Locals Rally to Preserve Historic Military Road

Locals Rally to Preserve Historic Military Road

Three Lakes, WI, Feb.23 -- Over forty people turned out for the very first meeting of the partnership to preserve Military Road, greatly exceeding the expectations of organizers. Energy was high throughout the meeting as both old time locals and recent newcomers told stories of their experiences on the road and made impassioned pleas for its preservation. Attendees aired new safety concerns, including fears by residents that expansion of the road would bring traffic closer to their homes and increase the speed of cars and big trucks traveling the road’s corridor.

Citizens organized a petition drive, and a second meeting was scheduled at the Three Lakes Town Hall for Thursday March 1^st at 6:30pm, to address further questions and organize into action committees.

Local residents Lety Seibel and Glenn Helkenn presented extensive research of Three Lakes Police Department records, revealing Lake Superior Trail as currently among the safest roads in the Three Lakes area. A total of only three (non alcohol and drug related) accidents were reported on Military Road in the last 20 years. The causes of these three accidents were; 1. a deer, 2. a faulty tire, and 3. adverse weather. None of these three accidents were reported as severe, and none mentioned injuries to persons. Four additional accidents were reported in the last 20 years as being caused by intoxicated drivers.

Paul Ellenbecker, a homeowner who lives at 7078 Military Road stated: “All of us here are concerned with safety, and I think this road expansion is going to make the road more dangerous, not less. We need to sit down with the Three Lakes Town Board to discuss our own safety concerns."

One area resident (who did not wish to be identified) was adamant: “This isn’t about safety! This is about widening the road so those big logging trucks can drive even faster than they already do. That’s the real danger, and that’s what tears up the road so bad in the first place!”

Three Lakes resident Leah Moss summed up the spirit of the meeting by saying: “This turnout is amazing, I had no idea so many good folks would be this passionate about saving Military Road. It’s great to see I’m not alone.”

Interested parties can find more information at: savelakesuperiortrail.blogspot.com.

Organizers Evan Cestari or Glenn Helkenn can be contacted at: 715-546-3388 or savelakesuperiortrail@hotmail.com.

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