In a state with confusing boat laws, Venice 'water Nazi' just doing his job
By PAUL QUINLAN



paul.quinlan@heraldtribune.com

VENICE -- Supervisors call Tim Erickson a model officer and his 26-year record patrolling Venice's waterways exemplary.

But to countless boaters across the United States who congregate on the Internet to swap names of the best waterfront cities in which to drop anchor, the 56-year-old Florida Fish and Wildlife officer is referred to in unflattering terms, including "water Nazi," "Barney Fife" and "that power drunk moron in a uniform."

One Web site devoted to boaters in Southeastern states, cruisersnet.net, published an article ...   more »