News

Guy Lauzon, MP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, rocked the house last Thursday (February 21) when he announced the Government of Canada was providing up to $31,650 to the Morrisburg Curling Club for building upgrades.

The successful funding application to the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund was primarily to put a wheelchair accessible washroom in the upstairs club level, explained a very pleased club president, Mahlon Locke. 

Locke says, the club is also planning to add an exterior handicap ramp and automatic door on the front entrance and to do some kitchen upgrades.

Lauzon made the presentation on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

“Once again this is another example of how we are showing our support for local infrastructure right here in our community,” said Lauzon who was greeted by the club’s Thursday morning mixed league curlers.

This is an investment in the furture for infrastructure, Lauzon told the curlers.  “Maybe all of us can get together in 10-15 years to reminisce about this day.”

In reply, one curler humorously accepted the invitation claiming he would “be able to use the wheelchair ramp.”

“Your help is greatly appreciated,” said Locke who explained the majority of the club membership is senior age, “although we do have 18 Little Rocks playing.”

The club held a formal information meeting concerning the renovations two weeks ago, with about 20 members in attendance.

According to Locke, the option being considered is a relocation of the current bar to a little used open space near the kitchen.

This would open up the current recessed bar and storeroom area for the new washroom. The current washrooms are located in the club’s basement at the bottom of a long set of steps.

In the last few years, the club has made steady improvements to the 60 year old building and upgraded equipment.”

“Every year, we have picked away at it a bit, and the ladies in the club have done a great job brightening up the main clubroom.”

“Our goal is to rent the facility out during the season and during the off-season. We will be the only small venue in the area with a handicap accessible facility.”

Locke hopes to have the plans finalized soon and to be ready for an April 15 start-up date.

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The Winchester District Memorial Hospital Board of Directors is planning for the future and is asking local community members to participate.

A short, online survey has been posted on the front page of the WDMH website at www.wdmh.on.ca. The deadline for responses is March 15, 2013.

“WDMH has established a vision to be a Centre of Excellence for Rural Health and Education. We are developing a five-year plan to ensure that this vision aligns with the evolving needs of the rural populations that we serve,” explains Lisa Little, Board Chair. “We want to hear from our local communities and hope everyone will take the time to complete the survey.”

The Centre of Excellence for Rural Health and Education is a collaborative brings together the hospital, physicians, a nursing home and community services. The Centre also includes education and research initiatives that drive quality and excellence.

Please watch for future Strategic Planning updates on the WDMH website at www.wdmh.on.ca

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An important fund raiser is being held at the Matilda Hall on April 6 for Mark, Lisa, Brody and Brett Froats, whose lives changed dramatically last fall.

Brody, who recently celebrated his 17th birthday, was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a debilitating disease that has caused obesity, severe muscle atrophy and heart and respiratory problems. It is no longer possible for Brody to be cared for at home. His condition has deteriorated, and he must be hospitalized and cared for day-to-day.

Lisa, Brody’s mother, is fighting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She just completed six months of chemotherapy, and still faces a CT Scan, a PET Scan and Bone Marrow biopsy. She is with Brody on the days she feels well enough, staying over in the city. 

Brett Froats, nine, remains at home to attend school during the week.

Father Mark Froats is self-employed, but has been unable to work since Brody was admitted to the hospital. Mark must be involved in his son’s care 24/7, costing the family their sole provider, a situation that will continue for an unknown length of time. Family and friends help the Froats’ out as much as possible, but expenses keep mounting and are never-ending.

The Matilda Hall Fund Raiser on April 6, is an organized community event run through the combined efforts of the Morrisburg and District, Iroquois-Matilda, Finch, Chesterville and Winchester Lions clubs. 

The fund raiser will feature a Car Rally, and later a roast beef dinner prepared and catered by local caterer, Gayle Hart. (Dinners must be reserved in advance. Call Kelly deDekker at 613-535-1424 for tickets.)

