BITS & BYTES
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MOTOR VEHICLE PERMITS FOR WHITESHELL PARK COTTAGERS
The Honourable Stan Struthers
Minister, Manitoba Conservation
330-450 Broadway Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8
June 7, 2008
Dear Mr. Struthers:
Re: Motor Vehicle Permits for Whiteshell Park Cottagers
This is the second letter written on behalf of the Whiteshell Cottagers Association Inc. to your office regarding the $28.00 charge, for a motor vehicle entrance permit, to cottagers in the Whiteshell Park. As you are aware, the first letter was written by past President Ted Ferens on February 25, 2008 to which we received a reply on
May 29.
Your response on May 29 is unacceptable to the membership and we will provide you with the reasons.
We would first like to inform you that we have located in our files correspondence on this very issue with previous governments.
We note that in 1975, the Directors of the WDA “negotiated” with the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural under the NDP government for a new lease fee rate “which included one free vehicle park entry permit for each leaseholder”.
Having located a copy of The Whiteshell Master Plan, an initiative by the NDP government, that was started in 1980, we noted that the plan called for an overview of the Park system with specific objectives for the Whiteshell Park. Contained within the Draft Plan Summary published in 1981 under Fees and Residential Summer Home Lots is the statement “ a general service levy is proposed to cover 25% of all indirect operating and maintenance costs. This would be charged against all lots, including private lots and campsites and would amount to $126.00 per annum at present levels of expenditure. No Park entrance fees should be levied on cottagers because of the general levy.”
Before The Whiteshell Master Plan was finalized the objectives were “ publicized, and reviewed at meetings and through direct communication with the public. “ Then the Draft Master Plan was prepared. The plan further states that “ Public interest and contributions were of substantial benefit in completing the Master Plan. “
Further to the history of the Park Entrance Fee, during the spring of 1982, cottagers in all provincial parks did not receive the seasonal entry permit in the mail. Members of the Whiteshell District Association then brought this to the attention of the Minister and the policy of “free seasonal passes to cottagers” was immediately re-instated.
In 1991 the department of Natural Resources implemented a fee increase to the land rental charge for vacation home lot holders. In a letter from C. Gordon Prouse, Director of Parks, to the cottagers of the park he stated “ for those who require an annual park entry permit to gain access to their cottage, attached is your 1991 park entry permit. “
The WCA would now like to address the word “free” in reference to the Motor Vehicle Permit. The permit has been given to cottagers since at least 1975 at no cost because they already pay a substantial fee for the privilege of having a summer residence in a provincial park. I note on my invoice for 2007-2008 that one of the fees is described as a West Hawk District Road Access Service fee. This fee is roughly half of the total amount cottagers have to pay each year. Does that not entitle cottagers to attend their cottages without further charge?
We are also aware that owners of residences in National Parks such as our own Riding Mountain National Park do not pay to attend their residences. I also note that I do not have to pay a motor vehicle permit fee to attend my residence in the City of Winnipeg.
The bigger concern in this issue is the lack of consultation with cottagers before this decision was made. You stated in the proposal that the vehicle permit fee is “ to help continue improve services and maintain facilities” The Provincial Parks Act states under the heading, Consultation with owners and occupiers:"18(2) When a park district is established under subsection (1), the minister shall provide an opportunity for owners and occupiers of land in the park district to review the level and the cost of providing services in that district and the service fee that should be charged for providing those services.”
That was not done in this case. Would you please explain why there was no consultation?
The WCA noted that in a recent correspondence with a member of your government on another issue, the statement was made that Manitoba Conservation wishes to continue dialogue with the WCA on issues in the Whiteshell Park as they have done in the past.
As we have shown, previous governments have discussed and resolved this very issue in the past with the WCA and have realized that providing Provincial park cottagers with a “free” pass was the right thing to do. Why does the current government choose not to consult with the owners and occupiers of the all the park districts in Manitoba and honour past commitments?
We await your response.
