SIU investigates Maynard shooting
By Journal StaffMAYNARD The province's Special
Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating a shooting which resulted
in the death of a 33-year-old man.
The incident took place Monday morning at 3623 County Road
26. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers from the Grenville
detachment were called at about 9:30 am to assist ambulance personnel
deal with a suicidal man, according to an OPP news release.
A man was located outside the residence when police arrived.
An exchange of gunfire took place, the release stated. The man
was treated by ambulance personnel and transported to Brockville
General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Emergency response personnel, including local firefighters,
set up road blocks and restricted access to the scene Monday
morning and afternoon.
According to a witness at the scene who asked not to be identified,
the man involved in the shooting was Fred Kirkey, who lived near
Prescott. The witness called police when the man was seen holding
a gun and bleeding from a wound while he was outside a small
bungalow on the property of the Maynard-area farm.
Kirkey is the former boyfriend of Loretta Sayeau, who resides
in the bungalow and works at the principal home at the farm.
Sayeau was at the main home and nobody besides Kirkey was at
the bungalow at the time, the witness said.
"He obviously shot himself because nobody else was there,"
the witness told The Journal. "He still had the gun
in his hand. He was bleeding before police got there. More shots
were fired after police arrived."
The witness did not know why Kirkey was at the house.
Kirkey was reportedly to have been sentenced Monday in connection
with an impaired driving conviction.
As of press time, police had not released the names of the
officers who responded to the call and were involved in the shooting.
The OPP release noted further inquiries should be directed to
SIU Communications in Toronto.
Six SIU investigators arrived at the scene of the shooting
Monday afternoon, according to SIU spokesperson Rose Hong. Two
of the investigators are forensic identification technicians.
The SIU is called in to investigate cases in which death or serious
injury may have arisen out of police activities.
Hong could not confirm how many shots were fired and by whom.
Hong was also unable to confirm the type of firearm Kirkey had
in his possession.
The SIU had plans to conduct 11 civilian interviews, Hong
said late Monday afternoon.
An autopsy was to be performed Tuesday morning at Kingston
General Hospital. Results of the post-mortem were unavailable
at press time.
Hong said it would be difficult to estimate how long it will
take the SIU to complete its investigation.
Special events mark
holiday celebration
PRESCOTT Santa Claus is vacationing in Prescott this
week, and the public is invited to make him feel welcome.
"Christmas in July" begins today and will run through
Sunday. The Prescott Journal, in conjunction with local
merchants, will present a number of special events and activities
aimed at making Jolly Ol' St. Nick feel right at home.
Many local shops are bringing out their Christmas decorations
a bit early this year and will be full of festive holiday spirit
and sales to mark the occasion.
A chicken-wing-eating contest is set for Boomer's Sports Bar
and Restaurant Thursday at 8 pm. Contestants will try to wolf
down wings that will get hotter as the competition continues.
Much of the special week's activities will take place Saturday
at the farmers market at the clock tower (corner of King and
Centre streets) in downtown Prescott. Market vendors will have
the usual selection of vegetables, plants and other items for
sale; some vendors will be accepting Christmas orders for baked
goods and crafts.
A frozen T-shirt contest will be held at 11 am at the clock
tower. Tourism Prescott has accepted the BIA's challenge, with
other teams ready to follow suit.
The band Just B. Country will perform at the market beginning
at 10 am. Free horse-drawn wagon rides will be offered at the
clock tower late Saturday morning and early Saturday afternoon.
Santa and his elves are expected to make appearances downtown.
Even with the holiday spirit, Santa will don shorts in keeping
with the summer weather.
Sewage treatment plant
assessment in the works
PRESCOTT The town is preparing to take another step
toward securing a new sewage treatment plant.
Municipal leaders appear increasingly confident Prescott will
receive government funding to cover roughly two-thirds of the
estimated $15-million cost of building a new plant. An environmental
assessment would be required prior to the start of construction.
