Grade 10 testing:
High school test results questioned by boards
By Jeff Lee - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Reading and writing skills could be improved,
say chairs of local school boards after Grade 10 test results
show more than 30 per cent of students did not make the grade
on the province-wide literacy test.
In the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB), 64 per
cent of students who took the reading and writing tests passed,
while Catholic board students fared slightly better with 69 per
cent passing the test. Both boards were about on par with the
provincial average.
However, both chairs caution that test results may be lower
because the procedure was flawed.
"This test for Grade 10 students didn't count,"
says UCDSB chair Joan Hodge said. "But from now on, next
year, the students will only get their high school certificate
if they do pass the test. Whether or not this had an effect,
I don't know. I was told and I heard ... that [students] didn't
take the test seriously."
Despite this, Hodge says, these weren't the results the board
wanted. She said the board would have liked to have had better
results.
Hodge says once the individual school results are released
by the province, the board and teachers will have a better idea
where improvements need to be made.
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario Chair Nancy
Kirkby says next year she expects the results - not only in her
board but across the province - will be higher once passing the
test becomes necessary in order for students to receive their
high school certificate.
Kirkby was also critical of the way the test was evaluated.
Although the test was part of the province's pilot project on
Grade 10 testing, Kirkby says the evaluation process wasn't decided
upon after the test was written by students.
"Usually these decisions are made before, not decided
upon after, the test has been taken," she says.
Also, Kirkby says the test was based on the new curriculum,
which these students hadn't been fully instructed on by their
teachers.
Hodge says there needs to be a greater openness between the
province and the board if improvements are to be made for next
year.
There is a degree of secrecy surrounding the test, which includes
not knowing what the province considers a passing grade on the
tests, says Hodge.
The public board chair says she doesn't know if there will
be this "secrecy" surrounding the testing in the future,
but adds that everyone involved would benefit if the process
were more open.
Students may not have taken
the test seriously.
Joan Hodge
Parks Canada land off limits
to development, town officials told
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - Town officials have been advised waterfront
property owned by Parks Canada will not be made available for
commercial or residential development.
Pam Buell, superintendent of the Fort Wellington National
Historic Site, told a planning and development committee meeting
Monday the idea of developing federal crown land in the east
end of Prescott is "a non-starter."
The committee was making general enquiries about the status
of the Parks Canada property to the south of the fort grounds.
The town already owns a small portion of the so-called open space
area to the west of the small parking lot on the south side of
County Road 2.
Councillor and committee chair Garry Dewar said the committee
did not have a specific project or prospective client in mind.
But Dewar noted Prescott does not have many development options,
and the waterfront area has a huge potential in terms of attracting
new residents and expanding the municipal tax base.
Buell pointed out the land to the south of Fort Wellington
is being kept open as part of an ongoing effort to retain site
lines and the "commemorative integrity" of the military
establishment. She told the committee she wanted to be upfront
and honest in her response to any questions about developing
the property.
"It would not be fair to let people assume it's available...
and it's not," Buell said.
"You may not agree with it, but that's the position Parks
Canada takes."
Buell cited the proposed relocation of the cenotaph to the
fort grounds, and the Millennium Pathway, as examples of projects
in keeping with the "vision" of the property. Both
projects enhance the integrity of the fort area, according to
Buell.
Proposals made in the past were rejected by Parks Canada because
they detracted from the site, she added. Dewar noted the land
owned by Parks Canada is one of the only areas left for development
in town. Moving north would be difficult given the swampy terrain,
the councillor said.
Dewar also reported officials in Augusta township did not
respond favourably during recent discussions about developing
the area to the west of Sophia Street near the rail line.
"We're in a crunch," he said. "We can't expand."
Some committee members had considered asking Eastern Engineering
to develop a concept plan for a residential development for the
waterfornt area in question. The item was dropped from the committee
agenda following Buell's appearance.
Dewar said after the meeting he was not surprised by her response.
The councillor added he does not believe there is any interest
to pursue the matter further at this time; council has more pressing
matters to address, according to Dewar. He indicated the town
would be interested in discussing development-related matters
with officials from Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, Prescott's neighbour
to the east.
