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Roadside thievery

SDG – In North Glengarry, August 25, 2014, SD&G OPP began an investigation into a report of a stolen motorcycle and trailer on Highway 417. 

August 24, at approximately 2 pm, a 2012 flatbed motorcycle trailer containing a white 2013 Ducati Panigale motorcycle had been left on the roadside to a flat tire on the trailer. Upon returning a short time later with resources for repair, the owner (from Quebec) observed the unit had been stolen.

Here in South Dundas, August 26, 2014 SD&G OPP began an investigation into a report of a stolen vehicle which occurred on Safford Road. A 2009 Pontiac G5T, 4 door Grey had been left on the roadside due to mechanical failure on the evening of August 24, 2014. Upon returning to retrieve the vehicle on August 25, 2014, the owner (from South Dundas) observed it had been stolen.

Investigations continue on the above incidents

 

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Sports

Jamie Scott wins Upper Canada Open

 

Jamie Scott shot an even par 72 Saturday, to lead a field of 64 golfers at the Upper Canada Golf Course’s men’s open. Scott,  centre, the assistant manager at the course, is joined by manager Allan McNairn, left, and course superintendant Randy LeClair. Upper Canada members made it a clean sweep with Doug Patterson winning B flight with an 81 and Denis O’Rourke C flight with an 80. Net winners were Lance LePage of Morrisburg in A flight, Mike Laurin of Upper Canada in B flight, and Doug Warner of Morrisburg in C flight.  Lise Lalonde led the 11 competing women golfers with an 88 to take the top prize in A flight and Carolyn Weegar and Abby Riviere led B flight with 99s. Susan Shepherd shot a 95 in A flight for the low net 73.

 

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Major Pioneers lose in final

 

 After finishing in third place in the very closely contested nine-team Upper Canada Major Division regular season, the South Dundas Pioneers worked their way to the championship final at the playoff tournament  held in Kemptville in mid-August.

The Pioneers, coached by Kent Young, (assisted by Ben Henry and Chris Fetterly) were in a transition year having lost all but four players from the 2013 lineup. They played some good ball during the regular season to finish in a very tight race that saw Brockville in first place with  31 points. 

The next four spots were extremely close with Kemptville Grey in second with 26 points, the Pioneers next with 25, Prescott with 24 and Kemptville Black with 23. 

The format for the tournament playoff championship divided the league into three pools, with the top three finishers in each and one wild card advancing to the semi-finals.

The Pioneers after placing first in their pool met the Kemptville Grey.

“The first couple innings were close as Kemptville had a very good starting pitcher,” says coach Young. A couple of big innings put the Pioneers in the driver’s seat and they hung on for an 8-7 win to advance to the championship final against the top seeded Brockville team.

“They [Brockville] had a good team. They were always the team to be from the start of the season,” says Young. “They had a very good pitcher and a very good team. We started off really well and were actually up on them by a run after two. But they didn’t start their ace, and that got to us mentally. The boys knew it would be tough to manufacture any runs off of him. That’s when things started to fall apart. We walked a couple of batters, made a couple of errors in the field and threw the ball around.”

“Then you added their hits, and it was a recipe for disaster. We ended up losing the game 13-3.”

“All in all, I think we did very well for a young team,” says Young. “The kids learned a lot this year. It was a transition year…I had lost all but four of my players so we had eight new players. The start of the season was teaching all the basics. 

“The biggest difference for some of the first year guys was the pitching. Pitchers didn’t throw as hard and didn’t have curve balls last year.”

“So the start of the season was a bit bumpy.  We did well against the younger teams because they were in the same boat as us. But against the more veteran teams we struggled. They all started to improve gradually through the course of the season. Everyone had something to offer.”

“It is nice to see that baseball has made a huge comeback in the Williamsburg area,” says Henry. “I think the biggest reason is because you have someone like David Lapier in our community who has spearheaded the association. He has spent countless hours getting our association organized and people involved. He has recruited quality people to help with coaching, umpiring and maintaining the fields.”

“It takes many volunteers to make our association successful on and off the field. If it wasn’t for volunteers like David and the others, the kids would be missing out on an opportunity to play such a great sport.”

