local to me story of ice trapped boater

I dont mean to sound cruel but sometimes people that want to be left alone would like to be left alone.
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Presentation and his Kids wasn't turn away by him. If you don't want to help get the heck out of this thread ,
 
Maybe its just me but, I can't feel too sorry for the guy. For his health issues yes, but otherwise no. Besides, his health cannot be too terribly bad, he is single handing a 35' house boat!! Therefore, it seems to me he is able to work. Ahh, but if he works, no more disability checks...

Everyone here on this forum knows that damn thing he's living on is uninsured and is a huge liability. I say if you want to give handouts, start up a fund to pay for the cleanup's needed when it sinks.
 
Wayne's World said:
Presentation and his Kids wasn't turn away by him. If you don't want to help get the heck out of this thread ,
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Geez I'm sorry I thought this was a open forum. Wayne, since this topic might become too emotional for you, it might be a good idea if YOU get the heck out of this thread. I wouldn't want to see you quit CSR... again.
 
Everyone please cool your jets.......this is a good thread. Scott
 
Bridog. That hurts . :smt001. I'll help out any boater if i can. I guess i'm one of the lucky ones !!. That didn't lose my a$$ in the stock market. :smt038. I care about everybody !!. Maybe thats my down fall ??. I'll take that chance. :smt001, There is GOOD out there
 
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Newbie said:
Maybe its just me but, I can't feel too sorry for the guy. For his health issues yes, but otherwise no. Besides, his health cannot be too terribly bad, he is single handing a 35' house boat!! Therefore, it seems to me he is able to work. Ahh, but if he works, no more disability checks...

Everyone here on this forum knows that damn thing he's living on is uninsured and is a huge liability. I say if you want to give handouts, start up a fund to pay for the cleanup's needed when it sinks.
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Just for a bit of background, Wisconsin is an open public records state. We have a website that anyone can go to and pull the full legal record of anyone else (must be adult) of all court records in the state. Here it is: http://wcca.wicourts.gov/index.xsl


I admit that before I took my kids to see Jeff I did pull his record. I’m not proud of doing it but I’m being honest. Maybe it’s because I have helped people in the past that I later learned were not forthcoming about options they had other then receiving help. Maybe I just wanted to make sure I was not taking my kids to a person with drug or child related legal issues. Maybe I was being a bit voyeuristic. Honestly, I don’t know why I did it but I did it. Right or wrong, that is what I did.



He has no criminal record. No past issues with drunken driving, drugs, etc. He was listed for all the things mentioned in the article, foreclosure on the business he owned up until he had his medical issue and brain surgery that caused the tremors that are now obvious when you meet him, his property foreclosure and a divorce and his tow boat repossession. On another forum that is linked at the bottom of the newspaper article you can read about his wife. She is actually trying to help him. They split amicably. The reason for the divorce was economic, neither has the means to support the other.


Everything I have heard and read so far indicates to me that how he got to his current circumstances is more like Romeo (things happen to him beyond his control) then Hamlit (own action caused own fate.)


Birdog and Newbie, I am not upset by either of your posts in the slightest. On the contrary I’m happy that both of you are healthy and have a support system of friends and family that is so strong that you cannot relate to someone that has none of these things. Bless you both.
 
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Presentation. You have my up most RESPECT !!. :thumbsup: On this
 
Presentation said:
Birdog and Newbie, I am not upset by either of your posts in the slightest. On the contrary I’m happy that both of you are healthy and have a support system of friends and family that is so strong that you cannot relate to someone that has none of these things. Bless you both.
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Doug, That is not fair saying that I can not relate to someone like Jeff. On the contrary, I most certainly can. I read the article that said he did not want pity. I read your statements saying that after meeting him he stated that he just wanted to be left alone. Has anyone thought that maybe he didn't want a newspaper running an article about him? Maybe he didn't want people like yourself running internet searches about his personal history? Maybe he was too embarrassed that strangers, including children, are giving him allowance money that he didn't want to say anything. I hope for his sake this doesn't become a circus show although it appears it's already started. Brian
 
Hey All,
I have read the article 3x's and here is what I get from this whole thing:
1. He is never quoted as saying he doesn't want to be pitied. That is assumed by the reporter. Just the name of his boat shows that the man has a great attitude - "Never say never" - wow. Works for me.

2. Isn't empathy a better definition of what the csr boaters are offering? And, what kind of world are we living in if we can not reach out to others (yes, after confirming the truth; that is justified.)

