There was a fairly good turnout for Tue. night’s council meeting in West Brome. Not nearly as good a turnout as the issues merited but that’s typical for Brome Lake.
To mayor DeCelles credit, the meeting was conducted in a reasonable, respectful fashion, nothing like the ignorant circuses put on by the last decrepit administration over at the Carke Fondation’s “Centre Lac Brome” in Knowlton. Mrs. Bourrete & Gagne did not attend. Pity, money issues on the agenda and no town chief financial officer on hand.
The major issues,
(aside of course from the chamber of commerce’s representatives pursuing their perennial attention seeking agenda)
were the exorbedent new property evaluations directed towards land owners, generally outside of Knowlton, and the inequality in taxation/services between Knowlton and the outlying villages.
The bulk of the tax money coming from the villages and the bulk of the spending concentrated in Knowlton. (No answers from mayor or council.)
Another trying, unresolved problem.
Citizens, often elderly, retired and on fixed incomes living in houses with a little acreage or retired on their former farms, now deemed green zone agricultural land.
Land that cannot be sold, logged, divided, drained, or made to support itself with any activity, including ironically agriculture. ( you can’t give it away !)
These folks are now forced to pay exorbitant “new evaluation” tax bills to the rather unsympathetic Knowlton gang.
As things stand, these people, unable to separate their houses from their former farms, and unable to pay the big new taxes, have only one option, sell everything and get out of their homes.
The mayor and council could offer no relief for these unfortunates, nor any real hope of a near future solution for the population at large, stuck with high taxes on
“new evaluation” useless green zone land.
The administration tried to convience us that they could not lower rural mill rates to negate tax increases, claiming a multi tiered mill rate could not be done,
( it certainly can and must be ).
The fact is they don’t want another “fairer” lower mill rate for the villages or “green” land, they want the money, all the money. I think the strategy is to wait us out and we’ll pay up, forget it and go away. Not so.
It comes down to is this, villagers and rural landholders will continue to pay outlandish taxes and hand them over to Knowlton to squander on ever more ambitious nonsense.
Walking paths, parks, community center, activities, Chamber of Commerce schemes, big city hall staff, festivals… etc etc..
Knowlton will be the castle royal and we boonies, the over taxed serfs, will send in our yearly oxcart of turnips and maze as homage.
With the administration’s demonstrated reluctance to try to solve the tax issues.
Personally I now see only one solution.
Dismantling, demerging, ending, the disfuncional Town of Brome Lake.
The town that should never have been.
Put it out of it’s misery, separate we out lander boonies from Knowltons ongoing expensive rainbow chasing high rollers.
Time to say goodbye, too many Knowlton nuts and cracker crumbs in our shared bed.
Chalk it up to a noble experiment that failed, but let’s not carry this charade of a pretend town on any further, it’s way too expensive.
Gee Morris
I HAVE A FEW SPARE TURNIPS LEFT OVER FROM LAST YEAR IF IT CAN HELP ANYONE.
THE VOTED IN MEMBERS CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE TAX HIKE TO HELP POOR PEOPLE KEEP THEIR HOMES, BUT THEY SURE CAN TAKE ACTION TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THE INCREASE.
PEOPLE LIKE THIS KNOW HOW TO SPEND MONEY THEY HAVE NOT EARNED BUT
I HEAR THE METRO WILL SOON COME TO KNOWLTON,
AT LEAST I HOPE SO, WITH THE TAX BILLS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING
Did you know that ” The DestinationKnowlton.com website will be retiring on May 1st 2010.: ?” I had only gone to that site a few times, some of what I saw was interesting, I had noticed that it was very difficult to find what was the latest news on the Destination Knowlton Blog. one thing that a number of people seem to have referred to, was the bus schedule. Have you thought about what you want to do your blog, I see that there has been very little activity on it in the last little while.
How much effort, time and money does it take to have a blog ? Perhaps there is something that can be co-ordinated with some information that is being put on facebook. I am just curious, if you are at the next council meeting , we could talk about it.
I would highly recommend that you not entertain any ideas about starting a blog, a waste of time and effort. (not a lot of money)
Remember, the Internet is in many ways vastly overrated.
There are just not enough engaged or opinionated people around here to make it worthwhile.
In the case of this blog and the necessity of my limiting the comments to English, Wow, forget it.
Without the comments I gratefully received from a few French speakers, the cupboard would have been pretty bare.
Perhaps a bilingual blog, but I doubt it.
Brome County is 50% French speakers, another 50% don’t own a computer, 50% have no idea of the issues, 50% don’t care, 50% are Anglo Muffheads.
That leaves you and I Stanley.
It seems to me, most people would rather be on face-book chatting about nothing.
Preferable I guess to posting a relevant comment on a blog, a comment that might trigger an opposing or unfavorable response.
We’ve all got to get along don’t we ?
There are more sheep than wolves Stanley.
My experience dictates that people get excited about issues for only a very short time.
They need to be continually stimulated.
Last weeks issues are boring, even if their effects are going to be with them forever ie…..
the current TBL property tax steal.
I’m anxious (but not optimistic) to see the carryover interest from the West Brome tax meeting, to the upcoming Bondville meeting.
I wonder if our “town financial officer” will make an appearance ? See you there.
PS I am going to contest my evaluation.
Just got back from Town Hall, Knowlton where
I formally protested the robbery being committed under the guise of a tax increase.
Paid my $75 cash, no checks accepted unless certified !
(classy, very classy, very big city)
You’d think that with the small fortune they claim my place is now worth, they wouldn’t be worried about seventy five dollars, then again, they are “Vile de Lac Brome.”
Everybody was courteous, friendly, bilingual and all conversed in English, as I handed over the cash.
Met a new old Knowlton councillor there and asked about the horrific evaluations and taxes.
Not too concerned, “We can’t do a thing” he said, codewords for ” Hell, why would we care, we need all the money for Knowlton we can get”.
This particular councillor fancies himself a “people’s” councilor, but as Aesop once said,
“When you fly with the Crows, squawk like a Crow and eat all the peasants corn, when the trap finally springs, you can’t claim to be an Eagle”.
Eagles it appears, are in short supply in
Vile Lac Brome.
See you at the meeting in Bondville.
Monday May 3 on Mill St.
I went to council meeting at Proudy hall last nite, gee what a waste of time especially the one hour section on West Bolton. I can see how political it was, Brome lake vs Bolton, over the children’s back what a poor excuse for politics, so easy to handle situation but no willpower from the elected. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS CHARGE A REASONALE PRICE FOR THE ACTIVITIES ( I SAID REASONABLE) THEN LET THE PEOPLE WHO PAY FORCE THEIR BOLTON COUNCIL TO GIVE BACK SOME OF THE MONEY TO THEM PERSONALLY. But that was too easy we prefer letting our kids be deprived of good honest fun and pay the SQ to try and keep the peace.
I managed to sit through the first question period at the “Vile” Lac Brome council meeting in Bondville, May 3rd. Disappointingly, no concerns or questions were raised in continuance of the far more important April 6th’s
“New Exorbitant Evaluation & Tax” meeting in West Brome.
Didn’t really expect there would be, not a lot of affected “Green Zone”
re-evaluated land in Bondville. Not an issue.
Big topic was the West Bolton-TBL-Carke Centre programs and how much West Bolton should pay TBL to allow their citizens access to them.
It appears our “Vile” Lac Brome town hall, is frustrated with the level of funding offered by the West Bolton administration.
An administration, which maybe just a little more careful with their taxpayer’s money than our Knowlton gang tend to be.
Personally I believe the West Bolton issue was a diversion, thrown out by TBL city hall, in order to save them from further “West Brome meeting” type
hard-talk, tax questions. They do want that extra revenue !
What about that too high mill rate Mr Decelles, going to lower it ?
If indeed a diversion from the tax issue was the plan, it worked well in Bondville.
It was all West Bolton and fees for Carke Centre services, followed by discussions on fertilizers and pesticides.
Having heard enough fertilizer talk for one evening, I left.
Anybody who had the stamina, as to sit through the entire boring affair, please leave a comment.
Do we know why each councillors went into politics for this town?
Politicians like to leave a trace, make the place better, reach out to the public.
As far as the West Bolton Flu syndrom goes, I agree we should let their residents put pressure on their elected officials.
We have enough lack of spinal bones in this town without loosing precious time with non-issues.
Wal Mart now sell’s Raleigh bicycles, excellent quality. Made right here in Waterloo Qc and no more expensive than the China built stuff offered by the other big Cowansville retailer.
Besides providing jobs, Raleigh supports the Waterloo Arena, hockey programs and contributes bicycles as prizes for numerous local events. (Canada Day) They deserve our support.
If you or your kids are in need of a bicycle this spring, why not check out the Raleighs at Wal Mart.
I stuck it out through the last council meeting. I was pleased to see that the council is finally starting to take positions that are not always as per the Mayor’s suggestions.
1- I believe and the experience that I had dealing with Crownsville is, the best way to have an understanding/agreements with neighboring towns, charge per user, which means that whichever individuals/families use the TBL services they get charged at a equitable amount, the user then has the choice (not all the other non user residents) of either paying and asking their own municipality to reimburse them for at least a portion of that cost, or, do not use TBL services.
2-In previous council meetings the TBL council has said they would limit how much money is going to the Chamber, in at least a couple of meetings since that original limit was set, the council have been increasing that amount. The last increase of 8,400$, which is being given to support the cost of a sign along the auto route, advertising KNOWLTON. Unless I have been mis-informed, at least a few of the businesses in Knowlton, are being run by non-resident, non tax payers, and now we are going to be subsidizing their promotion, thru the Town’s contribution of this sign. How does anyone outside of Knowlton benefit by this sign? Unless of course we have a business in Knowlton!
3-The Town now has more money available than originally anticipated, I would hope that they would start to put more attention and money into the infrastructure, rather than wasting it un unnecessary and non priority projects.
4-This council should spend more time trying to enforce some of the by-laws that were already in place rather than changing them to by-laws that everyone knows WILL NOT BE FOLLOWED>
5- The Renaissance recommendations seem to be becoming a guide for this council, some of it has merit, however, this council should realize that the Renaissance report was supposed to be sent out for citizens to comment and make their recommendations; apparently it was commented on by 87 people most/if not all just happen to live around the Lake. Members of this council should realize that very few of the residents of Lac brome actually live anywhere near the lake and therefore, the guidelines/directives should/would not be the same.
.
E-mailed to mayor, all counsellors and president of Chamber of Commerce, May 14
Donald
(Donald Gagne, councilor and co-sponsor of resolution 2008-10-355)
In light of the towns further gift of $8400 to the chamber of commerce for a Hwy 10 “Knowlton” road sign. Please be sure the CC respects town resolution 2008-10-355, calling for all town signs to be bilingual.
Taxpayer money expenditures should reflect the taxpayers it was collected from !
A bilingual sign please.
ALERT !
Any resident of the St Pierre Development
(old Paradise Beach) should get over to Proudy Park Hall in Bondville on Sunday May 16 at 9.30 AM. Your lakeside property Eugene Park is under assult, it has been subdived and partley sold off (in fact given) to a developer.
Morris Croghan Fulford
I was under the impression that for the town’s extra $ 8400 and presumably additional dollars from the CC, we got more than a simple “Knowlton” sign on the autoroute.
Any promotional wording beyond “Knowlton” that will use any of my taxpayer money, should be bilingual. If the new sign is not going to be bilingual.
Then in respect of town resolution
2008-10-355.
Councillor Donald Gagne should ask the mayor to withdraw funding.
Sorry Shish for the delay in posting your comment. I apologize.
So little activity on the blog I sometimes forget to check for comments.
I guess everybody is on face-book ?
The taxing subject of “Vile” Lac Brome taxes is going to resurface soon I hope.
I don’t believe the “can’t do a thing” rhetoric we hear from our councilors and mayor.
As soon as the phoney West Bolton kids-Carke Centre diversion is resolved, I for one will be back after them.
Answer to Sweet Pea comment # 4 on YOUR VIEWS (Adm note)
Well, “Sheesh” Sweet Pea, if you call the garage to have your teeth cleaned you must be quite a confused person, where do you go for an oil change…….Lac Brome Centre Medicale,”Sheesh”, don’t get your blood sugar elevated now…………..
I presume everybody in TBL got the “What Should Knowlton Be ?” town flyer in their mail this week. Public meetings for May 22 and again tonight May 25.
Other than an ireverent, straight forward “who cares”.
I’ve got a suggestion for what Knowlton should be, how about “mute”.
Personally, I wish Knowlton, it’s hand wringing, “desperado improvers”, and what is rapidly turning out to be our cavalier (forget Bel Canto costs) big spending ($8400 sign), administration would stop with the smoke shoveling public consultations.
“Frankly my dear Scarlet”…..
