Hockey tournaments score big with visitors
SOUTH GRENVILLE - There was plenty of action in Prescott and
Cardinal last weekend as the two communities hosted hockey tournaments
that have become an important part of many teams' seasons.
Sixteen teams from Ontario and the United States competed
in the 30th annual Midget AA/AAA Tournament at the Leo Boivin
Community Centre. The fourth annual Bantam AA/AAA Tournament
drew 16 teams and hundreds of fans to the Cardinal and District
Community Centre.
The St. Louis Sting won the midget crown by defeating the
Oakville Rangers 5-1 Sunday evening to take home the Charlie
McFarlane trophy.
The Pittsburgh Hornets did some stinging of their own as they
defeated the Toronto Marlboros 3-1 to take the bantam championship
and the Cardinal Lions Club trophy.
Both tournaments rely on the efforts of scores of South Grenville
Minor Hockey volunteers and community members. Players and coaches
from visiting teams singled out the local tournaments as a highlight
of their season.
The hockey tournaments also have a positive effect on the
local economy as motels, restaurants and other businesses get
the chance to serve hundreds of players and their family and
friends from communities in Ontario and the eastern United States.
Condominium project in the works
PRESCOTT - A four-storey, 16-unit condominium project is being
considered for a vacant Water Street property.
Bob Pelda, who last year purchased the "Blue Fence"
property located on the south side of Water Street between the
outdoor theatre and the Moran Hooker Trade Centre, wrote the
town earlier this month asking about what plans the town has
with respect to its waterfront parking area at the municipal
dock.
Pelda, who also owns Wiser Hall in the west end of Prescott,
told The Journal last week he is in the preliminary stages
of planning the development.
The previous owner of the property had been considering a
multi-unit townhouse development. The townhouse proposal was
the subject of an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing two years
ago. The proposal eventually received OMB approval.
Pelda said the development he is considering would compliment
its surroundings and fit in with nearby heritage buildings.
Pelda said he would move forward with the development once
he has attained "a level of comfort," which is why
he hopes to meet with town officials to discuss planning issues.
Retaining sight lines will be an important part of any development,
according to Pelda. Future plans for the waterfront lot and the
condition of Water Street are among the other elements Pelda
said should be "resolvable."
The municipality offers some protection for that in the official
plan, according to Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn. He said last week
at a council meeting the municipality's approach has been to
landscape the waterfront area.
A meeting with Pelda to discuss his plans and related land-use
issues will take place, according to town officials. This would
give town officials an opportunity to give some thought to long-term
planning in that area, something Lawn believes is a good thing.
Pelda said he would like to begin marketing the condo project
this summer, although he does not plan on rushing into anything.
"I'd like to be in the ground in a couple of years,"
he said.
Pelda's letter was referred to the town's planning and development
committee. The property had been offered as a site for a new
town hall and library. At least two members of council have indicated
they would prefer to see the Water Street site developed for
residential use.
Pelda praised the town's harbour and marina area which he
believes should be extended to the west.
Chamber of Commerce puts off taking a stand
on town hall issue
Prescott-based members will be asked for input
By Tim Ruhnke- Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - The Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce will
poll its Prescott-based members before it takes a stand on the
town hall issue, Chamber of Commerce directors decided last Thursday.
The chamber opposed a proposal by the previous town council
to build a new municipal building and library on the parking
lot site at King and Centre streets. The council now in office
voted last week to proceed with that proposal and to meet with
the architect to review plans drawn up two years ago.
Several directors of the chamber voiced their concerns last
week about council's new position. Ken Durand reminded directors
the chamber spent a lot of time with the previous council in
an effort to have the parking lot site removed from consideration.
In addition to the cost of the project, the chamber expressed
concerns about the loss of parking spaces in that central location.
Durand also noted Robert Lawn, the former president of the
chamber who campaigned to have the Dibble Street building renovated,
won an overwhelming majority of the vote in the 2000 election.
Although others at last Thursday's meeting also voiced concerns
about the direction being taken by town council, the directors
agreed to ask for input from chamber members who live or pay
taxes in Prescott before taking a formal position on the town
hall issue.
Mayor Lawn and Councillor Garry Dewar, both of whom are chamber
directors, offered different interpretations of council's position.
