Last updated on 2011.04.02
The announcement that the Madison Area Arts Council is pulling up stakes and moving to Lake Herman has given momentum to a nascent municipal incorporation movement in Herman Township. Since resoundingly rejecting proposed county zoning ordinance revisions in a March 15 referendum, Herman residents have been considering insulating themselves from further infringement of their property rights by forming their own municipality.
"We live by Lake Herman because we love anarchy," said one hip-wader-clad Herman resident who declined to give his name. "We need to protect our anarchy by forming a government."
As an incorporated municipality, Herman would join Ramona, Nunda, and Prairie Village as an area exempt from county zoning regulations. Madison and Wentworth are also exempt from county zoning regulations but have imposed their own tyranny over property holders' rights.
"We were thinking about incorporation," said another Herman township resident from her four-wheeler. "But some of the fellas worried that protest wasn't enough to sustain a town. Then the Madison Area Arts Council came looking for a home. Presto! We all know the arts are vital to a vibrant, healthy community. So if we have an arts council, we'll last for decades!" Other Herman residents noted that, since they don't plan to pay any taxes, they'll need a source of income. The new arts council offers numerous opportunties to win grants for local projects.
Wildly successful Lake Herman artist and local media mogul C.A. Heidelberger welcomed the Herman Area Arts Council to his shore—literally, offering the HAAC floating headquarters permanent berth on his lakefront property. Heidelberger has also offered to host the first Herman Artist-in-Residence at his Lake Herman cabin. "Lake Herman has set the standard in recent years for online culture in Lake County," said Heidelberger. "Now it's time for Lake Herman to claim pre-eminence in offline culture as well."
Rumors have begun circulating that Heidelberger and HAAC president Chris Francis may be plotting to steal the county safe and make Herman the new county seat. "My earlier remarks were misconstrued," replied Francis. "We're only planning a re-enactment of the great safe heist for HermanFest." Heidelberger declined to comment on this question or on why he was carrying what appeared to be blueprints of the Lake County Courthouse.
Heidelberger did confirm details of the musical line-up for HermanFest. "We are kind of a hillbilly outlaw crowd out here at Lake Herman," said Heidelberger, "But Madison has been throwing immense support behind that brand, so we have to counterposition ourselves in the market. We've confirmed Captain Tractor and Rusted Root as our headliners."
As soon as Herman voters complete the incorporation process, Gerry Lange, Jim Heidelberger, and other Herman skid-steer pilots plan to start digging the HermanFest concert venue. The Alice Lange Amphitheater on 451st Avenue should be complete in time for HermanFest in August.