It was the year of high water, as Lake Michigan water levels nearly eclipsed their all-time record—just six years after setting their all-time low. That made beach walking difficult; it exacerbated conflicts over beach-walking rights along riparian-owned property; it made the reality of Climate Change even more dire, and it contributed to flooding in Leland’s historic Fishtown.
Among the biggest stories of 2019 has been attempts by dollar stores to gain a foothold in Leelanau County. Zoning regulations and citizen opposition in Kasson Township stopped a bid in Maple City this spring; then Empire instituted a 6-month moratorium on new commercial development on July 17 to prevent a contractor that works with Dollar General from purchasing land in the village.
Maple City and Lake Ann residents brace for potential battle with hungry national chain. Dollar stores are expanding in rural, and often economically depressed, towns throughout the United States. “Small box” dollar stores specialize in selling cheap commodities and pre-packaged food that undercut locally-owned grocery stores.