RACES: The winner is greed

First of all I am in support of the races. We attended both Friday by land at the pit area, and Sunday by boat. We like many others took friends on our own boat to watch the event by water. We did not opt for the $400 log boom tie up or the $60 per person cruise boat, and were fine with getting a back seat. There was plenty of room behind the weekend pass holders, and people were respectful and friendly to each other.

Being a Kootenai County property owner, taxpayer, and our boat licensed with the proper fees paid, I actually thought we were entitled the public lake. But we saw time and time again (all day long) the sheriff’s marine crew coming up to boats and announcing on loud speakers that if you didn’t have log boom pass you had to stay 1,000 feet away, yes one thousand feet!

I spoke to one of them and they said that when the Coeur d’Alene Diamond Cup committee had been granted the special use permit they had that restriction put on, and the deputy was quick to point out they were begrudgingly only the messenger. They were citing that it was a safety issue for the people who had paid for a spot. That was clearly not the issue, and we didn’t see anyone violate the no-wake rule! I can see maybe a hundred or so feet back, but 1,000 feet is ridiculous really!

My understanding was the event was for all the people to enjoy. It seems to me the message that Mr. Miller and crew want to send is that their greed rules, and if you don’t buck up you are not welcomed to the event?

JIM UMMEL

Coeur d’Alene