I am writing in support of…

I am writing in support of the 3 yr lease extension, ERO 019-0907 policy proposal, in order allow time for the creation of a long-term solution that allows Rondeau cottagers to remain in Rondeau in perpetuity.

I'm an American, but my great grandfather, whose name I share, built a cabin on Rondeau peninsula 100 years ago. Since then it has been an important part of my culture and upbringing to engage with Canada through its provincial parks and the Chatham-Kent area. I hope someday to take my own kids there as a way to stay in touch with our Canadian family.

Rondeau hosts not only historical homes built over 100 years ago, but also acts as a revenue stream for the parks themselves. Cottagers don't engage in heavy landscaping or beachfront vegetation removal, and help to provide financial support for the programs in the parks that help to defend the ecological conditions of the parks throughout the province. We also provide a unique stream of revenue to the surrounding communities, whose small businesses would suffer from a sudden withdrawal of customers.

If there are behaviors that need to change, or ways that we could benefit the wetlands, I'm sure that the cottagers would be all for them. The entire reason that our family home is valuable (to me at least) IS the park and the wildlife.