Feature Article - September 22, 2005

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September 22, 2005

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

Sydenham Water will leave a political legacy

Editorial by JeffGreen

It could be six or eight months until the water starts being pumped out of the new treatment plant to houses and businesses in Sydenham Village, but as a political issue, Sydenham Water has been resolved. Barring any last-minute intervention, the municipal portion of the project will be paid for by the people who will receive water, and the rest of South Frontenac, and even the rest of Loughborough district, will not be subsidising the project at all.

This outcome was foretold by the terms by which South Frontenac came into existence in 1998. Knowing that the Sydenham Water problem would have to be dealt with eventually, it was agreed that the costs would not be borne by the population as a whole. The ratepayers in Loughborough district made their preference known during the municipal election two years ago, when they elected two candidates who did not come from Sydenham, bypassing several candidates from Sydenham who ran as anti-Council, pro-Sydenham Safe Water Association candidates.

So, sometime next spring, 200 ratepayers will receive special levies from the township of between $5,000 and $10,000, and most of them expect that number to be closer to $10,000 than $5,000.

One of the questions that remains is whether this is seen by Council and the taxpayers in general as a unique case, or whether this will be a precedent for future localised projects.

A few months ago I wrote a facetious editorial about the ‘Mitchell Creek Bridge’ wherein I suggested that only people that live on the far side of the bridge should be expected to pay for its replacement.

There is a serious point to be made, however. Is there going to be sense of unity in South Frontenac Township in the future? Sooner or later there is going to be another major capital project that needs doing somewhere in the township; another water project, a major road repair, a million dollar bridge, and the inevitable question will be - Who pays?

The nature of the township of South Frontenac is such that many people rarely, if ever, travel to different districts of the township. People work in Kingston and drive home each day on Sydenham Road, or Road 38, or the Perth road. They go from their own district to the City of Kingston and back again.

What does someone from Glenburnie care about what happens in Verona or Burridge? Would they want to pay so people they don’t know can benefit?

Of course, South Frontenac is not unique in this regard. There are people in all the townships of Frontenac County that resent having to support the interests of individuals and communities they feel little connection to. But the other townships have all operated since amalgamation as single entities and have paid for all projects out of collective funds. When capital projects come up in the future, they will have precedent to fall back on. This is not the case in South Frontenac.

Sydenham may have been in a unique position among communities in South Frontenac to pay for a large project, because of its institutional ratepayers: the schools, the seniors’ apartment, the township itself, and some large retailers. Other communities will not be so lucky when a large project becomes necessary. But don’t expect the residents of Sydenham to volunteer to help fund a project elsewhere in South Frontenac. -JG

Feature Article - September 29, 2005

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September 29, 2005

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

Letters to the Editor: September 29, 2005

Re:Sydenham Water will leave a political legacy

Your editorial “Sydenham Water will leave a political legacy” (Sept 22) was very timely and raises a number of serious questions.

1. Who made the decision that Sydenham needed a communal water system back in 1998? The Provincial Government mandated that the four townships be amalgamated. I am certain that they did not demand that the water system be a condition of the change. I am equally certain that it was not the property owners in Sydenham, as over 90% of them opposed the plan. So that leaves the councils of the four former townships. Why would they make a decision that effectively undermined the total concept of amalgamation as your editorial so gently put it?

2. Why does the decision to have the property owners of Sydenham pay the whole cost of the water system appear to be written in stone (if it is written at all)? And if by chance it was written, why can it not be changed? Our council has no problem changing other by-laws.

3. Why is South Frontenac so afraid of the concept of amalgamation? The process of change is so slow that it challenges the proverbial turtle. Is it, perhaps, that with amalgamation the districts (former townships) would be expected to do what all other municipalities do in financing major projects and spread the cost over all property owners in South Frontenac as your editorial has suggested?

4. Why is the current council so committed to an old verbal agreement? Amalgamation is the future for the township. It is very difficult to understand why the past and current councils have stayed so committed to an agreement that freezes the districts into a decision making process where councillors spend all their time protecting their turf.

It’s not too late to rectify this paralyzing situation. If the current council has the courage and will to stop hiding behind this infamous agreement and spread the cost of Sydenham’s water project over the township, then South Frontenac will finally come into the 21st century. We could then start behaving like an amalgamated township using responsible long term financial planning to benefit everyone in South Frontenac.

