January 2014 – Page 6 – Morrisburg Leader

Richard Barkley

January 1, 2014 Editor

A resident of Morrisburg for the past seven years, Richard Barkley passed away at the Ottawa Heart Institute on Monday, December 23, 2013. He was 68.

Richard was born in Toy Hill at his grandparent’s home on September 10, 1945. He was the son of Ronald and Eileen Barkley (nee Newbury).

Richard shared his childhood with his brothers, sisters and cousins growing up on Barkley road in Williamsburg Township. As a teenager he loved farm work, and he spent many hours helping neighbouring farmers, especially at harvest time.

Richard was a proud employee of Browns Foundry in Morrisburg, where he worked as a foreman and later as plant supervisor. When the business moved to Swanton Vermont, Richard and his family relocated and he continued to work for the Foundry until his retirement in 2003.

Hardworking and handy, Richard excelled at just about everything he set his mind to. He was a talented woodworker and an accomplished baker. Richard won first prize two years in a row at a local pie-baking contest.

Richard and Helen had many adventures together, which included travel and a variety of hobbies such as community work and visiting family and friends. Snowshoeing with friends was a new adventure they both enjoyed.

Richard loved his family, his surroundings and his friends. He had a big heart and will forever be in ours.

Richard was the beloved husband of Helen Laurin and the late Vallie Disheau.

He is survived by his children Adam (Jerrie Jo) of Richford, Vermont, Terri Laurin and her puppy Lola of Ottawa and Angie (Jim) Tidman of Kingston.

He was dear brother of Steven (Sue) of Morrisburg, Ruby (Carl) Van Allen of Williamsburg, Bobby (Anita) of Morrisburg, Sharon (Trevor) Easter of Iroquois and Brian (Janie) of Brazier Falls, New York.

Richard will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Alison, Lacie, Tabor, Emily, Katie and Matthew. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday from 6-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Saturday, December 28th, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Norine Gullons officiating. Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg.

Pallbearers were Bob Kennedy, Brian Barkley, Barry Barkley, Tom Henderson, John Hamiaux and Don Taylor.

Donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

“Sometimes the best thing you can say about a guy is that he was a good man. Richard Barkley was a good man. He was a kind and gentle man with a big smile and a farmer’s handshake. He could fix or build you just about anything and then bake you a pie. My family was very lucky to have him in our lives. He will be missed.”

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MPP McDonell’s review of the past year

January 1, 2014 Editor

There was a sense of anticipation as we waited for the new Premier to be selected by the Liberal party.

This process was initiated by the former Premier Dalton McGuinty, as he tried to quiet the outcry over two gas power plants that were cancelled to retain four Liberal seats in the 2011 election and the following cover-up of the cost.

Now eleven months after taking over as Premier, we are yet to see Kathleen Wynne table any legislation that would reduce the regulatory and financial burden that is making our businesses uncompetitive.

Instead, we have witnessed her office under an OPP investigation triggered by the Privacy Commissioner’s report into the illegal deletion of sensitive government records.

While her government initiated dozens of feel-good bills designed solely to attract good press, 600,000 Ontarians are still out of work. In a province with the best-qualified workforce in North America, this is an unacceptable waste.

The Auditor-General’s team was also busy fulfilling their role as the financial watchdog of the Province.

Their first two Special Reports detailed how actions taken by the Liberal government to keep the true cost of the cancelled power plants hidden, unnecessarily drove the bill up by hundreds of millions of dollars to more than $1.1 billion.

The third special report confirmed that the sale of Ontario Northland will cost the taxpayer $800 million rather than saving $200 million as claimed by the Liberals.

In her Annual Report, Auditor-General Bonnie Lysyk highlighted numerous examples of waste and lack of oversight, including the excessive executive compensation and murky hiring practices at Ontario Power Generation.

The scale of waste perpetrated by the present Government is now undeniable, and urgent action is needed.

Our prosperity rests with a healthy private sector that generates wealth and jobs.

Unfortunately, 2013 saw many plant closures, such as Heinz, Kellogg’s, and Novartis. The Government knew of the problems faced by job-creators in Ontario as they were informed by Heinz’s and others’ in the spring.

