Month: October 2014

The “Alarm for Life” program, promoted by the South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services, received some much appreciated financial support during the Saturday, October 4, 2014, open house at the Morrisburg fire hall.

Jake Lapierre, Union Gas utility service construction manager for Cornwall, was on hand to present South Dundas chief, Chris McDonough, and fire fighter, Matt Snyder, the fire prevention officer for South Dundas, the Morrisburg station, with a grant cheque for $2,500.

“Safety is a major priority for our company,” Lapierre said. “At Union Gas we are committed to the safety of our employees and communities. We show that by investing in local fire departments whose fire prevention, education and fire suppression programs help us all to stay safer.”

During this national Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, chief McDonough explained that the generosity of Union Gas meant a lot to local safety programmes. “We will be using these funds from Union Gas for our smoke alarm program, for our carbon monoxide awareness program and for our door to door campaign to check smoke detectors in area homes.”

Pictured outside the Morrisburg fire hall are, left to right, chief Chris McDonough, Jake Lapierre and fire fighter, Matt Snyder.

Policy change could mean loss of rural high speed internet service

South Dundas council added their voice to the list of those concerned with the Industry Canada proposal. The proposal will force Internet providers like Xplornet Communications to give up their 3500 MHz spectrum, which is being used to bring high speed internet services to about 11,000 residents and businesses across Eastern Ontario.

According to a briefing note provided to Eastern Ontario Municipalities by the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association, this spectrum will be transfered to wireless cell companies to support services for urban customers.

Those affected are only those licenced and served by the 3500 MHz spectrum which is a more reliable higher speed service, generally used in rural commercial applications.

“In our view, this short sighted proposal appears only to benefit the major telecommunication companies and is contrary to the Federal government’s priority of providing high speed internet service to rural communities throughout Canada,” said Ron Eddy, chair of the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association.

South Dundas council agreed that it strongly supports the views expressed by the chairs of the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus and the Eastern Ontario Regional Network.

“Should you proceed along this path we know that more than 11,000 customers across a large part of eastern Ontario face the spectre of losing their connections to high-speed services. This cannot be allowed to happen,” reads the letter signed by Steven Byvelds on behalf of South Dundas council.

“The Government along with its partners in EORN have just connected these homes and businesses at a considerable cost the public and to its private sector partner. Millions of dollars would be wasted and the good work of the EORN damaged. This must be avoided.”

The Government of Canada contributed $55 million to the EORN project, as did the Government of Ontario. The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Inc., and private sector partners contributed the remaining funding of the $170 million project.

“It’s ludicrous after the millions that have been spent on rural broadband in this part of the province,” said South Dundas councillor Jim Graham, who brought the issued to the South Dundas council table at the October 7 council meeting.

“It defies logic,” agreed South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

South Dundas council sent off a letter expressing their displeasure, and passed a resolution requesting that Industry Canada modify its policy proposals to permit current 3500MHz licence holders who are party to the Eastern Ontario Regional Network and delivering high speed fixed wireless internet services by exempt from any requirement to depart this spectrum.

Ontario PC Leadership race gets started in Morrisburg

The next leader of the Ontario PC party dined at the Morrisburg Legion last week, but as of yet, who the leader of the province’s official opposition party will be has not yet been decided.

This leadership bid is to replace Tim Hudak, who resigned when the Ontario Liberals won a majority government in the June election.

October 8, the Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry riding association hosted a harvest supper fundraiser, here in Morrisburg and all five leadership candidates were in attendance including Monte McNaughton, MP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, Barrie MP Patrick Brown, former North Bay mayor Vic Fedeli, MPP for Whitby-Oshawa Christine Elliott and Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod.

This was the first event where all five were in attendance.

“It all starts right here in Morrisburg,” said Eric Duncan, who emceed the evening’s event.

Each of the candidates wasgiven five minutes to address the crowd packed with party supporters and area dignitaries.

All spoke about the great need to re-build the party, which now has only 10,000 members, but at one time had as many as 105,000 members.

