Letters to the Editor
LAND O'LAKES -NEWSWEB Letters 20032003 / 2002HomeArchiveAround the Lakesby Charlie StewartGray MerriamLegaleseGeneral information and opinion on legal topics by Rural Legal ServicesLettersMazinaw Musings by Bill RowsomeNature Reflectionsby Jean GriffinNight Skiesby Leo Enright
Special FeatureTribute to David Brison JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberDecemberNovemberOctoberSeptemberRe: Slaughter of Canada Geese (The Frontenac News, September 25, 2003)
There is some doubt that the findings of P.J. Richardson indicate, on their face value either, a slaughter or acts done by a coward or poacher.
There are numerous areas in southern Ontario where the legal hunting season for Canada Geese opens much earlier then regular Migratory Bird Season. The daily limits and total possession limits are very generous on these geese. If the offal observed were the harvest of several shooters, the amount could appear to be excessive, when in actual fact it was within the legal limits.
I would further doubt that the number of birds alluded to could have been collected without notice being taken of the amount of sustained shooting needed to do so. Data indicates that the average shooter who does not religiously hone his wing shooting skills will expend five shells for every goose bagged.
Should these birds have been secured in a legal manner, the methods of utilization and disposal diminish the worth of a grand creature, and are perplexing, disturbing, unethical, wasteful, and unacceptable to all social levels of our society, whether they hunt or not.
Wild game is far too valuable to only utilize in a partial manner. Breasting (removal of only the breast material for utilization) is done on a regular basis by hunters afflicted by mentally constipated sloth and deformed egos. It is beyond their comprehension to realize that they are in fact breaking the game laws while fulfilling the stereotype of the very un-macho Slob Hunter. Legs, backs and wings are edible parts of the fowl. A reason often advanced is that there are, too many pin feathers to pluck which is hogwash. These less desirable parts can be transformed into heavenly sausages, stews, or casseroles. There is no logical or legal excuse for not consuming them.
This waste does not only extend to wildfowl; deer and moose ribs, tongues, lower legs and necks are routinely discarded by the gourmet aficionado of hunting society. We are advised not to eat the organ meats of these animals because of their heavy metal content. This is MNR language telling us that we have poisoned our environments and the creatures that live in them to the extent that they are becoming too toxic for consumption.
The place and method for disposal are completely baffling. However, disgusting fools, as these persons or person surely are, inhabit every niche and crevasse of our society. You find them piloting airplanes, driving cars, playing golf, raising children, nursing the sick and fishing for mud cats and always in government. We can only hope that this witless abnormality will be enlightened enough by public protest to desist from future acts of repugnance. If not, we may be fortunate enough to find out who it was and level a few well-deserved charges.
AugustJulyJuneRe: UN, Not Canada in control of Biosphere Reserves (June 19, 2003)The article on Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve really struck a chord in me! When the author identified the value of the United Nations Biosphere designation as recognizing "...the area as a globally outstanding environmental area without putting any regulations on the area, its residents or their activities" I was underwhelmed at the ignorance expressed on this vital topic.
First of all, Biosphere Reserves are established under Treaty Law, which when signed has greater clout than any law passed in our Parliament. The author rightly said that "Their first task is to receive and to celebrate the special U.N. charter for the new reserve...." Yes, signing the agreement is first. However, in the future the United Nations, not Canada or Central Frontenac, has the power to determine land use.
Second, there is a vast paper and electronic trail of tears by individuals and modern-day prophets who have identified the land grab for what it is: the stealing away of our sovereignty over our own land. If you think and feel nothing about this, you are not alive! This means the future of our children and our grand children.
We have gathered a critical mass of civil servants who are more concerned about looking good and pensioning-up than about the security of our NATIONAL FUTURE. In order to fight the good fight against misconceptions of just how altruistic the United Nations is, I will present documentary evidence of this land grabbing in a videotape, which I will lend to anyone who is concerned about this issue. Contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I believe we should nurture public dialogue. I do not believe that civil servants (at any level) should be entrusted with all power in determining the destiny of future generations. Without dialogue, without reflection, without knowledge, the Trojan Horse wins the day. Let us not "eat cake" on this one. George Balogh
Re:Fencing Trails (June 6,2003)I am writing in response to the article "Landowners drop Bombshell on C.F. Council", in your issue of May 29. The article dealt with concern about a possible major expense that would have to be borne by residents of the Township due to the request for fencing along the K&P Trail north of Sharbot Lake on the Bell Line Road.
