held Thursday, February 12, 2004
Members Present: Sue Ayotte, Kay Tod, Martin Parker, Cliff Reeds, Jeff Johnston, David Stewart, Stephen Rawn, Bill Booth, Dayna Dickens, Kathleen Finlay, Gilbert Lane, Stephen Mitchell, Kathleen Finlay and Ed Hughes.
Resource Persons: Bob Sjonnesen MNDM
Guest: Todd Lucier
Acceptance of Agenda – moved by Tod/Reeds
04-2004 THAT AHSPIC does hereby accept the proposed agenda for this meeting of February 12, 2004.
Carried
Minutes – moved by Stewart/Johnston
05-2005 That AHSPIC does accept the minutes of the meeting of January 8, 2004.
Carried
Trail Protection - Todd Lucier
Todd Lucier stated that he is a tourism operator who relies on access to the forest and forest trails. He reviewed the Forest Management Planning process to date and the changes in the level of protection that is given to MNR approved trails. The existing level of protection for approved trails is being reduced. The actions initiated by the South River Council were noted. He requested support for continuing the protection for approved trails
Finlay/Mitchell
06-2004 THAT AHSPIC through its member municipalities and its affiliates encourage Westwind to leave the current areas of prescription for trails, the same as existed in the previous Forest Management Plan adopted in 1999.Carried
NOHFC Grants
Bob Sjonnesen noted all programmes are under review and announcements will be made after the review is complete.
Economic Conference
The proposed date of the conference was discussed and the majority, by one, wished it to be held on a Saturday instead of a weekday.
Arrangements are still be negotiated.
Role of AHSPIC
Several persons present asked what the role of AHSPIC was and where it received its authority.
It was noted that AHSPIC grew out of the Almaguin Highlands Community Adjustment Committee, which was responsible for the creation of the Almaguin Highlands Strategic Plan. AHSPIC was formed to promote the implementation of the Strategic Plan and to keep the ideas and concept of the Strategic Plan active. At the current time there is no other regional organization dealing with economic development in the Almaguin Highlands.
It was noted that if the Municipalities were successful in creating a broadly based, regional economic development agency, then there would be no need for AHSPIC to exist.
The correspondence that was forwarded to the Area Municipalities, by the Chair, was reviewed. All municipalities had been contacted and most were in fact represented at the January AHSPIC meeting.
Logo Project
The Chair provided an update on the logo project and reported on the request by Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation, that they have their contribution acknowledged on all relevant correspondence & material.
The Chair reviewed how the committee received permission to use the logo. The logo is publicly owned. Permission was granted by the Village of Burks Falls. It has been modified slightly and David Stewart owns the intellectual/artistic rights to the altered logo.
Kay Tod reported that the Municipality of Magnetawan has approved a donation for the Logo lapel pins, but does not want the bumper sticker.
It was proposed that the Committee use the green/gold oval shaped design for the lapel pins. The minimum order is 500 pins at a cost of $395.00.
Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation
Kathleen Finlay reported on the Blue Sky Conference of January 29th 2004. Blue Sky is creating a 'Tourism sector’, which will encompass many clusters. She recommended that the Almaguin Highlands Region be represented in the tourism sector.
The Chair announced he will look for someone to represent AHSPIC on the Blue Sky Tourism Sector group.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
It was requested that the next meeting be held at 4:00 p.m..
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on March 11th at 7:30 p.m. at the South River/Machar Community Centre if the facility was available.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned 12.30 a.m.
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