Issue 11•July 2005 Keeping you informed about the land and water we care about.
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This issue’s content:
1. 2005 Independence Day Boat Parade
2. Aquatic Restoration Plan Public Meeting
3. Update on Lake Clean-Up
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1. 2005 Independence Day Boat Parade
First the fun topic: It was overcast and a little threatening, but the rain held off and
the parade went smoothly. Special thanks to all who participated and made FOCL’s
Second Annual Independence Day Boat Parade so much fun. And quite a parade it
was: when the Black Pearl pulled up to the State Park Launch Ramp, jaws dropped...
Winner of the Judges’ Choice Award: Roy & Linda Buzzelli in The Black Pearl
Roy & Linda Buzzelli had it all covered: look close--it says “bang” inside the cannons.
Most Patriotic—Mary Ann Estes Best Decorated—Janet Danner
Most Creative—Johnny Garrett Oldest—Cecil Doyle Tackiest—Dennis Jones
Ron Powers and the Judges on the Miss Pulaski County
Thanks go to Judges Peter Huber, William Parker, Eddie Hale, Ranny Akers, and Nancee Waugh
More shots from the FOCL 2005 Independence Day Boat Parade
FOCL would like to give a special thanks to the following sponsors of the Parade for
the prize donations:
Bishop Marine Upholstery • Big Z • Claytor Lake Watersports
Conrad Brothers Marine • CVS of Dublin • El Ranchero • Landmark Builders
NRV Signs • Pulaski BlueJays • Pulaski Furniture • S&D Lakeside Marine
Town Center • Tree Huggers Sporting Goods • ShopEez • Walmart
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2. Aquatic Restoration Plan Public Meeting
The first Aquatic Restoration Plan Public Meeting took place June 21st at Rooker Hall
on the campus of New River Community College. Seventy folks were in attendance.
FOCL President Ron Powers led the meeting and Beth Cade, Community Planner
for the Corps of Engineers, detailed how the project will unfold. The meeting was
held to inform all Claytor Lake Stakeholders about the plan prior to the signing of
the agreement that formally initiates the plan. That signing took place June 27th at
The Gazebo at Claytor Lake State Park.
The Aquatic Restoration Plan is a long-term project with long term benefits for
Pulaski County, Claytor Lake, and all friends of Claytor Lake. This meeting was
the first of several upcoming meetings about the Plan. We heartily encourage all
of you who care about Claytor Lake to attend the meetings, stay informed and be
involved in this project. Be looking for the next meeting to be held this fall.
FOCL President Ron Powers takes a question from the audience.
County Commissioner Ranny Akers makes a point during the discussion.
Concerned Claytor Lake stakeholders at the meeting.
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3. Update on Lake Clean-Up
We were scheduled to get started on May 15. That didn’t happen. Why? The short
answer is that few inmates have been qualified for the job of Lake Clean-up.
The longer answer:
The clean up crew consists of Captain & Crew Chief Gary Roseberry, two or more
inmates from the NRV Regional Jail, and an off-duty deputy. The inmates are the
key. Last year we were fortunate to have two enthusiastic men who formed a very
synergistic team that pulled out more debris from the lake than ever before. We
have not been so lucky this year. Cleaning Claytor Lake is special work-duty for
the inmates and they must be eligible for special work release in order to take on
the clean-up job. Also the NRV Regional Jail serves 6 counties (Pulaski, Wythe,
Giles, Bland, Montgomery and Floyd). Unfortunately, this year few inmates have
been qualified for special work-release, and those that have been eligible have been
assigned to other duties in the region. We are as frustrated as some of you and
your neighbors may be. Please share this information with your neighbors who
may not know about the cause of the delays.
Our approach of using inmates in the crew has been successful in the past, but it
is not without shortcomings. Our clean-up operations have always been very cost
effective, but they are not always timely. And this has caused us to look into our
approach to lake clean-up; for example, we have discussed the idea of hiring a full
time crew—though there are other issues with that approach. We will keep you
informed as we discuss this further.
Meanwhile, we are doing the best we can and will keep you posted on our progress.
As of the date of this publication (July 29), we have worked at Harry Dehaven Park
and Lakeview Cove. Also we are working the crew through weekends in an effort to
make up for lost time.
Finally, we need to mention a special company that is nearing completion of work
at Big Hole Hollow that will enable us to reach areas of the lake that we have not
been able to reach before. That company is Dublin Developers. They have been a
tireless supporter of the Friends of Claytor Lake and are doing this work for us and
for the lake gratis. So a hearty thanks!
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