Many Thanks go to our retiring board member John Blanck!
So many ideas have come from John over the years
and you could always be assured that John would be there to lend a helping hand.
If you see him, certainly express your thanks too.
Unofficial Meeting Notes - July 29, 2017
LMPO meeting 7/29/17
As each member checked in, they were given an updated version of the owners on each of the roads. Also every 5 years we offer a map listing the properties - one to each address. If you were unable to attend the meeting AND have paid your dues, please contact us to receive your map.
President Karen Johnson welcomed everyone to the meeting and then introduced our speaker, author, William Blewett. He grew up in the area and spent many hours at Champion Beach. Since his retirement from teaching in Ishpeming, he has spent time doing something else that he loved - writing. His book, Mayhem on the Michigamme, is the 2nd adventure in the series of retired sheriff, Bill Bennett. Along with his friends, they try to bring justice to a community that is packed with deceit, crime, violence, and misadventures as the pseudo-detectives help law enforcement solve horrible crimes on the pristine Lake Michigamme.
Several new items are coming to Michigamme Township. HOURS: Tues-Fri 10-1
Republic Township has several of the same problems. HOURS: Mon-Fri 9-5
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR ADDRESSES ARE COMPLETE! Lisa has updated our information and encourages everyone to make sure to let us know if anything changes. If you have a new neighbor, ask them to join LMPO. They might not know about us and when we send out over 300 letters to all of the lake property owners, they might not get the information.
Karen Johnson had several items to relate.
An editor for the Michigamme Messenger is being sought. If anyone has an interest, please contact Karen Johnson.
Make sure you check out our entire board. They are there to listen to any comments and help make LMPO the best that it can be.
Reminder: The LMPO is there for ALL of us. Encourage your neighbors to join.
Here are just a few things that the LMPO does with the yearly dues.
1. Adopt-a-Highway - We clean our area on Rt 41 three times a year. We usually have at least 8 people and it then only takes about an hour to collect about 8-12 bags. The dates for cleanup are always listed on the LMPO calendar on the website as well as a reminder on our FB page. Come help us.
2. Buoys - Currently we have 27 buoys around the lake. Our dues pay for any new ones to replace older ones. Generally, they go in when the water level makes it easier to spot where the buoys need to be. This year we started in June due to the high water. Although we usually start taking them out after Labor Day, so many people enjoy the colors from the lake and have requested that they come out later. However since this is a volunteer job, it is up to the Buoy Czar to decide the exact time. It's a messy job to take them out and clean them but if you have an interest, please let us know. If you see any problems or see one floating by itself, please drag it to shore and contact us to get it back where it is needed.
3. The Dam is inspected every 5 years. Our dues pay for the state inspectors. Once again, our dam report was good. The only suggestion last year was to cut back some of the vegetation near the dam. This was done last fall when the bugs lessened. Volunteers are always welcome.
4. Water samples are also required. The four tips of the lake are where the samples are taken. Our water is SAFE. The report came back rating us at 40PPM. 200PPM is considered normal so we are in good shape.
5. Every 5 years we give a current lake map to all LMPO members. Color ones are available for an additional charge. An updated map was given out at the LMPO annual meeting on July 29, 2017.
6. The LMPO website and FB offers an outlet for discussion and sharing. Both have increased significantly in usage in the past year. Whether it is to find a lost dog, a boat or even a buoy, these forms of social media help to get the 'word out'. The website offers a place to buy/sell/find things, links to many area attractions, a chat room, and articles or interest. We are open to suggestions to improve the website and really appreciate pictures from around the area in all seasons.
So many things that are available to the LMPO membership. Keep supporting the organization that supports YOU!
Once again, after the meeting we enjoyed socializing over lunch. The main course, supplies and drinks were provided by the LMPO, while members brought dishes and desserts to share. It was great to see old and new friends and neighbors!
As each member checked in, they were given an updated version of the owners on each of the roads. Also every 5 years we offer a map listing the properties - one to each address. If you were unable to attend the meeting AND have paid your dues, please contact us to receive your map.
