Clark Township Is Giving Carte Blanche to Property Owner
To the Editor:

It is time that our community focuses on property rights versus vilifying opponents. Bob Dunn recently wrote a letter to the editor about Greg Malcho, Chuck Malcho, and Dave Wallace that could not be further from the truth. If Mr. Dunn actually knew these men, he would know their deep commitment to the Les Cheneaux community. They and their families have been contributing to this area well before the Mackinac Bridge's existence. As mentioned in Mr. Dunn's letter, they sit on boards, dedicating their time and expertise. They, too, are wooden boat owners and opposed the destruction of the original boathouse by Hessel Bay Boat Works years ago.

During the decades that Messrs. Malcho, Malcho, and Wallace have been in the Les Cheneaux area, they have been responsible community members. For example, if Mr. Dunn knew the facts, he would know that Mr. Wallace's cabins on Hillcrest Lane are used exclusively for family and friends. They are not rentals. He would also know that the folks that are owners at Loreli were all hand-picked family and friends of Dave Wallace. Dave could have easily developed and sold that property to strangers or turned them into rentals, for which, as Mr. Dunn put it, would consist of loud drunken weekend warriors with babies and ATVs. Instead of doing what Mr. Dunn implied, Dave has exhibited exemplary citizenship. I can only hope that Hessel Bay Boat Works would exhibit the same type of consideration if they ever intend to develop residential property on their land.

This brings me to the issue at hand. As it stands now, the language in the new rezoning appears to have no limitations as to the size and use of the structure to be built. In fact, Hessel Bay Boat Works doesn't even have to build a boat house! There are no assurances in the rezoning requiring them to do so. It is this carte blanche the township is giving Hessel Bay Boat Works that perturbs the adjacent property owners and many members of the community. This is precisely what the current long-standing zoning and the Les Cheneaux Master Plan was designed to avoid. Also of concern is that during these uncertain times, no proof of financing for this project has been provided to the township. No proof of a lease or letter of intent has been provided by the owner of the Canim. Furthermore, I find it interesting the owner of the Canim has never written a letter to the township in support of the boathouse project. What assurances do the adjacent property owners and the Les Cheneaux community have that this project will be completed conscientiously, or even at all? Will a carte blanche zoning policy begin and end with this project? What kind of precedent will it set for future zoning in the area? Imagine your neighbor being given ultimate authority to do whatever they wish, with virtually no limitations!

I hope members of this community that are in favor of this rezoning can appreciate the position of Messrs. Malcho, Malcho, and Wallace along with others who oppose this type of carte blanche rezoning. These responsible members of the community believe they are having their property rights infringed upon. There are no villains here, as Mr. Dunn implies. Both sides are merely pursuing their proper interests.

I support wooden boats and boathouses. Most of all, I support responsible development and property rights.

Daniel Totonchi Hessel and Royal Oak