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October 2005COOPER'S LANDINGNEWSLETTER |
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| Volume 2, Issue 4 |
October
2005
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Cooper's Landing Threatened by Property DisputeCooper's Landing is currently involved in a legal dispute involving our neighbors to the North, the Crowleys. The Crowleys initiated legal actions which if unchallenged would have serious effects on Cooper's Landing including the loss of about one-third of our public parking, the loss of the entire North campground and the removal of the mobile home residence next to the North campground. I have been forced to make a claim of adverse possession in order to keep this from happening. The events leading up to this situation began 25 years ago. Mr. William Crowley, an attorney from Homewood, Illinois entered into a partnership with his neighbors to the North and the South. This partnership was formed for the purpose of purchasing land along the bank of the Missouri River near the 3 properties. We agreed to purchase the land and divide the river front property into 3 sections divided by 2 creeks. Crowley's section would be the center section between the 2 creeks. When Mr. Crowley presented the deeds for me to sign I objected to the description of the property lines. the description extended from a line between the two properties on the other side of the road westward through my section of property..He explained that his attorney had said it was easier to describe the property lines like this. He said we could change the descriptions later. In October 1981 I set up a mobile home under the best shade tree on the property. Later Mr.William Crowley Sr.objected to the location of the mobile home but refused to adjust the property line description by using the creek which would have ended the problem. Now after 24 years Mr. William Crowley Jr. of Spicewood, Texas has had the property surveyed for the purpose of evicting me from the portion of my property located North of the line described on the deed and South of the creek. During the last few years Mr. Crowley has been opposing the improvements to Cooper's Landing including: 1- writing a letter to the Corps of Engineers opposing the marina improvements and 2- speaking in opposition to the Planning and Zoning commission hearing this spring concerning approval of RV sites and kitchens at Cooper's Landing. I tried to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Crowley after the meeting but they were so angry they would not listen to anything I said. I cannot explain their anger or their constant opposition to the improvements we are making at Cooper's Landing. I know they were not involved and are probably not aware of the early agreements between me and Bill and Claire. I am sure they feel justified in their anger. I want all my friends to know that the Crowley's are honorable people. I have met many members of their family over the years. Claire Crowley and Ann Bendixen were two of sweetest ladies I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I feel the process of solving this dispute in the courts will make all the important facts known to the Crowley's and I hope we can be good neighbors in the future. Mike CooperMissouri River Communities NetworkMRCN is a valuable resource to the businesses and communities of central Missouri. MRCN has several projects underway which make it possible for businesses and communities to be part of a network which encourages them to work together to enhance stewardship of the Missouri River and to establish new opportunities for economic growth. The Heritage Tourism Initiative is having success at bringing communities together to make central Missouri into a tourist destination. Many central Missouri communities are already meeting to make this project a success. The folk history project is recording the memories of people in central Missouri who have memories to share about their experiences working on the Missouri River or growing up in communities near the Missouri River. Stream Teams are organizations which clean up streams which make the watershed of the Missouri River. MRCN has helped other organizations to get started including Missouri River Relief and Missouri River Cultural Conservancy. MRCN actively seeks out public grants and private financing to support its activities. We encourage you to become involved and find ways to participate. Please see our website at www.moriver.org Missouri River Cultural ConservancyThe Mission of the Missouri River Cultural Conservancy is to document, record, archive and foster awareness of the unique history and culture of the Central Missouri River Region Saturday, July 30---- MoRivCC documented the 1st annual Bass Pro Shop catfishing tournament at Cooper's Landing. Over 20 boats entered the contest on a very hot day. MoRivCC collected footage of the take off from Hartsburg Conservation River Access, interviewed fishermen while they fished, recorded the weigh in and the party afterwards. Saturday, Sept 10----there was a board of directors meeting. Details of the bylaws were finalized Saturday, Sept 17----MoRivCC turned its fall fund raiser into a fund raising event for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Local Musicians donated their performances. $425 was donated to the American Red Cross Tuesday, Sept. 27---The planning committee for the Sept. 17 fundraiser met to evaluate the results. Scott Wilson presented an hour long video of the Spring fundraiser. He is presently working on editing the footage shot at the Bass Pro Catfishing tournament and the fall fundraiser. Committees were formed to: 1-plan future events, 2-work on intellectual rights issues. MoRivCC has planning meetings monthly. Our videographers are continuing to record events including. The Columbia Hickman battle of the bands, the Lupus Chilifest and selected performers at Cooper's Landing. Training on use of video equipment and studio facilities is continuing through CAT3. (Columbia Public Access TV) The next meeting is scheduled for 6 pm, Tuesday, October 25 at Cooper's Landing. This is an excellent opportunity for you to attend and help to determine the future direction of this valuable organization. For more information contact Mike Cooper at phone: 573-657-2544 or email: cooperslanding2004@yahoo.com Want
to find out about Cooper's upcoming events?
