Feature article, June 16, 2005

Feature article June 16, 2005

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North Frontenac Council wants out of the dock businessand other news from Councilby Jeff Green A request from the Mazinaw Lake Property Owners Association to improve the township-owned dock at Tappins Bay was brought up at North Frontenac Council last week, several months after Council put the matter aside, with a request to staff that an inventory of docks in the township be carried out.

The matter was brought back before Council at the request of Mayor Maguire, who will be speaking at the Mazinaw Lake Property Owners Association Annual General Meeting on July 3.

Im sure the people at the meeting will want to know what Councils response is to their request, Maguire said.

Staff reported that of the 30 docks in the township, only three are actually owned by the township: the Tappins Bay dock, a dock on Shabomeka Lake, and a dock on Canonto Lake.

It turns out that far from wanting to improve the Tappins Bay dock, Council would prefer to sell it to the Mazinaw Lake Property Owners Association for a nominal fee.

Councillor Will Cybulski said, I dont think we want to get into the dock business. I think if we build at Tappins Bay, whos to say it wont end up being inadequate in 5 years time?

Parking space will always be a problem, added Councillor Betty Hunter.

Councillor Bud Clayton put it this way, We download it to the Association, or we remove it. If they dont want it, I suggest we pull it down.

I think its a money pit. It will always be a money pit as long as we own it. The MNR sold the people those lots on the far side of the lake in the first place, and they also told them what the docking facilities would be. I think they should go back to the MNR. If they dont want it for a dollar, I think we should rip it down, said Councillor Dave Smith.

Councillor Fred Perry wanted to take a measured approach.

I think what we need to do is set up a time frame six months, three months, or whatever to give the Property Association time to consider their options.

Township Chief Administrative Officer Cheryl Robson was asked if the township has insurance for the docks it owns.

They are not specifically named in our policy, Robson said.

Now that the condition of the docks has become a public issue, the consensus among councillors was that the insurance company must be informed of the condition of all the docks. Concerns have been raised about the condition of the Canonto and Shabomeka docks.

I think if they are not up to standard the insurance company will say fix them or tear them down, said CAO Robson.

I think that this Council should be guided by what our insurance company says about them, said Councillor Cybulski.

Ill call the insurance company tomorrow morning, said Cheryl Robson.

Office Hours raised

Several months ago, township staff in North Frontenac requested that office hours be reduced from 5 days a week to 3 days a week, and since then the township office has been open on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Office staff reserve Tuesdays and Wednesdays for training, staff meetings, and for concentrated work time.

We got our first written complaint about the reduced office hours, said township Chief Administrative Officer Cheryl Robson, in bringing the matter to the attention of Council.

I think the hours are fine the way they are. We have to handle the same amount of business as the City of Toronto or the City of Ottawa. The difference is that Toronto and Ottawa have 600700 people to do the same work. Were not closed two days, were open three, said Councillor Dave Smith.

Others took a different view, however.

Deputy Mayor Gleva Lemke said I have heard a lot of verbal complaints. A lot of people dont like the idea that the office is not accessible. I disagree with it being closed the two days.

While Township CAO Cheryl Robson said staff find the current arrangement beneficial, it is a political decision of Council.

It was proposed that a receptionist could be available at the front desk, but that appointments would be necessary for people to speak to Department heads. However, the township office is so small that as soon as anyone comes in the door, everyone looks up; they cant help it, said Councillor Smith.

Township Clerk/Planner Brenda Defosse said, I prefer being closed two days a week. It allows me to conclude a project. If someone comes to the office to see me, and they are told they cant see me, I dont think they are going to be satisfied.

Another suggestion was made that in the summer time, when final tax bills go out and the seasonal population is around, the office be opened five days a week.

Cheryl Robson said that 75% of the townships seasonal residents pay their taxes by phone or online.

Council left the office hours in place, with Cheryl Robson asking Councillors to encourage people who dont like the hours to put their complaints in writing.

EOTA proposal rejected

At a Council meeting in early May, Cindy Cassidy from the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (EOTA) came before Council with a request that a partnership be formed between EOTA and North Frontenac, so EOTA members would be allowed to use the roads the township operated on Crown land.

EOTA has been very active in fostering ATV tourism throughout Eastern Ontario, and Cindy Cassidy said the Trails Alliance would contribute to the maintenance of the Crown Land access roads if a partnership agreement were reached.

Councillor Betty Hunter, chair of the Crown Land Access Committee, reported that the committee had been concerned that any change in the use of the Crown land roads might violate the agreement the township has with the Ministry of Natural Resources to operate the roads. Hunter said she had contacted the MNR, who did not favour any changes to the use of the roads.

