Make your voice heard on Oak Swamp Reservoir

Posted

To the Editor:

The mayor of Johnston along with the Town Council have decided that there is too much liability at Oak Swamp Reservoir to give access to any resident that doesn't live directly on the water. This seems to coincide with the elite of society buying property on the lake and pressuring the mayor to make them stewards of the lake.

The mayor has met privately with the lakefront property owners and has advised them as to how to go about forming an association, which they did. Now they are asking for a non-profit status, which will ultimately give them the benefit of getting grant money from the town of Johnston.

It is really a slap in the face to be paying taxes on something we cannot use, and then additionally funding a grant that would benefit only these so-called elite residents.

Many residents do not even know about the gate that has been put up, barring access to anyone other than lakefront owners. These access roads are public access roads and it is stated on the plat maps in town hall. These maps have been in existence for over 50 years.

The liability statement that the mayor made is laughable at best. Johnston Memorial Park and Woodlake Park are far more likely to be a liability than Oak Swamp Reservoir.

More people need to know about the situation and to get involved before more rights are taken away. These are the things that go on behind closed doors and rules get passed before the general public is even aware.

We all need to get involved. Call the mayor. Call your representative. Call the ACLU. Make your voice heard! Arlene Parisella Johnston

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