Municipality of Trent Lakes Election 2014 Recommendations

 Major Issues, News  Comments Off on Municipality of Trent Lakes Election 2014 Recommendations
Sep 302014
 

In the next few days, you should receive a mail ballot for the October 27th Municipal election for our local Council and Mayor. These are our recommendations.

Download Recommendations – Municipality of Trent Lakes Election 2014

This election is the most significant in our township history, we urge you to carefully consider exercising your franchise. Many of us believe we have not had truly representative and transparent civic leadership and should the attitude of “we cannot do anything about developmental pressures on our township” continues, we could become the aggregate and graphite capital of Ontario. Going forward we need a mayor and council dedicated to taking ownership of their duty to be our voice and resistance to encroachment on our way of life. Should our council and mayor meekly kowtow to big business when other municipalities resist we truly will be pillaged. Resistance is not futile, it just makes sense.

The NPLRA questioned the candidates on several continuing issues including but not limited to: OPP policing; Trent Severn Waterway; flooding in watershed area; handicapped parking. Also asked was: would the candidate be in favour of pushing for the return of committees to obtain citizen input. During the interviews we were looking for signs of commitment, forthrightness as well as thinking outside the usual “no we cannot do that” attitude.

We are anxiously awaiting the OMB Chair’s decision on the appeal of the two decisions made by the current municipal council, a rezoning bylaw and an amendment to the Township Official Plan to allow a mega quarry adjacent to an established neighbourhood, the very sensitive Nogies Creek and the historic fish sanctuary. If allowed, according to evidence adduced from the proponent, Dewdney Mountain, this quarry at full capacity will be three times as large as all the other quarries in the municipality put together! This could put as many as 44,000 additional trucks on local roads annually. The impact on EVERYONE is obvious.

Worse, there are several other quarry applications ostensibly awaiting this OMB decision and the next Trent Lakes Council. Also waiting in the wings is the Valterra Bobcaygeon Project proposal, which could end up as one of the largest graphite mines in the world with a graphite seam that extends 90 square kilometers from Bass Lake, through Crystal Lake to Salerno Creek in our township.

The implications of such an open pit mine are potentially devastating to those who live, work and play in this Township.

Both the above developments have galvanized the citizenry of Trent Lakes into an action seeking group of property owners.

Nothing in our history comes close to the threat nor the action needed to control such threats.

We are of the opinion that the current council members, with one exception, were one or all of the following:

  • complicit in the mega quarry proposal,
  • totally overwhelmed and uninformed, or they
  • simply “rolled over” in face of a developer threat to appeal to the OMB. Capitulating at only one set of provincial policies favouring aggregate development versus seeking alternatives favouring local citizens.

With a view to the future, a group of people from Trent Lakes who were active in the Citizens For Responsible Aggregate Development (CFRAD) campaign have been meeting and interviewing candidates for Council and would like you to consider our findings on the following attachment when casting your ballot.

Respectfully, The North Pigeon Lake Ratepayers’ Association in conjunction with a group of concerned citizens from across our municipality.

OUR COMMENTS & ENDORSEMENTS

MAYOR
BEV MATTHEWS: WE ENDORSE BEV MATTHEWS FOR MAYOR

A twenty year veteran of Council, is also running for Mayor and was the lone vote in Council against the zoning change to accommodate a mega quarry. She indicated that “there are times when citizens need to be listened to and when Council needs to make a stand”. She said forcing individuals to appeal to the OMB on behalf of all citizens means the Township Council got a “free ride”. The consequences for all the future applications are obvious. If this state of affairs is allowed to continue, the burden of future appeals will be borne by individuals or else there will be no appeals, and all future applications will be rubber stamped. The damage to our environment, our roads, and our homes must be the concern of all.

Janet Clarkson, is the current Mayor.

She is totally unapologetic for her stance in the bylaw and Official Plan amendments favouring the mega quarry, arguing that because of provincial policies, Council had no choice but to go along. Fighting aggregate appeals at the OMB would be a waste of taxpayers’ money. So it was left to private citizens to hire lawyers and expert witnesses to counter the application.

