Hotel debate comes to head in NE Town

Opponents of development at waterfront site plan to descend on meeting tonight

by Jim Moodie

LITTLE CURRENT-The Northeast Town council chambers could be a crowded place this evening (Wednesday) as a special meeting to consider two proposals for a hotel development beside the Welcome Centre-and possibly endorse one or the other-is sure to draw some concerned citizens.

They may be left waiting in the hall for most of the proceedings, though, as the town is entitled, according the Municipal Act, to go in camera for any discussion pertaining to the "acquisition and disposition of lands." In this case, disposing with a municipally owned piece of real estate is implicit in any hotel project moving forward.

The town has been eager to find a commercial purpose for the vacant land for many years, and is now close to making a decision on whether one of two players vying to build a hotel on the lot have plans that meet its criteria.

Meanwhile, though, opposition to a development at this site-as well as to the behind-closed-doors deliberations-has been steadily mounting in recent weeks.

In mid-September, a petition begun by residents living close to the empty parcel-viewed, by them, as public green space-began circulating in the community, with copies appearing at a number of local businesses, as well as toted door to door, for the collection of signatures.

"Recently we have been made aware that our town is very close to accepting a proposed agreement for a hotel on our last available parkland adjacent to the west end of the tourist information booth," states the petition. "We, as citizens of NEMI (Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands), would prefer that it remain a beautiful parkland for future generations and tourists to enjoy as they enter the Gateway to Manitoulin. A public meeting has been promised! When announced-try to attend."

The petition has since gained over 550 signatures and been submitted to the town's CAO as well as members of council.

Concerns had previously been expressed by members of the NEMI Ratepayers Association, who have long argued that residents of the municipality deserve more input into the decision regarding this asset. "We want to make sure that we're getting fair market value for the property, and not giving away things that would be in competition with the town," Ratepayers secretary Irene Callaghan told the Expositor earlier this year.

While the petition was launched independently of the taxpayer group, Marilyn Spence, one of the petition's authors, conceded that a September 16 story in these pages ("Transparency needed before hotel project can go forward, says ratepayers' group") presenting the organization's qualms, is "partly what sparked it."

An earlier Expositor story outlining one of the hotel proposals-put forward by three area First Nations under the auspices of the Great Spirit Circle Trail-and showing an artist's sketch of the proposed building, also provoked concern among nearby residents.

Ms. Spence noted that the drawing depicts a five-storey building, which would have a considerable visual impact. "I think it would be an eyesore when you come over the bridge," she said. "When you come into town, you are looking for open spaces and beauty; you don't want to see a big commercial building right in your face."

A building that tall might also present a challenge to local firefighters, she said, as her understanding is that the truck operated by the local crew doesn't have the capacity to reach higher than three storeys.

Julie Trimmer, who collaborated with Ms. Spence on the petition, noted that the property in question has been "known by many in past generations as 'The Jungle,' and we would like it to remain The Jungle for future generations." She added that "many of us bought property in this area specifically because of the quiet green space and parkland."

Whether the lot truly qualifies as parkland is questionable, however. Councillor Al MacNevin, who was a member of the former Little Current council when the land was acquired in the early 1980s, noted that this portion of the property was never viewed by the municipality as public green space or designated as such.

"The idea was always that it would be set aside for some kind of commercial development," he said. "When we did the Welcome Centre, we intentionally put services in for that part. And we have always, as a council, been trying to find some development for that area."

A park was created on the east side of the Welcome Centre, and that public space will be preserved no matter what, he said. As for the section to the west of the tourism building, "frankly we don't maintain that area as anything," said Councillor MacNevin. "Even the part west of the Welcome Centre we struggle to maintain."

The town is committed to protecting a strip along the waterfront as municipal property, however, and that stipulation has been made clear to the proponents of a hotel. "We're trying to get funding to make a trail right to the bridge," pointed out Councillor MacNevin. "We think that's a natural link from the docks, so we want to keep public access on the waterfront side, and extend dockage and a pathway through there."

Keeping this shoreline allowance in the municipal sphere should rule out any fears about a hotel developer starting a marina that would compete with the town-owned docking facilities, suggested Mr. MacNevin, as even if a water lot lease was sought through the Ministry of Natural Resources at some point, that "would not be issued without municipal approval."

