Hendersons win multiple prizes at Dundas Seed, Forage and Ag. Show

A by-law was passed at the March 20th South Dundas council meeting to accept the operational and capital budget plan for 2012.

During the discussion, Treasurer Shannon Geraghty introduced council to the possibility of sending out information sheets to taxpayers.

Geraghty informed council that it is a “double-sided document, something we’ll probably send out in the tax bills to show tax payers their money isn’t being spent foolishly.”

Mayor  Steven Byvelds said, “it certainly is a lot more information than we’ve put out in the past.”

Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke added, “that’s good. The more information, the better.”

“I think,” said Councillor Jim Graham, “it’s certainly a step forward on communicating with ratepayers on where their dollars are spent.”

Members of council were given copies of the proposed document to consider and comment on before distribution. 

If all goes well, it looks like, according to Byvelds, that the information sheet will be included with the final tax bill at the end of May.

[…]

 

 In support of their 14 year old teammate, Nash Nesbitt of Iroquois, the South Dundas Bantam B Rep Lions are organizing a fund-raiser ‘teen dance’ at the Iroquois Legion on Saturday, November 12.

Nesbitt was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphoid tissue, in late August. He is currently undergoing cancer treatment in Ottawa. 

“When we found out about Nash, we knew we wanted to do something, and we wanted the kids to be involved,” Lions team manager Rondalyn Jarvis said Friday night at the arena, where the Lions had gathered to launch the dance promotion.  

“The support we’ve been getting is unbelievable,” said Jarvis. “People have been calling and wanting to donate.”

“These kids have been together since novice hockey (about 10 years) as well as at school and in other sports,” said Jarvis. “We’ve all been together for so long, it’s a family…this is our hockey family.”

The benefit dance is planned for Saturday, November 12, at the Iroquois Legion. Open to all area youth in grades 7 to 12, it will be chaperoned by the hockey team parents. The cost is $10 per person.

The event has received huge support from South Dundas businesses, organizations and individuals who have donated either money or prizes. Team parents are providing food donations, and the hockey team will be selling pop.

“The Legion has been donated to us, and the DJ has given us a really good deal,” said parent  rep Cassandra Barry who is helping with the event organization.

In addition to his hockey teammates, other friends of Nash, are also on board to help out, as are other teams in the South Dundas Hockey Association who have found various ways to help raise money. Members of one team are donating a ‘loonie’ every time they score a goal.

Nash is the son of Tammy Johnston and Earl Nesbitt, and, according to Jarvis, he is doing well. He was preparing to enter grade nine at Seaway when he received the diagnosis.

“His last chemo treatment is November 3, and once his doctors determine its success, they will decided where to go from there. He just received approval to come out in the general public, and if all goes well he could be back in school in about a month. They caught it early, so everyone is very hopeful.”

Jarvis explained that the dance is to help raise money for expenses not covered by insurance.

“The travel and the parking is expensive, and Tammy’s been off work to care for Nash,” said Jarvis. “We want to make it a little easier for them financially.”

To help kick off the Lions’ effort on Friday, longtime family friends, David Lapier and Danny McLaughlin, dropped by the arena to hand over a $250 donation.

“We’ve known Nash’s parents our whole lives, and Nash since he was a baby. This is a tough situation, and we hope all goes well,” said Lapier.

[…]

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation marked the opening of the Seaway’s 56th navigation season March 28, with the transit of Algoma Central Corporation’s newly built ship, the Algoma Equinox, through Lock 3 of the Welland Canal. 

The vessel is the first of eight Equinox-class ships that are being purpose-built for trade in the St. Lawrence Seaway.

 “Algoma Central Corporation’s fleet renewal is a leading example of the unprecedented level of investment that is happening throughout our navigation system,” said Terence Bowles, President and CEO of the SLSMC. 

“The Seaway alone is spending almost $500 million on modernizing its infrastructure – the biggest transformation in five decades.”

“The Algoma Equinox carries more cargo, sails faster, consumes significantly less fuel and is the first Great Lakes vessel to be equipped with a scrubbing system that virtually eliminates sulphur oxide from its emissions.  

These advancements will benefit communities throughout the region and also ensure that our customers – North American industries and farmers – remain competitive on the global stage,” said Algoma Central Corporation’s President and CEO Greg Wight.

In concert with various domestic and ocean carriers investing $1 billion in new vessels, the SLSMC is investing $395 million between 2014 and 2018 to revitalize its locks and structures.  

Likewise, the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation is mounting a $92 million effort over a comparable timeframe.

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Administrator Betty Sutton said, “The significant investments in Seaway infrastructure are positioning the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System for future growth.  Our asset renewal program will do more than just rebuild the lock infrastructure; the introduction of new technologies will make the waterway even safer, more efficient, and more reliable.  These investments signal a long term public commitment to shipping on the Great Lakes / Seaway System.”

In addition to its asset renewal program, the SLSMC is also moving ahead with the installation of Hands Free Mooring at all of its high lift locks.  

This investment over the next five years will enable vessels to be secured in a lock by means of vacuum pads, instead of by the traditional wire or rope mooring lines. 

Hands Free Mooring is a core element of the SLSMC’s modernization program, which promises to lower operating costs, increase safety, and provide greater ease of access into the Seaway for Seaway-sized vessels within the world’s merchant fleet.

In terms of the outlook for cargo volume on the St. Lawrence Seaway in 2014, the SLSMC’s Bowles noted that he continues to be upbeat.  

“Tonnage within the St. Lawrence Seaway is forecast to exceed a total of 38 million tonnes this year. 

The U.S. and European economies are improving, and this trend gives us reason to be optimistic,” said Bowles. 

“We also expect to play a significant role in exporting Canada’s bumper grain crop to overseas markets.”

Over 227,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic activity are supported by the movement of goods within the Great Lakes-Seaway System. 

[…]