Issue 29, July 28 2021 ngtimes

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The Voice of North Grenville

Vol. 9 No. 29

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July 28, 2021

KYC receive Trillium Grant

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MPP Steve Clark (second left) and Mayor Peckford (right) present the Trillium cheque to the KYC Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, visited KYC to celebrate a recent grant from the Trillium Foundation of Ontario.

The Foundation supports the building of healthy and vibrant communities across the province and, on this occasion, has granted $17,800 to supply 14 laptops and charging station for use by the

youth at KYC. The laptops are a boost for KYC programs and are of particular value for youth with poor access to broadband, or limited equipment. One immediate use is their availability for youth to enter the Rotary Essay Competition, which offers cash prizes for winning entries. (details available on our website and at the Centre).

Minister Clark and North Grenville Mayor Peckford toured the KYC facility and spoke to some of the youth present. Minister Clark, talking to members of the KYC Board and Staff, commented that “The value of the Trillium Foundation funding is that it allows organizations to identify specific needs that will provide added value to

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them and the community at large. The valuable work and youth space here at the Kemptville Youth Centre is a place where rural youth can engage with each other and have access to modern needs like the laptops provided through this grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.”

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Kemptville Disc Golf Club making the sport accessible to all

with the game himself, offers beginner sets at a reduced cost. According to Dwayne, these loaner sets have been a hit with the community. Not only is there no cost associated with using the Disc Golf course, but the equipment rental is free as well.

On July 21, Brian Hughes of Flyboy Aviation Disc Golf Canada in Brockville followed Tammy’s lead, donating 5 more sets to the North Grenville Library as well as 5 sets to the Kemptville Youth Centre. Dwayne says that the youth of KYC have “embraced it.” Dwayne and Craig have done a tour and informational session with some of the youth, and believe the new sets will be well used.

Dwayne explained that KDGC “members have stepped up and helped out in huge ways to promote the sport in the community because it's got so many benefits.” The sport is certainly an accessible one, available to a wide range of ages, fitness levels, and physical abilities.

Dwayne’s wife, Dana Collings, notes that she appreciates that you “don’t compete against anyone but yourself.

You only try to be better than you were before. That takes some of the competition out

KDGC member Dana Collings hearing the sweet rattle of chains as she sinks her disk in the basket.

Recreation Coordinator for Local Journalism Initiative Reporter the Municipality, helped to set up the North Grenville Public Following the launch of Library with four sets of disk the Kemptville Disc Golf golf disks.

While disk golf can be Club (KDGC) at the Ferguson Forest Disc Golf Course in played casually with a reguJuly, discs have been donated lar frisbee, specialized disc to the North Grenville Library golf disks are more aerodyand the Kemptville Youth namic, and come in sets with Centre to ensure the sport is a variety of weights. Difaccessible to all members of ferently weighted disks can be switched out throughout the community.

KDGC President Dwayne gameplay to serve unique Dowdell explained that set- situations, as one would with ting up the Disc Golf facilities golf clubs.

Dwayne said that Tammy has “really been a community effort”. Tammy Hurlbert, “fell in love fast, as most

by Rachel Everett-Fry

The Voice of North Grenville

people who get involved with disc golf do. And because of Tammy’s experience in the recreation world of North Granville, she recognized that there are certain barriers for people to participate, due to the cost of acquiring equipment.”

Tammy ensured residents would be able to access the basic equipment required to play by making them available to borrow from the Library. She purchased the sets from Craig Brown, of Kemptville Training Centre.

Craig, after falling in love

of it, and just makes it a little more chill.”

For those who crave the competitive edge, however, the KDGC is starting up a league. Starting on August 6, league play will be every Friday night. A member of the Ottawa Disk Golf Club will be helping the KDGC to organize the numbers and statistics involved with league play. Just like other league sports, players will carry their points with them throughout the season. Prizes for a number of divisions will be awarded at the end of each season. Handicaps will be incorporated to give less experienced players a chance against more seasoned ones.

There will be a modest fee associated with league play.

While league play does encourage some competition, it is really intended to serve

as an organized and social occasion to play.

Dwayne encourages the community to “take it to that [league] level, or just come out, enjoy nature, and play for for the fun of it.” Our Ferguson Forest Disc Golf Course is certainly beautiful.

