VOL. 174, NO. 11~ PRESCOTT, ONTARIO ~ March 17, 2004

Ice time is here

Annual hockey tournaments take place this weekend in Prescott and Cardinal

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - The buzz is in the air as Prescott and Cardinal prepare to host the South Grenville Minor Hockey Association's biggest weekend of the year.

Players from 32 midget aged teams from across North America will descend upon the region this week to take part in the 32nd annual major midget tournament in Prescott and the 6th annual minor midget tournament in Cardinal.

"The tournament is a great opportunity for the kids of South Grenville," said SGMHA President Rose Williams.

"It helps out keeping the costs of registration down. Also, the kids love to come and watch the tournaments and choose their favourites and cheer them on," she added.

Williams was quick to credit the tournament committees for their efforts put into getting things ready.

"The committees who run the tournaments have really put a lot of time and effort into this," said Williams.

"They've worked really hard to get teams and have been putting in a lot of extra hours to make sure the tournaments operate the way they should."

In Prescott, last year's major midget tournament champions, the York-Simcoe Express will not be returning to defend their crown.

Last year's finalist, the Central Ontario Wolves, and 15 other teams will be looking to fill that slot.

Those teams include the South Grenville Rangers, Rideau-St. Lawrence Kings, Yorba Linda (California) Blackhawks, London Jr. Knights, Don Mills Flyers, Clarington Toros, Atlanta Fire, Cambridge Hawks, North Bay Trappers, Mississauga Senators, Calgary Rangers, Kitchener Jr. Rangers and the Richmond Hill Stars.

In the minor midget tournament in Cardinal, last year's championship team, the locally based Rideau-St. Lawrence Kings will be looking to defend its title but will face stiff competition as the Buffalo Oilers, Cumberland Barons, South Grenville Rangers, Rochester Americans, Kanata Blazers, Buffalo Saints, Mississauga Reps, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, Team Ohio, Monroe County Eagles AAA and the Akwesasne Wolves will look to overthrow the Kings.

Two teams for the major midget tournament in Prescott and four teams in the minor midget tournament in Cardinal have yet to be announced.

Competitive play will begin tomorrow (Thursday) night in Prescott with the Rideau-St. Lawrence Kings taking on the Yorba Linda Blackhawks at 6:30 pm and the London Jr. Knights taking on the Don Mills Flyers at 8 pm. The major midget tournament will resume Friday at 7 am at the Leo Boivin Community Centre, while the minor midget tournament starts Friday at 8 am in Cardinal.

Prescott's opening ceremonies will take place Saturday at 1:45 pm, while Cardinal will host its opening ceremonies Friday at 7 pm.

The conclusion of both tournaments is slated for late Sunday afternoon.

See inside for more tournament information.

THIS WEEK

Family skate party set for tonight

PRESCOTT ­ The annual Family Skate Party will take place tonight (Wednesday, March 17) from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

In addition to skating, there will be plenty of food served upstairs. Admission is free; everyone is invited to attend.

The community event is sponsored by The Prescott Journal, O'Reilly's Your Independent Grocer and the Town of Prescott.

Spencerville Legion celebrates 40 years

SPENCERVILLE ­ Branch 604 of the Royal Canadian Legion marks its 40th anniversary this weekend.

The branch will host a wine and cheese reception this Friday, March 19 beginning at 8 pm. Admission is free; there will be a cash bar.

An anniversary dinner will take place Saturday, March 20. Cocktail hour is at 6 pm followed at 7 pm by a roast beef dinner, guest speaker and a dance featuring big band music. Semi-formal dress would be appropriate.

Tickets are available at the bar and must be obtained in advance.

Community dinner returns for second run

PRESCOTT ­ The second Master's Hands community dinner will take place next Wednesday, March 24 at Seaway Christian Church on Churchill Road.

The free dinner for those who are less fortunate will run from 5 to about 6:15 pm. This is the second in a series of monthly suppers hosted by the church.

Library presents story time with Irish flavour

PRESCOTT ­ St. Patrick's Day will be the theme of a special evening program for children tomorrow (Thursday, March 18) at the Prescott Public Library on Dibble Street West.

Children can snuggle in for a bedtime story beginning at 7 pm. Participants are encouraged to get cozy and wear their pajamas.

For more information, call the library at 925-4340.

Prescott police proposal goes to the people

Public information session to be held next Wednesday

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ The future of policing in Prescott will be the subject of a public meeting next week.

Town council will host an information session next Wednesday, March 24 at the Prescott Legion Hall on Henry Street. Details were discussed by council at a community and protective services meeting held last Tuesday night.

Council is reviewing a proposal to disband the Prescott Police Service in favour of a five-year municipal contract with the Ontario Provincial Police.

Next Wednesday's meeting will run from 7 to 9 pm. Speakers will be given up to two minutes each; town staff will be on hand to accept questions and read written submissions for those who might be uncomfortable speaking in the public forum.

A decision to have Mayor Robert Lawn serve as moderator was decided by the committee during an in-camera session held last Tuesday night.

Councillor and committee chair Sue O'Hanlon said the purpose of the public meeting is to receive and give information relating to the two proposals. O'Hanlon said information that could help council make its decision would be welcome. In noting the future of policing in Prescott is an emotional issue for some people, the councillor hopes the meeting will be civilized and speakers will respect the fact it is a public gathering.

"This is not going to be a 'complaints department' meeting," O'Hanlon said.

Although opinions will be accepted, the councillor said they will not be the sole factor on which the outcome would be based. "We (council) are still going to base our decision on facts," she commented.

As for her own position on whether to switch to OPP or retain the Prescott Police Service, O'Hanlon said she believes she has enough information on which to make a decision. However, she is not ruling out the possibility relevant information might come to light next Wednesday.

Both the OPP and town police presented revised proposals to council earlier this year. Information on those proposals is available at town hall.

A Toronto court is being asked to consider an appeal of its 2003 decision that directs the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services (OCCOPS) to approve the OPP proposal. OCCOPS had ruled in 2001 it could not approve disbandment of the Prescott service but would reconsider its position if certain conditions were met.

Unemployment rate rises in February

KINGSTON ­ The regional unemployment rate went up again in February, according to statistics released by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).

The jobless rate for the region of Eastern Ontario that includes South Grenville was seven per cent last month. The rate in January was 6.2 per cent.

There were fewer people in the workforce and fewer jobs being reported in February, according to a human resources news release. The biggest employment decrease came in construction. Educational services and public administration were the only two sectors noted which experienced employment gains last month.

Even with the recent increase in unemployment, the current jobless rate remains lower than the 7.9 per cent recorded this time last year.

All HRSDC offices in the Kingston-Pembroke management area reported increases last month in Employment Insurance (EI) claimants. The Prescott office had 1,539 people collecting regular or special EI benefits at the end of February compared to 1,440 at the end of January.

The overall regional increase in EI claims last month was 8.5 per cent.

HRSDC notes unemployment rates are not determined through assessment of EI claimant data.

The national jobless rate remained unchanged at 7.4 per cent in February.

Prescott Rotary club has plans to build pavilion on hotel lands east of harbour

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ Plans are in the works to build a waterfront pavilion just east of Sandra S. Lawn Harbour.

Prescott Rotary Club President Candy Alexander presented the proposal to the town's planning and development committee last Tuesday night.

