Letter to the City of Lake City

The following letter was sent by Jared on March, 5 2005 to the City of Lake City:

City of Lake City
205 W. Center Street
Lake City, MN 55041

City of Lake City-

It has come to my attention from various road trips through your great city that you are known as the “Birth Place of Water-Skiing.” To my disappointment, each time I am passing through your city I find no one to be water skiing on Lake Pepin. But I have crafted a wonderful idea to maintain your water-skiing status, and that is to require citizens of your great city to water ski on Lake Pepin at least two separate one hour shifts per year in order to maintain a constant 24 hour water skiing presence on Lake Pepin. This way, when people come to visit or pass through Lake City, they can always see someone water skiing and the claim as “The Birth Place of Water-Skiing” would therefore be strengthened.

As we all know that there are 8,760 hours in a standard calendar year, but according to the United States Census Bureau the population of Lake City as of 2000 is 4,950. In order to maintain a 24 hour/365 day presence on Lake Pepin, each citizen ages 16 and up would be assigned a minimum of two one hour shifts at the beginning of each new year. If citizens below the age of 16 know how to water ski and would like to participate in this fun activity to promote the city, they may do so upon submitting a written request. In the case of some citizens not being able to physically water ski for a number of different reasons, they can be exempted from this upon written request. In the end, with all citizens below the age of 16 replacing the citizens unable to water ski, the 24 hour/365 window should not be a problem to cover. If some citizens are avid water skiing enthusiasts and enjoy water skiing, they can water ski in place of another citizen’s shift. During the hours of the day where there isn’t any light (better known as night time), lights from strategic locations on the shores of Lake Pepin can illuminate the water skiing area. In the winter months a large hole in the iced covered lake can be carved in order prevent damage to boats or water skiers in the water skiing area.

Having a 24 hour/365 day water skiing presence on Lake Pepin can benefit Lake City in numerous ways. It can be a business attraction to generate revenue for the local economy. This plan can also attract a large following of non- Lake City citizens water skiers who notice the citizens of Lake City having fun water skiing constantly and would prompt these outsiders to stay a while and water ski, this also can generate revenue for the local economy and possibly spur population growth for those who decide to make Lake City their home and join the fun. Thank you for your time and cooperation, please inform me of your thoughts or ideas on my plan to maintain Lake City’s title as the “Birth Place of Water-Skiing” and to make Lake City a better place for all.

Sincerely,
Jared Stene
Student


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