Dear Friends -
By now, most of you know, on April 23rd, 2006, Kim, Derek and I suffered a loss beyond comprehension...our
son and brother Charles drowned in the Maury River at Jordan's Point. Another senseless loss with very little
being done by the City of Lexington's City Officials. This makes four drownings in the last two years. We have
struggled to make sense from it, but to no avail. Our son Charles was an avid diver (seven NAUI
certifications), and planned to study Marine Biology, Law, with his practice limited to Environmental Law. He
carried a 3.9 GPA, National Honor Society, Jazz Band, Spanish Club (he was fluent), Tennis Team, JV
Baseball, Fly fisherman, Sailing Enthusiast, an avid reader, a brilliant writer, snowboarder, in-line skater,
loved the ocean and all it offered. I could go on for hours, but what is important now is that we fix the problem!
It is your loss as well as ours. He was an awesome kid, who protected the weak, challenged the strong and
was fair to all.
Please remember that we have established a Scholarship Fund in Charles' name - it will be used to
provide assistance to Rockbridge County, City of Lexington, and City of Buena Vista school kids who
wish to be able to attend Sea Trek, BVI - Please send contributions to: Charles Volpe Memorial
Scholarship Fund, 97 Ruined Bridge Lane, Vesuvius, Va 24483. It is a 501 (c) (3) and we will provide you
with the appropriate documentation upon request. We need to make this happen in Charles' memory. Go
to http://www.seatrekbvi.com to see - A PayPal link is below for your convenience.
Any amount would be greatly appreciated towards this worthwhile scholarship - it is tax deductible.
Thank you friends for your help.
Chuck, Kim & Derek Volpe
Email us here...
I have placed the most current update at the top so it's easier to read - you can scan down to
go through the older information if you desire.
Update October 3, 2007 - Engineer's Report of Dams Condition
Update 06/28/06 - The City Council voted in their last meeting to approve a safety system for the dam, which will
include warning signs, warning buoys and a rope - tether system for across the dam. It is my opinion and the opinion
of 1000 petitioners that the dam must be removed and the safety system to be considered an interim measure. The
Jordan's Point Planning Committee is meeting at City Hall on Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 3:00 PM to discuss options. It
is open to the public, so please attend if you can. I will provide them with a 22 minute video from the State of
Wisconsin on low-head dam removal - it will be an important tool for them as they decide the fate of the dam. It has
become abundantly clear that the City has taken far too much time in dealing with this issue. Andy Wolfe told the City
Council that they were informed years ago of the dangers of that dam and at that time (approx 5 years ago)
recommended that the dam have a safety system in place. Apparently it didn't seem important to make that
expenditure at the time. Now the outcome is obvious. We have lost a fine young man and one could argue that the
three other deaths were closely associated with the dam. I think this could be argued by experts and the outcome
would be clear.
Update 07/01/06 - The Jordan's Point Committee made a motion in their meeting 6/29/06 to suspend all swimming
from the Park until the safety system is in place, and to order the engineering study as to the condition of the dam and
suggestions on how to make it safer which could include removal. Time ran short and another meeting will be
scheduled. However, the City did act and placed "No Swimming" signs up in the Park and the Lexington Police will
enforce it.
Update 07/06/06 - Congressman Goodlatte met with Bill Blatter (City of Lexington Planner), and Any Wolfe (Mariner
Media) and I to discuss funding for the Dam study/removal/repair issues. He told us if the City of Lexington makes a
formal request, then he would be "on board" with us to help. Bill is going to make that request. And we were informed
by Bill that the feasibility study will be done as well. Also several private groups are going to study the dam to see
about some private funding as well. All of these are good signs that changes are going to take place. Safety is our
main concern.
Update 07/24/06 - Last week the City of Lexington installed the safety system in front of the dam and reopened the
river for swimming. This device would have saved Charles' life had it been in place at the time of the accident. Several
River Organizations are getting involved to see how they can help the City decide what comes next. My group will be
standing by while these evaluations are complete. Our goal is removal or major modification.
Update 08/15/06 - Bill Blatter, Andy Wolfe and I met with American Rivers and several engineers to discuss the scope
of the project with regard to the dam removal and/or repair. Larry Moen from fisheries was present and we found out
that the sediment issues were less of a problem than originally thought and we were told that once the study is
complete a permit for the work could be had in less than thirty days.
