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MAYNARD The Township of Augusta has appointed a new chief administrative officer and clerk-treasurer for the township, to take over for Ray Gilmour, who is retiring in April after 30 years on the job.
Nigel White, a resident of Maitland for the past 22 years, will start the new position on Monday. The overlap time allows for a smooth transition period.
White will be leaving his job as the secretary-treasurer of Brockville Utilities Inc. (formerly Brockville PUC). He had previously been the chief accountant and tax collector for the City of Brockville.
He is a certified management accountant, and holds accredited municipal clerk-treasurer designation.
JOHNSTOWN The Grenville Fish and Game Club's fourth annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby will take place Saturday, Feb. 17 at Elevator Bay near the Bridgeview Marina.
The live release competition is scheduled to run from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. A prize of $100 will be awarded in each two-hour period for the biggest pike; a prize will also be awarded for the biggest pike caught that day.
Tickets are available at Baysview Convenience, the Bridgeview Restaurant and the Cardinal Legion. For more information call Mac Peterson at 925-4545.
PRESCOTT Town officials are considering changes to the way property tax bills are distributed.
Prescott's finance and corporate services committee discussed Monday night the possibility of issuing two tax bills per year instead of the current practice of sending three bills to property owners. Councillor Garry Dewar said people will be able to handle getting two bills as long as they are six months apart.
Although the concept received a positive response at Monday's committee meeting, Councillor and committee chairperson Jo-Anne Beckstead said any such change would not be implemented until next year.
As for 2001, the first interim tax bills are expected to be issued in early March and will likely be due March 31. Town officials suggested the second and third installments may be due in late June and sometime in late fall.
SPENCERVILLE After a great deal of planning and fundraising, the new Spencerville branch of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Public Library has become a reality.
An open house will be held at the Henderson St. (formerly Victoria St.) facility this Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
The open house is being presented by the council of the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council and the township's public library board.
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT The Friends of the Casino Committee has put off spending any additional money on Prescott's bid to obtain a charity casino.
This latest position was formed last week after the committee received input from a consulting firm hired to assist the town's attempt to land the casino, according to committee chairperson Sharon Spychi.
The committee, which was spearheaded by the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce and includes the involvement of the Prescott Business Improvement Area (BIA), had determined last month to proceed with plans to spend money it had raised on the charity casino project.
"At this point in time we have everything on hold," Spychi said Tuesday.
The committee chairperson declined to go into detail as to what advice the consultant had provided.
Casino project contributions from the chamber, the BIA and its members total somewhere in the neighbourhood of $10,000, Spychi said. The money is not being refunded at this time, she added; no final decision on how to proceed has been made. Spychi said some money has been spent to date on the local bid, although an exact amount is not available.
Prescott council voted last week to provide matching funds of up to $10,000 for the hiring of a consultant.
Prescott and the three other communities vying for a casino Leeds and Thousand Islands, Gananoque and Brockville were advised last month by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation not to spend money on their own business case proposals. KPMG was hired by the corporation to prepare cases for each candidate community.
The consulting firm ranked Leeds and Thousand Islands (then known as Front of Leeds and Lansdowne) as the first choice for a charity casino nearly a year ago in its initial assessment of the four communities.
Although the corporation has indicated a final decision has not been made, it has maintained Leeds remains the leading candidate.
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD A proposal by a local group to erect washroom and changeroom facilities through volunteer effort at a scuba diving site west of Prescott received an enthusiastic response from Augusta Township council at its meeting Monday night.
Led by Augusta resident Graham Cudlipp and supported by other residents and business owners, the group presented a plan to council that called for the erection of portable washroom facilities at the popular dive site at the foot of Merwin Lane, south of County Road 2.
The location is one of Eastern Ontario's most famous wreck sites, the Rothesay, Cudlipp told council.
A small park and picnic area currently exists, and a staircase to the river's edge leads to a shore entry to follow the rope system to the site.
"We believe that the divers are beneficial to the many existing attractions in the Prescott area and they help the tourism business," said Cudlipp, who along with his wife Vivienne, own the nearby Blue Heron Inn Bread and Breakfast. "The current arrangements where divers urinate in the river are unhygienic, unsightly and unacceptable to the concerned residents."
Cudlipp explained he would personally ensure the facilities are locked at sunset and reopened at sunrise, and Prescott Sea 'N Sky scuba shop owner Kevin Benish would take care of lawn mowing and facility maintenance.
The plan has also received support from the Prescott Kinsmen and Rotary clubs, Cudlipp said, and Tourism Prescott members have also shown interest in the scheme. Several members from these groups and neighbourhood residents were present at the council meeting.
Cudlipp said he visualizes an attractive wooden structure in a park-like setting that could include picnic tables and barbecue pits for public use.
The project would cost about $5,000, Cudlipp predicted, and would be built and paid for through volunteer efforts. The small piece of property is owned by the township, with land immediately to the west owned by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.
"We're not negative against this by any means," said Reeve George Vail. "But be aware we have to check it out." The reeve cautioned the township would need to investigate liability issues. He also questioned if parking would become a problem at the site, and if visitors would require hand-washing facilities.
Benish said the facilities would be kept simple. All the divers require, he said, is a place "to change in seclusion without showing everybody their business," and where they don't have to offend residents.
Councillor Jane Fullarton said it was an excellent idea with a lot of merit, that is currently not available in the township.
However, she noted it was difficult to offer support without knowing costs and issues of liability and health regulations.
She suggested the township's recreation department and the chief building official become involved in a partnership to come up with a recommendation for action. Grants may be available for the project, she said.
Councillor Doug Barton noted this would be a property for divers, not families and children. "We should try not to go overboard and accommodate all the public."
Barton wondered if it would be more feasible if the group worked with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville to use adjoining land as a parking area.
"It's something that should be developed, but $5,000 doesn't even get you off the side of the road. Everybody jumps and says 'okay, the township has lots of money'... But there is a limit to what we can do. There may be a way that we could lease it and work with the Counties to put proper parking privately operated in agreement with the township."
