Muskoka Our Walden North; How Do We Protect It From Council Inactivity and Errors In Judgement?

HOW LUCKY WE ARE WITH MUSKOKA AS OUR WALDEN POND - NOW, IF WE ONLY FULLY APPRECIATED IT!

WHAT WOULD WE DO DIFFERENTLY, IF WE HAD THE OPTION OF DO-OVERS


     FROM ABOUT NOON, TODAY, I SAT OUT ON THE VERANDAH, OF WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A MODEST URBAN BUNGALOW, SURROUNDED BY MAPLE TREES, LEANING BIRCHES AND PLEASANT "NOT TOO LARGE, OR TOO SMALL" SHRUBBERIES, AND ON THIS LAPTOP, BALANCED ON MY KNEE, I PUT TOGETHER A WEE SUMMATION, OF WHAT I HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT, FOR THE PAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS. PROBABLY A LITTLE LONGER. THESE ARE CONCERNS I HAVE, ABOUT HAVING COUNCILLORS AT THE HELM, OF OUR COMMUNITIES, WHO ARE NOT TOO WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF FUTURE APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT. THESE COUNCILLORS WOULD BRUSH OFF ANY CONCERN A CHAP LIKE ME HAD, BECAUSE AS AN HISTORIAN AND WRITER, I HAVE LITTLE TO OFFER OTHER THAN APPARENTLY, DIRE PREDICTIONS ABOUT OUR FUTURE WELL BEING. I WARNED ABOUT THE IMMINENT DANGERS OF RUSSIANS IN THE UKRAINE, AND I WASN'T FAR OFF. RIGHT? I WROTE THAT THE LOCAL BIA WOULD NOT ACHIEVE ITS EXPANSION BID THIS SPRING. BANG ON AGAIN. I DON'T GET ANY POINTS FOR THIS, OTHER THAN SATISFACTION, I DO KNOW WHAT I'M WRITING ABOUT. I WON'T TRY TO MISLEAD YOU. IF A COUNCIL-HOPEFUL WOULD TALK TO ME, I'D BE THE STRAIGHTEST SHOOTER EVER. I MOST LIKELY WON'T GET THE CHANCE. I'M TOLD I GIVE PEOPLE ULCERS. SUZANNE SORT OF GETS IT, THAT I COME ON PRETTY STRONG, AND MAKE PEOPLE CRY. I WOULD NEVER LIKE TO BE KNOWN AS MEAN AND ORNERY, BUT I CAN LIVE WITH BEING KNOWN AS TENACIOUS AND IN-YOUR-FACE, WHEN I'M MAD AS HELL. I'VE BEEN THAT WAY FOR THE PAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS.
          BUT SITTING HERE, IN THIS BEAUTIFUL LITTLE PARADISE, WHERE WILDLIFE ABOUNDS, FROM BUTTERFLIES, TO SPARROWS FLITTING ABOUT, THROUGH THE BRANCHES, TO THE CATERPILLAR, I JUST NOW WATCHED CLIMB UP THE VERANDAH POST, WELL SIR, I THINK THERE'S A LOT TO WORRY ABOUT, BEYOND THIS SAFE HAVEN AT BIRCH HOLLOW. THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES SERVING THIS COMMUNITY, ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG ABOUT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, JUST THAT THEY GET A SHOT AT ITS DETERMINATION. THEIR REASONS FOR BEING ON COUNCIL OFTEN SEEM SO MUCH DIFFERENT, THAN IF I HAD ONE OF THOSE CHAMBER SEATS. WHILE I WOULDN'T BE RESISTANT TO ALL DEVELOPMENTS, IT WOULD CERTAINLY BE CLEAR FROM MY ENVIRONMENTAL LEANING, I WOULDN'T LET A DEVELOPER GET PAST, WITHOUT BEING BROW-BEATEN, AND PUT THROUGH "THE INQUISITION," EVEN IF I HAD TO FOLLOW THEM OUT TO THEIR CARS, AND HANG ONTO A DOOR FRAME FROM HERE TO TORONTO. SO YES, BY MY STANDARDS, I WORRY A LOT THESE DAYS, ABOUT HAVING A NEW COUNCIL MADE UP OF ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHT-WEIGHTS; PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE HAVE AT PRESENT. IF WE WANT TO PROTECT THIS