Thad And Cindy Need Our Help...

This is our opportunity to help Thad and Cindy defend their right to be a part of the Omena business community.

I’ve known Thad for more than 40 years. He’s been a friend and someone I can call on no matter the circumstance. I know asking for help is not easy for him – he’s used to being the one who comes to our aid. But Thad and Cindy face the daunting task of defending themselves, and their very livelihood, against parties with financial means much greater than their own.

If you know Thad and Cindy, then you know of their commitment to provide Leelanau County with much needed local maintenance through their business, 2XT Services. Their services give those of us who live here assurance that “help is available” when it’s needed. And it is always needed. For example, when sudden storms down trees, or when snow creates impassable drifts across our roads, or when ice prevents safe passage from home to car. They repair our broken doors and fences, rescue incapacitated boats, and haul to shore those swim rafts that have lost their anchors. Thad is always the first on the scene, often before we even know to ask for help.

Many of us have personal experiences where Thad has gone above and beyond.

Our community needs 2XT Services. And now, they need us.

The year-long court battle defending their right to work and to live in Omena under the permits given them by Leelanau Township has taxed Thad and Cindy’s financial resources. In December, the District Court issued a consent order that provides much needed clarity of the specific standards in place for their permits. Thad and Cindy are resolved to meet that order’s directives, but their ability to meet the consent order is in jeopardy, as two neighbors continue to pursue legal adjudication of their own personal concerns with the business in a higher court (and possibly beyond).

Thad and Cindy cannot continue to be in court, build a home as required by the consent order, and survive as an on-going business without tangible assistance.

So I ask you: would you help Thad and Cindy continue to stand up for their right to be a part of the Omena business community by donating to this GoFundMe?

Your donation to this GoFundMe will do two things.

First it will help Thad & Cindy recover legal costs already incurred, and continue to defend their rights as property and business owners under the permits legally granted to them by both the Leelanau Township and the consent order now in place.

Second, it will give us, their clients and neighbors, a chance to do something in support of a business we need and family we care about. Rather than tell them to “move”, relocate to another property, or cease operations, we want them to stay, as the valuable members of our community we have come to rely on.

With gratitude,

Scott Mulligan