echo december 2014.indd

32 Pages·2014·4.9 MB·English

VOLUME 33 • NUMBER 5 PUBLISHED BY THE WHITESHELL COTTAGERS ASSOCIATION INC. • WWW.WHITESHELLCOTTAGERS.COM DECEMBER 2014
President’s Report
By Daniel Klass, WCA President
Iw ant to begin this report co�agers’ willingness to join
with a tribute to a friend the organization and sup-
and co�ager who tragically port our campaign. While
died of cancer a few short we are encouraged to hear
weeks ago. Warren Froese supporting comments from
was a fine orthopedic sur- many co�agers and friends
geon, a humanitarian and ... ”keep up the good work,
family man of great charac- we really appreciate what
ter. He loved the Whiteshell your association is doing for
Park, and in his last days us,” “thanks for stating the
WCA 2014 Photo Contest Winners
amazingly found time and case for co�agers,” etc., etc.
The photo above by Gail Patchett of Nutimik Lake is the First Place
energy to defend the frag- But the hard metric of paid
Winner in the Scenic Category of the Whiteshell Cottagers Associa-
ile nature around him from up memberships reveal more
tion 2014 Photo Contest. All of the winners in this year’s competi-
the ill-advised wastewater of a story of apathy. Is this a tion can be seen on pages 12 to 15.
treatment project at Brereton sign of the boiled frog syn-
Lake. His report in the Echo drome that I described in the
of August 2014, two short last Echo? I hope not. ration of a legal response to sign up by January 1, 2015.
months before his death, Preparations Underway the government’s strategy, Our aim is transparent; we
with its call to arms to all The WCA has been work- and the preparation of both need more members and we
Whiteshell Co�agers, is a fit- ing hard to prepare a coun- public and government rela- want to encourage all co�ag-
ting tribute to this fine man. tera�ack against the govern- tions projects to make certain ers to join. Our usual roster is
We extend our deepest sym- ment’s false labeling of our that our story will be heard about 2,000 members out of
pathy to Warren’s family and membership which they then when and where it counts. the, approximately, 3,000 cot-
commit to carrying his ban- used as background to impos- Will our efforts be success- tages in the North and South
ner of good works forward. ing unfair levels of fees and ful? Only time can tell, but Whiteshell. Our goal is to
Warren urged us all to follow taxes on us. All of our prepa- we certainly are going to try achieve at least a 90 per cent
his lead and be involved with ration requires your support, our best. membership level. The more
the Co�ager’s Association to both to build a strong, well- Membership Drive members we have, the more
protect the Whiteshell. supported organization and Although we are a volun- vigorous an association we
Join the WCA to carry our messages to the teer organization, we are en- can be. The stronger we are
Despite all of the excite- public and the government. countering significant and as an association, the more
ment over the Ministry’s Evidence of these activities growing expenses to defend likely we are to bring some
high handed and arbitrary is found in our newly revital- our common interests. In this reason to the plans of Mani-
management in the Park, we ized web site, our Whiteshell- issue, and in a recent email toba Conservation to jack
have been underwhelmed by wide petition (now with over blast, we are announcing our up our fees and lease rates.
4,000 signatures!), our prepa- annual membership drive. I urge you to take a moment
Though we are raising our to review the last invoice you
annual fee to $35 per co�age, received from parks.
Now is we are offering a one time
$10 discount to all renewals
Continued on page 3
the time and to new members who
to join
THIS ISSUE ...
the WCA
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT 3 LAKE REPORTS 18-30
See Page 4 ENVIRONMENT CONTEST 4 CHRISTMAS RECIPES 22-23
COTTAGE FEES ANALYSIS 6 SWAMP DONKEY RACE 25
for
THANK YOU ADVERTISERS 11 SNOWMOBILE SAFETY 26
details
PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS 12-15 WINTER ADVENTURES 27
Publication Agreement No. 40009463
2 WHITESHELL ECHO DECEMBER 2014
20
DECEMBER 2014 WHITESHELL ECHO 3
Whiteshell Co�agers Association
President’s Report
Continued From P. 1
Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Club Regent Event Centre
If you object to what the government is plan-
1425 Regent Ave., Winnipeg
ning, reflect on how you can help your associa-
Meeting at 7 p.m. Whiteshell merchants
tion in the months and years ahead. At a
will exhibit products and services
minimum, keep your own membership active.
starting at 5 p.m.
