Looncall Lake Cottagers Association

c/o 54 Facendi Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 6V1

Spring Newsletter – 2002

"President’s Message"

Well, after what most would call an "easy" winter, spring is here and life on Looncall Lake will soon be bustling with activity. Let’s hope Mother Nature provides us with a summer of warm temperatures and the needed precipitation falling between midnight and 5:00 a.m. only.

Our spring newsletter is a little later getting distributed as we were holding off hoping the provincial government would have finalized its position on the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site (KHSS); i.e. designating the area as ‘Provincial Park’, ‘Conservation Reserve’ or some hybrid designation. The government’s February deadline has come and gone without any decision so let’s hope we know the government’s position come our annual general meeting (A.G.M.) in July. We should have a better understanding then of the possible effect the KHSS will have on us at Looncall Lake and discuss it further in an open forum format.

In terms of the KHSS, each of you should have recently received a letter from a group calling itself the "Stakeholder Groups of the Kawartha Highlands" (SGKH). This group comprises stakeholder representatives from cottage associations like ours to permanent residents, to anglers and hunters, trappers and so on. The primary objective of assembling such a group is to try to convince the Provincial Government that the people most affected by the KHSS should have a say in the development of management plans, regulations & enforcement and so on. As I have stated previously, I would be happy to share my knowledge of this process with you, so feel free to contact me at the cottage 656-1119, at home (705) 743-6603 or via e-mail at ddriscol@pipcom.com. To learn more visit the government website covering the KHSS at www.ontarioslivinglegacy.com.

Sadly, we have had a couple of break-ins on our lake since last fall. It appears the motivation was theft rather than vandalism. The OPP were confident they knew who the perpetrators were. In fact, they found more than a million dollars worth of stolen property in one Toronto location. Hopefully, the guilty will be brought to justice. Early this year there was a rash of break-ins on Eels Lake also. We need to stay alert for any unusual situations on and around the lake. Suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the OPP.

In late April, I made inquiries into the fate of the Anstruther Dump and was advised that the dump will remain open throughout 2002, but since the site is almost filled to capacity, it may not remain open for 2003. The next phase would be a ‘transfer site’ located closer to Apsley in order to serve the general public better with easier access, especially in winter.

With respect to the ongoing Bear problem, the MNR continues to advise that all sightings be reported to their office in Peterborough (705) 755-2001 or Bancroft (613) 332-3940. Late last year, noisemakers and rubber bullets were used in attempt to keep the bears away from the dump. Despite the bears at the dump appearing to be non-threatening, these animals are wild and very unpredictable…the message is, "stay clear".

Last year, I told you that the Anstruther Lake Road was to be "hard-topped" in 2002. Albert Degryse, Supervisor of the Roads Department, advised me recently that plans have been delayed due to roadbed instability (lost shoulders and washouts) and more preparatory work needs to be done this year, with the intent to hard-top in 2003.

The process is continuing for Condominiums on Anstruther Lake. Without going into a lot of detail, there are three applications involved. 1.) The Official Plan amendment application – approved April 25/02 by Peterborough County. 2.) The Condominium application, not yet approved by the County. 3.) The Zoning Change application, which requires North Kawartha township approval and is subject to "specific" conditions set by the Township (e.g. waste management). According to building inspector Tim Powell, the timing is anybody’s guess considering the bureaucracy involved. A further update will be presented at the A.G.M.

Speaking of the A.G.M., please see notice and agenda below.

Please plan to attend – Bring your neighbours and Friends

Date: Saturday, June 29^th (Rain date Sunday June 30th)

Time: Coffee at 10:00am - Meeting 10:30am.

Place: Doug Driscoll’s Cottage, (Lot58 – FR58D-80)

Minutes of 2001 AGM
Treasurer’s Report
Kawartha Highlands Signature Site (KHSS)
Stakeholder Groups of the Kawartha Highlands (SGKH)
North Kawartha Lakes Association Report (NORKLA)
Municipal Update
Lake Steward & FOCA Report
Cottage Watch
2002 Regatta and Corn Roast
Elections Executive & Area Directors for 2002-2004
Any Other Business
        Please contact Doug Driscoll if you would like to include additional issues or concerns in the meeting agenda
        Phone Home: (705) 743 6603 - Phone Cottage (705) 656 1119
        E-mail ddriscol@pipcom.com

LOONCALL LAKE 2002 REGATTA & CORN ROAST

SATURDAY August 03, 2002 – Civic Holiday long weekend

Mark your calendars – Tell your family and friends  - It Won't Be Long Now!

Did you miss it last year? If so, make it a 'must do' this year. There will be games on land, events on the water and events in the water. If you're under the age of 102 years, you qualify. There is good food, great friends and lots of laughs … guaranteed!

Watch the Looncall Lake notice board for more details.

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911 – FIRE ROUTE NUMBERS.

If you think the 911 Fire Route numbering system for our roads and cottages is insane, or at best, highly illogical and totally confusing, you are not alone. However, that is the only way, the person in the Barrie Emergency Centre can direct the local Fire Brigades and Ambulance Services to your cottage, should the need arise. Therefore it is important that you know your Fire Route and Lot Number when you contact 911.

For a copy of the 911 Membership Address List call Dick van Laren – Home (705) 743 4738 or the Cottage 656 4361; E-mail: vanlaren@ptbo.igs.net.          [It is also available here, on the web site under the "MEMBERSHIP" menu item]

 

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Loon Watch

Last year we were fortunate to have one pair of Loons nesting on Looncall Lake that were successful in raising one chick after several failures in previous years. Please watch out for them and give them a wide berth – let’s hope for 2 chicks in 2002!

OPP POLICING.

Slow Down and Enjoy Summer! Speeding Tickets and Accidents are Expensive!

Doug J. Driscoll, President