Council cuts two options
Hardware store and hotel property dropped from list of
Prescott town hall sites
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - The list of town hall options has been reduced
from four to two.
Council members voted at a committee meeting Monday night
to remove the True Value/Stedman's store and Daniels' Hotel property
from further consideration as possible locations for municipal
offices and Prescott's public library. The two options still
being considered by town council are to renovate the Dibble Street
municipal building or build a new facility. Council did not specify
the new building had to be on the parking lot site at King and
Centre streets, although some members indicated they do not support
the idea of the town purchasing additional land for a new town
hall and library.
Mayor Robert Lawn and councillors Jo-Anne Beckstead, Nancy
McFarland and Seeley Pillar voted to drop from the list the hardware
store owned by Councillor Jim French; Councillor Terry McConnell
voted in favour of keeping the store on the list of options.
Councillor Seeley Pillar voted to keep the hotel property
on the list; the other four council members voted against.
French sat in the audience and did not take part in the discussion;
the councillor continues to declare a conflict of interest. French
told The Journal he will continue to declare a conflict and refrain
from participating in any council debate relating to the town
hall location issue until a final decision is made.
Councillor Garry Dewar did not attend the meeting.
Although the results must be ratified at a council meeting,
no one indicated Monday he or she would challenge the outcome
of the voting.
"We got it down to two," Beckstead proclaimed.
She and other town officials have expressed their frustration
over council's inability to make a decision on what to do about
town hall.
Beckstead, who supports building a new facility on the parking
lot site, said the option to renovate the Dibble Street building
should stay on the table. "It deserves a shot," she
said.
Mayor Lawn, who supports the latter option, said he is prepared
to keep the other option in the running. However, Lawn added
he would "fight like hell" to prevent the town from
purchasing additional land for a municipal building and library.
Pillar and McConnell voted to have the Dibble Street property
removed from further consideration. McConnell said he would like
to see the building saved, but not by the municipality.
McFarland said the town has two viable options on the table
renovate 360 Dibble or build on the parking lot site.
Town staff were asked to pull together all the studies done
on the two remaining options. The final solution may come during
upcoming budget discussions, it was noted Monday.
Lawn said the temporary municipal office location the
former bank building on Edward Street at Churchill Road
is a fine building that is insufficient to meet the town's needs.
In stating his belief the town is understaffed for its current
workload, the mayor said the municipality will continue to suffer
until a decision on a long-term solution to the town hall and
library issue is made.
"We can't procrastinate much longer," Lawn said.
National pride erupts following hockey gold
SOUTH GRENVILLE - A long-awaited taste of gold is sweet
indeed.
Whether it was at home, a friend's place or the neighbourhood
watering hole, Canadians in South Grenville and throughout the
country gathered to watch their men's hockey team defeat the
Americans 5-2 and bring home the Olympic gold medal for the first
time in 50 years.
Boomer's in downtown Prescott was among the many restaurants
and bars where people gathered to take part in what became a
national celebration. Dozens of fans cheered repeatedly during
the final minutes of the game and erupted when the game ended.
Several patrons with the Canadian flag in hand took to King
Street after the game in a display of national pride. The occasional
flag and honking of car horns could be noted throughout the evening
hours in the downtown area.
Prescott resident and Hockey Hall of Famer Leo Boivin said
he felt Sunday's gold medal clash was a "great game."
"The guys played with a lot of heart and it was a good
North American game," he said. "There wasn't a lot
of passing back; everything kept moving ahead. Both teams played
really well."
Boivin credited Team Canada Executive Director Wayne Gretzky
for doing "a super job. He handled himself really well and
picked a real good team."
Twelve-year-old Kristian Knapp wore his Team Canada jersey
to the South Grenville bantam "C" Rangers' playoff
game Monday in Cardinal.
"I was happy because they played under all the pressures
and with no one liking them," said the Algonquin resident,
a right wing for the atom "B" Rangers. "They skated
harder than the Americans. I thought they were going to win all
along and I knew they were going to win when they made it 4-2."
Knapp's teammate, 10-year-old Kenny Polite of Roebuck, added,
"The Canadians played really strong and the Americans didn't
play well. Brodeur played a solid game."
Although parking areas near stores open late Sunday afternoon
appeared to be more empty than usual, some activities went ahead
as scheduled. However, thoughts of the big game were not far
away. For example, updated scores were reported during the appreciation
day for retired Augusta fire chief Fred Boisvert being held at
the Roebuck Community Hall.
Many in the crowd, including Boisvert, cheered or applauded
when the score was 2-1 in favour of Canada. The response was
sombre when it was reported the U.S. had made the score 2-2.
The man of honour thanked the audience for giving up part of
the hockey game to attend the gathering.
Canada's women's hockey team also defeated its American rival
to win the gold medal. Canada won a total of 17 medals at the
Salt Lake City games, the country's highest medal count for a
winter Olympics.
Food bank organizers receive positive feedback
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - Organizers of a South Grenville food bank say they
are encouraged by public response to their efforts.
Approximately 40 people attended a second information session
held last Thursday night at the health centre in Prescott. An
update was presented by a steering committee formed last month
at the first public meeting.