Update 08/16/06 - Bill, Andy and I met with Delegate Ben Cline and he is working on several issues for us -one being
legislation to create a safety requirement for dam owners (warning signs) and the other being the acquisition of funds
if available to help offset our expenses.
Update 10/01/06 - As the time passes, it becomes evident that The City has moved very slowly through the process
of removing the dam - we expect American Rivers to fund the feasibility study, and that is happening soon. I have
contacted the Congressman, who is behind us, the Senators, but with the elections coming up I am going to wait to
meet in case Allen loses. Delegate Cline is working on law requiring dam owners to post their dams with warning signs
and safety devices. That will come up in the next session in January. Our gaol is to try to get the City to install a set of
artificial rapids for tubing, kayaking and canoing, and retain a swimming area as well - they are redesigning the park
right now because of the safety issues - it was poorly planned from the beginning. The Rio Vista dam removal in Texas
is an excellent example:
http://www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/news/RioVistaDam.htm - as to what can happen there. Please take the time to look -
We are raising money for Charles' scholarship fund which is currently over $55,000. We need to keep doing this and
any ideas that would help would be greatly appreciated.
These dams are as dangerous as a drunk driver, and kill nearly as many people. We need to make a change - the
kids who are against it, need to look at Rio Vista and see the alternatives. Keep Charles in your heart and remember
he would be lobbying for a change if this happened to one of his friends. Call me with any suggestions or advice -
Chuck - 540-784-0604.
Update - November 06 - Senator Allen lost the election to Senator Webb, so we must meet with the new Senator
when he takes office. Andy Wolfe, Bill Blatter and I have meet several times with Delegate Cline to work out the details
of the Bill we are asking him to present to the delegates in Richmond in January.
Update January 2007 - Delegate Cline gets our Bill passed with a bit of watering down, but it is on it's way to the
Senate in February. We are thrilled to see this happen in such a short time!
Update February 2007 - Senator Obenshain presents the Bill to the Senate on behalf of Delegate Cline, and with the
support of Senator Hanger and Senator Deeds and a few more changes, we have a new law in Virginia! It was signed
by the Governor March 20, 2007. It makes me so proud to see government work in a positive way, and it is so
refreshing to see the lawmakers in Richmond show respect to their constituents, which is something we rarely see on
the local level. It does my heart good to be part of a positive law, which can and will save lives. The law is simple - if
you own a low head dam and it is in the Commonwealth's inventory, you can properly mark it with buoys and signs. If
someone gets hurt or killed, then your liability is limited to $25,000. If you neglect to mark it, then your liability is
unlimited. This means that you could have the exposure of over several million dollars or more.
go through the older information if you desire.
Update October 3, 2007 - Engineer's Report of Dams Condition
Update 06/28/06 - The City Council voted in their last meeting to approve a safety system for the dam, which will
include warning signs, warning buoys and a rope - tether system for across the dam. It is my opinion and the opinion
of 1000 petitioners that the dam must be removed and the safety system to be considered an interim measure. The
Jordan's Point Planning Committee is meeting at City Hall on Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 3:00 PM to discuss options. It
is open to the public, so please attend if you can. I will provide them with a 22 minute video from the State of
Wisconsin on low-head dam removal - it will be an important tool for them as they decide the fate of the dam. It has
become abundantly clear that the City has taken far too much time in dealing with this issue. Andy Wolfe told the City
Council that they were informed years ago of the dangers of that dam and at that time (approx 5 years ago)
recommended that the dam have a safety system in place. Apparently it didn't seem important to make that
expenditure at the time. Now the outcome is obvious. We have lost a fine young man and one could argue that the
three other deaths were closely associated with the dam. I think this could be argued by experts and the outcome
would be clear.
Update 07/01/06 - The Jordan's Point Committee made a motion in their meeting 6/29/06 to suspend all swimming
from the Park until the safety system is in place, and to order the engineering study as to the condition of the dam and
suggestions on how to make it safer which could include removal. Time ran short and another meeting will be
scheduled. However, the City did act and placed "No Swimming" signs up in the Park and the Lexington Police will
enforce it.
Update 07/06/06 - Congressman Goodlatte met with Bill Blatter (City of Lexington Planner), and Any Wolfe (Mariner
Media) and I to discuss funding for the Dam study/removal/repair issues. He told us if the City of Lexington makes a
formal request, then he would be "on board" with us to help. Bill is going to make that request. And we were informed
by Bill that the feasibility study will be done as well. Also several private groups are going to study the dam to see
about some private funding as well. All of these are good signs that changes are going to take place. Safety is our
main concern.
