Dear Editor,
While I appreciated the May 16th article re the initiative to clean up Mannion Bay, as one who has long expressed concern for the deteriorating condition of this key public amenity/area I disagree with the suggestion in the article, and choice of headline, the collaborative effort by our municipal council, a number of government agencies who have jurisdiction, environmental groups, the Friends of Mannion Bay and community-at-large is a “war against boaters”. That is definitely not the case and an unfortunate suggested by those who are not in agreement that some wholesale changes and improvements are required.
The objective of the Mannion Bay clean-up initiative, which is similar to that which many coastal communities are facing, is simply to return the bay and beaches to the level of cleanliness and respect we as a community and visitors enjoyed back in the 1940’s to the early 1990’s when they were safe and enjoyable for everyone to use, which is not the case at present, albeit the situation is slowly improving.
Contrary to the suggestion of a few, the waterfront property owners do not expect exclusive use of the bay. While in the good old days the broad range of uses, including commercial, was of a self-policing nature as to respect for aesthetics, safety, the environment and other uses, that unfortunately has not been the case for almost 20 years. It should not and does not have to be that way. Change is necessary which unfortunately is more difficult for some to accept and embrace. I commend BIM for their commitment to lead the way on that change and I’m happy to be part of the Friends of Mannion Bay who are committed to be part of the solution/resolution. I do believe there is a role for everyone to play in the clean-up for the benefit of us all.
Bruce Russell
