade A-. will respond like th safer place where our children don't rangour . Stam FIRST MALE. have to needlessly die. erty Lodi SECOND MA Greg Hampel Editor, watch it! Lodi! At the time of the signing of the FIRST MALE: Declaration of Independence, July 4, deliberately bump 1776' our agreement on ethics land No wake on the lake' Stopower boats P this claim: That unique principles of Two females, in freedom reign over us. Editor: uation, will responc Editor. But how are we doing? Does I am an avid boater and fisher- FIRST FEMA I have watched the news reports America still hold to the high.prinri- man and I believe that 5 mph SECOND FH and read the newspaper articles re- ples of it's nascence? Let's see: throughout the lake and river area my fa�T garding the boating accident on the "We hold these truths to be self- is adequate. FEME river near Lodi Lake and I would evident," proclaims the Declaration. People who want or feel the are cute shoes! (Th like to share my opinion. But today 65 percent of college stu- need for speed — or even just skiing Here are some The Lodi City Council is decid- dents find truth a woolly concept, cer- ands -having fin _ have plenty of based syndromes •th .ag whether it should make this tainly not self-evident. Truth to them ' ope8- opportunities, the Delta, Com- Q' community mig area of the lake a 5 or 10 mile an is private, for each person and pur- mai a and Hogan just to. name a into. hour zone and get a boat patrol. Let me understand this: The boat driv- pose. The infection of relativism has v few Ieep it safe'— no wake on the.-, . The "laundry drOD m T� has bE en by an inexperienced driver — weakened all our resolve for cult lake or a quiver on the. river. b6ffi, and t and I mean inexperienced due to virtue. I'll grade us a D. '_ Mark Akers named Je$ - What the fact that you never watch your `°That all men are created egaX- � Lodi male'vvilLattempt la;:and whet undry -uitme goals for 1996- Our readers write uitment and support awuu �anuaua+as auu litical action commit- HoW many deaths? beach, and we offer the beach to nu- enth iin'r truer, it listed ! merous organizations such as the spon of . -..er registration Editor. Boy Scouts, school children, church any irget communications Several years ago when a large groups and others. Wo rs. state grant was dangled our "em- There is a bend in the river just deba i sound like political the IIiS tax-exempt di - the way described, he 27 years, seemed puz- :uses for 1993 through :gh level of sensitivity" ill rules governing tax- i found no problems, he :ce of political expenses r nonmember teachers. i ATEA bargaining units iry and working condi- of sensitivity" anytime ally Democratic. Profes- roup at Democratic na- deseLve. widespread.. at- 1acl kUm % ducat _is1 no n the Indianapolis Star. NTATIVES res •ve., Washington, D.C. 20500 20510 or 1700 Montgomery or (202) 224-3553 C. 20510. (415) 536-6868 or g, Washington. D.C. 20515- 7. (202) 225 -'*947 or (209) 916) 445-2941 ;dol. Sacramento. CA 95814 5.2407 or (209) 948.7930 3. State Capitol. Sacramento, )16) 319-2010, or (209) 333- a. 222 E. Weber Ave.. OFTAUSTEES 151 Pacific Ave., Stockton. Keith Land, Alan Nakanishi, a Harvey Robins, 95240 1. CA 95201 na Huerta-os La Cruz Bob c Dr.. Gait. CA 95632 pire building' Recreation Depart- ment and our City Council took the bait to build additional boat ramps at Lodi Lake. Several Planning Commission and council meetings were held with packed audiences. At all these meet- ings not one voice spoke out for ac- ceptance. Because of this, the council voted unanimously not to accept. Councilmen Pennino and Warn- er, after their vote, severely casti- gated ail those who opposed accept- ance. Councilman Sieglock, al- though he was in favor of acceptance, but was more political- ly astute, remained silent. Had the council accepted this state grant, it would not have the opportunity it now has. At that council meeting, this writeg•XgRq e&:tihat a horse power limitofFtx'Ff�iftosed on Lodi Lake and. the.. dty'w portion of the river. We put.our boat in the river only three times because it was unsafe and that was 35 years ago! The river has no "white line" down the middle and there are many blind spots. The recent sad accident could just as easily been caused by a speeding jet ski. It's not like we are in the middle of a desert. A 20 minute drive makes 1,000 miles of prime ski water available. A 10 h.p. limit, with appropriate penalties, would enforce itself with a little help from riverside resi- dents who are irate at current con- ditions. Council members ask yourselves how many deaths does it take to remedy this situation and eliminate our liabilities? Bing Taylor Lodi Just a matter of time Editor. Long before the devastating death of Tommy Farnsworth, many of us knew it was just a matter of time before a serious accident would occur Like many others, I own proper- ty on the Mokelumne River where we have created a beach. in a beau- tiful natural setting. _My family and friends enjoy fish- ----••••-��..nn n '; rgmnina nn the before our location and many times jet skiers come whipping around the corner only to find they are im- mediately in the midst of children that are swimming. I have witnessed three near fa- talities and the worst part of it is that nothing can be done because no one is breaking a law. Furthermore, it is a known fact that jet skis and motor boats have been instrumental in the deteriora- tion and erosion of our river banks. Many, many people are aware of the on-going destruction of our riv- er and the potential danger to swimmers, fishermen, canners, rafters, tubers and others who use the river for recreation that is safe and enjoyable. Please, let us all make a supreme effort to ban all motorized water craft from our river before the inevitable loss of more lives and deterioration of the river occurs. Bill Sooyman Lodi Arrogant logic Editor: I read the article `A River Runs Through It All" with great interest. Having spent the last 20 years in the Lodi area, I visit the lake of- ten for the nature area. With all the regulation and conservation of this area, and it's natural state, it amazes me that these high-speed watercraft are allowed at all in the river. They're noisy, they pollute both the water and the air and they dis- turb the natural environment. If these craft are allowed in the river, then why not allow dirt bikes and off-road vehicles in the nature area? How is that different? The one thing from the article that speaks volumes of this group of usiasts is the common ne- se: "They [canoes] dont have way of getting out of the way." uld that logic work if you were ting automobiles vs. bicyclists? It's an arrogant and irresponsible response. Is that the reason a child lost his life on the river, because his fa- ther could not get their canoe "out of the way?" With thousands of miles of wa- terway available in the Delta just miles away, why is this small natu- ral waterway such a draw? Stan Trevena Lodi Starting dates Editor: Hello! Anyone out there? I am hoping an authority with the Lodi Unified School District Ad- ministration Office would explain to me the logic in having. two start dates for the new school ,year begin- ning this week My understanding is that Track C, for all schools on concept 6, had a beginning day on Monday and Track B. for all schools on concept 6, has todav as its start day. Why would anyone agree to such a thing? How much does it cost on a dai- ly basis to open and run an entire school for one-third of the student population? You still have to supply transportation on buses, supply cafeteria workers, supply office ff staand administration staff on site let alone the waste on gas. elec- tric, phone, etc. that is part of any business for one-third of the Stu- dent population. Wouldn't the money be better spent elsewhere, such as new hous- ing, salaries or educational materi- als and books for the students' Anyone have a good reason why this is happening? Letters invited Sydney Darsie Woodbridge The Lodi News -Sentinel welcomes opinions from its readers. Letters must be signed and include the writer's address and phone number. No letter longer than 350 words will be accepted. The News - Sentinel reserves the right to edit letters. Send letters to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Boot 1360. Lodi, CA 95241-1360, or e-mail letters to letters ® lodinews.com si h d IN C :LLLFIDAP.i1LSO>OrLne' Yreai Dl3IIlL 14 iii- urn for 88 many 8S 3 million Pales- theirs before. the establishment of .• .. j1Si,��,. Y � '-� .:a j ^. - •. ' Iva' Our Re sclera rite .. (1 ` ' .1, it's about Jerusalem, the holy city Joaquin County Boazc 7 is at stake. Success at Camp you want, away from the village, Fireworks for all sons. a history as the man who brought Christianity, a city that Israel re- The real Yosem ite ' s Lewellens' letter of June 29 lake. I look forward )w find at way to share. . Editor: is,right on the mark. works display ever - from certain, there's little other There are no: lies, Mr. Sowell, t• In the summer of. 1958 our 9- shouldn't -be, punishec rin 'mister Ehud Barak, Pales- About Yosemite National Park. . year-old daughter was learning to don't go to the lake- tc :n leacier Yasser Arafat and Presi- Yosemite doesn't, belong to :water ski- in Lodi Lake and didn't . play. It isn't a matter, Clinton. Clinton. politicians or environmentalist, it get up and a boat ran right over a matter of simple lob rhas threatened to unilateral- belongs to the American people! her and severely injured her left cant all fit in. aclare a Palestinian state by Sept. Nobody wants to restrict the public from Yosemite, we just leg. ' Thanks to Dr. Clarence Lucky I hope something about this so that nex. f no final status cement is ' dont want to love it to death. Traf- she is leading a normal life with residents of Lodi and - hed by then. That's an action he fic was a problem, a few years ago, only a slight handicap. and families can enj not want to take because it would now with two campgrounds closed, Our family has never boated or works display equally. Israeli withdrawal from the West and 10,000 less people on week- water-skied again. I believe Lodi Br( k, stop any concessions on ends, sure there's no bumper to Lake and the surrounding river a a capital in Jerusalem, a final salem and lead to Israeli annexa- bumper traffic- does not.have enough area to han- of West Bank settlements. That Mr. Sowell, driving through dler both speed boats and smaller Clements ice, and Arafat would wind up with Yosemite in a town -car, and stay- pleasure craft. A reasonable speed apr lot about then. Youve got to get ing a couple of nights at the Lodge, limit should be enforced for the Editor- s well. His coalition government is and looking out the window at the falls, is not what Yosemite Nation- users of the lake. With this in place a great young On June 27, toner -able from the right. Yet he must al park is all about. man would still be with us. of Clements took our a - next week's summit to succeed. Put a day pack on with a sand- Cheater M. Locke time extension of Oak= peace plan and put it before Israeli wich and a bottle of water. Then Locbe ford vision, SU -90-21, befc flement with Palestinians first. walk a couple of miles, anywhere Joaquin County Boazc 7 is at stake. Success at Camp you want, away from the village, Fireworks for all sons. a history as the man who brought and spend the night. You'll soon Mr Jim Curtis, th is, from the historic handshake in find that you don't rule, that you . Editor: who filed the appeal a :te Yizhak Rabin to a final agree- are P of the environment. How J have lived in Lodi all my life our spokesperson, was the reasons we felt thi ils, and violence erupts, then Clio- many working people can afford to as have m parents, brothers and thir division was not app. stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel, at more than 200 dollars a night? sister and families. This is our town and Lodi Lake the rural Clements are some wa to share Jerusalem �, - You're storing sour grapes, Mr. : isour lake: It belongs to us and all One of the reason c ' ill, lust to smell them. You've ,tbitot] yldensyoflLodi..Wa�are' brought to the attentic ak 'ss lanm The'rig3l t� can be ` gft4w.let them ferment, Mr. Sowa eM_'t$en you get the finest tasting thertnxpayers•-a' �-' - -Lodi Dake is too small for every perviaors was" the in trates. As he drank be spirits, in the world. resident of Lodi to fit in. So, it is which he had brough in agreement that doesn't include So get yourself a day pack, and logistically impossible for each Supervisor Simas lea - must find an innovative yet sub- a bottle of fine wine, and walk a resident to enjoy the festivities in- Supervisor Sieglock an 'alestinian governmental presence little, you'll see the real glories of side the lake area which are of- remark, "He is probate ppen'. if Arafat can claim that the Yosemite• fered on the Fourth of July each nitrates,' and they bot_ - a a capital in Jerusalem, a final As for Glacier Point Mr. Sowell, p year. y Mr. Simas did not parking hasn't been a problem for P g P How very unfair that the fire- to cover his micro hL 'nom the San Diego Union -Tribune 10 years. They built a new parking works are not completely offered would not be hears a lot about then. Youve got to get to all the resident to enjoy. We live hearing room and M. out and walk around. There's Sen- in the Willow Glen area as does the supervisor for th tinel Dome, and its 300 degree my bother and his family. Every area, found this remar �A view. And then there's the Panora- year, we have a big family barbe- I was shocked at their IE ma Trail, with the wonderful cue topped off with homemade ice conduct. wamrgom ac- Zo600 views, all the way to Nevada Falls cream and the fireworks display. Our appeal was de- and the little Yosemite Valley. Each year, the quantity of fire- The only supervisor to MCONGFUM ncpplt QG 20510 or 1700 AAonlgornery.St, Na You'll know what Yosemite is all works that can be seen outside of vor of our appeal wa: 100 or (202) 224,8653 about. Its not artificial hysteria, Lodi Lake gets smaller and small- terez who represents tl= IwKfi n, ac- 2MI0. (415) 5388868 a (202) you'll find, its peace and harmony. er. There are so many- fireworks ton area who comment So forget about political propagan- that can only be seen if your are is facing the same prof^ urn 8Ag. WasFsr1m, ac- 205154518 or da and buy some power bait. by the lake. We knew that fire- Mr. Simas' commer W. (202) 225.1947 or (209) 951,9D91 or (209) You'll soon find that cleaning works were being set off by the "We have ours and don - fish, and watching a boy fish, is sound of the boom, but they were one else to have theirs.- cattK)FM 'A 96814. (916) 445.2941 what this world is all about. not visible to us and the many peo- been an addition that w Bu fishing ole. Y a sg P pie gathered outside their homes fain our rural atmos LEGISLOURE Sime Capibl. Samawwft CA 96914 or 31 E 4&2ar- -(209)9467930 J. Louis Trull Galt and lined up in the street. This is unfair. All the small would not have appeale 37 house gated subdiv- 0W sins, card. sauanwft CA 96914, children were so disappointed will almost double t: i)319iau10.or(209)3331iM(M% Safety on the lake whenthey could not see the dis- Clements. play. Robeir Editor- I love my town and I love my t river death eaises ethical concern ably, prescriptioa drag 1 v nu ur! �� i tims has been undermined by African leaders who steal or 3rMeditxre recipients (a horde shipments of quinine and other anti malarial drugs. he And the epidemic has been exacerbated as malaria -carry- :-a-year item): The tax About thatp icture this country' dinner with my in-laws. ing through Congress haranAfrica lost their teachers to AIDS. Malaria claimed The court said: " A school dis- Since this was the time that ckly: $248 billion to re- Editor. trict's policy of allowing such Au- there was no swimming in the lake, -called main¢ Penal- We are sure Ms. Pennington, the dent led prayers violates the consti- we noticed two or three children Ilion to eliminate the es- lady pictured on the front page of tutionality required separation of swimming on the river side of the Im 0 billion or so in the Lodi News -Sentinel on July 11, government and religion.' (quote lake. thea ax reductions, all is a very nice lady. from Lodi News -Sentinel) This was sad in itself because mxt decade But we do wonder if the commu- To what constitution was the they should not have been swim - d? Roughly $650 billion. nity would have been better served' Supreme Court referring? Certain- ming at all. If the lake water was at leave more than $1 if the 7 inch by A inch color photo- ly not the Constitution of the Unit- unsafe to swim, so was the river wa- surplus money? Not ex- graph had featured the egg mass ed States of America. Nowhere in ter, or one would reason. rather than the life size image of the U.S. Constitution does it say But what was so appalling that iter on Budget and Poli- Ms. Pennington's hair rollers. this. evening was the boats and Jet Skis .s, a Washington think If the photographer had cap- The First Amendment states: on the river. Their speed was unbe- intly put together an tired a picture of the egg mass, "Congress shall make no law re- lievable. Being so close to shore and 'how much of the sur- and/or insect, to reproduce in life- specting an establishment of reli around the sharp blinded curves. mally available for tax size, color for the front page of the gion, or prohibiting the flee ewer- they came a break -neck speed. The -iced to learn that Con- Lodi News -Sentinel, the citizens of cise thereof-, or abridging the free- ducks could not even enjoy the wa- aoney. the area would have had an oppor- dom of speech, or of the press, or the ter till the boats stopped running. cial Security, Democrats tunity to learn more about the right of the people peaceably to as- Anyone of the children swim. will not reduce benefits glassy -winged sharpshooter. semble, and to petition the govern- ming that night could have easily iy will dip into the $1.9 It would appear from the infor. meat for redress of grievance.' ended up a victim of speed on the into Social Security and mation in the article that Ms. Pen- How does a person's prayer be- river. g term• nington did not recognize sharp. fore a football game even resemble It may be fun to go fast on your to set aside $400 billion shooter when she discovered the in "the establishment of religion' as Jet Ski or in your boat, but safer?r ?und, protecting its rev- festation in her yard. Justice John Paul Stevens stated in must always be first on your mina trust fund. A life size, color photograph his opinion? This 'decision does, when ,you are driving any machine. ies noted that little pro- .. would have helped to identify the however, "prohibit the free exercis- There needs to be some kind of VNIP ragrams.-The con- 1 threat in her yard months ago. " ing thereof.' * - posted speed limit in our 'not so esus to-be•t}aat•defense "iemaiad'er ' Earl'and Vivien Hayem No one is required by Iaw or de- large' water playground. After all, about tfie of Acampo cree to join in any prayer by a stu- we are not some big lake with thou- iat these programs will dent, or anyone else for that matter. sand of square miles of open water lillion and $400 billion illi lie size of those ali—ay appears on its playing the dangerous Akron Beacon Journal NTATIVES 1 Vattnington, D.C. 20500 ) or 1700 Montgomery St, 24-3,553 i10. (415) 536.6868 or (202) hington. D.C. 20515-0518 1947 or (209) 951-3091 or 95.2841 ratnemo, CA 95814 or 31 9) 948.7930 Capi ol. Sacramento. CA 0.or(209)333.5325, Weber Ave., SWC", CA Editor's note: The News -Sentinel has published various pictures of the dreaded sharpshooter and its egg masses. 11in4ul of the Haynes' comments, we will do so again a& soon as news developments and space allow. Limiting tree speech Editor. The latest decision of "our" illus- trious Supreme Court to forbid stu- dent led prayers in schools is an- other example of the government's desire to eliminate free speech in This decision does abridge the right of the individual leading such a prayer from exercising his or her freedom of speech, and is directly against the First Amendment. Joanne C. Honeywell Woodbridge Making the river safe Editor The Saturday before Father's Day, we were on the north side of Lodi Lake enjoying a late evening ways. Our beautiful lake is just a small lake that should be enjoyed by all in a safe and comfortable manner. Having to worry about speeding boats and Jet Skis on the nearby river, seeing their speed and hear- ing their speed, does not make the area a nice, peaceful, enjoyable place to relax. Wake up and see the loss that will continue to happen if some- thing is not done to make the river near our lake a safe place for all. Jean Baby Lodi r. a a- t: e: u W Africa hit hard by AIDS epidemic cdcr The AIDS epidemic revagingAfiica has gained world- ral disaster and poverty are at greatest risk. w_ wide attention during the International AIDS Confer, ence in Durban South Africa. As grim as the AIDS crisis is, there is another medical catastrophe looming that Could be overlooked, a group of African journalists and Civic leaders visiting Indianapo- lis warned recently. Malaria takes as many lives in some African coun- tries as AIDS does. Worldwide, it kills up to 2.7 million people, about 1 million of whom are children under age 5 The African visitors sap the treatment of malaria vic- tims has been undermined by African leaders who steal or Ir horde shipments of quinine and other anti malarial drugs. he And the epidemic has been exacerbated as malaria -carry- ing mosquitoes become more resistant to current vaccines: so . East year, 860,000 primary schoolchildren in sub-Sa- do haranAfrica lost their teachers to AIDS. Malaria claimed ar - the lives of more than a million. Whether AIDS or malar- ba_ ia, children are the losers. the 1 living south of the Sahara Desert. Victims of war, nate Copley News Service en an - 7 it's substancevs. appearance WE cia appeaL% to. smaller and smaller tth&have-nots felttbegwere3Jtget= When the president proposed' Or offstudea ting whatever tiie0to begot Caribbean studies. all nartipattacly -- noiea me•swts trom Yanip inorrms,-2i.'J.