The councillor said a marina has never been suggested by either the town or the parties interested in developing the site. "I think that's a red herring," he said.

As for the point made that a development here could compromise the town's drinking water, since the intake pipe is nearby, Mr. MacNevin noted that there is an existing set of privately owned docks adjacent to the site which sees a fair amount of boat traffic, and there has been no problem to date with water quality.

Ms. Spence said that her group doesn't disagree that a hotel would be a useful addition to the town, nor do most of the people who have inked the petition. "What we're saying, and what a lot of people we talked to have said, is that it shouldn't be there," she indicated. "There are better places."

The alternative site most often mentioned is across from the Little Current-Howland Rec Centre. "That's where most of the things are, at the arena, whether it's hockey or square dancing," said Ms. Spence. Groups arriving for events at the rink and requiring accommodation would be handy to the activities they are there for, she said, while those who live down by the waterfront would be spared the commotion.

One of the most common arguments for a hotel is that traffic from bus tours is bypassing Manitoulin-or driving across it without stopping for the night-as there isn't a facility on the Island sufficient to house such large groups. While Ms. Spence recognizes that this might be a type of business worth capturing, she is far from thrilled by the idea that it would happen in her neighbourhood.

"I've been on bus trips, and I know the buses will be there with their motors running, because it takes too long to warm them up," she said. Apart from the prospect of fumes wafting across to her street, Ms. Spence feels the presence of such big coaches will discourage other tourists from stopping at the Welcome Centre.

The petition authors aren't alone in their misgivings: Ms. Trimmer said that, in going door to door with the petition, she and her fellow opponents of a waterfront hotel encountered lots of support. "In only one week we had well over 500 signatures," she communicated, "with only three refusing to sign and three (citing a) conflict of interest." Comments ranged from "wrong location" and "keep green space at entrance," to "not a good impression" and "concerns about the property being on the major water intake," she said.

Having formerly been involved in the hotel sector-she co-ran the Pinewood Hotel in Espanola for many years-Ms. Trimmer is hardly opposed to hotels in general, but feels that they should be put in an appropriate place. The Pinewood "is not in a residential neighbourhood," she noted.

It's also wider and squatter than what is likely to take shape at the location favoured by the Northeast Town. "They have to go up, because there isn't the space there to go out," she said.

Ms. Trimmer's understanding is that a feasibility study was completed two years ago regarding a hotel at the Welcome Centre location, and this research indicated that a development of this type was not a feasible venture. Earlier studies conducted in the 1980s, when the population was similar to today, also concluded a hotel was not an economically supportable proposition, according to the hotel critics.

Councillor MacNevin believes there is a place, and a business case, for a hotel in Little Current's mix of commercial offerings-as long as it is tailored to the needs of the area, and there is enough community buy-in to support the project.

"We recognize that (the town's preferred site) is prime waterfront," he said. "But if it's done properly and scaled to that area, I think it's something that would help us. Tour operators are passing us by, and this would be a nice asset, creating jobs and tax revenue."

Council isn't likely to go for a project that would overwhelm or disfigure the location, he suggested. "We don't want a 15-storey concrete villa." Presuming the town sees a proposal that meets its expectations, Mr. MacNevin said the municipality would still put "a number of safeguards" in place to ensure the project stays within the parameters that have been identified.

He appreciates the concerns raised by residents of the area, and admits that "the pressure from the petition has some councillors wondering if they can still support it." Council is under no obligation to green light either proposal, and it's possible neither will be endorsed. "It could be the majority says we won't go with any," he noted.

Should council approve one of the proponents' hotel plans, there would still be an opportunity for public input and further debate before any shovel gets put in the ground, he added.

Members of the Ratepayers Association, as well as those who have put their names to the recent petition, would prefer to have a say before council leans one way or the other. "People are alarmed that it has proceeded this far without a public meeting," noted Ms. Trimmer.

Council has now entertained proposals from both the First Nations group and a second proponent that has not been named, but calls for the public to have an opportunity to be privy to these discussions have not been obliged, complains Ms. Trimmer. In a letter accompanying the petition, a request was made for a public meeting, and "council was asked not to make a hasty decision and listen to the people who voted them in," she said.

Opening the process up to the public at this point would be an unorthodox move, however, and one that would be unfair to the parties that have invested time and effort in preparing their business proposals, said Councillor MacNevin. "I don't think the developers want to set up in a bear pit like that."

