| The
Prescott Journal is published weekly by St. Lawrence Printing Co. Ltd., 231 King Street West, Prescott, Ontario, K0E 1T0, (613) 925-4265 - fax (613) 925-3472, e-mail journal@stlawrenceprinting.on.ca |
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD Augusta Township residents will be allowed input on how a council seat - left vacant through the resignation of former deputy reeve Morris Stark - will be filled.
Reeve George Vail made the announcement to a large crowd on hand for a special council meeting Monday night.
Residents will have an opportunity at the Dec. 10 regular meeting to express their opinions and views on which option council should choose to select a councillor, Vail said Monday night. Delegates must submit a written request stating reasons for wishing to speak at the meeting prior to the close of the municipal office Wednesday, Dec. 5.
The options available to council include selecting an unsuccessful candidate with the highest votes in last year's municipal election; advertising the position and then appointing a person following an interview process; calling a by-election; or making an appointment with the agreement of all councillors.
Council may make a decision on which option to choose following the public input Dec. 10 if it can come to a consensus, Vail said. Councillor Jane Fullarton indicated the council discussion will be open to the public, although any discussion of "personalities" would have to be closed.
It had previously been reported by The Prescott Journal based on information received from Vail the Monday night meeting would be open to deal with choosing an option to select a new councillor. Since that article appeared in the Nov. 21 paper, and prior to the meeting, Vail said in interviews the issue would be discussed in closed session.
During the Monday night meeting, which began about 40 minutes late, Vail told the gathering the article had been a "misconception" and the issue "was not to be for discussion here tonight." No explanation was given by council as to why the meeting began late.
The meeting also dealt with resolutions to accept snowplow tenders and an in-camera session to discuss a personnel issue between management and council, Vail said.
However, some members of the audience were not satisfied with the apparent change of council's direction on the selection issue. "What's wrong with democracy with you people?" questionned resident Gill Cyr. "It was advertised in the paper there's an open meeting to choose a (councillor), and I was told that too. This is wrong. We're here. Some of us missed our suppers to come here for six o'clock.
"Excuse me, this is not democratic the way we think of it because the past record here is not that good on democracy," Cyr said.
Cyr engaged in a heated argument with Vail on whether the discussion was to be open to the public or not and on how the process should work.
"You will not, sir, be telling us which process (to use)," Vail told Cyr. "There are four options, and if one of those options chosen isn't the one that you want, too bad; that's the way it'll have to be."
Councillor Doug Barton, who will be bumped up to the deputy reeve position Dec. 10, noted "it is not normal for a council to have public input" in this type of situation. Under the Municipal Act, a council can make an arbitrary decision on filling a council vacancy, he said. "We think it would be better if the people have an idea about the process and want some input into it.
"That is even more democratic, I believe, once everyone knows than just the group that's here tonight," Barton said.
"It's not something that's necessary, but it's something that we chose to do."
Unsuccessful candidates in the last election were John McCrea, who ran for reeve, Dwain Swerdfiger, who ran for deputy reeve, and Bill Buckler and Wayne Reid canvassed for a councillor seat.
Vail noted Swerdfiger has indicated he would still be interested in the deputy reeve position; however, according to the Municipal Act, that vacancy must be filled from within the council, and then the vacancy declared at the council level.
Buckler, who received the highest number of votes of the unsuccessful councillor candidates, was the only other candidate to indicate his interest in the council seat so far, Vail said.
Several members of the audience said Buckler should automatically be chosen for the position. "If Mr. Buckler is interested in that, why don't we just make it simple and appoint him right now, instead of going through all this here arguing and carrying on the way you are," Gail Stephenson said. "My vote's for him," said another person who called out from the audience.
The only acceptable options for the people are the "traditional" method of choosing the next candidate with the most number of votes, or holding a by-election, Cyr said. "What we have against this is four people making a decision of who's going to be on council."
Vail has previously noted a by-election is estimated to cost $10,000.
When asked following the meeting if he is still interested in a council seat, Buckler said "Absolutely, because I'm not a yes man. I didn't run up and down the roads last November for nothing."
Buckler stated his present employment as a building systems specialist for the Upper Canada District School Board has enabled him to "have a pulse on the community. I enjoy the community and I'm proud of this township, but I don't like the garbage that's going on. I feel like I can work with them."
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT It doesn't get much better than this.
The 2001 edition of Light Up the Night was an unqualified success. Event organizers estimate between 10,000 and 15,000 people lined the parade route or watched the stage show Friday night, by far the best turnout in the four-year history of the nighttime version of the annual Santa Claus parade in Prescott.
Unlike the past three years in which Light Up the Night had to deal with rain or cold temperatures, weather conditions this time around were ideal. Above-seasonal temperatures and no precipitation or wind made for a comfortable evening for event participants and the thousands of spectators who lined the parade route.
The Prescott Fire Department has been hosting the parade for more than half a century. Long-time firefighters noted they had never seen such a good response to the event, according to Brent Norton, parade committee co-chair.
Norton said 55 parade entries had already signed on when he left for the parade formation area at South Grenville District High School late Friday afternoon. By the time the parade started, there were 80 entries.
The parade ran for more than an hour. Norton noted the Santa Claus float at the end of the parade was still at the high school parking lot as the fire truck leading the parade was heading north on St. Lawrence Street.
There were "tons of lights" and no major glitches, according to Norton. Organizers are receiving plenty of positive comments, he added. The response from outside Prescott shows word of the parade's success is spreading, Norton added.
"We put on a great product and people enjoyed it," he said.
Taylor McNeil, 9, of Johnstown, liked the float with Santa, the marching bands and the entry from Boundary Street Public School. Taylor looks forward to the parade each year, noting Christmas spirit should begin in November because it is "...only a month away from December."
Brockville resident Tony MacNeil said he was impressed by the parade. "It was a good show. A lot of effort went into this." He indicated he would be back next year and would bring more people with him.
Parade judges awarded first place to the Central Public School entry. Valu-mart placed second, followed by Al's Butcher Shop and Countryman Gardens.
The stage show presented by the Fort Town Boosters featuring Canadian recording artist Maren Ord drew a good crowd to the clock tower area prior to the parade. The show hosted by Dawn Adams and show co-ordinator Greg Adams included performances by the Studio C Intermediate Dancers and a visit by Mrs. Claus.
Light Up the Night was Ord's first exposure to a night-time Santa Claus parade. "It was a really neat experience," she said. Although she appeared near the beginning of the parade, Ord was able to see much of it after she had completed the route.
The singer said the people she met in Prescott are "really friendly." Spectators along the route were waving and saying "Merry Christmas" even if they do not know who you are, she added.
The festivities began at 4 pm with a spaghetti dinner served at the Legion Hall. Hot dogs, drinks and karaoke were on the menu at the Legion after the parade. Both events were well-attended.
Greg Adams said planning has already begun on next year's event. The program will be fine tuned a bit, according to Adams. A 5:30 start time for the stage show is being considered; this year's show started at about 5 pm.
Light Up the Night has become something Prescott can be proud of, according to Adams.
JOHNSTOWN A local campaign to send Christmas cards to military personnel stationed overseas is nearing a successful completion.
Thousands of cards have already been received and many more are on the way, according to campaign organizer Chantel Christensen.
Most of the cards are coming from outside Leeds and Grenville. Christensen is not surprised by the local response; people may have been affected by reports the card campaign had to be discontinued because of concerns involving anthrax and the mail, Christensen believes. Military officials have since indicated Christmas cards could be delivered; Christensen is opening the envelopes as a precaution prior to the cards being sent overseas.
The Maritime provinces have been far and away the most responsive to the "Let Them Know We Care" campaign. One church in Prince Edward Island sent 731 cards. She is expecting a shipment of 1,000 cards from the Knights of Columbus in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Christensen said she never expected her local campaign would generate such interest in other parts of Canada.
"I don't think it's really dawned on me just yet," she said Monday.
Christensen expects the cards will be transported to Ottawa sometime next week, although a date has not been selected. There are plans to send the cards in "little red Santa Claus bags," she noted.
The task of deciding where the cards will be sent has begun, according to Christensen. One thousand cards will go to troops stationed in the Afghanistan region; cards will also be sent to Canadian ships in the Middle East and personnel in Bosnia, Germany, Belgium and England.
