What a day! Elections, coughing, birding

Praise be: thanks to TLC, Rx. and taking it easy, I made it through the night without coughing! Thank you, all, for your kind words of comfort. I feel so useless, with much to do on the property to prepare for winter. This is the challenge when one is ill: accepting care, for there is giving in receiving.
Isabelle is home sick, too! We just had a Skype session, and she showed off her back of collected kleenex! She's really good about coughing into her elbow! She's been blowing her nose and watching movies, too!
About Time –excellent one, done by the Brits. Very thought provoking. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.

Daisy & I took a slow walk around the frog pond Monday. The Muskrat house is growing.
Daise likes to sit with me on our logs.

Lots of election news: Ontario votes Alberta had provincial elections, too

Yes, it was our 4-year fixed date for municipal elections. Now, municipal have the most impact on our lives, but Ottawa, for example, had a 39.9% voter turn out rate.

• Perth's mayor, our closest town, and his deputy mayor, was acclaimed.
• Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, several near-by towns have new mayors.
  
• Ottawa's mayor was re-elected. Yes, Jim Watson - who? Despite being a mayor of a big city, most of us are happy he doesn't make the news too much!
• Doug Ford didn't get elected mayor of Toronto. Unfortunately, Rob Ford was elected into his old seat as Councillor. He's taking chemo. We'll see what happens. 

Unofficial Results Our little county doesn't have a mayor. We have 2 councillors and a reeve. They didn't tell us where to vote, or how many we can vote for. It was one candidate for councillor who sent us information on voting. Seriously. Our tax dollars at work - or not.

Mind you what do we get for our taxes?

• You get up in the morning and brush your teeth with town/city water. (We're on a well.)
• You flush your toilet. (We're on septic.)
• You put out your garbage, recycling and compost. Yes, we have garbage and a moderate recycling program. Mind you, a lot of us have the room to compost and we have little garbage, the two of us. The landowner across the road dumps his construction dirt and rocks across the highway, on his land.
• You hop on the bus for work. We are 5 km from Perth and must drive, or take a $25 taxi ride. Still cheaper than a 2nd car! You get the picture.

Funerals abound

Today, I expect to watch TV coverage of our young soldier shot dead on Parliament hill last week. I'm sure it will be a moving experience. The feds expect are tabling a new bill to give more power to our CSIS. This will allow them to work internationally, like MI-6 and the CIA. Having been watching Homeland on DVD (excellent!), I shudder. This bill was deferred with the shooting, ironically. However, the two men who murdered our two soldiers last week seemed to have been motivated by politics, but no more than the TV shows and movies that motivate many.

The man who shot the 3 RCMP dead last June is being sentenced today in N.B. He spoke at his trial and he was remorseless, rambling on about various topics, revealing a lack of respect for authority, and the law. He played the 'it's not fair' card: not fair he has a rotten job, and no women in his life, as he embraced violence, and brought guns into his family home. I pity the parents of these men, whom I shall not name.

I turned off the news, waved as hubby went out to vote, and sat and fed the birds. Daisy decided to help. The blue jays were unfazed. The first photo was cool, Mr. Jay mid-hop! The Horse chestnut tree still has some leaves. I flung a peanut into the frog pond, just to see what the Jays would do. They didn't bite. I'll keep on with that experiment later!

The junco pick up the scattered seeds, avoiding the Blue jays altogether.
The Woodpeckers go at the feeder while I distract the Jays!
The Goldfinches have lost their brilliant yellow, and are ready for winter.

Voting, lobbying and seeking an electorate

Election fever. I'm glad our municipal election is over.

The American ads for the senate were just miserable, too, with examples of fearmongering and attack ads, which murder a candidate by rumours, innuendo and lies (e.g., "Don't let them make a mess of Washington").

As I heard from one person interviewed on CBC, what's wrong with simply telling us who you are, what you believe in, and why I should vote for you?

Muskoka Landowners Association sign

Some lobby groups have endeavoured to manipulate our Ontario municipal election results by creating wedge issues and lobbying for one pet cause or another.

In fact, we elect officials to provide a balanced viewpoint, to honour and respect all of the electorate and the needs of the whole municipality, not just the richest and most vocal.

Now, the Muskoka Landowners Association (landowners and loggers) has a history of political action. Refusing to allow sledders on their property, closing snowmobile trails until the municipality backed off of their tree cutting by-law restrictions. I thought we realized how much clear cutting, parcelling off land, was bad for the environment.

Another lobby group, the Muskoka Lakes Association (cottager/taxpayers), presented candidates with a series of questions. They came up with a list of candidates for whom their lobby group should vote.

