What was voted to be closed to public access under former Mayor Kerry Cook and 5 of 6 City Councillors, is now back on the table at City Hall.
Greg van Soest, a local resident who has been advocating the City to bring the Lake back into Williams Lake and championing for a boat launch on South Lakeside, says he is pleased that newly inaugurated Councillors Scott Nelson, Jason Ryll, and Craig Smith, want Dutch Point Road to be re-opened.
“I’m like hooray for the three new Councillors that finally can see the light where the other Councillors and Mayor (Cook) decided they going to do whatever they were going to do.”
Marilyn Haines, a local business owner and property owner on Dutch Point Road, however, believes differently and shares her reaction on the recommendation to rescind the November 4th resolution.
“I find it pretty upsetting that the last Mayor and Council voted all but one in favor of blocking the access to make it safer for the residents of Dutch Point Road and well as the users of the access that a new Mayor and Council can come in and just rescind it.”
“All the legwork and all the homework that everybody did to try to solve this situation is just thrown out the window.”
Haines, who asserts in a letter written to Mayor Walt Cobb and City Council that the access at Dutch Point Road has never been designated as a boat launch, says Councillors Scott Nelson, Jason Ryll, and Craig Smith, are making a big mistake.
“If it was closed for safety reasons, and they want to re-open it then they’re basically being irresponsible.”
“If a safety situation does come up and they have ignored it then the City is liable for any problems or any lawsuits that could arise.”
van Soest, meanwhile says safety has never been a concern.
“I’m thinking it’s just serving the private interests of those people and they’re trying to drum up whatever it is; it’s like we’re calling it a safety issue, so we’re closing it or we’re going to try and close it.”
The recommendation to re-open Dutch Point Road public access to include vehicle, boat, snowmobile, and pedestrian access will be discussed at Tuesday’s Regular Council meeting starting at 6 pm.