MLA President’s Message

November 2009

I hope that you and your family enjoyed your summer in Muskoka. This summer, at our AGM meeting, I became the new President of the MLA. It was a very proud moment for me and my family. There was also a moment of apprehension as I was about to take on the responsibility which past presidents (Carolyn Horan, Joe Moher, John Curran, Jack Fenn, John Shaw, Joan Booth to name just a few) have experienced and who have helped to shape the MLA into a professional, caring, and effective association in Muskoka.

The season is changing and I realize (again) why and how much I appreciate the beauty of Muskoka, the clear blue cleanliness of its waters, the rich vibrant colours of its forests, and the sincere friendliness of its residents and business owners.

The MLA’s Board of Directors have been active all year working to promote the conservation of this very unique and special Muskoka environment.

Our Political and Environmental Portfolio (PEP) was very active in monitoring the budgets and spending decisions of our local governments and elected officials. We made the views of the MLA known. local government should not be spending our money nor increasing our debt as if the tax money provided to them by their hard working constituents was “Monopoly” money. “Spend within your means” is our cry to them.

Besides the monitoring activity, our PEP have become involved in meetings and discussions regarding the Extension of the Eastern Boundary of Port Carling, the proposed development on Gull Lake, the proposed Bala Falls Hydro Electric facility, the proposed Hanna Landing development, and the proposed Muskoka Official Plan just to name a few major activities.

Our Community Affairs Portfolio (CAP) held a number of very successful self-funded events and activities throughout the spring and summer. Our Marine Team took on a new responsibility that involved spending part of their day going dock-to-dock (with over 3,000 docks visited) on the BIG 3 lakes and a couple of smaller lakes promoting boating safety, the MLA and its activities, and our Partners. The sailing regattas were rejuvenated throughout Muskoka with many sailing associations becoming involved. And, in the spring, over 6,000 seedlings were sold at our “Seedling” day. Cottage owners will plant these seedlings within 60 feet of the water’s edge to help prevent erosion and, more importantly, help to reduce phosphorous from entering our lakes.

Our Water Quality Portfolio (WQP) was busier than ever promoting water quality through seminars and meetings with various other cottage associations. Working with local communities they also implemented a number of “Stewardship” programs targeted at selected locations that are experiencing over-threshold phosphorous problems. During the last 5 months, over 100 volunteers spent countless hours, usually during rainy days, taking water samples (8 times) at over 85 locations which were then taken to the scientists at the Ministry of Natural Resources office in Dorset for testing. You can access our web site www.mla.on.ca to see the results of their efforts.

This month, the MLA’s Board of Directors is setting priorities and objectives for the next 12 months. We will continue to focus on the activities mentioned above and will strive to do them even better. But, we also want to take on more challenges. And, we want you to help us. How? By providing us with your encouragement and support and by talking to your immediate cottage neighbours about the MLA and encouraging them to join the MLA. The Member Relations Portfolio (MRP) are going to help by communicating more with you and making sure that you know what is happening in Muskoka, and what the MLA is doing over the coming months. We are going to update and enhance our web site (www.mla.on.ca) so that you can read the latest news that is occurring in Muskoka. As well, we will be polling you via email to get your feedback on important issues to ensure that the MLA is serving you well.

Our objective is to exceed your expectations. I can promise you that the MLA Board of Directors and our office staff are a team of professionals who are caring, conscientious, hard-working, and a pleasure with whom to be associated.

Please keep in touch with me or anyone of our directors or staff by calling our office at 705-765-5723, or email us at info@mla.on.ca, or accessing our web site at www.mla.on.ca. We would love to hear from you.

Thank you very much for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Brian McElwain

President

MLA (Muskoka Lakes Association)