Hunter then read out a letter she has written to Cindy Cassidy outlining why the township could not accept the partnership offer, since the Crown Land roads are operated to provide access to camping and fishing opportunities on Crown lands, and not for ATV touring.

Council passed a resolution authorizing Hunter to send the letter.

Building permits on the rise -

A report from the Chief Building Officer David Young showed that permits were issued for $826,400 worth of construction in May of 2005, up from $577,700 for May of 2004.

Budget meetings continue

Council met to consider the 2005 budget earlier in the day, and another meeting is scheduled for this week. The budget is expected soon.

Fire Hall to be decided in budget deliberations

Those waiting to see what decision Council will make on the future of the Clar-Mill Fire Hall may have to wait until the budget is prepared. There are no separate meetings scheduled to discuss the pros and cons of the proposal to move the Fire Hall to Plevna. Councillors have not indicated which way they are headed on the contentious Fire Hall issue.

Letters, June 23, 2005

Letters June 23, 2005

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POLICY BY REFERENDUM When the old Reform Party came to town a few years back my wife and I attended the policy meeting to see if perhaps a real breath of fresh air might indeed be arriving on the Canadian political scene. The meeting that took place in the Northbrook Lions Hall was well attended and quite informative as the prospective candidate laid out the platform that his hopeful party wished to implement if successful. Not to be, so it turned out.

One of the policies tabled at that gathering gave me reason to question this Reform candidate, and it still troubles me today. Is it really in the best interest of a free and democratic society to govern by referendum?

Should the majority opinion always prevail in matters of morals or conscience the result will prove disastrous. "In matters of conscience the majority has no power." It was this premise that guided the trainers of the American Constitution, and hopefully those of the Canadian Charter of Rights. A free society needs to be protected from what could become a well-meaning however misinformed and misguided majority.

There is a real concern here as history has amply proven. In far too many cases the majority opinion has proven disastrous to "liberty of conscience," an entrenched right that was gained over the centuries (Magna Charta, the afore mentioned American Constitution etc.) at a very great cost in blood. "Those who forget are doomed to repeat." The Dark Ages are proof enough that the masses controlled by a misguided religious fervor can do heinous things to the dissenting few. This alone should prove to the informed mind that majority opinion can be very wrong in the area of conscience and morals.

Yes, there are crying abuses that should be corrected, but the sins of the flesh are not going to find even a semblance of solution in a legislated righteousness. Whatever it is that reveals itself in open immoral display had to first be conceived in the heart, that being the case "a mind changed against its will is of the same opinion still." To legislate against perceived wrong will, as proven in the past, only drive it under ground again. The Churches fail, and admit defeat of the power contained within the gospel when they resort to the civil power to correct what the pulpit through proper application of the gospel could and should have done.

This is not intended as a defense of same sex marriage by any means. It is a plea for historic perspective and an acknowledgment that we have "already been there, already done that" and it tragically failed. The Church and the State must remain separate. Christ Himself stated "my Kingdom is not of this world, for the kingdom of God is within you. W. C. McLean Flinton

Seniors and family health The Seniors' Services Advisory Committee of Northern Frontenac Community Services would like to congratulate the Sharbot Lake Medical Centre and its staff for being selected as one of the 52 pilot sites for Family Health Teams across Ontario. As a group that represents seniors throughout Central, North and parts of South Frontenac Townships, this committee is well aware of the wide variety of health needs in relation to the senior population. They also realize that providing health services to our rural setting offers many challenges. We all look forward to the increased options and variety of services that will be made available with this new model of health care. Harriet Riddell On behalf of the N.F.C.S. Seniors' Services Advisory Committee

Litter in Arden

We seniors in town are doing our utmost to keep the road between Highway 7 and the village of Arden as litter-free as possible. We realize we are up against the odds, when on a windy day, the overflow from the dump can undo all our work. However, lately were finding more and more Tim Horton cups, Dairy Queen Cartons, plastic and tin pop containers and french-fry containers, some still with the plastic forks intact, between the highway and the dump. Help a senior, eh? Hold onto your garbage another thirty seconds and you will be at the big refuse container at the mill-pond. Dump it there, and you will be doing your part in making the entrance to Arden more attractive.

Rick Brown Arden.

Shame, shame

I cannot understand how North Frontenac Council can charge, with clear faces, money to travel to the lakes on the roads to Middle Branch, Granite etc, under such deplorable conditions where it isnt decent for a horse and buggy. And at a charge of $8.00 a day! Shame, shame.

