Lots of Responses from SCOI Cottagers!
Hello everyone. Once again we have reached the point where it is no longer possible to keep up with all the messages that have been coming in. However, the comments have begun to take a different tone.
There is a group of ‘regular’ objectionists who need to answer every post or send us a comment every time the Premier approves another restriction being lifted. We have also reached the point where cottage owners are sniping at each other’s comments. This is not Facebook or Twitter. Most of what is being said has already been said many times. We are not getting new information or new perspectives on the situation.
It is obvious from the comments that people, understandably, are very frustrated. Some are angry and only a few are interested in what is best for the Band or the surrounding communities. Most of it is about coming to the cottage and promising to strictly adhere to the social distancing guidelines.
We do not question your sincerity but the problem with this is that human nature will inevitably lead to lapses and some folks will let their guard down, even unintentionally.
Epidemiologists Say it’s Too Soon
No one has written to express concern that a large number of renowned epidemiologists have said that the Province is not testing enough people to support the lifting of restrictions so soon. The experts say that the Provincial government is taking a very large risk in doing so. It is predicted that a second wave that cannot be contained will do irreparable damage to both the human population and the economy.
The majority of COVID cases that got this thing started in Canada came with people travelling here from the USA and elsewhere. Rural communities have largely been spared. So why is there no concern being expressed about the potential impact of all the travellers headed to cottage country? If they can do it, why can’t we? Bruce Arthur nailed it yesterday in the Toronto Star: “We seem to lack the societal and governmental patience to truly wait this thing out.”
No cottager has written to say that allowing, even encouraging, people to go to their recreational property this weekend was reckless. And yet the regional medical officers of health continue to advise people not to travel unnecessarily (travelling to your recreational property is considered non-essential even under the current Provincial State of Emergency legislation). And in those municipalities which the Government has not given legal authority to make people stay home, the mayors are asking those who do come to stay put, isolate for 2 weeks and not travel back and forth between the cottage and home. Some SFN cottagers say they will do that happily. Others will no doubt ignore the request and come anyway to check on things, get the water on, cut the lawn and get the cottage opened up. Then they will leave only to return again in a week or two.
People get offended when told they cannot be trusted.
This isn’t personal. It is a true statement about any population of Ontario cottage owners. No one is naive enough to think everyone who comes will stay until COVID restrictions are lifted. It just won’t happen.
Band Council is wisely playing it as safe as it can to protect its community.
However, they have now lifted restrictions on local contractors and have been asked to reconsider the extension of the restriction for plumbers.
The Chief has indicated that the restriction keeping cottagers away is temporary and that if COVID stats stay low we can expect to get back to our cottages in June.
As far as the SCOI website goes, there is nothing we can do directly to change the current situation. That rests entirely with the Chief & Band Council, the GB Medical Officer of Health and COVID case numbers for the next couple of weeks.
Time to Change the Channel
If there are questions or comments that present a new perspective, or different information that is relevant to our situation (not what is happening in Haldimand-Norfolk and not what the Premier just said), we will be happy to post it.
We are all frustrated and we recognize that this is very hard on everyone.
We all yearn to be back at the Beach. Anger, picking a fight, bad mouthing someone is not the answer and only feeds the angst. This isn’t anyone’s problem. It is everyone’s problem. Bitching on the website might be good therapy for some but not very nice for others.
Go for a walk, call up your cottage neighbour and commiserate with them. Call up a cottage neighbour who is at their cottage with permission so they can bitch to you about not being allowed to walk on the beach. Help them get some perspective.
We’re On It!
New developments as they become known to us will be posted here and everyone who has subscribed to the site will be notified as soon as it is posted.
I hope you are making the best of your weekend. Get the yard work done because once you leave for the cottage you will likely be expected to stay there.
For those looking for a different perspective (less “me” and more “us”), please listen to Ashleigh Weeden, a Rural Development PhD student at the University of Guelph (link below). Her parents are Block B cottagers.
Be patient, be kind, be safe,
Rob McLaughlin
SCOI secretary/treasurer
I congratulate SCOI for maintaining the proper (and only proper) stance on the band’s State of Emergency.
