Barrel race this Saturday
SPENCERVILLE The annual barrel race is set for this
Saturday, April 21 at the Spencerville Mill.
Sponsored by the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Fire Department, the
event will feature eight barrels being released from the dam
to race down the South Nation River to the bridge.
First prize is $100; second place wins $50; and third place
takes home $25. Five prizes of $10 each will be awarded.
Fire Chief Jim Purcell said the races have been a popular
spring event for about 40 years. The fun gets underway at 2:30
pm.
Tickets on a barrel can be purchased in advance from any firefighter
and at several businesses in Spencerville or on Saturday prior
to the race. Proceeds go toward fire department equipment purchases.
Dollars for daffs
SOUTH GRENVILLE Daffodils sold in Prescott, Cardinal
and Spencerville during the Canadian Cancer Society's annual
campaign at the end of March raised $6,158.71 for the organization.
Prescott daffodil campaign chairman John Christofolakos reported
16 boxes of flowers each containing 50 bunches were sold during
the three-day event in town, raising $4,091.50.
One unsold box was donated to a local church.
Forty-five volunteers sold the daffodils from various locations
in Prescott.
Cardinal organizer Dorie Coons said 27 volunteers raised $2,067.21
at selling locations in the village and in Spencerville.
Moscow circus
coming to Prescott
PRESCOTT The circus is coming to town.
The Moscow State Circus will be staging two performances Friday,
April 27 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre. Show times are 5
and 8 pm.
The circus has been an important part of the culture of Russia
and other countries which belonged to the former Soviet bloc.
The Moscow State Circus promises to provide a glimpse of the
glory of Russia's impressive cultural heritage enjoyed by people
of all ages and walks of life.
Advance tickets at discounted prices are available at Lane's
Smoke Shop, 170 King St. E.
Fellowship group meets this Saturday
PRESCOTT The Seaway Men's Ecumenical Fellowship group
will hold its monthly breakfast meeting Saturday, April 21 at
St. Paul's United Church.
Mayor Robert Lawn will be speaking on the role of volunteers
in community life.
The breakfast begins at 8 am. Women are welcome to attend.
Spencerville chosen as township hall site
THIS WEEK
SPENCERVILLE Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council Monday
night accepted Spencerville as the location for the amalgamated
township's municipal hall in a recorded vote of 5-2.
In voting for the Spencerville location, council accepted
the Transition Board recommendation that Spencerville be the
location of the hall for the amalgamated municipalities of the
Township of Edwardsburgh and the Village of Cardinal and that
the Cardinal office be maintained as a satellite/hydro office.
About 90 people attended the regular council meeting April
16, held upstairs at the municipal building. Those in attendance
of the meeting allowed council to conduct its business; however,
on a couple occasions Mayor Dave Dobbie banged his gavel, asking
the audience to be quiet and allow council to continue.
Council also voted down 5-2 in a recorded vote Councillor
Peggy Taylor's recommendation to stop any alteration to either
municipal buildings until all Transition Board recommendations
were reviewed by council. The resolution, which was seconded
by Councillor Dan McDonald, also stated that before council move
forward with municipal hall renovations, an audit of each former
municipality be made and reviewed by council and an official
plan and zoning bylaws be reviewed and revised by council. The
resolution had been bumped twice. Opposition had been mounting
since Taylor first tabled the resolution several weeks ago. At
the April 3 council meeting, the ratepayers association, a grassroots
organization based in Cardinal, presented council with a petition
with 1327 names on it requesting council to locate the municipal
building in Cardinal and not Spencerville.
Taylor and McDonald voted in support of slowing down the municipal
hall process, while in the second resolution voted against its
Spencerville location.
Taylor had introduced the resolution to slow down the amalgamation
process, which she said was occurring too quickly. Taylor added
that the reality of the recommendations are now sinking in for
taxpayers, since services have been withdrawn from the Cardinal
office.
Councillor Peter Martin disagreed council was moving too quickly
to have Spencerville designated as the main municipal building
and for renovations to begin.