McNaughton, spoke about how the party is “too top down, explaining that during the last two elections, a few party insiders have come up with disastrous election planks. “It’s killing us,” he said. He would like to see the party membership have much more say by way of voting on an election platform. “That will help us win government in 2018.”

“I have seen us lose elections we should have won,” said Brown. “There is nothing more frustrating than watching us shoot our own feet. We need to play as a team in this party. The fact that our membership is at an historic low speaks volumes.”

“I’m tired of losing elections too,” said Fedeli. “We need to restore our pride in being Progressive Conservatives. He called June’s election, a disaster. His bid for party leadership is based on putting Ontario first, and being open to all ideas, no matter which party they come from.

Elliott spoke about the need to rebuild the party from the outside in and from the inside out. Newcomers, young people and women need to be encouraged to join the party. “We need to reach out to all members,” she said.

McLeod, who has the support of local MPP Jim McDonnell in her leadership bid, said that the months following the June election have been the most difficult in her political career. With the PC loss, she felt that she let a lot of people down.

“We built Ontario,” said MacLeod. “We need a strong PC party so we can have a strong Ontario.” She encourages all party members to be active in this leadership race.

The leadership campaign officially starts November 8, 2014. Voting will take place May 3 and 7, 2015.

In order to vote, party membership needs to be purchased by February 28, 2015, and be in good standing.

Bears over Novice Cs

A strong second period by the visiting Smiths Falls Bears proved too much for the South Dundas Novice C Lions.

The veteran Bears scored three times in the middle frame to skate away with the victory.

Fans certainly got to see an entertaining game. It was standing room only and even if they could sit, the excitement was certainly too much for anyone to use their seats.

The Lions’ “Legion of Doom” line of Emily Swerdfeger, Shayna Markell, and Lanie Verhey nearly turned things around when trailing 2-0.

Verhey fought off two for checkers before young Swerdfeger sprung Markell on a lone breakaway. The Bears’ goalie stood tall and stymied the scoring opportunity.

Brogan Kyle started in nets for the home opener and stood on his head.

“He did everything we asked of him but score,” Coach Martens said in a post game interview. “He really played great!”

The Lions take a couple weeks off, allowing key players to recover from the turkey flu.

Coach Dickson expects with a full line-up this Novice C club could be unstoppable.

“We’re looking forward to what we can do when firing on all cylinders. We have a nice break before we face off against county rivals, North Dundas on October 25th.”

Novice B Lions open with a win

The South Dundas Novice B Lions opened their 2014/15 season on the road and on a winning note.

On Wednesday night, October 8, the Lions travelled to Kemptville where they collected a close 4-3 win from the Kemptville B2 Panthers.

The Lions Nick Connors was on top of his game and ready to roar for the Lions as he connected for all four of their goals.

The Panthers were first on the scoreboard with a goal from Cameron McNulty with 5:49 left in the first period. Their advantage lasted just 16 seconds when Connors answered with help from Mason Hummel.

The 1-1 tie held until late in the second period when Connors struck for goals two and three, both assisted by Ben Radley.

The Panthers got one back before the end of the second period from Nate Thompson to narrow the gap to 3-2.

Midway into the third period Graeme Laverance scored, unassisted, for the Panthers to again tie the game, now at 3-3.

With the minutes ticking away, Connors, with help from Drew Laperle and Radley scored his fourth goal to put the Lions up 4-3, and that’s the way it stayed.

Hutt was unbeatable in the net for the remaining 3:49 minutes, and the Lions collected their first win of the new season.

In this year’s Novice B Lions lineup, along with goaltender Hutt, Connors, Hummel, Radley and Laperle are Cooper McCooeye, Addyson Lalonde-Thompson, Logan Tait, Terrence Mudde, Luke Byvelds, Noelle Hatherall, Caleb Machan, Travis Faulkner and Devon Honders.

