Legalese_08-21
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Legalese - May 29, 2008 June is Seniors’ Month in OntarioPeter Graham, LawyerThe legal clinic recently received a letter from M. Aileen Carroll, the Minister Responsible for Seniors announcing that June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario. The provincial theme for Seniors’ Month 2008 is “Discover the Possibilities”. The government’s goal, according to the letter, is to encourage older adults to live life to the fullest and to continue to make their enormous contributions to their families, communities and country.
Information on Seniors’ Month is available on the website of the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat, www.ontarioseniors.ca or by calling the Seniors INFOline at 1-888-910-1999.
I took up the Minister’s offer and visited the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat website. I found much information about Seniors’ Month as well as information about such things as government pensions, volunteering, retirement and powers of attorney to name a few. The Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat is a great place to start a search on topics of interest to seniors.
The focus of Seniors’ Month is active living and there are many resources available. Here is a sampling:
Life Event Bundle – The Life Event Bundle is a collection of services and information online relating to specific events in a person’s life. It covers topics from “Having a Baby” to “What to do When Someone Dies” as well as many events in between. Of particular interest to seniors is “Getting Ready to Retire” which covers Canada’s retirement income system with details as to when and how to apply for government pensions. Another topic is “Pursuing Life’s Best After Retirement” which provides information on many activities available to seniors. More information may be obtained from the Government of Ontario website at www.gov.on.ca or by calling the Citizens’ Inquiry Bureau at 1-800-267-8097.
Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults – The Guide and related Handbook explain why physical activity is important to maintain good health and improved quality of life. They provide guidelines for various activities that are designed to improve endurance, flexibility and strength, and balance. More information is available by calling 1-888-334-9769 or visiting the Public Health Agency of Canada website at www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/paguide/older/ .
Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA) – The Coalition estimates that 60% of older Canadians are “inactive” and therefore unable to realize the health benefits of active living. Its goal is to promote a society where all older Canadians are leading active lifestyles. More information is available on ALCOA’s website at www.alcoa.ca or by calling 1-800-549-9799.It has been a pleasure surfing the net to find information about Seniors’ Month and many other resources of interest to older Canadians. It occurs to me, however, that surfing the net does not contribute to an active life style. I have therefore decided to leave my computer and go for a walk.
I urge you to follow up on some of the leads noted above, perhaps, when you have returned from your walk.
Legalese is a column of general information and opinion on legal topics by the lawyers of Rural Legal Services, Box 359, Sharbot Lake, ON, K0H2P0, 613-279-3252, or 1-888-777-8916. This column is not intended to provide legal advice. You should contact a lawyer to determine your legal rights and obligations.
Canada_day_08-26
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Canada Day - July 1, 2008 Canada DayDenbigh
Harrowsmith
Sharbot Lake
Sydenham
Canada Day dawned bright and sunny after what seemed like a month of rain. In communities from Sydenham and Harrowsmith, to Sharbot Lake and up to Denbigh, there were breakfasts, parades, events in parks and beaches, musical entertainment, strawberries, food, and fireworks at dusk.
Denbighby Angela Bright
A poster was also on display with pictures of the various stages as the shelter was constructed, along with the names of all the labourers, who had a hand in the build and made sure it was ready in time for the presentation.It was truly a day to bring all ages together. Painted faces were everywhere, maple leaves and animal designs, hand done by Janice St.John.The canteen attendants were hoping most of the day and kept us well fed.
The children had their bikes decorated for the big ride around the rink, caught fish for prizes in the fish pond, picked a lucky lollipop and took home loot bags packed with all sorts of interesting things.And the big kids (adults), joined in the activities as well by opening the nail driving contest, under the watchful eye of time keeper Karen Weichenthal.The competition was fierce; for both the men and women, 3rd place tied and rematches were set.As for the children, there are certainly some good little carpenters in the making.
To the Denbigh Recreation Committee and helpers, thank you for organizing our Canada Day fun, and for the hours that you invest in an event such as this for our community. Remember the picnic shelter is ours to enjoy, a wonderful tribute to bring people together.
HarrowsmithBy Julie Druker
Basset hounds, Opening Ceremonies and children on parade in Harrowsmith
Harrowsmith’s Canada Day Event put on by the Social and Athletic Club of Harrowsmith was another crowd pleaser this year. The event attracts over 1000 people every year and this year due to the fabulous weather and the regular and a few brand new scheduled events saw another great turn out.
