Feature Article - June 29, 2006

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Feature Article - June 29, 2006

Seniors of the Year inCentralFrontenac

by JeffGreen

At a luncheon ceremony after their final council meeting before Canada Day, Central Frontenac has developed a custom of celebrating volunteerism by honouring seniors from each district who have made a special contribution to the community.

This year, the four honourees were: John Lee, Rosemary and Peter Wadham, Velma Price, and the late Moe Bush.

JohnLee John Lee (Oso) made his reputation as a community minded individual when he was a businessman in Sharbot Lake . As the owner of the Stedman’s and grocery stores, he was the first person people went to for supporting community causes and he never failed to help out in any way he could.

Since his retirement, he has, along with his wife Erlene, maintained a hectic pace, setting up the Alert System, driving for Meals on Wheels, helping to sort mail at the post office, and being active with the Anglican Church.

“I thank you all for this award, even though I didn’t expect it. I would like to share this with Erlene, because we do everything together,” John Lee said in accepting his award.

Peter and Rosemary Wadham

When Rosemary and Peter Wadham (Kennebec), moved to Kennebec Lake , Rosemary wondered how she would be able to stay busy in a small community. She needn’t have worried. She has been a member of the Arden Glee Club since its inception, is on the Kennebec Recreation Committee and on the Executive of the Arden Seniors, and is the prime mover behind the weekly line dancing at the Kennebec Hall. Peter does publicity work for most of these groups, and as the resident computer expert, provides background support as well.

“I feel that you get out of a community what you put into it, and I’ve gotten so much more out of this community than I could ever put in,” said Rosemary Wadham in accepting the award.

“I feel that Rosemary has done all the work,” said Peter, “all I do is play with the computer.”

Velma Price Velma Price (Olden) was a kind of surrogate mother for all the children who attended Land o’ Lakes Public School for many years, before retiring as school secretary two years ago. She also served as Clerk Treasurer for Olden Township and trained people in First Aid for many years. She was superintendent of the Sunday school at the Mountain Grove United Church , and made sure that all of the kids who played baseball in Mountain Grove got to and from their games.

“I’m happy to receive this award, even though I never expected it,” she said, “and happy that my daughter has come today from Oshawa to share this with me.”

Moe Bush’s husband John and son Wayne accepted the Hinchinbrooke award in her name. Moe was a force in Hinchinbrooke and throughout the region, through her work as the President of the Parham Happy Travellers, organizing seniors’ rallies, and earlier as a volunteer and employee at North Frontenac Community Services, and as editor of the North Frontenac News.

John andWayne Bush

Moe was also the first ever woman councillor to be elected to Hinchinbrooke Council, running under the slogan, “Get Hinchinbrooke on the go, vote for Moe.”

In accepting the award in her stead (Moe Bush passed away suddenly this past March at the age of 68) her husband John expressed the sentiment that was shared by everyone in attendance, saying, “I thank you for this. I wish Moe would have been able to accept it herself, she would have enjoyed this.”

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Feature Article - June 29, 2006

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Feature Article - June 29, 2006

Letters to the Editor

Sydenham Water: Who knows best?

For over 3 years the people of Sydenham have been trying to have a say in how our water problem is managed, to no avail. South Frontenac Council has forced a $7.7million communal water system on us in spite of 92% of the affected residents signing a petition against this system.

The people of Sydenham have been to council over 20 times warning council of all the problems associated with this water system, but council just ignored us. And now “the experts” are confirming our concerns….

1) Recently the Professional Engineers of Ontario reviewed the consulting engineer’s environmental assessment report and have described the report as “below average” and “of poor quality.” This report was the basis for the Sydenham water system.

2) The Watertight report, produced by the province’s own expert panel, suggests that small communities use in-house water treatment. It recommends that communal water systems have a minimum of 10,000 users. Sydenham has 273!

Clearly this water system was a mistake. However, we have no choice but to live with it now that it is nearly up and running. So the people approached council with a plan to recover some of the costs using future taxes generated from the water system. As expected, council said NO to the people again. Although council is highly opposed to spreading the costs of this water system throughout the township (a mere $13/household/year) they are quite willing to spread the tax revenue generated from it to the rest of the township!!

The attitude of our council towards the people was summed up very nicely by our own Councilor Vanderwall when he publicly responded to the question about implementing a cost recovery plan to help the people of Sydenham – “It’s not that we couldn’t do it, it’s that we wouldn’t do it.” Council’s excuse is they don’t want to set a precedent!

This is the attitude we have been up against for over three years. We are dealing with a council that simply DOES NOT WANT TO HELP THE PEOPLE. Why won’t this council start to display some integrity, acknowledge this plant was a mistake, take responsibility for that decision, and do something to help the people?

Maybe the mayor and council have forgotten it is an election year. The people of South Frontenac are disgusted with council’s old school mentality of “we know better than you”. This township is overdue for a council that wants to LISTEN to the people, and wants to work WITH the people. We need a council willing to get into the 21st century.

- Cathie Waugh

Walleye Regulatory OptionsSurveyAn open letter to the Ministry of NaturalResources

I have completed your options survey and wish to add my comments in the form of my own proposal. I've fished for walleyes in Southern Ontario for some 60 years. I'm an American and am very fortunate to have a cottage on Big Gull Lake since 1969. We love it here.

In 1985 I started the Big Gull Lake East End Cottage Association. One major activity was to rebuild walleye spawning beds. Working closely with the MNR, we placed over 600 tons of rubble on sites selected by the MNR.

Over the years we've made many friends at the lake and surrounding communities, and appreciate what a huge factor tourism is to this rural area.

MY PROPOSAL FOR REGULATING WALLEYE FISHING IN SOUTHERN

ONTARIO

I. Catch and Possession Limit: Reduce the limit to four. That's a no-brainer. Everyone can live with that. Most fishermen I know use the Conservationist license with the limit of two walleyes.

