Sandra Sine-Szirtes, new principal at MPS

South Dundas will not get the $1 million federal government funding that municipal officials hoped would help offset some of the costs of the $4 million renovation of the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute.

Recently, South Dundas received notice that the funding application to the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund was not successful.

“I am deeply disappointed,” South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds told The Leader Monday. “The economic benefits of this project would have far outweighed the million dollar investment.” 

The high school renovation project, and its spin-offs, provide much needed and expanded space for health care, municipal, community, social and library services. 

These expansions would have certainly resulted in job creation, according to the mayor.

Although disappointed that the funding application was not successful, despite its far-reaching economic benefits, Mayor Byvelds said, “We will still find the money for this project.”

The Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, through which South Dundas was seeking $1 million,  is part of the government’s economic action plan. In 2012, it was announced that $150 million would be made available nationally, over two years. 

The fund is designed to support the rehabilitation and improvement, including expansion of existing community infrastructure facilities, in order to improve the quality of community facilities and provide economic benefits, including the support of job creation.

The December 12 letter from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario said that many outstanding applications were received and difficult decisions had to be made as the agency was unable to accommodate all applicants.

“We reviewed the project you submitted in great detail, and I regret to inform you that your project was not selected for funding,” said the letter. “All CIIF applications were assessed based on the degree to which they met the program eligibility requirements and selection criteria.” 

[…]

On the platform of Aultsville Station, where no doubt a British Home Child at one time sat with all their earthly belongings waiting for the stranger who was going to take them in, the British Home Child Day Committee of SD&G, announced plans for an event that will take place on the first ever British Home Child Day September 28.

The new organization, which has about 15 members mostly with ties to British Home Children, has been working at the planning the event which will take place at Upper Canada Village.

“Over 100,000 British Home Children came to our country to work in the homes and on the farms of Canadians. Overcoming incredible hardships, these children became contributing members of society,” said Carolyn Goddard, chairperson of the committee. “On September 28th, British Home Child Day in Ontario, we will have an opportunity to hear their stories and recognized the contributions they have made.”

This committee was inspired to organize this event after the British Home Child Day Act, a Private Members Bill brought forward in the Ontario Legislature by SDSG MPP Jim Brownell.

Brownell’s grandmother was a British Home Child.

“I am pleased that a group of locals have done the leg work to take this day and make is something special,” said Brownell at the Aug. 19 announcement. “I hope this day at Upper Canada Village will give Ontarians a sense of who these Home Children were and how they contributed to life in Ontario.”

“I foresee many people coming here to talk about their families’ stories, which were often stories not told,” said Brownell, adding that he hopes this will become an annual event.

Brownell will himself be donating a plaque and a tree that will be planted as part of the Sept. 28 event at Aultsville Station.

“This is a story that is just starting to be talked about,” said Judy Neville, a committee member descended from a British Home Child.

“Canada’s British Home Children are a part of our county’s history. They are part of our heritage. They represent a part of our past and their descendents represent a part of our future. Their stories need to be taught in our schools,” said Brownell.

Gabriele Thomas of Upper Canada Village said that they are pleased to have the collaboration with this committee for the upcoming event, hoping that in future it will expand.

Plans for the Sept. 28 event include the dedication of a maple tree at the Aultsville Station, displays from various Home Children organizations, an opportunity for friends and descendents to tell the story of their home child, and a specially planned British Home Child tour of Upper Canada Village. A theatre group from Metcalfe will perform a sampling of their upcoming production based on a Home Child story, and throughout the day, musicians will entertain. The day ends with a catered dinner at Willard’s Hotel.

[…]

The fire ban for South Dundas remains in place, but the restrictions on open air burning have been eased a little to allow for campfires.

South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief Chris McDonough reported Monday morning that “the ban has been lifted for campfires only.”

However, the ban on all other open air burning remains in place. “No permits for open-air burning will be issued until we receive a substantial amount of rainfall for at least two to three days,” he said. 

For those who do opt to have a campfire in these dry conditions, McDonough urges extra caution and offers the following advice:

• Build your campfires away from overhanging branches, rotten stumps, shrubs, dry grass and leaves. Keep it at least 25 feet from all structures. Watch for flying embers.

• Clear the immediate area surrounding your campfire site approximately 8-10 ft in radius.

• Keep the fire in a contained unit such as a burn barrel, barbecue unit or hibachi. Do not build a fire directly on the ground. Fires can spread underground through root systems or decaying material.

• Keep campfires small and do not let them get out of hand. (2’x2’x2’ in size)

• Keep plenty of water handy and have a shovel for throwing sand on the fire if it gets out of control.

• Stack extra firewood upwind and away from the fire.

• After lighting the fire do not discard the match until it is cold. Douse it with water to be sure.

• Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread.

• When extinguishing the fire, drown it with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks, as there may be burning embers underneath. Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again.

• Do not bury your coals, they can smolder and start to burn again.

[…]