Farmers make a community not one Mega Corp taking advantage of a bylaw and Greenbelt Plan to fill its pockets. The township and region must inform the province again and again the damage it’s doing to diversity of our pristine area.
“It’s very bad planning and makes a joke out of our conservation authority “
We have lost almost 50 hobby farms in the last 5 years which can never be returned back to part time or young farmers. This is all going the wrong direction for diversity and keeping our land pure.
Please call your regional councillor or any other elected official to stop is carnage. Once it’s done there is no coming back. Life will change for all of us.

David Malcolm

Our new Mayor Bobbie Drew keeps saying she loves the Greenbelt, and yet, just two months in office, she has done everything in her power to hand Scugog’s Greenbelt over to developers.
In January, she supported Bill 66 at Regional Council. This proposed legislation, now cancelled, would have exempted developers from all environmental regulation, opening the Greenbelt to development through secret deals with no public notice or opportunity for appeal. While other Greenbelt community Mayors, municipal councils, and planners expressed serious concerns about Bill 66, Mayor Drew posted a statement of support on the Township’s website–inaccurately claiming Scugog needed more employment land (it doesn’t–we have plenty, most of it vacant).
Undeterred by facts or researched opinion, the Mayor this week declared a need to build subdivisions in Scugog’s Greenbelt. The source of this inspiration is unknown as there was no public consultation or evidence provided to support the assertion. However, from her comments to Council, the Mayor apparently believes that just a little bit of sprawl (sensitively done  of course) will somehow help pay for infrastructure (though that hasn’t been the case anywhere else) and can be done, amazingly, while protecting farmland (though I am pretty  sure sprawl requires land). 
As a result, at Council on Monday, she promoted a resolution asking the Ontario Government to permit Scugog to expand the development boundaries of any settlement in the Township, contrary to current Greenbelt legislation.  This resolution passed with no financial, economic, environmental or demographic analysis  and received little discussion and no opposition from the attending Councilors.  In effect, Scugog Council advocated for a major policy change from the province, one that could have profound and long-term implications for residents, in the complete absence of any measure of evaluation.  I am at a loss to explain the motivations of the Mayor–but I do  know when a community discovers fake leaders, real ones will stand up.

David Le Roy, Scugog

Without realizing it, many of us confuse non-attachment with non caring. In actuality, the two are completely different.

Not caring suggests apathy: “I couldn’t care less. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Non-attachment, on the other hand, means: “I’ll do everything possible. I’ll put the odds in my favour. I’ll work hard and concentrate. I’ll do my best to succeed, but if I don’t, that’s okay to.”

Being attached to an outcome, holding on, takes an enormous amount of energy. Not only during an effort, but often after an effort is complete, after you’ve failed, been let down or were dealt a bad hand.

Being non-attached, however, creates emotional freedom. It means holding on tightly, but letting go lightly. It suggests trying hard, really caring, but at the same time being completely willing to let go of the outcome.

Attachments create fear that gets in the way; what if I lose? What if the deal doesn’t go through? What if I am rejected? What if...what if...what if...

Your belief that everything must work out exactly as you want it to with no glitches creates enormous pressure; everything rides on your success.

Non-attachment works wonders. It allows you to have fun in your efforts, and to enjoy the process. It helps you succeed at whatever you are doing by giving you the confidence you need. It takes the pressure off. You win regardless of the outcome.

The act of not worrying helps you stay focused. It helps you stay out of your own way. You know in your heart that, even if things don’t work out the way you hope they will, everything will be alright. You’ll be okay. You’ll learn from the experience. You’ll do better next time.

This attitude of acceptance helps you move on to the next step in your path. Rather than being lost or immobilized in disappointment or regret, you simply move on - with confidence and joy!

Combination of many lessons
David Malcolm

Scugog Council and senior staff attended a Strategic Planning session at Nestleton Waters Inn on January 17th - 18th, 2019. Previously, such meetings had been held in the Fire Hall Training Room, or in Council Chambers, with light refreshments and a sandwich platter for lunch. Senior staff with administrative and/or human resources experience previously acted as session leads, rather than contracted professional facilitators, as was the case this time, thereby minimizing any costs to the taxpayer.

These sessions are meant to be a high-level overview where the new Council’s vision and goals are set for their term. It was clear the public had not been expected to attend, nor were the local press in attendance.

Nestleton Waters Inn is a successful wedding and meeting venue currently operating under a Temporary Use Zoning By-law, which will expire in 2020. The charge for rental of the main floor of the estate is $500 per day, plus meals.

Durham Region Council held a similar planning meeting at the Inn in 2015, when Bobbie Drew was on the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. The budget for that one-day meeting was reported as being $2000. Scugog’s costs have not yet been revealed.

The owner of the Inn is now the Scugog Ward 4 Councillor. When asked on January 17th who was funding the Scugog planning meetings, she replied that she didn’t know.
Councillors must disclose any pecuniary interests, and are expected to perform their duties in a manner that promotes public confidence and that will bear close public scrutiny.

