Prescott project receives major federal funding
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT A home-grown beautification project is receiving
significant seed funding from the federal government.
Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan has announced $147,000 in Human
Resources Development Canada (HRDC) funding for the "Prescott
Blossoms" project.
Twelve people between the ages of 15 and 30 will be hired
as part of the HRDC Youth at Risk program. They will assist with
the implementation of proposed improvements to the waterfront
area south of King Street in the east end of town.
Prescott Blossoms has its roots in the millennium planning
which began four years ago.
A community-based committee spearheaded an ongoing fundraising
campaign that led to the creation of a waterfront pathway in
2000 which was recently named Prescott's Heritage River Trail.
The existing paved trail extends from New Wexford to the Sandra
S. Lawn Harbour. The pathway proposal did not receive funding
from the federal government's millennium program.
Expansion plans for the trail area were announced this spring
by Parks Canada. Among the additional features to be added are
an arboretum, naturalized gardens, benches, signs and trail links
to Fort Wellington.
Jordan said what he likes about the project is how it builds
on the millennium investment already made.
"It's a good project all around from my perspective,"
Jordan said.
The Youth at Risk program offers work experience opportunities
and skills development in partnership with the public and private
sector and non-profit groups. Program participants may not have
completed high school or high school equivalency, may have disabilities
or be heading lone-parent families, may be recent immigrants
or newcomers to Canada or be a visible minority.
Participants begin a two-week introduction to the program
this week; it is anticipated they will begin on-site work after
the August long weekend. An administrative assistant will also
be hired as part of Prescott Blossoms.
The project will not be limited to the waterfront trail expansion
at Fort Wellington, according to co-coordinator Mike Laking.
Prescott Blossoms also applies to other parks and waterfront
areas as well as the downtown core.
In addition to the HRDC funding, donations in the form of
money, goods and services continue to be received.
Laking estimates in-kind and other donations total about $184,000.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn referred to the project as a catalyst
for the community. Prescott Blossoms will enhance one of the
town's biggest assets: its waterfront area.
"All of us who live here have a tendency to take it for
granted," said the mayor, who went on to add visitors bring
home that point when they comment on the beauty of the river
and the waterfront area.
Lawn, who has been trying to convince his council colleagues
of the need for a plan to revitalize the downtown area, noted
Prescott Blossoms will hopefully carry over to main street. "The
charm of this community is still its downtown," Lawn said.
The millennium committee, with input from local horticulturalist
and garden designer Astrid Strader, submitted the trail proposal
to Parks Canada which approved the concept and provided the services
of an architectural landscape engineer/horticulturalist to come
up with a detailed plan for the waterfront trail area.
Prescott Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead and CAO/Clerk Andrew
Brown have also served on the millennium committee. Brown is
co-coordinator of the Prescott Blossoms project.
HRDC program gives boost to trail expansion and other
community improvements
"It's a good project all around..."Leeds-Grenville
MP Joe Jordan
Local co-ordinator of World Youth Day has
faith in global celebration
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT As the faith of millions of people around
the globe is reawakened and strengthened in these weeks leading
up to World Youth Day in Toronto, the co-ordinator of events
in this area remains encouraged local parishes will play a leading
role in the occasion.
Tony Jozefowicz of St. Mark's Church in Prescott is heading
a committee that for three years has been preparing for World
Youth Day. As the clock ticks to mark the arrival of Pope John
Paul II in Toronto July 23 and the greeting of hundreds of thousands
of people to join in a celebration of faith, Jozefowicz continues
to wait for confirmation up to 110 pilgrims from third-world
countries will be billeted at Prescott and area homes.
World Youth Day is the latest in a series of faith celebrations
initiated by the Pope in 1984. He has called on people of all
religions to work together to build a world without violence,
a world that loves life, and grows in justice and solidarity.
In May, Roman Catholic churches in South Grenville hosted
the arrival of the four-metre high World Youth Day cross that
began an uninterrupted pilgrimage around the world in 1984. The
cross is a sign of hope, peace and reconciliation and its journey
will lead Christians to Toronto later this month.
By Monday evening, Jozefowicz had not yet received confirmation
any pilgrims would arrive as expected in Prescott tomorrow.
A delegation of Spanish and Ghanian pilgrims has been cancelled,
but there is still hope 40 Mexican pilgrims will be billeted
locally.
As is the case nation-wide, South Grenville churches have
been caught in frustrating red tape that is preventing people
from travelling to Canada to celebrate World Youth Day.
