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Counterpoint:

By Latimer Alexander
 

Imagine the frustration to know that you have paid more than $150 million for something and it’s ready for you to use and enjoy, but someone tells you access denied.

Welcome to the weird world of Randleman Lake and Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority. That’s what they said at their last meeting. All recreational access denied until next March.

 
PTRWA board members and Executive Director John Kime feel that the public has no right of access to enjoy the fishing, paddling and natural beauty of the lake until they say the time is right.

Certainly the N.C. Fish and Wildlife agents, who tested the water and evaluated the fish, feel they are big enough to catch. They shared their results with the board at its last meeting, just prior to the board’s ruling. 

The lake is at or near full pool and the water is settling out and clearing up very nicely. I visited with Kime recently and he said that the water quality tests were all exceeding everyone’s expectations.

The only reason for delay he could share was in getting Duke Energy to extend electric service to the recently completed public boat access and restrooms. According to Kime, that service should be in place by mid-July of this year.

So, the question is: Why are we being denied? Certainly an electric generator could be provided for electricity until Duke Energy can extend the line for a more permanent connection.

The weather is perfect, the water fine, and we have spent more than $150 million for a water source and recreational asset.

The city of High Point has invested $31,409,002, to date and has a 19 percent share in the lake and water plant.

Greensboro, Randolph County, Jamestown, Archdale and Randleman have invested the balance of the cost.

The writer lives in High Point and is an at-large High Point City Council member.