Regional trail council begins in controversy

by Lindsay Kelly

BIRCH ISLAND-The creation of a LaCloche-Manitoulin Regional Trails Council, endorsed last month following an Island economic partners meeting, has agreed on the creation of a stewardship committee that would oversee the dissemination of information to the public. Yet, despite this latest development, the topic of trails development continues to provoke controversy amongst several Island factions.

Groups from around the Island and the North Shore met in Birch Island on May 22 to extend the dialogue about trails development that began last month through the combined efforts of the LaCloche-Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation (LAMBAC), the Waubetek Business Development Corporation, and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

Waubetek manager Dawn Madahbee noted that the council had been created as "a forum where everybody can get together, where we can work out our issues and come together with some great ideas for this region."

At the preliminary meeting, the representatives in attendance-which included snowmobilers, First Nations representatives, hikers, landowners, municipal representatives, business people, funding agencies and more-agreed on adopting some key guiding principles for the trail council. At the follow-up meeting last week, the council worked to further solidify those principles into guidelines, which everyone in attendance approved.

The council has agreed that it will look to trails development for its health, social and economic benefits to the LaCloche-Manitoulin region; will act as a forum for discussing the coordination of trails; will only support trails development with the endorsement of affected municipalities and First Nations; will develop trails only on lands for which the owners have given permission; and the community will be consulted in open forums before development goes ahead.

Before any development goes ahead, however, there are still a host of misconceptions surrounding the issue that need to be cleared up, as Manitoulin Chamber of Commerce president Owen Legge pointed out.

"There was a letter circulating about a week ago that said that the chamber was an extension of the biosphere," he said. "We are not. I want that confirmed."

The forum, he continued, is a perfect opportunity to rid the dialogue of these types of "ghosts" that persist in tainting the conversation. Trails could be an economic benefit to the area, but people need to keep their minds open about the idea and listen to what each group is saying instead of rushing to judgment, he added.

"We're moving ahead, but we can't sit still or we will be left behind," he said.

In the first of many reassurances she made throughout the workshop, Ms. Madahbee guaranteed people that the council has no intention of moving ahead with any plan unless it receives the approval of all the people involved.

"This is an important process," she said. "Believe me, I know about land rights, and I know how important they are. There's no way we want to have a negative effect on anybody's property. We want to have public forums, and we will only develop trails where people want them. We're not talking about trying to impose anything on anybody."

But the decade-old fear that large, off-Island conservation agencies such as the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy or the Niagara Escarpment Commission have some hand in how land is managed on Manitoulin still plagues the discussion.

Lisa Corbiere-Addison, a Manitoulin Secondary School teacher and M'Chigeeng businesswoman, made a long, impassioned plea for people to keep their guard up in relation to trails development.

Offering up research she has done on the issue of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve on the Bruce Peninsula, she argued that the Manitoulin people have never been consulted during what she calls the "timeline of Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve activity," dating from the early 1970s. In addition, she suggested that steps taken by various government agencies over the years indicate that "they are determined to press on with the biosphere designation on the entire Niagara Escarpment, including Manitoulin."

Developments such as park designations, eco-tourism initiatives, work with the Ontario Heritage Commission, agricultural tourism activities and trail development plans all amount to "groundwork for a biosphere designation," Ms. Corbiere-Addison suggested.

She believes that being told what to do with her land-which, as she sees it, is what could possibly happen in the future-is unacceptable, and others should refuse to accept the legislation that she says is "wrong."

"My grandmother lost her nation, my mother lost her drive to pass on her language to my family through legislation that put her in residential school," she said, tears pooling in her eyes. "I will be damned if I will stand by and let more legislation take me, my family and my people off our land."

Ms. Corbiere-Addison's plea prompted yet another assurance from Ms. Madahbee. "To be clear, this (the council) isn't any kind of formal link to the biosphere initiative at all," she said. "It is my understanding that a trails council is not required to support a biosphere initiative at all. This (the council) has nothing to do with that at all."

Instead, she emphasized, the council would be a grassroots initiative that relied on the suggestions of local people to develop trails that respect landowners' rights, but still provide a benefit to the local area.

A good example of how such an initiative has been successful is that of the Rainbow Country Snowmobile Association. President Dennis Lendrum of Espanola said the matter is very cut and dried. "The bottom line is that if the landowner says no, or 'I want you off my land,' then we're off," he said. "It's that simple."

This formula has worked for the snowmobile association, and its parent organization the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), in the past, and, because of the good relationship the snowmobilers have with landowners, issues that have arisen have been resolved through discussion and problem-solving in many cases. As a result, "18,000 landowners throughout the province of Ontario let us (OFSC) use their property," Mr. Lendrum said.

But despite how well a similar formula has worked in the past for the Manitoulin Snowdusters Snowmobile Club, president Bert Woestenenk said that he has already been told by several landowners that if he agrees, in principle, to the mandate of the trails council, they will decline the club permission to use their land.

"They've told me that if I support the council, they would pull their land-use support, but if you can convince them...," he trailed off. "We would lose our trails to gain your trails. I'm in a Catch-22."

Dave Edwards, a member of the Manitoulin Trail Blazers, said he decided to speak for the first time since the original debate over a proposed Biosphere Reserve designation for Manitoulin came up. An avid hiker who has been involved with trail development for many years, he said he was part of the original initiative in Massey to bring together hikers and snowmobilers, adding that he believes it is the landowners' "absolute right" to use their land as they see fit.

