Sunday, May 31, 2020

Those High Water Levels

Seems like minor flooding at the Gore Bay travel lift dock. It's under at least 6" of water now making it difficult to launch boats. Rubbers boots are now advised. Lake Huron/Michigan/North Channel/Georgian Bay are now 55" over chart datum and expect to rise another 2" in the coming month. Bad for waterfront property owners who get to see their water frontage on these lakes erode away.

Welcome Back All Manitoulin Property Owners in the Age of Covid-19!

Some sensible advice from a longtime seasonal resident!


As the province slowly begins to re-open and summer quickly approaches, constructive, helpful, and smart messages about living on the island in the age of Covid-19 are critical.  Critical for our health, critical for our local economy, and critical for our mental well being.  The following, I believe, is a constructive and helpful message our elected officials should seriously consider and adopt.  The virus will not be eradicated until there is a vaccine.  And unfortunately, a vaccine is not a certainty and the virus may be here for years to come.     

Welcome Back All Manitoulin Property Owners in the Age of Covid-19! 

We know you’ve been living in self isolation for close to three months, not unlike us, to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus, and you are more than ready to enjoy your Island property. We welcome you back, and are counting on you to continue to limit the spread of the virus and to supporting the many businesses, communities, and families across the island. As you know, health care services on Manitoulin Island are limited and we have many vulnerable populations, not unlike many other parts of Ontario, so we are understandably concerned about the transmission of the virus. We therefore ask that you keep your guard up,  continue to follow provincial health protocols, and to put the following common sense practices in place:

  1. Before you come, purchase enough groceries and supplies to self isolate on your property for 14 days.  This will help ensure you don’t unknowingly transmit the virus to others if you are asymptomatic. 
  2. After 14 days, plan your trips for supplies, food, and services to limit your travel (and don’t forget to wear a non-surgical mask if you may be in situations where it is difficult to physical distance).
  3. Enjoy your property and your neighbours by following health protocols (physical distancing of 2 meters or more, limit gatherings to five people or less for now, wash your hands frequently, and don’t touch your face)
  4. Limit your travel off-island and back.

It unfortunately won’t be life as normal on the island over the summer, but If we follow these protocols, everyone can safely enjoy the properties they’ve worked so hard to acquire, support local communities and businesses, and limit the spread of the virus. We look forward to seeing you soon…..from a 2 meter distance!

Dave Watts
Robinson Township

Local Services Board Meeting


PUBLIC  MEETING



THE LOCAL SERVICE BOARD OF ROBINSON TOWNSHIP WILL BE HOLDING A MEETING THROUGH “ZOOM” NECESSIATED BY COVID-19 LIMITS ON GATHERINGS:


                   DATE: June 6, 2020      TIME: 10:00 AM 
                                                  
  AGENDA:       
Accept minutes as read
Accept financial reports
Accept and/or extend contracts
Apply for second advance from MENDM
Participation in Mutual Aid
MDP LLP financial statements & invoice
Committee meeting attendee mileage payment

Copies of the paperwork can be obtained after the meeting by e-mail  robinsonlsb@gmail.com  or by telephone Karen 705 283 1350

Zoom invitation by e-mail timbitmackinlay@gmail.com  
or by telephone Tim 204 999 1787  

                                                           
Karen Noble
Secretary/Treasurer LSB
May 30 2020

Friday, May 29, 2020

Press Release Leadership Coordination Committee

AUNDECK OMNI KANING • M’CHIGEENG • SHEGUIANDAH • SHESHEGWANING • WHITEFISH RIVER • ZHIIBAAHAASING
UNITED CHIEFS and COUNCILS
O F M N I D O O M N I S I N G


P.O. Box 275, M’Chigeeng First Nation, Ontario P0P 1G0 • Telephone: (705) 377-5307 • Fax: (705) 377-5309
PRESS RELEASE
THE MANITOULIN COVID-19 LEADERSHIP COORDINATION COMMITTEE
May 27, 2020

The Manitoulin COVID-19 Leadership Coordination Committee met for its fourth session on May 26th and is pleased to report that community leaders comprising of four First Nations (including the
UCCMM Tribal Council) and seven Municipalities participated in the Committee’s deliberations.
Based on the Committee’s rotating Chair format, Chief Dean Roy of Sheshegwaning First Nation chaired the meeting following Mayor Al MacNevin’s leadership last week.
The Committee extensively discussed the priority of access to COVID-19 testing on the island. With the May 24th announcement by Public Health and the Ministry of Health that broader testing is
becoming available, the committee encourages all to take advantage of this access, including those who are experiencing mild symptoms. All essential service providers are encouraged to seek testing, as this will ensure their safety and the safety of those community members that they are supporting. Health testing may be done in-home by the COVID-19 Paramedic Response Team. The Committee is therefore encouraging use of these resources without fear of stigma. It is essential when these important
health resources are made available that good sense prevails and we all access testing where available.
All members of the Committee expressed their concern that the gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions does not create a dangerous sense of complacency. It is only by remaining vigilant and cautious that the fallout of the pandemic will remain under control. Reeve Noland spoke about the importance of caution as communities begin to start thinking about preparation for reopening. The Committee emphasizes the importance of continuing to respect the restrictions that are currently in
place and reminds residents to abide by closure rules in relation to public recreation areas and businesses.
The “shop local” priority was the subject of extensive deliberations by the Committee. All recognized the serious economic fragility that local businesses face. Once again, Municipal and Indigenous leaders alike are calling on island residents to keep business on the island and support local enterprise. The very real fear is that the economic damage that is being wrought across this province could irreversibly spell serious impacts for our most cherished businesses on the island.
Our next committee meeting will occur on Tuesday, June 2nd, and we look forward to continuing to coordinate our efforts.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

About Those Hydro Rates

Here in Robinson Township we are on tiered hydro use. We have no TOU. (Time Of Use)
The smart metres are installed but there is no infrastructure to transmit the data hence the old 2 tier system. The rates are below.



Residential - Summer
(MaRCH 24 - Oct. 31, 2020)
Up to 1,000 kWh/month: 11.9 ¢/kWh
Over 1,000 kWh/month: 13.9 ¢/kWh
 

Welcome to Robinson Township

Welcome to Robinson Township in the unorganized West Manitoulin Island district with Silver Water as the largest community, located on Highway 540 approximately 42 kilometers west of Gore Bay. It has a year-round population of approximately 62 families, which almost doubles during the summer months. It is a vibrant rural community, with the majority of the population being retired seniors. Silver Water has a well equipped community hall. Silver Water also has an all volunteer fire dept. servicing the Robinson township, consisting of 1 pumper, 2 tankers and 3 portable pumps. The presence of a fire dept keeps the residents' homeowners insurance rates down. Silver Water also has a very active membership in the local United Church. The Pop is 169 with an average median age being 65.9 years (2016 Census data). A note to visitors...the restaurant, Stop 540, is closed now. It was an Icon of the community, but sadly that chapter has now closed.