News

Voters in South Dundas should have received a copy of a pamphlet in the mail this week that explains how they vote in the upcoming municipal election.

In this election South Dundas voters will have the opportunity to vote by phone, internet or paper ballot.

This pamphlet is not the Voter Information Letter, that will be send out the second week in October.

Electors in South Dundas will personally and individually receive by first-class mail, a Voter Information Letter containing the following information;

1. The toll free telephone number to call and the website to visit to vote;

2. Your confidential and Personalized Identification Number (Voting PIN);

3. A list of the candidates nominated for each office and instructions on how to vote;

4. The telephone number of the Voter Help Center.

As an added security feature, voters will be required to add your date of birth before voting. Anyone unsure if their full date of birth is on the voter’s list, may have to come into the Voter Help Centre (Municipal office) to fill out a form and provide photo identification.

Voting will commence on October 22, 2014 at 9 a.m. and conclude on October 27, 2014 at 8 p.m. 

Voting access by telephone and internet will be available on a continuous six day, 24-hour basis during this voting period. The “vote by telephone” method requires use of a touch-tone telephone. The “vote by internet” method requires use of a computer with internet access.

As in the past no proxies are permitted with these alternate voting methods. Any individual, during the six day voting period, may request assistance at the Voter Help Centre (Municipal Office).

In addition, all County Libraries have established internet access centers for the use of the public at locations in the various communities in the United Counties of S.D.&G.

To accommodate all electors, the Municipal Office will be open extra hours. For further information call them at 613-543-2673.

[…]

 

Upper Canada Village’s award-winning fall event Pumpkinferno is getting ready to enchant visitors once again this fall with more than 50 percent new themed exhibits.  

The creative and artistic event will be open on select nights starting Friday, October 3 until Saturday, November 1.  

Pumpkinferno is a unique blend of artistry, imagination and ingenuity.  A total of 30 exhibits – half of them brand-new – will display more than 6,000 intricately carved lit artificial pumpkins.  

Highlights of the new exhibits this fall include The Animals of Noah’s Ark featuring animals large and small; Evolution of the Ford Vehicle, a display of nine Ford vehicles; Monster Smash, an exhibit of iconic Halloween Movie Monsters including a Vampire, Monster of Frankenstein, Frankenbride, a Werewolf and a Mummy, plus many more!  

The popular Sound & Light show has been newly re-designed into a “Pumpkin Promenade” exhibit in front of Crysler Hall.

The event will see other refinements including more wall washer lighting and mood lighting for the exhibits, more sound effects and improved flow of visitors through the admissions area with an express entry line for pre-paid ticketholders.

“Now in our third year, we have raised the bar creatively on the level of artistry of the exhibits we will have on display,” says Geoff Waycik, Manager, Upper Canada Village. “The Pumpkinferno team has risen to the challenge developing an amazing array of new themed exhibits and created some real masterpieces.  Our whole team is very excited to share this newly inspired experience with our visitors”

The evening of Wednesday, October 15 will be set aside exclusively to accommodate groups of people with physical disabilities so they can ride in their own vehicles to view Pumpkinferno. Only ‘special needs’ vans or parabuses will be allowed.  Coaches and school buses cannot be accommodated.  

Upper Canada Village will provide a staff person familiar with the Village roadways in the dark to lead the vehicles through the site.  Admission to tour on this night is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and youth.  Reservations are required and may be made by calling 613-543-4328 or 800-437-2233.

Pumpkinferno will feature a display of local school children’s artwork over the course of the event in a special exhibit “Painted Pumpkin Art” in the fairgrounds of Upper Canada Village.  

Upper Canada Village supplied the locally grown pumpkins to students from grades Kindergarten to Grade 8 in schools of the Upper Canada District School Board and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.  

Over 1,000 school children from 22 schools will share their own unique artistically painted real pumpkins which will be on display for the duration of Pumpkinferno.

Visitors can start their visit with a pre-tour dinner at historic Willard’s Hotel and the Harvest Barn Restaurant will also be open during regular Pumpkinferno hours for dining after dark. Upper Canada Golf Course restaurant located just across the road from Upper Canada Village will also be open during Pumpkinferno.  