He also said he regrets any misconception that was fostered based on the Trail Blazers' association with the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy because it put a "big fear into everybody."

"The Trail Blazers made a very, very big mistake in hindsight," Mr. Edwards said.

But at the same time, the group held public meetings and "invited every possible person on Manitoulin" to ensure that every interest group was represented at the table during discussions about the World Biosphere Reserve program as administered by UNESCO.

Despite the effort to maintain inclusion and transparency throughout the discussion, off-Island representatives from the Lanark County Landowners' Association "mounted a campaign of innuendo and misinformation" and "used misinformation to push people's panic buttons," Mr. Edwards said. "I've never seen anything like it."

At one point, fearing for his safety and the safety of his partner, Jean Bentley, he left the Island, feeling threatened by people from this group.

Mr. Edwards said he believes those misconceptions about the UNESCO Biosphere program as distinct from the reserves created by such conservation groups as the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, continue today and need to be clarified by both government agencies and the Niagara Escarpment Commission, which, he said, has no intention of extending the biosphere designation to Manitoulin.

Not only is there a "zero chance" that the Island will be included in the biosphere designation, but it takes five years before the commission will designate an area as part of a biosphere, so it's not something that will happen overnight, he added.

But Dawson-Robinson Township representative Lyle Addison took exception to Mr. Edwards' statement that everyone was invited to the early meetings, saying that his community wasn't consulted, and is still being shunted aside today.

Mr. Addison is incensed at the recent transfer of the Queen Mum's Park from the purview of the township to the Ministry of Natural Resources, saying that the township has not received compensation for this transfer.

"We have lost one-sixth of our land area," he said. "That's one-eleventh of our tax base. If we don't get help, we'll be lost, because the rest of use will have to make up a large percentage of it."

He disputes the suggestion that trails would create lucrative economic development opportunities for communities on the West End of the Island, saying that the people aren't spending any money when they travel through the area. If people want to walk, he questioned, why should Islanders give up their land to accommodate them?

"I see people walking all the time, and they don't need trails to do it," he said.

But Esther Taylor-Smith of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines pointed out that, in other areas where government has taken over municipal land where conservation areas or trails have been developed, the municipality has been compensated for the amount it would normally make in taxes.

One municipal councillor whose community faced a similar situation told Ms. Taylor-Smith the municipality was paid "$22,000 per year, which is payment in lieu of taxation," and that the councillor felt the municipality was "pretty well compensated for the land."

As to the suggestion that Dawson-Robinson has lost a huge chunk of its tax base because of the land transfer, "we certainly haven't verified that that has taken place," Ms. Taylor-Smith said, although she has inquired into the issue and is waiting to hear back.

First Nations representatives were equally vocal about the notion of trail development.

Dennis McGregor, speaking on behalf of Whitefish River First Nation Chief Franklin Paibomsai, said that "under no circumstances will there be any trail development through Whitefish River First Nation until the council and chief are consulted."

Having said that, Mr. McGregor said that the First Nation is open to the discussing the idea of trail development and is interested in being included in any future dialogue that may take place.

His colleague Esther Osche welcomed the opportunity to discuss the issues in this forum, saying it was essential to get local input while making these decisions. She put forward the idea of the stewardship council as a way to inform First Nations and municipalities about what is happening with the council.

"I recommend you go to the town councils and the First Nation councils and get the endorsement for the trails council-get that endorsement up front," she said.

Clear language should be used to describe what the trails council is doing, so that any misconceptions are cleared up from the onset, she added. If the council works to advocate for its mission first, "I think you'll get the support," she said.

Kevin Mossip of the Zhiibaahaasing First Nation, meanwhile, said that he would like to examine some of Lisa Corbiere-Addison's research himself before endorsing any kind of work the council would do.

"In a sense, I think it (trail development) would be good, but I'd like to see that 148-page document (referred to by Ms. Corbiere-Addison) and see if the council is a stepping stone to a biosphere designation," he said. "I'd need to see if first, otherwise I don't want to be any part of it."

LAMBAC manager Mary Nelder said everyone needs to remember that there is a clear distinction between the mandate of the trails council and the larger issue of land use planning. "I don't see the trails council as being anything more sinister than what the snowmobile association has been doing for years-working with groups to develop a clear understanding of where trails can be developed," she said. "I don't think there's any kind of hidden agenda here."

If people take issue with how the land on Manitoulin is being managed, then that is a question for the Manitoulin Planning Board, she said. And, with a revamping of the Manitoulin Planning Act due this year, there may be an opportunity for more inclusion of input from the First Nations and municipalities on "how to plan for land use in the future," she added.

"The Regional Trails Council is something small and simple, directed at helping people plan for snowmobile trails, or hiking trails, or shared-use trails in the future," she said.

After more than two hours of discussion, during which everyone in the room had an opportunity to voice their opinions, it became clear that this divisive issue will continue to cause controversy well into the future.