WALDEN NORTH, WE HAVE TO FIND FOLKS OUT THERE, WHO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF THIS REGION INSIDE AND OUT; SO THAT THEY WOULD FULLY APPRECIATE, THAT OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY, OTHER THAN WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IS THE TOURISM SECTOR. LOVE IT OR LOATHE IT, DOESN'T CHANGE A THING. IF IT FALTERS, SO DO WE. TOURISTS DON'T COME HERE TO VISIT BOX STORES. THEY COME HERE BECAUSE OF THE LAKES, RIVERS, FORESTS, MEADOWS AND ALL THE GLORIOUS OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES IT AFFORDS. SHOULD WE BE WORRIED ABOUT THE TALENT POOL? I AM. I NEVER MIND GETTING INTO A DUST-UP WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT I'M GETTING OLDER. I NEED SOMEONE TO CARRY-ON HOUNDING THEM, FOR ME, ABOUT MATTERS OF DUE DILIGENCE, AND FALLING FOR THE JACK AND THE BEANSTALK "MAGIC BEANS" THING, FROM A NEW ROUND OF DEVELOPMENT SURGE, LIKELY HEADED OUR WAY IN THE NEXT TERM OF COUNCIL.
     SUZANNE AND I WENT OUT TO DINNER LAST NIGHT, AFTER ANOTHER LONG DAY AT OUR MUSKOKA ROAD ANTIQUE SHOP, HERE IN GRAVENHURST. WE DINED AT A LITTLE RESTAURANT IN BRACEBRIDGE (WE LIKE TO SPREAD OUR MONEY AROUND IN SOUTH MUSKOKA), WE HAPPEN TO LIKE, AND BOTH COMING AND GOING, WE TRAVELLED ALONG THE PICTURESQUE, WINDING TRAIL, OF MUSKOKA BEACH ROAD. WE BOTH LOVE THAT ENCHANTED COUNTRY ROAD, RUNNING NORTH AND SOUTH, ESPECIALLY TRAVELLING ALONG THE PROPERTY OF THE FORMER JONES' FARM, AND THEN THROUGH THE MAGNIFICENT STRETCH, WITH A GRADUAL DECLINE HEADING SOUTH, OR INCLINE GOING NORTH, THAT I LIKE TO CALL THE CATHERDRAL MAPLES. THERE IS SWEET GRASS GROWING ON THE WEST HILLSIDE, AND IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN THE LATE SPRING; AND THEN THERE ARE THE TRILLIUMS IN THICK CLUSTERS, WHITE AND READ ALL ALONG THE ROCKY HILLSIDE, AND DOWN INTO THE VALLEY ON THE EAST, WHERE THERE IS A FAMILY SUGAR BUSH STILL IN OPERATION.
     WHENEVER WE TAKE A LITTLE AUTOMOBILE GAD-ABOUT, ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLY EVENING, WE WILL OFTEN TAKE THIS COUNTRY LANE, AND TURN-AROUND AT THE OLD STAGECOACH ROAD; AND COME BACK SLOWLY TO THE URBAN AREA OF GRAVENHURST. WE HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO OWN PROPERTY HERE, AND WE'VE HAD OUR CHANCES, BUT ALWAYS WHEN WE WERE BROKE, AND THE ASKING PRICES WERE HIGH. I SUPPOSE, IN A WAY, WE MAKE UP FOR THAT LACK OF REAL ESTATE FUNDS, BY DRIVING THIS SHADED ROAD, WHENEVER WE ARE TRAVELLING BETWEEN THE TWO TOWNS OF SOUTH MUSKOKA. I WAS WAXING RATHER NOSTALGIC LAST EVENING, AND AS IS TYPICAL, IT ALWAYS TURNS PHILOSOPHICAL WITH ME, AS NO DOUBT YOU ARE AWARE. SUZANNE CERTAINLY IS, AND SHE DESERVES SPECIAL RECOGNITION, FOR HAVING LIVED WITH ME FOR SO LONG; AND HAVING HEARD SO MUCH IN THE WAY OF CRITIQUE, ABOUT THE WAY WE HAVE CHANGED, IN THIS REGION, FROM ONCE, WHEN NATURE WAS THE MAJOR PROVIDER FOR HOME AND HEARTH. WE'VE BECOME SO MUCH MORE URBAN IN OUR WAY OF LOOKING AT NATURE, FINDING ITS QUALITIES LESSER, AS A RESOURCE, AND MORE OF A NUISANCE TO THE NEW AND APPARENTLY APPROVED MUSKOKA LIFESTYLE.
