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Editorial - January 31, 2008 Frontenac County Council keeps transportation hopes alive Editorial by Jeff Green

A year ago, South Frontenac Mayor Gary Davison and Frontenac Islands Mayor Jim Vanden Hoek agreed, reluctantly, to put a $36,000 grant to the Rural Routes Transprtation Service in the 2007 Frontenac County budget. They insisted, however, that the money be given as a one-time grant, to help the service survive until more stable funding could be found.

So, it is not surprising that Gary Davison, in particular, was not supportive of a $40,000 funding request from Rural Routes in 2008. That request was rejected by County Council on a 2-2 vote, with Janet Gutowski from Central Frontenac, and Ron Maguire from North Frontenac, supportig the motion.

Gary Davison has two major concerns about Rural Routes. One objection has to do with the fact that Rural Routes serves people in North and Central Frontenac and in Bedford District of South Frontenac, and he argues that county funding, of which South Frontenac residents supply 58%, should not be going to programs that aren't available throughout the county.

Davison's second concern, which he has expressed every time this issue has been raised, is that if the county gets involved in transportation, the cost will inevitably go up and up as demand increases.

In order to address these concerns a transportation study was undertaken last year by county staff.

The study found that there is indeed a need for transportation services for the “at risk” population in Frontenac County. There are many poor and elderly people who no longer have the kinds of family supports that were traditionally available in the past, and in order to access essential services, such as medical appointments, a number of people need help.

These results mirror the results that were found by Northern Frontenac Community Services when they undertook a community needs study four years ago, and Rural Routes was developed for that reason.

Northern Frontenac Community Services has been providing transportation to both children and adults on an ad hoc basis for years, but with limited administrative funding, agency staff had difficulty keeping up with the demand for transportation. Rural Routes was set up as a dispatch service.

Rural Routes, which opened its doors three years ago. is a user-pay service, charging 42 cents per kilometre for drives. This 42 cents is used to pay mileage to volunteer drivers, at the less than market rate of 35 cents per kilometre, leaving 7 cents per kilometre for administration, dispatching, driver training, etc.

Rural Routes has not been able to maintain itself on this money, and thus they approached the County of Frontenac for support.

Municipal support for transportation is common in urban settings, and rural counties in various parts of the province also fund transportation. There is also a provincial incentive for this, as every dollar a municipality spends on transportation can be supplemented with 75 cent grant from the province to be spent on transportation.

Because of this, the mayors of North and Central Frontenac have been pushing for a commitment from the county to support Rural Routes. In response, the mayors of South Frontenac and Frontenac Islands have wondered aloud why, if it is such a priority, North and Central Frontenac townships have not taken this on themselves.

The impasse over transportaion at the county has not been resolved, but there will be a meeting this week that might establish the groundwork for a transportation program that serves North, South and Central Frontenac.

Although Rural Routes operates the only fully constituted dispatch service in the County, it is by no means the only provider of transportation. Rural Visions, South Frontenac’s community services agency, provides transportation for seniors and children, and the Canadian Cancer Society as well as the Kidney Foundation arranges transportation for the people they serve.

A meeting will be held in Harrowsmith to bring all of these agencies together to see if there is an opening to work co-operatively towards a county-wide solution. This might satisfy one of South Frontenac Mayor Davison's concerns.

As far as his fear that transportation will be a bottomless pit which sucks up so much money that there will be none left to maintain roads for everyone to drive on, it will be up to transportation proponents and county staff to come up with controls over spending, which Mayor Davison and South Frontenac Council, can accept.

It would be folly for the county to proceed with transportation funding without the support of South Frontenac Township, which is its largest component.

Feature Article - February 14, 2008

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Bridal Edition - February 14, 2008 Bridal Edition

Weddings are Here to Stayby Jeff Green

A Wedding Dress: The Fabric of Marriage

St. Valentine and the Giftof Love by Jean Brown

Relax, It's Only One Day

Financial Tips for NewlywedsSubmitted by Jason Willis, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

Weddings are Here to Stay

By Jeff Green

Twenty to thirty years ago, weddings were starting to look like quaint rituals that were destined to be relegated to the cultural minor leagues, like dancing around the maypole or debutante balls. The institution of marriage was under siege, with divorce rates skyrocketing, and the traditional venue for weddings, the local church, was losing its role in people’s lives. Society was changing, and laws were changing. The stigma over having children out of wedlock was losing its sting, and the legal status of common-law relationships has gradually come into sync with the legal status of marriage

Yet, even though divorce rates continue to rise, church attendance has certainly not rebounded in the three two decades and marriage rates have dropped, the wedding industry has continued to flourish.

What has certainly changed about weddings, and this is what makes the industry so dynamic, are the options for couples. From an intimate dinner with 4-10 people, to a large potluck at an old farmstead, to a lavish extravaganza in a hotel ballroom or wedding palace, people have a myriad of options when it comes to planning their weddings and a wide price range to consider.

Weddings are an expression of the personal style and the religious and ethnic background of the couple who are marrying, and as we become more comfortable with the cross cultural reality of our society we have begun to celebrate our diversity at weddings instead of sweeping them under the carpet.

And we're having more fun at weddings.

One thing hasn't changed, however, and in this matter I can speak from experience; advanced planning goes a long way to ensuring a less stressful, more successful wedding.

In my own case, it would have been a good idea to have finalised the seating arrangements before the guests began to arrive. The good news is that we found seats for 106 of the 108 people who arrived. The bad news is that cousins John and Judy, whom we considered the least likely to complain, ending up eating at a makeshift desk by the front door of the hall. As it turned out, the evening was unseasonably warm over 30 degrees Celsius on an April 28 evening, and John and Judy had the benefit of a breeze. And we ended up with a story to tell afterwards

The articles in this bridal issue are intended to help people avoid the pitfalls of inadequate planning, and to celebrate the fact that weddings are here to stay.

(We did find our cousins’ seats eventually – they are the two empty place settings at table 13 in the wedding photos)

A Wedding Dress: The Fabric of Marriage

Queen Victoria in her wedding dress, by Franz Xavier Winterhalter, 1842

Weddings performed during and immediately following the medieval era were often more than just a union between two people. They could be a union between two families, two businesses or even two countries. Many weddings were more a matter of politics than love, particularly among the nobility and the higher social classes. Brides were therefore expected to dress in a manner that cast their families in the most favorable light, for they weren't representing only themselves during the ceremony. Brides of an elevated social standing often wore rich colors and expensive fabrics. It was common to see such brides wearing bold colors and layers of furs, velvet and silk. Brides of a lower social standing often copied the elegant styles of wealthier brides as best they could.

Up until the late 1930s wedding dresses reflected the styles of the day. From that time onward, wedding dresses have traditionally been based on Victorian styles.

Over the centuries, brides continued to dress in a manner befitting their social status---always in the height of fashion, with the richest, boldest materials money could buy. The poorest of brides wore their best church dress on their wedding day. The amount of material a wedding dress contained also was a reflection of the bride's social standing and indicated the extent of the family's wealth to wedding guests.

Wedding dresses have traditionally been based on the popular styles of the day. For example, in the 1920s wedding dresses were typically short in the front with a longer train in the back and were worn with cloche-style wedding veils. This tendency to follow current fashions continued until the late 1940s, when it became popular to revert to long, full-skirted designs reminiscent of the Victorian era. The trend has continued until today.

Today, western wedding dresses are usually white, though 'wedding white' includes creamy shades such as eggshell, ecru and ivory. One of the first women to wear white at her wedding was Mary Queen of Scots, when she married Franis II of France. However, white was not then a tradition but rather a choice and one considered inauspicious, since white was the official colour of mourning in France at the time.

White did not become a popular option until 1840, after the marriage of Queen Victoria to Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Victoria had worn a white gown for the event so as to incorporate some lace she owned. The official wedding portrait photograph was widely published, and many other brides opted for a similar dress in honor of the Queen's choice. The tradition continues today in the form of a white wedding, though prior to the Victorian era a bride was married in any color except black (the color of mourning) or red (which was connected with prostitutes). Later, many people assumed that the color white was intended to symbolize virginity, though this had not been the original intention. (It was the color blue that was connected to purity.) Today, the white dress is understood merely as the most traditional and popular choice for weddings, not necessarily a statement of virginity.

