Fisher Lake Association Newsletter
September 2009
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the FLA was held on Saturday, July 11, 2009, at the Fisher Lake Inn, with about 75 members and guests attending. Detailed minutes are posted on the Fisher Lake Association website: www.fisherlake.com. A summary of the minutes follows:
1. Election of all Officers (2-yr terms) and four Area Directors (3-yr terms):
President: Jim Hills 323-1875
Vice-president: Jim Souers 535-0506
Secretary: Sally Boeschenstein 278-7025
Treasurer: Lari Roberts 279-9221
Area 1: (19333-19659 Thompson Lane): Blaine Rabbers: 279-5463
Area 4: (M-60 from N. Fisher Lake Rd to Crescent Beach Rd): Larry Clark: 279-2385
Area 6: (Lakeshore Drive except the peninsula) Elaine Didelot: 273-9259
Area 9: (Nellie Wilson Plat):Scott Larkins: 506-0862
2. Eurasian Milfoil Treatments: The treatment for July took place on Thursday, July 23. (More on this topic below.)
3. Sewer Project Update: Eric Shafer reported that the two townships detailed results on their sewer surveys: Park: in favor: 54%; Lockport: in favor 60 %. At their regular July meetings, the townships voted to proceed with the project. (More on this topic below.)
4. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO): State Rep Matt Lori was present to discuss this issue. Rep. Lori explained that, while he does not oppose CAFO’s, he understands why others do. Part of the problem results from the enforcements of two separate departments (DEQ and Dept. of Ag.). Lori reported that technology is available which can reduce offensive odors. The Society for Protecting Environmental Assets (SPEA) has been formed to protect natural resources in southwestern Michigan. You can contact them at: SPEA, P.O. Box 594, Portage, MI 49081 or on the web www.spea-swmich.org.
5. The 2009 Fishers Lake Magazine was distributed to all current paid members of the Association who were present. If your 2009-10 dues have been paid, you may call Jane Schauer (278-5745) to obtain this (or another) issue. (More on this topic below)
6. Jeff Middleton’s Annual Boat Survey: The 2009 issue of the FL Magazine includes an article on this topic, and details of this year’s survey are on the FL website.
7. Water Quality testing: Anna Harden’s report is detailed in the minutes on the website. Water quality remains fairly consistent.
Sewer Project for Fisher Lake Update
At their respective July 2009 meetings, both the Park Township Board and the Lockport Township Board voted to proceed with the sewer project for Fisher Lake. Both also voted to form a combined sewer authority board. The Park Board additionally passed a Public Act 185 Resolution, contingent upon Lockport also moving forward and receiving a Memorandum of Understanding from the city of Three Rivers. The Lockport Board tabled the PA 185 Resolution until questions on the Three Rivers Water Treatment Plant were answered. The project is delayed until these issues with the wastewater treatment plant in Three Rivers are resolved.
Details of the Park Township votes are contained in the minutes of the July 8, 2009 meeting, which can be found on their website: www.park-township.org, and clicking on “minutes.” Lockport minutes from their July 13, 2009 meeting can be requested from the Clerk, Wayne Timm (269.279.2722).
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Binders for the Fishers Lake Magazine
As most of you know, the Fisher Lake Association has discontinued publication of the Fishers Lake Magazine indefinitely. Jim Souers is in the process of arranging to have the 12 published issues bound for those readers who want this done. At this time, he knows the binding will consist of a blue, library-cloth, hard cover with gold embossing on both the front cover and spine. He anticipates that it will be simple, but elegant. It will be a way to collate and preserve this unique history of Fishers Lake and make a special addition to your library or a great gift.
Each magazine will be disassembled and stitched to a spine, then covered. There will be a “Table of Contents” and “Title Page” at the beginning and maybe some other extras.
In the interest of disseminating and maintaining the history of Fishers Lake, the Board of Directors plans to donate bound copies of the The Fishers Lake Magazine to a number of libraries and public and educational institutions. The cost of donating these books will be funded from profits realized from past issues. No Fisher Lake Association dues will be used.
