Letters February 10, 2005

Letters February 10, 2005

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Roads for the Future

First I'd like to thank the roads crew of Central Frontenac for the great job they've been doing for the last month. With all the sand put down on the roads I drive, travelling has been much safer. This was an excellent response to the concerns expressed by the many people who attended the CF Council meeting on January 10, 2005. However, we need to think more about the long-term future of our roads, not just about how we deal with the immediate problems presented by one ice storm.

I hope CF taxpayers will also get involved in making sure that Council gives roads the attention they deserve. They are the network that makes life possible. They are the largest single financial commitment for the Township. As Mayor MacDonald said, quoted in the January 27th edition of the Frontenac News, "I say you can have the best hospitals and the best schools in the world, but if you don't have decent roads to drive on you'll never get to either of them."

I understand that Councillor Logan Murray has a motion prepared for the February 14th Council meeting, proposing the establishment of a Roads Committee. Some Councillors, I'm sure, will think "oh no, not again" since they have rejected similar motions in the past. Other rural councils, in our area and beyond, recognize that roads are so important that they require concentrated attention by a committee of council. Please come to the February 14th meeting of Council to show that you support this motion, and want to see Council start a process that aims to improve the operation and development of our road system so that it meets our needs for the present and the future.

Gail Burgess

Thoughts about marriage between same-sex couples:

Marriage is the union between a man and a woman, excluding all others. Lets listen to what God says in His Holy Word:

Genesis 1: 27 God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he them, male and female created he them.

Genesis 2: 21 - and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man, made he a woman and brought her unto the man.

I Corinthians 7:2 Nevertheless to avoid fornication let every man have his own wife and let every woman have her own husband.

Romans 1:18; and 1:24, 25, 26, 27 tell us that unions of same sex are wrong and Gods judgement will be upon them.

Marriage is mentioned in the Bible 589 times. Marriage between man and woman was God ordained.

If this paper is passed, God help us all.

Oh, Canada. Beware!

- Muriel Phillips

Sydenham wants answers, NOT excuses

At the last council meeting, Richard Munroe of the Sydenham Safe Water Association (SSWA) presented council with a petition, signed by 85% of the properties impacted by the proposed water project. This petition demanded that council give us the total estimated cost for each property before signing any contracts for construction of the waterworks. The people want to know 1) the capital cost, 2) the hook-up costs, and 3) the annual maintenance cost and water rate. Clearly, the people are entitled to know how much they will be required to pay for this water. But our Mayor could only find excuses why council can't help us.

Regarding hook-up costs, which are a significant portion of the total cost for the property owner, the Mayor used the excuse that he doesn't want to put resources into exploring these costs until they establish the cost of construction. His reason being that the tenders may come in too high to proceed. This begs the same question we have wanted an answer to for over two years, "What is too expensive?" Why won't council DEFINE this number? Is there a limit to what they are willing to make us pay? If so, then why avoid disclosing it? And further, if council doesn't act now on the hook-up costs, scheduled constraints will not allow them enough time to do the estimates after the tenders come in. That would be a convenient excuse to avoid determining the hook-up costs and revealing the real total cost?

The Mayor also discounted the extent of our concerns by commenting that they are really busy and have to attend to all the other issues concerning the residents of the township. We agree council should be responsible to all residents. But council forced this expensive project on us and is now trying to wash their hands of their responsibility to us. We have repeatedly tried to get answers to fundamental questions that even people outside the water area want answered. These people are concerned they could be next in line for water and sewage and they don't want the same neglectful treatment and excuses that the people of Sydenham have endured.

Finally, the Mayor blamed the people for the delays in the project. Mr. Mayor, get your facts straight. The engineering firm that council hired started this whole delay when they grossly underestimated the cost of the project. All the delays since then have been around getting more money. And to make matters worse, Mr. Mayor, the engineering firm now wants MORE money for themselves because of the delay that THEY caused. Isn't that a little bit ironic, Mr. Mayor? Your energy would be much better spent finding answers instead of excuses for the tremendous number of problems the mismanagement of this project has created.

To work WITH the people, like you claim to have tried to do, you first need to LISTEN to them - at least 85% of them, in this case.

- Cathie Waugh, Sydenham

Feture artcle, February 17, 2005

Feature article February 17, 2005

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Clar-Mill Firehall plan moving forwardTask Force focuses in on a design

by Jeff Green

There may indeed be a Firehall built at the old MNR site near Plevna in the not too distant future.

The Task Force for the Clarendon-Miller Firehall will be meeting this week to choose a preferred design, after which time a there will be a tender set out for a detailed site plan and engineering studies.

North Frontenac Fire Chief Cor Bakelaar and Task Force Chair Ted Wilkinson appeared before North Frontenac Council last week. Of the three options for construction Bakelaar talked about, two involve using the existing former MNR building and connecting it to a Firehall. The third option is for a stand-alone Firehall.

The first issue Bakelaar addressed was the status of the asbestos that was used in the construction of the MNR building. Bakelaar presented a report, prepared by Don Chambers, Ted Wilkinson and himself, which states that the asbestos in the cement panelling in the building, has been identified as non-friable. The report states it can either be left in place or removed without posing any particular danger to public. If the panels are to be removed, it will be considered a type 1 operation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which would require only minimal precautions be taken.

Our conclusion is that the asbestos could be safely removed if we decide to use the MNR building, Bakelaar told Council.

Still, the provincial agency responsible for approving the use of the MNR building, would not give a definitive answer as to whether the building can be renovated. Provincial officials said they would not make any final decision until the project is underway.

