07-18-2007, 12:06 AM
[cool][#0000ff]The "canoe crew" is actually a program for some "special needs" people, with mental and physical disabilities. And, these people are not the ones who create most of the problems. Today, as usual, it was the supervisors who loaded up the "riders" and then charged down into the water, oblivious to others trying to launch or come in. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That is a small ramp, but there is room for everybody if common courtesy is observed. It isn't. On one occasion a truck with a boat trailer waited patiently for over a half hour to launch their boat, with all of the canoes stacked on the ramp. Nobody was observant or courteous enough to recognize the situation and move the canoes so the anglers could launch.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]They have some measure of control over where the canoes go and whether or not they infringe upon the space and the rights of others. They seemingly do nothing to avoid giving offense. Good training for their "students".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]What really irked me a couple of weeks ago was when I approached one of the supervisors, politely requesting that he keep the noisy canoes far enough away from fishermen to avoid scaring the fish. His reply...in a belligerent manner..."Our boats DON'T scare fish."[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]At my advanced age I have tried to develop the ability to recognize those things which I cannot change...and to be as diplomatic as possible when approaching a confrontational issue (yeah...right). After trying to be polite about it, without results, I am afraid that I am going to be a bit more DIRECT in future encounters with the canoe crowd.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That is a small ramp, but there is room for everybody if common courtesy is observed. It isn't. On one occasion a truck with a boat trailer waited patiently for over a half hour to launch their boat, with all of the canoes stacked on the ramp. Nobody was observant or courteous enough to recognize the situation and move the canoes so the anglers could launch.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]They have some measure of control over where the canoes go and whether or not they infringe upon the space and the rights of others. They seemingly do nothing to avoid giving offense. Good training for their "students".[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]What really irked me a couple of weeks ago was when I approached one of the supervisors, politely requesting that he keep the noisy canoes far enough away from fishermen to avoid scaring the fish. His reply...in a belligerent manner..."Our boats DON'T scare fish."[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]At my advanced age I have tried to develop the ability to recognize those things which I cannot change...and to be as diplomatic as possible when approaching a confrontational issue (yeah...right). After trying to be polite about it, without results, I am afraid that I am going to be a bit more DIRECT in future encounters with the canoe crowd.[/#0000ff]
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