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September 16, 2003CHARLEVOIX COUNTY: Deadline looms in land disputePeaceful resolution sought; Barkleys look for help from courtsByRecord-Eagle staff writer HORTON BAY- A violent confrontation over a land dispute in Bay Township should be avoided, all involved said Monday. But Charlevoix County Sheriff George T. Lasater insisted he'll follow the county district court's orders, which call for the removal by Thursday of three manufactured homes from four acres owned by Lyle Barkley off Camp Daggett Road. If the homes are not removed by Thursday, Judge Richard May's order allows township officials to enter the property and remove the buildings. Barkley and members of at least two militia groups say they are seeking a peaceful solution, but add they will meet any attempt to remove the homes with force of arms. "I'm a peace-loving man, and I've always been a peace-loving man," said Barkley. "But I'm tired of being pushed." Barkley on Monday submitted to the county district court a demand for an emergency injunction, and a restraining order against Bay Township and Charlevoix County preventing them from removing the homes. The request notes the Barkleys intend to appeal May's ruling and claims his order usurped circuit court authority. "We're trying to get this resolved through the court system, in the peaceful manner that it should be," he said. A Colorado organization called The Mutual Defense Pact - Second American Revolution Militia has vowed to send 600 or more armed members from across the country to defend the Barkleys and their property. The group's founder, Rick Stanley of Denver, issued an "initial alert" on Friday, telling pact members to prepare to leave for the Barkleys when they receive an "emergency alert." Stanley's bulletin indicates that in the event of an attack on the Barkleys, pact members would "begin infrastructure attacks in the area of Boyne City." The bulletin calls on pact members to "pick your targets, find a cover site with protection, lay down your cover fire to protect our military pact brethren." Barkley said both the Michigan Militia and the Mutual Defense Pact are monitoring the situation at his property, but are not mobilizing. Lasater and Clinton Dare, leader of the statewide Michigan Militia Corps Wolverines, said they had discussed the Barkley situation. "My main purpose is to settle this without anybody getting hurt," said Lasater. "If that involves talking to Mr. Barkley, with or without the militia present, I'm willing to do that anyplace, anytime." Said Dare, "I believe it's our duty, and it's definitely required morally, that we try to resolve these matters peacefully." Richard Licht, supervisory agent for the FBI's Traverse City office, said he had spoken with Lasater regarding the threats, and offered logistical assistance, but that his agency is not involved. "There's certainly no federal jurisdictional matters here; it's a county matter," he said. "We're not going to be involved, unless there is a reason to be. Lasater said he and deputies were informing concerned neighbors about the situation. The dispute involves the placement by the Barkleys of two, 12-by-60-foot mobile homes on the property, and a 24-by-34-foot former school portable. After initially receiving zoning permits from Bay Township in the summer of 2002, the permits were revoked that November. Township officials said the Barkleys had applied for additions, not to add additional mobile homes. Barkley installed the manufactured homes on his property over the summer, after the judge's ruling. On Aug. 28, May ruled Barkley, his wife and Kimberly Barkley were in contempt of court. He ordered the buildings removed by Sept. 18, and ordered the Barkleys to pay an $800 fine. The Barkleys face 26 days in jail if the fine is not paid by Thursday.
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