Deregulation takes effect today
RSL tells customers no need to rush into signing contract
with electricity retailers
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - Deregulation of the electricity market takes effect
today, but there is no reason for anyone to rush into signing
a contract with an electricity retailer.
That was the message delivered to a handful of people who
attended a public information last Wednesday night at the health
centre in Prescott.
The meeting was hosted by Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities (RSL)
which serves Prescott, Cardinal, South Dundas and Westport.
With the arrival of competition in the energy market, electricity
marketers have been going door-to-door in the Prescott area and
throughout Ontario in recent weeks trying to get people to sign
contracts which usually run three or five years at a fixed rate.
Rideau St. Lawrence CEO John Walsh noted the Ontario Energy
Board has predicted prices in the early stages of deregulation
could range from 4.3 to 5.5 cents per kilowatt hour. Energy marketers
are asking about 5.6 to 5.9 cents per kilowatt hour for their
three- and five-year contracts. RSL's current rate is lower than
that, Walsh added. The rate charged by RSL will fluctuate based
on how much the utility has to pay its supplier.
With 59 licensed energy retailers in place in Ontario and
another 29 in the works, Walsh and other RSL officials at the
meeting suggested there is no reason for people to rush into
any contract. Energy marketers may not be able to supply their
power for many months; RSL will continue to supply power to its
customers whether they have signed a contract or not.
Walsh pointed out breaking a contract with an electricity
retailer could prove costly given penalty clauses which usually
appear in the fine print.
"I don't know why you would sign with a retailer,"
Walsh said.
RSL does not mark up the price of electricity; instead, the
company assesses a monthly service charge of $9.11 for residential
customers.
Walsh reminds customers they will still have to pay service
and transmission charges if they enter into a contract with an
electricity retailer.
RSL will continue to read meters and issue bills. In most
cases, a customer who buys power from another source will still
be billed directly by RSL.
However, the utility will have to wait for billing information
from the retailer. Although RSL will be able to charge retailers
certain fees for billing services, Walsh does not expect those
fees will cover the additional costs to be incurred by the local
utility.
Deregulation will also affect the appearance of bills issued
by RSL and other utilities. The so-called "unbundling"
effect will mean several specific charges will be listed on bills
instead of being rolled into one heading as had been the practice.
RSL officials noted Ontario has a strong power generating
capacity and distribution system and will not have the same problems
deregulation created in places like California.
Budget review indicates Augusta in fair shape
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD - Augusta ratepayers anticipating huge property tax
hikes can probably rest easy: the township is looking at an increase
of just 2.5 per cent on the municipal portion of the 2002 budget.
That percentage would mean a homeowner with a dwelling assessed
at $100,000 would have to pay about $5 extra in taxes this year.
"We're in a good starting position," said Augusta
CEO Nigel White before councillors met last Thursday evening
to review the budget.
Reeve George Vail agreed the budget figures look good. However,
it will likely be the end of May or early June before the budget
can be passed and the overall impact of the budget is known.
The CEO explained the province has extended the tax ratio
deadline from April 30 to May 31. Since the county sets the tax
ratio, the township does not yet know its education or county
levy to establish its final budget.
Last year, Augusta residents paid 7.5 per cent more in taxes,
which meant an owner of a home assessed at $100,000 was billed
$85.93 more than in 2000, for a total bill of $1,233.91.
A five-year long-range plan for spending that begins this
year was unveiled at the review. "We're slowing working
our reserves up so when we have the financial need, the money
is there," White explained.
Items in the plan include capital works, equipment, waste
disposal, fire department and administration. Capital works planned
for 2002 are Second Concession from County Road 15 to Rocky Road;
Merwin Lane from County Road 26 to Second Concession; Merwin
lane from Second Concession to County Road 2; and Weir Road.
Intersections outlined for work in the plan are Klitbo Road and
South Branch; Rocky Road and Campbell Road and Hillbrook Road.
Much of last week's budget review dealt with Vail's suggestion
to divert $200,000 worth of gravel purchases for roads for other
needs. He proposed not putting any fresh gravel on roads this
year, and using some of that money for either paving, a new public
works vehicle for the garage, or to enable the township to purchase
a new fire truck sooner.
Vail is hinging his proposal on the expectation the township
will soon receive provincial approval to open its own gravel
pit in Limerick Forest. Augusta already has county approval.
The reeve said the Roads Superintendent, Keith Couture, had
earlier told him about $80,000 worth of gravel would still have
to be stockpiled for such things as driveways and for spreading
at intersections. Couture was unable to attend the budget review
meeting; another meeting will be scheduled so he can add his
comments on the gravel issue.
