Month: June 2014

June 28th will mark the official opening of the South Dundas Municipal Centre, located at 34 Ottawa Street, Morrisburg, and all are welcome, even encouraged, to attend.

The present building is well known in the area, having served as the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute for over 40 years. Now, it is renovated to meet the needs of the community.

“I feel that all South Dundas residents should come out and see what has been done to the ‘Old High School’ as it has been called for years,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “To take a historic building and transform it into a very useful asset that will be used by residents for many years, is quite an achievement in this day of tearing down old and replace with new that will never last as long as this building has.”

Ground breaking of the project began in 2012, and all tenants have now moved in as of May 2014.

“The services within this building are vital to the community,” said Mayor Byvelds. “They are now conveniently co-located and we look forward to showcasing what they have to offer.”  

Offices within the building include:

• St. Lawrence Medical Clinic (Main Floor)

• SDG County Library- Morrisburg Branch (Main Floor)

• Morrisburg Visitor Information Centre (Main Floor)

• South Dundas Municipal Offices (Second Floor)

• Council Chambers & Mayor’s Office (Third Floor)

• Recreation Programming Room (Third Floor)

Residents are invited to join local dignitaries and staff at 10 a.m. for the ribbon cutting ceremony, with tours and refreshments to follow.

“We hope all residents are able to join us on June 28th to celebrate the opening of this new facility,” added Mayor Byvelds.

The contract for the building renovation was $4.1 million, including contingency, which was needed for building alterations required for both the clinic and municipal space. Next month, council expects to receive a staff report finalizing the cost of the project, taking into account details such as project management costs.

When that report is received, council can move forward with setting up a 20 year loan to finance the project. Council, at budget time, set aside reserves to cover the first loan payment.

[…]

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario’s Board of Trustees has approved an operating budget of $165.5 million and a capital budget of $10.6 million for the 2014-15 school year.

All expenditure areas were carefully reviewed for efficiencies and to ensure excellence in Catholic program delivery for students across Eastern Ontario.

Trustees approved the budget at the June 17 board meeting.

Brent Laton, Chair, commended the group.“This budget will help to ensure that the 2014-15 year will be another successful year,” he said. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend my sincere gratitude for the work done by Executive Council, and the Finance Department.”

 “The budget demonstrates that our staff continue to be dedicated to student success while remaining fiscally responsible with the Board’s financial resources,” said Director of Education Wm. J. Gartland. “I commend our staff for their dedication in serving the best interests of our students.”

Construction will continue on the $6.6 million, Ministry funded, capital priority project at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Carleton Place that will open in September 2015. The project includes a 12 classroom addition to replace portables.

The Board will also receive $1.7 million for School Renewal, and $2.2 million for School Condition Improvement, to help address the backlog of facility repairs and upgrades.

The 2014-2015 financial estimates allow the Board to continue to remain compliant with the provincially mandated primary class size requirement as well as the aggregate class size requirements mandated for full-day kindergarten.

[…]

Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board have passed a $353 million operating budget for next year to support student needs and meet long-term objectives under its CREW Strategic Plan. 

Another $45.8 million has been earmarked for capital projects.

The budget was passed during Wednesday night’s regular Board meeting, said Chair Greg Pietersma.

“The biggest thing this budget does is ensure quality and consistency in our programming and operations,” said Pietersma. “It provides assurance for parents that schools will be open, math and science classes will run, driveways will be cleared, competition will take place on our sports fields and buses will be running.

“We’re also planning for two more quality schools in the Cornwall and Kemptville areas.”

Director David Thomas praised the budget saying it is reflective of good governance by the Board, citing the new Accountability Framework as a key factor in that good governance. 

He also noted changes in the budget reporting process which will see departments keep trustees better informed through the addition of quarterly status reports.

“The development of the Accountability Framework has had a very positive impact on our senior team,” said Thomas. “It has helped us to become more purposeful, focused, responsive and transparent in our operations and that is reflected in this budget.

“The creation of the yearly budget cycle and quarterly reporting process will allow us the opportunity to better serve the students and communities of Eastern Ontario.”

The operating funds the board will use come from the 2014-15 Grants for Student Needs issued by the Ministry of Education. 

 The largest portion of the board’s operating budget is for staff instructional salaries – for teachers, principals, para-professionals and others – comprising about $241 million. 

About $25 million goes to transportation, $34 million for school operations and maintenance, and $8.5 million for administration and governance.

