Modus Operandi

Latin, literally 'way of operating'.

For over twenty years there has been a distinct modus operandi with the sport charter lodge owners operating in Elfin Cove.

Step One: When in Rome Be Roman! After starting or buying into a lodge business, they use these business addresses to get an Alaskan Voter Registration card. This card not only allows them to vote in Local, State, and Federal elections, it also allows them to call themselves Alaskan state residents. Even though they only come to Alaska for the summer tourist season and then go back to their Primary residence in other states, they still call themselves Alaska residents.

Step Two: Be a PLAYER! Elfin Cove is an unincorporated town, run by a nonprofit corporation. Having an Alaska voter card allows them to vote in our Local elections and be on the board of directors of the nonprofit corporation. Today, five of the seven board members call in via teleconference to winter (Oct.-May) community meetings from other states.

Step Three: Take home the Bacon and still keep what you got! Now you have a voter card, a business-address to call home, possibly a seat on the board, and enough bragging rights to call yourself an Elfin Cove Alaskan resident for years You get all of this, without ever having to commit to move to and live in Alaska, or to enroll your children in Alaskan schools, or to miss out on any of the latest technological/cultural/medical opportunities, or to permanently leave the social circles surrounding your actual home place.

Step Four: EZ OPT-OUT RETIREMENT PLAN! When you tire of sport lodge life and decide to sell out, you sell to the highest bidder and just don't buy another plane ticket up to Alaska in the spring.
Kelly and Mary Crump: Northern Star Lodge, LLC. dba Waters Edge Lodge
  1. 1998-2009- Manager for Doc Warner’s Alaska Fishing (11 years)
  2. 2002- Purchased house at 283 E. Spencer Way, Farmington, Utah 84025.
  3. 2009-2011: Doc Warner’s Alaska Fishing is investigated, charged and pleads guilty to one count of fish & game law violations.
  4. 12/2/2010- Articles of Organization are filed with the State for Northern Star Lodge, LLC. The 2012 Biennial Report shows 283 E. Spencer Way, Farmington, Utah 84025 for all addresses on the form.
  5. 6/27/2012- Kelly Crump becomes an Alaskan registered voter. Originally listing the Farmington, Utah address as his mailing address, he now uses the business address of P.O. Box 27, Elfin Cove, AK.
  6. 7/5/2013- Mary Warner Crump becomes an Alaskan registered voter. She uses 283 E. Spencer Way, Farmington, Utah as the mailing address.
  7. 1/13/2016- According to the 2016 Biennial Report for Northern Star Lodge, LLC, the Crumps still live at 283 E. Spencer Way, Farmington, Utah 84025.
Dennis Meier- Tanaku Lodge
  1. 6/13/1995- Listed on the deed for Lot 62 (Tanaku Lodge) in Elfin Cove, Dennis Meier’s address is listed as 2022 NW Langley Court, Portland, Oregon 97229
  2. 7/26/1995- Meier becomes a registered Alaskan voter and voted in, at least, the 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 & 2012 primary and/or general elections. Voted and held CEC board position in local government entity since formal records were kept at CEC.
  3. 6/9/1997- Purchased house at 2637 231st PL SE, Sammamish, Washington 98075 and has lived there ever since. His children were raised in this house and attended private schools in the East Seattle area.
  4. 8/2009-8/2015- Was the chairman of the Community of Elfin Cove (CEC), a non-profit community corporation. Presently Meier is the vice-chairman of CEC.  
  5. 1/23/2013- Charged with 6 counts for false statements for residency requirements for ADF&G licensing. Entered guilty plea in April of 2014.
  6. 2015- Meier now purchases non-resident license from CFEC.  

