VOL. 174, NO. 43~ PRESCOTT, ONTARIO ~ October 27, 2004

Sewage plant still a priority

MP Gord Brown says he will fight for Prescott area

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ Securing a new sewage treatment facility for Prescott is a top priority, according to Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown.

The new Conservative MP spoke to Prescott council Monday night. Brown is visiting all municipal councils in the riding.

When asked by Councillor Nancy Lane about funding for a sewage plant, Brown referred to it as the "number one thing I know that is needed." The MP also noted he was unable to get the sewage plant files from his predecessor, Joe Jordan of the Liberals. Brown added he is "starting from scratch," but he is ready to get working on the project he stated is an obvious priority.

Mayor Robert Lawn commented it does not matter how many files there are on the subject; what is needed is a new infrastructure funding agreement between the governments of Canada and Ontario. Lawn said local officials have been told a signing is imminent. He suggested Brown could put his energy into directing the federal government to sign that agreement.

Lawn said later in the meeting that Jordan "did his very best" to help Prescott get a new waste water plant, which would cost an estimated $15 million to build. The mayor noted Brown and Jordan are two men on opposite sides of the political aisle working on a project that is critically important to the town.

In response to comments and questions from council, Brown indicated he will fight to ensure rural areas and small towns get their fair share of federal funding. The Conservative MP also said the Liberal minority government appears to be listening to the opposition, adding he sees this as "a great opportunity" to get the voice of the riding heard.

Brown has criticized the government for not following through with its pre-election pledge in May of $10 million in economic development funding for Eastern Ontario. Although it is believed the money has been approved, no announcement had been made as of press time Tuesday.

The town is hoping to receive a portion of that funding to cover the cost of a downtown revitalization study being planned in conjunction with a review of Prescott's official plan.

A firm has been tentatively selected to conduct both studies. Background checks are being done; the name of the firm could be announced shortly, town officials indicated Monday.

As for the promised federal funding, Lawn noted it has taken "an awfully long time" for the government to finalize the details and announce the program. The mayor added he hopes the program's timeline will be extended so projects that receive funding do not have to be completed by the end of March as has been speculated.

However, the town will proceed with its funding application for the downtown revitalization study if there is no extension. The study can be completed by the end of March, Lawn added.

The estimated cost of that study is about $40,000; the combined cost of the study and official plan review is about $85,000.

THIS WEEK

Brown to keep office hours in Prescott

PRESCOTT ­ Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown will have a presence in town beginning next month.

A staff member will be at town hall each Wednesday from 9 am to noon to deal with questions and requests from local residents. The Prescott office hours begin Nov. 3.

Brown is also setting up satellite offices in Kemptville and Gananoque. The Conservative MP's main constituency office is located on King Street in Brockville.

Relocated T.R. Leger campus officially opens Thursday morning

PRESCOTT ­ The official opening of the relocated T.R. Leger School campus in Prescott is set for tomorrow (Thursday).

The continuing education facility located on the third floor of town hall at 360 Dibble St. W. will host an open house from 9 to 11 am. The ribbon-cutting will take place at 9:30 am. The public is invited to attend.

The T.R. Leger campus in Prescott had been based at South Grenville District High School until this summer. The Upper Canada District School Board is leasing the third floor space from the municipality; renovations were made to accommodate the school. Classes began at town hall last month.

Enjoy stories, treats during library week

PRESCOTT ­ Ontario Public Library Week is being marked by several special activities this week.

On Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, Rosemary Spencer will read bedtime stories to the kids at the Prescott Public Library on Dibble Street West. Adults can listen to authors read their works Thursday at 2:30 pm.

A Halloween crafts party begins Saturday at 11 am. Wear a costume and have some fun.

Visitors can stop by for a coffee and treats this week. The fall book fair is also in full swing.

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

The Prescott library is once again open Friday nights from 7 to 9 pm.

Fortier tastes olympic gold

By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer

Prescott native in Germany with Canadian culinary team

PRESCOTT - Joan Fortier could not be more proud of her daughter Natalie, whose team won gold at the World Junior Culinary Olympics in Germany on Monday.

"Obviously, we're very excited for them," Mrs. Fortier said Tuesday. "Going in, they felt like they had a chance (for gold)." She added teams from over 30 countries worldwide are participating in the event.

Fortier adds Team Canada's winning of the "cold competition" is all the more impressive because it was not the team favoured to take gold in the event.

Team Canada is based at the Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown, PEI and includes eight individuals under 23 from Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Nunavut.

"When Natalie called (on Monday night), she was very excited because she was told the US and Germany were favoured to win gold." Fortier said. She added her daughter said the entire team was ecstatic after going into the room where the postings were listed, and realizing the gold star beside their team listing meant they had won gold.

Fortier also mentioned her daughter said Team USA took their bronze-place finish in the competition in a less-than-heroic fashion.

"They (Team Canada) felt an underlying coldness from the American team after the results were posted," said Fortier.

The World Junior Culinary Olympics are being held in Erfurt, Germany and run from Oct. 16 to 21, closing with a medal presentation ceremony. Fortier says her daughter will arrive in Canada Oct. 23, at which point she will return home to Prescott to live with her parents and "get on with the rest of her life." It is possible, says Fortier, that Team Canada can win "grand gold," which is the top prize of the entire competition and is awarded to the team which gains the most points.

Fortier mentioned her daughter and Team Canada put in a lot of work to get to the culinary olympics. Since being selected for Team Canada a year and a half ago, she says Natalie has practised many hours each week with her team to in order to be properly prepared for the competition.

In addition to a lot of practise, the team also held a series of fundraisers to help pay for going to the competition. They held a number of galas in Charlottetown - which always sold out at $250 a plate - to help offset the cost of the endeavour.

In spite of her accomplishments, Fortier says her daughter wants everything quiet when she arrives home. As such, she is not planning a party or celebration.

"She (Natalie) is shy. She doesn't like fanfare. We're going to keep things low-key," said Fortier.

Mayfield expansion to improve quality of life

$1.7-million project to add 20 new units to Prescott retirement residence

By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - The historic Mayfield Retirement Residence is undergoing a substantial renovation and expansion project slated to be finished by next March.

"By expanding and upgrading (the facility), we will surpass all of our competitors," said Mayfield President Robert Pelda, who is also a majority stakeholder in the facility.

He adds the Wood Street residence would be classified today as a "B class" facility, whereas the upgraded and expanded Mayfield will definitely be an "A class" residence. The project will cost an estimated $1.7 million

The project, which began this past May with the construction of an elevator shaft, will substantially increase the total square footage of the building from 31,000 square feet to 42,000 square feet. There will be a total of 20 new units in the expanded facility, which adds to the 42 existing units.

Pelda, who is also a Prescott councillor, is quick to point out that virtually all of the construction and materials has been sourced locally.

"We're trying to use as many local people as possible," he said. Several local businesses involved in the construction include Toshack Brothers and Steve Polite Sand and Gravel.

Each new unit will have its own washroom, and several new units will also feature kitchenette units for residents who wish to cook in their own rooms.

Despite the added amenities, rates for the new units will not substantially increase, over the $1,900 per month that residents pay currently. Monthly costs of the new units will be $2,100. As well, existing units will be upgraded, with new carpeting, paint, and light fixtures.

Mayfield's Administrator and Director of Nursing, Laura Dunnington, says interest in the new construction has resulted in a waiting list of prospective residents.

Dunnington, who has worked at Mayfield for 13 years and is also administrator of Wiser Hall retirement residence, emphasizes quality of life will be boosted for all residents of Mayfield. She says activity space has increased by four times, which will enable residents to more easily participate in bingos, exercise classes, and shuffleboard games.

Another feature which Dunnington thinks will be particularly attractive to Mayfield residents is the new self-contained courtyard located between the old and new additions to the home. "The gated-in courtyard will allow all our residents to freely go outside," she said, adding that current residents with disabilities which include memory loss (such as Alzheimer disease) are not able to exit the residence for fear they will wander away from the facility.

The cost of the expansion is being footed by the shareholders in Wiser Hall Incorporated, a privately held company including shareholders Robert and Teresa Pelda, as well as a group of private investors from Ottawa.

Mrs. Pelda, director of Wiser Hall Inc., says the Mayfield expansion is good news for its residents.

In particular, she says the addition of a library and a chapel will improve the quality of life for residents. She adds the home is going to try to make church services a more regular occurrence following the expansion.

