News

 

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is urging people to exercise extreme care around Ontario waterways this Labour Day long weekend, particularly on rivers and lakes near hydroelectric stations and dams. 

For many people, the Labour Day weekend is the final opportunity of the season to enjoy a boat ride or swim.  This year, cold, wet weather in much of the province has resulted in water levels and flows that are higher than average in many waterways. While it is wise to use extra caution in the water under such conditions, it is especially important at any time of the year when near hydroelectric dams and stations. Water conditions may appear to be safe, but, as the new OPG television ad says, “The Danger is Real” near a hydro station, no matter what it seems. OPG is urging people to stay clear and stay safe of hydroelectric facilities at all times of the year.

Most hydroelectric facilities are remotely controlled by operators located many kilometres away. They may open dams and start and stop generators many times throughout the day. This causes numerous and rapid changes in the water levels and flows. These changing conditions produce powerful gushes of water that create strong undertows. While the water may look calm on the surface, down below, it is extremely turbulent and very dangerous.

The Ontario Provincial Police and Ontario Power Generation have partnered to bring a new public service announcement (PSA) to warn people of the dangers near hydroelectric dams and stations.  Visit www.opg.com/watersafety to watch, “The Danger is Real”, and to see other unique online resources that will help you and your family stay safe this fall and all year long.

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With the last of the summer long weekends only days away, the Ontario Provincial Police are giving advance notice that they will be honing in on distracted drivers as part of the heightened enforcement they have planned over the Labor Day weekend.     

With kids heading back to school next week, distracted driving is of particular concern to the OPP as distraction-related collision fatalities in OPP jurisdiction continue to surpass impaired driving-related deaths this year.  According to the OPP, everyone travelling on roads and highways should be equally concerned about this alarming trend.

“Most people would not get into a vehicle with an impaired driver and they are at as much risk in the presence of a distracted driver as an impaired driver,” says Chief Superintendent Don Bell, Commander of the OPP Highway Safety Division.  “If drivers do not have the good sense to stop this dangerous behaviour on their own, I encourage passengers to take responsibility for their own safety by speaking up.  If you are a passenger in a vehicle and the driver is not completely focused on driving, is talking on a cell phone or even worse – texting, remind them that they are endangering your life and that you want them to stop,” added Bell.

“So far this year, 47 of the 177 people killed in motor vehicle collisions in OPP jurisdiction involved distracted driving, compared to 32 impaired driving-related collision deaths,” said Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support.  “Our statistics make it clear beyond a doubt that road users need to pay greater attention to this problem and get on board with our efforts to stop it rather than wait for a devastating tragedy to occur,” added Beechey. 

Speeding and other aggressive driving behaviour, impaired driving and seat belt compliance will also be on the OPP’s radar over the long weekend.  Boaters and off-road vehicle (ORV) users should also be prepared to see a strong OPP presence on waterways and trails, with ORV fatalities up 80 per cent and marine fatalities up more than 15 per cent this year.

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Four months from the time that construction begins, MacEwen Petroleum Inc. expects to be opening the doors to the redevelopment taking place at the corner of County Roads 2 and 31 in Morrisburg.

Although not ready to release full details about what MacEwen has planned for the site,  Allan MacEwen, company president, confirmed that the new location will include a gas bar, fast food outlet, convenience store, and touchless carwash.

Once the new property is ready, the existing MacEwen, location, which includes a McDonald’s Restaurant, will close. He said that the property will either be redeveloped or sold.

MacEwen would not discuss details regarding the McDonald’s.

Plans are to start construction this fall. “We won’t open the doors until the pavement is done,” said MacEwen, who expects the re-development to be complete in the new year.

“We are really looking forward to this better location,” said MacEwen. “It has good access, puts us closer to traffic from the 401 and will really improve the looks of that corner.”

“We love having a site in Morrisburg.”

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MORRISBURG – Happy Face Nursery School is patiently waiting to gain occupancy status to the two classrooms at Morrisburg Public School that will be home to their new Morrisburg location.

“Construction is a bit behind schedule,” said Cheryl Firlotte, executive director with Happy Face Nursery School and Child Care.

Although they were hoping to be ready to open September 3, Firlotte now hopes that they will be able to open by mid September.

“Morrisburg is a priority for Happy Face and for the Ministry,” said Firlotte.

“This centre, here in Morrisburg, is going to be a really nice centre,” she said. Happy Face will be operating six centres in SD&G once this Morrisburg centre is opened this fall. 

Community need is what brings Happy Face to Morrisburg. 

“There is really nothing like this available in the area,” said Firlotte. “This area has been identified as needing child care for some time.”

The Morrisburg location is a day care facility. This new location is a partnership between Happy Face, the Upper Canada District School Board and Cornwall Child Care Services.  