We realize the some readers do not have every issue. If you are missing issues, they can be easily replaced through Jim, at a cost of $5 each.
The cost of the binding will be $75 for the binding itself, plus some amortized printing costs (for issues 1 & 2), plus the cost of replacement magazines for the individuals needing them.
To have your magazines bound, you need to deliver your copies to Jim’s office in Three Rivers (111 E. Kelsey St.) in a large plastic, zip-locked bag, with your name, address, phone number, and email address, as well as payment for the appropriate amount. Jim will take them to the binder for you. Because the binding process will take several months, the books will be delivered to you at the next Annual Meeting in July 2010.
You can reach Jim at his office (269.273.9595) or email jimsouers@hotmail.com. All orders must be received before Sunday, November 15, 2009.
Aerial Photos of Fisher Lake
As we have done in previous years, we have kept residents informed about recent aerial photos of Fisher Lake. The most recent photo is still available directly from Aerial Graphics at their website: airphoto@iserv.net. If you would like to view the photo online, you can go to www.aerialgraphics.com, click on “lakes”, click on “f” and click on Fisher/St Joseph County. The cost is $52 for a 16x20.
Milfoil Donations
The FLA is continuing to treat the Eurasian Milfoil infestation, because it is very difficult (if not impossible) to eradicate from a lake, once it becomes established. (Information on this invasive weed and the problem it causes is found on the FLA website.) With our first request for voluntary donations (Spring 2008), we raised nearly $13,000, which has paid for last year’s treatment, and the first of this year’s treatment. Those donors were listed and thanked in two previous newsletters.
It is very possible that a second treatment may be needed this summer, and there is enough left in that fund to cover it, should it be necessary. The Board has come to the realization, however, that this Milfoil treatment will probably be needed each summer for the foreseeable future; therefore, additional funds surely will be needed. At this point, the Board is asking that any residents who have NOT previously donated to the Milfoil treatment consider making a voluntary donation this year to add to this fund. Since ALL residents benefit from the maintenance of the lake quality, it seems only fair that all residents contribute to the cost of doing so. The FLA originally asked for $100 per resident, but, if a resident feels that he/she cannot afford that amount, a smaller donation would still be appreciated. We thank you in advance for your consideration of this important responsibility.
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Annual Dues Invoice
(July 2009 - June 2010)
Membership dues of $20 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year are due July 1. Please make your check payable to the Fisher Lake Association and mail to P.O. Box 81, Three Rivers, MI 49093. If you are unsure whether or not you have paid dues for the current fiscal year, please contact Treasurer Lari Roberts (273-9221).
Name________________________________________________________
Lake Address________________________________Lake Phone_________
Other Address__________________________________________________
City____________________State____________Zip________Phone__________
Which address should we use for mailings? Lake_______ Other______
(In order to save increasing mailing costs, we send electronic newsletters and other informational mailings to those who have e-mail addresses. We will continue to use traditional mail for those who do not have electronic mail. We will NOT release or distribute e-mail addresses to any other persons or organizations! If you have an e-mail address, please add it here:)
E-mail address:_______________________________________
(You can mail this invoice with your check to the Fisher Lake Association at the above address.)
Current Officers and Directors
Officers: Directors:
President: Jim Hills 323-1875 Area 1: Blaine Rabbers 279-5463
VP: Jim Souers 535-0506 Area 2: David Miholer 279-2158
Secretary: Sally Boeschenstein 278-7025 Area 3: Larry Clark 279-2385
Treasurer: Lari Roberts 273-9221 Area 4: Mike Bosma 279-9590
Area 5: Everett Eylander 273-9292
Area 6: Elaine Didelot 273-9259
Area 7: Patty McClain 273-8030
Area 8: Nancy Martin 273-3081
Area 9: Scott Larkins 506-0862
Fisher Lake Association
P. O. Box 81
Three Rivers, Michigan 49093
