Council reluctant to move ahead with renovations
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Town council does not appear to be in any
hurry to select a contractor and proceed with renovations to
the municipal building.
With tender bids and a consultant's cost estimate higher than
what council had been anticipating, town officials are trying
to come to grips with the situation and how to proceed. After
debating the subject Monday night for the first time since bids
were announced last Tuesday, council decided it would have to
meet again next Monday to discuss the matter.
The lowest of the five bids received by the town was submitted
by Guy Saumure and Sons of Smiths Falls. The total bid of $1,368,500
included $300,000 for library renovations and $100,000 for landscaping
and parking lot costs. The municipal building component worked
out to about $879,000.
Dave Poole of Eastern Engineering, the firm hired by the town
to assist with the project, told council Monday the company's
estimate of project costs was revised before tender bids were
opened last week. The original estimate of $750,000 had climbed
to $875,000 for municipal building renovations and $487,000 for
the library work. Among the revisions are an extra $45,000 for
better windows; parking lot upgrades had not been included in
the original estimate, and the library renovation estimate was
increased by $100,000.
Poole said the bid from Saumure and Sons "appears to
be a very good price." However, he noted it is up to council
to decide how to proceed. The tender bids are good for 30 days.
Among the options available to council are to accept the lowest
bid, negotiate with bidders, make changes to the proposed design
to lower costs, or reconsider the decision to renovate the building.
No consensus emerged during council's initial assessment of the
bids.
Councillor Garry Dewar, who insisted he is still in favour
of renovating town hall, said council should have had more say
in the design before the project was put out to tender. Dewar
also emphasized the town needs to find out the status of its
SuperBuild funding application before entering into a contract.
The funding application would cover most of the costs associated
with renovating the public library. When the town put the renovation
project out to tender, it asked contractors to submit separate
estimates for library renovations as well as landscaping and
parking lot upgrades.
Town officials say it could take months to find out if Prescott's
SuperBuild request will be approved. Dewar said library work
needs to be done at some point; by waiting for word on the funding
application, council would be able to make a much better and
informed decision. Dewar noted.
Council is in the midst of 2001 budget deliberations; other
capital projects such as repairs to Churchill Road and infrastructure
work at the site of the commercial development near the OPP station
are in the works.
"Financially, we have to do the right thing for the people
of Prescott," he said.
Dewar's apprehension about making a decision on tender bids
was shared by other members of council. Councillor Terry McConnell
said things have come to light since he voted earlier this year
in favour of renovating town hall. Without knowing the status
of the library funding grant at a time when the lowest bid exceeds
original estimates, McConnell said he is "..reluctant to
even pare it down."
Councillor Seeley Pillar, who voted against renovating town
hall and said he has not changed his mind, commented it is a
lot of money to put into a 70-year-old building. The cost of
constructing a new building is not much higher than renovating
the existing one, council heard.
But Mayor Robert Lawn stressed the need to proceed with the
process. Lawn said the process has been going on for a long time,
and council cannot leave it open-ended.
In noting improvements to the library are "critical,"
the mayor said he believes the project is do-able given the opportunity
to review the scope of the project and negotiate with bidders.
"We're close to a price," he said. "We could
be back in there in the fall."
In response to the suggestion council should have had more
input before the special town hall committee opted to put the
project to tender, Lawn said at no time did any councillor indicate
such a concern.
The mayor asked council members to consider how long they
are willing to let the municipal building sit empty and deteriorate
further, and how long the library will operate in its present
state.
Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead said at the meeting she has not
changed her preference for a new town hall on a different site.
However, she noted the town should get the best return for its
money if renovations proceed.
"My gut feeling: you don't go cheap," she said.
In addition to agreeing to a follow-up meeting next Monday,
council set June 25 as a tentative date for a meeting with Eastern
Engineering officials.
"We're going to have to do some soul searching,"
McConnell said.
The town is leasing office space in the former bank building
on Edward Street at Churchill Road.
Friday was "a good, good day"
PRESCOTT The Fort Town's second major seasonal event
was another hit with crowds, says organizer Mike Boyles.
