Motion brings all sides of grain terminal issue to court

On Sunday, August 11th, my wife Frances and I had the pleasure of hosting our 9th Annual Constituency Picnic. Thanks to a wonderful staff and some great volunteers, the event went off without a hitch. After being so well received by the many constituents throughout SDSG it is very gratifying for Frances and I to return the favour and welcome people to our home. 

The picnic has become a bit of a tradition for us. We have been feeding our guests the same menu, providing the same entertainment and everyone seems to enjoy themselves year after year. We even have bouncy castles for the kids. 

Speaking of entertainment, Lucien “Smokey” Leger and his family have been our entertainment since our first event in 2005. 87 year old Smokey, his sons Alan and Brian, along with son-in-law Rick, keep everyone tapping their toes and sometimes even singing along to the many “old favourites” they play. I feel truly fortunate that our Constituency Picnic is the only “gig” these very professional and accomplished musicians play at all year. They have already been booked for next year’s special 10th Anniversary Picnic.

Certainly one of the highlights of the afternoon is when Frances sang a few numbers. 

As some of you know, Frances has a beautiful voice and she is always a fan favourite when she sings her traditional three numbers. 

Many of our guests are most complimentary of the beautiful flower gardens Frances works so hard at preparing for our special event. 

I do cut the grass, however this year I didn’t get the weeding done, although I don’t think anyone noticed.

In all sincerity this day is very special to me. It is very humbling to welcome all the great friends we have made over the past years to a very simple happy family event. 

Our BBQ gives all of us a chance to catch up with each other, see old friends, and just be grateful for the wonderful country we live in. For me it is a wonderful reminder of just how fortunate I am to be blessed with being the Member of Parliament for Stormont, Dundas & South Glengarry.

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The November 15th South Dundas council meeting saw a lot of discussion surrounding the Morrisburg Rink rental fees.

The issue was raised due to a letter received by the Township,  sent by Bruce Mullin about the “more-than-double” rate of the ice rental fee for Seaway District High School’s hockey team.

According to Mullin’s letter, last year the team paid $37 per hour for ice time, but this year the rate has gone up to $87 per hour.

The Morrisburg Rink’s rental fees are $125 per hour for adult prime time rental, $95 per hour for children’s prime time rental, and a universal $85 per hour for non-prime rental. All prices are before the addition of HST.

Manager for Recreation, Don Lewis, provided council with a breakdown of rink costs. It costs “$24 per hour for electricity when the compressors are running. When there’s no rental, it costs $8 per hour.”

“The hourly rate for one of our employees (with benefits calculated in) is $29.66 per hour.”

“It’s $53.67 in total. That does not include the natural gas we burn for heaters or the zamboni. These are just two of the key things,” he continued.

In checking with other arenas, Lewis found that Morrisburg’s prices are comparable.

“People think that when the rink’s not being used that it’s not costing us as if it was being used,” said Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald.

The main concern seemed to revolve around two points: what is fair and consistent for everyone; and, what can council do to help support the existence of a hockey team for the local high school.

Councillor Jim Graham pointed out: “They got a rate last year and they were expecting it this year. My suggestion is that we give them a reduced rate on their practice time. This year they got hit with something they weren’t expecting.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “one of the challenges I have is that we went through the budget. We felt they were fair. There’s no expectation to make money. It’d be nice to break even. There’s a lot of cost we haven’t accounted for.”

He pointed out the probability that “if we allow a break on this one” then minor hockey might ask “‘if the high school can get a break, then why can’t we?’”

He later said, “I just think it’s fair that we try to be consistent.”

He admitted that the hockey program for high school students “gets them out and gives them school spirit.”

He said, “we try to be fair and still run our business and try to keep deficits to a minimum.”

Council members each saw the need to be fair and the need to keep deficits to a minimum, but many also wanted to do something for the high school’s hockey team.

In the end, it was decided that for 2011/2012, ice rental fees for Seaway’s team will be $50 per hour for practice ice time and $85 per hour for tournament ice time.  The following years will see the team paying the same price as everyone else.

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