Matt McCooeye is the coach and the assistant coaches are Shawn Hummel and Dan Byvelds. Also on the coaching staff are Mike Hutt, John Connors and Shellie Spencer.

In exhibition action in Long Sault, the Lions and the Selects played to a 1-1 tie. Both goals were scored in the second period.

Mason Hummel counted for the Lions with help from Cooper McCooeye and John McLeod provided the Selects goal.

Tough weekend for Junior B Lions

The Morrisburg Junior B Lions slipped to the bottom of the St. Lawrence Division standings with a pair of losses this past weekend.

Saturday night, October 11, the Lions travelled to the Char-Lan Rec Centre where they lost 6-3 to the Rebels. Back home on Sunday, they lost a close one, 7-6 to the first place Casselman Vikings.

The Vikings are now sitting atop a seven-win record for 14 points, five up on the Winchester Hawks and the Alexandria Glens who are tied with nine apiece.

The Akwesasne Wolves are fourth with eight points, while the Rebels and the Lions are tied with four points each.

Saturday night in Char-Lan, the Lions fell behind early and were never able to catch up.

John Gilmer, who was in net for the Lions, gave up the six goals on 39 Rebels shots.

Ryan Cooper earned the Rebels win.

The Rebels took a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Brian Landry and Quinlin MacDonell. They went up 3-0 at 10:47 of the second period with Landry’s second counter.

It wasn’t until the final minute of the second that Jacob Kendrick, on the Lions power play, found the Rebels net with help from Justin Rutley and Michael Paquette.

The Lions put up a big effort to collect two more in the early minutes of the third period to cut the gap to 3-2.

Cole Blanchard (from Rutley) and Kendrick (from Isaac Brownlee and Dylan Nixon) did the counting, both scoring on the Lions power play.

But then it was back to the Rebels. Brennan Markell added a pair at 5:23 and 7:18, both on the Rebels power play, and David Poirier upped it to 6-3 at 12:15 of the third period, again on the Rebels power-play.

Both teams had great success with their power-plays. The Lions scored their three goals on the power play, and the Rebels scored four of their six goals on their power play.

The Lions sat out 54 minutes on 15 infractions, and the Rebels were assessed 35 minutes on 16 infractions.

Sunday in Morrisburg, both the Vikings and the Lions counted heavily on penalties. The Vikings were three for three on power play and the Lions connected for three power-play goals in 10 opportunities

The Lions were first on the scoreboard when Ryan Griffin struck unassisted at 8:07 of the first period.

The Vikings turned it up a notch to come back for three in a row to end the first period, 3-1.

The second period was a seesaw battle, but the closest the Lions were able to get was to within one goal of a tie.

Justin Rutley (from Jacob Guillot and Brodie Barkley), Michael Paquette (short-handed from Barkley and Isaac Brownlee), Dallas Blacksmith (power play from Barkley) and Blacksmith (power play from Lefevbre and Barkley) counted the four second period Lions goals.

Sebastien Plante, Taylor Widenmaier, Maxime Choquette and Nicolas Brazeau counted the four Vikings goals in the second period.

The high scoring second period sent the game into the third period with the Vikings still ahead 7-5

Fifteen seconds into the third, Vikings Yannik Bertrand drew a roughing penalty, and that set the stage for Balcksmith to complete his hat trick and to close the gap to 7-6.

Junstin Lefebvre provided the set up.

That would be it however. The remainder of the third period was scoreless, and the Vikings hung on for the 7-6 win.

Coming up, the Lions host the Westport Rideaus, Saturday night, October 18. (7:30 p.m.)

Pauline Robertson

Pauline Lois Robertson, of Morrisburg and formerly of Brockville and Finch passed away peacefully at Cornwall Hospice on Tuesday, September 30, 2014.

Pauline was the beloved wife of the late Campbell Robertson (2010) and dear mother of Gregg (Debbie) of Morrisburg. She was cherished grandmother of Chad (Neysa), Sara and Christine (Blake) and great-grandmother of Cory and Colin. She was grand mother-in-law of Michelle St. Pierre.