- Bob Forbes, Sydenham

Absurd regulations threaten our Farmers' Markets

For many people in rural Ontario, the local farmer’s market is a long-standing tradition. In the days before grocery stores, it was the only place to purchase farm products. Today, many consumers are turning to farmers’ markets for products they can’t find at the stores, and for many family farms, the sales they make at the local market represent a vital supplement to the family income.

This traditional economic hub has been placed in jeopardy by a series of poorly designed provincial regulations. Ontario Regulation 562 prohibits vendors from selling prepared products—everything from muffins to preserves—beyond the farm gate unless it has been produced in a government-inspected kitchen. That’s right – every time you buy a few cookies or a dozen eggs from your neighbour at a farmer’s market, chances are you’re buying an illegal product. Unless it’s been prepared in a government-inspected kitchen, or (in the case of eggs) inspected at a government-approved grading station, provincial inspectors are mandated to shut down vendors.

Lest anybody think that this has anything at all to do with public safety, I want to point out that the government doesn’t ban farmers from selling uninspected eggs from the end of their laneway, or homemakers from preparing pies and raffling them off at a bake sale at the high school auditorium. If uninspected products actually represented a genuine health risk, it would be irresponsible—or even criminal—to allow people to poison their neighbours with uninspected food, including food sold from the farm gate or at the high school bake sale. If the health risk really existed, I’d be the first person to demand that every single Ontario muffin—with no exceptions!—gets that life-saving stamp of bureaucratic approval prior to being sold.

But of course, there’s no danger to you or me at all, regardless of the location at which we purchase farm produce. Which means that it’s preposterous to think that the farmer down the road whom you’ve known for years can drop off a home-baked pie or Christmas loaf at your house during the holiday season, but cannot sell that same product to you on a Saturday morning at the local farmer’s market. What’s even more bizarre is the fact that the provincial government draws an imaginary line between products sold at the end of a farmer’s laneway, and those that he takes to the market a mile down the road.

It’s time for the federal and provincial government to stop enacting laws and regulations to micromanage every aspect of a rural way of life. Regulation 562 is just the tip of the iceberg. It is a foolish attempt to protect us from a threat that never existed, by guarding us from the safe products we’ve always enjoyed. Worse yet, it threatens producers in our community and discourages the buying of local goods.

Regulation 562 must be amended to allow local producers to bring to farmers’ markets the same products they can sell at the end of their driveway. It is the only respectful thing to do, for our farmers, our communities, and rural Ontario.

For more information on Regulation 562, or to sign my petition calling on the provincial government to end the restriction on farmers’ markets, please drop by one of my offices; call 1-866-277-1577; or visit www.scottreid.ca.

- Scott Reid, MP

Sydenham Water – What Can We Do?

In response to the letter from the Sydenham Safe Water Association (Sept 15, 2005), I would like to focus on one comment. The idea of spreading the costs for the Sydenham water system across the whole Township of South Frontenac is a good one.

The skeptic may say, “Why should anyone other than the people getting the water pay for this?” My response is the whole township benefits from the water. For instance, we have been told by our council that our properties will go up in value because we have water. If that is true, then our property taxes will go up as well. The whole township benefits from this increase in taxes.

Also, we have been told by our council that water will bring growth. And with growth, there are more taxpayers, both commercial and residential. Again, the whole township benefits.

But the biggest reason we should spread costs out over the township is because this problem is just around the corner for Harrowsmith, Verona, Inverary, and many other small concentrations of houses in the township.

And when those villages need water and/or sewage, who is going to be there to help them? These infrastructure projects are incredibly expensive. Look at the history of the Sydenham project costs. The initial estimate from the consulting engineer was $5.6 million, with a projected 85% funding from the provincial and federal governments, leaving an $850,000 cost to the people. Well, four revisions of that number later, we are looking at a projected cost of $8.2 million, and the people’s share is a whopping $3.4 million.

So how about a little progressive thinking here. If Sydenham is the first of many villages to need these infrastructure projects, why not think a little further ahead than the end of next week? If we had created an infrastructure fund, like the SSWA suggested to our council over two years ago, and increased taxes by a mere $50 per household, we would be more than half way to paying off the costs of the Sydenham system.

And if we made this special fund an ongoing thing, imagine the resources we would have as a township to address things like the current issues with our landfill sites, as well as future water and sewage needs for the township.