It's not a matter of secrecy, he maintained, but following a typical sequence of negotiations, with an opportunity for community consultation to be available in due course. This has been the case in previous, comparable situations, as when "we had the Lush proposal for Low Island; we went to the public once we knew what that proposal was," said the veteran councillor.

"We've always promised a public meeting, but only if there's a project to be put forward," he said. "Once we have a project we can live with, we'll let the proponent pitch it to the public. They can bring it to the community and if the feedback is horrendous, we'll go from there."

To bring the community into the discussions at this point would be premature, in his view. "We're not prepared to have public meetings with nothing to talk about," said Councillor MacNevin. "I think we're capable, with the help of staff, to analyze business plans."

Should council incline towards one proposal over the other, that still doesn't make it a done deal. "Our role is to make sure that, if we are going to sell the property, we get some benefit from it," said the councillor. "But if the public is up in arms, we'll listen to what they say."

A significant portion of the public is already up in arms, in part because they feel their voices haven't had any influence so far. "NEMI council needs to understand that the public's input is important when it comes to the disposition and acquisition of taxpayers' land," said Ms. Trimmer, on behalf of her group of concerned neighbours.

She and Ms. Spence are urging all those who inked the petition, along with anyone interested in the disbursement of public land, to attend the meeting this evening, at which a vote on the hotel proposals (picking one or the other or neither) is expected to follow an in camera session. In keeping with municipal regulations, voting must occur in open council.

"All concerned persons-your presence is crucial," implored Ms. Trimmer.

Spate of sightings on Government Road add to case that cougar is afoot on Island

by Jim Moodie

CARTER BAY-It's officially called the Government Road but locals might soon be referring to this stretch of tarmac as Cougar Corridor.

A number of sightings have now been made of a big, long-tailed cat along the route, which runs between Providence Bay and Tehkummah, and together they build a compelling case for the existence of a resident-or at least frequently visiting-cougar in this southern corner of the Island.

The reports are striking in their similarity: each has occurred in daylight in the same area between the Yonge Street intersection and the turnoff to Carter Bay, and in each case the observer has either seen a deer carcass or suspected there to be one in the ditch or cached nearby.

The first report came from Providence Bay cottager Dave Mills, who encountered what he's convinced was a cougar while driving to reach the ferry on August 30, around noon, as did several friends in two other vehicles who came along a bit later.

Speaking shortly after the experience, Mr. Mills theorized that the cougar "must have had a kill," possibly a deer struck by a car, in the vicinity for it to linger in the same location long enough for his friends to also see it.

It turns out that a deer carcass was indeed present in that area on August 30, as other travellers later saw it dragged onto the pavement. It also turns out that Mr. Mills and company were not the only ones to spy the cat that day.

Dave Watson of Big Lake, coming along the road around 2 pm with his wife, noticed a strange animal crossing the road in front of the couple's vehicle. "I couldn't categorically say it was a cougar but I couldn't think of anything else it could be," he said. "It definitely wasn't a deer and it was too big for a coyote or wolf, so my conclusion would be that it was a cougar."

Debbie and Gorman Young, of Providence Bay, also got an eyeful. "We were heading to Tehkummah with our two grandchildren, around 6:30 that evening, and it ran right out in front of us," said Ms. Young. "It was moving fast, but we knew what it was."

All of these sightings occurred west of the Carter Bay road, and east of the road to Mindemoya, not far from the farm belonging to George and Betty Lentir.

After the fleeting glimpse made by the Youngs, the couple continued on to drop off their grandchildren-their son, Robert, was meeting them at the Carter Bay road to collect the kids-then doubled back, eyes peeled in case the beast might make another appearance.

"When we came back, five minutes later, there was a deer carcass on the road," said Ms. Young. "And the funny part it is, my son had hit a deer at that spot on the Friday night."

The cougar itself was not visible at this point, but the Youngs decided to stake the area out for a bit to see if the animal would reemerge. "We turned the car off and sat there for three-quarters of an hour," said Ms. Young. A few motorists stopped, assuming they had car trouble, but were waved on, with Ms. Young worrying that the animal might have already been spooked by the presence of too many cars and people.

