Controversy surrounds judge’s White Lake rights decision

The Weekly Adirondack accurately reported New York State Justice Bernadette T. Clark’s June 29 ruling against the White Lake Shores Association (WLSA), ordering the removal of a gate that has been contested for a generation. At the heart of the civil lawsuit (CA2011-002016) was an objection by six named plaintiffs to the gate that was upgraded and improved in 2011 by WLSA on their property known as Beach “A”, directly adjacent to the White Lake Inn.

The judge’s ruling is currently under appeal.

The article contained a quote from a 1926 letter to the Utica Daily Press in which the original grantor said he intended to guarantee public access to the lake from across the property. In doing so, the article exposes the basis of the controversy.

Is Beach “A” a public boat launching site, making it available for free commercial gain, or is White Lake essentially private, as all properties surrounding it are privately held?

Access to the lake for the 234 deeded properties and 50 associate members of WLSA from the surrounding area is guaranteed according to current covenants.

WLSA President, Frank Fellone, recently stated that “our primary purpose is to honestly represent offshore residents within the 400 acre tract of land surrounding White Lake in the best interest of the community as a whole. It was never the intention of WLSA to obstruct any resident or associate member from access to the lake. The purpose of the gate was to improve the existing Woodgate Fire Lane and to provide a boat launching site that was safer and more easily managed. It also served as a reminder that Beach ‘A’ is not a public launch site.” Continue reading →