A total of 13 locations opened their doors to curious history buffs at the special Doors Open event, which took place on June 13 to celebrate 150 years in Frontenac County.

At the Railway Heritage Park in Sharbot Lake, members of the Central Frontenac Railway Heritage Society greeted visitors to the caboose, which offers visual and written information about the area’s unique railway history. They served guests lunch and refreshments and want to get the word out that they are looking for new members and volunteers to assist them with their many ongoing projects. For information please call 613-279-2777

At the Bradshaw Schoolhouse near Tichborne, guests had a chance to meet former teachers and their relatives at the quaint and lovingly preserved one-room schoolhouse where Richard Webster greeted guests. Visitors included Marilyn Meeks, who supply taught at the school for one year in the late 1960s, filling in for a teacher taking maternity leave. She remembers the school with fondness and recalled how the older students assisted the teachers by minding the younger students while the teacher did her best to cover school curriculum for all ages. Also visiting was Daniel Hayes, whose grandmother Daisy (Margaret) Hayes taught at the school between 1916 and 1919, prior to marrying Edward Hayes, who at the time was a telegraph operator at the CP Station in Tichborne. Daisy trained as a teacher at Sharbot Lake's Normal School (teachers’ college) prior to taking the post at Bradshaw.

Other locations included in the Doors Open event included sites in and around North, Central, and South Frontenac and the Islands.

When Jen Andrews' (nee Seguin) parents purchased Saylor's Inn in 1994, she came along to help run the business with her boyfriend Kyle Andrews.

The Seguin family found that while the business, which was located on Highway 7 just east of Arden, did very well during the tourist season, it was very slow in the off-season and the overhead was very high. Kyle and Jen went to work elsewhere, and in 2004 the Seguin family sold the business.

The story only starts there for Kyle and Jen, however.

“We moved out here from Montreal in 1996 and fell in love with the area, so even though the Saylor's Inn was a struggle, we learned about business and found the place where we wanted to live,” said Kyle.

Not surprisingly Kyle and Jen were immediately drawn to the restaurant business. They were both working at Swiss Chalet in Kingston, Jen as a manager and Kyle in the kitchen. He decided to start up a small cleaning business, which he promoted during his part-time evening job delivering pizzas for Domino's Pizza .

“I would stick my flyer onto the back of the pizza boxes,” Kyle recalls.

One thing led to another and the cleaning business, Hubby's House, developed over time, and Kyle and Jen have been working full time in their own business for over five years.

Based in Tichborne, Hubby's House runs two crews who clean houses all across Frontenac County and in Kingston. They also do window cleaning and offer a variety of handyman and other services.

Business has been steadily growing for eight years now, and the key to it all is a professional approach and consistency.

“We learned a few lessons over the years, as does everyone in business,” said Jen, “such as not to take on work that is beyond what we can handle with the excellent staff we have.”

It is homeowners who have been making them busier and busier, and the business has seen constant growth year after year.

“Many of our customers have us in once every two weeks, to keep the home or cottage in top form,” said Kyle, adding that before starting with any customer either he or Jen visits the customer and goes over every part of the house to see what needs to be done and how often in order to determine a final price.

The same level of care is offered for one time jobs such as homeowners getting ready for a large event or preparing a house for sale, a seasonal cleaning job on a cottage as the summer season approaches, or for their monthly, bi-weekly or weekly customers.

Hubby's House cleaners work in teams of at least two, adding to efficiency and decreasing the amount of time their customers are inconvenienced.

Hubby's House uses all their own equipment and eco-friendly, scent-free cleaning supplies.

For more information, contact Kyle or Jen directly at 613-375-6573 or 613-888-3758, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit their website hubbyshouse.ca.

Being born a right arm amputee hasn’t stopped Leah Neumann, 10, of Tichborne, from living a full and active life. In fact, she can do everything everyone else can do, sometimes with the help of a special device. Having a passion for hockey, Leah was recently fitted with a device funded by The War Amps that allows her to hold onto a hockey stick. Leah is a member of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program and, as such, is eligible to receive financial assistance with artificial limbs and recreational devices.

