The Community of Oxtongue Lake

Algonquin Highlands council has embarked on a troublesome trajectory after its decision last week to proceed with an expansion of the Stanhope Airport; a project that clearly has not received the thought, research or consultation processes it deserves.

Despite great public outcry and many valid points as to why the project should not proceed, councillors resolved in a 3-2 vote to apply for $3.4 million in cost-shared funds from the Building Canada Fund to pay for the construction of new runway at the airport.

It seems the main impetus behind proceeding with the project is that a new runway at the site will in turn lead to the construction of an industrial park, which will in turn create an economic boon for the area.

One need look no further than the fact that Ontario’s finance minister has announced he will likely run a deficit in his next budget to realize the economic turmoil the province has become infected with. Ontario’s once-thriving manufacturing economy is akin to a dinosaur in the twilight of the Mesozoic era, just about to go extinct.

Perhaps councillors should have heeded the advice of accountant Thomas Walden, who addressed them last week, suggesting that manufacturing is “old school.” Walden was correct in suggesting that council should take a “new school” approach and use the money that would go toward the airport project to outfit the township with high-speed Internet, which would ensure the economic prosperity of area businesses by connecting them to the all-important world-wide web.

While a feasibility study on the project has given it the green light, a whirlwind of questions remain about the report’s thoroughness and attention to environmental impacts.

One of the councillors who voted against the application said blatantly that, “There should be other solutions discussed.”

And then there’s the fact that one of the councillors who supported the application could be heard muttering, “Oh God, oh God,” under her breath in the moments leading up to the vote. This does not portray a great deal of confidence in the project and stands as an indicator of the precarious foundation upon which it is being constructed.

Finally, let’s not forget the many outraged taxpayers who have cried out against a project they don’t want to pay for because most of them will never benefit from it.

How many residents of Algonquin Highlands own an airplane? And how many intend to set up shop at the site’s proposed industrial park?

Council has said the project will come back to the table if it doesn’t receive the funding it is looking for and hopefully, for the residents of Algonquin Highlands, the application will crash and burn when it comes before the purse-holders of the Building Canada Fund.

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REVIEW OF THE ALGONQUIN HIGHLANDS COUNCIL MEETING
meeting held Thursday, September 18

by Paul MacInnes
President of the Maple, Beech and Cameron Lakes Area
Property Owners’ Association

Impressive Credentials – Flawed Approach

Some Thoughts Re the September 18th Cross Wind Runway Meeting

When the meeting started and the various consultants listed their credentials I was very impressed with their breadth of experience and their knowledge base. Technical consultants hired for a project like this need to do their research and present the results in a totally objective manner.

As the presentation went on I became increasingly concerned. While the consultants did provide a lot of seemingly objective information they also started to act like salesmen for the project. They seemed to allow their personal bias and/or the bias of their political masters to colour their presentations. One consultant in particular spent a fair bit of time close to the end of the meeting trying to sell the listeners on why this project should go ahead. He also spent time telling us of his involvement and enthusiasm for a lobby group he is associated with that lobbies for this kind of development. As a professional technical consultant this selling exercise and his obvious conflict of interest calls into doubt his objectivity and the information the group presented.

In addition to the concerns re objectivity the more I listened the more concerned I became with the methodology of the information collection. Even a non technical person would know that:

To dispute Transport Canada’s guideline that a runway not be located within 8 kms of a landfill site (due to risk of bird strikes) the consultant visited 1 of the 3 landfills located within the hazard zone for one hour on one occasion. On that one occasion he saw two gulls. Those of us that visit these landfills weekly know that on some occasions there can be as few a two gulls but on other occasions there a 50 or more. While it seems that this project was done on a very limited budget they could simply have asked the landfill attendants to keep a daily record of gull numbers for a statistically sound period of time.
The consultants did not use local wind conditions to evaluate the usability of the proposed runway they used Muskoka wind records. Why did they not use local wind records as detailed in previous studies done for the municipality (those studies showed that the existing runway is ideally positioned approximately 93% of the time). If they felt these out of date why did they not ask the airport manager to collect and record the local wind records over this past year.
The one consultant from the Maritimes mentioned Fixed Wing Medevac on at least 6 occasions. If he had studied the Ontario medevac system he would know that fixed wind medevac is not generally used this far south in Ontario as it is much faster and patient friendly to transport by helicopter directly from the helipads at our local hospitals.

My last concern is that it seemed that the consultants had been well coached as to what topics to leave out or gloss over.

While they spent considerable time talking about not having to cut people’s trees on the Barry Line they glossed over the tree cutting that they have proposed on private property south of the airport.