St. Valentine and the Gift of Loveby Jean Brown

Valentines Day is fast approaching, and we are dreaming of candy, flowers, romance, but does anyone actually know who St. Valentine was?

St Valentine was a well loved priest near or in Rome in about the year 250AD during the reign of Emperor Claudius. and many people of all walks of life attended his church services.

At that time in history, Emperor Claudius was heavily recruiting men to serve as soldiers for his war, but without much success. The men preferred not to leave their wives, families and sweet-hearts to fight in foreign lands. Claudius became angry and declared that no more marriages could be performed and that all engagements were cancelled.

Valentine thought this was unfair and secretly married several couples. When Claudius found out, he threw Valentine in jail, where he sent out letters signed "from your Valentine". When Valentine died, friends of the priest retrieved his body and buried it in a churchyard in Rome . Years later in 496, Pope Gelasius declared a special day in honor of St. Valentine and through the centuries the holiday became a time to exchange love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.

Today it is a day to send notes, cards, give candy, propose marriage, and also to remember and honour God our Creator who is the author and giver of love.

Relax, It's Only One Day

The greater the number of decisions people have to make, the greater the level of stress they experience. Hundreds of decisions are involved in planning a wedding, and so it is no wonder that the dream of a lifetime can sometimes become, if not an outright nightmare, a less than enjoyableexperience. Just as newlyweds go hand in hand, stress and wedding planning can also go hand in hand.

Here are some tips to help you avoid wedding burnout:

Remember that the perfect wedding doesn’t exist; there are some things you have no control over.

Remember that you cannot please everybody, and you should not have to feel guilty.

Plan a wedding within your budget. Few people have many thousands of dollars at their disposal, and nothing is more stressful than anticipating paying the bills after the big day.

Be honest with yourself, your fiance), family and friends

Decide which things are the most important to you and be willing to let the others go.

Delegate responsibility when you can.

Communicate effectively and without anger if things go wrong.

Remember that people are unpredictable

You are not to blame for family feuds and problems that your guests have; you do not have to mediate.

A wedding may take a long time to plan.

Try not to be discouraged.

Keep sight of the goal. Nurture your relationship. A wedding is only one day in a lifetime of many.

Don’t work on wedding plans 24/7.

Take time to rest.

Financial Tips for NewlywedsSubmitted By: Jason Willis, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

A marriage is a new financial start. When couples get together there are adjustments to be made, goals to be set, and financial adventures to take.

Share information. Both partners should be fully aware of each other's financial situations, from spending to debt to investments. With full financial disclosure, you'll be better equipped to plan together.

Review and establish goals. The sooner you set financial goals, the better your chances of reaching them. Do you want to buy a new home or move up in the housing market? What about a retirement savings strategy? How much will those goals cost and how long will it take to reach them?

Budget. Create a budget that will allow you to save and invest enough to reach your goals. A good budget will help identify how much you earn and spend, and how to divert more income to savings. Decide how finances will be managed. Will one spouse be responsible for a larger percentage of bills and expenses, or will they be shared equally? Will you have joint savings and investments? Who will physically handle financial transactions?

Pay down debt. If you owe money, particularly high-interest debt such as credit card balances, formulate a plan to pay it off. Consider ways to reduce borrowing costs-for example, setting up a home equity line of credit if you own a house and quickly paying off any amounts you borrow.

Assess insurance needs. Life insurance is a necessity when you're married. The last thing you want is for your spouse or family to be left in dire financial straits if something happens to you. Consider disability and critical care insurance as well.

Make or update wills. Both partners should have up-to-date wills. This means jointly discussing estate planning needs and goals. You should also have powers of attorney for financial and personal care, in case one of you is unable to manage your financial or personal affairs because of illness or injury.

Establish an emergency fund. Keep six to nine months' combined living expenses in an emergency fund. If you run into financial difficulty-perhaps one of you could fall ill or lose your job-an emergency fund can help you get through.

One final tip. It's a good idea to get help from financial experts. At this stage of life couples can benefit from professional advice. With the right advice you can ensure your financial life together gets started on the right note.

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Feature Article - February 7, 2008 Frontenac Heritage Festival

Many will remember the the heritage quilt exhibit at last years festival, hosted by Pamela Giroux

Visitors from around the corner and around the region will find cold snow and warm-hearted people when they come to the second annual Frontenac Heritage Festival, which takes place in locations throughout Central Frontenac between February 16 and 24.

Outdoor events

The cold snow is certainly welcome at the first event of the festival, a Snow Rodeo on Saturday February 16 at Sharbot Lake High School, which is sponsored by the Safe and Sober Alliance. The Alliance includes groups such as the OPP, KFL&A Public Health, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and Frontenac ATV Club, MADD, the Frontenac Paramedics and others.

Activities will include an ATV Rally organized by the Frontenac ATV Club, and a Snowmobile Poker Run organized by the Snow Road Snowmobile Club. The public is welcome to visit the Snow Road Club, which will be hosting a breakfast from 8 to 11am, as well as an after-ride dinner.

A skills course is also planned. Adults and children 12 and over will have the opportunity to ride an appropriate sized machine on a course where they will learn safe riding skills and the need for proper safety training. Free rides will be offered on a 2-person Arctic Cat courtesy of L..D. Power Sports, and on Obie, the model train from CN. Other activities include a mock trail crash, fire extinguisher demo, ATV safety presentation, and an impaired reality on the trails activity. Indoor activities will include displays, video games, giveaways and door prizes.

Events for the whole family, with a focus on outdoor winter fun, will take place throughout the nine day festival.

There will be a snow sculpture competition. Build your creations at home and call Community Living at 613-279-3731 to register your entry. The deadline is Thursday Feb. 21 at 4:30pm and the judging will take place on Friday the 22nd .

On Sunday afternoon, February 17, the Tichborne rink will be the venue for skating, curling, and more. A free family movie, Snow Buddies, is showing at the Kennebec Hall on the holiday Monday, (February 18). On Saturday Feburary 23, there will be a pond hockey tournament at the Sharbot Lake beach and a cross country ski, (4km or 8km) starting at Marg’s Shoe Store.

Then on Sunday February 24 there will be a snow golf and soccer day in Arden at the community centre.

Heritage EventsHistorical Night

Heritage & History – Now & Then (Tuesday, February 19) is a celebration, over a potluck dinner with authors Lois Webster, Dave Dawson, Kaitlin Rainey, Megan Hughes, Lloyd Jones and Shirley Peruniak. They will present readings and historical talks as they share their knowledge with us throughout the evening.

The event includes the announcement and award presentation for the winners of the second annual photo contest, after a short slide show presentation of all the entries judged by members of the Land O`Lakes Artisans Guild.

So join us dressed in your finest vintage attire and you’ll be eligible for our “Best dressed in vintage” prize; or come as you are. Event starts at 4:30pm.

Land of Inspiration

An opportunity for the community to meet and spend time with local painters and makers of fine craft, Land of Inspiration runs from Wednesday – February 20 until Sunday- February 24 (for hours see schedule of events).

It will include a formal gallery with one or two pieces per artist, a gift shop, a continuous slide show and some demonstrations, plus snacks and tables where everyone can just sit around and chat. The gala opening Wednesday evening from 6-9 promises to bring together most of the guild members and the community, but members will be dropping by throughout the weekend.

The Land o' Lakes Artisans Guild comprises about 30 professionals who, as members of the community of Canadian artists and artisans link the region into an illustrious lineage. They have chosen to settle in this area for the same reasons the Canadian Shield is the subject of so many now famous paintings. The guild has members who have been part of the revival of handmade functional objects that rose up a few decades ago. Come spend some time with them and their work.