Their patience paid off, though, as the cat finally did stroll clearly into view, presumably to retrieve the deer carcass. "It was unbelievable to see something like that," said Ms. Young. "I was so excited I was shaking."

The Prov woman had her camera handy-she'd heard that others had spotted the animal that morning, so had deliberately brought it along-and rapidly snapped a few pictures through the windshield of the car. She wouldn't know right away whether she'd managed to capture an image of the cougar, however, as she was using a traditional 35-millimetre camera and the film had to be sent away for processing.

When the prints came back, she was disappointed to find that the creature was a distant speck and barely discernable from the yellow weeds on the roadside. But when she held a magnifying glass to the image, it became obvious to her that the cougar was indeed standing there, in profile, with its head even turned towards the camera.

She tried scanning the print and enlarging it on her computer, but unfortunately the quality deteriorated as she blew it up. Still, Ms. Young is hopeful that a photo shop in Sudbury might be able to produce a crisper close-up by working directly from the negative.

Meanwhile, she's happy simply for having had the opportunity to behold the animal. "Just seeing it was unbelievable," she said. "It sat right there on the road and watched us. It was a phenomenal night for me because I'd never seen anything like that."

The experience was similar for Shirley Nelder of Tehkummah, who had her own cougar encounter more recently on this same stretch of the Government Road. It was the afternoon of October 2, shortly after 3 pm, and Ms. Nelder was returning from a crane-watching tour with friend and former teacher Mildred Cowdrey.

The two were in a truck, with Ms. Cowdrey at the wheel, when an animal materialized on the road ahead. Ms. Nelder described the location as "down below the hill where the Lentirs are, about halfway between their place and the road to Mindemoya," which jibes with the spot that the others describe for their sightings.

While Ms. Cowdrey's initial impression was that a deer was likely the creature in the distance, it would soon become clear that this was a much less common kind of wildlife. "I told her to 'slow down,' and jokingly said that maybe it was a cougar, because there has been so much talk of them lately," recalled Ms. Nelder. "Lo and behold, when we stopped the truck and looked, there it was, standing parallel to the road and looking right at us."

Since the pair had just been birding, "I had binoculars with me," noted Ms. Nelder, so she was able to get a good gander at the animal. "I saw the head very clearly, and when it started to walk, I saw part of the tail. But even just from the head itself you could tell it was a cougar-it was very definite, with little rounded ears."

The wildcat "didn't seem in any hurry to take off," noted Ms. Nelder. "I looked at him through the binoculars for about 45 seconds. It was pretty exciting all right."

Neither woman had a camera within easy reach, as Ms. Nelder hadn't brought her own and Ms. Cowdrey's was in the back of the vehicle. "Hers was just one of those disposable cameras, so probably wouldn't have taken a close enough picture anyway," noted Ms. Nelder. "I wish I had brought my digital camera."

When she got home, she and husband Dave perused some photographs of cougars on the Internet, and these images just added to Ms. Nelder's conviction about what she'd witnessed. "It was certainly a cougar," she said.

Elusive enough to have earned a reputation as "Ontario's ghost cat," cougars were earlier thought to be extinct in this part of the country, but there is mounting evidence that the population has not only survived but now exists in significant numbers across the central and northern parts of the province.

The Ontario Puma Foundation estimates that four or five cougars could call Manitoulin home, but so far there has been little conclusive proof of this presence, other than a track here or there that matched up with the type this species is apt to leave.

The Expositor is still offering $500 for a sharp and verifiable photograph of a cougar, so residents and visitors alike are encouraged to keep their eyes open and a camera-ideally with a good zoom lens-handy during their travels.

North to get 10-digit dialling, new area code

by Jim Moodie

NORTHERN ONTARIO-If you lick your finger and hold it in the air, you might just feel a chilly gust wafting our way from the south and west. Ten-digit dialling, already a reality in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, is coming North.

Last week the Canadian Radio-television and Communications Commission (CRTC) announced that, in a year and a half, everyone in the 705 exchange will have to dial the area code as well as seven-digit number for local calls. The CRTC further indicated that a whole new area code-249-will be introduced to the region at the same time.

"These measures are being implemented in response to the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) report to the CRTC in March of this year," the commission states in a release. "In its report, the CNA warned that the area code 705 is expected to run out of telephone numbers by October 2012."