II. Open Season: This is a decision to be made by the MNR based upon accurate recent surveys conducted by the MNR. Does the March harvest of walleyes impact the total enough to warrant changes? Only new data will provide you the answers.

III. Size Limits: Minimum 17 inch length. Keep it simple. Keep everyone happy - the local fishermen, the tourist fishermen, the fishing resort owners, and anyone else concerned about the future of walleye fishing. I believe that the so called "slot" restriction is the worst course of action. Here's why.

1) It hasn't been proven to work in our area. Several years ago the "slot" rule was imposed on Crotch Lake . A few years later, the MNR set nets to monitor the fish population in Crotch Lake and in nearby Big Gull Lake where there is no slot restriction. Results showed a greater walleye yield in Big Gull Lake nets than in Crotch.

2) Keeping walleyes of less than 14 inches or even less than 16 inches are terrible options. A small walleye is easy to catch and easy to release. They rarely swallow the hook and aren't harmed when released.

3) Walleye lay thousands of eggs and I believe it's safe to say that they start spawning at about 16 inches.

4) The summer fishing pressure has been steadily declining as there are fewer of the old time fishermen around.

A walleye fisherman looks upon a walleye fish fry as an occasional special treat. Don't make them throw back a "dinner" size fish or they'll never come back.

Improving Walleye Spawning Conditions

In my opinion the best thing is for the MNR to enlist the aid of cottage associations, and tourist related businesses, in a concentrated effort to rebuild walleye spawning beds in southern Ontario lakes. This includes monitoring these beds to determine the effectiveness of the efforts.

My Thoughts on your survey.

I question the data that will result from your survey. I had to seek out information about getting a copy of the survey from your Bancroft office. I know of no one at this end of our large lake who received a copy. Wouldn't it have been better to provide each person with a survey who bought a license in southern Ontario , over say, the past three years, and to each tourist related business?

And the May 1st completion date is totally unreasonable. No one is at the lake at that time of year. I hope you consider what I have written. It's not just the fishermen who have a stake in this program. At our end of the lake one owner of four rental cottages recently razed these cottages while the other owner of cottages has reduced the number of rentals from seventeen to four. It's the whole rural economy that seeks a better outlook for tourism. And you have a great resource with the walleye to help make it happen.

- Harold Krieger

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Feature Article - June 29, 2006

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Feature Article - June 29, 2006

Central Frontenac to consider permittingATVs on township roads

by JeffGreen

A delegation from the Frontenac ATV Club came to Central Frontenac Council this week to see if they could persuade the township to pass a bylaw permitting the use of ATVs on township roads.

As Patricia Dawson, the club’s secretary, pointed out, many neighbouring townships, including North and South Frontenac, now permit certain kinds of ATVs driven by people with G2 or M2 licences to use their roads, but Central Frontenac has never considered the issue.

“No one has, ever come to council requesting this before,” said Mayor Bill MacDonald, “We have not dodged this issue; it has not been raised.”

Patricia Dawson said that the ATV bylaw has been successfully implemented in South Frontenac, and she presented information regarding how the ATV bylaw that was adopted initially for only one year in that jurisdiction, has now been accepted on a permanent basis.

“By passing a bylaw, the situation has been improved. Instead of ATVs riding illegally on township roads, they are riding according to safety regulations that can be enforced,” Dawson argued

Deputy Mayor Frances Smith said, “One of the concerns I have is with gravel roads with little or no shoulder. Do ATVs have permission to ride on the road where there is no shoulder?”

Pat Dawson replies that ATVs are expected to ride on the far right - on the shoulder if there is one, or on the road where necessary.

Mayor MacDonald said that the local OPP have said they don’t recommend going forward with this.

“”I suggest you contact them again,” said Patricia Dawson, “now that the experience of having a bylaw in place is better understood. Sgt. Fowler, of the Frontenac Detachment, for example, has been supportive.”

Some councillors expressed full support for an ATV bylaw, whereas others expressed more qualified support.

Councillor Logan Murray was the only one who expressed outright opposition. He said that he solicited opinions from 11 people on legalising ATV use of roads, and four were in favour while seven were opposed.

“They tear up and down my road, and people don’t like them,” Murray said.

Patricia Dawson cautioned council that they consider the will of the majority when they think about whether to pass an ATV bylaw.

“Most of the people who live in your township year round and shop in the stores and volunteer in the fire departments are in favour of this,” she said, “you might want to consider their interests over those of a minority who might oppose it.”

Rather than requesting staff to prepare a bylaw for council’s consideration, a motion was proposed whereby staff would bring back information to the next council meeting on the implications of an ATV bylaw.

An ATV bylaw in Central Frontenac is more likely now than it has been at any other time.

Tichborne Properties – A discussion took place concerning four abandoned properties at the north end of Tichborne. Three of them are owned by Petro-Canada, including the former Lakeland Store and Gas bar.

Township staff was asked to consider whether the buildings were a hazard and demolition should be ordered. A staff report said “An investigation has taken place from the outside and no evidence has been found to recommend demolition.”

The concern was expressed that these buildings, being in a state of disrepair, have become an eyesore that does not speak well for the township as people drive by. The question was also raised as to the possibility of groundwater contamination on the properties.

“We would need to have a property standards bylaw in order to do anything about these properties, and it would have to apply to properties throughout the township,” said Deputy Mayor Frances Smith.

It was determined that council could write a letter to Petro-Canada asking them what they are planning to do with the properties, and staff was directed to prepare a letter.

COMRIF – Councillor Murray proposed that the township apply to get funding for hard topping of 100 kms of the most heavily travelled gravel roads in the township’s intake number 3 of the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF).

The township received funding support for a rebuild of Road 38 from intake 2 of COMRIF recently, and Mayor MacDonald said, “We have no chance of getting funding after getting it last time, and it is expensive to apply, so I wonder why we would do this.”

“I looked at the COMRIF application, and any one of us could fill it out. I don’t think it would be expensive. The Public Works Manager has already looked at this. He already did some work on this last year. We will never have the money to do this on our own, so I think we should at least try and get funding support,” said Logan Murray.

