Community shows interest in establishing food bank
Steering committee formed; Sept. 1 selected as target
date for opening of facility
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - A steering committee has been formed to establish
a food bank in South Grenville.
The committee was created at the conclusion of an information
meeting held last Thursday night at St. John's Anglican Church.
Approximately 50 people many of whom were representing
service clubs, church groups and municipalities attended
the session.
The meeting was organized by Rev. Blair Paterson, president
of the Prescott Ministerial Association. Paterson explained the
association has been running a food voucher program that began
with $10,000 donated by the Kinsmen Club of Prescott and the
holiday season Spirit of Giving Campaign. There is now less than
$2,000 in the bank and that will not go far given the current
demand for food vouchers, he noted.
Although Paterson said local clergy believe there is a need
for a food bank, it should be up to the community to assess the
need and decide how to respond.
As of Jan. 24, the association has issued 24 food vouchers
in January. Rev. John Reynolds of the House of Lazarus, an organization
that operates a food bank in the Dundas county community of South
Mountain, said 47 users of the food bank have a Prescott postal
code; there are also clients from Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
The consensus at the meeting was a food bank is needed, and
that it should serve residents of Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
It was suggested a broad-based community group should be formed
to operate the food bank as opposed to an existing service club
or church.
A list of items needed to make a food bank become a reality
was compiled. In addition to seed money, a strategic plan and
a building, a food bank requires shelving, office equipment and
a sorting area. The ability to collect non-perishable food items
and raise money will also be critical to the success of the facility.
Reynolds said the food bank will need a co-ordinator and a
large group of committed volunteers. The possibility of acquiring
provincial and federal assistance through Ontario Works and Human
Resources Development Canada will be explored.
Reynolds went on to indicate a food bank becomes an important
resource for the people who need to use it. Volunteers must be
aware of that as well as the need to enable clients to maintain
their dignity.
"There's a lot more to working in a food bank than passing
out food," Reynolds said.
Organizers chose Sept. 1 as a target date for opening the
facility. Paterson and Reynolds volunteered to serve on a newly
formed steering committee that will contact municipal councils
and government agencies during the next few weeks.
Others who agreed at the meeting to serve on the committee
are Neil Dufour, Jen Wyman, Pat Gillis, Janice Reynolds, Heather
MacKay-Kelso and Garry Dewar.
Paterson said he was encouraged by the turnout at the meeting.
The response confirmed there are people in the community willing
to offer their help, he added.
There are tentative plans to hold another public meeting Feb.
21 at the health centre in Prescott, at which time the steering
committee can report its preliminary findings. It was also suggested
meetings be held in Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
Military exercise set for high school
PRESCOTT - Do not be alarmed if soldiers take up positions
on Edward Street this weekend.
The Fort Town will be the site of a military exercise involving
members of the Brockville Rifles reserve regiment. "Exercise
Trillium Wolf" is to begin late Friday night and end sometime
Sunday.
The exercise will focus on South Grenville District High School,
which will be classified as a "vital point." Captain
Curtis Smith said Monday the site is to be secured and guarded
by the army reservists. The exercise is part of a training program
designed to ensure army reservists are ready in the event they
are called upon to support local agencies in times of crisis.
Civilians will be permitted to observe the "Brocks"
in action; liaison officers and recruiters will be on hand. The
public is invited to observe the action at the high school Saturday
from noon to 6 pm. Smith said there may also be opportunities
for civilians to act as role players during the exercise, although
details had not been finalized at press time.
The Prescott mission will also provide an opportunity for
regiment members to practise winter warfare skills and survival
techniques.
A similar exercise was held last November in Brockville.
Although the Rifles are based in Brockville, some members
of the army reserve unit live in South Grenville. Smith said
the Prescott area has been good to the regiment, and the unit
is hoping to recruit more members from this community.
For more information about the exercise, contact Captain Smith
at 342-2755.
Parking lot proposal to get another look
Province does not approve town's application for funds
to renovate public library
PRESCOTT - The ongoing saga of the town's municipal building
and public library may be returning to its roots.
By the conclusion of a lively and lengthy discussion at the
end of a committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday night, the concept
of constructing a new building on the municipal parking lot property
at the corner of King and Centre streets had re-emerged as an
option some council members appeared willing to consider.
Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead asked CAO/Clerk Andrew Brown
to dig up the plans made during the term of the previous council.
