Donate blood Nov. 16th at Seaway District High School

When the 156 women who were part of 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas came together last Thursday night, May 7 at the Upper Canada Playhouse, they came together to select three of a proposed 10 local charities/organizations to receive their donations of $100 per woman or $15,600.

They were also delighted to learn that they had been joined by the Scotiabank, Morrisburg’s Community Matching Fund program which brought their donation to $20,000.

Receiving the top vote in the 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas first-time initiative, and a $10,000 donation, was the Dundas County Hospice, headquartered in Williamsburg. Hospice serves residents of Dundas County who have been diagnosed with terminal illness. It provides the terminally ill and their families various in-home services and programs designed to help them remain at home as long as possible. 

Recently, Hospice, which operates out of the J.W. MacIntosh Support Centre, purchased a home in Williamsburg. In addition to providing space for its head office, the home will be a welcoming space for the Hospice day program which provides clients time away from homes and their caregivers.

The second place donation of $6,000 went to the J.W. MacIntosh Senior Support Centre in Williamsburg, and third place and $4,000 was donated to the South Dundas Splash Pad project at the Children’s Park in Morrisburg.

Each of the 10 organizations nominated were in attendance to market their proposal before the voting. 

They included St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage, South Dundas Youth Centre, The Dundas County Food Bank, MacIntosh Seniors Support Centre, WDMH Foundation, Optimists Club, Dundas County Community Living, Dundas County Hospice, The Carman House Museum and The Splash Pad.

After the women completed their first round vote the top three (this year four because there was a tie) organizations were given the opportunity to speak on their organization’s project.

In making his presentation to the assembled women, Hospice Board Chair, Bob Pitruniak,  said “I think the 100 Women idea is terrific and regardless of who you choose, all the people of South Dundas are going to benefit.”

In addition to explaining the work of Dundas County Hospice, he told the group of the recent purchase of the home in Williamsburg.  “We need a new furnace, we need central air, we need a new water heater and we need kitchen appliances. That is our project.”

MacIntosh Senior Support Centre, executive director Janet Levere explained the Centre has been supporting seniors in the community for over 24 years. She said the Centre’s project will be to provide financial help to local seniors. “Perhaps to help them pay for their Meals on Wheels or to help them with their heat bill. Whatever is needed to allow them to stay in their homes.” 

Levere said the Centre planned to form a committee that would review the client needs and disburse the money up to $500 per eligible senior in need. 

“We feel honoured to be here tonight, and we will use the funds to directly impact the lives of our clients,” she said.

Rosemary Laurin spoke on behalf of the Splash Pad Committee. 

“I think this is a great way to get people talking and thinking of things in our community,” said Laurin on behalf of the Splash Pad Committee. Laurin reported the South Dundas community has now raised $173,000 of the $200,000 and if they were to win, the donation would help them to reach their goal.

Dundas County Food Bank secretary Celeste Guse, said the “municipality [South Dundas] has been giving us the facility since the beginning.” She spoke of the upcoming move to the Morrisburg arena and the municipality’s continued generosity in bringing the new location up to code at their expense and fronting an interest free loan of $56,000. 

“The one thing we are asking 100 Women to help with is the cost of a loading door and separate entrance for the volunteers. The doors cost $12,500, and we are asking you to help us fund them. We are hoping we can put a plaque on the door that says ‘100 women of South Dundas provided this door’.”

[…]