Months of planning goes into the celebration and this year there were a few new events on the agenda including “The Northern Giants Strong Man Competition” and “Vendor Tents and Tables”.
The crowd soaked up the sun, the music, activities and food and celebrated another Canada Day in Harrowsmith in style thanks to Harrowmith’s Social and Athletic Club and all of the volunteers who continue to make this day a special one.
Sharbot Lake
The pancakes, maple syrup and sausages were whisked onto plates all morning at the Oso Firehall as the Sharbot Lake Canada Day traditions were celebrated on this,the 25th anniversary of the first year of Summerfest. At the end of the day, after a fireworks display that once again outdid the display of last year, the overflow crowd spilled out onto the streets of the village, tired but happy.
SydenhamBy Julie Druker
"Afloat in a boat", parade spectators, and face painting in Sydenham
Sydenham put on a Canada Day celebration at the point ion Tuesday that attracted a large crowd. Having taken a break the past few years due to lack of volunteer support for the event, this year the event was well attended, organized and was a definite crowd pleaser.
People who attended enjoyed the parade, live music, activities, food and of course the beach and lake on what was a beautiful sunny day.
Michael Howe, chair of the Parks and recreation Committee for Sydenham is very pleased at all of the support that the event received this year. He’s confident that the event will be a a regular happening for many years to come. He thanks all of the volunteers who donated their time, skills and tools, The Lion’s Club of Sydenham, Trousdale’s Home Hardware and the Sydenham Legion.
Silver_powwow_08-34
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Feature Article - August 28, 2008 Pow Wow at Silver Lake: a real eye openerBy Julie Druker
Silver Lake Pow Wow participant, traditional dancer and vendor Robert Donahue of New Brunswick
The 14th Annual Silver Lake Traditional Pow Wow took place this weekend at Silver Lake Provincial Park, near Maberly.
As the event brochure states, “The Pow wow is a spiritual legacy and is a link to the past that helps maintain heritage.” One organizer summed it up as, “a community gathering to show other communities what our community has to offer.”
The event attracts aboriginal people from various tribes and bands through out the province and country.
The event came about 14 years ago as native families in the area decided that it was time to organize an event as a way to keep their native traditions alive. Treasurer Trudy Knapp recalls, “The Pow Wow started basically as a way to get the community back involved in their native heritage.”
The Knapp family has been an integral part of the event since its inception and continue to run and organize the event today. “
Trudy Knapp is the Treasurer; sisters Ann Marie Wilson and Margaret Bilow and first cousin Danka Brewer, the MC, are all coordinators of the event. Another sister, Pat Crawford, runs the feast, the kitchen facility that provides meals for all of the dancers and drummers.
The site consisted of a central circular arbour built of log poles with a protective covering that housed the drums, drummers, singers and the EmCee.
Off to one side and surrounded by logs was the fire, lit and kept alight through out the event for the community and tended to by fire keeper, Martin Rennick.
Martin explained its significance. ”A number of community members use the circle to come and say prayers and for spiritual healing. Some will put tobacco on the fire and the smoke carries the prayers to the creator’s lodge.”
“Smudging’, is a form of spiritual cleansing where the individual cleanses him or herself with the smoke of the fire before prayers are made. Fire is an important part of native culture, representing “the spark of life”.
There are a number of special ceremonial events that consist of drumming, singing, and dancing, all of which are forms of prayer.
The drums represent the heart beat of mother earth and all of the events and beautiful regalia worn by participants have particular significance. For these reasons the EmCee states that no photographs or recordings are allowed. Pictures can be taken of individuals only after the ceremonial events and only with their permission.
One ceremony that took place was the gifting of a pipe to head veteran Willie Bruce by the surviving family of a veteran who recently passed away in May.
Many ceremonial dances took place throughout the day. Penni-Dawn Kernot performed the “Hoop dance”, a dance that incorporates roughly 30 hoops that she dances with and manipulates into various configurations, which represent spirit animals or guides and that are offered to observers of the dance who have a connection to that animal or guide.
The women’s “jingle dress dance”, is danced by women donning dresses hung with 365 metal cones and it is a ceremonial dance of healing.
Mitchell Shewell of Sharbot Lake has been the head dancer at the Pow Wow for a number of years and it is his first year as spiritual advisor. He was responsible for doing the opening and closing prayers for both days and for answering any questions from participants and observers.
