SLCO Newsletter Cottage Season is Coming 2024 Spring |
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First Things First … Are you an SLCO Member?
If not, did you know that over the past year, SLCO …
- Communicated with Planners, Councillors and our Mayors to gain support for policies that protect our lake
- Partnered with similar-interest organisations to make our efforts stronger
- Hosted the annual fishing derby, photo contest, sailboat race, AGM and concert … and will welcome back our Annual Regatta in 2024!
- Monitored and tested our lake water to keep it pristine
- Obtained a Muskoka Lakes Community Grant
- Managed the SLCO Facebook page and Website
If you are already a member, fantastic, please reach out to your neighbours and encourage them to join! |
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Message from your Co-Chairs
While we write this newsletter, we are all turning our attention to enjoying another cottage season on Skeleton Lake. The promise of summer couldn’t be more apparent with the unprecedented early melt of our lake ice - normally frozen until the third week of April.
What’s the big news for 2024? The appeal of the Township of Muskoka Lakes (TML) new Official Plan (OP)!
In November, the District of Muskoka approved TML’s new OP on behalf of the Province after a public process that spanned five years. During that time, the SLCO worked tirelessly to maintain and enhance safeguards against new aggregates operations in the vicinity of water bodies in Muskoka. We also worked to have our own Lake Plan integrated into the new OP to bring ever more effective protections for our lake and the surrounding watershed.
Sadly, the new OP. has been appealed by the Lippa family and Miller Paving, both members of the aggregates industry, as well as a group called Our Muskoka, a collection of development-minded business owners.
Considering the breadth of the appeals, the implication is a complete disregard for the environment; the negative impact on the surrounding properties (potentially YOUR property); and allowing instead for more aggregate extraction and development in waterfront areas. Both TML and the District of Muskoka have indicated they intend to fight these appeals to protect the terms of the new OP.
The SLCO will, of course, be vigorously fighting these new appeals however time consuming and expensive.
We will need your help and your donations to win this battle and protect your investment in the Skeleton Lake Community!
So please, become a member, recommend a member, donate, volunteer, get involved and make a difference. Go to our home page at www.skeletonlake.ca to see what you can do.
More information about the OLT hearings can be found here and additional details at Stop Muskoka Pit and the SLCO Website (scroll down). We'll be sending updates as they become available.
Jeff & Lawry |
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2024 Events Calendar - SAVE THE DATES!
While dates are not 100% definite, plan to participate and meet your fellow Skeleton Lakers! |
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For complete details and updates, visit the Events Pages of the Skeleton Lake website.
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New SLCO Merchandise - Ready to Order
New colours, updated (and exciting) logos, an easier ordering process, a different supplier and a more streamlined selection! And better still ... you can get your new gear on the May 24 weekend. Just click here and order by MAY 1. |
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2023/24 Board of Directors
First, we would like to thank Teddene Long who kindly took on the role of President to fill a vacancy over the past year. Although we say good bye to Teddene as president, she remains on the board in the roles of Past President and Governance Chair. Jeff Crocker and Lawry Simon have stepped into her role as Co-Chairs. This year, returning to the board are Jim Dyment as Director, Stewardship and Paul Piper as Secretary. Learn more about all of our current Directors on the SLCO Website. |
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Would you like to be an SLCO Volunteer?
SLCO is always looking for members who have skills in the areas of: communications, fund raising, merchandizing, environmental policies and planning, charitable organizations, social media and more. If you think you can help us to improve what we do and strive for more community spirit, please contact volunteer@skeletonlake.ca. |
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Spotlight on Jim Dyment Director of Stewardship |
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Jim has re-joined the SLCO Board after a 5-year absence while working as a consulting retainer with the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Jim is in the final stages of retiring from his career as a municipal planning consultant during which he worked in over 40 municipalities, many in Muskoka, Parry Sound and Haliburton. In his previous role with the SLCO, he was involved in the preparation of the Skeleton Lake Sense of Place report that led to the preparation of the Skeleton Lake Plan and Stewardship Program. Jim has been a “Skeleton Laker” since 1967 and bought Wilson’s Lodge in 2010
In the coming months, Jim and the Stewardship Committee will be reviewing the Lake and Stewardship Plan and surveying property owners in the Skeleton Lake watershed. This will enable the SLCO to gauge the social, cultural and demographic changes that have occurred since the last survey completed in 2010. The Committee will then provide recommendations to the SLCO and the lake community on what changes are needed to the Lake Plan and Stewardship Program to reflect 2024 and beyond.
The Committee will also coordinate the preparation and delivery of a SLCO Welcome Package for new lake property owners and work with other Committees to help build a community culture of stewardship. |
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Lake Partners – Lawry Simon
Did you know that a number of volunteer organizations work tirelessly to preserve the quality and beauty of the environment in which we have all invested? Here’s what they do … |
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Many volunteers spend a great deal of their own time on our behalf! Typically, these groups work independently but all have a common thread. Last year the new Township of Muskoka Lakes Official Plan (TMLOP) brought together:
- The Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA)
- Muskoka Small Lakes Coalition (MSLC)
- Friends of Muskoka (FOM)
- Skeleton Lakes Cottagers Organization (SLCO).
For the first time, these groups spoke with one strong voice, providing input and guidance to preserve our lakes and protect our environment within the Official Plan’s framework. We were pleased with the results! Our Township and District Councillors listened and supported the OP’s strong message to preserve and protect Muskoka’s environment, keeping it the jewel of the Province for recreation. We were excited by this first step and look forward to expanding the network and maintaining an even stronger voice with all levels of government. |
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Underused Housing Tax (It may apply to your cottage!)
The Government of Canada has created a new tax designed to address underused housing. “The Underused Housing Tax is an annual federal 1% tax on the ownership of vacant or underused housing in Canada that took effect on January 1, 2022.” There are penalties for not filing and ignorance of the law is no excuse.
The tax generally applies to foreign-national owners of housing in Canada (including cottage properties). However, in some situations, this tax can also apply to Canadian owners.
To understand if you need to complete and file the return, review the details here. |
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Bones - Third Print
In January 2023, we reached out to Mayor, Peter Kelly, to inquire about the award process for the Muskoka Lakes Community Grant Program. In June, we were officially informed that our efforts had been successful and SLCO was awarded $2,200 toward the third print of 100 copies. Approximately half have been sold ,easily covering SLCO’s investment. To officially thank Peter for his help, we presented him with his own copy … after more than a years wait!
If you are one of the few who do not have a copy you can order here. |
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