“We don’t want to put something out there that’s half-baked and we feel we have a plan in place.”
South Haven police chief Adam DeBoer, who is himself a certified lifeguard, says they plan to install 4 lifeguard stations on South Beach: two covered chairs between two taller towers.
“Spread the actual tower out and put a chair between it and a chair on the end.”
Since South Haven eliminated lifeguards in 2001, 12 people have drowned on city beaches. Grieving family members and concerned citizens have been pressuring the city to bring the guards back. Councilman Tom Capps supports spending up to one hundred thousand dollars on towers and chairs to get the process started.
“I like what we are putting in there. We want this to be right and we want it to work.”
The only council member to vote no on the plan, Jeff Arnold says he is withholding his support until city manager Kate Hosier knows how to pay for the lifeguards.
“How is this sustained? I can tell you right now we are looking at the parking fees going up, parking fines will have to go up.”
On the South Haven website there is a help wanted ad for lifeguards, interviews February 28th.
“We are trying to get this going by Memorial Day.”
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