 |
| Back to Home | Letters - September 2, 2010 |
Letters: September 2Movie in the Park, Rachael Smith-Tryon Arden “gets a bone”, Patrick Maloney Septic system inspection fees, Dave Whalen Re: Parham Fair and local musicians, Sheri Cota Hannah Military vets wanted, Duane Duff Movie in the ParkWhat a wonderful evening we had in the Park! I’m sure those who were able to join us will agree that we had great weather, delicious treats, an entertaining movie and amazing company! Shrek 4 – “A Movie in the Park” sponsored by Portland District Recreation was well attended by approximately 200 residents – ranging in age from the young to the young at heart! This first-time event was a fundraising effort to repay a $5000 loan towards the new playground equipment, which was installed in McMullen park earlier this month. We have some of the most supportive businesses in the area – our corporate support for this event and in support of our kids was truly inspiring. Thank you to all the businesses who supported this event with their donations and by promoting it on our behalf. With the help of our devoted volunteers, community and our corporate sponsors we are at approximately ¼ of our fundraising goal. Anyone who was not able to attend the movie but would like to donate towards this playground equipment, which is already well used by our youth, can do so in person or by mail at our township offices in Sydenham or on Keeley road – please note on the cheque “Portland District Recreation – Fundraising”. We would like to encourage the community to send their comments and feedback regarding this event to portlandrec@gmail.com. We are hoping to repeat this event again next summer and would like to make it bigger and better, so your thoughts, comments and suggestions would be very much appreciated. Please check out our face book page “Portland District Recreation” for information on all upcoming events. Thank you again for your continued support of our youth. Rachael Smith-Tryon, Chair, Portland District Recreation Arden “gets a bone”
Clad in his best parochial attire, Harvey argued that it should be a “priority for the entire Township” to rebuild Elizabeth St in Sharbot Lake. Snyder, who has argued against proposed road work in Arden in the past, appears satisfied for the moment with the amount of pavement near his home in Piccadilly and was willing to throw Arden a bone, referring to the proposed Arden work as “fairness”. When I led a delegation of disgruntled Arden residents to a Council meeting Nov.9, 2009, with a list of requirements to bring Arden back to at least the 20th Century, Harvey was the most vocal of the council in thanking and congratulating us on our initiative. (An initiative made necessary by our anaemic representatives on Council.) He assured us that we would be at the top of the list, but clearly he was thinking, ‘after Sharbot Lake’. After we left, Mayor Gutowski, positively effusive just moments before, made some bizarre comments that “Arden doesn’t need sidewalks or road work”, but needs a “plan to increase assessment”, as if decrepit roads and sidewalks don’t significantly affect realty values. Whenever our taxes contribute to significant work elsewhere we are told that it is for the ‘good of the township’ and whenever we press for work to be done locally we have to join an ever-changing list of priorities that always has Sharbot Lake at the top. The road work on 2 side streets in Arden is finally underway, but let there be no illusions as to whether the other 2/3rds of the job will ever be completed. While Sharbot Lake, Tichborne and Parham enjoy new main streets thanks to the reconstruction of Road 38 and Mtn Grove has its recently resurfaced main road from Hwy.7 thru to Parham, Arden Rd continues to be a patchwork eyesore with dangerously crumbling sidewalks, and with Elizabeth St in Sharbot Lake the Township’s new “priority”, it will likely remain so for many years to come. Even when we take a delegation to Council our own councilors sand bag us and vote to divert a ridiculous amount of money ($205,000) to resurfacing a ½ mile unoccupied side road that just leads to a network of gravel roads, for the dubious convenience of some cottagers, instead of completing more of the critical work in Arden. Voters in Kennebec should take a hard look at whom they vote for Oct. 25/10. Neither the incumbent councilors nor mayor are friends of ours when it counts and any who would replace them should commit to properly representing us for a change and let the ‘good of the township’ come second, because that’s exactly the way the rest of the council acts. Patrick Maloney Septic system inspection feesDoing my part to help the environment,
I signed up for a voluntary septic system inspection. I
found that my tank was in need of replacing, which I am more than
prepared to do. I contacted a contractor and his price was reasonable
for the replacement. What took me by When I phoned the health unit, I was informed that it was the cost of administration that was responsible for the fee, and that a board sets the rate. We always hear about doing our part for
the environment, but when you do, Big Brother steps in a slaps you
with a permit fee; that would suggest Why does the Heath Unit charge 14% when the building permits from the township are way less? My permit for a large garage was only $230. If it really is administration, I have to wonder, are these the same people who run the long gun registry? People have to speak up and stop allowing these agencies, to rip us off. Dave Whalen Re: Parham Fair and local musicians,I am writing in response to Mr. McCullough’s letter (Parham Fair and local musicians, letters, August 26). The Parham Fair was almost not in existence only a few short years ago. I feel that at that stage changes had to be made to make it possible for the fair to continue to keep going. I am glad that the fair board realized this and made some drastic decisions and thankfully they made the right ones. I am proud of our local musical talent; they amaze me. As our communities keep growing smaller we need to bring in a wider audience base and Ambush does that. As for them not being local, I think Kingston is local. How many of us travel to Kingston and Perth to work? My husband worked ten years with Riq’s mother at C&D Batteries in Perth. The accomplishments this local band has made are tremendous. They have won Canadian music awards many times. As I listened to their performance on Friday they were truly happy and energetic to be in Parham. Thank you to the Parham Fair Board for keeping our fair going and for the many countless volunteer hours that have been put in. There are many people who are grateful for what you do for our community. Sheri Cota Hannah Military vets wantedIn the mid 1950s, I taught at Harlowe School. located in the former Barrie Township. When students finished at this school, they were transported by van to the high school in Sharbot Lake. I am now retired and am writing as a hobby. All of my books are listed on the Amazon.com website. Currently, I am working on my second book of military experiences. The first was Waskesiu: Canada's First Frigate. A second edition of this is nearly ready. I am looking for veterans of Canadian Forces of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and peacekeeping missions. I would like to help preserve some of these stories while they are still available. Since I used to live in your area, I would like to include veterans from your circulation area. If anyone is interested, please contact me. To obtain the information, I use a short basic questionnaire and a recorded telephone interview. Duane Duff, 13866 - 60 Ave., Surrey, BC, V3X 2N1 |
It was
interesting to read the exchange, as reported in this paper Aug26/10,
between CF. Councilors Bob Harvey and Bill Snyder on whether the long
overdue road reconstruction in the hamlet of Arden, or more
accurately the 1/3 of the long overdue road reconstruction that’s
been approved, was justified.