Deputy Reeve Doug Barton warned withholding too much fresh
gravel could lead to deterioration or "mushy roads,"
leaving no proper base for eventual paving.
While Barton acknowledged too much gravel or not the proper
grade of gravel may be used on some roads, no gravel will result
in roads in poor condition that need to be built up again. "Somewhere
there has to be a happy medium."
"I don't think it would hurt to go for a year without
gravel until the township can operate its own pit," Vail
replied.
Library funding
Also under discussion at the budget review was the public
library board's request for $2,000 in extra funding for repairs
to the exterior of the facility located in Algonquin.
Councillor Jane Fullarton, who is also a representative on
the library board, requested $57,000, up from $55,000 in previous
years. She noted the plywood board and batten used to side the
library about six years ago is of inferior quality and was installed
poorly. The siding and the stain has deteriorated badly, and
moisture seeping behind the boards is rotting the insulation,
she said. "That was not the appropriate material to use
on the exterior."
The total cost of the project could be about $6,000, Fullarton
explained, but added library board members are committed to fundraising
for the remainder of the cost. The board has in the past also
experienced problems with the electrical, heating, air conditioning
and alarm systems at the library.
It is also essential the heritage flavour of the library is
preserved with the choice of new siding, Fullarton said. A portion
of the library is situated in a stone school house built in 1833,
which was the oldest school in continuous use in Ontario when
is closed in 1962.
"The library is a wonderful asset and it needs to be
protected," Fullarton said.
Councillor Bill Buckler also stressed the importance of maintaining
the library now before the problem becomes more serious, resulting
in a greater expenditure later.
Barton agreed. "I would hate five years down the road
for us to be in the same situation as one of our neighbours;
that we need major work done because we didn't do yearly maintenance,
and then not have the money to do it and be in a very precarious
position."
No decisions were made on the library funding.
"We're in a good starting position."
Augusta CEO Nigel White
Downtown Prescott location found for South
Grenville food bank
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - Organizers have found a home for the South Grenville
food bank.
A portion of a building on Henry Street in downtown Prescott
has been leased for use as a distribution centre and office.
Food bank organizers and building owner John Fahrngruber have
reached an understanding to lease the space for two years with
an option for an additional three years. Fahrngruber would receive
an income tax receipt in lieu of rent.
Heather MacKay-Kelso, president of the food bank board of
directors, noted the food bank is in the process of obtaining
its incorporation and charitable status. Once that status has
been received, the food bank will be able to issue a tax receipt
to the building owner.
"I think it's very generous" MacKay-Kelso said of
Fahrngruber's offer.
The building, which has been home to a sign business and doctor's
office over the years, had more recently been used as a storage
area for pinball machines and arcade games. An automotive business
remains in the other section of the building, which is located
across from the Legion parking lot.
The food bank will have about 2,500 square feet of space for
a depot and office area. MacKay-Kelso noted another benefit of
having the food bank there will be the rejuvenation of an existing
property.
"It's going to be good for the town," she said.
Members of the steering committee and board of directors have
begun to clean up the building and add new features such as shelving
and counters.
The food bank is not ready to accept food donations at the
depot. However, food is being accepted Wednesdays, Thursdays
and Fridays from 9 am until noon at St. Paul's United Church
at the corner of George and Dibble Streets.
The Prescott Ministerial Association will continue to issue
food vouchers and distribute food when needed, according to Rev.
Blair Paterson.
Talk of establishing a food bank began late last year when
the association noted it was running out of money for the voucher
program. A food bank steering committee was formed at a public
meeting in January, and a board of directors was formed last
month.
Plans are in the works this spring for a food drive involving
elementary and secondary schools in South Grenville.
Anyone who would like to donate materials or their time to
fix up the building are welcome to do so. For more information,
contact Heather MacKay-Kelso at 925-1830 or Jennifer Wyman at
925-1689.
Ugliness
of war recounted by Prescott author
John Raycroft uses diaries to write his second book
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - The horror of war and the disregard for human life
is still fresh in the mind of a Prescott man who saw too much
slaughter up close.
For these reasons, author John Raycroft has recently published
A Signal War, which is based in part on his own war diaries
written despite the risk to his life during World War II service.
He was involved in signalling communications between the front
line and the artillery.
"Human life seemed to mean so little in the Second World
War," said Raycroft, who resides just west of Prescott.
"It was significant to all of us, but the numbers were so
great." The book is meant "to awaken people to the
actual horror of what a large scale war is like, and it's something
we ought avoid at all costs. These wars we are in... are nothing
compared to the horrendous slaughter that occurs in a large war.
We better be careful about them."
A Signal War follows Raycroft's ground-level experiences
from training at Camp Petawawa and Kingston in 1943 to the soggy
battlefields of the Netherlands and beyond to the Canadian Army
of Occupation in Germany in 1946.