This followed yet another discussion on the future of town hall
and the many options being considered by a council that admits
is having difficulty reaching a consensus.
The one new element to Monday's debate was the news that the
town's application for SuperBuild infrastructure funding to renovate
the library at 360 Dibble St. W. had been turned down by the
province. SuperBuild indicated many funding applications demonstrated
strong local support and community partnerships. However, the
current phase of the program has been extended due to overwhelming
interest; the municipality can submit additional information
to support its application. It was also noted council did not
proceed with its plans to renovate the building; without that
decision, the application will not proceed.
Council members also discussed a report by Brown on the possibility
of acquiring the federal building on Centre Street and using
the second floor as a library. Brown said the building is in
good condition and has been well-maintained. However, the original
roof from 1965 is blistering and will at some point need to be
replaced.
Even with rental income from the post office and possibly
Human Resources Development Canada, the town could still lose
more than $100,000 per year. Brown recommended the federal building
be removed from further consideration based on the town's financial
analysis.
In an attempt to see if consensus could be reached, council
members discussed the options still on the table and how to proceed.
Those options include renovating 360 Dibble, renovating the hardware
store adjacent to the parking lot and constructing a new building
on the former Daniels' Hotel property.
Councillor Seeley Pillar criticized fellow Councillor Terry
McConnell for pursuing without council's consent the idea of
renovating the hardware store beside the parking lot and using
it for municipal offices and the library. Although he kept saying
he was not trying to defame McConnell or start an argument, Pillar
said McConnell had a conflict of interest when he approached
Councillor Jim French, owner of the store, and discussed the
possibility of having the town purchase the property.
McConnell defended his actions by saying he was trying to
come up with a compromise solution to the town hall problem.
McConnell and other members of council reiterated many of the
points that have been made at previous meetings.
Beckstead said she did not want to sit there any more and
argue about town hall. Decisions have to be made and it may be
time to "look for some outside help" if council cannot
resolve its differences, she added.
In suggesting the parking lot site, Beckstead noted the plan
developed during the previous term of council could be reviewed
to deal with concerns about the estimated $1.5-million cost.
Although he has some concerns about the site and the potential
loss of parking, Councillor Garry Dewar said he would be willing
to consider the option. Dewar indicated he is not advocating
the demolition of the Dibble Street building; he believes there
is interest in the building. The councillor also said a good
job could be done to renovate the hardware store, but the building
may not be the best option if it is meant to serve the town for
another 40 years.
Councillor Nancy McFarland said renovating the Dibble Street
building is her first choice; however, McFarland added she is
open to change.
Mayor Robert Lawn said he has not heard anything to convince
him renovating the municipal building is not a viable option.
In noting the project could be done for less than $1 million,
Lawn said heritage plays an important role in Prescott's reputation.
The Dibble Street building is part of the community's history
and will remain a very good building for years to come.
Councillor French, who has declared a conflict of interest
on the subject of town hall, left the meeting at the beginning
of the debate.
Additional information on the parking lot plan and financial
considerations associated with it is expected to be distributed
to council in time for its meeting next Monday.
Federal building ruled out as option in town hall debate
New Prescott doctor attracted by physician
recruitment campaign
PRESCOTT - The most recent success story of the Leeds and
Grenville Physician Recruitment Task Force hopes to make Prescott
part of his long-term plan for practising medicine.
Dr. John Davies joined the Prescott Family Medical Association
this month. He will work in association with doctors Gunn Bhatt,
George Kellam and Anne Jaworski at the medical centre, and is
one of seven doctors recently attracted to this area by the recruitment
task force.
A general practitioner, Dr. Davies is now accepting patients
at the King Street West medical centre. Until he has a full complement
of patients, which could be as many as 3,000 people, Dr. Davies
will be helping to ease the burden of the other physicians, he
said in an interview.
A graduate of the medical school at the University of Saskatchewan,
Davies completed his residency at McGill in Montreal in 1999.
Since then, he has fulfilled locums, or temporary assignments,
in Northern Ontario and in Ottawa, and has practised emergency
medicine in Southern Ontario. He expects to continue to reside
near Cornwall until his wife Nina has completed her residency
in general surgery at McGill.
Dr. Davies said he had been looking for a location to open
his own practice when he discovered the physician recruitment
program. The river and the history of the area were major drawing
cards for him, Dr. Davies noted, adding he has an appreciation
for Canadian history.
