Citizens plan Harrisburg Lake discussion

HARRISBURG - Those holding leases at Harrisburg Lake plan to voice concerns to city council Thursday about the possibility the city may sell the property.

Council members voted 3-2 at the first March meeting to solicit offers to purchase Harrisburg Lake from the city. The move came after the city received an unsolicited offer of $950,000 to purchase the property.

Harrisburg Streets and Public Improvements/Public Property Commissioner Rupert Johnson says the city considering the property is premature. Johnson and his departments have been working to make improvements at Harrisburg Lake, including the building of seven camping sites.

Johnson said he feels that the city has not been supportive in his efforts to increase recreational opportunities at Harrisburg Lake.

"I was going to put 10 campsites in, but then the EPA showed up and said if we had more than seven campsites, we had to have running water and some sort of wastewater facility," Johnson said.

While the seven campsites have electrical hookups, Johnson said the city doesn't seem to be promoting them.

Cindy Winters, who with her husband Wayman has a lease at Harrisburg Lake said she and lake neighbors are worried about losing money they've spent upgrading their leases.

Winters said when they got their current lease, the property next door had a structure that was falling apart. They acquired that lease, and spent $2,000 tearing it down, but were told by the city if they did not, they'd have to pay $1,000 for having a dilapidated building. She said, though, that the city had no plans to tear down the building otherwise.

She also said she and her husband question the city's position that the city is losing money maintaining the lake and surrounding areas.

"Everyone maintains their own property at their own expense," she said. "I don't see how they could be in the hole."

Johnson also said the majority of money spent by the city is for road maintenance, which comes from Motor Fuel Tax money.

"The city isn't paying the MFT money," Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Winters is asking people concerned about changes in Harrisburg Lake ownership to attend the next council meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday.

"I'm urging everyone who has property out here to come and make a stand," Winters said.

Council members who voted to solicit offers on the property have said repeatedly that they are not bound by any offers and that they merely are exploring all possibilities.