• The parking area for summer campers up Hwy 400 past McDonald River will notice has been blocked by the MTO. The one at Bear Lake is still available and will get more abuse this year.
• The Township of Georgian Bay Public Library Board has begun its campaign to collect $600,000 for the new Library in MacTier. Contact mactier1@interhop.net for more information.
• Building permits in the Township have increased from 246 in 1996 to 690 in 2005. Each cottage permit requires about 7 inspections and decks 3 inspections.
• The new Township office and Fire Hall/Public Works buildings are nearing completion. Hydro and heat will be available soon. To date about half the funds have been paid. Council is looking for ideas for displays in the front lobby.
• Members of Township Committees of Council were approved for 2006 – Public Library Board, Santa Claus Parade, Georgian Bay Community Police and Mactier Community Police Committees.
• The Muskoka Watershed Committee presented its 2005 Lake System Health Monitoring Program report. Only 5 lakes were monitored in the Township; North Bay (Docktalk Program), Six Mile Lake (chemistry, benthic and shoreline mapping), Barron’s Lake (chemistry), Flatrock Lake (chemistry) and McCrae Lake (chemistry). See their website at www.muskokawaterweb.ca for more details.
• A “clean-yard” bylaw is being developed to control junk on private property.
• Council also approved the preparation of a By-law to control the use of lawn fertilizers and unnecessary use of pesticides
• A Community Safety Zone is being considered for Mactier where fines will double.

Paul M Wiancko
Six Mile Lake
pwiancko@csolve.net