"We have been more than pleased and impressed by the
support we've seen coming forward," said Reverend John Reynolds,
steering committee chairperson.
However, he also noted verbal encouragement from government
agencies and people in the community has not produced much in
the way of financial commitments at this time.
Food For All is the name of the proposed food bank which would
serve residents of Augusta, Prescott and Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal.
The committee is conducting a survey aimed at assessing the
need for food bank services and recruiting volunteers; survey
forms can be found at numerous stores and other locations throughout
South Grenville. In addition to looking at possible locations
for the food depot, the committee has drafted the structure of
the new organization.
Much of last Thursday's public meeting was spent dealing with
a series of committee recommendations, proposals and motions.
Those who attended the meeting were asked to vote on those recommendations;
all of the committee's submissions were approved.
The goal is to create an incorporated charitable organization
to be headed by a board of directors representing the communities
served by the food bank. The steering committee will remain in
place until the board is in a position to begin operating the
food bank.
The board of directors will include six members at large (two
from each municipality) and three members who are clients taking
an active role at the depot. Reynolds said the organization will
be much more sensitive to the needs of clients if some of them
have input at the board level.
The committee will prepare a draft constitution; nominations
for a provisional board of directors are now being accepted,
with a vote planned for the next general meeting.
The food bank will have a co-ordinator of volunteers and food
donations and a food depot manager and screener.
Volunteers will be required to submit to a police record check
and sign an agreement of confidentiality.
Committee member Blair Paterson acknowledged it may seem the
committee is being nit-picky and placing emphasis on structure
and process at an early stage of the process. "We don't
want this to fail," Reverend Paterson remarked.
Reynolds noted some committee members have visited food banks
in the region to get a better understanding of what organizers
in South Grenville need to do. Interaction with existing food
banks in Brockville, Mountain, Morrisburg and other communities
in the region will also help local organizers avoid duplication
of services and cut down on abuse of the system. However, Reynolds
noted the purpose is not to exclude people who are in genuine
need of assistance.
"If you come forward with a need, you will be helped,"
Reynolds said.
The next public information meeting has been tentatively scheduled
for Thursday, April 11 in Spencerville. Although there is optimism
the food bank will become a reality, Reynolds indicated the September
start date may not be met.
THIS WEEK
Tickets for chamber banquet are going fast
PRESCOTT - A few tickets are still available for the Prescott
and District Chamber of Commerce Awards Night and Banquet set
for this Monday, 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 Canadian
Richard Pound of the International Olympic Committee.
A reception begins at 6:30 pm. Dinner will be served at 7:30
pm, followed by the guest speaker and award presentations.
Tickets may still be available Wednesday at the three banks
in Prescott or by calling Debbie Lawless at 925-2171.
St. Lawrence Seaway to open March 26
CORNWALL - There is less than a month to go before the St.
Lawrence Seaway is scheduled to open its 2002 navigation season.
The Canadian and American seaway management corporations announced
last Wednesday the season will begin March 26. Navigation may
be restricted to daylights hours at the start of the season until
lighted navigation aids have been installed.
The seaway's 2001 season ended Christmas Eve.
Hotline supports rural families and farmers
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Farmers and rural families in South Grenville
have somewhere to turn to during difficult times.
The Farm Line, a Brockville-based call desk staffed on a rotation
basis, employs four counsellors and is available weekdays from
8:30 am to 8 pm. Manager Alice Koekkoek stated in a news release
the line has handled about 1,000 calls since being launched 14
months ago by the Ontario Farm Women's Network. Calls have dealt
with everything from illness and isolation to divorce and the
threat of foreclosure.
"The calls are referred on to professionals in the field...
unless the callers are simply looking for a sympathetic voice
on the other end of the line," Koekkoek said.
The toll-free number to call the Farm Line is 1-888-451-2903.
The non-profit service recently announced it has been given
$30,000 from Bell Canada's community development fund.
Dialysis service expanded
BROCKVILLE - Six new patients will be able to receive dialysis
services in Leeds and Grenville beginning next month, MPP Bob
Runciman has announced.
Bayshore Centre Ltd. in Brockville will be serving additional
patients as of March 9. Scheduling arrangements will allow for
24 regular patients.
Council cuts
two options
Hardware store and hotel property dropped from list of
Prescott town hall sites
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - The list of town hall options has been reduced
from four to two.
Council members voted at a committee meeting Monday night
to remove the True Value/Stedman's store and Daniels' Hotel property
from further consideration as possible locations for municipal
offices and Prescott's public library. The two options still
being considered by town council are to renovate the Dibble Street
municipal building or build a new facility. Council did not specify
the new building had to be on the parking lot site at King and
Centre streets, although some members indicated they do not support
the idea of the town purchasing additional land for a new town
hall and library.
Mayor Robert Lawn and councillors Jo-Anne Beckstead, Nancy
McFarland and Seeley Pillar voted to drop from the list the hardware
store owned by Councillor Jim French; Councillor Terry McConnell
voted in favour of keeping the store on the list of options.
Councillor Seeley Pillar voted to keep the hotel property
on the list; the other four council members voted against.