Christensen has found many of the cards to be touching. Cards are being sent by children as well as adults who have loved ones who serve or served in the armed forces.
There are still collection boxes at several locations in South Grenville and Brockville. For more information, call 925-2074.
PRESCOTT Santa's Workshop will once again have a home in downtown Prescott this holiday season.
The workshop, located beside Prime Time Video on King Street West will be open Fridays from 4 to 7 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm, and Sundays from noon to 3 pm. Santa's Workshop will close for the season Dec. 23.
Kids and pets can get photos taken with Santa next month. Photographer Christine Endicott will be at the workshop Saturday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 15. A Christmas folder is included in the cost of the prints. Photos can be picked at the Gift Lane a week after they are shot.
Santa's Workshop is provided by the Prescott BIA. For more information, contact the Gift Shop.
PRESCOTT St. Paul's United Church will present a Christmas bazaar and luncheon today (Wednesday) at the church hall located at the corner of George and Dibble streets.
The bazaar and bake sale will run from 10 am to 1:30 pm; lunch will be served from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Crafts, gifts, knitting, decorations and other items will be available.
PRESCOTT The Brockville Community Choir will be in concert this Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 8 pm at St. John's Anglican Church, corner of Centre and James streets.
The program will include compositions by Handel, Rutter, Britten and Vaughan Williams. The choir is under the direction of Jeff Reusing and accompanied by Ann MacDonald.
Donations accepted at the door will go to the church fund.
PRESCOTT Registration for Spirit of Giving gift baskets will continue this week at the tennis club building behind Walker House at Centennial Park.
Kinsmen Club of Prescott members who organize the Spirit of Giving campaign will be on hand Wednesday through Friday and again Monday, Dec. 3 to register applicants for the distribution process.
The program is open to residents of South Grenville. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of address and should be prepared to discuss their financial situation. They will also be asked to sign a waiver form to cross-reference their name with other gift basket providers.
The registration period will not be extended.
The gift baskets will be distributed Dec. 23 at South Grenville District High School. The club's 2000 campaign helped provide food and toys to more than 250 families.
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD Augusta Township residents will be allowed input on how a council seat - left vacant through the resignation of former deputy reeve Morris Stark - will be filled.
Reeve George Vail made the announcement to a large crowd on hand for a special council meeting Monday night.
Residents will have an opportunity at the Dec. 10 regular meeting to express their opinions and views on which option council should choose to select a councillor, Vail said Monday night. Delegates must submit a written request stating reasons for wishing to speak at the meeting prior to the close of the municipal office Wednesday, Dec. 5.
The options available to council include selecting an unsuccessful candidate with the highest votes in last year's municipal election; advertising the position and then appointing a person following an interview process; calling a by-election; or making an appointment with the agreement of all councillors.
Council may make a decision on which option to choose following the public input Dec. 10 if it can come to a consensus, Vail said. Councillor Jane Fullarton indicated the council discussion will be open to the public, although any discussion of "personalities" would have to be closed.
It had previously been reported by The Prescott Journal based on information received from Vail the Monday night meeting would be open to deal with choosing an option to select a new councillor. Since that article appeared in the Nov. 21 paper, and prior to the meeting, Vail said in interviews the issue would be discussed in closed session.
During the Monday night meeting, which began about 40 minutes late, Vail told the gathering the article had been a "misconception" and the issue "was not to be for discussion here tonight." No explanation was given by council as to why the meeting began late.
The meeting also dealt with resolutions to accept snowplow tenders and an in-camera session to discuss a personnel issue between management and council, Vail said.
However, some members of the audience were not satisfied with the apparent change of council's direction on the selection issue. "What's wrong with democracy with you people?" questionned resident Gill Cyr. "It was advertised in the paper there's an open meeting to choose a (councillor), and I was told that too. This is wrong. We're here. Some of us missed our suppers to come here for six o'clock.
"Excuse me, this is not democratic the way we think of it because the past record here is not that good on democracy," Cyr said.
Cyr engaged in a heated argument with Vail on whether the discussion was to be open to the public or not and on how the process should work.
"You will not, sir, be telling us which process (to use)," Vail told Cyr. "There are four options, and if one of those options chosen isn't the one that you want, too bad; that's the way it'll have to be."
Councillor Doug Barton, who will be bumped up to the deputy reeve position Dec. 10, noted "it is not normal for a council to have public input" in this type of situation. Under the Municipal Act, a council can make an arbitrary decision on filling a council vacancy, he said. "We think it would be better if the people have an idea about the process and want some input into it.
"That is even more democratic, I believe, once everyone knows than just the group that's here tonight," Barton said.
"It's not something that's necessary, but it's something that we chose to do."
Unsuccessful candidates in the last election were John McCrea, who ran for reeve, Dwain Swerdfiger, who ran for deputy reeve, and Bill Buckler and Wayne Reid canvassed for a councillor seat.
Vail noted Swerdfiger has indicated he would still be interested in the deputy reeve position; however, according to the Municipal Act, that vacancy must be filled from within the council, and then the vacancy declared at the council level.
Buckler, who received the highest number of votes of the unsuccessful councillor candidates, was the only other candidate to indicate his interest in the council seat so far, Vail said.
Several members of the audience said Buckler should automatically be chosen for the position. "If Mr. Buckler is interested in that, why don't we just make it simple and appoint him right now, instead of going through all this here arguing and carrying on the way you are," Gail Stephenson said. "My vote's for him," said another person who called out from the audience.
The only acceptable options for the people are the "traditional" method of choosing the next candidate with the most number of votes, or holding a by-election, Cyr said. "What we have against this is four people making a decision of who's going to be on council."
Vail has previously noted a by-election is estimated to cost $10,000.
When asked following the meeting if he is still interested in a council seat, Buckler said "Absolutely, because I'm not a yes man. I didn't run up and down the roads last November for nothing."
Buckler stated his present employment as a building systems specialist for the Upper Canada District School Board has enabled him to "have a pulse on the community. I enjoy the community and I'm proud of this township, but I don't like the garbage that's going on. I feel like I can work with them."
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT It doesn't get much better than this.
The 2001 edition of Light Up the Night was an unqualified success. Event organizers estimate between 10,000 and 15,000 people lined the parade route or watched the stage show Friday night, by far the best turnout in the four-year history of the nighttime version of the annual Santa Claus parade in Prescott.
Unlike the past three years in which Light Up the Night had to deal with rain or cold temperatures, weather conditions this time around were ideal. Above-seasonal temperatures and no precipitation or wind made for a comfortable evening for event participants and the thousands of spectators who lined the parade route.
The Prescott Fire Department has been hosting the parade for more than half a century. Long-time firefighters noted they had never seen such a good response to the event, according to Brent Norton, parade committee co-chair.
Norton said 55 parade entries had already signed on when he left for the parade formation area at South Grenville District High School late Friday afternoon. By the time the parade started, there were 80 entries.
The parade ran for more than an hour. Norton noted the Santa Claus float at the end of the parade was still at the high school parking lot as the fire truck leading the parade was heading north on St. Lawrence Street.
There were "tons of lights" and no major glitches, according to Norton. Organizers are receiving plenty of positive comments, he added. The response from outside Prescott shows word of the parade's success is spreading, Norton added.
"We put on a great product and people enjoyed it," he said.
Taylor McNeil, 9, of Johnstown, liked the float with Santa, the marching bands and the entry from Boundary Street Public School. Taylor looks forward to the parade each year, noting Christmas spirit should begin in November because it is "...only a month away from December."
Brockville resident Tony MacNeil said he was impressed by the parade. "It was a good show. A lot of effort went into this." He indicated he would be back next year and would bring more people with him.
Parade judges awarded first place to the Central Public School entry. Valu-mart placed second, followed by Al's Butcher Shop and Countryman Gardens.
The stage show presented by the Fort Town Boosters featuring Canadian recording artist Maren Ord drew a good crowd to the clock tower area prior to the parade. The show hosted by Dawn Adams and show co-ordinator Greg Adams included performances by the Studio C Intermediate Dancers and a visit by Mrs. Claus.
