Civic leaders vow to fight decision to move GCDC
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - Municipal and business leaders here appear willing
to fight to keep the offices of Grenville Community Development
Centre in Prescott.
The GCDC board of directors decided earlier this month to
purchase suitable office accommodations in North Grenville and
relocate the offices there. GCDC, a federally-funded agency which
offers support to businesses throughout most of Grenville County,
has been based in Prescott since being founded nearly 12 years
ago.
The board of directors of the Prescott and District Chamber
of Commerce wants GCDC to stay in town. The board voted last
Thursday to protest the decision and invite town council, the
Prescott BIA and the local Liberal riding association to do the
same.
Director John Morris said Prescott cannot afford to lose GCDC,
adding the time has come to take a stand.
"I think this is something we can't let go without a
fight," Morris said.
"If we're going to go down, we're going to go down swinging."
Morris indicated GCDC should be considered a small industry.
In addition to the four people employed by GCDC, the centre has
supported numerous businesses in the area.
Prescott council voted Monday night to oppose the decision
to move GCDC to Kemptville, one of three communities which amalgamated
to form the Township of North Grenville.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn said he has spoken to GCDC chairperson
Sheila Pratt and Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan. In addition to
writing letters to express the town's concerns, the mayor has
asked for a meeting of GCDC's general membership to discuss the
proposed move. Lawn added he has asked to speak to the membership.
The proposal requires the approval of Industry Canada. Lawn
said he has asked to see the research done by GCDC prior to the
board's decision. The mayor said he was told by Pratt she was
unable to release that information until it is presented to Industry
Canada.
Pratt indicated in a news release last week "...this
move is in the interests of positioning the GCDC for the future."
Councillor Garry Dewar said he feels very strongly about the
GCDC decision. In noting the centre originated in Prescott and
had already become very successful when North Grenville asked
to join and was accepted, the councillor said North Grenville
residents now have a majority on the GCDC board of directors.
"I think we're getting the short end of the stick,"
Dewar said.
The chamber of commerce also plans to forward its concerns
to the MP and the appropriate federal cabinet ministers.
Jordan was unavailable for comment at press time.
Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council has offered its support to the
effort to keep GCDC in Prescott. Township council discussed the
proposed move at its meeting Monday night.
"I think we're getting the short end of the stick."
- Prescott Councillor Garry Dewar
Spencerville winter festival pleases organizers
and participants
By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer
SPENCERVILLE - Organizers and participants of the fourth
annual Spencerville and District Winter Festival feel the celebration
was a very successful and entertaining one.
"Events held Friday, Saturday and Sunday were well attended
and enjoyed by all," says Deb McKinstry, advertising co-ordinator
of the festival.
Friday night featured a skating party and bonfire at the Spencerville
Mill and entertainment at the Legion. The OPP knocked off the
fire department in a friendly hockey game at the Spencerville
Arena, and a video teen dance was held in the Drummond Building.
Saturday began with a Girl Guides pancake breakfast in the
Drummond Building, an open mike talent show and shake-a-paw dog
training. The mid-distance dog sled race saw six teams participate,
with Sharon Klassa of Kanata winning and Spencerville resident
Marcel Brabent finishing second.
The day also saw a scavenger hunt, taffy pull, and four-on-four
hockey tournament on the ball diamond outdoor rink, and ended
with a dinner and dance that attracted more than 200 people.
One of the more popular events on Saturday's schedule, the
lumberjack contest, had to be scratched. The usual insurer for
the contest was unable to provide coverage and organizers didn't
have enough notice to get an alternate policy.
"It was a disappointment," McKinstry says. "It
is the men's event. We try to have something for everyone and
it was a gap in our schedule."
Brunch on Sunday drew in excess of 500 people, who were entertained
by a fashion show that featured volunteers of all ages wearing
outfits provided by several area clothing stores. The Grenville
Fish & Game Club sponsored an indoor fishing derby which
entertained children as well.
