PaBIA,
You will see a survey that if you are interested in PaB Internet, please read and respond ASAP! With the issues of forest pests and invasive species, many workshops are being set up for April both in Toronto and Collingwood for everyone, but please register! The ice is thin and the report is that there will be an early thaw, given the warmer temperatures. We are getting closer to spring and our ability to return!
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Inside This Newsletter
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 Fill Out CRTC Internet Survey TODAY Regarding Broadband in PaB |
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We as seasonal residents of Pointe au Baril are being asked by the Canadian Radio/Television Commission to fill out the questionnaire NOW (Feb 29 deadline with hopes of extending it) regarding our needs for broadband Internet in the Pointe au Baril area. Tom Lundy, Ward 1 Councillor, is urging everyone who uses or wishes to use the Internet while at their cottage to fill out the questionnaire in order to encourage better communications in our area. We would suggest you use the postal code of P0G 1K0 when filling it out in order to gather the evidence needed to improve communications in the islands.
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| Winterlude – Painted Land with PaB’s Nancy Lang – March 10th |
 Join the Georgian Bay Land Trust for a free screening of Painted Land,
a beautiful look at the real life landscapes painted by the Group of Seven.
Thursday March 10th
6:00 p.m. Reception, 7:00 p.m. Screening
Bishop Strachan School, 298 Lonsdale Road, Toronto
Watch as an intrepid group of art history treasure hunters set out to track down the remote and breathtaking scenery that inspired some of Canada’s most iconic art. The whole process is beautifully captured by the team at White Pine Pictures and the resulting film is a treat not to be missed.
Filmmakers Phyllis Ellis and Nancy Lang will run a Q&A following the show.
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| Phragmites Workshops in April –
The Bay’s Wetlands Need You!
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Invasive Phragmites are threatening the coastlands of Georgian Bay. More than 8,000km of shoreline and 3,700 aquatic marshes in Eastern and Northern Bay alone face these invaders-which can crowd out, displace and replace native wetland species. They develop into dense mono stands that impact the ecosystem by reducing biodiversity and increasing habitat loss for already threatened species.
Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) is planning two workshops on managing invasive Phragmites to help the Bay’s coastal wetlands. You, too, can become a Phragbuster!
These workshops are free, but space is limited. Advance registration is required. GBF to advise which you would like to attend (one location only), and we will send you a confirmation.
Toronto: Saturday April 16th, 2016 – 9.30 am to 2.30 pm
Location: Mimico Centennial Library (Auditorium)
OR
Collingwood: Thursday April 21st, 2016 – 9.30 am to 2.30 pm
Location: The Legion – Collingwood.
Topics covered:
 Phragmites being removed from Georgian Bay’s wetlands
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| Forest Health of Eastern Georgian Bay Workshop April 22nd in Toronto |
With all the issues we’ve observed in Pointe au Baril regarding the ‘pests’ that are harming the trees that grace our paradise, GBBR, Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, announces that registration is now open for their Forest Health of Eastern Georgian Bay workshop that will take place on Friday, April 22nd at the Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto.
This event is co-hosted by the Township of the Archipelago and Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, with support from Georgian Bay Association and Westwind Forest Stewardship.
Come to learn and engage in conversations about the state of eastern Georgian Bay’s forests:
We hope you will join us!
For more information and for further update, check out information about the workshop and/or registration! Don’t wait, space is limited! Online registration will be open until April 6th. Please note that lunch will be provided to registered participants only. If you’re interested in attending after the April 6th online cutoff, please phone David (GBBR) at 705-774-0978
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| Reknowned Forest Entomologist to speak at the Ojibway Movie Hut 7/10 |
For those unable to attend the above mentioned Workshop, please take note that PaBIA has arranged for Dr. Taylor Scarr, forest entomologist for MNRF to speak to us on Invasive Forest Pest, with focus on the Introduced Pine Sawfly, on Sunday morning, July 10th at the Ojibway Club. Be sure to mark the date in your calendar. Meanwhile watch for future e-blasts which will alert you to possible action you might take this spring to reduce the chances of another outbreak such as occurred last fall.