It’s time our council started acting like an amalgamated township and stopped perpetuating the incredibly archaic view of independent fiefdoms.

- David Waugh

Feature Article - September 15, 2005

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September 15, 2005

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Letters to the Editor - September 15, 2005

Re: Walleye Spawning rehabilitation at Bobs & Crow Lake

I would like to put in a rebuttal concerning the article on Walleye Spawning Rehabilitation in your Sept. 1 edition.

The article stated that the Greater Bobs and Crow Lake Association has not done any walleye stocking on the lakes since 1992. It also states that the walleye levels have been increasing over the past 10 years, with the Walleye Netting index showing 2.5 Walleye per net captured in 1997, and 3.12 Walleye per net in 2002.

However, although the GBCLA has not done any stocking since 1992, the Can Am Fishing Club of Bobs Lake has. In 1997, 1998, and 1999, the Can-Am Fishing Club stocked over 9000 walleye fingerlings in Bobs Lake, and I submit that the increase in the Netting Index was due to this stocking.

I have spoken with several elders, with whom I fished in the 70s and 80s, and they say that this lake will never be able to restore itself because of the number of cottages that have been built. The fishing pressure has increased that much and this lake will have to be stocked or Walleye fishing will fade away.

Bob Daok, Vice President

Can-Am Fishing Club

People of Sydenham still at risk of losing homes

The recent Water Aid benefit concert featuring Dan Aykroyd was a huge success, raising $25,000 to assist families in Sydenham at risk of losing their homes due to the exorbitant costs of a new municipal water treatment system. Unfortunately this will only scratch the surface of the substantial financial need.

The people of Sydenham are caught between the knee-jerk reaction by the provincial government to the Walkerton tragedy, the municipality’s quest for infrastructure and the more reasoned approach to ensuring sustainable water outlined in a recently released government requested report. Although over 90% of the 273 affected residents petitioned against this $8 million system, construction got underway this spring.

The irony is that the Province’s own Water Strategy Expert Panel supports the position of the people of Sydenham. The panel’s report, entitled Watertight: The case for change in Ontario’s water and wastewater sector contains many recommendations, some of which highlight the flaws with the system being installed in Sydenham:

Ideally municipal water systems should have a minimum of 10,000 customers. The Sydenham system will have 273 customers!

Small communities with high costs should use newer ‘in-home’ technologies (such as UV lights and reverse osmosis.) Residents of the village petitioned the township council and consulting engineers to consider these systems as alternatives to the system being installed. Their petitions fell on deaf ears.

The smaller the system the more water quality issues are likely to occur and the more costly the system is to sustain. The Sydenham system will be among the smallest in the province.

If the Township of South Frontenac had followed the wishes of the people in the village, now supported by the aforementioned report, the average cost per household would be more like $3,000 to $5,000 instead of $10,000 to $15,000 and up to $25,000!

The provincial and municipal governments should recognize this unfortunate set of circumstances. As representatives of the people they need to be accountable for their decisions (including their mistakes) and make amends for the difficult financial situation in which they have placed the people of Sydenham – many of whom risk losing their homes or their life-savings.

The Sydenham water project, as it is being installed needs additional funds, needs alternative financing arrangements and needs to have the cost of this system spread across the whole township. If the Township of South Frontenac were to function as an amalgamated township and spread the costs across its tax base, each taxpayer would have a one-time expense of $180!

- Alastair Lamb

for the Sydenham Safe Water Association

Feature Article - November 3, 2005

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November 3, 2005

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

Amalgamation rears its head:South Frontenac Council report

by Wilma Kenny

Amalgamation Rears its Head, & Spots an Election next Year

CAO Gord Burns recommended that Council advertise for a consultant to perform an organizational review for the Township. One part of such a review would examine services and staffing requirements: the other part would look at area rating and amalgamation, or "the extent to which the Township of South Frontenac now functions as a cohesive political entity."

There appeared to be a distinct lack of cohesion in the discussion that followed, although most of he Councillors agreed that amalgamation would never be achieved during the term of the present council.

The Township has amalgamated planning and zoning, the fire departments are united under the direction of one chief, and waste management practises, particularly recycling, have much more in common now. However, recreation, roads and management of waste disposal sites remain area rated, with separate district budgets. There was some agreement with Councillor Jack Barr’s opinion that outside objective advice might be helpful in moving toward full amalgamation. Others were of the opinion that this council had neither the cohesion nor the will to work toward consensus.

