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IROQUOIS–With shovels in hand, three levels of government dug in here on Friday, to officially kick off the $18 million Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant project that will include the addition of a secondary treatment process and upgrades to increase the plant’s overall capacity, efficiency and reliability.

Performing the official ground-breaking ceremony were Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont, Dundas & South Glengarry, Grant Crack, MPP for Glengarry, Prescott & Russell and South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

The project is part of the legacy left to South Dundas by the late Charles Barkley whose lobbying resulted in the procurement of 100 per cent funding split 50-50 between the federal and provincial governments.

Although the late Mayor knew the municipality had secured the funding, he passed away on June 17, 2009, just days before the official announcement was to be made.

At the 2009 announcement, MP Lauzon, said “this is Charles’ day. The fact that we are making this announcement today is a testimony to Charles Barkley. I don’t think that I ever saw Charles in the last two years that he didn’t remind me that South Dundas couldn’t afford this project. I would like to dedicate this project to the memory of Charles Barkley.”

Friday, Lauzon again acknowledged the late mayor Barkley, along with former mayor Robert Gillard and current South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds who was a member of council at the time of the funding announcement.

“Safe and reliable wastewater infrastructure will support the health and well-being of residents of South Dundas, and help to protect the St. Lawrence River,” said Lauzon, who spoke Friday on behalf of Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government believes that investing in infrastructure is one of the best ways to create jobs in Canada, and I am pleased that this project will contribute to a cleaner environment and the economic  future of this region.”

On hand to represent the province of Ontario was Grant Crack, MPP for Glengarry, Prescott & Russell.

“This project will protect the local environment, the St. Lawrence River and improve the quality of life for residents for years to come,” said Crack. “Ontario is about communities, about the families who live and work in these communities.”

Next to speak was South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds who introduced his council, deputy mayor Jim Strader, and councillors Evonne Delegarde, Jim Graham and Archie Mellan all of whom were in attendance.

Byvelds too commended the previous South Dundas council under Mayor Barkley, which included deputy mayor Robert Gillard and councillors Delbert Jones and Jim Graham and himself.

“We knew we had an environmental issue that had to be dealt with,” he said, pointing out that the late Mayor Barkley was instrumental in obtaining funding.

Byvelds also remarked that when this project is completed it will result in an entire infrastructure rebuild for South Dundas which includes the South Dundas Water Treatment Plant, the Morrisburg Wastewater Treatment Plant and now the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Iroquois.

“This is a good day for Canada, for Ontario and for South Dundas,” said Byvelds. “The project goes a long way in providing the necessary infrastructure we need to grow and prosper.”

“I look forward to the final day when we will meet here for the opening of the wastewater treatment plant.”

The government of Canada is contributing up to $9 million through the Green Infrastructure Fund toward eligible project costs and the Province of Ontario has already contributed $9 million.

The Township of South Dundas will pick up the balance of the total eligible project cost of $18,062,067.

The Green Infrastructure Fund is a key part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan which focuses on creating new opportunities for jobs and growth and securing long-term prosperity for Canadians.

The project also supports Building Together, the Government of Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province’s roads and highways, bridges, public transit, etc.

The Iroquois project includes the upgrading of equipment, new facilities and modifications to existing facilities and removal and replacement of the existing outfall sewer.

South Dundas CAO Steven MacDonald, who emceed Friday’s ground breaking ceremony, acknowledged project manager Ontario Clean Water Agency, project engineer AECOM and project contractor J.C. Sulpher.

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The Moonlight Chapter #224 of the Eastern Star in Iroquois has a few things left on its to do list before it amalgamates with Prescott and last Thursday it took care of one of them with a donation to the Breakfast Program at Iroquois Public School.

Represented by Worthy Matron Gay Rust and Associate Matron Ruth Robertson, the Moonlight Chapter #224 dropped off a $400 donation to the school’s breakfast program which is organized by school secretary Phyllis Fisher and EA Christa St. Pierre. 

It is unfortunate, but “the Iroquois Chapter of the Eastern Star is closing, and we are consolidating with the Violet Chapter in Prescott,” explained Associate Matron, Ruth Robertson. 

