Dave "Riverdave" Owen's decision to cancel Wafting on the Eno has upset many who enjoyed his relaxing, educational trips on the river. The following exchange came into Mayor Bill Bell at City Hall.
FROM JADA ATWATER, DURHAM RESIDENT:
I very disappointed to hear about the cancellation of this season's Wafting on the Eno. I was totally looking forward to coming back this year and bringing friends with me.
My daughter, Dominique, and I took a wafting trip a few years ago. We had the time of our lives. That's saying a lot for two indoors women like us!
I hope that whatever caused Wafting to get cancelled this year will be worked out so it can be restarted in 2010. Dominique starts college in the fall of 2010. It would be great for us to hit the river.
I’m sad and distressed that the only way to solve the problem (whatever it was) was to end such a unique and valuable city tradition. I am sure I am not the only one who enjoyed Wafting. I know if felt special being able to go out on the Eno. Not many cities could provide such a unique adventure for residents and tourists.
Durham without Wafting is like Durham without the Startlight Drive-In …
What’s next? The Bulls leave town to go to Raleigh?
What can we do to get this city icon restored to its proper place?
FROM RHONDA PARKER, DIRECTOR, DURHAM PARKS AND RECREATION
Durham Parks and Recreation regrets that Dave Owen made the choice not to run his wafting program at West Point on the Eno River this year. It is a much-cherished program, and we hope that some time in the future he will decide to bring it back to the park.
Safety at Durham Parks and Recreation’s parks and facilities is a priority for all of our residents and visitors. Any type of program that involves water carries significant risk, and therefore needs appropriate insurance coverage in the event of an accident. The city simply cannot have programs with a significant participant risk run in its parks without some type of insurance coverage. This policy is in the best interest of Durham’s citizens not only because it considers their personal safety while participating in Durham Parks and Recreation-sanctioned programs, but it also protects our taxpayers from unnecessary liability by not hosting or sanctioning programs not covered by our insurance.
If Mr. Owen secures the appropriate insurance coverage or modifies his program to comply with City policy that will allow his participants to be covered under the city’s insurance, Durham Parks and Recreation would welcome him back to West Point on the Eno. Thank you for your interest.
Comments
Public correspondence
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 19:37 — mschultz (author)No. Jada's e-mail to the mayor came in as any other citizen's would. I presented it and the parks director's response to it. The public may view public correspondence to the mayor and city manager, and the exchanges when officials reply often make interesting reading.
Personal relationships
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 15:08 — obsoletestHow many years did you and Jada work together? 17? Don't you think it hurts your credibility to use her as a source?