Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph Neighbours,
The lake ice is out. The marina webcams (Gordon Bay & Hamer Bay) are showing a couple boats already in the water. It's starting to feel like summer is just around the corner. Last summer’s survey responses have been driving our LJNA Board plans for 2021. Your indicated a strong vote of confidence for the work of the Board. Thank you! No surprise there was a high opinion of our water quality, and there were really positive views on our community and cottage experience. However, there were concerns expressed in several areas including: safe boating, dark skies, and balanced development. You can read a summary of the results here. In response, we are launching a couple of new initiatives this summer and are looking to add some fresh faces to bolster our programs. Full details are below. In particular, there are a few spots on our lake where members have highlighted serious concerns on boating safety. Safe Quiet Lakes has been working on some new tools to help (signs, buoys, targeted communication). We are pulling together a small group to work with Safe Quiet Lakes to foster a conversation on solutions. Please reach out to me at info@ljna.org to learn more and with any ideas. We appreciate you, our members, for your interest in Lake Joe North and your contribution to ensuring quality of life for all in this beautiful part of our world. Wishing you a safe and happy spring. Nancy Cohen, LJNA President |
|
|
Lake Joe was a skating rink two weeks ago but the ice has been slowly disappearing. Everyone must be so ready for cottage season! With all of Ontario back in Covid lockdown, no doubt we wonder what this summer will be like. Regardless of the disruption Covid continues to cause, the LJNA keeps on working behind the scenes for things that matter to all of us in North Lake Joe, as evidenced in this E-News. For example, we are already planning our AGM that will take place on Saturday morning, July 31, live or virtual, to inform you of the Board's activities and accomplishments during the past year, and current issues of importance. Watch for more information, and for the famous dock drop of the LJNA Annual Newsletter, no doubt the highlight of your summer reading! |
|
|
The Fireboat is coming in 2021! |
|
|
|
|
We have completed our goal, raising a total of $204,000 for our Fireboat!
What a great accomplishment! |
|
Thank you to the fundraising team and to the many generous cottagers on Lake Joseph North!
Approval for the purchase of a Fireboat for LJNA was passed by Seguin Township in January and an order for a suitable boat has been placed with Stanley Boats. Because of supply issues the boat will not be available until late summer. Once we are within 3-4 weeks of boat delivery the Seguin Fire Department will order the fire and safety equipment to go onboard. We are starting to plan launch and recognition events for the Fireboat. Let me know if you would like to help out! Diana Piquette LJNA Board, Fireboat Project Lead |
|
|
|
|
Volunteers For Summer 2021
Volunteers bring fresh ideas and perspectives to our work. Interested? Contact Nancy Cohen at info@ljna.org or the one of the directors listed below.
|
|
|
Water Testing: LJNA has supported the MLA ‘s water testing program for many years. Volunteers share the testing of 4 sites 4 times over the summer. Each spring, the MLA organizes training workshops to prepare the volunteers. Contact Alex Magditsch if you want to learn more or are interested in helping out this summer.
Benthic Monitoring: Help monitor the benthic microinvertebrates in our lake. About five volunteers are needed for about three hours once or twice this summer along with one person who will act as a lead for the project. It is a fun and educational activity for people of all ages. We can offer volunteer hours for high school students. If you would like to have some fun looking for bugs in the mud, please contact Alex Magditsch.
Note: The COVID situation is creating some uncertainty about the testing programs this summer. We are hoping both programs are able to proceed safely as ongoing data collection is so important for monitoring lake health. Municipal Affairs: Are you passionate about land planning and municipal issues? Bring your knowledge and participate in a small committee of the Board to monitor Seguin Council activities and land management policies. Contact James Buchanan for more info. |
|
Dock Drop: Help to deliver the LJNA Annual Newsletter in early July. A perfect opportunity for a slow-motion boat ride through your neighbourhood and to meet your neighbours. Contact Blair Sinclair for more info.
Website: Help to expand content on our website. A great opportunity for writers to contribute to our community and help the LJNA build online resources in our areas of focus. Technical expertise is helpful but not required. Please reach out to Nancy Cohen.
AGM Coordinator: Help organize our very popular AGM planned for the August Long weekend. We are hoping for a combination of in person and online this year. The volunteer(s) will help with the logistics to ensure a safe and informative event. Please reach out to Nancy Cohen.
Fireboat Celebrations: We are starting to discuss launch and recognition events for the Fireboat. Please let Diana Piquette know if you would like to help out with this.
