News

 

Cruickshank is proud to named one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada, ranking 38th, based on a study conducted by Aon Hewitt, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing solutions organization. The competitive study, now in its 14th year, measures employee engagement through employee surveys and attracted over 150 submissions from organizations across the country.

“I’m thrilled and proud of our employees, who are the reason we’ve been honoured with this recognition, says company CEO Steve Cruickshank. “Their dedication and drive are vital to our success, and they make our company a wonderful place to work.”

The Best Employers in Canada study recognizes companies who demonstrate their commitment to employees through a number of factors, including company environment, leadership qualities and opportunities for growth. Results of the survey are provided to each organization to help them continue to improve programs, recruit leaders and grow the company.

Steve Cruickshank notes that the Best Employers in Canada program offers an excellent opportunity to better understand what employees need to thrive. “Our success lies in our commitment to a safe, healthy work environment that allows our team to fully demonstrate their expertise,” he says. “The Best Employers program is a critical tool that helps us continue to develop that environment for mutual benefit and success.”

Founded in 1956, Cruickshank is a leading road, bridge and infrastructure construction services firm. The company, which operates in both Canada and the U.S., has significant experience in both the private and public sectors, and has developed a strong reputation for getting the job done right – every time.

Along with being ranked as one the Best Employers in Canada, Cruickshank is a 2011 winner of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program, a national award that recognizes Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Cruickshank has also been ranked on the top 50 Best Small and Medium Employers for the past three years and was named one of Canada’s Green 30 employers by Maclean’s magazine in 2011 and 2012.

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A recent construction progress meeting regarding the construction of the Iroquois wastewater treatment plant has revealed that the project is presently about two weeks behind schedule.

At the October 16 council meeting South Dundas chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald reported that the project being behind schedule by two weeks has no impact on the funding for the project.

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Firefighters from all three South Dundas fire stations fought a fire on Pages Corners Road last Friday.

At 7:30 a.m., October 19, firefighters rushed to the scene of a structure fire at Xolanda Farms, where the large tarp building used for hay storage was fully engulfed in flames.

“Crews quickly extinguished the flames,” reported Chris McDonough, fire chief for South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services. “Then the long process of extinguishing the hot spots began,” he noted, adding that the rain made it difficult for the crews because it was forcing the smoke to stay at ground level. A contractor was called in with an excavator to separate the burning bales of hay. Crews remained on scene until about 5:30 p.m.

The fire was caused by a Bobcat loader’s exhaust igniting combustibles (possibly hay) in the coverall building.

A previous fire, in the same structure approximately three years ago, destroyed only the outer shell of the building, so the owners were able to use the same frame and replace only the tarp. The fire chief is awaiting an engineer’s report to determine if once again the steel structure is salvageable before making an estimate of damages.

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Food bank usage in Dundas County continues to rise.

“Our usage is up 10 percent over last month,” said Brian Cox, a director with the Dundas County Food Bank who was at the Morrisburg location Friday morning to receive the large amount of food delivered by Ken Rundle, owner of the Morrisburg Giant Tiger store.

Cox thanked Rundle for the quantity of food and funds he delivered, courtesy of Giant Tiger shoppers. “This food is deeply required,” said Cox.

Giant Tiger recently wrapped up their food drive whereby the cashiers asked customers to make a donation to the food bank. 

One of the donation options was to donate $5 for a whole bag of food which included canned tomatoes, canned beans, caned flaked tuna, canned flaked ham, can flaked turkey and canned beans.

These food bags were tailored to feed the specific needs of this food bank.

“These items collected are among those that the food bank distributes on a regular basis and are always needs,” noted Dundas County Food Bank administrator Donna Quesnel. “Ken made an excellent choice in selecting these items and we are grateful to the Giant Tiger customers who purchased this food.”

Donations made equated to 75 bags of food, including $450 worth of food product. Another $150 in cash donations was also collected.

Rundle credits the community with the success of the food drive, which he plans to do again next year. “The support of the community was great. They are the ones who made this happen, we just facilitated.”

In seeing the most recent statistics showing increased need, Cox is pleased to have this food drive and others taking place. While the DC Youth plan on collecting food on Halloween, Creepy Creek Camp is accepting food donations for the food bank and the OPP Auxiliary are also planning an upcoming food drive.

“These are all deeply needed and appreciated,” said Cox.

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Hamlet signs in South Dundas are fading and deteriorating, and it has become much more noticeable now that our neighbours have replaced their existing signs with new, redesigned hamlet and welcome signs.

South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan brought the issue to the South Dundas council table Oct. 16 to bring to staff’s attention the need to do something with a couple of existing signs that need repairs. 

However, discussions steered instead towards highlighting the need to re-sign the entire municipality with new, uniform redesigned hamlet and welcome signs.

