Moderate tax hike proposed
Prescott council considering three per cent increase
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - A moderate property tax hike is in the works as
town council nears the completion of its 2002 budget deliberations.
Proposed adjustments discussed Monday night in the latest
of a series of budget meetings include provisions for a three
per cent tax increase and the need to attain an additional $43,700
in savings or revenues to avoid imposing a larger increase.
The adjustments proposed by senior staff slashed a project
budget shortfall by more than $300,000. Although council has
yet to make a formal decision on the proposal, it appeared Monday
most of the suggestions would be accepted.
Councillor Jim French, chairman of the town's finance committee,
said the figures reviewed by council Monday would represent a
tax hike of about 4.5 per cent.
Some budget items have been decreased or deferred in an effort
to reduce the need to increase taxes. Among the more significant
adjustments being considered are transferring $50,000 in public
works wages to sewage operations and asking the joint operating
committee of counties council to reduce Prescott's share by $50,000.
Many of the adjustments are in the fire department's proposed
budget. Some council members indicated Monday they would be prepared
to approve about $140,000 for the department this year instead
of the almost $200,000 that has been requested. Town Treasurer
Laurie Kirkby noted the fire department spent about $135,000
in each of the last few years.
The proposed adjustment allows for a three per cent increase
in the honorariums paid to volunteer firefighters. Similar pay
increases have already been approved for municipal staff and
members of council.
In order to make up for lost revenue or higher costs, council
is considering a number of fee and charge increases. Everything
from dog and marriage licences and taxi fees to building permits
and sewer and water connections are being reviewed. A water rate
increase of 2.5 per cent effective July 1 has been proposed.
Additions and changes that arose during the budget meeting
will be reviewed by town staff; revised figures will be presented
at the next budget meeting set for Monday, May 27. French said
he hopes that will be council's final budget meeting of the year.
The next regular council meeting has been rescheduled; it
will take place Tuesday, May 21 at 7 pm at the Legion Hall.
Council also gave the green light Monday to prepare a tender
for the reconstruction of Churchill Road between Edward Street
and Massie Drive. Other smaller repair jobs including the
Boundary Street railway crossing may be included as options
in the tender process.
In addition to proposed dog licence fee hikes, council is
considering another door-to-door sale of dog tags. Councillor
Jo-Anne Beckstead said the town should be doing what it can to
encourage responsible pet ownership.
North Augusta site filling up too fast: deputy
reeve
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD- The life of the North Augusta landfill will be shortened
dramatically if township residents continue to use the site at
current rates.
Deputy Reeve Doug Barton made the ominous warning at Monday
night's council meeting. The site is filling rapidly, and may
not last the expected six or seven years the township had counted
on when it decided more than a year ago to convert the Maynard
site to a transfer station, he said.
The North Augusta site was designed to hold about 30 per cent
of the township's waste. Once the conversion took place last
fall, township residents were asked to cart all household garbage
to Maynard where it would be compacted and trucked away. North
Augusta was to be generally reserved for larger items, such as
shingles, building materials or furniture, Barton said.
The original expectation had been the North Augusta site would
last until the United Counties ED-19 landfill site opened in
about 2004, Barton explained. However, that date has now been
pushed back to about 2014, or it may never open if the counties
do not view it as being economically feasible, he said.
Augusta Township may be left in a position where it does not
have its own landfill, and all household garbage will be trucked
away, Barton said. Residents would have to cart larger items
outside the township and pay for their disposal. "You'll
have no place to take anything. Everything you want to get rid
of will be costing you."
Barton strongly encourages residents to bring all household
garbage to Maynard and increase recycling, even though it costs
the township money. "It will extend the life of North Augusta."
Within the next three to four years, the township will need
to look at door-to-door pickup, bag tags or other options, he
said.
"The rules changed in mid-stream. If ED-19 was still
coming online in 2004, we would be sitting in pretty good shape.
But we know it's not going to (open).
"There's big dollars involved here. We do have to close
this one (Maynard). Once North Augusta's full, we're going to
have to close it. And the dollars aren't cheap to close it down."
