Month: July 2013

 

The South Branch Wind Opposition Group had council’s ear at a special meeting July 8.

The purpose of the meeting was to allow the opposition group to have an open discussion with council about the wind project that will see 10 industrial wind turbines installed around Dixon’s Corners, Brinston, Hulbert and Glen Stewart.

President of the opposition group, Leslie Disheau bombarded council with facts, figures and studies supporting the group’s argument that South Dundas should declare that it is “Not a Willing Host” to this or any other industrial wind project. 

So far, 76 municipalities across the province have already made this declaration.

Although municipal governments don’t have the power to prohibit wind developments from taking place within their boundaries, according to Disheau and the SBWOG, they do have the power to exert some regulatory control through easily enforceable bylaws to provide some protection to its residents against certain nuisances, such as noise and shadow flicker.

Disheau explained that shadow flicker nuisance can easily be mitigated by shutting down certain turbines at certain times of the day.

She also said that for some residents living in the area, who already have a history of epilepsy, or for those with autistic children the effects of shadow flicker could be much more than a nuisance.

However, without municipal regulation, there is little requiring the wind project operators to reduce these effects.

For noise, she suggested a bylaw that would require, for example, quiet nights again requiring the shutdown of the turbines during certain hours.

She too suggested that municipality should consider appropriate building permit and development fees, and be sure to have in place a process to ensure that appropriate funds are there to cover the cost of decommissioning the turbines.

Disheau brought into question the validity of some of the information gathered and submitted by the proponent, such as an ice throw study predicting an extremely minute chance of ice debris from a turbine impacting a passing car, as it was based on a turbine in the Shanly area that is no longer part of the project and the surrounding low traffic flow roads.

Disheau and the SBWOG would like to see more relevant information calculated regarding the chance of collision using one of the turbines in close proximity to the well travelled County Road 16.

Disheau also questioned the validity of the bird kill study and brought up the importance of the threatened Bobolink that is known to inhabit the Brinston area.

She too expressed concern over the effect pile driving for turbines will have on area wells and water quality.

Disheau also covered safety concerns, regarding the possibility of a turbine fire, dirty electricity and television interference that could effect satellite and internet service in the area.

Disheau told council about the decrease in property values, the people that are moving because of the project and the people that are choosing not to relocate to the area because of the project. 

She presented council with 108 signatures of those in the Dixon’s Corners, Brinston, Hulbert, Glen Stewart area who support the South Branch Wind Opposition Group in their effort to have South Dundas declare it is not a willing host.

“We pounded the pavement and had a lot of very engaging conversations with people,” said Disheau. “People have opinions and they want to express their concerns.” 

These opinions have also divided the community, according to Disheau. She has see the effects of this herself at church, and has heard much about the division in talking to people in the community.

Having now fully heard from the SBWOG, council decided that they need to hear from EDP Renewables, the proponent of the South Branch wind development, before deciding whether or not to declare South Dundas “Not a willing host.”

They plan to hear from EDP at next week’s council meeting.

Disheau had organized a tour of the Wolfe Island wind farm for council. The mayor and deputy mayor had toured Wolfe Island already that day so they declined to offer. Councillor Jim Graham, to said he has already seen many wind projects and didn’t see a need for the tour. Councillor Evonne Delegarde did take Disheau up on the offer, as she has not yet been to Wolfe Island since the wind turbines were installed.

South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan did attend the council meeting to hear Disheau’s presentation, but will not be voting on the matter as he has declared conflict of interest. 

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 The third annual Carkinator Car and Moto Rally, that was held Saturday, July 6, raised $47,289 for the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation.

The money goes into the undesignated fund, which supports the ongoing needs of the hospital in a range of departments.

The Rally is named for NHL defenseman, Matt Carkner, and began as a fun event to bring together hockey  fans and car enthusiasts to fund raise for the WDMH Foundation.

Twenty-nine teams, with 110 participants travelled the car rally route designed by Keith and Linda Robinson of Morrisburg. It took them to pit stoops in Metcalfe, Marvelville, Morewood and Winchester. Pit stop challenges included hockey-themed activities.

NHL-ers participating in the event included Matt Carkner of the NY Islanders, Chris Neil of the Ottawa Senators, Terry Carkner, former Philadelphia Flyer, Bryan Helmer, former Washington Capital and Shean Donovan, former Ottawa Senator.

On average, rally teams raised $1,140, which is up over last year’s average.

The team called “Driving Miss Daisies” won the prize $2,500 prize of  a 400 level box at an Ottawa Senators home game, complete with limo service and dinner.

Diane Crummy won the prize for highest individual fund raiser, which gave her a $3,000 trip for two to Long Island to see the Islanders at home. The prize includes airfare, accommodations, meals, a post game tour of the locker room and $500 spending money.

Other winners included: Bob Carkner, who won the second highest individual fundraising prize of a $500 pressure washer from Canadian Tire in Morrisburg; “St. Daniel’s Holy Rollers” for the best rally quiz score; “St. Paul’s Angels” for the closest time; the “M & D Lions” won closest mileage; “Now We Are Three” won the pit stop challenges; Team “A to Z” won the top motorcycle team; and Kary Carkner’s team, the “Island Falconators” won the best poker hand.

Matt thanked everyone for all of their hard work raising funds and participating, “we can’t thank everyone enough for being part of this great day. I’m honoured to lead this fundraising event for the WDMH Foundation, joined by my fellow NHL-ers Bryan, Terry, Shean and Chris. I’m also touched that even though I don’t play for the home team anymore, you have all come out to cheer me on at this event through your participation, so thank you.”

