Welcome to the Long Beach Town Crier!

Welcome to the Long Beach Town Crier!


This blog is intended to be a means of sharing information, ideas and thoughts about our great community and to just have FUN. To make this a "live or virtual" newsletter I encourage readers to share their thoughts, news that may be funny or serious and tell us about upcoming events.


This is not a vehicle to gain internet data or cookies etc. from our visitors. The design and oversight of this site is being done by a Long Beach resident. If you have a topic that you would like to share and have discussed, make a comment in the "Sound Off" or Community Fridge Notes" sections. You can also email me at longbeach24@yahoo.com . A "posting" or "comment" can be added under an anonymous name if so desired.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

"Sound Off" Corner ...

I would like to share my thoughts and ideas with you.  Please see my comment ,,,

115 comments:

  1. What is the status of the investigation by the LBPD on the vandalism and the arson in Long Beach? There were a number of houses that were "hit." Surely they must have some leads.

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  2. Voice of Reason just re-read the Friday, October 10th News Dispatch article titled "Defense Looks To Suppress Some Evidence" for the third time. The actions of our Long Beach Police Department in the Larkin case may explain why they have no leads in the arson and break ins that occurred in August. We deserve better protection than what we are getting.

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  3. Could it be that our police and firefighters know but are protecting "one of their own"? Where's the FBI? Isn't arson a Federal offense?

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  4. Dear council members-

    I was very disappointed to hear of your settlement of the Stop 21seawall issue. As to my knowledge
    none of you frequent the Stop 21beach and you need to know that your actions have created a future hazard for our community. I had advised you of this many months ago, but apparently it didn’t mean anything.

    I am attaching a copy of signatures received on a petition asking you to do nothing less than require the total removal of the seawall. Apparently the signatures of over 100 area residents meant nothing to you either. This is another case of the town acquiescing to those with the most money and the loudest voices.

    You may believe that you have acted in the best interests of the town- but if you think that be the case then you are doing so with little vision for the future.

    The lakefront where that seawall is located, along with most of the land south of the seawall to the 2060 house itself, has historically been underwater. In the 1980s and 1990s there was barely enough room to walk 5 feet off the bottom of the Stop 21 stairs without being in the water.

    The lake will rise again and you have created a future underwater hazard. I will be happy to point the finger at each of you when someone is seriously injured or killed playing at the underwater hazard.

    I would like to thank Pete Byvoets for his opposition to this settlement and his keeping the stop 21 residents advised of what was happening with this issue, he is truly a public servant.

    As for me I look forward to about 1 year from now when we will have the opportunity to elect a new council who will be responsive to the desires of the people not to those with thick wallets who threaten lawsuits. I will work tirelessly to help elect council members who embrace openness and who do their homework so that mistakes like the Stop 21 seawall doesn’t occur in the first place. January 1, 2016 cannot come fast enough for me.

    Shame on each of you who voted for this! Generations of future stop 21 beach goers will look to this rusty seawall eyesore as a testament to your ineptness. I can only pray that no one down the road is severely injured by the attractive underwater nuisance you have created! The town has created a larger liability than it would have if you have continued to fight for its total removal.

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    1. Your long winded rambling makes little sense. When the water gets high, there is TONS of debris that gets exposed, things much more dangerous than a modern sea wall such as broken irrigation pipes, old piers, old destroyed metal pilings, etc. You're obviously upset that someone built on a piece of land that you once used and treated like you owned it. You should have just bought the property if your so emotional about it. This is getting really old.

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    2. Enforce the Laws with Strong Leadership!October 16, 2014 at 11:14 AM

      This whole debalce was a result of a building code enforcement system that failed and a Council president at the time that could not say no. The building inspector at the time had blinders on when it came to the town's view ordinance being violated. Council President and Building Commission member Angelo exasperated the problem by authorizing the seawall to be built. I wonder if he knew his approval was in violation of the view ordinance. This settlement is an example of the missteps the town has taken prior to the last election which added to the legal cost total. I expect and want our town leaders to acquire the facts and make decisions. Enough with the wishy washiness, sticking our heads in the proverbial sand and hoping the problem goes away. However, that will never happen until we understand and enforce the laws we have on the books!

