Feature Article - February 2, 2006

Feature Article

February 2, 2006

Letters to the Editor

Don't take it out on employees

One thing you can count on from most Canadians is complaints about the weather and anything relating to it. One of those things is, of course, the roads.

All of us are at the mercy of the weather and the amount of money available to spend. Unfortunately, it is not an easy job to balance those two factors when making up a budget. Presumably, the township council and the road superintendent make up a maintenance schedule in order of priority for maintaining the roads in the winter. We have to trust them to use their common sense in completing this task efficiently and logically, realizing that our road may not be at the top of the list. Of course, the weather can still cause delays; if it is raining hard enough, the sand will run off, or if the temperature is very cold, the sand won’t stick to the roads.

I agree with Tammy Scott in her January 26 letter to the editor. We should not take our dissatisfaction out on the employees who are doing their jobs as well as they can. It is the road superintendent who is in the position to respond to complaints. Also, we should remember that the township council as a whole has the authority as employer, not the individual councillors. Unfortunately, this winter is wreaking havoc with road maintenance, with fluctuating temperatures and freezing rain. Hang in there! Spring is just around the corner. In the meantime, set priorities; in freezing rain, drive only if it is absolutely necessary. Call the road superintendent only if your road is not sanded within a reasonable length of time.

I do have one question; who decides how much sand to put on a road during a trip?

- Brenda PiatThank youThanks to the several hundred electors that took the time to read my flyers, put on their "thinking caps", and let me know they agreed with me. Be assured that my efforts and theirs will continue.

Special thanks to the other candidates for helping us experience a civil campaign where we spoke in consideration of the other ideas and plans being presented.

Lastly, I speak for each of us in appreciating the efforts of Jeff Green in organizing two All-Candidate forums that would not otherwise have happened. This was a true and valuable service to the community. We are growing tired of watching the national leaders bicker and rant over matters of minor importance.

- Jerry Ackerman

Election coverage

Just wanted to tell you how great the election coverage (pre and post) was.It is a thrill to watch the News continue to mature.Way to go.

- Inie Platenius

Feature Article - March 30, 2006

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Feature Article - March 30, 2006

Simonett returns to SharbotLake

byJeffGreen

After being unceremoniously dumped as the television pitchman for Canadian Tire gadgets this spring, actor Ted Simonett has been at loose ends, and began looking to his roots for inspiration.

Simonett is from Kingston originally, but he is the son of former Sharbot Lake native Clayton Simonett. Clayton worked for many years with his brother, car dealer and entrepreneur AJ Simonett.

A method actor, Simonett is always on the lookout for authentic experiences. So when he was approached to play a small town mayor in an upcoming independent Canadian movie, “The Perils of Petawawa”, he decided to approach Central Frontenac Mayor Bill MacDonald with a proposition. Ted Simonett would replace Bill MacDonald at official functions for a week, and the overworked MacDonald could have a week’s vacation in Toronto .

Since both MacDonald and Simonett sport grey beards, and wear glasses, they thought the scheme might come off.

And it did.

Simonett observed MacDonald’s speech habits for an afternoon, and he was ready. The big test came at a council meeting on Tuesday.

“I never noticed that it wasn’t actually Bill conducting the meeting,” admitted Clerk Administrator Heather Fox, who sat next to Simonett throughout the two hour meeting, “since I was caught up in the debate Council had over Sunday gun hunting.”

“I guess Bill MacDonald has been the mayor for so long we don’t really look at him anymore,” said Deputy Mayor Frances Smith, who sat on the other side of Simonett.

For his part, Ted Simonett found the Council meeting interesting, although he had trouble following the Sunday hunting debate.

“We never did any commercials about guns or hunting gear while I was at Canadian Tire, but we did do a segment about fishing gadgets once,” he said.

Mayor Bill MacDonald could not be reached for comment.

Heather Fox said she would have to consult the Municipal Act to determine if the motions passed at the meeting are legally binding on the township.