Creating the pavilion and parkette on the edge of the so-called hotel lands beside the marina is part of the local club's plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International in 2005.

Alexander said the pavilion, which would be made of wood and placed on a concrete slab, could be moved. The unit would be accompanied by picnic tables and plantings.

Construction of the pavilion would be funded by the Rotary club and would not cost Prescott ratepayers any money, according to Alexander. The municipality would own the finished product.

The pavilion could become a tourist attraction as well as something local residents would enjoy, Alexander said.

The committee passed a motion approving further investigation of the proposal. Some councillors indicated they like the concept and support the proposal in principle.

"I think it's a great idea," Councillor Suzanne Dodge said.

Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn said he would like to ensure the pavilion does not have any negative effect on the eventual construction of a hotel in that area. However, it was noted the lot has remained vacant for many years.

It was suggested to Alexander that other waterfront locations, including the municipal dock area west of the harbour, be considered.

Parks Canada is aware of the Rotary club's proposal and has had input into the design concept.

Alexander noted Rotary already has a vested interest in Prescott's waterfront. In addition to the Rotary Lighthouse, Rotary has committed $20,000 to Prescott Blossoms and the arboretum at the eastern end of Prescott's Heritage River Trail. The money came in the form of a loan approved by town council in 2002.

Augusta council will conduct special meeting Monday night

MAYNARD ­ Augusta council has called a special meeting to take place this Monday, March 22 beginning at 7 pm.

Agenda items include a delegation dealing with the Grenville Fish and Game Club expansion and planning issues relating to the Domville subdivision, Marion Street in North Augusta, a topsoil bylaw and a zoning bylaw review.

Also included on the agenda is the township organizational review by the Templeman Group.

A closed meeting following the public portion has also been scheduled.

The meeting will be held at the Maynard municipal office. Regular Augusta meetings are held the second Monday of each month.

Idol contest coming to Leeds and Grenville in May

LEEDS AND GRENVILLE ­ One of the United Way's new fundraisers in 2004 will put a local face on a popular concept.

The Leeds and Grenville Idol Contest for singers will take place Thursday, May 13 at the Brockville Arts Centre. The competition is limited to 15 Junior (ages 10 to 16) and 15 Adult (17 and up) contestants. An independent panel of local people appointed by the United Way will serve as judges.

Both the Junior Idol and Adult Idol will receive $200. Gift bags will be given to the other contestants.

Contestants must register in person at the United Way office at 42 George St. in Brockville. In addition to a registration fee, contestants must show photo ID as proof of age and provide a personal photograph no larger than 5X7. Registrants will receive a list of rules when they register.

Tickets for the local Idol contest will soon be available at several locations in the united counties area. For more information, call 342-8889.

The United Way of Leeds and Grenville raised more than $761,000 during its 2003 campaign, surpassing the fundraising goal of $750,000. The local United Way supports more than 20 local agencies.

Take part in upcoming Youth Fair

PRESCOTT ­ Agencies and clubs are being invited to take part in the second annual Youth Fair set for April 28 at South Grenville District High School.

The objective of the event is to increase awareness of services available to young adults between the ages of 14 and 20. Everything from mental health and substance abuse to financial assistance and employment support services is expected to be represented at the fair, which is being hosted by Connect Youth in conjunction with Interact and the high school.

About 800 students and their teachers attended the 2003 fair. This year's event will include a guest speaker whose evening presentation will address the topic of at-risk youth.

To register or for more information, call Melissa or Nicole at 925-2855, ext. 3373 after March 21.

Limerick Road has new name that recognizes historic roots

MAYNARD ­ An access road through Limerick Forest and commonly referred to as Limerick Road has been renamed.

Augusta Township council gave third reading to a bylaw at its meeting March 8 to rename the road Forsythe Road. Council agreed to the renaming based on a Feb. 9 presentation by Limerick Forest Advisory Committee member Bob Gollinger.

According to Gollinger, the gravel road that runs through the south tract of Limerick Forest north of Roebuck was actually known as Number 1 Trail, from a time when is was a snowmobile trail. However, it is signed as Limerick Road, but intersects at the north end with another road by the same name in North Grenville.

Renaming would avoid confusion for visitors to the increasingly-popular forest and prevent lost time in an emergency situation, Gollinger said.

Forsythe Road recognizes one of the original settlers of the area, Andrew Forsythe, who originally named the area Limerick after his home county in Ireland, Gollinger added. The last family to live on the road was Patrick Forsythe, who died in 1949, and his wife, Gladys, who moved away a few years later.

Local youngster's volunteer spirit draws attention of TVO program

Camera crew visits Prescott to profile Kim Ditchburn

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - The Fort Town got a taste of the television industry last Tuesday as TVO Kids was here shooting a segment on a local youngster's volunteering efforts with the Prescott Kiwanis Skate Park.

Kim Ditchburn, a Grade 5 French Immersion student at Boundary Street Public School, was the focus of the segment after TVO Kids learned about her efforts from a contest presented by a Brockville newspaper.

Kim's mother Tammy explained her daughter was nominated for the contest by Prescott Councillor Nancy Lane, who spearheaded the skate park project.

"We're very pleased with this and very proud of her," explained Mrs. Ditchburn. "Nancy told us she nominated her because she wasn't a skateboarder and she didn't have plans to use the park. She just wanted to help out and to give the kids in the area something to do."

Kim received a phone call from TVO Kids a couple weeks ago, indicating they wanted to tape her story for a segment which will be featured in the show "Agents of Change."

"It's a segment about kids in Ontario who are doing something to help better their community," explained TVO freelance segment director Bill Davis.

We've done segments for a variety of things; kids raising money to help a third-world country and there was a girl in Ottawa who was raising money for the Ottawa Humane Society with a penny drive. They're really to act as an inspiration for other kids and to empower them."

Ditchburn enjoyed the experience of being interviewed for the show.

"It was kind of fun," Ditchburn told The Journal.

"I was surprised they came so quick. They asked questions about me and why I won the $500 scholarship in the contest. Then they had me go around the park on my scooter and show them around the park.

"I wanted to help out around the community," said Ditchburn.

"Nobody asked me to help, but it was somewhere where I knew something was always going on for kids."

The Ditchburns are anxious to see Kim's television debut, but they indicated it would likely be a long wait.

"They told us they didn't know exactly when it would air," said Mrs. Ditchburn, "but it would be months.

"They told us they would give us a call before it aired."

Regional festival seeks town support

Music and art showcase puts seaway corridor in spotlight

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ The Fort Town is being asked to support an arts project that could bring music to the ears of the local tourism sector.

Festival on the St. Lawrence co-ordinator, Dr. Adrienne Shannon, made a presentation to Prescott council Monday night. Shannon asked the town to consider making a small three-year financial commitment to the festival.

The festival started as a project funded by Human Resources Development Canada and facilitated by St. Lawrence College. The regional initiative, which featured concerts and art shows last spring, included a concert by the Montreal Guitar Trio at Wiser Hall in Prescott. Another event in Prescott is planned for this spring as part of the second season.

The program involves seaway corridor communities from Kingston to the Quebec border and across the river in New York.

Statistics prove heritage-related tourism and major cultural events are big draws, Shannon noted. One of the purposes of the festival is to make the seaway area an international cultural destination by combining music and the arts with existing attractions such as churches, forts and historic homes.

The festival is hoping to build strong relationships with local initiatives such as the Fort Town Concert Association and the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival.

