Doesn't sound much like it's the guy's business. Looks more like he's a slave of the state.

The state required him to hike his prices $1 and the money was to go into an account to buy a boat he does not need?

There are too many tangled threads to this situation for me to figure out what is actually occurring.

Jan

When my kids were small, I took them on the Harsen's Island Ferry as an experience I thought they'd like. It's a rickety but fun experience. Huge freighters majestically plow along as you cross the lake. Once we got there we unpacked a lunch and finished in time to take the ferry back. Like any government controlled project, the guy who operates it is inevitably going to get screwed. That's the way fascism works.

"The Commission also directed Bryson, Champion's or any other affiliated person not to sell, assign or encumber any asset of Champion's unless a request in writing is made to the Commission and approval is received." This sounds sort of like 10-289.

Under the Carriers by Water Act, Champion's is a regulated entity under the jurisdiction of the commission.

Being regulated doesn't mean the idiots can dictate how or what he does with his business. If the state wants to have a ferry, they cannot tell a private company they cannot do anything, take on debt or even up and fold.

More moronic government dictates to individuals thet "you have to..." Guess what Michigan: I don't think so. What if the dude falls over dead? Are you going to forbid that too? Moronic imbeciles.
If they want a state regulated ferry, go buy a boat and start one, don't steal someone else's.

I am going to take a different slant. It appears the state has granted him a monopoly. Hasn't he benefited from their muscle. I am having a hard time feeling sorry for him. Open competition would be the answer. When one deals with the government one must take the good with the bad.....or is that the bad with the bad?

Hello splumb,
I am familiar with the Island and the surrounding waters. There are less than 1200 residents now and quite a few of the houses are occupied on a seasonal basis. I do not believe two ferry services could survive. The licensing, regulation, cost of the ferry and maintenance costs to enter the market would be prohibitive for someone to compete. If someone did, only one business would win out and survive or both would fold considering the amount of regular traffic. If the current owner wishes to raise his prices too much then a competitor might have a shot. Unfortunately this situation is being influenced by the power of pull. There are some deep pockets with interest on the Island and also some without the same resources that band together to twist the arms of regulators. The state is strapped for cash. The residents wouldn't approve a recent ballot proposal to increase taxes to fix the dilapidated roads because they are already heavily burdened and feel the money is never spent efficaciously. The state won't build a bridge or take over the ferry service from the owner and justly compensate him. They want to appease the Harsens island constituency who want their service on someone else's dime while the government micromanages the owners operation and makes him jump through hoops for the fees they see fit. The property owners on the Island should join together, purchase the operation and/or build a bridge at their own expense. Let the owner retire or operate as he sees fit. Instead, our State, that can't even fix the potholes or contribute to the newly planned Detroit-Windsor bridge thinks they should practice fascism ... Nothing more intrusive or inefficient than big government.
Respectfully,
O.A.

I actually rode the Harsen's Island Ferry a couple times back in the 60s. It was a company guest house and they had a row boat to get to the actual house property which was a small island. Great Lakes Freighters would pass close by in the shipping channel and dwarf the good sized house.

If it were me, I would get out of this controlled business quietly. And on my last day I would either sell all my assets and move out of the country, but if that was forbidden I would do a "francisco" and blow up the boat and all the assets they wanted to take, and escape out of the country and never come back

Sounds like Directive 10-289 to me.

If the service is really needed, AND there were loyal customers, perhaps it could be a private subscription ferry with access only by membership in a society. Keep the per trip rate as the government mandates, but access is guaranteed by a monthly subscription fee with a card. Similar to MDVIP.com with doctors, or membership in Costco or Sams club.