Politicians hear plight of farmers during GFA tour
Elected officials called upon to do what they can for
agriculture
By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer
GRENVILLE COUNTY - The tenuous position of Ontario farmers
was the topic of discussion at the Grenville Federation of Agriculture
tour held Saturday.
The tour, which visited a number of farms in both North and
South Grenville, aimed to offer an eye-opening look to the harsh
realities of farming in the province of Ontario to several local
politicians.
Politicians in attendance included Leeds-Grenville MP Gord
Brown, Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman, United Counties of Leeds
and Grenville Warden Doug Struthers, Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal Mayor
Peggy Taylor and Augusta Reeve John McCrea.
During a guest speakers session at Barry Thompson's cash crop
operation near Heckston, a number of speakers including farmers,
feed and fertilizer dealers and equipment dealers spoke to how
a number of conditions in today's farming marketplace have made
it increasingly difficult to do business.
Beef farmer Alec McGregor, who owns a farm in Merrickville-Wolford
and is also president of the Grenville Cattlemen's Association,
stated how the BSE fiasco has greatly reduced farm revenues.
"Since BSE, cattle prices have taken a bite out of my
ability to generate farm revenue," he stated, adding that
cull cow prices have been reduced by 54 per cent since the ordeal
started, while the prices for market cows have been reduced by
an estimated 40 per cent.
McGregor also highlighted the fact from 1997 to 2004, his
net farm income was down 85.5 per cent in spite of the fact his
gross farm income was improving during the same period. "That
(income reduction) is due to higher input costs and lower returns
on sales," he stated.
McGregor also said "Trade agreements put rules around
countries but do not place effective rules around the major international
traders that can exploit producers, labour, the land base and
the environment and as a result leverage down prices."
In closing, McGregor stated "I challenge everyone here
today to ask themselves 'What am I prepared to do to help the
farmers and agriculture industry in Grenville County, Ontario
and all of Canada?"
Bob Wegeant of Wegeant Farm Supplies Inc. in Brockville and
Winchester, also spoke to the fact that, in particular, the BSE
crisis has impacted his business' bottom line.
"We do get affected," he stated. "BSE's effect
on Leeds and Grenville has been disastrous."
Wegeant also stated lower farm incomes, due not only to BSE
but also to low crop prices for corn, soybeans and wheat, affects
the sale of "smaller stuff" at his business, such as
hay racks, which may not be absolutely essential for customers
to buy. "People are fixing their own equipment more, making
do," he added.
"The equity of farms is eroding," Wegeant added.
"When it's all gone, we're all in trouble."
In response to the concerns aired by the guest speakers, Brown
stated "All I can say is I understand the issues (of farmers),"
adding he has also tried to educate his constituents in Leeds
and Grenville as to the problems and challenges of being a farmer
in today's marketplace.
Brown also stated that it's important for farmers to take
part in designated "lobby days" on Parliament Hill.
He stated if there's one thing he's learned since becoming Leeds-Grenville
MP, "it's that the squeaky wheel gets the grease."
he added.
Runciman stated "(If the) Agricultural community could
speak with one voice, it would be damned helpful," and added
it's important for farmers to keep elected official's "feet
to the fire" and make sure they're aware of the realities
of being a farmer today.
Warden Struthers, reiterated the old adage "no farmers,
no food, no future," and also stated that he doesn't believe
the average consumer knows how little of the cost of food in
the supermarket goes to the farmer. "If food is the same
price, the consumer doesn't know the farmer is getting less,"
he stated. "How do we get the larger media to understand
that?"
It is the first year such a tour has been held by the GFA.
"The main purpose is to inform politicians of the state
of agriculture today," stated Dean Latourell, who helped
organize the event.
THIS WEEK
Official plan drop-in is today at town hall
PRESCOTT An update on proposed revisions to Prescott's
official plan will be available today at an open house at town
hall.
The drop-in session runs from 5 to 7 pm on the second floor
of the municipal building on Dibble Street West. The public is
invited to attend.
The official plan outlines general and specific land-use guidelines
for the municipality. The existing plan has not been updated
since 1991.
Local blood donors can go to Brockville
PRESCOTT Blood donors who were unable to give at the
clinic held last month in Prescott are being encouraged to attend
the clinic being held today (Oct. 12) in Brockville.
Today's Canadian Blood Services clinic is being held from
1:30 to 7:30 pm at the Brockville Memorial Centre. Walk-ins will
be accepted.
There will not be another clinic in Prescott until next spring.
Influenza shot clinics will soon be returning
SOUTH GRENVILLE The tri-county health unit will host
four flu shot clinics in the South Grenville area this fall.
Free flu shots will be available to Ontario residents on Nov.
3 at South Grenville District High School, Nov. 18 at the Cardinal
and District Resource Centre and the Prescott Health Centre and
Nov. 21 at Centennial '67 Public School in Spencerville.