In seeking support from the municipality, Shannon said she is aware council has already committed its support to the Shakespeare festival. The town has donated $6,000 to that festival and has provided a letter of credit for $12,000.

The Festival on the St. Lawrence does not want to compete with Shakespeare; a small show of support from the municipality would be appreciated as additional funding from federal and provincial sources is sought, according to Shannon.

The request will be considered as part of upcoming Prescott budget deliberations. A letter of support has also been requested.

Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn told Shannon she and her colleagues are to be commended for their imagination and effort to promote arts as an economic development tool.

Keeping local control of utility pays off for Prescott, town council is told

PRESCOTT ­ Rideau St. Lawrence Distribution (RSL) is in good hands, town officials have been told.

Hugh George, Prescott's representative on RSL's board of directors, gave town officials an update on the local distribution company and energy-related issues at a committee meeting last Tuesday night.

RSL was formed when municipal utilities in South Dundas, Cardinal, Prescott and Westport merged. Municipalities own the vast majority of shares in RSL; a private energy interest owns the rest. The town received about $960,000 for its former public utilities commission.

RSL reported a profit of about $210,000 last year. The town's share amounted to about $40,000, according to George.

The company has "a really solid management team," George said. "In my opinion, it is a very well-run utility."

The creation of the company three years ago came as Ontario prepared for a competitive marketplace in the electricity sector, a move which resulted in higher rates.

"It really hasn't been helpful to the economy," he told the committee.

George said the government has realized it cannot lock in electricity prices below the market price. Ontario has accumulated at least $865 million in stranded costs as a result of price caps. The practice is adding to the provincial debt and cannot be sustained, according to George.

George indicated he feels sorry for municipalities that felt the need to "rush off and sell" local utilities. Although those municipalities received money, they lost the chance to retain local utilities that could generate revenue on a long-term basis. Those communities are also unable to join existing companies such as RSL, it was noted at the meeting.

RSL's head office is in Prescott. Branch offices remain in place in Westport and South Dundas; there is no longer a local office in Cardinal.

RSL has also tried to assist in local economic development efforts, George noted. The company supported a successful application for provincial funding of expansion plans at Prescott Finishing.

George was asked by the committee to provide RSL updates twice a year.

Local campaign supports fight against cancer

PRESCOTT ­ Spring will soon be unfolding with the annual Canadian Cancer Society campaign and Daffodil Days kick-off breakfast, set for next Thursday, March 25.

Everyone is welcome to attend the breakfast at the Bridgeview Restaurant in Johnstown from 7:30 to 8:30 am. Guest speaker is VON Nurse Practitioner Elizabeth Baker.

Tickets are available at the door.

Bunches of daffodils will be on sale April 1, 2 and 3 in Prescott at O'Reilly's Your Independent Grocer, Giant Tiger and at the Royal Bank and in Cardinal at various locations.

Canvassers will be going door-to-door throughout April. Funds raised go towards cancer research, health promotion and support services.

The local cancer society branch known as CAPE (Cardinal, Augusta, Prescott and Edwardsburgh) raised almost $6,900 last year during the campaign.

CAPE is part of the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville unit, which raised almost $69,000. This was the third highest per capita amount raised in the province, after Timmins and North Bay.

The unit goal this year is to sell 14,000 blooms to raise $72,000.

The local daffodil convenor is John Christofolakos.

The daffodil is a symbol of hope in the fight against cancer.

River ice booms being removed

CORNWALL ­ Ice booms will soon be removed from the St. Lawrence River between Prescott and Iroquois, according to Ontario Power Generation.

The chain-and-wood devices, which are used to prevent build-up of ice during the winter, were placed near Galop Island, in the North Channel and near Johnstown and Prescott last November. Removal will take place between now (March 17) and March 30.

All river users are being asked to take extra care in those areas.

The 2004 shipping season is scheduled to open later this month.

PRESCOTT COUNCIL BRIEFS

Town's share of lodge is $2.7 million

PRESCOTT ­ The proposed redevelopment of St. Lawrence Lodge is moving a step closer to becoming a reality.

A bylaw to deal with financing of the nearly $30-million project was discussed by Prescott council Monday night.

The long-term care facility located just east of Brockville is operated by the united counties in conjunction with Prescott, Brockville and Gananoque. A new facility is to be built around the existing structure.

Prescott's share of capital costs associated with the lodge project have been pegged at more than $2.7 million. The united counties, including Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, would pay more than $8.4 million.

Financing of the project has yet to be finalized. However, the proposal calls for a 20-year debenture.

Town seeks ban on disconnects

PRESCOTT ­ The provincial government should permanently reinstate the ban on disconnecting hydro service in the winter, according to Prescott council.

A resolution from the City of Kawartha Lakes calls on the province to prohibit winter disconnections by Hydro One. Town council endorsed the Kawartha motion Monday night, adding it should also include other utilities and gas companies.

Councillor Chuck Street noted there is more than just compassion for customers; landlords are powerless to stop possible damage to their buildings if the plug is pulled on tenants' heating.

In response to a Journal question Monday night, Mayor Robert Lawn agreed the town would consider making its position known to Rideau St. Lawrence, the local electrical distribution company in which the town is a shareholder.

Lot would have temporary approval

PRESCOTT ­ A bylaw to make an automobile sales operation on Edward Street that opened last fall a temporary permitted use received first and second readings Monday night.

The Herb Willer Auto Sales lot in front of the former valu-mart store is zoned general commercial, which does not permit the sale of automobiles. The bylaw would allow the car lot at that location for at least one year and possibly as long as three years. Zoning issues would be dealt with during a proposed official plan review to be conducted during the current term of council.

The proposal will be the subject of a special meeting to be held at the beginning of the April 19 meeting of council.

Breakfast meeting has Celtic flavour

PRESCOTT ­ The Seaway Ecumenical Group's March meeting will be held this Saturday, March 20 at St. Paul's United Church, corner of George and Dibble streets.

Breakfast will be served at 8 am. The will be a St. Patrick's Day theme; musicians will be on hand to perform Canadian Celtic songs.

Tickets will be available at the door. All are welcome.

Beach party is back by popular demand

SPENCERVILLE - The Spencerville Agricultural Society is gearing up for the second annual Beach Party set for Saturday, March 27 at the Drummond Building.

Live entertainment will be provided by The Reasons and Runnin' On Empty. A wide-range of music will cover the '50s to the '80s, dance music and country/rock.

The Reasons are a three-piece band consisting of two brothers Peter and Mike Rea, originally from Arnprior. The third member of the band if Mike Francis, originally from Brockville. The band was formed in 1980 and has toured both the East and West Coast.

Runnin' On Empty is a four-piece band also consisting of siblings. Brad Code and his sister Lori Code are originally from the Prescott area. Dan Garswood and Mario Beriault make up the other half of the band, with Garswood from Johnstown and Beriault from Morrisburg.

Tickets are available with a valid photo identification card at Spencerville Home Hardware, Drummond's Gas or by calling Carol Cole at 925-2150.

Funds raised will be used to help organize the 149th Spencerville Fair this fall.

GRENVILLE COUNTY OPP BRIEFS

Vehicle almost strikes cruiser

EDWARDSBURGH ­ A 21-year-old Prescott man was charged following an incident that took place early last Tuesday morning on Highway 401.

