Tiny Bubbles
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[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Public denied use of popular beach area
By: Cheryl Dennison , Staff Reporter 08/15/2002
Fenton Twp. - The area known as "Pig Beach" off North Long Lake Road in Fenton Township is causing quite a controversy these days. For years, the area has long been used by swimmers and boaters to enjoy the sandy beach, and where boaters anchor for the day.
Residents in the area, however, say the activities there have gotten out of hand. And on July 4, when boats jammed the area and festivities got out of hand, complaints of drunk, disorderly behavior and nudity brought several police cars to the scene. The issue could no longer be ignored, according to George Stolzenfeld, who claims ownership of the property.
"There is too much going on there," said Stolzenfeld. "And quite frankly, I can't afford that kind of liability," he added. After the July 4 weekend, Stolzenfeld placed "no trespassing" signs on the fence that lines his property beside Fenton Harbor Condominiums.
Stolzenfeld said he put up the signs because someone is going to get hurt. Another factor in his decision is the amount of garbage left behind by the boaters. After receiving numerous complaints from nearby residents about the noise and the garbage, he said he talked to the police who said they were going to monitor the area more closely.
"I was not forced by the township or the police to do this," he said. Stolzenfeld said it has been an ongoing problem every weekend but the July 4 celebration was when he drew the line. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt," he said.
Stolzenfeld said holes have been torn in the fence where people walk in the road and it is just a "accident waiting to happen."
His question as well as the question of Fenton Township Treasurer Joan Garfield is, "Where do all the people come from?" At a recent township meeting Garfield said the DNR needs to monitor more closely who gets on the lake.
Garfield said she also has mixed feelings about the area not being open for people to use anymore. Garfield also questions who really owns the property.
"Stolzenfeld is not on the tax rolls as owning that property," said Garfield and said he has not been taxed for the property.
Stolzenfeld said he purchased the property in 1994 with a silent partner from the developer of the Fenton Harbor Condominiums.
Stolzenfeld's attorney, George Rizik, verified Stolzenfeld has a registered deed to the property, tax bills and a survey giving a legal description of the property.
"It appears he owns it," said Rizik. He said that while riparians have the right to use the water, Stolzenfeld has the right to not allow people to trespass on his property.
Garfield said she thinks the problems stem from too many boats on the lake. "I think the DNR is not counting the boats coming in and checking to see how many boats are allowed on the lake," said Garfield. DNR representative Bill White said 76 parking spaces are available at the public access on Lake Fenton and that is the number of boats launched from the site. Trustee Bonnie Mathis noted at the last board meeting that people are launching their boats and then parking at a nearby school parking lot, which would allow more boats on the lake.
Supervisor Carl Gabrielson said the sheriff's department put extra deputies on the lake after the Fourth of July. He said the township will not allow or tolerate drunkenness and disorderly behavior or nudity on the lake and they received many complaints. This led to a meeting with the sheriff's department.
"There has to be sanity for the people that live in that area," he said.
He also said at this point, the township is not saying one way or another if Stolzenfeld is the owner of the property, but did say the property is not on the tax rolls and there is no record of taxes paid for the shore line.
Genesee County Sherriff Robert Pickell is also concerned about the area. He said on July 4, over 400 people were at the beach area and there was a lot of underage drinking going on. Condominium owners were complaining of people urinating and vomiting on their property, he said. He said several county police cars were called as well as the state police, Grand Blanc police and the DNR. "Six arrests were made," he said.
Pickell said he spoke with both Gabrielson and Stolzenfeld regarding the problem. He said Stolzenfeld was not pleased with the activity and concerned about his liability. Contrary to previous reports, Pickell said Stolzenfeld didn't want to see people on his property and he wanted the sheriff's department to enforce the no trespassing.
Pickell is concerned about a recent ticket issued to a local resident and former school teacher for using the area in spite of the no trespassing signs.
"He said he wanted a ticket," said Pickell.
The man became indignant, Pickell said, after he was told to move his boat. The deputy told him if he wanted to fight a cause he should go to court.
Pickell said he is also a little confused by the actions of the man who received the ticket.
"I have a great respect for school teachers," said Pickell and the man's conduct was a surprise in that a school teacher would support a cause where there was the potential for so many young people to get hurt.
Steve Bayley, former teacher for the Lake Fenton School District, was the man who was ticketed. And he said he was trying to prove a point.
"I'm sticking up for the general public," said Bayley. "We just want to be able to use the beach."