The author will hold a book signing this Saturday, May 4 from
11 am to 1 pm at The Gift Lane in Prescott.
The book is published by Babblefish Press of Prescott.
Letters written home and saved by his mother and a lifetime
of reflection also serve as the basis for the soldier's account
of his war years more than half a century later. The reader is
provided with an "idea of what a true, terrible war is like."
Raycroft is also the author of Never Smile Before Christmas,
a memoir and critique of education based on his experiences as
a high school teacher at South Grenville District High School.
Published in 1999, the book is written in the form of a letter
to his former students.
Raycroft began teaching at South Grenville in 1960 as an electrical
construction, English and history teacher, retiring in 1985 as
the school's librarian.
A main thrust of A Signal War is to draw the reader's
attention to significant, yet little-known facts and errors of
WWII.
The number of civilians who died by accident and bombings
of inaccurate targets are examples of incidents people should
know about, Raycroft said. "The monstrousness of those acts
is something that is overshadowed and we ought to point them
out - just to show how horrible war is, not for any an act of
vengeance."
Knowing about these incidents will help people better understand
what is being said during Armistice and Remembrance Day events.
"They are talking about deaths and blood spilling that is
infinitely greater than anything in (more recent wars). This
is something we ought not to forget."
Many of these incidents and other facts recounted in detail
in Raycroft's book are passed over too lightly, he said.
"We don't know the horror of war. It's one of the things
I tried to get across - is how bad it is."
Throughout his service, Raycroft scribbled details on scraps
of paper he kept stuffed in his pockets - even though he knew
keeping notes was a punishable military offence. His plans if
captured were to "pick them out of my pocket and eat them."
He would later transfer these notes to a little book he kept
in his gear back at the battery. "I kept every scrap of
paper and I came back after the war and put it all down. I bought
a typewriter at Eaton's - an old Smith Corona." Raycroft
transcribed the information while his memory was still fresh,
he explained.
The Town of Prescott and 11 local people who served overseas
and whom Raycroft met by accident during the war also play a
role in his book. "It incorporates Prescott and shows what
a small town is like at the time."
Raycroft was born in Cardinal in 1923 and moved to Prescott
as a boy. He worked as a farmhand and cooper before joining the
Canadian army in 1943. Following his war service, he worked for
Ontario Hydro as an electrician and powerhouse operator before
returning to school and obtaining his university degree in 1957.
The author will also hold a book signing at Leeds County Books
in Brockville May 10.
"This is something we ought not to forget."
- John Raycroft
Prescott library board seeks additional $4,000
from town
PRESCOTT - The Prescott Library Board's proposed 2002 budget
was presented to town council at a budget meeting last Wednesday
night.
The library board is asking council for a 7.4-per-cent increase
in municipal funding this year. The library is seeking a grant
of $59,101; the 2001 municipal grant was $55,039.
Gavin Robertson, a member of the library board, said higher
salaries and health insurance costs make up most of the proposed
increase.
Robertson told The Journal the library would also like
to proceed with other projects such as full automation of circulation.
However, he added this and other items remain on a "wish
list."
The board's proposed budget totals $77,202, an increase of
more than $9,000 from the 2001 budget. Salaries, wages and related
expenses represent almost three-quarters of the proposed budget.
The Prescott library reported increases last year in membership
and computer and Internet use. The library had 2,955 members
in 2001 and has almost as many this year; more than 1,000 members
are under the age of 18.
Total circulation continued a downward slide in 2001. Fewer
books, videos and cassettes were signed out last year compared
to the year 2000.
However, the library added more books, videos and cassettes
to its collections last year than in any of the previous three
years.
The board has proposed spending an additional $8,000 this
year on more of those items.
Although there are concerns the uncertainty over town council's
deliberations on the future of town hall and the library may
have a negative effect on the facility, Robertson said membership
and computer use figures are encouraging.
The public library collected $616.81 in fines last year and
received an additional $660 in donations. Memberships from residents
of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and Augusta townships brought in an
additional $920 in 2001.
Annual art show and sale takes place this
weekend
MAITLAND - Twenty four local and area artists will display
their original works at the South Grenville Guild of Fine Art
show and sale this weekend in Maitland.
The theme for the 11th annual event to take place at MERC
Hall is "The Artists' Creative Visions." Hundreds of
original works created by the guild's artists will be on display.
The collection will include painting in all media, drawings,
pottery and sculpture. Works by South Grenville District High
School students will also be on display.
Hours for the show are Friday, May 3 from 7 to 9:30 pm; Saturday,
May 4 from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, May 5 from 11 am to 4 pm.