Augusta residents reminded to take household garbage to
Maynard transfer station
Harbour Days will offer something for everyone
PRESCOTT - Harbour Days is about to set sail on another fun-filled
voyage.
The annual Victoria Day weekend festival kicks off this Saturday.
The three-day event offers a wide variety of activities for people
of all ages.
The Pilot Insurance balloon opens its 2002 summer tour at
Harbour Days. The eight-storey-high balloon will be at Fort Wellington
throughout the long weekend.
In addition to numerous events being held downtown and on
the waterfront Saturday and Sunday, many merchants will be offering
great deals.
Kids' day activities are set for Monday. Most of the action
will be on the waterfront east of the municipal dock.
See the special Harbour Days section in this week's Journal
for more details.
Schools in South Grenville spared from review
list
BROCKVILLE - Public schools in South Grenville are being spared
from a study of possible school closures, consolidations and
boundary changes.
The Upper Canada District School Board has identified the
facilities it will be reviewing because of enrolment pressure
or decline, the need for renovations and other factors.
Colin Vickers, the board's superintendent of education - planning
and operations, told The Journal no schools in South Grenville
are being reviewed as part of the formal process being initiated.
Some schools located north of Brockville and in North Grenville
are being included in the study. However, none of the nine Upper
Canada elementary schools in Augusta, Prescott or Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
is being considered for closure of consolidation at this time.
Although South Grenville is not part of this study, Superintendent
of Education Planning and Operations, Colin Vickers, noted
there are concerns about declining enrolment at schools in the
area.
"Systematically, over time, we'll look at all the schools,"
Vickers said.
Study results are to be presented to the board in October.
THIS WEEK
Office will be closed on Victoria Day
PRESCOTT The offices of The Prescott Journal
and St. Lawrence Printing will be closed Monday, May 20 for Victoria
Day.
The deadline for display and classified advertising for the
May 22 edition of The Journal is Friday, May 17 at noon.
Editorial-related items for that edition should also be submitted
no later than Friday unless other arrangements are made.
Parking fines will not be increased again
PRESCOTT Fines for parking beyond the two-hour limit
in downtown Prescott will not be changed, town council decided
Monday.
The fine for violating the existing two-hour limit is $10
if the ticket is paid within seven days. If the ticket remains
unpaid for more than seven days, the fine increases to $15.
Town Clerk/CAO Andrew Brown suggested the town scrap its permit
system for the back row of the municipal parking lot at the corner
of King and Centre streets. "We might as well open it up
to everybody," said Brown, who added nobody is buying permits.
It was noted tickets have been issued for some vehicles parked
in those spaces between 9 am and 6 pm weekdays. The same time
period applies to free parking elsewhere in the lot and other
areas formerly served by parking meters.
The meters were removed last summer for what council indicated
would be a one-year trial period. Fines were increased in conjunction
with the removal of meters.
Student employment centre opens in town
PRESCOTT The Prescott Human Resource Centre of Canada
for Students is now open for another season.
The centre, located above the post office on Centre Street,
assists businesses and youth with their summer employment needs.
In addition to job postings, the centre offers support services
for students looking for work.
Amelia Mayer is the student employment officer at the Prescott
centre.
Town to hold auction of surplus items
PRESCOTT An auction of surplus inventory owned by the
municipality will take place Wednesday, May 22 at the Leo Boivin
Community Centre.
Viewing will be from 5:30 to 7 pm, with the auction beginning
at 7 pm. Among the items that are up for grabs are tables, chairs,
desks, tires and commercial mowers.
The police department will also be auctioning off bikes, tools
and other found and recovered items.
Roebuck playground project receives Trillium windfall
ROEBUCK - The Roebuck Educational and Recreational Association
(RERA) has been approved for a $25,000 grant from the Ontario
Trillium Foundation, it was announced last Thursday.
The money will be used for new playground equipment at the
community hall and to make improvements to existing playground
structures, said Steve Polite, vice-president of the RERA board
of directors who headed the committee to apply for the funding.
The application for funding was made last fall.
"It's good news for Roebuck. We're ecstatic," Polite
said about the funding. "When people find out they're going
to be pretty impressed."