The Task Force has developed two plans, one with two large garage doors and one with four. The task force is leaning towards the four-door plan, Bakelaar said, because it would mean all the departments fire trucks could enter or exit the building without having to shuffle other trucks around. The two-door plan would have trucks parked behind each other.

The estimated cost of the project would be about $300,000 and would result in total usable space of 5,000 square feet.

The third proposal, to tear down the existing building and build a stand-alone Firehall, has an advantage in that North Frontenac could put an identical building to the one that was recently constructed in Enterprise. The Stone Mills Fire Department would allow North Frontenac to use all the drawings and other specifications that were used in Enterprise free of charge, saving the township about $7,000 in fees.

The estimated cost of building the stand-alone Firehall is $345,000, and it would be a s4200 square foot structure. While more expensive, the costing is more definitive for the stand-alone Firehall.

All of the proposals include shower and changing facilities, washrooms for men and women, offices and training space, but the 5,000 square foot proposal includes much more storage space.

Ted Wilkinson pointed out that storage is an important issue.

After they built the Fire Hall in Enterprise, they immediately found that they didnt have enough storage.

Council has approved the work of the Task Force to date, and has given staff the go-ahead to set out tenders for producing technical and Engineering plans for the Fire Hall as soon as the Task Force makes their final decision on the basic design of the Clar-Mill FireHall.

Other Council notes

Tappins Bay Dock: Several months ago, The Mazinaw Lake Property Owners Association requested that the township look at improving the dock at Tappins Bay, which they say is inadequate for the amount of boats that attempt to use it during the busy summer season.

Mayor Ron Maguire told Council that he has not yet been able to set up a meeting with Addington Highlands Reeve Ken Hook and the President of the Mazinaw Lake Property Owners Association to discuss possible improvements to the Public Dock at Tappins Bay, which is owned by North Frontenac Township. Maguire said that the estimated cost of improvements to the Dock would be $20,000.

This led Councillor Dave Smith to say, if we do that work over there, everyone who has a dock that we own on their lake will want the same thing.

Mayor Maguire responded that we arent committed to doing anything at this point, but we certainly should discuss it with our neighbouring township.

Councillor Will Cybulski said, We have to keep in mind the fact that there are a significant number of residents that only have water access to their properties, as Im sure there are on other lakes.

After more debate, it was decided that township staff would attempt to determine how many docks the township owns on lakes before dealing with the Tappins Bay request.

Hepner Point

There might be a solution to the Squaw Point renaming initiative. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, responding to the Townships decision to reject the MNR proposal of Skink Point because the five lined skink is a species at risk, has requested that the township make a suggestion. Deputy Mayor Gleva Lemke, contacted Ed Giffin, a former long time resident, to see what suggestions he could offer.

Mr. Giffin suggested either Hepner Point, or Humpy Point. Mr. Hepner, who was presumably called Humpy, was an outdoor Guide on Crotch Lake, and when he took people out on the Lake, he would prepare shore lunches for his patrons. The point in need of a name was one of the places they would have their lunches.

I suppose wed better go with Hepner Point, said Councillor Cybulski, I think we might cause an uproar if we chose Humpy Point.

Do you think a name like Humpy Point on Crotch Lake would be a problem? said Councillor Betty Hunter.

Council decided to submit the name of Hepner Point to the MNR.

Police Task Force

The newly formed Task Force on Policing, which is considering whether to maintain the so-called status quo policing arrangement the township has with the Ontario Provincial Police, or to move towards a policing contract, has held a preliminary meeting with the OPP on the logistics of policing contracts. The task force is now attempting to get financial and service data from Addington Highlands, and waiting for final data on how much North Frontenac will end up paying for policing in 2004.

Letter February 3, 2005

Feature article February 10, 2005

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Logging in Addington Highlands

by Jeff Green

The logging industry, historically the economic backbone of the economy in Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Counties, is still being carried on to the benefit of the local economy, but the industry has not had the same amount of publicity as others, particularly tourism.

This was on the mind of logger Amphien Snider when he appeared before Addington Highlands Council this week to talk about loggers, roads, and road salt.

We are not always just the bad guys, Snider said, referring to the effect of logging trucks on township roads. A lot of road work has been done by loggers over the years, he said. He also talked about how much care his and his son Dans trucks take to avoid hauling logs over soft roads.

Snider said that in the past he used to be able to contact the roads manager and get permission to haul full loads when the roads were in shape to handle them, making it easier to avoid hauling completely when the roads started to soften. All of that has changed with amalgamation and new regulations. Snider proposed to Council that a permit system might be developed for certain roads that are primarily used by a single logging operator, with the logger committing to repair the road if they damage it. Council agreed to consider this at their next roads meeting in early March.

The major issue Snider wanted to discuss with Council was the use of township sand by loggers. Snider said loggers take loads of sand from the township sand piles as needed throughout the winter, and said if we are using a bit more than the average taxpayer, we have no objection to paying a bit more. All we would have to do is to keep track of how much we used and pay the township for it.

Snider is not apologetic about the sand he has and continues to take from the township, however.

I dont feel guilty, he said, because I receive seven tax bills from Addington Highlands, and my son Dan receives six, so we pay plenty of tax. That said, we are willing to pay more for sand.

Snider was motivated to appear before Council by comments made at a previous Council meeting about loggers from outside of the township using township sand.

The main concern for the township at that time was safety, and it remains so for Royce Rosenblath, who argues that a separate pile of sand, which could be used by loggers as well as the general public, needs to be put in place.

Youd have to see what goes on on a freezing rain day. I think we have to have two piles, whatever Council wants to do about charging for the sand, he said. The matters raised by Amphien Snider were all referred to the Roads Committee.