Town officials discussed the subject at length at a July 16
meeting. The issue was not whether the town should proceed with
the EA at a possible cost of somewhere between $120,000 and $180,000,
but whether it should put the project out to tender.
Town Engineer Clyde Solomon had recommended the job be given
to the Ainley Graham Group. That firm has handled matters relating
to the existing plant for years, provided good service and would
be the logical choice to do the EA, according to some town officials.
Although many on council agreed with the assertion, they pointed
out the town's purchasing policy requires a public tendering
process for a project of that magnitude. Council opted not to
make a decision that night and to review the matter the following
week.
Town CAO/Clerk Andrew Brown reported to council Monday the
government funding program requires a competitive process for
projects which exceed $25,000.
Town officials seemed satisfied with Solomon's recommendation
that invitations be extended to five local firms to submit "requests
for qualifications." The process of reviewing submissions,
interview applicants and selecting a firm would take several
weeks to complete.
Program attempts to
stop spread of raccoon rabies
SOUTH GRENVILLE The battle to stop the spread of raccoon
rabies is being fought on the ground and in the air.
There have been 78 confirmed cases of raccoon rabies in the
region since it was first detected in July 1999. Most of the
cases have occurred in the Athens area northwest of Brockville.
However, a local case was confirmed early last month north of
Johnstown.
In response to the Johnstown case, the Ministry of Natural
Resources (MNR) implemented programs aimed at slowing the spread
of the virus and protecting raccoons and skunks from contracting
rabies. In rural areas, raccoons and skunks within a five-kilometre
radius of the confirmed case are trapped an euthanized.
Raccoons and skunks within a further 10-kilometre radius of
the confirmed case of rabies are trapped, vaccinated and released.
Communications Officer Bev McCreight at the MNR district office
in Kemptville told The Journal the local trap-vaccinate-release
program has been working very well.
Approximately 3,500 raccoons and 250 skunks have been vaccinated
in Leeds and Grenville since April 2, according to Dennis Donovan,
a rabies technician with the ministry's rabies research unit.
About 1,900 raccoons and 200 skunks have been euthanized during
the same period, he noted.
Raccoon rabies is not any different from other strains of
rabies. The virus is carried in the animal's saliva; other animals
and humans can become infected if they are bitten, cut or scratched
by a rabid animal or if the rabies virus comes in contact with
the moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes.
The ministry indicates on its Web site some animals found
near the location of the confirmed case must be euthanized because
symptoms of the disease may not be shown for weeks. By then,
the disease could spread and vaccination programs would not be
effective.
The ministry sets live trap cages in conjunction with local
trappers hired for their expertise. Traps are placed in areas
in which raccoons are known to live; the consent of the landowner
is to be obtained before a trap is placed on private property.
Other animals may inadvertently get caught in the MNR traps.
Those animals are not harmed and are eventually released; cages
are usually checked within 24 hours. The ministry advises the
public not to attempt to release any animals from the traps.
The ministry is also advising the public it is illegal to
trap animals and relocate them.
Pet owners are required to have their animals vaccinated.
People should avoid contact with stray or wild animals and should
seek medical attention if contact with a rabid animal is suspected.
Border crossing areas along the St. Lawrence and in the Niagara
region have been identified as high-risk areas for raccoon rabies.
The MNR will drop 650,000 aerial baits from Aug. 19-24 in the
St. Lawrence region. The blister packs containing vaccine are
meant to be ingested by raccoons, foxes and skunks. Anyone who
sees a marked blister pack is asked not to touch it.
Bait will also be distributed by hand in several selected
human habitat areas in cities and towns, including Brockville,
Smiths Falls and Cornwall.
The Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Health Unit is also promoting
rabies awareness and prevention. The last time a human died from
rabies in Ontario was 1967; no reported deaths have been linked
to raccoon rabies.
Additional information can be obtained from the MNR Web site
at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/rabies, or by calling 1-800-667-1940.
