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PRESCOTT An institution with roots dating back a century no longer exists.
Town council approved bylaws Monday which pave the way for the beginning of Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities and the end of the Prescott Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The bylaws cover the transfer of assets and a shareholders agreement relating to the new company which begins operations this week.
The partnership includes the assets of utilities based in Prescott, Cardinal, Westport and South Dundas. Canadian Niagara Power Company will own a ten-per-cent stake in the new municipal electric utility; the remaining 90 per cent will be owned by the four municipalities.
Three subsidiary companies have been established to cover distribution, services and fibre assets; South Dundas is retaining its fibre optics.
Although town officials did not know Monday exactly how many shares in the new holding company Prescott and the other parties would receive, it was noted the town's assets (shares and a promissory note) would exceed $2 million. It was noted at the meeting that the municipality avoids having to pay a transfer tax of 33 per cent by approving the bylaws and entering into an agreement prior to Nov. 7.
Prescott's water distribution system is being retained by the
municipality.
Councillor John McAuley said it has been a long haul, and the town could have gone the easy way and accepted an offer by Hydro One to purchase the PUC's assets. But McAuley noted at the meeting that the merger of utilities will provide the town with money up front and money down the road.
"I believe it's an excellent move for the town," he said.
Municipalities throughout Ontario have been coming to grips with provincial legislation that has opened up the electricity market and made it difficult for smaller utilities to operate on their own. Many communities have either sold their utilities to larger companies or merged them with those in other municipalities.
Councillor Frank Whiten was the only council member to vote against the two bylaws Monday. Whiten said after the meeting he believes selling the PUC to Hydro One would have been in the best interest of the town. The initial offer of $2.1 million would have produced an annual return in the range of $200,000 if the principal were invested, according to the councillor. The asking price and issues such as local employment could have been dealt with in negotiations, he added.
Although the municipality has a representative on the Rideau St. Lawrence board as do the other municipal partners, Whiten noted that directors may end up acting in the best interest of the corporation and not of the residents of Prescott.
"I don't think it's going to mean as much as people think it will mean," Whiten said of the new utility.
Mayor Doug Hayes noted some people in town had expressed concerns at a public meeting about the sale of the PUC and the loss of a local utility. The new company will take on employees of the PUC and the other member utilities while maintaining local ownership, according to the mayor.
"I think these are the things ratepayers wanted to see," Hayes said.
PRESCOTT The fate of the Prescott Police Service may be left in the hands of the incoming town council.
The current council has until the Nov. 13 municipal election to make a decision on whether to retain the existing police service or enter into a contract with the Ontario Provincial Police, according to Prescott Mayor Doug Hayes. If no decision is made, the municipal police service will remain in place and the new council will be left to review the town's options.
All but one of the members of the current council were on hand Monday night at the Legion to hear what residents think about the two options. Approximately 60 people attended the public information session.
Prescott received a revised OPP costing last month. The estimated cost of supplying ten OPP constables and the full-time equivalent of just under two supervisory positions is $1,146,000 per year. A second OPP option which reduces by one the number of supervisory positions is $1,045,000.
A cost comparison prepared by the town notes the net operating budget for municipal OPP service would be about $50,000 less than that of the existing police service. However, one-time costs associated with the implementation of new policing standards which go into effect Jan. 1 are also being factored into the decision-making process.
Most of the people who spoke at the public meeting indicated they do not want to lose the existing municipal police service. Former mayor Pat Kingston, who used to serve on the police commission, said the town has spent a lot of money over the years to develop what he called "a very efficient police force."
Kingston and a number of others at the meeting voiced their concerns about OPP response time and whether the OPP could provide the level of service to which the town has become accustomed. OPP Sgt. Susan Baker said the OPP dispatches officers immediately in emergency cases, adding that calls are prioritized.
Baker went on to note that Prescott would be considered a separate patrol area with personnel dedicated to serve within the town. Hayes cautioned the audience not to compare rural service provided by the OPP to the municipal service provincial police can offer.
But several members of the public spoke highly of the Prescott Police Service, its response times and its place in the community. Just because the OPP is bigger does not mean service will be better than what is now available, it was suggested.
OPP officials pointed out that constables in Prescott would be offered employment with the OPP and could continue to serve in town for at least three years. However, the fate of the four dispatchers who work in town is less certain. The fate of civilian positions not required as part of the OPP municipal service would be left to council and the police services board, according to OPP Sgt. Mike Read.
Not all of the comments made at the meeting were critical of the OPP. Wilf Peters said he has received excellent response times from both Prescott police and the OPP. One woman said the OPP can provide a cheaper and up-to-date service which would employ local officers. Council should jump at the opportunity, she added.
Police Service Board member Ron Dalgleish said the costings are fairly similar. However, he pointed out there are a number of variables that will affect the actual cost of both options.
And it is the absence of firm estimates that has prevented council from making a decision, according to Hayes. Efforts will be made this week to pinpoint the one-time costs associated with the new police standards which take effect Jan. 1.
The final regular meeting of council prior to the election will take place Monday night. However, Hayes noted council could call a special meeting to deal with the police issue.
"We will make the decision as long as the information is there," he said. "It would be unfair (to the new council) not to make a decision if we have the information."
The possibility of merging municipal police services in Prescott, Brockville and Gananoque was studied by the three municipalities and rejected earlier this year.
PRESCOTT Plans for this year's "Light Up the Night" parade to be held Friday, Nov. 24 are well underway, but organizers say they could use a few more financial contributions.
Fundraising letters have been sent to various business owners and service clubs in the area, and many have responded. More than $5,000 has been collected so far; the cost of staging the entire festivities is approximately $10,000.
Outgoing Prescott Mayor Doug Hayes, SuGold Jewellery owner Su Villeneuve and Reverend Gerry Ring have been selected as parade judges.
The popular night parade will feature a record number of marching bands. Booked to appear are the Cornwall Sea Cadets, Cornwall Nativity Guard, Kemptville Legion Pipe Band, the Fawcett Organ from Winchester and the popular Brockville Lions Club Steel Band.
As usual, the Fort Wellington Branch 97 Legion Colour Party will lead the parade. Several groups have entered floats to date; they include the Grenville Fish and Game Club, Canadian Tire, Roebuck United Church Sunday School group, Knights of Columbus Council #5880, Brockville Civitan Club, Brockville and District Shrine Club, Valu-Mart, Christie Aluminum featuring a Disney Christmas, radio stations Yes FM, Q Country 102.9 FM, Adult Rock PAC 93 and Oldies 95.3 FM, Harley Davidson of Ottawa (which promises to have Mrs. Claus appearing on a motorcycle) and Dan Murphy Ottawa Ford.
Parade co-chairmen, firefighters Brent Norton and Lorne Watling, are hoping those who want to participate will register early this year; this makes it easier to line up the night-time parade with advance lists.
This year's parade route will again begin at South Grenville District High School and proceed south on Edward Street to King and west along King to St. Lawrence Street. The parade will then travel north on St. Lawrence to the Hathaway and Newell parking lots.
Prior to this year's parade, residents and visitors can enjoy a spaghetti supper at the Legion hall on Henry Street. The supper will consist of salad, rolls, spaghetti, beverage and dessert, and will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be an admission fee; proceeds will go to Legion projects. The Legion in Prescott has been a major sponsor of Light Up the Night since the event began five years ago as a torch-light parade and stage show for children.
Following the parade, the Fort Town Boosters will present a stage show in the municipal parking lot at approximately 8:15 p.m. Featuring Canadian recording artist Tammy Raybould, whose hit "Loving You" video can be seen on Much Music and Much More Music. The show will also include Ottawa's Circle of Stars, a visit from Santa Claus and a very special surprise. Karaoke and food follows at 9 p.m. at the Legion hall.
If your organization is interested in entering a float in this
year's parade, call Brent Norton at 925-4777. Information on the
stage show is available from Greg Adams at 925-2910.
ROEBUCK - An all-candidates meeting for those running for election in Augusta Township will be held at the Roebuck Community Centre this evening beginning at 7 p.m. Each candidate will have three minutes to discuss issues, followed by a public question period. George Vail and John McCrea are vying for the reeve's chair, while Morris Stark and Dwain Swerdfiger are running for deputy reeve. The five candidates contending for three councillor positions are Kathleen Thur, Douglas Barton, Wayne Reid, Jane Fullarton and Bill Buckler. A second all-candidates meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at MERC hall in Maitland. Suzanne Jenson will be the facilitator.
CARDINAL A municipal all-candidates meeting in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7.
The public meeting, which is sponsored by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Legion hall in Cardinal.
Each candidate will be given five minutes to speak; a question-and-answer period will follow.
The two candidates for mayor of the new municipality are David Dobbie and Jim R. Pakeman Jr. There are two councillor seats up for grabs in Ward 1; the candidates are Charles Burrell, Dan McDonald, Margaret Taylor and Dick Willis.
