June 20, 2024 |
Photo – Saratoga’s outdoor swimming pool entrance – Bigfoot99 file photo
A lifeguard at the Saratoga swimming pool, who is also a doctor, threatened to quit if the town doesn’t resolve alleged, unsafe conditions at the pool.
During Tuesday’s Saratoga town council meeting, Lifeguard and Water Aerobics Instructor Dr. Jane Carey read a letter to the governing body.
Dr. Carey said she is worried about the safety of swimmers at the town’s pool. The water aerobics instructor said the pool lacks leadership.
Dr. Carey also said no set schedule is in place to test the pool water to ensure it is safe to swim in. The water aerobics instructor said she and her fellow lifeguards are too busy protecting swimmers to take on any additional duties. Dr. Carey called for a pool manager to be hired immediately.
She also said the pool manager should have the proper credentials to teach swimming lessons.
Dr. Carey described a situation where a swimmer was injured on the day the pool opened. The incident illustrated that at least two lifeguards are always needed.
Dr. Carey said, as the only adult lifeguard, she feels responsible for anything that happens at the pool. If a pool manager is not hired by the end of the week, Dr. Carey said she will quit.
Dr. Carey asked the town council to find a pool manager as soon as possible. She asked the town to hire former pool manager Whisper Bunch again.
Once again, Dr. Carey demanded that the town hire a pool manager. She said the pool is too dangerous for her to continue as a lifeguard.
Dr. Carey said the pool should not be open under the current circumstances.
Mayor Chuck Davis said the town has at least two applicants for the pool manager position. Mayor Davis said he’ll hold interviews once all applications have been received.
Dr. Carey said she’ll continue serving as a lifeguard until a new pool manager is hired only if the council agrees to sign a document absolving her of all responsibility in the event of an emergency at the pool.
Mayor Davis said Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip will need to be involved in the creation of any legally binding agreement.
The mayor asked for a motion to accept Dr. Carey’s resignation if they fail to hire a pool manager by next week. Councilman Jerry Fluty motioned to table the vote until after Dr. Carey officially submits her resignation. The motion carried. Mayor Davis said he will reach out to Dr. Carey as soon as a pool manager is hired.