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    3. Generally, debris becomes exposed when water levels go down. When the lake was high 25 years ago, I don't recall tons of old pierage and piping in the shallows. The point that Patrick Cannon made is reasonable. The 2060 seawall protrudes significantly further lakeward than any other constructed seawall in Long Beach. If the rules had been followed, that would not have happened; and it is not about who owns which grains of sand, but about sensible policy as to what sorts of improvements may be placed where on a private lot. And if you think that sort of regulation is an overreach---welcome to the concept of zoning and building codes. They exist all over the country. Google the term "setback."

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    4. Voice of Reason also agrees that the residents of Long Beach should be concerned about all dangers to our community and beachfront. As such, we still need a resolution to the arson and acts of vandalism that took place over two months ago. It took the Michigan City Police less than 3 weeks to solve their armed robberies near Sheridan Beach. Perhaps we need to enlist their services.

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    5. Well, the last time the water was really high, I remember very clearly lots and lots of rubble, rip rap, rock fill, tile pipes, steel pipes, pierage and much more being uncovered. You might not remember it but I do, clear as a bell. I was a kid at the time and spent endless hours, all seasons exploring the shore line and the waters. We used to perch fish above the pilings at stop 24 and there was a lot of debris in the water too. It's there, trust me.

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    6. The town council's decision to settle sets a dangerous precedent for the future. They should have fought to uphold the principles behind the view ordinance. Yes legal costs would be incurred but future lakefront development needs to be managed aggressively.

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    7. The town council had to settle so they'd have the legal funds to pay the Lukmann law firm to defend Peter Byvoets and Jane & Jim Neulieb's from Oakley Builders lawsuit.

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    8. Councilman Angelo's decisions have put a burden on the legal war chest also. We do not want to forget him as a major contributor to the siphoning effect.

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  5. Have you seen this? Posted on the Save Our Shoreline website- http://www.saveourshoreline.org/
    S.O.S. filed a legal brief regarding our Indiana beaches. Also posted is a link to comments on the Town of L.B. vs. private property rights case which is now under appeal.

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  6. From the Alliance Facebook page: Charles Barbara De Pasquale- Why is that home allowed to have it's rain gutters drain onto the stop? A better question: Hey, why is the Town of Long Beach allowed to drain millions of gallons of filthy street water into the lake??

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  7. Here are more documents concerning our community. Pacific Legal Foundation. Under issues click on search PLF case database. Type in keyword Long Beach Indiana http://www.pacificlegal.org/CaseSearch?appSession=883144208030640

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    1. Remember deeds cannot claim Public Land Trusts. The State of Indiana would have to give up those rights when Long Beach was founded. They never did. This was proven back in the 60s by the State of Indiana. Good Luck! We'll see you in court I guess.

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  8. Voice of Reason says that Peter Byvoets is trying to usurp the authority of the Building Commissioner he hired and under the guise of fire safety and is seeking to revise the building code to hold down the size (footprint and height) of any home constructed or remodeled in Long Beach. Tonight, 11/5, Mr. Byvoets intends to recommend and attempt to push through these changes with the Advisory Plan Commission. Note the most significant new construction is along Lake Shore Drive, both sides. These homes sit on the most expensive lots. These homes tend to be built out to the maximum size (footprint x height). The construction fees are the highest for these homes. The taxes paid are the highest for these homes. There are similarly sized homes throughout Long Beach but those on Lake Shore Drive are most visible. Why would a Town Councilperson/legislator seek to cut off revenue in this day and age?

    The current Building Commissioner, hand selected by Mr. Byvoets, does not believe the height and footprint restrictions need to or even should be revised. It appears that this effort to legislate smaller homes is merely to attack the owners on both sides of Lake Shore Drive. Ask yourself for what reason? Is Mr. Byvoets the person we want making these recommendations; should not we listen to the engineer he hired as Building Commissioner?