THISWEEK
Road construction to begin this summer
PRESCOTT The reconstruction of part of Churchill Road
could begin in mid-September, according to estimates provided
by Town Engineer Clyde Solomon.
Although it remains unclear how much of the road will be rebuilt
this year, the project is expected to go to tender in two to
three weeks, town council was told Monday. The contract would
then be awarded in early September, and the contractor would
be on site Sept. 17. A base course of asphalt would be in place
by the end of November, with the final lift to be applied by
the end of next June.
Prior to the start of the Churchill Road project, construction
of the access road to the FAI development east of Edward Street
near the OPP station is expected to begin by mid-August. Cornwall
Gravel was awarded the $350,000 contract last week.
Friends of library group to host yard sale
SPENCERVILLE The Friends of the Edwardsburgh Public
Library will host a yard sale this Saturday, July 28 from 8 am
to 2 pm at the Spencerville Fair Grounds exhibit building.
Coffee and muffins will be available. For more information
or to donate items for the sale, call Jan at 658-3016, Nancy
at 658-2126 or Margo at 658-3463.
Next Sunday concert will be fabulous
PRESCOTT The Fabulous Bel Airs will hit the stage Sunday,
July 29 at the Kinsmen outdoor theatre on the waterfront.
The concert starts at 7 pm. Admission is free; however, donations
will be accepted.
In case of rain, the concert will take place at the Leo Boivin
Community Centre.
The four remaining concerts in the summer series begin at
6:30 pm. Heinz Schmuck will perform Aug. 5. Scheduled to perform
at the other Sunday concerts are the Dixie Consort, Ruby Tuesday
Swing Blues and Gary and Mickey Code.
The series is presented by several service clubs, individuals
and the town.
Volunteer painters sought by United Way
BROCKVILLE Businesses in South Grenville are being invited
to take part in the first annual Day of Caring presented by the
United Way of Leeds and Grenville.
Teams of workers are being asked to donate five hours of their
time Saturday, Sept. 29 to "Paint the Town." Numerous
non-profit agencies are looking forward to having their office
space or program room spruced up with a fresh coat of paint.
Anyone interested in participating is asked to call (613) 342-8889.
More than 23,000 people in Leeds and Grenville were helped
last year by United Way-funded agencies.
Decoration of
Chivalry presented to local Rebekah member
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT A member of the local Rebekah lodge has received
one of the fraternal order's highest honours.
Sheila Toshack, a 30-year member of the Wellington Lodge,
received the Decoration of Chivalry at a May 29 ceremony in London,
Ontario.
Toshack was one of seven Rebekahs in Ontario to be honoured
at the ceremony.
"I was very lucky to be chosen," she told The Journal
in a recent interview.
"I am very humbled and very honoured to receive it."
The Rebekahs, an affiliate of the International Order of Odd
Fellows, is a world-wide organization that emphasizes community
service and a belief in the supreme being.
The Decoration of Chivalry is authorized by the Department
Council of the Patriarchs Militant of Ontario.
The decoration recognizes the service a recipient has provided
to others. Providing comfort to fellow lodge members and others
is an important component of the decoration as well as the order
and its members.
Toshack, who is now known as a Lady of the Decoration of Chivalry,
became a member of Wellington Lodge in 1970. The Prescott resident
has held one title or another since her early days with the Rebekahs,
and has represented the fraternal order at the local, district
and provincial level.
In their letter of nomination, lodge sisters Brenda McConnell
(noble grand of Wellington Lodge) and Ann Thompson (right supporter
of the noble grand) stated "...Sister Sheila is a fine example
of what our order stands for. She practises the principles of
Odd Fellowship with zeal in her daily life and is a person that
is highly respected within her lodge, the order and our community."
McConnell and Thompson accompanied Toshack to London, as did
her husband Keith, a member of the Odd Fellows Amity Lodge based
in Prescott.
She has also served as lodge secretary for 10 years. However,
she was on holidays when the nomination was first discussed and
upon her return was surprised to find out at a meeting that she
had been nominated.