"It's a reflection of what's going on in Canada,"
Jozefowicz said, explaining communication difficulties with third-world
countries and inabilities for pilgrims to obtain entry and exit
visas has been at the heart of problem.
One hundred ten local people had offered their homes for a
few days to give pilgrims a taste of Canadian life and culture
before beginning the journey to Toronto.
"St. Mark's had an incredibly generous response to take
in pilgrims this summer," Jozefowicz said.
But the pilgrim situation has been a roller coaster ride,
he acknowledged.
"You prepare for months and months, and that aspect appears
to have fizzled out. It's like trying to organize a train crash,"
he said of the nightmare trying to co-ordinate the billeting,
local programs, transportation and accommodation in Toronto.
The co-ordinator is not disheartened by the outcome, however.
"You try to remain flexible and react minute to minute,
but we don't let that discourage us. There have been lots of
fruits; they're just not going to be where you thought they were
going to be."
The Youth Day team is now focussing on the Toronto event,
of which a highlight is expected to be the Sunday, July 28 papal
mass at a 260-acre Downsview site.
Jozefowicz and his team has been fundraising for the event
for three years. The group has raised $12,000 to help finance
the billeting and send delegates to Toronto. Although no youths
from St. Mark's will be attending, Jozefowicz and his wife Diane,
and Wayne and Lois Boisvenue will travel to Toronto to act as
chaperones and assist other groups. Seven adults and youth from
the St. Theresa's Parish in North Augusta and St. Laurence O'Toole
Parish in Spencerville will also attend. There are no delegates
from Sacred Heart in Cardinal. Jozefowicz has also co-ordinated
a convoy of four buses leaving Kemptville July 22.
At St. Mark's Church, Father John Appelman has been an "awesome
supporter of the Holy Father and promoter of World Youth Day,"
Jozefowicz said. Although there may be no pilgrims billeted locally,
Father Appelman has encouraged parishioners to adopt pilgrims
spiritually.
Once in Toronto, the local group will billet at an elementary
school.
Jozefowicz is excited about the gathering where people of
like mind will share their faith together and the opportunity
to share the bread of life with the ailing Pope. "The Holy
Father is coming to instruct his Christian soldiers and tell
us how to fight this war" against such things as contraception,
abortion and euthanasia, he said.
"We're all called to holiness," Jozefowicz said
of his desire to attend World Youth Day despite the obvious physical
difficulties to be encountered. "If you believe in God and
believe in the message of Jesus Christ to be holy, you have to
get involved... and proclaim the good news.
"It's incredibly exciting. (The Pope) will lead from
his wheelchair. He'll show up on a stretcher if he has to. Our
father is coming to our home sick, knocking on the door..."
It is important the people open the door to welcome him, Jozefowicz
explained.
The trip to Toronto will not be for those looking for physical
comfort, Jozefowicz said. Food may be in short supply, sanitary
facilities may be lacking, and the crowds will be horrendous,
he noted. "It's going to be miserable, but when you come
together with hundreds of thousands of people who are into Jesus,
the consolation and the joy will far outweigh the aggravation
and difficulties."
Tour by choral scholars marks homecoming
SOUTH GRENVILLE Jesse Billett has made the long journey
home, and he has brought 13 of his friends along for the musical
ride.
The Prescott-area native is among a group of renowned male
singers from England that began a week-long tour of Ontario and
Quebec earlier this week.
Collegium Regale, the Choral Scholars of King's College, Cambridge,
arrived Monday. Billett's family and friends were on hand Monday
evening at a special dinner held at the Johnstown Community Centre.
The group's concert this Sunday night in the Chapel of the
Good Shepherd at Grenville Christian College (GCC) in Maitland
will have special meaning to Billett, who graduated from the
university preparatory school in 1997. He began his graduate
work at Cambridge last fall.
"I had not expected such a positive feeling," Billett
said of his return to the Prescott area.
Jesse's father, Dr. Jerome Billett, joked the real motive
for hosting the tour is Jesse's mother Janice wanted to get him
home for a week. Jerome and Janice, who practise veterinary medicine
at Prescott Animal Hospital, are also serving as tour directors.
With the exception of Jesse, none of the members of the group
had visited Canada prior to this tour. Jerome noted the young
men enjoyed the river and swimming pool activities during their
afternoon in the Prescott area.
"They (the choral scholars) are all having a very good
time," Jesse said.
