Update from MPAC to FOCA Members

Update from MPAC to FOCA Members

MPAC's Chief Assessor, Larry Hummel, spoke at the FOCA Fall Meeting on October 26, 2012 about trends in Ontario assessments, and how to use the online tools at "About My Property" to determine if your assessment is fair, or should be reconsidered.
Use the link below and you can download the presentatio

http://bit.ly/SdUAvq FOCA

I learned a lot during Larry's presentation and the questions asked of him about MPAC and the process... 

Yet an other great learning opportunity from FOCA. My thanks to Larry for coming and for FOCA for arranging the presentation.

Don't forget to sign up for FOCA's eLert on the FOCA website 

Environment Canada asked to take over ELA

Environment Canada asked to take over ELA
http://bit.ly/Til91j Cottage Life
It sounds like a good idea, we need the ELA

Residential 4G Satellite Option for Our Beach

I was at the Cottage Life Show yesterday for the FOCA Fall Meeting.

I talked to several of the people at the Xplornet Booth and at the FOCA event. They have several different 4G Satellite Internet Packages that you may be interested in as an option vs Bell/Rogers services which we currently have.

Speed Down    Speed Up
1.5 Mbps           256 kbps
3.0 Mbps           500 kbps
5.0 Mbps           500 kbps

They will come and do a free site inspection/survey if we have a few members interested so they can come and check a few house at a time.

They do offer a seasonal shutdown option for the cottagers that sill let you use the service if you go up for a day or the weekend, that are not too expensive depending on the package you have.

www.xplornet.com  For more information

I am thinking about giving them a call for my cottage next year.

If you are interested leave a comment and we can look in to getting an inspection day set up along Clearwater Beach.

Please note Xplornet is a FOCA Supporter so let show them some FOCA/Clearwater Beach support

Introducing Cottage Life ebooks

Introducing Cottage Life ebooks 

http://bit.ly/SoVTYZ Cottage Life 

Cottage Life is pleased to announce its new ebook publishing program. Our inaugeral ebooks are Winter Cottaging: How to enjoy your cottage all year round and Cottage Trees and Plants: Keeping your forest healthy. Found wherever ebooks are sold, they can be purchased by following the links below.

http://bit.ly/SoVTYZ Cottage Life 

I love it, can not wait for all of them 

FOCA Update - FOCA Fall Meeting at the Cottage Life Show

FOCA Update  - FOCA Fall Meeting at the Cottage Life Show

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Are you coming?
FOCA Fall Meeting at the Fall Cottage Life Show 

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Stop the Carp
Encourage your municipality to help stop the spread of Asian Carp.Your interests, and theirs, are at stake.

Together with biologists, policy makers and citizens across Canada and the US, FOCA is becoming increasingly concerned about Asian carp entering the Great Lakes basin.

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Municipal Budget Setting, Property Tax & Assessments 

Most waterfront property owners now have their new property assessments in hand. 

Question: If your assessment went up, does that mean your property taxes will go up?
Answer: Not necessarily. 

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Keeping the 'Family' in the Family Cottage 
    
When? Thursday, November 22nd, 2012 from 6:30-8:30pm
Where? 200 Bay St (at Front St.), RBC Plaza South Tower, 40th Floor, Toronto

http://bit.ly/VBbKtt FOCA

Fall Cottage Life Show 2012

This Weekend! Oct. 26–28 — International Centre, Toronto
Many things to do and learn about

Potties, permits, and parking:
If you’re planning a cottage party next summer, now is the time to evaluate whether your deck is ready for duty, your septic system can take the load, and your wobbly old dock is primed for a photo op.

MPAC seminar:
Cottage property assessment concerns? The Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (FOCA) is hosting a seminar at the show, where you’ll hear directly from Larry Hummel, MPAC’s chief assessor. You don’t need to be a FOCA member to attend, but you do need to pre-register.

