Scugog says $5,400 invoice must be paid, Updated: Oshawa Angler Lost his case!

[minnkota]

An Oshawa angler remains on the hook for nearly $5,400 after Scugog councillors refused to rescind the rescue bill they sent him in January.

Neil Robbescheuten failed on Monday to persuade councillors that sending a bill for $5,392.78 after he was helped from Lake Scugog on Jan. 13 was unfair and a precedent-setting matter which could see those in need of help hesitate to call 911, worried about a potential bill, or not call at all.

Mr. Robbescheuten reluctantly called 911 and requested help in mid-January after he became disoriented in a thick fog that rolled over Lake Scugog. He then fell through the ice, ending up stuck in the mud up to his knees. The former school principal was stunned when he received a bill for nearly $5,400.

"I'm very disappointed," said Mr. Robbescheuten. "What message does this send to tourists coming to Scugog? You better not call 911 or you'll get charged for it. I think they should absorb the costs for this type of rescue."

Mr. Robbescheuten hinted on Tuesday afternoon that Scugog Mayor Chuck Mercier told him he might consider reducing the bill if the Oshawa man makes a donation to the fire department.

"The mayor made it quite clear he's willing to make some concessions," said Mr. Robbescheuten.

Mayor Mercier agreed that a donation from Mr. Robbescheuten "might go a long way to showing (he's) taken some" responsibility for the rescue call, but the mayor didn't commit to budging on the bill.

"I'm always open to having a financial discussion with him," said Mayor Mercier. "I don't disagree that it's a lot of money ... but anytime you have a discussion like that it has to come with taking some responsibilities for your actions."

Prior to appearing before council on March 4, Mr. Robbescheuten was hopeful that Scugog would rescind the bill and repeal its bylaw that grants the fire department permission to invoice those it rescues from the lake.

However, Scugog's councillors did not seem very sympathetic to Mr. Robbescheuten's pleas. They repeatedly pointed out that he made a poor choice going out on the ice on such a warm day (Environment Canada's records have shown temperatures that day reached nearly 15 C) despite warnings from government agencies to stay clear of lakes.

"You have not convinced me that going on the ice on Jan. 13 was a wise choice," said Mayor Mercier on Monday, noting council also seemed disappointed that Mr. Robbescheuten appeared to show no responsibility for his decisions that day.

The bill for nearly $5,400, said Mayor Mercier Monday, "still stands."

If a payment is not made, Scugog could turn the matter over to a collection agency, he added.

http://www.durhamregion.com/news/article/1...gog-rescue-bill

[FatRap]

Last fall, Chief Miller told councillors he would ask his firefighters to try to collect personal information from anyone rescued specifically so that Scugog could try to recoup some of its costs.

But, "they're under no obligation to do that," said Chief Miller in October. "We want the information for billing purposes and if they offer that information and sign off on it, then we'll send them a bill.

"But if they don't want to give us that information, there's nothing we can do."

Something everyone who fishes Scugog should know before going out.

FatRap

[steelheader]

This is "BAD,BAD" news for all persons using the outdoors or any other arena that might ,maybe,possibly put them in need of emergency services... A big worry...where has common sense gone ??

[capable1]

Common sense has gone through the ice along with anyone else who probably wont phone for help now. I fish scugog alot for muskie aswell as the elusive(non existant) walley. I hope that there are no more fines , as big as these handed out in the future. People could stop spending their money there. Lake scugog is hurting, and I don`t think a cash flow shortage is going to help. On the other hand, tone of cottages and residences on lake and in the area, don't think problemo is going away anytime soon.