"It was a fantastic success," he said. "We're
happy as larks." He estimates "well in excess of 2,000"
people attended the events Friday evening at the fort field.
"It was a gratifying day for us."
Boyles was quick to heap praise on the number of individuals,
service clubs and businesses that contributed to the staging
of entertainment that included the RCMP Musical Ride and Naval
Gun Run.
Besides a number of large donations to help bring the acts
to town, Boyles said valu-mart served up supper at the community
centre for the RCMP contingent and guests, and the Gun Run team
was served supper by the Prescott Royal Canadian Legion. Donations
totalling $1,700 were collected during the evening from those
attending the events, Boyles said.
Ken Durand noted the Rotary Club ran out of 800 hot dogs and
hamburgers, and had to go out to purchase more food to feed the
hungry crowd.
"I can't say enough good about those who helped,"
Boyles said. "The beauty of a small town is that everybody
works together. It was just fantastic - it was a good, good day."
Grocery store plans revealed
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT A large grocery store will be built as part
of a proposed development on Edward Street near the Ontario Provincial
Police station, according to the chairperson of the town's planning
committee.
Councillor Garry Dewar announced at a council meeting Monday
a new grocery store is coming to the site to be developed by
FAI Canada Development Corporation. The store will be nearly
40,000 square feet in size and will be a new prototype from the
company that operates Loblaws stores, Dewar indicated.
Drawings of the exterior and interior of "The Country
Market" were shown to council. No additional details were
available at the meeting. No one from the company or the developer
was at the meeting.
Dewar said he did not know if the arrival of the new store
would result in the closure of the valu-mart store on Edward
Street. Valu-mart is also part of the Loblaws family of grocery
stores.
The manager of the valu-mart was away from the store Tuesday
morning and could not be reached for comment.
When asked why the town was chosen for this new store, Dewar
said "I assume because Prescott is a good place to do business."
A site plan made public at Monday's meeting shows plans for
two large stand-alone anchor stores (the smaller of which will
be 30,000 square feet) and three smaller buildings as part of
the FAI development. Two of the smaller buildings have three
and four units respectively. The fifth building includes a pick-up
window, as does one of the units in another building.
Dewar indicated he is 98 per cent sure the project will proceed.
He said the town is working with "a good developer with
a great reputation."
Town officials are awaiting the end of a Ministry of Transportation
approvals process. Plans for the new access road include traffic
signals at the Edward Street intersection.
The town is planning to commence a tender process for the
road to coincide with the ministry approvals process. Town officials
are hopeful infrastructure work, including the extension of a
sewer line, will be in full swing by early July; the developer
has indicated a target date of August 1 to be on site, according
to CAO/Clerk Andrew Brown.
The developer has yet to come forward with the names of other
businesses interested in locating at the site, Dewar said.
Town officials were asked to come up with a name for the new
road. Suggestions made Monday include Wiser's Way, Major Walsh
Drive, Fort Town Road and Pineview. A decision is expected this
month.
Highland Fling returns
PRESCOTT The Prescott Highland Fling Tattoo will be
held Saturday, June 16 at Fort Wellington.
The Tourism Prescott event drew more than 1,500 spectators
last June. Highland bands participating in the Highland Fling
Tattoo will parade on King Street from Centennial Park to the
fort field beginning at 1:30 pm.
The Famous MacCullogh Dancers open the field show at 1 pm.
The tattoo, a series of performances by highland bands, will
begin at about 2 pm.
The tattoo will be followed by the OPP K-9 demonstration unit
and the late-afternoon finale at 5 pm involving all bands and
the MacCullogh Dancers.
Admission is free; donations will be accepted.
The Highland Fling Tattoo is also supported by numerous businesses
and organizations: Giant Tiger, Grenville Insurance, Prescott
Rotary Club, Prescott Lions Club, Prescott Kiwanis Club, Royal
Canadian Legion Branch 97, St. Mark's Church and the Town of
Prescott.
Refreshments will be sold on-site by the Rotary Club. Those
attending the event are reminded to bring their own chairs or
blankets.
