Lake Gaston Water Safety Council

Membership Meeting

                                 August 26, 2026

 

Members and guests arrived at 6:00 PM for social hour before the August membership meeting at the Long Bridge Volunteer Fire Department.  President Drew Goodwin brought pizza, which was available to purchase by the slice.

  President Drew called the meeting to order at 6:58 PM with 29 people in attendance, and led the congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 Treasurer Debbie Andrews reported our balance as $9,157.04.  She announced that we purchased a handheld radio for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in August; the cost was less than $500.

 Membership Director Melissa Verkuilen announced that we now have 102 members.

 Secretary Lin Harbold announced that Board members will provide all paper products, cups, trash bags, water and iced tea for the September 30th Pig Pick’n BBQ to be held at RWVFD at 6 PM. She circulated a sign-up sheet asking attendees to list what item (side dish, snacks, etc.) they will bring to the event.

 Secretary Lin presented the following Slate of Nominations for 2027 Officers & Directors:

President:                           Drew Goodwin (Term will expire 9/30/27)

Vice President:                 Wyatt Andrews (Term will expire 9/30/27)

                Secretary:                           Lin Harbold (Term will expire 9/30/27)

                Treasurer:                           Debbie Andrews (Term will expire 9/30/27)

Directors:                            Melissa Verkuilen (2-Year term will expire 9/30/28)        

                                                                Debbie Pulgencio (2-Year term will expire 9/30/28)

                                                               

Lin asked for any additional nominations from the floor but did not receive any. She explained that President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer are elected for one-year terms. Directors are elected for two-year terms.  (Two of our current Directors, Ray Jeter and Debbie Marlowe, were elected last year to serve until 9/30/27.) 

 Officers and Directors for 2027 will be elected and installed at the September 30th Meeting. 

James Waters won $32.50 in the 50/50 raffle. Congratulations! 

 Debbie Pulgencio made a motion, seconded by Debbie Andrews, to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 PM. Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lin Harbold, Secretary

 

 

 

Presentation:    NC & VA Wildlife Resources

Presenters:         NC Wildlife Officer Jacob Long

VA Master Conservation Police Officer Matthew Sandy

 

The officers provided an overview of incidents on the lake, including warnings, citations, arrests and one fatality.

 

They gave an update on one fatality from August 2025. Ten-year old Brooklyn Mae Carroll was killed when an impaired boat operator drove his vessel through a group of swimmers in Harris Lake near Raleigh. The driver pled guilty to multiple felonies including Second Degree Murder and Boating While Impaired; he received a 12 to 18 years sentence.

 

Office Long said that the fine for Boating While Impaired is $250, but if a person is hurt or killed, the driver will be charged with felonies and have to serve time in prison.

 

Officer Sandy reminded everyone that when boat operators see blue lights or boats pulled over in Virginia, the operator must stay at least 200 feet away from the scene. In North Carolina, the distance is at least 100 feet.

 

Following the “Questions & Answers” session with attendees, the officers provided 24-hour tollfree numbers to report violations on the lake.

 

Virginia:  800-237-5712                                  North Carolina:  800-662-7137