Manager's Memo

Manager's Memo

By Tony Martin

WATER TESTING

By now, most of you have heard or read about the E.coli levels at Lake O Pines exceeding readings considered safe for swimming in the lake. The bacteria exist in any body of water, but they need special conditions to reach dangerous levels. Normally, those special conditions include very large discharges of animal waste into the body of water.

Here on Lake Cherokee, we do not have any major animal waste discharges, industrial discharges, or sewage treatment facility discharges into our watershed. But, just for the peace of mind of our residents, we took six samples up and down the lake and sent them to an independent testing lab for evidence of E.coli.

The E.coli level considered dangerous is 235 colonies per 100 milliliters. The sample from Lake Cherokee that measured the highest was only 41.9 colonies at Silvey Bridge, ranging down to the dam which was 39.9.

CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSE COURSE TO BE OFFERED

Basic Ballistics will offer the Texas Concealed Handgun License Training Program for Lake Cherokee residents on Saturday, September 11. The program requires a total of 10 hours of classroom and range training combined. The lesson is delivered via Power Point Presentation and topics include handgun safety, non-violent dispute resolution, gun laws, CHL statutes and more.

CHL Applicants will be required to show proficiency with their handguns at the range. Basic Ballistics will utilize the East Texas Rifle and Pistol Club for range qualifications. The distances in which applicants must show proficiency will be 3 yards, 7 yards and 15 yards. This course of fire is designed for novice shooters. Applicants must qualify with a handgun of .32 caliber or larger. Applicants that qualify with a semi-automatic handgun will be able to carry either a semi-auto or revolver after receiving their CHL. Applicants that qualify with a revolver will be able to carry only a revolver.

Visit www.basicballistics.com to view eligibility requirements for the Texas CHL or to register for a class. The training fee is $125 per new applicant and $75 per renewal applicant. Contact the CWC office to register and reserve a seat.

Class times are from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for new applicants.

Class times for renewal applicants are 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Applicants that do not have a handgun may rent a handgun from Basic Ballistics for the range portion of the class. This rental fee is $35.00 per handgun and one box (50 rounds) of ammunition is included with rental.

Each applicant is responsible for bringing (or renting) a handgun and one box (50 rounds) of ammunition to qualify. All other necessary paperwork is provided by Basic Ballistics.