Other notes from AH Council

Economic Development Economic Development Committee Chair Bill Brown reported that a meeting with a resort developer would be taking place in Toronto this week. He will be attending, along with Reeve Hook and County Economic Development Manager Hollee Kew. Lets keep our fingers crossed, said Ken Hook.

Fire Department call out summary Fire Chief Casey Cuddy reported to Council with a summary of calls for 2004 for both the Denbigh and Kaladar/Barrie fire stations. The Denbigh station responded to 21 calls, of which 17 required an apparatus response, including 5 motor vehicle accidents/extrications, 3 chimney fires, and 3 false alarms. Kaladar/Barrie responded to 87 calls, 51 of which required an apparatus response, including 15 motor vehicle accidents/extrications, 8 brush fires, 4 medical assists, 4 false automatic alarms, 4 false 911 calls, 3 structural and 2 chimney fires. One of the structural fires resulted in a fatality. A large number of calls, 39, were burning complaints, and of them only 3 required a physical response. Thirty-six were handled over the phone.

New regulation could slow down fire crews

Fire Chief Casey Cuddy brought a communique from the Ontario Fire Marshals office entitled Firefighter response in personal vehicles on closed roads before Addington Highlands Council this week.

The communique says, in part, that the Ontario Provincial Police have advised all detachments that firefighters responding to emergency incidents in personally owned vehicles are not to be allowed on roads that have been closed under the authority of the Highway Traffic Act. Furthermore, firefighters in personal vehicles found traveling on closed roads may be charged with an offence.

The Fire Marshals office makes several recommendations about how municipalities should deal with this, including communicating with Police departments about road closures.

Cuddy told Council that it would severely hamper response times if all members of a crew had to gather at the Fire Hall before responding to a call because a road had been closed. Further, he expressed the opinion that rural fire departments might not follow the new regulations.

If I were going to a call in my own vehicle and the police tries to stop me because a road was closed, I know what Id do, Cuddy said.

Letters, February 24, 2005

Feature article February 24, 2005

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Small business not wanted

In Nov/04 an article was printed in our daily newspaper about big box stores like Wal-Mart ruining small retailers. For every Wal-Mart that comes into a community several small stores close up.

We seem to welcome these big box stores that force others to renovate and increase or discontinue business. Wal-Mart is based out of Canada and it appears Canadian governing bodies would rather deal with other countries. Small business is not wanted.

The beef industry is suffering greatly but the Canadian government allows beef to be imported here and sold here every day It forces farmers to almost give their beef away. With the lack of federally inspected processing capacity causing the real problem, we are helping the United States take advantage of our hardship. Our government leads people to believe the US border closing is the real problem while they are doing nothing to help our beef producers over-supply.

Thanks go out to Rev. J. Craig, who has helped organize a mini-market in Hartington, providing success until the government finds a problem with it.

Transportation is no different. Our local school board took several of our routes and gave them to other companies major ones based out of Canada, leaving those who provided service for a lifetime with no retirement.

Even our local council has disputed for months over an entrance to our property that would have provided a service to people. This discourages Canadians to do business at every turn.

I repeat Small business is not wanted in Canada.

J. Kerr

Letter to the editor

Same-sex marriage

It seems to me that the Bible was written quite a time ago. For example: What does the Bible say about the 39,000 kids that die (every day of the year) of malnutrition? Did those bad homosexuals make those children?

Does the Bible say that only white Christians have the right to life? It seems that the Right to Life President of the USA sure doesnt think twice about killing people.

What does it say about the millions of women who have been abused, or raped, or even gang-raped and cant even look at a man without wanting to puke. Maybe they dont want to spend their whole lives alone.

Gays contribute more than their share to this world. Newsweek calls them the richest and best educated of ANY minority. Example: nice or not, Michael Jackson has given more than a billion dollars to charities. Liberace probably gave half a billion. Dont forget they could have lived pretty good on their first couple of millions and not put up with the verbal abuse they got.

A lot of kids have no parents in this world and a lot of gays sponsor or even adopt needy children. The best minds on earth, Nobel Laureates, are worried about over-population and the steady destruction of this earth and all of the species that God made. They surely couldnt care less about the word Marriage. Sadly the best minds dont always win in politics.

- Carmel Gowen.

Letter to the editor:

Upkeep of Central Frontenac roads

I am responding to the residents who believe the township is doing a good job on the upkeep of our local roads. Obviously they do not travel on the same roads that I travel on. The current council needs to step up to the challenge of taking the responsibility of the ongoing issues. If this problem is not the fault of the council, then could it be possible that the contractors who work on the roads do not have the expertise and proper training to enable them to do the job? In the past, I have noticed workers filling in potholes and then about a month later they were back filling them in again. Is it common practice to throw money away in this manner? Have they considered outsourcing the work to companies that have the experience and the

knowledge when it comes to maintaining the roads? Would the local council consider requesting bids from companies to have the privilege of maintaining and preserving our local roads? The idea is not necessarily to give the job to the lowest bidder, but to give the job to the company that provides the most cost effective and efficient means of completing the task to our satisfaction.

The last few years my taxes have tripled. If this has happened to everyone in Central Frontenac, then we should be able to afford to pay for proper repairs and maintenance on the roads. The taxpayers in this community are paying the council to do a job; surely they can come up with a good solution to solve some of our problems without raising our taxes even further.

Some people feel we need a new council. If this is not the case, then please prove to us that we are wrong.

- Jim Kirkland

Letter to the editor

Farewell from a paramedic

In April, 1990, I arrived from Toronto to begin my first shift with the Parham Ambulance Service. Fresh out of college, I came to the Frontenac area to pursue my career as a paramedic, and had absolutely no idea what life would be like working in rural Ontario.