      MOST HOME OWNERS NOW, WANT THE RURAL RETREAT EXPERIENCE, BUT THE URBAN LANDSCAPE AROUND THEIR DWELLINGS, WHETHER HOME, COTTAGE (CASTLE) OR CONDOMINIUM. WHEN I LOOK OUT OVER THE VERANDAH RAILING, HERE AT BIRCH HOLLOW, I SEE HUNDREDS OF MUSKOKA PLANTS, TREES AND GROUND COVER, A MAJORITY OF IT RESCUED FROM OTHER PROPERTIES OUR EXTENDED FAMILY HAS OWNED. WE HAVE LILACS FROM THE SHORE OF LAKE ROSSEAU, FROM WINDERMERE, AND THE FORMER GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR PROPERTY, AT THE END OF OUR ROAD. WE HAVE RASPBERRY CANES FROM THE SAME LOCATIONS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN PLACED, SUCH THAT THEY CAN INTERMINGLE, AND CARRY ON THEIR PRODUCTIVE GROWTH, ON THE FRONT LAWN OF BIRCH HOLLOW. WE HAVE BROUGHT HOME PLANTS FROM ALL OVER MUSKOKA, IN FACT, AND YET, TO MOST LOOKING AT THE YARD, IT WOULD BE DEEMED UNWORTHY OF ANYTHING MORE THAN A DATE WITH A WEED WHACKER. TO SUZANNE AND I, ALL THESE LIVING KEEPSAKES, OF MUSKOKA, INCLUDING THE TRILLIUMS BROUGHT FROM WINDERMERE, AND OH SO MANY BEAUTIFUL FERNS, IS WHAT RESTORES US, WHEN WE GET HOME AFTER A DAY WORKING AT THE SHOP. IT DOES NOT HAVE LAKEFRONT, OR RIVER FRONT, OR EVEN A FOOT OF SHORELINE ON A SMALL POND. OUR RESOURCE IS A WETLAND ACROSS THE ROAD, KNOWN AS "THE BOG," AND EVEN FROM HERE, WE CAN HEAR THE TRICKLE OF RUN-OFF WATER, OVER THE TINY CATARACTS, BURIED IN THE THICK FERN COVER. WE CAN HEAR THE BIRDS CHIRPING AND SINGING, AND WATCH THE SQUIRRELS AND CHIPMUNKS RACING ACROSS THE YARDS AND FEEL THIS RESPITE, IS OUR OWN WALDEN POND; AND IT'S HOW WE CELEBRATE MUSKOKA, WITH A SIMPLE HOMESTEAD, AND ONLY BASIC NEED FOR GRASS MAINTENANCE. I DON'T USE A MOWER, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A "PUSH" MODEL IN THE SHED, I USE A SCYTHE TYPE AFFAIR, AND HAVE FOR TWO DECADES. THE LAWN POLICE LOOK AT THE LENGTH OF MY GRASS BLADES, AND SHAKE THEIR HEADS; AND WE SMIRK BACK AT THEM, COMFORTABLE TO LET CLOVER AND LITTLE YELLOW FLOWERS POKE THROUGH, LETTING THE GROUND COVER CREEP OVER THE SOD, TO THE ROAD, IF THAT'S THE WAY IT WISHES TO TRAVEL.
