Flat Lake Problem Corner
Old Stuff that Might Crop Up Again

Posted 1/5/12: Robbed by Snowmachine - West End Big Lake:
Just FYI for all BL and FL folks. On or around December 27^th a group on snowmachines robbed our family cabin on the West End of Big Lake. While we were away on a family medical emergency these weasels broke in and ransacked our property using my black winter sled to haul off my tools, gas cans, wake board, fireplace fan, sensa phone cabin sitter, compressor. They escaped down the Never Never Lake Trail and probably connected to the old Call of the Wild Road. They also took an unusual rifle which is a 35 caliber Remington Gamemaster. The Troopers are involved and I will be offering a $500 reward. Any information appreciated. Thanks Much. Todd Denman 907-748-9100.

12/9/11 Big Lake Area Ice Road Plowing Fund Discussion: 
The low key Flat Lake Ice Road plowing gas fund post raised the usual questions about a fund for Big Lake. Carolyn asked me to post her response and possible resolution.
 - Larry Taylor

Here is the original post: If anyone has a mind to support the Flat Lake Ice Road plowing gas fund this year, the typical donation is $100 and it goes to Carolyn Haggard, 892-7797. She doles it out to major plowers on Big Lake and Flat/Mud Lakes. Hats off to Carolyn for taking charge of this for the community.

Here is what Carolyn wrote to one correspondent (names are redacted since we don't know if all of the plowers wants to be identified): All the money that I have collected for the roads has come from the folks on Flat lake or Mud Lake, although ---(1 contributor)--- on Big Lake contributed a few years ago.  Last year I collected $2,200.  Half of that amount was divided among 6 folks who are known to plow Big Lake on a regular basis- ---(6 plowing families) ---.  The other half was divided among the people who take care of Flat Lake, which last year, only included ---(one plower)-- and the Haggards.  --- (3 plowers)--- have occasionally helped out on Flat Lake, but didn't want a share.   We also try to assist in plowing Big Lake. The rationale behind that split is that Flat Lake folks drive all the way down Big Lake to get to Flat Lake, so we want to contribute to that effort.  At the same time, Flat lake has a fairly extensive road system, and we don't get any help from the Big Lake crew in keeping Flat Lake plowed.  I always figured that the Big Lake guys probably got some contributions from folks on that lake, so hopefully things would work out equitably.  It's far from a perfect set-up, there may be others on Big Lake who plow the main roads, but haven't been noticed

If anybody wants to start a plow fund on Big Lake, I'll be happy to pass on any contributions I might get from Big Lake folks, as well as half the Flat Lake pot.    Seems like it might be a good project for the Big Lake Chamber.

Carolyn Haggard

This West End problem was nicely resolved as follows:

11/10/11: Dan Mayfield has sent a copy of the document granting to Big Lake Trails access over the portage from Mud Lake through to Big Lake for the community.  I'll post a copy of it later.  Thanks Big Lake Trails!

Rather than the document, here's a followup note from Dan that explains our continuing road access:

Hi Larry,       

Mental Health actually made dedication of this easement to BLT a condition of the sale to Joe Burnham. They recognized the critical link that it provided to the community. Joe was absolutely great about drawing up the paperwork, the survey that was needed and following up to make it happen. There was great teamwork by the Mental Health Trust, Joe Burnham and Big Lake Trails that went into making this happen.

Joe is the guy with the airstrip at the channel.
Take Care,
Dan 

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