Those attending the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market and others enjoying Oso beach on July 19 likely noticed some unusual sights hovering overhead. Two drones operated by Alex Wright, owner of the Toronto-based business Drone Depot, were part of a special presentation he gave at the market. Wright set up a booth from where he piloted two of the Chinese-made drones he sells. Onlookers were invited to view a screen that showed the real time recorded images of the market venue from the drones’ cameras hundreds of feet overhead.

Wright gave demos of the larger Octocopter drone (which I did not get a chance to see) and also the DJI Phantom 2 drone, a white, four propeller 1.5 foot long drone that he flew using a remote control. Demonstrating the control possible with the drones, he made the Phantom 2 hover just feet from his face and then launched it into the sky over Sharbot Lake, informing onlookers that it has a range of 1500 metres.

The images received from the Phantom 2’s camera were clear, stable and fascinatingly picturesque, offering market goers and vendors a chance to see themselves, the venue and the surrounding landscape from angles that they most certainly have never seen before nor will ever see again.

Wright's business not only sells a wide selection of the DJI drones, which in Wright's words, “are the leading makers of consumer drones”, but also all the necessary technology to go along with them. He trains buyers to fly the drones at his Drone Depot Flight School and also offers service and repairs. Wright had nothing but good things to say about the DJI drones. “These have flight controllers that make these drones extremely flyable, stable and level. You can fly them around like a camera track in the sky because they have 3D stabilization in them. Before these, you had to fight to keep the drone in one position. Now you can release the controls and the drone will hover in one single spot.”

His demonstartions brought his point home. Both the Phantom 2 and the Octo-copter flew like things from a sci-fi movie - precisely, smoothly and with a soft beating hum. These drones use DJI Light Bridge technology, which allows Wright to send a 1080 P digital video downlink from the drone to a smart phone or TV screen.

Wright is often hired to film special events and recently he used the drones to film the Tim Horton's Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival on June 21 and 22. “We had TVs set up on the beach so people could watch and had live digital broadcasting that also went out to viewers on CTV”. Wright was also recently hired by the owners of the Sumac Centre in Central Frontenac to film their extensive property for promotional purposes. Wright said that filming and broadcasting has become a big part of his business. Transport Canada requires drone pilots of commercial flights to acquire special permission and a special flight operations certificate. Wright also said that presently commercial drone flights are not allowed in the US yet. In Canada currently there are no regulations on recreational drone flights, something that Wright does not agree with. “I think there should be regulations and training. Personally, I train a lot of my clients especially with the larger units like the Octo-copters. It just takes just one idiot flying one around an airport like the recent incident that happened in Vancouver to create huge problems and if that happens enough times, Transport Canada could ground everyone, which would be terrible for the industry.”

Wright said that the DJI drones he sells have a special no-fly zone feature that causes them to auto land if they fly within 1.5 kilometres of an airport. Wright opened his business in November 2013 and said that the business is going “gang busters”. “We're getting into major retailers and I am piloting for large scale events like the Lake Ontario 300, the longest fresh water sailboat race in the world.” For more information about Drone Depot contact Alex Wright at 1-647-302-0072 or alex@dronedepot.com

Judge Peter Wright delivered his final judgments at the Sharbot Lake Criminal Court on July 21, wrapping up a 15-year stint there.

Wright began his service in Sharbot Lake in 1999 and has been happy serving the small rural community. “It seems like yesterday that I started coming up here,” Wright said on his final day. He recalled when he first heard about the quaint community hall/courtroom in Sharbot Lake with its “curtained stage, and the wheel-out dais”, but he said, “It was a delight to be here”.

The Sharbot Lake Criminal Court was the last satellite court of Kingston to be set up. Established in 1999, the court was set up to address a backlog in the Kingston courts. Ottawa was called in to address the Kingston backlog and Wright, who at that time was serving in Ottawa, was asked by the regional senior justice there to take on the position in Sharbot Lake. Wright recalled agreeing initially to take the position for one year. “I didn't know what it would be like out here and here I am 15 years later.”

