On July 27, 2018, Jim Grant, Rob McLaughlin and Chris Ball met with Chief Lester Anoquot to discuss several topics. We congratulated the Chief on his re-election and looked forward to continued collaboration between SCOI and the Band.
The Chief is acutely aware of the issues at South Sauble and French Bay and working diligently with his staff and Band Council to address the challenges of security and safety on the beach. He committed to speaking with CanCom Security and requesting they step up their enforcement on the beach. He is also requesting a meeting with CanCom, the OPP and ourselves to strategize on how to better serve the cottagers and keep the beach a safe and enjoyable place. He believes the Band will have their own police force shortly and they will be able to address these challenges more proactively at that point.
We discussed the Saugeen Cottagers Endowed Fund and due to some turnover in the education department, it has been a slow start. A more focused effort will be placed on ensuring the band members are aware and encouraged to take part in this program.
We mentioned that a Septic System info session has been planned for August 4th at Sauble United Church so we can pro-actively prepare to be compliant with all Health Canada regulations.
Our relationship with the Chief and Band continues to be strong and productive and we truly appreciate their efforts in addressing lescottager’s suggestions and concerns.
Thanks. What security concerns are there? Have their been breaking this summer? Items stolen from properties? Something else?
We are not aware of security issues related to break ins. There have been a considerable number of security issues related to dangerous driving and overcrowding on the beach, day visitors trespassing on cottage property to relieve themselves, help themselves to deck furniture often exhibiting a very aggressive sense of entitlement when confronted by cottagers and Band staff.
SCOI has attended meetings on each of the past 3 Fridays with the Chief, Band Council members on the police committee, Cancom and the OPP to discuss ways to deal with this escalating situation. Cancom security is being given more enforcement authority and the OPP will have increased presence on the Beach through the remainder of the month.
Reestablishing their own police force and banning cars from the beach next year are seem as the long term way for the Band to regain control of the beach.
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Great to see the positive and productive relationship!
When will the ban on cars south of Silver Lake Road come into effect?
A large portion of the beach south of Silver Lake Road has technically been closed to cars during the day all summer, except for Cottagers with beach-only access and Band members. Enforcement has been the issue but is being stepped up for the remainder of the season.
The Band is currently planning to ban cars from the entire beach (with the same exceptions as above) next year -see the Owen Sound Sun Times article. We assume the ban would include after hours traffic on the beach.
We have been told cottages are excluded from the beach as of today unless you are lake front or native. The person in the booth at Silver Lake Rd said you must go to the Main entrance to access the beach for all other cottages. Is this true?
In its effort to reduce vehicle traffic on the beach, the Band has closed the south end of the Beach to cars from Silver Lake Road to French Bay Road. Exceptions are those cottagers who have beach-access-only properties along that stretch of beach and Band Members. All cottagers walking to the beach may continue to enter at any of the three gates or through one of the walk through right-of-ways. If you walk on through one of the gates, you should probably have your landfill pass with you.
If you are driving to the Beach, you are asked to enter at the Main Street Gate at the north end of the Beach. As has been the case for the past few years you will be expected to pay the $20 fee for parking on the beach.