More Beach Lot Commentary

In her letter to the editor in a recent Cleaver, Vikki Paulus stated that she thought the Harrison City Council was wrong in returning the Hillcrest Saginaw lot to the school board.  I couldn't agree more since I bought my first cabin on Saginaw Street and enjoyed many years at this pleasant site in the middle ’50s.

Back then, there was always a mysterious question as to who DID actually own the parcel. We never thought of simply checking courthouse records!

I believe the city has very little concern of upkeep through the years due to the fact that we cottage owners pay much higher taxes than identical valued property due to the highly unequal taxing rates because of the “unbalanced" outdated non-homestead taxing laws the result being those of us who own cottages pay higher taxes. therefore the city gains much more taxation from cottage/non-homestead property taxpayers. Wasn't there a tea party in Boston due to taxation without representation? Does the reader realize that non-homestead taxpayers have no voice on how our taxes are spent as do those who own property in Harrison, it is decided only by local voters.

This situation caught much attention of the cottage owners who own non-lake front property.  It is refreshing to note that "a sleeping giant has been awakened" in this laid-back society we live in saturated with apathy.

Many thanks to the Cleaver for the excellent coverage as it does in many issues.

James Crawford

New Lothrop