Ostensibly opposing the project, she is quoted in the Peterborough Examiner of January 27, 2013 as saying:

“It’s way better if it goes on their dollar than on ours”
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2013/01/17/no-choice-but-to-approve-quarry-mayor

The fact that Council approved the application and then appeared at the OMB to be an additional advocate for the project undermined the citizen appellants whose legal bills are likely to top $100,000.00. To fully appreciate the current mayor’s absence of logic, we urge you to see the full Peterborough Examiner article.

DEPUTY MAYOR
RICK AUBE: WE ENDORSE RICK AUBE FOR DEPUTY MAYOR

Rick has been a cottager in the area for more than 50 years and is now a full time resident. He says there are too many quarries already and will bring fresh ideas and an energetic work ethic to Council and pledges to work with the citizens to find solutions going forward. Rick worked in financial services in Toronto in his previous life, but is now self-employed out of his residence in the former Cavendish Township.

Peter Franzen has been on Council previously, both in Harvey-Galway-Cavendish and earlier on the Galway-Cavendish Council. He currently resides in the Harvey Ward at Pirates’ Glen. While he projects many good ideas, in our opinion, he carries with him considerable history from his previous tenure on Council that we are not comfortable with at this time.

Ron Windover is the incumbent Deputy Mayor, and like Ms. Clarkson, is an apologist for Council’s actions on the re-zoning mega quarry vote. The Deputy Mayor, like the Mayor, is a member of the Peterborough County Council (the next highest tier in local governance) and we feel Mr. Windover has not played any positive role in advancing the interests of the Township in defending liveability at our local or at County Council.

COUNCILLOR-AT-LARGE DICK PERSSON: ACCLAIMED. WE ENDORSE DICK PERSSON

Our committee interviewed Mr. Persson before nominations closed and we were impressed. We found him to be well-prepared, thoughtful and respectful for the views of others. He brought in a comprehensive program for our township, including a responsible program for economic development that does not compromise our environment, but will increase jobs and broaden our tax base. He will work to unite the disparate parts of our community from Buckhorn to Bobcaygeon from Pigeon Lake to Kinmount. He is the owner of the Canoe Company in Buckhorn and has served on the Board of the Canoe Museum in Peterborough and the Kawartha Highlands Park and is currently on the economic development committee of Trent Lakes. Our group was fully prepared to endorse Mr. Persson even before he was acclaimed as he brings much promise to Council.

GALWAY-CAVENDISH Ward
TERRY LAMBSHEAD: WE ENDORSE TERRY LAMBSHEAD FOR COUNCILLOR

Terry has lived in this area all of his life and is a respected businessman here. He has seen enough quarries outside his door and is passionate about retaining the quality of our environment. He also commits to citizen involvement in solving big questions facing the citizens of Trent Lakes.

Madeline Pearson was the incumbent member-at-large and is now running in the Galway-Cavendish Ward. Ms. Pearson who has lived and served on Council for many years voted for the Official Plan amendments and re-zoning allowing the mega quarry and from positions as expressed by her votes in Council and in all of the all-candidates meetings, there is increasing concerns about her ability to navigate through the increasingly complex matters before a five member Council. She has served her community well, but the very fate of our Township may hinge on the outcome of the October 27 election.

Richard Wackernagel: We were unable to interview this candidate in spite of several attempts to contact him and as he was not at all the all candidates meetings we could not form an opinion other than his lack of visibility.

HARVEY Ward: PETER RAYMOND: ACCLAIMED. WE ENDORSE PETER RAYMOND FOR COUNCILLOR

Peter is the other fresh face on Council. Mr. Raymond was also acclaimed. Our interviewing group saw Mr. Raymond as an interested participant at many of the OMB hearings and meetings of ratepayers. It was obvious during our pre-nomination interview with Mr. Raymond that he has come to share many of the citizens’ concerns about the role of the local Council going forward. Mr. Raymond will be an important part of the new Council as he pledges that he will be a voice for all the citizens of Trent Lakes.

This is a summary of our best collective thinking going forward. If you would like any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned. These are our strong recommendations only. You are free to follow our recommendations or not, based on your own individual preferences.

Thank you for your support: Ross Morton, President, North Pigeon Lake Ratepayers Assn.