Meantime, It appears the $50,000 plus CC is gearing up for yet another mouth to mouth run at reviving beautiful downtown Knowlton. Personally I resent having to run to monthly town meetings to defend my pocketbook against the CC and council’s “flavor of the week, bad idea”.
I’m beginning to feel like I work for the town of Knowlton and my municipal tax bill confirms it.
Rather than address the horribly inequitable TBL tax grab and awash in their newly plundered (out of Knowlton) taxpayer money.
With no monetary and apparently no moral incentives to do the right thing and bring “boonie” taxes down.
The administration is working hard to prove they need all their new found extra “boonie money” for mother Knowlton.
Newly elected councilors soon forgot their stated missions and quickly dumbed down to parroting the Knowlton commercial chorus. Hey councilors ! Remember the roads in West Brome ? High taxes in Fulford and the outback ? Water,water everywhere but often swill to drink !
I understand TBL city hall has recently taken an uncharacteristic, benevolent interest in the Brome County Historical Society. Not enough municipal issues to contend with ?
The Society has been operating for a long time on a lot less than 122 Lakeside is used to. Bad move all-round !
How about city hall applying themselves to our immediate and pressing problems before looking for, scouting out, or conjuring up a whole new set. Either at the BCHS or from the public at large via these new “meetings”.
If our elected officials must have a plan for Knowlton, perhaps yet another Saturday morning “coffee and doughnut” committee over at the Carke centre ?
I attended the Mayor’s meeting on Saturday where his “committee of Expert citizens” did a presentation on “What should Knowlton be?” That committee showed 60 plus pictures of different views around Knowlton, which were/are intended to emphasize the negative esthetic impact of the hydro station and poles/wires. They also showed the concept of having walking paths around the various bodies of water, they included the mention of moving the Town garage, as well as having new and improved parking areas. These are all wonderful ideas, however, from what I saw, this presentation did not point out much that had not already been discussed many times in the past. In the past, when the businesses of Knowlton were booming, there was always resistance of who was going to pay. At that time, the findings were that those that were to be benefiting the most from the suggested similar wish list, were the same individuals that were unwilling to accept the fact that they would have to pick up the greatest portion of the costs, therefore, the projects did not move forward. Now, as most of you would have to admit, in Knowlton, the businesses are even fewer and further between, so I would be inclined to believe that the individuals and issues that stopped the projects from moving forward in the past, are even more likely to prevent them from happening today.
The meeting focused about/around Knowlton, (which represents only 32% of the population and they only contribute 32% of the general budget) less than 40 Knowlton residents, bothered to show up at the meeting. Since I did not recognize the majority of those that were in attendance, I assume most were or are fairly new time residents and probably do not have a real appreciation to the fact that LAC BROME is actually made up of seven sectors , not just Knowlton and that the majority of the population, which is the sectors outside of Knowlton, would not be very receptive to the idea of paying more taxes, for which only Knowlton would benefit.
I also attended Tuesdays meeting a little over 50 people were at this meeting.
Note: When the ,now existing walking paths, were installed (which are in the Knowlton area) it was done mainly thru volunteers, interesting to note that most of those volunteers were citizens from OUTSIDE of Knowlton. Those paths have become a major security and maintenance concern, how would the new paths be built and how would the two concerns become any less of an issue?
I suggest that all of Lac Brome would better benefit if and when , efforts were put into finding ways of spending our tax dollars in more equitable ways. Every year it seems as if someone has a new group working on trying to find ideas as to what needs to be done for KNOWLTON, instead of what might be done for the benefit to all of Lac Brome.(The Mayor says they will approach the sectors NEXT) Why not look at some of the simple non costly ideas, go back to the Knowlton 2000 report, imaginaction report, the master plan (which did a major public consultation 2000 thru 2002), rue Principales and/or the report that was put together by community services.
Both the Saturday and Tuesday meetings, seem to be just one more indication that this administration is focusing to much on Knowlton , which always has a wish list of items that they (Knowlton) never seem to be willing to pay for. Now would be the ideal time to start looking at a few different, less expensive projects throughout Lac Brome, not just Knowlton, the above mentioned reports have a number of such suggestions.
The mayor has said on a number of occasions that he believes that he could do these projects with out having to increase our taxes, I say, citizens, especially those living outside of Knowlton, get involved, they will be looking at borrowing by-laws, which you, the citizens (and/or your children)will have to re-pay for those loans. Obviously those that would benefit the most from these projects would love to have them, especially if the Mayor can find a way of making the rest of us pay.
You can be sure none of the other sectors are making wish lists that would cost anywhere near what the Knowlton wish list costs, why do you suppose that is!!!!
Shish, contrary to your comment that I have
“no ideas”, try getting your Knowlton-centric head around this.
I have a pretty good idea that we out of Knowlton “boonies” are being semi-legally robbed under the guise of fanciful, municipal property evaluations, high mill rates and ridiculous, oppressive taxes.
Fleeced so that you anxious, compulsive “Knolton improver’s” can sit around (you call it work) dreaming up bigger and better ways to spend money (preferably of course, none of it your own).
What is it you want for Knowlton Shish, perhaps a little more like
Bromont,Brossard,Montreal,New York ?
What about the 70% of TBL residents who don’t live in Knowlton ? What happens to the 70% of the municipal taxes they pay ? You know what I mean Shish, the 70% of the money that disappears into the Knowlton “Black Hole” every year.
Personally I think Knowlton should pay 70% of the taxes, that’s where the big demand for funding is.
No one should make light of the difficult times some of our local businesses and by extension, their families are experiencing. But sooner or later reality must be allowed to seep in. Brome lake is gone, the Glen is gone, so is any downtown nightlife.
The Knowlton “lifestyle” myth is wearing thin.
While sitting around orchestrating our lives over at the “Carke” Centre next time, observe all the little plastic bottles of water in front of the participants, it might clue you into one of the things “our town” really needs.
TBL is a “community” of 6,500 not 65,000 and we better recognize it soon.
We can’t afford clean water but we can afford to have a group of urban visionaries fresh out of communities 10-100 times our size, lamenting on what we’re lacking ?
I don’t know what their expectations were coming here, but I’m afraid their in for a few disappointments.
I for one am not willing to continue financing the fantasy.
Wow, no comments on Brome Lake Blog since May, everybody must be happy in “Vile” Lac Brome !Great !
Im glad we finally have an administration whose stellar performance we can all agree on.
Oh there’ve been a few minor glitches……
unkept promises, some of the worst rural roads in town history, unrestrained spending, disrespectful uni lingual French only signs, highest municipal taxes ever, ballooning city hall staff, unfair and inequitable fund disbursements with the villages,
a blind eye on the environment, a sharp ear to the ever hungry CC. (sounds familiar!)
A dozen Saturday morning coffee and donut, think tank, donut dunk, policy committees over at the Carke Center
.( The mayor likes deferring to committees.)
Finally a scheme afoot to lend the town’s considerable and proven planning-technical expertise (look what they’ve done for Knowlton)
to our now apparently hysterical historical society.
A historical society who by the way recently changed their original mission statement from “Preserving the early history of Brome County” to “Preserving and interpreting the history of Brome County” .
Fashionable, politically correct, much more flexible, much more inclusive.
Hopefully not too Quebec revisionist, but if
“Vile” Lac Brome administrators, Mr Roy and Bourette have anything to do with the “interpreting”, it could get interesting !
Just remember fellows, if you weren’t there, you weren’t there and if you were there, (in “Lac Brome” in 1900) you were nowhere, come to think of it, in 2010 in Lac Brome your still nowhere.
#25 by Concerned Citizen on July 10, 2010 - 9:46 pm
EUGENE PARK-PEARSON CREEK
Things are moving fast behind the scenes over at the late Eugene St Pierre’s old “Paradise Beach” development on Pearson Creek around the corner from the duck farm in Bondville.
Today’s July 21st issue of the French language newspaper “Le Guide”. Coupled with
Frank Nixion’s excellent article in the July 7th “Outlet, has shed light on some very questionable transactions made by the development’s current waterfront park association, directors.
The aerial photo of the park in the Brome County News July 13, showed the stunningly under used, 16 slip boat dock (4 boats moored) that the directors insisted was “needed” in 2007.
Now these same “Directors” are back at city hall, claiming that among other things, they “need” to replace their (excellent and eco-friendly) gravel boat launch in sensitive Pearson Creek, with a concrete launch. Why ?
Large capacity docks, concrete boat ramp, could the directors be working on yet another “on the quiet” Eugene Park “Deal”.
These “Directors” who were in-trusted to look out for the residents best interests, have proven less than candid about their 2009 dealings with both a resident Granby boat dealer and a resident St Hyacinth real estate developer, (both also directors) who were, and are interested in acquiring part (or perhaps more than part) of the association’s Eugene Park waterfront property.
What’s to stop future “improvements for land” deals from being realized ?
Eugene park might be “improved” out of existence !
Eugene Park is a large lake/creek waterfront green-space at the juncture of Pearson Creek and Brome Lake, named for the developments founder and generously donated by the St Pierre family to the residents in 1993, “never to be divided, sold, or used for any commercial purposes”.
In addition to playing fast and loose with provincial laws governing corporations, the directors clandestinely changed the associations constitution and the terms of the park’s donation, in order to accommodate the sale of part of the (never to be divided) Eugene Park to one of their new, fellow directors, Johnathan Robin, of Le Groupe Robin Inc.
In exchange for app 1/3 of the association’s Eugene Park, valuable Pearson Creek/Brome Lake water frontage.
( Which director/developer Jonathan Robin would then add on to his adjacent Brook St, landlocked lots, up grading them from “Access du Lac” (through the park) value $ 25,000 each, to “Bord de L’ Eau” (backing on Pearson Creek) value $100,000 each. )
Director Robin promised (no paperwork), to bare the costs of the work associated with fictitious government demands (actually suggestions), he himself, in the name of the association, had solicited from them the MDDEP.
THERE WERE NO COMPLIANCE DEMANDS PUT ON THE ASSOCIATION FROM THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MDDEP AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON.
NOT FOR SHORELINE PROTECTION, NOT FOR A CONCRETE BOAT RAMP AND NOT FOR THE 2007 MASSIVE 16 BAY, STILL UNDER UTILIZED BOAT DOCKS.
( QUESTION )
IF THE HUGE NEW DOCKS WERE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT’S GROWTH AND FUTURE DOCKING NEEDS BACK IN 2007 (the DIRECTORS)
WHAT ARE THE DIRECTORS ANTICIPATING NOW, IN 2010, SELLING OFF PART OF THE PARK ITSELF ? PERHAPS A POPULATION DROP IN THE DEVELOPMENT ? A CHANGING ROLE FOR EUGENE PARK ? MORE BOATS AND LESS PEOPLE ? FANCIER BOATS ?
FANCIER PEOPLE ?
Irregardless of the lack of any need, the developer (Jonathan Robin) presented the directors with his fanciful (“project cost” estimate) a jacked up, hyper inflated $65,000.
(This to make the director’s clandestine 2009 “Deal” look good and smell right to ordinary assc. members.)
No other bids were sought, or allowed, on either the sale price of the land, or the Robin estimates of the phantom work required !
Le Groupe Robin Inc’s offer and estimate were quickly and quietly accepted in July 2009.
The developer created the need for the work. The developer set the price for the work. The developer set the price for the land. The developer’s St Hyacinth notary drew up and registered a notarized deed of sale, fixing the price of the waterfront land at $ 000.
The association “directors” got a verbal promise to fix some non existent problems and a a forever diminished Eugene Park. Incredibly, all of this without resident member (owners) knowledge or consent.
A new fence, reinforce the shoreline, fix the park road, install a kayak rack and finally the big ticket item, a brand new concrete boat launch ramp into Pearson Creek.
(Again disregarding the excellent eco-friendly ramp already in place)
The new concrete ramp was supposedly needed to accommodate the 15 or so member boats who might use it twice a year, launch in spring, retrieve in fall.
IN TRUTH, THE HEAVIEST USER WOULD BE THE GRANBY BOAT DEALER ‘DIRECTOR’ WHO REGULARY USES THE LAUNCH IN TESTING BOATS FROM HIS BUSINESS, IMUNE FROM ASSC RULES. THIS IS THE SAME “DIRECTOR” WHO WITH PERMISSION FROM HIS WIFE (ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AT THE TIME) INSTALLED THE UNWANTED, UNDER USED 16 BOAT, DOCKS.
Aside from repairing the fence, there were no questions about boat ramps, or any other park “improvements” amongst members until the St Hyacinth developer and Granby boat dealer and his wife became active in the association.
On July 5th 2010, intimidated by the directors ominous threats of each member having to anty up as much as $1000, if they were to have to make good these govt “demands” themselves. Under threat of possibly loosing their boat launch if they did not make the change to Mr Robin’s concrete launch.
