A seasonal resident responds to Burpee-Mills flooding, urging cooperation between the township and seasonal taxpayers who fund local services and businesses despite receiving fewer benefits.
To the Expositor:
Manitoulin Islanders have had a difficult spring. The heavy snows combined with rapid thaws resulted in unprecedented flooding, The flooding was made worse for those people living along Ocean Point Road (a non-maintained seasonal road) in Burpee-Mills by recent drainage changes in the area. At the height of the flooding in April, there were some written and verbal exchanges between residents of Ocean Point Road and township representatives. The township council appears to view the Ocean Point Road issue as outside its responsibilities, and too costly for township action. As reported in this paper on April 15, Councillor Art Hayden responded to Ocean Point residents鈥 concerns by noting that the township 鈥渃an鈥檛 do anything without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars.鈥
But in addition to this possibly mistaken claim of unreasonable expense to reduce the flooding risk on Ocean Point Road, there seems to be a perception by some councillors that seasonal residents deserve less from the township than permanent residents. This is an unfortunate perception. I am one of those seasonal residents, and I am very proud to call Manitoulin my second home. The taxes on my property are substantial, and surely contribute to the running of the township. I receive few township services in return.
There is a mutually beneficial relationship between seasonal and permanent residents on Manitoulin Island. I for one try to support the local businesses whenever possible, and I am sure that many of the local businesses rely heavily on seasonal support.
Let鈥檚 work together to deal with these climate emergencies. The flooding on Ocean Point Road continued in May, and I would have been stranded at my cabin without the help of neighbours. To me, that is the spirit of Manitoulin 鈥 working together, sharing the responsibilities and the joys of Island life. The distinction between maintained and non-maintained roads should be moderated by co-operation.
Sandra Burt
Evansville and Stittsville