Park, garden named for Sarah
By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - The life of a treasured local volunteer was commemorated
Saturday morning with the official dedication of Sarah Spencer
Park on Churchill Road.
"Sarah is very dear to all of us, and the community,"
stated Tim Spencer, Sarah's uncle, who spoke during the official
opening ceremonies. He added the way which the community has
supported the Spencer family in the wake of the teen's passing
was much appreciated by the family. "In the city (he lives
near Toronto in Georgetown) you don't see this sense of community."
Tim also acknowledged the many individuals and groups who
helped make the Sarah Spencer Park and garden a reality.
Sarah, who had heart problems, passed away from a heart attack
while at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay last fall.
Tim thanked Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn and council for considering
the motion to name the park after Sarah, as well as the members
of the community who signed the petition to name the park. He
also acknowledged Mike Laking of the Prescott Blossoms group
with assisting with the planting of the berms in the park, and
Ed Yandeau and the Public Works department in Prescott, who chose
the large rocks for the gardens in the park and also built a
wooden bench for the site.
In addition, he showed appreciation to St. Mark and St. Joseph
schools which held bake sales to buy flowers for the park, and
Canadian Tire in Prescott which donated plants for the site.
In addition, he stated Canadian Tire also planted a tree in front
of the store this past spring with a plaque honouring Sarah,
who also worked at the store while she was in high school.
He also acknowledged a group of "Helping Hands"
ladies who donated their time to plant the flowers in the Sarah
Spencer garden. "Most importantly, I want to thank the whole
community for their support to our family... (We've) certainly
benefitted from it." he added.
Tim also said naming the park after Sarah was appropriate
because she enjoyed bringing younger children in the Spencer
family there to play. "She enjoyed bringing kids to the
park," he stated. "(She) loved playing and nurturing
them."
He added "She believed in giving to the community. Now
the community is giving back to her."
Mayor Robert Lawn was also on hand to officially open the
park. "We have a number of things we're good at (in Prescott),"
he stated. "We're good at taking care of each other."
Lawn added "The park is important because we want to
symbolize Sarah's life... It's a living thing which symbolizes
the life of an outstanding young citizen."
Lawn added he wasn't sure if the park on Churchill Road ever
had an official name. "We're not renaming it, we're naming
it," he stated.
Many members of Sarah's family were on hand for the ceremony.
It was a visibly emotional time for many of them.
Her sister Elizabeth stated having the park named after her
sister was "probably the greatest honour she (Sarah) could
receive from the town." Elizabeth, who lives in Montreal,
added she could come to the park when she visits Prescott and
remember Sarah.
Sarah was very involved in community-related causes and events.
She volunteered with St. John Ambulance, was a founding member
of the Leo Club in Brockville, and was active in the Girl Guides.
She also received the Connie Dickey Youth Award for her volunteer
involvement.
"Lately, it seems to me more of our role models are young
people," stated Lawn. "Sarah Spencer is a role model
for every one of us."
Shakespeare festival enters home stretch
Attendance is higher than same time last year
By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - Word appears to be spreading about the St. Lawrence
Shakespeare Festival.
"Attendance has been good," stated Mary Lou Murray,
co-chair of front of house for the festival. "It's up from
last week."
In particular, Murray noted this past Friday and Saturday
were good nights for the festival, attracting 70 and 100 patrons,
respectively. Molly Lyons' one-woman show A Most Notorious
Woman on Sunday night, held in the festival's tent, drew
50 people.
"We are happy with the way attendance is going,"
added Murray when she was contacted by The Journal Monday.
She also said the festival has drawn 900 spectators so far, up
roughly 100 people from the same point in last year's festival.
Murray also said on Saturday night, because of rain, there
was an audience consensus taken about whether or not to go on
with the performance in the amphitheatre or to move it to the
tent. The show did go on in the amphitheatre.
"I'm pretty sure the numbers will continue to build (in
the final week)," she added.
Murray also credited increased exposure in Ottawa media outlets,
including advertisements in the Ottawa Citizen and the
fact CJOH News broadcasted from Prescott's harbour area last
Tuesday, as helping spread the word about the festival.
"The ads in the Citizen prompted a lot of calls,"
she stated. "CJOH doing the news from here helped."
