Membership Application

Click here to open a printable Membership Application

Message from the Past President(December 2009)

Frank Mills

The evolution of the MLA is well over half a century in the making. And while the Lake area has seen many changes in six decades, the route ahead flows with ever more challenging currents.

Back in the 1940s, a small Association formed to address the problem of weed growth, which inhibited boat travel on the Lake. In years following, the power and the speed of watercraft increased. Vegetation patterns changed also, and the need for cutting channels through weed beds diminished. Weed buildup, like death and taxes, is always an issue, but the emphasis has changed over time - for more words on weeds, see the article by Peter Elliott entitled ' Weed Control Information'

During the mid-90s, the placement of marker buoys became a prime focus of the MLA. Currently we place about 30 markers in the lake every boating season; check out the article on this subject, entitled ' Marker Buoys' by Ed Carew and Peter Elliot.

In March 2001 we became legally incorporated as a not-for-profit Provincial corporation -- this gives us better stature and resolves some liability issues for the directors.

Past history and current needs have set the stage for the next era of MLA activity. This brings me to a vision of the direction in which our Association should be moving. Today, and certainly in the future, new pressures on local water resources will require a concerted effort by 'Mississippians' to confront changes and challenges in lake use and enjoyment. Current examples include the far-reaching Mississippi River Water Management Plan and the Lanark Village Sewage Treatment Project. Both may have a lasting impact on the lake. More details on these two issues are covered in this newsletter. I urge you to read them. In representing lake residents' concerns on these and similar matters, the MLA must, for better or worse, become more political in nature.

Estimates indicate that about 2000 residential properties (both shorefront and close by) surround the lake. This exceeds the number of residential properties in Almonte. As a group we represent the second largest community on the watershed. And while we have a very strong unifying focus -- the Lake -- our properties reside in four different municipalities. Our property assessments rise faster than other property types, yet this greater tax burden does not result in a corresponding improvement in what are often less-than-average services. Addressing such an issue is more effectively done at the lake association level than at the shore association level, simply based on the number of properties affected. Please see the related article by Bryon Edwards on this taxing concern.

In order to be recognized as a political force, the MLA must be able to show that it speaks on behalf of a majority of property owners. For the past several years, membership has been relatively stable at about 450, less than a quarter of our total potential. Membership in the 1000 range would seem more appropriate and impressive.

When looking at the character of issues now confronting our lake, the $10 in annual dues paid to an organization championing concerns of the Lake Community seems like a very good investment. Many shore associations support the MLA by making an annual contribution on behalf of their members -- this is a strong endorsement of MLA efforts. If you belong to such an association, please urge your members to consider financial support. All members of contributing associations are automatically members of the MLA.

Another important way of increasing our clout is by strengthening our treasury. Currently we have roughly $6500 in our account, an all time high. But in order to combat threats to the lake, our financial target should be many times that amount, somewhere in the neighborhood of $50,000. Access to legal resources and consulting expertise comes at a price, yet a real blossoming of membership could easily sustain a healthy bank account without stressing wallets and pocketbooks.

In summary, my vision of the MLA is that of a guardian who defends and nurtures the health and beauty of the Mississippi, and thereby your interests as well. A strong Lake association will command the attention of officials who consider watershed changes that do not serve Lakeside residents or visitors. If we build toward a vibrant membership, the MLA can walk quietly and resolutely while also carrying a big stick: 1000+ members strong with sufficient funds to take action. Certainly, my scenario will not be realized this year or the next, but with your help and support this vision is possible and well worth the effort. Mississippi Lake deserves nothing less from us.