Feature Article - September 14, 2006

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Feature Article - September 14, 2006

Work ready for women: a women's employment training project

Work ready for women - A women’s employment training project

Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres and the North Rural Women’s Program of Land o’ Lakes Community Services are beginning an exciting and positive new training called Work Ready for Women. Work Ready for Women will help women get ready for the workplace. The training will take place three days a week at Northern Connections in Sharbot Lake and Northbrook , starting September 18 and running until the week of December 11.

Work Ready for Women will lead to success in the workplace. It will boost your self-esteem, discuss your rights and help you deal with conflicts. It will cover many topics such as choosing good childcare, recognizing stress, caring for yourself, and overcoming discrimination and harassment.

You will work at your own pace to improve your workplace Essential Skills (reading, document use, writing, numeracy, oral communication, thinking skills, working with others, computer use, and continuous learning). Your group will meet every other Monday in Kaladar at the Community Centre to enjoy guest speakers and have interesting discussions with the North Rural Women’s Program.

Women are needed who want to improve their chances for a great future work experience! Contact Northern Connections in Sharbot Lake at 613-279-2499 or in Northbrook at 613-336-0691. Transportation and childcare subsidies are available for eligible applicants.

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Feature Article - April 5, 2007

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Feature Article - April 5, 2007

Interest in Northbrook community garden is growing!

by Cheryl Hartwick

Are you interested in gardening? Do you have a green thumb?

A local steering committee is looking for people, novice or pro, who may be interested in a community garden. The group is hoping to promote and increase production of locally-produced food, through several local strategies, beginning with the development of a community garden in Northbrook at the Pine Meadow Nursing Home site.

The plan is to have the garden up and “growing” (pun intended) this summer with horticulture and environmental leadership programs for children and families, a communal gardening site and individual raised garden plots for interested community members. Other plans currently being investigated include supporting and increasing home gardening in the Land o’ Lakes region, the possibility of developing a food cooperative (and perhaps a producers’ cooperative) and, over the next couple of years, starting a community greenhouse using the principles of aquaponics.

Aquaponics is a sustainable way of growing food that combines aquaculture and hydroponics. The unique advantages of aquaponic systems are 1) conservation through constant water reuse and recycling; 2) organic fertilization of plants with natural fish emulsion; 3) the elimination of solid waste disposal from intensive aquaculture; 4) the reduction of needed cropland to produce like crops; 5) the overall reduction of environmental footprint for crop production (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics).

If you are interested in getting involved, sharing your gardening knowledge, or learning more about the ideas, there is a community meeting on Tuesday, April 10 at the Lion’s Hall in Northbrook. Come out and help make our community greener and more beautiful.

For more information, contact Tom Arniel at Pathways for Children and Youth in Northbrook at 613-336-8934.

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Feature Article - May 10, 2007

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Feature Article - May 10, 2007

Letters

Alarming number of toxins in use today

My wife and I have chemical sensitivities. Our lives are changed. The world is now a hostile place. Effects of exposures can vary from disabling flu-like symptoms to life-threatening (asthma). These sensitivities are the results of previous repeated exposures. (It may happen to you, too.)

Over the course of the Easter long weekend, a major renovation took place at our local Royal Bank branch – a complete makeover. New floors, counters, etc. greeted me on my arrival the following Tuesday morning. Also there to welcome me was the overwhelming atmosphere of toxic, solvent-laden fumes; the result of the off-gassing of the various materials used during the renovation process. By the time I was able to leave, my head was pounding, heart racing, lips were numb; I was light-headed, and had a sharp, metallic taste in my mouth. In short, I was very ill for the rest of the day.

Now, I am not uninformed regarding the make-up of some of the materials used, and they do indeed contain various acknowledged hazardous chemicals. There are government-mandated MSDS (Manufacturers Safety Data Sheets) for these products, and these instructions for safe usage should be adhered to. High on the list is good ventilation and the use of an appropriate breathing apparatus. The information is there; unfortunately, it is often ignored.

When I registered my concern, I was asked “Is anyone else complaining? Are the employees?” Great! I can see it now. “Well, the canary died…but the miners still seem okay.”

