Prescott council chooses three options for town hall
Dibble Street municipal building, two King Street locations
still in the running
PRESCOTT - As Santa Claus is making a list and checking
it twice, town council has narrowed its list of town hall options
to three.
Council met privately Monday night to discuss five possible
locations for a new municipal building and public library. Mayor
Robert Lawn told The Journal Tuesday morning the three
remaining options are to renovate the building at 360 Dibble
St. W., renovate the True Value Hardware store on King Street
West and construct a new building on the former Daniels' Hotel
property on King Street West.
The two options rejected by council Monday were to construct
a new building at either 175 Water Street or the site of the
municipal parking lot at King and Centre streets.
Lawn said additional details on the remaining options would
be released this week.
The mayor noted the parking lot was eliminated from consideration
in part because of concerns about the loss of parking spaces
in the heart of downtown. The vacant lot at 175 Water Street
is drawing a lot of interest for its potential as a residential
property, according to Lawn.
Town officials compiled a list of 25 options after council
decided earlier this year not to proceed with renovations to
the Dibble Street building.
Council is still considering the possibility of hosting a
public information session to present the three options in detail,
the mayor said.
Lawn expects the ongoing issue of town hall will be discussed
by council when it meets Jan. 7.
The hardware store is owned by Councillor Jim French, who
has declared a conflict of interest and has indicated he will
not take part in any vote relating to the location of the municipal
building and library.
Officials discuss OCCOPS decision
PRESCOTT - Police and municipal officials have met to discuss
how to deal with a recent decision that jeopardizes plans to
disband the Prescott Police Service and have the Ontario Provincial
Police (OPP) serve Prescott.
In a written decision released two weeks ago, the Ontario
Civilian Commission on Police Services (OCCOPS) indicated it
was not in a position to approve abolition of the municipal police
department. There are several unresolved issues to be addressed
before OCCOPS is prepared to reconsider its decision.
One of those conditions involves former OPP Constable Darren
Davis, who is currently a constable with the Prescott Police
Service. The OPP has indicated it will not offer employment to
Davis as it has for other constables employed by the town. OCCOPS
is calling on the OPP and Davis to agree to binding arbitration
to resolve the matter.
OPP representatives were in town Monday to meet with the Prescott
Police Services Board. Mayor Robert Lawn said at the council
meeting held Monday night officials are reviewing their options
and hope to meet a Jan. 14 deadline imposed by OCCOPS.
Lawn added it is "...a little early to express optimism
or pessimism" on whether the parties involved will be able
to meet the conditions outlined in the OCCOPS decision.
The OPP is also being asked by the commission to make unconditional
offers of employment to town police officers, and to indicate
how it will determine which one of the municipal police department's
civilian workers will be offered employment. Several dispatchers
expect to lose their jobs because the OPP has its own dispatch
system and council has indicated it intends to contract out fire
dispatch service currently being provided at the fire hall.
OCCOPS also decided the Prescott proposal meets adequacy requirements
in terms of level of service; however, approval is subject to
certain conditions relating to detachment offices, cell areas
and the OPP communications system.
The town's proposal was the subject of an OCCOPS hearing held
Sept. 20.
Community
dinner set to be served Sunday
PRESCOTT - Organizers of this Sunday's community dinner in
Prescott are confident the event will be a successful one.
"Everything's going great, everything's coming through,"
says Mackenzie Eaton, co-organizer of the dinner "Soup for
the Soul - A Christmas Cuisine."
The dinner, to be held at St. Mark's Parish Centre in Prescott
from 4 to 7 pm, is free for anyone who wishes to attend.
Eaton and her friend Kaitlynn Dodge, both 15-year-old Prescott
residents, decided in September to host the community dinner
to bring the local population together for the holidays.
"We're hoping to get 100 people," says Eaton. "We're
going to cook for 200 people and then whatever doesn't get eaten
will go to the Loaves and Fishes (low-income restaurant) in Brockville."
Various stores and organizations in the area have donated
food and money to the cause. Volunteers from area high schools
and the Catholic Women's League will help cook and serve the
food.
"We've even had families calling us to help out,"
Eaton says. "There have been substantial anonymous donations
as well."
For more information, call 925-4665 or 925-1383.
Dougherty is new Augusta
fire chief
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD - Augusta Township has a new fire chief. Lorne Dougherty,
Maynard resident and 35-year veteran of the department, was appointed
to the position by Augusta council at its Dec. 10 meeting.