Gerald Sproule, R.R#1, Denbigh, Ont. K0H 1L0. Phone 333-1273

Black Bears on the increase

Black bears, once only found in northern Ontario, are being seen more and more in our area, and beekeepers are being forced to put electric fences around their hives to keep the bears out. Black bears can outrun a horse, and with little effort can crack bones in their powerful jaws, and also attack human beings. Black bears are no longer fearful of humans, and their population is increasing rapidly, particularly since 1999 when the spring bear hunts were cancelled. Many naturalists are lobbying to have the spring bear hunts resumed as a way to provide a safe and secure environment for all people without worrying about bear attacks.

A 2004 study in Manitoba proved scientifically that a spring black bear hunt is a sustainable wildlife management tool that reduces the potential for human/bear conflicts well before the June/July nuisance bear season. The study, authored by a group of scientists and biologists, showed that having a spring hunt and a fall hunt to reduce the number of black bears is the best method to control ballooning bear populations. However, the Ontario government is promoting an initiative that promotes the policy of living in harmony with black bears, but the harmony idea works better in music and on paper, and when faced with a black bear who can out-run a human, or maul a child to death, harmony just doesnt cut it. Bob McQuay, Chairman, Canadian Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) questioned: Will it take the death of a Toronto child or a young mother to force this government to accept the advice of knowledgeable outdoors people and reinstate the hunt? COHA and its affiliate outdoors organizations and members hope not. So folks, watch out for bears, and make loud clanging noises when out in the bush in hopes of scaring them away. Keep your garbage out of site, and supervise your children at all times, remembering that children under 16 must have an adult with them at all times unless they are on their own property at home.

Rev. E. Jean Brown Henderson

Feature article, June 23, 2005

Feature article June 23, 2005

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Back to the Future: Trousdales in Sydenham

by Jeff Green

Its not much of a stretch to call Trousdale the name of retailing in Sydenham. The family business started up in 1836, making Trousdales 31 years older than Canada.

This history has been keenly observed by Ginny Trousdale, who took over management of the store this past winter, freeing up her husband John to concentrate on the IGA and Home Hardware stores that the family owns a couple of blocks away.

Ginny has been swept up by the history of the store, which was built in the late 1920s by Johns grandfather Percy, after he tore down a smaller store at the same location.

While thousands of product lines have come and gone since that time, the stores display units and fixtures have remained in place, and it is these bones of the store that Ginny has been highlighting as she has been changing the look, and focus, of the store since taking over.

You can still get pretty much anything you need at Trousdales, from a can of soup or some milk, to a fan belt or a pair of work boots, and Ginny is committed to maintaining that tradition. But she is also turning the store into a destination in itself, a place where people can go to look around, experiencing the original wood floors, the pressed tin ceilings with wrapping string hanging down from them, and 19th and 20th Century tin containers.

Some new products maintain the historic theme, including a line of penny candy, which doesnt cost a penny any more, says Ginny Trousdale with a laugh. Cards and unique garden and home decor pieces mingled with fabrics and toys have been brought in, all displayed with artistic flair. The store is also carrying out an ongoing search for local artisans and one-of-a-kind specialities.

Although Ginny Trousdale has been involved in the family business since marrying John some 26 years ago, she was a social worker until this year, when she threw herself into this new venture.

She admits to being nervous in taking on a store with such a successful history, but points out that she is not the first to make changes.

Percy Trousdale tore down the store when it was too small and built this one. As it is located on a corner lot, we are limited in how much we can expand, and limited in storage, she said.

For the past 20 years or so, Trousdales has had a well-established reputation throughout the region and among Kingstonians for their appliances, and the space that has been made in the store for new merchandise has come primarily from moving the appliance business over to Trousdales Home Hardware.

This store has always been a general store, and that has been its strength, says Ginny Trousdale. We continue to offer a broad range of items. The basic general hardware and dry goods will remain at Trousdales, but the lumber and steel roofing are moving to the Home Hardware store.

What Trousdales offers to customers today is a bit of the fun of going shopping, and that is something that is becoming more and more unusual in the age of box store retail, where people run from one store to another to get a single kind of product.

At Trousdales, people can come in and look around at items they never knew they were looking for, wander upstairs past historic photos and old bins to find unique and useful items.

Not only has the Trousdale family been in business all this time, they are also pack rats! So I keep finding things in corners or underneath merchandise that are interesting, and that people might be interested in seeing.