     AS I AM A FIERCE PROTECTOR AND PROMOTER OF LOCAL HERITAGE, RELENTLESSLY SEEKING ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE THE SAME RESPECT, I AM STALWART, AS I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, IN MY ATTEMPTS TO REACH ELECTED OFFICIALS, TO RECOGNIZE JUST HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR ALL OF US, TO CONSERVE AND PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HERITAGE. WHAT WORRIES ME TODAY, IS THAT THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING RE-ELECTION, AND ELECTION AS NEW CANDIDATES, IN THE UPCOMING MUNICIPAL ELECTION, ARE DOING SO WITHOUT ANY PUBLIC ADMISSION, THAT THEY ARE EITHER RESPECTFUL OF LOCAL HISTORY, AND ITS CHRONICLE, OR THAT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ARE SECURELY NAILED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE PLATFORM. IT IS ONLY A FEW MONTHS UNTIL THE ELECTION, AND THEY HAVE DONE LITTLE IF ANYTHING, TO REACH-OUT TO CONSTITUENTS, AND PRESENT EITHER THEIR QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE, OR TO LAY DOWN WHAT WE CAN EXPECT, OF THEIR GOVERNING PRIORITIES. THE PRESENT MAYOR, SEEKING RE-ELECTION? WE DON'T HAVE MUCH INFORMATION, TO SUGGEST THERE WILL BE ANYTHING DIFFERENT, OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. THE SAME AS WITH OTHER RETURNING COUNCILLORS, SEEKING OUR SUPPORT FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEAR TERM. I WORRY A LOT THESE DAYS, ABOUT THE CANDIDATES WE CHOOSE FOR THIS COMING TERM OF COUNCIL, BECAUSE IT WILL BE VERY MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THIS PRESENT FOUR YEAR STINT. I THINK THERE WILL BE MORE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMING, ESPECIALLY IF THE PROVINCE SELLS OFF THE PRESENT MUSKOKA CENTRE PROPERTY, FOR POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN BALA, OVER THE NEW HYDRO-GENERATING FACILITY, WILL OCCUR HERE, OVER WHAT LAND-USE AND RESIDENTIAL DENSITIES WILL BE PERMITTED, AS PART OF THE MUSKOKA CENTRE RE-DEVELOPMENT. WHILE I UNDOUBTEDLY SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD ON THIS ONE, I'VE BEEN RIGHT ABOUT THESE ISSUES, MORE THAN I'VE BEEN WRONG. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE COUNCIL HOPEFULS, TO BRUSH UP ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE STEWARDS OF THE MUSKOKA HINTERLAND, AND OUR HERITAGE. THEY THINK THEY KNOW IT ALL, BUT AS WE HAVE FOUND OUT IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS, THEY KNOW ALARMINGLY LITTLE, ABOUT BOTH, AND IT SHOWS. THEY HAVE A HELL OF A TIME MAINTAINING GULL LAKE PARK FOR GOSH SAKES, AND ALL THAT TAKES IS A RAKE, MANUAL LABOR, AND A VEHICLE TO HAUL THE DEBRIS AWAY. IF NATURE APPRECIATION WAS ON THE SAME PRIORITY LEVEL, AS PLACING STOP SIGNS ON A WHIM, AT INTERSECTIONS WHERE LESS IS MORE, AND POLICING THE WINTER CARNVIVAL'S MASCOT "SKOKIE," AND ITS EVENTS, OFF THE MAIN STREET, MAYBE A NATURE LOVER LIKE ME, WOULD FEEL A LITTLE MORE SECURE ABOUT ITS WELL BEING. SO AS FAR AS THESE COUNCILLORS MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION FOR RE-DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUSKOKA CENTRE PROPERTY, WE SHOULD ALL WORRY. SO SHOULD COTTAGER ASSOCIATIONS IN THE AREA OF THIS HIGHLY PRIZED ACREAGE, WITHI ITS AMAZING LAKEFRONT. IT SHOULD MAKE THIS ELECTION HOTLY CONTESTED, BUT SO FAR, IT'S A SAD AFFAIR GENERALLY, WITHOUT HIGH PROFILE CANDIDATES SHOWING UP, TO LEAD US THROUGH WHAT COULD BE A HIGHLY DEMANDING, DEVELOPMENT-HEAVY, FOUR YEAR TERM OF OFFICE. I'M HOPEFUL, FOR MORE CANDIDATES, BUT I THINK A LOT OF CITIZENS HAVE GIVEN UP TRYING TO MAKE CHANGES AT TOWN HALL. I FEEL HORRIBLE FOR WRITING THIS, BUT I AM SLIPPING SLOWLY INTO THAT NUMBER, AND FEELING THE ONLY WAY TO ADJUST FOR A NEW COUNCIL'S WRONG MOVES, IS TO PROTEST VIGOROUSLY AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST, AND HOPE IT FORCES A RECONSIDERATION, OR RE-TOOLING OF AN AGENDA. A LOT OF GOOD FOLKS JUST DON'T HAVE FOUR YEARS TO DEVOTE, AND MOST KNOW, THAT IT'S EASIER TO CHANGE ATTITUDES OUTSIDE OF TOWN HALL, VERSUS FROM THE INSIDE. IT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS!

