-Caveat Lector- PLEASE RESEND THIS EMAIL TO YOUR EMAIL LISTS AND TELEPHONE THESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM TO GRANT THIS FAMILY A ZONING VARIANCE FOR JUST A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, UNTIL NEXT SUMMER. -----Original Message----- From: Norm Olson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, August 13, 1999 7:44 AM To: Recipient list suppressed Subject: Press Releases -- Breaking It Lose Please. I need everyone's help to distribute this material. Please send it to every organization that is involved with land rights, Y2K planning, child abuse prevention, everywhere. The following are the Press Releases sent last night. If any recipient has the ability to forward these press releases to media or interests that might be interested in a headline such as: "JUDGE RULES Y2K PREPARATIONS ILLEGAL, PUTTING FAMILY OF EIGHT IN PERIL" then by all means, please get these press releases out. If any recipient wants to call the tyrants who are destroying this family, here are the principles: Bill Westcott, Township Supervisor 231-634-7372 Clover Schlund, Clerk (the leader of the pack, also the next door neighbor to the Stitts. Can't stand the Stitts and their animals as neighbors. Uses position as Clerk to foment persecution of them) 231-634-7500 Gary Wagner, Trustee 231-634-7240 David Rittinger, Zoning Inspector 231-634-7260 Cheryl Stevenson, Treasurer 231-634-7200 Lani White, Trustee (who is also the teacher who stands to lose her salary because the children were withdrawn from the school) 231-634-7440 The Press Releases: PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Norman Olson, 231-548-5878, Mike & Chris Stitt 231-634-7030,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 Island Officials May Try to Block Militia on Saturday Emergency Strategy Meeting by Township Held Echoes from Ruby Ridge and Waco heard Bois Blanc Island, MI (August 12) - An emergency meeting of the Bois Blanc Township board was called today to plan a strategy to deal with the Northern Michigan Regional Militia. Graham Whipple, Sheriff of Bois Blanc Island attended. What started as a show of support to a beleagured family may be taking on a more ominous and frightening spectre. The militia is determined to stand with Michael and Christine Stitt and their six children in opposition to a Township Board and the County that is waging a war of persecution against them. On Saturday, August 14, the militia will attempt to assemble on the Stitt's property. Last week, the commander, Norman Olson and chief of staff, Ray Southwell went to the island to measure the severity of the problem and the potential for confrontation. Olson said in a press release Thursday, "I can tell you that this situation is becoming frightenly like Waco and Ruby Ridge. We have a family being driven into the ground by a vindictive and hateful government body. The family is determined to stand their ground. They have no choice, no where to go, no one to help. The court and deceitful lawyers have forced this family into a corner. If they comply and dispose of all their animals and garden, they place their children at great risk. If they refuse to comply they will be arrested and jailed for contempt and possibly lose their children. They've asked me for help. I can't say no. The battlelines are forming and escalation may result in another armed standoff...this time with well trained militia defending a helpless family. I'm deeply troubled that this little matter might turn into another Waco or Ruby ridge. It starts like that, you know, and before we can stop it, it takes on its own energy. In the aftermath, we analyze where the mistakes were made and we vow to prevent it from happening again. Well, it is happening and I'm trying to stop it." The problem has a simple solution, but the township board refuses to negotiate with Olson who offered to withdraw the militia if a 1-year variance or waver is granted to the Stitts to keep their animals and buildings and garden on their 37-acre property on Bois Blanc Island near Mackinaw. "Is it too much to ask that a frightened family be given one year to ride out Y2K? Is it too much to ask that the children be told they can stay and that mom and dad are not criminals? Is a township board so insensitive that it cannot understand that people are frightened about Y2K and the animals and garden are the means of preparation to survive?" On Saturday, the militia will go to Bois Blanc Island. No one knows what to expect between now and October 7, the deadline imposed by the District Court of Mackinaw County. Olson said late Thursday night, "I pray that Waco and Ruby Ridge are far behind us, but I fear that cold unfeeling and corrupted government bureaucrats are everywhere. First it was Idaho, then Texas. Let the record show that I have tried to offer a fair and rational solution. Failing that, the next American nightmare may come to Michigan. End Press Release **************************************** 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. Alanson, MI (August 12) - Four years ago, Mike and Chris Stitt moved to Bois Blanc Island. They were warmly welcomed by the township government then. But Mike and Chris are self-sufficient folks with a strong religious background. They wanted to get away from downstate. They needed to prepare for Y2K. Now the township wants them to leave. The reason? They dared to plant a garden, erect a barn and raise chickens, and emus, and goats to survive what they believe is God's coming judgment on America. They have 6 children, all living with them. The majority of neighbors support the Stitt family and find no fault with their garden or animals. In fact, they buy the eggs and homemade bread Chris provides. But the board members have labeled the Stitts as "too religious and odd." To rid themselves of Mike, Chris, and the children, they've refused to grant a variance. It seems zoning doesn't allow animals or a large garden on the Stitt's 37 acre piece of wilderness. Money is also involved. The one-room school house had only the Stitt children as students. When Mike and Chris chose to educate them at home, the island lost $45,000 in school revenue. The Stitt family has resolved to stay, even though the township refuses to give them the variance necessary to keep the garden and the animals. But the clock is ticking and the court has ordered them to dispose of animals, buildings, pens, and even the manure. If not, they face contempt charges, jail time, and a fine of $500 per day. Their property will be liened by the township. Enter the militia. Last week, Norman Olson, Commander of the Northern Michigan Regional Militia, dressed in camouflage and driving a camouflaged truck visited the Stitts. Ray Southwell, his Chief of Staff went with. After discussing the hopelessness of a resolution, Mike offered to turn the property over to the militia as a training facility. The Township attempted to have the Stitts physically removed by June of next year. Circuit Court Judge Nicholas Lambro said he could not force someone to leave but agreed in court that the Stitts apply all reasonable