Millan, Kerry Davies,
Focus on the rates lake know about the our members and cot- will be clearly heard in
Jacques Nault, Brenda
government is expect- Co�agers Association tagers throughout the meetings with mem-
Trach and Deborah
ing you to pay in a few and encourage them to province, and to be�er bers of the legislative
Seguin. We also say
short years’ time and join us. And even bet- manage the Whiteshell assembly. We would
farewell to directors
imagine the bite this ter, contact your Lake for the benefit of all welcome your joining
who have served us
will take out of your Director (see their con- stakeholders. us in these meetings.
faithfully in the past
personal budget. If you tact information on We have been advised Finally, as we ap-
and who are stepping
are unconcerned, so be page seven in this is- that the current politi- proach our next An-
down, including Joan
it. But if you object to sue of the Echo) to find cal turmoil in govern- nual General Meet-
Murash (Nutimik),
what the government out how you can work ment provides us an ing (yes, spring is just
John Collo (Betula) and
is planning, reflect with us in the future. opportunity to present around the corner!)
Gloria Debaets (O�er
on how you can help We are not just a one- our case to politicians we urge you to think
Falls).
your association in trick pony. In addition of all stripes who will about members who
We are very grateful
the months and years to working on the issues be listening more a�en- will be willing to work
for the many services
ahead. At a minimum, of fair fees and lease tively than usual to the as lake directors in the
these volunteer direc-
keep your own mem- rates, the Association concerns of their con- future. We have wel-
tors have provided us
bership active. Make has ongoing projects stituents. We are plan- comed the following
over the years.
an effort to ensure that designed to commu- ning to make sure that new directors this year:
your neighbours at the nicate effectively with the voices of co�agers Alan Roberts, Neil Mc-
South East Whiteshell Fire Department
By Ray Watts
Since September re-
quests for our ser-
vice has not slowed
down. The South East
Whiteshell Fire Depart-
ment has responded to
two false alarms, seven
motor vehicle accidents
and two hydro pole
fires.
On Oct. 29 and Oct 30
there were two co�age
fires at Falcon Lake,
Block 17. Both were to-
tally involved by the
time the fire depart-
ment received the calls.
We thank local resi-
dents who had placed
the calls. In each case,
no one was home at the
time of the fires. Both On Oct. 29 and 30 there were two cottage fires at Falcon Lake, Block 17. Both were totally involved by the time the calls were
received. No one was home at the time. We thank local residents who placed the calls. Both cottages were a total loss.
of the co�ages were a
total loss.
hall expansion. He will system with enthusi- not designed for long South East Whiteshell
Tribute to
be missed. astic decorating. Enjoy term use and have been Fire Department
Herb Abrahams
Have a a cozy fire but before identified as the source Box 88 Whiteshell P.O.
The Fire Department
Safe and Happy you light it make sure of many co�age fires. West Hawk Lake
mourns the loss of
Holiday Season your chimney is clean Your Continued R0E 2H0
Herb Abrahams. Herb
The department and safe. Support A charitable receipt
spent many hours, in
wishes your family a Use auxiliary heaters Your continued finan- will be issued. Dona-
addition to respond-
safe and happy holiday with caution and only cial support is needed. tions must be received
ing to calls, maintain-
season. Please use care CSA approved resi- Donations are always by Dec. 31, to receive a
ing our buildings and
to ensure you do not dential heaters. Con- welcome and may be 2014 charitable dona-
lending his expertise
overload your electrical struction heaters are sent to: tion receipt.
