AGENDA

MLIA – Annual Meeting

9:00 AM

Saturday 7-26-2025

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Open meeting with a welcome, Thanks for attending and Pledge of Allegiance. 

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Introduction of Board Members with roles and lake location. 

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Retirement from the Board by Nick Barnes after 17+ years, and Mick Braman after 12+ years.  Looking for new members willing to fill these vacancies and participate on the Board with a commitment to approximately one meeting per month. 

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Meeting Agenda: 

• Establish Meeting Guidelines.  Member Questions and Comments are requested to be confined to 2 minutes maximum. 

• State The Purpose of our MLIA Board.  Middleman for Lake Owners involving the Townships, Fire Department, Marine Division and the State around topics including Ecology and Long-term health of Magician Lake, as well as strengthening Community ties.  

• Tony Bahrs.   Treasury report – MLIA is 100% Donation funded for membership, Fireworks and Vessel Checks. 

  • General - $13,440 (includes some FW funds)

  • Fireworks - $1475

  • Keeler Weed Fund - $1937

  • Expenses – Fireworks and Signage, Riparian Magazine for Members, Storage, Water Meter for Lake Level monitoring.  Goal always is to break even with all expenses. 

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President will highlight MLIA accomplishments.

This year’s Fireworks performance was VERY successful with a full 30-minute show which garnered wonderful feedback from residents.  Total show cost was $16,000 and we collected $24,000.  Overage will be applied to the 2026 Show.  Reminder, our country will celebrate our 250th Birthday in 2026 and Fireworks are expected to be highly in demand and pricing may reflect that demand. 

 

To date, the summer on the lake has been injury-free. 

 

Water Quality monitor was completed and the Full Report will be available soon. 

 

Vessel Checks – 2 successful dates in June 2025 which screened boats by the Cass County Marine Division for Up-to-Date Registration, Flotation, Fire Extinguishers and appropriate lighting.  All boats which passed were supplied with a decal which cleared the boat from further routine stops for the rest of the season.  Donations from the event were presented to the Cass County Marine Division. 

 

Future Projects –

• Drain maintenance.  Looking for volunteers. 

  • The Dam is nearly 100 years old.  MLIA is working with engineers on how a replacement can be funded.  Estimated cost of $12,000.  Drain Commissioner, Cass County and VanBuren County officials are reviewing the plans and discussing funding. 

• MLIA Volunteers are always needed.    We feel strongly that local neighborhood outreach will make the Association most effective. 

• Introduction of the guest speakers: Each 10 minutes Max. 

 

Cass County Sheriff Clint Roach –

• Focus on Education. 

• They should be at full staff in 2026. 

• Propane Tanks are BANNED for holding and marketing raft anchors on the lake.  If the Marine Division finds a Propane Tank it will be removed and discarded. 

• Off Road Vehicle (ORV) – 25 mph speed limit and must have County registration (road legal VIN#) and clearance.

• A member voiced concern about Golf Carts.  The chief reminded attendees that Golf Carts are NOT ORV’s and not babysitters and are not allowed on Silver Creek roads.  Drivers will be stopped and ticketed. 

• Cass County Sheriff Department has an annual Golf Outing that raises money for scholarships.  See Cass County website for details for their 2026 event.

• Check for $2200 raised from the Vessel Check events were presented to Mr. Roach for the Marine Division. 

 

Sister Lakes Fire department – Anthony Lozada Fire Chief. 

 

• If you witness Golf Carts on County or Township roads, the Fire Department can refer your call and concerns to the Sheriff’s office. 

• New Station (Leach Road and M152) which is closer to Dewey and to the South and East ends of Magician Lake was active as of September 2024.  With the activation of this new location homeowner insurance rates may be lowered in the next few years after the state reviews and reclasses SLFD. 

• SLFD has upgraded their records systems (Nox Box).  Residents and Homeowners are encouraged to explore this new technology. 

• Smoke alarms – reminder that they are only good for 10 years and should then be changed out.  Lithium Batteries can become a cause for concern and a fire hazard.

• Discussion regarding Ambulance Service.  It does NOT come from SLFD.  Ambulances are dispatched from Pokagon Street in Dowagiac.

• Funds are being raised for a $22,000 machine which can perform CPR.

• Check for $1300 presented to Chief Lozada on behalf of MLIA.    

 

Lorenne Gilbert /Taylor Suttorp of RLS Restorative Lake Sciences.

• Complemented residents on the beauty of Magician Lake and recognized the work that has been done to maintain the quality of the lake and its ecology.

• Magician Lake is recognized in the Top 10% of the State for Lake Clarity.  Bravo, Residents.  Let’s keep it that way !!!!! 

• 2025 Surveys have been done around the Quality and Invasives on the lake.  As in the past, Curly Leaf Pond Weed and Eurasian Milfoil have been detected, but are generally confined to coves and canals. Pictures of the offending invasives were provided and the pictures will placed on the Magician Lake site (www.magicianlake.org) for easy identification. 

• Another test for the season will be conducted soon to determine if retreatment is necessary. 

• Finally, if you see someone dumping something suspicious in the lake, PLEASE notify the MLIA so we can bring in appropriate voices to address the potential problem.

 

Don Blackmond, Keeler Township Supervisor and Magician Lake resident offered an update on Ambulance Service for Van Buren County residents (Northeast and far East portions of Magician Lake).  Primary ambulance service is delivered from Hartford with back-up from Decatur.  A priority system has been established to address different emergencies. 

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Level 1 – Low Level Emergency - 20 min response time

Level 2 - Fall with no emergency – 12 min response time

Level 3 – Heart Attack, Car accident – 8 min response time

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Mr. Blackmond reinforced the Golf Cart discussion.  ORV should drive on the shoulder and Golf Carts should NOT be on the road.  AND – NO drinking. 

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Silver Creek Township passed a short-term rental ordinance.  If your property is used for short-term rental, it must be registered with the Township.  Keeler is exploring this type of ordinance. 

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Open discussion addressed questions about membership and online contacts.  Please use links below: 

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www.magicianlake.org

On Facebook / Magician Lake Improvement Association

Both provide links for membership, meeting information, events, pictures to share and more. 

 

Close of the meeting:  10:20AM