Apr 5, 2012

Migrant housing plan sparks a lawsuit

Plans to improve housing for migrant workers in Benzie County have erupted into charges of racism. A fruit grower wants to reuse a motel that sits vacant in the Village of Elberta.

Since the beginning of the year, village officials have come up with different reasons to deny him a permit. But, in a public meeting, one council member let loose that he doesn’t want to see a "trash house" on that site.

Loy Putney’s family has been farming in Benzie County since 1865. He produces several million pounds of cherries, apples and peaches each year. And, as many growers do, he depends heavily on migrant labor to do the work.

Some of his older housing units are dilapidated and he planned to rebuild them this year. But last fall, as he drove past the vacant Bay View Motel, he had the idea of converting motel units for his workers. Interlochen Public Radio

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