-treynouds ana'otn=-- Is. IX the attention generated by the case stems mostly of the verdict, a sum that one tobacco company lawyer said .th • -ane bankrupting the industry 10 times over. The ores Ay stand to make $45 billion. The reality is that it will be many years, if ever, that the first dollar actually moves from the in - tions are blunt dustry into the pockets of the vic- tims or the lawyers in this case. ,n8 for Crafting ting The constitutional issues certain to licy. If the goal be raised on appeal are compelling 9bacco use, the This case is unique among anti -to- t lies only with bacco suits in being the only one of ent, which has 26 where a judge approved a class ttterl the action. Wall Street analysts as well y over e as the industry's lawyers were con- -ears to protect fident that appellate courts would America=. set aside the verdict; the closing prices on the New York Stock Ex- change of tobacco stocks barely hic- cuped. Still, anti-smoking advocates n enormous victories. For the first time, the Rosenblatts ng top tobacco company executives into court and, under to admit to a host of egregious offenses against customers )ne publicly apologized to the sick smokers in the room .y of the late Angie Della Vecchia, a plaintiff who died be- ong trial concluded. -ted that cigarettes caused cancer and they decried past youths into taking up the habit. Never again will the to �e able to return to its old ways of ignoring links between ice targeting kids or of denying to Congress its aware - s a,- ,,lve properties. ns are blunt weapons for crafting public policy. If the goal o use, the solution lies only with government, which has �r the years to protect Americans. The next step in the war should come from Congress in passing laws giving the ldministration the power to treat nicotine as the danger - is This jur" htid're' j4&-' d the notitiis tlfa`trtlte IiUffi- Sft&k' �sponsibility for tEeir illness, ��,.• �o ze with their plight. But the time when smokers could say v better is past. Anyone who followed this trial on the : this editorial and yet continues to smoke, has only him- - Reprinted from the Miami Herald EOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES :Inton — White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C. 20500 UNITED STATES CONGRESS )xer — 112 Hart Budding, Washington, D.C. 20510 or 1700 Montgomery Francisca CA 94111-1023.(415) 403,0100 or (202) 224-3553 netnin — 331 Han Building, Washington, D.C. 20510. (415) 536-6868 or )mbo— 11th District, 2411 Rayburn Building, Washington, D.C. 20615 - March lane, Suite 104, Slocklon. CA 95207. (202) 225-1947 or (209) 1482-1697. E-mail rpombo0mad.house.gov GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA — Capitd, Sacramento. CA 95814. (916) 445-2841 CALIFORNIA- LEGISLATURE melon, 5th Distnct, Room 5086, State -Capitol, Sacramento. CA 96814 St., Suits D. Stockton, CA 95202. (916) 44&2407 or (209) 948.7930 :no" Pssptd. 10th District, Room 2130. State Capitol. Sacramento, 5 W. Pine SL, Suite 12, Lodt. CA 95240. (816) 319-2010, or (20%333- 9326 (tax) r SIYmdri A», rvahY+• r-fvr (-av,.,w.,,-- r" F vu . A — Our readers write Dangerous waters As mechanical stop signs on W g streets are awarded to an intersec- Editor: tion only after someone has been 1 Having worked on the Delta for lolled, so let us now say that the a number of years, I have watched sacrifice has been made and this tha experienced and inexperienced rid- area needs a stop sign for motorized abc ers on Jet Skis (or personal water- craft (skis and boats) on Lodi Lake. cen craft). Slow is not the game plan. Naomi McCallum Carey pra As riding the highways on a mo- Lodi. - torcycle is dangerous so is riding lin: Alg aywaterasmotorcycle-like Getting in for free rigi craft. the same spirit of adventure attached. Editor. Qat, A fast boat and fast action. Lately while visiting Lodi Lake Enjoyment is thwarted by con- Park during the noon hour, I have . stant searching for other water- noticed that a number of U.S. Postal give craft. A slow-moving canoe or fish- Service trucks come in to the lake tur- ing boat will be in the way of a for the drivers to have lunch. tem thrilling ride of any distance. I also notice that they do not pay den The proper places for these units for entering the park, but are the are the channel or wide rivers so passed through the gate at no reli. that they do not interfere with oth- charge I asked a park employee p� er people's pleasures. They are about this and was told that they more easily guided there than on a have 'E" license plates and don't tio' river, which is lined with homes and have to pay to get in. pra: bends, making travel very slow and WhYr when these people who mil hard to navigate. Wakes prevent make in excess of $30,000. a year, eve_ .. people from embarking and debark- can they get into the park for free ing boats safely; they wash away the soil from levees, causing con- but a single mother of two or three ara, sha Stant repair, which is paid for by kidscan barely afford the gas to mus every{$a�err-;.,-, %•,:: •s, however, accuse the , : making big land grabsl Ise of small communi- our readers write f the wishes of state of- ­1—.;.1 Icais In AA; wheI­ claims monu- -Shameful closing". Safety on the River i for society — he just R-Wyo. Others claim :hat has a lot of public tit of respondents sup- ia sources register the e coming election. Republican efforts to Don Nickles, R -Okla., he power to designate Id be assumed by Con- iue to the defection of n Democrat Sen. Evan :he bill. :our the West for more 3125 million -William .veil: This despite per - Legally, Clinton's 11- oney from any source something that both- Jited. ,rill be flush with pho- �ry, -he Indianapolis Star. ITATIVES 'Nasnington. D.C. 20500 0 or 1700 Montgomery :02) 2243553 -510. (415) 536-6868 or !Snington. D.C. 20515- 2 or 1209) :4s=2641 Acramento. CA 95814 7 or (20911948-7930 Capitol. Sacramento. 9-2010. or (209) 333- Weber Ave.. USTEES ctfic Ave.. Stockton, CA Editor: On July 12, I had to say good-bye to many good friends as the Lodi Memorial Home Care Department closed. What a shame this had to hap- pen to a department that was so badly needed by so many elderly people in Lodi. During the quest to "save" Lodi Memorial Hospital, many depart- ments have been closed. What department is next? You can't tell me that closing these departments is going to help pay for that brand new million dol- lar MRI machine the hospital is thiiffing about buying! Remember,- the hospital is in the red. In the closing of our department, not only were 19 of us lett without a job, but our numerous clients were left without hardly a word of warn- ing and only a list of Stockton agen- cies to call. I would like to take this time to thank all the clients and their fam- ilies I got to know over the last eight years. I learned so many things by becoming friends with you. Thank you for the smiles you always had for me and the great stories. I will miss vou. A special thank you to Kathleen Jackson. the one person who could hold together a sometimes crazy of- fice and ahvays see the bright side. Next time a department has to close, do the hospital administra- tors think they could have the com- mon decency to wait until the good- bye party is over before they move the furniture out of the office? I can't think of anything this hospital could have done to make us feel any worse. This was done in very poor taste not to mention how rude it was. So, in one meeting we were told how great we were doing, and at the next — we're gone Roline Rodriguez Lodi Editor. The simple enactment of "new" laws, codes and other restrictions will not in itself resolve the issue of increased safety on the river. The river is used by a wide vari- ety of watercraft: non -powered ca- noes and kayaks, power boats, patio boats, personal watercraft and, on occasion, floaters (tubes and rafts). The gas engines will vary from as low as 5 horsepower to in excess of 100 horsepower. Some are powered by electric trolling motors. Ample laws exist which will al- low all watercraft operators to en- joy the use of the river in a safe manner,i 1. The boaters abide by the exist-. ing "rules of the road,' laws; as pre- scribed by the California Depart- ment of Boating and Waterways. 2. These laws are enforced. 3. The river is cleaned of floating debris and underwater snags. The existing condition of the riv- er will not allow boaters to navigate the river in what could — and should — be greater safety. The third issue should be addressed and resolved first if the boaters are ex- pected to operate in the safe man- ner prescribed by the law that should be enforced. Boating is a lot like driving an automobile. The river is much like the streets of Lodi. If the same standards are applied by the city, the river safety issue could be sim- plified. Legislation alone will not pro- vide the primary ingredients need- ed in the reduction of recreational accidents: IA) Knowledge of the ac- tivity, IB) Being aware of the condi- tions around you, and ( C) The use of common sense. If everyone follows the law we all get along fine and on occasion, as sad as it is, there are accidents, on the street, in the air, in the snow and on the water, it is a fact of the nature of the activity. If you have an opinion I urge you to contact any member of the Lodi City Council. Your input is vital as they will soon make major decisions concerning future boating on the river. t Tim Vallem Lodi I Dangers of alcohol Editor: f A recent news item reported that Lodi youths consume more alcohol ` than average for people in their age in California. In the same paper, and in nearly ` every other issue, are numerous ar- ticles about wineries, vineyards and wine tasting = the pride of Lodi. t` Illegal drugs are .a: major prob-_. w lem that end up causing deaths., juries, crimes, prostitution, etc. a Drugs are known to cause major harm to the user, but does that stop those users:? n. My point: The most dangerous cc drug is alcohol! fc It has caused more deaths. can- cer, diseases, injuries, crimes and `- ruined lives than all the other -drugs together. Why, then. is it not a classified as a dangerous, addictive cc drug? Why aren't all alcohol con- tc tainers required to have a warning ne label like tobacco products'? R' R' The harm caused by tobacco is minimal in comparison to alcohol. th Suing tobacco companies is big t �. news — so why aren't those harmed ems_ by alcohol in line at the nation's courthouses to sue alcohol produc- ers? Smokers who chose to ignore WE be - the warning label do so at their own au risk, so why sue? Prohibiting smoking in bars is a ha - laugh. Both are legal and nobody `h can dispute which causes the most we harm. Isn't that straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel? th.^ It is obvious why Lodi pushes al- an cohohc beverages. It is also obvious ta.,. why the young people drink it —1, availability and acceptance! eve Think about it. wh Shirley Cameron wit r.ndi Ic- attack as GOP gets set to meet all major candidates v in time and money Kalifornia and its is - had not been com-,., .Ice• 1972, when this crap MrC3nva. rho Ohio, Texas and Virginia. Note that California. New York, Texas and Florida — the four largest states — are on that list. But these states will have only should voters in South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Guam, Vermont. Amer- ican Samoa, Rhode Island. the Vir- gin Islands. West Virginia, Delaware, Wyoming and Idaho have we. des - doe vol: "mL IOU. hal, the rb-.. ).ops as to online da - )n of our privacy. The !illance system defies ienies privacy protec- is from this excessive agents for its capaci- vast data stream. It a scanning device at - :'net service provider. a court order allows ons supposedly pass an unacceptable ex- ind privacy advocates .fiably alarmed. d in Russia. invent wiretapping to me 30 years ago, Con - red and rejected the ae" approach for tele - he FBI now is apply - e Fourth Amendment '.plated by subjecting ublic to scrutiny oth- ed for targets of prob- activity. ;re, the Carnivore sys- -)nventional wiretaps, intrr'- ' by the gov- :he , of telephone )ns, law enforcement )tain a court order for hat is then collected overnment. This pro- :eillance. ' the government on BI files mysteriously J. Edgar Hoover took sex lives of Martin iview the system, but e Clinton administra- ever before in history re innocent.communi- douse recently to pro - :he proposal would ac - y protection hiev� qts ether Zircement rivacy rights of Amer- itent on expanding its ,wed to monitor all In- -om The Detroit News. Our readers write Accidents do au those involved. John L. Wegai happen Lodi Editor: Control the river Last year, I purchased a new kayak through the Lodi Lake Editor: Kayak Club. Since then, I have had We cannot close the river to traf- many enjoyable visits to Lodi -Lake fic. and the Mokelumne River. Motorized or not. it's part of our I was kayaking on the river the heritage to use the river. day of the recent tragedy there. I What is needed are traffic cops. did recognize the kids involved. We don't need many — just a few to They passed me many times on pre- patrol the river and keep the Jet vious occasions. They waved and Skis down to 5 mph. gave me ample room for safety. The accident that killed that poor I have never met, nor spoken, to kid was just that, an accident. But it these eight individuals, but I feel was also just a time bomb waiting to that they operated their boat with happen. respect and safety. I just recently The kids on that ski boat were found out that charges may be filed just out having fun. They were not against the boat's driver for thinking that around the curve was manslaughter this canoe — stationary in the river. I do not fully understand these Kids don't think about such things. charges, but I do understand that In fact, not many people would. several people's lives changed dras- There you are out on the river tically that day My question is why having a ball and then you look be - would anyone want to continue the hind you for a second — and there's devastation to these lives. Acci- that canoe right in front of you. dents happen every day. And bang goes•your life. People look out their side car It has happened before and it will window every day and accidentally happen again. fear end other vehicles. 'These kids . We need to get control over the *ere•out -having-fun; and I -do � not -•river, but not to cut off access to the believe- they ever intended to hurt many people who use it, or would anyone. like to have access to it. I was almost hit under similar The river must stay open as a circumstances, while in my kayak, tribute to the child, if nothing else. I by another power boater. I was able don't think he would have it any oth- to whistle loud enough to get the er way. After all,. you can't come driver's attention and avoid an acci- back, but we can help stop any more dent that time. Since then, I have accidents. And I think that a speed purchased a sonic disposable air lurut is part of the answer. The river horn for my own safety, is too narrow for these wave runners Anyway, city of Lodi: Don't wait too long. loc bii no: ve-, ab ab Bill Walsh Lodi cor ev: River task force Editor: The Mokelumne River Task Force meets on Thursday evening, and I will be unable to attend. However, Tim Vallen's letter an Tuesday raised new concerns about the disastrous consequences of try- ing to make everyone Happy" Tommy Farnsworth's family will never"be happy" Vallen would con- tinue mixed use of the river near town ("100 horse -powered motors to float tubes") by "cleaning the river of floating debris and underwater snags.' This, he assures us. "would make the river much like the streets of Lodi," only with boats instead of cars. Ordinarily, we think of compro- mise as a good thing — the :vin -win solution. But compromise also has a dark side, as in "people's safety would be compromised." Task force members, this is what I say to you: Don't compromise. Public safety should always take a huge precedence over someone's pleasure in racing down a "water highway." Mr. Vallen. streets don't have fish, wildlife, riparian forests, and little kids wading in them. The river was not put there to bring you pleas- ure, but to provide a habitat. Visit it in a fitting manner, at mph or less. Kathy Haring cr., ei t Ie; Pic ?c: in` rhLucBr- HL- tic ser ca: ar sa- p& it m. De tr re. lir tic. the en jot th. YC th do ser M. the pi: ML 'I%. r 1 V ES My, sincere sympathy goes out to to be going at the speed they run at. Lodi Pe su_ Washington. D.C.Tiger has. the hof a lion n (SE 10 orl700 Montgomery A few short days. after the mur- achieved the "grand slam" — which or Asian. He is not Caucasian: I3e-ig,. fIL 2021.224-3553 der. of her- husband, ard.Darnley, eluded Arnold Palmer,. Sam Snead all of these: He is all of*us. ` . 38 'and prepared before the :hies that will serve him - the campaign. aey's wife, Lynne, brings her rengths to the ticket. She strong chairwoman of the al Eranwment for the Hu- �s ; the Reagan and dminitxations. She also has sharp critic of the political ness that is rampant in education and the dumbing F history texts. Cheney selection reveals dent enough in his own abil- M iesses. Cheney brings depth )rk inside Washington, both was the willingness to sur- sh has done the same with ' the long-term needs of his e a full term, Cheney would He has years of experience 3, he's still in his prime. more than a decade ago, his :ould not be an issue in the hoice in his most important his style as president. aqually bound selection. Will amographic balance over a person available for the job, its ^ 'ee president of sub - from the Indianapolis Star. SENTATIVES ;TATES ,iia Ave., Washington, D.C. _Ss �.C. 20510 or 1700 Montgomery )100 or (202) 224-3553 n. D.C. 20510. (415) 536-6858 or Jding, Washington, D.C. 20515- 3207.(202)225-1947 or (209) 2.9ov NIA 4.(916) 445-2841 ME :apitol, Sacramento, CA 95814 1445-2407 or (2091948-7930 2130, State Capitol. Sacramento, ). (916) 319-2010, or (209) 333- a ' .use, 222 E. Weber Ave., 10 OFTRUSTEES - 5151 Pacific Ave.. Stockton ck, Keith Land, Alan Nakaniahl, 240 Our - 'readers write Saying thank had built in 1945,across the street on TV. He looked devastated. T yot Y 9 7 from Lodi Lake. father, in addition to his injure Editor; I have had the experience of has to deal with his grief. The Farnsworth and Wood fami- both driving a boat pulling a skier There is no "solution" for t: ly wishes to convey our deepest ap- and skiing itself Once you learn event. It is done. Charging anyc preciation for all of your heartfelt how, the skiing is easy, you can with manslaughter is not a so prayers, your kind words, expres- avoid obstacles easily, swerving tion., Neither is banning fast boy sions of sympathy and all the many, away. ' just because of this tragedy. many gestures of love. But I have seen another begin- Common sense will preve We did not realize the over- ner not knowing how to swerve, run events such as these. Hopefully t whelming amount of lives Tommy smack into one of the overhanging insurance companies will pkv had touched in his -too brief exis- oaks lining the river as the boat the hospital bills. Leave it alc tence. Yet, this understanding, went around a bend. Fortunately now. Let time heal. along with your outpouring of sup- for all of us involved, it is a memory Catherine E. Jleh port, has brought us tremendous to laugh at as there were no in- LC comfort during this most difficult Junes - time Driving the boat is a different big be- Pow wow lessons Please continue to pray for us, story. There is a lag, a one, and may God keep his arms around tween the time of turning and the Editor: each and every one of you. actual turn. You learn to compen- sate. You realize quickly that you I went to the Pow Wow in We would also like to give spe- don't take your eyes off the front at Park at Lodi Lake. It was about - tial thanks to St. Paul's Methodist allThat is why a third person has Pnaci people. When Columbus Church, Pastor Phil Hall, our Sier- to be in the boat to watch the skier. rived at the New World he tai: ra High School family, the Shasta Not only do you have to negoti- the Pnaci "Indians,' but they I: School Community Club, P.L. Fry ate a turn, hugging our side in g y being called their own name. and -Son . Funeral, Home; Pak-N_g� Vie; arrt,, �alley%`ommiuuty caw t g to These are some of the parts I �y enjoyed: I'enj~oyed the -d.L- Counselors and the many, many opposite direction, you have watch or submerged trees, canoes, They had one drum, but they sc you who have contributed to honor- r- ing Tommy's memory in own paddle boarders, swimmers, dogs, that they will have more nest �u your and water fowl. I liked that they let all the private way. I have floated down the river on ple watch instead of just water May he always remain in our inner tubes. I have also paddled a themselves. hearts. canoe. a row boat and a rubber raft. At the Pow 6Vow in the Park. The Farnsworth I have swum across the river. I have can learn about Pnaci clothi_ and Wood family thrown sticks for my dogs to re- what they ate. how they trave. ,Vanteca trieve. 311 the time, I am aware that and how fast women can put up a there is the chance of a collision take down teepees. No real solutions with a power boat. All the time, I I hope that you and your fam am moving defensively. go to the nest Pow Wow. Editor The accident that happened was Selsey Eva As a 52 -year-old native Lodian. I absolutely tragic. Both parties Agt am living in the house my parents made errors. I saw the young man Woodbria Another Tragedy in the skies There is no reason to believe that wing cracks reported earlier this week in some British Airways Concorde aircraft were related to Tuesday's crash near Paris of an Air France Concorde, but British Air- ways officials were right nonethe- less to cancel Concorde flights be- tween London and New York. A tragedy of this magnitude — in which at least 113 people were killed — should give everyone pause. The Concorde was not the Ti- tanic of our age. but it did have the reputation of being the safest big plane in the air. In 31 years of fly- ing, no Concordes had gone down. The closest call occurred in 1979, when a bad landing blew out a plane's tires. Some minor problems seemed to crop up this year. On Jan. 29, one of four engines on a Concorde shut down as the plane approached Heathrow airport outside London; a day later; another of the supersonic jets made an emergency landing when an alarm warned of a fire in a rear cargo hold. Fortunately, it was a false alarm. And then there were :sppeared cracks reported Monday.reports of the crash in to indicate an en - 9111e problem: Witnesses reported that they first saw smoke trailing from an engine and then an eng . on fire before the plane -- unable - gain altitude — slammed into a tel in Gonesse. Beyond that, relatively little known about the cause of the era Obviously, officials will do all tt can to determine the facts, but ur- more of those are available, t most the rest of us can do is este our deepest sympathies to the fa ilies of the victims — the great r.