A recent construction progress meeting regarding the construction of the Iroquois wastewater treatment plant has revealed that the project is presently about two weeks behind schedule.
At the October 16 council meeting South Dundas chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald reported that the project being behind schedule by two weeks has no impact on the funding for the project.
The South Dundas “Pioneer Gas” Atom B Rep Lions completed a five game weekend with two wins and three losses.
Following league games Friday night in Long Sault and Saturday night in Morrisburg, the Lions travelled to Cobden on Sunday to play in the Muskrat Atom Tournament.
With the multiple game weekend the Lions were pushed to the limit and came up a little short in the finals.
In the Tournament “B” Final the Lions matched up against the Valley Storm in a rematch of one of their round robin games in which they lost 6-0.
The Lions started strong when Emytt Fetterly picked up a puck from behind his own net and passed it to Nolan Henry who quickly moved it out of the end zone and over to Ben Lapier who broke in on the Storm goalie and backhanded a shot home for the 1-0 Lions lead.
The Storm picked up the pace and took over the game, but Brendan Shaver was strong in the Lions net as he turned away shot after shot to hold the Lions 1-0 lead.
In the second period, the Storm scored on back-to-back plays, 21 seconds apart, to take the lead 2-1.
The Storm continued to get scoring chances against Lions game Brendan Shaver who was named the Lions MVP in the 5-1 B final loss.
In their round robin game earlier in the day, the Lions were flat in a 6-0 loss where Ban Lapier was named their game MVP.
In their opening game the Lions faced off against the Clarence-Rockland Castors and had their best offensive game of the year in the 8-3 win. Nolan Henry who led the way with three goals and two assists was named the game MVP.
Scoring the other goals were Ben Lapier with two, Duncan Hutt, Owen Fetterly and Joshua Broad.
In the skills competition, the Lions were represent by Ben Lapier in the Fastest Skater event, second place in his heat. Kieran Geurkink, Brody Fairbairn and Dana Domanko skated in the team event, again finishing second in their heat and then Jack Connors, Jaeden Phifer-Shaver and goaltender Brendan Shaver faced off in the shoot out event. Shaver allowed only one goal and was eliminated, as well as Phifer-Shaver with his two goals. Connors scored three times before advancing to the finals where he won the event in a lengthy final round.
In league action the Lions split the two games losing in Long Sault, 5-3 and defeating Cornwall, 3-1.
In the Cornwall game, the Lions were down 1-0 early but battled back with two first period goals.
Lapier opened the scoring after Broad battled for a puck off an offensive draw and got it over to Lapier who shot quickly to beat the Colts goaltender.
Jack Connors scored shortly on a break away when Owen Fetterly fed Connors the puck as he went in alone and out-skated the Colts defenders.
The Lions played well defensively through the second period as Dana Domanko and Kieran Guerkink continued to win one on one battles with Colts forwards and Shaver was solid in the Lions net. The Lions iced the game in the third when Domanko centred a pass to Lapier who started a two on one with Broad. Lapier skated into the Colts end and centred a pass to Broad who buried his shot on the ice through the five hole for the goal and the 3-1 win.
Friday night, the Lions gave up a 3-2 third period lead for a 5-3 loss to the Selects.
Lapier scored the lone first period Lions goal with Brody Fairbairn providing the assist. The Selects battled back in the second and took a 2-1 lead, but Broad and Lapier teamed up for a short handed goal to keep it even.
Later in the period on the power play Nolan Henry tipped the puck off a face-off to Jack Connors who wristed a shot off a defender’s stick into the back of the net.
The Selects scored three unanswered third period goals for their 5-3 win.
The South Dundas “Pioneer Gas” Atom B Rep Lions face the Alexandria Glens here on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
Cruickshank is proud to named one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada, ranking 38th, based on a study conducted by Aon Hewitt, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing solutions organization. The competitive study, now in its 14th year, measures employee engagement through employee surveys and attracted over 150 submissions from organizations across the country.
“I’m thrilled and proud of our employees, who are the reason we’ve been honoured with this recognition, says company CEO Steve Cruickshank. “Their dedication and drive are vital to our success, and they make our company a wonderful place to work.”
The Best Employers in Canada study recognizes companies who demonstrate their commitment to employees through a number of factors, including company environment, leadership qualities and opportunities for growth. Results of the survey are provided to each organization to help them continue to improve programs, recruit leaders and grow the company.
