Holt Lake Topics: Robinson Road

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	Name:	mom -
	Subject:	Robinson Road
	Date:	4/19/2012 7:01:52 PM

Maybe I can clarify... I am a Robinson of Robinson Rd. My parents began renting "our" cabin when I was 8 yrs old (I think) and I am now 54. Back then you purchased the equity in the cabin from the previous renters, this included docks, boat houses, additions etc... but there was no lease at all. It was handled with a "gentlemen's agreement" and a handshake. Part of the agreement was since equity was purchased, rental price was based on cost of the original structure to build and was never to be raised unless the cabin changed hands and rental price was renegotiated at that time. That of course changed years ago with the change of leadership at RL and, truth be told, with the changes in our society as a whole. "Gentlemens agreements" and handshakes are not worth much any longer. "Our" cabin rent increased multifold over the past decade. Over the past 45 years, our family and many others queried RL about purchasing the lot and cabin we rented. My father was told it would one day be developed but not in his lifetime, and was told his family would have first right of refusal. He wondered at the surveying tapes recently, called for clarification and was told nothing was happening. His first inkling of the development months later was a friend offering condolences on the loss of the cabin. Multiple calls to RL finally confirmed the news. Our neighbors, also tenants for decades were actually told by my parents (thankfully, as they had a contractor hired for new flooring to be installed that week). The Robinsons WERE offered first refusal (only after many phone calls to RL) at full market value,but have graciously declined... they are now 82 years old and 80 years old and feel that while the lake and the cabin are part of their souls, the new development will likely take some time and the over one million dollar investment would not be enjoyed. As my precious dad put it... "That's a long run for a short slide honey". And further, they are dozing the five cabins and putting in twentyfive cabins, so it might feel a little crowded. He did try and buy the cabin itself to put on some of his farmland but was told that wasn't possible either, it will be destroyed. Mrs. Key (now 84 yrs old and a 50+ year tenant) was also always told she had a first refusal right, but was told she could NOT purchase her lot or cabin after all (they had other plans), but at least she did get a letter.
For those of you who weren't raised on this precious lake, let me explain. This is not an issue of legality. This is a lifestyle of grace and honesty and openess which we feel is/has been defiled. We grew up here in the summers barefoot and mildewed. Cabins were open (or the key under a rock) in case someone was stranded. You fed someone else's dog or kid until their Mom came to find them. NEVER did you pass a stranded boater... you towed them in and were insulted if they offered you money. Handshakes meant something, in fact they meant everything. The uber wealthy caught frogs and lightning bugs with the mill workers kids.
We are in mourning a bit... not just for the loss of a cabin, but for the loss of something much bigger. It may have died years ago but this brings it into such clarity... We mourn the loss of honesty, where the pursuit of the almighty dollar shadows common courtesy. We mourn the demise of a handshake, where legality supercedes integrity. We know the cabin was only ours for a while and we will cherish the memories of our family just being a family there. We know RL owns that land and cabin. But we do feel as if RL handled this very poorly... Legally? SURE. Respectfully? NOT ON YOUR LIFE. So forgive us our passion and we will try to forgive you for your lack of passion.