PUBB Launches Fund Raising Campaign to Support Legal Action Against the Fence

Over the past year, PUBB has worked very closely with its lawyer to develop a legal strategy to establish public rights to the property which has been fenced.  We are now seeking to raise $60,000 to commence this process in the courts.  Donations can be made to PUBB and sent to PUBB, PO Box 222, Perkinsfield, ON., L0L 2J0.

 

If, for any reason, the legal action does not proceed, we will return your donation so please include your name and a complete mailing address with your donation.

 

Why would we not proceed?  This best reason would be that the Attorney General for Ontario fulfills his role of “guardian of the public interest” and takes over the case.  PUBB will continue to work on that front.

 

Balm Beach Fence Upate

Last week there were two more incidents related to the fence.

 

On Wednesday night, someone set fire to the fence.  There was some minor damage and charring.  Fortunately, no one was hurt but if the fire had become out of control, much greater harm could have been done.  PUBB continues to speak out against this type of action.  We believe that there is a proper and legal way to deal with the matter and we urge people to support us in that action.  Below is an excerpt from a press release issued by the local detachment of the OPP.  PUBB supports the police in their efforts to bring back order to the community.

 

“Inspector Rick Philbin, Commander, Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wishes to advise the public that there is zero tolerance when it comes to committing criminal acts in his detachment area.

 

Recent events in Tiny Township involving land disputes have escalated to reports of damage to property and, most recently, arson.   The level of risk to human safety is increasing to both residents, the community and to emergency responders.  The actions of the very people who are participating in this criminal activity are tarnishing the reputation of the respectable people of our community.

 

I would like to send a strong message to those in our community who may think this type of behaviour is permissible, it is not and it will not be tolerated!    The actions of these hooligans, who must feel they are making a statement, are nothing more then cowards who are lurking around at night, causing damage and putting peoples lives in jeopardy.  They are also putting the property and livelihood of other business owners in the area at risk. The deliberate setting of last night’s fire, in such a windy area, could have had catastrophic implications.  This civil unrest must stop!  Those who feel so strongly about this private property/access issue should take the debate into the legal arena.  For those who believe that they have claim of some sort to any property must make their claim legal and official. There is a process that can be taken, my advice is to get a legal opinion.

 

Our officers will work vehemently to find those responsible for committing these crimes and ensure they are brought before the courts to answer to the charges.”

 

 

On Thursday afternoon a teenage boy was attacked while walking in front of the fenced property.  The fence owner and his son have been charged with assault.

 

 

Correction RE Great Lakes Right of Passage Act - Bill 43

We have been reporting that the number for this act was Bill 202.  That was the number given to it when it was introduced in the last session of the legislature.  When it was reintroduced after the election, it was given a new number Bill 43. 

 

From now on if you are referring to the Act, use Bill 43.

Navigating the Township of Tiny Website

All items discussed by the Tiny Township Council are included in the agenda for each meeting.  Most of the discussion, reports and deputations are part of the Committee of the Whole (COW) meetings during the day.  Decisions are made at the regular Council Meetings, usually in the evening.

 

To see what is on the agenda and to read the reports,  take the following path:

 

www.tiny.ca > Council Agenda > Committee of the Whole Agenda – 2008 > then pick the meeting date you are interested in.

 

Council agendas are usually posted on the Friday before the meeting.

 

For a meeting schedule, go to:

 

www.tiny.ca > Council > Municipal Meetings > Committee of the Whole and Regular Council Meetings.

 

This should help you keep up to date.

Second Act of Vandalism Against the Balm Beach Fence

Unfortunately, there was a second act of vandalism against the fence at Balm Beach during the night of July 9.  PUBB has issued the following statement.

PUBB was dismayed to learn of a second act of vandalism against the fence at Balm Beach.  As stated many times before, PUBB does not support this action.  PUBB spokesperson Doug Lorriman says “PUBB still believes that the way to resolve the issue of public rights to use this beach is through legal and political channels.  However, it takes a long time for the ‘public’ to organize and launch a legal challenge and this requires a great deal of patience.  Clearly,  as demonstrated by the incidents over the past two weeks, for some members of the public this patience has run out.  We call once again for calm and call upon our elected politicians at both the municipal and provincial levels, particularly the Attorney General, to take leadership in the resolution process”.

 

UPDATE

There has been a lot of action up here at Balm Beach over the last week and much media coverage.  Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions:

 

Regarding the chainsaw attack on the fence:

                The fence has been repaired.

                A gentleman from Unionville has been arrested and charged.

                One of the fence owners did sustain some minor injuries.

                PUBB issued the following statement after the incident:

 

                PUBB is very sorry to learn of the physical action taken against the fence on the south side of Balm Beach and wishes to make it clear that this action was not supported in any way by PUBB.   Doug Lorriman, PUBB spokesperson, said “although our objective is to see the fence removed, we have promoted from the beginning that this be done through legal means.  We do not condone destruction or violence.  We do not feel that the action taken yesterday helps our cause or Balm Beach.  It does, however, underscore the frustration that many people feel from the lack of political leadership on this matter.”

 

 

               

 

 

PUBB has an email address

PUBB has set up an email address.  If you have any specific questions or wish to help in any way, please contact:

 

pubb@rogers.com

 

We will not have time at this address to get into long discussions on topic but we will try to give timely answers to questions.