Bad timing, pressure tactics
not welcome on biking issue

Dear Editor:

On Thursday, May 20, Mary Jo Berner, as a representative of the committee for the proposed bike and hiking trail, stopped at my restaurant at approximately 2 p.m., while we were closed to the public (we open at 5 p.m.).

At that time, I was involved in maintenance and repair projects around the restaurant, one of which had all the windows out of their casings in my dining room. I also was trying to help an electrician who was attempting to remove a squirrel’s nest from an exhaust fan housing so he could assess the damage to the inoperable fan, located directly outside my dining room window (or rather, the now windowless opening).

At this point in time, Ms. Berner suddenly appeared in my dining room and stated that the reason for this unannounced and uninvited visit was to discuss a previous private telephone conversation regarding the proposed biking and hiking trail from Eagle River to Land O’ Lakes.

At that point, I told Ms. Berner that I did not have time to meet with her at that moment, but if she would give me a call, I would happily set up an appointment with her to discuss the matter.

However, this did not satisfy Ms. Berner, as she proceeded to barrage me with questions and comments while I was now trying to block the wind-blown detritus from the squirrel’s nest from flying through the now windowless opening in my dining room (remember the electrician, the nest and no windows).

I certainly had to as I tried to cope with it all as Ms. Berner stood by and continued to pelt me with questions and remarks. Again, I asked her to call me to schedule a more suitable time for this conversation.

She may have the free time to just stop by and chat at any time, but I, unfortunately, do not, as I have to maintain a fairly tight regimen in order to accomplish what needs to get done in a day.

She continued to harangue me. So finally, in a moment of stress and desperation to be rid of her so I could deal with the issues that had to be accomplished in order for me to open my restaurant for business at 5, I asked Ms. Berner to leave, as I had no more to say on the subject.

Ms. Berner then began to lambaste me with threats to my business to the effect that if I did not cooperate with the committee and allow them access through my land, she would denigrate me to the affected parties. I inferred that she meant the committee members and bikers and hikers who would possibly use the trail, with the result that they would no longer patronize my establishment and my business would suffer.

Well, imagine my surprise. I have never been blackmailed in my life and to have it happen in the beautiful North Woods left me speechless. The innuendoes spoken by Ms. Berner in my dining room that afternoon are tantamount to the vilest type of extortion. I cannot believe that the committee she represents or the community she lives in approve of this type of coercion to win somebody’s cooperation.

Since I opened my restaurant in Conover five years ago, I have tried to be a source of support and help to the community.

I sponsor two fundraisers each year — one for the Humane Society of Vilas County and another for Klondike Days. I am the first to provide gift certificates and supplies when asked for any community-based events. My staff and I give selflessly of our time and talent to help support the community.

To be threatened in such a manner by a community leader in my own establishment is very upsetting and, I feel, undeserved.

While my final decision regarding the issue of access through my land has not been made, incidents such as this one certainly do not dispose me kindly toward the project.

However, I have talked to neighbors and other property owners in the area. I have asked them what their response to the requested access would be if it was their property, and their response — a resounding no!

Lanny Studdard

Lanny’s Fireside

Conover