“Around The Kitchen Hearth”Wed & Thurs: 10-2; Fri: 10-4; Sat: 10-4:30; Sun: 10-4

Kitchen artifacts provided by Peter Bell from his personal archives, put together by local artist, designer and display expert Cheryl Matson make an excllent fit for the intimate setting of the lovingly restored Crow Lake schoolhouse. The kitchen hearth will be the centrepiece of the display, along with utensils and furniture that were common in the past but are exotic in the days of hyper electronic efficiency.

For example, check out the spinning wheel that will be part of the display. As Cheryl will explain, the wool goes from the spinning wheel onto two spindles, then it is respun to ply it. The wool is then taken off two spindles and put on to the swift. (See photo below). Lastly, you would thread the wool through the swift to produce a skein.

On Saturday, February 23, Crow Lake association members will bring the kitchen hearth to life. Ludwig Ratzinger will be cooking wild leek soup and baking pies from scratch and Lloyd Jones will will provide some readings about the history of our area from his published works “The Dammed Lakes” and “Living by the Chase” as people relax around the kitchen hearth after a fine meal.

Heritage Displays – First Nations and Local Talent (February 22-24 – St. James Major Church Hall)

From Friday through to Sunday check out the many displays including drums and rattles; weaving by hand; Railway Museum artifacts; antiques and demonstrations – from maple syrup’s historical & current processes to cheese making. There will also be displays of canoe paddles, local growers showing their products, basket making, a bow workshop and the Trappers Association display, any and all of which will be sure to educate and be fun to watch. A First Nations lunch will be available on Saturday, with corn soup, venison chili and bannock.

Musical events (February 22-24)

The Frontenac Heritage Festivcal celebrates the way people entertained themselves locally in the evenings way back when, and today as well.

Art Barker will be calling a Friday night square dance at the Land O Lakes Public School (7:00 pm).

On Saturday, one of the Festival's highlight events, an old style Variety Show, will take place at the Sharbot Lake High School Cafetorium (7:00 pm). Hosted by Roger James, the show will include perfomances by

the Blue Skies Fiddle Orchestra, Hinchinbrooke Public School Percussion, the Limestone City Cloggers and the fabulous Tweed Twangers. (There is a $5 admission to this event – profits go to Sharbot Lake High School special programs)

The final event of the Festival will be a Kitchen Party at the Arden Legion on Sunday, starting at noon. It will feature Sherry & Betty Gibbs, Glen and Leona Foster, Ellis Wolvreys, Debbie Barkley. The party will be folowed by the festival closing ceremonies at 3:30 and an open mike session at 4:00.

Feature Article - February 21, 2008

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Letters - February 21, 2008 LettersFebruary 21

Statement from Shabot Obaadjiwan

Statement from Ardoch Algonquin

Ackerman Responds, Jerry Ackerman

Rule of Law,Hedy Muysson

Anti Mining Coverage,Kimberly E. Bate

Political Prisoner, Sulyn Cedar

Contempt, Count Me In!, Bob Miller

Does the Mining Industry Control the Government?, Daniel White

Statement from Shabot Obaadjiwan

On February 12, 2008 the leadership of the Shabot Obaajiwan Algonquin First Nation appeared in a Kingston court to stand trial for their role in the ongoing struggle to stop a proposed 30,000-acre uranium mine on unceded Algonquin land just north of Sharbot Lake, Ontario.

In keeping with the spirit of goodwill and peace in which the Shabot Obaajiwan having been conducting themselves throughout this conflict, Chief Doreen Davis and War Chief Earl Badour Sr. have agreed to continue to abide by the terms of a court ordered injunction issued on September 27, 2007 with which they have complied since the blockade was dismantled on October 11, 2007. The Shabot leadership will ask their community to comply with this order and the “undertakings” negotiated by crown attorneys and Shabot defence lawyers until the case is reconvened for sentencing on March 17, 2008.

This trial is further illustration of the lack respect and indifference with which the Ontario government has consistently chosen to treat the concerns of First Nations people. Ontario has failed to abide by their own legally binding duty to consult Algonquin First Nations before initiating mining exploration on their lands. Instead the government has chosen to hide behind the courts. By attempting to bury this significant political and environmental issue in the mire of the legal system, they have clearly proven that their loyalties lie with industry rather than with people. Ontario has once again elected to promote the profit-seeking ventures of industry over Aboriginal rights and values. In spite of such bad faith on the part of Ontario, Shabot Obaajiwan leaders have consistently demonstrated their willingness to negotiate this issue through consultations with the government.

The Shabot Obaajiwan leadership remains committed to the opposition of the uranium mine, the disastrous effects of which would be felt for many hundreds of kilometres along the watershed and for many hundreds of years. They appeal to members of the Shabot Obaajiwan community as well as other communities of First Nations and settlers involved in the anti-uranium struggle to continue to conduct themselves in the spirit of peace.

We Live to Fight Another Day!

Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation

Statement from Ardoch Algonquins

In a travesty of justice, AAFN Spokesperson Robert Lovelace was sentenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Kingston to 6 months incarceration and crippling fines amounting to $50,000 for upholding Algonquin law within our homeland. An additional sanction of $2,000 per day will be imposed for every day that Bob continues to obey our law rather than the court order. In addition, our community was fined $10,000 and Chief Paula Sherman $15,000, and our statement of defense was struck out, which means that we are forbidden from challenging the constitutional validity of Ontario’s Mining Act. The court made it clear that First Nations’ laws do not exist in Canada’s legal system and anyone who tries to follow First Nations law will be severely punished.

Shouts of “shame!” erupted in the courtroom as the sentences were read by the judge and Robert was taken into custody. Many were aghast at the harshness of the sentencing imposed for participation in a peaceful protest against uranium exploration which was approved by the Province of Ontario without any consultation with our community.

Chief Paula Sherman said: “No consideration was given to the circumstances that led to our actions. The testimony given under oath by Robert Lovelace outlined Algonquin Law and the corresponding responsibilities of Algonquin people with respect to human activity in our territory. It was tossed aside by the judge and deemed to be of no relevance. The message delivered clearly through this court decision is one of domination and oppression; the law will enforce one set of values with respect to human relationships with the land in Ontario and there is no room for Algonquin laws or values.”

Ontario and Canada portray themselves as shining examples of democracy and human rights for the world to emulate, all the while creating laws, policies, and value systems that oppress and deny Aboriginal peoples’ human right to life as distinct people. Robert testified that Algonquin identity is tied to the relationships that we maintain with the land.

Lovelace is now in jail in Quinte Correctional facility in Napanee. Chief Sherman said: “He is a political prisoner of the Government of Ontario and Ardoch Algonquin First Nation places blame for his incarceration on Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael Bryant. We have repeatedly asked for consultations on the mineral claims on our lands within the larger Algonquin homeland. We have offered Ontario a variety of options to enable consultation. Every option was rejected out of hand. Ontario’s position has been consistent: Drilling on our land must occur. Our position has equally been consistent: Meaningful consultation must occur before any of our land is damaged or alienated to mining companies.”

Ardoch Algonquin First Nation

Ackerman Responds

I'm pleased to say something that responds to my deep and continuing concerns for the community and country in which I have lived these many years. I especially welcome John McEwen's attempts to defend the political system that satisfies him. It does not satisfy me. I am willing -- even anxious-- to challenge his assumptions with hard data and hard times I have witnessed or experienced.

Have his "proud Ontario" MPs arranged our economic and financial future to his liking? Is he pleased with being able to fund an otherwise failing business the size of General Motors or Ford? Does he approve of Ontario's financial expert (now finance Minister for the entire country) turning over to the chartered banks the entire surplus of the year, $13,000,000,000 to rescue them from their foolish lending and investing decisions? Did he salute the selection of Lockheed Martin (largest war weapon maker of the world) to supply Stats Canada with the means of carrying out our census? Was General O'Connor -- longtime lobbyist for the military John's choice for Defence Minister? This man spent $20,000,000,000 of my taxes and yours to enrich the weapons industry of Canada and the US, encouraging our youngsters toward endless combative conflict with the rest of the world -- on John McEwen's behalf? As I remember it, none of these actions were mentioned during the election campaign. Did I not hear some one ask?

