Lake Gaston Association

Minutes Director’s Meeting – September 5, 2007

Lake Gaston Baptist Church – 9:30 AM  First Wednesday

Mission: To identify lake issues affecting our members and pursue resolution with the responsible organizations.

Location:    Lake Gaston Baptist Church, Littleton, North Carolina

Convened:  9:30 AM by President John Cataldo

Pledge of Allegiance:  Led by the President

Moment of Silence:  Led by the President

Visitor Introductions: Warren County – Bill LaMonte, Doc Daugherty, Jim Gibson, Roland Beauchaine, Kevin Adams, Jeremy Davis, Sherman Merchant; Brunswick County – Ron George, Jim Hitson; Northampton County – Roger West, David & Lee Hoaglan,  Sandra & Irvin Brant, Bruce Johnson, Lavetta Johnson; Halifax County – Joseph and Nancy Berlekovic; Mecklenburg County – Ken Nagle, Joyce Lindenmuth, Phil Minos, Fred Taylor, Jim O’Brien; VDGIF – Jon Hart; Dominion – Joe Peterson, Carolyn Allen, Jim Thornton; Lake Gaston Gazette – Della Batts.

Director Attendance:  Present – Bill Bryant, Barbara Burgdoerfer, John Cataldo, Patrick Dempsey, Pete Deschenes, Ralph Domach, David Duxbury, Johnna Fross, Joee Hoxter, Doug Hughes, Larry Jolly, Fred Kneisel, Laura Kolb, Bill Lindenmuth, Jack Saunders, Jim Smalfelt, Lenny Turner, Moira Underwood (Executive Director).  Absent – John Boyle, Calvin Deshields, John Slaton and Vernon Wilson.

Guest Speaker:  Vice President, Doug Hughes, introduced our first guest speaker of the day. Sgt. Carl Hatcher from North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) and Area Supervisor thanked the LGA for their interest in boating safety on Lake Gaston.  Sgt Hatcher indicated that he has an extensive background in police work and was also a military police officer in the Air Force.  He has been assigned to Lake Gaston since October 2004 and has 5 officers that he commands.  Some of his comments during this presentation are:

• The NCWRC performs routine boat inspections: safety, operator safety

• They are empowered to enforce all state laws: if in pursuit of a boat, at the state line, he will contact local enforcement in VA, turn off blue light, and continue to follow as a private citizen until VDGIF arrives.

• Over the July4th weekend, other counties were asked to help cover the lake.  There were 10 officers in 5 boats who issued 41 citations.

• Officers always check for operating a Boat Under the Influence.

• There was one fatality this summer.

• One arrest for serious impairment.

• Officer Hatcher reminded the LGA audience that each person is responsible to check themselves, renters, friends, family and encourage all to take the boating safety class.

• All area agencies including the LGA assist us in getting the NC laws to the boating community.

A few of the questions for Sgt. Hatcher follow:

Q.    Are there 2 officers on each boat?  Have you considered ride-a-longs to increase coverage?

A.    Liability issues are a barrier to ride-a-longs.  There are no always 2 officers available; working with one is more difficult.  Officers work 3 weekends out of four.

Q.    When you stop someone, what are the conditions?

A.    Can stop anyone for any reason.  Wildlife Officer does not have to show cause.  Boats are open vehicles, so privacy issues do not apply.  Safety inspection may be one reason.

Q.    What is the #1 violation you see?

A.    A child under 13 not wearing PFD; Careless and reckless operation of a boat.

Q.    Do most boaters have throw cushions?

A.    Yes – It is the law.

Q.    Do you stop boats that are overloaded?

A.    A serious problem – sitting on unsafe areas; balance; swamping. This comes under careless and reckless operation of a boat.

Q.    Is the 100’ no wake law enough with a wake board?

A.    Big wakes are a problem.  Jet skis have to observe the 100’ law.

Q.    When a person is arrested for BUI, does this count against your driver’s license?

A.    Does not show up on the driver’s license, but becomes a part of your history and may affect your record in the future.

