Volunteers working to make beach safer

To the editor:

For 20 years, Park and Rec Board Chair Dr. Terry Cochran has been my doctor (a superb one) and a friend. I much regret that we have disagreed on the use of Bonnifield Lake beach and hope that he might, at some point, reconsider his position.

With regard to the Aug. 7 Ledger article [?Cochran restates opinion to close Bonnifield Beach?], some years ago in Fairfield, we had a fisherman, who did not know how to swim, drown when his boat tipped. If we were to ban swimming at the lake, then why not boat fishing?

Actually, people who use the beach generally know how to swim, whereas many fishermen/women do not. So, is not beach swimming safer than boat fishing?

With regard to fears by Park and Rec board members Twohill and Whitney of ?coldspots and undercurrents,? cold spots are no hazard, and there simply are no undercurrents. Visibility, like almost all swimming lakes in Iowa, is about three feet, rather than ?12 inches.?

Concerning safety measures, since the beach was re-opened, we beach volunteers have added four more (for a total of six) long yellow floats, making more resting/safety spots for swimmers. The outermost float line in the roped off area is presently in less than 5 feet deep water (rather than 7 to 8 feet, as before), so any adult can now stand within any part of that area. It will be kept that way as the lake level changes.

Currently, we are diligently researching safety flotation devices, warning/informational signs, and hopefully, emergency alert devices to be put at the beach.

I and many other Fairfielders derive great joy from being out in the sun, fresh air, water, and natural, pine tree laden environment that is difficult to express to those who do not experience it.

We sincerely wish this issue were not so divisive. We simply ask to be allowed the liberty to decide for ourselves, as is done throughout Iowa and the rest of the USA, whether or not we swim in the great outdoors.

? Bob Klauber, head of the beach volunteers committee