Somerset, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Somerset city councilman wants something to be done to prevent people from swimming in a downtown fountain.
The fountain at Fountain Square is not safe for swimmers, Councilman John Adams said, and someone could be injured.
"There’s lighting in the fountain. In the past the lighting appliances have been broken from people walking in the fountain," He said.
That creates the danger of electrocution, Adams said.
"The water, I don’t believe, is bleached or treated with chemicals like a pool would be," he said.
Other Somerset residents have the same concerns.
"Jumping off the top of that down on that wet concrete is a good chance of breaking a limb," said Glenna Lane, who works across the street from the fountain.
Children sometimes jump from the top of the fountain, she said, and she believes it’s an accident waiting to happen.
"It’s something that we’re supposed to be able to come sit and enjoy," she said. "We’re not supposed to be playing in it."
At a recent city council meeting, Adams suggested an ordinance against swimming in the fountain, punishable by a fine.
"Nothing too drastic," he said. "Almost like a parking violation."
But Adams said other members of the council have said it could be difficult to enforce an ordinance like that because the fountain is on county property.
Adams said he believes the county doesn’t want to take action on the issue, for fear of backing up the courts. Messages for the Pulaski County Judge Executive were not returned as of Wednesday evening.
The hope is to continue the conversation about swimmers in the fountain, said Adams.
"Let’s just have a public discussion of whether or not it’s time for the city government to take a little bit more of an aggressive approach to handle the problem," he said.