The tour includes performances in Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton
and Kingston. Jerome noted the singers had just wrapped up a
gruelling schedule in England prior to heading for Canada.
Jesse noted one of the main reasons for doing the tour is
to have fun. The visit gives residents of the Prescott area a
rare opportunity to hear world-class vocal artists, Jerome said.
As for his upcoming return to GCC, Jesse said he is excited
about being back at the school and performing with the choral
scholars. He added the response from the GCC community has been
"amazing."
Jesse noted the choral scholars' concert will offer a variety
of works from classical composers as well as popular music made
famous by such artists as Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys. "We
don't just do sacred music," he remarked.
Tickets for the July 21 concert can be reserved by calling
345-5521; tickets will also be available at the door.
The choral troupe is also scheduled to perform at the Sunday
morning eucharist at the chapel.
THIS WEEK
Chamber seeks input on smoking ban
PRESCOTT Members of the Prescott and District Chamber
of Commerce who want to have their say on a proposal to ban smoking
in indoor public places are being invited to attend a meeting
this Thursday, July 18 at noon at the Legion Hall in Prescott.
The first part of the monthly chamber directors' meeting will
be devoted to a discussion on the no-smoking issue. Municipal
councils in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties are being asked
by the district health unit to enact bylaws.
The board of directors has taken a neutral position on the
subject. However, some directors have expressed their belief
businesses should maintain the right to choose.
Renovation project manager to be named
PRESCOTT The name of the successful candidate to manage
the municipal building renovation project is likely to be announced
next Monday, according to Mayor Robert Lawn.
Four companies Quad Construction, D.C. Snelling Ltd.,
Brad Hubbard Construction and H&R Contracting were
interviewed by town officials last week. Council discussed the
subject during an in-camera session that preceded the regular
meeting Monday night.
"Our deliberations are ongoing," the mayor said
when asked for an update during the media question period.
In noting he had hoped council would be a bit further ahead
on the issue, Lawn said it is anticipated there would be an announcement
July 22.
The project manager will oversee proposed renovations to the
Dibble Street municipal building. In agreeing this spring to
proceed with the project, council established a budget figure
of $800,000.
Have a swinging time at Sunday concert
PRESCOTT The Ruby Tuesday Swing Blues will perform at
the Kinsmen Outdoor Theatre on the waterfront this Sunday, July
21 at 7 pm.
Admission to the Sunday evening concerts is free; however,
donations will be accepted.
In the event of rain, the concert will take place at the Leo
Boivin Community Centre.
Town sets property tax payment dates
PRESCOTT Property tax payment deadlines for the year
2002 have now been set by town council.
The first instalment for residential and multi-residential
taxes is due Aug. 30; the final instalment is due Sept. 30. The
lone due date for commercial and industrial property taxes is
Sept. 30.
Legion asks town council to approve proposed move of memorial
fountain
World War I monument would go from Centennial Park to
Henry Street
PRESCOTT The Fort Wellington branch of the Royal Canadian
Legion has asked town council for is consent to have the World
War I Memorial fountain moved from Centennial Park to in front
of the Legion Hall on Henry Street.
The monument, which was erected in front of the old market
building on King Street, was dismantled and remained in storage
from 1950 to 1967 when it was rededicated at its new home in
the park. Speaking on behalf of the branch, Rev. Gerry Ring told
council Monday night the branch would like to see the memorial
in a more suitable location. Many residents know little or nothing
about what Ring described as "a beautiful memorial."
The Legion would bear the cost of relocating the memorial
and its upkeep. Last year, Branch 97 relocated the cenotaph from
beside the library and municipal building on Dibble Street to
Fort Wellington. Councillor Garry Dewar noted there had been
some discussion about putting the fountain in the former location
of the cenotaph.
However, Dewar was among the councillors who indicated they
could support the branch's proposal.
"Council will give you a decision in the very near future,"
Mayor Robert Lawn said.
Ring also asked council Monday to consider reimbursing the
amount the Legion pays in property taxes. He noted the Municipal
Act permits councils to offer rebates or exemptions for non-profit
groups such as Legions.
Ring pointed out Legion membership is getting older and the
branch has raised a considerable amount of money for numerous
projects over the years. He said Prescott is one of the few communities
in the region in which the Legion does not receive some sort
of rebate from the municipality.
Lawn said council would respond to the request, although he
added it would be more of a challenge than the earlier proposal
involving the memorial. The tax reimbursement request is expected
to be reviewed by the town's finance committee.
