Back to HomeFeature Article - October 1, 2009 Fundraiser for multi-sensory room at LoughboroughBy Jeff Green

Photo: Lisa Fenwick with donated Ssensory board.

It's not often that students and staff in the Limestone District School Board talk about how much better the facilities and range of programming are in the northern schools, but when it comes to special education, North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne has something that Loughborough Public School in Sydenham desperately wants.

And if Lisa Fenwick can do anything about it, it is something they will be getting over the next year or so.

Fenwick has worked as an educational assistant at both Prince Charles Public School in Verona and at Loughborough. She is on leave this year in order to complete her undergraduate degree at Queen's, after which she intends go to teachers’ college to become a special education teacher.

In the meantime she is volunteering and orchestrating a $40,000 fundraising campaign to equip a multi-sensory room at Loughborough Public School.

The project was kick-started last winter when the school administration was able to free up a room for multi-sensory equipment, and by April the first $10,000 had already been raised.

This Saturday afternoon there will be a community event in the parking lot at Loughborough Public School to raise money for the room.

Many events are planned, including performances by the Sydenham High School band Island View, and Bauder Road. There will also be children’s events, with face painting, a crafts corner and climbing equipment. The fire department will be there with a display, as will the people from the Pampered Chef. There will be a strong man demonstration featuring a bus pull, and the OPP will be on hand with a radar gun to measure baseball throws. Food will be available at the canteen and there will also be a BBQ between 4:30 and 6:00 pm.

The silent auction includes one very timely item: 2.5 cubic cords of wood (delivered) courtesy of Bill Holland and son; a weekend getaway to a resort in Barry’s Bay; an introductory parachuting flight; and 2 tickets to a Sens game (on the 200 level), along with numerous other items. Three bicycles will be raffled off as well.

“Multi-sensory rooms are such a benefit to students with a variety of different challenges, that I think people who support this will find their money will have impacts for many years,” said Lisa Fenwick early this week.

Students with physical and developmental disabilities are the primary beneficiaries of multi-sensory rooms, which feature visual, audio and tactile apparatus, all designed to fit the room and the needs of the children who will be using the room.

The five school to community students at Loughborough as well as the school to community class at Sydenham High School will be using the room, and it will also be available to students from Prince Charles, Elginburg, Perth Road and Harrowsmith public schools.

“I think the rooms are absolutely wonderful. For some children I've worked with, including autistic and physically disabled students, multi-sensory rooms make a huge difference.”

In addition to special needs students, students with behavioural issues, family issues, and others may find it to be a safe haven at times.

“Of the 540 students at Loughborough, about 70 could make use of the room,” said Lisa Fenwick.

Fenwick said she hasn't made plans for further fundraisers after this Saturday, but she is determined to complete the fundraising project before the end of the school year. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - October 1, 2009 New OPP community officer walks the walkBy Jeff Green

Sgt. Jim Birtch prefers walking to driving around in a cruiser all day, which makes him a bit of an anomaly with the Ontario Provincial Police.

“I like walking the streets. In municipal policing you walk an hour a day; I’ve never seen an OPP officer get out of a car yet, oh, except at a Tim Horton's.”

Jim Birtch, who took over as Community Sergeant at the Sharbot Lake satellite detachment (affiliated with the Perth detachment) back in June, knows something about walking a beat.

He worked a beat in his home town of Carleton Place for many years before the OPP took over the local force some five years ago, and has been working for the OPP ever since.

Aside from the matter of walking instead of driving, Birtch likes what the OPP has done for Carleton Place, and he is also happy to be working, at his own request, at the Sharbot Lake satellite detachment. He is also hoping to get out on the streets of the small villages in Central and North Frontenac to do a bit of walking, although he has found that some of the distances are somewhat daunting.

“I had [Officer] Chuck Peterkin take me around the township,” he told members of North Frontenac Council at a courtesy visit he made to their meeting last Thursday, September 24, “and I never thought I'd get back.”

Birtch said that his job is to work with the communities, to be the public face of the OPP in the two townships, and this is something that he has enjoyed doing throughout his career. “Community policing is what I like the most, and I think people like to see police in their communities; it adds something,” he said.