Dewar said he is willing to look at plans for the site, but noted
he is not impressed by what he has seen so far. Dewar believes
five or six members of council will have to reach consensus before
the project can proceed. Some councillors have made it clear
they are not willing to spend a lot of money on a new facility,
according to Dewar.
"I think we're a long way from building it," the
councillor said.
Lawn argued the motion approved by council is clear: the town
will proceed with building on the parking lot site. The mayor
insists a new town hall and library on that site will cost about
$3 million.
The architect who produced drawings for the previous council
has agreed to meet with town officials this Wednesday (March
27) at 7 pm at the health centre. The mayor said the architect
has promised to attend one meeting "at no cost" to
the town. Lawn also acknowledged those plans have not been seen
by the current council because they were lost; town administration
has been "in a state of disarray" because of the move
to a temporary office location and having to store things at
more than one central location.
The meeting with the architect will be open to the public,
Lawn told The Journal Monday. However, the mayor added
the purpose of the meeting is not to gather public input.
THIS WEEK
Early deadline in place for next edition
PRESCOTT - The offices of The Prescott Journal and
St. Lawrence Printing will be closed this Friday, March 29 to
observe Good Friday.
The offices will resume normal operating hours Monday, April
1.
The deadlines for display and classified advertising in the
April 3 edition of The Journal will be Thursday, March
28 at 3 pm.
Overnight parking ban ends for the season
PRESCOTT - The overnight parking restriction on public roadways
in Prescott expires this Sunday.
The seasonal restriction, which begins each November and concludes
at the end of March, prohibits parking from midnight to 7 am.
Parked vehicles that impede snow removal operations on municipal
roadways may still be ticketed.
Breakfast opens cancer society campaign
JOHNSTOWN - The Cardinal, Augusta, Prescott and Edwardsburgh
(CAPE) branch of the Canadian Cancer Society will kick off its
2002 fundraising campaign with breakfast tomorrow, Thursday,
March 28.
Everyone is invited to attend the event at the Bridgeview
Restaurant in Johnstown from 7:30 to 8:30 am; it is not a requirement
to be a cancer society volunteer to attend. There is a charge
for the breakfast.
Donations to the cancer society by various local service groups
and businesses will be made at the breakfast.
Daffodil sales to support the society begin April 4, 5 and
6 at various locations in Prescott, Cardinal and Spencerville.
The annual Daffodil Tea will take place Saturday, April 6
from 11:30 am to 2 pm at St. Paul's United Church in Prescott.
Chamber supports physician recruitment
JOHNSTOWN - The Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce
will contribute $1,000 to the physician recruitment task force
based at Brockville General Hospital.
Chamber directors agreed at their March 21 meeting to support
a finance committee recommendation to make the donation. The
Chamber of Commerce will consider making another donation next
year.
The provincial health ministry has designated the Brockville
area underserviced in terms of family physicians. The recruitment
drive has helped bring several doctors to the area including
Dr. John Davies, who joined an existing practice in Prescott
earlier this year.
Chamber members were asked several months ago to support the
physician recruitment drive. Just under $2,000 has been donated
by members, according to task force co-chair Bill Pakeman.
Renovate is still
the way to go: mayor
Robert Lawn insists town cannot afford new building on
site of parking lot
PRESCOTT - The town cannot afford to build a new municipal
hall and library downtown, according to Prescott Mayor Robert
Lawn.
The mayor prepared a business case analysis tool prior to
council's decision March 18 to study a plan to construct a town
hall and library on the downtown parking lot site at King and
Centre streets.
In noting Prescott's average family income is the lowest in
Leeds-Grenville and the town's population decreased by 5.6 per
cent between 1996 and 2001, the mayor states a final decision
must be made "...within the context of the budget and five-year
forecast."
Council voted 13 months ago to proceed with renovations to
the municipal building and library at 360 Dibble St. W. However,
a contract was not awarded; council decided several months ago
to review other options.
The cheaper of two renovation options for the Dibble Street
municipal building would include a five-year plan for library
expansion and additional renovations to town hall at a total
cost of just over $800,000, according to the mayor. Based on
the low tender received last year, the more detailed renovations
and landscaping plan would cost about $1.68 million once the
interest on a 20-year debenture of $505,000 is added.
Using existing data and unconfirmed estimates, Lawn pegs the
cost of the parking lot plan at $2,008,000. Assuming $800,000
is taken from the proceeds of the sale of the Prescott Utilities
Commission and a debenture of $1.2 million is paid off over a
20-year period at an interest rate of 6.25 per cent, Lawn estimates
the total cost of the downtown project would be $3 million.
