News

 Still going strong after nearly 20 years, the Iroquois Legion Darts for Hearts tournament was held at Branch 370 on Saturday, February 9, 2013, and raised $2,400 in total for Heart & Stroke. 

The Gerry Sypes Memorial Darts tournament, held on January 19, contributed $1,070 to that total. On hand to officially present a cheque for those funds were Brenda Sypes and Diane Baker, event organizers and members of Gerry’s family.

“We had 12 teams entered in our tournament this year,” said Iroquois organizer Wayne Bellinger. “The adverse weather conditions in the area affected attendance some,” said fellow organizer Tony Easter, “but we had a tremendous response for prizes from our local merchants. It was great.”

Cindy Rowe, area manager of the Heart& Stroke  Foundation of Ontario, tossed out the ceremonial dart and accepted the cheques with gratitude. “We experience 70,000 heart attacks and 50,000 strokes yearly in Canada,” Rowe said. “Research and education will help those statistics.” 

[…]

Some days, it would just be better to browse the catalogue and shop from home.

At 3:20 p.m., February 5 a car crashed through the front window of the River Rat Treasures/Sears store in the Iroquois Plaza. 

Staff are counting themselves lucky.

Store employee Evonne Delegarde was alone in the store when the 1992 Chevy Corsica, driven by an Iroquois resident, smashed into the building. Thankfully, she was not sitting at the Sears travel desk, which is located right where the car impacted the building.

“Thank God I was not sitting at the travel desk, which I often do. We all do,” said Delegarde, who a day later was still in disbelief of what had happened.

Delegarde had come in that afternoon to cover for fellow employee Carol Merkley, who had to leave early for an appointment.

Merkley most often sits at the travel desk, and was sitting there only minutes before the crash occurred. 

“If Evonne had been only a couple of minutes later arriving, I would have still be sitting at that desk when the car came through that window, and I would have been hit,” said Merkley.

When Delegarde arrived, she decided to do some work behind the counter. 

That’s where she was when the car hit.

“I heard a vehicle accelerate, and then the glass shattered and flew everywhere,” said Delegarde. She estimated that the glass flew about 10 feet. 

Luckily, none hit her.

The force of the impact pushed the brick wall under the window inward, bowing the wall inside.

According to Delegarde, the driver’s foot had slipped off the brake and onto the gas pedal, driving her forward into the building. 

“Both passenger side tires ran right over the curbing,” she said. 

“The driver of the car was not injured, no one was walking on the sidewalk and I was away from the window,” said Delegarde. 

Police did attend the scene, however did not choose to lay any charges against the driver.

[…]

If South Dundas council wishes to expand its fire services, they have to be prepared for the very large price tag that goes along with increased service levels.

South Dundas Fire Chief Chris McDonough presented a report to council at the February 5 council meeting outlining the services South Dundas does and does not provide, not to suggest any changes, but simply to make council aware of the costs associated with different types of services.

“Currently South Dundas does not respond to medical calls under a Tiered Response Agreement at the County  level,” said McDonough in the report. They are involved with motor vehicle extrication/rescue calls, but not medical-only calls.

In 2012, these medical-related calls cost South Dundas about $15,000, but if they were to start attending medical-only calls, that cost would increase dramatically.

According to McDonough’s report the cost would be at least $79,000 annually.

“I think we are fairly well served. Our average (medical) response time is about 14 minutes, the second best in the counties of the six townships served,” commented South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds.

“Medical responses could be a major cost to us and a major drain on our emergency services,” commented  Councillor Jim Graham.

“It would be a big responsibility for us,” agreed McDonough. “But, it would also deplete our resources, we just won’t have the manpower,” he added, explaining that the high volume of calls being handled by a volunteer force could be too much to ask of them and of their employers.

Council is willing to explore the possibility of providing high angle/low angle rope and confined space rescue, although it too has a significant price tag attached.

The additional equipment and training would cost about $50,000 according to McDonough’s report.

However, a recent donation of some equipment and this municipality’s large agricultural base have concil giving it some consideration. With far more on site grain storage than ever, the potential for an emergency situation exists. “We have some of the grain extrication equipment. It’s difficult to have it and just leave it sitting in the shed,” commented Byvelds.