Admission is free and refreshments are available. There will
be a draw for an original work of art.
The works of several of the artists can be found on the guild's
Web site: www.sggofa.com.
The South Grenville Guild of Fine Art was formed in 1992 by
a small group of artists in the area. The guild now has 35 members
who exchange views, ideas and interests, and endeavour to foster
the appreciation and development of visual art in South Grenville.
The group also donates books of art to public and school libraries
in the area.
Final folk night of
season at St. Paul's
PRESCOTT - A singing policeman will be the special guest at
St. Paul's United Church's final folk night of the season this
Sunday, May 5 at 7 pm.
Peter Lynch of the Brockville Police Service will be the featured
performer at the monthly event which has become an institution
in Prescott. The fundraiser for capital projects, have presented
singing, laughter, thought-provoking stories and fine refreshments.
There is no admission fee; a free-will offering will be accepted.
St. Paul's United Church is located at the corner of George and
Dibble streets.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church celebrates
anniversary this Sunday
PRESCOTT - A musical evening to celebrate the 182nd anniversary
of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Prescott will take place
this Sunday, May 5 at 7 pm.
The special concert will feature the St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Choir, Athens Community Choir, Cardinal Community Choir, soloist
Paul MacIntyre and organ soloist Eugene Janssens.
Admission is free; a collection will be taken.
The church is located at the corner of Centre and Dibble streets.
Prescott Fire Department requests funding increase from town
council
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - Town council is reviewing the Prescott Fire Department's
proposed budget that includes a significant increase in spending
compared to last year.
The proposal calls for total expenditures of $209,300. The
2001 fire budget amounted to just under $132,000, with the actual
amount spent totalling $123,400.
Fire Chief Bill Lawrence told council at a budget meeting
Monday night he believes the proposal is reasonable. It idenitifies
issues council needs to be aware of, according to the chief.
Many of the proposed increases involve equipment repairs and
maintenance. The fire department is also considering an expansion
of its training program and is negotiating with Kemptville College
to use its facility. Lawrence said the 25 members of the department
have received basic training. "We want to go beyond that,"
he said.
The status of the town's aerial ladder truck was also discussed
as part of the department's budget presentation. Lawrence said
the 1967 truck is not dependable and is no longer recognized
for insurance purposes. The chief said he does not know if the
town needs to replace the aerial truck; that decision should
be made in consultation with insurance underwriters, according
to the chief.
A new aerial truck would cost at least half a million dollars.
A used model may cost half that and last about 10 years, Lawrence
indicated.
The Brockville department has an aerial truck. Some town officials
noted having access to that unit may be sufficient to deal with
the small number of fires involving taller buildings.
On the revenue side of the ledger, some councillors noted
they would like to consider an increase in the amount the Prescott
department charges Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal when town
firefighters respond to calls in the adjacent municipalities.
Prescott received $9,975 from Augusta and $8,500 from Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
in 2001.
As part of a mutual aid arrangement, the Prescott department
is the first response unit for calls originating in a defined
area near the town. Town officials expressed concern Monday that
Prescott firefighters respond to those calls but are eventually
advised to stand down because the township department arrives
and takes over at the scene. The town does not receive payment
for stand-down calls, it was noted.
Lawrence said the town is losing a potential revenue source
by planning to get rid of dispatch service at the police and
fire station. As part of the proposed move to Ontario Provincial
Police service, the town would contract out fire dispatch service.
The Brockville fire dispatch service has been identified by Lawrence
as the best option available if the town proceeds with its police
proposal.
"If we'd have kept dispatch, there was a way to make
money hand over fist," the chief said of the potential revenue
generated from dealing with alarm calls and providing other dispatch
services.
The proposed cost of obtaining dispatch service from Brockville
is $2.43 per resident per year.
In noting concerns about the state of the existing fire hall
at the corner of Henry and Centre streets, Councillor Garry Dewar
said the department should consider planning for a new building.
The existing location is a small facility in a poor location,
according to Dewar.
Chief Lawrence said if he had a choice he would prefer to
have the fire hall in the north end of town, perhaps in the industrial
area. Easier access to Highway 401, better parking for firefighters
and less congestion were cited as advantages to a different location.
As for the town's budget deliberations, council is reviewing
proposals by all departments including fire to find savings to
offset a projected budget deficit.
Improvements to building included in Augusta
public library budget
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD - Augusta Township council is being asked to consider
the value of the public library as 2002 budget deliberations
continue.
As part of a budget review meeting last Thursday, council
discussed the public library board's request for $2,000 in extra
funding for repairs to the exterior of the facility located in
Algonquin.
Councillor Jane Fullarton, who is also a representative on
the library board, requested $57,000, up from $55,000 in previous
years.
