Prescott Journal,February 20, 2002

VOL. 172, NO.8 ~ PRESCOTT, ONTARIO ~ February 20, 2002

NEWS

GCDC to stay in Prescott

Proposed move to Kemtpville fails to receive majority vote at membership meeting

By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor

SPENCERVILLE - Grenville Community Development Centre (GCDC) will remain in Prescott for the foreseeable future.

A motion by the GCDC board of directors to move the centre's head office to North Grenville did not obtain the two-thirds majority needed from the general membership at a special meeting held last Thursday morning in the council chamber of Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal Township.

Seven of 14 GCDC members who took part in the secret ballot voted in favour of the board's motion. Six members voted against, and one ballot was declared spoiled. Ten "yes" votes were required to obtain the two-thirds majority needed to approve the motion.

A conditional purchase offer had been made on a one-and-a-half storey unit in a commercial building at 212 Van Buren St. in Kemptville. The purchase price was $100,000. A $60,000 down payment would have been drawn from existing funds; a three-year, in-house mortgage for $40,000 would cover the rest. The offer would be valid until Feb. 28 and require the approval of Industry Canada and the membership of GCDC.

The two other rental options presented by an office space search committee were to renew a lease at the existing location in the Moran-Hooker Trade Centre on Water Street in downtown Prescott and Eastern Executive Suites on County Road 44 just south of Kemptville.

Committee chair Lionel Mohr said the Van Buren property was the only one to arise during the search that met the criteria.

Lynne Budgell, chair of GCDC's administrative committee, said a very strong business case had been made for the purchase option. It would be cheaper than renting and the corporation would own an asset it could sell in the future; Budgell said the math speaks for itself.

"I've never seen this as a north-south issue," she stated.

But some GCDC members indicated other factors must be considered. Former Prescott mayor Sandra Lawn praised the current staff and expressed concern about how the move would affect them. Mrs. Lawn noted figures presented earlier in the meeting: South Grenville clients represented 76 per cent of loans and 91 per cent of the value of loans GCDC had distributed during 2001-2002.

Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn, who is also a GCDC member, was critical of the manner in which the GCDC board handled the matter. The "abruptness" of the decision caught Prescott off guard and marked what Mr. Lawn called "a regrettable return to economic competitiveness.

"This decision has caused divisiveness in Grenville County," the mayor said. "The way the board handled this is not an example of co-operation."

GCDC members also heard from Industry Canada official David Monoogian, who said the department would look "favourably" on the business case put forward by the board of directors.

Monoogian acknowledged there was a time when an organization such as GCDC would focus on a community that was struggling economically. However, he added Industry Canada will consider any reasonable and sound business proposal which meets a long-term need without jeopardizing the quality of services to all clients no matter where they are based.

As for the manner in which the conditional purchase offer arose, Mohr indicated earlier in the meeting he began preliminary discussions with the property owner. GCDC chairperson Sheila Pratt signed the conditional offer on behalf of GCDC; she and Mohr are realtors based in Kemptville. One of the terms of that offer was neither Mohr nor Pratt would receive any payment in connection with the sale of the property to GCDC.

In response to a question posed by Mrs. Lawn, GCDC legal advisor Barry Laushway said he is of the opinion Mohr and Pratt were not in a conflict of interest situation. Neither would gain direct or indirect financial benefits, Laushway added.

Others who spoke out against the board's proposal included GCDC directors and Prescott-area residents Renata Kimmerly and Ray Young.

Former GCDC chairman Harold Sheridan also expressed concern about how the move would disrupt staff. Although he indicated he had no problem with the business plan, Sheridan added he was looking at the other side of the issue. GCDC could renew its lease and consider any opportunity that may arise over the next three years, he noted.

Pratt said the board still has to deal with the remaining accommodation issue. The lease at the Water Street location expires at the end of March. During the membership meeting, the existing office space was described as being satisfactory.

Board's decision divided county

Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn

Doggie movie stars make appearance during Fort Town Frost Festival

PRESCOTT - Two Disney movie stars of the canine variety stole the show and raised the curtain on Prescott's annual Frost Festival last weekend.

Bam Bam and Gloria, Siberian huskies raised by Carol Broadhurst and Mike Pinfold of Kortar Kennels of Kemptville, made a star appearance Saturday. The celebrities were brought to town by Gift Lane owner Jane Burton. More than 200 people came to see the dogs who star in Snow Dogs, now playing as the number two hit movie.

"It's been a kick," said Pinfold of the visit during the Frost Festival. The appearance was an opportunity to explain and educate about the breed of dog and responsible dog ownership, he said. It is important to not have a repeat of the 101 Dalmation scenario, Pinfold said. "We're very concerned we don't end up with a situation where everybody has to have a cute Dalmation puppy."

Siberian huskies are highly intelligent dogs and are good with children, he noted. However, the dog should never be left off its lead, as it has a tendency to wander and roam. Siberian huskies also have a tendency to dig holes, and have one major shed each year.

"As beautiful as they are, they aren't for everybody," Pinfold said. He recommends any dog owner attend puppy training classes, and thoroughly research the various breeds before buying.

In Snow Dogs, a fun family movie in which a Florida dentist inherits an Alaskan dog sled team, Gloria played the role of Duchess, and Bam Bam was used as a stunt double. The owners were kept informed of the dogs' progress during filming, and were told the lead actor, Cuba Gooding Jr., spent a lot of time with Bam Bam off set and was impressed with the dog's temperament.

Pinfold said he and Broadhurst, who has won a top Siberian breeder award from the Pedigree Canadian Kennel Club, were impressed with how the dogs were treated during movie filming. At the end of filming, the owners were given the option of retiring the dogs to an-upscale ranch in northern California, or keeping them at Kortar in case there should be a sequel. The owners continue to take the stars to schools for education and are also used for pet therapy.

"It's nice to know they take care of the dogs, and it's not just a means of generating revenue for them," Pinfold said.

Other Frost Festival events during the weekend included a lumberjack competition, bonfire, horse drawn hayrides, public skating, a sno-pitch baseball game and special dinners and a breakfast. The dog sled run scheduled for Sunday at the golf course was cancelled due to lack of snow.

Roads employees are tired of being harassed

By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer

MAYNARD - Augusta Township's public works employees met with a representative of The Prescott Journal last week to give a positive spin to what has happened in the department over the past year.

Department members at the interview called by the staff were Roads Superintendent Keith Couture and operator/drivers Gary Hogeveen, Adrian O'Neill, Tom Shorey and Don Throop. Mechanic/driver Roger Fossitt was on leave.

"We made a difference," said Couture of the department's accomplishments during the past year. He added some township residents have thanked the employees for their work and others wave when the workers drive by in the trucks.

"We took a problem, we addressed it and it got resolved. I'm proud of what we've done here," Couture said. "We've got one of the best departments in Leeds-Grenville. We're making every effort."

Long-standing ditching problems in Riverview Heights, Maitland, Algonquin and North Augusta were corrected last summer, and all grading, engineering and surveying was completed in-house since Couture, a certified surveyor and civil engineering technician, took over the helm in Nov. 2000.