Lawn notes an auditor has advised the town it is close to
its borrowing capacity. "We should not cripple opportunities
for future capital projects," the mayor writes.
Although Lawn acknowledges a new building could be designed
specifically for municipal offices and library and may help the
downtown area, he adds there would be a much higher cost, parking
spaces and the open view would be lost, and the library's accessibility
for children would be less desirable.
Renovating 360 Dibble would be a "quicker solution,"
according to the mayor. It would enable the town to expand the
existing library and preserve a "solid building" and
greenspace in the neighbourhood.
Council has agreed to review plans prepared by the previous
council for the parking lot site. Some councillors have indicated
they are not prepared to follow through with the project if the
costs are too high.
Chamber of Commerce directors decide to butt
out of smoking debate
Some members believe businesses should retain the right
to make decision
PRESCOTT - The Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce has
decided not to take a formal position at this time on a proposal
to ban smoking in public indoor places.
The district health unit is asking municipalities in Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark counties to enact bylaws to prohibit smoking.
A recent survey of residents in the three counties shows a majority
would support such a ban.
Chamber of Commerce President Pat Dewar raised the subject
last Thursday at the monthly directors' meeting. In noting the
issue affects chamber members, Dewar sought input as to whether
the organization should take a stand one way or another.
Bill Pakeman, past-president of the Chamber of Commerce, said
he does not believe the government should legislate common sense,
even when it comes to cigarette smoking.
"It always bothers me when... individual rights are infringed
upon," he said.
However, Pakeman went on to state he does not believe the
chamber should take sides on this issue.
Chamber Vice-President Lewis Beach said businesses such as
bars and restaurants should be given the choice of installing
proper ventilation systems.
"Let those people run those businesses," said Beach,
who noted he would support smoking bans in places like doctors
offices and arenas.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn said he has no doubt some members
of the business community would react unfavourably to a municipal
bylaw that bans smoking indoors in public places. Elected officials
may also face balancing their own beliefs with concerns from
the business community.
"Council has the tough job of making a decision,"
said Lawn, who also represents Prescott on the district board
of health.
A health unit delegation is expected to speak to Prescott
council at its April 3 meeting.
Thieves hurt family pets during break-in
AUGUSTA - Crime Stoppers Kingston/1000 Islands and the Grenville
County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police are seeking
the public's assistance in solving a recent break-in during which
a family's pets were injured.
The break-in took place at a Sixth Concession residence Feb.
27 sometime between 1 pm and 7:30 pm. Thieves took three RCA
satellite receivers, a JVC digital camcorder, a computer and
peripherals and five simulators.
The thieves also hurt family pets during the course of the
break-in, something that concerns both the family and investigators.
The Crime Stoppers news release did not indicate the types
of animals involved or the extent of their injuries.
Police have leads suggesting two males were involved; they
are believed to have been driving a newer, bright red pick-up
truck. Police also believe the pair is responsible for three
similar break-ins in the area.
Anyone with information about the break-in, theft and animal
cruelty, or any other criminal activity, is asked to call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Callers do not have to give their
names and could be eligible for cash rewards. Crime Stoppers
does not subscribe to call display or other forms of caller identification.
Overnight parking ban about to end for the
season
PRESCOTT - The overnight parking restriction on public roadways
in Prescott expires this Sunday.
The seasonal restriction, which begins each November and concludes
at the end of March, prohibits parking from midnight to 7 am.
However, parked vehicles that impede snow removal operations
on municipal roadways may still be ticketed.
OPP NEWS
Items removed from vehicles at residences
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Grenville County OPP officers are investigating
several thefts from vehicles that occurred during the overnight
hours of March 11 and March 14. Vehicles parked at residences
were entered; a stereo, speaker system and cellular phone were
stolen. The speaker system and amplifier are valued at $1,100.
Constable Tavares is the investigating officer in two of the
incidents. Police are investigating a suspicious vehicle they
believe may be involved in those thefts. Anyone who had contact
with a small white vehicle from which "crazy deals"
were being offered is asked to contact Constable Tavares at the
detachment in Prescott (925-4221) or contact Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-8477.