There are supposed to be eight officers assigned to Sharbot Lake, in addition to Birtch and Court Officer Carl Wagar, enough to keep a single cruiser on the road 24 hours a day, but with illnesses, leave and transfers, there have been difficulties getting that many people assigned to the detachment. Two new officers will be arriving in November, which will bring the total to seven.

“I know there were a lot more officers here when Sharbot Lake was a stand-alone detachment,” he said, “but I can assure council that the officers who are assigned to this detachment do work here. Their locker is in Sharbot Lake, and that is where their guns and equipment are stored. So they must begin and end their shift in Sharbot Lake; they cannot check in from somewhere else.”

While Jim Birtch said he has been tied down somewhat with administrative matters at the Sharbot Lake detachment since arriving in early June, he is now taking the opportunity to put a more public face to the unit.

STUFF A CRUISER FOR THE FOOD BANK: To that end, and to support the North Frontenac Food Bank, on Saturday, October 17, the Sharbot Lake detachment will be sponsoring a “Stuff The Cruiser” event at the Sharbot Lake Freshmart. A cruiser will be parked near the store, and shoppers will be invited to purchase extra food to “stuff” into the cruiser. All donated food will be brought across the street to the Food Bank headquarters at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church.

Sgt. Birtch has organized Stuff The Cruiser events at other locations, but this will be a first for Sharbot Lake. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - October 16, 2009 Central Frontenac CouncilBy Jeff Green

Central Frontenac Council tries a new format

Central Frontenac Council held their first Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday October 13 in Sharbot Lake, and then held a council meeting early in the evening.

All council meetings are now being held in Sharbot Lake.

The Committee of the Whole meetings are split into four sections, and at the first meeting each month, Public Works and Waste Management (chaired by Councilor Jeff Matson) and Fire and Emergency Services (chaired by Councilor John Purdon) are set for discussion.

The discussion of public works and waste management was rather broad.

Councilor Norm Guntensperger suggested that a small shelter be put up at waste sites for items that still work but are no longer wanted by their owners.

Mayor Janet Gutowski and Councilor John Purdon both said it is more complicated than it would appear for a re-use centre to be set up at a waste site.

PUBLIC WORKS – Rain, rain, rain has led to complaints from residents about potholes on roads. With sun coming later this week, Public Works Manager Mike Richardson said that grading would be taking place on many of the gravel roads.

In response to a question from Councilor Bill Snyder, it was revealed that brush cutting never got done in the summer. “Dead in the water is what I've heard about the vehicle we had for brush cutting. I will make a recommendation about a new vehicle for next year’s budget,” said Mike Richardson.

Richardson also brought up Council's decision to not allow any employee to take a township vehicle home at the end of the working day. “That raises a problem for me, particularly in terms of winter maintenance when people are on call. Without changing the policy I would like to be able to send people home, at my request, to be available for work in the most efficient manner.”

“Would that be between November 15 and April 15?” asked Councilor Frances Smith.

“Yes,” replied Mike Richardson.

“We need to ensure,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski “that there is some sort of record of vehicles going home to ensure they are not seen to be used for personal use. Our policy was very liberal in the past, and people called us about it.”

“We had a change in policy, not too long ago, because of gross abuses - people taking vehicles to Toronto, to the liquor store; spouses driving vehicles. We need some sort of blend, to be clear that non-official use is not to be tolerated,” added Deputy Mayor Gary Smith.

“I've already assigned one person to take a vehicle home tonight to check ice on the road at 4:00 in the morning. I just wanted council to know that the policy does not meet with the needs,” said Richardson.

It was agreed that for now Richardson could use his discretion in assigning vehicles to be taken home by employees and council would consider revising the policy at a later date.

Supervisory Position Not To Be Filled – Mike Richardson reported that he does not think it is necessary to fill the operations supervisor position. Instead, he feels the job can be handled by the construction supervisor and himself.

He also said he would prefer to keep an internal person dealing with operations, especially in terms of winter maintenance, rather than hiring a new person. Steve Reynolds, who is currently the construction manager, will handle the operations duties through the winter, and the matter can be reconsidered in the spring.

FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES –A lease has now been signed with Ockham Communications regarding the Piccadilly Tower, which will provide communications service for the fire department and high speed internet to the public,

Activity report – Fire Chief Mark MacDonald presented an Activities Summary report for September.

It noted 150 total person hours, including 5 fire calls, 3 alarm calls, 3 complaint investigations, 3 medical assists, 3 vehicle assists, and 4 items listed as “other assistance”.