efforts to sell out. Mike and Chris don't want to leave and still have a great love for the island and majority of the people who live there. "It's just a handful of powerful people who are being swayed by money and prejudice," Chris said. "We sacrificed all we had to get away from that. Zoning wasn't an issue four years ago even when they knew what we had in mind. They still received us with open arms. We were celebrities with our team of oxen. Hundreds of people came to see us and our animals. But that's all changed and the people who used to buy our eggs now file suits against us. We've spent all we have to defend ourselves in court, but to no avail. There are powerful and corrupt interests on this island and now we face being bulldozed off our land. My children are frightened and uneasy. Winter is coming. We have no where else to go." Olson plans to deploy the militia to the island on Saturday, August 14, to do site survey work and to show support for the beleagured family. He has also scheduled time to address the Township concerning the Stitt family. "A training facility on the island is possible if the township forces the Stitts off. We hope the township will make peace with Mike and Chris and provide them with a variance they need to keep their animals. It's live and let live as far as I can see. If the Stitts are forced to leave, they may dispose of the property in any way they may choose. After a few months of the militia, perhaps the people would welcome the Stitts back to their island home. As they say, the ball is in the Township's court. I hope there is compromise and reconciliation between the parties involved." During his visit to the island, Olson tried to talk with Clover Schlund, Township Clerk, but she refused to talk with him. Later he called Bill Westcott, the Supervisor, but Westcott refused to discuss the matter and hung up the phone. End Press Release **************************************** 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 Family's Y2K Preparations Judged Illegal - Y2K Preparations Turn Into Nightmare- Family with Children may lose everything because of they've prepared too well. Bois Blanc Island, MI (August 12) - Two years ago Mike and Chris Stitt got very serious about Y2K. They built a barn and bought animals. They planted a large garden for their 6 children. They have chickens, and emus, and goats and sell eggs. Now they are totally self-reliant and prepared to face a Y2K emergency on their remote island property in northern Lake Huron. But in preparing for the worst, they have brought the worst upon themselves. The township wants them to dispose of their animals, tear down the barn, burn or bury everything. They have less than 60 days. Zoning doesn't allow animals or gardening on the Stitt's 37 acre piece of wilderness property. Bois Blanc Island sits halfway between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, about 5 miles from Cheboygan. The 7 by 13 mile island is inhabited by less than 60 year around residents. In spite of the fact that the Stitts are gifted craftsmen, experienced with raising animals, vegetables, and children, the zoning prohibits agriculture. Oddly, neither the state nor the county has considered what to do when residents' precautions about Y2K violate zoning and other ordinances, but some citizens have already raised the question. Benjamin Thompson, Mackinaw County FEMA coordinator says that residents must comply with zoning and ordinances, Y2K preparation notwithstanding. Many people would disagree. Norman Olson, Commander of the Northern Michigan Regional Militia, alerted Governor John Engler of this potential conflict more than a year ago. In a letter to the Governor, Olson warned of possible conflicts between existing laws and the critical nature of Y2K in Michigan. Issues brought to the Governor's attention included people who want to keep animals for food and keeping large quantities of fuels on residential property. But nothing has been done to provide relief for citizens. Olson is now involved in negotiating a settlement between Mackinaw County, Bois Blanc Township, and the Stitt family. "This is sheer madness," Olson said in a press release from militia headquarters, "here the government is urging people to prepare for Y2K, but if they do, they will be fined and persecuted by petty bureaucrats and judges because of insane zoning restrictions. Whoever enforces zoning in the face of the coming crisis ought to be tarred and feathered and run out of town. Peoples' lives are in danger and the persecution of the Stitt family is a prime example of governmental abuse at its worst. If I must, I will stand in front of the county bulldozers with a weapon rather than have that family forced into the snow. And there are a few hundred who will probably stand with me! It's crazy to enforce zoning that prevents families from preparing for possible power and food shortages." The township's attorney Lyle Peck said in a letter to Olson, "There is nothing that prevents the people on the island from fishing should Y2K occur." Peck should know that ice piles more than 15-feet high around the island. Relying on fishing would mean starvation to a family of eight. "Apparently Peck thinks this is a joke..a game. This is no joke, I can assure him!" Olson says. The Stitt family has resolved to stay and will not comply with the court's order to have their complete farm disposed of by October 7th, the court's imposed deadline. The clock is ticking and Mackinaw County has threatened to remove the barn and animals and family by court order, if necessary. Failing to meet the deadline will put the property in jeopardy. Fines and liens will be imposed. Mom and Dad will go to jail for contempt of court. The judge and the Township have recommended that the Stitts sell the property and get out. Mike and Chris don't want to leave and still have a great love for the island and majority of the people who live there. "It's just a handful of powerful people who are being swayed by money and prejudice," Chris said. "We sacrificed all we had to get away from that. Zoning wasn't an issue when we came to the island. The people received us with open arms. But that's all changed and the people who used to buy our eggs and chickens now file suits against us. There are powerful and corrupt interests on this island. What can we do?" Olson says that the militia will stand by the Stitts. "We are at a critical stage in preparing for what may be a great crisis in our land. To force a family off it's farm now is a criminal act. Zoning must give way when there is an emergency like Y2K involved. Give the Stitt family a zoning waver or variance for 1 year. By next summer, we'll know about Y2K. Enforce the zoning now and you'll have angry people from around the nation to contend with. The Stitt family has decided to stand and with God's help, we'll stand with them. End Press Release Thank You for your help. Please get the word out.... Please help the Stitt Family... Please prevent another Waco. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! 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