Milling operation grows Homestead Organics food processing business

An unexpected find has led to an unexpected expenditure for the Township of South Dundas.

At the June 5th council meeting, South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services chief Chris McDonough requested council’s permission to proceed with the purchase of a “super tanker.”

The tanker, he admitted, wasn’t due to be purchased in this year’s budget, but “it’s good for our accreditation for water shuttle,” he said.

McDonough was referring to “being recognized by the Underwriters Insurance for Alternative Water Supplies for Fire Protection accreditation.”

The new 2004 Western Star 3,000 gallon tanker from Eastway Emergency Vehicles will replace Williamsburg’s current 1985 Ford 1,500 gallon tanker.

The new tanker “is being retrofitted with a new tank,” said McDonough, and when all is said and done, he estimated the final cost to be in the vicinity of $130,000. 

He pointed out that the cost savings of buying this particular tanker at this time, rather than buying a brand new tanker in future, is approximately $120,000.

“I think it’s a good opportunity,” said deputy-mayor Jim Locke. 

Councillor Archie Mellan said, “I like the fact that we’re going to get accreditation.”

All in agreement, council approved McDonough’s request to proceed with the purchase.

[…]

“It was a wonderful day. It certainly was perfect for walking and biking,” said Dough Grenkie, in reference to the Children’s Treatment Centre Bike-a-thon Plus held on May 26th in South Dundas.

This is the second year that Dough Grenkie and Lyle Van Allen volunteered to organize and run the South Dundas portion of the  Bike-a-thon Plus. The event is held concurrently with the treatment centre’s Cornwall event. Next year, according to Grenkie, they hope to expand to include North Dundas.

The Bike-a-thon Plus trail in South Dundas ran between the Docksyde in Morrisburg and Iroquois Point with two checkpoints in between where volunteers were on hand to provide bottled water and fresh fruit.

“I feel as though participation was low,” admitted Van Allen, however, “I’m happy with what we did accomplish. You always wish for better. Maybe another year will be better yet.”

Van Allen’s granddaughter, Cassandra Thompson, participated in the charity event, biking on her own  from Morrisburg to Iroquois.

“We’re making people aware that this agency is there to help children and there is no financial aid from government,” said Van Allen, pointing out that the treatment centre is run solely on donations. 

According to Grenkie, the South Dundas portion of the event raised “well over $5,000.” Donations are still trickling in and, therefore, exact numbers are not yet available.

“Anybody can give money any time of the year and it will be gratefully accepted.”

“The support of the Bank of Montreal managers and staff was phenomenal from all branches,” said Grenkie. Iroquois, Morrisburg, Finch, Winchester and Ingleside branches were all involved. “It will be a record donation for Dundas County.”

Cathy Osborne and her daughter Samantha, part of the Iroquois BMO group, made it all the way to the first checkpoint from the Docksyde. According to Cathy, her BMO group raised over $1,400.

In addition to the Osborne mother-daughter team,  a couple of energetic Morrisburg and District Lions Club Leos also made it to the first checkpoint and beyond. Chase Dunkley and Dean Mark biked the entire circuit from Morrisburg to Iroquois and back again. The Morrisburg Lions Club raised $840 for the Bike-a-thon.

“It really helps to have the Lions Clubs and the Leos,” said Grenkie. Both Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club and the Morrisburg and District Lions Club were active volunteers and participants for the May 26th event.

“There were a lot more walkers than bikers,” continued Grenkie. “I was a little disappointed that the participation was down.” Grenkie biked from the Docksyde in Morrisburg to Iroquois Point.

Next year, with a hopeful expansion to include North Dundas, Grenkie said he hopes to “get the whole community involved” as the Children’s Treatment Centre services all of Dundas County. 

The Children’s Treatment Centre, stationed in Cornwall, services the United Counties and Akwesasne. There are psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors on staff ready to treat children aged 5 through 17 affected by physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

The centre doesn’t require professional referrals and there aren’t any lengthy waiting periods.

“The publicity from the Bank of Montreal and The Leader was phenomenal,” said Grenkie. “More people have learned about this facility that has been here for about 15 years.”

Van Allen agreed, saying that “more people know about the Children’s Treatment Centre today than three years ago, so that’s a good thing.” 

For more information on the Children’s Treatment Centre,  phone 613-933-4400 or go to their website at www.ctc-sdg.com.

[…]

South Dundas budget deliberations for 2012 are complete and grant allocations have been decided.

At the first meeting, March 5th, Treasurer Shannon Geraghty told South Dundas council that grant requests were “a little over $40,000” while only $20,000 had been allotted for that purpose.

Rather than alter the allotment, council decided to go through the requests first.

While almost all groups requesting grants received money, most didn’t receive their requested sum. In fact, two groups didn’t receive at all. 

Allocated grants are as follows:

• Canada Day Committee, Morrisburg – $2,000

• Santa Claus Parade – $300

• Williamsburg Community Association – $300

• Canada Day, Iroquois – $2,000

• Dundas County Hospice – $500

• Bluegrass Festival – $3,000

• Iroquois Lawn Bowling – $2,000

• St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage – $1,000

• Upper Canada Playhouse – $1,500

• Iroquois Festival Committee – $1,000

• Seaway District High School Graduation – $750

• Cruickshank Amphitheatre – $3,000

In total, council approved $17,350 in grants, leaving $2,650 in the original grant budget.

“Last year it was decided that was a one time thing,” said Councillor Jim Graham in reference to the Iroquois Festival Committee.

The debate centered around whether this was actually a ‘community’ festival benefitting the community or a ‘plaza’ festival benefitting the businesses.

Councillor Evonne Delegarde pointed out that this year the focus will be on the War of 1812.

Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I do agree this is a fine line.”

This will be the last year for this particular grant. 

Another huge discussion was had over the Iroquois Lawn Bowling request. As Byvelds pointed out, “I see an issue of fairness. Compare it to the Morrisburg Curling Club.” 

It was suggested that this would be the last year the Iroquois Lawn Bowling would receive grant money.

As for the matter of how much to give to whom, this came down to an attempt at fairness. Both Morrisburg and Iroquois Canada Day celebrations received the same amount, to be fair. This raised an issue with the Bluegrass Festival receiving more than Canada Day festivities. In the end, it was decided that Bluegrass needed some help getting started.

Following grant deliberations, council discussed the new application format put into effect last fall, requiring groups to fill out forms and meet qualifications. The point of the new process is accountability. Byvelds suggested adding a component to the forms: “For next year, tell us exactly what they did with our money.”

As for the new application’s November deadline, Graham added, “it makes people plan ahead instead of doing things at the last minute.”

[…]