The new equipment will include a Little Tykes structure geared
for children from ages three to 10 and a four-bay set of swings
and over-head climbing devise for older children.
A twirling whirly-gig will be upgraded and reinstalled, and
an existing teeter-totter and tunnel will remain. The entire
structure will rest on a pea gravel safety surface, and will
be installed near the existing comfort station, new outdoor fountain
and picnic tables. Outdoor barbecues are also scheduled to be
installed. The plan incorporates a small soccer field with nets.
Polite expects the equipment will be delivered in mid to late
June, with installation by "the Roebuck forces" taking
place shortly thereafter. Anyone wishing to volunteer to assist
with the set up can contact Polite at 925-2122 or 658-2200.
The structure will be a great addition to the community with
its many young families, Polite said. As well, he stressed "it's
an area thing" that can be enjoyed by everyone. "Area
people are invited to come out and enjoy this park."
The Roebuck ball park is also host to an active fastball program,
Polite said. Six ball tournaments have been scheduled for this
summer, and with the accompanying park and facilities, games
can now become a family event, he said.
The funding for Roebuck was part of more than $853,000 recently
given away by the Trillium foundation in the Quinte, Kingston,
Rideau area. The foundation is an agency of the Ministry of Culture,
and receives annually $100 million in government funding generated
through Ontario's charity casino initiative.
The funds are intended to be an investment in communities
to help stimulate the economy, attract tourists, encourage volunteerism
and boost community spirit.
Recycling bins are overflowing
MAYNARD - Recycling bins continue to be a problem in Maitland.
Moira Taylor, president of the MERC Hall, wrote in a letter
to Augusta council she has received a number of complaints regarding
the state of the overflowing bins at the hall.
Many people who rent the hall for weddings or other occasions
use the front lawn for photographs, and the bins have become
an unsightly and unacceptable mess, Taylor said. The MERC board
has requested more bins to accommodate the overflow and a fence
be built in front of the bins to hide them from public view.
She hopes the bins will not become a problem for prospective
customers looking to rent the hall.
Deputy Reeve Doug Barton reported at the Monday council meeting
he had spoken to Public Works Superintendent Keith Couture to
suggest costs and options to make the area more attractive.
There have also been recurring problems with the recycling
depot on Cedar Street in Maitland; council has threatened the
bins' removal if residents do not take care of the site.
Augusta committee completes draft of dog bylaw
MAYNARD - An ad-hoc committee studying reforms to the township
dog control bylaw has completed its work.
Deputy Reeve Doug Barton reported at the Monday night council
meeting the committee members, some of whom are kennel owners,
have met six times for lengthy time periods and have designed
a new bylaw.
Barton suggested council review the draft and another public
meeting be held sometime in June. Kennel permits that were extended
to June 30 will likely be given another extension, he said.
A public meeting on the subject was held last November. The
draft bylaw deals with the regulation, control, protection and
identification of dogs in the township.
The draft updates fee and licensing requirements, addresses
the operation of kennels and defines nuisance and aggressive
dogs.
Award-winning Fort Wellington opens its 2002 visitor season
this weekend
PRESCOTT - Fort Wellington opens its doors for the 2002 summer
visitor season this Saturday.
The national historic site will be open daily from 10 am to
5 pm. Guides dressed in period costume interpret what life was
like in the 1840s.
The official opening of the season will take place this Sunday,
May 19. Admission will be free, and there will be special activities
throughout the day. The Union Jack will be raised at 10 am as
a rifleman from the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment salutes and
fires a rifle off the ramparts.
The smell of nineteenth century cooking will be in the air
as several settlers dressed in period costume demonstrate period
trades, including woodworking and blacksmithing. Children's activities
will be offered in the blockhouse all day; a children's mock
battle is planned for 2 pm. Fiddler Andrea Kidd will play songs
from days gone by as she strolls around the fort.
The fort will also host a number of special events this season.
A blacksmith will be on site Sunday, June 2 during the Doors
Open Ontario program. Guided tours will be offered that day from
11 am to 1 pm; admission will be free.
Bagpipers and dancers will perform on the fort field at the
annual Highland Fling set for Saturday, June 15.
