Newsletter: President's Message
NEWSLETTER in PDF
Who would ever have imagined a time where we would no longer be allowed to hug our grandchildren, we would visit our elders through glass windows, that planes would no longer fly in the sky, playing in parks would be prohibited, nature trails would be off-limits, attending celebrations or even a family get-together could be dangerous and the U.S. border with our neighbours would be closed to us, and our border closed to them?
Shockingly that is the world that we live in today. Every government, industry and organization has had to adapt to these changing times and the BLLA is no exception. Webinars and Zoom meetings are now the "new normal" for me. Groups such as FOCA (Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations) and the Lake Networking Group address issues online. Some of our concerns are not new, such as boating safety, shore erosion, septic system and road maintenance, but others are new, namely how to now comply with Annual General Meeting requirements, governance and online meeting tips, insurance for unattended cottages, suspension of the water sampling program and what are the implications of cottagers relocating to the lake.
Another serious result of the pandemic was Frontenac County's surprise decision to extend the deadline for approving the draft plan conditions at Johnston Point for six months. This was approved by County Council within days of the province's lockdown announcement, despite the Province allowing ongoing construction projects to continue, and without the knowledge or consent of Township Council, and without even an application for extension from the developer. We remain mystified as to why the Johnston Point development was prioritized by the County during a pandemic, particularly in light of the facts that there was still three months left to go, draft conditions have been broken, a walking bridge had been installed in the PSW and without a building permit, the Overall Benefit Permit hasn't been made public, the Condo Agreement hasn't been signed back after almost two years, the Township voted last year against the agreement being extended, and a host of other reasons, including the developer himself telling Township Council that " Environmental standards could not be more elevated. It is unfortunate and regrettable and deplorable that the project, and those standards have not been respected here before." (Gavin Marshall - Principal - Magenta Waterfront Development Corp. June 4, 2019).
The Board has also been working on applying and receiving a grant to combat invasive species, researching enhancing our native fish populations, creating awareness of the need for pollinators, the impact of septic systems and protection of species at risk on our lake. Our newsletter includes articles on some of these activities. One positive from COVID-19 is that it has reminded us to appreciate those who help us. I would like to thank Watersheds Canada and the Gottlieb Foundation for their grant to purchase two new "Extractigators", our former BLLA director Susan Sutherland (Butterfly Lady) for giving us a tour of her "Monarch Mansion" (and inspiring my brother-in-law to make one for me), and Mabyn Armstrong of Turtles Kingston for including us on her determined quest to return "Mr. Big" back to his home. I would especially like to thank our volunteer Board Members for their guidance and assistance during this difficult time. Most importantly, I would thank you, our members, for your support and encouragement to protect our lake for now, and for generations to come.
Evonne Potts
President
