Skootamatta District Ratepayers Association

S.D.R.A.



Saturday, August 14th - Still time to sign up

Lots of space left for explorers of all ages. Also looking for any volunteers with powercraft that can help transport the teams, (with canoes and kayaks), to their assigned areas around the shoreline.

If there is sufficient interest, we will print souvenir copies of this poster, (thanks to Dean Black for the generous donation of the design). Contact one of the folks below if you'd like to order a copy. Charge will be nominal cost of printing. They'll make a great decoration to hang in the cottage as a reminder of the event.

If you can help out with the event or want to order a poster, please contact:

Why not come out for a 'complete lake experience' - Exploring in the morning and potluck at the Nowell's in the evening.


'Clean-Up' with Jr. Rangers a success

An amazing amount of junk and garbage 'grows' on beaches and campsites in just one year. Thanks to Sean and the entire Jr. Ranger crew for their help cleaning the trash up again. Assisted by Kent Farrow, Jim Oborne and Pat & Jane Falby, (sorry if we missed others who helped out), the team got quite a haul on their sweep around Skootamatta again this July. It really is discouraging to discover that so many visitors, who come to enjoy an un-spoiled natural environment, care so little about preserving it for others. With relatively easy access, sites on the lakes obviously don't get the respect shown for truly remote 'wilderness' areas, where the rule is; "If You pack it in - You pack it out". Hopefully new signage will remind visitors to clean up after themselves. Pictures here (315 Kb).


Break-ins reported

Several break-ins, involving theft and vandalism, have unfortunately been reported this season on the lake. It is normal to feel 'violated' by such an event and the SDRA extends sympathy to members and non-members alike who have experienced these senseless acts. Cottages appear to have been targeted at random. These are criminal offences and the police are continuing to investigate. While it is difficult for an individual owner to guarantee the security of their un-occupied property, there are measures that can be taken - especially within a group of neighbours or those that share a private road access.

  • Get to know your neighbours. You don't have to be 'best friends', but you should be able to recognize normal activities and vehicles. If you're suspicious, at least jot down license numbers or observe any unusual activity. If there is an obvious problem, don't hesitate to contact the police. DO NOT CONFRONT any suspected perpetrator(s) yourself.
  • Never be afraid to ask strangers on your private access roads "Who are you visiting ?"
  • Lock valuable items up securely.
  • Lock all buildings.
  • Let neighbours know when your property will be un-occupied.
  • Report ANY break-in or vandalism to police immediately when discovered.
  • Get to know your neighbours. If you're not at your property, security depends on someone who IS there, (and can expect the same vigilance from you when they are absent).

While break-ins can never be totally prevented, the best security is simply people looking out for each other.


 2010 Photo Contest

We need the sound of more shutters clicking, (or whatever noise a digital camera is allowed to make), if we're going to equal the terrific response to the 2009 contest. First prize this year is a beautiful, hand-carved Inuit loon, (donated by Director Jim Oborne). $25 and $10 cash rewards go to 2nd and 3rd place winners. Thanks also to professional photographer Cynthia Shay for agreeing to judge 2010 submissions.

Keep your camera handy and get your best shots off to photocontest@skootamatta.ca or you can use the ! Submit Stuff ! upload link.


Junior Rangers Returning For Another 'Clean-Up', Thursday, July 22nd

Thanks to Machesney Lake Camp Ranger Aaron Wilson and the MNR Junior Rangers, who will be returning this year for another co-operative effort with the SDRA, to groom campsites and beaches on Crown Land sites around the lakes. The Rangers did a tremendous job last year, with several truckloads of accumulated trash hauled away. They even provide their own boat!

More boat transportation is still required to ferry teams to sites and return trash back to road access points for later pickup. If you have a powerboat and can lend a hand, please get in touch with Kent Farrow or Gary Evans, or just idle up the Trail's End Boat Launch at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday morning.


Busy AGM !

We now have an updated constitution and a new team of Directors in place to look after things for the coming year! The Association will also be moving to a committee structure to be more effective in addressing an increasing number of important issues.

Thanks to all Members who attended, especially new Directors Debbie Awde, Paul Lindsay and Gwennth Morais, who will be joining the slate of nominees put forward by the Board. Treasurer Hermann Balon reported that our finances are in good shape to go forward with the programs that are underway or upcoming. FOSSP committee member, John Coulter secured his place in history as 'the guy with the little green boat' announcing the 'Explore the Lake' event, and we received excellent presentations from our three speakers on issues relevant to all property owners in the district. View photos from the meeting.

Of particular interest this year has been the greater visibility of logging operations in the area. (Many Members and other area residents have remained largely unaware of forestry operations in the district until changes were recently made to MNR regulations that require public involvement in their forest management planning process.) Tom Richardson, General Manager of Mazinaw Lanark Forest Inc., (MLFI - the company licensed to cut timber on Crown Lands across many area municipalities, including Addington Highlands and North Frontenac), presented a general overview, (16 Mb) of MLFI operations. The company will be submitting its long term, (2011-2021), plan to the MNR for approval in November.

MLFI has subsequently announced a 'Forest Information Day', scheduled for August 13th. The event is open to members of local lake associations and will include visits to several selected forest sites. REGISTRATION, (by August 6th), IS REQUIRED. Contact Pat Duncan, (613)-336-0816, at the MLFI office, (north side of the Barrie Meeting Hall), in Cloyne.

