February 15, 2008
Letter to the Editor

The Geneva Lake Conservancy's position on the Hummel/Mirbeau development needs clarifying because there has been some confusion and oversimplification of the position.

The Conservancy's position is, first and foremost, one of conservation. Our goal is to protect the watershed, the oak savannas, and all the other unique lands within the region. That means we do not want development. However, everyone needs to understand that the 710 acres that Mr. Hummel and his partners own is now part of the City of Lake Geneva. The City annexed it for the purpose of expansion. That means sewer systems, roads, traffic, etc. The Conservancy is trying to influence how that happens.

The Board of Directors of the Geneva Lake Conservancy supports the good efforts of our staff who have worked long and hard to educate all those involved on how to enhance several aspects of the development with respect to our conservation goals. The Conservancy has and will always be concerned with the long-term effects of our society's impact on these lands we depend upon for food and water. Our vision is about more than stopping a development. Our concern is not simply for this generation, but as our Native American brethren have stated so eloquently, we are concerned about the next seven generations.

We would love to have a group purchase some of the land, in particular, the area of land closer to the lake and transform it into a park. Moreover, we have heard there are groups seeking to do just that. However, we have heard no concrete proposals.

It has been suggested the Conservancy work with the newly formed group known as Lower Density Development (LDD). We look forward to working with the LDD group regarding any specific plan they have for the property. Our initial contact with LDD looks promising, and we intend to stay engaged and open-minded. Together we will work hard to serve the area no matter the outcome of this specific development proposal.

Given this overview, our position on Hummel/Mirbeau is the same as communicated publicly many times over the past few years and at the open meeting at Badger High School last November 27th, which you can find here.

Sincerely,

Charles L. Colman
Chair, Geneva Lake Conservancy