President's Letter. Fall 2024.

Thursday, September 19, 2024 Dear Members: As summers go 2024 seemed less tense. We did set temperature records, particularly in June and September, but sporadic precipitation meant we didn’t have to move beyond the statutory Level 1 Water Restrictions at any time during the driest months. Still, it is good to have a backup plan, and the MLPOS is continuing to subsidize 1000 imp gallon and larger rain barrels at $500 per household. This is in addition to the similarly funded subsidy provided by the Capital Regional District and administered by Transition Salt Spring. Our playground project is moving forward. Director David Reed consulted with the local parents group about the units we were looking at. They selected and ranked their favourites. Our Treasurer, Jean Deschenes, has ordered the equipment. It is scheduled to be shipped Oct 16 with “supervised installation “ to happen late October or November. There will be more information at our AGM on Oct 19. On the Governance front, the Community issues Assessment of Magic Lake is now completed and the final report sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Thanks to everyone who took part by filling in the survey and/or taking part in the public meeting. The goal of the survey was to inform the ministry of how satisfied or unsatisfied the residents of Magic Lake are with the services provided by the myriad of agencies to our community. So, it is no surprise that it only affirmed what we already know. Of the three provincial agencies that govern us, we are, as a community, overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the services we receive from the BC Government. There will be more information on this topic in a Governance Update coming to your email inbox in a week and at the AGM. Last May a BC Hydro representative contacted us with a request to present a project at the monthly MLPOS Directors’ meeting at the community hall. The project is moving the main Hydro seafloor cables from south of Irene Bay to Thieves Bay. As construction will impact our ambulance service, the use of Thieves Bay Park, and the boat launch ramp as well as our marina, we are working to find more information. The hurdle is BC Hydro seems to only want to concentrate their information sessions on governments and their agencies. Yet another reason to explore alternative governance options for Magic Lake. The Board of Directors is undertaking a survey of Magic Lake residents on the types of facilities and services they would like to see in our community. The survey, spearheaded by Directors Roy Moore and Marnie McKay, launches Oct 7 on Survey Monkey. More info will follow. Magic Lake Property Owners’ Society P.O. Box 65, Pender Island, BC V0N 2M0 www.magiclake.ca notifymlpos@gmail.com This September we welcomed Marney McKay as a new Director. She has taken over the Secretary position from Mary Beth Rondeau. Thanks go to Mary Beth for her hard word over the last two years, and to Marney McKay for stepping up to help us out. Also, thanks for to all of our Directors, the Marina Team of Wally Foster, Dave Harrison, Ian Syme and Art Curtis and, informally Dave Reed, Mike Wiley for taking care of the Recreation at Privateers Park, and informally Dave Reed, Jean Deschenes our overworked Treasurer, Roy Moore our VP, and Doug Bolton, who has come on board as a Special Project Director. Finally, many thanks to our hard working Office Manager, Joanna Rogers. Here’s hoping Mother Nature delivers us a mild and not overly stormy winter. Stay well. I hope to see everyone at our AGM on October 19th, 2 PM, at the Anglican Church Hall. Sincerely Bob Coulson President