The course is entirely noninvasive, using only the existing environment as hazards to play around. “The Disc Golf community is really tight knit,” explained Dwayne.

“We are getting people driving here from Ottawa, Brockville, the far east and the far west. This place is steady with players.” The KDGC hopes more of the local community will get involved in the sport.

It’s “the more the merrier” as far as Dwayne is concerned.

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TIMES Gord Logan

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A love of books fuels Give N’ Take Library frequent visitor to the bench, where he pores over the older books to be found in the library.

Through the pandemic, Angie has left the library open for people to use “at their own discretion.” While people were stuck at home, and our public library was only able to provide curb-side services, things got “pretty busy.” Of course, in Heckston, “pretty busy” is a relative term.

On average, the library gets at least one visitor a day. Though there is rarely a crowd, Angie says that when the library sees more than one visitor at a time, everyone seems more than happy to wait their turn to avoid crowding. She has supplied hand sanitizer at the door of the shed, and notes that everyone she has seen has been wearing a mask.

The presence of the library is made known with a bright sign, and Angie maintains a Give N Take Facebook Page. She laughs that she does not know how to take pictures for the page, but a neighbour up the road comes over to take some; otherwise, the library depends on word of mouth. People touring the countryside, by car or by bicycle often happen upon the library en route to Heckston’s beloved Shelly’s Kitchen.

Angie Thompson at the Give N’ Take Library started the library because, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter “I love books, and my granddaughter loves books. She’s The Give N’ Take Li- in Nova Scotia, but my son brary, located near Heckston reads to her every single at 1000 Slater Road, is an night.” There is a box deessential stop for anyone voted to kids books and other looking for a good read. children’s trinkets that come Angie Thompson started the along with the books at the library on her front porch front of the library.

The Give N’ Take Library in 2018. Since then, the library has expanded to an also represents a solution to Amish shed in her yard. The two problems associated with attention and care devoted hard copy books. The first, to the library is clear. Her says Angie, is that “there’s husband, Gary, fitted the a lot of people who can’t shed with book shelves, and afford books.” A free library Angie does her best to keep is a clear solution: books are donations organized alpha- made completely accessible to anyone. Secondly, books betically and by popularity.

Angie explains that she often have a short useful life

by Rachel Everett-Fry

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span: “you read them once, and then what do you do with them?” In this sense, the library is like a recycling program. Angie says “there are many generous people in the community who give me pretty well new books. I don’t get too many that are grungy.”

Pointing to an “Open” sign on the door, Angie says, “even when the doors are closed, we’re always open.”

For those who prefer to try a book before taking it home, Angie has set up a bench, overlooking her flowering garden and the surrounding farmland. She notes that Merv, the owner of MM Books in Kemptville, is a

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Another successful Camp Day!

The Tim Horton crews at Kemptville and Colonnade Malls

by Ingrid Kohling, Tim Hortons Kemptville Tim Horton’s in Kemptville held their annual Camp Day last week, to raise funds to send kids to camp.

Both Kemptville locations, combined, raised a total of $10,090.20 for the Tims Camps… Amazing results!

This amount includes: coffee and iced coffee sales, Take 12s, bracelets, round up cash donations, along with the Camp Day fundraiser events (window washing with firefighters & OPP, silent auction with items donated by local businesses).

The funds go directly to The Tims Camps Foundation.

Restaurant owners participate in referrals of local underprivileged children to attend the New Leadership Program. This year, due to COVID restrictions, the programs are being held virtually, but are nonetheless very engaging and offer a life changing experience to those participating.

On behalf of Jose and myself, we’d like to THANK our generous Kemptville community along with all volunteers including our own Teams and Camp Day Committees.

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The Voice of North Grenville

Awareness need about bats and rabies

by Susan Healey, LGL Health Unit

Approximately three percent of bats carry the rabies virus. The most common signs of rabies in bats are the inability to fly and resting in unusual places such as the ground or floor. It is important to remember many of the bats that get into our homes are healthy bats and are looking for a way out.

Bats are nocturnal animals and feed most actively two to three hours following sunset. They are efficient pest controllers as they consume three times their body weight in insects per night.

Bats select attics for nursery colonies, however, during the day they roost in trees and in buildings. Bats are usually born in June. Nests are not required as the young are able to fly and obtain their own food within three weeks.