At that time, David Hansen was the operator of the service. We worked long hours, much of it on standby (read: volunteer), and I began to learn about rural emergency services, and life in general, in this part of the world. There have been many changes over the years, in the service and in the community with new partners, a new operator (David Gemmill), and the downloading of paramedic services to the county.

Some things have remained the same I still feel privileged to be accepted by the communities of Frontenac County, and I am still in awe of the sense of community one finds here.

Some things never change, though. Yesterday I worked a 16-hour shift! It was just like the old days.

Today (February 17) is my last scheduled shift in Parham, and Ive been reflecting on what a wonderful experience Ive had. From childbirth to tragedy, Ive been fortunate to share your lives and to see the people and the communities around here at their best, and I cannot express what a joy it has been, most of the time. Id like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made my time in the north such an adventure, and although Im sure well cross paths again, wish you all happy trails.

Thanks so much.

- Dave Parkhill, Kingston

Fair, Open, Accountable

Three simple but important words. And three words the Township of South Frontenac council needs to learn and start to practise. We elected this council to SERVE us and to be responsible to US.

It is hoped that other communities in the township are learning from Sydenham's experience. We continue to be amazed at the blatant disregard for our

democratic rights, and the inability of our council to listen to the people that elected them - the people they claim to be working for, and with.

Once again, the people impacted by the Sydenham Water Project went to a council meeting and tried to get our point across. Once again, council stonewalled us.

Our township runs an annual budget. Once a year, they estimate the costs for all sorts of projects in the township for the year. And they estimate the revenue they will get from taxpayers - you and me. Then they cut things from the budget until it balances, so the revenue equals the expenses. Also known as a balanced budget. Responsible behaviour for elected public officials.

So, someone please explain why council thinks they are exempt from being fiscally responsible to the residents of Sydenham. This Council has NEVER

established a budget for the Sydenham water project! What that means is that there is no definition of what is too much for the people to pay. And we have seen the estimated costs of this project rise multiple times through the course of this fiasco, and we know they are going to rise again. This means that the people of Sydenham are being set up for a FINANCIAL DISASTER.

Mayor Lake admitted at the last council meeting that there is no definition of too much. This is beyond comprehension. How can anyone in their right mind claim to be managing in the best interest of the public, when they haven't defined an upper limit for the financial impact to the people?

How would you like it if next year council decided not to do an annual budget, but instead they spent whatever it cost for whatever projects they wanted to do? And guess what, you have to pay for it all. Imagine NO MAXIMUM on your tax bill. Now you are getting the picture of how we feel in Sydenham. This council is out of control, and we need your help to let them know this is NOT okay.

Call Mayor Lake, call your councillor. The people of Sydenham need you to tell council ALL the people of this township have had enough, and that we want a council that is fair, open, and accountable.

- David Waugh, one of the VAST MAJORITY for responsible government.

Feature artcle, February 24, 2005

Feature article February 24, 2005

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Frontenac County Budget rejected by Mayors

by Jeff Green

A funny thing happened on the way to passing the County budget last week. Three of the four Frontenac Mayors didnt like the 11% increase in the levy to taxpayers that it entailed and they voted to reject the budget as a whole.

This left Warden Bill MacDonald and County Chief Administrative Officer Elizabeth Fulton wondering what to do next.

The rejection of the draft budget wasnt entirely unexpected. It was widely known that the four member Council had been split down the middle on whether or not to approve a $776,000 expenditure proposed by Emergency Services Co-ordinator Paul Charbonneau for improvements to the ambulance service that was part of an earlier draft of the budget. Because the City of Kingston pays for 80% of the municipal portion of ambulance costs, County of Frontenac residents would have been paying $140,000 for the ambulance enhancements, about a 2% increase in their County levy.

Matters only became more difficult for the County budget when the implications of a Ministry of Labour decision ordering the County to establish meal breaks for paramedics was taken into account. This order will cost the service about $480,000 this year unless the County wins an appeal of the ruling.

By the time the draft budget estimates were presented to County Council for approval on February 16, there was an $834,000 increase in the ambulance budget.

Of that increase, about $420,000 was slated to cover for legislated meal breaks, $60,000 towards a new scheduler for the service, and about $350,000 towards enhancements to the service.

Paul Charbonneau told Council that the $350,000 enhancement included 8 hours per day of extra ambulance service for Kingston.

The enhancement included in this proposal puts an extra ambulance on the road for the two peak time periods faced in Kingston. It also includes putting a 12- hour ambulance on at Ompah in place of the Emergency First Response vehicle that is there currently, and a $7,000 enhancement to the service on Wolfe Island, Charbonneau said.

There were other options included as an addendum to the budget package, including one which would increase the ambulance budget by $1.2 million, which would cost County taxpayers $220,000. This option would fund the entire enhancement proposed by Charbonneau, as well as the extra 16 hours of ambulance time required for meal breaks.

The least expensive option, at a cost of $480,000, ($90,000 to County taxpayers), would cover only the meal breaks.

During the budget meeting on February 16, Mayor Jim VandenHoek of the Township of Frontenac Islands, said, We have to budget for the meal breaks; we have no choice, so I would like to see a budget document with that cost in it. Then we can look at enhancements to the service.

Vandenhoek also said that he would like to reconsider other items in the budget in order to see if money could be freed up to fund ambulance enhancements.

I realise that we have already passed the rest of the budget in principle, but that can be undone, VandenHoek said.