"My name was announced and I couldn't believe it,"
Toshack recalled.
Toshack has compiled an impressive list of volunteer credits
including the Prescott Figure Skating Club, Canadian Cancer Society
and Girl Guides of Canada.
She was also instrumental in developing and maintaining the
Prescott Majorette Corps in the 1970s.
Toshack has assisted in caring for children at the nursery
and donating food for functions at St. Paul's United Church.
"All they have to say is 'can you help' and I'm there,"
Toshack said of her willingness to volunteer her time.
Municipalities
must prepare for e-government: Allen
By Jeff Lee - Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH GRENVILLE Going online will improve the way municipalities
deliver services to ratepayers, according to vice-chairman of
a non-profit government corporation that has partnered with the
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville for an "e-government"
study.
The multi-million dollar proposal, if approved, would create
a Web portal to allow online transaction and a geospatial database
to pinpoint properties on a map.
Vic Allen, vice-chairman of Kemptville-based Upper Canada
Networks (UCNet), said the system would streamline municipal
services. This "e-government" model, Allen added, would
allow residents to buy dog tags, apply for building permits online
as well as making it easier for city officials keep track of
road and property boundaries.
The proposal, which was prepared by UCNet and spearheaded
by the counties, included market research and a business case.
A presentation was made to the counties governance and finance
committee early this month.
The hope, Allen said, was to receive approval in order to
meet the July 16 deadline for provincial funding through the
Connect Ontario and GeoSmart initiatives, and to be able to get
started on the project sooner rather than later. The next application
deadline is November.
Allen said counties council is the "driver" of this
proposal, with UCNet encouraged to partner with the upper-tier
council because of its "deliverance capabilities and experience."
The proposal was developed with consultation of counties staff.
Allen said from a counties and UCNet point of view, time is
of the essence to apply for and receive money. In addition to
the increase in competition for funds, the sooner the process
can begin, the sooner this "reinvention" can start.
However, Allen said, in retrospect, by fast tracking the proposal,
enough background wasn't made available to counties' members
so they could have a level of comfort with the proposal.
The two Connect Ontario and the GeoSmart initiatives together
represent a joint SuperBuild initiative between the Ministry
of Energy, Science and Technology (EST) and the Ministry of Natural
Resources (MNR), announced by the provincial government in March.
The aim is to help public-private partnerships establish a network
of connected "smart" communities.
For Connect Ontario, the provincial government will spent
up to $50 million in broad-based initiatives to create a high-technology
network of 50 connected communities across Ontario. The EST led
initiative includes assistance for the development of infrastructure
plans and the implementation of information and service-based
electronic infrastructure projects.
Geosmart is a five-year initiative, with $32-million in government
funding.
The system would use available computer and telecommunication
technology, Allen said. To achieve this level of communication
via the Internet between a municipality and its ratepayers a
Web portal would be constructed. Whereas a Web site is "static,"
containing basic information a Web portal goes further, allowing
for a host of transactions to be executed online.
Allen said the Web portal envisioned by counties council for
all of Leeds and Grenville could allow for transactions 24 hours
a day, seven days a week.
The MNR geospatial initiative is to make land-related information
available to communities. According to Allen, having geospatial
capabilities in place could also extend to emergency services.
Allen said the provincial government really believes if municipalities
are to continue to have to provide more without raising taxes,
then governments will have to adapt.
Vacant building gutted by fire
PRESCOTT A vacant building was demolished last week
after it had been gutted by fire.
Town firefighters arrived at the former railway hotel at the
corner of St. Lawrence and Railway streets last Wednesday at
about 1:30 am. The fire burned through the roof of the front
of the building. Firefighters brought the fire under control
and remained at the scene throughout the morning. No one was
injured.
Prescott Fire Chief Bill Lawrence said the fire appeared to
have started on the ground floor. Lawrence described the fire
as suspicious in nature. The remainder of the building was later
demolished.