The questions this association asked were shaped by their particular notions and protective policies based on their view point.
~~~~~~~~~~~
As Maureen, a Muskoka realtor wrote,

There are many issues that impact the lives of year round residents and cottagers other than the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) goals. These need to be addressed by a responsible council with hopefully some experienced members. 

Now that all is said and done, the MLA are not accountable nor will they take any responsibility for the outcome of this overthrow of all incumbents. Pretty sweet position, huh?

I guess the thing that really brought it home to me was a gentleman, who came into the office and was elated with the election results mentioning  that "all the candidates the MLA were in favour of in his area got in". This man went on further to say "that's as it should be" because "we pay the most taxes up here so we should have the say as to who is elected".  


What a sad and ignorant statement on so many levels

Is it really the mandate of the MLA for a handful of people to place themselves in a position where these few are influencing the votes of hundreds of people???????????
~~~~~~~~

Early settlers with money became politicians

The people who live in Muskoka, year-round, those without money, power and influence are seldom heard. This is the same for Perth, our new town. It was the officers who retired on half pay and were granted 600 acres, the others worked their smaller acreages on land grants.

Does this mean that only those who pay big tax dollars should have a say in politics? I think not. These are the people for whom we must show concern. They are the people who work hourly wages, without health benefits, who fill our gas tanks, work long hours on their feet, while we sit, relax and eat and drink well. These are the people who are one pay cheque away from losing their homes. 


The arrogance and self-entitlement of those with land and trees to burn, revolts me. This is the reason why there are small towns, with little economic independence: clear-cutting, and the raping of the land we now call Ontario, in the 1800s. We need politicians who have a broader understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen.

I have written about Muskoka housing. It is the same for all rural towns. The economic downturn hit many hard. 

County Registry Office 1872

Muskoka Housing Statistics

Nov 17, 2009

In the spring of 2009, vacancy rates for Muskoka were 2.8%. Industry standards say that 3% is considered a “healthy” vacancy rate. There are approximately 450 households waiting for rent-geared-to income housing in Muskoka.

I volunteered as the Habitat Build. We need, as Habitat says, to give them a hand up, not a hand out.

Pretty sad state of affairs, isn't it? Lobby groups are a terrible way to run a municipality.
That said, we had 2 incumbents here in Perth. One, when questioned told me there weren't any issues of concern. In fact, lack of communication is what a newcomer told me is a major issue.

Don't sell out Muskoka - election fever?

Port Carling's failed development

With Municipal elections looming, I've been thinking about the platforms upon which politicians must remain silent on: residents annoyed by tourists, abuses of land and lake, NIMBY projects, or the failed project in Port Carling.

Blasted it and ran out of $$$

All over Ontario we elect town councillors who then make town planning decisions based on long-term plans for an area. It takes into account local and regional concerns, i.e., environmental issues, the enjoyment of a particular area, location of businesses that respect residents and prevent, or resolve conflicts between land use.


If a potential developer wants to put in condos, or high density land use in an area of low density residences, for example, the potential business developer first approaches the town council to seek a ruling or variance on original town plans. Once the councillors choose not to allow a developer in, since it often violates the spirit of their town plan, the developer may go to the OMB to protest the decision. This is what happened in Muskoka. The OMB often hears from local cottagers, or developers, who want to defy the town plan and by-laws (July 18, and in Feb.: Red Leaves Development, rezoning issues (2007).

It was with great trepidation that I read about the hearing regarding Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) for Bala Woodlands Resort. I can truly imagine the impact of a resort on such a small lake. It is criminal that most OMB hearings (75% according to Wikipedia) rule in favour of developers, in spite of elected planning town councils who have voted otherwise. 


Perhaps I fear so much because I have seen the impact of heavy tourist populations on our lake. My enjoyment, my life in cottage country, is diminished by those who do not have an understanding of such a life. Surely the Township of Muskoka Lakes By-laws would apply in such situations?

garbage from our shoreline

It states, “Whereas the inhabitants of the Township should have an environment free from unusual, unnecessary or excessive noise which may degrade the quality and tranquility of their life or cause nuisance, in the public interest;" and goes on to describe the bylaw rules. The problem is that the Township is hard-pressed to find the resources to protect residents. 

We have had tourists visiting (many who simply rent and care little for those of us who live here) who like to set off firecrackers and fireworks every night that they visit. Two weeks of nightly fireworks has a large impact, not only on us, but on our pets and our wildlife. We moved 400 km to find the peace that comes with a Muskoka evening


We have entertained fishermen (yes – ‘men’) who believe that fishing spittin’ distance off of our dock, the lake is theirs to pollute and exploit, with no regard for the rest of us. 

watch out for the rock!