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Feature Article - March 30, 2006

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Feature Article - March 30, 2006

CentralFrontenac might budge onSundayhunting

byJeffGreen

In response to a request from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Central Frontenac Council discussed Sunday gun hunting at their meeting in Sharbot Lake this Tuesday. Last May council rejected a motion which, if approved, would have called for the Ministry of Natural Resources to institute Sunday gun hunting in the township.

Recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources extended Sunday gun hunting in those eastern Ontario townships that did pass motions last year calling for the measure.

In order to bring the issue back to the Central Frontenac Council table, a motion to reconsider must be passed by a 2/3 majority of council.

At this time, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters only asked that Central Frontenac Council seek public input on the issue before deciding whether to reconsider the matter, and a proposal to hold a public meeting on Sunday Gun Hunting was brought forward this Tuesday.

The first sign that council might take a different view towards Sunday gun hunting this year came when councillor Frances Smith, who vigorously opposed the concept last year, said something should be done to address the over-abundance of deer.

“They’re cute little bambis, but not on the hood of your car. I’ve reconsidered; anything that leads to a decrease in the deer population, I’m in favour of.”

“Councillor Bill Guigue said, “To me it’s not a matter of the deer population, it’s a matter of recreational opportunities.”

While most of the councillors in attendance seemed more positively inclined towards Sunday hunting than had previously been the case, the prospect of a public meeting held little appeal for them.

Some councillors thought it would be better to reconsider the original motion on the spot, but councillor Logan Murray, who remains opposed to Sunday gun hunting, pointed out that two councillors, Snyder and Gutowski, were absent. An amendment to the original motion, calling on the public to express their opinion through letters or the internet, prior to the matter being brought forward for reconsideration by council, was accepted in the end.

Other items from council:

Bridgens Island Subdivision A delegation from the Bridgens Islands Associates, a co-operative that has owned 45 acres of land on Bridgens Island on Eagle Lake for over 30 years, came to council to discuss a plan to “regularise” the land ownership situation in line of the township’s Official Plan.

Bridgens Island Associates has been the landowner on the Island for 30 years, and its members are the people who have lots and seasonal cottages on the island. Eleven of the members of Bridgens Island have built cottages already, but the final three members are now prohibited from building under the Official Plan. So, a proposal to obtain a plan of subdivision has been developed. Gary Racine, the president of the Bridgens Islands Associates appeared before Council explaining that the plan of subdivision will cost about $60,000, “and it has taken a lot of work to convince everyone on the island to go for it.” He asked that Council waive the 5% development fee that usually is charged when a plan of subdivision is granted, on the grounds that Bridgens Island Associates is a co-operative of cottage owners and not a real estate developer expecting to make a profit.

Council approved the request.

Aggregate Crushing- Danford Construction, who received the tender for constructing 2 km of the Arden Road at the Stone Mills boundary requested that they be permitted to take 8,000 tonnes of material from the Arden Pit in exchange for crushing 4,000 additional tonnes for township use. The normal charge for crushing is $2.00 per tonne. A similar arrangement was made several years ago.

Seeing the arrangement as being of net benefit to the township, council agreed to accept crushing services in lieu of cash payment for the material.

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Feature Article - February 23, 2006

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Feature Article - March 16, 2006

NFcommits to Clar-Mill Fire hall

by JeffGreen

It’s been talked about for more than 10 years, and has been an ongoing issue for the current North Frontenac Council from the day they were sworn in more than two years ago. Now it is finally going to be built.

In a 6-1 vote, North Frontenac Council decided last Thursday to accept a bid by Millenium Construction to build a four-bay fire hall with a 2nd floor mezzanine at the township office site at a cost of $273,495.

The new fire hall will be the home of the Clarendon and Miller fire crew.

Millenium’s was the lowest of three bids on the project. After a technical committee made up of senior township staff members looked at the three bids, staff recommended accepting the Millenium bid.

Another $35,000 is being budgeted for other costs related to the project, such as excavation work, signage, and a septic system, most of which will be completed by township staff.