Steve Cruickshank notes that the Best Employers in Canada program offers an excellent opportunity to better understand what employees need to thrive. “Our success lies in our commitment to a safe, healthy work environment that allows our team to fully demonstrate their expertise,” he says. “The Best Employers program is a critical tool that helps us continue to develop that environment for mutual benefit and success.”
Founded in 1956, Cruickshank is a leading road, bridge and infrastructure construction services firm. The company, which operates in both Canada and the U.S., has significant experience in both the private and public sectors, and has developed a strong reputation for getting the job done right – every time.
Along with being ranked as one the Best Employers in Canada, Cruickshank is a 2011 winner of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program, a national award that recognizes Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Cruickshank has also been ranked on the top 50 Best Small and Medium Employers for the past three years and was named one of Canada’s Green 30 employers by Maclean’s magazine in 2011 and 2012.
Sunday, the South Dundas Novice B Lions hosted the Kemptville #1 Panthers in a rematch of the 3-3 season opener. This time they were looking to break into the win column for the first time this season, but came up short with a 2-1 loss.
The Lions opened the game with some aggressive forechecking and strong skating to take the play to the Panthers.
Spencer Barclay, Quade Mullin and Dryden Buter had the Panthers pinned in their end for the entire first shift and Sean Nicolaassen, Montgomery Dejong and Owen Paterson continued the theme on the next shift.
At the end of the first period, the Lions had a large advantage in time of possession and puck in the attacking zone, but unfortunately could not get one by the Panthers goalie.
They started out the second period with more of the same and their hard work was rewarded when Dejong redirected a shot from Nicolaassen, for a 1-0 lead.
Midway through the second period, the momentum changed as Kemptville started to out-hustle the Lions.
Despite some great defensive work by Jackson McCann, Sam Connors, Cameron Shaver, Stefan Kronstal and Nathan Paulino, the Panthers were able to get two goals to take the lead.
Goalie Brayden Lalonde-Thompson had a strong game as Kemptville increased their offensive chances through the third period. The Lions pulled their goalie for the extra attacker with one minute left in the game and pressed for the tying goal, but the Panthers prevailed for the 2-1 victory.
Spencer Barclay took the Big Stick honours for player of the game with his best skating game this year.
This Wednesday the Lions are in Kemptville against Kemptville #2. Sunday at 1 p.m. they are at home to North Dundas.
Although the full contract is not yet in place, South Dundas council has signed a letter of intent with R.J. Bourgon to allow work to start on the renovation of the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute.
The letter, approved by council at the Oct. 16 meeting, allows the contractor to start to mobilize on site, get their bonding in place and start the abatement process for the removal of the asbestos.
Council expects to have the contract ready for their approval at the next council meeting.
There have been a few changes to the scope of the $4 million project that are expected to result in some cost savings. They are now spelled out in an addendum being reviewed by the contractor. The addendum better defines the scope of the work to allow the contractor to better pinpoint the project cost and take into account any potential savings.
The Morrisburg Junior B Lions continued their downward skid in St. Lawrence Division Junior Hockey action this past weekend with another three losses which brings their losing streak to seven games. Their last win was on home ice on September 30, when they dropped the Alexandria Glens, 6-0.
This past week, the Lions kicked it off Wednesday night in Brockville with a 6-4 loss to the Tikis. Then on Friday night, on home ice, they lost 5-1 to the Athens Aeros and that was followed by an 8-7 loss to the Winchester Hawks in Morrisburg, on Sunday afternoon.
“We have had hard luck scoring goals,” says Lions team manager Kevin Casselman. “The chances have been there, we have just not been finishing our offensive chances.”
Casselman also explained that the Lions have been running with a short bench due to mid term university exams. This happens every year at this time and this year affects three Lions players.
With basically the same schedule in place from one year to the next, it would appear time the Lions asked to have the schedule examined.
The team annually runs into this three game week (with the midweek game in Brockville) when players are unable to play due to their exams.
Although the Lions have lost their last seven games, Casselman says management does not feel it is due to lack of effort. “Some short lapses with attention to detail have resulted in scoring opportunities for our opposition,” he explains. “For the most part these lapses are not from the efforts being given. We must also consider that we are still a young club, and we will continue to work on all aspects in practice.”
“Yesterday’s game was an offensive game for sure,” he says of the 8-7 loss to the Winchester Hawks on Sunday. “It was one of those games where you wanted to have last possession.”
The Hawks took a 3-1 first period lead in the game, but the Lions battled back to win the second period 3-2 .
By 15:33 of the second they had the game tied 4-4 but the Hawks got one more back to carry a 5-4 advantage into the third.