to our West Hawk fire
4 WHITESHELL ECHO DECEMBER 2014
Turn in
25 2015 Poachers
—
Report
Forest
Fires
—
Call
1-800
782-
0076
www.whiteshellcottagers.com
The Whiteshell
Echo
The WCA Environment Committee
is published by the Whiteshell
Cottagers Association Incorporated
Contest
President
Daniel Klass
For DECEMBER
President Elect
Ronald S. Smith
Question:
Vice President
Garry Kennedy Unlike traditional incandescent Christmas lights,
LED lights do not get hot - a big plus if you will be us-
Treasurer
Tom Cutts ing them on a real tree. But the really big plus is that
according to www.about.com LEDs use ____ Per cent
Past President
Tom Walker less electricity than regular Christmas lights. (Hint:
The answer appears somewhere in this issue of the
2014 Membership Fee $25
Send address changes to Whiteshell Echo.)
1975 Corydon Ave.
Suite 2D
Prize for the winner is A
Winnipeg, MB R3P 0R1
Phone/Fax
1 [phone]
Email $5 0 Canadian Tire gift card
[email protected]
(see form above)
Echo Committee E-MAIL YOUR ANSWER TO
Bruce Wagg Co-chair
Sharon Philp Co-chair
[email protected]
Glenda Peacock
Teresa Lopata
OR MAIL IT TO:
Margaret Kent
Ida Reichardt
Karen Kaplen WHITESHELL COTTAGERS ASSOCIATION
Roy Bechard
Gloria De Baets
2D-1975 CORYDON AVE.
Dawne Kepron
Articles in the Echo are not WINNIPEG, MB
official statements of the WCA
unless indicated.
The Echo is published five times R3P 0R1
a year and mailed in the first
week of April, June, August,
October and December. One name will be drawn from those
Next Issue entries with correct answers. You must
April 2015 be a current WCA member to win. Contest closes DECEMBER 30, 2014 at
Deadline: March 1, 2015
10 P.M. All entries must include your full name, address and telephone
Editor
James Buchok number as well as your lake, block and lot number.
Phone: [phone] Winner agrees to have his or her name published in the next edition of
Email:
The Whiteshell Echo.
[email protected]
www.whiteshellcottagers.com
Publication Agreement
40009463
DECEMBER 2014 WHITESHELL ECHO 5
Park Road Conditions: How to Access WCA Member Content
On the WCA Website
Let Us Know What
WCA Members are eligible to register for an account on the
You Think WCA website and access content such as a PDF version of
the Whiteshell Echo, member notices, and lake director contact
information. A member creates an account by submitting the form
From www.whiteshellcottagers.com
at: http://whiteshellcottagers.com/member-registration
The Province’s Manitoba Use the same information you used to register for your member-
Parks Strategy promises Pro- ship. You will be asked to create a username and password. Once
vincial Park Road upgrades: your information has been submitted, a website administrator will
“Provincial Park roads in confirm you are a current member and approve your registration.
Hecla/Grindstone, St. Malo, Then you will be able to log in with the username and password
Whiteshell and Asessippi Pro- you created.
vincial Parks will be repaired, Please note that website administrators are volunteers. They
resurfaced or extended to pro- will make every attempt to confirm your information and open
vide safe and convenient access
your website account in a timely manner (1 to 4 days).
Old pavement crumbling.
to park facilities and amenities
across the province.” Document
available at h�p://www.gov.
mb.ca/conservation/parksstrat-
egy/pdf/parks_strategy_.pdf
The WCA Infrastructure Com-
mi�ee is currently reviewing
the Road Conditions issue and
would like to know if road con-
ditions are a concern affecting
New patch is breaking up.
co�agers at your lake.
Recent photos taken by a WCA
Lake Director show the condition
of Highway 44 between Rennie
and Caddy Lake.
