Feature Article - January 18, 2007

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Januay 18, 2007

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac

by Jeff Green -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

SouthFrontenacTownship will receive up to $352,500 towards the reconstruction of the MitchellCreekBridge from the federal and provincial governments, and North Frontenac will receive up to $79,000 towards the construction of special household waste depots.

Both townships had applied for larger projects in earlier rounds of the program, which is bringing a total of $600 million in provincial and federal funding to rural Ontario municipalities. (For the purposes of COMRIF, rural is defined as a community with a population under 250,000)

CentralFrontenacTownship was a big winner in round 2 of COMRIF, receiving $4 million towards the $6 million reconstruction of Road 38. In earlier rounds South Frontenac had applied for support towards a program to repave all of the roads downloaded with amalgamation, and North Frontenac sought support for a plan to widen the one-lane Missisippi bridge over Road 509. After having its application rejected in both rounds, North Frontenac realised that the Mississippi bridge was an unlikely candidate for funding, because it is in good repair even though it is only one lane wide.

“We decided to change horses after Round 2,” North Frontenac Mayor Ron Maguire said at a meeting of council last Thursday, “and seek funding for special waste disposal. And it appears that it has worked. This is good news for us.”

Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites for North Frontenac: North Frontenac will use its funding to build special household hazardous waste containment areas at the waste sites on Hwy. 506, at Plevna, and at Mississippi. The areas will be fenced and bermed in, and will be equipped with special trays to ensure materials are contained. The materials will not be permanently stored in the township. The township will have to enter into a contract with a licensed hauler to have the material shipped to a hazardous waste disposal site such as the ones in Kingston and Renfrew.

Until now, the only legal way to dispose of hazardous waste (solvents, car batteries, motor oil, propane, antifreezes, pesticides, etc.) in North Frontenac has been to purchase a $32 pass from the township office and bring up to 20 litres to the Kingston Area Recycles Centre in Kingston. Very few of these passes are sold each year, leading township officials to believe this dangerous waste is either being stored in people’s sheds or is finding its way into the waste sites.

MitchellCreekBridge: Unlike the Mississippi bridge, there is little doubt about the state of repair of the MitchellCreek bridge, which is located right in the middle of South Frontenac, near FrontenacPark. It is crumbling and must be replaced.

There has, however, been an ongoing dispute over plans to make the bridge larger and higher.

The township originally planned to rebuild the bridge to the same dimensions of the current bridge, but the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada), which oversees bridges over all navigable waters, insisted that the bridge be built higher, allowing for bigger boats to travel under it. Local residents formed a group, dubbing themselves the “Friends of the MitchellCreek”, and argued that the bridge should not be made larger for fear of changing the character of the creek and the lake it feeds.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) modified their demands, and are now allowing the township to build a bridge that is lower than their original demands but higher than the current bridge. This has not satisfied the “Friends of the MitchellCreek”.

In December, in response to a request from the “Friends”, the township sent a final letter to the DFO asking once again that the township be permitted to build a smaller bridge. This letter has not yet been answered.

The COMRIF grant does not specify the size of the bridge, according to South Frontenac Chief Administrative Officer Gord Burns.

“We estimated the project at $528,000 in our COMRIF application, which would pay for the larger bridge, but we can build any bridge we want up to that price, and the COMRIF grant will pay 2/3 of the cost,” he said, “but the grant makes it more important than ever for the township to complete the project this year.”

To that end, South Frontenac has written a letter to MP Scott Reid, asking him to check with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to ensure that the letter of request the township sent in December receives a quick response, so the township can move forward with the project.

Articles from this week

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage Festival It's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

Feature Article - January 18, 2007

Back toHome

Januay 11, 2007

Strike 3 at COMRIF for Addington Highlandsby Jule Koch Brison-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While Central, North and South Frontenac townships have now all received some funding support from the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), a bitterly disappointed Addington Highlands has come up empty-handed after spending around $10,000 on three applications to the fund.

The applications were all to repair the Skootamatta Lake Road. The first and third submissions were prepared by engineering firms, while the second submission was prepared by township staff.

“For $10,000 we could have done some work on the road,” said Reeve Henry Hogg. “Yes,” said Roads Superintendent Royce Rosenblath, “but if we didn’t apply we’re left thinking - there was money available and we didn’t apply.”