The members, after heavy personal lobbying from the “directors”, and believing these changes were indeed government demands, ( not govt suggestions in response to director Robin’s enquiries,) voted 23-17 in favor of 2009′s already “done deal”.
The clandestine sale was registered in Knowlton in January 2010, fully 6 months before the phony, meaningless June 5th “feel good” vote took place and a full year after the land had “in fact” been sold (given away) in July 2009 !
The “directors” motives (other than the developer’s and boat dealer’s)
in this bizarre transaction, I leave to your imagination !
Eugene Park is part of greater Brome Lake and as such it’s administration is not a law unto itself. People far beyond the park will ultimately share the consequences of any
ill-conceived, town approved, lakeside project. The TBL councilor responsible for the environment, has proven ineffective and indifferent, content, indeed inclined, to pass lake related matters on to provincial authorities and this issue was no different.
In spite of consultant RLB’s negative assessment of the project, he quickly cleared his desk and carelessly approved the “improvements”.
The wrong man, in the wrong job, at the wrong time.
The boat ramp file now rests with provincial authorities.
Unfortunately, the MDDEP’s history of overturning a granted municipal permit is not encouraging to the ramps opponents.
In any event, the town’s Pearson Creek boat ramp “approval” has justly come under widespread criticism, opposition and indeed outrage from other lakeside residents, Renaissance Lac Brome Lake and environmentally concerned individuals town wide.
This was an unknowledgeable, unresearched, frivolous “decision” based on nothing.
The councilor responsible should resign, or be removed from the environment portfolio !
Pearson Creek is a biological powerhouse, swarming with thousands on thousands of tiny fish destined to replenish the lake. Aquatic birds and a multitude of other juvenile aquatic species including the now rare Eastern Painted Turtle take refuge there.
The slow moving creek is also a natural high water, runoff sediment catcher, reducing deposits in the already shallow Soles bay. Its prolific vegetation is a natural water purifier. The present full sized flat, expansive Eugene Park is itself a fantastic lakeside water filter and buffer zone.
Considering the current and seemingly yearly, massive “infrastructure” construction
(Centre & Bondville roads), that occurs immediately adjacent and surrounding the sensitive creek area watershed.
Why risk further stressing this fragile creek/lake system now ?
This vital waterway, in co-operation with the legitimate needs of the park owners, “Assc Parc Eugene Inc.” must be preserved intact. It must not be put in jeopardy to advance the goals of any commercial or private enterprise.
The consequences of this unnecessary, frivolous concrete ramp obstruction in the creek, are not fully understood, therefore the ramp should never be allowed, compliant with lax town bylaws or not.
Will city hall ignore RLB’s $25,000 advice to cancel the project and instead rely on councilor Ouvrard’s questionable expertize ?
Would the cancellation of the ramp negate the land deal and save Eugene Park as well ?
Who pays for the reversal of the deeds ? Will the present Eugene Park assc. directors do the honorable thing and resign ? Will the negectfull town councilor resign the portfolio ? Will our mayor do the right thing and advise the MDDEP that after review the municipal permit is revoked ?
Will the message that the lake belongs to everyone and is not subject to the whims of any individual, organization or City hall, finally get through ?
Will we get a swift resolution, or another study “comity” ?
#26 by a curious & concerned citizen on July 15, 2010 - 8:57 pm
I was under the impression that we the tax payers of Brome Lake were, paying some of our tax dollars for a group of environmentally concerend people to work with the Town to take care of issues such as this.
Where and what is Renaissance Lac Brome doing to make sure nothing is allowed which would be detrimental to the Creek and lake.
Gee SOS DIFFERENT DAY, without chastisiising anyone and having had the pleasure of attending city hall meeting I have found that the most interesting part of these meetings is when someone local gives us a 20 min information seccion on the past towns existance, too bad the good old days when men wore pants and women didn t .
But I must say I have clearily seen over the past 6 months no Change from one council to another, I have yet to see anyone from council come up with good ideas to save money and pay our bills and debts, but have I seen them generate ways of spending like there was no tommorrow. Too bad its so easy to spend someone elses money.FOR GODS SAKE COUNCIL WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE ONE WITH GUTS ENOUGH TO STOP ENDEBTMENT AND SPENDING AND PUT THEIR EFFORTS TOGETHER TO PAY OFF THE MONEYS OWED,
Concerned Citizens: It does not seems very likely that environment councilor Ouvrard will bring any positive lite to the Eugene Park concrete boat ramp issue
He has already passed the buck, even tho he has been aware of this file for some time, I say, if he was elected, he must have been aware of it in the past.
Council says the town invests $25,000.00 in RLB, surly it wants something in return.
I am sure RLB has proven its capabilities more than once to the citizens of TBL as well as to city hall.
RLB has made very clear their opposition to the concrete ramp and has sent copies of same to both TBL and to MDDEP.
TBL has done what with RLB’s recommendations ? Seems like nothing, why ?
Why pay RLB such sums of taxpayers money, if you are not going to listen to, or do anything with their suggestions ? Why do you pass it on to someone else to make the decision, like MDDEP ?
Could it be TBL has no real structure in place to handle these issues ?
Could it be that TBL does not have the “right people” in place to handle these issues ? Could it be TBL really doesn’t care ?
Changing your mind in favor of something better, is a sign of intelligence,
not weakness.
Should the entire environment files, supposedly governed by the town, be given to RLB ? It seems to me the TBL files sit on someones desk, or are simply handed over to the MDDEP for review, this way no feathers are ruffled and city hall walks away with clean hands.
It is my opinion that Brome Lake belongs to the people of this town, therefore all matters concerning the lake should be handled by our council, our people, and any professional local organisation related to cleaning up our Lake.
We the people polluted the lake and its our job and responsibility to clean it up.
Time is running out.
No one, and I mean no one, should for any reason weather it be political or otherwise, be permitted to contribute to the destruction of Brome Lake.
All necessary measures should be taken, at all levels, to stop all threats.
I look at this website with great interest as I was a resident of Knowlton for over 50 years ands just am sick at what I read on what is happening to my former home. Polluted lake, shops and restaurants closing not to mention higher taxes – no wonder people are movingg out – it is not getting better. A real shame -
ANONYMOUS :I look at this website with great interest as I was a resident of Knowlton for over 50 years ands just am sick at what I read on what is happening to my former home. Polluted lake, shops and restaurants closing not to mention higher taxes – no wonder people are movingg out – it is not getting better. A real shame -
Well Mrs Anonymous,
I can gaurantee to you that anyone who has lived anywhere for 50 years will see more pollution, higher taxes and businesses closing…it’s not just Knowlton…it’s happening to every town in Canada…it’s called overpopulation, globalization and a recession! Get over it!
Anyone moving out thinking it is better somewhere else is delusional…it’s the same all over…actually it could be worse!!
Still…the scoundrels who sell out our Lake for Boat Ramps should be held accountable…that is disgusting to see our elected officials work together with money grubbing developers to move money back and forth between their private little pockets….It’s our money after all!!
It is quite obvious now that this whole Pearson Creek situation is going to end up as a legal matter, unless the MDDEP refuses the boat ramp and that is very unlikely
(but miracles do sometimes happen). Perhaps the ministry will ask the town to clean up its act, (I doubt that will ever happen) before they issue a certificate.
Personally I am skeptical that the town has the people or will to settle this issue correctly. (Its like being in the right Church but the wrong Pu.)
Too bad it has reached this point, but the town is not fully aware of the complete file. It seems to have taken the side of the developers and is getting carried away by their smoke and whistle presentations.
The developer did not anticipate this type of reaction by outside media and so forth.
I encourage people to support us against Goliath,
(and it appears the TBL administration,) by attending the next town council meeting to be held in Fulford Monday Aug 2nd at 7 PM.
Remember TBL gave Renaissance Lac Brome $25,000 of your tax money, then refused to listen to their recommendations on this ridiculous Pearson Creek concrete boat ramp.
I woke up this morning remembering when Gramps had a pipe leading out into the lake about 50ft from the shoreline, the pipe was activated by a pump located in the shed. The water from the lake came directly into the house for household use, If you tried that today the pipe would probably melt away in no time from the toxins in the lake.
When we needed drinking water, Gramps would get a tin cup and bucket walk over to the creek coming down from the south side of Bondville road and skim water from the creek. I went down to that creek this week, full of weeds, scum on the water and even a full can of old motor oil which seemed to have been dumped their.
I remember when the biggest motor on the lake was a 15 hp Johnson owned by Mr Henderson on the Bondville side. I remember Bondville Rd being gravel.
Times have changed, people have changed, the lake has changed, IT CAN’T TAKE CARE OF ITSELF ANY MORE ! It’s in the worst condition I can remember and is well on its way to total destruction.
To my mind there are two standout reasons.
More and more high HP motors on the lake stirring up the bottom and most importantly, our town council’s seeming inability to enact and enforce stringent, tough,
lake protecting and lake rejuvenating by-laws.
I was in Grifensee, a small community close to Zuric in Switzerland, a lake about two third the seize of Brome Lake (I have relatives there) Anyone caught polluting in any way or form has an automatic 3500 Swiss franc fine.
You can drink the water in this lake.
I attended a meeting concerning the Pearson Creek issue last nite at City Hall.
To my non-amazement, it was exactly as I knew it would be, exactly as others told me it would be, ONE SIDED. I had conditioned myself to believing that when you are on the good and honest side of things, you quickly become immune to the other side, and to what now seems to be the norms in business.
I got in about 9 words in a 1.30 m meeting, being quickly shut down.
I came home very disappointed but convinced that I had done my best and more importantly, my best for fellow residents living in the Eugene Park settlement, There is an old saying that goes like this.
REMEMBER THAT IN LIFE AS YOU CLIMB THE LADDER OF FAME, THAT ON YOUR WAY DOWN YOU WILL MEET ALL THOSE WHO’ S FINGURES YOU STEPPED ON.
#36 by concerened citizen on August 13, 2010 - 7:10 am
It appears the residents of the St Pierre (Old Paradise Beach) development, will awake this morning to the likelihood of a brand new concrete boat ramp being built in Pearson Creek, like it or not.
They will also have to get used to the fact that St Hyacinth developers Groupe Robin Inc, (recent arrivals, but already owners of a substantial portion of Brook St’s creek side properties), will now also be the new owners of about 30% of their lakeside
green-space, Eugene Park. This, even though the present park was guaranteed,
( written in the deeds,) to every resident, in perpetuity.
In a meeting last night with TBL that saw the the president of the resident’s association
(also chief promoter of the clandestine parkland sale/giveaway) Mrs Gabrelle St Pierre, team up with Jonathan Robin (the developer) not only gain the blessings of Renaissance Lac Brome, but saw the town tentatively agree to allow the developer’s massive concrete boat ramp, to invade Pearson Creek.
Counselor Ouvrard, (environment TBL) uncharacteristically, had little to say, letting the mayor carry the evening.
Larry Ingold (resident) representing the “no” side was limited to a few words before the mayor moved on to discussions with Mr Robin.
Mr Ingold’s request to have councilor Donald Gagne present had been rejected, the TBL substituted councilor June Call, who had little to say at the French only meeting.
The paramount question, why is this ramp necessary ?
Was answered by Mr Robin with a completely nonsensical, “Because maybe, in the future the government will ban all gravel ramps”.
In other words, for no apparent reason at all. Apparent reason being the key words, the necessity of Mr Robin building the ramp as a condition of his Company’s recent purchase of part of Eugene Park from Mde St Pierre, was of course not mentioned by any one.
Unbelievably the gathered intelligentsia accepted this as a valid reason !!!
The thrust of the Decelles-Robin discussion quickly turned from the merits of the project and it’s effect on the lake, to whether Mr. Robin’s new ramp would be 3 meters wide as the law allows, or 4 meters wide as Le Groupe Robin Inc. would like.
Given “Le Groupe Robin Inc.”s success to date with local adversaries, look for a 4 meter ramp.
Renaissance Lac Brome, demonstrating a stunning lack of information on the issue and having shifted early into the developers camp, offered praise, not only for the new, completely unnecessary, boat ramp in Pearson Creek, but also for Le Groupe Robin’s efforts to stabilize the non-existant problem of erosion in Eugene park.
Tragically, further ignorance of the park and it’s situation (by people deciding It’s fate) was demonstrated by Association president Gabrielle St Pierre (who doesn’t own a boat or dock), when she intimated there were “only about 2 boat docks” up Pearson creek ! There are at least 10, Madame St Pierre, mooring more than 20 boats including several belonging to your confrere Mr Robin. It appears that Mde St Pierre is not only grossly incompetent in looking after the interests of the members, but in fact, is also ignorant of just what she is president of.