Councilor Norm Guntensperger said, “I would like to see more detail in the monthly activity reports. I had been hoping that by having a monthly report from the Fire Chief to the Committee Of The Whole we could have more opportunity to oversee the operations of the fire department.”

“I don't want to see us micromanage the fire department. This is exactly the kind of report I would like to see. We have a part-time fire chief and I don't think we should shoulder him with more than is reasonable,” said Councilor Frances Smith.

Deputy Mayor Gary Smith expressed interest in receiving the minutes from fire department meetings, but Fire Chief MacDonald said department meetings often concern themselves with sensitive personnel matters.

Council came to a consensus that they would like to see more about the department’s ongoing goals and issues during the monthly committee meetings, and it was left to the fire chief to develop that kind of information package. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - October 29, 2009 Fairs demonstrate the resilience of county’s business communityby Jeff Green

Dave Storm from Fronatenac Shores and Ken Hook of the Land O'Lakes Tourist Association.

A trade fair at the Lions Hall in Verona on Wednesday, October 21 was chock full of businesses, old and new, which represent some of the future directions for business in the county.

Then on Saturday, Oct 24 in Sharbot Lake there was a Natural Health Fair that filled the Oso Hall with a range of practitioners and producers of a variety of products - everything from alternative therapies to natural skin creams and soap products - for an ever-growing market.

The two shows bustled with energy and vision for the future.

The Small Business Trade Show, which was put on by the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC), was conceived by FCFDC Chief Executive Officer Anne Prichard.

“I really didn't know how many businesses we would attract,” a tired Anne Prichard said as about 30 businesses were packing up and heading home in the rainy dark of an October evening, “and all in all it went better than I had hoped.”

The businesses in attendance provided a pretty good glimpse of the opportunities that are cropping up in a region characterized by the twin economic engines of waterfront and the service requirements of an older population. In addition to Lake District Realty, which re-branded itself as a waterfront specialist two years ago, there were representatives from Frontenac Shores, a fractional ownership resort on Mississagagon Lake that is entering its second phase of growth, and Stoneridge Cove, a new seven-cottage development on Bobs Lake.

Alternative energy solutions were on display as well, in addition to three high-speed internet providers, investment companies, and companies such as Hubby’s House, a cleaning service. The Pampered Chef, Something Cool Frozen Foods, and Moms to the Rescue - three food companies all willing to take care of cooking needs for busy families or those looking for a bit of luxury - were also on hand.

“This event is a great opportunity for us to see what other people are doing and consider how businesses in the county can work together in the future” said Marcel Giroux, who was on hand representing the Robinson Group, a mortgage investment company that has seen an increase in business this year in spite of recession worries throughout the economy.

In fact there was little talk of recession throughout the afternoon.

“When you are in business, the only thing you can do is keep working hard every day,” said Alison Robinson of Lake District Realty, summing up the attitude of the vendors in the hall, “the rest will take care of itself”.

Photo right: Tracie Goodberry (L) presenting a cheque to Brenda Piat from the North Frontenac Food Bank, as Carol Belanger and Jocelyne Steeves hand over some of the food that was collected at the Sharbot Lake Health Fair.

From healing to pampering, the Sharbot Lake Natural Health Fair offered Reiki, foot massage, healing creams, meditation, organic coffee, bath and body products, aromatherapy, crystals/stone nutritional products, massage physiogamy, Intuitive Card Readings, and more to a very appreciative public on a sunny Saturday in Sharbot Lake.

The fair came about two years after a similar event had been held. This time the fair was organized by a core committee, headed up by Tracie Goodberry of Dewitt's Corners, who is originally from Parham, along with Carol Belanger of Tichborne and Jocelyne Steeves of Sharbot Lake. All three work in the field of Therapeutic Touch, but rather than competing for clientele they are working in a collaborative vein.

One of the people who stopped in at the fair said she had only planned to stay for 15 minutes or so, but found herself intrigued by so many of the offerings that she stayed for over two hours.

Central Frontenac Mayor Janet Gutowski, who helped out with the door prize draws in the afternoon, said it was a “great example of the vibrancy of the local business community”.

The stated goal of the event was to “support and develop our community” and in that spirit, food was collected for the North Frontenac Food Bank, and over $100 was raised from voluntary donations in place of an admission fee to the event.