- jority of whom were on their way a vacation cruise — and recogn- that "safe" is always a relat: term. — Reprinted from the kfilwau, Journal Sentinel. inxinrn:manta�r'IvaEcac tnra r►av fn it ad political process a -t is that skatepai)z:is an"Safety on the to pull kids away from and sexual temptation. I program. will be enhanced par' - + tonight's meeting pu, , restricting ska}� a the red stripe across the way, Dude"? Maybe those re attitude. 3y" Lodi News -Sentinel .SENTATIVES STATES enia Ave., Washington, D.C. ass D.C. 20510 or 1700 3. (415) 403-0100 or (202) 224- n, QC. 20510. (415).536-6868 :Iding, Washington, D.C. 20515 3207. (2021225-1947 -or (209) a.gov JIA 4.(916) 445-2841 3E .apitol, Sacramento, CA 95814 445-2407 or (209) 948-7930 130, State Capitol, ii, CA 95240. (916) 319.2010. ise. 222 E. Weber Ave.. OF TRUSTEES 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton. (, Keith Land, Alan :di, CA 95240 91CT an Mullen, Harvey Robins, 95240 i, CA 95201 is Huarte-De La Cruz, Bob Dc, Gait, CA 95632 30L DISTRICT lbers Tine Skinner, Don CA 95632 DISTRICT irn Ashwanden, Lori Heuer, A 95632 river t Editor: I believe the Mokelumne River Task Force should take action now and ask the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to go along with a common sense solution to the usage of the river. The solution is this: Have alter- nate days for Lodi Lake and the riv- er. For example, all motorized wa- tercraft would be allowed on Wednesdays, Friday and Sunday. Motorized craft would be restricted to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Satur- days. This would be a quiet time to allow canoes, kayaks, float -tubers, river rafting, fishing, swimming, etc., without the fear of being cap- sized, run over, river rage, or being crippled or killed. „_ On Mondays, just to keep things even, no activity. -on the river. Initiate the plan as a temporary solution until all interests have been heard. I am a Lodi native and as a teen- ager did my share of exploring the Mokelumne from Clements bridge to Lodi Lake with friends in a ca- noe. Later, with my family, canoeing on Lodi Lake and the river on a moonlit night was priceless. Like the old saying goes: "Differ- ent strokes for different folks.' That's why I feel designating days for specific uses will go a long way in creating harmony, safety, and less work for law enforcement. Why can't the U.S. Coast Guard be invited to do a safety study on Mokelumne River and use its guide lines to formulate a plan? Also consult the state Depart- ment of Fish and Game as to the impact certain watercraft has on our salmon and. steelhead fisheries. Then there is the erosion of our lev- ee system. In the Delta there are "no wake zones' to prevent erosion, We need these zones from Lodi Lake to the Highway 99 bridge. Finally, remember Tommy Farnsworth and his dad, That's why I feel there is an urgency here. Let's not wait almost two years like we did after Lodi police officer Rick Cromwell was killed to put up an inexpensive "No Left Hand Turn" sign on Kettleman Lane. I say get a sign up to remember Tommy. All boaters should know this spot. Ed Stritzel Lodi Need for safety Editor: I went to the first meeting of the committee studying ways to make the river safer. There is only one way to accomplish this: Ban motor- boats over 10 HP and all personal watercraft. Lake Tahoe has banned personal watercraft because they cause too much pollution. Our river is much smaller than Lake Tahoe. .On Sundays June 25, a boy and his= fatherwere'enjoying a: quiet af- ternoon fishing -from their canoe. This peaceful outing was shattered when a boatload of teen -alters plowed into them. Some people are suggesting the father -son duo may have been to blame and the teens should not be charged. Had those in the boat been senior citizens, they would have been charged immedi- ately. We cannot wait until there is an- other tragic accident or there is no more river and wilderness area left to correct this problem. We, the people of Lodi, must let those making the decisions know how we feel. The task force has asked that people contact it with their concerns and suggestions for making this area safe for all people, animals and the Lodi Lake Park. If you have any feelings about this matter, please call Stephen Mann, 334-5943 or Jack Sieglock, 368- 6521. They will contact the task force. I want you to know that I do not like to write letters. I am an older citizen and will not be here when the lake is destroyed, if the current trend continues. I have nothing to gain by working to make the river safer so that everyone can enjoy it. I do not envy the seven peopl. the committee. I will be prok, that their decisions concerning problem will do what is best for river so that it will be there many years to come. Vi Rig D Many, many thanks Editor: Thank you! Thank you! ThE you! As a Girl Scout, I am trainec always "be prepared." But there are times in our li when you're never prepared for - words it takes to say to somec who has come into your life to h make it complete. Thanks to the leaders w helped -by giving their time or fantastic twilight camp..:. -_, _ --Thanks to -the Girl Scouts -the; selves who, wheiz you look into th, smiling faces after they have ca. pleted a project to their abiliti. come up to you each night after all over to give you a tight hug. women have brought joy and a f: time in a few days of their lives. These young Girl Scouts h: learned to work together to ma - Native -American crafts, learn: how to cook frybread and co: chowder soup. Girls learned how prepare a flag to be honored befo and after each day, learned sonE how to prepare a skit from off t top of their heads and perform . I'm a proud leader dedicated to sr future leaders grow. I would like very much to thar all our unit leaders, program aids and program women — your tim was well appreciated. Now to the women who were m right arms: Cindy Hodson, Cinc Hill, Chris Gray, Pat Drocein, Jud: Pegg, Carla Fletcher, : Torma Dever cenzi: Without the wheel you all pL into place, this camp wouldn't hav happened. Each one of you hav given of yourselves to help me. Again thank you all. Debbe Mcgenzi. Lod: i stereotypes makes us all losers .lei clamatlons of m- witn grace, but often won - hey would find my talents :in )se of you have never met i hat most might call petite iine.and Pm.mostly quiet - :n also a blonde: TSatcoas- `^ : women as possible. The authors felt that women, on the other hand, are emotional and directed to act by their feelings and hormones, They stated that a woman's inability to park a car or read a map is- related to an estro • Fat people are lazy. • Old people are feeble. • Young people are up to ac good. • Young, thin women are sexy. r Rich people have no worries poor people have no desire to ge-- _L--s !ore campaign. any insiders faltering Gore effort more ad- tges than any of the others on st, which included three sena- the House minority leader ► small -state governor. hat eberman obviously s to . Democratic ticket are allenged dedication to core )s and principles, a centrist .g record during his 12 years ie Senate and the ability to i across party lines to accom- political goals. ieberman came to national at- ominent Democrat to condemn tern Monica Lewinsky. Lieber - Clinton since 1970, when Clin- ned for Lieberman's state sen - lore's chief liabilities, his asso- ins view negatively for his per- t Gore needs help. A USA showed Gore 17 points behind )erman is the effect his religion 000. In 1946, when Gallup polls vard Jewish politicians, only 46 wise qualified person for presi- : year, 92 percent of Americans te. )rk, Connecticut, Michigan and .bin and Alan Greenspan have asury Department and the Fed- vig 3 debate about religious )situ,.. uohn Kennedy proved in ti -Catholicism. Perhaps now the st some of the concerns about lore -Lieberman ticket reduces 3. It may be possible that the de- ocus on the issues facing Ameri- A add nothing to the political de- zzens. m the San Diego Union -Tribune. RESENTATIVES ITED STATES nsylvania Ave., Washington. D.C. ]NGRESS lgton. D.C. 20510 or 1700 Montgomery ) 403-0100 or (202) 224.3553 mington, D,C. 20510.1415) $36-6868 or urn Building, Washington. D.C. 20515- ,. CA 95207. 12021 225-1947 or (209) .d.house.gov iLIFORNIA ;A 95814. (9161 145-2841 iSLATURE stay tol. Sacramento. CA 95x14 2.(9 5-2407 or (2091948-7930 doom 2130, State Cannot, Sacramento, 95249,(916)319-2010.or(209) 333- water table solution sure that this advise is heeded is by will benefit all. voting this phony out of office in Doris Ma Editor. November. A,r{ 1,1 11"11 L Who - ho would have imagined 50 Lodi needs council members ` cj years ago that in the year 2000 we with integrity — not hypocrites like GNP's stealth tact" would be paying about a dollar for a Steve Mann. bottle of water? Dennis Haugan Editor: Also, we didn't expect our local Lods The Republican Party is u water table to drop so drastically the stealth approach to get po thus making it necessary for some Safety on the river However, don't be fooled. people to drill deeper wells. This GOP is the same o16 A partial solution to our dilem- ma would be for governing agencies to adopt ordinances regarding new and repaired paving. All flat paving could have a restriction that a cer- tain percentage be webbed paving blocks so that some of the rain wa- ter could percolate back down to the water table. A program such as this would assist any other efforts already in use to rejuvenate our precious ground water supply. Hugh Metcalf Lodi Mann a hypocrite Editor: "Hypocrite — one who pretends to be pious, etc. without really being so." This definition jumps to mind when I read the recent letter from Mayor Mann concerning the public- ity stemming from city spending In his letter, Mr. Mann speaks of the spending he "felt for a long time was extravagant and excessive." He points out how he is now trying to rein in such expenses, but that he has been only partially successful. What he doesn't point out is that he has been on the council for eight years and is in his second term as mayor. Why is it only now that we hear about his "concern." This ques- tionable spending has been going on during all his time in office. Perhaps it is because he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar over tuition reimbursement. He will claim that he did the 'right thing" by paying back the $5,000. The fact is repayment was far from his first choice. He made that "ges- ture" only after people began writ- ing to the press calling for his res- ignation or recall. The only responsible comment in his letter was: "What we can now do is admit our mistakes and take steps to insure these things don't happen again." The best way to in - Editor: I have been reading the various ideas concerning the motorboats and personal watercraft on the Mokelumne River. Also the closing of Lodi Lake due to bacteria count being so high. Why doesn't the city remember that in years past Lodi Lake was opened in the evening to power boats. This served as an aeration of the water and there was no bacteria count problem. However, the banks of the river are very corroded and speed boats causing wakes does not help the situation. As for the river, it can be safe and sane. A pilot of a boat should be a licensed driver as is required to operate an automobile. They must also know the rules `o€ the water- ways and the understanding of boat safety. I recently took the cruise on the river which is operated by the city of Lodi and was shown the spot of the recent accident. This was at the widest part of the river. An operator who was looking forward and de- pending on his spotter would have seen the canoe in ample time to maneuver around it. We used to ski on the river when our children were young. In the winter time, when the water was out of the lake, we would clear the river bottom of debris so that we did not have the rubbish and snags that are prevalent in the river now. Open up the lake on designated evenings for boats and water ski- ing. This will help aerate the water and will give boaters ample room to maneuver. We used to have a ski jump in the lake and this was a challenge to the skiers. The swim- ming area is off limits to such boats and should be marked by floating logs as in the days past. We also used to have a platform at the line of logs that swimmers would swim out to and rest on. Instead of pointing fingers and taking away the fun of the young people we must make a plan that gressive party on most issues. " just tucked their extreme away for the window -dresses vention. While the podium refle ethnic and diverse viewpoints. of the GOP delegates revealed: than 80 percent to be conserva white males. If elected they will enact conservative agenda. That is. religious right's agenda n seeks' to keep women in sub tion, stop sex education, prc school vouchers and rein_ school prayer. A major object: to destroy abortion rights b- pointing Supreme Court iu: who will overturn Roe vs Wa one vote change on the Sur Court could do that. Look at what Bush and his associates think and do. Bush ning mate, -Mr. Cheney, as s gressman voted "anti -choice' ` of 27 times, according to th tional Abortion Rights League. Dr. William Reynolds Arch Bush's appointee for commis of the Texas Department of made this statement. "We h: have men who are responsi; their women ... letting wome: contraception gives them too power." Mr. Marvin Olasky, a cios� policy adviser. said, "God' -s says very plainly that an eld: be a man." Gov. Bush declare uary 1998 to be 'A month of to end abortion." This is a vatism that seems to be be compassionate and archaic ":bft: Conservative," the lat Barry Goldwater, was prc and seems progressive too, _ rent GOP standards. If you are pro -choice, fo- rights, for separation of chu: state, for pragmatic problei ing, why would you vote F can? Lee Si 7estions for the Republican operativE i his soaring oratory witti ' d into nearly wild deep- U.r reg his nation and the world, ing interests, and the toil - )r a gold standard by say - ,row ^"abor this crown of ass. d.7 nominee for president, 3 and the words he spoke A" speech. gn train with a presiden- e Lodi Station. This time, ige the Tone Tour" express epublican Party nominee •ge W. Bush of Texas. ke his Democratic coun- ,f so many yesteryears, ke to the large and enthu- semblage of supporters on themes of returning the the people and morality 'ernment in Washington. despite the passage of a a century and the turn - pages of the calendar in - millennium, both of these d themes in common. aey also found one .other ommon: The enthusiasm .odi. is by Bush, Lodi provided ty was decked out in tones Shed. &pot and downtown -enc- i greetings by Lo- „h s.. .-town hospitality, t despite the community's 'ed date of a campaign vis- a both cases, the people of attending the rallies and vital part in the political i'i k1h&Weknow so many in.ouirarm a's Mean�ngfui eofumn � our 2 mile walk every morn Lodi has muc$ t8 offer �s :Thank you r so very much'forun :..A1t7ina Maas ring Dr. Dobsoes question and an t, ( �Lodi swer column. I knew Dr. Dobson Iong J before he established Focus on the River safety needed Family. Pve tried to read all of his books down through the years and apply his principles in raising our children. rve gotten many of his books for our seven. The family has become very prominent in his writings and the di- rection is ever more needed. "When will people know that people need the Lord?" We never fail to read Thomas Sowell and Dave Barry often makes the "pain of the day" much lighter — thnnkr Mistakes have been made — don't we all? Maybe we need to move on and dwell more on the good things that this community and those in charge have for all of us! We need to correct mistakes and by paying back the $5,000. Steve Mann is to be commended. Having been an educator for many years, I 'am pleased to'_ see people try to improve their education and was amazed at how many of the bills list- ed by the administration were for classes taken. Having been part of the larger Los Angeles area for over 35 years, we are happy to live in a "cool, calm and col- lected" — most of the time — little city where people are neighborly and It looks like Pm a day or two late on this input opportunity after seeing the article in the paper. My com- ments oinments revolve around having sur- vived the parenting project of two daughters in the late 1970s. We reside in the Willow Glen neighborhood, near the Mokelumne River. We have always been boat own- ers, and I consider myself more safe- ty conscious than the average person. Due to the nature of the winding riv- er pattern north of Lodi, we took a very firm stand with our daughters' approval for water skiing on the riv- er. In the 1970s, wakeboarding and personal watercraft did not east. Wa- ter skiing was the only high speed ac- tivity going on. Our posture was that our daughters would not be allowed to water ski on the river on the north side of Lodi, because it was simply too dangerous. With the extensive number of very "tight" and "blind" turns in the river, there is just no realistic way to react safely to an oncoming water- craft or skier when in the midst of one of the many turns in the river. We owned a ski boat at that time and we water skied at Lake Camanche, New Hogan Reservoir, acid.'in .tfie Delta - near g Island as members of the Lodi Boat and Ski Club , We look back now and are pleased' that our daughters have 'survived that era _ofteen age peer pressure in- volving many friends water skiing on the river. It has become increasing clear that high speeds on the river are just inappropriate from a safety perspec- tive. I have voted on the LodiNews.com website reader poll that 5 mph speed limit is the solution to improving safety on the river. Oth- er approaches, such as limiting boats to 10 horsepower is not really work- able because very sma]Dhght boats can be driven very fast (20 — 30 mph) with only 10 hp (I've done just that with 10 hp). Jinn and Betty Mae Locke ` Lodi Letters invited The Lodi News -Sentinel welcomes opinions from its readers. Letters must be signed and include the writers address and phone number. No letter longer than 350 words will be accepted. The News -Sentinel reserves the right to edit letters. Send letters to Letters to the Editor. P.O. Box 1360, Lodi, CA 95241-1360, or e-mail letters to letters@lodinews.com to make democracy work. nportant thing to remem- A lot riding ids o n safe afe t — The Lodi News -Sentinel €NTATivEs (918) 445-2841 ;itol, Sacramento, CA 95814 15-2407 or (209) 948-7930 o. state capitol. Sacramento. )16) 319-2010. or (209) 333- s. 222 E. Weber Ave., OF TF'' --FES 151 F Ave., Stockton, Keith land, Alan Nakanishl, 1 In referring to Bridgestone Corp.'s recall of 6.5 million tires used on sport utility vehicles and light trucks, a company official said, "We're certainly glad that'it's going to be happening, and that it will be happening quickly." We're glad he's glad, but we can't help wonder why it didn't happen a little more quickly for U.S. consumers. For at least a year, Ford Motor Co. has been re- placing some Firestone tires free on vehicles sold in Venezuela, Ecuador, Thailand, Malaysia, " Colombia and Saudi Arabia. Ford said it switched the tires as a "customer satisfaction issue." Why didn't it occur to anyone at Ford or Firestone that the same model tire might have problems in the United States? Why was customer satisfaction an issue in Saudi Arabia but not in the United States? If heat was causing some tires to fall apart in those countries — as is suspected — wouldn't it have made sense to start looking at tire -related accidents in at least Southern U.S. states? But, Ford resisted replacing tires in the United States, saying the matter was under investigation. While it was resisting, people may have died. The National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis- tration has received 270 complaints about the tires. including reports of 46 deaths and 80 injuries. The Feds are still investigating, and officials at Ford and Firestone have insisted that the tires are safe. Furthermore, other companies say they have re- ceived no complaints about the tires. And while 27C complaints is a lot, the fact is that 14 million tires were sold, and 6.5 million are still on the road. Still, if safety really does come first and quality is job one, wouldn't it have made sense to play it safe and issue this recall a year ago? — Reprinted from the Milwaukee Journal Sen- tinel. ithr1!llinnrl With th)a c#n r tracit ant Ly�a�Lr'_fl.t:;9 ills sisterBayIold the- ition based on, social cm- 3, economic- nationalists ctiouists, and those deter - sharply reduce legal im- )uld. 3ppen? is the $12.5 million in money represents Amer - ion in the college of posit- . building. What they're at least twofold: g a party takes nation- s -roots efforts, by thou ce-minded local party ac- ;ence of a political vision 3risma in a leader. -ate in his calls for cam- owers who have almost :nan — beyond the wish ms and Democrats. isa Disch put it, "This is infrastructure from the candidate." :he Reform Party after wirers started out back- :otaer with'personality c who speaks of culture asst who knew he'd go d now they're split. e Reform Party has de - d a presidential candi- uelc 'ed -party mod- neapolis Star Tribune. ITATIVES . Washington, D.C. 10 or 1700 so3-0100 or (202) 224- -3510. 3shington, D.C.20515- ;2) 225-1947 or (209) say -zeal acramento. CA 95814 7 or(209)948-7930 a Caoitor. ;240.