Download Recommendations – Municipality of Trent Lakes Election 2014

__________________________________________________________

If you do not receive a mail ballot after September 29th, or to ensure you are on the voters list, go to the Trent Lakes website for instructions at: www.galwaycavendishharvey.ca and go to Elections 2014. Failing that contact: Bob Angione, Clerk (705) 738-3800 ext. 240. email: bangione@trentlakes.ca

Help Preserve Boyd Island

 Major Issues, News  Comments Off on Help Preserve Boyd Island
Aug 292014
 
Kawartha Lakes Trust

Boyd Island (a.k.a. Big Island) in Pigeon Lake has been a place where many local Pigeon Lake property owners and tourists have boated to, picnicked on and fished from. Many enjoy the daily visual splendor of an island void of human intervention. Everyone has a different view of Boyd Island and no one can picture it as a subdivision! Most property owners have been opposed to the development of the island for the past twenty-five years.

Now we have been given a rare opportunity to assist and support the Kawartha Land Trust with their endeavour to preserve and protect Boyd Island from development forever. The current owner of Boyd Island is considering donating the island to the Kawartha Land Trust, a non-governmental organization and a registered charity dedicated to acquiring land and maintaining it in a natural state.

An appraisal of Boyd Island is one of the first steps in the negotiation process and funding is needed to pay for the $5,000 appraisal. Please help us to raise this money and start the process to preserve Boyd Island. This money needs to be raised by November 1st, 2014. Donations towards the appraisal can be made online, by phone, mail or in person through Kawartha Land Trust. Go to kawarthalandtrust.org for details. Please indicate that your donation is for the Boyd Island appraisal. Tax Receipts are issued for donations of $30 or more.

Thank you for being a part of this exciting project. Together we can create this legacy of protecting Boyd Island!

Thank you for your support,

The “Preserve Boyd Island Team”
(Kawartha Land Trust, NPLRA and You !)

Kawartha Land Trust, PO Box 2338, Peterborough, Ontario K9J7Y8

Springtime News from the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW)

 News, Trent-Severn Waterway  Comments Off on Springtime News from the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW)
Jul 142014
 
Trent Severn Waterway

The extensive cuts to TSW staff and hours of lock operation have had a major impact. Compared to the year before 29,833 less vessels passed through the TSW locks in 2013 (99,515 less vessels than in 1994). Although still being the busiest lock of the canal Bobcaygeon Lock 32 vessel traffic was down by 18.5%. www.trentsevern.com

Over the next two years Parks Canada will be investing $58 million in major capital projects and ongoing preventative maintenance. Reconstruction of Thomson Bay Dam, Bolsover Dam, Kennisis Dam; rehabilitation of Otonabee Dam and Healey Falls Lock 15; investments into the Hastings and Brighton Swing Bridges as well as $11.5 million over the next two years across the TSW for dam safety and in preventative maintenance projects, navigation markers, and visitor facilities have been announced. www.pc.gc.ca

Parks Canada and Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) are collaborating to manage and develop the hydroelectric potential of national historic canal systems in Ontario. The new framework is expected to foster new infrastructure investment, encourage clean hydroelectric energy and support the long-term sustainability of the TSW and Rideau Canal. All revenues generated by Parks Canada canal operations are reinvested back into the canals. www.owa.ca

The Trent-Severn Waterway Working Group has now laid out a comprehensive plan that looks at the conditions for ‘developing a self-sustaining operating model for the Trent Severn Waterway and canal communities’. Send in your feedback!

www.trentsevern.ca/our-plan/

Downloads:

Trent1.docx – Trent Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada

Trent2.docx – Harper Government announces extended service on Trent-Severn Waterway

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 News  Comments Off on ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Jul 032014
 
NPLRA AGM July 18, 2015

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On July 19th, 2014 at 10 am

The NPLRA looks forward to your attendance to hear Election Candidates answer questions.

The NPLRA is having its annual general meeting on the 19th of July 2014 at the Bobcaygeon Lawn Bowling Club starting at 10:00 AM. Given that this is an election year, we have concluded that the most welcome agenda would be to have a forum for all local candidates running for office in the 2014 Trent Lakes Municipal or the City of Kawartha Lakes (CoKL) elections. All known candidates for area, both CoKL and Trent Lakes, have been invited to attend and answer three questions put forward by th NPLRA.

