Month: September 2014

A Taiwanese man’s dream to cycle around the world has taken him many places, including here to South Dundas.

Forty-three year old Jason Tang was welcomed by James Chan to his Lakeshore Drive home just outside of Morrisburg.

Chan knew of Tang’s journey that has taken him to Australia and New Zealand, through the Taiwanese Association of Canada. “He’s from Taiwan like myself,” said Chan. 

When Chan learned that Tang was cycling in this area, he welcomed him to stay.

Tang overnighted here August 31, setting off to continue his journey across Canada, September 1. 

It took one hour for Tang to make it from Morrisburg to Upper Canada Village, where he stopped for a photo op.

Tang started the Canadian leg of his journey earlier this year in Vancouver, and hopes to get to Halifax as soon as possible. From there, he plans to travel to Boston and then on to Mexico.

Chan explained that Tang, is cycling completely alone, with no support vehicles. “On his bike he carries about 60 kilos of luggage, and he only weighs about 70 kilos himself.”

Chan was amazed at the luggage that included everything he needs to set up camp, cook and perform the necessary maintenance on his bicycle.

“He has such determination and dedication to follow his dreams,” said Chan. 

Tang also travels with his erhu; a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, somewhat like a fiddle, often busking along the way to pay for his next meal. 

[…]

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.

[…]

Carl Matthews-McIntyre making first run at council

McIntyre filed his nomination papers for the deputy mayor’s seat the morning of September 4.

“I don’t want to live in a community where the only choice for our young people is to move away or work at minimum wage menial position,” said McIntyre. He says youth jobs, the need for affordable housing and doctor shortages are among the issues that have not been addressed by this council. McIntyre says this council is not representative of this community and that they have continually refused to listen concerns from the business community.

McIntyre moved to this area 11 years ago from Toronto. There, he was a maintenance manager for Metro and the City of Toronto. “There I had a staff of over 150 and controlled a multi-million dollar budget,” said McIntyre. He retired from that position in 2003, and in 2007 came here and opened his first business in Morrisburg, Basket Case.

Since opening that business he has been actively involved with the Morrisburg Business Improvement Area and South Dundas Chamber of Commerce. He is presently on leave from his position of South Dundas Chamber of Commerce president.

“I have always striven to build partnerships with community groups, council, businesses, and anyone who is interested in promoting the community.” 

He led the Chamber of Commerce in saving Antiquefest and the Tubie Festival.

Former councillor Del Jones strives to return as deputy mayor

[…]

It’s a chance every musician hopes for: a nomination at the prestigious Los Angeles Music Awards, scheduled for September 25, 2014.

However, well-known and very talented independent artist Cory Coons has learned that he has two reasons to be pretty excited about this year’s Music Awards.

Coons has just been notified of his nomination in two categories at the ceremony: Male singer/songwriter and Record of the Year for his Share a Little Time. He will be flying out to L.A., to take the stage on Nomination Night at the Whiskey A Go-Go September 25, during the gala 2014 Los Angeles Music Awards. This will be followed by the actual Awards night on November 12.

It’s a pivotal moment in the hard-working young artist’s career.

“I know that in the end, it’s where the road takes us,” Coons said, “and I’m trying to stay grounded. But I’m pretty excited. The nominations are a big step for me. These awards are a kind of spring board into the professional industry and the Grammies. I would really love the support of my community in this endeavour. Fan support really does keep artists doing what they do.” 

Joining Cory on the L.A. journey will be his long time friend and associate, a noted musician himself, Kevin Eamon, owner/operator of Rock My House. Eamon will be Coons’ official sponsor at the first of two red carpet events. 

The road to L.A. is the latest result of years of hard work and dedication on the part of Cory Coons. He has honed his talent, his voice and his writing skills through effort and persistence.

This year, he flew out to Los Angeles in January for two intensive weeks working directly with famed producer Ron Nevison. 

Nevison is one of the top producers in North America. He has worked with mainstream rock groups like Heart, Meat Loaf, Chicago, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Bad Company, Night Rangers and many others. “I submitted music to Ron over the last two years, and when I reached out to him about producing some material, he readily agreed to it. This was hugely significant to me because Ron can work with any artist he wants to in the music business.” 

Ron oversaw Cory’s time in Los Angeles, setting him up in the studio with back up artists Jeff Bova and Tim Pierce. 

