Jan 6th LSCA sent in our annual Update to Council. We outline all the issues and concerns observed and reported to us by our members. In communication with the Clerk for Lambton Shores I asked to be informed
WHEN our concerns would be before Council ie) which Agenda. The answer shocked us.
From the clerk:
We do not put “all other correspondence” on the agenda. “All other correspondence” is provided to Council in their weekly correspondence package and a member of Council can ask for inclusion on an upcoming agenda. This practice has been in place since March 2017.
This means there is no public record of any concerns or issues from the public on any agenda and we find this disturbing. Below IS our public record. Stay tuned!
Jan 6th Letter:
Lambton
Shores Community Association
P.O.
Box 1016
Grand
Bend, ON
N0M 1T0
Jan 6,2020
To the Mayor, Members of
Lambton Shores Council and CAO;
The Lambton Shores
Community Association would like to thank Council for taking action and setting
up new by-laws for the beach that were established to cover some of the most outrageous activities
that happen on the Beaches of Grand Bend.
Information from
our members and concerned residents has resulted in some very well received
activities from this season as well as some concerns.
The beach was
much cleaner this year, staff worked longer hours, there were more frequents
garbage removals and extra garbage pails.
The signage at
the entrances to town was great however, some people were still missed and
there were many things still on the beach that are prohibited.
The LED lights
were good. We suggest a solution to
light pollution for residents living east of the beach would be a directional
shade.
There are large
numbers of people using Oak St. to get to the beach and large numbers of
vehicles using Oak St. that concern us.
For the safety of all involved we believe a sidewalk or pathway for
pedestrians is needed.
We were also pleased to
hear that this year’s budget has money set aside for a real beach cleaner. The
lack of a proper cleaner that can remove broken glass, plastics and cigarette
butts, has been needed for a long time.
This
was a priority for many in this community beyond our organization and we thank
Council for following through on this very important issue.
We are greatly concerned about the lifeguards having
to do by-law enforcement or mitigation during their time on the beach. Somehow this must be resolved before someone
is injured or worse because the Lifeguards cannot get where they need to be.
Alcohol
was everywhere! This is a huge issue that council needs to find a solution for.
Our children used to get fined for stepping off private property with a single
beer in their hands. We do not
understand the total failure to fine and arrest boozers on the beach!!
We
believe without appropriate measures to solve the free for all on the beach, council
and the municipality are failing in their responsibility to residents and
visitors for a safe visit to our beaches.
High water caused a lack
of other usable beaches this past season.
As a result, Grand Bend received a huge influx of visitors. This
resulted large numbers of people on the North Beach.
It is obvious that one
lifeguard stand on this beach is not adequate for the numbers of people that
were present.
We also think that
council needs to consider seriously, the fact that the beaches of Grand bend
were well over capacity. See attached
photos.
In conclusion we urge Council to act on the most egregious
issues and are requesting that council
send us a written response with any decisions made.
Sincerely,
Sharon
Weitzel per
Lambton
Shores Community Association
