Newsletter Spring 2004
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N EWSLETTER S PRING 2004 Farm Creek Log Chute 1943 Guy Hayward 1950’s Tofflemire Photography Looking down the river at Lovesick Rapids 1940’s Mr. Levitt & Glenn Mundy 1950’s Island Lake 1911 to review the results over the coming weeks and the We Love Our Sponsors! President’s Message survey will be handed out and discussed at the Annual Throughout this newsletter you Well, spring is finally here after a winter that seemed a General Meeting on Saturday July 31, along with some will find advertisements placed by bit more dreary than most. I don’t remember too many ideas on how the Association can respond effectively to many local businesses. These adver- days of crisp cold air and sparkling sunshine–mostly I your input. tisements generate needed revenue recall clouds and wet snow! Over the winter the Board You also provided many thoughtful and insightful writ- has been addressing some important specific issues, try- ten comments. One comment that I fully agree with was for the Association to ing to discover and understand your views on the this: we need to be “better assessing the collective will support our goals and programs. Association, and planning for the upcoming year. as opposed to that of a small vocal minority”. We hope Please use their services and let them I have mixed emotions in reporting to you that our the survey will help address that concern, but I’d also know you saw their ad in the newslet- Secretary, Terry Tweed, has resigned from the Board like to invite you to consider serving as a Director in ter or on the WWK website. due to a successful influx of work to her career–Terry is future years. I believe that one of my jobs as President is page a well-known film, television and stage actor, and teach- to ensure a smooth succession, and I encourage you to At The Bridge Restaurant 5 es her craft at University in Ottawa. She has served long contact me if you would consider serving on the Board and well as Secretary and will be missed, especially at some point in time. I know that the current Directors Brumpton Construction 20 because Terry’s mother and father were founding mem- value diversity of opinion because it brings the C.E. Bennett Limited 5 bers of the Association. We all extend our congratula- Association to the best overall decisions in the long run. Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da 4 tions to Terry on her recent career success and our grati- The Association also needs input, from time-to-time, tude for her service to the Association–Thanks, Terry! from people with specific skills–for example communi- Century 21 Real Estate 4 We are also grateful to Dana Boyter who has stepped cations skills, writing skills, environmental, scientific and Downtown General Store Ltd. 20 forward and volunteered to become Secretary–I know engineering skills, organizational skills, construction Dunchurch Marina 20 Dana will tackle the job with skill and enthusiasm. skills–you name it. Currently, we could use some help Georgian Rentals 18 One of the issues we had to deal with was insur- with accounting systems as we consider upgrading to a ance–unfortunately our former insurance broker software package, and occasionally we need some con- Harris Furniture & Antiques 3 dropped the ball and failed to inform us promptly that sultation on minor legal matters. Lakeland Contracting 3 our insurance companies had some questions. The Well, I guess all that’s left to say is … “Thanks!” – and Loggers Station House 15 result of that was that our policies were “lapsed”, and – “See you at the Lake!” we had to go on a mad scramble to find providers for John Nelson, Bennett’s Bay Magnetawan Building Centre 19 the two policies we need–one to protect Directors and McKellar Marine Services 19 Officers from liability arising from decisions and actions Recycling McNabb Home Building Centre 16 we make in good faith, and another policy to protect the Association from liability arising from our activities, pri- Municipality of Whitestone Northland Castle Building Centre 23 marily related to operating the docks. We actually proba- The Municipality of Whitestone has entered into an North Landing Restaurant 23 bly saved a few dollars as a result–we found a source agreement with Muskoka Containerized Services Ltd. to Peter Keck Construction Ltd 11 for the directors’ policy from “Volunteer Canada” at accept recyclable products from a two stream recycling www.volunteer.ca that costs $500 or about half of the system as follows; Re/Max P.S.