By Jeff Lee - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Cold weather put the frost in this year's Fort Town Frost Festival.
Rain and warmer temperatures Friday made way for cold weather Saturday and Sunday. Organizer Mike Boyles was pleased with the turnout at all the events despite the cold weather on days two and three of the festival.
"I think it went pretty well," Boyles said.
The Odd Fellows supper was sold out, as were the Grenville Fish and Game Club and the Legion Valentine's dances. Boyles said the annual Randy Kroone Memorial Sno-Pitch Tournament had to turn teams away, and the Legion breakfast, which was supposed to run until 11 a.m., was out of food by 9 a.m. The dog sled races had a good crowd too, he said.
However, the downtown "Sweetheart of a Sale" wasn't as successful as hoped Boyles said.
"It wasn't busy downtown," Boyles said. "We had rain all day Friday. It was cold all weekend long. Everything else was busy but the retail was slow." He added that some businesses did have a successful weekend though.
The lumber jack competion Saturday at Giant Tiger less competitors than past years, Boyles said. Several competitors from Kemptville were called to clear roads blocked by trees.
One event that has continued to be popular is the dog sled races held Sunday at the Prescott Golf Club.
Sixty dogs comprising 14 teams competed in the SD and G Association Sled and Charting Club race. There were Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, samoyeds, and Alaskan huskies, a cross between Siberian huskies and greyhounds, at the race.
Race organizer Ann McGregor said the large amount of snow this winter made for slightly higher than normal numbers participants. Also, McGregor said Prescott does a good job advertising the annual race, which draws the mushers and their dogs.
With the rain the day before the race and then the deep freeze, the 3.5 kilometre track was a fast granular surface. Times ranged from seven to 10 minutes for the 3.5 kilometres. The mushers did two loops of the track in different directions.
Local groomers had to go over the track twice, Boyles said, because of the rain just prior to the start of the festival.
While the track was fast, it wasn't conducive to allowing children to hitch a ride on sleds. McGregor said one musher gave a couple of rides, but the track was deemed too icy and dangerous to continue the free rides for the children.
In spite of having to scale back the rides, McGregor said the event went well.
"It's a fun event," she said. "We had a ball. And it's great because the kids get to pet the dogs."
The association is open to any dog that will pull, regardless of breed. The dog doesn't have to be a sled dog. In keeping with the non-competitive aspect, McGregor said while times are kept, there aren't any prizes given out to the race winner.
Boyles said while the frost festival has just ended, the work continues getting ready for such events as the Musical Mounted Police Ride and the Highland Fling later this year.
PRESCOTT Municipal officials continue to assess a preliminary review of town operations.
Four consultants attended a finance and corporate services committee meeting Monday to outline some of the major points of the operational review which had been initiated last year by the previous council. The review focused on three main areas: administration, public works and information technology; however, the discussion Monday centered on the first two areas.
In noting difficulties faced by existing administrative staff, the consultants propose a reconfiguration of the department that would see seven full-time positions and the creation of a deputy clerk/recreation co-ordinator position. There are currently five administrative staff based at town hall, plus an additional position from the former public utilities commission (PUC). Perth, Carleton Place and Gananoque have nine or 10 administrative staff, the report notes.
On the public works side, the consultants recommend a new structure which would include 10 full-time positions and one part-time position. There are now 12 full-time employees, including four from the PUC. In addition to a director of public works, it is proposed in the operational review that the positions of construction technician, maintenance manager and chief building official/bylaw enforcement officer be created, the latter of which could be part-time. There would a lead hand for two sections of the department: roads, sewer and water distribution, and water plant. The water plant would have two operators, and the other section would have three driver/labourers.
Howard Allan of Allan & Partners Inc., one of three consulting firms involved in preparing the review, said they tried to take a practical approach to municipal operations. The clerk-administrator has to do too much, and adjustments must be made to the existing structure because "we have things slipping through the cracks," Allan added.
"In talking to staff... Our sense was in the administration area we're not functioning smoothly as a team," he said.
The consultants are also urging council to conduct a pay equity grid and establish a revised salary grid. Allan said the town may be "absolutely fine" when it comes to pay equity, but it is time for the municipality to assess its position.
It is also recommended in the review that the town evaluate the cost of in-house water and sewer plant operation, meter reading and billing services compared to contracting out those services.
Allan said the consultants' recommendations are not fixed in stone. "But if you don't look at it... Taxpayers are going to pay big time in the long run."
A working committee consisting of Mayor Robert Lawn, Councillor and finance committee chairperson Jo-Anne Beckstead and Clerk-Administrator Andrew Brown has been formed to assess the operational review.
PRESCOTT It appears the Prescott Public Library Board will not be given a seat on the special committee being formed to deal with the proposed renovation of town hall.
The subject was discussed Monday night at a meeting of the town's finance and corporate services committee. Most committee members indicated they would welcome input from Librarian Jane McGuire, especially in the early stages of the committee's work.
However, those same committee members did not indicate there was a need to have a library board member serve on the committee. There was also no consensus as to whether the library would be made a full member of the committee which now includes Mayor Robert Lawn and Councillor Garry Dewar.
The board requested representation on the committee last week prior to council's 4-3 vote to proceed with renovating the Dibble St. building which houses municipal offices and library.
Councillor and finance committee chairperson Jo-Anne Beckstead asked that terms of reference be drafted for the renovation committee which is expected to meet on a regular basis in the coming weeks.
Town officials have indicated the preferred option seems to be one which will see administrative offices and council chambers remain on the second floor. Plans for a renovated library will be drawn at the same time as those for the main renovation project, although council has not committed itself to major library work to coincide with the main project.
The town has applied to a provincial infrastructure program for library renovation funding.
MAYNARD A Maitland woman plans to pursue her fight to have her dog's designation as an aggressive animal removed.
Stella Smith-Johnston, who lives on West McLean Blvd., made a presentation to Augusta council Monday night. She maintains her dog is not aggressive, as it has been labelled by bylaw enforcement officer Greg Trizisky.
