Metal 'stakes' are from breakwater structure, Balm Beach cottager says (4 photos)

Janet and Victor Minas want to set the record straight.

Following a story in MidlandToday Monday, the pair reached out to discuss the ‘stakes’ that have caused upset with those who like to walk along the soft sand near Balm Beach.

When originally speaking with MidlandToday, Victor Minas said he figured the metal posts sticking out of the ground must have been survey bars that are used to indicate property boundaries since they own "right to the water's edge."

“As soon as I saw the photos online, I realized the metal posts in question were placed there over the past two off-seasons in order to secure wooden beams so as to create a breakwall to reduce the force of the waves of the record high lake water levels,” Minas said.

“The posts in the pictures were eight-foot-long posts, and were sticking out above the water about four to five feet and had bright safety tape affixed.”

The story came to the fore after area residents expressed concern that someone or a pet could be seriously hurt by the pieces of jagged metal that are just below the water's surface in front of the Minas' boathouse.

"If a child was chasing a kite or a ball and tripped on one of those spikes that are just under the surface of the water; or a dog ran and jumped excitedly to get into the water and fell onto one ... I cannot even imagine the injuries that could happen,” said local resident Susie Mink, who noted that somebody could easily be impaled if they trip or stumble while walking in the water in front of the boathouse.

But Minas provided a photo (see main photo) that shows the breakwater in which he is referring.

“It's obvious that someone has tried to pull them out and by bending back and forth, have broken them, and the result is what your story photos show.”

After seeing the photos, the couple contacted their contractor with the request “to remove the damaged and now dangerous posts as soon as possible.”

Minas, who noted his wife actually owns the Balm Beach property, said he and his family have enjoyed coming to the area for some time.

“My family and I have been residents of and contributed to the area for over 50 years,” he said. “We go up in the summer to enjoy a few weeks of peace and quiet and then we leave.”