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March 25, 1999 Newsletter
New Year, New Challenges, New Accomplishments...The first order of business is renewing you membership if you have not already. The member discount continues in 1999 as a benefit. Don't miss out on this and the ability to participate in making boating on Smith Mountain Lake a safe and great experience. Legislative Update...The subcommittee assigned to study Mandatory Education found that legislation to this effect was not a viable option. They did, however, decide to produce a proposed law (SB 1208) that required the boater to purchase a safety card for $3.00 and be required to carry it at all times while operating a boat. The DGIF was to stop boaters to verify the driver had the card and give them a field test on their knowledge of what was on the card. We felt this was of little value to improve safety, was a form of harassment, was an unjutified additional tax and nothing more than a precursor to licensing. SB 1208 "sailed" through the Senate but was "blown out of the water" by a select group of SMLBA officers and members who called and prepared statements for seven of the key members of the house committee considering this bill. As one of the team, Gerry Waters reported the result of our effort was this bill was "dead in the water", no pun intended.Concerns, we listen...Tom Maynard received an anonymous letter from a "concerned member" who reported that a certain marina had a fuel delivery system that was defective. The letter was taken to the marina in question, the system inspected and the inspection certificates are examined to find that all was properly in order. We were unable to report back to the concerned member as they failed to give us the means to do so. We do care and listen to concerns of our members.Education Update...The SMLBA currently has seven members certified as state boating safety instructers. Rather than just support training this year we have arranged to use the Policy Advisory Board office at Hales Ford Bridge once a month during the Summer and Fall for our own classes. We are providing the furniture, training equipment and manpower to the effort to make training more convenient and regularly scheduled. We are also involving the major lake organizations, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the counties (through the PAB) in supporting this effort. We have the support of the DGIF as well in makeing this effort. We are committed to regularly scheduled classes and increasing the frequency of our schedule if we can get enough students. If you have not had the training, please sign up now. It is now a matter of pride as a boater and a member of our community. You can schedule for our classes by calling the Smith Mountain Eagle at 540-297-1222. Look for our Boating Safety Tip of the Month in the Eagle during the season.Let the fun begin...Yes indeed, we have the events to get this season off to a roaring start! Please note the attached flyers for our Third Annual Golf Tournament on May 16th and the Second Annual Smith Mountain Lake Poker Run which will kick off National Safe Boating Week on May 22nd. Don't forget as well SML Clean Up Day on May 8th. May the grubbies particiant "win" at the party afterwards! See you there. |
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Morris Johnson, Jr. President |
Meetings....Saturdays, April 17th, May 15th At the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber/Partnership Located behind the Visitor Center at Bridgewater Plaza Time: 10:00 AM |