"It’s a waste to spend all that money for a report that will just go on the shelf," commented Robinson, "It’s certainly being filled, that shelf."

Councillor Del Stowe suggested that amalgamation might well be a significant issue in next year’s election. In the end, the motion passed with a split vote, with Vandewal, Smith, Robinson and Lake opposed.

Sydenham Water

In a heated exchange with Mayor Lake, Alastair Lamb of the Sydenham Safe Water Association asked to see a record of the agreement that stated the municipal portion of Sydenham water costs were to be borne by the residents of Sydenham, and not by the district of Loughborough or the Township.

Lamb also asked why the Council had not accepted some of the cost-effective measures recommended by the SSWA in regard to depth and material of piping, etc. Councillor Smith said it might have helped if the SSWA had attended the water committee meetings, where these questions had been discussed. Councillor Vandewal said he would like a letter sent out with the next tax bill, advising township residents who wished to contribute to Sydenham water costs that they would be issued a tax receipt for their donations.Portland Landfill Site Operation

Council passed an agreement with D&B Company of Harrowsmith for operation of the Portland landfill site for one year. (Councillor Robinson had declared a conflict of interest, and left the room). Councillor Smith said he recommended this one-year contract renewal, rather than going to tender, on account of the number of changes being made in the operation of the waste disposal site this year, and the importance of continuity being provided by a ‘supplier of record.’NF Arena Renovation Project Needs VolunteersThere will be a public meeting at the NF Arena Thursday November 3, at 7:00 pm, to determine whether there is sufficient public support for the project to be able to continue.

Property Assessment Information SessionMPAC will be holding an open house Thursday November 24, 7-9 pm at the municipal hall, Sydenham, to discuss the assessment notices recently sent to property owners in South Frontenac

Feature Article - November 10, 2005

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November 10, 2005

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

Letters to the Editor

Re:Taxes maintain standard of living

I was very pleased to read the letter by Ms. Knight for 2 reasons. For one, it shows that the paper is being read and, secondly, because she gave me the address of the Sydenham Water Relief Fund. A cheque is going out to that organization and by the time this letter appears in the paper, the cheque should have arrived in Sydenham and Ms. Knight can check it out.

By sending the money to the Relief Fund, I’m fairly certain that the money will go to the people it was intended for. With taxes you never know what the money will be used for.

I wonder whether anybody has figured out what the interest would be if the money for the waterworks was borrowed and repaid over 20 years. We might find another millionaire or two among the money lenders in 20 years.

As for paying for garbage collection and the doctor, I have this to say: We have no garbage collection in Bedford. The dump to which I take my garbage is a half hour drive away, so I try to go no oftener than every two months or so, and then it is mostly recycled stuff. The advantage of living in the country is that you can compost a lot.

I can’t even be grateful that Mrs. K contributes to pay for a doctor. I’m 83 years old and can’t remember when I was last sick. I had the measles as a child and the sniffles now and then, but nothing in the last 60 years.

One last thing. I’ don’t “bemoan” what hasn’t happened yet. I object to plans made by someone who is not even from the area. And if things happen that I don’t like and can’t change, then I grin and bear it.

- Astrid Thonigs

Why would Sydenham need treated water?

I have owned a house in Sydenham for just over one year, and I asked myself, “Why would Sydenham need treated water?” I started asking people all over South Frontenac the same question. I was surprised at the answers I got. Here are some of the best ones:

Sydenham village is at the bottom of a valley, where there are only about six streets and not very many homes. How could so few homes with septic tanks pollute the ground water so badly?

The answer was simple, what's on the hill overlooking Sydenham? Why, two schools. Every school day of the year, over 1500 students from all over South Frontenac (and 30 or 40 from Sharbot Lake) have been flushing the toilets, and the septic system has never been able to handle the volume. This has been going on for decades. As the stories go, the school board has never had enough money to properly maintain their septic overload. Why should Sydenham be any different?

The council has omitted putting water pipes down the lanes in Sydenham, so the people who live on the lanes must not have that bad water, even though they are in the same valley as their neighbours who are going to get the water, I think the citizens of Sydenham are not the true benefactors of the Sydenham Water Project; in reality it's the schools.