French sat in the audience and did not take part in the discussion;
the councillor continues to declare a conflict of interest. French
told The Journal he will continue to declare a conflict and refrain
from participating in any council debate relating to the town
hall location issue until a final decision is made.
Councillor Garry Dewar did not attend the meeting.
Although the results must be ratified at a council meeting,
no one indicated Monday he or she would challenge the outcome
of the voting.
"We got it down to two," Beckstead proclaimed.
She and other town officials have expressed their frustration
over council's inability to make a decision on what to do about
town hall.
Beckstead, who supports building a new facility on the parking
lot site, said the option to renovate the Dibble Street building
should stay on the table. "It deserves a shot," she
said.
Mayor Lawn, who supports the latter option, said he is prepared
to keep the other option in the running. However, Lawn added
he would "fight like hell" to prevent the town from
purchasing additional land for a municipal building and library.
Pillar and McConnell voted to have the Dibble Street property
removed from further consideration. McConnell said he would like
to see the building saved, but not by the municipality.
McFarland said the town has two viable options on the table
renovate 360 Dibble or build on the parking lot site.
Town staff were asked to pull together all the studies done
on the two remaining options. The final solution may come during
upcoming budget discussions, it was noted Monday.
Lawn said the temporary municipal office location the
former bank building on Edward Street at Churchill Road
is a fine building that is insufficient to meet the town's needs.
In stating his belief the town is understaffed for its current
workload, the mayor said the municipality will continue to suffer
until a decision on a long-term solution to the town hall and
library issue is made.
"We can't procrastinate much longer," Lawn said.
National pride erupts following hockey gold
SOUTH GRENVILLE - A long-awaited taste of gold is sweet
indeed.
Whether it was at home, a friend's place or the neighbourhood
watering hole, Canadians in South Grenville and throughout the
country gathered to watch their men's hockey team defeat the
Americans 5-2 and bring home the Olympic gold medal for the first
time in 50 years.
Boomer's in downtown Prescott was among the many restaurants
and bars where people gathered to take part in what became a
national celebration. Dozens of fans cheered repeatedly during
the final minutes of the game and erupted when the game ended.
Several patrons with the Canadian flag in hand took to King
Street after the game in a display of national pride. The occasional
flag and honking of car horns could be noted throughout the evening
hours in the downtown area.
Prescott resident and Hockey Hall of Famer Leo Boivin said
he felt Sunday's gold medal clash was a "great game."
"The guys played with a lot of heart and it was a good
North American game," he said. "There wasn't a lot
of passing back; everything kept moving ahead. Both teams played
really well."
Boivin credited Team Canada Executive Director Wayne Gretzky
for doing "a super job. He handled himself really well and
picked a real good team."
Twelve-year-old Kristian Knapp wore his Team Canada jersey
to the South Grenville bantam "C" Rangers' playoff
game Monday in Cardinal.
"I was happy because they played under all the pressures
and with no one liking them," said the Algonquin resident,
a right wing for the atom "B" Rangers. "They skated
harder than the Americans. I thought they were going to win all
along and I knew they were going to win when they made it 4-2."
Knapp's teammate, 10-year-old Kenny Polite of Roebuck, added,
"The Canadians played really strong and the Americans didn't
play well. Brodeur played a solid game."
Although parking areas near stores open late Sunday afternoon
appeared to be more empty than usual, some activities went ahead
as scheduled. However, thoughts of the big game were not far
away. For example, updated scores were reported during the appreciation
day for retired Augusta fire chief Fred Boisvert being held at
the Roebuck Community Hall.
Many in the crowd, including Boisvert, cheered or applauded
when the score was 2-1 in favour of Canada. The response was
sombre when it was reported the U.S. had made the score 2-2.
The man of honour thanked the audience for giving up part of
the hockey game to attend the gathering.
Canada's women's hockey team also defeated its American rival
to win the gold medal. Canada won a total of 17 medals at the
Salt Lake City games, the country's highest medal count for a
winter Olympics.
Food bank organizers receive positive feedback
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - Organizers of a South Grenville food bank say they
are encouraged by public response to their efforts.
Approximately 40 people attended a second information session
held last Thursday night at the health centre in Prescott. An
update was presented by a steering committee formed last month
at the first public meeting.
"We have been more than pleased and impressed by the
support we've seen coming forward," said Reverend John Reynolds,
steering committee chairperson.
However, he also noted verbal encouragement from government
agencies and people in the community has not produced much in
the way of financial commitments at this time.
Food For All is the name of the proposed food bank which would
serve residents of Augusta, Prescott and Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal.
The committee is conducting a survey aimed at assessing the
need for food bank services and recruiting volunteers; survey
forms can be found at numerous stores and other locations throughout
South Grenville. In addition to looking at possible locations
for the food depot, the committee has drafted the structure of
the new organization.
Much of last Thursday's public meeting was spent dealing with
a series of committee recommendations, proposals and motions.
Those who attended the meeting were asked to vote on those recommendations;
all of the committee's submissions were approved.
The goal is to create an incorporated charitable organization
to be headed by a board of directors representing the communities
served by the food bank. The steering committee will remain in
place until the board is in a position to begin operating the
food bank.