For more information on the Highland Fling, call Tourism Prescott
at 925-1861 or Fort Wellington at 925-2896.
Grenville Fish
and Game Club prepares for grand opening of new clubhouse
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
AUGUSTA Sunday, June 10 will be a big day in the history
of the Grenville Fish and Game Club.
The club will cap a huge fundraising drive by cutting the
ribbon to officially open a new clubhouse on North Campbell Road
south of Maynard. The grand opening runs from 11 am to 3 pm;
ribbon-cutting and flag-raising will take place during opening
ceremonies set to begin at 12:30 pm.
The new facility has been years in the making. The foundation
of the new clubhouse was laid about three years ago. A building
committee has continued to raise funds for improvements to the
property. Sponsorships and donations of materials and labour
have helped the club make improvements with a total value of
more than $200,000.
"When the place started to take shape, membership started
to grow," said Lynn Holmes, a club member who has taken
a lead role in the project.
Including family members, the club boasts a total membership
of more than 450. In noting the vast majority of the work on
the clubhouse and the grounds has been done by volunteers, Holmes
said he has not belonged to any club in which the members were
as involved as they are in the fish and game club.
The club was established in the mid-1940s and remains a promoter
of hunting and fishing. But the club also promotes hunting and
fishing safety by conducting special activities to give youth
hands-on instruction. Boat safety and firearms courses are also
provided by the club.
Fred Guse, who teaches firearm safety courses for the club,
said the new clubhouse provides an excellent setting for various
courses and seminars presented to club members and the public.
Guse added one of the things he likes about the club is it is
family-oriented.
Long-time member Doug Hull also appreciates the emphasis on
youth. The handgun enthusiast said it is important to provide
young people with an opportunity to learn the proper way to hunt
and fish.
"And what better place to get it than here," he
commented.
Information on firearm courses and club activities is available
on the club's Website: www.grenvillefishandgame.com.
In addition to the official opening of the clubhouse, the
club will christen its new 25-foot pontoon boat, Little Dreamer.
The club will provide the boat at no charge to organized children's
groups from Gananoque to Long Sault.
The handicapped-accessible boat comes equipped with fishing
poles, tackle and safety equipment.
The public's first glimpse of the Little Dreamer was in Prescott
Victoria Day when the club offered free rides from Sandra S.
Lawn Harbour.
Those who attend the grand opening Sunday are invited to try
a number of activities such as target shooting and archery. There
will also be canteen specials on hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks
from 11:30 am to 2 pm.
In many ways the Grenville Fish and Game Club is a service
club, according to Holmes. It not only serves the needs of hunters
and anglers but the community as a whole, he noted.
The fish and game club played a lead role in getting blood
donor clinics back to Prescott, Holmes noted. In conjunction
with the Kinsmen Club and South Grenville District High School,
299 units of blood have been collected at three clinics. Holmes
is proud the club has been able to assist people truly in need;
he noted one unit of blood could help save four lives.
In addition to sponsoring blood donor clinics, the fish and
game club also sponsors minor soccer teams in Prescott and Maitland
and a baseball team in Roebuck.
Club memberships are $50 for individuals and $60 for families.
Fish and game club members automatically become members of the
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
School boards
receive rural designation, additional funding from province
But more money is needed, says chair of public board
PRESCOTT All four district school boards that serve
South Grenville will receive additional funding through their
remote and rural designation.
Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman announced Friday an extra
$3.5 million will be distributed to the boards. Topping the list
is the Catholic School Board of Eastern Ontario, which will receive
$1,387,526. The Upper Canada District School Board will receive
an additional $1,166,455 this year.
The French public district school board will receive $943,764.
The remote and rural funding for the French Catholic board will
increase by $44,500.
The MPP stated in a news release he and Lanark-Carleton MPP
Norm Sterling made several representations to Education Minister
Janet Ecker to have the three boards included with those receiving
enhanced funding.
"This is an important step in improving the financial
resources of the area boards," Runciman stated.
Joan Hodge, chairperson of the Upper Canada board, welcomed
news of the designation and extra funding. Hodge, English public
school trustee for South Grenville, told The Journal the
board should have received the rural designation when it was
established.
