Dear Editor,
In regards to Lake Waumegah, I am so glad you are covering this story. I live on Waumegah Court and I am concerned too many people don’t even want to know what actually happened to our lake, least of all our township supervisor and lake board representative Mike Trout!
The biggest concern I have is why did we spend $12,500 on a lake study only to throw it out the window!
If this problem is because the study was not followed, shouldn’t the lake board be responsible or at least fired and new people put on to take their place?
I, for one, would like some answers.
John D. Herron
Springfield Township

Dear Editor,
Regarding the purchase of the new Independence Township Hall:
It’s interesting to note that the main reason given by Independence Township officials for a new town hall was that the old town hall was not handicap accessible. Yet an elevator had to be installed at the new hall to take patrons to both the upper and lower levels.
If our tax dollars had to be spent to make the new building handicap accessible, one can only conclude that the building was NOT purchased because it was handicap accessible as officials claim. So as a taxpayer, I have to ask: why was this vacant, over-priced, white elephant purchased with our tax dollars?
Remembering that township residents have previously voted down every millage proposal for a new town hall, Officials arrogantly claimed the new hall would not cost taxpayers additional taxes because it’s funding was being “borrowed” from the surplus in the townships Water and Sewers fund. Surprise! Once again the joke’s on taxpayers, Water and Sewer taxes will be increased.
Senior Center voted down …new one built.
Town hall voted down … and a seldom used, over-priced building is purchased.
The shenanigans don’t stop there. Now officials are proposing to build a new sheriff substation and another bigger, better Senior Center. At a cost to taxpayers of over 3 million dollars!
In light of recent events, it was surprising to read that township Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen say that she “doesn’t understand why some people aren’t more excited about the township moving forward.”
This un-excited, long-time resident totally “understands” when Independence Township says it’s “moving forward” with something, it really means it is going to “move forward” to spend your tax dollars against your wishes. Understand now?
Michael Powell
Independence Township

Dear Editor,
Re: series on Lake Waumegah.
Thank you for giving the Lake Waumegah fish kill the coverage it deserves! Your recent coverage is just the tip of an iceberg, 10 years deep.
I live just off the lake and have lake privileges on Waumegah. My family and I have enjoyed the natural beauty of the lake for seven years now and love it for what it is…barely a lake, more of a deep swamp.
My wife and I have been against the man-made manipulation of these beautiful wetlands from the day we moved into Clarkston. What has happened on Waumegah is a case study in environmental disregard and human arrogance!
Trying to turn these wetlands into something that they’re not is akin to lipstick on a pig. Most people on and around the lake are OK with the pig and don’t see the value in the lipstick.
Lake Waumegah, it would appear, is just not enough of a lake for some and I guess I just don’t understand that. Spending money to battle mother nature is usually a bad spend.
The lake is what it is, we need to show the wisdom to just leave it alone and appreciate what we have.
Your articles covering this is shining a light in areas that some would prefer remain dark to the general public. I want you to know that the articles are fair, accurate and appreciated!
Rob Aughe
Springfield Township