See for yourself why Pumpkinferno has earned “Best New Event in Ontario” designation by Festival and Events Ontario, “Tourism event of the Year” by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario and “New Company of the Year” by Ottawa Tourism.

[…]

South Dundas  and area residents in need of physiotherapy now have the option of finding it closer to home.

Last week, Morrisburg Physiotherapy opened at 147, Main Street, in the former Glo Soleil, Sears location.

The new business is owned and operated by registered physiotherapist Suzanne Johnston, a registered physiotherapist a graduate of Western University, with 18 years experience.

Johnston lives in Cardinal, and when she was planning to go into business for herself, she decided that Morrisburg would be a great location.

“Physiotherapy patients here are travelling to Prescott, Cornwall, Winchester, and farther to have their physiotherapy needs met,” she said, adding oftentimes, these other locations already have lengthy waiting lists. 

“Now, there’s quality care available right here,” says Johnston. She has been a physiotherapist for 18 years having worked in many different settings including hospital, private clinic and longterm care.

“At Morrisburg Physiotherapy, my mission is to provide exemplary physiotherapy services to individuals of all ages in Morrisburg and surrounding areas. My aim is to improve the physiotherapy experience by putting patient needs first. I combine experience and best evidence to generate individualized client-centred treatment programs.”

The location features two private treatment rooms, and an open treatment area. A typical visit would start with a one hour evaluation, from which Johnston creates an individualized treatment plan that would typically include a manual treatment and home exercise program.

Johnston plans to keep the operation fairly small. “That allows me to spend more time one-on-one with the patients,” she says, allowing her to fully follow a patient’s progress.

Although, she is willing to grow the business, should the need warrant it, she says that the location is definitely large enough for two physiotherapists.

At Morrisburg Physiotherapy Johnston treats: joint strains and muscle strains, repetitive strain injuries, tendonitis, bursitis, frozen shoulder, arthritis, sciatica and back pain, whiplash, radiculopathy, cervicogenic headaches, postural dysfunction, deconditioning, fibromyalgia, balance impairments, chronic fatique syndrome, chronic and complex pain, plantar fascitis, achilles tendonitis, reduced mobility strength after fracture or surgical intervention, parkinson’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, temporal mandibular joint dysfunction, vestibular rehab, post concussion.

Services provided include; joint mobilization and manipulation, soft tissue release, acupuncture, interferenial current, ultrasound, TENS and microcurrent, therapeutic taping and custom orthotic fitting.

Morrisburg Physiotherapy is not OHIP funded, so those who are not covered through insurance will pay for the service out of pocket.

Anyone considering the service is welcome to visit the location which is open 8-4 weekdays, to discuss their physiotherapy needs. 

“I try to work with what’s feasible for you,” says Johnston. 

[…]

The 2014 construction season isn’t over yet, and already area residents may want to be aware of what’s in store for the 2015 construction season.

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario is planning to rehabilitate eight overpass structures in SDG from 2015 to 2018, and two of those projects could have a significant impact on area drivers and residents here in South Dundas. 

Late last month, MTO officials and SDG Counties staff met to review and discuss the work as the designers are at the start of the detailed design process.

At the September 15, Counties council meeting, counties engineer Ben de Haan, provided a key information report regarding those projects.

Although the information is still fairly preliminary, de Haan reported that the County Road 8 (Church Road) overpass is scheduled for rehabilitation. That project would be done using traditional methods and would likely mean the structure would be reduced to one lane of traffic over the 2015 and 2016 construction seasons.

The other overpass project slated to take place in South Dundas, is the complete replacement of the County Road 16 (Brinston Road) overpass.

That project is likely to involve rapid demolition, to minimize the impact on 401 traffic, but that means the MTO is considering complete closure and detour of County Road 16 for an entire construction season (April through December).

Brinston Road is a busy local roadway with annual average daily traffic of about 1,100 vehicles per day.

Should this closure take place, all those vehicles will be detoured, likely to County Roads 40, 1 and 2.

The MTO has requested feedback from SDG officials and staff are preparing a list of formal comments for the MTO.

[…]

South Dundas voters will have three opportunities to hear from their 14 municipal election candidates, when the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce hosts all candidates nights.

