News

The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure participants experience all kinds of weather, from extreme heat to extreme rain to extreme cold in their five day journey from Brighton to Cornwall, but they were still all smiles when they left Iroquois early Friday morning towards their final destination.

Cyclists, 150 of them, participated in the journey offered by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and partner CAA.

Their final overnight stop was Iroquois, where many camped at the Iroquois Municipal Campsite, while others stayed at the McIntosh Inn, Morrsiburg.

Great Waterfront Trail adventures have been taking place for seven years, but this shorter adventure focused on the St. Lawrence River and its communities, is a first. Marlaine Koehler, executive director for the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, said they are committed to continuing this and similar rides in future.

This ride covered about 300 km of the Waterfront Trail which spans 1,400 km.

While 90 per cent of the cyclist on this trip are from the Greater Toronto Area, there were participants from five states and two provinces.

“Our demographics aren’t the hardcore cyclists, it’s more people who want to enjoy a holiday by bike,” said Vicki Barron, also of WRT. “A lot of these people have never been off the 401, and they are very impressed by what they seeing and many will come back.”

“Iroquois, quietly, is a real gem. The Seaway story is compelling, and the history of the area is well told through its historical plaques,” said Koehler. She, and the other cyclists thoroughly enjoyed the meals, hospitality and scenery of this community, including the Iroquois Locks and the passing ships, seen during their short visit.

“We’re bicycle friendly, and we’re looking forward to having you back,” said Mayor Byvelds, pointing out the Cornwall and Counties Tourism Cycling maps that are part of an initiative to bring more cycle tourists to the area.

“This whole trip has been delightful,” said Eugenia Sowicz of Reading, Pensylvannia. She does about two of these large cycling trips each year, with this being her first to this area of Canada.

While she loves cycling, she says she is not th strongest cyclist, so this trip was perfect for her. Tuesday, the tour passed through the Kingston area facing hurricane-type weather, but that day, Eugenia opted to board the shuttle to Napanee, where they enjoyed a delightful day, rather than facing the elements. “We had a terrific time learning about the area’s history and geography, even though it was raining,” she said.

Even though many of the travellers opt to camp, they don’t have to worry about camping gear, as a tent service is available, whereby they ride from stop to stop, when they arrive, a fully assembled tent and filled air mattress are waiting for them. Their luggage is also shuttled from place to place.

Comparing this ride to others she has completed, Eugenia says this one was extremely well organized, the staff were tremendous and the people in the communities they visited were wonderfully welcoming. She really liked the community aspect of this ride. “Because we are travelling right through the community, the experience is really local. It gives us an opportunity to support these local economies, and I love that. You really get to experience the flavour of the whole region.” She said that this area is definitely an area she will come to visit again.

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A water system repair that was planned for 2015 had to be done much sooner than expected.

A detailed investigation, including an exploratory dive, revealed that while the cribbing and water intake line were in good condition, the chlorine intake line and diffuser were severely choked to a point where their performance was compromised. 

The result was a $40,000 repair  that was completed in July.

This unexpected hit to the water and sewer budget was not the only one.  Recently, an electrical engineer identified the electrical plan at the Williamsburg Sewage Lagoon as a significant risk of major injury. “Given that municipal employees regularly access the panel to replace blown capacitors, it was decided to proceed with the engineer recommended repairs immediately,” said Chris Bazinet, manager of public works in a key information report to South Dundas council. 

The repair estimate is $50,000.

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 Since October 2013, South Dundas council and staff have been working on revising a tough new sewer use bylaw.

This bylaw has been the subject of previous special meetings of council earlier this year, and of two public meetings in June, where the public was invited to review the bylaw and provide feedback.

Last week, at a special meeting to once again review the latest draft of the bylaw, council suggested more changes. 

The latest changes will give homeowners longer to face compliance.

At the August 13 meeting, council decided that they would like to see tiered implementation, with industrial and commercial properties within the villages needing to ensure their compliance within about a year of the bylaw enactment, with a possible grace period.

Because commercial and industrial sewer use has the most potential to upset the balance of the sewage treatment plants, council decided that would be an important place to start with the bylaw.

“We’re not here to drive anyone out of business,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. 

The bylaw is designed to regulate what can and can’t be put into the sanitary sewer system, and deals with improper connections that result in extraneous flow of rainwater into the sanitary system, such as roof downspout connections.

Council foresees a final draft of this bylaw, for commercial and industrial sewer use being tabled for approval late in September.

South Dundas staff have been asked to explore the possibility of a municipal funding program designed to encourage voluntary compliance.

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SD&G OPP officers are currently at the scene of a vehicle fire that occurred on August 21st, 2014 at approximately 12:15am on Highway 401, eastbound lanes, South Stormont Township. Investigation indicates a tractor-trailer unit caught fire due to mechanical reasons. 

