Would You Jump In The Cumberland Just Because Every Else Was Doing It?

By Kleinheider Posted on June 10, 2008 at 1:50 pm

Councilman Charlie Tygard doesn’t think an event which will feature councilmen swimming the Cumberland is a good idea despite good intentions:

“The Cumberland River is a dangerous river,” he said in a phone interview today. “The current is awesome. I just think it’s sending the message to teenagers that it’s OK to jump in the river and swim, and it’s not.”

Tygard said he planned to send Evans a letter and send a copy to Mayor Karl Dean because he doesn’t think Metro Water Services Director Scott Potter should be involved.

Evans said the June 19, 5 p.m. event will be safe. She said the largely man-made current will be reduced by the Army Corps of Engineers, and participants will be required to wear life vests. Rescue and courtesy boats also will be standing by.

Evans added in an e-mail today that she has swum “in the Cumberland many, many times and I think the biggest risk to safety are the barges that might run you down if you don’t have your wits about you.”

Progressive Nashville
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