“At the end of the day, people were already asking about signing up for next year,” said Tracie Goodberry.

Back to HomeFeature Article - October 29, 2009 H1N1 plan finally in place

By Jeff Green

When the “Swine Flu Outbreak” hit the world media back in April it started a race against time.

Would the search for a vaccine and the planning by the health-care system be in place by the time the winter flu season hit?

Last week, the vaccine and the public health messaging was hastily being put into place, just as an early wave of what we now call the H1N1 flu hit Eastern Ontario, at least 6 weeks earlier than the normal start of flu season.

“What we believe about this illness is that for the most part it acts like a moderate influenza. With reasonable treatment at home, it resolves,” said Doctor Laurel Dempsey in a telephone interview from the Verona Medical Clinic on Friday, October 23. “It generally comes on rather quickly, with a high fever and profound fatigue. Within hours people are feeling like death warmed over. It has a rate of spread that is similar to Spanish flu [which killed millions of people worldwide in 1918] but it is a much less clinically severe infection.”

The basic message being delivered from all health care providers and the KFL&A Public Health Unit is for people to stay home if they are sick.

If symptoms are more severe, causing breathing problems or chest pains, or if fever persists, medical clinics are encouraging their patients to phone rather than show up.

“We have a protocol in place when people phone the clinic,” said Gail Knowles of the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team, “which will result in a range of advice. In many cases we will advise people to stay at home and not come in, and in extreme cases we will ask them to call an ambulance or go themselves to the emergency department of the nearest hospital, but we want to send as few people as possible to the hospital.”

Some patients will be asked to come into the local clinics for further assessment, and they will be asked to use a side door and will be escorted into a particular examination room to protect the other patients and the clinic staff from the virus.

Although there has been talk about the efficacy of the antiviral drug Tamiflu if administered within a short time of the onset of symptoms, Dr. Dempsey said she has not prescribed it to patients with flu-like symptoms this fall.

“Tamiflu may shorten the course of the illness by a day or two,” said Dr. Dempsey, “but it does not necessarily alter the illness. It is unclear if it can prevent any of the severe cases from occurring.”

Although the incidence of respiratory illness is up at the clinics within the Rural Family Health Organization, only some of the cases can be attributed to the H1N1 virus, and patients are not being routinely tested for it.

As of last Friday, local schools were not reporting an increase in absenteeism due to illness.

However, by Monday, the KFL&A Public Health Unit was reporting that the rates of respiratory illness were “high” (which is the top of the scale that has been created to track the illness) throughout Eastern Ontario, and the rates for gastrointestinal illness were elevated although not yet “high”.

In this region, the Municipality of Napanee and outlying areas such as Tamworth are seeing the highest level of activity.

Vaccination Schedules  

KFL&A Public Health has already started their vaccination program, with clinics in Kingston at the Frontenac Mall on Bath Road (click to see KFL&A Public Health schedule).

In the rural areas, the members of the Rural Family Health Organization (the medical centres in Sydenham, Verona, Tamworth, Newburgh and Northbrook, as well as the Family Health Team in Sharbot Lake) will be starting clinics on Thursday, October 29  (click to see Rural Family Health schedule).

People in the most vulnerable groups and healthcare workers are encouraged to come first to the clinics, with the rest of the population being asked to wait until the second or third clinic before coming in for the shot.

Vulnerable groups include children between 6 months and 5 years old, healthcare workers, adults under 65 with underlying medical conditions such as respiratory illness, and pregnant women.

Regardless of age or medical condition, no one will be turned away from the clinics.

Among the targets for the vaccination are children under 9 years of age, who will require two shots, with a gap of as close to 21 days as possible between the shots, so families should consider going to a clinic as soon as possible.

There are no plans for a vaccination program in local schools, however, partly because nurses are in high demand and the system is already stretched by the community clinics that are hastily being set up.

The vaccine will not likely provide much protection for the wave of illness that is currently hitting Eastern Ontario, because the vaccine takes 3 or 4 weeks to reach maximum efficacy.

“The peak flu season is normally in late February,” said Doctor Dempsey, “so we are hoping that as many people as possible will take the vaccine before the end of November.”

Aside from protecting individuals, the vaccine is intended to slow the spread if the virus throughout the region. Health officials are hoping for a good response from the public, and they emphasize that the vaccine is safe and effective.