“We have retired as a chapter and our consolidation will happen in July,” added Worthy Matron Gay Rust explaining that while the Iroquois chapter has a good sized membership, many of the members are elderly and unable to take an active role. 

As a result of their consolidation with Prescott, the Moonlight Chapter has found itself in a position of having some extra money. 

“We had a chance to give money, and I said let’s keep it here in Iroquois,” said Rust of the $400 to the school’s breakfast program. “Ruth thought that was a wonderful idea, so this is another good note that we are ending on.” 

Fisher and St. Pierre were extremely appreciative of the donation. “When I started the program several years ago, I didn’t want to single out any child,” said Fisher. “So every child has the availability of the food.” 

That means the program provides a nutritious starter to 270 kids daily.

“When I come in, I can see that the kids love it,” said Robertson, a retired Iroquois Public School teacher. “They love the veggies and dip. Some days they have fruit. It’s a lot of work, but it’s healthy and the kids like it.”

Iroquois Public School principal Kelty Grant also thanked the Moonlight chapter. Donations are welcome additions to the ministry funded Breakfast Program she said. 

Each year, in cooperation with the Friendly Brothers Iroquois Mason Lodge #143, the Eastern Star Chapter in Iroquois has been involved with ‘special projects’ selected by their Worthy Matron. This past April the Chapter donated $500 each to the Dundas County Hospice, the Winchester Hospital Heelers and the Mason Lodge #143 in memory of Master Mason Gary Richards.

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The count-down to Christmas has already begun! Chilly temperatures, stores displaying Christmas decorations, and some people even boasting that they have finished their Christmas Shopping!  

Sadly, some members of our community aren’t quite so fortunate. 

Time and time again, we in South Dundas have shown that we are a caring community. 

Through the combined efforts of local churches, church groups, community organizations, service clubs, businesses, schools and countless caring individuals, we have been able to help those in need, particularly during the Christmas Season. 

For the 23rd  consecutive year, the South Dundas Christmas Exchange is busy making plans to hopefully bring a bit of joy to those in need, and to make their Christmas a happier one. 

The mandate of the Christmas Exchange is, “to ensure that families in need are provided with the makings of a nice Christmas Dinner with some of the traditional trimmings”.

Again this year the Exchange will work closely with the South Dundas Food Bank to more  efficiently get Christmas Baskets to all those in need.

All of the Christmas Baskets will be supplied by the Christmas Exchange.  But because of the large number, it is impossible to do all of them at the Legion Hall. 

The co-operation of the local Food Bank in distributing those for singles has made this a more manageable task. Singles are reminded that they must register through the Food Bank.  Only family registrations will be accepted through the Hot Line 

The Hot Line will be in operation from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, from November 14th to 25th.   As this is a private line, donated by one of our local Churches, those registering are asked to please not call this number other than the times and days specified. The Hot Line number is 613-543-2005. 

For singles wishing to register with the Food Bank, the number there is 613-543-0065.

Although the Christmas Exchange will be providing a well stocked Christmas Dinner Basket, some families will require additional assistance. These families can contact the Food Bank to discuss their special needs with the co-ordinator.

Receiving a Christmas Basket will not disqualify any Food Bank client from receiving their regular assistance, but will simply try to make Christmas a bit special for them and their family. 

The Morrisburg Lions Club is again sponsoring Angel Trees, which will be located at the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Bank of Montreal in Morrisburg, and at SDS Kerr/Beaver Dental. 

In Iroquois, Sandra Johnston will co-ordinate the Angel Tree at the Bank of Montreal.  Watch for the Angel Trees later in November.  Remember to return all gifts by the date specified. 

The gifts and toys collected will be distributed through the Christmas Exchange, along with the Christmas Dinner Baskets, at the Morrisburg Legion on December 22nd, 2012, between 10 a.m. and noon. 

Those who wish to make financial donations, for which Tax Receipts will be issued,  may send cheques to: The South Dundas Christmas Exchange, P.O. Box 450, Morrisburg, ON.     K0C 1X0 

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