Mary Drier
Staff Writer
SEBEWAING — There were back to back municipal meetings this week regarding the proposed swap of state land in Sebewaing to Bay Shore Camp and Family Ministries for one parcel in the Kilmanagh area and another in the Quanicassee area.
On Monday, the Sebewaing Village Council went on record again as being opposed to the land swap; and on Tuesday, the Sebewaing Township Board re-visited the issue at their meeting.
Sebewaing Village President Alex Khoury said the land issue came before the council twice before and again this week.
“We have been dealing with this since August. The first time we listened to the people on the issue. The second time the village went on record opposing it, and sent a letter to the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) stating that,” said Khoury. “We opposed it again at this last meeting,
“We’re sending that motion and a letter again to the DNR.”
The state owns 12-acres of land where Pine Street dead-ends northwest of the village, which is adjacent to the camp.
In exchange for that state land, camp officials propose trading the state about 17.14 acres of land between parcels located in Huron County off of Kilmanagh Road and one off M-25 and Barney Road on the Quanicassee River. The camp owns land off of Kilmanagh Road, and has an option to purchase agreement on the other land if the exchange happens.
Camp officials want the land to use for an outdoor wildlife education for youths who attend the camp and for area school children, explained the camp’s Executive Director Jeff Parsons.
“That property would make a wonderful learning resource for those at the camp and area school children will nature trails, to view wildlife, and plant identification,” said former camp director Lew Tibbits who contacted the Advertiser last week. “Because the camp is responsible for the children, we have to control who they come into contact with. Leaving the land open for public use that couldn’t be done.”
According to Tibbits, when the camp wasn’t using the land, then the camp could allow the public to use it.
“I understand what Bay Shore wants to do. They are a great asset to the community, but there are a lot of people against trading that land,” said Khoury.
According to a letter written by Parsons to the DNR Land Exchange Review Committee on Aug. 21, 2014, “the intent for the land is to roll out a low-cost outdoor education program that schools can utilize to support some of their teaching standards. To date, we’ve outline four education courses to use in conjunction with the land. (1) Michigan Tracks. A study of the various animal tracks, basics of animal survival and habitat.
(2) Trees. A study of the different types of trees, how to tell the difference and understand the treats to trees.
(3) Erosion and Wetlands. A study of different wetland areas, the hazards they face and basics of erosion.
(4) Sustainability. A study of what sustainability is and how to practice it, about carbon footprints and how to reduce them.”
The letter goes on to note the goal would be to clean up the property of excessive deadfall for accessible foot paths.
Also, “there is no short-term plans to erect any permanent buildings on the property. We may install interpretive sings and markers. And, it is possible that we may create an outdoor teaching space with natural seating and mosquito protection” yet keep as much natural integrity as possible, explained the letter.
The land at issue was acquired in the 1970s through Thelma E. Whitlock’s effort to honor memory of her husband Doctor Stanley C. Whitlock, who was an assistant chief of the Game Division, Michigan Department of Conservation.
However, over the last few months, there has been opposition to the land swap by some residents and distant Whitlock family members who contend Thelma Whitlock’s wishes should be honored that the land in Sebewaing be public.
Actually, Whitlock didn’t own or purchase the property in Sebewaing. It was her estate executors and their attorney and the DNR who selected the Sebewaing property and two other parcels to purchase with the $78,500 she left to do so in her husband’s memory.
According to Earl Flegler who is a specialist with the Department of Natural Resources Public Land Division there are no restrictions on the land.
“There were no provisions limiting the use of the land – so it can be traded for other land,” said Flegler who also said the department was unable to find any of Whitlock’s relatives to talk to them about the proposed land trade.
However, through postings on Facebook and its “You Know You Are From Sebewaing” site at least three distant Whitlock family members have been found and they have each said they are opposed to the land swap. Also, the Sebewaing Sportsmen’s Club has gone on record against the land exchange.
In addition, the Sebewaing Township Board reversed its stance Tuesday on the land swap issue.
“The first we heard about this was in November when the camp director and the DNR showed up at the township meeting, and we gave them our blessing because from what we were told it sounded like a good idea,” said Township Supervisor Nancy Layher.
Some on the board were under the impression the village had done the some, but the village had opposed it.
“This is a small town and I started hearing rumblings there was opposition to it and it was growing. It blossomed from there,” said Layher. “I was invited to join the Facebook site where I learned more about it.”
Because of that, the land swap issue was revised by the township.
“I thought there might be a few people at our meeting about it, but was surprised at the turnout,” said Layher.
The township board had to move to the large community room at the other end of the township hall. It’s estimated about 50 people attended. Some spoke in support of the camp’s plan and others spoke in opposition,
After the discussion, the board voted unanimously to rescind their Nov. 4 motion supporting the land swap between the state and camp. Then, the board passed a motion “to stay neutral” on the land swap issue and to send this new information to the DNR.
“I was happy that the township board rescinded their motion and will send a letter. It was a small victory; but because of them deciding to stay neutral after not wanting to get in the middle of this, it was not the knock out punch that we needed,” said Don Kain who has helped coordinate group opposing the trade.
Parson’s August letter to the DNR also noted the camp wants to have a positive impact on the economic health of the Sebewaing area. “As an organization, we are committed to findings ways to provide for the quality of life of the people of this economically depressed area.”
However during public comment period at the township meeting, Parsons explained the economic dynamics of the camp and noted the camp could look outside of the community for contractors for their next building project as well as operating supplies.
The proposed DNR Land Transaction Application #20140112 from Bay Shore Camp will be reviewed by the Director of the DNR during a Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. The next meeting of the NRC Jan. 15. It is a day-long meeting with a testimony segment at 3 p.m.
Our votes here only show how we feel. We have no control,” said Khoury. “The decision is up the the DNR.”
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com