Dr. Ian Gemmill, the head of KFL&A Public Health, reiterated his assurances that Sydenham water is safe to drink “in the short and long term” despite the fact that levels for trihalomethanes (THMs) are well above acceptable limits.

On the other hand Jim Mahoney from Environment Canada said that the problem needs to be dealt with, and this could happen before the end of 2009.

The solution could cost as much as $1.4 million, and even though Mahoney said he is optimistic that a federal grant under the Build Canada Fund would fund the project, Sydenham residents will likely be paying for a share of the upgrade to the two-year-old plant.

Sydenham Water was the subject of a public meeting at the South Frontenac Township office last Thursday night, January 8, and members of the Sydenham Safe Water Association (SSWA) asked a series of pointed questions to a panel that included Gemmill and Mahoney, as well as plant manager Kevin Riley from Kingston Utilities, and Mayor Gary Davison.

Many of the questions centered on the health risks posed by the chemical compound, which form when organic matter is exposed to chlorine.

“It is important to recognize that the weight of evidence is important. At one point second-hand smoke looked harmless. Eventually the weight of evidence demonstrated harm. We are not at that stage with THMs,” Dr. Gemmill said, “but standards are established for a reason and it is important to work towards compliance.”

The latest quarterly levels from the Sydenham plant show THM levels at 154 micrograms per litre, and although the levels vary by season (they are lower in winter and higher in summer), they have persistently been higher than the 100 mcg/litre that is the provincial standard, a standard that will be reduced to 80 mcg/litre in the near future.

“The standards are based on what we call a 'no effect level' on laboratory animals.” Gemmill explained. “The standards are also based in the modeling of consumption over 70 years, and there is a huge precautionary safety factor. When weighted against the real risk from bacterial contamination, such as ‘e-coli’, which makes water unsafe, the treated water as it is produced today is a major improvement for Sydenham.”

Gemmill came under repeated questioning from SSFA Association members Julie Doyle, Cathie Waugh, and Bob Forbes over his assertion that the water in Sydenham is safe to drink. They asked in particular whether a woman puts her or her unborn child at risk by drinking water with high THM levels.

“If a woman is worried, she shouldn’t drink the water, because the worry itself can be harmful,” Gemmill said.

“There was one study, from Nova Scotia, admittedly only with a thousand women, but it showed an increase in the number of still births,” said Wilma Kenny.

“Yes, I do recall that study”, Gemmill said.

THMs have been an issue at other locations in Ontario as well, and they have been dealt with through water plant upgrades.

“There are 72 water plants in my jurisdiction of Eastern Ontario,” Mahoney, a 25-year employee of the MoE said, “and Sydenham is not the only one that has had a similar problem. We have been able to deal with this in Carleton Place, Deep River, and Plantagenet, and an upgrade in Smiths Falls is scheduled for this year.”

The planned upgrade comes only months after residents were charged an average of $5,000 per property for their share of the cost of building the plant.

It also comes after the plant operator, Kingston Utilities, tried at least two other measures to see if the THM levels could be reduced, but only had “marginal success” according to Kevin Riley.

“I would like to say that apart from the THM situation it is a lovely little plant that is a pleasure to operate,” Riley added.

Mayor Davison implied that the municipal share of the $1.4 million, which could be several hundred thousand dollars, will likely be borne by Sydenham ratepayers rather than ratepayers from throughout the township of South Frontenac.

“We have never said that the cost would be spread throughout the township, but that decision will be at the will of Council, ” he said, adding, “I have only one vote. Don't forget I live in Sydenham and I am personally on the hook for this as well.”

David Waugh, an outspoken member of the Sydenham Safe Water Association, a citizens’ group that formed several years ago and has been critical of the water project from the start, wondered how it is that treatment for THMs was not included in the initial design of the plant. “The MoE approved the plant design despite the fact that you had a history of systems that overrode the THM levels. You had ample evidence that there were plants with high THM levels, and knew that when you use chlorine and surface water we get this high THM level ... Is the MoE not culpable for what is going on here?”

Jim Mahoney explained that the MoE does approve water plant designs through the approvals branch. “But we don’t re-engineer projects,” he said.

“What part does the consulting engineer play in all this?” asked Sydenham resident Alistair Lamb.

