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South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds attended the annual ROMA/OGRA Combined Conference in Toronto last week.

The conference, which took place from February 26th to February 29th, gave Byvelds the opportunity to meet with politicians from other municipalities throughout Ontario.

According to their website, ROMA (Rural Ontario Municipal Association), “is Ontario’s rural municipal voice, ensuring that matters affecting rural  communities are brought to the attention of the provincial and federal governments.”

OGRA (Ontario Good Roads Association) “represents infrastructure interests of municipalities through advocacy, consultation, training and the delivery of identified services.”

On March 6th, Byvelds revealed that “there were no objectives going to ROMA. It is,” he added, “a great opportunity to discuss issues or methods with fellow municipal politicians.”

In terms of how things progressed at the conference, he said “there were some good information sessions.”

“I believe if you come home with one idea it was worth the effort.”

As for what South Dundas residents might find relevant from the conference, Byvelds said, “I did go to a seminar that was related to climate change and picked up a contact with information we can use when we have our public meeting concerning the sewer issues in our villages.”

In addition, “there was also a panel discussion on how municipalities need to work with local post-secondary institutions and how they affect economic development.”

According to their own literature, the ROMA/OGRA Combine Conference “is one of the largest annual gatherings of municipal leaders in Canada. It’s aim is to reinvigorate public debate about how municipalities will respond to emergent challenges and opportunities.”

This year’s conference, according to Byvelds, presented a good opportunity “to get a feeling on where the Provincial government is heading in these current times of fiscal restraint (don’t expect the cheque in the mail).”

While Byvelds didn’t get an opportunity to speak with the Premier himself, he did “take the opportunity to listen when he spoke.”

According to Byvelds, Premier Dalton McGuinty “did speak in generalities and hoped to continue to work with municipalities in the future. He committed to the finish date on the uploads but cautioned us on the new spending limit for the OMPF (Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund) of $500 million. He also re-committed to Green Energy.”

While several politicians walked out during the Premier’s ROMA appearance in protest of his energy policy, Byvelds admitted, “no, I was not involved.”

“I do not think it is a way to have a meaningful dialogue on issues. It takes two to discuss and walking out does not solve the issue.”

[…]

 

“I do have the opportunity tonight,” began South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds, “to present cheques to services I feel are worthy.” 

On February 21st, Byvelds presented cheques to Carefor Hospice Cornwall, Dundas County Hospice, and St. Lawrence College’s Cornwall Campus.

Carefor Hospice received $1,000. Sandy Collette, a representative from the hospice, confirmed that “we’ve had a number of people from South Dundas come through our hospice.”

She revealed that Carefor Hospice Cornwall has “to raise about half a million dollars a year to keep it running.”

Bea Van Gilst, a representative from Dundas County Hospice, was also on hand to receive a cheque for $1,000. Byvelds said he was inspired to help the hospices after his wife Debbie took a course in hospice. Byvelds said, “we need people for support, and these special people need us for support.”

St. Lawrence College received $300 towards its building program and another $4,000 for scholarships.

“I feel we need to invest in our young people,” said Byvelds.

Fairweather assured council that the donations would “certainly be put to good use” and “directed specifically at people from our area.”

Byvelds said, “the funds were remaining from money collected from donations for use during my term as Warden for events such as the Warden’s Room at ROMA.”

“Since the funds were donated,” Byvelds felt it important to donate the money to services within SD&G that could benefit everyone.

[…]

 

South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services was called out early Friday morning, February 24th to a garage fire on Brinston Road.

According to a report from Fire Chief Chris McDonough on February 27th, “fire crews from Iroquois and Morrisburg responded. Upon arrival the garage was fully involved with exposures to the house. A vehicle was also fully involved at the rear of the house.”

“The owner’s pet was rescued from the kennel which was attached to the garage and suffered minor burns to its nose and paws.”

“We saved the house,” he  added, “only minor damage” to the house. 

