So far I haven't had much luck getting the quantity of quotes from cottagers as I do from residents. It seems, for many cottagers, they are unconcerned with the details of Seguin politics. They get enough of local politics in the municipalities where they reside. Lakefront cottagers, however, are almost uniformly concerned with the water quality of their lakes and the height of the water as it impacts on shoreline erosion, dock and boathouse access. Environmental protection is the top issue for the majority of cottagers.
But there's something else: many cottagers feel it wouldn't be appropriate for them to provide a quote for Seguin's improvement as they aren't sufficiently informed. This somewhat contradicts the belief, held by many residents whom I've spoken with, that cottagers determine the direction of council decisions. Just thought that was interesting.
The most common statement I hear from cottagers: 'Where are the services I pay for in high taxes?'. As a great many cottagers live on private roads which they pay into road associations to maintain, the only apparent municipal service provided are the garbage and recycling stations.
The following quotes answer the question:
"What's the one thing you would change about Seguin Township?"
"By-laws are passed for a reason and should be enforced. If my neighbour has a problem he should be made aware of the problem and given a chance to rectify the problem. There's no need to be heavy handed, but let's get the situation rectified" - Bill Evans, Johnston Road.
"You have the speed limits on the roads, but nobody enforces them. A possible situation is to have less by-law officers and more OPP officers enforcing the speed limits" - Rick Kendrick, Otter Lake Road.
"We need better communication between councillors and residents so that we are aware of the issues before they are voted on and decided" - Linda Nicholson, Horseshoe Lake.
"On Horseshoe Lake Road speeding is the main issue. English roads have zig-zag speed reduction lines. Maybe we could try that as an inexpensive solution" - Connie Craddock, Horseshoe Lake Road.
"Due to the high volume of traffic on Elliot House Road, I would appreciate if it was maintained more consistently. It needs to be graded more often; calcium, oiled, or watered due to the high volume of traffic (Hydro, Bell, and CN). It should be tar and chip" - Cindy Vince, Elliot House Road.
"In Matheson Park the parking lot is messy with pot holes. The playground equipment is damaged. The swing set is broken. Everything else is fine"- Pam Smith, Rankin Lake Road.
"Maybe this township should have a hazardous materials drop off station for things like paints, batteries, motor oil, florescent light bulbs (which have a lot of mercury in them). I'd also like to know why Styrofoam is no longer recyclable" - Brian Chamberlain, Little Finland Road.
"If Seguin has taken over Hwy 69 at Hwy 141, why not put three-way stop signs there to prevent the big trucks from by-passing Hwy 400" - Mike Major, Horseshoe Lake Road.
"Some people, I understand, have problems with music being played that can be heard across the lake. I'll turn it down after 11 pm, but the threat of by-law officers coming to my door makes me nervous. I'm not enjoying the evening. I think the by-law should be re-written. It should be based on decibel readings" - Casey Mazur, Marshall Road.
MowerBike? Genius."Regarding fireworks: it's louder here on Horseshoe Lake on a weekend than in the city of Peterbough. Fireworks have their time and place" - Cathy Cederquist, Marshall Road.
"Large motor boats should b e considerate of swimmers, wildlife, and canoers" - Cathy Cederquist, Marshall Road.
"Perhaps we should have a municipal regulation in terms of boat size" - Cathy Cederquist, Marshall Road.
"The public launch ramp at the Huron restaurant [on Horseshoe Lake] needs attention because the base is not flat. What can the municipality do to make the boat launch less difficult to use" - Tim and Kim McNamara, Marshall Road.
"I would like to see Horseshoe Lake stocked with pickerel and bass" - Arthur Martin, Peak's Path.
"We would like to see the [Peak's Path] hill plowed in the winter time to make it more safe" - Arthur Martin, Peak's Path.
"We love Seguin township. And we'd like to do what we can to keep it that way" - Sue Phillips and Gord Ades, Downes Road.
"We need to keep the development on our lake down" - Sue Phillips and Gord Ades, Downes Road.
"Blackstone Crane Lake Road should be paved for the two kilometre section near the deaf camp because of the dust in the summer" - Steve Ferris, Blackstone Crane Lake Road.
"I'd like to see enforcement of by-laws that impact on significant amounts of people to utilize the system we've created" - Mathew Brandt, Bays End Trail.
"I moved here because it's beautiful. You move up here to protect the reason why you moved up here. I don't want those reasons to change. I didn't move up here to live beside a race track" - Doug Bryant, Black Road.
"I'd like to see the floating raft returned to Rankin Lake beach. They took it away fifteen years ago and promised to replace it. I'd also like to see the dock fixed and put back on its metal supports" - Mary Fisher, Rankin Lake Road.
"On Rankin Lake Road, because of people walking and bicycles, I would like to see a path. It's dangerous with the narrow road" - Mary Fisher, Rankin Lake Road.