Light Up the Night was Ord's first exposure to a night-time Santa Claus parade. "It was a really neat experience," she said. Although she appeared near the beginning of the parade, Ord was able to see much of it after she had completed the route.
The singer said the people she met in Prescott are "really friendly." Spectators along the route were waving and saying "Merry Christmas" even if they do not know who you are, she added.
The festivities began at 4 pm with a spaghetti dinner served at the Legion Hall. Hot dogs, drinks and karaoke were on the menu at the Legion after the parade. Both events were well-attended.
Greg Adams said planning has already begun on next year's event. The program will be fine tuned a bit, according to Adams. A 5:30 start time for the stage show is being considered; this year's show started at about 5 pm.
Light Up the Night has become something Prescott can be proud of, according to Adams.
JOHNSTOWN A local campaign to send Christmas cards to military personnel stationed overseas is nearing a successful completion.
Thousands of cards have already been received and many more are on the way, according to campaign organizer Chantel Christensen.
Most of the cards are coming from outside Leeds and Grenville. Christensen is not surprised by the local response; people may have been affected by reports the card campaign had to be discontinued because of concerns involving anthrax and the mail, Christensen believes. Military officials have since indicated Christmas cards could be delivered; Christensen is opening the envelopes as a precaution prior to the cards being sent overseas.
The Maritime provinces have been far and away the most responsive to the "Let Them Know We Care" campaign. One church in Prince Edward Island sent 731 cards. She is expecting a shipment of 1,000 cards from the Knights of Columbus in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Christensen said she never expected her local campaign would generate such interest in other parts of Canada.
"I don't think it's really dawned on me just yet," she said Monday.
Christensen expects the cards will be transported to Ottawa sometime next week, although a date has not been selected. There are plans to send the cards in "little red Santa Claus bags," she noted.
The task of deciding where the cards will be sent has begun, according to Christensen. One thousand cards will go to troops stationed in the Afghanistan region; cards will also be sent to Canadian ships in the Middle East and personnel in Bosnia, Germany, Belgium and England.
Christensen has found many of the cards to be touching. Cards are being sent by children as well as adults who have loved ones who serve or served in the armed forces.
There are still collection boxes at several locations in South Grenville and Brockville. For more information, call 925-2074.
PRESCOTT Santa's Workshop will once again have a home in downtown Prescott this holiday season.
The workshop, located beside Prime Time Video on King Street West will be open Fridays from 4 to 7 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm, and Sundays from noon to 3 pm. Santa's Workshop will close for the season Dec. 23.
Kids and pets can get photos taken with Santa next month. Photographer Christine Endicott will be at the workshop Saturday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 15. A Christmas folder is included in the cost of the prints. Photos can be picked at the Gift Lane a week after they are shot.
Santa's Workshop is provided by the Prescott BIA. For more information, contact the Gift Shop.
PRESCOTT St. Paul's United Church will present a Christmas bazaar and luncheon today (Wednesday) at the church hall located at the corner of George and Dibble streets.
The bazaar and bake sale will run from 10 am to 1:30 pm; lunch will be served from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Crafts, gifts, knitting, decorations and other items will be available.
PRESCOTT The Brockville Community Choir will be in concert this Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 8 pm at St. John's Anglican Church, corner of Centre and James streets.
The program will include compositions by Handel, Rutter, Britten and Vaughan Williams. The choir is under the direction of Jeff Reusing and accompanied by Ann MacDonald.
Donations accepted at the door will go to the church fund.
PRESCOTT Registration for Spirit of Giving gift baskets will continue this week at the tennis club building behind Walker House at Centennial Park.
Kinsmen Club of Prescott members who organize the Spirit of Giving campaign will be on hand Wednesday through Friday and again Monday, Dec. 3 to register applicants for the distribution process.
The program is open to residents of South Grenville. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of address and should be prepared to discuss their financial situation. They will also be asked to sign a waiver form to cross-reference their name with other gift basket providers.
The registration period will not be extended.
The gift baskets will be distributed Dec. 23 at South Grenville District High School. The club's 2000 campaign helped provide food and toys to more than 250 families.
PRESCOTT - In an era in which Christmas increasingly seems to be merely a retail-driven holiday, two Prescott teens are demonstrating the true spirit of the season.
Mackenzie Eaton and Kaitlynn Dodge, both 15-year-old students at St. Mary High School in Brockville, are organizing a community Christmas dinner for Dec. 23 at St. Mark's Parish Centre in Prescott.
The dinner, called "Soup for the Soul - A Christmas Cuisine," is free for anyone who wishes to attend, from the underprivileged that might not be able to afford a nice Christmas meal to those by themselves for the holidays that might appreciate companionship during the season.
"It's about bringing people together for the holidays," Eaton says. "It's not just for the underprivileged."
The girls say they thought of the idea near the end of September when they were planning to bring candy to the hospital for Halloween.
"We wanted to do one charitable thing every holiday," says Dodge, adding when the two realized Prescott did not have a soup kitchen or food bank, the idea of a Christmas dinner seemed perfect for the community.
"If someone gives me attitude when I'm at work, it dampers my day," she continues. "I thought if we did the opposite and just did a small thing for people, it might make their day."
Organizing such a large event would seem like a daunting task for two high school students with part-time jobs, but the girls have enjoyed the experience.
"It sounds like a lot of work but we haven't been overloaded," Eaton says. "One of the most rewarding things is all the people wanting to help."
Help is one thing the girls have not been short of in this project. Several community groups will help with the event, from St. Mary and South Grenville District High School students assisting with setup and cleanup of the dinner, to St. Mark Catholic School grade 2 and 3 students making posters to advertise the event, to members of the Catholic Women's League preparing the meal.
Local farms and businesses have donated food for the dinner. "We've had help from all ages, from separate and public schools," says Eaton.
The girls hope the students that help will be credited with hours towards the community service requirement at high schools.
"Our school has been very supportive," Dodge says.
With less than a month left before the dinner, the girls, friends since their early childhood, are comfortable that everything will be fine - with one exception.
"The toughest thing is numbers. We have to know how many people will be there," says Eaton. "Our main goal is to determine how many people will attend. Our biggest worry is not having enough food for everyone."
Eaton and Dodge are considering a sign-up sheet to get an idea of how many people might attend.
"If people were to show up and they weren't on the list, we wouldn't turn them away," Eaton says.
If anyone is interested in attending or would like more information, they are encouraged to call 925-4665 or 925-1383.
SPENCERVILLE Take a stroll this Sunday afternoon and support a public library in the process.
The Friends of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Library (Spencerville Branch) is hosting its annual Cookie Walk Dec. 2 at Spencerville United Church. More than 30 varieties of freshly-baked homemade cookies will be available from 12:30 to 4 pm. Customers can choose the cookies they want, fill the containers provided and pay based on the weight of the cookies.
There will also be Christmas crafts for sale and hands-on demonstrations will add that festive touch to holiday baking.
A Teddy Bear Centre will be set up in the upstairs hall. There will be cookie bear decorating, face painting, stories, games and crafts. The centre is being hosted by the Spencerville Octagons; tickets will be available at the door.
The Spencerville Pathfinders will be serving complimentary tea and cookies in the small dining hall. Short musical interludes will be provided throughout the afternoon. Door prizes will be drawn each hour.
The Cookie Walk caps a year that has included a garden tour and plant sale in June and monthly fundraising activities
Cookie Walk tickets are available at Baker's Gas Bar and the library in Spencerville or from members of the Friends group.
PRESCOTT The roof will be raised once again this Sunday at St. Paul's United Church.
A folk night begins at 7 pm. Featured will be the St. Paul's Folk Choir and the third annual Christmas carol sing-along. A good-will offering will be accepted; proceeds go to the church's roof fund.
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE The executive director of the United Way of Leeds and Grenville expects the 2001 fundraising campaign will be extended in order to deal with a projected shortfall.
Judi Baril said Monday the current campaign may continue until the end of December. The United Way board met last night and was expected to discuss the possibility of extending the fundraising drive.
More than $484,000, or almost 75 per cent of this year's target of $650,000, had been collected or pledged as of last Friday. The campaign is scheduled to end Dec. 7.
Baril said projections indicate a campaign shortfall of between two and ten per cent. The agreement involving the United Way and its 26 member agencies means all parties would share in any deficit or surplus.
