And more to worry about at Telford

[skip]

it would be nice if someone could talk with the owners and set up a private park. Develop the property just a tad, primitive camp sites (or better), small fee, patrolled, owners make money, cave divers happy, safe reasonable people given another camping site with water access....

I wonder if cds or nacd is interested in managing cave access? I know they are interested in purchasing, but managing might be a good alternative for some cave group.

sounds like something will happen there. murder has a way of changing things.

-skip

[Wizard]

Instructor to students:

Steve will run the primary reel, Dave will spray covering fire. Let's go!

[curtschu]

If the owners start charging for anything then they have a duty to keep you safe on the property. Ask Mike Bruic what happens when you start charging "Just a couple" of bucks for access to the Ol'swimmin hole.
We as Cave Divers are better off leaving it the way it is, unless the NACD or CDS can buy it like Cow.

Right you are, Curt (always liked that name). Through the Florida Sportsmen Act they are insulated against liability. But if they charge a fee, even a dime per diver, they lose that insulation.

[tomhauburn]

The thoughts of the murder had gone through my mind when I showed up this morning for a early dive. Mike M was there checking things out and passed on a dive due to a chest cold. I've seen the trash worse but someone had an unsuccessful campfire not 1 ft from the spring water and left their pork and beans, cans, pants and wood that did not burn. Yuk The water is nice right now but there were lots of beer bottles in the sinks. My dive buddy and I did a dive but but it ended up short as he had a blade break and I was trying to contain two regs that wanted to freeflow. We were going to do a second dive that day in Cow but my buddy developed a high fever while about 1500 ft back in the system. I later learned he had a fever of 101 when he got home.

The local people that were there did not appear to be the ones who had made the mess and were friendly. While we were there some other divers pulled up but changed their minds and drove off. While the outside could be a good bit cleaner the cave itself was very pretty. For me it was my first time in there in a long time and the first in sidemount. Its my hope that it stays open and my wish that people would treat it with more respect . I did notice the dumpster had recently been emptied. Thanks NACD We do help out!

I went to eat and afterwards stopped by Bills to settle up a bill and change clothing. Bill had visitors from Channel 6. I not sure how the interview went or it was well quoted but I hope it did not take Bill out of context like sometime happens when film gets cut.

Bottom line..it still a nice dive. I feel for the guys that got killed as no one deserves that and it could have happened anywhere if they followed them. The pools still open!
Tom

[Line Squirrel]

Channel 27 out of Tallahassee reported this morning that this whole incident may have been over $50.00 owed to the perp for a past due electric bill.

[Janet]

There was a recent litter pick up at Telford by a group, don't remember who they were, sorry, and there are 2 other groups who also pick the litter up occasionaly, yes the garbage truck is picking the garbage up once a week, the actual shooting wasn't at the spring it was along the dirt road leading to the spring, not far from highway 51. They have all three people involved in jail so we are all breathing a little easier.
Janet

[DogDiver]

Food for thought... as suwannee county resident, I will check with the Suwannee River Water Management District today to asertain thier plans on land aquasition in that area. Let ya know later today what I find out...Ken

[Puttzer]

Missed a story on the morning news which was to be about "steps to be taken that would make the area safer."

Anyone hear more?

[Line Squirrel]

Missed a story on the morning news which was to be about "steps to be taken that would make the area safer."

Anyone hear more?

I saw it, nothing of substance. Really what they ended up saying was why they "couldn't" do anything about making it safer...yet.
Being private property, the sheriff cannot patrol unless asked by the land owner. The TV news report (interview with the sheriff) went on to say that "hopefully" someday it will be a state or county park and the they can patrol the area.
Like I said, no susbtance.