What if we were to take a class action suit against the school board for polluting our water table instead of being shafted by a council that may have another hidden agenda. How about every time a village somewhere needs some major area-related improvement, the local council says the area affected has to pay for it. Think about this one for a moment. The province is downloading costs it once incurred for us onto the municipalities. Our elected voices don't want to raise taxes so they can get re-elected, so they download local improvements onto the related area.

We need to bind together and let council know we want to pay for our children's safety and our own security. When you think about the cost of water being forced upon 272 homes, $1.8 million estimated, divided by over 10,000 South Frontenac Ratepayers, it's only $180. That $180 will buy us so much peace of mind and future benefits when your area or some other needs improvements.

Our MPP Leona Dombrowsky wrote Mayor Bill Lake a letter (printed in The Frontenac News October 6) informing Mayor Lake how the money from the province for the water came from all over the province and was not area related, the same with the third the federal government chipped in. Why is South Frontenac council talking like we are nothing but dirt--maybe because we don't get involved or speak up. If we don't stand up for what's right now, you can't complain when it's too late and it happens to you.

- Don Wiskin

The Sydenham water 'Disaster' fund

Councillor Ron Vanderwal presented a motion at the last council meeting to set up a fund where the taxpayers of South Frontenac can donate to the Sydenham water 'disaster' (my word- it just fits so well) and subsequently get a tax receipt. Finally, there is a sign that council has an awareness of how devastating this water system is for Sydenham residents. Thank you, Ron.

Without diminishing Ron's intentions, I am compelled to point out that the fund is in lieu of spreading the water system costs over the township and the premise is that the taxpayers who don't want to contribute to Sydenham water shouldn't have to. Well, I don't want to contribute my thousands of dollars for this ill-conceived, inappropriate water system either, but that doesn't seem to matter. In fact, it doesn't seem to matter that 92% of the taxpayers in Sydenham petitioned against this 'cadillac' solution. This then begs the question: How can council justify forcing fewer than 300 taxpayers to pay up to $25,000, yet $13 per year for the other 8,000 taxpayers is out of the question?

Council's answer is that the rest of the township doesn't benefit. RUBBISH! The taxes generated from new development and increased property taxes will be spread over the whole township for everyone's benefit. So for $13 a year the rest of the township will actually realize a benefit, whereas any gain Sydenham residents might recover will have to go toward interest on our loans and the outrageously expensive water coming out of our taps!

It seems to me that if council actually believes that only Sydenham residents benefit from this water system, then any future tax revenues generated from it should stay in Sydenham for the benefit of Sydenham! Now this may seem a bit un-neighbourly, but I'm just following the lead of our elected representatives AND the other council members who do not represent Sydenham, but voted to spend our money so indiscriminately.

- Cathie Waugh

Feature Article - November 24, 2005

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November 24, 2005

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

Food for Thought:Mill StreetCafe serves local and organic fare

by Inie Platenius

You’d think that living in the country would give you easy access to eating local food, but ironically, for many years if you wanted to eat locally produced food in a restaurant, you had to drive to Kingston to find it. The opening of Sydenham’s Mill Street Cafhas changed all that – hopefully for a long time to come.

Mill Street Cafis the godchild of Desert Lake Gardens, a long-established organic food broker run by Pat and Rick Dawson of Desert Lake. For years the Dawson family provided organic locally grown meat and produce, then expanded into a wide range of organic products delivered weekly to customers from Verona to Kingston. This year they made the decision to move their base of operations to the former Lloyd Jones drug store in Sydenham, across from Trousdale’s General Store. At the same time, their son-in-law Paul Pisa was looking for a new challenge for his talents as chef, so the Dawsons combined forces to create the Mill Street CafDesert Lake Gardens complex. After a year of planning and renovation, both are open for business.

The Mill Street Cafis the place that many of us have been craving – upscale without snobbery - fine dining in a local setting. Our dinner there was all we had hoped for. The soup of the day was a lentil mange of many layers of flavour. Thick and hearty, it would have served as a full entr if taken with a salad. The mushroom bruschetta arrived on a bed of baby organic greens with subtle vinaigrette. Lots of mushrooms on crisp organic bread. This appetizer could serve as a lunch dish. Our entrees were substantial. Crisp duck leg is served with Armignac prunes and roasted potatoes. The “Inspired Curry” (curry of the day) was vegetarian and full of deep, many-layered flavours. I tried valiantly to finish off my beef Bourguignon en croute, but after the generous bruschetta had to cry ‘uncle ‘and ask for a take out container. The locally grown organic beef was succulent, with just enough gravy to flavour the flaky crust. It even held up for re-heating the following night. After the meal, the three people in my party were so full we chose to split one dessert among us all – a lemon tart – heavenly crust with light and tangy filling. My fair trade de-caf was the perfect end to a perfect meal.

