November 29, 2012
Vol. 12, No. 47
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Northbrook parade
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nder a bright sky and a brisk, chilly wind parade goers lined Highway 41 in Northbrook for the annual Santa Claus parade on November 24. Sponsored by the Land O’Lakes Lions and the Kaladar Community Club, the parade began with a spritely and impressive version of Frosty the
Snowman courtesy of the RCSCC marching band. Judging by the thrilled faces of the youngsters who filled the curb sides and collected treats from the numerous colorful floats, the parade did not disappoint. See also the article on page 10.
Central Frontenac closing in on Safe Properties bylaw by Jeff Green draft version of a new Safe Properties bylaw was presented to Central Frontenac Council on Tuesday afternoon (November 27). Councilor Tom Dewey was the first to speak to the new draft. He proposed a number of wording changes intended to clarify and in some cases, strengthen the bylaw. Among the items that were the most discussed was a provision regarding “refuse”, which will not be permitted under the draft bylaw. “Refuse” is defined in item 3 of the draft bylaw as “garbage, waste, debris, long grass, brush, clippings or other material that may promote or be susceptible to fire and rodents, timber, lumber, building materials or any other type of product or material that may be susceptible to fire or present a risk to safety.” “We live in a big, swampy area,” said Councilor Norm Guntensperger. “If we pass this as written then every single property with ‘long grass’ will be deemed unsafe. Councilor Heather Fox said, “I agree with Norm; I thought that provision was going to be taken out of the bylaw after our last discussion.” Councilor Frances Smith said she thought some provisions in the bylaw “seem to be written with the built up areas in mind. If we attach a schedule to the bylaw saying those provisions only apply in the hamlets, then those properties where there are no neighbours within sight will be left alone.
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Smith’s proposal was rejected by a number of speakers. “I think there should be one set of rules for everyone,” said Mayor Gutowski. “Don’t forget that enforcement will be complaints driven, so that will keep the focus on the more densely populated areas. Another provision in the bylaw says that properties must be kept free from “inoperable vehicles, trailers, machinery, tools, tires, appliances, equipment or any parts thereof” and still another says that every property shall be kept free from any pit, excavation or deep water that is unfenced or unprotected against dangerous risk of accident.” It also says that properties “shall be kept free of buildings, fences, scaffolding, retaining walls or any other erection that, by reason of its ruinous or dilapidated state, faulty construction or otherwise, is in an unsafe condition as regards to danger from fire or risk of accident.” The Bylaw includes provisions for swift enforcement, The township can order that any conraventions to the bylaw be rectified “immediately or in such times as specified in the order.” If the property owner does not act, the township may act for them, and bill for all of their costs. In addition, penalties for contravening the bylaw will range from $500 to $5,000. After some further discussion the bylaw was sent back to staff for more revisions. It will come back to Council on December 10.
by Jeff Green ason Ronfeld got his start as a firefighter with the Kaladar/Barrie Fire Department, where he was a young recruit in the late 1990s, but even before that time he thought about becoming a professional firefighter. “Fire fighting has always been a passion of mine” he said from his home in Whitby this week, where he now works as a professional firefighter with the Whitby department. Last Thursday, along with his firefighting partner John Sotirou, Jason received the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery from Lieutenant Governor David Onley for his actions in response to a house fire in Whitby at the end of April. There is an ongoing investigation into that fire, so Jason could not talk about all the details. He was called into a house “just across from the fire station just after midnight on April 29. There was smoke outside in the air. No fire was visible to us. We knew there were people in the upstairs apartment so we went in and did a search for them. It was very hot and very smoky,” Jason recalls. The events that took place were described in the citation that accompanied the award last week: “Fire damage to the staircase was extensive and conditions on the upper floor were extremely hot with zero visibility. The firefighters could see fire above them on the ceiling. During the search for occupants, the firefighters saw that fire was reforming up the staircase, their only exit route. They used water to suppress the fire, which worsened visibility. Nearing the end of the search, Firefighter Ronfeld noticed the air in his selfcontained breathing apparatus was getting low. Through their extensive search of the dwelling unit they were able to locate three unresponsive teenagers huddled together. Firefighters Ronfeld and Sotiriou grabbed each teenager and passed them off to firefighters who had now come upstairs to assist with victim removal. Sadly, despite the valiant and selfless efforts of the firefighters, none of the three victims survived. Back outside, the firefighters noticed that their metal buckles and reflective tape on their gear had been discoloured by the intense heat. That was a clear sign of the extreme conditions these two firefighters faced.” This was the first time that Jason Ronfeld had been called upon to do this kind of rescue. He said that he knew the conditions were extreme and that he was at risk, but “knowing there were people in there and there was a chance to get to them out, kind of pushed us. Adrenaline, and a lot of training, comes into play at that point. They played a very large role in what we did.” All of that training began in Jason’s senior year at North Addington Education Centre (NAEC) when he was recruited to the Kaladar/Barrie department by then Fire Chief John Bolton. Jason trained with the
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Members of the local Brownie troop enjoyed participating in the parade
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department until the year 2000, when he left to study Fire Protection Technology and attend Seneca College. After graduating, he returned home to work with his father at Ronfeld Electric for a year, before returning to Seneca to take the professional firefighter course. He was hired by the Whitby department in January of 2006 and has been working there ever since. All of that history, and training, came into play on April 29. John Bolton, who was the Fire Chief of the Kaladar/Barrie department in the 1990’s, happened to be watching the 11pm CHEX TV news from Peterborough last Thursday night when the regional reporter from Oshawa–Whitby came on with a report about the two Whitby Firefighters who won bravery medals. “That’s how I found out. I saw Jason on the screen getting one of the awards. My wife was going to Kingston the next day, and I told her I needed a new shirt because I broke all the buttons on my old because my chest got so puffed out with pride,” John Bolton said. On a more serious note, Bolton recalled that Jason Ronfeld had always impressed him with his overall work in the department. North Addington Education Centre helped the fire department’s recruiting efforts by offering a credit course in firefighting and “Jason was one of those excellent recruits, who stayed with the department right up until he was hired by the Whitby department. We were proud of him then and we are proud of him, and his parents, now.” Jason got his start in fire rescue at a house in Kaladar that the department would use for training. “We would fill it with smoke and send the fighters in to simulate rescues, but I’m sure Jason has had better training since then,” John Bolton said.
‘Tis the Season Here at the News, we’re gearing up for the production of our annual Christmas issue. Attention Readers: Please send us your stories, poems, memories, crafts, and favourite recipes of Christmas. Attention Clergy: Please let us know the dates and the times of your Christmas services and any special events at your churches. Attention Young Artists: Our annual Christmas art contest is open to all elementary school-aged children. The winning entries will be published on the front pages of our December 20th issue. The judges are looking for entries that will carry a special Christmas message to our readers. Entries must be original artwork, 8½”x11”, done in pencil crayons (no markers) on white paper, and must be clearly marked with the child’s name, age, grade, and school (if applicable). Please mail submissions to: P.O. Box 229, Sharbot Lake, ON. K0H 2P0, or deliver to our office at 1095 Garrett Street in Sharbot Lake. Please send us your submissions, information and art contest entries by Friday, December 7.
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