Dear Members,
I hope this message finds you well, and you are enjoying beautiful Lake Louisa.
When I last reached out this spring, the LLPOA had turned much of its attention to the oil spill in Caron’s Bay, and follow-up efforts on the decontamination and redevelopment. Towards the end of May, LLPOA Vice-President Karl Wockner and I went door-to-door to speak with residents and property owners in Caron’s Bay while work was underway. We provided a detailed package of information gathered from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change on this dossier and listened to the concerns of our community. We’re pleased to say that it’s been a few weeks since the completion of work in Caron’s Bay, and from all accounts it seems that remediation efforts were successful.
Extending our community outreach, I met informally with the new owners of the large parcel of land at the end of the Lake Louisa North Road, to welcome them to our beautiful community. At this meeting I had the opportunity to highlight the LLPOA mandate and introduce a couple of members of the LLPOA Executive Board. Together we discussed our mutual respect for the environment, and shared interest in preserving and protecting our lake and watershed. While I can’t speak for others, I have to say that this meeting put to rest lingering concerns about environmental threats from large-scale development in this area. All-in-all this was a very positive way to engage with new land or property owners. The LLPOA will once again look to begin welcoming new members of our community and share information that will help protect our lake and watershed.
Behind the scenes our Board of Directors and volunteers have been hard at work. In the upcoming newsletter we’ll share information about measures to protect our lake paradise. Articles in our newsletter and on the website will include water testing results and important measures you can take to protect Lake Louisa and its shoreline and streams from a range of invasive and toxic species, and other topics like the dangers of fossil fuel stored around lakes and in the watershed.
To those of you who have renewed your memberships and to those who intend to do so (Click here for the membership page), on behalf of the LLPOA please accept our sincere thanks. Membership dues go towards website updates, new signs at the spring and other key areas, and communication materials that raise awareness on a range of topics to help guide decisions and behaviour in an effort to keep our lakes safe and healthy.
We hope to see you all at the AGM August 21st, 10 a.m. at the Wentworth Community Centre @ 86, Louisa Road, Wentworth QC, J8H 0C7
Tanis Trotman
President LLPOA
The Commemorative Newsletter is here!
Here is the Commemorative newsletter highlighting all the changes that have taken place in the last few months.
2021 President’s Letter
Dear members,
I hope that this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe. It has been a year that none of us will soon forget. However, despite pandemic lockdowns and closures, the LLPOA has been active and involved, albeit remotely, ensuring that our environmental voices are heard, and our concerns addressed.
Great News: “The major concerns that galvanized our community and inspired civic action over a year ago have been addressed!”
Early in the new year the LLPOA was invited by our municipality of Wentworth to submit a summary of recommendations for by-law modifications. I am pleased to say that our feedback was taken into consideration, and the LLPOA supports the environmentally focused bylaw modifications (number), which received final approval from our Mayor and Wentworth Council June 7th, 2021.
The new bylaws offer increased environmental protection on all fronts, and the LLPOA will be highlighting these positive changes in our annual newsletter which you will receive in a few weeks. In the interim, I will take the opportunity to share the following key points:
- The new bylaws do not allow for large-scale developments to be built within our watershed,
- The new bylaws offer increased protections to maintain the “country” feel of our community, while providing for more consistent zoning surrounding Lake Louisa, and
- The possibility of golf, marinas, amusement parks and firing ranges have now been removed from the vast majority of Wentworth territory.
So please check out the upcoming newsletter to hear about the path the LLPOA has taken over the past six months. I am pleased to say that through our recent engagement with the municipality we have experienced an increased openness and spirit of collaboration, and we are on a better path, as we continue to strive to work together to protect our great lake. Therefore, while the focus of our newsletter will be on the bylaw modifications, we will also be sharing some good news about protections for Heron Pond, highlighting some of the ongoing work with environmental organizations and community associations that our directors have been involved with over the fall/winter months, and recognizing a significant new contribution to the protection and preservation of our natural resources and watershed, thanks to a forward-thinking initiative by our municipality.
Finally, I hope it goes without saying that we really miss seeing you all in person. We hope that this summer, we may begin to get together safely, perhaps outdoors and socially distanced. Since we will not likely be canvassing again this year, we would appreciate if you would renew your membership on-line or via regular mail, so we can continue our work to protect and support the environment of our beautiful lake community.
Tanis Trotman
President, LLPOA
Post Removal
The LLPOA has removed a post on it’s website dated September 6th, 2019. This is a gesture of reciprocation to the olive-branch extended by the mayor as announced during the October 7th regular municipal meeting.
The LLPOA is heartened that the Council has since declared that the protection of Lake Louisa and surrounding environment is recognized as a high priority for them.
La Presse Plus – Sep. 19th
A follow up piece in La Presse Plus to the Sep. 18th article, this one by Tommy Chouinard. Read more here. . .