There are an alarming number of hazardous, toxic, and carcinogenic chemicals in use today, incorporated into many commonly-used products. We avoid them in our home, and I resent being involuntarily exposed, especially in public spaces. Had I walked into the bank and lit a cigarette there would have been an outcry. Why is it acceptable to expose customers and employees to other toxins with impunity?

April is “Cancer” month. Isn’t it ironic that we can “Walk for the Cure”, all the while coming up with new ways to give it ourselves?

- Bob Miller, Activist in the making!

Food Down The Road – a Local Reality

The article by Jeff Green, “Food down the Road – towards a local food system” (Frontenac News, May 3), is both encouraging and timely. In the article, Jeff states that the National Farmers’ Union local 316 project is aimed at “developing a sustainable local food system in the region.”

While “North of Seven” may be a little beyond the perimeter of the Food Down The Road Project (defined as a 100 km radius around Kingston), a small group of highly enthusiastic community people in the Northbrook area is taking one small step along the road to making the aim of the sustainable local food system project a practical reality.

Saturday morning (May 12 – 9:00 am – noon) they plan to construct several raised garden plots next to Pine Meadows Nursing Home using donated lumber, top-soil, and organic compost. Once constructed, the garden plots will be made available to interested individuals, families, or groups for the purpose of either (a) growing their own fruit and vegetables (and flowers, if they so choose), or (b) growing produce to share with others.

The hope and intention of the initiators of the community garden is that this project will provide a model and an incentive for others to start their own community gardens.

Whether your interest is in caring well for the Earth, learning more about gardening, sharing your accumulated gardening wisdom, eating delicious, nutritious produce, or making new friends, put one foot in front of the other and…

If you happen to be out and about the Northbrook area this Saturday morning,

May 12th, take a drive around Pine Meadows Nursing Home. Say hello to the work crew who will be constructing the raised garden plots for this area’s first community garden. Better yet, bring your gardening tools with you and join the party.

Eleanor Belfry-Lyttle

Wildfire in North Frontenac

On Saturday, May 5, a brush fire started on the northeast corner of our property at the Wintergreen road in Barrie Township. At this location the high voltage power lines run west towards Northbrook. We smelled smoke, discovered the fire, and called 911. No more than 10 minutes later the fire department was on site and setting up to fight this wild fire. Since there was a strong wind out of the east and everything was very dry, the fire moved across the property and down the power line easement with great speed.

The MNR was contacted and within an hour a helicopter with a firefighting crew was on the way from Pembroke and water bomber airplanes dispatched from Gravenhurst. The fire was finally brought under control by 7PM after two extra water bombers were brought in from Quebec. It was stopped just 100 metres from our neighbour's cabin.

No cause has been determined as yet, but it looks like it could well have been started by a discarded cigarette. In total, approximately 60 acres were burned and crews were still working to put out hotspots on Monday afternoon. We owe our local firefighters, the MNR fire crew, and the MNR a great “Thank You”. They worked without stopping from dawn till dusk each day in very rugged conditions. It is very important to realize that if they had not been able to control the fire when they did, it would have been on its way to Northbrook, less than 5km away.

This fire cost tens of thousands of dollars to fight. One water bomber costs over $2,000 per hour.

Please be careful with all sources of fire at all times.

Thanks, firefighters, you did a great job.

- Frank McEvoy

Editor’s Note: As of Tuesday morning May 8, firefighters were still struggling to contain this fire. A complete fire ban is now in effect in Addington Highlands, North, Central and South Frontenac Townships.-

Re: K&P Trails

I wish to lend my support to the efforts of the mayor and council of Central Frontenac in attempting to acquire the old K&P rail line. Recreation trails are now important and will become, in my opinion, even more important in years to come. What a shame that a track bed that would have cost millions of dollars to construct in another time could be lost forever. This acquisition is well within the mandate of a municipal council and I hope all the various parties will co-operate to have the trail run from Kingston to Sharbot Lake and then beyond.

I hope ratepayers from all the municipalities will support the efforts of their councils to purchase and develop this link so that the trails will be available to all recreation users in the future.

Keep up the good work.

