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PRESCOTT The tenders are in, and the low bid to reconstruct much of Churchill Road is slightly lower than initial estimates.
Town council discussed the matter Monday night at a committee-of-the-whole meeting. Council was advised Cornwall Gravel Company Limited had the lowest of three bids submitted.
Town Engineer Clyde Solomon noted the original estimate to rebuild Churchill from Edward Street to Boundary Street was $759,000. The Cornwall Gravel bid works out to about $747,000. Solomon said the lowest bid was about $115,000 less than the second lowest submission.
The project would include road reconstruction and some sidewalk replacement work. The bid also provided separate amounts should the project be split into two sections: Edward Street to Massie Drive, and Massie Drive to Boundary Street.
Although council decided Churchill was a top municipal priority as part of the 2001 budget process, a commitment to award a contract has yet to be made.
Solomon told council the contractor is "more than happy" to do half the work this year and do the rest next year at the bid price. The engineer and other town officials indicated it may not be possible to complete the entire project this fall.
Municipal officials will review the options as well as long-term financing options. The subject will return to the council table next Tuesday, although a final decision may not come until council's second meeting in September.
"I am prepared to do as much as we can afford," Councillor Garry Dewar said.
PRESCOTT There were some tense moments in the vicinity of the police and fire station Saturday morning as an Ontario Provincial Police bomb disposal unit was called in to deal with what appeared to be an explosive device.
The device had been acquired by town police when they responded to a noise complaint in the west end of Prescott just after 3:45 am. The device was made safe and transported to the station at Centre and Henry streets, where it was to be stored as evidence. However, the situation changed later that morning.
"The suspect device was made safe, but on closer examination the exact nature of the device could not be confirmed and the assistance of the OPP bomb disposal unit was requested," the release stated.
The Belleville-based bomb squad was called at about 9 am, according to Police Chief Rick Bowie. The police and fire building was evacuated, as was the area in the immediate vicinity of the building.
The bomb disposal unit arrived and destroyed the device downstairs in the evidence locker. The incident was over by about 11:30 am, the police chief said. Television crews from Ottawa were among the media and press outlets at the scene to cover the bomb scare.
An examination determined the item was a tear gas canister.
Operations at the police station and fire hall returned to normal Saturday, except for the clean-up of the area in which the device was destroyed. Clean-up was expected to wrap up yesterday. Chief Bowie said there was no damage to the building, but powder from the device had to be removed from nearby objects.
When police had arrived at the residence earlier that morning, they found in front of the building two men armed with what appeared to be an explosive device, according to the release. The men had reportedly been in the home and threatened a victim who is a witness in an upcoming trial. Police did not release the name of the victim.
David MacDonald, 30, of Prescott, and Philip MacDonald, 32, of Ottawa, were charged with unlawfully being in a dwelling, uttering threats and obstructing justice. David MacDonald was also charged with one count of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon. Philip MacDonald faces one count of assault.
Both men were arraigned Saturday and remained in custody for a bail hearing Tuesday afternoon in Brockville.
PRESCOTT Work to ensure the public library can remain open this winter will proceed, town council has decided.
Council agreed Monday to have the work done. The rest of the Dibble Street municipal building was vacated earlier this year in anticipation of proposed renovations to the facility. Those renovations were put on hold; municipal offices were relocated to a temporary home in the former bank building near the intersection of Edward Street and Churchill Road.
Concerns have been expressed about the condition of the library and how it affects staff and library users. Although the town has applied for government funding to renovate the library, the municipality has not committed itself to such a project.
A report submitted by Town Engineer Clyde Solomon noted several measures which should be taken to address deficiencies in or near the library. Council has approved plans to place a partition around an existing furnace and remove an old oil tank. The work is expected to cost less than $3,000.
"There's no alternative," Councillor Garry Dewar said.
Council must also decide to what extent will other unused portions of town hall be heated this winter. Renovating the existing building is one of several options being considered by council; other options include building a new facility and relocating municipal offices and the library to other locations in town.
PRESCOTT The offices of The Prescott Journal and St. Lawrence Printing will be closed Monday, Sept. 3 to observe Labour Day.
The deadline for display and classified advertising for the Sept. 5 edition of The Journal is Friday, Aug. 31 at noon. An early deadline also applies to editorial submissions for the Sept. 5 edition.
PRESCOTT The Forwarders' Museum will host a tea party Saturday, Sept. 1 from noon until 4 pm.
Tea, iced tea, coffee and lemonade will be served. A variety of baked goods will also be served. Indoor and outdoor tables will be available, weather permitting. The event will take place rain or shine.
The museum is located at the corner of Water and Centre streets in downtown Prescott.
For more information or for reservations, call the museum at 925-5788. There is an admission fee for the tea party. The museum will also be open for tours. Admission is free; however, donations are accepted.
PRESCOTT Outdoor wood-burning appliances are not permitted in town, council was advised Monday.
Based on complaints about existing appliances, town officials reviewed the bylaws of nearby municipalities. Clerk/CAO Andrew Brown told council the existing fire code prohibits outdoor burning appliances unless exemptions are granted by fire officials. Councillor Terry McConnell said some people who own the units may not be aware of the restriction.
It was also noted at Monday's meeting outdoor furnaces are not covered by fire codes. Council is looking into a bylaw banning those appliances.
PRESCOTT The Prescott and district chapter of Ducks Unlimited will host its fifth annual banquet and auction Friday, Sept. 28 at St. Mark's Parish Centre. Doors will open at 6 pm; dinner will be served at 7:30 pm.
For more information, call Jim Holmes at 925-5186, Doug Hayes at 925-5872 or Paul Van Luit at 925-3312. Call 925-4800 to become a volunteer.
PRESCOTT St. Joseph Catholic School in Prescott has a new principal for the coming year.
Alex Bujacz will be the principal beginning the first day of classes, Tuesday, Sept. 4. The former principal, Margaret Wicklum, has been appointed principal of St. Mary's Elementary School in Morrisburg.