Instead of funding wasteful and destructive follies, I want our central bank to be creating the funds for everybody's roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and parks. Such a plan worked well from 1939 to 1972. Then the chartered banks rewrote the Bank Act that was designed to regulate their activities. Result? A perfected conflict of interest situation over which an ordinary Canadian anywhere has no say and zero control. And a national debt composed of over 90 % compound interest.

Maybe John will explain for me why 29,000 eligible voters did not vote.

Jerry Ackerman

Rule of Law

Judge Cunningham, in his preamble to the sentencing of Bob Lovelace and Paula Sherman of the Ardoch Algonquin Nation, was concerned about the rule of law.Whose law and for whose benefit?The laws of the original inhabitants of this land, which served them well for many centuries, have been completely ignored once again.

Lovelace and Sherman are trying to protect the integrity of their land from the devastation of uranium mining, which will affect us all far beyond the immediate area and poison the land, air and water forever.

In my eyes, Paula Sherman and Robert Lovelace now join the ranks of Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks in their fight against injustice.Ultimately this travesty of justice and the results ofwillful ignorance of the dangers of uranium mining will rest squarely on the shoulders of Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Hedy Muysson

Thank you for your fine coverage of the Robertsville anti-mining protests.

I look forward to detailed news of the 13 February court events and an update on Robertsville. Additionally thousands need to know of the well-being, situation and future of Bob Lovelace who was arrested on Friday. He pays the price for all of us, as do his students, children and family.

I am stunned that the eloquent, peace-keeping, law-abiding and gentle Lovelace sits this moment in a jail cell. Ironic since he has done much social service toward improving prison programs. His crime: standing up for his values, his People, and the care of the Earth. Do we imprison people for peaceful expression and taking a stand? Do we also go ahead with plans to ravage thousands of acres, endanger waterways, ignore resident and landowner rights, and violate land claim law, when there’s serious potential for harm to the public?

We must be able to rely upon the good and just laws of free nations. The courts must protect the welfare of People. They must uphold the law. They must be a source of strength and right for us all. Yet we witness a betrayal. “For shame,” the people called out to the court. I must agree.

Many misunderstand this as a local Native land claim. This is a fight for all people everywhere who want an Earth to safely live upon. Algonquin have a special legal place in this protest, yes. But your neighbors, local lands, cottages, lakes, other mining sites, world organizations, and religious groups—are involved.

Why is the court unwilling to hold off on drilling until investigations and talks conclude? In this time of Green, carbon footprint, environmental crisis, shouldn’t the courts be more, not less, cautious? We turn off faucets, replace our light bulbs, and take the commuter train to work. While mining companies press harder for access to areas so vast we can hardly comprehend, without clean up regulations. And the courts say, “Sure.”

I recently learned Minnesota has a huge increase in mining. In a down economy? The reason: the buyer is China.

Is it possible this free pass from the courts is not because we need uranium for X-rays; nor for nuclear energy as we’ve been told, but to feed the ravenous appetite of an up-and-coming industry? We’re selling our land and safety down the river to meet the demands of a booming China? Then as individuals we’ll pay China for our own resources come back to us as Wal-Mart goods. You know Wal-Mart violations of ethical and environmental policies are well documented. Is this free trade? Prosperity? Let’s pay attention folks. I ask you, get up off that couch and do something.

Kimberly E. Bate

Political Prisoner

Ontario's citizens care about healthy communities.Therefore it’s of the utmost importance to protect that which we love, and act now to stop uranium mining in our region. Our Algonquin neighbors have stepped up to the plate and one man in particular is suffering the consequences of taking a strong stand against this environmentally destructive industry.

Bob Lovelace is a political prisoner.I'm angry and sad that the justice system failed on February 15 at the Frontenac County Court in Kingston regarding contempt of court charges for interfering with the business of uranium mining.

If there's to be hope for dealing fairly with First Nations issues we must address racism within our legal system.Bob Lovelace spoke about Canadian history and why he has an obligation to stop uranium mining in Algonquin territory, on unceded Crown land.He presented a very clear case in support of the defendants’ position against Frontenac Ventures Corporation.

Justice Cunningham failed to understand the Ardoch Algonquins’ constitutional rights and Ontario and Canada's duty to consult with them regarding use of Crown land.His decision to incarcerate Bob Lovelace and inflict a heavy fine reflects the colonialist bias of the courts.I'm ashamed of our legal system.

What do we do now?Join us in protest this Saturday, February 23, at 11AM at the Quinte Detention Centre where Bob is a prisoner. Check www.ccamu.ca for actions and events and help us stand strong against uranium mining.

Sulyn Cedar

Contempt Count Me In

Contempt! Count me in! You might add “disgust” as well.

I believe in the “Rule of Law”, but keep in mind that laws have been used to subjugate Native people for centuries. Laws evolve, and that’s why we call it a “Justice System” and not a “Law System”. The Native boarding school fiasco was enforced under the law, and how do we feel about that now?

What is worse, is that this government has put itself above the law in refusing to come to the table in this affair. Hardly a level plating field! The courts have the responsibility to sort this out, and somehow come to a just determination. If Friday’s decision was “just”, shouldn’t the Premier be in jail also? The court could have mandated that ALL parties come to the table. Instead, it chose to use its weight to grind down and punish a few individuals who have taken on the responsibility of representing the will of their people.

Shame! Rightful authority is replaced by “Rule of the big stick”. Well, carve another notch in it. What I learned on Friday is that Native people will find no justice in this court. They need to look elsewhere, perhaps to the international community. They need to find a bigger stick.

Bob Miller

Does the Mining Industry Control the Government?

I am appalled at the government’s decision toincarcerate people who arepeacefully attempting to protect themselves and other residents of this provincefrom an arrogant, aggressiveand financially motivatedmining industry. These peoplehave done nothing wrong. What is wrong, is the current mining act and the lack of the government’s effort to correct it.

Superior Court Justice Douglas Cunningham's decisionpresents itself asagovernmental system having complete power byforcibly suppressing opposition, criticism, and regimenting all industry. The conduciveforce behind his decision being the mining industry andits obvious attempt to acquire additional profits regardless of what harmmay be caused to the residents of Frontenac County and surrounding areas. It would appear that the government has decided to sacrifice its ownprovince andresidents due to the growing world demand for uranium. This is Capitalism at it's worst.

The Whig Standard stated that "Cunningham, in explaining his reasoning for the sentence, said that the adoption of self-help flaunts the rule of law and can't be tolerated because respect for our court system evaporates and our entire society suffers as a result." "Self help flaunts the rule of law?" What a ridiculous statement. If the government chooses not to help its own citizens what other choice exists? Society will suffer to a much greater extent if the mining industry is allowed to be its controlling factor.

I don't see this as an Indian affairs issue, but as a moral human rights issue for all residents of Canada.Frontenac Ventureswasgiventhe right by the government to invade and destroyeveryone's land, the land that we worked for and rely so heavily upon for our very existence. Is this Canada's version of justice? Residents of Ontario, even those who appeared to have a complacentoutlook on life, are now beginning to understand the consequences of not participating in the attempt to change the current mining laws.

I believe that Court Justice Douglas Cunningham's morally incorrect decision sent a message that will promote additional activity in the fight against current mining laws, not prevent it. People with political influence,local municipalitiesand all of their council members who believe thatchanges should be made, need to become more actively involved with this atrocity and not be sitting on a fence waiting to see which side of the fence becomes greener first.

Daniel R. White

Feature Article - February 21, 2008

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Editorial - February 21, 2008 Time to move on from drill holesEditorial by Jeff Green

After three days of hearings in the Kingston court last week, I was left with two major impressions.

One of them came from Bob Lovelace.