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    1. Mr. Voice of Reason
      Long. Beach Fire dept are VOLUNTEERS!!!! These huge homes are not worth injury or Life to any of our VOLUNTEERS!! Ordinance not saying lots can't be built on, just that size be limited.
      Mr. Voice of Reason, maybe you or your family should VOLUNTEER and put your life at risk to save one of these over sized homes if a fire should occur.

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    2. But Voice of Reason doesn't live in Long Beach.

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    3. First of all, the Building Commissioner's ONLY job is review permits and make sure they comply with current ordinances and code. He has not stated anywhere publicly or privately on his opinion regarding the height and footprint restrictions. These decisions are made by the general public through the Town Council, however, certain council members do not appear to be listening to what the people are requesting.

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  9. Another comment from the Alliance Facebook page regarding a gutter downspout pipe: “ Doria LeMay Why is this no surprise!!! The powers that be that allowed the signing of the building permit, & the developer should be ashamed.” People, do you realize that at most of the stops raw street runoff pours onto the beach and into the lake every time it rains? There are two huge drain pipes that empty onto the beach at Stop 22, and there is additional runoff when the large drainpipes can't handle the volume. Car/truck drippings, dead animals, fertilizer, garbage, all flow freely, all courtesy of the Town of Long Beach. No, let's just raise a stink about a gutter downspout draining rain from a roof.

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  10. Locally, yesterday was not a good day for the lakefront Don and Bobbie Gundersons, Peg West and the other un named litigators. The author of the LB Resolution that states the Ordinary High Water Mark is the public/private line was just elected Judge. I guess it pays to fight for the people.

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  11. ego check to Voice of Reason - you're the only one who thinks so... but we do get a chuckle out of your self important assessments.

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  12. tick tock, tick tock, less than one year to elections - see ya later carpetbagger builders and realtors... see ya ineffective TC members and their "motivated" appointees... then we will start to undo some of the damage that you have perpetrated upon our great town.

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  13. Question - why are realtors, who either do not own a home in Long Beach or own a home/live in Long Beach so invested in our local government as it relates to building/development? Yep - agreed.

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  14. Voice of Reason says that Dave Albers, our Fire Chief is a fine man and true public servant. He is caring and concerned regarding the safety of all Long Beach residents and should be commended for his efforts. Those who are using Chief Albers to front their effort to attack the homeowners’ property values by arbitrarily limiting the size of new homes under the guise of fire safety should be ashamed. A change now in the buildable size will not improve the existing fire safety issue (12’ side yards are a fact on the lakefront; 40’ wide lots were platted one hundred years ago; 27 feet tall is a fact on the lakefront) but will only serve to limit future house sizes and significantly impact the current value of the homes along Lake Shore Drive. Voice of Reason says when those advocating for the change have to repeat numerous times that “this is not about the lakefront homes” when no one said it was, means this is an outright attack regarding the size of the lakefront homes for reasons other than fire safety.

    These are the same folks that have characterized the lakefront homes as “McMansions”. Their ill will is palatable. They have attacked and attempted to thwart every permitted build for years; first via septic matters, garbage and recycling totes, sand grooming, right of way threats, seawalls and now via alleged “fire safety”. All effort squarely targeted toward the lakefront owners. No one is fooled. These attacks are calculated to occur every winter when many of the lakeside residents are gone. Make no mistake, fire safety is a valid and real concern for all and a concerned group should be formed to see what can be done to improve fire safety, not to just keep up the backhanded attacks on lakefront owners. Sprinklers and or incentives to install same, beach side fire escapes for taller buildings, new construction materials and designs, more fire hydrantrs, new techniques and new fire equipment; maybe just new tires on a fire truck and allowing the fire trucks along the beach side can address all concerns regarding fire safety without attacking the buildable size and attacking the lakefront owners’ property values. No one wants to see their home burn. The comment about the number of fires and injuries (or lack of same) was valid; just as there is a valid concern over what might happen. Weigh each, consider all alternatives and come to a solution reasonable and fair under the circumstances and not to be borne just by one group, the lakefront owners. Keep an eye out regarding the selection of the ad hoc group to consider the alternatives. Hope for a reasonable solution.


