South Channel Association

Annual General Meeting

 

Glenn Burney Marina  

August 3, 2003

 

10:10 Opening Remarks - Tracy Biggar

Thanks were extended to Glenn Burney for hosting the AGM again this year. Guests were introduced (Reeve Ketchum, Huntley Christie, and Roy Shatz) and the SCA executive was also introduced. Noted that e-mail updates are available to those who have provided Pat Blundy with an up-to-date address. August 23 has been set aside for a demonstration of fire handling techniques. Let Tracy know if you are interested. The All-Candidates meeting is scheduled for August 26 at SSCA.

 

2002 AGM Minutes – Don Wheeler

The South Channel Association Annual General Meeting having been duly announced and the 2002 minutes having been circulated.

 

Motion: That the 2002 AGM minutes be accepted as presented in the Summer 2003 newsletter.

            Moved by Don Wheeler                        Seconded by Ralph Smith

Carried

 

Treasurer’s Report - Eleanor Reed

Newsletter costs are down a bit. With membership fees up, the contingency fund is also up $800.00

 

Motion: that the report by accepted as printed and distributed

            Moved by Eleanor Reed                Seconded by Janet Smith

Carried

 

Membership Report –Steve Blundy et al

Membership has increased from 93 members last year to 101 at present. Increased mailings and a more personal touch seem to have been effective.

 

Forest Eco-system: Don Wheeler

A plot has been established which is being monitored by SCA members over the long term to detect changes in the local forest eco-system.

 

Water Quality: Stan Topping

A comprehensive display of the testing program and results was available. Conditions are generally good with some notable exceptions. There seems to be a correlation with the septic inspection program. The Sturgeon Bay situation (not in the SCA area) was identified as a serious problem. Monitoring continues (thanks to Stan and Carol).

 

Guest Speaker: Roy Shatz

Roy provided a short history of the Georgian Bay Association, how the GBA Foundation came into being, and detailed the numerous projects currently supported by the Foundation. These include the water quality testing, the wetlands mapping project, the Bay Keeper boat, aquaculture studies, the Biosphere Reserve bid, the Dark Skys project, and the water level situation.

 

Township of the Archipelago Council Update:

Reeve Ketchum discussed the strong positive response to the official plan questionnaire. He described some of the expenditures of the township and some of the issues of council. Councillor Christie thanked the SCA for its support over the years. Councillor Zanussi recounted his position on 911, lauded the boat noise legislation (call 746-4225 with boat name /number /description) and bemoaned the large percentage of our taxes over which council has no control. Bears are a nuisance – good garbage management is crucial to controlling the problem.

 

GBA Report: Claudette Pintwala

Claudette described GBA work underway and commended the Foundation support for these projects. The organization structure of GBA was referenced; bear sighting report forms were mentioned. The aquaculture issue was highlighted (Claudette is chairing this committee) and a description of a recent tour of aquaculture sites was provided, including both open cage and land-locked projects. A lack of science in the whole area of aquaculture is hampering decisive action.

 

Motions as published:

 

That the SCA donate $3000.00 from the contingency fund to the Parry Sound Health Centre.

 

Moved by the executive                                  Seconded by Denys Reed

 

Carried unanimously

 

That the fiscal year in the SCA constitution be defined as June 1 to May 31.

 

Moved by the executive                                  Seconded by Robin Argenta

 

Carried unanimously

 

2003-04 Executive Members:

 

            President – Tracy Biggar              Vice President – Don Wheeler

            Treasurer – Ed Pintwala                      

            Members at Large – Stan Topping, Steve Blundy, Claudette Pintwala, Eleanor Reed

            Newsletter –Robin Argenta

                                                There were no nominations from the floor.

 

Thanks            Unanimous vote to thank Doug Mathews and Glenn Burney Marina for providing meeting space and lunch, and to thank Carol Topping and her assistants for organizing the lunch after the meeting.

 

Raffle                                      Conducted by Denys Reed (proceeds $270)