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“Council should recognize that their fire service has achieved significant progress under the guidance of Chief (Chris) McDonough,” wrote program specialist Chad Brown of the Office of the Fire Marshal in the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Service.

Early in May, South Dundas chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald received Brown’s letter confirming “that there are no outstanding items from the 2009 OFM Review and no further follow-up activities required.”

Brown advised that “as the South Dundas Fire Service continues to mature under a single fire department, continued success should include activities such as implementing a Fire Safety Inspection Program, Fire Response Pre-Planning, obtaining a Tanker Shuttle Accreditation, and finalizing Fire Protection Agreements with neighbouring municipalities.”

In reaction to the letter, councillor Jim Graham said, “this demonstrates that not only did we make the right decision to get a fire chief to look after all three stations, but that we chose the right man.”

“As far as I’m concerned,” he continued, “that’s a real feather in our cap.”

McDonough offered that “it’s really been a group effort. I didn’t do it on my own.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds said, “we do appreciate what he does along with the volunteers and everybody that’s connected with the fire service.”

“There is a list here that he still has to work on,” added Byvelds.

[…]

 

Adrian Harewood arrived a little late for his speaking engagement with the Canadian Club of Morrisburg and District on Wednesday, May 16.

However, this was understandable. 

He was still on air when the banquet began, anchoring CBC News Ottawa, before thousands of viewers. 

A renowned journalist, radio host (All in a Day) and respected news commentator, Harewood was the final speaker of the Club’s 2011-2012 series. A large crowd of members and guests was on hand to hear Harewood speak on topic about which he clearly has deep feelings, “Volunteers in the Community.”

Personable, outgoing and a gifted speaker, Harewood quickly won over the audience, with his sense of humour. However, there was a serious point to his address.

Canada, like the rest of the world, has changed, he explained, with traditional communities often lost in the new on-line ‘digital’ societies. This is a world made up of hundreds of “friends” that people have never met, will never meet.

“The digital world is, of course, a great creativity source,” Harwood said, “but one effect of this change is that we are in danger of losing the human touch in our lives. Research has found that more people feel disconnected from society than ever before. People seem to be craving the sense of community life,  of simple conversations,  of recognition. They share a wish that they actually knew their neighbours. Without reminders of what community can be, we may lose parts of our humanity.”

Harewood grew up in Ottawa, a member of a close-knit family where both parents were community activists. They instilled in their son the strong belief that he had a responsibility to people, even to people he would never know. Other people’s lives needed to matter to him. 

“Our home was a place where everyone was welcome. I remember my mother bringing  home a Tunisian woman, a woman struggling to gain an education and to leave behind the desperate circumstances of her old life. She was Tunisian, Arabic, a francophone, a Muslim, and a Canadian. She became part of our lives. She was a member of our community.”

Harewood’s parents emphasized the need to be involved with the people in one’s community, to work for justice and freedom. They always stressed that everyone has a responsibility to the community.

Years later, Harewood was interviewing former United States president Bill Clinton, and asked him what he saw as the biggest problem of the 21st century.

“The problem, Clinton told me, lies in the struggle to overcome the differences that divide us as a global community.”

Volunteering, actively and personally getting involved in the life of a community, is vital, Harewood stressed.

“The act of volunteering is the connective tissue that ties our communities together. Volunteers are the civil engineers who build a healthy community. They weave the webs of solidarity and compassion. We cannot survive without the support of others because we are the products of our communities.”

Harewood illustrated how  the power of volunteering can bring even the most unlikely people together. 

He cited the example, a few months ago, of a drought fund raising concert, arranged by young, educated Somalian activists at the Centre Point Theatre. 

“They asked me to volunteer to work with them. But what utterly surprized me, when I saw the entertainment bill, was the  highly unlikely presence on it of a country and western band made up of middle-aged, conservative, white men.  That’s when I came to understand that those young African men and those middle-aged white men shared in common a profound belief in a cause: they were determined to help their community.”

Volunteering, Harewood said, is a gift to our neighbours, and a gift to ourselves.  Volunteers often get back far more than they give in terms of new possibilities,  of new ways of looking at the world.

Caring about the community, and doing what one can to help and to work with neighbours, makes all of us “more ‘human,’ human beings.”

Adrian Harewood chose words from the reverend Martin Luther King to conclude his address.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

[…]

 

Fundraising for the Galop Canal Revitalization Project is moving full steam ahead this June beginning with a sightseeing cruise aboard the Sea Fox II on June 10th.

