[fisherdave]

Yesterday's Ottawa paper had an article about the ongoing concern over Plum Island and the proposed development plans. You can read about it in the Mon 3-25-02 eddition of the Ottawa Daily Times. I'll keep you updated on these developments as they are reported. I for one would not like to see condos on the island.

http://www.ottawadailytimes.com/news/story.php?storyid=4701

 

[Guest]

I for one would not like to see condos on the island.

I would...with one proviso, that on the day they are finished applying the last coat of paint to the walls of the very last condo Mother Nature throws one big Hissy Fit & comes up with one of her "Once every One Hundred Years Floods" & washes the Island clean again, then maybe the developers will realize why it has stood abandoned for so many years!

 

[mrsunman]

Here's the article:
http://www.ottawadailytimes.com/news/st ... oryid=4701

By SHARON WOODS HARRIS — Staff Writer

UTICA — Organizers of an American Indian prayer vigil Sunday at Starved Rock State Park say they have just began to fight to save Plum Island for history and the wildlife that lives there.

“The main thing this stems from is the lack of respect the world has for things,” said Joseph Standing Bear, president of the SOARRING Foundation. “There may be no headstones, but this is a burial ground for American Indians.

“And with the 83 eagles that roosted there last winter, there is no reason for anything to be built there.”

Joseph Standing Bear, a Chicagoan and a member of the Ojibwe tribe, said the island should be totally left alone with the exception of removing a few small cabins, a half-sunken boat on shore and a pavilion.

“There should be signage posted placing the island off limits to visitors,” he said. “When people go to a place like Plum Island they tend to collect artifacts.

“Anything that is there should stay there. That island is one of the crown jewels of the state because of the beauty of it. The view of the island from the lodge is one of the most beautiful sights in the state.”

A plan has been proposed to build 75 townhouses and a 60-foot marina on the 55-acre island. SOARRING, or Save Our Ancestors Remains and resources Indigenous Network Group, began in 1994 and works to preserve American Indian sacred grounds, as well as fight environmental causes related to those lands.

Both SOARRING and the Friends of Plum Island group, founded six months ago, felt the prayer vigil had the desired effect of raising public awareness about the island, but the battle has just begun, said Don Goerne, chairman of Friends of Plum Island.

“This is just the first in a whole line of events that could occur if this proposal is considered further,” said Goerne. “The island should remain as it is.

“The prayer vigil was unbelievable. It was quite a moving experience — drumming, singing and the speeches. It was an inspirational, emotional and educational experience. Each year, 1.7 million people ... come to this natural wonder in search of peace, solitude and for an experience with nature.

“To look down over the Illinois River Valley from the bluffs of Starved Rock and see an island covered with townhouses would be a travesty.”

 

[JOMAMMY]

11 11 11 11 11 11 I CAN NOT BELEIVE THAT SOMEONE WOULD DO THAT. fIST OF ALL THE RIVER AND THE ISLAND WERE HERE LONG BEFORE THESE MONEY HUNGRY MONGER DEVELOPERS. THAT IS ON E OF THE BEAUTIES OF THE STATE PARK, I REPEAT

STATE PARK

THE WILD LIFE, THE HISTORY, NOT TO MENTION THE AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY. I WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO HELP FIGHT THESE MONEY HUNGRY........(I CAN'T PRINT IT)GO BUY A CORN FIELD SOMEWHERE AND BUILD CONDOS. I WANT TO CONTINUE TO BRING MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS THERE TO APPRECIATE NATURE. NOT TO SEE PEOPLE OUT ON THEIR BALCONY WITH THEIR BBQ'S
JOE PARENTI, WESTCHESTER,IL.

 

[chiefrunningfish]

20 Well I think they should build condos on the island. When the floods come the sauger will have more structure to hide in!!!!

 

[Striper01]

This development plan has been kicked around for the last 2 years and I for one think the developer is a con man. # 1 where would the people in the codos parks their vehicles or would it only be water access. Cant put a parking lot on Dee Bennet road. I believe its controlled by the Army core of eng. and cant use state park property and cant put a bridge over rhe river to the island fron either dee bennet road or the state park. #2 he wants to put a 100 slip marina there someplace. He would have to dredge something out and the Army Corp of eng steps in again, you cant just start dredging a navigable river and its not deep enough on the state park side of the island unless they all have 16 ft boats.# 3 Now you have to get Power and Fresh water and some type of sewer system in there. Are they going to build their own water filtration and sewer processing plants? I dont think either the state park or the corp of eng would let them run pipes on the bottom of the river. Then again if Ryan was still gonna run for Governor, he might do anything and say I didnt know anything, nobody told me. Anyhow I think this guy is a class AAA con man waiting for some chump investors. If you notice the For Sale signs are still on the Island. Could be this guy wants to scare the state enough so if he in fact does own it they buy it off him so he cant do anything and then he makes his profit that way.