One example is the old marble counter and case that is now used to display ceramic plates and bowls. At one time it was a soda fountain counter. One customer who remembers the counter is Eleanor Behm. Eleanor remembers coming to the soda fountain as a child for a taste of something cold and sweet on hot summer days. And Eleanor comes into the store most days still, for some milk or a little visit.

Trousdales has always had a major role in the vitality of the village of Sydenham. Now, with a new organic restaurant opening up across the street and the

Trousdale store undergoing a revitalisation, the Mill Street corner will be offering a kind of experience to people from Sydenham and the surrounding region, and tourists as well, that is not offered anywhere else.

Feature article, May 26, 2005

Feature article May 26, 2005

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Employment Readiness Training Course provides opportunities for trades careers

by Jeff Green

Anyone who has been trying to hire a builder in recent years is no doubt aware of a lack of skilled trades people. At the same time government agencies are always casting about for ways to find employment opportunities for young people in rural areas so they dont have to leave for the city.

Putting these two facts together, Bob McCallum of St. Lawrence College decided it would be a good idea to put on a starter course in the construction trades for young, and not so young, workers in the northern part of Frontenac County.

He approached the Frontenac Community Futures Corporation, who were in the midst of deciding how to use a pool of money they received last fall from Industry Canada for training and economic Development. One thing led to another, and early this spring St. Lawrence College was promoting an eight- week course, to be based in Sharbot Lake, called Employment Readiness Training for the Construction Trades.

Eighteen people signed up for the course, which was offered free of charge, but required a full time commitment from participants for eight weeks. Of the 18 who signed, 11 saw the course through, and last Friday at the North Frontenac Telephone Company Boardroom, a course end wrap up ceremony and party took place.

Gary Frizzell of Tamworth, a carpenter and contractor for the past 29 years, cleared some time from his schedule to act as lead instructor. Another instructor, Mike Hannah of Sharbot Lake, joined him.

Gary Frizzell had never taught before, and wanted to give it a try. He clearly enjoyed the experience, and judging from the obvious rapport that had developed between the 11 graduates and him, he was a natural at the job. In his short address to the students, he thanked them for making the experience so rich for him.

This was a very important experience for me, he said at the end of his remarks.

Mike Hannah, who runs Land O Lakes Cottage Country Services, came from the local area, and left for 26 years, before returning last year.

Ive been working in training for many years, and Im very proud to have a chance to do this in my home town, he told the students.

The students began the course by building some storage boxes and a shed for one of the courses sponsors, the North Frontenac Telephone Company. They progressed to work on various projects, doing roofing, carpentry, and other building related projects. One contractor who helped out quite a bit was Mike Hawley.

One of the course partners was the Sharbot Lake High School. The schools shop teacher, Geoffrey Murray, chipped in a fair bit, and provided access to the shop two days a week.

I taught some of these students a few years ago, he said, and its nice to see them progress to another level of education. Its nice to see them take steps towards improving their lives.

Many of the students already have work lined up, and Bob McCallum encouraged them to make use of the Job Connect program to get their foot in the door with potential employers.

Employers may not want to take on apprentices if they dont know anything about your work, but with Job Connect they can take you on for a period of time with funding support. We can also provide subsidies for employers who decide to take you on as apprentices. So keep in touch with me after you leave today, he told the graduating students.

The employment readiness training course was funded by the Eastern Ontario Development Fund.

Feature article, June 9, 2005, 2005

Feature article June 9, 2005

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Why a new fire hall should be built in Clarendon and Miller

Many opinions have been published about the reasons why a fire hall should not be built. Our statement is to enlighten people as to why it should be built.

The open letter to Mayor Maguire, (Frontenac News, June 2, 2005) re: the proposed new fire hall in Clarendon-Miller, prompted us to respond so that residents hear our side of the story.

The garage on Road 506 is not a fire hall. It was to be a temporary arrangement that has lasted 18 years. The site is unsafe and unsuitable for training; lacks adequate space; air quality is toxic which contaminates the emergency medical units contents. This puts people in need at even greater risk. Renovating the present location would be cost prohibitive and it would never meet post disaster requirements (i.e. ice storm, micro burst).

Council asked the task force to look at all options. The former MNR location was recommended because the Township owns this land (a savings to taxpayers) and it is central only 4.2 km/4 min. from current site. According to the area map prepared by the Ontario Fire Marshalls office, Plevna is the centre of the area to be serviced and presents the highest risk.

The proposed cost of $300,000 is approximately the value of two cottages. Our Association has already earmarked $100,000 towards a new fire hall. This is 1/3 of the proposed cost. The remainder could be financed over several years. Fundraising by the ladies has helped to contribute an additional $150,000 or more over the years - another tax savings.