As you stated, Section 20 of the line fences Act states that the new owner of land which was once a railway right-of-way, is responsible for the cost of maintaining the fence, which might include building a new one if it is necessary. Section 4 of this act, which you did not mention, however, stipulates that "where the owner of any land desires to have a fence constructed, or where such a fence exists, to have it repaired or reconstructed, the owner may request that a fence viewer be asked to arbitrate the nature of the work to be done, according to specific details as outlined in section 8.
This is a very important point, because it is a sad fact that some landowners who did not want to see a rail-trail as their next door neighbor, have tried to sabotage the trail idea by demanding very expensive, unnecessary, or useless fencing. Somehow the myth has spread that all they have to do is demand a new fence and the Municipal Council has no choice but to comply. This is absolutely false.
Council has the right to call in a fence viewer whose responsibility it will be to determine the need (or otherwise) for a new or repaired fence, according to the stipulations of Section 8 of the Act. Clause 2 of this Section is of particular relevance because it states that "in making the award, the fence-viewers shall have regard to the suitableness of the fence to the needs of each of the adjoining owners", etc. There is no room for doubt; the fence-viewer has the responsibility of ensuring that the request is reasonable and justified.
I will admit to having no first-hand knowledge of the state of the existing fences in the section of the trail referred to in your article. I do know however, that on most of the K&P right-of-way being considered for possible acquisition by the Township of South Frontenac (from Orser Road south of Harrowsmith, to Picadilly), either good fences already exist or there is no need for a fence due to the nature of the terrain. Councils, both South Frontenac and Central Frontenac, should not be intimidated by threats of limitless demands for new fencing.
Douglas J. Knapp, Chair, K&P Trail Group
(June 6,2003) We are writing this letter to thank friends and neighbours in our Harrowsmith community for their support over the past 5 years while we all live with Cliffs diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease).
We have decided to leave Harrowsmith and move back to Kingston to simplify our lives and spend more time with Cliff during the week while Cliff is at St. Marys of the Lake Hospital. We have enjoyed living in Harrowsmith for the past 11 years. We want to thank the principals/teachers at Sydenham High school and Harrowsmith Public School for their support over the past five years. Shawn and Shannon have benefited from your kindness and support. Thank you to our friends for their undying support, without which we could not have kept Cliff home for years. Thank you to everyone who supports ALS fund-raisers and donates to the ALS charity. It is hoped that with your continued support, a treatment or cure will be found for ALS--maybe not in Cliffs lifetime, but in our childrens lifetime. We may be leaving Harrowsmith, but we are taking you all with us in our hearts and we will continue to pray for a cure to ALSthe Fitzgerald family, Cliff, Donna, Shawn & Shannon MayFighting unfair property taxes (May 15)
Our ordeal began in July 2002 when we received a supplementary property assessment stating that as of August 2002 our assessed value increased and therefore caused our taxes to quadruple.
Was it fight or fold for the Smiths? Our answer was FIGHT!!! Heres why. Because my husband and I do not like to have debts, our home is only half finished. Being in the construction trade, we knew that our house was not worth half of the assessed value. Apparently, according to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation the assessor had assessed our home from afar, assuming it was finished. If they had looked closer, they would have noticed there was no kitchen, no septic, unfinished walls, etc... Appealing properly assessment values is time consuming and a pain in the neck, but if you are in the same boat that we were in, there are very important steps you must take, in this order:1. A Request for Reconsideration must be filed with MPAC before the end of the year in question (i.e. for the 2003 taxation year the deadline would be December 31, 2003). You can get the form by calling the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) at 1-866-296-6722.
2. Prepare to also file an appeal to the Assessment Review Board (ARB). Make note of the date by which you must file your appeal at the bottom of your supplementary and/or annual assessment notices.
3. Try to resolve the matter with MPAC before contacting ARB, but don't wait until the due date to file with ARB is passed. If you miss this date and your request for reconsideration is not resolved, your property assessed value will be fixed at the amount shown.
4. File a Property Assessment Complaint with the ARB before the due date. Call 1-800-263-3237 to order the form(s) you need. To be sure you receive them in time, I suggest having them faxed. I tried to have them mailed, but they never arrived, even to this date. Filing this complaint does carry a $50 fee for residential and $100 for farm, but keep in mind that it will cost you more in the long run.