He asked McDonough to provide a plan and report for council’s consideration. McDonough suggested the possibility of a joint services team, and will research the possibility.

[…]

Chris McDonough, Fire Chief for South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services recently requested funding from TransCanada Pipelines, and was excited to see that result in a donation of $30,000 from the company.

These funds will be used for emergency generators at the fire stations.

“This donation will finalize our goal to have generators at the three fire stations,” said McDonough. 

“This couldn’t have been accomplished without this donation, for which I am very thankful,” he added.

“I appreciate TransCanada Pipelines working with our community,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “This gives us a step forward in being prepared for an emergency.”

TransCanada has a long-standing history of supporting local communities. 

“I’m happy to work for a company that helps out,” said Sean McCann, TransCanada Pipeline technician from the Zeron Road Station.

[…]

In October, reports from the South Dundas planning department showed that South Dundas was having a good year, growth-wise.

 Last week, South Dundas council found out just how good, when they were presented with the 2012 building permit summary.

According to those figures, South Dundas experienced a record year, with construction projects valued at more than $27 million taking place.

That is a huge increase over 2011, when total construction for the year was valued at just under $13 million.

“That’s really good news,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds at the February 5 council meeting. “We have 34 new residences.”

While the number of new residences is about the same as the previous year, there were about 30 more permits for residential construction sold in 2012, meaning that more people are making improvements to existing residences.

South Dundas even experienced some industrial growth. Five industrial building permits were sold in 2012, as compared to only two in 2011.

The increase in the sale of building permits represents immediate revenue for the municipality when the permits are issued and fees are paid. South Dundas collected almost $40,000 more in permit fees in 2012, than 2011.

In the long run this growth will result in additional property tax revenue for the municipality.

[…]

Unless it’s a campfire or a barbecue, any open air burning by any resident of South Dundas requires a permit.

South Dundas council approved the newly revised bylaw at the February 5 regular meeting.

The bylaw sets out specific regulations regarding all open air fires, including campfires, which much less than 60 cm (approximately two feet).

Burn permits cost $10 for residential purposes or $15 per permit, per property for agricultural purposes, and must be purchased annually at the municipal office.

The permits are valid for the year, but must be activated prior to each fire by calling the township office during regular business hours. 

This contact will allow staff to relay important information to the resident, such as whether or not a burn ban is currently in effect. 

During a burn ban, no open air burning is permitted, even for permit holders.

Failure to abide by the bylaw could cost the resident, as they could be held liable for any costs associated with firefighters attending the scene.

The draft form of the bylaw was available on the township website to allow residents the opportunity for comment. “We have listened to the concerns, but in the end we have to be proactive,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds.

“I believe this document will serve us well,” said Chris McDonough, Fire Chief for South Dundas.

[…]

Volunteers are appreciated in South Dundas, and to demonstrate that appreciation, the municipality will host a special event for its volunteers.

South Dundas council authorized staff to proceed with plans for a volunteer appreciation evening.

A budget of $5,000 will be allocated for the evening which will include dinner, a guest speaker and some entertainment.

“The work the volunteers do in the community save us a lot more than the $5,000 we spend on this,” said South Dundas councillor Jim Graham, who supported the township using this as an opportunity to thank the volunteers for the work they do. 

The mayor and deputy mayor agreed. 

Staff will work out the details.

[…]

Local Member of Parliament Guy Lauzon and his constituency office staff in Cornwall reached a special milestone last week. 

The office received their 40,000th Canadian passport application for submission to Passport Canada.

Thursday, January 31st, Apple Hill resident Scott Maloney dropped his passport application off at MP Lauzon’s 621 Pitt Street office. 

The following day, he was given a scroll marking the occasion and a Canadian flag.

“We really emphasize excellent customer service at our office, and that’s why we have such a steady stream of traffic,” said Executive Assistant Eric Duncan. “Constituents appreciate being able to walk in, be served quickly and not have the hassle of going to Ottawa or mailing their application in before someone has looked it over.” 

Constituents can submit their application with MP Lauzon’s constituency office in Cornwall, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Staff also hold satellite office hours on Monday mornings in Winchester (8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.) and Morrisburg (10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.). 