Peter Martin, Diane McKee and William Sloan are vying for the two councillor positions in Ward 2. The contest for the two councillor seats in Ward 3 are George Dick, Frank Noccey and Marie Thomson.
PRESCOTT An all-candidates meeting for Prescott council candidates will take place Thursday night.
The Prescott Kiwanis Club, in conjunction with Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion, will host the meeting at the Legion hall on Henry Street beginning at 7 p.m. Candidates for the positions of mayor and councillor will be given a chance to make short speeches, followed by questions from the floor.
The three candidates for mayor are Kelly Benish-Lennox, Robert Lawn and Craig Worden. Seeley Pillar and Ron Wilson are vying for one councillor's seat.
Five other councillors were acclaimed when nominations closed Oct. 13; they are Jo-Anne Beckstead, Garry Dewar, Jim French, Terry McConnell and Nancy McFarland. The election will be held Monday, Nov. 13; the new council takes office in early December.
For more information about the all-candidates meeting, call Chris Slater at 925-3404.
PRESCOTT The Millennium Pathway is another step closer to becoming a reality.
Prescott council approved a lease agreement with Parks Canada Monday for the use of waterfront land in the east end of town. The five-year deal paves the way for the creation of a scaled-down version of a proposal which had included improvements to Centennial Park.
The path will extend from the marina to the eastern edge of town; the actual pathway is expected to be in place this fall.
"It's taking on its own life tonight, finally," Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead said.
Beckstead, who is also chairperson of the Prescott Millennium Committee, said it is hoped that phase one of the pathway project will be completed "...before the snow falls" this year.
She thanked the federal government for spurring the community to consider undertaking a special project to coincide with the arrival of the new millennium.
However, the councillor also noted the feds chose not to provide funding for the project and did not see it as being "worthwhile." But the pathway will proceed thanks to volunteers and sponsors, said Beckstead.
The lease commences Nov. 1. The town will pay Parks Canada $100 per year. No motorized vehicles will be permitted on the pathway with the exception of motorized wheelchairs.
The town is to provide waste receptacles and will be responsible for garbage. Salt and sand will not be permitted for snow and ice removal.
An archeologist is to be present when the sub-base is removed during site preparations. Parks Canada will supply at its cost an archeologist.
Phase two calls for the addition of benches, gardens and lighting. Benches will be donated in memory of loved ones; Parks Canada and the horticultural society will work with the town on the gardens, according to Beckstead.
Fundraising efforts are ongoing. The estimated cost of the first phase is $42,000; phase two is expected to cost $45,000.
BROCKVILLE The United Way of Leeds and Grenville will host its seventh annual arts and crafts show on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Brockville Memorial Centre on Magedoma Drive in Brockville.
Forty artists will be on hand to display beautiful hand-crafted arts and crafts that would make ideal Christmas gifts. The annual event attracts approximately 2,000 visitors.
The show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is free for children under the age of 12, and every cent raised at the show goes to the local United Way's 40th annual fundraising campaign.
This year's campaign goal is $600,000. The United Way of Leeds and Grenville supports 27 member charities; 23,000 people in the united counties were served last year by member agencies.
By JEFF LEE - Journal Staff Writer
SPENCERVILLE Township of Edwardsburgh Coun. Marie Thomson, who is seeking a seat on council in Ward 3, said that the amalgamation between the Township of Edwardsburgh and the Village of Cardinal is going to be the main issue faced by the new municipality.
Thomson, who was elected to council in 1997, said that the blending of the two municipalities will require everybody to work together. She acknowledges that it will be a challenge, much like the blending of two families, but that it is her goal to give positive support to the new township as well as other areas.
Thomson said that during the amalgamation process, she doesn't want the people to be stripped of their identification with their community but said that there will be differences for both communities to become accustomed to. Thomson said that doing things differently isn't necessary bad because it will allow the council to seek opportunities to save money in various areas. Thomson said that this is critical in this era of provincial downloading, which makes providing services and keeping taxes down more difficult and challenging.
Thomson said she is running for a seat in the North Ward because she continues to feel a responsibility and commitment to the community while enjoying being part of the decision-making process that affects people's lives. Thomson also said that one of her strengths is being a good listener and she is always willing to lend an ear to hear her constituents' concerns and problems and try to work towards a solution if possible.
"I feel when you take on a job that affects so many people and their community that you have to be very devoted, which I feel I am," she stated.
Thomson also views her involvement in the community as an example for not only her family, which includes her husband Wayne and six children Doug, Telly, Brent, Kim, Koreena and Megan, but also for others in the community. The couple also have two grandchildren, Denver and Tanner.
"I think it's very important to give to the next generation and to show that by getting involved in the community, you can make a difference," Thomson said.
Since being on council, Thomson said that one of her projects has been acquiring the new library. Located on Victoria Street in Spencerville, the library is 28' x 60' making it more than four times the current size of the one located at Centennial '67 Public School. Locating the new library close to the school was important, Thomson said, because it allows for students to still be able to walk to it.
Thomson said the existing library is too small, affecting the delivery of services. She said that she would like to see the new library be available to a larger numbers of groups, adding that a finished basement could be used as a meeting room.
"[The library] was a need that's been in the community for 20 years and that hasn't been looked after," said Thomson, who is chairperson of the fundraising committee for the library, which is scheduled to open later this fall.
The fundraising for the library, along with the acquisition of Ports Canada and the transition board, which is comprised of both councils, has made for a very busy three years, Thomson said. She said that she is pleased that Ports Canada now belongs to the municipality, adding that ownership maintains the $350,000 grants in lieu as well as jobs and a facility for local farmers to use.
If elected, Thomson stated that she will promote employment and growth in the area. Also she said that she will work to maintain roads and services that are enjoyed today.
When asked where her sense of civil responsibility stems from, she said that it must spring from her upbringing. Her grandfather James White was a councillor and warden for the United Counties, and Thomson herself was a trustee for the Leeds and Grenville District School Board for six years and was a founding member of the Spencerville and District Winter festival. Thomson was also a Lioness member for 10 years.
"Growing up in a farming community, you always helped out your neighbour when they had a problem... [And] My family has always been active in the community."
Her farming background, Thomson said, gives her an understanding of the issues farmers are faced with, while being a businesswoman, she owned and operated the general store in Spencerville for five years and then worked at the village's Home Hardware, allows her to better understand and relate to the issues concerning business owners. Thomson was also founding member of the disbanded Spencerville Development Association, which facilitated the installation of street signs in the village. She was also a past member with the development of Edwardsburgh play group.
PRESCOTT The congregation of St. Paul's United Church in Prescott will be celebrating the church's 170th anniversary Nov. 5.
The guest speaker at the 10:30 a.m. service that day will be Reverend Harry Seeley of Seeley's Bay.
The 50-member Osgoode Township Male Choir will perform at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Paul's on George Street. The internationally known choir has performed throughout Ontario and in New York state, the Bahamas and the Netherlands. The choir, which is under the direction of Cia J. Mastell and accompanied by Julia Mills, will present a varied repertoire of sacred, classical and contemporary songs and ballads.
A free-will offering will be received. Refreshments will be served after the concert.
For more information, call the church office at 925-2795 or Alison Ruston at 925-3600.
SPENCERVILLE Cookie lovers take note: Spencerville United Church will be the place to be on Sunday, Nov. 12.
The Friends of the Edwardsburgh Public Library are hosting a "cookie walk" from 12:30 to 4 p.m. More than 30 varieties of freshly baked homemade cookies will be on sale. There will also be demonstrations on easy home entertaining ideas, floral decorations and candle making. Door prizes will be drawn every half hour.
In addition to the cookie sale, children ages 2 and up can head for the teddy bear centre in the upstairs hall. Kids can decorate a teddy bear cookie with icing and candy treats. There will also be face painting, Christmas tree decoration making and colouring book activity.
Tickets are available at Baker's Gas Bar in Spencerville, from any member of the friends group or at the door. For more information call Arlene at 658-2709.
By veronica king - For The Journal
PRESCOTT For the next two weeks, you'll see them everywhere. Then, like soldiers of old, they are gone again until next called upon.
Poppies represent not only a part of Canadian history, they also signify a sense of national unity which is still alive and well. From now until Nov. 10, you will see members of the Royal Canadian Legion out celebrating that unity, by offering poppies to the public.
"Poppies are a symbol of remembrance - they remind us of the people who fought for our freedom and of those who died before many of us were even born," said Ross King, Chairman of the Prescott Legion's annual poppy campaign.
While most of the public do take the time to think about this country's veterans on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11 is actually the culmination date of several months of background work. In late summer, dates are set, poppies are ordered, wreaths are inventoried, and new stock is ordered.
Then volunteers are scheduled and the poppies hit the street approximately two weeks before Nov. 11.
Funds raised through the sale of lapel poppies and store-front wreaths are used to improve the quality of life for veterans and their dependants in distress. Poppy funds, which are set aside specifically for requests from veterans and their families, often make the difference when it comes to buying a prosthesis, wheelchair or other medical apparatus.