The board of directors will include six members at large (two
from each municipality) and three members who are clients taking
an active role at the depot. Reynolds said the organization will
be much more sensitive to the needs of clients if some of them
have input at the board level.
The committee will prepare a draft constitution; nominations
for a provisional board of directors are now being accepted,
with a vote planned for the next general meeting.
The food bank will have a co-ordinator of volunteers and food
donations and a food depot manager and screener.
Volunteers will be required to submit to a police record check
and sign an agreement of confidentiality.
Committee member Blair Paterson acknowledged it may seem the
committee is being nit-picky and placing emphasis on structure
and process at an early stage of the process. "We don't
want this to fail," Reverend Paterson remarked.
Reynolds noted some committee members have visited food banks
in the region to get a better understanding of what organizers
in South Grenville need to do. Interaction with existing food
banks in Brockville, Mountain, Morrisburg and other communities
in the region will also help local organizers avoid duplication
of services and cut down on abuse of the system. However, Reynolds
noted the purpose is not to exclude people who are in genuine
need of assistance.
"If you come forward with a need, you will be helped,"
Reynolds said.
The next public information meeting has been tentatively scheduled
for Thursday, April 11 in Spencerville. Although there is optimism
the food bank will become a reality, Reynolds indicated the September
start date may not be met.
THIS WEEK
Tickets for chamber banquet are going fast
PRESCOTT - A few tickets are still available for the Prescott
and District Chamber of Commerce Awards Night and Banquet set
for this Monday, 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 Canadian
Richard Pound of the International Olympic Committee.
A reception begins at 6:30 pm. Dinner will be served at 7:30
pm, followed by the guest speaker and award presentations.
Tickets may still be available Wednesday at the three banks
in Prescott or by calling Debbie Lawless at 925-2171.
St. Lawrence Seaway to open March 26
CORNWALL - There is less than a month to go before the St.
Lawrence Seaway is scheduled to open its 2002 navigation season.
The Canadian and American seaway management corporations announced
last Wednesday the season will begin March 26. Navigation may
be restricted to daylights hours at the start of the season until
lighted navigation aids have been installed.
The seaway's 2001 season ended Christmas Eve.
Hotline supports rural families and farmers
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Farmers and rural families in South Grenville
have somewhere to turn to during difficult times.
The Farm Line, a Brockville-based call desk staffed on a rotation
basis, employs four counsellors and is available weekdays from
8:30 am to 8 pm. Manager Alice Koekkoek stated in a news release
the line has handled about 1,000 calls since being launched 14
months ago by the Ontario Farm Women's Network. Calls have dealt
with everything from illness and isolation to divorce and the
threat of foreclosure.
"The calls are referred on to professionals in the field...
unless the callers are simply looking for a sympathetic voice
on the other end of the line," Koekkoek said.
The toll-free number to call the Farm Line is 1-888-451-2903.
The non-profit service recently announced it has been given
$30,000 from Bell Canada's community development fund.
Dialysis service expanded
BROCKVILLE - Six new patients will be able to receive dialysis
services in Leeds and Grenville beginning next month, MPP Bob
Runciman has announced.
Bayshore Centre Ltd. in Brockville will be serving additional
patients as of March 9. Scheduling arrangements will allow for
24 regular patients.
Man arrested
in early-morning incident
PRESCOTT - Officers with the Prescott Police Service investigated
38 general incidents and one motor vehicle accident between Feb.
17 and Feb. 23, according to a news release.
A 38-year-old Prescott man was charged following a Feb. 23
incident downtown. Town police received a complaint at about
2:30 am; a man with a knife had reportedly threatened persons
behind a business in the King Street area. Sometime later, a
man was arrested at his apartment without incident. The man,
whose name was not included in the release, was charged with
threatening death and possession of a weapon.
An arrest was made in connection with a case of theft reported
earlier this month. Prescott police investigated the theft of
a leather coat at South Grenville District High School. A 16-year-old
female was charged with theft, possession of stolen property
and breach of probation. She is scheduled to appear in court
March 2.
Town police also investigated two cases of fraud that occurred
Feb. 13 and Feb. 15 at a business on King Street. An unnamed
24-year-old man was arrested and charged with two counts of fraud.
He is to appear today in Brockville court.
Anyone with information on these cases or any criminal activity
in town is asked to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252
or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Fred Boisvert honoured by his peers
Family and friends gather to show their appreciation to
long-time fire chief
By Jane Fullarton
Roebuck Community Hall was the setting Sunday, Feb. 24 for
a celebration for retired Fire Chief Fred Boisvert and his wife
Mona Boisvert. Hosted by the Augusta Fire Department and the
Township of Augusta, this special afternoon for two special people
celebrated the Boisverts' 42 years of dedicated service to Augusta
Township.
The afternoon was an opportunity for family, residents, friends
and colleagues to congratulate the Boisverts on their accomplishments
and to thank them for all of their hard work.
Boisvert started with the Augusta department in 1960, one
year after he moved to Maitland from Brockville. He became fire
chief in 1978, a position he held for 23 years.