Only about 1/3 of the project cost, however, an estimated $100,000, will be taken out of this year’s township budget. Last year Council put aside $125,000 for the project, and although some of that money was spent on site development, about $109,000 remains. As well, the Clar-Mill Fire Ladies have raised approximately $100,000 over many years, which they have earmarked for a new fire hall. While a commitment from the Fire Ladies has been made, Mayor Maguire said the exact amount of the donation will have to be clarified at a meeting in early April.

In considering the staff recommendation to move ahead with the fire hall, only Councillor Clayton expressed any serious reservations.

“It’s much too much,” he said. “Even without taking a probable 20% over run into account, it’s way too much to spend. Bringing anything in at over $250,000 wouldn’t get my vote. How can we face the folks at Snow Road, when we were upset that they spent $10,000 too much on a fire hall they built themselves, and then we spend a quarter of a million dollars like this?”

No one else on Council supported Clayton’s view, however.

Mayor Maguire pointed out that the fire hall will be an asset for the township as a whole.

“The second floor of the hall is designated as a training facility that all firefighters in North Frontenac will be able to use. I think this project is long overdue as well,” he said.

“I just think we should build a fire hall within our means, perhaps a two-bay hall,” Councillor Clayton countered.

In the end, Council approved a motion authorising staff to enter into a contract with Millenium Construction, with only Bud Clayton voting against the motion.

Cheryl Robson, the township’s Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer, estimates that $100,000 will have to be raised for the project in the 2006 township budget, which Council will be working on later this spring.

Building of the new fire hall will begin as soon as possible, with a projected completion date of June 1.

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Feature Article - February 23, 2006

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Feature Article - March 16, 2006

Tichborne mother gets her sign

by JeffGreen

Persistent mother Danka Brewer has succeeded in getting two signs installed in Tichborne. Brewer originally approached Central Frontenac Council asking for the signs to be installed for her son Alexandar, who has a hearing disorder. After council refused to fund the signs, which cost $100 each, Danka Brewer was approached by Community Living North Frontenac, who donated some money towards the signs. More money came from the Sharbot Mishigama Anishnabe Algonquins, and from individual members of the Hinchinbrooke Recreation Committee. The money for the signs was paid to the township on February 2 and 9, but it took another month for the signs to be ordered, delivered and installed. On March 9, just at the beginning of the March break, Central Frontenac Public Works Manager Bill Nicol installed the signs at either end of Tichborne.

Pictured Danka Brewer and Alexandar

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Feature Article - February 23, 2006

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Feature Article - March 16, 2006

$38,000 marketing plan approved forCrown land roads, campsites

by JeffGreen

An unsolicited proposal from Northbridge Consulting to put into place marketing strategies for the Crown Land Stewardship Program (CLSP) has been accepted by the North Frontenac Township Council.

Northbridge is the company that recently completed a marketing study for the township, funded by a $10,000 grant from the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation. The study, which was presented to Council on February 23, contained “Implementation Guidelines” which called for quick action by council in order to be effective for the upcoming tourist season.

Two weeks later, on March 7, Northbridge submitted a nine-page proposal to re-brand the program, establish a 30 page website with an online booking capacity, and undertake an e-marketing plan for the program. The proposal was priced at $38,000 plus mileage. The cost of printing promotional maps and brochures was not included.

The main objective of the plan is to increase the usage of the Crown land campsites from the dismal 9.2% of capacity that was the case in 2005. At one point the Northbridge proposal estimates that the fresh marketing approach should lead to a revenue increase of 15% from permits in 2006, but later projects a revenue increase of over $50,000 in 2006, almost 75%, and based on that projection predicts that the township will recover their marketing costs within the first year, including production and printing costs for maps and brochures.

When the proposal came up for discussion at Council last week, Mayor Ron Maguire said, “We’ve just spent $10,000 of good money to develop the marketing strategy, and we want to see an impact from that starting in 2006. In my opinion we should move on this.”

