About Us
We are the Long Point Ratepayers’ Association (LPRA), a not-for-profit association incorporated in 1961, dedicated to representing the interests of Long Point property owners throughout beautiful Long Point, Norfolk County, and with all levels of government.
As one of Ontario’s largest cottage associations, we are proud to represent more than 400 members representing at least 435 properties. The LPRA serves a vibrant and diverse community that includes cottage owners, permanent residents, families, friends, and short-term visitors who all share a connection to Long Point. Guided by an 11-member volunteer Board of Directors, the LPRA works collaboratively to protect and preserve the unique character and natural environment of Long Point, one of Canada’s treasured National Biosphere Reserves, and a UNESCO world heritage site. We feel privileged to live in this remarkable natural setting and are committed to finding balance: enhancing the Long Point experience for our members while safeguarding the area’s natural beauty for generations to come.
A central part of our mandate is advocating on behalf of members while also working to preserve and protect the area’s unique and fragile natural environment.
We are recognized by all levels of government as the official voice of Long Point ratepayers. We are committed to keeping our members informed through regular email e-blasts, newsletters, social media and open communication. Matters of interest and concern are discussed at our Annual General Meeting, held on the second Saturday of June each year. The Board is also comprised of various committees, such as Environment Stewardship & Advocacy, Strategic Infrastructure, Safety & Government Relations, Communications & Digital Presence and Strategic Spending Initiatives.
Community engagement and environmental stewardship are two of our central tenants. Our signature fundraising event, Rockin’ on the Point, held every August, brings together not only our members but the wider Long Point community in support of phragmites eradication efforts. We are proud of what we have accomplished together – working alongside partners to help bring the marsh back to life.
We are also proud to promote and support our various Long Point and surrounding area business sponsors.
The LPRA can only be as strong as our membership, so join us now!
Long Point – where even the smallest cottage has room for family and friends
Jeff Hopkins
Meet your Board of Directors
LPRA is led by a volunteer Board of eleven Directors, including Officers serving as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Membership Secretary (Ex‑Officio). Directors are elected by the membership to two‑year terms, with elections held at each Annual General Meeting to ensure continuity and strong leadership.
Click on a Director’s name below to learn more about them.
President/Strategic Spending Initiatives
Jeff Hopkins - President
Jeff is a longtime Norfolk County resident and has been active in local organizations interested in community issues and quality of life in the region.
Vice-President
Richard Mercey - Vice-President
Now a full-time resident of Long Point, Richard Mercey (Rich) fell in love with Long Point the first time he paid a visit! It all started with family camping trips and when the opportunity to purchase his Beach House came available, he and his kids jumped at it.
Rich was instrumental in putting a stop to the unchecked attempts to introduce speculation and development on Hastings Drive and now works with various Biosphere initiatives to further protect this sensitive environmental jewel.
Treasurer/Membership
John Deans - Treasurer
Born and raised in Woodstock Ontario, John spent part of every summer at the family cottage built by his grandfather in 1939. After serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (Air Force) as a Logistics Finance Officer from 1974 to 1999, John and his wife and two children moved to London.
Secretary/Technology & Engagement
Lynette Horton - Secretary
“I grew up on a farm in Norfolk County, and Long Point has been a meaningful part of my life since the 1990s. My connection to this community runs deep. I care deeply about protecting our natural environment and am committed to finding a thoughtful balance between preserving what makes this place special and supporting the needs of our local ratepayers.”
Director/Communications
Karen Deans - Director/Communications
Originating from Winnipeg, now residing in London, Karen enjoys downtime as a fourth-generation family member (circa 1939) at their Woodstock Ave. Long Point property. Karen served as Secretary on the Condominium Appeal Long Point (CALP) from 2009 to 2012.
Director/Phragmites
Jim Kerr- Director/Phragmites
Jim has enjoyed cottaging and living on Old Cut Blvd, since 1995. Retiring in 2016, Jim has served on the LPRA Board since 2017, including 4 years as Treasurer. Jim’s interests include preserving the natural habitat for the wildlife in the region, by helping to raise funds to control the spread of Phragmites. Jim also enjoys helping to create a positive sense of community in Long Point.
Director/Sponsorship / Membership Engagement
Heather Meulemeester - Director/Sponsorship
Heather is a lifelong resident of Norfolk County except for when she obtained her degree in Sociology from McMaster University.
She is passionate about preserving Long Point’s fragile environment and finding a balance with enjoying all that Long Point has to offer.
Heather is working on increased opportunities for our members to participate in activities and engage with other members.
Director /FOCA Liaison/Environmental Advocacy
Janet Dassinger - Director
Janet has been coming to Long Point for over twenty-five years, has been a property owner since 2015, and a full-time resident since 2018. The only place she loves as much as Long Point is Costa Rica. She is on leave from her position as Senior Research Officer with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) where she has provided support to employees in the not-for-profit sector including collective bargaining and legislative and policy analysis. She has also been a project manager, executive director and fund developer in the not-for-profit sector.
Director / Strategic Infrastructure
Steve Selk - Director
About 1950, my father built a cottage at Long Point. The Province expropriated it in 1960 when the new park was built. Still, I’ve been returning to Long Point for more than 70 years and witnessed many changes – only one family lived year-round at Long Point in the early 50s.
My primary interests as a board member are environmental stewardship and safety for both residents and visitors.
Director/Membership Services
John Everett - Director
John has been coming to Long Point Beach since 1952. John’s blood pressure drops 20 points each time he crosses over the Causeway. He-s Never Leavin”
Director/Strategic Infrastructure/Safety/Government Relations
Rick Levick - Director
A “Long Pointer” since age 3, Rick recently retired as the Executive Director of the Long Point Basin Land Trust, a position he held since February 2023 after serving on the LPBLT Board of Directors. Rick currently serves on the Board of Directors of Nature’s Calling Environmental Education. He also served on the steering committee of the Silver Lake Revitalization Project in Port Dover and was a member of the Road Ecology working group of the Long Point Walsingham Forest Priority Place initiative.
Rick was president of the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve from 2018 to 2021 and a Director of the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association. In 2020, his work in road ecology was recognized by Ontario Nature with the Ian Shenstone Frazer Memorial Award for making a significant contribution toward a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Ontario.
From 2007 to 2017, Rick was the project coordinator for the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project under contract with the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation. As project coordinator, he is responsible for all aspects of the Project’s operations including fundraising, financial management and reporting, the hiring of contractors and consultants and all community relations including public consultation, media relations and liaison with politicians and officials at all three levels of government. Rick secured more than $2.7 million in funding for the Project (www.longpointcauseway.com)
From 1996 to 2007, Rick was the president of the Long Point Bay Anglers’ Association, which won a National Recreational Fisheries Award in 2005 for promoting live release in local bass fishing tournaments.