The two played even in the third, each potting three goals, which gave the Hawks the 8-7 win.
Michele Lefebvre had a big three goal effort for the Lions, while Chris Rutley, Sylvester Bzdyl, Curtis Pilon and Grant Cooper added singles.
Mathew White struck three times for the Hawks, Kevin Vinyard scored a pair and singles were added by Kyle Richardson, Brandon Belding and Jamie Olivier.
Mikael Dion was in net for the Lions for 56:34. With just over three minutes left in the game an altercation between Dion and the Hawks, Brandon Belding resulted in five minute fighting majors and match penalties to both. The two will serve three game suspensions.
According to Casselman, “Mikael took offence to what he felt was interference through his crease. Earlier in the game the altercation between Dillon Lapier, was also a result of this.”
On a positive note, Casselman pointed out that when the Lions got down Sunday, “the players did not quit. They bought back for each other and only good things can come from the effort given.”
A solid first period effort in Brockville on Wednesday night, resulted in a 2-0 Lions lead. However the Tikis recovered in the second and came back for four consecutive goals as they headed for the 6-4 win.
Sylvester Bzdyl had two goals for the Lions, while Zach Sequin and Michel Lefebvre added singles.
The Tikis were assessed 10 minor penalties and two 10 minute misconducts while the Lions sat out nine minors and one misconduct. The Tikis Cody Waite scored the lone power-play goal of the game against Lions goaltender Mikael Dion early in the second period.
The Lions were flat in Friday night’s game in Morrisburg against the visiting Athens Aeros. The Aeros put together two unanswered goals against Dion in the first period and another three in the second on their way to the 5-1 win.
Michel Lefebvre scored from Dylan Casselman and Chaffee on the Lions power play to spoil Dallas Slack’s shutout midway into the third period.
Each of the teams sat out three minor penalties and a pair of checking to the head misconducts.
Joining the Lions lineup is Dylan Dejong, a graduate of the local South Dundas Minor Hockey system.
Also seeing ice time are affiliated players–Peter Ketcheson of Greely who plays for Eastern Ontario Wild “AAA” Major Midgets; Brian Landry from the Cornwall Major Midget Colts and Isaac Brownlee from the South Stormont Major Midgets.
Coming up this weekend, the Lions have just one game on Sunday afternoon when the Alexandria Glens come to town for a 2:30 p.m. start.
Chances are when residential property owners in South Dundas opened their mail from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) this week, they learned that their property values have increased since the last assessment in 2008.
Not surprising as the trend is the same across the province of Ontario, which shows an average increase in residential property values of about 18 percent. Narrowing the scope to Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry residential property values have increased a little more at 18.4 percent, and in South Dundas alone, that average increase is 19.53 percent.
All increases will be phased in over four years.
Waterfront residential properties are still showing increases, but after the huge assessment increases in 2008, the increases this time are much more moderate at about 17 percent across the province. The smaller increase is due to reduced demand.
Property assessment values on farmland have taken a huge jump since 2008. Looking at the entire province, the average assessment increase on farmland is listed at about 34 percent, but that average is much higher when looking at the local picture. Looking at all of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry the average increase on farmland is a whopping 71.9 percent. Narrowing the scope to South Dundas, that average assessment increase on farmland is 49.92 percent.
Property assessment values are based on recent property sales, and with farmland, based solely on area farmer-to-farmer sales. As a result, the farming community has likely seen this assessment increase coming because they know better than most that farmland is in high demand and selling prices reflect that demand.
In a community with such a large agricultural base as South Dundas, one may think that these huge assessment increases will amount to a huge financial boon for the municipality, but the impact of these increases will be relatively small.
Although there are many variables that could affect the overall number, South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty estimates that the overall increase in farmland assessments will mean additional tax revenue for South Dundas of just over $35,000 in 2013, the first year of the four year phase in.
Although farmland occupies a significant portion of the South Dundas landscape, properties classified as farmland presently account for less than five percent of the $4.9 million worth of taxes levied on South Dundas property owners.
It is provincially mandated that the farmland tax rate be one quarter of the residential rate. On a farm, the home and one acre of land are taxed at the regular residential rate. The remainder is taxed at the reduced rate.
The bulk of the tax burden in South Dundas falls on residential property owners, who carry 72 percent of the tax load. Other property tax classes including commercial, industrial, multi-residential and special/exempt are seeing very small increases in property values of about three to five percent.
In South Dundas commercial property taxes cover about 12 percent of the total levy, industrial and multi-residential carry about three percent of the burden and other categories such as pipeline and managed forest and others together carry about 10 percent of the tax load.