A The mayor and councilors left happy, Le Groupe Robin Inc. left happy, Renaissance Lac Brome left happy, as did President St Pierre, all having defended and reiterated the right of Le Groupe Robin Inc. to do whatever necessary in pursing it’s future development plans for Pearson Creek and Brook St.
The big losers were Pearson Creek, Brome Lake, the citizens of TBL, Eugene Park, members of the Eugene Park Association and the present and future residents of the St Pierre development.
A sad outcome, who now speaks for Pearson Creek, for Brome Lake ?
#37 by Mountain Walker on August 14, 2010 - 12:20 pm
Montfoster.ca Project
Hello folks… first time using this BLOG… seems a good place to vent if one has a problem!
I recently found from sneaky advertisements along the highway 10 that a huge development is going to go ahead on Mount Foster. Have you ever walked up there? It is beautiful! Now it is all carved up into big wig mega multi-million dollars investments housing project and the access to the hill seems in danger. In fact my main problem is all of this is in West Bolton and Ste-Etienne, so they dont seem to give a hoot about Brome Lake from what I have gleaned so far.
Sutton has bylaws preventing development above the 600 meter mark. 80% of this project is above that line…. that means a lot of erosion, a lot more sediments going to… Brome Lake!!!
A full 5% of the territory has been set aside for Ecological reasons.. I think that is a by law anyway!
It looks like the friendly characters at Inverness Golf and Condo development are behind this. Their track record as environmental developer is stellar, so we should applaud!!!
Seriously, have you ever tried to drive up Paramount in the winter? It is treacherous and slippery… Now the big SUVs AWDs from Montreal will have a hill to tackle to get to their million dollar view of the lake while paying low taxes in another time zone away from the low life residents of Brome Lake.
This project is a joke!!! The Appalachian corridor should be raising a stink! Another mountain gone, another view that will have big spot lights on all night… in case the owner might want to come over to drink some bubbly with his cronies!
Now …. that feels better. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(Adm Altered)
Taxes are higher than ever. (valuations)
Rural roads are as bad or worst than ever.
Rural taxpayers are as exploited as ever. (mill rate)
The CC has been given more taxpayer dollars than ever.
The environment is suffering it’s lowest priority ever. (Pearson Creek)
The same “Knowlton Centrics” hold sway over city hall and the town is gradually phasing out the founders English language on signs and publications.
Brome Lake is no more, it’s “Lac Brome” exclusively now.
TBL has become a “loose cannon” in the immediate Brome county area.
Not only threatening its own less fortunate citizens (widows and kids) with selling their houses for late taxes, but also threatening and coercing neighboring towns with the loss of previously shared services if they don’t adhere to TBL’s big tax, big debt, big spend philosophy. Phony, money hungry, TBL greedy pigs.
Outsiders running our town, the legacy of outsider-town manager Jean Bourette’s years of unchecked “no Anglo” hiring practices.
Scary of late, city hall has turned it’s benevolent gaze towards the Brome County Historical Societies assets and adjecent land. (Aeroplane for sale ?)
More room for an ever burgining town staff ?
#39 by curious observer on August 17, 2010 - 7:04 pm
No 37 Mountain Walker
I was wondering, apparently there is one of the residents of the area of which you are making reference, that just a few years (maybe a little longer than that)ago built their home there, managed to get their drive built by the other residents by claiming that their driveway was part of the roads that were being built at that time. That resident built half way up the mountain and is now trying to prevent anyone else from building any higher than he(nothing to do with protecting the mountain, just plain jealousy ) are you that family ?
#40 by concerened citizen on August 20, 2010 - 4:08 pm
Pearson Creek
Work has begun on the “improvements” to Eugene Park on Pearson creek.
The developer, Le Groupe Robin Inc. of
St Hyicenth, with the blessings of Renaissance Lac Brome, Town of Brome Lake and our environment councilor Patric Ouvrard, started work at 5.45 AM on Tuesday Aug 17.
The 35 development residents signatures on a petition against the ramp and subsequent loss of 30% of their park. Presented to town hall on Monday the 16th. Was apparently of no consequence.
The natural narrow grassy roadway to the gravel boat ramp was first to go. Dug out, straightened and replaced by a 20 foot wide crushed stone expressway.
The fill from the excavated expressway was spread over the parks former low spot then sodded. The annoying depression, where runoff water used to be held back and filtered through gravel, before entering the lake, is no more. Already weed choked, Soles Bay is in for a rush of new nutrients.
The “Concrete Colossus in the Creek”, massive boat ramp is not yet started.
Perhaps the Decelles-Robin, 3 meter-4 meter ramp width disagreement, is holding it up.
Can’t say, nor can any of our town councilors, because they are as “in the dark” as the rest of us.
Seems to be a mayor- developer thing, with RLB and Mr Ouvrard looking in from the distant, disinterested sidelines.
These Brome Lake environmental experts had better slash their coffee-donut budget and invest in some fencing around their incredibly ill-advised new pond adjacent to the kids playground, behind Knowlton’s Carke Center.
Some things are even more precious and important than the water in Brome Lake.
Anxious to see the “progress” the environment makes next week.
#41 by Brome Lake Mummy on August 23, 2010 - 3:46 pm
Fencing around pond.
I too am very concerned with the new pond behind the kid’s playground. The council will probably have to set up another committee to resolve the fencing problem. These new councillors should stop passing the buck, step up and get something done that the citizens can actually be happy about for once. I for one do not ever want to read about a tragic accident happing there one day. GET IT DONE!
and the upcoming destructive invasion of Pearson creek.
The TBL, RLB, Le Groupe Robin Inc. consortium have been hard at work in the park this week improving on dopey old mother nature.
First matter of business (after the new 20 ft wide boat ramp road) and (possession, they say being 90% of the law,) was fencing off Le Groupe Robin’s 2 newly acquired (without permission from the residents) water front lots.
For these lots to date, the residents have received an unwanted road, some sod, a fence and a horrible jumble of matted “something” all held down by a multitude strings and randomly driven 2×4 stakes driven into the lake bottom at the shoreline. Unsightly, unnecessary, unsafe, destabilizing lunacy. You can tell it’s stupid just looking at it.
The only real problem the “shoreline work” addresses of course, is getting the cost of the given away parkland up, so residents will be fooled into believing that Groupe Robin actually gave them something for their lost parkland.
Not much else to report, were all awaiting the Creek’s Concrete Colossus, the
Robin-Decelles boat ramp. We hope dumping several tons of concrete into Pearson creek will help the lake out. Should, shouldn’t it ?
We intend to be on hand to photograph the remarkably idiotic, ill-conceived event.
Hope the mayor and dignitaries from St Hyacinth and RLB are on hand.
Will advise.
#44 by Mountain Walker on August 26, 2010 - 10:32 am
to Curious Observer #39.
no I do not live on that mountain, although in the town of Brome Lake.
my concerns are that hill tops are developed without concerns that years or erosion will come down into our lake… into another jurisdiction as West Bolton is, meaning we have no say…
Personnaly I find it stupid to build houses on top of mountains! High maintenance and not environmentaly friendly.
While some fret over a boat ramp, they do not see the tons of sediments that will be generated from that project.
#45 by concerened citizen on August 29, 2010 - 10:32 am
To mountain walker,
I can assure you sir/madam, the Eugene Park boat ramp is of critical importance to us all. Merely the tip of an environmental and legal iceberg that has drifted into Brome Lake.
Can money and backroom manipulating really negate the rights of citizens to determine the future of their own property ?
Do outside property developers really have the best interests of our environment at heart ?
Are our elected officials doing their best to enforce “lake protecting” town by-laws or are they following the path of least resistance when confronted with determined adversaries ?
The ramifications and consequences of the “fretting” over this much publicised boat ramp, might well sink more than a few of our local personalities and institutions.
#46 by concerened citizen on August 31, 2010 - 8:08 pm
To Pearson Creek Fans.
The ridiculous concrete boat ramp slated to go into Pearson Creek,by speculators/developers
Le Groupe Robin Inc. is one step closer to reality today. (Aug 31 2010.)
Massive amounts of steel re bars were today placed in the 12′ X 10′ forms the St Hyacinth group had assembled on the shores of the fragile creek.
An early morning concrete pour ?
Obviously not a very sophisticated group, definitely not sensitive in any way to negative publicity and backed by the present laughable and equally unsophisticated Eugene Park Association board of Directors. It is not likely they will be deterred without legal action.
Despite numerous and ongoing warnings to TBL, councilor Ouvrard and RLB that the Robin forms are substantially over sized, it appears our elected officals and compromised lake defenders are unable to conjure up the interest, or a tape-measure, to actually get over to Eugene Park and take a measurement.
(Perhaps they don’t want to know, lest it force them to confront the dreaded Robins).
Thanks to a confused and ineffectual TBL city hall and a politically correct (all things to all people) RLB, the Robin juggernaut rolls on.
What a huge disappointment for all !
With pretend environmental friends like this, who speaks for poor old Brome Lake ?
LET IT BE NOTED HERE THAT TBL AND RLB HAVE KNOWN FOR A WEEK THAT THE ROBIN FORMS ARE OVERSIZED AND GROUPE ROBIN IS IGNORING THE 3 METER MAXIMUM WIDTH IT PREVIOUSLY AGREED TO RESPECT.
#47 by concerened citizen on September 1, 2010 - 9:09 pm
Conforming ramp size.
At 10:30 PM last night Aug 31, and working with lights until midnight. The Groupe Robin Inc., hopeful developers of Pearson Creek, had a crew modify their 4 meter ramp to 3 meters in order to comply with town standards.
The forms were filled with concrete today Sept 1.
The only hurdle for the determined Robins to overcome now (in acquiring their 30% share of Eugene Park), is a positive town council vote on Sept 7 in Fulford, allowing their concrete ramp to be placed in the creek.
It’s now up to our elected councilors to decide the fate of Pearson creek, Eugene Park and ultimately Brome Lake.
They all know the facts, the behind the scenes questionable land deals between the Parks directors and Park fellow director/developer Jonathan Robin.
The shaky environmental arguments for the entire project and the still unanswered questions of just why was this unnessary project given any serious consideration, (let alone swift town approval) and why o why is this massive ramp needed !
RLB has proven a disappointment to this member, soft on development, politically correct to the point of ineffectiveness.. No longer to be entrusted (without diligent scrutiny) with the lakes best interests in any future lake related matters.
The councilors have a big responsibility to execute on Sept 7. I hope they remember the ordinary people who voted for them and vote “NO” to the Pearson Creek boat ramp. They have the power. People power.
#1 by Morris on April 8, 2010 - 2:22 am
Tax Meeting in West Brome April 6
There was a fairly good turnout for Tue. night’s council meeting in West Brome. Not nearly as good a turnout as the issues merited but that’s typical for Brome Lake.
To mayor DeCelles credit, the meeting was conducted in a reasonable, respectful fashion, nothing like the ignorant circuses put on by the last decrepit administration over at the Carke Fondation’s “Centre Lac Brome” in Knowlton. Mrs. Bourrete & Gagne did not attend. Pity, money issues on the agenda and no town chief financial officer on hand.
The major issues,
(aside of course from the chamber of commerce’s representatives pursuing their perennial attention seeking agenda)
were the exorbedent new property evaluations directed towards land owners, generally outside of Knowlton, and the inequality in taxation/services between Knowlton and the outlying villages.
The bulk of the tax money coming from the villages and the bulk of the spending concentrated in Knowlton. (No answers from mayor or council.)
Another trying, unresolved problem.
Citizens, often elderly, retired and on fixed incomes living in houses with a little acreage or retired on their former farms, now deemed green zone agricultural land.
Land that cannot be sold, logged, divided, drained, or made to support itself with any activity, including ironically agriculture. ( you can’t give it away !)
These folks are now forced to pay exorbitant “new evaluation” tax bills to the rather unsympathetic Knowlton gang.
As things stand, these people, unable to separate their houses from their former farms, and unable to pay the big new taxes, have only one option, sell everything and get out of their homes.
The mayor and council could offer no relief for these unfortunates, nor any real hope of a near future solution for the population at large, stuck with high taxes on
“new evaluation” useless green zone land.
The administration tried to convience us that they could not lower rural mill rates to negate tax increases, claiming a multi tiered mill rate could not be done,
( it certainly can and must be ).
The fact is they don’t want another “fairer” lower mill rate for the villages or “green” land, they want the money, all the money. I think the strategy is to wait us out and we’ll pay up, forget it and go away. Not so.
It comes down to is this, villagers and rural landholders will continue to pay outlandish taxes and hand them over to Knowlton to squander on ever more ambitious nonsense.
Walking paths, parks, community center, activities, Chamber of Commerce schemes, big city hall staff, festivals… etc etc..
Knowlton will be the castle royal and we boonies, the over taxed serfs, will send in our yearly oxcart of turnips and maze as homage.