(916)319-2010, i. Weber Ave.. srsF afic A ockton. Dur readers .wri A memorable event ; Editor• Thursday reminded me of how proud I am to be part of this com- munity. Thousands of people gathered to greet Gov. George Bush for his whistle-stop. We stood for hours in the heat and, although it was crowded and quite uncomfortable, people were' friendly and kind to one another while celebrating our privilege to live in America. Several leaders in our communi- ty provided the care and assistance that makes our community a won- derful place to live. Assemblyman Anthony Pescetti assisted an elderly woman who was suffering from heat by locating a chair for her. He also helDed shift the' crowd after Gov. Bush arrived so that the view was not blocked. Lodi Police Chief Jerry Adams found bottles of cold water to give to several elderly people in the crowd who were in need. Thank you to the many people who worked so hard to put this event together on such short notice. It was truly a memorable occa- sion. Allison Gerritv Galt tow company displayed. I spoke with Officer Travino and told him about the items miss- ing and how I felt about it. He was very understanding and compas- sionate. I still felt at a loss. There was re- ally nothing I could do and didn't know who took the items.. Travino suggested I have my car put inside to avoid further theft. He took the time to talk to the tow company to let them know he knew about the theft. Travinowent a step further and notified Officer Lee Patterson. I re- ceived a call from Patterson and told him my story. He also was very understanding and compassionate. These officers may have been do- ing their job, but they showed me that they are two outstanding peo- ple and whom I appreciate greatly. I want to take the opportunity to -thank and iet everyone know that yes someone can make a difference and these two officers did make all the difference to me, a lifetime of difference. I will always hold them both in very high regards. Officers Patterson and Travino are out-' standing individuals and should be recognized for their effort and com- mitment to our community. Secia Henton Lodi Officers are praised Dangers on the river Editor: I wanted to bring attention to what a fine police force we have. It all started one morning- My husband was hit by another driver on his way to work. The police dispatched a local tow company to tow away my car and to have it held at the impound yard until the insurance company would decide whether to fie or to total it. I went to see the damage the car had received the day of the accident and to take pictures. Over the next couple of weeks, I returned to re- cover my belongings. One Friday af- ternoon, I made my final trip and noticed items were missing. I brought it to the attention of the employee of the tow company and was told that thefts happen often. I decided to notify the police of the situation, how violated I felt about my car and the disregard the Editor: Changes to the uses of the Mokelumne River are a long time in coming. I have canoed many times from the dam.at Lake Camanche to Lodi Lake. The trip is a relaxing and a beautiful experience until you reach the Rivergate area where your trip becomes one of caution and worry. The river is just too tight for speed boats and slower crafts to coexist without increased discom- fort to all. . My suggestion would be to limit the speed of motorized boats to 5 mph from the dam in Woodbridge to about the Rivergate community area. From there, motorized boats would not be allowed up to the dam at Lake Camanche. Because of the limited access most people have to the river, it would create a hardship for some of your fellow residents to limit all motorized boats for the river. People should used the -river for safe recreation and to enjoy the nat- ural beauty it provides. By restrict- ing the rest of the river we would persevere the natural beauty, in- crease safety and reduce bank ero- sion, which is a benefit to boaters and non -boaters alike. Gordon Sprague Lodi Blasts Bush's record Editor: A good indication of prosperous times are the Help Wanted ads in the local newspapers. Take a minute and check out the ads in the News -Sentinel and other newspa- pers. You will be astounded at the number of openings for jobs. Another. indication ofgoodtimes is the number of new cars you see around town and the number of cars available far sale on dealers' lots and showrooms. Have you priced a new car late- ly? You wouldn't know we were hav- ing good times if you watched the GOP convention. They are still campaigning against Bill Clinton and his moral shortcomings. They are trying to associate Al Gore with whatever President Clinton stupid- ly did in his private life. It won't work because Gore has a record of helping lead our nation to the longest period of prosperity in our history. Here's where Texas is after five years of Gov. Bush: • Percentage of children without health insurance —1st. • Spending on teacher's salaries — 50th. • Per -capita funding for public health — 48th. • Child support collections — 42nd. • Percentage of population living in poverty — 5th. • Executions - one person put to death every two weeks. That's compassionate conser- vatism? He can speak all the Span- ish he wants but the way his party treated Hispanics and African Americans will ant be forgotten. Angelo -R Boceld Lodi. a dw "rip- ..<iifCfe r R 71 a: la lo• ha sc: wi VC ur Lac CLL guc th.- kis: so : plu- ing tom the sneE. evil Nag: be P. rey."I cessf awe= WYE !iLlIS F ,ate �.,.,...:- _ r� . grafi desert a-Arszon Famii says thanks'.' t,:-� -lase is an unique park 'r the United States. More Editor. What is it that people go to see and feel there? The peace and Mexicans — a record high : • .. _ The family of Lance Cpl. Jimmie beauty of the natural surround - e already died this year of Ike and dehydration. And D. Cintron would like to thank all tags -S,01 ase premises the iI- the friends and family that attend- Robert Raingruber President amigo-.,ts find themselves,. ed the ceremony rededicating a tree and plaque in the memory of our Friends of Lodi Lake en complaining about prop- son, Jimmie Cintron. Lodi nage and other problems. United States could, of A special thank you to Mr. Bill respond by replacing the Pirtle and Don W mmblethis Blasts plans for lake wire with a 2,000 -mile for- de cationMr. afor ssir all along its Mexican bor-age long the wage veen We thank Mr. Vern Weigum for Editor: We couldn't believe our eyes o he two countries the donation of the tree and Mr. with the story in the Aug. 16 news - whatthe al what it is (agricultural Don. Webster for presenting it. We paper on the Parks and Recreation make 30 limes more in the also thank Mr. Bill Leverton for the Department's planned develop - p p prove unbreathable. plaque and Dr. Tom McKenzie for went at the southwest corner of turning away hard -work- his kind words, Lodi Lake. 1d be to make it easier for We also thank Rev. Dotson for The headline read: "Park at Lo - illy by giving them two- to his kind words and prayers, the di Lake may grow" while the sto- United States Marine Corps color ry related how "proposed construc- :echnical workers to enter guard and military personnel who tion for the parcel includes a am- ielp and other manual la- gave up part of their weekend to phitheater" and would include "a two existing programs — participate in the ceremony. boat launch area for access to the it Mexicans prefer to put And also the Lodi News -Sentinel Mokelumne River, and a parking an federal bureaucrats to for the beautiful article written and lot for the cars and trailers." ., I then er o . g -c. published in tha.psper,,•,., Vire will always remember the The article also mentioned that `the funding:woulii come from fed' LJ + +' r' ' ' i, As:enca s 1ivrng Stan - JJl1s+1 kindness wr-£Ti our sincere thanks 1 eraI�",state anif ` private sources: :ed to go home — if they and love. This whole issue was hashed over vithout jeopardizing their The Kackley family two years ago, and so many nega- Acampo tive citizen comments were made )rein —orkers tape away eco; has been enjoy- a Buildingon the lake that the issue was stopped. In addition, "free' funding al- t despite but because ways comes with strings attached Editor: ,which allows the federal and contributions of immi- The city of Lodi has in mind to state governments to mandate to take Fox's suggestion construct two large adjoining pie- conditions that may — or may not nic shelters on Lodi Lake. — be in our (the citizens of Lodi) mrder crossings into the The original "Bigler Plan" pro- vided for a picnic shelter with a best interest. We, the citizens of Lodi. also from. The Detroit News. "view of the lake and marshlands" have another significant problem from the westside berm. The cur- and that is the number of boats, rent revised plan before the City the speed of the boats and the ;AITATIVES Council mysteriously surfaced number of other jet -powered wa- with the location of the shelters to tercraft that are being driven on 'S be built on the water. Along with a this very narrow, full of sand bar e., Washington. O.C. proposed tunnel connection, this areas, blind curved, snag infested, represents a major change that as meandering, scenic, peaceful river. yet has had little public input. Some of the drivers are skilled j510 or 1700 Montgomery (202) 224.3553 Thus e c Ththe has one from the Y g and cautious, but many are too 20510. (415) 536-6868 or "Bigler Plan," with no building on young, inexperienced, reckless, or dangers the lake to the "Bigler -Dauber simply not aware of the of Ya;hington, O.C. 20515- 202) 225-1947 at (209) ) 445-2841 �1, Sacramento. CA i) 445-2407 or (209) +te C Sacramento, 094- .r (209) 333 - Plan" with extensive construction on the water. One Friends of Lodi Lake's ob- jective has consistently been to re- lieve the non -blending activities from the Lodi Lake environment while preventing further urban- ization. In particular — visually — buildings in the lake (or on the lake side) obstruct one's view. There is ample room for that on the other side of' the. western berm: the area. After the recent tragic death an 11 -year-old boy and the iaju. of his father, the county has a pointed a task force to try to con up with a "middle of the road" po icy that all can live with. We fe+ that before any additional publ. boat launching facilities are cor sidered that the Parks and RecrE ation Department proposal be pu on hold until the citizens of Loc have an opportunity to voice thei opinion. Carol and Phil 3tulle: - Lod Part-timers left out Editor: Congratulations to the city em- ployees for being the recipients or a most generous and well deserved wage increase on top of the July cost -of -living adjustments. It is a shame, however, that the City Council has overlooked a ver,.- important segment, of .city,,. work- ers, namely part, time employees. They &the "same ;job as the ruff - time employees, but without any benefits or the regular wage in- creases. Why is it, Lodi City Council members, that you ignore your valuable part-time employees by deeming them not worthy of the same consideration as the full- time employees? I feel this issue needs to be addressed and recti- fied. Ken Libhart Lodi A cowardly act Editor: Had the cowardly young male purse -snatcher out at Raley's asked for the small amount of cash he net- ted, he would be considered a beg- gar instead of a thief. Sophie Pruden 1 . , Lodi Letters invited The Lodi News -Sentinel welcomes opinions from its readers. Letters must be signed and include the writer's address and phone number. No letter longer than 350 words will be accepted. The News - Sentinel reserves the right to edit letters. Send letters to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 1360, Lodi, CA 95241-1360, or e-mail letters to letters C lodinews. com- it . iP+ m 1 i"""" 1 L p tc C -d vote for passage belied the relentless effort it took to eluctance of many lawmakers to'&new federal iow small or worthy. Election y . ear considerations ul- 'iii over the top- - River task force is. reaav to sign the bill. The hard-fought victory de- Editor serves the kind of public celebra- Tuesday night I listened to the fi- tion special to Rose Garden sign- nal public hearing of the task force But The New York Times he -etion year Preside has created recommendations Bill Clinton will sign t ultimately concerning the usat e the Mokelumne bill in private, partly to avoid the River in our local area. ,e bill over embarrassment of inviting Lazio — I commend the task force for at - the top. Hillary Clinton's opponent in the tempting to agree on a compromise New York Senate race. . that will make Lodi citizens happy. It is an unthinkable insult, dur- During the meeting there were ing Breast Cancer Awareness many instances in which the word Month, to rob this event of atten- "balance" came forth, representing the idea to balance everyone's de- reast cancer, awareness is not just a catch word. It sires. death. Early treatment is the only cure. One citizen arguing in favor of program, authorized in 1990, soon floundered for power boat usage, stated the num- tment options once uninsured women were diag- bars of boats on the river during the Low-income women fell in the gap of earning too weekends of this past month, issued not enough to buy insurance or pay thousands of by the Sheriff's department. The point was that it was a very small options are available, the CDC program must be number, and that it isn't causing a big wap When the bill was introduced, fewer than 20 problem. en utilized the screening program. There is certainly debates about ,rtedly worked behind the scenes to push the bill. the problems caused. However, if the effort to get it done. task force is seeking a balance, I sug- :id demonstrate that she can work in a bipartisan gest that it consider the ratio of peo- :It work done and can give credit where credit is- ple using the Lodi Lake area for pow- er boats vs. the people retreating to of confidence to s, here is an area a the lake fo;lotrQr re ons. While ;rah .ng Lazio at the White Rouse for his lead- tW r of boats was bitl; tae Clintons could -put -voters' lives above pol- well uiffll}3l%3ti tg'Clie weekends of ambitions. _ .. _ this past month, the number of walk- - Reprinted from the St. Louis Post -Dispatch. ers, joggers, picnickers, etc., during the same time probably reached clos- er to 500. In order to reach a balance tE'St REPRESENTATIVES this needs to be taken into account. Michael Coughlin UNITED STATES CONGRESS Lodi Hart Building, Washington. D.C. 20510 or 1700 Montgomery :A 94111.1023. (415) 403-0100 or (202) 224.3553 t Innocence (QSI 31 Hart Building, Washington. D.C. 20510. (415) 536-6868 or 1 1 1 1 -h District, 2411 Rayburn Building, Washington. D.C. 20515 - Suite 104• Stockton. CA 95207. (202) 225-1947 or (209) E-mail rpombodmail.housegov GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA OWL Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 445-2841 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE District. Room 5066. State Capitol, Sacramento. CA 95814 . Stockton, CA 95202. (916) 445-2407 or (209) 948-7930 scettl. 10th District, Room 2130, State Capitol, Sacramento. . Suite 12, Lodi, CA 95240. (916) 319-2010, or (209) 333 - COUNTY SUPERVISOR :Ile District, County Courthouse, 222 E. Weber Ave.. 3 J DELTA COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES a, Trustee, Area IV, Lodi — 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton. L iTY COUNCIL memo— Susan Hitchcock, Keith Land, Alan Nakanishi, 1 W. Pine St., Lodi, CA 95240 01 UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 1 Mettler, Norm Mowery, Ken Mullen, Harvey Robins, – 1305 E. Vine St., Lodi. CA 95240 GRANDJURY Jury, P.O. Bax 810. Stockton, CA 95201 Editor. Saturday night, Lodi was stripped of its innocence. We have now joined the ranks of the big cities and San Joaquin County politics. Over twenty of City Council candidate Emily Howard's signs were defaced by someone feeling threatened by her candidacy. Earlier in the City Council campaign, candidate Bob Johnson's yard signs were removed from citi- zen's lawns around town. These acts are not the malicious mischief of unruly teens, but the pre- meditated acts of a desperate person. In the desire to guarantee one candi- date's voice is heard, someone has made the decision to silence the voic- es of others. Hopefully, this is not a foreshadowing of events to come. Everyone in Lodi should be outraged at an attack on any individual willing to take a courageous step forward to fill a leadership position in the city. I have forwarded my concerns to s <,wrlte the Lodi police chief m hopes the cow- ard perpetuating these deeds can be caught and held accountable. Susan Hitchcock Lodi City Council .Stealing the signs Editor. I am appalled that someone has taken it upon themselves to damage the political signs of Emily Howard. I don't care if you are a Republican or a Democrat, this is not the way to conduct yourself and, obviously, you are a very immature, insecure indi- vidual who is afraid your candidate is going to lose to Emily. Maybe we should think about that in retrospect. If someone is this moti- vated to try to keep her from win- ning, there must be more to the story. Possibly it makes sense to have Emi- ly as our new voice on the Lodi City Council. Hersha Turner Lodi More on the signs Editor On Sunday morning I was driving around Lodi and I noticed something that absolutely appalled me. Some worthless, cowardly imbecile had de- faced many of the billboards advertis- ing Emily Howard for City Council. What kind of a moron would per- form such an act" If this person, ( and I use that term rather loosely) has an opinion, why don't they have the courage and in- tegrity to express it openly, Don't worry this foolish act of van- dalism won't discourage Emily's run for council. I'm sure she will pursue her goal of sitting on the Council with even more determination than be- fore. I wish Emily the very best of luck in her run for council. I know she will be an asset to the city of Lodi. G.A. Spinner Lodi Abortion rights Editor: In the Oct. 18 issue of the News- SentmeL Jerry Kirsten's letter re- garding a woman's right to choose and the avoidance of any discussion of the matter by either Gov. Bush or Vice President Gore was brilliantly written. With doctors and staff who work at abortion clinics having to wear bul- let proof in the pa surely it . two Candi There and other life and C the matte stead of `r one under et, tax. br. projected be put on our count the day aft cause even The imr are tremer lions of doL Falwell. Pz son, Gary Christian payback ax turn of the Gov. Bu-- publicans u:publicans h is too much: and that t): shackles of as itt:may, gavernment can and can I wonder of the Chris to have Un they can ani, ies. Let's not days of un women seek Be sure :o on Nov. 7. L• it The Loc welcomes readers. Le signed anc address ar No letter Ic- words will News -Sent right to edit tetters to L. P.O. Box 1 ' 95241-136( to letters®; I size out, umause uulers vill spiral upward. This is Editor: Elks Lodge on West Pine Street and on t i hasn't seen much in thep p Our %,2 - �y — ,� �' they ►mpetition in' the recent readers Write ;lf of the league. Two- 300 building, is not the Women's Center.- recommendations for making the E Bibl .ts are these: Only three Guzzardi was absurd di should have been labeled correct- River task force a sb t 189 post -season games ly: The Masonic Temple is not an or north Pine or Elm streets, east or crue ast five years have been Editor: Elks Lodge on West Pine Street and Editor: of W ams with payrolls in the You really need to come up with the Lodi Womari's Club, a historical The task force has given their Mee ;lf of the league. Two- a column to counter; balance Joe building, is not the Women's Center.- recommendations for making the E the 30 big' league teams Guzzardi. Last wbeles simplistic ar- We read frequently about south river safer to the Board of Supervi- spec Loney this year, according gument that "George: W. Bush or north Pine or Elm streets, east or sors. There is nothing in these sug- the )ne of them won't be the raised $83 million to Al Gore's $47 west Church or School streets — gestions that will change anything Am( Yankees, which won a million." was absurd. please make sure our local paper with the exception of stopping mo- - ght World Series with an Do the terms'"labor union" and has local facts, no matter how triv- torboats pulling people in water- lock yroll of $114 million and "media"ring a bell? ial• craft sucl of $190 million, both The Democrats learned a long Dorothy Brown ;hise generated just $14 time ago how to bamboozle those Lodi :s' payroll of $24 million. who fail to do pr er iesearch: thdal advantage because Jerry Osgood Medical transport .nue from television and Galt mpetitive against anoth= i is doomed to the second incentive. for all but the d economic cycle for the y shifting some revenue the efforts have been too h the competition gap — e losing money, the -Yan- p on. ommended that as much ' par A teams l s= � floors. be professional footba can compete against the Id Series champs-can;be eason to play the games ig under that system'. . 'eoria (Ill.) Journal Star. :NTATIVES ES ' ve., Washington, D.C. 20500 !0510 or 1700 Montgomery or (202) 224-3553 20510.(415)536-6666 or Washington, D.C. 20515- (202) 225.1947 or (209) !6)445-2841 I, Sacramento, CA 95814 2407 or (209) 948-7930 State Capitol, Sacramento, 319-2010, or (209) 333-. !22 E. Weber Ave_, TRUSTEES Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95201 Editor: Where's Sally? The Senior Medical Transporta- tion ' The Program of the Galt Communi- Concilio is made u of man won - Editor:.` i $'., tY P Y Recent current eventh have taken derful volunteers. However, our me back to my youth, t4 siith grade medical: transportation program is to be exact. i .'' 4J- - ' in jeopardy. There was a young lady in our Because of the increased number class, let's call her Sally. As happens of clients that we transport to Lodi A that age, she :quag is little taller P thali.the boys inti tl sss so she de- . Dialysis. Of the almost 20 Galt velb ght toj sho lie at rides to the di dere; t i Cen a ; iirt wit sl fat'n. A ,,th alto ,�0 oose'tlothes hung on her lanky clients on 'a ,.