She also said organizers have noted a number of out-of-town
people who have come to the performances. "We've had a lot
of boaters and people from the U.S.," she said.
Murray added response to the show continues to be strong.
"We've had constant compliments and emails on it,"
she said.
The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival's performance of Twelfe
Night will continue through this Saturday. Tickets are available
at the three banks in Prescott, Ken Durand's office on George
Street, and Jessup House. They can also be purchased on performance
nights at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre located at the Sandra S. Lawn
Harbour.
THIS WEEK
One more walking tour set for this Saturday
PRESCOTT The last in a series of historic walking tours
will take place this Saturday, July 23 in the downtown Prescott
area.
The tour, presented by the Grenville County Historical Society,
starts at 3 pm at Forwarders' Museum. Meet some of the unique
characters from the Fort Town's past along the route.
There is an admission fee. The tours are being held to coincide
with the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival.
Pipe band is scheduled to perform at the mill
SPENCERVILLE The Glengarry Pipe Band will perform a
concert at the Spencerville Mill this Saturday, July 23 at 2
pm.
Admission is free. Bring a lawn chair, sit back and enjoy
the music.
Canada's south shore is place to hear dixie music on Sunday
night
PRESCOTT The Carol Mundy Dixie Band will perform at
the Kinsmen Amphitheatre on Sunday, July 24 at 7 pm.
This will be the fourth concert in the 2005 summer series,
which continues until the end of August.
Admission to the Sunday evening concerts is free; donations
will be accepted at the amphitheatre.
In case of rain, the concert will be held indoors at the Leo
Boivin Community Centre.
Go for a boat ride, eat at BBQ, support VON
PRESCOTT The local VON will be hosting pontoon boat
rides and a barbecue today (Wednesday, July 20) from 4:30 to
7 pm at Sandra S. Lawn Harbour.
The Grenville Fish and Game Club's Little Dreamer boat
is being made available for the event. There will also be face
painting and other activities for the kids.
Tickets can be purchased for the boat ride and barbecue (hot
dog and drink) together. Tickets for just the waterfront barbecue
will also be available.
Proceeds from the event will be used to support VON programs
in the community.
Fireworks to end show with a bang
PRESCOTT - After the final performance of the St. Lawrence
Shakespeare Festival's Twelfe Night this Saturday night,
the community is invited to check out a free fireworks display
on the waterfront.
The display, which is being put on by Hands Fireworks, will
be held on the waterfront adjacent to Prescott Heritage River
Trail.
The show is expected to begin around 9:30 pm, and continue
for 15 to 20 minutes.
Organizers note King Street between East and Boundary Streets
will be blocked off for the duration of the display. In addition,
access to the Prescott Harbour will be closed off to boat access
at 8:30 pm.
No boats will be permitted on the St. Lawrence River in the
area which stretches approximately from Edward Street to Boundary
Street and across to Ogdensburg. This area will be patrolled
by the Coast Guard.
Organizers also note the Heritage River Trail area will be
closed on Saturday to prepare for the show, and Sunday to clean
up afterwards.
Spectators can watch the show from the Sandra S. Lawn Harbour
area, as well as from the Fort Wellington grounds. Boaters can
also watch the show from the St. Lawrence, so long as they are
east or west of the "no boat zone."
Good growing season so far for local farmers
By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The corn is green, the soy is growing, and
the warm weather and adequate rainfall so far this year means
many crops in the South Grenville area are doing well.
"We have one of the best growing areas anywhere in the
country right here," said Geri Kamenz, a Ventnor-area farmer
and vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).
"There's a lot of things that have to go wrong from here
on in to have a bad growing season."
Kamenz added the corn in the area looks very good, while area
soybeans are doing well too. "A lot will suggest (soybeans)
was slow to get going... In the last week they've turned around,"
he stated.
"Corn is getting very close to pollination," Kamenz
stated, adding "some cooler weather" by the end of
July "could be just the recipe we need" for a great
corn crop.
In regards to the area hay crop, Kamenz stated the first cut
was "average." However he also said there is "tremendous
regrowth" occurring with hay. "There is a second cut,
a lot better than none," he said, adding there may even
be the opportunity for a third-cut crop.