Members interested / concerned about logging around the lakes can submit written concerns and questions directly to MLFI using their Comment Form, and may wish to be further involved with the recently formed, multiple-township, Logging Committee. Contact:

See the ARCHIVES for previous information about MFLI and forestry on Crown Lands in the area.


FOSSP Volunteers Required - August 14th

The Friends of Skootamatta, Sheldrake & Pringle, (FOSSP), are looking for some additional help to run the mid-August 'Explore the Lake' event. This event is designed to appeal to kids of all ages - sending teams off to explore specific shoreline areas - to discover and share interesting features of our precious lake environment. If you can help out, please contact:

The FOSSP committee is also always on the lookout for volunteer assistance in developing a comprehensive Lake Management Plan

.

AGM Agenda Now Set

A very full morning program has been planned for members at this year's session. In addition to dealing with the normal business of the Association, three guest speakers will be updating members on current issues of interest:

  • The Importance of Natural Shorelines and Watercourses - Terry Sprague, [Nature Stuff - Tours & Things]
  • Boating Safety, Regulations & Enforcement - Constable Marcie Martin, [OPP Marine Unit]
  • 2011-2021 Mazinaw Lanark Forest Management Plan - Tom Richardson, [General Manager, Mazinaw Lanark Forest Inc.]


June 12th Mazinaw Lanark Forest Information Session

Despite most seasonal residents not yet being in residence at their vacation properties, the event was generally well attended, with representatives from the SDRA, Sheldrake, Mazinaw, (including members of the recently-formed multi-township Logging Committee), and several other lake associations from both sides of Hwy # 41 in attendance. While essentially a series of joint presentations by Mazinaw Lanark Forest Inc. and the MNR, staff from both organizations were on hand to answer questions from individuals about forestry practices in general, and the specific long term planning for the Mazinaw Lanark Forest Area. A Comment Form was available at the meeting, for anyone wishing to provide additional feedback to the official planning team.

Responding to a request from the SDRA, Mazinaw Lanark Forest has subsequently provided a single map of the entire Skootamatta lakes area (1 Mb), showing forestry operations in the current 2011-2021 Draft Plan.


More data from the Mazinaw Lanark Forest Long Term Plan

Members and others, (certainly anyone planning to attend the June 12 MLFI Information Session), will want to review some or all of this additional data also now provided by the MNR. These are necessarily LARGE, detailed files. Dial-Up users may want to find a high-speed access point before attempting to view/download.

Similar information about these forest harvesting methods can also be found here.

Various harvesting activities and access routes around Skootamatta Lake are shown on the following maps:

Sorry, no data (yet) for our neighbours 'across the road' on Mazinaw or any other lakes in North Frontenac.


Mazinaw Lanark Forest Long Term Plan Summary

Thanks to Gareth Davies, Area Forester, & Co-chair of the MLF Area Plan, for providing this very detailed document, (20 Mb - apologies to Dial-Up users). This information was presumably the subject of discussion at the February 'Public Input' Session, (not attended by any representatives of the SDRA, or the Mazinaw Property Owners Association).


Multiple Township Logging Committee formed ...

The prospect of timber coming down on crown lands in Land O' Lakes municipalities - areas specifically chosen by a majority of ratepayers as a distinct, (from urban environments), and prefereable 'Accessible Wilderness' - has quickly become a hot issue on both sides of Highway # 41.

The recent 'Four Lakes Meeting', (see article below), confirmed that residents in both North Frontenac & Addington Highlands have a lot of questions and concerns - not the least of which is the quality and transparency of the entire public consultation process prior to any cutting.

MNR regulations apparently require forest company leaseholders to hold a minimum of (1) 'Public Input' and (2) 'Public Information' sessions, (announced via newspaper ads), to publicize their proposed plans. This borders on scandalously inadequate, given that:

  • the majority of people directly impacted - cottage ratepayers in Addington Highlands and North Frontenac - are predictably absent from the area, and their cherished, (often passed down through generations), rural properties, for much of the year
  • NO planning data is available on-line until fully-approved, (and posted on the MNR Forest Management website)

Crown lands are a public trust, with all levels of government, and indeed the general population, sharing responsibility for their stewardship. Thus, it seems strange that detailed forest management planning, (required by the MNR), does not require representation from major local stakeholders - Municipalities, Conservation Authorities, Stewardship Councils or established ratepayer groups, (e.g. Lake/Cottage Asssociations). Officially-mandated public input comes only from a 'Local Citizens' Committee', which, for a variety of reasons, has not been very effective in the Mazinaw Lanark Forest Area.

Perhaps the greatest concern in all of this is that ANY forest 'harvesting', is simple consumption, as opposed to any attempt at preservation, (e.g. "Reduce, Re-use, Recycle"). Modern, 'progressive' forestry practices focus on increasing yields and forest company ROI, not conservation. Even the MNR, with its mandate for Forest Sustainability has, so far, ignored any serious examination of reduced, or zero harvesting as a viable alternative to intensive farming of forests. Too bad. Admittedly, including and analyzing hard-to-quantify benefits of a virgin forest, (tourism, enhanced biodiversity, true wilderness recreation etc.), vs. simple $$/m3 yield calculations would add to any planning effort, but might also turn up some very interesting results. [Precisely the basis for the recent historic agreement between major forest companies and concerned environmental groups regarding preservation of large tracts of Canada's more northern boreal forests.]