Detachment hosts breakfast for sponsors
PRESCOTT - The Grenville County detachment held its first
sponsorship appreciation breakfast March 15 at the Prescott Golf
Club. The breakfast was presented as a thank you to 30 businesses
and organizations that have contributed to the OPP and their
community. Invited guests received a complimentary breakfast
and a plaque.
Public works
department seeks marginal increase as town budget talks begin
PRESCOTT - A marginal increase in the town's public works
budget is being sought.
Council members met Monday with Town Engineer Clyde Solomon
to review the department's budget proposal. The 2002 estimate
now stands at about $1,217,000; the actual amount spent in 2001
was about $1,206,000.
In noting the proposal calls for an increase of 0.87 per cent,
Solomon said the public works budget would be lower than last
year if a payment of $82,000 for water infrastructure were removed
from the equation.
There are no major increases being proposed by the public
works department. Although the operations portion of the budget
is 13 per cent higher than what was granted in 2001, the environmental
portion is down significantly compared to last year.
Higher sewer rates will result in a big revenue increase in
2002. However, the revenue stream will be affected by the loss
of parking meter proceeds.
Pay increases will account for an additional $21,000 this
year, according to Solomon.
Councillors indicated a desire to increase the amount allocated
for sidewalk repairs. The proposed amount of $15,000 was increased
to $25,000, although town officials noted that still would not
be enough to tend to all the sidewalks in need of repair.
Solomon also noted a shift in buying habits when it comes
to municipal garbage bags. He estimated sales of paper and plastic
bags were approximately 57 and 43 per cent respectively before
the town increased the price of paper bags last year. Plastic
now accounts for about 58 per cent of sales, according to Solomon.
The public works proposal is the first department submission
reviewed by town council as it begins its 2002 budget deliberations.
A loss of assessment and pay increases for staff and council
would force council to increase property taxes to match last
year's budget amounts.
The budget is expected to be finalized later this spring.
Town officials continue to discuss what to
do about Churchill Road
Prescott council considers long list of capital projects
in 2002 budget deliberations
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - Town officials have once again turned their attention
to the deteriorating condition of one of Prescott's busier roadways.
"I believe we have lost Churchill Road from Edward to
Massie," Town Engineer Clyde Solomon told councillors at
a budget meeting Monday night.
Council members discussed a number of items being considered
for the town's 2002 capital budget. Reconstruction of Churchill
Road has been cited by some town officials as being a top priority;
however, council has yet to follow through with repairs to the
north-end street.
The estimated cost of rebuilding the roadway and replacing
sanitary sewers along the route has been in the range of $750,000.
Solomon told council Monday resurfacing the road will not be
enough.
"You've got to put a drainage system in there,"
he said.
Solomon noted several catch basins and "a good crushed
stone bedding" is required.
Councillors agreed something will have to be done. Solomon
plans to come back to council with new cost estimates.
"I don't think we can let it go," said Councillor
Jo-Anne Beckstead.
However, council has other capital items to consider. More
than $1 million in work associated with the FAI commercial development
east of the Ontario Provincial Police station is planned. Some
of that work includes the access road to the site, removal of
material from an old municipal dump located under a portion of
the property, the extension of sanitary sewers and the erection
of traffic lights at the intersection of Edward Street and the
access road known as Prescott Centre Drive.
Council is also considering whether to build a new town hall
and library or repair the Dibble Street municipal building. A
list of 2002 capital projects discussed by council Monday states
the estimated cost of those options is between $1.3 and $1.5
million. Nearly $1 million from the sale of the Prescott Utilities
Commission could be used to cover a large portion of those costs.
As for the FAI development and proposed Churchill Road repairs,
a debenture would be considered.
Solomon is recommending the town conduct an inspection of
the Edward Street overpass. He told council some concrete is
falling off the structure and there are now salt stains coming
through. The slab work was done in 1981 and has a life expectancy
of about 20 years, according to Solomon.
The estimated cost of an in-depth inspection is $8,500.
The town has already initiated an environmental assessment
study in connection with plans to refurbish or build a new sewage
treatment plant. The estimated cost to the municipality is $55,000.
The capital project list includes about 20 items, some of
which may not be required for many years to come. The so-called
"wish list" will be prioritized as part of budget deliberations.
It was suggested at the meeting work on Churchill Road could
be combined with proposed improvements to the Boundary Street
railway crossing, another capital item on the list.