At about 3:23 am, OPP Constable Kavanagh stopped a vehicle after it had narrowly missed hitting a police cruiser that had its emergency lights on and was parked on the shoulder of the highway conducting traffic control. The driver, whose name did not appear in a police news release, was charged with exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit and is scheduled to appear in court March 19.

A new provincial regulation requires drivers to, if possible, move out of the adjacent lane when passing emergency vehicles parked at the side of the road with their emergency lights activated.

Home entered during the day

SPENCERVILLE ­ OPP Constable McDade responded to a daytime break and enter March 8 at a bungalow-style home on County Road 44 near Spencerville.

Two or more persons entered through an unlocked door sometime between 6:45 am and 5 pm. Among the items taken were a Nintendo 64 unit with three controllers and seven games, a Mastercraft socket set in a black case, an 18-volt cordless drill and gold bangles.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the detachment in Prescott (925-4221) or Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477).

More RIDE checks conducted

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Members of the Grenville County detachment conducted two RIDE checks early last week in North Augusta and Spencerville.

The spot checks, which were held in the late night and early morning hours, involved a total of 70 vehicles. One Highway Traffic Act charge was laid, and two Highway Traffic Act warnings were issued.

Chairs taken from church shed and destroyed

PRESCOTT ­ The Prescott Police Service investigated 61 incidents and two motor vehicle collisions during the week of March 8.

On March 9, town police received a report of damage at Seaway Christian Church on Churchill Road. Someone pulled a 3X3-foot piece of chip board off the side of a shed at the rear parking lot. The church was entered, and two wooden chairs were taken out of the shed and destroyed in the parking lot. Damage is estimated at $100. Constable Jon Pergunas is the investigating officer.

Damage to a window screen was reported by a Roberta Crescent resident March 13. The damage was described as minor. Constable Richard Champagne is investigating.

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.

Blood pressure monitoring begins

PRESCOTT ­ The Community Hypertension Awareness Program is under way.

Blood pressure measurement sessions are being held weekly at several pharmacies in Prescott and Brockville as part of a ten-week project. The free sessions are set for Tuesdays (9:30 am to 12:30 pm) at Grenville Pharmacy and Wednesdays (9:30 am to 12:30 pm) at Seaway Valley IDA and the pharmacy at O'Reilly's Your Independent Grocer.

For more information, call Lisa Harkness at 341-7878.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"This is not going to be a 'complaints department' meeting."

Prescott Councillor Sue O'Hanlon, referring to next week's public information session to address the future of policing in Prescott

Editor's Notebook

LISTENING TO PUBLIC INPUT: Residents of Prescott are once again being asked for their input on the never-ending issue of whether the municipality should opt for Ontario Provincial Police service or stick with the existing municipal department.

Although we support the concept of public consultation, we wonder to what extent it will make a difference in this case. One councillor has stated she wants to base her decision on the facts; another councillor has said she believes the public has already indicated how it feels (most to whom she has spoken favour keeping the Prescott Police Service).

When council called for a public meeting to address the policing issue, the relatively small but vocal audience appeared to be overwhelmingly in support of retaining the municipal department. However, some elected officials dismissed the outcome of that meeting by noting the turnout seemed to be "stacked" in favour of the town police. No one on the new council that came into office a short time later took the response at that meeting to heart; council voted to proceed with an OPP contract.

Despite the possibility several members of the current council might have already made up their minds, we encourage people on both sides of the issue to attend the public meeting next Wednesday night, ask questions, get the facts and have their say. Personal stories or concerns about identifiable individuals relating to the policing proposal should be saved for another venue; council members might welcome the insight, but not at a public meeting. Trashing a current or former member of either department in an open forum adds nothing to the debate.

The town appears to be making some effort to ensure the public is given a chance to he heard before a "final" decision is made on the future of policing in Prescott. We should give council something to hear.

TIME FOR REASSESSMENT: It should come as no surprise most or all of the people who attend Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) meetings being held in this region do not leave those sessions feeling a whole lot better about their own situations or the process as a whole. We do not question the sincerity of Brockville-based MPAC staff who are travelling from one community to the next trying to explain the system and respond to the outcry over significant and sometimes inexplicable increases to current values.

One of the problems with the system is accountability. MPAC is not a government agency; we cannot go out and buy shares in the company. MPAC officials maintain they are doing their jobs; the marketplace dictates the current values and assessment, and provincial legislation dictates the process.

The taxation system is just not getting the job done, and it is high time Ottawa and the provinces did something about it.

Tim Ruhnke

Hockey players need to know the price of payback

GUEST COLUMN: VIEWS by CORTNEY WILLARD

Editor's note: Prescott-area native Cortney Willard, a second-year print journalism student at Algonquin College, is working at The Journal as part of a six-week internship.

Someone gets a stick across the head, an ear gets bitten, a neck broken... no this is not a brawl outside of your local bar, this is NHL hockey.

Why should we be so surprised then about what Todd Bertuzzi did? It is definitely not the first time that a player has been seriously injured, maybe even permanently by the actions of another. Hockey, at that level and many below it, has a lot to do with payback and unwritten codes. Scott Moore elbows Markus Naslund, he misses three games with his injury and there is a debt to be paid. Whether or not anyone wants to admit it, this is the way things work in the NHL and they need to change if this trend toward violence is to end.

There is absolutely no consistency in how major suspensions are dolled out. Is it because of the action, the injury sustained, or because it was planned? I don't believe that Bertuzzi meant to injure Moore to the extent he did, but he did mean to send the rookie a message. Who is ultimately responsible? Bertuzzi, obviously, but who else - the coach for at least being aware something would take place, the media for playing up the gladiator side of hockey instead of the skill and goal scoring, the fans for cheering louder for a fight than for a goal or the league for allowing play to turn in to war on the ice and then wondering how it could come to this?

I believe the players are taking matters into their own hands due to a lack of punishment handed out by the league until it is too late. The penalties should reflect the action of the individual instead of the outcome. Since the Bertuzzi incident, I have seen at least five different clips of NHL players doing exactly the same thing, with little or no consequences. I do feel the suspension should reflect the injury if it is as extensive as Moore's, but I don't think a player should get off because someone is lucky enough to avoid an injury. Consistency and harsher penalties for payback every time are two techniques that the league should use to make sure this does not happen again.

For the record, I am not defending what Bertuzzi did, but do feel the responsibility of this incident should be shared by more people than are stepping forward. I am hoping this is an eye-opener for the league, players and fans. Young hockey players look up to NHL players and try to mimic their every move; let's hope this is one move they don't try and then let's do something to make sure of it.

Business groups strongly opposed to post office scheme

FROM THE ARCHIVES

March 18, 1954

* Advertisement: Princess Theatre, Prescott, presents Hollywood's best films. Thrills galore in War of the Worlds in technicolour, plus a swell musical hit with Debbie Reynolds in Affair of Dobie Gillis.

March 4, 1964

* Town council has named a new board for the Prescott Educational Recreation Commission. Members are John Perrin, Florence Donovan, Mrs. Ralph Robinson, Jerry Van Rijt, Blake Taylor, John Courtice, Lionel Lemieux and Bill Elliott Jr.

March 13, 1974

* Foundation work is well advanced on the construction of the new wing of the Prescott Public Library. The one-storey extension will provide an additional 1,500 square feet of floor space. Completion is targeted for May 31. Cost is about $58,000.