Wright is moving to Perth next month and will stand as the resident judge there, replacing Judge Steve March who is retiring this month. The move also entails Wright giving up his Ottawa office. The switch will make it difficult for him to continuing serving in Sharbot Lake and though he said he loves the Sharbot Lake community, he believes it will be difficult to continue working here while also serving in Perth.

The most challenging part of serving in Sharbot Lake, Wright recalled, was not knowing anyone here at first. The other difficulty was the huge backlog of cases. “We had cases that had been adjourned for a year with no set dates and it was hard to put the brakes on those adjournments. It went against the practice that was happening here, which was due to the fact that there was a different judge here every month. Understandably, it's hard to be the tough guy when you are only here for one day.”

Asked if he has regrets, Wright said his time serving in Sharbot Lake has been enjoyable, rewarding and a nice break from Ottawa. Asked about the challenges of moving to Perth, Wright said that locally things always tend to be done a bit differently, “But that is what makes things fun and a learning experience.”

When asked what makes a good judge, Wright said it’s the ability to listen. “We have two ears and one mouth so it's probably important to listen twice as much as you speak. I do not know how you can judge if you do not listen to what people are saying.” Asked if he has always known that, Wright said that when he first became a judge, it was tempting to still be a lawyer, to ask all of the questions and to jump in and argue with people. “That is not the role of a judge. As a judge you have to listen, give people their say and let people tell you their story. If you do not do that then you miss the opportunity to try to incorporate people’s experiences, what they have done and seen, and what the lawyers have to say.” Wright studied law at the University of Ottawa and was called to the bar in 1979. He practiced in Ottawa until he was appointed to the bench in 1993. On his final day in court in Sharbot Lake, both Duty Counsel Doug Caldwell and Provincial Crown Counsel Liz Foxton paid special verbal tributes to him.

by Mike Procter

On August 9 the Procter sisters, Theresa, Becki and Katie will once again swim across Sharbot Lake to raise money for cancer research and to support those living with cancer. Over the past six years the girls have raised over $6,000 and they need your help to make this year’s swim another success.

The girls will jump into the water at the Sharbot Lake Provincial Park at 10 am and swim 3 kilometres to reach land at the Oso beach about 11:30 am. Having grown up in Sharbot Lake, the three sisters are like fish in the water and seem to do the swim with minimal effort, although in past years, high waves have given them a bit of a tough go and water bugs are sometimes unwelcome companions. Becki works in the HR department of an insurance company in Mississauga, Katie is a registered nurse in Toronto and Theresa is an epidemiologist in Woodstock. This may be the last summer all three are together as Katie is moving to Manitoba in September.

Donations can be made online at http://convio.cancer/goto/hopeswim2014 or at Northern Frontenac Community Services. Mark August 9 on your calendar and plan to be at the Sharbot Lake beach at 11:30 am to cheer on the girls.

 

Earlier this month, motivated by concern about the environment and a love of business, young entrepreneur Hayden Rasberry launched his own business called WeDrink. The 16-year-old KCVI student, who divides his time between Kingston and Yarker, was one of the vendors at this year’s Canada Day celebration in Harrowsmith.

WeDrink offers consumers a unique, reusable glass water bottle that Rasberry designed and has had manufactured. He said that the number one reason for starting up the business was his awareness of “the growing demand for glass water bottles in and around the Kingston area.” He noticed, for example, that the Limestone Organic Creamery's glass bottles were being used by people post consumption to store their drinks. He said, “I knew that I could create a better, lighter weight glass bottle that was actually meant to be used and carried around.” Environmental and social concerns were a second motivation and Hayden said that his bottles are great for the environment since they are 100% recyclable, and as they are not plastic, they lack the health concerns associated with plastic water bottles, many of which, prior to 2008, contained bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound associated with health problems. WeDrink bottles are made from high-density, thin, lightweight glass. They are long-lasting, can be used for hot and cold drinks, which Rasberry says “taste much better when drunk from glass”, are dishwasher safe and come with a neoprene cover and a washable stainless steel cap.