"Even as we are losing our veterans, their spouses and children are still very much with us and often, they are in need," said King.
Travel expenses for veterans are also paid from poppy money - in many cases the only way to provide seniors with transportation to doctors' and specialists' appointments.
In larger centres, poppy funds can be used to help provide low-rental housing and daycare facilities for the elderly and disabled. Donations from poppy funds are sometimes given for disaster relief and medical research under specific conditions.
Ex-servicemen and women are often eligible for pensions, but some are not. In addition, those pensions rarely cover the costs of special medical aids.
A large percentage of the funds collected through the street sales of lapel poppies are kept in trust for use in the local community throughout the year. A small portion is sent on to Legion Service Bureaus. Within each of the Legion's 1,720 branches nationally, there is a service officer who assists ex-service persons and their dependant with applying for funds
The poppy campaign is very much a national drive, and people across the country benefit. All members of the poppy campaign are volunteers.
"One of things which is really unique about the poppy campaign, is the level of commitment you get from people," said King. "It doesn't matter how cold or wet the weather is, or how may poppies they sell, you have vets and other Legion members who do this year after year."
Taking an active part in the Poppy Campaign is the one thing asked of all Legion members when accepted for membership.
"I am honoured to have been asked to co-ordinate the poppy campaign this year," King said. "I see it as a way I can pay back what those men and women did for me."
CARDINAL An altercation with a Prescott OPP officer has resulted in numerous charges being laid against two men and a woman.
Constable George Duke was on general patrol Saturday at about 12:30 a.m. when the incident occurred, according to Constable Lisa Hazelton of the OPP detachment in Kemptville. A scuffle ensued while Duke was trying to apprehend the male driver of one of two pick-up trucks observed speeding on Dundas Street. The constable had been forced off the road earlier and then manoeuvered his cruiser between the two vehicles, Hazelton said.
The male driver of the other vehicle returned to the scene, as did a female passenger from that vehicle. They shouted at Duke and both punched the officer in the face, according to Hazelton. They fled the scene separately.
Duke, who had been unable to call for back-up because his portable had been damaged in the scuffle, was able to handcuff the first suspect and transfer him to the Prescott OPP station. The constable apprehended the other two suspects later that day.
The constable and the man who was arrested were treated that morning at Brockville General Hospital. Duke sustained a twisted knee and a bruised jaw; the other man sustained scrapes and abrasions.
Mark Steward, 31, of Iroquois was charged with assaulting a police officer, impaired driving, refusing to provide a breath sample and mischief.
Ken Reid, 35, of Cardinal and Nicole Adams, 28, of Edwardsburgh township face charges of assaulting a police officer and obstructing justice. Reid was also charged with theft; the officer's flashlight was taken during the altercation, according to police.
Reid and Adams were released and are scheduled to appear in court Dec. 15. Steward was scheduled to appear earlier this week at a bail hearing.
BROCKVILLE Three hospitals in Leeds-Grenville will receive an additional $2.5 million in operating funds from the Ontario government, it was announced Friday.
Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman made the announcement on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister Elizabeth Witmer. Brockville General Hospital will receive an additional $1,650,000 in funding. St. Vincent de Paul Hospital will receive $750,000, and Kemptville District Hospital will get an additional $100,000.
"Leeds-Grenville is fortunate to have three outstanding health care facilities in our riding and I'm pleased to announce significant funding increases to help our hospitals meet patient care needs," Runciman stated in a news release. "This funding will ensure continued access to quality hospital services for the residents of Leeds-Grenville."
This is the second time this year that the provincial government has announced major investments in the operation of hospitals in the united counties. It was announced in June that permanent funding to the hospitals would be increased by a total of more than $1 million.
Witmer stated in the release that the government is taking advantage of Ontario's strong financial situation to strengthen hospitals so they can better serve a growing and aging population.
ALGONQUIN PUBLIC SCHOOL On Friday, Nov. 3 the hot lunch program starts with pizza. On Tuesday, Nov. 7, photo retakes will be held in the gym at 9 a.m. There will be a Remembrance Day assembly held on Friday, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. in the gym.
BOUNDARY PUBLIC SCHOOL Boundary's boys and girls soccer teams were very successful at their last two tournaments. Friday, Nov. 3, the hot lunch is pizza.
CENTENNIAL '67/NORTH EDWARDSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS This week at Centennial '67/NE public schools students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 enjoyed a variety of activities, in particular a reptile show at North Edwardsburgh Public School. A student council sponsored Halloween dance was held for Grade 7 and 8 students, with admission including non-perishable food items for the food bank.
Wednesday, Nov. 1 is photo retake day. Congratulations to our senior boys' soccer team, which wrapped up an excellent season. Senior boys volleyball tryouts are now underway.
CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL Staff and students are once again collecting pop cans. Our first recycle pickup is Thursday, Nov. 2. Pizza is the hot lunch for Wednesday, Nov. 1.
Grade 8 and Grade 1 buddies carved pumpkins on Monday, Oct. 31. A Halloween party and parade, organized by student council, was on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
MAYNARD PUBLIC SCHOOL Author Eric Wilson is coming to the school this week. Students in Grades 5 to 8 will attend the author's presentation. After school intramural volleyball practices for both boys and girls have started this week. Also, the primary grades marched in a Halloween parade this week.
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL The hot lunch on Friday, Nov. 3 is pizza. Photo retakes are on Monday, Nov. 6.
SOUTH EDWARDSBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL A Recognition assembly will be held on Friday, Nov. 3 at 11:15 in the gym. Photo retakes will be shot on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. A Remembrance Day assembly will be held on Friday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. The learning lab's hours have been reduced to Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The lab is open to the public.
PRESCOTT The Prescott Police Service investigated more than 115 general incidents between Oct. 15 and Oct. 30.
On Oct. 17, police were called to a disturbance in the parking lot of Beach Home Hardware. A man was arrested and charged with assault; he is to appear in Brockville court.
On Oct. 18. police investigated a case of wilful damage involving a window at the medical centre on King Street West. The window had been shot at with a BB gun, the investigation revealed. Damage was estimated at $350.
The police service investigated a case of fraud Oct. 19. The amount was $300; the investigation continues.
Also on Oct. 19, Prescott police were called to the Leo Boivin Community Centre regarding a theft from a vehicle. A total of five vehicles had been broken into; several personal items were taken from the vehicles. The investigation is continuing. On Oct. 22, police investigated the theft of a cell phone from a vehicle. The cell phone is valued at $150.
The Prescott Police Service reminds motorists to lock their parked vehicles.
Prescott police arrested a man Oct. 21 in connection with a case of sexual assault which occurred at a residence and which police began to investigate Sept. 13. The man has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and is to appear in Brockville court. The accused and the victim know each other, according to police.
On Oct. 24, police investigated an assault that occurred at South Grenville District High School. The victim is a male youth, police reported. Police arrested and charged a young offender with assault causing bodily harm. He will appear in Youth Court in Brockville.
Prescott police conducted several RIDE checks between Oct. 25 and Oct. 28 at various locations in town. One hundred twenty vehicles were checked; a 38-year-old Prescott man was arrested and charged with impaired driving. He will appear in Brockville court.
Police arrested a 21-year-old Prescott man for breach of probation on Oct. 28. He was released on conditions and is to appear in court.
One motor vehicle accident was investigated during the week.
Anyone who has information on any offence is asked to call the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
SPENCERVILLE - Special services will be held this Sunday, Nov. 5 to celebrate the 166th anniversary of St. Andrews-Knox Presbyterian Church in Spencerville.
The guest speaker for the 9:15 a.m. service will be Rev. Sterling Irvine, Executive Director of Operation Go Home in Ottawa. At 7 p.m., the Brockville-based group Alpha 11 Omega will join the service for an evening of contemporary music and drama depicting the Gospel.
A turkey dinner on Saturday, Nov. 11 will mark the completion of anniversary celebrations. Tickets are available by calling 658-2695.
Rev. Robert Boyd established a congregation in 1835 and it continued under his pastoral care until 1846 when Rev. James Geggie was called and inducted at Spencerville. The first church structure was a log building which was replaced in 1837.
Rev. William Dey, along with many volunteers, was the builder of the present church and on Sept. 18, 1876 a building committee was appointed. During the many years that passed, the walls resounded with wonderful music, delicious meals and much labour as the members of the congregation worked diligently to preserve their witness in the community.
Tragedy struck on Oct. 13, 1974. In the early hours of the morning, the fire department was called to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. There was nothing that could be done. In a matter of hours, only the walls remained. Through the dedicated leadership of the minister, Rev. Larry Cowper and his building committee, the church was rebuilt and the dedication service was held in early 1976.
The Spencerville charge was at one time a three-point charge which included East Oxford, Ventnor and Spencerville. The church at East Oxford closed in 1971, with some of its members joining with Spencerville. The Knox Ventnor congregation joined with the Spencerville congregation to become a one-point charge in 1990. The name was changed to St. Andrew-Knox.
