As another resident along the Cartecay River came forward with complaints, Gilmer County commissioners explored more solutions to people causing trouble on the river.
Gilmer County resident Steven Lockhart began the Citizens Wishing to Speak portion of the meeting by detailing confrontations he has been having with people floating the river.
“It’s worse this year,” he said. “This isn’t litter. This isn’t people having fun. We’re getting to the point of violence.”
Lockhart told commissioners he has been cussed at while people are standing on his private property signs, had rocks thrown at him and his girlfriend, as well as animals in the area.
Showing commissioners his phone, he said he had videos which he would not play in public because of the harsh language.
“I don’t know what the resolution is, but this is not a good thing,” Lockhart said.
Tripp Janssen of Cartecay River Experience said the majority of the people floating the river were there to have a good time and obey the rules. He said 10 percent are causing the problems.
“You have the bad apples that ruin it for everyone,” he said.
Janssen renewed his offer to pay a portion of the cost to hire someone to patrol the river takeout during the weekends.
County Attorney David Clark said he had previously sent recommendations to the board about employing river marshals to work the river. He said the cost could be borne by increasing the fee the county charges outfitters.
Things won’t improve until the laws and regulations along the river are backed up with action.
“It comes down to enforcing it,” he said.
One concrete change is a camera will be installed at the river takeout off Mulkey Road owned by the county.
Commissioners voted to have the camera installed at a special meeting on July 28.
Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris said he will be meeting with Sheriff Stacy Nicholson and Clark about what is needed to police the river more effectively.
A solution may not come by the end of the season, though some actions like the camera would be taken, but longer term solutions would be worked on for next tubing season, Paris said.