Residents concerned over Big Bay Point costs

It is encouraging that Jim Maclean of Geranium Corporation replied to the letter to the editor regarding sewer hookup cost concerns (Big Bay Point letter was inaccurate, Jan. 23). A similar letter was sent to Earl Rumm of Geranium six months ago and, unfortunately, no response was received. But, understandably, these are busy times for us all.

Maclean rightly points out a concern for the health of Lake Simcoe. He suggests that "phosphorous and other nutrients have been flowing into Lake Simcoe for years, including from outdated and leaky septic systems that ring the lake."

It seems to me that individual outdated or leaky septic systems are the problems of the individual homeowners. And, if there are homeowners who are not being vigilant about these septic matters, then they need to be "encouraged" by the town to fix their septic systems. The rest of the 1,600 homeowners have non-leaking, contained septic systems - and it is difficult to see how they endanger the lake.

Maclean also suggests there is no link between the vigorous draining of lands south of the 10th Line - leading to a spate of dry wells - and land draining which surely will occur during construction of the Big Bay Point Resort south of the 13th Line.

North America has flourished as a result of many factors, not the least being the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurs like Rumm.

At the same time, these risk-takers are businessmen also in the business of seeking robust profits. And that is not a bad thing in itself, but there are other considerations. Examine again the Innisfil situation: Geranium has a dream to build a resort that will create profit for them. In order for their dream to be realized, the existing sewers and water services need to be extended three lines north to the Geranium site. In the process, the lines will pass by 1,600 homeowners who will inevitably be forced to hook-up out of their own pockets (the question of hook-up costs was posed at a town hall meeting, and no one from Geranium or the Town of Innisfil was able to offer even a ballpark figure of these costs).

I would hope a laudable concern for the well-being of an entity that is a lake would also translate into a laudable concern for the actual people who live adjacent to the lake.
Donna Procher,
Innisfil