The newly formed Logging Committee has prepared a brief notice encouraging public attendance at the upcoming June 12th Information Session sponsored jointly by the MNR and Mazinaw Lanark Forest Inc.


Board of Directors Re-Structured

The Board of Directors has, with regret, accepted the resignation of President Laury Hitchcock. Laury has served the SDRA for over ten years - most of that time as a Board member - through a period that saw major growth in the activities of the Association. Working and living in the area, Laury, (and husband Don), brought an appreciation for both the differences and similarities between permanent and seasonal area residents. Her enthusiasm and energy will be missed.

At the May 23 meeting, the SDRA Directors also passed a number of resolutions re-organizing the current Board and defining a slate of candidates for the July 3rd Annual General meeting. The current Board and Officer positions can be seen on the Directors page. The maximum number of Directors for the 2010-2011 year has been set at (14).

Circulation, (via email), of all information for discussion by all SDRA Directors, has grown to be a cumbersome and inefficient process as the SDRA involves itself with more and larger issues, so the Board has decided that more activity should occur at a committee level. The FOSSP / Lake Management Plan Committee already exists and has functioned well. Directors voted to immediately create an Officers Committee, (consisting of the four Officer positions - with the task of reviewing ALL major SDRA activities prior to motions being presented to the full Board for approval) and a Nominations & Governance Committee, (to recommend candidates for the Board and its Committees, and to establish operating policies for the Association beyond the basic articles in our constitution). A recommendation was also put forward to establish a Membership Committee, (to recruit new members and manage membership data).

The slate of proposed candidates for SDRA Directors being proposed by the Board, for confimation by members at the July AGM, is shown below:

2010 SLATE OF PROPOSED DIRECTORS

NAME FUNCTION (TBD) COMMENT
Kent Farrow (PRESIDENT) new (1) year term
Jim Oborne (VICE PRESIDENT) new (2) year term
Bill Garnish (SECRETARY) new (2) year term
Hermann Balon (TREASURER) in 2nd year of term
Derek Mendham (Sheldrake Lake) new (2) year term
***** OPEN ***** (Pringle Lake) new (2) year term
Rosemary Teed (Lake Steward) in 2nd year of term
Gord McCulloch in 2nd year of term
Gord Birnie (FOSSP Committee) new (2) year term
Gary Evans (Webmaster) in 2nd year of term
Malcolm Stewart new (2) year term
***** OPEN ***** new (2) year term
***** OPEN ***** new (2) year term
***** OPEN ***** new (2) year term


Members are also requested to review the minutes of the 2009 AGM prior to attending this year's AGM. (A limited number of printed copies will be available at the meeting).

The full agenda for the 2010 AGM will be posted as soon as it is finalized.


 2010 Photography Contest Now Open

We'd sure like to repeat the success of the 2009 contest that produced (35) great entries! Full details will be posted shortly, but aren't too different from past years:

  • must be shots from the WEST side of Hwy #41, preferably on or near one of the lakes
  • amateurs only
  • picture should be identified with full date & time, (if not in the 'EXIF' digital photo data), and photographer's name and address and / or email
  • prints can be submitted to: 22 Jennifer Crescent, Sharon, ON, L0G 1V0 and will be returned promptly after scanning
  • send digital entries to photocontest@skootamatta.ca or use the ! Submit Stuff ! link.
  • no formal categories, but feel free to send along your own caption and description for use in the Gallery
  • all entries are assumed to be in the public domain and may be used / published / re-distributed in good faith by the SDRA without restriction.
  • contest closes Thanksgiving weekend with winners to be announced in November

New Director Elected

New Director Gord Birnie has joined the SDRA Board. Gord has already been involved with Lake Steward Rosemary Teed and the FOSSP Lake Management Planning committee and will be the 'go-to' guy for the 3rd phase of this program - developing a draft Lake Management Plan.


Historic 'Four Lake' Meeting

Arranged by Director Jim Oborne, representatives from Mazinaw, Sheldrake, Skootamatta and Weslemkoon met on Friday, May 21, 2010, in Denbigh, for an initial exchange of ideas about issues common to, (mainly seasonal resident), ratepayers. (Ashby Lake, and others, may also participate in future meetings). Discussions included:

  • Lake Management Planning. Skootamatta representatives provided copies of the 2009 SDRA survey to the other lake associations. Weslemkoon has a similar survey currently in progress. The Mazinaw Property Owners Association (MPOA) is considering a similar project. It is hoped that ideas from these efforts, (i.e. individual Lake Management Plans), would eventually be incorporated into the Official Plans of the various municipalities, (the Addington Highlands Official Plan is due for review in 2011).
  • Logging and Forest Management. Residents on Skootamatta, Sheldrake and Mazinaw are quite concerned about Mazinaw Lanark Forest Inc's plans for logging. Areas around Weslemkoon have had logging activity over the past several years with generally good co-operation from the MNR and minimal complaints from residents. (Logging did not occur directly on any lake shoreline). The other lakes may be able to build upon the good relations that the Lake Weslemkoon Conservation Association (LWCA) has established with the MNR. Residents on Mazinaw successfully negotiated mitigation of logging activity adjacent to their lake some years ago.
  • Liason with Township council(s). The majority of cottages on Weslemkoon are water-access, so their members have not had as much contact, (i.e. regarding services), with the Addington Highlands Township Council as the other associations, (MPOA deals with North Frontenac). LWCA was encouraged to send a representative to future AH council meetings.
  • Preparation of a common questionaire for candidates and/or town hall meetings for the municipal elections this fall. There was broad agreement that issues affecting waterfront / seasonal ratepayers are similar in many municipalities. A joint effort by the lake associations would help to make these concerns more visible as 'election issues'. Both Addington Highlands and North Frontenac township councils are apparently aware that the four lake associations will be in consultation regarding the forthcoming elections.

The Skootamatta group, (which included several SDRA Directors), rated the meeting as "very productive", and better than most had expected. Maybe the 'silent majority' of seasonal ratepayers across the area is finally going to develop an effective voice for matters that directly affect them.


New    Website

Tourism remains a major component in the ecomomies of many eastern Ontario townships, including Addington Highlands. The Land O' Lakes Tourist Association represents businesses and organizations over much of southeastern Ontario - from Belleville to Carleton Place. Check out their new website, especially the handy calendar of events, covering the whole region.


Mazinaw Lanark Forest Inc. 'Open House' Meeting - Saturday, June 12

A notice in the print media this week confirms the details of this 'Information Session' presentation by the company, (as already communicated to the SDRA by the MLFI office in Cloyne - see earlier article, now moved to the archives).

Members with a valid email address on file have already received an email Bulletin. Director Bill Garnish is busy compiling a similar hardcopy mailing to members not on the Internet.


Low Water Levels

Low snowfall this winter and un-characteristic dry spring weather have left lakes and rivers in eastern Ontario well below normal levels and flow rates. Lake Steward Rosemary Teed has been in contact with Quinte Conservation. Hydrologist Brian Keene reports that: "On April 12, the 10th log was placed at the dam. Logs at Skootamatta are placed to maintain a water elevation based on the gauge reading. The Operating Plan states 3.2 m on the gauge is target level. 3.3 m on gauge is highest summer level and 3.1 m on gauge is lowest summer level. Gauge level was 3.19 m on April 12." (i.e. already below the nominal target summer level)!

Quinte were considering adding the 11th log to the dam, (to raise lake level into the nominal summer range - IF there was significant rainfall). No monsoons yet, though, (through the 1st week of May). The Conservation Authority tries to maintain a flow of approx. 5 ft3/sec below the dam, just to maintain river habitats, but things are difficult all over the Moira watershed this spring. Rosemary goes on to relate "The flow rate in the Moira at this time of year averages 111 ft3/sec. This year the flow is 20 ft3/sec." Monitored wells are low and water usage restrictions are a distinct possiblity in many areas.

Quinte Conservation is considering placing a water level gauge in Skootamatta Lake to monitor the water levels accurately in the lake as well as the dam gauge. This would be a useful tool to provide factual data year over year, season over season about lake levels.

Bottom line? It might be a good idea to put water intake lines and docks out a little bit farther than 'normal' this year.


Municipal Enumeration

There is still time to add your name to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) 2010 Preliminary List of Electors. This list is the basis for the final Voters Lists that will be used in the 2010 municipal elections across the province. Registered property owners should have already received an MPAC confirmation notice in the mail by now. If you haven't, you can call or mail in the information neccessary to get your name on their 2010 Preliminary List of Electors.

After June 1st, you will still be able get your name on the Voters List by contacting the Township of Addington Highlands directly. Details of this process will be available after the township passes the bylaw necessary to enable 'distance voting', (via telephone and the internet), in the 2010 election.


Yard Sale

The new owners of the former 'Loon Lake Lodge' property are cleaning house. Many items may be of interest to members. For more details, see the "For Sale" link in the Marketplace.


'Distance' Voting approved for 2010 Municipal elections in AH

Addington Highlands has passed a resolution to contract the service provider, (Intellivote), used successfully in the 2006 elections, for telephone and Internet voting. This is great news for all ratepayers, particularly seasonal residents, who account for the majority of residential tax revenue in Addington Highlands. Cottage properties often have ownership split amongst (sometimes multi-generational) family members and thus often represent more votes than 'single-family' urban residences.

Enumeration notices will not be sent out until August, but you can check with the township before this to confirm that your nameS are on the Voters List. In simple terms, if you're over eighteen AND a fulltime resident OR a property owner / spouse of a property owner, you're eligible to vote.

Your name must be on the Voters List to obtain, (via mail), an individual PIN number - required to vote either via telephone or the internet.


Spring Mailing

Members should have recently received a hefty package of SDRA information in the mail. It includes:

The quality and quantity of this information represents a lot of dedicated effort by your Directors and committee members and compares favorably with much larger, established associations in the other parts of the province.

Members:  Please supply complete information when renewing your SDRA membership. (It helps us keep organized, and allows the Association to contact you privately, if necessary). Please help 'spread the word', too, about the SDRA to any new neighbours.


F.O.S.S.P. Volunteers needed ...