Pelda says the new addition is designed to harmonize with the classic revivalist architectural style of the original building, which dates from 1848 and has maintained much of its original character. He says much of the woodwork and architectural style of the original building will be emulated in the new wing. Other notable aspects of the new design include 15 new parking spaces, a circular driveway, a covered entranceway and "barrier-free" access to the new building.

As a result of the expansion, Pelda estimates the residence will hire at least five new full and part-time staff, including several additional RPNs, a part-time bookkeeper and a gardener. Currently the home employs a total of 35 people.

Augusta implements measures aimed at prolonging life of municipal landfill

By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer

MAYNARD - In an effort to prolong the life of the North Augusta landfill site, Augusta's waste management committee has set out a schedule of charges for residents wanting to take demolition materials to the site.

This move is necessary, says Councillor John Fischl, because the landfill is filling up too quickly with materials. "(At the North Augusta site) we are having a big problem with mattresses and box springs," he said at last Tuesday's council meeting.

He also emphasized the fees help clarify the bylaw. "(The current regulations) are so loose they must be corrected," he said, adding he hopes the fees will make people think twice before trashing their old mattress, sofa, or carpeting. "We want to encourage recycling," he added.

Under the new fee schedule, disposing of an old chesterfield will cost $10, and a stuffed chair $5, while either a mattress or box spring will cost $10 to dump. Various costs will be incurred for disposing roofing shingles and carpeting, depending on the amount of material brought to the site.

Under the current bylaw, there is no charge for dumping of demolition material for township residents so long as they transport their refuse in a car with a trailer or a "personal use" half-ton truck. There currently is a charge for the disposal of metal appliances and tires.

In response to councillors concerns the fee increase will result in increased illegal dumping around the township, Fischl responded the township's new bylaw officer will be especially vigilant about residents illegally dumping demolition materials. He also encourages Augusta residents to take down the licence plate numbers of illegal dumpers and call them in to the township office.

By instituting new fees, Fischl hopes the life of the North Augusta landfill can "stretch longer than two years." He adds the costs of decommissioning the site will be in the "hundreds of thousands," and the township does not currently have the funds to properly cap it.

The new guidelines set out by the waste management committee will be discussed further at a future council meeting.

Township awards metal recycling contract to Foley

MAYNARD - The large pile of steel and discarded metal appliances will soon disappear from the Maynard waste transfer station.

Township council voted unanimously at its Oct.13 meeting to pass a resolution to grant the contract for metal recycling to Bob Perrin of Foley Auto Recyclers of North Augusta.

Despite the granting of an official contract, which is to be signed at the next council meeting Oct. 25, Perrin has already been handling much of the township's recyclable metal at his business for the last five years.

Perrin estimates his taking the initial pile of metal and appliances will result in a $500-600 profit for the township. Perrin is also taking all tires from the Maynard site, which will be disposed of at the rate of $1.60 per tire.

Although his contract - initially for a one year period - won't be signed until the next council meeting, council passed a resolution to allow Perrin to install storage containers for tires and metal at the Maynard site before the township's next amnesty day to be held Oct. 23.

Additional help on the way for Maynard office staff

MAYNARD - Due to an increase in clerical work at the township offices, Augusta council passed a resolution last Tuesday to hire a temporary clerical staff member.

The office help will be hired through the Manpower temporary staffing agency in Brockville. The new staff member is slated to work two days a week for four months and will be paid "at the going rate," according to Augusta Manager of Finance Linda Robinson. The person is expected to be hired by this week.

Robinson adds she and the township receptionist are about two months behind in their paperwork. She also says the initial contract will be for four months, with a possibility to "see how it goes" after that time period.

Council agreed with Robinson. Councillor John Fischl said "We told them if they need help, just ask." He added the cost of extra office help was included in this year's budget.

Reeve John McCrea expressed concern the request was being made in the middle of the fiscal year.

Council also passed a resolution to replace a computer used by the building inspector at the township office. The current computer is a 486 and is "very old and very sick," according to Augusta CAO Sharon Wilkinson. The cost of the new computer, including software, is not to exceed $1,000.

Community supper set for next week

PRESCOTT ­ The October edition of the Master's Hands Community Supper will take place next week.

The monthly dinner for the less fortunate will be served Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 5 to 6:15 pm at Seaway Christian Church at the corner of Churchill Road and Massie Drive. The supper is free of charge; all are welcome to attend.

Shakespeare festival receives town loan of $3,700 to cover actors' pay

Council declines to set terms of repayment; funding viewed as investment in community

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ Town council has approved a loan of more than $3,700 to the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Company.

Last week, Prescott's finance and corporate services committee recommended approval of the loan; the move was endorsed by council Monday night.

The loan of $3,718.45 will cover the amount still owed unionized actors who performed in the Shakespeare festival held in July at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre at Sandra S. Lawn Harbour. This year's festival ran a slight deficit which, to a large extent, was blamed on bad weather and its negative effect on ticket sales.

Ken Durand, chairman of the non-profit company's board of directors, told the committee last Tuesday the festival has experienced some growing pains. "But we have demonstrated we can put on a good play," he added.

Earlier this year, council approved a letter of credit for $12,000 to Actors' Equity. Instead of having the union call in the letter to make up what money is owed, the town agreed to give the Shakespeare festival a loan.

"We (the town) are on the hook for the money, one way or the other," said Councillor and committee chair Jo-Anne Beckstead.

The town also gave a grant of $6,000 to the festival earlier this year.

As for the loan, Durand acknowledged the festival does not have any sources of revenue at this time. Although council approved the loan, no conditions were attached. The matter is expected to resurface during 2005 budget deliberations.

Given what he believes is the potential tourism benefit from having the Shakespeare festival in Prescott, Durand said $10,000 of municipal funding is not a lot of money.

"We need as many attractions as we can get," he said, noting the world-famous Stratford festival continues to receive government funding. Several members of council indicated they support the loan as being an investment in economic development.

"I agree it's a growing process we have to support," said Councillor Suzanne Dodge. However, she does not want the town to "bankroll" the festival.

The local Shakespeare group's three-year funding application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation was not approved this year. Durand said he expects a decision on the festival's follow-up application might be known in December.

The chairman also noted the board would have to have more control of its spending practices and budgeting. He also acknowledged the board will find it difficult to proceed with plans for the 2005 festival given the current financial situation.

New position to cover bylaw enforcement

PRESCOTT ­ The town is hiring a taxation/revenue clerk and will soon be seeking a part-time bylaw enforcement officer, Prescott council was told Monday night.

Presently, bylaw enforcement in town is handled on a complaint basis. Police are available to handle most bylaw matters, according to CAO/Clerk Robert Haller.

"We know there's a need for a more regular process," he told council.

It was not indicated at the meeting when an enforcement officer would be hired. The position of taxation/revenue clerk is being advertised this week.

New plant in Brockville could lead to good things for South Grenville

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

BROCKVILLE - A new manufacturing plant will be coming to Brockville in 2005 which could result in employment opportunities and new residents for the South Grenville area.

Ketchum Manufacturing Inc. announced Thursday it would be relocating its plastic and metal identification manufacturing and production business to Brockville after being in Ottawa since 1913.

Ketchum manufactures and produces a variety of identification products for different markets such as food merchandising, industrial identification, seafood/agriculture, hotel/hospitality, livestock identification and management and animal laboratory products. Each year, Ketchum manufactures and distributes more than 500 million livestock and custom food identification tags annually to customers around the world.

Ketchum will be moving into the 51,000 square foot former Aimtronics building on California Avenue in Brockville and will take possession of the building next March. The company is expected to move its operations from Ottawa to Brockville in early May 2005, but Ketchum owner and President Claude Lalonde indicated the date could be moved up.

Lalonde indicated the plant would be moving to Brockville and bringing roughly 70 jobs. Lalonde indicated many of their current employees would be moving to the region or making the commute, but there would still be some jobs available to people in the area.

"We're hoping our staff will come with us," said Ketchum Vice-President Doug Lousley, "but there will still be opportunities. The majority of the jobs here will be plant workers, but there will also be other jobs like marketing and sales in the plant."

Lalonde indicated he expects the plant to be something that should be around for a long time. "We're very diversified," said Lalonde. "We've been around 90 some years because of the diversity of our product lines; so if one area isn't selling there's lots of other areas to pick up the slack."

Brockville Economic Development Officer Dave Paul indicated the new plant will extend beyond the 70 jobs the company is going to provide.