PRESCOTT The Augusta Fire Department will be granted a licence to sell Nevada tickets in town, council has decided.
Most council members indicated at a committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday they would approve a request by township firefighters to acquire a licence to sell tickets at a Mac's Milk outlet in downtown Prescott.
Augusta fire department representatives Lorne Dougherty and Sylvain Lefebvre attended the meeting and made a presentation to council. Dougherty explained the department is trying to raise $174,000 to purchase a new rescue van. Firefighters are hoping to acquire two sets of the jaws-of-life used to extricate people from damaged vehicles.
Under the current system, the Prescott Fire Department is one of the units dispatched by 9-1-1 to respond to accident calls on Highway 401 in the township. In many cases, town firefighters are ordered to stand down because their presence and jaws-of-life equipment are not required.
If town crews responded, however, the township would still receive money through the department of highways.
Councillor Garry Dewar indicated the town should get at least some of the money now going to Augusta for those 401 calls. Dewar also reiterated his view that it may be better to award a lottery licence to a group which operates in town, even though he did acknowledge the Augusta fire department's cause is "worthy."
"A lot of charities in Prescott are in desperate need of money," said Dewar, who resides in Augusta township. "I'd just prefer to keep it in town."
Councillor Terry McConnell agreed it may be time to revise the town's arrangement with the township in terms of fire coverage. But that is an argument for councils and not the firefighters, he added. McConnell also said he understands charities in Prescott need help, but the two municipalities benefit from each other's fire protection service.
Lefebvre noted upgrading the service provided by Augusta would have a positive effect on the Prescott fire department. It would keep town firefighters off the road and reduce wear and tear on equipment, he said.
Most members of council indicated they would support the Augusta department's request for the lottery licence. A licence for Kingston and District Crime Stoppers to sell tickets at the downtown location is expected to expire soon.
When asked by Dewar if the fire department would support a Prescott request to split revenue with the township for those Highway 401 response calls, Dougherty indicated the township should be giving money back to the town.
CARDINAL All firefighters knew was they were responding to a multi-vehicle accident with multiple injuries.
Twenty members of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Fire Department were put to the test Aug. 20 as part of vehicle extrication and medical aid training. Leeds-Grenville EMS and department officials were on hand at the Scott Road training site to observe the men in action as part of "Operation Rescue."
Firefighters arrived at the scene to find a van and car in bad shape, as well as several volunteers portraying accident victims with varying degrees of injury.
Firefighters got a chance to demonstrate teamwork and the skills required to deal with and treat injured persons before paramedics arrive. Some of the injured were trapped in a vehicle, a challenge that firefighters may face during the course of their duties.
Lt. Jeff Baldwin, the department's chief training officer, said his initial assessment of the exercise was positive. Firefighters were successful in their efforts to treat the injured and free those trapped inside vehicles.
Participants gathered at the Cardinal fire station after the exercise to hear the critiques made by EMS and fire officials. This marked the first time an exercise of this nature involved members of both fire stations in the amalgamated municipality.
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE Take a coffee break in September and support the local Alzheimer Society in the process.
The society is asking companies, groups and individuals to host an Alzheimer Coffee Break. Donations collected at the break would be given to the Alzheimer Society of Leeds-Grenville.
Alzheimer disease is a degenerative brain disorder that affects more than 350,000 Canadians and their families. The disease has no known cause or cure, although there is medication to treat some symptoms.
The Leeds-Grenville society will host a coffee break Saturday, Sept. 1 from 7 am to 1 pm at the Brockville Farmers market.
For more information about hosting a coffee break, contact the Alzheimer Society at (613) 345-7392.
PRESCOTT The Public Service Alliance of Canada wants a fair deal from the federal government, according to the president of a union local in Prescott.
Tens of thousands of public servants who belong to the alliance took part in one-day walkouts Aug. 15 and Aug. 22 to back demands for better collective agreements with Treasury Board, the federal government agency which negotiates and oversees the contracts.
Among those who took part in last Wednesday's legal walkout were members of Local 00054 of the Union of Canadian Transport Employees. More than 50 workers at the Prescott Coast Guard Base belong to the local.
"We want a fair deal," said Geoff Fortier, president of the local.
In light of double-digit pay raises received by members of parliament and large increases received by senior bureaucrats, PSAC are seeking what they believe is a reasonable pay increase.
Offers of two per cent per year have been greeted with a negative response by the union, which has been without a new contract for a year.
"Just about every other group is receiving offers a lot larger than two per cent," Fortier said. "It's frustrating for our employees here," he added.
Picket lines returned to the base Monday morning as members of some of the units of the local, including ships' crews, walked off the job in response to what the union says is Treasury Board's reluctance to change contract wording. There were no picket lines in front of the base late Tuesday morning; additional details were unavailable as of press time.
PSAC is planning a third one-day walkout today. Fortier said last week it is too early to say how the public is responding to PSAC's efforts.
He noted the support by management at the base has been excellent; the union's concerns rest with the federal government.
As for the future of the ongoing labour dispute, Fortier predicted the situation would be resolved by mid-autumn.
SOUTH GRENVILLE Motorists are being reminded to use extra caution when schools reopen next Tuesday.
The return of classes also means the return of school buses. Although the Ontario Safety League (OSL) notes the school bus is one of the safest forms of transportation in the province, most injuries to bus kids occur outside the school bus.
"Children sometimes forget safety rules and don't always pay attention to traffic when leaving the school bus or walking home, so motorists must," stated OSL President and GM Bert Killian.
Students waiting for school buses are reminded to stand back from the roadside and pay attention to traffic. When exiting a bus, children should look both ways before crossing a street. They should also walk far enough in front of the bus so the driver can see them.
Motorists approaching from either direction must stop when the red lights on a bus are flashing, or when the stop sign arm is extended. Children have less peripheral vision than adults and may have difficulty detecting vehicle movement or judging distance or a vehicle's speed.
School buses must stop at all railway crossings; motorists following a bus should be prepared to stop.
Motorists who pass a school bus with its warning lights activated could be fined and receive demerit points, and their actions could also put youngsters at risk. Police services throughout the region are prepared to charge offenders.