Happy Face at Morrisburg Public School will have room to accommodate 15 children in the toddler program and 16 children in the pre-school program. Toddlers are aged 18-30 months and pre-schoolers are 30 months to kindergarten age. 

“Response, so far, has been fantastic,” said Firlotte. When it was announced earlier this year that Happy Face was coming to Morrisburg, about 50 per cent of the available spaces filled up right away. They are holding a registration night August 29, 4-7 p.m. at Morrisburg Public School. 

Happy Face follows the Ontario Early Learning Framework of play-based learning with literacy and numeracy embedded in the every day curriculum. 

The Morrisburg location will be staffed by four qualified early childhood educators.

The facility will feature two classrooms, a kitchen, office and storage space. Each room has its own washroom and there are two outdoor fenced yards, one for each age group for outdoor play.

The site will be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Meals and snacks are provided. The cost is $32 or $35 per day, depending on the age of the child, with subsidies available.

“This will definitely fill a real need in this community,” said Firlotte.

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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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While a grand opening celebration of the South Dundas Municipal Centre is not expected to take place until the entire project is complete, the mayor did have some comments as South Dundas staff moved into the new municipal headquarters this week.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds is impressed with the completed second and third floors of the building. “It’s great,” said Byvelds. “There is lots of space and the new council chambers will provide enough space, even for the meetings with challenging issues.”

“The staff floor is laid out well and I am sure they will be happy with their new surroundings.”

“I believe the best thing about this project will be the collaboration of the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic and the SDG Library all in one location,” said Byvelds.

Byvelds also noted the importance of using this historic building that will serve the community well for generations to come.

He admires how in Europe heritage buildings are looked after, and even after WWII were rebuilt into places that are functional, to keep the past in mind. This is something that Byvelds believes this project has accomplished.

The mayor is pleased with the contractors on the project, RJ Bourgon, through Chris Markell. 

“They have done a great job of staying within budget, with the exception of a few minor changes we asked for, and they have kept the schedule tight,” said Byvelds. 

“In the end, I believe we will have restored an old building to its former glory and made use of space that is needed in our community,” he concluded.

The second and third floors of the South Dundas Municipal Centre opened for municipal business Wednesday morning.

The elevator is not yet in service, so those attending the building are asked to use the south entrance until further notice. For those unable to access the second floor without the elevator, service will be provided on the first floor, according to the CAO. 

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Here, this morning, August 28, at 8:30 a.m., South Dundas officially opened for business in the municipality’s new headquarters, the South Dundas Municipal Centre.

While the $4.1 million renovation project to refit the old Morrisburg High School, that broke ground December 6, 2012, is not yet complete, the second and third floors of the building, are ready to welcome its first new tenants.

The second and third floors are the domain of the municipality. 

Only days before the municipality moved in, reporters were allowed to tour the facility. 

The most striking features of the building, and the thing that many of those who will work there like best, is the many large windows that give the building a bright, airy atmosphere. Not only do they provide a great view overlooking surrounding Morrisburg, they fill the building with beautiful daylight and they can be opened too.

Those who visit the South Dundas Municipal Centre for municipal business will enter go to the second floor where they will be greeted by South Dundas’ administrative staff, at their new counter that opens into the large administrative area. 

The administrative offices, like all of the offices in the building are grouped together with other offices in areas that they are calling pods. The administrative pod includes the treasurer’s office and the clerk’s office.

According to staff, the administrative space is similar in size to that in Williamsburg, but the layout has been much improved for better efficiency. 

Another pod includes the planning and public works pod which includes offices for planning and building staff along with public works manager. This pod includes a common work area and three offices, each about 110 square feet in size.

Another pod features a meeting room and offices for the fire chief, economic development officer and manager of recreation programming. For the first time, these managers will all be under the same roof. 

At the far end of the hall is the chief administrative officer’s office which includes some extra administrative space and an extra office.

There are enough offices for all South Dundas office staff, and some room for growth in the new building.

The second floor has two meeting rooms, and an archive room for records currently in use by staff.

The third floor is where South Dundas council will meet. Council chambers, with a small caucus room and an office for the use of the mayor and council fill the east side of the third floor and the west side is a large recreation area, that will house some of the recreation programming activities that South Dundas offers. 

The old wooden front door, is being replaced with glass to preserve some of the look and character of the 1925 building.

Once paving is complete, there will be about 100 parking spaces available at the SDMC. The front lot alone has parking for 40. The paving is being done in two sections to allow the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic to remain open for regular hours throughout the construction process.

The next step will be completion of the first floor of the building, the new home of the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic. The clinic plans to be in that space early next month. 

