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http://www.record-eagle.com/2003/sep/18stand2.htm

September 18, 2003
Judge waives filing fee in mobile home appeal
Sheriff: People around U.S. support Barkley
By KEITH MATHENY
Record-Eagle staff writer

HORTON BAY - Hope for a peaceful solution to a Bay Township property dispute continued Wednesday - despite earthen berms and trenches dug by landowner Lyle Barkley and despite his continued threat to meet with force any attempt to remove manufactured homes from his property.
Barkley said at least three militia groups have vowed to defend him should he face force from government officials.
"There's militia here, and militia on the way," he said.
Barkley also said late Wednesday that the Charlevoix County Circuit Court had agreed to allow him to appeal a district judge's ruling that the structures be removed from his four acres on Camp Daggett Road.
The court earlier required a $7,800 appeal bond from Barkley in order to hear the case - which he said he could not pay. But Barkley said after meetings between county sheriff George T. Lasater and court officials, they had agreed to waive the bond, allowing his appeal to move ahead.
It was unclear whether the circuit court action will forestall any attempts to enforce the district court's order - which calls for the removal of two, 12-by-60-foot trailers and a 24-by-34 foot former school portable by the end of today.
Earlier Wednesday, Charlevoix Circuit Judge Richard Pajtas agreed to waive the filing fee for the Barkleys to appeal the district court decision, but said it did not affect the required appeal bond.
Lasater, Barkley and Clinton Dare, state commander of the Michigan Militia Corps Wolverines, were to meet early today at the Barkley property.
"I'll try to answer their questions as best I can," Lasater said. "I think it's important to have a line of communications, so we can get this resolved peacefully."
Lasater said his office received nearly 70 telephone calls Wednesday, from all around the U.S. - "99 percent" in support of Barkley.
Boyne City Schools Superintendent Jim Cooper said two bus routes in the area of the Barkley property will be altered at least temporarily to avoid the area. Parents of affected children were contacted Wednesday, he said.
"We're able to do it, and just want to err on the side of safety," he said.
Norman Olson, an Alanson pastor and senior advisor to the Wolverines, said he hopes the courts will give Barkley time to bring the homes on his property into compliance.
"If people came there with saws, hammers and paintbrushes instead of guns, if we have an opportunity to help this man, and we find out he can comply with the minimal codes, I think it would save face for him, for Lasater and for the militia," he said.