However, Trizisky said there have been recent incidents in which the dog has bitten other animals, including killing a cat, when the dog was not on its owner's property. He said the bylaw states any dog that bites another animal or person without provocation is deemed aggressive. "You have to be in control of your animal," he said. "I looked for cases of provocation and I didn't see any."
"That's nature," Smith-Johnston said, referring to Trizisky's comment regarding biting animals.
The designation means the owner must pay a yearly licence fee of $100. Trizisky said there are now three dogs within the township designated as aggressive.
"I've put out a lot of money just because of two incidents for my dog being an aggressive animal," Smith-Johnston said, who noted she has spent $1,400 for a fence around her property. She presented council with several photographs of her dog, some with it playing calmly with her grandchildren.
She said she and her dog had been harassed by other people, some threatening to kill them both.
"Why has my dog being named an aggressive animal? He's not," she said. Other dogs and cats in the neighbourhood run lose and mess her yard, she noted.
"You expect me to pay $100 every year for the rest of his life because you labelled him aggressive?" the owner questioned council. "I'm not dropping this. I'm sorry. The bylaw should be changed."
Reeve George Vail said council would take Smith-Johnston's comments into consideration, but "it could very well be a child next time" who is bitten by the dog. Trizisky was doing his job properly, he added.
PRESCOTT Habitat for Humanity has once again asked Prescott council for its assistance in providing a lot on which the nonprofit Christian housing ministry can build.
Valerie Kines and Bob Jordan of the Brockville unit of the organization made a brief presentation to council at its Feb. 5 meeting. Kines said the group has built a home in Brockville, is expecting to build one in Gananoque this spring and would like to do the same in Prescott.
"People in Prescott are anxious to have a Habitat for Humanity home here," she said. A church sponsor has already been lined up in Prescott, according to Kines.
Mayor Robert Lawn said he supports strongly the group's efforts, but noted the problem right now is being able to provide a serviced lot. The mayor said he is sure council will support the initiative once that problem can be solved.
Once the house is built, the homeowner will make monthly no-interest mortgage payments. The homeowner is also expected to invest 500 hours of their own "sweat equity" into the construction of their Habitat house and the house of others.
Kines described the process as a "hand up" rather than a "hand-out."
BROCKVILLE The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has designated the Brockville area including most of South Grenville as an underserviced area in terms of physicians.
The approval was announced Feb. 7 by Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman.
The ministry has identified a shortage of 11 general physicians and family practitioners in the Brockville area which includes Augusta, Prescott and a portion of Edwardsburgh-Cardinal.
"The health minister's decision is clear recognition of the critical situation in our area," Runciman stated in the release. "It's important people have access to quality health care."
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn said in an interview municipalities have a role to play in the process. Lawn, a former member of Brockville General Hospital's board of governors, said he expects a delegation from the hospital will soon be asking Prescott council for financial help in the local recruiting effort.
In Brockville's case, a recruiter has been hired in the ongoing effort to attract doctors to the city. Brockville and other underserviced communities can apply for incentive grants for physicians moving to the community if after one year active recruitment has not filled physician vacancies.
Lawn said he plans to discuss the matter with the hospital board and local physicians. The mayor added he is unsure of the extent to which Prescott is feeling the effects of an area-wide shortage of general practitioners.
Brockville Mayor Ben TeKamp indicated in the release he is impressed by the support shown by the health minister and Runciman.
"This is a timely announcement given the serious concerns we have about the doctor situation," TeKamp stated.
Approval of Brockville's application was granted by Elizabeth Witmer, the provincial health minister at the time. Witmer has since become environment minister as part of a cabinet shuffle. Former municipal affairs minister Tony Clement is the new health minister.
The designation was made under the ministry's Underserviced Area Program.
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
It's itchy and annoying, but head lice has become a fact of life that is best dealt with in the early stages to lessen discomfort.
Public Health Nurse Gael Bullard, who works at the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, said head lice treatment options have improved over the last few years to give families more non-chemical choices.
While the Ministry of Health says head lice is not a health problem, it does cause emotional upset and mental anguish, Bullard said.
The health unit has a head lice task force and information available to deal with the annoyance in area schools. Boundary Street Public School was able to take advantage of its services recently when an estimated 20 to 30 children were found to have lice, said Principal Laurie McElheran. The health unit does a "remarkable job" in the schools with training and counselling, she noted.
McElheran said the problem seems to become more apparent after students have been away from school, such as after Christmas break. To deal with the recent outbreak, the school called on its team of parent volunteers specially trained to check for head lice. She said they were a compassionate and sensitive group, and even went to some students' homes to do checks.
Students at Boundary were asked to take all extra clothing home, and all lost and found items were sealed in plastic bags for the required time period. They were asked not to bring in show and tell items, and each was asked to bring in a plastic bag to contain their hats and mitts. Desks and carpets were thoroughly cleaned by the custodian.
The school provided treatment shampoos for those in need, and even "a shoulder to cry on," McElheran said. Respecting the privacy of children affected was of utmost importance, she noted. As well, volunteers handled the situation delicately, so attention would not be drawn to a child who has lice.
Bullard stressed the importance of checking heads at home daily, since it is less time consuming and less expensive if two or three eggs are found, than if the problem is left to blossom, when 200 to 300 eggs could be found. Head lice can lay up to 150 eggs before dying. "It's easier to manage if you keep on top of it," Bullard said. "If everybody checked daily, we could control this." If left undetected, a head lice situation in a family could take hours to eradicate.
The eggs, or nits as they are also called, are tiny, oval and look like dandruff. They are glued to hair close to the head, and are difficult to remove. Vinegar before a treatment may help to loosen the nits and make them easier to remove.
Anyone can get head lice, Bullard cautioned, and lice is easily spread from person to person. Combs and hats should not be shared, and girls with long, swinging hair should be particularly careful. This is an invitation for head lice to move in, and she advises hair be kept up in pony tails, braids or in a bun.