The two hour cruise, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. will depart from Morrisburg and cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Passengers will be treated to dinner from the Basket Case Café as well as a live auction, live entertainment, a cash bar and prize draws. 

 Owners of the Basket Case Café, Carl McIntyre and Hanna Rycroft, “try to set an example for the community to get involved,” said McIntyre. “I believe the whole community should benefit.”

Rycroft said she gets involved “because it’s a really good cause. It’s important that we do something to get the tourism.”

“It’s a great way to have two fun-filled hours and to do something good,” she said. “Our goal is to raise at least $4,000.” 

[…]

 

The fourth annual Jumpstart Day held at Morrisburg’s Canadian Tire on Saturday, May 26, has once again helped to ensure that no kids will miss out on organized sports in Canada.

This year the Morrisburg store, owned by Ninon and Michel Proulx, was able to raise $2,068.11 for the cause.

“All of the money we raise with the Jumpstart program comes back into North and South Dundas to help out our local kids,” said Ninon Proulx. “This year again our entire staff got behind the effort.”

The Jumpstart program, which was supported on May 26 by most Canadian Tire stores across Canada, is designed to help kids get involved in organized sports. Research indicates that one in three families cannot afford to enroll their children in organized sports and recreation in this country. 

With its One Million Red Balls  campaign, Canadian Tire asks shoppers to donate $2 for the purchase of a red ball, the national symbol of child’s play.

“This fund raiser really helps our local kids,” Proulx said. “Many sports cost more than many parents can afford on their own. Some kids would not have the opportunity to take part in sports without these funds.”

The store offered a raffle for a patio set valued at $470, and two beautiful planters. The furniture was won by J. Manneck, the planters by ticket holders Thompson and Adrian.

Tribeck Inflatables were set up to amuse small visitors while parents shopped. Fiona Carr of the Ontario Early Years operated a crafts and colouring area where children could make paper bag puppets, and  take part in other activities. The Morrisburg and District Leos club was also on hand to run a barbecue for shoppers. 

[…]

 

On May 17th, Lloya and Dwayne Sprague celebrated the grand opening of their  Home Hardware store in Morrisburg.

The couple officially took over ownership of the store on July 18, 2011. According to Dwayne, “when we got here the shelves were basically bare.”

Since then, they’ve been working diligently to refill the shelves on a gradual basis. Dwayne pointed out that as of May 18th, it has been 10 months since the Spragues took over the business and they’re “finally finished the renovations.” 

“We’ve had a lot of fun building the inventory.”

At this point in time, the Morrisburg Home Hardware has four full-time employees, including Lloya and Dwayne, as well as two part-time employees and a faithful helper.

As for customers and keeping busy, Dwayne said, “it’s been non-stop for the whole week. I’ve sold 42 lawn mowers already and I’ve ordered 40 more.”

He pointed to the special grand opening flyer where every item was listed for less than cost. The flyer went out en masse last week for the four day event. 

In addition to great sales over the long weekend, customers were greeted by members of Scouts Canada who hosted a charity  barbecue on-site.

In attendance for the grand opening were representatives from the Township of South Dundas including deputy-mayor Jim Locke, and councillors Evonne Delegarde, Jim Graham and Archie Mellan. Also in attendance were economic development officer Nicole Sullivan and recreation program coordinator Ben Macpherson.

Several members of the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce attended the official opening, including the new president, Charles (Chuck) Barkley, and the new vice-president, Carl McIntyre.

Marilyn McMahon, from the office of Jim McDonell, was on hand to present the couple with a certificate while four representatives from the Home Hardware head office attended, bringing along a plaque in honour of the grand opening.

Locke remarked that “it is great to see this filled with cars again” and turning to the Spragues, he offered: “We wish you the very best in your venture.”

[…]

 

Allison Waytowich, a grade 8 student at St. Mary/St. Cecilia Catholic School in Morrisburg, has been selected as a candidate in a First Choice Haircutters online contest to find 10 models for a 2013 advertising campaign.

Allison, 14, “saw the commercial on television for First Choice Haircutters, Be the Face contest, a few months ago, so she decided to enter,” says her mom Lynne.

“There were 9,000 applicants, and we were amazed when she made the top 50!”

Allison is now involved in the second stage of the contest which involves obtaining online votes from the public.