March 20, 1974

* Progress is being made on construction of the in-ground public swimming pool, to be built just west of the Edwardsburgh Community Centre in Spencerville. An engineer has been engaged to make a soil study at the site.

March 21, 1984

* Both the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and local Business Improvement Area have raised stern objections to the stationing of retail outlets in selected post offices. In a toughly-worded letter to the crown corporation, CIA Chairman Lewis Beach criticizes the post office's experiment with Consumers Distributing Ltd. which would grab markets developed and maintained by private businesses.

Canada Post has opened trial mail-order outlets in its buildings in a number of Ontario municipalities in the hope the service will help lower the corporation's $300-million deficit.

March 16, 1994

* The Prescott Police Service will join other forces across the province this year in upgrading its protection equipment from .38 calibre Smith and Wesson revolvers to semi-automatic weapons.

Prescott attorney was crown prosecutor in first hockey death

FORT TOWN DIARY by John A.H. Morris

With Canada and United States abuzz these days with the injuries inflicted on Colorado Avalanche rookie Steve Moore by Vancouver Canuck veteran Todd Bertuzzi, we would like to tell our readers of Prescott's involvement in Canada's first-ever hockey death which resulted from a fight and in which criminal charges were laid.

The first person killed in a fight in organized hockey in Canada was 24-year-old Elcide Laurin of Alexandria in a game against Maxville, in Maxville, in March, l905. Charged was 19-year-old Allan Lowney of Maxville. He was charged with murder by the police who claimed he struck Laurin on the head with his stick during their fight which, according to defense witnesses, was started by Laurin.

By the time the case got to court in Cornwall, however, the murder charge which at that time meant death by hanging if found guilty, had been reduced to manslaughter.

This is where Prescott enters the scene. Selected as Crown Prosecutor to act for the court was one of Eastern Ontario's finest attorneys, F.J. French of Prescott. A native of Burritts Rapids, he attended school in Ottawa and completed his internship as a lawyer in Merrickville from 1870 until 1872 before establishing a practice in Prescott. French represented Grenville South as a Conservative in the Ontario Provincial Assembly from l880 until 1890, and was influential in forming legislation that increased the powers of local courts in the Judication Act of 1881. His reputation as a learned attorney and solicitor and as an astute businessman was province-wide. His home, which he purchased from a local builder in 1874 and added many elaborate renovations, is located on the northeast corner of King and Sophia streets.

French was unsuccessful in prosecuting the Maxville player Lowney, even after the charges had been lowered from murder to manslaughter. He warned the Cornwall jury, however, that hockey as well as the player charged, was on trial in this landmark case. Although Lowney was vindicated by the courts he was not heralded as a hero, and his prosecution seemed to be of little concern to future hockey players and officials.

Proof of this is the fact that in 1907 a Cornwall player was killed in a brawl and one of the participants was charged with manslaughter but found not guilty. Consensus in both cases almost 100 years ago, was that fights or fatalities that occur in hockey games should be governed by the rules of hockey and not by our criminal courts.

Our message for all hockey management, from the coaches to the owners, is to clean up the game, bench the goons, and make fighting an immediate disqualification. Remember how great it was to watch the all-star hockey game where there was no body checking, no boarding and no grabbing. The skating, stick handling and passing skills of our players is what makes hockey such a great sport.

*****

We're anticipating a federal election the middle of May or early in June, and we're picking the Liberals under Prime Minister Paul Martin to come through with a reduced, but comfortable majority.

Although we think there should be more blood-letting among the Liberal MPs and senior bureaucrats who created and propagated the sponsorship scandals in Quebec and the DND computer scandals out of Ottawa, we think Paul Martin has beheaded enough of former prime minister Jean Corruptien's cronies to make it look like decisive and positive action has been taken to rid the Liberal party of corruption-driven crooks.

Martin has fired outright three of Chretien's closest cronies, Alfonso Gagliano, Jean Pelletier and Marc La Francois, all connected to the sponsorship scandal, as well as Michel Vennat, president of the Business Development Bank which played a key role in the Shawinigate scandal that Chretien has tried unsucessfully to sweep under the rug. There has also been a lot of successful finger pointing at former senior civil servant Charles 'Chuck' Guite as the bureaucrat who put the entire sponsorship scandal together and who managed and controlled its operation.

It took Mr. Martin's handlers, however, several weeks to admit that Mr. Guite had retired in 1999 and was living in United States and has had nothing to do with the sponsorship program for at least five years. Mr. Guite has exited the bureaucracy with a comfortable pension and will probably never appear before the Commons Committee set up to investigate the scandal. And it will be likewise for Gagliano, Pelletier and La Francois, who will be able to stonewall committee hearings until an election is called and the committee is dissolved. Probably by the end of the year, when the media has cooled to the scandal, they will all be able to negotiate substantial pensions from the Liberals.

We think Paul Martin has already stopped the skid of Liberal popularity and that he is slowly but positively building his party back into first place in the polls and thus to another Liberal victory, but with a vastly reduced majority. He has already made Chretien responsible for governmental thuggery, and is being heralded as the leader of the new Liberal party of Canada.

Already the media heat has been lifted from Martin's shoulders and the chickens have come home to roost on old 'Corruptien's' sagging shoulders. This isn't to say that Martin is not guilty of any involvement in the sponsorship scam, because we still think he knew what was happening. He showed, however, that he has the smarts to run this country and rid his caucus of some of the cancers that even he, at one time, approved of and supported. He is fortunate also, that neither the Conservatives nor the NDP have the leadership to challenge the Liberals as they gain strength.

Holstein club heads for other pastures

GRENVILLE COUNTY ­ The Grenville County Holstein Club is offering a bus trip to Dundas County this Friday, March 19.

Barn tours have been arranged for a number of farms.

The bus will pick up passengers at the Maitland car pool at 9 am, Spencerville car pool at 9:25 am and Kemptville Canadian Tire at 9:45 am. The estimated return time in Kemptville is 4 pm.

Ticket prices are lower for 4-H members. The cost of the bus is being offset by a donation from Brent Scott of The Co-operators.

For more information or to reserve a seat, call Scott Connell at 348-3520 or Harold Tompkins at 258-2975.

Time to talk turkey at forestry seminar

SPENCERVILLE ­ A presentation on wild turkeys will be held Wednesday, March 24 from 7 to 9 pm at Edwardsburgh/Cardinal municipal hall in Spencerville.

The public is invited to attend. The lecture is being presented by the Limerick Forest Advisory Committee and the Grenville Land Stewardship Council.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Do not get hung up on territorial issues

The Editor;

Re: Fort Town Diary: Changing Chamber's name would be losing 110 years of history

I appreciate your love of Prescott. I think your comments regarding the proposed name change at the Chamber of Commerce are wrong. Let's face it: Prescott is a small town (population and area). We are all aware of the global community. (Modern transportation and communication are driving this.) If we are to become part of the global community, it is important to promote the broader community of South Grenville.

Politicians in the area have for years jealously guarded the interests of their smaller communities. This effort has been fostered and supported by local press. Perhaps it is time to broaden the perspective of who we are and work on concepts that bring us together. Individual and community organizations can impact the future of South Grenville by working together to make this area appealing to a larger audience. A simple name change can speak volumes about our attitude towards this change. Either we fight change or we embrace it. Political will can be influenced by the attitudes of our citizens.

