Town will deal with old dump
Landfill at site of proposed development to be excavated
PRESCOTT The town will have to dig a bit deeper in order
for a proposed commercial development to proceed.
Prescott council voted at a special meeting Monday night to
excavate a former municipal dump located on the FAI property
near the Ontario Provincial Police station. Town officials indicated
they are not sure how much material will have to be removed and
how much the project will cost, but they noted the work must
be done.
The landfill was open in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It
is located north of the athletic fields at South Grenville District
High School, although the exact boundaries of the dump site are
unknown.
Councillor Garry Dewar explained there is no evidence there
is toxic waste at the old dump. Testing at the site was done
months ago, he noted. However, buried garbage is breaking down
like compost.
"And you can't build a parking lot on top of compost,"
he noted.
Dewar, who chairs the town's planning and development committee,
declined to speculate on the estimated cost of the project. He
did note the lowest figure being considered is under $20,000.
The councillor said the town believes it can afford to do the
work and is willing to proceed.
"We put it there. We have to take it away," Dewar
said.
Mayor Robert Lawn acknowledged the issue came up rather suddenly
last week. In noting it is no secret a dump is located there,
the mayor indicated the legal people from at least one of the
companies believed it was the town's responsibility to ensure
the site is clean and any organic material is removed. Intense
discussions involving town officials, the developer and prospective
tenants took place late last week and early this week, Lawn said.
"Until we go and dig we just won't know how much might
have to be moved," the mayor stated.
The resolution approved by council includes a provision that
St. Lawrence Testing & Inspection Co. Be engaged to ensure
materials are identified, segregated and removed from the site.
Once excavated, the site will be filled.
Any clean-up related funds received by FAI Canada Development
from tenants or purchasers shall be forwarded to the town, the
resolution states.
Dewar said FAI is expected to begin clearing the site next
week. Once the clearing is done, the town will go in and deal
with the old dump. This work will take place in conjunction with
plans to build a large grocery store and retailer on the property;
other smaller stores are expected to be added to the project.
The mayor noted the commercial property being developed is
larger than what is believed to be the extent of the dump. The
depth of the material at the dump "...is not very great,"
he said.
The town has completed the gravel portion of Prescott Centre
Drive, the access road linking the FAI development and Edward
Street.
Commission considers proposal to disband town
police service
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT A provincial commission is now considering
the proposal to disband the Prescott Police Service.
Two panelists with the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police
Services (OCCOPS) were in Prescott Sept. 20 to hear presentations
from several groups connected with the proposal. The town and
its police services board are asking OCCOPS to approve a plan
which calls for the Ontario Provincial Police to provide municipal
service.
In order for the plan to proceed, OCCOPS must determine the
changes would result in adequate and effective police service.
The commission must also be satisfied arrangements are being
made to ensure any employees who could lose their jobs upon implementation
of the proposal.
Panel chairman Murray Chitra told the gathering of about 60
people the point of the meeting was not to debate the relative
merits of the proposal or rehash the details which led to the
decision to seek disbandment of the existing police service.
"These are all issues for council and the police board,"
Chitra said.
Under the town-OPP proposal, Prescott would become a designated
patrol zone. Staff Sergeant Brent Hill of the Grenville County
OPP detachment said two officers would be on duty in the Prescott
zone, similar to existing service. Municipal policing would be
based at the OPP station on Edward Street near Highway 401.
A long list of OPP resources would be available for use in
Prescott. Police board chair Gordon Mills said the proposal meets
new provincial adequacy standards and reduces municipal liabilities
and legal costs at a time when a small town like Prescott has
limited resources and a declining tax base.
Mills said he is proud of the Prescott Police Service and
saddened by the prospect of losing it after 44 years. However,
he added the move has been necessitated by a number of factors.
Police Chief Rick Bowie indicated the OPP is capable of providing
the high level of service and rapid response to which Prescott
residents are accustomed. Bowie also acknowledged the ongoing
efforts of department staff through what has been a time of turmoil.