In response to a suggestion Prescott residents are paying
a high price for keeping the waterfront property open, Buell
said the town is getting a return from the fort in terms of thousands
of visitors each year and jobs.
Councillor Terry McConnell voiced concerns about the condition
of the shoreline and the dock area. Buell said the area is part
of the local heritage and some people think the area is beautiful.
Township residents show support for roads
employee
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD - It was a standing-room-only crowd on hand Monday
night at Augusta council to show support for a township employee
who was asked by his supervisor to not return to work.
Former township councillor Don Biccum approached council regarding
a personnel issue pertaining to roads employee Richard Stephenson.
Stephenson, who attended the meeting, indicated he was in
agreement with Biccum acting on his behalf with council and the
media.
Biccum was repeatedly urged by Reeve George Vail and Councillor
Jane Fullarton to remain silent on the issue in the public meeting,
noting council must hear personnel matters in an in-camera session.
The move to adjourn to closed session was made "for the
protection of Mr. Stephenson," Vail said.
At least two members of the audience protested a private meeting,
and as the delegation left the council chambers, one man shouted:
"Richard, be careful."
Another supporter in the audience said: "We're trying
to get his job back."
While council met in-camera, Biccum told The Journal Stephenson
is a 13-year employee of the township who had been "advised
to go home" about two weeks ago by Roads Superintendent
Keith Couture.
The apparent dismissal was in regards to a dispute over working
conditions at the township garage, Biccum said. Stephenson had
also been requested by the superintendent to hand in his pager
and keys.
Stephenson was later asked to report back to work by a member
of council, but was again told to return home by the superintendent,
Biccum explained. The supervisor had maintained Stephenson quit
on both occasions, Biccum said.
Biccum said council was receptive and polite and agreed to
give the matter more thought during his presentation in the closed
session.
The purpose of the meeting was to ensure council had full
information on the matter and obtain some closure for Stephenson,
Biccum explained.
It is hoped the issue can be resolved "in house,"
Biccum said, without involving legal action.
Biccum, who was a township councillor from 1988 to 1997, said
Stephenson had been a skilled and honourable employee who "never
had a letter of reprimand in the history of his work. He is a
well-respected young man."
This past weekend, Biccum said he had received 45 phone calls
in support of Stephenson, whom he noted is "a good friend
through council and the community."
Both Stephenson and Couture said they preferred not to comment
on the issue. Vail was unavailable for comment by press time.
Aggressive dog
bylaw is unjust, owner says
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD Augusta Township councillors have been asked
once again to take the bite out a of bylaw that calls for high
licence fees on dogs that have been designated aggressive.
North Augusta resident Mark Baker looked for council's consideration
at Monday night's meeting to lower fees for aggressive dogs.
Just one month ago at a council meeting, Maitland resident
Stella Smith-Johnston petitioned council to have the aggressive
animal designation removed from her pet dog.
Baker admitted at the meeting his lab-mix dog had bitten a
child about a year ago, and the owner said he was sorry for what
had happened. However, he noted the child had wandered into his
home and was teasing the dog, named Sam. Since the incident,
the same child has been in the home numerous times with no problems
or provocation, he said. The child's skin was not broken in the
incident, Baker said.
The ruling designating aggressive dogs is too black and white
and there needs to be more consideration of the facts, Baker
told council.
"I would never encourage or condone any animal's behaviour
of that nature," Baker said. "I respect the safety
and well-being of my neighbours and general public and I am willing
to co-operate to ensure the future safety of our neighbourhood."
Baker questioned why the definition of an aggressive dog would
cover both provoked and unprovoked bites. "I find, based
on my own experience with animals, that any dog would bite if
teased enough," he said. "By that definition we are
all harbouring an aggressive animal and all should be subject
to the same fines and levees."
Once a dog has been branded aggressive in Augusta Township,
its owner is subject to pay a yearly licence fee of $125 rather
than the standard $10 fee.
Baker noted he will be constructing a safe runway for the
dog in which to play, and "the property will be fully fenced
in for everyone's protection."
