News

Perennial election contender Bill Ewing, will once again have his name on the ballot for the 2014 municipal election.

Ewing filed his nomination papers for the position of councillor with the clerk January 7.

Ewing’s name has been on the ballot of every South Dundas Municipal election since the corporation was formed. Once, he ran but was defeated for the deputy mayor’s seat, but he was twice elected as a councillor having served two terms.

No matter whether he wins or loses an election, Ewing never hesitates in letting his name stand for a council seat because, whether sitting on council or not, he always has an interest in this municipality and its affairs.

Ewing chose to this time run for one of the three councillor seats. “I have sufficient time to work as a councillor,” he said. Ewing is self-employed as the owner/operator of Bill’s Towing. The mayor and deputy mayor seats require a larger investment of time, that Ewing explains he cannot fully commit to.

“I can be of benefit to South Dundas,” says Ewing who, on top of his council experience, has much municipal experience with water, sewer, roads and parks management in the former Village of Iroquois.

Ewing chose to declare his election intentions, fairly early in the process. “There’s no reason to keep people in suspense,” said Ewing. “People have been asking me whether or not I’m running, so I filed.”

[…]

In a boost to the region’s economic development, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus has awarded contracts to expand high-speed fibre internet connections at more than 50 business parks and clusters across rural Eastern Ontario.

Included in this expansion is the Morrisburg Industrial Park in South Dundas. 

Other SDG municipalities including South Stormont (Ingleside and Long Sault), North Glengarry (Alexandria) and North Dundas (Winchester and Chesterville) will also benefit from the expansion of service. 

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus announced the Eastern Ontario Regional Network expansion, January 9, 2014.

Bell Aliant, Cogeco Cable Inc. and Utilities Kingston were awarded contracts to provide the new high-capacity, high-speed fibre internet connections. Locally, the work will be completed by Bell Aliant. 

The project adds to the number of business parks and clusters that already have broadband service in the region.

The companies are building the new services off of their existing infrastructure, as well as off of the 5,500-kilometre, fibre-optic backbone that was built through the Eastern Ontario Regional Network. The business park project, valued at about $8.9 million, is the latest phase of the EORN project, a $170 million initiative to expand rural broadband throughout the region. Created by the Wardens’ Caucus, the project is supported by federal, provincial, and municipal funding, and private sector investment.

“EORN is a key economic development tool for the region and we are pleased to extend the reach of the network to these important business hubs,” said EOWC Chair Rick Philips.

“Expanding high-capacity, high-speed internet fibre to these business parks will help our communities to attract and retain local businesses,” said Warden Eric Duncan. “It is a real boon for economic development.”

“The expansion of the fibre optic network is particularly timely given the Municipality’s current initiative to extend roadway access to additional lands in the Morrisburg Business Park, said Nicole Sullivan, economic development officer for South Dundas. “Both are important infrastructure developments and will help support the expansion of existing businesses and make the location competitive in the attraction of new business.”  

“Thanks to prudent financial management and project oversight, we are able to deliver this added value to business parks as part of the EORN initiative,” said EORN Chair David Burton. “We expect to complete construction of the business parks by 2014.”

EORN was established by the Wardens’ Caucus to manage expansion of the rural broadband network in Eastern Ontario. 

[…]

South Dundas council is still mulling over what they know is a tough bylaw.

The draft sewer use bylaw, is once again undergoing revisions before it is finalized, taken to the public and approved by council.

South Dundas council held a special meeting January 7, at the South Dundas Municipal Centre in Morrisburg, to review the latest draft document.

“We need to be reasonable with this tough bylaw,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds, adding that good public education over this issue will amount to better public acceptance and compliance.

The implementation of a sewer use bylaw is the next logical step to ensure that the public investment of millions of dollars of funding channelled into improving waste water infrastructure in South Dundas is protected. 

Like any sewer use bylaw, the aim is to eliminate all  water not originating from the municipal water supply from the sanitary sewer system. That includes roof leader connections and foundation drain (sump pump) connections.

