Laurier Drive being looked at

 

Building on 50 years of experience, a five-year binational study and extensive public comment, The International Joint Commission (IJC) has released a fact sheet outlining a draft new approach to manage water levels and flows in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River system.

Water levels and flows of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River are primarily determined by natural factors including rainfall and snowmelt. 

Under the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) 1956 order of approval, the regulation of flows through the Moses-Saunders Dam has reduced the extremity of high and low water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. 

This has benefitted a range of interests upstream and downstream of the dam, including coastal property, recreational boating, hydropower production, commercial navigation and municipal water suppliers. 

However, the current regulation plan is based on the conditions of the last century, with no regard for environmental consequences and no process for adapting to future challenges such as bigger storms and more severe droughts.

The IJC is now developing a new approach with the assistance of a Working Group of representatives from the governments of Canada, the United States, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and the State of New York.

The draft new approach will consider all interests – environmental, social and economic. 

While continuing to reduce extreme high and low water levels, the draft new approach would allow more natural level and flow patterns. 

This is expected to improve wetland health on Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River on a scale larger than any restoration actions taken to date. 

The improvements to wetlands and other habitat would provide benefits such as higher quality sport fishing, boating, bird watching and other outdoor activities. 

An adaptive management program would regularly monitor conditions and periodically review the management of levels and flows. 

This would improve the capability to adapt to future changes, including socio-economic changes and significant changes in climate. 

Improved communication with governments and stakeholders in the basin is also an integral component of the draft new approach.

The IJC has had informal discussions with First Nations and Tribes, shoreline property owners, recreational boaters, environmental organizations, local officials and others in the basin about the proposed approach. 

According to the fact sheet, the draft new approach would: 

•Substantially improve wetlands, a key indicator for lake and river health. It is anticipated that wetland meadow marsh community, the most diverse and productive type of coastal wetlands in the basin, would increase by 40 percent.

•Retain protection for Lake Ontario coastal property, while increasing some shoreline protection costs. It is estimated that the new approach would maintain 88 percent of the benefits of reduced flooding, wave damage and shoreline protection maintenance provided by the current regulation plan.

•The boating season on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River would be longer in some years because of higher water levels in the fall. However, levels would occasionally be lower in the summer. 

•Pose no significant changes for interests along the St. Lawrence below the Moses Saunders Dam. Communities downstream from the dam would continue to receive flood protection benefits while also providing for adequate depths for the Port of Montreal and commercial navigation.

The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States of America and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments.

The IJC intends to release additional information further detailing the specific draft new approach for full public review.

As well, informational sessions throughout the basin to further discuss the draft new approach with the public will be held in 2012.

Prior to finalizing a revised order and regulation plan, the IJC will conduct formal public hearings throughout the basin and carefully consider all public comment.

The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States of America and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments.

IJC Press Release

[…]

 

On April 1st, Palm Sunday, Harmony Community Church began their “satellite” services in Williamsburg at Timothy Christian School. 

In addition to providing closer access to those congregants who live in South Dundas, the move is also an invitation to those who might be interested in experiencing Harmony Community Church first hand. 

According to their website, Harmony was first built during the years 1884 and 1885 by neighbours of different faiths, including Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and Catholics. Baptist Alexander Wood donated the land for the church.

While Harmony started out as Harmony Methodist Church, it became Harmony United Church in 1925 and then Harmony Community Church in 1976. Today the church, still named Harmony Community Church, is affiliated with the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada.

According to Harmony’s pastor, D. Bruce North, Harmony Community Church “is more of a non-denominational church” in terms of the church’s “flavour” or “focus and style” of worship. “Our style is a mix; Pentecostal would be what people identified us with.”

 North explained that as an affiliate of the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada, Harmony Community Church is not independent. 

He pointed to the merits of being an affiliate, saying “we’re part of a group that has a national voice and missions overseas.” In addition, “they’re not intrusive.”

He also said that Harmony “still values being accountable. I have a bishop that I have to report to. It’s good to have accountability.”

As for the church itself, the ‘old’ church is now “the lobby of the new church.” According to North, Harmony has a congregation of about 110 to 120 people. The church’s actual capacity is 150.

Harmony Community Church’s history of being very welcoming and inclusive is being borne out here in South Dundas with “satellite” services at Timothy Christian School.

According to North, the prevalence of South Dundas families in the church’s congregation led to the idea for the “satellite” services.

Having a service in Williamsburg makes things easier for those congregants who faithfully and loyally travel the distance to Winchester each Sunday, explained North. It will also give those who are unable to travel to Harmony the opportunity to experience Harmony’s worship close to home.

And, “we’re always doing neat stuff,” added North.

The “satellite” services give assistant pastor Daniel Wallace “an opportunity to preach without the senior pastor hovering.”

Wallace “is leaving this summer to take on his own church in Toronto,” said North. 

Wallace conducted services at the Harmony Community Church location in Winchester on April 1st and will do so for the remainder of the “satellite” services.

Considering that the Timothy Christian School location is “the outreach oriented” service, North felt it was important that he be there in Williamsburg for each of the Sunday “satellite” services. 

As for the “satellite” location, Timothy Christian School, North said it’s “a good partnership with them as well. Through us, it does publicize that they exist. We are an evangelical group of Christians who tend to think more about home schooling and Christian schooling.”

In addition, “the facility is sitting there, they have a sound system, and they’re being very fair.”

As for whether “satellite” services might turn into an ongoing thing, North said, “it certainly is a test. The elders of the church will look at it. There’s certainly a possibility of resuming in the fall.”

North emphasized that there are “no plans to form a new church in South Dundas. We don’t plan on starting a new church; we want to use resources better.”

“This is a different way of getting personal with people.” Instead of two services at one church, there are two separate services in two separate locations, making for smaller pastor to congregant ratio.

“Rural folk,” said North, “we like to see each other, connect with our neighbours and friends who have a common experience.”

“Our people are rural. There are very few families we get from north of the church,” he said. “We go all the way to Iroquois.”

There are two more planned spring “satellite” services to be held at Timothy Christian School in Williamsburg. The 10:30 a.m. services will take place on the first Sunday in May and the first Sunday in June.

[…]

 

Door-knocking is one area where the SD&G OPP have had a lot of success over the past year.

OPP Sgt. Brent Mattice explained to South Dundas council at the February 19 meeting that door knocking is a process whereby police randomly knock on the door of a residence where one of its occupants is under release conditions.

Through this, police are able to determine whether the person is complying with the conditions of his/her release.

Although it does take time, Mattice reported that it is a worthy endeavour, which has resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals who were not complying with conditions.

“It’s a good process,” said Mattice. “The bad guys know that we (the OPP) are out there, we’re active and we’re checking on them.”

Calls for service

Mattice reported that although the local detachment is short-staffed, they have managed to handle the calls for service, even though the numbers have increased slightly over last year. 

South Dundas recorded the second highest number of calls for service of the six municipalities in the United Counties, according to Mattice. However, he added that the number of calls to each was very similar, with the exception of North Stormont.  

New tool at the disposal of OPP

The police services board has purchased a portable device that police can attach to a sign post to monitor traffic flow and speeds. 

“It should provide us with a lot of meaningful data,” said Mattice, explaining that with the use of this device they will be better able to identify problem areas in need of further enforcement.

Collisions rise

The number of traffic collisions has increased slightly from last year, but Sgt. Mattice reported the upside of the stat. “The number of fatalities has decreased,” said Mattice. Last year there were 10, this year six.

Traffic enforcement goal

Distracted drivers continue to be a key target for traffic enforcement for the OPP in SD&G and across the province.

[…]