While live bugs cannot jump or fly, they do move quickly. The lice need human heat and blood to thrive and can not live off the human head for longer than 48 hours. The life span of a louse is about 20 days.
It is important to note, Bullard said, that "head lice does not discriminate. It has nothing to do with clean, dirty, affluent or poor."
Commercial products to treat head lice are expensive and there may be some risks involved in their use in terms of allergic reactions, Bullard said. Treatments are not preventative measures, and should only be used on those who actually have head lice.
There are natural, non-toxic alternatives that are quite effective and not as expensive, Bullard added.
Tea tree oil is available as pure oil at many health food and drug stores. Equal parts of vinegar and mineral oil mixed together, applied generously to the head and then allowed to sit covered with a plastic shower cap for one hour before washing off is also effective at killing the insect.
Some product manufacturers claim their product will kill eggs effectively, Bullard said, "but I wouldn't count on it." Nit picking must be completed after a treatment to remove all eggs, since it only takes a couple of live eggs hatching on the head to start the cycle all over again.
On the same day the treatment is done, all bedding, hats, coats, clothing and towels should be washed in hot water. Hair brushes, combs and hair accessories should be soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes. Pillows can be put in a hot dryer for 30 minutes, and carpets, play areas, upholstered furniture and car seats should be vacuumed.
Options for items that cannot be washed include dry cleaning, sealing in a plastic bag for one to two weeks, or double-bagging and put into a deep freezer for 24 hours.
Hair conditioners, hair sprays, mousse and styling gels all coat hair and make it difficult for head lice treatments to work, Bullard said. These products should not be used when trying to get rid of head lice.
Bullard added lice is species specific, and cannot be transferred to or from a family pet.
Anyone with concerns or questions about head lice can contact the health unit's Health Action Line at 345-5685, or 1-800-660-5853.
KINGSTON The regional unemployment rate and the number of persons collecting Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in the Prescott-Brockville area rose sharply in January, according to the Kingston office of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).
The unemployment rate for the region that includes Leeds and Grenville was 6.5 per cent last month. The rate in Dec. 2000 was 4.6 per cent.
It was noted in an HRDC news release there were fewer people working in transportation and trade occupations, and there was a slight increase in the number working in educational services. This reflects normal seasonal trends, according to HRDC.
Although there were more EI claims last month, there was also an increase in the size of the labour force in the region.
The unemployment rate in Jan. 2000 was also 6.5 per cent.
In terms of EI claims, the Prescott HRDC office reported an increase of 22.7 per cent in January. There were 1,091 active claims at the end of the month compared to 889 at the end of December.
The office in Brockville reported an increase of just under 21 per cent. Active claims at the end of January totalled 1,000 compared to 827 at the end of December.
On average, HRDC offices in the Kingston-Pembroke area reported EI claim increases of 20.5 per cent.
By Willy Sieling Heuvel
The Walker House Board of management for the year 2001 consists of Valerie Schulz, chairperson; Harry Nesbitt, vice chairperson; Jean Chaters, treasurer; and Ann Steiner, secretary. Members at large are Doug Fraser, Roland Barrigar, Ruth Wenger, Betty Pillar, Hughena Holland, Gord and June Joy and Charles Steiner.
The annual meeting was well-attended as was the pot luck supper preceding it. Thank you to all who attended and participated. The new board is there to serve all members of Walker House, so if you have any concerns do not hesitate to contact any of the above mentioned people.
A fundraising dinner is being held this coming Saturday, Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Please have your reservations in by Thursday, Feb. 15 so proper plans can be made.
Card game winners last week were: Monday bridge 1st, Joyce Nesbitt; 2nd, Valerie Schulz; Betty Pillar won the door prize. Wednesday bridge 1st, Sam Covey; 2nd, Valerie Schulz; Audrey Kingston won the door prize. Thursday evening euchre 1st, Pat McPhee; 2nd, Jessie Shaver; 3rd, Jeannine Marion; Bea Hemsley won the door prize.
PRESCOTT The third performance of the Fort Town Concert Association's 2000-2001 season is scheduled to take place Thursday, Feb. 22 in Prescott.
The piano duo of Claire Ouellet and Sandra Murray will perform at 8 p.m. at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, which is located at the corner of Centre and Dibble streets.
The Duo Ouellet-Murray made its debut performance in 1994 and has earned a reputation throughout Canada and abroad for the excellence of their performances of the piano duet repertoire.
The artists have made a recording of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin for SRC/CBC Records; it has been greeted enthusiastically by the international press.
The duo's program will feature pieces originally written for piano duo or transcribed from the orchestra repertoire.
In addition to bringing world-class musicians, the concert association arranges for the artists to have "Meet the Musicians" sessions or mini-concerts at local elementary schools on concert days. Ouellet and Murray are scheduled to visit Central Public School on the afternoon of their upcoming concert.
As concert audiences grow, so does the association's ability to offer this type of enrichment to young people in the area.
Call 925-3200 or 925-5050 for more information on the Feb. 22 concert.
The concert series is being offered in conjunction with Jeunesses Musicales of Canada, an organization which helps bring musicians to communities across the country.
OGDENSBURG Military re-enactors from across eastern North America will converge on Ogdensburg this weekend for the 188th anniversary observance of the Feb. 22, 1813 capture of the city by the garrison of Prescott.
The re-enactment of the battle will take place Sunday at 1 p.m. on Lighthouse Point in the west end of the city. The battle saw a combined Anglo-Canadian force under the command of Lieut.-Col. "Red" George Macdonell cross the frozen St. Lawrence and route the U.S. Garrison under the command of Major Benjamin Forsyth. The daring early-morning attack on Ogdensburg was carried out by Macdonell in direct contravention of orders issued by the then-military governor of Canada, Sir George Prevost, and was in retaliation for raids conducted by Forsyth and his men on Brockville and Gananoque.
Re-enactors will be at the site Saturday afternoon for a rehearsal and drill in this, the kickoff of the 2001 re-enacting "campaign" for most War of 1812 re-enactors.