Major capital expenses include: a project to fund construction of, and furnishing and equipping of, two new elementary schools in Cornwall and Kemptville, (scheduled to open in 2016); funding for school renewal; and improvements for the Full-Day Kindergarten program.

“I’m pleased to present a compliant budget that puts students first,” said Superintendent of Business Nancy Barkley. ”As the 2014-2015 school year unfolds, student learning will remain our priority and continue to drive our business decisions.”

“This budget reflects our philosophy that proper support for student learning is at the heart of everything we do,” added Pietersma. “We are funding new school projects, enhancing the instructional skills of our teachers, and funding special education programming – all the kinds of efforts that allow students to learn and thrive.”

Under the budget, Special Education gains $46 million in funding. About $19.4 million has been set aside for special education teachers, along with another $17.7 million for educational assistants and $1.2 million for new technologies to aid student learning.

Other department operating expenses include: Human Resources, $2.9 million; Director’s Office, $4.4 million; Information Technology Services, $5.4 million; Facilities, $90.3 million ($45.8 million for Design and Construction, and $44.5 million for Facilities Operations and Maintenance); and Program, $3.7 million.

[…]

The Canadian Army Veterans (CAV) – Sicily Motorcycle Unit will be holding the third annual Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highway 43 Memorial Ride on July 5th, 2014.  

The ride will honour our Veterans, and in collaboration with The Royal Canadian Legion – Ontario Command, will raise funds for Operation: Leave the Streets Behind for the ‘Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund’.  

The fund provides financial assistance for Ontario Veterans to obtain housing, furniture, food and medical care during their time of need.

All riders are welcome to the ride and the $20 registration per rider and $10 per passenger includes the poker run and complimentary snacks along the route.  

Breakfast and the barbecue at the end of the ride are provided by the Royal Canadian Legion Branches for a minimal fee.  

The ride starts at The Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Perth and follows the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highway 43 to Alexandria, stopping at several Royal Canadian Legion Branches for presentations.  

It concludes at The Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Morrisburg, with a barbecue, announcement of the poker run prizes and distribution of door prizes.  All proceeds of the ride including all cash donations go directly to the ‘Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund’.  Breakfast and registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and kickstands up at 9:30 a.m. 

Last year, a total of $19,160 was raised from the ride, the coin collections and more importantly due to the generous support of the community. Local merchants, charities and companies have been very supportive by contributing donations, goods and services annually to this event.

[…]

There is a very real danger that the Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial Committee could fold without an influx of new life.

The fate of the Friends could be decided as soon as Tuesday, June 24, when the group holds its annual general meeting at the McIntosh Inn, Morrisburg.

The main purpose of the Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial committee has always been to be an advocate for the memory of one of the most important battles ever to be fought in Canada. Without their advocacy the memory of that November 11, 1813 battle that was a major Canadian victory that ended the eastern invasion by American forces could fade.

“Such an important battle should stay in our memory,” said Robert Irvine, who has been a part of the group since its formation 15 years ago.

The committee has accomplished much over the 15 years, including the re-opening of the Battlefield Memorial Building that had been closed, and the staging of annual re-enactments that have attracted thousands of visitors to the site over the years.

The committee had been striving to pull off two 200th anniversary events, in 2013, which they did quite successfully, attracting over 600 re-enactors, 6,000 spectators and even the Prime Minister of Canada.

“We’ve accomplished all our goals,” said Irvine. But, he worries that without a Friends 

group to continually advocate for the 

Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial, the history of the memorial will once again fade into obscurity, where it was when the Friends group was formed. 

Irvine speaks very highly of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission people that the group has worked with over the years, without whom, much of the group’s work would not have been possible. However, he sees that the history of the Crysler Farm Memorial is not the top priority for that organization.

He knows the advocacy role of the Friends is very important, and should not be lost but, over the 15 years the committee has continued to shrink.

“This year we’ve lost four or five directors, and we only had six or seven to begin with,” said Irvine. Attrition has been due to various factors, age, life, health. 

For the 200th anniversary event, the organizational aspects were handled by only a couple of dedicated folks.

“We’re tired,” said Irvine, who would be happy to stay with the group through a transition phase to new leadership, which he hopes will be the outcome of next week’s meeting.

Anyone who has an interest in seeing this group continue to exist needs to come forward to the June 24 annual general meeting at the McIntosh Inn at 7 p.m.

[…]