“The people that designed the system under-estimated the level of dissolved organics. I know the township has looked at that,” said Mahoney.

The engineering company that designed the system, Totten Sims Hubicki (TSM) was not represented at the meeting. Mayor Davison said the township has “differences of opinion” with TSM on the matter, but said he could “say no more” about it at this time.

Bob Forbes said that the Sydenham Safe Water Association would like to make sure that communication between residents and the township does not break down, and that “we need to reconvene the Water Steering Committee to improve government- civilian relations.”

“I’ll bring that forward to council,” said Davison. 

For most people January is the time of year to slow down after the Christmas rush. And for Leslie Myles, a Sydenham resident who is a franchise owner for four Body Shop stores in Kingston and Belleville, it is usually inventory time. But not this year.

On Monday afternoon, Leslie flew out of Toronto, bound for Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro. She left her business, and her husband and teenage children to fend for themselves for a couple of weeks, and will be joining 11 other women who will make the five-day hike and climb to the summit of the mountain, the tallest in Africa.

For Leslie Myles the climb combines two passions: the great outdoors and community service.

“I love the outdoors and the challenge of taking something on,” she said when interviewed from her home just before leaving for Toronto. “I'm also really looking forward to meeting the people at the Amani Children's home, which is located right at the base of the mountain.”

The staff and children at the home will be looking forward to meeting the 12 women climbers as well, and to receiving a donation of over $60,000 that they will be bringing with them.

The “Kili Climb for Kids” is an adventure and a fundraising event, and Leslie and the other women have all been collecting sponsorship money to donate to Amani house in Tanzania, as well as to the Limestone Learning Foundation.

The Amani Children's Home provides a safe haven for street children in the cities of Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania. The subservient position of children in Tanzania, in conjunction with the scourge of AIDS, is what motivated the Amani home to begin working with children. Workers at Amani offer support to children on the streets, and provides refuge for them, but a major goal of the home is family reunification.

“Although Amani is a happy and healthy place, our ultimate goal for each child is for them to eventually find a placement with relatives or village members - to be brought up in a family context rather than an institutional one,” says the Amani home website.

Amani was founded in 2001, and is entirely funded by donations. In the first two years of its existence the staff at the agency worked without pay. To date 290 children have been helped by the agency.

Until three months ago, Leslie Myles knew nothing about Amani, nor is she an experienced mountain climber, although fitness and the outdoors are a major part of her life.

It was through a conversation in October with Hugh Wiley, who Leslie knows in Kingston, that she learned about Hugh's sister Alison and the “Live out Loud” adventure company in Toronto, which organizes trips to Kilimanjaro. Alison, who is a guide and an accomplished triathlete, is also the president of Friends of Amani Canada. It was through this contact that Leslie was hooked up with the expedition.

“I've never met any of the women with whom I will be climbing,” Leslie said, “but I expect that we will share a bond after this intense experience over the next couple of weeks.”

Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require major mountaineering skills, but issues of concern are the changing ground temperatures that the climb brings, from the African heat at the base to glacial snow at the top, and more pressingly, the thin air at high altitudes that climbers must adjust to.

To get ready for the climb, Leslie said, “I have been very committed, being diligent with my training. I made sure that I ate well and stayed in training. I have been working out twice a week with Jimmy Latimer from Sydenham High School and once a week at 'Kingston Body Management’”.

But from her conversations with people who are familiar with the mountain, Leslie has learned that the final summit can be difficult. “We are scheduled to climb it in five days, and we will be doing the final summit overnight on the fifth day. It will be quite lonely, just looking at the feet of the person in front of you, in the dark, step after step. The plan is to hit the summit at sun up. That should be quite a thrill.”

Although Leslie has never climbed a mountain or visited Africa before, this trip will resonate with one she took 17 years ago to Cuba. She met her husband there on a diving trip, and they ended up getting married underwater and moving back to Canada to settle in Sydenham. “I've been under water in a big way, and now I'll be at the top of Africa.”

Meanwhile, her husband, who works as a machinist, will spend the next two weeks keeping the home fires burning for the couple's two children, Emelia (16) and Cia (14), who attend Sydenham High School.

