APELL - Volume 4 Issue 1

It is that time again that we ask for your continued support by becoming a member of APELL for 1995. We ask that you verify the information on the registration form, and return it along with a cheque to Steven Slaby.

The executive discussed the current two-tier membership, and decided that it should be eliminated, and all members will have equal voting rights. The executive also decided that the rule concerning one membership per property has also been proposed to be removed. This will allow any or all family members over the age of 18 to become full voting members. The membership fees will be $15.00 for the first member (for a given property) and $10.00 for any additional members (for that same property).

Included on the registration form are questions regarding septic tanks, outhouses and water supply. We ask that you answer the questions so that we will be prepared in case we get approval and funding for water testing.

Please note: The executive agreed that anyone who was not a paid member in 1993/94 will be dropped from the mailing list if we do not receive membership payment for 1994/95, before our newsletter in the spring.

We have finally arrived at the stage to ask members to make a contribution towards stocking Lac Latourelle with Moulac (A Trout hybrid). The executive would like to suggest a recommended donation of $25 per member. If you love to spend your time fishing on the lake, we would hope that you would make your contribution a little larger. Time is crucial, since the deadline for sending in the application to be considered for the Spring 1995 stocking program is fast approaching, so we would ask that you send your contribution as soon as possible (along with your 1995 membership fees).

Morris Richardson attended the founding meeting of this new association on Saturday October 8th in order to decide whether it is worth joining. 63 Associations within the Municipal Regional Council (M.R.C.) of Gatineau were invited, of which 11 attended and joined. It is of interest that the association from Blue Sea Lake did not attend or join. The MRC has a tax base of about 700 million, of which 1/2 is paid by cottagers. Our president decided that we should join, and paid our membership.

The following are some of the goals of this new association:

• Have a stronger voice within the MRC, with a major goal of having a seat while the MRC reviews the urban renewal plan in 1995 and 1996.
• Create a forum for exchange of information, resources, experience, etc.
• To give assistance and weight to any member association to lobby a local municipality or government agency for the preservation and/or enhancement of cottage properties

The three general meetings have been tentatively scheduled at the Salle des Loisirs (same hall as last year) for the following dates:

• June 3rd at 11:00 AM
• July 22nd at 11:00 AM
• September 9th at 11:00 AM

Confirmation of the date and place will be sent in a newsletter in the week preceding the meeting.

Please mark down the above dates on your calendar, so that there will be no surprises when a newsletter arrives reminding you of a general meeting on the following Saturday. The executive does not want to have to postpone any meetings due to poor turnout.

So far, the only special event scheduled for 1995 is the annual Cleanup day and Picnic, scheduled for August 19th, 1995. The event will be organized by Pat Whelan, and the Picnic will be held at Steve Slaby's cottage.

The following is a tentative list of dates of the remaining executive meetings for 1995. If you wish to have a certain topic discussed at a meeting, feel free to contact any member of the executive.

• January 11th
• March 15th
• May 17th
• June 21st
• July 15th
• August 30th

The latest information received from Blue Sea council is that the task is almost complete. Once completed, a letter will be mailed out to everyone's tax address informing them of their number assignment. It will be the responsibility of the property owner to post the number. The municipality of Blue Sea will not be responsible for any costs associated with address changes.

Currently we are a registered association, which leaves the executive financially liable for lawsuits filed against the association. The executive decided that it would be beneficial to become incorporated. The costs to incorporate are only $25, and this change will remove any financial responsibility from the executive.

Approximately 68 % of tax payers within the municipality are cottagers. With these numbers, we hope to approach the town council to switch their monthly meetings in the summer from Monday nights to Friday nights, so that cottagers could attend.

Depending on ice conditions, we ask that people who skidoo to keep an eye out for everyone's cottages. Last winter it was impossible, due to the poor condition of the ice on the lake preventing people from skidooing on it.

Back in 1992, a task to label all owners on a map of Lac Latourelle was discussed but never completed. This coming year, the executive would like to complete the project. This project could be combined with a membership drive to target all owners of Lac Latourelle. In addition to names, people's street number can be added as well (assuming that the council has completed the task by spring).

Again this fall, the beaver have been very active, felling a great number of trees at the shoreline of Lac Latourelle. Last spring, the cleanup never occurred. During the winter months, the executive will be looking into the best means of having the mess cleaned up.

At the first meeting of the year, the executive will be proposing that the term for each executive member be extended to 2 years, effective AFTER the elections of Sept 1995. This will give increased stability and continuity to the committee. As well, a partial election will be possible to replace anyone who resigns during the term.

The executive welcome calls from members, but we would ask they be before 9 PM.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our new sponsors for supporting our assocation, and we invite our members to avail themselves of their services and products whenever the opportunity arises.

The executive would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!

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