"It will have an impact on the whole community," said Paul. "People coming into the area for these jobs will create a spin-off, with a jump in the real estate market. Builders, service providers, and most businesses will be affected by this."

Funding available to help cover home energy costs

PRESCOTT ­ Residents of the united counties (including Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal) can apply for emergency energy funding.

The province has provided more than $16,000 to the social services committee of Leeds and Grenville to distribute to low-income and social assistance households facing energy-related emergencies. The intent of the fund is to help cover arrears for hydro, oil and gas as well as security deposit costs and reconnection fees.

The maximum amount of one-time assistance per household is the equivalent to two months of arrears. The fund will be available as of Nov. 1. Money in the fund must be spent by the end of 2004, according to Prescott Councillor Nancy Lane.

For more information on the emergency energy funding, contact municipal offices or Leeds and Grenville social services at 342-3840.

Time for action

PRESCOTT ­ Time has been standing still in downtown Prescott, but town officials are hopeful that will soon change.

Replacement parts for the clock tower clocks were ordered from the United Kingdom several weeks ago, Mayor Robert Lawn told council Monday night. The timepieces have been out of service for several months; this is the third time in recent years the clocks have been out of commission for a prolonged period.

The last time it happened, the clocks returned to service but the bells remained silent.

Concert season opens Friday

PRESCOTT ­ The Fort Town Concert Association presents Triple Forte this Friday, Oct. 22 at 8 pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

The group consists of piano, violin and cello. Tickets will be available at the door. This is the first concert of the 2004-2005 Fort Town season.

Mother-daughter workshops coming to the Prescott area

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ One-day workshops for girls between the ages of 10 and 14 and their mothers will be held in Prescott, Maynard and Cardinal this fall.

The free workshops ("Building Better Futures") will be led by trained facilitators who will help girls and their mothers come together and understand each other better. There will be guided discussions (individuals and groups) and playful exercises. Lunch will be provided.

The Saturday workshops run from 10 am to 4 pm. The local sessions are set for Oct. 30 at Boundary Street Public School, Nov. 13 at Maynard Public School and Nov. 20 at Benson Public School.

The workshops are being presented by Brockville-based Girls Incorporated of Upper Canada and are being funded by the National Child Benefit Reinvestment Program. The Upper Canada District School Board supports the program. For more information, call Marcia or Jennifer at 345-3295.

Grenville Christian College hosts open house Sunday

MAITLAND ­ Grenville Christian College (GCC) will host its annual open house Sunday, Oct. 24 from 2 to 4 pm.

The independent university preparatory school located on County Road 2 just west of Maitland offers a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum and has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1. GCC's mandate is to instill Christian values in academic excellence.

The school boasts a 100-per-cent placement rate at the college and university levels for its 2004 graduates.

"I think this says a lot about the quality education we provide here," stated GCC Headmaster David Dargie.

The informal open house will enable visitors to walk the campus and talk to staff and students. The last scheduled tour begins at 3 pm.

For more information, call 345-5521, ext. 3351.

Harbour Lites will shine on anniversary

PRESCOTT ­ The Harbour Lites square dancing group will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a reunion Saturday, Oct. 30 at South Grenville District High School.

Rounds will take place from 7 to 8 pm, followed by squares and rounds from 8 to 10 pm. The caller will be Paul Adams; Dorothy Tweed will serve as the cuer. Advance tickets are being sold at a reduced price; tickets will be available at the door. For information, contact Susie Locke at 925-2746 or locke@ripnet.com or Alfie Marin at 657-4890.

Ducks Unlimited banquet tickets are now available

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ The Prescott-area chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) will host its eighth annual banquet Nov. 12 at the Roebuck Community Hall.

For tickets to the DU fundraising banquet and auction, contact Jim Holmes at 925-4800, Paul Van Luit at 925-3312 or George White at 498-6854. Tickets are available at Berrys Pet Food and TD Canada Trust in Prescott.

Crossbow not a danger to elementary school in Prescott, according to police

PRESCOTT ­ Members of the Grenville County OPP detachment assigned to the Prescott patrol zone investigated 39 calls for service last week.

The attempted theft of a 1994 Plymouth Acclaim from a Water Street parking lot was reported on the morning of Oct. 12. Marks similar to those made by a flat-head screwdriver were left by the driver's side door that had been pried open. There was also minor damage to the steering column; the ignition had been punched. However, the vehicle had not been moved. It is suspected the culprit(s) might have been scared off by someone. The landlord of the apartments at 235 Water Street discovered the damage. The tenant parking area where the attempted theft occurred is well lit, according to police. Constable Foley is investigating.

Someone called police Oct. 14 to voice concern about a man with a crossbow who had been seen near Boundary Street Public School. Constables McConnell and Mike Lapensee responded; they went to a nearby residence and found a man fixing his crossbow. There was no danger or intended danger to school children, according to police; the person who called police and school officials were advised of the outcome of the investigation.

A daytime break-in Oct. 16 at a Park Street residence is being investigated by Constable Kerr. The missing items include five Xbox games, 32 DVDs and CDs, a DVD player and two VHS movies. The items are valued at more than $300.

On Oct. 15 at about 3:50 am, constables Shawn Steinburg, McDade, Butcher and Sergeant Bisson responded to a mischief call on Edward Street. A woman had called police to report an intoxicated man was banging on her door. A 42-year-old man was arrested and charged with mischief. He was held in the OPP detachment cells in Prescott until he was less intoxicated, according to a police news release. Constable Steinburg continues to investigate.

Constable Foley arrested an intoxicated male without incident at a Churchill Road business Oct. 12 at about 6:20 pm. The male was transported home and issued an offence notice for being intoxicated in a public place.

Constable Kavanagh is investigating attempted break-ins at a garage on Victoria Street. The incidents occurred on the nights of Oct. 11 and 12, police were told.

Anyone with information on these or any other occurrences in Prescott is asked to contact Grenville County OPP at 925-4221 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Meeting to focus on BP and diabetes

BROCKVILLE ­ "Blood pressure and diabetes" will be the topic at an information meeting to be held tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 20) from 7 to 8:30 pm at St. John Bosco Parish Centre on Windsor Drive in Brockville.

The guest speaker is Dr. Donald Argue. Admission is free.

For more information, call the Canadian Diabetes Association at 345-0992 or the St. Vincent de Paul Diabetes Education Centre at 342-4461, ext. 2269.

OPP ­ TOWNSHIPS NEWS

Money taken from office and vehicles

AUGUSTA ­ A business and several parked vehicles in the Bethel Road area were broken into during the Thanksgiving weekend. On Oct. 12, a theft at Knapp's paving was reported. Someone had entered the office area and taken a small amount of money. When police canvassed the neighbourhood as part of the investigation, it was discovered four vehicles had been entered. Coins and bills were taken. It is believed those occurrences were on the night of Oct. 10-11. Anyone with information can contact Constable Kerr at the Grenville OPP detachment (925-4221) or Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477).

Stolen items total $2,000 in value

EDWARDSBURGH ­ On the afternoon of Oct. 12, Constable Prophet responded to a break-in that had occurred on the long weekend. The garage at a Crowder Road residence had been entered; a door was kicked in. The missing items ­ two chain saws and a saw mill ­ are valued at more than $2,000. The investigation continues.

Rock thrown through windshields

EDWARDSBURGH ­ Three vehicles parked in the Grenville Towing compound located at the 730 Truck Stop in Cardinal were damaged during the long weekend.

Someone had entered the compound and threw a rock through the front windshields; the rock was located and seized by police. Constable Prophet is investigating.

Mail boxes, sign, windows damaged

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Grenville County OPP are investigating two more cases of damaged mail boxes reported Oct. 16.

One case occurred on County Road 18 between County Road 21 and Hall Road and occurred the night of Oct. 15. The other took place at the Johnstown snowmobile and ATV club on Rooney Road. There have been several acts of mischief at the club house during the past several months. In this most recent case, the club sign was also damaged. There have been six broken windows reported. Constable Barr is investigating. Anyone who has information about these incidents is asked to call the detachment in Prescott (925-4221).

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"You can't please everybody."

Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Mayor Peggy Taylor, commenting on the "spaghetti junction" dilemma

Editor's Notebook

TOWN HAS RECURRING ROLE IN FESTIVAL: To some extent, Prescott council's decision to approve a loan of more than $3,700 to the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Company is in keeping with the town's continuing financial support of the arts community. Council has given grants to the Shakespeare festival this year and last, and the town has sponsored Fort Town Concert Association events and provides facilities for the Sunday evening concert series each July and August. It is also true that the town was already on the hook for the $3,700. After all, council agreed earlier this year to a letter of credit for $12,000 the actors' union could use in the event the festival runs a deficit and cannot pay the unionized performers.

