The March 2000 Newsletter

Sewer Project Cost Projections to be Announced this Month

Word from the Township is that residents will be receiving a letter stating the updated cost of the sewer project. Remember, you may spread the cost over a number of years. The payments can be made monthly, yearly, or lump sum. Unfortunately, that is all the information the CLA board has right now. Hopefully the letter from the Township will be more informative.

Let's face it--the sewer is not cheap. But it's not going to get any cheaper - in fact every year we wait increases the cost approximately 3%. We can't afford to wait another ten years!

You all have seen the charts, but we want to bring them to your attention one more time.

Boater Safety Class
For Ages 12-16

Date: May 9 & 10
Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Where: Coopersville City Hall
Phone: 837-9731
Cost $5 for both days

Summer Positions

-Grose Park
-Musketawa Bike Trail

The County Parks Dept. is seeking 3 individuals age 16 or older who will work hard and can work independently.

$7 per hour
Call 616-738-4810 for more information

Hazardous Waste Disposal Site

155560 68th Avenue, Coopersville

Open Monday 1-4; Weds 9-12;
3rd Saturday 8-11
All dropoffs by appointment
Call 837-8195

Accepting: motor oil, antifreeze, car batteries, glues, oil-based paints, stains, thinners, gasoline, aerosols, pesticides and more!

No latex paint.

Water Clarity Table

The water clarity table is easy to understand - it is a test to see how clear our water is.

We are seeing a steady decline in water clarity - and it will not improve until the sewer system is in place. Lakes which have installed sewer systems, all enjoy a substantial jump in water clarity after approximately two years. The clarity continues to increase for a number of years later.

You may think, So what if the water is not clear! - but unclear water affects us in unpleasant ways.

• Fishermen know that murky water adversely affects the use of artificial bait. If the fish can't see your bait, how can they bite it?

• When was the last time you wore a white bathing suit in our lake? What a joke! It just isn't practical. The green algae clings to your suit and turns it grey after one swim.

• We have at least 13 residents with Labrador Retrievers. Labs love water - but how do they smell after they get out of the lake? I have to give mine a bath at least once a week. The lake water stinks.

• Many folks are now taking regular showers after they get out of the lake because they don't smell or feel clean.

• The murky water encourages ear infections and skin rashes. Some of my daughter's friends can't swim in the lake because they break out in a rash. That's pretty embarassing!

Phosphorus Table

Phosphorus is a little harder to understand. You can't look at the water and tell what the phosphorous level is - but it sure leaves tell-tale damage. There is no lake in Michigan which participates in the spring testing that has a higher phosphorous count than Crockery Lake. We are 20 points above any other lake. It is poison and will ruin our lake!

Phosphorous is a form of liquid fertilizer. It comes from a variety of sources. The most prevalent for lakes is leaky septic tanks and farm run off. We have both. By putting in a sewer system you alleviate the septic leakage. This normally cuts out over 60% of the phosphorous running into the lake.

Why should you care how much phosphorous ("ph") is in our lake?

• A high "ph" will trigger nasty green algae making lake activities undesirable. Algae is the clumps of green stuff you see floating in the water.

• Go one step further and we get the blue/green algae which is highly toxic. (We had this last year the white paint-looking substance floating on the lake). You can get sick from breathing the fumes of this type of algae.

• It stinks! And the worst part is, when the weather is the hottest, the algaes are most likely to strike!

• High "ph" destroys the plant life fish need to survive - no food - no fish.

• Do you enjoy cleaning the green algae off your boats and rafts?

• How happy are you to see it floating off shore when you want to swim?

• And the clumps of algae will become larger; and the toxic algae blooms will become more frequent.

Sad, Scary Story - But It Is True. Maybe you will think - I can't stand this - I want to move away from the lake. But guess what! The value of your house is directly reflected in the quality of your lake. If the lake is green, stinky and murky your house will not fetch you the price you had anticipated.

Let's look ten years ahead and think about what Crockery Lake can be! The sewer will make a dramatic difference. Under the Clean Water Initiative, a watershed management program will likely be in place which will help control the farm run off.

Other Considerations

Chester Township has expended a substantial amount of your tax dollars to pursue this issue based upon lake residents' interest. If the sewer project is turned down, the Township may not react so quickly to a cry for sewer in the future. After the residents have decided to go forward with the sewer project, the Township and Road Commission the possibility of grants will be pursued.

It can be a happy ending! Vote Yes For Sewer!!!

Great Days Receipts!!

Please also save your Spartan UPC labels. We receive $20 for every thousand. Continue to give your receipts to any CLA Board member or drop them in the CLA mailboxes located on either side of the lake

2442 Crockery Shores (north)
2081 VanDyke (south)

Brand New Quicken Program for Sale!

Never used. Purchased December of 1999. Was to be used by CLA, but since Tina is using her own program, we don't need it. $29 new - asking $15.

Call Linda Lane 887-1562

Attention Dishwasher Owners

If you are using a dishwasher at your lake residence, please consider buying phosphate-free dishwasher detergent. The nutrient loading from your dishwasher is very damaging to the lake. Unfortunately, you can't get it in the grocery store. Shackley has a phosphate-free soap which works great - you use only one teaspoonful for each load. A box lasts 3-4 months. Cost:$12 a box.

Call Linda Lane if interested.

Modern-Style Sofa, Like New, Neutral Color, $200

CALL THE WOBMAS 887-6238

Would you like to advertise in your newsletter?

Members: FREE
Nonmembers: $5
Full-Page Ad (you supply all copies): $10
Contact Pat Wolters at 887-8707

Crockery Lake Board:

President: Pat Wolters (887-8707)

Vice-Pres.: Robin Block (887-9796)

Treasurer: Sue Wobma (887-6238)

Secretary: Linda Lane(887-1562)

Buzz Holtvluwer (899-2647)

Ursula Swidwinski (887-5140)

Don Shuker (899-2606)

Lesha Gustin (899-2162)

Yearly Dues:
$20 (under 65)
$10 (over 65)