Martin said the Transition Board passed a resolution April
2, 2000 in a 7-3 recorded vote that stated the main municipal
building should be in Spencerville and a satellite/hydro office
be in Cardinal. He noted coverage in the media, for example,
shed light on the decision but at the time no delegation or petitions
resulted.
"I can assure you that this council does not make decisions
hastily, and I can also assure you that the finances of your
municipality are in excellent hands," he stated.
The current council consists of four former Edwardsburgh councillors:
Dave Dobbie, Marie Thomson, Councillor Bill Sloan and Peter Martin.
He said this provides continuity from the Transition Board, which
was comprised of both the councils.
He said the most difficult consideration for him was developing
a organizational structure and now that staffing has been done,
they, and the citizens of the municipality, need a place to carry
out the "business of the municipality."
"A central office with consolidated staff, who can discuss
issues face-to-face, with ready access to records and systems
must be established, and very soon, so that we can make other
important decisions, and provide services efficiently and wisely."
Councillor McDonald said with the Cardinal building designated
as a satellite office, the issue of services available needs
to be a dressed.
During the discussion over the resolution to locate the hall
in Spencerville, Taylor said more important than the location
of the hall is the provision of a full range of services at both
locations. Currently, the satellite/hydro office provides services
for ratepayers to buy dog tags and garbage tags, in addition
to paying their hydro bills.
Mayor Dave Dobbie said the issue of services could be addressed
at the administration committee, comprised of councillors Frank
Noccey, Peter Martin and Peggy Taylor.
Former Cardinal Reeve and spokesman for ratepayers association
Larry Dishaw, which is opposed to having the main office located
in Spencerville, said after the meeting they were not surprised
by council's decision to locate the hall in Spencerville. He
said the association will be looking into ways to challenge the
decision, for example, by seeking an injunction or even a "reverse
amalgamation." Dishaw said the association, which has been
holding its meetings at the Cardinal municipal building, will
be seeking legal advise and has money set aside for the process.
Dishaw said he was not aware of the amount.
By Jeff Lee - Journal Staff Writer
Augusta employees vote to join union
MAYNARD Ten Augusta Township employees have joined
the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) to fight against
what one spokesman says was a fear of losing their jobs.
Wayne Johnston, a part-time employee with the roads department
for the past eight years, said the step was taken to join the
union because of increasing insecurity among employees. "They
got nervous," he said Monday in an interview.
The nervousness was a result to what Johnston said were changes
in the operation of the roads department by superintendent Keith
Couture.
The employees' main concern was with snow plow operators being
asked to plow without the aid of wingers, Johnston said. It was
a safety concern, he noted, because "as drivers, we didn't
feel comfortable without wingers. We couldn't work out a happy
medium."
The employment status of Richard Stephenson brought issues
to a head, Johnston said. The 13-year truck driver and back hoe
operator has not worked for the township in eight weeks following
a disagreement with Couture. While his supporters maintain he
was fired, Reeve George Vail said at an April 9 council meeting
the issue was a misunderstanding and Stephenson was definitely
not fired. A settlement is currently in litigation, with Stephenson
represented by Prescott lawyer Barry Laushway.
The union agreement was finalized last Wednesday following
an Ontario Labour Relations Board hearing called to settle a
township challenge over who was allowed to vote. The ballots
of 10 workers were counted, with the final vote coming in at
8-2 in favour of the union.
Originally, there had been eight protested votes for part-time
employees. It had been ruled four of those votes would be ineligible,
since those employees had accumulated few, if any work hours
in the past year.
A second hearing is scheduled for April 24 in Toronto to decide
on the eligibility of assistant clerk Linda Robinson and building
inspector Greg Trizisky.
Employees are optimistic Stephenson will return to work, Johnston
noted.
"When Richie (Stephenson) got terminated, that brought
it all to a head," Johnston said. "We could see a pattern
starting. We were protecting our buts a little bit or we would
all be history. He (Couture) has his favourites picked and it
doesn't look good for some of the other ones.