Bova is a producer/arranger who’s already won a Grammy. Pierce was the original session guitar player on Bon Jovi’s Runaway, and Rick Springfield’s guitar player. Cory described it as “an honour” to work with these artists. In fact, Bova created a beautiful string arrangement  for Cory’s Remember Me, a cherished song that he wrote as a tribute to his late parents. 

In the L.A. studio, the musicians laid down tracks for a new EP Cory is releasing to jibe with the September trip stateside. Coons felt that “Ron helped me a lot, especially on vocals. He took the time to get the best out of my voice. And he’s an advisory panel member (with other producers like Eddie Kramer) with the L.A. Music Awards. He was both a connection and a help to me.”

There is a voting ballot system in place on the L.A. Music Awards website. Cory needs the support of voters in this community to help him score well in his two categories. By going on line, and voting (more than once is acceptable!), local fans could really help Cory make his dreams come true.

“If things go well on nomination night, I will need the support of voters and fans all over Canada and world wide. Should I win in one or both of the categories, then the sky’s the limit. Things could go in many directions.”

Again, the young South Dundas musician remains grounded. “Even if I don’t win, the experience of taking part, the media exposure, the publicity is immense. It’s all going to be really exciting to me.”

People can vote for Cory Coons right now, with the polls closing on November 12, just before the Music Awards broadcast. Fan support can make a big difference. The link is http://www.lamusicawards.net/nominees.html.

[…]

A promising new candidate to South Dundas’ political scene, has abruptly withdrawn from the upcoming municipal election.

Leslie Disheau, who filed her nomination papers for the position of South Dundas deputy mayor back in May, had shown great ambition, announcing in the fall of 2013 that she had her sights set on a seat at the South Dundas council table.

Friday, August 29, just before 9 a.m., Disheau withdrew that nomination. 

In a phone call to Disheau on Friday, she would only say it was for personal reasons. 

She later issued a statement.

“It has been a very difficult decision for me to make. I know this decision will disappoint some people. I am sorry, however my personal issue requires my full attention,” she wrote. “Thank you to each and everyone who took the time to speak with me and voice your concerns and issues. Thank you to those who have offered support and help with the campaign.” 

“I am blessed to live in South Dundas, ‘We are in this together’ and I do have hope that our community can and will rise to the challenges we are all facing. 

Disheau’s withdrawal leaves incumbent deputy mayor Jim Locke as the only candidate for that position. Nomination deadline day is September 12.

[…]

September 2, the upcoming South Dundas municipal election gained another candidate when Phillip Blancher filed nomination papers announcing his intention to seek election as South Dundas councillor.

“I want to make a difference, and improve things in South Dundas,” said Blancher, who has been considering seeking election for quite some time.

Blancher moved to South Dundas just over nine years ago. 

“Over those nine years, I haven’t always agreed with council decisions, and how things have been handled,” said Blancher. 

As a father with a young family, and the owner of a small business that specializes in communications and web development, Blancher believes he would bring a different perspective, a younger perspective to the South Dundas council table.

“I am younger than those who currently sit on council, and having a young family, I think I see things a little differently than they do,” said Blancher, explaining that because council decisions affect everyone in South Dundas, it would be nice to bring the perspective of someone with a young family into that process.

Blancher was raised primarily in the Gananoque area, and was educated in journalism at Sheridan College.

“As much experience as I have, I have no direct experience sitting around a municipal council table,” said Blancher, who hopes to get elected as councillor and gain that experience. “Also, no matter who you are at the table, you only have one vote.”

Blancher’s community involvement includes being president of the South Dundas Soccer Association and Seaway Kickers. He is vice president of the South Dundas Historical Society and served on the Morrisburg Waterfront Implementation Committee.

His platform is available on his website phillipblancher.ca, and includes getting back to basics, good customer service, putting South Dundas first and a focus on economic development.

The nomination deadline for the upcoming municipal election is September 12. So far Steven Byvelds and Evonne Delegarde are the only two candidates for mayor. With the withdrawal of Leslie Disheau, Jim Locke is now unopposed for the deputy mayor’s chair. The three council seats are being contested by Phillip Blancher, Bill Ewing, Bert Geertsma, Jim Graham and Archie Mellan. The list of candidates is not finalized until after the nomination deadline.

[…]