Kamenz added it is rare for farmers to have three good growing
seasons in a row. "The last two growing seasons (2003 and
2004) were tremendous," he stated.
He also said "what we have here is a localized event
of growing... a warmer-than-normal early growing season."
Spencerville-area farmer Shawn Carmichael stated "It's
just one of those years you rarely see... you can watch the corn
growing by the day. Soy is doing well, conditions are perfect."
He also likened the growing conditions in the area to a "tropical
rainforest," and added the heat of the past month has helped
fields from getting too wet. "Anyone who can't grow crops
this year had better quit," he added .
Even though the crop looks good, the prices for fall contract
corn are not. "With corn prices, there's still no opportunity
to contract at a profit," Kamenz stated.
"People have to pay attention to what is happening in
the market," Kamenz added.
"The corn is doing very good," stated Brent Tinkler,
a Roebuck-area farmer who farms for Jim Whitley on Lilyburns
Holsteins farm. He added the humidity and rainfall has been good
for the corn crop. "The yield looks high... Keep the rain
and humidity coming."
Tinkler also stated the heat can be hard on livestock. "The
cows deal with the heat," he stated. "It's hard on
them, but they manage."
Kamenz opines the hot weather has taken the wind out of the
sails of milk production in the area. "Every animal feels
the heat," Kamenz said, adding this results in lower milk
production for dairy operations.
The favourable growing conditions in the South Grenville area
are in sharp contrast to the rest of the country, which is by
turns cool and wet, or hot and dry. "Halifax (in Nova Scotia)
has yet to see summer," stated Kamenz. "They've had
lots of moisture, overcast days," he added. In contrast,
he stated portions of Ontario have been very dry. "Some
areas have declared a level-three drought," he stated.
The favourable growing conditions in our area occupy a fairly
narrow region of the province, stretching approximately from
the Quebec border to around Gananoque.
Area market gardeners have also reported positive effects
from the heat of this growing season. "Some of our vegetables
have been very early," stated Elise Castonguay, a market
gardener from Heckston who regularly sells produce and baked
goods on the Prescott farmers market.
She added her carrots and turnips are both ahead for this
year. "The heat brought it (the crop) on quick," she
stated. She added that other crops - such as peas and strawberries
- are already finished for the year. "Raspberries are just
getting ready to start," she stated.
Coast Guard, RCMP launch joint patrols
PRESCOTT Joint patrols of the St. Lawrence River and
the Great Lakes have been launched.
The Canadian Coast Guard and RCMP have entered a partnership
aimed at creating an increased enforcement presence on the waters
of the country's southern border with the United States.
Dozens of enforcement officers were in Prescott last week
to receive training, much of which was conducted at the town
fire hall. A news conference to announce the new initiative took
place Wednesday at the Coast Guard base on King Street West.
The joint patrols are part of a five-year, $300-million spending
package announced by the federal government in April. The program
is designed to enhance security at Canada's maritime borders
and in its marine transportation system.
Mauril Bélanger, minister for internal trade and associate
minister of national defence, said the new arrangement creates
"...a security capacity that has never before existed. This
partnership will help protect these important waterways in areas
of national security as well as in the prevention of organized
crime."
Four existing vessels are to be used for the patrols and will
make their way through the seaway and Great Lakes system on a
continual basis. The federal program calls for four new patrol
vessels to be built at a projected cost of more than $100 million.
The new boats are to be in service in 2009.
Veteran does not want legacy to be overlooked
By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer
AUGUSTA - Walter Kingston is like many other veterans these
days who aren't sure what will happen to their legacy when they're
gone.
Kingston, a veteran of the Second World War served with the
Canadian Navy as a senior petty officer and machinist which saw
him stationed in Vancouver and in Nova Scotia.
During his travels, Kingston picked up many mementos from
his time in the Navy, particularly from wartime where he received
some very rare photographs of a German submarine crew while on
duty. Kingston explained the picture of the sub's crew was taken
by the Germans and he came about them after the sub surrendered
and some of the effects were confiscated.
"It's a couple pictures of a German sub which was brought
out at Norway and captured and brought in by the Inch Aaron in
Shelburne, Nova Scotia in 1945," explained Kingston.