“Damage,” in total, however, “is estimated at approximately $100,000 including contents.”

He added that “the fire was deemed suspicious by the Fire Chief and the Fire Marshal’s Office (OFM) was requested to attend.”  

“The OFM will complete their investigation and if deemed criminal the OPP will investigate,” he explained.

[…]

 

The competition for the first South Dundas Recreation Logo has come and gone and the winner is… Nikki Ault.

In addition to having her design be the logo for South Dundas Recreation for the foreseeable future, Ault’s face and logo will grace the cover of the second South Dundas recreation guide, coming out this spring. 

According to Recreation Program Coordinator Ben Macpherson, there were almost 30 entries in the logo contest. The decision, he said, was based on five criteria: simplicity, memorability, timelessness, versatility, and appropriateness.

To see the new South Dundas Recreation Logo, watch your mail for the spring/summer recreation guide coming out later this week!

[…]

 

“They had so much fun. It’s such a positive experience,” said Fiona Carr, Family Resource Coordinator for GIAG.

Carr was referring to the full-day events on February 22nd, Ash Wednesday, marking the first day of Lent.

Organized and planned by Lutheran and Anglican churches in South Dundas, the base of activities took place at St. James Anglican Church in Morrisburg. Children from kindergarten to grade 12 were invited to join in the day’s activities where the theme for the day was “Lord Teach Us to Pray.”

According to Carr, “we had kids from tons of different schools.” The similarity? “They have a commonality of believing in God,” she said. 

Kids in Carr’s group, the intermediates, were exchanging phone numbers because although they hadn’t known one another before Wednesday, many of them “became instant friends.” 

Both the intermediate and senior groups took trips to the food bank where they dropped off donations, took a tour and helped out. 

“I was really impressed with them,” said Carr, of her intermediate group. “They helped pack some snack bags.” 

Carr was told that “they asked more questions than they’ve ever asked before,” and, in addition, they were fascinated to learn that donations can include pet food and toiletries, things they hadn’t thought of before the tour.

The primary group was led by Carol Rumble of Iroquois. According to Rumble, aside from honouring Ash Wednesday and having some fun in the process, the day’s purpose was to deliver the message of outreach to the children.

The primary group spent time during the day making cards for orphans in Madagascar. Mary Sherwood is a missionary at an orphanage there and had previously visited the area, giving a presentation of her work and what’s needed. According to Rumble, the cards will be forwarded to Sherwood who will see to it that the children receive them. 

The intermediate and senior groups had a visit from Karen Marshall who spoke about the outreach work her son Chris and his partner Shayna Campbell are doing in Uganda.

Currently, the couple is in the midst of a year-long mission to make a difference at St. Francis Health Care Services located near Mbiko, Uganda. They are trying to raise $33,500 to build a maternity hospital at the center. 

[…]

 

On February 24th, the Linking Hands Network held a working group meeting, Access to Transportation, at The Gathering House in Chesterville.

The meeting is one of six working group meetings set up in response to the outcome from the November 18, 2011 Dundas County Community Forum held at the Christian Reformed Church in Williamsburg. 

In November, Pauline Pratt, Executive Director for the House of Lazarus, told The Leader that “this Community Forum was the next step in the House of Lazarus’s Linking Hands in Dundas project. The overall vision of the project is to develop sustainable solutions to the increasing poverty we are experiencing in North and South Dundas, and create communities that are more resilient.”

The six working group meetings cover the following themes: access to transportation; access to basic health care needs; access to safe, nutritious, primarily local food; community connections and navigating the system; economic and entrepreneurial development and training; and, strategies for increasing participation in physical activities.

Nanda Wubs was the coordinator for Friday’s meeting, Access to Transportation, in which Robert Dupuis discussed the success of a similar venture in Quebec. 

In addition to Dupuis, Harry Gow also discussed similar transportation initiatives, like the non-profit transportation service in North Grenville. Following the presentation, audience members were able to ask both Gow and Dupuis questions.