The back hoe saw 600 hours of work in one summer with the ditching work, compared to 100 hours of work in the previous two years, Couture said.

Couture added he's never known a better crew, and the men can hold their heads up high for increasing efficiencies and saving the township money.

"We run (snow plow) 220 K of roads with basically five men and we get the job done." Road problems are dealt with as quickly as possible and not put to the bottom of a list, he added.

Plowing routes have been cut from five to four, and the job is completed quicker than in the past, the workers said.

One truck was converted from a single-axle to a tandem with a longer box, and it has become more useful and a money-saver for the township, they said.

Couture said the roads employees are multi-purpose people, all with special skills beyond the job description. O'Neill, who came to Augusta after an 18-year career as a heavy equipment operator with the Canadian Armed Forces, is a driver examiner/tester and a tractor/trailer and bus instructor. Shorey has asphalt and paving and raking experience. Throop has welding experience, and Hogeveen has a welding, plumbing and electrical background. The mechanic Fossitt doubles as a driver, and Couture says the employee has been invaluable. The trucks can now be serviced and certified in-house, and in some cases Fossitt has added years to the life of the equipment, Couture said.

Among the improvements to the trucks are power windows, convex and heated mirrors, more accessible controls and extra back-up spot lights and alarms for safety. The equipment has been painted, cleaned and is maintained regularly, the workers noted.

New department equipment purchases include a combination welder/generator, a cut-off saw, compactor and an extended chain saw, which Couture said have all paid for themselves.

But the employees are tired of taking abuse from what they say is a small and vocal group of township residents. In the interview, the men stressed they want to set the record straight and have a voice in what has happened. They hope to dispel some of the negativity that has surrounded the department in the past year.

Township roads and the operation of the department have been hot topics of debate and criticism at several council meetings during the past year.

The employees say they've been targeted by some individuals in the township, and have been the subject of harassing phone calls at home and have had beer bottles thrown at them. Some, while driving township equipment, have been followed around by the residents and had their travels documented.

"You have enough to look after when you're plowing that you don't need somebody stuck on your bumper just waiting for you to do something wrong," O'Neill said. "You get paranoid after a while," added Hogeveen. "We're just here to do a job."

THIS WEEK

Chamber banquet tickets still available

PRESCOTT Tickets are still available for the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce Awards Night and Banquet to be held March 4 at St. Mark's Parish Centre.

In addition to dinner, ticket holders can take part in a silent auction and watch the presentation of annual awards for business, community service and youth. The guest speaker will be International Olympic Committee member and former vice-president Richard Pound.

A reception begins at 6:30 pm. Dinner will be served at 7:30 pm, followed by the guest speaker and award presentations.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at any of the three banks in Prescott or by calling Debbie Lawless at 925-2171.

Keep road salt off toxic substance list: town

PRESCOTT Road salt should not be added to a list of toxic substances, town council indicated Monday.

Council voted to support a resolution from the Municipality of Huron East calling for a federal effort to achieve environmental goals while preserving public safety on roadways. The federal environment department has been seeking public input on a proposal to add road salt to the list of toxic substances. There have been concerns the use of road salt could be banned.

Councillor Terry McConnell, chair of the town's transportation and environmental safety committee, said there are no affordable alternatives to road salt at this time.

"If salt disappears, our budget's going sky high," he said.

McConnell added the town does not use as much road salt as it used to; there is more mixing with sand than in the past, he noted.

South Grenville to get early years centre

LEEDS AND GRENVILLE South Grenville will be one of five areas in the united counties to have an early years centre office, Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman has announced.

The Brockville-based Ontario Early Years Centre for Leeds-Grenville will be open by the end of March. The centre, a provincial initiative that will be operated by the counties' social services department, will offer programs supporting young children and their families. Some existing programs will merge and others will expand, according to a Feb. 13 news release issued by Runciman's office.

The five offices in Leeds and Grenville will be staffed by early years professionals and have flexible hours of operation to accommodate families and child-care providers.

The location of the South Grenville office had yet to be confirmed at press time.

Forty-two early years centres will open this spring in Ontario; 61 others will open next year.

Guide and Scout groups thinking about peace

MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton

The Limerick District Guides, comprising groups from Maitland, Maynard and Spencerville, kicked off Guide and Scout Week at MERC Hall with their annual Thinking Day. Guide and Scout Week is celebrated Feb. 17 to 24 in 140 countries around the world.

The week coincides with the birthdays of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell who founded the Guide and Scout organization. The theme of Thinking Day activities held Sunday from 1 to 5 pm at MERC Hall was Peace.

Close to 100 Sparks, Brownies and Guides participated in creating Peace Doves and Cranes and making greeting cards to send to Canadian Peacekeepers in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the presentation of the penny collection to Ruth Bass and Molly Faessen, Spencerville leaders, who will travel to the Sangam Guide House in India in March. Bass and Faessen will deliver the donation in person when they attend a Guide Retreat at Sangam.

Guiding International funds four houses, which are international meeting centres for Guides. They contain meeting rooms and accommodation for guides and leaders and displays on the history of Guiding. The other houses are located in England, Switzerland and Mexico.

Local Scouts celebrated Guide and Scout Week by participating in the Algonquin United Church service. Leaders and Scouts paraded into the service with their flags and participated by reading and helping with the collection.

During the service, Jonathan Bennett received the Chief Scout Award, which is the highest award a Scout can earn.

The Colonel Edward Jessup Branch of the United Empire Loyalists is sponsoring a display on genealogy at the Augusta Township Public Library Feb. 23 from 1 to 4 pm.

There will be information available to help people research their family tree. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

For more information contact Myrtle Johnston at 924-2928 or Fraser Carr at 925-4930.

Augusta continues search for chief building official

MAYNARD - The vacancy for a chief building official for Augusta Township remains as the municipality continues its search for someone with the proper qualifications.

The township had advertised the position following the resignation of chief building official and bylaw enforcement officer Greg Trizisky, which was effective Jan. 4. He accepted a similar position in North Dundas.

Councillor Jane Fullarton said at the Feb. 11 council meeting the township's advertisements for the position did not result in any acceptable applications and will be readvertising the job.

Augusta is searching for someone to begin work as soon as possible; the successful candidate must possess a certified building code official designation and have three years experience, and a college diploma in architecture or engineering technology is an asset.

Among other duties, the official will be responsible for issuing building permits, conducting inspections, investigating bylaw complaints, zoning and bylaw amendments, and subdivision and site plan control agreements. The official must also understand the Ontario Building Code Act, Planning Act and Municipal Act, and have knowledge of computers, including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.

Applications will be accepted until 4 pm Wednesday, March 6.

World Day of Prayer services to be held Friday, March 1

SOUTH GRENVILLE - World Day of Prayer services will take place Friday, March 1 in Prescott and Spencerville.

The World Day of Prayer is an annual ecumenical service held on the first Friday in March. Founded in 1920 by women in Canada and the United States, the worldwide service focuses on a different country each year. The Eastern European nation of Romania is the subject of this year's service.