There are still opportunities to support the fundraising effort that is part of the climb. Checks made out to “Leslie Myles – Kili Climb” can be sent to 1046 Brawley Lane, Sydenham, ON, K0H 2T0. Charitable receipts will be issued.

Photo: Sydenham Mom Lisa Nelder with Avery, Grace, Ava, Clara and Connor and fire fighters Kurtis Barber, Jerome Slater, Rob Driscoll and Chris Holton

For the volunteer firefighters at Station 9 in Sydenham, Mother's Day presents the perfect opportunity to both bond with members of the local community and also raise funds for a variety of projects. Projects this year included donations to the Easter Seals campaign, Muscular Dystrophy, purchasing firefighting equipment and investing in fire training and fire prevention programs. This year was the fourth annual Mother's Day breakfast and silent auction. Eight firefighters served close to 400 breakfasts and gave out carnations to all the Moms who attended. The event also included live entertainment by the Mark Alton band and the Celtic Hearts of Perth Road Village. Firefighter and president of the Sydenham Firefighters’ Association, Jerome Slater, said, “This is by far our biggest fundraising event of the year and we work very hard all year long towards putting it on. Our reward is that we successfully manage to raise funds for our projects but we also get a chance to interact with the community face-to-face in a relaxed environment.”

Upcoming for the Sydenham fire fighters is Canada Day at the Point and a presentation and slip and slide event at Loughborough Public School. The Sydenham Association is always looking for more volunteer fire fighters. Anyone interested can contact Fire Chief Rick Cheesebrough at the Township of South Frontenac municipal offices at 613-376-3027. The Sydenham Association is also always looking for volunteers to help out at their fundraising events. For that information email Jerome Slater at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Photo: L to R: Jack Fox and Kevin McNeil of the Sydenham Lake Association present a $1,000 cheque to Mike Howe, SF Recreation Committee, to be used for fireworks and activities on Canada Day in Sydenham.

If you live on Sydenham Lake, one of your neighbours will soon be dropping by to invite you to the first annual general and information meeting of the newly (re)formed Sydenham Lake Association. The lake has had a couple of earlier associations, but they were relatively short-lived, set up to meet a perceived crisis or threat to the lake, and dissolved once the crisis passed.

A survey circulated last summer indicated three main reasons for organizing: 1) to ensure property owners are kept informed of decisions and activities that affect the lake, 2) to give the property owners on the lake a more collective and persuasive ability to represent the needs and wishes of the lake, and 3) to foster a sense of community.

The present group is still very much in its beginning phase, but has already taken some important steps toward creating an effective and enduring lake association: they have incorporated the association, appointed an interim board of directors, created a website, and become a major sponsor for the Sydenham Lake Canada Day and Fireworks. Now they are looking for ideas for the future direction and activities of the lake association, and volunteers to lend a hand.

All landowners with frontage on the lake or streams running in or out of the lake are welcome as full voting members: other area residents may join as associate members. Annual membership is $20. The AGM is Saturday June 25, 10 am at the Sydenham Township Hall, and will be followed by a BBQ picnic at the Point.

For further information, contact Jeff Peck: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or check the website: www.sydenhamlake.ca

l-r Kelli McRobert, Dr. Jack Chubaty and Barry Gemmell with the recently purchased surgical table at Sydenham Veterinary Services.

A recent gift given to the Sydenham Veterinary Services clinic in memory of Barbara Gemmell just made animals’ surgeries there more expedient.

On December 28, Kelli McRobert and her father Barry Gemmell presented the clinic with a $3500 cash gift in memory of Barbara Gemmell, Barry’s wife and Kelli's mother, who passed away at KGH at the age of 75 on September 29, 2009 after complications from a broken hip and after a five-year battle with breast cancer.

The funds were used to help purchase a new surgical table equipped with a battery-powered elevation system that allows operating vets to maneuver the table themselves using foot pedals, thereby eliminating the hitherto frequent interruptions during surgeries.

The new table was delivered to SVS just before Christmas and has been in use ever since.

Barbara Gemmell, who was born in Windsor and later moved to Kingston to be closer to the Cancer Center at KGH, was a passionate animal lover and loved helping others. In fact it was her cat Tuck, who was adopted by Kelli after Barbara’s passing, who instigated the memorial gift to the Sydenham Vet clinic.