"We're hoping with a union council would be forced to
sit and listen to our concerns," Johnston said.
Johnston noted as well his strong words could have him marked
and put his own job at risk, since, he said, the union agreement
can offer little protection to part-timers like himself. "I
can see it coming this summer," he said. "I'm sure
Couture will get his ounce of flesh. He always has. His attitude
is that it's his way or the highway. That's what's killed us."
Attempts to reach Vail for comment on the union issue were
unsuccessful, however he has stated in the past council could
not comment on personnel matters. Deputy Reeve Morris Stark said
Monday he doesn't anticipate any hard feelings between council
and staff.
By Monica Whitney -Journal Staff Writer
Stockade Barracks to close later this month
PRESCOTT The future of an important piece of Ontario's
history appears to be in doubt.
The Stockade Barracks restaurant will close Saturday, April
28. The East Street business is located in a historic building
that pre-dates the War of 1812.
"Declining business over the past two years and a growing
focus on more profitable venues led to the decision to close,"
states a Jessup Food and Heritage Ltd. media release issued Monday.
The company is owned by Paul Fortier, the Prescott native
who opened the restaurant in 1990 as a unique dining experience
for groups.
The original Stockade Barracks was built in 1810 by Major
Edward Jessup, the founder of Prescott who intended the building
to be used as a schoolmaster's residence. In 1812 the British
army began using the building as a military barracks and later
as a garrison hospital to Fort Wellington. The Jessup family
sold the property to the British army in 1823.
The restaurant takes its patrons "back in time"
by offering traditional dining in an early 19th-century atmosphere.
The "heritage dining program" established at the
Stockade Barracks was also put into place by Fortier at Fort
Henry in Kingston and Fort York in Toronto. Jessup Food and Heritage
Ltd. also assumed responsibility for food service programs at
Upper Canada Village near Morrisburg.
The Prescott restaurant was the subject of a lengthy dispute
in the early 1990s when Fortier applied for a liquor licence.
Despite the objections of town council, as well as hearings of
the Liquor Licence Control Board of Ontario and the Ontario Municipal
Board, a licence was eventually issued.
The Barracks has offered candlelight dining Friday and Saturday
evenings while maintaining service at other times to larger groups.
Fortier could not be reached for comment prior to press time.
The media release does not indicate how many jobs are affected
by the closure of the restaurant.
As for the future of the property and the possibility it may
be sold, the release states the company will maintain it "...until
an innovative alternate use is found..."
The site is the oldest surviving barracks and the second oldest
military building in Ontario. An Ontario Heritage Foundation
plaque located on the property notes part of the site's history.
Elements of a museum established in the building prior to the
opening of the restaurant was retained, but the restaurant is
now the primary use in the landmark building.
"The Barracks has played an important role in Prescott
since 1810," Fortier stated in the release. "And we
hope that we can find some use for the building so that it continues
to hold a position of prominence."
By Tim Ruhnke
Journal Staff Writer
The Stockade Barracks and Hospital Museum at 356 East St.
Lottery and gaming corporation stands by its figures and
charity casino decision
PRESCOTT It was business and not politics that determined
where in Leeds and Grenville a charity casino will be located,
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) officials say.
The findings of a consultant's report show Gananoque and Leeds
and Thousand Islands is the best market for the casino, according
to OLGC Communications Director Jim Cronin.
A market analysis conducted by KPMG and commissioned by the
OLGC concluded the potential gaming revenue from a casino in
Gananoque/Thousand Islands exceeds $47 million per year. The
two communities were combined in the KPMG report because the
two markets they represent are "indistinguishable,"
Cronin said in a recent interview.
A Brockville casino would have a revenue potential of more
than $32 million per year. A Prescott site would draw more than
$29.6 million per year, according to the report.
When asked how a combined Brockville/Prescott market would
fare against the combination of Gananoque and Leeds and Thousand
Islands, Cronin said there is no need to go back and review the
report.
"We have made our decision... and we stand behind our
research," Cronin said.