Recently, the Government of Ontario announced a one-time $70 million Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative. Unlike COMRIF, the Rural Infrastructure Initiative does not require matching funding from municipalities, or that business plans or invoices be submitted.

Addington Highlands had intended to apply to the new program for funding to repair a bridge on the Hartsmere Road. At Monday night’s council meeting, however, Township Clerk/Treasurer Jack Pauhl pointed out that the application form asks specifically if the municipality has applied to Intake 3 of COMRIF and if it wishes to re-submit the same application.

This caused council to have to make a difficult decision as to which project to apply for. On the one hand the application for the Skootamatta Lake Road is ready to go, and no more money would have to be spent; on the other hand there is the possibility that an application for the bridge would be more likely to receive funding. As Rosenblath pointed out, “Roads don’t fail in the same way that bridges do.” Also, there is no guarantee that enough money might be granted to complete any projects.

When asked which he felt was the priority, Rosenblath replied, “The Hartsmere Road bridge is the highest priority in our bridge system and the Skootamatta Lake Road is the highest priority in our road system, so it’s hard to choose one over the other.”

Councilors Eythel Grant and Janice Kerr both voiced the opinion that the bridge should be applied for. Councilor Louise Scott was absent due to illness but Reeve Hogg and the other councilors were sure that she would vote for the Skootamatta Lake Road. Reeve Hogg also pointed out that a lot of money has recently been spent on the Hartsmere Road.

In the end, Councilor Helen Yanch made a motion to re-submit the Skootamatta Lake Road application and the motion was passed.

Quinte Eco has provided two examples of a possible expansion of the Denbigh Waste Site. Reeve Hogg asked if MoE approval is guaranteed if AH buys the land surrounding the site. Jack Pauhl replied that the MoE hasn’t categorically said yes, but they have been involved in the plan and seem to be favourably disposed to it. Council voted to hire a land surveyor to prepare a draft plan for the waste site.

The Denbigh Recreation Committee is having an Open House at the Denbigh Hall on Friday Jan 19 to meet residents and hear their ideas (see Denbigh news on page 4 for more details). Councilor Janice Kerr, representing the committee, asked if hall rental fees would be waived for future events, and if council could budget some money to get a canteen started at the Denbigh Hall. Council agreed to waive the fees and voted to allocate $200, to be repaid before May 1, to the committee. A Family Fun Day is also being planned for February.

The Ministry of Natural Resources will be adding Addington Highlands to the list of municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is allowed in time for turkey hunting in the spring.

In 2006, residential construction valued at $4,792,601, and commercial construction valued at $977,118 was undertaken. Building permit fees for the residential construction totaled $51,148. Commercial construction fees would have totaled $8009, but have been waived to encourage economic development.

As is customary, Council voted to borrow $2 million to tide the township over until taxes are collected.

Articles from this week

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage Festival It's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

Feature Article - January 18, 2007

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Januay 18, 2007

South Frontenac Councilby Wilma Kenny -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve

By spring, all of SouthFrontenacTownship is expected to be included in the UNESCO-designated Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve (FABR), one of 13 such sites in Canada. Some of the Councillors have questioned whether this might mean property restrictions or additional taxpayer expenses, so invited Don Ross, executive director of FABR to explain the designation. Ross emphasized that Biosphere Reserves have no jurisdiction powers or authority. Their purpose is to recognize areas of unusual ecological, cultural or historical significance, and through networking with local groups, develop programs which help communities work toward healthy environments, sustainable development and cultural development. This would include encouraging sustainable tourism, supporting ‘buy-local’ programs, mapping canoe trails, shoreline restoration, etc. Canadian Biosphere Reserves are largely operated by volunteers, and at present have no government funding, although a private members bill proposes the Federal Government offer some support.

Committees and Boards

Council appointed members of a variety of Boards and Committees for the next 4 years: all such groups must have at least one councillor: the number of citizen members depends largely on the number of individuals who have volunteered. (Citizen members are paid $15. expenses for each meeting they attend.) The four recreation committees were well filled, and the Storrington Cemetery Board proved popular, netting 11 members to Loughborough’s 3. CAO Burns noted that Storrington cemetery had "a lively group." However, Portland cemetery board may be the one to gain that title this time around: its membership is Bill Robinson, Bill Babcock, Eldon Hamilton, Phil Leonard and Don Smith...

