As I look at the lake from my deck, the sky is getting gray, and there is an impending storm. Sometimes it comes fast. What’s mind-boggling is that the boaters and jet skiers on the lake can see it as well, and although most heed the warning and get to safety as soon as possible, there are those who think that they are infallible. They can beat the odds. 

Those boaters should know that it’s not just their lives they are playing with, but many more. There are people in your community who did something that you might never have thought about. They gave back to their community by joining their volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance services. They unselfishly left their families to spend hours training to keep their communities safe and healthy. 

But not you. You could care less about them. You’re playing the odds on the water. If something happened to you during a quick storm, these unselfish volunteers would have to risk their lives because of your stupidity. 

Use your head and get off the lake before you put an entire community at risk.

Mike Kossove
Kauneonga Lake, NY