Asian canoeists, unfamiliar with paddling a canoe, ended up on our shore one afternoon. They had no idea how to paddle, yet had been able to rent a canoe and, out in a brisk wind with which I would not have wrestled, managed not to master the basics of canoeing. So much for the new boating regulations. Rudderless, toothless and pointless.

using the lakeshore for a shooting range

We have had people burn bonfires that, on a hot, still day, drift across the lake, along with their loud music and party atmosphere. It spoils the solitude those of us require for our emotional well-being. We do not want to have to close our windows in order to keep out the noise or smell of the smoke. 


The two-stroke motors continue to pollute our air and our lake. They dump 25 to 40 percent of their fuel in the lake. The summer brings those noisy Personal Water Craft (PWC) and the bored young folk who like to go around and around our lake ad nauseum. I recall sitting on the shore one day, quietly sipping my coffee and trying to deal with a death in our family. The noise and smell of the machines was awful.


I hope the politicians make the right decisions, based on our needs as residents. They must listen to all stakeholders, but they cannot sell out residents for the almighty tourist dollar. I sit and weep and hope that they do so. Our grandchildren have the right to enjoy this land as much as we have done. Please do not sell out Muskoka.


Ontario Municipal Board Resources
1. OMB hearing for Bala Resort. Bracebridge Examiner. 2007
2. Doug Bryden's remarks regarding the hearings. Township of Muskoka Lakes Ratepayers Association.
3. OMB case #PL050714 Download the ruling from the TMLRA.
4. OMB  Members  Biographies
5. Selling  Muskoka by the Gallon. By Michael Enright

Look who is running! part 18

Bala Falls - DO NOT SWIM HERE!
Two men drowned here last year.

The Save the Bala Falls movement is garnering attention. Not all of it accurate. 

When a newspaper presents an 'exclusive' story you wonder the motivation?

With the municipal election coming in October, politicians, as well as media, are reflecting their bias, with those running digging in on one side or the other. And this is rightly so. Clearly, the few vocal minority of us who believe in Green Energy, who disbelieve the rumours and lies, are hoping there will be a candidate for whom we can vote.

Here are two Muskoka Today articles:

Green Energy Act does not apply to Bala Falls project

By Tom Millar -MuskokaTODAY Exclusive

The project does not require a Renewable Energy approval,’ under the GEA says director at Ministry of Environment

Muskoka Lakes council votes to continue Bala Falls project

By Tom Millar

Before council’s vote, Swift River Energy made a presentation to council at a full Port Carling community centre - reflecting the interest people have in this topic.

Swift River spokesperson Karen McGhee said certain people were raising “apocalyptic fears about the Bala Falls hydro project.” She assured, that “those frolicking in the waters  will do so in the future when the station is operating.”

Now, the PUBLISHER: of Muskoka Today is  Mark Clairmont, mark@muskokatoday.com, also running for election. He has been a district councillor in Gravenhurst, just to the south of Bala. He is running for mayor of Gravenhurst. Isn't that interesting? 

Brad Burgess speaking at Bala Falls Project Meeting

 Mark Clairmont Throws Hat in the Ring for Mayor's Seat

Now, Bala Falls lies in the Township of Muskoka Lakes, in Ward A, but read who else is running:

Ruth-Ellen Nishikawa, Brad Burgess, Gault McTaggart, Alice Murphy, Donald Furniss and Mark Gidley filed nomination papers in the township.

The race for two Ward A township council positions has Donelda Kruckel, incumbent Coun. Dianne Davidson (Bala resident) , Bob McTavish, Phil Gearing and Bala residents Brad Burgess, and Mark Gidley filed nomination papers.

south falls in July

Both Brad Burgess and Alice Murphy have been active in the 'Save the Bala Falls' group! 

It occurs to me that there is more than just this one issue, too much focus is on fighting redevelopment of the falls, at the expense of the other issues: housing, the economy, municipal taxes, the proposed garbage levy, quality of lakes, pollution, drinking and driving, boating and noise issues, and so on.

Patricia Arney is running for Muskoka lakes mayor. She has her business on Bala Falls Road, the Balacade.  It is important that those running the municipality actually live there.  

Falls in May

Most of the local politicians have been publicly silent on this issue. It is only recently I read:

MOOSE FM 99.5 EXCLUSIVE: Muskoka Lakes Councillor Supports Bala Falls Proposal

Become aware of your local issues and ensure that you know who you can vote for to find the best person for the job. Here are some questions you might ask.