News

 

More than 160 children and their parents and grandparents came out to enjoy all the fun at the Iroquois Legion on Thursday, November 21. The star of the  party was undoubtedly the Jolly Old Elf, Santa Claus himself, who popped in from the North Pole. 

The Christmas party was sponsored by the Iroquois & District Business Group.

With goodie bags donated by the Iroquois-Matilda Lions and Doug Byers,  and wrapped by Elf Jim Mustard, and a hot dogs/chili dinner organized by Iroquois Public School Parents Council, no one went home hungry.  Ontario Early Years crafts tables and OPP escorted hay wagon rides from Donald Barkley just added to the fun. 

“Nice to see the community getting into the spirit of Christmas,” said Tracey Stewart, secretary of the Business Association.

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B. McNairn-Leader Staff

MORRISBURG–Business partners Bill Dennis and Cindy Lamothe have dropped anchor in Morrisburg and will be opening their new business, Bite me, Bait and Tackle in the Pinkus Shopping Plaza this coming Sunday, December 1.

Bite Me, Bait and Tackle is an extension of Bill’s manufacturing business, Jiggernaut Tackle which he and his wife Claudette have owned and operated in their Cornwall home for 34 years. In an effort to separate their home-based manufacturing business from their home life, the couple purchased a home and have lived in Morrisburg for the past year.

Soon after they arrived in Morrisburg, it became obvious to Bill and Claudette that there was one retail store that was missing….that being something for the local fishermen. And that’s where business partner Cindy Lamothe and her husband Dan entered the picture.

The Lamothes know Bill and Claudette as Dan works for Jiggernaut Tackle as an assembler. As sometimes happens they learned of each other’s interest in opening a retail store and that is how Bite Me, Bait and Tackle got its first bite.

Bill and Claudette first got involved in the fishing accessories/ tackle industry when, “I got tired of buying stuff that was made in China, that just kept falling apart,” says Bill. “So I started making my own stuff.”

Jiggernaut started slowly with the couple making their products and selling them out of their home. “Then we started going out and marketing ourselves,” says Claudette. “And now we sell to Walmart, Canadian Tire and Bass Pro Shops etc. We started out as a simple little business, and every year we grew and grew.”

Jiggernaut manufactures everything from worm harnesses to floating harnesses, Cornwall spinners to bottom huggers.

It’s been a busy 34 years, growing and expanding the business, and now comes the next big step…setting up a retail location.

“Dan and I have wanted to open a bait and tackle shop for years,” says Cindy. “So when we learned that Bill and Claudette were considering something in Morrisburg, we were on board.”

The Lamothes live in Ingleside and Cindy works in Cornwall, so while Bite Me, Bait and Tackle gets going the four plan to divide their time at the store. “We’ll all be sharing the time, our weekends are going to be busy for sure,” says Cindy.

Bite Me, Bait and Tackle is of course stocked with Jiggernaut Tackle products along with other well-known product lines. They will be retailing rods and reels, live bait, ice fishing gear and clothing.

The plan is to slowly grow the business by adding new products with the long-term goal to offer hunting supplies and clothing.

“We hope to sell licences as well,” says Bill. “Hopefully by spring.”.

“We are in a very popular fishing area,” says Bill. “There are plenty of activities and more tournaments all the time. We’ll be able to help people, show them how to fish and what products they should be buying along with how to use them.”

With several weeks of setting shop now behind them, Bite Me Bait and Tackle is excited to be opening in time for the Christmas gift season. With their knowledge of their products, they will be able to help all gift buyers ….even those who don’t fish, but are shopping for the fish enthusiast in the family.

Claudette points out, “we ordered 1,000 display hooks and ran out fairly quickly, so people should be able to find what they want with us. We will have a big assortment at a variety of prices. We will definitely be affordable for everyone.”

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Sadie-Five-year-old gorgeous Black Lab mix, not spayed. Happy gal. Indoor/outdoor dog. Really friendly. Adores people and can't wiggle her bum enough when greeting someone. Ready to make someone a loving companion. Sadie is this dog's forever name.

 

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Grants aimed at helping municipalities safeguard its drinking water sources were announced November 1 by the Ontario government.

South Dundas is among the 189 municipalities eligible for grants ranging from $18,000 to $100,000. 

These funds relate to source protection plans.

Drinking water source protection planning was a recommendation of the O’Connor inquiry into the Walkerton tragedy. 

Seven people died and more than 2,000 became sick after consuming contaminated drinking water in the Town of Walkerton, in 2000.

“Guarding against threats to our drinking water supplies is the purpose of source protection. With the help of our many partners on local Source Protection Committees, we are completing source-to-tap drinking water protection,” said Jim Bradley Minister of Environment.

The funding notice was unexpected. 

South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald notified council of the fundng announcement at the November 19 meeting.