Hibernation occurs between November and March. Some species typically hibernate in attics of buildings while others prefer caves.

Diseases Bats May Carry: Bats do have the poten-

tial to carry diseases such as rabies and histoplasmosis, which can affect humans and animals. They may also transmit distemper and mange to household pets. Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, and is found in the saliva of infected animals. Rabies is fatal if left untreated.

Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus that grows in soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings.

Exposure to the fungus occurs when the soil is disturbed.

The disease primarily affects the lungs and can be fatal if left untreated. If you are cleaning areas where bat droppings have accumulated be sure to wear a protective mask and gloves and keep dust to a minimum.

Bat exposures: If a bat is carrying the rabies virus, there is a risk of it being transmitted to an individual when both the following conditions apply: -There has been direct contact with a bat – direct

contact with a bat is defined Bat Proofing Your Home: Bat proofing your house as the bat touching or landing is necessary when the bats on a person; AND - A bite, scratch, or saliva are entering the living space exposure into a wound or of your home. It is advisable mucous membrane. If you to contact a pest management Brakes • bitten Vehicle or a wildlife conserare by a repairs bat or if saliva •company • Suspension • Class “A” Mechanic agency for assistance from a bat gets into your eyes, vation Sales your home.

• mouth Sale oforQuality bat-proofing nose, a wound,Prewash •withTire • Air Conditioning Owned Vehicles If you find a bat in your the affected area thoroughly • get Flatmedical Bed Towattention Truck •homeAlignments and there was no human and or animal immediately. If the bat is 613-989-3839contact, the bat can available, the local Health be released to the outdoors. o u n t yforRitd to1 ,beM oWear u n t athick i n Ogloves n t a r iwhen o hanUnit can Carrange dling the bat to avoid being tested for rabies.

In a child, any direct bitten.

Rabies can also affect contact with a bat (i.e., the bat landing on or touching pets; to protect your pet from the child, including contact rabies it is important to vacthrough clothes) could be cinate them. Rabies vaccinaconsidered a reason for vac- tion is mandatory in Ontario cine administration, as a child for domestic cats and dogs. may not be able to reliably The Leeds Grenville and Lacommunicate the encounter nark Health Unit, in Partnerwith the bat to determine the ship with local Veterinarians type of the contact (i.e., a bite, and Municipalities, will be scratch or mucous membrane holding Rabies Vaccination Clinics on September 22 and exposure).

If you have experienced 29, 2021. The cost is $20.00 a bat encounter and/or may per animal; please visit their have been bitten, contact your website for more information about the Rabies Clinics times health unit. and locations.

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Local COVID-19 Vaccine Status Report As of last Friday, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit tops the charts amongst public health units for both first and second dose vaccination rates throughout the province. Of the region’s population 12 years of age and over, 88% have first doses and 71% have second doses. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is also the first health unit in Ontario to achieve 70% of its population with second doses.

Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the region, says she attributes this success to a number of factors. “The people of LGL have been fantastic! This is wonderful for our community. So many people now have really good COVID-19 protection. And the work continues to reach 90% first and 90% second or higher. This success is a result of great collaboration with all of our partners. Thanks to our staff who have been on the front lines at the vaccine clinics, on the phones or working on supportive roles. Thanks also to the staff who have been doing other COVID related or essential service work that allows the rest to focus on the vaccine program.”

Vaccine Shipments: Our Pfizer vaccine allocations will increase in July; we continue to have a supply of July 28, 2021

Moderna. This will help us provide more opportunities for residents to get first and second vaccinations of both Pfizer and Moderna.

How to Get Vaccinated: All 12+ are eligible for first doses – it is important to get vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you – especially children 0 to 11 years old who can’t get vaccinated at this time.

All 12+ are eligible to book earlier 2nd dose: 8 weeks after first dose of AstraZeneca, 21 days after first dose of Pfizer, and 28 days after first dose of Moderna.

Walk in vaccinations are also available now at all clinics – we post on our website and on our social media pages. More appointments continue to be available in all areas; book an appointment through the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark online booking portal or call Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Call Centre 1-844-369-1234. Pharmacies have both Moderna and Pfizer – some have AstraZeneca for those who received it as a first dose. Check a participating pharmacy.