Participants in the World Day of Prayer will learn about the country and its unique culture and heritage, as well as join Christians in 200 countries and an estimated 2,000 communities in Canada who will gather to pray and take action in solidarity with the people of Romania.

The co-ordinating group in Prescott has representation from St. Mark's, St. John's, St. Paul's and Seaway churches. The local service begins at 2 pm at St. Paul's United Church, which is located at the corner of Dibble and George streets. For more information about the Prescott service, call 925-4796.

The Spencerville service set for St. Andrew's-Knox Presbyterian Church also begins at 2 pm. The local co-ordinating group also includes the United churches in Spencerville and Roebuck and the church in Shanly. For more information, call Henny Donkersteeg at 658-5829.

The Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada co-ordinates the World Day of Prayer in this country.

Soap box derby kits available

PRESCOTT - Soap box derby kits are now available from the Kiwanis Club of Prescott.

The club will host its annual soap box derby in May. Get your kit now and be prepared for the races.

For more information about the soap box derby or to purchase a kit, call Chris at 925-3404 or Jim at 925-4800.

Food bank update set for Thursday

By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor

PRESCOTT - Progress is being made in the effort to establish a food bank in South Grenville.

"Food For All" is the proposed name of the project aimed at serving the needs of residents of Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.

A public information meeting will take place this Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 pm at the Prescott Health Centre, 555 King St. W. A progress report will be presented by the steering committee formed at the first public information meeting held Jan. 24.

Steering committee member Jennifer Wyman indicated a fair amount of preliminary work has been done since that first meeting.

The committee is conducting a survey to determine a potential client base. Survey sheets and drop-off boxes can be found at numerous locations throughout South Grenville. A copy of the survey can also be found in this edition of The Journal.

Another purpose of the survey is to encourage people to come forward as volunteers. Fifty people attended the first organizational meeting; however, additional representation is being sought from Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.

"I think we are going to get a lot of volunteers," Wyman said.

One of the items to be discussed Thursday is the formation of a board of directors which would represent each municipality in South Grenville. Wyman said the food bank should not be perceived as a project of the steering committee or any particular service club; in order for the project to be successful, it must be seen as a public venture involving the entire community.

It is hoped information obtained through the survey can be used by food bank organizers when they present their case to local governments and other potential supporters of the project.

A community co-ordinator and food depot manager are to be selected. Food bank volunteers and clients will be screened. Wyman said respect for confidentiality must be maintained; she expects any volunteers who violate that trust will be dismissed immediately.

Background checks on prospective volunteers will be conducted.

Wyman said the committee is considering a site in downtown Prescott that has been offered as a location for the food bank.

Although organizers are sticking to a planned September opening for the South Grenville food bank, Wyman acknowledged there is still plenty of work to do before the concept becomes a reality.

For more information, contact Jennifer Wyman at 925-1689 or Blair Paterson at 925-2435.

Mayor stresses heritage value of Prescott

PRESCOTT - The Dibble Street municipal building has a role to play in the future of Prescott, according to Mayor Robert Lawn.

In noting the arrival of Heritage Week, Lawn told Prescott council Monday he sees progress in the fact some councillors are talking about selling the building instead of tearing it down.

The mayor, who supports the option to renovate the building and keep municipal offices and the public library there, said people have for many years bemoaned the loss of the former town hall which was torn down 40 years ago.

"It (the Dibble Street building) still has a useful role to play in the community," the mayor said.

Lawn said he got involved in the matter two years ago while serving as president of the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce. He noted his main concern was not the proposed location of a new town hall, but the possibility the existing facility would be torn down.

The mayor told council Monday Prescott has a great deal of natural and built heritage; the town does not do enough to promote that fact, he added.

As for the Dibble Street building, a former high school built in the early 1930s, Lawn said council should not seek expressions of interest for that property until it has been discarded as an option.

"We owe it to the people of this community," he said. "That's the least we can do as a council."

The town hall and library issue will be on the agenda at the next meeting of Prescott council. The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 5; council would normally meet the first Monday of the month, but the meeting date was changed to avoid a conflict with the chamber of commerce dinner set for March 4.

School boards and police services sign protocol for occurrence investigations

By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer

KEMPTVILLE - Local school board and police service officials gathered in Kemptville Thursday to unveil a new protocol for the investigation of school-related occurrences.

The new Ontario Eastern Regional Police and School Board Protocol was released at 9 am with a presentation at the Board Office of the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO). Representatives of five school boards, six OPP detachments and six municipal police services were on hand to sign the document, including officials from the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB), the Prescott Police Service and the Grenville County OPP detachment.

"It's about process and procedures," says Domaleen Hawes, superintendent of education for the CDSBEO. "It also provided an opportunity to come together and review current policies and procedures."

In the past, each school board dealt individually with the police agency servicing its local jurisdiction. The new protocol is designed to encompass all police services and school boards in eastern Ontario and ensure consistency in reporting and handling of incidents.

"It provides a level of comfort knowing we have consistency throughout the entire jurisdiction," says UCDSB chair Joan Hodge. "Consistency is so important."

Twenty-three provincial recommended guidelines are addressed, including definition of the role and mandate of police services and school boards, the definition and explanation of criminal terms and procedures for investigating incidents and dealing with police.

"The document shares information on the roles and responsibilities of everyone," Hawes says. "It also outlines or clarifies explanations of certain terms. When you're dealing with the Criminal Code, people don't always know for sure."

The establishment of a protocol for dealing with school-related occurrences was made mandatory by the Safe Schools Act (2000).

"It hasn't changed the way police deal with things," Hawes explains.

SCHOOL SCENE

BOUNDARY STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL - Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 will be learning how to square dance Wednesday with instructor Mr. Marin.

Grade 8 students walk to South Grenville District High School today to tour the school and meet the teachers.

A parent council meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7 pm.

A spirit assembly will be held Friday at 11 am in the gym. The hot lunch Friday is hot dogs.

CENTENNIAL '67/NORTH EDWARDSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS Our Grade 6 students visited Brockville court Monday as part of the VEP guidance program.

Grade 8 students visited SGDHS Tuesday for high school orientation.

Skating at the arena continues for junior classes (one hour per week).

CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL Grades 6, 7 and 8 spent Monday skiing at Mt. Pakenham.

Grade 8 students will visit South Grenville District High School today. There will also be an orientation evening for students and their parents at the high school.

The hot lunch this week is pizza.

Central will host a senior basketball tournament Saturday, Feb. 23 at South Grenville for boys and girls.

ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL As the month of February winds down, preparation for first reconciliation and first communion are well under way.

Ash Wednesday was recognized with a paraliturgy, and Lenten activities are in place.

Students are currently preparing for storytelling and public speaking. Students will skate for the third time this Friday, Feb. 22 from 1:30 to 3 pm.

Star Strategy for this week and next is "Word play with beginning and ending sounds."

Hot lunch this week is chicken chunks, and next week is hamburgers. There is a school council meeting Thursday, Feb. 28.