He added the proposed site which is owned by the Ministry
of Transportation, straddles both municipalities and is close
to Highway 401 and other major routes in the region is "ideal."
Proximity to Kingston and Watertown was also cited as an advantage
for the selected site.
The OLGC board's recommendation also got the nod from Tourism,
Culture and Recreation Minister Tim Hudak, noted Cronin.
But business leaders in Prescott believe the decision was
made long before the March 30 announcement. Mike Boyles, executive
director of the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce and
the Prescott Business Improvement Area, said the choice was made
long before KPMG did its study.
He cited a similar case in which a proposed jail was taken
from the Prescott area and awarded to Brockville; Prescott was
on the verge of getting a charity casino more than two years
ago, but a moratorium was imposed before an agreement could be
signed.
"There isn't really anything we can do about this,"
said Boyles, who insists politics was the overriding factor in
the casino decision.
In a March 30 interview, OLGC CEO Ron Barbaro rejected such
a suggestion.
As for the figures included in the KPMG report, Prescott Mayor
Robert Lawn indicated they could be useful for other initiatives
the town may wish to consider in the future.
The OLGC will host a job fair sometime this summer for the
hundreds of casino jobs being created. The casino is expected
to have at least 400 full-time workers; an estimated 200 temporary
construction jobs are be created.
Construction is to begin this summer and be completed in time
for a spring 2002 opening. Subtrades interested in bidding on
the charity casino project have until April 17 to submit invitations
for information. The 58,000-square-foot building which will house
450 slot machines and 18 gaming tables has an estimated project
construction value in the range of $25 million.
Maitland man cries
foul over smelly water
MAYNARD Augusta council will be ordering independent
water tests at some residences in Maitland, following ongoing
complaints of foul water at homes near the Ultramar terminals
on Church Street.
Jeff Elliott, who lives across the road from the terminals,
told council at its meeting April 9 the water at his home is
undrinkable and has an unbearable smell.
To illustrate his complaint, Elliott showed council members
a new white bath towel with dark stains he said were caused after
just a few washings at the home.
Elliott maintains the water problems have become progressively
worse since Ultramar began soil remediation work at the site
last November. He said the water tested fine when he and his
wife Sue purchased the home in October. The company is currently
digging test holes down to bedrock at the site that is causing
the problem, Elliott said.
Representatives from Ultramar's Montreal office vowed at a
public meeting in February to make water analysis and address
any concerns over homeowners' water quality. But Elliott said
he has yet to receive any satisfaction.
"I've got dirt coming through my water like you wouldn't
believe," Elliott said at the council meeting. "They're
saying our water's okay."
Elliott commented he just installed a new toilet in the home
that is already covered with black chips. There is also a black
film around the bathtub. The home owner said he can't stand the
smell of the water, and noted he often smells worse after taking
a shower than he did before.
The well for his home, at 80 feet deep, is 40 feet from where
the company is digging, Elliott said.
Deputy Reeve Morris Stark asked Elliott and Herb Richardson,
another Maitland resident who spoke about water problems, to
choose an independent water analyst to run tests at Ultramar's
expense, with the results to be sent to the township office.
Regional unemployment
rate rises sharply in March
KINGSTON The regional jobless rate continues to increase,
according to figures released last week by the Human Resources
Development Canada (HRDC) centre in Kingston.
The unemployment rate in the area including Brockville, Cornwall
and Smiths Falls was 8.5 per cent in March, up from 7.4 per cent
in February. Fewer people joined the labour force last month,
contrary to the trend of the last few months.
There were fewer jobs in the manufacturing and trade sectors,
stated an HRDC news release. Educational services, accommodation
and food services showed moderate increases as other sectors
experienced little change in employment activity.
The regional unemployment rate in March 2000 was eight per
cent.
The number of Employment Insurance (EI) claimants at the end
of March in the Kingston-Pembroke area was 4.6 per cent higher
than at the end of February.
The Prescott office reported 1,144 active claims last month
compared to 1,119 in February. A 15.2-per-cent increase was reported
by the Brockville office; its claim total went from 1,232 in
February to 1,419 in March.
The seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate in March
was seven per cent. Using the three-month moving average used
to determine the regional unemployment rate, the national rate
would increase to 7.5 per cent.
Community care access centre provides links to important
health care services
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT The goal of people living independently and
comfortably in their homes for as long as possible and providing
quality home-based health care was the focus of a public meeting
held in Prescott Monday, April 2.
The board of directors of the Access Centre for Community
Care in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, which has offices in Smiths
Falls and Brockville, held its monthly meeting and public session
at the Prescott Royal Canadian Legion to open lines of communication
with the people it serves and raise awareness of its services.
The access centre is a gateway to long-term care, home care
and school health support, and co-ordinates a number of health
care services.
Beth Morris, a Prescott-area resident and one of 11 board
members for the centre, said at the meeting access centres came
into existence in 1997 as a result of the Ontario government's
desire to improve and simplify the public's access to home and
community-based health services and long-term care. Forty-three
access centres blanket the province.
"We know that the services we provide are important and
we know that we have many challenges in meeting the diverse needs
in our communities," Morris said.
"We are committed to staying in touch with the people
of Prescott and the rest of the tri-county area.
"Our role is a broad one," she noted. "Not
only do we provide information and assess client needs, co-ordinate
services and link clients to existing community services, but
we also identify the gaps in services." Community services
are then co-ordinated to fill the gaps.
A range of service options can be accessed with one telephone
number, Morris explained. The access centre means convenience
and information on other services not provided directly by the
organization, she said. The centre ensures quality school care
for children who have special medical needs; helps people of
all ages return to their homes earlier by providing quality home
care after surgery or a hospital stay; and helps the elderly,
people with disabilities and those who are seriously ill stay
in the comfort of their own home as long as possible.
The centre also assists in finding care for loved ones for
whom living at home is no longer a safe option, Morris said.
Each month in Ontario, 170,000 people receive home care services
through their local access centre. In Lanark, Leeds and Grenville,
an average of 3,000 clients use access centre services each month.
In Prescott alone, 32 new cases came on board since January.
The centres are funded 100 per cent by the Ministry of Health
and do not charge for their services. The annual budget for the
tri-county centre is about $19 million. Access centres are governed
by a volunteer board of directors and managed by a professional
staff. There are about 120 staff people connected with the local
centre.
The numbers of clients continue to steadily grow, Morris said,
and will continue to grow for the next 10 to 15 years, "largely
due to baby boomers and seniors living longer."
Consequently, Ontario's senior population is expected to grow
by 160,000 in the next five years and by 360,000 over the next
decade. About 62 per cent of clients are over the age of 65.
A key role of the access centre is as a co-ordinator. Case
managers visit clients, assess the needs, then arrange for the
appropriate care to be delivered by service providers.
"Once quality care is being furnished, we continue to
monitor and assess the client on an ongoing basis to ensure care
continues to be appropriate," Morris said.
Clients may receive professional services such as nursing,
homemaker and personal care, nutritional counselling, occupational
therapy, physiotherapy, respite care and social work in the home
setting or in schools. Medical supplies and equipment may also
be available.
For the most part, the services available through access centres
are provided by organizations or companies that have service
contracts with the centre.
They are engaged through an open competitive bidding process
designed to make available the best quality service at the best
price, Morris said.
Examples of people who may benefit from the services are a
young girl with cerebral palsy, whose balance and motor skills
are affected and has special education needs. A mother with a
young family who requires followup care after surgery and early
release from hospital could also benefit, Morris noted.
In another situation, a 68-year-old bachelor is retired, has
diabetes and has recently suffered a stroke. He lives alone on
a hobby farm, is unable to drive, and has visual and hearing
problems. With a goal to promote renewed independence in this
case, a plan would be co-ordinated for his care that could involve
daily nursing, diabetes instruction, personal care and housekeeping,
occupational therapy to address home safety such as grab bars
in the bathroom, and nutritional counselling.
