Item

St. Croix Courier

Jan 4/1994

Town exonerated in St. Andrews Motor Inn Case. See A-2.

Telegraph Journal

Jan 11, 1994

Ontario Real Estate Magnate Set to Develop Minister's Island

Developer, facing huge lawsuit in Ontario, ready to invest $35 million

Mike Woloschuk

The secret investor who wants to spend $35 million developing Ministers Island into a tourist attraction is none other than Bruce McLaughlin, the man often credited with personally Mississauga, ON.

He is also the man the Ontario Securities Commission is suing, alleging he withdrew millions of dollars from one of his companies that had thousands of investors.

McLaughlin told the Telegraph Journal Monday that his company, Brumac Corp, is seeking an agreement in principle from the government of Premier Frank McKenna to develop the island. "We're at a sensitive stage of negotiations right now," said McLaughlin. "The political decision-making is well advanced. We're just waiting for an answer."

Premier McKenna referred to the proposed development at a meeting with St. Andrews town council six weeks ago, but refused to name the man who made the proposal. "He said that someone had proposed investing $35 million to develop the site—but he didn't say who," said St. Andrews Mayor Ray Peterson. McLaughlin's name has reMained a secret—until now.

"It looks like win, win, win proposition for everybody," said the 67-year-old real estate investor in a telephone interview from a Toronto hotel room. "We've met a great many businesspeople in the area and everyone seems to be pleased to see this historical site become a heritage attraction." . . . McLaughlin would not say precisely what his plans for the island are, but suggested a historical museum, artists' colony and craft industries as potential pieces of the development. At this point, hotels and bed and breakfast are not part of the conceptual plan, he stressed. "There is enough accommodation in the area," he said. "No extra accommodation is warranted."

The McKenna cabinet is expected to discuss McLaughlin's proposal at their Jan.20 meeting . . . the site could begin this year and the doors to visitors could swing open by July 1, 1995. McLaughlin said he will be looking for "a lot of community input" when it comes down to deciding exactly what type of development will go on the island. "We're basically a community builder and we're looking to become good community citizens in the Maritimes," he said.

McLaughlin's former development company, SB McLaughlin Ltd., was instrumental in creating the 1970s building boom in Mississauga and was heavily backed by Bronfman-owned Edper.

Apart from building numerous office buildings and homes, McLaughlin also built Square One, a 1.1 million square foot shopping mall in Mississauga which was, until a few years ago, the largest shopping center in Canada. But McLaughlin's high-rolling ways have also landed him in, or near, some pretty rough water. The Ontario Securities Commission has brought a lawsuit against McLaughlin on behalf of thousands of minority shareholders in Mascan, McLaughlin's real estate company that controlled Square One.

The commission alleges that he brought Mascan to the brink of bankruptcy from 1979 to 1983 by withdrawing about $28 million in company funds for personal purposes. McLaughlin sold Mascan in 1983. the lawsuit has yet to come to trial.

And last year, McLaughlin lost his 17 million percent stake in the $180 million remake of Montreal's historic Mount Royal Hotel, when it was sold at a Sheriff's sale for $32 million.

Telegraph Journal

Jan 19, 1998

Minister's Island Developer Broke

Assets have been frozen by Ontario Securities Commission pending $28 million lawsuit

Michael Woloschuk

The Ontario real estate tycoon who wants to spend $25 million turning Minister's Island into a resort area may have some difficulty financing the project—mainly because he has no money. S. Bruce McLaughlin confirmed last week that he is the "secret developer" premier McKenna had said was willing to drop millions on the project. But yesterday, the Telegraph Journal learned that McLaughlin's assets have been frozen because he failed to post a $15 million security deposit in a multi-million dollar lawsuit the Ontario securities Commission has launched against him.