- Wayne Robinson

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Feature Article - December 13, 2007 Back toHome Feature Article - December 13, 2007 Kendra Wilson: Big Heart,big voice By Jule Koch Brison

Kendra (r) & mother Debra Wilson at Pine Meadow Nursing Home

For most 11-year-olds, the word fun has many meanings, and none of them would probably include spending time at nursing homes.

But for Kendra Wilson of Northbrook, that is one of her favourite things to do. Kendra is the daughter of Tony and Debra Wilson. Derba works at Pine Meadow Nursing Home, and since Kendra was about 8, she has been spending time at the home, bringing a very special gift to the residents – the gift of song. Last Monday night, Kendra delighted residents by giving a mini-concert at the home.

Kendra has been singing since she was about three. For a short time she took vocal lessons with Shari Tallon, but mostly, she has taught herself to sing. Kendra practices every day, and although she gets very busy with her schoolwork, she doesn’t find it hard to fit singing in. “I love to sing” she says, “It makes me happy to make other people happy”. In addition to singing, writing her own songs and keeping her school grades at the “A” level, Kendra also takes guitar and piano lessons.

For the last few months, Kendra has been singing at the Northbrook Hotel every week, accompanied by Scott Pettigrew of the Tweed Twangers. Scott has been a mentor for Kendra, and has helped her to find venues for singing. In addition to performing at the Northbrook Hotel, Kendra has sung at the Tweedsmuir Hotel with Scott and his other band, Cabin Fever. In the near future he will help her to record a demo CD

This weekend, Kendra will be a back up singer on a CD that is being recorded for the Kids without Coats charity. The concert will take place at the Tweed Hungerford Lions Hall. Also, next year, look for this talented young lady at a concert to be held on February 15, at North Addington Education Centre.

Feature Article - May 29, 2008

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Feature Article - May 29, 2008 PELA CFDC Opens Branch in Northbrook

Prince Edward/Lennox & Addington Community Futures Development Corporation (PELA CFDC) is committed to serving both Prince Edward County and Lennox and Addington Counties by providing free business advice and support in our Picton, Napanee, and now Northbrook locations.

Chris Winney of Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty has generously supplied office space at her facility at 12309 Hwy 41, Northbrook, for PELA CFDC to use as a satellite office on the last Friday of every month. John Jackson, the Chair of PELA CFDC, a Federally funded not-for-profit economic development corporation, states that this gives business in the north of our service area the opportunity to meet face to face with our professional staff.

Gillian Chapman of PELA CFDC will be available, by appointment, to provide confidential business advice and support, plus information on:

Business Loans up to $150,000 with fixed interest rates starting at 2% above prime.

Business planning tools.

Business Grants.

Interest Free business Loans of $5,000 & $50,000.

Self Employment Benefit Programme to support business start up for EI/ODSP recipients.

E-Learning: Computer based training available free to the business community.

Canadian Youth Business foundation: To support youth entrepreneur start-ups.

PELA CFDC was welcomed to Northbrook by a number of business and government representatives who support the initiative of opening up the availability of Federally funded services to the area.

For more information, please contact Gillian Chapman, Business Development Manager at 613-354-0162.

Letters - July 24, 2008

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Letters - July 24, 2008 Letters: July 24

Re: Northbrook Cenetery Hit By Vandals, Gilda Berger

Standby Ambulance Facility, Lynn Dodds

Consultation?, Helen Crowe

Re: Northbrook Cemetery Hit by Vandals

Bravo to Sonja Alcock (letter, July 24, 2008) and Minister Judith Evenden for denouncing the anti-Semitic allegations and actions against Camp Gesher, a Jewish camp that has been in the area for 45 years. Some in the Northbrook community had accused Gesher staff of being the culprits in vandalizing the Northbrook United Church Cemetery on July 17. Following the cemetery desecration, some vigilantes went on a retaliatory binge on Gesher’s grounds , wreaking damage that delivered a violent and hateful message. In addition, a few townspeople from Northbrook hurled some anti-semitic comments at a staff person from Gesher who was shopping there.

I am the parent of a Gesher counselor. We have visited the camp on many occasions over the years while our children were campers, and we often stopped in Northbrook for shopping, and eating. Many of our Gesher friends spend at least one weekend overnight in Northbrook on visitor’s day weekend, or when transporting our children to and from camp. We have always been treated with warmth and friendliness by the Northbrook community and have always felt that the camp is connected to that community. All the Gesher parents were terribly distressed and saddened by the news of the cemetery damage. We were equally upset by the destructive and menacing events which followed, on Gesher property, and we worried for the safety of our children.