MitchellCreek

SF Township has been approved for a Federal/Provincial subsidy through the COMRIF program up to a total of $325,500. based on the actual cost of the project. (COMRIF will cover 2/3 of the project costs.) This means the township may be able to build a more environmentally friendly, less intrusive bridge than originally planned, as well as improve the approaches to the bridge, all at a lower cost to the municipality. CAO Burns congratulated Public Works Manager Blum for his excellent work on the application. There has been no reply to Mayor Davison’s letter to Federal Minister regarding the bridge’s height. Mayor Davison said the letter had been sent to appease the public, and while it may have ‘muddied the waters,’ he doubted it would result in any change from the present government-approved specifications

Articles from this week

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage Festival It's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

Feature Article - January 18, 2007

Back toHome

Januay 11, 2007

Letters

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Homesense

As the teacher for the grade 4/5 class at Hinchinbrooke PS,I would sincerely like tothank The Homesense Storeat the Rio Can Mall in Kingston. Through their unexpected generosity, theydonated two mugs for each of my 26 students, plus candy and decorations so that each child would have gifts for their parents. They have offered to donate other items also. I would suggest to your readers to help us return their generosity by shoppingin the Homesense Store.

Secondly, we have an amazing mom who supports our class by adding so much to ourlearning and fun! Mrs. Julie Goodfellow is absolutelywonderful. She bringsthestudents treats, learning aids for our subjects, she fundraises forour activities and is always available to lend a hand (or a finger -- inside joke!) Every class would be envious of us if they knew all the things shehas donefor us! Many thanks, Julie.

- Debbie Jones, teacher

The Bull Moose

In the October 12, 2006 issue of the Frontenac News we have a photo of Harold and Neil proudly posing with a moose rack, apparently taken two weeks previous. There was no season before October 12 in the area. The AAFNA does not have a hunting agreement with the MNR.

At this point the article stops. I’m curious, did Harold and Neil get a fine? Were their guns taken away? Or are they in jail?

Apparently the native community is going to push all the buttons - build wherever; hunt and fish whenever - that will be next I’m sure.

Be careful, this could be the beginning of an Oka and Caledonia. I’m not 76 or 86 and not native. I do know where there are some moose. Maybe I’ll go hunting, maybe I’ll send you a photo.

There are people out there deliberately adding fuel to this fire and a lot of stupid people watching the pot boil over.

Dennis Hannah

Re: Zealand Road by Jean Lewis

I’ve been a rural mail courier for over four years now in the Maberly area. While most of the roads I travel are in the LanarkTownship area, I do cover some of Central Frontenac.

I have never seen the Central Frontenac roads in a sorrier state than in the last few months. After repairs to struts, ball joints etc. etc. (the list goes on and on) I sometime feel compelled to send all the bills to the township office!

Canada Post pays RSMCs a limited amount each month for vehicle expenses but when you have to constantly have your vehicle in for repair at over $80 an hour labour, plus the cost of the parts, the figure paid back to us just does not compare. I know the residents are in the same predicament, as I am one of them. I live close to Jean but usually I head to work in the opposite direction so that I can enter a different township first. Even though I have run into situations in LanarkTownship, they seem to be resolved in a timely manner.

The weather was beautiful for such a long time and I thought I would see a grader on one of the most terrible roads of my route. It’s been a mess for months. I really feel for the residents. This particular road has not been touched for months. Some people may think that if we don’t like the roads around here, well, we should find another place to settle. How sad is that? No one would live here at all! Most of this area is farming. We need farming, families (young and old), businesses and folks like Jean to speak out and let everyone know what’s happening in our little parts of the township.

Kudos to Art Teal and Frank White for lending a hand, but Jean is right -- they’ll see no compensation. Seems that Bob Pollard had the same problem several years ago when he took it into his own hands to help out and grade part of Brewer Road. If I remember correctly, he was actually reprimanded for his efforts.

All I really have to say is, “Shame on this township!”

Well, I’ve said my piece and I hope others will voice their opinions, whatever they might be, via this newspaper---the mainstay of our community!

- Carole Cannon

Articles from this week

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage Festival It's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

Feature Article - November 30, 2006

Back toHome

Januay 18, 2007

Habitat for Humanity holds first public meeting in Flintonby Jeff Green -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16.

