Contractor on site soon to renovate former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute

 

“It would be nice if people would just be a little considerate,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan.

He was referring to the recent unsightly dumping of a toilet and sink in the middle of a rural road in Hulbert, just in front of the Hulbert-Valley United Church.

Dumping along rural roads is one of Mellan’s pet peeves and an issue that he says is plaguing neighbouring townships as well.

Mellan, who had lobbied for dumping options for both tires and, eventually, electronic waste at both South Dundas landfills, was admittedly “frustrated” by the unauthorized dumping. 

“Spring is usually the worst time,” he said. “It’s the bigger stuff that gets thrown off on some of these side roads.”

Among some of the worst side roads “hit” in South Dundas, according to Mellan, are Waddell Road, Nine Mile Road and Fulton Road.

He said that people have thrown tires, televisions, refrigerators and bags of garbage into ditches, into people’s fields and even into some of the creeks and ponds. 

While the township does have a by-law against unauthorized dumping and littering, Mellan said it’s hard to enforce.

“Fortunately, we do have people out there who take pride in their community,” he continued. “We have people in the township who will go along and pick up garbage a couple of times a year.”

“If you didn’t have conscientious people like that it wouldn’t be long before you’re driving along and all you see is garbage.”

He pointed toward people coming into South Dundas who are considering buying homes and settling here and he said, “you don’t want that first impression to be of garbage in the ditches.”

“It’s just a frustrating thing,” he continued, “and the toilet just sent me over the edge.”

“Have a little more respect and a little more decency,” he pleaded. “It’s unfair to the people who try to keep their properties and roads cleaned up.”

Mellan pointed out that this issue is “a combination of things.” It isn’t just about dumping large items on purpose, but also about throwing things like cups and wrappers out of car windows.

In the case of the toilet and sink, Mellan believes the items weren’t dumped on purpose, but rather fell off an unsecured load. Unfortunately, the owners did not return to claim or clean up the mess.

So, in addition to not using rural roads and ditches as dumping zones, Mellan would also like to ask that people “secure your loads and don’t throw your stuff out the windows.”

[…]

 

 “Weather stopping us! Never!” said Earl Nesbitt, one of the main organizers of the 2015 Iroquois Legion, branch 370, Darts 4 Hearts Tournament, held at the Legion on Saturday, February 14.

Despite some serious Valentine’s Day blizzard-like snow, 52 players came out for the event, and helped raise $1,767 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. While the numbers were down a little, players thoroughly enjoyed the tournament, organized by Earl and Randy Nesbitt. 

Prizes for the Heart & Stroke players were very generously donated from many area businesses, “from Brockville to Ingleside to Winchester,” said Earl.

Cindy Rowe, area manager of the Heart & Stroke Foundation was on hand to receive the cheque.

“We really rely on events like this,” Rowe said. “February is Heart and Stroke month, and an annual event like Darts 4 Hearts really helps create awareness, and in the process, ensures that there will be more survivors.”

The work of Heart and Stroke is ongoing, Rowe pointed out. Stents, improved drugs, pace makers, all of these aids for those stricken with heart related problems, are the direct result of  intensive research,  research that is often supported by events like Darts 4 Hearts.

“We are seeing an increase in research into women’s heart and stroke issues,” Rowe said. “Women’s problems are often different from men’s. There are also many younger people having  strokes, so we want to get the word out about proper diet and exercise. Along with programs like Jump Rope 4 Heart, we try to get educational activities into our schools.”

Cindy Rowe is joined, in the photo, by branch 370 president, Ralph Martin. Martin is himself a triple bypass survivor, from exactly one year ago.

[…]

SDG – Over $4,700 in monetary and gift card donations to area food banks were collected by the SD&G OPP Auxiliary in this year’s Stuff a Cruiser event.

That money for the food banks was in addition to the over 15,000 pounds of food items that are now on shelves at the Dundas County Food Bank, Naomi’s Family Resource Centre and Cornwall area food banks.

The seven events at grocery stores across SD&G were held to support each store’s food bank of choice.

The results of the annual food drive, organized and hosted by the SDG OPP Auxiliary, far exceeded expectations.

“This is just another example of the generosity that the communities of SD&G have by pulling together to help people in need,” said Auxiliary Staff Sgt. Al Jodoin.

The Dundas County Food Bank received over $1,400 in monetary and gift card donations and  approximately 4,000 pounds of food items.

Holiday food drives are essential to the food bank as it re-stocks its shelves for the winter. Winter is always a time of increased need. 

[…]