He thanked members for their service and assured the community
it will continue to be served by a group of dedicated professionals.
"These people have made this place a better place to
live," the chief said.
The commission also heard from Deputy Mayor Garry Dewar and
lawyers for the town, police board and police associations.
The public was also given a chance to speak at the meeting.
Dispatcher Joe Scott said he and his civilian colleagues had
been "completely forgotten" by the police board and
town council. It had been noted earlier in the meeting seven
positions will be affected by the proposed changes. With OPP
providing its own dispatch, the town is proposing to obtain fire
dispatch from an alternate service provider.
Although he noted his son is an OPP officer and referred to
the organization as a fine police force, Scott added he would
like the OPP to let the civilian workers know where they stand.
The OPP has indicated one civilian worker would be hired.
As for the overall proposal made by the town and the OPP,
Chitra and fellow panelist Charles Rycroft will review submissions
and obtain additional information before issuing a written decision.
The decision usually comes within 30 to 45 days of the hearing.
It was not stated how long the transition from one police
service to the other would take to complete. Hill indicated Prescott
officers who join the OPP would receive a week of training at
the OPP academy, take part in joint orientation patrols and become
familiar with the OPP communications system.
"These people have made this place a better
place to live."
Prescott Police Chief Rick Bowie
Man dies in tractor accident
EDWARDSBURGH A Spencerville man died Monday afternoon
when the farm tractor he was operating rolled over near Dukelow
Road.
Grenville County OPP report James Ross Somerville, 72, was
using the tractor to pull logs when it struck a stump and overturned.
Police were called to the scene at about 5:38 pm; Leeds and Grenville
EMS attendants and members of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Fire
Department also responded. Somerville was pronounced dead at
the scene.
The police investigation is complete and foul play is not
suspected, according to an OPP news release. Constable Chuck
Doran is the investigating officer.
Ross Somerville was a former member of Edwardsburgh council.
He served a term as president of the Spencerville Fair and as
a director with the Spencerville Agricultural Society.
He also represented Edwardsburgh Township on the South Grenville
Economic Development Commission
THIS WEEK
Donated empties fund diabetes research
PRESCOTT Beer bottle returns can be donated at beer
stores in Grenville, Leeds and Lanark counties to support the
Canadian Diabetes Association this Saturday, Sept. 29.
All proceeds from the Case For a Cure project will help fund
diabetes research in Canada. The Prescott beer store is participating
in the fundraiser from 10 am to 4 pm.
This is the 10th annual Ontario-wide Case For a Cure campaign,
which has raised $1.4 million over the years. This year's Ontario
division goal is $240,000. All beer store donation drop-offs
will be manned by Lions club members, and the Prescott location
will have volunteers from the Edwardsburgh Lions Club.
The Tri-County Branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association
annual campaign kick-off is Oct. 3. Diabetes Month is November.
For more information, contact 1-800-226-8464, or visit the
Website at www.diabetes.ca.
Auction and dinner to support churches
MAYNARD A 2001 extended cab GMC truck is among the grand
prizes in an auction to support Victoria United Church in Maynard
and Bethel United Church in Bethel.
The truck and a 1969 Buick Skylark are courtesy of Riverside
Pontiac Buick in Prescott.
Other items in the auction include a 27-inch television, surround-sound
entertainment package, a utility trailer and a lawn tractor.
The auction will take place Friday, Sept. 28 at the Shriner's
Hall in Brockville. A silent auction is scheduled for 5:30 pm,
a ham dinner will be served at 6 pm and the main auction is set
for 7 pm.
Proceeds from the event will help support the ongoing operating
costs of the churches and the manse. For tickets, contact Norie
Spence at 925-2855 or Keitha Polite at 925-4560.
Ducks Unlimited banquet is this Friday
PRESCOTT The annual banquet and auction of Ducks Unlimited's
Prescott district chapter is set for this Friday, Sept. 28 at
St. Mark's Parish Centre.