She noted the plywood board and batten used to side the library
about six years ago is of inferior quality and was installed
poorly. The siding and the stain has deteriorated badly, and
moisture seeping behind the boards is rotting the insulation,
she said. "That was not the appropriate material to use
on the exterior."
The total cost of the project could be about $6,000, Fullarton
explained, but added library board members are committed to fundraising
for the remainder of the cost. The board has in the past also
experienced problems with the electrical, heating, air conditioning
and alarm systems at the library.
It is also essential the heritage flavour of the library is
preserved with the choice of new siding, Fullarton said. A portion
of the library is situated in a stone school house built in 1833,
which was the oldest school in continuous use in Ontario when
is closed in 1962.
"The library is a wonderful asset and it needs to be
protected," Fullarton said.
Councillor Bill Buckler also stressed the importance of maintaining
the library now before the problem becomes more serious, resulting
in a greater expenditure later.
Barton agreed. "I would hate five years down the road
for us to be in the same situation as one of our neighbours;
that we need major work done because we didn't do yearly maintenance,
and then not have the money to do it and be in a very precarious
position."
No decisions were made on the library funding.
Legion to mark 75th anniversary
PRESCOTT - The 75th anniversary of Branch 97 of the Royal
Canadian Legion will be celebrated this Saturday, May 4 at the
Legion Hall on Henry Street.
A social hour begins at 6 pm. Dinner will be served at 7 pm,
followed by presentations and other activities.
Some tickets were still available as of earlier this week;
they can be purchased at the bar.
The charter of the Fort Wellington branch was granted May
2, 1927.
Friends of Windmill Point prepare for upcoming
season
EDWARDSBURGH - The Friends of Windmill Point are preparing
for another tourist season.
The non-profit group, in conjunction with Parks Canada, operates
the Battle of the Windmill site east of Prescott. The national
heritage site was the scene of an 1838 invasion by a group of
Americans; British and Canadian soldiers won the battle, but
not before dozens of fighters on both sides were killed or injured.
Rene Schoemaker of the Friends group said new members are
welcome. In addition to helping with a new walking trail at the
site as well as maintenance, volunteers are needed to greet visitors.
The group meets once a month. There are also sub-committee
meetings.
For more information about the group, call Schoemaker at 925-4826.
The site will open for the season during the Victoria Day
weekend. It will be open weekends in May, Wednesday through Sunday
in June, daily in July and August, and on weekends in September.
Guns Across the River, the story of the Windmill battle,
was published last year by the Friends group. Only about 180
of the 2,200 books printed had yet to be sold as of last week,
according to Schoemaker.
Future of play structure to be discussed at public meeting
in Johnstown
JOHNSTOWN - The future of the playground structure at South
Edwardsburg Public School will be discussed next week at a community
meeting.
Students were advised after the March Break to stay off the
structure after an assessment by the Upper Canada District School
Board noted a number of deficiencies. Principal Harold Hess said
the structure "...is not going to tip over," but improvements
are required based on new standards now in place.
The playground is accessible to the public after school hours.
Members of the community are also being advised to stay off the
structure; warning signs have been placed on the unit.
Hess noted a snow fence was placed around the structure, but
youngsters climber over it when the school was closed.
The estimated cost of improvements to bring the structure
up to standards is about $9,000 plus GST, according to Hess.
The school council at South Edwardsburg is working with the board
to deal with the situation. The council is scheduled to meet
tonight at 6:30.
A public meeting to discuss the status of the playground equipment
and possible fundraising efforts is being planned for Wednesday,
May 8 at 7:30 pm in the school gym. Hess said he would like to
see the community take part in a solution to the problem, noting
the community has been supportive in the past.
"We want to make the school a focal point," Hess
remarked.
The large play structure was erected about 10 years ago, according
to Hess.
OPP NEWS
Local woman sustains serious injuries in rollover on Pittston
Road
EDWARDSBURGH - A woman sustained serious injuries in a single-vehicle
accident Sunday afternoon on Pittston Road. The 47-year-old driver
lost control of her vehicle on a curve; the car entered a ditch
and rolled over. The woman was transported to Brockville General
Hospital and then transferred to Kingston General Hospital.
She was released from hospital earlier this week, according
to Grenville County OPP Community Services Officer, Constable
Holly Howard. Police did not release the name of the driver.
Senior Constable McConnell is the investigating officer.
Car swerves to avoid debris and rolls in median of Highway
401
EDWARDSBURGH - Two people sustained minor injuries Sunday
afternoon when their vehicle rolled in the median of Highway
401 at the Highway 416 overpass.
Grenville County OPP report the westbound vehicle went out
of control when the driver swerved to avoid debris on the road.