President Karen Johnson welcomed everyone to the meeting and then introduced our speaker, author, William Blewett. He grew up in the area and spent many hours at Champion Beach. Since his retirement from teaching in Ishpeming, he has spent time doing something else that he loved - writing. His book, Mayhem on the Michigamme, is the 2nd adventure in the series of retired sheriff, Bill Bennett. Along with his friends, they try to bring justice to a community that is packed with deceit, crime, violence, and misadventures as the pseudo-detectives help law enforcement solve horrible crimes on the pristine Lake Michigamme.
Several new items are coming to Michigamme Township. HOURS: Tues-Fri 10-1
- A grant has allowed the upgrading of several sites and restrooms to handicap availability.
- They have added 2 additional recycle trucks across from the fire department. Since the paper can only be transported one week while the cans/glass the next week, the additional trucks will allow more to be put into the recycle bins. PLEASE READ THE RULES FOR RECYCLING! No garbage. They have added a garbage container for your plastic bags. (The complete rules will be put on this website shortly.) Neil stressed that many people are placing items outside the trucks or the wrong things in the trucks which are causing more of a problem. This needs to be resolved in order to continue our recycling program.
- By 2018 there will be 2 miles of paved Peshekee road.
- A grant has allowed new equipment to be put into the township workout area. Please make sure if you are using it, that you sign in and also let someone in the office know you are there for safety reasons.
- New fire numbers are coming soon for your address. This will help identify a camp more quickly if there is a need. Since census will be done in 2020, the township wants all the numbers completed by 2019. The township is trying to accomplish this one road at a time. Currently the signs for your camp are color coded for the road itself. This may or may not continue. (An example is red road where there are 6 different versions of addresses on red.) More information is coming.
- Taxes - ON the upcoming ballot will be the increase millage. It really is not an increase, just a return to the previous amount that was used. It would come out to about $.20 per $1000 for the year. PLEASE VOTE-you can't voice an opinion if you do not choose to vote. Encourage your neighbors to vote if you are not a year round resident. This money will go toward the general maintenance of Michigamme Township. (not the sewer system)
Republic Township has several of the same problems. HOURS: Mon-Fri 9-5
- Their recycle situation is the same. PLEASE KNOW THE RULES ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN RECYCLE!
- They have been struggling with their dam. They were concerned about their annual fishing day because the dam could not be closed. They were finally given permission to have it closed to keep the water moving for their event.
- A new RV park has been added on the north side of the township.
- They are trying for 2 new grants. One will be for their sewer system. The other is to upgrade the old bank. It will be used as a trailhead and will offer a place to stop and learn a little about the history behind Republic.
- Many roads need to be repaired. Funds are currently limited for those repairs.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR ADDRESSES ARE COMPLETE! Lisa has updated our information and encourages everyone to make sure to let us know if anything changes. If you have a new neighbor, ask them to join LMPO. They might not know about us and when we send out over 300 letters to all of the lake property owners, they might not get the information.
Karen Johnson had several items to relate.
- She congratulated us on being part of ADOPT A ROAD for 10 years. Three times a year we have an area to clean. We just completed the 2nd of the year with the help of 14 people. We usually collect 10-14 bags of garbage from our area. Volunteers are always welcome. September 23rd is our last one of the year. Karen will remind everyone on the facebook page and also on the website.
- Buoys. Each year they need to be not only put in but also inspected, repaired and replaced. This year they went in on June 1st. due to the high water. They will be removed at the end of August or early September depending upon when the crew can get together. John Blanck has been instrumental in being on this crew for many years, while Gary Laitala, the official Buoy Czar for the last 2 years, has now passed that 'honor' along to Daniel Ostola. It's a messy job, but needs to be done each year. Dan needs at least 2 more people to volunteer to help him.
- The water was tested last year in 4 places. The Peshekee area, the dam area, the Van Riper area and Mt Shasta area. We came back VERY clean. Acceptable is 400. we are under 40!!!