For more information on influenza or the clinics, visit www.healthunit.org
or call 345-5685 or consult a family physician.
Orbison show at Legion
PRESCOTT Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion presents
a tribute to Roy Orbison this Friday night (Oct. 14).
The Roy Orbison Chronicles The Man and His Music, featuring
world-renowned tribute artist Mike Mulligan, will start at 8
pm at the Legion hall on Henry Street. There will also be a '50s
and '60s dance after the two-and-a-half-hour show.
Tickets are on sale at the branch, Doyle's on King Street
and Prescott Beauty & Barber Shop. Any remaining tickets
will be available at the door.
Jobless rate lower, fewer EI claims in September
But unemployment is still at higher level than 2004
KINGSTON The regional unemployment rate went down in
September, according to figures released by Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).
The jobless rate for the region of Eastern Ontario that includes
Leeds and Grenville was 6.7 per cent in September compared to
7.2 per cent in August.
An HRSDC news release stated employment increases were reported
last month in construction and the goods-producing sector.
Compared to Sept. 2004 when the unemployment rate was 5.6
per cent, there were job increases in construction, business,
building and other services in September of this year.
The number of people collecting Employment Insurance (EI)
benefits was also down in September, according to HRSDC. The
Prescott office reported 909 regular and special EI claimants
at the end of the month, a decrease of 1.6 per cent from the
total of 924 at the end of August.
For other centres in Leeds and Grenville, Gananoque reported
a drop of more than 16 per cent (from 326 to 273) while the Brockville
HRSDC office had four fewer EI claims (811) at the end of September
than in the previous month.
Overall, there were seven per cent fewer EI claimants last
month in the Pembroke-Kingston management area.
The regional jobless rate is now about the same as the unemployment
rates of Ontario and Canada.
Energy plan is not enough: MP
OTTAWA The federal government's energy rebate plan will
leave many Canadians out in the cold, according to Leeds-Grenville
MP Gord Brown.
The proposed package, which was announced Thursday, provides
$250 to each family entitled to receive the National Child Benefit
supplement, $250 for each senior couple eligible to receive the
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and $125 to each senior citizen
who is also entitled to the GIS.
If approved, the plan would see about 3.1 million payments
totalling $565 million. The proposal includes direct financial
assistance to low-income households that upgrade heating systems
or take on eligible projects in an effort to improve energy efficiency
or promote conservation.
Legislation to adopt the energy relief package was introduced
in the House of Commons Thursday.
In a news release issued Friday, Brown acknowledged offering
a rebate to low-income earners and seniors is a positive move.
"But they (the government) leave the middle class, the bulk
of the taxpayers and the people who are usually paying
for the energy covering this bill even as they struggle
with their own high energy prices." he added.
The plan will help less than 10 per cent of Canadians, according
to Brown. "Clearly, the government's plan is not addressing
the needs of the majority of Canadians," stated the MP,
who also noted he had spoken to farmers, businesses and local
residents in recent weeks. "The cost of energy and the potential
damage to our economy is on the top of the priority list right
now," Brown added.
The Conservative MP indicated he will launch a petition this
week demanding a reduction in taxes on gasoline.
In response to a government plan to increase the travel allowance
for MPs and public servants from 46 to 50.6 cents a kilometre,
Brown and the Conservatives are calling for the plan to be cancelled.
The Leeds-Grenville MP claims the Liberals have a double standard:
one for politicians and bureaucrats, and one for the rest of
the country.
The energy relief package includes measures government leaders
claim will strengthen the Competition Act and help deter
companies from gouging customers with high gasoline and energy
prices.
Bowl for Easter Seals Kids this weekend
KEMPTVILLE The Kathy Botham Bowl for Easter Seals Kids
will take place on Sunday, Oct. 16 at Kemptville Bowling Lanes.
Teams of five and six will be participating in this third
annual fundraiser for the Easter Seal Society, which provides
support to children and young adults who have physical disabilities.
Celebrity guests scheduled to appear include Max Keeping of
CTV News (formerly CJOH News) in Ottawa and Stuntman Stu of 106.9
The Bear.
There will also be a number of awards and prizes handed out
on what organizers say will be a wild and wacky day of bowling.
Each team is asked to raise a minimum of $50 per player. Individuals
can also sign up; they will be placed on teams. Registration
starts at noon; the bowling begins at 12:30.
The event raised a total of more than $7,000 in its first
two years.
For more information, call Kathy Botham at 258-7177 or the
Easter Seal Society office at 1-866-473-2028.
Ecumenical group meets on Saturday morning
PRESCOTT The Seaway Ecumenical Group will meet this
Saturday, Oct. 15 at St. Paul's United Church.
Breakfast will be served at 8 am. All are welcome to attend;
tickets are available at the door.
Guest speaker will be Pastor Kevin Smith, who had been advertised
as the speaker at the September meeting but was out of the country.