Ruth Peck, who leads the local committee, introduced Doug and Paul Chisholm, whose donation of a lot near Flinton and thousands of dollars worth of materials provided the impetus for Habitat for Humanity to come to Flinton.

Paul Chisholm said that the Chisholm family has been in the lumbering business for 150 years. “We wanted to do something substantial to celebrate, something charitable, and this made sense,” he said.

Karel Vanek, President of the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate and Bonnie Dobson of the selection committee both spoke about the partnership that Habitat for Humanity builds with communities and with people who end up buying homes from them.

Karel Vanek talked about the building process in general and Bonnie Dobson went over the criteria for family selection. They made it clear that Habnitat does not give people homes; the families that receive homes must contribute 500 hours in “sweat equity” in order to receive a home which they must pay for. The advantage for families is they end up living in an adequate new home with mortgage payments that are lower than the rent they were paying on an inadequate home. A meeting for potential families will be held on Monday night (January 22) at the Northbrook Lions Hall at 7:00 pm.

Families living within 30 miles of Flinton, whose housing is substandard, who have a steady income that is not high enough for them to receive a traditional mortgage, and who are willing to make a commitment to partnering with Habitat for Humanity, might be eligible. For further information call Ruth Peck (613) 336-8915 or Jack Kelly (613) 336-6806.

Many community volunteers will be needed when the build starts in late May. Interested parties can contact the above numbers or look to the News for further information in the spring.

Articles from this week

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage Festival It's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

Feature Article - November 30, 2006

Back toHome

Januay 11, 2007

Frontenac Heritage Festivalby Jeff Green -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Planning is underway for a new event in the SharbotLake area, a festival to celebrate the winter heritage of Central Frontenac.

The schedule is still being finalised for the event, which will take place during Canadian Heritage Week, between Thursday February 22nd and Sunday, February 25th. Among the confirmed events are a heritage quilt show, a community square dance, a Saturday evening concert featuring two-time Juno award winner Jenny Whitely and friends, and some pancake breakfasts and community dinners as well. The Sharbot Lake High School Winter Carnival is scheduled for the Friday as well, and it is kicked off with a pancake breakfast.

This, the first year of what organisers hope will become an annual event, is timed to coincide with a Letterheads event, a sort of busman’s holiday for sign painters, which is being hosted by local sign painters and muralists Roger MacMunn and Donna Larocque. They have coaxed several of their industry peers, some from as far away as Saskatchewan, into visiting the area to participate in workshops and seminars. MacMunn and Larocque have recently completed two murals for the Township of Central Frontenac, and participants in the February Fever event will be working on four projects. When completed, the projects will be donated to the community.

Another event that will be taking place on the Saturday is the Safe and Sober Alliance Snow Rodeo, which is coming to Central Frontenac for the first time. The Rodeo, which will include a snowmobile and an ATV poker run, has been held at the Odessa Fairgrounds for the past three years, but it has been lured north with the promise of snow.

The Safe and Sober Alliance is a partnership of several groups and institutions, including KFL&A Public Health, the OPP SAVE Team, several OPP detachments, the Kingston Police Force and the RCMP. The Frontenac ATV club will be organizing the ATV run and the SharbotLake and Snow Road Snowmobile clubs will bw organizing the snowmobile ride. The plan, at this point, is for the Rodeo to be based at the site of the new Sharbot Lake Fire Hall. Along with the ATV and snowmobile rides, there will be a mock trail crash demonstration, the Greater Kingston enhanced Ride Van will be on site and available for tours as well, and there will be activities for the whole family.

The Heritage Festival organizers are finalizing plans for other events, and further details will be available in the coming weeks.

Articles from this week

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage Festival It's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

Feature Article -February 1, 2007

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February 1, 2007

Overwhelmed by unexpected utility costs? Unable to cover the mortgage? Help may be available ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Jeff Green

Jillian Manning has a daunting job. As the Family Services Coordinator at the Rural VISIONS Centre in Sydenham, part of her time is devoted to helping low income people access financial support when they are in dire straits.

“My job is to point people to services and to help determine which ones can apply to them,” she said last week, in describing her job.

Funding for the “Maintaining Housing for Rural Residents” program has recently been approved, and it is being administered through Rural VISIONS Centre for residents of FrontenacCounty. There are three streams to the program, which is intended to serve 24 families in the county. There is money for mortgage arrears; assistance with first or last month’s rent for those seeking new accommodations; and grants for heating and utility upgrades.