Councillor Fred Perry agreed, but was concerned that the township does not have a long-term commitment from the Ministry of Natural Resources to maintain the Crown Land Stewardship Program for more than one year at a time.

“I’d hate to invest money in this only to have the province pull the plug after one year,” Fred Perry said, “I’d like to see us get a three or five-year commitment from the province.”

This is apparently not something the Ministry will consider, but the fact that it was the Ministry of Natural Resources that approached the township about this in the first place several years ago, leads Hunter to believe the government will not want to take over responsibility for the roads and campsites anytime soon.

Councillor Bud Clayton opposed the plan, saying, “$40,000 is enough money to maintain the roads for several years. That would be a better way to spend that kind of money.”

Councillor Dave Smith expressed confidence in Northbridge. “They seem to have the heart of the situation, and they have access to the expertise to make this happen. We’ve been talking about this program in terms of its potential to bring tourists into the township for years. It’s time to do something about it.”

“I agree that we don’t have the expertise to develop a marketing plan,” said Deputy Mayor Gleva Lemke, “but I can’t say that I am in favour of spending $40,000 on this proposal at this time. I think we need to look at this further, and maybe do part of it.”

Councillor Wayne Good “I think that it’s a lot of money. I’m not convinced it’s going to be anything more than a one or two year program, especially with the developing land claims.”

“We are trying to make the Crown Land Stewardship Program pay,” concluded Councillor Perry. “I have to trust Northbridge. They are targeting the Ottawa market, which makes sense.”

Councillor Perry then asked township CAO Cheryl Robson if the township’s procurement bylaw permitted entering into a contract like this without giving competitors an opportunity to bid on the job.

Cheryl Robson said it was permitted under the bylaw, provided the company is on the list of vendors of record for the township, which Northbridge is.

In a close vote, Council decided to give the Economic Development Committee the authority to finalise a contract with Northbridge. Councillors Hunter, Perry, Smith and Mayor Maguire, supported the motion, and Councillors Good, Clayton and Deputy Mayor Lemke opposed it. (See “Gambling with taxpayers’ money” on page 3)

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Feature Article - February 23, 2006

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Feature Article - March 16, 2006

Gambling with taxpayers' money

Editorial by JeffGreen

At their meeting last week, the normally cautious North Frontenac Council spent quite a bit of money. After accepting a bid of $273,000 for a new fire hall, they accepted a $38,000 marketing proposal for their Crown Land Stewardship Program.

There was little similarity between the two expenditures.

Council has been working on the fire hall project for years. They came close to building a fire hall last year, but backed off and reconsidered. They worked through a variety of design proposals seeking one that gave them the space they needed at a price they could afford. Nonetheless, when they set out a request for proposal that included engineers’ drawings for the project, they still received bids that ranged considerably in price, from a low of $273,000 to a high of $355,000.

Even then, they took time to consider whether the lowest bid, which was a full $50,000 lower than the next to lowest one, encompassed the entire project. Only then did they accept it.

The marketing plan for the Crown Land Stewardship Program, on the other hand, was submitted as an unsolicited proposal from the same consulting company that had prepared a marketing strategy in the first place.

This, it seems to me, was a lapse in judgement on council’s part.

The North Frontenac Council is a hard working group of people, who are doing their best to serve the interests of the ratepayers in their township. For example, they met for 12 hours, dealing with a variety of matters, before making the decision about the marketing contract. This council has also had to deal with staffing changes on an ongoing basis throughout their tenure, and they have been working on developing proper budgeting for the township as well.

The Crown Land Stewardship Program represents a tremendous potential for tourism development in North Frontenac, and with this council’s time being almost up, they want to make something happen with this program. They don’t want to let it slip by.

Still, they took a gamble by accepting an unsolicited offer without seeking other proposals.

The contract has not been signed, and the Economic Development Committee of council will have a chance to work out the details with Northbridge, the consulting company in question.

There are some gaps in Northbridge’s proposal that will hopefully be filled in before that contract is signed. For example, the proposal talks about a rebate program for marketing materials, a rebate program that no longer exists. The proposal also seemed unclear on how much of a revenue increase can be expected in the first year of the plan, at least to my eyes. A larger question pertains to who will maintain an online booking system that will be set up, and at what cost.

