A Delightful Evening

Definition of unique From Merriam-Webster

2a: being without a like or equal : UNEQUALED

This past Friday evening we had dinner with seven delightful companions. The dinner was arranged by one of our town residents. It was an opportunity for all of us to get to know one another better.

In this group were residents who had been involved in the creation of our Town Comprehensive Plan, former Board of Supervisors member, and concerned town residents.

We not only dined on delicious food but engaged in informative and energizing conversation. What a wonderful way to not only meet but get to know these supporters of Town of Spider Lake. Each and every one of them love this town for what it is. They are strong believers in protecting and preserving what we have grown to love.

When you take the time to talk with residents, both full and part-time, you get a feel for why so many have chosen this beautiful part of Sawyer County Wisconsin. It is unique. There is no where else like it and it is worth the fight to keep it unique and to preserve and protect what we have.

I’ve been told that after looking at many lake places in the area, some have chosen this town and it’s lakes for the protections that were put in place years ago. They enjoy the quiet lakes and semi-quiet lakes. They know the value of restrictions on over-development. They came and stayed for the quiet peace on a summer morning.

All of these are under attack by a group who falsely claim that the ordinances we have in Town of Spider Lake make our properties worth less. As a former Realtor I can say that that is completely untrue. As anyone who has purchased a single family home you know that the neighborhood that has restrictive ordinances and covenants has more value than a similar home in a neighborhood that has no restrictive ordinances or covenants.

The reason for restrictive ordinances and covenants is to protect the value of the homes and area. No one wants to live next door to a neighbor who has multiple vehicles, RVs, and assorted motorized recreational toys parked in the driveway, yard and street. Or the neighbor who decides to put up an 8 foot fence.

I’ve lived in both type of neighborhoods in Minnesota, Colorado and Wisconsin. Our home in Fitchburg, Wisconsin had a set of covenants that was 8 pages long. It addressed everything. Parking, garbage cans, fencing, sheds, dog houses, kennels, square footage required, style of home, storage of boats, snowmobiles, ATV/UTVs and RVs and much more. Those covenants were available for us to review prior to purchasing our home. If we thought we couldn’t live with them then we had the choice to not purchase a home in that neighborhood.

Our town ordinances are available to anyone looking to purchase a property in the Town of Spider Lake. When we purchased our home in 1985 we were given a copy. We reviewed it and felt that we could live with all the ordinances.

We did look at other properties in other towns surrounding Hayward and found that it wasn’t what we were looking for. Many of the lakes were crowded with boathouses, docks, RV’s parked on lots, sheds and much more. The lots were only 100 feet of shoreline. Very little privacy. The shorelines were no longer natural looking. They were over-developed.

Over the years we have come to appreciate the ordinances more and more. We see how they protect the value of our property, the quality of the lakes, forests and the quiet enjoyment we are so blessed to have.

My goal as a supervisor would be to protect and preserve that which so many of us came here for. Clean lakes, uncrowded shorelines, privacy and the enjoyment of all the wildlife which we share this place we call home. It is worth protecting not only for ourselves but for all who follow.

I like being unique.