Bayley went to court on Monday and pled not guilty to the charge of trespassing. He said the surface of the lake is public and he did not enter the beach area until asked to do so by the deputy.
http://www.tctimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=5046091&BRD=2524&PAG=461&dept_id=494488&rfi=8[/font]
By: Cheryl Dennison , Staff Reporter 08/15/2002
Fenton Twp. - The area known as "Pig Beach" off North Long Lake Road in Fenton Township is causing quite a controversy these days. For years, the area has long been used by swimmers and boaters to enjoy the sandy beach, and where boaters anchor for the day.
Residents in the area, however, say the activities there have gotten out of hand. And on July 4, when boats jammed the area and festivities got out of hand, complaints of drunk, disorderly behavior and nudity brought several police cars to the scene. The issue could no longer be ignored, according to George Stolzenfeld, who claims ownership of the property.
"There is too much going on there," said Stolzenfeld. "And quite frankly, I can't afford that kind of liability," he added. After the July 4 weekend, Stolzenfeld placed "no trespassing" signs on the fence that lines his property beside Fenton Harbor Condominiums.
Stolzenfeld said he put up the signs because someone is going to get hurt. Another factor in his decision is the amount of garbage left behind by the boaters. After receiving numerous complaints from nearby residents about the noise and the garbage, he said he talked to the police who said they were going to monitor the area more closely.
"I was not forced by the township or the police to do this," he said. Stolzenfeld said it has been an ongoing problem every weekend but the July 4 celebration was when he drew the line. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt," he said.
Stolzenfeld said holes have been torn in the fence where people walk in the road and it is just a "accident waiting to happen."
His question as well as the question of Fenton Township Treasurer Joan Garfield is, "Where do all the people come from?" At a recent township meeting Garfield said the DNR needs to monitor more closely who gets on the lake.
Garfield said she also has mixed feelings about the area not being open for people to use anymore. Garfield also questions who really owns the property.
"Stolzenfeld is not on the tax rolls as owning that property," said Garfield and said he has not been taxed for the property.
Stolzenfeld said he purchased the property in 1994 with a silent partner from the developer of the Fenton Harbor Condominiums.
Stolzenfeld's attorney, George Rizik, verified Stolzenfeld has a registered deed to the property, tax bills and a survey giving a legal description of the property.
"It appears he owns it," said Rizik. He said that while riparians have the right to use the water, Stolzenfeld has the right to not allow people to trespass on his property.
Garfield said she thinks the problems stem from too many boats on the lake. "I think the DNR is not counting the boats coming in and checking to see how many boats are allowed on the lake," said Garfield. DNR representative Bill White said 76 parking spaces are available at the public access on Lake Fenton and that is the number of boats launched from the site. Trustee Bonnie Mathis noted at the last board meeting that people are launching their boats and then parking at a nearby school parking lot, which would allow more boats on the lake.
Supervisor Carl Gabrielson said the sheriff's department put extra deputies on the lake after the Fourth of July. He said the township will not allow or tolerate drunkenness and disorderly behavior or nudity on the lake and they received many complaints. This led to a meeting with the sheriff's department.
"There has to be sanity for the people that live in that area," he said.
He also said at this point, the township is not saying one way or another if Stolzenfeld is the owner of the property, but did say the property is not on the tax rolls and there is no record of taxes paid for the shore line.
Genesee County Sherriff Robert Pickell is also concerned about the area. He said on July 4, over 400 people were at the beach area and there was a lot of underage drinking going on. Condominium owners were complaining of people urinating and vomiting on their property, he said. He said several county police cars were called as well as the state police, Grand Blanc police and the DNR. "Six arrests were made," he said.
Pickell said he spoke with both Gabrielson and Stolzenfeld regarding the problem. He said Stolzenfeld was not pleased with the activity and concerned about his liability. Contrary to previous reports, Pickell said Stolzenfeld didn't want to see people on his property and he wanted the sheriff's department to enforce the no trespassing.
Pickell is concerned about a recent ticket issued to a local resident and former school teacher for using the area in spite of the no trespassing signs.
"He said he wanted a ticket," said Pickell.
The man became indignant, Pickell said, after he was told to move his boat. The deputy told him if he wanted to fight a cause he should go to court.
Pickell said he is also a little confused by the actions of the man who received the ticket.
"I have a great respect for school teachers," said Pickell and the man's conduct was a surprise in that a school teacher would support a cause where there was the potential for so many young people to get hurt.
Steve Bayley, former teacher for the Lake Fenton School District, was the man who was ticketed. And he said he was trying to prove a point.
"I'm sticking up for the general public," said Bayley. "We just want to be able to use the beach."
Bayley went to court on Monday and pled not guilty to the charge of trespassing. He said the surface of the lake is public and he did not enter the beach area until asked to do so by the deputy.
http://www.tctimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=5046091&BRD=2524&PAG=461&dept_id=494488&rfi=8[/font]