The doctor has also44 found the people in the Prescott area
to be fairly well educated, articulate and pleasant, all of which
are attributes he expects will make his job easier. The area
is also close to major centres such as Montreal and Ottawa, where
he can continue to get a cosmopolitan experience.
While Dr. Davies builds up his own practice here and takes
up some of the slack of the other physicians, he said he will
also be getting acclimatized to how things work in this area,
and getting a feel for the local medical culture.
The Brockville area is one of 112 communities in Ontario that
has been designated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
as being underserviced by physicians. The task force was formed
about 18 months ago, and continues to seek funding from municipalities
and businesses in the counties to assist with incentives and
related recruitment expenses.
THIS WEEK
Prescott chamber seeks nominations for awards
PRESCOTT Nominations are being sought for three awards
presented annually by the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce.
The awards recognize business achievement, community service
and the outstanding contribution of local youth in the Prescott
area.
The 2001 business of the year award went to 730 Truck Stop
and owner Bob Lodge. Tom Carr was recognized last year for his
long-time commitment to minor soccer in the Prescott area. Emma
Parrott received the 2001 Connie Dickey Youth Award.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 22. This year's
awards banquet will be held March 4.
Nominations can be sent to the Prescott and District Chamber
of Commerce Awards Committee, Box 2000, Prescott K0E 1T0.
For more information on the Chamber of Commerce awards, contact
Mike Boyles at 925-4324 or Pat Dewar at 925-3228.
January thaw brings sure sign of spring
JOHNSTOWN - Spring may still be about seven weeks away, but
try telling that to Mother Nature.
As the temperature continued to soar above the freezing mark
Monday, Keith Adams saw a robin in the back yard of his home
just west of Grenville Park.
Adams, who has lived in Johnstown for more than 50 years,
indicated it was by far the earliest he could recall seeing a
robin in any year.
He also noted there is usually about a foot of ice on Johnstown
Bay near his home at this time of year. As of Monday, there was
no ice.
"We never thought it would happen," Adams said.
Temperatures were expected to return at least temporarily
to more seasonal values by the middle of this week.
Town loses ground as budget talks begin
PRESCOTT - Town officials have begun 2002 budget deliberations
by noting a revenue shortfall caused by a decrease in property
assessment.
The reduction in assessment would mean a property tax revenue
decrease of $53,000 if last year's tax rates were applied. Councillor
and finance committee chairman Jim French said Monday at a committee-of-the-whole
meeting the town would be looking at a tax increase of about
two per cent just to break even.
Approximately half of Prescott's $3.3 million in tax revenue
comes from residential property taxes.
Prescott council has already approved pay increases to town
staff and created the new administrative position of community
services director.
Town officials have noted the municipal budget process is
still at a preliminary stage.
Anglican minister plans involvement in community
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - The new rector of St. John's Anglican in Prescott
has a mission to make the church a functional and useful resource
to the community with the parishioners sharing their talents.
Rev. Michael Pollesel took over as rector of St. John's this
month, but he is also determined to not be its sole minister;
the entire congregation will be ministers with active roles to
make the church strong and viable.
"I'm here to be with them (the parishioners), not tell
them what to do," Rev. Pollesel said. Members "will
come to recognize they too have a role or part to play in ministry.
We are all ministers." His intent is to involve the congregation
in situations where they feel comfortable bringing their gifts
and talents to improve church and community activities.
Examples of sharing gifts could be reading prayers at services,
playing musical instruments, helping to lead in worship, visiting
shut-ins, or working with community endeavours, such as the proposed
food bank, he explained.
Rev. Pollesel replaces Rev. Gerry Ring, who retired in September
after 11 years of service at St. John's.
"Church isn't a consumer thing where we come and get
something and leave," Pollesel said. "Being a Christian
means you're part of the whole thing - not like a filling station
where you get pumped up and leave." Rev. Pollesel described
church as being similar to a pot luck supper in which "we
all bring something and we share."
Churches in general need to look at all their attributes "and
figure out ways to put resources to the best use and not become
museum pieces," Rev. Pollesel said. He explained it is necessary
for church properties to be more functional and useful "and
not be places from which people stay away."
Church spaces usually sit vacant 80 per cent of the time,
and "that's not good stewardship," he said, adding
churches need to be useable and accessible to the community.