3. Again, there is no quote in the article anywhere that says or even implied by the reporter, "I want to be left alone." I read and re-read and could not find that statement. Hmm? What I did read was that he felt he was not hurting anyone and, that when the spring came he would leave that park.

4. He did say that he likes living on his boat. He doesn't want to lose the boat. Or his cat. Can we blame him?

5. He wants the township or police or whomever to give him time. And, he feels that his presence may even deter bad behavior in the area. That's cool.

6. He plays the guitar? Well, there is one in the picture, so he has a creative spirit. That's nice.

7. It appears that he wants to get the boat moved, but winter being what it is and houseboats being what they are... he's stuck.

8. Lastly, to the comment that "if he can drive this boat he shouldn't be on disability" hello?! He is not driving anywhere right now. duh. However, even if weather permitted, are you his doctor? Disability is not given out easily in this country! You are a what? A boat owner? Not a judge. I am sure that he would prefer to have his company, his health and all else.

Thanks to all those who have a heart. I respect you and as for the kids, these are the things that really teach about integrity and character.
These are tough times for many folks. Remember, allowing your neighbor to borrow a cup of sugar is usually paid back with a nice cake. :)
 
Pres, maybe all efforts and contributions should be focused on one task. Getting the boat out of there and somewhere he can winter, I would think get it on land. How hard does that river freeze in the winter?
 
joe and ali said:
3. Again, there is no quote in the article anywhere that says or even implied by the reporter, "I want to be left alone." I read and re-read and could not find that statement. Hmm? What I did read was that he felt he was not hurting anyone and, that when the spring came he would leave that park.
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You must have read right past this from the OP (Presentation) who went to see him. He said....
"To be clear, Jeff does not want to live in government housing or live on government handouts. The only thing he is asking for is to be left alone and he is promising that come spring when the ice melts he will be on his way. He gets about $1,000/month in disability".
 
Bridog said:
You must have read right past this from the OP (Presentation) who went to see him. He said....
"To be clear, Jeff does not want to live in government housing or live on government handouts. The only thing he is asking for is to be left alone and he is promising that come spring when the ice melts he will be on his way. He gets about $1,000/month in disability".
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Ah, now I get it.

Brain, this is my fault and I apologize that I am not a better writer.

When I said Jeff wants to be left alone I was trying to say that the city of Oshkosh has a 48 hour mooring ordinance for all city owned piers and parks. The city of Oshkosh via the local police department has not left him alone.

To try to comply with this ordinance Jeff chipped away ice on the opposite side of his boat, untied from the pier and pushed the boat away. As the ice refroze it pushed his boat back against the pier.

When I was there the boat was tight to the pier but not tied to the pier. The only thing holding the boat to its location was ice.

As far as being visited by people I can only speak from my one experience. Jeff was friendly to my kids and myself, accepted our offering and gave a thank you that sure seemed genuine to me.


Woody, you may know this area. It’s Rainbow Park in Oshkosh, directly across the river from Fratellos restaurant. All the water from the upper Winnebago pool chain of lakes and the fox and wolf river run thru this river. All winter long the area has some open water, more during warm periods and less during cold snaps like we are having right now.

Just upriver from his location are boat ramps. Upriver from that is a relatively long city owned fishing Pier. That fishing pier may give Jeff some protection from ice flow.
 
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I'm not familiar with the waters around there but it would be great if CSR boaters in Wisconsin could help him get moved to a safer place. Does anyone have a friend that works for a commercial outfit? Is the ice too solid to break through with an appropriate vessel?

PS Well done Presentation! :thumbsup:
 
Bridog. I meant NO disrespect to you with my reply. :smt001. I just like helping people out at times. :thumbsup:
 
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Sir Bridog, You stated in your first post, "the article" -- I do not consider anyone's post on CSR an article, therefore I was referring strictly to the newspaper in which there was no quote about pity. In any event, I would not quote anyone who went to see him. I was not there and would not want to mis-quote anyone. Thanks for caring and sharing.
I too just finished reading the second news article and the man seemed quite happy to have a visit by a family man and his daughters :)
I agree with Wayne's world and say that I have the utmost respect for Presentation and anyone -especially boat owners who can relate- to this man's plight. He does not seem 'depressed' by this, and in fact shows concern for others. Like I said, his boat name says it all. Never say never. So, can we still be friends? ;)
ali
 
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It looks like Pres and his children were really touched Mr. Jacobs from reading the most recent article posted by Beerman.
 
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