Insurance companies have different criteria re: distances for fire protection. Residents are responsible to research this with their own companies.

We live in an area that is remote from hospitals; high risk for forest fires. Volunteers are the back bone of our community. We need to honour them by providing a safe place to train and a healthy environment.

Continued support from community is appreciated.

Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary

Clarendon-Miller Fire Station

Re: Paradise Lost: the sorry tale of Tom McCabe

I read with disgust the sorry situation of this CANADIAN Family (June 2, 2005). This family does not need our pity, but rather our help. How did this get to such state that the flunkeys of local government policy come about? Every time any Government gets on their high horse problems get out of hand... I can sit here and see that Mr.McCabe needs our support, needs our knowledge. Is there any person who wishes to make a change in this deplorable impasse??? I will loan my tools, generators etc. Plus the sum $1000.00 Cdn. Funds. Winter is coming; lets reason together, for if we dont we will reap the wild wind in the future. Call me at 333-2712.

John Miller

Feature article, May 26, 2005

Feature article May 26, 2005

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Its decision time, folks

The Council of North Frontenac township has showed they are willing to work hard. They have met for hours and hours on many occasions to work on the structure of the township hierarchy and on their budget. Sometimes they meet day and night. They have also demonstrated a willingness to consider varying currents of information and opinion about issues.

Now its time for them to make some decisions and put some issues to rest. The most obvious is the Fire Hall in Clarendon and Miller Ward. The questions of whether a Hall should be built, and where it should be built if indeed it should be built, and what type of Hall should be built, as well as where the money will come from if a Hall will actually be built, has been going back and forth from Council to the Fire Hall Task Force like a ping pong ball for nine months now.

Its clear what the advocates of the MNR site on Buckshot road want - a pre-fabricated building attached to a renovated former MNR building. An estimated cost for this can be quickly determined. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Fire Department have $100,000 in a kitty set aside for a Fire Hall building Project, and its also clear what want - they want the Plevna Fire Hall, as it has been dubbed, to go ahead.

There is also a vocal opposition to this plan. It is not that clear what these people want, but it is crystal clear what they dont want - a new Fire Hall in Plevna.

Council has decided to meet with the Fire department directly, and with the Ladies Auxiliary, which is fine. After that they have to bite the bullet and do something they probably could have done a couple of months ago: decide to either go ahead with the Fire Hall in Plevna, or to reject the idea completely.

In a way Council is in a bind, because they only have a positive and a negative option. There is no fully developed alternative plan to the Plevna Fire Hall plan. If Council says yes to it, they will anger many people but the issue will be put to rest. If they say no, they will anger a different group of people, but the issue will not be resolved whatsoever.

It would mean that all the work that has been done has been wasted, and a entirely new process must be undertaken. It would be questionable if this Council, who are now at the halfway point in their mandate, would be able to resolve the Fire Hall issue before the next election. There is a risk that this will be left to the next Council to resolve, and what everyone considers an inadequate Fire Hall could remain in place for several years.

However uncomfortable Council feels about being boxed in over the Fire Hall issue, it is a situation they created for themselves. It could have been avoided if the Fire Hall Task Force had been made up entirely of Council members, and other people were brought in only to provide expertise and opinion. This would have left Council driving the issue from the start. If the Plevna Fire Hall had quickly developed as the preferred option, at least Council would have been behind that momentum. Instead, they seem to have been dragged along.

This is not to say that the Plevna Fire Hall plan is a bad one. But its not up to me or anyone else in the peanut gallery to decide; its up to Council.

Thats why they get the big bucks.

Letters, July 14, 2005

Letters July 14, 2005

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Re: Bus Driver Retires

Congratulations to Howard Fellows retiring after 40 years of busing. He can now join Carl Burgess, Glendon Redden, Muriel Wemp and others and enjoy their senior years of retirement. Most of our routes with the Frontenac Board were not sold but taken.

Joan Kerr

Regarding letter on Sunday Hunting

I agree that we don't need Sunday gun hunting. As for the abundance of Indian Cards being issued to persons who may not be Native, no card is handed out until that person can prove their Native heritage and then that information is examined fully before that Native person is accepted into any of the six Bands that are found in this area. As for allowing a Native to hunt year round, the letter writer should get her facts before stating anything. All Natives are under strict controls by not only their respective Bands, but also by MNR. Our hunting season starts in September and ends on January 15th. We face penalties just like any one else in this province when poaching occurs outside of the hunt dates specified. We are also limited to the amount that we can take just like any one else. We must carry a POL or PAL, our Native cards, and be dressed all in orange, just like any one else. But as for hunting on a Sunday, it's only guns that are not allowed to be used, hunting with bows or crossbows is still allowed, so if a hunter still wants to hunt on a Sunday, they can by using these weapons.

