Note the Staff recommendation at the bottom of this report.-LSCA
DCS 35 2010 Summer Events[1]
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Residents say: NO beach volleyball
Interview and photo by Casey Lessard
What are your main issues with volleyball on the beach at Grand Bend?
This is not a volleyball issue. I am a strong proponent of volleyball and other sports. My career was as a physical educator and coach. I love volleyball and sports and the benefits of sports. This issue is about commercializing our beach, a beach that has been designated for public use. It’s my feeling and our feeling – I represent a fairly large segment of the population right now – that no commercial activity should take over any portion of any of our beaches.
Beach volleyball is big business. If you have John Morrison of Not So Pro owing the City of Toronto $328,000 (including, according to the Globe and Mail, $113,000 for three months rent), you have to know this is big business. Even if it weren’t a huge potential for business, it’s still a for-profit activity on our beach. More...
Monday, May 17, 2010
Open letter to residents
Open letter to residents
Beach volleyball
Letter to Editor-Lakeshore Advnce
It was proud moment for me last week to be asked to participate with two other members of our community, in a bid to persuade our Council to alter its stance on the use of our Grand Bend beach. As many of you know, an independent entity calling itself PVB Enterprises struck a deal with Council to use a section of our beach as a venue for its summer volleyball schools and tournaments with an open-ended time frame from May – mid September, for the next 10 summers.
This deal was struck (to a large extent in secrecy behind closed doors) with no concerted effort on the part of council or PVB to get a timely "feel for public opinion."
In an effort to pinpoint and get "a fix" on their actions, Council was asked among other points, to address 3 specific items in the agreement.
How they determined that "this was in the public interest?"
What the clause, "PVB is to refrain from interfering with the enjoyment of the beach" means in practice?
That "PVB will hold and pay for a $2 million liability insurance policy to be in place at the signing of the contract."
The response of councillors? Mute silence. We were courteously thanked for our input, dismissed and the "formal" council meeting began oblivious to our concerns and questions.
No wonder there is community unrest, and suspicion of Council's motives. Did Council conduct a poll, was there a survey done that allowed them to conclude their agreement was in the public interest?
Based on the crowd of concerned citizens jamming the fire hall in Thedford at this council meeting, I think it's safe to say PVB has already interfered with our enjoyment of the beach. And finally, what formula was used to determine that $2 million of liability insurance was sufficient, or too much?
Why not $5 or for that matter $10 million…..after all we are talking about thousands of people on our beach throughout the prime summer months….and not just this year, but for the next 10 summers?
Citizens of the Greater Grand Bend area don't let a group of politicians and self serving entities decide the fate of OUR beach, OUR natural gem. Make your views known to Council.
Robert Green
Robert Green & Associates
Beach volleyball
Letter to Editor-Lakeshore Advnce
It was proud moment for me last week to be asked to participate with two other members of our community, in a bid to persuade our Council to alter its stance on the use of our Grand Bend beach. As many of you know, an independent entity calling itself PVB Enterprises struck a deal with Council to use a section of our beach as a venue for its summer volleyball schools and tournaments with an open-ended time frame from May – mid September, for the next 10 summers.
This deal was struck (to a large extent in secrecy behind closed doors) with no concerted effort on the part of council or PVB to get a timely "feel for public opinion."
In an effort to pinpoint and get "a fix" on their actions, Council was asked among other points, to address 3 specific items in the agreement.
How they determined that "this was in the public interest?"
What the clause, "PVB is to refrain from interfering with the enjoyment of the beach" means in practice?
That "PVB will hold and pay for a $2 million liability insurance policy to be in place at the signing of the contract."
The response of councillors? Mute silence. We were courteously thanked for our input, dismissed and the "formal" council meeting began oblivious to our concerns and questions.
No wonder there is community unrest, and suspicion of Council's motives. Did Council conduct a poll, was there a survey done that allowed them to conclude their agreement was in the public interest?
Based on the crowd of concerned citizens jamming the fire hall in Thedford at this council meeting, I think it's safe to say PVB has already interfered with our enjoyment of the beach. And finally, what formula was used to determine that $2 million of liability insurance was sufficient, or too much?
Why not $5 or for that matter $10 million…..after all we are talking about thousands of people on our beach throughout the prime summer months….and not just this year, but for the next 10 summers?
