GUEST COLUMN: Who Owns The Park? Who Owns The Cabin?
In 1931, the Burton Chamber of Commerce was granted permission by the Burton Village Council to build a log cabin on the…
In 1931, the Burton Chamber of Commerce was granted permission by the Burton Village Council to build a log cabin on the square in Burton and to use the square as a sugarbush for the production of maple syrup to raise money, as a not-for-profit organization, to fund community projects and operate the Chamber.
During the ensuing 82 years, the Burton Chamber built the original cabin, rebuilt it (after fire damage), added additional maple processing space and built two restrooms for public use; most of which involved volunteer labor and donated materials. Through continued judicious use of volunteer help and donations the Burton Chamber funds are used for scholarships, flowers, decorations, festivals, educational and outreach programs and generally promote the businesses and the Village of Burton.
Without consultation with the Burton Chamber, the Village of Burton, during the past year, applied for grant money to renovate the restrooms at the log cabin to conform to the American with Disabilities Act specifications. The Village has assumed that they own the square and the log cabin building on it and want the Burton Chamber of Commerce to sign a lease and pay rent for the building and property. The Chamber refuses to sign a lease, which would give clear ownership rights to the village. The Chamber is of the opinion that since permission was granted in 1931 to build and operate the cabin, the 82 years of continuous, upkeep, construction and operation validate ownership of the log cabin by the Burton Chamber of Commerce.
The land in the square was donated by its original owners over 200 years ago for the use of the people of Burton and in those 200 years no proper and correct action has been taken to deed the property to the Village of Burton or any other entity. This matter of ownership becomes very important because on Sept. 17, 2013, a letter was issued by the Geauga County Community and Economic Development Department stating that in order for the grant funds to be released, the ownership dispute must be settled.
In order to clarify this for now and in the future, the Burton Chamber of Commerce has put into action means to have the courts finally decide who actually owns the square and the log cabin in Burton, so as to continue the mission to serve the community.
Dave Beten is a member of the Board of Director of the Burton Chamber of Commerce.