In 1997, St. Andrews-Knox joined with St. Andrews, Prescott to once again become a two-point charge. The minister is Rev. Ian MacLean. Services in Spencerville are conducted each Sunday at 9:15 a.m.
By Willy Sieling Heuvel
A board of management meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m.
Don't forget the dinner taking place on Saturday, Nov. 4 that starts at 5:30 p.m. It will be roast beef with all the goodies to go with it. Reservations must be in by Thursday, Nov. 2. See you there.
A bus has been spoken for to go to the breast screening clinic in Ottawa on Nov. 22. Our appointments start at 10 a.m. Anyone who would like to go with us, either for the screening or to shop, should give me a call at 925-5300. The cost of the bus will be equally divided among all who go.
Winners at the card tables last week were: Monday bridge Valerie Schulz, 1st; Ted Crosbie, 2nd; Judy Wolfenden (a visitor) won the door prize; Tuesday cribbage Jean Annable, high hand; Sam Covey, high score; Jeannine Marion, 2nd; Bea Hemsley, 3rd; Wednesday bridge Eleanor Gilligan, 1st; Sam Covey, 2nd; Andy Britnell won the door prize; Thursday euchre Claire Marchand, 1st; Mary Mulder, 2nd; Alice Crowder, 3rd; Bea Hemsley won the door prize.
Jane Fullarton
The Maitland Education and Recreation Committee is hosting an all- candidates' meeting for the upcoming municipal election at MERC Hall on Nov. 7 at 7:00 p.m. Suzanne Jensen will be the moderator.
Each candidate will have an opportunity to make a brief statement of their platform and then questions will be taken from the public. There are two candidates each for the reeve and deputy reeve seat and five candidates for the three councillor seats available. The election takes place on Nov. 13.
The monthly Senior's Luncheon takes place at MERC Hall on Nov. 8 at noon. The menu will be juice, breaded chicken, home fries, mixed vegetables, rolls, and assorted squares for dessert. The entertainment will be a sing-a-long with Klan Bolt on the accordion. Call Cheryl Battams at VON Home Support by Friday, Nov. 3 to confirm your attendance.
MERC is interested in forming a mixed dart league to play at the MERC Hall on Thursday nights. If you are interested in playing, call Wayne Brohman at 348-3432.
The first meeting of the newly elected MERC Board will be held on Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the MERC Hall. The Board now has a 17-member full slate of executive and directors for the first time in 10 years. The meetings are open to the public and all are welcome.
I am prompted to write to you regarding the deplorable conditions of our roads after the sewer reconstruction project; in particular, I am referring to the unfinished paving job at the intersection of Centre and Henry streets where there are drop-offs as high as two inches and this condition has existed for several months.
On Oct. 3, I tripped and fell outside the Prescott Post Office while crossing Centre Street in an easterly direction. I fell flat on my face on a drop-off of the asphalt finish left after sewer reconstruction and suffered cuts, bruises and abrasions. I am still suffering pain from my injuries three weeks later. There are no temporary patches on the drop-offs, no warning signs, nor is there any red paint on the edges or the manhole cover in the centre of the road to warn pedestrians or cars.
On my return home I phoned the town engineer, Clyde Solomon, and advised him of the accident. I was told that the contractor was within the terms of the contract with the town and that paving would be carried out sometime in the future when the paving crew was scheduled to come to town. On Oct. 11, I sent a letter to the town engineer outlining the details of the accident, but at the time of writing this letter I have not received a reply nor has anything been done to finish the paving job.
In conclusion I should like to state that I am puzzled why the Town of Prescott let the condition of the roadway near the post office remain in such a state of disrepair, bearing in mind that this is the highest traffic area in town because everyone has to go to the post office to pick up their mail. I understand that others have also tripped and fallen in the same area.
Henry Lewis
The following is provided to ensure that residents have the same information as Augusta and Prescott councils.
Stopping the train whistles is a process that is set out in a Transport Canada guideline:
Step 1: The municipality contacts Canadian National Railways (CN), the track owner.
Step 2: CN inspects the track and crossing areas to determine what, if any, additional safety measures are required to meet the Transport Canada guideline.
Step 3: When all safety requirements are in place, the request goes to Transport Canada for review and approval.
Ultimately, Transport Canada has jurisdiction. Transport Canada is responsible for cross-provincial safety standards.
The number of Ontario municipalities working with the Transport Canada guideline to stop the train whistles is growing. Augusta and Prescott residents living along the corridor deserve the same consideration. But remember, our local municipal councils must initiate the action.
B.C. Humphry
Augusta Township
In the upcoming election the number one issue should be jobs!
In the past few years Prescott has lost almost all of its industrial jobs; this will eventually lead to the loss of retail businesses, and a decline in tax revenue resulting in the further decline in municipal services and property.
One of the actions that can be taken that will improve the business climate in Prescott would be to reduce the industrial and commercial tax rates.
Currently, the difference in industrial property taxes between Prescott and more aggressive communities would pay for the heat, lights and property insurance on comparable industrial property.
I won't go into the details of how I think this can be done in this letter, but one way is by not spending money just because it's there. The priority should be how to reduce the tax rate for potential employers who locate here.
Bob Lucey, Former President
Newell Window Furnishings Canada
William Patrick (Bill) Bishop, 86, of 765 Victoria Street, Prescott, died from cancer surgery complications Sept. 29, 2000 at Brockville General Hospital.
Born in Renfrew, Ont. Jan. 5, 1914, he was the son of Albert Alfred Bishop and Emily Jane Service.
Mr. Bishop moved from Renfrew to Prescott in 1927 with his family. Before the second World War he was a farmhand in the Prescott area to three farmers. In 1940 he enlisted in the war and joined the Canada Armed Forces. He was sent overseas to Great Britain and was shipped to Europe in 1944. He was in Holland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany.
He returned home to Prescott in 1946. Mr. Bishop married Eileen Thelma Shaver on Oct. 21, 1948, and she predeceased him on Aug. 6, 1970.
Mr. Bishop worked for Pete and Dorothy Hall at Hall's grocery store for 17 years from 1947 to 1964. He then started work for the Canadian Coast Guard base as the head driver, retiring in 1979. He returned to work in Feb., 1980 as a Commissionaire for the Canadian Coast Guard until his retirement in Jan., 1998.
Mr. Bishop was a member of the Prescott Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97 for 40 years. In his younger years, he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed baseball. His favourite team was the Toronto Blue Jays. He enjoyed watching wrestling on TV and his flower pots at the front of his house in the summer. Mr. Bishop did some travelling after his retirement to the Canadian west coast and to Europe.
He is survived by his two daughters, Pamela (Mrs.Graham Reddick) and Sherry Bishop; son-in-law Graham and two grandchildren, Jennifer and Matthew Reddick of Prescott; his sister Helen of British Columbia, brother-in-law Theodore Shaver of Maple Avenue; sister-in-law Charleen Breau of Johnstown and several nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his wife, three brothers and one sister.
Friends were received at the Chris Slater Funeral Home in Prescott. The funeral service was held in the chapel Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Ian MacLean of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Prescott and Rev. Geoff Howard of St. Andrew's and St. James' Presbyterian Church in Cardinal officiating. Burial followed at Sandy Hill Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Terry McConnell, Ken Biccum, Neil VanLanen, Dennis Lennox, Paul and Kevin Casselman.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Deltra Maxine Jordan, Country Road 21, RR 2 Spencerville, died Oct. 17, 2000 at Brockville General Hospital. She was 62.
She was born Jan. 29, 1938 at Toys Hill, Ont. to Clifford Wylie and Dora Hanson, who predeceased her.
Mrs. Jordan is survived by her husband Stanley Jordan; son Brian (wife Dora); daughter Pamela Ault (fiancé Rick Kingsbury); grandson Joshua Jordan; sisters Velma (Mrs. Donald Casselman), Eileen McCargar (friend Clancy Warren), Pauline Harper; brothers Ray and Ralph Wylie and dear friend Jim Marin.
She was predeceased by her brothers Parker, Harold and Maynard Wylie.
Mrs. Jordan loved baking for her family and friends, gardening, feeding birds, going to the Spencerville Fair, attending the Roebuck Seniors Club, baking cookies for her grandson and putting them in a special cookie tin for him. Her faithful companion was her dog, Bear.
Visitation was held at the Chris Slater Funeral Home Oct. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service was held in the chapel Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. with Rev. Jack Urquhart officiating. A committal service followed at Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston.
The pallbearers were Jim Marin, Don Berry, Ed Bush, Bill Adams, Rob and Allan Casselman.
Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or palliative care.
AUGUSTA - An Augusta Township resident is angry at the number of complaints that were received by council concerning the possible operation of a dairy distribution warehouse on Dixon Road north of Algonquin.