The pastor will talk about Project Malawi.
The ecumenical group provides a forum for like-minded individuals
for fellowship and to express Christian faith in the community.
The church hall of St. Paul's is located on George Street
just north of Dibble.
Legion program offers bursaries for university, college students
SOUTH GRENVILLE The Royal Canadian Legion Provincial
Bursary Program is now accepting applications.
The program, which provides up to $500 per school year for
post-secondary students, is open to Canadian and Commonwealth
war veterans and their children and grandchildren as well as
ordinary and life members of the Legion and their children and
grandchildren. Ladies auxiliary members and their children and
grandchildren are also eligible, as are associate Legion members
and their kids.
Application forms are available at Legion branches and high
school guidance departments. The deadline for submissions is
in March.
Health show launches new season on cable
SOUTH GRENVILLE A television program aimed at raising
awareness of community and health services has returned for a
second season.
Healthy Living airs Wednesday at 6:30 pm on TV Cogeco.
Developed in partnership with the Access Centre for Community
Care in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, the show provides information
for individuals and caregivers. Topics to be featured this season
include services for children, recreation for seniors, elder
abuse and crime prevention.
For more information on the program or health services, call
Cindy Goldberg at the access centre at (613) 283-8012, ext. 277.
Cemetery meeting to be held tonight
MAYNARD The regular meeting of Maynard Cemetery Inc.
will be held today (Wednesday, Oct. 12) at 7 pm at the cemetery.
All are welcome to attend.
Canada Post puts its stamp on new program aimed at addressing
errors
Month-long campaign begins in Prescott Monday
By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor
PRESCOTT A Canada Post campaign to ensure mail is addressed
correctly will be launched in Prescott next week.
A recent study of mail arriving at the post office in Prescott
found 45 per cent of that mail to have an incorrect mailing address.
Although Canada Post maintains it is committed to delivering
all mail received, incorrectly-addressed mail could end up being
delayed or returned to the sender.
In an effort to increase awareness of the problem, the federal
crown corporation is launching Address Accuracy Month on Monday.
The local area manager of Canada Post and other officials will
be on hand throughout the day to explain the significance of
correct addressing and what customers can do to ensure mail is
delivered as efficiently as possible. Refreshments will be served
at the post office on Monday.
All Canada Post customers will be encouraged during the special
promotion month to take mail with incorrect address information
to the counter at their local post office. Staff will receive
the item and assist the customer with filling out a change of
address card to let the sender know there is a mistake.
For each change of address card sent, the sender will receive
one ballot for the gift basket. The draw will be held on Nov.
17, the last day of Address Accuracy Month.
During Address Accuracy Month, Canada Post will waive the
charge (one stamp) for change of address notification cards.
However, this offer applies only to address correction, not physical
moves.
Canada Post representative Sue Whyte told The Journal
she and another post office official plan on talking to business
owners in Prescott about mail service. Whyte noted it is important
for the public to be aware of the difference between civic (9-1-1)
or street addresses and a mailing address.
MP and MPP take back-seat role in Invista, candidate says
PRESCOTT It is time for the community to come together
in support of workers at Invista Maitland, according to federal
Liberal candidate Bob Eaton.
A strike by about 350 members of Local 28-0 of the Communication,
Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada began on June 4. A tentative
deal reached last month was overwhelmingly rejected by the workers.
In a news release issued Friday, Eaton calls on Premier Dalton
McGuinty and the Ontario Liberal government "...to restore
the historical balance between labour and management."
In response to comments by Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman
in last week's Journal, Eaton said the Progressive Conservative
member failed to mention "...labour laws passed when he
and Mike Harris were the government have created a situation
where workers have little choice but to accept what is offered
to them or lose their jobs."
Eaton, a Prescott resident and executive member of the Ontario
Public Service Employees' Union, indicated he has placed several
calls to Queen's Park on this issue and offered to work with
both sides to bring an end to the Invista dispute.
"These jobs are too important to our riding for politicians
to be taking a back-seat role in this labour dispute," Eaton
stated. "We've heard nothing from our federal MP, Gord Brown,
and we've heard only lip service from our MPP, Bob Runciman."
Ontario Travel Information Centre had more foreign visitors
this year
By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer
JOHNSTOWN - While the overall tourist traffic may not have
been up substantially from last year, Ontario Travel Information
Centre Manager Sandra Robertson was still pleased with the 2005
season.
The centre, located on Highway 16, closed for they year on
Monday. In particular, Robertson noted an upswing in tourists
from abroad. "We've had more foreign visitors - a lot of
them," she stated.
She noted in the month of October alone, the centre has 11
visitors from Germany alone. "That's very impressive,"
she added.
"I think the foreign visitor business is back,"
stated Robertson. She added she believes the reason for more
foreign tourists is because of more promotion of Canada as a
tourist destination by the Canadian government, as well as "the
fact Canada is seen as a safe country to travel in."