According to Wubs, “the event was well-attended and there was a good representation of local agencies including both municipalities.”

In terms of a next step, Wubs said, “continue investigating other models of transportation networks, send out a survey to agencies to determine current transportation ‘stock’ and to the community to do a transportation needs assessment.” 

“In regards to political support,” she continued, “I feel that both townships are open to hearing ideas from the community that could make transportation less of a burden on some. At this point we don’t have any more expectation than that from them.”

“However, as Robert Dupuis mentioned, the Federal Gas Tax credit is available to Municipalities for transit only. They cannot access it otherwise which means there is a pool of money that could be used to help the transportation network. More research has to be done in this area.”

Wubs admitted, “this is a daunting task but the wheels are definitely rolling.”

“I want to reiterate the reason Linking Hands is doing this,” she said, “we are an advocacy group for rural poor in Dundas County and transportation was a key theme in the Community Forum held last November which was titled Building a Sustainable Dundas County.”

“If our community is not sustainable, there could be more on their way to being poor. As the Chesterville Record put it so nicely ‘economic hope begins with a ride to work’.”

For more information, email linkinghandsdundas@gmail.com or phone the House of Lazarus at 613-989-3830.

[…]

 

It’s New York City, 1939, and detective Harry Monday has a lot of problems. Authorities have condemned his run down building; his bookie, the pawn shop, the IRS and his landlord are all demanding their cash; he’s in the bad books of the NYPD; his bootleg stash could melt your nose hairs.

And, oh yes, there’s the little matter of several dead bodies cluttering up his office.

It can only mean one thing.

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions are into rehearsals for their 2012 production, Monday Always Leads to Murder, which will open at Upper Canada Playhouse on April 26 and run for four performances.

For over 25 years, members of the Iroquois Lions club and their spouses have brought a lot of laughter and a lot of great entertainment to the community through their plays. Staged every other year, the Lions’ productions are greatly anticipated and regarded as one of the highlights of South Dundas year. 

Funds raised by the plays,  have, for two decades, helped the Lions to carry out numerous charitable activities and important services in the community. The Lions International motto is “We serve.” Productions at the Playhouse are one way local Lions can continue to carry out that goal.

Monday Always Leads to Murder, by Pat Cook, follows in the comic traditions set by the Club in previous productions like The Best Laid Plans, You Can’t Take it With You, Arsenic and Old Lace and Dark Deeds at Swan’s Place.

Rick MacKenzie is private eye, Harry Monday, a Sam Spade ‘wannabe’. He is supported by a strong cast (playing some hilariously colourful New York characters) including Glenn and Margaret Swerdfeger, Joan Mann, Barry Fawcett, Bill Rumble, Brian Speer, Jim Mustard, Ruth Robertson and Donna Swank. 

Jim Locke will head up the construction crew at the theatre, building a completely original 1939 set, designed by talented artist John Thompson. Taking over lighting, sound and technical duties for the Lions’ play will be Sean Free, technical director at Upper Canada Playhouse. Wendy Gibb will direct the production.

Tickets and ticket information will soon be available. 

In the meantime, mark your calendars for The Iroquois-Matilda Lions production of Monday Always Leads to Murder, coming April 26-28 to Upper Canada Playhouse. 

[…]

 

On the afternoon of February 24th, the Hartford Retirement Centre in Morrisburg hosted their first annual Chili Cook-off to great success.

The event, organized by Hartford’s Community Services Manager, Tracy Jones, got underway with a short presentation by Deirdre Cooke RD, CDE. The presentation, Heart Disease: Diet Can Make a Difference, was well-received with a packed audience in the chapel.

Following the presentation, the chili cook-off got underway accompanied by some live entertainment.

According to Jones, while there had been 10 chili contestants registered, only seven were able to make it due to Friday’s storm.

