Link to Michigan Militia story???greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread |
Hi gang,Can someone help me out here, if possible?
I think that the story about the Stitt family in Michigan could be significant, and I'd like to include it in Monday's Sanger's Review. I've just been through every thread here about it (I think) and searched the web using various combinations of keywords. I simply cannot find a link to an article about this.
Anyone got a link to anything about this story?
Thanks in advance...
-- pshannon (pshannon@sangersreview.com), August 15, 1999
To the top of New Answers...
-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.com), August 15, 1999.
Patrick,As far as I can tell, the genesis of the story was a self-generated press release, partially reprinted as follows:
"PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Norman Olson, 231-548-5878, Mike & Chris Stitt 231-634-7030, Clover Schlund, Township Clerk 231-634-7500, Bill Westcott, Supervisor, 231-634-7372, Township Attorney c/o Peck & Assoc. 906-635-6286 Militia to Invade Bois Blanc Island? Residents may get more than they bargained for by ordering family off island."
This press release did not appear on PR Newswire, etc.
Because Bois Blanc is in such an isolated area, if this story is picked up at all by the mainstream press, it will most likely take some time for this to happen.
Also, if it has indeed appeared, it may take some doing to find, because most of the major newspapers in Michigan (with the exceptions of the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News and the Lansing State Journal) are owned by the Booth Newspaper Chain, which has a horrible reputation for not allowing most of its news coverage to be placed online.
www.mlive.com is the authorized source for Booth online reprints, but the site does not offer full-text of every story carried by all Booth newspapers.
Hope this helps. Do let us know if you find something.
(I doubt it, but maybe?)
:)
-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 15, 1999.
pshannon,Hope this helps: You can read the local newspaper account of this at www.petoskeynews.com Friday 13th issue.
Militia warns of incident like Waco
By: Paul Wheatley Petoskey News-Review
BOIS BLANC ISLAND
A zoning scuffle between township officials and a family preparing for Y2K mishaps is apparently turning into a dispute between the board and the Northern Michigan Regional Militia.
Using coin words such as "Waco" and "Ruby Ridge" - where violence erupted between government agents and gun-wielding citizens - regional militia leader Norm Olson is preparing to head over to the island tomorrow, fully equipped, to defend the Stitt family, and attend a chicken barbecue. They plan to leave, via ferry, from Cheboygan at 10:30 a.m. to head to the large island that neighbors Mackinac Island.
Mike and Chris Stitt moved there in 1996 to raise their six children in a Y2K safe environment. Their children, now ranging in age from four months to 15 years-old, were the only ones attending a one-room school house on the island. They started a farm, under what Chris said was the approval of township officials, to create their own self-sufficient environment.
For a while Chris Stitt said things were fine, people were buying her eggs, meat and produce - until they built a barn without a permit.
The Stitts claim a Michigan farm act allows them to construct buildings, such as a barn, without a permit.
However, legal action has been brought against the Stitts by the township, requiring them to tear down and remove all buildings on their property that do not meet township ordinances, except for their home, by Oct. 7.
In fact, a letter from the townships attorney claims the Stitts must pay the township a $500 fine, also by Oct. 7, for the violation or face a tax lien being placed on their property.
As far as their Y2K preparation goes, the statement reads: "There is nothing that prevents the people on the island from fishing should Y2K occur."
The Stitts claim they are out of resources to fight the township, having gone through three years of legal proceedings.
"My children are scared and were scared," said Chris.
She said her last resource was the militia.
Olson said the militia will arrive in full battle dress with "everything we need with us at that time."
He said the only way to alter their action is for the board to meet and provide a one-year extension to their judgment or grant the Stitts a variance to farm.
"We dont know what to expect tomorrow, but we do know yesterday there was an emergency meeting over in St. Ignace with the sheriff in attendance," Olson said.
Olson said he doesnt want a bloody resolution but that someone must face off against "corrupt local governments."
Olson claims many board members are corrupt in some way.
The township clerk and the Mackinac County Police declined to comment. Other members of the board could not be reached.
-- INVAR (gundark@sw.net), August 15, 1999.
Good for you, Invar, and hurray for independent newspapers. 'Looks like the Petosky News may be one of them. Good job finding the source.Now let's see if the story shows up elsewhere?