The camp leaders assured us that we could trust the Northbrook community to support us, and protect us because of the long-standing good relationship between Northbrook and Camp Gesher. We were encouraged to refuse to let the behaviour of a few, tarnish the goodness of many.

Thank you, Ms. Alcock and Ms. Evenden for speaking up, and confirming to us that there is certainly more good than evil, and for extending a hand of friendship at a time of need.

Gilda Berger

Standby Facility for Denbigh Ambulance

During the 10 years of operating the Moosehorn Restaurant, the Denbigh Ambulance Operators always had access to our building and facilities. The Ambulance personnel were given the numeric access code to our side door and advised that they could use it on a 24 hour — 7 day basis.

Due to personal reasons I have decided to retire from restaurant services — HOWEVER, the building and facilities are still available to the Ambulance personnel. There is someone on site at all times, there is an intercom system in the open front lobby for emergency purposes (ie. Gasoline, accidents, O.P.P.) and I am more than willing to let the ambulance use this facility for standby. There are washrooms available, a kettle, tea, coffee and telephone etc. should they need them.

I know from personal experience that when you are waiting for an ambulance, every minute seems like five. A friend of mine had an unexpected heart attack while visiting. The Denbigh Ambulance responded within 10 minutes but I observed the stress level of he and his wife rise moment to moment. Due to stress his pain became more severe but once the ambulance arrived he relaxed considerably. I firmly believe that if my friend had been required to wait for a longer period of time he would not be alive today. This is the reason I feel it is imperative that the ambulance service must be available in the northern portion of Lennox and Addington. It is also the reason that I have no reservations about making my facility available to the Denbigh (or Northbrook) E.M.S.Lynne Dodds

Consultation?

The "consultation" process the Shabot Obaadjiwan is involved in is a sham, just as the failed talks in February were.

The government employees involved have no power to make any important decisions, and the official position is still that drilling will happen. George White, the owner of Frontenac Ventures, hassaid that drilling could begin anytime after the 31st of July.

Frontenac Ventures and the construction company involved in site preparation will be in court on Aug.7 to answer charges of environmental infractions stemming from road building. No charges were laid against the people who attended the story telling with Bob Lovelace last Monday, or the people who visited Robertsville later in the week.

Helen Crowe

Feature Article - July 24, 2008

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Feature Article - July 24, 2008 Opening of Tracy Park in NorthbrookBy Jeff Green

Sarah Yoeh cutting the ribbon to officially open the Northbrook skateboard park.

The celebration over the opening of a $100,000 recreation park behind the Lion’s Hall in Northbrook was tinged with sadness.

The recreation park,which includes a skateboard park, a jungle gym climbing unit, a basketball court, and a beach volleyball court, was inspired and initially promoted to Addington Highlands Council by Tracy Yeoh in 2006.

The Park was christened Tracy Park in her honour, but she did not live to see the opening. Tracy Yeoh died of Cancer in May of this year.

Ken Hook of the Addington Highlands Recreation Committee was the MC for the opening ceremonies, which included two ribbon cuttings, and a performance by a troupe of young professional skateboarders.

Reeve Henry Hogg brought greetings from the township, which backed the project from the start.

Ken Hook then intoduced John Macdougall of Verona, the chair of the local adjudication committee for the Trillium Foundation.

Trillium gave $75,000 to help build the skateboard park. “It wasn’t the only money we received, but it is what got us off to a really good start,” said Hook

MacDougall said that Foundation delivered $102 million in grants throughout Ontario last year, and will deliver $110 milion this year and $120 milion next year.

“Projects like the one here in Northbrook are exactly what the foundation is looking for,” said MacDougall. “Be sure and give us a call when you begin phase 2 of the Park.”

“We’ve got your phone number,” said Hook.

Representatives from Ontario Hydro were on hand to present a checque for $5,000, which paid for a climbing unit that is part of the park.

Sara Yeoh, flanked by her two brothers, then gave a short, heartfelt speech. She talked about her mother’s commitment to recreation and the joy that the success of the fundrasing and building project brought her as she heard reports of the progress that was being made over the past couple of years.