The Friends of Skootamatta, Sheldrake & Pringle, (the Lake Management Plan committee of the SDRA), is looking for additional volunteers to continue its ambitious program developing a comprehensive Lake Management Plan. Please consider active participation with this committee, that is already working long and hard to conserve and protect our lake environment.

A new F.O.S.S.P. News link has also been added to the right panel 'Quick Links' - so you can easily keep up-to-date with the progress of this very important and active group. Click the link above, or the 'Quick Link' to learn more.





"If you go down to the woods today ..."

"You're in for a big surprise". Well ... maybe... Although there is still the occasional bear picnic, you're just as likely to encounter some kind of forestry operation by humans.

Crown lands over a wide area, including the entire Skootamatta district, are referred to as the Mazinaw Lanark Forest (1.2 mB). This large forest resource area is managed by one private company - Mazinaw Lanark Forest Inc. (MLFI), operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). MLFI is the leaseholder, with rights to harvest timber across the entire area. MLFI shareholders are small and medium-sized logging and mill operators in the area. These companies bid for specific stands of crown timber - a public, renewable resource. The MLFI consortium provides the planning expertise and logistical support neccessary for their shareholders to comply with MNR regulations.

MNR regulations governing timber harvesting on crown lands have evolved over decades and are exhaustive. Detailed plans, both long term and annual, must be submitted for Ministry approval before any work can begin. All info filed by MLFI with the MNR is available on the MNR Forest Management website. Allowable harvesting methods, re-planting, construction/closure of access roads and water crossings, protection of known bird nesting sites and other species etc. etc. are all covered in great detail. The planning process also stipulates mandatory input from and information presentations to the public (245 kB). The MNR does not currently require forest management companies to provide any information to stakeholders electronically, (i.e. via email or public internet access). The SDRA will be petitioning the MNR to update their requirements - to better inform seasonal property owners.

In many areas of the province, forestry operations continue pretty much 'under the radar'. Forest growth (and managed harvesting), is, after all, a long-term process. Operations near human habitation, though, always have a potential for conflict.

The MNR-approved 2010-2011 MLFI Approved Work Schedule (AWS), (2.6 mB) includes operations that will be evident to residents in and around the lakes ... notably harvesting on the south-east shore of Sheldrake (1.3 mB), (un-confirmed), and 2 tracts west of Skootamatta in the vicinity of Grimsthorpe Lake. These operations will put logging trucks on the Hughes Landing Road. CAUTION ADVISED. Logging trucks are BIG and don't manouver like an ATV. They DO have the right-of-way. Other minor operations are scheduled on the west side of the narrows and adjacent to the Skootamatta River south of the causeway.

The SDRA is working to develop a better awareness of MLFI and its operations in the district. Mazinaw Lanark Forest Inc. will be presenting a public information session outlining their proposed 5 Year (2011-2016) Plan, (for MNR approval by Spring 2011), on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the old Barrie Town Hall in Cloyne. Interested members are encouraged to attend. A rough map and guide to potential future harvesting (250 kb) around the lakes has already been provided by the MLFI office in Cloyne.


Revisions to the SDRA Constitution

... will be put forward for approval by the full membership at the July 2010 AGM. Members will be receiving a complete booklet with full detail of all the proposed changes enclosed with the Spring newsletter. You can also view the information package here.

Update - 30 April

It would seem obvious that the Board should be able to arrange Board Meetings. Ooopps. This was missed in the original update package. An additional section is being proposed for Article 8 to correct this:

Article 8, Section 6

"Regular meetings of the Board of Directors of the Association are held as determined by a majority of such Directors at a prior meeting. Special meetings of the Board are at the call of the President, another Officer or any 3 Directors, with a majority of the Board consenting by e-mail or telephone."


CLOTHING ORDERS NO LONGER ACCEPTED

The final date for Clothing Orders has now passed. Thank you to all who took advantage of this offer and will be prouduly wearing their Skootamatta apparel this summer. All items will be available for pickup at the July 3rd AGM. (Please have another member or someone else attending the meeting pick up your order if you are unable to attend).

NOTE: There will be a limited selection of hats and caps available at the AGM. You can also pick up some of those handy, re-useable tote bags offered last year.


KFL&A HEALTH confirms inpection status to AH Township

Responding to a request from the SDRA, Addington Highlands council has provided a copy of a letter received from Dr. Gemmill of the KFL&A Health Unit regarding septic inspections. The letter appears to be identical to the one already received directly by SDRA Lake Steward Rosemary Teed, (see earlier posting below). The Frontenac News has also run a summary of the issue, which acknowledges actions by the SDRA.


Good News - Bad News

Our spies on the lake, (Cathy Hook, Rosemary Teed & Karen Stacey), report that the ice came off this past (Easter) weekend, following our run of un-seasonably warm March weather across most of Eastern Canada. Good news is that the birds, (Cathy reports Phoebes, Merlin & Common Mergansers), are back too. Bad news is that so are the bugs, (including early mosquitoes according to Karen).


Issue of Inspections/Permits for New Septic Systems Resolved

Lake Steward Rosemary Teed has received confirmation of a resolution passed by the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox &Addington Board of Health. The KFL&A Health Unit will continue to inspect and issue permits for new septic system installations in Addington Highlands and other municipalities on a "fee-for-service" basis.  This is good news, both for area residents and AH council, (who would have had to provide the service by some other means if not continued by the KFL&A Health Unit).

