In the Beginning

LMEF/LMEC was founded in February 1981 under the original name of The Lake Management Committee, by action taken at a Culver Plan Commission meeting. The first committee chair was John Babcock, who’s words (as reprinted in part) from the original “First Year Report” issued April 1982, follow:

April 1982 – First Year Report of the Lake Management Committee:  “Maxinkuckee is an Indian word for Sparkling Water. Yet because of the abusive and neglectful ways in which Maxinkuckee has been treated, it is on the edge of becoming a dying lake. Once it slips past that edge, the process is virtually out of control without radical and extremely expensive efforts.

Prudent and specific means must be developed to ensure that future generations who “come to the lake” can enjoy a clear, beautiful, and non-congested natural resource. The aging and dying process of our lake has been accelerating over the past 5 years. Unless we act now with sincerity and determination, our children will soon know a lake that is quite different from the one today.  Weeds and pollution will about…Others have waited too long to get seriously involved in preserving the beauty and cleanliness of their greatest natural resource. We cannot afford to hesitate longer.

“We must act now to create a commission, a task force, if you will, with permanent status for management of Lake Maxinkuckee….”