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2005 Big Fish Photo
Thomas and Estill Proctor with a 53lb Blue Cat caught 9-4-05 Missouri River ReliefMissouri River Relief Update: Greetings to all of our fellow river rats! Missouri River Relief hosted a very successful cleanup of the Boonville/Rocheport stretch of the Missouri River on September 24. Approximately 300 eager volunteers were on hand to help us haul in more than 8 tons of trash from our beloved river. Friends of the Big Muddy were also there, working feverishly at cleaning up the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. We brought in the crazy array of stuff that we normally find in the river -- everything from tires to hot water heaters. Volunteers were fed another terrific lunch, complimented by pot luck provided by River Relief volunteers. On Saturday, October 8, 2005 Missouri River Relief participated in a clean up of 14 miles of the Missouri River and 2 miles of the Kaw River. 356 volunteers collected 7 tons of trash/debris using 14 boats. The education event on Friday, October 7 was attended by 950 Students, 39 Presenters, 25 Volunteers Missouri River Relief Results(Oct. 6, 2001 - Oct. 8, 2005)4,408 Volunteers, 238 River Miles (plus 28 river road miles and 35 KATY trail miles) 223.5 Tons of Trash 7 Away Teams helping other organizations EDUCATION EVENTS (2002-2005): 5,090 Students and Teachers (no Boonville results as of 10-18-05)Missouri River Relief has also sent away teams to help clean up other streams and rivers including the Blue River Rescue on 4-2-05, the James River Rescue on 6-11-05, the Huntsdale community clean-up on 9-20-05, and the Meramec River clean up on 8-27-05 Missouri River Relief Awards include: EPA Region 7 Administrator's Award "Environmental Excellence" Lakeside Nature Center (Kansas City) Volunteer of the Month May 2005 James River Basin Partnership "Clean Water Award" please visit our website www.riverrelief.org.
Missouri Bicycle FederationCooper's Landing has been collecting signatures on a petition to extend the Katy Trail to Kansas City. As of 10-20-05 we have collected over 250 signatures from Missouri Citizens and visitors from all over the United States. A Katy Trail which will cross the entire state will be a valuable part in establishing Missouri as a prime tourist destination. The Rock Island Corridor, is an unused and for all practical purposes an abandoned section of railroad which would extend the Katy Trail to the outskirts of Kansas City. My personal opinion is that they should either use it or lose it. We encourage you to contact your state Representatives and Senators to push for acquisition of this corridor for the Katy Trail. Mike Cooper For more information, visit www.MOBikeFed.org/KatyConnection Those wanting to register support for connecting the Katy Trail to Kansas City should contact Douglas Eiken, Director, Division of State Parks, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102, moparks@dnr.mo.gov, 1-800-334-6946. We are looking for 1000 new members in 2005 to help move bicycle advocacy forward in Missouri. Could you be one of them? Visit MoBikeFed.org/join Dr. Brent Hugh President@MoBikeFed.org President, Missouri Bicycle Federation 816-695-6736 Activities this Fall at Cooper's LandingWith the mild weather we are having we have decided to try to do some new things this fall. On Saturday afternoons from 2 to 6 pm we will be having some acoustic jam sessions. Chim's Thai Kitchen will be open from noon to 7 pm until the weather gets too cold for them to use their kitchen. We will be open everyday after 4 pm. Food will always be available, even when it is too cold for the Thai kitchen. We will be having regular nights for darts, cards, and watching movies so if there is a favorite time for some of these activities let us know and we will try to work with you to set up a schedule. And of course don't forget our wonderful breakfasts which we serve all year round, (except during blizzards). Janets Saturday morning breakfast and Dee's Sunday morning breakfast are very popular. Fall and Winter views are spectacular. The food is excellent.
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