His appointment follows the retirement of Fred Boisvert, who
headed the volunteer fire department for 23 years and was a member
for 42 years.
"You've got a good man coming in with lots of experience,"
Boisvert said of Dougherty, who was deputy chief for 23 years
and captain for six.
Boisvert said he will remain an honourary member of the force,
and will be available any time his services are needed, to help
with such tasks as radio work or administration.
The outgoing chief said he won't miss getting up for fire
or emergency calls in the middle of the night, but may long for
the fellowship of other firefighters at the hall. "I think
my car goes in there automatically," Boisvert said.
Dougherty expects he'll put in as many hours to the volunteer
job as his predecessor - about 20 hours a week on administrative
tasks plus time for emergency calls - because it's a service
to the community, he noted.
Among his first challenges as chief will be training his firefighters
on the department's new heavy hydraulic auto extrication equipment.
The $22,000 piece of specialized equipment (more than half of
which was paid for by Grenville Mutual Insurance) arrived two
months ago. It may take between six months and a year for the
department's 40 men to become proficient in its use, Dougherty
said.
The firefighters will be taking courses on the proper use
of the equipment, and also train on vehicles supplied by Foley
and Coville auto wreckers, he said.
Training in the first responder program in conjunction with
Leeds and Grenville Emergency Medical Services will also continue,
Dougherty explained. Sixteen of the department's firefighters
are currently trained to provide a basic level of life support
prior to the arrival of ambulance personnel in an emergency situation.
First responder training is 40 hours, plus an additional 16
hours of defibrillation training. An eight-hour recertification
course is required each year.
Dougherty explained the fire department will automatically
be called for a medical assist if the ambulance service is more
than five or six minutes from the scene.
The new system has partly resulted in an increase in calls
from 89 in 2000 to 144 during 2001, he said. About 40 of these
calls were ambulance related. However, Dougherty feels the first
responder program has its benefits to the community.
"It's good for the citizens," he said.
"If we can get there first and start work and save a
life, that's what volunteering is all about."
Another challenge for Dougherty in his new position will be
bringing in new firefighters. He said the department is down
by about three to four firefighters.
However, the department is fortunate in having a bank of applications
on file, he said.
Dougherty had been employed at DuPont in the maintenance resource
department for 35 years, prior to his retirement three-and-a-half
years ago.
Lindsay Penny, a 30-year member of the department, has been
appointed to the deputy chief position. He will become responsible
for fire prevention and inspections in the township.
"You've got a good man coming in with lots of experience."
Retired Fire Chief Fred Boisvert
Next week's paper to
be delivered Monday
PRESCOTT The offices of The Prescott Journal
and St. Lawrence Printing will close Dec. 24 at 1 pm and remain
closed Dec. 25 and Dec. 26.
Next week's paper will be delivered Monday, Dec. 24. The deadline
for display and classified advertising for that edition is Thursday,
Dec. 20 at 5 pm.
The first edition of 2002 will be delivered Thursday, Jan.
3. The advertising deadlines for the Jan. 3 edition are Friday,
Dec. 28 at 5 pm.
Seniors invited to tour of Christmas lights
PRESCOTT -Senior citizens are once again being invited to
an evening bus tour of the many Christmas displays in the Prescott
area.
Two full-size buses and one which is wheelchair accessible
are being rented for the tour which takes place tonight (Wednesday,
Dec. 19) and will extend from Johnstown to Maitland. Passengers
will be picked up at six locations, beginning at 6 pm at Wellington
House and Mayfield House. Other pick-up locations includes 567
Hyde St. at 6:15 pm, Walker House at 6:20 pm, Prescott Place
at 6:25 pm and St. Mark's Parish Centre at 6:30 pm.
Refreshments will be served at the parish centre following
the tour. There will also be guest speakers and entertainers.
Passengers will be transported back to their pick-up locations
and escorted to their buildings.
All services are free of charge. The tour is sponsored by
the Prescott Kinsmen and the Knights of Columbus.
Make Christmas crafts at Prescott library
PRESCOTT - The final session of Christmas Crafts with Sue
and Kim will take place this Saturday, Dec. 22 from 1:30 to 2:30
pm at the Prescott Public Library on Dibble Street.
