News

WILLIAMSBURG – A funding request from the Morrisburg Business Improvement Area has been turned down by South Dundas council.

The BIA requested just over $11,000 to help fund the installation of an electronic sign on the north face of the clock tower, in the Morrisburg Plaza.

The sign would be used to promote area businesses and community events.

The funding request was made through the Dollar for Dollar matching funds program. However, staff and council agreed that this application did not fit the criteria of this program which is intended to match community fund raising efforts for capital recreation projects on township-owned lands.

South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald characterized this as a “quasi-commercial” endeavour.

“This is definitely not in the true spirit or intent of the program,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan.

“The project does have merit, but the businesses are the best funders of this project,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

South Dundas councillor Jim Graham, who is the council appointed member to the BIA, asked on behalf of the organization if council would instead consider short term financing of the project, for which the BIA has already set aside some of the funds.

Council will explore the idea of instead providing a loan to the project once a formal request is made to council. 

In the past, council has provided loans for capital projects to other committees of council, such as the marina committee.

[…]

The doom and gloom being predicted for area farmers at the height of this summer’s drought, has not come to fruition locally and most area farmers are now wrapping up an early harvest season.

Archie Mellan, local councillor and Hulbert cash crop farmer, spoke with The Leader Monday about this year’s harvest. “Generally, I think most are pleasantly surprised,” said Mellan.

This year the soybean crop was about average on his farm. “The beans came through amazingly well,” said Mellan, explaining that they are more resilient to the drought conditions experienced this summer.

On his farm, the corn yield was about half a tonne per acre below the normal average. 

Mellan said the corn yields this year are very sporadic and directly reflect the amount and timing of the rain, explaining that those farms a little to the north of his farm seem to have even lower yields, while those to the south seem to have slightly higher yields.

“Those sporadic rains really made a difference,” said Mellan.

Although the corn harvest was below average, Mellan said, “We are satisfied with what we got. It’s a lot better than the doom and gloom they were forecasting back in July and August.”

The dry weather did allow the corn to mature and dry down quickly.

This year, his corn harvest was finished by the end of October, which is two or three weeks ahead of schedule for an average year.

Because prices are driven by the US market, droughts in that country mean that prices have been driven up. 

“So, the price makes up for the yield lost,” said Mellan.

“In this area, everybody’s down a bit, but we’re not too bad off. In other areas yields are down, 1-1.5 tonnes per acre, and it’s hard to recoup that.”

The farmers most affected by this year’s drought locally are dairy farmers, as there is a real shortage of forage. 

“The second cut of hay this year, was basically non-existent,” said Mellan. “I’ve seen them taking off hay into October, because they simply need the tonnage of feed. Maybe they can make up the difference with corn silage.” 

[…]

Members of the Morrisburg & District Lions Club and the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club are expressing their gratitude to MacEwen Petroleum of Morrisburg for their generosity in once again sponsoring the 7th South Dundas Senior Christmas Concert coming up at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners on Saturday, November 24th. 

Karen Ouderkirk, Morrisburg MacEwen C Store owner, who has championed this event for several years, explains the South Dundas Seniors Concert is an opportunity to thank the community for their support in a meaningful and significant way. 

In lending her support and endorsement, Ouderkirk points out that the two Lions clubs have put together a comprehensive package for South Dundas seniors, by pooling their resources to decorate Matilda Hall, provide transportation, and ensure a joyful afternoon which includes festive Christmas music, exceptional refreshments and the fellowship of friends. And it is all free of charge to concert goers.  

The doors at Matilda Hall will open at 1:30 p.m. and the concert will run from 2-4 p.m. 

Back by popular demand are Ron Whitteker and his band, “Good Time Country” who will provide toe tapping and traditional Christmas tunes! Once the concert concludes, members of both Lions Clubs will serve refreshments while Santa Claus and friends make an appearance!  