We are also working on a targeted strategy to provide vaccinations at some LGL workplaces as well as to other groups like sports teams – if you are interested in running a clinic at your workplace, get in touch with us at contact@

healthunit.org.

Cancellations and Contingency Lists: Submit cancellation requests online – if you have an appointment in September or later, consider cancelling and getting an earlier appointment The contingency list is discontinued as those who need an appointment can get one online or as a walk-in to our clinics.

Remember it is important to continue to follow precautions if you have one or even two vaccine doses. We need to keep protecting each other until we are all fully vaccinated.

As of August 31, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit and partners will be transitioning to a mobile vaccine clinic program. The current Fixed Site Vaccine Clinics in Almonte, Smiths Falls, Kemptville and Brockville will become part of the mobile program rather than operating on a regular weekly schedule, and some will move to other locations. These clinics have been supported by a number of partners and have provided thousands of vaccinations to residents of LGL as well as other surrounding areas.

Rebook appointments scheduled for September and October: Our staff will be reaching out to those with vaccine appointments booked

in September and October to reschedule the appointment. Appointments can be rebooked through the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark online booking portal or by contacting the local Call Centre toll-free at 1-844-369-1234 (open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm). You can also use the walk-in program at all clinics between now and August 31. Locations and dates can be found on our website. You can notify us to cancel an appointment by submitting an online cancellation request or calling the Call Centre.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit: www.healthunit.org/healthinformation/covid-19/protection.

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

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The North Grenville Times

Council considers solutions to North Grenville’s subpar internet access recommends a minimum Local Journalism Initiative Reporter connection of 50/10 Mbps, only residents of the more A t t h e M u n i c i p a l “urban” areas of our Council meeting of July Municipality have access 20, the lack of reliable to such connection. Many access to internet across in more rural areas are North Grenville was serviced only with speeds thoroughly discussed. The as low as 5/1.

This discussion municipality is working toward a future in which follows a smaller meeting the availability, price, o n t h e s a m e t o p i c and reliability of internet between members of the connection is the same Community & Economic for all residents across Development Advisory North Grenville. There Committee (CEDAC) is, however, a lot of work and consultants from CIP to be done to make this a CommTech and Storm Internet on July 5. Mayor reality.

The meeting included Nancy Peckford felt it a delegation from CIP was important to bring the CommTech and Storm conversation to Council Internet, who rooted and to the community, their presentation in a “because there are some Broadband Study that they s h o r t a n d m i d t e r m have conducted across the implications, that the municipality. The Study Municipality is already was intended to find out advancing, and that we where deficits in internet will have to consider service were located in moving forward, both from order to make suggestions a budget perspective and on how to better serve from a strategic advocacy t h e c o m m u n i t y. T h e perspective.”

Birket Foster, of Storm study revealed that, “ m o r e t h a n 9 0 % o f Internet, recommended residential and 100% of that strategic priorities commercial customers i n c l u d e a f o c u s o n are unsatisfied with their investment and the support current level of service.” of current initiatives.

W h i l e t h e C a n a d i a n Hillary Geneau, Strategic Radio-Television and Initiatives Coordinator, Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s c o n f i r m e d t h a t t h e Commission (CRTC) Municipality is acting on

by Rachel Everett-Fry

this recommendation. For instance, Birket said, “if we want to get internet everywhere, and [the Municipality is] digging up a whole stretch of road, please put a conduit in.”

Indeed, the work to be done on County Road 44 will be including extra conduits in which to run cables.

Birket also stressed that the Municipality work to procure government funding to close the gap between rural and urban internet access. Individuals alone cannot afford the infrastructure, and the private sector is unlikely to undertake projects in which a break even point is not in sight. He encourages the Municipality to continue to participate in the Eastern Ontario Regional Network’s (EORN) Gig Project in the lobby for greater provincial and federal funding to help get 1000mb to every home in order to put rural areas at “an even footing with an urban area.” Unfortunately, Mayor Peckford stated that through her recent conversations with EORN, it would seem that GIG is not being funded to the extent that EORN had hoped. There is, however, a new provincial Connect

Ontario program. This program is intended to allow internet service providers (ISPs) to bid for provincial support when bringing service to underserved areas. It remains undetermined if North Grenville qualifies as underserved.