Perhaps
surprising to some observers was a Canadian Forces recruiting booth set
up on site and the presence of many aboriginal Canadian Forces members
in uniform, participating in the ceremonies.
Officer cadets and members of the first ever Canadian Forces Aboriginal Leadership Orientation Year program (ALOY)
Head Veteran and flag carrier of the Pow Wow Willie Bruce explained the relationship of the military to the aboriginal community.
“One of the things our culture has always respected is our warriors whose job it is to defend the community and those people who are least able to defend themselves. That’s why the military has a certain appeal to aboriginal people. Because we are born with that sense of responsibility for other people.”
Sgt. Kurtis White, an Ojibway and a 27-year veteran of the Canadian Forces, was present to participate in the Pow Wow and also to represent the Canadian Forces and provide information about the four programs the Canadian Forces presently offers to aboriginal people who want to get involved in the Forces.
The Pow Wow has been growing steadily in size and popularity since it began and attracts both natives and non- natives from all over the province and country.
Anyone who would like to volunteer, donate or make suggestions for future Pow Wows at Silver Lake can contact Trudy Knapp at 613-375-6356.
For those who missed the Silver Lake Pow Wow, next weekend offers another opportunity to learn about a culture that has existed for thousands of years and continues to exist here in the Frontenacs. The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation will be holding their annual Pow Wow in Plevna on Saturday & Sunday, August 30 & 31, and they extend a cordial invitation to the community to join them.
Desert_lake
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Feature Article - September 11, 2008 Good times and good deeds at Desert Lake Family ResortBy Julie Druker
Desert
Lake Resort campers meet for a photo at"the Hub" prior
to presenting their $12,000 donationto Alastair Lamb of KGH.
This past Saturday night there were presentations and celebrations at the Desert Lake Family Resort near Verona for what has become a regular annual happening there.
The event was a chance for the regular campers and staff to conclude another season of fun in the sun, but it was also a formal opportunity to conclude their summer-long fundraising efforts for cancer.
Seasonal campers presented three cheques of $4000 each to Alastair Lamb, a resident of Sydenham and the program director for Oncology at Kingston General Hospital.
The first cheque was made out to “People Helping People”, a program at KGH where patients and their families can acquire any financial support they might need while going through cancer treatment.
The second cheque was made out to the Kingston Cancer Clinic specifically to purchase new chairs for the waiting rooms, which one camper noted “were in dire need of upgrading.”
One
of three $4000 cheques presented by Desert Lake Family Resort
campers to Alastair Lamb, program director of Oncology at KGH.
Long-time seasonal camper Kelly Anscombe was deeply touched by the third and final $4000 cheque made out to St. Mary’s of the Lake Palliative Care Unit in Kingston, specifically for a lift chair. The donation was made in memory of her father, who passed away this year after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The fundraising efforts have been going on at the resort for the 30 years that Marni and Bill Pedersen have run the business. These efforts have continued since the Pedersen’s retirement. The couple’s daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Brett Coleman, took over the business three years ago.
The efforts are a combination of creative events that occur regularly throughout the summer and which are organized by various seasonal campers who have been camping at the resort for years.
Campers Jim and Pam Lindsay of Kingston have been putting on the beef BBQs for many years and managed three in total this summer.
June Goodberry and Beryl Dobb hold Saturday teas for a small fee. Fines are levied when less than appropriate comments are made by any of the attendant ladies and that is how they raise their donations.
Warren Blakslee, Simone Glendinning and Stephanie White gathered pledges from campers and staff and then gathered in the pavilion for the ever-popular public head shaving. They raised $3000.
Other events included a summer-long bottle drive, run by Dwight Hollywood, which raised $1000. Poker runs, bingo, a silent auction, a book sale, a turkey dinner, and horse shoe tournaments were other popular events that raised money for the cause.
A favorite event is the “Dream Site Lottery” where campers purchase tickets and the winner gets their campsite paid for the entire season.
Marni Pedersen commented on how easy it is to organize the events since “All of the campers take charge of their own individual events and manage them throughout the season.”
Once the cheques had been presented, the campers and staff gathered at the resort’s main pavilion for a meal of clam chowder, drinks, mingling and dancing to the music of DJ Bill.