The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce is organizing the all candidates nights for the upcoming Municipal Election, in keeping with its tradition of making these important forums available to the entire community so candidates have an opportunity to express their views and voters have the information they need to make informed choices on October 27th. 

The All Candidates Nights will begin at 6 p.m. and be held at the following locations and dates: Upper Canada Playhouse on Tuesday, September 30, Matilda Hall on Tuesday, October 14 and Iroquois Civic Centre on Monday October 20.  

All three meetings will feature all candidates seeking election to South Dundas council.

The format for these All Candidates Nights will be as follows: 

• All candidates will be given two minutes for opening statements. This will allow them to introduce themselves, give some background information and outline their views on specific issues and why they have offered their services to South Dundas residents. 

• The floor will then be open to a question and answer period, providing an opportunity to ask candidates specific questions that concern you and your community.

• Candidates will be given two minutes for closing statements.  

It should be noted that this is not a debate.  

There will be no rebuttals or further questions following the candidate’s answer.  

Everyone is invited to participate in these important events. 

They provide a valuable forum for voters to present their concerns to the very individuals who are vying for the position to address these concerns for the next four years. 

It also provides the unique opportunity to hear and compare all of the candidates’ views and intentions in their bid for elected office. 

[…]

Williamsburg is all decked out in its fall-finest because this is the weekend that the Williamsburg Community Association presents Williamsburg’s 23rd Annual Fall Harvest Festival.

Events kick off Friday evening with a free movie night at the Oddfellows Hall in Williamsburg with a screening of The Legend of Oz – Dorothy’s Return.

Saturday morning, one of the newest events to Harvest Festival, the Outhouse races take place at 10 a.m. along Villa Drive.

Last year was Harvest Festival’s first go at outhouse races and it proved very popular. All are looking forward to the races. For those not participating, spectators are encouraged to check out the fun-filled competition. 

Saturday morning judging will take place for various competitions including heaviest potato, largest sunflower face best decorate bicycle, and more. 

The Harvest Festival parade takes place at noon.

Saturday, park activities for the kids including face painting, pony rids and petting zoo and air bounce will be available, along with games, displays and demonstrations. Shoppers may want to check our the Craft Show and Sale at J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre and the Flea Market and Farmers Market at the park.

The 6th Annual Allan Doherty Memorial Horseshoe Tournament also runs Saturday at the park. 

As always, admission and events that take place from one end of the village to the other are free of charge.

Saturday night revellers can shuttle their way to Matilda Hall to dance to Landmark. The shuttle which picks up in Morrisburg and Williamsburg is free. Admission to the dance is $12.

[…]

South Branch Community fund agreement is now in place, and within 60 days, the Municipality of South Dundas should be receiving the first $30,000 cheque for the fund they will distribute.

South Branch Wind Farm officials and interested community members attend the recent council meeting when the funding guidelines were approved by South Dundas council.

The South Branch Community Fund has been established to provide funding to benefit the community near the South Branch Wind Farm.

Through an application process the funds are meant to help promote and/or benefit;

• Public recreational facilities and programs 

• Community gathering facilities, events, and related Municipal usage fees

• Educational and job training related to sustainability or renewable energy

• Other community related activities approved by the Municipality of South Dundas.

The South Branch Wind Farm will pay $30,000 into the fund annually for a term of 20 years, starting in 2014 and ending in 2033. 

To qualify for funding the facilities or residents must be from within the boundaries outlined in the agreement, which are Irish Headline Road/ County Road 5 to the north, County Road 18, including Matilda Hall in the south, Taylor Road to the west and Heritage Road, including the Dundela rink property in th east.

The fund is intended for community benefit and could help, for example, with community spaces such as the Dixon’s Corners Community Centre, Matilda Hall, Dundela rink and area parks. 

Any single release of funds greater than $5,000 requires the approval of EDP Renewables Canada.

The project is owned and operated by South Dundas Wind Farm Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of EDP Renewables Canada Ltd. The project began commercial operations in March 2014. In July and August all of the site restoration work was completed.

South Dundas is awaiting a report from EDP regarding a road use agreement between EDP and North and South Dundas.