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    1. Seems to me Voice of Reason has some skin in this game!

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  15. I am very troubled with what I witnessed last night at the Advisory Board Meeting. I saw an entire room filled with lawyers, builders, and realtors bully the Board to vote to uphold the unlimited amount of stories a house may have on a plotted lot, (two stories tall from street level and unlimited below.) There used to be a limitation back in 2002. The town Building code was revised back in 2002 to maximize profits for the builders and realtors. The town is changing shape for the worse. We even had an Advisory Planning Commission Board member, who is a Realtor, allowed to vote. This is/was a conflict of interest. It amazes me how no other community in LaPorte county allows outside parties, builders/contractors, to dictate how their towns are run except this town council. There are several board members who show constant hate towards the other council members, who are just seeking out the wishes of the citizens. This is frustrating and sad. Everything thing they do is because of spite. Four months ago Mr. Angelo and Mr. McDonald said that they do not have an agenda when asked if they would support the wishes of the Town's Citizens at the Building Commission Meeting. The question was asked if they would support language , if presented by the people of Long Beach, that would control the size and dimensions of how the homes were to be built from today forward. They said they would. I saw first hand last night that they are on a mission to go against the will of the people and also against the recommendation of the Long Beach Fire Department.

    The State of Indiana will not allow Residential Sprinklers to be required in homes that reach a certain size. This creates an unsafe situation for the homeowners and for the houses around these homes. The Fire Fighters are also put in extremely unsafe situations when attacking these 4 and 5 story homes. The residents and Fire Department are trying to make this community safe again and control the atmosphere of how Long Beach was designed from its roots.

    However, these two board members still keep supporting the Realtors and Builders in the area. It makes you think!!!!!

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    1. If the homeowners in Long Beach were genuinely concerned about fire protection, they'd rid the town of its overaged volunteer fire department and hire or contract professionals who were sober and on active duty 24/7. Me thinks there's something else going on here.

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    2. 80 % of Fire Fighters in the USA are volunteer. There are three differences between volunteer and professional fire fighters. 1. volunteers are not in unions 2. volunteers DO NOT get paid. 3. Volunteers are on call or work 24/7.

      Yes, let's get rid of the volunteer fire department and increase the town budget $800,000-$1,000,000 a year and then have to contribute to pension funds. Nice response anonymous @ 10:24 I feel sorry for you. Oh, by the way, professional firefighters are not on duty 24/7. They get to go home and have time off. Do your research next time before spouting off.

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    3. Referring to the Fire Dept not being sober I'm sure is the same person who said stop 23 had most drunks on the fourth of July. Know who you are and apparently you have issues you have not dealt with.

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  16. At last night's planning commission meeting there was a stenographer and cameraman. I think the cameraman was from Access LaPorte County ALCO. You might be able to see the meeting on channel 97 or from their website. Long Beach residents need to watch what happened at that meeting.

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  17. Fire trucks can get to homes on LSD faster than to many inland homes. Most homes on LSD are more exposed and easier to access. Many inland homes are high too, and they are built on roads that take considerable time and finesse to get through. Many are located far away from the road and only accessible using a narrow, winding driveway. Why is all the focus on the LSD homes along the beach? I know why and so do you.

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    1. Thanks for your well researched notes and facts.

      Would you enlighten us as to your position on the fire department?

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    2. Zing, you got me…. I'm not a fireman! But, I did have Miss Ann, Mrs. Wolf, Mrs. Hatfield, and Mrs. Mum as teachers. (I may have miss-spelled a name. It's been a few years.) They taught me to use my eyes and my common sense. I have covered every square inch of every street in long beach on foot and on my bike, and I do know a few things-even though yes, I’m not a fireman! I do know the inland streets are narrow and rarely straight. Houses are built on hills and sometimes far from the street. (Those hills are tough to drive on in the winter.) Some homes are almost hidden by trees. I do know that trees burn. Miss Ann told me never to play with matches too. So, nice try, but my question still rings true-why all this focus on just the LSD people? Are they that bad? Are you ready for a little levity? What is the definition of a McMansion? A house that is bigger than yours.