Mouseproofing!
Can you win the battle of the mouse? What are the steps you can take now to prevent mouse damage over the winter? Learn year-round mouseproofing tips i

Tour our model cottage:
What does 1,000 sq. ft. of relaxation look like? Step into the model cottage and find out! It’s built by Canada Builds, furnished with items from our exhibitors, and styled by Rebecca Purdy of HGTV’s Leave It To Bryan

Beef & Stout Stew:
This warm and hearty soup can slow cook all day while the delicious smell of harvest vegetables travels through your home or cottage. Get a taste in the Cottage Kitchen when Mary Catherine Anderson presents her live cooking demonstration. 

And much, much more

http://bit.ly/TcQ5V2 Cottage Life 

FOCA Summer Newsletter 2012

FOCA Summer Newsletter 2012
Lots of great information

http://bit.ly/VsnXQV FOCA

Do not forget to sign up to receive FOCA's Elerts

Railcars may finally be on the move 

http://bit.ly/OTkJlH Midland Freepress

The Ossawippi Express may finally be on the move to Port McNicoll and the SS Keewatin. I hope they are on the move and can not wait to see the final complex in Port McNicoll. 

Things we love about the cottage: Board games

Things we love about the cottage: Board games 
http://bit.ly/RaG2ip Cottage Life

What board games did you play at the cottage when you were young?
What board games do you play a the cottage now?

I have fond memories of playing various board games on rainy days/night at the cottage when I was young. 

Thousands expected at Midland-area church for historic canonization

Thousands expected at Midland-area church for historic canonization 

http://bit.ly/QDl3RS Midland Freepress

It could be a very interesting ceremony to see, but the traffic in the area could be bad. 

Fall Cottage Life Show deals, discounts, and contests

Fall Cottage Life Show deals, discounts, and contests 

http://bit.ly/REMcbm Cottage Life

The Fall Cottage Life Show is coming up quickly, and here’s an overview of the various deals available on tickets for the show. Tickets are available now online.

Discounts for Cottage Life subscribers
Check out the inside front cover in the October issue of Cottage Life – there’s a coupon there to save $2 off each adult ticket. Don’t want to cut up your magazine? You can use the promo code online for the same savings.

Combo deal: Two adult tickets and your choice of a free Cottage Life book
At the risk of sounding like a fast food joint, we’ve put together a combo deal that’s pretty irresistible. For $30 you get two adult tickets, plus a hard cover book. Choose from Jane Rodmell’s Best Summer Weekends cookbook, or The Cottage Ownership Guide. If you’re anything like me, it’s nice to have this cookbook at home and at the cottage. The Cottage Ownership Guide is essential reading about how to buy, sell, rent, share, hand down, or retire to your waterfront getaway. Go to the online tickets page to get this offer, as it’s only available if you buy your tickets online.

It is a great show if you are in the Toronto/GTA area.

Higher Property Assessment Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Higher Taxes

Higher Property Assessment Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Higher Taxes 

Ontario property owners may soon be in for a shock when they receive their new property assessment notice, but it doesn’t necessarily mean their taxes are going up.

To read more click on the link below

http://bit.ly/S2c14o movesmartly.com

One of the many articles linked to from the FOCA Property Tax page  http://bit.ly/PAKpF4

FOCA's 2012 Fall members' meeting

FOCA's 2012 Fall members' meeting is Friday Oct.26th. 

This year, the FOCA meeting will take place during the Cottage Life show! Plan to join us for updates on issues that matter to waterfront property owners and associations.

When: Friday, October 26th, 2012 from 5 - 7:30 pm. Pre-registration is required. The registration fee includes 1 admission ticket to the Cottage Life show.

This year's agenda features:

• Updates on new MPAC property assessments 
• Ontario's new Not-for Profit Corporations Act 
• Strategic Directions for Ontario's waterfront communities 
• Introducing FOCA's new Risk Management team 
• FOCA Government relations, program, and activity updates 

http://www.foca.on.ca/news_and_events/621

I am already booked and will be at the Cottage Life Show Friday around 1PM.

If you are interested in going you can register at the above link.

