CityofLex

Here is an article in our local paper about the City Council's actions with regard to the
dangerous conditions that exist at Jordan's Point (I want to point out that this discussion
took place in the "work session" before the meeting) - It seems that the City of
Lexington's City Council is more concerned with aesthetics of the park, than the lives
of our kids. Particularly Councilman Gianniny -

"There was some discussion among Council members concerning the
placement of warning signs in the park and that they might detract from
the park's atmosphere. "I want the place to be safe but don't want signs
all over," Councilman Jim Gianniny said. "There needs to be a balance."

Well, let's see if I can help Mr. Gianniny with this concept of balance - There are no
less than 32, yes you heard it right...32 signs in the park - (not counting the signs on the
two pods out on the soccer field) - While pondering the senseless death of my son
Charles (a past student of Mr. Gianniny 's 8th grade Geography class), I decided to
count and photograph the signs in the park. While Mr. Gianniny doesn't want signs all
over the place, I think 32 signs would qualify as signs all over the place - I think the
balance was lost long ago...

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The News Gazette

WEDNESDAY MAY 31, 2006 Last modified: Thursday, May 25, 2006 8:34 AM CDT

Signs Going Up At Jordans Point In Wake Of Drownings
By Roberta Anderson

What measures are governments obligated to take to ensure the safety of their citizens? And how can it be
determined when a particular situation poses sufficient danger to require government intervention?

Lexington City Council wrestled with these and other questions last week when it took up the topic of public
swimming in the Maury River at Jordans Point Park. The river has claimed four victims in that vicinity in
recent years, including 16-year-old Charles Volpe in April.

This recent death, however, brought to the attention of public officials a practice that had apparently gone
unnoticed up until now. "Kids are increasingly doing what is called dam jumping," City Manager Jon Ellestad
said. Dam jumping or dam diving involves climbing on top of the concrete dam that still spans the river at
Jordans Point and jumping 7 or 8 feet off the dam into the river on the downstream side. Until the recent
tragedy, Ellestad said, he and other public officials, including Director of Public Works David Woody and
Lexington police Lt. Steve Crowder, were not aware of the "sport" of dam diving at Jordans Point.

Weather conditions during the weekend of the recent tragedy had created particularly deadly conditions on the
river and around the dam. Heavy rains had increased the speed of the water currents and raised the level of the
river. Volpe and a companion were swept over the dam by the rapid water. Crowder said he is continuing his
investigation into the recent drowning in light of the reports of dam diving.

"Swimming in a river is always going to be more dangerous than swimming in a pool," Ellestad told Council last
week. The city manager said he believes that closing off all access to the river from Jordans Point is not
appropriate. However, because of the recent tragedy, Ellestad recommended that "No Trespassing" signs be
posted on the dam and that regular police patrols through the park be established to enforce the regulations.

By Tuesday morning, the city's public works department had already placed posts for the "No Trespassing"
signs as well as for a sign warning about the possible dangers of swimming in the river. Crowder said Lexington
police will regularly patrol the area and strictly enforce the no trespassing law. Warnings will not be issued for
first offenders. Rockbridge County sheriff's deputies are working in cooperation with the Lexington police and
are patrolling the north side of the river. .

There was some discussion among Council members concerning the placement of warning
signs in the park and that they might detract from the park's atmosphere. "I want the
place to be safe but don't want signs all over," Councilman Jim Gianniny said. "There
needs to be a balance.

"Short of tearing down the dam, I think the city is taking the most appropriate action possible," Crowder said.

Last week Ellestad told Council that he has been asked about the possibility of removing the dam. The structure
is owned by the city. "But who knows how many hoops we'd have to jump through (to remove the dam)
beginning with the Army Corps [of Engineers]," Ellestad said. "And there is no way to prove that it would
necessarily do anything to increase safety."

"This summer will be the test," Councilman Tim Golden said regarding the city's efforts to make Jordans Point
a safer place.