Dear Editor:
As a lifetime area resident and concerned citizen, I have some concerns about Donald Deer’s recent letter in the Whitewater news (published Sept. 17), wherein he expressed some serious reservations about the new Whitewater council’s motives (and by inference their competency) not to mention his commentary regarding the alleged treatment of the watershed committee.
To begin with, it is my considered opinion (as well as the consensus of most other area residents) that the council watershed committee has exausted its usefulness as a positive contributing factor in the Muskrat Lake affair, and thus I take exception to Mr. Deer’s accusatory tone of rhetoric, and most especially after he called into question the actions of the new Whitewater council, who again, in my estimation, represent one of the best council make-ups this area has had to date (especially under the very trying conditions they are facing on multiple levels), and which in the absence of any empirical evidence to the contrary on Mr. Deer’s part, that would substantiate his various allegations, I am not pleased to see in the press, although I fully respect his right to express his opinions, whether I agree with them or not!
As for his reference to MP Cheryl Gallants “Suggestions to proceed”, I personally offered her not only the opportunity, but the information to do something as well – *three years ago* – to which she enthusiastically agreed, and yet I have not heard another word from her with respect to the Muskrat Lake issues since the Official Plan meeting held at the Cobden Agricultural Hall on May 27, 2013; although she subsequently did do something all right (which need not be mentioned at this time) but suffice it to say it was not conducive to helping with the Muskrat Lake affair. And, although Mr. Deer’s letter further alleges that MP Gallant called “him ” on two different occasions with *”Advice On How To Move Forward”*, Mr. Deer however has apparently not seen fit to take MP’s Gallant advice – nor indeed has anyone else he is associated with (such as Brian Whitehead / the MNR / MOE / Doug Skeggs), nor have any of the other various and sundry “Do Nothing Talk A Lots” moved forward with this “Advice on how to move forward” either. Nor, to my knowledge, has this “Advice on how to move forward” ever been brought to the public.
As a result the Whitewater Citizens Council Advisory Group consisting exclusively of local residents living on Muskrat Lake, has for a considerable time, been carefully preparing the research to address the Muskrat Lake issues in a decisive manner – by first giving the watershed committee a chance to strut their stuff, and now that they have had several years to do so, we feel it’s our turn at the wheel.
As a first step, our group has accepted an offer from a concerned private citizen in the person of Hector Clouthier, who has accepted a position as an honourary member of our group, acting as an advisor and a designated lobbyist. With Mr. Clouthier now involved we feel with his capable representations and lobbying the Muskrat Lake issues are now headed towards a successful resolution.
As for what I consider to be Mr. Deer’s inappropriate commentary in the Whitewaternews.ca with respect to the present council, *and with no disrespect intended to Mr. Deer personally,* my advice to him is to wait until he knows what is really going on with regard to the Muskrat Lake issues, which I can assure you he does not know at this time.
I will conclude by asking the Muskrat Lake home and property owners, and indeed all concerned area residents, to please remain patient a little longer, “Because The Muskrat Lake Issues Are Soon About To Take On A Whole New Dimension.”
Donald E. Broome,, Cobden, ON