The Fall Cottage Life Show 2012

The Fall Cottage Life Show:
Show Dates/Hours:

Friday, October 26 11:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday, October 27 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday, October 28 10:00am – 5:00pm

The Fall Cottage Life Show celebrates every season at the lake. With more than 200 exhibitors dedicated to the very best products and services to enhance your retreat, you can research cottage renovations, construction, building products, and design and architectural services, and check out fun stuff like boats, water toys, arts and décor, furnishings for indoors and out, and gift ideas for every cottager on your list.

http://bit.ly/WeGEqo Cottage Life 

I will be there on the 26 until the FOCA Meeting starts at 5PM hope to see you there.

Low water levels worry local MPs

Low water levels worry local MPs 

Immediate action must be taken to restore water levels in Georgian Bay, says Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton.

“The worry is if we have another hot, dry summer, which is entirely probable... these conditions are going to worsen,” Stanton said Wednesday. “We’re going to have lower water levels than we’ve experienced since they have begun measuring them.”

Read the rest on the Orillia Packet & Times web site


http://bit.ly/Qgmd7C Orillia Packet & Times

Environmental Commissioner of Ontario releases Part 2 of the 2012 Report

Environmental Commissioner of Ontario releases Part 2 of the 2012 Report

http://bit.ly/OOQo92 FOCA

Gord Miller released his annual report “Losing our Touch” to the Ontario Legislature today, which includes many issues that affect FOCA, and our members. “Waterfront property owners are impacted by many of the deficiencies I’ve identified in my 2012 Annual Report”, according to ECO Gord Miller. “These include crown land management, septic reinspections, and the Province’s low water response plans.”

Interactive Map Visualizes Great Lakes Water Currents

An Interactive Map Visualizes Great Lakes Water Currents
http://bit.ly/QZaadt http://data-informed.com
Looks like a interesting tool

Like FOCA on Facebook

Like FOCA on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/foca.on.ca and you could WIN! 

Prize: one free ticket to the FOCA Fall Seminar ($40 value) - includes entry to the Fall Cottage Life Show. Seminar event is Friday October 26, 2012 from 5-8pm. Get more details about the event here: http://www.foca.on.ca/news_and_events  

Already registered? No worries - if you win, we'll reimburse you when we see you there! (Register now to avoid disappointment: our last event was full.)

Prize winner will be selected from all FOCA Facebook fans at 12:00pm on Tuesday, October 23rd. Spread the word by sharing this notice. GOOD LUCK!

The OPP & OPG remind us to stay safe on the water

The OPP & OPG remind us to stay safe on the water this Thanksgiving weekend. Be prepared for cold water conditions, wear your PFD and stay clear of all hydroelectric dams and generating stations. And have a Happy Turkey weekend! 

http://ow.ly/i/ZPka

From the FOCA FaceBook page http://www.facebook.com/foca.on.ca

Lots of great great information about Cottaging in Ontario

Low water levels in bay focus of Ottawa talks

Low water levels in bay focus of Ottawa talks

OTTAWA - A group of local politicians met with federal Environment Minister Peter Kent in Ottawa on Tuesday to discuss water levels on Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes. 

http://bit.ly/SLPA0b Simcoe.com

Bill 103, Great Lakes Shoreline Right of Passage Act, 2012

Bill 103, Great Lakes Shoreline Right of Passage Act, 2012
Craitor, Kim
Current Status: First Reading Carried

Legislative Assembly of Ontario Bills & Lawmaking Current Parliament Bill 103, Great Lakes Shoreline Right of Passage Act, 2012.htm

Download

The October 2012 FOCA Elert is out

The October FOCA Elert is out

News and links on "New Property Assessments are "in the mail" from MPAC "

Breaking News: Update from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

"Waterfront property owners are impacted by many of the deficiencies I've identified in my 2012 Annual Report," says Miller. "These include crown land management, septic reinspections and the Province's low water response plans."

FOCA Cottage Succession series - coming to Toronto
Peter Lillico speaking at a FOCA Cottage Succession seminar
Find out how to "Keep the 'Family' in the Family Cottage." Estate Lawyer Peter Lillico will be joined by Steve Lester of the Lester Wealth Management Group to answer your questions about making a plan that works for your family.

And much much more....

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/FOCA-Elert---important-updates-for-the-waterfront-community.html?soid=1103081187936&aid=fXjnsNp4g6M