If you have photos, infor-
mation or concerns about
road conditions, please email
[email protected]
and include “Infrastructure
Soft shoulder with sharp dropoff.
Commi�ee – Road Conditions”
in the subject line.
6 WHITESHELL ECHO DECEMBER 2014
Cottage Fee Hikes: A Critical Analysis
This exercise took hours, shown a direct correla- being consulted in ad-
By John Maguire
Either the more than one a�empt tion between this indica- vance!
and was often frustrat- tor and the actual service These examples are by
Ministry
Eureka! I felt like I
ing; it would, no doubt, usage? no means exhaustive.
had just cracked the
expects us all be even more difficult Why are co�agers at I suspect that there are
Enigma Code. After
and frustrating for those West Hawk Lake bear- many other questions
to have
numerous a�empts to
with less experience than ing the annual costs of which could be raised,
determine just how my advanced I have, as an accountant, the sewage lagoon when and undoubtedly there
Park District Service Fees
with numbers and finan- their waste is pumped are other questions spe-
accounting
(PDSF) were calculated,
cial schedules. This was out by private contrac- cific to other Park Dis-
I finally thought I’d fig- degrees, or they
an exercise that many tors and transported tricts.
ured it out. On previous
are trying to would find too painful to elsewhere at their own As a final confusing el-
occasions I had sorted out
take on and would soon expense? ement, what is described
the math and verified the pull the wool
abandon. Why are isolated cot- as the total estimated
calculation of the 148 per
over our eyes. How does the sheer tages at West Hawk allo- PDSF after the five year
cent increase in my total
difficulty of this exercise cated a cost for the sew- phase-in is totally mis-
estimated PDSF after the
square with the Minister age lagoon when all of leading as it fails to con-
five year phase-in, but I
cluding Capacity, Capi- and Premier’s claim that their waste is managed sider, or even mention
had never been satisfied
tal, Minor Capital etc. every co�ager can eas- independently of Con- the impact of any in-
that I knew where all
This last schedule was ily discover the rationale servation, either compos- creases in the actual cost
the component numbers
one of the more interest- for their annual service ted or in a septic field? of co�age services over
originated.
ing schedules as it pro- fees? Either the Minis- Why are co�agers at and above the level in
As a long-standing
vided a calculation of try expects us all to have West Hawk Lake bearing 2012/2013. Conservation
leaseholder at West Hawk
the cost to each co�ager advanced accounting de- 63 per cent (seemingly has posted the forecast
Lake, I had an interest in
for a variety of services; grees, or they are trying the ratio of co�ager costs co�age costs for 2014/15
understanding just how
lighting, co�age watch, to pull the wool over our to total costs) of the Cap- on their web site. At $4
my annual PDSF were
garbage, sewer, water eyes. ital Infrastructure costs, million, co�age costs are
calculated. I was aware
etc., and arrives at a Pro- As an accountant I take when these costs relate forecast to be 15 per cent
of the obligation of the
posed Service Fee for some comfort in know- primarily to the sewage higher than the $3.5 mil-
Ministry to be transpar-
each of the 932 co�agers ing that, in the end, the lagoon, lift station and lion incurred in 2012/13.
ent and to provide finan-
(excluding Capital In- math seems to work, but Certainly this will in-
cial information — bud-
frastructure and Branch only in the sense that the crease the PDSF beyond
gets and actual results Estimated
Administration costs). Ministry has correctly what was described as
— on an annual basis
This fee is compared to compiled the numbers PDSF after the the total PDSF after the
and had questioned why
what is described as the according to their com- five year phase-in.