Response to the fifth annual banquet has been very good as
was the case in previous years, according to organizer Jim Holmes.
The event will include live and silent auctions and various raffles
and draws.
Auctioneers James Cooper and Carrie Hands will participate
in the event.
Doors will open at 6 pm; the roast beef, turkey and ham dinner
will be served at 7:30 pm.
Some tickets were still available as of the beginning of this
week. To buy tickets or to get more information about the Ducks
Unlimited banquet and auction, call Jim Holmes at 925-5186 or
925-4800, or Paul Van Luit at 925-3312.
Status of one
officer becomes major point of discussion at public meeting
PRESCOTT It was not the adequacy of the proposed switch
to Ontario Provincial Police service that garnered the most attention
at last Thursday's meeting of the Ontario Civilian Commission
on Police Services.
The issue that took up more time than any other was the status
of Prescott Police Constable Darren Davis, the only member of
the town's police department to not receive an offer of employment
from the OPP.
It was noted by counsel for the Ministry of the Solicitor
General the OPP does not believe Davis meets a requirement set
out in the Police Services Act. The criterion in question
states the officer shall be of good moral character and habits.
Martin Doane, counsel for Davis and the Prescott Police Association,
claimed the OPP has been acting in bad faith and has not applied
the appropriate protocol. Davis has never been convicted of a
criminal offence, Doane noted.
Counsel for the ministry indicated a disciplinary proceeding
against Davis was commenced by the OPP when it was his employer.
A settlement that included a confidentiality provision was reached
and Davis resigned his position, the lawyer said. No further
details were disclosed at the meeting.
The lawyers disagreed on the issue of whether OCCOPS has the
jurisdiction to deal with Davis's situation as part of the disbandment
hearing. Doane suggested the commission could hold off on granting
disbandment of the town police service until Davis is offered
employment by the OPP.
A second option suggested by Doane would see the OPP make
a conditional offer of employment; this would essentially give
Davis the right to a hearing.
Some of the information disclosed at the OCCOPS meeting came
as news to Davis and police association representatives, according
to Doane.
Counsel for the ministry and the OPP insisted the commission
does not have the authority to tell the OPP to hire Davis.
The panel asked for additional details on this and a number
of other topics raised during the course of the meeting.
Gerry Ring, a police service chaplain and retired minister
at St. John's Anglican Church, voiced his concerns about the
manner in which the situation involving Davis was discussed at
a public meeting. In noting the matter should have been discussed
behind closed doors, Ring asked if the OPP's pedestal is higher
than that of the town's police service.
"Why was he good enough for us but not for their employment,"
Ring added.
Presenters at the meeting were not required to take an oath,
and there was no cross-examination.
OPP should make employment offer to constable,
lawyer says
Community offers support
after vandals cause damage at Shanly Cemetery
SHANLY A community effort is helping to pick up the
pieces after vandals knocked over nearly 30 grave markers at
Shanly Cemetery.
More than 25 volunteers gathered last Wednesday evening at
the cemetery near County Road 21 west of Shanly to put the markers
many of which weigh hundreds of pounds back in place.
It is believed the vandals were at the cemetery the night
of Sept. 12.
Most of the monuments knocked over were not damaged. Some
other grave markers had fallen over or were damaged prior to
the recent incident. The decorative tops of a few markers were
broken.
Cemetery board member Jim Irving pointed out the board does
not have much in the way of financial resources. It would be
up to volunteers to do most of the work, including a fair amount
of heavy lifting.
In addition to investigating the vandalism, Constable Jim
Blanchette of the Grenville County OPP detachment in Prescott
took a lead role in contacting people and putting together a
large group of workers.
Irving expected several people would offer to help put the
stones back in place. He and other board members were pleasantly
surprised when so many showed up that night.
"It makes you feel good," Irving said.
Blanchette was also overwhelmed by the response. "It
was nice to see the satisfaction of people who participated,"
the constable said.
