Volume 40 • Number 2 • CirCulatioN 1,500 A FREE PUBLICATION T T THE VOICE OF THE TEMAGAMI LAKES ASSOCIATION (TLA) SUMMER 2010 MUNICIPAL ELECTION HOW LOW IS THE LAKE? AND WHY? NEWS & ISSUES ON TLA WEBSITE Cottagers concerned about water levels The Temagami Municipal By Ted Tichinoff to much damage for some lake resi- by a dam (operated by Ontario Power election this year will be held on Breakup in 2009 saw lake water dents. At breakup this year the lake Generation -- OPG -- under licence), October 25, a date that makes it levels substantially above normal. was at record lows. One might think would be less subject to the vicissi- necessary for the Times to change Combined with ice and wind this led that Lake Temagami, being regulated tudes of weather and would have more stable water levels than lakes without the focus of its planned election a control dam. coverage because the deadline for However, that does not appear to be candidates will be after the the case and it is becoming a heavily newspaper’s publication date. debated question in Northern Ontario So, readers won’t see any as to whether OPG dams are a posi- candidate endorsements in the tive or a negative fact when it comes to fluctuating water levels. newspaper or on the TLA website (www.tla-temgami.org). What we will do, however, is … It is becoming a articulate where the TLA stands heavily debated question on the important issues facing in Northern Ontario the Temagami community. This as to whether OPG will give Canadian voters – and dams are a positive any Canadian who is a Temagami Before the outboard or the inboard, there was — and is — the canoe without which a or a negative fact when Temagami summer would perhaps take on an entirely different character. it comes to fluctuating continued on page 7 Photo: Drogo on travel.webshots.com water levels. LETTER TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL A bit of background may be useful. TLA Objects to Draft Municipality Budget with Possible Lake Temagami is at the top of three river watersheds: the Montreal, Special Impact on All Lake Properties the Matabichuan and the Sturgeon. In its natural state the lake drained The following is the text of a let- Several years ago, the Municipal- By our estimates, it would appear into all three watersheds. ter from TLA President Rob Corc- ity ran into an “emergency” situation, that roughly 90 percent of residential An outlet close to the present vil- oran to Mayor Ike Laba and Coun- where upgrades to the water treatment assessment comes from waterfront lage drained into Cassells Lake and cillors concerning the TLA’s serious facility were required. In what was properties, and that potentially 50 per- from there eventually flowed into concerns with aspects of the draft widely interpreted as a one-time un- cent of the overall tax base comes from the Matabichuan and Ottawa River. 2010 Municipal Budget: dertaking, we, the lake residents, did Lake Temagami properties. As noted in A second outlet at the North Arm After reviewing the draft 2010 bud- not object to contributing to the costs of an earlier communication, the TLA still flowed into Diamond Lake then into get provided by the Municipality, and this upgrade. (As agreed upon at amal- awaits the Municipality’s response based Lady Evelyn Lake, down the Montreal having reviewed the history of our tax gamation, lake residents are excluded upon detailed MPAC data received last River to the Ottawa. Both of these breakdown, the TLA must object from billing for water and sewer servic- fall with a breakdown of assessments outlets have been blocked off. The strongly to what appears to have taken es which they do not have, and receive and taxes between the urban and vari- Diamond Lake outlet was filled in so place. reduced billing for fire services.) ous waterfront areas of the community. as to accommodate forest operations. continued on page 15 continued on page 13 Group Box 129 • Temagami • Ontario • P0H 2H0 • (705) 237-8927 • Fax (705) 237-8916 • www.tla-temagami.org page 2 Temagami Times Summer 2010 page 3 President’s letter The Temagami Times Summer is again just around the corner. Why does it seem that Temagami has been able to hold onto some key assets over this with each and every year, we have yet another set of concerns. period, but the same challenges which other communities have faced Summer 2010 Issue Mother Nature has done her part over the past years, with winds are not that far away here. Support your local community stores decimating the pine trees on many of the islands, with winds and ice and they will be able to continue