After some uncertainty about river ice conditions leading
up to the festival, the snowmobile ice drag races were held and
ran smoothly. More than 400 adult spectators took in the competition
which saw 50 teams register, many in multiple events. It was
the first year for a starting light/timing system that was a
great help for racers and organizers alike, McKinstry says.
Sleigh rides and outdoor skating were provided all weekend
long.
Glenda Macdonnell, who recently moved to Spencerville, says
she was pleased with her first festival experience.
"It's a family thing, and there's something for everybody,"
she says. "There is plenty to do, both inside and outside."
Macdonnell, who brought her children Ronnie, 7, and Jessie,
5, says the sleigh rides and skating at the mill were highlights
of the weekend.
Karen Patenaude of Spencerville feels the festival has been
improving every year.
"There was a little more this year, with the talent show
and the dance," Patenaude says. "Each and every year
they keep adding to it."
Future of Roebuck hall discussed
ROEBUCK Young people with fresh ideas are what is needed
to revitalize the Roebuck Community Centre, say a number of people
who showed up to a public meeting Monday night to discuss the
future of the Roebuck community centre.
About 70 people and the 14-member volunteer board of directors
attended the meeting, looking for ways to revitalize the 27-year-old
hall.
Bill Buckler, president of the Roebuck Education and Recreation
Association (RERA), said the organization is in serious financial
difficulty. Input and suggestions were sought from area residents
to ensure the centre would remain vital and an important part
of the community.
"The way things are going financially, it's are going
to be tough," said Buckler, who is also an Augusta Township
councillor. "We can't keep going the way we're going."
The 2001 income statement for the hall indicates a $15,000
shortfall. Expenses for the year, which include bar supplies,
wages, entertainment, sports, maintenance, electricity, telephone,
office expenses, food, drink, insurance, tickets and advertising
totalled $66,283.32. Revenue (GST, PST, hall rentals, bar and
ticket sales, sports and donations) was just $51,297.
The association's main revenue in the past has mainly been
from hall rentals for weddings, anniversaries and family reunions,
Buckler said. But the number of hall rentals has dropped off
to the point where the centre has only been booked once this
month, and three times in February. New Year's Eve dances that
at one time lured more than 200, only attracted 85 people this
year.
It was noted by several people at the meeting more strict
drinking and driving regulations in recent years has likely been
a prime contributor to fewer hall rentals and dance participants.
More home entertainment choices than in the past was also cited
as being a factor.
More people should step up to the plate and express their
interest in the community and in the hall, suggested resident
Ed Shuster. He was the first at the meeting to declare his interest
in the revitalization by starting a weekly jam session.
"We all have to acknowledge the success or failure (of
the hall) is dependent on the community," and not just on
the board of directors, he said.
"The hall is a tool that has to be used," Shuster
said, with people trickling through all the time. The hall needs
a different focus and a different direction to replace the dances
of a bygone age, he commented.
"We've all had our feelers hurt and our feathers bent
- forget it," Shuster said in an appeal for people to work
together. "We're spinning our wheels and sitting still.
We can't function that way."
Resident Steve Polite suggested the future of the hall is
with younger people more involved with its management. However,
he felt many young people have felt in the past they and their
ideas were not wanted.
"This place hasn't got a future without younger people,
Polite said. "Until that's rectified, I don't see a future
here for this hall. We need to rehash some things that have gone
on here in the past. Younger people don't get the feeling they're
wanted here."
Several members of the board of directors who have been involved
with RERA for more than 30 years and who were instrumental in
the building of the centre in 1975 were commended for their work.
However, the recurring theme in the audience was young professional
people with up-to-date knowledge and skills are needed to manage
the centre.
Pam Perrin, one of the few younger members on the board who
has been involved for about four years, also encouraged people
to work together and forget about past differences. She acknowledged
some people, including some who sit on the board, do not feel
accepted, feel ignored and are often shot down.
Listen to each other and their ideas, and let bygones be bygones,
Perrin told the crowd. Stick it out and support others' activities
for the benefit of a stronger community and the families who
live in the area, she said.