We may not like it but it is for the good of the band, the health care in Grey Bruce and all of us cottagers as well.
Good job – keep it up!
Excellent message. Hope it got through to the “we” people. Thanks for keeping us well informed.
This piece is well written. Cottagers need to be part of the solution. SCOI and the Band are doing an excellent job in updating and communicating the facts. Thank you.
Wow. I have been patiently reading all these memos and I hear you say you hear us but truly YOU are not listening. Maybe your situations are good but not everyone’s are.
If everyone feels so strongly that cottagers are such a wild bunch of irresponsible idiots put your money where your mouth is and refund our fees. When is it OK to take money for services you refuse to provide I paid for services in my community that were quickly refunded when these services were subsequently cancelled . Each message you send out paints us with a broad and very ugly brush ( but it’s hard to believe the seriousness of your arguments when it’s followed by comments referring to the many seniors that will hurt the health system. Are we to believe we are a community of wild uncontrollable octogenarians? Which is it? It seems every possible argument is being supported without any facts to back them up. But again if you strongly believe this then support a refund our fees and maybe cottagers wouldn’t feel they are being taken advantage of.
Personally I have been isolating for 2 months. I live in a building. Everything I read says elevators are a danger zone To go down the stairs to go for a walk means I have to touch hand rails and doors. If I were at the cottage I would be much safer. I can easily stick to my own property getting exercise by maintaining my property without coming close to anyone. If I feel ill I can go home ( and have previously done exactly that. ). I can bring my food but are shops not doing pickups? I have managed with deliveries and pickups for 2 months. I have been coming to the area for a long time. I have tried to support the area in every way I can. Ive gone along and spent my limited funds where necessary. Instead of fixing my property I cut down the trees damaged by the ash borers to help limit the spread in the community. I’ve tried to comply with the requests for well and septic upgrades. I support the shops and businesses and I always bring any guests to check out the shops in town Yet I’m not allowed to see if my cottage has survived the season. My welfare has no standing. So please actually listen to perspectives that are different from your own. You may not understand but do us the courtesy of dropping theses patronizing sermons. This video has pushed me too far.
Well said. I had signed up for a course in June st the Southampton Art School. I have already received a rebate without having to ask for it. Ti the person that said it’s a privilege to lease the land I would say that it is no more if a privilege than leasing a car or an apartment in Toronto. It us a commercial contract with both parties having entered into it agreeing that it provided mutual satisfaction. SCOI should ve having discussions with the band about a rebate for the term during which we have not received the benefit spelled out in that lease. Like you, I am upset that some people portray those of us that are even talking along these lines as being hot heads and having no concern for others. However, one look at the Grey Bruce health numbers that are released daily shows that on May 29th there was one new case of covid-19 after several days if zero be cases. Total cases 93 and total recovered 87. There are currently no covid-19 patients in hospital in GB. I live in a small town of 16,000. We have had a total of 4 cases. All have recovered. The lingering growth in cases in the province are primarily still in long term care homes.
Fred, please refer specifically to section 32.1 of the lease you signed. There is a generic copy of the lease on this website. Click on “about SCOI’ on the home page and scroll down to “current lease”.
Please also understand that lease payments for lots held by locatees are sent directly to the locatees. The Band has no claim on these funds. Lease payments for Band-held lots go to support Band operations that include their health services, elementary school, continuing education, daycare centre, womens’ shelter, the library and a host of other supports provided by the Band to its members.
Our leases are solely for the benefit of the Band and its members. The lease says nothing about mutual satisfaction even though we all benefit from being allowed to own cottages on Band land.
The Chief has told SCOI that there will be no adjustment to the lease amount, but has offered a fall extension to those who want to stay longer than the lease normally allows. The SCOI Board, which met last weekend, felt this was a fair offset under circumstances which are beyond the Band’s control.
I’m feeling like we’re in need of new association leadership …. the government, the BIA, the people all seem to think you’re more than off base. Consideration to your leadership notes?
I’m going to disagree with kcunningham. I just bought my cottage last August but I’m not a newbie. My family built a cottage on Frenchman’s Bay in the 1950s. I’ve been a Sauble junkie ever since.