Most taxing to the system is the extraneous inflow that results at both the Morrisburg and Iroquois waste water treatment plants during big rain events. 

The sudden spike in flow data indicates that rain water, especially rooftop rain water, is being drained into the sanitary sewer system, according to experts. 

Each time this happens, the plants come dangerously close to exceeding capacity. Should either plant ever exceed capacity the municipality  would have to answer to environmental officials and could face potential fines or work orders to construct costly holding tanks to keep the sewage from pouring into the St. Lawrence River.

“This will result in a savings in the long run,” said Mayor Byvelds.

With this bylaw, South Dundas officials hope to address much of the root cause of this extraneous flow.

Municipal officials know the corporation is contributing to the extraneous flow, through the existence of some combined sanitary and storm sewers. 

Todd Grant, of AECOM, the consulting company working on the sewer use bylaw, said, “You have them, and are trying to get rid of them. We need to pinpoint the locations of all of those and find an alternate way to drain the water.”

The comprehensive bylaw sets out rules and regulations, applicable to both commercial and residential connections. 

It spells out requirements for commercial food-related grease interceptors and sediment interceptors. It too prohibits any food grinder, commercial or residential from being connected to the sewer system. 

The bylaw also sets out deadlines, yet to be finalized, likely towards the end of 2015, for all existing illegal drain connections to be disconnected from the sanitary sewer system.

The bylaw gives The Municipality of South Dundas the authority to carry out inspections to enforce the bylaw and to slap offenders with large fines. Although South Dundas will gain that authority, council does not see door-to-door inspections and fines as a first step achieving compliance. 

“We need to take baby steps with this,” said Byvelds, and council agreed.

Public education, surveys and keying in on addressing the large problem areas are what council sees as first steps once this bylaw is enacted. 

The bylaw will be finalized and go to council after a public consultation process. 

It will apply to all of South Dundas’ sewer connections, including the Morrisburg, Iroquois and Williamsburg sewer systems.

[…]

House of Lazarus in Mountain relies on community donations to support their important mission of supporting the needs of the local community, through various projects and programs which include a food bank and thrift and household goods shop.

Funds raised through the thrift shop provide approximately 65 per cent of the organization’s annual budget.

“While we a re very grateful for donations, we have been experiencing an increased amount of unusable items,” said Pauline Pratt, executive director of the House of Lazarus. 

“Unfortunately, the costs of garbage removal has risen, and due to this increase, it is expected to reach $8,000 this year.”

 

Not wanting to deter the community from providing these valued donations that have been of utmost importance to the success of this organization, House of Lazarus officials have provided the following guidelines to help people deciding where they should take items.

In general, items dropped off for the House of Lazarus should be in good condition, functioning, with all necessary parts and free of stains or damage.

House of Lazarus is unable to accept: large floor model organs, furniture that is damaged or broken, items with parts or pieces missing, and large appliances that don’t work. 

Acceptable items for fundraising recycling programs include: electronics, clothing, and metal and these are gratefully received even if broken or damaged. 

A list of suggested donations is online at www.houseoflazarus.com and anyone with questions about donations can call House of Lazarus at 613-989-3830.

 

Thanks to funds from the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant received, donations will be better protected from weather, theft and vandalism.  

Along with the drop off Shelter which will be built in the spring, the grant funds are also providing for a new security system and signage. 

Four O One Security has recently installed a camera and security alarm system and has donated the first year of monitoring. 

Because the auxiliary tent at House of Lazarus was destroyed by the heavy icy weather just before Christmas, the drop off area remains at the usual designated area in the warehouse building.

The House of Lazarus experienced a record number of visits to its food bank in 2013. 

Comparing 2012 and 2013, donations of food items from the community increased by about 10 per cent, but need rose at a greater rate. 

The House of Lazarus food bank handed out 25 per cent more food in 2012 than it did in 2013, meaning that they had fund food purchases of nearly $29,000 from the 2013 budget.

The success of the House of Lazarus Community Outreach Mission through various programs is reflective of the deep social concern of the members of the communities we serve and their determination to ensure that those living in poverty or experiencing a challenging  time in their lives have the support they need. 

