We've had two instances of vandalism reported this month. George Goetz called the Sheriff's Department after discovering several downspouts had been damaged on his home, Lot # K-24, during the week of June 28. Suspects are unknown but a report has been prepared by a deputy.
Then, Patricia Martin, Lot # H-59, reported the tool shed on her property was vandalized sometime before June 24. The owners discovered that someone had forced the door open and then broke the windows on both sides of the building.
Also, while not reported to me personally, I learned a burglary occurred sometime during the last week in June at the Marler residence outside the front gate, and several items were stolen. The owner is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
We enjoyed a rather uneventful 4th of July weekend on the lake. There were two incidents reported to me by Roger Hovis, involving misconduct by residents, and a letter is being sent to each of those residents. It is hoped that after they receive the communication they will then abide by lake regulations.
Safety should be a concern of every resident who uses the lake for boating purposes. Some are persistent in their efforts to ignore the boating regulations, so hopefully, no one will sustain injuries because of their inattention to our rules.
Finally, you all may have noticed the Patrol Boat was not visible on the lake on the holiday weekend, and was not the lead boat in the parade this year.
The reason for this is the boat motor finally died. Morris, assisted by Roger, attempted to revive the motor this spring, but it's condition proved fatal. After all, the Patrol Boat was being powered by a 1986 Yamaha engine, and Morris told me it had been underwater more times than he can count on his fingers and toes. The most recent time it was submerged was during the "great flood" earlier this year, when water rose higher than the boatlift on our property.
Given the diagnosis offered by Morris, I had an informal discussion with the other board members and it was determined we needed to replace the motor if we were going to continue patrolling our waterway.
I'm informed the most appropriate motor is a 2005 Mercury, 3 cylinders, oil injected with a power trim and tilt. Morris said the motor will last much longer with those added features.
Morris moved the Patrol Boat trailer last week to Scenic Rivers Boats and Motors in Bonne Terre where the old motor is being replaced. The cost for replacing the motor is $4,600, and I am making a motion that amount be approved and payment made to Scenic Rivers Boats and Motors.
Once the boat is operational, we need to once again seek volunteers to give up two hours a weekend to insure we have a safe environment here at Lake Tishomingo. Everyone wants safe boating seasons, but it's not reasonable for one person to take responsibility solely for operation of this boat every weekend. So, come on folks, stand up and be counted. Lend a helping hand and give Roger a phone call and volunteer a bit of your time on the Patrol Boat. We all benefit through safe boating, and this can be accomplished by the presence of the Patrol Boat on the lake as often as possible.
Thank you,
Ray Lauer