Mr Ross Bateman's letter to CBC to allow everyone access to Backus Woods

Backus Woods is a forest of hundreds of acres north of Lake Erie in Norfolk County, Ontario.  It’s part of the Backhouse Mill and homestead, established in 1797 by John C. Backhouse.  In a past generation, many of the family members changed their name from Backhouse to Backus. (Who knows why?) Backus Woods is the best remnant of an extreme southern Canadian forest; the jewels of these woods are the groves of Tulip Trees that tower over the forest canopy. 

Should the Long Point Region Convervation Authority become an Endangered Species?

 Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) costs $3.5 million dollars every year.

$1.8  million dollars is generated in user fees.  They claim to manage any where between 8000 and 12000 acres depending on what document you read.  I'm not sure that they actually know themselves since every report I've read is different.

In 2011, the LPRCA sold the 875 acre Backus Woods to The Nature Conservancy of Canada for $5.25 million.

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Thank You Citizens of Norfolk County! Public Meeting Re: closing of the 4th Concession

Norfolk Voice would like to take a moment to thank everyone who turned out to last night’s public meeting. We had a great turn out and a very productive meeting. Thank you, Mr. Mike Squires, for your generosity and for being such a gracious host. Thank you, Mr. Tom Cline, for addressing us all and helping to clarify the issues at hand. This is what a sense of community is all about!

Many issues and concerns regarding the closing of the 4^th concession were addressed and a lot of questions asked by community members regarding further road closures. It is wonderful when so many people are willing to stand up and fight for what is right.

Attendees made many suggestions including ways to fix the 4^th, building a covered bridge, and ways to fix the road surface all while saving money and helping keep the municipal budgets in line. It was our feeling that the community is willing to help any way they can and make suggestions to prevent the county from leaving the 4^th concession closed or closing any additional roads. These ideas were innovative and were a direct reflection of what this community really wants.

Please do not forget that this was only the first step.  We need everyone's support at the council meeting as well.  Please see details below. 

DATE: TUESDAY OCTOBER 1^st . TIME: 5:00 PM (suggested arrival 4:45)

LOCATION: NORFOLK TOWN HALL

ADDRESS: 50 COLBORNE ST. S. SIMCOE, ON.

OFFICIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING - PRESENTATION TO NORFOLK TOWN COUNCIL BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS

We are proud of Norfolk County and hope this is the start of something great.

Norfolk Voice

Citizen's Meeting Today regarding the Closure of the 4th Concession

The Meeting today is scheduled for 7pm and the location is on the 4th Concession of South Walsingham.

The address is 995 4th Concession.  You must come in off of Highway 59 since you can't get in from the Quarter line because of the closure! It's East of Highway 59.  1st house on your left.

See you there  :)

Why are Farm's Important to Norfolk and the Rest of Ontario and Canada?

According to data from Statistics Canada’s 2011 Census of Agriculture, Norfolk County is the leading grower of many farm commodities in Ontario and Canada. In addition to the crops listed below, Norfolk County is also the Number One grower of peanuts, sweet potatoes and ginseng in Canada.

Can we really afford to lose more prime agricultural land in our community?

Is the Nature Conservancy Paying Fair Market Value For Their Properties?

Is the Nature Conservancy Paying Fair Market Value For Their Properties?

Depends on what you consider fair I suppose.

They own at least 59 properties in Norfolk County now.  It's a bit tricky to find all the details because as NCC was looking to buy all the farms in Norfolk they used various tactics to do so.  At first blush it would appear they were buying everything for $2.  That's not exactly the case as you dig deeper though.

4th Consession Road Closure Council Meeting - Verbatim

4^th Consession Road Closure Council Meeting

The Chair: Ok every one if we could get this meeting back to order.

We are at Public Works, and Environmental Services on pg 59 Staff Report. Staff Report

PW 12-93 gating of fourth concession of south Walsingham. Mr. D’Hondt, please or is it uh?

Councillor Betty Chanyi - Asks for everyone to contact her regarding NCC

Article from Councillor Betty Chanyi in response to the Questions regarding Concession A Bridge, the NCC's acquisition of properties and Long Point Resident's battle with MNR over the Fowler's Toad.

Courtesy of the PORT ROWAN GOOD NEWS - August 2013.

Note: There is no definite timeline, proof or definite numbers for the payment of taxes by the NCC and her references to changes on |Long Point are very vague. 

Closing of 4th Concession, Walsingham - The Truth

The closing of the 4th concession.  Includes video footage of the Town Council Meeting where members do not tell the whole story, pictures of the bridge with cost comparison, and additional current pictures.

Norfolk County 5 Year Financial Comparison

Chart based on Norfolk County's Audited Financial Statements.

The downhill slide into the 'Have Not' County.