But the recent decision by council also marks an official acknowledgement there is more to it than just meeting the town's obligations. Some councillors have noted the loan is, for all intents and purposes, a grant. It might be repaid; it might not. The bottom line is most members of council appear willing to consider the move an investment in economic development and tourism. They see the festival's potential as an important drawing card that, if played properly, will evolve into a significant asset to the community.

Unfortunately, the drawing card that produced a winner on the stage did not do so on the balance sheet. Bad weather, growing pains and other factors contributed to the formation of some red ink. Any event susceptible to the elements will thrive or suffer at the hands of Mother Nature, and the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is no exception. Until organizers can come up with a viable venue for poor weather conditions, the festival will remain at risk.

It is becoming clear the long-term success of the festival will rely, to some extent, on government support. As much as ticket sales and sponsorships are essential to the group, grants and loans and donations in kind from the municipality and province (and taxpayers) will have a recurring role to play in the future of Shakespeare in Prescott.

ANNOUNCEMENT PENDING: In the event the federal government has announced just after The Journal went to press Tuesday that $10 million in economic development funding will come to Eastern Ontario, we congratulate the feds for (finally) following through with their pre-election promise. Even though the region could make use of much more than $10 million, we welcome news of the investment.

If there is no announcement Tuesday or even later this week, we must question the manner in which the feds are handling the situation. Get the money flowing to where it is needed, and give the public and private sectors a reasonable amount of time to apply for and make effective use of what money is available. The residents of Grenville County and Eastern Ontario deserve nothing less.

Tim Ruhnke

Cartoons not the same as I remember from my childhood

CLUB HOUSE REMARKS by David Dickenson

As a big kid at heart, I really found it interesting about some of the older cartoons I've been getting a chance to catch lately.

A tried and true children's classic is Winnie the Pooh, but last time I watched it all I could think of is, "man, is this messed up."

Maybe it was a little of my Carleton University first-year psychology major rearing its ugly head, but these stuffed animals were filled with disorders and problems.

Eeyore is the most obvious of all; that has to be one truly depressed donkey. I kept waiting for him to spout out a "woe is me, I ran out of Prozac."

It didn't stop there. Tigger has a clear-cut case of hyper activity and Owl has a superiority complex; that mole - whatever his name is - has vision problems, Kanga is over-protective and Rabbit (well, do you need to ask?), he's obviously anal retentive.

Pooh himself seems like what he is a silly old bear, but under that facade there's a bit of an eating disorder and maybe some early signs of Alzheimer disease.

Christopher Robin is likely the most messed up of all, because not only is the whole story in his head, but these inanimate objects are talking back to him in his head. He's got a touch of schizophrenia and possibly some gender issues to boot.

I know a lot of people miss these little things, and I don't like to ruin the show for anybody, but after watching it since I was young, I just couldn't get over how messed up this cartoon really was.

And I thought Scooby-Doo was messed up with all the drug connotations.

* * *

This week, I have embarked on a challenge which I felt I must take.

I am one of about 30 people from around Leeds and Grenville who have taken the Canadian Diabetes Association challenge.

I started the week-long challenge Monday to live like a diabetic for the week by checking my blood sugar level twice a day, injecting insulin into a stuffed fox twice a day and not eating anything good.

Coming home to my family and letting them know I would be part of this provided them with a pretty good shock, since I'm the usual agitator who would shove a candy bar under the nose of anyone I know who would do this kind of thing.

Now is the time for their revenge! I know they will try to tempt me and make me fail, but I'm letting them know I'm unflappable; well, almost. (How can I pass up a slice of my grandma's home-baked apple pie?)

This is a worthy cause and holds a lot of significance to my family, given both of my grandmothers are diabetic.

Wish me luck, and if I seem a little edgier than usual it's because I'm not allowed to drink my Cherry Coke.

Town approves plan to build water filtration plant: 1984

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Oct. 17, 1984

* Prescott council has given final reading to bylaws authorizing the financing and construction of a new water filtration plant. The estimated cost of the plant is $3.6 million; the municipality's estimated share is $1,175,000.

Peter Adams, one of the organizers of the Stop the Plant Committee, maintains town council could have obtained a larger funding contribution from the province. The group filed a 1,000-name petition with the Ontario Municipal Board objecting to its approval of the plant financing plan. The board denied the committee's application.

* About 20 Edwardsburgh residents attended last week's meeting of township council to request something be done to prevent Halloween vandalism in Spencerville.

One woman who did not want her name published for fear of being targeted indicated more people would have attended the meeting if they were not so frightened. Last Halloween, diesel fuel was poured into part of Spencerville's sewer system and set on fire. There were many other forms of vandalism and mischief reported in 1983.

It was suggested at the meeting troops be called in to deal with the rowdies or that firefighters be deputized. OPP Sgt. Ted Arthurs said police have plans to address the possibility of trouble on Halloween, although he did not offer specifics.

* Adam Snedden, a student at Boundary Street Public School, is the leader of the Prescott Kinsmen Club Children's Balloon Race. Fifteen hundred balloons were released during the royal visit Sept. 27; each balloon contains a numbered reply card. Snedden's balloon was found in Bloomington, Nova Scotia. Most of the replies to date have come from Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

The winner of the contest will receive 150 Prescott sesquicentennial silver dollars.

Upcoming Grey Cup brings back memories of Russ Jackson

FROM THE OTHER SIDE by Jeffrey Morris

In about a month, the Ottawa area will become party central as the Grey Cup comes to the region for the first time since 1988.

Last week, the City of Ottawa unveiled an outstanding tribute to the history of football in the city, which dates back well into the 1800s. The display at city hall is a must see for anybody who is a football fan, as it walks fans through the rich past of the Ottawa Rough Riders as well as the histories of the Ottawa Gee Gees, Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Sooners.

Although Ottawa, like everywhere in Canada, is a hockey city, football is a rich part of the region's culture and history. A Rough Rider, for example, is a log roller. Ottawa was a lumberjack town a century ago, and the Rough Riders were named to pay tribute to the log rollers. A Rough Rider from Ottawa is not to be confused with a Roughrider from Saskatchewan. That team got its nickname from Roosevelt's Roughriders. Many soldiers from Canada served under Roosevelt rather than the eastern-based Canadian military for geographical reasons.

To me, Ottawa's football history is special. It is the memories of childhood spent with my father and uncle at Lansdowne Park watching Art Greene and Tony Gabriel and Gerry Organ. There are memories of playing for five years at Carleton and the thrill of being a part of the Panda Game.

But most of all, football in Ottawa to me means Russ Jackson.

I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Jackson last month, as he was our guest on Inside the CFL, the Internet broadcast radio show I co-host. The other co-hosts teased me mercilessly because I was as giddy as a five-year-old on Christmas Eve talking to the man that was my boyhood hero.

Russ Jackson is as old school as it gets. He is everything the CFL was in its glory years, and he is everything it should be in the future.

Mr. Jackson talked about negotiating his first professional contract out of McMaster, and making sure that the Ottawa Rough Riders would pay for his teacher's college and make arrangements for him to go back and forth to Toronto to attend school.

He told us of the special 1960 Ottawa Grey Cup team, and the 1968 and 1969 Grey Cups. I was five for that last Grey Cup but was in my third full year as a die hard Riders fan and still remember seeing Jackson, Margene Atkins, Vic Washington, Bo Scott, Gene Gaines, Whit Tucker and the other stars from Ottawa football's glory era.

My fondest memory of Russ Jackson is that he was the first pro athlete to ever sign an autograph for me. It was after a Rough Riders game against the B.C. Lions, and my father told me we could stick around after the game and ask players to autograph my program before going home. I insisted that Russ Jackson was the player we needed to sign.

"But what about Jim Young?" my Dad asked. Young, "Dirty Thirty," played for the visiting B.C.Lions.

"Nope," I told him. "I only want Russ Jackson."

Years later, he told me why he was so negative about Russ Jackson. My father had played corner linebacker for Ryerson back in the 1950s when Ryerson had a football team. I don't remember the score from the story, but Jackson's McMaster team had defeated Ryerson by a score of 50-something to not-much-more-than-nothing. Jackson had ran around my father for six touchdowns.

