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Minutes Annual General Meeting
May 29, 2010
Port Rowan Community Centre
College Street, Port Rowan, Ontario
Meeting began at 10:05 with Bob Welsh acting as Chairman
and introducing the Board of Directors of the past year. Introductions
were made in alphabetical order - Marsh Forchuk, Jack Grose, Wayne May, Don
Millar, Bill Mitchell, Carol Mitchell, Posie Ross, Stu Ross, Muir Sumner, Brent
Taylor and Bob Welsh. A special thank you to Betty Lou May, Glenda Sumner,
Peter Welsh, spouses of the Directors and Derek May.
John Anderson motioned to adopt the agenda as printed.
Seconded by Peter Selk. Carried.
Bob Welsh reviewed the Mission Statements and why FOCAS
was formed.
Accomplishments:
 | Started in January 2009 with a meeting hosted by the
Long Point Chamber of Commerce which highlighted LPCIP's proposal and public
objections which led to the forming of FOCAS. |
| Held an open public meeting in May 2009 to introduce
FOCAS. |
| Presentation made to Norfolk Council in May 2009 who
requested we work with LPCIP to determine areas of common interest. |
| Held 2 meetings in June and August with representatives
from each group. Stu Ross had numerous one on one meetings with Bernie
Solymar from the LPCIP.. |
| Another open public meeting held in August 2009 at the
Port Rowan Community Centre to report and flush out more of our positions. |
| Stu Ross made 2 presentations to Norfolk County
Council, appeared on local cable television show "The Michael Bedoway Show"
and made presentations to 9 service clubs and community groups throughout the
County at which more surveys were taken and results tabulated. |
| Newsletters to all paid up members via e-mail and snail
mail were sent in November 2009 and February 2010. |
| meetings with some government officials representing
all three levels of government. |
| FOCAS sign was erected on the causeway north of Sandboy
Marina. There was some pressure to have the sign removed but it will
remain. |
| Met with senior planner, director of planning with the
city of Mississauga to determine how the project could possibly go ahead.
It would require an Environmental Assessment (EA) with a low estimate of 1/2
million dollars. Stu made a presentation to council concerning the need
for an EA. |
| Had an arborist do an inventory of trees and report on
the condition/replacement. An article in the London Free Press, August
2009 indicating the LPCIP says the causeway trees are to be saved. Peter
Black has indicated that the proposed walkway should be a project taken on by
an independent group and should be off the roadway. |
Challenges:
| Attempts to make more presentations to local groups
have been declined. |
| A second sign on the east side of the causeway beside
the other LPCIP sign was declined by CWS and by Norfolk County. |
| Bob Welsh and Muir Sumner attended the AGM of the Long
Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation in January 2010. A total of 17
people were in attendance with 5 out of 14 directors attending. With
approximately 16,000 members, the funds raised from membership fees along with
$376,000 in provincial grants make for stiff opposition. |
| Attempts to publish articles in local newspaper were
denied unless the LPCIP is publishing a similar article. |
| Attempts to have the County maintain the existing trees
have been unsuccessful. |
Needs:
| Continued membership. |
| Money through fundraising Federal or Provincial. |
| People with interest in the beauty of the causeway to
serve on the Board of Directors. Two replacement positions available due
to the resignation of Marsh Forchuk and Jack Grose. Bob thanked these
two members for all their hard work over the past year. |
| With the upcoming Municipal Election, understand the
candidates views on the causeway. Election is October 25, 2010. If
FOCAS members have 2 properties in Norfolk County then they are allowed only
one vote but if they have property in another County as well as Norfolk then
they are allowed to vote in both areas. |
Bob Welsh turned the microphone over to Stu Ross.
Stu reviewed the numerous attempts FOCAS has made to
contact the LPCIP with no response. They are hoping we will fold up and go
away. "We are not going away!" Stu explained that we do not need to
spend $16.6 million dollars to accomplish the LPCIP objective. Stu
explained the "Headstart" turtle program which has been proven to work and costs
comparatively little.
Stu explained that "water does not run uphill" so the LPCIP's proposal would
not be practical. Maps are available that indicate the marsh levels are
lower than the bay by .5 metres. Stu Ross, Wayne May and Posie Ross
conducted a study of the bay level compared to the marsh with measurements taken
where the LPCIP want to put 4 eco-passages.
Stu has been in contact with representatives from Ducks Unlimited concerning the
rejuvenation of the marsh.
Stu explained the pros and cons of the County's tree planting program. Stu
made a motion "That the FOCAS Board of Directors establish contact with the
staff of Norfolk County with a view to establish a program of tree planting on
the road allowance of the causeway with the understanding that the species and
exact location of the trees shall be at the discretion of the County staff".
Seconded by Jack Grose. Discussion followed. Comment by Ted
Whitworth that the trees were planted to help hold the road in place and the
shade lengthens the life of the tarmac. Peter Selk observed that the trees
located back from the roadway could help traffic safety.
Stu reported that the maximum distance that the trees could be planted would be
36 feet from the edge of the road. D. Homeniuk would like to keep the
integrity of the causeway and trees. Bill Mitchell commented that it would
be a proactive move, providing that the membership be kept informed of the
progress on FOCAS' discussions with the County.
Darlene Homeniuk moved for acceptance of the report. Seconded by Shirley
O'Brien. Carried.
Treasurer's Report:
The treasurer's report was presented by Wayne May.
Wayne moved to accept the report. Seconded by Bill Mitchell.
Carried.
Motions Put Before the Membership:
- That the membership of FOCAS endorse the composition of
the Board of Directors as it is presently constituted. Moved by Bob
Welsh. Seconded by John Anderson. Carried.
- That the membership of FOCAS endorse the actions taken
by the Board of Directors to this date. Moved by Bob Welsh.
Seconded by Jack Grose. Carried
Incorporation:
Bob Welsh explained the reason for incorporating FOCAS.
By-Laws:
Peter Welsh presented the draft by-laws. Peter Welsh
moved that the draft by-laws as presented be adopted. Seconded by Julie
Stone. Carried unanimously.
Bob Welsh moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by
Shirley O'Brien. Carried.
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