Just in time for Christmas

The Leader received a letter from Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, lawyers for Christie and Walther Communications on November 16, 2011 “with respect to the article ‘Enhanced response time for fire departments in South Dundas.’” 

The letter said: “the statements published in this article with respect to CWC’s quality of services are false.”

The letter requested: “an immediate retraction of same and a formal written apology to our client.”

On November 21, 2011 the Leader received the following media release from the Township of South Dundas: “Fire Chief Chris McDonough today issued the following statement retracting comments he made with regard to the transfer of the Townships’ Fire Dispatch from Christie and Walther Communications to the City of Brockville.”

“‘I would like to retract the comments attributed to me regarding the transfer of the Townships’ Fire Dispatch from Christie and Walther Communications to the City of Brockville. Christie and Walther Communications have provided the Township of South Dundas with quality dispatch services and my comments were in no way intended to be defamatory and/or damaging to them. I apologize for the comments and trust that the professionalism displayed by both parties will continue through the transition.’” 

The Leader offered all parties the opportunity to comment in response to the retraction.

Stephen McDonald, CEO for the Township of South Dundas: “I have no further comment.”

CWC responded via email through their counsel, Alexandra Logvin of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP: “CWC has been alarmed by the Fire Chief’s statements. CWC has proudly served South Dundas’ community and the municipal government for over the last 12 years. Its quality of service has never been questioned. CWC’s employees take great pride in their work, providing the best service to South Dundas’ community. The Fire Chief’s statements are false and damaging to CWC’s business and reputation. CWC finds the occurrence unfortunate, but is pleased to see that the municipality and its fire department took the message and publicly retracted its comments.”

OFFICIAL RETRACTION

Fire Chief Chris McDonough today issued the following statement retracting comments he made with regard to the transfer of the Townships’ Fire Dispatch from Christie and Walther Communications to the City of Brockville.

“I would like to retract the comments attributed to me regarding the transfer of the Townships’ Fire Dispatch from Christie and Walther Communications to the City of Brockville. Christie and Walther Communications have provided the Township of South Dundas with quality dispatch services and my comments were in no way intended to be defamatory and/or damaging to them. I apologize for the comments and trust that the professionalism displayed by both parties will continue through the transition.” 

[…]

This year marks the halfway point of this term of council and looking back over the first part of the term, South Dundas Mayor Steven  Byvelds is fairly satisfied.

“We’ve come  a long way,” Byvelds told reporters at the year-end interview at council chambers in Williamsburg December 14. “We have a lot of projects on the go.”

Old high school getting a new lease on life

One of these projects, the $4 million renovation of the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute, will mean that this year’s interview will likely be the last to take place at council chambers in Williamsburg. The mayor already plans for the 2013 interview to take place in the mayor’s office of the new municipal building in Morrisburg.

For Byvelds, the highlight of 2012 has definitely been getting the reconstruction of the old high school started, as it has been in the works since before the start of this term of council.

“A lot of people are saying this project was the right thing to do, while others wonder why we would bother with that old building, but that’s okay,” said Byvelds, who is confident in the end this building will prove to be an asset to the community on many levels.

Not only will it bring municipal administration under one roof, it will bring a medical facility under the same roof. Byvelds believes the end result will be a building that the community can take pride in.”

“Personally, I’d just like to see it done,” said Byvelds, who is ready to mark that project off his ‘to do’ list. 

Waste water projects fully funded

The construction of a new waste water treatment plant in Iroquois is ongoing, and fully funded. Although it is running a little behind schedule, the mayor said there is no worry that it won’t be completed in time to take full advantage of the available funding.

Along with that project, the funds are also in place for a project to address some of the long-time sewer issues that over overburdened the villages sewer systems during heavy rainfall events.

“Once these key pieces of infrastructure are done, we will be well suited for our journey forward,” said Byvelds.

With the infrastructure of South Dundas seeming well looked after, South Dundas has also made great strides theoretically.

Planning for the future

Community and economic development planning processes were completed, the Morrisburg Waterfront plan has been submitted to council and they are looking forward to the Iroquois Waterfront plan in the near future.

“These processes gave residents the opportunity to express their feelings and what that gives us, council and staff, is direction,” said Byvelds, explaining that it helps them when they are trying to decide which projects to prioritize as most important to the community at large.

Few challenges in 2012

Categorized by the mayor as challenges for 2012 were the Morrisburg dock being condemned, the proposed sale of the 400 acre Williamsburg forest and the decision to proceed with the Morrisburg Collegiate project.

