Dear Editor,
I would like to clarify some information with the Thunder Lake/ Love your Lake story, July 17, 2018 as it behooves the Barrhead Leader to ensure that all information is reported fairly and accurately and to remember there are two sides to a story not just the one from a single council member and the chosen few. The Leader needs to ensure all the facts are included, in your reporting, from all people involved so that your readers can be informed.
Editor’s note: In the story, County of Barrhead Coun. Bill Lane said he would like to see Nature Alberta, also known as the Federation of Alberta Naturalists, who are in the process of conducting a study on the health of Lac La Nonne’s shore at Thunder Lake.
In the early 2000s, the ratepayers of Thunder Lake initiated a lake association. They held several meetings with the County staff and the elected Coun. Bill Lane, to work with the goal of positive communication, cooperative stewardship and responsible recreational use for the Thunder Lake Watershed area. Following the process outlined by the councilor and county staff, the ratepayers put together a proposal with the required, legal documents. This was given to the elected councilor to present to the Council. To date, even though letters, phone calls and emails were sent, no communication to the ratepayers, from the Council has been received.
In 2017 a research project from the University of Alberta was initiated to look at the Thunder Lake Watershed area. This project looked historically at what had occurred to impact the health of the Thunder Lake watershed, the recreational use and the economic contribution for the County. The County was contacted by the researchers, but the local area councilor and the Reeve never responded. The researchers were told to contact public works to access the documents and information. No one ever responded from the County of Barrhead.
A presentation was given in May 2017 at the University of Alberta where six different Faculties participated in an open house information session that included a power point presentation, informational display boards, and a question and answer session. Provincial historical records and the original plans developed under the Social Credit government, documents from MLA Dr. H. Horner, MLA Ken Kowalski, scientific water and soil data were presented along with reports from several scientists and the information gathered in the “Friends of Thunder Lake” 2000 document. There was nothing from the County.
A photo essay and a letter from an 8-year-old girl written in 2003 to the local councillor requesting lake shore enforcement for illegal quad riding at Thunder Lake were displayed highlighting the youth of Thunder Lake and their concerns for positive environmental stewardship. There was a written response to this child’s concerns from the former Alberta Speaker of the House, Barrhead MLA, Ken Kowalski and shortly after he had several no quad signs erected around the lake but, sadly these were removed by the county last summer. No reason was given. This University presentation concluded with several options to ensure a healthy Thunder Lake Watershed with very little cost to the County. No elected official from the county attended.
It is 18 years later, and the residence of the Thunder Lake Watershed are still waiting to cooperate with the county to ensure that the Thunder Lake Watershed area remains healthy and all families can continue to enjoy this natural resource.
The elected council, under the leadership of the reeve, needs to ensure that all county taxpayers are treated with respect and the council is transparent in its desire to work cooperatively with all people in the county of Barrhead. The council needs to stop referring to Thunder Lake residence as “those summer people” as this is degrading, disrespectful and reeks of discrimination. The council needs to sit at the table with an open mind, a willingness to listen to the people, to respect innovative ideas and embrace change so that the county moves forward to a vibrant future.
The people of Thunder Lake Watershed have historically demonstrated their willingness to work with the County of Barrhead all we ask is that the council is also willing.
L Cashman
55 Year Thunder Lake Resident