Alastair Lamb of KGH was very grateful for the donations presented by the campers. “It’s great to see this type of grassroots support coming from regular people in the community. These are the people who make a real difference.”
Sisters
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Feature Article - December 4, 2008 “Sisters by Heart” focuses on single momsBy Julie Druker
Guest speakers Stephanie
Dowdall and Sharon Nault of Teen MOPS and Sisters by Heart chair
Evelyn Snider
Sisters by Heart, a local community-based women’s group with six committee members that is run out of the Verona Free Methodist Church, is in its 5th year of service.
The group was started up by its chair, Evelyn Snider, who was inspired by the former VFM Church pastor and his wife, David and Linda Rigby. The Rigbys had started a similar group at a church in Florida.
The Verona Sisters group regularly puts on four events each year at VFMC to support women and various women’s services in and around the community.
Their most recent event, “Candy Cane Christmas” was held Monday night and it focused on supporting single moms in the community.
The $5 admission charge plus goodwill offerings were put towards creating 50 gift baskets made up of household and winter essentials like shampoo, laundry and dish detergent, soap and lotions, colouring books, crayons and winter hats and mitts.
Ladies from the Pentecostal Church in Verona donated hand-made mittens and scarves. The baskets will be distributed by Rural VISIONS to single mothers in the community.
The evening’s guest speaker was Sharon Nault, wife of VFMC pastor Jeffrey Nault. Sharon works with teen mothers at Teen Mothers of Preschoolers (Teen MOPS) in Smith Falls.
The evening began with an icebreaker, then a Christmas carol sing-along led by Merlene and Rhonda Spurrell. After that the Sisters set to work, loading up and wrapping the 50 gift baskets.
Close to 100 guests filled the beautifully decorated church hall. Ticket sales are the only revenue that the group has to work with and luckily the quarterly events are always well attended.
Towards the end of the evening, Sharon Nault spoke about her work with Teen MOPs. The program is sponsored by the Free Methodist Church in Smiths Falls and is the only one in Canada, though there are 4000 MOPS groups world-wide and 100 groups in the U.S.
Currently 15 teen mothers are registered in the Smiths Falls program, which offers young mothers opportunities to meet, learn, and to receive support.
Stephanie Dowdall, a graduate of the Teen MOPS program who is now one of the program’s co-ordinators, also spoke at the event. Her involvement with Teen MOPS began when she was a young teenager expecting the first of her 2 children.
She recalled her initial hesitation to join the program, which quickly disappeared as she began to feel accepted. She benefited from the program for 5 years and was supported through the births of her two children.
She was greatly inspired by the committee members, alongside whom she now works.
An obvious passion both for Sharon and Stephanie, the two were very happy to see “Sisters by Heart” making efforts to support single mothers in the community.
Anyone interested in joining “Sisters by Heart” can contact Evelyn Snider at 613-374-2587. The Group’s next event is planned for February 16, 2009 at the VFMC. Watch for details.
Cf_council_09-49
Back to HomeFeature Article - December 10, 2009 Central Frontenac Council - Dec 8/09By Jeff Green$1,200 for Heritage Festival
Carol Coupland, representing the Frontenac Heritage Festival, came to Central Frontenac Council this week, cap in hand. She described the schedule of events that is being developed for this year’s festival, which will run from February 19 to 21, and then she asked for some financial support.
This year’s festival will have similar features to festivals from previous years, including a photo contest (with a new category for young photographers), events at the Crow Lake Schoolhouse, a pseudo-curling bonspiel at the Sharbot Lake beach, a variety show, skating events at the Kennebec rink, and a snowmobile ride, ending at the closing luncheon at the snowmobile club in Snow Road.
Coupland asked Council for $345 for portable toilets, $175 for bussing children to the Crow Lake events, $280 for signs, and $1,000 for fireworks, a total of $1,800
Council was sympathetic, but not that sympathetic. They agreed to give the Festival $1,200.
Among other sources of income, the Heritage Festival has received $1,000 from the Community Futures Development Corporation for marketing the event.
REC. COMMITTEE WANTS TO MOVE OLDEN BALL FIELD: Members of the Olden Recreation Committee met with township staff on November 17 to talk about problems that have developed with the ball field, which is located on the same site as the Olden waste site and township garage. “Specifically, there is a major safety concern due to the increased traffic in the area now that the Aden landfill is shut. With the salt dome under construction, it has become clear to all that the recreational use of this property is not appropriate due to the nature of the activities of the site,” it says in the minutes from the meeting.