Rasberry says that the glass used in WeDrink bottles is less breakable than ordinary glass, and he is trying to help people overcome their fear of using a glass drink bottle. He has done numerous tests on his bottles and said they can withstand breakage from a one-metre drop onto concrete. The neoprene covers, which are available in five colors, are included in the cost of $15 per bottle and also help to protect them. “We use so much glass in our homes every day; it’s in our cups and plates and the very thin wine glasses and I am trying to encourage consumers to see that a glass drink bottle is a viable alternative to other metal and plastic alternatives.”
Rasberry's company is also partnered with a charity called Watercan, which helps to bring clean water to communities in need. Ten percent of the profits from each WeDrink bottle goes to WaterCan, hence the name of the business. “Every time a WeDrink bottle is sold, someone much less fortunate benefits as well.” Rasberry strongly feels that by offering an environmentally safe alternative to plastic water bottles and by supporting a local charitable organization, he is meeting the needs of his customers and he reported that the business, at this early stage, is doing well. Just one week after its launch he is close to having sold the first 200 bottles he had manufactured and will be ordering 400 more. This summer Rasberry will be able to focus on the business full-time after receiving a $3,000 grant from Summer Company. “My goal this summer is to establish a solid base as well as trying to gauge the consumer demand in Kingston and the surrounding area. After that, I am going to consider expanding to other cities and areas in the fall.” The business has caught the attention of some potential investors, who he said are hoping to help him grow the brand.

This fall Hayden Rasberry will be returning to KCVI for grade 11 and said that he will be putting academics as his primary focus. He plans to study commerce after graduating from high school and said he has a huge interest in business, especially those that focus on environmental and social issues. “I'm convinced that triple bottom line companies like WeDrink, which focus on people, the planet and profit are the businesses of the future. Because the people denying problems, like global warming, are becoming fewer and fewer, companies like this one offer consumers an opportunity to relieve some of the anxiety and stress they have about these issues while offering up a product with social and environmental benefits.”

Rasberry credits his parents, musician Gary Rasberry and Rena Upitis, founder of Wintergreen Studios, for helping him build the company. “Not only did I have a place to stay and food to eat while I was planning and setting up the business, but both my parents gave me a lot of good advice, since both have experience as entrepreneurs.”

WeDrink bottles are sold at Plover's and Living Rooms in downtown Kingston and will be available at a permanent summer retail location soon to be announced on the company’s website. Hayden will also be selling the bottles at a number of different events throughout the summer, which are also listed on the website. Customers can also order bottles by contacting the website. Visit www.WeDrink.ca

photo 2077-

The duo Ennis, which features sisters Maureen and Karen Ennis from Newfoundland, had a good time performing to a packed house at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn last year and they decided to include a return gig when they were planning a Canadian tour for this summer. Their audience was waiting for them, none more so than 99-year-old Annie Cahill.

In fact at the break between the two sets they performed last Wednesday (July 2), Annie dragged her two daughters up to the bar, not for a drink but to buy CDs.

Annie, whose great grand-daughter Cadence works at the Country Inn, went to see Ennis last year, partly because her grandfather was an Ennis and so she has roots in the same family. Annie was born and raised on the Wilmer Road near Perth Road Village. She moved to Perth Road proper when she grew up, married and had eight children. She enjoyed the show last year

“Around Christmas time I got a call from Annie. She asked me if the Ennis sisters were coming back any time in the coming year. As it happens they had already booked July 2 , so Annie told me to reserve her a ticket,” said Sandra White of the Country Inn.

The show was a bit of an early birthday outing for Annie, who lives in a seniors' home in Napanee. She turns 100 in September. She said she really enjoyed herself.

When she was introduced to the band, Annie said, “My grandfather was an Ennis.”