MPAC assesses all property in Ontario every four years. “The assessments provide the foundation on which municipalities across Ontario base property taxes. It is the accuracy of MPAC’s assessments that help ensure property owners pay their fair share of property taxes and nothing more,” reads their Market Snapshot document.
An increase in assessment does not necessarily mean an increase in property taxes.
If the assessed value has increased more than the municipal average, an increase in taxes is likely. However if the increase is less than the municipal average a decrease in taxes should result.
In a recent media release, Michel Contant, account manager in the Cornwall MPAC office said, “MPAC’s role is to accurately assess every property in Ontario. Property owners should ask themselves if they could have sold their property for its assessed value on January 1, 2012. If the answer is yes, then their assessment is accurate. If not, we are committed to working with them to get it right.”
Property owners can check the accuracy of their assessment at www.aboutmyproperty.ca.
This website allows owners to easily compare the value of their property to others in their neighbourhood and community. Registration information is included with every notice mailed out this fall.
If property owners believe their assessment is not correct, they have the option of filing a request for reconsideration and MPAC will review their assessment free of charge.
A resident of Morrisburg for the past 24 years, Kenneth Gordon Strader passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Monday, October 15, 2012. He was 82.
Ken was born April 26, 1930, to Grace and Dwight Strader, on the original Strader farm in Dundela. He was the eldest of nine children; five girls and four boys. Everyone knew him as Ken. He was a long-standing resident of Matilda Township, having lived briefly in Florida, before returning to South Dundas.
Ken met his share of challenges in life. He suffered complications at birth; however, it did not prevent him from accomplishing what he set out to do in life.
Being the risk taker that he was and never afraid of taking on a challenge Ken undertook many projects. The first being to own and operate his first school bus in 1954, which he later expanded to include several school buses and highway coaches.
He was forever envisioning ways to get ahead in life. The bus lines didn’t seem to capture his energy level enough, so he added a new venture being the “Stra-Dish” Restaurant, which he opened in April, 1958, at the young age of 28.
During this time, he met the love of his life, Linda Marie Payne. They were married at Elma in 1959, and in 1960, their daughter Penny was born.
While carrying out his role as a husband and father, Ken still found time to own/operate several businesses, including a snowmobile franchise, Admiral appliance dealership, a used car dealership, and he even dabbled in real estate.
Ken always had a passion to live life in the sunny south so in the late 70’s he made that dream come true when he sold his businesses in Canada and moved the family to Dade City, Florida where he purchased an orange grove and later opened a coffee shop. He expanded the coffee shop to become a full menu diner which was family owned and operated until 1987, at which it was dissolved and the family returned to Canada.
Ken enjoyed carpentry and sitting and drinking coffee with family and friends, until the wee hours of the morning.
Friday night was family night at the Daffodil Restaurant in Iroquois, after which he would settle in at Cephus Sypes’ kitchen table for many hours of attempting to solve the world’s problems over several pots of coffee. Ken was known to pull in a driveway for a visit where ever he could find the kitchen light on.
Ken often spoke of things from the past; old buildings, antique cars or furniture, or attending auction sales with his grandmother Nettie Bell Strader.
His most prized possession was an RCA Victrola from the 1920’s that he purchased at the age of 15, with money borrowed from his grandmother. Ken’s daughter is still the proud owner of that Victrola.
Ken was always willing to share his knowledge of history, politics, and life in general. He was never afraid to share his opinion on any matter, regardless of whom he offended.
He will be remembered most for his natural spirit of giving. To his family and friends, he was a very kind person and was always ready to help. He always had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple. He never asked anyone for help, but he was a very generous man…never wanting to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped, he simply helped out of the kindness of his heart; ensuring that everyone had a means to get ahead in life.
Ken made sure that his daughter never lacked for anything, however, he ruled with an iron fist. He encouraged Penny to try different things in life including piano lessons, singing in the church choir, and most of all becoming a “lady”. As a father, he didn’t always agree with all his daughter’s choices in life, but he was always there to support her.
Growing up on a farm, Ken was very fond of animals. After Linda passed away in 1988, Ken’s best friend was his cat “Buster”. Buster held a special place in his heart and Ken truly enjoyed his companionship.
Ken is survived by his daughter Penny Strader-McMillan (Jim) of Iroquois, his siblings Edna Disheau (Arthur Jackson) of Brechin, Lorna (Ernie) Lascelle of Inkerman and Willie (Audrey) of Cardinal.