"The issue is how he could find funding to proceed with this project," said Thomas Lockwood, a Toronto lawyer representing the commission. "We say we have all his assets frozen. He would or should not have any personal assets." The legal action was begun in 1984, when minority shareholders in Mascan Corp., a real estate development company in which McLaughlin was the majority shareholder, complained to the OSC that McLaughlin had bilked them out of millions of dollars. The minority shareholders allege that McLaughlin brought Mascan to the brink of bankruptcy from 1979 to 1983 by withdrawing about $28 million in company funds for personal purposes. The OSC hired Clarkson co. Ltd to investigate the allegations and to prepare a report—which later convince the OSC that there were grounds for a lawsuit to recover the . . . . investigate and produced a mammoth report," said Lockwood. "It's 10 or 15 thousand pages long and details the transgressions of McLaughlin. On the basis of that report we said he took funds from the company.

Lockwood characterized the 10-year-long case against McLaughlin as "a complex, difficult matter that's ongoing." Although it began as a $28 million lawsuit, interest on the original amount has the OSC now seeking $75 million from McLaughlin on behalf of the minority shareholders. Lockwood said he expects the train to begin sometime this year. Under the Ontario Securities Act, the OSC has the power to investigate fiduciary claims, freeze orders on assets and bring cases to trail, Lockwood said. McLaughlin's $35 million proposal to turn Sir William Van Horne's 1903 summer mansion and grounds into a tourist attraction is expected to be discussed at a cabinet meeting Thursday.

Premier McKenna has kept mum on the project since early December, when he announced to St. Andrews Mayor Ray Peterson that he had secret developer who was interested in the site. Neither Premier McKenna nor McLaughlin could be reached for comment yesterday, but last week McLaughlin said that work would begin this year, with doors swinging open to tourist by July 1995. Meanwhile, Lockwood said that the OSC has its eyes firmly fixed on Premier McKenna's Thursday Cabinet meeting. "Obviously whatever happens is of significance to us," he said.

Courier

St. Croix Courier

Feb 1, 1994

Government Awaits Island Development

Carol Ann Nicholson

The province is waiting for offers to develop Minister's Island, according to government sources. "We haven't revealed any proposals yet but we are open to them and to ways and means to develop the area," says Maurice Lavigne, manager of communications and promotions for Economic Development and Tourism.

While the province waits, however, the Friends of Minister's Island are making plans for activities this summer. Chair Ray Bishop says his committee is ignoring what is known as the "McLaughlin proposal" and is planning for the future in its own way. "Locally, we have an offer to run the island as we did last year—tours of the island and the potential for a community picnic are examples," he explains. "IN the Van Horne days people were invited to visit the island in the summer and the community get-together we had last year was very successful."

"We are working together as a group, trying to determine the possibilities and the man hours involved, to see how ell we can set things up. What we want to do in the long run is to get the island open and keep it open."

Bishop says Friends realizes there's not a lot of money from government to spend and the committee is happy filling the role it sees for itself. "What we can do is positive. We think we have a commitment to have it open and we hope to handle that as a committee."

While Friends plans it summer agenda, rumors continue to circulate about a real estate tycoon who wants to spend $25 million turning Minister's Island into a resort area. When in Charlotte County in the fall, Premier Frank McKenna attended a meeting in St. Andrews and told Mayor Ray Peterson and business and municipal leaders that the province was talking to a developer interested in taking over the Island, McKenna refused to reveal the name or location of the developer, however.

The Premier did say the province had background investigations made on the developer and he was satisfied with the results in terms of experience and past performance. Two weeks ago an Ontario real estate tycoon, S. Bruce McLaughlin, confirmed he was the "secret developer" mentioned by McKenna. Confusion mounts with the revelation that McLaughlin's assets have been frozen because he failed to post a $15 million security deposit in a multi-million dollar lawsuit the Ontario and Securities Commission has launched against him. The legal action was begun in 1984 when minority shareholders in Mascan Corp, a real estate development company in which McLaughlin was the majority shareholder, complained to the Securities Commission about McLaughlin's conduct, alleging he withdrew millions in company funds for personal purposes. A subsequent investigation of the allegations, ordered by the Securities Commission, showed there were grounds for a lawsuit to recover the funds. . . .

St. Croix Courier

June 21/1994

McAdam Railway station renovation program is on. (Plans to turn into hotel/restaurant complex. See also July 26, A-8.

