My name is Wayne Shirk.  I am a member of a group of concerned property owners trying to stop the Van-Cass Intercounty Drain Project - at Bankson Lake,  Lawton, MI.  It has been a long and expensive legal battle fighting to preserve the wetlands and protect the environment.  A small group of  property owners are seeking relief  by levying  a huge tax on everybody.   Riparian owners and residents in the newly created "drainage district" can expect a huge line-item expense on your annual property tax bill.  Van Buren County , Porter Township, and Marcellus Township will also be burdened with at-large expenses,  passed on to everybody thru  increases on our  township and county tax bills.   There are examples in the state for similar projects costing in excess of 8 million dollars.  This project will be an enormous expense and  a considerable burden to all it touches.   

 We need to stop them.  The drain code is rife with loopholes that allow the uninformed  public to be exploited.   This drain has the potential to destroy our wetlands and cause irreparable damage to our lake. This project could bankrupt both Porter and Marcellus Townships, and encumber property owners with tax burden for years to come.    Both townships are  involved in the legal battles to stop the Van-Cass Drain to Bankson Lake.   People that are receiving this request are most likely people who will be forced to pay.    You may be surprised to learn that the overwhelming majority of riparian owners on Bankson Lake are against the drain.  

Please contact me  at the link provided on this page.    Please help us by either donating yourself or forwarding this fund-raising request to anybody you think  could help .    Thank you!   

Please help us, please donate.