Although town officials pointed out Prescott is better off
than some other towns its size, there was also an acknowledgement
there is a limit to which projects the municipality can handle.
"The problem is there's so many things the town needs,"
Solomon said.
Motorists urged to be responsible during holidays
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Police are encouraging the public to use
caution on public roadways and trails this Easter weekend.
"This is the first holiday weekend of 2002 and our front-line
officers will be focusing on the safety of the motoring public
as well as on recreational vehicle operators," Inspector
Jim McDonnell of the OPP Field and Traffic Support Bureau states
in a news release.
Motorists who may be in a rush to get to their destination
may also be putting themselves, their passengers, other drivers
and pedestrians at risk. "We encourage everyone to be patient
and to exercise good judgement when travelling on the highways
and trails throughout the province," McDonnell says.
OPP officers will be on the lookout this weekend for speeders
and drivers who take unnecessary risks, according to the OPP.
Anyone towing recreational vehicles on trailers is being urged
to ensure trailer lights are working, trailer connections are
secure and tires are checked for proper air pressure.
Local party members support Eves
BROCKVILLE - The next premier of Ontario appears to have the
support of most local members of the Progressive Conservative
party.
Former Ontario finance minister Ernie Eves won a second-ballot
victory in party voting held Saturday. Eves will succeed Premier
and Conservative party leader Mike Harris.
Current Finance Minister Jim Flaherty finished second in the
leadership race, followed by cabinet minister colleagues Tony
Clement, Elizabeth Witmer and Chris Stockwell.
Members of the Leeds-Grenville Progressive Conservative riding
association gathered at Thousand Islands Secondary School in
Brockville to take part in the leadership election. Eves received
more than 70 per cent of the vote from local Tories in the first
ballot and 80 per cent in the second and final ballot.
Leeds-Grenville and Economic Development and Trade Minister
Bob Runciman was one of many Conservative caucus members who
supported Eves' leadership run. Eves and Runciman were first
elected to the provincial legislature in 1981.
Eves left the government last year to accept a lucrative position
in the private sector; however, he returned to the provincial
scene last fall after Harris announced he would be stepping down.
Eves has reportedly referred to himself as a fiscal conservative
with a social conscience.
Seaway opens 2002 navigation season
CORNWALL - The St. Lawrence Seaway has begun its 2002 navigation
season.
The seaway opened Tuesday. The 2001 shipping season ended
just before Christmas.
Cargo volumes have been on the decline in recent years.
Filmmaker's passion
for history sparked in Prescott
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - A filmmaker whose love of history and maritime
adventure evolved on the banks of the St. Lawrence River at Prescott
has produced one movie and already has plans for a second.
Mike Wert, who grew up in Maynard and is a 1984 graduate of
South Grenville District High School, will be screening his film
Sailor's Warning: The Ghost Fleet of Long Point, and conducting
a workshop for students at his alma mater later this month.
Wert's one-hour documentary tells the haunting tale of the
Lake Erie quadrangle, a treacherous area of ever-shifting sand
bars and sudden, violent storms that has claimed four times as
many shipwrecks as the Bermuda Triangle. The film features renowned
local beachcomber, author and historian Dave Stone, who showcases
an amazing chapter in Canada's little-known maritime past, Wert
explained.
The filmmaker discovered Long Point, a 32-kilometre sandspit
near Port Rowan in southern Ontario that has snared more than
160 ships over the years. "When we started this project
I didn't know the first thing about making a film," said
Wert, who is the son of Gary and Elizabeth Wert of Maynard. "I
just knew this was a great story and it needed to be told."
Wert, his wife Sue Bailey - a reporter for The Canadian Press
- and filmmaker Milenko Stanisic shot more than 45 hours of footage,
researched archival material in both Canada and the United States
and composed their own musical score. Sailor's Warning was
launched on video last fall after five years in the making.
Wert has since sold nearly 700 copies independently, while
holding screenings and lectures at libraries and museums. "We've
had tremendous response and a lot of very, very supportive feedback
from people who've seen or bought the movie," Wert said.
His next movie endeavour will focus on the St. Lawrence. "The
river has always had a hold on me," he said. "I've
always been fascinated with its history, what the river used
to look like before the Seaway, the mysterious lost villages,
the Battle of the Windmill and the War of 1812."
Wert said he's just beginning the research now for the St.
Lawrence film and "it's going to be a journey through time."