Many view donating to Missions like the House of Lazarus as a way of investing in their community to reduce the impact of rural poverty.  

“Whether donating food, clothing, items or time and talent your support is making a difference in the lives of individuals, families and your community and is part of helping to develop a sustainable future. The House of Lazarus strives to be a voice and a leader in advocating for sustainable and resilient community  members and communities,” says Pratt. “On behalf of those we serve, our board of directors, staff and volunteers I would like to thank you for your continued support of the House of Lazarus.”

[…]

Last week, the nomination process for the 2014 municipal election opened, and South Dundas’ incumbent deputy mayor was the first to make his re-election intentions official.

Deputy-mayor Jim Locke filed his papers for the position of deputy mayor January 3, 2014.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of serving as a member of council for the current term,” said Locke. “I attribute that to a council and dedicated staff all working together, not only to maintain, but also to accomplish the improvements that have taken place within our municipality.”

“I am proud of our record over the past three years and would look forward to serving another term if the electors so wish,” he added. “I feel that I have been an effective member of council.”

Locke served on the former Matilda council, but this has been his first term on council since amalgamation.

Other sitting members of South Dundas council have shown an interest in putting their names forward, but have yet to take the step of filing their nomination papers.

South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde confirmed that she intends to seek re-election to South Dundas council. 

“I picked up my nomination papers on Friday,” she said. 

Although she has picked up the papers, she has not filed, and will not yet reveal which seat she intends to seek. “I will file with the clerk within the next couple of weeks,” said Delegarde. 

This term of council is Delegarde’s first full term as an elected South Dundas councillor. She was part of the previous council having accepted a councillor  position appointment partway through the previous term of council, filling a vacancy left by the late mayor Charles Barkley.

Oftentimes in an election year, potential candidates, including incumbents, choose to wait until closer to the deadline to officially declare their intentions.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds has already said he will wait until summer to declare his intentions.

Other South Dundas council incumbents are taking a similar position.

South Dundas councillor Jim Graham, who is a two term councillor for South Dundas, said he plans to wait until June to let people know whether or not he will be running for re-election. 

“Running again means another four year commitment and I want to be sure that I can make that commitment,” he said.

South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan, who is a first term councillor, said, “It is just the 4th of January, of the new year. It will be an election year all year.”

“I have not yet made a 100 per cent commitment to seek re-election at this time,” said Mellan. 

He added that he will make up his mind, early this year, but just not yet. “Seeking election to the council of the Municipality of South Dundas is a time consuming and very serious position, and should not be taken lightly.” 

“I feel privileged and honoured to sit as a council member. I feel a lot of constructive progress has been made and a lot of worthwhile projects have been completed and/or started this term, yet there is still more to be done. So, when I do make my decision as to my re-election aspirations, it will be with the utmost thought and consideration that this position demands,” said Mellan.

The nomination period runs from January 2, 2014 to September 12, 2014. 

Candidates have until 2 p.m. September 12, to get their name on the ballot for election to South Dundas council, in any of the seats including mayor, deputy mayor and three councillors. School board trustee nominations are also being accepted. 

Until the deadline, candidates can withdraw their nomination or change the seat for which they have declared their election intentions. Election day is October 27, 2014.

The 2010 South Dundas municipal election attracted 15 candidates for five council seats. 

In that election, five candidates declared their intentions to seek election very early in the nomination process, by filing nominations papers in January.  No new nominations were filed until May/June when three candidates were added to the ballot. Two more filed papers in August, and right around the nomination deadline in September, five more candidates were added to the ballot. 

The mayor’s seat was most hotly contested with five vying for the chair. Only two ran for deputy mayor, and the remaining eight were seeking election to one of the three councillor seats.

[…]

When the Leos Club decided to take on a project to raise money for soldiers/veterans with post traumatic stress, little did they know that it would lead them to some great partnerships, first with Scotiabank and eventually with the Canadian Service Dog Foundation Inc.