"We'll all take a loss right across the board," she stated.
Although a slumping economy has not helped the campaign, Baril noted the magnitude of the slowdown in high-tech is beyond what United Way officials had anticipated. People who are unsure of their job status are often reluctant to donate, she added.
"When that happens, they don't give," Baril said. "It's human nature."
The local campaign has also been affected by the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, according to Baril. Some donations from individuals and employee groups were earmarked for the relief effort in New York City; the United Way is honouring their wishes, she said.
An 8,000-piece mailout was distributed Sept. 10. Baril said under the circumstances many of those letters did not get looked at. Although the campaign has tried to make up for lost ground by sending reminder notices to people who were part of the mailout, the United Way is also touching base with companies that have already committed funds to the campaign.
Baril said this is the first time the local campaign has gone back to donors "...and asked them to reconsider their cheques."
On a positive note, Baril said the campaign has received a boost from the many special events and raffles held this fall. The United Way is still waiting to hear from some companies. It is hoped a benefit breakfast set for this Saturday in Gananoque will draw corporate donations from that part of the region.
Baril expects to have a better handle on the potential shortfall early next month. Although she hopes the member agencies which serve an estimated 23,000 residents of the united counties would not have to cut services if the campaign were to fall short of its goal, Baril said it would be unrealistic to think cuts could be avoided.
The United Way office is located at 42 George St. in Brockville. The number to call is 342-8889.
MAYNARD Augusta Township Chief Building Official and Bylaw Enforcement Officer Greg Trizisky has tendered his resignation, effective Jan. 4.
Chief Administrative Officer Nigel White confirmed Tuesday morning Trizisky has accepted a position with North Dundas Township as the chief building official. Trizisky also has responsibilities for planning and Augusta landfill sites.
Trizisky has been employed by Augusta Township since July 1999, White said. The resignation is to be officially announced at the Dec. 10 regular meeting of council, he said.
ROEBUCK The Roebuck Women's Institute has reached a milestone.
The institute celebrated its 75th anniversary Sunday afternoon at the Roebuck Community Centre. About 50 people attended the tea and social gathering.
The Roebuck Women's Institute was organized by Mrs. Warren of North Augusta and founded Nov. 17, 1926. Meetings were held the third Tuesday of each month at the Orange Hall in Roebuck, according to minutes books from 1927.
Long-time institute member Velma Somerville noted most of the meetings in the early years were held at homes of members. The group raised money for crippled children and orphanages and devoted much of its attention to helping needy families, she added.
In addition to offering sewing courses, the institute knitted items for use in the community and even by soldiers serving overseas during World War II.
The women's institute joined forces with the local recreation association to raise money to build the community hall in the 1970s. The institute meets there on the second Tuesday of each month.
In addition to hosting information meetings, the institute is involved in projects including paliative care, women's shelters and the United Way. The group's latest initiative is a healthy lifestyles program.
Somerville said the anniversary is a time to look back, "celebrate who we are" and look ahead at the changing times.
President Lyn McCaw said she had not heard of the women's institute when she moved to Roebuck. McCaw added she was surprised and impressed by what she saw at the first institute dinner she attended.
She said it is an honour and a privilege "...to know the women of this community and work with them" as part of the institute.
Former Prescott mayor Sandra Lawn was the guest speaker at the anniversary tea.
AUGUSTA Police are investigating an incident that occurred Monday night on County Road 21 in the Township of Augusta.
Grenville County OPP report an eastbound vehicle was forced off the roadway by two westbound vehicles racing side by side on the highway. The eastbound vehicle rounded a sharp corner and was forced to enter the north ditch to avoid colliding with the oncoming vehicles, according to police.
However, there was contact between the eastbound vehicle and one of the oncoming vehicles.
No one was injured in the incident.
Both westbound vehicles fled the scene. One of them is described as being reddish in colour and having noticeable damage to the driver's front corner and driver's side.
Anyone who has dealings with a vehicle fitting the description or has information on the accident is asked to contact the investigating officer, Constable Elaine Barr, at the detachment in Prescott (925-4221).
The arrival of the holiday season has also heralded the beginning of another series of "Festive" Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checks.
The Grenville County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police and the Prescott Police Service will be conducting numerous RIDE checks throughout the next several weeks. The OPP will conduct RIDE checks on a daily basis until the first week in January.
according to MacDonald.
Police received encouraging feedback at the first RIDE check of the festive season, MacDonald said. "We usually get fairly positive comments from people," she added.
The provincial government provides grants to communities to offset the cost of Festive RIDE checks.
Mackenzie Eaton, who along with Kaitlynn Dodge
is organizing a community Christmas dinner
It is with some relief to learn Augusta council has opted not to go in-camera Monday to discuss how to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy reeve Morris Stark and the appointment of Councillor Doug Barton to the position of deputy reeve.
The Municipal Act states a council has the authority to go into closed session to discuss matters involving specific items involving such things as personnel, personal matters about an identifiable individual, litigation, land acquisitions. In the case of Augusta, the subject of filling the vacancy comes down to four options for council: calling a by-election, accepting nominations for the position and selecting one of the nominees, selecting someone without going through a nomination process, or offering the position to an unsuccessful candidate in the 2000 municipal election. These options relate to principles and not individuals; we know who ran for council last fall, but it is the merit of each option that is to be considered. Even if council were to mention the unsuccessful candidates by name, none of them is an employee of the township. Council members are not considered by the Municipal Act to be "personnel" or "staff." Other than acknowledging council has a right to go into closed session during an open meeting and indicate in general terms the reason for doing so, we have not heard any convincing argument which would support the decision to discuss the council vacancy behind closed doors.
Many of us, including the people who write opinion pieces on this page of the newspaper, understand there are times in which council should and must discuss certain matters in private. The problem is the Municipal Act indicates in general terms what is appropriate for in-camera discussions but does not provide a mechanism by which councils can be punished for holding illegal meetings. It is not up to the police to enforce the act; about the only way to deal with it is to convince a judge of council's mistake. Other than that, the act has no teeth. The provincial legislature is being asked to consider an amended act, something that has been needed for many years. However, the proposal does not include a mechanism to penalize those who contravene the statute.
No one disputes township council has been under a great deal of pressure in recent months, and concerns about how this is affecting the municipality have been raised on this page in the past. However, council must uphold provincial regulations even when confronted by an angry mob. However, the Municipal Act does not list trying to avoid a controversy as a criterion for closing a meeting to the public. Council should be given credit for deciding to allow the public to have a say in the process of filling the vacancy although the manner in which events unfolded Monday night would suggest council members got together privately prior to the meeting and mapped out some strategy as the packed house awaited their arrival. Nevertheless, it is now up to township residents to come forward and make their views known in a reasonable and respectful manner. If the public does not make the most of this opportunity, Augusta council and others like it will be more likely to consider closed-door meetings as a more efficient way of doing business.
Tim Ruhnke
I consider myself a proud Canadian. I may not be as outwardly patriotic as some, but I am very grateful to reside in what I believe to be the best country to live in on the map.
I enjoy the extreme seasons we experience here in Canada, from the cold, snowy winters to the hot and dry (this year anyway) summers. I appreciate the diversity of this country, from both a cultural and geographical standpoint.
Hockey Night in Canada on the CBC has been an addiction for me since I can remember, I pull for most of the Canadian sports teams, and our national anthem has sent a tingling down my spine on more than one occasion.
But Sunday's Grey Cup game, supposedly a Canadian tradition, did absolutely nothing for me and likely never will.
As players battled for CFL supremacy on a field so filled with advertising that it looked more like the boards at the Corel Centre, I found myself reaching for the remote constantly, in search of a National Football League game, any NFL game. Even Arizona and San Diego proved more entertaining.
It's hard for me to take a league seriously that, until a few years ago, had two teams named "Roughriders" in an eight-team loop. Well, in fairness, I suppose one was "Roughriders" and the other was "Rough Riders," but the point remains that such lack of originality translated, to me at least, as lack of legitimacy as a professional sports league.
