St. Lawrence College students host local fundraiser for Blok family

Shannon Geraghty, treasurer for South Dundas, made a recommendation to council at the April 3rd meeting on behalf of the Park Pals committee.

Geraghty recommended that council “authorize a transfer from the Parkland Reserve Fund in the amount of $2,000 contingent upon the committee, through fundraising efforts, raising the balance for the landscaping work at the Waterfront Dog Park.”

According to Geraghty’s report, “the scope of the work to commence at the dog park includes:

• An irrigation system that will over spray the heavy traffic areas of both the large and small dog park areas which will help to make the seeding and fertilizing efforts more successful.

• Excavation and installation of a gravel pad inside the entrance to the large park as a means to deal with the wear and tear incurred due to people/pets arriving, leaving, and congregating at the entry area.

• Installation and supply of electrical wiring including trenching, conduit, wire, sand, cement, etc. in order to allow for a light fixture to be installed between the two parks.”

During council’s discussion, deputy-mayor Jim Locke said, “I have no doubt that the group will fulfill their obligation. That’s good.”

“They do a good job,” agreed councillor Jim Graham.

Councillor Evonne Delegarde and mayor Steven Byvelds both expressed concern over the addition of the light fixture and how it may or may not fit into the plans of the Morrisburg Waterfront committee.

Byvelds had additional concerns as to the process for electrical hook-up and for ongoing payment of electricity charges at the dog park.

Geraghty pointed out that the current water and sewer charges for the dog park are being paid “from funds raised by the committee.”

The Park Pals committee is looking to SB & D Landscaping Co. of Iroquois to complete the work.

“The total cost including HST along with the rebate that municipalities currently receive,” reported Geraghty, “the cost that would be required to be financed through transfers and donations would amount to $6,989.97.”

“The committee currently has applied for a lottery license to conduct a Mother’s Day Draw for May 13th,” he reported. “They will be printing 1,200 tickets and selling them at a cost of $5 per ticket.”

He said the group hopes to make $5,000 in profit from the draw.

According to Tracey Veinotte, co-chair of the Park Pals committee, “we have some good prizes.”

The six prizes include: an ipad 3, a $200 Canadian Tire gift card in a Coach wristlet, a $100 gift card from Valumart in a Fossil wallet, a Swarovski pearl and crystal necklace, a manicure and pedicure from Pamper Me Esthetics, and a home visit from Mobile Hair and Make-Up Service.

The draw will take place on Mother’s Day, May13th at 1 p.m.  at the South Dundas Dog Park in Morrisburg. 

The fun part, according to Veinotte, is in the delivery. They plan to personally deliver the prizes to the door of each winner on Mother’s Day.

Once the Park Pals committee has secured their portion of the required funds, the township will transfer the $2,000 from the Parkland Reserve Fund and give it to the group.

[…]

SD&G OPP officers are currently at the scene of a vehicle fire that occurred on August 21st, 2014 at approximately 12:15am on Highway 401, eastbound lanes, South Stormont Township. Investigation indicates a tractor-trailer unit caught fire due to mechanical reasons. 

Fire Department is on scene and a section of Highway 401, eastbound lanes (only) is closed to traffic between Dickinson Drive (Ingleside) exit and Moulinette Road (Long Sault) exit. Traffic is being re-routed via Emergency Detour Routes (EDR). The closure is expected to remain in effect for several hours as emergency personnel tend to the scene.

The 36 year old male driver (from Etobicoke, Ontario) was not injured. The vehicle was carrying non-hazardous products (dog food).

The 401 was re-opened around 10 a.m.

[…]

With Prowind Canada’s submission of their final report to the Ministry of Environment (MOE) drawing closer, the South Branch Wind Opposition Group (SBWOG) is still hard at work trying to stop the project from moving forward.

On March 18th, at the DC Community Center in Dixon’s Corners,  the opposition group held a fundraiser, “Patty’s Delight Fundraiser,” to help subsidize legal fees for their appeal to the Environmental Review Tribunal.

Following the event, group representative Leslie Disheau reported: “Our group had great support today for the afternoon of music, desserts, and silent auction.”

“Everyone enjoyed themselves. We ended the day with a grand total of $1,827.”

“I am very happy with our fundraising event,” continued Disheau, “and proud of the work done by our members.” 

In addition to fundraising, the group has also been busy lobbying for help from local MPP for Stormont, Dundas, and South Glengarry, Jim McDonell.

According to his Executive Assistant, Marilyn McMahon, McDonell “has agreed to attend and help set up a format with other MPPs for an open discussion with both sides.”

Disheau said that “we have no firm date yet from Jim’s office but it looks like around the first of April.”

“SBWOG is still busy. We have placed our newsletter, Breaking Wind, in seven locations for people to take and read,” she said. 

The newsletter, Breaking Wind: Demystifying misconceptions about Wind Power, sheds light on a few myths and defines some wind power terms like ‘low frequency noise’ and ‘infrasound.’

One of the myths presented is the often heard: “It’s just in their heads.” According to the opposition group’s newsletter: “People complain wind turbines make them sick… it’s not just in their heads! Evidence exists that if wind turbines are placed too close to residents, they can cause harm to  humans.”

In a passionate appeal to the general population, Disheau pleaded: “People in the community need to wake up and realize that as tax payers there are 149 houses directly affected by this project and each of us will be appealing our property assessments to MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) for devaluation.”

“Guess who’s picking up the lost property taxation? Residents of Morrisburg, Iroquois, and Williamsburg areas. Our township is small and we don’t have enough industry to help pay the tax base so everything once again falls on homeowners.”

In addition to answering questions by phone, 613-658-1236, the South Branch Wind Opposition Group is creating their own dedicated website.

[…]