Honk if you're sick of Dunes dispute

SAUGATUCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - As the dispute over lakefront dunes property continues between Saugatuck Township and developer/land owner Aubrey McClendon, a number of residents have had enough.

They honked their horns loudly between 6 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, as the township board of supervisors met.

"I don't want to be unprofessional and blow a cork or anything, but if they had more nerve, they'd come outside and state their case -- rather than go outside and honk the horn," Board Supervisor Bill Wester said.

"For anybody that thinks we live in a civilized society, this is reprehensible," another board member said.

The honking protest was set up by McClendon supporters on Facebook. They want the township to drop the lawsuit, in part because it has spent nearly $230,000 fighting the suit.

Many want the money spent on other issues in the area.

"This township needs this development to support our school system, community, township, our county," Saugatuck resident Doug Gritter said. "So many good things are going on here, and we're having a hard time understanding why our board continues to put up road blocks."

But the crowd outside the meeting -- too packed to fit more than 20 inside -- was split.

"Has anyone asked Mr. McClendon 'Why are you so passionate about a hotel?' " board supporter Lisa Werme said. "There's one right across the street, and they're empty half the time. What's his agenda?"

Even high school students visiting for a class field trip weighed in on the issue.

"I think that we should try and preserve what Saugatuck has to offer because that's what brings in tourism and helps preserve our economy," Saugatuck freshman Erin Gallagher said.

Added freshman Lisa Knight: "I would hate to see our downtown stores, people, teachers having things taken away from them because someone else came and put something up that he probably doesn't even care for."

Saugatuck Township and McClendon will face a federal judge Monday in Kalamazoo.

The board supervisor told 24 Hour News 8 the township's lawyers will ask the judge to throw this case out.