Q.    When will “no wake” at night be enforced?

A.    No likely on Lake Gaston.

Q.    How do we notify an officer when we see a problem?

A.    1-800-662-7137  ext. 1.

Q.    Is chasing of wildlife against the law (e.g. ducks, geese?)

A.    Yes, but hard to prove.  Call an officer, we will try to respond.

Q.    Does Wildlife sponsor training classes?  What is the speed limit under bridges?

A.    Most bridges in NC are in No Wake Zones.  Mandatory boating safety classes have been introduced into the NC legislature, but, at this time, is not a reality.

Q.    What about speed restrictions – saw one boat in excess of 72 MPH.

A.    There is no speed limit on the water.  There is reckless operation of a boat.

Q.    What would increase safety?

A.    Four more officers would make a difference.

Q.    Does Marine Fisheries work with you?

A.    No – they are assigned to coastal-inland waters.

Q.    What happens when a call is placed and leaves a number for callback?

A.    Don’t know if all reports reach appropriate officer.  If offense is prosecutable, officers will follow up – however, the person making the complaint would need to testify.  Neighbors are reluctant to testify against each other.  Videos of the offending behavior are important.  Always get the numbers of the offending boat.  Our courts are strict with requiring evidence.  Thank you for your interest.

Our Vice President, Doug Hughes, introduced our second guest Sgt. Jon Hart from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF).    Sgt Hart also thanked the LGA for their interest in boating safety and hoped he could add to the information already provided by Sgt. Hatcher from Wildlife.  He indicated that he has only been in the Lake Gaston community since June and has had past lake experience including duty on Smith Mountain Lake.  Kerr and Gaston Lake need to be covered at all times by only 7 officers.  The officers are tracking (using GPS) to determine where arrests are made, to map where the trouble spots are. 

Sgt Hart’s officers are collecting data on boat speed with radar.  They currently have 1300 samples.  This data is organized by time of day, boat type and speed.  Lt. Fisher hopes this data will translate into legislation to regulate speed – this is concrete evidence of what is really happening for legislators to see.  Check points are set up to stop every 3^rd boat for inspection.  On Poplar Creek, 2 weeks ago, a jet ski ran up the back of a boat and left the scene.  Two days later, after being notified, his office traced the jet ski through the boat ID numbers.  A ticket was issued to the offender.  Our goals are to improve officer response time and to devise a strategy to impress on the courts what boating officers do and are up against.  A few questions from the audience follow:

Q.  What are the hours of operation?

A.   Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.  There are no patrols on Gaston during the week.

Q.   How many boats do you have?

A.   We have a boat stored in the Ebony fire station.  There is one boat on each lake. 2 officers for each boat.

Q.   What is the phone number to call in Virginia?

A.   Mecklenburg and Brunswick County: 911 if an emergency.  For non-emergencies contact the local sheriff’s office.  They will contact VDGIF.

Q.  Are you aware that Dominion’s Contract stipulates they must be informed of        accidents and arrests?

A.  No. Richmond would send the reports to us.

A.  Joe Peterson responded for Dominion:  Dominion needs notification within 3 days. 

       In the past this was done; but not recently.

Q.  What does Dominion do with the information?

A.  Joe Peterson responded “we forward reports to a federal agency”.

Hawtree Creek boat launching ramps impact NC/VA counties – which county is

       responsible?

A.  I need to be aware of the situation to formulate a solution.

Q.  How does the Coast Guard Auxiliary get involved?

A.  The Auxiliary in on the water on the weekends and holidays.

Sgt. Hart thanked the LGA for the invitation to speak today.  He would be glad to return another time for any updates for the LGA.