The funding is being targeted at people in crisis.

“These programs will improve access to and connect households that are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless with the system of community services available through Central Frontenac Community Services [Rural VISIONS Centre] …” is how the programs are described in a City of Kingston publication.

Aside from these new initiatives, the existing rent and utility bank programs are still in place. Jillian Manning also has information about the Winter Warmth Program, which is funded by the United Way, and the Share the Warmth program, which is provincially funded. South Frontenac residents may also be eligible for funding from the Caring Community initiative.

Eligibility requirements for all of these programs are based on demonstrated need. Eligibility is limited to individuals who earn less than $23,000 per year, or $27,500 for two people, $32,500 for a family of three, $36,500 for a family of four, and $39,900 for a family of five or more.

“The programs are all designed for people in different circumstances, and there is documentation required. I usually have a meeting with people in their home to assess their situation, and try to help them get the supports they require,” said Jillian Manning.

“These programs are not for people who receive a large hydro bill and don’t know how they are going to cover it. It is more for people who are facing having their hydro being cut off because they are behind in their payments,” said CFCSC Executive Director Beth Freeland. Freeland pointed out that her agency recently received $54,000 for the homelessness initiative, but it is always a struggle to administer programs because the agency does not receive sufficient administrative support.

Jillian Manning is now working only three days a week because of funding shortfalls. She worked four days a week until the beginning of this year.

“We struggle to receive the administrative funding we need,” Beth Freeland said. “We can only get people the funding they need to maintain their housing because we have people like Jillian on staff to work through the issues and application procedures.”

Articles from January 18

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16

Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage FestivalIt's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

Feature Article - February 1, 2007

Back toHome

February 1,, 2007

Open Letter to Frontenac County Mayors (editorial)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It is time for the four of you to do something very simple and direct, and in doing so release millions of dollars to its intended use. Since there are only four members of the Council of Frontenac County, it will only take a vote from thre of you to release the money that FrontenacCounty is holding from a federal gas tax rebate - money that is intended for the use of municipalities to help with infrastructure costs.

As you all know, in FrontenacCounty half of this money has been allocated directly to the four municipalities, but the other half has been allocated to the county. You also know that, unlike many other counties in Ontario, FrontenacCounty does not have its own infrastructure. All of the roads, bridges, waste sites, and the only water treatment plant, are owned and maintained by the lower tier municipalities. One of you simply has to make a motion at the next county meeting that the money be transferred to the townships; two others have to vote yes, and it will be a done deal.

HastingsCounty, which is similar to FrontenacCounty in that it also has no county roads system, did just that, passing all the gas tax money from the county to the lower tier townships.

A year ago, just such a motion was on the point of being proposed when county staff asked that it be deferred until such time as staff could look at the complicated set of requirements that make up the federal gas tax agreement.

A year has gone by, and the money still rests with the county.

It is true that gas tax money cannot simply be applied to any road and bridge construction project that a municipality decides to undertake, because it is earmarked for so-called “sustainable infrastructure”, but according to an official at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, who are administering the program, there is considerable flexibility in the definition of “sustainability”, and a wide variety of projects can be funded with this money.

The money can also be used for so-called “capacity building”. It is to this use that the county portion of the money will most certainly be put if the money is not transferred to the townships.

For example, the county staff has proposed a $50,000 Business Continuity Project under their Emergency Management budget. If approved, it will lead to the hiring of a consultant to help the county plan for certain eventualities. It is hoped that this will be used by the townships as well. As Mayor Vanden Hoek himself pointed out, the project seems “pretty grey”.

I am sure there is no end to the amount of capacity building projects that can be developed. FrontenacCounty will have received $475,000 in gas tax money by the end of this year. In 2008, $317,000 is coming; in 2009, $396,000; and in 2010, $793,989.

County staff has proposed that a decision over allocation of this money be deferred until after the 2007 budget is completed.

Why? It has been a year since the decision was deferred, and $80,000 from the county portion of the gas tax has been expended thus far. Thirty thousand dollars have been spent on a GIS project, and $50,000 for county-wide inventory assessment. (To be fair, the inventory assessment is something that is being mandated by the province, so it must be completed one way or another)

If the townships can get their hands on the money from the county it would increase their ability to do something meaningful with the gas tax money they have already received.