“We’ve been offered $63,000 and we’re going to take it,” said McDonald. That amount includes a $15,000 incentive which is available to municipalities that work together to implement source protection plans. 

McDonald plans to meet with South Dundas’ source protection people for recommendations on how the money should be spent.

Funds can only be used to offset costs the municipality will incur in order to fulfil its duty to ensure drinking water threats are managed as specified in source protection plans.

Eligible costs include risk management, expenses municipalities incur in order to change land-use planning policies to prohibit or reduce activities that pose a significant drinking water threat, community education and outreach, and other activities that align with the collection of data under the Clean Water Act.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds pointed out that South Dundas is in a fortunate position of having few significant threats to its drinking water source, however, welcomed the funding.

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SDG – Over $4,700 in monetary and gift card donations to area food banks were collected by the SD&G OPP Auxiliary in this year’s Stuff a Cruiser event.

That money for the food banks was in addition to the over 15,000 pounds of food items that are now on shelves at the Dundas County Food Bank, Naomi’s Family Resource Centre and Cornwall area food banks.

The seven events at grocery stores across SD&G were held to support each store’s food bank of choice.

The results of the annual food drive, organized and hosted by the SDG OPP Auxiliary, far exceeded expectations.

“This is just another example of the generosity that the communities of SD&G have by pulling together to help people in need,” said Auxiliary Staff Sgt. Al Jodoin.

The Dundas County Food Bank received over $1,400 in monetary and gift card donations and  approximately 4,000 pounds of food items.

Holiday food drives are essential to the food bank as it re-stocks its shelves for the winter. Winter is always a time of increased need. 

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This year’s Flash A Stache fundraising campaign culminates this Friday, November 29, with a special event at the Winchester Arena.

The evening starts with an Ottawa Senators Alumni vs. Winchester Hawks Alumni hockey game starting at 8 p.m. 

Following the game, there will be a reception upstairs for moustache judging. There the top fund raisers will be recognized.

As of press time, just over $26,000 has been raised for the 2013 edition of Dare to Flash A ‘Stache. 

Funds from this year’s event will be divided between the WDMH Foundation and the Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s support for Dr. Anthony Bella’s Men’s Health Research Project.

Dr. Bella himself will be participating in the hockey game with the Ottawa Senators Alumni.

The Ottawa Senator Alumni Team is also expected to include: Fred Barrett (Minnesota North Stars), John Barrett (Detroit Red Wings), Kevin Kemp (Toronto Maple Leafs), Jean Payette (Quebec Nordiques), Larry Skinner (Colorado Rockies), Shawn Rivers (Tampa Bay Lightning), Chris Valentine (Washington Capitals), Dan Frawley (Pittsburgh Penguins), Moe Robinson (Nova Scotia Voyageurs (AHL), Montreal Canadiens) Mark Cavallin-G (Canadian National Team), Mark Reed (Assistant Coach Senators), Jason Smith (Ottawa Senators).

The final roster and numbers for the Hawks are as follows: Coaches – Bill Hogaboam and Al VanBridger, Kevin Baldwin, Terry Carkner, Dolton Henry, Clinton Holmes, Travis Rowe, Marty Little, Terry Barkley, Todd Marcellus, Nik Paas, Robyn Sadler, Rob Raistrick, Shawn Smail, Colin Bowie, Warren Holmes, Dereck Holmes and Dave Summers.

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South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services is proactive when it comes to ensuring its residents are protected with a proper working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

SDFES runs a program, whereby its members go door-to-door visiting homes in South Dundas to test smoke detectors, to help homeowners/tenants ensure that they are properly located within the home, to provide new batteries, and if needed to provide homeowners, one time, with a free smoke alarm. 

They too inspect carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are installed properly in an optimum location, and are in working condition. These have been mandatory in South Dundas since 2011, in any home with a fuel fired appliance or an attached garage.

Fire chief Chris McDonough explained that this ongoing program has never been about fining people for non-compliance. It is about ensuing that they are properly alarmed, which is an essential, life-saving, first line of defence in an emergency.

So far this year, South Dundas firefighters have visited 170 homes. 

“It is a very successful program,” said McDonough, adding that the homeowners are very receptive to it and that the firefighters love helping out their friends and neighbours with important advice.

“This is a hugely important program,” said McDonough, adding that the winter and the holiday season is the highest risk time for fires, especially in single family dwellings. 

Since the inception of the alarm program, the number of residential fires in South Dundas has decreased.

Each year, Union Gas searches out worthy community programs and provides them with grants in support of their efforts.

They selected the SDFES Alarm Program as one of those worthy community initiatives, providing it with a $2,000 grant. 

“As a company, our focus on safety doesn’t end with the work day. We believe in investing in programs that will help make our communities safter 24/7,” said Jake Lapierre of Union Gas. 