Courier Weekend

July 22, 1994

Minister's Island attracts Tour-Goers

Carol-Ann Nicholson

It's just a short drive across the ocean floor on the bar at low tide and then you are at Covenhoven, the summer residence of the builder of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Sir William Van Horne. And this week, for the first time in recorded history, Minister's Island and Covenhoven, built in the 1890s, opened to the public. On a guided tour you can visit the site of the baronial estate and follow the paths trod by Sir William Van Horne and his family. You'll see the giant billiard table, imported from London, at which guests spent their evenings, view some of Van Horne's paintings, see the nursery which he painted for his grandson, even visit the bathhouse with the tidal swimming pool at the bottom of the garden. The tour includes a visit to the Minister's cottage, a stone crofter's cottage supposedly built by Parson Samuel Andrews in the 1790s. A little further up the road is the huge barn which Van Horne used to house his prized herd of Dutch belted cattle. The mansion itself contains 50 rooms, 17 of which are bedrooms and a grand drawing room as large as many of today's homes. Minister's Island is operated by the Minister's Island Advisory committee for the Province of New Brunswick.

Courier Weekend

Minister's Island reveals Historic People and Heritage

Carol-Ann Nicholson

July 29, 1994

Minister's Island has a unique and varied history, one of the most important in Canada in terms of the richness of the people who have found it a haven over the centuries.

When the Greeks were building the Parthenon, aboriginal visitors sauntered along its shore. The remains of their house habitations and shell middens have been the focus of archaeological digs on several occasions.

Later, John Hanson and his family fled to the quiet island following the fall of Fort Ticonderoga in the 1760s.

Hanson was there to welcome the United Empire Loyalists when they came to St. Andrews following the American Revolution. One of the Loyalists, Rev. Samuel Andrews, found the island so pleasant he constructed a crofter's cottage on it in the 1790s.

A century later, while visiting the area for the CPR, the island's most famous resident, Sir William Van Horne, saw the 500 acre island and instantly fell in love with it. [not true]

Van Horne acquired the land in 1890 and built a magnificent baronial estate as a summer home for his family. He called it Covenhoven.

This private railroad car journeyed from Montreal on the weekends, stopping at the private railway station on the Bar Road where Van Horne disembarked. On the island he developed magnificent gardens, nurtured a prize herd of Cutch-belted cattle, constructed an unusual bathhouse near a tidal pool where he entertained . . . [

St. Croix Courier

Jan 19, 1994

Jim Frise checks out as Algonquin Manager

Chuck Brown

Jim Frise has packed his bags and left his post as general manger of the Algonquin Hotel, a position he's held for 15 years. But Frise and CP Hotels, the company that manages the Algonquin, are staying tight-lipped about the resignation and that's led to speculation and rumour throughout the community. In an interview Monday, Frise said he didn't' want to comment on the details of his departure because he didn't want to jeopardize his future in the business. In a story in Saturday's Telegraph Journal, Frise said he didn't like the directions his superiors were taking in the operation of the Algonquin but he declined to elaborate. Melanie Coates, CP Hotel's media relations representative for Atlantic Canada, said Frise resigned for "personal reasons" and to "pursue other career options."

Meanwhile, Charlotte-West MLA Reid Hurley put to rest some rumours circulation about the future of the hotel. One of those rumours was that CP wanted to pullout of managing the Algonquin. Hurley, who sits on the hotel's board of directors, said that simply is not the case. "I can quash that one right now," he said. Coates also called any talk about CP abandoning the Algonquin, "absolutely untrue." Another rumour had CP converting the hotel into a convention centre. Hurley said the hotel will concentrate more on conventions in the months of May and October, as a cost-saving measure, but will continue to cater to tourists throughout the season. He said those two months are the slowest of the season and focusing on conventions would allow the hotel to "condense operating fees" by "reducing staff levels at that particular time.

Coates said abut 11 hotel employees were laid off as the hotel is running on a "skeleton staff" for the winter. She said they will be re-hired when the hotel re-opens in mid-May. Coates also confirmed the hotel will concentrate on conventions during May and October but that doesn't mean they will burn away tourist business. "When you have a property, you're always focusing on your highest return," Coates said, explaining the tourist traffic is slow in may and October, while convention business is at its peak. Hurley also stressed the changes in the hotel's operation are CP's decisions and the province "will continue to be very supportive of the way the hotel is being managed."