Liability and accountability to the person harmed by a dog
should be sufficient "punishment" for a dog owner,
Baker said.
He is already incurring financial hardship because of the
fencing, he said, and the high fee would be a difficult burden
to handle. "I don't feel it's just."
Bylaw enforcement Greg Trizisky said at the meeting Baker's
dog had been quarantined by the health unit at the time of the
attack because it had been in a fight with a rabid raccoon.
Reeve George Vail said council would abide by Trizisky's decision
to label the dog aggressive.
Recreation association wants to halt its incorporation
MAYNARD Representatives of the North Augusta recreation
and education committee are concerned with having to pay liability
insurance premiums because the group is incorporated.
Jeff Grant, a member of the board of directors for the recreation
association, told Augusta council Monday night the group was
recently informed it would no longer be sheltered under the township's
umbrella in terms of liability insurance.
The association is requesting council dissolve the corporation.
Grant noted 10 per cent of the community-raised funds must be
allocated for insurance, a cost once carried by the township
when the group was not incorporated.
At one time, recreation associations in the township had been
encouraged by council to become incorporated to benefit from
provincial grants. However, Councillor Jane Fullarton indicated
council was not aware of the liability issue when incorporation
took place.
The North Augusta committee generates about $500 per month
in Nevada ticket sales, Grant noted.
Before council would agree to dissolving the corporation,
both councillors Jane Fullarton and Kathleen Thur strongly urged
Grant to obtain more information.
Dissolving the corporation could mean the association would
lose all licences to do any further fundraising, the councillors
stressed.
"I don't want to you come back and regret this,"
Thur said. "Think about it in a global way."
"I'd hate to see us undo this and then lose all possibility
of doing bingos or fundraising in the future," Fullarton
said. She noted there are "excellent opportunities"
to get funding from the government if a recreation association
is incorporated.
Clerk Nigel White was instructed by council to obtain more
information on whether the group could continue with its Nevada
sales or other fundraising ventures if the corporation was dissolved.
"Before you take the steps, just make sure," Reeve
George Vail said.
Prescott council endorses
cenotaph move to fort property
PRESCOTT Town council has officially endorsed a plan
to relocate the cenotaph to the grounds of Fort Wellington.
The Millennium Committee of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97
has been looking into the possibility of moving the World War
II cenotaph from its present location beside the library and
town hall on Dibble Street. Parks Canada has consented to having
the cenotaph placed just to the south of the parking lot at Fort
Wellington.
Prescott council was asked last month to give its consent
to the proposed move. Council voted March 6 in favour of a motion
to relocate the cenotaph.
With council's written consent in hand, Legion officials are
hoping to obtain government funding to assist with the costs
of moving the cenotaph. The goal is to complete the move in time
to conduct a rededication on the July 1 weekend. Plans for the
site include flagpoles, trees and some landscaping.
The Legion is also proposing to relocate the World War I memorial
from its Centennial Park location to the Legion property on Henry
Street. This proposal was not included in the town council motion.
"We haven't come to grips with that yet," said Mayor
Robert Lawn, who added there does not seem to be the same urgency
as in the case of the proposed cenotaph relocation.
Legion officials believe the memorial's existing location
does not provide sufficient year-round public exposure.
Town hall user
groups make their pitches to council
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT The local air cadet squadron and Prescott Youth
for Life want to be included in a renovated municipal building.
Representatives of the two groups made their pitches to Prescott
council at its March 6 meeting. Although renovations to the Dibble
Street facility are expected to begin this spring, plans have
yet to be finalized.
The squadron has been housed at town hall for 40 years. Air
cadets use most of the third floor of the building for a variety
of uses, including classes, training, administration and storage.
Prescott Youth for Life has been using a portion of the ground
floor as a drop-in centre for the past decade, although a boiler
breakdown and a lack of heat in portions of the building forced
the drop-in centre to be relocated for the winter months.
Steve Madden, sponsoring committee chair of 661 Lt. W.F. Sharpe
Squadron, said not being able to return to the third floor would
"negatively impact in a huge way" and could be the
"death knell" of the squadron.
