By Joe Morey
News Editor
A Resolution to purchase Chippewa Flowage lakeshore property from LCO Tribal Member “Famous” Dave Anderson was rescinded by the LCO Tribal Governing Board (TGB) on Nov. 1st with a 5-0-0 vote after Secretary-Treasurer Tweed Shuman made the motion.
Shuman made the motion after it became clear that the land purchase resolution had listed the amount of land to be 28 acres, when in actuality, it was only 7.13 acres. The amount of the purchase was agreed upon at $300,000, and Shuman, along with LCO Chairman Louis Taylor, became concerned about the price when it was realized the cost would be $35,740 per acre.
After rescinding the Resolution, the TGB then voted to approve a new resolution to renegotiate the price with Anderson. After attempts to renegotiate, the land was eventually purchased for the initial price at $300,000.
Anderson told LCO News that it was a clerical error on the side of the Tribe because he never misled anyone about the acreage. It was always listed at 7.13 acres and it was the same when he purchased the land many years prior.
LCO Realtor, Nita Kemp, also acknowledged at the TGB meeting on Nov. 1st that the correct acreage was listed when Anderson purchased it and that he has been paying taxes annually on the 7.13 acres as well.
The land in question is a parcel on Hwy NN near Chief Lake Road that is a peninsula into the Flowage (photo below). The 16 acres along Hwy NN belong to the Tribe, and the 7.13 acres on the outer part of the peninsula is the land the Tribe purchased from Anderson.
There was no access road to the Anderson parcel until he built one, which runs through the Tribal parcel from County Hwy NN.
Anderson’s land has 1,634’ of lakeshore. He stated to LCO News that the purchase price of $300,000 was a great value deal for the Tribe because lake property is never bought by the acre, but by the running lakeshore foot.
The land was appraised by Robert Bergum Appraisal Service at a value of $800,000 as of Oct. 22, 2020. In the description, it states, “There is a gravel road that leads to the subject property, a very scenic drive winding through a stand of mature mixed hardwood and evergreen trees. The north side and east side has a sand beach.”
Anderson also provided comparable sales of similar properties in 2020 around the same time as the appraisal was done. Those sales included 1.4 acres (790 frontage feet) on Round Lake which was sold for $825,000; 6.08 acres (200 frontage feet) on Lac Courte Oreilles which sold for $740,000.
Anderson stated, “When you consider these actual comparable sales, the Tribe’s purchase of this property is clearly a phenomenal value advantage to the tribe.”
TGB Member Michelle Beaudin was in favor of the purchase. She said that LCO Conservation noted it was a great location for a boat landing for our tribal members, “Since we do not have good access because the Town of Hayward public boat landing has ‘No Parking’ signs up and down the roads by the Chief Lake boat landing to make sure no one except the residents at that location can utilize it. With this purchase, tribal members would have access on our reservation to our Flowage.”
During discussion, Shuman noted the Tribe owns the 16 acres of land from County NN up to Anderson’s and has access to the Flowage so the Tribe could use that to put in a boat landing.
Beaudin said that Anderson’s land would be easier because it’s already been cleared down to the lake.
LCO Vice Chairwoman Lorraine Gouge added that it’s a beautiful piece of land that would provide Flowage access to our fishermen.
A tribal member posted on a Facebook Forum page that Anderson had attempted to deceive the Tribe and sell to it a 28 acre parcel which had 21 acres of land underwater, which Anderson claims was absolutely not true. She also posted that Anderson would sue the Tribe, but he stated that wasn’t true either.
“It’s a great, great beautiful peninsula with terrific opportunity to do many things on it whether it’s a fishing boat launch with fishing docks for tribal members or even an Elder’s Retreat Center,” Anderson explained. “More importantly, no one would ever find a real estate agent in the world that would ever say that this property is worth less than the $300,000. In fact, as the appraisal says, this property is worth considerably more at $800,000 and I am the one taking a loss.”
Anderson also stated to LCO News that he paid over $60,000, “To build the access road and to clear out horrific storm damage that had made an incredible mess of the land.”
This is a vacant piece but already has a road constructed, Anderson noted. “You really have to consider the Tribe benefits from my investment of $60,000 for the road.”
Anderson added that this rare flowage lakeshore peninsula property is a great opportunity for the Tribe.
“No one can ever say I did the Tribe wrong,” Anderson said. “I would never do anything that would harm our Tribe.”
Beaudin told LCO News that Anderson has given many gifts to the Tribe over the years, too numerous to name them all, including a major financial gift to the Boys and Girls Club that helped get it built. She acknowledged opportunities he has provided for the LCO people through employment at his restaurants and his Lifeskills and Career training.
“There is no doubt that the land is worth so much more and it is truly a gift that you are selling it to us for this price. I am very sorry that you have been treated badly in the past and that this person has continued to interfere with this sale, but we now are past that and want to move forward with this so it can be developed into a nice place for tribal members to enjoy our flowage without being harassed on our own reservation,” Beaudin stated.
In regard to possible uses for the land now that it has been purchased, Beaudin explained, “While looking at this property, I requested that LCO Conservation also build a pier and/or dock for people to be able to fish off of as well as tie up their boats. This area is beautiful and is partially cleared, which would also make great camping sites and picnic areas and it has sandy beaches for swimming for our Tribal members. Nothing is set in stone, but these are some of the ideas that we came up with initially. Either way, it is a great purchase for the Membership.”
Beaudin noted there are some limitations because there is no electricity on the peninsula and that it will be costly to put in.
North of the darkened line is the peninsula property the Tribe purchased and below the line is the land the Tribe already owned. To the south you see the edge of the Tribe's Cranberry Marsh and Chief Lake Road.