Back to HomeLegalese - October 29, 2009 Hunters and Trespassing

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services

Next week the colour of choice for outdoor garb will be hunter orange, marking the opening of firearm season for deer in our community. During this period the sighting by property owners of an uninvited hunter or hunters on their land can often make them see “red”, not orange, as they protest the hunter’s “trespass”.

The act of going onto property owned by another person when you have no right or authority to do so, or refusing to leave such property when asked to go by the owner constitutes trespass. As allegations of trespass are one of the most frequent complaints made by property owners during deer hunting season, it seems timely to briefly review the law of trespass in this week’s column.

Before heading out to the watch, every hunter should be aware that it is a punishable offence under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to ignore notices prohibiting hunting, or to contravene the Trespass to Property Act. The notices can be written, as in the case of signs, or simply oral if given by the owner or a person authorized by the owner (such as a tenant).

If asked to leave by the owner, or any person who might reasonably be authorized by the owner, the hunter should do so immediately. It doesn’t matter that the property wasn’t fenced or posted with “No Trespassing” signs.

The law doesn’t always require that the owner of property take action, such as posting signs, to stop trespassers. The law assumes that whether or not there are any signs, simple common sense and courtesy apply.

A fence, for instance, is a pretty good indication that a landowner intends to keep strangers off the property. Where property is enclosed, or where the land is a garden, an orchard, a woodlot on lands used primarily for agriculture, a reforestation area where the trees are under about 2 metres in height, or just generally an area that appears to be under cultivation, you cannot enter without permission whether or not any signs or notices have been posted.

The Trespass to Property Act also provides landowners with several ways to let people know that they are not to enter onto their property, if it is not otherwise implicit. An oral notice, by simply telling somebody, is good notice, as is a letter or note.

The more common sort of notice against trespassing is a sign. The signs must clearly prohibit entry, with something as simple as “Keep Out” being satisfactory. The signs must be clearly visible in daylight and people should be able to see them as they approach the usual places of entry to the land, such as laneways or gates.

A red marking, at least four inches (10 cm) in diameter, has the same meaning as a “No Trespassing” sign. The markings don’t have to be round and can really be any shape, providing they are red and a four-inch circle could fit in the middle. The markings can be on trees, rocks, fence posts or anything else that allows them to be seen, and they can be painted or made out of other materials.

Again, if you are asked to leave, it is an offence under the Trespass to Property Act to refuse to go immediately, whether or not the property was posted. Don’t argue, just leave.

If you are a property owner and find trespassers, you may ask them to leave. If they refuse to go, don’t get into an argument, simply return to your home and call the police or, if they are hunters, you may also call the Ministry of Natural Resources. If you cannot identify the trespassers, you may be able to obtain a licence number from their ATV or other vehicle.

Under no circumstances should you threaten or use force to attempt to convince people who are trespassing to leave. Pointing a weapon at a person is a criminal offence and is far more serious than a charge of trespassing.

An individual convicted of trespassing may be fined up to $2,000 under the Trespass to Property Act and ordered to pay for any damage to the property. A trespassing hunter may also be fined up to $25,000 under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and may be prohibited from hunting for a period of time.

Landowners should consider posting or marking their property if they don’t wish to have hunters on their land, but hunters should take seriously their responsibility to make certain that they have permission to hunt on land that is not their own.

Legalese is a column of general information and opinion on legal topics by the lawyers of Rural Legal Services, Box 359, Sharbot Lake, ON, K0H2P0, 613-279-3252, or 1-888-777-8916. This column is not intended to provide legal advice. You should contact a lawyer to determine your legal rights and obligations.

Back to HomeLetters - September 3, 2009Letters: September 3

Waterfront taxes unfair, Jim Kirkland

Pigs Cry Real Tears, Debbie Lashley

Re: “Tricky Intersection To Stay As Is”, Kelly Kalthorpe

Greased Pig Contest Inhumane, Leslie Cronk

Waterfront taxes unfair

This letter is in reference to the article written regarding the increase in taxes in Central Frontenac County. It referred to residents who live with water frontage and their tax increase, and residents who live in-land or without water frontage and who will not have a tax increase.

I would like to respond to that article and as well discuss three items: increased taxes, fair taxes and what you get for your taxes.

