Ten year housing plan for Cornwall and SD&G

Got an eReader or a tablet for Christmas, and don’t know how to use it? Head on over to your local branch of the SD&G County Library for a computer training session. 

The Library’s training sessions are tailored to each individual or small group’s needs, and include training with eReaders and tablets, online resources and the public library catalogue. “Providing resources for education and learning is an important part of what the Library does” said Erika Heesen, Communications and Marketing Librarian. “These training sessions are but one example of the many services the Library offers.”

These services include lending eBooks as well as print books. Using the Library’s OverDrive app or website at www.sdglibrary.ca, Library cardholders can borrow eBooks from the comfort of their own home. “The library is all about reading and learning, whatever format that might be in”, said Heesen. 

Training sessions are a part of the Library’s regular programming, or can be booked by contacting any SD&G County Library branch.

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Although Prime Minister Stephen Harper was unable to attend the official launch of the Flowers of Courage project at Winchester Public School this past May, he made up for his absence when he placed 11 sunflower seeds in their specially designed packet under the watchful eyes of five Winchester Public School students at his Ottawa office on Wednesday, August 15.

The Flowers of Courage project was created by Jeff Arsenault of Morrisburg, “in honour of the children of 9/11 to remind the families that caring never stops,” Arsenault told The Leader in May. And as Arsenault so often does in his projects, children all over North America were included.

The artwork that adorns the sunflower seed packets was provided by six children in Canada and six children in the United States, all of whom are members of families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 tragedy. The message the packets bear was written by the children says Arsenault, an Education Assistant at Winchester Public School.

Some 10,000 packets were originally sent out to schools across North America for packaging, and invitations were extended to Prime Minister Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama to fill a packet.

The McKenzie Seed Co. of Brandon, Manitoba donated the California-grown seeds and provided the services of the printer/graphic designer who fitted the children’s pictures to the small packets.

When Prime Minister Harper was unable to attend the May launch at Winchester Public School, Arsenault figured he had heard the last of it, but not so.

In August, he received an invitation from the Prime Minister’s office, and on August 15, Arsenault, Winchester Public School Principal Jill Pensa and five students found themselves in the Prime Minister’s office.

“The Prime Minister loved the idea of the program,” says Arsenault. “He was very good with the kids. He introduced himself and asked them to explain why they were placing 11 seeds in the packets. We got to spend 20 minutes with him. It was great.”

“The kids were gluing the seed packets right there on the prime minister’s desk and Gavin (Copeland) was getting glue on his desk. But he just shrugged it off, and said ‘that’s fine’.”

“He was amazing. It was such an honour. He treated the kids with such respect and the program with such respect. He is busy and to take the time to sit down with kids, that is a genuine asset Canadians need to see.”

Students representing Winchester Public School were Shannon and Erin Arbuckle, Ryan and Liam Antille and Gavin Copeland. In addition to Principal Pensa, UCDSB director David Thomas had planned to attend but was disappointedly unable to make it.

Arsenault says Flowers of Courage has been a most touching and inspirational project. The 12 children provided not just the name, but all of the artwork on the seed packets, the dedication and the growing directions.

“All of the 12 kids are represented on the packets and schools across Canada and the United States participated in placing 11 seeds in each of them.”

The Flowers of Courage seed packets were made available through various agencies associated with 9/11 to be distributed at this year’s memorials:  4,000 in New York, 3,000 at the U.S. Pentagon and 3,000 to the Flight 93 Memorial.

“Of all of the programs I’ve done, this is the most sentimental. I met with some of the 12 kids during March break and they shared with me some of their stories.”

[…]

Following an in house review of council remuneration, council approved a small pay increase for South Dundas’ elected officials.

Increased remuneration for every member of council was approved at the September 2 regular South Dundas council meeting.

A review of council remuneration is something that should be done at least once per term of council, according to South Dundas clerk Brenda Brunt.

After a staff review of area council remuneration levels, they provided a number of options, that were slightly higher than what was approved by council.

In the end, council decided that the mayor will be paid $24,000, the deputy mayor $15,000 and councillors $12,000.

Presently base honorarium is $21,178 for the mayor, $14,783 for deputy mayor and $11,615 for councillors.

The base honorarium includes 24 regular council meetings. Pay for committee meetings is $75 per meeting. Mileage and conference rates follow those set by the United Counties of SDG.

Conference allowances will increase from $1,200 to $1,400 for a four day conference, to help offset the increased cost of hotels and parking.

Even with the increased honourium, South Dundas council members are the second lowest paid in SDG.

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