Jo-Anne Thomas

Regarding: Sunday Gun HuntingI have been reading letters to the editor in the Frontenac News lately taking shots at hunting; Sunday gun hunting and bear issues to be specific. The curious thing is that the letters seem to drift off topic to areas such as aboriginal rights and rapists! Hunting is a legal activity in Ontario and allows the harvesting the natural bounty of our lands whilst providing an outdoor activity for millions of people. There are in place strict laws for safety and conservation to protect sustainable populations of wildlife, as well as the safety of all participants and non-participants in the activity. The issue of Sunday Gun Hunting (on crown land only) has been raised by the MNR as a measure to control Deer over population. The Lords Day Act was passed into law in 1906 and prohibited such things as transporting goods, shopping, entertainment and hunting. Since 1906 every item has been repealed, except Sunday Gun Hunting. This is not an issue of family time, worship, safety or quiet enjoyment of property, it is an emotional issue of understanding what hunting is and means to those who enjoy it. Frank McEvoy

Response on "Gas Guzzlers"

Art Dunham's response on my "Gas Guzzlers" article of last week was accurate and correct. I should have mentioned mileage for the 'Smart Car' specifically. It will be good to have one in the community soon.

As mentioned in the article, other European turbodiesels also are worth looking at. The VW TDI models are rated at 4.6 litres per 100 Km on the highway, even in a wagon body style. You can have more space for about 15 percent additional fuel consumption.

Above all, 7 litres per 100 Km was not suggested as a mileage target; 4 L per 100Km is a much better fuel consumption target.

Thanks to Art Dunham for careful reading and for taking personal action.

Gray Merriam

Re: Leona Dombrowsky

Under most circumstances, it would be good news for farmers and rural families to hear that their local MPP has been made Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Unfortunately, when that MPP is Leona Dombrowsky, one can be forgiven for putting away the champagne and party hats.

Her assumption of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs portfolio comes at a time when the Ministry budget was slashed by over 25%, and emergency funding for farmers was eliminated altogether even though the emergency that it was created to address still exists. For a sector that produces over 10 % of Ontarios GDP, the entire yearly budget for Agriculture and all its programs is about equal to just the loan guarantees the McGuinty government made to the auto sector alone.

We are told that Dombrowskys move to Agriculture represents a higher profile for rural Ontario at the Cabinet table. Those who make such claims are ignorant of her performance so far.

As a candidate in the last provincial election, she promised to take action to halt the expansion of the Richmond Landfill site outside Napanee. As the Minister of Environment, who has the power to do exactly that, she has been unwilling to respond to the concerns of her constituents, and halt the planned expansion of the megadump. Given the dump is no more than five miles from the front door of her constituency office, her inaction does not inspire confidence.

As the Minister for Rural Affairs, she is the person that needs to explain that rural problems cannot be fixed by urban solutions. Unfortunately, as Environment Minister, she oversaw the enacting of expensive, Toronto-style water regulations on all communities. The people of her own riding, in the village of Sydenham, are now facing the costs of compliance a $7 million treatment plant that will give every household a debt of more than $20,000, and yearly bills of more than $500.

Actor Dan Ackroyd has agreed to put together a fundraising benefit concert this summer to help offset the debt for those residents who are on low or fixed income. Given Mr. Ackroyds recent co-hosting of the Live 8 Concert in Barrie, it would seem that the hard-working families of Ms. Dombrowskys own riding are relegated to the same charitable status as the poor of sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike them, however, there will be no debt relief forthcoming.

The other big change in the works is the riding redistribution that will make Dombrowsky accountable to the people of Lanark County. Both as Agriculture Minister, and as someone who presumably wishes to represent Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington in the future, Dombrowsky has a responsibility to act on the legitimate concerns of the Lanark Landowners Association and other rural Ontarians whom she has consistently dismissed and ignored.

Life in rural Ontario will mean more farm bankruptcies, more stifling regulations, fewer services, and no hope, save for the small glimmer offered by Premier Dalton McGuinty that of a provincial election in October 2007. Brent Cameron

Re Sunday Hunting,

In Ms Thompson's article on Sunday hunting I agree.

When I was a little girl growing up in Northbrook, there were four Sunday church services now there is no church. God is being taken out of everything. People don't want to go to church once on Sunday. I fear for Canada for the judgment of God, for the path it is taking. One of the commandments is Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy. Sunday is no more Hallowed.

