Message from the President
Happy New Year everyone! Hopefully you are all healthy and not getting too bored during this pandemic lockdown. For those of you that are year round residents, I trust you are enjoying the snow and colder temperatures, and are getting out cross country skiing, snowshoeing and walking on the lakes.To those of you that would normally be coming on the weekends, we miss you, and hope to see you soon.
In this first newsletter of 2021, we are updating you on the Treasure Island LPAT appeal, reminding you about the payment of annual dues, and asking for your input on activities you would like to see from your association this year. I know it's early, but.... please keep in mind we will be looking for some new Directors this year, as always, and if you have any questions about what is involved in being a Director, please don't hesitate to contact me or any of our Board. We would really like to have Board representation from all four of the member lakes
(Waseosa, Ripple, Pallette and JIngo)
Treasure Island LPAT Update
The hearing is still scheduled for April 19 to 23 inclusive, and we are ready. We recently changed lawyers, due to the hearing dates potentially interfering with the maternity leave of our lawyer. We now have a more "seasoned" lawyer, with more LPAT experience and a background in environmental science as well as law, which we feel will work well for us.
On Friday, January 22 , the expert witnesses for both sides were required to meet and discuss whether there were any issues/matters that there was agreement on. The purpose of this LPAT ordered meeting is to (hopefully) speed up a hearing by not discussing matters that both sides can agree to ahead of time. The Planners meeting (virtual of course) was attended by the Planner for the Ball family, the LWRA's Planner, and the Planner retained by Doug Janes (The Friends of Treasure Island - "TFTI"). Our Planner has reported that there was no agreement reached on matters
which all sides can agree on. The meeting of the Ecologists, attended by the LWRA/TFTI ecologist and the Ball family ecologist similarly resulted in no agreement. This is not uncommon.
It is becoming clear to us that we must continue to raise funds to pay the costs of our expert witnesses. The original budget, developed in consultation with our consultants, was $30,000 to $40,000. That amount is now likely to be inadequate to cover the services of the LWRA lawyer, Planner and ecologist and the TFTI Planner and lawyer. We are asking that those of you who may not have contributed already, or contributed but are able to contribute more, send your contributions to: treasurer@LWRA.net . We really do only get one shot at this, and we need to do it right if we hope to win and prevent development on the island.
Please take a few minutes to look at and share this aerial footage of the island taken this spring, as a reminder of what is at stake. The drone photography, editing and musical score were all provided at NO cost to the LWRA. I personally paid for the services, provided by my nephew Ben Carlin, a resident of Ripple Lake, an award winning videographer and producer, and the owner of Muskoka Virtual Tours. Thank you Ben for the significant discount you provided!
Membership Dues
This is just a reminder that the annual dues of $40, remain unchanged and are due now. The easiest way to pay is to send an e-transfer to: treasurer@lwra.net. We rely on your dues to pay for social events throughout the summer, and to pay for the services of experts when required - such as our current participation in the LPAT appeal.
Plans for 2021
Your Board of Directors will be meeting in February to discuss the upcoming season. Any input you may have is appreciated and welcome. It is looking likely that due to the covid pandemic, the AGM in July will once again be a virtual meeting. This may change if the rate of vaccination picks up, but
for now, we should likely be thinking of a virtual meeting. What did you like or dislike about last year's virtual AGM? The boat parades were popular in 2020 as a replacement for the water fun day, and again depending on the status of Covid, may be back this year. How can we make this event bigger/better? The corn roast may be back on this year as an actual get together, if the federal and provincial vaccination programs continue as planned. We will make that call closer to the event, when we have the most current advice/guidance of the governing medical bodies.
What is on your mind? What else would you like your association to be doing?
General Release