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Iroquois men’s team wins 2014 Valley League

 

Just one stroke, maybe a missed putt or a drive that went astray, was all that separated the first place Iroquois team from the second place Cedar Glen team at the 49th running of the Men’s Valley League Golf Competition, here Sunday.

The Iroquois team claimed the 2014 championship and the D. MacLennan Trophy with a 1,236 stroke total on their home turf. It was a slim, one stroke win over second place Cedar Glen at 1,237 strokes.

Summer Heights was third with 1,274 strokes, Morrisburg fourth at 1,285 and Sandy Row claimed the basement position with 1,427.

With the handicaps factored in, Summer Heights earned the low net team win to claim the Comrie-Blakely Trophy.

The top shooter in the tournament, and the winner of the Millard Trophy for low gross in A flight, was Cedar Glen’s Kurtis Barkley with a three-under-par 69. 

It was the second consecutive win for Barkley who shot the low gross (one-under-par 71) at last year’s Valley League played in Sandy Row and won by Summer Heights.

Cedar Glen finished second in that one too.

This time out, Barkley had another solid round turning the corner with an even par 37. His only blemish was on the par three 175 yard, par three fourth hole which he double bogeyed. He fought back with birdies on five and eight for the even par 37.

On the back, he turned it up a notch and went three under with birdies on 10, 12 and 14. 

The Iroquois team had an incredibly strong effort from their A flight players as they worked their way to the team championship.

Just five players in the field of 70, broke the 80 barrier and three of them were playing in the Iroquois team’s A flight.

They were Mike Tobin with a 74, Les Gilmour with a 75 and Paul McCaslin with a 79. 

Barkley posted his 69 and Morrisburg’s Matt O’Neil carded a 79.

Also contributing to the strong Iroquois A flight results was Shawn Lapier who posted an 81.

Chipping in for the Iroquois victory in B flight were Nick McCaslin 86, Don Poland 88, Kent McDermid 89 and Maurice Kolff with a 91.

The Iroquois C flight players were Les Craig with a 96, Ed Orlicky 97, Rick MacKenzie 100 and Ross Ferguson 104. Chris Barkley shot an 87 in the senior position, and due to a no show for the junior golfer, David Cherry’s score of 89 counted.

In the individual awards, the low gross shooter and winner of the Sports Unlimited B flight trophy was Peter Hurrell of Summer Heights with an 82.

Summers Heights’ Gerry Sabourin shot a 92 for the win in C flight and the Summer Heights Fun Night trophy.

Cedar Glen took over in the senior and junior categories with Rick Barkley winning senior with an 81, and Liam Morrow winning junior, also with an 81.

Barkley was presented the T. Parker Trophy and Morrow the Highlands Trophy.

The Julien low net A flight trophy went to Mike Tobin of Iroquois whose 74 gave him a 68 net, while Jim Mooney (Summer Heights) won B low net and the Cedar Glen Trophy shooting a 95 for a 68 net. The winner of the Lorne Barkley Memorial C net trophy was Kevin Barkley of Sandy Row who shot a 98 for a 71 net.

The tournament also includes club captain and president categories, although their scores do not count in the team total. Both are recognized using their net scores.

Andy Patenaude of Morrisburg won the Fader Trophy (low net president) with a 91 score for a 72 net, and Danny Youmelle, also of Morrisburg shot a 102 for a 74 net to win the Hugh Hutchison Memorial trophy in the club captain play.

Top shooters for Cedar Glen were Barkley in A flight, Larry Harper with an 87 in B flight and Dale Whitteker in C flight with a 96.

Top shooters for Summer Heights were Bob Johnson with an 80 in A flight, Hurrell with an 82 in B and Gerry Sabourin with a 92 in C. Senior Roger Leduc shot a 92 and junior Alex Menard a 96.

Matt O’Neill led Morrisburg with a 79 in A flight, Kirk Barkley shot an 87 in B and Doug Warner was low in C with a 101. Lee Beaupre senior shot an 84 and Jordan St. Louis, junior also shot an 84.

Bill Hogaboam and Shane Vahey shots 90’s to lead the Sandy Row a flight, while Greg Chamberlain shot a 96 in B and Kevin Barkley a 98 in C.