This is a significant amount of money, especially in the case of South Frontenac, where between the county portion and the township portion, about a million dollars will accumulate by the end of next year.

According to South Frontenac Clerk-Administrator Gord Burns, township staff is looking at using gas tax money this year to replace aging in-ground fuel tanks at township work sites with above-ground tanks, improve salt storage facilities, and improve township landfill sites. While Burns said he sees merit in spending money on long term planning at the county level, he also offered that South Frontenac would not have any difficulty finding applicable projects if the county money were passed their way.

Should FrontenacCounty’s money be spent on the physical infrastructural needs of the townships or on long term planning at the county? It’s up to you Mayors to decide, and you should do so immediately.

Remember, the federal gas tax money is a rebate of taxpayers’ money. It was designed to address an infrastructure deficit that has been identified very clearly by the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus and others. Much political work was done by the Eastern Ontario Wardens and other rural politicians to make rural roads and bridges eligible for this money, with the argument being made that city bus or light rail service are not viable in rural Ontario, but roads and bridges are crumbling.

After all of that effort, it would be a mistake not to spend that money on tangible municipal assets, assets that otherwise will have to be replaced through increases in municipal taxes down the line.

-Jeff Green

Articles from January 18

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16

Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage FestivalIt's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

Feature Article - January 11, 2007

Back toHome

Januay 11, 2007

Notes from Addington Highlands Councilby Jule Koch Brison -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Addington Highlands has notified the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) that council voted to reconsider the ban on Sunday gun hunting, but so far has not heard back from the MNR.

Council debated the forming of a planning advisory committee, which would bring recommendations to council about the Official Plan. Councilor Helen Yanch asked if a committee could be formed, say, two months from now. Reeve Henry Hogg replied that the committee could be formed whenever it was needed; however qualified people are needed to sit on it. Council decided to seek expressions of interest from the public (see ad on page 3).

The Denbigh Waste Site is an ongoing issue that is currently in the Ministry of the Environment’s court. The MoE has raised the possibility that the site could be expanded, and Township Clerk Jack Pauhl has talked to owners of the land surrounding the site. He said that while an application to expand the site would require an amendment to the Official Plan, in principle the surrounding landowners are prepared to sell.

“No snow” was the summary of Roads Supervisor Royce Rosenblath’s report to council. “Are we saving money?” asked Councilor Helen Yanch. “Well,” Rosenblath replied, “We still have to pay everybody, but yes, we’re saving some.”

He said the uncertainty as to when it might snow makes it difficult to proceed with other jobs. They will put some gravel in potholes, but not a lot, as if it snows it will be plowed out again.

- Rosenblath has contacted an engineering firm to get a quote on repairing a bridge on the Hartsmere Road. The township will be submitting a request for funds to repair the bridge to the new Rural Infrastructure program.

- Confusion over sidewalk maintenance in Northbrook has been cleared up somewhat. The sidewalks are in fact owned by the MTO, not the township, and if problems develop with people piling snow onto the sidewalks, the MTO will contact them. Council will try to obtain an agreement in writing from MTO for snow removal

Building Inspector Wayne Kivell reported that 198 building permits were taken out in 2006.

Articles from December '06

Habitat fo

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage Festival It's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage Festival It's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters

r humanity

Crow Lake School house receives Council support

Project End Zone nets $200,000 from South, Central Frontenac

Ompah Helipad

Pine Lake tops busy North Frontenac Agenda

Oops: repairs damage library, cause temporary closing

Slow Food advocates bring their message from Truin to Sydenham

Direct Democracy: Editorial

A new look for South Frontenac Council

CD release for Fank Morrison

Ron Maguire assumes Frontenac County Warden's role

Letters

Feature Article - January 18, 2007

Back toHome

Januay 11, 2007

Election year again (editorial)

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If it feels like it’s been election year every year, that’s because it has been. At least once a year there is a flurry of speculation, followed by the sprouting of election signs by the roadside. Then comes a vote, and it’s over for a time.

Four years ago in the fall there was a provincial election. A year later there was a municipal election. The next year there was a federal election. A year later the federal government fell and we had an election over Christmas, and then there was another municipal election this past fall. If the activity among riding associations is any indication, we could be having another federal election within months, and there will be a provincial election in the fall.