Fifty-nine young adults were enrolled in the squadron in February.
Among the goals of the air cadets program is to develop leadership
and good citizenship and to promote physical fitness. Council
members received copies of monthly reports outlining air cadet
activities. Madden said as he was putting together information
to give to council he "...was amazed at how much the squadron
does."
Madden said the squadron considers the municipal building
to be its home. He asked council's permission for the squadron
to return to the third floor once renovations are completed this
fall; the group is already making plans to store or move some
of its belongings out of town hall on a temporary basis.
Board member Robin Demeule said the support of town council
is crucial to Youth for Life, a group formed in 1990 to provide
a drop-in centre and activities for young people between the
ages of eight and 18. The town has been providing rent-free accommodation
and an annual grant of $3,000.
Both groups have been hurt by the loss of access to the gymnasium
at the municipal building.
Even if the squadron were to retain access to the third floor,
it would still require access to a gymnasium like the one at
the high school.
"If we did lose South Grenville, we'd be in serious trouble,"
Madden said.
Although she indicated the room at the group's current King
St. location lends itself better to a drop-in centre, Demeule
said it is not the best location. Ten to 15 youths make use of
the drop-in centre (open four weeknights a week) on a regular
basis; the number could run between 20 to 25 on certain nights,
according to Demeule.
One of the group's concerns is that continued funding by the
United Way of Leeds and Grenville might be at risk if the drop-in
centre does not return to town hall.
Madden noted the squadron is looking into other locations
which meet some or all of the air cadets' needs. One option being
pursued is the basement of the federal building on Centre Street;
Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan has been enlisted to assist with
the effort to get access to that facility, Madden noted. It was
revealed earlier this week the federal government has declared
the building surplus and is seeking a buyer.
However, he reiterated the squadron's desire to retain use
of the municipal building.
Mayor Robert Lawn indicated council would take into account
the group's requests.
"You pose another challenge to us," he told the
Youth for Like delegation. "We are doing our best to come
to grips with this."
Madden gave four council members a tour of the third floor
after the meeting.
Plans for the renovated building and a tender to complete
the project are expected to be in place by mid-April. Town officials
plan to move administrative offices to a leased facility in early
May.
May 7 will be moving day for town offices
PRESCOTT Town officials have yet to decide what the
renovated municipal building will look like or how much it will
cost, but they have set an official moving date.
May 7 is the day town offices are to be relocated to their
temporary home at the former bank building at the corner of Edward
Street and Churchill Road.
Council has reviewed preliminary drawings of the Dibble Street
municipal building. Two sets of drawings are to be completed
and put to tender in time for a council decision by mid-April.
One set will include an expanded library to which council has
yet to commit; it is seeking provincial infrastructure funding
for the library project.
A preliminary drawing discussed at a finance and corporate
services meeting Monday shows a large additional stack area to
the right of the existing library area. The area which is now
home to stacks of books would be replaced in an expanded library
by a work area. The children's area would be similar to the one
already in place at the front of the building.
A preliminary drawing also shows the reallocation of offices
and meeting rooms on the second floor of the municipal building.
One of many items to be discussed by council is whether two
users of the existing facility, the air cadet squadron and Prescott
Youth for Life, will be able to return to the third and first
floors respectively once the project is completed later this
fall. Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead noted at a committee meeting
Monday council must set aside time to consider the requests from
both groups to stay. Councillor Garry Dewar added council needs
to also consider other potential users and uses of the facility.
The preliminary drawings do not include allocating space specifically
for use by the air cadets or youth for life.
Finalized drawings are expected to be ready for council's
consideration at its April 2 meeting. Town Clerk/CAO Andrew Brown
said work on layout and design of the building is about two weeks
behind schedule. However, he added the tendering process should
remain on track for April.
Jobless rate continues to increase
KINGSTON February marked another increase in Employment
Insurance claims in Leeds and Grenville, according to information
released this week by the Human Resources Development Canada
(HRDC) office in Kingston.
A marginal increase in active claims was reported by the Prescott
HRDC office. There were 1,119 persons receiving EI benefits in
the Prescott area at the end of last month, 20 more than at the
end of January.