With the dock and the ‘400’, when council made decisions that negatively impacted people, they were quick to let council know. And, Byvelds said that council was willing to listen and to make the necessary decisions to attempt to rectify the situations.

One time that council has had difficulty addressing the concerns of residents has been when the group opposing local wind turbine projects surfaced.

“The South Branch Wind project has been on the books a long time,” said Byvelds, explaining that the project predates this council and that while there are area residents who oppose the project, there are other residents who have invested significantly in this project.

“This council had no say in that project, but we will have a say on any future projects that come to us, seeking our support,” said Byvelds. 

The decision to proceed with the renovation of the old high school proved to be a difficult one for council, and was definitely an instance when Mayor Byvelds found it necessary to provide some leadership and make his stance known.

Looking ahead to 2013, Byvelds hopes for the successful continuation and completion of the ongoing projects.

Budget predictions for prudent spending

First and foremost in the minds of he and the other council members in the new year is the budget process.

Byvelds won’t make any predictions about the budget, only saying that they as a council plan to continue as they have in the past, being as prudent as they can be when it comes to spending.

He said that they as a council are waiting to see where staff numbers come in and then to proceed with the decision-making process from there. “If we need to whittle it down, we will. That’s our job.”

“Council’s objective is to be as constrained as possible, and to be realistic with what we spend taxpayers money on.”

“Council’s attitude has been that we need to bring South Dundas forward, to spend conservatively, but not to be too conservative. The idea is to do the right things at the right times,” said Byvelds. “It’s important to seize opportunities when they present themselves.”

Satisfied, but still striving

Byvelds said that this council has gelled quickly from the day they were elected and that the all of the decisions regarding council business are made at the council table. “And, that’s a good thing for South Dundas,” he said.

He said that council has done well at being approachable and available to residents of South Dundas with concerns, and sees that continuing. 

“Everyone has an opinion, and it is up to us as a council to listen to those opinions.”

Reflecting on council in general, Byvelds said, “We can always be better, and we always strive to be better.”

[…]

 Shoppers at Something Old Something  New in Iroquois, have been dropping coins in a donation jar kept near the cash checkout by Thrift Store owner Laurie Turriff….and now that money will be used to help grant a wish to a child living in Eastern Ontario with a life-threatening medical condition.

Thursday, November 20, Turriff turned over a cheque for $800 to Make-A-Wish, Eastern Ontario Canada’s Mike Wlotzki, Director, Fund Development. 

Something Old Something New customers contributed $400 to the jar and this was matched by Turriff.

“That is a lot of wrapping coin,” said Wlotzki as he accepted the cheque. “That is beautiful.”

Turriff explains that the ‘donation jar’ is always in its place in her shop located in the Iroquois Shopping Plaza. 

“When I get up to $300 to $400, I match it and make the donation. When that is done, it starts over, and I find the next organization that helps kids with cancer. This is all thanks to my customers. Already we have raised $20 for the next donation.”

The Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario area stretches from Ottawa to Cornwall, west to Belleville and north to Peterborough said Wlotzki.

“We are very proud to say we have granted 66 wishes in 2014,” said Wlotzki.

With 60 wishes completed in 2013, and the goal for 2014 set at 65, Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario has reason to be proud. 

Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Ontario, Tanya Desjardins points out in a Make-A-Wish publication that, “these wishes are not possible without the support through donations, sponsorship and awareness. From travel wishes to Disney and London, to room make overs and “man fan caves”, to meeting Sidney Crosby and One Direction and to hot tubs and computers…the list of creative unique and special wishes keeps on growing. This year is a historical one as we granted our 500th wish to a 15-year-old boy….” 

 Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario does not solicit wishes. All children who receive their wishes are referred by family, friends, medical personnel or social workers. Any child with a life-threatening medical condition, from three years to not yet 18, may be referred.

Once the family is aware of the referral, Make-A-Wish, verifies the child’s medical condition with his/her doctor.

The fun begins with the child making three wishes which can be…. “I wish to be, I wish to have, I wish to meet, or I wish to go…..

Once this is accomplished Make-A-Wish goes to work on making a wish come true.

“If there is anyone who thinks there may be a child, they can go to our website to the “refer a child” section,” says Wlotzki. “We are always looking for a Wish Child.”

“It’s a lot of work, but it is very magical.”

[…]