Other suggestions for increasing revenue and interest in the
centre were lower hall rental rates; bringing in new activities
such as a games night and bingos; acquiring a big-screen TV and
VCR for a movie night; hiring a manager to handle affairs and
to solicit more business and activities; establishing a day care
centre; holding business seminars; and longer bar hours.
RERA's annual election of officers will be Monday, March 18.
Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and express interest
for a place on the board of directors.
Food bank meeting to be held Thursday
PRESCOTT - A meeting to discuss the possibility of re-establishing
a food bank in Prescott will take place this Thursday, Jan. 24
at 7:30 pm at St. John's Anglican Church.
The meeting is being hosted by the Prescott Ministerial Association.
The focus of the meeting will be to assess the needs of the community
and to consider forming a committee to get a food bank off the
ground.
The association has been operating a food voucher program,
but the program is running out of money. Town council has been
asked for financial support.
For more information about the meeting, call Reverend Blair
Paterson at 925-2795
St. John's to host Snowflake Luncheon
PRESCOTT - A Snowflake Luncheon will take place this Friday,
Jan. 25 from 11 am to 1 pm at St. John's Anglican Church, corner
of James and Centre streets.
Friday is wing night at Prescott Legion
PRESCOTT - The Fort Wellington Branch of the Royal Canadian
Legion will host a Labatt Blue wing night this Friday, Jan. 25
at the Legion Hall on Henry Street.
Doors open at 5:30 pm. Matt Hayes and Old Friends will perform
from 7 pm to 11 pm.
There will be a small cover charge and prizes.
Warning: don't push snow on the road
MAYNARD - Augusta residents are being asked by council not
to push snow across township roads.
This is a dangerous practice and is in violation of the Highway
Traffic Act, Roads Superintendent Keith Couture stated in
a report that was presented by Deputy Reeve Doug Barton at a
Jan. 14 meeting.
The problem of pushing snow across the roads can remove sand
from the roads, as well as push the sand onto a neighbour's property,
the report stated. As well, the practice can leave a windrow
that can freeze and cause bumps across the road.
CNIB asks public to focus on crocus
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - The Canadian National Institute for
the Blind (CNIB) is offering a way for people to add colour to
their homes.
The CNIB's annual crocus sale is now taking orders. Each pot
contains four to six crocus bulbs which will bloom within 48
to 72 hours of delivery. The bulbs can be planted in the garden
in the fall to bloom again next spring.
Order forms will be available at many places of work or by
calling CNIB volunteer Doug Mather at 342-3062. All money raised
through crocus sales will stay in the community to support local
CNIB services.
County historical society continues to modernize
PRESCOTT - The Grenville County Historical Society (GCHS)
annual meeting last Wednesday highlighted accomplishments during
2001 and the election of the executive to carry out 2002 activities.
Incoming President Betty Ring plans to guide the society in
its mission to protect, research and preserve the rich history
of Grenville County.
GCHS is a volunteer-operated organization with an archival
resource centre located at Crane House, corner of Dibble and
Edward streets. The centre is open to the public each Tuesday
from 10 am to 4 pm. Resources available include birth, marriage
and death records (both church and civil), cemetery and census
records. The extensive collection also includes microfilm copies
of old Prescott and Brockville newspapers, genealogies, township
papers, deeds, documents, photographs, scrapbooks, maps, books
and historical accounts.
Researchers are often looking for information on individuals,
families, houses, buildings, organizations, and military and
historical events.
During the past year, GCHS developed a Web site (web.ripnet.com\~gchs)
which explains the history of Grenville County and the society,
information available to researchers and upcoming society events.
Requests for information can be handled in person, by phone (925-0489),
or by e-mail (gchs@recorder.ca).
There are now 117,000 names indexed on the church and scrapbook
database, and the former paper cataloguing system and card index
is being transferred to a computer program. Ring noted this advancement
will save researchers enormous amounts of time in finding the
documents they require.
"Even though we're a historical society we're trying
to keep up with modern times and use it to our advantage,"
she said. "It is rather incredible."
