News

 

The $3.5 million, 15,000 square foot Community Care Building that is part of Winchester District Memorial Hospital’s Centre of Excellence for Rural Health and Education, is now open.

Construction was completed, on budget, in less than a year.

April 25, local media were invited to tour the facility that provides a convenient, professional environment for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, Champlain Community Care Access Centre, Job Zone and Ontario Early Years Centre.

The new environment does much more than look professional. Having all of  these services located together at this hub allows each of the agencies to gain a better understanding of the services and resources each offers, greatly benefitting the community by allowing them to get whatever help they need, all under the same roof.

While facilitating and improving the referral process between these agencies and the hospital, the new building has brought forward new opportunities. The health unit has been able to bring in many more services to this satellite location in Winchester. Early Years is working to secure funding to start a youth centre. CCAC is starting a new program to provide mental health nurses for children in schools.

This new building represents a shift in how agencies like hospitals and health units plan to deal with the health of local populations.

“What we do outside of hospitals will help to prevent people from coming into the hospital,” said Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, medical officer of health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit when the construction of the building got underway last June. “We know that 75 per cent of what makes someone healthy is not physical so putting these agencies in one place makes sense.”

WDMH CEO Cholly Borland explained that statistically, those with better incomes are healthier, those children with a better start in life are healthier and those who are better educated are healthier.

“So this all works together,” he said. “We are fortunate to have all of these agencies located here.

This building is one of the first hub concepts in Ontario.

[…]

 

South Dundas council held a special meeting April 23 for the sole purpose of coming up with a plan to go forward with new 401, hamlet and facility signs for the Township of South Dundas.

A month ago South Dundas was presented with a new design by the consultants they hired in partnership with South Stormont. 

The consultant was tasked with redesigning the signs to uniformly identify hamlets and facilities while promoting the Upper Canada Region brand across the two municipalities.

While South Stormont council was accepting of the designs, South Dundas council, and the community input they received, were not.

South Dundas council opted to scrap the design, and now are themselves trying to work out what they want.

Nearly two hours of discussions resulted in council sending South Dundas economic development officer Nicole Sullivan back to the drawing board with the task of adding the Township of South Dundas logo to the hamlet signs that were presented by the consultants.

The colour, font and sign shape of the hamlet signs were deemed acceptable. However, council was adamant that a graphic needs to be included for the signs to be eye catching. 

They decided that the township logo should be that eye-catching graphic included on the signs.

Council could not come to any sort of consensus regarding the 401 signs meant to identify the municipality to passing traffic, so they decided, for now, they would not worry about them.

[…]

 

A $25,000 suggestion nearly cost the West End Terrace a pavilion and shuffleboard area.

The subdivision agreement for the West End Terrace, a new 17 home subdivision slated for construction at the west end of Iroquois, was brought to South Dundas council at the April 23 special meeting in hopes of expediting the process to get the development started.

The park area of the subdivision was to include a pavilion and shuffleboard area rather than playground equipment as the single-level homes being constructed are ideally suited for seniors.

Township staff suggested that $25,000 be added to the subdivision agreement to help offset the future costs of maintaining the shuffleboard that would become township property upon completion of the development.

Swank, the developers, were not willing to pay the extra, and pulled the idea from the table. They instead opted leave the required amount of parkland vacant.

When council advised Ron Swank, who attended the meeting, that it would be two weeks until an amended agreement could be approved, Swank was angry about the two week delay, instigated by the municipality.

At the end of the meeting, council again discussed the subdivision agreement. 

They decided to eliminate the $25,000 township imposed charge so that the pavilion and shuffleboard could remain part of the development proposal. 

Council also gave the mayor the authority to sign the agreement to expedite the process.

[…]

 

“There is something happening here,” said Margaret Lee, at a recent Iroquois and District Business Group open house.

The first open house that the organization has held attracted about 20 area business owners, including some new faces of some new businesses in the area.

Lee, who has a home-based business in Iroquois, has been here since 1965. She said, “There is a renewed zest here that I haven’t seen for a long time.”

“We really have a lot to offer here, people just aren’t aware of it,” said Candace Menges, president of the Iroquois and District Business Group.

She encouraged the business owners on hand to make an effort to know their neighbouring businesses and what they have to offer so they can inform their customers and keep the dollars being spent local.

The open house gave those on hand the opportunity to share with their peers the services they offer, and to talk about the new businesses coming to town such a the new ladies fashion boutique, and the businesses opening under new ownership, including a highly anticipated restaurant.

Dwight Saunders, of Aura, which has businesses in three Iroquois storefronts, shared that they bring about 100 people a week into the community, a number which impressed the event’s guest speaker South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

“We hosted this open house to encourage more business support,” said Menges. “We have good membership numbers, 21 last year, but require more physical support to accomplish our goals.”

They too were seeking input to set out goals for the group at large.

[…]

With roots grown through God’s love, Timothy Christian School (TCS) has kept strong for 50 years in Williamsburg. Grounded in its belief that every child deserves an education rooted in God’s word, TCS is launching its Spring Drive campaign to raise $50,000 – $1000 for every year of its 50 years of operation. 