Pauline was predeceased by her parents Catherine and Harold Ouderkirk, sister Melva MacIntosh and grandson Stuart.

A graveside funeral service was held at the Finch Community Cemetery on Friday, October 3, 2014, at 2 p.m. Memorial donations to Lakeshore Drive United Church or Carefor Hospice will be gratefully acknowledged. Condolences may be made at parkerfh@personainternet.co

Parker Funeral Home, in Morrisburg was entrusted with the arrangements.

Lynn Lewis

A resident of Williamsburg for the past five years, Lynn Lewis passed away at the Hospice at May Court in Ottawa, on Monday, September 22, 2014, following a lengthy illness. She was 62.

Lynn was born in Ottawa on October 30, 1951, to her parents Keith and Raymonde Tucker (nee Proulx).

Lynn is survived by her husband Brian, her children Keri Lewis (Thomas Sherratt) of Ottawa, Keith Lewis (Lisa) of Ottawa and Alex Lewis (Matthew Champagne) of Ottawa and her brothers Wayne Tucker (Ann) of Peterborough and Ron Tucker of Ottawa.

She will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Kaelan, Nathan, Kyah and Jakob. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Harmony Community Church, Ormond, on Saturday, September 27th from 9 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11 a.m., which was conducted by Rev. Bruce North.

Jean Claude and Valeria Joyal sang two of Lynn’s favorite songs, (In the Garden and The Old Rugged Cross) as well as sharing about their friendship with her.

Cathy Albert did the Eulogy. She shared her memories of Lynn including how they met, what a great mother, loving grandmother and faithful friend she was to so many.

Alex Lewis shared memories about his mom and how she will be missed. Kyah Lewis-Harvey shared about her Nanny, with a little help from uncle Alex,

Interment was at Pinecrest Cemetery, Ottawa. Pallbearers were Keith, Alex, Al, Luke. Doug and Brensley.

Donations to the Hospice at May Court would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Gladys Burton

A lifetime resident of the area, Gladys Burton passed away peacefully at the Ottawa Civic Hospital on Sunday September 21, 2014, at the age of 73.

Born in Cornwall, on January 4, 1941, to her parents, George and Roselba Moss (nee Mondoux) Gladys was placed in foster care at the age of three.

She was lovingly raised by Ken and Ada Gallinger of Gallingertown. Gladys attended Gallingertown Public School and later Aultsville High School.

Upon graduation, she trained at Cornwall General Hospital. Her career as an R.N. led her to work in various hospitals and nursing homes.

On June 16, 1962, Gladys fulfilled her yearbook ambition to become wife of Carl Burton. Their married life took them to Kingston for a time, but their love of farming brought them back to their roots.

This also afforded Gladys the opportunity to realize a childhood dream of being a teacher. It was her incredible proficiency as a student that led St. Lawrence College administration to offer her a faculty position.

Her attention to detail also prompted her to conduct extensive research on her genealogy and collect a vast amount of information on the various branches of her family tree.

Gladys was a spiritual person who believed it was greater to give than to receive; she devoted much of her time and accounting skills to various church and non-profit organizations.

Gladys’ tremendous faith served her well in times of difficulty. She was diagnosed with Lupus at an early age and was presented with numerous health challenges yet she never complained.

She was proud to be a part of the congregation of the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church where she made very cherished friendships.

Gladys and Carl’s home was always a welcoming place to friends and family alike; many a story and chuckle were shared in their living room. She enjoyed countless family holidays and trips and time spent with those she loved.

Gladys is survived by her husband Carl Burton and her her siblings Keatha Brayton of Addison, Sheila Morrow (Bruce) of Arnprior, Lorraine Moss-Beaudry of Montreal and Francis Gallinger of British Columbia

She will be fondly remembered by her sister-in-law Glenda Lafortune (Richard) of R.R.# 1 Morrisburg and her brother-in-law Kent Burton of Lancaster. She is also survived by four nieces, two nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church on Thursday, September 25th at 11 a.m., with Rev. John Noordhof officiating.

Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg. Pallbearers were Tabitha Marshall, Jessica Lafortune, Cassidy Lafortune, John Burton, James Burton and Melanie Burton. Honorary pallbearers were Peter Van Veen, Theo ter Horst and Clarence Haayema.

Donations to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation or Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

Jr. Lions down Wolves in exciting shoot out

The Morrisburg Junior B Lions treated their fans to an exciting finish in St. Lawrence Division Hockey on Sunday afternoon, when they claimed a 5-4 shoot-out win against the Akwesasne Wolves.

For the Lions, it was a good ending to an otherwise not so good three-game weekend.

Friday night they were in Winchester, where they were handed a tough 8-2 loss by the Hawks.

Game two saw them back on home ice Saturday night, against the Alexandria Glens, who were able to break the game open late in the second period as they headed for a 6-2 win.

Friday night in Winchester, the Hawks went up 2-0 in the first period before Eric Evans, at 16:07, put the Lions on the scoreboard. The Hawks got one more, late in the frame, to carry a 3-1 advantage into the second period.

A four goal Hawks’ scoring outburst in the second period finished off the Lions.

The Lions did get one more goal from Zach Belaire with help for Jordan St. Louis and Justin Rutley 3:42 into the third period.

Justin Lefevbre and Jordan Smail provided the assists on the Eric Evans power play goal in the first period..

Keiran Weir gave up the six goals on 45 Hawks shots. Brandon Lowry handled the net duties for the Hawks.

The Lions sat out 50 minutes in penalties on 17 infractions and the Hawks drew 58 minutes on 17 infractions.

Saturday night, the Glens were first on the scoreboard 5:58 into the first period. But the Lions, Dallas Blacksmith got that back at 9:13 with help from Eric Evans and Dakota Blacksmith.

Jeffrey Rhainds made it 2-1 Glens late in the first.

The one goal Glens advantage held until 9:39 of the second period when Dallas Blacksmith (from Tanner Hummel and Justin Lefevbre) evened the game 2-2.

A late second period Glens rally resulted in two goals against Weir and allowed the visitors to carry a 4-2 advantage into the third period.

Good tight action was the highlight of the third period, but the Lions were unable to get anything more past Glens goaltender Callum Cassidy-Matthews.

The Glens scored their fifth goal in the empty Lions net at 18:14 and added their sixth with the less than one minute to go for the 6-2 win.

Sunday afternoon against the Wolves, the Lions hit the ice for two first period goals to go up 2-0.

Dallas Blacksmith got it going on the Lions power play from Justin Lefevbre and Dylan Nixon just 6:17 in.

Jordan St. Louis followed up the effort at 11:18 with help from Ryan Griffin and Jacob Guillott for the 2-0 Lions advantage.

But the Wolves came charging back with Nicholas Talarico scoring against Lions goaltender John Gilmer at 11:44 and Victor Bisson (power play) at 18:34 to even the field at 2-2.

In the second period, the Lions again skated into the lead with goals from Lefevbre (from Dallas Blacksmith and Eric Evans) at 1:27 and Evans, unassisted, at 5:40.

The Wolves, Nicholas Talarico got one back to cut the gap to 4-3 heading into the third period.

Just 1:08 into the third period, Derik Dionne, on the Wolves power play struck to tie the game, 4-4, and that’s the way it remained through regulation time to force the overtime.

The scoreless overtime play then pushed the game to the shoot out.

Justin Rutley (the Lions second shooter) was first to score for the Lions but his effort was cancelled by Alex Conroy Terrance.

Justin Lefevbre and Dallas Blacksmith were both not successful for the Lions and finally after the Wolves sixth shooter missed, Lion veteran Michael Paquette found the spot to lift the Lions to the 5-4 shoot out win.

Eric Evans was unsuccessful as the Lions first shooter.

Coming up this weekend the Lions are at home to the Alexandria Glens, Sunday afternoon.