Year: 2011

On December 22nd, Kristine Blokland, a civilian staff member for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Morrisburg, gave Donna Quesnel, Administrator for the Dundas County Food Bank, a donation of $320 on behalf of the staff and seniors of the North Stor Seniors Support Centre in Finch.

Blokland, a member of the OPP’s Coppertones, sang for the seniors at their annual Christmas celebration in addition to serving them their dinner. 

Quesnel reported that, in addition to actual food items, monetary donations are very important as well because they allow “the FoodBank coordinators to purchase what is missing yet needed for the food boxes.”

Quesnel said, “with this donation, we will be able to purchase a half order of ground beef that can be put in the freezer and be distributed to families over the winter months.”

“Since meat is one of the basic items that the Food Bank provides in small quantities to families in need as part of the food allocation assistance available, once per month, purchases are made locally every couple of months in order to distribute throughout the year,” continued Quesnel. “Donations such as this one helps the FoodBank stock these much needed food items.”

Quesnel offered an updated list of Food Bank needs on December 27th: “Most needed items currently at the Morrisburg DCFB location include: soda crackers and pasta sauce.  These can be dropped off at the Food Bank or in the drop-off bin at Riley’s valu-mart.”

Quesnel said she is grateful for the generosity of so many.

Holiday hours for the Food Bank are Wednesday evenings (Dec 28th and Jan. 4th) from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday afternoons (Dec 29th and Jan. 5th) from 1 to 3 p.m.  

Beginning January 9th, the Food Bank will be open regular hours: Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m., and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. 

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“We started this a number of years ago. We can at least do our share toward it,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds.

He was referring to the Dundas County Food Bank, which has been living rent-free at the Second Street location in Morrisburg.

Council members unanimously agreed that the food bank will continue to have their rental fees waived for as long as they remain at the Second Street location.

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The Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade will be moving ahead now that a construction contract has been approved.

At the December 20th South Dundas council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald submitted the recommendation that J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. be awarded the contract with their tendered bid of $12,299,808 excluding HST.

The bid was one of seven received, coming in at $176,792 lower than the second lowest bid.  AECOM reviewed all bids and recommended J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. to the Ontario Clean Water Agency, who, in turn, agreed and passed on the recommendation to South Dundas council.

In addition to being the lowest bid, J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. also provided excellent references, which included work done on the Morrisburg Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Councillor Jim Graham added his recommendation saying, “I’m glad to see Sulpher back. They did a fantastic job.”

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A new strategic plan outlining and evaluating growth potential for South Dundas was deemed a priority for the township more than a year ago.

At the December 20th council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald brought forward a report, which recommended council hire Dillon Consulting Limited at a cost of $24,870 plus HST. 

Dillon Consulting was one of 10 proposals received. Each proposal was then evaluated by McDonald, Mayor Steven Byvelds, and Economic Development Officer Nicole Sullivan.

Dillon Consulting, an Ottawa-based company, will be holding four Community Cafés throughout South Dundas in the new year because, as McDonald explained, “the whole intent of this was to get good feedback from the community and hear what they have to say.”

“I do hope we get as many as possible to participate,” said Byvelds. “Their proposal was strong. I’m looking forward to getting this underway and getting some good results,” he concluded.

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When is a township responsible for snow removal on township roads?

This question created a heated debate at the December 20th South Dundas council meeting with Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke voicing outrage at the township’s intention to charge local developer, Swank Construction Ltd., for snow removal in the new subdivision east of Iroquois.

He pointed out that there are already two houses in the subdivision whose occupants will be paying taxes to South Dundas. He also reminded council that Swank Construction does a lot for the township in terms of supporting growth.

According to Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald, however, the agreement surrounding snow removal is in the legal contract signed between Swank Construction and South Dundas township.

He maintained, with input from the Manager of Public Works, Hugh Garlough, that the $125 fee for snow removal is within reason. He suggested that Swank hire someone else to clear the roads if he thought the cost was too high.

He further explained that “there are a whole bunch of requirements” that need to be met before the township takes over the responsibility for snow removal in the new subdivision.

Councillor Jim Graham agreed saying, “this is basically a construction site until it’s finished. It doesn’t get turned over to the township until it’s finished.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds added, “you may have a point Deputy-Mayor Locke, but it is what it is.”

Locke put forth a motion: “that we plow the road for zero dollars like we would any other road.”

No one seconded the motion.

Swank Construction will continue to be responsible for snow removal until the new subdivision meets the township’s requirements for completion.

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 this holiday season.

Exchange organizer, Carol Richer said the number of boxes packed by the Exchange was down from last year. However, there were more registrations for single persons, 30, who pick up their supplies at the Food Bank.

Figures this year show that almost 200 children benefitted from the Exchange dinners and the various Angels Trees that collected gifts.

“With the adults (13 years and up), the children and the 30 singles, we probably provided enough food for about 465 people,” said Richer.

While the Exchange makes use of the canned food that is donated by the community, much of the ingredients for the meal are purchased through cash donations.

“Seaway High did a great job with their food drive and Ross Video also held a food drive. That is all in addition to the food donated through area churches and by individuals,” said Richer. “Those receiving boxes have the choice of ham or turkey which we buy along, with the fresh vegetables and fruit.”

These include potatoes, carrots and oranges.

“We are very fortunate here,” said Richer. “Our donations have come in enough to cover our expenses. I have heard that other areas haven’t been as fortunate.”

In addition to the food, cash and toys/gift donations, the Exchange counts heavily on other sorts of donations.

“The Seaway Valley Pharmacy covers all of our advertising in the newspaper. We have businesses and churches all supporting us, along with private donations. Then there is Craig Packaging that supplies us with the boxes. Where would we be without the boxes. It would be impossible. And we have the use of the Legion Hall here every year.”

“We have the banks who allow us to set up the Angel Trees and the Lions Club, Sandra Johnston in Iroquois and Beavers Dental who take care of the Angel Tree program. Then there are the kids, like those from St. Mary/St. Cecilia’s who step in and put the boxes together.”

“Sometimes stuff just shows up and I have no idea where it came from.”

“I get cards in the mail with cheques. Some come from people living on pensions, who feel this is so important.”

Richer explained that the Exchange also counts on its volunteers who organize, transport and sort the food and then pack everything in the boxes.

“Some volunteers have been doing this for many, many years. This year we had a healthy group of new volunteers which is nice to see.”

“The whole process is like a well-oiled machine. Everyone knows what has to be done. They latch onto the new people and the job gets finished.”

For the last several years the Exchange has coordinated its effort with the Food Bank. All non-perishable food that does not go into a food box goes to the Food Bank.

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