Bob Lovelace was undaunted, and undiminished, when he spent in excess of a day explaining how, as a matter of conscience, he could not comply with a court injunction requiring him to stand by as Frontenac Ventures Corporation completes an exploratory drilling program on what he considers to be Algonquin lands.

His ultimate defence was that he had an overwhelming responsibility to the land itself, and that put him into conflict with Canadian law, a conflict that in his words, “does not mean that I hold Canadian law in contempt; I respect Canadian law, but I cannot abide by it in this case.”

It was a powerful testament to his own political convictions, and to the convictions of all of the people who have participated in the actions at the Robertsville mine over the past 7 1/2 months.

The other major impression was a sense of inevitability to the proceedings. On the matter before the court, all of the defence’s submissions were beside the point. The question of whether the Government of Ontario should have consulted the Algonquins before accepting the mining claims was easily brushed aside by well-funded, well-prepared, submissions that focused the judge’s attention on the single question of how his own injunction of September 27 could be enforced. That injunction had granted the company “unfettered access” to their mining claim and the court was asked to send a message to any and all people who intend to stand in the way of that. And that's what the court did.

One of the main tools the Ardoch Alonquins have been using is the press, and this became a weapon in the hands of Frontenac Ventures’ lawyer Neal Smitheman, who made reference to statements Lovelace has made and letters he has written to the premier as evidence of the fact that it is necessary to jail him until the drilling program is complete.

Judge Cunningham was not concerned about politics in his decision. He was enforcing his own order, and if his decision revealed a sympathy for Frontenac Ventures’ position and a disdain for the Ardoch Algonquins, it was only in its severity.

Trying to prevent test drilling by Frontenac Ventures Corporation is an end in itself. It has also been the focal point for a complex struggle with the combined goal of promoting the land rights of Algonquin people; seeking a change to the “right of entry” provision in the Ontario Mining Act; and pointing out the potential health and environmental damage that come with uranium mining and the nuclear industry.

These other goals are broader, and require a long-term effort that can only be accomplished on the political level. The protest at Robertsville has been effective, but it has run headlong into the court system and if there is one point of agreement between Bob Lovelace and Frontenac Ventures’ President George White it is about the court system.

Bob Lovelace has said the courts have not been kind to aboriginal peoples. George White said that his company might lose out in the press but it will win in the courts.

Frontenac Ventures’ legal team has been able to use the courts to foment a rift between the Ardoch and Sharbot Lake Algonquins. When court reconvenes on March 18, the company intends to go after the OPP over the way the situation at Robertsville has been handled.

For those people who are interested in pursuing the broader goals, and who are interested in trying to preserve the coalition between Algonquins and so-called settlers that has developed since June 28, the Kingston court is the worst place to be, and if that means shifting the focus away from the Frontenac Ventures’ test drilling program, so be it. - JG

Feature Article - February 28, 2008

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Feature Article - February 28, 2008 Positive Outlook for Verona Medical Services by Inie Platenius

About 60 people came out to hear the Verona District Medical Services Committee report on its progress with keeping Verona in the health care loop. Surveying the full hall in the afternoon session, Chairman John McDougall began by telling people that at last year’s inaugural meeting, the many support players from Kingston “couldn’t believe the level of support” that people showed here. It was clear from both the attendance and the crowd’s response that the support is still with us.

Dr. Laurel Dempsey began the session with “modestly good news”. A mid-career doctor with ties to the area (cottage on Bob’s Lake and family in Kingston) is very keen to join the Verona practice. Dr. Susan Derrick already practices here sometimes as a locum, and as her husband, a first class stationary engineer, has found a position in the area, she is ready to move from Oshawa. Although Doctor Dempsey “hasn’t stopped biting [her] nails yet”, this is welcome news in a climate of doctor baiting that often sees communities spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in perks to attract physicians.

At present, Dr. Connie Townsend has been acting as locum in the busy clinic, and if Dr. Derrick does join, Dr. Townsend would be able to finally take a full retirement (this is her second call out of retirement, to Verona’s great benefit). Since Dr. Dempsey does not intend to retire right away, the clinic would then have two permanent physicians on staff. That, however, does not end the search. Dr. Dempsey will retire at some point, and the clinic will definitely need another doctor (in fact, three doctors is not too many for Verona). To fill this need, the committee - and especially Drs. Dempsey and Wilson – are constantly on the lookout. They talk with Queen’s doctors who are finishing their residency – especially those who were not initially trained in Canada and need to give five years to an under-serviced area, which thanks to an initiative by Frontenac County’s Diana Britana, is what we are.

They also offer “A Week in the Country” to first year medical students at both Queen’s and Ottawa U. as a taste of the joys of rural practice. “We have lots to attract doctors,” says Dr. Dempsey. “We’re not interested in chucking money at docs to get them here.”

This approach is echoed in the rest of the committee. The 4 by 6 foot display board that committee member Jim Lansdell presented shows a vibrant community full of outdoor activities, cultural events, and proximity to major urban centres. He reported that the display, created by local artist Donna Larocque, was unique in last fall’s recruitment fair, where slick corporate media-produced displays were the norm. “The only way we could have made [the display] any more rustic would have been a beaver on one end and a moose on the other,” grinned Jim.

Doctors may well be coming to Verona without big monetary bribes, but that doesn’t mean the community won’t need money. The big fundraising thrust will revolve around the medical clinic itself. The building began as a leased facility, owned by a group of local residents, but for many years has been owned and managed by the doctors who practice there, first Dr. Day and now Dr. Dempsey.

This arrangement will not meet the needs of any of today’s doctors because gone are the days when buying your building was your retirement package. Docs want a “turn key” operation where they don’t have to worry about maintenance and upkeep. Two options for this are: private investor(s) buy the building or the community raises the money to buy the clinic and leases it back to the doctors. At the moment, both options are open and the committee has budgeted $200,000 towards making one of them work.

You can see the full budget and much more about health care in Verona on the Verona Community Association’s website: www.veronacommunity.on.ca. Click on Medical Information on the side menu. Then check the side menu on the medical page for the information you want.

One fascinating bonus of the information meetings was a report from Family Practice Nurse Carolyn Goodberry on the changing role of the family practice nurse. We learned that patient triage is one of their major jobs, and that the process begins right in your call to the clinic. How urgent is the situation? How soon does the patient need to be seen? Carolyn and her colleague Marg Kelsey constantly make these decisions. “So, when you phone the clinic and think you’re talking to a secretary,” says Dr. Lynn Wilson, “you’re not. You’re talking to a nurse. The only secretary in our clinic is me” (as the administrator of the five-practice Rural Kingston Family Health Care Network).

By contrast, the only hospital nurses who do this kind of triage are emergency specialists. Carolyn also explained that certain medical procedures can be formally delegated from the doctor to her nurse. Such things as the diagnosis of and prescribing for clear-cut syndromes like cystitis can be done completely by the registered family practice nurse, and it looks like much more of this kind of assessment will be possible in the near future. And guess what? Family practice nurses are also in short supply, so the health services committee has to put that on its list of things to monitor!

Although we’re some way from assuring all the needs of Verona’s health care future, the news from this meeting is positive. The strong commitment from Drs. Dempsey and Wilson and their whole team, coupled with the dedication of the Health Services Committee, particularly chairman John McDougall, give hope that we will not be left behind in the scramble to keep our rural family practice viable.

Feature Article - February 28, 2008

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Feature Article - February 28, 2008 Neighbours come to couple’s rescue By Jeff GreenA building crew, comprised of neighbours arrived at the Decrou home Saturday morning to erect a shelter for their five horses.

Two and half years ago Adrienne and Norman Decou moved to the Flinton area from their previous home in Windsor because they found a nice piece of land where they could pursue their hobbies. Norm wanted an air strip and Adrienne wanted to keep horses, so they bought a 170 acre farm on the Freeburn Road and began to build their future.

“We immediately started renovations to the old cow barn on the property. We invested a lot of sweat and money and received a lot of help, adviceand support from our neighbors. We were quite happy with our progress. We had four stalls, a tack area and an indoor home for our tractor and our hay”, Adrienne recalled when interviewed early this week.

