News

“We do appreciate staff’s due diligence in working with numbers,” said Mayor Steven Byvelds at the December 20th South Dundas council meeting.

He was referring to the three end-of-year reports from the township’s Treasurer, Shannon Geraghty: Year End Surplus/Deficits; Tax Write Offs for 2011 Taxation Year; and, Budget Amendments for 2011.

The second report requested the write-off of $88,446.89 for the 2011 taxation year. According to Geraghty, the number breaks down into $624.55 in residential write-offs and $87,822.34 in commercial write-offs.

He also reported that: “an amount of $75,000 was set by council in the approval of the final 2011 budget and therefore we are over budget by an amount of $13,447, which will be financed through the operations budget.”

The third report asked for council’s approval on $26,950.55 worth of amendments made to the 2011 budget during the year. 

The amendments consisted of the following previously approved expenditures: $2,000 to the Morrisburg Lions Club; $1,000 to the Iroquois Plaza Celebration; $6,086.70 to fix the Roof Top of the Iroquois Civic Centre; and, $17,863.85 to fix the Roof Top/Heat Exchanger for the Justice Building in Morrisburg.

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A new strategic plan outlining and evaluating growth potential for South Dundas was deemed a priority for the township more than a year ago.

At the December 20th council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald brought forward a report, which recommended council hire Dillon Consulting Limited at a cost of $24,870 plus HST. 

Dillon Consulting was one of 10 proposals received. Each proposal was then evaluated by McDonald, Mayor Steven Byvelds, and Economic Development Officer Nicole Sullivan.

Dillon Consulting, an Ottawa-based company, will be holding four Community Cafés throughout South Dundas in the new year because, as McDonald explained, “the whole intent of this was to get good feedback from the community and hear what they have to say.”

“I do hope we get as many as possible to participate,” said Byvelds. “Their proposal was strong. I’m looking forward to getting this underway and getting some good results,” he concluded.

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The Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade will be moving ahead now that a construction contract has been approved.

At the December 20th South Dundas council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald submitted the recommendation that J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. be awarded the contract with their tendered bid of $12,299,808 excluding HST.

The bid was one of seven received, coming in at $176,792 lower than the second lowest bid.  AECOM reviewed all bids and recommended J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. to the Ontario Clean Water Agency, who, in turn, agreed and passed on the recommendation to South Dundas council.

In addition to being the lowest bid, J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. also provided excellent references, which included work done on the Morrisburg Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Councillor Jim Graham added his recommendation saying, “I’m glad to see Sulpher back. They did a fantastic job.”

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“We started this a number of years ago. We can at least do our share toward it,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds.

He was referring to the Dundas County Food Bank, which has been living rent-free at the Second Street location in Morrisburg.

Council members unanimously agreed that the food bank will continue to have their rental fees waived for as long as they remain at the Second Street location.

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On December 22nd, Kristine Blokland, a civilian staff member for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Morrisburg, gave Donna Quesnel, Administrator for the Dundas County Food Bank, a donation of $320 on behalf of the staff and seniors of the North Stor Seniors Support Centre in Finch.

Blokland, a member of the OPP’s Coppertones, sang for the seniors at their annual Christmas celebration in addition to serving them their dinner. 

Quesnel reported that, in addition to actual food items, monetary donations are very important as well because they allow “the FoodBank coordinators to purchase what is missing yet needed for the food boxes.”

Quesnel said, “with this donation, we will be able to purchase a half order of ground beef that can be put in the freezer and be distributed to families over the winter months.”

“Since meat is one of the basic items that the Food Bank provides in small quantities to families in need as part of the food allocation assistance available, once per month, purchases are made locally every couple of months in order to distribute throughout the year,” continued Quesnel. “Donations such as this one helps the FoodBank stock these much needed food items.”

Quesnel offered an updated list of Food Bank needs on December 27th: “Most needed items currently at the Morrisburg DCFB location include: soda crackers and pasta sauce.  These can be dropped off at the Food Bank or in the drop-off bin at Riley’s valu-mart.”