Terry Fox Run seeks additional volunteers
PRESCOTT Preparations for the 2002 Terry Fox Run have
begun, and the lead organizer of the Prescott and district event
says additional volunteers would be welcome.
Sharon Spychi is once again in charge of the annual fundraising
event for cancer research. This year's run will take place Sunday,
Sept. 15. Spychi said she is looking into changing the route;
in recent years, the run has taken place on MacIntosh Road just
north of Prescott.
Spychi said volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs. Anyone
willing to join a committee and offer a few hours of his or her
time is being encouraged to come forward. Prospective volunteers
do not have to worry about frequent committee meetings during
the summer, according to Spychi; contacting past participants
and preparing and distributing posters and among the tasks to
be performed.
Spychi said she is also seeking a volunteer who would be willing
to serve as a member of "Terry's Team," a group of
cancer survivors who share their stories of survival and hope.
Since 1981, Terry Fox runs in Canada and around the world
have raised $300 million. In terms of advances in cancer research,
patients diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma the same type
of cancer that Terry Fox had now have a survival rate of
80 per cent. In 1980, the year in which the young one-legged
runner died, the survival rate was 30 per cent.
Pledge sheets for the Sept. 15 run are now available at Tan
& Tone and at banks in Prescott, Cardinal and Spencerville.
Sheets will soon be available at other locations in South Grenville.
For more information or to volunteer, call Spychi at 925-5700.
Call centre career
fair set for next week
BROCKVILLE The company that is opening a call centre
in Brockville will be holding a career fair Tuesday, July 23
and Wednesday, July 24.
The NuComm International job fair will be held from 10 am
to 9 pm at St. Lawrence College on Parkedale Avenue.
The company is seeking to fill positions in customer care,
technical support and sales. A NuComm news release notes telephone
service representatives generate outbound calls and/or respond
to inbound inquiries from customers. Wages start at $10 per hour
plus benefits.
The company indicates potential applicants should have excellent
verbal and written communication skills, proven sales ability
and customer service skills and knowledge of Windows 98/Internet
Explorer, as well as a minimum Grade 12 education.
Applicants are asked to bring resumes and be prepared to be
interviewed by a recruiter. Those who applied during the first
job fair NuComm held in March of this year do not need to reapply.
NuComm will be setting up the call centre in the SCI facility
on Strowger Boulevard.
Consolidated Web site receives favourable response
PRESCOTT The Prescott area has a new and improved tool
with which to promote itself to the rest of the world.
About 35 people attended the official launch of www.Prescott.ca
at a community breakfast held last Wednesday morning at the Prescott
Legion Hall.
The new site is a consolidation of former sites involving
the town, Tourism Prescott and the public library. Prescott Mayor
Robert Lawn said the launch was an auspicious occasion for the
town.
Prescott council has committed $25,000 for development of
the new Web site. Expressions of interest were sought by the
town earlier this year; Waterloo-based eSolutions was selected
from the 30 to 40 submissions received.
ESolutions Creative Director Mike Young said the site was
designed for easy navigation. The home page contains a number
of main subject areas; they include business, tourism, residential,
news and events, library and kids. Each subject page lists a
number of sub-section links.
The home page features panoramic images which scroll across
the screen. Points of interest in the community are noted; links
to businesses and groups are also available.
Committee member Judi Baril called the new site fresh and
exciting. "I think it's going to be a real asset to the
town and the community," she added.
Two town staff members will receive training on how to update
the contents of the Web site.
There are also plans for on-line transactions involving the
town, although eSolutions Project Manager Karen Mayfield noted
the details have yet to be finalized. She also noted the site
includes a template that will enable a business that does not
already have its own site to go on line with Prescott.ca serving
as host. This could prove to be a revenue generator for the town,
according to Mayfield.
She also noted people who log onto the former Web site domains
for the town, its library and Tourism Prescott will be rerouted
to the new site.
In addition to launching the new Web site, the community breakfast
included presentations by local business people on the value
of the Internet and on-line commerce. Graham Cudlipp of Blue
Heron Inn, Sharon Spychi of Tan 'n' Tone and Dan Throop of Money
Concepts described the benefits of using computers to promote
their businesses or interact with their clients. Spychi, who
acknowledged she did not have a computer when she started her
business six years ago, said she is becoming more comfortable
with the concept and now appreciates the value of computers for
both business and personal use.
"Anyone who doesn't have Internet access should get on
it," she added.
Food bank is on track for September opening
PRESCOTT Things are taking shape at the home of the
new South Grenville food bank.