The session is open to youngsters between the ages of three
and 12. Call 925-4340 to register.
Town hires community services director
PRESCOTT Randy Pelehos is Prescott's first director
of community services.
Pelehos was appointed to the new administrative position by
town council at its meeting Monday. Thirty-two applications were
received when the posting was advertised earlier this year. Councillor
Seeley Pillar said the choice came down to two candidates, and
Pelehos "fit the bill" the best.
Pelehos will oversee various municipal facilities, including
the community centre, library and Walker House. The position
was created to ease the workload of the CAO/clerk in the absence
of a recreation director.
The salary for the director ranges from $39,029 to $46,698,
according to an administrative position listing attached to a
bylaw approved by council Monday.
Positive letters received by Augusta council
MAYNARD - The Dec. 10 meeting of Augusta council took a dramatic
turn from the past year's meetings which largely focused on residents'
complaints about council's performance.
Several letters of support were presented at the most recent
monthly meeting, thanking council for its positive actions.
"When credit is due it must be expressed," wrote
Donald Grant of North Augusta in a letter explaining his appreciation
for culvert work at Klitbo Road and South Branch Road. Grant
noted the "wonderful job" performed by experienced
township roads employees to create "a very attractive finished
project."
Grant urged council to not listen to all ratepayers' complaints.
"So many people of this township can reject most of the
council's decisions," he wrote. "But if they were in
council what would they do?" Grant signed his letter "a
satisfied taxpayer of Augusta Township for 44 years."
Doug Brown of Riverview Heights also sent a letter of thanks
to council, referring to a job well down in that area in clearing
drains and ditches. The work allows for better drainage and helps
the water problem in the subdivision, Brown wrote.
The principal of Algonquin Public School, Hugo Hoogenraad,
thanked council for its concern for students by supporting the
paving of the west shoulder along County Road 15 near the school.
He noted the sidewalk provides a safe and clean surface for students
to walk. The principal had enclosed with his letter photographs
of the children using the walkway for easier access to the nearby
Augusta Township Public Library. The paved shoulder has also
made a difference with southbound traffic, Hoogenraad wrote,
which now passes students on the walkway at a safer distance.
Deputy Reeve Doug Barton noted at the meeting "there
are positive things going on this township. Although the group
of people who usually attend our meetings never have anything
positive to say, there are numerous people who do come out with
positive comments."
Barton said he chose to be a member of council so he could
give something back to the community where he has lived for more
than 50 years, and not because he had a personal agenda. "For
all the people who think... we're trying to sneak things through,
I take that personally. Some of your digs, I take them to heart.
We're trying to do what's best for the township as a whole."
Dog owners will pay
more in township next year
MAYNARD - It will cost a little bit more to own a dog in Augusta
Township, beginning Jan. 1.
Council passed a resolution at its regular meeting Dec. 10
increasing annual dog licensing fees effective in the new year.
The resolution was made on the recommendation of staff and an
ad-hoc committee reviewing regulations for a new dog bylaw within
the township.
The new rates are effective until March 31 of each year or
after 30 days of moving into the township, when a penalty fee
comes into effect.
There is no charge to license a guide dog, and all other dogs
will cost $15 to license. This fee increases to $30 after March
31. Dogs designated as aggressive will cost $100, or $150 after
March 31.
A kennel licence will be $60, and $90 after March 31; replacement
tags will cost $5 at any time.
Release fees for impounded animals will be $50 on the first
offence; $90 on the second offence; $130 on the third offence;
and $200 for subsequent offences, in which case charges may be
laid under the Provincial Offences Act.
At a Nov. 7 public meeting to discuss a redrafted dog control
bylaw, it was reported it costs the township $12 to issue each
dog tag.
Under the old rate schedule in which dog owners paid $10 for
in individual licence, council said municipal tax dollars were
subsidizing the control of dogs.
Vehicle and licence bureau will remain in
Prescott
By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - While the management of the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Office in Prescott has changed, the office will remain
in town for the foreseeable future.
Frank and Bev Whiten, who had privately managed the office
for the past 19 years, turned it over to the provincial government
last week. Val Cameron of Cardinal, a Ministry of Transportation
(MTO) employee, will oversee the office on King Street East until
a new private manager is found.
MTO spokesperson Bob Nichols says the ministry has issued
requests for proposals to manage the office. Proposals will close
in early January, says Nichols, and the evaluation process will
take approximately one month.