Fire Department is on scene and a section of Highway 401, eastbound lanes (only) is closed to traffic between Dickinson Drive (Ingleside) exit and Moulinette Road (Long Sault) exit. Traffic is being re-routed via Emergency Detour Routes (EDR). The closure is expected to remain in effect for several hours as emergency personnel tend to the scene.

The 36 year old male driver (from Etobicoke, Ontario) was not injured. The vehicle was carrying non-hazardous products (dog food).

The 401 was re-opened around 10 a.m.

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The St. Lawrence River is one of our community’s greatest assets and the Morrisburg Waterfront Committee is excited to share an update on the initiatives that are underway this summer to enhance it.

The Morrisburg & District Lions Club has graciously spearheaded and funded the installation of finger docks along the Morrisburg waterfront. The new docks provide over 60 additional feet of space for small watercraft to dock and come ashore to enjoy our community. The docks were supplied by Quinte Boatdocks and concrete landing pad to which they are attached was installed by Cruickshank Construction Ltd. 

In support of the initiative, the Morrisburg Waterfront Committee has recently commissioned a “lock door” sign. It is designed to commemorate the canal system that ran along the waterfront in Morrisburg prior to the construction of the Seaway. 

Enhancements are also being made in the park itself; the Lions Club Pavilion is now equipped with six new durable, steel top picnic tables, two of which are handicap accessible. These additions match the benches and picnic tables that surround theDocksyde Snack Bar and have received positive feedback. The coordination will help facilitate a consistent look throughout the waterfront park. 

Leading residents and visitors to the park are new sidewalks and, soon to be, decorative lighting. The sidewalks running on the east side of Ottawa Street at the waterfront will be lit with a series of energy efficient lights that match those running along the waterfront walking path. These additions are important steps towards making the park safer and more visually appealing.

In late 2013, the Committee presented South Dundas Council with a preliminary design for the Morrisburg Waterfront. Randy Veinotte, spokesperson for the Committee notes that “these initiatives make the park more welcoming to the public and contribute to the overall vision the community has identified for the space”.

“The river is a defining characteristic of our community” said Mayor Steven Byvelds, “and continuing with these successful partnerships will help us ensure it remains a place for residents and visitors enjoy”.

Full plans for the Morrisburg Waterfront are available online atwww.southdundas.com.

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Municipal Elections will be held on October 27, 2014 for the election of Municipal Councils and School Board Trustees. Persons interested in submitting their names as candidates, may now complete the necessary nomination forms and submit them to the Municipal Office by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2014.

The Municipality of South Dundas has adopted the alternate voting method of "Vote by Telephone, Internet or Paper Composite Ballot". VOTING WILL ONLY BE DONE BY TELEPHONE, INTERNET OR PAPER COMPOSITE BALLOT.

Should a municipal election occur as a result of having a greater number of candidates than required to fill the office(s) available, each eligible and registered elector on the List of Electors 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.

 

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As an added security feature, you will be required to add your date of birth before voting. If you are unsure that your full date of birth is on the voter’s list, you may contact the Voter Help Centre (Municipal Office) to have it added prior to voting. After September 22, 2014, you will be required to come into the Voter Help Centre to fill out a form and provide photo identification.

Voting will commence on October 22, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. and conclude on October 27, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Voting access by telephone and internet will be available on a continuous 6 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 6 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. Please contact the Municipal Office for the hours or further information.

[…]

One of the summer’s biggest events along the Seaway is set to take place on Sunday, August 24, as the Golden Gears Car Club hosts its third annual Car Show and Concert at the Iroquois Locks.  

This Show can attract up to 300 vehicles of all types from eastern Ontario  as well as northern New York. When you add the sounds of good-time rock and roll featuring the popular group, Eddy & the Stingrays, you have the makings of a memorable summer afternoon. 

This is an opportunity for everyone to take in both an exciting car show and some outstanding music. 

Admission to the event is free for all spectators. Visitors to the Locks will be encouraged to make a donation to help defray costs, if they wish. 

The Car Show runs from 9 a.m.  until 3 p.m. Eddy & the Stingrays will swing into musical action on the Locks stage from noon until 2:30 p.m. 

For those who arrive early, the Iroquois members of the South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services will be presenting a vehicle rescue demonstration at 10:30 a.m., using the Jaws of Life. This promises to be a fascinating exhibition for the youngsters.

This year, the date of the annual Car Show and Concert has been moved from September to late August.

The day’s many activities have also been moved ahead to take advantage of a bit more daylight, and to allow drivers to get home before dusk.  

Car owners coming out for this Show will be eligible for a variety of prizes and trophies in various categories of vehicles. As well,  everyone can take part in the  50-50 draw. 

