Great letter

Gentlemen:
 
I live in Hobbs, New Mexico and fish a number of Texas Lakes.  My favorite is LAH.  I started making inquiries about annual passes last November and was advised to wait until early 2003 when there would be new rates.  When I found out that they could double, I was astonished!!  I felt it a slap in the face to the lakes' most ardent supporters.
 
People from this area do a lot of shopping in Lubbock County, in spite of the higher sales tax.  We buy boats at Wolfforth and Lubbock, Cars, SUV's, and RV's, and fill the parking lots at the mall and discount centers!  We also fish at LAH and support the economies of Post and Justiceburg.
 
News of the rate increases have led to comments that the rates at the lakes southeast of Midland are so much lower that we can go there and save enough for a good meal while shopping in Midland!! 
 
As I made more inquiries about the lake, I found it was not a simple matter of fees for the people of the high plains as stated in the lake descriptions, but a MESS of  political and financial agendas!!!   Some of which were -- 
 
       New Water Districts    This sounds neighborly, as long as it is self funding and not detrimental to the interests of Lubbock and it's citizens or LAH.   But, then there were the rumors of "feed-back" lines to "private developments", one with a golf course!!!    Now wouldn't it be nice to have a Private Club adjacent to a great lake with PUBLIC ACCESS LIMITED BY EXORBITANT RATES!!!!!   Such a deal!!!
 
       The 300' Easement Around The Lake   I have enjoyed quietly trolling the perimeter of the lake and enjoying watching the wildlife around the lake!!  They seem to think it is theirs and have made their homes there!   I contrast that to the dilapidated fishing shacks sitting in the mud around Hubbard Creek Reservoir!!  The "Flash of Prosperity" soon faded when the developers sold out and were gone!!  It is a shame,  I loved that lake as a youth!
 
       Facilities   We appreciate the clean facilities available and the fact that they are being expanded!!  We are more than willing to pay for slip rental and to purchase fuel, bait, tackle, and snacks at a marina concession.   Most of us carry a trash bag when we walk around the lake and are proud to help keep it a place where families like to go.  Unfortunately, this support will disappear if we can't afford to get in!!
 
We, the users of the lake would ask you to  ---
 
        Be cautious with the reallocation of the assets and future of one of Lubbock's most pristine jewels.
 
        Please keep the buffer between the minnows in the shallows and the fertilized yards with individual boat storage.
 
        Continue to offer a clean, accessible, affordable, oasis where our children and grandchildren can catch that FIRST fish!!  You have helpful, polite, people at the lake and in Lubbock that deserve a pat on the back!!
 
Your lake literature says you serve the region and brags about visitors from a wide area.  Please don't let your fees drive them away!
 
 
Thanks You for your time and consideration.
 
Pat  Koontz
proof@gte.net 

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