"Hopefully by the end of February we'll have a new private
manager running that office," Nichols says.
The Whitens are glad the office will continue to operate in
Prescott.
"It would have been an inconvenience of the people of
Prescott to have to drive to Brockville," Bev Whiten says.
Since Frank Whiten and his wife took over the Prescott office
from Bill and Angie Countryman, he has also served 11 years on
Prescott town council, worked for HomeLife/DFK real estate in
Brockville and sold Bell Mobility phones. He will now shift his
complete focus to real estate.
"It was time," says Whiten. "We had a lot of
irons in the fire."
Bev Whiten, who is retiring, is looking forward to more time
at home and with her elderly father.
"It was starting to interfere with the holidays, and
we wanted to free ourselves up for the winter," she says.
Firms interested in garbage
SPENCERVILLE - Eight firms or individuals have requested tenders
for curbside pickup of solid waste and recyclables in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
township, municipal clerk Russell Trivett said Monday night.
Council is currently accepting tenders to determine whether
such service is feasible and which parts of the township would
receive it.
St. John's Anglican Church welcomes new minister to town
next month
PRESCOTT - St. John's Anglican Church will soon have a new
rector.
Reverend Michael Pollesel will take over the helm Jan. 1.
Pollesel, who lives in Oxford Station near Kemptville, will
serve part-time at the church and continue serving the diocese
in a stewardship program.
Graham Cudlipp, the rector's warden at St. John's, said the
arrival of Pollesel will be "a big plus for this area."
Reverend Gerry Ring, who led the congregation at St. John's
for nearly 11 years until his retirement in September, will serve
as an honourary assistant. He will fill in about once a month
when Pollisel is away on diocese business, according to Cudlipp.
Canon Doug Burns has been serving in place of Ring on an interim
basis. "He's just done a wonderful job," Cudlipp said
of Burns. "He has a great sense of humour."
A service of celebration to mark Pollesel's arrival is scheduled
for Sunday, Feb. 3 at 4 pm.
The church is now trying to sell its rectory, the house provided
to the minister and his family. Church members agreed at a special
vestry meeting Nov. 18 to put the Dibble Street property on the
market. Thirty-four members voted in favour of putting the rectory
up for sale; eight voted against.
The property is now listed for $129,000, a price Cudlipp considers
"a real bargain." The four-bedroom home the church
bought from Sophia French in 1891 includes an apartment unit
which has been occupied for 20 years by a tenant who would like
to stay there, according to Cudlipp.
Cudlipp acknowledged it was a difficult decision to sell the
rectory. However, he noted many clergy these days prefer to select
their own home when they move to a new community.
Proceeds from the sale of the house would go to the diocese
to pay off loans made to the church. Any remaining funds would
be designated for capital projects; church officials are in the
process of prioritizing those projects, Cudlipp noted.
The Anglican parish based in Prescott has approximately 200
member families listed.
Hodge re-elected chair of board
PRESCOTT - Joan Hodge has been re-elected chair of the Upper
Canada District School Board for another one-year term.
Hodge, the English public school trustee representing Augusta,
Prescott, Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal and North Grenville, defeated
Art Buckland in a secret ballot conducted last Wednesday night.
Much has been accomplished in the past year, Hodge told her fellow
trustees. However, she added there are many challenges ahead
requiring trustees to work together to attain success.
Cornwall Trustee David McDonald was elected vice-chair.
The Upper Canada board operates nine elementary schools and
one secondary school in South Grenville.
Chamber of commerce supports theme park proposal
Some officials voice concerns about prospect of race track
and slot machines
PRESCOTT - The Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce will
send a letter of support to the 1000 Islands Fantasia project,
but some chamber officials are not happy about it.
Directors agreed at their Dec. 13 meeting to send a letter
to the backers of a $232-million proposal to build a theme park
south of Highway 401 and west of Stewart Boulevard on land that
straddles the City of Brockville and Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley.
The request was made by Dave Paul, Brockville's economic development
officer.
The development proposal includes plans for a horse-racing
track and slots area. Director Ken Durand said the theme park
is a "disguise" for a casino, something for which he
believes proponents will have trouble obtaining approval.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission announced earlier
this year a charity casino will be built in Gananoque and Leeds
and Thousand Islands. Prescott was one of four communities vying
for the project. In noting Prescott had been slated as the site
for a casino prior to a provincial moratorium declared more than
two years ago, some chamber officials voiced their concerns about
the Fantasia proposal.