I want to go to my cottage. I want to begin renovations. I want to watch the sunset, have beers on the patio and look at the stars.
These are not normal times.
I’m putting on my big boy pants. I’m thinking of other people.
Things will open up, hopefully only when the risk is reduced. I have no desire to bring any increased risk to the local residents.
I’m waiting and I understand why I’m waiting.
Patience is hard. That’s why it’s a virtue.
It’s not like this is forever!! Technically a lot of ppl don’t even open their cottages till the May long weekend anyway, so what’s a few more weeks if it means keeping everyone safe and healthy. To many ppl it all about me me me. Grow up we’re fighting a world wide pandemic and just because you feel well doesn’t mean you are not a carrier. Koodo’s to the band for all they are doing to keep everyone safe!! Tks SCOI for keeping us all updated. On another note I’m getting tons of jobs done at home that usually get neglected
Agreed Kcunningham. Being accused of not caring for the community because there is a difference of opinion about how we can be safe at our cottages vs a banishment approach is ridiculous. Lectures, newspaper quotes and videos that promote only one side to this issue has proven that this association clearly does not advocate for what is likely, the majority of cottage owners at this time.
This is a very precise response to the frustration etc.. however I have to listen to the voice of reason and that of the medical professionals who ultimately have my health interests as I have a weakened immune system! Hang in there folks this too shall pass!
Thank you Mark. I sincerely believe that all of the hostility on this thread would go away if we were given a rebate for the portion of the lease/maintenance fee for which we received no benefit. It’s a pity that you had to initiate that and not SCOI. Currently tenants in apartment buildings cannot be evicted for non payment of their lease during the covid-19 outbreak and a plan has been put into place for commercial tenants that cannot access their facilities with the government, tenant and landlord sharing the cost. The program is being run by cmhc.
Please keep in mind that our lease payments are not a “fee for service”. They give lessees the right to place a cottage on the land under certain conditions outlined in the lease.
There will be lots of time to enjoy the cottage. The lives we might be saving maybe a family member. Just think about that. We are living in a different time right now people. We need to take this a very serious
Problem. I wanna go to my cottage just as bad as you but give it time. Thankyou
If you don’t like the way things are being handled for the betterment of the people around you.
SELL !!!!!
The Band cannot have it both ways though. Ignoring the Provincial health officer in favour of the regional one should also mean a reduction in lease payments. Extending the season to November is nothing but lip service, knowing that most cottagers cannot extend their summer holidays into the winter.
So sure keep us away, but you must also take into consideration the full fees you continue to charge for reduced access. Maybe consider that’s where a lot of the aggressiveness is coming from – to put it another way, we’re renting a hotel room from a hotel that’s closed. Certainly not fair and possibly illegal, pandemic or not.
I, like Judy, am very concerned about my investment . I bought the cottage 4 years ago with the inheritance from my mom and dad’s estate and was thrilled to relive my years of summer vacations spent at Sauble with them, so it is also an emotional investment. I am my own landscaper and love it. It truly hurts to think that some stranger is allowed to do it, but I M not! U r depriving me of so much! With trailer parks open now, seniors are not the band’s fears for the virus. Seniors really have never been the problem!
Just wanted to say how much we appreciate the continued updates and how we admire and appreciate your patience with all of us. No doubt we All are disappointed but thanks for seeing through all our differences. Keep taking the high road. In these troubling times it only makes us yearn to back at our piece of paradise even more.Look forward to seeing everyone hopefully soon.
Completely agree with your cottage restrictions. Ontario not testing nearly enough.
Keep up the good work.
It’s too soon!
Thank you Kathie and the entire SCOI executive. You are doing an excellent job of keeping us informed. I am sorry that you are taking the brunt of venom from those who think it is OK to shoot the messenger. I also think that Ashleigh Weeden’s presentation is excellent, and demonstrates why delayed gratification must be the modus operandi for this spring and perhaps early summer. I fully support the SFN Chief and Band Council. Having witnessed how rapidly COVID-19 spreads, I don’t blame the SFN residents for being worried. I have also had personal experience with the Southampton Hospital. It is a great little unit, but the ER doctor might have to drive in from Goderich. If you are going to get into medical trouble, you are far better off being in the hands of our big city hospitals. Your efforts may seem to be thankless, but there are a few of us (hopefully the majority) that are grateful for your efforts. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you to the SCOI board for all you do. People need to remember that we are all in this together and the band has every right to protect their community during this pandemic. Everyone is anxious to get to their cottages and it will happen as long as we are patient. And for all the complainers out there please remember that SCOI is a volunteer organization and if you are so unhappy with the way things are bring run make sure to put your names forward for election at the next general meeting!