The food depot and office located on Henry Street across from
the Legion Hall have seen plenty of activity during the past
several weeks as food bank organizers and volunteers have been
getting the building ready for a planned September opening.
The "Food For All Food Bank" will serve residents
of Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal. A community-based
steering committee and board of directors are working together
to ensure the facility will become an important resource for
what is believed to be a growing number of people in the area.
Board chairperson Heather MacKay-Kelso said most of the improvements
to the building have been made by board and committee members
and their friends and family. Other individuals, groups and businesses
have pitched by performing such tasks as painting.
A layout of the food depot area has been drafted, and shelving
units will soon be assembled. Wheelchair access to the depot
is also in the works.
Prospective food bank volunteers are being asked to submit
a letter of interest. As of this week, letters can be dropped
off at the food bank each Wednesday from 7 to 7:30 pm until Aug.
15.
The food depot will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
from 10 am to 2 pm. Volunteer and Distribution Co-ordinator Jennifer
Wyman noted volunteers will be needed at other times when the
food depot is not open to the public. Volunteer drivers will
be needed to make deliveries.
Planning has begun for a door-to-door food drive to be held
later this summer. The food depot will distribute a wide range
of food as well as household items such as toothpaste and toilet
paper.
In acknowledging the support food bank organizers have received
in Prescott, MacKay-Kelso noted they have received numerous donations
from companies based in Brockville, a community that is not part
of the Food For All coverage area. Additional support from Cardinal,
Spencerville, North Augusta and other communities being served
by the South Grenville food bank would be welcome, according
to MacKay-Kelso.
The process of incorporating the food bank and obtaining charitable
status is ongoing. Although there are still some details to be
finalized, organizers acknowledge they have come a long way since
the steering committee was formed at a community meeting held
in January in Prescott.
"I can't believe we've done it this fast," Wyman
said.
Churchill Road repairs
expected to begin by end of week
PRESCOTT The reconstruction of a large portion of Churchill
Road could finally get under way later this week.
Prescott council voted Monday to enter into a contract with
Cornwall Paving to proceed with repairing the road between Edward
Street and Massie Drive. The $600,000 agreement includes repairs
to the Boundary Street railway crossing, replacement of a water
main under the east end of James Street and minor repairs to
portions of King and Edward streets.
Councillor Terry McConnell said the contractor is ready to
proceed and this phase of the Churchill Road project will take
between two and three months to complete. As of Monday, utility
crews had begun marking the construction area.
The project was put out to tender last year. Cornwall Paving
agreed to honour last year's prices when approached by town officials
this year. The one exception was an additional $8,000 for asphalt;
the increase was agreed to by council given higher costs facing
the contractor.
The project will include road bed and drainage improvements
as well as repairs to a portion of the sidewalk on the north
side of the street.
A second phase of the project would see Churchill Road reconstructed
between Massie and Boundary Street.
The other repair jobs were added to the contract in an effort
to get better prices for the work, town officials maintain.
Consolidated Web site receives favourable response
PRESCOTT The Prescott area has a new and improved tool
with which to promote itself to the rest of the world.
About 35 people attended the official launch of www.Prescott.ca
at a community breakfast held last Wednesday morning at the Prescott
Legion Hall.
The new site is a consolidation of former sites involving
the town, Tourism Prescott and the public library. Prescott Mayor
Robert Lawn said the launch was an auspicious occasion for the
town.
Prescott council has committed $25,000 for development of
the new Web site. Expressions of interest were sought by the
town earlier this year; Waterloo-based eSolutions was selected
from the 30 to 40 submissions received.
ESolutions Creative Director Mike Young said the site was
designed for easy navigation. The home page contains a number
of main subject areas; they include business, tourism, residential,
news and events, library and kids. Each subject page lists a
number of sub-section links.
The home page features panoramic images which scroll across
the screen. Points of interest in the community are noted; links
to businesses and groups are also available.
Committee member Judi Baril called the new site fresh and
exciting. "I think it's going to be a real asset to the
town and the community," she added.
Two town staff members will receive training on how to update
the contents of the Web site.
There are also plans for on-line transactions involving the
town, although eSolutions Project Manager Karen Mayfield noted
the details have yet to be finalized. She also noted the site
includes a template that will enable a business that does not
already have its own site to go on line with Prescott.ca serving
as host. This could prove to be a revenue generator for the town,
according to Mayfield.