North Frontenac Council has always strived to make the Crown Land Stewardship Program revenue neutral. They have decided they must spend money to make the program work.

They should still be very careful about how they spend that money. - JG

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Feature Article - March 23, 2006

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Feature Article - March 23, 2006

Letters to theEditor

Diploma mill no fix for college labour dispute I welcome the intervention of Minister Chris Bentley in the current College labour dispute. It is to be hoped that both sides will continue to meet until a settlement is reached.

In the meantime, news of schemes to complete this semester with part-time faculty and managers is causing considerable concern in the student body; and their professors share their frustration. Management at Algonquin College plan to reward student’s time and tuition with a semester completed by a single project, cobbled together over a few days by part-time teachers, who may have only some knowledge of part of the program curriculum. As many are unwilling to partake in this blatant strike-breaking, the part-timer is understandably worried about future prospects. Any semester completion strategy that does not include all faculty, will be damaging to the College’s collegial environment far beyond the post-strike period. It could potentially damage the reputation of Ontario ’s Community Colleges for years!

An expedited finish to this semester may be welcomed by many students; this is only natural. However, students need to think carefully before endorsing this easy, quick fix; your credentials will be devalued. If Algonquin or any other college goes down the diploma-mill path, it will take years for your potential employers to restore their faith in the Ontario College system.

As Mary Lynn West-Moynes, the President of Mohawk College stated in a Hamilton Spectator’s March 15 article, “It’s disrespectful to students that we wouldn’t recognize the calibre of professor required.”

- Marilyn Schacht, Professor

Algonquin College Re:NF Crown land stewardship program

The Crown Land Stewardship Program is off and running and about to spend $38,000 on a poorly planned project with somewhat fuzzy returns and no guarantees. When the decision was taken, the best argument was that the Ministry of Natural Resources would not back out of the program because it was their idea and they approached us first.

Tax payers and council should not hang their $38K on that argument. About ten years ago Barb Sproule, reeve of Palmerston, North and South Canonto townships, established a planning committee to prepare and present to the MNR the initial crown land stewardship concept and proposal. The committee had as its chair Councillor Walter Wilson with members such as Councillor Art Beale, former Councillor LLyall Stewart and myself. We approached MNR first. I prepared the initial draft document and presentations which received almost immediate MNR acceptance and approval.

For some reason, our current deputy mayor, who was on council when this all happened, does not remember or has failed to disclose the real facts so our council can make a reasonable, informed decision based on truth. I hope that someone at the township will also remember that along with MNR's commitment came a very handsome grant to repair the forest roads going into the area. This was an enormous financial boost to what was to be a revenue mutual program.

I agree the Crown Land Stewardship Program is a great idea and needs better management to survive. Couldn't we simply ask our partner MNR if they want to continue the program before we sign the contract. If MNR doesn't want to dance anymore, we can't afford the $38,000 ticket.

- Leo Ladouceur

Sunday Hunting and SFCouncil

The absurdity of South Frontenac council (SFC) not endorsing Sunday firearm hunting is overwhelming. Of course this council has a history of being overwhelmingly absurd; ask the residents of Sydenham.

During my conversation with David Hahn, it became known that he hunts. However, he is not particularly enthusiastic about his neighbours hunting on their private adjacent properties when he is a-field! The fact they hunt waterfowl also disturbs his Saturdays. Further, local hunting of any sort and at anytime, according to Mr. Hahn, upsets the part-time residents (there are those that are more equal). Obviously, it is okay for Dave to hunt; others doing so, it appears, should be subject to his rules, whims and preferences! Being on council, he makes the petty rules preferring that the residents of Bedford and South Frontenac live by his prejudices.