Several local bands and a professional Elvis Impersonator will provide lots of entertainment  at the Hall during the afternoon and evening, with the cost of admission a donation of your choice to the cause. The day will end with an enjoyable dance. 

Master of Ceremonies for the special day will be small business owner, Oddfellow member and devoted community volunteer, David Lapier. The Williamsburg Independent Order of Oddfellows will operate the cash bar.

The Pulling Together Team has begun canvassing for donation items for both a silent and a live auction. Well known auctioneer, Hugh Fawcett, will auction the larger items. This should be a very exciting part of the day.

Mark Saturday, April 6, on your calendar, and support this important fund raiser for the entire Froats family. 

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The South Dundas-owned Williamsburg forest, commonly referred to as ‘The 400’, has formally been turned over to the South Nation Conservation Authority. 

Council passed a resolution approving the land transfer of the 400 acre parcel at the February 19 meeting.

South Dundas set out a list of conditions for the transfer that SNC willingly met, therefore council had no qualms about approving the agreement.

Under the agreement with South Dundas, SNC will manage current recreational uses, including hunting, and will meet with local residents to determine interest in establishing a local citizen’s committee to help guide the management and use of the forest.

SNC will cover all costs associated with the land transfer and prepare a forest management plan.

If the land ever becomes surplus to SNC’s needs, it will be returned to South Dundas.

South Dundas staff did explore the possibility of the municipality retaining the land and participating in the establishment of  a ‘friends of the 400’ organization. 

Liability was a concern if South Dundas retained the land.

“The township insurance premium will not increase if the land is used. However, under the Joint & Several Liability Law, the township only has to be one per cent negligent to pay 100 per cent of the loss,” said South Dundas clerk Brenda Brunt in a report to council.

Council unanimously agreed that the transferring the land to SNC was the better of the two options.

Although council has approved the transfer, South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds reminded everyone that it will still be some time before the entire process in finalized. “This won’t happen overnight,” he said.

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South Dundas council has entered into a long term lease agreement with the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic for its new location in Iroquois, which will be in the former St. Cecilia school.

That agreement and the renovation contract with CIBS Construction were both approved by South Dundas council at the February 19 meeting.

CIBS is being retained as project managers and have guaranteed that the maximum cost of the retrofit of the building for the clinic will be $755,000. CIBS will solicit, receive and review quotes from contractors and select the successful bidder for the project. 

It is estimated that the entire cost of the project, including the purchase price of the building and associated fees will be $938,000. 

Monthly rent of $543 will be paid to the township by the SLMC until the renovations are complete. Once the total costs of the project are known, the township will finance the total cost over 20 years with the SLMC being responsible for the annual principle and interest amount.

Because the SLMC is responsible for all cost, extras and overages, associated with this project, with no impact on township ratepayers, strict adherence to the township’s procurement policy was not necessary, according to South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald.

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Door-knocking is one area where the SD&G OPP have had a lot of success over the past year.

OPP Sgt. Brent Mattice explained to South Dundas council at the February 19 meeting that door knocking is a process whereby police randomly knock on the door of a residence where one of its occupants is under release conditions.

Through this, police are able to determine whether the person is complying with the conditions of his/her release.

Although it does take time, Mattice reported that it is a worthy endeavour, which has resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals who were not complying with conditions.

“It’s a good process,” said Mattice. “The bad guys know that we (the OPP) are out there, we’re active and we’re checking on them.”

Calls for service

Mattice reported that although the local detachment is short-staffed, they have managed to handle the calls for service, even though the numbers have increased slightly over last year. 

South Dundas recorded the second highest number of calls for service of the six municipalities in the United Counties, according to Mattice. However, he added that the number of calls to each was very similar, with the exception of North Stormont.  

New tool at the disposal of OPP

The police services board has purchased a portable device that police can attach to a sign post to monitor traffic flow and speeds. 

“It should provide us with a lot of meaningful data,” said Mattice, explaining that with the use of this device they will be better able to identify problem areas in need of further enforcement.

