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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06221993 - 1.114 JUi' 10 '93 09:58AM LUCKY EXEC AREA P. 1/2 l . 11 �-1 DARLEEN GIANNINI 5007 Cabrillo Point Home: (510) 634-7007 Discovery Bay, California 94514 Office: (510) 833-6427 June 10, 1993 RECEIVED Contra Costa Board of Supervisors Martinez, California JUN 10 19M Dear Supervisors: CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTRA COSTA CO. On June 23, 1991, our young friend, Dina Johnson, was hit and killed by a boat on the Delta. In July, 1991, 1 pleaded with the Board of Supervisors for restoration of our Marine Patrol, and the Supervisors voted unanimously to have it restored to its full capacity. It never happened, and now, we're faced with total loss of our Marine Patrol after July 1. I am well aware of the budget crises all governments are experiencing, but I am also aware of the critical needs of our Delta. You are aware of the budget crises, but, when I addressed the Board, I invited all Supervisors on a weekend afternoon boat ride to witness the danger first-hand. Since not one supervisor accepted the offer, I have no evidence that you are aware of the existing danger. Let me describe it. Every weekend, thousands of people use our Delta for various water activities. Many of them drink alcoholic beverages while operating their vessels. Because there are no laws requiring it, most people operate vessels without proper training, and are clueless as to what they're doing. Many are used to lake boating, which is completely different from slough boating with its narrow channels, blind corners, and strong tides. If you have never been on the Delta and can't accept my invitation for a weekend afternoon ride to witness this chaos, imagine driving the highway with thousand of untrained drivers who are unfamiliar with the road or road signs, have no lane markers, don't abide by any rules of the road because they are ignorant of them, and are drunk. Frightening, isn't.it? To leave us with this situation without law enforcement is horrifying. Past meetings regarding this problem resulted in formation of citizen committees, and the responsibility for correction of the problem placed back on us. As private citizens, we are unfamiliar with governmental bureaucracy, don't know the appropriate contacts, and spend many hours in futility, Being in government, y= are familiar with how things work, y= know your associates in other govern- mental agencies, and a call or letter from X= is much more effective, This critical situation requires top-to-top handling, not bottom-to-God-knows-who-shots-in-the- dark. We need you to take control of correcting the problem. Since the Delta is used by people from all over Contra Costa County (as well as cc. ►mrd (Y�e � "- JLN 10 193 09:59AM LUCKY EXEC AREA P.2/2 - 2 - other counties), the problem does not belong solely to Tom Torlakson, You all have .constituents who need the situation corrected. Here are the steps we ask you to take to help everyone: 1) maintenance (and hopefully increase) of our Marine Patrol, 2) no-ski, no-tow activities on Indian Slough (aka Blood Alley) from Kellogg Creek to Old River. Indian Slough is the first "fast-water" area from Orwood`s Resort, Discovery Bay Marine, and all homes in Discovery Bay. Most accidents in the area occur on Indian Slough. Establishing a no-ski, no-tow area would prevent the additional danger of skiers, tube-riders, knee-boarders, etc., in the area and reduce accidents, Additionally, a maximum speed limit along Indian Slough would help. 3) 5-mile zone in front of beach off of Old River known as "Suicide Beach." This is where Dina Johnson was killed. The beach is hidden by trees and berms, people drive too fast and too near the shore in the area where there are swimmers, etc. Also, some less mature fast boat operators circle the beach to exhibit their speed to the beach "audience," increasing its innate danger. Items 2 and 3 oar..b a� ccomoWed with n cost to env gone, rnment„agencv, if manpower is presented as an issue, volunteers from Discovery Bay will be happy to make and post the signs. I look forward to your positive responses on these issues. I expect, with your governmental connections, the no-cost issues can be accomplished immediately. Sincerely, P.S. While I am writing this as a private citizen, I do sit on the DSMAC sub- committee for water safety.