5. Keep good records. Fax or send your communications with MPAC and ARB by registered mail.
6. Get ready for a hearing with the ARB. Prepare evidence to back up your case by: a) reading the local real estate papers and cutting out the ads of properties similar to yours with lower resale values, and
b) Visiting your township office to collect information about similar properties in your area. Make sure you ask for the square footage of the homes. It is public knowledge.
7) If you are lucky and your request for reconsideration is resolved before you go to the hearing, ARB will refund your fee. For those of you who are getting a constant runaround from MPAC, here are the names & phone numbers of two managers at the Brockville office, 2479 Parkedale St. (the numbers in the 2002-2003 Bell directory are not in service any more): Harold Bryan (for his ext. use directory) 1-613-342-3296 or 1-877-275-7779. Harold can also be reached at the Cornwall office ext. 323 at 1-877-239-9643; Kevin McDougal ext.224 at 1-613-342-3296 or 1-877-275-7779.
In our case MPAC was very fast in resolving our request for reconsideration after we filed the Property Assessment Complaint with the ARB. Perhaps if enough of us appeal our assessments, MPAC will amend their systems to be more accurate.Elizabeth Smith
Wild Mushrooms experts wanted (May 15)
As a child, a long time ago, I lived in a small country village in South Wales, Britain. Early in the mornings, I would search the emerald green fields for "fairy rings" - dark circles in the grass, in which grew the most delicious mushrooms. They say that the mushroom spores are passed through the urine of horses, and it is that same urine that causes the grass to darken in rings.
I have recently purchased a country home in Elphin, where the previous owners kept horses. Imagine my delight to find "Fairy rings" on my lawns. From the darkest of the grasses, beautiful mushrooms grow. I am cautious, however, as I am afraid of poisoning myself. Could you, or your readers suggest any authority responsible enough to examine the mushrooms and pronounce them fit, or not. Please contact:
Ken Scott-Humphry (613) 278-0613 2635 Elphin Maberly Rd, R.R. #1 McDonald's Corners, KOG 1MO
RE: Harvesting Dead Trees (May 1, 2003) In your coverage of the March 27 Central Frontenac council meeting, you note that my request for harvesting dead trees for firewood was denied. All the people I have talked to thought it was a reasonable request, and that rather than allow a resource to be wasted it would not have taken much effort on behalf of the township to put a fair, efficient process in place to make it happen. We clearly must look to our governments at all levels for leadership, rather than the attitude that if it requires an effort we can't help you no matter how much sense it makes.
I followed up with the proper authorities regarding the environmental impact of allowing wood to rot. The response from the Renewable Energy Program of Natural Resources Canada was dead trees will give off methane (CH4) as they rot, this is a very strong greenhouse gas. Every pound of methane released to the atmosphere has the effect of 21 pounds of CO. Clearly my request is not just environmentally friendly, but, in fact, is a step toward the reduction of greenhouse gases. Sometimes just leaving things in their natural state is not the proper course of action - nature can use a helping hand from all of us; however, I doubt this was a motivating factor behind council's decision. I hope that all levels of government would be on board with the Kyoto initiative and willing to make it happen before they expect your average citizen to make the sacrifices that will be necessary to invoke change.Art Dunham
AprilRe: Arden dump(April 24, 2003)
Last spring you printed a photograph of the freshly renovated Arden dump. That picture was taken before residents actually began using it.
All of the trees between the dump and the road were razed, apparently in order to make it easier for heavy machinery to gain access to the area. Now we have a snow fence instead, and a few 18" scrawny trees which were planted (at great expense to local taxpayers) to replace the lovely forested area. We've heard from several readers complaining about the ugly spectacle that greets visitors to Arden now. Just thought I'd send a recent pic to show you what we're all complaining about. It's only fair that you print this one too ..... dont you think?
Joanne
Pickett
RE: No Room for Profit Making in Homecare (April 24, 2003) Dalton McGuinty was in Kingston on April 15 commenting on the pending VON closure. He said that the Liberals would increase money to agencies like the VON.
