New Access to Jackson Blue Springs

[Captain Bil]

The electronic access gate to JB is up and running. For now the procedure remains the same as always. Go to the Sherriff's Office and sign in. Instead of a key, you'll get a combination.

Last night the Deputy said they are working on a better system of control, but until they come up with one, that's the way it'll be. There will be some growing pains but in the long run it should be much simpler for everyone.

[RN]

That's great news! Was there a card swiper built into the gate? Although this takes care of the disappearing key issue, I'd like to see annual pass holders be able to just call in over the phone to sign in/out. It would save me about 45 minutes, which is more time than it takes me to launch my boat and get to JB.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Thanks for the update!

[Sludge]

I really ought to keep quiet, but here goes.

Saturday when I signed in, the deputy said there's no lock. Fine. When I pulled up to the gate, the section in the middle had fresh primer on both sides, and the latching mechanism had obviously been changed. I got out, but I couldn't lift the mechanism. I tried several ways, but it wouldn't budge. It appeared the hole where the lock used to go through had a bolt through it. Was I supposed to unbolt it? Maybe that's what she meant by "there's no lock."

But I had no tools. I looked to the right of the gate, up the hill, and I saw that all the logs had been cleared out and at least one vehicle had scaled the hill to go around the gate.

Was I supposed to take my sad little Blazer up that hill? That pathetic little V-6 probably couldn't make it. So I walked to the pavilion to ask what I was supposed to do.

The guy there said you don't lift the latch. You slide it to the side.

I walked back to the gate and sure enough, it just slid right over. What a moron!

During the course of the day, though, I found out two other divers had the same problem.

[sskasser]

That half-century is catching up with ya, bud!

To those responsible for the new system...THANKS!!

I really ought to keep quiet,<snip>

Ya right, like that'll ever happen!

[DeWayne]

I really ought to keep quiet, but here goes.

Saturday when I signed in, the deputy said there's no lock. Fine. When I pulled up to the gate, the section in the middle had fresh primer on both sides, and the latching mechanism had obviously been changed. I got out, but I couldn't lift the mechanism. I tried several ways, but it wouldn't budge. It appeared the hole where the lock used to go through had a bolt through it. Was I supposed to unbolt it? Maybe that's what she meant by "there's no lock."

But I had no tools. I looked to the right of the gate, up the hill, and I saw that all the logs had been cleared out and at least one vehicle had scaled the hill to go around the gate.

Was I supposed to take my sad little Blazer up that hill? That pathetic little V-6 probably couldn't make it. So I walked to the pavilion to ask what I was supposed to do.

The guy there said you don't lift the latch. You slide it to the side.

I walked back to the gate and sure enough, it just slid right over. What a moron!

During the course of the day, though, I found out two other divers had the same problem.

If you are talking about the tire tracks to the right of the gate (as you look from the road) they were made a couple of years ago. A couple of kids sneaked in when someone left the gate open (off season prior to all the changes), got pissed off when told they would have to wait until a diver was ready to leave or call the sheriff to come let them out. They opted instead to drive around the side. Can't remember the make, just that it was a small to mid-sized car, so I am sure your little Blazer would have got you around (as I recall, their big problem was getting out of the ditch.)

[Sludge]

Some logs had obviously been moved recently, and the tire tracks were fresh. I'd be willing to bet they were less than three days old.

[DeWayne]

Some logs had obviously been moved recently, and the tire tracks were fresh. I'd be willing to bet they were less than three days old.

Could be, I just remembered those two kids from a couple of years back tearing out of there and leaving ruts. Would not put it past the other yahoos to have followed in their tracks. Here's hoping the gate solution works, but as long as the sheriff remains in control you won't be seeing my frowning face contributing to their corruption.

[FW]

Here's hoping the gate solution works, but as long as the sheriff remains in control you won't be seeing my frowning face contributing to their corruption.

There is a new Sheriff http://www.jcsheriff.com/

[Bill Rotella]

Could be, I just remembered those two kids from a couple of years back tearing out of there and leaving ruts. Would not put it past the other yahoos to have followed in their tracks. Here's hoping the gate solution works, but as long as the sheriff remains in control you won't be seeing my frowning face contributing to their corruption.

DeWayne, you brought that on yourself buddy...........I'm sure they feel the same way about you. Just because there is a new sheriff in town, I am sure that you made a long lasting impression on the rest of the department. But the past is the past and maybe we can all heal.............after all we are in a period of change.