For more information, visit the OSL Web site at www.osl.org.
AUGUSTA OPP officers were called to investigate a break, enter and theft that occurred sometime between Aug. 17 and Aug. 25 at a Dixon Road residence. A Honda 2500 generator, model EN 3500 SX, serial number 120675, was removed from a shed. Anyone with information on this theft is asked to contact Constable Tyler Boutilier at the Grenville County OPP detachment in Prescott (925-4221). Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
EDWARDSBURGH The driver of a car involved in an accident Aug. 26 on Highway 401 has been charged with careless driving. OPP officers were called at about 3:50 pm to investigate a single-vehicle mishap on the westbound section of the highway about one kilometre east of Highway 16. The vehicle had entered the south ditch and then proceeded to cross both lanes of traffic before entering the north ditch and coming to rest, according to a police report. Constable Jason Butcher is the investigating officer.
PRESCOTT It's out with the old and in with the new.
The Fort Town received the deliver of a Zamboni 520 last month, replacing the 25-year-old Zamboni 520.
The $68,356 Zamboni arrived here July 24 from Branford, Ont. The base price of the Zamboni 520 is $61,230. An additional $2,220 was added to the price for such items as a plastic ice making water tank, a plastic conditioner runner and chrome wheels. The trade-in value of the 1976 Zamboni was $5,000.
Parks and Recreation Department employee Mike Longtin said it was time to replace the older 520 model, which cost $18,000 in 1976. "Parts for it were starting to get scarce," he said.
Longtin said getting replacement parts could take upwards of three days, adding people get upset when the activities are put on ice for that period of time.
An April 30, 2001 department report to Prescott council stated the 1976 Zamboni has a "Volkswagon engine and finding new parts is quite difficult... .Most Zambonis of this vintage have long since been retired and or scraped."
The report said the 1976 Zamboni needed constant repair, and while it had "performed exceedingly well over its long history," breakdowns would not only continue to occur but also increase.
"Should the machine fail completely during our ice making season we could be forced to close the community centre for as long as two to four weeks with a loss of revenue of approximately $5,500 per week." the report stated.
The 1976 Zamboni had its engine rebuilt twice, in September 1984 with the meter at 2740 hours and in June 1996 with the meter at 7269 hours. In March 26, 2001, there were 9100 hours on the meter, which when converted is 728,000 kilometres.
The new ice making machine has a Ford 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, overhead-valve, liquid cooled engine. Another improvement over the old 520 model, Longtin said, is the plastic water tank, instead of steel, so it will never corode.
The spreader pipe on the old model was also made of steel. The spreader pipe would have to be replaced about every five or six years because of rust, Longtin said. He said with a stainless pipe on the new Zamboni, this shouldn't happen. Longtin said the new Zamboni has improved ice-making capabilities too, which incorporates a washer/vacuum system. Longtin said because of this, water usage is decreased, resulting in quicker freezing times.
The ice-making process was started this week and should be completed by Sept. 3 just in time for the Prescott Figure Skating Club members to use the ice.
EDWARDSBURGH Seven people from Gatineau, Quebec were injured early Sunday morning when the van they were in went out of control and rolled on Highway 416 south of Spencerville.
Grenville County OPP reported the van was northbound after 5:30 am when the driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered onto the passing lane and off the highway. The van rolled a number of times before coming to rest in trees in the median of the highway.
Two people sustained serious injuries in the accident and had to be extricated from the vehicle by firefighters. A ten-year-old was transported by Ministry of Health air ambulance to CHEO in Ottawa; the other was taken by ambulance to hospital in Kemptville and later transported to Ottawa General Hospital.
The other five occupants of the vehicle were also treated by Leeds-Grenville EMS and transported to hospital with less serious injuries.
The accident occurred approximately eight kilometres north of Highway 401. Northbound traffic was rerouted. A technical traffic collision investigator from Rideau Lakes OPP assisted local officers with the investigation. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the accident.
The accident remains under investigation. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident to call the OPP detachment in Prescott at 925-4221 during regular business hours or the OPP Communications Centre at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The long-awaited official launch of Morrises' History of Prescott 1800-2000, written and published by Prescott Journal publisher John Morris, took place Saturday afternoon.
Considered to be the social event of the year, the book-signing and initial sale was held at a garden party and lawn social at the historic riverfront home of Jean Wadds.
The event was a fundraiser sponsored by the Grenville County Historical Society and the Forwarders' Museum Board.
This book is the most comprehensive book on the history of Prescott ever published, and updates the highlights of the book published in the town's first official history book by the late Jack Morris in 1968, Morris said. The new 536-page book includes many historical facts and anecdotes brought to light through several years of research.
The book is currently available at the Prescott Journal office and The Gift Lane.
Author John Morris, above left, looks over a copy of his book with Jean Wadds, who hosted the official book launch Saturday. Mrs. Wadds was the federal MP for Grenville-Dundas from 1958 to 1968, and Canada's High Commissioner to Britain from 1979 to 1983. She is featured in the book.
1. Mrs. Ruby Carmen and Mrs. Margaret Brouse.
2. The Prescott Messenger, a Tory paper run in opposition to the Prescott Journal, a Reform paper. Both were owned by George 'Dud' Mason and printed on the same press. The Messenger was located on Water Street and The Journal was on the second floor of the building it has occupied since 1890.
3. Construction started in 1898 by the Imperial Starch Company, a competitor of the Edwardsburgh Starch Company in Cardinal.
4. Loyal Orange Lounge No. 150, formed in 1893.
5. It was established in 1923 and operated for 31 years, and by 1925 boasted membership of 120.
6. John McCarthy, owner of McCarthy's Brewery was defeated by Tory candidate Macneil Clarke, a former mayor of Prescott.
7. Organized in 1907 with Capt. W.A. Kerfoot, the PHS principal, as commander and instructor.
8. Father Alexander Macdonell of Glengarry, later to become the first Bishop in this part of Ontario.
9. Gilkison claimed compensation for 691/2 gallons of whiskey consumed by the militiamen on this three-month project.
10. None. Work had not yet started on the construction of the fort at this time. The troops were garrisoned in buildings and makeshift cabins and sheds scattered throughout Prescott. About 100 were garrisoned right here in the Stockade Barracks.