Having fun is what it is all about, whether it be playing ball or dancing and singing along to some great tunes…and with that said, the local Woodwork band has stepped up to home plate with the up and coming ball players of the Morrisburg T-Ball and Coach-Pitch program to help bring ball activity back to the South Dundas diamonds and baseball fun back to the kids. Coming up on Saturday, July 20 at the Morrisburg Legion, the members of the Woodwork band have traded ball gloves for guitars for a fundraiser dance to benefit the local ball program. “It’s an adult dance, and although there is no admission charge, we will be accepting donations at the door to our T-Ball/Coach-Pitch Ball program,” says Paul Sheldrick, who along with a handful of volunteers run the league in an effort to re-establish the sport in South Dundas. “We are calling it the Return to Glory Days Dance. We remember the glory days of ball when we played and had fun, and we are trying to bring back the fun and the game.” Sheldrick says he is hoping that everyone in the South Community will be on board to support the return of baseball/softball to the area, former ball fans and players, current ball players and parents of children who would like to see them return to the sport locally. He is delighted that the Workwork band of Bobby Paradis (singer/guitar), Ron Dupuis (singer/guitar), Justin Beckstead (drummer) and James Orendi (bass guitar), have donated their time to help out. All money raised at the dance will go to the T-Ball/Coach-Pitch program. Pictured above, after a tough Monday night practise, front are Rayna and Dorion Sheldrick. Centre, l-r, are Bobby and  Mason Paradis, Ron and Joseph Dupuis, Wyatt Brandwood, and James Orendi. Behind are Paul Sheldrick (left) and Justin Beckstead. The band, the kids and the organizers are encouraging everyone in the South Dundas Community to come out to the Return to Glory Days Dance on July 20 for a good time and a good cause.

[…]

With eight years experience as a member of South Dundas council, the last four years as mayor, Steven Byvelds says he has a good feel for this community, and what needs to be done to keep South Dundas moving forward at a reasonable rate. 

“Another four years is the right thing to do,” South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds told The Leader shortly after filing his nomination papers Monday, and officially announcing that he is seeking a second term at the head of the South Dundas council table.

Byvelds took a while to make his intentions known, making his announcement with less than three weeks to the September 12 nomination deadline.

“I really had to have a good feeling that this decision was right for me and my family, and right for South Dundas,” said Byvelds. 

He further explained that, as a sitting mayor, he felt that it was important to keep his focus his work as mayor before shifting that focus to the coming election, which to him, is what filing nomination papers does.

For months people have been asking him his intentions, and he says he never really minded anyone asking. “People asking is a good thing. It means they’re interested.”

“I believe steady leadership is required for our path forward,” said Byvelds, who is proud of the many accomplishments over the last four years.

“During those years, we have moved South Dundas forward in a direction that was guided by our strategic plan. We have implemented a new economic development plan which has allowed us to retain and foster new business,” said Byvelds. 

“We have received funding for the Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant and it is now complete, within budget. We have done significant rehabilitation work on the sewer systems in all our villages.”  

“I am especially proud of working with our previous MPP Jim Brownell for the $3.2M funding which allowed South Dundas to finally upgrade the Lakeshore Drive Sewer Line which had been plagued with undersizing issues for a long time.” 

“We built the South Dundas Municipal Centre which provides a new home for not only ourselves but the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic and the SDG Library. We have maintained our rural roads and we still can claim to have the best rural road system in Ontario.”

Throughout his eight years on South Dundas council and six years on the council of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Byvelds has built many good connections with colleagues locally and further afield, which Byvelds believes is another benefit of steady leadership.

“As Mayor, I have worked with your council to ensure they voiced their opinion at the council table.  Our decisions were based on factual information and in the end, I ensured that council’s decision was reflected in how staff proceeded with policy and work assignments.  We have kept budgets within reason knowing how our decisions affect those who live in South Dundas.”

Good leadership, a strong knowledge of municipal finances, an understanding of what the community can afford, along with the willingness to spend time researching issues, is what Byvelds says he brings to the South Dundas council table.

“The next four years can be an exciting time for South Dundas.  We live in one of the most picturesque parts of Ontario with the St. Lawrence on the south and many beautiful farm and rural lands in the north.  If elected, I will work closely with Council and staff to grow and improve our community and continue to make it a great place to live, work and play,” says Byvelds.

“Over the next nine weeks, please let me know your comments and concerns.  I will have a website up soon (stevenbyvelds.com) and you can contact me directly by email (bycrest@persona.ca) or phone (613-652-2271).  I will also be ‘out and about’, so stop me and let’s have a discussion of the future of South Dundas.  Remember, if we all pull the rope in the same direction, we will move forward.”

Municipal elections take place October 27. So far, in South Dundas, the mayor’s race is between South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde and South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. 

The list of municipal election candidates is not finalized until the September 12 nomination deadline passes.

[…]