The Augusta Township Volunteer Fire Department was formed
in 1957 and was headquartered in Maitland on Church Street. In
1971 a second contingent formed in North Augusta to service the
north part of the township. In his years with the department,
Boisvert has seen many changes. The department has continued
to improve its fleet and most recently has added the Jaws of
Life to its equipment list.
Since the fire department is now a first responder, calls
have continued to increase for vehicle fires and accidents as
well as first response calls, but residential and structural
fires are down. Boisvert is quick to share the credit for his
success in the department with his excellent fire fighters and
with Mona, his wife of 51 years.
The Boisverts were presented with gifts, plaques and scrolls
in appreciation of their long service, including certificates
from the federal and provincial governments, gifts from Mutual
Aid, the Eastern Ontario Firefighters' Association, Prescott
Fire Department, Leeds and Grenville Fire Chiefs' Association,
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Augusta Fire Department.
The Township of Augusta passed a bylaw proclaiming Frederick
Joseph Boisvert Fire Chief Emeritus, and Mona Boisvert, Fire
Chief Companion Emeritus. These are honourary lifetime appointments
that serve to recognize with gratitude the contributions the
Boisverts have made to the Augusta Fire Department and to life
in Augusta Township.
Town seeks ways to offset higher staff costs
PRESCOTT - It may be early in Prescott's 2002 budget process,
but early indications point to the possibility of a property
tax hike.
Councillor and finance committee chair Jim French said salary
increases already approved by council will add about $45,000
to expenditures this year.
The new position of community services director is another
addition to the expense side of the ledger.
"We have to make that up somehow," French said of
the higher staffing costs.
Council members expected a full session of budget deliberations
Monday night.
However, French noted some senior staff had yet to submit
their budgets.
The councillor asked for a memo to be sent to senior staff
indicating their input would not be included in council's deliberations
if department budgets are not submitted by the end of next week.
Prescott council is scheduled to hold another budget session
March 11.
Reassessment will mean the town can expect a reduction in
tax revenue compared to last year. Municipal officials are reviewing
user fees and other charges as part of the effort to generate
additional revenue.
Heart attack claims life of Prescott real
estate agent
PRESCOTT - Well-known Prescott real estate agent Jan Iacurci,
55, died of a heart attack Saturday while driving near Mallorytown.
Leeds County OPP reported the accident occurred Saturday afternoon
on Highway 401 eastbound at the Mallorytown exit.
A police report states the vehicle Iacurci was driving ran
off the highway and continued approximately 150 metres south,
where it struck a tree. Iacurci was alone in the vehicle; he
was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy conducted Sunday at Brockville General Hospital
confirmed the cause of death. Const. Sandra Barr said no witnesses
to the accident had come forward as of Monday afternoon.
Iacurci was married to Pauline of Prescott, and was the father
of Shawn of Spencerville and Angela of Prescott. He was the son
of Celeste and the late Peter Iacurci.
Visitation will take place at the Chris Slater Funeral Home,
Dibble Street West, Prescott, today (Wednesday) from 2 to 4 pm
and from 7 to 9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at
St. Mark's Church, Prescott, Thursday, Feb. 28 at 11 am.
Recruitment program gets local support
PRESCOTT - Members of the Prescott and District Chamber of
Commerce have been more supportive of the Leeds-Grenville Physician
Recruitment Task Force than their counterparts in Brockville,
according to task force co-chair Bill Pakeman.
Chambers of commerce based in Brockville and Prescott sent
a joint letter to members of each group asking for donations
to the recruitment program. Pakeman, who is also past-president
of the Prescott chamber, said last week "not one dollar"
had been donated by Brockville members as of the most recent
task force meeting. Between $1,700 and $1,800 had been donated
by members of the smaller chamber in Prescott.
"We are outstripping the Brockville chamber in a big
way," Pakeman said.
The task force has been seeking donations from municipal governments,
business and service groups as part of its recruitment effort.
The Prescott chamber has now been asked by the task force
to make a funding commitment of $1,000 per year for four years.
The request has been referred to the chamber's finance committee.
Province boosts VON funding
BROCKVILLE - The Leeds and Grenville branch of the Victorian
Order of Nurses (VON) will receive provincial funding to expand
long-term care community support services, according to a news
release issued Monday by MPP Bob Runciman.
The funding increase of nearly $34,000 applies to the 2001-2002
fiscal year and will be included in a new 2002-2003 service agreement
between the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the VON,
the release stated.
Community support services provided by the VON include diners'
clubs, meals on wheels, foot-care clinics and friendly visits.
The VON also provides wellness clinics, flu clinics for emergency
services and businesses, veteran affairs assessments and paternity
testing.
The local branch of the VON was recently awarded a three-year
accreditation by the Canadian Council on Health Services.
Friends of Prescott
Public Library group seeks support of community
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - The Prescott Public Library could always use a
few more friends.
With a membership of nearly 3,000, the library is the largest
club in Prescott. However, staff and volunteers are being called
on to maintain the library at a time when government funding
is limited and uncertainty over the future of the Dibble Street
facility continues to mount.