She also noted people who log onto the former Web site domains
for the town, its library and Tourism Prescott will be rerouted
to the new site.
In addition to launching the new Web site, the community breakfast
included presentations by local business people on the value
of the Internet and on-line commerce. Graham Cudlipp of Blue
Heron Inn, Sharon Spychi of Tan 'n' Tone and Dan Throop of Money
Concepts described the benefits of using computers to promote
their businesses or interact with their clients. Spychi, who
acknowledged she did not have a computer when she started her
business six years ago, said she is becoming more comfortable
with the concept and now appreciates the value of computers for
both business and personal use.
"Anyone who doesn't have Internet access should get on
it," she added.
Food bank is on track for September opening
PRESCOTT Things are taking shape at the home of the
new South Grenville food bank.
The food depot and office located on Henry Street across from
the Legion Hall have seen plenty of activity during the past
several weeks as food bank organizers and volunteers have been
getting the building ready for a planned September opening.
The "Food For All Food Bank" will serve residents
of Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal. A community-based
steering committee and board of directors are working together
to ensure the facility will become an important resource for
what is believed to be a growing number of people in the area.
Board chairperson Heather MacKay-Kelso said most of the improvements
to the building have been made by board and committee members
and their friends and family. Other individuals, groups and businesses
have pitched by performing such tasks as painting.
A layout of the food depot area has been drafted, and shelving
units will soon be assembled. Wheelchair access to the depot
is also in the works.
Prospective food bank volunteers are being asked to submit
a letter of interest. As of this week, letters can be dropped
off at the food bank each Wednesday from 7 to 7:30 pm until Aug.
15.
The food depot will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
from 10 am to 2 pm. Volunteer and Distribution Co-ordinator Jennifer
Wyman noted volunteers will be needed at other times when the
food depot is not open to the public. Volunteer drivers will
be needed to make deliveries.
Planning has begun for a door-to-door food drive to be held
later this summer. The food depot will distribute a wide range
of food as well as household items such as toothpaste and toilet
paper.
In acknowledging the support food bank organizers have received
in Prescott, MacKay-Kelso noted they have received numerous donations
from companies based in Brockville, a community that is not part
of the Food For All coverage area. Additional support from Cardinal,
Spencerville, North Augusta and other communities being served
by the South Grenville food bank would be welcome, according
to MacKay-Kelso.
The process of incorporating the food bank and obtaining charitable
status is ongoing. Although there are still some details to be
finalized, organizers acknowledge they have come a long way since
the steering committee was formed at a community meeting held
in January in Prescott.
"I can't believe we've done it this fast," Wyman
said.
Churchill Road repairs
expected to begin by end of week
PRESCOTT The reconstruction of a large portion of Churchill
Road could finally get under way later this week.
Prescott council voted Monday to enter into a contract with
Cornwall Paving to proceed with repairing the road between Edward
Street and Massie Drive. The $600,000 agreement includes repairs
to the Boundary Street railway crossing, replacement of a water
main under the east end of James Street and minor repairs to
portions of King and Edward streets.
Councillor Terry McConnell said the contractor is ready to
proceed and this phase of the Churchill Road project will take
between two and three months to complete. As of Monday, utility
crews had begun marking the construction area.
The project was put out to tender last year. Cornwall Paving
agreed to honour last year's prices when approached by town officials
this year. The one exception was an additional $8,000 for asphalt;
the increase was agreed to by council given higher costs facing
the contractor.
The project will include road bed and drainage improvements
as well as repairs to a portion of the sidewalk on the north
side of the street.
A second phase of the project would see Churchill Road reconstructed
between Massie and Boundary Street.
The other repair jobs were added to the contract in an effort
to get better prices for the work, town officials maintain.
Ship draws attention to tall tales of past voyages
By David Dickenson - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - A tall ship which has been part of numerous re-enactment
battles is harboured in Prescott to prepare for more action.
The Royaliste, a 50-foot wooden ship spends the summers
being hired to sail to historical re-creations along the St.
Lawrence River and Maritimes as a special draw.
"We usually spend the summers working on the boat and
sailing to war re-enactments in places like Fort Tyconderoga,
Lake Champlain, Toronto and Mallorytown," explained the
Royaliste's ship keeper, Kit Morgan.
"Seeing a ship as beautiful as this really is quite an
addition to the festivals."
Morgan spends his summers living on the Royaliste travelling
from place to place along the re-enactment circuit for its owner
Vernon Fairhead of Shawville, Quebec.