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Over 600 historical re-enactors, two tall ships and a long boat will be part of the spectacle that will mark the bicentennial of the Battle of Crysler’s Farm July 13-14.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Bob Irvine, a member of the Friends of Crysler’s Battlefield, the non-profit organization that has for 13 years hosted the Crysler’s Farm battle re-enactments, spoke about the coming event and the future needs of the Crysler’s Farm organization.

The Battle of Crysler’s Farm was one of the most important battles of the War of 1812, as it kept control of the upper lakes out of the hands of the Americans.

“There’s only one 200th,” said Irvine, who with fellow organizers have kept that in mind throughout their preparations for the weekend event.

The Friends are all volunteer and they are at arm’s length from Upper Canada Village in terms of funding, although they do work in partnership with them because the Battlefield land belongs to the St. Lawrence Parks Commission.

Looking to the future, beyond this weekend’s event, Irvine says that the Friends organization which has about 65 members, including only six or seven very active volunteers, is in desperate need of more volunteers. 

“We need people to step up and keep this going,” said Irvine, explaining that the organization’s president, Robin Morris is expected to step down this year for health reasons.

Irvine is from Johnstown, and says that of those who belong to the organization, most are from farther afield than South Dundas, where the site is actually located. “We have only two people who are from the Morrisburg/Iroquois area,” he said.

Of this weekend’s event, Irvine added that re-enctors are coming from as far away as California to participate in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Crysler’s Farm. “That’s how big this is in the re-enactment community.”

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For the 15th time there will be an antique festival in South Dundas.

This year’s antique festival, which is set to take place July 20 and 21, is being run by a committee who didn’t want to see the event disappear from South Dundas’ summer calendar of events, when the Morrisburg and District Lions Club opted not to host the 2013 event at the waterfront.

The Morrisburg Business improvement area is the host of the 2013 antique festival. The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce is a partner in the event and the Morrisburg and District Lions Club, though not hosting, have helped out.

“We are happy that the BIA picked up the ball to keep this thing rolling,” said Geraldine Fitzsimmons of the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce.

The event will take place at the Village Plaza in Morrisburg, with vendors set up in various locations, including two vacant store fronts and four vendor tents that will be set up on the mall, behind the clock tower. The stores being used include the former M&M Meat Shop location in the Pinkus Plaza and the former dollar store location in the Morrisburg Mall. 

The three locations will house a total of 18 vendor booths, with dealers coming from Gatineau, Ingleside, Brockville, Perth and Madoc.

While the waterfront location will be missed, Fitzsimmons says the vendors are pleased to be bringing their wares back to this community and are looking forward to the new venue.

“This new location in the mall should give us more drop-in traffic,” said Fitzsimmons. “We will have a lot more visibility from County Road 2.”  

“We’re excited about this event,” said Carl McIntyre, who chairs the antique festival committee. “We hope this will bring a lot of people into the heart of our community. This is all part of the effort to make this community more known.”

With only a few people working on organizing this event, they are finding themselves in need of some volunteers to help out with the logistics of the two day event. 

The antique festival takes place Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Free admission. Appraisals on site.  

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Morrisburg and Iroquois will get new welcome gardens this fall.

South Dundas council awarded the tender to Create It! Garden Design and Installation at their last regular council meeting.

The cost for the design and installation work is $5,550.

The welcome garden in Iroquois will be located on the island in front of the Iroquois Plaza near the buoys. 

The Morrisburg welcome garden will be located on the south-west side of the intersection of County Roads 2 and 31.

The design phase of the gardens is now underway. “The gardens are being designed to be visually appealing year round,” said South Dundas economic development officer Nicole Sullivan.

The actual planting is expected to take place in early September.

These welcome gardens came about as a result of directions outlined in the community strategic plan, which specifically mentioned beautification projects such as this one to enhance community gateways. 

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A four-day camp which gives beginners the chance to learn about and enjoy farm life took place at the Old Homestead Farm located just north of Iroquois. 

The July 2-5 western riding camp only had one student but 10-year-old Kate Zandbergen of Toronto wasn’t complaining.

“It was really fun. I learned a lot,” she said. This is the second year Kate has taken part in a week-long camp at the farm and the third year she has spent time at the Old Homestead learning about horses and riding.

For those who missed the July camp, there are plans in the works to offer another in August, if there is enough interest. Old Homestead owner Joy Casselman and her daughter Leanne are hoping to get a few more people to participate.

They can accommodate about six people at one time, as they provide all the horses and equipment for those who participate.

The camp is lead by Marilyn Ashby who has her level four in western riding and is working on her instructor’s level.

At the beginner’s level camp, the students get experience in stable management and riding lessons. “They do everything right from cleaning the stalls, on,” said Ashby, as they prepared to head out for an hour-long trail ride. 

The camp wrapped up last week with a barbecue and treats provided by Country Fresh Home Bakery.

Ashby and Casselman suggest that the camp is suitable for beginners aged eight and up, but they are also willing to offer adult camps or lessons for anyone interested.

“We try to do a little of everything here,” said Casselman, who just wants to help others enjoy the farm life as she does. 

Anyone interested in learning more about the programs offered, is welcome to contact Joy Casselman at 613-543-3357 or Marilyn Ashby at 613-803-3757.

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