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    3. We should probably get rid of the cute and historic brick columns that narrow down many of the streets that enter Lake Shore Drive and are visual as well as physical obstacles to safety.

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    4. Sadly your rant about focus on LSD homes is baseless, The proposal being considered is for all of the property in Long beach, not just LSD. Try to get yourself tuned into the facts of the proposal at hand before you post again.

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    5. That's the dumbest remark I've heard - the fire department is promoting this safety measure for ALL of Long Beach. Further, your town history does not give you additional "street cred" - many of us have lived it, too.

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  18. Look Familiar. Similar fires have occurred over the years at Stop 26, 28 and 29.

    http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201113.html

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  19. Also very interesting.

    http://newscience.ul.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2014/04/Analysis_of_Changing_Residential_Fire_Dynamics_and_Its_Implications_on_Firefighter_Operational_Timeframes.pdf

    http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/fire09/PDF/f09002.pdf

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  20. Lake Michigan water levels continue rising, with increases into next year:

    11/5 - Holland, Mich. – Lake Michigan water levels continue to climb, topping the long-term average for the second month in a row while October rain levels were above average.
    I won't be long until the beach below the fictional OHWM won't be beach anymore. Then what?

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    1. Then the water levels will be beyond the OHWM and then they will be in the homeowners back property. This is not rocket science. What's your point?

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    2. The lake levels are high and the fall is the time when the lake is usually at the low point for the year. Many homes are taking a beating every time the winds come out of the north. Those of us who have lived hear over the years know the lake level is cyclical. I feel for the newbies who are buying these lots and building on the lake front. Apparently they have no idea of the history of the lake and its destruction of homes up and down the lake front in Long Beach.
      Just a hunch, I bet their friendly neighborhood realtor and builder did not fill them in, just sayin!!

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  21. The people of Long Beach are not upset or do any of us have any problems, or do we envy any LSD home. The big question for the LSD homeowners, the LAWYERS, REALTORS, and builders is why are THEY allowed to maximize their footprint with only 6 FT between property lines and everyone else has to have 10 FT inland? Maybe I should have my lawyers come and start whining about property value, investment, etc. How I can't maximize my house like they can. YEAH, That's not Fair. ( I am crying right now) ....... STOP the scare tactics.....Long Beach has never lost property value over the course of time. Look it up. It has fluctuated just like all of the other communities across the country. Please don't embarrass yourself and your entourage at the meetings anymore.

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    1. Property values here have taken a HUGH hit compared to other beach communities all around us....what planet are u living on

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  22. Voice of Reason thinks tick tock, tick tock is your bully. Do Long Beach residents really want folks with this mindset in office? Be careful of what you ask for. We deserve much better!

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  23. Voice of Reason says lawyers, as bad as they are, are in Long Beach to stop the bullying, not to bully the Town Council, the APC or anyone else. Their clients would just as soon be left alone and not sue anyone. The folks that do not own the property or do not have that big of house as others seem to want to take away what has been earned by those who own the property and have a big house. Announcing that someone has lived here for thirty years is not an effort to show how much you care but to discredit anyone who has recently moved in. This is discrimination. This is bullying. This is designed to immediately intimidate the newcomer. The newcomer is usually a family, looking for acceptance in their new community where they can build the home (or even vacation home) of their dreams and live their life. The newcomer asks only to be accepted and treated fairly; minimally that their property rights are respected. To immediately discount all newcomers is discrimination and bullying. You know who you are. You should stop bullying and put the lawyers out of work. The harder you push, the more good people should resolve to push back. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”--Edmund Burke

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    1. The developers, real estate brokers and their lawyers were at the meeting to bully the Advisory Plan Commission from doing the right thing for these families that you speak. These families that move in are accepted and befriended. That extends to their saftey. Those real estate brokers, builders and their attorneys were there for one thing: profits, the almighty dollar. It is a shame that these developers and real estate brokers have nothing better to do than exploit this little community after they've already exploited New Buffalo into a vast wasteland of condos. Go elsewhere to do your destruction.

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    2. Voice of Reason: You've got your wish. The good men are hear to stay and are not backing down. We are going to do something.