For the 2004 season, Robertson estimated the centre had approximately
6,500 visitors. Numbers for this year were not available yet,
although Robertson stated she believes they're about the same
as last year.
Visitors from other countries over the season also included
English, French and Swiss tourists.
Robertson also stated that 2005 marked a number of changes
at the travel centre, which included renovations and, for the
first time the sale of Ontario Parks merchandise. "It's
the first time (this) travel centre was in the retail business,"
she added.
Not all the visitors to the centre were from far away, either.
"A lot of people (who visited) are local people," stated
Robertson. "We have such a wealth of information in here...
Over the years, more and more local people use the centre."
Robertson added particularly popular information with local
people are recreational maps, which show features such as back
roads, hiking and bike trails and heritage features. "This
has become quite popular at the travel centre, what maps are
available for a variety of purposes," she stated.
"We get more individuals here than tour groups,"
Robertson added. She also said the centre offers "old-fashioned
travel counselling," such as how to get to places and what
to see when a traveller gets there.
The most popular place about which information was requested,
according to her is the Ottawa area, followed by Toronto and
the Niagara Falls region.
Throughout the season, Robertson admitted she got her share
of unusual queries from tourists, including what side of the
road to drive on in Ontario.
Cardinal, Johnstown are upcoming tour stops
PRESCOTT Federal Liberal candidate Bob Eaton continues
his 20/20 Tour of communities in the riding of Leeds-Grenville.
Earlier this month, the Prescott resident launched the series
of informal public gatherings. Eaton is hosting town-hall meetings
at which the public is invited to provide input on issues of
interest to them.
Tonight's meeting in Merrickville is the seventh of the 20-stop
tour.
The remaining South Grenville stops on the Liberal candidate's
tour are next Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the Cardinal Legion and Wednesday,
Oct. 26 at the South Edwardsburgh Community Centre in Johnstown.
Both meetings start at 7 pm.
Leeds-Grenville is represented in the House of Commons by
Conservative MP Gord Brown.
Day hospice to be created in Brockville: St. Vincent
KINGSTON St. Vincent de Paul Hospital has plans to create
a community-based day hospice in Brockville.
The hospital will receive an additional $25,000 in Ontario
health ministry funding for its volunteer hospice visiting service
in Leeds and Grenville, it was announced last Tuesday. The funding
will be used to create a one-day-a-week day hospice.
The ministry will also provide an additional $18,000 for expansion
of the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Palliative Care Education
Program. The program offers courses, workshops and a mentor program
to professional health care workers, caregivers and hospice volunteers
who deal with terminally-ill patients and their families.
Palliative care services based at St. Vincent and Hospice
of Providence are not funded by the health ministry.
A palliative pain and symptom management program for southeastern
Ontario will also receive additional funding from the province.
Safe handling of candles and wood heat being emphasized this
week
By Blake McKim, Journal Staff Writer
AUGUSTA - The Augusta Fire Department has planned a number
of activities to commemorate Fire Prevention Week, which runs
from Oct. 9 to Oct. 15.
"First of all, we're ensuring all of the schools (in
Augusta) have a proper fire drill procedure in place," explained
Augusta's Deputy Fire Chief Lindsay Penney.
He added schools in the municipality participated in an activity
last Thursday which gauged the time it took all students in the
schools to evacuate during a fire drill. The school which had
the best time based on the number of students in the school was
awarded a trophy by the department.
Penney also stated schools in Augusta (which include Algonquin,
Maitland and Maynard public schools, and Grenville Christian
College) are being encouraged to participate in the "biggest
fire drill in the world." This activity, which is happening
today (Wednesday) at 10 am across the province, involves schools
doing a fire evacuation and then registering with the Public
Fire Safety Commission of Ontario.
"The hope is, when all children (across Ontario) do it,
we're hoping to get into the Guinness Book of World Records,"
explained Penney. He added the hope is to get the approximately
1,000 students in Augusta to participate in this activity.
The focus of this year's campaign is candle safety. Penney
added the department will be focusing on safe candle handling
in its presentations to township schoolchildren in the next couple
of weeks. "In modern times, people have forgotten how to
properly handle candles," stated Penney.
Penney also stated people who may be returning to wood heat
this winter because of skyrocketing oil and gas costs should
be very aware about the regulations for wood heating in regards
to space around the stove, as well as the type of pipe and type
of stove and chimney which are acceptable under current provincial
regulations.
As well, he said the Augusta Fire Department offers free home
inspections of wood-burning set-ups to homeowners to see if they
are safe and meeting regulations. "There is also information
available on the township website (www.augusta.ca)," Penney
added.
To arrange an inspection, contact the fire department at 348-3455.
In case of a fire emergency, call 9-1-1.
Fire safety is all about common sense
Displays set up this Saturday at Giant Tiger, Canadian
Tire
By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Fire stations across South Grenville are
preparing to help better educate the public during Fire Prevention
Week.
