News

 

The new roadside sign design has been scrapped by South Dundas council. Council narrowly defeated a motion at the April 2, council meeting that would have allowed South Dundas’ roadside signs to be replaced with new redesigned signs.

South Dundas, in partnership with South Stormont, commissioned a $10,000 study to redesign the signs to include the shared Upper Canada Region branding and to have a uniform appearance across the region.

South Stormont council approved the new design at their March 11 meeting.

The new sign design removes the images that were featured on past designs, including the McIntosh apple from hamlet signs throughout South Dundas and the ship that is featured on the 401 exit signs at Morrisburg and Iroquois.

“There are no images in order to ensure that the name (South Dundas) is relayed effectively without any clutter,” said South Dundas economic development officer Nicole Sullivan. 

“What we wanted is for our signs to be timeless. Images and pictures tend to fade and soon become outdated. That’s why we went with only text.”

“If you have graphics, you have to pick one, and then you have effectively pigeon-holed your community,” said Sullivan.

The recommendation to change the names on the 401 signs to South Dundas from Iroquois and Morrisburg was done to align South Dundas’ greater marketing efforts. 

“If we want name recognition, it needs to be consistent,” said Sullivan. “We’re marketing the whole South Dundas community, not just Iroquois and Morrisburg.”

The majority of council was not swayed by Sullivan’s arguments. 

Council members had various ideas about what should be on the signs such as images and logos, but the majority agreed that they did not like the roadside sign design they were presented at the March 5 council meeting by consultant Tom Graham of T.D. Graham and Associates. 

Councillor Archie Mellan said that an image, like the McIntosh apple, serves a purpose. “It grabs your attention.” 

Councillor Evonne Delegarde agreed. “We might be missing the boat if we eliminate graphics from our signs,” she said, adding that she has had no positive feedback on the new design. 

“I don’t like the new design,” said South Dundas councillor Jim Graham. 

“To me the design is plain and institutional. I like the signs we have with the apple and the boat.” He added that he has been asking people about the new sign design and that he has not had anyone say they like it.

“People don’t like change,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke. 

He was satisfied with the sign design suggested by the consultants, who were able to explain the reasoning behind the choice of this new design. 

“We partnered with another municipality to do this, and here we are not happy,” said Locke.

South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds was swayed by the consultant’s arguments in favour of the new design, especially of using the medium to promote the Upper Canada Region brand.

“This branding has been on the shelf too long not to give it a try,” said Byvelds.

“The signs on the 401: I am of the firm belief that it is time to make them South Dundas signs,” said Mayor Byvelds. 

“We are South Dundas council and we need to stick together and emphasize that point. We have to start thinking of South Dundas as one, and it needs to start at this table. It is not just Iroquois and Morrisburg and the rest. Yes, the new sign design is very plain but the apple and the ship are not unity. That’s just more division. South Dundas is unity.”

“This is our opportunity to go forward with the Upper Canada Region brand, to promote South Dundas and to work with South Stormont,” he added. 

“I have no problem with using the South Dundas name and the Upper Canada Region. I fully support the branding,” said Councillor Graham. “I am not happy with the design that was presented, and I don’t have to accept it.”

“What do we do, scrap it?,” asked Deputy Mayor Locke.

The apparent answer to his question was yes as council voted to defeat the motion to accept the new sign design.

“I am not sure of our path forward from here,” said Mayor Byvelds. “Now we have no signs, and no budget to pay for a redesign.” 

[…]

 

“We are asking you to please work in our favour,” said Pamela Rodrigue, who made a plea to South Dundas council at the April 2, regular council meeting.

She spoke on behalf of the group who is fighting to keep the Williamsburg branch of the Stormont, Dundas and County Library open. 

The SD&G Library Board decided late last year that the branch will be closed and consolidated with the Morrisburg branch. 

Unless the library board reverses the decision, the consolidated branch will be at the new Morrisburg location, in renovated space that will be vacated by the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic as part of the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute redevelopment. 

According to South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds, that decision was solely the decision of the SD&G County Library Board. 

Byvelds told Rodrigue and the 40 library supporters who packed council chambers, that the library board has never been told by South Dundas that the library has to vacate the building in Williamsburg.

South Dundas Deputy Mayor Jim Locke, who is a member of the library board, said, “If this council supports promoting the library in Williamsburg, I will support that in my position on the library board.”