[…]

Joy and Leanne Casselman of Old Homestead Farm welcomed several two-legged and four-legged guests to their farm September 11, when the Giddy-Up for Bonnie fundraising ride passed through South Dundas. The seven people, and eight horses, were riding from Lindsay to St. Andrew’s West, to raise funds for a dear friend battling cancer. The 440 kilometre journey, included most of the group on horseback, with a team hitched to a covered wagon. Joy was thrilled that the group found her farm, where they camped for the night. The organizer of the ride had driven the back-roads route a few weeks before, stopping at various farms suitable to overnight the camping riders’ horses. They were here on day 12 of their 14 day journey. The ride was more challenging than they anticipated. However, making it a little easier were the people they encountered along the way.

[…]

 

If you are looking for some food to spice up your life, you can head on down to Auto Wonderland, east of Morrisburg, where partners Luigi Cerquozzi and Tony Crea are cooking up some authentic Italian dishes at their Pizza•Pasta•Panini concession stand.

“It’s a venture dealing with authentic homemade Italian cuisine,” says Crea of he and his brother-in-law’s concession stand located on the Auto Wonderland property. The property, in recent weeks, has been undergoing some landscaping which has unveiled a beautiful pond along with some attractive treed areas.

Canadians, Luigi and Tony each has roots in Italy. “We are from two different parts of Italy,” says Crea. “That’s what makes it so nice. I am from Southern Italy, and I specialize in the Italian Panini and sausages. Luigi is from middle Italy, and he is more into pizza, pastas and desserts.”

“What you will eat here is what I feed my kids,” explains Crea as he takes a moment to relax on one of several picnic tables available to diners.  “Basically, everything is homemade, we even have homemade sausage.”

Cerquozzi and Crea live in Ottawa and have had their Italian cuisine concession stand on the Auto Wonderland property open for approximately one month. In addition to the on-site food service, Pizza•Pasta•Panini will cater on and off site for birthday parties, anniversaries, weddings, festivals etc.

“I am getting a good response,” says Crea. “People are telling me that finally they have something to look forward to other than fries. We are family owned and operated, and we are trying to give good food.”

The decision to open the Italian concession stand came about from the partners love of cooking and of course their love of their Italian food.

Cerquozzi has owned the Wonderland property for about 18 years, but has mainly used the building storage area.

Now with the addition of Pizza•Pasta•Panini, the Wonderland property is being enhanced to make it available to host events or festivals, such as car or boats shows, anything really that needs property for an event. The brothers-in-law also plan to host their own events.

 “It’s a change of life and a change of work as well,” says Crea, whose background is in construction. “I adore people and like to see them smile. I look forward to that each day. And when I see the smiles, then I know I am doing something right.”

With the steady traffic on County Road 2, easy access to the site off the 401 and nearby Upper Canada Village the partners are hoping they have a winning combination.

Crea proudly points to the Pizza/Pasta/Panini menu which features Paninis (10 selections), Pasta (five selections), Pizza (eight inch round personal, nine selections), Salads, Snacks and Desserts of Tiramisu and Italian Ice Cream. 

For catering information or to order, please call 613-543-4276.

[…]

 

 Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) continued a tradition of fiscal responsibility Wednesday night, September 10, by instituting an administrative hiring freeze and moving to better monitor spending in an age of fiscal constraint. 

Members passed three motions during the first Board meeting of the new school year to ensure the UCDSB lives within the budget passed by trustees in June. 

The motions were approved out of concern due to recent hints by the Ministry of Education that the province is tightening its belt, which may affect future funding for the board.

Director David Thomas welcomed the changes.

“At this board, we have created a legacy of compliant budgets and responsible use of resources and the board has simply asked us to continue in this manner to ensure budgetary needs are met,” said Thomas. 

“These moves are consistent with the trustees’ focus on accountability as has been exemplified by the Accountability Framework,” added Chair Greg Pietersma.

Changes implemented to ensure accountability include:

•Trustees approved a hiring freeze on all administrative positions outside positions that have already been advertised. The freeze is in effect until March 11.

•Members called for a comprehensive review of service delivery that will have no impact on classroom activities.

•To better monitor spending, trustees requested financial reports any time a department budget is exceeded by three per cent or more. The motion also requires the department manager to propose a remedy.

This past June marked the 11th straight year that the board has passed a Ministry of Education-approved, compliant budget that meets all our students’ needs, said Thomas.

[…]