Needless to say, asking for Russ Jackson's autograph that night, I might as well have been the Joker's kid asking for Batman's autograph, or Superman's kid asking for Lex Luthor's signature. It was the only time I ever saw my usually animated and somewhat cocky father humble and reserved.

But Russ Jackson proved during our interview with him why he was so special.

He told the story of when he suffered a concussion and lost his memory during a game, and relearned the playbook at half time so he could go back in for the third quarter. He used the same flimsy helmet throughout his career, and it is part of the display.

Mr. Jackson also told the story of when he was a principal at Rideau High School, and he had to pull aside a young student to tell him to pay more attention to his academics in case his dream of being a hockey player never came true. The kid was Denis Potvin.

"Shows you how much I knew at the time," he joked.

Mr. Jackson asked me if I still have that autograph. I don't. It was part of a stack of programs that got bettered by a basement flood many years ago.

But he will be at the Grey Cup this year, and I will hunt him down with a Sharpie and a football card of him that I still have.

And if Dad is looking down on me that day, well, I don't think he would mind.

After all, hey, it's Russ Jackson.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Council not listening to Cardinal concerns

The Editor;

It appears there are only a handful of critics who oppose a petition of 731 people re: street safety.

Some may agree with the new Casco manager that the alternative proposal to reversing the stop signs at spaghetti junction would be just fine, but the alternative can not be implemented now.

That proposal was mapped out for the audience by county engineer Les Shepherd at a meeting about four months ago. His proposal would require property to be purchased from the Van Camp residence, the Centennial Library be demolished and Lewis Street be moved to the west so as to line up with Bridge Street. He also said it could be 15 years before this might happen.

Council then suggested to him the petition should be allowed. He said "All I need then is a vote of approval from this council." The vote was unanimous with one who abstained.

Before leaving, Mr. Shepherd said it would likely be another month - the first week of August - before a change could be made.

At present, the only way to have a clear view to the right is to stop 15 feet past the signs. About three years ago some who are on this same council took the resident at the corner of Dundas and Reid to court because a councillor complained their hedge was preventing a clear view after stopping.

The traffic volume at that corner was and still is about two per cent of the volume at spaghetti junction.

In March 2004 while entering Lewis Street, I was met by a truck travelling north in my southbound lane. After that close call and talking with others with similar stories, a group of us decided to get a feel from the community about this intersection.

A petition was circulated calling for stop signs to be reversed back to their original position of many years (some older folk say 85 years). After only two-and-a-half weeks, 50 pages had been filled.

More than a dozen accident victims came forward (and more since then). A separate "declaration of accident" sheet was signed by them and handed in with the petition. Local transport drivers are certainly concerned about this intersection, as 29 have been identified on the petition.

Some police officers who signed the petition also said "How was approval ever given to this," and "It just might be illegal." A retired road planner said "It is positively, absolutely wrong."

Five of the present council were all asked a question at the all-candidates meeting last fall on the topic of amalgamation. They all said it was a good thing but they were all going to make it work better by listening more closely to people's concerns.

On this issue with such an overwhelming majority, are they listening and telling counties council it is time to make the change until Mr Shepherd's other proposal can become a reality?

Jack Patrick
Cardinal

Intersection petition is strictly a safety issue

The Editor;

Having retired from a career in traffic control and settling in this community, I am now a ratepayer in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and I would like to comment on the stop signs at Dundas Street in Cardinal.

With such a large majority in the village wanting the stop signs moved to Lewis and Bridge streets, it makes a person question the motives of council in not getting it done. I am sure the other mayors and reeves on county council would approve a local council's wishes. Quite frankly, I support the petition, especially after witnessing so many confused drivers and some very close calls at this intersection. In fact, shortly after moving here I was involved in a minor accident at that corner and I understand there have also been some serious accidents there.

Also, I have only read where two people are opposed to a change. Their concerns are about fumes and noise, yet neither they nor anyone else is complaining abut the real source of fumes, that being from trucks parked on Bridge Street with engines running. Many times while making a visit to my doctor on Bridge Street, I have witnessed this. On my last visit to have a paper signed, I had to park behind an 18-wheeler unattended with the engine running. About 10 minutes later when I came out, it was still there.

I have overheard people say there are sometimes 15-20 trucks lined up for Casco with engines running, yet I have not read complaints from people about fumes or noise from them. To me, this (so far ignored) petition is strictly a safety issue, and I think the stop signs are presently in an illegal position.

W. Summers
RR#3 Prescott

SCHOOL SCENE

Algonquin Public School: "It's time to go to bed." "I don't want to." Sound familiar? Most likely. The next line, however, might not be as familiar (nor the end results). "It's bedtime. If you don't go to bed now, you won't be going to school tomorrow." At our Meet the Teacher night, this is the strategy one parent confided they use in their household to get their youngest to go to bed. When you stop to think of it, though, what a lovely compliment!

Students at Algonquin are truly blessed with a staff of wonderful, caring teachers supported by the best secretary, library technician and custodian. Together, we really do make a tremendous difference in the lives of children.

Benson Public School: On Oct. 15, Benson recognized students for being honest and trustworthy. These students are Hayden Sayeau, Tristan Turcotte, Marrisa Baker, Sarah Trillo, Brooke Deschamps, Ryan Hopkins, Brittany Sherman and Jennifer Schrader.

Also On Oct. 15, our cross-country track team competed at Memorial Park Hill in Brockville. Under the watchful eyes of our wonderful coaches, Ms. Tennant, Mme. Coupland and Mrs. deWitt, our team had a great race and lots of fun.

Our students are busy canvassing friends, relatives and neighbours for pledges for our walk-a-thon. This fundraiser promises to be a lot of fun while raising money for many good causes that are not funded by our school budget. Every $5 raised gives the student a ticket for a draw.

The student council is preparing for a frightening Hallowe'en week. With pumpkin carving contests, haunted houses and costume judging, Oct. 25-29 will be a scary, fun week.

Boundary Street Public School: Parents and students are reminded that Friday, Oct. 22 is an early dismissal day. Students who walk to school will be dismissed at 11:35. Students who ride the bus will be picked up at approximately noon to go home. Students will not eat lunch at school. As a result of this schedule change, hot lunch (Kentucky Fried Chicken) has been moved to Thursday, Oct 21. Next week (Oct. 25-29), hot lunch will return to the Friday schedule.

Junior and Intermediate students (grades 4-8) are playing intramural soccer during the lunch hour. Intermediate girls will have the opportunity to try out for our school volleyball team this week after school.

Congratulations to all cross-country runners. Everyone did well at the three meets which our school attended.

School council is continuing to collect Campbell's Soup labels. Please send your labels to the school. Your support is appreciated.

Central Public School: On Thursday, Sept. 30, the school held its annual open house/fall fun fair from 4:30 to 6 pm. The evening featured a barbecue, silent auction, face painting, games and a chance for parents to meet their children's teachers. It was a huge success.

The cross-country team continued its season at a meet at Grenville Christian College Oct. 6. Everyone gave it his best, and Mrs. Labrash did a great job in the coaches' run. The championship meet was held Friday in Brockville. Everyone worked hard to achieve his personal best.

Our first Student of the Month assembly was held Monday, Oct. 4. Award winners were Lindsey Hoogwerf, Conner Wilson, Alex Milburn, Zachary Mackenzie, Ellen Mullin, Tobias Barkley, Paige Levere, Leslie Carrothers and Alexis Serson.

The first parent council meeting was held, and an executive was elected. The next meeting for this organization will take place Nov. 3.

Centennial and North Edwardsburgh Public Schools:

(By Bryn Thompson

and Morgan Matthie)

Our senior girls and boys soccer teams went to tournaments in Iroquois and Nationview Tuesday, Oct. 5. They each played three amazing games! The boys won against Rothwell 3-1, and the girls won against Westminister 2-1. Congratulations, boys and girls, for your hard work and team effort.

North Edwardsburgh PS had its annual run-a-thon Wednesday, Oct. 13. Congratulations to all of the runners who participated.

On Wednesday, Oct. 6, NEPS celebrated its 40th anniversary with an open house. It was well-attended, and we would like to acknowledge Mr. And Mrs. Robertson for looking after the barbecue for us. We would also like to note everyone who sent in pictures for this event.

It was also Marlene Selleck's 40th anniversary of driving one of the buses for NEPS. To show how special this is, a CJOH cameraman travelled with her bus route while recording her and the students. They were featured the next night on the CJOH news hour. Mrs. Selleck also received a plaque from the school as a token of appreciation. Congratulations, Mrs. Selleck.