A consensus emerged that a better site for a ball field would be in a former gravel pit on the property where the Olden fire hall is located, near Land O’Lakes Public School in Mountain Grove. This was acceptable to the fire department as well.
Township works Manager Mike Richardson proposed that Council consider hiring a recreation planner from the City of Kingston on a short-term basis to look at the details of building a new ball field in Mountain Grove. Council approved spending up to $2,500 on the consultation.
FIRE DEPARTMENT FINDS $10,000 – Fire Chief Mark MacDonald, along with Deputies Art Cowdy and Bill Young, brought a report on departmental activities.
Councilor Bill Snyder commended them for withdrawing their request for $10,000 to cover over-spending in the 2009 fire budget.
“We really pared the budget down,” said MacDonald. “We are not wearing socks today.”
The fire department is scheduled to present a long-awaited fire Master Plan in February.
“You say February,” said Councilor John Purdon to MacDonald, “but you didn’t say which year. I take it you mean February 2010.”
PARKING WOES – A committee will be formed, which will include members of the Sharbot Lake business community, to look at parking shortages in the village.
“We should take some time to figure out which way to go on this,” said Works Manager Mike Richardson, “parking is important, but you don’t want to destroy a pretty little town for the sake of a parking lot.”
E-WASTE SITE: Mike Richardson said he has received the necessary approvals and is looking for a metal building about 12’ by 16’ in size to hold electronic waste. Once a structure is found and placed at the waste site on Wemp Road (off Crow Lake Road) the township will begin to accept electronic waste from residents
HENDERSON HALL WATER – Water problems at the Henderson Hall have escalated. It has been determined that the pump is filled with sand, and a new system needs to be put in place immediately because there is no running water. The cost is $12,000, but there is money in the Kennebec Recreation budget to cover it, and council approved the expenditure.
NOT A TOTAL BUST – “It’s not going to be the best year ever, but it’s not a total bust either,” Chief Building Official Ian Trickett said of the building totals in the township for 2009 as of November 30. The total value of construction permits was $5.55 million after 11 months, which compares to $6.9 million at the same time last year, and $7.4 million in the first 11 months of 2007. As of the end of November, 138 permits had been taken out, as compared to 169 in 2008 and 183 in 2007.
Slhs_09-41
Back to HomeFeature Article - October 16, 2009
Sharbot Lake Comencement
One
of Sharbot Lake’s most enduring traditions was played out last week
at the high school.
Kara Irwin (photo left) delivered the valedictory address at the end of the fall commencement ceremony for students from Sharbot Lake High School who graduated last June.
In his introduction, teacher Randy McVety made reference to all of the work Kara Irwin did over her years on student council. He said that it was always her goal to include every student in the school in all the events she organized and promoted.
Her speech had that same flavour, emphasizing that the members of the graduating class should not be afraid of failure as they make their way into the world because they will always be able to depend upon each other for support due to the bonds that have developed over their years at SLHS.
Kara Irwin is in her first year at the University of Ottawa.
Parham_fair_09-31
Back to HomeFeature Article - August 6, 2009
Parham Fair is coming!
Come one, come all to the 117th Parham
Fair on Aug 28-30. The plans are set, events scheduled, and all we
need is YOU! We have many events to participate in: greased pig
contest (new this year), tug-o-war, lawnmower races, antique tractor
pull, demolition derby, livestock shows, pet show, children’s
games, crafts and baking. Show off your craft projects. Do you make
the best apple pie? Maybe you have grown the largest pumpkin in the
area. Does your cat have the longest tail, or your dog longest ears?
Can you catch a frog that jumps the farthest? Visit our website
www.parhamfair.ca for an entry form or drop by Parham General Store
to purchase a membership and fair book for all the entries. Another
way to participate is to volunteer. There is a wide range of
activities which you might be interested in and you could volunteer
as little as two hours to help out. Would you like to be security for
the demolition derby? A cook at the canteen? Flag for the lawnmower
races? Help out in the palace? Do you need volunteer hours to
graduate next year? You could earn your 40 hours in one weekend at
the fair and have a great time doing it! Be a part of our team. If
you are interested in volunteering, please contact Debra Smith at
613-377-6431. Syd_triathlon_09-26
Back to HomeFeature Article - July 2, 2009
Triathlon Coming to SydenhamBy
Julie Druker
Maryanne Takala,
Richard Cadman and Terry McKinty
It’s estimated that close to 1000 people will descend on the town of Sydenham on July 5 when the first ever Greater Kingston Sydenham Triathlon will be held at The Point in Sydenham.