"Stewardship means taking care - taking care of ourselves
as individuals and the world around us," environmentally
and socially. "We have to look at what we have and plan
how to use it properly. We all get comfortable doing routine
kinds of things; it becomes familiar, and it can become a rut
going down the same path." Rev. Pollesel noted he hopes
St. John's can look at the positive and good things it is doing
in the community, "and see if we can be doing better."
He plans to speak with various people within Prescott and find
out what its needs are.
Rev. Pollesel's position at St. John's is part time. He resides
in Oxford Station, and is also stewardship education co-ordinator
for the Diocese of Ontario. Financial difficulties currently
being experienced at St. John's are not uncommon with other churches,
and St. John's could not afford a full-time minister, he said.
"We're all sort of in the same boat," Rev. Pollesel
said. With declining and aging membership, "it's more of
a struggle. Formal religion does not play as big a role in people's
lives as it did" from the 1950s to 1970s.
There may be some apprehension and even some anger on the
part of parishioners regarding the new system, Rev. Pollesel
said. However, he explained not having clergy reside in a church-owned
residence allows a minister the opportunity to look after himself,
and frees the congregation of the responsibilities of care-taking.
The church's Dibble Street West rectory was recently sold.
Rev. Pollesel expects to set up regular office hours of about
one day per week, and establish a toll-free phone number from
his home. "My intent is to be available as possible."
His wife Gini Pollesel is a human resources consultant for Health
Canada, and the couple has two sons and three daughters, ranging
in age from 15 to 21.
He received a Master of Divinity from Trinity College at University
of Toronto, and was ordained for the Diocese of Toronto, where
he served for 13 years. Rev. Pollesel ministered at St. Thomas
in Belleville for six years, and has been involved as the education
co-ordinator for almost three years. He is currently working
on a doctorate in ministry.
A celebration of the new minister will take place Sunday,
Feb. 3 at 4 pm. Bishop Peter Mason and visiting clergy will be
attending; there will be no 10:30 am service that day. A pot
luck reception will follow the service.
Tri-county area leads province in rabies cases
BROCKVILLE - Leeds and Grenville is number one in Ontario
when it comes to rabies, according to the district health unit.
Fifty-three confirmed cases of rabies were reported in 2001.
There were 47 cases of mid-Atlantic strain raccoon rabies last
year, two of which involved skunks. There were also six cases
of bat strain rabies, all of which were found in bats.
The health unit, which also covers Lanark county, reported
41 people received post-exposure treatment last year because
of their contact with potentially rabid animals.
Most of the rabies incidents occurred to the north and west
of Brockville. However, one confirmed case of raccoon rabies
was reported last June in the area of County Road 44 and Highway
16 north of Johnstown.
The first case of raccoon rabies in Leeds and Grenville was
reported in 1999. This strain of the infectious viral disease
of the nervous system is believed to have come from northern
New York. Thirty-six of 40 rabies cases in 2000 involved raccoons;
the other five were bats. Those 40 cases led to 47 people requiring
post-exposure treatment.
Raccoon vaccine baits were air dropped and placed by hand
throughout sections of Eastern Ontario last year. More than 11,000
raccoons and skunks were vaccinated in the Brockville area as
part of trap, vaccinate and release operations supervised by
the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The ministry and health unit remind the public not to trap
and relocate wildlife. Not only is it against the law, but relocating
animals may lead to the spread of the disease.
Dogs and cats are to be vaccinated, and children should be
warned to stay away from wild animals or stray pets. Medical
attention should be sought if bites or scratches occur; incidents
should be reported to the health unit.
The most recent case of rabies in the tri-county area was
reported last week.
Home care contracts extended
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - Most of the service providers associated
with the Access Centre for Community Care in Lanark, Leeds and
Grenville have accepted contract extensions, according to an
access centre news release issued Friday.
The access centre oversees home care services and placement
to long-term care facilities funded by the Ministry of Health
and Long-Term Care. Contracts for those services are awarded
to other community health care agencies and are monitored by
the access centre. Current contracts for nursing and homemaking/personal
care services expire at the end of March.
The access centre announced ParaMed Health Services chose
not to accept a contract extension offer. Plans are being made
to transfer affected clients to the other service providers that
have agreed to contract extensions. They include Comcare Health
Services, Bayshore Health Care and the Canadian Red Cross Society.
Case managers at the access centre will contact clients once
plans are finalized; the transfer will take place with as little
disruption to clients as possible, according to the news release.
