MANITOBA ASSOCIATION OF COTTAGE OWNERS INC. P.O. Box 281, Station Main, Winnipeg  R3G 2G9                                                                     As received Oct 3,2007 Unofficial minutes Minutes of Annual General Meeting Date:                   Saturday, October 21st, 2006 Time:                  10:00 AM Location:           Place Louis Riel, 190 Smith Street, Winnipeg Present:             List Attached Guest Speakers: Gus Wruck, Director of Manitoba Association of Cottage Owners Gus Wruck spoke to the meeting about school tax on property.  He provided a slide presentation that will be available on the website.  Gus advised that he would be willing to attend and give the presentation to association meetings. Gerald Hawranik, Member of Legislative Assembly for Lac du Bonnet Gerald Hawranik stated that Manitoba must have "competitive taxation".  Some of the challenges we are experiencing are - • Young are leaving • Manitoba has the highest personal taxes west of Quebec • Manitoba has the 4th lowest personal exemption • Manitoba's corporate tax is the 2nd highest   • Manitoba's PST is competitive at 7% but it is collected on labour, legal fees, accounting fees etc. • He advised that in 2003 the Conservatives had promised to eliminate education tax from farm and residential property.  At that time it was $270m or less than 3% of the budget.  It could have been accomplished at that time with the increase of $525m in federal transfer payments.  In addition, he advised that of the 21 largest urban areas, Winnipeg has the second highest taxes with Saskatoon being minimally higher.  A 1200 sq. ft. home with double garage has taxes of about $459 above average.  Many pay school taxes many times - eg.: home, cottage, business, vacant lot.  School taxes on property often reflect taxation without representation.  He stated that he believes it should be on ability to pay - being income. Date:Saturday, October 21st, 2006 Time:1:02 PM Location:Place Louis Riel, 190 Smith Street, Winnipeg 1. Call to Order President Dave Crabb called the meeting to order at 1:02 pm. 2. Presentation President Crabb spoke of Shirley Nixon's contribution to MACO over the last 14 years.  Unfortunately Shirley was unable to attend.  In her absence a certificate declaring her a "Director Ameritus". 3. Adoption of Agenda It being determined that there were no changes, the agenda was adopted. 4. Adoption of the Minutes of the previous meeting of October 22nd  2005 Pat Dunlop moved adoption of minutes as presented.  Seconded by Daryll Hyslop.   Carried. 5. Financial Report Bill Russell moved adoption of the financial report.  Seconded by Jim Neufeld.  Dave Crabb explained the status of the $5000 grant and other funding for the translation.  Carried. 6. Membership Report Daryll Hyslop advised that only 34 associations paid.  He advised that he and Bill Russell attended many association meetings and also provided information to several on forming an association.  7. Correspondence The meeting was advised that the correspondence book was available for perusal. 8. President's Report Dave Crabb provided his report.  There was a short discussion regarding - cost of MACO membership and calculation of same - cost of using MACO website at $3.50/m U.S. - offer to deliver MACO Newsletter to their members - discussion regarding MACO insurance 9. Old Business •  Seminar - A short report on Groundwater, Blackwater and Healthy Lakes provided by Dave Crabb. •  Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium (LWRC) - Letter will go to the provincial government.  Mo        Tipples (Grindstone) asked that the letter ask for ongoing support for LWRC because at this time     only the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Hydro provide regular ongoing financial support. 10. New Business a)  Elections.  Joe Younge (Oak Lake) presided over elections.   President - 2 year term   Joe Younge explained that Dave Crabb was elected last year to finish the balance of Doug Neal's term as president. Nominating Committee nominated Dave Crabb Members were asked three times for nominations.   Nominations closed.  Dave Crabb was declared elected. Secretary - 2 year term Nominating committee nominated Pat Dunlop Members were asked three times for nominations.  Nominations closed.  Pat Dunlop declared elected. Three Directors  - 2 years terms Daryll Hyslop and Joe Younge being two of the 3 directors with terms expiring not standing for re-election.  Jim Neufeld agreed to stand for re-election.  Nominating committee nominated Jim Neufeld and Ken Corbett. Members were for nomination from the floor.  Gus Wruck nominated Werner Kettner.  Rene Comeault nominated Marion Jones.  Mr. Kettner had left the meeting and it was not possible to ascertain that he would stand for election.  Rene Comeault moved that nominations cease.  Gus Wruck withdrew his nomination.  Jim Neufeld, Ken Corbett and Marion Jones were declared elected. Joe Younge expressed regret that he was unable to continue as a director and advised that he enjoyed his term on the board. The meeting was advised by Dave Crabb that MACO still has 2 Director-at-Large positions and 2 Area Directors that may be appointed by the Board. Door prize winners were - Print -  Lorne Britton Gift Certificates - Carol Giesbrecht Books - Barbara Storie, Karen Gelley, Carol Giesbrecht and Marion Jones. 11. Meeting adjourned at 2:32 pm.