WHY WORRY ABOUT LAKES, RIVERS, STREAMS, CREEKS, WETLANDS, HIGHLANDS, FORESTS AND MEADOWS?

     Many of us, even in the hinterland, are living urban-style lives today. We are doing pretty much what folk have to contend, living in the heart of our cities, although the grid-lock is a lot less heart-breaking, and nerve wracking. I see people in our neighborhood, which is bordered by a beautiful forest, and thriving lakeland, frenzied in the morning, loading their kids in the cars, or trundling them off to the school bus stop at our corner, to then head back home, and finish preparing for a trip to their respective places of employment. The only reason these residents would know about the proximity of the woodland, on one of these harried mornings, is if, on one of these hell-bent exits from paradise, they suddenly veered off the road, to avoid hitting a crossing deer, and struck a tree head-on. They would then be forced to contend with the issue, that we live in a region where trees are still king, and forests grow hale and hardy, to the advantage of the creatures inhabitants. Upon exiting the car, shaking their head, would the driver exhibit a minor look of wonder, if a rabbit should hop out a thicket, or a partridge drum from the interior of a wildflower cluster at roadside? Pity, it isn't likely, the frustrated driver would sense the whole "isn't life beautiful thing," after an incident that could have proven fatal. The first response, is to phone a significant other, on the cell apparatus we now can't live without, and then the insurance company to see if the coverage allows for a rental car. The whole nature scenario seems alarmingly irrelevant to so many these days, and it worries me a lot, that a majority of our elected officials might react the same. When we see the carnage around the world, the human misery, and the natural disasters, fires destroying thousands of hectares of forest on this continent, we all should be a little more aware of, for one thing, how lucky we are in this region, and secondly, how necessary it is, to be exceptional stewards of our resources.
     The huge crisis we face, is the one brought to us by urban developers, who believe it acceptable to treat Muskoka, as they would open space on the city scape. I used to sit, as a reporter, listening to the promotions of these exciting developments, to area councils, that were going to change our lives here in the out-back of Southern Ontario. Their mega project was going to give us jobs, during construction and after, and it would increase our tax base, so that we could build more sewage treatment facilities, and miles more sewer lines; which would take us poor, stupid Muskokans into the new age of how we are supposed to rock 'n roll. Having had the opportunity to see many of these applications falter, and fail entirely, sometimes after commencement, always reminded me of just how cheap talk is, and the folly of those who believe propaganda solves everything, by mitigating counter-point. I've heard so many of these tall tales, and known so many of the broken promises, and shattered expectations, that I could easily compose a book of these stories, more fable than fact. The issue today, is that unless there is a honking big depression, or substantially heavy recession, over numerous years, the new four year term of council, is going to see many more development interests and applications, and designs for residential utopias, not to mention retail over-kill, with the addition of more box-style stores; on ground that I would wish, honestly, would remain the habitat of native creatures, tall pines, full spreading maples, and green luxurious meadows, that inspire our visitors to take pictures, and walk along the garden pathways.