The residents with water frontage will be charged a 10% increase each year for the next four years. This clearly is unfair and is discrimination against the waterfront residents. They are in no better a financial position to pay this increase than in-land residents. There have been some residents that have had to sell their property due to high taxes. The tax increase should be evenly increased among all residents. Ten per cent increase; I wish my pension increased 10% each year over the next four years!

What are we really getting for our taxes? Have you ever driven on Elm Tree Road? We drive a total distance of 32km there and back to deliver our garbage to the dump and then have to pay $1 per bag to drop it there. Who pays for my gas? We installed our own well and septic system, which we pay to maintain each year. We pay for our own snow removal.

It’s time for the municipality to start treating all residents fairly, as well as working harder with the budget and the money they have instead of tax increase, increase, increase.

Jim Kirkland

Pigs Cry Real Tears

I am writing this letter to share my opinion on the Parham’s Fair’s decision to hold a pig greasing event. I realize that this is an old tradition but come on… its 2009.. this is not okay!!!

Anyone who finds this funny and entertaining needs to get a life and the organizers should be ashamed of themselves for agreeing to allow animals to be mistreated. I don’t believe for one minute that these helpless creatures are not frightened and scared.

What a terrible message it sends to the children who are watching. My Parham friends are disgusted and many of their friends are as well. They did not attend this year.

For those who do care…pigs cry real tears.

The organizers should use their heads instead of buckling under a few who will never get it!

Debbie Lashley, Carleton Place

Re: “Tricky Intersection To Stay As Is”

In a news article, that related to the South Frontenac Council Meeting on August 4, I was at first relieved, to know that other people realize the danger of the intersection on Highway 38 in Harrowsmith. However, I was shocked to read that Council agreed in a vote of 7-2, that since, “nothing’s ever happened,” at that tricky intersection, we will continue to do….nothing.

I am a mother of three who apparently lives on the “wrong” side of Highway 38. Since my children were infants I have crossed Highway 38 with strollers, bicycles and many, many close calls. I have even witnessed a very close call last summer at the same intersection where older children were crossing the highway on their bikes. The sad fact is, in order to get my mail, to get milk from our local business, to take my children to the park or even to school, we are faced with the daunting task of trying to cross Highway 38 in one piece. We frequently hear the term, “rural sustainability”, but how can you expect young families to remain in a community where their children are not able to safely walk to the corner store or the park?

I am very disappointed in the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality of South Frontenac Council. I don’t know what the answer is to fix this problem, but it would have been very interesting to hear the results of an unbiased study. I agree…$30,600 is a lot of money to spend, but if it would give the residents a definitive answer to the riddle of the intersection on Highway 38, then I support it.

-Kelly Calthorpe

Greased Pig Contest Inhumane

Jenny Badour - I am with you! You have a household of people here that believe the Greased Pig Contest is something that should have remained in the past. From the article in NF News, I see that there was a complaint in 1908. I guess people have not learned anything in 101 years.

I have heard the argument that this is nothing different than catching them to load them onto the meat truck. I would have to say that this does not make it right. I hope I am not alone in seeing how ludicrous this argument is.

This is not entertainment. Circuses are not entertainment. Anything that causes distress to an animal so we as humans can have a laugh is just not right. For the life of me, I cannot understand why people cannot see this.

Leslie Cronk

Back to HomeFeature Article - September 3, 2009 Celebrating natural fibresby Julie Druker

Phot right: Hanne Quigley with Silent Valley Helaina, courtesy of Robert and Hanne Quigley:

In a effort to create global awareness of the benefits of natural fibres, the United Nations General Assembly and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN have declared 2009 the International Year of Natural Fibres.

In celebration of the Year of Natural Fibres, Robert and Hanne Quigley, owners of Silent Valley Alpaca, an alpaca-breeding farm that they started up near Ompah in 2001, will be hosting their first ever Natural Fibre Festival.

According to Robert Quigley, “We decided to have our own festival to show people what we are doing and to have a chance to see the beautiful fibre these animals produce and the products created with it."

The Quigleys breed, raise and sell alpacas for their high quality fleece. They also process fleece into a variety of products, including yarns and batting, at a mill near Wilton. These products are then sold to a number of different manufacturers and artisans who in turn spin, knit and weave high quality products such as socks, shawls, duvets, hats, socks, mittens and finger puppets.