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    3. I have worked hard and I too would like to build something on my property. I would like to build a wind turbine, or I would like to capitalize on the cell phone industry and put up a cell phone tower, or maybe I would like to open a store on my property. All of these things sound good, but we have ordinances and rules to follow in a community. You can't build what and where you want to. I would like to know back in 2002, who was on the board and committees that allowed for the huge change in building codes. Lets follow the money trail. What builders started construction on these changes. Who were they associated with on those boards? FOLLOW THE MONEY! Heck, one of the large builders at the recent meeting is a friend, client and neighbor to the TC member. Makes you want to go Hmmmmmmmmm..............

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    4. Do you think it is not bullying when recent builders to the area file lawsuits against Town Employees for Harassment and trespassing? The town employees are just asking questions and following code. When they don't get their way they sue. Luckily it was dropped by the Lawyers because the accusations were bogus. Typical......

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  24. Talk about property values, I wonder how the residents on the hill side of Lakeshore Drive feel about property values with some of the monster size houses that have been built of late?

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    1. I agree. Town Council 2016 will change all of this.

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    2. I suppose they're sorry they didn't buy property on the lake just like Jane and Peter and their group when they could have bought those 3 lots for a song. 2016 will just bring lawsuits and judgments against the town for going too far. Wouldn't it be better for the town to buy more land and develop it as well as the 1,000 feet or more they already have for non-beach front residents. We could have toilets, showers, etc.

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  25. Voice of Reason wonders why majority members of our town government are fighting the fire department on sound safety ordinances.

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    1. What does Pearl Harbor, 9-11 and Senate Bill 529 have in common? Bullying!

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    2. I don't think the sensible TC members are fighting the VFD regarding safety concerns - it's the process that these changes were being forced upon the residents that was the problem. The Advisory Plan Commission did not meet all summer, then in November, this well thought out plan was uncovered and an attempt was made to push it through. It failed, and because it failed to get approved, anyone who opposed this rush to government is called a bully. I do have faith the the residents in Long Beach who have the true best interest of Long Beach in mind, can see through this thin veil of conspiracy to power by a certain group in Long Beach.

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    3. what a twink...comparing war & terrorism to a senate bill.

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    4. We should look at getting a full time professional fire department. That would be the very best way, regardless of cost, to protect our citizenry and our property.

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    5. 11/8 @7:38 am
      Quite possibly one of the most ignorant statements ever made.
      Thousands of americans lost their lives in those tow events and you compare them to a senate bill?
      And with Veterans day just around the corner...shame on you.

      WOW

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    6. Is it possible to cross train police to be professional fire fighters? As good as the VFD may be, it would be better to have pros like Michigan City.

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    7. Perhaps it is time to look at contracting our fire fighting services from Michigan City. I think Trail Creek does that.

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    8. Would someone refresh my memory as to what SB 529 is about. I looked for it on Indiana's website and did not see it listed.

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    9. Trail Creek falls under Coolspring VFD

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    10. I think the LBFD costs the town 40K a year. The Police Department cost the town 800K a year. Not one police officer lives here in the community and they take all of the town's cars home. Maybe we can have Michigan City Police patrol and save the town 500K a year. We can use LaPorte County Dispatch just like everyone else in the county. Let's review the wasted spending that is occurring in our town.

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    11. The Advisory Plan Committee has been trying to meet for a long time. Did anyone notice when it was suggested about setting a date, the same two board members that ALWAYS sit next to each other were already talking about what to do to get out of meeting. These are the same two members that are on the building commission and didn't meet for almost a year. SMH

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    12. I would like the people of LB to vote on changing the code back to what it was. I Guarantee the people will want the change. The only people for it is the Builders and Realtors.

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  26. The Senate Bill concerning Long Beach is SB539.

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  27. It was Senate Bill 539, which would have recognized state ownership to the OHWM of IGLD 581.5. Easily found via Google.

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  28. The Voice of Reason supports Mr. McDonald's suggestion at last night's town council meeting to add fire escapes to inaccessible homes on LSD as as an alternative to altering the height ordinance as proposed by the fire department and defeated by the APC.

