Letter to the Editor: Not all property rentals

September 21, 2019

The situation as described in the 9-16-2019 Manchester Mirror [letter to the editor] by the Happy Hallow residents on Pleasant Lake in Freedom Township, does not apply to all property rentals, of which there are hundreds of them in Michigan.  I have seen dangerous, rude, drunk, and obnoxious behaviors by lake residents as well, not just short term cottage renters.  These acts are criminal and can be reported to the police and can certainly be documented by video evidence.

Such evidence was never produced for the Ashkay Island rental in Manchester Township.  A recent lawsuit resulted in the judge ruling that the island property owners may continue to rent.  We have stayed on the island on 4 occasions now.  We have an adopted daughter (12) and are raising 3 grandchildren, ages, 7, 11 & 13.  We can not afford airline tickets to Disney Land or other fancy expensive vacations.  Staying at the island is the most relaxing, beautiful, nature providing, fun thing we have ever done.  The development of the cabin on the island was done with extreme care and thoughtfulness in regards to environmental impacts to the natural resources.  A small natural wood cabin was built there with minimal amount of trees removed from the 8.0 acre island.  The majority of the island remains treed and in its natural state.  The behavior of renters can be controlled by use of a strict selection process by the property owners, a steep security deposit and the neighboring residents calling the police if warranted, not just complaining about it later.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.