Spending taxpayers’ dollars on a self-indulgent “retreat” for seven Council members and over a dozen senior staff cannot be justified. Strategic planning kits and even a “Dummies” book are available for about $30.

The cost and the chosen venue for January’s meetings represented poor judgement.

Ray Smith, Port Perry

Our prices are down at the pumps it is true,
more prosperous trippers, much road rage's through.
Tuition is falling for all those in need,
so it seems help is happnin’ cause money’s bin freed.

The pumps are supplying some cash for the bus,
so transit is growing and this was a must.
A wise use of taxes builds hope in this case,
where past jokers just used up what stared in their face.

Some values were brought back, they protect our young kin,
from companions of Wynnfall and where they have bin.
Yet police are in peril 'cause manpower's down,
single cops are patrolling city crime in each town.

As doobies are carried in public from stores,
they can act as excuses for using much more,
disguising the reefer as government brand,
the counterfeit business will grow in demand.

Old dealers will work on the look of their stash,
so supplies can be filled up from neighbourhood cache.
As a burdened police force will try to discern
with laws for the “needful” whose health has been burned.

A wise use of taxes could help in this case,
$10,000's a token for what stares us in the face.
The gift to each region, to whitewash the cost
of drugs now permitted, communities loss.

It stands as an insult to value of life,
intoxicants increased to grow the tax might.
Let's use a percentage, like used from the gas,
to grow the police force and save someone's ... uh, behind.

Volpe' Verte'

Thank you to everyone who have called all levels of government about this issue.

I am so happy and must congratulate the council for doing this survey, allowing our citizens in the township to talk about things their not happy with. I would only hope it will be published, including all the items people felt important enough to bring to light and hopefully, will be discussed and corrected were possible.

I hope everyone had a great January and families got to talk and share thoughts and dreams of future expectations of this new council.

This one mega farmer is still ripping and tearing perfect woodlots and protected watersheds apart, with no regard to rules or common sense. This township and regional councils need to stop rubber stamping these severances at least until they clean up their act to begin with, while we as a community assess the damage done so far. Take a drive from Port Perry to the east and see the damage.

Kawartha Conservation says they must actually prioritize which infractions are the worst and try to deal with them. How do you fix destroyed tree lines and altered water coarses or bring back nature destroyed, by this ONE farmer. Hardly a fence row left or clump of trees in sight where this Corp has reached across and wiped out the neighbour. Another house severed and more money in their pocket to take out the next section.

I’m not after the responsible, love-of-the-planet-farmers who have expanded in a polite way, and I hope they understand the stance I’m taking. It’s for their kids, grand kids and neighbours future in farming that I’m really thinking about now. Everyone seems blinded by houses covering all the good land but should really be thinking, who’s going to control all the farmland, with natural and carbon sensitive acres of marsh, streams, lakes and forests that will be our saviour some day.

My hope is Doug Ford will stop this carnage and help the smaller farmer have a fair chance to protect these lands, before all the land is gone. Please contact Lindsey Park our area MPP by calling 905-697-1501 or emaling her at lindsey.park@pc.ola.org.

The government can easily change this policy back, Amendment 172, and save these hobby farms from becoming homeless and helpless. Anyone wanting to sell their little farms or properties with sensitive acreage, please be patient and take care and ask who the buyer is and maybe pause to think, “will they care for my piece of paradise”. Many of you have nurtured and protected this piece of ground for years, as our forefathers did.
We can find you a young farmer or buyer with a conscience. In the end the money it sells for will be fair and equal to all others. If you’re selling, you control the pace of the sale and all offers should literally be on the table. So you know everything is proper and both offers are being treated the same and equally.

Anyway if you feel so inclined please make any and every level of government aware of your thoughts again, so we as a community can grow together without having a huge property master in our future. We can make this a diverse and soft agriculture area for all, which includes simple things like grassed fence rows and preserving all viable trees, which will stop torrents of water full of soil and chemical heading to our lake system, wildlife and fish stock sanctuaries.

We shouldn’t ham string our farmers but we must demand common-sense sustainable practices as commonplace from the mega farm.

(Save our Farms Today) SOFT
Thank you. David Malcolm
Shortpause@gmail.com or Text me at 9054420086
“What we do for ourselves dies with us but what we do for others will be remembered forever.”

Happy 2019 to the residents of Scugog. This is my first Mayor’s Message and I am excited to bring you Township news and information. We hope that this avenue provides an additional way to engage with residents.

The 2019-2022 term of council is off to a great start. We have an enthusiastic group that is hitting the ground running with work. The Council is a good mix of new and seasoned representatives who ran positive campaigns and this group has already proven they are comfortable in expressing their views, while having productive and respectful debates on the issues coming forward.

During the election, staff were hard at work continuing to deliver services, projects and initiatives. To continue the path forward, an updated Strategic Plan will be developed. I and members of Council and staff will participate in a two-day strategic planning workshop to set the priorities, objectives and initiatives over the next term of council.

