|
Several ordinances have been proposed that would restrict certain activities
Jeffery Beahm (center, seated) of Madison and his family relax beside the Potomac River yesterday. 'They're going to lose a lot of tourism if the word gets out' about proposed restrictions, said his daughter, Heather Cassity (left).
Pedro Marquez of Manassas gathers up his fishing poles after fishing in the Potomac River at Colonial Beach yesterday. Several ordinances have been proposed that would restrict certain activities, including fishing. |
By PAMELA GOULD
Michael Gouvisis has lived in Colonial Beach for 38 years, but thinks the town fathers have lost their way in trying to further regulate behavior along the town's shoreline.
"You promote tourism, so quit preying on tourists," he said yesterday during a break from helping friends with their vegetable stand.
People who were swimming, sunbathing and fishing along the shore of the Potomac River yesterday afternoon were stunned and a bit bemused to hear some of the restrictions the Town Council is considering adding next year.
Bruce and Kathy Drummond of Linden, near Front Royal, were first-time visitors to Colonial Beach. They spent the weekend at a bed-and-breakfast in town, and yesterday sat on the sparsely populated beach enjoying the sunshine and reading the day's newspaper.
They chuckled as they heard that the council was considering steps such as barring people from tossing Frisbees, playing beach volleyball and using chairs and umbrellas to stake out their family's space.
"I think that would be a little bit excessive," Bruce Drummond said.
Plus, he envisioned another problem: "How do you enforce it?"
Mary Barker hadn't been to Colonial Beach since she was a child, but yesterday came with her husband, Kraig, and their two boys, 1-year-old Ryan and 9-year-old Tanner.
The Barkers live in the Montpelier section of Hanover County, so the 75-minute drive made for a nice day trip.
"It seems kind of crazy," was her reaction to hearing of some of the possible bans.
"Normally, you come to the beach and set up what you want to do," she said.
TENSIONS IN TOWN
Gouvisis said that what he believes underlies the quest for additional restrictions, including prohibiting fishing from the beach and cooking on the shore, is anti-Latino sentiment.
"Some people want to keep the town in the Dark Ages," said Gouvisis, a longtime civilian employee at the Dahlgren Navy base.
'This is my personal observation. There was an abundance of Hispanics. They would get there early on a Saturday morning and stake their claim [to space]," he said.
Some residents have complained about a lack of parking, blocked access for boat launching, and trash left behind.
As a result of residents' complaints about out-of-towners, the Town Council closed the popular Castlewood Park indefinitely as of the first weekend in August.
Town Councilman Steve Kennedy said at the time that the park had "gotten overrun" with hundreds of weekend visitors who were impacting the "quality of life of residents."
And last week, at a meeting of the Town Council's Public Safety Committee where restrictions were being discussed, one resident demonstrated her concern by holding up a bag with two fishhooks she said she found in the sand.
The committee is expected to draft proposed regulations before submitting them for consideration by the full council. No date was set for when that would happen.
TOURISM IMPACT
The Beahm family traditionally vacation in Ocean City, but decided they'd take a summer weekend trip from their home in Madison County to Colonial Beach.
Jeffery Beahm was surprised by the paucity of people on the river's shore yesterday. But, after hearing about the additional restrictions under consideration, he wondered if that was a factor.
"Maybe that is why the beach is not as crowded as it was before," he said. Fifteen years ago, "it was so crowded you couldn't get on the beach."
His wife, Donna, and daughter, Heather Cassity, said the changes currently under discussion would keep them away in the future.
"I won't be here," Donna Beahm said. "A beach is a beach. It's supposed to be where you go and have fun."
"They're going to lose a lot of tourism if the word gets out," Cassity said.
Sharon and Larry Jenkins say that has already happening.
The couple live in town and operate Gypsy Shaved Ice, a snack stand.
Profit is down at least 50 percent this year, Sharon Jenkins said.
Larry Jenkins said that if the town wants to control people in a constructive way, restrictions aren't the answer, but he does have a suggestion.
"If they want to control people, charge people to park," he said.
Pamela Gould: 540/735-1972
Email: pgould@freelancestar.com
Already, it takes two signs No alcoholic beverages No dogs No open fires No loud music No littering Vending by permit only Beach closed 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Beach parking closed 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Regulations strictly enforced. SIGN 2:No skating, skateboarding, rollerblading, bicycling, motor vehicles on the boardwalk except that bicycling, skating, skateboarding and rollerblading will be permitted 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily. Vending by permit only Regulations strictly enforced. |