to serve you, and indeed, they will This publication is published in the damaging or destroying so many docks and boathouses last spring. continue to provide jobs in Temagami. Winter, Fall and Summer by the This year, the structures should be OK, but water levels may make it The Co-op is facing a cash shortage as it moves into 2010. We Temagami Lakes Association. worthwhile to keep a spare prop (or two) on hand. all pitched in when the Co-op was created. This year, the TLA and a PUBLICatIONS MAIL AGREEMENT Temagami seems to have fared better than many of the Prov- number of community and lake residents have stepped in and made NO. 40050220 ince’s lakes, and only the waters managed by the MNR and our donations to assist the Co-op, with the TLA having donated $6,000. PreSortation services provided by beaver population seems to be anywhere near to “normal” levels. At For those of us on the lake, the Co-op is making efforts to get Flagship Software Ltd. the present time, it looks like we should in fact be back to within a last summer’s trial delivery approach into gear in a more complete EDITOR: Elaine Gunnell foot of peak levels by the time July arrives. manner for this summer. Have a look at the Coop articles and (Interim Editor: Vince Hovanec) On the municipal front, a reduction in business at the Co-op information in this issue of the Times. Take some time to set up an LAYOUT: Imaginus North has imposed significant fiscal challenges. While we don’t have account with the Co-op, and consider the convenience and time much control over nature, the ability to sustain a grocery store in saved with grocery delivery to the TLA building. ADVERTISING: Peter Healy Temagami is based solely upon the support which it receives from its As we all need to kick start our summer with the purchase of key 705 237 8927 Fax 705 237 8916 customers. Truly, those of us on the lake can’t do much to address the staple items, I suggest that purchasing these from the Co-op could [email protected] off-season shopping, but I believe we can make a huge difference if go a long way to kick starting their revenue for the summer. We can DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: we adjust our shopping habits this summer. order these ahead of time, giving the Co-op time (and revenue) to Spetember 1, 2010 The Co-op staff have made a very strong effort to adapt their procure them, and enabling them to get them to the lake for us, free- *The opinions expressed by the writers store to meet changing customer interests. I think we are very fortu- ing up space in the car for other items on that first (or second) trip to or advertisers in this edition are not nate to have such a motivated team at the Co-op. When I was last the cottage… necessarily those of the Temagami Times in Temagami (March), I dropped by the Co-op to buy a few items I As this will be my last President’s letter, I would like to thank or the Temagami Lakes Association. needed, and was impressed with how competitive their pricing was. our members, the many TLA volunteers, TLA staff, and the TLA THE TLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS No doubt the challenge in the offseason is permanent residents Board of Directors for your support over the past two years. I believe President: Rob Corcoran who choose to buy their groceries while traveling to New Liskeard or we’re overdue for some exceptionally good weather, and I wish all of 1st Vice President: Dave Taylor North Bay. I stress that all of us need to support the Co-op if we are you a very enjoyable summer!! 2nd Vice President: Ted Tichinoff to continue to have it. The loss of key businesses in Marten River Treasurer: David McFarlane Rob Corcoran, President Directors: Andrew Healy and Tilden Lake has been a sad occurrence over the past decades. Vince Hovanec Chip Kittredge The TEMAGAMI TIMES welcomes signed letters or emails on any subject. Boyd Matchett Malcolm Wilson The editor reserves the right to edit for length, clarity and relevance. Letters containing libelous remarks, personal attacks or The term of office for a Director is 3 years. inaccurate information will not be published nor will open letters or copies of letters sent to public officials or governments. Elections are held every year in the summer. The opinions expressed are the letter writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Temagami Lakes Association. SKYLINE RESERVE TENETS FOR TEMAGAMI ones are to be installed to prevent new The mainland surrounding Lake Tema- public access roads to Lake Temagami gami and Cross Lake is to be zoned as and Cross Lake.