As Gilda Radner”s famous Saturday Night Live character Roaseanne Roseannadanna used to say, “It”s always something!” Last year we dealt with smoke on the lake nearly all summer. This year, it”s the algae and other aquatic weed issues that threaten Lake County”s tourism-based economy.
The County of Lake, the City of Lakeport and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce have been working hard to minimize the impacts of the aquatic weed problems. In past years when Clear Lake weed control was necessary to make it possible for fishing parties and water skiers to be able to launch their boats from ramps in Lakeport, the county, city and chamber have divided up the cost of the herbiciding.
This year, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, which was previously called the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce, does not have the financial ability to pay one-third of the cost, due to the loss of funding from the City of Lakeport. Because the weed spraying has to be done, the chamber is asking for local individuals and businesses to donate some money for the weed control efforts.
We believe that this is a reasonable request and a logical action for Lakeport business owners and managers to take. If boaters are not capable of launching into Clear Lake from Lakeport boat ramps it would have a serious, negative economic impact on many Lakeport businesses.
Many of you may have gotten the letter and donation form, signed by Melissa Fulton at the chamber. If you did receive it, please use the form to make a donation to help pay for the weed spraying. If you didn”t receive the letter, contact the chamber at 263-5092 to let them know you want to help.
We also want to note that Dennis Yows, of Pestmaster in Upper Lake, is keeping the aquatic weed spraying price the same as sprayings in 2007 and 2008. That is a generous gesture, based upon the fact that his costs have risen.