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| Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve Funding Possibilities |
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Landowners west of the HWY 400/69 corridor may be eligible to receive funding up to 50% of project cost for stewardship projects through the Community Stewardship Program. Eligible projects include shoreline restoration, replacing septic systems, and planting native species.
IMPORTANT
Attend a free Stewardship Workshop as the first step in your application. REGISTER FOR A WORKSHOP HERE.
More workshops will be scheduled. SIGN UP TO THE WAITING LIST to be notified of workshops as they are confirmed. More information is available at GBBR or contact Delaina Arnold for direct inquires or to book a Stewardship Workshop in your area.
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| Winter Cottage Patrol |
Bruce Tiffin has all but completed his winter rounds, with the exception of some areas in the south, and those should be completed this week so long as he gets one more good weather day. Aside from some doors and windows found blown open (Nancy would have already notified you), Bruce reports that all seems well everywhere.
Of course, should he find anything in the next week, he will be in touch with Nancy and she with you immediately!
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| MEMBERSHIP PAYMENT DEADLINE REMINDER |
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To have your listing included in the Yearbook, dues must be paid by March 15th.
Send your cheque (payable to PaBIA) to
Nancy Rogers, 1 – 38 Elora Dr.,
Hamilton ON L9C 7K3
OR
Pay ON-LINE through PayPal
To purchase extra tags, stickers, yearbooks, burgees, memberships
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| Opening for Marine Patroller Position & New Hiring Policy |
PaBIA has an opening for a patroller in the 2016 program and has amended the hiring policy to include students entering post-secondary education programs and American citizens.
For interested parties, please consider:
The Marine Patrol position demands maturity, dedication and team-work. Individuals will require the ability to work autonomously, follow strict protocols, and demonstrate sound decision-making in advancing PaBIA’s agenda and those of its partners; Georgian Bay Land Trust and Canadian Coast Guard.
It is a ‘resume worthy’ position for candidates entering post-secondary school and require a demanding position with serious responsibilities. For those students interested in a Marine Patrol position, please check the MP job description on the PaBIA website and apply for the 2016 Summer Program (June 25th to September 5th) with a cover letter detailing how you can contribute to the 2016 MP Program and comprehensive resume to: Scott Sheard and Nancy Rogers Application process closes March 14th.
New Marine Patrol Position – Patroller in Training (PiT)
To all Members, PaBIA has created a new position in the Marine Patrol program for 2016. It is designed as an entry level patrol position that would appeal to 15 to 16 year old students who may be interested in work responsibility, part time employment and learning about our unique water based community.
It is a minimum wage, 2 to 3 day a week position that assists the Marine Patrol Team in specific areas:
Key Considerations:
Please provide a cover letter outlining your interest in the 2016 MP Program and a resume to:
Scott Sheard and Nancy Rogers.
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| Sad News… |
Bill Prior, a life-long cottager in Pointe au Baril, died on Sunday, leaving a huge hole in the fabric of our community. Perhaps best known as the skipper of Thumper, he served as President of PaBIA during the 80s, started the Naturalist in 1985 with his wife, Carol, supported the regattas in so many ways and worked selflessly behind the scenes on countless issues, including to provide quality drinking water through his company, Kinetico, for the Ojibway Club. Bill’s love of family, passion for the environment for the betterment of all and love for Pointe au Baril was evident in all he did. Should anyone have a favorite “Bill” story they would like to share, please send it to Hilde who will compile and give it to the family.
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Sincerely,
Your Directors
Pointe au Baril Islanders’ Association
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PaBIA Board Minutes – October 2012
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| Minutes of PaBIA Directors’ Meeting (Conference Call) February 24, 2016
Directors participating:
Julia Sievwright, Tom Scoon, Hilde Clark, Faye White, Sandy Boeckh, Graham Smith, Earl Manners, Nancy Rogers
Regrets: David Ballentine, Tonia Blenkarn, Dan Kuhn
Scott Sheard (Marine Patrol) joined the meeting to give a report on Water Quality and Testing.
Shelagh Grant (Forest Chair) joined the meeting to give an update on Pine Sawfly.
