What can you do, to help "The Improvement of Lake Guntersville?"
In the past several weeks since I have been discussing the need for us all to get involved in the improvement of Guntersville, I have had several people ask well what can I do? I thought I would spend a little time breaking down what needs to be done to make this movement to improve our great resource, Lake Guntersville successful.
First of all let's address this from an individual perspective. Each and every one of us that believes and wants this movement to move forward must be a voice for the "The Improvement of Lake Guntersville," in other words call, write letters, talk to newspapers tell them all the lake is going downhill. The signs are there and we must react now before it's too late and work to improve the lake. Talk with everyone you know that has a vested interest in the tax revenue, the business revenue or just cares about the environment of this resource. Somebody out there knows the right person, or will indirectly know the right person. Eventually someone will listen to us. Silence is not a virtue here, speak out be heard!
If you're an organization that has a vested interest in Lake Guntersville, like a Bass Club, a Civitan Club or a member of BASS or FLW that comes here from another state or locally benefits from the lake. You need to be a voice for this movement, write letters to the state and or local agencies, mayors and councilman tell them that they are in danger of losing your business, your tax revenue and hence your vote where it applies. Our lake is over pressured, over fished and we need to take steps to protect it and make it better so the many people that come here and live here can continue to enjoy a great fishing experience. Be a voice for restocking programs, ramp safety equipment to protect the fish being weighed in at tournaments and killed, changing creel limits, spawn safety for the bass and the like.
If you're a business benefitting from this industry you're in a special place, you hold the weight locally. Tell our town leaders, you're business is in jeopardy if the lake fishing goes away then your business goes away. Our leaders have to listen to you, don't let them off the hook with their political rhetoric, the old, I agree but do nothing, the big smile, hand shake and I'll look into it. Don't accept this typical blow-off, don't fall for the say nothing do nothing and talk to you next year. Make them listen, make them set meaningful dates to get something done, make them understand that you're there to get some changes made or your vote will go to the next person who will listen and act! Our tax dollars, our road improvement, our growth and your business is in jeopardy if we lose the fishing industry coming to enjoy Lake Guntersville. There are many of you out there that watched our area lose the many industries that keep people working in the mid 80's like the tire plants etc. and our leaders acted too late to offer any solution to keep them. Our many local businesses are driven off fisherman coming here and buying gas, renting motels, eating at restaurants and more; don't look back and say well I should have tried to do something to push the local leaders to keep this strong, but didn't.
Lastly don't leave it to someone else, be your own voice, don't say well your neighbor is going to write, or maybe I will do something next week or next year. The time is now, if we don't act now, next week or next year may be too late! I will talk to anyone, meet with any leader, work with any organization but I cannot do it alone; so if you need me just ask and I will help! Hopefully you can help me stir up and create some meaningful improvement of Lake Guntersville with your voice. Help me with the most critical need of our area "The Improvement of Lake Guntersville."
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
Call: 256 759 2270
Captain Mike Gerry