Statistics, unimportant to SFC unless they agree with SFC’s myopic world, consistently prove hunting is one of the safest pursuits, far more so than driving an automobile, handyman chores, fishing, hiking and the sport so loved by SFC: ATV harassment. Councillor Vandewal believes hikers are at risk! Okay, I say his statement is rubbish, a fairy tale, let him prove me wrong with FACTS, not hearsay, bluster and myth. We already have the bombast. Where is the proof?

The MNR Sunday proposal applies only to “PRIVATE PROPERTY”. Ron and his fellow walkers can trudge their souls out on crown land where only bow hunters will be found on Sundays. Those wishing to hike on private land would have the landowner’s permission (wouldn’t they?) and the common sense to pre-determine if there were any hazards or areas to avoid. Should they forego these important formalities they are their own fools.

Councillor Robinson states with absolutely no proof or verification, “the majority of residents in his district of Portland were also against it”. This could well be, but instead of pure braggadocio, how about public disclosure of the returns from the survey forms which surely were sent to his constituents establishing this position. If there was no survey done…? Well, it must be Bill’s psychic powers and distorted view of reality focusing on the make believe.

In short, well thought out wildlife management plans, increased recreational opportunities, family bonding, expanded personal use of one’s private lands, the chance to harvest organic foods, instruction of the young in ancient skills--to name just a few of the positives--are being thwarted by bigoted Luddites moronically clutching irrelevant archaic retrogressive legislation and social myth, self-serving special interest minorities and the stunted autocracy of eight members of SFC. Outside of the bogus pomposity of the council chambers only Mr. Barr can substantiate a position of believability.

This issue is a primary freedom of choice issue allowing the FREEDOM to use firearms to hunt on a specific day, in specific locations, during legal hunting seasons; the First Nations already have similar rights. It falls into the same freedoms exercised on any Sunday that allow the population to have a beer, make love, gamble, go shopping, spend the day snoring, or to participate in any legal activity. Sunday is simply a day, sacred to some, inconsequential to others. Everyone has the right to spend it as it suits them. Some private lands will be open for hunting and some will not. There is no conservation, ethical, moral or legal reason for the demeaning discrimination dispensed by the beclouded Neronianism of SFC against the hunting community, especially when we are voters.

- Paul M. Wicher

- Leo Ladouceur

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Feature Article - March 23, 2006

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Feature Article - March 23, 2006

SouthFrontenacTownship

by WilmaKenny

LIBRARY THRIVING: The annual presentation to Council from Kingston Frontenac Public Library showed Sydenham branch is the largest and busiest branch in the county, with almost 40,000 items circulated last year. Sydenham is open 30 hours a week: Hartington and Storrington are open 15 hours each. The library staff is proposing a shift in the Hartington hours, so that that branch could be open when Sydenham is closed, including Monday and Wednesday after 5pm to accommodate commuters. (There are questionnaires about this suggested change at the branches, for residents to register their opinions.) The Friends of the Library have donated funds to buy new chairs for the Sydenham branch.

SYDENHAM WATER: Council directed the CAO to hire the firm of KPMG to assist with the calculation of rates for the new Water Rates by-law.

PORTLAND CAPITAL FIRE RESERVE: A shouting match flared up between Councillors Smith and Barr over the Central Fire Committee’s recommendation that Portland ’s share of the $12,000 cost of repairing the Portland tanker would be $7,000, to be taken from the Portland fire reserve fund. Smith argued that this was unfairly depleting Portland ’s reserve fund, while Barr and Vandewal countered that it was congruent with amalgamation of the fire services.

ATVS’ TRIAL YEAR ALMOST OVER: Council agreed to vote on renewing the ATV by-law at the April 4 meeting. There seem to have been very few problems with ATVs using the township roads this past year. Councillor Hahn noted that many of the riders are not wearing helmets, &/or are carrying passengers. Councillor Smith suggested the new by-law should still carry a one-year ‘sunset’ clause, which would force an annual review of the by-law.

NEW PUBLIC WORKS MANAGER: Gord Burns announced that Joe Kuipers had been hired as Public Works Manager.

