SSA Questions & Answers

SSA Rumor # 5: There are many other ways to pay for dredging Wonder Lake.  All that needs to be done is to open Wonder Lake to the public.

SSA Fact # 5: All feasible alternatives to funding the SSA have been explored and ruled out. 

Opposition to the SSA

Many of those opposed to the SSA have stated publicly that they are in favor of dredging our Lake, but that the SSA is not the way to fund the project.   Their alternative is to either open our lake to the public (in hopes that public funds will pay for the restoration), or to fund a $ 5.9 million dollar project through fund raising ventures, such as band concerts, bake sales, etc. $100 or $ 200 at a time.

Response

First and foremost, the MPOA cannot open our Lake to the public.  The MPOA’s combined Constitution and By-Laws are very specific:

ARTICLE II, PURPOSE, Section 2. To limit the use of Wonder Lake to those property owners who have lake rights by or through deeds, contracts or agreements with the Wonder Lake Syndicate or the M.P.O.A. 

In the 42 year history of the MPOA, there is no record of a request to consider an amendment to the By-Laws that would allow public access.  The MPOA Officers would gladly present such a proposal to the MPOA Delegates for consideration, either at a special or regular annual convention.  However, such a change would need to clearly define the purpose and benefit to the community that would result from such a request.

Additionally, and as stated elsewhere on this site, there are no public funds available to assist in dredging private or public lakes.  The State of Illinois can barely fund critical transportation and infrastructure projects; The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers only fund dredging projects on major waterways used for interstate commerce (barge traffic, etc.); The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is closing State Parks due to funding shortages; and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency does not fund dredging projects.  

During the 1980’s, a very dedicated group of residents developed an annual sale of Wonder Lake Calendars, featuring historical scenes and events centering on Wonder Lake uses.  The calendar was very successful, and in a few short years, the MPOA realized approximately $30,000 in revenue.  Then, came the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to collect the taxes on the revenue, and as a result, most of the $30,000 was lost in taxes and penalties. 

The MPOA is registered as a not-for-profit 501©4 Corporation, subject to the payment of annual taxes on revenue that exceeds annual expenses.  For this reason, a group of Wonder Lake property owners are now establishing a foundation that hopefully will be capable of receiving donations and other funds.  These funds could be used to allow future phases of the lake restoration to proceed, once the construction of the sediment storage area and initial dredging, are funded through the proposed SSA.