Peace be with You

As one comes to the red Tori in the middle of the bush, the sign says in part: Mare Nostrum: "Our Sea"; the Latin phrase of Roman times to describe what is now called the Mediterranean Sea. "Our Sea" reflected how the Romans believed they controlled the known seas. Stella Maris is "Star of the Sea" the name of the first boat to reside in Mare Nostrum. Pax Vobiscum,"Peace be with You" is on the other side of the Tori sign: have a good journey.

Over almost a century, this area has had the Tyler's imprint. From an island in Howdenvale harbour, they ventured along the coast, both North and South, exploring and cook-outs. Mare Nostrum, a bay on the South side of Little Pike Bay served as refuge in a storm and a great place to picnic while traveling up and down the Bruce Peninsula in Argyle, the boat Ralph Tyler had built on Tyler Island in Howdenvale.

As you all know, times have changed and this 65 + acre parcel is undergoing changes, land development changes. The picture to the right was taken from our road facing West, the stake and the clearing represent the boundary separating the North portion of the development and the South portion. Although the sign leaving the property begins with Pax, peace, events have been anything but. A week ago, Monday June 14th there was a second Municipal of Northern Bruce Peninsula Township Board meeting to discuss the proposed development and to hear from a wider group of people than who had participated at the earlier March 26th Township Board meeting. Over the last week, I have heard from several people who had attended that meeting. I have read the minutes of that meeting and their attachments as well as the minutes of the March 26th meeting. I was provided with newspaper articles discussing Aboriginal People's issues regarding development on the Bruce Peninsula and I went to the First Nation's web site to read a more general perspective on Aboriginal Rights issues since Canada has become a separate country within the now more nebulis British Commonwealth of Countries.
Right now at least, the dialogue is acrimonious. Bill has leap-frogged the Township Board and filed with the Ontario Municipal Board as the Township Board has failed to act within the 180 day window per their Code of Ordinances. Some people were angry prior to the June 14th meeting and many more are angry now that the Township has been by-passed. What seems to be on the minds of many, is the issue of Aboriginal People's claims over lands and treaties that have previously been not addressed. There have been several widely publicized RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police -Sargent Preston-and more up to date- equivalent to our FBI) and OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) confrontations where someone has died. Land disputes all wrapped around money. The view is from the Tori West towards the Tylers. To the left of this road heading West is the "road allowance" which is now in dispute, requiring consultation with the First Nation People, which cuts across a portion of the development, etc., etc., etc.

And here is our little piece of paradise, at least the road along the easement to our cottage. It seems that our being just West of the Whiskey Harbour road allowance does not subject us to some of the Shore Allowance issues although the First Nation People claim all under water land to the International Border with USA. My understanding is that many of the land claims are in various stages of litigation which will end up at the Supreme Court of Canada at as yet some future date.

In the mean time, the sun is shining, there are wisps of clouds in the sky, a gentle breeze wafts from the Northwest, the hummingbird visits and revisits the feeders, I have finished my walk to the green gate and now it is time for me to shower and shave, get ready for company this afternoon; wine and cheese.