The 20-acre Lighthouse Point site will resound to the boom of artillery and rattle of musketry as re-enactors, depicting such storied regiments as the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles, Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada, Canadian Fencibles and 49th and 89th Regiments of Foot engage their modern-day counterparts depicting Forsyth's Rifles (First U.S. Rifle Regiment), First U.S. Light Artillery and various militia units.
Lighthouse Point is located just west of the bridge that spans the Oswegatchie River. There is ample parking on the south side of the street.
Public Health Nurse Gael Bullard on the subject of head lice
We have been deluged with a generous daily diet the past year of unsolicited e-mail, a communications nuisance that has replaced the fax, unsolicited telephone calls and businesses that use virtual answering services. The curse of all this unsolicited e-mail is that it is a problem that is just in its infancy, is completely uncontrolled or regulated, and the volume of e-mail messages that will flash from computer to computer is just starting to grow. Anybody with a computer and a few bucks to spend with a server has access to computers all over the world.
To date they have not tied our computers up at work for any noticeable amount of time, nor have we learned to trash the anonymous ones before we print out a copy. This is where we polite, staid Canadians get suckered. Many of us, back in the days when personal letters were the main form of business and personal communications, were taught that it was extremely bad manners not to reply to a letter.
When the e-mail phenomenon first started as a trickle, and before it became a flood, we thought that each and every letter deserved an immediate reply, even if it was only to an unknown e-mail address. The past six months has seen junk e-mail traffic to The Journal pick up immensely, so we have decided to treat unsolicited e-mails that come with a name but only an e-mail address as junk mail, and have a small empty box beside our desk into which they go for recycling. Using e-mail for fast and easy business communications with people or parties who you know is a good use for the service, but to use it for cold sales calls, or to solicit information is an invasion of privacy and not worthy of a reply.
Whereas correspondence between individuals or associates usually entails proper grammar and impeccable spelling, it is seldom we receive an e-mail that doesn't reek of poor grammar and even poorer spelling. It is as though these electronic authors, as soon as they sit down in front of their keyboards, lose all co-ordination between their brains and their finger(s). Boy it makes one shudder to think that an entire generation of two of our school system's illiterates now have a powerful tool with which to communicate anywhere in the world!
John Morris,
Managing Editor
Canadians born and raised along the banks of the St. Lawrence in this area, say from Brockville to Morrisburg, and especially Prescott, have two inherent rights. In fact, along this same stretch of border for the past 200 years we have fought real wars and battles, along with scores and scores of Saturday night pitched battles to retain our inherent right to smuggle cheap American goods and to drink cheap American booze supplied by such Ogdensburg icons as Oscar's, Rose's, Sholette's, Kelly's, The Lodge, Buster's, The Maple's and on and on and on.
Our right to smuggle, a skill taught most river rats in their formative years by caring parents, have been curtailed almost to the point of extinction by Les Douanes at the Ogdensburg-Prescott Bridge terminal ever since the ferries stopped running in 1960.
No longer do pre-schoolers waddle through customs like they did in the good old ferry days, swathed in yards of material concealed by bulky snow suits. No longer are choice cuts of beef and ample supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables spread out in a false-bottomed baby carriage under one or two dirty diapers.
No longer can you ride your Schwinn balloon-tired bicycle equipped with two, back-fender leather saddle bags half-filled with sand, off the old Joseph Dubrule and up to the little Canadian Customs buildings at the foot of West Street, where you obediently and politely dump all the sand out of the bags and then scoop it back in again with your hands after the customs officer had gone through it, searching for dear-knows-what.
No longer do you get the elation of getting on your bike and pumping up to the Hotel Alexandra corner with the secret that you will keep for a lifetime that you had just smuggled a new bicycle into Canada and that, as you had been assured by your mentors, the sand was just a decoy. Turns out the customs officers of the day were bemused but not fooled.
The past 40 years of clearing customs at the bridge in a car have ailled the creative spirit of bordertown smuggling. Adding to the boredom of this is the fact that Les Douanes and their frères can confiscate your car if you are caught with undeclared contraband, and even more boring is the fact that the staples we all loved to smuggle into Canada the first two-thirds of the last century can now be brought into the country duty free.
Yes, the rights of the bordertown smuggler have slowly disappeared here over the past 40 years. Not satisfied with destroying this tradition, Les Douanes are now targetting those of us who have partaken of Ogdensburg's famous happy hour hospitality (from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. any day of the week) for the past 50 years, and for a few generations before that.
Now you can no longer clear customs with a pleasant little snootful and know that (after midnight) your chances of missing a RIDE program are almost 100 per cent certain.
Until the first of January of this year it was still a quaint local Canadian custom on Friday or Saturday night to answer the standard question of "...any tobacco or alcohol products coming back with you..." with a "Nope, just over to Sholette's for some wings and brown pop..."
"OK guys. Drive carefully and have a good evening."
Now Les Douanes have the authority to check your driver's licence, question whether or not you had been drinking alcohol, and bring you inside for a breathalyser if they think your usual witty retorts border on the unfunny.
Unless you get one of the good ole douanes you've been bantering back and forth with at the border for the past decade or two, here's what constitutes a border crossing conversation with one of the "new guy" douanes.
"What's your citizenship?"
"Canadian."
"Where do you live?"
"Prescott."
"Any alcohol or tobacco products in your car?"
"No."
"How long have you been in the States?"
"About two hours."
"What's the value of the goods you are bringing into Canada?"
"Nothing. We were just over for dinner."
(Captain Canada looks at his watch.)
"That seems to be a very late dinner."
"Maybe for you sir, but not for us."
(We think it was this bit of sass that made him remember that he was a Canadian civil servant and therefore had to be uncivil to his fellow Canadians.)
"Let me see your driver's licence."
We produce it in a plastic case.
"Take it out of the case."
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We did and had it snatched brusquely from our hand.
"How much have you had to drink?"
"Just a beer with my dinner, but that really is not any of your business, sir."
"I have the authority to give you a breathalyser, you know?"
"I don't know whether you do or not, but my courtroom experience says that you have to have just cause that I am drunk before you can administer such a test."