“South Dundas Fire and Emergency Servicdes continues to actively promote fire safety throughout the community with the door-to-door campaign. We are very pleased to receive this generous donation from Union Gas,” said Chief McDonough.

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While South Dundas council was interested in expanding the area leased from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, which owns the parkland at Iroquois Point – the landowners were not.

Earlier this month, when council was looking at some minor changes to a land lease they hold with the SLMC, the idea of leasing all of the parkland was suggested.

The thinking, for council was to eliminate a level of bureaucracy for those wanting to use the parkland for events. 

The SLMC was not interested in the proposal.

Instead the only changes will be to identify the Municipality of South Dundas, rather than the former Matilda Township, as the leaseholder. South Dundas will hold the lease only on the picnic shelter, band shell and monument areas of the Iroquois point parkland.

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The upheaval on Morrisburg streets is about to come to an end.

Much construction related to a few different sewer projects in the works has kept those travelling in Morrisburg guessing about which routes were open to travel on a daily basis, but most of those projects are coming to an end this week.

Tuesday, Chris Bazinet, South Dundas manager of public works told The Leader that this week grade crews will be at the Lakeshore Drive project to put down a lift of asphalt on the eastern part of the project, which is from Augusta Street to Canada Way. The western part of the Lakeshore project, which is west of Augusta Street will remain gravel over the winter, because crews will be back in the spring to complete the redesigned storm sewer component of the project. Spring is when property rehabilitation will take place.

All of the planned work on the water and sewer infrastructure is being completed now.

The cost of the Lakeshore sewer work was covered by government funding as long as it was completed before March 2014. “So we are ahead of time for the funding,” said Bazinet.

The project also stayed within budget. He reported that they did discover some old infrastructure that they hadn’t planned on, but they were able to address it with the funds available to the project.

The Lakeshore Drive area will soon be open to two lane traffic. 

By the end of December the other  nearby sewer work project which has been taking place in the First, Second, High and St. Lawrence Street areas will also be finishing. Any leftover cleanup work from these projects will wait until spring.

Throughout the projects, Bazinet says that the municipality received minimal complaints and that residents were very respectful of the work taking place. During the project there was a pipe failure that led to a sewer back up that affected four homes.

Another sewer-related project, the sewer re-lining work that has been taking place over the summer also wrapped up, having been completed last week. 

“We did do a lot of work that focused on a major portion of infrastructure, all during the same season,” said Bazinet.

Construction on the new waste water treatment plant in Iroquois has been ongoing. Completion of that project and its commissioning is expected in February, 2014.

Going forward, Bazinet says the next major step to addressing sewer issues is to get a sewer use bylaw in place to reduce the load on the waste water treatment plants in both Iroquois and Morrisburg. 

Flow and smoke testing data will soon be reported to the department, allowing them to determine where problem areas for inflow and infiltration into the sanitary sewers exist. 

Having seen some improper connections into the system during the recent sewer projects, it is clear that these connections exist, but the municipality will have to find a way to deal with these issues, over time, that are overtaxing the sewer system.

Bazinet explained that storm water needs to go into the storm water system, not the sanitary sewer. The problem with these improper connections are especially evident during a heavy rainfall event.

Bazinet explained that the Morrisburg waste water treatment plant regularly handles about 3,500 cubic meters a day. During a heavy rainfall event this summer the plant saw 15,000 cubic meters, which is very close to the plant’s limit of 16,000 cubic meters.

“Clearly, we need to find a way to reduce the volume to the plant,” he said.

A draft sewer use bylaw is being reviewed by council. Once they approve the draft, it will move to the public consultation phase.

[…]

Cruickshank, a construction company founded, and still located in Morrisburg,  has been named as one of Canada’s Safest Employers by Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine, winning gold in the Building and Construction category. 

The national award, which is based on health and safety statistics and innovative practices, was presented to the company at a gala on October 30th in Toronto, Ontario.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be recognized for our commitment to best practices,” says Cruickshank CEO Steve Cruickshank. 

“Employee safety is number one at Cruickshank – and a core component of our success.” The company has developed a number of initiatives, including safety representatives at each job site, daily safety meetings, annual Safety Days, ongoing training and a Joint Health and Safety Committee.

Launched in 2011, Canada’s Safest Employers awards recognize Canadian companies with outstanding accomplishments in promoting the health and safety of their workers. 

This year, 24 employers were recognized in 11 categories. “Canada’s Safest Employers awards recognize companies from across Canada that are raising the bar in occupational health and safety,” said Amanda Silliker, editor of Canadian Occupational Safety magazine. “These awards allow us to shine a light on the companies that are leading the way in safety excellence, and hopefully inspire others to follow their example.”

Since 1956, Cruickshank has lived by the company motto “we do our level best” – driving ingenuity in road, bridge and infrastructure construction services with an engaged team and leading edge tools to get the job right – every time.

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