Jordan Lake Association Newsletter

 

Volume 5 -- Issue #2 -- June, 2005

 

GOOD SUMMER TO ALL

 

By Mike Cary, President

 

I hope that this newsletter finds everyone enjoying the benefits of Jordan Lake. So far, the Spring has been flood free.  I hope that such continues through this summer season so that we can all enjoy our beautiful lake.

 

As most of you has heard, we are still attempting to get an agreement from the Drain Commissioners, Tom Doyle of Barry County and John Bush of Ionia County, for the reasonable operation of the dam during times of high water and excessive rains. Since September 2004  they have not agreed to any type of permanent operational procedures for the Dam. 

 

In that regard, we have been forced to ask our attorneys to take the matter to court.  On March 16, 2005 a lawsuit was filed. The lawsuit basically asks the Ionia County Circuit Court to stipulate operational procedures for the dam . This is a civil suit, so it is not a high priority on the court's docket.  We do expect a court date and hearing later this summer.

 

Basically, all that we have requested of the Drain Commissioners, and now of the Court, is as follows:

 

1.     raise a minimum of four (4) gates when the lake level reaches 811.33 on the gauge at the dam

2.     do this within a reasonable period of time, i.e. four (4) to six (6) hours after observation or notification

3.     lower the gates only after the lake returns to 811.0 on the gauge at the dam

4.     verify the accuracy of the gauge at the dam by an acceptable method in April of each year

 

This is nothing more than the Drain Commissioners have done in a somewhat erratic  manner over the past five years. All we need is an agreement that they will actually do such as needed. Both Drain Commissioners still insist that they do not have to adjust the Dam on an interim basis. We need the Court to stipulate the procedures to force them to do their job.

 

I will try to keep everyone informed of the progress on this front.

 

Have a wonderful and safe summer!

SUMMER SPLASH  —  2005

 

Summer Splash is scheduled for August 5th and 6th.  The boat parade is planned for 9:00 P.M. Saturday, August 7th.  There will not be a theme this year., but the parade will be a "Lighted Boat Parade."

 

Lake residents: show your imaginations with a lighted spectacular!

 

 

Have fun!

2005 ANNUAL MEETING

 

The annual meeting of the Jordan Lake Association was held Friday, May 27, 7:00 P.M. at St. Edward Catholic Church (basement meeting room). The meeting was lengthy, and a great number of subjects were discussed and actions taken.

 

Complete minutes of the meeting are published on the Association Web site at www.lakeo.org/jla/

JORDAN LAKE ASSOCIATION INFO

 

JLA DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES

 

District 1     Mike Reed & Clare Twitchell

District 2     Steve Schuiling

District 3     Katy Estes and Tom Sinke

District 4     Norm Klein & Mike Cary

District 5     Dave Creuger & Gary Calkins

 

OFFICERS

 

President                    Mike Cary

Vice President            Tom Sinke

Secretary                     Steve Schuiling

Treasurer                    Mike Reed

 

POSTAL MAIL ADDRESS

 

Jordan Lake Association

922 Lakeview Drive

Lake Odessa, MI  48849-1295

 

 WEB SITE

 

www.lakeo.org/jla/

 

The Lake Association needs another representative for District 2. This district includes the north channels . Any volunteers?

LAWSUIT LEGAL COSTS

 

The lawsuit which has been filed and all the negotiation leading to the filing has been quite costly. Any help that you can give will be appreciated; $10.00, $20.00, $50.00, or any amount would be most helpful. A special thanks to those who have already contributed.

Make checks payable to the Jordan Lake Association, indicating 'LEGAL FUND' in the memo section. Mail to:

 

Send to : Jordan Lake Association

               % Mike Reed, Treasurer

               922 Lakeview Drive

               Lake Odessa, Mi 48849-1295

 

Note: Jordan Lake Association member dues are not, and have not, been used to defray the costs of filing the lawsuit.

MEMBERSHIP COMMUNICATION

 

The Jordan Lake Association website is now the primary mode of communication to the Association members.  URL:  www.lakeo.org/jla/

 

Communication is also accomplished via e-mail. If you wish to receive e-mail messages from the Association please send your e-mail address with your membership dues to Mike Reed. We will be able to send the newsletter via the internet and this will save costs on mailings.  Thank you in advance.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

 

Membership dues for 2005/2006 are now due.  Cost is $10.00 per family. Please help us to help you better enjoy the lake, protect property values, etc. Remember, only members whose dues are current are allowed to vote on issues, etc. at JLA meetings.

 

Send to : Jordan Lake Association

               % Mike Reed, Treasurer

               922 Lakeview Drive

               Lake Odessa, Mi 48849-1295

JORDAN LAKE QUICK FACT

 

With the water at summer level, Jordan Lake contains approximately 3.4 billions gallons of water!

UPCOMING MEETINGS  --   MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

A MESSAGE FROM MARGE CARY

 

As you all are aware, my husband, Mike Cary, and I met with attorneys to discuss the flooding issues of Jordan Lake, our frustrations with the Drain Commissioners, Tom Doyle and John Bush, and their problems with control, or lack of control, during flood times at Jordan Lake.

   

Like the majority of you feel, Mike and I do not like lawsuits either; have never filed nor ever been part of one before, but after consulting with the attorneys, we feel the lawsuit is the only option for the Commissioners to operate the dam in a timely manner when water rises and for them to have procedures in writing to follow.  Mike has included in the newsletter what we are asking of them.

 

We have a home in Grand Rapids and we truly enjoy the friends, Jordan Lake and community of Lake Odessa.  When the floods occurred, our cottage was one of the many that flooded out both times and last year we had a foot of water throughout our cottage. 

 

Fortunately, we had our home in Grand Rapids to return to until the water was cleared and cleanup was complete.  Our concern is for those affected that live on the lake permanently and are displaced because of the lack of tending to the lake levels and concern for others.

 

Mike has worked very hard with the attorneys to avoid this lawsuit, but there has been no agreements to date.  He has written the details regarding the legalities etc. and you can read it all on the e-mail published on the Association's Web site at www.lakeo.org/jla/ also.  I felt it important to share my views and concerns for all those on the lake whose lives are affected by unnecessary flooding.

 

We, along with Mike and Marilyn Reed, started the Lake Association in the Fall of 2000.  We feel we have covered many issues that affect everyone that lives on and enjoys the beauty of Jordan Lake.  Associations can be very essential in decision making on many issues re: what happens to improve it, maintain it and the best use of monies available for all the residents that reside on it.

 

We encourage your support and your membership to the Association.  If voices and concerns aren't spoken, the issues don't get resolved.

 

Hoping this year will be good to all, no floods will occur and that everyone has good health and good times on the lake.

 

Marge Cary

 

 

LET'S HAVE A SAFE SUMMER ON JORDAN LAKE!