It was noted at the annual meeting the historical society
was hit hard during the past year with the loss of some of its
longest serving and valued members. Enid Simzer, who died in
Feb. 2001, was a founding member of the reorganized society in
1960. Goldie Connell, also a founding member and considered an
authority on local history, died in April. The Goldie Connell
Bursary will be awarded in her memory to a South Grenville District
High School history student annually.
The society also suffered the loss of board member Pat McGee
and member Theodore Shaver, whose photo collection was left to
GHCS and is now being organized.
Books were purchased for the society's library in memory of
the members, and a book prize was presented to a history student
at Grenville Christian College in June.
Commission stands by Prescott decision
PRESCOTT - The Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services
(OCCOPS) stands by its decision not to approve the disbandment
of the Prescott Police Service.
OCCOPS indicated last month there were unresolved issues involving
the proposal to have the Ontario Provincial Police provide service
to the municipality. Certain conditions had to be met by Jan.
14 in order for the commission to reconsider its decision.
On deadline day last week, the OPP announced it would be applying
for a judicial review of the Prescott decision. OPP officials
have yet to outline the specific grounds on which its application
will be based.
Cathy Boxer, a senior advisor to the commission, told The
Journal last week it would be inappropriate for her to comment
on the conditions set out by OCCOPS. "The decision speaks
for itself," she said.
Boxer does not believe the commission has a role to play in
any judicial review that may take place. She reiterated OCCOPS
stands by its position on the Prescott proposal.
OCCOPS called on the OPP and a Prescott constable the
lone town constable not being offered a position by provincial
police to agree to binding arbitration. Other conditions
involve hiring arrangements for officers and civilians employed
by the municipal police department; the OPP has indicated it
would hire one civilian presently working for the Prescott department.
This is the first time a judicial review has been sought on
a disbandment decision, according to Boxer.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn said he does not know how long
it would take to complete a judicial review. It has been more
than one year since council voted to seek an OPP contract.
Value of Augusta construction projects rises
MAYNARD - Construction activities and housing starts in Augusta
Township were slightly lower in 2001 than the previous year,
Deputy Reeve Doug Barton reported at a Jan. 14 council meeting.
However, the total value of the projects is higher mainly
due to the Ultramar development in Maitland, he said.
In 2001, 103 permits were issued; 14 of these were for new
homes. The total value of the projects was $7,305,600, with the
township collecting $26,314 in permit fees.
In 2000, 125 permits were issued, with 18 of these being for
new homes. Total value was $6,515,427, with $29,500 collected
in fees.
Figures for 1999 indicate 129 permits were issued; 26 new
homes were constructed. The total value of the permits was $4,183,000.
Thirty new homes were constructed in 1998.
"This indicates there are people who are interested in
Augusta Township as a good place to live, or they wouldn't be
building their new homes here," Barton said.
Charges laid following assault in downtown
area
PRESCOTT - Members of the Prescott Police Service investigated
50 general incidents and four motor vehicle accidents between
Jan. 14 and Jan. 20.
Two 19-year-old men were charged with assault following an
incident that took place Jan. 18 on King Street West. A 19-year-old
man was walking near Boomer's when he was attacked by two unknown
men, town police reported. The victim fell to the ground and
continued to be attacked by the men, who then fled the scene.
Police investigated the attack and made arrests; the two men
are to appear in Brockville court. The victim sustained injuries
to his face.
Town police also investigated a report of an assault Jan.
15. A 15-year-old youth was walking on Edward Street at about
7:30 pm when he was assaulted. There were no injuries; the victim
did not know the assailant, police were told.
A car reported stolen from a King Street-area home was recovered
Jan. 15 by Ottawa police. An 18-year-old man and 14-year-old
male youth were arrested while in possession of the vehicle.
They were charged and will appear in Ottawa court.
On Jan. 18, Prescott police received a report of wilful damage
to a car parked in the area of Henry Street West. The extent
of damage to the engine was unknown at press time.
Anyone with information about these or any other criminal
acts in town is asked to call the Prescott Police Service at
925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
No time like the present to kick smoking habit
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Jan. 20 to Jan. 26 is National Non-Smoking
Week, and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
is encouraging smokers to make an effort to kick the habit.
