Editor:
My letter of last week was inappropriately entitled “Marina for All.” It should have been entitled, “Foster Lake for All.” As I brought out in that letter, according to the plan as presented, the lake will be monopolized by the ones who own boats and either anchor their boats in the 150 slips, or use their marina for launching.
As there are two other launch pads on the lake, the latter use seems unlikely. Bringing it back to the fact that the marina will be used by the ones who wish to leave their boats anchored in the lake.
I once lived on a beautiful bay. The people there loved their boats and liked to fish. Increasingly, they left their boats at anchor over night in the bay.
It became apparent before long that the boats were monopolizing the bay. It resembled some seacoast towns in Oregon: no beach, just lines of fishing boats.
As the tourist industry was important to this town, just as in Sweet Home, people became aware that tourists no longer were flocking to their beautiful bay. They became incensed at the intrusion and voted that no boat could be left in the water over night.
As a result, tourists have returned to enjoy the beach and Hana Bay is a beautiful tourist spot.
We should be aware that the whole scenic value of Foster Lake will be completely changed. Instead of the beautiful tranquil body of water surrounded by forests, against a background of incredible snow-capped mountains, it will be perceived as commercial industry. Do you think this will be a tourist attraction? We will be “shooting ourselves in the foot” if we allow this.
I have noticed a black cord across the dam road at the point where the yellow steps go down to the beach. I have been told that it is there for the purpose of counting the cars that use the dam road at that point.
I have heard that this is being done because there is a plan to cut off the road at that point, to the public. That part of the road will be used exclusively for the private use of the patrons of the RV Resort and Marina.
Why should our tax dollars that built this road be used only for the accommodation of this private business? And why then, should we be taxed to put in a new entrance to the lake for the common public?
It is evident that I am very concerned about this proposed project and the effect it will have on our community. “All that glitters is not gold.”
Rachel Mealey Vogel
Foster