Hurley speculated about Frise's departure, saying "I don't believe Mr. Frise was in agreement with the changes that were made and he left. It's regrettable but life goes on." When asked if she thought any of these, or any other changes, might have upset

Frise enough to leave, Coates said she couldn't comment on his departure.

Frise, 52, was the Algonquin's general manager from 1973 to 1979 and from 1985 to Jan.19. Frise said he isn't sure what he's going to do next but he does have some ideas about what he wants to do in the future. "I'm just going to sit down and think about it for awhile. I would like to stay in Atlantic Canada and stay in the businss," Frise said.

Telegraph Journal

Jan 19, 1994

Algonquin Hotel Manager Resigns

Differences over hotel's direction spell end to Frise's 15-year tenure

James Frise, who has been at the helm of Algonquin Hotel for 15 years, has suddenly resigned over what he calls differences with his superiors over the directions the hotel is taking. "I've resigned my position as general manager because of the direction my superiors want to take for the operation of the Algonquin and opportunities to its growth and development," Frise said in an interview.

"The last couple of months have been particularly difficult. It (the resignation) did not come as a surprise to me. It was time either to catch the fish or cut bait," he said. Frise, 52, who headed the operation from 1973 to 1979 and again from 1985 to Jan.19, declined to elaborate on the reasons for his departure at this time. "I might expand at a future date," he said. Ann Checkley, director of communications for CP Hotels, said Frise has resigned for personal reasons.

St. Croix Courier

Feb 1/1994

Algonquin—Close or Sell, says CoR reps. See A-2.

The Algonquin Hotel is a "drain on taxpayers" and should be shut down or sold, according to members of the Confederation of Regions (CoR) Party. And, after operating at a loss since 1991, Supply and Services Minister Laureen Jarrett said the McKenna government would be willing to sell the 105-year-old hotel, if the right buyer could be found. "We would sell the Algonquin but we want to make sure, if we do sell it, that the expertise is there to run it as a first class resort," Jarrett said Monday. In a press release dated Jan.28, CoR Supply and Services critic Ab Rector called on the government to find a buyer for the hotel or close it down because it has lost more than $1 million in recent years.

"A business without profit is not a businss," Rector said, echoing comments made by CoR leader Danny Cameron when he urged the government to see the Algonquin in 1992. The province took over ownership of the hotel in the early 1970's when Canadian pacific Hotels and Resorts planned to close it. CP has a contract to continue managing the hotel until 1997. Losses from 1991 and 1992 are estimated at about $1.3 million and more losses are expected once 1993's figures are calculated. But while Jarrett said, "The province is never happy operating at a lo St. Stephen," she also said there are no plans to close the hotel. She blames a downturn in tourism for much of the shortfall and she hopes last year's $10-million expansion will help generate more business from conventions and bus tours. "The times for tourism have been down but we're hoping that will change," Jarrett says. And she said there are other ways, besides closing the Algonquin, to cure its financial ailments. The government and CP are working together to bring about some changes that will make it profitable," she said. Some of those changes include rotating layoffs during slow periods. Eleven hotel employees were laid off earlier in January but CP spokesperson Melanie Coates has said they will all be called back in the spring. CP's plans for the hotel apparently upset former manager Jim Frise enough to make him quit the post he held for 15 years. He said he didn't like the direction his superiors were taking in the operation of the Algonquin but declined to elaborate. CoR's Economic Development and Tourism critic also called for the sale or closure of the Algonquin "for the benefit of all New Brunswickers."

Greg Hargrove said, "This government should stop trying to spend it way to a break-even point on a whit elephant that has no remote possibility of every being self-sustaining. This lovely hotel provides some positive spin-offs for the St. Andrews region but at the expense of the people of this province. it's time this government used its so-called "financial restraint policy" and sell or close the Algonquin."

Jarrett defended the Algonquin and said it pumps $2.1 million into the local economy and an additional $6 million through spin-offs. She said the resort has a "positive effect not only for St. Andrews but for the whole province."