However, Gananoque and Brockville offices reported increases
of 45 and 23 per cent respectively compared to EI claim totals
at the end of January. The average monthly increase in the Kingston-Pembroke
HRDC area was 9.2 per cent.
The increase in EI benefit claims was reflected in the regional
unemployment rate. The rate rose from 6.5 per cent in January
to 7.4 per cent in February. Fewer people worked in manufacturing
and transportation sectors, according to the release. As was
the case in the previous month, there was an increase in those
working in educational services.
The regional unemployment rate in February 2000 was 7.3 per
cent.
Officials hope
sewage plant report will help funding push
PRESCOTT - Municipal leaders are hoping a Ministry of the
Environment (MOE) report on the town's sewage treatment plant
will help convince the province to fund a replacement facility.
A ministry compliance report issued about three weeks ago
and based on a recent inspection identified deficiencies at the
30-year-old plant which must be addressed. Although the municipality
has been meeting the standard for primary sewage treatment, changes
are needed to be made.
The town was given 60 days to submit an action plan to the
ministry.
Although it is the first time certain problems or potential
problems were noted in writing, town officials indicated they
were not surprised by the findings.
It was noted the recent inspection was the first since the
province handed over the facility to the town. Some town officials
alluded to the fact certain requirements were not in place when
the province built and ran the plant. The plant is operated by
Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA).
Councillor Terry McConnell, chairman of the transportation
and environmental services committee, indicated OCWA has an acceptable
monitoring program in place.
The town submitted a funding application to the province for
a new plant. About two-thirds of the estimated $15-million price
tag would be covered by the province; the town would be on the
hook for the rest but would recoup its expenditures from users
of the facility.
Municipal leaders are awaiting word on whether the town's
funding application has been approved; a decision is expected
shortly. Council approved a motion calling for a copy of the
MOE report be sent to the SuperBuild program and Leeds-Grenville
MPP Bob Runciman.
"This is another step hopefully along the road,"
Mayor Robert Lawn said.
Federal building declared
surplus
PRESCOTT - The federal building in downtown Prescott has been
declared surplus.
The town was made aware of the move in a Feb. 19 letter sent
by an official with Public Works and Government Services Canada.
The property at the corner of Centre and Henry streets includes
a two-storey building which is home to the post office and a
Human Resources Development Centre. There are also county offices
in the building, the letter states; most of the second floor
and basement is vacant.
There is no indication in the letter that the federal agencies
now located in the building will be relocating.
The town is being asked to indicate by March 31 whether it
is interested in the property. Town officials noted at a finance
committee meeting Monday they have no interest in the building
at this time. Other levels of government are usually approached
when properties of this nature are declared surplus.
Town CAO/Clerk Andrew Brown said the estimated market value
of the property is $983,000, although the federal government
would likely establish its own value for the property.
The local air cadet squadron has been looking into the possibility
of using the basement of the federal building as the squadron's
long-term future at town hall remains in doubt.
Three injured in head-on
collision
MAITLAND - Three people were injured Friday evening in a head-on
collision that occurred in Augusta township.
Grenville County OPP reports two passenger vans collided at
about 7:20 pm on County Road 2 about 1.5 kilometres west of Maitland.
The eastbound van was being driven by Robert Boyle, 56, of Maitland.
The other driver was Clarence Daub, 54, of Prescott.
The most seriously injured of the three, 56-year-old Shirley
Ball of Prescott, had to be extricated from the westbound vehicle
in which she was a passenger. She sustained serious but non-life-threatening
injuries and was transported to Brockville General Hospital;
the two drivers suffered minor injuries.
Augusta and Brockville fire departments responded, as did
paramedics from Leeds and Grenville ambulance. Police determined
weather and road conditions were factors in the collision; alcohol
was not. No charges will be laid. OPP Constable Jason Butcher
is the investigating officer.
People of the 1930s
are the true pioneers, storyteller says
PRESCOTT - Mary Cook continues to educate young people and
remind older ones what rural life was like during the Great Depression.
