Lake Country derails rail

Photo: Jon Manchester - Castanet

Residents of Lake Country have said no.

Castanet News has learned voters in Lake Country have said no to a bylaw allowing the municipality to borrow up to $2.6 million to purchase half its share of the defunct CN Rail line.

The bylaw was voted down following a six week Alternative Approval Process.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Mayor James Baker

Taxpayers in Lake Country were being asked to approve the purchase, thus adding an additional $27 to the average tax bill.

Official numbers were released shortly after noon.

A total of 960 valid signed petitions were received by the noon deadline Monday.

In order to quash the borrowing bylaw only 10 per cent of the approximately 9,315 eligible voters (931) were required to sign the petition.

The campaign got nasty last week when opponents of the purchase spearheaded a door-to-door and mail out campaign, one which Mayor James Baker said was full of misinformation.

In a counterstrike, Baker sent a letter to local media extolling the virtues of the "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Some people may ask if we can afford the cost, but the real question to me is: can we afford not to?" stated Baker in his letter.

While the municipality does have options, including a full referendum on the borrowing bylaw, Baker stated the municipality does not have a Plan B.

"If local governments are not successful in purchasing the corridor, it could be sold off in parcels to private interests," added Baker in his plea.

"This could mean losing control of over 16 kilometres of prime, linear real estate in our community, much of it beautiful waterfront that our residents or visitors cannot access now, and most likely never would if sold privately."

Baker has not yet officially commented on the outcome of the AAP.