Why is council chasing away all the volunteers in Magnetawan?

May 07, 2008

To the Editor:

Well, Magnetawan sure is buzzing these days. So many people chatting about the actions of council. Maybe it is time to encourage those that voted for these fine individuals to stand up and support the council they so vocally put into place at the last election.

Since coming into position, this council has disbanded the Magnetawan Community Development Committee (MCDC) to form their own wonder committee that was going to knock our socks off with their actions. Seems only one person signed up to be on the new council's committee so it never went anywhere. So the committee that built the cenotaphs in Magnetawan and Ahmic Harbour, that put on an awesome scavenger hunt to find the heritage information around our area, held many special events that brought people to our town as well as provided fun and events for locals were dismissed from their volunteering.

Seems now the council needs to find a new fire department. I hope the people that voted for them step up and volunteer. I have informed my insurance company that I no longer have a department within 13 km from my home. I was informed that there is a two week grace period for council to resolve the issue but after that I will be billed for the increase in fire coverage. The increase will be a substantial amount.

I guess the Ahmic Lake Association, Cecebe Lake Association and ratepayers that promoted this council so heavily during the last election will be feeling the effects of this council’s action soon enough. Hopefully it will only be a monetary loss they suffer.

My concern is that when their call for help goes unaided or has to wait 25 minutes or longer for the next town’s fire department to possibly respond that it is not too late. That is, of course, if the department isn't out on a call for their own town and are available to come. It could be a long time to wait on the jaws of life.

I encourage everyone to take extra care as there is really no response team now that will get to them before the ambulance arrives.

I also find it notable that this council is willing to pay $55,000 to have a gazebo built in the park. The Magnetawan Lions Club approached council and tried to offer financial assistance for this project. The Lions Club is, in my opinion, our greatest community supporter. Council frustrated the club so much that now council has to pay for the gazebo. So now I guess the only group this council hasn't managed to discourage from helping the community is the agricultural commitee. Give them time - I am sure they will find a way to kill the community spirit there as well.

I will get off my soap box now.

Angela Dunnett
Magnetawan