In the letter, Dr. Gemmill advises that "...fees for this program will increase in this area to the levels that are charged in other areas of the province". This needs some clarification. Although there have been recent retirements within the KFL&A Health Unit and the Ministry of Health has increased inspection requirements for drinking water systems under the new Clean Water Act, part of the KFL&A Health Unit's operating budget has always come from its annual levies on the municipalities they serve. In addition, inspection fees in other municipalities with larger population densities, (i.e. where inspections are carried out by one or more Building Officials already on staff), obviously benefit from economies of scale - and are perhaps already lower than what KFL&A has charged in the past?

The Executive will continue to monitor this issue, as well as the increasing public interest in some sort of province-wide inspection program for existing septic systems.


$500 Grant from Addington Highlands Township

A sincere "Thank-You" to AH municipal council, who voted, at their last meeting, to act on a previous request from the SDRA for funding to assist the Association's initiative to develop a Lake Management Plan. Lake Steward, Rosemary Teed, had made the request at a council meeting last fall.

This funding will significantly assist the FOSSP Lake Plan committee with publication and distribution of the results from the 2009 SDRA survey of residents' knowledge and opinions. The survey will be a key element in the development of the final Lake Management Plan - a document that should benefit the entire community in determining how to best manage and preserve the character of the area over the coming years.


Skootamatta Signature Clothing Returns !

Clothing sales return this year with New Items, New Colours and Lower Prices !.   All members will be receiving a flyer in the mail shortly.  Full details, including additional order forms are available here, or via the "Skoot Clothing" Marketplace link.

Don't delay in ordering some of these fine quality items for yourself, or as gifts !


We're Gonna Miss 'Ya!

It is with real sadness that we have to report that health concerns have forced long-time SDRA Director Lynn Garnish to withdraw her candidacy for Addington Highlands township council in the fall municipal elections. Lynn has also decided to resign from the SDRA Board of Directors to concentrate on regaining her health.

As a 'volunteer-a-holic', (both at the lake and at home), Lynn worked tirelessly over a 17 year span to help build and promote the Association - from taking minutes, to keeping the books, to keeping membership lists and pulling in new members, to editing and publishing newsletters, to looking after insurance and filing government documents, selling fireworks tickets, etc. etc. The list goes on and on . Lynn did it all - virtually single-handedly for many years. The Association owes her a tremendous debt for bringing, and keeping, lake residents together to focus on important issues - as well as just plain having a bit of fun.

The Board of Directors, on behalf SDRA members past and present, wish Lynn a speedy and complete recovery. We prescribe more time at the lake!! Our sincerest thanks for your huge contribution over the years


(Ottawa) Cottage Show, April 9-11

Anyone planning to attend is welcome to take advantage of the 'two-for-one' admission offer extended to the SDRA by the show's promoter. Too bad Cottage Life isn't using this marketing technique for its bi-annual shows, too.


time machine

Jump into the Time Machine !

... and travel 'way back more than half a century. Enjoy the 1955 letter to (all 20 !) members of the 'Greater Loon Lake Association' announcing big news about road construction and a permanent concrete dam to replace the deteriorating wooden one that had already been in place for many years. It would have been interesting to see just how far the water level was taken down to allow construction during that summer ... likely not one of the Greater years for water sports of any kind !

Thanks to Doug Jones for submitting this treasure.


Boredom is NOT Allowed

The EVENTS menus have been filled with important dates for SDRA and local happenings, along with some interesting day trip possibilities ... everything we could scour up this early in the season ... so you can plan well in advance. If there is anything YOU think would be interesting for members, please pass it along.

[Cottagers: The highly successful 'Doors Open Ontario' program, co-sponsored by the Ontario Heritage Trust runs all year in cities across the province. Check the complete list for sites close to home, too. In many cases these are 'once-a-year' free opportunities to learn, (often with knowledgeable guides), about wonderful historical buildings.]


Marketplace is open

With the frost already coming out of the ground, why not get an early start on locating essential stuff you'll be needing over the summer, as well as stuff you want to sell, or just essentially get rid of, (give away). Use the ! Submit Stuff ! upload link to send in your postings for everyone to see in the Marketplace.


We've been busy !

We are blessed to currently have a group of very keen and hard-working Directors looking after members' interests. Directors' meetings have, for some time, included representation via teleconference and meetings are held throughout the year - not just in 'cottage season'.

Issues fresh from the March 6 executive meeting agenda that you'll likely hear more about over the coming weeks:

  • Publication of the results and feedback from the 2009 Lake Management Planning Survey
  • Signature clothing sales - a range of colours and styles for both adults and kids for 2010
  • Proposed changes to our constitution to better define how the SDRA operates
  • Lots of activity by the Friends of Skootamatta, Sheldrake & Pringle, (the SDRA Lake Management Plan committee), including grant applications to external agencies for funding assistance to develop a comprehensive Lake Management Plan
  • Our largest newsletter ever !
  • A 'Welcome Committee' to introduce the SDRA to new ratepayers around the lakes
  • On-going monitoring of local property issues - MNR Forest Managament plans, septic system inspections, development on Wolfe Creek, beaches, boat launches & campsites - liason with custodians of private roads
  • An expanded water-testing program
  • Erection and maintenance of permanent kiosks and signage at Trails' End and Hughes Landing Road
  • Establishing liason with neighbouring lake associations to determine seasonal residents' role in the fall municipal elections
  • Joint project with the Cloyne & District Historical Society to collect and preserve histories of habitation on the lakes (the website ! Submit Stuff ! function is already open 24/7)

LOTS of important activity!   So ... "A $50 SDRA membership is money well spent." (anonymous ;-)


Elections in the Fall ...