Mayor Ron Maguire of North Frontenac, attending the meeting through a telephone hook up, suggested that by going over the budget line by line, savings could be found that would help fund increased ambulance costs.

In my former career with the federal government, departments would be told to cut their budgets by 5 or 10 per cent by the Finance department, and they did, he said before asking about various administrative line items within the budget.

I realise some of these are small items, but if we take care of the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves, he said.

Mayor Bill Lake from South Frontenac had trouble with the 11% increase.

We had a meeting in Sydenham on January 27 where the budget was presented to township Councillors. My Council didnt like the increase of ten and a half per cent. I cant come back to them with an 11 per cent increase, he said.

Marian VanBruinessen, the Financial Officer for the County, pointed out that an arbitrated settlement for shared services with the City of Kingston accounted for 5% of the increase, and legislated requirements for Fairmount Home account for an increase of almost 3%.

Only about 3% of the proposed increase actually comes from increases that we control, she said.

Mayor VandenHoek said he had a couple of items to discuss, but since they involved staffing they should be considered in camera.

Nothing came of the in camera session. Knowing that the budget may not pass, County CAO Elizabeth Fulton recommended that it would be preferable to amend the draft budget before voting. None of the Mayors suggested amendments, and the budget was defeated with only Warden MacDonald voting in favour of it.

Elizabeth Fulton was scheduled to leave the very next day for a ten-day holiday. She wont be back until March 1, and the Mayors will be meeting later that week to have another go at the County budget.

A frustrated Warden MacDonald said he didnt have time to reconsider the budget in the next two weeks in any event, and were planning to start working on our budget in Central Frontenac on the 1st of March, and now we wont know what the County numbers are going to be.

Feature artcle, February 24, 2005

Feature article February 24, 2005

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School Board needs new policy on bus cancellationsAH Council, Feb 21, 2005

by Jule Koch Brison

The policy of the Tri-Board Student Transportation Services regarding school bus cancellations in inclement weather is inadequate, Road Supervisor Royce Rosenblath told council at its Denbigh meeting on Monday night.

Rosenblath said the Board should be making the decisions on cancellations instead of leaving it up to individual drivers. Its too much responsibility for the bus drivers. They feel they should go if the other drivers do.

Township Clerk Jack Pauhl said that the Tri-Boards policy as stated on its website is that bus drivers are to contact municipalities roads superintendents before 6:00 a.m. to determine if they should transport students. Rosenblath said that only a few drivers ever contact him and that the board should appoint someone to contact him and make the decisions. He said in other areas the Tri-Board has made the decisions on the cancellations, and not left it up to the bus drivers.

Rosenblath gave another example of what he felt was poor decision making by the Board. On Feb. 14, instead of waiting until the roads were sanded, the Board decided to dismiss the students early because of the icy conditions. The bus drivers were told not to go on the side roads; parents met the buses and picked their children up. They didnt put the buses on the side roads, but they still put a lot of cars on them when it wasnt safe to drive, said Rosenblath, adding that in Madoc the children were kept in school until the roads were sanded.

Rosenblath also said that there have been times when the Tri-Board cancelled the whole area but neither the principal at NAEC or the head teacher at Denbigh Public School knew it. It makes you wonder about their communications, he said.

Council has asked the Board to send a representative to meet with them so they can discuss these concerns; however Jack Pauhl says he has been trying for a while to set up a meeting but hasnt heard back.

Council will continue to try to meet with the Board.

Business over Breakfast moves to Flinton Hall but whos cooking?

Economic Development Chair Bill Brown reported that Addington Highlands first Business over Breakfast event was so successful that the participants want it repeated quarterly. One question was where to hold the meetings The Lions are asking $175 for the use of their hall, but the Economic Development Committee only has $325 to its name, which it has been given by its sponsors.

Council decided to hold the breakfasts at the Flinton Hall, but could not decide whether to include area churches in the request for tenders for catering. Bill Brown envisioned businesses asking, Do you expect us to compete with groups that dont have to pay employees?

Council decided that as no township money was being spent on the event, the EDC could make the decisions on the catering.

Paramedic lunch hours

Council voted to support a petition from the County of Frontenac requesting that the province of Ontario exempt paramedics from regulations requiring lunch breaks.

Plexiglass lids for garbage bins

Councillor Bill Cox requested that plexiglass be put in the heavy steel lids on the garbage bins in Flinton. In May last year, one of the lids came down on the end of a womans finger, severing it. The township tried using a plastic bin but it was being damaged and had to be removed. Coxs request was approved.

Doctor Woes

Council has so far been unsuccessful in attracting a new doctor to Addington Highlands. They voted to send a letter to MPP Leona Dombrowsky asking her assistance in initiating a program to permit an International Medical Graduate to complete his or her studies working at the Northbrook Medical Centre and so obtain their MD licence to practice in Ontario.

Safety audit of garages

The Municipal Health and Safety Association is conducting a safety audit of the township garages and has already ordered the fuel and propane tanks to be replaced. Royce Rosenblath noted that if the MHSA found unsafe practices and conditions, the employer, supervisor as well as the employee would all be fined.

Feature article, March 25, 2005

Feature article March 25 2005

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Paying taxes with Bag tags to cease Addington Highlands Council report

by Jule Koch Brison

A little known loophole which allowed residents to pay their taxes using free bag tags will be closed when the next tax bills go out, Council decided at this weeks meeting in Denbigh.

The Waste Management Committee brought a recommendation to the Addington Highlands Council meeting on March 21, that effective immediately, bag tags could no longer be used to pay taxes, but only to pay tipping fees.

