Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph Neighbours,
I am writing from Toronto, where the cardinals are out and a warm wind is blowing up from the south. Judging by the webcam at Hamer Bay Marine and news from neighbours, its still quite wintery on Lake Joe and colder weather will be back for the long weekend. |
|
|
This mid-winter enews brings news on the long delayed Official Plan revision, updates on municipal activities from Terry Fellner, and some links with news in the community and from likeminded organizations. A big news item on North Lake Joe, is the announcement of the sale of Gordon Bay Marine to Maple Leaf Marinas. I caught up with Bruce Hatherley at the Toronto Boat Show and heard about some of his retirement plans. Bruce, has been so generous to the community and to the LJNA over the years. Congratulations and Thank you! We look forward to continuing to work with Ben and the new owners. |
|
|
A highlight of winters in Seguin is the annual Sled Dog Mail Run. The 38th annual event will be held next weekend on February 25th. The organizers are excited that the event is back in full swing with 12 Sled Dog teams attending and a full day of activities planned. The LJNA is proud to be a supporter of this community event. See below for more information.
The board is starting to turn our attention to summer planning. Do you have any idea for a new program? Or want to contribute to our Lake Joe community? Please be in touch at info@ljna.org. We’d love to have your ideas at the table.
Wishing you a wonderful Family Day weekend!
Warm regards,
Nancy Cohen, President |
|
|
Seguin Official Plan Review - Update
The first steering committee meeting for the Seguin official plan review was held on June 15, 2020. James Buchanan, a LJNA director has been part of that committee and has reported progress and challenges along the way. The last report from James suggested that the review was almost complete and that a final draft would be available to provide the specifics from which a survey of members could be drafted. Unfortunately, the draft received by the consultants was not implementable in the opinion of Seguin planning staff. The consultants are no longer involved and the planning staff are committed to a major overhaul. They will reformat the plan back into the structure of the current plan and thus will make it much easier to compare the old and new plans. The steering committee has essentially been disbanded and will not meet again. However, steering committee members will have a chance to react to the next draft individually before it goes to the public. We have been assured by the Mayor, the City Administrator, and the head of planning that our input over the previous two and a half years will be reflected in the new draft where possible. Given the history of this project, we will refrain from suggesting what the next steps and timing will be. Stay tuned ! James Buchanan, Director – Municipal Affairs
|
|
|
LJNA Wants You!
Would you like to stay connected to Lake Joe over the winter? In addition to helping to keep our lake beautiful, one of the great joys of volunteering is meeting and learning from the other members of our community. Some of the opportunities include writing or editing the summer newsletter, helping to organize the AGM, keeping an eye on Council activities, benthic and water quality testing, ... We are also interested in organizing new activities such as nature walks, hikes, rides, cruises or paddles. We always welcome your ideas and participation!
Contact Nancy at info@ljna.org for more information. |
|
|
Congratulations and best wishes to the new Seguin Township Council, and to Ward 4 Councillor Terry Fellner and Mayor Ann MacDiarmid – both acclaimed for a second term. And welcome to Greg Getty, the new councillor for Ward 3 at the north end of the lake. We look forward to continuing to work with you for the benefit of the Lake Joe North and Township.
|
|
|
Seguin Update from Councillor Terry Fellner |
|
|
It seems like the New Year started only days ago but we are into the middle of February, the sun is much longer and stronger and we are rapidly approaching spring. I would like to thank everyone for the support last year allowing me to return to a second term as your Ward 4 Councillor. A great many initiatives and projects were started during my first term in office, and I am pleased to be allowed to continue for another term and see most of these completed. |
|
|
We have been working hard on the new proposed Shoreline Development Bylaw, as of last week I was advised that a draft bylaw will be presented by staff to council at the March meeting for councils review. With the implementation of this bylaw which will incorporate blasting, tree cutting, vegetation removal & fill under one document, with the goal of giving the township the tools to ensure that proposed development and redevelopment of the shoreline areas proceeds in a manner that is respectful of the environment and the neighborhood. There has been a lot going in the municipality over the past 6 months, progress on some of the more significant projects:
- An architect has been selected for the new Pool & Wellness Centre, a decision has been made by the board to construct a 6 lane pool instead of 4, preliminary design work is almost completed to allow for an estimate of anticipated cost to construct, we hope to break ground on this project later on in 2023 during the construction season.