11. The schooner Angelus was from France and as it was making its way to Sydney, NS with a crew from the Prescott aboard, she was torpedoed by the Germans. The crew was rescued from the Atlantic after 17 days on life rafts.
12. The two doctors were Dr. Wm. James Scott and Dr. Hamilton Dibble Jessup, and the hospital was in a derelict shed on the waterfront at the bottom of East Street, about 100 yards south of here.
13. The Town Board ordered them to break stones and to pile the stone in heaps on the streets.
14. The farm was on the Campbell Road, west of Prescott, and when a 25 acred field was converted to a golf course in 1932 it was owned by Isaac Bradley. Today it is owned by his son Ike Bradley.
15. The hotel owner was Dennis Higgins, who changed the family name to O'Higgins. The Colonel's Inn, just north of here, was the family home.
16. He traded his waterfront property, approximately were the Sandra Lawn Marina is located today, for the old town hall property on Henry St. where the Prescott Legion Hall is now located.
17. This was the ice storm that hit Prescott Dec. 31, 1942 and lasted until Jan. 7, 1943.
18. The Grenville Pioneer Society, organized in 1891.
19. The first ferry boat between the two towns was owned by Isaac Plumb. The first ferry went into operation in 1815 and was powered by a horse on a treadmill.
20. It was formed in 1895 and Mayor Joseph Steele was the first chairman.
21. The race, the oldest continuing race in North America, was run here July 2-3, 1877 at the South Grenville Fair Grounds, which was located on part of the property now occupied by South Grenville DHS.
22. It was awarded in 1812 to Barnabus Dickinson. One of his daughters married Prescott postmaster Alpheus Jones.
23. His Royal Highness, Price Arthur William Patrick Albert.
24. World War I, and the last South Grenville Agricultural Society annual fair (started in 1858).
25. Bell service came to Prescott in 1884 with 10 subscribers. The exchange was located in the east half of the Prescott Journal Building.
26. A strong temperance movement started in Prescott, 1851, and the town's main industries were Wiser's Distillery, Labatt's and McCarthy's breweries.
27. It was the Cadets of Temperance, formed in 1852 for young men between ages 17 and 18 whose cause was to "refine and elevate the state of society".
28. It was closed in 1918 after Counties Council negotiated a buyout of $9,000.
29. The contract was awarded to Jeremiah O'Sullivan in 1851 for 357 pounds.
30. Sandra Lawn served 15 consecutive years from 1977 to 1991.
31. Wm. B. Wells, publisher of the Prescott Vanguard, but because of the anti-Reform feelings in Upper Canada at the time, did not take his seat and instead fled the country for a short time.
32. They were Louis and Benjamin Daniels, sons of Louis H. Daniels, a former mayor of Prescott and owner of the Daniels Hotel.
A concert-goer who attended Sunday performances at the Kinsmen outdoor theatre
John A.H. Morris
Here's a chance to test your background and knowledge of Prescott's fascinating past with a history questionnaire. The answers are within the stories of the recently-released Morrises' History of Prescott: 1800-2000, or see the facing page in this week's Prescott Journal.
1. Name one of the two Prescott women who offered to buy the Prescott Light Company in 1898.
2. What was the name of the Prescott newspaper which in 1904 was given three weeks to pay its water bill or the water supply used to drive its steam press would be cut off?
3. The red brick building known as the DLD Building was demolished in 1986. When was it built and what company built it?
4. Benjamin E. Hanna was the first Worshipful Master of what Prescott fraternal Lodge?
5. When the Prescott Women's Institute disbanded in 1954, how many years had it been in existence?
6. What was the name of the Prescott brewer who ran for the Legislative Assembly in 1862, and who defeated him?
7. Approximately in what year was the Prescott High School cadet corp organized and who was the leader?
8. What was the name of the Warrior-Priest who drove his retreating troops back into the battle during the Capture of Ogdensburg?
9. At the outset of the War of 1812 the local militia built the stockade around this building and erected two more buildings within its perimeter in a couple of months. What was the unusual item on the supply list sent to the army by forwarder Wm. Gilkison in connection with this project?
10. How many men were garrisoned at Fort Wellington in February 1813, when Maj. "Red George" Macdonnel lead about 600 troops across the frozen St. Lawrence to capture Ogdensburg?
11. What was the nationality of the ship the HMCS Prescott captured trying to run the Atlantic Blockade off the Grand Banks during WWII, and what happened to it?
12. What were the names of the two Prescott doctors who treated victims in an isolation section of the Emigrant Hospital in Prescott during the 1834 cholera epidemic, and where was the hospital located?
13. In 1835 welfare recipients in Prescott, too poor to pay their taxes, were required to do what?
14. The first golf course used by Prescott residents was on a farm called Whippoorwill Grove. Who owned the farm and where was it located?
15. In 1890 there was a well-known hotel on Water Street called The Mansion House. The man who owned it changed his family name in the 1930s. Who was this man and what was the family name?
16. In 1895 what piece of property did council swap with Harry Harwood in return for his riverfront property where the Prescott Elevator would be built?
17. Prior to the ice storm of January 1998, the worst ice storm to strike Prescott and area was in what year?
18. What was the name of the organization that preceded the Grenville County Historical Society?
19. Who owned the first ferry boat to operate between Prescott and Ogdensburg and how was the boat powered?
20. In what year was the Prescott Library formed and who was its first chairman?
21. In what year was the Queen's Plate run in Prescott and where?
22. In what year was the first mail contract between Montreal and Prescott awarded, and to whom?
23. What member of the Royal Family visited Prescott in 1869?
24. What two great events, both affecting Prescott, came to an end in 1918?
25. What year was the first Bell Telephone Agency opened in Prescott, how many subscribers were there, and where was it located?