There are so many things with the CFL that just don't make sense to this ardent NFL disciple. The concept of awarding teams with a single point for missing a field goal is absolutely ridiculous. Lining up for a long bomb at the three yard line of your opponent isn't out of the question with the monstrosity otherwise known as the end zone. The field at Montreal's Olympic Stadium on Sunday littered with advertising almost made yard lines unnecessary. I could just imagine the players in the huddle saying, "OK, guys, we gotta get to the X in the Molson Export ad to get a first down." The "no-yards" penalty on kicks and the two 50-yard-line markers on the 110-yard field supposedly make the Canadian game unique, but I think they make it look foolish.
This isn't to say that I haven't been entertained by the CFL before. Sure, on a Saturday afternoon when the only real alternative was "Full House," I have turned the television to a Toronto-Hamilton clash, or watched the done-to-death "Battle of Alberta" between Edmonton and Calgary on Labour Day. And the players are obviously quite talented, as the NFL successes of players such as Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia would attest.
But if there's even ANY other sports on, hand me the remote. The Grey Cup, a Canadian icon? I'm sorry, but I just don't get it.
By the way, anyone know who won the game?
John A.H. Morris
After five weeks of rest and radiation we are easing our way back into a reduced routine of pseudo-retirement that will see us gradually back away from the nitty gritty of running yer local rag and defending left wing ideologies at the main street Lower Assembly (aka Coffee Club).
We found it amazing that after being away from the club for five weeks that issues being debated in early October were the same as those under discussion in late November. Seems like the more things changed, the more they remained the same.
Question period on Monday morning centered around the town hall issue. Although several alternatives had been probed by council over the past five or six weeks, debate seems to always return to the present municipal building. In a recorded vote by the shadow cabinet Monday morning the result was 7 to 4 in favour of a "pay as you go" renovation plan, possibly over a five to seven year period. Two members from cabinet abstained from voting. Mayor Healy of McAuley Gardens said he didn't want to jeopardize chances of having Churchill Rd. reconstructed as an east-west thruway, and tourism minister Mike Boyles abstained because of residential requirements.
General consensus of those caucus members in favour of renovations was that a long-term plan to modernize the interior of the former high school building was the most logical and fiscally prudent route to take at this time of severe fiscal restraint.
*****
Most persons we have talked to in recent weeks regarding the $232M Fantasia tourist theme park in Brockville have been extremely enthusiastic about the project which could have tremendous economic spin-offs for Prescott and neighbouring municipalities.
We think that in this area both Prescott and Augusta councils should be making plans to capitalize on Fantasia which will add over 2000 permanent jobs to the area workforce as well as hundreds of associated employment opportunities.
Augusta's main benefit will come from the jobs the project will create, but to capitalize on this, new housing developments will be needed, and there is no doubt this will mean subdivisions served by municipal water and sewer. This will mean development of lands to the immediate north and west of Prescott and hook-ups to Prescott's water and sewer systems, as well as the decision to purchase electricity from either Hydro One or Rideau St. Lawrence utility.
This isn't something Augusta can wait three or four years to start thinking about, but a plan that should be implemented at the start of next year. Council has itself mired in the minuscule aspects of municipal decision-making at present and will have to change its focus to the more macro aspects of local government if it is going to serve its present and future residents properly.
Prescott has such a tiny bit of residential land left to develop that it can skip this aspect of growth. It does have valuable industrial land, however, some of it already serviced and the rest of it very serviceable, which will be of far more value should the Brockville project succeed, than it is at present.
Where Prescott can benefit most, directly and almost immediately, will be from its valuable waterfront docks and the attraction of more tour ships.
Granted these ships will be using Prescott's docking facilities as a staging centre for tours to Brockville, Ottawa and Upper Canada Village, but it also means Prescott gets first crack at these tourists, and especially the hundreds of crew members who will patronize local businesses.
To be ready for this, however, we will have to improve our docking facilities and make both docks available to tour ships. As well, Parks Canada should be asked to rejuvenate the former CPR docks on its land in front of Fort Wellington. About half a century ago these docks were hosts to thousands of tourists every summer as giant passenger ships from the Great Lakes brought passengers to Prescott to transfer to the smaller Rapids Prince and Rapids Queen for the whitewater trip through the rapids between Prescott and Montreal.
As is the case with the proposed Augusta housing developments, Prescott cannot wait until it has happened in order to start planning, but must start planning in order to make it happen.
Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of columns written by Prescott native Ryan Murdock, who now resides in Tokyo. Murdock, who graduated South Grenville District High School in 1991, is the son of Sandy Murdock and Sharon Ford. His travels include a three-month solo journey through all seven Central American countries. He will be writing about his experiences in Japan, China and North Korea.
I live in Tokyo and work at a small English conversation school in the Western suburb of Tachikawa. For the foreseeable future, via this column, I will be your guide to far-off places and exotic cultures. It should be an interesting journey. You won't need boots or a backpack, and you needn't worry about getting dirty or contracting some dreaded tropical disease. It will all be perfectly safe, although long-held beliefs and common prejudices may be lost along the way. I hope so.
Let's begin here in Tokyo.
My students and others often ask me why I came to Japan. I think many are expecting some lofty, uplifting answer about wanting to spread English throughout the world. Sometimes they're disappointed that I came here because of a girl.
I had other reasons for coming to Japan but romance was the main motive. At university I'd met a pretty Japanese student in an anthropology discussion group. After several Guinness-fuelled arguments in the pub I discovered that she had brains as well as beauty. We soon became inseparable.
After graduation her student visa expired and she had to return to Japan. I found a teaching job and followed her over. Here I am, one year later. Romantic? Perhaps, but that's outside the scope of our story.
I have other experience besides a foreign girlfriend that qualifies me as your cultural interpreter. While pursuing degrees in anthropology and political science I also studied Japanese language and history. Add to this a love of travel and an insatiable curiosity. I think you'll find my observations interesting.
Why should you bother to read any of this? After all, your time is valuable, as is mine. I can think of two reasons. First, you need only open a newspaper to realize the importance of cultural understanding. It's easy to get caught up in the conflicts of nation-states, to view the world as us, our government and our allies, versus them. But the people of the world are not their governments and policies, no more than we are ours. Though the immediate threat may require bombs and guns, over the long term we need to build bridges of friendship and try to understand the people of other cultures if we're to have any kind of lasting peace.
As E.M. Forster, the great British novelist, said, "Only connect." Second, I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of travel. Travel exposes us to new experiences and sights, new ways of knowing and of seeing the world.
Time seems to broaden and thicken on the road. Lifetimes of experience and growth can take place in the course of a single journey, while the world you left behind plods along in stasis.
True travel is a metamorphosis, loneliness and hardship the catalysts that spark the transformation. I would wish that for you. Perhaps I can motivate a few brave souls to take up the challenge.
I think that fills in the background and sets the stage for the road ahead. I promise to report what I've seen, positive and negative.
I won't hide the blemishes. For your part I ask that you read with an open mind, but don't assume that what I've written is the absolute truth of a place. There are many truths.
Next week I'll tell you about the life of an English teacher in Tokyo. After that we'll make an abrupt and rather lengthy aside to discuss my recent travels in China and North Korea. Later we'll refocus on Japan.
The Editor;
Re: Doug Barton says the residents have a hate on for Augusta council members (The Journal, Nov. 14).
Well, I don't like to use the word hate as that is a pretty strong word. In my opinion, mistrust says it all. How the reeve and councillors can sit back and think these people are doing such a fine job is beyond me.
There should be a law since we the people pay the wages of management staff, reeve and council members, we should have the right to walk in and say "you are dismissed" as they sure as heck are not doing their jobs properly, in my opinion. I question the ability of these people.
Mr. Johnston was dismissed from his duties after eight years of service in this township. Mr. Stephenson gave 10 years of service to our community. This is so unfair to these employees.
I would be one of the first to dismiss this council and management staff of their duties.
Gail Stephenson
RR4 Prescott
CARDINAL Two special musical evenings with a holiday theme are planned for Cardinal.
The Cardinal Singing Red Birds will lead a community Christmas sing-a-long Sunday, Dec. 2 from 7 to 8 pm at St. John's United Church.
The Cardinal Community Ecumenical Choir will perform Sunday, Dec. 9 at St. Andrew's and St. James Presbyterian Church. There is no admission; free-will offerings will be accepted. Refreshments will be served following the concert.