Leah’s parents say the hockey device allows their daughter to maintain a healthy lifestyle and that she’s excited to hit the ice. “The device gives her a much better shot. She continues to impress us as she doesn’t let anything stop her from achieving her goals,” says Mom, Angie.

Leah also says she is happy with her new device. “I have a lot more control over the puck and it is easier for me to help my team and score goals.”

The War Amps encourages Champs to develop a positive attitude towards their amputation, and live to their full potential. “Leah’s determination and zest for life is an inspiration to all,” said Danita Chisholm, Executive Director, CHAMP Program. “With the public’s support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service, we are happy to help young amputees like Leah obtain the tools they need to enjoy some of their favourite activities.” For more information, call 1 800 250-3030 or visit waramps.ca.

It might be difficult to find an unlocked car in Central Frontenac this week, certainly on major roads.

Sometime overnight on Saturday night, Nov. 15, thieves rifled through cars parked on the road and in driveways all through Tichborne, opening unlocked doors, unlocking trunks from inside and rifling through to grab whatever of value they could find - cash, credit cards, cameras, etc.

Reports suggest that the same thing happened in other communities, including Mountain Grove, Arden, and Tamworth. The Ontario Provincial Police have been investigating, but because of some sensitive items that have been reported stolen, they have not yet put out a media release confirming the number of victims and their locations.

One resident of Tichborne said, “We keep - that is, kept - our car door unlocked, leaving the key inside. I guess that's because we trust our neighbours,” adding that they only lost some loose change and an empty computer case from their car. “But it does make you feel uneasy to think someone would go through your car right at your house while you are asleep just inside the walls.”

More information will be released as it comes in.

By Brian Robertson

NFLT veteran Pam Giroux walked up to the stage, picked up her award, delivered a short acceptance speech, and then burst into song: “Overture, light the lights, this is it, the night of nights!” And the ‘night of nights’ it certainly was for Pam and the four other 2014 NFLT Lifetime Recognition Award honourees - Doug and Lynda Boulter, Craig Godfrey and Karen Steele - as the North Frontenac Little Theatre’s second annual Lifetime Recognition Awards Evening was celebrated last Saturday, October 4 with a flourish of praise and appreciation.

The NFLT Hall in Tichborne was resplendent in autumn decorations and a variety of paraphernalia honouring the recipients. Fred Langton, a next door neighbour who gave extensively of his time and resources to ensure that essential services were all in place for the big evening, had a chance to tour the finished product with his wife Cindy, and both were in awe of the transformation to a formal banquet hall that had taken place.

Emcee Brian Robertson’s opening monologue included the sharing of a dream he had had in which The Frontenac News editor Jeff Green and reporter Julie Druker were both moonlighting as gossip columnists for the National Enquirer, submitting articles to the mother company in LA. about the humourous activities of our NFLT celebrities.

Each award presentation was prefaced by an informative and entertaining video montage produced by Wendy Parliament, NFLT videographer and photographer. The short films included excerpts from interviews conducted in the summer by Brian Robertson with still shots and videoclips, (often hilarious), from show footage, highlighting the recipients’ stories of their history with the Little Theatre.

The honourees spoke with the fondest, (and at times with the most sorrowful), of memories of their individual journeys with NFLT. Doug Boulter, (actor and director), and Lynda Boulter, (actor and costume mistress), recalled the tragedy of the passing of actor and teaching colleague Maurice Lowery during the production of ‘Oklahoma’ in 1987.

Pam Giroux, (wearer of all hats including actor and set painter), was recognized not only for her involvement in over 30 NFLT productions throughout the years, but also for the fact that her four children and husband Marcel eventually followed her into the arena making a considerable mark on the theatre company’s legacy.

Craig Godfrey, (actor, house manager, producer), spoke of his longstanding involvement with the troupe, (dating back to 1980), quipping that if you were male you automatically got the part, referring to the fact that there seems to be a perennial shortage of male actors available for productions.