The event will attract some professional and mostly amateur athletes from far and wide. According to Terry McKinty co-owner of Somersault Productions, the company that is putting on the event, ”The role that our events play is to provide an opportunity for adults and young people to race.”
The Sydenham triathlon will include a wide range of running, swimming, biking and kayaking events as well as a full Olympic length and a half length triathlon.
The idea of putting on a race in Sydenham evolved when local triathlete Scott Takala was training years ago with former Olympic triathlete Sharon Donnelly. Both thought Sydenham offered everything that this type of event requires. There is the lake, beautiful running trails and stretches of country roads, and also the main hub, The Point.
Years ago Scott brought the idea to his personal coach Richard Cadman, president of the Kingston Multisport Club and a long-time volunteer race director with Somersault Productions. After much consideration and planning Richard approached Terry McKinty.
Richard explained, “For about 2 or 3 years I’ve been looking at sites in the greater Kingston and surrounding area; then finally towards the end of last summer I drew all of the courses out and presented them to Terry and then with Maryanne’s help we went to council in October.”
Marianne Takala, Scott’s mother, was instrumental in putting Terry in touch with the township officials, who she states were “on board from the get go.” Maryanne added, “Community members also offered their support all along the way which made realizing the event very easy.” The Sydenham Legion and the Sydenham Lake Canoe Club have generously offered to supply volunteers on race day.
Cadman, who is the race's director, explained, “The site here is really unique. There is flat, clean water which is a huge feature. Sydenham Lake is very friendly for beginners and there is a natural running course which is also great.”
Richard, Terry and Marianne met early last Friday morning with South Frontenac township members Mark Howe, director of Parks and Recreation, and public works manager Mark Segsworth to finalize the last details of the race’s logistics.
I met up with them at the Point on Friday as they were deciding where exactly in the old ball diamond the racers will enter and exit with their bikes. They all seemed excited for the upcoming event.
According to Terry this race will likely not be the last event to be held here and he is hoping it become an annual event.
He explained, “It’s difficult to start up an event from nothing but this is a race that can grow. The word will get out. And we definitely want to come back. We talked about that from the beginning.”
Scott Takala expressed his excitement to be competing in his home town for the first time. He said, “It will be a blast.” He expects that having trained in Sydenham for years will give him an edge. “I know the hills, the water, the whole course and what to expect. I’ll be able to pace myself, which will be a definite advantage.”
Grateful for an opportunity to race at home Scott is equally excited for the community as a whole to be hosting this type of event. “It will definitely help to put Sydenham on the map.” Scott’s event will start at 8:30 am and will run until 10:30.
Anyone wishing to enter the events can still sign up on Saturday July 4 from 3:00-5:00pm or Sunday, July 5th from 6:30-8:00am at Sydenham High School. For more information please visit www.somersault.ca
The organizers hope that anyone driving in the Sydenham area on race day, July 5, will be patient and when possible avoid the intersection at Rutledge and Stagecoach Roads, especially from 8:00 am until noon. Making a detour using Railton Road is highly recommended.
Letters_09-24
Back to HomeLetters - June 18, 2009Letters: June 18Re: Line of sight, Barry Black
Thank You Claire, Norm Landry
PARC Process Flawed, Edith Cairns
Re: Stinsons’ 70th Anniversary, Laura Moss
Re: “Guntensperger chastised over PARC”, Clifford A Cowdy
Re: Line of sightIn Jeff Green's article about the Barrett Xplore plans to offer fixed wireless internet in portions of Frontenac, it appears that several residents are concerned about the visual impact of the towers in cottage country. We used to live in Cary, NC, where the local cell phone company had installed a cell tower in a forested area beside a major 4 lane highway. To avoid disturbing the natural look of the area, this tower was constructed to look like a tall pine tree. It was so well done that you would never notice it unless someone pointed it out to you. It was made of a large tapered steel pole tower with artificial branches and needles. It may have cost a little more but it blended in perfectly. Perhaps Barrett should pay a visit to Cary before they start construction.
