ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — It's the time of year that many in Michigan wait for all winter: getting out on the lake and enjoying the sunny weather.
However, a West Michigan neighborhood says that chance has been ruined after their lake access was taken away.
Sharon Janice White, part of the Sam's Landing Neighborhood Association in Orangeville Township, won't be docking her boat in front of Lakeside Pizza, which is just 200 feet from her home.
White, along with several other people in Sam's Landing, claimed their spot on Gun Lake because the owners of the complex where Lakeside Pizza and Scoops Ice Cream reside have allowed them that luxury. Now, there's a new owner and different rules.
"He is just bullying and being mean," White said of the new owner, Lucas Spoor.
Spoor sent residents a letter demanding they not dock their boats at his property this summer.
"It was not notarized, it was not served properly," White said. "It's not even been stamped. So that's why we took the initiative to bring it to an attorney to see what is actually going on."
Spoor tells the FOX 17 Problem Solvers that his decision is just business. He says he can make $1,200 to $1,500 for those spots. He says he did offer them to the neighborhood association at a discounted price of $800.
White says that is still a steep price after enjoying their dock spot for free. That's why they contacted a lawyer.
"It's always been used by the associations since the 1930s," White said. "I have went back and researched titles and deeds and they all have the right to the docks. So apparently, there is something messed up here and we have to figure it out."
Spoor says now that he has to deal with lawyer fees, his discounted offer is off the table. FOX 17 contacted the the Barry County Register of Deeds to see if they could settle the dispute, but they said they need to look into the matter further before answering.