The volunteer effort was not limited to those who lifted the
large stones. Home-made desserts and other snacks and refreshments
were served after all the grave markers had been put back in
place.
Although the task of moving the grave markers was completed
within half an hour, many of the monuments will have to be sealed
or repaired. Donations are being accepted at James Purcell Insurance
in Spencerville and Grant Brown Funeral Home in Kemptville.
As for the police investigation, no charges had been laid
as of Monday. Blanchette noted there are suspects.
Residents of South
Grenville can dispose of household hazardous waste Saturday
SOUTH GRENVILLE Household hazardous waste depots will
be open this Saturday, Sept. 29 at four patrol garages in Leeds
and Grenville.
Residents of Augusta, Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and Prescott can
drop off a wide range of items free of charge. The South Grenville
depot will be located at the county patrol garage on County Road
21 near Highway 416 east of Spencerville. The depot will be open
from 8:30 to 11:30 am.
Among the items that will be accepted at the special depots
are batteries, drain and oven cleaners, pesticides, pharmaceuticals,
paints, solvents and propane cylinders. PCB-contaminated wastes,
radioactive wastes and explosives will not be accepted. Commercial
and industrial wastes will also not be accepted.
The public is reminded not to mix wastes; transport them in
their original containers and in the trunk of a car or back of
a truck.
Identification is required; items will only be accepted from
residents of the counties and Prescott. Brockville and Gananoque
residents will not be permitted to participate.
For more information, call the Leeds and Grenville Waste Management
Office at 342-3840, extension 307.
Other household hazardous waste depots will be located on
County Road 44 south of Kemptville and near Lansdowne and Frankville.
Community policing information
SPENCERVILLE The Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Community Policing
Committee will host an information night Monday, Oct. 1 at 7
pm at the municipal hall. Township residents are invited to attend
the meeting.
The committee identifies matters of concern and maintains
working relationships with the community and the Ontario Provincial
Police.
New Canadian
Tire store to be built
Relocation plans include big increase in retail space,
twice as many staff
PRESCOTT A new Canadian Tire outlet will be built in
Prescott, according to store owner Dominique Pressault.
The new store will be part of the FAI development east of
the Ontario Provincial Police station and south of Highway 401.
The stand-alone building will include 18,000 square feet of retail
space and a 10,000-square-foot garden centre, Pressault told
The Journal recently.
The existing store on Churchill Road near Edward Street will
remain open until the new store is ready sometime next year,
according to Pressault. The new facility will have more than
three times the retail space, he added.
There are about 25 full- and part-time workers at the existing
store. Pressault expects that number will double at the new location.
The store owner indicated he is looking forward to opening
a new and much larger facility.
A large grocery store is also slated for the commercial development,
although few details have been announced. The company planning
to open the new store is part of the same grocery empire that
operates the Prescott valu-mart store next to Canadian Tire.
Work on the foundation of the access road to the FAI development
has been completed. The road has been named Prescott Centre Drive.
Town council voted at a special meeting Monday to have organic
material dug up and removed rom a former municipal dump located
on a portion of the FAI property. The clean-up project will coincide
with other site work.
Man seriously injured in hunting accident
EDWARDSBURGH An 18-year-old man was seriously injured
Saturday morning in a hunting accident that occurred west of
Spencerville.
Paul DeDekker was shot in the thigh at close range while hunting
near Goodin Road between Cleary and Hurley roads.
It is believed the victim was crawling on the ground and in
the process of pulling the firearm toward himself when the trigger
got caught on a corn stalk. The safety was off at the time, according
to Grenville County OPP Constable Jim Blanchette.
DeDekker was one of four men in the hunting party. His brother
Dave was nearby and went for help. Local men assisted the victim
and stayed him until emergency personnel arrived. Police were
called to the scene at about 10 am.
The victim was transported to Kemptville District Hospital
and then transferred to the Civic Campus of Ottawa Hospital.