The transition to 10-digit dialling will commence on January 15, 2011, and be gradually introduced over the following weeks, with all phone users in the 705 area obligated to use the prefatory code by March 12, 2011. The new 249 code, meanwhile, will be doled out to any new applicant for a phone number in the region beginning on March 19, 2011. Both moves are designed to "prevent the exhaustion of telephone numbers the 705 area code region," according to the CRTC. Customers across the exchange area-which extends as far south as Peterborough, north to Attawapiskat, and westerly to Wawa-will be affected.

Cell phones and pagers are largely to blame for the number shortage, according to the CNA, which monitors the country's phone-number system. "Actually, the wireless industry has, for a year now, had more line numbers and subscribers than the wire-line industry," noted CNA director Glenn Pilley in a conversation with the Sault Star.

While many in the North won't be happy about the new regimen, CRCT believes the pacing of the transition will "provide sufficient time for telephone companies to prepare and to effectively inform their customers of these changes," according to its press statement.

Toronto went to 10-digit dialling in January 2001, as well as got a new area code-647-added to the traditional 416. The 604ers in Vancouver quickly followed suit, punching in extra numbers for local calls by November of the same year.

The trend has since spread to the 519 exchange, with those in the London area beginning 10-digit calls in 2006, and to Alberta, where the 403, 780 and 587 codes were impacted in September of last year. Manitoba-area code 204-is on track to make the switch.

Some areas, like Saskatchewan (306) and Northwestern Ontario (807), aren't likely to face a number shortage any time soon, but will probably be told to switch to 10-digit dialling eventually.

Artist enlisting stitching help for project at Little Current church

Large wall hangings to add to meditative tone of services will require many hands

by Jim Moodie

LITTLE CURRENT-There's a time to rend, and a time to sew. This is one of the latter.

On October 22, local fabric artist Judy Martin will be holding the first of many weekly stitching bees for an ambitious new undertaking that will involve the creation of four large tapestries to enhance the contemplative timbre of religious services at Little Current United Church. To realize the liturgical wall hangings-each will measure 90" square-Ms. Martin is counting upon the help of many hands.

"It's a little daunting, because it is a very large project," she said. "This is partly why, if the community is willing to help, it will be good for me. And I love the idea of making something for the community, by the community."

The idea grew out of an assignment Ms. Martin has to fulfill for a fine art degree in embroidered textiles that she's taking through the Julia Capara School, accredited by Middlesex University, in England. "Liturgical embroidery is one of my courses, and I asked Reverend Faye (Stevens) to help me out," she said. "I did a presentation for the congregation and they were really excited, so it got me excited, and it's grown much larger than it actually needed to be."

The artist has already completed the designs for each of the four pieces-there will actually be five, as she's also creating a smaller work, known as a "fall," to decorate the pulpit-by rendering the images in acrylic, ink and watercolour on 24"-square pieces of paper.

Each of the bigger wall fabrics will be distinct in appearance, yet follow the same design motif of a circle within a square. Ms. Martin explained that the symbol goes back many centuries, reaching "further back even than Christianity," yet lends itself to a holy purpose as well as reflects the local landscape.

With the circle representing the sky or firmament, and the square a building, the two together suggest a church-a place in which heaven is brought down to earth and embraced. In two of her designs, the circle is bisected by a lateral line, which suggests a horizon with sky above and water below. "That seemed like a really good thing to have for an island setting," she said. Three of the pieces will contain a cross symbol.

Along with the minimalist designs, the colours will be relatively simple-white and cream, connoting purity and celebration, will dominate, with some splashes of blue and gold.

The fabrics include recycled damask tablecloths, linen handkerchiefs, wool blankets, and silk, and all of this material will need to be hand-stitched. "We'll be repurposing all these beautiful, domestic textiles into lustrous, meditative, mainly white wall hangings," Ms. Martin enthused.

Anyone is welcome to don a thimble and lend a few fingers. "It will involve a lot of embroidery stitching as well as foundation piecing and reverse appliquŽ," said the artist. Later, "once the tops are done, I want them hand-quilted, and some people might like to come for the quilting part," she added.

While the focus will be on completing this time-consuming installation, Ms. Martin said the experience should also allow for an exchange of ideas and techniques. "I'll teach some skills as needed, and I hope that during lunch breaks I can also look at other people's work and give feedback," she noted. "I'm sure everyone will have a lot of ideas, and there are a lot of women in Little Current and the surrounding area who are technically better than me, so they will teach me something too."