The famed Ottawa Valley author who grew up in the 1930s on
a farm in Renfrew County shared some of her experiences with
those who attended a pot luck lunch Friday at Walker House.
"The true pioneers are the people of the '30s,"
she said. They left a legacy of integrity, honesty and hard work;
a man's success or failure was based on the sweat on his brow,
according to Cook.
"The people of the '30s got nothing," she said.
"They lived through the toughest of times."
Cook, who is in her 46th year of sharing her stories with
CBC Radio listeners, said all but two of the characters to whom
she refers in her stories are real.
Cook added children on the farm didn't really know how bad
things were because there was always plenty to eat. She realized
how bad things were when a quarter she had been handed by a visiting
aunt was later taken away by Cook's mother who said the money
was needed for lamp oil. The adage "Don't you know there
is a depression" now had meaning, according to Cook.
"It was not a happy time for a lot of people," she
said.
People may have been poor for money, Cook noted, but they
were rich in so many ways. An example of this was the contact
youngsters had with their elders. The house was always overflowing
with relatives, Cook recalled. The only other option for many
families at that time would be to send them to the poor house.
Even though it meant more mouths to feed at home, the lessons
of life taught by the older relatives were invaluable.
Cook said one of the mistakes of the last few decades has
been the "...deliberate attempt to separate the young from
the aged."
Another thing that was important in those days was to pay
a debt. Cook offered the example of a woman who before she died
made sure her daughter would give Cook a box containing a butter
dish. The dish had been given to the woman by Cook's mother in
return for a choir gown the woman made for Cook when she was
a girl. Cook brought the box and dish with her to Walker House
and read to the audience the letter attached to the box.
"Is it any wonder I'd rather storytell than give a speech?"
Cook remarked.
She also noted her many talks to students in grades four through
six at schools in the Ottawa area.
Following her visit to Walker House, Cook appeared at a book-signing
at The Gift Lane. Dozens of people, many of whom indicated they
have been reading her stories in books and newspapers and listening
to her radio reports for decades, lined up to get books signed
and speak to the author.
Female fighter pilot to appear
PRESCOTT Plans are in the works for a motivational speaker
to speak in the afternoon of March 29 at South Grenville District
High School.
Maj. Deanne Brasseur (retired), one of the first of two women
in the world to be trained and qualified to fly the CF-18 Hornet,
Canada's supersonic jet fighter aircraft, will use her sense
of humour to "entertain, educate and motivate."
Brasseur will also speak at 7 p.m., where a dinner meeting
will be held in the Drummond Building in Spencerville. The Spencerville
and District Optimists are sponsoring Brasseur's visit to the
area.
New company is
on its way to securing a bright future
PRESCOTT A new business is hoping to bring its customers
some peace of mind.
Star Security opened for business last October in the downstairs
portion of the Playit Star building at the corner of Edward and
Henry streets. The company moved to its current King Street West
location in Prescott at the end of January.
The new company supplies a range of residential and commercial
security services in both urban and rural areas. Star Security
Administrator Kelly Benish-Lennox noted the company serves a
wide area which currently extends from Gananoque to Long Sault.
It is also the only company of its kind to be based in the Prescott
area, she added.
One of the advantages of having a security system comes from
knowing it will bring an immediate response from emergency personnel.
Any time that can be saved in an emergency could make a difference,
according to Benish-Lennox.
"A lot of people want that little bit of extra security,"
she said. "It provides peace of mind."
In addition to the more traditional systems which deal with
intruders or fires, Star Security also supplies equipment and
monitoring devices which can alert health officials to any personal
medical emergency.
"Security just doesn't mean burglars or break-ins,"
Benish-Lennox said.
In less than six months, Star Security's workforce has grown
to 17, including 12 promotions staff and four installers.
Star Security is an authorized ADT dealer. Star Security has
moved up to 13th place in Ontario in ADT sales. The company may
also be looking to hire additional staff given the popularity
of ADT systems, according to Benish-Lennox.
Between 50 and 70 units are being installed each month by
the company. Star Security hopes to build on those numbers as
it expands into new territory.
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