A man and woman in their 50s from Niagara Falls were transported
to Brockville General Hospital.
Weather conditions a factor in most traffic accidents Sunday
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Most of the motor vehicle accidents investigated
by Grenville County OPP in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and Augusta
last week occurred on the same day.
Twenty-three of 29 accidents happened Sunday, April 28; snow
and mixed precipitation affected road conditions that day.
Seat belt campaign leads to more charges being laid
GRENVILLE COUNTY - Several seat belt checks conducted by Grenville
County OPP produced six seat belt-related charges and five speeding
charges. Almost 300 vehicles were checked; several warnings were
issued.
The annual spring seat belt campaign ended earlier this week.
Driver charged with having open liquor in car and speeding
EDWARDSBURGH - A northbound Honda Prelude was stopped by Constable
Bennett-Ferland April 27 at about 1:50 am on Highway 416.
Mathusoothanan Anantharajah, 25, was served a summons for
speeding (185 kilometres per hour in a 100-km zone) and charged
with having open liquor in a vehicle.
Buy carnations and help fight multiple sclerosis
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis
Society of Canada will be selling bouquets of carnations May
9, 10 and 11 at a number of locations in the area.
Carnations will be sold at all three banks in Prescott and
at Valu-mart and Giant Tiger. Flowers will also be available
in Cardinal at the post office, Village Square Mall and 730 Truck
Stop, and in Spencerville at the Royal Bank. The captain of carnation
sales in Prescott and Spencerville is Dorothy Loker (925-3888);
the Cardinal captain is Betty Byers (657-4643).
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling disease of the central
nervous system that is usually diagnosed in people between the
ages of 20 and 40. The cause and cure of MS remain unknown; Canada
has one of the highest MS rates in the world. The Leeds Grenville
chapter, which has more than 150 clients, is seeking volunteers
to serve in a variety of ways. For more information, call the
MS office in Brockville at 342-6396.
Big sale at Legion
PRESCOTT - Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion will host
a trash, treasure, arts, crafts and bake sale Saturday, May 11
from 10 am to 4 pm at the Legion Hall on Henry Street.
Antiques and stamp collections will also be available at the
sale. To book a display table, call 925-2165.
Air Cadets will take part in clean-up
PRESCOTT - Local Air Cadets will be pitching in this weekend
at three sites in Prescott.
Members and staff of 661 Lt. W.F. Sharpe Squadron will take
part in a clean-up of the Legion property on Henry Street. Branch
97 of the Royal Canadian Legion is the squadron's sponsor.
Air Cadets will also do some excavation work at the Presbyterian
church and, for the third year in a row, pick up garbage on the
grounds of Fort Wellington as the fort prepares for the coming
tourist season.
Cadets will learn more about conservation, pollution control
and the environment as they pitch in Saturday, according to a
squadron news release. More than 62,000 Air, Army and Sea cadets
at 1,100 units in Canada will help clean up the environment this
spring.
Annual march set for Saturday
BROCKVILLE - The ninth annual march to raise money for the
local branch of the Ontario March of Dimes will take place this
Saturday, May 4 in Brockville.
Participants in the five-kilometre walk collect pledges; the
march will begin Saturday morning at the armoury on King Street
at East Avenue. The Brockville Rifles and the Lions Steel Drum
Band will be among the groups and individuals taking part in
the walk. A hot dog cookout will be held from 10:30 am to 1:30
pm at the armoury.
Proceeds from the events will be used for services and programs
for adults with physical disabilities. This year's goal is to
raise $5,000 from the march. For more information, call 342-2755.
United Empire Loyalists gather at annual meeting
Submitted by Fraser Carr
ADDISON - The Colonel Edward Jessup Branch of the United Empire
Loyalist Association of Canada held its annual meeting April
20 at Addison United Church.
Fifty-seven people enjoyed a lovely meal prepared by the ladies
of the church.
A record 16 persons had received their UE certificates since
our last meeting. A certificate denotes the person named on it
has satisfactorily proven he or she is descended from an original
Loyalist settler who came to Canada following the American Revolution.
The guest speakers were Angela and Peter Johnston. Peter is
editor of The Loyalist Gazette, which is the national
magazine of the association. Angela is a past-president of the
Toronto branch of the association.
They spoke on some of the military regiments active during
the American Revolution that supported George III of England.
Peter was attired in full uniform of the Kings Royal Yorkers
and armed with a musket, sword and fife.
He outlined the regimental family tree and gave suggestions
as to how to research more effectively.
We found out, among other things, what "caught knapping"
means (repairing the flint).
There are many in our area with Loyalist roots. The branch
is more than anxious to help others in researching their family
tree, especially if they have a loyalist ancestor.