“Then we must be related,” said Karen Ennis, “without a doubt.”

Feature Article January 6, 2005

Feature article January 6, 2005

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Addington Highlands Council

by Jeff Green

It has been a busy holiday season for Addington Highlands Council, as they held meetings on December 20 and on January 4.

On December 20 Council considered their options in regard to the first intake deadline, January 10, for the joint Federal-Provincial infrastructure funding program, known as COMRIF.

Addington Highlands found itself in a bit of a bind. A recent road needs study, conducted by the engineering firm of Tottenham/Sims/Hubicki (TSH) identified Skootamatta road as the #1 road construction priority faced by the township. However, Skootamatta road is a boundary road with North Frontenac and is jointly owned by the two townships. Addington Highlands asked North Frontenac whether they would like to submit a joint application, but North Frontenac will be applying for COMRIF funding for a bridge improvement project on Road 509, and townships can only apply to COMRIF for one project at a time.

Forty percent of the entire COMRIF budget will be allocated from this first intake. Not wanting to miss out, Addington Highlands Council decided to go ahead and submit an application to reconstruct the first 1.4 kilometres of the Skootamatta road and the .2 kilometre intersection with Hughes Landing road.

We hope that, eventually, North Frontenac will take on the responsibility for fixing the remaining 1.3 kilometres of the road, explained Reeve Ken Hook. Although Skootamatta Road is jointly owned by the two townships, it serves mainly the residents of Skootamatta Lake, who live in Addington Highlands.

It was also decided on December 20 to contract with TSH to prepare the COMRIF application at a cost of $7,000.

On January 4, D.C. Behm of TSH came to the Council meeting. He presented the final version of the road needs study that had been completed last fall, and went over the completed COMRIF application as well.

The total estimated cost of the Skootamatta Lake road reconstruction project is $665,000. If Addington Highlands is successful in their grant proposal, COMRIF funding will cover 2/3 of the cost, leaving the township on the hook for $110,800 each year for two years.

Behm explained that in order to be eligible for COMRIF the road must be graded at 60 or less on a scale of 100, using 20 different criteria (from the condition of the surface, tendency to wash out, etc.) and he calculated that the road is well under that level.

Was there anywhere in the application where the difficulties small municipalities face in coming up with the money for these kinds of projects is taken into account? asked Reeve Hook.

Behm explained that he was going to include the fact that the Road needs study identified $11.4 million in road repairs that should be done in Addington Highlands over the next 10 years.

With an average capital budget of $125,000 per year, it will take Addington Highlands 95 years to complete all those repairs, Behm said, I think that should underline how great the need is for support.

The question is, said Reeve Hook, can we find that amount of money in any given year, along with our regular road maintenance?

Its going to be tight, said Clerk/Treasurer Jack Paul, very tight.

Other council notes

Development contract over A contract between Addington Highlands and a consultant that was directed towards promoting a four-season resort proposal to investors has run out. There do remain a few interested parties and the consultant has agreed to keep working with those parties for the time being.

Concerns over sand Public Works Manager Royce Rosenblath came to council with a concern about the danger posed by large numbers of people taking sand from the township stockpile.

When there is ice everywhere, as in the past couple of days, there are times when the people are blocking access by township trucks looking to fill up. This causes delays and can be dangerous, he said.

Rosenblath also expressed concern over the amount of sand being taken, particularly when people repeatedly fill half-ton trucks with sand. The township is not opposed to people taking a reasonable amount of sand for their driveways, and Rosenblath proposed separating out some sand from the main stockpile at the township yard in Northbrook so individuals can take sand without interrupting township operations. In Denbigh, there is a gate at the yard, and a pile of sand can be established outside the locked yard for public use.

Building permits up by 100 in 2004 272 building permits were taken out in 2004, as compared with 172 in 2003. The total value of construction was $4, 424,771, also a marked increase from the previous year. Of those 272 permits, only 9 were commercial permits, for a total construction value of $452,000 in commercial construction.