St. Croix Courier

Feb 8/1994

Letters—How about a casino for Algonquin? First-class operation for people who can afford to lose vast sums of money. Could be operated in conjunction with cruise ships. (Re CoR proposal to sell Algonquin, and proposal to put casino in Calais.)

March 2/1994

Jim Frise Appreciation Night

Hosted by Chamber of Commerce

Heather Curling Club Ballroom

St. Croix Courier

March 8/1994

Zwueste checks in as Hotel's manager. See A-3. Photo March 15/1994

Barry J. J. Zwueste checked into the Algonquin Hotel Monday to fill the general manager's position which was vacated by Jim Frise in January. Zwueste, 40, brings 20 years of hotel and restaurant experience to the job. Fifteen of those years have been spent working for Canadian Pacific Hotels and Resorts, which manages the Algonquin and 25 other properties across Canada. His immediate plan is to dig himself out from his mountain of paperwork, "then I want to get settled and get on with business and start to fill this place up," Zwueste said in an interview Monday morning.

He arrived in town Sunday night from Calgary, where he managed the Chateau Airport Hotel for two years. He will live at the Algonquin for a month while he waits for his wife and three children to arrive. Zwueste's hospitality career has taken him to many places in Canada but this will be his first lengthy stay in the Maritimes since he left the area at age five. Zwueste's parents, landed in Halifax when they immigrated to Canada from the town of Breda in the Netherlands in 1954. They lived in Halifax, Saint John, Fredericton and some points in between until they moved to Ontario. In 1978 Zwueste returned to New Brunswick as a marine biology student attending Trent University in Peterborough, Ont. His class visited the Huntsman marine Science Centre and stayed at Anderson House. He said he's impressed with the hotel, its staff and the town and hopes "to provide a very unique experience for the travelling public." [a little too unique, as it turned out] Zwueste declined to comment on Frise's departure which generated some controversy when he hinted at his displeasure with the direction CP was taking in managing the hotel. "I've got some pretty big shoes to fill," Zwueste said of Frise who managed the Algonquin for 15 years.

St. Croix Courier

March 22/1994

Tom Moffatt—A Future by-the-sea

I really regret seeing Jim Frise go from the Algonquin Hotel. I first met Jim 20 years ago when I arrived in the region, and have always had the greatest respect for his views. Jim has it all—a sense of balance, a way of looking at the broader picture, and a way of looking ahead at future trends which has helped him solidify the position of both St. Andrews and the Algonquin Hotel in the last quarter of the 20th century.

He has something extra—a first class way of dealing with people which has made a superb administrator for the most prestigious hotel in New Brunswick. I have watched him in those two decades help steer the Algonquin towards greater consistency of service, which is the key to survival for this operation. More than this, I have watched Jim's interaction with the community. CP Hotels, the Province, and most especially the Town of St. Andrews all lose by his resignation.

It seemed to me Jim Frise might have some interesting views on St. Andrews at this point, so I talked with him about a wee ago on the town's future. The number one priority for St. Andrews' future prosperity is to remember tourism, in some form or another, is the backbone of the community, he notes. Frise points out the tourist-related businesses put a great deal into the local economy both during the five month summer season, and in the off-season. He also says the market have been shifting, and he is concerned for St. Andrews.

"The town has to get out to better study the marketplace," says Frise. "It has to understand how things are changing. We all treasure our museums and Blockhouse an such but we have to keep focused on what those coming to spent time here really want." Particularly, in Frise's view, they want to have access to the ocean. "They want to be able to get to the ocean, and St. Andrews needs to keep that in mind. The town ahs now begun a project to redevelop the wharf. That is exactly the type of thing which should take place," he says. But he also says this should be only one part of the renewal of St. Andrews' bond with sea. He talks of the need for projects—for boardwalks, for marine services and other ideas. He believes this bond with the sea is vital for the town's future.

A walking trail based on the abandoned tracks of the CP right-of-way is also important. "I fully support the need to turn this CP right-of-way into a walking trail. Walking and bicycling are part of the ecotourism of the 1990's and beyond, and we need such facilities," says Frise. "In addition use of this right-of-way as a trail goes along with that access for visitors to the edge of the sea which is what St. Andrews should work towards."

