Disruptive rhetoric PV Beach, North Hatley
In a recent post, dated July 24th, submitted to the web site, “Friends of North Hatley,” entitled “Problem Created! Problem Solved!!” the author very sarcastically offers a number of inaccurate innuendoes. Citizens should be aware that the municipality of North Hatley did not instigate this controversy. In fact the issue of the fence/gate initiated with a request from NHRS to the Village of North Hatley to construct the given fence/gate in order to protect children from running into the street, prevent cars from entering the beach area and to stop some who would try to sneak in without paying. The above writer goes on to suggest that the town has interfered with “sidelining” NHRS, where in fact in negotiation, the NHRS administration decided to withdraw their service of running the beach, leaving the municipality no choice but to take over the task. This development was rather abrupt and has led to a number of controversies, which the above fence\gate is but one of. One truly hopes that a restructured, revitalized NHRS will soon resume and take on the running of the beach and many other recreational services, as they have done so very well for so many years.
However the above writer of the Friends of North Hatley article submits ongoing rhetoric with the prime objective of disrupting our community, as opposed to offering a pro-active constructive commentary. One would think that a person so opinionated would run for Council and be in a position to contribute to our municipality, rather than the continuous attempt to rip it apart. In fact, I once told him about an old 60s adage, “If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.” This individual and several others of like mind, seem to want to disrupt our village, rather than contribute to it. Those who run for Council do so because they are concerned with the well-being of North Hatley and are willing to sacrifice their time. However and unfortunately, there are far too many whose only intent is to establish “us vs. them,” through disruption. In doing so, many jump on to their “band wagon” without fulling knowing the entire issue.
Regarding the solution offered by the municipality allowing access to the PV Beach, Council has listened to citizens and has come up with a solution permitting access. I believe in lieu of government bureaucracy, insurance criteria and citizens wanting access after hours, the registration of members acquiring pass cards is a brilliant answer. It will enhance security, encourage further membership and be a monitor to those using the facility after hours. One only has to look at the Bromont municipality and what they have done with their two beaches to see that our municipality has acted responsibly. Well done!
On a closing note, the municipality of North Hatley has unexpectedly found itself having to administer the operation of the PV Beach. There is no question that there will be differences in how it has operated for years. Further as part of the volunteer organization for a number of events in this town over many years, I sincerely hope that the NHRS administering committee members meet to identify how to move forward in a manner that will be cohesive with the ever present bureaucracy our governments place on municipalities (Sad but true). I sincerely believe that volunteering is a vital element in any community and those who volunteer for NHRS activities are anxious to continue doing so. However this can only occur when NHRS has worked out a mandate that they construct in conjunction with the municipality of North Hatley. Working together for a common goal is instrumental to a successful community. It is time to end the negative, pointless criticism and move towards building a better community. North Hatley needs everybody on the same page.
Morgan W. Quinn North Hatley