TVO program searching for best main street
TORONTO - A TVO public affairs program is accepting submissions
in its search for the best main street in Ontario.
The Studio 2 contest applies to communities of all sizes in
the province.
The show is asking for submissions of 250 words and four or
five pictures outlining why the main street is a great place
to visit or set up a business.
Information about the street's history and landmarks should
also be included.
The grand prize is a feature documentary on the winning main
street to air on Studio 2 in early June.
The deadline for entries is May 15. Entries can be mailed
to Ontario Main Street Contest, Box 200, Station Q, Toronto ON,
M4T 2T1 or e-mailed to mainstreet@tvo.org. Jpeg images should
be attached to e-mail submissions.
For more information on the contest, visit www.tvo.org/studio2.
Lawyers seek more legal aid funding
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - A motion passed at a joint meeting of
the Rideau St. Lawrence Criminal Lawyers Association and the
Leeds & Grenville Law Association calls on all lawyers in
the united counties to no longer accept new legal aid certificates
as of May 1.
The motion approved at the April 25 meeting held in Brockville
also calls on local lawyers to withdraw from serving as duty
counsel except in matters involving persons in custody for guilty
pleas or bail hearings, or in emergency family law cases.
The motion was adopted in an effort to call attention to what
the membership feels is the seriously inadequate funding of the
legal aid system, according to a news release.
Under the current system, lawyers acting as duty counsel are
paid $57 per hour; lawyers accepting legal aid certificates receive
between $67 and $83 per hour.
Progress being made in fight against cystic
fibrosis
GRENVILLE - The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has announced
May as a special month to create awareness of the disease that
affects thousands of people in Canada.
Few Canadians know what cystic fibrosis is or who it affects,
a press release states. It is estimated one in every 25 Canadian
carries the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis and one in every
2,500 children born in Canada has the disease. It affects more
than 3,000 children and young adults across the country.
Cystic fibrosis infects the lungs and the digestive system,
with symptoms including salty-tasting skin, persistent coughing,
wheezing or pneumonia and poor weight gain, despite a normal
or large appetite.
Ultramar gets ready for public open house
MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton
Members of Augusta Township council and Augusta Fire Chief
Lorne Dougherty toured the Ultramar site April 25. The facility
is fully operational with shipments for most products being received
from Ultramar's refinery in Quebec via CN's 68-car unit train.
Since acquiring the Maitland Terminal, Ultramar has removed
contaminated soil and totally rebuilt the tank farm, installing
new containment dikes, a new tank truck loading rack, noise barriers
and unit train unloading facilities. The $25-million project
also includes renovated offices with meeting room, manager's
office, trucker log-in, training and observation area and a large
warehouse.
Two buildings located in front of the tank farm house firefighting
equipment. The building to the north of the site, behind the
office building, holds the water pumping equipment and a diesel
generator so that water can be pumped even if there is a power
failure. The large tank closest to this building holds 720,000
U.S. gallons of water which would be used to fight fire. The
smaller building behind the loading rack has equipment for activating
chemical foam for firefighting.
Work currently under way includes sand blasting and painting
tanks in the tank farm. Landscaping is expected to be concluded
by June 30. Ultramar will have an open house and community tour
of the facility in September after all work has been completed.
The Augusta public library has hired Angela Knights as its
new head librarian. Knights currently works at the Edwardsburgh
library and also brings years of experience working in elementary
and secondary school libraries. Knights begins her duties at
the library May 6.
The Maitland Seniors' Luncheon, sponsored by VON Community
Support Program, will be held May 8 at the MERC Hall in Maitland.
The menu will include ham and scalloped potatoes and entertainment
will be provided by a choral group from the Bethel Christian
Reformed Church in Brockville. Call 342-3693 to confirm your
attendance.
Grenville Christian College will be hosting a "Spring
in the Park" fashion show as part of its Kids Helping Kids
program. The fashion show will take place on Mother's Day, Sunday,
May 12 at 2 pm. Tickets will go on sale May 1 at the reception
desk at GCC. They will also be available at the door. All proceeds
will go to CHEO.
College graduates to get alumni cards
SOUTH GRENVILLE - St. Lawrence College graduates will be getting
a letter from their alma mater.
The college, which has campuses in Brockville, Cornwall and
Kingston, is distributing nearly 30,000 personalized alumni cards
by mail.
In addition to issuing cards, the college's alumni office
offers graduates group discounts, branch activities and a free
subscription to the St. Lawrence Voyageur alumni magazine.
Alumni are being asked to submit to the college current contact
and employment information as part of an effort to update an
alumni database.
Graduates who do not receive an alumni card may contact the
St. Lawrence alumni office at 345-0660, extension 1617.