the Minister had failed 5-year phase-in
Current Service Fee (the plicated formula. There is no question
to provide such infor-
fee billed in 2012). Sur- I am, however, troubled is misleading, that posting information
mation since 2003/4. So I
prisingly, for the great by the number of ques- to the web site has been
readily took on the chal- as it fails to
majority of co�agers and tions that arise as one helpful in gaining an
lenge of interpreting the
in total, the Proposed Fee gains an understanding consider in- understanding of PDSF
“hundreds of pages of fi-
is lower than the Current of the PDSF. Many of the calculation. This is a vast
nancial information” that creases in costs
Service Fee, implying questions concern the al- improvement over no in-
Manitoba Conservation
that the cost of providing location of costs between formation at all. Hope-
of services
and Water Stewardship
direct services to co�ag- co�agers, commercial fully Conservation will
(Conservation) Minister ers has decreased. One operators, special con- over and above continue to refine their
Mackintosh had posted
presumes that the calcu- sideration organizations presentations and make
2012/13 levels.
to the web site;
lation of the two amounts and Conservation. the disclosures more
www.gov.mb.ca/con-
is comparable, however, Here are some exam- user friendly and acces-
servation/parksstrategy/
we cannot determine ples: street renewal; services sible to ordinary co�ag-
rent.html.
this with certainty as no Shouldn’t the perma- not much used, if at all, ers. At the same time,
Would these “hun-
information is provided nent use factor be closer by co�agers? however, the answer to
dreds of pages” actually
regarding the compo- to 2x the seasonal use By what formula are our earlier question; does
add up to what the Min-
nents of the fee billed in factor reflecting the ap- the capital infrastructure this flood of informa-
ister described as “trans-
2012. Of course, this is proximate six month pe- costs distributed among tion add up to transpar-
parency”?
not really the Proposed riod of seasonal use and the major stakeholders? ency?, is unequivocably
Starting with the Get
Service Fee as it excludes not the 1.71x used? What percentage of these negative. No ordinary
Started menu I clicked
the substantial charges Capacity factors are costs should be born by person could possibly
on the link 2013 Parks
for Capital Infrastruc- based upon a survey of co�agers, commercial find their way through
Service Fees & Rent and
ture and Branch Admin- bedrooms conducted in operators, special service the morass of data to
then, one by one, drilled
istration. 2008 which, even if val- organizations, seasonal gain an understanding
down into a dizzying
Finally, through a pro- id, wasn’t completed by campers and daily visi- of their fees and services
spiral of schedules: a)
cess of trial and error, all co�agers, and which tors and by Conservation and there remain many
Co�age Cost of Services
tracing numbers from is undoubtedly out of itself? Note that capital questions to answer and
by Park District; b) Cal-
one schedule to an- date. infrastructure costs are many problems to re-
culation of Co�age Park
other, re-adding certain Is the number of bed- the largest single factor solve. How much more
District Service fees; c)
schedules to separate rooms an appropriate in driving the increase valuable would it be for
Co�age Service Fee Mul-
co�ager costs from to- proxy for allocating costs in PDSF at West Hawk Conservation to read
tiplier; and (d) given my
tal costs, etc, and refer- of road maintenance, Lake. The Parks Act the Parks Act with fresh
interest in West Hawk
ring to my invoice for garbage removal, sew- mandates that budget eyes, and open the door
Lake, the more detailed
2012, I was able to rep- er and water and other decisions of this gravity to dialogue with all the
information available
licate the mathematical costs? Has the Ministry be made openly and fair- stakeholders and users?