One of the special activities planned for Canada Day is the
announcing of the "Name the Trail" contest. The public
is being invited to submit suggestions for the name of the riverfront
millennium pathway. Fort officials have announced trail expansion
plans which include an arboretum and gardens.
The popular "Shadows of the Fort" will return Thursday,
July 18. The theatrical program is a guided walk through the
fort at dusk. Two shows will be presented each Thursday night
until Aug 15. Most of last season's shows were sold out; tickets
should be reserved in advance to avoid disappointment.
Two sessions of the fort's Heritage Day Camp are set for late
July and early August. The five-day camp sessions offer children
a trip back in time to discover life in the 1840s. Youngsters
come to camp dressed in period costume for this fun and educational
camp.
As part of a "Thank you Canada tour," a group of
more than 60 Belgians touring Canada to thank Second World War
veterans for liberating Belgium will visit Prescott and the fort
Thursday, August 1. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97 will host
the visit. Vehicles will be displayed on the fort field that
afternoon; a ceremony is being planned for late in the afternoon
at the cenotaph.
The fort field will also be the place to be Sunday, August
11 when a new event, "The Military Showcase," is presented.
Several re-enactment groups will perform that afternoon as Prescott
goes back in time to the 1600s and 1800s.
For more information, call 925-2896.
Fort Wellington, which is operated by Parks Canada, is the
Ontario winner of the Attractions Canada award for the site of
national or international interest. The fort will compete later
this month in the Attractions Canada 2002 national awards.
Blood donor clinic returns
PRESCOTT - Residents of South Grenville will get a chance
later this month to roll up their sleeves and give the gift of
life.
A blood donor clinic will take place Wednesday, May 29 at
South Grenville District High School.
Canadian Blood Services (CBS) will conduct the clinic from
2 to 8 pm. The Prescott clinic is being sponsored by the Grenville
Fish and Game Club, Prescott Kinsmen Club and the high school.
To book an appointment or for more information, call 1-888-2DONATE.
Gas bar hit by early-morning break-in
PRESCOTT - A significant amount of damage was caused during
a break-in early Sunday morning at a business on King Street
East, according to the Prescott Police Service.
A member of the public contacted police after observing a
man breaking a window at Mr. Gas. The suspect fled the scene
and was observed leaving the scene in a pick-up truck being driven
by another man. The suspect is described as being approximately
six feet in height, having a slim build and wearing dark clothing.
Although substantial damage to the building and alarm system
was reported, nothing was taken from the premises.
In other Prescott police news, officers investigated 46 incidents
and one motor vehicle accident between May 5 and May 12.
On May 12, police received a report of damage to several areas
of the course at the Prescott Golf Club. Greens, flags and signs
were damaged. The damage was estimated at between $1,000 and
$1,500.
Anyone with information about this incident or any other criminal
activity in town is asked to call the Prescott Police Service
at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Town police will have a booth this Saturday at the downtown
sidewalk sale. Seat belt use and bicycle safety will be promoted
at the booth. The public is invited to visit the booth and meet
the officers who will be on hand to answer questions.
Health care talk will be served
PRESCOTT - The next breakfast meeting of the Seaway Men's
Ecumenical Club will take place this Saturday, May 18 at 8 am
at St. Paul's United Church.
Following the all-you-can-eat breakfast, guest speaker John
McCrea will talk about the future of health care.
Tickets will be sold at the door. All are welcome to attend.
Learning to live with multiple sclerosis
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
CARDINAL - Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) a
year ago enabled Marianne MacDonald to finally put a name to
the often debilitating symptoms she had endured for 18 years.
The Cardinal resident is relieved now that she knows she has
something real, but it doesn't put an end to the pain.
"Putting a name on it helps," MacDonald says. She
was shocked by the diagnosis, but "I was relieved finally
to be able to know what it was, and then I could start fighting
it."
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of
the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild such as numbness
in the limbs or severe paralysis or loss of vision.
Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and
40 but the unpredictable physical and emotional effects can be
life-long. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS
in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research
and treatment are giving hope to those affected by the disease.
At times, prior to diagnosis, depression had become a problem
because MacDonald knew there was something wrong with her; she
just didn't know what it was and couldn't get across to anybody
how badly she felt.