- Fish concerns. DNR started working with Lake Michigamme in the 1940's. Since then they have planted many fingerlings. However, due to a rocky shore without fertile soil, the fish have difficulties surviving. We do have an invasive species SPINEY WATER FLEA. It is not nutritious and can even get into the fish guts and kill them. (It was introduced to the Great Lakes by ocean going ships. We are not the only lake affected by them.) The best suggestion is the creation of safe harbors for the fish. If you have a tree that falls into the lake LEAVE IT. If you have lilly pads etc LEAVE IT. Both of these will offer fish cover and areas to spawn. The DNR suggested we put in man made fish cribs. They suggested a good place for those cribs. However, in order for a crib to be put in, the property on either side of the location must also agree and the property owner did not agree. The board has already allocated $200 toward the building materials and will get the $50 permit. If you have any interest in more information or wish to put one on your property, contact Dan Ostola. (They are about 8x8x3 weighed down by rocks, Filled with tree branches etc and placed on the ice. When the ice melts it will sink to the bottom - below the surface.)
- Communication. Our facebook page now has 125 members. It continues to grow with many people commenting, questioning, adding pictures and even helping people locate missing animals etc. If you belong to Facebook, check us out. Our website is also growing. Over the 4th we had 2134 hits and during the summer we often have 84-150 hits a day. It offers a calendar of events, news around the area, pictures submitted by LMPO members, recommended activities and restaurants and even a community discussion board.
- Dam. This is actually considered a 'spillway'. In the 1970's the water became so low, the sand bar near Van Riper was actually exposed. At this time a variety of options were considered. Eventually an 8-10 foot wide 'road' was made of huge rocks. This has kept the water level more consistent over the years. Every 5 years the spillway must be inspected. Last year it was inspected and only one problem was reported. The vegetation had to be reduced to keep the water flow. This was done last fall. There was also a recent concern abut safety at the 'dam'. The warning sign was still in place however, two more buoys were placed in the area so if there might be people new to the lake, they could easily see they should not go into that area.
An editor for the Michigamme Messenger is being sought. If anyone has an interest, please contact Karen Johnson.
Make sure you check out our entire board. They are there to listen to any comments and help make LMPO the best that it can be.
Reminder: The LMPO is there for ALL of us. Encourage your neighbors to join.
Here are just a few things that the LMPO does with the yearly dues.
1. Adopt-a-Highway - We clean our area on Rt 41 three times a year. We usually have at least 8 people and it then only takes about an hour to collect about 8-12 bags. The dates for cleanup are always listed on the LMPO calendar on the website as well as a reminder on our FB page. Come help us.
2. Buoys - Currently we have 27 buoys around the lake. Our dues pay for any new ones to replace older ones. Generally, they go in when the water level makes it easier to spot where the buoys need to be. This year we started in June due to the high water. Although we usually start taking them out after Labor Day, so many people enjoy the colors from the lake and have requested that they come out later. However since this is a volunteer job, it is up to the Buoy Czar to decide the exact time. It's a messy job to take them out and clean them but if you have an interest, please let us know. If you see any problems or see one floating by itself, please drag it to shore and contact us to get it back where it is needed.
3. The Dam is inspected every 5 years. Our dues pay for the state inspectors. Once again, our dam report was good. The only suggestion last year was to cut back some of the vegetation near the dam. This was done last fall when the bugs lessened. Volunteers are always welcome.
4. Water samples are also required. The four tips of the lake are where the samples are taken. Our water is SAFE. The report came back rating us at 40PPM. 200PPM is considered normal so we are in good shape.
5. Every 5 years we give a current lake map to all LMPO members. Color ones are available for an additional charge. An updated map was given out at the LMPO annual meeting on July 29, 2017.
6. The LMPO website and FB offers an outlet for discussion and sharing. Both have increased significantly in usage in the past year. Whether it is to find a lost dog, a boat or even a buoy, these forms of social media help to get the 'word out'. The website offers a place to buy/sell/find things, links to many area attractions, a chat room, and articles or interest. We are open to suggestions to improve the website and really appreciate pictures from around the area in all seasons.
So many things that are available to the LMPO membership. Keep supporting the organization that supports YOU!
Once again, after the meeting we enjoyed socializing over lunch. The main course, supplies and drinks were provided by the LMPO, while members brought dishes and desserts to share. It was great to see old and new friends and neighbors!