An October 1999 blaze caused major damage to the structure.
The building was also vacant at that time and has been for sale
for some time.
Wording of parking bylaw to be revisited
PRESCOTT Trucks are not permitted to park on town streets,
according to the wording of the municipal parking bylaw.
Town officials are considering changes to the bylaw because
of the problems posed by a literal interpretation of the regulation.
A subsection of the 1986 bylaw states that "...no commercial
motor vehicle, attended or not, shall be parked or left standing
on any street, other than for the purpose of loading or unloading
cargo and then only for such a period as is reasonably necessary
to load or unload same."
Mayor Robert Lawn said the intent of the bylaw was to prevent
18-wheelers and school buses from being parked on the street.
However, the literal nature of the bylaw goes well beyond that
concern, Lawn noted.
Most people realize the bylaw exists and make alternate arrangements
with their commercial vehicles, the mayor said.
Town officials have received a few complaints about pick-up
trucks, trailers and other trucks parked on residential streets
for extended periods of time. This can lead to hazardous situations
in terms of visibility and traffic flow, something some councillors
acknowledged can be a problem.
Councillor Garry Dewar indicated he would support prohibiting
commercial vehicles from being parked on the street overnight
and on weekends, as well as a provision to allow parking in emergency
situations. Dewar and other councillors noted it would be difficult
to prevent those vehicles from being parked on the street during
the day when tradespeople or other service providers are on the
job.
Town officials also appear reluctant to add much in the way
of detail to the bylaw. "We've got to stay away from micromanaging,"
said Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead. "That creates other problems."
The town will check with other municipalities to see how they
handle commercial vehicle parking. Suggestions are to be discussed
by council members next month.
Open fires banned
A ban on all open fires in Leeds and Grenville was issued
Monday.
An extended period of dry conditions forced local fire officials
to implement the ban. Uncontained and open burning is prohibited
until further notice.
Contact municipal fire departments for more information about
the ban.
BIA summer student
is sprucing up downtown Prescott
PRESCOTT Sarah Byers is helping make downtown Prescott
a nicer place in which to be.
Byers is this year's summer student working on behalf of the
Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA). The position is funded
by Human Resources Development Canada's Summer Career Placement
Program. The Town of Prescott obtained the placement on behalf
of the BIA.
Byers, an Ontario Scholar and recent graduate of South Grenville
District High School, will be studying commerce at McMaster University
in Hamilton beginning next month. The Cardinal resident worked
at Grenville Pharmacy for three years while she was in high school.
Byers has been kept busy since she started work earlier this
month. She has already completed research on farmers' markets
in Kingston and Brockville. Her findings will be used by a new
committee being formed to review the Prescott market's operations
and improve them. Byers is also expecting to work on a 2002 marketing
plan for the BIA.
In an effort to make the downtown area more attractive to
visitors, Byers is sprucing up what is already in place. In addition
to looking after flower boxes, Byers has been busy painting benches
and fire hydrants. The BIA is also in the process of acquiring
new flags to be flown downtown.
Byers represents the BIA at events and when cruise ships dock
at Prescott. She also helped make improvements to the noticeboard
posted at the municipal dock.
"I would like to see Prescott attract more people,"
said Byers, who added she would also like to see all local merchants
participate in events.
"We need some more spirit here," she added.
CNIB to host service day
GRENVILLE COUNTY The Canadian National Institute for
the Blind (CNIB) is presenting a service day Monday, July 30
from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at Kemptville Home Support, Raina's
Mall, 203 Sanders Street. Residents of Grenville County are invited
to attend.
The CNIB is a United Way agency committed to helping anyone
with a vision problem that cannot be corrected using ordinary
lenses and that significantly affects the person's ability to
function normally.
Seventy per cent of CNIB clients are over the age of 70; loss
of independence is often their biggest fear, according to CNIB
District Manager Jane Hanley.