The library has an annual budget of approximately $68,000;
most of its funding comes from the town and province, although
there are some donations by individuals and organizations. The
Friends of the Prescott Public Library group was formed to seek
additional support for the facility.
In a letter addressed to community partners, Friends group
chairperson Evelyn Dales states the library needs financial support
to continue to provide the current level of services and up-to-date
reading materials.
"We recognize that there are many competing interests
asking for your contributions but we ask that you consider the
valuable services the library provides all residents of Prescott
and area when making donations this year," she writes.
Dales, a former town councillor, told The Journal in
a recent interview this is not the first time the library has
appealed for community funding. "This year, we thought we
needed to do that," she said.
The municipality was advised last month its application for
SuperBuild funding for library renovations had not been approved;
although the province advised the town it could use an extension
to submit additional material to strengthen its original application,
council opted not to pursue the matter.
Dales said she was disappointed but not surprised the funding
application was denied. The decision could have been expected
given the uncertainty caused by council's inability to decide
on an option for town hall and the library, according to Dales.
"We're not a priority in the minds of some of the council
members," she said.
The Friends group collaborates with the library board appointed
by town council. Dales, who is also a board member, noted staff
do "a darn good job" with the limited resources they
have; however, Dales believes the Prescott library is not equipped
to meet the 21st-century expectations of the public. Limited
space and resource materials will not further the cause of trying
to attract new residents to Prescott, she noted.
Library supporters have no choice but to seek the community's
help if governments are unable to meet those expectations, Dales
added.
Although the Friends group is hoping an existing community
group will come forward and seek a partnership of some kind with
the library, there is also a need for individuals willing to
lend a helping hand. Whether it is suggesting ideas or working
on fundraising activities, Dales indicated the Friends group
welcomes all the support it can get.
"You don't have to give out a lot of time," she
said.
Donations to the Friends of the Prescott Public Library are
tax-deductible; receipts will be issued for donations of more
than $10.
For more information, call the library at 925-4340.
"You don't have to give out a lot of your time."
Chairperson Evelyn Dales
Prayer services to be held Friday
SOUTH GRENVILLE - World Day of Prayer services will take place
this Friday, March 1 at 2 pm in Prescott and Spencerville.
The Prescott service will take place at St. Paul's United
Church, corner of Dibble and George streets. St. Andrew's-Knox
Presbyterian Church is the site of the Spencerville service.
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.
Participants in this year's World Day of Prayer will learn
about Romania and its unique culture and heritage as they gather
to pray and take action in solidarity with the people of this
Eastern European nation.
The Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada co-ordinates the
World Day of Prayer in this country; the council's Web site address
is www.wicc.org.
Joe Trio is not your average piano trio
FORT TOWN CONCERT REVIEW
By Colin Boag
PRESCOTT - When the Joe Trio came on stage at St. Andrew's
Church in Prescott Thursday evening, they appeared like your
conventional classical music trio. The pianist, Allen Stiles,
cellist Laura McPheeters and violinist Cameron Wilson were dressed
in classical dark attire. The illusion was shattered when they
opened with a tongue-in-cheek arrangement of O Canada,
during which they requested the audience to remain seated. As
subsequently explained by violinist and arranger Wilson, the
piece was properly entitled "Joe Canada." More was
to come.
The occasion was the third concert in the 2001/2002 season
of the Fort Town Concert Association, with the evening being
sponsored by local chiropractor, Dr Gauri Shankar.
The trio's day started earlier when, dressed somewhat more
informally, they gave a concert at St. Joseph School in Prescott
in front of, or more correctly surrounded by, grades 4, 7 and
8. It was evident the trio was very much at home in this millieu
and their own enjoyment in performing was soon transmitted to
the audience. Their rendition of Joe Canada immediately caught
the imagination of the students.
Over the next hour the young audience listened intently, laughed
and applauded as the trio led them through 200 years of serious
and not so serious music using a combination of story telling,
expressive body language and skillful playing. An enjoyable and
not coincidentally an educational experience.
Unlike the students, the evening audience didn't know quite
what to make of Joe Canada as evidenced by their polite applause.
Part of the reason could be attributed to the presentation which
came across as somewhat strained and mechanical. It was followed
by an original composition written for the trio by Doug Smith.
This work allowed each member of the Trio to demonstrate their
own individual skills which they did admirably. But the work
itself was difficult to enjoy.
The mood of the concert changed after the intermission with
an emotionally powerful rendition of Anton Dvoraks "Dumky
Trio." This was serious music, played skillfully, straight
from the heart and justifiably was very well received. From this
point on, audience and musicians came together and enjoyed the
mostly light-hearted, clever and well-executed arrangements by
violinist Wilson closing with the work "Orange Blossom Zorbet,"
a mixture of the theme from Zorba the Greek and The Orange Blossom
Special. Following a standing ovation the audience went home
humming the haunting melody of Jay Unger's "Ashokan Farewell."
In summary, a slow start to an entertaining evening by three
gifted musicians.
The final concert in the 2001/2 season, on Tuesday, April
2, will see a performance of Mozart's opera, Cosi Fan Tutte
with the singers of the Atelier Lyrique de L'Opera de Montreal.
