Letter: Monte McNaughton MPP from G. Rupke

Yesterday was indeed a sad day at Ipperwash beach as 20 years of working to reestablish trust and working relations between the natives and Lambton Shores were washed down the drain by the unilateral decision of Chief Tom Bressette to remove the car barriers on the beach access points, and announce that he will be charging people to drive on and park on the beachfront owners private properties. These owners have happily shared the beach with all pedestrian traffic for the past 41 years. Thru several years of joint meetings, trust and cooperation between the groups has gradually been developing. Our last meeting in Nov. was particularly productive. Now that Chief Bressette has destroyed all trust, by his unilateral actions, the meeting on Dec 10th should be most interesting and will likely be confrontational.

According to local real estate agents  the lakefront properties have decreased in value by about 40% and the offshore properties by a smaller percentage. The local properties have lost in excess of $35,000,000 overnight, because of these illegal actions. This estimate is based on the documented negative property values impact, of what happened at the Ipperwash Provincial Park. It took over 15 years for the negative impact to be reversed.

The OPP were on site in force(6+ officers) and refused to take any action to stop the removal of roadside signs and barriers, contrary to section 184 of the highway traffic act, and the theft of the posts ,guardrails and signs.

What is it that you and your government will do to help the residents of Lambton Shores reverse the negative impacts of these illegal actions on the part of our neighbours, and to ensure the OPP enforce the law???

I am ward 3 councilor for Lambton Shores and VP of Center Ipperwash Community Association.

I am looking forward to your IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.

J W G Rupke P Eng.

Disclaimer: The opinions in this published letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion and/or stance of CICA. Accuracy of facts have not been verified by CICA. This letter was originally written on December 8, 2014.