A county of wimps?
By Dave Gebhard
Are Lake County”s people and businesses wimps? Why do we just bemoan the weed and algae problem that is crippling our tourism industry? Since we turned down the harvesting idea, and the latest harvester seems expensive, are we just going to give up?
Why not get proactive and rally boat owners all around the lake to round up and somehow get rid of the choke-hold weeds and algae have on our tourism industry. Can”t blame tourists for not wanting to foul their propellers on our weeds and algae. Plus, the smell wrecks the fishing and skiing enjoyment for all.
There must be a way that we can organize and eradicate the problem. Our leaders need to find a way and organize the citizens to save our economy. Inaction just exacerbates the problem, as weeds and algae continue to grow daily. If it gets worse we might have no fishing tournaments. It is bad enough to lose the concert venue at Konocti Harbor, a great draw for out-of-towners and their dollars.
Tourism has been our biggest industry, and we need to foster it, as the only true draw is our lake. Admittedly, our wineries are becoming more popular, but we are not Napa County, as their wineries are a major destination. Clear Lake is our crown jewel. We need to care for it, or lose the last great industry we have left.
Dave Gebhard
Lakeport