The access centre also oversees therapy services. Contract
extensions which take effect July 1 have been accepted by Comcare
Health Services, CommuniCare Therapy and Ottawa-Carleton Occupational
Therapy Services.
Man did not intend to harm boy, provincial
police say
SPENCERVILLE Criminal charges will not be laid in connection
with an incident that occurred Jan. 20 at the Edwardsburgh Community
Centre, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.
Three male youths had indicated they were confronted by a
man in a washroom at the arena. The man allegedly grabbed one
of the boys and told him to get into a stall. The boys, aged
10 and 11, left the washroom and reported the incident to their
coach and police. An atom hockey tournament was being held that
day in the arena.
OPP investigated the incident and located the man. An OPP
news release issued Jan. 25 stated the man is a 48-year-old member
of a community living program who was taking part in a supervised
outing at the time of the incident. It was determined there was
no intent to harm the youth, according to police. The investigation
has been completed.
In a news release issued the day after the incident, police
gave a description of the man and asked anyone with information
to contact authorities.
Local MP concerned
about fallout from decision to move GCDC
PRESCOTT - Joe Jordan is not happy with the controversy surrounding
the proposed move of Grenville Community Development Centre (GCDC)
from Prescott to Kemptville.
Although the Leeds-Grenville MP said he is reluctant to take
sides, he did indicate his own frustration with the current situation.
GCDC's board of directors voted earlier this month to purchase
a property in North Grenville and move the centre from Prescott
to that location.
Civic leaders in Prescott are trying to have the GCDC decision
reversed.
"I can sympathize with Prescott's position," Jordan
told The Journal Thursday. GCDC has been based in Prescott
since it was founded more than a decade ago.
However, the Liberal MP is apprehensive about intervening.
He pointed out the board of directors is a public body representing
community stakeholders. However, Jordan noted there may be some
question as to whether the board has the authority to make such
a decision. There may also be an issue with respect to whether
the centre can purchase or own land.
The bylaws of the federally-funded corporation are being reviewed
to clarify the situation, according to the MP.
"I want to make sure proper procedures were followed,"
he said.
GCDC is to prepare a business case and submit it to Industry
Canada, GCDC chairperson Sheila Pratt said in a recent interview.
Pratt was unavailable for comment earlier this week.
It is expected Prescott's concerns about the decision will
be discussed at an emergency board meeting this morning (Wednesday),
according to unnamed sources.
Jordan hopes the process will slow down and officials will
"calm down" before any additional damage is done to
relations between different sections of the county. The success
of a community development corporation like GCDC is due in part
to co-operation among its stakeholders, he remarked.
"That seems to have broken down in this case," the
MP said. "This kind of a thing is very unsettling."
Jordan noted he represents Prescott and Kemptville and has
no formal role in the process to determine the outcome of the
GCDC proposal.
"I want to make sure proper procedures were
followed."
Prescott youngsters are nominated for provincial Junior Citizen
award
PRESCOTT - Jamie and Charleigh McFarlane are being honoured
for knowing what to do in an emergency.
The brother and sister have been nominated for the Junior
Citizen of the Year Award. The award is presented annually by
the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA), of which
The Prescott Journal is a member.
The McFarlanes' quick action in dealing with a house fire
on James Street West in Prescott one morning last September sparked
the nomination. Charleigh, 7, saw smoke coming out of an upper-floor
window of the house across the street and told her brother Jamie,
11. After telling his mother Jenny about the smoke, Jamie ran
across the street and banged on doors and windows; he also yelled
for anyone inside to get out of the building. No one was home
at the time. Jenny called 9-1-1 to report the fire.
The nomination was submitted by Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn,
who presented a Junior Citizen certificate to the McFarlanes
last week at the municipal building. The mayor said the children
set a good example for their peers by being responsible and trying
to help other people in their neighbourhood.
"We thought it was pretty special," Lawn said.
The mayor made the nomination after consulting Fire Chief
Bill Lawrence and Police Chief Rick Bowie. Lawrence referred
to the youngsters as "heroes" who deserve to be commended
for their actions which prevented the fire from becoming more
serious.
The two nominees were surprised by the honour. Jamie said
he didn't think what they did was such a big deal; other youngsters
would have probably done the same thing had they been in that
situation, he added. Charleigh indicated it was nice to receive
the certificate.
Junior Citizen nominations from across the province are being
judged this week. The successful finalists will be notified by
the end of the first week of February. The awards ceremony will
take place April 12 at the OCNA Spring Convention in Toronto.
