Luskville nuisance bylaw, from the Pontiac Journal

Nuisance laws hassle Pontiac residents

Kate Aley

Retired Luskville farmer Georges Whelan has won his case against the Protection du Territoire Agricole du Quebec (CPTAQ), instigated by an infraction report on his farm property in 2008, as reported in the Pontiac Journal in August 2009.

After selling 101 acres of farmland on Smith Leonard Rd., the sale was deemed null by the CPTAQ, who claimed he had made an unauthorized separation of one part of the land, despite that subdivision having taken place in 1973.

Whilst removing farm equipment and personal effects from the property, Whelan received a notice from the inspector of the Municipality of Pontiac ordering him to clean up the debris. As a result of this notice, the CPTAQ became involved and the seemingly inconsistent separation was noticed.

At the final hearing in Gatineau on March 16^th, Whelan’s property separation was legally recognised. “I am very happy and relieved,” remarked Whelan, but added: “The Municipal inspector exercises too much power. He can visit anyone’s property, looking around and taking photographs, without permission; rights not even a police officer has.”

Currently a call is circulating through the Municipality of Pontiac for an amendment to Bylaw 04 – 07, following several incidents where nuisance notices were served by an inspector without any complaints from neighbours. A couple have been ordered to remove a working freezer, operating on their deck but imperceptible from the road. Another man has been warned for storing viable building material son a lot following extensive renovations to his home.

As it stands, the bylaw defines a nuisance as ‘material and/or object which, by its nature or its illegal or abusive use, cause serious inconveniences or that can endanger public safety and/or security, the wellbeing of the community or the aesthetic of the building.

The description also includes an accumulation of earth, stones or other similar materials, or a building left in a dilapidated state.

The community is asked to attend the April 12 Pontiac council meeting to support the call for the amendment. An online petition may be viewed at www.sites.google.com/site/nuisancebylaw0407/home

Youth Group

Groupe Action Jeunesse is a remarkable organisation, offering activities and, I think, employment opportunities to young people from Luskville and Quyon.
Contact them at 819 208 2789 or go to http://www.gajluskville.com/ for details of events.

Coming up:

A youth dance, for those in 6th year grade school to those 18 years old.
On 17 June from 7 pm -- 11pm.
Cost: $2 per person.
Parents and volunteers are sought to help, and a canteen will be available.

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A summer day camp, for school age children.
An information and sign up evening is on Thursday 28 April at the community centre in Luskville, next to the town hall.
Bring your payment in cash and your childs health care card.
The camp will be $60 per week and runs from 9 am -- 4 pm.
For another $20 per week, you can drop kids off as early as 7 am and pick them up as late as 5.15 pm.

The camp runs from Monday to Friday for 7 weeks: 27 June to 19 August, with a break from July 1 to July 29.

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[I have translated all of this from the sheet my kids got from school, and so should stress this is all offered in French; if you are concerned about how anglophones will fare at camp, call the number and ask.]

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A skate and bike evening will be held for all ages every Thursday, starting from May 5th at the Recreation Park in Luskville (3206 Hwy 148).  From 6 -- 8 pm.
Parents need to supervise.

A "roller day" (journee roulette) will be held at the Recreation Park in
Luskville (3206 Hwy 148) on Saturday June 4th from 1.30 to 4.40pm. with a BBQ, a DJ and prizes offered!
Bring your protective gear and your bikes, in-line skates or skateboards.

[I can tell you that the surface of the arena is incredibly smooth, so it's terrific for younger riders.
The park also owns a number of skate/bike jumps and ramps!]

No charge!   

Top seven reasons to visit Pontiac

Katharine Fletcher's article in Canadian Living on how and where to enjoy nature in Pontiac.

Local wonders in Pontiac

Venturing Hills Farm

Brahms and Chocolate was the subject of the concert on 16th April. A feast for the ears was followed by a tasting of amazing spicy chocolates.

Check here for upcoming events: the 100 mile dinner on July 16 (a fundraiser) and Festival Pontiac Enchanté, July 22-31, 2011.

Venturing Hills.

Venturing Hills Farm is also an Equestrian centre - see their webpage.

Bicycle trail, Route verte

At the last council meeting (8th March) a route for the bicycle trail was "finalized", I think for the third time. I mentioned this in my report of the meeting and on the heritage pontiac webpage, and today the news got into Le Droit. I've added that report (en français) to that page. There's also a crude map.

Local food

Shonagh McCrindle has a blog on local food in Pontiac:

http://foodfromhere.ca/blog/

Rural Tourism Marketing Tips and Tricks

A friend on Facebook just recommended this website:

http://ruraltourismmarketing.com/2011/03/what-to-cut-from-your-marketing-budget-in-an-age-of-austerity/

It is a collection of articles, website links and success stories about small town and rural tourism marketing.

Great examples of themed trails for tourism such as this Craft Trail in Sligo Ireland.

Check it out for inspiration...