- Work has been progressing on the new runway project at the airport, it is expected the new wider, longer runway will be in service by the fall of 2023
- Seguin Township has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with our neighbours on Parry Island, Wasauksing First Nation. This memorandum states that the parties will “work together in the spirit of cooperation, respect and mutual benefit” with emphasis on infrastructure and resource needs, services to support healthy communities, the local economy and quality of life in the region. This MOU between a municipality and First Nation community is the first in this region and one of only a few in the province.
- A new 140’ bridge was purchased and installed on the Rose Point Trail spanning the Boyne River. The old railroad bridge was condemned in late September last year, forcing the township to close a significant portion of the trail to all users. The new steel bridge was opened in early January and will serve the community for many years to come. Plans are underway to establish a year-round connection to link the Rose Point Trail to the Seguin Trail. With the work done to date on the Seguin Trail once this link is constructed later this year Seguin will have a good quality trail from the Rose Point Road to Orrville. Work will also proceed in trail improvements from Orrville to the east boundary of Seguin. All of this work is a key initial step in executing Seguin’s Recreational Trail and Alternate Transportation Plan which council approved last year.
Looking forward to seeing you around the lake later in the year. If there is anything I can do to help you please do not hesitate to give me a call 519 831 5526 or send me an email tfellner@hotmail.com.
Best regards, Terry Councillor Ward 4 |
|
|
38th Annual Dog Sled Run – Saturday February 25th
|
|
|
Festivities will kick off at 8:00am with a pancake breakfast at Humphrey Community Centre. Opening ceremonies will start at 9:45am. There will be vendors, demos, activities and, of course, some very excited sled dog teams ready to run the 17 kilometres of trail through the forest and over frozen lakes.
Frances Carmichael, LJNA board member and a long time fan of the Run suggests mailing some ‘sledvelopes’ to family and friends and then viewing the fun near the bridge on 632.
The ‘sledvelopes’ are carried by the dog teams and then delivered by regular mail to locations all over the world. They can be purchased up at Seguin Public libraries, the General Store, Township offices and at the Humphrey arena the morning of the event. Cost is $3.50 or $5.00 including a $1.50 donation to the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. Check the event's Facebook Page for more information and updates. |
|
|
Stay Informed - Community and Partner Updates |
|
|
MLA Shorelines and Family Seedling Day
A fresh edition of the MLA’s Shorelines came out this week. It includes a break down the details of the Flood Reduction Plan along with discussing the importance of our Dark Skies. Many LJNA members have been affected by spring floods and are asking about on-going mitigation plans.
The MLA has also launched orders for Seedling Day – a long standing MLA tradition. Family Seedling day will be Saturday May 20, 2023 from 9am - 12 noon. More info on the MLA website: https://www.mla.on.ca/Seedling-Day.
FOCA January Elert and Membership Benefits
FOCA is another important partner of the LJNA. Their January newsletter can accessed here. It is full of news and useful tips. As members of LJNA you are entitled to FOCA membership benefits. You can read about these here. If you are interested in attending the FOCA AGM and Spring Seminar on behalf of the LJNA please be in touch.
Decibel Coalition
The LJNA is a founding partner of Safe Quiet Lakes and in 2020 we joined their Decibel Coalition. The goal of the Coalition is to enhance legislation around decibel limits for boat engine noise. This would make Canada consistent with the U.S. and EU. You can read their latest newsletter here. Great to see this progress! |
|
|
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.
The Lake Joseph North Association (LJNA) represents the interests of shoreline residents on the Seguin section of Lake Joseph, including Portage Lake.
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe at any time
|
|
|
|