Citizens of the Greater Grand Bend area don't let a group of politicians and self serving entities decide the fate of OUR beach, OUR natural gem. Make your views known to Council.
Robert Green
Robert Green & Associates
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Communication Key
Communication key
Municipal council
BY LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY - Lakeshore Advance
Posted 2 months ago
The problem with communication ... is the illusion that it has been accomplished ~George Bernard Shaw:
When it comes to transparency and communication- taxpayers want an open and clear view as to how their money is being spent, how their municipality is being run. We vote people in hoping their motivation is to do what's best for everyone. When we think that is not happening and there are too many unanswered questions-reaction is in high gear.
This is an election year and we are going to see a whole lot of grandstanding. At the end of the day, whatever motivates candidates and incumbents should include the desire to encourage and foster stakeholder participation and openness in the decision making process.
But as in any government, that process may take time and leg work. Sometimes the answers are not instantly available. It makes little sense to give part answers---it makes little sense to call public meeting when there is no current information. That does not mean there is no transparency. Transparency means the municipal decision making process is open and clear to the public. When they have the answers--they should reveal.
That is expected and in most cases demanded by tax payers. Accountability, transparency and openness are standards of good government that enhance public trust. That is not new. If you live in Ontario you should be content that your council conducts its business in a public, accountable and transparent manner through the Municipal Act, 2001, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, the Provincial Offences Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act the Health Information Protection Act and the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act.
If you are not content that is happening---you have until Sept. 10 to file.
Municipal council
BY LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY - Lakeshore Advance
Posted 2 months ago
The problem with communication ... is the illusion that it has been accomplished ~George Bernard Shaw:
When it comes to transparency and communication- taxpayers want an open and clear view as to how their money is being spent, how their municipality is being run. We vote people in hoping their motivation is to do what's best for everyone. When we think that is not happening and there are too many unanswered questions-reaction is in high gear.
This is an election year and we are going to see a whole lot of grandstanding. At the end of the day, whatever motivates candidates and incumbents should include the desire to encourage and foster stakeholder participation and openness in the decision making process.
But as in any government, that process may take time and leg work. Sometimes the answers are not instantly available. It makes little sense to give part answers---it makes little sense to call public meeting when there is no current information. That does not mean there is no transparency. Transparency means the municipal decision making process is open and clear to the public. When they have the answers--they should reveal.
That is expected and in most cases demanded by tax payers. Accountability, transparency and openness are standards of good government that enhance public trust. That is not new. If you live in Ontario you should be content that your council conducts its business in a public, accountable and transparent manner through the Municipal Act, 2001, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, the Provincial Offences Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act the Health Information Protection Act and the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act.
If you are not content that is happening---you have until Sept. 10 to file.
PVB requires Sand not Beach
PVB Enterprises require Sand not Beach
Lettter to the editor- Lakeshore Advance
Dear Sir,
As a seasonal resident in Grand Bend, I am greatly disturbed to learn of the proposed permantent allocation of portions of North Beach to PVB Enterprises.
PVB's reported goals, to promote health and fitness, are admirable; but the cost - elimination of beach area for non-structured activities is too great.
The loss of areas of North Beach will negatively impact all beach goers who come to Grand Bend to enjoy impromptu activities such as: baseball catch, football catch, frisbee, soccer, kite-flying, digging in the sand or playing tag.
At the Bejing Olympics, 17,000 tons of sand were moved into Chaoyang Park Stadium for the Beach volleyball competition.
Any flat area in town, when covered with sand, would suit the requirements of Beach Volleyball.
PVB require SAND for their sport not BEACH.
Brian Bell
Lettter to the editor- Lakeshore Advance
Dear Sir,
As a seasonal resident in Grand Bend, I am greatly disturbed to learn of the proposed permantent allocation of portions of North Beach to PVB Enterprises.
PVB's reported goals, to promote health and fitness, are admirable; but the cost - elimination of beach area for non-structured activities is too great.
The loss of areas of North Beach will negatively impact all beach goers who come to Grand Bend to enjoy impromptu activities such as: baseball catch, football catch, frisbee, soccer, kite-flying, digging in the sand or playing tag.
At the Bejing Olympics, 17,000 tons of sand were moved into Chaoyang Park Stadium for the Beach volleyball competition.
Any flat area in town, when covered with sand, would suit the requirements of Beach Volleyball.
PVB require SAND for their sport not BEACH.
Brian Bell
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