     My defense, to consider a more environmental theme, into this next municipal term, is to infuse at least one historical point of view, that is easily defended, and abundantly easy to sell as a fact of the local economy. It is time in this part of Muskoka, that both Bracebridge and Gravenhurst Councils, took a closer look at the tourism industry, and what makes it thrive, even when times are economically challenged. For so many years, there has been a greatly diminished respect, in my opinion, for what the tourism industry means to our region. By this, I mean, the general feeling, that because it doesn't help the entire year's economic growth, it should be partnered with industrial investment, and commercial opportunity, to help local citizens live and prosper here, beyond the busy summer seasons. For years, the tourism industry was neglected, in favor of a turn of interest toward attracting new industry to the region. To some in the muncipal governance system, it became an economic obsession, and a lot of money and staff energy was spent  trying to make Muskoka into a manufacturing / retail hub, in between the cities south and north. There was a lot less interest in facilitating tourist related enterprise, than latching onto all kinds of industrial investment, as a means of replacing tourism as the number one industry in our region. Well, the abridged version, is that it didn't work. This is not the best area for industrial growth, for any one of a number of regions. When this didn't pan out, as they say, it became the new, juicy apple of councils' eye, to seek out retail development, which would offer so much, for so little loss of open space in respective urban areas. The old and reliable main streets, were stressed by decentralizing retail development, in pods here and there, and once again, what looked good, was just a story of half successes; the "Robbing Peter to pay Paul" syndrome, as one retail area prospered, the other areas loss their market share. In the 1990's, even without the box stores yet, the area was being over-retailed. I was one of those retailers. There was too much retail selection, and too few customers over twelve months. Add to this, the fact that many residents today, think nothing of driving a couple of hundred miles, to enjoy larger commercial opportunities. It must have broken the hearts of these economic strategists, who never bothered to survey, just how mobile the market place is today; and boy, would that have saved a lot of forest landscape, that, low and behold, is the asset for our major, unfaltering industry, tourism.
     The future development interests in Muskoka will be aggressive and unrelenting, if the economy steadies, and the Russians don't invade us in the meantime. We have not met a tourist or cottager yet, in many years of business, who loved Muskoka for its diversified commercial opportunities. Certainly not in the top five of the top ten reasons for coming to Muskoka. The most common reason given, is "I had to escape the city for awhile." The essence of that statement, goes back to the 1860's, when Muskoka was the cherished paradise to hunters, anglers, and those wishing to retreat into the sancturary of tall pines, and lush ferns; babbling brooks and sparkling lakes and rivers. They don't come to our region, to engage in grid-lock, yet are willing to suffer through the traffic tie-ups and delays, on the highway north, and then south again, just to enjoy some brief, quality time in what locals, like me, often take for granted. I think of these folks a lot, when I see those long line-ups heading home, or see the looks on their faces, when they finally get out of the car, after a two to four hour journey to God's Country. It makes me appreciate what we have, even more, and how our family has only seven minute drive, from home to our shop, even in rush hour.
     Although our town councils can't, and shouldn't block everything headed our way, in terms of development investment, just because it may displease our cottage community, and seasonal visitors, it is a necessary reality of the Muskoka tradition, to consider just how enduring the tourist economy has been, for all these years, centuries in fact, and how short-term, industrial activity has been in the past. The tourism industry took root in Muskoka, most significantly in the early 1870's, thanks to the investment of city-slicker, A.P. Cockburn. Back then, most folks coming here, had something or other to do with urban living, in Ontario, or in Europe. So in a way, we owe our founding to city folks, because if Mr. Cockburn hadn't invested, in a steamship fleet, when he did, development and tourism would have been set back quite a few more years. The tourism industry would soon overtake other significantly prosperous industries, like logging, lumber milling, tanneries and a woollen mill. It has survived through hundreds of different economic situations, from world war, to the Great Depression, and rigorous, ongoing competition, from the rest of the world, for tourism dollars. It's the precise reason we should be so concerned about the tourism industry today, and keeping our natural resources as secure as possible; because it is the prime reason we have a tourism business in the first place. Not because we have great shopping opportunities. Contaminate the environment, cut down the forests, build upon the wetlands, and beyond the fact the environment has been destroyed, so to has our number one industry in this region. A fact of history. The accounting shows that I'm right. I can predict that in twenty years, if Muskoka's natural qualities are conserved, it will be the number one industry then as well. I'm not clairvoyant. Just one who subscribes to historical precedent, and who bases projections on fact not the myths of magic beans, and what they can't give us back, of what has been lost by bad, and short-sighted investment.
