FAYETTEVILLE — After first glance, the word "ban" suggests negative connotations. People generally don't like it very much whenthings are taken from them, like denying a person's freedom of speech or a group's right to peaceably assemble. Then again, lots of times government bans are really quite wonderful. Banning child labor. Banning poisonous chemicals from food and air. Banning prohibition. Banning slavery, and so on.
Such comparisons are worth remembering, particularly if you're the type of person who believes government is always overstepping its bounds for the wrong reasons. That's not true, as every situation (just like every person) is deserving of a fair hearing. It's an important piece of advice Lincoln residents should note as they adjust to the news that camping, hunting, horseback riding along trails, digging for artifacts and so forth are now illegal at Lincoln Lake - something citizens in that western Washington County community likely view as being theirs.
Just so, the Lincoln City Council didn't take this drastic action without cause, as littering and vandalism have come to be too much of an issue for city government to deal with any other way. For what it's worth, city officials still hope the public continues to use Lincoln Lake for hiking, fishing, rock climbing and so forth. These days that's what the 90-acre reservoir (which formerly served as the city's water supply) is there for. Problem is, the city doesn't have anyone to oversee the park full time. As a result, these actions have been taken.
Like most bans, the actions mentioned above are a form of punishment for those twits whose senseless actions have brought about the involvement of city government. Really, though, this action is being done on behalf of the public. Folks like Lincoln Mayor Rob Hulse are trying to protect Lincoln Lake on behalf of honest, hardworking taxpayers. This reservoir belongs to them.
By comparison, the really irresponsible thing would be for government to do nothing. To throw up its hands and act as if nothing is wrong.
Some in Lincoln may disagree, but future generations are fortunate today's leadership is willing to say no. The cause of conservation could use more friends just like this.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 09/25/2009