Chamber President Bill Pakeman acknowledged the theme park
would bring "a lot of things" to the Brockville area,
he said the theme park could not carry its own weight without
the track and slot machine components. Brockville was one of
the other four communities to vie for the charity casino.
"It is a sour pill, as far as I'm concerned, for the
Prescott area," Pakeman said.
The chamber's executive director, Mike Boyles, suggested directors
could send a letter of support for the theme park but not the
track and casino. Director Anne Sawyer responded by noting the
theme park would benefit "absolutely everybody" in
the area, adding any effort by the chamber to limit its support
based on what happened with the charity casino decision would
be "sour grapes."
Tourism Prescott had already agreed to send a letter of support
to Fantasia. If the proposal becomes a reality, more than 2,000
jobs could be created.
New committees appointed after numerous discussions
PRESCOTT - Town council has appointed new standing committees,
but not without yet another discussion on the subject.
A majority of council members voted in favour Monday of the
committee proposal prepared by Mayor Robert Lawn. The vote came
after an amendment to the membership of two committees was defeated
in a 3-3 vote.
Councillor Garry Dewar asked to have councillors Jim French
and Nancy McFarland switch places; French would go from community
service to planning and development, while McFarland would do
the opposite. Dewar noted French indicated he does not want to
serve again on the community services committee he has chaired
this year.
A similar suggestion was made at a council meeting last month;
at that time, Mayor Lawn asked to defer a decision on committee
appointments. The subject was also raised at a committee-of-the-whole
meeting, but no consensus was reached. Some tempers flared during
discussions leading up to the decision Monday.
"Let's get on with the job... and not fight amongst ourselves,"
Councillor Jim French said at the council meeting.
Dewar was the only councillor who voted against the original
list of committees. Mayor Lawn did not vote for or against the
motion or the amendment.
The mayor is an ex-officio member of each committee.
The new structure is as follows:
* Finance Services Jim French (chair), Jo-Anne Beckstead,
Seeley Pillar
* Corporate Services Jo-Anne Beckstead (chair), Garry
Dewar, Seeley Pillar
* Protective Services Nancy McFarland (chair), Jo-Anne
Beckstead, Jim French
* Community Services Seeley Pillar (chair), Jim French,
Terry McConnell
* Transportation and Environmental Services Terry McConnell
(chair), Garry Dewar, Nancy McFarland
* Planning and Development Garry Dewar (chair), Nancy
McFarland, Terry McConnell.
Imposter steals from
homes
PRESCOTT - Police are reminding residents to use caution when
someone they do not know asks to enter their homes.
The Prescott Police Service is investigating two recent thefts
and one attempted theft. In all three cases, an unknown man visited
the home and advised the occupant he was an employee of the town's
water department. The man indicated there were problems with
a water main in the area, and asked to inspect the water pipes
and pressure inside the residence. The occupants discovered after
the man left their wallets were missing.
Police remind the public to ask strangers to identify themselves
or show identification before allowing them to enter the residence.
Anyone who has doubts is asked not to hesitate to call town
police at 925-4252.
Gift baskets distributed
Sunday
PRESCOTT - Spirit of Giving food baskets will be put together
Friday evening and distributed Sunday at South Grenville District
High School.
Families that registered for the program will be able to pick
up their baskets at gym "C" of the school, similar
to the last several years.
Any families with last names starting with the letters "A"
through "L" are asked to pick up their baskets from
10 am until noon; families from "M" to "Z"
can collect their food from noon until 2 pm.
The Prescott Kinsmen Club is still seeking donations for the
annual campaign.
Town workers and members of council receive increases
PRESCOTT Town council has approved pay increases to
its unionized and administrative staff, as well as itself.
Council voted in favour Monday of a new three-year agreement
with Local 2311 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
The 13-member local representing most public works employees
will receive pay increases of 2.5 per cent in 2001 and three
per cent in both 2002 and 2003.
The same rate increases apply to nine administrative staff
and honorariums paid to members of council.
The mayor will receive a total of $7,397 this year. Each councillor
will receive $3,724; members of the police services board will
receive honorariums of $923.
Bylaws to approve the increases passed first, second and third
readings Monday night.