Our President, John Cataldo recognized Representative Michael Wray, NC 27^th District (Northampton, Vance and Warren Counties.)  He commended the lake officers and indicated that he is trying to work on better pay for them.  He is the legislator who introduced House Bill 1585:  Study Mandatory Boating Safety Education, which he reported was killed in the Rules Committee.  Rep. Wray reported that the bill is dead until the 2009 session.  Director Pete Deschenes said he appreciated Representative Wray’s support.  An effort is being made to for a Safe Boating Alliance to work on legislation for NC.  Pete asked “what can the LGA do to augment the bill?” The response was “to write letters of support for Boating Safety to County Commissioners, Wildlife Commission, and to the Speaker of the House.  If there are any questions or comments please contact his office at 919-711-5662 or michaelw@nleg.net.

A new Director was welcomed to the Board.  Lenny Turner, Brunswick County and all Directors recited the Director’s Oath.  The President thanked him for his interest in our lake community. 

Secretary’s Report – Joee Hoxter

The August 1, 2007 minutes were properly approved as sent by email.

Treasurer’s Report – Bill Lindenmuth

The August 1007 financial report was approved as reported.  The Treasurer commented that new membership has slowed, which is typical during this time of year.

Committee Reports   

Lake Environment – Bill Lindenmuth, Chairman

The Chair, Bill Lindenmuth, indicated that we are entering an extreme drought condition.  The flow into Lake Gaston will be reduced, in anticipation of drought declaration.  Lake Gaston will remain at its current level.  LEMS membership training occurred recently and there was a distribution of donated and purchased monitoring equipment.  In November, the floating mats will be measured.  A complete report is on file and may be viewed on our website.

Safety – Jack Saunders, Chairman

The Chair of the Safety Committee reported on the activity of the committee this past month.  The written report states a plan is being prepared to address issues and coordination between all EMS parties for the lake community.  Also, what are the best methods for the LGA to assist in attaining boating safety laws for the state of NC.  A complete report is on file and may be viewed on our website.

Aquatic Weed Management – Pete Deschenes, Acting Chairman

The committee discussed the status of grass carp.  We are hoping for more information later this week.  A complete report will be on file and may be viewed on our website.

Membership Development - David Duxbury, Chairman

Four new memberships were obtained during the Littleton Fair.  The chair observed that we need more members from Halifax county.  A complete report is on file and may be viewed on our website. 

Public Affairs – Doug Hughes for Larry Jolly Acting Chairman

The committee voted to have a 3 point position on the Brunswick signs to be presented at the next Brunswick Supervisor’s meeting.  There was extensive discussion on the numbers permitted by law of multiple boat slips (residential or commercial).  A survey on the issue of taxes was deemed to be unreliable as language that is impartial has proven to be an insurmountable barrier to drafting a reliable survey.  A complete report is on file and may be viewed on our website.

Planning and Development – Jack D. Saunders, Chairman

The committee continues to discuss and refine our List of Major Objectives.  We changed the priority order and finally agreed on a five-point-list.  Our committee also discussed the areas needed to be included in our map.  A complete report is on file and may be viewed on our website. 

Nominating Committee – Laura Kolb, Chairperson

The committee continues to search for candidates for Director from the two counties (Halifax and Brunswick).  The public is asked to assist in our search.

Executive Director’s Report – Moira Underwood

The Executive Director, Moira Underwood read a synopsis of her report.  The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our website.

Old Business   -  None

New Business 

Review the Public Affairs report.

Each county Director has a coordinator who will try to ensure that all meetings in the respective counties are attended by someone representing LGA (may or may not be a director).

Moira distributed: New By-Laws; alert assignments; alert call sheets.  Directors should remove all the old material under the Alert section and replace with the new information.  An Alert Exercise will be discussed with the past coordinator of this exercise (Dominion).

Public Safety 911 system is not working well.  The coordination of NC-VA EMS needs reviewing to improve assistance for the general public.  John Cataldo mentioned that there is a shortage of EMT personnel and that contributes to the problem.

Residents need to attend every commissioner/supervisor meeting.  Keep bringing up your concerns and issues.

      Meeting was properly adjourned at 11:45 AM.

       Respectfully submitted,

       Joee A. Hoxter, Secretary