Update 07/24/06 - Last week the City of Lexington installed the safety system in front of the dam and reopened the
river for swimming. This device would have saved Charles' life had it been in place at the time of the accident. Several
River Organizations are getting involved to see how they can help the City decide what comes next. My group will be
standing by while these evaluations are complete. Our goal is removal or major modification.
Update 08/15/06 - Bill Blatter, Andy Wolfe and I met with American Rivers and several engineers to discuss the scope
of the project with regard to the dam removal and/or repair. Larry Moen from fisheries was present and we found out
that the sediment issues were less of a problem than originally thought and we were told that once the study is
complete a permit for the work could be had in less than thirty days.
Update 08/16/06 - Bill, Andy and I met with Delegate Ben Cline and he is working on several issues for us -one being
legislation to create a safety requirement for dam owners (warning signs) and the other being the acquisition of funds
if available to help offset our expenses.
Update 10/01/06 - As the time passes, it becomes evident that The City has moved very slowly through the process
of removing the dam - we expect American Rivers to fund the feasibility study, and that is happening soon. I have
contacted the Congressman, who is behind us, the Senators, but with the elections coming up I am going to wait to
meet in case Allen loses. Delegate Cline is working on law requiring dam owners to post their dams with warning signs
and safety devices. That will come up in the next session in January. Our gaol is to try to get the City to install a set of
artificial rapids for tubing, kayaking and canoing, and retain a swimming area as well - they are redesigning the park
right now because of the safety issues - it was poorly planned from the beginning. The Rio Vista dam removal in Texas
is an excellent example:
http://www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/news/RioVistaDam.htm - as to what can happen there. Please take the time to look -
We are raising money for Charles' scholarship fund which is currently over $55,000. We need to keep doing this and
any ideas that would help would be greatly appreciated.
These dams are as dangerous as a drunk driver, and kill nearly as many people. We need to make a change - the
kids who are against it, need to look at Rio Vista and see the alternatives. Keep Charles in your heart and remember
he would be lobbying for a change if this happened to one of his friends. Call me with any suggestions or advice -
Chuck - 540-784-0604.
Update - November 06 - Senator Allen lost the election to Senator Webb, so we must meet with the new Senator
when he takes office. Andy Wolfe, Bill Blatter and I have meet several times with Delegate Cline to work out the details
of the Bill we are asking him to present to the delegates in Richmond in January.
Update January 2007 - Delegate Cline gets our Bill passed with a bit of watering down, but it is on it's way to the
Senate in February. We are thrilled to see this happen in such a short time!
Update February 2007 - Senator Obenshain presents the Bill to the Senate on behalf of Delegate Cline, and with the
support of Senator Hanger and Senator Deeds and a few more changes, we have a new law in Virginia! It was signed
by the Governor March 20, 2007. It makes me so proud to see government work in a positive way, and it is so
refreshing to see the lawmakers in Richmond show respect to their constituents, which is something we rarely see on
the local level. It does my heart good to be part of a positive law, which can and will save lives. The law is simple - if
you own a low head dam and it is in the Commonwealth's inventory, you can properly mark it with buoys and signs. If
someone gets hurt or killed, then your liability is limited to $25,000. If you neglect to mark it, then your liability is
unlimited. This means that you could have the exposure of over several million dollars or more.
Charles Oliver Volpe Memorial Scholarship Fund
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Born in Miami, Florida, October 18, 1989, Charles was a lover of sports, and the water. He was an accomplished NAUI certified diver, spending summers in the British Virgin Islands honing his diving skills and obtaining seven NAUI certifications. He spent two summers in Big Pine Key at Seacamp and last summer in Tortola at Seatrek, BVI. His love of Marine Biology and his need to protect our resources, took him towards law, where he had planned to practice environmental law in his Uncle Tim's law practice in Jacksonville, Florida. He leaves behind a legacy of "protecting the weak, challenging the strong, and being fair to all". His motto was, "Love to live, live to love, no regrets" He followed that each day and had the ability to see the positive in each new challenge. His positive attitude will be missed by many and the world will be a lesser place without his presence in it. He will be missed by his family and friends. Please make a contribution to his fund. This is how Charles would want to be remembered. |
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| Charles Oliver Volpe 10/18/89 - 04/23/06 |
Updates Below on Dam! 10/15/07