Fine dining is about atmosphere as well as food, and the Mill Street Cafmeets the challenge. This is not your kitschy country caf The copper topped tables and bar, the fluted light fixtures, and especially the wonderful porthole peeking from dining to kitchen area all declare this is a special space. You’re in Sydenham, but you’re out of the ordinary. In fact, looking from our table through the window toward Trousdale’s, I could have sworn I was seeing a painting by the Parisian artist Utrillo. And be sure to check out the bathroom fixtures. Even the soap in the dispensers is special – green apple, I think.

Ah, but at what cost? Dinner for three: three appetizers, three entrees and one dessert with wine and coffee came to about $100 (not including tip) – not diner prices, to be sure, but most definitely not diner fare.

Mill Street Cafis open from Tuesday through Sunday (including Sunday brunch) for deli takeout and lunches as well. Check it out. You won’t be sorry.

Letters to the Editor - November 3, 2005

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November 3, 2005

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Letters to the Editor: November 3, 2005

“So Long and Thanks” to NF area residents

Cloyne - Further to my formal resignation from NF Council today, in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, let me say that “I’ll be back!” And so I will, in three years or less. This is a joint (ad)venture, in that my spouse (who, along with our children, trailed ME around the Province for the last 14 years of my career) has accepted an OPP three-year promotional transfer to Sioux Lookout, and so she and I will be going there together.

This will not be a totally “new” experience, as we have spent a good portion of our lives in the North beforehand. However, there is some ambivalence in this, in that I have chosen to follow my heart and my “sweetheart”, as opposed to my head, which says “Don’t go!” As good as you folks are, hands down, my “sweetheart” wins!

We are retaining ownership of our home in the municipality, which will serve as our “guarantee” that we will be returning, and we look forward to rejoining you in autumn of 2008. Dependent upon the political climate of the day (and subject to your endorsement, of course), I may throw my hat in the ring again in 2009 to represent you at the municipal table!

Being that I have perhaps been more personally involved than my spouse with the community, how does one, without omitting and offending some individual, say “See ya!” while acknowledging everyone’s contributions to character over the past ten years?

To all of our communities, and to each and every individual and group therein, a sincere thank you! You know who you are! On an individual and corporate level, your kindness and support have been cherished, and we look forward to renewing those ties in a short time. We would only ask that you show the same consideration for our children, should they ever return in a time of need while their parents are absent!

To each and every one of you who should perhaps pass by our way over the next three years, our new address will be 96 First Avenue, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1G3. Our new phone number is 807-737-4769. In the same sense of welcome that you have always extended to us, each and every one of you is expected to drop in, should you ever be in Northwestern Ontario. A brimming plate of hospitality, a tall, cold drink, an even taller tale, and a warm bed awaits you! We will be sorely disappointed if, within the next three years, we do not hear from any of you!

Take care of yourselves, be kind to each other, keep up the good sense of community, and we look forward to a renewal in 2008.

With sincere and heartfelt wishes for continued success,

- Will Cybulski and Kathy Gerrie

Taxes maintain standard of living for everyone

I am responding to the letter to the editor (Oct 27, 2005) by a Bedford resident bemoaning the idea of being forced to pay the $13 a year for Sydenham's expensive new water system. I can understand why the writer feels this way. However, she seems to be saying that we should only pay for what we use. I cannot agree with this. Our governmental system and quality of life is based on the combining of resources to be used for the betterment of all. This is why we pay taxes.

My tax dollars pay to have my neighbour's garbage removed. They pay for road repairs in Bedford, Storrington and Portland. I've never met A. Thonigs, but I happily pay my taxes so there is a doctor available when she is ill. I can't afford to pay the whole cost of having just my garbage removed, or the resurfacing of just my portion of the road. I can't afford to pay a doctor to be on hold for when I need her. In Canada, in Ontario, in South Frontenac and in Sydenham we pay taxes to maintain our standard of living, not just for us, but for everyone.

The new water system in Sydenham is a huge, expensive mistake. Everyone knows it. But it is happening, due to the actions of council members, most of whom live in areas outside of Sydenham. It is your elected officials who pushed this through and it is their electorate who should pay for it. We are all neighbours and we should not expect direct personal benefit for every tax dollar we pay.