MacDonald had experienced drop foot, vision problems, vertigo,
fatigue and falls - all of which she now knows are symptoms of
MS. At one point, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic
fatigue syndrome, because some symptoms are similar, she noted.
"For some reason we just didn't put two and two together."
Sometimes, MacDonald just couldn't go on. She was flat on
her back in bed. Her husband had to move her arms and legs, and
a home-care service came in to help.
Moving residences frequently and not being able to develop
a relationship with a doctor who could follow her symptoms over
a period of time didn't help. She was also afraid of the outcome:
with two young children, she wasn't sure she wanted to know all
those years ago.
"I had a young family and I kept pushing and pushing,"
said MacDonald, who turned 51 this past Mother's Day. "You
think you can do it all. You can work all day and be on PTA and
teach Sunday school and overcome everything.
"Moms, especially, have a tendency to push ourselves
over the point where we should. We don't want to get help for
fear it slows us down, and we have to give up part of our motherhood."
MacDonald has flairs of pain occasionally, where she experiences
feelings of pins and needles in her foot, and the side of her
tongue is numb. She is sensitive to cool and windy temperatures
that causes a pain so severe it feels like a shotgun has been
blasted off in her face. "All you can do is sit and hold
your face and hope it goes away. You can't think of anything
but this pain."
Memory problems are also frustrating. Spasms can cause her
to suddenly strike out or thrown things. Not being able to contribute
to the family income is stressful. Hot water from baths or showers
can worsen symptoms. "You never know what's lurking in the
shadows and when it can pop out and get you. You never know when
an attack is coming."
She gets around the house holding on to walls or chairs, and
for any distance, uses a motorized scooter. Public places that
are not wheelchair accessible are a barrier to her freedom and
mobility. "You should be able to get in and go wherever
you want to go. It's gotten to a point where I'll only go to
places that make it accessible for me.
Still, MacDonald knows she has to keep going. "All I
think about is today and where I'm at. I don't worry about what
I did yesterday because I can't do anything about it, and I may
not be here for tomorrow.
"So I'm not different from anyone else. I just take the
one day at a time and live it."
MacDonald credits her family support for being able to live
with her challenges. Her husband David, who owns Mad Macs in
Cardinal, and her children Kaillee, 19, and Jordie, 23, have
been understanding, loving and supportive, she said. "They
(her children) have both grown up knowing I've had disabilities
and I think because of that they're probably gentler, kinder
adults."
The Leeds-Grenville Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society
of Canada held its annual carnation campaign last weekend to
raise money for research and client services. The local MS Society
supports more than 20 people in the Prescott, Cardinal and Spencerville
areas, and 150 across the two counties. Member services include
nurse home visits, education and providing assistive devices,
such as walkers.
The 5th Supercities Walk May 26 in Brockville hopes to raise
$35,000 for the chapter. Fruit cakes and cookies are sold in
the fall.
MacDonald sits on boards for the MS Society, Education for
Quality Accessibility and the Ontario Disability Support Program.
The chapter needs volunteers to sit on the board or to assist
with social activities, visiting clients or fundraising. Contact
the MS office at 342-6396 or 1-800-233-0811.
Not only do the symptoms of MS vary from one person to another,
but from day to day for any given individual. Symptoms include
fatigue, tingling, numbness, painful sensations, blurred or double
vision, muscle weakness, impaired balance, spasticity, tremor,
changes in bladder, bowel, and sexual function, cognitive changes
such as forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating, speech and
swallowing problems, and mood swings.
The cause of MS and the cure are still unknown. Canada has
one of the highest rates of MS in the world.
"Putting a name on it helps."
Marianne MacDonald
Regional unemployment rate falls to 8.9 per
cent
KINGSTON The regional unemployment rate decreased slightly
in April, according to figures released Friday by Human Resources
Development Canada (HRDC).
The jobless rate for the region which includes South Grenville
was 8.9 per cent last month. The unemployment rate in March was
9.2 per cent.
The utilities sector reported an employment increase in April,
a HRDC release states. More people were also working in the service-producing
sector. Construction and manufacturing were the primary components
of an employment decrease in the goods-producing sector.