“We seem to have a wide variety of them,” said Mellan. “It would be nice to see something done like our neighbours to the north. Their new signs look nice. I do realize there is a cost to make everything uniform.” 

“We do need to renew our signs,” agreed South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “Signs boast of where you live and North Dundas, in their second time around, have done a really good job. The signs give you a good sense of where you are.”

“Our signs are starting to fade. I think for now we’ll patch up what we have and work towards a new plan,” said Mayor Byvelds. 

As part of an upcoming report about the Upper Canada Region branding concept, South Dundas clerk Brenda Brunt says that the issue of signs will be discussed.

“Also, all the traffic on the 401 needs to know who we are and what we have to offer,” said Byvelds.

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From a 15 year old with peach fuzz on his top lip that grew into a proper moustache by the time he was 18, now South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds has never been without a moustache. 

That could all change at the end of this month if the residents of South Dundas take up the challenge being issued by Mayor Byvelds in support of the Flash a ‘Stache effort to help fight prostate cancer.

“I am issuing a challenge,” said Byvelds. “If $1,000 in donations are made, I will cut off my forever moustache.”

Saturday night at the Dundas County Hospice Hoedown Jan Clapp convinced Byvelds that he should participate in the Dare to Flash a ‘Stache fundraiser benefitting the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Ottawa Region Cancer Centre Foundation to fight prostate cancer.

“It definitely took some convincing,” said Byvelds, “This is a pretty big leap for me.” 

Although, now that he has decided to participate, he sincerely hopes people will take up the challenge and donate to this very worthy cause.

“I think each one of us knows someone who has battled prostate cancer,” he says. 

In addition to helping to raise funds, this effort helps to raise awareness so that people get checked and through fund raisers like this one ensure that the hospitals have everything they need to provide treatment.

There is only one week to reach Byvelds fund raising goal, so he asks that anyone interested in taking up the challenge by making a donation to the Dare to to Flash a ‘Stache effort do so before October 31.

Donations can be made online at www.flashastache.ca, click on Sponsor a Participant and type in Steven Byvelds and follow the steps. For those not comfortable with donating online, contact Byvelds and he will help facilitate the donation process. He can be reached by email mayor@southdundas.com or by phone 613-652-2271.

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Many members of the Iroquois community have come to expect more than just ‘trick-or-treators’ knocking at their doors on Hallowe’en.  

For the past 12 years, a group of teens in grades 9 to 12 from Dixon’s Corners Community Christian Reformed Church has organized a food drive between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on October 31st. 

They walk, in small groups door-to-door, collecting non-perishable items for the Dundas County Food Bank. 

The group choses this specific date to collect food because it is an evening when most families are home and already expect people knocking on their doors.   

This drive has become one of the largest the food bank relies on each year.  

With increased interest and a few new groups joining the DC youth, they plan to expand the drive into Morrisburg in an attempt to out-do the 1,700 items collected last year.  

Much like the ‘rules’ of trick-or-treating, the teens will only knock on doors where the lights are on.  The goal is to eventually have enough help to cover all roads in both Iroquois and Morrisburg. But, given the volunteer numbers for this year, not every road will be covered. If your road is missed, you can still donate by bringing your food items directly to the food bank. 

The DC youth group is thankful for the support each year and looks forward to another fun and successful night helping their local communities.

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Construction projects reportedly worth almost $17 million are taking place in South Dundas so far this year.

That’s about $7 million more than last year.

This year has been an especially busy year for residential construction in South Dundas.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds reported at the Oct. 9 open forum meeting in Iroquois that the municipality’s building permit department has been “extremely busy” issuing a much higher number than average so far in 2012.

Dan Tessier, South Dundas’ building inspector, agreed that this year has definitely been a lot busier than last.

By the end of August this year 104 building permits had been issued, compared to 86 last year.

In comparing the two years; industrial, institutional and agricultural permits have remained roughly the same. 

The number of commercial building permits issued has decreased slightly, dropping from 12 to nine.

All of the growth in South Dundas appears to be residential. 

By the end of August last year, 57 residential permits had been issued. This year, in that same time frame, 79 permits have been issued.

“Things are happening,” commented South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke about the building permits at last week’s public meeting.

This growth, if it continues through the end of this year, helps to improve the municipality’s financial situation in two ways. 

Firstly, the fees paid by the applicants are revenue for the municipality, and so far, about $27,000 more fees have been collected this year than in the same time period last year.

Secondly, the homes/buildings being constructed will share the property tax load in South Dundas.

“Growth equals additional tax revenue. Growth is our main goal, and the main goal of any townhsip,” says Shannon Geraghty, treasurer for South Dundas. “It has a domino effect, everyone benefits from it.”

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“We serve” is the Lions International motto, established back in 1917 when the organization was first founded.