Park area one of suggested uses for hotel
lot
PRESCOTT - The town's planning and development committee is
considering a request to lease the former Daniels' Hotel property
for use as a park and parking lot.
The request was made earlier this month by the Business Improvement
Area (BIA). Prescott council agreed at its Jan. 21 meeting to
refer the matter to the planning committee.
The vacant lot on King Street West is for sale. Some municipal
and business leaders have complained about the condition of the
vacant lot.
Councillor and committee chairman Garry Dewar said the BIA
would like to see the property cleaned up; a strip of grass could
be placed along the King Street side of the lot, he noted.
Dewar, who attended the BIA meeting at which the subject was
discussed, also pointed out parking spaces on the south side
of Water Street will be lost once the vacant lot facing the river
is developed.
Support for referring the matter to the planning committee
was not unanimous. Councillor Seeley Pillar, who has advocated
using the property for a new town hall and public library, said
he could not understand how the "learned" members of
the BIA could make such a suggestion.
Dewar said the BIA's request has nothing to do with the town
hall issue. He added a park and parking lot would take a back
seat if council decided to put a new municipal building there.
The former hotel site is one of a number of options being
considered as a location for Prescott's municipal offices and
library.
OPP NEWS
Two break-ins occur
EDWARDSBURGH - A garage on Froom Road was the scene of two
break-ins, according to Grenville County OPP. One occurred sometime
during the week of Jan. 25; the other took place during the overnight
hours of Jan. 25-26. A list of stolen items totalling more than
$5,000 includes various power, air and hand tools as well as
larger equipment used in vehicle repair and restoration. It appears
two culprits may have been involved in the second break-in; a
canvas has not turned up any leads. Constables Foley and Boutilier
are investigating the incidents. Anyone with information is asked
to call the local detachment at 925-4221 or Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-8477.
Charges pending against driver involved in crash
MAITLAND - Charges are pending against the 17-year-old male
driver of a vehicle that rolled over Jan. 23 on County Road 2
between Sharpe's Lane and Maitland. Constable Foley was attempting
to stop the vehicle for speeding at about 10:20 pm when it left
the roadway and rolled. The driver and the two occupants were
not injured. The driver was arrested at the scene and later released.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact
Grenville County OPP.
Battle of the Badges set for Feb. 27 in Prescott
PRESCOTT - Grenville County OPP officers have received a few
calls about telephone solicitation associated with a hockey game
called "Battle of the Badges." This is a legitimate
hockey game set for Feb. 27 in Prescott, according to the OPP.
Police officers and firefighters from the area will play in a
game to be refereed by former Toronto Maple Leaf Eddie Shack.
The phone solicitation is being conducted by Xentel DM Incorporated.
A portion of ticket sales will support Prevention Awareness for
Life, parents against drugs and the police and firefighters fund
in New York City.
Speeders heading for court appearances
EDWARDSBURGH - Members of the Grenville County OPP were called
to assist with a police pursuit involving a van on Highway 401
at about midnight Tuesday. OPP officers deployed a spike belt
on Highway 416 at the County 20 exit north of Spencerville. The
vehicle being pursued was stopped shortly after the tires deflated.
The driver was arrested. Brockville city police are conducting
the investigation.
On-line group
created for South Grenville alumni
By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Thanks to a recently formed on-line community
group, former students of South Grenville District High School
now have a way of catching up with old friends.
Former SGDHS students Carl Young and John Eastwood have teamed
up to form the group, called "SGDHS Alumni," on MSN
Messenger Service.
"Microsoft offers discussion groups, which can be open
or by invitation only," says Young, who attended SGDHS in
the early 1960's.
"Ours is open to anyone who attended Prescott High School,
Cardinal High School or South Grenville."
The group, formed earlier this month, had attracted 123 members
as of Thursday.
Susen Kaylo, assistant librarian at the Prescott Public Library,
co-manages the alumni group with Eastwood and Young.
"I think it's a great idea to have a place where former
South Grenville students can get together and catch up,"
Eastwood says.
"It seems to be going over very well. We have been getting
a lot of complimentary comments."
Eastwood says the idea of a SGDHS alumni group was born after
he posted his name on www.classmates.com, a commercial Web site
that covers all of North America.
Young contacted him shortly after; the two hadn't heard from
each other in 40 years, Eastwood says.