Seventy students competed at the LGESAA cross-country team championships Friday, Oct. 15. All runners had a great day. Special congratulations go out to the following runners who placed in the top 50: Declan Colwell placed first in novice boys. Maca Peralta-Samson placed 47th in novice girls. Missy Schutten placed fourth and Brianna Malcomnson placed 28th in peewee girls. Paul DeJong placed second in peewee boys. Sammie Heykoop placed 42nd in junior girls and Nick Heykoop placed 48th in junior boys.

Maitland and Maynard Public Schools: Every other Tuesday afternoon, our students at Maitland experience "the arts" in a very special way. Our vice-principal, Mr. Terry Gardiner, is an accomplished musician. He taught instrumental music at Westminster for several years and also plays a "mean" trombone and guitar. He has been very impressed by our students enthusiasm for music. As the year unfolds, the students will take part in a number of enriching experiences in the arts organized by Mr. Gardiner. And so the "Talented Tuesdays" continue...

At both Maynard and Maitland, our cross-country teams have been running "their hearts out" with great success.

Maynard hosted a junior co-ed soccer tournament Monday, Oct. 18. We welcomed our participating schools and looked forward to a rewarding day.

Our Maynard school council met recently and elected a new slate of officers. We had our best turnout in recent memory; new members continue to be welcome.

St. Joseph Catholic School: "Blessed are the Peacemakers!" Congratulations to this week's Peacemakers: Adam Norton, Brett VanStralen and Brandon Gulley.

Please note: This Friday, Oct. 22, students will be dismissed early (at 12:05 pm). Teachers will enjoy some personal professional development and preparation time at St. Joe's during the afternoon.

The cross-country team had a very successful last meet Oct. 15 at Memorial Park in Brockville. All athletes represented our school with enthusiasm and determination!

This week on Monday, our junior soccer team played in a tournament at Maynard Public School. Our senior girls and boys teams also participated in tournaments in Kemptville Oct. 19 and 20.

This is School Bus Safety Week. Students participated in bus evacuation drills Oct. 18 and 19. Riding the school bus is a privilege. Students are expected to ride safely, respectfully and responsibly.

There will be a Catholic Partners Meeting at St. Michael High School in Kemptville Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 7 pm. The topic will be media awareness. All interested parties may attend.

St. Mark Catholic School: We acknowledge MTJB and Ontario Early Years Centre for allowing our Kindergartens to see Mary Lambert this past Monday. Mary always has a great message for the students to learn.

Oct. 18-22 is Bus Safety Week, and all our students will be participating in bus safety evacuation drills Oct. 19 and 20.

Congratulations to all of our cross-country runners for their excellent participation at the championship meet.

This Friday is early dismissal, with buses departing at 12:05 on first wave and 12:15 on second wave.

Dental screening will take place with Penny White of the health unit Oct. 25-26 for our Kindergarten and Grade 2 students.

We will host a Scholastic Book Fair workshop for teacher librarians Oct. 26 from 4-6 pm. in the library.

Hot lunch this week is pizza.

Our All Star Reading Strategy is "Ways to read: shadow me."

South Edwardsburg Public School: Our cross-country team participated in the meet at Memorial Hill in Brockville Friday. Congratulations to all our runners.

Our co-ed soccer team is competing at a tournament in Kemptville today. Good luck team!

The magazine subscription fundraiser ends this week. All orders are to be submitted by Friday.

A school council meeting will be held Oct. 28 in the library at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Picture day is Oct. 21 (Kindergarten A class on the 22nd).

Hot lunch today is chicken nuggets.

Book a seat for chicken dinner, Magog trip

WALKER HOUSE NEWS by MARNIE LIPPIATT

We have reserved another three-day trip to Magog. This year, we will be "castaways on vacation" March 7-9, 2005. One price includes all transportation, entertainment, food, taxes and tips. Our side trip will include a meal at the sugar shack. Call 925-5300 for more information and put your name on the list.

Mark your calendar for a chicken dinner Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 6 pm. Please call and reserve your plate as soon as possible.

The book club has set its regular meeting time for the third Wednesday at 1 pm. Everyone is welcome to come and hear new views on "what's between the covers."

Card game winners: Monday bridge ­ 1st, Dora Cook; 2nd, Valerie Schulz; door, Betty Morris. Fun bridge ­ Isabel Locke. Wednesday night bridge ­ 1st, Dora Cook; 2nd, Nancy Coligan. Thursday night euchre ­ 1st, Mary Reynolds; 2nd, Jean Annable; 3rd, Geneva Odell; door, Dora Cook.

Proposed stop sign switch plan scrapped by united counties

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

SPENCERVILLE - Township Mayor Peggy Taylor explained to council during her report Monday night she had led a motion at the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville to scrap the reversal of stop signs at "spaghetti junction."

Taylor indicated that at the united counties last public works meeting Oct. 13, numerous letters and opinions opposing the change of stop signs from Dundas Street to Bridge and Lewis streets had been brought forward. She thought it would be in the best interest of the township to scrap the proposed temporary trial change despite her council already voting in favour of sending it to the counties.

"Since then, there have been various opinions," said Taylor. "Casco had two representatives there and Laidlaw had one there and they presented us with their vision and concerns. The counties also received numerous pieces of correspondence and have been told by many residents they wish they hadn't signed the petition (requesting the change)."

Taylor explained to township council she made the motion to not give the proposal third reading, which was seconded by Kemptville Mayor Bill Gooch.

"Casco, Laidlaw, the counties and the township are going to meet together to discuss possible options for a long term solution," said Taylor. "We want to sit down by the end of the year in order to bring a proposal back to council and then back to the communities."

Despite voting in favour of approving the reversal of stop signs and sending it to the counties, all of council with the exception of Ward One Councillor Hugh Cameron supported the mayor's efforts.

"Some want it done and some don't," said Taylor. "You can't please everybody. I did what felt right; we need to look at the bigger picture of solving the problem permanently."

Cameron indicated his displeasure with the decision. "It's a terrible corner when it went in and it's still a terrible corner today. There have been numerous accidents there over the years, and something has to be done before another takes place."

Counties Engineer Les Shepherd told The Journal earlier in the day he had spoken to Mayor Taylor and would be looking forward to sitting down and coming up with a list of concerns about the corner's safety and what could be done on a long term basis.

"Since it came to counties, more information has come in on the corner and the views have been opposite," said Shepherd. "I (personally) don't think the people would have liked to have the stop signs the other way. There is a lot of noise and other reasons I've brought up why I don't think this was the right thing. Input from the people takes some time to come in, and these things often go back and forth a few times."

Food bank to open office in basement of library

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

SPENCERVILLE - Township council passed a resolution at Monday's council meeting in Spencerville to allow the Food For All Food Bank to have a satellite office in the basement of the Cardinal library.

Council indicated Monday it would instruct Recreation Director Mike Spencer to make arrangements to allow the food bank to use the space at no charge.

Mayor Peggy Taylor indicated she had received a request from the food bank to help find a site, which could be used as a food bank facility for township residents.

"People from Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal utilize the food bank and some have to hitchhike along the road to get there," said Taylor. "This would be a satellite office for them, which could work in lieu of a donation."

Deputy Mayor Bill Sloan indicated council should still think about making a donation to the food bank in addition to the donation of the facility.

"The building is sitting there with nothing in the basement, we should let them use it," said Sloan, "but we should still make a monetary donation as well."

Ward One Councillor Hugh Cameron questioned if security measures needed to be taken to the building to allow the food bank to move in, but Taylor explained it wouldn't be a concern.

"The doors lock and there are doors between the library and the stairs to the basement," said Taylor. "They could decide to be open hours in conjunction with the library or their own hours. There is a door that could be shut off."

After hearing about the resolution Tuesday morning Food For All Co-ordinator Bonnie Gommert told The Journal it is excellent news.

"This should be a really good thing for Cardinal and will let us help the community down there. A lot of people don't have vehicles, so it made things difficult. We could offer them food, but if there was no way to get to Prescott it didn't do them much good."

Gommert explained nothing could be finalized until she met with the township and the food bank's board, but early thoughts are to have the satellite office open Monday afternoons.

Gommert estimated approximately 30-35 per cent of food bank users come from Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal.

"This really could grow into something good," said Gommert. "There are a lot of donations from the village. The churches, residents and businesses have been really good to us."

Gommert explained there is no timetable to get the satellite office up and running, but she hopes it will happen before the Christmas season.