I like everyone involved here frustrated, I would like to be at my cottage but if staying away for a month saved just one life then you have my commitment, I will stay home. Despite comments to the contrary, I believe SCOI has done and incredible job keeping us informed, many have pushed for SCOI to advocate more on our behalf, my feelings, the band will allow us back on their timeline, period, advocate if you wish, tell them about business opening, trailer parks opening, quite frankly tell them whatever you like, it will change nothing. The part of this whole situation that frustrates me the most is that apart from SCOI, no one else tells us anything! Go and peruse the grey Bruce health website and try and find information for a cottager? I looked, found nothing other than a broad statement regarding non essential travel. Now, if you really feel like being disappointed, head to the Saugeen Land Management website, here you will find no sign of Covid-19, all is normal and call if you are interested in a vacant lot! If this was my only source of communication then I would have been loading the car and heading to the cottage this long weekend! Based on the service fees and lease amount we pay this is the best communication the band can offer? Perhaps SCOI should advocate to the band that they use a very small percentage of our service fee to hire a summer intern from the Saugeen First Nation community who is web savvy to fix up the website and creat a portal for us as leased land holders to receive regular updates from the band.
Keep up the good work Scoi association leadership. The authority for state of emergency lies with the sfn chief and council and I will respect their decision just as I respect the privilege of leasing their land. Your post has reminded me that patience is a virtue.
We are adults let’s behave like adults simply put…
Someone not doing what you say doesn’t mean they aren’t listening to you, it may just mean they don’t agree with you.
If you don’t like the current SCOI leadership then get involved and run yourself. Don’t just assume that there’s someone else waiting in the wings to take over who agrees with your self centered point of view. I will absolutely be supporting the current SCOI executive at the next AGM I think they’ve been doing an amazing job communicating in extraordinary times.
To the people saying “trust us we’ll follow the rules” people can’t be trusted to follow the rules and not bring their dog to the beach, why would anyone think you’re trustworthy enough not to infect the SFN community.
I heard we may not be allowed at our cottages until end of June. It makes no sense with the entire sauble and surrounding communities up there enjoying their cottages now as well as Mayors etc giving permission to be up there now why the Band is still refusing and taking advantage of the situation and cottagers. It’s just simply wrong on all accounts. We typically open up our cottage early April and now with June as a possibility we are looking at losing two months yet the rest of Grey Bruce is at their cottages and trailers enjoying what is theirs.
Great work SCOI executive! Would also love to be at the cottage but support staying home for the broader good. This is all “first world” problems for those of us lucky to have 2nd homes… happy to explore the City this May long weekend, for the first time in many years. Always a bright side!
Best comment ever….since we are quoting the media:
It went from “flattening the curve” to “find the cure”. From “social distancing” to “house arrest” (or in our case, total banishment). From “2 weeks to 3 months”. From “we’re in it together, to “snitch on your neighbours” (or in our case, bitch at your neighbours). From “individual liberty” to “comply or pay fine”…..we have lost the target.
I’m just wondering where the common sense went….
I find it ironic that those who disagree with anyone asking the hard questions and presenting a differing opinion on things are cast aside as some ‘self centered’ reckless citizen.
Many of us have been self isolating very responsibly in our home communities. We then start to ask the question about how we are being represented and what level of government will ultimately determine our summers. And the message is very mixed right now.
Unfortunately to ask those question seems to put a target on our collective backs of being both ‘self centered’ and an irresponsible citizen/cottager.
I don’t think it’s wrong to ask these questions and to ask how the association is bringing these requests to the band – even if it differs with the current associations stance.