Ivan Dixon, a long-time resident of the road, told Augusta Township councillors at their meeting Oct. 16 that he "can't understand why so many are concerned about these people trying to make a living."
Brockville couple Robert and Darlene Jones of
R & D Dairies Ltd. presently have an office on James Street
West in Brockville and are distributors of Sealtest milk and ice
cream mixes. In August, they sought a zone change on their land
on the seventh concession to operate the warehouse.
The land is now zoned restricted rural.
Dixon told council at the August meeting he didn't expect there would be a problem with noise. Reeve Adrian Van Schie had also said he didn't foresee any objections to the zone change and official plan amendments.
Council received 21 complaints to the rezoning application, and if the couple wish to pursue the change, they will now have to go through an Ontario Municipal Board hearing.
The reeve said the complaints were "not frivolous," and council could not proceed with the application.
Because of the amount of opposition to the warehouse plan, Dixon urged council to investigate why another resident of the area was not required to have a properly fenced swimming pool on his property.
Robert Jones explained at the recent meeting that while the operating hours of the warehouse are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., there are actually only three trucks that are loaded or unloaded during that time.
There are between 90 and 100 acres separating their operation from the Country Side Estates mobile home park, Jones noted, and there are three other industrial/commercial businesses along the road already, he noted.
"That's a pretty good reason to be a commercial road," Robert Jones said. There is a tree-line buffer between the proposed operation and the first neighbour, he said.
A petition had been circulated to every resident on the road except for Jones and his wife, he noted. "It's a shame, because had we known there were that many letters, we probably have that many people (supporting us) on the road," Robert Jones said.
The letters of complaint to the proposed operation deal with concerns of increased traffic and noise, threats to children's safety, loss of peace and tranquility and loss of environment and wildlife.
By Gail Salmon - Convention Chair
The Eastern Ontario Women's Institute 85th Annual Convention was held Oct. 16 at the Drummond Building in Spencerville.
The meeting was attended by 236 women from Eastern Ontario from as far away as Deep River and Hawkesbury.
Grenville was the proud host for the first time in 10 years, and will not host another for at least 10 more years.
The theme this year was Welcoming the New Millennium. Just as the Institute began in 1897 with a health program for pasteurization of milk, it begins today, the new millennium, with yet another health program called ROSE Rural Ontario Sharing Education.
We were honoured to have our national president, Faye Maybery from Alberta, who took time from another meeting in Ottawa to speak to us at lunch time.
We were also pleased to have our provincial president, Christine Reaburn with us.
Our area president, Pat Hanscom, presided over the morning session.
The session began with the colours piped in by Brian Lawless of Prescott and flags carried by Lyn McCay and Debbie Findlay of Roebuck.
A memorial service was conducted by our Maitland Branch. A very fitting song was sung by our members and a lovely poem read. Morning business consisted of amendments to bylaws as well as attention to money matters.
Lunch was catered by Ray Martin of Prescott, with ample delicious food to keep us going for the rest of the afternoon.
Entertainment began at 1 p.m. with the Brockville Islanders Chorus who serenaded us in fine style.
We then broke up in groups for a series of workshops. The instructors were our very own members
Next was a fascinating decorating demonstration put on by Sandra Gordon of Decorating Den in Smiths Falls. Slides were accompanied by explanations of use of colour in the home.
Door prizes were supplied by Prescott OPP, DuPont, Protor and Gamble, 3M and Hershey's.
The most important issue of the afternoon was the election and installation of officers for the year 2000-2001.
Scholarships and awards were presented to various ladies present.
There were annual reports given by the executives as well as an invitation to the 2001 convention, which will be held in Morrisburg.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
NORTH AUGUSTA - The cemetery in North Augusta will be spruced up, following a recommendation to Augusta Township Council from the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations.
The township council agreed at its meeting Oct. 16 to clean up brush and fallen trees at the cemetery and repair tombstones after a resident of the village had filed a complaint with the ministry's cemetery regulations division.
A letter from Winnifred McMullen stated the Presbyterian Cemetery is a "disgrace" because bushes are cover tombstones, and other tombstones that had been broken down for at least 12 to 15 years. A tree that came down in the 1998 ice storm was never cleaned up, she stated.
Reeve Adrian Van Schie said at the meeting it is necessary the township comply with the law, and will get figures on the cost of the clean-up.
PRESCOTT Members of the Prescott Police Service are going back to school in a manner of speaking.
The municipal police department is initiating an "adopt-a-cop" program in which all five schools in town are participating. Acting Sergeant Garry Sluytman said in a recent interview that police will be more proactive when it comes to dealing with the younger members of the community.
"We'd like to be more involved with the students in the schools," he said. Constables Moe Morrissette and Shawn Steinburg have been 'adopted' by South Grenville District High School. Cst. Rob Prophett will serve St. Mark School.
Sluytman will handle three schools in Prescott: Boundary Street, Central and St. Joseph's. He will also be teaching the Very Effective Person (VEP) program to many local Grade 6 students. The program is designed to help students understand and cope with problems caused by peer pressure.
Some schools have reported problems associated with bullying, according to Sluytman.
There are also plans to offer drug awareness education classes to Grade 7 and 8 students. Youngsters need to be shown how their actions can affect others and the importance of making good choices, according to Sluytman.
"Hopefully, with police dealing with the kids, we can prevent a lot of that in the future," the sergeant said.
Sluytman would like to see officers visit schools on a weekly basis, although he noted that may not always be possible given the availability of officers.
Sluytman said he has discussed the programs with Police Chief Rick Bowie.
"We both think this will be good for the kids, the schools and Prescott," he said.
The police department's interaction with schools is not limited to younger grades. The municipal police service continues to accept student placements from local high schools as well as colleges and universities which have programs relating to law and security. A Thousand Islands Secondary School student is now serving in Prescott; a student from SGDHS is also expected to do a placement with the municipal police.
Sluytman also reported there are plans to introduce a bicycle patrol next year.
PRESCOTT - The Grenville County Historical Society (GCHS) based in Prescott, held its annual dinner Oct. 18, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the reorganization of the group.
The original Grenville Pioneer and Historical Society was founded in 1891. The qualification for membership at that time was to be a descendant of an ancestor resident of Canada in 1792. Only men were allowed to join, and membership was 10 cents per year, Bonnie Gaylord of GCHS explained at the dinner held at Prescott's Stockade Barracks. There is now no requirement to be a descendent of a United Empire Loyalist, although many members are, she said.
The pioneer organization had disbanded by 1924, and items collected by the society were donated to the Ontario Archives after the death of the president, F.J. French.
The historical society was reorganized in Dec. 1959, largely through the efforts of Phyllis Stephenson and Jean Casselman Wadds. Of the charter members present at that first meeting, which included a full slate of officers being elected, the one still involved with the society and contributing to the archives is Prescott resident Enid Simzer. The adoption of its first constitution was in Jan., 1960.
One of the driving reasons for the reorganization of the society, Gaylord noted, was the fight to save the old Prescott town hall on King St.
The society relocated to historic Crane House at Edward and Dibble streets in 1995 after various moves.
Gaylord noted several past board members whose contributions made the society strong. They included Phyllis Stephenson, Ed McNally, Jack Morris, Garf Kincaid, Walter Webb, Russell McNeill, Bill Burns, Earl Connell, Goldie Connell, Laura and Earl Brown, Paul Fortier and Barbara Seargeant.
"Today we have an equally strong group of people charting a course for the future, and we will need all of these people working together to keep the society strong," Gaylord said.
The aim of the society is to encourage and develop the study of the history of Grenville County; to collect, preserve, exhibit and publish material pertaining to the county; to encourage the preservation of historical buildings, monuments and markers.
The society's archival resource centre is open to the public each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is staffed by volunteeers. Contact 925-0489.
1-800-222-8477
JOHNSTOWN Crime Stoppers and the Grenville detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police are seeking the public's assistance in solving the theft of a transport trailer loaded with tires.
Sometime between Oct. 69, thieves stole a 1988 transport trailer, licence number E49181 that had been parked on the south side of Angelos Truck Stop on County Road 44. The trailer was loaded with 1,000 Eagle tires. The value of the tires is in the thousands of dollars.
Anyone with information about this theft or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Callers may be eligible for cash rewards based on the information provided. Callers are not asked to identify themselves; Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display or any other form of caller identification.
John Walsh, CEO of Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities on the benefits of the new merger
PRESCOTT NEEDS CASINO'S ECONOMIC BOOST: We're getting down to the wire on the casino referendum on Prescott's municipal ballot Monday, Nov. 13, and to date it looks like Prescott voters will vote for approval. While this does not mean that Prescott will get the provincially-owned casino, it is a step in the right direction and keeps the town's eligibility intact.
When the Ontario government announced earlier this year that it would be granting a casino license to one of four Eastern Ontario municipalities, Prescott was third on their list behind Front of Leeds and Lansdowne and Gananoque, while Brockville was the fourth choice.
