Greetings from our Membership and our new Executive.

The Stokes Bay Ratepayers Association was formed in 2002 to look into and address, with yourselves and others, a variety of concerns and timely issues that were affecting or could affect our hamlet. We have recently elected a new Executive team to a two year term, and they are myself and those copied on this memo above, that being the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Trustee. Any of these officers can be reached by mail via myself, by e-mail, or by telephone as follows;

	Nigel	905-575-4838
		592-5703	allwood@sympatico.ca
	Jim	592-5752	colsblueroof@aol.com
	Martin	592-5839	hogarth@auracom.com
	Mike	592-5606	nonstopnacho@golden.net

Before I provide a brief list of what are surely mutual concerns, I would like to determine to what degree you are prepared to keep our membership informed on a timely basis on the comings and goings of our Council with regards to local matters. Specifically, we would benefit from knowing the results of general meetings, special meetings, and in-camera sessions (when appropriate) as soon as they are available. This would allow us to mull over the strengths and weaknesses of any particular item on the table, or in fact the radar screen, and prepare a response, if called for.

We would of course reciprocate in keeping you up to date on what your constituents in Stokes Bay feel about decisions taken from time to time that affect their quality of life... and their wallets!

Communication could be by mail / e-mail, or if critical, in person. Please let me know then what you are able to do regarding this exchange of information request, as outlined. If you are agreeable, we could start the process immediately with an update on the issues from Council, which we can incorporate in a pending newsletter to our membership.

Current issues we are discussing:

1. The Greenough Point Sub-Division Proposal and the related rebuilding of Tamarac Road. While a lot has been said/recorded to this point, the bottom line is still not known at this late date, and the season is about to change.
2. The local speed limits are not consistent and do not take into account our local birds eye view of both pedestrian and motorist safety. We believe we should err on the side of caution given the condition of our roads, and recommend enforcement of a maximum 40 kph speed limit within the hamlet.
3. Our street lights in Stokes Bay are not fully funded from our taxes paid. Having a tin cup on the counter of our General Store for donations for the lights surely does not represent local government practice in this day and age. We recommend this part of our infrastructure be fully funded, both capital and expense dollars, from your tax revenues.
4. Can we now safely say that the ratepayers of Stokes Bay need not worry about having to pay anything at all towards the future water supply to the residents of Lion’s Head? If this is not the case, please record this as a most serious concern.
5. Taxes have increased, and while this is not always avoidable, it should not be a surprise. A more timely notification of the intention and reasons to increase taxes would be welcome, prior to the event.

We fully realise our group has no official standing whatsoever, but the proliferation of such groups in the Peninsula must signal change is needed in the area of local representation in local government. How do you really feel about such groups and have you any plans to better organise/consolidate their efforts? Your valuable time spent has to come into play here.

We look forward to your acknowledgement of our Group and your suggestions as to how we can best work together to achieve common goals. We are neighbours, first and foremost.

 
Reg Fortune
Secretary
SBRA