This offer of support, along with information about a potential tenant for the South Dundas municipal building in Williamsburg, has given Williamsburg library supporters a little hope about the future of the library.

Rodrigue stated at the council meeting that the TR Leger School is in the process of leasing the building in Williamsburg and that they are willing to consider leasing space to the library. “What a wonderful partnership this would be,” she commented.

“This would be a good opportunity to offer a library,” said Byvelds, adding that he is hopeful the possibility of that partnership pans out. “That would be a positive economic drive for Williamsburg.” 

According to Byvelds, township staff and TR Leger staff have been meeting regarding the Williamsburg building. Council is aware of the negotiations, however, that information was discussed in closed session.

Byvelds said the township will work with TR Leger, but if the library doesn’t work for that arrangement, there are alternative sites where some level of service could be offered.

[…]

The numbers have been reworked by staff, but the end result will still be big increases to water and sewer rates for residents of South Dundas who are connected to municipal infrastructure.

The hardest hit by the increase will be those connected to the Iroquois waste water treatment plant.

Since the last time water and sewer rates were reviewed, about five years ago, consumption has dropped so much that the money being collected through the billing process is not covering the costs of the water and sewer plants.

The only solution to fix the problem is to raise the rates, significantly.

Staff first presented the numbers to council March 11. Those numbers showed that a 20 percent rate increase is needed. 

Following that meeting, staff were asked to rework the numbers to balance the budget, and minimize any transfer of funds to reserves.

The result will be a three cent increase in the consumption rate. It will go from 62 cents per cubic meter of consumption to 65 cents per cubic meter of consumption. But, that’s not all.

The water plant capital levy will go from the current charge of 50 cents per cubic meter to 75 cents per cubic meter. 

Also, the fixed rate water charge will increase from $19.54 to $21.99 monthly.

For those connected to the Morrisburg sewer system the sewage charge will be calculated at 100 percent of the water charges, excluding the capital levy.  

The calculation will not be the same for those connected to the Iroquois sewer system. 

Because water consumption in Iroquois is so low, the sewer charges are not sufficient to cover sewer operating costs. Already the reserves are being depleted by as much as $100,000 per year and with the new plant being commissioned later this year, the operating costs will see a huge jump. 

The new plant, will cost at least $100,000 per year in hydro alone, according to public works manager Hugh Garlough. 

He explained that the bigger building and the more complex treatment systems all mean added costs. 

However, those added costs that come with the new plant are necessary to meet the Ministry of the Environment’s secondary treatment criteria, added South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald.

Iroquois water users will be billed the same fixed water rate of $21.99 monthly, the same water consumption rate of 65 cents per cubic meter and the same capital levy charge. 

However, their sewer charges will be calculated at 125 percent of the water cost, excluding the capital levy.

Staff warned that this 125 percent figure, might need to go as high as 170 percent after the new waste water treatment plant is commissioned.

Once the new rates come into effect, in May or June, the average household in Morrisburg will see an increase of about 13 percent in their monthly water and sewer bill, while the average household in Iroquois will see an increase of about 21 percent in their monthly water and sewer bill.

[…]

In the winter of 1813, Upper Canada was facing a deadly threat.

American armies were poised on the border, preparing to invade as soon as the first hint of spring appeared. For the fledging country of Canada to survive, every soldier, every militia man the British could muster, was desperately needed to bolster defences along the vulnerable St. Lawrence river.

In February of 1813, the New Brunswick 104th Regiment of Foot responded to the call. 

To make it to Upper Canada in time to thwart the expected spring invasion, the Regiment marched more than 1,100 kilometres from Fredericton, New Brunswick, to Kingston, Ontario.

Throughout Eastern Ontario, dedicated marchers recreating the historic journey on foot of the New Brunswick 104th Regiment, have been welcomed as they follow the  Regiment’s original route under many of the same conditions. 

 Sunday, April 7, 2013, the 104th Regiment of Foot marchers will pass by Upper Canada Village, pausing briefly around 4 p.m. for a photo, with the Crysler’s Farm memorial in the background. They will then proceed to the Morrisburg Legion, branch #48, for a reception, at approximately 5 p.m. 

Renowned historian Donald E. Graves, and Michael Berk, co-chair of the Spencerville Mill’s Heritage Fair and the St. Lawrence War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance staffer (who is personally marching the final 220 kilometres of the journey), are expected to attend the Morrisburg reception.

