“8 drowning deaths in 4 years is unacceptable by anyone’s standards.”
Heather Johnson represents a South Haven group pushing the city council to put lifeguards on the beach.
“Bring back a lifeguard program to protect our beach goers.”
Issues with staffing, expense and liability led to elimination of South Haven lifeguards over 20 years ago. And former leisure services director Robin Abshire thinks it was the right move, replacing lifeguards with safety equipment
“It is of my opinion the city took the right action. Installing the signs, by installing the flags, by adding the throw rings even call boxes on the pier.”
Nancy Hnat and thousands of South Haven residents have signed a petition asking for lifeguards.
“The time is now we can save lives on our beaches.”
But city manager Kate Hosier says getting it done this summer would be challenging.
“Short amount of time and you got to make sure it’s done safely.”
The city council is making beach safety a priority this year but has not voted to add lifeguards.
