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NEWSLETTERS |
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NEWSLETTERS |
Spring 2006 NewsletterA
New and Active Association The
Golden Lake Property Owners Association serves the interests of owners
of shoreline on Golden Lake and the Bonnechere River below Tramore Dam,
as well as others who have an interest in the well-being of our lake and
river. The Association works for the common good of all members, and the
maintenance and enhancement of the quality of life on the Lake and
River. The
Association attends to such matters as water quality, shoreline
development, bird infestation, and boating and swimming safety. It
speaks with a common voice to all levels of government and works with
other organizations on issues that may contribute to the health,
pleasure, comfort and security of its members. If
you are one of the roughly 750 property owners along the Lake and River,
we urge you to join us as a member so you can learn more about our
activities and add your voice to our ongoing conversation. Incorporation The
Association is now formally incorporated as the Golden Lake Property
Owners Association. President Dave Lemkay spearheaded the process, which
took several months from start to finish. Finalizing
the incorporation was becoming an urgent need, says Dave. "We
needed liability insurance for Directors and for members working on
Association projects like shoal marking, but we couldn't buy insurance
or get approvals for signage until we were fully incorporated. I'm
pleased that we can now proceed with our major projects." The
Association's first Annual General Meeting will be held at the Killaloe
Public School on Saturday, June 3, 2006 at 9:00 am. Membership
Status As
of May 6, 2006 the Association had 370 signed-up members out of a
potential 750 property owners on the Lake and River. This is good
progress in the short time that volunteers have been working to contact
property owners. Our
goal for this year is to add at least another 100 new members, which
would take our total to more than 60 percent of the potential
membership. "Of course, we won't really be satisfied until all 750
property owners join", says Board member Norm Edwards, who heads up
the Association's successful membership campaign. Maps
The
GLPOA Board has agreed to offer maps for the convenience of members.
These excellent maps, with Golden Lake on one side and the Bonnechere
River on the other side, are being given free this year with each
membership renewal or new member sign-up. The maps are printed in colour
on 11" x 17" sheets. Waterway
Markings Update The
marking of shoals on the Lake and River has been done informally and
inadequately in the past. That has all changed now with the
formation of the GLPOA. The waterway-marking project, led by Weldon
McEachen (who is also the Association Treasurer) is well underway.
Thirty-five official orange shoal markers, each stencilled with the
letters GLPOA, will be placed in the highest priority locations this
spring. Additional shoal markers will be placed as the need is
identified and funds permit.
Property
Assessment The
steep rise in property assessments across Ontario, but especially on
waterfront properties, has been controversial for several months. This
is a tricky issue for the Association because it doesn't have a mandate
or expertise to intervene. However, the Board has purchased a membership
for the GLPOA in the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations (FOCA),
which has been active in coordinating letter-writing campaigns to make
the Ontario Government aware of waterfront owners' concerns. You'll find
a Property Assessment section on the GLPOA web site and a link to the
FOCA web site where you will find additional information. Water
Quality We
are all interested in protecting water quality in the Lake and River.
One of the first steps in doing so is to learn as much as possible about
the present condition of the water and what affects its quality. Testing
has been done by the Ministry of Natural Resources, by the Pikwakanagan
Band and by the Round Lake Property Owners Association. The results
indicate satisfactory water quality with no obvious signs of trouble.
Regular water testing is expensive, but the GLPOA Board will consider a
test program if the need arises. Since
Killaloe has the only municipal wastewater inflow to our section of the
Bonnechere River watershed, the curiosity of some Association members
led to a visit to the treatment plant. A delegation made up of
Vice-President Kevin O'Connor and members Hubert Weber, Wendy Milne and
John Gulland toured the plant in September 2005. The tour was thorough,
the staff were helpful and provided records of independent test results
of samples taken every two weeks, a ministry requirement. The water
released into Brennans creek from the plant is well within the Ministry
guidelines for quality. The delegation concluded that "the effluent
probably does not constitute a serious threat to water quality in Golden
Lake." You
can read the full report on the Association web site. Cell
Phone Update People
have been waiting for cell phone service in our area for several years.
To find out more about progress, Dave Lemkay and Association
Vice-President, Kevin O'Connor have had frequent contact over the past
several months with both Bell Mobility and Telus. Telus
is erecting two towers in the area and will soon be the only cell
service provider from Calabogie through to Barry's Bay. These two towers
should serve all cell phone users. One tower is being erected in the
Dacre area at Opeongo Road and Hwy 41. The second tower will be erected
this summer off Crooked Rapids Road, on a height of land behind the Pine
Tree Motel in Eganville. There
have been unexpected delays at the Dacre project this spring but we have
been assured that there will be good progress this summer. Kevin and
Dave will continue to follow this issue. www.goldenlake.info
The
GLPOA web site has been online since November 2005. Its address is easy
to remember: www.goldenlake.info. The plan is to use the site as a sort
of archive containing all the important documents that members may wish
to see, including the new constitution, the minutes of Board and general
meetings and contact information. The site also has links to local
agencies and other information sources that members might find useful. You'll
find photo sections on the site, containing both beautiful pictures from
around the Lake and River, and historical photos. If you have current or
historical photos that you think other members would enjoy, please let
us know. The
web site is intended as the main way to communicate with the membership
because it is so much less expensive and more effective than other
methods. You can help the Association to stay in touch by passing on
your email address when you renew your membership or sign up for the
first time. The
web site was developed and is maintained by member John Gulland, who
also worked on this newsletter. The
GLPOA Executive Committee
Dave
Lemkay, President Directors
and Zone Representatives The local directors and zone reps are your link to the Association. If you need information, contact your local rep or director.
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