In summary while these consultants have impressive credentials their process and their objectivity did not pass the test. The audience and hopefully council will now wonder – how objective, how accurate and how complete is the information we were given.

Contact Paul MacInnes

Why Are They So Afraid Of Our Questions?

by Paul MacInnes
President of the Maple, Beech and Cameron Lakes Area
Property Owners’ Association

If the people of Haliburton County hoped that the questions they have waited so long to ask about the WHY’S of this airport expansion would finally be answered - their hopes were dashed at the two airport meetings held by Algonquin Highlands’ council this week - during which the council refused to answer questions from the public. Even though the Reeve had promised various ratepayers’s association all summer long that they would finally get their answers at these two meetings the public was only allowed to ask questions of the technical consultants hired by the township.

While there were over 3 hours of questions asked of the consultants many of the approximately 160 taxpayers present were clearly angry that, once again, their major questions had gone unanswered:

Why are we building this runway?

How much will it cost us on our taxes?

How can this small municipality possibly pay the ongoing operating costs of this expanded airport?

Aren’t there more urgent places to spend millions of tax dollars: Health Care, high speed internet, roads and bridges, affordable housing etc.?

Taxpayers did find out that the original cost of the runway, which was forecast at $2.3 million, has now escalated to $3.4 million including repaving of the existing runway at a cost of $435,000.

Many of them felt this: With enough money and gravel you can build a runway anywhere—but what you are not telling us is:

Why are we doing this in the first place?

If AH Council thought that the only opposition to the airport expansion was coming from the MBC Association and the Oxtongue Lake Ratepayers Assn., Saturday’s meeting in Dorset thoroughly disproved that notion. An overflow crowd of approx 160 people, less than 20 of whom were with The Maple, Beech and Cameron Lakes Area POA or Oxtongue Lake RA, were overwhelmingly opposed to this project. Only one member of the audience spoke in favour.

The open letter written to Council by MBC., which demanded a second public meeting, has still not been properly answered. Ratepayers were told on Saturday that they are welcome to bring delegations to the upcoming council meetings. The problem with these council meetings is that although the delegations do have time to ask questions -

— WE GET NO ANSWERS! —

How can they continue to spend millions of our tax dollars on this massive project, the largest ever undertaken in the township, with no proper public debate and input?

They will soon be applying for funding under the Building Canada Infrastructure Program. Please email your MP and MPP to let them know your feelings.

Provincial MPP – Laurie Scott

Federal MP – Barry Devolin

Contact Paul MacInnes

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We did the best we could do.

STANHOPE AIRPORT EXPANSION

Council has voted in favor of the airport.

From the council meeting minutes, Oct. 23, 2008

3. Moved by: Don Shortreed

Seconded by: Diane J. Griffin

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Algonquin Highlands do hereby declare the Haliburton-Stanhope Airport Development Project to be their first and highest priority for capital development and construction in 2009;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Algonquin Highlands hereby directs the CAO and Treasurer to apply for funding under the Build Canada Infrastructure Program, Community Initiatives Component for construction of the municipal airport project at a total cost of $3.4 million dollars.

RECORDED VOTE: NAYS YEAS

Councillor Carol Moffatt √

Councillor Diane J. Griffin √

Councillor Don Shortreed √

Deputy-Reeve Tom Gardner √

Reeve Eleanor Harrison √

CARRIED.

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Minden Times Editorial – Sept. 24, 2008

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should

Taxpayers of Algonquin Highlands are fed up with the way council has handled the potential second runway for the Stanhope Airport. That came out loud and clear at the meeting Saturday as resident after resident took the mike to deplore the way the municipality has handled the issue.

It didn’t matter that the meeting was supposed to be about the runway feasibility study done by a series of consultants. People took the opportunity to make the meeting about their concerns.

It is partially due to the municipal process that does not allow for question and answer periods with councillors that has created this situation. It is also because residents have been told over and over to wait before asking questions.

Without much fuss, the consultants took the brunt of the residents’ anger, even though they were innocent in the whole situation. The councillors listened silently for the entire four-hour meeting.

Now CAO Lorne Mitchell will prepare a financial impact report for council to determine whether the project will work. It is almost certain that he will come back with a way to pay for the $3.5-million project.

Plus, it was announced recently that the federal government has new money for small community infrastructure, which council will surely apply for.

All of this will need to be done before any discussion on whether Algonquin Highlands should put in a new runway is decided.

Realistically, it would have been prudent to figure out the should before the could. However, we now know after a $90,000 study that a runway can be built. What is left is providing a good justification for it.

The property owners of Maple, Beech and Cameron Lakes area should be applauded for doing the footwork and raising so many questions about the necessity of such a grand project. To date, council has never discredited their arguments.