26. What moral concerns did Prescott councils have to wrestle with in the second half of the 1800s?
27. What was the first cadet organization formed in Prescott and what was it called?
28. A toll road between Prescott and Brockville was opened in 1852. What year was it closed?
29. When was the contract for Prescott's first town hall let, and for how much?
30. What Prescott mayor has had the longest tenure of consecutive years in office since 1850?
31. What Prescott newspaper publisher was elected to the House of Assembly in Upper Canada in 1836 as a Reform member?
32. Two of the North West Mounted Police recruits who went to the prairies in 1873 with Major James Walsh were Prescott brothers Louis and Benjamin. What was their last name and what did their famous father do?
WHO SAID THERE'S NOTHING TO DO?: One of the knocks against some small towns is there is little in the way of activity after business hours and on most weekends. Prescott, however, has taken aim at that stereotype this spring and summer, and this past Saturday was no exception.
In addition to the 1000 Islands Poker Run and associated events such as the community garage sale, hundreds of young soccer players and their family and friends took to the fields at South Grenville District High School for season-ending playoffs. Celebrations marked the launch of a new book by Journal Publisher John Morris and the 25th anniversary of the Prescott Animal Hospital. There were also a couple of weddings and a bomb scare thrown in for good measure. A full day, to say the least.
The town is not always that busy on any given Saturday, and there certainly is room for improvement when it comes to getting people downtown after hours and on a regular basis. But people of all ages could find something interesting to do in the Fort Town this past Saturday, and anyone who is worried about the community's future should think of that day as an example of the good things that can and do happen in Prescott.
MUSIC TO THEIR EARS: Another summer concert series has come to an end in Prescott. A small core of dedicated volunteers led by Norm Fortier puts a lot of time and effort into making the Sunday evening concerts something people from throughout the area look forward to.
But the potential is there to attract more people to the waterfront area. Other concerts featuring local artists who cater to a younger crowd could fill a void that exists in the Fort Town. There have also been suggestions to have some concerts coincide with the arrival of cruise ships. Being able to recognize the potential of the amphitheatre is not the problem in Prescott; the problem is being able to work together to tap into the valuable resource that often goes unused.
The people who have made Sunday evening concerts an integral part of their summer schedules already know the venue has a lot to offer. It is a shame the outdoor theatre is not used more often; if done properly, a new program of events at the amphitheatre could build on previous successes without undermining them.
However, most successful community projects are led by a champion who is willing to put himself or herself on the line in order to get the job done. This can be a tall order at the best times, but the satisfaction of achieving a goal can make it all worthwhile. The community should encourage anyone willing to run with an idea to give it their best shot. There is always room for another champion.
Tim Ruhnke
Jeff Lee
It's hard to believe just a short time ago, not that long ago, we were suffering through Heat Wave 2001.
"How about this heat?" or "Hot enough for you?" were the standard meet-and-greet salutations replacing the usually generalities about the weather in general.
It was just a few weeks ago we suffered through the last gasp of a spectacular summer. Unless of course you are a farmer, for example, battling the inverse problem of last summer - too much rain, not enough heat - you couldn't have asked for a more perfect season: temperatures in the 30s, UV warnings extreme, weekends without rain.
But now the daylight's retreat has begun, and before you know people will be asking, "Cold enough for you?"
As I sit here Sunday night reflecting on the summer, the streets are slick with water but the humidity's sticking around - a gentle reminder of what was, a mixture of weather reflective of a change of seasons.
The summer batch of activities have all but wrapped up. Year-end baseball tournaments have been played, as have year-end soccer tournaments. Like always there were winners and losers but enough fun to go around.
This past Saturday the Poker Run was here and gone before some of us even knew it.
Hockey and figure skating is gearing up for season 2001/2002. Last week, St. Lawrence Kings' hopefuls ran through dryland training, scraping it out for a spot on a team. This week the South Grenville Jr. 'B' Rangers' organization punished its hopefuls with three days of dryland training. Coach Anthony Gilmer, who makes the move up from the assistant coach position, says the parts are being assembled for, hopefully, a more successful season. Here's keeping our fingers crossed.
All the finger crossing in the world can't stop this tradition from rolling around again: the first day of school. While there is still time on the summer-holiday clock before knapsacks replace beach towels, the slippery slide into September has begun.
And what would the start of school be without shopping for new clothes and new school supplies and the latest spin ads by the Progressive Conservative government and teachers' unions.
The PCs have run ads informing the public of last year's Grade 3 test results. Meanwhile, unions are reportedly not going to be too happy about getting tested themselves.
So as the complaints about the heat become glazed over by the complaints about the cold, I bid you adieu.
1. Mrs. Ruby Carmen and Mrs. Margaret Brouse.
2. The Prescott Messenger, a Tory paper run in opposition to the Prescott Journal, a Reform paper. Both were owned by George 'Dud' Mason and printed on the same press. The Messenger was located on Water Street and The Journal was on the second floor of the building it has occupied since 1890.
3. Construction started in 1898 by the Imperial Starch Company, a competitor of the Edwardsburgh Starch Company in Cardinal.
4. Loyal Orange Lounge No. 150, formed in 1893.
5. It was established in 1923 and operated for 31 years, and by 1925 boasted membership of 120.
6. John McCarthy, owner of McCarthy's Brewery was defeated by Tory candidate Macneil Clarke, a former mayor of Prescott.
7. Organized in 1907 with Capt. W.A. Kerfoot, the PHS principal, as commander and instructor.
8. Father Alexander Macdonell of Glengarry, later to become the first Bishop in this part of Ontario.
9. Gilkison claimed compensation for 691/2 gallons of whiskey consumed by the militiamen on this three-month project.
10. None. Work had not yet started on the construction of the fort at this time. The troops were garrisoned in buildings and makeshift cabins and sheds scattered throughout Prescott. About 100 were garrisoned right here in the Stockade Barracks.
11. The schooner Angelus was from France and as it was making its way to Sydney, NS with a crew from the Prescott aboard, she was torpedoed by the Germans. The crew was rescued from the Atlantic after 17 days on life rafts.
