Lake Zoar, Weeds, And Leadership

To the Editor:

In December 2004, the Lake Zoar Authority (LZA) voted to rent its new Aquamarine HZ 400 Weed Harvester to Northeast Generating Services (NGS). Opposition to this plan was expressed to the LZA on January 4, 2005. The HZ 400 is not suited to do what NGS needs it to do.

The LZA announced that $3,500 needs to be spent from LZA funds to modify the HZ 400 for NGS. The LZA’s weed harvesting record is very poor.

The LZA is encouraged to start the Lake Zoar weed harvesting earlier in 2005 than in the past and to do a better job. The LZA’s new weed harvester spent much time inoperative last year because of LZA’s poor planning. The LZA’s older harvester, intended also for use, could not be put into service because of an error caused by LZA chairman H. Saad. In need of repair parts, an order was placed to get what was needed to fix the older harvester. Saad had these parts sent to a wrong address. When received, the parts were returned. Without parts to fix the machine in a timely fashion, Saad admitted that he was not going to put the older harvester into operation because it was “too late in the season.” The LZA is encouraged to put its business of weed harvesting ahead of the business of NGS or its own desire to make a profit. There are large weed areas in Lake Zoar that continue to be neglected by the LZA each year.

With regards to the 2005 LZA weed harvesting project, LZA chairman Saad is asked to demonstrate a more competent leadership role. If not, professionals should be given the task, instead of the LZA, of successfully removing designated weeds from Lake Zoar. Our tax dollars need to be used by the LZA more efficiently and effectively.

Anthony M. D’Angelo

18 Cedarhurst Trail, Sandy Hook                            January 10, 2005