Featured guests at this annual Christmas cantata will be flutist Beth Garswood and violinist Justine Stitt, a Grade 9 student at South Grenville District High School. The instrumentalists will perform one selection together, and will join the choir and pianist in one choral number.
CARDINAL 'Tis the season to make Cardinal sparkle and shine. The Garden of Lights home decorating and lighting contest will be offered again this year.
The friendly competition designed to brighten Cardinal during the festive season is presented by the Communities in Bloom Committee and is being organized by Marj Kempffer.
No entry is required, and judging will take place Monday, Dec. 17. Homes will be judged on day and night-time appearance. Prizes will be offered in the holiday decorating contest.
CARDINAL A "Breakfast in Bethlehem" will be served at St. John's United Church Hall, Cardinal, Saturday, Dec. 15 from 9:30 to 10:30 am.
Participants will enter a time tunnel with characters offering their story on why they are in Bethlehem. The family event is designed for children up to the age of 15 and is sponsored by the Cardinal/Johnstown Pastoral charge. It is recommended children under the age of six are accompanied by an adult. Small period gifts will be given to the children.
Tickets for the tour-through-Bethlehem pancake breakfast should be reserved early. "Remember, there are a limited number of rooms at the inn," says organizer Rev. Arlyce Schiebout. Tickets will be available at the Dundas Street church office Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 am, on Wednesday mornings at the Johnstown United Church, or call 657-4702.
CARDINAL All Cardinal seniors are invited to attend the annual Christmas party at Riverside Lodge Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105 Sunday, Dec. 16 at 12:30 pm.
Attendance must be confirmed by Dec. 12; rides are available. Delivery is available for shut-ins. Contact Kim Crawford at 657-1333 or 345-0085, or Cherly Shaver at 657-3338.
SOUTH GRENVILLE Gift certificates for VON home support services are now available.
The VON is offering the certificates for birthdays, anniversaries or any occasion. They can be purchased for VON services, such as Diners Club, foot care clinics, the frozen meals on wheels program or for transportation.
For more information or to purchase a gift certificate, contact the VON at 342-3693.
At the Nov. 19 meeting of council, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved. There were three committee reports presented. The Planning Committee report will be covered later when reviewing the bylaws adopted by council.
The Public Liaison Committee recommended council investigate the cost of using imprinted clear garbage bags rather than garbage labels. The secretary was instructed to prepare a report on the revenue from tipping fees for the landfill site at Pittston and the cost of waste disposal for the Scott Road landfill. The Environmental Services Committee was joined at its meeting by Mr. and Mrs. Lodge who inquired as to whether their business would be able to use the lagoon for dumping waste or if the Waste Water Treatment Plant in Cardinal might be able to handle the waste produced. The committee instructed Mr. Grant to look into feasibility and costs and report back.
The fire department adopted a health and safety policy that was approved by council. Administrative business was taken care of in that a resident of Cardinal had been charged taxes at a business rate when no business was operating and adjustments were made. The municipality agreed to continue to provide winter maintenance services to County Road 2 south of the highway along Bridge Street and portions of Dundas, Lewis and John streets.
Council approved Amendment No. 2 to the Official Plan as drafted on July 24, 2001. The majority of changes suggested at the meeting in June, 2001 were incorporated into this document. In addition, Bylaw 97-30 was amended to revise definitions of terms "alter" and "building" when used in reference to a farm building or manure storage facility. New definitions were added: "Livestock," "Livestock Facility," "Livestock Unit," "Nutrient Management Plan," and "Tillable Acre."
Special setbacks were amended to allow storage of manure, fertilizer and fuel within a minimum of 60 metres (originally, 30 metres) from a water body. A Nutrient Management Plan is now required prior to the issuance of a building permit for "a new livestock facility or manure storage facility housing 150 livestock units or which exceeds 50 livestock units with a density of greater than five livestock units per tillable hectacre (two units per acre), or the expansion of an existing livestock facility or manure storage facility to accommodate 10 or more livestock units."
Council also approved Bylaw 2001-67 which is a bylaw to require the preparation of a Nutrient Management Plan for Livestock Operations. This is triggered by an application for a building permit.
Mayor Dave Dobbie reported the contract for the water project in New Wexford was awarded to Frank Ault.
Upcoming meetings which can be attended by anyone include: Dec. 3, council meeting; Dec. 4, recreation committee; Dec. 5, public works; Dec. 20, environmental committee. Call the township office to determine time and place for any meeting you wish to attend.
On the social side: The Cardinal Community Choir is preparing for its Christmas concert to be held Dec. 9. The Edwardsburgh Co-operative Playgroup is holding a rummage sale Dec. 1 at the Masonic Hall in Spencerville. If you want to donate to the sale, feel free to drop your items off that morning around 8 am. Partners for Children have community members hosting a choir from Honduras. The children in the choir will be performing Dec. 1 at the Playhouse in Morrisburg.
Peggy Taylor is a councillor for Ward One and may be reached at 657-1728 or e-mail: peggytaylor@ripnet.com.
SOUTH DUNDAS Experience an old fashioned Christmas in the country at the upcoming fourth annual Country Christmas Tour in South Dundas.People are invited to visit eight country businesses Friday, Nov. 30, Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 from 10 am to 5 pm. Many locations will feature guest artists and offer free draws for prizes. There is no admission, although donations will be accepted to Dundas County Hospice at all locations.
Stops along the tour include Elizabeth's Llama Ranch, Winchester Springs; Elma Fudd Antiques, Elma; Trillium Goat Farm, Elma; South Dundas Artist Guild, Williamsburg; The Village Antiques and Tea Room, Williamsburg; Smyth's Apple Orchard, Iroquois; Leslie's Game Birds, Iroquois and Flagg Creek Country Store, Iroquois.
For more information, contact Victor Dupuis at 535-2463 or Corry Martens at 652-2097.
Daniel Joseph Lawless of Crystal Rock died suddenly Monday, Oct. 22, 2001. He was 37.
He was born in Crystal Rock Sept. 30, 1964, the youngest of nine children. The following year he moved to Spencerville with his family where he spent his growing years and made many lifelong friends.
Mr. Lawless received his early education at Spencerville Kindergarten, St. Mary's Separate School, Edwardsburgh, and at South Grenville District High School, Prescott. He earned his diploma in chemical technology at Loyalist College, Belleville. After graduation he worked with a number of companies until he became permanently employed in 1988 at DuPont, Maitland Works peroxide plant (now Kemira Maitland). He enjoyed the position and remained employed there until his death.
In 1990, he purchased the farm next to his parents' farm, and tirelessly set about improving the house and barns and raising beef cattle in partnership with his father. Mr. Lawless was also an avid outdoorsman from an early age, spending much time with his hunting companions and raising hunting dogs.
His greatest pleasure and the times he treasured most were the wonderful happy hours he spent with his children Aileen, Liam and Dana, and at large family gatherings at his parents' home.
Mr. Lawless is survived by his children Aileen and Liam of Brockville and Dana of Orleans; his parents Ken and Doris Lawless of Crystal Rock; brothers Brian (Karen) of Elizabethtown, Patrick (Debbie), Kevin (Lynn) and Sean (Heather) all of Crystal Rock; sisters Mary (Rett) Hubbard of Crystal Rock, Cathy (Cal) Polite of Spencerville, Bridgid (Ed) Hunt of Tweed and Nora (Peter) Ruzzo of Whitby; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Grant Brown Funeral Home in Spencerville Oct. 24. The funeral mass was celebrated by Father Rob Arsenault Thursday, Oct. 25, 2001 at St. Laurence O'Toole Church, Spencerville. Interment was in the church yard.
Lifelong friends Mark Dukelow, Jeff Bass and Dale Swerdfeger, and his three brothers Patrick, Kevin and Sean were his pallbearers. His brother Brian played a lament on the bagpipes.
Donations to several charities, and most notably to the St. Laurence O'Toole Church Fund and Hospice of Providence, Brockville, were gratefully acknowledged by the family.
Mr. Lawless' good nature and easy smile will be long missed by his family and his many friends.
CARDINAL Grenville County OPP officers were called Nov. 25 at about 2:20 am to a Walter Street residence in regards to a reported break, enter and assault.