Jacob Yeoh (at Left) spoke as well, saying he was the kind of troublemaking kid that his mother wanted to build a skateboard park for, to keep him occupied.

“She would say if you break your arm skateboarding at least it will keep you hung up for a while,” he said.

Then it was time to cut the ribbon, which was done by Sarah Yeoh.

A second ribbon cutting, at the climber, in front of the Tracy Park placque, followed.

With the formalities out of the way, the skatepark was put to use by the Monke Sakteboards troupe, who demonstrated how to do all sorts of hair raising tricks on the park, to the delight of a young audience.

Oct 23/08 - AH Council

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Feature Article - October 23, 2008 Addington Highlands Council –Oct 20, 2008By Jule Koch Brison

Council accepted a quote for $4029.84 from Quinte Eco Consultants to drill three monitoring wells at the Kaladar Waste Disposal Site

A request from the Kids Help Phone Line for a donation of $500 was deferred to next year’s budget deliberations. Information provided by Kids Help indicated that in 2007, 729 contacts were made to them by children and youth from the Cloyne, Flinton, Denbigh and Northbrook areas.

The Land o’ Lakes Lions Club notified the township that they will be holding their Hunters’ Voluntary Toll in Northbrook on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1

Addington Highlands and North Frontenac Township need to pass “mirror bylaws” in order to erect stop signs on the Skootamatta Lake Road where it intersects the Hughes Landing Road. AH passed its bylaw on Monday.

Council passed a bylaw to establish township policy on stopping up and selling road allowances leading to water. In Addington Highlands, it was theoretically possible for a person to purchase the shore road allowance in front of someone else’s property. The new bylaw prevents that scenario.

Fritz and Ursula Nussberger have withdrawn an application for an amendment to the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw to allow them to build apartments on the back of an office building that they are constructing. AH has no provision for multi-residential zoning and also the property is zoned commercial. Construction of the office building, which will house Land o’ Lakes Community Services, is proceeding.

Sept 18/08 - Denbigh Ambulance Review

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Feature Article - September 18, 2008 Ambulance Review in DenbighBy Angela Bright

As expected, nearly one hundred people were in attendance on Tuesday night at the Denbigh Hall, and they were all eager to hear about the Ambulance Service and Organizational Review.

Tom Bedford, Manager of Ambulance Services for the County of Lennox and Addingon, was on hand. He introduced Marvin Rubinstein of IBI Group, which has been hired to perform Lennox and Addington's County- wide review.

Mr. Rubinstein began by laying out the scope of the review, which includes four main items; to review organizational structures, appropriate geographic location of service, future viability, and cost. Charts and graphs were used to display wages/honorariums, call volumes, cross border calls, and how the numbers in each of these aspects differ vastly from the north end of the County to the south end.

For example, of the calls Denbigh receives, 59 percent are cross border calls, whereas only 17 percent of the calls in Napanee are cross border calls.

This statistic was exemplified by looking around the room, as a decent number of people at the meeting hailed from neighbouring counties, including Councilor Perry from North Frontenac and Councilor Lehnhardt of Greater Madawaska. When a Denbigh ambulance leaves for a call in a neighbouring county, there is no vehicle left at the local base.

However, when a Napanee ambulance is out on call, the Northbrook amblance shifts to Tamworth area, and the Denbigh amulance goes to Northbrook. Residents are very concerned about the time the local ambulance is absent from the local service area and welcomed the ability, as someone stated, to "quantify our anger and frustration" so as to include it in the review. One attendee raised the concern that many people often choose to drive themselves or their relatives or neighbours to the hospital rather than calling for an ambulance, thus lowering the call volume numbers for the Denbigh base.

Many points and questions came up during the discussion/suggestion period. Mr. Bedford was asked to explain why the beds have been removed from the local base, to which he replied that the Denbigh base is a "working base", because of the 12 hour shifts. Mr. Bedford also explained that Denbigh ambulances need to go all the way to the Northbrook when they are on standby instead of halfway, He said it was due to liability and that ambulances must stay on County property.

Near the end of the meeting the question was posed to Mr. Rubinstein, ""What do we need to do right now?"