He's looking at old film footage of the river before the Seaway
project and he and his wife just finished taking a scuba course
so they could explore the underwater world themselves. "We
learned a lot making this (first) film and now know the dos and
don'ts for our next project."
Wert, who now resides in Ottawa, said he has always felt a
connection to the river. He grew up fishing on the St. Lawrence
with his dad, and spent five summers working as an interpreter
at Prescott's Fort Wellington while studying history at Wilfrid
Laurier University in Waterloo. His days at Fort Wellington fuelled
his passion for the history of the area, he said. "I missed
seeing the river every day when I moved away."
While living in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, Wert formed a
band called War Wagon, which played at the Prescott Loyalist
Days in 1991. The band wrote original Canadian history songs
and some of his songs are about Prescott subjects, he said.
In 1995, the group's name was changed to Finnigan's Tongue,
and it released a CD about the history of Waterloo County. The
band interpreted history through rock music.
When he originally started working on the Lake Erie film in
1996, he had high hopes of selling the idea to television. "We
quickly discovered that most broadcasters are more interested
in who you are rather than the idea you're proposing. We decided
not to waste too much time on the television industry and just
tried to get the film done any way we could.
"In the end, I think we made a smart decision. We made
the film we wanted to make and control all the rights."
The film cost $35,000 to produce.
Wert said the film's main subject loves the movie and feels
it's a beautiful tribute to his life, and noted the locals of
Long Point have adopted the film as their own. The film has been
shown to packed houses in Kitchener and Ottawa, he said.
The March 28 workshop at SGDHS is for teacher Jason Sloan's
media students. Wert also conducted a screening at the Brockville
Public Library last week.
Fort Town concert is Tuesday
PRESCOTT - The Fort Town Concert Association's next presentation
will take place this Tuesday, April 2.
Members of Atelier lyrique L'Opéra de Montréal
will perform Mozart's Così fan tutte, a two-act opera
that tells a timeless tale of love and mistaken identity. The
performance begins at 8 pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church,
corner of Centre and Dibble streets.
The opera company enables young Canadian singers to receive
professional operatic training while acquiring solid practical
experience. Accompanied by pianist and presenter Claude Webster,
the group will use scenery and period costumes designed by L'Opéra
de Montréal.
Così fan tutte was first performed in Vienna in 1790,
a year before Mozart's death.
The Fort Town association works in conjunction with Jeunesses
Musicales of Canada, an organization that brings live arts performances
to communities across the country.
The April 2 concert is free for those who purchase a subscription
for next season's concert series.
For more information on tickets or the association, call 925-5050
or 925-3200.
The April 2 performance is sponsored by the Colonel's Inn,
Prescott.
Apply now for summer business program
BROCKVILLE - The deadline is approaching for students between
the ages of 15 and 29 to apply to start their own summer business
through a competitive award program.
Summer Company, through the Ministry of Economic Development
and Trade, provides hands-on business training and awards of
up to $3,000 to help enterprising young people to start and run
their own summer business.
The Brockville-based 1000 Islands Entrepreneurship Centre
will be providing the program in the Leeds and Grenville area
along with a local co-ordinating mentorship committee.
"It's a great opportunity to develop entrepreneurial
skills and experience," said King Yee Jr., co-ordinator
of the program with the entrepreneurship centre.
To apply for Summer Company 2002, applicants must prepare
a comprehensive business plan, fill out an application form and
make the submission with two letters of recommendation to 1000
Islands Entrepreneurship Centre, 3 Market St. W., Suite 3A, Brockville,
Ont., K6V 7L2. Call (613) 342-0300 ext. 470.
High school, college or university students returning to school
next fall have until April 2 to apply. Last year, seven Leeds
and Grenville students took part in the program to launch businesses.
For information on other programs for youth, visit www.youthjobs.gov.on.ca.
Town supports placing condition on sale of
plant
PRESCOTT - Town council has stepped into the debate on the
proposed sale of the Lennox Generating Station near Napanee.
In a 3-2 vote, council agreed March 18 to support a resolution
calling on the Ontario government to make any sale conditional
on the station being permitted to burn only natural gas.
In a letter received by the town last month, the Ontario Clean
Air Alliance indicated Lennox had up until 1998 burned dirty
residual fuel oil to produce its electricity. The station was
retrofitted so it could also produce electricity from cleaner-burning
natural gas. Even though 80 per cent of power produced at Lennox
last year came from burning natural gas, a new owner could use
fuel oil to produce some or all of the electricity produced at
the plant.