May We Introduce: Philippe Cyr
Dear Residents of Wentworth,
On October 6th, there will be an important Wentworth by-election. My name is Philippe Cyr, and I am running for the position of Municipal Councilor. Resident of Wentworth since 2013, I am running to defend your interests with dedication and transparency. Like you, I chose Wentworth for its quality of life, tranquility and proximity to nature.
I am a father of two and live with my wife of over 30 years. We greatly appreciate how fortunate we are to live in this beautiful municipality whose motto is, “Where country living is a reality”. I am also a director of the Lake Louisa Property Owners Association. An engineer by profession, I am especially qualified to analyze and translate into plain text our complex laws and regulations for both our elected and residents’ comprehension. If I am elected:
My # 1 goal as a councilor will be to represent the interests of ALL Wentworth residents. Complete respect of the Code of Ethics for elected officials is a sincere promise on my part. For the past several months, you have been asking for answers that you are not receiving and for changes that are not coming. We definitely need a change in Wentworth. As a taxpayer, you have the right to be heard and you deserve answers.
I will be the councilor who will listen to you, who will work closely with you and other councilors to assert your rights and interests. I want full respect for your democratic rights in our municipality.
My Strengths at your Service:
- Excellent understanding and interpretation of municipal bylaws in effect
- Excellent ability to break down complex text into easy-to-understand language
- Thorough knowledge of zoning changes made in September 2018 and their future impact on our residents’ quality of life
- Integrity and Justice are part of my DNA
My Promises:
- Listen to your concerns and act accordingly
- Provide feedback to the population. TRANSPARENCY IS ESSENTIAL.
- Respect your democratic rights.
- Support sustainable and environmentally friendly developments
TRANSPARENCY and ACTION Vote for PHILIPPE CYR on October 6th
Email : PhilippeCyr.Candidat@gmail.com
La Presse Plus – Sep. 18th
A review of many aspects of the WITRI story over the last few months are to be found in this article by Marc Thibodeau from La Presse Plus.
Letter to Wentworth
September 15th, 2019
Dear Ms Black,
Please consider this an official document and forward this letter to the councillors and the mayor for their consideration.
I’m writing today to comment on and ask questions about issues raised at the council meeting of September 9th, 2019.
The main area of concern is the continuing communication problems between Wentworth and its residents. The fact that approximately 130 people turned out for a council meeting in September in itself demonstrates that the taxpayers are unhappy and want answers. The municipality’s response, to strictly limit the time available per person and in total, was a poor start. Thirty minutes of discussion for all of the issues important to Wentworth’s residents is not enough, particularly in the exceptional situation which we are facing. Furthermore the aggressive tone of at least one councillor was unprofessional and unhelpful.
To continue reading this letter please go to September 15th, 2019 in the Letters from Readers section under the WITRI section or click here
Thank You
Thank you for the many calls and emails of encouragement received over this past week. We will be campaigning door-to-door in our community to speak with you, shed light on recent events, and share information as we support the candidate Philippe Cyr, in his efforts to win the open seat on Wentworth council.
In a recent communication, Wentworth council stated that our Mayor had a verbal interaction with the WITRI developer as early as May 2018. This appears to be a departure from the Mayor’s past statements. Many residents will recall that this new date is earlier than he previously indicated in response to questions at past municipal meetings.
While we at the LLPOA continue to be dismayed by the municipality’s response to many of our questions in the past months, rest assured we will continue to speak out, to point out inconsistencies and to help protect your environmental interests and democratic rights.
We are encouraged by your continued support and look forward to speaking with you.
The LLPOA Team
Sept. 16th, 2019.
Sept. 9th Wentworth council meeting report in The Review
James Morgan, journalist for The Review newspaper, was in attendance at Wentworth’s General Council Meeting and his report of the meeting made their front page!
Read more here.
Attention all Lac Louisa Fishers!
Please be advised that the current lake trout and splake season ends on September 15, 2019. It is imperative that trout are not caught after this date as the trout will be busy spawning during the fall.
Fertilized trout eggs will adhere to rocks, cobble and gravel and continue to develop through the winter under the ice. The eggs hatch approximately in mid-April and early May. Newly hatched fry remain hidden in the gravel and survive on their yolk-sac for several weeks. Once the fry become mobile, they seek out deeper waters to avoid predatory fish including bass, perch and larger lake trout.
During the season, lake trout and splake measuring a minimum 45cm (or 17.75″) may be kept. There is a daily maximum of 2 fish per licence holder.
Additionally, the bass season continues until November 30th, 2019, with a 6 fish daily maximum.
For more information on the provincial Fishing Regulations, please refer to the following link:https://www.quebec.ca/en/tourism-and-recreation/sporting-and-outdoor-activities/sport-fishing/zones-periods/particular-rules/zone-9/
Tight lines, Steve
Fashion Statements
The days are a little cooler but it’s still warm enough to wear a T-shirt when the sun comes out. We even have T-shirts for small people.
Send us an email or get in touch with one of the directors. They are 20$ each and proceeds go to the Action Group. We’d love it if you send us a photo of yourselves wearing them for our gallery.