Mileage payments have been increased from 30 to 35 cents per
kilometre.
PRESCOTT POLICE
PRESCOTT The Prescott Police Service investigated 78
general incidents and four motor vehicle accidents between Dec.
8 and Dec. 15.
Several Festive RIDE checks were conducted during that period.
A total of 244 vehicles were checked. A 40-year-old Prescott
man was charged with impaired driving and exceeding the legal
blood alcohol limit. Two 12-hour licence suspensions were issued.
A car was reported stolen Dec. 11 from the parking lot of
Mac's Milk on Edward Street. The car was recovered the same day
on Centennial Road in Brockville.
Police are also investigating the theft of a stereo from a
vehicle parked on Florence Street Dec. 9. The value of the stereo
is $250.
Motorists are reminded the town's overnight parking ban is
in effect. Parking on municipal roadways is prohibited between
the hours of midnight and 7 am. Vehicles will be ticketed, according
to police.
Anyone with information on criminal activity is asked to call
the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-8477.
Special services to mark holiday season
PRESCOTT A number of holiday season services are being
hosted early next week by several churches in Prescott.
Lunch will be served at St. Paul's United Church (corner of
George and Dibble streets) following the Sunday school pageant
Dec. 23. Holy communion and informal worship will take place
Christmas morning at 9:30 am.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (corner of Centre and Dibble
streets) will host a candlelight service Christmas Eve at 8 pm;
members of St. Paul's are invited to attend.
Another candlelight service is being held at 6:30 pm at the
Presbyterian church in Spencerville.
Members of the St. Andrew's congregation are invited to attend
holy communion Christmas morning at St. Paul's.
Christmas Eve worship services will be held Monday at 7 pm
and 9 pm at St. John's Anglican Church, corner of Centre and
James streets.
St. Mark's Catholic Church on Dibble street between Centre
and Edward streets will conduct Christmas Eve masses at 7 pm
and midnight. The Christmas Day mass begins at 10 am.
Seaway Christian Church on Churchill Road will have a Sunday
service at 10:30 am. A candlelight service will be held Dec.
25 at 6 pm.
CNIB cash calendars available
PRESCOTT The Canadian National Institute for the Blind
(CNIB) Cash Calendar for 2002 is available at Sugold Jewellers
and the Royal Bank.
The cash calendar makes a great Christmas gift and offers
more than 1,200 chances to win every day of the year. Proceeds
from calendar sales stay in the community to support CNIB services;
more than $18,000 was raised last year in Kingston district which
includes South Grenville.
Domville speed limit
remains unchanged
MAYNARD Speed limits will not change on County Road
18 through Domville, it was reported at a Dec. 10 meeting of
Augusta Township council.
Reeve George Vail agreed at a Nov. 12 meeting to ask the United
Counties of Leeds and Grenville to relocate the 80 kilometre
speed limit signs at the hamlet. A group of area residents concerned
about excessive speed on the highway had petitioned council to
take some action.
However, Vail said the plan was not considered favourably
by the counties, which suggested "county roads are for moving
traffic."
The installation of "Watch for Children" signs along
the highway was approved by the counties, however.
Holiday hours at office,
landfill
MAYNARD All Augusta Township offices will be closed
from Monday, Dec. 24 through to Tuesday, Jan. 1.
The landfill sites will be closed from Monday, Dec. 24 at
noon, and will reopen Thursday, Dec. 27. Regular hours of operation
will continue through to the end of Monday Dec. 31. The sites
will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 1 and Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Spencerville Legion student pipers hit high notes at recent
competitions
SPENCERVILLE - Two students of the Spencerville Legion Pipe
Band School took two of the top spots at a recent competition
in Ottawa.
Andrew Killick won the top award and Amanda Bush placed second
at the Nov. 3 contest which featured 18 performers from throughout
Eastern Ontario. Killick, 11, is the son of Jim and Cathy Killick
of RR3 Spencerville. Bush, 16, is the daughter of Lori Downey
of Prescott and Ed Bush of RR3 Prescott.
The two pipers, along with classmate Annie-Laurie MacPherson,
have picked up several awards this year at other events in Ottawa,
Kingston, Maxville and other communities in Southern Ontario.
MacPherson, 17, is the daughter of Graham and Cathy MacPherson
of RR3 Prescott.