Karen Steele, (actress, director and a former president of NFLT), spoke of how the Little Theatre was such a wonderful diversion for both her and her family, giving them an enjoyable break from the routine of daily life.

If there was one overriding message from all honourees, it was that the North Frontenac Little Theatre is a place where you make lifelong friends, form family-styled ties, and build community with fellow actors and audience members alike.

Congratulations go out to each of this year’s Lifetime Recognition recipients and we look forward to many more entertaining productions from our very own community theatre, NFLT. Check the NFLT website for links to the Recognition Evening video presentations.

As 18-year veterans of the annual Labour Day Inroads Studio Tour, artisans Nick and Annette Hally are living the artisan’s dream.

The tour invites guests into the homes and studios of 10 local area artisans, where visitors can get a glimpse of how these makers of fine art and craft objects live and work.

Entering the Maple Hollow Studio is like coming upon a magical place where elves abide. Paving stones inlaid with Chinese writing denoting words like family, integrity, love and charity greet the visitors as they cross a small wooden bridge over a small creek and fountain before entering the glass-fronted store, which is surrounded by flowers and trees and covered in hanging vines.

Nick and Annette built their home/studio and store front decades ago and as one enters their property it is easy to see how both have found solace here and take pride in the fact that they have been able to make a living doing exactly what they love to do. Nick Hally is a master woodworker and just six months after learning the ropes of woodworking while studying at Specialty Woodcrafts in Kingston Hally knew he wanted to make gift ware. A maker of high end jewelry boxes and most recently clocks, 80% of Hally's business is in wholesale. He sells thousands of items, mainly maple leaf and trillium marquetry objects to stores, galleries, gift shops and as corporate gifts across the country.

His jewelry boxes are marvels of craftsmanship, each made with hand joinery and with the surfaces decorated with intricate marquetry designs that are inspired by nature. Leaves, dragonflies, butterflies and hummingbirds are often the central motifs.

Nick points out that marquetry is not to be confused with inlay. Marquetry involves placing and then cutting thin sheets of veneer one on top of the other with a fine scroll saw. The box and clock bodies are often made from solid walnut, maple and cherry woods but he uses different exotic wood veneers which give him the colors and textures that make the graphic element of his work so unique, colorful and appealing. It makes sense that Hally focuses on the decorative surfaces of his objects since he has always been attracted to graphic design.

Currently Hally has been focusing on making a series of kinetic clocks. Created from MDF, Hally uses a CNC (computer numerically controlled) router to cut the intricate gears, which are turned by a small electronic motor. The individual gears are then dipped in a two-part urethane solution that gives them a hard plastic finish. Light has become a big part of these clock designs and Nick uses cold cathode fluorescent lights to light certain parts of the clock, often the clock face from behind. He loves the endless new possibilities that the clock designs offer and said he hopes to create a number of larger clocks for a solo gallery show one day, when he eventually slows down a bit.

Annette Hally has been making jewelry for 15 years. She creates a wide range of earrings, bracelets and necklaces using copper, silver and gold wire that she embellishes with semi precious stones, fresh water pearls and Swarovski crystals. Her designs are light, airy and colorful, very feminine and soft, and seem the perfect balance to Nick’s more earthy toned and angular pieces.

The two seem like two happy elves in their workshop and while they await visitors each tinkers at their separate work tables, Nick working on a hummingbird design, and Annette on a necklace until four more new guests appear on their front step.

Not everyone who starts out on a craft/arts path manages to stay the course but Nick and Annette Hally have done just that. They obviously have not just the talent and skills but also the willingness to take on all the other business and marketing aspects of the job, which make for a successful lifetime career in the arts.