This event is offered at no cost to the Seniors of south Dundas Township. 

Whitteker Bus Lines are again providing transportation to the concert from: Iroma Apartments, Iroquois at 12:20 p.m.; Hartford Retirement Centre, Morrisburg at 12:40 p.m.; Morris Glen, Morrisburg at 12:50 p.m.; Park Drive Villa, Williamsburg at 1:05 p.m.

For additional concert information or transportation needs seniors are asked to contact Bill MacDonald (613) 652-2307 (Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club) or Earl Wood (613) 543-3292 (Morrisburg and District Lions Club). 

[…]

Upper Canada Village’s new fall event Pumpkinferno has proven its status as the largest, boldest and definitely most unique event in Eastern Ontario.  Just ask the 35,000 visitors, who passed through the gates.  

With performance exceeding even the St. Lawrence Parks Commission’s expectations (approximately 20,000 forecasted), Pumpkinferno will return in 2013 with even more improvements and visual features. 

To say investing in the event required a leap of faith by the SLPC’s leadership would be an understatement.  The concept was actually a few years in development.  

And as the vision and concept was fine-tuned, so to was a business plan and market analysis.  

Investment in the range of $600,000 over three years has been allocated for the event.

The Product and Development Team presented a plan to purchase thousands of artificial pumpkins and carving equipment, hire a team of talented local artists and carvers and a supervisor to bring the concept of Pumpkinferno to life.  

“It definitely was a calculated risk on our part to support the development of this new event,” said general manager and CEO Darren Dalgleish. “But as leaders in event development, the event business plan really fit with our strategic objectives of product mix enrichment.”

The SLPC has led the way in the region with the introduction of special events both during the regular season at Upper Canada Village, Fort Henry and their other recreational properties as well as during what is traditionally the ‘off-season’.”  

“Our experience with Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night and Fort Henry’s Fort Fright events proved to us that there is interest amongst consumers to visit our sites for a non-traditional product offering,” says Dagleish. “In fact, we find that our audiences for the off season are quite different than for the regular core season.  Often visitors have never been to the sites during the main season, so these events offer us a unique opportunity to broaden our appeal and to connect with market segments we previously may have overlooked to be our guests.” 

“We attracted guests from Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Belleville, Northern New York State and some even from Toronto!”

Dalgleish went on to say: “Development of these very successful off season events is critical to our overall business objective to improve our net performance and by doing so, strengthen our sustainability and tourism brands throughout the Great Waterway Region.”

Next up for Upper Canada Village is the winter lights festival Alight at Night which opens its twelfth year on Friday, November 30 at 5 p.m. and operates on select nights through until Saturday, January 5, 2013.  

Admission to Alight at Night is $13 adults (13 to 64 years of age) and $10 for seniors (65+ years of age) and youth (six to 12 years of age.).  

Entry, wagon ride and train ride are all included in the admission price.  Parking is free.  Advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased online at www.AlightatNight.ca

[…]

Saturday, November 10 at 10 a.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 48 in Morrisburg

Sunday, November 11 at 9 a.m. at the Crysler's Farm Battlefield Monument

Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m. at Matilda Hall in Dixon's Corners

Sunday, November 11 at 10:30 a.m. at The Hartford Retirement Centre, Fifth Street in Morrisburg

[…]

“I believe that Hospice care is an extremely important part of any community,” said Hanna Rycroft, who turned the Basket Case, a Morrisburg business she co-owns, into a live radio satellite station on Saturday, November 3. 

“People can freely go to the hospice when they have the need. And families can be with their loved ones day and night, not in a hospital setting, but instead in a caring and home-like environment.”

Rycroft volunteered her business to be a local focus for the 4th Annual Telethon for Hospice on November 3. She also offered  people who dropped in to the Basket Case, and made a donation of at least $5, soup and cake.

The Telethon was organized by TVCogeco in conjunction with Variety 104.5 The goal set for the November 3 Telethon was $80,000. Rycroft hoped that area residents would help the Telethon make that goal.