It bothers me to see smart young people leave this area. These are kids who grew up here, played sports here and were educated here. Where is the opportunity for them? Can Prescott, with its small size and population, offer them what they want? I want to see this area prosper. By promoting ourselves as a larger community we have more diversity, economy, power and opportunity. Collectively, we can offer what bigger communities offer without compromising the character of Eastern Ontario.

The Chamber of Commerce needs to be about seeing opportunity, not staking out a small territory. Members should be joining because it is an active group with a real sense of direction, not because of its low membership fees.

This area will grow in time. Whether we like it or not, if we want to be part of the growth we need to trust ourselves and not get hung up on silly territorial issues. As the local Chamber of Commerce, it should want to be an influence for growth and not the reason for stagnation.

Brad Hubbard

P.S. I will continue to shop at Young's of Prescott, W.L. Peters of Prescott and at other establishments throughout South Grenville.

Editor's note: Would changing the name from Prescott and District to South Grenville influence you to become a member? My Chamber includes Spencerville.

Katimavik journey begins

By Katie Beatty

Well, here I am in Gimli, Manitoba. In what is known as "Southern Manitoba." However, to me, at times, it has felt like the Arctic. I am now able to say that I have survived both ­57 degrees Celsius weather, with the windchill that is, and the worst case of homesickness that I've ever had. Without the help of the Prescott Youth Centre, the Prescott Lions Club, the Prescott Rotary Club, Mr. Walter McWilliams, Bill Metcalfe and my parents, this experience would not have been possible.

For my first trimester of volunteer work, I have been assigned to Gimli's Children Centre. Here I work with the three-year-olds group. I love the work I am able to do here. I design crafts for the children to make, as well as offer the chance for a more favourable ratio of children to teachers. All the participants also do volunteering at community events. Every week, two participants stay at the Katima house, where they cook, clean and do laundry for everyone. Unfortunately, that was my duty last week! When I left home to start this journey, I had mentioned that I would miss the homecooked meals. I now know how to make bread and sauces from scratch (without poisoning anyone, I might add). I have met so many very wonderful people. How could I not? I live in a house with 10 other participants, plus the project leader for Gimli. I have only been here for two months, although it feels like I have known some of these people for a lifetime.

On March 31, I will be leaving Gimli, MB to travel to la Pocatiere, QC. I know that I'll miss the people that I have met here; however, the new place will be a whole new adventure.

Simulated emergency a success

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

SPENCERVILLE - A simulated table top emergency exercise last Tuesday indicated the township needs to have a better communication with local school board in the case of an actual emergency.

The mock emergency dubbed "Operation Millstream" was based at Fire Station #1 on County Road 44 and gave the township, emergency operation centre and selected other agencies to participate to help determine the township's preparedness for an emergency.

CAO/Clerk Stephen McDonald indicated the mock emergency was a collision involving a tanker truck filled with diesel fuel and a dump truck. The collision resulted in injuries, the bridge being cut off, a fire and diesel fuel spilling into the South Nation River.

"It was really a test of the emergency operations centre and control group," said McDonald. "The group include the mayor, myself, the fire chief, emergency services, public works, social services, the health unit, the OPP and environmental services and we could also call in other services to help out if necessary. In this case, we called in the conservation authority to help deal with the diesel spill."

McDonald indicated the drill was successful, but there were some issues the township identified as needing to be addressed.

"It went very well in that we recognized some situations," explained McDonald. "We realized that we couldn't access the site from the south without taking the long way around, so we couldn't get fire trucks there as fast as we would have liked and the ambulance would also have access from the north."

McDonald indicated the mock emergency also identified another concern.

"A few things came out of this," said McDonald. "As it progressed, we led to the evacuation of Spencerville because of the black smoke and we realized there was issues with the evacuation of the school. The school board doesn't own their own buses and they contract it out and the bus drivers often have other jobs and the buses are pooled among schools."

McDonald indicated better communication with the school board was needed to figure out transportation for the schools if the township is evacuated.

"Everything else worked out well," said McDonald. "The exercise went two hours and then we had a debriefing with all the groups on where we needed to improve. Dave Clarke of Emergency Measures Ontario was on hand to observe and was happy with how it went. Also, some of our neighbours were on invited and had some suggestions for us."

McDonald said the township considered the test a success.

"There are some areas for improvement," said McDonald, "but I think we are prepared to deal with the situation if it arises."

Angle parking in downtown Cardinal nixed

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

JOHNSTOWN - A request from the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Business Association (ECBA) for angle parking in Cardinal's downtown core was turned down by council at the March 10 committee-of-the-whole meeting in Johnstown.

The ECBA had requested the township investigate the possibility of angle parking on both sides of Dundas Street west of Lewis Street.

Public Works Manager Lawrence Rooney presented the committee with a chart showing angle parking on both sides of the road would reduce the width of the travelled portion to an unacceptable level.

He further explained there is not sufficient road width to permit having angled parking on one side of the road and parallel parking on the other.

Council felt that it would be left to leave the current parking system in place would be the best choice. Angle parking on one side of the road and no parking on the other was discussed. It was noted this would leave sufficient roadway, but would reduce the number of parking spaces from 24 to 22. Also, the township felt it would create a safety hazard with the increased number of pedestrians forced to cross the street.

MPAC public meeting set for Thursday

SPENCERVILLE - The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) will be coming to the township this Thursday, March 18 to make a presentation about the property assessment system.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 pm at the municipal hall in Spencerville.

Township CAO/Clerk Stephen McDonald indicated at the Feb. 2 council meeting MPAC would be making a 20- to 30-minute presentation with the floor then being opened up for general questions about assessments, since MPAC will not discuss site-specific inquiries.

Meeting format questioned

SPENCERVILLE - It was noted at Monday's township council meeting in Spencerville that the format of the committee-of-the-whole was questioned.

The topic was brought forward at the March 10 committee-of-the-whole meeting in Johnstown; there were concerns from councillors regarding the current format of the meetings and information provided.

At that meeting, it was suggested some agenda items at the committee-of-the-whole meetings should be put off until council; there was also discussion as to council's role as policy makers as opposed to having hands-on involvement in the day-to-day operations of the municipality.

Mayor Peggy Taylor indicated it is too early to tell if the format is a success.

"I don't really count the December meetings in December since each department was really just introducing us to their operations," said Taylor. "So we've really had two months of meetings. Like anything new, there is a learning curve and adaptation curve and the comments were really about the amount of information being reduced with the committee-of-the-whole. From this, we've asked all the department heads to give written reports to council to help fix this."

Internet antenna approved for port

SPENCERVILLE - Township council approved an agreement with Digital Networks to place an antenna on the elevator head room at the Port of Prescott.

Council indicated the deal will provide the port with free wireless Internet service.

Councillor Bill Sloan indicated the antenna will also help provide the township with high speed Internet service.

"It should be able to handle the Johnstown area," said Sloan. "It's supposed to cover a ten-kilometre radius, which would put it close to Cardinal."

Fire guts new Groveton home

GROVETON - An early morning fire last Wednesday destroyed a new home which was being built just north of Groveton.

Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Fire Chief Jim Purcell indicated the fire call to 9231 County Road 44 came in at 2:45 am, and firefighters remained on scene until nearly 7 am.

"It took about an hour to knock it down," explained Purcell, "but we had to stick around until eight to make sure all the hot spots were out."

