News

 

A $25,000 suggestion nearly cost the West End Terrace a pavilion and shuffleboard area.

The subdivision agreement for the West End Terrace, a new 17 home subdivision slated for construction at the west end of Iroquois, was brought to South Dundas council at the April 23 special meeting in hopes of expediting the process to get the development started.

The park area of the subdivision was to include a pavilion and shuffleboard area rather than playground equipment as the single-level homes being constructed are ideally suited for seniors.

Township staff suggested that $25,000 be added to the subdivision agreement to help offset the future costs of maintaining the shuffleboard that would become township property upon completion of the development.

Swank, the developers, were not willing to pay the extra, and pulled the idea from the table. They instead opted leave the required amount of parkland vacant.

When council advised Ron Swank, who attended the meeting, that it would be two weeks until an amended agreement could be approved, Swank was angry about the two week delay, instigated by the municipality.

At the end of the meeting, council again discussed the subdivision agreement. 

They decided to eliminate the $25,000 township imposed charge so that the pavilion and shuffleboard could remain part of the development proposal. 

Council also gave the mayor the authority to sign the agreement to expedite the process.

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“There is something happening here,” said Margaret Lee, at a recent Iroquois and District Business Group open house.

The first open house that the organization has held attracted about 20 area business owners, including some new faces of some new businesses in the area.

Lee, who has a home-based business in Iroquois, has been here since 1965. She said, “There is a renewed zest here that I haven’t seen for a long time.”

“We really have a lot to offer here, people just aren’t aware of it,” said Candace Menges, president of the Iroquois and District Business Group.

She encouraged the business owners on hand to make an effort to know their neighbouring businesses and what they have to offer so they can inform their customers and keep the dollars being spent local.

The open house gave those on hand the opportunity to share with their peers the services they offer, and to talk about the new businesses coming to town such a the new ladies fashion boutique, and the businesses opening under new ownership, including a highly anticipated restaurant.

Dwight Saunders, of Aura, which has businesses in three Iroquois storefronts, shared that they bring about 100 people a week into the community, a number which impressed the event’s guest speaker South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

“We hosted this open house to encourage more business support,” said Menges. “We have good membership numbers, 21 last year, but require more physical support to accomplish our goals.”

They too were seeking input to set out goals for the group at large.

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Public information sessions about the pending consolidation of the Morrisburg and Williamsburg library branches at the Morrisburg location have been scheduled by the SD&G Library Board.

The board met April 25, at the Dalkeith Branch.

In response to the public outcry about the planned closure of the Williamsburg branch that will result from the consolidation, the Williamsburg meeting was scheduled, as promised at the previous board meeting in Chesterville.

The Williamsburg information session will take place May 9, 7 p.m. at the IOOF Hall in Williamsburg.

Another information session about the new branch in Morrisburg will take place May 16, at 7 p.m. The location of the meeting in Morrisburg has not yet been determined.

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The building that has long been called ‘The Old High School’ or the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute is going to need a new name.

“It would be appropriate for that building to have a name,” said South Dundas CAO Stephen McDonald at the April 16, South Dundas council meeting.

He asked council to give some consideration to potential names and provide them to South Dundas staff. “We are open to suggestions,” he told council.

According to McDonald, staff have discussed ideas about a new name for the building currently undergoing a $4 million renovation that will bring South Dundas administration, the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic’s Morrisburg location and the Morrisburg library branch together under the same roof.

Staff have been kicking around the idea of trying to incorporate the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute initials into the new name. Early suggestions have included Medical and Community Integrated Facility or Medical and Civic Integrated Facility.

After council input is provided to staff, a report will be prepared for discussion at a future council meeting.

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Forensics is a part of policing that was once relegated to the basements, garages and back rooms of stations across the province.

That is no longer the case.

April 17, a newly constructed 13,510 building was officially opened at Long Sault. This is the last of 13 forensic services facilities that have been constructed across the province. The new local facility, is a stand-alone building located across the street from the Long Sault OPP detachment.

On hand for the official opening ceremony were the OPP’s top cops, including OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis. The 100 invited guests included area dignitaries, media and retired members of the Ontario Provincial Police force.

“The proper collection, analysis and storage of physical evidence is essential to solving modern crime and keeping dangerous offenders off the street,” said Lewis.

OPP Forensic Identification Services are responsible for collecting physical evidence at crime scenes and storing it until trial.

Advances in forensics and its importance in prosecuting offenders now have the units operating in new buildings with advanced tools to analyze evidence and solve crimes. 