Although she is pleased the ministry is recognizing some of
the board's needs, Hodge said the money from rural designation
does not come close to covering the full costs of maintaining
schools in the region and making them "clean, dry, safe
and warm." As much as she hopes the province will give further
consideration to the board's financial situation, Hodge acknowledged
"we have to make do with what we have."
The MPP also announced overall funding for the Upper Canada
board will increase 1.4 per cent to just over $239 million.
The board's projected enrollment for this fall is expected
to decrease by 2.2 per cent.
The English Catholic board's budget will increase seven per
cent to nearly $99.5 million; the board's enrollment is projected
to increase by 3.3 per cent.
In the case of Upper Canada, excess space is found mostly
at schools along the Highway 401 corridor, including South Grenville.
Hodge said the board must also deal with the growing need for
additional school space in parts of the northern section of the
district. Busing students from one area to the other to fill
empty space is not a viable solution given the distance involved,
according to Hodge.
"We have to be responsible... there is only so far you
can bus," she said.
The board will receive additional funding from the province
for new student spaces in areas where demand is high. But Hodge
noted the board needs additional capital funding to replace its
150 portables and build new classrooms.
The education ministry is compiling a list of priorities for
replacing schools. Runciman indicated he has spoken to the minister
about replacing the 65-year-old North Grenville District High
School. No facilities in South Grenville would likely be added
to such a list, Hodge noted.
Program tackles youth
behavioural challenges
BROCKVILLE The Child and Youth Wellness Centre will
receive provincial funding to help deal with behavioural problems
at the pre-school level, Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman announced
recently.
Ontario's Early Years Challenge Fund will provide a grant
of $85,044 to the centre. The fund, which was launched last December,
matches contributions made by businesses, volunteers and charitable
groups for new programs to help give their children the best
possible start during the critical first six years of life.
"The centre's proposal for funding... is innovative and
demonstrates a real desire to help children during those critical
first six years," Runciman stated in a May 14 news release.
Sally Wills, the centre's executive director, said more than
1,100 children and their families in Leeds and Grenville were
served by the centre last year. One of the centre's five offices
is located on Water Street in Prescott.
The wellness centre is working in conjunction with both district
school boards to deal with children with behavioural difficulties,
according to Wills. As part of the program which is now in its
second year, kindergarten students who are at risk of being suspended
are noted and their parents notified. Parents are asked to participate
in the project designed to teach social skills and help parents
manage their child's behavioural challenges.
Wills said 60 per cent of the program is conducted in the
home. Most parents are receptive to the program and benefit from
the empowerment and parenting skills they receive from it, she
added.
"We want to build on their strengths," she said.
By dealing with behavioural problems before a young student
is suspended from school at a very young age, Wills said, a significant
and positive change in that youngster's life may occur.
The wellness centre provides other counselling and home-based
services for youth and their families
Most of the centre's funding comes from the Ministry of Community
and Social Services. A volunteer board of community members oversees
the wellness centre.
Town opts not
to license cats
PRESCOTT Town officials decided against licensing cats.
Members of council opted last Tuesday not to make changes
to the existing bylaw which does not require cat owners to buy
tags as is the case with dog owners. Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead
said she understands the frustration of some people who find
someone else's cat on their property. But the councillor and
cat owner added enforcement of a tougher and more detailed bylaw
would be difficult.
The subject was raised several months ago by town resident
Ron Dalton, who wrote to council asking for a revised bylaw with
stronger measures to deal with cats that trespass and damage
property.
The existing bylaw has been used to deal with some problem
cases, according to town officials.
Hospital tag day
PRESCOTT The annual tag day in support of Brockville
General and St. Vincent de Paul hospitals will be held in Prescott
this Friday, June 8.
Tags will be distributed for a donation to the hospitals.
Money raised is divided equally between the two.
Tags will be sold in Cardinal at the TD Bank and the post
office Thursday, June 7 and Friday.
Women's breakfast
networking session planned for June 13
BROCKVILLE The Women's Business Breakfast Club will
meet for a networking session Wednesday, June 13 at the River
Walk Mill in Brockville.