Smoking is specifically related to about 87 per cent of lung
cancer cases, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Lung
cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and
women in this country.
About one-quarter of Canadians 15 and older are smokers; the
rate for young adults is 28 per cent.
A decline in the prevalence of smoking among Canadians has
stopped and now remains stable, the cancer society reports.
A number of medications and nicotine replacement therapy products
are being marketed to people who are trying to quit smoking.
Nicotine replacement aids such as gum or patches release small
amounts of nicotine, the addictive drug in tobacco, into the
bloodstream to help eliminate the craving to smoke.
These alternate systems of delivering nicotine are considered
much safer than smoking because burning cigarettes release numerous
cancer-causing agents such as arsenic, chromium and vinyl chloride,
according to a health unit news release.
The health unit is also emphasizing the need for pregnant
women and their partners to refrain from smoking.
Smokers may want to consult a physician as they consider ways
to kick the habit. The Canadian Cancer Society operates a toll-free
hotline for smokers; the number to call is 1-877-513-5333.
The society's self-help program to quit smoking is called
"One Step at a Time." Program booklets and other information
on tobacco and cancer are available by calling the society at
1-888-939-3333 or visiting the Web site at www.cancer.ca/ tobacco.
The health unit can be reached at 345-5685 or 1-800-660-5853.
Woman killed in Highway 401 collision
EDWARDSBURGH - A 44-year-old woman from the Long Sault area
was killed Monday afternoon in an accident involving four vehicles
on Highway 401 just west of the Highway 416 interchange.
Grenville County OPP report a Subaru station wagon was eastbound
at about 3:38 pm when it entered the median ditch about two kilometres
east of Edward Street and then crossed into the westbound lanes.
A westbound Chevrolet Suburban broadsided the driver's door of
the station wagon.
The driver of a westbound school bus attempted to avoid the
vehicles, but the bus sideswiped them and sustained damage in
the front right wheel area. A westbound transport carrying a
large load of copper wire made light contact with the bus before
coming to rest in the median ditch.
Cindy Thomas, the driver of the station wagon died at the
scene; extrication equipment was required to remove the victim
from the car. The eight occupants of the Suburban, who are from
Virginia and were returning from a ski trip in Quebec, sustained
minor injuries and were transported to Brockville General Hospital.
The lone occupants of the bus and transport were not injured.
Light snow was falling at the time of the collisions; the
roadway was wet and snow covered. Road conditions may have been
a factor in the accident, according to police.
Westbound traffic was rerouted and eastbound traffic was reduced
to one lane for much of the afternoon and evening. The westbound
portion of the highway was closed for six hours.
The investigation is continuing.
Anyone who witnessed the collisions is asked to contact the
OPP detachment in Prescott at 925-4221.
Town begins process to ban train whistles
PRESCOTT - Town council has initiated the process to silence
train whistles in the municipality.
Council voted Monday to notify CN Rail and Transport Canada
of Prescott's intention to enact a bylaw to prohibit whistles.
Town officials expressed their support for seeking a ban when
the subject was raised several months ago.
There are two level crossings at Boundary and Sophia streets,
as well as the Edward Street overpass.
Councillor Terry McConnell, chairman of the town's transportation
and environmental services committee, said the municipality has
been contemplating action on train whistles for some time. In
noting CAO/Clerk Andrew Brown had gathered the necessary information
with which the process could begin, McConnell said something
like train whistles was never questioned in the past. But times
have changed and whistles have become shriller and more frequent
in Prescott as rail traffic increases, according to the councillor.
A review of existing crossings will include an assessment
of any additional safety measures needed to enable the town to
pass a bylaw eliminating train whistles.
Even if the town were to enact a bylaw, train whistles would
be permitted in emergency situations.
McConnell noted the information package put together by Brown
included a list of hundreds of communities in Canada that have
enacted bylaws to ban the whistles. "It looks like this
is the future," he said.
