South Dundas honours commitment to health

A letter from the city of Kingston was received by South Dundas on January 11, 2012, requesting “support and endorsement of the $100 Healthy Food Supplement.”

At the February 7th council meeting, South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I was the one that asked for this to be pulled out and for council to look at it for consideration.”

The call for support came from a motion passed at the city of Kingston’s December 6, 2011 council meeting. The motion included the following statement: “That Kingston calls on the government of Ontario to immediately introduce and fully fund a $100 per month Healthy Food Supplement for all adults on social assistance as a first step toward meeting basic needs.”

Byvelds reminded council, “as we’ve been told in the past by the House of Lazarus, there’s a lot of poverty in South Dundas.” 

“This,” he continued, “is a fairly easy way to get the province to take a look at this.” 

Council was unanimous in their support of the request.

[…]

Recent trends in extensive forest-cover loss aren’t going unnoticed by local residents who are calling attention to the issue in newspapers. 

According to South Nation Conservation, if left unchecked, this downturn in forest cover will directly impact the natural benefits that the watershed depends on.

Eastern Ontario’s forests help filter the air we breathe; protect the water we drink; provide habitat for abundant wildlife; and supply us with valuable wood products. 

“Our forests are being cut with an intensity that is permanently changing the countryside,” says SNC Chair, Bill Smirle. 

“If we don’t take urgent action to save what’s left, the opportunity will be lost.”

With this in mind, the South Nation Conservation Board of Directors has set aside funds in the 2014 budget to preserve local forests. 

“The board of directors decided to set aside a $250,000 special levy, earmarked for land purchases,” said Jim Hendry, SNC team lead for property management. 

SNC has a long history of acquiring land and to date, owns 11,000 acres of mostly forest cover. 

These properties provide nearby and natural areas for people and wildlife, including opportunities to hunt, hike, and picnic.

In most cases, SNC is able to double funds for forest acquisition through their partners in conservation, such as the Ontario Land Trust. 

SNC currently receives about 200 acres every year through land donations from families who want their forests protected beyond their lifetime.

“I am pleased to announce that SNC will be launching a legacy trust program in 2014,” says Smirle. “This will make it easier for ecological lands to be permanently protected.”

Acquiring priority forest tracts is one more tool SNC uses to create a legacy of healthy forests.

Each year, SNC plants 100,000 trees and visits over 50 woodlot owners to provide management advice. A multi-stakeholder Forestry Committee oversees forest programs and provides valuable feedback from rural landowners and the forestry sector.

[…]

On October 9th, SD&G OPP officers responded to a report of a family dispute on County Road 31, South Dundas Township.

The investigation revealed that a male threatened other family members that were in the residence.

The 24yr old male was arrested and faces charges of: Utter Threat to Cause Death or Bodily Harm; Utter Threat to Damage Property; Mischief Under $5,000; and, Possession Schedule II Cannabis Marihuana. He was held in custody pending an appearance in Cornwall court.

On October 10th, SD&G OPP officers responded to a report of a domestic incident on Strader Road, South Dundas Township. 

The investigation revealed that a female and her 34yr old common-law husband were involved in a verbal altercation that resulted in the male assaulting the female. 

He was arrested and faces charges of: Assault and Mischief Under $5,000. He was held in custody pending an appearance in Cornwall court.

[…]