Integrity commissioner tops Mayor Millar's wish list

Integrity commissioner tops Mayor Millar's wish list

3 of the highlights from the Midland Freepress article

While the 2013 budget has yet to be finalized, homeowners will get a break on taxes. The expected increase in the municipal tax rate on a home valued at $250,000 will be $12.78. The increase does not include county and education taxes.

“We have made significant gains in broadband Internet service.  There are areas with less than adequate coverage,” he said, “but we will do the best we can to ensure problem areas receive high speed.”

Like other mayors across Huronia, he is concerned about the low water levels of Georgian Bay. The four Huronia mayors have written to 40 shoreline municipalities with a view to forming a coalition to approach the provincial and federal levels of government.  

To read the rest of the article click on the link
http://bit.ly/WdJRFI Midland Freepress

Negative reaction prompts change to proposed TSW fees

Negative reaction prompts change to proposed TSW fees 

Read the full story 

http://bit.ly/Yke2xW Orillia Packet and Times

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The cut in hours is not good, but at least they are not raising the rates through the roof

Thanks to all who let the government know their views on this

January FOCA Elert

January FOCA Elert

In this Elert:

FOCA Annual General Meeting

IMPORTANT NEWS: Algonquin Land Claim

What do I get from FOCA?

Last call for comments on Changes to MNR Permits!

Dealing with "Big Lake" Issues

Be Safe on the Ice this Winter 

Read all the details
http://bit.ly/XsAjmD FOCA

Public Consultations on Proposed User Fees for Parks Canada

Public Consultations on Proposed User Fees

Parks Canada is consulting on proposed changes to its national and local fees for services such as entry and camping starting in 2013. These consultations will run from January 11 until February 18. Your views are important to us!

http://bit.ly/T5DuWw Parks Canada

Fee Freeze Ends

To support Canadians and tourism businesses during a difficult economic period, Parks Canada froze its prices at 2008 levels. This fee freeze ends in 2013. 

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If you use the Parks, please have a read and let them know what you think....

Is it safe to store drinking water in winter?

Is it safe to store drinking water in winter?

According to Health Canada, there is no “substantiated evidence” that freezing bottled water releases toxic chemicals from the plastic. As well, says Andrew Barton, manager of the Safe Water Program with the Grey Bruce Health Unit, any bacterial reproduction in the water will slow down as the temperature drops and stop altogether when the water freezes. “So, from a bacterial point of view, freezing is, if anything, beneficial,” he says.

Read the full article
http://bit.ly/UI1zjb Cottage Life

Great Question, interesting answer

Local man dies after falling through thin ice overnight

Local man dies after falling through thin ice overnight

A 19-year-old man is dead after being pulled out of Penetanguishene Harbour, Tuesday morning.

“He was a local man who was supposed to meet friends in Penetanguishene between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. and failed to show,” said Const. David Hobson of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP.

Read the full story via the link below
http://bit.ly/XBVZzm  Midland Free Press

My deepest condolences to the young man's family and friends. 

Let's be extra careful this winter when we are on the ice....

Happy new hydro rates

Happy new hydro rates

Seasonal customers, as a class, are receiving a reduction in the distribution costs portion of their bills, thanks in part to the efforts of the great team at the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations. FOCA participated in “Settlement Conferences” held last fall by the Ontario Energy Board and presented the case for reduced seasonal rates. The OEB had already decided that HO had been overcharging these customers for their electricity, that the utility was “outside of the regulated limits which specify that the revenues from customers should (roughly) equal the cost of serving them,” as FOCA put it in a recent update. Few cottagers who deal with Hydro One would argue with that assessment.

Read the full article 
http://bit.ly/TPWFkV  Cottage Life

Good News and a thank you to FOCA for helping present this to the OEB

Zero tolerance extends to snowmobiling

Zero tolerance extends to snowmobiling 

OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey said the safety week, which partners with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), is extremely important to raising awareness and decreasing collisions related to the popular outdoor activity.

Read the Full Article 
http://bit.ly/UchAxr Orillia Packet and Times

Be Safe When You Snowmobile 

Map shows Great Lakes stress

Map shows Great Lakes stress

Parts of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay around Grey and Bruce counties have been identified as highly stressed in a recently released environmental map.

A team of researchers who are part of the Great Lakes Environmental Assessment (GLEAM) project examined 34 stressors, including coastal development, pollutants transported by rivers from agricultural and urban land, fishing pressure, climate change and invasive species. Using data from various agencies, organizations and researchers, the map shows how different stressors can be combined to assess the overall health of the ecosystem.

Read the rest of the the article 
http://bit.ly/UOTZXm Midland Free Press 

Not Good News, would love to see this done on our side of the bay 

No ice is safe ice

No ice is safe ice

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning the public to please stay off what may appear to be frozen ice surfaces. Although it may appear that there is ice on area lakes and rivers, the ice is not safe and the conditions have not been cold enough to allow for strong ice to form

Read the full article 

http://bit.ly/VKQaxp Midland Free Press

Check the ice before heading out, stay safe this winter. 

Lake Huron hits record low

Lake Huron hits record low

Lakes Huron and Michigan, which hydrologists consider one lake system, dropped to 175.61 metres above sea level in December — one centimetre lower than the previous record set in 1964, preliminary figures show. Systematic record-keeping began in 1918.

Read the full article 
http://bit.ly/136NS1O Midland Free Press

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It's not looking good.

Senior dead after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Tiny Township

Senior dead after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Tiny Township 

http://bit.ly/135MHzr Midland Free Press

The two occupants of the single family home with an attached garage were both transported to Georgian Bay General Hospital by Simcoe County Paramedic Services. Sadly, a 71 year old male occupant of the home succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
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It is heating season again and your windows are closed, please make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home/cottage, like these http://bit.ly/WePsr0

Icebreaker at work on Midland Bay Jan 1 to Jan 5 2013

Icebreaker at work on Midland Bay 
http://bit.ly/UfqGx1 Midland Freepress

Icebreaking operations will begin in Midland Bay the morning of January 1, 2013. USCGC Mobile Bay will be providing icebreaking assistance to the bulk carrier Frontenac. The operations are expected to conclude January 5, 2013.

Stay safe 

Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year to all My Beach Friends and their Families may you have a great 2013. Look forward to seeing you this spring/summerfall!