Maple Hollow Studio is located at 50 Maple Grove Lane near Tichborne and is open from May 15 until November 1. For more information call 613-375-8186 or visit them online at maplehollowstudio.com

Feature Article - December 8, 2005

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Gray MerriamLegaleseGeneral information and opinion on legal topics by Rural Legal ServicesNature Reflectionsby Jean GriffinNight Skiesby Leo Enright

Letters to the Editor

Re: Tichborne RinkI would like to set the record straight in regards to the rink in Tichborne. This outdoor rink is fully operational and every bit of the praise goes to the members of District #4 recreation committee and neighbours who are out there at 2 am when the temperature dips to -20, because as we all know – this is the best time to flood the rink, and to those who break out the shovels and snow blower after receiving 4 feet of snow to make room for those that are itching to lace up those skates. To you, I say Thank You and without you I would not be able to hear the laughter of children learning to skate, the sound of the puck being shot at the boards, over and over and over again at 11 pm, and the cheers when a child scores his first goal! This is music to my ears, knowing that those in the community and surrounding area are enjoying these facilities.

Mr. Guigue – did you realize that you can’t actually see the Tichborne rink from the road? Last winter you would have been hard pressed to find a day when there wasn’t at least one person on the rink. In fact, from my kitchen window I have full access to see the rink full of both the young and old enjoying these facilities. This is a great site for the residents of Tichborne and now with the help of the recreation committee putting in a much needed change facility (with the hopes of having bathrooms in the future!) it will be a great pleasure for me to keep tabs on the number of people who use this…..try for yourself – ask the Thompsons, Hannahs, Raymonds or Goodfellows – they all enjoy it and for that I praise the work of those who take pride in keeping the rink alive. People have come from far and near to use this – a couple of years ago a group of high school students from Sydenham came and had a great time…so next time you are feeling the winter blues, pack up the family and the skates and come on down and enjoy the outdoors.

The cost…..absolutely nothing….children can skate at anytime, day or night, for no charge. This is a wonderful advantage for the small community of Tichborne.

A proud Tichbornian!

- Christine Teal

Dombrowsky on agricultureI appreciate the opportunity to inform your readers of the approach the provincial government is taking to address the issues raised by Mr. Scott Reid, MP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington in his letter published on September 29 with regard to the sale of farm products at farmers' markets.

As a life-long resident of a rural community, I recognize that farmers and farmers' markets have long been significant contributors to the province's economic and social well being. There are a number of excellent farmers' markets across Ontario, and I know these markets are pleased to have their consumers' support.

As the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, I would like to assure Mr. Reid and your readers that my ministry is strongly committed to the development of our agri-food industry in both rural and urban settings. My ministry is working to ensure that consumers receive safe food while, at the same time, allowing farmers to showcase their products at local markets. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is also responsible for ensuring applicable products are in compliance with the legislation it administers.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) is the lead ministry for matters relating to the inspection of farmers' markets, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Regulation 562. The MOHLTC is aware of the issues being raised by market vendors and other affected stakeholders, including Mr. Reid and in response, is leading a working group to address concerns with regard to the provincial legislation and its enforcement. The working group, which includes representatives from my ministry, public health units, and Farmers' Markets Ontario, will make recommendations for action to the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

I have forwarded a copy of Mr. Reid's letter, which was published in your newspaper on September 29, 2005, to the Honourable George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, so that he is aware of Mr. Reid's concerns.

- Sincerely, Leona DombrowskyMinister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Re:MillStreet CafeWhat a lovely letter supporting the Mill Street Cafby Inie Platenius on Nov. 24, 2005! It is great to see such positive acknowledgement & recognition for small businesses in our area. We too are a small restaurant in Maberly, ON called the Fall River Pub & Grill, we also serve local organic food. We have been doing so since we opened over 3 years ago, and can attest to the difference in quality & taste that local and organics make. So much so that we believe it helped land us in the “Where to eat in Canada Guide”, and receive such positive reviews in the Montreal Gazette, Toronto Star, Kingston Whig & Ottawa Citizen. Any business that takes the step towards supporting our local farmers and serving food that is kinder to the body & Mother Nature should be acknowledged & supported. Good luck to the Mill Street Caf– we know that they will certainly have their hurdles & challenges but are going down the right road and certainly have our support! P.s You didn’t have to previously drive all the way to Kingston to get local organics in a fine dinning style at affordable prices.