With the administration’s demonstrated reluctance to try to solve the tax issues.
Personally I now see only one solution.
Dismantling, demerging, ending, the disfuncional Town of Brome Lake.
The town that should never have been.
Put it out of it’s misery, separate we out lander boonies from Knowltons ongoing expensive rainbow chasing high rollers.
Time to say goodbye, too many Knowlton nuts and cracker crumbs in our shared bed.
Chalk it up to a noble experiment that failed, but let’s not carry this charade of a pretend town on any further, it’s way too expensive.
Morris Croghan……….Fulford
#2 by larry on April 13, 2010 - 8:10 am
Gee Morris
I HAVE A FEW SPARE TURNIPS LEFT OVER FROM LAST YEAR IF IT CAN HELP ANYONE.
THE VOTED IN MEMBERS CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE TAX HIKE TO HELP POOR PEOPLE KEEP THEIR HOMES, BUT THEY SURE CAN TAKE ACTION TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THE INCREASE.
PEOPLE LIKE THIS KNOW HOW TO SPEND MONEY THEY HAVE NOT EARNED BUT
I HEAR THE METRO WILL SOON COME TO KNOWLTON,
AT LEAST I HOPE SO, WITH THE TAX BILLS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING
LARRY
#3 by Anonymous on April 13, 2010 - 2:10 pm
JUST A REMINDER
2 Weeks left before cut off day for filling your new evaluation protest.
Paperwork avaiable at Town Hall Knowlton.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#4 by Stanley Neil on April 27, 2010 - 2:38 pm
Hello M. Croghan,
Did you know that ” The DestinationKnowlton.com website will be retiring on May 1st 2010.: ?” I had only gone to that site a few times, some of what I saw was interesting, I had noticed that it was very difficult to find what was the latest news on the Destination Knowlton Blog. one thing that a number of people seem to have referred to, was the bus schedule. Have you thought about what you want to do your blog, I see that there has been very little activity on it in the last little while.
How much effort, time and money does it take to have a blog ? Perhaps there is something that can be co-ordinated with some information that is being put on facebook. I am just curious, if you are at the next council meeting , we could talk about it.
#5 by Morris Croghan on April 27, 2010 - 5:25 pm
Stanley
I would highly recommend that you not entertain any ideas about starting a blog, a waste of time and effort. (not a lot of money)
Remember, the Internet is in many ways vastly overrated.
There are just not enough engaged or opinionated people around here to make it worthwhile.
In the case of this blog and the necessity of my limiting the comments to English, Wow, forget it.
Without the comments I gratefully received from a few French speakers, the cupboard would have been pretty bare.
Perhaps a bilingual blog, but I doubt it.
Brome County is 50% French speakers, another 50% don’t own a computer, 50% have no idea of the issues, 50% don’t care, 50% are Anglo Muffheads.
That leaves you and I Stanley.
It seems to me, most people would rather be on face-book chatting about nothing.
Preferable I guess to posting a relevant comment on a blog, a comment that might trigger an opposing or unfavorable response.
We’ve all got to get along don’t we ?
There are more sheep than wolves Stanley.
My experience dictates that people get excited about issues for only a very short time.
They need to be continually stimulated.
Last weeks issues are boring, even if their effects are going to be with them forever ie…..
the current TBL property tax steal.
I’m anxious (but not optimistic) to see the carryover interest from the West Brome tax meeting, to the upcoming Bondville meeting.
I wonder if our “town financial officer” will make an appearance ? See you there.
PS I am going to contest my evaluation.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#6 by Morris on April 30, 2010 - 2:32 pm
Just got back from Town Hall, Knowlton where
I formally protested the robbery being committed under the guise of a tax increase.
Paid my $75 cash, no checks accepted unless certified !
(classy, very classy, very big city)
You’d think that with the small fortune they claim my place is now worth, they wouldn’t be worried about seventy five dollars, then again, they are “Vile de Lac Brome.”
Everybody was courteous, friendly, bilingual and all conversed in English, as I handed over the cash.
Met a new old Knowlton councillor there and asked about the horrific evaluations and taxes.
Not too concerned, “We can’t do a thing” he said, codewords for ” Hell, why would we care, we need all the money for Knowlton we can get”.
This particular councillor fancies himself a “people’s” councilor, but as Aesop once said,
“When you fly with the Crows, squawk like a Crow and eat all the peasants corn, when the trap finally springs, you can’t claim to be an Eagle”.
Eagles it appears, are in short supply in
Vile Lac Brome.
See you at the meeting in Bondville.
Monday May 3 on Mill St.
(Adm Altered) Morris Croghan Fulford
#7 by larry on May 4, 2010 - 7:34 am
You know Morris it is quite difficult to fly like an eagle when all you have around you is turkeys.
#8 by larry on May 4, 2010 - 7:46 am
I went to council meeting at Proudy hall last nite, gee what a waste of time especially the one hour section on West Bolton. I can see how political it was, Brome lake vs Bolton, over the children’s back what a poor excuse for politics, so easy to handle situation but no willpower from the elected. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS CHARGE A REASONALE PRICE FOR THE ACTIVITIES ( I SAID REASONABLE) THEN LET THE PEOPLE WHO PAY FORCE THEIR BOLTON COUNCIL TO GIVE BACK SOME OF THE MONEY TO THEM PERSONALLY. But that was too easy we prefer letting our kids be deprived of good honest fun and pay the SQ to try and keep the peace.
#9 by Morris on May 5, 2010 - 6:19 am
I managed to sit through the first question period at the “Vile” Lac Brome council meeting in Bondville, May 3rd. Disappointingly, no concerns or questions were raised in continuance of the far more important April 6th’s
“New Exorbitant Evaluation & Tax” meeting in West Brome.
Didn’t really expect there would be, not a lot of affected “Green Zone”
re-evaluated land in Bondville. Not an issue.
Big topic was the West Bolton-TBL-Carke Centre programs and how much West Bolton should pay TBL to allow their citizens access to them.
It appears our “Vile” Lac Brome town hall, is frustrated with the level of funding offered by the West Bolton administration.
An administration, which maybe just a little more careful with their taxpayer’s money than our Knowlton gang tend to be.
Personally I believe the West Bolton issue was a diversion, thrown out by TBL city hall, in order to save them from further “West Brome meeting” type
hard-talk, tax questions. They do want that extra revenue !
What about that too high mill rate Mr Decelles, going to lower it ?
If indeed a diversion from the tax issue was the plan, it worked well in Bondville.
It was all West Bolton and fees for Carke Centre services, followed by discussions on fertilizers and pesticides.
Having heard enough fertilizer talk for one evening, I left.
Anybody who had the stamina, as to sit through the entire boring affair, please leave a comment.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#10 by Anonymous on May 5, 2010 - 2:52 pm
Do we know why each councillors went into politics for this town?
Politicians like to leave a trace, make the place better, reach out to the public.
As far as the West Bolton Flu syndrom goes, I agree we should let their residents put pressure on their elected officials.
We have enough lack of spinal bones in this town without loosing precious time with non-issues.
#11 by Morris on May 7, 2010 - 5:54 am
Wal Mart now sell’s Raleigh bicycles, excellent quality. Made right here in Waterloo Qc and no more expensive than the China built stuff offered by the other big Cowansville retailer.
Besides providing jobs, Raleigh supports the Waterloo Arena, hockey programs and contributes bicycles as prizes for numerous local events. (Canada Day) They deserve our support.
If you or your kids are in need of a bicycle this spring, why not check out the Raleighs at Wal Mart.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#12 by Stanley Neil on May 7, 2010 - 8:40 am
I stuck it out through the last council meeting. I was pleased to see that the council is finally starting to take positions that are not always as per the Mayor’s suggestions.
1- I believe and the experience that I had dealing with Crownsville is, the best way to have an understanding/agreements with neighboring towns, charge per user, which means that whichever individuals/families use the TBL services they get charged at a equitable amount, the user then has the choice (not all the other non user residents) of either paying and asking their own municipality to reimburse them for at least a portion of that cost, or, do not use TBL services.
2-In previous council meetings the TBL council has said they would limit how much money is going to the Chamber, in at least a couple of meetings since that original limit was set, the council have been increasing that amount. The last increase of 8,400$, which is being given to support the cost of a sign along the auto route, advertising KNOWLTON. Unless I have been mis-informed, at least a few of the businesses in Knowlton, are being run by non-resident, non tax payers, and now we are going to be subsidizing their promotion, thru the Town’s contribution of this sign. How does anyone outside of Knowlton benefit by this sign? Unless of course we have a business in Knowlton!
3-The Town now has more money available than originally anticipated, I would hope that they would start to put more attention and money into the infrastructure, rather than wasting it un unnecessary and non priority projects.
4-This council should spend more time trying to enforce some of the by-laws that were already in place rather than changing them to by-laws that everyone knows WILL NOT BE FOLLOWED>
5- The Renaissance recommendations seem to be becoming a guide for this council, some of it has merit, however, this council should realize that the Renaissance report was supposed to be sent out for citizens to comment and make their recommendations; apparently it was commented on by 87 people most/if not all just happen to live around the Lake. Members of this council should realize that very few of the residents of Lac brome actually live anywhere near the lake and therefore, the guidelines/directives should/would not be the same.
.
#13 by Morris on May 14, 2010 - 4:25 pm
E-mailed to mayor, all counsellors and president of Chamber of Commerce, May 14
Donald
(Donald Gagne, councilor and co-sponsor of resolution 2008-10-355)
In light of the towns further gift of $8400 to the chamber of commerce for a Hwy 10 “Knowlton” road sign. Please be sure the CC respects town resolution 2008-10-355, calling for all town signs to be bilingual.
Taxpayer money expenditures should reflect the taxpayers it was collected from !
A bilingual sign please.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#14 by Anonymous on May 15, 2010 - 9:24 am
So does that mean that Knowlton will have to be translated into Connaitre (Know) à la tonne (ton).
Wouldn’t that confuse the people on the highway?
Morris, how can you translate Knowlton? I guess like East-Bolton was translated Bolton-Est… The language nuts might prefer Boulon-à-la-tonne de l’Est?
In the meantime, the French in France are calling courriel a mail and commandite a sponsor… with a little accent….
In the meantime, the Charest goverment is ruled by mafia and us tax payers are getting raped at the provincial level as well….
Oh well at least the Habs are winning!
#15 by Morris on May 15, 2010 - 10:27 am
ALERT !
Any resident of the St Pierre Development
(old Paradise Beach) should get over to Proudy Park Hall in Bondville on Sunday May 16 at 9.30 AM. Your lakeside property Eugene Park is under assult, it has been subdived and partley sold off (in fact given) to a developer.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#16 by Morris on May 15, 2010 - 11:19 am
To Anonymous # 14 Signs
I was under the impression that for the town’s extra $ 8400 and presumably additional dollars from the CC, we got more than a simple “Knowlton” sign on the autoroute.
Any promotional wording beyond “Knowlton” that will use any of my taxpayer money, should be bilingual. If the new sign is not going to be bilingual.
Then in respect of town resolution
2008-10-355.
Councillor Donald Gagne should ask the mayor to withdraw funding.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#17 by Shish Taouk on May 17, 2010 - 12:09 pm
I heard that the sign will say ” Destination Knowlton ” with an arrow.
I also heard that the Town may be looking at buying the DestinationKnowlton.com website for $12,000 of tax money to promote the town!
This is crazy!!!
#18 by Morris on May 19, 2010 - 12:43 pm
Sorry Shish for the delay in posting your comment. I apologize.
So little activity on the blog I sometimes forget to check for comments.
I guess everybody is on face-book ?
The taxing subject of “Vile” Lac Brome taxes is going to resurface soon I hope.
I don’t believe the “can’t do a thing” rhetoric we hear from our councilors and mayor.
As soon as the phoney West Bolton kids-Carke Centre diversion is resolved, I for one will be back after them.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#19 by Katie on May 21, 2010 - 1:44 pm
Answer to Sweet Pea comment # 4 on YOUR VIEWS (Adm note)
Well, “Sheesh” Sweet Pea, if you call the garage to have your teeth cleaned you must be quite a confused person, where do you go for an oil change…….Lac Brome Centre Medicale,”Sheesh”, don’t get your blood sugar elevated now…………..
#20 by Morris on May 25, 2010 - 11:05 am
I presume everybody in TBL got the “What Should Knowlton Be ?” town flyer in their mail this week. Public meetings for May 22 and again tonight May 25.
Other than an ireverent, straight forward “who cares”.
I’ve got a suggestion for what Knowlton should be, how about “mute”.
Personally, I wish Knowlton, it’s hand wringing, “desperado improvers”, and what is rapidly turning out to be our cavalier (forget Bel Canto costs) big spending ($8400 sign), administration would stop with the smoke shoveling public consultations.