Silent Valley Alpaca is predominantly a breeding farm and the Quigleys sell breeding livestock and offer their clients a full customer support package, which includes instruction in animal husbandry and shearing. They also provide their clients with a full business plan.

Widespread in South America, where close to 3,000,000 animals exist in Peru alone, alpaca farming is gaining momentum in Canada. In 2001 the Quigleys began their alpaca farm with five animals and now have close to 30 in their herd.

In 2002 they co-founded Alpaca Ontario with four other Ontario alpaca farmers and since then, they have watched their organization grow from 17 members and 35 animals participating in their first inaugural show in 2002 to 165 members and 305 animals participating at this year’s show.

The Quigleys have designed their upcoming festival to give visitors a chance to meet and view the alpacas. Robert explains they are “a very hardy but also very gentle, and curious animal" that communicate in a most unusual way.

Alpacas are an ecologically friendly breed, easy on the land and can also be halter-trained as companion animals.

This weekend’s festival will include a number of local fibre artists and crafts people giving demonstrations and selling their unique fibre wares.

Ankaret Dean will be giving a felt-making workshop and master weaver Ellen Good will be demonstrating indigo dying techniques. Janie Hickman of Janie H. Knits will be giving knitting demonstrations.

Hanne Quigley will be demonstrating fleece sorting and will take interested visitors through the entire fleecing process. Robert will be leading barn tours and providing educational information about these gentle creatures.

Silent Valley Alpaca is located at 1120 Donaldson Road, east off highway 509 between Snow Road and Ompah. Admission is free the festival runs from Friday, September 4 to Sunday September 6, from 10am - 4pm. For more information call 613-479-0307 or visit www.silentvalleyalpaca.ca

Back to HomeLegalese - September 24, 2009 The “Legal” Separation

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services

One of the most common topics raised by callers or visitors to our clinic involves various aspects of the “legal” separation.

The law does not require people who are married, or who are common law spouses, to continue to live together, so in that sense there is really no such thing as an illegal separation. But the term “legal” separation is the term used by most people, other than lawyers, who want to separate from their spouse and who want some sort of agreement that deals with, among other things:

custody and/or visitation rights if there are any childrenthe division of property and the allocation of responsibility for repayment of debtssupport for children and/or for one of the spousesthe continuation of medical or other benefits under a spouse’s employer’s plan, and the division of pension benefits.

In other words, people want an agreement that documents their separation. To a lawyer, this is known as a type of “domestic contract”, and if done properly, such an agreement is binding on both parties. Each agreement is different, as different as the relationship and the parties involved, and it is essential that both parties are aware of the legal consequences that will arise from entering into a domestic contract.

Although a separation agreement can be oral, such an informal arrangement is not recommended. Oral agreements are difficult to enforce and resorting to the Courts could result in a disposition that may not please either party. And there is always the question of expense – proving an oral agreement is always time consuming and expensive if one side simply denies its existence or develops a radically differing view of its terms.

For most couples, the best and most economical way to approach separation is to seek the assistance of a lawyer who can advise you as to your rights and obligations under the law upon the breakdown of your relationship. If you cannot afford a lawyer, then there are some resources available to you – simply call our office for more information. Each party should have their own lawyer, and they will attempt to put your agreement in proper form.

If you cannot agree on the terms, then the lawyers may recommend mediation, where a person called a mediator will work with you to reach an agreement. A mediator cannot give you legal advice, or make decisions for you. Their role is to listen and to help you reach consensus.

Some couples decide to write their own separation agreement. If properly executed, those agreements can be enforced by a Court, so it is best to seek legal advice before signing a document, especially if prepared by the other spouse without consultation. A Judge will be very reluctant to interfere with the terms of a separation agreement worked out by the parties, unless it can be shown that there was fraud or intimidation or other special circumstances that warrant such interference. Be warned, though, the Court will not re-write an agreement freely entered into just because one spouse later decided that it was a bad deal.

And then there are some couples who simply cannot come to an agreement. In those cases an application can be made to the Court for a Judge to settle the issues by way of a Court Order.

The issues upon separation can be very complicated, and people should seek legal advice before making decisions that could impact on their lives and financial well-being for many years. Although the Clinic does not take matters to Family Court, we will work with you to help you understand your legal rights and obligations and talk to you about how you can get additional help.