Members of the Prescott Fire Department plan to be very active
throughout the week (Oct. 9-15) with numerous activities planned
for Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 am to 1 pm; fire trucks and fire
department tools will be on display at both Canadian Tire and
Giant Tiger .
Prescott Fire Prevention Officer Brent Norton indicated the
theme for this year's Fire Prevention Week is candle safety,
but indicated there are other areas where the fire department
is also trying to get a message out.
"The loss of a life here in a fire in Augusta recently
is something that people are thinking about and makes people
more aware fires can happen anywhere," explained Norton.
"People need to be aware of the fire hazards around them.
It's not hard to have a fire and that's why we're recommending
having a working fire detector on every level of the house and
a carbon dioxide detector somewhere in the home, since we get
a rise in carbon dioxide calls during the burning season."
He also indicated people should be proactive in having their
appliances checked to make sure they are working properly and
aren't fire hazards.
Norton said the fire department is open for tours, which can
be arranged by contacting himself or the fire hall and trips
to local schools to spread the word on fire safety would be taking
place early in the new year.
Norton also indicated the Prescott Fire Department would be
taking on a very large initiative as members of the department
will be going door-to-door to homes in Prescott on Oct. 22 giving
each homeowner a battery for their smoke detector compliments
of Prescott Building Centre.
"We want people to be fire-safe 365 days a year,"
said Norton, "and the door-to-door campaign is a big part
of that. It's a big good will gesture from Prescott Building
to give the batteries and a big-time commitment for the fire
department covering the entire town with our visits."
While not a lot of events are planned for Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal,
ECFD Chief Jim Purcell indicated students from the Spencerville
schools would be making the trip to visit the fire station in
the coming weeks.
Purcell indicated this is the time of the year when people
need to take every precaution to have a safe fire free fall and
winter season.
"People should be checking their smoke detectors since
they are a very important part of their homes and could save
their lives," said Purcell.
"Also, with the time of year people should be cleaning
their chimneys, making sure their stoves are installed properly
and make sure they know how to burn wood properly. Common sense
is a big factor with all of these"
Purcell also recommended each home should have a carbon monoxide
detector to help better protect its residents.
Government must do its part
By Geri Kamenz
Vice-President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Farmers across Ontario are responding to the Ontario government's
legislation to upgrade their operations' capabilities to manage
nutrients. Nutrient management plans have been prepared and work
is in progress to bring farms into compliance with the legislation
and its regulations.
Farmers are to be commended for their actions aimed at preserving
and protecting the environment. The provincial government must
be thanked for its efforts to provide the necessary funding to
help the farmers meet the environmental standards that have been
established.
We knew it would take a lot of money for the environmental
projects on our farms, but we also know the rest of society depends
on farmers not only for a safe and nutritious source of food,
but for production practices that protect our environment. The
government, through its funding of the projects, has acknowledged
the benefits society will reap from our farmers' efforts. The
funding is society's contribution to doing what's right for the
environment.
The EnviroFarm display presented by the Ontario Federation
of Agriculture at the recent 2005 International Plowing Match
near Listowel in Perth County illustrated much of what agriculture
is doing to protect the environment. Farmers and urban visitors
touring the EnviroFarm display had nothing but positive comments.
They appreciate OFA's efforts to communicate the good work farmers
are doing in this regard.
For the urban visitors to the IPM, the display gave a clear
indication of the complexities of today's business of farming
and the importance of the efforts of farmers to protect everyone's
environment for future generations.
The EnviroFarm display also provided an opportunity for farmers,
politicians and other government staff to understand the environmental
benefits these initiatives bring to all society.
The continued partnership of farmers and our government in
doing what's right for the environment is critical. Farmers have
shown their commitment to the work by their efforts in preparing
and filing nutrient management plans.
Farmers also have capital projects planned which will help
the Ontario government meet both its environmental agenda and
fulfil its promises to the electorate.
Society must make sure its representative in the partnership
the government continues to provide its share of
the funding needed for these projects. The projects, in most
instances, contribute nothing to the bottom line of individual
farmers. They are simply an expense, an expense that farmers
will not recover from today's commodity prices.
Farmers agreed to move forward with nutrient management legislation
and its timelines based on the government's commitment to help
fund various initiatives at agreed-upon levels of cost-share.
We can only move forward in this partnership as long as both
partners farmers and the government each do our part.
Kamenz operates a family farm near Ventnor.
Local MS society marks 40 years at event Saturday
BROCKVILLE A special evening is being planned this weekend
to mark the 40th anniversary of the Multiple Sclerosis Society
of Canada's Leeds and Grenville chapter.
A dinner will be held this Saturday, Oct. 15 at Highway Pentecostal
Church on Stewart Blvd. Social time starts at 5 pm, followed
by roast beef dinner at 6. A special program, including music
and entertainment, will begin at 7:30 pm. Master of ceremonies
will be professional comedian Terry V. Hart.
