By most standards, 2016 was a tumultuous year. Our news category isn’t always warm and fuzzy, and while there are some news stories we’d rather forget, these are the ones that caught our readers’ attention the most during the past year:
Dock building and repair just got bogged down in red tape; Ministry approval now needed
News that anyone repairing, building or expanding a new or existing dock or single-storey boathouse on or above more than 15 meters (161 square feet) of shoreline would require MNR approval did not sit well with many of our readers. Those types of applications cover about 95 per cent of the requests Lake of Bays Chief Building Official Stephen Watson said the municipality gets, and he added that contractors in particular were not very happy.
“The big concern is when the cottagers come up from wherever they live and find that their dock has been damaged due to ice, they’re going to come to me thinking that I can give them a building permit in less than 10 working days, because that’s what I’m obligated to do,” said Watson, adding that he will not be able to issue municipal permits until the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has signed off on it.
Former dog sled kennel owner pleads guilty to animal cruelty
In this 2014 photo, a deceased dog was at the edge of the woods in a wheelbarrow and covered with a kennel door (Photo: Matt Todd)
Another story that made us cringe this past year was the investigation and subsequent charges against a dog kennel operator. The images were disturbing, and for many the reality of cruelty to animals that have no voice really hit home. Many of you were disturbed with some of the comments made by the kennel owner and expressed disdain about the way the dogs had been treated. In the end, charges were laid and the kennel owner lost her license.
“With resources available to help people who are unable to care for their animals, there really is no excuse when it comes to neglecting to care for your animals,” said Alison Green, Senior Inspector, Ontario SPCA. “If you fail to provide for them, there will be consequences under the law.”
No charges to be laid in Brunel Road accident
This past year was a difficult one for the family and friends of Seungah Kim, who was struck by a vehicle while crossing Brunel Road and succumbed to her injuries. Many called for improvements to that intersection. No charges were laid in the incident and Kim’s husband said he forgave the motorist who struck his wife. A grieving community came together and managed to raise more than $26,000 to help her husband and their young daughter during this tragedy. You can read about the fundraising effort here.
Convicted rapist Steven Yearley wanted by police, again
Steven Yearley. Photo from mississauga.com
You also expressed anger and disbelief at the fact that police were once more searching for Steven Yearley in July, 2016. Many remembered him for being convicted in 2007 of violently raping a woman out with her dog at the Hunters Bay Trail, for which he served five years in jail.
Huntsville, you are no longer an Ironman, or an Ironman host
Runners cross the swing bridge in the 2016 Subaru Ironman Muskoka 70.3.
News that Huntsville would no longer be hosting a full Ironman also got many knickers in a knot. Council was not willing to underwrite any more debt for the event, which saw participation decrease and competition with other host communities become fiercer.
Reaction to the news wasn’t all positive. Taking to Facebook people expressed their disappointment. Comments such as, “Always getting rid of things that are great for our town”; “very disappointing”; “why????”; and “wtf!!??” were prolific.
Death of homeless man could have been averted: Berg
Paul Fenc, 39, was homeless and found dead in a charred van on Chaffey Street,
Delays in opening a men’s shelter in Huntsville also provoked anxiety and anger for many of our readers. The concerns climaxed with the death of a homeless man, Paul Fenc, who died when the van he was staying in became engulfed in flames. Many, including staff at The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation, speculated that had the shelter been open, the man may have sought refuge there.
“It is very sad that the shelter had not been a priority for Muskoka. That we as a whole do not recognize that there’s enough of a need, even if it saves one life to open this [men’s shelter],” said the shelter’s founder Heather Berg as she choked back tears.
The Town of Huntsville and the District of Muskoka issued a statement lamenting the death and explaining the reasons for the delays in the shelter opening, as did Fenc’s father who attempted to appease community concerns by saying no one was to blame for his son’s death. While some questioned the timing, many rejoiced when they learned that the shelter had received its occupancy permit on November 22, 2016. See the official opening celebration here.
Ceremony today acknowledged that everyone’s talking about Pipe Man
Pipe Man
Another story which caught our readers’ attention more than most was the Pipe Man art installation in the Muskoka River. Most were either for or against it with very few being downright indifferent.
“I know (art) is important for our souls and it’s important for our discourse,” said Mayor Scott Aitchison. “And if Facebook is any indication, this latest installation has provided lots of opportunity for discourse… people are talking about it and I think that’s fantastic. That’s exactly what should happen.”
Council finally succumbed to criticism by the community and agreed to take another look at the possible location for the art installation. Read that story here.
Overnight fire in Huntsville’s Fabricare causes $250,000 in damage
Submitted photo
And last but not least, news of an overnight fire at the Fabricare laundromat also hit the top news items for 2016, especially on social media, with many relieved that no one was injured but awed at the estimated $250,000 in damages. The good news is that the business is up and running again, with reparations continuing.
What local news story affected you the most in 2016? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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