for the Eastern region in-
calculation of my PDSF. or their consultants ever ly, with all stakeholders
DECEMBER 2014 WHITESHELL ECHO 7
Board of Directors Whiteshell Cottagers Association Inc. 2014-2015
Barren Lake Brereton Lake (cont’d) Eleanor Lake Nora Lake
West Hawk Lake
Don Sleeva Doug Moberg Ed Enns Angela Hogan
Richard Babyak
Home [phone] Home [phone] [phone] Home: [phone]
Home [phone]
Lake [phone] Lake [phone] [email protected] [email protected]
Lake [phone]
Marcel Wozny Nicola Panchysak Falcon Lake Jessica Lake
Daniel Klass
Home [phone] Lake [phone] Al Bezak Neil McMillan
Lake [phone]
Lake [phone] [email protected] [email protected] [phone]
[email protected]
Lake [phone] [email protected]
Betula Lake Sharon Philp
Bob Morrison
Kerry Davies Cell [phone] Cheryl Bryant Nutimik Lake
Home [phone]
[phone] [email protected] [email protected] Sandra Kline
Lake [phone]
[phone] Lake [phone]
Tom Cutts Lorna Spencer
Dan Myk
Home [phone] Home [phone] Randall Kinley Brenda Trach
Home [phone]
Lake [phone] Lake [phone] [email protected] Home: [phone]
Lake [phone]
Cell [phone] Lake: [phone]
[email protected]
Gaeline Delmarque Caddy Lake
Home [phone] Joel Kettner Garry Parker Red Rock Lake Alan Roberts
Lake [phone] Home [phone] [email protected] Rick Emslie Home: [phone]
Lake [phone] Lake [phone] Home [phone] Lake: [phone]
Gladys Jones [email protected] [email protected]
Home [phone] Jo-Ann Shields David McNeil White Lake
Lake [phone] Robert Stalker [email protected] Home [phone] Gary Kennedy
Lake [phone] Lake (Cell) [phone] Lake [phone] [phone]
Big Whiteshell [phone]
Jacques Nault Dorothy Lake Ronald Smith Star Lake [email protected]
[email protected] Ray Hesslein ronaldssmith@hotmail. Norm Frederickson
Deborah Seguin
Home [phone] com Home [phone]
Brereton Lake [phone]
Lake [phone] Lake [phone] Lake [phone]
Annette Berard [email protected]
Lake [phone] George Lemay
Stan Pogorzelec Florence Lake HONOURARY
[email protected] Lake [phone]
Home [phone] Kristin Pingatore DIRECTORS
Margaret Kent Lake [phone] Home [phone] Tom Walker John Biglow
Home/Lake Home [phone] Harry Meneer
[phone] [email protected] June Phillips
Ed Wilson
8 WHITESHELL ECHO DECEMBER 2014
Responding to Cottagers’ Questions
We acknowledge that before we launch a law- in preparing our case,
By Daniel Klass The website,
we do have a reserve suit. So we have hired a and are nearing a point
President, WCA
and membership fund devoted to the public relations consul- of readiness.
very expensive legal and tant, and are working Current Government
email list, are
We are experiencing
public relations tasks we on the production and Uncertainty
a brisk response to important new
are engaging in. Howev- delivery of a strong mes- That having been said,
our email-blast for mem-
avenues for us er, we don’t want to dig sage to the public and the current government
bership renewal. One
into the reserve, and risk media about who we are uncertainty opens up
positive result is a huge to keep in touch
hampering these other and what we want from many opportunities for
increase in the number
with members, critical priorities, just to the government. We our message to gain at-
of members who are
cover the regular oper- have orchestrated a pe- tention. So please be pa-
and for members
discovering our rejuve-
ating costs of our orga- tition that clearly states tient and stay tuned on
nated website at www. to keep in touch
nization. our case that will be pre- that front. We will need
whiteshellcottagers.
Increase in WCA sented to the Legislature volunteers for some of
with us.
com. Large numbers of
Annual Fees as part of our campaign. our political action steps
co�agers are registering
The small increase in Also underway is a po- and we hope that many
on the site and renewing
WCA annual fees tar- litical action program to of you will be prepared
our dues to the acceler-
their memberships there
gets our everyday ex- make our case directly to step up.
ating increases of hun-
as well!
penditures. We need to to legislative members, I urge all members
dreds of dollars each
Revamped website
be able to answer your so that word of our to take a positive view
year for 10 consecutive
and email list
phone calls and emails, demands for fair and of our activities and be
years that the govern-
This is a very good
send out updates on transparent policy will optimistic about the
ment has arbitrarily an-
result in itself, since up
our commi�ee activi- filter up via caucus and chance our message will
nounced. Second, we
to now, the only ways
ties, recruit members for cabinet to government be heard.