Sincerely
Werner Toews
President Whiteshell Cottagers Association Inc.
MOTOR VEHICLE PERMIT PROPOSAL
The Honourable Stan Struthers
Minister,
330 – 450 Broadway
Winnipeg ,
Dear Mr. Struthers:
Re: Motor Vehicle Permit Proposal
As you are aware, cottagers are charged a yearly land rental/lease fee for the property that they occupy in the
The
In addition, chief place of residence fees of $109,200 was collected from 273 cottagers in the
In your proposal you stated that the $28.00 park vehicle permit fee is “to help continue to improve services and maintain facilities" and that “all park users will support and contribute to the provincial park system.”
As cottagers we pay (and in many instances have overpaid) for the services provided and for the maintenance of the facilities required to deliver our services.
The Provincial Parks Act – Park Activities Regulation; Motor Vehicle Permits, Subsection 31(2)(b) exempts a resident or a visitor to the Ingolf cottage subdivision while he or she is traveling to or from the subdivision in Ontario from requiring a motor vehicle permit. I t is therefore, inconceivable why the same exemption cannot apply to all cottagers in the
We are also aware that certain Ingolf,
In addition to all of the monies collected from Whiteshell Park cottagers listed above, every cottager contributes to improving our parks through general taxation; more so when construction or upgrading of a cottage occurs.
There is no justification to place an additional burden on cottagers by proposing they pay a fee for the motor vehicle permit to access their leased lots in
Your proposal is unacceptable and cottagers are vehemently opposed to it.
Yours sincerely,
Ted Ferens, President
cc: Honourable G. Doer
WEB SITES FOR OTHERS:
URL address for Parks District Service Fee
http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/cottaging/pdsf/index.html
web site for the WALLACE LAKE COTTAGE OWNERS ASSOCIATION
http://www.wlcoa.homestead.com/WLCOA.html
Cottagers Handbook
http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/cottaging/documents/cottagers_handbook.pdf
NORTH WHITESHELL STORM DAMAGE CLEANUP
To see the latest updates on the progress of the storm cleanup
www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/popular_parks/whiteshell/north_wspp_storm_cleanup.html
Manitoba Government is committed to regularly testing beaches for Escherichia coli or E coli and reporting the results to the public
Test results can be found on their web site at
http://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/index.html
Rules and regulations for On Site Waste Water Systems
On Site Waste Water System
Canada's Fisheries Act
The habitat protection and pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act
Under the Federal Fisheries Act, the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat is prohibited without prior authorization and no person may pollute water frequented by fish.
Docks and Boathouse Construction:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/cottaging/documents/dock_boathouse_construction.pdf
LIST OF COTTAGE LOTS UP FOR SALE
Conservation’s web site at http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/cottaging
History & Folklore of the Whiteshell Park North
The book titled History & Folklore of the Whiteshell Park North by Ann Cott is now on the internet.
It includes Brereton, Red Rock, Jessica, White, Big Whiteshell, Betula, Barrier Bay, Nutimik, Dorothy, Otter Falls, Eleanor, Pointe du Bois and George Lakes.
If you are interested in acquiring it, please click on the link below:
http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.aspx?id=10482
NATIVE ORCHID CONSERVATION INC.
Native Orchid Conservation Inc. is a non-profit organization, founded in April of 1998, whose purpose is to protect unique mini-ecosystems and their plant communities. This primarily involves native orchids but can also extend to other rare and/or other rare and/or endangered plants.
Rare and uncommon plants that may be found in the Whiteshell
http://web2.gov.mb.ca/conservation/cdc
To view water lilies
click here to view water lilies:
To view very rare water lilies
click here to view a very rare water lilie
PHONE NUMBERS FOR THE
South End Of the Park
911 Emergency Telephone Service is now available in the South End of the Park effective March 13, 2007.
CAUTION: When trying to use a cell phone, remember not all phones work in all locations. Land Lines will work.
If you cannot get through by using 911, then call 0, an operator will patch you through.