“Hospices receive very limited provincial and federal funding,” Rycroft said. “Most of their funding comes from events like this one.”

“Many people may not know this,” said Angie Baker, general sales manager of Corus Entertainment, the parent company of Variety 104.5, 101.9 CJSS and the CornwallDaily.com, “but the Cornwall Hospice actually supports the people in this area. Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, as well as Russell, are served by this hospice. It is really a vital part of this community as it is the only hospice that is near to local people. The next closest hospice is actually in Ottawa.”

This is the first time since the Telethon began that organizers have set up a satellite location during the fund raiser. 

“Because many local people cannot get TVCogeco, where the fundraiser is broadcast live, we decided to set up a radio connection here in Morrisburg. We hope people turn out to support us.”

On hand, broadcasting from the Basket Case was Courtney Chambers, the midday announcer of Variety 104.5.

Also on site were volunteers from Scotiabank.

“Scotiabank has made a $5,000 donation to the Hospice cause,” Hanna Rycroft said. 

The volunteers were on hand to greet the public and to help people complete donations forms. 

Rycroft hopes that awareness and understanding about the importance of Hospices is raised during the Telethon. 

“We had one lady visit today whose husband passed his last days in the Cornwall hopice. She told me that he said that hospice was like paradise. The people who work in hospice care are kind and good. They welcome those who need them.”

Rycroft particularly hopes that young people educate themselves about how important quality hospice care is for any community. 

She has also has a challenge for area businesses and individuals.

The Basket Case has pledged to donate $100 a month for the next 12 months to the Cornwall Hospice. She hopes that others will also make pledges so that the work of hospice care can continue. The telethon surpassed their goal, raising over $107,000, with the Morrisburg location contributing $5,000 to the total. 

[…]

Friday, Jim Whelan of Sun Life Financial invited, customers, community officials, friends and neighbours to join him for an open house celebrating the relocation of his business from a home office to a storefront in the Morrisburg Plaza.

“I have always wanted a storefront and here I am,” said Whelan of his Main Street plaza location (in the former Allan Bell office) that he has now occupied since October 1. 

Whelan has 10 years experience with Sun Life offering life and health insurance, mutual funds and estate planning.

Friday, Bill Ewing, president of the Morrisburg Business Improvement Area (BIA) welcomed Whelan to the Morrisburg Plaza, saying that it is always positive to see the storefronts filling up.

South Dundas councillors Evonne Delegarde and Archie Mellan were on hand to offer their congratulations. “Congratulations and best wishes to Jim,” said Councillor Delegarde. “We are glad to see another business in the Morrisburg Plaza. “I’m glad to see Suds (Jim) in his new digs. It’s great to have him here,” added Councillor Mellan.

Mayor Steven Byvelds welcomed Whelan to the Morrisburg Plaza and said, “This gives Jim an opportunity to put his name out there is an accessible location, while becoming part of the BIA community, where he can help them work together to promote the plaza.”

“Small businesses are important to our local economy,” said Nicole Sullivan, South Dundas’ economic development officer. “Small business represents about half of the businesses in the area, so we are thrilled to see small businesses and entrepreneurs starting new ventures.”

[…]

The first major review of South Dundas’ personnel policy since amalgamation, 14 years ago, has revealed a number of quirks that council is planning to change.

“I’ve never been anywhere else that I’ve gotten paid to go to a council meeting,” said Steve McDonald, South Dundas’ chief administrative officer at a special council meeting. McDonald’s career in municipal administration spans 30 years.

The day-long session, held October 31, gave council the opportunity to conduct a lengthy, line-by-line review of this and other policies.

Once council approves a bylaw change to the existing policy, the practice of paying managers to attend council meetings will come to an end in South Dundas.

When the new policy comes into effect, township heads of department will, instead of receiving $100 per meeting attended, be entitled to time in lieu.