Kelli has been a long-time client at SVS and brought Tuck there when he began suffering from a life-threatening urinary tract obstruction

Dr. Jack Chubaty performed a laser surgery on Tuck called a urethrostomy, which totally cured the problem.

Kelli said, “ After the successful surgery my Dad and I had this kind of epiphany and realized that a gift to SVS in memory of Mom would be the perfect thing to do. I asked Dr. Chubaty to give me a wish list and we decided to make a gift towards the purchase of the new surgical table.”

Their gift also included a Sony flat screen digital picture frame, which Kelli loaded with family and pet photos and which clients at SVS will be free to use as well.

Dr. Jack Chubaty is one of the owners of SVS, and he was both thrilled and taken aback by the generous gift. “It was a real surprise and we are very honoured and grateful,” he said.

Chubaty plans to have a plaque made honoring the memorial gift, which will be put on permanent display at SVS.

Kelli knows that her Mom would approve of the gift. “She was a very caring person who loved animals and who made a point of helping others whenever she could. We feel that this gift which will 'keep on giving' is a great way to honour her.”

It all happened pretty quickly.

Deborah Andrews had been the executive director of Southern Frontenac Community Services for only six months, when just before Christmas, she was offered a job at the Community Health Centre of Ottawa South.

With a family that remains entrenched in Ottawa even though she took a job in Sydenham, it made sense for her to take it.

This left a gap at Southern Frontenac Community Services, especially in light of some of the projects that had been initiated during Andrew's short tenure at the agency.

David Townsend, who has held senior positions for six years at heath-related not-for-profit corporations in Kingston, the Diabetes Foundation and the Alzheimers Society, happened to be available and he was approached by the SFCS Board to take on the job on an interim basis.

Speaking over the phone from his office in Sydenham only a week after starting work at SFCS, Townsend said he is focussing on one initiative in particular, which is facing a deadline very soon. “An application is due soon for the seniors’ centre at the manse of the United Church in Harrowsmith to house our Adult Day Program, and disabled access is an issue that is going to take a fair bit of work,” he said.

Through his previous job, Townsend became familiar with the workings of the South East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), the major funder for the seniors’ centre and most of the seniors’ programs that South Frontenac Community Services offers, which he said is an advantage as he jumps into work at the busy agency.

“There are also a number of other projects on the go,” he said. One of those projects, a transportation collaborative with Northern Frontenac Community Services, has already been submitted to Frontenac County for funding.

Townsend has signed on for a six-month contract at SFCS, giving the board of the agency two or three months to decide how it wants to deal with its senior staffing requirements before starting a hiring program. Even though it is early days, David Townsend said he is enjoying work in Sydenham, which is a short commute from his home in Kingston. “This is an absolutely great spot to be. The staff is so committed to what they are doing and there are no internal issues to worry about as I work on my own learning curve, and we have a very good board of directors.”

As for his own future with the agency, Townsend said it is too early to tell if he will seek to make his interim posting permanent in six months’ time, but he did not rule it out. 

No power boat race on Sydenham Lake.

Doug Overbury, of the Canadian Boating Federation, sent a letter to council seeking to open planning discussions for a stock outboard racing event on Sydenham Lake, but council had other plans.

Races have taken place in the past and have never been particularly popular among local residents.

“This has been to the Loughborough Rec. committee. We did not allow it to continue. One of the reasons was there was no community organisation locally that is behind it. I’m not as a councilor interested in allowing it to happen. There is a lot of opposition and no real support for it,” said Councilor Alan McPhail.

“It’s a source of water for Sydenham. We don’t want gas spillage in the water,” said Councilor Del Stowe.

“It didn’t hardly generate anything in the village when it was here before. No money ever came in from it,” said Mayor Gary Davison.

“I will take it then that there is no support from council,” said Chief Administrative Officer Wayne Orr, to nods all around.

The end of the line for squad 65

One of the township’s fire trucks, Squad 65, a 23-year-old vehicle that was purchased used 13 years ago, started to have fire coming out from its exhaust pipe during a fire call on January 12. It was brought to Battersea Auto where a new carburetor was installed. The engine then seized up. The mechanic said it would cost between $10,000 and $12,000 for a new engine. The fire committee decided it would not be a wise investment and told the mechanic to see by removing the engine head if putting a new head for about $3,000 would do the trick. He reported back that a piston is bent.