Since Kathleen Wynne became premier, over 38,000 net manufacturing jobs have left our province.

My fellow PC Caucus members and I have been reminding them daily that high energy costs and over-regulation have made us uncompetitive.

Their insistence on failed policies, instead, brings about inevitable job losses.

We need to make tough decisions in order to secure our future and this Liberal government is just not up to it.

We need a government that will rise to this challenge and bring Ontario the prosperity needed to protect our health care and our quality of life.

On a more local level, I was able to hear from a large number of residents and the business community at events throughout the year or in our office when they needed help dealing with the provincial government.

Our PC leader, Tim Hudak, was in the riding to meet with residents and stakeholders in the agricultural, health care and construction industries.

Vic Fedeli, our energy critic, also toured a number of locations, addressing concerns over the skyrocketing electricity rates, now forecast to rise another 42% over the next five years.

I also tabled three bills to address problems raised by small businesses and municipalities on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), labour relations issues, and under my new critic role for Municipal Affairs and Housing, a bill to revise the Municipal Elections Act.

Our Caucus also continued to release our policy White Papers that detail the action a PC Government would take to create jobs and secure the public services we all treasure.

The opportunities I had to meet the wonderful people of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry at the many festivals and social events, including the special activities to celebrate the area’s historic War of 1812 battles and the remarkable contributions of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, made 2013 a very busy and very rewarding year.

It has been a very challenging year for the province as a whole, as well for many Ontarians and local communities.

I remain optimistic that we can do better and that the future can be bright if we take the right action. It will require some tough decisions that are made for the benefit of all, and you should accept no less.

In closing, as your proud representative of provincial government, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the Very Best in 2014.

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MP Lauzon on 2013

January 1, 2014 Editor

It is traditional at year’s end that organizations look back on its accomplishments. I would like to review my Conservative Government’s record during the past 12 months. We were given a majority government to create jobs and opportunities for Canadians, to support and protect Canadian families, and to put Canada First.

I am proud to say we have concluded our most productive year with a record 40 bills being passed – delivering real results for Canadians. We made huge progress on bills that will meet our Throne Speech commitments.

These include bills that:

• combat harmful online harassment and exploitation;

• protect Canadians from unsafe drugs;

• support injured veterans with priority consideration for public service jobs;

• stand up for victims of crime;

• grant greater decision-making powers to the Northwest Territories; and

• make our prisons safer for our correctional officers.

This Parliament has also been marked by unprecedented success on the part of individual Members of Parliament, who advanced changes important to their constituents. I am proud to report that my colleagues and I have passed a record total of 19 Private Members’ Bills that have become law. As a matter of fact, since we formed government in 2006, a record 39 substantive Private Members’ Bills have received Royal Assent.

This year we have delivered real results for Canadians by strengthening our economy, creating jobs and supporting families. We have created over 1 million net new jobs since the depth of the recession. We also completed the Canada-Europe Free Trade Agreement which will result in $12 billion in trade and 80,000 new jobs.

Through a productive and hard-working sitting of the House of Commons, we have delivered real results by strengthening our economy, creating jobs and supporting families. Through historic breakthroughs such as the Canada-EU Free Trade deal, by standing firm with our allies around the globe, and by protecting and supporting families here at home, our Government sent a strong signal this year, to the rest of the world, that Canada will be vigorous in its pursuit of new policies and ideas in the service of Canadians.

Have a very Happy New Year.

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Perspectives by Rev. Norine Gullons

January 1, 2014 Editor

Happy New Year

For generations my family are usually the last people in our neighborhood to take down our Christmas stuff. We celebrate the 12 days of Christmas ending with Epiphany on January 6th. Even then we are still very much in the Christmas spirit celebration mode.

My tree will stay up as it is an artificial one now. Some presents are still under the tree un-wrapped of course. The thank yous have been sent to family and friends who live elsewhere.

However, the lights still linger and the carillon in our Lutheran Church in Williamsburg will still play carols for an hour each evening from 5-6 p.m. We keep Christ in the season.