James H. Benton- Tanaku Lodge
  1. 8/20/1993- Became registered Alaskan voter, in the past Benton used Lot 62 as his address, but has started using Lot 68A recently.
  2. 6/13/1995- Listed on the deed for Lot 62 (Tanaku Lodge) in Elfin Cove.
  3. 1996-2000 Past Chairman CEC- oversaw purchase of Elfin Cove Fuel and formation of the Elfin Cove Fuel Cooperative
  4. 2000- Initial Director Elfin Cove Fuel Cooperative
  5. 4/2003- Bought first home in Bend, Oregon- 63390 Overtree Rd.
  6. 2013 ADF&G charges. Pleads guilty to 6 of 23 counts of knowingly making a false statement/omission on F&G application in February of 2014.
  7. 2014/2015- Now purchases nonresident fishing license from CFEC.
  8. Latest Bend, Oregon home, purchased in 2007.                       
Joseph Kulavik- Elfin Cove Eagle Charters Alaska LLC & Cross Sound Lodge LLC
  1. 3/5/1998- Articles of Organization for ELFIN COVE EAGLE CHARTERS ALASKA LLC are filed with the State of Alaska. Kulavik’s address is listed as 2143 NW Lacamas Dr., Camas, Washington 98624.
  2. 1/6/2000- 2000 Biennial Report for ELFIN COVE EAGLE CHARTERS ALASKA LLC shows Kulavik as 100% owner at P.O. Box 77, Elfin Cove, AK.
  3. 1/14/2002- 2002 Biennial Report for ELFIN COVE EAGLE CHARTERS ALASKA LLC shows Kulavik’s address as 7419 N.E. 14TH ST., VANCOUVER, WA 98664. Eagle Charter’s business address is P.O. Box 77, Elfin Cove, AK.
  4. 7419 N.E. 14TH ST., VANCOUVER, WA 98664 is the address for Kulavik on most documents from here on…such as non-resident hand troll license, Eagle Charters filings and Cross Sound Lodge, LLC (a Washington company; AK formed date- 1/3/2007).
  5. 11/30/2007- Except on the voter application…  Joseph Kulvik becomes a registered voter in Alaska using Eagle Charters’ address- P.O. Box 77, Elfin Cove, AK.
  6. 2005-2012 Community of Elfin Cove (CEC) director- requirement is AK voter card.
  7. 4/20/2010- In the Alaska Trooper press release about the case against ELFIN COVE EAGLE CHARTERS ALASKA LLC Kulavik is identified as a Vancouver, Washington resident.
  8. 1/18/2011- 2011 Biennial Report for Cross Sound Lodge with the Vancouver, Washington address.
Charles E. Fannin- The Cove Lodge, Incorporated                                                                                                                                                                         
  1. 4/13/2007- Bought into The Cove Lodge, Incorporated as 49% owner, vice-president and secretary- AK DCCED Notice of change. Filing shows Fannin's address as P.O. Box 17, Elfin Cove, AK (This is the business address).
  2. 4/18/2007- Purchased home at 427 Evening Shade Walk, Mineral Bluff, Georgia 30559 for $365,000. As of 6/2012 Fannin claimed a homestead exemption for this house.
  3. 3/5/2008- Becomes an Alaskan registered voter. Using P.O. Box 17, Elfin Cove, AK as his address.
  4. 3/10/2008- Files a Business Name Reservation Application with the St. of Alaska for Elfin Cove Charters using P.O. Box 17, Elfin Cove, AK as the address.
  5. 6/13/2008- Receives state loan from Alaska Division of Investments, Department of Commerce. Address listed is P.O. Box 17, Elfin Cove, AK.
  6. 1/14/2009- Starts a non-profit in the State of Georgia. The Principle Office address is shown as 427 Evening Shade Walk, Mineral Bluff, Georgia 30559. Charles E. Fannin is listed as CEO, CFO and Secretary at the same address.
  7. 6/19/2010- Lodge burns down.                                                
  8. 8/6/2012 & 11/15/2013- 2012 & 2014 Biennial Reports filed with AK DCCED for The Cove Lodge, Incorporated by Charles E. Fannin shows his address as 427 Evening Shade Walk, Mineral Bluff, Georgia 30559.
  9. 3/6/2015- Fannin has an AK DNR affidavit notarized in Florida with a Georgia address and Georgia driver's license.
The Hustons: Leroy & Mary- Inner Harbor Lodge
  1. 2/21/1997- Filings with the State of Oregon for Leroy Huston Contracting, Inc. Addresses used on filing was 47130 Ryall Rd. & Rt.1, Box 44, Halfway, Oregon 97834.
  2. 1/4/2000- 2000 Biennial Report for Leroy Huston Contracting, Inc. shows an Idaho address and Leroy as registered agent at P.O. Box 38, Elfin Cove, AK. The Hustons are listed as living at 47130 Ryall Rd., Halfway, Oregon 97834.
  3. 2/5/2002- A new corporation is formed by the Hustons- Gold Dust, Inc.
  4. 4/29/2002- Became registered voters in Alaska using Inner Harbor Lodge and P.O. Box 38, Elfin Cove, AK.
  5. 1/4/2004- 2004 Biennial Report for Gold Dust, Inc. shows a physical address of Inner Harbor Lodge and a mailing address of P.O. Box 38, Elfin Cove, AK.
  6. 6/10/2004- Salmon hand troll permit becomes valid for Leroy Huston. He purchases a resident license using P.O. Box 38 as address for this hand troll permit (2004-2009) and a power troll (2006-2009).
  7. 9/2007- Hustons sell Inner Harbor Lodge
  8. 2010- With the transfer of these two permits, CFEC lists Leroy Huston’s address as 47130 Ryall Rd., Halfway, Oregon 97834.
  9. 4/19/2012- As of this date Hustons were still at 47130 Ryall Rd., Halfway, Oregon.
Thomas & Cynthia Lieder: Inner Harbor Lodge
  1. 12/20/1993- Lieder Construction, Inc. files with State of Minnesota and was still in good standing in 2015. Address listed is 141 Fairbault W. St., Duluth, Minnesota 55803.
  2. 2008- Shown as owner on DCCED Business license for Inner Harbor Lodge.
  3. 7/24/2008- The Lieders becoming Alaskan registered voters. Use Lot 30 (Inner Harbor Lodge) and P.O. Box 54, Elfin Cove, AK for voter addresses.
  4. This version of Inner Harbor Lodge didn’t make it and the Lieders are still at 141 Fairbault W. St., Duluth, Minnesota 55803.