It has been another eventful year for NEMI and I know I am not alone in welcoming a cautious return to normalcy with the arrival of our American and overseas friends once again.
Council is continuing to meet by ZOOM every Tuesday at 7 p.m. and the public is invited to attend : Meeting # 489 313 1974 or call 1 587 328 1099 (one of the few silver linings to this pandemic has been the opportunity to easily participate in our local democracy). For a copy of each week’s agenda visit www.townofnemi.on.ca
Congratulations to BICA for being a successful applicant to the annual NEMI McLean’s Mtn Windfarm Fund and for the valuable environmental stewardship action of the Love Your Bay (Every Day) shoreline clean-up those funds assisted with. We all know how precious our water and shorelines are and we are not alone.
The past two years have seen a lot of people looking to get away to the north and local waterfront properties have been in high demand. However, the Province has delayed MPAC’s re-assessment to 2024, scheduled originally for 2020 and normally done every 4 years. This means that property taxes will continue to be based on 2016 valuations. Visit www.mpac.ca for updates and www.aboutmyproperty.ca to see your property value and to compare similar ones in your area. MPAC also generates the municipal voters list. Please go to www.voterlookup.ca to confirm your information. And to check that you are eligible to vote in the upcoming Municipal election on Oct. 24th, Pam Cress is the Clerk for the Town of NEMI and she can help with any questions. Her number is 705-368-3500 ext. 228.
There was good news on the tax front for Ward 1 this year as our taxes have actually gone down by .95%.
Ward 1 continues to solely pay for the recycling at J & G Marina in Birch Island and also for the MNR fire response reserve. We contribute towards the municipal funding of the Rec Centre on Hwy 6 which was the site of several well-attended vaccination clinics. Pickle-ball has resumed there and new players are always welcome. Please contact 705-368-2825 for a schedule of events or email rtaylor@townofnemi.on.ca
We also help fund the NEMI Public Libary www.nemi.olsn.ca and it continues to offer wonderful programming, free wi-fi, a great selection of DVD’s and digital services (on-line resources like World Book, Ancestry, and access to thousands of books, audiobooks and periodicals available through “Overdrive” to library patrons). Membership cards are available free to seasonal residents of NEMI so please give them a call (705-368 2444 ) and take advantage of this fantastic little gem at 50 Meredith St. West in Little Current. Also check out their website for upcoming and current programming. There’s always something exciting happening there! Aug. 4th at 7pm is Author’s Night with the highly acclaimed writer Mary Lawson and Michael Caesar.
We also contribute to the Centennial Museum in Sheguiandah (705 368 2367) and the adjacent archaeological site is now providing tours of a fascinating 10,000 year old quarry this summer. The grounds at the museum are lovingly kept and provide picnic tables and a playground and are a great place to take the family for an afternoon of exploring.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions or concerns.
All the very best,
Laurie Cook
Councillor Ward 1 NEMI/ Deputy Mayor
705 282 7076
Bay Of Islands Community Association