It has been apparent for some time now that the four prevailing Coeur d'Alene City Council members have had it in for boaters who launch at Third Street.

At first the McEuen Park plan completely did away with the boat launch, promising some "equal or better" solution. One plan was to build a launch down the Spokane River around the site of the old DeArmond Mill. Of course, those boaters familiar with launching at Blackwell Island know that there is a very long "no wake zone" encountered before ever reaching Lake Coeur d'Alene proper. This can cause engine idling issues in some boats and is generally a nuisance, not unlike having a 15 mph speed limit on all streets from I-90 into downtown Cd'A.

Then it was proposed to build a boat launch near the Beach House on Lake Coeur d'Alene Drive. It was to have two launch lanes (rather than the five launch lanes at Third Street) and of course would have questionable utility given its unprotected (wind) location. If anyone has had to wait to either put in his boat or take it out while an incompetent boat/trailer operator or an inconsiderate one hogs a launch lane, the number of launch lanes is an important consideration.

Finally, we heard that well, all right, if the boaters really want to make such a stink about it, the boat launch would be kept where it is,

see MY TURN, C4

MY TURN

from C1

but boat trailer parking would be moved way across the park on the east side by the library. If there is a great way to ball up the cluster at a dock, making boaters tie up and take up much needed dock space while parking a long way off and walking back, is one way to do it. That gum up can occur equally when taking out. Then there's the all-too-often case of forgetting some critical item in the vehicle and making the long walk a second time.

Finally, we heard that there may be a way to park closer, near Front Street, if the parking plan works out and those pesky boaters shut up long enough.

I have launched for years at Third Street, which is a well designed launch from the standpoint of bank angle into the water, dock design, etc., and have quit launching from many other locations.

This summer, as in the past, I paid $5 to launch my little 15-foot boat and park, that is, until a week ago when I paid $5 plus $3 equalling $8.

On Sept. 9, I paid $5 plus $6 equalling $11 for my wife and I to launch our boat long enough to get dinner on the lake, about three hours.

I'm not sure about the rest of you but it sure seems like this is some kind of vendetta against small boaters, not the big guys, of course, who can afford summer boat slips.

Maybe this is just another City of Coeur d'Alene example of "get rid of the riff raff."

Mike Satren is a Hayden resident.