Firefighters from Edwardsburgh/Cardinal stations one and two responded to the call, with Kemptville firefighters called in to provide mutual aid for water pumping.

No one was injured in the blaze, but according to Purcell the cause of the fire is unknown. Arson has already been ruled out.

Purcell indicated the structure was still under construction at the time of the fire and nothing could be salvaged.

"It was all closed in, but the family hadn't moved in yet," said Purcell. "Nothing was saved, it was a total loss."

Purcell could not make an estimate of the cost of the damage.

Biker bylaw gets approval

SPENCERVILLE - The township council of Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal approved third and final reading Monday of its anti-fortification bylaw to prevent biker gangs from locating in the township.

It was recommended by Grenville County OPP an anti-fortification bylaw would give the township a leg to stand on if anyone were to try and build a bunker in the township.

The bylaw was based on a similar one passed by North Grenville and allows the building inspector to deny a permit for any fortified structure and then would be able to call in the police if necessary.

First and second readings were passed at the March 1 regular council meeting.

Library program is for the birds

SPENCERVILLE ­ A children's reading and craft session to be held this Friday, March 19 at the Spencerville branch of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Public Library will be "For the Birds."

The session begins at 1 pm and will be led by Louise Burchell.

For more information, call the library at 658-5575.

Thefts from Cardinal garages

CARDINAL ­ Grenville County OPP responded to break and enters that occurred in the early-morning hours of March 8 at two garages on Helen Street.

The garages were entered between 2:30 and 5 am. Among the items taken were a Makita belt sander with bag, Makita reciprocating saw, Sony car stereo and receiver and Shimano bait caster with graphite rod.

Anyone with information on these break-ins is asked to contact Constable McDade at the OPP detachment in Prescott (925-4221) or Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477).

Ron Baker named ODMHA volunteer of the year

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

SPENCERVILLE - "Old coach" was honoured Sunday for his more than 30 years of service to the South Grenville Minor Hockey Association's initiation hockey program.

Ron Baker, who just completed his 37th year of heading up the program, was given an award as volunteer of the year by the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association Sunday at the Spencerville arena after being nominated by SGMHA President Rose Williams.

"South Grenville wanted to honour him," said Williams. "For 37 years he has put his heart into this and it hasn't changed since his first day. What he has done really speaks for itself; he doesn't always use sticks and pucks, but the kids come first to him and have a great time doing it. We hope he sticks around to do this forever."

ODMHA 2nd Vice-President Les Matthews added, "This award comes down from Hockey Canada, which is the highest branch. After Ron was nominated, to us he was the winner hands down."

The initiation program, which starts the season with kids barely able to stand up on skates, uses a series of games and positive encouragement to get the kids to where they can skate.

For "old coach," as Baker is lovingly nicknamed by the kids in the program, the award came as a real shock.

"I really had no idea," said Baker. "It's kind of special. Right now there are a lot of parents of the kids who I had in the program when they were kids, so it makes it even more enjoyable. Seeing them out there with their kids makes it all worthwhile."

Baker joked he really got involved with the initiation kids since they were the only group he could out skate until Christmas.

"Really, a friend of mine from work, Joe Hopkins, asked me to come and help out a year before my kids got into it," said Baker. "I came out to give him a hand so I would know what I was doing when my kids got into it, and a year later they dropped out and I've been running it since. I really love watching them develop so quickly. They go from not being able to stand up on skates to what everyone sees today."

Baker was quick to share the credit of the success of the program with everyone involved.

"I get a lot of great help from the volunteers and the parents, and they are the real deserving ones," said Baker. "The parents pay the fees, get up early and make all the sacrifices, they deserve the award. I just come in and get to enjoy myself teaching the kids."

For his students, "old coach" has provided them with a fun first experience with hockey and skating.

"I like the skating," said Nathan Mitchell, 5, of Cardinal. "He'll chase us around the ice with a (stuffed) chicken (to push us harder). I really enjoyed it."

Baker enjoys watching the kids develop and is already looking forward to next season.

"I don't see any reason to call it quits now," said Baker. "I'd love to keep doing this as long as I am able to."

South Grenville teams excited about tournament experience

PRESCOTT - Despite having looked forward to the major and minor midget hockey tournaments all year, members of the South Grenville Rangers teams are realistic about their chances at the annual tournaments.

Both teams are currently still involved in playoff series, leaving little time to prepare for the tournaments.

Minor midget coach Ryan Hayes said his team has been looking forward to the Cardinal tournament all year and is ready to make the most of the experience.

"We're hoping to represent South Grenville minor hockey as best as we can," said Hayes. "We're being realistic in that we are playing teams from a couple divisions above us, but we are looking forward to the opportunity."

Hayes indicated with the team still entrenched in the midst of a tight playoff series, preparation has been difficult.

"We are still in the divisional finals (of the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League playoffs)," explained Hayes. "So we've been heavily into playoff mode and it's been difficult to prepare."

For his players, the tournament has been something the team has been looking forward to.

"We shouldn't do too bad," said Rangers player Wes Polite. "I'm expecting close games. We have a talented team, with good goaltending and coaching. We might be able to go farther than previous teams."

Goaltender Corie Toye added, "We are strong on defence and should do alright. I'm looking forward to it; getting to play the higher caliber teams and having all the people come to watch."

Major midget Rangers coach Bryan Armstrong indicated his team has had a successful season and is ready to enjoy the tournament.

"The players are really looking forward to it," said Armstrong. "The coaching staff has been pleased with the way they have played, but right now we are still focusing on the league playoffs. The tournament is just a bonus for us."

Armstrong explains despite the team's success throughout the season, tournaments have been a tougher task.

"We haven't played our best in tournaments," explained Armstrong, "but we're hoping that playing high caliber opponents and getting good fan support will inspire our guys to play the best they can."

Armstrong hopes his team will continue its success with disciplined play, a good work ethic and strong goaltending led by Peter Bradford.

Local speed skater captures gold at provincial meet

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

ROEBUCK - A local short track speedskater is preparing for a busy month of activity after winning a gold medal in the Ontario Provincial Speedskating Skating Championships.

Braeden Elliott, a Grade 9 student at South Grenville District High School managed to capture the gold in the junior boys 500-metre short track speedskating competition March 6 in Barrie.

With the gold medal performance Elliott has qualified for the Ontario Winter Games in London, where he finished with a pair of bronze medals, and the Canadian Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships this weekend in Cambridge and the North American Championships April 3 in Gloucester.

"I was pretty happy with my performance," said Elliott. "It could have gone any way. I knew I had a chance, but all it ever takes is one slip."

Elliott started speed skating at the age of seven on a short track when his family lived out in British Columbia; when his family moved to the area, he quickly joined up with the Gloucester Concordes skating team in Ottawa.

"I've done well over the last couple years," said Elliott. "The coaching here is a bit better and I've been working a bit harder.

For Elliott, he's making progress towards reaching his goal of making the Olympics.

"It would be nice if I could qualify for Vancouver," said Elliott, "but I don't know if it's going to happen. That might be pushing it."

With participating in a virtually unknown sport in Canada, Elliott finds himself answering a lot of questions about it to his friends.

"My friends have been pretty cool about it," explained Elliott. "They've been supportive, but really asked a lot of questions. They seem to be starting to understand it a little more now. It's really opened up a lot as a sport since Canada did so well at the last Olympics."

With some of the biggest meets of his career coming up in the weeks, Elliott is realistic about how he will fare.