“Frankly my dear Scarlet”…..
Meantime, It appears the $50,000 plus CC is gearing up for yet another mouth to mouth run at reviving beautiful downtown Knowlton. Personally I resent having to run to monthly town meetings to defend my pocketbook against the CC and council’s “flavor of the week, bad idea”.
I’m beginning to feel like I work for the town of Knowlton and my municipal tax bill confirms it.
Rather than address the horribly inequitable TBL tax grab and awash in their newly plundered (out of Knowlton) taxpayer money.
With no monetary and apparently no moral incentives to do the right thing and bring “boonie” taxes down.
The administration is working hard to prove they need all their new found extra “boonie money” for mother Knowlton.
Newly elected councilors soon forgot their stated missions and quickly dumbed down to parroting the Knowlton commercial chorus. Hey councilors ! Remember the roads in West Brome ? High taxes in Fulford and the outback ? Water,water everywhere but often swill to drink !
I understand TBL city hall has recently taken an uncharacteristic, benevolent interest in the Brome County Historical Society. Not enough municipal issues to contend with ?
The Society has been operating for a long time on a lot less than 122 Lakeside is used to. Bad move all-round !
How about city hall applying themselves to our immediate and pressing problems before looking for, scouting out, or conjuring up a whole new set. Either at the BCHS or from the public at large via these new “meetings”.
If our elected officials must have a plan for Knowlton, perhaps yet another Saturday morning “coffee and doughnut” committee over at the Carke centre ?
Morris Croghan Fulford
#21 by Shish Taouk on May 25, 2010 - 1:01 pm
Morris,
Since you have no ideas and only bash the work of others you are like an opposition politician…innefectual to be told!
#22 by Stanley Neil on May 26, 2010 - 9:28 am
I attended the Mayor’s meeting on Saturday where his “committee of Expert citizens” did a presentation on “What should Knowlton be?” That committee showed 60 plus pictures of different views around Knowlton, which were/are intended to emphasize the negative esthetic impact of the hydro station and poles/wires. They also showed the concept of having walking paths around the various bodies of water, they included the mention of moving the Town garage, as well as having new and improved parking areas. These are all wonderful ideas, however, from what I saw, this presentation did not point out much that had not already been discussed many times in the past. In the past, when the businesses of Knowlton were booming, there was always resistance of who was going to pay. At that time, the findings were that those that were to be benefiting the most from the suggested similar wish list, were the same individuals that were unwilling to accept the fact that they would have to pick up the greatest portion of the costs, therefore, the projects did not move forward. Now, as most of you would have to admit, in Knowlton, the businesses are even fewer and further between, so I would be inclined to believe that the individuals and issues that stopped the projects from moving forward in the past, are even more likely to prevent them from happening today.
The meeting focused about/around Knowlton, (which represents only 32% of the population and they only contribute 32% of the general budget) less than 40 Knowlton residents, bothered to show up at the meeting. Since I did not recognize the majority of those that were in attendance, I assume most were or are fairly new time residents and probably do not have a real appreciation to the fact that LAC BROME is actually made up of seven sectors , not just Knowlton and that the majority of the population, which is the sectors outside of Knowlton, would not be very receptive to the idea of paying more taxes, for which only Knowlton would benefit.
I also attended Tuesdays meeting a little over 50 people were at this meeting.
Note: When the ,now existing walking paths, were installed (which are in the Knowlton area) it was done mainly thru volunteers, interesting to note that most of those volunteers were citizens from OUTSIDE of Knowlton. Those paths have become a major security and maintenance concern, how would the new paths be built and how would the two concerns become any less of an issue?
I suggest that all of Lac Brome would better benefit if and when , efforts were put into finding ways of spending our tax dollars in more equitable ways. Every year it seems as if someone has a new group working on trying to find ideas as to what needs to be done for KNOWLTON, instead of what might be done for the benefit to all of Lac Brome.(The Mayor says they will approach the sectors NEXT) Why not look at some of the simple non costly ideas, go back to the Knowlton 2000 report, imaginaction report, the master plan (which did a major public consultation 2000 thru 2002), rue Principales and/or the report that was put together by community services.
Both the Saturday and Tuesday meetings, seem to be just one more indication that this administration is focusing to much on Knowlton , which always has a wish list of items that they (Knowlton) never seem to be willing to pay for. Now would be the ideal time to start looking at a few different, less expensive projects throughout Lac Brome, not just Knowlton, the above mentioned reports have a number of such suggestions.
The mayor has said on a number of occasions that he believes that he could do these projects with out having to increase our taxes, I say, citizens, especially those living outside of Knowlton, get involved, they will be looking at borrowing by-laws, which you, the citizens (and/or your children)will have to re-pay for those loans. Obviously those that would benefit the most from these projects would love to have them, especially if the Mayor can find a way of making the rest of us pay.
You can be sure none of the other sectors are making wish lists that would cost anywhere near what the Knowlton wish list costs, why do you suppose that is!!!!
#23 by Morris on May 26, 2010 - 1:46 pm
On comment 6-21
Shish, contrary to your comment that I have
“no ideas”, try getting your Knowlton-centric head around this.
I have a pretty good idea that we out of Knowlton “boonies” are being semi-legally robbed under the guise of fanciful, municipal property evaluations, high mill rates and ridiculous, oppressive taxes.
Fleeced so that you anxious, compulsive “Knolton improver’s” can sit around (you call it work) dreaming up bigger and better ways to spend money (preferably of course, none of it your own).
What is it you want for Knowlton Shish, perhaps a little more like
Bromont,Brossard,Montreal,New York ?
What about the 70% of TBL residents who don’t live in Knowlton ? What happens to the 70% of the municipal taxes they pay ? You know what I mean Shish, the 70% of the money that disappears into the Knowlton “Black Hole” every year.
Personally I think Knowlton should pay 70% of the taxes, that’s where the big demand for funding is.
No one should make light of the difficult times some of our local businesses and by extension, their families are experiencing. But sooner or later reality must be allowed to seep in. Brome lake is gone, the Glen is gone, so is any downtown nightlife.
The Knowlton “lifestyle” myth is wearing thin.
While sitting around orchestrating our lives over at the “Carke” Centre next time, observe all the little plastic bottles of water in front of the participants, it might clue you into one of the things “our town” really needs.
TBL is a “community” of 6,500 not 65,000 and we better recognize it soon.
We can’t afford clean water but we can afford to have a group of urban visionaries fresh out of communities 10-100 times our size, lamenting on what we’re lacking ?
I don’t know what their expectations were coming here, but I’m afraid their in for a few disappointments.
I for one am not willing to continue financing the fantasy.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#24 by Morris Croghan on July 7, 2010 - 9:39 pm
Wow, no comments on Brome Lake Blog since May, everybody must be happy in “Vile” Lac Brome !Great !
Im glad we finally have an administration whose stellar performance we can all agree on.
Oh there’ve been a few minor glitches……
unkept promises, some of the worst rural roads in town history, unrestrained spending, disrespectful uni lingual French only signs, highest municipal taxes ever, ballooning city hall staff, unfair and inequitable fund disbursements with the villages,
a blind eye on the environment, a sharp ear to the ever hungry CC. (sounds familiar!)
A dozen Saturday morning coffee and donut, think tank, donut dunk, policy committees over at the Carke Center
.( The mayor likes deferring to committees.)
Finally a scheme afoot to lend the town’s considerable and proven planning-technical expertise (look what they’ve done for Knowlton)
to our now apparently hysterical historical society.
A historical society who by the way recently changed their original mission statement from “Preserving the early history of Brome County” to “Preserving and interpreting the history of Brome County” .
Fashionable, politically correct, much more flexible, much more inclusive.
Hopefully not too Quebec revisionist, but if
“Vile” Lac Brome administrators, Mr Roy and Bourette have anything to do with the “interpreting”, it could get interesting !
Just remember fellows, if you weren’t there, you weren’t there and if you were there, (in “Lac Brome” in 1900) you were nowhere, come to think of it, in 2010 in Lac Brome your still nowhere.
Morris Croghan Fulford
#25 by Concerned Citizen on July 10, 2010 - 9:46 pm
EUGENE PARK-PEARSON CREEK
Things are moving fast behind the scenes over at the late Eugene St Pierre’s old “Paradise Beach” development on Pearson Creek around the corner from the duck farm in Bondville.
Today’s July 21st issue of the French language newspaper “Le Guide”. Coupled with
Frank Nixion’s excellent article in the July 7th “Outlet, has shed light on some very questionable transactions made by the development’s current waterfront park association, directors.
The aerial photo of the park in the Brome County News July 13, showed the stunningly under used, 16 slip boat dock (4 boats moored) that the directors insisted was “needed” in 2007.
Now these same “Directors” are back at city hall, claiming that among other things, they “need” to replace their (excellent and eco-friendly) gravel boat launch in sensitive Pearson Creek, with a concrete launch. Why ?
Large capacity docks, concrete boat ramp, could the directors be working on yet another “on the quiet” Eugene Park “Deal”.
These “Directors” who were in-trusted to look out for the residents best interests, have proven less than candid about their 2009 dealings with both a resident Granby boat dealer and a resident St Hyacinth real estate developer, (both also directors) who were, and are interested in acquiring part (or perhaps more than part) of the association’s Eugene Park waterfront property.
What’s to stop future “improvements for land” deals from being realized ?
Eugene park might be “improved” out of existence !
Eugene Park is a large lake/creek waterfront green-space at the juncture of Pearson Creek and Brome Lake, named for the developments founder and generously donated by the St Pierre family to the residents in 1993, “never to be divided, sold, or used for any commercial purposes”.
In addition to playing fast and loose with provincial laws governing corporations, the directors clandestinely changed the associations constitution and the terms of the park’s donation, in order to accommodate the sale of part of the (never to be divided) Eugene Park to one of their new, fellow directors, Johnathan Robin, of Le Groupe Robin Inc.
In exchange for app 1/3 of the association’s Eugene Park, valuable Pearson Creek/Brome Lake water frontage.
( Which director/developer Jonathan Robin would then add on to his adjacent Brook St, landlocked lots, up grading them from “Access du Lac” (through the park) value $ 25,000 each, to “Bord de L’ Eau” (backing on Pearson Creek) value $100,000 each. )
Director Robin promised (no paperwork), to bare the costs of the work associated with fictitious government demands (actually suggestions), he himself, in the name of the association, had solicited from them the MDDEP.
THERE WERE NO COMPLIANCE DEMANDS PUT ON THE ASSOCIATION FROM THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MDDEP AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON.
NOT FOR SHORELINE PROTECTION, NOT FOR A CONCRETE BOAT RAMP AND NOT FOR THE 2007 MASSIVE 16 BAY, STILL UNDER UTILIZED BOAT DOCKS.
( QUESTION )
IF THE HUGE NEW DOCKS WERE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT’S GROWTH AND FUTURE DOCKING NEEDS BACK IN 2007 (the DIRECTORS)
WHAT ARE THE DIRECTORS ANTICIPATING NOW, IN 2010, SELLING OFF PART OF THE PARK ITSELF ? PERHAPS A POPULATION DROP IN THE DEVELOPMENT ? A CHANGING ROLE FOR EUGENE PARK ? MORE BOATS AND LESS PEOPLE ? FANCIER BOATS ?
FANCIER PEOPLE ?
Irregardless of the lack of any need, the developer (Jonathan Robin) presented the directors with his fanciful (“project cost” estimate) a jacked up, hyper inflated $65,000.
(This to make the director’s clandestine 2009 “Deal” look good and smell right to ordinary assc. members.)
No other bids were sought, or allowed, on either the sale price of the land, or the Robin estimates of the phantom work required !
Le Groupe Robin Inc’s offer and estimate were quickly and quietly accepted in July 2009.
The developer created the need for the work. The developer set the price for the work. The developer set the price for the land. The developer’s St Hyacinth notary drew up and registered a notarized deed of sale, fixing the price of the waterfront land at $ 000.
The association “directors” got a verbal promise to fix some non existent problems and a a forever diminished Eugene Park. Incredibly, all of this without resident member (owners) knowledge or consent.
A new fence, reinforce the shoreline, fix the park road, install a kayak rack and finally the big ticket item, a brand new concrete boat launch ramp into Pearson Creek.
(Again disregarding the excellent eco-friendly ramp already in place)
The new concrete ramp was supposedly needed to accommodate the 15 or so member boats who might use it twice a year, launch in spring, retrieve in fall.
IN TRUTH, THE HEAVIEST USER WOULD BE THE GRANBY BOAT DEALER ‘DIRECTOR’ WHO REGULARY USES THE LAUNCH IN TESTING BOATS FROM HIS BUSINESS, IMUNE FROM ASSC RULES. THIS IS THE SAME “DIRECTOR” WHO WITH PERMISSION FROM HIS WIFE (ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AT THE TIME) INSTALLED THE UNWANTED, UNDER USED 16 BOAT, DOCKS.