One of the factors that will influence the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation when it decides which community will be awarded the casino, will be the referendum results from the four contenders. The corporation will award brownie points to the municipality which shows it wants the casino the most by the majority it receives in the referendum. So the larger the percentage of "yes" votes the casino receives in Prescott, the better chance our town will have of being the successful municipality.
There seems to be strong opposition to the proposed casino in Brockville, Gananoque and Front of Leeds and Lansdowne, with pundits not wanting to call anything better than a 50-50 split between the pros and cons. Brockville and Gananoque voted against a casino in their municipalities' 1998 elections and the anti vote remains strong although the pro forces are much better organized this time round. Nobody wants to call the result of Front of Leeds and Lansdowne, although the anti forces have been the most active.
Although there is definitely some serious casino opposition in Prescott, it does not seem as pronounced or as organized as it was in 1998, even though it was not on the ballot at that time. In weighing the pros and cons of a charity casino in Prescott, we believe the economic benefits that will come with a casino far outstrip the fears of those who oppose such a form of gambling.
Of the four municipalities in the running for the casino, Prescott has been hit the hardest economically the past five years with the closing of the RCA and Newell plants, our main industries for many years, and the downsizing at the local Coast Guard base. Figures released by the Gaming Corporation predict up to 500 full-time and part-time jobs, with up to 80 per cent of the available to local people. Balance of the workforce will be recruited from other communities.
If Prescott was the successful applicant it would receive up to $500,000 annually in a grant in lieu of taxes, plus an annual payroll injection in excess of $6 million. The government has budgeted approximately $40 million for construction of a casino facility, which should spearhead more economic development and tourism spin-offs, especially in the hospitality industry.
Our eyes are not closed to the fact that problems will come with a casino, but these are addressed by the operators, the Ontario government. A public awareness program will be part of the casino and the specially trained security staff will be able to spot problem gamblers who will be denied casino access, and also be given special help.
John A.H. Morris
Managing Editor
Tim Ruhnke
The majestic beauty of a moose or a deer is close to the hearts of most of us unless it is in the middle of the night and you are driving home and one of those beautiful creatures is standing in the middle of the road a short distance away. My first brush with such a calamity occurred three years ago in the Upper Ottawa Valley. That can't be a cow moose up ahead on the shoulder beside my lane, I thought to myself as I closed in at a speed of 100 or more kilometres an hour. It ended up being a near miss of anywhere from a few centimetres to a metre. The incident made a lasting impression; in the weeks that followed, I had to pull over on numerous occasions because of some self-inflicted sense of panic which made it difficult for me to focus on the road ahead. Considering the injuries, deaths and property damage associated with moose and deer strikes, I realized that I had been lucky.
Perhaps that luck was with me again two Saturdays ago on Weir Road. I was heading back to Prescott in the evening when I saw a fairly large doe about 200 metres ahead. Even though most of us are quite familiar with the "deer in headlights" scenario, I seemed to think that she would realize she was in my path and move. She did not. As I hit the brakes she appeared to be ready to move to the right and then to the left and then, well, I had no idea where the hell she may have been going. I opted to go to the left of the roadway. That also happened to be the same direction she chose.
Just as my vehicle was coming to a stop, the front bumper tapped the left rear flank of the deer. She took off into the bush and I pulled over to assess the 'damage'. All I could find were a few strands of hair and a spot of fairly dry blood that was more likely to have come from a bug than the doe.
I went to the house just down the road because I felt the need to report what had happened to the authorities.
The response I got was that the deer would not be tracked because it was not injured and the incident never really happened unless my car sustained more than $1,000 in damage or there were injuries. What I thought at the time was a big deal turned out to be nothing more than a second near miss, although I did make contact this time.
The residents of the house told me all about the numerous deer that roam the countryside in their neighbourhood. Needless to say, the remainder of my homeward journey took place at a speed well under posted limits.
I'm not having the panic attacks as I had three years ago, but my paranoia has risen a notch or two when I'm on the road at night. If there is one thing I have learned in all this, it is that the road signs that warn motorists to be on the lookout for deer or moose are usually there for a reason.
John A.H. Morris
We received a bonus with our Sunday afternoon feast of NFL football this past weekend when some of the Liberal Party of Canada's federal election campaign ads featuring Jean Chrétien were aired on TV. A couple of times Chrétien's ads were followed closely by those featuring Dave Thomas, CEO of Wendy's Restaurants.
Chrétien's lamentable efforts to sell himself and his party to Canadian voters were in sharp contrast to the professionalism of Wendy's Dave Thomas. Chrétien was obviously reading his script from a teleprompter which was set below the TV camera, and gave the impression he was appealing to Canadians through their navels. Any positive message he was trying to sell to his audience was lost through his writhing, gesticulating hand signals that looked like semaphore with a French accent.
Dave Thomas, on the other hand, was calm and believable behind the wheel of a formula one race car, doing laps while the virtual driver took a rest in the pit, enjoying a Wendy's burger and a biggy fries.
The Liberals have been using Chrétien as their foil for three TV ads so far this campaign and they are so bad that they will lose the liberals and the grand old 'patron' from Shawinigan thousands of votes from every segment of the country where they are aired.
After being able to compare Dave Thomas and Jean Chrétien several times, especially since the game we were watching went into overtime, we came to the conclusion that the owner of Wendy's was a great burger booster, while Jean Chrétien was nothing more than a big hot dog!
***
If we hadn't seen the pitiful Chrétien ads on TV, we would have been super miffed at the New York State Assembly election ads from just across the river, featuring Democratic candidate Darrel Aubertine. The ad states that if the republicans are elected to serve the north country, Northern New York might as well be a part of Canada.
Such a slight is understandable if you base your opinion on Canada on Chrétien's TV appearances.
Other than Johnny Poutine's example of a Canadian leader, let's think of some of the other reasons Northern New Yorkers have for not wanting to be part of Canada.
First of all, there is the highway sign on Route 37, just east of Ogdensburg that says: Bridge to Canada Psychiatric Center"; the only thing Canadians eat is Chinese food; that is, of course, if they are not eating donuts; it's best to go to the Canadian Chinese restaurants between 4 and 5 pm before the locals pack the places and eat all the sausages and fried chicken on the buffet; Canadians are all socialists and don't believe the have the right to bare arms, bare legs, bare bottoms and bare feet; Americans have never forgiven Canadians for spoiling what could have been an overwhelming victory in the American Revolution, by opening their doors to so many defectors and then making them heroes by calling them United Empire Loyalists; North Country Yankees still tend to get a bit testy when Canadians remind them about all the battles they lost in the War of 1812, which, incidentally, was fought in 1813 in Ogdensburg.
After all of this ran through our head we were left wondering if Mr. Aubertine and his Democrats will seek asylum in the Canadian Psychiatric Center if the Republicans win the North Country vote!
***
There is a fiscal attitude that seems to permeate the minds of all politicians, especially after they have been in power for a few years. This is the need to spend all the dollars that are left over following a specific budget period. We have seen this in all levels of government this fall.
Federal finance minister Paul Martin, after over-taxing Canadians, this past year in particular, has Prime Minister Jean Chrétien rushing to the polls trying to give away billions of Canadians' tax dollars in an attempt to buy himself a third term in office. These billions should have been spent in reducing Canada's national debt, and not as voter bribes.
In the past couple of weeks almost every Ontario taxpayer has received a $200 refund on the amount we were all over-taxed on the past year. Again, Ontario has a large debt, a health care system that is bankrupt, an education system that is broken, and municipal infrastructures that are crumbling and will decimate our towns and cities within a decade unless billions are spent to rebuilt and repair them. There were plenty of places in our Ontario economy that needed fixing more than we needed $200 refunds.
Prescott council found itself in a position last year where it believed it could afford to build a new town hall, so they said to themselves, let's have one of those! Not one councillor this year has said... "our industrial taxes are too high and this tax base is shrinking, so let's cut back on our taxes for the next decade."
By MONICA WHITNEY - Journal Staff Writer
CARDINAL Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities became a reality today, but local ratepayers will notice very few changes initially.
John Walsh, clerk-treasurer of the Village of Cardinal, who has been appointed CEO of the new corporation, said ratepayers can expect the same levels and quality of service as in the past under their own locally operated utility.
Rideau St. Lawrence is the product of a utility merger between Cardinal, Prescott, Westport and South Dundas, which takes in the areas of Iroquois, Morrisburg and Williamsburg. The merger also includes Canadian Niagara Power (CNP) of Fort Erie.
CNP is purchasing 10 per cent of the net book value of the utility, whereby the shareholders, or the merged utilities, will receive cash upfront, Walsh explained. This amount is equal to 10 per cent of the value of each utility going into Rideau St. Lawrence.
For example, if the value of one municipality's utility is $1,000,000, it would receive $100,000 back from CNP. This money would go back into the municipality.
Walsh said Cardinal council is proposing to earmark its 10 per cent for future development in the utility, such as for telecommunications.
