Well here we are, we have just put the special event weekend to bed in 2017.
Time to move on with our peaceful day to day activities!
Or do we?
Shortly after the event in question has concluded, we are contacted by the local municipality questioning our zoning for the camp ground that we have now been running successfully for the past five years.
This came as a complete surprise to us, given that we had had the top dog of the Township (the Reeve at the time of opening) present at our ranch many times throughout the course of our existence.
We were always delighted at the acceptance, respect and acknowledgement for what we bring to this small rural community.
You see when we endeavoured to open our little oasis here for the nudist community, we knew the importance of being transparent about our visions and goals here. So, having the community leader show interest and understanding to our business was especially important for us. We openly shared our plans and goals with the Reeve at that time and walked him through everything that we were working towards and took extra time to share the meanings of what a nudist lifestyle encompassed.
What we did not know, is that in December of 2012 after we had officially opened our doors for business, was that the (MMAH) The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing was amending an Ontario Regulation that mandated that all municipalities and counties adopt want would become their Official Plans regulated under the Provincial Planning Act.
Therefore, in 2014 the first Official Plan was created for this township.
Now I am sure most have heard the terminology of “Grandfathering”, something that was already there prior to any new laws, bylaws and the such being put in place. Well, one would think that would have and should have been the case with our campground in the country.
You see, when this new Official Plan came into effect, there were three other campgrounds in the area that were granted that right and were automatically transferred onto the new maps as Commercial C3 zoning, the very thing that we were now being asked by this township to apply for.
So why now? Why us?
Giving that most average citizens of this country do not know the first thing about these things, we were not immune to a lack of knowledge in such matters either and therefore the fight for our survival starts.
We immediately meet with the township official to get a better understanding as to what we need to do and are instructed that a simple rezoning application along with the applicable fees needs to submitted for approval and processing.
Well, without hesitation we bring the process to a local attorney for assistance in getting the application completed properly.
The attorney in question had suggested that we complete as much of the tedious task as possible to keep the legal costs down and our thoughts are, how admirable that someone would suggest this cost saving measure to us. In all honesty we really thought and think to this day this attorney had our best interests at heart.
However, as time drew on and after questioning several times about bringing in a retainer, there just never seemed to be an interest in getting that established. Could there have been a conflict of interest that we were not aware of?
Anyway, we work to get everything prepared and on September 24th, 2017 everything is submitted, at which point we are left with the impression that this now becomes a 120-day process from this point forward.
WRONG!!!!!!
Ok so now that we are on a 120-day hold here, let’s look at a few things that transpired over the course of the spring and summer up until our application goes in.
We have already established that we have a farming family that is completely unapproachable and, in all reality, not the kind of people you can easily deal with. So, you do your best to just keep your distance and ignore them as much as possible. Well sometimes that is easier said than done.
We vividly remember the day that the infamous red pickup truck that is spotted and found surrounding our property frequently, comes roaring up our driveway and stops sideways in the driveway so that people that were leaving , cannot now leave the property.
We come face to face with three undesirables in the neighbourhood whom belligerently and aggressively assaulted us verbally and accuse us of shooting guns at them. One got out of the truck and very quickly approach my husband, leaving everyone here feeling threatened and afraid that he was about to get physically assaulted. Thankfully, that did not happen, instead he was very verbal about being shot at and got right in my husband face screaming. As for the other two occupants in the truck, the reek of alcohol that came off them as I stood beside the vehicle demanding that they leave was nauseating at best.
The verbal assault that I endured during that confrontation was deplorable, I was called a whore, a dirty skank, a slut and all this coming from a man whom I have pictures of enjoying himself dancing naked at one of our very own functions.
As for these allegations of shooting guns at people, anyone in their right minds that knows my husband and myself, know full well including these monsters that were present at the time, that we are probably the only residents on the roadway that do not own, process or shoot guns.
Here we stand, late in the day in total disbelief, what is unfolding in front of us?
We had just spent a wonderful day helping some organizer of the previous event discussed, clear areas and helping to get them prepare for their festival.
Earlier, this day, I had followed this red pickup occupied by the very people now assailing me. I only followed them a part way down an unmaintained county road that runs along the north side of our property before I turned off into our laneway that leads into our campground.
That being said, no one ever saw this vehicle come back up the roadway and throughout the day they were never spotted further back anywhere near our property, where everyone was working peacefully going about their business.
You see this road allowance goes all the way around another two properties and can easily be navigated to come out at one of these individual’s residence. So, for us it seemed they had done just that and gone home.
So, it became a known after the fact that at the end of the day when everyone was done what they had been doing that day. We all came back up to the front end of the property, unfortunately and unknown to us, an individual that was part of this special event organization had just purchased a new hunting rifle. This fellow was licensed to carry this gun and without asking anyone’s permission, he had taken it upon himself to set up some cans and target practice being that there was no one around.
OK, so now my question is, where were these people hiding and furthermore, what are they doing on our land without permission. Let’s face it if they had of indicated a reason to be there that would never have happened.
Now back to my driveway, after many requests of me asking for these people to leave, the driver shuts the truck off indicating it wont start again. This allows them the opportunity to further their verbal assaults towards us. It is not until I tell them I am calling the authorities that lo and behold the vehicle finally jumps to life and they do not drive down the driveway like normal individuals, they instead drive across our front lawn to the roadway.
This occurrence was subsequently reported in person by myself and my husband to the local detachment. Our members that were present also took the time when they got home to write us letters of concern for our well being and the fear that they felt that day.
How would feel?
Just a sprinkle of nuts for a topping today.
Freedom Fields Naturist Ranch 