Water Quality and Testing Scott Sheard
Ken Williams, Ward 3 Councillor, has requested by emails that the Marine Patrol continue the water testing for e-coli and coliform bacteria. The testing that the MP has done is not up to current standards and does not have scientific merit, so to continue would be a waste of time and resources. Scott Bywater, Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (GBBR), will be sending Scott the report and plan for the new testing protocols. There needs to be consistency throughout the GBBR area.
Scott’s report in the 2015 Yearbook and this year’s report will repeat that the best prevention for e-coli and coliform problems was a good septic inspection program. Currently, the Township of the Archipelago (TOA) is limiting their inspections to locations with steel septic tanks. Recommendations are that septic tanks be pumped every 3 to 5 years or when one third filled with solids.
It was again agreed that PaBIA must be proactive in recommending to TOA a consistent and effective septic inspection plan. Alternatives to currently used septic systems need to be investigated by TOA.
Introduced Pine Sawfly (IPS) Shelagh Grant
Efforts have been made to allow exemptions for individuals to apply currently disallowed Malathion for IPS control. An application would be effective only in June for the larval stage. This exemption has not yet been approved. Use of pheromone traps is being studied. Study of this expensive method of control may take up to 3 years.
Shelagh was surprised that there was no report on the GBBR website of the survey for IPS done in September 2015 of the Pointe au Baril area. She will contact David Ballentine, who is on the GBBR Board.
Hilde Clark will include information in the Connections e-newsletter in April and in later e-blasts about actions that may be taken in May and June.
Dr. Taylor Scarr, OMNR Provincial Forest Entomologist, will be presenting a program on ISP on Sun. July 10th.
Succession Planning Committee Earl Manners
The committee (Earl Manners, Scott Sheard, Helen Bryce and Julia Sievwright (ex officio)) had conference call meetings in December and early February.
Suggestions of candidates for the Legal Issues, GBA and Membership Chair positions should be sent to Earl and copied to Julia Sievwright.
Township’s Official Plan (OP) Review Tom Scoon
TOA is still accepting comments during the OP Review process. There will be a summary report available of all comments received. Staff will produce the draft copy for the OP in March or April. PaBIA will prepare and present our comments following that. There will be a public meeting during the summer. The Council will receive the report for approval late this year or early in 2017.
Update re Mackenzie Island Tom Scoon
The first purchaser has appealed the court’s dismissal of his lawsuit. The next hearing is May 25th.
Spring Directors’ Meeting Nancy Rogers
The draft plan for the meeting, to be held at the Ojibway Club on Sat., June 25th, was circulated by email. No changes to the format, timing and invited guests were suggested. Details of the agenda will be discussed in the April 2016 Board meeting.
Cottage Patroller Identification Nancy Rogers
Bruce Tiffin is to report back on forms of ID that would be suitable for his boat and vehicle as well as clothing for himself. Hilde Clark noted that the correct PaBIA logo would need to be used, as they must be in any publication or form of communication related to our services and events.
Liaison Positions open discussion
The position of a First Nations Liaison has been proposed and discussed in the past. A member has expressed an interest but would prefer to start on an informal basis for at least a year. There is a question of what the role of liaison would be i.e. is it with the person in the role and First Nations or is it as a PaBIA representative and the First Nations? How would the Shawanaga First Nation see the relationship? Would our President need to be the person to talk with the Shawanaga First Nation Chief? It was suggested that person who has volunteered, begin on an informal basis, to explore opportunities for a more formal relationship between PaBIA and Shawanaga First Nation.
The role/purpose of an Ojibway Club Liaison needs to be defined. Because PaBIA and the Ojibway Club have two separate and different mission statements, it was suggested that each organization would need to have a representative. Other suggestions were that the Presidents would best serve in the positions or the Vice-Presidents who would then take topics to their respective Boards. There will be further discussion on both positions.
AGM Speaker
Faye White suggested a speaker who is a representative to the International Joint Commission. Faye will report back. Sandy Boeckh suggested as an alternative that Bob Duncanson be invited and asked to speak on a specific topic.
Meeting adjourned.
Nancy Rogers, Secretary for the Meeting
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