Tessa Swanton (Townson),
Bruce Peninsula Press
The May 11th Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) Council Meeting included a delegation from “Clerks on Call” Michelle Smibert and Michelle Casavecchia-Somers presenting their findings from the public engagement survey and open house regarding the future of Cabot Head Road. “We did hear a wide range of opinions,” said Casavecchia-Somers. She confirmed that “76% more or less do have some support [for the proposed combined model]” but “there are definitely conditions to that support.” Council supported an Operational Plan prepared by Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Peggy Van Mierlo-West consisting of managed vehicular access to a defined group of users and a non-motorized public multi-use trail.
Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden explained throughout the meeting that people may want some form of motorized vehicle access to Cabot Head that falls outside of the defined group of users which currently consists of property owners, Friends of Cabot Head, Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory, approved contractors, municipal staff, and emergency services. She said, “We need to look at that especially since our demographic here is over a certain age, like senior citizens, we need to look at that because I don’t believe that when we were talking that the majority of these people in our municipality, year round residents that are over a certain age, that they would say nope we do not want motorized access.”
Casavecchia-Somers clarified that, “What we heard the strongest, the loudest, was that individuals wanted that controlled access so not necessarily wide-open access. Were there individuals that suggested they wanted it wide open, absolutely. What we heard the most was to allow vehicle access to allow for those stakeholders and property owners to be able to continue having access using that roadway for the purposes they have been undertaking for a number of years. But the vast majority of others were suggesting that it would only be for those passive recreation purposes, such as hiking walking cycling, but definitely… there were individuals that wanted wide open broad access, but the majority of the individuals agreed on that compromised approach in the sense of allowing vehicle access to those that required it to gain access to their properties and those limited purposes.”
Councillor Golden mentioned that there may be an opportunity to accommodate vehicle access to Cabot Head during the off season in some capacity. “I’m not talking about opening it up like it was, as an elderly person…I will never see Cabot Head again under some of these restrictions and I’ve talked to a number of local people who also feel this way.”
A report from the CAO requesting guidance from Council on the preferred operational approach of Cabot Head Road including the level and type of access was deferred by Council following a lengthy discussion about vehicular access restrictions.
Cabot Head Road remains closed following a 2019 storm that caused hazardous washouts and erosion prompting the Municipality to temporarily close the road to the public for safety reasons on February 28, 2022 via temporary road closure by-law. The historic Cabot Head Lighthouse also remains closed at the end of the road.
Councillor Golden stated, “We’ve had a limited time to look at this, and we certainly need to take a more careful look at it as councillors and listening to people who will have access to this as well.”
Legions Request Two Veterans’ Crosswalks in the Villages
Gerry Tilmans, First Vice President and Operations Officer for Royal Canadian Legion 202 in Lion’s Head appeared before MNBP Council as a delegation requesting the installation of two veterans’ crosswalks – one in Lion’s Head and one in Tobermory. The purpose of a veterans’ crosswalk is to honour the service and sacrifice of Canada’s veterans with a decorative tribute, while ensuring the safe crossing of pedestrians across roadways. Legions 202 and 290 in Lion’s Head and Tobermory asked the Municipality to help determine the location, style, finish, and costs for installation and maintenance. Tilmans recommended that the crosswalks be installed this summer prior to poppy season this fall.
He explained that the purpose of the crosswalks is to “support those who have served, who are serving, and who gave their lives for our country.” The crosswalks also promote Remembrance Day everyday, while allowing the Municipality to show their respect for the legions.
Quotes received from different townships are within the $12-15,000 price range. Some designs in other municipalities appear as red, white, and/or black with silhouettes of soldiers and the Canadian maple leaf and text reading “Lest We Forget.” Tilmans mentioned that if a crosswalk is installed near Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS) then “the students are seeing it everyday and if it’s on a route for them to get to and from school it’s just another way for them to integrate that into their daily lives.” Requests for people who live at the Golden Dawn Senior Citizen Home for a crosswalk have been received. Placing them within high traffic areas for good visibility is preferred by the legions. Locations and design style are to be determined.
Tilmans announced that the legions will be making commemorative banners available for people to order this year. If someone in your family has served, you may request your family and unit name be embroidered on a banner which will be hung for 5-6 weeks during remembrance season in the villages of Lion’s Head and Tobermory. The legions are proposing 20 banners for each village.