The breakfast club is affiliated with Women and Rural Economic
Development, which is dedicated to enhancing the sustainability
of rural Ontario communities.
This session will be of interest to women already in business
or for women thinking about starting a business. The buffet breakfast
will be served from 7:30 to 9 am.
Reserve your seat by calling Trish McNamara at 345-5688, or
by e-mailing refocus@hotmail.com.
Ultramar topic of meeting
MAITLAND Augusta residents will have an opportunity
to voice their concerns once again regarding the Ultramar property
in Maitland at a public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 12.
Ultramar is hosting the meeting, to be held at the MERC Hall,
beginning at 7 pm.
On the agenda is a discussion of the work already completed
at the tank farm, future development plans and residents' concerns.
At the first public meeting held February 1, residents were
particularly concerned about noise, traffic and safety at the
terminals, where the refining company plans to pump $25 million
into revamping and modernizing the operation. Since then, several
homeowners who live close to the operation have complained of
problems with household water, which they blame on soil remediation
work at the site.
OPP NEWS
Car stolen from residence
JOHNSTOWN A 1992 Mercury Sable was reported stolen from
a County Road 2 residence, according to the Ontario Provincial
Police.
The grey vehicle with licence plates 031 VAL was taken sometime
between 6 pm and midnight June 2. Anyone with information is
asked to contact the Grenville County detachment in Prescott
(925-4221) or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Accident investigation leads to charges
AUGUSTA OPP responded to a single-vehicle accident just
before 3 am June 3 on County Road 21 east of Klitbo Road. Police
charged Jeffrey Veltkamp, 33, of RR4 Brockville, with impaired
driving and exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit. He was also
issued a 90-day administrative driver's licence suspension. Constable
Jason Butcher is the investigating officer.
OPP assist customs at stop
JOHNSTOWN OPP officers were called at about 2:20 am
June 2 to assist Canada Customs at a traffic stop. Charged with
impaired driving and exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit
is Shelley Strader, 33, of Augusta township. She was also issued
a 90-day administrative driver's licence suspension. The investigating
officers are OPP Constable Jason Butcher and Canada Customs Inspector
Bill Dove.
A paper loss
EDWARDSBURGH A trailer was stolen from the parking lot
of Angelo's Truck Stop sometime between May 19 and May 22. OPP
reported the 53-foot Yanke trailer with Alberta plates was loaded
with 17 rolls of paper with an estimated value of $86,000. The
value of the trailer is more than $38,000. Anyone with information
is asked to contact Constable Rick Foley at Grenville County
OPP or Crime Stoppers.
Cutter taken from township yard
EDWARDSBURGH A John Deere industrial grass cutting machine
was stolen from the back of a trailer at the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
works yard on County Road 22 south of Pittston. The theft was
reported to the OPP May 25. The green cutter is approximately
five feet long and seven feet wide. A similar model was stolen
earlier in the month from a public works yard in North Grenville.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigating
officers, constables Cathy Nooyen and Marty McConnell, at the
Grenville County Crime Unit (925-4221) or Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477).
Transmission, jack, hoist stolen from business
EDWARDSBURGH Grenville County OPP are investigating
a case of theft that occurred sometime between 1 am and 9:30
am at a business on County Road 21. The transmission from a 1974
Dodge was taken, as were a Jackall 800 jack and Motormaster six-ton
hoist.
Cedar boards taken from farm
AUGUSTA Approximately 1,500 feet of rough-cut cedar
boards were taken from a farm near Blue Church Road. The theft
was reported May 26. The investigating officer is OPP Constable
Marty McConnell.
Accident victim transported to Ottawa
AUGUSTA A 52-year-old man sustained major injuries in
an off-road motorcycle accident early Saturday evening, according
to Grenville County OPP.
Steven Baker was showing his son how to use a 2000 Yamaha
dirt bike he had received for his birthday, according to Community
Service Officer, Senior Constable Cindy MacDonald. Baker lost
control of the motorcycle behind a MacIntosh Road residence and
was ejected. The driver was not wearing a helmet, MacDonald reported.
