Feature Article - November 30, 2006Nicol Reconsidersn

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Feature Article - November 30, 2006

NorthFrontenac Council

by Jeff Green

Even though its authority only extends for a few more weeks, the outgoing North Frontenac councillors found themselves working hard last week at their final meeting.

Ongoing issues ranging from the Ompah helipad to the Pow Wow grounds at Pine Lake dominated the agenda during a three-hour meeting, which culminated in the mayor and the chief administrative officer extending thanks to Deputy Mayor Gleva Lemke and the three other councillors, Betty Hunter, Bud Clayton, and Dave Smith, who will be leaving council in December.

The council meeting took place less than 48 hours after a public meeting on the subject of the Ompah helipad. At that public meeting Mayor Maguire had said that the Ompah helipad will remain open for the time being, to allow for a task force to determine how to ensure its long-term viability, but that an arrangement with the Tomvale airport will be completed in order to ensure at least one night landing spot for air ambulances in the township.

Such an agreement was prepared by the township’s solicitor, but Mayor Maguire said there were a few small matters that are still outstanding, matters which could only be discussed in closed session.

The matter was thus deferred to the new council.

Small grant application approved – Roger Millar, the township’s recreation/economic development co-ordinator, reported that an application for a $25,000 grant from the Bell Sports Fund, which would have been used to upgrade the Clar-Mill ice rink, had been turned down.

The news wasn’t all bad, however, because a smaller grant for $5,000 was approved. This money will be used for maintenance, and volunteers will be completing some repairs to the facility at a work bee, with the township supplying materials.

Bins for Kashwakamak and Ompah dumps – Councillor Wayne Good relayed the concern of a constituent from Kaskwakamak Lake about the fact there is no bin for recycling cardboard at the Kash Lake waste disposal site. Public Works Manager John Ibey said that he has sourced larger bins, which will be purchased for the Mississippi and Road 506 sites, freeing up smaller bins to be moved to the Kashwakamak and Ompah sites.

Council approved the purchase of the larger bins, and when they arrive the smaller bins will be moved.

Cloyne and Ompah transfer stations – According to clerk/planner Brenda DeFosse, approval is expected shortly for the operation of transfer stations at both the Cloyne and Ompah waste sites. The public will be notified when final approval is received.

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Submitted by Kashwakamak Lake Association

Volunteers have been hard at work in cottage country. In July, the Kashwakamak Lake Association (KLA) held its annual general meeting in Northbrook, where the newly formed Kashwakamak Lake Sustainability Planning Committee presented a proposal to create a sustainability plan for the lake.

 

The goal of the committee is to bring together common interests of the community to develop a sustainability plan. This plan should support the history of enjoying the lake while preserving the natural environment for the future generations to enjoy. “Sustainability is about ensuring future generations have access to the same opportunities and quality of life that we do,” explained Scott Bennett, the presenter and one of the ten volunteer members of the Lake Sustainability Committee.

 

Other lake communities have done this in Ontario, including Crow Lake and Bob’s Lake. The KLA board approved setting up this committee in 2010 when it became clear that there was a will for this to happen.

While many of these plans have been in response to significant issues, the plan for Kashwakamak is proactive with the aim of understanding what the concerns are and what the community values. “The outcome of the plan is unclear, but that is intentional,” Scott said. “We need to hear from the lake community before we know what we need to focus on.”

 

Several concerns were raised during the meeting. One was that this plan would add regulations for the lake but as Scott clarified, “This is not about adding rules and regulations to the lake; rather it’s about determining what the community wants for the future, and working towards that.”

 

The proposal to begin the planning process was approved at the KLA meeting, with the understanding that the plan will need to be approved by the KLA membership once it is completed. As part of the process, the committee is now asking all residents, cottagers, visitors, and businesses on Kashwakamak Lake to take a few minutes to complete the two-page survey and give their input.

 

“More than one person in a family can respond to the survey,” Scott explained. “In fact, we want to get a generational view of how the lake is used and what different age groups value. It’s also important for us to hear from visitors to the lake, so we’re asking local businesses with cabins and campers to encourage their guests to fill out the survey as well,” Scott added.

 

The survey is available online at www.kashwakamak.ca/index.php/sustainability.

 

For questions, please contact the Kashwakamak Lake Association by contacting Judy McIntyre at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 613-233-3564.