It all burned down last Wednesday, February 20.

Norm was working at his job in Belleville and Adrienne was working for the Limestone School Board in Tamworth when their barn caught fire at around noon. Fortunately Adrienne’s five horses were not in or close to the barn at the time, and the Canada Post mail driver was making her rounds earlier than normal on that day, so the fire deparment was notified in time to save the couple’s house. Although it is located a distance from the barn, the siding was melting on the house when crews arrived, and since the barn was already gone they focused their efforts on the house.

“I was set on not having horses any more on Wednesday evening. I didn’t even consider keeping them. They had lost all their feed, I didn’t know where I was going to house them, we had lost our tractor, all of our gear, everything. I didn’t see how we could start over again. We were devastated,” Adrienne said.

That night Adrienne told Glen and Cheryl Davidson, whom she refers to as her “angel neighbors”, that she might as well pack up and move back to Windsor.

“They must have spent last Wednesday night on the phone,” Adrienne said, “because Glen phoned the next morning and said we’ve got you the hay you need, and all the materials to build an enclosure.”

The Madoc Co-op provided grain, a water heater, and more; Yourway Lumber kicked in with whatever building materials other neighbours could not provide. On Saturday morning a crew of nine arrived to turn a small lean-to that had been spared by the fire into a semi-enclosed 20’ x 30’ structure suitable for five horses.

Glen Davidson has offered to cut their hay this year and another neighbour has offered to lend the Decous a portable sawmill so they can get lumber for a new barn from their own land.

For Adrienne Decou, it has made her more committed than ever to her new community.

“The outpouring of support has been amazing.The sense of community, and belonging to it, is so strong it's overwhelming. We are not 'local', having lived here only a short time but you would never know it. It feels like our 'roots' are here. I am not knocking Windsor, but this never would have happened there. People are way too disconnected. We lived on a street with 100 people or more and I only knew 2 families by name!

“We may have lost a barn and lots of 'stuff' but what we have gained in just 'being human' is unbelievably overwhelming. We will never be able to find the words to adequately thank everyone, but we will always be looking for ways to pay it forward!

“When we first moved here weknew we had found our little piece of heaven on earth but we did not know there were angels that came along with it.”

Letters - February 28, 2008

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Letters - February 28, 2008 LettersFebruary 28

Re:Cover Photo,Bill Deacon

Warning from Bancroft,Ian Whillans

Pigment Impaired,Glen Pearce

19th Century Mining Act,Don G. Campbell

Re: Cover Photo

On the front cover of your Feb. 14 paper was a colour picture of Doreen Davis, Chief of the Shabot Obaadjiwan Algonquin group from Sharbot Lake. It is a remarkable picture in that it shows clearly a very proud and stately lady leaving a court that heard contempt of court charges against her and the Ardoch Algonquin First Nations.

These charges arose out of the Aboriginal communities’ blockade of uranium mining operations at Robertsville to try to stop the mining of this substance which has been proven to be extremely dangerous to both people and the environment.

We who are following this know that even though the Native community was willing to negotiate with the Liberal government, who gave the drilling rights to Frontenac Ventures over many protests (even a hunger strike!), it seemed the government in Toronto couldn’t care less about known facts on the damage caused by uranium mining, and are determined to allow mining no matter the costs.

I have nothing but respect for Chief Doreen Davis and the members of the Ardoch Algonquins who stood up to the mighty power of the Government of Ontario, its courts and judges (who are all paid with our tax money). The government didn’t hesitate to use their “big stick” contempt charges against them.

Chief Doreen Davis is a lady of principle who believes in saving her people from possible harm by any means she can. She can be proud to wear her headdress and Native clothing, for if there ever was a chief of the Algonquin peoples she is one.

Now we wait. All we can hope for is that Frontenac Ventures does not find enough uranium to bother taking it out of the ground. Whatever the outcome, we who for whatever reason (myself included) did not take an active part in trying to stop uranium mining in Robertsville, owe a debt of gratitude to those who did.

To our Aboriginal people from Sharbot Lake and Ardoch who risked contempt charges and going to jail to save us from a possible disaster, I say thank you, and hope our governments will at last sit down and negotiate an honest settlement for any and all land claims you might bring to the table.

I have followed the events of this dispute as they unfolded and I thank you for your unbiased and fair-minded reporting of these matters, which that could greatly affect the lives of us all. Reading my paper “The Frontenac News” is a pleasure I don’t miss.

Bill Deacon, Kingston

Warning from Bancroft

My wife and I have been keeping a close eye on the news concerning the proposed uranium mine near Crotch Lake.We sold our cottage near Bancroft because of the three abandoned uranium mines around the lake. There are tailings at the mines and one had to be cleaned up due to the fact it was placing radioactive matter into the lake.Now according to some recent tests one of the other mines is sending radioactive matter into the lake.

I now understand that the courts have convicted some individuals for contempt of court, with fines totalling $50,000 and some jail time. This dispute isn't just a legal matter, it is a moral issue as well as an environmental issue. The government should step in to protect the land and the people who occupy the area around the Robertsville mine.

I have one request of Mr. Neal Smitheman, the lawyer for Frontenac Ventures. Why don't you and your family move up to the area around the Robertsville mine and see if your legal judgement is still clouded by a big salary and an appetite to defeat the defendants at any cost to your moral judgement?

Ian Whillans

Pigment Impaired

Since the draconian incarceration of Bob Lovelace, the perception is that this is a matter of the pigment-impaired vs the natives, but it's not, really.We shouldn't lose sight of the fact

that our legal system (I can't dignify it by calling it a 'justice system') and oft-times our government, is an equal-opportunity system.It doesn't really care who it victimizes, as it operates on the basis of big vs small, strong vs weak, well-connected vs powerless.That's how it was, is, and will be.

That said, is there any country on earth with a better system?If there is, we should all be working tirelessly to emulate it.If there isn't, we should all be working tirelessly to optimize ours and set an example we need not be ashamed of.

Glen Pearce

19th Century Mining Act

The recent sentencing of Native leaders because of their legitimate concern for the consequences (consequences which they would have to live with)which could derive from theadventures of Frontenac Ventures in North Frontenac, is just anotherexample of the Wild West mentality aliveand well in Ontario's nineteenth century Mining Act. These people have been on this land for generations, going back long beforeEuropeans arrived in Eastern Ontario. Their dispute is well documented. Frontenac Ventures is a junior mining company with a limited track record and a seemingly undue haste. If the demand for uranium is indeed legitimate, and that is a moot point, it will be there for the long term, and the economic return will remain firm. Why the need to be in such a hurry to punish the Native community? Why the need to be so heavy handed?

Last July the Ministry of Mines and Northern Development proposed changes to the Mining Act and invited public input and consultation; and the public did respond. MNDM is, supposedly, in the process of reviewing this "public consultation" and bringing forth revisions to Ontario's Mining Act. One of the proposals proffered by MNDM was that of more consideration for Aboriginal rights. Was this whole "consultation process" just a hollow public relations gesture? Where are the proposed amendments to the Mining Act?

Regrettably, this whole thing smacks, not of long term, legitimate mining, but of mining promotion and speculation opportunity; intended to take hasty advantage of the current strong base metal price and fostered bylong out-of-date mining legislation. Is it?MNDM appears unwilling to look after the larger public good, acting as it does as advocate for the mining community. Who looks after the big picture, taking into consideration all the effects on theland surface and the people who live there, both now and in the future? Where were the premier and the cabinet while this sorry escapade was playing out?

Sad to say, but sometimes I am simply ashamed to be a citizen of Ontario.

