I am responding to a letter posted on the Members’ Feedback Page received from JF. JF states that the motion for a donation of $10,000. from the LPRA is a lot of money and they suggest that these monies could be used for other useful projects that would benefit Long Point residents. Does the writer not understand that the monies requested will be used to benefit Long Point residents, those being the majority of cottage owners, who are opposed to the condominium project. The monies would be used to help finance the legal cost of the appeal before the OMB. I personally cannot remember a project of any greater importance to Long Point that the LPRA has ever supported since the high waters and flooding of 1985. An appeal to the OMB is absolutely necessary as it is now the only avenue available to stop this precedent setting condominium. I was present at the AGM and have seen the new “proposed” 18 unit condominium, a “proposal” that has still not been submitted to the OMB. Let us not be fooled into believing that this structure will fit the character of Long Point. The writer states that the developer has revised his plan significantly. My question is, has he really or is it just an illusion? The new “proposed” building is still over the height restriction, the footprint remains the same as the 24 units. Call it what you like, be it a villa, a time share, a condominium, an apartment dwelling, this multi-family, high-density residential structure does not belong in Long Point! The OMB is all about good planning, which a 24 (or 18) unit condominium is not! Has JF ever stepped back and tried to visualize what this structure will look like literally squeezed on to the existing motel site? It will essentially be a row of 9 cottages on top of another row of 9 cottages, with each averaging over 1,000 ft. sq. in area. A brochure handed out at the AGM noted that each condo unit will have at least two bathrooms, a washer and dryer, and a dishwasher. One can only imagine the water intake/effluent volumes. My family members have had a cottage at Long Point for many years. Unfortunately, we cannot use it as a year round residence as Norfolk County allows only those permanently living at the Point before 1985 to have this luxury. It is absolutely ludicrous, but true, that the new condo owners for this project will be granted immediate year round occupancy while long-time seasonal residents look from the outside in. Ask yourself this question, “As a Long Point cottage owner, do you want multi-family, high-density condominium or apartment buildings at Long Point?” If the answer is yes, I question your agenda. If the answer is no, then full support should be given to CALP. Just as the building height at a cottage at Marina Shores and a cottage on Erie Blvd. have set a precedent and somehow “justified” the height for the proposed condominium, once one condominium appears at Long Point, a precedent will again be set and, in no time at all, others condominium and apartment buildings will follow. Property taxes will undoubtedly escalate and, before you know it, you too may be just a visitor to Long Point, as you may not be able to afford to retain a cottage at Long Point. JF states that now that summer has arrived, more ratepayers may support this condominium project. Please remember that a LPRA Special Meeting was held in October, 2009 and this very condominium project was discussed. I believe the special meeting had over 100 attendees, an excellent LPRA turnout for an “out-of-season” special meeting. An overwhelming majority of the ratepayers at that meeting voted against the condominium development! Once again, I agree with JF that this is a very political issue. It should be. The LPRA must step up to the plate and change their previous neutral stance on important issues, such as this condominium project, that are brought forward. We can all see the results of remaining neutral and “quiet as a mouse”. Just look at what has happened at Long Point over the last month; 150 newly created free parking spaces for visitors but, to date, no garbage receptacles or washroom facilities. The beach water is now essentially a public urinal, the beach itself a garbage dump - not good places where our children should swim and play. I believe this condominium project will be of no benefit to anyone but the developer and his investors. I am not against change; however, the transformation of a 13 room modest commercial motel into a 24 or 18 unit high-density residential condominium is not good change. It is now up to the Long Point Ratepayers to make the final decision. Do you want condominiums at Long Point? One may be coming to your neighbourhood soon if the precedent is set!

I am not a member of the CALP organization but am a proud donor. I am so happy to see that there are people out there that are not intimidated or threatened to stand up for what they believe in and save an amazing place while they are at it. I can only hope that people will realize just what kind of damage will happen to Long Point if this project is allowed. One only needs to look at Grand Bend or Port Stanley. Polluted water and roads and almost no nature left- just commercialized restaurants and motels- Is this the future of Long Point?

I propose not to hold back until you get enough amount of cash to buy all you need! You can just take the loan or just collateral loan and feel fine