He was predeceased by his wife Linda, his brothers Glen and John and sisters Jean Jensen, Margaret Barkley and Anna Casselman-Nicolier. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Thursday, October 18th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Janet Evans officiating. Cremation followed.
Pallbearers were Shawn McMillan, Steven McMillan, Cephus Sypes, Guy Hart, Gary Hart and Keith Beckstead.
Interment of cremated remains was at Dundela Cemetery. Donations to the O.S.P.C.A. would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
John “Joe” Beltman passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital, on Thursday, October 4, 2012, at the age of 76 years.
Born in Holland on June 17, 1936, John emigrated to Canada in 1957. In 1958, he met Agatha Neinhuis and the two were married in Holland on February 10, 1959.
Following their marriage, John and Agatha bought a farm in Iroquois, and there they raised their daughters, Ann Marie and Karen.
In 1992, they retired from the farm and moved into town to a home that overlooks the St. Lawrence River. Together they enjoyed many winters in Florida.
John loved to play cards in his retirement years, and he has left behind many of his card friends including Emmy. He also enjoyed shuffleboard.
John was a member of St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church.
John was the dearly beloved husband of the late Agatha Neinhuis (2001), and dear friend of Emmy Van Adrichem. Mourning his loss are daughters Ann Marie (Robin) Smith and Karen (Donald) Merkley. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Jennifer and Ashley Smith and Derek and Kaitlyn Merkley.
Also surviving are brothers Gerald Beltman (the late Willemien Haverkamp) friend of Truus Keinhuis and Henk (Mieke) Beltman all of Holland.
Sisters-in-law who are saddened by his loss are Greta (Henny) Steneker and Corry Neinhuis of Holland, Coby Bols of Russell and Thea Van Dam of Stratford. He will be fondly remembered by brother-in-law Herman Neinhuis of Holland. John is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Johannes and Anna (Oosterkamp) Beltman and his stepmother Marie (van den Akker), by his sister-in-law Tina (Jan Stiekma) and his brothers-in -law Jan (Annie), Herman (Leen), Frans (Truus), John Neinhuis all of Holland, Rudolf Bols of Russell and Martin Van Dam of Stratford.
Memorial donations to Winchester District Memorial Hospital or St. Cecilia’s Church in Iroquois were appreciated by the family.
Funeral mass was celebrated at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church in Iroquois with Father Chisholm officiating. Interment followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Morrisburg. Pallbearers were Lloyd McMillan, Hans Verbruggen, Peter VanderPoel, John Groniger, Robin Smith and Donald Merkley.
A resident of the Williamsburg area for the past 24 years, Joe Vogrig passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Saturday, October 6, 2012. He was 80 years of age.
Joe was born in Grimacco, Italy, on March 12, 1932, to his parents Antonio and Teresa Vogrig.
Joe’s talent for singing and dancing, as well as his quick sense of humour and charm, made him the life of many parties.
He sang with the Coro di Alpini in Ottawa as well as with his wife, Clara, with beautiful harmonies typical of his birthplace in the hills of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in Italy.
Although Joe grew up in a Slovenian community in Italy, he spent time working in Belgium, leading him to speak four languages fluently: Italian, Slovenian dialect, French and English.
Joe was also a talented artist. His numerous woodcarvings have been displayed in many cultural exhibits in Ottawa, viewed by many with great admiration. A portion of his work has been entrusted to the Unione Emigranti Sloveni del Friuli Venezia Giulia, who is honoured to have such an magnificent demonstration of its cultural heritage.
Joe was passionate about sports, especially soccer and hockey, and his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. He was an amateur boxer in Italy. He was admired by many in Italy and here in Canada for his height, earning him the nickname, “Big Joe”.
Joe was a valued construction worker, having helped build many homes, offices and structures enjoyed in Ottawa today.
Joe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Clara, and his children Isabel Cheney of Winchester, Susanna (Tony) Prinzo of Ottawa and Anthony (Sandra) Vogrig of Winchester.
He was the proud grandfather of Tracy (deceased), Carmela, Carla, Nadia (John), Giacomo, Jeff and Cristiano.
Nonno Joe will be fondly remembered by loving family and dear friends in Canada and Italy.
He was predeceased by his parents Antonio and Teresa Vogrig and his brothers Aldo and Antonio Vogrig.
A private family funeral service was held at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Saturday, October 13th at 1 p.m. with Father Cosmas Ajawara officiating.
For those wishing to honour Nonno Joe, please consider a donation in his memory to Winchester District Memorial Hospital. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
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