"At the North Americans we're in our home town," said Elliott. "Our club is hosting it so we'd like to do well, but I'll be happy with whatever I do. After all, anything can happen."

'Whiskey Row' not tipping hat about plans for final flood

PRESCOTT - The Row has been hard at work preparing to make its presence felt at the 2004 Prescott Major Midget tournament.

The Row, formerly the Whiskey Row, has been a tradition at the midget tournament since 1973. Every year, the group puts on a highly anticipated presentation during the Final Flood, between the second and third period of Sunday's championship game.

This year the Row has decided not to tip its hand on the annual performance, but instead leave it as a surprise to the hundreds of fans in attendance.

According to The Row, it has been busy getting into shape the last few weeks, since it is not as young as it used to be and with the addition of meaningful games on Thursday night, it is going to have to pace itself.

The Row raises its hands to cheer another great job done by the AA committee and is looking forward to an influx of new teams and old favourites.

In a document prepared by The Row, they say "Yorba Linda, what kind of name is that? Are these guys a bunch of car salesmen or are they really as good as they are cracked up to be. We are excited to watch those guys and see if Spike has cracked the whip and given them some down home Canadian grit to inspire them. We are sure they will win The Row's cheers and maybe their hearts, but with two hometown teams representing them, this will be a tough task.

"The critic's choice award is all polished up and we will hand out this award to the team that shows heart and pride and demonstrates sportsmanship throughout the tournament. We hope the hometown Rangers and the Rideau-St. Lawrence Kings show their talent and pride to come away with a good showing. They always have the support of The Row, who is the sixth man on the ice with them."

St. Lawrence Falcons trails 2-0 in playoffs

ATHENS - The St. Lawrence Falcons Sr. A hockey team is in a tough spot trailing the Belleville McFarlands in their best-of-seven first round Eastern Ontario Senior A Hockey League playoff series.

On Friday, St. Lawrence dropped a 4-2 decision to the McFarlands in Belleville. Wayne Garlough and Chris Ferguson scored for the Falcons in the loss.

On Sunday, the Falcons dropped a 5-2 decision to the McFarlands in Athens, after Belleville exploded for a three goal third period to break a 2-2 tie.

Tyler Dukelow and Chris McCann scored for the Falcons, while McCann, Garlough, Ferguson and Dwight Merkley added assists.

The Falcons travelled to Belleville last night for game three and will be in Athens
at 8:30 pm Thursday, March
18. If necessary game five will be in Belleville Sunday, game six will be in Athens, Monday, March 22 and game seven will be on March 25 or March 27 in Belleville.

Falcons Forum: The St. Lawrence Falcons have begun discussions with the league to start the playoffs earlier next season in order to be able to hold their playoff series' in Prescott instead of having to move to a different arena. The Falcons are playing their home playoff games in Athens after they could not find time in Prescott.

Atom house team #1 advances in playoffs

SPENCERVILLE - The South Grenville Rangers atom B house team #1 will advance to the second round of the playoffs after defeating Athens 4-1 in points in the first-to-four-points series.

The Rangers travelled to Athens Feb. 21 and managed a 1-1 tie with the Athens Aeros. Spencer Lee scored for the Rangers, while Lucas Chretien added a helper.

In game 2, the Rangers scored a 2-0 win over Athens Feb. 24 at the Spencerville arena. Cody Knapp and Logan Grant scored for the Rangers, with Sean Blackburn (2) and Derik Bourgeois adding assists. Nathan Peters was credited with the shutout. With the win, South Grenville took a 3-1 points lead in the series.

In game 3, the Rangers scored a 3-0 win over the Aeros Feb. 26 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre. Lee, Matt Leonard and Lucas Chretien scored for the Rangers, while Grant, Nick Thorpe and Desmond Martin chipped in with helpers. Peters scored his second shutout of the series.

Peewee B Rangers win Belleville tourney

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville peewee B Rangers managed to win the A championship of the March 6 Belleville peewee tournament.

The Rangers opened the tournament with a 4-0 victory over Port Hope. Mason Williams earned the shutout in goal, while Taylor Corney had a hat trick and Mark Charlebois added a single. Tyler Curry added an assist.

In their second game, Ashton Selleck earned a shutout in the Rangers' 5-0 win over Thorold. Andrew Bernard had a hat trick, while Ryan Robinson added a pair.

In the final, the Rangers got some strong goaltending from Williams in a 2-1 win over the Kingston Township Titans to take the A title. Dylan Heisel, and Bernard scored for South Grenville, while Charlebois, Curry, Mason Amell and Reilly Grootjans added assists.

The Rangers trail the Smiths Falls Bears 2-0 in their first-to-four-points second round match-up in the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League playoffs.

The Rangers travelled to Smiths Falls March 5, and dropped a 2-1 decision to the Bears. Corney scored the Rangers' lone goal, while Jacob Hayes added a helper.

SG major midgets defeat Morrisburg

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville major midget Rangers swept their first-to-four points semi-final series with the Morrisburg Lions despite a disputed game.

The Rangers hosted game one of the series, scoring a 7-5 win over the Morrisburg Lions thanks to a three goal third period March 7 in Cardinal. Derrick Lavery and Allan Robertson each had two goals apiece to lead the Rangers, while Matthew Hayes, Chris Hogeveen and Eric Selleck added singles.

After the game, Morrisburg protested the accuracy of the running time. At the local level, the game was declared a tie. The appeal went to the district level, and the game was not counted and had to be replayed.

In game two, the Rangers managed a 4-3 victory over the Lions, March 9 in Morrisburg. Selleck led all scorers with a hat trick, while Nick Maggio added a single.

On March 13, both teams returned to Cardinal to replay game one, with South Grenville's Peter Bradford providing strong goaltending in a 1-0 victory to clinch the series. Lavery scored the Rangers lone goal.

The Rangers will now battle the regular season champion North Dundas Devils in the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League finals.

Midget house team sweeps Smiths Falls

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Rangers midget house team managed to score a pair of wins to sweep the Smiths Falls Bears 4-0 in points in their opening round playoff match-up.

On Feb. 24, the Rangers scored a 6-1 win over the Bears at the Leo Boivin Community Centre to take a 2-0 points lead in the series. Ryan O'Brien scored a pair of goals to lead the Rangers, while Justin Halladay, Ryan Sobie, Will Minish and Tyler Miller added singles. Mark Rundle (2), Minish, Tyler Halladay, Dan Meppleder and Miller chipped in with helpers. Matt Saunders had a strong game in goal.

In game 2, the Rangers travelled to Smiths Falls and scored an 8-1 win over the Bears to clinch the series victory. Matt Duguay scored a pair of goals to lead the Rangers while Ryan Fischer, Jason Taylor, Justin Halladay, Tyler Halladay and Justin Polasz added singles. Minish (3) and Matt Fahrengruber added assists. Blake Gobeil had a strong performance in net.

EFSC annual ice show is March 27

SPENCERVILLE ­ Grease is the theme of this year's Edwardsburgh Figure Skating Club show.

About 50 skaters will take to the ice Saturday, March 27 at the Edwardsburgh Community Centre. The afternoon show featuring the popular musical and movie set in an American high school in the 1950s begins at 1 pm; the evening production starts at 7 pm.

Special guests at the annual show will be Nathan Last and Emily Jamieson.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.

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