Blanchette said Monday it appeared the leg would be saved. However,
he added DeDekker faces a lengthy recovery.
After reviewing the circumstances, Blanchette concluded charges
would not be laid. The victim is known as a safe hunter, according
to the constable.
Special program receives
a helping hand
PRESCOTT Community support is making a difference at
a special education program at South Grenville District High
School.
The program for developmentally disabled students is receiving
money and supplies to help make up for reductions in staff and
other resources.
The high school has fewer educational assistants (EAs) available
to deal with a growing number of students. There is also less
money available for classroom supplies.
Elaine and Tom De Vries began to obtain additional support
for the program last spring. They say the response has been good;
the drive has generated more than $1,200 in cash and $800 worth
of materials.
The program is aimed at providing students with an equal opportunity
to acquire basic skills and achieve their potential in intellectual,
physical and social development.
Mrs. De Vries believes the school has been doing a great job
with the program. Seeking donations is one way to help the school
continue to provide a good program at a time when funding is
tight, she indicated.
"These kids are kids too," she said.
Her son Karle just turned 19 and is in his fifth year of the
program at South Grenville. The program means a lot to him and
the other students, according to Mrs. De Vries. In addition to
various activities in the classroom and school, Karle has worked
at co-op placements in the community. Teacher Walter McWilliams
said work placements are an important part of the program because
it helps students with the transition to individual or assisted
living and enables the community to see the students in action.
However, the program does not have the resources for all the
work placements McWilliams would like to see in place. He noted
some EAs spend their own money on items used in the program.
SGDHS Principal Brenda Ramsay said the school appreciates
the efforts of volunteers who are trying to supplement the program
at a time when resources have to go further than in the past.
Among the many items needed by the program are books, school
supplies, towels, personal care items and basic household supplies.
De Vries said the response from companies and individuals has
been good. She hopes additional donations will be made once more
people become aware of the situation facing the developmentally
disabled program.
"They deserve a break," she said.
For more information, contact Walter McWilliams at 925-2855
or Elaine De Vries at 925-2271.
Meetings move to health
centre
PRESCOTT Upcoming meetings of town council will be held
in the health centre auditorium on King Street West.
Council had been conducting its meetings in the front of the
former bank building on Edward Street. Municipal offices were
moved there this spring when council was planning to proceed
with renovations to the Dibble Street municipal building.
However, concerns about poor acoustics and limited space prompted
council to make the switch to the health centre.
The next council meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 1 at 7:30
pm. Council's committee-of-the-whole meetings, also open to the
public, will also be held at the health centre.
The number of people attending council meetings has been on
the rise in recent weeks.
Falun Gong walkers
seek end to persecution
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT A group hoping to bring an end to the persecution
of Falun Gong in China visited the Fort Town Saturday as part
of a walk that will end at the United Nations (UN) in New York
City.
Several walkers and their supporters are trying to raise awareness
and collect signatures on a petition calling on the federal government
to take action. The group left Toronto Sept. 7 and is expecting
to present its petition and meet with federal officials tomorrow
in Ottawa.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice
in which truthfulness, compassion and tolerance are the fundamental
principles of the universe. Tens of millions of people in more
than 40 countries practice Falun Gong, which includes five sets
of gentle meditative exercises.
The government of Jiang Zemin began to crack down on the practice
more than two years ago. Falun Gong supporters believe the government
is concerned the popularity of the spiritual, non-violent practice
in China could undermine atheistic Communist ideology. It is
believed at least 270 people have been killed by police in China,
and 100,000 have been sent to labour camps where they are beaten
and abused.
Danielle Zhu, a member of the "SOS Global Rescue Walk,"
said Falun Gong practitioners put their livelihoods and their
lives on the line every day in China. The spiritual practice
represents "the best universal values for all of us,"
she said.
"We call on all people to cultivate and protect these
values," Zhu added.