Ivan Wright, 39, of Cardinal, was arrested at the scene and charged with one count of breach of probation, one count of breach of a recognizance, one count of assault and one count of break and enter. He was held in custody pending a scheduled bail hearing Monday, Nov. 26.
A 20-year-old male victim received minor injuries.
CARDINAL Tools and equipment were taken from a vehicle parked at a Dundas Street residence sometime before Thursday, Nov. 22 at about 10 am, an OPP press release states.
Officers were called to investigate the report of the theft of a green Poulan 4000 chainsaw, an orange and white Stihl 028 chainsaw and bush equipment including files, spare chains and specialized clothing.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact investigating officer Constable Jim Blanchette at Grenville County OPP at 925-4221.
CARDINAL Such is life in the Rideau Division of the Rideau-St. Lawrence Junior "B" Hockey League.
The South Grenville Junior "B" Rangers managed to win one of their three games on the weekend, but it was still good enough to get the team out of the division basement.
After 21 games, the Rangers have 13 points, tied with the Athens Aeros, who lost both their weekend contests.
South Grenville has one more win than Athens, putting the Rangers in fourth, one point behind Gananoque.
South Grenville faced the tough Alexandria Glens Friday night and dropped a 7-2 decision.
As is often the case, the game was much closer than the score would suggest, as the Rangers only trailed by one goal with seven minutes remaining in regulation.
However, four unanswered Alexandria goals put the game out of reach.
Dustin Swan scored in the second period after the Glens had opened up a 3-0 lead and Jason Denio scored five minutes into the third to narrow the gap to 3-2.
Andrew Hare, Derek June and Tyler McLeod drew assists in the loss.
The Rangers returned home Saturday and lost 6-4 to the Morrisburg Lions.
South Grenville fell behind 3-0 in the first period and was unable to recover, although the Rangers did cut the deficit to one with ten minutes left in the third on an unassisted power play marker by June.
An empty netter by Matt Bailry with eight seconds left sealed South Grenville's fate.
Peter Veltkamp, Denio and McLeod scored the other Ranger goals. Eric Fowler, Pat Foley and McLeod registered assists in the loss.
South Grenville salvaged one game out of the weekend with a 4-2 triumph over Akwesasne, the bottom-feeders of the St. Lawrence Division.
Goals by Tyler Shanks and June gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead but Akwesasne tied the game with under seven minutes left in the second.
Foley scored the eventual game winner at 5:33 of the third period and Ryan Lawless salted the game away late in the third. Ted Livingstone, John Chant, Denio, Veltkamp and Shanks recorded assists while Barry Graham recorded the win in goal.
The Rangers face the Winchester Hawks for a 7:15 pm faceoff Saturday at the Cardinal and District Community Centre.
With the donation of canned or dried goods to the "Spirit of Giving" campaign, adults, seniors and students will receive $1 off admission while children will be admitted free.
South Grenville travels to Char-Lan Sunday afternoon at 2:45 to play the league-leading Rebels. The Rangers held Char-Lan to three goals in a loss Nov. 16 and will need a similar defensive effort Sunday.
SOUTH GRENVILLE It may not seem like it with the comfortable temperatures South Grenville residents have enjoyed recently, but the snowmobile season is rapidly approaching.
Snowmobilers will have a couple of changes to adjust to this upcoming season. New legislation, known as Bill 101, was passed at the end of last year and requires riders to have a valid trail permit to sled on any Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) trails.
Also, the price of those permits has risen due to a dramatic increase in insurance premiums for the OFSC.
The federation will pay $2.2 million for insurance this year, nearly seven times higher than last year's rate of $365,000.
The cost of an OFSC trail permit this season is $130 until Dec. 1, and $160 after that, a $10 increase over last year.
Grenville Snowmobile Club President Bernie Davy says trail activity will be monitored much more closely this season, both by the Ontario Provincial Police and by trail wardens like himself.
"We've got to wake people up," says Davy. "I'm sorry to say but a lot of the increase has to do with drinking and driving. Vehicular people have smartened up with drinking and driving, but that hasn't transferred to snowmobilers for some reason."
Officials will also enforce the speed limit, generally 50 kilometres per hour on area trails, reckless driving and the requirement of permits.
The GSC, one of five clubs in the Leeds-Grenville Snowmobile Association, grooms and oversees roughly 200 kilometres of trails in the South Grenville area.
"Once you're on those trails, you can go all the way to Quebec," Davy says. "They're all linked. There are more trails in Ontario than there are provincial highways."
Davy says the club sold 230 trail permits last year and had a few social members as well. The GSC owns a clubhouse on Charleville Road, north of Maynard, where it holds social functions throughout the year.
The club also puts on "Snowarama" in early February to raise money for Easter Seals.
PRESCOTT Outscoring the opposition 13-2 in the process, the South Grenville peewee "B" Rangers walked away with the "A" championship trophy at their tournament Saturday in Prescott.
The Rangers knocked off Almonte in the "A" final 4-2, with goals from Nathaniel Hayes, Matt Deeks, Kyle McDougald and Sam Whitley. Michael Froom, Josh Joudoin, McDougald and Hayes drew assists; Kevin Beach recorded the win in net. Whitley received player-of-the-game honours.
South Grenville reached the final with a 3-0 blanking of South Stormont. Deeks scored twice and Froom tallied the other Ranger marker. Beach picked up the shutout while Froom was named player-of-the-game for South Grenville. McDougald notched an assist.
In their first game, the Rangers set the tone for the tournament with a 6-0 pasting of Kemptville. McDougald scored twice to earn the player-of-the game award. Andrew Wilson, Josh Whelan, Braden Dukelow and Deeks were the other goal scorers. Zach Van Allen, Wesley Polite, Wilson and Hayes recorded helpers; Kurtis Merkley recorded the shutout.
In the "B" final, North Glengary Stormont bowed out to St. Isadore 2-1.
In league action Nov. 20, the Rangers dropped a 4-2 decision to the Kingston City Cougars. Dustin Curry and Whelan scored for South Grenville; Beach took the loss in goal.
The next home game for the Rangers is Dec. 11 when they host Smiths Falls.
CANTON, NY When St. Lawrence University and Brown University face off in Division One women's hockey this weekend, it will be more than just regular season action for four players in particular.
Pride will be on the line for Chera Marshall and Meredith Ostrander of Prescott, Trisha Powers of Spencerville and Mandy McCurdy of Johnstown. Marshall and Powers, who play for St. Lawrence, will face Ostrander and McCurdy of Brown University for the fifth and sixth time in the last three years Friday and Saturday in Canton, New York.
Ostrander and McCurdy hold the lifetime edge in the head-to-head Division One matchups with Marshall and Powers, having won twice and tied once in the four meetings so far.
"All four of us are really good friends," says Marshall, 21. "It's always fun, even now. They still seem like teammates more than opponents."
St. Lawrence University is located in Canton; Brown is in Providence, Rhode Island, making it hard for the four to see each other often.
"We talk over e-mail and try to get together during the summer and at Christmas," says the 22-year-old Powers.
As close as the four may be, Powers and Marshall say that isn't a factor during the game.
"We leave the talking to when we're off the ice," Marshall says.
Powers adds, "We're serious during the play, but we'll get our friendly little jabs in after the whistle."
Rideau - St. Lawrence Junior "B" Hockey League Standings
RIDEAU DIVISION GP W L T PTS
Brockville 20 15 5 0 30
Westport 22 12 9 1 26
Gananoque 21 6 13 2 14
South Grenville 21 6 15 0 13
Athens 21 5 15 1 13
* Teams losing in overtime receive one point
BROCKVILLE After going undefeated in their first three games of a tournament on the weekend, the Rideau St. Lawrence minor atom Kings were undone by a hot scorer in the semi-final.
A. J. Fiore of the Ithaca Kings recorded a hat trick to down Rideau St. Lawrence 4-3 in the semi-final game at the Roger Ladouceur International Memorial Atom Tournament in Brockville.
Josh Veltkamp, Tyson Wilson and Michael Skakum scored for Rideau St. Lawrence.
Brett Jackson, Nicholas McCaslin, Marc Roy, Scott Summers, Wilson and Skakum collected assists.
Rideau St. Lawrence went 2-0-1 in their first three games of the tournament.
