Fighting Back Against A Rubber Stamp Council

Note: On June 14 of this year, the Oshkosh Common Council approved the placement of a new pier in Miller's Bay even though no serious attempt had been made to determine the feelings of the neighbors in the area as regards the project. Councilor Meredith Scheuermann's plea for the council to communicate with the neighbors before approving the measure went unheeded. Thanks to the efforts of local attorney Charles Williams, residents of the area have been invited to attend a public hearing on the matter. The hearing is Tuesday, August 30, 2005 1:30 p.m. Coughlin Building Room 3A, 625 E. County Road Y, Oshkosh. The hearing will be before the DNR regarding the Millers Bay Pier permit application.

Below is Menominee Drive resident Teri Shors' letter to Cheryl Laatsch, Water Management Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. A new pier for Menominee Park may or may not be a good idea, but the Oshkosh Common Council's approval of the measure without first receiving community input is appalling.--Tony Palmeri.

Additional Resources:

August 28, 2005

Re: Docket Number: IP-NE-2005-71-0562UF (Otters Street Fishing Club Permit to Construct Pier in Miller's Bay

The new pier would destroy this beautiful sunset. The photograph was taken by Teri Shors.

Dear Ms. Laatsch:

I have been a homeowner on Menominee Drive for about three years. I am opposed to the construction of the proposed pier extending nearly into the middle of Miller's Bay. My home provides an excellent view of Ames Point. I have observed for years that few individuals fish from this man-made point that affords fishing in both the Lake and Miller's Bay. Given the underutilization of this point, what justification is there for additional fishing facilities?

The proposed pier would dissect Miller's Bay and would seriously degrade the natural beauty of the Bay. Charles Williams proposes an alternative pier location IF there must be a fishing pier. I suggest even other alternatives that are located closer to the highest activity sites in Menominee Park, providing better facilities to individuals for fishing (see attached map) including parking, restrooms and handicapped accessibility.

There have expressed opinions that any new pier should be located in an area away from the sail boats. This is a public area and the public municipality would own the pier. It should be free to use by all boats to dock, individuals walking strollers, wheelchairs etc. I do not believe that any special interest group should have the right to dominate the pier for their activity. If a private pier is the intent of the club, then they should construct such a pier on private property.

Miller's Bay should be preserved so that all residents of the Oshkosh community and visitors may enjoy it for a lifetime. It is evident that this issue needs careful consideration.

Sincerely,

Teri Shors

  • Associate Professor of Biology at UW-Oshkosh
  • shors@uwosh.edu