Aside from repairing the fence, there were no questions about boat ramps, or any other park “improvements” amongst members until the St Hyacinth developer and Granby boat dealer and his wife became active in the association.
On July 5th 2010, intimidated by the directors ominous threats of each member having to anty up as much as $1000, if they were to have to make good these govt “demands” themselves. Under threat of possibly loosing their boat launch if they did not make the change to Mr Robin’s concrete launch.
The members, after heavy personal lobbying from the “directors”, and believing these changes were indeed government demands, ( not govt suggestions in response to director Robin’s enquiries,) voted 23-17 in favor of 2009′s already “done deal”.
The clandestine sale was registered in Knowlton in January 2010, fully 6 months before the phony, meaningless June 5th “feel good” vote took place and a full year after the land had “in fact” been sold (given away) in July 2009 !
The “directors” motives (other than the developer’s and boat dealer’s)
in this bizarre transaction, I leave to your imagination !
Eugene Park is part of greater Brome Lake and as such it’s administration is not a law unto itself. People far beyond the park will ultimately share the consequences of any
ill-conceived, town approved, lakeside project. The TBL councilor responsible for the environment, has proven ineffective and indifferent, content, indeed inclined, to pass lake related matters on to provincial authorities and this issue was no different.
In spite of consultant RLB’s negative assessment of the project, he quickly cleared his desk and carelessly approved the “improvements”.
The wrong man, in the wrong job, at the wrong time.
The boat ramp file now rests with provincial authorities.
Unfortunately, the MDDEP’s history of overturning a granted municipal permit is not encouraging to the ramps opponents.
In any event, the town’s Pearson Creek boat ramp “approval” has justly come under widespread criticism, opposition and indeed outrage from other lakeside residents, Renaissance Lac Brome Lake and environmentally concerned individuals town wide.
This was an unknowledgeable, unresearched, frivolous “decision” based on nothing.
The councilor responsible should resign, or be removed from the environment portfolio !
Pearson Creek is a biological powerhouse, swarming with thousands on thousands of tiny fish destined to replenish the lake. Aquatic birds and a multitude of other juvenile aquatic species including the now rare Eastern Painted Turtle take refuge there.
The slow moving creek is also a natural high water, runoff sediment catcher, reducing deposits in the already shallow Soles bay. Its prolific vegetation is a natural water purifier. The present full sized flat, expansive Eugene Park is itself a fantastic lakeside water filter and buffer zone.
Considering the current and seemingly yearly, massive “infrastructure” construction
(Centre & Bondville roads), that occurs immediately adjacent and surrounding the sensitive creek area watershed.
Why risk further stressing this fragile creek/lake system now ?
This vital waterway, in co-operation with the legitimate needs of the park owners, “Assc Parc Eugene Inc.” must be preserved intact. It must not be put in jeopardy to advance the goals of any commercial or private enterprise.
The consequences of this unnecessary, frivolous concrete ramp obstruction in the creek, are not fully understood, therefore the ramp should never be allowed, compliant with lax town bylaws or not.
Will city hall ignore RLB’s $25,000 advice to cancel the project and instead rely on councilor Ouvrard’s questionable expertize ?
Would the cancellation of the ramp negate the land deal and save Eugene Park as well ?
Who pays for the reversal of the deeds ? Will the present Eugene Park assc. directors do the honorable thing and resign ? Will the negectfull town councilor resign the portfolio ? Will our mayor do the right thing and advise the MDDEP that after review the municipal permit is revoked ?
Will the message that the lake belongs to everyone and is not subject to the whims of any individual, organization or City hall, finally get through ?
Will we get a swift resolution, or another study “comity” ?
Concerned Citizen
#26 by a curious & concerned citizen on July 15, 2010 - 8:57 pm
I was under the impression that we the tax payers of Brome Lake were, paying some of our tax dollars for a group of environmentally concerend people to work with the Town to take care of issues such as this.
Where and what is Renaissance Lac Brome doing to make sure nothing is allowed which would be detrimental to the Creek and lake.
#27 by larry on July 21, 2010 - 7:16 am
Gee SOS DIFFERENT DAY, without chastisiising anyone and having had the pleasure of attending city hall meeting I have found that the most interesting part of these meetings is when someone local gives us a 20 min information seccion on the past towns existance, too bad the good old days when men wore pants and women didn t .
But I must say I have clearily seen over the past 6 months no Change from one council to another, I have yet to see anyone from council come up with good ideas to save money and pay our bills and debts, but have I seen them generate ways of spending like there was no tommorrow. Too bad its so easy to spend someone elses money.FOR GODS SAKE COUNCIL WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE ONE WITH GUTS ENOUGH TO STOP ENDEBTMENT AND SPENDING AND PUT THEIR EFFORTS TOGETHER TO PAY OFF THE MONEYS OWED,
#28 by larry on July 21, 2010 - 10:20 am
Concerned Citizens: It does not seems very likely that environment councilor Ouvrard will bring any positive lite to the Eugene Park concrete boat ramp issue
He has already passed the buck, even tho he has been aware of this file for some time, I say, if he was elected, he must have been aware of it in the past.
Council says the town invests $25,000.00 in RLB, surly it wants something in return.
I am sure RLB has proven its capabilities more than once to the citizens of TBL as well as to city hall.
RLB has made very clear their opposition to the concrete ramp and has sent copies of same to both TBL and to MDDEP.
TBL has done what with RLB’s recommendations ? Seems like nothing, why ?
Why pay RLB such sums of taxpayers money, if you are not going to listen to, or do anything with their suggestions ? Why do you pass it on to someone else to make the decision, like MDDEP ?
Could it be TBL has no real structure in place to handle these issues ?
Could it be that TBL does not have the “right people” in place to handle these issues ? Could it be TBL really doesn’t care ?
Changing your mind in favor of something better, is a sign of intelligence,
not weakness.
#29 by larry on July 23, 2010 - 5:44 am
Should the entire environment files, supposedly governed by the town, be given to RLB ? It seems to me the TBL files sit on someones desk, or are simply handed over to the MDDEP for review, this way no feathers are ruffled and city hall walks away with clean hands.
It is my opinion that Brome Lake belongs to the people of this town, therefore all matters concerning the lake should be handled by our council, our people, and any professional local organisation related to cleaning up our Lake.
We the people polluted the lake and its our job and responsibility to clean it up.
Time is running out.
No one, and I mean no one, should for any reason weather it be political or otherwise, be permitted to contribute to the destruction of Brome Lake.
All necessary measures should be taken, at all levels, to stop all threats.
#30 by ANONYMOUS on July 25, 2010 - 10:35 am
I look at this website with great interest as I was a resident of Knowlton for over 50 years ands just am sick at what I read on what is happening to my former home. Polluted lake, shops and restaurants closing not to mention higher taxes – no wonder people are movingg out – it is not getting better. A real shame -
#31 by Shish Taouk on July 26, 2010 - 12:13 pm
Well Mrs Anonymous,
I can gaurantee to you that anyone who has lived anywhere for 50 years will see more pollution, higher taxes and businesses closing…it’s not just Knowlton…it’s happening to every town in Canada…it’s called overpopulation, globalization and a recession! Get over it!
Anyone moving out thinking it is better somewhere else is delusional…it’s the same all over…actually it could be worse!!
Still…the scoundrels who sell out our Lake for Boat Ramps should be held accountable…that is disgusting to see our elected officials work together with money grubbing developers to move money back and forth between their private little pockets….It’s our money after all!!
#32 by larry on July 27, 2010 - 11:39 am
It is quite obvious now that this whole Pearson Creek situation is going to end up as a legal matter, unless the MDDEP refuses the boat ramp and that is very unlikely
(but miracles do sometimes happen). Perhaps the ministry will ask the town to clean up its act, (I doubt that will ever happen) before they issue a certificate.
Personally I am skeptical that the town has the people or will to settle this issue correctly. (Its like being in the right Church but the wrong Pu.)
Too bad it has reached this point, but the town is not fully aware of the complete file. It seems to have taken the side of the developers and is getting carried away by their smoke and whistle presentations.
The developer did not anticipate this type of reaction by outside media and so forth.
I encourage people to support us against Goliath,
(and it appears the TBL administration,) by attending the next town council meeting to be held in Fulford Monday Aug 2nd at 7 PM.
Remember TBL gave Renaissance Lac Brome $25,000 of your tax money, then refused to listen to their recommendations on this ridiculous Pearson Creek concrete boat ramp.
SOMETHING WRONG HERE !
#33 by larry on July 29, 2010 - 6:45 am
I woke up this morning remembering when Gramps had a pipe leading out into the lake about 50ft from the shoreline, the pipe was activated by a pump located in the shed. The water from the lake came directly into the house for household use, If you tried that today the pipe would probably melt away in no time from the toxins in the lake.
When we needed drinking water, Gramps would get a tin cup and bucket walk over to the creek coming down from the south side of Bondville road and skim water from the creek. I went down to that creek this week, full of weeds, scum on the water and even a full can of old motor oil which seemed to have been dumped their.
I remember when the biggest motor on the lake was a 15 hp Johnson owned by Mr Henderson on the Bondville side. I remember Bondville Rd being gravel.
Times have changed, people have changed, the lake has changed, IT CAN’T TAKE CARE OF ITSELF ANY MORE ! It’s in the worst condition I can remember and is well on its way to total destruction.
To my mind there are two standout reasons.
More and more high HP motors on the lake stirring up the bottom and most importantly, our town council’s seeming inability to enact and enforce stringent, tough,
lake protecting and lake rejuvenating by-laws.
I was in Grifensee, a small community close to Zuric in Switzerland, a lake about two third the seize of Brome Lake (I have relatives there) Anyone caught polluting in any way or form has an automatic 3500 Swiss franc fine.
You can drink the water in this lake.
#34 by guest on July 29, 2010 - 2:06 pm
I´m sorry to tell you but lake Greifensee is for sure no good example. I recommend this swiss site to start at http://www.greifensee-stiftung.ch/natur-und-naturschutz/lebensraum-see-und-ufer/
plus using the google auto-translation if you can´t read it, maybe this helps to understand that this lake is massive endangered too.
#35 by larry on August 13, 2010 - 6:33 am
I attended a meeting concerning the Pearson Creek issue last nite at City Hall.
To my non-amazement, it was exactly as I knew it would be, exactly as others told me it would be, ONE SIDED. I had conditioned myself to believing that when you are on the good and honest side of things, you quickly become immune to the other side, and to what now seems to be the norms in business.
I got in about 9 words in a 1.30 m meeting, being quickly shut down.
I came home very disappointed but convinced that I had done my best and more importantly, my best for fellow residents living in the Eugene Park settlement, There is an old saying that goes like this.
REMEMBER THAT IN LIFE AS YOU CLIMB THE LADDER OF FAME, THAT ON YOUR WAY DOWN YOU WILL MEET ALL THOSE WHO’ S FINGURES YOU STEPPED ON.
#36 by concerened citizen on August 13, 2010 - 7:10 am
It appears the residents of the St Pierre (Old Paradise Beach) development, will awake this morning to the likelihood of a brand new concrete boat ramp being built in Pearson Creek, like it or not.
They will also have to get used to the fact that St Hyacinth developers Groupe Robin Inc, (recent arrivals, but already owners of a substantial portion of Brook St’s creek side properties), will now also be the new owners of about 30% of their lakeside
green-space, Eugene Park. This, even though the present park was guaranteed,
( written in the deeds,) to every resident, in perpetuity.
In a meeting last night with TBL that saw the the president of the resident’s association
(also chief promoter of the clandestine parkland sale/giveaway) Mrs Gabrelle St Pierre, team up with Jonathan Robin (the developer) not only gain the blessings of Renaissance Lac Brome, but saw the town tentatively agree to allow the developer’s massive concrete boat ramp, to invade Pearson Creek.
Counselor Ouvrard, (environment TBL) uncharacteristically, had little to say, letting the mayor carry the evening.
Larry Ingold (resident) representing the “no” side was limited to a few words before the mayor moved on to discussions with Mr Robin.
Mr Ingold’s request to have councilor Donald Gagne present had been rejected, the TBL substituted councilor June Call, who had little to say at the French only meeting.
The paramount question, why is this ramp necessary ?
Was answered by Mr Robin with a completely nonsensical, “Because maybe, in the future the government will ban all gravel ramps”.
In other words, for no apparent reason at all. Apparent reason being the key words, the necessity of Mr Robin building the ramp as a condition of his Company’s recent purchase of part of Eugene Park from Mde St Pierre, was of course not mentioned by any one.
Unbelievably the gathered intelligentsia accepted this as a valid reason !!!