The public is invited to come out and welcome the marchers as they recreate the route taken by the 104th Regiment of Foot,  passing through South Dundas, with stops at branch #48 on April 7, and again, briefly, at branch #370, the Iroquois Legion, around noon, on Monday, April 8.

Modern Canadian military regiments have taken part in the re-enactment of the historic march since its departure. The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, the 4th Battalion of the Royal 22e Régiment, and the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders are represented.

The SD&G Highlanders will take the march through Ontario, passing through Morrisburg and Iroquois, meeting up en route with the Brockville Rifles and the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment.

The concluding ceremonies of the great march will be held at Point Frederick, the Royal Military College, in Kingston, on April 12. 

On April 7, 2013, South Dundas has the opportunity to celebrate the bicentennial of that heroic and dangerous march, and to honour the men who made it.

For additional information contact info@celebrate1812.ca or visit www.celebrate1812.ca/104thMarch 

[…]

The Playhouse is gearing up for the April debut of its popular, live, spring country concert. 

This season audiences will be treated to Wichita Lineman starring Playhouse favourite, singer and fiddler Aaron Solomon and co-starring another popular Playhouse singing sensation, Leisa Way, both seen in the past hit concerts Country Jukebox, Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton. 

The concert highlights the music of Glen Campbell, but that’s just the beginning of a musical buffet. 

Like all of its past country concerts, this show will offer audiences a whole lot more, featuring a variety of hit songs from many of their favourite country legends. 

“The interesting thing about Aaron Solomon and Glen Campbell is that Campbell (like Aaron) also had the facility to sound just like the stars whose songs he was singing,” remarked Playhouse artistic director Donnie Bowes. “And because Campbell worked with so many popular artists, audiences are going to enjoy a really great mix of music from a whole variety of singers as well.”

Solomon and Leisa Way, together with the five piece Wayward Wind Band, will light up the stage and keep folks’ feet tapping throughout a show which is full of fantastic, varied music. 

The list of great artists and their music which will be featured in  the 2013 spring show goes on and on. From Glen Campbell, enjoy the hits Rhinestone Cowboy, Gentle on My Mind, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Galveston, Southern Nights, Try a Little Kindness and It’s Only Make Believe.

Then sit back and take in a great five song Beach Boys medley, featuring memorable tunes like Surfin’ USA and Help Me Rhonda. 

Look for a Bobbie Gentry medley as well as hits like All I Have to Do is Dream by the Everly Brothers. Memorable Tanya Tucker numbers, Bobby Darin’s Dream Lover, the classic Paul McCartney song, Mull of Kintyre, and Roger Miller’s comic hits Dang Me and King of The Road will guarantee a spring production at the Playhouse full of entertainment.  

“And that’s just some of the variety of hits in the first half of the show,” added Bowes. “The second act is loaded with tons more and will also showcase Aaron’s famous fiddle and guitar talents, talents that our audiences have come to enjoy.”

Solomon brings to life Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison. He will also join Way in a great Anne Murray medley which features well loved hits like Snowbird, the Bob Dylan tune, Ain’t No Use in Wonderin’ Why, and Babe, among many others.  

Solomon and guitarist Kim Ratcliffe will definitely amaze audiences when they showcase their dueling-guitar version of The William Tell Overture. 

Playhouse visitors are invited to enjoy this outstanding, exciting new production, as some of country’s most talented musical artists hit the stage for a rousing kick-off to the 2013 Season. 

Wichita Lineman, starring Aaron Solomon, co-starring  Leisa Way and the Wayward Wind Band, opens at Upper Canada Playhouse on April 23 and runs through May 5. There are 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows. 

Rates for seniors and for groups of 10 or more are also available for this show. For tickets contact 1-613-543-3713/1-877-550-3650 or www.uppercanadaplayhouse.com. 

[…]

There may not have been an actual red carpet, but the Students’ Council of Seaway District High School made sure that the seventh annual Oskar night at the school was filled with pomp and circumstance.

“We always have a really big turn out of students for Oskar night,” said Hayley Smith, vice president and Nikki Devries, student senate. “The event is really popular with kids at Seaway. Everyone wants to know who actually won in the 12 categories. It’s a semi formal occasion, so we also have a Much Music Video dance after the Oskar presentations. Everyone looks great and has fun.”

Oskars, held at the high school on Thursday, March 21, began with students’ council seven years ago, and the tradition has continued and grown since then.