"One thing led to another, and we realized the high school's
old Web site - www.sgdhs.net - is now defunct," says Eastwood,
who now lives near Montreal. "It got me thinking that there
should be some way for old students to keep in touch."
Ralph Cooper, who ran www.sgdhs.net in the past, says lack
of interest and lack of funding are the main reasons the site
closed down this year.
"If a stronger interest in a www.sgdhs.net Web site was
demonstrated, I may consider re-opening the project," Cooper
says.
"However, such a task would require contributions from
internal school organizations, alumni, and some sort of sponsorship
since the school's budget no longer accomodates the web site
design and hosting costs."
Young urges current South Grenville students to re-create
and maintain a web site to keep alumni informed about goings-on
at the school.
In the meantime, Eastwood and Young have used classmates.com
and the e-mail directory on The Prescott Journal's Web site (www.prescottjournal.com)
to track down other former students.
"John and myself are very appreciative of what The Journal
has been able to do," says Young, a resident of Corner Brook,
Newfoundland. "A lot of the alumni also appreciate the opportunity
to read The Journal on-line."
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the SGDHS alumni
MSN community is encouraged to send an e-mail to John Eastwood
at john.eastwood@sympatico.ca, Carl Young at cryoung1@hotmail.com,
or Susen Kaylo at ladyhawke_00@hotmail.com.
For more information, go to the group's Web site: communities.msn.ca/southgrenvillehighschoolalumni.
There should be some way...to keep in touch
John Eastwood
Lottery proceeds provide opportunities at
GCC
MAITLAND - Grenville Christian College will be giving away
$575,000 in prizes until June 20 in its 2002 Super Lotta Grand
Draw - the largest fundraiser of the year at the school.
The university preparatory school near Maitland has been running
the fundraiser since 1986, and this is the first year participants
will have the incredible odds of one in five of winning, said
draw manager Teresa Jansman. "This makes the Super Lotta
Grand Draw the most winnable draw in Ontario," she said.
The draw was officially launched Jan. 11. Among the prizes
are a dream home in Gananoque valued at $230,000 and seven early
bird vacation draws. One early bird draw of $5,000 has already
been won by a long-time GCC supporter, Wolfe Mielke. The last
early bird draw for $10,000 will be May 2.
Proceeds from the Super Lotta provide financial aid to Ontario
students who would flourish academically, culturally and spiritually
in the atmosphere at GCC, explained Jansman. Although GCC is
governed by the Ministry of Education, it does not receive any
government support, she said. "It is our mission to make
our program affordable to those young people who would prosper
at our school."
Last year, more than 50 students were given financial assistance
to attend the school.
Currently in grades 7 to OAC, 130 students are boarders, and
76 are day students. The school has an enrollment of 307 students
from the Junior Kindergarten to OAC level.
The winner of the grand prize will have a choice of the dream
home at valued at $230,000; a 2002 Jaguar XK8 and $25,000 cash;
a hot wheels combo with a 2002 Chevy Avalanche, Mercedes SLK
320 Sport and a Harley Davidson FatBoy; a 2002 Chevrolet Trail
Blazer plus gas for a year and $100,000 cash; or a 2002 Hummer
SUV.
The dream home is currently under construction and can be
viewed in Rocky Acres Estates at 60 Garfield St., Gananoque.
More than 2,500 prizes will also be given away, including
watch sets, digital cameras, luggage sets, radios, CD players
and binoculars.
Tickets can be purchased individually, and there are discounts
on multiple ticket purchases. Call 1-800-268-3253 or 341-9329
for 24-hour express ticket sales. A total of 12,500 tickets will
be sold. Any winning tickets of early bird draws go back in the
pot for more chances to win.
Council appoints library and youth centre
boards
PRESCOTT - Town council has approved another set of appointments
to public committees.
The Prescott Library Board consists of Mary Johnston, John
Houston, Christine Endicott, Evelyn Dales, Gavin Robertson and
Karen Paterson. Councillor Seeley Pillar serves as the town's
representative.
The board of the Prescott Youth Centre includes Robyn Demeule,
Judy Roberts, Josh Rutter, Laurie Stoddard and town representatives
Laurie Kirkby and Councillor Nancy McFarland.
Other committees and boards appointed by council on an annual
basis deal with Walker House, Tourism Prescott, economic development,
Forwarders' Museum and property standards.
Help fund research by having a heart
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - The Heart and Stroke Foundation is hoping
to "Paint the Town Red" with the help of restaurants
and businesses in the region.