+a#iting lis'il for ; frame, only helped to enhance Dialysis, her geek look. How do these clients get to the None of this woVid matter, but Lodi Dialysis Center? Ten to 12 Lo - she had a habit of arguing about di clients use the local public trans - everything. She never met an opin- portation service to get their dialy- ion that she didn't have and argued sis treatments. Out Galt service is her point endlessly. To enhance her Personalized and there is no long worth with authorities, she missed Fait, as those of Lodi who. use pub - no opportunity to fink on her fellow lic transportation. students, which endeared her to no If our Galt clients were to use one. public transportation, they would One doesn't think about payback have to catch the bus at Civic Drive at this .age, but it did come. During and C Street, ride to the Lodi Post the election for class officers she lob- Office, transfer to the Lodi Grape bied her classmates to nominate her Vine and ride it to the dialysis cen- for vice-president. As the nomina- ter. That's three transfers just to get tions were about to be closed, and to the Lodi Dialysis Center. They with no one stepping forward for her, don't need this hassle. Our medical transportation pro - she stood and nominated herself Af- gram keeps them from going ter several embarrassing, awkward through all that, but we are short on moments the nomination died for volunteer drivers. We transport oth- lack of a second. er clients to various doctor's ap- Later in the day, as she was walk- pointments and the dialysis trans- ing dawn the hallway, Sally was ortation's tie u our drivers. heard to mutter, "It was only fair!" P That is why we are looking for I wonder what happened to Sally? more volunteers who can be avail - Jeff Lippert able one day a month to relieve our Lodi regular drivers. If you can help please contact Gloria at the Galt Checking the facts Community Concilio at (209) 745- 9174, The people that we serve will Editor: + be incredibly thankful for your help. Please have your reporters check Gloria Stemler their facts before going to print. Not Senior program coordinator that it's earth shattering, but the Galt Community Concilio beautiful photos of fol leaves in Lo- Galt I have gone to the task force Pain meetings. The vast majority felt orga that there should be a 5 mph speed I1 limit or no motorized watercraft at Chil all. At the last meeting of the task law? force, we were given .one day notice of the meeting. Many people cannot was, attend meetings on such short no- Ply tice. Could it be that the task force .legal did not want a large crowd because open most of the people would want the for it boats stopped? Plau The task force was appointed by Jack Sieglock to make the; river of k safer. Nothing the task force has abou recommended would; solve this thin] roblem. - are tl . ,they have for- 0 n wie e n - si , t or wot'u ing'as ual, este 1) " "th an of time. Many people that enjoy Uh '. rid c their canoes and kayaks on the riv- like er have almost been dumped, many arn01 times deliberately. . the r. I am extremely angry that my work taxes are being used to destroy the N river. The sheriffs patrol has been majo used when they are available, tak- the t ing them away from areas that are are f bigger and need them more. The e1118,11 task force also wants debris re- tuall: moved to make it safe for motorized them vehicles with no thought to animals You ! and their habitats, erosion of the high river, and the peace and quiet of the when wilderness area. If there are no mo- evolt torboats on the river, there would C be no need for sheriff's patrols or ogist debris removal.do n( Those of us who love the lake for ilous its God-given beauty cannot stop Prof(] the motorboats. We need your help. read! Please call your supervisors if you easy. would like the lake and river to re-. dona main "Lodi's Jewel." The number to the call. to leave a message for the su- Prest pervisors is 468-3113. The supervi- read, sors' names are Dario Marenco, H Steve Gutierrez, Ed Simas and Jack work Sieglock. a we, Since this is such an important date, issue, there should be another pub- checl lic meeting. We were not informed mon, when the task force presented their ched recommendations to the board. lets 3 Vi Riggle loan Lodi we s: est lc ■It ■ N let. JS: on. . report of the trustees for. two largest entitlement . comic growth for most of insolvency by a year for UNCLe tevr$ New LOCtI t trustees make plain in e expected to survive in- `adjustments. 1 c ! Q Our 14q m sions over v reade`rs-write ears or more with some cuts. But given the re- Safety : an the river. continued .unsafe practices. You This must extend,to the adjacent and size of the lobby for I would make Lodi a better and safer Mokelumne River as craft on that tsistance in Congress. Editor: place to live and recreate if you water do use Lodi Lake for ingress Health care costs con- Please consider publishing this would take a position against high- or egress. n of the gross domestic letter that I have authors i to the Lo-. speed travels on the Mokelumne Riv- Naomi M. Camy ty easier. di City Council: I feel the subject " er. Lodi g the 2000 presidential matter concerning the use of the We are boat owners and have I solutions for Medicare Mokelumne River to be of great im- been boat owners for over 50 years. I Ham Lane 3ore stressed heavy re- portance'to the community like going fast, but only vrhen it is re- ..traffic . iency. Both candidates There will be a special City Court alistically safe to be doing so. A safe Editor: rescription drug benefit cil meeting this next. Monday place to be high speed boating is in 1. am writing in regards to the e recipients. evening at 5:30 p.m. to hear addi- open (great distance visibility), calm New$ -Sentinel article on Ham Lane -'s Washington politics, tional public input on only this par- water, where there are no other poo- traffic. Social 'Security and ticular subject. ple or watercraft anywhere nearby. I feel Ham Lane should be re- forms are in temporary Deas' council members, Thank you for your considers- duced to one lane of traffic in each di- scured by President.I writs you to request that you tions and listening. rection and the speed limit should be iosed tax cut and, cer- give serious consideration to not go- Jini & Betty Mae Locke reduced to 25 mph: This would en- veek and next, the Sen- ing along with the "task force" rec- Lodi courage traffic to use Lower Sacra - ,n the McCain-Feingold,ommendations of ,allowing speed mento Road; which is the only true nance bill. boats on the Mokelumne River adja-Lake is last refine through street in Lodi. ` some point later this cent to Lodi- This would also make it safer for pe the administration A speed limit of 5 mph is. the only Editor: emergency vehicles and drivers is engage these issues practical (safe) solution to the ex- . Lodi Lake is our last refuge in a wanting to turn into doctors' offices, tive way. treme safety hazard that the growing city. • 0' schools, shopping centers or apart- ees, which include for- Mokelumne River.represents. It is much like Micke Grove was ment complexes on Ham Lane. main Gov. Tommy We are property owners in the before William Micke purchased it: I for one am against accommodat- his new role as secre- Willow Glen area north of Turner when the last stand of native oaks in ing freeway traffic within "the city lth and Human Ser- Road and have resided here since our county was saved from "destruc- limits. Try to safely cross Ham Lane ledge that their sober 1967. We have raised two daughters tion -in -the name -of -progress." on foot, sometimes it is becoming f design — proper cau- who "survived" the attraction of the We must save this peaceful area next to impossible. d by the equivalent of. nearby river by having their parents for the sake of peace in our souls I encourage everyone to call the )ne ray of hope is that take a, firm stand by not allowing, against the turmoil of life. city to stop this action and use good ��;`y�'1���pt�, Q economic - G�lS�Y + - emy �t , wLatte,�r{� o tin our , Cg7n� {g]is tA6, sense by not accommodating f�eewa,}� d Y9W�M� S ERSV ft bJ!!T9 t,H fll 1tl.i7 UUHTr UT �tl Y= n4„ "t1e `tlie` testis ut.the`4iver's I1 { _ailii + „pa�,lifet Donald Sinter cent yearahold.ugin tig�it Qf wi licare in their, current flow pattern were%are uncompro-nuas--. peacefuhiess. Lodi mgly unsafe for fast boating. We muggest andreq uest that ou .hardy as counting on Y , ssional Budget Office. our City Council members, take a re - an invitation for neg- , sponsible stand against high speed boating traffic of any kind on the riv- 3ider a wide variety of er, where a bunch of "soft' parents e on the ones that fix - are unable to do so (take a stand evades, not months or against what their children want to do). You cannot -"please" everybody kee Journal Sentinel. all of the time, I feel that the task force was an exercise in trying to pa- litically, please.all sides even when iTATIVES some'pardes werelare. advocating; We., Washington, D.C. 0 or 1700 Montgomery '02) 224-3553. E-mail It's a bearish dose of reality For those with stocks, especially technology stocks, It was fiction then, and it's fiction now. Now some of life is a bear right now. The markets are in free fall, and1 .1 those dnt.mm ontrnnronnnro Ar . ••--- - L _,_ _ F1 In at W11 Rem crisis? For dominai public, but in tl to have That has bee quately outs ort tures sp worst m heat dri tricity b, Rath( waiting i the 'stat blackout the utilit acquisi6 sion syst ties Com Gree the sharply, Meam ing to sp( or about its rapidl; to buy po aging 4 t are payin the extra will need Althou nounced contracts, until late state will 10016i State' suading have just oft-expres; al 5,000 it. pacity — e mer peak is given sh field, who megawatt( Davis' over purel system an to repay th down an el of windmil al general prices hav wands for and the ut 'Father of Lodi boating accident victim dies y Rbss Furrow Naw's-Sentinel staff writer �'honias Clarence Farnsworth of Lodi, who was critically injured in a Mokelumne River boating accident that took the life of his 11 - year -old son in June, died Friday at Dameron Hospital in Stockton. - Farnsworth, 44, died. of liver failure, said San Joaquin County Coroner Bill Isaacs. The death certificate lists no possible contribut- ing factors, including the incident on the riv- er, thatcould have led to Farnsworth's death. Farnsworth's attorney, R. Lewis Van Blois Farnsworth spent more than a month at Uni- versity of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento after the June 25 accident. He suffered serious head injuries, two bro- ken bones in his foot and torn knee ligaments in the accident, she said. Tom Farnsworth had been in and out of hospitals since the accident, his brother said. .- "He lost a son, and it really depressed him," Steve Farnsworth said. Maggio, who was 18 at the time of the ac- cident, has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter with a vessel and Please see Father, Page 10 69 He had his life completely in order (before the accident). He was in steady decline _ since the incident. i� R. Lewis Van Blois, Thomas Farrisworth's attomey of Oakland, said Monday he still wants to in- vestigate whether the accident contributed to his client's death. Farnsworth had liver and kidney prob- lems, but his health was good until the acci- dent took place, Van Blois said. "He had his life completely in order (be- fore the accident)," Van Blois said. "He was in steady decline since the incident." Farnsworth was injured and his son, Tom- my' Farnsworth of Manteca, was killed on June 25 when his canoe was struck by a pow- er boat operated by Carmelo Maggio Ill, 19, of Woodbridge. The accident took place on the Contlnued from Page 1 reckless. operation of a watercraft. Tom Farnsworth also filed a wrong- ful death lawsuit Dec. 18 against Maggio and Joseph K Newfield III, Joseph Mark Newfield and Sheila Newfield, who own the boat Maggio was allegedly driving at the time of the accident, according to the civil suit. A relative of the Newfield family said in December that both the male Newfields named in the suit are actually the same person. Van Blois, Farnsworth's attorney on the civil case, said he isn't neces- sarily going to seek damages from the Newfields . . The Newfields were named in the. complaint only to give him the flexibility to include them in the fu- ture, he added. The civil suit will be put on hold until the attorney discusses the case with surviving family mem- bers. Van Blois said he wants to give the family some time to grieve be- fore talking to them. . Van Blois said he didn't take a sworn deposition from Farnsworth because he didn't expect him to die. . However, Farnsworth's testimo- ny, wasn't needed anyway because the facts related to the accident are clear, he added. Deputy District Attorney Tom Ziegler said the elder Farnsworth's death won't affect the criminal case he is prosecuting against Maggio. The June 25 accident led San Joaquin County sheriff's deputies to' increase patrols on the Mokelumne River near Lodi Lake. . "I have no idea whether it was caused by the accident or not," said Farnsworth's broth- er, Steve Farnsworth of Stockton. "I do know he had a pre-existing condition." Isaacs said there is no reason for the coro- ner's office to investigate Farnsworth's death. "Tom" Farnsworth had kidney and liver disease and Hepatitis C before the accident, his brother said. He had a liver transplant about six years ago, and seemed to be recov- ering well from it, he added. Their mother, Angela Farnsworth of Lodi, said in a previous interview that Tom Mokelumne River between High- way 99 and Woodbridge Dam. Su- pervisor Jack Sieglock also appoint- ed a seven -member task force in Ju- ly to recommend how to make the river safer for boaters. The task force recommended that power boats be allowed on the river between noon and 7 p.m. At all other times, a 5 mph speed limit is recommended. The Board of Supervisors has yet to act on the task force's recom- mendations. Steve Farnsworth said his broth- er told him the day before he died of his concerns regarding safety prob- lems on the Mokelumne River. "He told me he wants something done on that river," Steve Farnsworth said. "He wants greater patrols, speed limits posted and speed limits enforced. "He knew he was dying, and he really had a sharp mind until the end." Tom Farnsworth was born March 13, 1956, in Fresno and grew up in Southern California. He was a bank vice president in Illinois until he retired on disability in 1996. e (MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2000 2 SECTIONS, IS PAGES.•>.°®5¢ PER COPY River task force's- recommendations l , When a party boat of skiers ran over a canoe on the Mokelumne River, killing an 11 -year-old boy and seriously injuring his dad, I thought of my 10 -year-old son and cried. In that July accident, on a tran- quil straight-away stretch of the aver, the boy and his father were doing nothing more than fishing. I thought of my son and hus- batkd and the many times we had cagoed out of Lodi Lake to follow the city's watery northern bound- ary There were always birds and river otters to spot as we drifted along in a quiet green world. I also thought of how many times our own lives were threat- ened on these outings by irrespon- sible personal watercraft and powerboat drivers. They found it "fun" to try and swamp our canoe. Other times they roared out of the fog to find us dead ahead. So we stopped boating on the river. It's a shame that four previous attempts to regulate speeds on the short stretch of the river from the lake to the city's eastern boundary were ignored_ I can't help but spec- ulate that this delay resulted in a young boy's death. The county has jurisdiction over the Mokelumne River. That's why it was Supervisor Jack Sieglock who convened this latest Mokelumne River Task Force. The fact that four of the seven Wk fbrre • )r.nin+e,-s live on the river and own jet skis seems to give the committee the appearance of bias. Giving them the benefit of doubt, I hope Lodi's citizenry find it harder to overlook the more glaring fact that the task force ig- nored all prior recommendations to slow down or eliminate motor- ized craft on the Mokelumne. Specifically, in 1967 the Lodi Community Development Depart- ment epartmeat issued the Mokelumne River Report recommending limiting speeds of motorized craft to 7 mph or post 5 mph "no wake zones". In 1987, Lodi Parks and Recre- ation commissioned the Richard Bigler Plan recommending "disal- lowing the use of large power- boats. Wakes from the boats are breaking down the banks, silting the river and destroying major trees." In 1992 the City Council's Mokelumne River Access Task Force recommended imposing a 5 mph speed limit on the river adja- cent to all city or Lodi properties. The task force also encouraged pri- vate property holders along the River to petition the county super- visors to create a 5 mph speed lim- it. As if this mountain of recom- mendations weren't enough, the City Council convened a "Mokelumne River Public Safety" discussion at an informal council meeting in November of 1995. Public input strongly favored im- plementing a 5 mph speed limit. Robin Knowlton After two public hearings in which the public heavily favored a 5 mph speed limit, All Evidence to the Contrary" Mokelumne River Task Force 2000 came up with their own unique safety recom- mendation: From noon until 7 p.m., the river may be used for all types of water craft in accordance with state and federal safe boating laws. From 7 p.m. until noon a 5 mph speed limit will be in effect. Huh? In other words, motorized craft owners like to go fast so let's set aside half the day for them to have free rein. Anyone else BE WARNED! We'll set aside the oth- er half of the day for those people who want to be on the river when safety measures are imposed. The river twists and turns mak- ing it a place where extra caution is always warranted. That, coupled with sandbars and snags, doubles the danger. But wait! Speeding causes wakes, and wakes cause erosion, and erosion causes trees to fall in the river, and trees in the river causes the Mokelumne River Task Force to endorse this cycle! The Task Force also has recom- mended that snags be pulled from the river annually. To degrade fish habitat simply to make the river more navigable for speedboats and jet' skies is not likely to sit well with state and federal regulatory agencies. The Task Force did solicit input from East Bay Municipal District; as well as the California Depart- ment epartment of Fish and Game, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff e Boating Department, Lt. Moore commented that the sheri8"s boat has had three sets of propellers destroyed by underwa- ter debris since they began pa- trolling the river four months ago. Gerald Swartz stated that when EBMUD monitors the river they limit their boating speeds to 5-10 mph. Meanwhile California Depart- ment of Fish and Game biologist Suzanne DeLeon wrote: "There has already been so much damage on this stretch of the river from human interference and it needs to be controlled now before the riv- er becomes a nonproductive dead pool. There are places where mul- tiple uses of resources are feasible but I do not think this stretch of the river is one of those places. The ecosystem is too fragile and it is not an appropriate place for water skiers or ,jet skiers." Task Force 2000 has wisely rec- ommended prohibiting water-ski- ing, wakeboarding, and other types of pull -behind recreation. I think this is the most sensible of their recommendations, although three of their own committee members objected to this prohibition. I do want to point out that Task Force Member Jay Bell, a science curriculum specialist with Lodi Unified School District, strongly disagreed to allowing speeds of over 5 mph on the river. He also pointed out through a three page letter to the Board of Supervisors and the Lodi City Council that the task force never took into consider- ation related issues of noise and water pollution, erosion, -degrada- tion of wildlife habitat and emer- gency response problems when making its recommendations. Wheredoes that leave us? It leaves us with recommenda- tions that doh't fit into any overall plan for the lake or the adjoining nature preserve. It leaves us with recommendations that benefit a few at the expense of so many. By trying to accommodate nearly everyone the task force will foster the very conditions that make the river unsafe. It leaves me thinking — what were they thinking? Comments? You can reach Robin at rknowltonCWinet. net. Robin Knowlton is a 12 -year resident of Lodi. Her column ap- pears twice each month. From: Pottorff, Kevin <Kevin.PottonYQbsci.com> Am Address Subject: Your 11120 column on river recommendations Date: Mon, 20 Nov 200013:49:45 -0500 To: <rknowiton@lodinet.net> Attachments: 0 Pdnter Frier dM version E?elete PtevEW3S Next ) 605e , Repty Repiy All FwWard I see the disclaimer at the end of your column stating that you have lived in Lodi for 12 years. That's not enough time to know all the petty politics that have plagued Lodi for years. I know; I lived in and around Lodi for nearly 35 years. Although I haven't lived there for the last seven years, I see every time I get back for a visit that very little has changed as far as the city appeasing the rich home owners along the river at the expense of the public. Would you believe that there was a plea for help in the heavy rainfall year of 1982 for volunteers to come and help sandbag around those quarter -million dollar (at the time) homes that the city allowed to be built in the floodplain on the northeast comer of the city? I don't recall if or how many people volunteered to do so, but among my friends the general attitude was to "let the rich rats drown". You are right about the lake and river being a problem area for years. In my opinion the only time for powerboating on the lake Is for the July 4th festivities, when the lake is closed to the general public and the boats run supervised. I am surprised that there haven't been more deaths along this stretch of water over the years. Just wait and see how fast the action becomes when one of the city council member's kids gets run over by one of their compatriots speedboats. Kevin Pottorff 2101 Bradley Street Maplewood, MN 55117 r r Select a Folder .