“It’s not a matter of filling out forms,” MacDonald reiterated, “these things require engineering. It took four tries to get the grant we got for Road 38, and it also took political work over a long period of time.”

It was decided that Public Works Manager Bill Nicol should be asked to prepare a report for the next meeting on the prospects for an application to prepare and hard top 100 kms of gravel roads.

Two fire hall proposal defeated – Councillor Murray brought back a motion that led to an in camera session at the previous meeting. The motion called for the Public Works Manager to prepare a tender for new fire halls in both Oso and Olden Districts. It would replace a decision by council to prepare a tender for a fire hall in Oso alone, with engineering for the Olden Hall to be included in the work to be done. Construction of the Olden fire hall was deferred until next year, however.

Murray argued that it would only cost about $100,000 more to complete the two halls as part of a single contract, saving the township money in the long run.

With the exception of Councillor Jack Nicolson, every other councillor disagreed with Murray , including the two councillors from Olden District, and his motion was defeated 7-2 in a recorded vote.

“I’m not against a fire hall for Olden” said Councillor Bill Guigue, “but the Public Works Manager has enough on his plate this year, and it would be better to make sure we do a good job on each fire hall than try and get two built in one year.”

Bag tags – Councillor Gutowski pointed out that bag tags are now being sold at waste disposal sites.

Building report – New construction, which had been down significantly from 2005, due in part to new requirements for new home construction, improved somewhat in May, as permits for $1,374,000 worth of construction were issued, bringing the year-to-date total to $2,202,000. That still lags behind 2005, when the May total was $1,566,000 and the January-May total was $3,325,000. The running total for 2006 is now marginally ahead of the similar time period in 2004, however.

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Feature Article - June 15, 2006

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Feature Article - June 15, 2006

New club forms fromVolunteer Ladies Auxiliary

The Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary and the Firefighters of Clarendon-Miller Fire Station/North Frontenac Fire Dept. would like to report that funds raised since 1988 to 2005 totaled $218,417. We have donated a total of $106,658 towards the fire hall. The remainder has been used to purchase a tanker, fire truck, equipment van and to retrofit the Early First Response Medical Unit, KED jackets, Oscillimate machine, Defibrillator, First Aid bags fully equipped, Automatic Blood Pressure machines, Bunker suits, Shirts and Hats, radios and pagers, protective suits,etc.

We thank you, the community, for your support for the past 17 years. For events like Winterlude and Summerfest, when we needed pies, salads, butter, maple syrup, coffee, etc. you did not hesitate to donate as well as attend our events. If we needed people to set up tables, tents, fences, to cook chicken, cook pancakes and sausages, run a bar, clean up, you were there to assist us. Because of you, the community, our fund raising efforts have been very successful.

The North Frontenac Fire Dept, by provincial legislation, is the responsibility of the township so now we need to change our focus. We would like to continue as a fund raising group for the community with a new name and new goals. There are many groups/projects within our community that may need our help. For now, the services we will continue to provide are funeral luncheons, and, assist when an emergency arises in the community. Contacts - Gertie MacDonald 479 5505 and Bernice Gunsinger 479 2270. We will also continue to sponsor the Hallowe'en Party, Santa Claus Parade, and the Christmas Eve Santa Candy Delivery and do Quilts when we are approached.

In order for us to continue, we need new members, we have decided to expand our membership to both men and women. We need people that are community minded and would like to give of their time and bring some fresh ideas to our new group. Please come to our meeting on Sept. 5/06 7 p.m. at the Clarendon-Miller Hall. If you wish to discuss joining before September, please contact - Gertie MacDonald 479 5505, Ollie Bakelaar 479 2149, Joyce Lemke 479 2967, Shirley Lemke 479 2823.

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Feature Article - June 22, 2006

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Feature Article - June 22, 2006

Letters to theEditor

Horrendous day at the vet

Thursday was a horrendous day for my cat Sirrah and I, but had a happy ending thanks to the nice people in the town of Sharbot Lake .

I decided to take Sirrah to the vet for all his needles.The vet's officeis in downtown Sharbot Lake .So we go in and he is teased about being big boned.I am going to put him on a diet.He made friends with all the dogs and was quite a hit with everyone.But then we went outside and he decided to go under the steps.There was along boardwalk at the side of the building with a spot just big enough for a small dog or cat to go underneath it, and guess who went in there just as some people were bringing in big crates and making a lot of noise on the walkway.The dust cleared and Sirrah would not come out.Several people stopped and tried to help.Then Rodger MacMunn, the sign painter,came over and said he could paint a hole for him to come out. lol!!Big help.But Rodger got out his cell phone and called the lady who owns the property [Rosemarie Bowick].She gave permission for the boards to be taken up andcame over with her hubby [Bill] too. They took up three boardsand put a hose down to squirt Sirrah (and me, as I had crawled under the steps too by this time). He came forward but not far enough.Then Rodger gets a chain saw and cuts a board right where Sirrah is and thunks Sirrah with the board. Lo and behold, Sirrah belts out at 60 miles an hour back to the vet’s office, with me in hot pursuit.I get him and put him in my car.He hides under my seat, traumatized.Poor cat!!

I offered to pay for the boards, but the husband of the lady who owns the building said, "Lady, take your cat and go home".He was smiling at me, tho'.I thanked everyone a lot andcame home to Big Clear Lake . I want to let everyone know what nice people live around here.