"I doubt there are any more pictures of German subs like
this left in the world. I want to make sure they're preserved."
The Augusta resident indicated he just wants to make sure
people know items like his pictures and other memorabilia exist,
since veterans of the Second World War are becoming somewhat
of a dying breed.
"We're not getting any younger and there are other veterans
with things like this in their homes," said Kingston.
"These pieces of history could get lost in the shuffle
after they pass on and they mean a lot," he added.
Kingston indicated he's not sure what would happen to his
items after he is gone, since people like his children those
who did not live through that time and experience the same things
as many of the veterans did wouldn't have the same kind of appreciation
for them.
"I don't want this to become something that sits in someone's
cellar and barely ever gets looked at," Kingston said.
"There's not the same kind of appreciation for some of
these things, and I want to let people know it's here and available
as long as I knew it was going to be preserved and honoured.
If anyone wanted it, I would give it to them."
Ministry order lifted; lodge can accept new residents
BROCKVILLE St. Lawrence Lodge is once again admitting
new residents, the home for the aged announced Monday.
In May, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care ordered
a halt to admissions at the 240-bed waterfront facility located
on County Road 2 just east of Brockville. The order was in response
to what the ministry indicated were a number of non-compliance
issues.
Although the ministry served notice the lodge can resume admitting
patients, the facility will continue to be monitored closely.
Mike Kalivas, chair of the St. Lawrence Lodge management committee,
stated in a news release the committee is pleased the ministry
has acknowledged the efforts of lodge staff to rectify the situation.
St. Lawrence Lodge is owned and operated by the United Counties
of Leeds and Grenville, the City of Brockville, Town of Prescott
and Town of Gananoque. A new building to replace the existing
one is being constructed on the St. Lawrence site.
Region snubbed by provincial tourism plan, local MPP says
BROCKVILLE The omission of the Kingston and 1000 Islands
region from a list of provincial tourism priorities is a colossal
oversight on the part of the Liberal government, according to
Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman.
In a news release issued last Monday, Runciman indicates a
new destination strategy divides Ontario into six priority areas:
Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa-Gatineau, southern Georgian Bay, Muskoka
and Windsor.
"It's difficult to fathom the inclusion of an area like
Windsor while excluding Kingston and the 1000 Islands,"
states the Progressive Conservative MPP.
"We have three international border crossings, castles,
forts, Upper Canada Village and thousands of magnificent islands.
They simply have to correct this oversight," adds Runciman,
who also refers to the situation as an "offensive and damaging
omission."
Tourism Minister Jim Bradley is being asked by the MPP to
take immediate action.
On Thursday, Runciman issued a follow-up release. He noted
a spokesperson for the minister had been quoted by Toronto media
as saying the region is not an icon destination. The MPP said
the official's use of international bridge crossing stats comparing
Windsor to the Thousand Islands was selective and misleading.
"Windsor may have more bridge traffic, but ministry statistics
indicate overnight destination visits to Frontenac and Leeds-Grenville
exceed Windsor by more than double," stated Runciman, who
went on to claim political influence played a role in the choice
of Windsor as one of the six priority areas. He noted the provincial
Liberal cabinet includes two ministers who represent Windsor.
Prescott council agrees to chip in on new roof for public
library
Leaks causing problems, must be fixed immediately
By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor
PRESCOTT Town council has agreed to use up to $6,000
from recreation and facilities reserves to help cover the cost
of replacing the roof of the public library.
But the decision made by council Monday night followed a lengthy
debate in which three members of council expressed concerns about
the way the matter was being handled.
The roof, which had been cut from town hall renovations a
few years ago and is part of the current rejuvenation and expansion
fundraising campaign, was patched last year in an effort to deal
with leaks. However, heavy rain last week led to damaged ceiling
tiles and carpets in the upper level of the library. Covers have
been placed over some bookshelf areas; others have been moved
away from the leaks. Some books have been damaged.
The library board had budgeted $9,000 for the roof work as
part of the fundraising drive being overseen by the Friends of
the Prescott Public Library group. However, new quotes indicate
the cost could be as much as $15,000.