While I am glad that he supports the VON, he just does not get the problem. The problem is competitive bidding. When you have one agency bidding against another for an essential service where 90% of the costs are labour, there will be problems like those faced by the Kingston VON. Inevitably wage and working conditions will be driven down by competition on for the lowest bid. This will increase nursing shortages and turnover. Continuity and quality of care will decrease. Patients will suffer and the system will not work - which is precisely what is happening in home care in Ontario.
If McGuinty and the Liberals will not stop competitive bidding, then all their platitudes about supporting the VON are not worth the paper they are on. They will not work. The Liberal solution of increasing funding whenever there is a problem or a public outcry will only lurch us from one crisis to the next.
There is no room for profit taking in home care. There is no need for competitive bidding. We need all those dollars to deliver patient care. We need a public, non-profit, locally controlled home care system.
Allan McPhail, Sydenham
RE: 'Oil and Water Mixing Nicely in Sydenham" (April 10, 2003) I read with interest Wilma Kenny's report (April 3, 2003) on South Frontenac Council, in which she informs us that the engineering firm responsible for the proposed water system has agreed to prepare a progress report. It was then that I realized the page 1 article Oil and Water Mixing Nicely in Sydenham was not a put-on after all, and indeed was probably that much-anticipated report!! '. However, your readers should know that later tests proved that what was assumed to be oil under the lake and village was not oil after all, but merely sludge and garbage. Many older residents have known that it was there for years, because the western end of the lake was the site of the town dump for decades. They suspect there may have been more than just sludge and garbage in the samples, what with many older septic systems in parts of the village. However we are glad to report, in the same spirit as your article, that Mayor Leopard was very apologetic, admitting that he and the council, being politicians, should have recognized it for what it was right away from the smell. So the residents of Sydenham have had to forget about receiving "several hundred thousand dollars" each and have gone back to wondering how to stay out of the poorhouse. The comments attributed to the Portland and Storrington councillors were interesting too, indicating more interest in Sydenham than they have shown up to now.
Richard Munroe, Sydenham
Re: The War in Iraq (April 3, 2003) In reference to the letter to the Editor by Pierette Cardinal, Paula and Eileen Farthing published March 27, 2003
In my opinion, we as Canadians should not be ashamed for not supporting our American neighbors and allies, but should be embarrassed of our Prime Minister, Mr. Chretien and his party for not supporting them. Maybe he should take the time to see what the people of this country really want. No one wants to go to War, even the troops that are there in Iraq fighting for our freedom. But, if our neighbors are willing to put their lives in danger with Iraq, than we should support them.
Chretien hides behind his party and the UN and does not look at the whole picture. I know that if some country were to cause any type of terrorism on Canada, the US would always be there for us. But because we had declined to help them, I am not sure anymore. This will definitely hurt our country in the future and Chretien needs to open his eyes. We as Canadians have the right to fight for Freedom and if that means Saddam Hussein needs to be removed from power, than we should be there to help our neighbors.Donna Smith
MarchRe: the War in Iraq (March 27, 2003)
In our opinion, we as Canadians should be ashamed that we are not supporting our American neighbours and allies in removing a cruel dictatorship from our world.
We are with or against Saddam Hussein.
We would like to know what type of poll, if any, was undertaken by Mr. Chrien or his government to determine the percentage of the population who did not want Saddam Hussein removed from power. And was it a majority?
Ninety-nine percent of the people we have spoken to feel we should support our neighbours and allies. In our opinion, Mr. Chrien is a pisou (afraid).
We are sure our veterans of both World War I and World war II would be appalled by the Liberal Partys pacifism.
One of our surviving veterans was quoted on May 22, 2003: There may be 500 peace protesters out there; but where are the rest of the people?
One of us went to Ottawa three weeks ago to observe the protesters. Most were schoolchildren. Are we taking a leaf from Saddams book hiding behind our children?
Pierette Cardinal, Paula & Eileen Farthing
Re: Unhappy Letter Writer (March 27, 2003)
It was with a little curiosity that I read the response of Mr. Kennedy regarding his letter being edited for space considerations. Although I have had the opportunity to read his letters many times in the Whig and elsewhere, this is the first time I have clearly seen the agenda of his writings. I dont always agree with Mr. Kennedy but his opinion is always welcome and I take all his views as his own. Unfortunately because of Mr. Kennedys apparent long-windedness, the editing taken upon by yourself was not welcome. His taking my bat & ball and going home response gives me a better understanding of Mr. Kennedy. You just cant please everybody. Kevin Collins
Re: Unhappy Letter Writer
I would like to take issue with your publication of the submission from Unhappy Letter Writer in the March 13 edition. First, you printed my photograph with the letter. In the aftermath, I had several people contact me, saying things like: "It isn't really you" and "Far too good looking". I know this isn't your fault, but it hurts. Secondly, Unhappy (I hope the author doesn't mind first names) acknowledged your right to edit and you said you had done so. Why didn't you finish the job? Like zip!
