Dear South Channelers:
This is my first letter to you since
elevation to the high office of President of your SCA. We all build on
the strengths of our predecessors in the 36 years since the founding in
1974. Presidents Rick Zanussi, Tracy Biggar and Ryan Tarrant have built well and we are a more
effective and informed body because of the service across the years. I
salute them on your behalf.
Our Annual General Meeting was held
on August 1, and since this is an election year, the keynote of the meeting was
hearing from the four candidates for the three Ward 4 seats on
Council. If you were there that day, you will have sized them up and be
ready to vote in the Fall. They were Ted Christie, John Seagram, Rick Zanussi and Lisa McCron.
The first 3 have represented us well in the Archipelago from day one, but we
should welcome new candidates for public office as well and hear them
out. Democracy demands this. A recommendation might be forthcoming
from your Executive in this September mailing just for your guidance.
May I put a plug in here for the
Festival of the Sound, which charms and delights audiences in the Stockey Centre for 3 weeks each summer? Some of the
world's leading artists come to Parry Sound and it is a feast for music lovers
for its quality and variety. For our cottage area -- far from a big city
-- to offer such a gala presentation each July-August is truly
extraordinary. I have written to James Campbell, tjhe
Artistic Director for over 2 decades, to try to express the appreciation of
every one of us who takes advantage of the privilege.
I spoke briefly at the A.G.M. of the
importance of speaking to your cottage neighbour
about becoming a member of our South Channel Association. People who
insist on keeping our gorgeous Georgian Bay the way we like it should stand
with us. There is strength in unity, and the pressures to alter our way
of life on the Bay are frequent and relentless. And no one will cry
louder than your neighbours when the view or the
water quality or the municipal services or taxes change. Most of them are
reasonable and will see the light if you turn it on for them! Surely, the
annual fee of $63.00 is not a problem -- that is not even one fill-up of gas
for our boat! We currently number about 100 members out of a potential of
300 in the South Channel, so do your best. And if it is too late for
summer 2010, there is always next summer.
Meantime, your Executive will be
holding the fort for you over the fall, winter and spring months ahead by
e-mails and conference calls. Call us if you have concerns that won't
wait.
All good things,
Gervis
Black