The thrust of the Decelles-Robin discussion quickly turned from the merits of the project and it’s effect on the lake, to whether Mr. Robin’s new ramp would be 3 meters wide as the law allows, or 4 meters wide as Le Groupe Robin Inc. would like.
Given “Le Groupe Robin Inc.”s success to date with local adversaries, look for a 4 meter ramp.
Renaissance Lac Brome, demonstrating a stunning lack of information on the issue and having shifted early into the developers camp, offered praise, not only for the new, completely unnecessary, boat ramp in Pearson Creek, but also for Le Groupe Robin’s efforts to stabilize the non-existant problem of erosion in Eugene park.
Tragically, further ignorance of the park and it’s situation (by people deciding It’s fate) was demonstrated by Association president Gabrielle St Pierre (who doesn’t own a boat or dock), when she intimated there were “only about 2 boat docks” up Pearson creek ! There are at least 10, Madame St Pierre, mooring more than 20 boats including several belonging to your confrere Mr Robin. It appears that Mde St Pierre is not only grossly incompetent in looking after the interests of the members, but in fact, is also ignorant of just what she is president of.
A The mayor and councilors left happy, Le Groupe Robin Inc. left happy, Renaissance Lac Brome left happy, as did President St Pierre, all having defended and reiterated the right of Le Groupe Robin Inc. to do whatever necessary in pursing it’s future development plans for Pearson Creek and Brook St.
The big losers were Pearson Creek, Brome Lake, the citizens of TBL, Eugene Park, members of the Eugene Park Association and the present and future residents of the St Pierre development.
A sad outcome, who now speaks for Pearson Creek, for Brome Lake ?
Concerned Citizen
#37 by Mountain Walker on August 14, 2010 - 12:20 pm
Montfoster.ca Project
Hello folks… first time using this BLOG… seems a good place to vent if one has a problem!
I recently found from sneaky advertisements along the highway 10 that a huge development is going to go ahead on Mount Foster. Have you ever walked up there? It is beautiful! Now it is all carved up into big wig mega multi-million dollars investments housing project and the access to the hill seems in danger. In fact my main problem is all of this is in West Bolton and Ste-Etienne, so they dont seem to give a hoot about Brome Lake from what I have gleaned so far.
Sutton has bylaws preventing development above the 600 meter mark. 80% of this project is above that line…. that means a lot of erosion, a lot more sediments going to… Brome Lake!!!
A full 5% of the territory has been set aside for Ecological reasons.. I think that is a by law anyway!
It looks like the friendly characters at Inverness Golf and Condo development are behind this. Their track record as environmental developer is stellar, so we should applaud!!!
Seriously, have you ever tried to drive up Paramount in the winter? It is treacherous and slippery… Now the big SUVs AWDs from Montreal will have a hill to tackle to get to their million dollar view of the lake while paying low taxes in another time zone away from the low life residents of Brome Lake.
This project is a joke!!! The Appalachian corridor should be raising a stink! Another mountain gone, another view that will have big spot lights on all night… in case the owner might want to come over to drink some bubbly with his cronies!
Now …. that feels better. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(Adm Altered)
#38 by Morris on August 15, 2010 - 7:28 am
How’s our new TBL administration doing ?
Taxes are higher than ever. (valuations)
Rural roads are as bad or worst than ever.
Rural taxpayers are as exploited as ever. (mill rate)
The CC has been given more taxpayer dollars than ever.
The environment is suffering it’s lowest priority ever. (Pearson Creek)
The same “Knowlton Centrics” hold sway over city hall and the town is gradually phasing out the founders English language on signs and publications.
Brome Lake is no more, it’s “Lac Brome” exclusively now.
TBL has become a “loose cannon” in the immediate Brome county area.
Not only threatening its own less fortunate citizens (widows and kids) with selling their houses for late taxes, but also threatening and coercing neighboring towns with the loss of previously shared services if they don’t adhere to TBL’s big tax, big debt, big spend philosophy. Phony, money hungry, TBL greedy pigs.
Outsiders running our town, the legacy of outsider-town manager Jean Bourette’s years of unchecked “no Anglo” hiring practices.
Scary of late, city hall has turned it’s benevolent gaze towards the Brome County Historical Societies assets and adjecent land. (Aeroplane for sale ?)
More room for an ever burgining town staff ?
#39 by curious observer on August 17, 2010 - 7:04 pm
No 37 Mountain Walker
I was wondering, apparently there is one of the residents of the area of which you are making reference, that just a few years (maybe a little longer than that)ago built their home there, managed to get their drive built by the other residents by claiming that their driveway was part of the roads that were being built at that time. That resident built half way up the mountain and is now trying to prevent anyone else from building any higher than he(nothing to do with protecting the mountain, just plain jealousy ) are you that family ?
#40 by concerened citizen on August 20, 2010 - 4:08 pm
Pearson Creek
Work has begun on the “improvements” to Eugene Park on Pearson creek.
The developer, Le Groupe Robin Inc. of
St Hyicenth, with the blessings of Renaissance Lac Brome, Town of Brome Lake and our environment councilor Patric Ouvrard, started work at 5.45 AM on Tuesday Aug 17.
The 35 development residents signatures on a petition against the ramp and subsequent loss of 30% of their park. Presented to town hall on Monday the 16th. Was apparently of no consequence.
The natural narrow grassy roadway to the gravel boat ramp was first to go. Dug out, straightened and replaced by a 20 foot wide crushed stone expressway.
The fill from the excavated expressway was spread over the parks former low spot then sodded. The annoying depression, where runoff water used to be held back and filtered through gravel, before entering the lake, is no more. Already weed choked, Soles Bay is in for a rush of new nutrients.
The “Concrete Colossus in the Creek”, massive boat ramp is not yet started.
Perhaps the Decelles-Robin, 3 meter-4 meter ramp width disagreement, is holding it up.
Can’t say, nor can any of our town councilors, because they are as “in the dark” as the rest of us.
Seems to be a mayor- developer thing, with RLB and Mr Ouvrard looking in from the distant, disinterested sidelines.
These Brome Lake environmental experts had better slash their coffee-donut budget and invest in some fencing around their incredibly ill-advised new pond adjacent to the kids playground, behind Knowlton’s Carke Center.
Some things are even more precious and important than the water in Brome Lake.
Anxious to see the “progress” the environment makes next week.
#41 by Brome Lake Mummy on August 23, 2010 - 3:46 pm
Fencing around pond.
I too am very concerned with the new pond behind the kid’s playground. The council will probably have to set up another committee to resolve the fencing problem. These new councillors should stop passing the buck, step up and get something done that the citizens can actually be happy about for once. I for one do not ever want to read about a tragic accident happing there one day. GET IT DONE!
#42 by Morris on August 24, 2010 - 6:39 pm
Renaissance Lac Brome, at bat for Brome lake.
Pearson Creek SNAFU.
Strike 1
Unfenced pond adjacent kids playground.SNAFU.
Strike 2
…..?………SNAFU.
Strike 3
What nonsence will they lend support to next ?
#43 by Morris on August 25, 2010 - 8:29 pm
Update on Eugene Park “improvements”
and the upcoming destructive invasion of Pearson creek.
The TBL, RLB, Le Groupe Robin Inc. consortium have been hard at work in the park this week improving on dopey old mother nature.
First matter of business (after the new 20 ft wide boat ramp road) and (possession, they say being 90% of the law,) was fencing off Le Groupe Robin’s 2 newly acquired (without permission from the residents) water front lots.
For these lots to date, the residents have received an unwanted road, some sod, a fence and a horrible jumble of matted “something” all held down by a multitude strings and randomly driven 2×4 stakes driven into the lake bottom at the shoreline. Unsightly, unnecessary, unsafe, destabilizing lunacy. You can tell it’s stupid just looking at it.
The only real problem the “shoreline work” addresses of course, is getting the cost of the given away parkland up, so residents will be fooled into believing that Groupe Robin actually gave them something for their lost parkland.
Not much else to report, were all awaiting the Creek’s Concrete Colossus, the
Robin-Decelles boat ramp. We hope dumping several tons of concrete into Pearson creek will help the lake out. Should, shouldn’t it ?
We intend to be on hand to photograph the remarkably idiotic, ill-conceived event.
Hope the mayor and dignitaries from St Hyacinth and RLB are on hand.
Will advise.
#44 by Mountain Walker on August 26, 2010 - 10:32 am
to Curious Observer #39.
no I do not live on that mountain, although in the town of Brome Lake.
my concerns are that hill tops are developed without concerns that years or erosion will come down into our lake… into another jurisdiction as West Bolton is, meaning we have no say…
Personnaly I find it stupid to build houses on top of mountains! High maintenance and not environmentaly friendly.
While some fret over a boat ramp, they do not see the tons of sediments that will be generated from that project.
#45 by concerened citizen on August 29, 2010 - 10:32 am
To mountain walker,
I can assure you sir/madam, the Eugene Park boat ramp is of critical importance to us all. Merely the tip of an environmental and legal iceberg that has drifted into Brome Lake.
Can money and backroom manipulating really negate the rights of citizens to determine the future of their own property ?
Do outside property developers really have the best interests of our environment at heart ?
Are our elected officials doing their best to enforce “lake protecting” town by-laws or are they following the path of least resistance when confronted with determined adversaries ?
The ramifications and consequences of the “fretting” over this much publicised boat ramp, might well sink more than a few of our local personalities and institutions.
More info in the Sept issue of the Tempo.
Concerned Citizen
#46 by concerened citizen on August 31, 2010 - 8:08 pm
To Pearson Creek Fans.
The ridiculous concrete boat ramp slated to go into Pearson Creek,by speculators/developers
Le Groupe Robin Inc. is one step closer to reality today. (Aug 31 2010.)
Massive amounts of steel re bars were today placed in the 12′ X 10′ forms the St Hyacinth group had assembled on the shores of the fragile creek.
An early morning concrete pour ?
Obviously not a very sophisticated group, definitely not sensitive in any way to negative publicity and backed by the present laughable and equally unsophisticated Eugene Park Association board of Directors. It is not likely they will be deterred without legal action.
Despite numerous and ongoing warnings to TBL, councilor Ouvrard and RLB that the Robin forms are substantially over sized, it appears our elected officals and compromised lake defenders are unable to conjure up the interest, or a tape-measure, to actually get over to Eugene Park and take a measurement.
(Perhaps they don’t want to know, lest it force them to confront the dreaded Robins).
Thanks to a confused and ineffectual TBL city hall and a politically correct (all things to all people) RLB, the Robin juggernaut rolls on.
What a huge disappointment for all !
With pretend environmental friends like this, who speaks for poor old Brome Lake ?
LET IT BE NOTED HERE THAT TBL AND RLB HAVE KNOWN FOR A WEEK THAT THE ROBIN FORMS ARE OVERSIZED AND GROUPE ROBIN IS IGNORING THE 3 METER MAXIMUM WIDTH IT PREVIOUSLY AGREED TO RESPECT.
Concerned Citizen
#47 by concerened citizen on September 1, 2010 - 9:09 pm
Conforming ramp size.
At 10:30 PM last night Aug 31, and working with lights until midnight. The Groupe Robin Inc., hopeful developers of Pearson Creek, had a crew modify their 4 meter ramp to 3 meters in order to comply with town standards.
The forms were filled with concrete today Sept 1.
The only hurdle for the determined Robins to overcome now (in acquiring their 30% share of Eugene Park), is a positive town council vote on Sept 7 in Fulford, allowing their concrete ramp to be placed in the creek.
It’s now up to our elected councilors to decide the fate of Pearson creek, Eugene Park and ultimately Brome Lake.
They all know the facts, the behind the scenes questionable land deals between the Parks directors and Park fellow director/developer Jonathan Robin.
The shaky environmental arguments for the entire project and the still unanswered questions of just why was this unnessary project given any serious consideration, (let alone swift town approval) and why o why is this massive ramp needed !
RLB has proven a disappointment to this member, soft on development, politically correct to the point of ineffectiveness.. No longer to be entrusted (without diligent scrutiny) with the lakes best interests in any future lake related matters.
The councilors have a big responsibility to execute on Sept 7. I hope they remember the ordinary people who voted for them and vote “NO” to the Pearson Creek boat ramp. They have the power. People power.
Concerned Citizen
#48 by concerened citizen on September 3, 2010 - 3:05 pm
Email your councilor,
Mayor
gilles.decelles@yahoo.ca (Gilles Decelles)
Councilors
jacqueslecours@sympatico.ca (Jacques Lecours)
patrix.com@sympatico.ca (Patric Oevrard) (enviroment).
junecall@gmail.com (June Call)
duoteltel@acn.net (Donald Gagne)
mgubertgomes@hotmail.com (Merta Gomes)
mcgovern.tommy@gmail.com (Tommy Mc Govern)