ABANDONED STOLEN VEHICLES: The OPP reported that in the first two weeks of March, five stolen vehicles were abandoned in South Frontenac: three were burned, one trashed, and one rolled.

2006 ELECTIONS: Council agreed to set up an alternative voting system whereby township residents will cast their votes by telephone or internet this fall.

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Feature Article - March 23, 2006

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Feature Article - March 23, 2006

LOLCS must move

by JeffGreen

At a sometimes bitter public meeting over a zoning issue, Addington Highlands Council has decided that Land o’ Lakes Community Services (LOLCS) have two years to vacate the converted house in Northbrook they use for their offices. Neighbours who presented a petition calling for just such an outcome, took pains to point out they were supportive of Land o’ Lakes Community Services and the work the organization does in the surrounding community, but they want their neighbourhood to be entirely residential, in line with the way it was originally zoned.

“I support Community Services completely, but I don’t think they should be located where they are now; it’s not a good place for them,” said Dale Northey, who presented the petition.

The issue came forward as the result of an application for a zoning amendment by LOLCS’ landlord, developer Ellery Thompson. The building is located within a subdivision Thompson developed, and has rented to LOLCS for the past ten years.

It was recently brought to council’s attention that the building is located on a lot that is zoned as residential, just as Thompson was preparing to construct a 22’ by 26’ extension to the building to accommodate the LOLCS’ increasing need for offices and storage space. Accordingly Ellery Thompson applied for a zoning amendment to the zoning bylaw to permit LOLCS to remain there.

A public meeting took place on March 6 to consider the zoning amendment bylaw and at that time a group of people living in the vicinity of the office expressed their concerns about what could happen to the building if LOLCS ever moved. They pressed council to ensure that if LOLCS moved no other commercial venture could be established in the location.

Council decided to prepare a second bylaw, which stated that the zoning would revert to residential should LOLCS move out, and they set a second public meeting for March 20.

At the first meeting people who spoke of their concerns made it clear they did not have an issue with LOLCS, just with the potential for other uses of the building. However, there was an underlying concern about Land o’ Lakes Community Services running their agency from the location.

“I realized at the first meeting that Council was not hearing the point that we preferred LOLCS to move, because the area was always designated as a purely residential one, and they would be better served by a proper office, so I organised a petition,” recalls Dale Northey.

The petition stated that LOLCS should move and no other commercial venture should be permitted. It received widespread support from people living in the immediate area.

At the second meeting, several people talked about some coarse language voiced by LOLCS clients, and police presence there on a couple of occasions.

“I don’t understand this,” said Councillor Bill Cox, “at the last meeting I heard the residents say they had no problem with Community Services being there, and now I see a petition saying they don’t agree with Community Services being there. What happened?”

“The message is, we support Community Services. We just don’t support them being located where they are, which is not really suitable for them,” said Dale Northey.

Susan Andrew Allen, the Executive Director of LOLCS, attended the meeting. She was asked why LOLCS had asked Ellery Thompson to increase their office space rather than looking for a location elsewhere in Northbrook .

“We looked at other alternatives, but we couldn’t afford them,” she said.

Councillor Eythel Grant then proposed an amendment to the second bylaw, granting permission for LOLCS to remain in the building for two years, after which time they must move. Ellery Thompson said he was willing to put on the extension to the building for LOLCS to use, and could accept the two-year limitation. Somewhat more reluctantly, Susan Andrews Allen said LOLCs could live with this. Many of the neighbours preferred limiting LOLCS to one year, and expressed that opinion in a straw vote.

“At least give us two years to work this out,” said Susan Andrew Allen.

Council decided to give LOLCS two years.

After the meeting, Susan Andrew Allen talked to the News in her cramped office.

“This wasn’t exactly what we planned,” she said, “but we have an ad-hoc building committee and perhaps someone will see this as an opportunity to develop some office space in Northbrook .”

(Cheryl Hartwick of Land o’ Lakes Community Services has been writing a series of articles about the agency’s history and services. This week’s article is about the Adult Protective Services Program. It can be found on page 12)

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