One of our celebrations in January will be our Sunday School-Youth Christmas Service and parish potluck lunch on January 12th. It is a reminder that we continue to celebrate the mystery of the baby born in Bethlehem.

So I encourage you to keep your celebrations and the joy of the season to welcome in the New Year . . 2014.

Lights remind me that we believe that Christ came to bring light to the darkness in the world and so may we bring light to others during the next 365 days.

May God bless your new year!

From the good people of South Dundas Lutheran Community Church & Rev. Norine Gullons

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Jr. B Lions lose two more

January 1, 2014 Editor

The Morrisburg Junior B Lions finished out the year this past weekend with another two losses, the first to the Alexandria Glens, 7-5, and the second to the Akwesasne Wolves, 7-2. Both games were on the road.

Their Saturday night game, scheduled for Morrisburg, was cancelled due to the sudden death of Winchester Hawks coach, Tom Kirkwood, on December 16.

The Hawks cancelled all of their scheduled matches, which included the game in Morrisburg, out of respect and to mourn the loss of their coach. They will return to the ice this coming weekend.

Friday night, December 27, the Lions travelled to the Glengarry Sports Palace in Alexandria where they were handed a 7-5 loss by the Glens.

As in many of their past encounters, the Lions stayed with the Glens and gave them a good run, but couldn’t hold on. After trailing 2-1 at the end of the first period, they collected two consecutive goals in the early minutes of the second period to go up, 3-2.

But they couldn’t hold on. The Glens charged back with four in a row against goaltender John Gilmer, the fourth counter giving them a 6-3 advantage at 3:51 of the third period.

The Lions got one back from Chris Pearson at 10:59, and then at 18:59 a Christian Leger goal cut the gap to 6-5.

An empty net, Glens goal at 19:21 gave the Glens the 7-5 win.

Justin Rutley, Curtis Evans and Liam Morrow scored the Lions first three goals.

Sunday, the Lions managed just one goal against the Akwesasne Wolves at the Anowarako:wa Arena.

That came at 11:50 of the second period from the stick of Zach Belaire.

Stevie Ray Adams led the Wolves attack with four goals.

Brock Daze, Hiio Herne and Chris Wert beat Lions goaltender John Gilmer for singles.

Coming up this Saturday, January 4, is the annual Rideau-St. Lawrence Showcase. This year’s Showcase between teams of the two divisions is being hosted by the Akwesasne Wolves.

The first game of the day is scheduled for 9:30 between Brockville and Char-Lan. The Lions will be on the ice against Prescott at noon.

Sunday, January 5, they are on the road to Gananoque for a 7 p.m. game.

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Ear nose and throat services now available at Winchester Hospital

January 1, 2014 Editor

Margaret Williams is 88 years old and says she definitely sees the benefits of having a hospital close by. “I’ve been to Winchester Hospital several times since I moved to Iroquois three years ago and it’s been great. I have had wonderful treatment.”

Most recently, her family physician referred Mrs. Williams to Dr. Darren Tse, WDMH’s new ear, nose and throat specialist. “I was thrilled when I found out that I didn’t have to travel all the way to Ottawa to see him. Dr. Tse was very helpful,” she says.

Dr. Tse is the latest specialist to provide clinical services to local communities at Winchester District Memorial Hospital.

His ear, nose and throat clinic is located in the Dillabough Builiding. Dr. Tse also does surgery at WDMH, with short wait times. And he partners with Robillard Hearing Centre, which has been offering specialized hearing services at WDMH for two years.

“I like the smaller, friendly atmosphere at WDMH,” says Dr. Tse. “When I came to visit, it seemed like a great town with a great hospital.”

Dr. Tse went to medical school in England and completed his specialty training in Canada.

He has also worked in research. “I like the complex anatomy of the head and neck. It affects how people function every day.”

“Dr. Tse’s services are another example of how WDMH is continually looking for ways to better serve our communities close to home,” notes Cholly Boland, CEO.

“We’re pleased to have him here in Winchester.”

Patients should speak to their family physician for a referral to Dr. Tse.