With respect to the content of the letter, I'd like to make several points. First, I do not own a snowmobile; nor am I a member of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, although I admire the OFSC as a well-run organization with a high sense of community responsibility. I am a past president and past executive director of the Ontario Trails Council, an organization whose membership includes not only OFSC but also such highly regarded groups as the Ontario Equestrian Federation and Hike Ontario. Please take special note of the "past" on both of those positions, and, for Unhappy's benefit, "equestrian" means "horses".
Secondly, the building occupied by The Frontenac News is not now, nor was it ever, owned by the trails kingpin. It is owned by the queenpin and if that isn't clear to Mr. Letter Writer, please assure him that the queenpin makes it very clear to me.
Thirdly there is a great deal of redundancy in Mr. Letter Writer's letter. For instance, it's not necessary to say that he has had confrontations with various groups. I'm sure he's had confrontations with everyone. Also, his point about "criticizing hypocritically" - well really! Anyone who capitalizes "Truth" as though it came straight from God probably doesn't know what hypocritical means.
I must say, though, that I'm flattered by the moniker "Kingpin" and some family members have started calling me KP. It really serves to personalize my belief in the K&P trail concept and I'm very pleased to be supported in this initiative by a widely published individual like Unhappy Letter Writer.
Thank you for hearing me out. I enjoy your paper.
Sincerely, Kingpin
Re: Municipal Candidates (March 13, 2003)This letter is in reply to the article by Inie Platenius regarding "Municipal Candidates", and the apparent lack thereof (February 28, 2003). She wonders if amalgamation is a contributing factor, and has very clearly set out some of the pitfalls that elected representatives in South Frontenac may encounter. That's a subject we in Sydenham can relate to.
There is great resentment in Svdenham of the fact that six "outside" councilors were involved in deciding that Sydenham must have a municipal water system, and that even with substantial government funding, some 250 villagers will have to pay for it. Over 80% declare that they expect the costs to be not manageable!I find it appalling that these six "outsider" councillors should feel entitled to vote on a by-law having such social and financial impact on a community they don't really represent. They admit that the problem of Sydenham water was known prior to amalgamation, and we were told that it was decided then, by whomever, that it was to be considered a Loughborough District problem and that the other districts would stay out of it! It is clear to me now that their attitude was "Don't bother me with details, just tell me how to you want me to vote." Their lack of understanding of the feelings and wishes of the affected residents of Sydenham suggest to me they stayed out of it all right, -right to the point of being uninformed of what was involved in the whole scheme. This was really brought home to me at the Council Meeting of March 4, where in response to questions, not one of the five "outside" councillors present would admit to having read the consulting firm's report on which the need for water system was based!
Let's compare their actions with Ms. Platenius' guideline, the one that indicates that "a councilor has to know when to rely on the recommendations of municipal staff and to be willing to dig for the background information when she feels uncertain of those recommendations." Do you wonder why there's resentment?
Ms. Platenius used both "him" and "her" in referring to councilors. However, in the interests of fairness, I must point out that the only "she" on council was the sole dissenter to the passing of the by-law, suggesting to me that she was the only one doing her homework. It could be, too, that lady politicians are more in tune with public opinion, or less likely to succumb to the herd instinct than their male counterparts, at least in matters requiring a social conscience. Another of Ms. Platenius' observations is that: "a good councillor has to weigh the good of the whole municipality against the wishes of his own district." (I changed "her" to "him" because it was the male councillors who let us down!) I believe that it would have been wiser to have involved the whole of South Frontenac in solving this problem, and to have begun to prepare immediately for the similar crises that are sure to be encountered someday by our sister communities, perhaps someday soon. No, I don't feel that Sydenham was well served by Storrington's Barr and Lake, nor by Bedford's Hahn and Stowe, nor by Portland's Robinson and Smith. And especially, not by Loughborough's Pobran.Richard Munroe, Sydenham
Re: Memories of a Mississippi Family(March 10, 2003) Thank you once again for the great little paper that keeps me in touch with back home (Mississippi Station). I enjoy it greatly and pass it on to others who spent most of their lives back north.I notice you have had several articles on a musical family, "The Abrams". You are to be commended for this, because one of the hardest things to do is for performers to get good publicity about their music and the events they play at. I have first-hand experience at this, as my family, "The Deacons", consisting of my mother and dad, sister and two brothers, played music for most events such as dances and wedding receptions from Mississippi Hall to Hopetown. I remember--even before I was a teenager-- playing for dances with the other family members and continued right into my 20s, when I came to Kingston with my sister to find work.