12. The two doctors were Dr. Wm. James Scott and Dr. Hamilton Dibble Jessup, and the hospital was in a derelict shed on the waterfront at the bottom of East Street, about 100 yards south of here.
13. The Town Board ordered them to break stones and to pile the stone in heaps on the streets.
14. The farm was on the Campbell Road, west of Prescott, and when a 25 acred field was converted to a golf course in 1932 it was owned by Isaac Bradley. Today it is owned by his son Ike Bradley.
15. The hotel owner was Dennis Higgins, who changed the family name to O'Higgins. The Colonel's Inn, just north of here, was the family home.
16. He traded his waterfront property, approximately were the Sandra Lawn Marina is located today, for the old town hall property on Henry St. where the Prescott Legion Hall is now located.
17. This was the ice storm that hit Prescott Dec. 31, 1942 and lasted until Jan. 7, 1943.
18. The Grenville Pioneer Society, organized in 1891.
19. The first ferry boat between the two towns was owned by Isaac Plumb. The first ferry went into operation in 1815 and was powered by a horse on a treadmill.
20. It was formed in 1895 and Mayor Joseph Steele was the first chairman.
21. The race, the oldest continuing race in North America, was run here July 2-3, 1877 at the South Grenville Fair Grounds, which was located on part of the property now occupied by South Grenville DHS.
22. It was awarded in 1812 to Barnabus Dickinson. One of his daughters married Prescott postmaster Alpheus Jones.
23. His Royal Highness, Price Arthur William Patrick Albert.
24. World War I, and the last South Grenville Agricultural Society annual fair (started in 1858).
25. Bell service came to Prescott in 1884 with 10 subscribers. The exchange was located in the east half of the Prescott Journal Building.
26. A strong temperance movement started in Prescott, 1851, and the town's main industries were Wiser's Distillery, Labatt's and McCarthy's breweries.
27. It was the Cadets of Temperance, formed in 1852 for young men between ages 17 and 18 whose cause was to "refine and elevate the state of society".
28. It was closed in 1918 after Counties Council negotiated a buyout of $9,000.
29. The contract was awarded to Jeremiah O'Sullivan in 1851 for 357 pounds.
30. Sandra Lawn served 15 consecutive years from 1977 to 1991.
31. Wm. B. Wells, publisher of the Prescott Vanguard, but because of the anti-Reform feelings in Upper Canada at the time, did not take his seat and instead fled the country for a short time.
32. They were Louis and Benjamin Daniels, sons of Louis H.
Daniels, a former mayor of Prescott and owner of the Daniels Hotel.
CARDINAL The Cardinal Sea Sharks held its annual swim meet with the Johnstown Bear Paws Swim Team Saturday, Aug. 25. The team collectively racked up 642 points with 36 swimmers participating in the meet. Winchester had 476 points, Prescott: 274, Johnstown: 255, Chesterville: 159, and Iroquois: 87 points.
Point average per swimmer placings were Johnstown: 23.18, Chesterville: 19.88, Winchester: 19.04, Cardinal: 17.83, Iroquois: 12.43, and Prescott: 11.91.
The host teams then combined the total points placings and points per swimmer placings for the final results. There was a three-way tie for first place: Cardinal, Winchester and Johnstown with 13 points each. Chesterville was second with 11 points. Prescott was third with 9 points and Iroquois Seaway Stingrays with 7 points.
Three Cardinal swimmers picked up medallions for having the most points in their age categories. Carrie Calhoun won the medal for top nine and 10-year-old girl, Kristen Jessome for top 11 and 12-year-old girl and Ryan Davy for top 15-year-old and over boy.
In the individual events Cardinal Sharks recorded the following results:
Six and under girls
Taylor Bonvie - fourth in freestyle, second in backcrawl, fourth in breastroke
Keisha Halladay - third in backcrawl, third in butterfly
Six and under boys
Auston Wickware - third in freestyle, first in butterfly, third in breastroke
Seven and eight girls
Megan Tobin - second in freestyle, second in butterfly, first in backcrawl
Seven and eight boys
Shane Riddell - seventh in freestyle, eighth in butterfly
Devon Bonvie - seventh in butterfly, fifth in breastroke
Billy Myers - fifth in butterfly, sixth in freestyle
Nine and 10 girls
Brittney Myers - fourth in individual medley, sixth in freestyle, sixth in breastroke
Chelsea Edwards - fifth in individual medley, fourth in backcrawl
Carrie Calhoun - first in individual medley, second in freestyle, first in backcrawl
Jessica Halladay - fifth in breastroke
Brittany Leggo - fourth in breastroke
Holly Alexander - first in butterfly, third in backcrawl, fourth in freestyle
Nine and 10 boys
Mitchel Davies - first in freestyle, first in backcrawl, fourth in breastroke
James Halladay - third in breastroke, fourth in freestyle, sixth in butterfly
11 and 12 girls
Kristen Jessome - first in individual medley, first in freestyle, first in butterfly
Erika MacDonald - second in individual medley, second in butterfly, second in backcrawl
Charlene Smith - third in individual medley, third in breastroke, fourth in freestyle
Lucy Jodoin -sixth in individual medley
Amanda Smith - second in freestyle, second in breastroke, fourth in backcrawl
Krista Schrader -third in freestyle, fifth in backcrawl
Laci Riddell - third in backcrawl, fifth in freestyle
Kelsey Tobin - first in backcrawl, first in breastroke
11 and 12 boys
Justin Rust - first in butterfly, first in backcrawl, second in freestyle
13 and 14 girls
Nicole Bernier - fifth in individual medley, sixth in freestyle, fourth in breastroke
Brooke Jodoin - sixth in individual medley, third in freestyle, fourth in butterfly
Amber Myers - fifth in breastroke
13 and 14 boys
Tyler Halladay - third in butterfly, third in breastroke, fifth in freestyle
15 and over girls
Laura Commerford - second in individual medley, second in backcrawl, second in breastroke
Sarah Aubin - third in individual medley, first in butterfly, first in breastroke
15 and over boys
Ryan Davy - first in individual medley, first in butterfly, first in backcrawl
Relay results:
seven and eight boys
Cardinal Shark Bait - Billy Myers, Shane Riddell, Auston Wickware - fourth in freestyle relay and fourth in medley relay