"You a lawyer?"
"You done with my driver's licence?"
He looks away and hands it back to us.
"Thanks for the warm welcome back to my own country."
A lady of three centuries, Bessie Lamson of Cardinal, celebrated her 102nd birthday last week doing what she loves best: watching a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game in person.
Lamson was invited to attend the home game with the Leafs playing against Detroit, compliments of Leafs President Ken Dryden. The gesture is a thrill for Lamson, whose love for the game of hockey catapulted in 1931, when she began working at the concession stand of the newly-built Maple Leaf Gardens.
Lamson continues to reside in the family home where she was born Feb. 8, 1899, with her twin brother, Basil. They were the oldest of eight children born to Charlotte and Charles Lamson, and she is the only child still alive.
She celebrated her birthday with her niece Nancy Karkoulas, who raises Morgan horses at a farm north of Toronto.
"I miss her so much when she's not here," Karkoulas said of Lamson, who she affectionately refers to as Auntie Ba. "We hog her - we can't get enough of her. She's very special, and so inspirational. She would never, ever complain.
"She's so tiny and so sweet; she's as quiet as a little mouse. She really and truly is amazing. I always come off the phone (from a chat with her) with a smile."
Karkoulas said her aunt's philosophy in life is to not let anything bother you and to deal with things as they come. She said Aunt Bessie's best advice is: "God will look after you; whatever happens, happens for a reason."
Lamson said she lives for hockey and baseball, so it was "pretty special" she was able to attend the Leafs game on the weekend. "I'm having a pretty wonderful time, and they're treating me lovely."
She said she has "lived a nice life. I wouldn't change a thing. I have no regrets. I'm feeling really good; I can't complain."
Lamson, who never married, left home at the age of 16 in 1915 when her father died, to take a job at the psychiatric centre in Odgensburg. She was living in Toronto working for the Elizabeth Arden company in 1931 when she saw Maple Leaf Gardens being built. She sought out a job so she could be near one of her great pleasures, and remained living in Toronto until about 1959.
She then returned to the family farm north of Cardinal to care for her mother. She later was able to indulge a passion for travelling and gardening.
For her 100th birthday and as part of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebration in 1999 when the team moved from the Gardens to the new Air Canada Centre, Lamson was honoured with an invitation to see the last game played at the Gardens. She also took part in the closing ceremonies.
She also had the honour of serving the first hot dog at Air Canada Centre.
The Feb. 5 council meeting welcomed a delegation from South Edwardsburgh Recreation Association. This group of citizens was concerned about losing the recreation facility manager due to amalgamation.
Mayor Dave Dobbie explained when the Transition Board set out the structure, recreation was the only area where consensus was difficult. Edwardsburgh has a recreation department. Cardinal's structure was different: workers in the arena also worked in public works. There was no defined recreation department. What we currently have is a "mish mash" and is not the best solution. He feels the new council should review the matter as soon as possible to determine needs.
The union vote on Feb. 2 resulted in CUPE being the organization representing township employees. Prior to the vote Cardinal employees were not unionized.
Regarding my personal learning curve, it was noticed by a fellow councillor I had "finally gotten (my) arm working". Yes, I voted on just about everything at this meeting because I felt confident enough about the contents. I also questioned whether accepting the committee minutes means that we accept the recommendations set out therein and was informed that it does.
The public works committee is going to look into purchasing a new truck and plow equipment to replace a 1986 model. They will be working on drafting a list of capital and putting together a road plan for Cardinal.
The recreation facilities committee met as well and they are looking into the possibility of purchasing a skate sharpener for the arena in Spencerville. The profitability of such an endeavour will have to be examined before final recommendations are made. The committee is also going to research the availability of seniors' programs within the township to see if there are recreation facilities may be used for activities. If you are involved in a service group for seniors, please leave a message for me at the municipal office or call me at 657-1728.
The public liaison committee will be reviewing waste disposal bylaws for Edwardsburgh and Cardinal to come up with common fees. Amnesty Days for 2001 are April 28 and Oct. 27. They have decided there will be no change to the tag system in Cardinal for this year. Cardinal's garbage tags are paid for via tax dollars while Edwardsburgh residents pay on a per bag basis.
The administration committee will be advertising for entries in a logo contest for the township. A bylaw setting out rates and fees for services provided within the office was passed. This includes photocopying charges, hourly rate for employees "loaned" out to other municipalities, etc., and sets out the fees for licences for peddlers and transient traders.
Clerk Trivitt noted if you are looking for a marriage licence, the municipal office will not issue them. He feels it is too time consuming. Edwardsburgh has not provided them in the past although Cardinal did. For now, anyone looking for a marriage licence will have to go to Prescott or Brockville.
In moving from a Federal Ports operation to our own "Port" we have to pass bylaws regarding the operation of the Ports. Three were passed setting out fees for users of the Port.
The chair of the library board is Brenda Murray, Carol Collison is treasurer, and Ed Hitcheson is secretary. The board met at the municipal building in Cardinal. It was interesting in so far as the idea came up to use the building for the library. Mayor Dobbie asked Councillor Peter Martin to look at the plans to see if it could be done.
I expressed some concern over our lack of a report of any nature from the fire department to date. It was decided a report will be requested on a monthly basis. There is a need to work with the fire department to review and revise emergency procedures within the township.
Finally, committee meetings of council are open to the public. If you want to know what committee meetings are coming up, just call the staff at the municipal office. They should have a list of all scheduled meetings.
Peggy Taylor
After a brave battle with congestive heart failure, Dean Hunter passed away the morning of Monday, Jan. 29, 2001 at Brockville General Hospital. He was 82.
Born at the Hunter homestead in Edwardsburgh Township on June 19, 1918, Mr. Hunter lived on the farm until 1996, when he sold it and moved into a cozy apartment on the St. Lawrence River in Prescott with his second wife, Mildred (Whittier) Hunter.