Non-Emergency numbers are:
RCMP: 349-8035
Ambulance: 349-3099
Fire Dept: 349-3019
South Whiteshell - Includes the following lakes
Barren Falcon West Hawk
Caddy Star Hunt
North end of the Park
Ambulance: 348-7700
RCMP: 348-7177
North Whiteshell - Includes the following lakes:
Barrier Bay Dorothy Margaret
Betula Eleanor Nutimik
Big Whiteshell Green Otter Falls
Brereton Jessica White
For all of the Park
Environmental Accident Reporting line: 945-4888
Forest Fire Report Line: 24 hours: 1-800-782-0076
TIP Turn in Poachers: 24 hours: 1-800-782-0076
Stan Struthers: Constituency Office - 622-7630 Dauphin
Legislative Building Rm 234 - 450 Broadway, Wpg. 1-800-282-8069 stanstruthers@mts.net
Bruce Bremner: Assistant Deputy Minister 945-4842
Fred Meier: Assistant Deputy Minister 945-7008 fred.meier@gov.mb.ca
Barry Bentham: Director of Parks & Natural Areas 945-4362 barry.bentham@gov.mb.ca
Greg Shabaga: Chief NRO 345-1449
Jeff Colpitts: Manager Parks 945-4406 jcolpitts@gov.mb.ca
Larry Teetaert: Regional Parks Manager, Eastern Region 345-1455 larry.teetaert@govm.b.ca
Stan Kaczanowski: Regional Forest Manager, Eastern Region 345-1453
John Irwin: Regional Director- Operations, Lac du Bonnet 204-345-1435
Mitch Walker: Assistant Regional Director Conservation 345-1433
Christine Melnick: Water Stewardship 945-1133
Diane Oertel: Environmental Officer/Public Health Inspector 345-1486 Diane.Oertel@gov.mb.ca
Pat Martin: Engineer Development 945-0169
Bill Watkins: Biodiversity Conservation Section, Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection Branch. 945-8481 william.watkins@gov.mb.ca
Melanie Betsill: Drinking Water Officer, Whiteshell: 345-1487
VACANT: Park Superintendent, South Whiteshell: 349-6014,
Kelvin Kowaski: Parks Operations Manager, South Whiteshell 349-6015 kelvin.kowaski@gov.mb.ca
Heidi Kroeger: Environment Officer - 345-1490 Who you should call when you see holding tank abnormalities: Responsible for the Whiteshell Prov. Park NORTH OF RENNIE Heidi.Kroeger@gov.mb.ca
Jason Lasuik, Environment Officer - 345-1428 Who to call to report holding tank abnormalities: Responsible for the Whiteshell Prov. Park SOUTH OF RENNIE Jason.Lasuik@gov.mb.ca
Park District Offices
Falcon Lake: 204-349-2201
Rennie: 204-369-3153
Seven Sisters: 204-348-4004
West Hawk: 204-349-2245
SOCIAL EVENTS FOR THE SOUTH WHITESHELL
Aug 23-24 | WCC Co-ed Slow Pitch Tournament (tent) | Falcon Lake |
Aug 30 | Music at the Ridge Snow Club Fundraiser | Falcon Ridge |
Aug 31 | Downtown West Hawk Sidewalk Sale | West Hawk Lake |
Aug 31 | WCC Social | WCC Falcon |
2008 | FALL |
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Sept 6-7 | Falcon Yacht Club Fall Open Regatta | Faloma |
*Sept 27 | Swamp Donkey-Adventure Racing | Falcon Ridge |
*Oct 4 | WCC-SW Trail-----FALL SUPPER | WCC Falcon |
2009 | WINTER |
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*Feb 13-15 | Beaver Days-Winter Carnival | South Whiteshell |
*March | 4th Annual Ice Fishing Derby | Falcon Lake |
| Biathlon Cup Race | Falcon Ridge |
February | WCC Ladies Bonspiel | WCC Falcon |
March | WCC Men’s Bonspiel | WCC Falcon |
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