CORRECTIONArticles in the Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 editions of The Journal indicated property owners seeking reconsideration of their assessments have until April 2 to do so with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

The deadline for filing requests for reconsideration is Dec. 31 of the current taxation year. The deadline to appeal an assessment to the Assessment Review Board in 2002 is April 2, 2002.

EDITORIALS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"I'm proud of what we've done here."

Augusta Roads Superintendent Keith Couture, on the department's accomplishments

Editor's Notebook

GCDC belongs here

Civic leaders in South Grenville breathed a sigh of relief last Thursday when they heard Grenville Community Development Centre would be staying in Prescott.

Whether you believe the decision to move GCDC to Kemptville was simply a business decision made in the best interests of the centre and its clients, or a deliberate attempt to snatch it away from Prescott, the membership has spoken.

It is hard to place a value on the lost knowledge and expertise that would likely accompany the move to Kemptville. Departing staff would have taken with them the continuity that has enabled GCDC to excel at supporting businesses in North and South Grenville a needless loss resulting from a questionable decision.

The bottom line is there is only circumstantial evidence of a concerted effort to poach GCDC for personal gain or to settle a score for past deeds. Concerns about conflict of interest or the appearance of it were addressed. Most of the North Grenville members present at the meeting played the "good business case" card with cold precision. In fairness, though, the figures offered at the meeting made the Van Buren property look good on paper.

GCDC director Stuart Leyenaar made a legitimate point when he said the corporation should practice what it preaches when it comes to doing business. After all, clients are advised to make sound financial decisions. However, there are certain intangibles that often come into play and, unfortunately, politics is sometimes not very far away. The one point supporters of moving GCDC may not have fully considered is simple: GCDC means more where it is to the Prescott area than it would to North Grenville if it were to head north and relocate in Kemptville. It doesn't mean North Grenville clients should get anything less than the service afforded businesses to the south.

There was no cheering when the results of the vote were announced. The folks in the room accepted the outcome and moved ahead with other business. However, the divisiveness about which Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn had spoken was evident: several North Grenville members huddled in the front left corner of the room as other cliques of a north-south orientation seemed to form. There was no yelling and screaming, but there was at least a hint of tension in the air even after the vote.

The issue has been settled for the time being, and GCDC can get back to doing what it does best: supporting the business community throughout the area, including North Grenville. Here's hoping the directors, staff and members will be able to set aside the north-south issue and focus on what's in the best interests of all the communities served by GCDC.

Tim Ruhnke

Humble pie tastes better sliced than served cold

THE NEW GUY- Tim Ruhnke

My screw-ups seem to come in bunches. Every now and then, the mistakes are more numerous than usual. Take a recent case in which I inadvertently stated in an article Prescott Councillor Seeley Pillar and some other council members accepted a suggestion council could make use of the services of a mediator to resolve the ongoing dispute over what to do about town hall and the public library. Three of the four council members at the table that night offered varying degrees of support for the proposal, but Pillar did not.

Then there was the article that incorrectly noted one-third (instead of two-thirds) of capital costs associated with rebuilding or upgrading Prescott's sewage treatment plant would be covered by the government. This being the second town in which I have written articles relating to sewage plants and environmental assessments, that one should have been a no-brainer. Instead, I'm the one whose brain had obviously taken leave.

Councillors Pillar and French let me know about the errors, but they did so politely and without the attitude that tends to push people's buttons needlessly. I do not always handle mistakes as well as I should, but I do appreciate the softer approach displayed by the councillors.

And now the flipside.

An unnamed corporation official called a few weeks back to correct "two" mistakes in a short article which dealt with certain procedures and deadlines property owners may want to know about if they're unhappy with their assessment. Even though she and her colleague could not have been bothered to give me an information package distributed to others who attended the same meeting I did, I acknowledge one mistake was an error; the other point needed to be clarified. After publishing a correction the following week, I get a call a week later from another corporation official who wanted to know if we had published the correction (loose translation: she suggested we had not). After I told her we had and cited the location of the correction notice, the woman asked me to fax a copy of the notice. It seems their copy of the paper was missing in action.

I faxed the item and two days later heard from the first official who indicated the correction was incorrect. She questioned the editorial licence I used and the confusion created by my attempt to resolve the matter. She was professional in a humourless and chilling kind of way. After I paused to prevent myself from imploding, I asked her to fax me her own wording, which she did.

The name of the corporation shall remain nameless (see correction notice somewhere else in this edition), but landowners beware! If my recent dealings with this corporation are any indication of the lengths to which they will go after someone who doesn't have all the i's dotted and the t's crossed, watch your backs.

Figure skating union ordered to clean up judging corruption

FORT TOWN DIARY- John A.H. Morris

This entire continent, and most of the world as far as that is concerned, felt the Canadian figure skating pair of Jamie Salé and David Pelletier were blatantly robbed of a gold medal at the Salt Lake City Olympics last week by a group of scheming judges from the European Bloc. The French judge said she was pressured to mark the Russian pair up and the Canadians down with the result the Russians were awarded the gold and the Canadians had to settle for second-place silver.

The actions of the International Skating Union (ISU) were so obviously crooked that the Canadian and American media, along with athletes and athletic federations and unions from around the world cried "enough" and called for an end to the fixing of figure skating results, especially by the European judges. Even the International Olympic Association (IOC) the grand-daddy of all fixers and bribers over the years, were so ashamed of the ISU that they ordered an immediate solution and a promise to clean up the crooked judging results.

The world saw the Canadian figure skating pair receive their gold medals, and in a touch of class, even for the IOC, the Russian pair that won the original gold medals were allowed to keep them and graciously agreed to share the Sunday night podium with their Canadian competitors and friends.

Some of the commentators on Saturday night noted the Canadians still had their second place silver medals and were wondering what would become of them. They should be reminded that with the Canadian loonie flying at its lowest level of exchange in its history that Salé and Pelletier had to use the silver medal to prop up the gold medal so it would retain its value on the gold standard when it returned to Canada.

Canadian IOC representative Dick Pound, who will be the guest speaker at the Chamber of Commerce awards banquet March 4, might give us an insight as to how he and the Canadian contingent handled this not-so-delicate situation.

***

Well, surprise, surprise! The town hall issue refuses to die. We've had a few noteworthy suggestions this past week. One concerned taxpayer who used to live during the winter months in one of the many attractive trailers in a seniors trailer park in Florida, suggested council should invest in two of these big 50-footers. One could be used for the administrative staff, and one for the mayor, councillors and council meetings. They are cheap, they are attractive, they can be set up on a very small lot, and they can be traded in every 15 or 20 years on new models when they become rundown and obsolete.

An e-mail from a former resident who now teaches school in a growing rural area near Ottawa, suggests another town hall alternative. She recommends that Prescott council investigate the purchase of a couple of "portables" from the local school board.

She points out that they are ugly and look very, very temporary, but that they are very practical and that parents, teachers and even students are all used to them. "They would not look out of place sitting on the lawn near the back of the municipal building which still looks like a school, so who would know the difference," she writes.

Here's our town hall suggestion of the week.

