The Town of Huntsville may continue to keep the Jack Bionda Boat Ramp closed to visitors and residents who need to launch their boats to access area lakes. Last year’s ‘temporary’ closing could become permanent unless Huntsville’s Town Council chooses to take another look at the impact this decision could have on boating tourists and local boating enthusiasts.
Brian Ellas, a local Huntsville resident, has recently taken the Town to task with letters, online petitions and a Facebook group page to keep the popular boat ramp open despite nearby construction of a G8 Media Complex.
I have been asked to post Brian’s letter to Town Councillors by a friend who supports Brian’s initiative. Here is his letter:
I represent at least 389 opponents (and growing) to this action (online petition) and countless others who either do not have Internet access or are not members of the social networking site where the petition is located.
Jack Bionda Boat Ramp Currently
This is not an issue to be taken lightly. Access to our lakes is probably the most important issue before you today.
Huntsville is a tourist destination; we promote it as such. We take pride in the fact that so many people choose our town to purchase cottages and homes; to live and play. You and I have chosen to live in this great town. I implore you to ask why. I think you will find, after considering the many reasons, that it will come down to the water. Without the lakes, Huntsville would not be here. It is William Cann and George Hunt that are responsible for the founding of our town – because of the water. It’s interesting to ponder whether the town of Huntsville would even exist if the lakes were not here.
Thousands of people that do not reside on the water utilize the Jack Bionda launch to access our lake system. It is for this very reason I ask: why in the name of G8, would we close a public access point? The Jack Bionda/Camp Kitchen launch is the most central and best (practically speaking) watercraft access point in Huntsville.
It would seem Councilor Greaves would like everyone to believe that there are viable alternatives; he has indicated that the Brunel Road launch (just south of the Riverside Baptist church) would be acceptable. It most certainly is not. Mr. Greaves is in the process of making this section of Brunel Road a “community safety zone”. Encouraging large numbers of people to use this area as an alternative to the Bionda site is unsafe in itself. I encourage you to visit this location and imagine the physical process you would have to complete to get a boat and trailer to the water; where you would park; and how you would retrieve your boat. You will find that the process will force you cross the very busy Brunel road several times – or reverse your trailer in a direction opposing traffic on the side of the road (which I believe is contrary to the Highway Traffic Act).
The Avery Beach launch will become the ONLY viable option for watercraft owners in Huntsville. It is not a large enough area to handle the increase in use. We absolutely need at least two acceptable boat launch sites.
Hutcheson beach, practically speaking is far too shallow.
The only other option is the access point is on Pen lake, near Tally Ho. It is federal, and maintained by Lake of Bays township – not the Town of Huntsville. I’m sure Lake of Bays township would rather Huntsville look after it’s own residents in regard to boat use.
The Jack Bionda launch users, while not usually being able to park in the immediate area, have always utilized the parking area near the arena. I’ve never seen an instance where parking was not available there. Even after the completion of the Summit Center, there is more than enough parking to accommodate boaters.
Councilor Greaves has indicated that the request of so many in our community to keep the access point open is “selfish”. Now, I’m not sure if Mr. Greaves is directing that statement toward me – however you may be interested to know that I don’t have a trailer hitch on my car. Truth be told, I don’t even own a boat. My interests and concerns are valid, and although the Parks and Rec Chair would appear to want you to think this issue is insignificant, I assure you, it is not. There are far more than a handful of people that will be affected by this change.
I have been encouraged by members of council to go through the proper channels to have my concerns addressed. I have submitted my request to speak at the Parks and Rec Committee meeting; however I was late in submitting it due to the fact that the issue had not been brought to light until April 1st. The next meeting is scheduled for April 28th. I chose to attend the Parks and Rec meeting yesterday to observe the proceedings. It is of interest to me to note that the “Parks Property Report” section of the agenda was changed to closed session at the beginning of the meeting. I understand that there are several reasons that council needs to utilize the “closed session” situation, but I would also encourage you to ask what the nature of this closed session was.
I have not yet been notified in regard to my deputation request to speak to council at the next meeting.
I understand that it’s possible that the Parks and Rec may recommend the closing of this launch to council. I encourage you to review the Parks and Recreation committee mandate that is published on the town of Huntsville website:
* Developing goals and objectives to ensure adequate provision of parks and recreation services and facilities.
* Policies to ensure the most effective delivery of parks and recreation services and the use of recreation facilities.
* Determining the recreation needs and wants of the community groups and citizens of Huntsville and establish priorities for future development.
* Assisting, encouraging and providing advisory services on request to all groups, organization or persons carrying on recreational activities in the Town of Huntsville.
* Keeping the inhabitants of the Town of Huntsville aware of the recreational opportunities which are available and will continually interpret to the public the total community program of recreation
If the Parks and Rec committee does in fact make this recommendation to council, I’d suggest the town of Huntsville may wish to consider editing this mandate.
It’s also concerning that the use of this public land use can change without public input (or council’s input, for that matter).
I’m sure there will be many reasons presented as to why the launch can not exist. I have visited the site. It IS possible. Space has been already been indicated as a reason to eliminate the launch. I disagree. There is virtually the same amount of space available there as there was 2 years prior. I can only speculate that perhaps another reason to not keep this site open will be financial. To that, I would suggest that whatever it costs to restore the launch, will pale in comparison to what has already been spent in the area. I witnessed a $300k spend on the new track surface in a matter of minutes. I saw how roughly 8 million dollars was spent.
This council has managed to pull off an unbelievable undertaking in regard to the Summit Center and surrounding area given the amount of time involved. The accomplishments are truly astounding. It is for this reason I can assure you, the Town of Huntsville could find a way to restore and keep this launch open if it had the desire to do so.
Brian Ellas
Huntsville
-End of Letter-
I would like to encourage Brian to keep putting pressure on the Town to keep the boat Jack Bionda Boat Ramp open – or at least provide a better alternative. The closing of this boat ramp limits access to anyone who wishes to boat on our public lakes.
While you are out there, take some time to scout for deer sign, deer trails and feeding areas. It may help you pinpoint areas to hunt for the upcoming, big dance, deer rifle season.