The Spencerville Legion Pipe Band draws its students and band
members from Eastern Ontario and Northern New York. Weekly lessons
in piping and drumming, and band rehearsals take place in Spencerville
and Brockville locations.
For more information on the band and its activities, contact
Brian Lawless or Karen Mahon or by e-mail at caledonia@ripnet.com.
Catholic board Grade
9 math scores revised
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The Education Quality and Accountability
Office (EQAO) has revised the Catholic District School Board
of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO)'s recent Grade 9 mathematics assessment
test scores.
The revised results, released Thursday, slightly improved
the CDSBEO's scores initially released Dec. 6.
Forty-two per cent of CDSBEO Grade 9 academic mathematics
students achived at Levels 3 or 4 (a score of 70 per cent or
better), instead of 39 per cent as was initially released.
Seventeen per cent, rather than 14 per cent, of Grade 9 applied
mathematics students achieved at Levels 3 or 4.
The assessment tests were performed in January 2001 for first
semester students and May and June 2001 for second semester students.
Seats available for Christmas lights tour,
dinner
WALKER HOUSE NEWS - By Marnie Lippiatt
Merry Christmas and happy new year from Walker House to all
our members and to our community.
On Thursday night 20 euchre and cribbage players celebrated
with a Christmas dinner and gifts to the food bank.
Most of the activities here are taking some holidays, but
things will resume as usual Jan. 2, 2002.
We still have a few seats on the bus to see the lights Thursday
(the 20th). We also have room at our New Year's Dinner Dec. 29.
Here's a chance to dress up and welcome in the new year early
over a leisurely evening meal with warm conversation and maybe
a game or two. Please call for reservations at 925-5300 and leave
a message.
Our first board meeting of the new year will be held Jan.
3 at 10 am. The annual meeting of members has been called for
Wednesday, Jan. 9. Please mark your calendars.
Card game winners last week were: Monday bridge 1st,
Harry Nesbitt; 2nd, Jim Campbell; Geneva O'Dell won the door
prize. Tuesday cribbage high hand, Hugh Evely; high score,
Jean Annable; 2nd, Eleanor Gilligan; 3rd, Pete Lowry. Thursday
euchre 1st, Pete Lowry; 2nd, Myrtle Shahan; 3rd, Jean Annable;
Bea Hemsley won the door prize.
Pakeman gets nod for recruitment program
PRESCOTT - Bill Pakeman will continue to serve as Prescott
and District Chamber of Commerce representative on the Leeds
and Grenville Physician Recruitment Task Force.
Pakeman, whose one-year term as chamber president is ending,
agreed to stay on the task force with the consent of the chamber's
board of directors. He is currently co-chair of that organization.
Pat Dewar, vice-president of the chamber, will become its
president next month.
The task force based at Brockville General Hospital has helped
attract seven physicians to the area since last year, including
a family practitioner who will begin working in Prescott next
month.
Chamber members are being asked to contribute to the recruitment
program; the success of the program has led to increased costs
associated with incentives and other considerations offered to
doctors who decide to relocate to the area.
The chamber of commerce boasts a membership of about 150;
its newest member is Garry Bolton of Superior Motor Sport near
Johnstown.
Santa's Workshop open this weekend
PRESCOTT - Santa's Workshop on King Street in downtown Prescott
will be open this Friday from 4 to 7 pm, Saturday from 10 am
to noon and 1 to 3 pm, and Sunday from noon to 3 pm.
United Way close to reaching campaign goal
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - The United Way has almost reached its
2001 fundraising campaign goal.
Just under $635,800 had been raised as of Friday; this represents
97.8 per cent of the campaign's goal of $650,000.
The United Way of Leeds and Grenville supports a total of
26 agencies which serve an estimated 23,000 residents of the
united counties.
For more information or to make a contribution to the campaign,
contact the United Way office at 42 George Street in Brockville
(342-8889).
Regulations strict when visiting North Korea
NOTES FROM THE ROAD - Ryan Murdock
This week we'll begin a seven-part series on North Korea.
How do you visit the most reclusive country on Earth? If you
show up at the table with enough cash the North Koreans will
talk to you. Otherwise, don't bother trying. Even with money,
it's very difficult to get in. They often cancel applications
and tours arbitrarily, at the last minute and with no refunds
or rescheduling.