Walsh will work from the former Prescott PUC office on Industrial Road, which is the main administrative and an operations centre for the corporation. Morrisburg will have the second operations centre. The Cardinal and Westport municipal offices will function as storefront satellite locations.
The electrical utilities merger became necessary under the Electricity Restructuring Act, and by Nov. 7, all municipally-owned electric distribution systems in the province had to be transferred to a corporation. Each municipality was required to either sell the utility, keep it and operate it independently, or merge.
This is a deregulation of electricity which will run similar to the gas industry, Walsh explained.
The only buyer of the utilities was Hydro One, and the majority of councillors from both Cardinal and Prescott municipal councils had previously expressed concern over loss of service and increased rates with the sell option.
Hydro bills will continue to be produced at the local offices as they are now until a more unified billing system is in place. The new bills, which may be in effect by April, will look similar to a gas bill, and will be produced from the Prescott office, Walsh said.
A harmonization of existing hydro rates, where all ratepayers within residential and commercial categories in each municipality in the merger will be paying the same rate, is one of the first areas of business for the new corporation, he said.
Each group needs to be on the same playing field, Walsh said, noting that in some cases there will be slight increases and decreases in rates. "We have to make it equal for everybody in the utility."
Every employee who is presently employed by the new utility will continue to work for Rideau St. Lawrence, Walsh said. "Not a lot is going to change" until the new billing system and other plans are in place. The employees will continue to report to the same offices as before incorporation.
Lower rates for customers is one main advantage of the utility merger, Walsh said. "We're going to attempt to keep the rates as low as we can, and that would be lower than what the competitor's rates would have been. We're considerably lower than (Hydro One's) rates right now, and we think that we can maintain that."
There will also be a financial return to the municipalities. Each will hold shares in the new company, and the municipalities will share in any profits made by the company, Walsh explained.
The service standard will not change under Rideau St. Lawrence. "You are still going to be served by your local line crew. Before if it took 15 to get to your house - that's not going to change.
"Had they sold (to Hydro One), we're not sure where the line crew would have come from."
This new utility can now also develop into other business, Walsh noted. The fibre optics telecommunications business is seen as a growth area for the utility.
Local ownership and control of the utility has been retained as well, Walsh said. "The direction of the utility is going to be 100 per cent locally driven by the four councils and the fifth partner, Canadian Niagara Power. The lower rates and that local control gives you an economic development tool."
Rideau St. Lawrence will run like any large company with a board of directors, such as CASCO, Walsh said.
Each municipality will have one representative on the board that will run the company.
Cardinal's appointment to the board is Gerry Fulford, a retired CASCO executive. Prescott has chosen Don Gibson, the past chairman of the Prescott PUC commission. John Allison will represent South Dundas, who is also the past chairman of that PUC Westport has chosen Scott Bryce, the clerk-treasurer that municipality. The representative for Canadian Niagara Power is Tim Curtis, vice president of finance and chief financial officer for that company.
There will be about 5,900 utility customers represented in Rideau St. Lawrence.
Walsh had been offered the position of clerk in the new township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal. "It was a real tough decision" to choose between township clerk and CEO for Rideau St. Lawrence, he said.
"Either way I went it was going to be new and exciting. You have a new utility company which is a merger of four utilities or you have the municipal merger. There's some similarities between the two. In both cases you're dealing with change."
Walsh was born in Toronto and his own family has lived in Cardinal since 1972, when his father John Walsh purchased the hotel in the village. His father was born and raised in Prescott and his mother Beverly was a long-time resident of Prescott.
He started working for the village in 1989 as deputy clerk-treasurer when Wes Baldwin was the clerk. In Jan., 1994, he took over as acting clerk and moved to the position of administrator clerk-treasurer. Walsh became chief administrative officer/clerk-treasurer in 1998.
He and his wife Mandy have three children: Michael and Katie, who attend Benson Public School, and Jay, who is at South Grenville District High School.
SPENCERVILLE Two advance polls for residents voting in the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal municipal election have been scheduled.
Those unable to vote on Nov. 13 can vote this Saturday at the Edwardsburgh municipal office in Spencerville from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The second advance poll is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cardinal municipal office.
Originally, both advance polls had been set to take place in Spencerville, according to a recent advertisement.
Dan McDonald, who is a candidate for councillor in Ward 1 East, said "Cardinal has the largest concentration of population in the township, therefore it should have the opportunity for one advance poll in the same manner as Augusta."
Advance polls for Augusta Township have been set for Roebuck and Maitland.
"There is a large concentration of seniors who much prefer to vote in a more quiet environment rather than in the confusion of election day itself," McDonald said. "I don't mind one advance poll in Spencerville, but two is ridiculous."
McDonald noted many people from outside Spencerville wishing to use the advance poll would not have transportation to that village.
Edwardsburgh clerk and returning officer Russell Trivett said the decision to change the second advance poll from Spencerville to Cardinal was made Monday morning.
Running for election in Ward 3 North are George Dick, Marie Thomson and Frank Noccey.
CARDINAL - This is the last week tickets will be sold for the Big Buck contest sponsored by the Cardinal Fish and Game Club. Tickets are available at Bayview Convenience in Johnstown, Mustard's Variety in Iroquois, and at both hardware stores in Cardinal. Prizes include $150 for the heaviest buck and $75 for the heaviest doe. Contact John Dugan at 657-1081 for more information.
CARDINAL - St. John's United Church will be holding an auction this Friday to help pay for the church's new carillon. Several community members and businesses have donated their talents and services to the auction. Items up for bid include sports collectibles, furniture, crafts, handmade Christmas decorations, baking and dinners. The preview begins at 6:30 p.m., with the auction taking place at 7. For more information, contact Lynn Barkley at 925-5428.
CARDINAL - The 48th Armistice Banquet will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Saturday, Nov. 4.
Playhouse auction Nov. 18
MORRISBURG - The auction committee of the Upper Canada Playhouse is preparing for the 7th annual Christmas gift auction to be held Saturday, Nov. 18.
The auction will be held at the Morrisburg Meeting Centre. The ticket price includes an evening which begins at 6:30 with hors d'oeuvres and viewing of the live auction packages. The live auction begins at 8 p.m.
A silent auction, contests and draws, live entertainment as well as a hot and cold buffet are all part of this year's exciting events. Christmas shoppers are invited to browse the wide variety of items to be auctioned. Choose from handmade Christmas decorations, weekend getaway packages, home decorating items, theatre or golfing packages, antiques, crafts, and even a 16-foot canoe or a dog sled ride for four.
The Centennial '67 Public School's boys intermediate 'A' soccer team won silver at the Dundas County soccer tournament on Oct. 20.
Centennial lost to Nationview Public School in the finals 1-0. After regulation play, the two teams were tied 0-0. Centennial's coach Kelly Baelde said the five-minute sudden death overtime, with its golden rule, had to be scratched because of time. So the two teams skipped to penalty kicks, which went two rounds until the Nationview Reds scored the game winner.
Centennial entered the finals undefeated with four wins. (Centennial 3, Iroquois 'A' 0; Centennial 7, Iroquois 'B' 0; Centennial 2, Grenville Christian College 0; Centennial 2, South Branch 1).
Centennial's 'B' team
Meanwhile, Centennial's 'B' team's tournament record was a 1-0 win over Iroquois 'B', a 1-1 tie against Nationview 'B' and two losses, one against South Branch 0-2 and one against Iroquois 'A', 1-2.
In a tournament at Kemptville Public School on Monday, Oct. 23, Centennial's 'A' team's record was a 2-0 win over Iroquois, a 1-1 tie against Kemptville and a 0-2 loss against Almonte. Ryan Killick, Mike Langlois, Mark Henry, Thomas Lethbridge and Jeremy Couture played on Centennial 'A' team for the tournament. Baelde said that Matt Wallace did a wonderful job as equipment manager and extended thanks to parent-helper Barry Dobbie.
RENFREW The South Grenville Jr. 'B' Rangers were able to score two goals against the Renfrew Wolverines on Friday, but it was the Wolverines that were able to scratch out the win.
Matt McNally of the Rangers scored on the power play. The Rangers' second goal was scored by Assistant Captain Tyler Rasa, assisted by McNally. But the Wolverines scored six, to take the 6-2 win over the Rangers.
In the Rangers second weekend game in the Eastern Ontario Jr. 'B' Hockey League Saturday night at the Cardinal Community Centre, the Rangers squared off against Shawville.
The Rangers were down 2-0 heading into the third period as Shawville scored twice in the first period. Shawville's Brent Maurice scored early in the period. Maurice was assisted by Joel Turcotte and Erik Barber. At 8:02, Travis Dorzek scored, assisted by Ryan Barber and Shawn Romain
Trailing 2-0 heading into the third period, Captain Tyler Libby scored at 16:31 unassisted to cut into the lead to one.
