APELL - Volume 4 Issue 4

In 1995, our Association decided to stock our lake with Moulac (a hybrid trout). We applied for and received approval on a grant which would purchase 5,000 moulac at least 18 cm (7 inches) long.

Unfortunately, our target fell $278.00 short. On September 26, 1995 we requested from the Blue Sea municipal council a grant of $278.00 to meet our objective.

We were armed with a study of the lake, carried out in 1993 by the Quebec Ministry of Fish and Game and included an experimental net catch. Aside from detailed geographical analysis, it also included pH factors, oxygen content, depth studies, water temperature quality and variations, etc... It detailed all historical records of fish stocking in that lake over the past 30 years (which were very few). It concluded by recommending the stocking of moulac for that lake, although none had ever been stocked there previously.

Some objected to giving one association money, out of fear other municipal lake associations might make similar requests. Some were concerned that they type of fish we were attempting to stock might not survive. These concerns I can understand, to a certain degree.

Of the approximately 1300 property owners in Blue Sea, 68 % (about 900) are cottagers. While paying the same taxes, including school, as everyone, we derive only marginal benefits from many tax dollars spent. We do not utilize the schools or many other municipal services (the 1995 budget put aside $97,140 toward health, security, culture and recreational items of limited benefit to cottagers). None of us draws social assistance. We are even limited in our voting rights. Ours is a collective, significant contribution to the local economy.

So what if other lake associations within the municipality make similar requests in future years. The fish will not get caught only by association members. Locals will in all probability catch more because they have seven days a week year-round to fish, whereas cottagers are usually limited to certain weekends during warm seasons. As long as council puts a cap on grants (say $500.00 per association request), if all seven associations requested grants per year, the total would still represent less than 2 percent of our so-called school taxes that we pay NOT to send out children to their schools.

What I cannot accept are the lies, distortions of truth, and sheer fabrications by certain councillors in their concerted efforts to defeat the request.

James Matthews (seat no. 5) and Pierre Turnbull (Seat no. 6) went way beyond the bounds of reason to attempt to defeat this initiative. We were told by them that previous attempts at lake stocking (quantities of 12,000 fish and more were mentioned) approximately 10 years ago had failed. These two then became instant fish experts as to the total impossibility of this type of fish surviving in the lake.

A special permit from the ministry is required to stock this quantity of fish in a lake, and ministry records do not support their previous stocking recollections. The ministry had already looked at all their "instant expert" objections in detail, and had refuted them.

In the end our request was rejected. While I can accept logical objections, I cannot swallow blatant and deliberate attempts by theses two councillors to deprive cottagers of even small crumbs.

Were council concerned about equitable re-distribution of tax dollars, it would see our request as a very minute portion of their $560,000.00 budget (4/100 of 1%), a budget which this year so far projects a $35,000.00 surplus in the road maintenance allocation.

This council has been noted for its often fractious, self-serving debates. Its mandate terminates November 6, 1995. You, as cottage owners, have an opportunity in this municipality, to help change the way cottagers are continuously and contemptuously ignored by some of your representatives. In this municipality, you represent the majority of property owners. Your vote therefore is extremely important.

Cottage owners have a single vote per household. November 6th, voting day is a Monday. Advance polls will be held at the town hall on Sunday, November 5th for those unable to stay over Sunday night to vote the next morning.

Please, I urge you, as a cottager, exercise your right to vote.

While we do not endorse any particular candidate, we urge you NOT TO VOTE FOR two councillors (James Matthews and Pierre Turnbull) who seem determined to stifle cottage rights to the point of fabricating lies and distorting truths to do so. Only then can we show the political clout that will get us respect and fair treatment.

If we cannot band together in this municipality, where we represent a majority interest, we can never expect fair treatment where we are only a minority.

Morris Richardson,

President.

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.

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