A Transport Canada official told a public information meeting
held this past fall in Maitland the number of train-related accidents
has not increased in communities that ban whistles. An Augusta
Township-based group has been lobbying to eliminate whistles
at the five crossings in the township; Augusta council agreed
last fall to initiate the process.
Sanmina-SCI plant to close
BROCKVILLE - The largest employer in Brockville has announced
it will close its doors later this year.
Workers at the Sanmina-SCI plant were told yesterday morning
the manufacturing facility would close sometime this fall. The
former Nortel plant known for producing circuit packs for advanced
switching systems employs more than 800 people.
The Communications, Energy and Paperworks Union of Canada
indicated in a news release work and equipment from the Brockville
plant would be transferred to a non-union facility in Montreal.
The union claims the company was unwilling to explore all
opportunities to keep the plant viable.
A reduction in orders prompted layoffs at the plant last year.
Although various government levels reportedly took part in a
last-ditch effort to prevent the closure, the plant was reportedly
losing too much money.
Accident claims life of youth
NORTH AUGUSTA - The community continues to mourn the loss
of a 14-year-old boy who died last Wednesday from head injuries
he sustained in a ski accident.
Corby Newcombe, a Grade 9 student at St. Mary High School
in Brockville, was in Quebec on a school trip to Edelweiss, north
of Ottawa, when the accident occurred. Newcombe, of RR1 North
Augusta, was skiing early in the evening when he reportedly lost
control and hit a rock. He was transported to a local hospital
where he was pronounced dead.
A crisis response team was dispatched to the school Thursday
to offer support to students and staff.
A funeral was held Monday at St. John Bosco Parish in Brockville.
A memorial service will take place today at the high school.
Corby Newcombe is survived by his parents, Danny and June
Newcombe, and his brothers, Tyler and Shane, as well as his maternal
and paternal grandparents.
School raising money for playground
MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton
There will be a youth dance at MERC Hall Friday, Jan. 25,
from 7 to 10 pm. This is a dance for students in grades 5 to
8. Music is provided by Heather Black and Company. This dance
is a fundraiser for playground equipment at Maitland Public School.
The Maitland Public School Committee has a goal of purchasing
playground equipment valued at $12,000 for the school yard. Because
of safety concerns many schools had large sections of their old
play structures removed a few years ago.
The Upper Canada District School Board offers matching grants
of up to $5,000 per school for special projects, which means
the school must raise $7,000. The school committee has raised
approximately $3,500 so far, and is busy with fundraising plans
with hopes to have the work completed this spring.
There will be a babysitting course offered at MERC Hall Saturday,
Feb. 9 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The course, "What Every
Babysitter Should Know," is taught by St. John Ambulance.
Participants must bring their own bag lunch. To register or for
more information call Susan Clarke at 348-3088.
Yoga classes are being offered at Maitland Public School on
Thursdays starting Jan. 24 from 9 to 10:30 am. The classes are
taught by Yoga Instructor Carol Kleber. Kleber has been teaching
yoga for almost eight years. She currently teaches five classes
a week, including two at the Brockville YM-YWCA.
Kleber describes yoga as a system of stretching and relaxation.
She says some movements are faster paced, but it's mostly about
stretching and toning. Kleber says yoga is about slowing the
body down, observing the body through the pose, observing the
breath, and finding the point of stillness in the postures.
For more information on the class call Carol Kleber at 345-7519.
Women's institute to host bingo
ROEBUCK - Beat the winter blahs by attending a bingo to be
held this Friday, Jan. 25 at the Roebuck Community Centre. Doors
open at 6 pm; the first game starts at 7 pm. The bingo is being
hosted by the Roebuck Women's Institute.
Extravagance results in slave labour and starvation
NOTES FROM THE ROAD - Ryan Murdock
One evening I decided to go for a short walk before dinner.
I was told that this was allowed, but I still felt like an escaped
prisoner. As I walked away from the hotel entrance I felt eyes
watching my back. With each step I expected the sudden shrilling
of an alarm, the sharp crack of gunfire, or perhaps the sting
of a bullet in my back. My muscles were tense in anticipation.