A montage of old photos depicting the history of the chapter
will be projected onto a screen at the event.
Dinner tickets are available by calling 342-6396 or e-mailing
info.leeds@mssociety.ca. There is a special ticket price for
children under 12.v
Erin Durant is still a hit in her second year on softball
team at U. of Ottawa
By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer
OTTAWA - Prescott native Erin Durant is putting up big numbers
in her second year with the Ottawa Gee-Gee's softball team.
Durant, who was a pleasant surprise for the Gee-Gee's in her
rookie year with the club, returns to the University of Ottawa
line-up and is hoping to help improve upon their fourth place
finish.
In the Gee-Gees' opener Sept. 17, Durant was one of the sparkplugs
on offence all weekend as Ottawa U. posted a 4-0 record after
wins over Guelph, York, Toronto and Queens. The Prescott native
drove in five of the team's 23 runs on the weekend, which included
two doubles and a triple for a .750 batting average.
Durant also had a successful summer, winning a gold medal
as part of Ottawa U. assistant coach Scott Searle's Orleans Rebels
team and got the chance to play in the Eastern Canadian Championships
in St. John, New Brunswick.
Searle indicated Durant is a key player for the Gee-Gees to
have back in the line-up, and the club is expecting big things
from her.
"Erin adds speed and grit and her energy in the outfield
will be a model for other athletes," said Searle. "The
Ottawa U. team is thrilled to have her back to help us win a
championship of our own."
Eating up job opportunities in Ontario
By Garry Hoekstra
When asked about job opportunities in the food industry pictures
of cooks, chefs and servers come to the minds of many.
But these are only a small part of Ontario's ever-expanding
food enterprises.
An engineer is using computer simulation models to design
a processing plant for whole grains. A dietician is counseling
an elderly patient on ways to enhance her energy. A nutrition
manager is over seeing the production of patient meals. A truck
driver is hauling produce from the Toronto Food Terminal to grocery
stores in Thunder Bay. A food scientist is developing a new type
of snack bar with reduced fat and a commercial artist is designing
attractive packaging materials.
All of us participate in the food industry we all like
to eat!
While the Ontario food industry is growing, there is an acute
lack of trained workers.
The Kemptville College Food Diploma program and The Canadian
Association of Foodservice Professionals are doing their part
to address this problem by hosting their fifth annual Food Industry
Career Night on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at Kemptville College, University
of Guelph, in Kemptville.
There will be an "Employer Panel," where food company
representatives will be describing what they are looking for
in an employee, and some of the past graduates of Kemptville
College's Food Program will be passing on their experience and
words of wisdom to those considering a career in food.
"If you want to learn about the fascinating world of
food, come and be amazed at the possibilities the food industry
offers," says Liz Forbes, the co-ordinator of this event.
For more information on careers in the food industry, call
258-8336 or go to http://www.kemptvillec.uoguelph.ca/employ3/food.htm.
This feature was produced with the assistance of the Agricultural
Adaptation Council and Kemptville College, University of Guelph
Story hour at the Prescott library is fun time for the kids
PRESCOTT Check out Children's Story Hour at the Prescott
Public Library.
Youngsters between the ages of two-and-a-half and six, as
well as their parents and caregivers, are invited to visit the
library and enjoy stories, songs and crafts together.
This is a great opportunity for children to become familiar
with the library while learning the alphabet and developing a
love of books.
The program takes place on Monday mornings from 10 to 11 am.
The Prescott Public Library is located at 360 Dibble St. W.
For more information, call the library at 925-4340.
SCHOOL
SCENE
Boundary Street Public School: Boundary's open house
will be held today (Wednesday, Oct. 12) from 5:30 to 7 pm. Please
join us and meet the staff, tour the school, and see your child's
work. School council will sponsor a BBQ starting at 5:30. Local
businesses and members of the community have donated cakes for
our cake walk.
Our senior soccer teams will travel on Thursday.
The cross-country championship meet (which was postponed)
has been rescheduled to today (Wednesday, Oct 12) at the Brockville
Memorial Centre.
Friday, October 21 is an early dismissal day. Students who
walk to school will be dismissed at lunchtime (11:40 am). Bus
students will be picked up at 12 noon. Please be sure to send
snacks, as the students will not be eating lunch at school on
that day.
Early communication reporting student progress will be sent
out shortly.
Ad and sales club meets today
BROCKVILLE The next monthly meeting of the Greater Brockville
Ad and Sales Club will take place today (Wednesday, Oct. 12)
at the Brockville Country Club.
A social/networking hour starts at 5:30 pm, followed by the
dinner meeting at 6:30 pm.
The special guest will be Ben Kubassek, a professional speaker
and author whose personal account of how to move one's life from
burnout to balance is described as humorous, thought-provoking
and inspirational.