Presently, at Addington Highlands waste disposal sites, residents who bring in bags of recyclables are given free bag tags in exchange, and the tags can be used to pay ones taxes. The Waste Management Committees concern was that people would bring in recycling from other places in order to get tags.

All of the councilors wondered if residents are even aware of the fact that they can pay their taxes with bag tags. However, when Councilor Bill Cox brought forward a motion to make the change to the bag tag system effective immediately, none of the other members of council would second it because they felt that residents should be given notice of the change.

The information about the bag tags and taxes is contained in a brochure on the bag tag system that was written by Reeve Hook. He said that the idea was to give people a further incentive to recycle, but that he was sketchy on the details as to when the motion [to adopt the policy] was made. Councilor Cox said he was not familiar with it and asked if the brochure had been distributed. Economic Development Chair Bill Brown said it had been mailed.

Waste site attendant Floyd Kellar was asked if he had seen an influx of recyclables. He replied, Its hard to say, but no, there may be one thats a little suspect.

Reeve Hook said that paying tipping fees for dumping mattresses, sofas, tires etc. with the tags would still give residents ample opportunity to use them up. Although Township Clerk Jack Pauhl was uncertain as to when the next tax bills would be going out, Deputy Reeve Loraine Berger brought forward a motion that a notice be sent out with the bills, and that bag tags for taxes would cease two weeks later. The motion was approved.

? Dump Closure: The Dump Closure Fund presently contains $133,208

? Business The next Business Breakfast meeting will be held on April 13 at 8 am at the Flinton Hall. The tenders for the catering will be in this week and the price for breakfast will be determined.

? Cloyne Soccer Club: The Cloyne Soccer Club is unable to get insurance, which it had previously obtained through the now defunct Cloyne Recreation Club, and has asked for coverage under the townships insurance policy. The township consulted with its insurers, who agreed to cover the soccer club under two conditions, one of which is that all of the clubs proceeds (registration fees, etc.) must pass through the township. Council voted to provide the insurance subject to the conditions.

? Country Music Jamboree: Council approved a request by the Flinton Recreation Club to hold a Country Music Jamboree in and around the Flinton hall on the weekend of July 29-31.

? Adventure race: An Adventure Race, sponsored by Salomon, will be held in and around Bon Echo Park on May 7. The event is expected to draw over 500 participants, among whom will be Reeve Hook and his wife Cathy, bringing up the rear, he joked. The race is 60 km long and is in three steps: mountain biking, running and canoeing.

? Big Bike: The fitness theme continued with the announcement by Councilor Louise Scott that Peggy Rahm has asked if AH Waste Management would be interested in riding the Big Bike for Stroke. Peggy can get a lot of sponsors, said Reeve Hook. I know, replied Louise Scott, Ill have to get out before her.

Feature article, March 25, 2005

Feature article March 25 2005

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Central Frontenac Council considering 2% tax rate decrease - and notes from Council

by Jeff Green

In their penultimate kick at the budget can, Central Frontenac Council has, through a straw vote, given tentative approval to a 2% decrease in the tax rate for ratepayers.

The decrease in taxation has come about in spite of two key factors. The township actually has a marginally lower amount of property assessment to apply the tax rate to in 2005 because the bulk of properties have has their assessments frozen for the year. Secondly, the County of Frontenac levy, which accounts for about 20% of the Central Frontenac, came in at an 8.7% increase, and the Education levy, accounting for another 20%, was the same as 2004.

So, before beginning their deliberation on the 60% of the budget that they actually control, Council was already looking at a 1.7% increase. In order to come out with a 2% decrease, it was necessary to curtail their own requirements from taxation by 6%.

To do so required savings from various departments. As well, the potential cost to the township that will come about only if it is successful in a grant application to a Federal/Provincial infrastructure program for repairs to Road 38 will be financed through a debenture, a financing of the project over time.

The township cannot finalise their budget until they receive information on policing costs, and have been using last years numbers for policing in their budgetary considerations thus far.

As well, through the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus, the township has been lobbying for monies that were supposed to be paid to it through the Community Reinvestment Funding (CRF) program, which is supposed to compensate municipalities for the cost of providing services downloaded to them from the Province. The funds are forwarded each year based on previous years costs, and were supposed to be topped up to the actual costs at the end of the year. This has not happened for 2004, and would mean a boon to the township if indeed the Province comes through with the money. Central Frontenac will complete their budget for 2005 in the next few weeks, and any additional monies that may come through the so called CRF reconciliation will go into a reserve fund for the 2005 budget year.

Council will have on more budget meeting, and the budget with then be passed at a regular Council meeting, presumably sometime in late April or early May.

Regular Central Frontenac Council meeting

Central Frontenac Council had a light agenda for their March 22 meeting, partly because they had met just eight days earlier, and that allowed them to spend more time than they normally might have on items of minor financial significance.

? A request came to the township for $100 as a contribution towards a memorial passageway onboard HMCS Cataraqui to honour 52 Kingston area Naval Officers who died in the service of Canada during the 2nd World War.

I would like to see us support this, said Councillor Frances Smith. I think we should keep in mind what these people did for us. But I dont think this should come from Municipal dollars, said Councillor Bob Harvey.

As the discussion carried on, it became clear that while the Councillors did not want to appear disrespectful towards officers who had given their lives for their country, they were reluctant to spend municipal money on the project.

Finally, Mayor MacDonald suggested sending a letter of support and forwarding the funding request on to the Legions in Arden and Sharbot Lake. This allowed Council to avoid voting no to the request without having to spend the $100.

? Later a request from the Tweed News for Central Frontenac to renew a page ad in a tourist brochure they produce for distribution throughout the summer was considered. Councillor Bill Guigue, an outspoken opponent of this expenditure last year, has not mellowed over time.