Following 50 years of Transforming Lives – Building Up Faith, the board has developed a vision for TCS that it will remain an institution of Christian learning, with innovative educational programs, in a caring environment that meets the needs of young children from JK to Grade 8.

This month, TCS launched its $50,000 fundraising campaign, having already established two lead gifts, where $10,000 will be matched by the first 10 supporters who will donate $1,000 each, and $5,000, where this gift will be matched by the first supporter who will donate $5,000. 

This is the first time TCS has ever initiated a matching campaign of this size. For those wishing to donate a $1000 or $5000, their gift has the chance to be matched, doubling the impact of the gift.

Monies raised, in part, will fund the school’s operations and extras will be used for capital improvements. 

TCS has had novel approaches to teaching through exploring other cultures by taking children on school trips to the National Arts Centre, the Montreal Biodome, and Quebec City in an effort to teach this next generation of leaders a better global understanding of how people live and work in the world around them. 

“This is a celebration of 50 years of faith building, with God’s blessing, through our school children, staff, board, members and supporters,” says Brian Vandenberg, the school’s Treasurer. “This drive will support the various educational programs and enhance the facility.  Our graduates have gone on to influence and contribute to society in huge ways.”

“We are blessed to have such a wonderful place in this community where children can enjoy a Christian education, led by excellent staff,” says Gary Postma, who serves TCS as Principal. “Our goal is to help the children connect learning with their growing faith.”

More can be learned about Timothy Christian School by checking out the school’s website, or on Facebook, or by visiting the school on a Welcome Wednesday. 

There is no appointment necessary to meet the staff, see the facility and learn more about how faith is incorporated into everyday learning. 

 

[…]

New, higher water and sewer rates will come into effect June 1, 2013.

South Dundas council gave their final bylaw approval to the rate increases at the April 16, South Dundas council meeting.

Once the new rates come into effect, the average household in Morrisburg can expect to see an increase of about 13 percent in their monthly water and sewer bill. The average household in Iroquois can expect to see an increase of about 21 percent.

The increases will help offset the current operating deficits resulting from decreased consumption and will help offset some of the anticipated cost increases associated with bringing the new Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant online.

[…]

The Morrisburg and District Lions Club 2011 proposal to bring new finger docks to the Morrisburg waterfront will finally float this year.

South Dundas council gave final approval to the project that will see three 6 foot by 20 foot docks linked together to form a dock that is 60 feet long running parallel to the shoreline.

According to a report by South Dundas Economic Development officer Nicole Sullivan, the main section of the dock would be connected to the shore with a gangway and secured to a pre-existing cement pier located east of the dock and Lions Memorial Pavillion.

The Morrisburg Community Waterfront Committee approved the proposal in February. The vision for the Morrisburg waterfront identifies the need for additional docking space and this project addresses that need.

[…]

Nugget–4-5 month old male husky/collie mix. 90 percent house-trained. Will need puppy shots and to be neutered. Very energetic, loving pup that will require exercise and puppy training.

 

[…]

Effective June 30, this year, the Iroquois United Church, which is currently a one point charge, will become a two point charge when the congregation joins together with the Brinston-Hulbert United Church.

“Until then, everything will continue as is,” said Sandy Decker, who co-chairs the Iroquois United Church board with John Marston.

Once the parishes are united at the end of June, becoming the Iroquois-Matilda United Church, the plan is to continue to hold Sunday service in Iroquois weekly.

A second Sunday service will take place alternate weeks at the Brinston and Hulbert churches. Specific details about the timing of the services, and more, will be determined over the coming months.

Congregations of United Churches across the Seaway Valley Presbytery have been visioning the future of the churches. Part of that process has involved the churches entering into discussions with each other and planning their futures together.

[…]

The Township of South Dundas will gain two key staff members next week.

April 29, Christopher Bazinet will be joining the township as Manager of Public Works.

Bazinet will be taking over from South Dundas’ first and only manager of public works, Hugh Garlough, who is slated to retire at the end of the year.

“Mr. Bazinet brings a valuable combination of private sector experience in waste management as well as municipal public works experience with the city of Timmins,” noted South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald in an April 16, media release. “He brings a wealth of experience to the position which will serve the township well. He is very practical and understands the fiscal reality of municipal government.”

“I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate how my skills and passion can contribute to the future of South Dundas,” said Bazinet.

Bazinet was selected from a field of 25 who applied for the job. Four were interviewed.

May 1, Ian Kemp will be joining the staff of The Township of South Dundas as the Supervisor of Water and Wastewater Services. 

CAO McDonald made this announcement in a second April 16 media release.

“Mr. Kemp brings over 20 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry, including supervisory experience,” said McDonald.

Most recently, Kemp worked as an operator/mechanic with OCWA, the Ontario Clean Water Agency. He and his family will be relocating here from Barrie.

Kemp was selected from a field of 10 applicants. Four were interviewed.

Employing Kemp is the first step in South Dundas’ effort to bring water and wastewater services in house.

Kemp will evaluate operations and determine the township’s needs regarding further staffing needs.

[…]