OPP ­ CARDINAL NEWS

Stolen items recovered by police

CARDINAL ­ A break-in that occurred during the overnight hours of Oct. 14 is being investigated by Constable Jones of Grenville County OPP. A purse, lunch cooler bag and cigarettes were reported missing from a George Street residence. A 15-year-old male has been arrested and faces a charge of break, enter and theft. The purse and cooler bag were recovered, according to police.

Egging could lead to mischief charge

CARDINAL ­ The latest in a series of eggings in Cardinal was reported Oct. 12 on James Street. A vehicle had been struck on two occasions; damage was minimal and washable. However, police note an egging still constitutes a charge of mischief. Constable T. Johnston is investigating.

Intoxication notice issued after disturbance

CARDINAL ­ A 44-year-old man found sitting outside a Helen Street apartment complex Oct. 15 at about 3:37 pm was arrested by Constable Kerr. The man had been loud and caused a disturbance prior to the officer's arrival. He was arrested and taken to Prescott; he was released at midnight and issued an offence notice for being intoxicated in a public place.

Bank meeting draws crowd

CARDINAL - More than 120 people attended TD Canada Trust's meeting last Tuesday for customers to consult the public on the changes since the bank announced it would be closing its Cardinal branch March 18.

Company representatives reiterated the plans to close the bank and discussed how it would consider putting a bank machine in the village for a six-month trial basis.

Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Business Association (ECBA) President Bill LaBerge indicated the gathering was a fairly standard meeting, with the bank indicating safety deposit boxes in Cardinal would be moved to Prescott and the bank in Prescott would be offering longer hours.

"They said it was a business decision," he stated.

LaBerge added the ECBA would be continuing its effort to bring a new financial institution into the village and would be talking to Your Credit Union this week about making a business case for the credit union to open a branch in Cardinal.

"We knew from day one (keeping the bank would be unlikely)," said LaBerge, "but we did a good job with our presentation to them and even earned kudos from (Leeds-Grenville MP) Gord Brown and the TD about our business presentation being first rate. From this, we managed to put Cardinal back in a positive light and the community involvement has really pulled everyone together.

LaBerge indicated TD Canada Trust made some positive comments at the meeting.

"The bank (TD Canada Trust) said if it was the community's decision to leave the bank, then they would do what they could to help," said LaBerge, "and trust me, we'll take them up on that."

LaBerge indicated a member of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada which regulates procedure for closing banks and bank branches was in attendance at the meeting as an observer at the request of the ECBA to make sure there was proper procedure with the consultation of the community.

Credit union hosts meeting

CARDINAL - Representatives of Your Credit Union will be holding an information meeting with the Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal Business Association and members of the public Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Cardinal Legion.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 pm, with John Ebsary, CEO, and Bruce Corbett, board member from Your Credit Union, on hand to explain the workings of the credit union and answer questions.

All are welcome to attend.

Children's theatre group begins Monday rehearsals

CARDINAL - Despite the loss of founding directors Carol Morris and Diana Hoy, the show must go on for the Cardinal Lions Children's Theatre Group.

The directors who moved away had hoped someone would take over the theatre group and got their wish from a group of parents whose children have previously been in the group's productions.

"After the other directors left, we didn't want to see the play come to an end," said Jason Edge, who will be helping to get this year's performance off the ground.

"My son has been in the shows for a couple years and I wanted to make sure it would continue for everybody. I'm just one of a group of parents which are helping to do the play this year; Karen Koivumaki will be the one in charge."

Edge indicated this year's performance will be a play called Malice in the Palace.

"It's a comedy based from the biblical story of Esther from the Old Testament," said Edge. "It was written by a couple of guys with a very dry and sarcastic sense of humour. It's a very funny play."

Edge indicated while some of the faces behind the scenes have changed, the format will still remain the same with the children learning songs and about acting, before auditioning for roles in December. The children will take their scripts home with them over the Christmas holidays to learn their lines before resuming rehearsals in the new year for their spring performance.

Edge is hoping this year's theatre group will be able to live up to the high standards set from the previous directors.

"Hopefully, everything will run the same as it did before," said Edge. "It will just be different people behind the scenes."

Rehearsals will run Monday afternoons from 4:15 until 5:15 pm at St. John's United Church. The group started rehearsals this week, but Edge indicated there is still time to join the group.

For more information on the group, contact Edge at 657-1392.

CARDINAL LEGION

The Cardinal Legion will host the Riverside seniors today (Wednesday) at 1:30 pm and ladies darts at 7 pm.

On Thursday, Oct. 21, there will be public euchre starting at 7:30 pm and mixed darts will be held on Friday, Oct. 22.

The Legion will host the Scuba Divers' Pumpkin Dive on Saturday, Oct. 23, and will host a jam fest from 1 pm until 9 pm on Sunday, Oct. 24. Admission to the jam session is free, but you must be at least 19 years of age.

Ladies darts will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 7 pm, while public euchre will be held at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Oct. 28.

On Saturday, Oct. 30, the Legion hosts public euchre at 1:30 pm and a Halloween Dance at 8 pm. Those attending the dance must be at least 19.

Jr. B Rangers improve record with pair of weekend wins

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

CARDINAL - The South Grenville Jr. B Rangers started inter-league play on a high note scoring wins over the North Frontenac Flyers and Amherstview Jets.

After a pair of losses last week, the Rangers regained their composure this past weekend to improve to 8-2 on the season much to the delight to their coaching staff.

"We played much better as a team," said Rangers Coach Rod Simmons. "We used our speed and were better disciplined mentally. The scoring was spread out again, which is what we like to see, and we've made some adjustments to play in our own defensive zone to move the puck better."

Defenceman Andrew Fortier, playing his first game in two years for South Grenville, was pleased to be playing with the Rangers again and narrowly missed scoring a goal in his first game back.

"I've been getting back in shape, rollerblading and going to practice," said Fortier. "I'm really pumped to be back. The team played well; we worked the puck well and made a lot of great passes."

The Rangers maintained their composure despite a lot of stickwork from North Frontenac to capitalize with a 7-3 victory Saturday.

South Grenville started the game strong, with a barrage of hits to keep the Flyers on their toes, before Alex Rees scored a powerplay marker to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead at the end of the first. Mark Williams had the assist.

South Grenville continued its dominance in the second period taking a 5-0 lead with goals from Dustin Swan (2), Peter Veltkamp and Brandon Kelley. Adam Tousant, Julien Francis, Eric Selleck and Ryan Sullivan had helpers.

North Frontenac would bounce back on the powerplay with a pair of goals off scrambles in front of Rangers netminder Tim Potter to narrow the lead to three goals, but that's as close as they would get.

In the third period, David Lun and Rees scored to help ice the game for the Rangers. Veltkamp (2) and Kelley added assists.

North Frontenac would answer back with another goal, but it would prove too little as the Rangers scored the victory.

The Rangers continued their strong play with a 6-4 win over the Jets Sunday in Amherstview.

Tousant led the Rangers with a pair of goals, while Derek Rupert, Andrew Fortier, Eric Selleck and Alex Rees added singles. Lun (2), Kelley (2), Rupert, Williams, Fortier, Adam Lawrence, Swan, Matt Bailey and Jason Whelan added helpers.

South Grenville will travel to Picton tomorrow (Thursday) to take on the Pirates at 7:20 pm. The Rangers will then host the Napanee Raiders Saturday at 7:15 pm at the Cardinal and District Community Centre.

South Grenville posts perfect 6-0 record at host volleyball tournament

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants senior boys volleyball team had a strong day last Thursday by posting a 6-0 record to improve its season record to 17-1.

The Giants looked strong throughout the day managing to real off straight set wins over the St. Mary Crusaders, BCI Red Rams and North Grenville Knights.

South Grenville dominated play against St. Mary (25-5, 25-8) and North Grenville (25-16, 25-15), before getting a bit of a scare from BCI (25-18, 25-14) after coming out flat.

Rival schools had a tough time all day with the Giants' barrage of big men at the net including team captain Curtis Bucking, Eric Selleck, Ryan Fischer, Braeden Miller, Sam Whitley and Nathaniel Hayes.

"Our starters played really well for us," said Giants coach Kevin Devaney. "We had some good performances out there; Braeden Miller playing power was a force and Nathaniel Hayes came in and played well pounding a couple balls. Setter Mike Armstrong is our leader and he's stepping up and starting to get noticed by the referees and coaches for his play and decision making.

Devaney explained the team was mixing it up through the tournament and still managed to look good.

