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HISTORY
OF THE FRIENDS OF BEAVER LAKE
In
the early 2000’s Beaver Lake landowners/residents began
discussing the formation of some sort of entity to lead and coordinate
programs to protect the lake. For some years, concerned residents,
like Jim Liebert had volunteered to fight the spread of Eurasian
milfoil and prevent large breeding populations of wild geese.
When the Village of Hartland petitioned the DNR for a permit to
drill a high capacity well in the Four Winds development, which
potentially might reduce lake levels, property owners recognized
the need for a more structured organization, with formal fundraising
capabilities.
One
suggestion considered was a Lake Management District. While many
lake dwellers were genuinely concerned about protecting their
pristine lake, they opposed the creation of a Lake Management
District because of the potential that a Lake Management District,
as a governmental body with taxing and police powers, might over-regulate.
Beaver Lake residents clearly preferred a more voluntary, participatory
organization. Citizens preferred less bureaucracy and more emphasis
on citizen stewardship.
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Spurred by the Beaver Lake Yacht Club (BLYC) Board, discussion among
lake dwellers now focused on creating a Beaver Lake Preservation
Steering Committee. Records dating from the early 2000’s reflect
involvement by a number of concerned Beaver Lake dwellers—just
to mention a few—Jack Bode, David Barnett, Bill Friedrichs,
Tom Gabel, Bruce Hawkins, Jim Liebert, Fred Lach, Rich Luedke, David
Marx, Rebecca Marx, Pat Mills, Sue Mills, Mike Mooney and Fred Storm.
Eventually,
concerned lake residents concluded that a charitable, volunteer
organization should be created, and the Friends of Beaver Lake,
Inc. was incorporated as a 501(c) (3) corporation in May 2004. The
initial Board of Directors for the FOBL group included Jack Bode,
Carrie Glapinski, Patrick Mills, and Rebecca Marx.
The
Board of Directors through the years has included a variety of dedicated
individuals who have led the focus on lake stewardship.
2012:
President:
Jeri Mesching
Vice President: Larry Gregg
Treasurer: Bruce Hawkins
Secretary: Nicole Kaiser
Past President:Michele Deubel
Directors: Larry Gregg; Ken Janson; Nicole Kaiser; Eddi Schmitt;
Madonna Williams; Mike Hipp; Scott Plummer
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2011:
President:
Michele Deubel
Vice President: Jim Eigenfeld
Treasurer: Bruce Hawkins
Secretary: Jeri Mesching
Directors: Larry Gregg; Ken Janson; Nicole Kaiser; Eddi Schmitt;
Madonna Williams |
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2010:
President:
Michele Deubel
Vice President: Jim Eigenfeld
Treasurer: Jeri Mesching
Secretary: Jeri Mesching
Directors: Larry Gregg; Ken Janson; Nicole Kaiser; Eddi Schmitt;
Madonna Williams |
2009:
President: Michele Deubel
Vice President: Jim Eigenfeld
Treasurer: James Liebert
Secretary: Jeri Mesching
Past-President: Michael Mooney
Directors: Robert Corris; Larry Gregg; Ken Janson; Nicole Kaiser;
Eddi Schmitt; Madonna Williams |
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2008:
President: Mike Mooney
Vice President: John Kasdorf
Treasurer: Jim Liebert
Directors: Bob Corris; Michele Deubel; Jim Eigenfeld; Nicole
Kaiser; Jeri Mesching; Eddi Schmitt |
2007:
President: Mike Mooney
Vice President: John Kasdorf
Treasurer: Jim Liebert
Secretary: Rebecca Marx
Past President: Jack Bode
Directors: Bob Corris, Michele Deubel, Jeri Mesching, and JoJo
Neuman |
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2006:
President: Jack Bode
Vice President: Mike Mooney
Treasurer: Jim Liebert
Secretary: Rebecca Marx
Directors: Bob Corris, Andy Gehl, Carrie Glapinski, John Kasdorf,
Jeri Mesching, JoJo Neuman |
2005:
President: Jack Bode
Vice President: Carrie Glapinski
Treasurer: Jim Liebert
Board Directors: Bob Corris, John Kasdorf, and Mike Mooney |
Some
of the early goals that the FOBL and its predecessor organizers
addressed were:
Monitoring the Hartland high-capacity well development and the effect,
if any, on the lake
Identifying storm water runoff point sources
Studying the Beaver Lake watershed
Combating invasive species and wild geese
Since
FOBL’s formation, Board and task force members have faced
additional challenges, including:
Toxic
blue-green algae blooms
Shoreline protection from high water
Zebra mussel infestation
Elimination of use of household products containing phosphates
Education of residents on rainwater gardens
Reduction of nitrogen and phosphorous
Water quality baseline and continued monitoring
Encouragement of natural aquatic plants and wildlife
FOBL pursued strategic in 2006 to create a sense of ownership from
the lake’s residents as well as to prioritize FOBL’s
goals and programs. Meetings to create this plan were held at the
Chenequa Country Club (CCC) as well as the residences of concerned
volunteers. A group of fifty lake residents gathered at the CCC
to wrap up and refine the plan. People supported FOBL because they
were part of what was being created.
FOBL
annually presents a report to Beaver Lake residents on its activities
of the current year and plans for the ensuing year. This report
is presented at FOBL’s annual meeting, which enjoys high resident
attendance, at the CCC each fall to maximize attendance and to provide
an opportunity for the Club and residents to be part of the stewardship
activities. A written copy of the report is mailed to all Beaver
Lake citizens unable to attend this meeting. |