Collisions rise

The number of traffic collisions has increased slightly from last year, but Sgt. Mattice reported the upside of the stat. “The number of fatalities has decreased,” said Mattice. Last year there were 10, this year six.

Traffic enforcement goal

Distracted drivers continue to be a key target for traffic enforcement for the OPP in SD&G and across the province.

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Firefighters had difficulty gaining access to a structure fire that was reported through a 911 call at 8:45 p.m. February 24.

The structure was located in a field about 400 feet south of the 401, in the vicinity of the extension of Muttonville Road. Firefighters from the Morrisburg station responded to the scene.

“Firefighters had to access the fire from the 401 with hose lines and equipment which made it difficult with the depth of snow to the structure,” reported Chris McDonough, fire chief for South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services. Firefighters from the Iroquois station were called in for additional manpower and tanker shuttle.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but it was deemed suspicious, according to McDonough. Damage is estimated at $10,000.

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Sheds, located right next to a Brinston Road home, were completely destroyed by fire February 21.

Quick action by firefighters who arrived on scene at 10:22 p.m., kept the fire from spreading to the house.

“Firefighters made an aggressive attack and managed to control the fire before any significant damage was made to the adjacent home,” said Chris McDonough, fire chief for South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services.

When firefighters from the Iroquois Fire Station arrived on scene the two sheds were fully involved and flames were exposed to the house, reported McDonough.  

“It was an excellent save for us and the homeowner,” he said.

An additional tanker from the Morrisburg station was also called to the scene.

The fire is thought to have been caused by a wood stove in one of the two sheds. 

Damage is estimated at about $18,000; $10,000 for the buildings and $8,000 for contents.

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South Dundas council cost taxpayers less in 2012 than it has in the last five years.

According to the South Dundas council remuneration and expense report for 2012, released last week by South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty, council cost taxpayers $91,510 in 2012. 

That number includes each council member’s honourarium, remuneration for meetings attended, mileage claims and conference/trade show expenses.  

That’s more than $16,000 less than 2011, and the lowest number since 2006, when it was $84,000.

Each member of council’s honouraium increased three percent from 2011, but they all claimed remuneration for fewer meetings than the previous year, and claimed fewer expenses from conferences and trade shows.

“Council only went to a maximum of two conferences in 2012,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds of the savings. 

“In 2011, it was felt that since most of council was new, we all would have an opportunity to attend ROMA, AMO and OEMC and this added to the total cost.”

“Council is always aware of council remuneration and cost, however attending municipal conferences helps us to learn from others and have an opportunity to network with councillors from across Ontario,” he explained.

Byvelds and Locke have lower conference expenses as they can claim two conferences through SD&G as county council members.

Mayor Byvelds, who is paid the highest honourarium of all the council members ($20,617), was paid  a total of $25,217 in 2012. 

He reduced his meeting expenses by 22 per cent over the previous year and conference expenses by seven percent. 

Byvelds makes no mileage claims.

Although Deputy Mayor Jim Locke has the second highest honourarium ($14,434), two councillors were paid more in 2012 than he was. 

Locke was paid a total of $16,430 in 2012, $3,000 less than the year before. He claimed no mileage and no conference expenses in 2012, and reduced his meeting claims by 25 per cent.

Councillor Evonne Delegarde was paid $17,440 in 2012, almost $4,000 less than 2011. 

While her $11,340 honourarium was three percent higher than the previous year, like all council members, her remuneration for meetings was reduced by 20 per cent, her mileage by 38 per cent and her trade show expenses by almost 60 per cent.

Councillor Archie Mellan received over $4,000 less in 2012 than 2011. There was a six per cent decrease in his remuneration claims, 66 per cent reduction in mileage claims and 58 per cent reduction in conference expenses.

Councillor Jim Graham was paid $15,940 in 2012, more than $4,000 less than 2011. Hi remuneration for meetings decreased by three percent, mileage by 13 per cent and  conference expenses by almost 80 per cent.

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