What the group did agree upon was that, should a steering committee be formed to help get information to First Nations and municipalities, most would want a voice on that committee, including the following organizations: the Manitoulin Chamber of Commerce, the LaCloche Trails Council, Manitoulin Heart Health, the Manitoulin Trail Blazers, the municipality of Nairn Centre, the Manitoulin Tourism Association, the Manitoulin Landowners' Association, the Manitoulin Planning Board, the Rainbow Country Snowmobile Association, the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin, the community of Spanish-Sauble, and the unorganized townships of Robinson/Dawson.

The economic partners have offered to host further meetings to enable the discussion to continue.

Northeast Town ratepayers' group signs up first members, outlines plans

by Alicia McCutcheon

LITTLE CURRENT-A crowd of 30 interested community members attended the first public meeting of the Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands Ratepayers' Association held last Wednesday.

Board members were looking to share the vision of the newly formed group and sell some memberships ($10 per household per year) to strengthen their base.

"We were developed by a need in the community for positive input from all four wards," said Stan Ferguson, chair of the association. "We want to give taxpayers a voice."

He further noted that the association wished to work with council in a positive manner with the best interests and wishes of the ratepayers'in mind.

Mr. Ferguson acknowledged the Northeast Manitoulin Property Owners group, saying that currently the two organizations mandates are different, but that the association is open to the possibility of merging the two groups at a later time.

He explained that the purpose of the group is to act as an advisory board on matters deemed important by the community, working independently of council. These matters of importance could be on any subject, the board chair said, adding that the name ratepayer means more than just taxes.

Secretary Irene Callaghan gave the example her elderly neighbour who explained how she, and other senior citizens, wished the municipality would develop a garden for them-a place with some picnic tables where they could sit and chat and play cards without fear of being run over by children on bicycles or skateboards.

"These are the kind of ideas we can bring to council," said Ms. Callaghan.

She told the crowd that the Ratepayers' Association is a "three-pronged" organization made up of the executive, committees and committee chairs, and the ratepayers.

"The number of needs will determine the number of committees," explained Mr. Ferguson.

Committees are also based on council committees such as public works, administration and finance and community services. The association has people sitting on their own committees that also sit on the council committees, thus forming an effective line of communication. Currently, the group has already formed 16 such committees comprising : administration and finance, community services, public works, the Business Improvement Association, Community Development Corporation, Manitoulin Centennial Manor, North Channel Marine Tourism Council, pandemic planning, Island-wide recycling, Honora Bay boaters, retirement living, budget, economic development, agriculture, business and landfill.

"We see ourselves as lobbying for the things important to you," Ms. Callaghan said, adding that it would be done in a tactful, positive and respectful manner.

She told the audience that the group plans to have a "rapid sharing of issues" with members, saying "most times we hear about issues that are happening in the municipality through the paper. Often this is too slow and decisions are already in the process of being made."

Two former Northeast Town councillors, Tony Ferro and Gary Green, sit on the executive of the new association and have helped to coach the group on the ways of the operations of municipality and council.

"When I was first asked if I'd be a part of the organization I said, 'if it's a witch hunt, I'll not be a part of it,'" Mr. Green told the crowd. "Without you folks, we don't have an organization. The more people we have as members of this organization, the more say we'll have."

Stu Harris of White's Point told the nine-member executive that they were "moving on the right track."

"Council needs some direction. There must be a better way to deal with things rather than going to meetings and have your name in the paper as a radical," he said, adding that while he felt that all of their committees were "wonderful," the group should decide which ones were important now and add more later.

Karen Heilborn of Green Bay Lodge also gave praise to the group, saying that she liked the idea of not having to deal with council directly, but through a third party.

"If you can show council you have a membership of 200-300-that's going to speak," said Mr. Harris, noting their membership drive.

"If people aren't going to do anything with it, well, that's it, it's a dead issue," said Mr. Ferguson.

"It's all about making a good community even better," he said, echoing a comment from vice-chair Mark Volpini.

Twenty-five memberships were sold at the end of Wednesday's meeting.

For more information on the NEMI Ratepayers' Association, contact Debby Turner, Ward 1, 368-2979; Gary Green, Ward 2, 368-2538; Tony Ferro, Ward 3, 368-3066; Irene Callaghan, 368-3625; or email the organization at nemiratepayers@yahoo.ca.

Windmill Power

.one farm is running

.one project on hold

.one project scaled back

by Jim Moodie

with files from Lindsay Kelly

MANITOULIN-Wind projects continue to be pursued across Manitoulin, albeit at varying rates of progress, with some experiencing lulls while others sail forward.

The Island's first official wind farm has been up and spinning for nearly two months now, and apart from a few minor glitches, the Spring Bay skyscrapers have been performing to the company's expectations.

"Once in a while we have a little problem here or there," said Bernd Schneider of Schneider Power last week, "but overall they're running quite well."

The two 100-metre Enercon towers were erected last fall by the Toronto-based wind power firm, but didn't go online until April, as various bugs had to be worked out of the system and a green light provided by the Electrical Standards Authority before Schneider could flick the switch.

Now, the massive rotor blades on both towers can regularly be seen sweeping the air from various points on the Island, including promontories as far as 10 miles distant.

There have been times in the past two months when one or both turbines have been idle, due to either lack of wind or a technical issue, but Mr. Schneider said the latter type of hiccup is typical of any new wind project. "We're still in the testing phase, and it's normal to have a few problems when you're going into commissioning."