"We are essentially in the independence business and
can offer lots of simple, practical and inexpensive adaptations
that can help," she stated in a news release.
For more information, contact the CNIB office in Kingston
at (613) 542-4975.
Spencerville
Mill summer student offers guided tours
Canoe rentals at mill expected to draw visitors to historic
site
By Jeff Lee - Journal Staff Writer
SPENCERVILLE Among Karen VanRyswyk's duties at the Spencerville
Mill is to give visitors guided tours of the historic site, located
on the South Nation River.
Tours average between 10 and 15 minutes, said VanRyswyk, who
is also the mill's program facilitator. Some people like to wander
through the mill on their own, exploring the historic treasures
which include displays of period pieces, she said.
VanRyswyk said other people enjoy guided tours offered during
the mill's hours of operation Tuesdays to Saturdays 10 am to
4 pm and Sundays 1:30 to 4 pm.
VanRyswyk, who will be entering her OAC year at South Grenville
High School in the fall, offers insights into the mill's history,
which began in 1811 when Peleg Spencer built a saw mill on the
South Nation River.
In 1821, he added a grist mill to service the surrounding
community, and a village sprung up around the mills known as
Spencerville.
The original mills were on the south side of the river. In
1822, the operation of the mill was moved to the north side of
the river by Peleg's son David. In 1859, three mills had been
built, only to be gutted by fire.
The mill which VanRyswyk gives tours of was gutted by fire
in 1886, with only the walls remaining intact.
The mill transformed over the years by incorporating newer
technology including the addition of a water turbine and exchanging
steam power for a gasoline engine. The mill eventually closed
in 1972.
The Oxford Station resident started working at the mill June
2 on weekends until school ended for the year. She started full
time in late July.
Depending upon the weather, VanRyswyk said there can be 15
or more people visiting the mill in a day, or none at all.
A new attraction this season to draw visitors to the site
is canoe rentals. Canoes can be rented by the hour, half day
or full day. The rental includes life jackets and a safety kit.
VanRyswyk said working as the mill's tour guide and program
facilitator has been beneficial to her goal of becoming a teacher.
She eventually wants to work with students who have learning
disabilities or behavioural problems, she said.
VanRyswyk said the experience has helped hone her communication
skills.
"I'm really learning to communicate with different age
groups and different people," she said.
VanRyswyk said she has also enjoyed learning more about the
mill and its role in the development of the village.
Since ceasing operations in 1972, weather and lack of maintenance
had taken its toll on the mill. But the Spencerville Mill Foundation,
a non-profit organization, has been working to restore it. The
ongoing restoration effort of the mill this year includes building
a front porch with the assistance of Algonquin College students
in the heritage carpentry program. The park, adjacent to the
mill, is up and running, and includes picnic tables, landscaped
gardens and birdhouses.
VanRyswyk said projects of this nature are important to communities
because they allow people to learn about their past. By restoring
the mill, people will not be in jeopardy of forgetting their
history, she added.
Homewood Museum announces plans for open house
MAITLAND Homewood Museum near Maitland will be hosting
its annual open house and garden party Sunday, Aug. 19 from 2
to 4 pm.
The casual gathering will be free to the public. Tour guides
will be available in period costume, there will be entertainment
and refreshments will be served on the lawn.
Marjorie Mercer, executive director of the Ontario Heritage
Foundation (OHF) which owns and operates the national historic
site, will make an address at the open house. Spencerville resident
Earl Connell will be publicly thanked for his donation to the
museum of several of Homewood's original pieces and artifacts,
which he had acquired in Ottawa. Some of the items include elegant
furnishings and china. Other local dignitaries will also be invited
to attend the gathering.
The public will be encouraged to share ideas on increasing
visitorship and promoting the 200-year-old stone mansion. This
season, the OHF scaled back visiting hours at Homewood because
of decreased interest. The museum is no longer open to casual,
drop-in visitors, and can only accommodate special events and
group tours of eight people or more with 24 hours notice.