An air ambulance transported the accident victim to Ottawa
Civic Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Constable
Tyler Boutilier is continuing the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the constable
at the detachment in Prescott.
MacDonald noted this is the fourth serious motorcycle accident
in Grenville County in one month.
Jazz artist Ranee
Lee to perform at St. John's June 14
Anglican church hosts ninth annual festival
PRESCOTT The multi-talented Montreal jazz artist, singer,
actress and writer Ranee Lee will headline the 9th annual Jazz
at St. John's festival Thursday, June 14.
Entitled "Ranee Lee and Friends," the evening of
entertainment also features trumpeter Ron DiLauro, who has been
on the Quebec jazz scene for 20 years.
He is a regular member of Vic Vogel's Big Band, an instructor
at both McGill University and Université de Montreal and
a session musician in demand by recording artists. He has performed
with artists Michel Donato, James Gelfand, Ranee Lee, Guy Nadon
and Dave Turner. DiLauro is also active as a freelance recording
session musician and has performed in numerous broadway show
pit orchestras.
Lee's surprise guest is clarinetist Phil Nimmon who, at 77,
has been inspiring jazz fans for half a century. The latest CD
release for this dean of Canadian jazz is The Sounds of Time.
His appearance in Prescott is sandwiched between a week's gig
at the Montreal Bistro and Toronto's salute to Oscar Peterson,
and preparation to teach a course at the Orford Arts Centre in
Quebec.
Opening the evening will be a brand new group, the Montreal
Fusion String Quartet. These musicians will be joined by Andre
Leroux on tenor sax, Jimmy Doxas on drums, Jean Pierre on bass
and Richard Ring will play guitar.
Richard Ring is Lee's husband and brother of St. John's rector
Rev. Gerry Ring, and was instrumental in bringing jazz to the
historic Prescott Anglican church.
The jazz festival started as a way to raise money to repair
the church's 150-year-old slate roof. As Rev. Ring is retiring
in September, this could be the last jazz evening at St. John's.
"It depends on the next rector," Rev. Ring said.
"I don't know what he, or she, will want to do here. But
I have to say, I have really enjoyed my time here and I want
to go out with a bang."
Lee has just finished "Having Our Say" in which
she starred with Patricia Idlette as the Delaney sisters: Bessie,
the second black woman to become a dentist in New York, and Sadie,
the first black woman to teach science in a New York high school.
The sisters' story was developed into a play and later a movie.
Lee has also starred in a one-woman show called Lady Day at
Emerson's Bar and Grill on the life of Billie Holliday, and last
year she conceived and starred in Dark Divas in both Toronto
and Montreal. Showcasing the work of seven black women singers,
including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Pearl Bailey, the
show earned Lee her second Juno nomination.
Dark Divas was the basis of her show in Prescott last year.
Ticket's for the June 14 show are available at the door or by
calling 925-2748.
The show starts at 8 pm in St. John's at the corner of James
and Centre streets. Proceeds go toward the church restoration
fund.
Firefighters' convention set for Spencerville
SPENCERVILLE Eastern Ontario fire departments will converge
on Spencerville June 16 for the Eastern Ontario Firefighters'
Association 89th Annual Firemen's Field Day.
Hosted by the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Firefighters' Association,
the family fun day at the Spencerville arena will also include
departments from Prescott, Iroquois, Augusta, Kemptville, Carleton
Place, Mississippi Mills and Northern New York.
The firefighter's races start at 9 am and run until about
3 pm. Events include ladder races, hose coupling, wet races,
a chief/deputy chief race and a bucket brigade. Children's games
sponsored by the Spencerville Optimist Cub begin at 10 am, and
the Shriner Clowns will appear at noon.
The Edwardsburgh Lions Club hamburger stand and festive garden
will be available all day, and Woodland's barbecue chicken and
rib dinner will be served from 3 to 5:30 pm.
A parade featuring the fire departments, Shriners and marching
bands begins at 6:30 pm. An awards presentation and performance
by Norwood/Norfolk Firemen's Marching Band follows the parade.
