Eliminate motor limit for Lake Macbride

Regarding the Feb. 8 article about large boat motors on Lake Macbride, I have concerns. Over the past years, numerous petitions have been circulated, signed and sent to our state Legislature to remove the 10 horsepower motor limit, as long as the “no wake” restriction is observed. We fishermen diligently obey this rule at Pleasant Creek, as we would at Macbride, as we understand the erosion concern.

Every time these petitions are submitted, they are somehow mysteriously buried in other paperwork, totally disappear with no explanation or a poor excuse is issued for our efforts. I know because I have called and been given these excuses.

There are reasons for this, someone in our Legislature has a personal stake for their own benefit, or someone they know on the island of private homes. Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City, seems to fall into this same category, so who is she protecting? Has she ever priced a smaller outboard? I doubt it.

Also, the people who live there did not create the lake, as she states. Did they supply the rock for the dam or drive the dump trucks delivering it? No. Did they supply and drive the sand for the beach? No. The only thing the people on the island have done is to keep the boating traffic at a minimum so to protect their private, personal paradise at our cost.

Please push for Senate File 54 to eliminate the motor limit.

Kevin Lynch

Mount Vernon