For example, would the new runway truly achieve 10,000 movements (take-offs and landings) a year when we’re currently at 3,000 or less? Would more businesses locate around the airport? Would MedEvac actually use the landing strip when both of the county’s hospitals have helicopter pads?

Then there is the cost. Even if the federal government coughed up some money for infrastructure from the Building Canada Fund, it probably wouldn’t be enough. What if they agreed to pay 50 per cent? Would Algonquin Highlands then pay the other $1.5 million? With a population so small how can such a large project be justified?

Some angry residents suggested there are ulterior motives behind this heavy push by council to get the runway done.

Beyond the conspiracy theories is a sense of frustration. If council refuses to answer questions about the “should” of a huge project for years because they can’t answer the “could” people get suspicious. It is not surprising they began to think there was something suspect happening behind the scenes.

Let’s clear all the air and have another public meeting, this time with residents and councillors face-to-face. Only then can anything proceed with the accountability and clarity the public deserves.

Jenn Watt

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New Stanhope Crosswind Runway Proposal an Outrage
‘Windwise’… but not so sure about municipal council

Last week I attended two meetings - September 18th and 20th - Stanhope Fire Hall and Dorset Rec Centre, respectively, to listen to and try to understand more about the proposed airstrip development at Haliburton/Stanhope Municipal Airport.

I have been a resident taxpayer at Oxtongue Lake for over 50 years; over those years I have tried to be involved, knowledgeable and supportive with regards to my municipal council’s initiatives. After listening to both presentations last week, I am not convinced there is a need for the 3 million dollar airstrip development. According to James P. Lindsey, Airport Planner from Pryde Scropp McComb Inc., the present airstrip is currently 95% efficient windwise, so why this additional expense of another airstrip for only a 4% increase in efficiency does not appear to show value for money, taxpayers’ money to be specific. If it were a matter of life and safety that would be a different story. Thankfully and to my knowledge, there have been no reported accidents or incidents at Stanhope, so I believe (and hope) it is safe to presume that currently airplanes have no problem or difficulty taking off and landing on the present runway.

I fail to understand why our council members feel this is the time to be spending ‘millions’ on an additional airstrip to add only 4% efficiency windwise when we live in such turbulent economic times. Haliburton County is at the bottom of the employment scale and at the top of the retired resident’s scale. In this time of volatile markets do we seriously want or need additional burdens on our municipal taxes? I am struggling now to pay my taxes, and would rather feel that the money is being used more appropriately to help the community address real and immediate needs and concerns.

For example, how can council propose a multi-million dollar airstrip to add minimal windwise efficiency and at the same time express their concern about the cost of maintaining the Oxtongue Lake Community Centre at about $5000-$6000 per year? The numbers simply do not add up. And I certainly know where I would prefer my tax dollars be spent.

I am appealing to all taxpayers in the Algonquin Highlands and Haliburton County to make our council aware of our concerns about this additional tax burden. To do so, get your voice heard at the next Council meeting being held at Algonquin Highlands Council Chambers, Northshore Road, Stanhope Twp., on October 9, 2008 at 9:00am. If you want to be on the agenda, you have to have your submission in to Angie Bird, Clerk, by October 3, 2008.

Fran Gower
Oxtongue Lake

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24th May 2007

OPEN LETTER TO COUNCIL

Subject: The Proposed Stanhope Airport Expansion

Subsequent to the May 7, 2007 presentation under council rules, the Executive of the Oxtongue Lake Ratepayers Association has had an in-depth discussion of the proposed Stanhope Airport expansion currently under review by council.

The executive believes strongly that the Oxtongue community requires more information and participation in a venture of this size and scope. We feel that there could be significant implications to our community that warrant a full public meeting in a forum that provides for an open dialogue with the township’s consultants, staff and council members.,

With this letter, the Oxtongue Lake Ratepayers Association is formally requesting council to arrange for an open public meeting to discuss the proposed Airport expansion. We would suggest that the meeting be held in Dorset so that it encourages attendance by interested parties from both northern communities (Oxtongue and Dorset). Furthermore, we would suggest that it be held at a time that would allow for seasonal resident participation and attendance. We respectfully request that this meeting be scheduled as soon as practical so as to allay the fears and concerns of the ratepayers and dispel any misinformation that may be circulating.

We look forward to receiving a favourable response to this request in the near future.

Yours Sincerely,

Gary Schultz,
Vice President,
On behalf of the Executive
Oxtongue Lake Ratepayers Association

Cc: Lake Associations and Ratepayers Associations of Algonquin Highlands; Mr. Barry Devlin – MP; Minden Times

Be Informed About the Stanhope Airport Expansion Plans!