- The Zammits, Fall River Pub and Grill

Feature Article - December 8, 2005

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Gray MerriamLegaleseGeneral information and opinion on legal topics by Rural Legal ServicesNature Reflectionsby Jean GriffinNight Skiesby Leo Enright

Quaker roots in the Parham, Wagarville, and Tichborne areas

by Sylvia Powers

When the first exhausted band of Loyalist refugees arrived by bateau at Adolphustown in June of 1784, some members of the Religious Society of Friends, known as Quakers, accompanied them. These families had also had land and goods confiscated and many were in danger of losing their lives had they remained in the new United States of America. Their crime was refusing to join the rebel army and giving aid to their Loyalist neighbours. At least one, Thomas Dorland, had joined the British as a soldier despite the pacifist position of Friends. Consequently, when land was being granted to the Loyalists, he received a large enough grant to assist the other Quakers.

Sharing each other’s sufferings in the long journey to their new home meant that a close bond developed between the Loyalists and the Quakers. Some Loyalists such as Abraham Cronk must have been influenced by the Friends since a descendant, Jacob Cronk, donated land in Moscow for a Quaker Meeting Place in the 1800’s.

Descendants of the early Quakers spread to Prince Edward County, Colestream, Wooler, Camden, Athens, and other parts of Ontario and Quebec. Many Friends whose surnames are found in Central Frontenac today are listed in the Quaker census of 1828, the Camden censuses of 1861, 1891, and the Hinchinbrook(e) census of 1911. The names of Barker, Babcock, Hawley, Cronk, Card, Peters, Brown, Pero, Meeks, Craig, Palmer, Viely, Hartin, Vanvalkenburg, Asselstine, and Whan appeared as Friends more than a century ago.

In 1992, I started to discover my own Quaker ancestors. Jarvis Macomber and his wife Christina Sherman were married under the care of Friends in Dartmouth, Massachusetts before they moved to Canada in 1805. Both the Shermans and Macombers had been weighty Friends for over a century. In Canada, the name changed to McCumber. Their son, Edward, married Sally Card, whose family may have been among the many Cards who had joined the Quakers.

The biggest surprise turned up with the 1911 census of Hinchinbrooke. Several families in Parham, Tichborne and Wagarville listed themselves as Quakers. The Families of Titus Wagar, Robert McCullough, Cecilia Cronk, Allen Wagar, John Switzer, Terense Switzer, Charles Cox, Henry Hicks, Daniel McCoud, Harrie Babcock, and my great-great grandparents, Philip and Aurora Wagar listed themselves as Friends.

Prior to 1967 my own knowledge of Quakers was limited to high school history books that spoke of the Religious Society of Friends in England in the 1600’s and the settlement of Pennsylvania by William Penn, a Quaker. Images of men with hats and women in long black and grey gowns would spring to mind. I had the impression that this was an historical sect that had faded away with the passage of time.

In 1967 I met some Canadian Quakers for the first time and learned that Quakerism is very much alive in Canada. Friends had shed their long grey clothes and plain speech (saying “Thee” instead of “you”). They now enjoyed art and music and looked like ordinary people. While there are many evangelical Friends in the world whose services seem indistinguishable from other churches, in Canada and England the majority of Friends follow the unprogrammed tradition. Meeting is begun in silence. From the gathered stillness, some Friends may be led to speak or sing.

Friends of all traditions believe that there is a part of God in all persons. Therefore, they abhor all war and other forms of violence. Even creeds are divisive. Therefore there is no creed that all Friends accept. Friends accept that each person has his/her own relationship with God. During the wars, Friends served in humanitarian ways. Through the ambulance unit they rescued the wounded on both sides of the conflict. Relief packages were delivered to both sides of a conflict.