On Wednesday, December 4, all the partners in this wonderful story got together to pass on the results of their project. Joining them was Eddi and his best friend Jamie Billings of Morrisburg.

Eddi is a trained service dog, a 102 pound German Shepherd who came to Jamie through the Foundation, located in Ottawa.

On Wednesday, December 4th,  Eddi and Jamie joined Foundation vice-president Peter Woolley and board member John Gray to accept a cheque totalling $1,129 from the Leos project.

The project involved two bake sales, one at Scotiabank on Friday, November 8 and the other at the arena in Morrisburg, on Saturday, November 9.

Thanks to the bank personnel who provided the baked goods and Scotiabank customers who purchased the goodies, the first bake sale raised $398 which was matched by Scotiabank.

Then on the Saturday, with members of the Morrisburg Lions club, the Leos Club and their moms and dads and friends and family providing the baked goods (and minor hockey moms and dads purchasing the goodies) the second bake sale raised another $300 plus.

So when the Leos put it all together, they totalled $1,129 for their project to raise money for soldiers living with post traumatic stress.

Research and several phone calls made by their mentor Linda Robinson then led the Leos to the Canadian Service Dog Foundation Inc. (CSDF).

CSDF is a non-profit organization committed to assisting people who live with a serious disability through use of trained service dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs and emotional support animals; and to support human safety through use of trained police service dogs, military working dogs, search and rescue dogs and detection dogs.

CSDF’s primary initiative is to provide opportunities and resources to support past or presently serving Canadian Forces personnel or emergency services workers who are suffering from operational stress injuries through the provision of professionally trained service dogs, training courses and certification.

CSDF programs are intended to offer support to Canadians with specific psychiatric conditions in their effort to lead active and healthy lifestyles.

“We greatly appreciate this support,” said Woolley at Wednesday’s presentation. “We provide the service dogs to veterans at no cost.”

Woolley explained that the Foundation is “trying to nationalize the standard for service dogs. Our intent is to provide service dogs that are properly trained. It’s a long road, but we are really working towards it.”

Woolley said a recent Service Dog Summit in Ottawa, and attended by Veteran’s Affairs, was very encouraging. He explained that while Veteran’s Affairs does not recognize service dogs, they are now beginning to look at them and the wonderful possibilities and services they can provide.

With a cost of up to $30,000 for a trained dog and a time frame of up to two years to train them, qualified service dogs are simply out of reach financially for many people..

Wooley explained how service dogs can provide medical and emotional support to someone who wakes up with night terrors. “They can sense their partner’s anxiety and in some cases they can summon assistance. We have dogs trained to do deep muscle massage by putting their paws on a person’s chest. We have dogs trained to make space for their partner in a crowded situation simply by using their body.”

Woolley estimates there are about 120 veterans nationally who have service dogs. “So there aren’t that many. Not all vets need a dog and not all vets would want a dog, but for those who do, in many cases it gives them back their life.”

“Donations like this, really help us. No amount is too small. This is a fantastic donation.”

[…]

We suspect Lady, right, has been overbred and she may have some health issues. Lady is elderly (6 plus), and needs a kind and loving home for her senior years. This is one of those very, very sad stories…a dog that just needs to shown love in her final years.

Brownie 1.5 yrs, boxer mix, neutered house-trained. Very friendly. We believe Brownie was a family pet as he is trained and very good around people. He is ready to move right in to a new home and share all the love he has to give.

Yeller– 1.5 yr, male not neutered, needs house and puppy training, very friendly. Has great potential to become a loving family pet. A yellow Lab mix, we believe he is very smart and would be extremely easy to train.

Ice-Mix possible Burmese Mt/Shepherd, 8 month male not neutered, large dog, plenty of energy. Ice is a real happy go lucky boy, who has yet to learn that he is a big boy. He is very gentle natured but has a lot of enthusiasm. He is at an ideal age for training.