"The people of Prescott have no town hall," he writes, "but just nine miles east of us are about 1800 people who used to live in a town called Cardinal, which is not really a town anymore. Now these people may not have a town, as such, but they do have a new town hall which they don't need.

"If we took a syllable or two from each municipality we could join together and come up with a town called something like "Arscott", which would explain the predicament the town fathers from the two communities find themselves at present."

***

Threatened with the loss of a small but very valuable government agency these past few weeks, Prescott civic and business leaders showed a very strong bond in coming together to oppose the move by the Grenville Community Development Centre from Prescott to Kemptville. Prescott business community's show of strength the past couple of weeks in its all-out lobby to keep the Grenville Community Development Centre offices in Prescott was not only effective, but also encouraging in that this is the first time in many years that we have seen the community strike such a strong chord of unity.

A warning, however. This was just one small battle. To win the war the Chamber of Commerce should encourage Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal residents to become members of the GCDC. All that is required is a letter giving your name and address and a short sentence saying you are interested in becoming a member of the Development Centre, and mail it to Grenville Community Development Centre, PO Box 309, 197 Water Street, Prescott, On. K0E 1T0. This is all that is needed to become a voting member of the GCDC at their annual general meeting, probably this June. Applications for membership have to be received 30 days prior to the annual meeting to be eligible for voting status.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Nurses could help relieve doctor shortage

The Editor;

I have been reading with interest of the town of Prescott's - as well as the other municipalities in the area - search for doctors. Listening to the news on TV and radio, it appears that there is a shortage of health professionals to take care of the existing population. While granted there is a shortage of doctors, especially specialists, there is however not a shortage of nurse practitioners (NP), many of whom are not working in their field due to lack of employment opportunities.

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with a degree in nursing who has also taken additional enriched university courses to obtain her nurse practitioner certificate. They are allowed by the province of Ontario and other provinces to conduct physicals, examine patients, order certain blood tests, order x-rays and prescribe certain drugs. If a NP is uncertain of a problem with a patient or is unable to legally treat them, the patient is sent to a medical doctor. Up in the northern communities of Canada it is the nurse practitioner who runs the medical centers with a doctor coming in once in a while.

Each year approximately 75 nurse practitioners graduate from universities across Ontario. In Southern Ontario many find employment in hospitals and medical centres because their work is valued - not so in Eastern Ontario.

With NPs, doctors are freed up to take care of more seriously ill patients. The cost of a NP is much less than a medical doctor, lowering health costs to the community and province. In fact, in a recent survey conducted in the province of Ontario, patients who had been seen by a NP had nothing but praise and respect for them.

Why is there such a reluctance to utilize this well trained and caring resource? Why are the doctors putting up barriers to prevent the NPs from working, yet complaining at the same time they are over worked?

Why are emergency rooms over crowded with a lack of doctors to handle the case load, yet a NP is capable of handling most of the illnesses that come through the emergency door?

Why is it okay for the NPs to work up in the remote areas of Canada - areas doctors refuse to go to - yet they are not allowed to work in the south where their expertise is so needed?

We have a group of trained, dedicated people who are ready to take care of our population. Let's stop the turf wars and work together to ensure we receive the medical care we require and stop the suffering that is occurring now and will only increase in the future.

Charles Baker, Ottawa

Renovate town hall over time

The Editor;

From John Morris' Fort Town Diary Feb. 13: "We probably talk to as many people in a week as any councillor does, and the consensus of opinion among our associates is that the present town hall should be renovated with the cost spread over the next several years on a year-to-year basis depending on what we can afford."

Exactly. As much as it pains me to be in complete agreement with Mr. Morris, this is the perfect solution to both Prescott's Town Hallgate and those ever-present monetary concerns. I've been thinking this for months now, and it absolutely boggles my mind that no-one on council has suggested this possibility. Judging by the delay over the past two years, there is certainly no rush to get a town hall up and running again. So why not just draw up a schedule and complete the renovations of the Dibble Street building over the course of two or three years? That seems to be the only available option that makes sense, particularly if you take our bleak economic situation into account.

But regardless of how the financial arrangements are eventually made, please keep the Dibble Street building! Too much of this town's heritage has been demolished over the past few decades. For a town that is supposed to cherish history, we certainly have a way of destroying it whenever it becomes mildly convenient to do so. Walking down King Street which more closely resembles a smile with missing and broken teeth than a charming historical main street is ample evidence of that fact. We have been victimized by short-sighted leadership once already in regards to a town hall in Prescott.

Let's not have this happen again. Considering that the past is all around us here, it would be nice if some of our community leaders would learn from it.

Brett Todd, Prescott

Endless marathon of work is expected

NOTES FROM THE ROAD - Ryan Murdock

The salaryman is the symbol of modern Japan. He represents hard work, dedication, self-sacrifice: all of the virtues that Japanese are taught form the core of their nation. I think that he is a dupe, the victim of perhaps the worst soul-stealing, individuality-crushing hoax of modern times.

Japanese work life is unbelievable. A regular full-time job involves working from 9 am until 6 pm, but no one goes home at 6. Overtime is not required, it's said to be "voluntary," but employees are told that they can't go home unless their work is finished. On top of this, Japanese culture places great emphasis on the group. Japanese workers feel guilty if they are the first to leave the office.

Tanaka, a white-collar worker at a small company, is a typical example. He works from 9:30 am until 11 pm or midnight five days per week. He gets Sundays and one other floating day off, but this second day is frequently cancelled.

Overtime is calculated until 9:30 pm only. After that he works on his own time. In his first month with the company he put in 42 hours of official overtime, plus approximately three more hours each night. Those three unpaid hours per night total 15 hours per week, the hours of a part-time employee.

Vacation time is short. Most workers accrue a week or two per year on paper but they typically take far less, sometimes none. They are often denied vacation because "it's too busy right now;" besides, they feel guilty taking vacation while others are working.

In his off-time Tanaka, like others, blots out thoughts of his relentlessly driven life with alcohol. After 8 pm trains are filled with drunken salarymen. They puke in the stations, stagger down the streets, buy beer and liquor from vending machines, and seek forgetfulness in video game parlours, hostess bars, and manga (comic books).

Japanese workers are burned out. In the morning the train station near my house looks like a low budget zombie film. Commuters swarm from the gates following identical trails like ants. Their faces are expressionless masks, their eyes puffy and black. Many people are running, old white-haired men in suits or younger women in heels, jogging along with that same dead expression. It's all very silent except for the dry shuffling of hundreds of feet.

On train cars over half the passengers are sleeping. Not lightly dozing but the head lolled back, mouth open, drooling sleep of total exhaustion. Every day I see cars pulled over at the side of busy streets, blocking one lane, while drivers sleep curled up on the seat with their shoes off.

Perhaps the best example is to be found in the language. Japanese is the only language I've come across that has a specific word for dropping dead of overwork (karoshi). Government guidelines exist as to when a company is deemed liable for employee deaths.

After the Second World War Japan rebuilt at an incredible rate thanks to these tireless workers. Sadly, no one ever suggested they stop and enjoy what they built. They press on exhausted, sacrificing themselves for "society," for some lofty ideal, or more likely just because they don't know any better.

