Up North Progressive

There have been new developments in the case of the Lake County probate judge who lives in a 600-square-foot three-season hunting cabin in the woods. David Glancy claims his main homestead is 10211 East 16th Street in Lake County. But does he live there?

Until recently, according to one source, the answer was no. Glancy and his family have a much larger, more excellent home in Traverse City. Why live in a tiny cabin with a toilet next to the water heater? Previous owners of that “residence” got water from the neighbors if they stayed in their cabin during winter due to uninsulated pipes.

Once alerted there was a discrepancy, Pinora Township, where this cabin is located in Lake County, looked into the matter because it appeared that David Glancy had two homesteads in different counties with the primary residence exemption. This is illegal in Michigan. Most homes in Lake County are second properties, so you cannot apply for the tax exemption. The local school district is out of formula because of the number of vacation homes in the county. This means the school district no longer receives the foundation allowance funding from the state due to declining enrollment. This is happening to more school districts in Northern Michigan.

After Board of Review meetings and phone calls between township assessors, it was discovered missing paperwork made it appear that David Glancy and his family enjoyed the homestead tax exemption on two properties.

UNTIL

In an email dated May 28, 2024, Glancy attached the paperwork to rescind his name from the PRE for the property in Long Lake Township, Grand Traverse County. He had no idea how it didn’t arrive with the rest of the paperwork. Someone lost it at the real estate office or went to the wrong township, but here it is, a year and a half late.

The interesting thing about this form is that the Glancys signed it the day after the home sale for the Lake County cabin was final, January 19, 2023, but Long Lake Township didn’t receive the form until May 28, 2024.



Long Lake Township filed the rescinding form with the rest of the tax records, noting the late filing. Pinora Township received this paperwork in July 2024 and restored the PRE for 10211 East 16th Street. Both townships consider the matter settled. All the Glancys have to do is file separate tax returns, and they can claim both properties as primary homesteads.

All legal, but … is it honest? And does Glancy really live there?

Shortly after the dust settled over the taxes, there was a day when power tools and sounds of construction could be heard from 10211 East 16th Street. Fresh tire tracks in the driveway appear more frequently. It’s possible more effort is being made to make the tiny cabin in the woods look lived in.