This is the first time that I have been on this site and I was so impressed that I had to register so I could voice my opinion. The problems that all airboaters are facing today are only going to get worse if we do not become a rock solid force and stop this nonsense. I have written my local representative about the harassment that the local airboaters have been faced with in our area by the local law enforcement. I also wanted you all to know about the curfew that Citrus County has decided to enforce after the noise issue failed. If you ride the Withlacoochee River DO NOT get caught on the Citrus County side after 11 PM. My husband and some other airboaters were caught at 11:20 PM on a Saturday night. Their boats were not running they were just sitting there. To make a long story short -- they were arrested and released on the own recogniscence. The office who arrested them told them that they have orders to take anyone that they catch to jail automatically and confiscate their boat (to which they will not get back). Allen had to go to court a week and a half later. He was told by the judge that he could be fined up to $500.00 and/or 60 days in jail. So you guessed it, he was fined $500.00 that had to be paid immediately or he went to jail. Just for breaking the curfew. The officer also told him that there are people that live along the river on the Citrus County side that @ exactly 11 PM if they hear an airboat they dial 911, so the officers have no choice but to go out. They also have the helicopter that goes up and will chase you if you run (we know from first hand experience 
).
Another point is I read the letter from the lady that was posted on a prior post -- she lives in Citrus County and is the frontrunner for banning airboats. My answer to her is this -- this is also part of an editorial that I wrote that Airboat World will be printed in one of the two upcoming issues.
Editorial:
When these people come across the Florida Line there is a welcome center. In the center there is a pamphlet that states "Welcome to Florida" and has all types of pictures of what is located in Florida, ie: Disney, Everglades, Colleges, etc and yes there is a picture of an airboat. If these people don't like what they see right then they need to get back in their cars and head back north and don't look back.
We as a group cannot stand for people moving here and trying to take over. If they don't like airboats or don't want to hear one then they don't need to live on the water. Attending county commissioner meetings is the first step which was done by so many for the noise ordinance. This is just the start.
OK I will get off of my soap box for now!!!
Diane Vann
PS The race pictures and videos are really great (especially the General Lee)
). Another point is I read the letter from the lady that was posted on a prior post -- she lives in Citrus County and is the frontrunner for banning airboats. My answer to her is this -- this is also part of an editorial that I wrote that Airboat World will be printed in one of the two upcoming issues.
Editorial:
When these people come across the Florida Line there is a welcome center. In the center there is a pamphlet that states "Welcome to Florida" and has all types of pictures of what is located in Florida, ie: Disney, Everglades, Colleges, etc and yes there is a picture of an airboat. If these people don't like what they see right then they need to get back in their cars and head back north and don't look back.
We as a group cannot stand for people moving here and trying to take over. If they don't like airboats or don't want to hear one then they don't need to live on the water. Attending county commissioner meetings is the first step which was done by so many for the noise ordinance. This is just the start.
OK I will get off of my soap box for now!!!
Diane Vann
PS The race pictures and videos are really great (especially the General Lee)