Next year the men’s Valley League will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The tournament will be played at Summer Heights.

The first Valley League was played at Summer Heights with teams from Brockville Highlands, Iroquois, Morrisburg and Summer Heights competing. The Summer Heights team was the first to have their club name engraved on the McLennan Trophy.

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Local Child and Youth Services Providers Bring Feedback to MPPs

Numerous agencies providing services to children and youth in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry gathered on Wednesday to brief MPPs Jim Wilson and Jim McDonell regarding their programs and ways the provincial government can assist them in delivering those services efficiently and broadly.

 

“Our young people are the future of this province,” said Ontario PC Interim Leader Jim Wilson. “Today, we heard from people committed to making this the best place in Canada to grow, and to start a career.”

 

The province offers support programs in fields such as health, skills training, mental health support, and education for children and youth in Ontario.

 

“We must focus our resources on delivering the best opportunities for our local children and youth” – MPP McDonell commented. “Directing provincial funding wisely in helping young Ontarians achieve their full potential will enhance their futures and help our province rebuild its competitiveness and attractiveness to families. Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry is a wonderful place to call home – the community’s generous spirit and volunteer resources are a significant factor in this. Today’s consultation highlighted the importance of consistent and reliable provincial funding, and for the government to tailor programs to meet local needs. We will bring their concerns to Queen’s Park and continue working for all residents of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.”

 

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Councillor seats now contested, Geertsma files

As of Monday, all seats of South Dundas council are being contested. 

Monday afternoon, Bert Geertsma filed his nomination papers to seek election as a South Dundas councillor in the upcoming municipal election.

Geertsma has never been an elected councillor, although he did once run once, unsuccessfully, for council in Williamsburg.

Geertsma is a longtime resident of the Dunbar area of South Dundas. 

He retired from Nestlé and had a hobby farm that he has since sold. He now works at a dairy and cash crop farm.

“I have the time to spare, and I’m sure I can fit the job well,” he said. “I am willing to make the commitment to council, and to serve all the public interests in South Dundas.”

He sees the council position as the right place to start. “I would prefer to start there, to get the experience, and to work with council and the mayor,” said Geertsma.

“I think its time for a change,” he said, adding that he would like to see more public input into decisions being made.

With Geertsma’s nomination, the number of candidates for councillor now outnumber the available seats. 

Geertsma will be competing with sitting councillors Archie Mellan and Jim Graham and former councillor Bill Ewing for the three available seats at the council table.

So far, the mayor’s race and deputy mayor’s races are two person contests with mayor Steven Byvelds and councillor Evonne Delegarde seeking the mayor’s seat and deputy mayor Jim Locke and first time candidate Leslie Disheau seeking the deputy mayor’s seat.

The nomination deadline is September 12, after which the list of candidates is finalized.

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Mayor Steven Byvelds seeks re-election

With eight years experience as a member of South Dundas council, the last four years as mayor, Steven Byvelds says he has a good feel for this community, and what needs to be done to keep South Dundas moving forward at a reasonable rate. 

“Another four years is the right thing to do,” South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds told The Leader shortly after filing his nomination papers Monday, and officially announcing that he is seeking a second term at the head of the South Dundas council table.

Byvelds took a while to make his intentions known, making his announcement with less than three weeks to the September 12 nomination deadline.

“I really had to have a good feeling that this decision was right for me and my family, and right for South Dundas,” said Byvelds. 

He further explained that, as a sitting mayor, he felt that it was important to keep his focus his work as mayor before shifting that focus to the coming election, which to him, is what filing nomination papers does.

For months people have been asking him his intentions, and he says he never really minded anyone asking. “People asking is a good thing. It means they’re interested.”

“I believe steady leadership is required for our path forward,” said Byvelds, who is proud of the many accomplishments over the last four years.

“During those years, we have moved South Dundas forward in a direction that was guided by our strategic plan. We have implemented a new economic development plan which has allowed us to retain and foster new business,” said Byvelds. 

“We have received funding for the Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant and it is now complete, within budget. We have done significant rehabilitation work on the sewer systems in all our villages.”  