Municipal elections will be held in late October, 2010. The SDRA is planning to put considerable effort into informing and convincing constituents, (especially seasonal property owners), about the importance of exercising their votes. Voting by telephone and via the internet makes it practical for ALL ratepayers, (especially seasonal residents), to cast their ballots.

[Electronic ('distance') voting has not yet been widely implemented above the municipal level due to security concerns. It is, however, a critical component in rural municipalities like Addington Highlands, where the majority of residential tax revenue, (95% of total tax revenue in AH), comes from seasonal (cottage) property owners, whose primary residence is OUTSIDE the township. Without electronic voting, these seasonal residents would remain, (as they were, up until the 2006 election), essentially dis-enfranchised - due to the requirement to travel to the township, in uncertain late fall weather, to vote in person.]


Thanks Heather !

Our thanks and best wishes to Heather Machan for her many contributions as a member of the SDRA Executive.


Hydro One Responds ...

A response has been received from the utility in response to the SDRA's letter of concern following the extended power outages suffered by lake and area residents resulting from the Boxing Day ice conditions and subsequent snowfalls. Hopefully the recent appearance of trucks and snowmobiles in the area signals a heightened awareness by Hydro One of the risks posed by the infrequent brushing of their lines. The six day power outage experienced by some families in the area was an un-acceptable level of service and almost certainly would have been shorter if hdyro line right-of-ways had been better maintained.


Search Skoot   

You can now search the entire website for information using the little search box added at the top of the right panel on most webpages. Results are displayed on a separate page that enables you to continue searching. Search results include text contained in all Adobe® 'pdf' documents, as well as regular Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) pages and other common document formats. Searches also capture text in titles, (captions), of photos in the Gallery, although the Gallery includes its own Search function, (in the pullout menu at the left top corner of each image page), that allows more detailed searching based on (hidden) keywords attached to each image.

One of the major reasons for adding Search Skoot is that the website is steadily becoming the 'public archive' of the SRDA. Old newsletters and other interesting documents are being scanned and converted to 'pdf' format, (most recent addition is the 2001 Newsletter). If YOU find something you think might be of interest, PLEASE consider sharing it with us.

Other minor changes ...

  • modern browsers all have the capability to re-size webpages, (i.e. to enlarge text for the visually-impaired), so this feature has been removed from individual webpages
  • the ARCHIVES menu structure has been re-organized by decade

We will continue to refine Search Skoot, including re-naming of existing files - to make search results as clear as possible. Contact the webmaster with any comments, or if you have problems searching.


Family Matters

Past newsletters have included interesting articles about some of the 'senior' families on the lake(s). We're always on the lookout for stories about (family) history in the area. Every family has interesting tales to tell, and if enough material can be found, there is the possibility of publishing a small book as a permanent 'history' of the lake(s). The Cloyne Historical Society has agreed to participate in the project.

Maybe YOUR family already has, or is compiling a journal about 'the cottage'. We've already un-covered stories about old hunting camps, winter ice-cutting, (for summer 'ice-boxes'), etc. and would love to hear more. You can ! Submit Stuff ! directly, or contact any of the Directors.


Elections in the Fall ...

Municipal elections will be held in October. The SDRA is planning to put a lot of effort into informing and convincing constituents, (especially seasonal property owners), about the importance of exercising their votes. Voting by telephone and via the internet now makes it easy for ALL ratepayers, (especially seasonal residents), to cast their ballots.

Congratulations to our own Lynn Garnish, long time SDRA member and Director, who has registered as a candidate for Addington Highlands Council in Ward 2, (which includes the Skootamatta district).


Septic System Inspections - Still Bubbling

Dr. Ian Gemmill, Medical Officer of Health for the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Health Unit addressed county council on this issue - in response to concerns raised by municipalities, including Addington Highlands. AH was one of several municipalities to formally complain to KFL&A Health about any proposed withdrawl of exisitng inspection services, (due, in part, to an extensive campaign by our own Lake Steward, Rosemary Teed ). While there has been no official communication regarding the discussions at the Jan 13th meeting of KFL&A Health with the municipalities, (attended by the part-time Chief Building Official from AH), it appears that there was sufficient resistance to convince the Health Unit to re-consider, or at least delay, their planned action - allowing municipalities time to make alternative arrangements for this important service to residents. On a positive note, Dr. Gemmill recognized the possibility of local Conservation Authorities eventually taking over the service - a solution endorsed by the SDRA.

More details ... as reported in the Frontenac News

On the hot topic of septic system RE-inspections, Central Frontenac is taking a different tack from their neighbours in North Frontenac, by proposing a by-law that would make property owners, themselves, responsible for having their systems 'inspected' every five years. No mention of details about inspection 'standards' or the qualifications / certification requirementes for 'inspectors'. (North Frontenac already has has a by-law for 'voluntary' inspections of existing septic systems). More ...