Legalese is a column of general information and opinion on legal topics by the lawyers of Rural Legal Services, Box 359, Sharbot Lake, ON, K0H2P0, 613-279-3252, or 1-888-777-8916. This column is not intended to provide legal advice. You should contact a lawyer to determine your legal rights and obligations.

Back to HomeLetters - September 17, 2009Letters: September 17

Secession – well, why not?, Leo Ladouceur

Re: Greased Pig Contest Inhumane, Tom Kennedy

Re: Greased Pig Contest, Carmael Gowan

Secession – well, why not?

The article on North Frontenac’s desire to secede from Frontenac County (North Frontenac Wants out of County, Frontenac News, Sep. 10/09) left me with three thoughts that I’d like to share.

Firstly, North Frontenac ratepayers should not expect that politicians south of Highway 7 would care or shed a tear it they should secede. Also, our neighbors to the south will not be organizing any massive county flag waving demonstrations or rallies pleading with us to stay within the current union of amalgamated townships. In effect, North Frontenac’s departure will have no impact on anyone but themselves.

My second thought is that, if we just set politics and politicians aside, the people of North Frontenac Township deserve better. Since amalgamation they have patiently been living with several issues and grievances that are real and should have been addressed by the county. The true facts have been documented, discussed, thrashed and bashed. County Council’s responses are always different: excuses not to act, delays leading to no conclusions, no money, can’t see the problem, no help and the simple answer “No”.

The response from Frontenac Warden Janet Gutowski simply emphasizes the don’t-care attitude the county has. “County is not going to be called upon to respond to the letter”. There’s the inference that there is no real problem because she “does not agree with the accuracy of some of the details in the letter” and it “was written with a fair degree of emotion”. Could it be that the county’s continuous disregard for the people of North Frontenac might give cause to a somewhat emotional response?

Her concern as to “how do we go forward from here” has a simple answer that good leaders will relate to. In every family or organization where there is a revolt or breakdown, there are several steps to remedy the situation. Take a time out. Discuss problems and issues with a view to understanding and resolving them. Finally negotiate, mediate, come to some agreement and set out a plan to implement the solutions.

Given that the Warden is not interested in political posturing, it might be hard to find a mediator who could facilitate this process. It seems the county would rather ignore the whole mess, hoping either the grievances or North Frontenac Township will just go away.

Leo Ladouceur

Re: Animal Cruelty at Parham Fair

(See Pigs Cry Real Tears, Greased Pig Contest Inhumane, The Frontenac News, Letters, Sep 3/09) 

First of all, was any animal hurt or wounded during the greased pig contest at the Parham Fair? No, so therefore, this is no cause for concern.

Second, do you watch the Running of the Roses, Preakness or Queen’s Plate? Are these events not animal cruelty under your haphazard definition? Is the breaking in of horses, mules, oxen and even your household pets? Or do these fall under a different set of rules? Riding horses is now classified as animal cruelty according to you as you are placing stress on the animal’s frame.

Third, do you take your children to the zoo? Are these animals not held in captivity against their will? Most are not born into captivity, and the ones that have been born into captivity are rarely kept on site, but are shipped around the globe to other zoos in need of those types of animals.

Fourth, how many farmers castrate their livestock, be it cattle or horses or even household pets? Is this not against what you are howling about? Did you ask the animal before you gave them a snip? I’m sure the animals would object.

The list goes on and on. Are you going to shut down the Calgary Stampede because of animal cruelty? Going to shut down the Toronto Zoo and close all the farms because of your ideological nonsense?

Tom Kennedy

Re: Greased Pig Contest

(See Pigs Cry Real Tears, Greased Pig Contest Inhumane, The Frontenac News, Letters, Sep 3/09) 

Greased Pig Contest! Wow! I guess that’s what you would call Hog Heaven these days!

Don’t they know that millions of pigs are born and raised in crowded cages and never get a chance to run at all and most never see the light of sun because people think that pork chops are naturally white.

And as for circus cruelty to animals – most animal presenters are disliked because they love and treat their animals better than their wives.

If you want an example of extreme cruelty, try looking at people who hunt with dogs. First of all they use the dogs to flush out the deer. Those terrified deer are sent crashing through through the forest and then shot at while running and probably wounded to die a horribly painful death – because when they saw the gun they didn’t just stand there and smile.

Lucky pigs!

Carmel Gowan.