The fire committee recommended, and council agreed, that the department should get by with its other equipment for the time being. The township has been planning to buy one truck in 2011 and two in 2012, but with the death of Squad 65, two trucks will be purchased in 2011 and one in 2012.

RURAL PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT: John McDougall, speaking on behalf of the Verona Community Association, described their extensive and creative search for a physician to replace Dr. Dempsey, who will be retiring soon. At present, the association is considering purchasing the local clinic, with the plan of offering it for rent. Although the community is prepared to put up “the lion's share” of the necessary funding, McDougall said he would like to come to council at a later date, to discuss ways the township might become involved in the project. Council offered to write a letter to the provincial government in support of continuing incentive funding for Verona, which will no longer qualify under the revised provincial definitions of underserviced communities.

5-YEAR ROADS PLAN: Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth distributed information relating to the 5-year Road Construction Plan. He emphasised that this is updated regularly as needed: e.g. the recent heavy rains have shown where there are drainage issues to be addressed. Segsworth noted that while roads are continually being upgraded, it is also essential to protect the township's investment in improved roads by regular maintenance. For example, the life of Sydenham Road is being extended by pavement rehabilitation, rather than reconstruction: this spring, the final step of crack-sealing will lead to a much smoother surface. The addition of a paved shoulder has paid off by providing a safer driving surface, without need of frequent grading. Although the gap between township road needs and actual construction is narrowing, Segsworth reminded council that taxation does not support the full roads budget: much has depended on grants from the provincial government and City of Kingston, which may dry up in the next few years. However, continued city funding can be justified, on the grounds that South Frontenac provides accommodation for many Kingston workers, and holiday areas for Kingston residents.

BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR ALL: Chief Building Inspector Alan Revill brought forward a letter from the Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church asking that a portion of the building inspection fees for their addition be waived, on the grounds that they contribute a range of services to the community. Revill asked for Council's guidance, both in regard to this project, and to the Greek Orthodox summer camp, which is to be constructed near Perth Road this year. Also, he asked whether non-profit or charitable groups' building projects should be exempt. A lively discussion followed: all agreed that every building project had to be inspected at various stages of construction, and the building department's work was expected to be paid for by fees charged, not property taxes; i.e. tax dollars are not intended to subsidize development. Also, the township has a policy of not donating to charitable organizations. The mayor admitted the township had not charged building fees for the Sydenham water plant, but said in future, all local government building projects, such as the library/township offices and the ambulance station, should pay. There was strong agreement that the present policy of no exceptions should continue.

WASTE COLLECTION PROCESS: Mark Segsworth advised council that the RFP proposal document for township-wide waste collection (to begin in September) will be brought to Council at the Feb 9 COW meeting for their consideration. He said that the sustainability committee has had two recent meetings, which have "pretty much covered the full spectrum of perspectives,"  and whatever Council decides, it will be important they support the process they choose. Deputy Mayor Ron Vandewal said that he agreed that they needed to "get this right," keeping it as uncomplicated as possible. Councilor Bill Robinson said he felt the community, non-council members of the sustainability committee didn't know what was going on. Councilor McPhail felt the process was 'going too fast - like a ferris wheel". Councilor  Hahn spoke in defense of the sustainability committee, saying he felt the committee had reached a good deal of consensus in their last meeting. Segsworth said that the staff was presently compiling numbers of seasonal and permanent residents on lanes, to get as accurate as possible picture of the amount of waste from these off-road areas: an enormous task.

SYDENHAM LIBRARY: CAO Orr said that there might be need to call a brief council meeting on Feb 9, to present the final project cost estimates for council's approval. He said the architect was recommending all bidding construction contractors should be pre-qualified: the county disagreed, on the grounds that this would possibly raise the bids. The county was asking council's direction. Council agreed not to ask for pre-qualification.

Lions Club President Rob Kendrick hands a cheque for $1,000 to Sue Clinton, Chair of the Loughborough Christmas & Emergency Relief Committee..