I'm pleased to note that there's a faint whiff of change in the air. A small minority of fringe dwellers are beginning to reject societal pressures. Some are taking part-time jobs and opting out of the endless marathon. They've discovered, through travel or other means, that most of the world doesn't live like this - that life should be enjoyed, not endured.

The time when the Japanese salaryman shrugs off his shackles, or at least loosens them, is a long way off. But, like Pandora, some are looking deeper into the box and discovering Hope.

***

Editor's Note: This is a series of columns written by Prescott native Ryan Murdock, who now resides in Tokyo. 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.

Fort Town concert set for Thursday at St. Andrew's

PRESCOTT - A concert by Joe Trio will take place this Thursday, Feb. 21 at 8 pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Prescott.

The trio consists of three musicians from Vancouver: violinist Cameron Wilson, cellist Laura McPheeters and pianist Allen Stiles. From Beethoven and Haydn to Jerome Kern and the Rolling Stones, the trio pools its talents as composers, arrangers, orchestral musicians, soloists and teachers.

In addition to performing throughout Canada and the United States, Joe Trio recorded its first CD (A Cup of Joe) in 1997.

This is the third in the 2001-2002 Fort Town Concert Association series. The local association works in conjunction with Jeunesses Musicales of Canada, an organization that helps bring Canadian fine arts to communities big and small. Thursday's concert is sponsored by Dr. Gauri Shankar, Prescott Chiropractic Centre.

For ticket information, call 925-5050 or 925-3200.

CARDINAL NEWS

Traditional ceremony marks change of command for cadets

By Monica Whitney -Journal Staff Writer

CARDINAL - The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps 338 Defiant took part in an official ceremony Sunday afternoon, marking the change of command from Lieutenant Charmaine Barton to Sub-Lieutenant Robert Lepage.

Lieutenant Commander and Regional Cadet Advisor Steve Lear told the gathering at the Cardinal Legion Hall the official ceremony is a time-honoured tradition which formalizes the continuity of authority.

The ceremony is also the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one commanding officer to another, and recognizes the accomplishments of the out-going officer.

Barton, who was commanding officer since the corps was commissioned Oct. 3, 1999, is taking up a full-time position as the marine communications and traffic services officer with the Canadian Coast Guard in Thunder Bay. She had been performing the job on a seasonal basis with the Prescott coast guard base.

Incoming Commanding Officer Lepage had been the supply officer for RCSCC Stormont in Cornwall.

Lear noted the Cardinal Sea Cadets is now an established stand-alone entity, having grown from the Stormont unit. Defiant is to be congratulated on its accomplishments, he said, and he encouraged the members to continue to build the ship's company and the delivery of the Canadian sea cadet program.

"Be the best you can be and be proud of the uniform you wear," Lear told the cadets. He issued a challenge for the cadets and officers to work hard and make a difference, and also encouraged parents to continue to support the young people's work. "In the long run, it will be worthwhile," Lear said. "It is our responsibility to take these young people and show them right."

The ceremony also recognized the promotion of Cadet Daniel Toupin to chief petty officer, second class. At 16, Toupin is now one of the youngest chief petty officers in Canada. To qualify for the promotion, he was required to attend an interview before three officers, and was tested on such topics as the cadet movement, leadership, roles, inspection and dress and appearance.

Toupin, who hopes to pursue a career in computer technology, said his involvement in the cadet program will give him excellent job and life experiences he can document on his resume. Now in his fourth year of the program, Toupin has travelled across Canada as part of various cadet seamanship and sailing camps.

Also recognized at the ceremony for their promotion from new entry to ordinary cadet were Bekki Crawford, Joel Jodoin, Erika MacDonald, Meagan Fawcett and Andrew Southwood.

The Defiant corps meets weekly at the Cardinal and District Resource Centre.

High-speed Internet access may come to Cardinal

Township experiences building boom in 2001

SPENCERVILLE - Internet service provider representatives expressed interest in bringing high speed Internet access to Cardinal and the surrounding area at Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council's meeting Monday night.

Terry O'Neill and Earl Matthews of Storm Internet Services told council it hopes to provide Cardinal and area residents with high speed wireless Internet but would require a "reasonable" price from the municipality for putting necessary equipment on the Cardinal water tower.

"We provide equal service at equal prices for every area," said Matthews. "We hope to get a good deal from municipalities to keep our prices low. We're ready to come to your community if we can reach a deal."

O'Neill said North Gower is charging Storm $200 a month for equipment on top of its water tower and asked for a comparable deal from Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.

The Storm representatives also said the company is looking at servicing Prescott, Johnstown and Spencerville if it can determine a market of both industrial and residential existed in those areas.

Mayor David Dobbie said he wasn't certain whether the Cardinal water tower could even support the equipment.

Council hopes to meet with Storm later this month to determine what modifications may be necessary to the tower and to further discuss Storm's proposal.

Bessie Lamson celebrates 103 years

Despite spending her 103rd birthday in the hospital, Bessie Lamson of Cardinal says it was a "beautiful" celebration.

"I had a good day," says Lamson, who was born Feb. 8, 1899. "There was a big party for me in the hospital. It was really nice of them."

Lamson spent a couple days in a Port Perry Hospital after having problems breathing, but said last Thursday she was feeling better.

"What can I expect at my age?" she laughs. "I think once the warm weather comes again, I'll feel a lot better."

For the fourth straight year, Lamson was the guest of Toronto Maple Leafs President Ken Dryden at a Toronto home game, as she watched the Leafs down Montreal 4-1 Feb. 9.

"He will give me tickets every birthday as long as I can get up there," says Lamson, who had her picture taken with former Leaf star Darryl Sittler and received a standing ovation from the Air Canada Centre crowd. "The Leafs played marvelous."

Lamson is currently living in Burlington with her nephew Bill Miller and his wife Maureen.

"I'm just sitting around at Bill's, not doing too much," she says, adding she is keeping an eye on the Winter Olympic Games. "They're awful good to me."

The Millers are more than happy to have "Auntie Ba," as she is affectionately known, staying with them.

"We love her and she's great to have around," Bill says.

"We're so lucky to have her around. She's a very happy lady and wouldn't complain," Maureen adds. "She's just the sweetest lady."

Lamson also spends time with Nancy (her niece) and George Karkoulas of Sunderland during the winter months.

In the summer, Lamson usually returns to the Cardinal home where she was born, but isn't certain whether she will be doing that again this year.

"I will be here (in Burlington) for a while," she says. "I hope to go back alone, but I have my doubts."

SPENCERVILLE - The Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal experienced a building boom in 2001, according to the chairman of council's planning advisory committee.

At council's meeting Monday night in Spencerville, Peter Martin reported 130 building permits and seven demolition permits were issued last year for a total construction value of $5,040,096 and a total of $79,725.75 in fees.

Twenty-five new single family residences, eight agricultural buildings, four new cottages, 12 residential additions and seven commercial/industrial additions were constructed, along with numerous alterations, garages, sheds, decks, woodstoves and fences.