Kubassek will lead an afternoon seminar from 2:30 to 5 pm
at the country club. The topics are goal-setting and finances.
For more information on the ad and sales club, call Sandra
Devaney at 342-7961.
Assessment notices on the way
BROCKVILLE The assessed value of residential properties
in the tri-county area (including South Grenville) increased
by an average of between nine and 18 per cent since June 2003,
according to an official with the Municipal Property Assessment
Corporation (MPAC).
Property assessment notices for 2005 have been sent to more
than 89,000 property owners in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. Most
notices will include the percentage by which the value of the
property has changed since the last assessment update. The notices
will also state the overall percentage by which residential properties
in that municipality have changed.
"To verify the accuracy of the assessed value, property
owners should ask themselves if they could have sold their property
for its assessed value on Jan. 1, 2005," states Bev Disney,
municipal relations representative at the MPAC office in Brockville.
"If the answer is yes, then the value is accurate,"
she adds.
A property owner who believes there is incorrect or missing
information on his or her notice is asked to contact MPAC at
its Customer Contact Centre at 1-866-296-6722 or at www.mpac.ca.
Owners have until Dec. 31, 2006 to file a request for reconsideration
if they believe the assessed value or classification is inaccurate.
During the process of delivering assessment notices, the MPAC
office at 2479 Parkedale Ave. W. (near Windsor) in Brockville
will be open for extended hours (8 am to 7 pm) between Oct. 11
and Oct. 20.
MPAC representatives will be on hand at an information session
next Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 7 to 9 pm at town hall in Prescott.
Off-duty officer spots stolen car; 15-year-old arrested
PRESCOTT Grenville County OPP officers responded to
83 calls for service last week in the Prescott patrol zone.
Just after 11 pm last Wednesday, a 41-year-old South Dundas
man reported his 1993 Mercury Sable wagon he had left running
outside the Royal Bank on King Street had been stolen. The vehicle
was last seen westbound and King, turning right at St. Lawrence.
After Constable Howard completed her shift, Constable Howard
(who was off-duty) spotted the vehicle heading south on County
Road 18 into Prescott. She followed the vehicle to the parking
lot of South Grenville District High School and called OPP dispatch.
Constable McKinnon responded, and a 15-year-old Spencerville
male was arrested and charged with theft of the vehicle. The
vehicle was not damaged and was returned to its owner. The accused
will appear in court at a later date. Constable Howard is investigating.
Police say the same youth was involved in a theft reported
last Monday, Oct. 3. A 1992 Plymouth Sundance registered to an
auto parts store in Prescott was stolen from a residence in Johnstown.
The car was recovered at the fair grounds in Spencerville. The
15-year-old was arrested and dealt with by way of extra judicial
measures under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Constable
Thompson is the investigating officer.
Last Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 10:22 pm, police received a report
of stereo equipment being stolen from a vehicle parked in a lot
on Claxton Terrace. A resident called to report seeing two females
going through cars at the apartment building and then taking
off into nearby bushes. The girls, ages 13 and 16, were located
on Water Street and dealt with through the Youth Criminal
Justice Act. The stereo equipment was recovered. The investigating
officer is Constable Large.
Anyone with information on these or any other occurrences
in Prescott is asked to contact the Grenville County OPP detachment
at 925-4221 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. In an emergency,
dial 9-1-1.
GRENVILLE COUNTY OPP - TOWNSHIP
NEWS BRIEFS
TV, VCR, DVD stolen from residence
CARDINAL A break-in at a Lewis Street residence is being
investigated by Constable Kavanagh. The incident was reported
Sunday at 7:18 am by a female who lives at the residence. It
is believed the home was entered through a window sometime between
4 and 6 am that morning. The items taken were a TV, VCR and DVD
player. The value of the stolen items was unavailable.
Mail boxes damaged on Pittston Road
EDWARDSBURGH Constable Kavanagh is also investigating
damage to three mail boxes on Pittston Road. The damage appears
to have occurred during the overnight hours of Oct. 6-7.
Anyone with information on this or any other occurrence in
Edwardsburgh/Cardinal or Augusta is asked to contact Grenville
County OPP at 925-4221 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
No charges or warnings issued at spot check
MAITLAND Acting Sergeant Butcher stopped 38 vehicles
at a RIDE and seat belt check on County Road 2 in Maitland last
Monday, Oct. 3. There were no charges or warnings.
Grenville County OPP remind motorists spot checks could take
place at any time.
Bands to perform in Prescott
PRESCOTT Several heavy metal bands in the region will
be in town this Saturday for a performance at the Prescott Legion
on Henry Street.
The Brockville-based group Raging Blood will host A Show
on its Own II.
Doors open at 5:45 pm; the first band takes the stage at 6
pm.
The line-up includes Raging Blood, Mantra, Rozea Haven, Last
Limit Freedom and Dread the Third Season. These bands are based
in the Kingston, Brockville and Ottawa areas.