Shawville's Shawn Romain scored next at 7:34, bumping the lead back up to two goals. Next, Rangers' defenceman Tyler McLeod and Jason Denio set up Shawn Coville, whose goal came a minute later and cut into Shawville's two-goal lead.
With the clock winding down, and the score 3-2 for Shawville, the Rangers had a couple of good chances to score. Libby dinged one off the goal post and Assistant Captain Andrew Hare clanged one off the crossbar. The Rangers' goalie was pulled off the ice, but with 30 seconds left on the clock, Shawville's Joel Cardinal scored an empty-netter.
Seventeen seconds later, Shawville scored again, giving them the 5-2 win.
KINGSTON The South Grenville Midget 'B' Rangers travelled to two games on the weekend and came on top in both.
The first game was in Kingston against the Kingston City Cougars. The Rangers came out on top 7-3. The first goal was scored by Adam Lawrence, assisted by Dustin Swan. Lawrence also picked up one other goal and an assist. Swan picked up a goal and two other assists. David Mackinnon picked up two goals Singles went to Matt Gibson and Ted Livingston. Other assists went to Andrew Fortier and Josh Kirkby.
Game two on Sunday night in Ernestown against the Jets the Rangers came on top again with a 4-3 win.
Adam Lawrence picked up two goals. Andrew Fortier picked up one and Josh Kirkby picked up the four goals.
The Rangers are now unbeaten in three league games and their next game is Tuesday night against Kingston Township. The Rangers then travel to Massena for an exhibition game. Don't forget Nov. 12/2000 the Midget B Rangers Tournament at Leo Boivin Community Centre in Prescott. teams from Ottawa, Deep River, and some of the local teams the Rangers play will be participating as well. Come and watch the action.
PRESCOTT On Thursday, Oct. 26, the Ottawa Storm tied the Rideau St. Lawrence Kings 3-3.
Kings' Jarrod Whelan had two goals. McLean Koekkoek of the Kings had a goal and an assist. Teammates Peter Veltkamp had two assists and Marty Welch had a single assist.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, in Kanata, the Ottawa Storm defeated the Kings 3-0. On Sunday, Oct. 29, in Kingston the Kings defeated the Greater Kingston Predators 3-2. Kings' Jarrod Whelan scored a goal and had an assist. Sean Crozier scored a goal and Justin Jager scored the game winner. Brian Johnson had the lone assist.
The Kings travel to Navan to play Cumberland on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The next home game is Thursday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. in Prescott at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.
PRESCOTT The minor atom Rideau St. Lawrence Kings hosted their annual Tournament of Kings on Oct. 20 to Oct. 22 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre in Prescott.
Ten teams that competed in the tournament included the Ottawa Valley, the Seaway Valley, Kingston, Peterborough, Cumberland, Whitby, the Toronto Young Nats, Central Ontario and North-Central Ontario
For the Kings, the action started Friday morning as the host team went head-to-head with a team from Kingston.
The Kings were beaten 5-0. Trevor Murray was in net for the Kings. Player of the game was Quincy Evans.
The Kings next game was against North Central Ontario, and proved to be better for them as the Kings came out on top 6-0. Scoring for the Kings were Quincy Evans with two, Cole Weedmark with two, Kristian Knapp and Sebastian Last each with one. Assists went to Knapp (3), Last (3), Evans (2), Payton Williams, Marc Roy and Cole Weedmark each with one. Strong defensive play by Ryan Morden, Bergil Naphan and Tyson Wilson contributed to the win. Kyle Godwin was in net for the shut-out. Evans received the player of the game award.
On Saturday, the Kings met up with Cumberland, the first-place team in the Ottawa District Minor Hockey League, and ended up losing 7-3 despite a strong showing.
Kings' Quincy Evans had a hat trick, with an assist going to Tyson Wilson. Trevor Murray was in net for the Kings and received the player of the game.
The Kings final game was against a strong Whitby squad, with the Kings losing 5-3. Scoring for the Kings were Sebastian Last with two and Cole Weedmark, assisted by Tyson Wilson. Kyle Godwin was in net for the Kings and received player of the game.
Earlier in the season, Kings played the Ottawa Sting in Brockville on Oct. 1.
The Kings were leading 2-0 going into the third but couldn't hold on for the win, losing 3-2. Scoring for the Kings were Quincy Evans with two goals and Payton Williams with one. Assists went to Evans and Williams. Murray and Godwin shared the duties in the net.
On Oct. 12, the Kings played host to the Kingston Predators losing 5-1.
Scoring for the Kings were Sebastian Last, assisted by Quincy Evans. Kyle Godwin was in net for the Kings.
On Oct. 14, the Kings played host to the Eastern Ontario Cobras. Leading the scoring for the Kings was Cliff Conquer, assisted by Payton Williams. With 1:22 left in the third period, Payton Williams fired a slapshot, scoring the winning goal, assisted by Quincy Evans. Trevor Murray was in net for the win.
Oct. 15 saw the Kings travel to Vankleek Hill for a rematch against the Cobras. Quincy Evans opened the scoring, assisted by Cliff Conquer then it was Cole Weedmark's turn.
With 14 seconds left in the third, Sebastian Last found the net, assisted by Cole Weedmark to win the game 3-2. Kyle Godwin was in nets for the win.
The Rideau-St.Lawrence 'AA' major peewee Kings are set to begin another hockey season.
They were 2-2 in four pre-season exhibition games and turned in a solid effort in a early season Pickering tournament going 1-0-2 in the round robin and dropping the semi-final game 3-2 to Quinty.
Most of last years squad has returned to the team with the exception of four players, Pete Freeth, J.J Rhoden, Ryan Shecter and Sean Gilmer.
The forwards look to have some skill and power. Captain Ben Collins will lead the way with his skills and leadership. Shifty, speedy Pat Doyle wears an 'A' and is not only part of the leadership but also part of the offence as he is a constant scoring threat. Vinnie Francica's skills adds more offensive ability to the team, he also wears an 'A'. Hardworking offensive threat Tyler Atkins will continue to create scoring chances and be a big part of the offence. Kent Nugent is back and will continue to work hard up front for the team. Kyle Whiteford will use his speed to his advantage offensively. Steve McGlade will use his skill to put pucks in the net for the team. Sean Gilmer's speed will add to the speed's team. Grinding Pete Freeth will use his style to create chances for the team. On defence, the team has a solid unit. Big, hard-hitting defenceman Jeff Osler will run over the quick forwards who try to turn the team inside out. Braden Miller will use his well-rounded game to Kings' advantage, playing several different roles. Adam Cross will use his defensive skills to protect the team from breakaways and breakdowns. Hard- shooting Tom Adam will use the big shot to elude goalies on the power play and play the rushing defense game. J.J Rhoden will use a mixture of hitting, defense and penalty killing to help protect the team further on defense.
The teams goaltenders appears strong with polished, quick goalie Tomo Hosogoe and flexible, butterfly-style goalie Ryan Shecter. Hosogoe's return is a plus for the team because he will use is quick glovehand to help keep the puck out of the net. Shecter joins the team for the first time and uses his speed and good glovehand to play an exciting style.
The team dropped their first two games to Ottawa Valley 2-1 and to a hot Cumberland team 6-1. On Sept. 30, the Kings hosted the Gloucester Rangers, hoping for their first win. The game was a goaltender showdown, with Hosogoe making 31 saves for the Kings. Glouster got the first goal at 6:29 of the first period with Blake Ryan scoring on a scramble. Hosogoe continued to stand on his head with a huge glove save. However, the Kings dropped the game 1-0 and were outshot 32-20. On Oct. 2, the team travelled to Hawkesbury to play East Ontario. The first period pasted scoreless with the shots 10-7 in favour of East Ontario. Ryan Shecter was strong in the net in the first period. East Ontario opened the scoring at 4:11 of the second, with Corey Gagnon putting in the rebound. Ben Collins tied the game up in the second. Adam Cross drew the only assist.
In the third period, East Ontario scored twice with goals from Alain Michaud and Francis Lafeur. The final score was 3-1 East Ontario. Shecter was hot in the nets stopping 32 of 35 shots.
Note: South Grenville Jr. 'B' Rangers home games are played at the Cardinal Community Centre in the Village of Cardinal.
The South Grenville peewee 'C' Rangers' next home game is Sunday, Nov. 5 in Cardinal at from 4:30 to 6 p.m. against Kemptville
The South Grenville midget 'B' Rangers will host a tournament on Sunday, Nov. 12 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre in Prescott.
The midget Kings travel to Cumberland on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The Kings' next home game is Thursday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.
The events listed are taking place at the Prescott Curling Centre, located at 439 Henry St. West in Prescott.
Friday, Nov. 17, 2-2-2 bonspiel
Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3, the Ontario Curling Association's junior competition
The Edwardsburgh Figure Skating Club is looking for sponsors and donors for the upcoming Seaway Valley Recreational 2001, which the club is hosting in Spencerville in February. The club is also looking for equipment to use.
For more information, call Gwen Salmon at (613) 925-4087.