One problem the company had to deal with was a faulty aircraft warning light. "The lighting system was damaged in transportation, and we had to wait for spare parts," said Mr. Schneider.

Generally, though, the turbines have been functioning as anticipated. And while it's still too early to precisely measure their output of power, Mr. Schneider said "it will definitely be in the range of what we thought."

Some cosmetic work remains to be completed at the site, such as grading of the road and seeding of grass around the turbines, which the company had hoped to complete earlier but elected to put off until the ground firmed up.

Plans are also in the works to construct an information booth and parking area at the site, which will allow visitors to learn about the project while gawking at the futuristic towers. It will be located within the wind farm property, so that people don't pull over on the side of Highway 542 and cause a potential traffic hazard, said Mr. Schneider.

On another safety-related matter, the company representative noted that local firefighters will soon receive training in how to respond to a potential emergency at the site. A fire itself is highly unlikely, but the possibility does exist that a technician servicing one of the turbines could encounter difficulty while aloft in one of the dizzying structures. "If somebody is up there and something happens, you need to know how to rescue them and bring them down," said Mr. Schneider.

Schneider plans to hold an open house and commissioning ceremony in late June or early July to mark the launch of the farm's first two turbines, with work on the next phase of the project to commence later in the summer.

In all, Schneider expects to erect seven turbines at the site, and the next five will be more powerful than the initial pair, if not much larger in profile. "They'll be the same hub height," said Mr. Schneider, "but the towers will be a little wider and the blades will be bigger."

Whereas the current turbines are 800 kilowatt machines, the next batch will consist of two-megawatt units, producing more than twice as much power per machine.

While these higher-capacity turbines aren't apt to bisect the horizon soon, Mr. Schneider said "we'd like to at least build the road access and foundations for them by late summer."

Meanwhile, the company has hired Mindemoya electrician Bob Henderson to act as a wind farm technician, providing supervision and servicing at the site, as required. For the most part, the turbines function on their own and are monitored from afar via computer, but Mr. Schneider said that the firm required someone locally to keep an eye on the operation.

More jobs will be created as the company proceeds with the next phase of its project, promised the Schneider rep. He noted that most of the construction to date, including road building and foundation work, has been performed by local tradespeople.

A proposed wind farm at the M'Chigeeng First Nation isn't quite at this stage yet. Indeed, the project's proponents have encountered what Chief Joe Hare describes as "a major roadblock."

The development of the Mother Earth Renewable Energy (MERE) project, slated for the east bluff above Highway 540, had been going well and the First Nation was at the point of ordering its equipment for the wind turbines, until it received some bad news.

"We finished all the required studies," said Chief Hare, but "the problem is that there are a number of wind power proponents on Manitoulin Island, and one is on McLean's Mountain. That one is a big project."

The issue lies in the method set up by the government for establishing wind power projects in Ontario, the chief said. Based on a first-come-first-served arrangement, the order in which wind power project coordinators get approved for development dictates how soon their project moves forward. Because the McLean's Mountain project-which is being developed by Northland Power-got approved for development first, it has been placed near the front of the line, Chief Hare said.

But the McLean's project has been delayed while it fulfills other requirements of the project, leaving other developments, like M'Chigeeng's, stalled in its wake. And in the meantime, there is not enough capacity in the Island's transmission lines to accommodate both projects.

"The electrical lines don't have the capacity for the power that will be produced," Chief Hare said. "So for us to be hooked up to the grid, it has to be deferred until more electrical lines are put in."

The Ontario Power Authority plans to install additional lines in 2017-10 years from now-but Chief Hare said that's not acceptable.

"The government misled a lot of people with its Standard Offer Program," he said. "It was supposed to be for smaller projects limited to 10 megawatts, and intended for small community groups, municipalities, and First Nations so they would be able to start up and get into the industry, but the big industry projects are first in line."

Chief Hare said the First Nation is upset that this has been allowed to happen, and is planning to discuss the situation with representatives of the Ministry of Energy, Ontario Hydro and other wind power developers. "We're not very happy about that, and we're going to meet with different government officials to see why they don't keep their word just so they can mislead us and have something else happen than what was promised," he said.

It is his hope that the ministry will make concessions on their 2017 deadline and bump that up to upgrade the lines by next year. "We see that as the only way that we might be able to convince the minister responsible to increase productivity," the chief said, adding that he hoped to bring other developers such as Wiky together so they could "go to the government with one idea on how to proceed in an orderly fashion."

Chief Hare said he believes "the system is pretty flawed," since, after Schneider, M'Chigeeng is the next developer that is ready to move forward.

"We had planned to order our equipment, but all of that is now put in limbo because the other developers have put in their requests, apparently, but they're not ready," Chief Hare said. "In doing that, apparently they have tied up the line for others like M'Chigeeng."

He believes that this turn of events has also stalled the First Nation's ability to secure financing for the project, since "the lenders are not going to listen to us as keenly without getting permission to connect."

While he's hopeful that the government reps will be open to M'Chigeeng's plight, Chief Hare remains disappointed in the way in which the granting system has treated First Nations looking to improve economic development in their communities.

The Wikwemikong First Nation ultimately hopes to have wind turbines at both Buzwah and Pointe Grondine, and while that plan will likely have to be realized in stages, the First Nation's leadership feels steady progress is being made.

