County to consider lifeguards for Rick Seltzer Park

PANAMA CITY, FL - Bay County Commissioners will consider pro- viding lifeguards for Rick Seltzer Park at Tuesday's meeting. 
   
The commission will discuss, and possibly vote on paying Panama City Beach about $108,000 to post guards at the park this summer.
    
The commissioners initially had asked county staff to explore ways to get beach vendors to fund lifeguards at Seltzer Park and M.B. Miller Pier, but that elicited no wor- thy responses. County staff recommended observing the Beach's lifeguard program this summer and revisiting the issue for 2010, but Commissioner Jerry Girvin pushed to look at paying for lifeguards just at Seltzer Park, as the Pier will be under construction this summer 
    
"At some point in time, we have to do it," said Girvin. He said he was sure there would be opposition, but that not patrolling the beach is too costly, both in potential danger to swimmers and possible damage to the tourism that keeps the region's economy afloat.
    
"I feel that we have a lot of people coming to the beach that are not familiar with ocean waters, and they, through just ignorance, get into trouble," said Girvin. "Ultimately, it gives the place a bad reputation."
    
Eleven swimmers drowned along Bay County beaches last year Under the proposed program, the Beach would provide a lifeguard tower and two guards per shift at the park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If the commission votes to go forward with the program, guards could be at Seltzer Park by April 1, and would stay there through Sept. 1.
    
Despite operating in a time of budgetary uncertainty, Girvin said he felt the $108,000 price tag was worth it.
    
"I haven't looked at all the details, but when you look at the number of people and the infrastructure, it doesn't sound unreasonable."