East End Update – Fall 2006

The fall Association meeting included an update on the progress of this project. Highlights from that presentation are:

• Pledges received to date = $217,950.
• 57 individuals/property owners (out of 240 property owners) have made pledges.
• The average pledge is $3,820. Any size pledge is welcomed.
• $232,050 is needed to achieve the goal.
• December 2006 may be the time to complete the goal as the seller has indicated he intends to list the property on the real estate market in January 2007.

Funds raised will be donated to South West Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) and they will purchase, protect and maintain the property. SWMLC is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to protecting natural area, historic sites and open spaces. They currently manage and protect more than 5,300 acres of land in our area.

The land would be protected from development by means of a Conservation Easement. This legal document dictates that the land may not be developed at any time. These restrictions would be permanent.

It is hard to overstate the importance of keeping this land in its natural state. The land serves as home to wildlife, helps filter the water in our lake and given that it is not developed, we have the rare benefit of long stretches of natural shoreline.

Donations to this project are a one-time event and would be eligible for a tax deduction. We understand that not everyone is able to contribute thousands of dollars, but please understand that anything that you can contribute will serve to protect this important land.

We are very pleased with the progress made and hope to keep the momentum going. Please discuss this project with any task force member (below). Additionally, you can help us move closer to this goal by discussing this project with your family or lake neighbors.

More information will be added to www.minerlake.org and information about SWMLC can be found at www.swmlc.org or by calling their offices at (269) 324-9760.

Those interested in walking the land should contact Jerry Young. Those interested in making a pledge should contact Sam Martin.

Task Force Members

Sally Gant (269) 673.5831, Send e-mail

John Gravee (815) 477-0933, Send e-mail

Mike Kenny (269) 686-0871,
Send e-mail

Sam Martin (616) 378-0356,
Send e-mail

Terry Skoglund (269) 673-7355, Send e-mail

Eric Tooman (269) 673-9596, Send e-mail

Sandy Wheat (269) 673-8882, Send e-mail

Jerry Young (269) 673-4015,
Send e-mail