As Chief Robert Corbiere communicated in a recent letter to Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice, "the wind energy development project for Wikwemikong is proceeding with much care and prudence to achieve the deliverables for community economic development in Wikwemikong."

The plan has not been without some hiccups, however. Writing to the band membership in late April, Chief Corbiere noted that feasibility studies and financial modelling for the project "had to be reevaluated several times as our application to connect to the grid met with some difficulties within Hydro One's assessment."

Despite these setbacks, however, "it now looks good for Wikwemikong to proceed with its first, smaller project under the provincial Standard Offer Program," Chief Corbiere related. "Beginning with this smaller project of under 10 megawatts, which is all the existing electricity grid will allow at this time, gets our foot in the door of this industry in which we are already becoming a recognized player."

Noting that "access to the transmission grid turns out to be the biggest issue for all First Nations wanting to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the growing demand for renewable energy," Chief Corbiere maintained that "we will have a better chance of achieving our goals if we, as First Nations, work together on our common interests."

To that end, Chief Corbiere initiated a meeting last year among various First Nation communities across Georgian Bay to join forces in regard to wind power development, and following two more meetings a First Nations Energy Alliance was formed.

Earlier this year, in February, the alliance staged a First Nations Energy Forum at the Casino Rama Hotel, drawing over 80 delegates from First Nation communities as well as Ontario Minister of Energy Dwight Duncan, Ontario Power Authority Vice-President Paul Shervill, and senior representatives of energy sector firms.

"The support shown to date indicates the alliance may have an important role to play in the energy sector as it pertains to First Nations," Chief Corbiere mused. "We are not seeking to create additional bureaucracy," he stressed, "but are establishing a streamlined industry association that can effectively ensure that First Nation interests are promoted."

Alfred Debassige retires after amazing 41 years in the same job

by Jim Moodie

M'CHIGEENG-His official title was band administrator, or chief administrative officer, as the position was more recently renamed. But to many he's known by less formal sobriquets such as 'Alfie,' or, more sweepingly, 'The Mayor.'

Alfred Debassige, who toiled as M'Chigeeng First Nation administrator for an incredible 41 years before stepping down last month due to health reasons, was feted at an appreciation dinner put on last Thursday by chief and council, and attended by well over 100 friends, coworkers and community members.

"Alfie has held the position of band administrator, but most of us affectionately refer to him as 'The Mayor,'" noted Chief Joe Hare in his opening remarks.

Speaking more seriously, the chief said that "a lot of the work was very difficult, and he had to work hard to reach the goals and objectives set out by chief and council. It's a job that involves problem solving and working with people, and Alfie did that extremely well."

Noting that M'Chigeeng First Nation has a budget 10 times larger than most municipalities on the Island, and "10 times more services" to deliver, Chief Hare said that Mr. Debassige did a remarkable job of making everything run smoothly.

It's something the chief came to appreciate more fully since the administrator "took sick and had to retire last month, because I've had to take on some of those duties," he noted.

Although he looked a bit frail and drawn from his recent battle with illness, the guest of honour gamely sat through the dinner and speeches, sporting a ball cap with the name 'M'Chigeeng' printed proudly above its brim, and breaking into a grin whenever a humorous anecdote was shared.

Chief Hare elicited one such smile in describing "the one problem Alfie couldn't solve in his 41 years." Apparently a goat was quartered across the street from the band office at one time, in the yard of Victor Migwans, "but, as they say, the grass is always greener, so this goat used to go across in front of the band office," related Chief Hare. "Well, it's not a good sight to see animals grazing in front of the band office. But Alfie just couldn't chase him away."

Lewis Debassige, a childhood friend of Mr. Debassige as well as a former councillor, noted that the long-serving employee began his tenure as administrator in 1966, being hired by Gus Debassige. Since then, "he has served under five chiefs, and engaged with 19 ministers of Indian Affairs," he said. "And he's received, from the Anishnabek Nation, a lifetime achievement award as senior-most band administrator in Canada."

Because of the money handler's "good cash management" skills, "M'Chigeeng became known as a well-managed band," said the friend.

"You accepted the challenges and frustrations of your role," he told Mr. Debassige, "and continued to serve to the highest standard."

That point was echoed by Wade McDonald of KPMG, the accounting firm which has worked for many years with the First Nation. "Alfie insisted on a high standard and had ethics beyond ethics-he's one of the most moral people I've ever met," he said, adding, "his concern was always the community, and is still the community."

The veteran administrator was credited for the creation of many of the institutions and programs that currently grace the community. "When you look at 40 years ago and today, at all of the progress M'Chigeeng has made, Alfie had a hand in getting these things done," said Chief Hare. "Without him, we wouldn't be where we are today."

Noting that consensus is sometimes difficult to reach at the council table and action can be postponed due to debate, Chief Hare said that "one of the tricks Alfie used was to just go ahead and get something done, and then get called onto the carpet by councillors afterwards."

The administrator "took a lot of abuse over the years," agreed band councillor Terry Debassige, "but he always managed to put M'Chigeeng's interests first."

Former chief Glen Hare, who worked with Mr. Debassige for 18 years, shared a letter from Grand Chief John Beaucage of the Union of Ontario Indians, describing the retiree as a "fixture in First Nations management" and "a pioneer in many ways."