“It would be neat that everyone who reads the Leader has a chance to make a local girl ‘famous’,” adds Lynne.

If Allison makes the top 10, she will win a trip to New York City, and an opportunity to be in the First Choice Haircutters commercial.

The website is www.bethefaceoffch.com. Only one vote per e-mail address is permitted.

The advertising initiative began December 9, with the launch of BeTheFaceofFCH.com.

It invited consumers to upload a photograph and explain why they should be in the upcoming advertisement.

A three person judging panel then narrowed the field to 50 finalists. Ten winners, one from each of 10 different gender and age categories, will be determined through the online voting. 

Winners will be announced June 15 and  will receive a trip to New York City, a hair makeover, modeling training, a professional photo shoot and the possibility of being in the First Choice ad campaign. 

Allison is the daughter of Frank and Lynne Waytowich of Morrisburg.

The community is invited to vote for Allison at www.bethefaceoffch.com. Allison is one of five girls pictured in the 13-19 female age category. She is listed as Allison W.

[…]

 

Coming up this Saturday, May 26, the Canadian Tire Store in Morrisburg is asking the community to get involved and make a difference in the lives of local kids.

On May 26, the Fourth Annual Jumpstart Day will take place at the Morrisburg Canadian Tire, located on the north side of Highway 2 in Morrisburg. 

The day-long fund raising event is the celebration of Jumpstart’s One Million Red Balls campaign, which, through the month of May, encourages customers to donate $2 in exchange for a red ball – a national symbol for child’s play.

On Jumpstart Day, most Canadian Tire stores across the country will celebrate and raise additional funds for Jumpstart with special events and activities for customers. 

At the Morrisburg Canadian Tire, customers will be asked for a donation to participate in the GoClean car wash, balloon pop and table top games. 

All money raised will be donated to Jumpstart, helping Canadian kids get involved in organized sport. 

Donations to Jumpstart help the one in three Canadian families that cannot afford to enrol their children in organized sports and recreation. 

All funds raised through the One Million Red Balls campaign and on Jumpstart Day stay within the local community to help local children. 

To date, 498 children in Morrisburg have been able to participate in sports and recreation because of Jumpstart.

The local Jumpstart committee is comprised of local people. Through the Jumpstart program financial assistance has been provided that has enabled local youth to play hockey, soccer, to figure skate and to take dance lessons, to name just a few. 

Since 2005, Jumpstart has helped 439,383 kids across Canada by removing the financial barriers that prevent children from participating.

[…]

 

In Canada, one in three families cannot afford to enrol their children in organized sport or recreation activities because of financial barriers (Vision Critical 2011). 

Ever since she was a little girl, 17-year-old Casey, knew she wanted to play professional golf, but her family’s budget was stretched with a busy household of seven young children. 

“We knew that Casey had extraordinary talent, but we could not afford the expensive membership and green fees,” said Casey’s mom, Julie MacNeil.” The last thing we wanted was to keep her off the golf course due to affordability. She had such big dreams for herself.” 

Kids who are able to participate in organized sport and recreation, outside of school hours, gain many short and long term benefits including increased self-esteem, greater self-confidence, leadership skills, and better grades.

“The benefits of kids participating in sports affects their entire lives, not just their childhood years,” said Dan Thompson, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “Programs like Canadian Tire Jumpstart are dedicated to removing barriers so financially disadvantaged children can participate in organized sport and recreation.”

Despite the financial hardships many Canadian parents are facing, there is a way to get kids into the game, no matter what barrier. By covering the cost of registration, equipment and/or transportation, Canadian Tire Jumpstart has helped 417,835 children like Casey get in the game.

“We couldn’t be more proud of what our daughter has accomplished,” said Casey’s mom. “This year Casey is heading off to Charleston, Southern University on a full golf scholarship, and we have Jumpstart to thank for giving her the opportunity to continue to perfect her game.”

Help kids in your community by visiting Canadian Tire, Mark’s and Canadian Tire Gas+ stores and Pita Pit locations throughout the month of May and on Jumpstart Day, Saturday, May 26, 2012, to donate $2 in exchange for a red ball, with all proceeds going to Canadian Tire Jumpstart.

Visit www.canadiantire.ca/jumpstart to learn more.

[…]

 

Mark Jarvis is still a little overwhelmed.

“We were definitely not expecting to win the Donner Prize,” he said. 

