C4K Hoedown success

Monday September 29th 2014, the Honorable Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, alongside the Honorable Ted McMeekin and MPP Bob Bailey announced the launch of the new Food Donation Tax Credit for Farmers.

This tax credit is the first and only one of its kind in Canada, making this a historic week for farmers, food banks, and the provincial government. Farmers in Ontario are now eligible to claim a 25 per cent tax credit for all agricultural product that they donate to the province’s community food banks. 

“Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy local food, and we applaud the Ontario government for introducing a tax credit that will encourage more farmers to make that food available to families and individuals who need it most,” says Bill Laidlaw, Executive Director at the Ontario Association of Food Banks. 

“Many food bank clients do not receive the recommended daily servings of fruit, vegetables, and protein, which can cause additional strains on one’s health and well-being,” says Laidlaw. “A balanced diet with local, fresh, and nutritious foods will help improve the health of food bank clients as well as the health of communities across Ontario.”

There are over 500 individuals, 227 of which are children, relying on food banks in Morrisburg and Winchester each and every month. It is only with the generous support from farmers and local community members that the Dundas County Food Bank is able to provide meals and provisions for those in need. It is without a doubt that the Food Donation Tax Credit for Farmers will help stock local food bank fridges and freezers, and provide members of this community with fresh, healthy, and local foods that they otherwise would not receive.

Farmers in the area who want to learn more about the tax credit can email Ian McKelvie, Dundas County Food Bank Administrator, at dcfbadmin@bellnet.ca.

The Ontario Association of Food Banks is a network of 125 food banks and over 1,100 hunger-relief agencies. 

Together, we serve 375,789 individuals, including 131,734 children every month, through a number of food programs and services. This includes: breakfast clubs, school meal programs, community kitchens, emergency shelters, community food centres, seniors’ centres, and small neighbourhood food banks. For more information please visit www.oafb.ca

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SD&G OPP officers are currently at the scene of a vehicle fire that occurred on August 21st, 2014 at approximately 12:15am on Highway 401, eastbound lanes, South Stormont Township. Investigation indicates a tractor-trailer unit caught fire due to mechanical reasons. 

Fire Department is on scene and a section of Highway 401, eastbound lanes (only) is closed to traffic between Dickinson Drive (Ingleside) exit and Moulinette Road (Long Sault) exit. Traffic is being re-routed via Emergency Detour Routes (EDR). The closure is expected to remain in effect for several hours as emergency personnel tend to the scene.

The 36 year old male driver (from Etobicoke, Ontario) was not injured. The vehicle was carrying non-hazardous products (dog food).

The 401 was re-opened around 10 a.m.

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The $2 million Lakeshore Drive sewer project was scheduled to get underway this week.

With this project, and the upcoming sewer project for the St. Lawrence Street area, those driving in Morrisburg can expect to see construction detours for the next year.

For those living in the affected areas, they will see no interruptions in water or sewer service.

Temporary water lines have already been put in place. 

Because there are a lot of unknowns in an underground project, Chris Bazinet, manager of public works for South Dundas, says that there may be some minor interruptions in water service, but they would be site specific. Those affected would only be affected for a couple of hours and would be notified directly.

During any sewer project, waste is diverted (pumped/rerouted/piped) around areas where work is taking place so there are no service interruptions. 

Bazinet explains that in the case of this project where the sewer lines are being replaced, the old line stays in service until the new one is ready.

Detour signs will be going up to divert traffic away from construction.

Because there will be two sewer reconstruction projects going on simultaneously the detour route will change occasionally.

“Traffic from Ottawa Street will be diverted to St. Lawrence until minor repairs are done on Second Street. At that time, the diversion goes to Second Street,” he explained. “It will be signed,” he added. 

Even though the Lakeshore sewer project is taking place from Canada Way to almost Steward Drive, which is the only route to the Morrisburg dock, Bazinet says they will make sure there is always one lane open to allow traffic to get to the waterfront.

The project, which will see sewer, water, sanitary sewer, paving and sidewalk infrastructure re-constructed, is starting at the intersection of Ottawa Street and Canada Way. The contractors, Cornwall Gravel, will work their way west, as quickly as possible to get as much done while the weather permits. 

Once weather ends their progress, the priority then becomes the completion of the new sewer line that ends near Steward Drive.

Prioritizing the sewer line portion, is necessary to ensure that South Dundas takes full advantage of the government funding they received for this project. That funding, which requires completion of the sewer portion, must be used by March 2014. “And, it will be,” said Bazinet.

Bazinet asks the public to please be vigilant in staying away from the areas where construction is taking place, for the safety of the public and contractors.

Bazinet expects final paving in affected areas to take place in summer 2014.

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