Operation of harbor appears to be status quo for now

Mills still at helm despite eviction moves by city.

Operation of the La Crosse Municipal Boat Harbor seems a little more unclear now after a judge’s ruling in bankruptcy court this week.

The judge ruled against long time operator Steve Mills in his bid to assume a new lease at the harbor despite a bankruptcy filing.

With that, the city will continue its eviction process against Mills, who has operated the harbor for the last 40 years. Mills and the city have been at odds over conditions of his lease for the last several years.  

The city has cited health, safety and financial issues in its ongoing dispute with Mills.

Last August, the city moved to evict. On the same day of an eviction hearing, Mills filed for bankruptcy.

In a statement released on Thursday, the city’s attorney in the matter, Phil Addis, provided assurances that the operation of the harbor during the current boating season would not be interrupted.  

The eviction process is still underway and Mills continues to operate the harbor.