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Missing man found dead

January 1, 2014 Editor

Police located the body of 69-year-old Ralph Dowdall of South Mountain.

Missing since December 18, police earlier this week had asked th public for their assistance in helping to locate the man.

He was found deceased the afternoon of December 30 in the South Mountain area.

SDG OPP officers and the SDG Crime Unit continue to investigate.

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Mayor proud of 2013 accomplishments ready for 2014

January 1, 2014 Editor

While South Dundas council may have handled more than its fair share of controversy in 2013, its mayor is looking ahead to 2014; positive about what has been accomplished, positive about projects in the works and positive about the new year.

The 2013 year end interview with local media took place December 18 at the Mayor’s office on the third floor of the new South Dundas Municipal Centre in Morrisburg.

“We are definitely sitting in the highlight of the year,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds of the South Dundas Municipal Centre.

“We have rebuilt this into a very useful space, not only for South Dundas council and staff, but for the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic,” said Byvelds.

This SDMC building project, along with South Dundas’ partnership with the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic team to renovate the former Catholic school in Iroquois into a new clinic, means that South Dundas is now home to two new medical facilities.

“That is an important asset in a time where it is challenging to keep medical staff within our borders,” said Byvelds.

Although not yet complete, Byvelds reported that the new Morrisburg library portion of the project should be finished early this year. It will be housed in a portion of the former Morrisburg Clinic space.

On top of this huge project nearing completion, Byvelds is proud to have been able to be part of major progress on working towards rectifying infrastructure issues that have needed addressing for decades.

He acknowledges that the work taking place around Lakeshore Drive certainly wouldn’t have been possible without $2 million worth of provincial funding that South Dundas was fortunate enough to receive.

That funding, along with the funding for the new Iroquois waste water treatment plant, have allowed significant infrastructure improvements.

“A lot of good stuff happened with that money,” said Byvelds.

The new Iroquois waste water treatment plant is expected to be commissioned within a couple of months.

Also, coming to council early in the new year, are plans for the expansion of the Williamsburg recreation building that will return library space to Williamsburg and also provide a useful facility for the community.

With 2014 being an election year, like most municipal politicians, Byvelds hopes for a ‘boring’ year, but he will not shy away from making decisions because of the looming election, which will take place in October.

“I know that any issues that are simmering won’t disappear, and when the time comes, we will deal with things the best we can.”

No matter the issue, Byvelds always adheres to the same process. “You listen, you learn, then you make the decision, and that in part is where your own philosophies come into play,” he explained.

“Most times, change is the biggest challenge, but change is inevitable. Change is challenging for me too, but I know that change has to be managed. It can’t be radical. It has to make sense. I don’t like change either, but globally it is something we need to deal with. If you do nothing, then you are going backwards, and I’m not prepared to do that.”

Even a tough open forum meeting in the fall where much of the public backlash over various issues was directed at Byvelds, has not swayed his philosophy.

Admittedly a tough experience, Byvelds still called the process a useful one, as people had the opportunity to voice their opinions.

“In an election year, my role is to lead properly,” said Byvelds. “I need to demonstrate leadership, showing the community what it takes to run a municipality from the mayor’s chair.”

He sees 2014 as a year to settle down, get things wrapped up and put South Dundas in a position to allow its new council to pick up the ball and make the decisions going forward.

Byvelds would not divulge his intentions for the 2014 election. He plans to make his intentions known in late summer. His only prediction for the new year, was that South Dundas residents will see a zero or very modest tax increase in 2014.

The budgeting process will take place earlier in 2014 than it has in the past, a change that Byvelds has been eager to see.

At this point he is focusing on the roads system. “We are a rural municipality and roads are important,” said Byvelds. “I would rather spend money on roads wisely, making things last beyond their useful life than ignore them.”

“Provincial funding has dried up, so how we manage our own affairs is very important,” he said.