- http://webmail.lodi... /imap4.asp?action=showmessage&folder—INBOX&msgno=l &rndno=28 11/20/00 From: <Alto2tenor@aol.com> Aad Addrm Subject: Mokelumne River Task Farce Date: Sun, 26 Nov 200019:45:03 EST To: <rknowlton@lodinet.net> Attachments: 0 Printer Friendly VwWm Delete PF"iouS text Clizse Reply �'2 Repfy All C-1 Forward Yes, That was on purpose. I typed (poorly) a letter to the editor about the preservation of this natural treasure in Lodi. Who can I write to about the stupid solution to this problem? Everywhere I go people say"They should ban those fast boats. I don't go there anymore". That's no solution either. Please keep up your work. I've appreciated your other colmns also. Frustrated, Pat Hoile ► : r Select a Folde ............I......... http://webmail.lodine... /imap4.asp?action=showmessage&folder—INBOX&msgno=4&mdno=32 12/4/00 L amtr A,� 1311, November 10, 2000 This is written in justification of my dissenting view in relation to the draft recommendations of the Mokelumne River Safety Task Force. I am compelled to share my observations and conclusions because the questions are so critical, involving the present and future safety of citizens who will rely on the recommendations made by the Safety Task Force and also involving the consequential decisions made by public entities who will act on those recommendations. When approached to serve on the Task Force, I understood that my charge was to help draft recommendations that would allow for safe use of the river bordering Lodi by the broadest cross- section of users as is advisable. I have attended all meetings. I've carefully listened to, read, and catalogued communication by all interested parties. I've been open and attentive to all points of view. I have physically looked at the river with an even sharper focus than before while on it many times in both canoe and motorboat in the last few months. As a result, and in good conscience, I simply cannot stretch my judgment to the point where I could advise that it is a safe waterway for general boat travel over 20 mph. It certainly can't be deemed safe for traveling at high speeds or for towing knee boarders, etc. Prior to elaborating on my specific reasons supporting my opinion, I wish to acknowledge input of three differing types: the recommendations from past studies, input from agency members solicited by our committee, and a tally of input from the public. Past Recommendations: 1967 - Lodi Community Development Department issued Mokelumne River Report. Recommendations: limit motorized boats to 7 mph or less, or post 5 mph "no wake zone". (from a council communication by Larry Hansen, Chief of Police, July 5, 2000) 1987 - Richard Bigler Plan, commissioned by Lodi Parks and Recreation, in point 3 of his section of recommendations for the river, calls for "disallowing the use of large powerboats. Wakes from the boats are breaking down the banks, silting the river and destroying major trees." 1992 - City Council directs formation of the Mokelumne River Access Task Force to address the many varied issues of the Mokelumne River. Recommendations include: 1. That a five (5) mph speed limit on the Mokelumne River be imposed adjacent to all City of Lodi properties. 2. That all other areas (private properties) along the Mokelumne River be encouraged to likewise adopt and go before the Board of Supervisors to create a five (5) mph speed limit through the river expanse of the Woodbridge Regional Park to those areas in the eastern section of the City limits and areas for future considerations. November 1995 - A large group of citizens attended and participated in discussion regarding "Mokelumne River Public Safety" at a City Council Informational Meeting at the Carnegie Forum. Public input strongly favored the implementation of a 5 mph speed limit as outlined in the 1992 proposal. Unfortunately, the roadblock was the inability, at that time, for either the Lodi Police Department or San Joaquin Sheriff's Department to enforce such an ordinance. Input From Agencies: The committee solicited input, and received input, from employees of three agencies: Lt. Steven Moore, San Joaquin Sheriff Department's Boating Section - Lt. Moore stated that since the implementation of regular patrols on the Mokelumne in July, the sheriffs boat has had 3 sets of propellers destroyed by underwater debris in the river. This compares to no propeller loss in the Delta over a much longer time frame and with much greater weekly hours of patrol activity. Gerald Swartz, EBMUD - Had no safety input. Stated that when their boats are monitoring the river, they need a speed limit between 5 - 10 mph. The only other input by Mr. Swartz was a study he volunteered to share regarding a different river being studied. Results of that study showed, "Bank loss in the non -motorized segment of the river was about 75% less than that observed in the highest boat -use area of the river and 33% less than that observed in the lowest boat -use area of the river." Suzanne DeLeon, California Department of Fish and Game - Her comments are not on department letterhead, but are summed up in the sixth paragraph of her prepared statement. "There has already been so much damage on this stretch of the river from human interference and it needs to be controlled now before the river becomes a nonproductive dead pool. There are places where multiple uses of resources are feasible but I do not think this stretch of the river is one of those places. The ecosystem is too fragile and it is not an appropriate place for water skiers or jet skis." Input From The Public: Overwhelmingly, the public wants a major change in river usage. A tally of publicly expressed input so far is: July 3rd to Sept. 17 Vague Comments Nov. 8 public input 74% 15% 10% meeting in response to draft recommendations It's obvious from these statistics that the public is crying for a ban of motor -powered craft or a drastic speed limit on the Mokelumne River. So - what is my opinion? I do not favor a unilateral ban on all motorized water craft on the river bordering Lodi. It is my informed opinion that the river from the eastern city limits to the Woodbridge Dam should be designated a special use area, similar to one on the Stanislas River, with a maximum speed limit of 5 mph. Why a 5 mph speed limit? Motor Ban or Unrestricted Input forum 5 mph Limit Vague Commen Speed July 5 City Council 66% 22% 11% meeting July 27 and August 9 52% 36% 11% public input meetings Increased sheriff News Sentinel poll, 74% 15% 11% final tally Aug. 14 Compromise plan Letters to the editor 75% 25% 0% July 3rd to Sept. 17 Vague Comments Nov. 8 public input 74% 15% 10% meeting in response to draft recommendations It's obvious from these statistics that the public is crying for a ban of motor -powered craft or a drastic speed limit on the Mokelumne River. So - what is my opinion? I do not favor a unilateral ban on all motorized water craft on the river bordering Lodi. It is my informed opinion that the river from the eastern city limits to the Woodbridge Dam should be designated a special use area, similar to one on the Stanislas River, with a maximum speed limit of 5 mph. Why a 5 mph speed limit? It's a narrow, twisting, short stretch of water. To quote John Donati's letter, August 10: "The distance from Hwy. 99 to the Woodbridge Dam is approximately 2 miles. In that distance on the Mokelumne I count about 25 turns ... Of those turns about 20 are greater than 90% and 10 of those are approximately 180' (hairpin turns)." It is loaded with hidden sandbars and dangerous snags. Dale Edens in the July 27 Task Force meeting said his jet ski does 65 mph. If we rubber-stamp the continued exercise of speed, towing wake boarders, etc., on the Mokelumne, we will be faced with responding with another committee when someone else dies. Even the sheriff patrol boat, manned with professional boat operators, has broken several propellers in the short time they have been patrolling that stretch since the accident. The problem isn't just to beep the power craft and paddle craft apart. It just happens that the accident involved a powerboat hitting a canoe tied to the bank. It could have hit a jet ski sitting idly. It could have involved two jet skis colliding, a wakeboarder wrapped around a snag .. . Alternate days or designated hours aren't workable. Split -use times create a false security that could fatally be shattered by a powerboat breaking the law out of ignorance. More importantly, it would still be the same narrow, twisting, short stretch of water loaded with hidden sandbars and dangerous snags. By making some days or times designated for non -speed, our compromise says that the river is safe for power -boat users (longtime locals and first timers alike) part of the time, if no paddle craft are present. Experienced boaters and river -front owners have expressed the need for a 5mph limit. Jim and Betty Mae Locke, in a letter to the editor 8/11/00, write, "We have always been boat owners... With the extensive number of "tight" and "blind" turns in the river, there is no realistic way to react safely to an oncoming watercraft ... It has become increasing clear that high speeds on the river are just inappropriate from a safety perspective." Amy Fritz, who spoke at the August 9th safety input meeting stated that she had a ski boat while living on the Mokelumne in Lodi. She also had jet skis. From her experiences, she thinks the river is unsafe for jet ski use. She's wants a 5 mph speed limit. William Bierly, in a letter addressed to the committee on 8/15/00, writes "We have lived on the river since 1989. I spent several years in the Coast Guard on search and rescue vessels and in the rescue coordination center as the controlling officer, and have been a long time boat owner. Aside from this experience, anyone who has spent any time on the water will know that this river is very unsafe with its blind curves, narrow channel, and deadwood." This is a small sample of input. Enforcement and emergency response will continue to be a problem. The sheriff said that when they respond to illegal activity or other problems, they can't turn on their siren and speed down the river. They must observe the 5 mph wake zone law wherever there is a dock with a boat or a swimming area. That greatly impacts their response time if they're at one end of the river and need to respond at the other. A strict 5 mph speed limit will lead to self enforcement. If strictly enforced for one season, a 5 mph speed limit would become the "norm". Anyone speeding would be the exception. There would be public pressure by users of the river who were in legal compliance. Compromise solutions that have been discussed would require continued funding of law enforcement personnel and a boat. And for what? So that some people can use excessive speed on a narrow, twisting, short stretch of water loaded with hidden sandbars and dangerous snags. Other rivers enjoy a 5 mph speed limit. The American River is posted 5 mph for 20 miles from I-5 to Folsom Lake. The Stanislas River is regulated to 5 mph or less for a 15 mile stretch starting at Oakdale. The Stanislas River 5 mph zone has been self-regulating for several years. I previously alluded to the fact that I could consider a 20 mph maximum speed on the river as being safe. However, law enforcement officials state that's too difficult to judge and enforce. Given that, and reasons elaborated above, it is my studied opinion that the Mokelumne River bordering Lodi should be regulated to a maximum speed of 5 mph. Jay Bell tAW -t-x% ec!a I heard from one former council member of long ago who stated a sorrow that they were part of a process that took the banks of the Mokelumne, along Lodi, away from the public and put it into the hands of private homeowners. I share their sorrow. In a process that considers present and future rights and needs of all citiczens of a city, a parkway would have been developed along the Mokelumne on Lodi side from Woodbridge to 99 and beyond. It's too late for that and I don't blame the homeowners who have acquired that property. The fate of that land didn't rest with decisions of those homeowners, but rather the developers and councils and committees at the time. But now, this city council is poised to be able to make positive decisions that will impact the river, Lodi Lake Park and Lodi's citizens. I pray that you consider the big picture for now and future. I was part of the Mokelumne River Safety Committee. It is my impression that the majority of the committee viewed it as the Mokelumne River Joint Use Committee. With that focus, [don't believe we adequately addressed safety on the Mokelumne. I don't suggest any inquiry into the committee or continuation of their work. I just recommend taking their recommendation with a large grain of salt. My only focused argument with their (our) recommendation would be these questions. 1) Whose input from outside the committee was solicited? (the answer is - the public, EBMUD, Fish and Game, and the sheriff's office). The next question is "what input did we jet from any of these sources that would support continued use of the river by speeding watercraft? (the answer is none. If you care to read what input we got from each of these sources I refer you to the second page of my letter to you, dated November 10, 2000. I believe that all evidence indicates that this stretch of water is incompatable (and unsafe) for speed. However, speed and safety are not the only issues here. I want to touch on the environmental issues of erosion and pollution. First — erosion. The river next to Lodi is, for a large percentage of the year, a lake. Just as Comanche is a lake formed by stopping the Mokelume at Comanche Dam, the vlokelumne next to Lodi is a lake formed by Woodbridge Dam. Since it is a lake, there is no appreciable natural surface movement during 2/3 of the year. That means natural water movement is not causing erosion during that period. During the other months of the year, in normal users, such as the current one, the water level is so low that erosion of the high water banks is not occurring either. But erosion does happen. The riverbank and the trees on it are lost. When? During very abnormally high water -level winters. And as a result of high speed motorcraft traffic during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. To quote a Fish and Game Study that EBMUD shared with the Safety Committee (enclosure 1), "Boat wakes present a different problem than natural down -stream erosional forces because Wakes run up the streambanks lifting and dislodging material that would not be affected by normal downstream currents and water level fluctuations. During a single day, wakes repeatedly raise water levels. to heights that would normally only be reached once or twice during a mormal hydrological season. Wakes from boats travelling upstream strike the bank in a manner that does not occfur naturally. This may dislodge material that resists normal downstream water movement." Boating organizations also acknowledge boat wakes as major sources of shore erosion. The Cruising Club of America has as one of its 6 environmental policies: "Limit boat wakes to reduce shoreline erosion." (enclosure 2) The Personal Watercraft Industry Association, in its environmental guide for Jet -Ski owners states: "Erosion is a concern for all shorelines including rivers, lakes, and oceans. The slow destruction of shorelines affects the habitats of plants and animals. Near the shore avoid high speeds which create wakes and observe posted no wake zones." (enclosure 3) Other municipalities have acknowledged boat wake erosion and placed regulations accordingly. Two examples I have included require 5 mph within 150' — 300' from the shore. (encl. 4 & 5) Finally, A Land Use and Resource Management Plan for the Primary Zone of the Delta states: "F-6. Some recreational activites are detrimental to habitat values; such as those that create loud noises, create waves or wakes; or distrub sediments. Recreational boating adversely impacts the stability of some levees through creation of wakes increasing the cost of maintenance." (encl. 6) Enough about wakes — now on to water pollution. Personal watercraft make up a significant percentage of the high speed craft on the iVlokelumne. The California Air Resource Board has stated that the two stroke engine used in personal watercraft creates as much pollution in two hours as a new car driven for more than 100,000 miles. It is also estimated that personal watercraft discharge one third of their fuel unburned into the water. Nationally, this turns out to be the equivalent of four Exxon Valdez oil spills annually (encl. 7) Lastly, noise pollution. We are continuing to develop Lodi Lake Park and Nature Area as a place where people can come to get away from all the noise and turmoil in their lives. Powerboat activity and its related high noise levels do not seem to mesh with that park or the vision behind having it. In closing, I ask that the council join the citizens in taking a proactive role in the decisions affecting regulations on the Mokelumne that will be before the Board of Supervisors. It would be my hope that the city would ask the county to designate that section of the Mokelumne River that borders Lodi Lake Park and Nature Area as a Special Use Area with a 5 mph speed limit. And also to encourage citizens along the river to seek similar zoning in their respective areas. Something that has been discussed in these same chambers so many times before. J U °= uTO-u3 C6 0 30? cz ?C cm�o U j0�c o U l X CA OL L:" E 1 T• N C r^ U E CO� C C= C C. 0 .-0 - w N p U_ v .1- _ _ CIDO U r > n C U_ .�. y C, cn C C .r U C O 3 �� C° C a4 ���c cn CD :� O .C4 •> _ �U Crr, r. C ' to > 1cn cn 73 U O .)q v C U C C J S U :� _ -- U= N J= Cto 4 j to zn cr tn tz n SCJ ".J U :7, .^.4 C u U r C ^__. O 'n• �% = T G "-� :+ n _ moi•. U � J ^..4 O � � J '' f •� ^ :n � :� � -r^- C � C r 13 En to tn �, '' C s � = •N-• :., � � C rC =� `r v G i1 � _ O oD _ �i U � � � j :� to to 0 IL) 3 U �— ch _ v1 rn U U .... C y :4 s U r- � 1 s V O C � > C ;� _ j = _r, � r, rn � � j .. C � • � ,^, C U J �i _ p U C rr^ U /� OO •D" CJ p r' C U V^ to �+ O .. O J U :r C• :J •^ = .'^.•4 j 00 ez J J y t.7 C r M U =' .0 y U � tm V i u V�1 •' L � U L u � r u W uap CL .r o Lu = rA o 0 �L � ,o a �SPOORT BOATS An Enviromental Guide for Watercraft Operators WATERCRAFT ©Personal Watercraft Industry Associalion All boaters participate in the ecosystem, a system created by the interaction of a community of organisms with their- enviroment. We 0 Environmental Guide are not separate from nature, but a part of it. As boaters, we cannot Q Boating Safety Courses ignore the effect we have on the envirornent. The waters that we enjoy may be impacted by our actions. Every boater has a 4 Agencies & Organizations Contact responsibility to learn and use envirornentally safe boating practices O Rules of the Waterway Privacy Policy that will protect the waters for the future. 13 Safety Checklist Lethal Notice As a watercraft rider, you are considered a boater. Watercraft are Site Map defined as Class A inboard boats by the U.S. Coast Guard and are required to follow most boating regulations. The Personal Watercraft Industry encourages you to adopt the following simple guidelines to preserve our natural resources. Be aware and show you care by following these general rules: POLLUTION Refuel on land to reduce any chances of spilling oil or gas into the water. Slow down when filling the tank, don't over -fill, catch any accidental spills with an absorbent pad, and dispose of it properly. Check and clean your engine well away from shorelines. Water and oil don't mix and can harm the water's delicate micro-organisms as well as the animals who feed on them, potentially upsetting the entire food chain. TURBIDITY In shallow waters, boats may stir up the bottom, suspended sediments which lirnit light penetration and deplete oxygen. This can affect fish and bird feeding. To avoid this effect, ride in main channels, and limit riding in shallow water. When it is necesary to ride in shallow water keep watercraft at an idle speed. In coastal areas be aware of low tide, the waters may be substantially more shallow at these times revealing sea grass beds and other delicate vegitation. VEGETATION Vegetation such as sea grasses are delicate nursury grounds where many of the fish in our waters originate. Weeds, grasses and other plant life are not good for your PWC. Ingestion of these into your craft may cease engine or pump problems, and reduce performance. Stay Away! When possible, operate well away from shore because, typically, wildlife inhabit the vegetation along the shore's edge. The least amount of disturbance is in the marked channels or the deeper areas of a lake or river. If at all possible, stay in main channels. NOISE Be aware that the noise and movements of boats may disturb bird populations. Steer clear of posted bird nesting areas. Many migratory birds are easily stressed and especially vulnerable during their migration period. Birds will typically fly away from disturbing noises and any unecessary expenditure of energy can harm a feeding or resting bird. Bird rookeries are especially vulnerable to noise from boats, including personal watercraft. Nesting birds may fly from the nest exposing unprotected eggs and hatchlings to the sun's heat or predators. HARASSMENT Do not harass wildlife by chasing or interupting feeding, nesting, or resting. Harrasment is defined as any action that may cause an animal to deviate from its normal behavior. It is illegal and can unduly stress wildlife. Mammels such as sea otters, sea lions, manatees and whales can be injured from direct impact by boats traveling at high speeds. Ride at controlled speeds so you can see any animals ahead of you. Avoid area of high animal population. If you hit an animal report it to your local wildlife commission. There may be a chance to save its life. EROSION Excessive boat wakes may contribute to shoreline erosion, especially in narrow streams and inlets. Erosion is a concern for all shorelines including rivers, lakes, and oceans. The slow destruction of shorelines affects the habitats of plants and animals. Near the shore avoid high speeds which create wakes and observe posted no wake zones. EXOTICS Wash your boat off after you use it to prevent the spread of exotic plants to other lakes and rivers. Exotics are plants and animals that are non-native to a specific area. Exotics have no natural enemies and spread easily, taking over an area to the exclusion of native species, thus decreasing important plant and animal diversity. DOCKING / BEACHING When docking or beaching, look for evidence of turtles, birds, alligators, manatees, and other animals along shore. Avoid docking or beaching where plants such as reeds, grasses and mangroves are located. These plants are essential to the ecosystem becuase they control erosion and provide a nursery ground for small animals vital to the food chain, such as crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. ENDANGERED SPECIES Many species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was created to protect these animals. It is illegal to trade, kill, hunt, collect, harass, harm, pursue, shoot, trap, wound or capture species designated as endagered, or in danger of extinction, such as y y Acu f- = — 3 � -+f; y 7p y72 °� �csc= O ^• arc 1 ° cz f O —r. U• U— y .yC U O C r G, �C'• 3 Ij yQja_Sd O y >' C^p C� y ze -- is >, i—— j ... 1_ y C p cr tz �: l'� — %' -ice•. y %y ;j; U — r -- _ L .- ^,, C j r+ 1 UU zz �_ c_�� 3�,� 1-3 =tee,:."= c '''�„->,'o•> o ^ r" r y y y IV) y `D O N cy =� C C ✓ O C CA 1 C y G O r CA 1-1 n 0 U L 3 GOO 3 y CJ 3 Ci g).0 cl) CZ 3 C C y _ tj �r U V 3 COO _^.. � >,U O s. f J r :4 J U C y ✓� v r; ti. y y y y C r.�A •r. 