     We are in a precarious time, at present, and our economic development committees, with respective municipalities, should be aware just how vulnerable our population is, to a serious downturn which seems inevitable. There's is no quicker way to an economic adjustment, than high gas, food and shelter costs, and we have scored a hat trick in this regard. The fact we are also facing government belt-tightening, at the federal and provincial levels, should scare the hell out of those employed in the public sector, which facing the reality locally, is a big, big part of the regions durability. If the civil service budget was cut, and government employees, stinging all the way into the education payroll, we would have an exodus here that would drive real estate prices into the ground. If you know Muskoka, it's hard to look a couple of houses down a neighborhood street, without hitting on a property owned by someone, in one way or another, working for the taxpayer, ranging from being a town or district employee, or working at a federal prison facility; what about the Post Office, now embarking on further cost cutting measures. (Post Office hours for starters).
     The issue? Well, we can't risk screwing up our number one industry in Muskoka, by sacrificing the lakeland, that rests at its core. With the increase of new development investment, likely to occur if the economy holds, what are the limitations, to what councils will accept as being "in our best interests," based on the promises made, and magic beans in hand. I worry about this a lot, as an historian, more so than as one with an environmental leaning. I have seen many unfortunate sacrifices made, especially in clear cutting, that has left ugly scars on the landscape, and nary a foundation ever built on the site. Both were allowed to occur because those clearing away the trees, owned the property. So where the hell are they now. More broken promises. More, Wimpy-like promises, like "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday, for a hamburger today." Councils, in my opinion, get a little rush of power, when they get to be deal-makers on mega projects, and often fall victim to the hype spun by developers. And yes, they have been known to swoon for the wrong one, and they've compromised all of us, many times, by making bad calls. Our region has to be protected from "wrong calls," in the future. How is this done, other than with the bylaws and protocols firmly on the record, in each municipality? Well, that's where the citizens of this fine region, permanent and seasonal, have to take action, and react swiftly to what is perceived to be, ill conceived and under-researched. There are a lot of people in both towns, who know this to be true from past misadventures; some, the towns councils won't admit were bad moves, but we know differently from the obvious outcomes.
     When I offer my quarterly critiques of town councils in Gravenhurst, specifically, it is because I have the firm belief, councillors are getting advice from sources they trust too much; and too little from those who know best. As I wrote about in a previous blog, our council prefers to seek its advice from individuals and enterprises, because they expect the outcomes will be what they desire; versus asking those who are far more intimate with the respective areas, and specific situations who won't provide answers, just to align with a desired intention. I would rather surround myself with critics, who seldom agree with me, than a group that votes in favor, even when they have no experience in what they've voting to support, or deny. Even to ask for a vote delay, because they don't feel comfortable that they know all they need to, in order to make an informed decision. If they had done a thorough investigation, of new stop signs, anchored now at the head of Lakview Cemetery, here in Gravenhurst, they would have found out for certain, that by statistics of accidents and traffic tickets issued, there was no good reason to erect the signs. This is a small example of a bigger problem. They have the power, you see, to impose a lot of character changes, that can affect the nature of the community; and yes, right down to whether a wetland or forest survives the next decade; in favor of a new commercial development, that once again, over-retails us into a marketplace recession.
    I went for a walk, a few minutes ago, and found a Gravenhurst High School calculator, tossed into The Bog. The student who did this, well, couldn't have cared less about how it would impact the environment. You wouldn't believe the items we find dumped in the interior. Yes, these are our future councillors.