Cardinal Great White Sharks - Michael Edwards, Devon Bonvie, Beau Jodoin - third in freestyle relay and third in medley relay
Nine and 10 girls
Cardinal H20 Girls - Brittany Myers, Brittany Leggo, Taylor Bonvie -
fourth in freestyle relay, fourth in medley relay
Cardinal Minnows - Megan Tobin, Carrie Calhoun, Holly Alexander, Jessica Halladay - first in medley relay, second in freestyle relay
Nine and 10 boys
Cardinal Scary Fast - James Halladay, Mitchel Davies, Danny Calhoun - first in freestyle relay, second in medley
11 and 12 girls
Cardinal Starfish - Charlene Smith, Laci Riddell, Lucy Jodoin, Chelsea Edwards - first in freestyle relay, second in medley relay
13 and 14 girls
Cardinal Dolphins - Krista Schrader, Amanda Smith, Jocely Pschak - fourth in freestyle relay, fifth in medley relay
15 and over girls
Cardinal Charlie's Angelfish - Laura Commerford, Brooke Jodoin, Amanda Riddell - second in freestyle relay, third in medley relay
Cardinal Fish Tails - first in freestyle relay, first in medley relay
Cardinal Muscle Chicks - Amber Myers, Kristen Jessome, Sarah Aubin - third in freestyle relay, second in medley relay
15 and over boys
Cardinal Evil Flying Monkey Fish - Ryan Davy, Justin Riddell, Tyler Halladay - third in freestyle relay, second in medley relay
A number of Cardinal parents helped with set up Friday evening for the swim meet, and organized and worked at the barbecue, bake sale and timed races. Billie-Jo Jodoin and Les O'Reilly were timers, Ian Porteous was responsible for getting the time cards to the point table, and Dale Doucette was starter for the day. The Cardinal Sea Sharks will be holding year-end ceremonies today, Wednesday, Aug. 29, from 6 to 10 pm at St. Paul's Anglican Church.
The Aug. 20 council meeting opened with an amendment to the minutes of the previous meeting as the summary of Gerry Fulford was incomplete in that it failed to mention his comments regarding the work of the billing clerk of Rideau St. Lawrence.
Adrian Wynands, president of the Grenville Federation of Agriculture, addressed council regarding the issue of the Nutrient Management Bylaw. This bylaw was reviewed by the Nutrient Management Committee and the Planning Committee together with representatives of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the provincial Ministry of the Environment as well as the township planner on June 26. Those present were advised the minimum separation distance set out by OMAFRA would be adhered to in the new Nutrient Management Bylaw. A public meeting to review the Official Plan Amendment was advertised for July 19.
On July 19 the public meeting was held to review the final draft in compliance with the provisions of the Planning Act. At that meeting, someone added a bylaw for public consideration which set out that the minimum separation distance would be redefined in such a way as to have it apply in a manner far different than that established by OMAFRA when additions are being made to an existing building.
The concern I have, as a councillor and a resident of this township, is the manner by which Mayor Dave Dobbie countered my comments regarding the way this second bylaw was introduced to the public. It seems that my point of contention was missed. Basically, he found it necessary to raise his voice to make the point that the one-per-cent bylaw did not simply "show up" as I believed, but had been in the works for quite some time. Basically, he advised that the previous council had been involved in its preparation.
I informed him it is my belief new members of council should have been briefed on its existence, not chastised for being unaware, especially when the new council was one for a new township and the "old ways" should not apply without consultation with the current council. (This would appear to be a recurring theme.)
More importantly, the public should not be reviewing bylaws at public meetings that have not been addressed by either a committee of council or by council as a whole.
I do not know how this item reached a public meeting without having been considered, at the very least, at the joint meeting in June. Mayor Dobbie did not provide an answer to this question.
Mayor Dobbie advised those present the Nutrient Management Bylaw and the Minimum Separation Distance Amendment Bylaw would be considered separately by council.
I raised a similar concern when council voted to allow Bylaw 2001-49 to proceed without first having it considered by the Planning Advisory Committee. This bylaw allows building to be completed in accordance with a site plan on property which, Councillor Frank Noccey advised, had a "stop work order" issued.
When asked, Mayor Dobbie advised there is no mention of this item in any minutes of the Planning Committee because it did not go to planning. The owner wanted to put in a snowmobile repair shop and began without the proper documentation and is in need of a site plan control agreement. Mayor Dobbie felt there would be no problem in having council pass this bylaw.
I requested a recorded vote on this item and expressed my belief that when noting the votes in the minutes the name of the councillor and the vote given should be in the minutes, not simply the comment "recorded vote" as had been done in a prior minutes.
If council is going to use a committee system, then that system should be used. It is my view by allowing this to happen we are setting a poor precedent.
Peggy Taylor is a councillor for Ward One and may be reached at peggytaylor@ripnet.com or 657-1728.
Constance Mary Langford (formerly Clark), 55 Sophia St. Johnstown, died at her home Monday, Aug. 6, 2001. She was 77.
She was born Jan. 7, 1924 at Brockville, Ont., the daughter of William E. Alberry and Eleanor Greenis. She married Arthur Fredrick Langford June12, 2001 at Prescott.
Mrs. Langford is survived by her husband, Art Langford; children Toby (wife Thelma) Clark, Donna (Mrs. Paul Chalupa), James (wife Alyce) Langford, Carole Langford, Lise Davey and Sue (Mrs. Brian Murphy); son-in-law Peter Elwood; eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren; sister Donna (Mrs. Darrill Kenny); nieces Beverly (Mrs. Ron Nixon), JoAnne (Mrs. John Williams) and Terry Riley.