Mr. Hare thanked the administrator's family for their patience and support through the years, while acknowledging Mr. Debassige's reluctance to end his career at this point, even after four decades. "I know if you had it your way, you'd be working for many more years," he said.

Although lawyer Susan Hare couldn't attend the dinner, since she was being sworn in as a bencher of the Upper Canada Law Society in Toronto at the time, she shared a written tribute that was read by Linda Debassige. Among other accolades, she touted Mr. Debassige as "one of the most important persons in the community in the development of self-government."

In recognition of his unparalleled stint as manager with the band, Mr. Debassige was showered with a number of tokens of appreciation, including a stately glass plaque and a fleece jacket with the First Nation's colours. As well, a new street sign was unveiled, bearing the name 'Alfie's Way,' in honour of the durable community figure.

Like many civil servants, Mr. Debassige was never the figurehead of the community, but someone who worked diligently behind the scenes and got things done in practice.

Mr. McDonald noted that he once asked the long-serving administrator if he'd ever considered running for chief. "What for?" Mr. Debassige replied at that time. "I've already been chief for 25 years now."

EDITORIAL

Manitowaning is looking very good

Manitowaning, site of Manitoulin's first European settlement, is looking good these days.

It's a good comment on the long-term health of the community that the Bondi family is building a new pharmacy building downtown.

Around the corner, Debajehmujig Theatre's new 10,000-square-foot space is progressing nicely, and over by the racetrack, Ham's Marine has completed a large expansion that allows far more productivity for the Henley Boats manufacturer.

Going down over the hill to Burns Wharf Theatre at the Roller Mills, the new water treatment plan, now with its brick fa�ade, looks quite good.

And then there is the cadre of volunteers working hard on the Norisle to improve it and keep it afloat.

These are significant events to be going on simultaneously in any small community so the council and the citizens of Manitowaning and Assiginack can be justifiably proud of all of these positive changes.

There are other things that have happened in the recent past: the old rectory at St. Paul's Anglican Church was demolished a year ago. Many were sad to see this landmark torn down, but very much the upside is that visitors and parishioners alike can now see Northern Ontario's oldest church building framed against the backdrop of Manitowaning Bay, no doubt exactly as its builders saw it in the 1840s when it was constructed. It's quite spectacular.

Things change and evolve.

This is clearly a community that is proud of its heritage, as witnessed by the Assiginack Museum with its new addition officially opened just five years ago. It's a community that dreamed of the idea of having an 18-hole golf course and, in co-operation with neighbouring Wikwemikong a dozen years ago, went ahead and built it.

Manitowaning, the "Village on the Bay," is a community where we can continue to expect to see good things happening.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Northeast Town mayor deems editorial inaccurate and slanted

Readers expect and deserve much better

To the Expositor:

This letter is in response to the Expositor's editorial of Wednesday, May 23 ("Northeast Town council needs subtle leadership," page 4) and is directed specifically to Mr. Rick McCutcheon who, as owner/publisher, actually wrote it. That editorial held out as fact statements that are simply not true. I will speak to two of the most glaring ones.

Firstly, you stated that the mayor is not obliged to vote when a member of council requests that the vote be recorded. In fact, section 246.1 of the Municipal Act very clearly indicates that all members of council must declare their vote when such a request is made. I am a member of council. I must declare my vote. This is not a recent change to the Municipal Act. Indeed it is a longstanding requirement, one that you should be well aware of, given your long involvement in covering municipal politics. Thus, for you to state the opposite as fact can only be seen as either deliberate misinformation or journalistic recklessness and incompetence.

Secondly, you imply that I have been taking sides on contentious issues and presumably promoting the divisiveness you so pointedly refer to. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Had you spoken to any frequent council observer, including your own reporter, you would be aware of that. As mayor, I make a very clear point of not speaking in debate, although I reserve the right to do so as a member of council, and vote only when required. That same council observer would also tell you that our council meetings are efficient, that our business is conducted effectively and that, despite the strong differences which do exist on this council, debate is ordered and respectful. For you to suggest otherwise, in the face of easily available evidence to the contrary, can only be seen, again, as either deliberate misinformation or journalistic recklessness and incompetence.

The public may not be aware that the debate you refer to was on a motion to accept the donation of two made-on-Manitoulin cedar picnic tables for use in our downtown park area. This motion was recommended by our Community Services Committee and supported by the downtown merchants via their Business Improvement Area. It was vehemently opposed by a member of council who is also a local business person. Thankfully, the motion passed. The public may also be unaware that you are a friend and confidant of this councillor. Some people might draw a connection between this relationship, the defeated motion and your editorial.

That you choose to put forth a strongly worded opinion challenging my leadership as mayor is certainly your prerogative. We all respect the freedom of the press and appreciate its key role in maintaining a well-informed, thoughtful and self-critical society. We also understand the power of the press and we expect that power to be used fairly and wisely. Misrepresenting facts and distorting the truth can only cheapen public debate and bring into question the integrity of the press. I firmly believe that this community, and your many readers far and wide, expect, and deserve, much better from you and this paper.

Jim Stringer, mayor

Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands

PUBLISHER'S RESPONSE: Regular readers of this page will know that when this paper is called to account in a letter, and if the criticism is based on a misreading or misunderstanding, the editor responds. In this case, the criticism is directed to the publisher and hence the unusual "publisher's response."