Arrest for illegal dumping Another individual has been charged with dumping illegally by placing a bag of garbage outside the locked gate of the Waste Disposal Site on Hwy. 41.

Mazinaw Musings February 3, 2005

Mazinaw Musings February 3, 2005

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Bundling with Ma Bell

by Bill Rowsome

It was a sweet young voice on the phone wanting to know if I would like to bundle! Of course the first image that flashed through my mind was that of bundling during the pioneer days when a young man, while courting, could sleep fully clothed in the same bed with his betrothed rather than face a dark cold winter walk home several concessions away. If her father was overly suspicious, an elm plank would be inserted on edge between the bodies; as if that could dampen youthful and enthusiastic hormones!

Sir, its Bell callingare you still there? jerked me back from my memories to reality. It was only Ma Bell wanting to know if I wanted to bundle all the communication services she was providing for me. Not giving me time to suitably respond that I had been bundled very successfully (less the clothes and plank) for nearly half a century, she launched into her sales pitch. I already had three of the services offered and the sweet young voice suggested adding a wireless phone to complete the package.

Wireless? I answered using my best-confused tone, not too difficult at my age, Whats that?

She answered by detailing all the advantages of wireless technology: I could keep in touch no matter where I was--by phone, receive email and even download from the internet text message and photographs. I would always be available, at home, walking along the street, having coffee in the malls, in the car and, I suppose, even while bundling, but I didnt interrupt with that suggestion.

Disadvantages? I was able to blurt out and in response to her None, except a small monthly fee. I continued.

I dont need it at home; you were able to reach me without this added expense. I stroll along one of the most beautiful vistas in Ontario, listening to the wind, the birds, the lapping waves and the sweet murmurings of my Significant Helpmate; no way do I want this serenity interrupted by a clanging phone. Drinking coffee, observing and over-hearing conversations in the malls out front is a source of musing about the human idiosyncrasies that surround me; a detached electronic conversation is no substitute for that. While driving I have sufficient distractions from idiots racing all about me without receiving a phone call from anyone. I have no need and I watch my wants.

The sweet young voice interrupted. You are a lucky fellow and I see Im not going to make a sale, thank you and good bye.

What a disappointment, I didnt get the opportunity to explain the awkwardness of taking a call during bundling. I wasnt able to ask her why do so many modern people need 24/7 electronic connection to others. I couldnt inquire about the accuracy of urban legends regarding electromagnetic waves so close to the brain and exploding cell phone batteries as technology packed more and more electronics into smaller and smaller spaces. I didnt have the opportunity to explain the joy of solitude, the contentment of aloneness and the pleasure of ones own company: I am always assured the best of company when alone. I couldnt tell her that wireless signals still couldnt reach the Mazinaw and I hoped they never would.

I hung up on the dial tone and mused about the sorry plight of so many people who need constant electronic connection to others.

Feature Article Feb 3 2005

Feature article February 3, 2005

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Barrie residents to form their own Hall committee

by Jeff Green

It seems that the future of the township halls in North Frontenac is a touchy subject.

North Frontenac Councillor Bud Clayton has taken on the job of establishing a task force to consider the future of the five township halls in the township. In his attempt to find representatives for the task force from each community, latent fears about the townships intentions has led dozens of people to show up for unadvertised meetings.

In Cloyne, 42 people showed up for a meeting, primarily because, according to Jane Muston of Cloyne Home Hardware, word of mouth had spread that the township is looking at closing the halls.

Where this rumour started is unclear, although Mayor Maguire had speculated last spring about how dearly it will cost the township to bring the halls up to standard and in compliance with new Provincial water regulations.

Nothing was stated at the meeting in Cloyne about the intentions of Council. Bud Clayton, who was the only Councillor in attendance, does not have a mandate from Council to consider whether halls should be closed. Nonetheless the local community has mobilized to make sure that at least the Barrie Hall is protected from any talk of closure.