“I am especially proud of working with our previous MPP Jim Brownell for the $3.2M funding which allowed South Dundas to finally upgrade the Lakeshore Drive Sewer Line which had been plagued with undersizing issues for a long time.” 

“We built the South Dundas Municipal Centre which provides a new home for not only ourselves but the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic and the SDG Library. We have maintained our rural roads and we still can claim to have the best rural road system in Ontario.”

Throughout his eight years on South Dundas council and six years on the council of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Byvelds has built many good connections with colleagues locally and further afield, which Byvelds believes is another benefit of steady leadership.

“As Mayor, I have worked with your council to ensure they voiced their opinion at the council table.  Our decisions were based on factual information and in the end, I ensured that council’s decision was reflected in how staff proceeded with policy and work assignments.  We have kept budgets within reason knowing how our decisions affect those who live in South Dundas.”

Good leadership, a strong knowledge of municipal finances, an understanding of what the community can afford, along with the willingness to spend time researching issues, is what Byvelds says he brings to the South Dundas council table.

“The next four years can be an exciting time for South Dundas.  We live in one of the most picturesque parts of Ontario with the St. Lawrence on the south and many beautiful farm and rural lands in the north.  If elected, I will work closely with Council and staff to grow and improve our community and continue to make it a great place to live, work and play,” says Byvelds.

“Over the next nine weeks, please let me know your comments and concerns.  I will have a website up soon (stevenbyvelds.com) and you can contact me directly by email (bycrest@persona.ca) or phone (613-652-2271).  I will also be ‘out and about’, so stop me and let’s have a discussion of the future of South Dundas.  Remember, if we all pull the rope in the same direction, we will move forward.”

Municipal elections take place October 27. So far, in South Dundas, the mayor’s race is between South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde and South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. 

The list of municipal election candidates is not finalized until the September 12 nomination deadline passes.

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Counties take issues to AMO

Representatives from the United Counties of Stormont Dundas Glengarry (SDG) returned last Wednesday, August 20 from the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in London. 

The AMO Conference is one of the largest municipal conferences held in Ontario each year.

SDG continues to participate in this annual conference largely through the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), raising awareness on issues facing municipalities throughout the region. 

The EOWC was successful in securing delegations with several high profile representatives from the province including municipal affairs minister Ted McMeekin, community safety minister Yasir Naqvi, and the Official Opposition. These opportunities were used to release the EOWC’s Economic Development Strategy for Eastern Ontario, and raise concerns regarding policing costs and infrastructure renewal.

“The AMO conference is another important opportunity for municipalities to lobby the provincial government. It is a forum for us to put forward – with one voice – what our policy and operational challenges are,” stated Warden Eric Duncan. “It is also an opportunity to say thank you, and SDG certainly does not lose sight of that.”

Representatives from the Counties were also on hand for a delegation with infrastructure minister Brad Duguid to promote the Glengarry Regional Water Project. While no formal decision has been made on funding from the province, both North and South Glengarry townships remain optimistic as they continue to pursue this important initiative.

Premier Kathleen Wynne was in attendance at this year’s conference, providing the keynote address to delegates on Tuesday. 

The provincial government announced earlier this week that it would be moving forward with a new $100 million per year infrastructure fund for municipalities. 

The province also announced that it would not be pursuing any further action on joint and several liability – and important file that municipalities have lobbied strongly for action on in past.

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Changes to student immunization

Starting in the 2014/2015 school year, students heading to school in Ontario will have to meet the new immunization requirements for school attendance.

The new regulations will make three vaccines that were recommended in the past mandatory. Students between the ages of 4 and 17 will therefore need to have proof of immunization against the following diseases in order to attend school:

meningococcal disease (if students did not receive the vaccine in grade 7, they can receive it at school in grades 8 to 12);

pertussis (whooping cough);

varicella (chickenpox), for children born in 2010 or later.

The new regulations have also changed the number of shots (doses) of vaccines that students must receive to be protected from tetanus, diphtheria, polio and mumps. 

However, no changes have been made to the measles and rubella immunization requirements.

