4TH.ST. KAYAK LAUNCH

by RON COONS

I read the informative article about the Kayak launch in the April 10th edition of the Catskill Daily Mail and was confused by the comments of the Mayor. Mayor Smallwood stated “there were several citizens dissatisfied with the new launch because they will not be able to launch their small boats, canoes, jet skis or wave runners by trailer because of the three foot wall installed in front of the launching area. When the Mayor referred to “We felt the project was perfect for small craft and kayaks”, did the word We including the dissatisfied citizens she specks of? Were their concerns even considered? What is the Mayor’s definition of small craft?

This launch has been used by fishermen, duck hunters, canoes, ice boaters, and residents of Athens long before the 1962 amendment was adopted making it the official Athens Boat Launch. The law was passed to protect its existence because the Village Officials attempted to sell it at one time. The citizens protested and reversed the decision. They then passed the Law to keep and protect it from any future attempts to do the same thing. After all it is the only accessible boat launch belonging to the Village.

This launch area was not only convenient but was in most cases close enough to launch your boat , drive the trailer home, park it and walk back to the launch. In fairness to all residents the launch should accommodate all type small craft users’ not just kayaks.

The Mayor says those type boaters can use the State launch. Has the Mayor ever tried to launch a boat at the State launch during the summer Weekends? It is nearly impossible to find a place to park because of the overflow from both the Catskill and Coxsackie boat launches.

Another concern is that the village was made aware of the Law in Feb 2007 by the Planning Board before the project was started. The proper procedure is to rescind the law and have a public hearing for approval of the changes before the project starts. The Village officials did not follow the proper procedure and are therefore in violation of the Law. In Chapter 13 of the Village Code Book it states this Law and has mention of a penalty that should be imposed on anyone in violation of the law.

Mayor Smallwood dismisses the fact that the law was broken by saying “the Village code may be revisited after the Village Board hears the ZIC proposals and the public’s comments.” Does this mean if you are thinking of changing a law it is alright to break it? I think not! Village Laws pertain to all citizens and should be respected and enforced when violated.

Express your concerns to the Village Board by signing up to speak at the “OPEN” Village Board Meeting or by writing to the Mayor and Trustees.