Area residents are being invited to purchase hearts at $2
apiece and posting them at participating locations.
The goal of the program is to raise $1 million in Ontario
for life-saving heart and stroke research.
Paint the Town Red runs until Feb. 14.
For more information about the program or participating locations,
contact the Brockville-area officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation
at 345-6183.
Town police report quiet week
PRESCOTT - Town police investigated 51 general incidents and
one motor vehicle accident between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26.
Two shoplifting incidents were investigated, but no charges
were laid. Police report it was a very quiet week.
Anyone with information on criminal activity in town is asked
to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers
at 1-800-222-8477.
Cameron to seek
Liberal nod
KEMPTVILLE Former counties warden Don Cameron has announced
he will seek the nomination as the provincial Liberal candidate
in the riding of Leeds-Grenville.
Cameron, a former mayor of North Grenville, was the Liberal
candidate in the 1999 provincial election. Long-time Progressive
Conservative MPP Bob Runciman was re-elected by a 6,000-vote
margin; Cameron placed second.
"It is time for change in Leeds and Grenville which has
been a 'one party state' for about 70 years," Cameron stated
in a news release.
He is pledging to restore the province's commitment to farms
and rural communities and fight to bring new jobs to the region.
Cameron noted one of the Tories' legacies is a tax system that
is unworkable.
AUGUSTA NEWS
Fire leaves family homeless
AUGUSTA An Algonquin area family has been left homeless
as a result of a freak accident at the home last Thursday evening.
A total of 35 Augusta Township firefighters were called to
the Sixth Concession home just west of County Road 15 at about
7 pm, said Fire Captain Ed Finucan. The frame bungalow home,
the residence of Alan and Caroline Bos, was the scene of the
fire. The blaze took about an hour to knock down, but firefighters
stayed on the scene until about 11 pm to watch for hot spots,
Finucan reported.
The cause of the fire was likely a kerosene lamp that had
tipped over in the living room, Finucan said. The lamp was not
lit, but the fuel had dripped down through the floor and into
a basement pot light, which sparked the fire. "It's unusual,
but it just happened the light was right under it," Finucan
said.
Alan Bos was home at the time of the fire with his young daughter,
while Mrs. Bos was at work, the captain reported. The home is
insured.
Damage is estimated at more than $75,000. The fire was mainly
contained within the living room, although smoke damage was extensive
throughout the house. No injuries were reported.
Quick thinking saves barn
AUGUSTA Quick action on the part of a Blue Church Road
dairy farmer saved more serious damage in a fire Monday evening,
reported Augusta Fire Chief Lorne Dougherty.
Both Augusta and Prescott fire departments were called to
2425 Blue Church Road at about 6 pm. The fire began in a box
cattle feeder in the barn. However, the homeowner was able to
quickly snuff out the blaze with a fire extinguisher, Dougherty
said. The services of the departments were not required.
The fire chief suspected the fire was caused by a malfunctioning
electrical motor in the automatic feeder.
District health unit offers revised prenatal
program
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE A revised series of prenatal classes
is now being offered by the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District
Health Unit.
The seven classes include updated videos, posters, high-quality
overheads and teaching aids. Subjects include pregnancy, birth
experience, breast feeding and newborn care.
Public health nurses encourage clients to register and begin
classes prior to their 20th week of pregnancy.
"Early prenatal education can have a positive impact
on the health of the expectant couple and their baby," stated
Carolin Kaemmer, public health nurse and lactation consultant
at the health unit office in Brockville.
Classes are available in Prescott, Brockville, Kemptville
and several other communities in the three counties.
For more information, call the health unit at 345-5685.
The Web site address is www.healthunit.org.
Assessment options available
SOUTH GRENVILLE Commercial and property owners in Ontario
who would like to apply for a vacant property rebate must do
so by Feb. 28. The application must include a description of
the vacant portion of the property and how long it has been vacant.
Rebate applications are to be submitted to the municipal office
in the community in which the property is located.
The deadline to appeal this year's property assessment is
April 2. The cost to appeal is $50 for a residential property
and $125 for a commercial or industrial property. For more information,
contact the Ontario Property Assessment Corporation in Brockville
at 342-8242.
Property owners can make requests for reconsideration of their
assessment. This is a more informal process in which the owner
is not required to pay an application fee. However, the April
2 assessment appeal deadline also applies to these cases.
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