AIR CADET NEWS
By Judith MacLean
The cadets of 661 Lt. W.F. Sharpe Squadron, the staff and
sponsoring committee want to give a big well done to our range
team that came in sixth out of 13 at the regional range competition
held in Kingston last month. This is the first time this team
has competed together. Congratulations to Sgt. C. MacLean, Sgt.
R. Harding, Cpl. S. Laird, Cpl. J. Giroux and Lac. M. Bailey.
March will again be a busy month with many activities scheduled.
March 5 and 26 will be regular training nights; March 19 is the
CO's parade. There will be no regular cadet meeting March 12
due to March Break, but a special sporting activity is being
planned and will be announced to the cadets; this will not be
at SGDHS due to the break.
Exertion practices will continue on March 2 and 16, with the
exertion competition taking place March 22-24 in Kingston.
The senior cadets will compete for the annual range trophy
March 3.
The sponsoring committee will be holding its next meeting
March 7. Any parents or other adults interested in assisting
the squadron are invited to contact our chairman, J. Ring, at
925-2748 for more details.
The cadets will be out and about March 30 doing their tag
day.
The squadron band is interested in obtaining additional musical
instruments. Anyone with musical instruments in good condition
and that could be donated or purchased at a reasonable price
is encouraged to contact the squadron.
Please remember Air Cadets is open to all youth ages 12-18.
We meet weekly on Tuesday evenings in Gym C at SGDHS. We can
be contacted at 925-0246 or by e-mail at 661_air@cadets.net.
Big River Road
House offers live blues performances and a whole lot more
RIVERVIEW HEIGHTS - Michele Charland hopes visitors to the
Big River Road House will feel right at home.
The bar manager of the new business located on County Road
2 at Merwin Lane is pleased with the initial response to the
venture which features live blues performers, something she notes
has been missing from the area.
"We want to bring the blues to people who don't get it,"
she said.
The road house is owned by Jay Larocque, Charland's father.
He had been looking for a location for some time before choosing
the Prescott area, she said. The interior of the building that
has in the past housed a golf centre, market and bar has been
renovated; Charland added more improvements are in the works.
The business is starting with a staff of about nine full- and
part-time workers.
The main dining area seats 100; in addition to the bar, stage
area and dance floor, there is a smaller room with two pool tables
and dart boards. The road house also has a third pool table and
a number of TVs for sporting events. The menu includes a variety
of finger foods and entrées from the new kitchen, as well
as daily specials. Larocque said staff are always open to suggestions.
With a variety of blues performers from Canada and the United
States each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Charland hopes the
road house will attract customers from throughout Eastern Ontario
and Northern New York.
The road house was sold out on its Valentine's Day opening.
"We're just getting to know our clientele. We've had
a lot of good comments," Charland said.
"We just want people to feel at home," she said.
For now, the road house is open Wednesday to Saturday from
4 pm to 2 am. The hours of operation will change with seasons,
Charland expects.
Plans are in the works to build a deck and make full use of
the view of the St. Lawrence.
The road house is now offering line dancing Wednesday nights.
SCHOOL SCENE
BOUNDARY STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL - Staff are busy working on
report cards for the second term. Report cards go home Tuesday,
March 5.
On Friday, March 1, the hot lunch will be subs.
Our fundraiser kick-off will take place Monday, March 4 at
the school.
CENTENNIAL '67/NORTH EDWARDSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS Good
luck to our intermediate boys' and girls' basketball teams competing
in the regionals at St. Michael's and NGDHS.
On Tuesday, the students participated in their own version
of the Winter Olympics. Cross-graded groups representing different
countries enjoyed a variety of outdoor challenges.
CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL Congratulations to both the boys'
and girls' basketball teams that won their divisions in the tournament
Saturday. The boys went on to win the gold medal.
The hot lunch this week is nuggets. Thursday is jersey day.
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Parents who are members of
our three local parishes (St. Mark, Prescott; St. Laurence O'Toole,
Spencerville; Sacred Heart, Cardinal) are reminded to call the
school to register for junior kindergarten in September (youngsters
who will be four years old by Dec. 31, 2002).
A school council meeting will take place this Thursday, Feb.
28 at 7 pm in the gym; all parents are welcome.
Our last skating opportunity of the year is Friday, March
1 at the regular times.
Hot lunch this week is hamburgers; next week is pizza.
Star Strategy this week is "Word Play With Beginning
and Ending Sounds."
Kids will dig March Break program at Fort
Wellington
PRESCOTT - Fort Wellington is once again offering a March
Break program for children between the ages of eight and 13.
The national historic site has four afternoon sessions planned
in the historic setting of the fort's original blockhouse.
The first of these will take place Monday, March 11 when youngsters
can enlist in the "New Recruits" program to become
a soldier in the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment.
The recruits will get some first-hand experience by helping
a soldier prepare for battle, shine a soldier's boots, make their
own soldier's hat and much more.
"Fort Pleasures and Pastimes" is the theme of the
Tuesday session which will be filled with traditional crafts
and games of a bygone era.