I know this will pass, but I was against it last year and Im against it this year, he said. Lets look at the ad. What does it say? We have dining and accommodations, beautiful scenery, shopping, those are all unique to Central Frontenac. For $160 we are not getting our monies worth.

Nonetheless, as Bill Guigue predicted, Council decided to renew the ad.

? Unlike the HMCS Cataraqui and the Tweed News requests, a motion from the Town of Hanover was approved without debate, much to the surprise of Mayor Bill MacDonald.

The Town of Hanover requested support for a motion which asserts that Policing costs are getting beyond the ability to pay for most municipalities in Ontario, and that most of police budgets are made up of wages and benefits, negotiations for which do not include municipal politicians. It also asserts there are inequities in the way municipalities are treated in terms of capping on police costs and reconciliation through the Community Reinvestment Fund, and resolves that a municipal representative be appointed to take part in salary deliberations between the Province and Police and that the financial burden of policing be looked at as part of a Community Reinvestment review by the Province.

Mayor MacDonald asked Council how they could spend 15 minutes talking about $100 and 6 minutes talking about a $160 ad, but no time talking about policing, which cost $740,000 to the township this year.

We agreed with the motion, replied Francis Smith.

? Reports from ROMA: Several councillors attended the Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference in Toronto last month, and were given an opportunity to report back. Councillors Nicolson, Murray, Guigue and Harvey attended. They all said it was a good opportunity to talk to other municipal politicians, and found the workshops useful. However, both Logan Murray and Bill Guigue said the format of the workshops did not foster an in depth consideration of any topic and questioned whether they will go back next year.

Mayor MacDonald said the conference gives an opportunity to meet with the decision makers on the provincial level. Without the attraction of a conference like this, it would be difficult to meet with so many provincial politicians. And if you think all the meetings we had with Ministers through our Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus were polite exchanges, you would be surprised. We said what we had to say.

? Zoning change: Earlier in the meeting, Marcel Giroux appeared as agent for David Seeds, who was looking for a zoning change which would allow the building of an accounting office on a lot on Elizabeth street that was zoned as residential. The small, 0.22 ha (0.54 ac) lot would require a planting strip in order to comply with comprehensive zoning by-law stipulations concerning locations where a commercial zone abuts a residential zone. A report by township planner Glenn Tunnock recommended approval of the application provided proper approval can be obtained from the Health Unit and there were no strong objections from any neighbours to the lot. A bylaw amending the zoning was passed.

? Two road allowance closures, one for King Stinchcombe and one for William Flint, were also approved

Feature article, March 17, 2005

Feature article March 17 2005

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South Frontenac Township

by Wilma Kenny

Trailer By-law Concerns

Judy Reynolds spoke on behalf of a large delegation of trailer owners. She cited several instances of apparent inconsistency in the enforcement of the recent trailer licensing by-law, and asked that everyone be treated equally, and that seasonal trailer owners only be taxed for the four summer months that they used their trailers. She also asked whether a grandfathered trailer could be replaced by a new one. Mayor Lake agreed that it was important the by-law be enforced consistently, saying that Council would have to "thrash it out." Several Councillors repeated their concerns that the Township has no provision for short-term use of campers and trailers visiting local residents, but to date, no one has initiated the necessary zoning by-law amendment that would address this question.

Firemens Associations Donate High-powered Lighting Unit Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough announced that the local Firemens Associations have purchased a special diesel-powered lighting unit for South Frontenac Township fire departments. The unit, which cost over $10,000, will be a major asset for firefighters working at night. The Associations raise funds for special equipment such as this which the regular municipal budget cant provide. Chesebrough recommended that 22 new recruits who have completed the required assessment and training be hired as Volunteer firefighters. This brings the Township fire departments close to their full staff complement.

Sydenham Water

Speaking on behalf of the Sydenham Safe Water Association, Roxy Dennison-Stewart asked the elected officials to uphold the public interest by not proceeding with their current water treatment plan. She cited concerns about the process, planning and impact on the community, and stated that the SSWA has never been opposed to obtaining safe drinking water for all residents but they did not want an ill-conceived solution imposed on the village.

The Township Water Committee will hold its next meeting Tuesday March 22, at 10 am in the township hall. Although not a public meeting, it is open to the public.

No Power Boat Races on Proposed Sydenham Reservoir

In consideration of the Loughborough Recreation Committees opposition to power boat races on Sydenham Lake, Council voted to refuse the request to hold these races.

Land Trade Vetoed

Council turned down Vern Miles proposal to exchange two unopened portions of township road allowance for a parcel of land on the north side of Massassauga Road, on Loon Lake, on the grounds that the land being offered was mostly swamp. Bedford District Recreation Committee, supported by the Bedford Councillors, had received a proposal from the Rideau Trail Association offering to develop the site as a parking space for trail users and public picnicking. Councillors Barr, Davison, Robinson, Smith and Vandewal opposed this plan.

Petworth Bridge Restrictions

Council passed a by-law restricting the weight of vehicles using the Petworth Bridge in Portland district.

ATV Costs to Taxpayers?

Council defeated (6 to 3) a motion to have staff investigate whether or not there would be any increase in policing or other costs to the Township, before approving a by-law allowing ATVs to use township roads. This by-law will come before Council on April 5.