The library board met Friday and agreed to ask council to
contribute the remainder of the money (above the initial $9,000)
needed to replace the roof. The money would come from the Friends'
fundraising drive. Councillor Sue O'Hanlon, who is also a member
of the library board, said Monday night the roof "needs
to be fixed sooner rather than later."
Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead noted her concern is about taking
money out of reserves earmarked for recreation purposes. She
said council should be careful not to leave itself short by taking
money from reserve funds and not replacing it. Beckstead's concerns
were echoed by Councillor Suzanne Dodge, who wondered why the
matter had not been brought up at budget time or at the committee
level prior to Monday's council meeting.
Although she noted she is "a firm believer" in the
Friends group and its fundraising efforts, Dodge said the town
has put a lot of money into the building. She also expressed
concern about being asked to approve the motion without an accompanying
financial report on the situation.
O'Hanlon countered by saying the library has always been part
of town hall on Dibble Street, and the roof just cannot hold
out any longer. Councillor Chuck Street remarked the bottom line
is the roof belongs to the town. Council might feel uncomfortable
about the timing, he added, but the roof has to be fixed now
and the town should be thankful the board has offered to chip
in $9,000.
Town Treasurer Laurie Kirkby said the contribution by council
would be considered a grant. She also noted the reserve funds
are for facilities in general, something council may wish to
clarify or address as part of next year's budget deliberations.
In the end, council voted 5-2 to proceed with roof replacement
at a maximum cost of $15,000. O'Hanlon, Street, Beckstead, Councillor
Bob Pelda and Mayor Robert Lawn voted in favour of the move;
Dodge and Councillor Nancy Lane voted against the motion.
Concerns addressed at lively open house
PRESCOTT Plans for more housing in the northeast section
of town appear to be drawing interest from developers and neighbourhood
residents.
Upwards of 80 people gathered at town hall last Wednesday
night to obtain information about the residential subdivision
being planned for the area just north of Mackenzie Road, Massie
Drive and Woodland Drive.
Councillor Chuck Street, chairman of the planning development
committee, described the meeting as "a helpful exercise"
which served to address misinformation about the town's plans
for the 80-unit subdivision which is to include single-family
and semi-detached units.
One issue noted by several people who attended the open house
is the extension of Mackenzie to the road that runs along the
south end of the parking lot shared by O'Reilly's Your Independent
Grocer and Canadian Tire. Some residents of the area are concerned
changing Mackenzie to a through street from a dead-end road would
have a negative effect on the existing neighbourhood.
Street pointed out the subdivision plan does not include extending
Mackenzie all the way to the parking lot. The road is to be extended
north, but it would turn east before getting to the commercial
area. There are no plans at this time to extend Mackenzie or
any of the existing streets to the grocery store, according to
Street.
Town officials have discussed the possibility of extending
Boundary Street north and around existing homes in Wellington
Woods as well as the area north and west of there which is also
slated for residential development. The councillor said Boundary
could eventually be linked with the commercial area on Prescott
Centre Drive. However, the concept is not in the town's immediate
plans.
Other concerns expressed at the open house include the effects
development would have on property values of existing homes to
the south as well as the prospect of increased traffic on streets
leading to the subdivision. The cost of servicing the area is
to be recovered through the sale of lots.
Although the subdivision plan has received provincial approval,
the town has yet to make final decisions on how development will
take place other than in phases, with the first phases possibly
starting later this year. A request for proposals is being issued
by the municipality.
Town officials have noted interest in the subdivision has
been expressed by at least three parties.
Visit by OPP Golden Helmets leads to special emergency response
day
By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor
PRESCOTT Downtown Prescott is the place to be this civic
holiday long weekend.
A section of King Street West will be closed for much of the
morning and all afternoon next Saturday, July 30 as the work
of emergency responders is showcased. The highlight of the special
day will be a performance by the Ontario Provincial Police Golden
Helmets Precision Motorcycle Team, but there will also be displays
involving other agencies as well as a sidewalk sale.
OPP Constable Gary Sluytman, community services officer for
the Prescott patrol zone and the organizer of the event, noted
the Golden Helmets were booked to appear in Ogdensburg on Friday,
July 29. As soon as he heard they were going to be in the area,
he contacted the person in charge of the unit.