Barbara Woodcock-Lessard

Feature article, July 14, 2005

Feature article July 14, 2005

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Northbrook Ambulance station gets official opening

by Jeff Green

The ambulance base has been occupied by paramedics since July of last year, but with the opening of a brand new base in Napanee last week, Lennox and Addington County Officials decided to have an opening in Northbrook as well.

There is an ambulance stationed in Northbrook, with two paramedics to staff it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but that doesnt mean they are always at Airport road in Northbrook. The Lennox and Addington ambulance service is an integrated service, and when one rural ambulance gets a call, other ambulances are moved to strategic locations to cover more territory.

So, the Northbrook ambulance is often located up Highway 41 towards Denbigh, or south at Erinsville. There are even times when the Northbrook ambulance is called upon to cover for Frontenac County and moves to a location near Arden, or over to Hastings County to cover territory to the west.

George Mapp is one of 23 paramedics who maintain two 24-hour ambulances at the Denbigh and Norhtbrook stations. He says people dont always realise that an ambulance from Northbrook could end up quite far a-field.

If this ambulance from Northbrook happens to be sent to Kingston to transfer a patient, and is just starting back when a call comes from Kingston and it is the closes one to the scene, it will be dispatched to the scene. When the call comes, we go.

Laura Barnett is a relatively new member of the Northbrook team. She says that in the few months shes been working, shes delivered patients to Renfrew, Belleville and Perth, as well as Napanee and Kingston.

Along with ambulances, there is a helipad at Pine Meadow Nursing Home, which is a stones throw from the Northbrook base, for more grave situations.

Obviously when people are located in more remote areas, we cant offer the response times like they can offer in cities; but we do a good job for a rural service, says George Mapp. I got a call a while back from the end of the Hughes Landing road over on Sheldrake Lake. It was 26 minutes from Highway 41, so there was no way we could get there is 13 minutes, but we do the best we can.

Mapp is also licensed to deliver six drug therapies, including nitroglycerin (cardiac) glucacin and glucacell (diabetes), ventolin (lungs), Epiphinephren (allergic reactions, and ASA.

The Northbrook crew uses one of the larger ambulances, which has two stretchers and two extra seats, so it can do multiple transfers.

We cannot transfer two code 4 (the most serious cases) at one time by provincial regulations, but we can do a code 4 and a code 3 transfer, Mapp said.

The ambulance service also works hand in glove with the volunteer firefighters and the OPP.

Firefighters that are trained for emergency medical service are great in accident and fire situations, said Laura Barnett, You can imagine how hard it is to do CPR non-stop for an hour.

Also available from the Northbrook base is an Emergency Vehicle staffed by the base supervisor, who generally works weekdays. The Emergency Vehicle can go out to calls and stabilize patients while waiting for the ambulance to arrive to take them to hospital.

The Northbrook ambulance base was previously located on Highway 41 between Northbrook and Flinton, and there was more drive in traffic at that location than on Airport Road, but people are welcome to come to the new base. Its still best to phone 911 however, because the paramedics are not always stationed at the base.

Feature article, July 21, 2005

Feature article July 21, 2005

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deCycles: putting pedals to the mettle

by Meghan Balogh

On June 18, a group of 82 cyclists set out on a 1,500-mile journey. Their route will carry them from Bloomington, Indiana through Ohio, Ontario, Quebec, New York, and finally to their destination: Portland, Maine.

The deCyclers rode into Perth, Ontario at 4:30 on June 29, having completed 92 miles that day in seven and a half hours. Director Norm Houze shares, After going through the town of Tweed, there was nothing between there and Perth. So the riders put the hammer down and just speeded to the destination time. From Bloomington, Indiana, they had travelled more than 900 miles.

deCycles is an opportunity for young people to push themselves not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually. Everyone needs to renew themselves and get away from society, and see that theres another world out there, says director Norm House, a doctor practicing in Bloomington, Indiana. Dr. Houze is not only involved in the tour planning, but also supervises on-location for the 3-week journeys, and has completed 15 deCycles trips.

This year, half the riders on the trip are first-timers. However, this has not dampened their enthusiasm and determination. The youth taking part in this expedition exude confidence with all 82 of the group in the room, one can feel the camaraderie between them. Amazing kids! That's what they are, says Dr. Houze. And they cause quite a stir. Whether people are mowing the lawn, washing their car, or just standing around, when the riders ride by, everyone drops what they are doing to look at this super group of teenage cyclists.