There are 12 categories (a few of them fairly unique) and students are nominated in the junior and senior divisions of each by their peers. Then there is a secret ballot and the top three finishers in a category are entered into the contest for the coveted Oskar.

“Suspense is really high, and everyone comes out to see who the final winners will be,” said Hayley Smith. 

There were two hosts at this year’s Oskars, Brodey Casselman and Ryan Brown. The contenders for Oskars were shown to the crowd in special video clips (just like their Hollywood counterparts), and the winners announced.

The gold plated Oskars (who may have been “Barbies” in another life) are treasured by the winners. At the celebration, 28 statues were handed out.

Each students’ council generally adds a special category or two of its own to the event. In 2013, Most Likely to Appear in Duck Dynasty and Most Likely to be ID’d at 30 were selected.

Winners of these categories were (sen.) Ryan Brown and (jun.) Collin McCooeye (Ducks) and (sen.) Eric Swank and (jun.) Zach Thompson (ID).

Other Oskar winners in the 2013 competition included:

Leading Lads – Brodey Casselman (S), Toby Mullin (J).

Leading Ladies – Sarah Dickey (S), Allison Lee (J).

Biggest Athlete – Vicki Van Hoof (S), Andrew Jarvis (J).

Dynamic Duo – Bailey Wells, Danielle Whitteker (S), Peyton Bradford, Mackenzie Barkley (J).

Most Dedicated – Sam Venema (S), Lyndsay Venema (J).

Most Unique Style – Ashley Dupuis (S), Dani-Shae Barkley (J).

Class Clown – Josh O’Connor (S), Evan Mullin (J).

Best Hair – Casey McNairn (S), Mackenzie Barkley (J).

Biggest Gamer – Nick Madden (S), Chris Goupil (J).

Cinderella and Prince Charming – Travis McNeilly and Valarie Stewart (S), Tristan Hanes and Alyssa Mayhew (J).

[…]

“There is just something about World War One,” Norm Christie, author, and creator of the acclaimed History Channel series, For King and Empire, told Kim McInnis. “When people begin to delve into it, it becomes an obsession.” 

For McInnis, who has just published the new book, “In a lonely soldier’s grave…”, the famed writer and director’s words have proved prophetic. 

In 2009, McInnis began compiling her new book about the generation of young men from Mountain Township, and surrounding areas,  who were lost to World War One. Her research was initially sparked by the names commemorated on the Mountain Community Park Hill 70 Memorial. Hill 70, fought near the French village of Lens, proved to be one of the bloodiest and most crucial Canadian battles of the Great War. 

Yet today, there is only  a single memorial to it anywhere: the park in Mountain.

In 2009, under the strong leadership of Bill Shearing, then honorary colonel (ret.) of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, the North Dundas History Stewards, under Carol Goddard and the North Dundas municipal council, the Mountain Hill 70 Memorial was rededicated. 

This ceremony took place on October 31, 2009, in Mountain on what Kim (who was one of the speakers) described as the “coldest, wettest day of the year. Hurricane force winds a lot of the morning.”

A number of dignitaries, including MP Guy Lauzon, then MPP Jim Brownell, members of the History Stewards, veterans and councillors were in attendance. Guests of honour were the SD&G Highlanders, who marched to the ceremony, following a training exercise, led by their officers.

“The original intention in 2009 was to preserve the park as it was, with the marker stone set up in 1922, a commemorative stone from the Highlanders, and a World War One German machine gun,” McInnis explained.

The site was later taken over by the Mountain Lions Hill 70 Refurbishment Committee in 2010.  That committee put up different markers in 2011-12, while preserving some of the original artifacts. 

With the encouragement of Bill Shearing, Carol Goddard, Ian Raveler and many members of the Historical Society, McInnis undertook, in 2009, to research and write her hard cover book based on the memorial.

She found uncovering memories of World War One a huge, but fascinating task. “I began going through honour roles, finding old documents and stories, tracking down diaries, letters and the military records of the men named on the monument, even listening to old taped interviews.” She became “well acquainted” with Archives Canada, and exchanged two years of emails with many historians and researchers. She even entered into correspondence with the present mayor of Lens, France, whose town near Hill 70 was utterly destroyed by the Germans in 1915.