Once the first floor is complete, the renovation project then shifts to the existing St. Lawrence Medical Clinic space. Part of that will be retained for SLMC for administrative purposes, but part of the building will become the home of the new Morrisburg branch of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Library. 

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Information on bussing for the upcoming school year is just a click or a phone call away, for parents and students in Eastern Ontario.

Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario is the transportation consortium for the CDSBEO and the UCDSB. GM and CAO, Ron Cotnam, said, “STEO has developed a web site where parents and students can access important information including pickup locations and the name of the contractor serving their area.”

Parents and students can visit the STEO web site at www.steo.ca. Parents can then click on the “Find My Bus Stop” button and fill in the required fields to access individual bussing information such as pickup location and times.

The site also offers information on school locations, guidelines for parents, bus cancellations, contractor information, bell times, and frequently asked questions. STEO will also make it easier for parents and students to check on transportation information by maintaining a special bussing hotline. The number 1-866-895-8480 is active until September 30th.

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Parents frantically shopping for pens, pencils, binders, back-to-school clothing and other supplies are reminded that the Upper Canada District School Board protects them from unwarranted school fees.

Under terms of Policy 452, passed in March 2012, the Board guarantees that all students have the right to attend school without payment of fees for essential learning materials, supplies, activities and textbooks. The policy applies to essential supplies required to meet the terms of the curriculum, and not materials for enhanced programs or optional programs and activities.

“The Board passed the policy last year because we believe that all our students – whatever their economic circumstances – have the right to attend school without their families having to worry about paying for materials essential to their learning,” said Director David K. Thomas, August 13. “Returning to school is a cause for celebration. It should not be a financial burden on any family.”

This means the Board will provide items such as textbooks, workbooks, and science supplies, offering parents some financial relief at a time that for many is already straining their pocketbooks, said Thomas. 

Materials used to supplement a student’s educational experience and that are not required under the core curriculum – such as expenses for yearbooks, graduation gowns, optional field trips not curricular in nature, school dances, and student recognition programs – may be subject to fees.   

Under the policy, schools are prohibited from charging:

• Registration or administrative fees for regular day school programming;

• Fees for guest speakers or presentations where material presented is a mandatory element of the subject or course;

• Extra charges for learning materials necessary for completion of the curriculum such as science supplies, lab material kits and safety goggles; and

• Fees for learning materials funded through the allocated budget of a school board and which are necessary to meet learning expectations such as computers, workbooks, textbooks, and staff development and training costs.  

Additional fees may be charged to a student if a school community wishes to offer programming and materials “beyond what is necessary to meet the learning expectations of a particular grade or course.” 

For instance, if a student is building a bench in woodworking class, and wants to use a specialized wood not supplied in the course, the student may be charged for it. However, for those students who wish to build the same bench as part of the curriculum expectations, the Board must provide necessary materials to ensure they can complete the project. 

Examples of when fees can be charged include when an activity, material, course or program is:

• Not required as part of the regular day school program;

• Voluntary, and alternatives are offered;

• Non-essential or extracurricular in nature and is not required for graduation by an individual student; or

• A voluntary upgrade or substitute of a more costly material to the material provided for course purposes. 

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Local members and supporters of the Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry Federal Liberal Association enjoyed an afternoon of family entertainment at the Lost Villages Museum on Saturday, August 17th.  

“The weather was perfect; it was a great day for Liberals”, said Del Jones, President. 

The only challenge for the association was feeding the large crowd. 

Organizers had planned on an attendance of 150-200 but the caterers estimated that close to 400 were served.  

“We were a little overwhelmed by the numbers and realized early that we were going to have to shop for more food. That was a problem that we did not mind having.” said Jones.

 Liberals had the opportunity to hear encouraging words from Ottawa-Vanier MP, Mauril Bélanger, former Kingston and the Islands MP and long-serving Speaker of the House, Peter Milliken as well as former SDSG MPP, Jim Brownell.

Belanger reinforced the importance of Liberal supporters getting involved as volunteers and making regular financial contributions. He pointed out that between April and June more Canadians donated to the Liberal Party than any other party, but the Conservative Party raised almost twice as much. 

Jones challenged local Liberals to get involved as volunteers and sign up for the Victory Fund. “There is a 75 percent tax credit for contributions on donations of $10/month which means it only costs donors $2.50/month – less than ten cents per day to support the Liberal Party.  

“Justin Trudeau has strong support across Canada but it will take hard work and financial support in every riding to restore a progressive Liberal government in Ottawa,” he said.

The barbecue was free to members, supporters and their friends. 

Anyone interested in becoming a member, or donating to the Liberal Party should go to the Liberal Party website www.liberal.ca or contact Del Jones at del_jones@sympatico.ca.

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