The Brockville office of the Access Centre for Community Care
can be reached at 345-0060, or 1-800-267-4403.
Number of clients continues to rise as
population ages
AUGUSTA NEWS
Assessment to determine if pit can be excavated
MAYNARD Augusta Township must spend more than $2,500
to determine if a site has any heritage significance before it
can be reopened and expanded as a gravel pit.
Council was informed at its April 9 meeting by Kostuch Engineering
Ltd. of Ottawa the site on part lots 2 and 3 of Concession 8
in Limerick Forest just north of Roebuck may have archaeological
or heritage importance.
The Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation has determined
the gravel pit has the potential to cause impacts to significant
cultural heritage resources and recommends an assessment be performed
by a licensed archaeological consultant.
The ministry's determination is based on the property's proximity
to a large wetland area and is marked by the presence of a prominent
knoll at its southern end. The knoll is the highest point on
the landscape for some distance around, and would therefore have
been attractive to early inhabitants of the area, the ministry
states.
Following the cultural heritage resource assessment, the township
would be required, if necessary, to mitigate through either avoidance
or documentation and removal any adverse impacts to any heritage
resources found. No demolition, grading, filling or any form
of soil disturbances can take place on the land prior to the
issuance of a letter from the ministry indicating all heritage
resource concerns have been addressed. The work undertaken must
meet licensing and resource conservation requirements.
The township is seeking a licence to excavate 25,000 tonnes
of gravel per year from the 7.8-hectare quarry site. A portion
of this site (17 per cent) was quarried in the 1960s and 70s
by the Ministry of Natural Resources, and in 1989 and 1990 by
the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. That portion of the
pit has been restored and the remaining portion of the lot reforested
with red pines.
The archaeological assessment is to be carried out by Heritage
Quest Inc. of Kingston. The investigation will include a review
of archaeological, historical and environmental literature, a
review of aerial photographs, historic maps, land registry records
and census roles and a field study of the area.
The $2,589.40 cost of the assessment includes five days work
for a principal investigator at $400 per day, transportation,
photography and report production expenses.
Condition of McCully Road to be reviewed
MAYNARD Augusta council will be looking at the possibility
of work on McCully Road, following a complaint at a meeting April
9 on the condition of the road.
Andre DeDekker, a long-time resident of the road located north
west of Domville, presented council with a letter outlining his
concerns of severe road dust problems.
Living on the road has become unbearable because of the dust
caused by a heavy increase in regular vehicle traffic, as well
as a marked increase in the number of school busses, dump trucks
and construction vehicles that use the road, DeDekker's letter
stated.
Elderly residents have difficulty breathing, and twice daily
vacuumings are required because of the dust, he said. Outdoor
patios cannot be used in the summer, and clothes need to be dried
inside, he noted.
DeDekker said he has been a resident of the road since 1948,
and nothing has been done to the road in the past 30 years except
new gravel. Not even the ditches have been cleaned and calcium
applications by the township roads crews don't last long, DeDekker
added.
"I spend most of my summer watering the road."
Reeve George Vail said he understands the concern regarding
the condition of the road, and that council would look into the
matter, noting it was a budgetary item.
Fish farm proving to be a growth industry
JOHNSTOWN The harvest has begun for a Johnstown-based
commercial fish farm.
Eastern Tilapia began shipping truckloads of mature fish to
market in early February. Company President Ken Durand Jr. said
he and the staff have been very busy during the past several
months getting the operation to this point, and that hard work
is now paying off.
Eastern Tilapia buys at least 20,000 tilapia fry (very young
fish) from Florida and grows them until they are about 1.4 to
1.5 lbs., a process that usually takes between eight and nine
months to complete. Eastern ships 3,000-6,000 fish per week to
stores in Toronto; tilapia is considered a staple in the diet
of some Asian cultures.
Approximately 170,000 fish are kept in about 20 separate lots
at the company's facility located off Frederick Street. The fish
are housed in large tanks filled with recirculated warm water.
