5 YEARS AGO
May 6, 2003

Although a 219-acre land swap between the State of Michigan and the private owner of two-thirds of the 3,400-acre South Fox Island appears to be a “done deal,” attorneys involved in an ongoing lawsuit over the fate of the island are gearing up for more court action.

* * *

Confusion over the timeline for, and state requirements of, salary resolutions has nullified raises approved in Solon Township. According to the Michigan Townships Association, money approved for additional tax collection duties must be part of annual salary resolutions approved a minimum of 30 days prior to annual township meetings.

* * *

The jurisdiction of the Benzie-Leelanau Health Department may be expanded to include Manistee County, which has had budget difficulties in recent years.

10 YEARS AGO
May 9, 1998

The “pros and cons” of placing county facilities at Leland, Lake Leelanau or on county-owned park property in Kasson Township were identified by the county facilities task force this week.

* * *

Twenty-four year veteran road commissioner Harry W. Calhoun will not seek re-election in the Aug. 4 primary.

* * *

Suttons Bay Village might have a new boat launch, parking area and park within a few years — but village officials first need some financial assistance.

30 YEARS AGO
May 10, 1978

The County Board voted unanimously Tuesday to proceed with construction of a temporary dam on the Leland River at a cost of some $55,000 to help maintain water level in 18-mile long Lake Leelanau.

* * *

A perky new “helper boat” is bird-dogging the Leland purse-seiner Argo to whitefish grounds in Northport Bay as the second season of the experimental netting method gets under way by the Leland Fish Co., made up of several veteran commercial fishing families.

* * *

Time was when Leelanau County farmers were said to have acquired stock with short legs on one side so that they could graze on hillsides too steep for cropping.

55 YEARS AGO
May 6, 1953

The Leelanau County Board of Supervisors Monday night voted to re-submit the proposal to build an addition to the county infirmary at Maple City to voters in a special election July 13, in connection with annual school district elections.

* * *

The first group of 19-year olds left yesterday for pre-induction physical examinations and six men, all 20 years old, have been ordered for induction into the armed services next Wednesday.

* * *

Chairman Harry Lautner said Tuesday that the Leelanau County Road Commission has turned back $40,000 from its federal aid allotment to the state highway department for repair of M-204 between Suttons Bay and Lake Leelanau.

110 YEARS AGO
May 9, 1898

The annual meeting of the Old Settlers’ Association will be held June 1, 1898, at the Opera House in Elk Rapids at 10:00 o’clock a.m. from the counties of Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim, Kalakaska, Benzie, and Charlevoix.

* * *

A special meeting of the Leelanau County Agricultural Society will be held in its hall, in Maple City on Saturday, May 7th at 3 o’clock p.m. for the purpose of making arrangements for holding the fair this fall.

* * *

S.R. Boardman of the North Manitou Resort, was in town (Leland) on Saturday last, enroute for Chicago.