In seeking council's support for placing a condition on the
plant's sale, the alliance cited Ontario Medical Association
figures which note air pollution leads to 22 premature deaths,
168 hospital admissions and 661 emergency room visits each year
in Leeds and Grenville.
Mayor Robert Lawn and councillors Terry McConnell and Jo-Anne
Beckstead supported the motion; councillors Garry Dewar and Jim
French voted against.
Dewar said council is only getting one side of the story from
the alliance. Council members know nothing about power plant
engineering, he added.
McConnell said there may be dangers associated with not putting
limitations on a company that purchases the facility.
Cornwall, Kingston and Brockville councils have also supported
placing conditions on the sale of the generating station.
Non-fiction short stories accepted
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The Valley Writers' Guild is panning for
golden tales.
The guild is accepting submissions of unpublished short stories
of up to 2,500 words as part of the 2002 John Spencer Hill Award
for non-fiction. The grand prize is $500 and an engraved plaque.
Secondary prizes of $200, $100 and three honourable mentions
at $20 each are also up for grabs.
Submissions must be typed and double-spaced. Entries must
be in the mail by May 3. There is an entry fee. For more information,
call Joy at 658-5245.
Stolen cellular
phone returned to owner
PRESCOTT - Town police are investigating the theft of a hockey
stick from one of the visiting players at last weekend's bantam
hockey tournament.
The player from Kalamazoo, Michigan had left his hockey equipment
with the team's equipment at the southwest entrance of the Leo
Boivin Community Centre March 23, according to a weekly police
news release. He returned to find one of his sticks, a gold Easton
Synergy stick with a Sakic blade, was missing. The stick is valued
at $260.
In all, members of the Prescott Police Service investigated
57 general incidents and seven motor vehicle accidents between
March 12 and March 24.
Charges are pending as Prescott police continue to look into
a case of wilful damage. Just before 3 am March 21, police investigated
a smashed front window at a King Street-area business. Five persons
found in the area at that time were interviewed. The six-by-eight-foot
window is valued at $800.
A cellular phone reported stolen from a Sophia Street residence
was returned to its owner. Town police investigated the theft
March 18 and identified three suspects. The phone was found on
the door step the next day.
Anyone with information on these or other incidents in town
is asked to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Budget meetings will be public
MAYNARD - Augusta residents will have a chance to sit in on
township budget discussions this spring, although no dates have
yet been set.
Councillor Jane Fullarton, who is also chair of the personnel
and finance committee, said in an interview the public budget
deliberations have not been scheduled. The talks will begin once
CAO Nigel White has completed the preliminary budget work and
compiled the information to be presented to council, she said.
Fullarton said she expects this will be a "difficult
budget." The township has a number of responsibilities and
issues that need to be addressed this year, she said. Among them
is updating the fleet of trucks for both the roads department
and the fire department, road work, paving a portion of the Second
Concession and capping the Maynard landfill.
OPP BRIEFS
Vehicle clocked at 116 km/h in Spencerville
SPENCERVILLE - On March 24 at 7:30 pm, OPP Constable Robertson
stopped a vehicle on County Road 44 near the north end of Spencerville.
The 19-year-old male driver from Kemptville was charged with
speeding 116 kilometres per hour in a 50-kilometre zone.
He is to appear in court May 7.
Car was going more than 100 km/h over limit
HIGHWAY 401 - Two charges involving extremely high speeds
were laid on the evening of March 24. Constable Butcher stopped
an eastbound BMW and charged the 22-year-old driver from Verdun,
Quebec with speeding 204 kilometres per hour in a 100-kilometre
zone. The constable stopped a westbound Chevrolet less than an
hour later and charged the 21-year-old driver from Scarborough
with doing 173 kilometres per hour. Both drivers are to appear
in court May 7.
Most occurrences are traffic-related
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Members of the Grenville County OPP detachment
investigated 98 occurrences between March 18 and March 24. Fifty-six
of those incidents were in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, according to
a police news release.
Talent contest entry forms available
BROCKVILLE - Entry forms are now available for the Col. Bill
Watson Memorial Talent Contest.
The competition will take place Sunday, May 5 at Royal Canadian
Legion Branch 98, 180 Park St. in Brockville.