- Glynne Howland

Re: "Ardoch Algonquins eye crown land"In your article you note that that Mayor Ron Maguire stated, "I am aware from the provincial government, that you need to be a part of the land claim in order to assert your inherent or aboriginal rights". The provincial has no right to say anything regarding Algonquin aboriginal rights. The Algonquin Nationhas been lied to and terrorized by the provincial government to make its people think it has a right to negotiate a treaty. The Algonquin Nation is a Sovereign Nation.This sovereignty is guaranteed by many documents. Does Ontario think it can make treaties with China or Bolivia ?I think not. So why does Ontario think it can make or set conditions on any treaty with the Algonquin Nation.Treaties are made between nations. A province has no basis in law to make a treaty with a Sovereign Nation. This "treaty" is a part of the governments "Final Solution" to strip all native peoples living within the boundaries of Canada of their lands, their traditions, and eventually their Indian identity. The Canadian government has built reservations, many of which have no better conditions than Concentration Camps. The Canadian and Ontario Governments have all ready fulfilled the United Nations description of Genocide in their treatment of native peoples. When do you think they will start to build the ovens? - David Bate, Ardoch Algonquin First Nation

Mini Golf at SLPSWe are students from Sharbot Lake Public School and we are writing to see if anyone knows about the mini golf at our school, in the big yard, under the big trees.

So we want to know how it works. We were digging it up and cleaning it off, and we wonder what the holes are for. If you used to go to this school here and you know how it is suppose to work, please contact us at school and leave a message. We will return your call.

Yours truly,Stacey Young and Curtis Barlow-WilkesP.S. The last day of school is June 29th

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Feature Article - June 22, 2006

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Feature Article - June 22, 2006

Community Living will rebuild this year

by JeffGreen

When Community Living North Frontenac lost their building to fire at the beginning of this year, people began to wonder what the agency would do about their need for office space.

Quite soon after the fire, the agency decided to explore putting up a two-storey office building on the same site where their converted house had been located.

Months have passed and while the site still looks as empty as ever, things have been happening behind the scenes. Community Living’s Executive Director Don Nielsen is optimistic that Community Living will move into their new home by the end of the year.

“We have engaged an architect, and we are expecting a site plan to be completed very soon. We will then be able to get a building permit and go to tender on a construction project,” Nielsen said this week from Community Living’s temporary office at the former Sharbot Lake Retail Centre.

Community Living-North Frontenac provides supports for developmentally challenged children and adults in Central and North Frontenac, helping people with daily living skills, community integration, and other aspects of life. Since Community Living programming is community based, the fire did not have a great impact on services provided, because most of the agency’s work is done through outreach.

While the fire has meant a great deal of dislocation for the agency, the new building that will be constructed will suit the agency’s current and future needs.

“We purchased the house in 2000, and since then have increased in size considerably. We were getting quite cramped,” Nielsen said.

The new building will be a two-storey structure as opposed to the 1.5-storey building that was there, and it will have a fully finished basement. It will have about 3,600 square feet of usable space, as opposed to just over 2,000 square feet in the old building. In addition to more office space, it will have a board room, and some program space in the basement.

The new building will also be wired for the modern electronic era. Every office will have internet connections, and the board room will double as a video-conferencing centre for the surrounding region, thanks to an agreement with the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

“It has been quite a process dealing with the insurance company, construction plans, architects and engineers, all of which I knew little about before this year,” Nielsen said. “Luckily we have some people on our board with construction experience, and Ian Trickett, the township’s building inspector, has become part of our building committee.”

Community Living is also grateful for the community support that has been forthcoming, in particular from Jas Kaillon, the owner of the former Sharbot Lake Retail Centre, who graciously made the building available to Community Living until the end of the year.

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Feature Article - June 29, 2006

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Feature Article - June 29, 2006

Central Frontenac to consider permittingATVs on township roads

by JeffGreen

A delegation from the Frontenac ATV Club came to Central Frontenac Council this week to see if they could persuade the township to pass a bylaw permitting the use of ATVs on township roads.

As Patricia Dawson, the club’s secretary, pointed out, many neighbouring townships, including North and South Frontenac, now permit certain kinds of ATVs driven by people with G2 or M2 licences to use their roads, but Central Frontenac has never considered the issue.

“No one has, ever come to council requesting this before,” said Mayor Bill MacDonald, “We have not dodged this issue; it has not been raised.”

Patricia Dawson said that the ATV bylaw has been successfully implemented in South Frontenac, and she presented information regarding how the ATV bylaw that was adopted initially for only one year in that jurisdiction, has now been accepted on a permanent basis.

“By passing a bylaw, the situation has been improved. Instead of ATVs riding illegally on township roads, they are riding according to safety regulations that can be enforced,” Dawson argued

Deputy Mayor Frances Smith said, “One of the concerns I have is with gravel roads with little or no shoulder. Do ATVs have permission to ride on the road where there is no shoulder?”

Pat Dawson replies that ATVs are expected to ride on the far right - on the shoulder if there is one, or on the road where necessary.

Mayor MacDonald said that the local OPP have said they don’t recommend going forward with this.

“”I suggest you contact them again,” said Patricia Dawson, “now that the experience of having a bylaw in place is better understood. Sgt. Fowler, of the Frontenac Detachment, for example, has been supportive.”

Some councillors expressed full support for an ATV bylaw, whereas others expressed more qualified support.

Councillor Logan Murray was the only one who expressed outright opposition. He said that he solicited opinions from 11 people on legalising ATV use of roads, and four were in favour while seven were opposed.

“They tear up and down my road, and people don’t like them,” Murray said.

Patricia Dawson cautioned council that they consider the will of the majority when they think about whether to pass an ATV bylaw.

“Most of the people who live in your township year round and shop in the stores and volunteer in the fire departments are in favour of this,” she said, “you might want to consider their interests over those of a minority who might oppose it.”

Rather than requesting staff to prepare a bylaw for council’s consideration, a motion was proposed whereby staff would bring back information to the next council meeting on the implications of an ATV bylaw.

An ATV bylaw in Central Frontenac is more likely now than it has been at any other time.

Tichborne Properties – A discussion took place concerning four abandoned properties at the north end of Tichborne. Three of them are owned by Petro-Canada, including the former Lakeland Store and Gas bar.

Township staff was asked to consider whether the buildings were a hazard and demolition should be ordered. A staff report said “An investigation has taken place from the outside and no evidence has been found to recommend demolition.”