The Strategic Planning Sessions will review all ideas and wishes from Council, current strategies, projects and initiatives as well as the results of our survey to formulate a strategy and priority playbook. I would like to thank all those who participated in our Speak up Scugog and Cannabis Retail Public Outreach surveys and phone poll. Collectively we heard from over 1200 residents for feedback. Taking the time to fill out a survey and provide your opinion helps us, as we make decisions.

The full Strategic Plan will be drafted for Council approval, at the end of February. Once approved for release, staff will conduct a public information session to introduce the proposed strategy and provide one final opportunity for public input.

Some of the ongoing priority work will continue in the following areas:
Meet and work with our friends the Missisaugas of Scugog Island First Nation to reach a fire protection and road maintenance agreement that works for everyone.

Continue the Environmental Assessment application process and fundraising work for the Lake Scugog Enhancement Project which includes dredging the lake and engineered wetland.

Continue the advocacy work to obtain financial stability for Scugog by seeking provincial compensation and funding, to offset the growth constraints of the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine.

Make a decision by the provincial deadline, January 22nd regarding retail cannabis stores in Scugog.

I’m looking forward to continuing my visits of community groups throughout the next few months. I wish you much health and happiness in 2019.

~Mayor Bobbie Drew

Operation Scugog was enthusiastically supported by our great community and surrounding area this past Christmas, helping 91 families and 127 singles and couples have a merrier holiday season.

A special thank you once again to our “Hoodie Elf”, Sandy O’Hare and her Facebook friends, for donating a total of 165 new hoodies as well as hand knit items, socks, shirts, sweaters and a winter coat. Drop off locations for food, toys and hoodies were supported by BMO, Canadian Tire, Emmerson Insurance, Focus on Scugog, Foodland, Gus Brown, McDonald’s, PP Print, Royal Bank, Scotia Bank, Shoppers Drug Mart, Vos Independent and Walmart. Thank you also to Herrington’s, Foodland, McDonald’s and Vos for accepting cash donations on behalf of Operation Scugog.

Hamper Day at Victory Christian Centre ran like a well-oiled machine thanks to our many volunteers. Thanks to McDonald’s and Hanks for donating coffee, muffins and donuts. A delicious lunch was provided by Port Perry United Church for our volunteers.

All the volunteers that make up Operation Scugog would like to say a huge thank you to those who adopted families, as well as to those groups, individuals and businesses that donated food, gifts, gift cards, money and time to support our Hamper Day. You were instrumental in making the 2018 Christmas Campaign a huge success.

Karen Teed
Operation Scugog Christmas Campaign Coorinator

Letter to the Editor,

I respectfully, strongly, disagree with the Caped Cearnsader’s “Pool project can wait” column, in the Standard last week. I believe we urgently need a recreational centre complex to serve active residents, young and old, and act as a centre for our community. Badminton, indoor lawn bowling, basketball, swimming, pickleball, bocce, etc… We should not force our youth and residents to be active outside of Scugog.

Rather than proceed with a “pool at significant cost to the Township,” per the Caped Cearnsader, let’s try an innovative approach, already used in many other municipalities. Let’s define our rec-centre requirements and then let a citizen led group explore, in consultation with the township, the public/private partnerships that can make it happen sooner rather than later.  All with minimizing the capital outlay of the municipality. Let’s be creative and think outside the box!

Ivo Finotti, Port Perry

What a great response we had for our 23rd Animated Bakersville Gingerbread Display at the library during the Holiday Season! Thank you to everyone who participated by making a creation; we had 80 wonderful entries of varying styles and skills making it the best village to date. We had thousands of visitors from all over the province and other countries, who had nothing but praise and admiration for this incredible community effort. Our local Press, such as The Standard Newspaper, who were wonderful with all of the support, printing our releases in a timely manner and as well, CHEX/Global TV’s interview and exposure of the village, put us into everyone’s living room. This village wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful support of our library’s administration and its staff. We greatly appreciate the financial support that we have received in the past from Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation; this allowed us to get our banner from Sue’s Signs and have Landon from Landon’s Tree service install it, braving the harsh elements. Local grocery stores pitched in as Vos Independent took care of the processing of the pictures for the visual boards and Food Basics supplied gingerbread cookies for our opening day. Thank you again to the Hvidsten family who have continued to give us space within the Scugog Focus building for ongoing storage of our accessories associated with the village. The Township of Scugog and BIA were helpful with regards to approving signage for us, and Jake Lusted pitched in this year displaying our signs on the Rotary Train during the parade.   It takes a community to make this village happen and we are very grateful to everyone!

Thanks again to Master Train Engineer Alan Locke and conductor Neil Bradley, who kept the village train on its track and Brianne Mercer for being our fabulous social media queen and publicist – again, great work! Thanks also to our patient families who never mentioned how many dinners were late because of our pre-occupation with everything gingerbread.

Sincerely,
“The Village People”
Tracy Pastic,
Kathy Payne-Mercer,
Terry Glenn,
Carolyn Humphrey,
Sue Bradley,
Lynda Brownson,
Bonnie Solomon,
Linda McMillan,
Marian Barltrop,
Alana Andrews,
and Janis King