I am proud to say at the age of 71 years I am still playing piano and electric guitar, my favourite music being western-swing and blues-jazz. Do I ever wish your little paper was around when our family was playing for all those events, but at that time we were at war and one was lucky to have a paper at all, and if you did, it was always one day late! Although I have never heard this talented family play, one can tell by the write-ups in The News that they put their heart and soul into it when they play and the audience appreciates their musical talents. I can only say this tired world of ours certainly can use some good old toe-tapping music to lift the spirits, and the more often, the better! Bill Deacon, Kingston FebruaryRe: Sydenham residents need positive attitude (February 12, 2003)
The residents of Sydenham need to take a positive attitude toward the decision to install a water system. The village has numerous homes and businesses and has been on wells and septic systems for many years. It is to council's credit that they have initiated action regarding the water quality. They should be praised for taking action when there is financial assistance available from other levels of government. We must remember they are only the messenger; they didn't cause the poor quality water. This was done by the current and past residents of the village. If they hadn't taken action and people began having health problems they would be criticized for that. It is kind of a no win situation that people like Mayor Leonard and council face. Letters to the editor and reports from Wilma Kenney indicate that the feeling is that others in the township should bear part of the costs. Many reasons are given, that the income of the people in the village is such that they can't afford to pay the costs, that there are many senior residents in the village, single parents etc. They should note that there are many people who live in the rural part of the township who have the same situations: seniors on pensions, single parents, low income earners, etc. The facts are that these rural residents are on wells and septic systems themselves and if something goes wrong, which is a regular occurrence, the residents of South Frontenac don't help them to pay for it. A new well and pump can exceed $5,000; a septic bed $10,000 or more, and I don't think Wilma has ever done without a cup of coffee to help pay for them. The villagers have had help with their systems over the past years with grants. These grants were not available to people outside the village. I think it is time a generation faces up to the water quality issue and deals with it. Homes would become more saleable and the value of the homes would increase as well. Why leave it for another generation, as has been done in the past. Rather than spending money on lawyers to fight the proposed system, their efforts would be better spent making deals with contractors to lower the costs and in getting more appropriate loan rates at the level of current mortgage rates. Bill Flynn, Sydenham
Re: Snowmobiles running open water(February 12, 2003)
The organized water crossing competitions one watches on television follow strict safety procedures to protect the spectators, participants, and the environment. Wardens ensure the safety of the participants, and that the site is left free of litter and debris. The snowmobiles involved must use only water as a coolant, and vegetable oil in theirchaincases.Gas tanks are sealed. Alcohol is banned. Spectators are kept at a safe distance. Only one machine at a time is allowed on the course.
None of these precautions are observed at the informal, unorganized water skipping events which have appeared in late winter in recent years at various sites in Central and South Frontenac. The participants simply ignore safety and environmental considerations, in the mistaken belief that the law ends at the water's edge.
Reacting to the potentialthreat of environmental damage, serious injury, or loss of life posed by these events, last winter the Sudbury area OFSC S.T.O.P. Coordinator, after consulting with the crown attorney, issued a press release stating that anyone running open water would be charged with careless driving. As well, if any snowmobile which sank in the water leaked gas, oil or antifreeze, environmental charges, carrying fines of up to $10,000, would be laid by the Ministry of the Environment.
The following week two snowmobilers who chose to ignore this warning were charged with careless. One contested the charge and was convicted in court. The second just paid the fine.