:)
-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), August 15, 1999.
Perfect, INVAR! That's what I was hoping to be able to find.Here's the link directly to the story, for anyone else who may be interested:
http://www.paper.net/scripts/foxweb.exe/View_Story@d:\cn\FE\petoskey\ news\firstnews?11
FM, where did you get that press release? (I did see it on one of the other threads, it may even have been INVAR who posted it, but I didn't see a source. Was that where you got it from?)
Thanks a lot you guys!!!!
-- pshannon (pshannon@sangersreview.com), August 15, 1999.
http://www.paper.net/scripts/foxweb.exe/ View_Story@d:\cn\FE\petoskey\ news\firstnews?11Just to make it easier.
Thanks again, INVAR...
-- (pshannon@sangersreview.com), August 15, 1999.
That was weird...http://www.paper.net/scripts/foxweb.exe/ View_Story@d:\cn\FE\petoskey\news\firstnews?11
-- (pshannon@sangersreview.com), August 15, 1999.
pshannon,I pulled the story originally off of csy2k, so they deserve the credit there for posting it.
I just ran with it on this forum because I know TB2000 folks care and get involved.
I just faccilitated the story. I hope we can all help in what ways we can.
-- INVAR (gundark@sw.net), August 16, 1999.
"There is nothing that prevents the people on the island from fishing should Y2K occur."*Should* Y2K occur?
Now *that* is what I call *pessimism*!
-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), August 16, 1999.
That's what *I* call a puffed up ass.
-- Will continue (farming@home.com), August 16, 1999.
I'm still confused on this one. FIRST we hear that the Stitts' family moved to Bois Blanc 4 years ago. THEN we hear that they became serious about Y2k 2 years ago. THEN we hear that a concerned friend called the militia on their behalf. HERE we hear that they've been dealing with the township for 3 years and that THEY called in the Militia. First we heard that all 6 kids attended the school...then we heard that only SOME of the kids attended the school. Stan's other thread (including discussions with the Stitts' family) even states different ages for the kids than this one. [sigh]
-- Anita (spoonera@msn.com), August 16, 1999.
The story above is no longer available on the newspaper's website. There is, however, this follow-up story from today:Militia presence on Bois Blanc uneventful
By: Paul Wheatley, Petoskey News-Review
BOIS BLANC ISLAND The only thing that happened on the property of Mike and Chris Stitt this weekend was barbecued chicken.
Members of the Northern Michigan Regional Militia arrived at the Stitt home in full military gear Saturday regarding the familys zoning dispute with the islands township board.
The Stitts have a court order to remove all structures, tools and other farm items on their property except for their house by Oct. 7. They currently have farm structures and animals on their property in an effort to create a self-sufficient environment in case a Y2K crisis occurs.
The township claims the farm structures were built without a permit.
We have a beautiful little farm here, Chris said.
The family, which includes six children, moved to the island in 1996 from the Muskegon area. They raise animals including oxen, pigs, chickens and goats on their property.
She said the property doesnt smell like manure, stating they operate under a manure management plan approved by U.S. Department of Agriculture standards.
Chris said after exhausting all other possibilities to defend themselves, they called the militia.
We requested that there were no arms that were brought to the property, she said.
According to a press release, sent by militia commander Norman Olson, the group filmed the site for a documentary and did survey work for possible fortifications.
You get someone around here with Norms ability and people listen, said Chris. I dont know why they dont listen to us.
She said her family is normally peaceful and doesnt believe in violence.
But shes not sure what could happen Oct. 7.
The townships lawyer, Lyle Peck, doesnt believe much is going to happen but said he probably wont be on the island that day.
All this is is a little zoning case, Peck said. It has nothing to do with keeping them off the land. It has nothing to do with preventing them from gardening.
Peck said he generally doesnt respond to stories of this nature because it lends credence to their cause.
Theyre probably more prepared on this island for the Y2K crisis than anyone else in the United States, he said.
Meanwhile, Olson is apparently preparing a documentary for the media to go along with press statements that contend they are hitting the tyrants from both flanks.
The Stitts are seeking a one-year extension to their judgment or a variance to farm.
Without that, Olsons statement claims an armed standoff will occur.
-- pshannon (pshannon@sangersreview.com), August 16, 1999.