NewsFlash

February 9, 2024

LOBA Winter Town Hall Meeting Report

On January 27, over 70 LOBA members and directors, representatives from other lake associations, and elected local officials met at the LOBA Town Hall meeting at Bethune United Church in Baysville.

After greetings and updates from District Chair Jeff Lehman, Town of Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock and Township of Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover, LOBA President Wendy Gibson welcomed everyone and presented LOBA's recently completed 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. Over the next five years LOBA's financial and human resources will be focused on the following core priorities: Environment; Development and Land use Planning; Government Relations; Community Engagement; and Corporate Sustainability and Effectiveness. Our updated mandate to EDUCATE, ADVOCATE and ENGAGE has been incorporated into the actions we have identified to reach our goals. You can read the Strategic Plan on the LOBA website. After reading the plan, if there is anything you are interested in or feel you can help with, please contact us at info@loba.ca. Our members are our greatest resource to ensure LOBA continues to be proactive and relevant.

Finally, Muskoka Watershed Council director, Kevin Trimble presented our keynote address, Integrated Watershed Management – What is it and why do we need it? It was an enlightening call to action for a change in how we understand, manage, and protect the 5,100 square kilometres, 6,800 kilometres of shoreline and 2,000 lakes that comprise the Muskoka Watershed. Everyone who cares about Muskoka needs to learn more about the critical turning point our watershed faces today and what we need to do to reverse the current trend of declining watershed health. You can review Kevin's presentation slides and speaking notes here, along with other reports about Integrated Watershed Management.

Discussions continued over a delicious lunch prepared by Bethune's United Church Women group.

Thanks to all who attended!

Township of Lake of Bays Updates

Following two days of discussion and presentations by all department heads, Lake of Bays Councillors whittled the tax rate increase down to 9.06%. The budget and increase will be passed at the February 13 Council meeting. LOBA is pleased to see that a second By-law Enforcement Officer will be hired to ensure better by-law enforcement and that a hybrid vehicle will be purchased for by-law enforcement purposes.

View the recording of the Special Council Meeting on January 31 and February 1 on the Township's YouTube channel>

Read about the budget deliberations at DopplerOnline.ca>

Read why Township of Lake of Bays residents face a 9.06% property tax increase at MuskokaRegion.com>



Notice of Public Meeting: Amendments to By-laws Related to Short-term Rentals: Read more here>

Notice of Public Meeting: Final Community Improvement Plan:

Read more here>

Winter Festivals and Other Events

Support Your Local Community ... and Have Fun!!



Baysville

Winterfest

February 19 (Family Day)

Click here for details

Huntsville

Snowfest

Saturday afternoons for 8 weeks and 2 special Sundays during Family Day and March Break

Click here for details

Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival

February 16 and 17

Click here for schedule and details

SS Bigwin and Marine Museum

Customer Service Associate & Deck Hand (Associate)

The SS Bigwin and Marine Museum is looking for client focused individuals who will be working in a team environment, collaborating with the Society’s management, other part time Associate(s), Captain(s) and Deck Hand(s) First Mates, both on the SS Bigwin and in the Marine Museum. This is a public facing role and will provide an opportunity to learn about the history of Lake of Bays and the role the SS Bigwin has played in the history of the region, and to assist is relaying that history and the legacy of the SS Bigwin to visitors at the Museum and to passengers on the boat.

Located at the Museum in Dorset, the schedule will include weekend work as well as some evenings for special events, and a minimum of 30 hours/week availability through the summer season.

Duties include:



• Assisting with customer care during the entire experience related to all SS Bigwin operations while in the Marine Museum and on the SS Bigwin (on land and on water).
• Assistance in docking and departure of the SS Bigwin.
• Special events: includes private charters and special cruises with 2024 partners.

Please contact Jim Speirs for further information at 416 206 0360 or at  jim.speirs@gmail.com

photo by Ann Morrison

2022 photo contest submission