Letter to Hydro One

Extended power outages, like that experienced after the local ice and snow storm right after Christmas, could easily happen again if power lines are not brushed adequately. The SDRA has sent a letter outlining concern to the utility. Read here ...


Loon Lake Lodge

This commercially-zoned property has been sold to private buyers - two families. Apparently they plan to divide the property and reside there either as cottagers or full-time residents.


Looking Ahead ...

Your Directors held a very productive full day meeting the first week in January. Organization is well underway for association activities in 2010.

Municipal elections will be held in October. There is much effort ahead to inform and convince constituents, (especially seasonal property owners), about the importance of exercising their votes. Congratulations to our own Lynn Garnish, long time SDRA member and Director, who has already registered as a candidate for Addington Highlands Council in Ward 2, (which includes the Skootamatta district).



skoot_road

'Quiet' Ice Storm

The warm front that produced nasty freezing drizzle just after Christmas, (followed by several moderate snowfalls), brought a lot of grief to district residents and holiday visitors. Fortunately, winds were not a complicating factor. The picture above, is courtesy of the Frontenac News, who gave the story front page coverage. Tree branches just kept snapping over power and communication lines. Power was out in some areas of the district for as much as six days, although telephone service seemed to fare much better. (Thanks to Bell for bringing in a generator to support the 'repeater' box at Trail's End which serves much of the Lake area).

Residents in rural areas across the province naturally don't expect 'urban' levels of services, but the length of this disruption has everyone thinking about how to prevent events of this severity in the future. While Hydro crews worked diligently for many hours, there would have been far fewer line breaks if right-of-ways had been adequately 'brushed', (cleared of overhanging tree limbs), during the summer. The SDRA will be making this point in a letter to Hydro One. Unfortunately, too, as more and more development occurs around the lakes, the number of residents requesting 'No Spray', (the yellow 'NS' signs on hydro poles), on or near their properties forces the utility to come in and manually remove brush and limbs - obviously more costly than de-foliant spraying used elsewhere.

Just because you reside near or at the end of a line shouldn't mean that your level of service is lower than anyone else, however when it comes to restoring power, crews obviously have to get major circuits, (serving multiple customers), back in service before moving on to smaller lines and individual connections. It certainly is great motivation to investigate alternate energy sources and 'Get off the grid' to whatever extent possible, (or at least have a reliable 'Plan B' if power and communication services are critical requirements).


Inspections and Permits for New Septic Systems

Thanks, in part, to the tireless efforts of our Lake Steward, Rosemary Teed, (that precipitated official letters from two municipalities), the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health Unit is to meet with CAO's / Clerks of all (8) municipalities that will be affected by the agency's proposal to withdraw its current inspection services of new septic system installations. The meeting is scheduled for January 13th.

The SDRA has requested to be informed of any decisions taken by the group. So far, there has been no response to the SDRA request for full public consultation regarding replacing the current KFL&A services.

Hopefully the SDRA recommendations for resolution will be actively considered at the meeting.


Canadian Biodiversity

Although not a part of the federal government, this important web-based project, (funded by the Museums Asistance Program of Heritage Canada), has been added as a permanent link in the website menu system under LINKS\governments\Canada\Canadian Biodiversity. Implemented by the Redpath Museum at McGill University in Montreal, the website provides clear, scientific information about the need for maintaining our biodiversity, as well as a huge amount of well-organized supporting material about our native species. There is also a large collection of links to other materials, complete with notations regarding difficulty - from acedemic papers to articles for the general public. A handy reference itself, and a great starting point when trying to identify new flora or fauna around the cottage.


Directors Meeting January 9th

SDRA Directors will be meeting in early January. A full-day agenda includes the usual event planning & organizational issues, as well as discussions and planning of SDRA involvment in wider community issues, (e.g. Township AHEAD committee, Lake Management Plan development, septic system inspection and permits etc.).

Members wishing to raise specific issues can contact any of the Directors. Remember, too, that the ! Submit Stuff ! link at the top right of the page is just waiting for your input of 'stuff' to share with others on the website.


Directors Meeting January 9th

SDRA Directors will be meeting in early January. A full-day agenda includes the usual event planning & organizational issues, as well as discussions and planning of SDRA involvment in wider community issues, (e.g. Township AHEAD committee, Lake Management Plan development, septic system inspection and permits etc.).

Members wishing to raise specific issues can contact any of the Directors. Remember, too, that the ! Submit Stuff ! link at the top right of the page is just waiting for your input of 'stuff' to share with others on the website.


More SDRA archival information now available ...

After a major re-organization of material, (previously stuffed into the electronic equivalent of a closet full of old shoe boxes), the ARCHIVE item on the Main Menu now boasts /News and /Events sections going back to the startup of skootamatta.ca in late 2006. While there were attempts to use the internet as a communication tool, (www.skootamatta.com), with / for members as early as 2001, things didn't get really rolling until several years later.

Work on the ARCHIVE section will now shift to scanning as many older paper documents, (mostly old (Newsletter) mailings to SDRA members), as we can uncover. Please let the webmaster know if you come across any treasures that should be shared.


HNY 2010 New_Old Years

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