The External Affairs Committee mandate is to support LOBA’s mission statement by participating actively and constructively in political and other activities in the Township of Lake of Bays and surrounding communities in order to advance and protect the interests of our members and the general community.

Projects

2011 External Affairs Committee Report

Committee Chair: Gloria Woodside

Committee Members: Kathleen Black, Malcolm Burwash, Deb Cumming, Fraser Govan, Cliff Hatch, David Johnstone, Barry Morrison, Mary Neal, Bill Rogers, Brian Simpson

2010 Election

In preparation for the 2010 municipal election, the Lake of Bays Association established an ad hock Elections Committee consisting of Kathleen Black, Betty McDonald, Brian Simpson, and Gloria Woodside. The committee interviewed all the candidates running for office in Lake of Bays and reported to our members by a special issue of Current Connection as well as posting the summary of our interviews on our website. The November election brought three new faces to the council as well as a new mayor. The following is a list of the new government for Lake of Bays Township: Bob Young, Mayor, Bob Lacroix, District Councillor for Ridout/Mclean, Shane Baker, District Councillor for Franklin/Sinclair, Terry Glover, Councillor for Mclean, Ruth Ross, Councillor for Ridout, Nancy Tapley, Councillor for Franklin, Ginny Burgess, Councillor for Sinclair. With a large deficit to clear we recognize that they have a difficult job ahead. We look forward to working with the new council and the new mayor, Bob Young for the general welfare of all the residents of Lake of Bays.

Township of Lake of Bays Community Based Strategic Plan

The township’s community based strategic plan seems to be moving ahead. We are pleased to see so much participation by Association members and residents who are serving on committees. Perhaps some of these volunteer committees will relieve pressure from and eventually replace costly township committees.

Ongoing External Affairs Activities

The External Affairs Committee is interested in the Lake of Bays Township Council and monitors the public meetings of the council to keep you informed of the new and on going issues facing our municipal government. We are in contact with the township mayor and councillors in order to be in a position to participate in any debate that may be of importance to Lake of Bays Association members.

Several dedicated volunteers attend township meetings on your behalf. Our treasurer, Kathleen Black, attends Township Finance Committee meetings, where her efforts in improving the township’s financial transparency and accountability have met considerable success. Planning and Development Committee co-chair, Brian Simpson monitors Planning Committee meetings, and Fraser Govan from our External Affairs Committee keeps an eye on council meetings.

 Malcolm Burwash, from this committee (External Affairs), continues to represent the Association at the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations and brings resources back to our Board from this group which represents cottagers from all over Ontario.

Mary Neal represents the Association at the Huntsville Lake of Bays Lakes Council—an organization that brings all the lakes of this region together on issues of mutual concern.

Bill Rogers diligently monitors the District of Muskoka. Bill Rogers, Kathleen Black, and Gloria Woodside will meet with representatives of the Muskoka Lakes Association and the Muskoka Lakes Ratepayers Association, to develop a common strategy regarding issues of common concern. The Lake of Bays Township representatives at the District of Muskoka are Mayor, Bob Young, District Councillor, Bob Lacroix, and District Councillor, Shane Baker. Members of the Association’s External Affairs Committee will meet with these representatives to discuss such issues as essential core services, sold waste management, and expenditure controls.

With an Ontario provincial election set for this year, we are hopeful that politicians of all parties will make public their positions on property tax. Through Cliff Hatch, our representative on the Waterfront Ratepayers After Fair Taxation, we will keep our members updated on this situation.

There are indications that 2011 will be an active year for the External Affairs Committee on the township, district, and provincial fronts. We will do our best to keep you informed of developments and communicate our findings to you, our members. Please email the chair of this committee,
Gloria Woodside with any concerns that you have at gloria@cottagecountry.net.