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Xenopus Employees Kick Off Holiday Celebration with Generous Donation

January 1, 2014 Editor

Employees at Xenopus in Morrisburg started their Christmas celebrations with a very generous donation of $600 to the 1st C.A.V. Sicily Unit for their ongoing project to support the Homeless Veterans Fund. The presentation was made on Monday, December 24 by Xenopus representatives, Keith MacDonald (Director of European Sales, left) and employee Barb Hodgson to C.A.V. president, Frank “Heafty” Malette. The Xenopus employees participate regularly in 50/50 draws to raise money, and the company matched what we raised, explained Hodgson in making the presentation. “This year we decided to donate the money through the Morrisburg Legion Poppy Fund to the Homeless Veterans Fund. As a member of the Legion and the granddaughter of a veteran, I am proud we have selected this charity. It is with great pleasure that we are able to present this cheque to you.” C.A.V. president, Heafty Malette was accompanied by C.A.V. members Julie “Mumbles” Malette, John “Saddle Tramp” Kennedy, Janet “Cookie” Trudeau and Reg “Bluenose II” Anderson and Legion Branch #48 Poppy chair Tom Fisher. Malette explained that “throughout the year we [C.A.V. Sicily Unit] raise money for the Homeless Veterans Fund which raises money for our veterans, who, for one reason or another end up living on the streets. Our biggest event is our Ride. We want to thank you very much for your generous donation.” C.A.V. (Canadian Army Veterans) Sicily, formed in the summer of 2011, and is named for the 1943 Battle of Sicily. It consists of Veterans and supporters, most of whom ride motorcycles. Associated with Morrisburg Branch 48, the motorcycle unit participates in various events in the South Dundas community and supports the local Legion with the annual Poppy Campaign. Xenopus Inc. produces a high end line of dental burs and is located in the Morrisburg Industrial Park. It employs approximately 30-35 people.

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Committee offers up waterfront plan

January 1, 2014 Editor

The Morrisburg Waterfront Implementation Committee decided to think big when planning the future of the Morrisburg waterfront, the sum of implementing their plan, in full, could cost $7.4 million.

The Morrisburg Waterfront Phase 1 Concept Plan was presented to South Dundas council at their final meeting of 2013, by lead consultants Mark Thompson Brandt Architect and Associates Inc. “We realize it’s a large vision, but it needs to be that,” said Randy Veinotte, who spoke on behalf to the committee.

“I think the public has a real appetite to do something down there at the waterfront and this plan should help you by providing a good blue print to help you as council members to move things forward.”

“The committee truly feels what is here in this plan is appropriate for the community,” said Veinotte.Veinotte told council of the input and feedback that the committee had in the planning process and that this plan truly reflects the committees vision for the waterfront.

The focus of the first phase of the plan is the dock area. Pathways and key elements including a welcome centre, café with a roof top terrace, and waterfront look-out tower, are all part of the design which provides a strong and visible arrival identity to the area.

The plan not only works to define and address how people arrive, move through and experience the place, it also takes into account problem solving measures for areas of concern, namely parking. “With this plan, we’ve added about 160 parking spaces, which is a fairly dramatic increase,” said Mark Brandt, who made the presentation. That includes 40 double-long spaces for boats and trailers. “We’re putting the parking in the right places,” he added.

With a visual presentation which included a virtual tour of the proposal, Brandt said, “This design is uniquely of Morrisburg.”“This is a large vision, but we set out very deliberately to do that,” said Brandt. “It was important for the committee to set out a big vision that speaks to pride this community has in its waterfront.”“This is great work,” commented South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan, adding that he hopes the public input about this plan is positive. “It is very impressive. Funding it will be the only issue.”

“It is a park of dreams,” added councillor Evonne Delegarde. “There has been a lot of great input by the committee. Funding will be the tell tale sign of getting things done.”

“This is an ambitious concept. It would be wonderful to see it in place,” said councillor Jim Graham. He added that the $7.4 million price tag isn’t out of line when you compare it to the cost of something like building a new arena.“

The plan is ambitious, but not unattainable,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke. “This community has a great ability to pull together when it decides to and to get things done.”

“I really hope we don’t hear a negative reaction from the public first,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “If this plan is what the community wants, it can happen.”

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