Bridge at night starts tonight
WALKER HOUSE NEWS - By Marnie Lippiatt
We are starting night bridge tonight (Wednesday, May 1) at
7 pm. We will meet each Wednesday evening during the summer.
Plan to join us when you can.
The Tuesday morning social has been cancelled. In its place,
we are having the "lunch-bunch" Wednesdays at 11:30
am. Bring your own brown-bag lunch; tea and coffee will be provided.
Share an hour of good conversation, a break from work or your
own kitchen.
The executive are reminded of their board meeting this Thursday,
May 2 at 10 am.
We still have openings for scrapbooking on the evening of
Monday, May 6. Please call 925-5300 for information.
Card game winners: Monday bridge 1st, Sam Covey; 2nd,
Andy Britnell; door prize, Margaret Nesbitt. Tuesday night cribbage
high hand, Hugh Evely and Gladys Somerville; high score,
Gladys Somerville; 2nd, Hugh Evely; 3rd, Jean Annable. Thursday
night euchre 1st, Pete Lowry; 2nd, Hilda Hutton and Mary
Reynolds; 3rd, Jean McCrady and Jeannine Marion; door prize,
Bea Hemsley.
Wine tasting and social event this Friday
to assist Cardinal bloom program
CARDINAL - Wine from Pelee Island will be featured at a special
wine tasting party, to be held this Friday, May 3 at the Cardinal
Legion hall.
The social event will help raise money and awareness for the
annual Cardinal in Bloom program.
Many door prizes will be available to be won, and a draw will
be held for a night at Pelee Island's VIP suite as well as a
tour of the winery.
Tickets are available in advance at General Dollar in Cardinal,
or can be purchased at the door.
The event begins at 7 pm. For more information, call 657-4507
or 657-1484.
Crime Stoppers and Grenville County OPP seek help in solving
Augusta break-in
AUGUSTA - Crime Stoppers Kingston/1000 Islands and the Grenville
and Leeds detachments of the Ontario Provincial Police are seeking
the public's assistance in solving the theft of items from a
home in the Township of Augusta.
Sometime between 8 am and 3:45 pm March 28, someone pried
open the back door of a residence on Second Concession west of
Maitland Drive.
The thief quickly disconnected the tower of the family's Dell
computer.
The thief left behind the peripherals, but took a Bell ExpressVu
satellite card.
Police believe a white Volvo station wagon may have been involved.
Anyone with information about this break-in is asked to call
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
A caller does not have to give his or her name, and the information
provided could make the caller eligible for a cash reward.
Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display or any other
form of caller identification.
Union applauds test decision
KEMPTVILLE - A recent decision by the provincial government
not to proceed with an entry test for new teachers is a sign
things may be changing, according to the district president of
the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF).
Greg McGillis stated in a news release last week the decision
to cancel the test averted a disaster that would have made worse
a shortage of teachers and would have kept some good teachers
from the profession.
The OSSTF and other teacher unions have been critical of the
Conservative government for its education policy the past six-and-a-half
years and lobbied the government to scrub entrance tests. McGillis
indicated the company that created the test had noted it was
not mean as a requirement of entry to the profession in Ontario.
"I think that the whole thing should never have been
an issue," he stated. "But this government for once
has averted a crisis and that's not their record up till now."
OSSTF represents teachers at South Grenville District High
School.
Musicians will shine at "Galaxy of Stars"
fundraiser for local VON branch
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - A variety of musical acts for people
of all ages will be presented at the "Galaxy of Stars"
fundraiser for the local branch of the VON.
The concert is set for Saturday, May 11 at 7 pm at the Brockville
Arts Centre.
Scheduled to perform at the fundraiser are the Andrews Family
known for its unique playing of old-time fiddle, Celtic and bluegrass
music; Tom Wilson and His Western All-stars, the oldest established
country band in the area; the Rideau Mellowdears, a male chorus
of more than 20 voices; and Rival Currants, a teenage band that
won last year's Colonel Bill Watson Memorial Cup at the Brockville
Legion's talent show.
Tickets for this event can be purchased at the Brockville
Arts Centre box office.
For more information, contact Penny White at 342-4076.
Heifer Hustlers chosen as name
By Robert Murray
The second meeting of the Grenville East 4-H Dairy Heifer
Hustlers was held April 16 at the home of Debra Brown.
The meeting was called to order and roll call was taken. It
was decided the name of the club would be the Heifer Hustlers.
The club members were then split into two groups. The junior
members learned about what to put in a first aid kit for livestock.
The senior members did judging. We also learned about an animal's
personal space known as the flight zone. Members also had the
opportunity to practise walking calves.
The next meeting will be held May 21 at 7 pm.
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