Why would you want to go? I went because it was difficult,
because I'd never met anyone who had been there, and because
few people know what it's like on the inside.
Why did I go with a group? It's possible to go alone, but
much more expensive. You have to pay for two guides and a driver
who are with you 24 hours a day. With a small group you still
have the same number of watchers, so it's a little cheaper. None
of the other guys were tour group types either.
My visa application was approved before I left Japan. I had
a useful contact in Beijing who had associates within the DPRK
tourist association. I faxed a long form that included information
about my current job, past jobs, and educational background.
I also needed a letter signed by my employer certifying that
everything I'd written was true. I listed my girlfriend's phone
number as my emergency contact. A week after I faxed the application
somebody called her asking questions about me. The DPRK screens
potential visitors very carefully. They're worried about journalists
sneaking in on tourist visas.
While in the country all visitors are regarded as potential
spies. Hotel rooms are bugged and the taking of pictures is carefully
supervised.
I met the other members of my group at the DPRK embassy in
Beijing. The building was drab and communist looking, decorated
in the usual uninspiring battleship grey. I shuddered as I passed
an enormous painting of Kim Il-Sung and Chairman Mao. They're
standing arm-in-arm and gazing off into the horizon, presumably
to the glorious future of communism. It wasn't until I saw that
picture that I really began to understand what I was getting
into. It was very sinister and it reeked of cult.
The Koreans checked our backgrounds once again, and we were
given visas and one-way tickets to Pyongyang. We were to meet
up at the Beijing airport in the morning.
I spent my last night of relative freedom at the Great Wall
of China with some friends from the German embassy. We walked
up the wall to the highest point in the area. It's very steep,
winding along ridges and over the crests of hills, doubling back
on itself several times before disappearing into the distance.
Guard towers are built at regular intervals. It's so peaceful
up there compared to Beijing, and the air is fresh and cool.
The only thing missing is birdsong. It's very silent. I think
the Chinese have eaten them all.
At the highest point we sat down and opened our beers. We
were alone. We drank and talked quietly as the sun slipped down
behind the steep hills, making its exit in a blaze of orange
and yellow that lit up the humid haze clinging to the hilltops.
I wondered if there were sunsets in North Korea? Had the government
banned them? What would they look like? Would they even allow
us to see them? I had so many questions. The week to come was
filled with uncertainty.
In the morning it would begin.
Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of columns
written by Prescott native Ryan Murdock, who now resides in Tokyo.
Light festival set for Maitland
MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton
Maitland volunteers have been busy this past weekend organizing
the 17th annual Maitland Luminare, or Festival of Lights. The
Maitland Luminare takes place Christmas Eve in Maitland Park
Estates and Bell Subdivision, and is created by lining the streets
at ten-foot intervals with white bags filled with two inches
of sand and a lit candle. The effect is a runway that includes
the entire neighbourhood, and is often referred to as Santa's
Runway.
Mike Ascough is the committee chairman for the fifth year
in a row. His team of volunteers includes Jim Grimes, Ray Avery,
Merv Hodgson, Kevin Reimer, Barry Halladay, Sean Sarry, Jamie
Price, Pat Doherty, Shawn Lehman, Werner Bischoff, Henry Balder,
Gunter Haase, Dave Tedesco, Gerry Morand, Reg Dunlop and Ian
Jack.
The volunteers collect money from the 140 participating families,
assemble and bag the luminare kits which include sand, candles
and bags, and distribute the kits to the residents. Each year
the luminare is enjoyed by all of the residents as well as hundreds
of visitors who come to drive or walk through Santa's Runway.
Ascough commented that this year, with the addition of several
new homes, and new people moving into the neighbourhood, committee
members had the chance to introduce this Christmas tradition
to several new families. He says people were thrilled with the
idea, and pleased to be included.
Ascough wished to thank his excellent committee for their
hard work. He also expressed his wish that drivers and pedestrians
taking in the sight exercise extra caution to watch out for each
other so everyone can enjoy the lights safely.
Residents are reminded to leave candles with a neighbour to
put out if they are away Christmas Eve, and to pick up bags Christmas
morning. If it is raining Christmas Eve the event is cancelled
this year. If residents are in doubt they should call their area
representative.
Maitland residents have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas
at local churches. St. James Anglican Church will celebrate the
eucharist on Christmas Eve at 7:30 pm and 11 pm. I'd like to
wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy new year.
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