The deCycles riders travel an average of 75 miles per day sometimes more or less depending on factors such as weather, traffic, and wind. Participating students are between ages 13-24, and from all corners of the United States: Oregon, California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana and Ohio are just a few. They have also had a few Canadian cyclists join them in the past.

The youth group of Asbury Free Methodist Church in Perth rounded up their bikes and met the deCyclers outside town to ride in with them, and then fed and housed the cyclists for the night. Kim Adrain, youth leader, organized meals, swimming access at the public pool, and sleeping accommodations.

The students who come back from this adventure have wonderful things to say about the experience.

Abbey Martin, who has completed seven other deCycles trips in the past and is now an assistant staff, captured the spirit of this group with her comments: Ill never get over how 82 people who dont know each other can make a commitment to support, care for, and help each other while working toward the same goal: completing 1,500 miles by bicycle together. These trips have taught me patience, taught me to value community, and to invest in others. But its also taught me that we should never get too comfortable with what life feels like. DeCycles is about pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.

Legalese, July 21, 2005

Legalese July 21, 2005

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This column is not intended to provide legal advice. You should contact a lawyer to determine your legal rights and obligations.

The Truth About Probate

One of the most common questions asked of us by Executors named in a deceased persons Will is: Do I have to apply for Probate?

The next most common question is: What is Probate, anyway?

At its simplest, Probate is the recognition by the Court that the Will presented to it is, in fact, the Last Will and Testament of the deceased person. Once Letters of Probate (now renamed as Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee) are issued by the Court, the Executors named in the Will have the necessary proof of their authority to administer the estate.

Under a Will the Executor also known as the Estate Trustee) has the responsibility of gathering in the assets of the deceased, paying any debts, and distributing the remaining assets in accordance with the provisions of the Will. People dealing with the Executor can rely on the grant of Probate as proof of his or her authority to sell or otherwise deal with the assets of the deceased person.

Although an Executor or Estate Trustee derives his authority from his appointment in the Will, the grant of Probate or Certificate of Appointment provides greater certainty to persons and institutions dealing with the Executor. Parties dealing with an Executor where the Will has not been probated will be concerned about their liability if they transfer the deceaseds assets (such as a bank account or shares) to the Executor under that Will and someone else comes along claiming those assets under a later Will. Reliance on Letters Probate in that instance will relieve those third parties from liability if a later Will is subsequently discovered.

Consequently whether or not an Executor needs to apply for Probate will usually be determined by the nature of the assets in the estate and the complexity of the distribution scheme set out in the Will. The transfer of real estate, for instance, generally necessitates that the Will be probated and many financial institutions will also not release bank accounts over a certain dollar figure without Probate.

However, small and uncomplicated estates, not involving land, can often be administered without the trouble and expense of Probate where the degree of risk for third parties is reduced. For example, a bank where the deceased held a small account might be persuaded to release the proceeds without Probate if the Executor and beneficiaries enter into a written agreement to indemnify the bank against a claim by others that they are more entitled to the deceaseds funds.

Although obtaining Probate will always facilitate the administration of an estate and make easier the transfer of estate assets, it is not inexpensive. The cost of probating a Will can be significant. In addition to the cost of hiring a lawyer, the estate also incurs probate fees charged at the rate of $15 for every $1,000 of assets in the estate. The value of the estate must be declared on the application for Probate.

Although these fees were labeled as Court costs, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 1998 that they were really a form of taxation. They are now governed by the terms of the provincial Estates Administration Tax Act.

This tax is not collected unless an application is made for Probate. As a result, many people take a strong interest in arranging their affairs so that they can avoid or at least reduce the expense of Probate. Certain types of assets or ownership interests are excluded when determining the value of an estate for probate purposes because the law has recognized that these types of property pass on at death outside of the estate.

Two of the most common types of assets that pass outside of the estate and are not included in its value for probate purposes are assets such as land held in joint tenancy and life insurance policies with a named beneficiary other than the estate. The real estate passes automatically to the survivor and the life insurance, under the terms of the contract, is paid to the beneficiary. Joint bank accounts also generally pass to the surviving owner without the need for Probate.

The issue of what kind of Estate Plan is best for you is one that requires a careful examination of your affairs, usually with professional assistance. Many lawyers and financial consultants specialize in helping people arrange their financial affairs to minimize both the amount of income tax and Probate tax to be paid upon death. If you are planning to make a Will, or if you are named as an Executor in someone elses Will, consulting a lawyer knowledgeable in estates could prove to be very beneficial.

Susan Irwin, Lawyer/Executive Director