"I spent 31 years as a history teacher, and I raced sailboats
in my spare time," commented Morgan.
"So sailing and teaching people about the ship during
my retirement is like a little piece of heaven."
The wooden ship has had quite a history since it was built
in 1968 and launched in 1971 as a reminder of the tall ship age
(by James Douglas Rosborough in Halifax).
It has taken numerous trips up and down the eastern seaboard
and the St. Lawrence, a family suffering from cabin fever, as
well as a fire in the motor room along the journeys of its four
different owners over the years.
The ship is now used strictly in the summers as part of war
re-enactments.
During the winters the Royaliste is taken from the
water and returned by a modified 18-wheeler to the Shawville
farm and saw mill of Fairhead, where each year it is restored
and repaired.
"Each year there is some dry rot to fix, mahogany planking
on the outside that needs to be replaced and everything is re-fitted,"
explained Morgan.
"All boats need some tender loving care and Vernon's
the perfect guy to do it, since he really cares about the boat
and has a big farm and saw mill from his business to allow for
its upkeep."
The boat sports two masts, a main and mizzen and runs 75 feet
in length from tip to tip, with room for eight to sleep. "The
boat was originally equipped as a luxury ship," explained
Morgan.
"The cabin was taken out to make the boat look like a
boat that would have been around in 1812."
The Royaliste has been part of movies because of its
look.
A CTV movie documenting the history of the Canadian military
has a 20-minute section devoted to the War of 1812, where the
Royaliste manned by Fairhead, Morgan and its crew were
featured.
"We will also be having a film crew aboard as part of
our sail to Sackets Harbor, New York for a re-creation there
on the weekend of July 19," explained Morgan.
Morgan figures the Royaliste may be back to Prescott
sometime in late July.
"We've been here for the last week or so," commented
Morgan. "We like mooring here; Prescott is the perfect place
to dock for a while, since it's close enough to Vernon in Shawville
and the people here are so friendly."
The Royaliste plans to set sail tomorrow for festivities
in Sackets Harbor.
Officials continue to await date for judicial
review
PRESCOTT It appears the uncertainty over the future
of policing in Prescott will not end anytime soon.
It has been seven months since the Ontario Provincial Police
indicated it would seek a judicial review of a decision by the
Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services (OCCOPS). In its
December 2001 decision, OCCOPS ruled it would not approve a proposal
to disband the Prescott Police Service and allow the town to
enter into a contract with the OPP.
The commission noted it would reconsider its decision if certain
conditions had been met by mid-January of this year.
Provincial police and the town are still awaiting a date for
a judicial review. An OPP official with the contract policing
branch in Orillia told The Journal Thursday he is hopeful
the review will be heard no later than this fall. Sergeant Mike
Reid reiterated the OPP remains interested in the Prescott contract
proposal.
It has been more than a year and a half since Prescott council
and the police services board first gave their support to pursuing
a municipal policing contract with the OPP.
The proposal would mean the elimination of several dispatch
positions now based in the building that houses Prescott's police
and fire departments. The OPP has offered to hire most of the
uniform members of the police department and one civilian employee.
OPP BRIEFS
Unpaid cab fare leads to charge
EDWARDSBURGH OPP responded to an assistance call from
a taxi driver July 10 at about 1:05 am. The driver indicated
he had picked up a fare in Brockville and drove her to a residence
on Bay Road. The woman did not pay the $40 tab upon arrival.
Gladys Chookomoolin, 46, of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Township was
charged with obtaining transportation by fraud. She is scheduled
to appear in court Aug. 2.
Several speeders exceed 50 kilometres per hour
SOUTH GRENVILLE Grenville County OPP officers issued
at least seven charges relating to vehicles travelling between
50 and 57 kilometres per hour above the posted 100-km limit on
highways 401 and 416 between July 10 and July 12. Six of the
seven incidents occurred between 12 pm and 6 pm, according to
a police news release; the other took place at about 9 am. Those
who were charged are scheduled to appear in Brockville court
Aug. 6 or Sept. 3.
More incidents reported in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
SOUTH GRENVILLE Members of the Grenville County OPP
detachment responded to 92 calls for service between July 8 and
July 14. Fifty-six of the incidents occurred in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
Five of the seven motor vehicle accidents investigated by police
during the week involved deer. More than one-third of calls dealt
with traffic complaints.
Annual pig roast to be held July 27
SPENCERVILLE Branch 604 of the Royal Canadian Legion
will host its annual pig roast Saturday, July 27 from 5 to 8
pm at the Legion Hall in Spencerville.