The concern was expressed that these buildings, being in a state of disrepair, have become an eyesore that does not speak well for the township as people drive by. The question was also raised as to the possibility of groundwater contamination on the properties.

“We would need to have a property standards bylaw in order to do anything about these properties, and it would have to apply to properties throughout the township,” said Deputy Mayor Frances Smith.

It was determined that council could write a letter to Petro-Canada asking them what they are planning to do with the properties, and staff was directed to prepare a letter.

COMRIF – Councillor Murray proposed that the township apply to get funding for hard topping of 100 kms of the most heavily travelled gravel roads in the township’s intake number 3 of the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF).

The township received funding support for a rebuild of Road 38 from intake 2 of COMRIF recently, and Mayor MacDonald said, “We have no chance of getting funding after getting it last time, and it is expensive to apply, so I wonder why we would do this.”

“I looked at the COMRIF application, and any one of us could fill it out. I don’t think it would be expensive. The Public Works Manager has already looked at this. He already did some work on this last year. We will never have the money to do this on our own, so I think we should at least try and get funding support,” said Logan Murray.

“It’s not a matter of filling out forms,” MacDonald reiterated, “these things require engineering. It took four tries to get the grant we got for Road 38, and it also took political work over a long period of time.”

It was decided that Public Works Manager Bill Nicol should be asked to prepare a report for the next meeting on the prospects for an application to prepare and hard top 100 kms of gravel roads.

Two fire hall proposal defeated – Councillor Murray brought back a motion that led to an in camera session at the previous meeting. The motion called for the Public Works Manager to prepare a tender for new fire halls in both Oso and Olden Districts. It would replace a decision by council to prepare a tender for a fire hall in Oso alone, with engineering for the Olden Hall to be included in the work to be done. Construction of the Olden fire hall was deferred until next year, however.

Murray argued that it would only cost about $100,000 more to complete the two halls as part of a single contract, saving the township money in the long run.

With the exception of Councillor Jack Nicolson, every other councillor disagreed with Murray , including the two councillors from Olden District, and his motion was defeated 7-2 in a recorded vote.

“I’m not against a fire hall for Olden” said Councillor Bill Guigue, “but the Public Works Manager has enough on his plate this year, and it would be better to make sure we do a good job on each fire hall than try and get two built in one year.”

Bag tags – Councillor Gutowski pointed out that bag tags are now being sold at waste disposal sites.

Building report – New construction, which had been down significantly from 2005, due in part to new requirements for new home construction, improved somewhat in May, as permits for $1,374,000 worth of construction were issued, bringing the year-to-date total to $2,202,000. That still lags behind 2005, when the May total was $1,566,000 and the January-May total was $3,325,000. The running total for 2006 is now marginally ahead of the similar time period in 2004, however.

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Feature Article - June 8, 2006

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Feature Article - June 8, 2006

LHINsroad show comes to Sharbot Lake,Sydenham

by JeffGreen

Wayne Marsh, a consultant and facilitator, has been one of the people travelling around the region over the past two weeks, gathering opinions and concerns about health care as part of the planning work for the development of the South East Ontario Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

Over the next year and a half the LHINs will take over the responsibility for funding many aspects of the health care system in Ontario , including hospitals and home care services, community support services, mental health and addiction agencies, community health centres and long-term care homes.

Public meetings have been held in Denbigh, Northbrook, Plevna, Sharbot Lake , and Sydenham over the past two weeks, and in 17 other locations throughout the large area covered by the South East LHIN. People’s opinions are being sought about what is good about the healthcare system; what the gaps in service are; what roadblocks make it difficult to get services; and what can be done to improve service. Aside from holding public meetings, the South East LHIN has also been meeting with doctors and social service agencies throughout the region.

“Everything people say is being recorded, and it will be our job to put all that together and present it to the LHIN working group that will be developing the service plan to be presented to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care at the end of September,” Wayne Marsh told about 22 people who showed up for a lunch hour meeting in Sharbot Lake this past Monday.

Wayne March was accompanied in Sharbot Lake by Florence Campbell, one of the board members of the local LHIN.

She said that Ontario has taken a different route in health care reform than other provinces by “consulting with the public before signing off on our plan, and we will continue to consult with the people after the LHIN is up and running.” She also said she is particularly interested in the viewpoint of rural people.

“Our LHIN has two particular characteristics that make it different from the other 13 in the province. For one thing we have the largest percentage of seniors of any LHIN, and 44% of our population is rural.”

Rural concerns dominated in the opinions expressed at the Sharbot Lake meeting. People were happy with the service they receive from the local medical centre, which will be adding more services when it takes the role of Family Health Team, but expressed concerns about issues of distance and cuts to homecare services.

At the LHIN meeting in Sydenham on Monday evening, concerns were a bit different, with people talking about a shortage of doctors and the fact that often services are only offered in Kingston . That is fine for those people who work in Kingston , but not for others.

Wayne Marsh took pains to draw out the opinions that people were expressing. As a consultant, he did not respond to any of the concerns and suggestions.

The one-way nature of the sessions was noted by Ross Sutherland, who attended the Sharbot Lake and Sydenham meetings. Sutherland is a resident of Snug Harbour who is a nurse at Hotel Dieu hospital and an activist with the Kingston Health Coalition, a group that has been wary of the way the LHINs have been developing.

In an interview with the News after the meetings, he said, “The problem with the meetings is the problem with the LHINs. They are hearing great ideas from the community, but who’s going to decide? It’s a bunch of appointed bureaucrats from Toronto . The structure of the LHINS is inherently undemocratic and inherently centralising. It will provide technocratic answers to what are really community problems.”

According to Florence Campbell, the results of the working group’s deliberations will result in the development of an integrated health services plan, which will be presented to the public before it is submitted to the province at the end of September.