Homewood is one of the oldest houses in Ontario and is the
homestead of seven generations of the Jones family. The home
was built by Dr. Solomon Jones, a United Empire Loyalist who
came to Augusta about 1784.
Crimestoppers asks public to report suspicious
plantings
It is that time of year again when we tend to our gardens.
The tomatoes and cucumbers, the beans and carrots are all being
put in the ground with hopes of a great harvest later.
Well, drug dealers are also setting out their gardens. They
have been cultivating the marijuana plants inside for months
under artificial light and hydroponic growing systems. The warm
weather allows growers to move their small plants outside to
allow them to grow bigger and better in a natural environment.
Drug dealers usually plant their patches at the ends of little-used
bush roads or near abandoned buildings. They try to conceal the
area from casual viewing by ensuring the area is not well used.
If, while out walking, you come upon a cultivated patch of ground
apparently concealed from easy view, you likely have stumbled
upon a druggie's garden.
If you have knowledge of the whereabouts of a marijuana patch
or have suspicions about activities that are normally quiet,
call Crime Stoppers. Callers do not have to give their names
or appear in court as witnesses. Information provided to Crime
Stoppers could make callers eligible for cash rewards.
So break a drug pusher's heart today. Report a patch to Crime
Stoppers.
The number to call is 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Early Years committee
champions families
BROCKVILLE The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Early Years
Steering Committee has been formed.
The committee will champion local programs and parenting initiatives
aimed at young children. It is one of 37 committees established
by the province as part of the Harris government's Early Years
Plan.
Duties of the steering committee include maintaining and developing
partnerships, taking stock of early years services and resources
and raising public awareness.
Appointments to the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark committee
were made by an order in council and announced last month. Among
those appointed to the steering committee is Joan Hodge, chairperson
of the Upper Canada District School Board and public school trustee
for South Grenville. The new committee will be chaired by Randall
Burke, former chair of the board of directors of the Child and
Youth Wellness Centre of Leeds and Grenville.
"I appreciate the commitment these individuals are making
on behalf of Ontario's children." Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob
Runciman stated in a news release. "By working together,
we can make a difference in the lives of young people now, and
well into the future."
The position of community co-ordinator has been created to
support the steering committee and promote the importance of
early-year programs. Christina Stanford is the full-time co-ordinator
for the local committee; Stanford is the former CEO of the Royal
Purple of Canada, an organization which promotes and supports
community needs.
The Early Needs Steering Committee is expected to meet at
least once a month.
The government has also announced plans to establish early
years centres across Ontario as part of a $114-million investment
in programs for young children. "We understand that by supporting
parents and their young children, we are securing a future that
will be led by healthy, educated and caring individuals,"
stated John Baird, minister responsible for children.
WALKER HOUSE NEWS
By Willy Sieling Heuvel
All who have registered for the dinner theatre in Morrisburg
Thursday, Aug. 2 should have their money in as soon as possible.
Having said that, we will be leaving Walker House that day at
5 pm. Please be on time as others depend on it.
Some of you have been prompt getting your deposit in for the
October trip. To all who have not, time is running out as your
seat may be sold to someone else by the beginning of August.
Thank you.
The card people are teaching anyone who wants to learn "Pepper,"
a form of bid euchre. Join them Fridays at 1:30 pm at Walker
House.
Card game winners last week were: Monday bridge 1st,
Findlay Hill; 2nd, Joyce Nesbitt; Mary Reynolds won the door
prize. Tuesday cribbage high hand, Jean McCrady; high score,
Bea Hemsley and Eleanor Gilligan; 2nd, Myrtle Shahan; 3rd, Sam
Covey. Wednesday evening bridge 1st, Audrey Kingston; 2nd,
Ruth Britnell; Hugh Evely won the door prize. Thursday euchre
1st, Mary Reynolds; 2nd, Marie Shahan; 3rd, Jean Annable;
Pete Lowry won the door prize.
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