Changes to the policy will also formalize the now informal system, require proper documentation and put a limit on the amount of time in lieu that can be accumulated and used in one year.

Another 14 year practice, fairly unique to South Dundas, is to pay more for overtime on Sundays than Saturdays. Currently, overtime on Saturdays is paid at the standard time and a half, but on Sundays the rate is double time.

When South Dundas councillor Jim Graham asked why Sundays are treated differently than Saturdays, the only answer was, “That’s the way it has always been done.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s right,” said Graham, who suggested that practices like this one that are fairly unique should be backed up with some documentation to explain why.

“While most of this policy is fairly standard,” said CAO McDonald, “some things in it are unique.” His only explanation of these quirks, that were put into place long before he arrived in South Dundas, was that they likely represent what municipal officials of the day decided to include, representing the ‘best of’ the four policies of the former municipalities.

“Some of these policies are still here, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be changed,” said McDonald.

When proposed changes come into effect staff will only receive a day off for Remembrance Day if it falls on a weekday. 

The practice of January 2 being considered a holiday will be gone. Instead staff will be granted a floating holiday to use at their discretion. 

The floating holiday was a concession to show council’s appreciation of staff their efforts to keep the township office open between Christmas and New Year’s. Most municipal offices shut down for the entire week.

South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde suggested eliminating the two half days off that staff get on New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve, however the remainder of council did not agree.

The Township of South Dundas has 30 full time staffers, including nine department heads (managers), five part time employees and 15 seasonal employees.

[…]

 A large portion of the Morrisburg Industrial Park is in danger of being designated a provincially significant wetland, and if that happens the Counties planning department is working to ensure that the designation doesn’t hinder South Dundas’ growth potential.

County Planner Michael Otis discussed the issue with South Dundas council at the October 31 special meeting. 

“Obviously, we want South Dundas council’s input and support for our proposals,” Otis told council.

“This wetland issue has being going on for some time,” said Otis, explaining that the province has the clout to make the designation which will definitely hinder development to about 140 hectares of the Morrisburg Industrial Park. 

“They reviewed 10 drafts of the County official plan and not once did they indicate it was a wetland,” said Otis. 

However, now in this five year review of the official plan, they now have another opportunity to make the wetland designation.

The Counties will ask the province, if the provincially significant wetland designation is made, that the province allow an equal amount of land in a new location to be designated as an employment district in the official plan.

If the trade off occurs, the new employment district will be at the west end of Morrisburg, on the north side of County Road 2, west of the communications tower.

“This is a defendable type of solution,” said Otis.

Otis also explained that along with this request to the province, they will also ask that about 136 hectares of land south of County Road 2 in the same area be earmarked for residential growth in South Dundas. 

This would be in lieu of previous efforts to designate many smaller areas such as Brinston and Stampville for settlement growth. The province prefers that residential growth be slated for areas that the municipality would be willing to fully service such as this one at Morrisburg which borders on fully serviced land.

“This is a really good trade off that is workable,” commented South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

“Hopefully the province will be amenable to it,” said Otis.

South Dundas will pass a resolution supporting this Counties proposal at their next meeting.

These new designations would have no immediate impact on the lands which are privately owned. 

What they represent is a theoretical change in thinking about how and where growth should occur within the Counties and specifically within South Dundas.

For development to occur, at the municipal level, the lands would need to be re-zoned and likely fully serviced. That is only likely to occur, if and when an application for development is presented.

Byvelds was especially supportive of the proposal presented to South Dundas council last week because at the Counties council meeting he saw a proposal that would have seen a similar type of trade off. However, the trade would have involved neighbouring South Stormont gaining the employment district designated land that South Dundas was losing. 

“That I could not have supported,” Byvelds told The Leader. Otis said that proposal was taken off the table because it wasn’t fair for one municipality to benefit from the other’s misfortune.

[…]