A letter to the township has been prepared and is available for signing at Cloyne Home Hardware, Cloyne Village Foods, and Sniders Service Centre. In the past week, dozens of people have signed it.

Saying it is concerned about the possible closing of the Barrie Hall, the letter goes on to describe the hall as an integral part of our rural community, outlining its use as a gathering place and the locale of a highly utilised branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library.

Please consider the negative impact on the community the closure of the Barrie Hall would create before any decisions are made, the letter concluded.

A citizens committee has been established in the Cloyne area, and this group is looking for information from the township and the province.

We would like to know about the costs of running the hall, said Jane Muston, What is the phone bill? What is the Hydro bill? What are the heating costs? We are asking these questions of the township. We also want to know from the province what is going to happen with their water regulations. What will they cost the Barrie Hall?

Water Regulation 170/03, as it applies to township halls, churches and businesses, is currently under review by the Ministry of the Environment. A revised regulation has been promised by Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky.

Until the beginning of this year, the Barrie Hall was managed by the Cloyne Recreation Association, who completed a major kitchen upgrade last year. $10,000 for the upgrade came from the Barrie Recreation Reserve fund. The Association raised about $2,500 and did much of the renovation work in the kitchen themselves.

This past fall, the executive of the Cloyne Recreation Association announced that they intended to resign and sought new members in order to maintain the Association. No one came forward and the Cloyne Recreation Association disbanded, leaving management of the Barrie Hall in the hands of the township of North Frontenac as of January 1/ 2005.

Concerns about the future of the Barrie Hall have reached Barrie Councillors Cybulski and Hook. At the most recent North Frontenac Council meeting, Cybulski made the following statement: Ive received far too many phone calls in the past couple of days. I want everyone to know there are no plans to close township halls.

Feature Article February 3, 2005

Feature article February 3, 2005

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Talking about heating up the business climate on a cold day

by Jeff Green

On a cold late January morning last week, at the first-ever Business Breakfast in Addington Highlands, a succession of Economic Development Officials talked about how they could help the business community in the township. The event was held at the Northbrook Hotel.

While the participating business people asked a few questions, it was only when Reeve Ken Hook asked the audience if they had any questions of the township that things really heated up.

Whats the story with the resort project? What happened with that? someone piped up.

Hook answered that the contract for marketing the project has run out, but There was a company that was looking seriously at a specific location. In the end, though, the property owner decided not to sell. The company is still interested, however. We are still working on this.

A four-season resort would likely bring $25 to $30 million in increased assessment to the township, Hook said, which would make a big difference to our budget. The possibilities of freeing up Crown land for a resort, and of developing a matrix of available private lands are being looked at by the Economic Development Committee of Addington Highlands.

The four-season resort concept has been developed by using funds provided by a provincial funding program. While that funding has run out, another $20,000 is forthcoming from the federally funded Eastern Ontario Development Fund. Craig Desjardin, from the Prince Edward Lennox and Addington (PELA) Community Futures Development Corporation said it wont be official for a week or so, but the grant is coming through. Another grant was tentatively announced, this one for the development of multi-purpose trails in Addington Highlands, to foster an ATV trails initiative.

Hollee Kew, the Economic Development Officer for Lennox and Addington County said the County is in the process of upgrading all County roads to accommodate bicycles. While she spends much of her time promoting the manufacturing sector in the southern end of the county, Kew said she didnt sese much of a chance that a manufactuiring plant will come to Addington Highlands.

Everybody wants to be near or on the 401; thats the reality, she said. But we can expanding the recreation and tourism possibilities in this region, and I am available to help make that happen. She also said she has been involved in an attempt to develop a wood processing industry in the region. Most of the logging in the township takes place on Crown land for which the township receives no stumpage fees, and with the logs being shipped to Quebec or overseas for processing, the local economy receives little benefit from the industry.

There was much talk among the business people in atendance about developing events, like the now defunct Blueberry Jamboree, to bring people into the area.