The Golden Helmets' most recent appearance in Prescott took
place 20 years ago. "We thought it was a good time to have
them back," Sluytman said.
The team's schedule permitted them to stop in Prescott before
their next appearance in Smiths Falls on Sunday, July 31.
The Golden Helmets will perform their half-hour show at 2
pm at the intersection of King and Centre streets. After the
show, team members will answer questions and pose for photographs.
Sluytman encourages people to bring their cameras to the show.
The OPP motorcycle team was formed in 1963. The 20-member
unit consists of 17 riders and a ride master, commentator and
motorcycle technician. Each team member has successfully completed
a three-week course and at least one year of motorcycle patrol
and be in good physical condition.
The 1,450-cc Harley Davidson Police Specials used by the Golden
Helmets are the same model used for normal patrols.
The OPP's involvement in the event is not limited to the motorcycle
show. Throughout the afternoon, police will be in the clock tower
lot with interactive displays and equipment such as radar units
and an ALCO tester. An OPP K-9 unit is also scheduled to appear
at the parking lot.
Members of the OPP Auxiliary will be on hand to check bicycles
for mechanical defects and bike helmets to ensure they fit properly.
They will also register bikes to prevent theft and make them
easier to identify if they are lost or stolen.
As an added bonus, anyone who has his or her bike inspected
will receive a free drink and get a chance to win a bike helmet
courtesy of the Prescott and District Lions Club.
Sluytman said having the Golden Helmets perform here provided
an opportunity for other emergency response agencies to deliver
their safety messages to the public on July 30.
Several other agencies will be on hand in the clock tower
area from about noon to 4 pm. The Prescott Fire Department will
demonstrate the "jaws of life" and have other equipment
on display. Leeds and Grenville Emergency Services will be there
with an ambulance and emergency response vehicle. Customs officers
will have a mobile x-ray unit on display as well as contraband
seized at the border. Fisheries and Oceans will display search
and rescue units, and CN Rail Police will also be downtown with
a fully-equipped emergency response vehicle.
As for the sidewalk sale, Sluytman said the BIA was "more
than interested" in taking part in the special day.
See next week's Journal for more details on July 30
activities in downtown Prescott.
Site plan a go
PRESCOTT The Mariner's Club condominium project is another
step closer to becoming a reality.
Prescott council approved a bylaw Monday night which authorizes
the mayor and CAO to enter into a site plan agreement with the
developer for a four-storey, 28-unit building to be constructed
on the Blue Fence property on Water Street just west of the Kinsmen
Amphitheatre.
Last month, council approved a zoning bylaw amendment involving
the property. Prescott CAO Robert Haller noted Monday there have
been no negative comments at public meetings at which the subject
of the condos was addressed.
Backers of the project are hoping to begin construction this
year and complete the work next year. Councillor Bob Pelda, the
main proponent of Mariner's Club, declared an interest Monday
night and left the council chamber for the bylaw discussion and
vote.
Chamber directors meet for lunch today
PRESCOTT The next meeting of directors of the Prescott
and District Chamber of Commerce will be held today (Wednesday,
July 20) at noon at Grenville Arms on King Street West.
Councillor suggests change to proposed waste management bylaw
in Augusta
MAYNARD - At the July 11 meeting of Augusta council, Councillor
John Fischl suggested a modification to the township's draft
waste management bylaw.
He asked council to consider adding "compost and clean
brush" to the list of recyclable materials listed in the
schedule on the bylaw.
Reeve John McCrea noted he thought the change would be a good
idea. "It may increase our diversion rate," he added.
Fischl also noted the township has received a cheque for $15,382
for waste diversion.
The bylaw is expected to be given third and final reading
at the Aug. 8 council meeting. The proposal includes a fee of
50 cents per bag of garbage and other fees for demolition material
taken to the Maynard transfer station and the North Augusta Landfill
Site.
Community dinner served next week
PRESCOTT The next Master's Hands community supper will
be served on Wednesday, July 27 from 5 to 6:15 pm at Seaway Christian
Church on Churchill Road at Massie Drive.
There is no admission fee. All are welcome to attend the monthly
dinner for the less fortunate.