The regional unemployment rate in April 2001 was 7.4 per cent.
A significant decrease in employment insurance (EI) claimants
was reported throughout the region last month, according to HRDC.
The biggest reduction occurred at the Prescott HRDC office
where there were 1,068 EI claimants on the books at the end of
April, a decrease of 19 per cent from the March figure of 1,318.
The average reduction in EI claims in the region last month was
10.5 per cent.
HRDC notes the unemployment rate is not determined by the
number of EI claimants.
OPP NEWS
Police lay charges in break and enter cases
GRENVILLE COUNTY - A Prescott man faces numerous charges in
connection with several break-ins that occurred throughout the
county between Feb. 27 and April 1.
OPP Constable E. Barr has been investigating the residential
break-ins which netted between $600 and $6,000 apiece, according
to a police news release. Among the stolen items are satellite
receiver program cards, personal computers and other electronics.
Some property has been recovered by police; however, a large
amount remains outstanding.
Richard Gordon Coville, 30, has been charged with five counts
of break, enter and commit theft and nine counts of possession
of stolen property. He also faces one count of injury to an animal.
Two dogs were traumatized during one of the break-ins; one of
the animals required veterinary care.
The accused was remanded to custody at an April 18 bail hearing
and is scheduled to appear in court May 31.
Officers respond to more than 80 calls
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Members of the Grenville County OPP detachment
responded to a total of 81 service calls between May 6 and May
12.
Forty-three of the calls originated in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal;
the others came from Augusta.
In addition to investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident
and an explosive substance occurrence, officers with the Prescott-based
detachment handled 11 other motor vehicle collision calls and
eight liquor-related offences; 23 calls were for police assistance.
The OPP communication centre number is 1-888-310-1122.
Provincial police issue more than 450 tickets
in region
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Grenville County OPP officers issued more
than 450 traffic tickets in April, according to a police news
release.
OPP officers handed out a total of 180 tickets in April to
motorists on highways 401 and 416 in Grenville County. There
were 168 speeding tickets, 10 seat belt offences, one liquor
offence and a ticket for failing to produce a valid insurance
card.
An additional 127 tickets were issued last month in the Township
of Augusta, according to the OPP. Ninety-one of those tickets
were for speeding.
The April total for Edwardsburgh/Cardinal was considerably
lower. Of the 23 tickets issued, 12 were for speeding and 10
for seat belt violations.
The Grenville County detachment serves the townships of Augusta,
Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal, North Grenville and Merrickville-Wolford.
The detachment is based in Prescott; a satellite office is located
in Kemptville.
The detachment's traffic management officer is Senior Constable
Gerry Ozon.
Teacher recognized for work on space station
link
BROCKVILLE - A former Prescott resident has received a Teaching
Innovation Award from the Upper Canada District School Board.
Neil Carleton, a teacher at R. Tait McKenzie Public School
in Almonte, organized a live conversation between students and
an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. Using amateur
radio, one student from each grade level spoke directly to an
astronaut Nov. 23.
Carleton also wrote and passed his amateur radio exam to prepare
for the event. The Almonte school was only the second school
in Canada to receive this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Carleton
was one of three teachers who received the annual award from
the board at its May 8 meeting.
Playhouse tickets available for charity fundraising
MORRISBURG - Upper Canada Playhouse is inviting charitable
organizations to take advantage of the playhouse's annual fundraising
event.
Two matinee performances of Weekend Comedy set for Aug. 3
and Aug. 10 will be donated to non-profit groups in the area.
Each organization will receive approximately 20 tickets they
can sell; 100 per cent of ticket sales will be retained by those
groups.
"It's a great way for the playhouse to give back to the
community that supports us," stated Donnie Bowes, the playhouse's
artistic director.
The playhouse has more than 30 sponsors, some of which are
located in South Grenville.
Organizations interested in the playhouse's charity event
are asked to send a fax to (613) 543-4388; in return, an information/application
form will be returned by fax.
Tickets will be distributed to qualified groups on a first-come
basis.
Today is Camp Day at Tim Hortons
PRESCOTT - The annual Tim Hortons Camp Day began this morning.