He answered simply, "By doing what you are doing; staying on top of things."

Reeve Hogg added that each one should be in touch with their MPP to advise them of the issue as well. Mr. Bedford also made a few copies of the report "Ambulance Funding Issues" available. The report has been presented to the Honourable David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in August, in the hope that he will address the financial challenges that the County and residents face.

Within the week, this document should be posted on the County's web site, www.lennox-addington.on.ca.

In approximately 3 weeks time, the consultant's final report should be prepared and it will then be presented to County Council in October.

All through the meeting, poster sized displays stared back from the front wall with newspaper clippings and articles from years passed about the ambulance service, and how from its inception, has so greatly served the surrounding area. Ruby Malcolm organized and put together the articles for an ambulance reunion held two years ago.

It is amazing to see how far the service has come and will be even more interesting to see where we are headed.

Nov 6/08 - Denbigh Ambulance Report

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Feature Article - November 6, 2008 Denbigh Ambulance report in, decisions to follow.By Jeff Green

It's all laid out in charts, graphs, a variety of options and cost projections, but the one thing the 68-page Ambulance Service and Organizational Review for Lennox and Addington does not do is make the hard decisions about the future of the service provided out of the Northbrook and Denbigh ambulance bases.

Those decisions will hinge on the recommendations that county staff bring back to L&A County Council, as well as on potential cross border arrangements to be negotiated with Renfrew and Frontenac counties, and ultimately on political decisions by county council itself.

The report takes a comprehensive look at the service in the entire county, and in terms of the northern service it recommends that the way paramedics are accredited and paid be amalgamated between the south and north, which the consultants estimate would increase the cost of providing the northern service by $1 million per year.

The report lays out four options for service in the north in the future.

Option #1 would see the maintenance of the status quo, a 24-hour ambulance at both the Northbrook and Denbigh stations. Option #2 would see a repositioning of both bases to be closer to neighbouring counties, Frontenac for Northbrook, and Renfrew for Denbigh, with partnership agreements to help pay for the cost of the service.

Option #3 would see a reduction of the Denbigh base to a daytime 12-hour shift, and option #4 would see the “elimination of one of the two northern bases and the repositioning of the other to a location more or less equidistant between the existing two”.

“The preferred scenario,” says the report “is that 24/7 ambulance service coverage be maintained at Denbigh and Northbrook. To sustain this level of coverage at Denbigh and Northbrook, and to avoid the entire future increase in cost falling onto the local tax base, the county will have to aggressively pursue new/additional sources of funding.”

The county submitted a business case to the Ministry of Health for the ministry to cover 50% of the increased costs that may be incurred by keeping the two bases open because they serve a wide, under-populated rural area, but the Ministry did not approve the case.

Of the 643 calls to the Northbrook station last year, 36% were from locations outside of the county, and 25% of the total calls (161) were from Frontenac County.

For Denbigh, 59% of the 222 calls were from outside L&A, with 28% (63 calls) coming from Frontenac County, and 23% (53 calls) coming from Renfrew County. The Eastern Ontario Treasurers Association has been looking at cross border billing for ambulance service, and recommends that a value of $170 be established for each call.

The consultant’s report says that the treasurers realised that this figure is inadequate for areas such as Northbrook and Denbigh, where because of geography and low call volumes, the cost average per call can exceed $1,000.

“For such situations, the Eastern Ontario Treasurers recommended that the neighbouring municipalities should review and implement a deployment strategy to ensure that one municipality is not carrying an unreasonable burden providing service to a neighbouring municipality.”

The organisational review is full of data and was written carefully. It does not push one option or another. That will be left to the ambulance managers and the politicians in three counties to figure out.

Meanwhile, the ad hoc Denbigh Ambulance Service Committee that sprung up last spring, as well as Addington Highlands Council, and L&A County Council, have been spending some time reading and studying the report.

In an interview with the News, Tom Bedford, the Manager of Emergency Services for the County, said that county staff is putting into place several recommendations in the report, including informing the province and neighbouring counties about the contents of the report and the role that the L&A service needs them to play in order to maintain the level of service in the north.

It will take some time before residents of Denbigh and Northbrook will know what the future holds for their local ambulance service.