Wayne Harris, VP, Sharbot Lake Dist. Snowriders
Does anyone know the fate of the Mountain Grove Fire Tower? Feb 5/03
First of all, I enjoy reading your site, and have bookmarked it for further reading! A friend of mine, who lives in Parham, directed me to it. My wife and I grew up Sydenham and then moved to Amherstview after our first child was born. We love it here but also love the countryside we grew up in. "The Triangle" is no longer and we enjoyed reading each and every issue.
My question is " Does anyone know what the fate of the fire tower in Mountain Grove is?" I have been told that it is still standing although that the ladder has been removed for safety reasons. It is also rumoured that it is slated for demolition!
I would hope that this is not true and that the people of Mountain Grove and vicinity would rally to keep it standing tall as an icon of fire control of days gone by. The railway is gone, but this tower can be saved!
If it is to be removed, I want to get back there and take some pictures before it's demise! I was never really interested in these towers until I happened across a website dedicated to Ontario fire towers. www.geocities.com/ontarioftl/ check it out!
Thank you for any help you can give me and I am now a regular reader of your site.
Sincerely,AndrE.GerowAmherstview,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Re: Sydenham water a South Frontenac Township problem (February 5, 2003)As a resident of the village of Sydenham I am indeed comforted by Mayor Leonard and his council's obvious concern for our health and well-being as evidenced by their recent passing of the Sydenham Water Works by-law and Mayor Leonard's comments in Wilma Kenny's Frontenac News article of January 8, 2003, as follows: ".. .council was elected to look after the health and safety of all the residents; how could we live with ourselves if we turned down the chance for municipal water and then a tragedy happened".
Despite these expressions of concern, council is prepared to encumber residents of the village of Sydenham with an average cost of around $6000 per household to install this municipal water system, not to mention the hookup costs for residents, some of which are expected to be in the neighbourhood of $15 - $20,000.
Council seems little concerned by the sentiments expressed by many of the residents that these costs are prohibitive.
If council were truly concerned about the well-being of the residents of Sydenham they would be considering ways to address this significant financial burden. A mechanism to do so clearly exists. It appears that the residents of Sydenham are being encumbered by the cost of this system as a result of a "deal", made at the time of amalgamation between the various districts, which now make up South Frontenac Township, that Sydenham water would be a Loughborough District problem. The fact of the matter is that Loughborough District no longer exists. We are all part of South Frontenac Township and this problem is a South Frontenac Township problem.
As far as I am aware, the costs of road repairs, for example, are not apportioned to the residents of the district in which the roads are being repaired. Also, I suspect that if the village of Harrowsmith or Yarker developed water problems tomorrow, all residents of South Frontenac (including residents of Sydenham) would pay, through their taxes, to address this problem. This is an absolutely appropriate way to deal with such problems. It is time that Mayor Leonard and his council removed the blinkers that keep them looking at the Sydenham water issue as a "Loughborough" problem and realized that it is a South Frontenac problem with a South Frontenac solution.
By my calculation, and using 2001 data for South Frontenac Township from Statistics Canada, there are 8,541 total private dwellings in the Township. If the cost of installing the Sydenham Municipal Water system was spread across these households it would amount to a one-time cost of approximately $200 per household. This cost could, of course, be spread over a number of years. For most people $200 is not going to break the bank - for many of the residents of the village of Sydenham, $6000 will.
A. Alastair Lamb
JanuaryRe: Possible solutions (January 29, 2003)
Last week I wrote about my dismay about our municipal taxation.
I would not dare to imply any criticism without exploring some possible solutions.
Proposals are underway for a convention centre with an in-residence artists' community. In my humble opinion this will be of little value to our community unless an infrastructure was present, able to entertain and service the visitors. Most conventioneers are out for a good time and pampering, with little interest in hiking, etc., and few artists earn enough to contribute to the tax base in a meaningful way.
Whenever I mention our area, nobody seems to have heard about it. This points to a need to make Ontarians and New Yorkers, specifically, aware about our region. This needs to be done by professionals, thus a PR firm with savvy. As we cannot afford seasoned high-priced consultants we should approach some young and upcoming, new-on-the-block outfit. Offer them a commission on any new tax income resulting from their efforts.
Then we should look to other small communities that climbed out of the mire. Why re-invent the wheel? Elora, St.Jacobs, Bobcageon and Westport immediately come to mind.
- We should attract new business by waiving or reducing taxes for five years.- We should develop the waterfront to accommodate leisurely walks, open air concerts, etc with, for instance, a boardwalk.