Federal elections have become so common that a Scott Reid supporter has left an election sign up on Highway 7 for the past three years.

But there is good news for those among us who wish the politicians would stop knocking on our doors and asking for our support. There will be no election for at least three years after this year. At least that’s how it looks right now.

Federally, the Conservatives are poised to either win an outright majority or come pretty close to doing so, close enough that a stable regime will be established.

Recent events have made this even more likely. When the Liberals lost one seat to the Conservatives earlier this month, it gave the NDP the balance of power. The NDP has nothing to gain in an election, but in order to demonstrate their relevance they need to show they can move the government on an important issue, either a budgetary or an environmental issue. The NDP will have to draw a line in the sand somewhere, and the Conservatives will then have an opportunity to say no, bringing on an election when they are most likely to win one.

And they will win, unless some outside event changes a dynamic that has been at play in federal politics ever since the sponsorship scandal broke several years ago. The electorate lost faith with the Liberals years ago, but have been slow to accept the Harper Conservatives. The Liberals were reduced to a minority; then the Conservatives got a minority, and with each election the Liberals have had less to campaign on.

Although Stephen Harper has shown himself to be anti-democratic in some ways, by shutting down his ministers and caucus members and refusing to follow the established protocol with the national media, he has shown himself to be competent, and highly political.

His handling of the contentious same-sex marriage debate, a potential problem, was masterful. He allowed a free vote, satisfying an election promise, lost the vote and then said the matter is settled. When asked if he would revisit it if he won a majority, he re-iterated that the matter is settled. This will not be popular with same sex marriage opponents, but they have nowhere else to go with their vote. All the other parties support same-sex marriage. What Harper has done is taken away an issue from the opposition. He has harmed the one line of attack the Liberals have had: the fear of a hidden Conservative right wing agenda.

The only real vulnerability the Conservatives have is on the environment, but there is quite a crowd of parties fighting for the status of champion of the environment. The Conservatives can allow themselves to be pushed quite a long way on this, probably far enough to satisfy the 40% of the population whose votes they seek, and still say with conviction that theirs is the only policy that won’t diminish the economic prospects that Canadians remain most interested in.

The environment might be the “number one issue” for Canadians, but that is because the economy keeps humming along and employment is at historic lows. Fear of an economic collapse is still stronger in most people’s minds than fear of environmental collapse. The Conservatives know this, and can play it to their advantage as long as their environmental policy moves towards the mainstream of Canadian thinking over the next couple of months.

There will be no tidal wave of support coming to the Conservatives when they orchestrate an election this spring. They don’t need one. They only need the waters to keep moving steadily in their direction, and there is nothing to indicate this won’t happen. Nothing has happened since the last election to alter the basic voting trends. Most ridings will see no change. Our own riding, which has become a Conservative stronghold, belongs to Scott Reid for as long as he wants it. He is popular, especially in Lanark, where he has been the MP for about 7 years, and he is devoted to providing federal services to his constituents.

The only scenario under which Reid could lose would be one where the local electorate turns on the Conservative Party as a whole. That only happens when people tire of a government, such as they did in Ontario with the Harris Tories. The federal Conservatives have never really been in power yet. It is way too early for a “throw the bums out” movement to kick in. We need to elect the bums first.

Provincially, the Liberals should be able to hang onto their majority, because even if they aren’t particularly popular as a government, they have demonstrated political competence. People say nasty things about them, but most of those people are affiliated with other parties. Ontario isn’t quite ready to throw them out. They spent at least half of this past term dealing with the fiscal and policy hangover from the previous government. They should have four years to make their own mark.

So, if my predictions come true, the two elections we will be subjected to this year will lead to governments that will remain in power for their full mandates.

Remember, you heard it here first. - JG

Articles from this week

Third time lucky for South, North Frontenac:The 3rd and final intake of submissions to the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) resulted in funding support for relatively small initiatives in South and North Frontenac.

Flinton Habitat build: Executive members from the Prince Edward Hastings Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity met with the newly formed Flinton Build committee and the public at the Flinton Rec. Hall on Jan. 16Biosphere, Committees, and the bridge: South Frontenac Council meetingThree strikes at Comrif for Addington Highlands: Addington Highlands Council meeting of January 15.Frontenac Heritage Festival It's Election Year, again: EditorialLetters