-Muskoka Realty 16 going rate through a broker. Thanks to Ted Heggart, we Ross Windows & Doors 14 have found a very helpful broker in Hamilton, J.A. Stream One: Recyclable Fibres Tim Stiles General Construction 23 McEdwards Ltd. who has placed our general liability • Newspapers • Magazines • Catalogues insurance at about the same cost as 2003 or about • Telephone Books • Corrugated Cardboard Wade Stiles Building Construction 13 $2,700. • Boxboard • Egg Cartons • Mixed Papers Whitestone Variety 18 In February I wrote to everyone on our database invit- • Office Papers • Brown Paper Bags ing them to renew their memberships–thank you to the significant number of people who responded–early Stream Two: Recyclable Containers memberships really take a load off the shoulders of the • Glass Bottles & Jars • Metal Beverage Cans volunteer directors who process the forms, have the • Metal Food Cans • Plastic Soft Drink Bottles stickers printed, and mail them out. If you haven’t • Rigid Plastic Bottles • Aluminum Trays renewed yet–you might like to take advantage of the • Aluminum Foil membership and dock forms on page 22. Thanks also to the many people who took the time to This new collection system at the Auld’s and return the survey questionnaire. As I write this, about York Street landfill will ensure that all recyclable 35% or about 120 people replied. The results have material that you carry to the landfill will be recycled been input to a database and Andy Vurma is doing the and will not be tossed aside into the landfill as has detailed analysis, but two or three trends are very clear happened in the past. Please note that items such as from looking at the raw data: Well over 80% of you soft plastic margarine containers are not accepted. rated the newsletter “very good” or “excellent” – thank Don’t forget that all hazardous materials such as used you! Much of the credit goes to our editor Lesley Hugill. oil, solvents and batteries etc., should be taken back to You also gave us some coaching–there were significant your home town and taken to the appropriate facilities. totals of “fair” plus “poor” for Fish These materials if thrown out with your regular garbage Enhancement, Water Testing, and will end up moving into groundwater and will have Improve the Environment–telling us long-term toxic effects to local wells, creeks, streams that you’d like to see us dedicate and lakes. more resources to environmen- Dana Boyter tal issues. The Board will continue - 2 - © Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association Nuisance Bear Dock Management Committee Custom Building Renovations and Design The Association received the following letter Stewardship February 10, 2004. Agreement Renewed The big item to report from Dear Sir, the Dock Committee is that we LAKELANDLAKELAND On December 17, 2003, Natural have received agreement from Resources Minister David Ramsay announced the MNR that the Association will that MNR will implement a nuisance bear continue as dock stewards for CONTRACTING management strategy. The Ministry of Natural the Bennett’s Bay and Indian SERVING PARRY SOUND & SURROUNDING AREA Resources is going to work with municipalities Narrows docks for another five Est. 1975 to develop a community-based program that years. Although we approached Homes and Cottages will bring real positive change to this issue, the MNR with a request that • New built or renovated right across Ontario. I am writing to provide they consider taking on responsi- more detail on the planned consultation. bility for all liability insurance, • Docks • Decks • Roofing Experience in other jurisdictions has due to the Ministry’s budget cut- Siding & Eavestrough shown the benefits of a comprehensive backs the MNR will only be approach to nuisance bear management that responsible for liability to the • 5” seamless eavestrough emphasizes public education and community public–the Association must • Soffit and fascia level prevention and mitigation practices. The carry coverage to protect our • Vinyl and wood siding MNR strategy will include action on public own members. education, a 24-hour round-the-clock, toll-free • Prefinished wood or cement siding number for reporting nuisance bear incidents, Insurance Woes and a coordinated response. The strategy will Over the winter we went outline what assistance will be available to “insurance shopping” but there 705-378-0544 municipalities to help prevent bear problems, were few bargains to be found! including awareness and education programs This in spite of the fact that 238 Oastler Park Drive, R.R.#2, Parry Sound and products. The strategy will also include insurance companies’ profits [email protected] detailed approaches to the development of increased 263% in 2003! Our bear proofing strategies for communities, new insurance broker is J.A. www.lakelandcontracting.com removal and relocation of nuisance bears. McEdwards Insurance Brokers We will continue to keep you informed as Ltd. in Hamilton, who have details of the nuisance bear management found a carrier who will provide strategy are developed over the next few $1 million “Commercial General months. Liability” Insurance at an annual MNR is moving to provide action for peo- premium of $2,700, about the ple who are looking for a solution to this same as the cost in 2003.