April 19, 2020
We continue to receive questions and comments from cottage owners about the State of Emergency.
We are reiterating the Band’s State of Emergency Declaration. It does not allow for cottage visits, short term or otherwise, at this time.
Exception?
The only exception granted by the Band is for those cottage owners who have returned to Canada on the advice of the Federal Government and who have no other Canadian residential address except their cottage.
Upon arrival, those cottage owners must follow the strict 14-day quarantine as required by the Federal Government.
They are also required by the Band Council to indicate their presence at their cottage by registration with the Lands Management Office by leaving a message at 519-797-3039 or sending an e-mail message to kirk.roote@saugeen.org.
In that message or e-mail please include your name and fire number.
Security Patrols
We have been informed that Cancom Security is patrolling and checking with cottagers to confirm that those who are there do, in fact, have no other Canadian residence.
The Chief and Council have indicated that cottagers found at their cottage outside of those with no other Canadian address will be charged with trespassing and fined $500.
We are aware that at least one person has been charged. Cancom Security are Federal Bylaw Enforcement Officers with authority to lay charges on behalf of the Band.
State of Emergency (SOE)
The Band’s State of Emergency is open-ended and not likely to be lifted anytime soon.
The Band put its State of Emergency in place at the same time as the rest of the municipalities in Grey Bruce. This decision was made after consideration of the advice of the Grey Bruce Medical Office of Health (MOH), Dr. Arra. Dr. Arra has said recently that he expects an increase in COVID-19 cases in Grey Bruce before there is any decline.
Tempted to Go Anyway?
And although it is tempting to go to the cottage now that nice weather is on the way, we ask you to think carefully about that action and the consequences.
Now is not the time to go to your cottage, even for what you may think is a “quick” trip or “just to check on things”.
Camcon Security is routinely checking cottages. There are services who are also checking properties, including the contractors for Spring Patrol . Our properties are under much closer scrutiny than ever.
When will the SOE End?
Lifting the State of Emergency will also be a decision of the Chief and Band Council and following consideration of the advice of the MOH and the Province of Ontario. We expect this to happen gradually. We have no idea when it will occur.
Our advice continues to be stay at home, wash your hands and keep your distance.
David Shearman,
President, Saugeen Cottagers Organization Inc.
It is so sad that people are not obeying the State of Emergency.
People are still going to their cottage for a short visit.
Facebook even had pics posted a leasee took yesterday.
Please stay at your primary residence!
The sooner we all listen, the sooner we can lift the bans in place.
As a contractor we would like to start our work season.
Sauble Spring 20 20
with foresight and hindsight
squishy leaves leaking brown juice on the patio stones,
closets and drawers surrendering chills they’ve kept till now,
peepers peppering our ears from the ditches,
shutters silently stacked by the shed awaiting their next shift,
swelling buds, shoots on branches, and sprouts on the sheltered southside,
sweetie tee tee calls the Chick-a-dee,
driftwood shapes hiding dragons and dinosaurs
flotsam and jetsam by the high water line.
In the sheltered east side, the sun promises a future sunburn.
But the breeze off the lake surrenders its iciness slowly.
SOMEDAY
ANON Y MOUSE
Yesterday I noticed a number of cottagers not obeying the state of emergency edict from the band. Specifically I am referring to block b cottagers on the Bruce parkway. Respect the wishes of the band as they try and protect the people of their reserve. Go home. The stakes are too high to not obey the bands wishes.
Keep in mind there are cottagers with no other Canadian residence that have permission to be at their cottage. CanCom knows who those people are and continues to check cottages for those without permission. Those without permission, when found, will likely be charged with trespassing, fined and evicted.