Quesnel said she is grateful for the generosity of so many.

Holiday hours for the Food Bank are Wednesday evenings (Dec 28th and Jan. 4th) from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday afternoons (Dec 29th and Jan. 5th) from 1 to 3 p.m.  

Beginning January 9th, the Food Bank will be open regular hours: Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m., and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. 

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Although there has been some growth, the Zandbergen late 1800’s-early 1900’s village, located just east of Brinston, remains a constant source of holiday pleasure to all those who visit the home of Bill and Coby Zandbergen.

In 2006, The Leader featured the wonderful miniature village assembled by Coby, and now five years later, a return finds the village has grown by “one full sub-division”, or, in reality, a third sheet of plywood.

Coby first began to develop her village in the early 1980’s. It began with the purchase of a miniature church, and it started out on her buffet.

By 2006, it covered two full sheets of plywood or about 60 square feet. And it hasn’t stopped growing, as Coby continues the hunt for unique and unusual pieces.

“I’m missing one item and that is the old fire house with the horse drawn water wagon,” says Coby explaining that part of the pleasure she has received in developing her village has been the “thrill of the hunt.”

The hunt has had her purchasing pieces everywhere from yard sales to retail stores to large department stores. She has even managed to persuade salespeople to sell an item or two she has discovered in a display.

“I’m not a shopper, that’s the funny part. But I’m always looking. The toy shoppe, I found at a yard sale. It is so unique,” she says as she points to the couple she has smooching behind a building. “Over behind the trees there, another fellow is proposing to his lady.”

Her hobby now includes everything from the toy shoppe, to the post office, the cheese factory, bakery and of course a town hall and train station. “I have five churches now. They are all different. Some are fancy and some are plain.”

All of her buildings and lampposts light up and that is where Bill comes in.

Coby estimates that if she sticks with it, “it takes me a good week to get it all set up. Once the base is in place, the mountain to the back of the display is added. I work from the back to the front. I set the houses in place and then Bill wires it all.”

“Then I have my famous kitchen tongs. When you have to place something, while balancing on one leg, they come in handy.”

The village and surrounding countryside remains in the Zandbergen’s front porch area until March break, when it is all packed up and put away.

Coby says she has no idea the population of her village. A quick count locates 53 people just in the town square and another 23 children playing in the school yard. The whole layout easily includes several hundred people all busy with their daily lives…skiing, chopping wood, cutting ice from the pond…ice skating…cutting down trees…

For years now the display has been a delight for the Zandbergen family and visitors to their home. “We have 10 grandchildren, all of whom enjoy it. I have one granddaughter who thinks she has to re-arrange everything,” says Coby with a chuckle. “The kids love it in here.”

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 this holiday season.

Exchange organizer, Carol Richer said the number of boxes packed by the Exchange was down from last year. However, there were more registrations for single persons, 30, who pick up their supplies at the Food Bank.

Figures this year show that almost 200 children benefitted from the Exchange dinners and the various Angels Trees that collected gifts.

“With the adults (13 years and up), the children and the 30 singles, we probably provided enough food for about 465 people,” said Richer.

While the Exchange makes use of the canned food that is donated by the community, much of the ingredients for the meal are purchased through cash donations.

“Seaway High did a great job with their food drive and Ross Video also held a food drive. That is all in addition to the food donated through area churches and by individuals,” said Richer. “Those receiving boxes have the choice of ham or turkey which we buy along, with the fresh vegetables and fruit.”

These include potatoes, carrots and oranges.

“We are very fortunate here,” said Richer. “Our donations have come in enough to cover our expenses. I have heard that other areas haven’t been as fortunate.”

In addition to the food, cash and toys/gift donations, the Exchange counts heavily on other sorts of donations.

“The Seaway Valley Pharmacy covers all of our advertising in the newspaper. We have businesses and churches all supporting us, along with private donations. Then there is Craig Packaging that supplies us with the boxes. Where would we be without the boxes. It would be impossible. And we have the use of the Legion Hall here every year.”

