Dogs Looking for Love

 

South Dundas is celebrating Parks and Recreation Month with themed events at four parks. Last Wednesday, the celebrations kicked off in Haldane Park in Iroquois with a Pet Park Day. There, more than 60 kids were entertained by Zoo Crew, a new business in Iroquois. Organizing the park celebrations are South Dundas Recreation Director, Ben Macpherson and Fionna Carr, Family Resource Co-ordinator for the Ontario Early Years Centre. This past Monday, youngsters enjoyed a Teddy Bear Picnic at the Earl Baker Park in Morrisburg and today, Wednesday, June 13, the adventures continue at Riverside Heights with a Ball Park Day. Coming up on Monday, June 18, is a Bubble Day at the J.C. Whitteker Park in Williamsburg. Children of all ages are welcome. Carr and Macpherson were pleased with last Wednesday’s turnout and impressed with the interest and curiosity of the children…including the interest of 14 month old, Olivia Sypes, who is obviously delighted with Chili, a bearded dragon.

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The average residential property owner in South Dundas will pay about $8 more in municipal property taxes this year, and when combined with the Counties and Education levies the average property tax bill will be about $20 more than last year.

An average home in South Dundas is valued at approximately $176,000.

Capital and operating budgets approved by South Dundas council for 2014 result in a total levy of $5,231,000, which is about $85,000 more than last year.

South Dundas council wrapped up two days of budget deliberations February 20 and 21, satisfied that they had met their target to hold the municipal levy increase close to one per cent.

At the outset of budget deliberations, South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds said, “We need to concentrate on getting the projects we’ve started done. We as a council have to consider what’s good for all of South Dundas, not just for individuals.”

With reserves sitting in fairly good shape at about $3 million, Byvelds suggested, “It’s better to set the books straight for the end of this year so the new council isn’t left to question what we did over the last four years.”

With staff submitting budgets that did not include a lot of excess, council made quick work of the operational budgets. For the most part they were happy with the capital projects presented, and provided their approval.

South Dundas chief administrative office Steve McDonald said there were no service cuts in the budget and told council that the 2014 budget included a one per cent increase in wages and council honourariums. Annual contributions to the municipal return of service incentive for new doctors ended this year.

“This is not an exciting budget. It’s a stay the course budget,” added McDonald, who thanked management staff, especially the treasurer, for the months of hard work that were poured into this document.

The budget does not become official until the budget bylaw is approved by council. It will be presented to council at the March 4, regular council meeting.

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There’s going to be a 44th annual Tubie weekend.

The 43 year old event, was in jeopardy when two weeks ago the Morrisburg and District Lions Club’s Tubie Committee announced that they would no longer organize and host the event.

The announcement was a challenge to the community as the outgoing organizers asked that anyone interested in keeping this community’s longest continuously running festival alive, come forward. When they made the announcement, they were confident that someone would come forward to continue the popular event.

Last week, the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce board of directors approved the undertaking and February 14, issued a press release outlining their intentions.

“The community can breathe a sigh of relief. Tubie Fest will not fade away but will continue as strong as ever thanks to The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce stepping up to the plate,” reads the release. 

Chamber President Chuck Barkley is delighted that this signature event will continue. 

“This event is a major economic generator for our Community and the Board of Directors felt strongly that is was much too important to let it disappear,” said Barkley.

In preparation for the 2014 Tubie Fest, the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce will be consulting with the event’s past organizers who have done such an outstanding job over the years.  

“We certainly appreciate their countless volunteer hours and all the challenges they have faced during the past years,” said Chamber of Commerce vice president Carl McIntyre. “We are glad to hear that the previous organizers are willing to guide us through organizing this event.” In the coming months the Chamber will also be looking to the community for volunteers and support as they organize Tubie Fest 2014. 

“Tubie Fest has been one of the community’s most important events for decades and certainly has had a positive effect on the area’s economy over the years. Probably most important, however, is how Tubie Fest brings the community together every summer with friends from near and far enjoying this special week in August. The Chamber feels this is something that should continue and encourages all of those Tubie Racers, hometown folks who live away and the entire community to look forward to making Tubie Fest 2014 one of the best ever,” concludes the media release.

“We are thrilled to learn that the Chamber of Commerce has elected to pick up the torch and ensure that South Dundas will celebrate Tubie Weekend in 2014,” said Michael Domako, who along with Matt McCooeye co-chaired the outgoing organizing committee.

“The Chamber has experience organizing different types of events and by virtue of their mandate have an established network and support in the business community,” he added. “We will work with the Chamber to provide a smooth transition and look forward to the next step in the evolution of the Tubie Festival.

Details about the 44th Tubie weekend event will be up to a new committee, which the Chamber of Commerce directors hope to have in place within the next couple of weeks.

Asked what the community can expect from this year’s event, South Dundas Chamber of Commerce manager Geraldine Fitzsimmons said, “In my own personal opinion – I would think the Chamber will be keeping the event much the same as what the people are accustomed to – it’s been working great so far, so why change it?” 

The event takes a great number of volunteer resources, and the Chamber believes they will have enough help to make it work. 

“Our community is known for all the competent volunteers we have, and everyone knows how important Tubie Festival is for us,” said Fitzsimmons.

“I am glad to see the Chamber pick up the responsibility to run the Tubies,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “The community had told me they would have missed them and this proves that, in the end, if the event is worth doing, someone will.”

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