I think that the reason there were so many Quakers in this area in 1911 was because people could sense the impending war and wanted to prevent it in some small way. But why did it fade away even from our collective memory? I could speculate on the reasons but would appreciate hearing from some of the descendants of the people calling themselves Friends. Did you know that your great-grandparents were Friends? Do you recall any Meeting House in this area? If you have any comments, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 613-225-6377 or 484-6377. Better yet, join us once a month at the Land O’ Lakes Worship group and experience why your ancestors chose this form of worship. Time is at 3 p.m. on Sunday to allow you an opportunity to attend your regular church service first. Phone 375-8256 for details. All will be welcome.

Feature Article - December 1, 2005

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Sir John A. MacDonald's funeral train will return to Sharbot Lake

by Jeff Green

Well, a picture of it anyway. Actually it will be a 10’ high by 28’ long mural, to be affixed to the Stedman’s store in the village. The mural will re-enact the day Sir John A. Macdonald’s funeral train passed through Sharbot Lake. Several cars were part of the funeral delegation, including the one that carried Macdonald’s remains. They were pulled to Sharbot Lake by a CP train, and in Sharbot Lake, they were released and attached to a train from the K&P Railroad for the trip down to Kingston. The mural will depict the passage of the Macdonald funeral cars through the Sharbot Lake Station.

The mural is a project of the Central Frontenac Council’s Economic Development Committee, but funding for the Project has come entirely through a fundraising drive. An application had been made to the Trillium Foundation to fund a series of murals throughout the township, but it was not accepted.

The Committee has raised $4,600 through various means, and has received commitments of $3,500 from local businesses towards the project. They have also been promised a $3,000 grant from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, provided all the necessary funding to complete the first mural is in place by the end of 2005. The total amount raised is $11,100 and the project is budgeted at $12,700, leaving a $1,600 shortfall.

Councillor Janet Gutowski presented a report on the fundraising progress to Central Frontenac Council this week. She also mentioned that individuals living in the region that have deep roots might be interested in arranging for a picture of their relatives to be included in the mural. For $200, anyone who had a relative that could have been present on the day Sir John A. Macdonald’s funeral train passed through Sharbot Lake, can have a portrait of that relative painted into the mural.

In another fundraising initiative, reproductions of sketches of local train stations drawn by artist John Deschenes, are being sold at the township office and other locations, with all proceeds to the mural project.

After Janet Gutowski presented her update to Council, Mayor Bill MacDonald proposed that Council provide a loan to the mural project should the fundraising drive not reach its goal by the end of December.

“I would hate to see us lose the $3,000 grant over a timing problem like this,” MacDonald said.

This proposal led to some debate on Council. Councillors Murray, Smith, and Nicolson were not present, leaving only six councillors at the meeting. Three of the six, Councillors Guigue and Harvey and Deputy Mayor Putnam made it clear they did not want to see public money going towards this project.

“That’s what the bank is for, to lend money,” said Councillor Harvey.

Councillor Guigue asked “Are you sure this is a loan?”

Deputy Mayor Putnam said, “They can call it a loan if they want to but is it really a loan? They are a committee of Council so how can it be a loan?”

Township Chief Administrative Officer Heather Fox said that it is possible to set up a sort of internal loan through the township’s accounting system.

“When it comes to budget time next year, if the money has not been repaid, Council could take it out of what they would normally give to the Economic Development Committee, I suppose,” she said.

The motion passed, with five voting in favour and Councillor Harvey voting against it.

Other Council notes – Railroad Museum Survey

In keeping with a commitment made to the Central Frontenac Railroad Museum Committee, staff brought information about the cost of surveying the land the township owns on or near the proposed Museum site. The price is $1,000 and Council approved having the survey completed.

Tichborne rink – At their previous meeting, Council deferred decision on a tender they had received for building a change room at the Tichborne rink because the total was higher than the budget for the project. Councillor Gutowksi recommended refusing the tender in order to consider a cheaper proposal that has come to light. Council did so.

