First D-Camp is an ‘awesome’ experience for Hannah Warren

South Dundas voters will have three opportunities to hear from their 14 municipal election candidates, when the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce hosts all candidates nights.

The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce is organizing the all candidates nights for the upcoming Municipal Election, in keeping with its tradition of making these important forums available to the entire community so candidates have an opportunity to express their views and voters have the information they need to make informed choices on October 27th. 

The All Candidates Nights will begin at 6 p.m. and be held at the following locations and dates: Upper Canada Playhouse on Tuesday, September 30, Matilda Hall on Tuesday, October 14 and Iroquois Civic Centre on Monday October 20.  

All three meetings will feature all candidates seeking election to South Dundas council.

The format for these All Candidates Nights will be as follows: 

• All candidates will be given two minutes for opening statements. This will allow them to introduce themselves, give some background information and outline their views on specific issues and why they have offered their services to South Dundas residents. 

• The floor will then be open to a question and answer period, providing an opportunity to ask candidates specific questions that concern you and your community.

• Candidates will be given two minutes for closing statements.  

It should be noted that this is not a debate.  

There will be no rebuttals or further questions following the candidate’s answer.  

Everyone is invited to participate in these important events. 

They provide a valuable forum for voters to present their concerns to the very individuals who are vying for the position to address these concerns for the next four years. 

It also provides the unique opportunity to hear and compare all of the candidates’ views and intentions in their bid for elected office. 

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TransCanada Pipeline officials hosted on open house in Morrisburg to discuss their Energy East project.

Energy East is a $12 billion, 4,400 km pipeline project that will carry 1 million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan refineries to refineries in Eastern Canada (Quebec City and St. John, Nova Scotia).

Of the 4,400 project, 70 per cent involves the conversion of an existing natural gas pipeline into an oil pipeline, and a portion involves building new pipeline.

The new build portion of the project starts in South Dundas, at the existing Iroquois compressor station. 

Just over 100 km of new pipeline will cross the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and within SDG two new pumping stations will be built. One at Iroquois, in the vicinity of the existing compressor station, and another near Alexandria. 

Nationally, the Energy East project will include the construction of 68 new pumping stations. 

The pumping stations are an integral part of the project. 

Part of the conversion of the existing natural gas pipeline involves the construction additional pumping stations because it takes more pumping stations to pump oil than natural gas. 

More valves are also part of the conversion. For public and environmental protection, valves will be located every 30 km. 

TransCanada Pipeline officials explained that the system is monitored such that in the case of a problem sections of the pipeline can be shut down within minutes.

Pipeline inspections, testing and integrity digs are already underway for this project. It is schedule for completion in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Energy East will transport a variety of crude types including conventional crude oil, diluted bitumen and synthetic crude.

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Beyond 21 is a new initiative focused on connecting young adults living with developmental disabilities to a variety of community services.

The program, in partnership with the Upper Canada Leger Centre of Education and Training (UCLCET), plans to begin mid-January 2012, and is open to adults over the age of 21.

Interim Executive Director Kevin Cooper says the purpose of the program is to help those who are no longer eligible for the school system to continue to use valuable community services in a structured, community-based, and simplified way.

Cooper says Beyond 21 truly is a grass roots program that started at home.

“My wife Cathy was concerned about the lack of opportunities for our niece who had recently completed high school,” he said. “We invited some interested community members and educators to come to our home to discuss the issue. We met once a month and we learned a lot in the first little while.

“Later, in association with UCLCET, we held a town hall meeting where more than 100 people attended,” he added. “We created working groups. Retired principal Garry Atchison and I travelled around the province to see similar grass roots programs. There were programs in Brantford, Markham, Orillia, North Bay and more. We analyzed the commonalities.”

Now, with a board of directors, the Beyond 21 program will be offered out of a space in the former General Vanier Intermediate School (GVIS) building.

“I was part of a group of people who were increasingly concerned about the resource issues pertaining to supporting students graduating from our programs,” Cooper said. “It’s so important for these young adults living with developmental disabilities to maintain that structure, connection and opportunity that they once had in the school system. We want to provide them with something to look forward to every day; somewhere they feel safe.

Cooper emphasizes the fact that Beyond 21 is to be a community hub.“We are very much committed to developing a community-based program,” he said. “In no way do we want Beyond 21 to be a segregated, stand-alone entity.”

Cooper says Beyond 21 has already partnered with local food programs including Healthy Eating for Better Learning, Cornwall Green Food Box, and All Things Food to help participants gain valuable skills  and confidence.

“One of our goals is to start producing some of the products for the Healthy Eating for Better Learning breakfast program,” Cooper said.  “Plus, we want to assist in getting those products to the schools.

“In addition, we’re going to help with the distribution program for the Cornwall Green Food Box initiative,” he outlined. “These are some very exciting partnerships.”

Cooper says that he looks forward to starting the program, and seeing how it evolves. 

“We have a great board with very committed folks,” he said, noting that the first director of Beyond 21 was Tish Humphries of Lancaster. Above all, Cooper is grateful for the guidance and leadership of David K. Thomas, Chair of the UCLC.

Contact 613-933-5595, EXT. 0, 613-932-7170 or Beyond21@uclc.ca for additional information on the program. 

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