It appears some of the focus is being misdirected at specific individuals and groups within the Yukon government, whereas all along I have always only been critical of the people elected to govern, not the ones they pass their dirty deeds onto, as was the case with the beavers they slaughtered.
I also tried on numerous occasions to get answers from the Yukon government by sending registered letters to the commissioner’s office, the departments of Justice, EMR and Community Services, as well as Lotteries Yukon and the premier’s office.
That said, it was not the answers I was looking for so I felt that the Official Opposition would have the most clout in obtaining answers that I could not from this government. I also made it very clear to everyone involved that I had no animosity towards the other golf course and have always had a good relationship with their “maintenance staff” who are the grunts of the operation and whom I think are the ones that make it a success.
As for my desire to be successful and profitable, one can only imagine why on earth anyone would ever need to apologize for these traits.
I will also not respond to anyone who expresses an opinion anywhere without being willing to attach their “real” name to it, although I appreciate all who believe this needs to be addressed. I also find that the avenue used on the social media pages of both papers to be somewhat inappropriate in allowing this anonymity and that furthermore this sets the wrong example to youth and the use of social media.
This all could have been avoided had the government simply allowed the other golf course to develop its extra land for lots and perhaps even aided them financially during the process, so long as there was a process.
That means, to develop any land, one would first have to obtain approval from the City of Whitehorse for an Official Community Plan amendment in conjunction with assessors’ approval and signed off by the Yukon government. That’s followed by a zoning amendment, followed by subdivision approval, all of which are very lengthy processes involving public hearings and are very costly procedures.
I’ve done this for every one of my developments including the construction of the original nine-hole golf course. But this government somehow feels it is of a higher authority and absolved from such a process.
It has not been easy but we have built and run the Meadow Lakes Golf Resort with the utmost pride and integrity and only developed the additional lands (for which we leased for $8,185.50 annually, then paid $454,000 to purchase) after first trying a winter and summer tourism attraction on this land. We then had to pay down the substantial debt incurred just to build and maintain nine holes in this very northern climate. We will continue to provide all golfers the best experience possible, and I also hope that golfers continue to appreciate and support the efforts of the non-profit golf course, even if that means paying more to use it.
Jeff Luehmann
Meadow Lakes Golf Resort