Old ordinance impacting recreational activity, says New Kent residents

By Andre Jones | July 7, 2015 1:41 am

An ordinance that has been unchanged for several years has caused two New Kent citizens to voice their displeasure about one particular recreational activity not allowed on Chickahominy Lake.

Jonathan Edmonds and Daniel Moore addressed county leaders Monday evening during the supervisors’ meeting public comment period. At issue is a county ordinance that bans water skiing.

Edmonds questioned the existence of the ordinance during his allotted time.

“I don’t even know why this ordinance exists,” he said. “This is a public lake and I believe that no activity should be restricted by a county ordinance.

“The law does not specify the boundaries of the lake,” Edmonds continued, pointing to how the lake is a boundary line for both Charles City and New Kent. “It is a class four misdemeanor if we violate the law, but yet there are motorboats that use the lake without consequences for recreation.”

Moore chimed in, saying that the lake presents a skier-friendly atmosphere.

“There are more than 1,000 of ski-able acres in that lake,” the avid skier said. “What right does New Kent have to restrict water-skiing?

“This is the type of area that water-skiers look for,” Moore continued. “It’s time for the board to take a hard, long look at this ordinance and get rid of it.”

While District 3 supervisor James Burrell said the lake supplied water for Newport News, District 5 representative Ray Davis mentioned the brief history on the ordinance.

“This ordinance was put in place in 1979 and none of us was on the board then,” Davis commented. “I spoke with these gentlemen and I wanted to get this issue out in the public.”

“I don’t see what’s wrong with allowing them to water-ski when you have motorboats already in the water,” added District 4 supervisor Ron Stiers. “It makes no sense that this is the only thing not allowed on the lake and I believe we need to address it.”

Supervisors instructed staff to research the ordinance and to report the information at a future board work session.