“We learned in March that our book was on the short list for consideration by the Donner Canadian Foundation, and my colleagues and I were pleased just about that. But when we went to the awards banquet in May and he (Allan Gotlieb, chairman of the Foundation) announced our names, well, it was incredible. 

Actually,” Jarvis (37) added with a ready laugh, “I think we were all just hoping that someone was actually reading the book.”

Democratizing  the  Constitution: Reforming Responsible Government, the book by Peter Aucoin, Mark D. Jarvis and Lori Turnbull was awarded the 2012  Donner Prize, valued at $50,000.

The Donner Canadian Foundation established the annual prize to recognize and reward the best public policy thinking, writing and research by a Canadian. It provides a spring board for authors who may not necessarily be well-known, but who can make a meaningful contribution to policy discourse.

Author Mark Jarvis was born and raised in Morrisburg, a graduate of St. Mary-St. Cecilia, and of St. Joseph’s in Cornwall.

He recently learned that his book has also been shortlisted for the Smiley Prize, named in honour of Donald Smiley, and presented by the Canadian Political Science Association. That winner will be announced in June.

“This has all been a great honour,” Jarvis said. “And in many ways, a true surprize.”

Following his education in South Dundas, Jarvis attended Trent University in Peterborough where he took a degree in sociology. He won his Master’s degree from Carleton University, again in sociology.

Jarvis is currently a doctoral candidate at the School of Public Administration with the University of Victoria.

I asked him how a sociologist came to change his academic direction toward the area of public administration, government ac-countability and public policy.

“Well,” Jarvis said. “It really was a kind of round about trip. While I was taking my sociology degree at Carleton, I was offered a job in public service in Ottawa. My task involved doing research into accountability for a small branch of the government. In the process, I gradually became interested in the whole concept of accountability.”

He published Modernizing Government Accountability: A Framework for Reform (2005) and The Adoption of the Accounting Officer System in Canada: Changing Relationships? (2009) among others.

He also met the late professor Peter Aucoin and professor Lori Turnbull. 

“We found we held a number of ideas in common, and gradually the outline of a book took shape. What we were interested in was some of the dysfunction within our Parliamentary system. In particular, we looked at the specific powers that enable prime ministers to inhibit Parliament from ensuring the government is accountable to the citizens it serves.”

The three first took their ideas, in the form of an opinion piece, to a national newspaper. The paper refused to print the article.

“Peter, highly regarded in his field, already felt very strongly about the issue of power and accountability,” Jarvis explained, “and this paper’s absolute refusal to print our article pretty much motivated us to develop our views more fully and to approach an academic publishing firm with them. They said go ahead.”

Dividing up chapters, and meeting to discuss ideas and to make revisions, took the trio from March of 2009 to the book’s completion in 2010. It came out in 2011.

Sadly, Peter Aucoin recently died, in his 67th year. The book which would win him the Donner Prize was among his last.

What lies at the core of Democratizing the Constitution?

“The concept of accountability is a major personal concern to me,” Jarvis said. 

“I think it is a basic premise of our democratic system that the people to whom we have delegated authority to act in our name, must justly discharge that duty. Individuals have to be held to account for the acts and decisions they make. 

We all want effective government and good outcomes in Canada. This cannot happen without accountability.”

The book has created some controversy over its argument that prime ministers have too much power.

“I am not claiming that prime ministers in Canada are abusing power the way leaders of other countries do. Think of the corruption confronted by Arab Spring. Think of someone like Putin, who practices extreme control and manipulation,” Jarvis explained, 

“But improvement is needed. Prime ministers can retain and use Crown powers resulting in a situation where they have almost unfettered power to make decisions – partisan and otherwise – that limit or negate Parliament’s role in our democratic system.”

Jarvis readily admits that any changes or “improvements” will require re-opening the Canadian Charter of Rights.

“Canadians are very reluctant to do this,” he said. “Every time we’ve tinkered with the Charter in the past, well, the outcome has not been productive. Think Meech Lake. 

We now seem to have developed a kind of national paralysis or great fear of opening the Charter up for revision or a second look. I contend, and this is my opinion, that the current level of power held by prime ministers is too much with regards to parliament.”

The book advances research and specific situations which the authors believe support their point of view. 

What lies ahead for Mark Jarvis, with the Donner Prize on his list of accomplishments?

“With some luck I can now really focus on my (doctoral) dissertation,” he laughed. “I need to defend it sooner or later, and my committee would certainly prefer it to be sooner.”

[…]