Wastes are treated and removed; liquid oxygen is added to the
tanks as part of the effort to provide suitable living conditions
for the fish. Durand said the survival rate exceeds 90 per cent,
and the company has yet to suffer any major losses.
Eastern Tilapia has five full-time workers and one part-time
worker. Co-owner Phil Burton, who also puts in full days at the
fish farm, said he was amazed by how many different species of
fish are sold at Toronto stores. As someone who worked for others
most of his adult life, Burton said he now understands how much
hard work goes into both sides of a business.
Laura Palmer works as a senior fish culture technician. Dennis
Lees and Fernando Escobar are fish technicians. Melinda Durand,
Ken's wife, also works part-time at the fish farm.
"We couldn't run this place without the dedicated staff
we have," said Durand, who studied aquaculture at Sir Sanford
Fleming College in Lindsay.
Eastern Tilapia spent the better part of a year operating
without income coming in, not unlike a farmer who works the land
for months before harvest time. Durand said there have been a
lot of hurdles to overcome and there probably always will be,
but he finds the business is very rewarding, especially now that
he can see the returns. Tilapia prices have been holding steady;
live fish have been selling for between $3.30 and $4 per pound,
with fillets going for $11 to $12 per pound.
Eastern has started to send fish to Cornwall and is looking
into an opportunity in Brockville, according to Durand. But he
said he is happy with the existing Toronto market; if the company
can tap into Ottawa and Montreal, "even better."
He said there are no immediate expansion plans; the company
is attempting to refine and perfect what it now does. Even if
further expansion occurs, Durand has no plans to move the company
to another community.
"There'll always be a fish farm here," he said.
"We like this area. People stop and ask how are the fish
growing."
Durand noted the support offered by the Grenville Community
Development Centre (GCDC) and the Self-Employment Assistance
program GCDC manages on behalf of Human Resources Development
Canada. GCDC provided start-up advice and access to seed money
which proved to be invaluable, according to Durand.
MAITLAND NEWS
Jane Fullarton
MERC to host art show/sale, Yuk Yuks
The South Grenville Guild of Fine Art will hold its annual
Fine Art Show and Sale at the MERC Hall on May 4, 5 and 6.
The show will feature the work of 27 member artists and two
guest artists.
William Carey, a wood turner from Carp, will display a collection
of wooden bowls and vases he has created. Peter Doef, a sculptor
from Merrickville, will display his works in stone and concrete.
The South Grenville Guild of Fine Art was founded in 1981
and currently has 30 members who work in various mediums. This
year's show will feature paintings in oil, water colour, acrylic
and collage, drawings in pencil and conte, works in porcelain
enamel and pottery.
The show starts Friday, May 4 from 7 pm to 9:30 pm, and continues
Saturday, May 5 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, May 6 from 11
am to 4 pm. Admission to the show is free and there will be a
free draw for an original framed watercolour by Alan Bain.
Yuk Yuks on Tour is coming to the MERC Hall on May 12. This
pub-style evening of entertainment is a fundraiser for MERC programs.
Doors open at 7:30 with a cash bar and pub food available.
The comedy starts at 9 pm with three or four comedians featured.
Tickets are available from any MERC board member, by calling
MERC at 348-3963 and leaving a message, or call Moira Taylor
at 348-3140.
Weight Watchers is coming to the MERC Hall Monday, April 23
at noon. Call Toni Price at 348-3175 for details.
Smokers' Helpline a phone call away
KINGSTON Help is now available to improve the odds for
people who want to quit smoking.
Smokers' Helpline is a new, toll-free support service operated
by the Canadian Cancer Society. Trained professionals provide
information, advice and support in such areas as knowing what
side effects and other changes to expect after quitting and coping
with nicotine withdrawal. There is also information on avoiding
temptations and relapse triggers, help on what to do in the event
of relapse, and how to get back on track.
The number for the Smokers' Helpline is 1-877-513-5333. The
province-wide service is available from 9 am to 9 pm Monday to
Thursday, and from 9 am to 5 pm Friday.
Funding for the service has been provided in part by the Ontario
Tobacco Strategy, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
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