Trouble in Dodge City/ AKA Bala Falls Hydro Project part 6

We have met some great people in Bala. We contribute to its economy, endeavour to shop here and support business owners, and volunteer in the community in many ways. (Cranfest & Meals on Wheels.) It is quite a shock to me that we cannot agree to disagree in this issue of the Hydro Dam Project. Amazing how differences of opinion are not tolerated, are discredited and deleted by those controlling websites. I have shared photos (after being asked for helpful suggestions) with those who are fighting this development, yet I continue to get grief. I have given permission for my intellectual property to be used and my video has been a hit!

"We can still walk hand in had even if we don't see eye to eye."

There are hard feelings in town. I have been accused of a personal attack on particular businesses. My previous posts, perceived as complaints, were not directed to Purk's place but to the people (some call them citiots!) and the "market demand" for such noisy things like inflatable rafts, motor boats, and other pollution-generating toys. I watched one boat owner top up his boat's gas tank at a marina and it totalled $450. I kid you not!

We must balance environmental issues with tourism, our economy, and local and cottager/tourist safety. That said, tourists need to understand our fragile environment and it is up to residents to help them gain an understanding. Some of us live and WORK here and must rise early in the morning for this purpose.


Things like fireworks (you need to read what happened to us and others) have no place in our beautiful land. Fireworks at night, two weeks in a row...We are losing residents and long-time cottagers who cannot stand the noise, smell and irritating vacationer who pollutes land/sea/air. Many neighbours have moved and sold. Others rent their properties out to those who do not respect neighbours, the lakes or the land. They only visit in shoulder seasons when things quiet down. This is criminal. Those renting must educate their renters. They violate our rights to enjoy our Muskoka by violating noise and burning by-laws.

Boaters exceed the 10 km/hr. within 30 m off of shore Marine Law ALL THE TIME (see the video at the bottom!). It is an unenforceable law. Boaters and tubers shriek, swear, scream and turn up radios full blast in the middle of the lake. They have late parties and disturb residents. But I digress...

This has been an interesting situation in our town. Many are rushing to try to prevent the new Hydro Dam Project to rebuild our current dam. Media coverage has been spotty, but biased in favour of the dambusters. Swift River has been hard-pressed to get fair coverage or any coverage! As someone 'from away' (I've only lived here 2 years, but cottaged here for 45) I have been looking in on the progress of this town a little differently.

There are wonderfully romantic stories in the news media, on on the SavetheBalaFalls.com website about families swimming in the falls over the years. What Ian Baines, CEO, points out, is that is has been a dam for a number of years and people have always swum in it! The Bracebridge Hydro Dam looks great to me. Great tourist attraction, nicely treed!

The savethebalafalls.com movement has gained momentum. There was a rocky start on Facebook, with some messages deleted, and people told in no uncertain terms that they were either "for us or agin' us". I asked questions to better understand their issues. Others did the same. We were told to post elsewhere if we didn't agree that the Bala Falls would be 'ruined'. Some of us have done so. Still there are complaints!

My critical reflections are directed at those who fight environmental initiatives and progress, not at a store in particular. For those fighting to save Mr. Purk's store, which sits on MNR land, is an honourable thing. His children have risen to the occasion and garner great media interviews. It is great seeing people band together! Mr. Purkis has a right to pursue his business, and earn profits. This is the reason he is in business, as are the sons and daughters of our founding families. Many work hard, especially on a volunteer basis (i.e., Cranfest), to respect our town and its visitors.

The bottom line is that we have to react to climate change, gas emissions, and take into account the ecological footprint on our fragile Muskoka environment. It takes all of us. It takes a new mindset for us to move into the future. Whereas tourists once visited by coal-fired steam boat and train, we now can use cleaner means. This is true, too, of our leisure activities.

We can manage without growth and ignore important objectives: to shift policy in public debate from pursuit of economic growth to respect for earning a living in a sound, financial and ecological manner. We must pay attention to more pressing objectives than increasing profits*, working living, working and playing more mindfully. I am shocked and saddened when the lake is saturated with the smell of PWC engines. The black smoke from the steamships shocked me as I rode it in August, 2008 (see photo).


This issue is bigger than just one or two or six businesses. It involves visitors, residents, wildlife; our town, our regional governments, our province, nation and our impact on the world. But it starts here, at home, with us. I only ask the questions:

Does this project respect the goals of landowners, business owners, and visitors, alike?

Does this project constitute what is best for all stakeholders(see web), not just locals?

Have we not elected representatives locally, provincially and federally? (See Craig Marlatt's page for more information on gov't structures.)
on a mandate of reduced dependence upon coal-fired power?




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*Peter Victor: Ecological Economics, Managing without growth: slower by design, not disasterFor previous posts (and subsequent comments) see: Savethebalafalls (post #1), Dambusters (post #2) & Bala Hydro Project (post #3) and Misinformation (post 4)