Cook County News Herald

For the want of one cubic yard of gravel



“For the want of a nail the kingdom was lost”

Okay, that’s para-phrasing one of Benjamin Franklins most famous quotes, but you get the meaning.

Some holes need to be filled at the McFarland Lake boat landing. These holes have been growing and have caused problems for years with boaters trying to get their boat trailers into and out of the lake. It’s a small fix, but one that has stymied users. One person who is attempting to have the holes filled is Tom Hoy, who recently tried to rectify the problem.

Tom learned a lesson in bureaucracy.

“Those of us that use the camping and boat landing at McFarland Lake accessed off of County Road 74 find that there needs to be a cubic yard of gravel put at the approach given the cavernous holes that have been growing there for years,” said Hoy. “I contacted the county highway department to inquire, and they were very nice, but told me they do not maintain that drive, and to contact the forest service. I contacted the forest service who was also very pleasant to converse with. They told me to contact the DNR. I called the DNR and unless one knows the first and last name of the person you need to contact, you cannot leave a message. At all.

“This seems very inconvenient and it is not at all customer friendly.

“If obtaining a cubic yard proves too insignificant or too difficult for the department, I am willing to go to Irish Creek or wherever I’m given permission to obtain the gravel and do the work myself. I would just like something sent to me as an email to keep on hand, should a conservation officer or a camera record my actions, so as to avoid a citation or arrest for petty theft,” said Hoy.

Unfortunately, it snowed and Hoy returned to his South Dakota home before he could get the work done. As for the holes, presumably they will grow larger until someone fills them.

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