I sincerely hope those who have a real problem with any opinion that differs from the bands don’t jump to conclusion and judge character. Democracy is a beautiful thing when it’s allowed to function. Just because we want to return doesn’t mean we don’t have good intentions and haven’t listened to the experts.
The lockdown was put in pace to flatten the curve and take stress of the hospitals. The hospitals are not busy and the Chief mentioned not a single hospitalization because of COVID-19. It never materialized and likely never will. Restricting cottagers from coming to their cottages makes no sense and doesn’t follow any of the available data on what’s happening. The early models of COVID scared everyone to death and people are still operating under these old debunked models despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Now the talk is not getting back to normal until there is a cure or vaccine. The only way to completely avoid the virus is to move to the moon. Herd immunity is our only answer. protect the vulnerable and elderly and let the healthy people back into society. Look at Sweden they never locked down and are fine. States like Florida and Georgia are fine with people out and about. We will look back on these times and wonder why we followed such a draconian approach to this virus.
We do not believe that the Georgia and Florida track record on containing the coronavirus is an example we want to follow.
I totally agree with Martin and Karen. SCOI is a group of dedicated and much of the time under appreciated group of people! I am frustrated with the fees and leases as well as a lot of people and not being able to use our cottage but it is not about SCOI! This leadership is VOLUNTARY, people!!! It is easy to criticize but I notice not many are stepping up to thank them or volunteer either! (they never do step up) I and many members would like to thank this executive committee! We appreciate you! Stop this nonsense and just say THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO SOUTH SAUBLE ASSOCIATION!!!!
Would The Band & security allow services like Bell and East Link… to enter the cottage
leased land area to re instate the services ???
We are not aware of any cases where this has been allowed. But you can ask. Contact Kirk Roote: kirk.roote@saugeen.org
I have read every word that has expressed and posted and I have drawn my own conclusions on the situation. My view is that people are very frustrated by not being allowed to go to their cottage and I have to share that no one is as sad as me to not be where I love to be the most. I think that people are just generally very very frustrated with life in general right now. This pandemic has caused much anxiety, uncertainty and an upset in our everyday lives. Our cottages would definitely be a happy respite for all of us. I have no anger towards the Band nor SCOI. I am worried that this issue will divide relationships with each other as cottagers/neighbours, the Band and the towns. This is extremely disheartening to me. We go to the cottage because we enjoy one anothers company, the community the scenery. Please let us not turn on one another. I for one can’t imagine the difficulty the Band is going through right now with the enormous stress of the decision making progress. Let’s respect them and the land we love to be on. NO ONE has signed up to be the decision makers of a pandemic. I believe we are all doing the best we can do at this time. Ya….there probably many things that we see as unfair right now but life isn’t fair all the time. Let’s be patient and come together as cottagers so we can greet each other on the beach or roads with a heartfelt “cheers”…we made it!
Jessica hit the nail on the head. I can’t believe no one has contacted their local MP’s to get the ball rolling on reimbersment of timeand or lost money of our lease payment. We emailed Alex Ruff MP for the Sauble Beach area and Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. Carolyn’s office responded assuring us that our comments in regards to our lease payment extention and possible reimbersment for time lost at our cottages have been carefully reviewed. However she did not respond until May 7th even though we sent the original email on April 12, 2020. Her office has forwarded our concerns to The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services and we have not had a response from his office as of yet. We asked that any consideration be applied to all cottage owners in this area.
Thanks for censoring my earlier comments. Its speaks to the organization you are running and one I want no part of.
Just a reminder that SCOI is made of volunteers. No one censored your comment from yesterday at noon. It has simply taken us till now to get to it. Thanks for your patience.
I along with my wife want to thank the SCOI team, you did a great job keeping us informed. Your concern was to get information out to us cottage owners and for that you did. We all have emotional opinions over the delay to get access to our piece of peradise. But let’s all think what so many families are going through. The loss of income, trying to help their children with school work, working at home and juggling their family life at the same time, kids not able to to camp. I could go on, let’s all just take a step back and be thankful for what we have and what so many have lost through this Pandemic. If all we have lost is a couple of weeks to be at our cottage, well I think we are all quite lucky, enjoy your time when things open up, it will and remember, we are are all in this together.