The group set out on its journey prior to the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks in the United States. Zhu and other group members indicated
they have noticed a difference in how people along the route
have reacted since those attacks occurred. Persecution in China
is often thought of as being so far away, but what happened in
New York and Washington hit closer to home. "We all belong
to this Earth community," Zhu said.
The underlying principles of Falun Gong are more important
than ever, something Zhu said is being acknowledged by many people
who have encountered the group on its way across Ontario.
Mayor Robert Lawn said he wholeheartedly supports the movement
and its principles. The mayor added he admires the effort being
made by members of the group, and he wished them well on their
walk to Ottawa and New York City.
The rescue walk is taking place in North America, Europe,
Asia and Australia. The UN is being asked to send an independent
team to China to investigate reports of state-sanctioned persecution.
South Grenville high school students awarded
scholarships
PRESCOTT A number of students from South Grenville District
High School were recognized this week for their scholastic achievement.
The local students are among 155 students in the Upper Canada
District School Board (UCDSB) who have won the province's Aiming
for the Top Tuition Scholarships.
The South Grenville scholarship recipients are Mike Coulter,
Katrina Devries, Lesley Hubbard, Tina Magee, Heather Warren,
Shawn Coville, Erin Findlay, Lacey Kemp and Kristin Schaub.
Aiming for the Top is a program of the Ontario government
that rewards students who graduate with top marks at their high
school, and who plan to continue their studies at an Ontario
college or university. Students who maintain an 80 per cent average
at the post-secondary level can receive these scholarships for
up to four years. The scholarships range from $100 to $3,500.
"We're very proud of our students' scholastic achievements,"
stated UCDSB chair Joan Hodge in a press release. "Their
commitment to academic excellence is being rewarded through these
scholarships."
Director of Education Gino Giannandrea stated the program
provides another incentive for students to strive to achieve
top marks. "It's great to see the success and hard work
of our students being recognized," he said. "Without
doubt the scholarship money will assist with lowering the costs
of tuition."
Soap box derby ready
to roll
SPENCERVILLE The Spencerville & District Optimist
Club will host its first soap box derby this Saturday, Sept.
29.
The derby will take place on Goodin Road west of County Road
44. Admission is free. Registration will be on race day at 9
am; races begin at 10 am.
Drivers must be between the ages of eight and 16; helmets
must be worn by all drivers.
There will be two classes of cars: car kit and hobby car with
bearings. Prizes will be awarded to all entries.
Race day will be fun for the whole family. Spectators are
encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the event.
For more information, call Brian Purcell at 658-5497.
Church anniversary
turkey supper
this Thursday
JOHNSTOWN The 122nd anniversary of Johnstown United
Church will be celebrated with a turkey supper tomorrow, Thursday,
Sept. 27.
The event gets underway at 5 pm at the South Edwardsburgh
Community Centre in Johnstown. Children five and under are admitted
free.
A special anniversary worship service will be held at the
church Sunday, Sept. 30 at 10 am with the joint Johnstown/Cardinal
choir. The 7 pm service will include a musical evening with Betty
and Cliff Barkley and Don Morrell providing the entertainment.
Door-to-door
electricity sellers leave people in the dark
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT As Ontario moves toward a competitive electricity
market, customers will be able to choose their own electricity
supplier, much like in the natural gas and telephone industry.
Local Rideau St. Lawrence Distribution (RSL) customers may
continue to buy electricity from the local utility when the new
market opens, or sign up with a licensed retailer.
But this new freedom to choose has people confused and asking
questions at the Prescott RSL office. The company CEO, John Walsh,
said in an interview direct energy marketers are now going door-to-door
in Prescott, attempting to sign up customers to sell power.
Five to six different marketing companies are now in town,
Walsh said, adding he has fielded many phone calls from upset
and confused people who do not understand what is happening.
There are about 35 marketers currently licensed by the province
to sell hydro in Ontario.
Customers are being asked by the marketers to see hydro bills,
Walsh said. Marketers are looking for consumption and price paid,
and are quoting costs of about 5.95 cents per kilowatt hour.