Paul McInnes’ September 18 letter to government officials (in this case, to Reeve Murray Fearrey)

Plans to expand the Stanhope Airport continue to evolve, at taxpayers’ expense.

A synopsis of what’s been going on with the airport can be found on the website for Maple, Beech and Cameron Lakes Area:

Airport News, from the Maple, Beech and Cameron Lakes Area Property Owner’s Association

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REQUEST A THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT BEFORE AIPORT EXPANSION PLANS PROGRESS

At the JULY 23 2009 meeting in Carnarvon (“Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Expansion to the Township of Algonquin Highlands Airport”), a petition made the rounds. The petition respectfully requests that Infrastructure Canada carry out a thorough environmental assessment before proceeding with the airport expansion project. It was signed by many (if not all) of the public in attendance and was hand-delivered at the meeting to Jennifer Clark, Senior Environmental Review and Approval Officer for this project.

Many of us from Oxtongue were unable to attend that meeting; consequently, we were unable to sign the petition.

So — in the spirit of “the next best thing to being there”…

IF you were UNABLE to attend the information session in Carnarvon this evening; and

IF you are in favor of Infrastructure Canada carrying out a thorough environmental assessment for the proposed expansion to the Stanhope airport before proceeding with the project; then

Please consider taking five minutes to do the following, which will act as a proxy to signing the petition — in fact, several of the surrounding lake associations also are following this protocol to give their members who could not attend the meeting the opportunity to support the petition:

1) Create a blank email to Jennifer Clark by clicking HERE. — Paste in this subject: “Thorough environmental assessment requested for Stanhope airport expansion.”

2) Copy, then Paste the following text into the body of the email — be sure to end by typing your name and your address! (You may have to do a bit of reformatting in your email.)

Dear Ms Clark,

I was unable to attend the Information Session on Thursday, July 23, 2009, “Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Expansion to the Township of Algonquin Highlands Airport.”

Please accept the attached document for consideration of inclusion in the current Scoping / Screening of CEAR project # 09-01-46567.

The points made in the attached document are important to the proper Environmental Assessment / Screening of the project.

Respectfully,

<your name>
<your address>

3) DOWNLOAD, READ, then ATTACH to your email the PDF file that is linked HERE (Windows: right-click — Mac: Control+click — select “Download linked file,” or something like that) — file name <Jennifer Clark.pdf> — Andy Muirhead pooled this information together. It summarizes and lists the areas of environmental assessment that so far have not been adequately addressed by Infrastructure Canada. It is an objective, candid, intelligent, unemotional accounting — and it is wonderfully persuasive.

NOTE: Sending this email to Jennifer Clark is not a statement for or against the airport expansion — it merely requests a rational and thorough environmental impact assessment before plans for the airport expansion progress any further.

The more of us Ms. Clark hears from, the more likely it is that a thorough and comprehensive environmental assessment will, in fact, take place.

Thanks for considering adding your voice to this very important chorus!

Stanhope Airport Expansion

INTERESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE CANADA CARRYING OUT A THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT BEFORE GIVING A GREEN LIGHT TO THE AIPORT EXPANSION PROJECT?

A partial collection of editorials, articles, and letters regarding the Stanhope Airport expansion

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Airport application on crash course

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REVIEW OF THE ALGONQUIN HIGHLANDS COUNCIL MEETING
meeting held Thursday, September 18

Why are we doing this in the first place?

— WE GET NO ANSWERS! —

We did the best we could do.

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Minden Times Editorial – Sept. 24, 2008

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should

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Be Informed About the Stanhope Airport Expansion Plans!

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Algonquin Park

The Community of Oxtongue Lake

Stanhope Airport Expansion

INTERESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE CANADA CARRYING OUT A THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT BEFORE GIVING A GREEN LIGHT TO THE AIPORT EXPANSION PROJECT?

A partial collection of editorials, articles, and letters regarding the Stanhope Airport expansion

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Airport application on crash course

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REVIEW OF THE ALGONQUIN HIGHLANDS COUNCIL MEETING meeting held Thursday, September 18

Why are we doing this in the first place?

— WE GET NO ANSWERS! —

We did the best we could do.

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Minden Times Editorial – Sept. 24, 2008

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should

_________________________________________

Be Informed About the Stanhope Airport Expansion Plans!

Our Bulletin Board

Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations

Birthdays? Anniversaries? Celebrations? Tributes?

Weather Forecasts

Algonquin Park

REVIEW OF THE ALGONQUIN HIGHLANDS COUNCIL MEETING
meeting held Thursday, September 18