Ontario Rabies Prevention Program

The Ministry of Natural Resources is continuing its wildlife rabies control operations, which include trap-vaccinate-release programs, and widespread aerial vaccine baiting. They report that this program has been very successful: fox rabies has dropped from 1,500 cases in 1989, to only 54 last year, and raccoon rabies has been held in check. One of the reasons for success against raccoon rabies is the designation of eastern Ontario as a high-risk area. In this area, we are encouraged not to relocate raccoons, foxes or skunks. I wish Id known that a couple of years ago, when I was looking for an excuse not to participate in the delicate business of escorting a large (apparently healthy) and indignant skunk-in-a-garbage-can out of the village!

Feature article, March 31, 2005

Feature article March 31 2005

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North Frontenac reverses decision on recreational maps

by Jeff Green

A decision to hold off on producing maps to promote camping opportunities on Crown Lands that are managed by North Frontenac Township didnt sit right with Councillor Betty Hunter, and she sought to reverse the decision at a Council meeting last Thursday.

Much of the work on the map had been completed this winter, but at a special Council meeting on the 2005 budget held on March 15, the entire issue of township mapping data was discussed and it was determined much work needed to be done to prepare necessary mapping for all departments of the Township. It was agreed, according to the minutes, that the [Crown Land Recreational Map] project be deferred until the whole township mapping issue is resolved, even though it would be an excellent marketing tool for this program.

In a prepared statement, Hunter argued that the 190 campsites the township operates on Crown land are a well-kept secret, and the tourist map did not need to be 100% accurate in all matters in order to promote those under-utilised campsites.

I believe it is time to get off our aspirations, she said, pointing out that In Haliburton they have campsites that are fully booked, and there is a long waiting list. We need to start something here to let people know what we have - and now.

The campsites are part of the Crown Land Stewardship Program, through which North Frontenac has taken over maintenance of Ministry of Natural Resources roads into recreational areas on several lakes. In opposing Betty Hunters proposal to produce promotional maps, Councillor Bud Clayton said, The Crown Land Stewardship Program was instituted in 1997. It was supposed to be revenue neutral within 5 years. It hasnt happened. Each year Council decides whether to continue. This year it hasnt happened.

However, other Councillors took different positions.

Deputy Mayor Gleva Lemke said, I agree with Councillor Hunter. We need to move on with this.

Township Chief Administrative Officer Cheryl Robson said, For staff, the main concern is that the road names are not on the map at this point. If we could add the road names, I think that would really help clarify it.

Councillor Will Cybulski said We dont need a general, all-purpose map. All we are interested in is a specific tourist map to promote this program.

In a 4-2 vote, with Councillors Smith and Clayton voting against, Council decided to proceed with publishing a recreational map to promote the use of the Crown Land roads and campsites.

Other items from North Frontenac Council

Fred Perry came to Council with greetings from the Conservationists of Frontenac Addington (COFA). COFA is promoting an Outdoor Sports and Trappers Exhibition on Sunday April 17 at the Flinton Community Centre. The event, now in its 8th year, is a co-operative venture of COFA, the Frontenac Addington Trappers Council, and the Land of Lakes Sporting Cub (formerly the Kaladar Gun Club). Perry said the show is put on as a community event, and is free to participants. There will be boating, gun and bow hunting, and fishing displays this year, a trout fishing pond, skinning demonstrations and antler scoring as well.

Im here looking for a statement of support from Council, and a bit of money wouldnt hurt either, Perry said, The hall rental is about $200 bucks.

Council responded favourably to Fred Perry, and said they will consider making a donation when they look at the township budget in the coming weeks.

Dianna Bratina Frontenac County Economic Development Manager Dianna Bratina appeared before Council. As well as making her personal introduction to Council, she talked about several initiatives, including a review of the doctor situation in the County. We need to gather information to see if this area requires an underserved area designation, Bratina said. She was encouraged by Council to contact Doctor Tobia in Northbrook, who, although located in Addington Highlands, serves many patients from North Frontenac.

Mayor Ron Maguire said, As you know, the position you hold is one the previous Council lobbied hard to establish; however the previous Council was less than impressed with how the duties were carried out.

Bratina said she is in the midst of preparing a mid to long-range work plan for Economic Development within the County, which will be presented to County Council later this summer.

Maguire also mentioned High Speed Internet. Under Bratinas predecessor, Karen Fisher, a Broadband initiative had been undertaken by North Frontenac and Addington Highlands Councils, but nothing has come of it in either township.

Bratina said there is a regionally based initiative starting up for broadband access throughout Eastern Ontario through the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus.

She also reported that another initiative undertaken during Karen Fishers tenure, an application for a feasibility study for an incinerator to be shared by North Frontenac and Addington Highlands is moving forward. The Provincially administered Green Enabling Fund had requested revisions to the application, and they have now been completed.

Contract Policing all but ruled out for NF: Councillor Will Cybulski, who has headed a task force on the future of policing in the township, reported that the townships initial interest had been in moving from the current so-called status-quo policing arrangement with the OPP, to a policing contract, which would give the township a greater say in what kinds of service will be provided by the OPP to North Frontenac. However, upon investigation, it looks like Contract Policing will be cost prohibitive Cybulski told Council.

Both Addington Highlands and South Frontenac have policing contracts with the OPP, but in each case costs have been increasing over the years.

Mayor Maguire goes to Ottawa Ron Maguire reported that he, along with 40 mayors from small townships, had attended a meeting with the Caucus of the Conservative Party in Ottawa.

Although wary of duplicating the efforts of the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus, which former Frontenac County Reeve Phil Leonard had a major role in developing, Maguire said this informal group of small municipalities (under 25,000) had a good meeting with the opposition caucus.

We spent a long time going over our grievances. I think it was valuable to meet with the other townships and to meet the Conservative Caucus. They might form the next government, so they should understand the concerns of small municipalities, Maguire said.