According to Martin, last year's statistics were a significant increase over previous years when the combined new housing starts for Edwardsburgh and Cardinal would be a maximum of 10.

"This construction boom has certainly led... to the creation of new jobs, and has resulted in a positive spin-off in the sale of goods and services in the township," Martin said in a release.

Township may absorb $800,000 of sewage treatment plant costs

By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer

SPENCERVILLE - The Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal is willing to pay more than $800,000 of the environmental assessment and construction costs for the Prescott waste water treatment plant project.

Municipal council agreed Monday night to pay $12,864 of the estimated cost of $80,000 for the environmental assessment and $799,200 of the estimated construction cost of $10,000,000.

The total represents 24 per cent of the total costs after provincial and federal government funding totalling almost $7,000,000. The township of Augusta has been requested to pay 20 per cent of remaining costs while Prescott is expected to pay 56 per cent.

The distribution of costs is based on projected population in, and usage of the plant by, the three municipalities over the next 15 years. Consultants estimate Johnstown, rural Johnstown, commercial/industrial and New Wexford will see a population increase from 1,020 this year to 2,370 by 2016.

Councillor Peggy Taylor expressed concern over the cost Edwardsburgh/Cardinal will absorb.

"We need the population growth to cost share over the taxpayer rate," Taylor said. "We have to communicate to the taxpayers that the ($800,000) will have to be borne by taxes."

Dan McDonald suggested a provision should be made for review or adjustment of the percentage of operating costs paid for by the township based on industrial and population shifts in the upcoming years.

"We should get reimbursed if we overpay for use of the plant," said the councillor.

Mayor David Dobbie noted the municipality will get use of a sewage treatment plant it couldn't afford to build on its own.

"Sure, $800,000 is a lot of money, but when it's spread over a 20-year period, it isn't really a lot of money," Dobbie said.

Assuming a 20-year repayment at five per cent interest per annum, the township's average annual payment would be nearly $65,000.

OCWA to manage Prescott water filtration plant

PRESCOTT - The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) has been appointed to manage the town's water filtration plant.

Prescott council made the move at its meeting Monday night. OCWA will manage the plant as of March 1 at a rate of $60 per hour for an estimated average of 12 hours per week.

OCWA manages the town's sewage treatment plant and has provided good service in the past, according to Councillor Terry McConnell. He noted the town's senior operator at the water plant is eligible to retire this summer, and the other operator will be eligible next year. In noting it is difficult to find qualified operators, McConnell said OCWA will be able to provide personnel on a regular basis. The two town operators will remain on the job and report to OCWA, McConnell said.

The town is in the process of assuming responsibility for the plant and water billing once handled by the former public utilities commission.

Police receive complaints about canvassers

SOUTH GRENVILLE - Local residents should not be rushed into signing a contract for hydro products, according to Grenville County OPP.

The local OPP detachment has received complaints about the legitimacy of door-to-door solicitation of hydro products, including electricity and natural gas. The majority of those complaints came in after a salesperson visited homes in the late evening hours, according to a police news release.

Door-to-door solicitation involving electricity and natural gas has begun in advance of deregulation which takes effect this May in Ontario. Although the practice is legal, police note salespeople are required to carry identification cards and proof of licence from the Ontario Energy Board.

In the case of at least one company, according to police, hydro representatives are neither trained nor requested to visit homes in the late evening hours. If there is a concern about the lateness of a visit, police suggest requesting a brochure and then calling a customer service representative.

Police advise the public not to sign anything if there are any doubts about what is being signed. The salesperson should be willing to assist in understanding the terms and conditions of the agreement, according to police. The public is also being reminded not to disclose personal information to canvassers.

For more information about energy marketers, contact the Ontario Energy Board at 1-877-632-2727.

Nominations open until Friday

PRESCOTT - Nominations for the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce awards will be accepted until this Friday, Feb. 22.

The Chamber of Commerce presents the Business Achievement Award, Community Service Award and Connie Dickey Youth Award each year at its awards banquet. This year's awards dinner will take place March 4.

For more information, call Pat Dewar at 925-3228 or Mike Boyles at 925-4324.

Alzheimer Society quilt tickets on sale

LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - The Alzheimer Society is selling raffle tickets for a hand-made "forget me not" quilt.

Cross-stitchers can also purchase a beautiful new pattern from a designer whose mother is afflicted by Alzheimer Disease.

To purchase a pattern or raffle tickets, call the society's Leeds and Grenville office at 345-7392. Long-distance callers can contact the office toll-free at 1-866-576-8556.

SPORTS

Junior "B" Rangers finish season with losses to Athens, Gananoque

South Grenville general manager Tom Hare resigns after two years with team

By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer

CARDINAL - Going into the final weekend of the Rideau-St. Lawrence junior "B" regular season, South Grenville Rangers head coach Anthony Gilmer said he wanted his team to "give effort and have pride."

His team appears to have let him down in both instances last weekend, closing the 2001-2002 campaign with a pair of lopsided losses.

The Rangers lost 10-6 to Athens Saturday night in Cardinal and were skunked 10-0 in Gananoque Sunday afternoon.

"I think it is a tough time for everyone when you know you're out of the playoffs," says Rangers general manager Tom Hare. "It's hard to get up for the games when you're just playing for pride. We had a few injuries as well and the bodies just weren't there."

Hare says injuries and a lack of commitment by several key players contributed to the Rangers' inability to secure a playoff berth. South Grenville finished with a record of 9-33-2, two more wins than last season, but had an identical point total of 21.

"I think we had a better team this season than last year. We were stronger in most areas," he says. "Our problem was we just weren't getting a full commitment from everyone."

Because of this, and the amount of time involved, Hare will not return as general manager of the team next season. The status of Gilmer and assistant coach Rob Wyborn is still uncertain.

"It's a big time commitment, and I had to put a lot of things on the back shelf (over the past two years)," Hare says. "I think of time as money, and with my investment of time, I wanted to see a return.

"I don't want to paint everyone with the same brush. We had some excellent commitment from the majority of our players, with some driving from Ottawa for practices, and I really admire those kids."

Hare says it is too early to speculate on who might fill the GM role next year.

"I don't think there's a big lineup," he laughs.

However, the departing GM sees several positives for the Rangers as they look toward next year.

"Next year the team will be in a better position. There'll be a few midgets coming up and (it) won't lose players to overagers," Hare says. "Two or three first-year players really stepped it up this year and the young kids did a good job."

The league announced Monday South Grenville centre Derek June and defenceman Peter Veltkamp were selected to the Rideau Division all-rookie team.

South Grenville officials say the team is in "sound financial standing," and that attendance was up "significantly" from last year.

"With the fan support I don't think you could have asked for better," Hare says. "We had excellent crowds, and the Cardinal community has supported us in all areas over the past two years."