He feels the abandoned rail line is very important to St. Andrews' future. He says this may require public ownership—but the project could also succeed if the right of way was privately owned, and those private owners were willing to have the pathway be used for foot and bicycle traffic.

Katy's Cove is another ocean-related issue that Jim Frise believes should be rethought. "Katy's Cove could become a truly major asset to St. Andrews, one which is a valuable part of the renewed St. Andrews approach to tourism. At the moment its potential is being undervalued. The connection of Katy's Cove with other parts of the town via the right of way walking trail could prove extremely valuable in St. Andrews future."

Talking about Minister's Island, Frise would like to see the house and surroundings develop, while the remainder of the Island remains relatively untouched. "Being in that huge house, you can feel the presence of history and Sir William Van Horne. It should be developed with this in mind, along with the surroundings. But the rest of the island should remain relatively untouched. I would like to see some camping allowed in one area—but only tent-based camping."

The Algonquin Hotel along with its golf courses and other assets is vitally important for St. Andrews' future as Jim Frise sees it. "The Algonquin Hotel is far stronger today than it was 10 years ago. The hotel is now used by those of all ages, and the average age of the guests has dropped considerably. We also moved with the changing times to put together packages which attracted a wider variety of guests. The quality of the hotel, and of the staff have increased, something we worked very hard to do."

Jim Frise has another point to make about the future of St. Andrews. He reminds me that in the extremely competitive markets of the 1990s, it is vital for all the various organizations concerned with development to work together. He is concerned that this is not always taking place. Jim Frise has quietly been an important force for the future of St. Andrews. I certainly wish him the best in his new endeavours.

St. Croix Courier

April 5/1994

Local men discuss rise, demise of CoR party.

LG: The Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain (1934-) Born in Amos, Quebec.

Appointed 21 June 1994 at age 60 until 18 April 1997.

St. Croix Courier

June 21/1994

McAdam Railway station renovation program is on. (Plans to turn into hotel/restaurant complex. See also July 26, A-8.

St. Croix Courier

Sept 27/1994

Resort to stay open this winter for first time in 105 years.

Barry Zwueste, general manager of the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews officially announced that the Algonquin Resort will open for accommodations on a limited basis during this year's winter months. For more than 100 years the Algonquin has closed its doors to guests in the winter months. Opportunities for an extended season were spawned by the 1987 construction of 4,832 square feet of convention facilities and the 1993 opening of the new wing's guest room expansion of 54 rooms. In recent years the development of a meeting san convention market has allowed for the extension of the Algonquin's operating season.

The Algonquin Resort's traditional tourist season now includes the shoulder periods in May, September and October. While bookings for the first winter season will not be open to the individual travellers, winters sales packages have been specifically designed for guests attending hotel sponsored functions, as well as corporate meetings and incentive travel.

Zwueste has noted that there are existing markets which on an "open and close basis could assist to offset the current fixed coasts without generating the further coasts associated with a seven day operation." The Algonquin Resort currently operates with full facilities being open of the public during the period of peak demand from may 15 through to Oct. 15. For Zwueste, the soft winter opening initiative marks "a testing of waters which will ultimately reveal if there is sufficient interest in the marketplace to be open all year round."

St. Croix Courier

Oct 4/1994

St. Andrews Moves to Develop Katy's Cove.

The town has given its approval to allow a group to investigate the feasibility of taking over ownership of Katy's Cove. An ad hoc committee of the town's Businss, Recreation and Special events Committee will look at whether it would be worthwhile venture for the town to develop the area to improve recreation and business opportunities. The cove, currently owned by the province, is now used manly as a swimming area and the town parks department runs some programs there. But, council agreed the area could be improved in an owner invested some time and money. "You can't put any money into it if you don't own it," said Deputy Mayor Mary Wobma. "There's lots of potential but there's been no work done to come up with a business plan," she said. By passing a motion to study the issue, Wobma said, "We're trying to get some movement on it." Town Manager Jacques Dube said the province has been supportive of the town's initiative and funding for a feasibility study may be possible through the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. That study could be done within the next few months and work could begin next year, Dube said. The Katy's Cove Development Committee will look at three areas before the town would consider ownership. Water quality maintenance, notably in terms of algae control, would have to be a possibility. Mayor Ray Peterson said in its present state, management of the cove is a muddle disuse and "nobody knows who's taking care of what." The committee, chaired by Nancy Dube, will likely meet in a few weeks to discuss council's decision to allow the study to proceed.

