President’s message
By Donna Tucker, WCA President
While closing our cottage for the season and enjoying the spectacular show of autumn leaves, I recalled reading about the cause of this phenomena. As the length of night increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops, eventually destroying the green hue. The leaf’s carotenoids (yellow) and anthocyanin (red) are left to show their beauty. Similarly, I thought about how most of our families, friends and neighbours had left for the season, leaving in place fond memories but leaving the promise of new memories to come. I then started thinking about the WCA’s accomplishments this year and our plans for the coming year.
Over this past year, our activities were largely guided by an action plan built on the results of our 2022-member survey. These activities include:
- Advocating on issues that impact our coastline and water quality, such as the Morlock Island decision, Bill 23 and the invasion of floating cottages.
- Attending and reporting on Carling Council meetings and providing feedback on the single site transfer station project, holiday Monday transfer station closures and the proposed pool project.
- Establishing a working relationship with the presidents of the significant ratepayers associations in Carling Township to address mutual concerns.
- Working with Carling Council and Staff to explore restoration of the docks at the Pancakes picnic site.
- Completing a survey of the Carling Township coastline for the presence of invasive phragmites and organizing volunteers to cut the phragmites stands on Franklin and Bateau Islands.
- Communicating frequently with our members through our newsletter, email and postings on our website.
Through our parent organization, the Georgian Bay Association (GBA), we benefit from its provincial and federal advocacy work on water quality, boating safety, coastal protection, fisheries, and invasive species, which includes:
- Working with various governments to coordinate control structures affecting water levels.
- Supporting local associations to fight precedent-setting coastline development.
- Advocating for legislative change to ban the application of unencapsulated dock foam.
- Completion of a septic system guide.
- Pushing floating cottage reforms.
- Working with municipalities on best practices for waste collection facilities.
Looking ahead to 2024, the WCA will be:
- Developing a strategic plan that continues to address the needs of our members.
- Revising our by-laws for compliance with the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act.
- Continuing to address the issue of docking and parking for water access properties and restoring the recreational docks in Carling.
As we close one year and look forward to the next, your Board wants to hear from you and values your participation. Any feedback or questions you have for us can be sent to: info@westcarling.com