Entertainment by Reynolds Vander Velde will be presented from
7 to 10 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the hall.
Environmental program offered
DOMVILLE A program for children ages eight to 11 will
be offered on three consecutive Tuesday mornings at the South
Grenville Environmental Centre.
The sessions run from 9 to 11 am on July 23, July 30 and Aug.
6. Topics in the works are spiders, animal adaptations and biodiversity.
The program is being presented by the Grenville Land Stewardship
Council and St. Lawrence Island National Park.
There is a nominal fee for each session. For more information
or to register, call Jack Henry at 342-8528. The environmental
centre is located on Barton Road east of County Road 18.
Classic autos the focus of car show
PRESCOTT - The St. Lawrence Valley Car Club's 15th Annual
Car Show Sunday at Fort Wellington was bustling with gear heads
and curious onlookers.
The car show featured about 170 cars, the oldest of which
was a 1931 Buick Victoria brought over from Ogdensburg, New York.
"We almost didn't make it here," explained Lee Jones,"
the owner of the 1931 Buick. "We were over in Alexandria
Bay yesterday and got a little water in the gas and she was sputtering
and didn't know how far she'd make it.
"But I'm glad we did; it's been a great day."
The show faced stiff competition with other car shows around
the area on the same day.
"I hoped we would get over 200 cars this year, but with
all that's going on today I'm happy with what we got," says
organizer Mike Baril.
"We got about the same number of cars as last year, which
is pretty good."
Baril considered the show a success with a constant flow of
people all day long and cars at the show coming from as far away
as Hamilton to participate.
Spike belt used to stop stolen rig
SOUTH GRENVILLE Two men from Montreal were apprehended
last week when police recovered a pair of stolen tractor trailers.
Ontario Provincial Police detachments in the area were notified
July 8 at about 10:45 pm two rigs believed to have been stolen
from the Waterloo area were travelling eastbound on Highway 401.
Several OPP units from Leeds and Grenville positioned themselves
behind the trucks and activated their emergency light systems
once it was confirmed the trucks had been stolen.
One tractor trailer pulled over just west of the Cardinal
exit. Eldridge Lindsey, 39, was arrested and charged with two
counts of possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime.
A spike belt was deployed by Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
OPP near Avonmore to stop the second truck. The truck stopped
after striking the belt, and the driver fled on foot. He was
apprehended in a heavy bush area. Patrick Barnard, 29, was charged
with two counts of possession of property over $5,000 obtained
by crime as well as dangerous driving and failing to stop for
police.
The trailers contained swiss chocolate and sports drinks.
The estimated value of the contents of the two units is in the
range of $150,000.
Man faces charges after
town police investigate assault on elderly woman
PRESCOTT A 43-year-old man faces charges after town
police received a complaint July 10 from an elderly woman who
said she had been assaulted.
A man was arrested and charged with assault, sexual assault
and breach of probation. A Prescott Police Service news release
stated the identity of the accused is not being released to protect
the identity of the victim.
Between July 7 and July 15, officers with the Prescott Police
Service investigated 72 general incidents and three motor vehicle
accidents.
Police received an assault complaint from a female July 15.
Tina McManus, 25, was arrested and charged with assault. She
is to make a court appearance at a later date.
On July 9, town police received a complaint from a male who
indicated he had been threatened. Christos Valaveris of Goodin
Road in Spencerville has been charged with uttering threats and
will appear in court at a later date.
A 15-year-old male was charged with assault after police investigated
a disturbance July 12 at Burger King. The accused will appear
in youth court at a later date.
A male youth complained to town police July 10 he had been
assaulted by two other young males. The investigation is continuing.
On July 10, police received a complaint three Canadian flags
had been stolen from Herb Willer Car Sales on King Street East.
Anyone with information on these or any other occurrences
in town is asked to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252
or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Time to start seeing Shadows
PRESCOTT The curtain will rise this week on a new season
of unique story-telling at Fort Wellington.
"Shadows of the Fort," returns this Thursday, July
18. The hour-long program explores the lives of soldiers and
their families at the fort as told by interesting characters
in a series of vignettes presented throughout the fort grounds.
Shows begin each Thursday at 7:30 and 9:15 pm; the season
ends Aug. 15. Tickets are limited, and reservations are recommended
given the popularity of the program. For more information, call
925-2896. Shadows of the Fort is sponsored by the Kinsmen Club
of Prescott.
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