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T V U— n Cc)U �..:, U U J r >zi CD ry cj to 0 rt y s,. 3 �.� .�. -=� Vi�F r =�.- C V�LL p U p v v> t� y o0 O :' • • a) E 0 _W f U r tW . u 0 = © x Es �, OI CO �rV� Y _ LU LuQ 10 i V� N � �I - a p wj w w:=Z_' 7 o > p J cf1n�a 1c, z m Q OacQui _ a 3 m, CN © x Es �, OI CO _ LU 10 i �I - wj ro` 7 o > p J cf1n�a z m of �- LL ) � _ r CNNnetworks 1.1 1-- , .Y .,, .,.b�.,, . j . ...... ...... the United States. CNN programs on -air transedpts The simple design of the engine allows some 01'111C fuel drawn into Cylinders to pass thrOLlgh news quiz unburned into the exhaust system. That causes both water and air pollution. "In a lot of these, you get 20 to 30 percent ul'raw unburned gasoline Lind Oil coming directly out nYyCJ~' Cain �,' of the tail pipe, and these are the types of emissions that contribute to what people refer to as smog," said Richard Varemchik of the Air Resources Board. allp011111 0a rMf ti.. There are new two-stroke engines that eliminate the problem, milking it impossible for raw foci to EN OSPAAOL enter the exhaust system and go out into the water. em port"OU-60 SVENSKA But the marine indLIStly says it can't convert all of its engines by 2001. fR ORGIM danM airk The industry says it can produce cleaner marine engines by the year 2006, which falls in line with EPA requirements. But Air Resources staffers say Californinns ca'n't wait that long for cleaner air. Go To ... Latest Headlines Related sites: • Pakistan begins troop withdrawal video on demand from Indian border Note: Pages will open in a new browser window video archive • White-collar workers in Jakarsa • alitorriia Air Resources Board audio on demand join anti-Habibie chorus o FA news email services • Veteran politicians hand over EU • Bluewal_er Network reform blueprint free email accounts •Klan rally in New York fizzles o Bluewater - PWC Position Pa per � desktop headlines under counterprotests • Earth Island on the Web pointcast • Falwell hosts summit with ciav minister External sites are not Daoenet endorsed by CNN Inleractive. • ritics assail plan to give worneil addicts money to use birth control • Chemical that could power message boards microbes Is found at Jupiter moon Sit • feedback • Texas downs No 3 Huskers continues hex • Illinois stuns No. 9 Michigan 35_2 help • Agilent plans $1.1 8 IPO contents • Agents boycott United for slashing commissions L Biter' iecc"Ied +r., John L-rndscfk A+ +lV_ rAnIpnn Dealing with the Mokelumne River issues are tough. It appears that try as they may, the committee was too heavily loaded with jet skiers. I think their river use suggestion, that there be power boat times and non-power boat times, is probably the best workable idea for the foreseeable future. The river should be open to all for reasonable use. However, their suggestion to ban "towed persons" is goofy and completely opposite the facts and figures from all major safety agencies. The National Transportation and Safety Board, to the Coast Guard, Sheriff Departments nationwide, boating and watercraft agencies etc. all report that the number one menace on the waterways with a disproportionate accident, injury and death rate is the Personal Water Craft, [PWC] "Jet Ski's". "Personal Watercraft operators have been involved in a disproportionate number of boating accidents." Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission "...more fatalities on PWC's for an all time high..." U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Accident Report Database [BARD] "PWC account for 11% of all U.S. registered boats, [but] figure in more than 35% of all boating accidents." National Park Service, "PWC accounted for 16% of the vessels registered in California, but were involved in 45% of 1966 boating accidents and 55% of the injuries. California Department of Boating and Waterways. "While the number of PWC's tripled during the first 1/2 of the 1990's ... injury rates were 8.5 times higher. American Medical Association "...while boating fatalities have dropped overall in the past decade, those involving personal watercraft have jumped dramatically" National Transportation and Safety Board. "Last year, the accident and injury rates for PWC's were six times higher than those for boats." Department of Natural Resources, State of Wisconsin. But most telling of all: Canoe/kayak, open motorboats, and rowboats have only slightly lower injury rates. Canoes and rowboats all have a much higher fatality rate per vessel. from U.S. coast Guard tables. These are not oakie agencies. Boating involving towing people on the river is mostly confined to wakeboarders and kneeboarders. This activity is the slowest of all power boat recreational activities. It is rare for a wakeboarder or kneeboarder to exceed 15-20 mph, a fast jog or run if it were on land. With a "towed person" you are required to have an observer, so there is no reason for the driver to be looking anywhere but where he/she is going. Water skiing on the river is extremely rare. I have made over 900 boating trips over a period of 20 years from my house to the Woodbridge Dam and back without accident or injury to anyone. We "slowboaters" are certainly not the menace on the river. For these 20 years it has been a wonderful source of enjoyment for my children and now my grandchildren. Our boat is quiet and rarely exceeds 20 mph. Compare that with loud, 70 mph plus "jet skis" and decide which one you want coming at you. I don't care for their noise and unregulated speed, but I don't think they should be banned either. We should approach this like we do with any other similar issue... education, enforcement, etc. Knee-jerk banning of anything is not the way to go thru life. Look at the facts from all boating and marine agencies and you will see that the "towed persons" type of boating recreation is not the problem. I urge you to adopt and test the committee's "separated use days" of the river before adding additional restraints. Thank you for your consideration. John L. Kindseth,1218 Rivergate Drive, Lodi, CA 95240, 334-1197 SEAN M. COLLINS orthodontics March 21, 2001 Lodi City Council Members Dear City Council Members, �s r: "� tl I noticed, through a couple of "Letters to the Editor" in the Lodi News Sentinel, that the Mokelumne River usage debate is heating up again. Last October, I submitted a letter in response to the River Task Force recommendations. I have included a copy of that correspondence with this communication for your review. In addition to the variety of compromises the former correspondence offers, I'd like to pose some further thoughts. For starters, I'd like you to consider why this topic has arisen again. Essentially, the accident which occurred last summer precipitated all the renewed discussion. The problem with this is the fact that the accident was not due to an inherently unsafe boating environment. Rather, the San Joaquin County Sheriff and our local district attorney determined that the cause of the tragedy was gross negligence on the part of the boat driver. Regardless, those who wish to close the river use the tragedy as the primary platform on which to base their arguments. The apparent gross negligence attributed to this accident makes this platform illegitimate. Basic and common safe boating practice would have saved Tommy Farnsworth's life. Any further discussion should regard safety guidelines for continued river usage, not river closure. I grew up skiing on the river and now reside along its bank. I find it truly unfortunate that the majority of those who argue most passionately to close the river neither live along it nor have ever used the river in any capacity. How can they be given any credibility when they condemn the river as unsafe? In my former correspondence, I proposed limited, slow speed towing activities (kneeboarding, trick skiing, wakeboarding) on a weekday -only basis. I also proposed the creation of a special education and area -use permit program. Annual permit, and area -use fees could make the education program self -funding. I also suggested limited, weekday skiing access to Lodi Lake. Perhaps the City of Lodi would appreciate having the lake water circulated for free rather than paying our fire department to 630 S. Foirmo,t, Ste. B Lodi, C195240 1209] 367-3595 Fox 12091267-9276 Page 2 circulate the water artificially. We may save money and, perhaps, even generate some revenue to help pay for safety patrols. These ideas, in conjunction with the rotating usage times proposed by the River Safety Task Force, will allow us to safely maintain the river as a valuable recreational resource. Finally, as a waterfront homeowner, my property was purchased with the promise of both beauty and recreation afforded by the river. I have spoken to a local real estate appraiser who informs me that total restriction of river activities may adversely affect property values. I realize that this may seem a rather peripheral item to note but I must encourage you to consider potential economic and right -of -access impacts associated with any decisions you may make. As a Lodi native, competitive water skier and waterfront resident, I have enjoyed the river much more than most. I don't want my community to lose the healthy recreation this river provides. I eagerly volunteer, in whatever capacity, to assist with implementation of education, safety, or monitoring programs along this waterway. Do not close this river. Through education and compromise, the Mokelumne can be safely enjoyed by all. reiy, Sean M. Collins, D.D.S., M.S.D. orthodontics October 25, 2000 River Task Force Lodi City Council County Board of Supervisors Dear Task Force, City Council and Board Members, I'd like to commend you, one and all, for taking the time to contribute to the welfare of our community. Also, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing discussion in regard to the Mokelumne River. While I was unable to attend the October 24 meeting, I am compelled to share my perspective. First of all, I am a former and current resident along the river. I grew up on Edgewood Drive and my current address is 1359 Rivergate Drive. I have a thirty year background in competitive water skiing and also use the river regularly for kayaking and swimming. Because of my history growing up in this community and utilizing the river for all the recreation it affords, I probably have a more complete understanding of the issues involved than anybody outside your respective groups. Primarily, it is my understanding that the Task Force was assembled to investigate the issues and make recommendations in order to create a safe environment on the Mokelumne River. If any Task Force, City Council or Board Members, have been out on the river lately, it is obvious that the San Joaquin County Sheriff patrols have significantly tamed the area through their presence along with their attempts to educate boaters and jet skiers. From a legislative and enforcement perspective, we have enough laws on the books to govern the area without further restrictions. Perhaps the institution of an educational program and issuance of an "area use permit" would be the only thing necessary to further insure safety. I suggest "area use permit" fees help fund ongoing sheriff patrols. However, should it be decided that some restrictions be enacted, I was pleased with the majority of recommendations the River Task Force proposed in the October 23 and 24 issues of the Lodi News Sentinel. I felt the committee did an excellent job blending restrictions and education with the rights of the various groups concerned. For me, the disappointing recommendation was, as you might guess, the elimination of waterskiing. 636 S.hir®ont,Ste. B Lodi, CA 95240 12091367.3595 Fzr (209] 367-9276 Page 2 The committee should work to modify and restrict waterskiing just as it has river usage. To this end, I have the following suggestions: 1. Restrict any towing activity to under 20 miles per hour. This only permits the slowest types of skiing; trick skiing, kneeboarding and wakeboarding. With these activities, the boat travels anywhere from 13-19 miles per hour. In addition, the rope is very short and the skier rarely gets too far from the boat. 2. Restrict towing activities to weekdays -only. Even prior to the accident (likely negligence) which brought all this discussion about, weekday usage was minimal. Recently, with the sheriffs presence, weekdayngnd weekend usage is almost nonexistent. Nevertheless, in consideration of varied interests and safety, skiing could be eliminated on weekends and holidays. 3. Restrict weekday towing activities to two potential areas; the straight section of river from Woodbridge Dam to Lodi Lake Trailer Park and Lodi Lake. 4. To further insure safety in the case of two or more ski boats, a condition of the testing and certification proposed by the committee should include an agreement by licensees to a system of "boat rotation". With this system, boaters will agree to take turns in the designated areas so that only one vessel would be actively towing a skier at any one time. If both the Lodi Lake and Woodbridge areas were open to usage, the combined spaces afford a far greater usage area than usual weekday use requires. Boat rotation is a common practice in competition ski areas which are smaller than either of these proposed stretches of water. Once again, with the exception of education and certification, I'm not absolutely certain that we need additional restrictions. To my knowledge, there have been just two fatalities in this area in over fourty years. This is a rather remarkable record of safety in light of the historical lack of education and sheriff department supervision. If restrictions are deemed unavoidable, I believe the restrictions I propose will provide the measures of safety necessary to avoid the elimination of waterskiing on the Mokelumne River. I appeal to the River Task Force, City Council and San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to consider these perspectives. Our river offers a wealth of enjoyment for all types of recreation and should remain accessible to the broadest cross-section of our population. Please do not take these limited skiing activities away. Compromise, along with education, will make the river safe for all of us. Sincerely, Sean M. Col ' s, D.D.S., M.S.D. ortiodootics March 21, 2001 Lodi City Council Members Dear City Council Members, ED 0A� 'ah I noticed, through a couple of "Letters to the Editor" in the Lodi News Sentinel, that the Mokelumne River usage debate is heating up again. Last October, I submitted a letter in response to the River Task Force recommendations. I have included a copy of that correspondence with this communication for your review. In addition to the variety of compromises the former correspondence offers, I'd like to pose some further thoughts. For starters, I'd like you to consider why this topic has arisen again. Essentially, the accident which occurred last summer precipitated all the renewed discussion. The problem with this is the fact that the accident was not due to an inherently unsafe boating environment. Rather, the San Joaquin County Sheriff and our local district attorney determined that the cause of the tragedy was gross negligence on the part of the boat driver. Regardless, those who wish to close the river use the tragedy as the primary platform on which to base their arguments. The apparent gross negligence attributed to this accident makes this platform illegitimate. Basic and common safe boating practice would have saved Tommy Farnsworth's life. Any further discussion should regard safety guidelines for continued river usage, not river closure. I grew up skiing on the river and now reside along its bank. I find it truly unfortunate that the majority of those who argue most passionately to close the river neither live along it nor have ever used the river in any capacity. How can they be given any credibility when they condemn the river as unsafe? In my former correspondence, I proposed limited, slow speed towing activities (kneeboarding, trick skiing, wakeboarding) on a weekday -only basis. I also proposed the creation of a special education and area -use permit program. Annual permit, and area -use fees could make the education program self -funding. I also suggested limited, weekday skiing access to Lodi Lake. Perhaps the City of Lodi would appreciate having the lake water circulated for free rather than paying our fire department to 63OS.Fairmont, Ste. B Lodi, C195240 12091567-3595 Fax 1209 1367-9276 Page 2 circulate the water artificially. We may save money and, perhaps, even generate some revenue to help pay for safety patrols. These ideas, in conjunction with the rotating usage times proposed by the River Safety Task Force, will allow us to safely maintain the river as a valuable recreational resource. Finally, as a waterfront homeowner, my property was purchased with the promise of both beauty and recreation afforded by the river. I have spoken to a local real estate appraiser who informs me that total restriction of river activities may adversely affect property values. I realize that this may seem a rather peripheral item to note but I must encourage you to consider potential economic and right -of -access impacts associated with any decisions you may make. As a Lodi native, competitive water skier and waterfront resident, I have enjoyed the river much more than most. I don't want my community to lose the healthy recreation this river provides. I eagerly volunteer, in whatever capacity, to assist with implementation of education, safety, or monitoring programs along this waterway. Do not close this river. Through education and compromise, the Mokelumne can be safely enjoyed by all. Si ely, Sean M. ]fins, D.D.S., M.S.D. SEAN M. COLLINS orthodontics October 25, 2000 River Task Force Lodi City Council County Board of Supervisors Dear Task Force, City Council and Board Members, I'd like to commend you, one and all, for taking the time to contribute to the welfare of our community. Also, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing discussion in regard to the Mokelumne River. While I was unable to attend the October 24 meeting, I am compelled to share my perspective. First of all, I am a former and current resident along the river. I grew up on Edgewood Drive and my current address is 1359 Rivergate Drive. I have a thirty year background in competitive water skiing and also use the river regularly for kayaking and swimming. Because of my history growing up in this community and utilizing the river for all the recreation it affords, I probably have a more complete understanding of the issues involved than anybody outside your respective groups. Primarily, it is my understanding that the Task Force was assembled to investigate the issues and make recommendations in order to create a safe environment on the Mokelumne River. If any Task Force, City Council or Board Members, have been out on the river lately, it is obvious that the San Joaquin County Sheriff patrols have significantly tamed the area through their presence along with their attempts to educate boaters and jet skiers. From a legislative and enforcement perspective, we have enough laws on the books to govern the area without further restrictions. Perhaps the institution of an educational program and issuance of an "area use permit" would be the only thing necessary to further insure safety. I suggest "area use permit" fees help fund ongoing sheriff patrols. However, should it be decided that some restrictions be enacted, I was pleased with the majority of recommendations the River Task Force proposed in the October 23 and 24 issues of the Lodi News Sentinel. I felt the committee did an excellent job blending restrictions and education with the rights of the various groups concerned. For me, the disappointing recommendation was, as you might guess, the elimination of waterskiing. 630 S.hir®ent,Ste. 8 Lodi, CA 95240 12091667.6595 Fax [209[ 667.9276 Page 2 The committee should work to modify and restrict waterskiing just as it has river usage. To this end, I have the following suggestions: 1. Restrict any towing activity to under 20 miles per hour. This only permits the slowest types of skiing; trick skiing, kneeboarding and wakeboarding. With these activities, the boat travels anywhere from 13-19 miles per hour. In addition, the rope is very short and the skier rarely gets too far from the boat. 2. Restrict towing activities to weekdays -only. Even prior to the accident (likely negligence) which brought all this discussion about, weekday usage was minimal. Recently, with the sheriffs presence, weekday and weekend usage is almost nonexistent. Nevertheless, in consideration of varied interests and safety, skiing could be eliminated on weekends and holidays. 