First of all, Mayor Stringer is correct in saying that the Ontario Municipal Act requires the mayor/reeve to vote in the case of a call for a recorded (or roll-call) vote. My understanding was that this was discretionary and it is not. My apologies for not knowing this was the case.

We were, however, all shocked to learn that the mayor labours under such a mandate as dictated by the Ontario Municipal Act. Common sense would suggest that such a requirement robs the mayor/reeve of his all-important neutrality and throws him into the fray when, sometimes, he would do more good from the outside. It would also seem to diminish the effectiveness of the mayor's symbolically significant vote which, we will reiterate, should only be used sparingly.

Mayor Stringer called me last week to ask if I had written the editorial. I had, and I told him so.

If I'd had the opportunity (he ended the conversation at about that point), I would have explained that at this paper, the topic and basic details for an editorial go through a process of consultation. An informal one, but a process nonetheless and Mayor Stringer and others may be interested in knowing how this works. I'm an ex-officio member of the editorial department, just as I am of the circulation, production, sales and accounting departments of the paper. In this (hopefully helpful) capacity, I've been writing the editorials since January. For several years before that, this duty was undertaken by a senior member of the editorial staff who has now gone on to other work.

But the process remains the same: informal consultation and input from editorial staff followed by the crafting of the editorial, which then goes to the editor for editing. This is the Expositor's version of a formal editorial board that large dailies like the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star use to determine what the paper's position on such-and-such an issue will be.

It's the same here, and out of respect for one another in this office, there are some editorials that never get written. Mayor Stringer was keen on knowing who wrote the editorial with which he takes issue. That really doesn't matter, because it's the paper's position, not just the pet peeve of some guy with a bee in his bonnet.

I was accused of using an editorial comment as some kind of bully pulpit. And do you know what? In 40 years of newspaper management, most of them on Manitoulin Island, that's almost the first time this accusation has been made about the selfish use of the editorial page. (The sole exception I can think of would be letters from the articulate Brad Middleton, writing on behalf of the Conservative Party.)

That's not just good luck. That's not merely a coincidence. That is because we simply don't run that kind of a paper, and people know it.

That brings me to Mr. Stringer's other main point of criticism: that the editorial was somehow written to take the part of a particular councillor and downtown Little Current businessperson who he deems to be my "friend and confidant."

Well, the councillor and businessperson in question, Jib Turner, will certainly be amused when he reads that I am supposed to be his "confidant."

I don't mind being called his friend, though.

I am currently chairperson of the Little Current Business Improvement Area (the BIA) and it's a job I take seriously. I think that, in this capacity, I'm expected to be the friend of every businessperson involved in our small but important group and to be as helpful as I can to the merchant community both as individuals and as a group. Mayor Stringer represents the municipality on the BIA and I certainly value his input.

The issue that was debated for a half-hour or so a couple of weeks ago at a Northeast Town council meeting dealt with picnic tables. Councillor Turner argued on one side of the issue, and Mayor Stringer, as noted earlier, somehow felt that the editorial was written in support of or in sympathy with him.

Well, Mr. Stringer should also recall, on two counts, that was hardly the case: a petition came before council at that very same meeting where several BIA members had signed, supporting the position opposite to the one Councillor Turner was arguing. I was one of the signers. In fact, the notion of downtown picnic tables originated with the BIA and not with the Community Services Committee as his letter states.

Further, I signed it in the BIA secretary's place of business when Mr. Stringer was the only other person there at the time and there was some brief discussion on the matter. Perhaps he doesn't remember.

It really doesn't matter because the point of last week's editorial was leadership, not personality. The editorial cited two recent examples: hiking trails and picnic tables.

Mr. Stringer chose to take me to task only on the illustration cited where he felt there were personalities at play, largely ignoring the argument presented in the editorial that the examples used were only there to illustrate. There could easily have been other, different examples.

Once again, the point that the editorial sought to address is that in the municipality of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, ever since municipal amalgamation a decade ago, there has been fairly constant bickering among the councillors representing the blended municipalities. This seems to have become almost the culture of this council and everyone needs to try to change it, including this newspaper.

It may well be that it is the fault of the ward system that was adopted with amalgamation, replacing the system of election of councillors at large in both Howland and Little Current.

It could very well be that the population is just too small, and at the same time diverse enough to make government by ward impractical in this case. Perhaps this should be examined.

We certainly have no quarrel with Mayor Stringer as an individual and recognize that his role is a difficult one and that we are all entitled to our opinion.

But we also have to set the record straight. That's our job.

Without prejudice,

R.L. McCutcheon,

publisher

State of Island roads discouraging to visitors

It's like riding a roller coaster!

To the Expositor:

Just a few comments on a recent trip to the Manitoulin Island.

On May 27, my wife and I traveled to the Island. We were certainly surprised at the condition of the roadbed on the bridge. It was a rocking roller coaster. I was wondering if the members of parliament, who were elected by the Manitoulin constituents ever travel by car. They must fly or they would have allocated some dollars for road repairs.

We visited with my mother who is a resident in the Centennial Manor in Little Current. It is in excellent shape. Mother was 104 last January. From there we went to my former home in Tehkummah (the Anstice Dairy Farm).