Judges included South Stormont Mayor Bryan McGillis, North Dundas Mayor Eric Duncan, Upper Canada Playhouse Artistic Director Donnie Bowes, Iroquois Fire Department’s Phil Thompson, and Chartwell’s Regional Marketing Director Patricia Courtney.

The live entertainment was provided by what the Hartford called “the singing policemen.” The group, which has no name, normally performs at Christmastime as the Coppertones. For the chili cook-off they were able to pull together a mix of “country and oldies” as well as a few jokes. The group performed to a very receptive crowd.

Money was raised through chili entries as well as through direct donations. Lise Koslowski, a volunteer with Heart and Stroke, was on-hand to accept donations and write receipts. 

In the end, the Hartford was able to raise $354 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Chili cook-off winners included: Reg Anderson in first place; Shirley Lalonde in second place; and, Sue Jarvis in third place. Cash prizes were given.

[…]

 

Funds to cover the cost of HVAC annual inspections of South Dundas water treatment plants will come from the 2012 Water Budget.

At the February 21st South Dundas council meeting, Manager of Public  Works Hugh Garlough recommended that council accept a bid from Neal’s Heating & Cooling for the job. The winning bid came in at $1,190 plus HST. 

The other two companies invited to bid on the project were Morrisburg Plumbing & Heating and Atel Air, both of which were outbid by more than $1,000.

Garlough assured the concerned Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke that “protocol with tenders” was being adhered to during the process.

[…]

 

At the February 21st South Dundas council meeting, Economic Development Officer Nicole Sullivan supported Bill Shearing’s efforts to erect four signs honouring specific events connected to the War of 1812. 

Sullivan asked council to “approve an application to the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) for funding to support” the initiative. They unanimously agreed to the request.

Former honourary Colonel of the SD&G Highlanders, Shearing pointed out, during a plea to council at their December 20, 2011 meeting, that “our township has an important military history that is largely forgotten.” 

At the time, council applauded the idea of heritage signs commemorating the War of 1812, but were resistant to the project’s potential cost.

Since then, Shearing has been able to raise over $2,000 to make the signs a reality. Both the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Regimental Foundation and the Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield have promised a donation of $1,000 each. 

In addition to this, Shearing is pursuing other benefactors, like the Morrisburg and Iroquois Branches of the Royal Canadian Legion.

“If EODP funding for the project is approved, it would offset any costs associated with the project,” said Sullivan.

Furthermore, she added, “the signs installed would be township property. Barring any accidents or vandalism, the signs will last approximately 10 years after which Council can evaluate the merits of having them replaced.”

The total project cost is estimated at $6,200.

Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I’m glad to see that we’ve found a source.”

According to Sullivan’s report, “the signs themselves will be painted metal with 3M reflective lettering meeting Ministry of Transportation  Ontario (MTO) specifications. Sign faces will be a MTO standard size” of three by four inches.

“I like the proposed size of the signs and the proposed materials,” said Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke.

Events commemorated by the signs include: the first engagement along the front of Toussaint’s Island; the landing of the Americans and their occupation of the front of Matilda; the burning of Nash Creek Bridge; and, the Battlefield encompassing the Nine Mile Road to Fetterly’s Farm.

Shearing informed council that South Stormont has already agreed to erect commemorative signs for the War of 1812 and South Glengarry is considering doing  the same.

Sullivan pointed out, in her report, that with the erection of signs in South Dundas, it will “provide continuity across the three areas and further promote our common history with which the region appeals to visitors.”

She reported that the initiative has “potential benefits” for South Dundas as it “will bring to life the early history of Dundas County to support tourism marketing and development.”

Shearing told council that he hopes, if signs are complete in time, to have a ceremony and reception on July 11th in Iroquois. He chose this date as it is “the 200th anniversary of the mobilization of the Dundas Militia.”

With support from the community and from South Dundas council, Shearing seems to be well on his way to making this dream a reality.

[…]