Proceeds from coffee sales today will be donated to the Tim
Horton Children's Foundation.
Four million dollars was raised chain-wide during last year's
Camp Day.
Almost 9,000 children between the ages of nine and 12 are
expected to attend a foundation camp this year.
The foundation operates five camps in Canada and the United
States.
Township budget meeting May 23
MAYNARD - The next meeting to discuss Augusta Township's 2002
budget will be held Thursday, May 23 at 7:30 pm.
Councillor Jane Fullarton, who is also chair of the personnel
and finance committee, reported Monday she expected council would
finalize the budget at that time.
The meeting will be held at the Maynard municipal office.
"Galaxy of Stars" out of this world
BROCKVILLE - The local branch of the VON expects $5,000 was
raised at its "Galaxy of Stars" fundraiser held last
Saturday at the Brockville Arts Centre. Four hundred people attended
the event which featured performances by several local groups.
Services provided by the branch include Meals on Wheels, Diners'
Club, essential transportation, friendly visiting, telephone
reassurance and foot care clinics.
Early detection of speech and hearing disorder is important:
health officials
SOUTH GRENVILLE - May is Better Speech and Hearing Month,
and health officials want the public to hear about the one in
ten Canadians who have a communication disorder.
A communication disorder is a persistent difficulty in the
understanding or use of spoken or written language. Early detection
of such disorders is essential.
The Language Express Preschool Speech System in Lanark, Leeds
and Grenville (a program involving the district health unit)
receives many calls from parents concerned about their child's
ability to make speech sounds correctly. Many parents find themselves
in this situation.
There can be a number of reasons for speech sound difficulties,
according to a news release. A child may have fluid in the middle
ear, a condition that occurs during colds or if the child has
allergies. Fluid slows and distorts sound waves entering the
brain. It sounds like being under water and listening to someone
talk above the water. It is difficult to make the sound if that
sound cannot be heard clearly.
Some children have difficulty planning how to make mouth muscles
move to make sounds; this is called verbal apraxia. Others may
have weak muscles or have yet to learn the importance of using
a specific sound in their speech. A registered speech-language
pathologist can identify the reasons for a child's speech production
difficulty.
For more information, call 1-888-503-8885 or visit the ages
and stages section of the Language Express Web site at www.language-express.ca.
Monster yard sale to be held at St. Paul's
PRESCOTT - A monster yard sale will be held Saturday, May
25 at 8 am at St. Paul's United Church.
The public can rent tables to sell their own wares. There
will be no charge for table rentals if proceeds are donated to
the church.
There will also be a concession stand and baked goods table.
Items should be brought in Friday, May 24 from 9 am to 5 pm.
For more information, call Charlie Bowers at 657-4410, Matt
Hayes at 925-4091, Mac Peterson at 925-4545 or Carl Robinson
at 925-5720.
Talent show winners announced
BROCKVILLE-The winners of the Col. Bill Watson Memorial Talent
Contest held earlier this month at the Brockville Legion were
as follows:
7 to 12 years: 1st, Laura Hess; 2nd, Brenda Seffings; 3rd,
Andrew Killick.
13 to 18 years: 1st, Michelle Arthurs; 2nd, Marcie Venema;
3rd, Miranda Kenney.
19 years and up: 1st, Carla Vanderhelms; 2nd, Cory Coons;
3rd, Julie Vanston.
Bands (ages 10 to 25): 1st, Rival Current Band; 2nd, Milord
Band; 3rd, Figure 2-4 Band.
DuPont Canada is among the sponsors of the annual regional
talent show.
Alzheimer Society to conduct annual general
meeting May 27
BROCKVILLE - The Alzheimer Society of Leeds-Grenville will
host its annual general meeting Monday, May 27 from 5 to 6:30
pm at St. John Bosco Parish Centre, 175 Windsor Drive.
The meeting will be followed at 7 pm by a public meeting and
volunteer recognition which will include fun, games and laughter
with special guest and "jollytologist" Patrick (Pat)
McAlpine.
Seating will be limited; to RSVP for the AGM or public meeting,
call 345-7392 by May 17.
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