St. Croix Courier

Oct 11/1994

McGaw ski-hill finds new life.

St. Croix Courier

Oct 18/1994

19th century ship building in Charlotte County. Ruth Spicer. Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 15/ Nov. 22, Dec. 6, etc.

Cartoon satirizing St. Andrews wharf reconstruction proposal: water slides, ferris wheels, etc. (Looks like an old fashioned pleasure pier at Brighton)

HOGS to gather in St. Andrews. (Harley Owner's Group) Chuck Brown. See A-3. Organizer: "We fell in love with the Algonquin property and the whole area."

The image of a Harley Davidson rider—a tattooed, long-haired, grease-caked Genghis Kahn born to raise hell on his iron horse—is hard to shake from some people's minds. But this is 1995 and a Harley Davidson motorcycle is not the vehicle of destruction made famous by the outlaw bike gangs of decades past. they were, and still are, known as the "one-per-centers," that segment of the population that was above the law, untouchable. But the Terry the Tramps and Fatty Phils have given way to the other 99 per cent of Harley Davidson riders. People like Doug Decent, Harley Davidson's marketing manager who along with about a thousand other Harley riders will converge on the quiet tourist town of St. Andrews for a HOG Rally this summer. HOG stands for Harley Owners Group, a world-wide organization of about 250,000 Harley Davidson owners. The Canadian contingent of HOG will be holding its third annual rally in St. Andrews July 27, 28 and 19. Decent says he's expecting about 1,000 riders to attend, mostly from across Canada but some from the U. S. and possibly other countries.

When asked why HOG chose St. Andrews for the rally, Decent said the directors held a meeting here last summer and "We fell in love with the Algonquin property and the whole area. We think it's going to be a great opportunity to have some fun and eat some seafood."
 Last year's rally was held in Alberta and the first rally, two years ago, was held in Ottawa. Typical events include pie eating contests, Biker Bingo, poker runs, bike shows and live entertainment. Last year's rally even included a wedding. Cindy McColgan, the director of HOG's Saint John chapter, said the organization tries to vary the location of rallies, alternating between eastern, western and central Canada. She also said smaller communities make ideal rally sites. "They try to hold these national rallies in small communities to keep everyone together, "McColgan said. St. Andrews has a summer population of bout 3,200. Joan Fanning of St. Andrews called this rally "a once in a lifetime chance" for St. Andrews to experience the rush of what she estimates could be as many as 2,000 Harley Davidson's in town. And she and husband David sill be there with their 1995 Heritage Soft Trail Classics (his is black, hers is red).

"This is major, big time stuff," said Fanning, 44, who's been riding motorcycles since 1970 and bought her first Harley in 1987. Another local Harley rider, Paul turmel, said he's looking forward to the rally and he and a dozen of his friends will be there. "Oh yeah, I've got my holidays all booked," he said. Turmel said he's attended rallies 10 times larger than the one planned for St. Andrews and he puts any possible worries of residents or businesses to rest. "As far as trouble, anticipate none," the St. George forest ranger said.

At age 32, Turmel considers himself younger than the average Harley owner which he describes as a cross-section of the population including doctors, lawyers, police officers and mill workers, "Decent, hardworking people," he said. In fact, research shows the average Harley Davidson owner is a 40-year-old male, married with children, has some post-secondary education and a household income over $60,000. Turmel bought his first Harley three years ago but last year decided to upgrade to a $25,000 Dyna Wide Glide. He put off building a house so he could buy the bike. "I wanted a Harley Davidson before I wanted a house," he said. "It gets in your blood. Once you own a Harley Davidson, you don't stop."

The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.D.

Governor General: Feb. 8, 1995

Ended office 1999