South Channel Association 

Annual General Meeting, August 3, 2008 

Glenn Burney Marina 

Guests: Township of the Archipelago Council Members Ted Christie, John Seagram and Rick Zanussi.  

1. Acceptance of last Year’s minutes

 

2. Presidents Message:

• Welcome and thank you to Glenn Burney Marina by President Ryan Tarrant.

• Introduction of Executive members in attendance: Steve Blundy, Claudette Pintwala, Wendy Stone, Liane Black, Paul Morgan, Sheila Fryer, Tracy Biggar.
• Several marinas have donated funds towards the AGM.
• Georgian Bay Marina donated a boat storage unit – open for bidding in a silent auction
• SCA fun day was a success with many in attendance. Next year are looking at touring the Aspen Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mapping of the South Channel and its members continues

 

3. Membership:

• Currently at 101 members

• Urging more young people to join
• Estimate that SCA membership is only 30% of the cottage ownership in the South Channel

 

4. Treasurers Report

• 07/08 expenditures were less than revenue, leaving SCA with net income of $1,225

 

5. Fire Pumps:

• Paul Morgan is executive lead for the review of fire pump use and location.

• Goal to organize and standardize the fire pump set up.
• Reminds that the South Channel Association cannot be held responsible for controlling fires.
• Suggestion to form groups around where the current fire pumps are located, and to map where the pumps are.
• If you have a pump, you should let Paul Morgan know.
• Anyone interested in sitting on the fire pump committee should make themselves known to someone on the executive.

 

6. Township of the Archipelago:

• Councilor Rick Zanussi gave an update for the TOA.

• Woods Bay is doing a community study, to review the need for a community centre, pool etc.
• Dumps continue to be miss used and will need to be staffed by the TOA to stop contamination. In TOA, only 2% of the garbage is re-cycled. Where in an average municipality it is 50%.
• Hazardous waste is being dropped that the Devil’s Elbow Transfer station and it is not equipped to accept or transfer this waste. People need to stop this practice immediately. Because it cannot be legally removed by the TOA, a pile of Hazardous waste (paint cans, batteries etc) is building up and giving the impression that it can be left there.
• TOA is making special, one-time arrangements to bring sealed containers to the transfer station and have the hazardous waste removed. Signage will be placed indicating that further hazardous waste should not be left there. People are encouraged to read and obey the signs, for in the past they have not.

 

7. Water Quality Report:

• Lance Topping reported on Water Quality

• Water Quality and water clarity continue to improve in the South Channel. Likely due to increased awareness of the public, more use of biodegradable and environmentally safe products. Improved septic systems. Boat motors that are increasingly environmentally safe.
• Stan Topping has received the “Green Cottage” Award from Cottage Life Magazine

 

8. Georgian Bay Association Report:

• Provided by Claudette Pintwalal, GBA liaison.

• $40 of SCA membership fees goes to support GBA
• 24 GBA directors meet once a month.
• There are 15 committees addressing specialized issues.
• Introduced John Seagram, who is GBA Foundation President
• Current focus:
• To be proactive rather than reactive to issues.
• Addressing environmental pressures
• Addressing water level, water quality and wetland issues
• Joint steering committee formed of Georgian Bay Association Members and Georgian Bay Foundation Members to look at ways of ensuring that there is no duplication, people understand the differences, GBF does not loose its Charitable status.
• For information: G8 summit is coming to Huntsville in 2010.

 

9. Guest Speaker:

• Joe Meating from Bio Forest spoke regarding Forest Health and infestation issues in the South Channel and TOA.

 

10. Nomination of Executive:

• Tracy Biggar is stepping down from the executive

• Pat Blundy nominated as an executive member without portfolio.
• Lance Topping nominated to executive as the water quality representative.
• All others are to continue their terms.

 

11. Motions:

• To have 2-mile narrows designated with a speed limit. To be reviewed and pursued by SCA executive.

 

12. Raffle:

• Door Prizes: 1,200 worth of prizes gathered by Marian Wheeler and Pat Blundy

 

13. Lunch

• Thanks to Sheila Fryer for organizing and setting up the lunch

• Thanks to Glenn Burney for subsidizing the cost of the lunch enjoyed by those in attendance.