He was the loving father of two daughters, Linda Hunter of Toronto, and Sheila, who is married to Rev. Larry Lorentz of Ft. St. John, BC, with their three boys, Richard Dean, Cody and Landon.
He was the dear brother of two sisters, Milla Hutt of Brockville and Marion (Junior) Peterson of Prescott; and the brother-in-law and dear friend of Arnold (Pauline) Froom of Ottawa, Walter (Joyce) Froom of Shanly and Destat Cross of Unionville.
Mr. Hunter is also survived by three step-daughters and their husbands, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Hester (McGuire) Hunter, a brother Charles Hunter, a sister Evelyn Davison and his first wife Clara (Froom) Hunter, whom he married in Aug. 1951.
Together Mr. Hunter and Clara Hunter farmed and held down second jobs; he at National Harbours Board as a distributing foreman, and she as a public school teacher in Prescott. Mr. Hunter retired from the grain elevator in Johnstown in 1982, after 32 years of service. He had many fond memories about working with "his boys" at the elevator and kept track of the boats and his elevator friends long after he retired. As one friend said: "When you made friends with Dean, it was for life."
Mr. Hunter's whole life centered around church, family and music and he tied them all together. He played the guitar at home for enjoyment and expressed his devotion to the God he loved. He was also a soloist and choir member at Spencerville United Church for more than 30 years. Mr. Hunter was an active participant wherever he was.
In 1973, Mr. Hunter made the soul-saving decision to follow Jesus Christ and make Him the Lord of his life, and his rich family life took on a new dimension. The family lead a more pentecostal lifestyle.
Mr. Hunter became an active member in the Full Gospel Businessmen's Association. He enjoyed leading the singing and was often accompanied by daughter Linda on the bass guitar. The whole family was very musical and Dean, Clara, Sheila and Linda often sang and played at church.
Mr. Hunter loved to be surrounded by family and the Hunter farm was the setting for many family gatherings. He considered it a blessing to have family members who were also dearest friends. Nieces and nephews have many fond memories of trips to the barn in the milk cart and experiencing life on the farm. Mr. Hunter had lots of patience and allowed the kids to try new things, like driving the tractor and hay jumps.
Mr. Hunter loved camping, especially trailering, and travelled with Clara and the girls down east a number of summers to participate musically as a family at evangelistic tent crusades. Even after the girls left home, they often joined their parents when trailering at church camps and other camp-outs.
Mr. Hunter lost Clara, his beloved wife of 34 years, to cancer. He was devastated, but was still determined to live life to the fullest. A good friend from church, Elrick Dufrene, introduced Mr. Hunter to his widowed sister-in-law, Millie Whittier. They were married a year later in Mr. Dufrene's yard at Hyndman.
Heart problems had surfaced a number of years ago, but weren't diagnosed until recently. Diabetes and kidney problems added to the deteriorating health.
Mr. Hunter was hospitalized again in mid-January this year and his condition deteriorated quickly. He felt to get better he needed to be surrounded by "thousands" of people and his friends and family were faithful to appear in droves. There were days when both visitor lounges were full of people waiting to see him, and he had something personal to say to each. Mr. Hunter had a great zest for life, but went peacefully to be with the Lord. He will be missed.
Visitation for Mr. Hunter was held at the Grant Brown Funeral Home, Purcell Chapel, Spencerville, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001.
The funeral service was held Thursday, Feb. 1 at Spencerville United Church, with Pastor Al Litchfield and Pastor Archie Robinson officiating.The eulogy was delivered by nephew Robert Froom and Candis Parachin from Peoples Church in Toronto lead the singing.
The pallbearers were Ted Hunter, David Peterson, Kevin Wolford, Jason Ault, Dean Patterson and Allister Froom.
Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Spring interment will be at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery.
Cora Trapman, 275 Water St., Prescott, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2001 at Perth and Smiths Falls Community Hospital, Smiths Falls. She was 91.
She was born Oct. 14, 1909 in Holland, and married Fop Trapman Oct. 16, 1934, also in Holland. The family moved to Canada in 1949.
Mrs. Trapman is survived by her son Teo (Lisa) Trapman, a daughter, Barbara (Lyall Gilmour); six grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; one sister in Holland and dear friends Jack and Cathy DeGraff.
She was predeceased by her parents, her dear husband Fop and three sisters in Holland.
Church was a very important part of Mrs. Trapman's life. She was a proud and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and was always happy to have her family visit. She enjoyed flower gardening and knitting.
Visitation was held at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, Jan. 30, 2001 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service was held at the Christian Reform Church, Brockville, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001 at 11 a.m. A luncheon followed in the church fellowship hall. A committal service will be held in the spring at Sandy Hill Cemetery, Prescott.
The pallbearers were her grandchildren, Robert Gilmour, Shelly and John Sherman, Nora King, Gerry Rook and Barry Dobbie.
Donations to St. Vincent Palliative Care or the building fund of Christian Reform Church would be appreciated by the family.
Ellen Marguerite Henry, 373 Churchill Rd., Prescott, died after a brave 16-month fight with lung cancer in the early morning of Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001 at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in Brockville. She was 78.
Born in Mountain Township July 7, 1922, she was the daughter of Lytelle Crowder and Lucy Brown. Mrs. Henry moved to Prescott as a young woman and remained there until the past two and half months, when she became hospitalized.
She is survived by two daughters: Debra Warren of Brockville, and Donna, who is married to Roger Ouellette of Smiths Falls. Mrs. Henry had two grandchildren: Jonathan and Catrienna Warren.
She is also survived by one brother, Garfield (Irene) Crowder of South Mountain and a sister, Laura (Stan) Marriner of Winchester. She was the aunt and special friend of Mary Salmon of Long Sault.
Mrs. Henry was predeceased by her parents; a sister Agnes Crowder and a brother, Lawson Crowder.
Since moving to Prescott, Mrs. Henry worked at various jobs, including Golds Glove Works, Red Cross Homemaking, Hathaway Canada Ltd., Newell Industries Canada Inc. She retired from Sears Canada Inc. in 1987.
