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Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY)

May 23, 2002
Section: Neighbors West
Edition: Final
Page: 9

The Skaneateles Town Board is seeking residents to serve on a committee to help resolve the personal watercraft dispute on Skaneateles Lake. The only requirement is a balanced perspective.

Applicants should send a letter to Supervisor Bill Pavlus at town hall, 24 Jordan St., by June 5. The board is expected to appoint committee members when it meets the next day.

Councilor David Laxton, who proposed the committee May 16, originally called on the board to establish "a small, unbiased, volunteer committee" to explore the issue, but changed it to "balanced" at the suggestion of his colleagues.

"Unbiased," Councilor Ted Astemborski said, "is going to be tough."

A good portion of town residents already have taken a stand on whether the town should impose restrictions on personal watercraft.

Personal watercraft, one of which is Jet Ski, are akin to motorcycles for the water.

Critics say they make too much noise, can be dangerous and pollute; defenders say those claims are overstated.

Tired of noise and hot-dogging by some personal watercraft users, a citizens group submitted a petition May 2, purportedly signed by more than 1,200 town voters, seeking action.

Among other things, the petition asks for a 5 mph speed limit on the vessels within 1,000 feet of shore and to make them yield the right of way at all times.

It also asks the board to ban personal watercraft powered by two-stroke engines after a grace period to cut back on pollution.

Laxton, the board's recreation liaison, acknowledged the majority of personal watercraft users operate them safety and responsibly, but scolded the "few inconsiderate PWC operators (who) have ignored the rules of common sense and have been inconsiderate of others."

Passing laws that would be difficult to enforce is not the answer, he said.

"Sometimes we can look outside of our issue for good solutions," Laxton said.

Snowmobile owners have made their sport safer and improved its image by setting up associations that mark trails, obtain permission to ride on people's land, propose and help enforce legislation and promote courtesy, he said.

"Speaking for myself, I would consider reasonable laws - and I underline reasonable - governing PWCs and other power boats after hearing the report from the advisory committee," Laxton said.

Other communities, especially those sharing the lake shoreline with Skaneateles, are watching what Skaneateles does.

"There is an old saying - shape up or ship out," Laxton said.

"This may be a great opportunity for the boating industry to demonstrate that common sense and regulation from within is a better alternative than strict municipal laws."

"This is the best sentence of all," Councilor Barbara Spain said.

Laxton asked the board to come up with questions by June 6 so the committee can get to work.

"I know I have a couple of dozen of them," he said.

Copyright, 2002, The Herald Company
Purchased for reprint by The Borodino Bullett.