are an open, volunteer
we could contact our
important tasks, main- decision makers. And Keep up your mem-
organization, and the
membership were via
tain liaison with other we have made contact berships, register on our
decision to increase fees
the Echo and by Canada
co�agers in Manitoba, with other co�age asso- website, encourage your
was made openly by our
Post mailings. The web-
keep our website updat- ciations in the province, neighbors and friends
Executive and Direc-
site and our membership
ed, publish and mail the all of whom are being to join us, including the
tors. While the govern-
email list, now represent
Echo, improve the public negative ones, and rath-
ment will be spending
important new avenues
image of our organiza- er than grumbling in the
our service and lease We have been
for us to keep in touch
tion etc., etc. In other background, step for-
fees without consulta-
with our members, and laying plans for
words we need to focus ward to help fight these
tion for many purposes
for members to keep in
on tasks designed to en- a multipronged unfair fees and rates!
over which we have no
touch with us.
sure we are an organiza- Our Message
control or interest, the approach to meet
On exactly that point,
tion prepared to defend Is Simple
Co�agers Association
I want to update co�ag- the interests of co�agers government’s Our message is simple:
has clear objectives in
ers on some of the feed-
in a difficult environ- Co�agers are ordinary
challenge,
mind to improve our ef-
back we are ge�ing from
ment. Manitobans.
members with respect to fectiveness, broaden our preparing our
Preparing Our Case We are prepared to pay
communication with our
our campaign for mem-
Another co�age owner case against our fair share of Parks
members and strength-
bership renewals.
asked why we haven’t expenditures.
en our position with service fees and
First and foremost, al-
already taken action We are prepared to
government and the
most all of the messages increasing lease
against the government, pay reasonable rent for
public. Our very ability
are positive, reassuring
implying that we have rates. co�age lots. But we will
to publish this response
us of ongoing support
been doing nothing in only do so when these
on our website speaks
and encouragement
the past couple of years victimized by the gov- costs are apportioned
volumes about our new
from the vast majority of
to address co�ager con- ernment. They have told and the rents deter-
capacity to respond to
members.
cerns. Let me assure all us that when we go to mined fairly and openly,
our members. Strength-
Responding
co�agers that we have court, they will be at our as required by the Parks
ening our organization
to Concerns
not been foot dragging. side. Act.
comes with a small price
But we acknowledge a
We have been laying So we appreciate the We will be pleased
tag all co�agers should
few members who have
our plans to imple- concern that we have to take our place with
be willing to support.
responded to our cam-
ment a multipronged been slow off the mark. government and other
Our new membership
paign with some frustra-
approach to meet the Up to now, our exter- stakeholders to establish
fee seems a small price
tion. Let me air some of
government’s challenge nal communication has a sustainable funding
to invest in a vigorous
their views, and try to an-
head on. We have been been sparse, for which formula that respects the
campaign to rein in the
swer them forthrightly.
working diligently with we apologize. But our needs of the Park and
Government’s extrava-
One member accused
our lawyer preparing approach is be�er de- the interests of co�agers
gant ambitions to pick
us of behaving just like
our case against both the scribed as being strate- and all stakeholders.
our collective pockets.
the government by rais-
service fees and the in- gic, keeping our pow- We simply want the
There is no guarantee of
ing fees without justifi-
creasing lease rates. On der dry, and waiting to government to be ac-
success, but is there any
cation. To that member
these grounds we have a strike when conditions countable.
of our membership who
I answer that there is a
strong case, but our best are optimal. We are also We insist on our demo-
thinks that we shouldn’t
world of difference on a
advice has been that our being prudent with our cratic right to have a say
try?
number of counts. First
legal position will be members money; a law- in the expenditure of our
One co�ager asked
and foremost, it is hard
strengthened if we also suit may cost more than money.
why we aren’t just using
to equate a one-time in-
address public and gov- $100,000! We have al-
our reserve fund to cover
crease of $10 per year in
ernment relations issues ready spent a large sum
our everyday expenses?