The new proposal calls for purchasing and moving a portable that is located near the Parham Post Office. The portable, which is owned by Gerald Howes, has been the subject of complaints by neighbours. Mr. Howes informed Councillor Gutowski that he no longer needs the portable and is willing to let it go for $3,500. With the cost of moving, altering and securely placing the portable in place for use as a change room, the cost of the proposal comes to $12,500, well within the budget for the project. Township staff have determined that the portable is sound, and are prepared to do the work necessary to have the new change room in place, probably by the end of the year.

Before Council voted on the proposal, Councillor Guigue said, “I know that no one will agree, but I have to say that I think it’s a bad idea to maintain small rinks in several villages. You see one or two kids on the rink in Tichborne when you drive by, if that, and the same in Mountain Grove. Why not put resources towards making a really good rink, say in Mountain Grove, which people will be motivated to drive to and spend the day?”

Councillor Guigue was correct; no one did agree, and in a 5-1 vote the Tichborne change room project was approved.

Drug safety request denied – Brian Rutherford, from Community Safety Net, is working with the Royal Canadian Legion and the OPP in presenting a Drug Safety Program in local schools, and requested that Central Frontenac make a donation to support the program. Citing a long standing policy not to support charitable enterprises with taxpayers’ money, Council rejected the request.

Building starts – Maintaining a year-long trend, the value of building permits in October was up significantly over values in 2004 and 2003. The number of permits issued in October, however, was down to 15 from 19 in 2004.

Year to date construction for 2005 is $7,157,000, which compares to $5,241,000 in ’04 and $4,115,000 in ’03. So far in 2005, 44 new residential units have been started, compared to 40 in the same period in ’04 and 25 in ’03.

Feature Article - January 26, 2006

Feature Article

January 26, 2006

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Tichborne resident incensed at Council refusal

by Jeff Green

Danka Brewer thought she was making a reasonable request of Central Frontenac Council when she wrote a letter asking that the fee be waived for two “Slow - Deaf Child at Play” signs in Tichborne for her nine-year-old son Alexandar.

Alexander has a disorder called “Central Auditory Processing Disorder, which means that Alexandar’s brain does not process sounds between 55 and 80 decibals. Most traffic falls within this range and Alexandar cannot hear oncoming cars,” Brewer said in a letter to Council. “I feel that signage is necessary in order to ensure my son’s safety, …”

Noting that she is in a “Special Needs” circumstance, Brewer requested that the standard $100 per sign fee be waived in her case.

At first it seemed as if Council would be sympathetic to Brewer’s request. Councillor Gutowsi said that Danka Brewer lives on a fixed income and faces special costs for her son, so cannot afford the $200 it would cost for the signs, and Councillor Murray said, “I’ve been known to drive too fast, but I always slow down at Children at Play signs.”

Councillor Harvey then said, “I have a tough time with signs. It’s a proven fact that signs don’t do anything. Only police pressure can make a difference.”

Councillor Gutowski pointed out that Constable Grant from the OPP has been contacted, and extra patrolling has taken place in Tichborne to enforce the 50 km speed zone, with some effect.

“I have mixed feelings,” said Deputy Mayor Smith, “I don’t think a sign will promote safety.”

Councillor Putnam said “I think there are handicapped children in every Village, and we don’t have free signs for all. Besides, I don’t think they work.”

Mayor MacDonald said, “Notwithstanding the sympathies I have for this situation, I don’t know about this. I dare say that if I took off my hearing aids, I wouldn’t be able to hear the traffic in front of my house.”

In a recorded vote, Council rejected the request for an exemption from the cost of signage, with Councillors Harvey, and Putnam, Deputy Mayor Smith and Mayor MacDonald voting against, and Councillors Snyder, Murray and Gutowski voting in favour. Councillors Guigue and Nicolson were absent from the meeting.

Danka Brewer was flabbergasted when she found out about the decision. “I don’t know what we pay the Councillors for,” she said, “if they refuse to look at things individually. My son has special equipment at school, where they recognise his problem. He needs to cross the road in order to go to his bus in the morning, and he can’t hear cars coming on the road. I don’t have the income to pay the fee, but I need the sign.”