Barry Black
Thank You ClaireOn behalf of the Relay for Life Committee, all of the sponsors, volunteers, donors and participants in this event, both past and present, I wish to publicly acknowledge and commend our Relay Chair Claire Macfarlane for her intrepid, unstinting and enthusiastic leadership over the past three years. The fact that our small communities have raised over $200,000 since Claire undertook this challenge speaks volumes about her dedication to the cause. Well done, Claire, and many thanks from all of us!
Norm Landry
PARC process is flawedI moved to this area 31 years ago. Some would say I am still a newcomer and should keep silent. I would argue that. One of the reasons Parham was chosen, and continues to be my home, is its sense of community. I didn’t know that in August, 1978, but I did know it had a school with a wonderful yard, lots of space, a gym and a relatively "new building". Although there are three churches here, it was through the school events I met people and became involved in community life. Through our children and their special events I became aware of the many vibrant threads that, woven together, produced this sense of place: the Firemen, the Women’s Institute, Recreation Committees, Methodists, Anglicans, members of the United Church and many more. The school drew on the strengths and talents of all these groups. It was a place of cooperation with differences subordinate to the enrichment of the whole.
To hear that Mr. Guntensperger was chastised for articulating this same view of the importance of Land O’ Lakes in his community saddens me. This is where I see the flaw with the structured purpose of the PARC committee. The option to maintain smaller schools in the different communities has never been there. The committee is like the parent who asks their child if they want to wear the green pajamas or the striped ones. The option of the child choosing to wear their Batman costume to bed was never on the table. A committee that presents materials that explain that the bringing of a school to code is more expensive than building a new one is looking for support for a certain answer. Is Hinchinbrooke Public School currently a dangerous place to be? Is the roof falling in? Are there moulds and toxic gases escaping from the walls? No, but it doesn’t have an elevator or doors that are wheel chair accessible. So, let’s take the youth of this area and bus ALL of them out of their community because we currently can’t offer this accessibility. Let’s take our four-year-olds to early teens and have them travel for extended periods and distances every school day. Let’s role the dice on fuel costs that will only go up in the future. Let’s join the world of Mega, because that’s what every environmentalist and ‘green thinking’ individual thinks is right? I don’t think so.
A valid question is why I did not volunteer to be a community member on PARC. When I saw the structure of the group, I felt very strongly from the beginning, that they did not come to ask us what we thought was best; they came to present the choices that they would support, but be able to say that this was the community’s choice. I truly respect the individuals who put themselves out there in good faith. That they have been the targets of the locals’ frustrations is unfortunate, but predictable. That was your purpose. Somewhere the numbers have been crunched, the outcome pre-determined. As Mr. Guntensperger was too bold to say, our schools are a "vital hub" of our "areas and communities". I strongly believe we will be the poorer for their closings.
Edith Cairns, Parham
Re: Stinsons’ 70th AnniversaryI am a former Bellrock resident who now lives in Vancouver, B.C. My mother, who still lives in Frontenac County, often forwards me the Frontenac News to keep me informed about what is happening there. This week she sent me the article on Ken and Vera Stinson’s 70th wedding anniversary. I want to congratulate Ken and Vera, whom I don’t know but do admire for their perseverance. It warms my heart to know that it is even a possibility to be so committed.
Keep up the wonderful local reporting. You have a happy reader on the west coast.
Laura Moss
Re: “Guntensperger chastised over PARC”I believe the mayor and council were in full agreement when they appointed him [Guntensperger] to this position knowing that he was a teacher at Land O’ Lakes and that there was personal sentiment attached to the issue. I’m sure he was thinking of the students who are bussed from the forgotten parts of our township, Elm Tree, Bordenwood, Wagerville, and beyond when he chose to support the non-closure of Land O’ Lakes. Who are the mayor and board rep trying to fool? The decision for this has already been made at higher levels and PARC is just a sounding board for parents to vent their views and feel better about themselves, having tried their best but failed. Once again comments from Councillor Smith, “rookie mistake” - easy to say when your district has nothing to lose and a super school to gain. Again the greed and arrogance of Sharbot Lake shines through. To the mayor, I suggest you get up and take a long look in the mirror someday and say to yourself “Am I representing the Township of Central Frontenac in all areas, fairly, and to the best of my abilities?” and hope it doesn’t crack and fall to floor, as that means seven years of bad luck.
Clifford A. Cowdy