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Feature Article - July 13, 2006

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Feature Article - July 13, 2006

LOLCSDrivers needed

The medical transportation program of Land o’ Lakes Community Services is vital to our area. Many people have no other way of getting to necessary appointments. In the past year, 11 volunteer drivers for Land o’ Lakes Community Services drove over 60,000 km. We now have even fewer drivers. The decrease is due to a number of different factors, including retirement, moving, and some much-deserved time off for the summer. We are looking for some very committed people to continue our medical transportation program.

In particular, we need drivers to take clients to dialysis treatments in Kingston (usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday). These drives require a large time commitment from the volunteer there is usually a minimum 4-hour wait while the client has her/his treatment and then there is the driving time involved. In the past, we were lucky to have one individual, Marion Sibley, who drove all three days. Marion and her husband, Pastor Bob Sibley transferred out of the area so she will no longer be available. We will miss Marion , as will the clients she was so dedicated to helping. We do not expect any volunteer driver to make the commitment of driving for all three days, but we welcome individuals who can offer some time.

We will also miss two of our regular medical drivers, Dale and Pauline Thompson. Dale and Pauline have decided to retire after driving for our program for a number of years.

The dedicated volunteer drivers we have need some backup. This is a great way to contribute to your community and to ensure everyone can access the care they need. If you have some spare time and would like to join a wonderful team of caring individuals please call Marlene @ 613-336-8934.

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Feature Article - July 27, 2006

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Feature Article - July 27, 2006

Letters to the Editor

Beautifying VeronaRe:PineLakeSubmission to Central Frontenac Council Re Permitting ATVs on Township RoadsRe: Negotiator weighs in on AAFNA actionsIncredible Jenna LambertRequest for CF Township Support for Road MaintenanceBathurst Burgess Sherbrooke Township had history and prideRe: “Development after… and beforeRe:Permitting ATVs on CentralFrontenac Townshiproads

Beautifying Verona

Here’s a big thank you to all the people who sweated in the dirt to make Verona a more beautiful place.

Susie Ralph organized the planting of flower barrels (bought by the VCA and tended by local businesses) that line the Main Street . Jen Bennett, Al Parkin and Doug McIntyre lent their backs and their green thumbs to that project. Louise Day once again planted the lovely display at the cenotaph in McMullen Park , and rumour has it that someone in her household waters them. The floral display at the post office is particularly beautiful this year. Kornerstone Kastle’s Steve Johnson won the Canada Post tender to create that. Thanks also to whoever keeps a rein on the huge planting in front of Prince Charles P.S. It’s an enormous task to hold back the weeds and keep the sides mown. Dave & Angie Gard have created a gem of a meditation park behind their place which is used by passersby.

I’ve noticed that it only takes a few places with flower displays to start a snowball of others in the village, and what a difference it makes to our sense of who we are!

Inie Platenius[ back to top ]Re: Pine Lake

While my heart truly grieves for the cutting down of mature trees on a quiet lake, I suspect there is a lot more going on at Pine Lake than what meets the eye.

While we may feel deeply offended that white man’s protocol may not have been followed, we must also admit that the legal system itself is not free of guilt.

The North American Aboriginals do not deserve to be kept in a defensive position where they must continually be required to fight for the honor and dignity which is already rightfully theirs as forefathers of this country.

- Peter Thomas Rivera[ back to top ]Submission to Central Frontenac Council Re Permitting ATVs on Township Roads

The June 29th issue of the Frontenac News reported on the discussion at the previous council meeting about a possible bylaw permitting the use of ATVs on Township roads. This discussion was initiated by the Frontenac ATV Club. I am concerned that because the club is an organized group, it, and its members, will be the main source of opinion before council.

Summary of my views: ATVs do not belong on public roads.

ATVs on public roads are in competition for the right-of-way with much larger vehicles.

ATVs do not have the many safety features built into, and required in, passenger and commercial vehicles. ATV riders are therefore much more vulnerable to injury than passengers in other types of vehicles.

Then add in the behaviour of some ATV riders that I have observed over the years: no helmets, with children as passengers without helmets, travelling faster than the vehicle/road features support, driving (e.g., in the middle) as if the road was a private driveway.

Then add in the nature of some of the roads in Central Frontenac: gravel roads that are much less than two lanes wide (and certainly, no shoulders), with blind hills and corners reducing visibility of oncoming traffic, soft dirt surfaces that are torn up by ATVs.

Finally, there’s the legal/enforcement element: the OPP are not able to deal now with ATV activity which is clearly illegal, so why would enforcement be better when a bylaw allows ATV use of public roads and it’s a less clear issue of legal vs. illegal? It doesn’t make sense.

ATV use of public roads is a public safety matter and any decision should be based on a wide consultation of taxpayers, not on the biased view of an interest group. Council should allow sufficient time for public input before it is prepared to make an informed decision.

Response to the ATV Club’s views as reported in the Frontenac News

1. Statement: Patricia Dawson, the ATV Club’s secretary, pointed out that other townships permit certain kinds of ATVs driven by people with G2 or M2 licences.

Response: Because one municipality does something, does not mean we should. We should consider our own unique circumstances, as well as the health and safety of all our residents and visitors.

2. Statement about the successful implementation of a bylaw in South Frontenac - the ATV Club representative said that the bylaw improved the situation because “Instead of ATVs riding illegally on township roads, they are riding according to safety regulations that can be enforced,”

Response: “can be enforced” does not automatically mean “will be enforced”.

3. Statement about the issue of driving ATVs on gravel roads, Pat Dawson says that ATVs are expected to ride on the far right - on the shoulder if there is one, or on the road where necessary.’

Response: Similar to point #2, “are expected to ride on the far right” does not mean “will” do so.

4. Patricia Dawson cautioned council that they consider the will of the majority when they think about whether to pass an ATV bylaw. “Most of the people who live in your township year round and shop in the stores and volunteer in the fire departments are in favour of this,” she said, “you might want to consider their interests over those of a minority who might oppose it.”