She was predeceased by her daughter Barbara Ann Elwood, sisters Frances Coulson and Doris Riley.
Mrs. Langford enjoyed square dancing and had been employed as a property manager.
Visitation was held at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 from noon to 2 pm. The funeral service followed in the chapel of the funeral home, with Rev. Gerry Ring officiating. Cremation was at Cataraqui Crematorium.
Memorial donations may be made to St.Vincent Palliative Care and A.L.S. Society.
PRESCOTT South Grenville Rangers' coach Anthony Gilmer says he is looking to form the nucleus of the 2001/2002 Jr. 'B' team with core players from last season.
Gilmer says he hopes to build upon this core group by using local and regional talent. Joining Gilmer to help in the process will be assistant coaches Travis Bergeron of Brockville and Rob Wyborn of Athens.
Several players from the 2000/2001 team will be returning, but a number of potentially key players are at various camps throughout the region. Gilmer says he is hopeful he'll be able to keep spots open for them.
Tyler Libby, Tyler Rasa and Alex Last are taking part in the Brockville Jr. 'A' Braves' tryout camp. Meanwhile, Mick Wells and Zack Brown are at the Coborg Jr. 'A' Tier II team tryouts. Another local player Gilmer would like to see on his roster come the start of the season is Peter Veltkamp. But Veltkamp has tryouts with the Jr. 'A' Belleville Bulls, plus he was drafted by the Pembroke Lumber Kings Tier II Jr. 'A' team. Gilmer concedes Veltkamp is a long shot for the Rangers.
Gilmer said the organization, with its many volunteers, has worked hard on the off season to scout players. Hopefully, Gilmer says this will translate into a successful season, with the team landing a spot in the playoffs. The search has extended throughout the region and into the U.S., including Ogdensburg, Massena and Governor.
This has produced a list with 50 players' names on it. However, he said, realistically he expects 30 players to show up at tryouts.
Gilmer says the Rangers' leading scorer Jason Denio is confirmed to report to camp, as are his teammates from last season Andrew Hare, Ryan Lawless and Lucas Spencer. In addition, two other players - Shawn Coville and Tyler Lawrence, both attending Loyalist College in Belleville - have expressed interest in playing for the Rangers, Gilmer said, which could work out well since the Rangers have a number of home-to-home games west of Brockville.
Gilmer says "building around core" players includes the addition of last season's midget-level players from the South Grenville Minor Hockey.
"We have talented players coming out of our midget program. And maybe we'll steal one player from our bantam team, but we don't want to harm minor hockey."
Players Gilmer has scouted include Derek June, Ted Livingston and Mark Gill.
He says other local talent which could help put the Rangers in the running for a playoff spot include Dustin Swan, Josh Kirkby and Adam Lawrence.
Gilmer says there are also two Cornwall-area players - Matt Sauve and Jean Clement - that could be strong additions to the team.
Gilmer said the organization decided to add something new this session to help facilitate the conditioning process: three sessions of dry-land training. Two of the three sessions were Monday and Tuesday night, while the last one will be held Thursday, Aug. 30. The camp is open to both genders of bantam aged players and up from 6 to 8 pm at the Cardinal Community Centre.
Only five players showed up for the first session Monday night, a number Gilmer said that was "a little disappointing."
"We were hoping to get 12 to 15 players," he said.
Gilmer said although he didn't expect such a low turnout, it is a busy time of the year as students are crossing over into the school mode. He said hopefully the turnout would improve.
The first of five Rangers' tryout will be held at the Leo Boivin Community Centre in Prescott beginning Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 9:30 to 11 pm. On Friday, Sept. 7, the second tryout will held starting at 9:30 and ending 11 pm.
On Saturday, Sept. 8, the tryout will be held earlier in the evening, beginning at 8 and ending at 10 pm. On Sunday, Sept. 9, there will again be an 8 to 10 pm tryout. The last one will be held Thursday, Sept. 13, from 9:30 to 11 pm.
Exhibition games against the Athens Aeros will be held Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 9:30 to 11 in Prescott and Friday, Sept. 14 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in Athens.
The Rangers will participate in the Char-Lan tournament in Williamstown Sunday, Sept. 16.
Saturday, Sept. 22 is the Rangers' home opener, when the team faces off against the Westport Rideaus, starting at 7:30 pm at the Cardinal Community Centre.
The pre-game, home-opener tradition continues with the second annual pig roast, which kicks off at 4:30 pm.
CZECH REPUBLIC As a member of Canada's National Under 18 Summer Team, Adam Gibson brought home a gold medal.
The Canadian team beat Russia 9-4 Aug. 19 in the Czech Republic city of Konlin in the final game of the Six Nations Under 18 Cup. The Czech Republic captured the silver medal. Russia finished with the bronze medal.
The gold medal brings Canada's total of gold to eight in the past 11 years at a summer under-18 tournament, including six consecutive gold medals between 1996 and 2001, and five consecutive gold medals at this particular tournament.
In the final game, Gibson, 17, of Maynard, had two assists. In the first period, Gibson assisted on Rick Nash's goal, scored at 17:01, Canada's third goal of the period. In the second, Gibson assisted on Tim Brent's goal at 8:39, Canada's sixth goal on route to their 9-4 win.
Canada's only loss was 3-1 to Switzerland Aug. 17. The loss to Switzerland came despite Canada outshooting Switzerland 42-20, including 17-5 in the third period.
Canada started its wins Aug. 11 by defeating the Czech Republic 4-3 in exhibition play. On Aug. 13, Canada shutout Slovakia 5-0. Then on Aug. 16, Canada beat Sweden 5-1.
PRESCOTT South Grenville Minor Hockey is gearing up for its 2001/2002 season with the distribution of goalie equipment and hockey sweaters.
Parents with children up to Atom who will be goalies are asked to pick up goalie equipment Saturday, Sept. 8 from between 9 and 11 am at the Leo Boivin Community Centre in Prescott.
SG coaches are also being asked to pick up equipment and team sweaters between that time at the arena.
Anyone with questions are asked to call Barry Stitt at 657-3633.