Bill Brown, the volunteer chair of the AH Economic Development Committee and the organizer of the Business Breakfast, remarked that the Blueberry Jamboree faded away mainly because of lack of volunteers, and said I get jumped on every time I say this, but why not develop a Business Association in this area, to work together on problems, plan events, etc.

The Business Breakfast produced a large crowd and a lively debate, and a follow up event is being planned for April.

Feature artcle, February 17, 2005

Letters February 17, 2005

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Thank you Safe Drinking Waer Association

We have no doubt that most of your readers are familiar with the controversy between the residents of Sydenham and South Frontenac Council regarding the proposed municipal water system. It seems at the present time that bureaucracy has won over the wishes of the people and democracy no longer reigns supreme in the village of Sydenham. All the reasoned arguments, proof of blatant errors in the environmental report, petitions, water tests which showed that only a small number of properties actually have contaminated wells , etc. etc. have disappeared into the black hole named the council chamber.

The purpose of this letter is to offer a belated, but sincere thank you to the members of the Sydenham Safe Water Committee. They have volunteered untold hours of work and worry with no gain to themselves, except for the knowledge that they have contributed a great deal to their community. We would like to especially thank Mr. Richard Munroe, chairman of the committee, who has continued on in spite of much unwarranted criticism and shocking disrespect from members of council. One member in particular has the temerity to walk out of the council meeting whenever Mr. Munroe is to make a presentation. This person may not be in agreement with what is being said, but as an elected official he should remain to hear it. Otherwise, how can he make an informed decision on the subject? It is also extremely rude. In spite of petitions showing otherwise, it has often been said by council that there are only a half dozen people in the village who are against the proposed water project, referring of course to the SSWA.A recent petition presented at the last council meeting, shows irrefutably that this is not true. Of the 253 properties involved, 223 were contacted and of these, 215 signed the petition. 96% in fact. Yes, 96%!! I think respect and consideration should be paid to such glaringly obvious facts and figures and also to the person who presents them.

This project is going to cause unnecessary financial hardship to most people in our village with no advantage gained. There are other methods of treating contaminated wells without forcing chlorinated water on the whole population. The tragedy at Walkerton, which seems to have triggered this whole episode, was caused by a municipal water system failure, not by individual wells. We hate to think of that happening here. As far as we are able to discover, there have been no deaths due to contaminated well water in this area, or, in fact, anywhere in Ontario.

As relative newcomers to this area, we have been very happy to meet a lot of friendly and helpful people, but are uncomfortable in the way that this and the previous council have consistently ignored the wishes of the people they are supposed to represent. It is beyond our comprehension that council members have insisted on going ahead with this project and would ask them, in all sincerity, the reason why.

- Rosalie and George Knights.

Fishing Derby season is upon us again. Are these events innocuous or do they harm our fisheries?

A day on the ice can be very enjoyable, and to bring a few fish home for dinner is a bonus. If anglers limit their catch, they help conserve fisheries. Fishing tournaments, though, can be counterproductive to conserving fisheries.

Derbies concentrate fishing effort on certain lakes and higher pressure means more fish can be caught. If the fishing happens to be good and there are a lot of people fishing, many individuals of the spawning population of certain species (e.g. walleye) could be harvested. Successful spawning seasons are required to sustain good fisheries.

There are also problems related to keeping large fish, the goal of derbies. Larger fish of a species are often female and these fish are important spawners.

Also, larger fish, as illustrated in the Ministry of Environment's Guide to Eating Sport Fish, contain higher levels of naturally occurring mercury, so consumption of these fish should be limited or avoided altogether.

So, to help maintain the health of your lake and you, limit your catch, keep smaller (younger) fish for dinner and quickly and gently release the big fish back to the lake to spawn. And be creative with derbies: try using categories that don't negatively impact your environment.

- Bud Praskey, Big Clear Lake Steward

Dumping the Garbage

Last fall, a quick look through South Frontenac garbage revealed some basics. An average household sends almost half a tonne (about 1000 pounds) to the dump yearly.