Helpers need not be sewing pros or even United Church parishioners, although many of the latter will likely be the most inspired to take part. "It can be experts or beginners, and it's open to anyone in the congregation as well as the wider community," said Ms. Martin.

Stitching sessions will be held each Thursday, beginning next week, from noon until 8 pm at the United Church hall, although it isn't essential that volunteers ply a needle and thread for that whole eight-hour period. "I'm committed to be there for that time, but I'm just asking people to spend an hour or an hour and a half, whatever they can," said Ms. Martin.

The artist feels the collaborative process will be a new adventure for her. "I work alone, so this will be different for me," she said. "It actually may be a breakthrough for me personally. As much as creating a product, this will be a process of being together and the labour we put into it."

The realization of these spiritual art pieces will not occur overnight. Hand-stitching is a painstaking process, as is hand-quilting, and the works are anything but small. Accordingly, Ms. Martin expects that it will be June of 2011 before the hangings are complete.

Her thought, subject to input from the church, would be to install the finished work at Little Current United for the summer and early fall of 2011, then exhibit them at a gallery in Thunder Bay and possibly at other galleries through to 2012. Ultimately, she expects they would find a permanent place on the walls of the local church that inspired their creation and for which they have been conceived.

Those interested in contributing to this project are encouraged to contact Faye Stevens at 368-0835, Julia McCutcheon at 368-3101, or Ms. Martin herself at 368-3819.

EDITORIAL

Political haymaking should not protract health file digitization

In Ontario politics, this past week was a significant one for it saw the resignation of one of Premier McGuinty's very top ministers.

At issue is what every political party in the Ontario legislature-the governing Liberals included-agrees has been vast over-spending as the province undertakes the formidable task of rendering the health records of the 10 million-plus citizens of this province into a simply-transferable digital format.

The acronym for the process has been eHealth and, for the past several months, that acronym has often, if not usually, been qualified in news reports with the word scandal.

Very likely, a lot of Ontarians now simply think of the whole process as the "eHealth scandal."

And what do you do with scandals? Why we drop the offending action completely or lower its level of activity so much that it becomes invisible and, in time, forgotten about (at least until the next election).

In the case of Ontario's eHealth process, however, we simply can't afford to do this.

While it is unfortunate-tragic, really-that so much money has been spent on the project, and much of it with no or very little associated accountability, it will be doing Ontarians a great disservice should the Ministry of Health opt to place the eHealth process into deep and long-term hibernation simply because it has become a political hot potato for the governing Liberals.

A standard digitization of every Ontario citizen's medical records will lead to a vastly easier transfer of information between and among health professionals in a wide array of disciplines.

And as the enormous cadre of baby boomers travels through its middle years, the tremendous burden of keeping this huge group of people healthy, precisely as they begin to be affected by the vicissitudes of approaching old age, requires the most efficient management of medical resources ever required in this province.

The ability to electronically transfer patients' files is a good idea in its own right. At this time in history, however, it goes well beyond being merely "a good idea" that embraces available technology.

It is absolutely critical.

Premier McGuinty will just now be getting an enormous amount of advice on how to manage the overspending on the eHealth file so as to best spin the negative political consequences for his administration and the implications for his government's chances of re-election.

What Mr. McGuinty and his new health minister, Deborah Matthews, must do as quickly as possible is reassure citizens of this province that the eHealth process is alive and will continue in a much more efficient manner to its logical conclusion to the benefit of us all.

Naturally, the PC and NDP opposition in the legislature will harvest as much political hay as possible at the Liberals' expense, but Mr. McGuinty can easily and quickly take the high road on the matter by continually reinforcing the importance of the eHealth process to Ontarians-in particular seniors and baby boomers-in a way that should make the oppositions parties' objections appear petty.

This is a process that is under way and it is far too important to allow it to falter or be slowed in any way by political dithering.

Letters to the Editor

Billings resident explains decision not to seek council seat

Will support Kim Bilbija and contribute outside of council

To the Expositor:

I believe I owe the citizens of Billings Township an explanation. Several weeks ago, I replied to council's call for applicants to fill a vacant seat on Billings council. There were two applicants for that position, and council, in its wisdom, decided to let the citizens decide, and called a by-election.