The more she learned, the closer McInnis felt to the local men lost in the Great War. “I sometimes found the research very sad. There are often no descendants left who can even vaguely recall those terribly young, lost boys. Sometimes, I actually felt drained looking at all their faces.”

Her book includes collections of stories, photos and letters from  area Canadian soldiers dating back to the Boer War and 1812. 

However, the key focus remains World War One and our men who served. Still, the more McInnis learned, the more she realized that Norm Christie was right.

“Next year it will be 100 years since World War One began, and there is probably no one left alive in the whole world who actually knew the young men as they went off to war. Preserving the memories of those who were lost, and of those who returned but suffered physical and mental scars, is important. And these soldiers all came to life for me as I put this book together.”

“In a soldier’s lonely grave…” is available to order by contacting Kim McInnis at 613-989-2607. The funds raised by book sales will be going to the Chesterville District Historical Society.

[…]

 

 “Breakfast with the Bunny just seems to get bigger and better every year,” said Iroquois and District Business Group member, Evonne Delegarde. “This is our third annual event in Iroquois, and we are hoping to get over 200 attendees.”

The 2013 Breakfast with the Bunny was held on Sunday, March 24, at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch # 370, in Iroquois, and ran from 8 a.m. until noon. 

A delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage and beans was served up by the Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary to hungry visitors. Face painting, Easter crafts, a jujube guessing contest, a colouring contest and small chocolate gifts were available for all the children.

JoLee Menagerie of Dundela was a big hit. 

Joanne Carruthers, co-owner, brought nine bunnies and ten guinea pigs for children to admire and pet. Some of the bunnies even went home with new families.

Presiding over everything, from her balloon throne, was the Easter Bunny herself. Dozens of children came up to sit on her knee and share stories and treats.

“This Breakfast is not a fund raiser,” explained Evonne Delegarde. “It’s really a com-munity event: a lot of people volunteered their time to help us today. The Breakfast was co-sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion and the Iroquois and District Business Group and several members of both organizations, as well as student volunteers, were on hand all morning. I hope that a community and family event like this just keeps on growing.”

[…]

 

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) announced March 22, the opening of the Seaway’s 55th navigation season with the transit of Canada Steamship Lines’ newly built Baie St. Paul through the St. Lambert Lock. Marking the first of a series of new vessels being constructed specifically for use in the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Baie St. Paul ushers in a new era in domestic shipping.

“Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) ranks prominently among a number of Canadian shipowners who are committing hundreds of millions of dollars to build new vessels, testifying to the confidence these firms have in the future of the Great Lakes-Seaway System,” said Terence Bowles, President and CEO of the SLSMC. 

“The new vessels coming into service will bolster marine transportation’s competitive edge as the most energy efficient means of moving cargo.”

“The Baie St. Paul is the first of CSL’s Trillium Class of vessels, which sets new standards in operational and energy efficiency, reliability and environmental protection,” said CSL’s President Louis Martel.   

“The Baie St. Paul is 15% more fuel efficient than CSL’s previous class of ships – vessels that were already among the most efficient in the Lakes – and will save approximately 750 tonnes of fuel per year, amounting to a yearly carbon emission reduction of 2,400 tonnes.”

Companies seeking to bolster their supply chain’s sustainability are taking note that ships have a very small carbon footprint. 

The SLSMC’s Bowles said: “A peer-reviewed study, released in February of 2013, confirms that marine generates the least greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of any transportation mode. 

The new vessels can move a tonne of cargo very efficiently, and when compared to the state-of-the-art equipment in alternate modes, generate 38% less GHG emissions than rail and 88% less GHG emissions than trucks.”

In terms of the outlook for cargo volume on the St. Lawrence Seaway in 2013, the SLSMC’s Bowles noted that he continues to be upbeat.  “Seaway tonnage is forecast to exceed a total of 40 million tonnes for the year,” said Bowles.

Craig Middlebrook, Acting Administrator of the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, stated: “The resurgence of manufacturing in North America is fueling demand for both traditional and new Seaway cargoes, having positive implications for Great Lakes shipping. Just as the private sector is investing in new vessels and new engines, public sector investments in lock rehabilitation, port infrastructure, and new navigation technologies are laying the foundation for sustained future growth.”

Over 227,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic activity are supported by the movement of goods within the Great Lakes-Seaway System. 

For more information on the St. Lawrence Seaway, including the findings of the recently published environmental study comparing transportation modes, please consult the www.greatlakes-seaway.com website.

[…]