The volume of that garbage is greater seasonally because almost 1/3 of it (over 300 pounds) is organic waste that could have been composted or just allowed to rot down someplace on the property.

Mixed in with that is over 300 pounds of material that could have been recycled -- paper, glass, tin, aluminium and recyclable plastics.

So only about 1/3 of the garbage going to the dump needs to go there, even with the limitations of our simple recycling program. And if we look in that 1/3 of our non-recyclable, non-compostable garbage, there surely is even more that does not really need to be there, such as excessive plastic grocery bags -- some stores take them back, cloth bags avoid them.

The simple lesson is that if 2/3 of our garbage does not need to be in the dump, the dump could be only 1/3 as full as it is and it would not be forced to close so soon. Regardless of our attitudes, the dumps are going to be closed, and the order will come down sooner if we fill them up sooner with garbage that could be avoided.

But the difficulty does not all arise with the taxpayers. The process needs work by the Municipality, too. Arriving at the dump to be told that some recycling bin or other is full and we should just "throw it on the dump" indicates bad management of contractors or attendants. Different lists of materials that are allowed to be recycled, presented to users by the Municipality, the attendants and the contractors also points to the need for greater attention to the program.

In bear country, dumps with smelly food containers will attract bears. Warning signs are an incomplete response. Educational information also is needed. Lanark Highlands, with Ministry of Natural Resources help, provides copies of 'Bear Wise' with the tax bill. Information about both bears and the waste management program is provided.

Garbage is not just a messy business to be avoided. We all are involved and we all pay the bills to deal with garbage as a 'public utility ' component of our society. We all need to take a rational, long-term approach to garbage that considers costs, environmental impacts and basic problems of consumerism in our society. Gray Merriam

2005 Taxes - An open letter to Central Frontenac Council

Escalating township taxes are hurting the people of Central Frontenac. For the average residential property taxpayer, they have increased by more than 60% over the last three years. What can we expect this year?

We cannot look to an expansion of the commercial tax base for relief. While it is encouraging to see the enthusiasm with which members of the Business Development Committee are approaching their task and we look forward to future benefits, it would be unrealistic to expect this initiative to yield any significant relief for the residential tax payer in the foreseeable future. The commercial sector contributed 1.8% of the township's tax revenue in 2004 - even a doubling of the commercial tax base would reduce residential taxes by only 2%.

Neither can we expect any meaningful increase in contributions and grants received from higher levels of government.

The only way another large increase can be avoided is for you, our Mayor and Councillors, to limit township spending. You need to take a very hard look, as you set this year's budget, at priorities and at the efficiency of township operations.

At your January 25th meeting, you embarked on the 2005 budget by asking staff for their proposals. No financial constraints were imposed so that you will hear what staff believe should be done. This is as it should be - it is your responsibility to set priorities and take the tough decisions. However, as you review these proposals, you must heed the advice of Councillor Frances Smith to hold the line. She is obviously well aware that we cannot tolerate another tax increase.

During your budget debate last year, a number of you felt there was insufficient time to discuss various tax saving proposals presented for consideration and that, even if implemented, they would be starting too late to have much effect on that year's spending. We were pleased to learn that, with your first budget meeting set for March 1, you have given yourselves more time this year. We trust that you will use this time to explore and discuss all possible means of avoiding another tax increase. Take a hard, firsthand look at township operations to ensure that objectives are being met in the most efficient manner - look for ways to reduce costs.

We appreciate the pressures imposed on you by the provincial downloading of responsibilities to municipalities; we believe that you appreciate the hardships township tax increases have placed on us, the people of Central Frontenac. These hardships must be your paramount consideration as you set the 2005 budget. Our incomes have not risen 60% over the last three years. We do not have bottomless pockets. As individuals we cannot do everything we want to; we have to limit our activities to what we can afford. We expect our township council to do likewise. You owe this to those who elected you.

- Michael Wise