Also, for those interested, there is a system in place to donate money to help out the low-income families who are losing their homes to the water system. Cheques can be sent to the Sydenham Water Relief Fund at Box 359, Sydenham, K0H 2T0.

- Janet Knights

Re: letter regarding graduates

Thank you, R. J. (Bob) Miller, for your observations about the Sharbot Lake High School graduation exercises.

The ceremony is about students and their accomplishments. Readers would like to see a picture of a graduating class or at least the names of graduating students. It is not too late to do a proper article on the graduating students!

- Lorne Jenkins

Re: Cell phones for graduates

I am writing this letter in response to J.R. Miller's letter about the cell phones handed out at graduation. First of all, I understand his point about it being a concern for a college or university student carrying an extra expense on top of all other expenses involving post secondary schooling.

However, this was not mandatory for these students to take a cell phone. This was their decision and their decision alone; it was only an offer extended to these graduating students. My son was in this graduating class and he did choose to receive a cell phone. He has had the phone activated, with no activation fee, as well as receiving $60 in free airtime. He has paid absolutely nothing, and has received a brand new cell phone as well as receiving free airtime. This was set up as a pay as you go option with no contract or added fees. So if the student does not have the money to put on their phone, they do not have to worry about an overdue bill; they just put the money on when they have it.

As a parent with two children going to college away from home, I feel that a cell phone is a great idea to have with them at all times. You never know when you are going to have a bit of a melt down due to being homesick and need to "get in touch " with someone familiar, or if an emergency arises and need to get help.

I feel it was a generous offer made by Tom Taylor and I would like to say “Thank you”. Congratulations to the graduates. Stay in touch.

- Lisa Matson

New Rector in Sydenham

The Parish of Loughborough is delighted to announce the appointment of the Reverend Arthur Turnbull as Rector of St Paul's Church, Sydenham. Reverend Turnbull and his wife Gordi have recently arrived from British Columbia, and now reside in the rectory beside St. Paul's. We are pleased to welcome all in our Parish to worship and join in fellowship at St. Paul's. Reverend Turnbull's first Holy Communion service will be on November 6, Remembrance Sunday.Please note our new regular service time of 10 a.m, Sundays, commencing on November 6. For pastoral concerns, Reverend Turnbull can be reached at the Parish Office, 376-3033.

Letter to Mayor Lake and Council Members:

A few weeks ago the Frontenac News published a letter from MPP Leona Dombrowsky to Mayor Lake in which alternate ways of financing the Sydenham Water System were discussed. Ms. Dombrowsky pointed out that if the cost of the system was spread over the whole township, it would cost about $200/household for one year or about $13/ household over a period of 20 years.

South Frontenac Council continues to reject this idea, arguing that this water system is based upon a user pay formula and that individuals within the township who are faced with replacing their own septic systems must do so at their own expense, therefore it would be unfair to help the residents of Sydenham.

Many counter arguments have been presented: Sydenham provides many services and benefits to the township as a whole; things can be made fair by establishing a community fund to help individuals who must replace their septic systems; sharing the cost for Sydenham is a good idea because down the road, other communities will probably need water systems. Most of these ideas seem to make sense and I am at a loss as to why this council is so adamant in its rejection of a cost sharing formula.

Canada is not a user pay society. We pride ourselves on our social programs, our universal health care system and our quality educational systems. The costs of these services are shared by everyone, regardless of whether or not they actually use them.

South Frontenac Township is also not a user pay township. Those of us who live in small villages such as Sydenham pay taxes that go towards road maintenance, snow plowing and garbage collection, as well as school buses.

Our children do not use school buses. Most of us have less than 300 feet of road frontage; often this is shared with neighbours on the other side of the street. It costs far less for South Frontenac Township to maintain my little portion of road, to plow it and to collect my garbage than it does for those five or six families who live along one of the sparsely populated roads in this township. My taxes support the services provided to these people. Our system works on a system of cost sharing; we do not ask those who live on isolated roads to pay for their actual share of service costs. It is a sad and serious mistake that our understanding of mutual support and interdependence has not been extended to the Sydenham water system.

By placing huge financial burdens on individual families you are making many of them vulnerable to any kind of added financial setback. To do this to a whole village at one time is extremely destabilizing and is not in the best interests of this township. It would be far better to realize that we all benefit from each other’s existence and that setting a precedent of support within this township will create a far stronger community for generations to come.