Friday night the Kings let a late two-goal lead disappear in their 3-3 tie with the Cornwall Royals.
Cornwall scored twice in the last four minutes of the game to force the stalemate, including the tying goal with seven seconds remaining in regulation.
Wilson and Skakum both had a goal and two assists.
Jackson scored and added an assist; Doug Utting also drew a helper in the tie. Tom Allan and Andrew McVean shared time in goal.
In their second game Saturday, the Kings blanked the Ottawa Capital Crusaders 1-0. Allan registered the shutout for Rideau St. Lawrence.
Skakum provided the only offence in the game with Summers drawing an assist.
Skakum once again led the way in the Kings' third game, a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Golden Knights, with two goals and two assists.
Wilson added a goal and two assists with Jackson and Roy scoring the other Kings goals. Veltkamp notched an assist as well.
SPENCERVILLE The Rideau St. Lawrence minor peewee Kings got contributions from all 14 skaters as they downed the Seaway Valley Rapids 17-0 Saturday in Spencerville.
Matt Lajoie and Sam Coyne enjoyed five-point games with two goals and three assists each. Peter Roy notched a hat trick and added an assist. Tyler Drew and Joel Haystead Smyth tallied twice and drew two helpers each as well. Kyle Atkins with two, Michael Empey,
Steve Craig Pettem, Andrew Warren and Nathan Slack scored the other Kings markers. Matt Hummel and Empey drew three assists each, Craig Pettem and Warren had two helpers and Slack and Atkins drew one assist.
Clark Saunders recorded the shutout.
The Kings travelled to Kanata Wednesday to play the Kanata Blazers in the Corel Centre. Rideau St. Lawrence dropped a sloppy 4-1 game in which nerves and excitement of the players might have proven too much to overcome. Matt Wing scored the lone Kings goal.
The players were treated to a tour of the Senators dressing room and even received a surprise visit from Ottawa coach Jacques Martin. Cyril Leeder, coach of the Blazers, organized the game.
SOUTH GRENVILLE The South Grenville atom "B" Rangers had a strong showing at the Roger Ladouceur International Memorial Atom Tournament in Brockville on the weekend, winning three of their four games to reach the semi-final.
In their first game, Friday night, the Rangers slipped by the Pickering Panthers 3-2. Kristian Knapp scored twice for South Grenville with Sebastian Last recording the other Ranger goal.
Andrew Bernard, Kyle Lavery, Nick Francica, Knapp and Last added assists.
Goaltender Michael Allan backstopped the Rangers to a 2-0 win over Pembroke in the team's second game Saturday.
Zach Stitt supplied the South Grenville offence with both goals. Hank Heykoop and Last drew helpers in the victory.
In their final round-robin game, the Rangers used a hat trick from Last to down the Capital Crusaders. Stitt and Knapp also scored for South Grenville. Jared McGeough and Heykoop notched two assists each.
Finishing first in their grouping with a 3-0 record, the Rangers faced an unbeaten Enbrun squad in the semi-final.
South Grenville fought hard but dropped a 4-0 decision to the Panthers.
The team, coached by Ryan Hayes and Joe McFarlane, hosts a tournament this Sunday in Cardinal.
The Rangers skated to an exciting 4-4 draw with Char-Lan Nov. 14.
South Grenville rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead but Char-Lan tied the game with 15 seconds left and their goalie lifted for an extra skater.
Stitt scored twice with singles going to Knapp and Lavery.
SPENCERVILLE It's been a very busy couple of weeks for the Rideau St. Lawrence major atom Kings.
The hockey team competed in the annual Greater Kingston Cup, played a game at the Corel Centre and went undefeated in three league games.
At the Greater Kingston Cup tournament, the Kings couldn't hold a 4-2 lead in the semi-final against Nepean and lost 5-4.
The Kings reached the semi-final by going 2-1 in the round-robin portion of the tournament.
In its first game, the team pounded the host Greater Kingston Predators 7-2.
Cody Haché was one of seven different goal scorers for Rideau St. Lawrence; Payton Williams notched an assist.
The Kings lost their second game to the Rochester Americans, 3-1. Haché picked up an assist.
In the final round-robin game, the Kings edged the Ottawa Valley Titans 3-2. Williams recorded an assist in support of goaltender Adam Wyatt.
The team travelled to the Corel Centre Nov. 20 for an exhibition match with the Seaway Valley Rapids and lost 4-2.
Haché notched a helper while Wyatt shared time in the Kings goal.
In league action, Rideau St. Lawrence evened its season record at 7-7-3 with two wins and a tie. The Kings beat Ottawa Valley 3-1 Nov. 24 in Spencerville after edging the Kanata Blazers 2-1 at home Nov. 21. Wyatt picked up the victory in net.
Rideau St. Lawrence travelled to Nepean Nov. 14 and battled the Raiders to a 1-1 draw. Williams was credited with an assist; Wyatt once again played a solid game in goal for the Kings.
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Despite a valiant comeback attempt, the South Grenville novice "B" Rangers were unable to overcome a bad start in the semi-final of the Pembroke Regional Silverstick tournament Nov. 16 to 18.
After falling behind 4-0 to Renfrew five minutes into the second period, the Rangers mounted a furious rally and actually took a 5-4 third period lead. However, Renfrew tied the game and then scored the game winner with 1:22 to play.
Josh Pitt scored twice and Ben Hutton, Ryan VanStralen and Cory Wilson also scored in the loss. Dylan Render and Jacob Hayes picked up two assists each, with Wilson and Pitt adding helpers.
Richard Joudoin and Mason Williams shared time in goal for South Grenville.
In the team's previous game, a 2-2 tie with Pembroke, Hutton and Hayes scored with Kurtis Lavery and Wilson notching assists.
The Rangers scored with 51 seconds left in regulation to tie their first game of the tournament, 4-4 against Rockland. Ronnie Harrison, Pitt, Hayes and Hutton scored the South Grenville markers. Lee Charlebois, Clarke Seymour, Ryan Hanes, Connor Elliott and Pitt recorded helpers.
In regular season play, the Rangers have posted a 5-4 mark. The team has been invited to participate in the Rink of Dreams game in the Corel Centre Dec. 8 before the Ottawa Senators host Tampa Bay.
Other players on the team include Lucas Stitt and Zach Temple. Greg Williams, Craig Lavery, Steve Elliott and Al Joudoin are coaching the squad this year; Rob Temple is the trainer and Barry Stitt is the team manager.
CARDINAL The South Grenville Junior "B" Rangers hockey team will collect canned and dried goods at their game Friday against Winchester in support of the "Spirit of Giving" campaign.
With a donation of food to the campaign, adults, seniors and students will receive $1 off regular admission, while children will be admitted free.
The following is the remaining 2001 schedule for the team.
Dec. 1 Winchester at South Grenville, 7:15 pm
Dec. 6 South Grenville at Picton, 7:20 pm
Dec. 8 Amherstview at South Grenville, 7:15 pm
Dec. 15 N. Frontenac at South Grenville, 7:15 pm
Dec. 22 Athens at South Grenville, 7:15 pm
Dec. 26 Tournament at Rockland, 9 am
Dec. 28 South Grenville at Brockville, 8 pm
Dec. 30 South Grenville at Gananoque, 7:45 pm
All South Grenville home games are played at the Cardinal and District Community Centre.
PRESCOTT The 17th annual Senior Mens Invitational Bonspiel will take place at the Prescott Curling Club Dec. 5.
The opening draw is scheduled for 9 am. The competition will feature 12 teams, including teams from Ottawa, Kingston, Brockville, Morrisburg and Winchester.
The curling club also hosts a bantam/junior bonspiel Dec. 9. The Christmas mixed bonspiel will be held at the club from Dec. 11 - 15.
SOUTH GRENVILLE The following is a list of upcoming tournaments hosted by the South Grenville Minor Hockey Association.
Dec. 1 Peewee "C" - Prescott, 8 am - 7 pm
Dec. 2 Atom "B" - Cardinal, 8 am - 7 pm
Dec. 9 Novice "B" - Prescott, 8 am - 7 pm
Jan. 5 Peewee House - Cardinal, 8 am - 7 pm
Jan. 12 Novice House - Spencerville, 9 am - 8 pm