Serving Lake Erie’s North Shore Friday July 18, 2014
LEB Holiday Schedule The next edition of the Lake Erie Beacon will be published on August 8, 2014 to allow for a staff holiday.
INSIDE
Shoreline seen as an important regional asset
Editorial The ownership and operation of Port Stanley Harbour was transferred to the Municipality of Central Elgin from Transport Canada on September 8, 2010. STORY PAGE 2
Port Stanley Library Re-opening The Great Lakes face a very serious and imminent threat with the invasive Asian carp on their doorstep. STORY PAGE 2
Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary With this edition July 18th 2014 we celebrate our 10th Anniversary publishing the Lake Erie Beacon. STORY PAGE 3
Port Bruce Report The 10th annual Perch Derby, sponsored by the Port Bruce Ratepayers Association, was a huge success! STORY PAGE 3
Port Burwell Report On the weekend of July 12/13, our lakefront was very blue, quite a picture. STORY PAGE 3
The Bloody Battle of Chippawa July 1814 This writer was a member of the archaeology research team at the Chippawa Battle research site in the year 2000. STORY PAGE 4
LOOK AHEAD Community Events
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Classifieds & Service Directory Page 7 Business Roladex
Pages 8
Richard & Helen Haddow Sales Representatives
Centre City Realty Inc Brokerage
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Thinking of buying or selling... We can help!
519-495-0789 Richard Direct
We Live in Port Stanley You Should Too!
Dan McNeil
Above: Port Stanley’s Main Beach
There are significant highlevel considerations in the recently approved Central Elgin Master Recreation Plan. In a section that recommends a stronger role for the municipality in marketing and community development the plan recognizes the Lake Erie shoreline as one of our most important regional assets. A regional focus results in important decisions being made now, and will guide decisions in the future as we wait for Transport Canada to live up to its commitment to clean up Port Stanley’s East Harbour lands to Ontario’s parkland standard. This commitment was made in the fall of 2010. At a key public meeting, federal officials announced the clean up would likely be completed by 2012. Central Elgin is still working diligently with multiple authorities to move forward on this most important priority.
Left: Port Stanley Harbour consists of 11.7 hectares of land, a 52.8 hectare waterlot, the west and east breakwaters and the West Pier DOC (Dominion of Canada) building. One of many harbour plans this one from 2009 was developed by Riggs-Lyons Consultants.
the plan is the importance of community and volunteer organizations. These groups energize democratic decision-making on an ongoing basis. The Municipality should provide a balanced array of accessible parks and recreation services that actively support residents and visitors.
Community consultation was undertaken as the recreation plan developed. Thus, an important ‘theme’ in
The number one recreational and leisure activity today is walking. Walking is a prime activity in the term:
The question everyone is asking... when will it happen? “active transportation”. Elgin County is currently working on an “Active Transportation Master Plan” that will provide for walking trails, paths and preferred bicycle routes throughout the county and St Thomas. Recent consultations have integrated planning throughout the region including the local Conservation Authorities. Our Elgin St Thomas Health Unit has been a key proponent. Central Elgin will likely accept a recommendation for a 10-year plan to develop trail systems and associated amenities in conjunction with these regional partners. Community trails can be one of the most Continued On Page 5
2014 Lake Erie International a great success! Manfred Kanter The racers for the 2014 Lake Erie International Race set off for Ashtabula early on the morning of July 5th. Twenty plus boats departed in three staggered starts from Port Stanley. While the northerly winds were light they were expected to build and shift to the west which would offer some tactical challenges as the day went on. The light and shifting winds offered challenges for all of the competitors with patience rewarded when the breeze built during the last half of the 48 mile race. Congratulations to all crews who took part and especially to the overall winner Southern Cross…well done!
Race Winners: Dennis McInnis, Karen McInnis, Jim Rowen, Anne Russell and Don Wilson. The Ashtabula Yacht Club was host to this year's awards and the after party on Saturday, where competitors celebrated their victories. The Ashtabula Yacht Club gang did a fantastic job hosting a great Pig Roast and dinner for a record crowd. Many thanks to Mount Gay Rum and Doyle Boston Sailmakers for their continued and generous support. Big plans are unfolding already for next year's 50th anniversary Lake Erie International Race, stay tuned for more details on the "50 boats for 50 years" race! Smooth sailing Manfred.