Courts not the place to create lake safety

I’m getting tired of parents, politicians, and media for capitalizing on tragedies of young victims.

Sandy Hook, Trayvon Martin, and the Tony Borcia accident on Petite Lake are a few examples of adults and special interest groups using these events for ulterior motives.

For brevity, let’s examine the Borcia incident. First, no one goes out boating on a summer afternoon and anticipates losing their 10-year-old son. This is horrific.

The driver of the go-fast boat pleaded guilty of having cocaine in his system and striking the boy. He manned up to his responsibility and the justice system sentenced him to 10 years in jail. He did the crime; he does the time. For all practical purposes his life is ruined.

On the other hand, the parents of the victim reject any responsibility and are seeking others to blame. They have lawsuits pending against the driver and passenger, and most recently the rental boat company and the Fox Waterway Agency. This is a frivolous action, seeking parties with deep pockets and an obvious shakedown.

The Chain O’ Lakes is a vibrant recreational area and attracts many visitors. It can be argued too many people, too-unqualified boasters, and too much bad behavior.

Admittedly, the Borcia family may have a valid case for limiting boat sizes, speed limits, or specific areas for tubing, but these should be addressed by the proper authorities not the courts. They have already used their influence on a state lawmaker to pass Breathalyzer legislation.

Joe Guarise

Fox Lake