Prior to her illness, Mrs. Henry liked to keep herself busy. She had a keen interest and took great pride in her crocheting and numerous craft projects. She was also a marvelous cook and baker.
Visitation was held at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, Jan. 29. A mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church Jan. 30, 2001 at 11 a.m. with Father J. Appelman officiating. The soloist was James Evoy of Smiths Falls. He sang Be Not Afraid, Here I am Lord and In the Garden.
A Private family interment will be held at South Gower Cemetery in the spring. At the family's request, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital Palliative Care Unit in Brockville.
Luke Reid of Prescott died Monday, Jan. 15, 2001 at Kingston General Hospital. He was 72.
Born Reginald John Sidney Reid Sept. 2, 1928, he was the son of John Reid and the former Lula Sherwood. He married Mary Audrey Grue on May 5, 1951 at St. Paul's United Church, Prescott.
He had been employed as a labourer with Coneen Construction.
Mr. Reid is survived by his wife; daughter Bonnie Bradley and husband Glen of Graham Lake; and three sons, Robert, Reg Jr. and wife Bonnie and David and wife Penny, all of Prescott; and his brothers, Raymond and Mansel Reid and Melburn Reid and his wife Helen. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Reid was the grandfather of Angela Campbell and husband Steve, Joe Hare and wife Penny, Tracy Larlee and husband Kirk, and Justin, Marcie, Tamison and Selena Reid and five great-grandchildren, Chad and Nicolas Campbell, Taylor and Joseph Hare and Mikayla Larlee.
He was predeceased by his parents, grandchildren Sara Campbell and Karen Hare, brother Ervin Reid, and three sisters, Viola Wendover, Gerdie Hunter and Marie Gabriel.
Friends called at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, Jan. 18, 2001, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m., where the funeral service was held in the chapel Friday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. Rev. Blair Paterson officiated. Rev. A.R. Leavitt delivered a eulogy and Kirk Larlee sang "The Last Mile of the Way." Interment followed at Maynard Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Barry Reid, Carl Reid, Johny Reid, Keith Toshack, John Annable and Bill Workman. Honourary bearers were Albert LaPorte, Joseph Doyle, Jim Bailey and Ronnie Hunter.
Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
The South Grenville Peewee 'B' Rangers captured two wins on the weekend.
The Rangers met the Kingston City Cougars Friday night in Spencerville
The Cougars opened the game with a goal in the first period at 12:12. Rangers' Mike Armstrong scored at 12:33 in the second period, followed by another Rangers' goal from Jonathan Baldwin at 11:51.
The Cougars quickly responded with a goal. Nick Amyotte's goal in the second period with 36 seconds left gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead. Steve Prosser and Eric Selleck each scored a goal in the third giving the Rangers a 5-2 victory.
Assists for the Rangers went to Kirk Donovan, Kurtis Summers, Josh Rupert and Matthew Dougherty. Ryan Wynands was in net for the Rangers.
Sunday afternoon action saw the Athens Aeros against the Rangers.
The Rangers came out strong scoring three goals in the first period from Nick Maggio, Josh Rupert and Adam Dixon. Second period action saw the Aeros score twice to get on the board.
Rangers' Eric Selleck scored in the second period giving the Rangers a 4-2 lead.
Eric Selleck and Kurtis Summers each scored a goal in the third period giving them a 6-2 victory.
Game assists went to Summers, Hayes, Selleck, Prosser and Smail. Rangers outshot the Aeros 44-19.
In net for the Rangers was Luke Beckstead. The Rangers final league game will be Sunday, Feb. 18 in Gananoque against the Islanders.
The South Grenville Rangers travelled to Kingston Saturday to meet the Kingston City Cougars, and overpowered them 6-0. Scoring for the Rangers were Rupert, Selleck, Summers, Smail, Armstrong and Baldwin.
On Friday night, the Rangers met the Gananoque Islanders at the Edwardsburgh Community Centre in Spencerville.
The Islanders were too much for the Rangers as they sunk the Rangers 4-1. Josh Rupert scored the sole Rangers' goal in the third period.
The Rangers were outshot by the Islanders 28-23. The Rangers travelled to Amherstview to meet the Ernestown Jets. Ernestown was quickly on the board in the first period.
The Rangers followed with a goal. The Jets answered with their own.
Then the Rangers repeated, followed by the Jets. By the end of the period, the Jets lead 3-2. The second period saw each team score one more apiece, bringing the score to 4-3 for the Jets.
The sole goal in the third period for the Rangers tied the game at four apiece.
Rangers' Baldwin, Matthew Dougherty, Selleck and Armstrong also scored.
The Brockville Bantam Blazers won a pair of games this past weekend against Elgin 41-32 and 42-17.
In the first game, Lindsay Coombes had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead Brockville.
In the second game, Coombes had 14 points and Jenna Beatty added 10.
The Brockville Blazers played a pair of games the weekend of Feb. 3 in Manotick.
Brockville got by Nepean 'AA' 40-35 and beat Osgoode 55-12. In the first game, Megan Brazeau scored nine points and Lindsay Coombes had seven rebounds.
In the second game, Kim Ushers had 12 points. Jen Matthews and Sam Joudoin each had four steals.
Brockville sees action again next weekend when they travel to Montreal for a tournament.
PRESCOTT The South Grenville Peewee 'C' Rangers smoked the Smiths Falls Bears 5-0.
The first goal of the game was scored by Rangers' Jennifer Lamoureux, assisted by Matthew Hayes and Ryan Landon. Lamoureux game winner was the first of five goals as the Rangers shutout the Bears Feb. 8 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.
Other Rangers' goals were scored by Landon, assisted by Lamoureux; Hayes, assisted by Michael Lawrence; Matt Deeks, assisted by Tyler Halladay; and Shane McNeely, assisted by Wesley Polite and Derrick Lavery. Kevin Beach earned the shutout.
On Feb. 10. the Rangers beat Kemptville 9-4. Scoring for the Rangers were Deeks, Lawrence and Hayes with two, and singles to Landon, Minish and McNeely.