Again this year there will be vendors on site offering vehicle accessories and all things automotive to visitors. And there’s no need to pack a lunch. The food concession will be operated by Terry Palmer of the South Mountain area.  His crew can handle a crowd with speed and precision, offering delicious beef, or pork on a bun, sausages and much more wonderful food.  

In the event of rain, the Golden Gears have arranged for large tents to be put in place: the band will be playing on the covered stage. 

There’s no need for a little damp weather to spoil any of the concert fun. Just  remember to bring your lawn chair.

The Golden Gears Car Club, revived in early 2012, now boasts over 80 members made up of classic car owners and car enthusiasts. Its mission is twofold: the preservation and restoration of classic cars, and the desire to help our community.  

The Gears operated the annual car show at the Canada Day celebration at the Iroquois Locks on behalf of the local Lions Club. The club also held a food drive in Morrisburg in early August with proceeds going to the Dundas County Food Bank, and was instrumental in a car show and food drive held in Cardinal on August 10th.

Don’t miss the Golden Gears Car Show and Concert, featuring  Eddie & the Stingrays, Sunday, August 24, at the Locks. What a great way to wind up the summer.

  

[…]

The Provincial Government is providing small, rural and northern municipalities with stable, annual funding to build and repair critical infrastructure and help to create jobs across the province.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, were in St. Thomas to announce that the new Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund will provide $100 million per year in funding for critical road, bridge, water and wastewater projects. 

Half of the funding for the initiative will be allocated annually using a fair and transparent formula, which recognizes that municipalities have different infrastructure and fiscal needs. The remaining $50 million will flow through an application-based process, allowing municipalities to continue partnering with the province to invest in critical infrastructure projects that will create jobs and support growth. 

The Premier also announced that Ontario municipalities can now propose infrastructure projects to be considered for support through the Small Communities Fund. Through this fund, Ontario and the federal government will each provide $272 million to support projects in municipalities with populations less than 100,000.

The province is now accepting expressions of interest for the application-based component of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and the Small Communities Fund, with grants expected to be awarded in early 2015.

To be eligible for the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, municipalities must have a population of less than 100,000 as of the 2011 census or be located in northern or rural Ontario.

To ease the administrative burden for small municipalities, the province worked with the federal government to closely align the Small Communities Fund with the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund.

Ontario plans to invest more than $130 billion in public infrastructure over the next 10 years. This will support more than 110,000 jobs on average each year in construction and related industries.

“Our government is fulfilling a commitment to provide a permanent infrastructure program that will continue to build up small, rural and northern communities. We listened to our municipal partners, who know what’s best for their communities. This is why providing predictable, sustainable, annual funding is a key component of this new fund,” said Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

[…]

 

 

 NORTH DUNDAS – The group Destination North Dundas, a group of business people in North Dundas and the surrounding area, have been working very hard to organize an Art and Wine Tour for September 13th and 14th, 2014. 

The Tour includes three local wineries: Strathmore Orchard and Winery, Smokie Ridge Vineyard and Blue Gypsy Wines. 

Also on the tour are the Chesterville Farmers’ Market , the North Stormont Farmers’ Market, The Gathering House-Chesterville, the Town Vintner, Terrace Green B & B, Winchelsea Events and Art Scene Art Gallery in Spencerville. 

On this inaugural tour, we have a very diverse group of artists, musicians, painters, fabric artist, jewellers, sculptors, authors, food and woodworkers. 

A complete list can be found on our website at www.artandwinetour.weebly.com. They can also be found on Facebook at Art and Wine Tour.

Applications for artists to join the tour are still being accepted. (A downloadable application can be found on our website.)

Awareness of local wineries increased when the Provincial Government changed the regulations to allow only VQA wines to be sold at the local Farmers’ Markets. Since Strathmore Orchard and Winery, Blue Gypsy Wines, and Smokie Ridge Vineyard not VQA, they are prevented from selling their local product at our local Farmers’ Markets.

Destination North Dundas started working on developing the Tour over a year ago, with the idea to increase awareness of the local producers and to share local treasures.

The dates for the Art and Wine Tour are September 13th and 14th to coincide with the harvests. A variety of artist and art forms at each stop on the tour. “We want you to join us on the tour along highway 43, stop and smell the roses, check out some fabulous art and discover our hidden jewels,” they say.

[…]

Spot: Jack Russel Terrier mix, 2-3 years, not neutered. Obeys commands, good on and off leash, house trained. Great personality, happy guy, but guards his food and can not go to a home with cats.

Prestin: One year, male Shepherd mix puppy. Not neutered. Great puppy, great with kids, dogs & people, wonderful personality. House & crate trained. Has issues with cats/small animals.

 

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