In response to Virginia and C. Duane Johnson’s letters regarding the county overseeing snow plowing on Irish Creek Road, portions of Powers Lake Road, Tom Lake Road and Wilderness Shores—although this area was originally classified as a “no service zone,” times have changed. Thirty years ago, with the exception of property directly adjacent to Tom Lake, a large paper company owned the majority of land in this area. Much of this land was sold to private parties in the early 1990s.
What were once remote roads with sporadic traffic have become much-traveled roads used by many, even in the winter. There are now many families who live on these roads year round. These roads, in years past, have been plowed by two residents. Those of us who call this area home gladly have helped with the costs. The problem is that many others, including other property owners, also use the road in the winter without contributing to the plowing costs.
Contrary to the Johnsons claim that the majority of the people here have signed waivers stating that we will not ask for county services, this is untrue. Neither I nor any of my neighbors recall signing such a statement.
The Johnsons expressed a concern that a precedent would be set if the county were to oversee and administer the plowing of these roads. The precedent has already been set by state law and throughout Cook County. The amount affected property owners would be obliged to pay is a small price to assure that if fire, police or medical emergency services were needed during the winter for any one of the property owners, their family members, visitors or tourists, regardless if they live here year around or not, these services would be available. Not to mention the increase in property value for these properties with “year around access.”
We followed all requirements as established by state law in requesting the Subordinate Governmental Service District (SGSD) for these roads including submitting the required petition to the county board signed by well over the required minimum of 10% of property owners in this area. Among these signatures were property owners who indeed are not year-round residents but who understood the need for this service. Also, over 20 property owners attended the required public hearing that was held on November 13, 2012 in support of the SGSD. At the end of that hearing in accordance with state law the county commissioners unanimously ratified the SGSD.
Jon McDonald
Hovland
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