As was the case in the past, the new regulations state that parents of children attending an elementary or secondary school in the province must provide proof of their child’s immunization against the diseases mentioned above. 

Children who do not have the required immunization records or valid exemptions may be temporarily suspended from school. 

Parents must therefore inform the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) every time their child receives a vaccine. 

The health unit can help parents keep their children’s immunization records up-to-date.

Vaccines are safe and protect children by causing their body to produce antibodies, which fight off disease. Immunizations play a vital role in children’s health as they protect them from a number of serious diseases. 

For information, or to notify the health unit that your child has received a vaccine, call 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120.

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Horse lover weekend at Upper Canada Village

 

 Among the horses to be showcased at Upper Canada Village’s Horse Lover Weekend (August 30-September 1) are the Village’s very own Canadian horses, now recognized as Canada’s National Horse. 

“They [the Canadians] are indispensable to our programs, and they play a key role in bringing the essence of the 1860s to life.  I can’t imagine Upper Canada Village without our horses! ” says Bruce Henbest.  

This special Labour Day weekend event features three days packed with activities showcasing riding, driving and working horses.  

Natural horsemanship demonstrations and a mock 1860’s horse auction will be part of the weekend’s activities.  

It is a great opportunity to watch, learn and improve your understanding of all things equine, with demonstrations and performances by notable horse experts.

Farrah Green who states her mission as “helping horses with their people, as well as furthering my own horsemanship skills,” has an extensive background as both a rider and teacher. Green, a 3 Star Parelli Natural Horsemanship Instructor will share her knowledge about how to communicate more effectively with horses and will give multiple performances and demonstrations throughout the weekend.  

Joining Green will be Gary Meek and the Spirit in Unity team from Drogheda Manor in Lunenburg, Ontario.  

This team will demonstrate the principles of natural horsemanship in an educational and entertaining presentation that is fun for the whole family.  You will never look at horses in the same way again!  Free horseback rides will also be offered.

CTV Ottawa’s News at Noon Anchor Michael O’Byrne will be the honourary Parade Marshall on Saturday. 

The Parade of Horses takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday & Monday in front of Cook’s Tavern and will feature Ken Reid’s six horse hitch of giant Percherons and Upper Canada Village’s six horse hitch of black Canadians along with a number of other breeds.  

Following the parade O’Byrne will help with auctioneering duties at the Mock Horse Auction 1860’s style at 1:30 p.m.  

To join in the bidding at the auction “horse lovers’” dollars must be purchased in advance along with an auction number.  

The lucky bidder will receive a photo with the horse and Farrah Green.  

Other unique items made by Village artisans will be sold in a real auction. Registration and purchase of horse lovers’ dollars takes place at the wooden booth in the fairgrounds.   

Upper Canada Village will proudly feature the versatile Canadian Horse – now officially recognized as Canada’s National Horse – and the many different ways Canadians are used on site.  

The Village has played an important role in the preservation of the Canadian Horse.

In the late 1970’s, when the Village began its breeding program, there were few pureblood Canadian horses outside of the province of Quebec and their numbers were dwindling.  

The Village has continued to promote this historic breed and is now the owner of 25 registered Canadians.  

Traditional horse-related skills will be demonstrated by Village staff and the ingenious ways horses were used in the 19th century.  

This includes field work, drag saw and tow scow operation, horse-powered threshing, making deliveries and driving carriages.  

“We are very excited to welcome 3 star Parelli Natural Horsemanship Instructor Farrah Green to Horse Lovers’ weekend,” says Henbest.  “We also are appreciative for the support from the local horse community.”

“Upper Canada Village has a very special relationship to horses and for our visitors the horses are a seamless part of the Village experience.  We rely on our Canadian horses to pull the carryalls with visitors, they are the power behind our Tow Scow in the canal and they pull the wagon to pick-up the bread from the Bakery every day just to name a few tasks they perform.”  

The weekend will include musical performances by fiddler Robyn Howes on Sunday, and a special Celtic music performance by A. J. Benoit and The Blarney Show Band from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, September 1.

Visitors are cautioned to be careful around horses.  Horses may cause injury.  Always ask the driver or rider, first before touching the horse or riding in a vehicle.

 

 

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