Suzy-Beautiful, mature (5-6 yrs) female Shepherd, very friendly & kind, well-behaved, completely trained. Great potential. Suzy is a beautiful, beautiful girl. She lived for four years with her original family and when the family moved they couldn't take Suzy along. The for one year she was with a family who just decided they no longer wanted a dog. Such are the sad stories. Suzy is looking for a loving, happy FOREVER home. Note: Suzy does not get along well with cats. She is in excellent health and would make an excellent addition to any family.

Interested in adopting ? Call Kevin at the South Dundas Animal Shelter 613-543-2980 or 613-913-1476

This is a public service column. The Leader accepts no responsibility for the dogs or the adoption process.

[…]

The Morrisburg Waterfront Implementation Committee decided to think big when planning the future of the Morrisburg waterfront, the sum of implementing their plan, in full, could cost $7.4 million.

The Morrisburg Waterfront Phase 1 Concept Plan was presented to South Dundas council at their final meeting of 2013, by lead consultants Mark Thompson Brandt Architect and Associates Inc. “We realize it’s a large vision, but it needs to be that,” said Randy Veinotte, who spoke on behalf to the committee.

“I think the public has a real appetite to do something down there at the waterfront and this plan should help you by providing a good blue print to help you as council members to move things forward.”

“The committee truly feels what is here in this plan is appropriate for the community,” said Veinotte.Veinotte told council of the input and feedback that the committee had in the planning process and that this plan truly reflects the committees vision for the waterfront.

The focus of the first phase of the plan is the dock area. Pathways and key elements including a welcome centre, café with a roof top terrace, and waterfront look-out tower, are all part of the design which provides a strong and visible arrival identity to the area.

The plan not only works to define and address how people arrive, move through and experience the place, it also takes into account problem solving measures for areas of concern, namely parking. “With this plan, we’ve added about 160 parking spaces, which is a fairly dramatic increase,” said Mark Brandt, who made the presentation. That includes 40 double-long spaces for boats and trailers. “We’re putting the parking in the right places,” he added.

With a visual presentation which included a virtual tour of the proposal, Brandt said, “This design is uniquely of Morrisburg.”“This is a large vision, but we set out very deliberately to do that,” said Brandt. “It was important for the committee to set out a big vision that speaks to pride this community has in its waterfront.”“This is great work,” commented South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan, adding that he hopes the public input about this plan is positive. “It is very impressive. Funding it will be the only issue.”

“It is a park of dreams,” added councillor Evonne Delegarde. “There has been a lot of great input by the committee. Funding will be the tell tale sign of getting things done.”

“This is an ambitious concept. It would be wonderful to see it in place,” said councillor Jim Graham. He added that the $7.4 million price tag isn’t out of line when you compare it to the cost of something like building a new arena.“

The plan is ambitious, but not unattainable,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke. “This community has a great ability to pull together when it decides to and to get things done.”

“I really hope we don’t hear a negative reaction from the public first,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “If this plan is what the community wants, it can happen.”

[…]

 

Employees at Xenopus in Morrisburg started their Christmas celebrations with a very generous donation of $600 to the 1st C.A.V. Sicily Unit for their ongoing project to support the Homeless Veterans Fund. The presentation was made on Monday, December 24 by Xenopus representatives, Keith MacDonald (Director of European Sales, left) and employee Barb Hodgson to C.A.V. president, Frank “Heafty” Malette. The Xenopus employees participate regularly in 50/50 draws to raise money, and the company matched what we raised, explained Hodgson in making the presentation. “This year we decided to donate the money through the Morrisburg Legion Poppy Fund to the Homeless Veterans Fund. As a member of the Legion and the granddaughter of a veteran, I am proud we have selected this charity. It is with great pleasure that we are able to present this cheque to you.” C.A.V. president, Heafty Malette was accompanied by C.A.V. members Julie “Mumbles” Malette, John “Saddle Tramp” Kennedy, Janet “Cookie” Trudeau and Reg “Bluenose II” Anderson and Legion Branch #48 Poppy chair Tom Fisher. Malette explained that “throughout the year we [C.A.V. Sicily Unit] raise money for the Homeless Veterans Fund which raises money for our veterans, who, for one reason or another end up living on the streets. Our biggest event is our Ride. We want to thank you very much for your generous donation.”  C.A.V. (Canadian Army Veterans) Sicily, formed in the summer of 2011, and is named for the 1943 Battle of Sicily. It consists of Veterans and supporters, most of whom ride motorcycles. Associated with Morrisburg Branch 48, the motorcycle unit participates in various events in the South Dundas community and supports the local Legion with the annual Poppy Campaign. Xenopus Inc. produces a high end line of dental burs and is located in the Morrisburg Industrial Park. It employs approximately 30-35 people. 