Lions Club President Rob Kendrick hands a cheque for $1,000 to Sue Clinton, Chair of the Loughborough Christmas & Emergency Relief Committee. The LC&ERC, a small all-volunteer group, is funded solely by donations from its supporters in Loughborough District and nearby areas.  The Committee operates a Christmas Basket program as well as a year-round food bank and emergency relief service for residents of Loughborough District. The Committee can be reached through its voicemail at 613-572-6004. This cheque was a very timely one coming as it did just before the implementation of this year's Christmas Baskets.

Jim Stinson, Wray Gillespie andllan McPhail.

Jim Stinson, General Manager of the North Frontenac Arena at Piccadilly receiving a cheque for $1,000 from Lions Club Treasurer Wray Gillespie and Lions Club Secretary llan McPhail. This cheque is the final instalment on a 3-year, $3,000 pledge by the Sydenham Lions in support of Project End Zone.

Sydenham Eagles won the final KASSAA senior girls volleyball match against KCVI at Queen’s on Feb. 21. Photo courtesy of Rob Kendrick.

Sydenham High School’s senior girls’ volleyball team gave it more than their all on Feb. 21 at the Queen’s University ARC court in Kingston.

A supportive crowd from Sydenham attended the game, and after having a pre-game moment of silence to remember Gavin Davis-Young the Sydenham High School student who passed away tragically in a car accident last week, the girls focused on the challenge that lay immediately ahead: meeting KCVI in the final match of the KASSAA (Kingston and Area Secondary School Athletic Association) playoffs.

The Sydenham team stands tall, with three players over six feet, and plays a totally different style than KCVI. “KCVI is a team that goes for the corners and likes to keep digging at the ball, which is not the kind of game that we play. We are a power team and our strength is in playing transition offence and what it all comes down to for us is communication between the players,” said Sydenham coach Brian Rombough.

Undefeated, the Sydenham Eagles Senior Girls Volley ball team take the KASSAA trophy at their final game against KCVI at Queen's

Though the two teams’ styles are different, both fought hard in a match that seemed to get closer set by set.

The Eagles came out strong in the first set taking an early lead and holding it for a 25-14 win.

In the second set KCVI battled back, returning some tough shots and leading for the first half of the set. But the Eagles clawed their way back, eventually tying it up and then taking the set 25-23.

In the third set the Eagles dove, rolled and skidded, trying to return some tough balls from KCVI. This seemed to frustrate the Sydenham squad, causing them to lose some of their focus. KCVI played hard, making some incredible returns and gaining points in the corners to capture the third set 25-21, forcing a fourth.

The fourth set was very close but in the end the Eagles came back bigger and harder than ever, regaining their focus and concentration. They clinched the last few points in some spectacular blocks, making hard returns and amazing volleys to win the match 3-1 and claim the KASSAA trophy.

Following the medals and trophy presentations I spoke to coach Rombough about the game.

“KCVI played a great game and is really well coached. They played great defense. We started losing focus after the first set and gave KCVI hope, which is a dangerous thing to give to an emotional team. I strongly believe that you have to take hope away from the opposing team somewhere between the 9 and 15 point mark. That’s a crucial part of the game.”

Jennie McNichols, the Eagles’ setter, said, “It definitely wasn’t my best game; I tend to get really nervous but the team fixed that. I’m very excited for the win and can’t wait to play at EOSSA.”

The Sydenham Eagles will play next at the EOSSAA (Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association) tournament in Pembroke on Feb. 23, where they will face Fellows High School in their first match.

Coach Rombough sounds confident.

“We have a big blocking team and are a power team that likes to play big. We play a lot better against hard-hitting power teams. We like matching power with power, which is what we will be coming up against at EOSSA. Our team just has to stay focused,” he said.

In other volleyball news: Before losing out to the Sydenham Eagles, KCVI ended the KASSAA season for the Sharbot Lake Panthers on February 18.

The Panthers took the first set of that match 25-19. In set 2 the Panthers ran into trouble serving and passing the ball and KCVI took it 25-20. According to Sharbot Lake coach Bryan English the team “seemed to lose their urgency in the third” and lost 13-25.

In the fourth the Panthers rallied together and tied it up 18-18 but ended up losing the match 3 sets to one. Nonetheless Sharbot Lake had an impressive season and will be heading into EOSSA, where they will compete in the small school division. They are confident that they will be able to advance to the provincial playdowns.