That same philosophy of service to the people and institutions of the community of South Dundas has been part of the spirit of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions club for 65 years. At a unique and very special evening, Saturday, October 27, at the Matilda Hall, the Lions are inviting the entire community to join them for a celebration of their more than six decades of service to South Dundas.

There are currently 36 active members of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions, led by 2012-13 president Steve Wilson. 

“We really have three objectives for our 65th Charter and International Night on October 27 at the Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners,” Wilson said. 

“First, is to celebrate the 65 years the Lions have served this community. Second, is to offer our guests a delicious meal and some outstanding entertainment from the comedy team of Bowser and Blue. And third, we hope to raise funds for the Glaucoma Society of Canada.”

Wilson explained that the gala is linked to the “sight mandate” of Lions International.

“Lions have always supported sight related causes. We felt that raising funds during our celebration for the Glaucoma Society was the perfect fit for us. Ruth, wife of Lion Paul Robertson, has glaucoma. She and Paul have become strong advocates of raising awareness about glaucoma, and helping in the search for a permanent cure.”

Quite aside from the good cause the Lions are supporting, guests at the gala can expect to enjoy a wonderful evening of great food and sparkling entertainment.

The Lions are definitely bringing in some stellar talent for their anniversary.

George Bowser and Ricky Blue, the team of Bowser and Blue, have been A-list entertainers since they first created a professional partnership in 1978. Musicians and comedians, they have performed in concert halls and theatres across Canada: since 2007, they have headlined in the Canadian Snowbird Extravaganza concert series across North America.

Regularly guests at the Just for Laughs comedy festival, Bowser and Blue can often be seen on CBC television and the Comedy Channel. Their Christmas CTV special, “Two Nuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” was nominated for a Gemini award. 

They have recorded for Supertramp’s Rick Davies, created  a number of sold-out musical comedies for Montreal’s Centaur Theatre, and collaborated on 12 CDs. 

For the Iroquois-Matilda Lions, Bowser and Blue have promised an evening of rip-roaring music and comedy that will leave gala guests “rolling in the aisles.”

The Lions hope that all members of their South Dundas community will come out to support their 65th anniversary celebration next week. 

“Groups like the Lions are a vital part of the community,” said president Steve Wilson. “In a time where membership in service groups is declining, and many groups have been forced to end their organizations, it is important that the community encourage and support the Lions, who truly are dedicated to serving those less fortunate than themselves.” 

There will be a silent auction, a dinner, catered by Ruth Wells, and a draw prize of three nights in Quebec City at the Fairmont Le Chateau, Frontenac. 

Tickets for the gala 65th Charter and International Night celebration on Saturday, October 27, at the Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners, starting at 5 p.m., are $50 each, and are available from Lions club members or from Mustard’s Variety in Iroquois.

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 It will be a grand afternoon for anyone with a drop of Celtic blood in their veins (and also for those who simply love the wonderful Celtic sound) when the Williamsburg Community Association holds Celtic Unplugged on Sunday, October 28, at the Matilda Hall, Dixon’s Corners. 

This special concert is a first for Celtic music in this area.

Celtic Unplugged will be an afternoon of socializing and traditional Glengarry music performed by outstanding artists, who have performed all over North America.

Fiddler Ashley MacLeod is from the county of Glengarry, a multiple music award winner who was invited to play at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship as a junior show case artist when she was only 14. 

She has performed her magic before thousands of fans, on stage with many outstanding musicians including the Celtic rock band, Hadrian’s Wall, the Brigadoons, the Paddys, and the Paperboys. 

South Dundas audiences will thrill to her jigs, reels, waltzes and beautiful airs. 

Joining  her  for  Celtic Unplugged will be Kelsey McDonell who also hails from Glengarry. A talented and renowned fiddler, Kelsey has performed on stage, with the Glengarry Pipe Band, and has toured with the folk group, Greenwich Meantime.

Denis Carr of the Brigadoons is no stranger to those who love Celtic music. Currently the leader of the Brigadoons, Carr has performed for diverse audiences  including the National Arts Centre and the military at CFB Alert. 

He and his group have been favourites in pubs, parades and concert halls, and are a high light of the Friday night Tattoo at the Glengarry Highland Games. 

Carr will deliver a stunning program which will certainly include many beloved and traditional songs like  “Glengarry My Home” and the “Martintown Song.” 

South Dundas audiences will also enjoy the Celtic stylings of Paddy Kelly and Paddy Maher at the Sunday afternoon concert.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the joy, the energy and the beautiful memories in a concert of outstanding music at Celtic Unplugged, coming to the Matilda Hall.   

Hosted by the Williamsburg Community Association, Celtic Unplugged will take place at the Matilda Hall on Sunday, October 28, beginning at 2 p.m. 

Tickets are only $10 and are available at the door, or at the Williamsburg Garage. There will be complimentary refreshments available at the concert.

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