- Janette Haase

Feature Article - December 8, 2005

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Feature Article

December 8, 2005

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South Frontenac to ask for Sydenham Water donations with tax bills

by Jeff Green

South Frontenac to ask for Sydenham Water donations with tax bills.

In what seems like an odd way to mount a fundraising campaign, South Frontenac Council has agreed to include a note with the first tax bills of 2006 asking all ratepayers in the township if they would like to donate towards mitigating the cost of the Sydenham Water Project for Sydenham residents.

The idea was put forward recently by Councillor Ron Vandewal.

Sydenham residents will be funding the municipal portion of the water project. Although costing is not finalised, residents could be facing costs of up to $10,000 or more as their share of the project costs, depending on the circumstances of their individual properties. Some township residents have taken the stance that ratepayers from throughout Loughborough District, or the township as a whole, should pay for the project.

Council has decided to give those people a chance to voluntarily donate.

At their meeting this week, Council deferred making a decision on how to distribute the money once it comes in.

Feature Article - January 26, 2006

Feature Article

January 26, 2006

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SouthFrontenac Township council report

by Wilma Kenny

In late December, Council approved a single day event Hazardous Waste Day program at an estimated cost of $6400. This will take place at the Keeley Road garages: the tentative date is Saturday June 3rd. There will be no fees for South Frontenac residents to bring hazardous waste for disposal on that day. (Presently, township residents can use the Kingston recycling facilities for a $30. per load fee.) There have been numerous requests for a hazardous waste depot in the township: this one-day event will serve as an indication of the actual demand for such a service.

Wireless Internet Transmission on Water TowerThe Township is entering into an agreement with Kingston On-Line Services, to rent space on the Sydenham Water Tower for wireless internet transmission equipment. The $200/month rent will go toward the operating costs of the Sydenham Water System.

New County WardenMembers of Council congratulated Mayor Bill Lake on his election as Warden of Frontenac County for the year 2006.

Alternate Energy: Why Should We Care, & What Can We Do?The Township Natural Environment Action Committee has invited Steve Lapp, local resident andCoordinator of St Lawrence College's new Energy Systems Engineering programto present a seminar at Sydenham Town Hall on Monday January 30, at 7:00 pm. We’re all aware of rising oil, gas and electricity costs, threats of power failure, smog, and changes in global weather. Phrases like "alternate," "renewable," " cleaner" energy have become so familiar they are in danger of losing their meaning. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless. Steve plans to focus on the positive actions we can take, both as individuals and members of society, to improve our energy situation. He will encourage discussion and questions. There is no charge for this seminar: everyone is welcome.

Feature Article - January 26, 2006

Feature Article

January 26, 2006

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Wireless broadband inSydenham and beyond

by Jeff Green

Kingston-Online Services (KOS) was one of the first Internet service providers to set up shop in Eastern Ontario when they started providing dial-up Internet service in 1993, and they have been aggressively developing a wireless broadband network in an increasingly wide area around Kingston over the past 12 months.

Now, thanks to the 97 foot high antenna on the Sydenham water tower, they will be expanding their service to a wide swath of properties around Sydenham.

At this week’s Council meeting, South Frontenac Council approved a bylaw renting space on the Sydenham water tower to KOS to set up equipment on the water tower that will be able to send a signal to any property within a line of sight to the tower, and many that aren’t even within sight of the tower.

Not wanting to waste any time, KOS had plans to set up their equipment this week in order to have service available as soon as possible. The company has a waiting list of customers in the immediate area, from Sydenham Village to Railton Road and beyond.

“Until we put the equipment up, we won’t know how far the signal will travel,” said a company spokesperson, “but we are hoping to be able to reach Harrowsmith.”

The wireless broadband service that KOS offers is not a satellite based service, and is thus less susceptible to interference due to inclement weather. The company claims the service is comparable with cable or DSL based services in terms of speed, reliability and price.

The equipment in Sydenham will allow a link to the 300’ tower that KOS recently installed on McAdoo Lane, just north of the 401 at Division Street.

KOS has plans to expand services to the north towards Verona in the near future.

South Frontenac Mayor Bill Lake said that the Sydenham water tower was built with rentals such as the KOS one in mind. “There is space for about three more rentals,” he said.