"We didn't let any balls hit the ground," said Devaney. "I always want my guys to get out there and outwork the other teams and they did a good job."

Juniors move up in standings

The South Grenville Giants junior boys volleyball team made a bit of a jump in the standings after posting a 4-2 record at its host tournament Thursday.

The Giants managed to reel out straight set victories over BCI (25-22,25-21) and North Grenville (25-17, 27-25) in a pair of closely-matched contests, but were not able to match-up with a strong St. Mary team which handed South Grenville (17-25, 21-25) a pair of losses.

The small Giants team worked hard on the court for their points with strong play at the net from Joel Haystead-Smythe, and work in the backcourt from Cory Alkerton, Mike Froom, Stephen Joudoin and Cody Haché.

Coach Derrick Byrd was also complimentary to Josh Beckstead, who was one of the Giants better defensive players through their six games.

Byrd was happy his team was able to gain some ground in the league standings in a very closely matched LGSSAA.

"We're now 10-8 on the season," said Byrd. "We haven't had the kind of consistency I've been looking for from the team. We gained 3-4 points this week, but we can't afford to go to sleep the rest of the season; two teams are going to miss the playoffs."

Byrd added the team was serving better at the tournament, which resulted in their wins, while their poor service against St. Mary helped contribute to the losses.

Both Giants teams travel to North Grenville Thursday to take part in their final four-team tournament; they have a bye week to end the season.

Durant flourishing in university softball

Ottawa U. Gee Gees happy to have Prescott-area player as part of the the team

OTTAWA - Prescott-area native Erin Durant has continued her sporting excellence at university as she has quickly established herself as a key player on the Ottawa. U. Gee Gees softball team.

Durant, who played softball the past few years for a Kemptville tier 2 team, has been quick to pick up the university game.

Durant, a Gee Gees outfielder, has been enjoying her first year of school as both a school athlete and history major.

"It was pretty tough to start (balancing everything)," said Durant, "but after a couple weeks you get into a bit of a routine. Actually, playing ball has probably helped me with getting my school work done. If I'm not playing ball or in class, I'm generally studying to make sure everything is finished. I've been having a great time with it."

Despite making a relatively smooth adjustment to the university game, the first year history major is still making adjustments to the new level of competition.

"It hasn't been as hard as I expected," said Durant. "I didn't expect to get a lot of playing time since I came from tier 2 ball and most of the players in the league played tier 1. It's a different game and a lot of the girls are older and stronger, so the pitching is better and I'm having to play deeper in the field because they hit the ball further."

With the help of Durant, the Gee Gees have been on a roll with a second place overall record in the league and first in the eastern division.

Ottawa U. assistant coach Scott Searle indicated he has been impressed with the play of Durant, who is making an impact with the team as a first year player.

"She's been playing really well for us," said Searle. "We have a very fast team, and she adds even more speed at the top of the line up."

Searle explained Durant's play has been good enough through the season to attract the attention from other teams.

"We were the top team last year and had a lot of players back," said Searle. "She's near the top of the team in batting average and has added to the strengths of the team. She came into a tough spot joining a championship team, but she's really made a name for herself around the league. This is only year one for her; we're looking forward to her being a part of the team for years to come."

Senior Giants fall in semi-final

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants senior boys volleyball team managed to make it to the semi-final of its host tournament Saturday in Prescott.

Giants Coach Kevin Devaney was thrilled with how the tournament went and liked what he saw from South Grenville.

"It was a successful tournament for us," said Devaney, "from our play right down to all the sponsors and community members who helped us pull it off. Our big guys Curtis Bucking, Ryan Fischer and Braeden Miller had a strong tournament, and our liberos Josh Rupert and Chris Hall played very well defensively. I'm happy with the showing, especially against some schools which have club teams."

The Giants had a big day on the court quickly reeling off straight set wins over Gananoque (25-16, 25-16) and Merivale (25-22, 25-10), before falling to defending Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association champion Ernestown (16-25, 22-25).

The Giants finished second in their pool and advanced to the quarter-final, defeating Sir Wilfred Laurier (Ottawa) (25-16, 25-19) to move on to the semi-final.

In the semi-final, the Giants fell to eventual tournament champion Regiopolis-Notre Dame in straight sets (16-25, 20-25).

Athens won the consolation championship.

The Giants will participate in a mini-tournament Saturday in Athens.

Football team falls 34-0 to Gan

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants senior football team dropped a 34-0 decision to the Gananoque Trojans Thursday afternoon in Prescott.

South Grenville looked fired up to start the game after arriving to see their goal posts spray painted in Gananoque colours; tempers flared from there.

Playing with an injury-depleted team which was without starting quarterback Chad Hyland and running back Jacob McGuire, the Giants coaches saw a lot of positives in South Grenville's play.

"I thought Ryan Killick had a good first game as senior quarterback," said Giants co-coach Shaun Saunders. "Josh LaTocha also had a good first game at tailback."

Saunders was also quick to note some other newcomers made a name for themselves in the game, including Grade 9 student Josh Newton playing tight end and Grade 10 Will Blair-Beveridge, who took over as the Giants fullback.

After a pair of quick early scores by the Trojans, undisciplined play from both sides took centre stage which resulted in a Trojans touchdown called back, numerous penalties for late hits for both teams, an unsportsmanlike conduct call against Gananoque and a Trojans player ejected from the game for spearing.

The Trojans adjusted their game to focus on the passing attack and managed to reel off three second half touchdowns to take the 34-0 victory.

Giants lineman Josh Couture played an intregal part of the Giants defensive front with constant pressure on the Trojans quarterback, including a sack and good pressure on a blocked extra point attempt.

South Grenville completes its season schedule this Friday, Oct. 22 when it takes on the Cornwall Golden Raiders at 1 pm in Prescott.

Speed skating club holding demonstrations Saturday

BROCKVILLE - The St. Lawrence Speed Skating Group has announced the formation of its new speed skating club for the 2004-05 season.

The new club was announced in co-operation with the Ontario Speed Skating Association and Speed Skating Canada and will be offering recreational and competitive speed skating instruction for adults and youth in a safe, friendly and inclusive environment.

The club will be holding a short track speed skating demonstration this Saturday, Oct. 23 at 10 am at the Brockville Memorial Centre. Following the demonstration will be a registration session and an opportunity for those who want to put on the skates and give the sport a try.

There is no charge to try out the skates, but anyone wishing to try the speed skates is required to provide their own helmet and gloves.

For more information or to register (late registrants welcome), contact John Somerville at 925-3231.

Giants victorious in junior girls basketball game against Athens

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants junior girls basketball team continued its undefeated Leeds and Grenville Secondary School Athletic Association season last Wednesday with an 81-11 win over the Athens Warriors.

The Giants were impressive in the victory creating turnovers to dominate play taking a 38-0 run into the mid-second quarter before Athens got on the board.

Giants coach Ken Lynch was happy to see South Grenville move the ball around en route to the win.

"I was really pleased with what I saw offensively," said Lynch. "The girls moved the ball around and were very unselfish out there."

Twelve of the 13 South Grenville players got on the game sheet led by Jaime Grimes, who fueled the Giants' high-octane attack with 20 points and seven steals. Karie Neddo and Jessica Rupert added 12 points apiece, followed by Sarah Perrin with eight and Kami Perrin with seven. Sarah Perrin also had three steals.

RSL peewee Kings post 1-2 record at Markham tourney

MARKHAM - The Rideau St. Lawrence peewee Kings posted a 1-2 record at the Markham Fall Classic hockey tournament Oct. 8-10.

The Kings opened the tournament with a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Regals. Casey Crooke scored the Kings lone goal, while Ryan Vincent added a helper.

In its second game, the Kings scored an 11-0 win over the Motor City Chiefs. Crooke (2), Derek Froats (2), Josh Pitt (2), Dylan Casselman (2), Jordan Moran, Jayson Harmer and Vincent scored for the Kings. Cameron Armstrong, Lance Hodgson, Michael McGahey, Cody Johnson and Zachary Brandt added assists. Michael Lalande was credited with the shutout.

In their third game, the Kings got off to a 3-0 deficit to the Windsor Jr. Spitfires, before making a game of it in a 5-3 loss. Tyler Gallinger had a strong game in goal, while Alex O'Neil had a strong game defensively. Derek Froats, Shayne Morden and Johnson scored for the Kings, while Moran, Johnson, Pitt, Froats and Michael McGahey added helpers.

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