Township official charged with impaired driving
AUGUSTA Augusta Reeve John McCrea is standing behind
the township's public works manager who faces an impaired driving
charge.
Ken Dickson, 53, was arrested and charged by Orillia OPP on
June 8, The Journal learned last week. Constable Gerry
Dwyer, media relations officer at the Orillia detachment, told
The Journal Friday police received a report about a pick-up
truck had been observed being driven erratically. The truck entered
a plaza lot, at which time police were notified.
Dwyer did not indicate whether or not Dickson was operating
a municipal vehicle at the time of the arrest. The accused has
already made a court appearance and is scheduled to appear in
court again later this month, according to the constable.
McCrea told The Journal Monday the municipality's interests
are being looked after 100 per cent. Dickson is "a good
and valuable employee" who has not been found guilty, the
reeve noted. "He's a good friend of mine," McCrea added.
The reeve also indicated he does not believe a municipal vehicle
was involved in the case being investigated by police.
When he was charged, Dickson was also issued a 90-day administrative
driver's licence suspension. An impaired driving conviction carries
an automatic one-year licence suspension for the first offence.
Dickson was hired by the township in 2004.
Fair turns 175
DELTA The 175th anniversary of the Delta Fair is being
celebrated this week.
Ontario's second-oldest fair starts this Thursday and wraps
up Sunday night. In addition to agricultural exhibits and displays
and a midway, the four-day festival will include performances
by country artists Charlie Major, Carroll Baker and Wayne Rostad.
For more information on the Delta Fair, call 928-2800.
Union leader cautiously optimistic prior to talks with Invista
on Tuesday
By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD - On Monday, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers
Union Local 28-0 President Steve Armstrong said he was "cautiously
optimistic" about the talks between the union and Invista
scheduled for yesterday in Brockville.
He added he was glad the meeting was taking place. "The
(striking) workers are glad we're meeting with the company, for
sure," he added.
Armstrong also said he hopes one of the things that will happen
at the meeting is that the legal language of the contract will
be "firmed up."
He added the language in the contract handed down by Invista
is wishy-washy, and he hopes the lawyer the company has retained
to assist with the negotiations will help to clarify it.
"Direct language will solve so many problems." he
said.
"Get rid of 'intend,' put 'shall' instead."
Armstrong cited one example of this as being a statement in
the contract regarding EDOs (extra days off), which are extra
days that shift workers get off during the year due to the fact
that certain shifts mean workers work more than 40 hours per
week.
"In the offer, (Invista said) 'we intend not to eliminate
the EDO system...' Intend means nothing." Armstrong added
if the company eliminated the system, it could lead to workers
working longer hours, leading to staff layoffs.
He also stated seven representatives from the union (including
the national representative) would be present at the meeting
held yesterday at the Royal Brock. Armstrong added he believed
four people from Invista would be at the meeting.
Comments from Invista spokesperson Line Villeneuve had not
been received by press time Tuesday.
Turtles helped slow traffic on street
By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor
JOHNSTOWN Leah Lafontaine is hoping her turtles will
find their way home.
The two plastic turtles, which had become a familiar fixture
on Sophia Street, were stolen last week. Lafontaine told The
Journal she got home at about 12:30 Thursday morning and
noticed one of the turtles was gone. By the time her husband
arrived about three hours later, the other one was also missing.
The green turtles, which had flags sticking out of them, had
been placed beside the street and were meant to serve as a reminder
to drivers to slow down. It's not just her own children she was
thinking about when she put the turtles there more than two months
ago, according to Lafontaine. "I was doing this for the
safety of everybody else's kids too," she added.
The turtles were definitely being noticed by her neighbours
and passersby. Lafontaine said a lot of people in the neighbourhood
told her they believe having the turtles there helped reduce
the amount of speeding on Sophia Street.
She expressed her disappointment someone would take the turtles.
"Most of the kids in the neighbourhood are quite good,"
she said.
In addition to the cost of replacing them, she noted she was
on a waiting list for several weeks before getting the first
two. "It's just the whole hassle of it," she remarked.
However, she remains hopeful the turtles will be returned
to her (no questions asked) or someone will let her know where
they can be found.
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