None of that happened, of course. The occupants of cars driving
past turned quickly to look at me, alarmed at seeing me unescorted,
but I didn't walk far enough to provoke a reaction.
Had I wandered down close to the bridge, or actually tried
to cross it into the city, I would have been quickly picked up
by the security police.
Our hotel rooms had television sets but most of the time there's
nothing on. For local people rich enough to own a set the hassle
isn't worth it. Televisions are modified so that they can only
receive the two government stations, and soldiers conduct inspections
at odd hours to ensure owners haven't altered their set.
My roommate had a short-wave radio, and one night he managed
to tune into the BBC World Service. The announcer said, "And
now, the news," and was immediately cut off by a loud blast
of static. We were totally isolated from any news of the outside
world. That's how the regime retains its iron hold on power.
The entire Kim cult is built on lies. If any information from
outside were to leak in it would all fall apart. The regime will
be toppled by words, not sanctions.
In Pyongyang, we visited the Grand Monument on Mansudae Hill.
This is the famous statue of Kim Il-Sung that towers over the
city. He stands gazing off into the distance, his right hand
indicating the way ahead for the Korean people. The way to slavery
and starvation, perhaps. The monument is flanked on both sides
by huge statues depicting war scenes, one showing the Great Leader
fighting the Japanese, the other showing him fighting the Americans
and South Koreans.
All visitors to North Korea are expected to come here and
place flowers as a sign of respect. Jon placed the bouquet for
the group and we lined up and gave the "one-time bow"
as instructed. It was a little uncomfortable, but we'd already
gone through the bowing stuff a couple of times before. I'm sure
the Koreans extracted full propaganda value from the occasion,
telling the local people yet another group of foreigners has
travelled here from far away to pay homage to the Leader.
Another must see in the capital is the Pyongyang Metro. Each
station has a different theme, decor and name, such as Liberation
or Solidarity.
The station we visited was deep underground. The escalator
seemed to descend to the earth's core, or perhaps to hell, although
I think that existed in the city above. The platform was polished
marble, enormous chandeliers hung overhead, and huge ceramic
tile mosaics decorated each wall. The Great Leader was the central
figure of each mosaic, of course. Despite the poor choice of
subject matter the North Koreans really excel at this type of
art.
The subway cars themselves were quite old. The doors didn't
even open automatically. We rode the train for one stop. Inside
each car the two framed portraits of the leaders are hung at
one end.
The price of all this extravagance is slave labour and mass
starvation.
***
Editor's Note: This is the eighth in a series of columns
written by Prescott native Ryan Murdock, who now resides in Tokyo.
Murdock, who graduated South Grenville District High School in
1991, is the son of Sandy Murdock and Sharon Ford. His travels
include a three-month solo journey through all seven Central
American countries. He is writing about his experiences in Japan,
China and North Korea.
Three-day get-away planned
WALKER HOUSE NEWS - By Marnie Lippiatt
Plan to take a spring break with us in the Eastern Townships
of Quebec. We will be wined, dined and entertained for three
days and two nights, enjoy music, games, a swim, a side trip
in the area or just a good rest.
A group of three or four gets a better rate, so talk to your
friends. Call for information and to get your name on the list.
Our winter dinner roast pork with all the trimmings
will be on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 5:30 pm. We will also be
serving a vegetarian main dish.
Please make your reservation by Jan. 30 so we can shop and
cook. If you would like to stay for the evening we will have
another movie.
Feb. 4 at 7 o'clock will be our first evening craft group.
We plan to meet once a month and to have a variety of different
media. This night we will be introduced to the basics of basket
weaving and will produce a small basket from start to finish.
There will be a small fee to cover the cost of materials. Please
register.
A big thanks to everyone who pitched in to help with our "poor
man's lunch." With the full house, it was certainly appreciated.
Card game winners: Monday bridge 1st, Mary Reynolds;
2nd, Findlay Hill; door prize, Isobel Locke. Thursday night euchre
1st, Gladys Somerville; 2nd, Bea Hemsley; 3rd, Alice Crowder;
door prize, Hugh Evely.
|
