Popular Mackinac Island Ferry Files Lawsuit

Shepler's Ferry, one the main transporters to the Mackinac Island, is filing a lawsuit in the United States District Court. Shepler's feels a monopoly is being formed which could threaten their entire company. Chris Shepler, the son of the owner, stated his reason's for filing suit; "The city's efforts to establish a monopoly on ferry service are not only wrong, but they are illegal." He also pointed out "As a family-owned business with more than 150 employeees, Shepler's is fighting for our right to compete to provide high-quality ferry service to Michigan's most spectacular tourist destination."

The defendants in the lawsuit include James Wynn, Arnold Transit company, Union Terminal Piers, and the city of Mackinac Island. It's also important to note that James Wynn is the owner of Arnold Transit and that Arnold Transit owns Union Terminal Piers. Got it? The lawsuit stems over an allegation in which James Wynn would sell the docks he owns from Arnold Transit and the Union Terminal Pier. The lucky purchaser of these docks along with some other properties would be the city of Mackinac Island. How would Mackinac city come with all of this money do you ask? They would issue public bonds hoping the wonderful residents of Michigan would invest. Here's the slick part, the City would then lease the very same docks and properties to a lucky ferry. It just so happens that Arnold Transit and Union Terminal Piers will lease these docks and properties in exchange for a monopoly on ferry service to the island.

Shepler's suit clams that Mackinac Island went above its authority and that Wynn violated antitrust laws as well as Michigan law. I will write a follow up to this story if the city or Arnold decides to make a comment.

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