Don G. Campbell, Ottawa

Letters - March 27, 2008

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Letters - March 27, 2008 Letters: March 27

Re: Alarm Over Pan Fish, Paul M. Wicher

Denbigh Ambulance, Suzanne Lee

Tourism? Hardly!Barb and Bob Waterworth

Central Frontenac Property Taxes,Michael Wise

509 Injunction,Inie Platenius

Provincial Power Greater than Federal?, Kimberly Bate

Seven First Nations People Jailed,Susan Quipp

Fuel Cell vs Solar: No Contest,Carl Winterburn

Re: Alarm Over Pan Fish Limits

I have become totally disgusted with the self-serving hysteria local resort owners are using in an attempt to arouse public support against fishery management by endeavouring to portray themselves as being savaged to destitution by the changes to antiquated fishery regulations, inferring how the rest of us will also suffer. Balderdash!

I was not aware that our natural resources, already sorely depleted and waning, were to be managed solely for the benefit of the financial well-being of the resort owners and the pleasure of their clients. These clients are “Americans who fill their freezers with pan fish” according to Mr. Cezar Spirala, owner of Springwood Cottages. “Fill their freezers”! Obviously the governing authorities in their home states awoke earlier than our MNR, putting sane limits on the size of the catch.

Amazing these butchers have not heard of the word CONSERVATION or the phrase “Limit your catch, don’t catch your limit” or how about, “Catch and Release”? Obviously the words also mean nothing to Mr. Spirala either. Filling his resort and pockets, regardless of the environmental cost and long term consequences, is paramount. Perhaps the reasons underlying reductions in Zone 18 is that the fishery is in much worse condition then in other zones. Although the Ministry of Natural Resources is far down on my personal list of highly competent bureaucracies, I would rather trust in their biological studies and data than the questionable dollar-driven biology of Mr. Spirala or Mr. Leonard or the political biology of our MPP.

Fifty fish in possession should be enough for anyone!

I further question Mr. Spirala on his assertion that “few Canadians are interested in these species”. Where is his data? The enthusiasm for pan fishing is alive and well. Canadians are discovering that fishing for pan fish can be fun, a family event, not requiring a 20 foot Lund, 200 HP Mercury and 140 gallons of gas. And even if this were not the case, there is no reason the resources should be pillaged! We have been pillaging since the first human set foot on the earth. Is it not time for logic to prevail controlling our greed and blood lust?

I have fished and hunted for a good deal of my life in many parts of the world. The claims I hear from these tourist hosts are absurd. Mr. Spirala claims it’s good fishery manage to catch as many pan fish as possible as “they eat the eggs of more desirable fish” He is taking a micro view of lake ecology. The “more desirable fish”, obviously pike, bass and walleye, depend to a huge extent on the bounty of all age classes of pan fish (bluegill, sunfish, perch, bullhead, and rock bass) for their survival. In fact, the large pan fish are also active feeders on their own kind and the young of others. Under the surface the bigger eat the smaller regardless of species: there are no picky eaters! A smaller bounty means a poorer and under-sized fishery.Further, it is impossible to “just pan fish”! Call it incidental catch or dumb luck but if you float around a body of water long enough with a worm or minnow in the water an opportunistic “desirable” is going to visit you. I will leave it to your imagination as to what happens to the “desirable”.

Paul M. Wicher

Denbigh Ambulance

It is of great concern to our community, Denbigh and area, that our ambulance service is in grave jeopardy. We demand, as taxpayers, confirmation that our coverage and service will not be compromised for the coverage of the south of this county.

At the present time our ambulance goes to the Northbrook Base for standby rather than the south fringe of our area, which already compromises response time.

We expect/demand that our ambulance stay at the Denbigh Base and not on standby at the Northbrook Base. This is a geographic necessity. The statement “every second counts” means nothing as this could add as much as 30 minutes or more to an already crucial response time, just to get back to their area. This is unacceptable.

As part of the “Greater Napanee” and the same tax base, we deserve and demand the same essential services here to serve our population as that of the south.

Logically it would seem that Belleville or Kingston could respond more quickly to calls as well as be in closer proximity to hospitals. If more service is needed in the south, manage your crews more effectively and/or add more services to solve your problems. Don’t make them ours.

Suzanne Lee

Tourism?Hardly!Replying to our present mayor’s quote "It looks like for the forseeable future our industry is tourism" (Ron McGuire Frontenac News March 20th 2008)

How much time , effort and monies have been spent, and are being spent defining North Frontenac as a prime tourist destination? IF a uranium mine is established here, what we will see is: sickness, death and destruction.

Barb and Bob Waterworth

Central Frontenac Property Taxes The province is holding the 2008 education levy for the Central Frontenac taxpayer at the same level as last year. The county is reducing their levy by 3.7%. What are township officials proposing? An increase of 10.1%. That's par for the course - township taxes have increased an average of 9.2% a year for the last six years. Ifaccepted by council, their draft budget would continue this tradition of increases well in excess of the annual rate of inflation.

The challenge this council faces is to demonstrate that now, with the experience of over a year in office, it can stem the township's ever increasing thirst for property tax revenue, that it can provide the leadership necessary to enable the township to live within the budget constraints facing the average taxpayer. I doubt that many taxpayers saw their incomes increase by over 10% last year.

Councillors - at your next budget meeting on April 1, show your sensitivity for the electorate's ability to pay. Given that costs are increasing for the township just as they are for everyone else, I wouldn't expect a decrease comparable to that provided by the county, or even the zero increase implemented by the province. But a 10.1% increase? No! A township increase in line with the annual rate of inflation, say 2%, would be more appropriate. The overall property tax increase for 2008 would then be 1.2%.

Michael Wise

509 InjunctionI am confused and concerned about the injunction relating to Frontenac Ventures property. A February 15 statement from the OPP says: “Pursuant to the court order, anyone within 200m of the gate, or any Frontenac Ventures employee at the site, can be arrested and charged with criminal contempt. As well, anyone obstructing Frontenac Venture employees or equipment can be arrested and charged with criminal contempt. Buildings and/or structures may not be within 500m of the gate on Robertsville Road or Hwy 509”.

As far as I know, there is no sign on the 509 warning the public of this prohibition from being on a public road allowance. Does this mean that any citizen who inadvertently strays into the zone is now liable to prosecution? Does it mean that if I stop there to let my little grandson pee, I am in contempt of court? Is my grandson? This is, of course, a far-fetched and unlikely scenario, but I raise it because recently my respected friend Oskar Graf was caught in the snare of this injunction. He had stopped within the proscribed zone not to protest, and not to defy the law, and he was subsequently charged with being in contempt of the injunction.

At this point, the situation on 509 seems to have gone beyond the ongoing dispute over the rights of Frontenac Ventures versus the rights of the Algonquins, beyond the court attempting to define the limits of protest. It appears that the court has made it possible to charge any citizen with contempt for simply trespassing on a public roadway. I am very concerned.

Inie Platenius

Provincial Power Greater than Federal?

Kudos to you for your continued clear, detailed, specific coverage of the anti-uranium protest and the court events related to it. I can always come to your newspaper to find the real facts.

Yesterday I phoned the Hon. Premier Dalton McGinty's office, meaning to register with the clerk who took my call a request that the Premier review the mining act, and that he step in to free wrongly imprisoned Bob Lovelace. Instead of "I'll see he gets the message," as they said last time I phoned, a woman began to ask me pointed questions. Her tone seemed to be sincere interest, as well as seeking to gauge my depth of knowledge on the topics. She at first, it seemed to me, assumed I was calling in opinions about something I know little about.

Happily, I do know a little, and I have heartfelt opinions and concerns, so we had what turned out to be a lengthy discussion. At its end I sincerely thanked her for taking the time to talk with and listen to me. Isn't that what any "little person on the street” asks for from our elected officials? I dare to hope her willingness to ask me questions, to tell me her points and to listen to my opinions, signals a change in the Premier's office toward our concerns. All we want is that they be open, sincerely, to examination of the issues and concerns.

I found it most interesting that this woman, whose name I did not get, mentioned not once but twice, "perhaps provincial law SUPERCEDES federal law in this case", meaning, I believe, the province would have been within its rights to grant mining permission on disputed land that the federal court said could NOT be mined without consult.