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    1. If the state will not allow sprinklers I doubt they will stand for fire escapes.

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  29. The police department is our mostly costly budget item. Perhaps it is time to explore alternatives. MC police? La Porte County? Augmented with private duty, We might get a bigger bang for our buck. And then there's the expertise factor.

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  30. Do we know the hidden costs of a volunteer fire department? Equipment and entertainment, not to mention the higher homeowner premiums for utilizing a fire department that is volunteer instead of full time paid.

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    1. Our insurance premiums are low because our fire department is well trained. The ISO rates departments and towns based on several factors including training, equipment and water supply. The town of Long Beach enjoys one of the top ratings in the state because of the fire department.

      The insurance rates would most likely rise if michigan city were to provide coverage because of several factors, not the least of which is location of the stations and response time.


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    2. I wonder who could get to a McMansion on LSD faster, our VFD or Michigan City from the station on U.S. 12? Also, who has the better equipment?

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  31. Who remembers the day when banks would neither provide mortgages nor insurance companies coverage for lakefront homes?

    The lake is coming up again...

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  32. I wish I could post pictures of exposed pipes at stop 16 and stop 23. The pipes look to be on town property. It is disgusting what is coming out of these pipes. Is this flowing into Lake Michigan? What are these pipes? Are they from the experimental septic tanks that are being used? If so this looks like a failed experiment! This should be disturbing to all no matter where you reside.

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  33. I am really tired of the attacks on our fire department. These brave people give us their valuable free time to protect our homes and property. What do they get in return? From most of us our gratitude for their selflessness. So to those few who can find nothing better to do with their free time than carp and complain - shame on you!

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    1. I think it's time to consider hiring a full time fire department. This is what I got out of Dave Albers' concerns. I think the people with houses over 2 stories in height should be taxed to help pay for the increase costs. This town needs an on duty fire department that can respond faster than our excellent volunteers. There's no long a reason to be cheap about this.

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  34. Why has the police chief refused to give the addresses of the arson and slash-and-trash-complete-destruction houses to the authorities despite repeated requests? To the Fire Marshall's office I believe. Federal crimes all around. We're talking lots of time away for more than a core group. This is serious stuff.

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  35. The arson case is BIG. Don't you find it odd that this blog has gone silent?

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  36. "Harriet" has gone to ground. Very odd. At least most people think so. The beautiful Battle house burned today. Do you think that the public will be told? Will the state Fire Marshall be told this time? Will the Fire Chief do his due diligence for once, as required by state and federal LAW? What happens in Long Beach stays in Long Beach?

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  37. What was the cause of the Battle fire?

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  38. To whomever is ranting about the fire marshal and police chief; get off the crack pipe! If you want information, call the police or the fire department and ask them whatever you want. I'm sure they will provide any information that they are able to give.

    Do you think this is Chicago? Get a grip on yourself!




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  39. I wasn't aware that the "Battle" house (I'm presuming the one that looks like a hand gun from the sky) burned.

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  40. Is the Battle house on Lake Shore Drive?

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  41. Kudos to Mr. Mc.Donald at December's meeting correcting the misinformation presented by Ms. Neulieb at November's meeting. It was regarding the drains on the beach and washouts along the beach. His factual report with pictures and legal documents cleared up any confusion for the public. You can watch it on ALCO.

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  42. If we can't get Michigan City's full time firefighters to enter into a contract with Long Beach now, should Long Beach consider becoming part of Michigan City?

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    1. Great idea! That would rid us of our horrid council.

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    2. Our community is 93 years old and we should strive to reach the 100 year anniversary! Yes we need to fix things but annexation by Michigan City is not the best choice.

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    3. I see no difference between Sheridan Beach and Long Beach except that things seem much calmer there. Maybe we could be part of Michigan City and start Beach Township between Washington Park and the state line north of U.S. 12.

