Recent News
A Message from the President
Reflections
As I sit in my great room watching the morning mist on the lake signaling the cool fall mornings, I reflect on the past year, observe the present issues, and prepare plans for the year (s) to come. Just four weeks ago, I planned on focusing this time on the adoption of best practices controlling runoff into our pristine lakes. While still an important discussion for the protection of our lakes (for the next newslet-ter), current events have caused us to focus on a more immediate issue.
As most of you are aware, Florence County Forestry and Parks Department floated a proposal to purchase a residence next to the North Lake Boat Landing. The results of this significant expansion to the landing would have added up to 30 additional parking places for boat trailers. This is not going to be a rehash of the merits or problems with that proposal. We have spent much time detailing that in other venues.
This is about community. About responsibility. About shared values. And citizen determination of our governing institutions.
I am pleased to report that citizen involvement is still valued in Florence County. Thanks to all your letters, emails, and attendance at the most recent Florence County Board meeting, the Forence Board has acted to stop the current proposal to purchase the land. Further, the County Board directed the Forestry and Parks Department and the Land Conservation Department to work together with Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes (SECOLA) to devise a plan to renovate the current landing, while addressing the needs and concerns of the residents both on and off the water.
Representatives of the three bodies met and have found much common ground. We are working toward a plan that can not only upgrade the landing, but will do so in a way that is sensitive to the lake environment. The plan will need to consider all factors: ecological, social, recreational, financial and/ or safety related. While we are encouraged by the first meeting, we are remaining vigilant in our stewardship of our resource.
Over the past several weeks, we have seen a community pull together in a rapid and overwhelming display of support. From 0 to 100 active participants in 5 days describes how the members of this community rallied to the boat landing issue. But as I reflect on that, it should not have surprised me. This year has seen a participation in all SECOLA’s activities beyond our expectations. Every SECOLA activity shared in the same story - from the Island Party where over 90 signed up and showed up, the Ladies of the Lakes events whose hosts were happily overrun with guests, to the golf outing which had a waiting list that we could not accommodate, to the record number of members at the Annual Meeting. Contributions to our causes, both financially and in volunteer time continue to shine. And we needed them to!
I believe that these strong social and financial bonds build the connectivity that a community needs to respond to challenges in an effective manner. A sense of belonging, having a stake, sharing in frequent and transparent communication, and feeling that one can make an impact are crucial for individuals to feel empowered enough to act. This is true not only in the sudden emergencies that easily attract our attention but also - and maybe more so - for the long, mundane, pervasive issues we face every day.
Invasive species are one of those issues. These invaders will not subside in their onslaught. They will not be announced as in a meeting agenda, nor will they proceed their invasion with a notice. Without our active vigilance, we will one day awaken to realize the destruction they have brought to our Chain of Lakes. But vigilance is not the only call to arms! We also need the weapons to stave off the invaders. And weapons need funding. While we have a strong balance sheet to work with thanks to member donations beyond dues, the funds are finite and the battle, sadly infinite.
We thank you for your significant past support and ask that you continue to support SECOLA. With your donations of both time and treasure, we will continue to build and nourish the asset of community, the balance sheet of strength, and the vision of stewardship for generations to come.
Thanks to all for your membership.
Scott Reynolds, President, on behalf of your Board
Reflections
As I sit in my great room watching the morning mist on the lake signaling the cool fall mornings, I reflect on the past year, observe the present issues, and prepare plans for the year (s) to come. Just four weeks ago, I planned on focusing this time on the adoption of best practices controlling runoff into our pristine lakes. While still an important discussion for the protection of our lakes (for the next newslet-ter), current events have caused us to focus on a more immediate issue.
As most of you are aware, Florence County Forestry and Parks Department floated a proposal to purchase a residence next to the North Lake Boat Landing. The results of this significant expansion to the landing would have added up to 30 additional parking places for boat trailers. This is not going to be a rehash of the merits or problems with that proposal. We have spent much time detailing that in other venues.
This is about community. About responsibility. About shared values. And citizen determination of our governing institutions.
I am pleased to report that citizen involvement is still valued in Florence County. Thanks to all your letters, emails, and attendance at the most recent Florence County Board meeting, the Forence Board has acted to stop the current proposal to purchase the land. Further, the County Board directed the Forestry and Parks Department and the Land Conservation Department to work together with Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes (SECOLA) to devise a plan to renovate the current landing, while addressing the needs and concerns of the residents both on and off the water.
Representatives of the three bodies met and have found much common ground. We are working toward a plan that can not only upgrade the landing, but will do so in a way that is sensitive to the lake environment. The plan will need to consider all factors: ecological, social, recreational, financial and/ or safety related. While we are encouraged by the first meeting, we are remaining vigilant in our stewardship of our resource.
Over the past several weeks, we have seen a community pull together in a rapid and overwhelming display of support. From 0 to 100 active participants in 5 days describes how the members of this community rallied to the boat landing issue. But as I reflect on that, it should not have surprised me. This year has seen a participation in all SECOLA’s activities beyond our expectations. Every SECOLA activity shared in the same story - from the Island Party where over 90 signed up and showed up, the Ladies of the Lakes events whose hosts were happily overrun with guests, to the golf outing which had a waiting list that we could not accommodate, to the record number of members at the Annual Meeting. Contributions to our causes, both financially and in volunteer time continue to shine. And we needed them to!
I believe that these strong social and financial bonds build the connectivity that a community needs to respond to challenges in an effective manner. A sense of belonging, having a stake, sharing in frequent and transparent communication, and feeling that one can make an impact are crucial for individuals to feel empowered enough to act. This is true not only in the sudden emergencies that easily attract our attention but also - and maybe more so - for the long, mundane, pervasive issues we face every day.
Invasive species are one of those issues. These invaders will not subside in their onslaught. They will not be announced as in a meeting agenda, nor will they proceed their invasion with a notice. Without our active vigilance, we will one day awaken to realize the destruction they have brought to our Chain of Lakes. But vigilance is not the only call to arms! We also need the weapons to stave off the invaders. And weapons need funding. While we have a strong balance sheet to work with thanks to member donations beyond dues, the funds are finite and the battle, sadly infinite.
We thank you for your significant past support and ask that you continue to support SECOLA. With your donations of both time and treasure, we will continue to build and nourish the asset of community, the balance sheet of strength, and the vision of stewardship for generations to come.
Thanks to all for your membership.
Scott Reynolds, President, on behalf of your Board