With a discount in the first year of a five-year contact, the
price works out to about 5.35 cents.
Walsh cautions customers to be aware this figure is only for
the energy portion of the bill, which accounts for 40 to 50 per
cent of the overall bill. Other charges associated with the bill
will be a delivery charge from RSL, a transmission charge from
Hydro One, a charge from the independent market operator (the
company that controls the flow of electricity), and a debt-retirement
charge to pay off the Ontario Hydro outstanding debt.
RSL customers are currently paying about eight cents per kilowatt
hour, which is an all inclusive bill, Walsh said. When customers
are comparing, "they think it's a good deal, but that's
only part of the picture," he said.
What the energy marketers can offer, Walsh said, are stable,
locked-in prices over a longer term.
Walsh also warns customers to read the marketer's contract
carefully. Some contracts may include a penalty for early cancellation,
or customers may be giving up their rights to any price-stabilizing
energy rebates. In the new electricity market, Walsh explained
everybody who buys electricity could receive a rebate. This is
a condition of Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) generating licence,
aimed at reducing the impact of OPG's market power on prices.
OPG currently controls about 85 per cent of the electricity
supply capacity in the province. To reduce the effect its market
power could have on prices, OPG will have to pay a rebate if
the average annual market price exceeds 3.8 cents per kilowatt
hour.
According to Walsh, if people choose to stay with RSL, the
company will continue to serve its customers by purchasing all
power at cost, with no mark-up on the energy portion of the bill.
Walsh said the energy marketers are not misrepresenting themselves
and are following the code of conduct set out by the Ontario
Energy Board. But customers need to be informed of their choices,
he said.
No definite date has been set for the opening of the electricity
competition, though Walsh expects it could be May 2002.
New billing system
Staff at Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities (RSL) are currently
implementing a new billing system for its customers in Prescott,
Cardinal, South Dundas and Westport.
The new system began in the summer, and in the meantime, some
customers are receiving their bills about one to two weeks later
than usual, RSL CEO John Walsh explained.
"We're working through the kinks in the system and hopefully
we'll be back on track shortly," he said.
All bills are now being generated from the Prescott office.
To balance the increased workload, Walsh said bills for the separate
areas will be spaced out through the month. Due dates will be
extended accordingly if bills are late, Walsh said.
Also during the adjustment period, some customers will receive
bills for an extended period, and account numbers may change.
For example, in Prescott, the September bills may be for as many
as 59 days, up from the average 30 days. After September, the
average 30-day bill will return.
Leeds-Grenville among areas to receive Early
Years Centre
BROCKVILLE An Ontario Early Years Centre in Leeds-Grenville
is expected to open early next year, according to the provincial
government.
The local centre is one of 15 locations to be announced Sept.
20. These centres will provide core programs such as early literacy
and other services for children up to the age of six and their
parents.
Randy Burke of Elizabethtown will co-ordinate creation of
the centre. It will be up to the local early years group to develop
a plan to locate the centre in an existing facility, identify
community needs and professional and volunteer staffing requirements.
"Our government recognizes the importance of focusing
on a child's first few years of development," stated John
Baird, minister responsible for children.
A province-wide network of more than 100 early years centres
is to be in place by April 2003, according to a news release
issued by Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman.
Medical equipment funding announced by government
BROCKVILLE The provincial government has announced nearly
$650,000 in funding to enable health-care facilities in Leeds
and Grenville to upgrade and modernize medical equipment.
Wellington House in Prescott will receive $26,247, according
to a news release issued Monday by Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman.
Brockville General Hospital will receive $163,609; St. Vincent
de Paul Hospital in Brockville and Kemptville District Hospital
have been allocated $29,004 and $37,526 respectively. One of
the other recipients is the Leeds-Grenville ambulance service,
which will receive nearly $43,000.
"These grants will go a long way towards improving diagnostic
and treatment services," Runciman stated.