3. Restrict weekday towing activities to two potential areas; the straight section of river from Woodbridge Dam to Lodi Lake Trailer Park and Lodi Lake. 4. To further insure safety in the case of two or more ski boats, a condition of the testing and certification proposed by the committee should include an agreement by licensees to a system of "boat rotation". With this system, boaters will agree to take turns in the designated areas so that only one vessel would be actively towing a skier at any one time. If both the Lodi Lake and Woodbridge areas were open to usage, the combined spaces afford a far greater usage area than usual weekday use requires. Boat rotation is a common practice in competition ski areas which are smaller than either of these proposed stretches of water. Once again, with the exception of education and certification, I'm not absolutely certain that we need additional restrictions. To my knowledge, there have been just two fatalities in this area in over fourty years. This is a rather remarkable record of safety in light of the historical lack of education and sheriff department supervision. If restrictions are deemed unavoidable, I believe the restrictions I propose will provide the measures of safety necessary to avoid the elimination of waterskiing on the Mokelumne River. I appeal to the River Task Force, City Council and San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to consider these perspectives. Our river offers a wealth of enjoyment for all types of recreation and should remain accessible to the broadest cross-section of our population. Please do not take these limited skiing activities away. Compromise, along with education, will make the river safe for all of us. Sincerely, D.D.S., M.S.D. W�zr AIN I ry n '; v4 v SEH t COLLINS ert6#deetics March 26, 2001 Lodi City Council Members Dear City Council Members, I heard that a petition to restrict the Mokelumne River to 5 miles per hour was to be presented this evening. Evidently this petition includes 700 signatures and was authored by Tommy Farnsworth's mother. Obviously this is an issue which involves a great deal of emotion, but please don't be convinced that those wishing to close the Mokelumne represent the majority. Today, during the regular course of my day, I asked patients and parents their opinions regarding the river issue. As a matter of investigation, I asked those who cared to share their views to sign a petition which reads as follows: "This is to hereby certify that I am opposed to closure of the Mokelumne River waterway and to restricting waterway usage to 5 miles per hour. Further, I support limited speed water skiing activities (kneeboarding, trick skiing, wakeboarding)." Over a few hours in my office, I obtained 32 signatures in favor of this petition. A few individuals had no opinion regarding activity on the river and did not wish to sign. Of all those invited to participate in this survey, only two individuals were in support of the 5 mile per hour restriction. I have submitted additional correspondences outlining my position and suggestions pertaining to river closure and I don't believe that all needs repeating here. I only hope to shed some doubt as to whether those seeking restrictions actually speak for any legitimate majority. They certainly did not represent any majority of those I questioned. Sincerely, t ALL G CSe7anM.Coll' ' s, D.D.S., M.S.D. 630 S. Fairmont, Ste.B Lodi, CA 95240 12091367-3999 FaxJ209I367.9276 CLc� o mal�o 3-2G �a lfu ✓-Z(�-C)( C�Gt�tlCtLlU1�L�(Ja��G %7/ 3511 Pn r S, Ave 4-(IOLV4lTC S� f'crneev c SFU± - i -o -,7 C 3��� �lY}'1 �i �fiZ 252 Glmi� � d C� L -d %yz42- L /^ h L7-, RGA s 2 CUndkc 3-��-c� ��c:sz ria✓�j�ZZ TOgctj ?ibo J C i-'� !a�-'� ll�� f �' z 7 Fi l hcc /v 5 loc k4, `� :.—�cc�w _ "% •``t �C/ 93- Alrr CITY COUNCIL ALAN S. NAKANISHI, Mayor PHILLIP A. PENNINO Mayor Pro Tempore SUSAN HITCHCOCK EMILY HOWARD KEITH LAND April 4, 2001 CITY OF LODI CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET P.O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (209) 333-6702 FAX (209) 333-6807 San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors 222 E. Weber Avenue, Room 701 Stockton, CA 95202 Jack A Sieglock, Supervisor, District Four: H. DIXON FLYNN City Manager SUSAN J. BLACKSTON City Clerk RANDALL A. HAYS City Attorney The Lodi City Council conducted a Special City Council meeting on Monday, March 26, 2001 for the purpose of considering Mokelumne River safety issues. At this meeting Lodi citizens overwhelmingly expressed support for a 5 -mph speed limit on the Mokelumne River. Enclosed please find a certified copy of Resolution 2001-74 adopted by the Lodi City Council on March 26, 2001: • Resolution No. 2009-74 entitled, 'A Resolution of the Lodi City Council Recommending that the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors establish a 5 -mph Speed Limit on the Mokelumne River from the Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam to Guild Avenue Please do not hesitate to contact me at 333-6702 if you have any questions. Sincerely, Alan S. Nakanishi Mayor cc: City Council City Manager City Attorney RESOLUTION NO. 2001-74 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL RECOMMENDING THAT THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ESTABLISH A 5 -MPH SPEED LIMIT ON THE MOKELUMNE RIVER FROM THE WOODBRIDGE IRRIGATION DISTRICT DAM TO GUILD AVENUE WHEREAS, the Mokelumne River runs adjacent to the City of Lodi and Lodi Lake from the Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam to Guild Avenue; and WHEREAS, the City of Lodi has an interest in protecting the health, safety, and recreational enjoyment of its citizens who use the river and Lodi Lake for recreational purposes; and WHEREAS, the Mokelumne River has numerous blind corners, snags, and narrow channels that make high-speed water travel dangerous; and WHEREAS, high speed watercraft create wakes that damage banks and levee improvements; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Lodi have overwhelmingly vocalized support for a 5 -mph speed limit on the Mokelumne River. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lodi does hereby recommend to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors that it establish a 5 -mph speed limit on the Mokelumne River from the Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam to Guild Avenue. Dated: March 26, 2001 I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. 2001-74, which was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a special meeting held March 26, 2001 by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hitchcock, Howard, Land, Pennino and Mayor Nakanishi NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None The foregoing document is certified to be a correct copy of the original on file in the City Clerks Office. Jacqueline L. Taylor PA U C LI N L TA Deputy City Clerk, City of Lodi ep ty City Cler By' 2001-74 Dated: .1 4 , CITY COUNCIL ALAN S. NAKANISHI, Mayor PHILLIP A. PENNINO Mayor Pro Tempore SUSAN HITCHCOCK EMILY HOWARD -KEITH LAND April 10, 2001 CITY OF LODI CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET P.O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (209) 333-6702 FAX (209) 333-6807 San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors 222 E. Weber Avenue, Room 701 Stockton, CA 95202 H. DIXON FLYNN City Manager SUSAN J. BLACKSTON City Clerk RANDALL A. HAYS City Attorney SUBJECT: Public Hearing -- Mokelumne River Safety Recommendations It has been suggested that the public hearing scheduled to consider the above subject for April 17, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. before the Board of Supervisors be rescheduled to a time and place that would more conveniently allow for public comment from the citizens of Lodi. Should you wish to consider a location in Lodi for the public hearing, preferably after 5:00 p.m. for the benefit of our working residents, please contact the Lodi City Clerk at 333-6702 to assist you with arrangements. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Alan S. Nakanishi Mayor cc: City Council City Manager City Attorney Office of the County Administrator Board of Supervisors Courthouse Stockton, CA Dear Board Members: COUNTY OF SAN JOAQUIN Courthouse, Room 707 222 East Weber Avenue Stockton, California 95202-2778 (209) 468-3211 Fax (209) 468-2875 April 4, 2001 APR CrIQ:3OA�Q1 City ACL J k `I( CC HR X CM IS YCA LIB CD _( PR =EUD ,Z( PD FIN PW —Fp —COM Adoption of Policies Regarding Public Safety Along the Mokelumne River Recommendation Supervisor Sieglock recommends that the Board of Supervisors give consideration to adopting the recommendations of the Mokelumne River Task Force, which relate to the section of the Mokelumne River from Woodbridge Dam to the northeast boundary of the City of Lodi: 1. Set a 5mph speed zone from 7:00 pm each evening until noon the next day. 2. Prohibit pull -behind recreation on the river at all times of the day. 3. Request the Sheriff's Department to patrol the river as often as time and resources allow. 4. Authorize the Sheriff to post boating & information safety signs at appropriate locations along the Mokelumne River which are within the unincorporated area of the County. 5. Adopt a resolution which urges state legislators to implement a Safe Boater Licensing program to enhance public safety on California's waterways. 6. Authorize the Sheriff to work with County Counsel to write the appropriate implementing ordinances. Reason for Recommendation In June 2000, 11 -year-old Tommy Farnsworth from Manteca was killed and his father Thomas Farnsworth was critically injured when the canoe they were in was hit near Lodi Lake by a boat driven by an 18 -year-old Woodbridge man. This accident sparked concerns regarding the safety of boating along this section of the Mokelumne River. Following the June incident, the Sheriff's Office stepped up boat patrol of the area. In addition, Supervisor Jack Sieglock and former Lodi Board of Supervisors April 4, 2001 Adoption of Policies Regarding Public Safety Along the Page 2 Mokelumne River Mayor Steve Mann appointed a seven -member task force. County Planning Commissioner Pat Stockar chaired the Mokelumne River Task Force. The other members were Dr. Eric Albert, Tony Alegre, Jay Bell, Robin Sanborn, Dave Vaccarezza, and Don Walters. Four of the members own property adjacent to the river, and all the members have spent a great deal of time on the river. The Task Force held three public hearings, had a meeting with the East Bay Municipal Utility District, and toured the river system with the Sheriffs Department. Additional meetings were held to consider the various alternatives regarding possible safety measures. An initial draft of recommendations was made public in October 2000. Based upon public input, the recommendations were revised. On November 8, 2000, the Task Force adopted five recommendations regarding public safety, which were intended to be applied to the section of the Mokelumne River from Woodbridge Dam to the northeast boundary of the City of Lodi. These recommendations were subsequently forwarded to County Supervisors and Lodi City Council. The Task Force's recommendations (Attachment 1) were: 1. Set a 5mph speed zone from 7:00pm each evening until noon the next day. 2. Prohibit pull -behind recreation, such as water-skiing and wakeboarding, on the river. 3. Create an annual maintenance program for removal of obstacles, where permitted. 4. Stated that it is essential that the Mokelumne River should be patrolled by law enforcement agencies. 5. To post boat safety information and maps of the river at boat ramps and at the entrance to Lodi Lake. Post information safety signs at appropriate locations on the river. On November 14, 2000, Supervisor Jack Sieglock distributed the Task Force's recommendations to the Board. An accompanying cover letter (Attachment 2) from Task Force Chairman Pat Stockar urged the Board of Supervisors to contact state legislators to implement Safe Boater Licensing to enhance public safety on all California waterways. In January 2001, Supervisor Sieglock requested assistance from the County Administrator to bring the Task Force's recommendations before the Board for consideration of their implementation. The County Administrator requested the Sheriff to review the Task Force recommendations. The Sheriff's response is attached as Attachment 3. The Sheriff essentially concurred with the Task Force recommendations regarding speed limits, prohibiting pull -behind recreation, and maintaining a law enforcement presence on the river. On March 26, 2001, the Lodi City Council endorsed a 5mph speed limit at all times of the day on the Mokelumne River between the Woodbridge Dam and Guild Avenue just east of Highway 99. The Sheriff's Department also prefers this alternative over imposing a 5mph speed limit for only certain hours of the day. Imposing a 5mph speed limit would necessarily prevent pull -behind recreation because greater speeds are required for these types of sports. The Sheriff also agreed "in concept with the recommendation to install boating and information safety signs, but recommended that this should be the responsibility of the City of Lodi. The Board of Supervisors April 4, 2001 Adoption of Policies Regarding Public Safety Along the Page 3 Mokelumne River Sheriffs Office is currently working with the City of Lodi to negotiate a joint staffing agreement for patrol of the Mokelumne River/Lodi Lake area during the high -use season. The Sheriff recommended against creating a maintenance program for removal of obstacles within the river due to liability reasons. Adopting a speed limit along the Mokelumne River and/or prohibiting pull -behind recreation will require ordinance changes. The Sheriff will return to your Board with the appropriate language for ordinance revisions. Fiscal impact The draft agreement between the Sheriffs Office and the City of Lodi for joint patrol of the Mokelumne River/Lodi Lake area would require the deployment of one Sheriff s Deputy on weekends and holidays during the peak boating season from May through October. The Sheriff s Office estimates that this would require approximately $13,000 for per diem Deputies to provide the requested coverage. Action To Be Taken Following Approval The Sheriff will work with County Counsel to draw up ordinance changes to implement the Board's direction. Very tru yo urs,, David L. Baker County Administrator DLB:SML Attachments c: Mokelumne River Task Force Members Lodi City Council Sheriff County Counsel Board Clerk for 4/17/01 BL#2001-03-24 ATTACHMENT I MOKELUMNE RIVER TASK FORCE Recommendations November 8, 2000 The following recommendations apply to the section of the river form Woodbridge Dam to the Northeast boundary of the city of Lodi. 1. The use of the Mokelumne River is to be shared From 12:00 noon until 7:00p.m., the river may be used for all types of water craft in accordance with state and federal safe boating laws. From 7:00 p.m. until 12:00 noon a five m.p.h. speed limit will be in effect. Yes- Albert, Alegre, Sanborn, Stockar, Vaccarezza, Walters No- Bell 2. Due to the increased amount of debris, snags, sandbars, fallen trees and other obstacles, water-skiing, wakeboarding and other types of pull -behind recreation should be prohibited on the river. Yes- Bell, Stockar, Walters, Vaccarezza No- Albert, Alegre, Sanborn 3. An annual maintenance program for removal of obstacles where permitted, such as those listed above should be implemented. Yes- Albert, Alegre, Bell, Sanborn, Stockar, Vaccarezza, Walters 4. It is essential that the Mokelumne River should be patrolled by law enforcement agencies. Yes- Albert, Alegre, Bell, Sanborn, Stockar, Vaccarezza, Walters 5. In order to enhance public awareness and education, boat safety information and maps of the river should be located at boat ramps and at the entrance to Lodi Lake. Information safety signs should be installed at appropriate locations on the river. Yes- Albert, Alegre, Bell, Sanborn, Stockar, Vaccarezza, Walters ATTACHMENT 2 Stockar Ranch Patrick F. Stockar P.O. Box 673, Victor, CA 95253 Once or Fax (209) 333-7301 • Mobile (209) 479-1053 • r ZI?461 lovember 9, 2000 Jack Sieglock Board of Supervisors 222 E. Weber Street Stockton, CA 95202 Re: Mokelumne River Task Force Recommendations Dear Jack, After three public meetings, hours of testimony, discussion with affected agencies, a tour of the Mokelumne River by sheriffs deputies and careful deliberation over several months, the Mokelumne River Task Force has prepared a list of recommendations. The Task Force would like you to be aware of how each member voted on every recommendation. The results are the majority positions taken by the group. The Task Force feels that Safe Boater Licensing, one of the original draft recommendations should become part of a statewide effort to enhance public safety on all California waterways and would urge the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to contact state lawmakers on this issue. Thank you for your leadership role in the creation of the Mokelumne River Task Force and in advance for your consideration of our recommendations. Sir' I Patrick F. Stockar Mokelumne River Task Force Chairman Baxter Dunn Sheriff -Coroner Public Administrator March 7, 2001 ATTACHMENT 3 OFFICE OF SHERIFF -CORONER To: Supervisor Jack Sieglock From: Assistant Sheriff Bruce Agnew Subject: Mokelumne Task Force Recommendations COUNTY OF SAN JOAQUIN 7000 Michael N. Canlis Blvd. French Camp, California 95231-9781 Several months ago, I had an informal conversation with a member of the County Administrator's staff regarding the Mokelumne River Task Force recommendations. I have been asked to forward my thoughts and opinions to you regarding these recommendations. I'm aware you are working closely with Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Steve Moore on the Mokelumne River issues. I spoke with Lt. Moore and as a result formulated some of my opinions based on information he has provided. Recommendation 1: Allowing all kind of boats - slow and fast - from noon to 7 p.m., but restricting boat speed to 5 mph from 7 p.m. to noon. This would allow the river to be free of fast, noisy boats in the morning and just before dusk. Response: I would not expect major problems with these restrictions. Anytime new laws are enacted we expect a temporary increase in calls for service. A temporary increase in service response follows which may involve schedule adjustments or overtime. Once compliance with the new laws occurs, the calls for service (as well as schedules and overtime) should return to normal. Long-term operational costs would increase only if we were expected to respond to calls 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Recommendation 2: Prohibits water skiing, wakeboarding, and any activity that involves a boat pulling a person. Response: As I indicated earlier, new laws may cause an increase our calls for service, at least initially. Eventually, we would expect to gain compliance from the public and our calls for service would return to normal. If we continued to receive complaints of people skiing or towing someone behind their boat, I would expect our overtime and operational costs to rise. Since skiing and towing people behind a boat inevitably result in accidents and injuries, not allowing these activities could reduce emergency calls for service. Recommendation 3: Requires the removal of debris and other obstacles. Response: I do not recommend the County taking on the responsibility of routinely removing debris from the Mokelumne River! Recommendation 4: Require boaters to complete a boating safety course put on by the California Department of Boating and Waterways. Response: Safety courses are a great idea. I'm not sure what is available through the California Department of Boating and Waterways (or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary) and if they issue a completion certificate. This recommendation would require some additional research prior to implementation. Recommendation 5: This recommendation would call for the Lodi Police Department and the Sheriffs Department to patrol the river as often as time and resources allow. Response: I concur. Recommendation 6: The last recommendation talks about providing boating safety information and maps of the river at boat ramps and the Lodi Lake entrance. The task force also recommends informational safety signs at appropriate river locations. Response: In theory, I agree with this recommendation. I would not recommend'however, that the Sheriff's Department be given the responsibility of maintaining this program. Since the entrance to the lake and the main boating ramp is the responsibility of the City of Lodi, possibly their security force that patrols Lodi Lake could help in this area. Conclusion: The Sheriff s Office will do everything possible to make the Mokelumne River area near Lodi Lake as safe as possible. We are prepared to follow the directions of the Board of Supervisors and will work diligently with the City of Lodi, its police and other involved departments in this endeavor. MOTION: Before the Board of Supervisors County of San Joaquin, State of California Adoption of Policies Regarding Public Safety Along the Mokelumne River This Board of Supervisors does hereby adopt the following recommendations which relate to the section of the Mokelumne River from Woodbridge Dam to the northeast boundary of the City of Lodi: 1. Set a 5mph speed zone from 7:00 pm each evening until noon the next day. 2. Prohibit pull -behind recreation on the river at all times of the day. 3. The Sheriff's Department shall patrol the river as often as time and resources allow. 4. Authorize the Sheriff to post boating & information safety signs at appropriate locations along the Mokelumne River which are within the unincorporated area of the County. 5. Adopt a resolution which urges state legislators to implement a Safe Boater Licensing program to enhance public safety on California's waterways. 6. Authorize the Sheriff to work with County Counsel to write the appropriate implementing ordinances. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the above order was passed and adopted on A2n1 17, 2001y the following vote of the Board of Supervisors, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: c: County Administrator County Counsel Sheriff Lodi City Council Mokelumne River Task Force Members Board Clerk CGu .....I LOIS M. SAHYOUN Clerk of the Board of Supervisors County of San Joaquin State of California Before the Board of Supervisors �t , C',1 County of San Joaquin, State of CalifornialI�r r, B-01- 550 MOTION: SIEGLOCK/MOW��t' `C"h j-4 Adoption of Policies Regarding Public Safety = 1. o;' Along the Mokelumne River This Board of Supervisors does hereby adopt the following recommendations which relate to the section of the Mokelumne River from Woodbridge Dam to the northeast boundary of the City of Lodi: 1. Set a 5mph speed zone from 7:00 pm each evening until noon the next day. 2. Prohibit pull -behind recreation on the river at all times of the day. 3. The Sheriff's Department shall patrol the river as often as time and resources allow. 4. Authorize the Sheriff to post boating & information safety signs at appropriate locations along the Mokelumne River which are within the unincorporated area of the County. 5. Adopt a resolution which urges state legislators to implement a Safe Boater Licensing program to enhance public safety on California's waterways. 6. Authorize the Sheriff to work with County Counsel to write the appropriate implementing ordinances. 7. Request the Sheriff to return after six months and after twelve months to provide a report regarding the status of law enforcement and boating safety along this section of the Mokelumne River. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the above order was passed and adopted on April 24, 2001 by the following vote of the Board of Supervisors, to wit: AYES: BEDFORD, MOW, GUTIERREZ, SIEGLOCK, MARENCO NONE NOES: NONE ABSENTNONE ABSTAIN: C HR c: CM IS County Administrator r/Cp, —_LIB County Counsel Sheriff _&R LOIS M. SAHYOUN Lodi City Council _CD EU r/Pp Clerk of the Board of Superviso Mokelune River Task Force Mcmbers m FIN PW for County of San Joaquin State of California Board Clerk — FD COM AIDA PIZANO cc� .` ,„'