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  43. Jane is right on target. There are legal documents that have Pat Mcdonald telling the Laporte county Health Department that the drain was abandoned which resulted in a septic system being installed.
    Laporte county Health Department Director, Tony Mancuso, stated that Mcdonald did so.
    There was no mention of a 2nd drain that Mcdonald refers to in his attempt to defend himself.
    It would be beneficial to LB if we ever saw such details in his work for the town as we saw in his misinformation report.

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  44. Mr. McDonald usually is not so forthcoming in his reports. The beach at Stop 23 is proof of his incompetence. He single handedly let those drain pipes be installed. As you can see on the other stops there are no drains that erode the beach like these do. These drains were built there because Mr. McDonald said that a private owner could do the work on town property. He does not deny this. He wants that point to be ignored. He should resign on the basis that his actions were outright detrimental to town property and town residents. This was not a mistake on his part, He acted in the best interest of a builder versus his duty to the town of LB.

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  45. Mr. McDonald is selective with the facts. If they work to his benefit and discredits Jane and/or Pete he ready at the quick. If they aren't to his benefit then they are forgotten by him.

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  46. Just watched Dec Town meeting. Jane should take the time to learn about the construction of the advanced Presby AES Septic systems. On the beach, the top sand needs to be removed in order to install the system. It is the beach sand under the system, the system sand and beach sand covering the system that matters. If Jane talks about disturbed soil, she needs to know what that means and where in the vertical plane does it matter. Just more misleading comments and questions by Jane.

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  47. Overheard M.C. Fireman at breakfast spot this a.m. about renegotiating deal with Long Beach. What's all that about? Didn't ask them but did ask if they could respond to fires in L.B. Faster than our volunteers. They laughed and asked, "What do you think?" My answer was that they could. They agreed. I'm most glad that Chief Albers has raised this all important issue so many times. Our volunteers have done a great job, but we've reached the time when we must have pros.

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    1. Thanks for this complete fabrication.

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  48. Until you are on the receiving end of the talents and capabilities of our volunteer fire department you will not understand what a tremendous asset they are for our community.

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  49. Of course they're a great asset. Kudos to them all. It's just that a full time professional department is what we need now.

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    1. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I feel our department is very professional. It is easy to say to outsource to Michigan City, but what would the cost be to the town? Our town council should evaluate it and then watch the fun begin.

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    2. Everyone certainly is entitled to their opinion. That doesn't equate to that opinion being correct!

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    3. Opinions from anonymous internet bloggers are the best!

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  50. Chief Albers would never let cost trump life and safety. As to the town council, what's that kind of fun costing us?

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    1. The council's continued fun is costing us Beachers MANY thousands of dollars a month...of OUR hard-earned money...for their personal lawyers' fees. That's money that we as a town do NOT have; cannot afford. Are WE having fun yet? How much more trouble are they going to get us into this NEXT year?

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  51. A fact. Many states no longer require sprinkler systems in residential homes.
    That is another issue where Misleading info has been presented by Dave, Jane and Peter.

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    1. Talk about "misleading". "No longer" implies that many states have passed residential sprinkler and then rescinded them. Please provide a list.

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    2. http://www.firesprinklerinitiative.org/legislation/sprinkler-requirements-by-state.aspx

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  52. I'd like to see Alber's, Byvoets' and the Neuliebs' detailed studies. They've been cited but not seen. Maybe they could be put on the town's website.

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    1. You might want to consider coming to one of the meetings then, all of the information has been presented at the public meetings. Including hand outs with photo's and narrative.

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    2. Has research been done on the benefits of having a full time professional vs. part time volunteer fire department?

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    3. There is no such thing as a "part time volunteer fire department"

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  53. Not sure what would be gained by MC Fire providing coverage. Our community has a very good insurance rating because our volunteer department does a very good job. I would bet that the cost for MC to cover would be many more times what the current department costs. If significant benefits would not be gained by a change I am not in favor of seeing my taxes go up. If we outsourced other department budgets might have to be cut to pay the tab. That choice is lousy also.

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  54. We should check out how Duneland Beach operates.

    Also, I heard that our volunteer fire department was not the first to arrive at the Battle home. True?

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    Replies
    1. Not true, you're getting bad information.

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  55. Things are very quiet

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