Combermere reader jumps into bridge safety issue

Dear Editor,
 
Subject: Safety First!
 
In the interest of safety, we ask local government officials to place signs on both sides of the  Combermere bridge that say something like swimmers only, and for the other side of the bridge, it would say boats only. 
 
 People have been very scared or injured by speeding boats on the bridge’s swimming side in the past. This situation is concerning. The people with the proper authority are being asked to help with the safety of this situation.  
 
That being our good Mayor Kim Love and her councilors, our good MPP John Yakabuski, the OPP and local news. Indeed, with all of them, they will make it safer for people to swim under the bridge without getting hit by a speeding boat.  Hopefully, they do not take the easy way out and just put up no swimming signs for all that swim under the bridge.  That would be hurtful to our tourist trade and our community. 
 
The worst-case scenario would be that this warning is ignored, and someone gets hurt.
 
Thank you,
 
Chad Beckwith Smith
Combermere 
 
 
Photos jumpingbearbridge.com

3 Comments

  1. Mayor Kim Love replies,

    Dear Mayor Kim Love,
    So my question is, are you as Mayor of our township going to contact the County roads system to save the lives of people in our community, or are you going to do nothing and put a blind eye to this life-threatening issue of adults and children. If so, then when someone gets killed or injured, you madame will be morally partially to blame. Further more we are talking about here adults and children swimming in the water under the bridge with boats traveling mere feet away from their heads at high speed. You cannot swim on a road or bridge.
    Chad Beckwith Smith

    On Jul 29, 2020, at 11:45 AM, (Mayor) Kim Love wrote:

    Dear Mr. Beckwith Smith,
    The Combermere Road (County Road 62) and the bridge in Combermere are both part of the County roads system. The Township of Madawaska Valley does not have any jurisdiction in matters related to this infrastructure. Please contact the County of Renfrew about your concerns.
    Regards,
    Kim Love

    From: Chad Beckwith Smith [mailto:chadofcombermere@gmail.com]
    Sent: July 28, 2020 11:43 AM
    To: mayor@madawaskavalley.ca; councillor.bromwich@madawaskavalley.ca; councillor.peplinski@madawaskavalley.ca; councillor.shulist@madawaskavalley.ca; councillor.willmer@madawaskavalley.ca; Pat.disaverio@opp.ca ; john.yakabuskico@pc.ola.org; cheryl.gallant.c2@parl.gc.ca
    Cc: lettersmadvalleycurrent@gmail.com; colin@thevalleygazette.ca
    Subject: Safety First!

    Safety First!

    In the interest of safety, we ask local government officials to place signs on both sides of the Combermere bridge that say something like swimmers only, and for the other side of the bridge, it would say boats only.

    People have been very scared or injured by speeding boats on the bridge’s swimming side in the past. This situation is concerning. The people with the proper authority are being asked to help with the safety of this situation.

    That being our good Mayor Kim Love and her councilors, our good MPP John Yakabuski, the OPP and local news. Indeed, with all of them, they will make it safer for people to swim under the bridge without getting hit by a speeding boat. Hopefully, they do not take the easy way out and just put up no swimming signs for all that swim under the bridge. That would be hurtful to our tourist trade and our community.

    The worst-case scenario would be that this warning is ignored, and someone gets hurt.
    https://jumpingbearbridge.com

    Thank you
    Chad Beckwith Smith

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