When we reached Sheguiandah we hit another stretch of roller coaster roadway, all the way to Manitowaning. There was considerable traffic heading for South Baymouth to catch the ferry. I am sure many of them will not want to return to the Manitoulin roads.

We had to return over what I called roller coaster roads, but maybe I should have called it "corduroy" like the roads that some of the settlers used to make.

I was wondering what happened to the hotel that was going to be built last year. Had the prospective owners driven to Little Current and realized that the road conditions would be a detriment to their business investment?

Are there any federal or provincial dollars allocated for repairs on Highway 6!

Kenneth Franklin Anstice

Sault Ste. Marie

More funding is required to make up Casino Rama shortfall

Wikwemikong is growing by 4 percent per year

To the Expositor:

An open letter to Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice:

On behalf of our people from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, who are original occupants of Manitoulin Island and all its surrounding Islands, I welcome you to the land of the Three Fires Confederacy which consists of the Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi First Nations.

I am pleased to inform you that the wind energy project for Wikwemikong is proceeding with much care and prudence to achieve the deliverables for community economic development in Wikwemikong. We trust that the department of Indian and Northern Affairs will make every effort to assist where necessary for the success of this project and to address the need to be environmental friendly and to generate our sources of energy within the province of Ontario.

Our community would also like to acknowledge the support and understanding for the progress to date regarding the negotiations for settlement of the Wikwemikong islands claim. We believe that your expertise gained through the Indian Claims Commission and your awareness of the sensitivity of Aboriginal land claim issues will be most valuable for a timely and respectable settlement.

Please be advised that the growth of the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve has been increasing by 4 percent on an annual basis. The regularized funding does not address the growing demographics in Wikwemikong and the cost of living in Ontario. Presently, the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve receives an increase of 2 percent each year which limits the efforts of our community to gain the prosperity and harmony that could be enjoyed by our people. The hardships that our community continues to be challenged with owe to the lack of funding for education and training, business development and community infrastructure.

At this time, we would like to encourage your immediate attention to the challenges of our community regarding the level of funding for the operations of the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. At present the annual funding received from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is not sufficient to effectively deliver programs and services that meet the needs of our people to achieve a healthy and self-sustaining community. Therefore, our primary request is for the department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to initiate a thorough review of the financial contributions provided to First Nations operations and governance, particularly the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve.

We are hopeful that appropriate personnel within your department of Canadian government will examine the total number of different formulas (80+) that are used to determine annual financial contributions to First Nations. We are also recommending that the department investigate the inequities resulting from the same formulas being applied to all the smaller and larger First Nations. Wikwemikong and the other five larger First Nations in Ontario cannot administer all the programs and services necessary to thoroughly address the needs of our growing population on reserve.

In the past, our community has been fortunate to have acquired funding from other revenues generated through First Nations initiative, particularly the Casino Rama partnership. Unfortunately, the relationship at all levels of government requires improvement to fully appreciate the potential of this initiative for First Nations communities in Ontario. In the past, this particular funding had contributed greatly toward enhanced program and services; however, the elimination of this funding has resulted in major cutbacks which also includes the downsizing of human resources in Wikwemikong.

We trust that this review will take place immediately to prevent any compounding difficulties and hardships such as third-party management. Furthermore,  I am extending an invitation to you to further discuss the financial situation of Wikwemikong and the five larger Ontario First Nations within the fall of this year.

Chief Robert Corbiere

Wikwemikong

Jeremy Ense

clerk, Blair's Cash and Carry,

M'Chigeeng

I'm your neighbour

He sells a lot of Encore tickets, but he also gets asked for a few encores after customers hear his nimble way with the old six-string.

Jeremy Ense has been a guitar-strumming fixture of Blair's Cash and Carry in M'Chigeeng for the past eight years, ever since he returned from college in Sudbury.

And what did this fan of old blues ditties and classic rock'n'roll riffs study? "Classical guitar," he laughs. "It was interesting, but it was almost militaristic, with no room for improvisation."

He's had lots of time to improvise on his black Fernandes acoustic since returning to the Island and settling in to work at Blair's. He'd probably rather pursue a musical career, "but there's not much money in music," he laments.

Plus he likes working at Blair's, with its interesting mix of merchandise and equally interesting mix of clientele. "It's a year-round job, and you get to meet a lot of people," he says.

His relationship with the business actually goes back to his teen years. "I started working here, on and off, since I was 16," he notes. Now 29, and a father of three, he's quite comfortable on his stool behind the till, chatting amiably with customers while practising a few licks on his instrument.

In his spare time, he plays more guitar, although perhaps not as much as in the past, when he played in a band. A single word explains his main focus these days: "family."

Daughter Emma was actually born on the property of Blair's, as the clerk and his wife were living in the small house across the parking lot from the store at the time, and "we had a home birth," he notes.

An injury has hampered his own participation in sports, but Mr. Ense still finds time to coach peewee and novice hockey in the winter months. "It's flexible here, so when hockey comes around I can schedule my hours around the hockey."

The store, which opened about 35 years ago (initially in the smaller building where Emma was born) by Gus and Loretta Debassige, employs six workers, "plus we're about to take on a summer student," says Mr. Ense.

"After a while you get to know all the customers," he says. "I lived in the city, too, and you never even have a conversation with the person behind the desk there."

Shopping at local businesses like Blair's provides lasting employment for people like Jeremy Ense.