Recently, Cherryville held an open meeting to discuss how to keep Sugar Lake's waters as pristine as possible and to address recreational activities on the lake, as there has been a petition circulating to ban towing behind boats and as well restricting motor size.
About 70 people attended to express their feelings and although there were opinions on both sides, everyone agreed that we needed to be progressive and diligent to keep the lake as clean as it is now and at the same time promote Sugar Lake as a quiet, family friendly lake that is open to activities that enhance family enjoyment, while at the same time maintaining respect for fellow, campers, boaters, regulations and the environment (water, riparian areas, habitat, animals and aquatic life).
As a community, we understand that we need to keep young families here to keep schools viable and to be solid members of the community.
Closing the lake to family recreation would help them decide to move somewhere else. Also, telling the local people to take their boats elsewhere, at a cost of increasing the carbon footprint, would only concentrate the issues at a different location.
There will be more meetings ahead to come up with a positive plan for Sugar Lake that includes all users.
Clint Whitecotton
Cherryville