Tickets can be purchased at the door. Anyone who brings a
non-perishable food item receives a ticket price discount of
$2. The food drive will benefit Operation Harvest Sharing.
Proceeds from a compilation CD which will be on sale at the
show will also go to Operation Harvest Sharing.
Proceeds from the show will be used to put on more shows in
the area, according to Aaron Kirkland of Raging Blood For more
information, visit www.ragingblood.tripod.com.
Mantra also has an album (called Coming to a Basement Near
You). Copies will be available at the show or online at www.mymantramusic.tk.
Mantra is also planning to take part in a show set for the
following weekend at the high school.
Chamber meeting date changed
JOHNSTOWN The date of the next Prescott and District
Chamber of Commerce directors meeting has been changed.
The monthly meeting which would normally have been held next
Wednesday, Oct. 19 has been pushed back a day to Thursday, Oct.
20. The meeting at the Bridgeview will start at noon.
The meeting date was changed to accommodate the Bridges to
Better Business event co-sponsored by the Chamber and scheduled
for Oct. 19 at the Prescott Golf Club.
Small business remains the backbone of community
Sign up for Bridges to Better Business event in Prescott
PRESCOTT - October is Small Business Month, and Small Business
Week (Oct. 16-22) is just around the corner.
According to Industry Canada, the small business sector (companies
with fewer than 100 employees) accounted for about five million
workers on payroll in 2004. This represents almost half of the
total number of employees in the private-sector labour force.
More than 95 per cent of all companies in Canada are defined
as being small businesses.
As part of the special week, a Bridges to Better Business
event to be held next Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the Prescott Golf
Club. The information and discussion session for local entrepreneurs
begins at 9 am and wraps up at about 2 pm. It is being presented
by the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce and 1000 Islands
Entrepreneurship Centre in conjunction with Prescott-based Grenville
Community Futures Development Corporation (GCFDC).
Guest speaker will be Paul Boivin of Paul Boivin and Associates.
Following the main address, discussion groups will be formed.
Each group will be led by a facilitator.
There is a fee to register. A lower fee is in effect for Chamber
of Commerce members. Morning refreshments and lunch are included.
To register or for more information, call Debbie Lawless at
925-2171 or Lisa Smith at 925-4441. E-mail to Prescottchamber@ripnet.com.
This is the second year for the Bridges event in Prescott.
A similar event will be held next Friday, Oct. 21 at the Brockville
Country Club. There is also a "Get Connected" luncheon
on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the North Grenville Municipal Centre.
A trade show featuring participants in the Self-Employment
Benefit (SEB) program will take place next Tuesday, Oct. 18 from
9 am to 2 pm at the Brockville Memorial Centre. The SEB course,
which is funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada,
assists budding entrepreneurs who want to open their own businesses.
GCFDC delivers the SEB program in the South Grenville area.
Ben TeKamp, who co-ordinates the SEB program at GCFDC, noted
small business is extremely important in the Leeds-Grenville
region. TeKamp, added this sector is the "backbone"
of the local economy in rural centres.
For more information on the program, call 925-4275 or visit
www.grenvillecfdc.com.
GCFDC, which serves the communities of South Grenville and
North Grenville, is funded by Industry Canada.
Cardinal man faces several charges in wake of early-morning
explosion in the village
CARDINAL A man charged in connection with an explosion
in Cardinal is scheduled for a bail hearing today.
An explosive device described as a homemade pipe bomb went
off in the vicinity of a Chevrolet Malibu parked in an alley
beside Dundas Street at about 1 am on Sunday, Oct. 2.
Later that day, Ontario Provincial Police arrested Miguel
Brisson, 21, of Cardinal.
Brisson is charged with making or possessing an explosive
for unlawful purposes, having an explosive intended to cause
damage to property, mischief under $5,000 and uttering a threat
to damage property.
No one was injured in the explosion.
Investigators are still doing tests on evidence collected
at the crime scene. No other explosive devices were seized at
the time of Brisson's arrest, according to the OPP.
The OPP's explosives disposal unit and emergency response
units also took part in the investigation.
Cause of fatal fire unknown
AUGUSTA - Smoke inhalation caused the death of a woman whose
body was found inside an Algonquin Road residence damaged by
fire early last Tuesday morning, according to the OPP.
Betty Alguire, 78, who resided in the house, was pronounced
dead at the scene. Her grandson, 29-year-old Jason Brown, was
treated for smoke inhalation and kept overnight at Brockville
General Hospital.
The names of the victims had not been released by the time
last week's Journal went to press.
The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the fire.
The OPP's crime unit also took part in the investigation, which
is standard procedure in a fatal fire. The cause has yet to be
confirmed; the fire marshal's office is awaiting results of forensic
testing. Foul play is not suspected at this time, according to
police.
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