[…]

While South Dundas council may have handled more than its fair share of controversy in 2013, its mayor is looking ahead to 2014;  positive about what has been accomplished, positive about projects in the works and positive about the new year.

The 2013 year end interview with local media took place December 18 at the Mayor’s office on the third floor of the new South Dundas Municipal Centre in Morrisburg.

“We are definitely sitting in the highlight of the year,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds of the South Dundas Municipal Centre.

“We have rebuilt this into a very useful space, not only for South Dundas council and staff, but for the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic,” said Byvelds.

This SDMC building project, along with South Dundas’ partnership with the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic team to renovate the former Catholic school in Iroquois into a new clinic, means that South Dundas is now home to two new medical facilities.

“That is an important asset in a time where it is challenging to keep medical staff within our borders,” said Byvelds.

Although not yet complete, Byvelds reported that the new Morrisburg library portion of the project should be finished early this year. It will be housed in a portion of the former Morrisburg Clinic space.

On top of this huge project nearing completion, Byvelds is proud to have been able to be part of major progress on working towards rectifying infrastructure issues that have needed addressing for decades.

He acknowledges that the work taking place around Lakeshore Drive certainly wouldn’t have been possible without $2 million worth of provincial funding that South Dundas was fortunate enough to receive. 

That funding, along with the funding for the new Iroquois waste water treatment plant, have allowed significant infrastructure improvements. 

“A lot of good stuff happened with that money,” said Byvelds. 

The new Iroquois waste water treatment plant is expected to be commissioned within a couple of months.

Also, coming to council early in the new year, are plans for the expansion of the Williamsburg recreation building that will return library space to Williamsburg and also provide a useful facility for the community.

With 2014 being an election year, like most municipal politicians, Byvelds hopes for a ‘boring’ year, but he will not shy away from making decisions because of the looming election, which will take place in October.

“I know that any issues that are simmering won’t disappear, and when the time comes, we will deal with things the best we can.”

No matter the issue, Byvelds always adheres to the same process. “You listen, you learn, then you make the decision, and that in part is where your own philosophies come into play,” he explained.

“Most times, change is the biggest challenge, but change is inevitable. Change is challenging for me too, but I know that change has to be managed. It can’t be radical. It has to make sense. I don’t like change either, but globally it is something we need to deal with. If you do nothing, then you are going backwards, and I’m not prepared to do that.”

Even a tough open forum meeting in the fall where much of the public backlash over various issues was directed at Byvelds, has not swayed his philosophy.

Admittedly a tough experience, Byvelds still called the process a useful one, as people had the opportunity to voice their opinions. 

“In an election year, my role is to lead properly,” said Byvelds. “I need to demonstrate leadership, showing the community what it takes to run a municipality from the mayor’s chair.”

He sees 2014 as a year to settle down, get things wrapped up and put South Dundas in a position to allow its new council to pick up the ball and make the decisions going forward.

Byvelds would not divulge his intentions for the 2014 election. He plans to make his intentions known in late summer. His only prediction for the new year, was that South Dundas residents will see a zero or very modest tax increase in 2014. 

The budgeting process will take place earlier in 2014 than it has in the past, a change that Byvelds has been eager to see. 

At this point he is focusing on the roads system. “We are a rural municipality and roads are important,” said Byvelds. “I would rather spend money on roads wisely, making things last beyond their useful life than ignore them.”

“Provincial funding has dried up, so how we manage our own affairs is very important,” he said. 

[…]