“We have the banks who allow us to set up the Angel Trees and the Lions Club, Sandra Johnston in Iroquois and Beavers Dental who take care of the Angel Tree program. Then there are the kids, like those from St. Mary/St. Cecilia’s who step in and put the boxes together.”

“Sometimes stuff just shows up and I have no idea where it came from.”

“I get cards in the mail with cheques. Some come from people living on pensions, who feel this is so important.”

Richer explained that the Exchange also counts on its volunteers who organize, transport and sort the food and then pack everything in the boxes.

“Some volunteers have been doing this for many, many years. This year we had a healthy group of new volunteers which is nice to see.”

“The whole process is like a well-oiled machine. Everyone knows what has to be done. They latch onto the new people and the job gets finished.”

For the last several years the Exchange has coordinated its effort with the Food Bank. All non-perishable food that does not go into a food box goes to the Food Bank.

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When is a township responsible for snow removal on township roads?

This question created a heated debate at the December 20th South Dundas council meeting with Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke voicing outrage at the township’s intention to charge local developer, Swank Construction Ltd., for snow removal in the new subdivision east of Iroquois.

He pointed out that there are already two houses in the subdivision whose occupants will be paying taxes to South Dundas. He also reminded council that Swank Construction does a lot for the township in terms of supporting growth.

According to Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald, however, the agreement surrounding snow removal is in the legal contract signed between Swank Construction and South Dundas township.

He maintained, with input from the Manager of Public Works, Hugh Garlough, that the $125 fee for snow removal is within reason. He suggested that Swank hire someone else to clear the roads if he thought the cost was too high.

He further explained that “there are a whole bunch of requirements” that need to be met before the township takes over the responsibility for snow removal in the new subdivision.

Councillor Jim Graham agreed saying, “this is basically a construction site until it’s finished. It doesn’t get turned over to the township until it’s finished.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds added, “you may have a point Deputy-Mayor Locke, but it is what it is.”

Locke put forth a motion: “that we plow the road for zero dollars like we would any other road.”

No one seconded the motion.

Swank Construction will continue to be responsible for snow removal until the new subdivision meets the township’s requirements for completion.

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Well, the weather outside may have been frightful, but the warm and cheery greeting   a certain North Pole visitor received in Iroquois on Thursday evening, December 15, more than made up for rain.

Guest of honour, Santa Claus, arrived at the Royal Canadian Legion a little damp of fur, but in great spirits, to join his chief elf in the gala celebration. 

Delivered in a brightly decorated red fire truck by members of the Iroquois Fire Department (we hear his reindeer were off shopping), Santa wasted no time rushing in to visit with the over 400 children and parents waiting to talk to him.

Lots of HoHos and plenty of hugs soon warmed everyone up.

The Iroquois Business Group, which organized the reception for Santa, was assisted by Donald Barkley, River Rat Treasures and the Legion. Presents for every child were donated by the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club, while Byers Furniture made sure that all kids went home with a special treat bag. 

Joining in the fun were the Parents Council and teachers of Iroquois Public School who arranged a home-made hot chili or hot dog supper for visitors as part of a school fund raiser.

“The food was all made by IPS parents and staff,” said teacher Jennifer Perry. “We served between 350 and 400 meals on Thursday evening. We certainly weren’t expecting that many to turn out, since this was our first time trying things this way, but we were totally thrilled,” Perry laughed. The support of the community allowed the school to raise nearly $800 in the campaign to replace aging school yard playground equipment.

Organizers had set up activity and craft centres for the very excited little visitors.

“We had to change our hay rides around town to see the Christmas lights into bus rides, with all the rain,” said Candace Menges, “but everyone seemed to have a good time.” 

Special contests and draws were held during the celebration. Organizers were happy to note that Santa’s “missing” reindeer had a great time “shopping” in the mall. 

The Leader spotted Santa busily updating his “Nice Files” as he left Iroquois to return to the North Pole. 

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