Response: First, where is the proof that the majority are in favour? Second, just because a majority approve of something that might be harmful to people does not mean that responsible elected officials should embed it in the law.

- Gail Burgess [ back to top ]Negotiator weighs in on AAFNA actions

Several weeks ago Mr. Robert Potts, Chief Negotiator and Legal Counsel for the Algonquins of Golden Lake Land Claim issued a media statement in response to the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation’s initiative of building a Cultural Centre and Pow Wow grounds on Algonquin land near Ardoch , Ontario . While Mr. Potts concedes that Algonquins have the unilateral right to develop land in their homeland he suggests that the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation has chosen the wrong time to do so. He also attempts to portray the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation as “some persons who have chosen not to participate” in the ongoing Algonquin land claim. While Mr. Potts’ statement is half true (Algonquin people and their communities have an unquestionable legal right to develop land as they choose) he once again undermines the legitimacy of the Algonquin claim by supporting a process that is flawed and inequitable.

Mr. Potts has cobbled together a coalition of individuals and the Band Council of Pikwan in an effort save a failed process. At best the representation of so called “non-status” ANRs is questionable in that they have no other political responsibilities to their communities than going to negotiation meetings and collecting their per diem. The so called representative of “Ardoch” was never elected and his constituency consists of a mailing list stolen from the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and names borrowed from other ANRs. This representative and Mr. Potts have been challenged publicly on numerous occasions to resolve this issue with the legitimate Ardoch Algonquin First Nation but they both have refused.

“Wrong time”? One begins to wonder when the right time will be to find the truth. The present Algonquin negotiation team consists of six Band councillors from the Pikwan community and one representative from some of the other historical Algonquin communities. Some Algonquin communities have been ignored altogether. Why does this inequality exist? In reality Band Council is a federal incorporation under the Indian Act; in reality one branch of the federal government is negotiating with another branch for Algonquin land. The Indian Act does not support the rights and title of Aboriginal people in Canada . In fact, it has undermined and hobbled the self-determination of Indian people for the last 130 years.

“Wrong time”? Let’s get rid of the Indian Act first in law and in our own minds before we negotiate with a government that still wields the instrument of oppression.

The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation was one of the first historical Algonquin communities engaged by Pikwan 16 years ago at the beginning of their land claim. Band Council was told by Canada that they needed full participation (total extinguishment) before a final deal could be reached. After careful study and through experience the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation has determined that it is not in the best interest of their 700 plus members to take part in this claim. We do need a Cultural Centre and a gathering place for ceremony and Pow Wow?

This is the right time for our community to move forward.

- Robert LovelaceCommunications Team LeaderArdoch Algonquin First Nation[ back to top ]

Incredible Jenna Lambert

Jenna Lambert certainly is an incredible young woman.Proper acknowledgement should also be given to Jenna's coach, Vicki Keith.The raw passion of this amazing young lady was honed by Vicki.She counseled Jenna regarding this challenge, the required endurance, and the intense media engagement that would follow Jenna's unquestionable landing at Ontario Park . Jenna's effort surpasses all published descriptions.This young woman gives us hope, and she is a formidable athlete in her own deserved right. She demonstrates not only incredible physical strength, but she possesses something she will never lose in the water, in life, or on land: an absolute beautiful zest for life.In today's world, this is something most able-bodied adults either never attained, or somehow lost along the way.Jenna Lambert is already a much more beautiful and confident person than most of us ever hope to be. You will notice I have never mentioned disability, neither did Jenna.. "quitting was never an option." - Ian Fanning[ back to top ]

Request for CF Township Support for Road Maintenance

The Blue Heron Ridge Road Association welcomes this opportunity to clarify and supplement the information in the article "Private road residents open up dialogue with CF township", The Frontenac News, July 27, 2006.

John DuChene, Guenter Nitsche and Michael Wise approached Central Frontenac Council, at its July 25, 2006 meeting, on behalf of our members, the owners of the 76 properties accessed using Blue Heron Ridge and Thrush Trail, to request that council enter into discussions regarding the township contributing to the maintenance of those roads.

Both Blue Heron Ridge and Thrush Trail are public roads, as shown in Judge's Plan 1608 and Plan of Subdivision 1751, they are not private roads. They differ from most public roads in Central Frontenac in that they are maintained by the local property owners rather than the township. They are similar in that they are owned by the township, the township has jurisdiction over them, they are freely available for public use and the local property owners can neither limit nor control their use. Private roads, on the other hand, are owned by individuals or corporations, are not subject to the same government controls and are not freely available for public use. Given the differences between public and private roads, we do not believe it to be appropriate to include the latter in our request.

We knew when we purchased our properties that the township is under no obligation to maintain Blue Heron Ridge and Thrush Trail. However, economic conditions have changed and expectations have evolved. Equity and fairness are the bases of our request for township support. We are not the only persons to benefit from the development that has taken place along these roads. Our fellow township residents enjoy, with us, the improvements in services funded by the resulting increases in tax revenues and our township businesses benefit from an expanded customer base. We are, however, the only persons paying to maintain them. This is in addition to our contributing, along with all other property owners, to township operations through municipal taxes. We are, in effect, being levied a "surtax".

We are not asking that the township cover the full cost of maintaining Blue Heron Ridge and Thrush Trail. Nor are we asking that the township roads department assume the additional burden of undertaking this work. We ask only that other Central Frontenac tax payers now share with us in the cost of maintaining these two public roads that are benefiting us all.

Wemade our request to council as property owners living on public roads. We know that several matters pertaining to private roads are currently under consideration by council; however, we see these as being distinct from our request. To make progress on all matters, the distinction should be maintained.

We cannot take credit for preparing the Report on Private Lanes. It was prepared by township staff and presented to council by Heather Fox as part of her Report to Council.