Boating and Safety: We are pulling together a small group to work with Safe Quiet Lakes to foster a conversation on solutions to safety concerns on our lake. Please reach out to Nancy Cohen. |
|
|
|
|
Send us photos! People, places, events from this part of Muskoka from any and all decades. Include dates, names and location, and the story behind the photo if you know it. We hope to put together a photo history of the area. |
|
|
Flood Watch 2021 The Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) Flood Watch 2021 reported that the water level on Lake Joseph was 4” lower than last year. Since then they have reported that, with recent mild temperatures and significant rainfall, the lake levels are rising rapidly. This is echoed in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) bulletin that states that while flooding is not expected, caution should be used near water due to rising levels. |
|
|
Same view March 22 and April 3, 2021
|
|
|
FOCA's Shoreline Owner's Guide to Healthy Waterfronts While on the topic of water, the Federation of Cottage Association (FOCA) recommends A Shoreline Owner's Guide to Healthy Waterfronts for newcomers to cottaging. This 20-page reference guide looks like a read we all should take a look at with titles like “What is a Watershed?," “Native Plant Gardening,” and “All About Algae.” Download your copy here. |
|
|
Changes to Your Hydro One Bill Many of you no doubt noticed the letter from Hydro One in a recent electricity bill. Changes to the way rates are calculated were mandated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) in September 2020. Seasonal residents will no longer be charged according to the Seasonal Rate Class, but will fall into one of three categories: Low, Medium or High Density. Most of us on Lake Joe will be assigned to the Low Density (R2) class, resulting in a roughly 20% electricity cost increase. There are still some steps until the rates are finalized including a ruling on how quickly Hydro One should phase in the new rates, January 1, 2022 or later. You can learn more about the upcoming OEB hearing, voice your comments and access related documents here. The Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations (FOCA) has been advocating on behalf of seasonal residents since these changes were first contemplated in 2015. Their updates can be found here. Cottage Life online published a good overview of the issue as well. |
|
|
Seguin Issues Notices to Stop Short Term Cottage Rentals
Seguin Township issued a media release on short term rentals lastt week. It reads in part: “The Township of Seguin has begun issuing notices to property owners who are violating the Township Zoning By-law by offering short term cottage rentals (STCR). Seguin Council has addressed this matter on several occasions in recent months and township staff has initiated a process of contacting property owners and operators of STCR’s to advise them to cease their operations".
You can view the entire release on the Seguin website and further background information on the issue here.
The LJNA has been actively participating in public consultation on this issue. You can read our most recent letter to the town here. |
|
|
Seguin Finance Committee: Who We Are and What We Do
I have been a member of Seguin Township’s Finance Committee for several years. This committee of six volunteers from the community has a mandate to provide financial advice and recommendations to Council and staff regarding the Township’s finances, by reviewing the annual draft budget, and carrying out special projects, for example reviewing the Township’s donation and purchasing policies. Our committee has consistently advocated for minimum property tax rate increases - 0.5% increase for 2021, the lowest in decades! - still ensuring services are efficiently provided to ratepayers in accordance with our Official Plan, and that adequate reserves are maintained to cover the cost of large known future projects and unforeseen events.
I am happy, excited and honoured to be able to give back to our community in this manner, and have met many interesting and enjoyable residents of Seguin Township through this opportunity. There are a number of committees serving the Township that seek volunteers. Reach out to the Township’s office to find one that piques your interest.
Craig Reith, LJNA member |
|
|
|
|
If you haven' already, take the ICECAP* carbon calculator survey. The data will be used for local climate action and energy plans. *Integrated Community Energy and Climate Action Plans. The ICECAP is a partnership between several of the Municipalities (including Seguin) and First Nations located in the Georgian Bay Biosphere region. |
|
|
|
International Dark Sky Week 2021 April 5 to 12
Dark Skies were a concern highlighted in our survey. The International Dark Skies Association is working towards solutions. Their website is full of useful and interesting information. Take a moment this week to enjoy the darkest sky of the year and the brightest stars and to learn how to preserve the views of our beautiful Lake Joe night skies. |
|
|
The Lake Joseph North Association (LJNA) represents the interests of shoreline residents on the Seguin section of Lake Joseph, including Portage Lake.
The E-News is published on a regular basis to keep Lake Joe residents and LJNA members
informed of items of importance and interest to them.
Editor: Karen McCullough, LJNA member
Contact us at info@ljna.org
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe at any time
|
|
|
|