Youngsters in South Grenville are encouraged to enter the
fourth annual regional competition.
The deadline to enter is April 25. Entry forms are available
at The Prescott Journal, Brockville Legion and schools
in the area. For more information, call 345-0473.
This year's winners will perform at Brockville RibFest to
be held in August at Hardy Park.
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 during
the Victoria Day weekend. 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.
SCHOOL SCENE
BOUNDARY STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL - Boundary's Spirit Week is
over, and the students are now working on Easter activities.
There is a Kindergarten registration day Wednesday, March
27 at the school for students entering Junior or Senior Kindergarten
in September.
Students return to school Tuesday, April 2 after the Easter
Break.
There will be a parent council meeting at the school Wednesday,
April 3 at 7 pm.
CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL - Grade 8 students will participate
in the Canadian Scholastic Challenge Wednesday.
Kindergarten registration is Wednesday, March 27 from 3:45
to 5:15 pm. There will also be a meeting at 5 pm for Grade 8
parents who wish to help plan graduation activities.
The hot lunch this week is pizza.
There will be no classes Friday, March 29 and Monday, April
1.
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL - Term two report cards have gone
home, interviews are under way and term three has begun. Our
children have worked hard to maintain their Lenten resolutions
and have contributed generously to our Easter mission projects.
Last Friday we actively and reverently celebrated mass in
preparation for Holy Week and Easter. A most blessed and joyful
Easter weekend is wished for all students, staff and families.
This week's hot lunch is hamburgers, and next week is pizza.
Our Star Strategy this week and next is "Super See Through."
Sound Waves concert
on stage April 13
SPENCERVILLE - The Friends of the Edwardsburgh Public Library
(Spencerville Branch) will present its Sound Waves concert Saturday,
April 13 at the Drummond Building.
This spring fundraiser will bring together a mix of musical
entertainment. The performers include The Singing Saints, a group
of 13 young men from St. Lawrence College in Canton, N.Y. who
sing a cappella.
Just Us combines the talents of Tom Code on piano, Gord McCrady
on bass, Bruce McLachlan on Banjo and Bob Jubien on drums accompanied
by vocalist Mary Moore.
Brittany Pinder and Kate Bevan-Baker play classical violin
and celtic fiddle music.
The Friends of the Library 2002 Arts Award will be presented
to young Prescott actor Kevin Beach during the concert.
Sound Waves tickets are available at the door, at the library
or from Friends of the Library members. The concert begins at
7:30 pm.
Still openings at craft class
WALKER HOUSE NEWS
By Willy Sieling Heuvel
Walker House has invited Bill Webster from "Alarm Force"
to speak April 5 at 1 pm. If you live alone, if you have a medical
condition, or if you know someone in these circumstances, you
will be interested in this speaker. We will also be having a
chili dinner before the speaker at noon. Please call 925-5300
if you plan to come for the lunch or for more information.
There are still spaces on Monday night craft class. We will
be starting at 6:30, and there will be a small material cost
for the project we will make.
The quilters are just lifting one quilt off the frame and
have another to stretch. If you would like to learn about quilting
or help us quilt, come and join the ladies Thursdays from 1 to
4 pm and 7 to 9 pm.
Card game winners: Monday bridge 1st, Doris Mossman;
2nd, Audrey Kingston; door prize, Sam Covey. Tuesday night cribbage
high hand, Bea Hemsley; high score, Pete Lowry; 2nd, Hilda
Hutton; 3rd, Jean McCrady.
Redesigned Web site planned for Prescott
PRESCOTT - A firm has been selected to redesign and consolidate
the town's Web site.
Prescott council voted March 18 to give the job to eSolutions
Group, subject to negotiating a final work plan and costs.
The estimated $25,000 expenditure will be taken from municipal
reserves and the economic development budget.
The Prescott Web site will incorporate all departments and
eliminate the need for several separate Web sites. The plan is
to have municipal staff update the new site on a regular basis.
Only one of the five companies to bid on the project is local,
according to Mayor Robert Lawn.
Pathfinder to hold bake sale at grocery store
PRESCOTT - A bake sale will be held this Saturday, March 30
from 10 am to 2 pm at Prescott Valu-mart.
Jessica McNab is organizing the bake sale to help complete
her third-year program for Pathfinders. All money raised will
go to her gold camp and the third-year experience campers badge
for Guides. She will be camping this June.
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