We appreciate the reception given us by council and their undertaking to consider entering into a dialog on this matter. There are, understandably, a number of issues council wishes to look into before discussions can proceed, and we need time to obtain the information requested by the mayor. We will follow up with council in a few weeks. - The Blue Heron Ridge Road Association.[ back to top ]

Re: Development after… and before

I have just read your article, “Private road residents open up dialogue with CF township” in this week’s “News” and would like to point out an error that occurred in a similar article, “Development after …and before” which appeared in the June 29th issue of The Frontenac News.

There is a significant difference between the Blue Heron Ridge road in Central Frontenac, a private road and Sunday Lake Drive in North Frontenac. Sunday Lake Drive is NOT a private road as was stated in your article but, rather, it is a North Frontenac Township road that is not maintained by the township. Councilor Dave Smith was either misquoted in the article or didn’t realize what he said when referring to, “….. our concerns about developments on private roads.”

The Sunday Lake Property Owners’ Association president was only asking for financial assistance to maintain a township road that has seen a large increase in traffic after the township put in the new boat launch. This increased traffic has resulted in higher maintenance costs for the residents and the association has felt it necessary to purchase insurance for the road.

Jim Beam, Sunday Lake [ back to top ]

Bathurst Burgess Sherbrooke Township had history and pride

Drummond/North Elmsley Township has some prominent new township entrance signs. Five stars to Drummond North Elmsley for showing pride in heritage and keeping the old township names.

One sign is just outside Perth on Highway 511. On the opposite side of the road is .

Bathurst Township , now part of the amalgamated township currently called Tay Valley Township , (TVT) or Bathurst Burgess Sherbrooke (BBS) before name change.

Bathurst and Drummond were founded by soldiers and settlers arriving at Perth in the early 1800's. The concession roads run the same direction. Balderson is located at the junction of the 8th line Bathurst , the 8th line Drummond and the Lanark Road . Farmers from both townships participated in making the Mammoth Cheese of 1893.

Driving to Balderson from Perth the traveller is greeted by another sign.- "Welcome to the

Mississippi Valley ". Balderson is in the Mississippi Valley . So too are Harper, Fallbrook, and Playfairville. By Highway #7 from the west, travellers enter TVT along the shore of Silver Lake . They can stop at a provincial park or at Maberly on the Fall River . Both are in the Mississippi watershed. In the south in Burgess is Murphy’s Point Provincial Park on Big Rideau Lake .

TVT has new township/tourism signage (grant money) with name, logo, and words "Support

Local Business". To me the message is mixed. I believe in supporting local business, but I do not support the current township name and this branding. There is a lot more to a community name than promoting tourism. The old townships have almost 200 years of community and family history and pride. BBS was a compromise to respect the old townships when amalgamation swept Ontario . BBS is a big name for a big, beautiful and diverse area. There is no pride in the high-handed manner in which the TVT name was adopted by the previous council. Branding does not make the name issue go away.

Yes, "Welcome to Bathurst " - "Welcome to Bathurst Burgess Sherbrooke".

Catherine McCann[ back to top ]

Re:Permitting ATVs on CentralFrontenac Townshiproads I would like to provide my comments in respect of the Central Frontenac proposal to allow ATVs on township roads and to rebut the opinions about ATVs and ATVers offered by Gail Burgess.

Foremost, I think permitting ATVs to use township roads would be a benefit to tourism. Presently, townships north,south and west of Central Frontenac allow such use and I would suggest tourism in these areas has benefited substantially.One only has to look at the number of ATVs on trailers traveling north on Hwy 41 to confirm this suggestion.I believe the Town of Madoc also promotes itself on the ATV Ontario website as a tourist destination for ATVs.If council permits theuse of Central Frontenac roads but restricts ATVs from accessing Hwy 38 and the Village of Sharbot Lake, then effectively council cuts the Eastern Ontario Trail in two (as it passes through town) and the ATVers I saw staying at the hotel in town would be in violation of the law as they have to pass through town and travel a short distance on Hwy 38 to access the hotel(I recently saw 8-10 ATVs parked in front of thehotel for what I can only presume was an overnight stay).

I would suggest that Gail Burgess allow some credit to the responsibility of ATV riders and their respect for the law.I certainly agree that ATVs will compete with vehicles for the right-of-way with larger vehicles.Thishappens today when two vehicles meet; however,I fail to see how the ATV will be any different.I also agree that ATVs don't have many built in safety features.Neither do motorcycles, yet they are not restricted from any road access. Not wearing helmets is a responsibility issue similar to thewearing of seat belts.I believe enforcement statisticsindicate that in many provinces/areas, 10% or moreof the drivers of cars and trucks still refuse towear seatbelts or fail todo so all the time.Using Gail Burgess' argument against ATVs because some riders don't wear helmets is synonymous withprohibiting private vehicles from using thesesame roads because some drivers don't wearseatbelts or drive too fast. Again, using her same argument for enforcement, this prohibition against vehicles should be put in place immediately because we cannot expect police to be always available to do trafficenforcement, nor should we.

Owner responsibility should not be confusedwith safety.The majority of ATV riders, like car drivers, areresponsible- they wear helmets and visible clothing (traffic vests) and they respect the law.There are also those that break the law (fail to wear helmets / drive too fast) similar to manycar drivers. However, unlike car drivers,such irresponsiblebehavior usually results ininjury or death to the rider - not toinnocent pedestrians orpassengers,as isusually the case withirresponsible car or truck drivers.

Finally, in terms of noise, the majority of ATVs are stock and contain mufflers designed to eliminate high decibel noise.The majority of ATV riders don't modify their muffler systems. Most motorcyclists or car/truck owners don't modify their exhaust systems either.Noise from any vehicle is annoyingand that is part of traffic enforcement - not general prohibition against the vehicle itself.

It is time that municipalities gave respect to ATVs, their owners (many whom are your neighbours and friends) and the fact that the Government of Ontario has seen fit to pass laws allowing use of ATVs on provincial highways and roads in general. Municipalities should also consider thetourismbenefits that legalizing ATV use would provide. Brian Hilton[ back to top ]

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