How this could be true baffles me entirely. Is the classroom teacher over-riding the school principal? I told her I have no idea if that is the case, it seems unlikely, but the point we all want, what Bob Lovelace wants most dearly, is an open discussion about these very questions. We are upset because the door has been slammed in our faces, a number of times, by the mining companies, by the shameful and punitive courts, and by the premier. Sadly and literally, prison doors are slammed upon those dedicated to a most peaceful protection of the earth, of human rights, of our environment. Prison doors slammed upon those seeking peaceful inquiry.

I think we are all stunned and horrified that our legitimate concerns have been met with not only silence, but disregard, and harsh punishment. As if to say, "You naughty disruptors need to learn a lesson! Stay out of the way of all mining companies!" Why should we stay out of the way of a profit-making, U.S. owned company who is encroaching on disputed, and privately owned, land? Companies operating with environment impact regulations out of the 1800s? Companies who sell 80% of the resources they find to other countries. At least one company shows absolutely zero regard for our position. We should get out of THEIR way? In particular, I must add, if you are a person belonging to the First Nations. I will tell you why that is: Because ONLY the First Nations people have the legal right, upheld by the federal court, to legally protest mining activity upon their lands. The rest of the people, stunning as it may be, have NO rights to say what happens under the thin line of your property. You have no rights, so far as we have seen, to be heard in your voiced opposition to environmental impact, either. You have no rights to a full and complete investigation into those environmental impacts. You have no rights to be consulted, heard, or respected. You have no rights to delay a profit-seeking company in order to determine first how this activity affects you and your children and your grandchildren. You have no rights to demand that regulations written in the 1800s be updated to apply to today's society. At least so far, that's what the court has said.

I believe the court has dealt harshly with the First Nation people, and them alone, because those are the people who can legally, and are determined to, stop the mining companies. They alone have legal grounds for a halt to the mining company activity, upheld previously by the Federal court of this nation. And therefore, they suffer grave injustice. They suffer right now in cold and dank cells, far from their families, and in the future when they have likely lost their jobs and have a felony record. Will a 60-year-old professor be able to pay over $25,000 in fines? This is no joke, what they are suffering. For the sake of all of us. And they need our powerful support, in every way we can provide it. Because no, we WON'T get out of the way. We will be heard. That is a Right belonging to each of us.

Kimberly Bate

Seven First Nations People Jailed

How is it that in the last two months seven First Nations people have been sent to jail for six months each for peacefully obstructing exploration and mining near their communities and the mining company just dropped charges against three white people last week for exactly the same activity?

In the protest against the proposed uranium mine north of Sharbot Lake, First Nations people and non-native landowners and concerned residents have been united in their opposition to this mine and the ecological consequences of the toxic mess it would create in the surrounding watershed area. Why, then, has the mining company Frontenac Ventures opted to request only the most extreme sentence (six months in prison, $25,000 fine to Mr. Lovelace, plus $2000 for every day that he refuses to comply with a gag order forbidding him to continue to protest plus a $10,000 fine for his community)?

The six First Nations people from north of Thunder Bay will also be in jail for six months for similar protest. And why did the Ontario civil court comply with the mining companies' requests? In my opinion it's a shameful and disturbing use of the courts to squash opposition to the government's plan to push through uranium mining and nuclear power plant development, trying to convince the public that this is a great solution to the energy crisis. It's not. It's outright madness - expensive, dangerous, polluting and potentially disastrous.

Is it possible that the mining companies and the government want the people of Ontario to believe this is solely a Native land claims issue? Do they want to hide the fact that property owners, cottagers, organic and regular farmers, parents and grandparents, all, are opposed to this mine and the destruction it will create? This is a health issue, a property rights issue, an ecology issue and affects all of us in so many ways. It is now also becoming a civil liberties issue.

We need a total moratorium on uranium mining and a complete overhaul of the mining act as well as the settling of First Nations Land Claims. And we need it soon.

Susan Quipp, Perth

Fuel Cell versus Solar: No ContestI understand our governments are offering to throw away $1.5 billion on developing and producing a “fuel cell hydrogen car” at $1,000,000 each. Right at this stage the money would run out at the 1500th car. How many of you who read this could ever afford one?

Hydrogen is expensive to separate from other compounds, hard to store and handle. I wonder what will happen to the driver of one of these wonder cars when one gets crushed by a truck transport.

Hydrogen, mixed with air, is very explosive. Wouldn’t this very large investment be much better invested in a much safer and economically feasible solar or wind avenue such as improving storage batteries for sunlight storage? How about converting the automobile by reducing its weight?

This could be accomplished by removing the now redundant engine, transmission, differential, gas tank, radiator, drive shaft, etc. etc. Cars, (like the huge trucks used in mining) should have an appropriately sized electric motor on each front wheel.

The sun is forever. It’s free! Solar panels could be built into the car’s roof. As long as they are parked in the open, it will charge some. Extra panels could be installed at the residence to top up the battery while the car is idle and, when not needed, to heat our water, etc.

I believe we should forget hydrogen completely. It’s a great place for politicians to spend our taxes. Investing huge amounts in an industry in the hopes of something that might work doesn’t follow the KISS motto: Keep it simple, stupid.

Carl Winterburn

Editorial - March 27, 2008

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Editorial - March 27, 2008 Something has changed at RobertsvilleEditorial by Jeff Green

In February, Neal Smitheman, the lawyer for the uranium exploration company Frontenac Ventures Corporation, asked Justice Cunningham to sentence Bob Lovelace to 27 weeks of jail time for contempt of court. Lovelace had defied Cunningham’s order to stay away from the Robertsville mine and to grant Frontenac Ventures unfettered access.

Normally on a first charge for contempt of court, a simple fine is a common result, so why 27 weeks?

Smitheman asked for the exceptional sentence because the test drilling program that Frontenac Ventures is undertaking at the site is scheduled to take 27 weeks to complete.

Bob Lovelace had said he would contravene the judge’s order again if released, and would continue to attempt to stop Frontenac Ventures from drilling. In addition - and this was also pointed out by Neal Smitheman – until that point the OPP had declined to intervene at the Robertsville site. Smitheman was so enraged by this that he asked Judge Cunningham to put the Ontario Attorney General, the Ministry that oversees the OPP, on notice about the OPP’s refusal to enforce his injunction.

As Smitheman’s argument went, the only way to ensure that the drilling program could proceed without incident was to lock Lovelace up until it is completed. This would keep Lovelace away and deter anyone else from blocking the site.

A week ago Sunday, however, that all changed.

A few people gathered on public property near the Robertsville site on March 16. The Frontenac Ventures crews were not working. Reportedly, the people did not approach the driveway to the mine site and expressed no intention of blocking anyone from entering the site. However, one of them did apparently plant a sign in the snow at the side of the roadway. They were subsequently all summoned to court by the OPP to face contempt charges.

Frontenac Ventures Corporation did not even know the incident had taken place, and it is rather doubtful that the charges have much merit. The original injunction order, which Justice Cunningham endorsed on September 27, only talks about stopping people from impeding Frontenac Ventures’ employees within 200 metres of the mine entrance; it does not contemplate an out and out ban on members of the public daring to dally within 200 metres of the entrance. And even if the order can be interpreted to imply that no one may linger or loiter within the 200 metres, that interpretation could surely be challenged in an appeal court.

Nonetheless, the point is that the OPP took it upon themselves to charge these people.

This effectively removes the threat that Bob Lovelace can stop the drilling. If he were to be released from prison today and he then rushed off to Robertsville, the OPP would arrest him immediately. There can no longer be any doubt about that.

Bob Lovelace cannot stop the drilling. On that level Frontenac Ventures has won a victory.

It would actually be in the company’s interest to ask Judge Cunningham for Lovelace’s release when court resumes on June 2, although it is hard to imagine George White instructing his lawyer to make such a request.

All that is accomplished by keeping him in jail is that it will be that much harder for him to pay the $25,000 fine he owes, because while in jail he is not earning any money.

Oh yes, and he gets to be a martyr to the cause.