Stratford trip just three weeks away
WALKER HOUSE NEWS
By Willy Sieling Heuvel
To all who helped, baked or did whatever else needed to be
done for the historical tea at Walker House, your efforts are
greatly appreciated.
A board of management meeting is scheduled for Oct. 4 at 10
am.
The trip to Stratford due to take place Oct. 17, 18 and 19
will leave Walker House promptly at 7:30 am. Please take note!
A note to put on your calendar: a dinner will be held Oct.
27 at 5:30 pm. The meat will be chicken.
Card game winners last week were: Monday bridge 1st,
Kitty Wormington; 2nd, Audrey Kingston; Findley Hill won the
door prize. Tuesday cribbage high hand, Pete Lowry and
Jean McCrady; high score, Hilda Hutton; 2nd, Myrtle Shahan; 3rd,
Pat McPhee. Wednesday evening bridge 1st, Ed Zackon; 2nd,
Findley Hill; Anne Woods won the door prize; Thursday euchre
1st, Gladys Somerville; 2nd, Pat McPhee; 3rd, Jessie Shaver;
Helen Barr won the door prize.
U.S. terrorist
attacks condemned in legislature
TORONTO The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United
States were condemned by Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman in
a special debate Monday in the Ontario Legislature.
The Conservative MPP supported an all-party endorsement of
a resolution pledging the government's position that there is
no place in Ontario for agents or supporters of terrorism. The
resolution also condemned all hate crimes by reaffirming the
commitment of legislators to the province's tradition of tolerance
and respect for diversity.
The resolution expressed compassion for the victims and their
families, promised resources for dealing with the aftermath and
pledged help in bringing those responsible to justice.
In his speech to the legislature, Runciman noted the enduring
friendship of Americans. More dependable protectors of Canadian
security and providers of important jobs and economic growth
for Canadian citizens could never be found, he said.
"I believe their war is our war and must be our war,"
Runciman said. "An attack on the U.S. is an attack on all
freedom-loving people, but especially on all who share this great
continent.
"Anti-Americanism in Canada has always offended me and
frequently angered me," said Runciman, noting that especially
in this area of Eastern Ontario, Americans are "truly just-down-the-street
neighbours."
In referring to the song God Bless America, Runciman
said "in reality, all of us who believe in truth, justice
and freedom for all, should bless the United States of America."
Crime commission seeks input on youth justice
BROCKVILLE The Ontario Crime Control Commission will
conduct a public hearing Friday, Sept. 28 from 7 to 8:30 pm at
the Royal Brock Hotel.
The meeting will deal with the Youth Criminal Justice Act
and the Young Offenders Act. Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman
and MPP David Tilson, commission co-chair and parliamentary assistant
to the attorney general, are scheduled to attend. Members of
the public are invited to attend and offer their input on the
acts.
For more information about the hearing, call the commission
toll-free at 1-877-274-6326.
AUGUSTA LIBRARY NEWS
By Betty Warren
Fall is upon us and we are having some beautiful days. I'm
sure everyone is preparing for Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en, and
the really organized are already making preparations for Christmas.
Just a reminder, the library is great place to start for ideas,
whether it be decorating, gift-making or recipes. We have the
latest magazines, all kinds of cookbooks and craft books and
if you can't find it there, you can log onto the Internet, where
there is an endless supply of ideas on any subject.
Fall also brings fall mums, which the Friends of the Library
now have for sale. Just call the library at 926-2449 to order
yours.
Just a reminder to students. They can volunteer at the library
and receive credit towards their required volunteer hours for
high school.
Oct. 15 is the start of Library Week, and this means amnesty
for those who have overdue books. This is also volunteer appreciation
night and presentation of the Dreamers and Doers plaque to the
Augusta Township resident who has tirelessly worked to make our
community a better place. Drop into the library during Library
Week and see what else is planned.
Our library is always purchasing the latest best sellers for
all age groups. Membership is free for all Augusta Township residents,
so take advantage of the opportunities.
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