DECEMBER 2014 WHITESHELL ECHO 9
Letter to the Editor
Water levels sent me when he con-
trolled the level of the
‘a disaster’
weir.
A fellow co�ager and
An Open Le�er To: I would like to meet
with your Department
Will Kellas (not the local Conser-
Junior Hydrologic vation office personnel)
Engineer to explain and show
Manitoba Infrastructure you the consequences
and Transportation
of these high water lev-
Water Management and
els.
Structures Division
You may contact me
Hydrologic Forecasting
or Wayne Anderson at
and Water Management
the email addresses be-
low.
This is further to my
phone conversa- Wayne Anderson
tion on Oct 7/14. I have [email protected]

watched over the water
2014. Also with the
large roots exposed. siderable damage. Warren Barnard
level every year since
south winds and the
The front two pillars of I have taken pictures [email protected]
the weir was installed.
waves or boat wakes
my boat port have been of the damage and also Caddy Lake
Last year I wrote to
have resulted in con-
in water since June have pictures that Alf Block 4 Lot 7
Phillip Mutula on Aug.
15, 2013 informing
him of the high water
since he revised the
weir with more rocks
in 2013. I phoned your
Department in Sept.
2013 advising the wa-
ter was too high for
fall. This year has been
a disaster for co�agers
on Falcon Lake. Many
docks were never low-
ered into the water,
both marinas had boats
still wrapped and sit-
ting from last fall and
were never put into the
water in 2014.
Again this year on
Oct 7/14 the water level
for this time of the year
is the highest it has
been in several years,
1066.25 or 6.5 on the
gauge, well above the
seasonal target. Winter
is coming and this does
not bode well for next
spring. I just returned
from Kenora and the
lake level there has
dropped 2 feet; where-
as here at Falcon the
lake has gone down 10
inches since June 2014.
When Alf Warkentin
was controlling our lev-
els, he had employees
come out to view the
weir and lower the weir
by removing rocks.
This past two years I
have lost three to four
feet of soil from my
property shore and
have trees that have
10 WHITESHELL ECHO DECEMBER 2014
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,

Al i�le nostalgia and
a human interest
story in pictures:
Thought you and
your Echo readers
might enjoy seeing the
two accompanying
photos taken at our Jes-
sica Lake co�age.
Brian was two when
he and Grandad took
their walking sticks and
headed out for a walk.
Unknown to them, I
took their picture and
then decided to enter it
in the Echo photo con-
test that year. It didn’t
place.
So imagine our sur-
prise and delight when
the Third Edition of
Grandad and grandson enjoy precious moments at the cottage, 14 years apart.
the Co�agers’ Handbook
other picture as close We know that oth- an abundance of such Sincerely,
arrived the following
to the first one as we ers will also have great wonderful times to- Pat and Mel (Grandad)
Spring, and the photo
could (note Grandad’s memories of times past gether at their co�ages! Finlayson
was featured on the
same pants). What fun at the lake. We hope the Time goes by so fast. Block 7 Lot 14
back cover!
to see the difference 14 future generation and Jessica Lake
Last summer (2013)
years make! their families will have
we decided to take an-
Manitoba Conservation
Contact Information
District Offices Enforcement Inquiries
Falcon Lake North Whiteshell
Ser�ing the Whiteshell
[phone] Andrew Prokopchuk
Rennie (District Supervisor/Natural
[phone] Resource Officer) and sur�ounding areas
Seven Sisters [phone]
[phone]
South Whiteshell
District Park Supervisors
Sean Federspiel
North Whiteshell
(District Supervisor/Natural
Greg Legall [phone]
Resource Officer)
South Whiteshell
[phone]
Kelvin Kowaski [phone]