Rideau - St. Lawrence Junior "B" Hockey League Final Standings

RIDEAU DIVISION GP W L T PTS

Brockville 44 31 13 0 64

Westport 44 28 14 2 61

Gananoque 44 16 25 3 36

Athens 44 14 29 1 31

South Grenville 44 9 33 2 21

* Teams losing in overtime receive one point

TISS main obstacle for Giants at Leeds-Grenville playoffs

BROCKVILLE - After strong regular seasons, both South Grenville District High School girls' volleyball teams will look to get past TISS at tomorrow's Leeds-Grenville championships in Brockville.

The senior Giants finished their schedule with the same record, 17-7, as TISS, but stand in second place because the Pirates hold an edge in head-to-head play. The South Grenville juniors enter the playoffs with a 15-9 record and in second place, four wins behind TISS.

Both Giants squads will face North Grenville in the semi-finals, with the juniors playing at 2 pm and the seniors at 3 pm. The junior final is scheduled for 4:15 pm with the senior final set for 5:30 pm. All games will be played at TISS.

South Grenville senior coach Ann Drummond says her team will likely meet TISS in the final but doesn't want to take a 11-13 North Grenville squad lightly.

"We expect a tough match against North Grenville," she says. "We were fairly successful against them this year (6-2), but anything can happen. On any given day, anyone is capable of winning."

Drummond also noted while BCI finished last with a 3-21 record, two of its wins came against top-ranked TISS. The Red Rams and Pirates will meet in the other senior semi-final.

"You never know what can happen with that cross-city rivalry," she says.

The senior Giants tuned up for the playoffs by hosting a 11-team tournament at South Grenville Saturday.

The Giants went 5-3 in the competition, missing the semi-final on point differential. A Brockville club team beat L'Escale of Rockland in the final.

The juniors posted a 4-2 record in tournament action at North Grenville last Thursday, and coach Jon Fee feels the team is hitting its stride at the right time.

"Our key players are playing really well and the players I hoped would become keys for us are also playing well," he says. "I'm glad we're matched up with North Grenville to start, because throughout the year we always started against TISS. The girls will be able to get a bit of a warm-up (for the Pirates)."

The coach says his team isn't looking past North Grenville but is anticipating a finals match-up with TISS; the Pirates took five of the eight games between the two teams this year.

"Serving... and blocking at the net" are the keys for the juniors tomorrow, Fee says. "We have to be good at the net, especially against North Grenville. They have some very good hitters."

South Grenville will host the Eastern Ontario junior championships Feb. 28 at the high school. The senior championships will be held the same day in Arnprior.

GCC senior girls to tackle English squads

MAITLAND - Florida may be the hot destination for many high school students during March Break, but the Grenville Christian College senior girls' soccer team is more than happy to be headed to England.

The Lions will travel to the Chester and Manchester area March 4-14 for exhibition games with area teams as well as training. The trip will be highlighted with a game against the Manchester United Ladies.

"It's a really neat opportunity," says Lindsay Bennett, a GCC midfielder. "It will be something I will always remember from high school."

The 18-year-old Prescott resident expects the competition to be fierce, especially against the Manchester United squad.

"It's going to be really tough; we don't expect them to take it easy on us," Bennett says. "(Playing Manchester) is a little scary, especially for our goalie (Kelly Goodwin.) She's terrified.

"We'll do our best, and if we get whopped, that's okay."

Games have also been arranged against All Saints Catholic High School, Tameside Under-18s and Bishops Heber High School. The Lions will train with the Chester Ladies.

"The girls are really excited," says coach Steve Pulford, who organized the trip. "They can tell you to the second how long it is until the plane leaves."

Since the trip was arranged last November, the team has trained twice a week and run for an hour every Monday. The girls also have fundraised extensively to help pay for their expenses.

Fishing derby will take place

JOHNSTOWN - The Grenville Fish and Game Club's annual ice fishing pike derby will take place this weekend as planned.

Derby chair Mac Peterson said Tuesday there is plenty of ice thick enough to support people and shacks.

The derby gets underway Saturday at 6 am and runs until 4 pm. The weigh-in will be held on Elevator Bay in front of Bridgeview Marina.

Cash prizes will be awarded every two hours for the biggest pike caught in the previous two-hour period. A bonus prize is on the line for the heaviest pike of the day.

For more information, call Peterson at 925-4545.

Atom "B" Rangers unbeaten this year as playoffs begin

CARDINAL - The South Grenville atom "B" Rangers are on a definite roll as they head into the playoffs.

The Rangers closed out the regular season Friday with a 6-3 victory over South Stormont.

Jamie McFarlane had a hat trick with Nick Francica, Kristian Knapp and Zach Stitt scoring once.

Hank Heykoop and Kyle Lavery had two assists each.

South Grenville is unbeaten in 2002 and ended the season with a record of 15-4-5.

The team finished third in the East Division.

The Rangers begin their first round series with Char-Lan tonight.

Their first post-season home game scheduled for Saturday at 11 am in Cardinal.

Police, firefighters face off for charity

PRESCOTT - They won't be battling for Olympic gold, but there is still plenty of pride on the line for local firefighters and police officers when they face off in hockey action next week.

The Prescott Police, Grenville County Ontario Provincial Police and Royal Canadian Mounted Police will take on the Prescott Firefighters in a "Battle of the Badges" contest next Wednesday at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

Mike Lapensée, a constable with the Prescott Police and the local organizer of the game, has played in Battle of the Badges games before and says they can be quite hard-fought.

"They have been very competitive," he says. "I have no idea how it will be here. I heard the firefighters are trying to stack their team because they heard the police have a few players that played decent hockey.

"The police are guaranteeing victory. You can put that message out."

The Battle of the Badges series is in its third year, and raises money for Prevention Awareness for Life and the Police & Firefighters Fund in New York. The match in Prescott is one of eight contests that will be played in Eastern Ontario this winter.

Former NHLers Dave "Tiger" Williams and Eddie Shack are regular participants, Williams as a player for both teams and Shack as the referee.

"They're icons," says Lapensée. "They're role models for children, former NHL players out there raising money for charities."

Lapensée expects the game will be played in front of a full house. Organizers say the game will likely raise $1,000 for each of the two charities.

"There's a bit of overhead (with having Williams and Shack) but not much," Lapensée says. "The place should be packed. We gave about 200 complimentary tickets to kids in local schools."

Battle of the Badges representative Renée Tetrault says the series is geared towards smaller towns.

"We can visit smaller communities and arenas because we have a lot less overhead than the Oldtimers Hockey Challenge," says Tetrault, who is involved with both. "It's a small-scale community thing."

Tickets can be ordered in advance by calling 1-800-268-7371 and will also be available at the door on game day. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 pm.

Bantam "C" team set to start playoffs

CARDINAL - The South Grenville 730 Truck Stop bantam "C" Rangers finished the regular season on a positive note with a victory Monday night in Cardinal.

South Grenville used a four-goal second period to skate past the Kingston City Cougars 7-3. Ryan Fischer, Wesley McFarlane, Logan Gillard, Nathan Smail, Dereck Lavery, Kurtis Summers and Matthew Hayes tallied for the Rangers.

The team finished second in its division and will face the third place North Leeds Stars in the playoff semi-final, which begins Monday in Cardinal at 8 pm.