"Afternoon Archeologists" will be offered Wednesday
and Thursday to close out the March Break program.
Children will be able to dig up the dirt on Fort Wellington's
past and become detectives when they explore history through
hands-on activities with original artifacts.
The fort can accommodate 25 participants per session; given
the overwhelming response to previous programs offered at Fort
Wellington, the public is urged to sign up early.
Snacks will be provided. A small fee will be charged at each
session.
For more information or to register for the March Break program,
contact Elizabeth LeBlanc at 925-4746, extension 104.
Peter Bevan-Baker chosen to be Green party
candidate
BROCKVILLE - The Leeds-Grenville Green Parties of Canada and
Ontario have nominated veteran party member Peter Bevan-Baker
as their candidate in the next provincial election.
Bevan-Baker was chosen at a joint annual general meeting Feb.
19 at St. Lawrence College in Brockville.
The veteran party member was acclaimed.
"The platforms of the established parties are riddled
with incoherence - with ideas that conflict and policies that
work against each other," Bevan-Baker said during his acceptance
speech.
"In short, (they have) no integrated vision of where
we are or where we might be going."
He concluded by saying he is not just running to educate people,
but is running to win.
In a news release, constituency association President Jerry
Heath noted 2001 was a successful year for the organization with
a significant growth in membership and fundraising.
A series of public meetings will be held throughout the constituency
over the next year along with a fundraising jazz concert in June,
according to the release.
OPP NEWS
Tombstones damaged in cemetery
EDWARDSBURGH - Grenville County OPP are seeking the public's
assistance in connection with vandalism at the North Channel
Cemetery east of Johnstown. On Feb. 24, OPP received a report
two tombstones had been overturned. A wreath was also removed
from a tombstone and placed in a tree. It is unknown when the
damage occurred, according to police; recent warm weather meant
no footprints or other evidence was left at the scene. Anyone
with information is asked to contact Constable Foley at the detachment
in Prescott (925-4221) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Driver left scene of accident
AUGUSTA - A Smiths Falls man was charged with failing to remain
at the scene of an accident following an incident that occurred
Feb. 11 at the intersection of county roads 15 and 21. Constable
Tavares of the Grenville County OPP detachment responded to a
collision report; a vehicle travelling westbound on County Road
21 failed to stop at the intersection and struck a tree. Two
male occupants of the vehicle reportedly fled the scene in a
red pick-up truck. Two males were later picked up by an ambulance
in Jasper and transported to hospital in Smiths Falls where they
were located and interviewed by the constable. Terry Harper,
34, was charged and is scheduled to appear in court March 5.
Wood splitter stolen from shed
EDWARDSBURGH - A wood splitter was stolen from a shed on County
Road 22. Police believe the theft took place during the week
prior to Feb. 21. The 5-hp unit with the American brand name
is valued at $2,000. No evidence was collectable at the scene
due to recent warm weather, according to a news release.
Shuttle van driver charged
PRESCOTT - A call from a tow truck operator led Ontario Provincial
Police to what they believe is an illegal shuttle bus operation.
The call was received Feb. 14 by Constable Boutilier; the truck
operator had just assisted a van full of people and the vehicle
had been towed to the Canadian Tire outlet in Prescott. A police
investigation concluded the van was being operated as a shuttle
from Toronto to Montreal. Chadhary S. Hussain, 45, of Montreal
was charged under the Public Vehicles Act with operating
a public vehicle for fare without an operating licence. The Ministry
of Transportation is involved in the ongoing investigation.
Help needed for
midget "AA" tournament
PRESCOTT - The organizing committee of next month's midget
"AA" tournament in Prescott says it needs help running
the competition.
Tracy Swan, director of publicity for the midget tournament,
says volunteers are needed to help with the hospitality room,
oversee the door and handle security, among other things. Billets
for out-of-town players, girls to help with the "three stars"
presentations and children to carry team flags in the opening
ceremonies are also needed. The tournament will be held the weekend
of March 22-24 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.
To volunteer or for more information, call Swan at 925-3686.
Nutrition Month to focus on healthy eating
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District
Health Unit urges South Grenville residents to understand the
role nutrients play in overall health and how to get adequate
amounts of nutrients by choosing a variety of healthy foods.
March is National Nutrition Month, an annual program created
to communicate messages about healthy eating.
This year's theme is the "ABCs of Healthy Eating"
and will focus on providing information to Canadians about certain
key nutrients, such as vitamins and calcium.
"Healthy eating not only improves overall health and
energy levels, it also helps us look good, feel great, and perform
at our best," a release from the Health Unit states.
"The relationship between nutrition and health is fascinating
- but can also be very confusing. Often we read about certain
buzz words... without fully understanding what they are, and
why they are important to our health."
National Nutrition Month also promotes registered dietitians
as a trusted source of credible information on nutrition and
healthy eating.
For more information on nutrition and healthy eating, Nutrition
Month, or local community events, call the Leeds, Grenville and
Lanark District Health Unit's Health Action Line at 345-5685
or toll-free at 1-800-660-5853 and ask to speak to a registered
dietitian.
Nutrition information is also available at the health unit's
Web site: www.healthunit.org.
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