Month: December 2014

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation’s lock team at Iroquois was selected as the recipient of the President’s Safety Award for 2014. 

The award aims to raise awareness of workplace health and safety requirements and encourage, recognize and celebrate work teams who make significant contributions to improve our safety performance at the SLSMC.

“The Iroquois team’s efforts are commendable” said Terence Bowles, President and CEO of The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC). 

“The team completed 215 safety interventions during the year, out of a total of 1,500 interventions completed within the SLSMC. Team members were responsible for a number of innovations, including devising a mechanism for the deployment of an oil containment boom, and a jib used to bring material down safely in the cable gallery. These innovations underscore the staff’s commitment to reviewing and improving critical tasks. When combined with their consistent efforts to keep their shop and work areas clean, and their widespread participation in safety inspections and interventions, one can understand how the Iroquois team has completed 21 years without a lost time injury.”

Over 227,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic activity are supported by the movement of goods within the Great Lakes-Seaway System.

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Saturday night, December 13, was the busiest night ever in Alight at Night’s 14 year history.

Susan Le Clair, manager, customer service and corporate communications with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission confirmed that they had just over 4,300 people in attendance for Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village.

“We have been really fortunate with great weather — the blanket of snow is beautiful, makes it that much more magical, and I think many families are enjoying both the new Ferris wheel and the new Santa experience – Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion,” said Le Clair. “The Upper Canada Village seamstresses really did an amazing job on Santa’s Victorian garb and Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion is absolutely beautiful!” Santa will be at Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion (Crysler Hall) from Friday, December 19 through till December 23 from 5pm to 9 p.m.  While Alight at Night is open on the 18th, Santa is otherwise engaged.

So far the weather forecast is good for this week so village officials hope that the good weather continues to allow crowds to continue to enjoy Alight at Night and make it part of their families holiday traditions.

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Although the likelihood of Winchester District Memorial Hospital ever seeing an Ebola patient is low, there are still very prepared.

Since the Ministry of Health sent out the first Ebola alert to hospitals, WDMH went to work right away on developing a kit and process to ensure the safety of its staff and patients.

Those visiting the hospital emergency recently may have already noticed the difference.

Now, all patients walking in to the emergency room must answer a screening question through a closed glass partition.

It is not until after staff confirms that the patient has not travelled to Africa that they open that partition to continue the triage process.

If the patient is at risk of having come into contact with Ebola, the Ebola process takes effect. It involves the donning of protective gear, the patient being taken to a specific area of the hospital, public health being notified and the hospital following the directives of infectious disease specialists, which are at the Ottawa Hospital and CHEO.

Should a patient with Ebola risk arrive by ambulance, WDMH staff would do all they could to help the patient without leaving the ambulance, and that patient would be taken to one of the city infectious disease sites for treatment.

WDMH has all the equipment it needs to deal with an Ebola situation, and staff have been trained in the process, and the especially important donning and doffing process, which the demonstrated to area media last week.

“Even though the likelihood of seeing Ebola here is low, the risk is still scary,” said Laura Landry, the nurse leading the demonstration. “After all the training with the equipment, I actually feel quite safe, if this situation ever arises.”

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About six months ago, Chris McDonough, fire chief for South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services took on the additional role of Fire Coordinator for the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

The role of fire coordinator is largely administrative and at this point, a volunteer position.

As SDG fire coordinator McDonough oversees the Mutal and Auto Aid programs whereby neighbouring departments work together, when needed at incidents or to ensure backup protection is available in case of further emergency.

In case of a large event, McDonough could be called on attend the scene or provide organizational support. Since his appointment, he has not been called on in that capacity.

When the appointment was made by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, it was them who approached McDonough to take on the role, as at that point he was the only person qualified.

“It’s important to the county that we have this. It’s a benefit to our community and SDG,” said McDonough. “It’s a program that is beneficial to all.”

Part of the administrative work is an inventory of fire service equipment and personnel across SDG. 

Attending regular mutual aid meetings is also part of the job. Those meetings take place evenings. 

McDonough estimates that the role involves a few hours a week of work on his part, and those hours are not done on South Dundas municipal time.

The alternate SDG fire coordinator is Vic Leroux. Leroux is full time fire chief for South Glengarry. He is former fire chief for the City of Cornwall.

[…]

The Sixth Council of the Municipality of South Dundas, including South Dundas’ first female mayor, were sworn into office December 2, 2014.

About 50 people, including family, friends, supporters, and elected officials from neighbouring municipalities attended the inauguration ceremony at the South Dundas Municipal Centre in Morrisburg. 

The ceremony started with invocation by Rev. Clarence Witten. Oaths of office was read in turn by each elected official. The Chain of Office was presented to South Dundas mayor Evonne Delegarde by South Dundas clerk Brenda Brunt and then area dignitaries formally offered their congratulations before Delegarde delivered her inaugural address.

“I am humbled by your support and by your confidence. All members of council are very cognizant of the serious responsibility and obligation that is bestowed upon us.” she said. “We are willing to engage our residents in an open and accessible manner and together with staff protect the quality of life and make South Dundas an even better place to live.” 

To her council, Delegarde said that their journey together will be challenging, requiring patience, appreciation and respect for each other. “I encourage each of you to express your own independent points of view. At the end of the day, I am confident that we will operate as a team and make good decisions on behalf of our municipality.”

She spoke of the importance of customer service and open and honest communication, and the need to rebuild and strengthen relationships with various groups and organizations, recognizing their value. 

Delegarde foresees financial challenges, and mentioned the need to do some planning for neglected village streets and sidewalks, and to deal with landfill issues. “The list is long, and we have much to accomplish.”

As part of her inaugural address, she announced that the Mayor’s office on the third floor of the SDMC has been re-named Mayor & Council office.

Each member of council had the opportunity to speak.

Re-elected South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke said that the budget will be council’s first challenge, saying that he would work to keep tax increases, at or near the cost of living.

First time councillor Marc St. Pierre said that it was an honour to be elected, and thanked his wife Michelle and daughter Victoria for their encouragement and support.

South Dundas councillor Bill Ewing said, “What we do a council, will be for the benefit of all residents of South Dundas.”

Re-elected councillor Archie Mellan said, “We have accomplished a lot, but there’s still a lot to do.”

The Sixth Council of the Municipality of South Dundas will hold their first full council meeting December 16, 2014.

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