Applications can be downloaded online at www.passport.gc.ca or by dropping by MP Lauzon’s office or a Canada Post office in the riding. 

Lauzon and staff are anticipating to hold two passport clinics later this spring.

[…]

We currently have six dogs at the South Dundas Animal Shelter, including four that are ready and really eager to be adopted and two that have just arrived.

[…]

When the winter doldrums hits after Christmas, one sure remedy is a trip to the sun and, with an 11 hour flight, you can be in the sunshine, sitting on the beach or by the pool in beautiful Maui, the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands.

There are several routes to fly to Maui from eastern Ontario, but they all require a stay over somewhere. For example, you can fly Ottawa to Calgary, a four hour flight, then direct to Maui the next morning for another seven hour plane ride.

From its heavenly beaches to its scenic natural wonders, there are plenty of reasons you will discover why Maui has been voted the 'Best Island' year after year.

Discover your own reasons to love Maui as you tour the streets of Lahaina and the lovely beaches of Kaanapali. Feel the mana (power) of Haleakala National Park or discover the arts and culture of Kahului and Upcountry Maui.

From the championship golf courses to the scenic road to Hana, your vacation on Maui promises to be an unforgettable experience.

There are more than 80 beaches on Maui and 120 miles of coastline. The beaches come in sands of gold, black, green, red and pure, shimmering white. And while you're at it, grab a snorkel and mask and commune with turtles and butterfly fish. The waters of Kapalua, at the north end of Kaanapali (near Black Rock), and in Makena are ideal snorkeling grounds, especially early in the morning. Many of the hotels rent snorkel gear, or you can rent it from dive and sports shops in Lahaina and Kihei.

Many beaches are easily accessible beach parks with lifeguards, picnic facilities and rest rooms. Others are undeveloped, 'secret spots' found off the beaten path.

Maui offers some of the finest dinning establishments and chefs you will find anywhere, with most following the motto 'From Farm to Table' which means farm fresh produce grown right on the island as well as locally caught fish.

In Lahaina, two award winning restaurants, Pacific'O and I'o, have gone so far as to acquire their own farm. With a vibrant palette of crops and open to visitors, Oo Farm in Kula harvests several hundreds of pounds of fresh, organic produce each week on 8.5 acres of land — from salad greens, spinach, carrots, beets, rainbow chard, sugar snap peas, tomatoes, and fresh greenhouse herbs to whatever the season allows. The chef decides what is for dinner based on the farm's output.

There are over 600 restaurants to choose from in Maui offering up a wide variety of menu choice to suit any diner.

Along Maui's rugged eastern coastline is the peaceful town of Hana, considered one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. The legendary road to Hana is only 52 miles from Kahului, however the drive can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete since it's full of narrow one-lane bridges, hairpin turns and incredible island views.

The Hana Highway has 620 curves and 59 bridges. It takes you through beautiful rainforests, flowing waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes.

Just four miles into your drive to Hana from Kahului, you'll discover the historic town of Paia on Maui's north coast. Paia is full of colorful, rustic storefronts filled with local art galleries, shopping boutiques and restaurants. It is a great spot to pick up a box lunch from one of the many restaurants for your drive.There are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the views, so start early in the morning and take your time on your drive.

Where to stay? Take your pick: luxury hotels with sunset views, intimate bed & breakfasts clinging to upland slopes, or spacious condominiums for the family with all the amenities of home. While luxury resorts line Maui's south and west shores, more moderately priced accommodations abound in neighboring resort areas, and in Upcountry and Central Maui. The only difficult thing about Maui's resorts is leaving them to explore the rest of the island.

Thousands of humpback whales migrate to Maui's warm waters year after year making it your gateway to some of the best whale watching in the world. During the winter mating and birthing season, Maui has the largest concentration of humpback whales in Hawaii, easily viewed from whale-watching cruises or even from resort beaches.

The waters off West Maui and South Maui are shielded by the West Maui Mountains and Haleakala, creating calm and clear waters for high visibility.

Humpback whales are drawn to the area's shallow waters, less than 600 feet deep, making Maui an ideal spot during the winter whale watching season from December to May.

One visit to Maui and you just might join the whales returning year after year.

Click here to download a PDF of this article with additional colour photos

[…]