The building includes a lab area with three biohazard suites which are used to keep evidence related to the crime scene, the victim and the suspect separate.

A chemical room, photo studio, multimedia room, multi-function storage room are also included in the building. 

A bloodstain room provides space for investigators to conduct bloodstain pattern analysis. 

Most impressed by the new facility were the retired officers who remember the ‘old days of forensics’.

“You guys remember the days when body parts were stored in the same fridge as your lunch,” said Lewis to a crowd of retired officers nodding in agreement.

The Forensics unit at Long Sault is staffed by four constables and one sergeant. It is shared with the Belleville and Perth units.

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With roots grown through God’s love, Timothy Christian School (TCS) has kept strong for 50 years in Williamsburg. Grounded in its belief that every child deserves an education rooted in God’s word, TCS is launching its Spring Drive campaign to raise $50,000 – $1000 for every year of its 50 years of operation. 

Following 50 years of Transforming Lives – Building Up Faith, the board has developed a vision for TCS that it will remain an institution of Christian learning, with innovative educational programs, in a caring environment that meets the needs of young children from JK to Grade 8.

This month, TCS launched its $50,000 fundraising campaign, having already established two lead gifts, where $10,000 will be matched by the first 10 supporters who will donate $1,000 each, and $5,000, where this gift will be matched by the first supporter who will donate $5,000. 

This is the first time TCS has ever initiated a matching campaign of this size. For those wishing to donate a $1000 or $5000, their gift has the chance to be matched, doubling the impact of the gift.

Monies raised, in part, will fund the school’s operations and extras will be used for capital improvements. 

TCS has had novel approaches to teaching through exploring other cultures by taking children on school trips to the National Arts Centre, the Montreal Biodome, and Quebec City in an effort to teach this next generation of leaders a better global understanding of how people live and work in the world around them. 

“This is a celebration of 50 years of faith building, with God’s blessing, through our school children, staff, board, members and supporters,” says Brian Vandenberg, the school’s Treasurer. “This drive will support the various educational programs and enhance the facility.  Our graduates have gone on to influence and contribute to society in huge ways.”

“We are blessed to have such a wonderful place in this community where children can enjoy a Christian education, led by excellent staff,” says Gary Postma, who serves TCS as Principal. “Our goal is to help the children connect learning with their growing faith.”

More can be learned about Timothy Christian School by checking out the school’s website, or on Facebook, or by visiting the school on a Welcome Wednesday. 

There is no appointment necessary to meet the staff, see the facility and learn more about how faith is incorporated into everyday learning. 

 

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New, higher water and sewer rates will come into effect June 1, 2013.

South Dundas council gave their final bylaw approval to the rate increases at the April 16, South Dundas council meeting.

Once the new rates come into effect, the average household in Morrisburg can expect to see an increase of about 13 percent in their monthly water and sewer bill. The average household in Iroquois can expect to see an increase of about 21 percent.

The increases will help offset the current operating deficits resulting from decreased consumption and will help offset some of the anticipated cost increases associated with bringing the new Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant online.

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The Morrisburg and District Lions Club 2011 proposal to bring new finger docks to the Morrisburg waterfront will finally float this year.

South Dundas council gave final approval to the project that will see three 6 foot by 20 foot docks linked together to form a dock that is 60 feet long running parallel to the shoreline.

According to a report by South Dundas Economic Development officer Nicole Sullivan, the main section of the dock would be connected to the shore with a gangway and secured to a pre-existing cement pier located east of the dock and Lions Memorial Pavillion.

The Morrisburg Community Waterfront Committee approved the proposal in February. The vision for the Morrisburg waterfront identifies the need for additional docking space and this project addresses that need.

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Nugget–4-5 month old male husky/collie mix. 90 percent house-trained. Will need puppy shots and to be neutered. Very energetic, loving pup that will require exercise and puppy training.

 

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Effective June 30, this year, the Iroquois United Church, which is currently a one point charge, will become a two point charge when the congregation joins together with the Brinston-Hulbert United Church.

“Until then, everything will continue as is,” said Sandy Decker, who co-chairs the Iroquois United Church board with John Marston.

Once the parishes are united at the end of June, becoming the Iroquois-Matilda United Church, the plan is to continue to hold Sunday service in Iroquois weekly.

A second Sunday service will take place alternate weeks at the Brinston and Hulbert churches. Specific details about the timing of the services, and more, will be determined over the coming months.

Congregations of United Churches across the Seaway Valley Presbytery have been visioning the future of the churches. Part of that process has involved the churches entering into discussions with each other and planning their futures together.

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