A dance with the group Runnin' on Empty is to be held at the
Drummond Building and begins at 8:30 pm.
The firefighters' convention is also a celebration of the
50th anniversary of the Edwardsburgh Fire Department.
MAITLAND NEWS
Jane Fullarton
Library looking for dreamers and doers
The Augusta Township Library Board is looking for nominations
for its annual Dreamers and Doers Award. The award is given to
an Augusta resident who has had a dream for his or her community
and has worked to make that dream a reality. The award is intended
to recognize that in the many small communities in Augusta great
things happen and get done because residents dare to dream and
volunteers make community dreams come true.
Community centres, a library and new sports programs are just
a few of the many dreams that have become reality in Augusta.
If you know someone who has had a community dream and made it
happen, nominate them for this year's award. Nomination forms
are available at the Augusta Public Library and should be submitted
by the end of June.
The recipient of the Dreamers and Doers Award will have a
plaque with their picture and a brief history of their accomplishment
placed on the wall of the library.
The final Seniors' Luncheon of the season takes place at MERC
Hall Wednesday, June 13 from noon to 1:30 pm. The menu features
a cold plate with ham, turkey and salads. Entertainment will
be provided by the men's quartet, Nostalgia. All volunteers who
have helped with this year's luncheons are welcome to attend.
Call the VON Home Support at 342-3693 to confirm your attendance.
Registration for the backyard swim program and the summer
parks program will take place June 9 from 9 am to noon at the
MERC Hall. Maitland will have its annual neighbourhood garage
sale June 9 from 9 am to 1 pm. Join in by displaying your for-sale
items.
Ultramar will be holding a public meeting June 12 at 7 pm
at the Maitland Hall. All Maitland residents are invited to attend.
Striking plant workers
bring pickets to Prescott
PRESCOTT Union members involved in a labour dispute
in Iroquois took their message to the streets of Prescott Friday.
Several strikers from Local 478T of the United Food and Commercial
Workers Union stood beside Edward Street across from the Irvine
Street intersection Friday morning and afternoon. Workers at
the Caldwell linen plant voted to go on strike two weeks ago.
St. Lawrence Corporation, owner of the plant, asked employees
to accept a five-per-cent wage rollback.
The strikers who came to Prescott indicated they wanted to
let Kriska Transportation know the union is aware of how towels
made at the plant are being distributed. The union claims Caldwell-St.
Lawrence is using replacement workers and rental trucks to remove
goods from the plant and deliver them to the Kriska warehouse
in Prescott.
A representative of the 220-member local called The Journal
Friday to emphasize strikers are not claiming Kriska drivers
are crossing the picket line in Iroquois.
Torch Run comes to
area
SOUTH GRENVILLE The Grenville County Ontario Provincial
Police will be running through the county Thursday, June 7 carrying
a torch in support of the Special Olympics.
County OPP officers and law enforcement personnel are taking
part in the 15th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. Last year,
7,000 law enforcement runners covered 8,000 kilometres across
the province and raised $2.5 million for the Special Olympics.
Harassment case reported
GRENVILLE COUNTY Police are looking for the public's
help in the case of harassment of a local business owner.
The Grenville County detachment of the Ontario Provincial
Police is investigating the case of criminal harassment in which
a business owner has received numerous explicit letters, drawings
and/or phone calls.
If anyone has information of this or any other crime, the
Grenville County OPP requests they contact the detachment located
at 1040 Edward St., Prescott or call (613) 925-4221, and ask
for investigating officer Constable Chuck Doran.
Dewar becomes deputy
mayor
PRESCOTT Town council has appointed a new deputy mayor.
Councillor Garry Dewar was named to the post by council Monday.
He succeeds Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead, who served as deputy
mayor for the beginning of the current council's term. Dewar's
stint as deputy mayor ends Nov. 30.
Chicken barbecue
MAYNARD Victoria United Church will host its annual
chicken barbecue Wednesday, June 13 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
The dinner includes chicken, salads, roll, dessert and a beverage.
Take-out orders will be available.
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