First to confirm her intent to run was a third candidate, Kim Bilbija, whose approach to representing the interests of Billings Township citizens is close to my own. Kim stands for prudent fiscal management, openness of government and generally getting as much input from citizens as she can. For me to enter the race at that point would have been to risk splitting the vote. I heard from a number of citizens who would have voted for me had I run, but would vote for Kim Bilbija if I didn't. To those people, I say, I am throwing my support behind Kim, and I hope you will do the same.

As for me, I hope I can still contribute outside of council for the balance of this term. I proposed to council some time back that I would be prepared to use my experience-pro bono-to facilitate Billings putting together a strategic plan, with a 20-year horizon. In effect, this would put on the books a vision of how the current taxpayers would like the town to evolve over the next 20 years. It would provide a guide for this council for the balance of its term, and for future councils, on how the majority of citizens want council decisions to manage growth, capital projects and encouraging new business in the community. Bread and butter projects first; fancy projects later-IF we have the funds and the broad support of the community.

So far, council as a whole has been lukewarm to this, though I don't quite know why. Other councils on the Island and elsewhere have seen this as a valuable tool to guide them in their difficult decision-making. It would seem to me that this would give this council an opportunity to leave their own vision on the community, before they hand over their responsibilities to others-of course with extensive input from the citizens.

As for the next full elections in November 2010, who knows what could happen?

Paul Darlaston

Kagawong

Northeast Town taxpayer feels public ignored in hotel process

Sunshine Law allows for flexibility to keep doors open

To the Expositor:

An open letter to councillors of the Northeast Town:

As we move closer to an October 14 meeting, where (I presume) council will make a decision regarding the land being considered for a hotel development, I was hoping to provide a few of my own thoughts.

This project is of particular interest to me. I have always had a passion for hospitality. In fact, this passion was the reason I pursued a bachelor of commerce degree, majoring in hotel and food administration, and working nearly 10 years for spectacular, reputable lodging companies-Choice Hotels, Days Inn Canada, Canadian Pacific Hotels and Delta Hotels. Needless to say, I am the first to support a reasonable and appropriate project that would stimulate the hospitality and tourism needs of our municipality.

However, despite this, I am deeply concerned about the process taken to get us to this point. Although I understand the formal procedure-Councillor Peters has outlined it for me-there is seemingly a lack of public consideration, especially since the land in question holds so much value to the people of NEMI. I respect the in-camera guidelines and understand the need for certain information to remain confidential. Having said this, the public has had very little input and will have no opportunity to provide feedback about both proposals, based solely on the amenities and services that could be added to our municipality through this project. I understand the public will have a chance to hear a presentation from the chosen developer, should council select one.

While there may be some minor value, it cannot be overlooked that the initial consultation and opportunity for public input was forgotten. In fact, according to Councillor Peters, the only meeting about a hotel project was in regard to the concept at Low Island, although she did indicate to me the question came up at the last budget consultation-and only because a constituent raised the question, not because it was on council's agenda that evening.

I presume any potential sale of land is based on an accredited appraisal. Although the appraised value is not public information, I would hope the value received takes into consideration the major recession and economic downturn we've been enduring since 2008. One would argue that not accepting either proposal at this time could be a more economic and financially prudent decision. At the very least, waiting until our economy fully recovers would be a step towards ensuring this pristine piece of land garners a price value reflective of its location and proximity to our waterfront.

I suspect the public's frustration is also the reason there are over 500 constituents opposing the development of a hotel on this parcel of land. While I remain steadfast in my personal desire to see an appropriate hotel development in NEMI, I can sympathize with the many residents who feel they've been left on the backburner, with little consideration coming from their elected representatives.

Without question, the public should have had an opportunity to be heard and consulted. The provincial Sunshine Law does not preclude this from happening. In fact, as stated directly in the Sunshine Law, "even if the body can legally close its doors, the legislation leaves it the flexibility, in the interests of transparency and accountability, to keep the doors open." Regardless of protocol, it has taken over 500 signatures from individuals who feel they voted for the best municipal representation during our last election. On October 14, this will be a true indication whether our elected representatives truly listen to their constituents by voting accordingly.

Mark Volpini

Little Current