The NPLRA looks forward to a large turnout of old and new members and concerned citizens wanting to be heard! Join us to hear what prospective municipal leaders have to say. Be part of a truly active group representing you and the community.

So much has happened in our area since the last election and voter activism has risen to an all time high. We believe that the constituents need plentiful and early exposure to the candidates both old and new to enable them to make a rational decision come ballot.

We will touch on some potentially important news about the Boyd Island ownership and it’s future, water testing and the Trent waterway, quarries and overall activities of the Board.

Please download our application/renewal form and a brief high-level bullet list of actions taken and continuing.

Of course we invite you to stay for a BBQ lunch and a further opportunity to mingle with the candidates following the formal meeting.

See you on the 19th July.

The North Pigeon Lake Ratepayers’ Association Needs YOU!

 News  Comments Off on The North Pigeon Lake Ratepayers’ Association Needs YOU!
Jun 162014
 

It is only with your support, in large numbers, which lend us voice and clout to protect our water and land and yes our north Pigeon Lake environment. The NPLRA needs you as a member and we need some of you to step up and help the Board of Directors continue their oversight of the behavior of our local, provincial and federal politicians are doing (or in some case not doing!).

Is this a plea for membership and voices to be heard? Absolutely yes!

Our plea is to all those who call the area on or around the north end of Pigeon Lake theirs, be it a farm, a home on a back road, a seasonal resident on a creek or a lakeside cottage. Our association is all encompassing.

WE have made ourselves heard throughout the last 2 years in ways that had not been seen in a decade. That visible due diligence on our elected officials and bureaucrats needs to be continued especially in an election year for those who impact our lifestyle so intimately like our local township councils and mayors.

If you want more of the same in our council then stay silent but the repercussions will be drastic and some will impact you in negative fashion be it from taxation, noise, air pollution to traffic chaos.

Please download our application/renewal form and a brief high-level bullet list of actions taken and continuing.

Thank you for renewing or joining and bringing your neighbours along with you.

Our annual General Meeting is at 10:00 AM, July 19th, 2014 At The Bobcaygeon Lawn Bowling Club

Shoreline Restoration Workshops

 Major Issues, News  Comments Off on Shoreline Restoration Workshops
Jun 112014
 
Environment Council
Save Out Shorelines

Save Out Shorelines

The Environmental Council of Clear Ston(e)y and White Lakes are presenting a series of workshops on Shoreline Restoration on July 8 and 9th. You must register for these workshops and all interested persons are invited to attend.  Please note registration information.

All pertinent information is in the attachment below.

Could you please pass this information on to interested neighbours, your executive or your membership.

Environment Council Poster

Jun 092014
 

“MEMBERS OF CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE AGGREGATE DEVELOPMENT WILL HIKE TO OMB HEARING ON TUESDAY

Opponents of a quarry near Buckhorn are planning to march from Bobcaygeon to Buckhorn on Tuesday, in protest of the project.

Members of Citizens for Responsible Aggregate Development will make the trek to mark the final day of the OMB hearing. They will begin at 8 a.m. at the ValuMart parking lot and walk to Trent Lakes Municipal Office for the hearing at 10 a.m.”

READ MORE

Meet at 7:45 AT Value Mart.

Springs in South Central Ontario 2009-2014

 News, Water Quality  Comments Off on Springs in South Central Ontario 2009-2014
Apr 292014
 
April 2, 2009

Kawartha Conservation sent us comparative spring satellite images of interest, confirming the kind of winter we had in the Kawartha Lakes/Quinte region 2014 compared to years past!

April 2, 2009

April 2, 2009

March 31, 2010

March 31, 2010

March 30, 2011

March 30, 2011

March 28, 2012

March 28, 2012

April 4, 2013

April 4, 2013

March 26, 2014

March 26, 2014: Visual proof that this winter was long and bad!

Kawartha Conservation are a watershed-based, non-profit organization established in 1979 under the Ontario Conservation Authorities Act.

Their focus is outstanding water quality and quantity management, supported by healthy landscapes through planning, stewardship, and science. Check out their website: KawarthaConservation.com