- We should approach real estate developers to construct a seniors' community, with house prices around $120,000.One of the ways to make it possible is with OPM (Other People's Money), a time-honoured accepted system in the business world, but this will only happen if we can convince business with conviction about what we have to offer. Hence my first point...proper, professional PR.
Through it all we should never loose sight of retaining our rural identity and carefully protecting our natural beauty.Leo M. van der Ham, Parham
Re: Mayors consider their futures (Jan 15, 2003)I read with alarm the statement Mayor MacDonald made in your last issue about not seeing any alternative to increasing municipal taxes once more this year.
I fully understand the dilemma in which he and our representatives find themselves, trying to cope with the demands of running a county where funding has to come from a low population with few commercial businesses, while having to deal with ever increasing downloading from the province. But where is the end? I moved here in November of 99 and have seen my taxes increase by 15%, a rate double to triple that of our sister counties, while assessment remained virtually the same.
I have heard talk about trying to attract home-based and small industries to this county, which offers great beauty and a quiet lifestyle. But, if location is not job related, as in the case of writers, computer software designers, craftsmen,etc., why would anyone take up the offer when there are so many other places with more palatable tax rates? On Salt Spring Island off the east coast of Vancouver Island, last years taxes for a $200,000 home were $765. Almost all roads are paved and lighted, water and sewer services widespread, marvelous shopping, modern schools, an excellent hospital, etc., yet most people there have but modest to low incomes. Its population is approximately 11,000. This population figure, I assume, is considerably higher than that of Central Frontenac, though ours is spread out over a larger area, which steers me to the conclusion that, although amalgamation can have negative aspects in many instances, this is not the case in our situation. The concept that, if the three Frontenac counties were one, most of the taxes would benefit Kingston proper, would be correct if we had any fears that things could get worse in our area. But I cannot see how they possibly could. When entering Central Frontenac from any direction I know Im there by the condition of the road without having to see a sign. I used to be on a paved road which has now been converted to a gravel base because no funds were available to make repairs. My car will require increased repairs and maintenance. I have to drive 10kms each way to the nearest waste disposal site and than have to pay a buck a bag. About the only visible return I get for my taxes is the snow plowing. Of course there are other items the county has to pay for, such as policing, welfare, etc. which may well be the cause of throwing us every year over the top. But that is exactly why I believe amalgamation may be a saving grace. We cannot just go on and on raising taxes to cover all things. Somewhere we have to say enough, we do not have the money so we do not supply the service, much along the line we all have to take with our own budgets. Mayor MacDonald implies that lower provincial and federal taxes may offset the planned municipal tax increase. I strongly disagree. Many to most of Central Frontenacs taxpayers are retired or otherwise on a fixed income, and reduction of the aforementioned taxes is of very little benefit to them. I am glad I moved here. The natural beauty is among the best the Creator pulled out of his bag and people are kind, creative and helpful. But it comes at a high price and perhaps too high a price for many. I am sure Mayor MacDonald and the rest of our council give it their best, for which I thank them. But the time has come to take a firm stand and not be afraid to use the word NO, and let the chips fall where they may. Leo M. van der Ham, Parham
Re: Sydenham Water
I read Wilma Kennys article on Sydenham Waterworks in your January 8 edition. I would like to compliment Ms. Kenny on her obvious grasp of a very complex issue.
Guy Laporte, P. Eng. Totten, Sims, Hubicki, Kingston office
Re: Fire Department Goes EFR, Defib Equipped A Mea Culpa
Please allow me to extend apologies to anyone who was offended by my article. It was certainly not my intention to slight anyone, nor to deliberately demean the good work done by members of the Ompah-Snow Road Fire Department. As a retired 30-year police officer, I can readily appreciate the personal sacrifices and dedication that go into being an emergency services worker, particularly when one does so as a volunteer.
The error in not recognizing the O/SR Department in the article was mine alone. I had been given sufficient information that should have clued me in; I just didnt pick up on it.
I am glad that, through the related letters to the editor and Helen Forseys story that came out in the following issue of The News, the qualities and capabilities of the O/SR Fire Department were made well known to readers. I too laud these firefighters on their accomplishments, and believe me, they do have the utmost of my respect for a job well done. Again, I can only say Im sorry, and I owe them a good turn.
Will Cybulski
