ERO 019-6142 I am a cottage…

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019-6142

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65618

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ERO 019-6142
I am a cottage owner in this park. My family has been a cottage owner in this park for several years. I have relatives that worked as full time staff in this park for many years, up to their retirement. I had a family member that helped build this parks roads back when it was developed. My grandmother was the first woman to travel on that road when her father built it. We live within 5 miles of this park on a farm that is approaching nearly 200 years in our family. One of our family farms was sold to the Ministry of Natural Resources, and was used as the Parks garbage-landfill dumping grounds. I latter leased part of that land back to farm., up until the government decided to plant it into trees., and they hired me to prepare the ground for that.
The reason for the above detail, is to let you know of my connections to this park and its history.
In all that time, I have never seen actual proof where cottagers have harmed the park. In FACT, it is the exact opposite. They have contributed to the success of this park and much of the surrounding area. It is now, that the actions and direction of Ontario Parks or MNR are destroying it. We cannot ever go back to Pre 1800 time or even close to it. If Ontario Parks Management and Ontario Government MPP's think this is possible, they are delusional.
Ontario Parks needs to work WITH the Cottagers, and NOT against them. You do not need to have a degree attached to your name or title to make you a good steward of the land. All that means is you passed a test, but doesn't mean you are any good at it.. For over 125 years, this park has flourished and so have the species within it. That is not to say that none have been harmed, but, none have been put in danger due to cottages. If that were the case, then all traffic needs to stop within the park including ALL park employees terminated, Campgrounds closed, pavement ripped up, and a barb wire fence strung around all perimeter of Rondeau. This goes for all Ontario Parks.
Does this make sense? No, but neither does eliminating cottages within Rondeau Park, or keeping them on a lease. Let the sale of the cottage lots give the government a immediate influx of cash, so other needed programs can be funded within Rondeau or other parks. It will create stability within the municipality of Chatham Kent, Rondeau Cottagers, and Ontario Parks as well.

Do not let this proposed agreement that has been agreed to by many previous Ministers of Natural Resources linger on. Get the sale of the cottage lots completed in 2023 to keep the cottages in Rondeau, and move on.