When one hears the word Tailgating, the first thought which comes to mind is a fun time with great barbecue, cold beverages and a lot of frivolity outside a stadium prior to a National Football League game. That's considered a good thing.
However, here the opposite is true. Tailgating at Lake Tishomingo is a bad thing. When a vehicle operator tailgates another at our entrance, there is every probability either one of two things will occur, or perhaps both. First, when the gate rises it is designed to allow access to only one vehicle. As another vehicle passes through the raised gate it drops abruptly and it then strikes the second vehicle (violator) that is being driven in. In those instances the gate mechanism can be severely damaged. Second, it is most likely damage will also occur to the car that is attempting to enter our gate illegally.
When the gate mechanism is damaged and it is necessary to have a representative from Signature Control make repairs, the Sheriff's office is contacted, a report is prepared and the violator will be summoned to court and could face a stiff fine.
So, we are asking residents here at the lake and all property owners to inform friends and relatives who will be visiting here — tailgating to gain access to the lake at the front entrance is a bad thing. Our gate is designed, as most automatic gates are, to allow only one vehicle in at a time when the gate raises. There is even a sign to warn drivers that only one vehicle can pass under the gate each time it rises.
We've had several recent incidents of drivers who were observed tailgating and Roger is following up on those.
There are two other issues related to the gate. First, Signature Control has installed the device that will allow emergency vehicles to gain access without delay, when a siren is sounded as the gate is approached. That information has been made known to the fire department, sheriff's office, ambulance operators and the 911 Dispatch center.
Second, when the service operator was installing the siren-sounding device he mentioned to Roger the firm now has gate bars that can be installed that would replace the wooden boards presently utilized, and would be difficult to destroy. I told Roger to arrange for the purchase of these aluminum gates, and when they are available they will be installed. These gate bars will definitely cause damage to the vehicles of offending drivers, so please tell friends and relatives of what's on the horizon with respect to our gate.
Next a resident asked about the dry hydrants. The hydrants near the community house and on the south side are inoperable because of the present lake level. I plan on visiting the fire chief tomorrow morning regarding the hydrant on the south side. He previously informed me that hydrant was improperly installed, and he will work with us to determine the appropriate method for getting this unit in a workable condition. It will require the reseating of the pipe from the hydrant to the lake so that it has the proper slant by which firefighters can draw water from the lake. In order to make our dry hydrants working units, however, God needs to send us a deluge to bring the lake up to an acceptable level, or people need to begin Indian Rain Dances, whichever is your belief.
Finally, we are fortunate there have been no reported incidents that have come to my attention since my last report. And, for those who have an opinion about whether the operating hours for the gate should be revised, please review the comments which are published in the December 2005 newsletter.
Submitted by
Ray Lauer