Another option for North Grenville is to consider a public/private partnership. Birket and Hillary have both studied Pictou, a county in Nova Scotia, as an example of such a partnership. The community of Pictou led, provided initial fundings, and engaged a couple of ISPs to create a Municipally owned open access network.

Councillor John Barclay said that, “with this report, I think the interesting information is that rollout can be faster if we explore a public/private partnership.” He “would like to see us take a more active role in finding out what will work.” He put forward a motion, which passed with support from the other councillors, to “move to direct staff to explore relationships with smaller ISPs, including a revenue sharing model.”

Council allows for continued electronic meetings

by Rachel Everett-Fry

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

North Grenville Municipal Council has made the decision to maintain their ability to conduct virtual meetings.

Under a Procedural By-Law, Council were authorised to conduct electronic meetings through the end of August.

This was intended as an interim measure, allowing Council to continue to meet while Covid-19 emergency measures were in place.

At a public meeting on July 20, however, a new by-law was enacted that allows Council to continue to hold virtual meetings.

It will be at the direction of Council to determine whether Council meetings will be held in-person, electronically, or as a hybrid of these methods.

This provides a great deal of flexibility to councillors, July28, 2021

as well as to the public.

Our local councillors are not the only ones coping with this question. As Covid-19 restrictions ease throughout the province, many organizations and individuals are left wondering if the methods we adopted out of sheer necessity during the pandemic might actually make sense long term.

Virtual meetings reduce carbon emissions, save time and money, and can increase opportunities to connect.

At the July 20 meeting, Councillor Kristin Strackerjan said, “to highlight what we’ve learned over the last year and a half, when people are sick, some people don’t stay home because they feel obligated to attend meetings.” For both economic and social reasons, people all too often feel pressure to show

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up, even when it may not be in their best interest to do so. Councillor Strackerjan noted that ongoing flexibility, in “everyday life, work, school, and so on - it certainly applies to council meets as well - is an important option to have.”

Allowing for virtual meetings is also important “when it comes to overall inclusiveness and accessibility”, she noted.

For a variety of reasons, it is not always possible for people to attend council meetings in person. The possibility for hybrid meetings makes municipal politics more accessible to every member of our community.

Of course, as Mayor Peckford noted at the meeting, the true accessibility of a virtual meeting hinges on a good internet connection.

The Voice of North Grenville

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Mayor Peckford on the Correctional Facility

Mayor Nancy Peckford spoke with Times Editor, David Shanahan, about the proposed Correctional Facility announced by the Ontario Government. The conversation began with a question about the confusion which still exists about when Council first knew about the proposal.

David: I would say there remains confusion in the community about the correctional facility and how it came about. There are still people who think that there was some kind of trade going on. We got 43 funding, the Province got a prison. So, did it come as a surprise?

Mayor Peckford: Oh, it was a total shock. I was really was gobsmacked. It was nothing that we expected, anticipated, contemplated.

We really didn't. We were so excited to have formalized the plans for the International Plowing Match, which came just before the pandemic.

And by last July, I was writing a letter to the province and Minister Clark suggesting that, in order to secure the farm side lands for the IPM, that we could lease them.

So really, that was my thought process: When and if the province surpluses the farmside lands, what can we do to potentially acquire them, build on the IPM, and bring back agricultural related initiatives to those lands? So the announcement of a correctional facility was really, initially, difficult to absorb and somewhat disorienting and not something I ever expected I would have to deal with in the community.

I don't like to say I'm powerless over the decision - but the province has been clear. The correctional facility from day one has been presented to me, to Council, as a fait accompli. There was no warning signal other than Minister Steve Clark kept saying that before the farmside lands, or any provincial lands, are rendered surplus, i.e potentially available for sale by the Municipality, they would be subject to a due diligence process internally in the event that any provincial Ministry saw a use for it. Apart from that, there was not a sniff of a correctional facility coming here, and it was never on my mind, not in a million years. However, Council has been adamant that we will not be powerless over some of the next steps.

David: What, realistically, do you think council could do, could have done at the time, about this?

July 28, 2021

Mayor Peckford : So just to answer your question, on CR 43, the announcement confirming both federal and provincial funding for County Road 43 came in July of last year, before the announcement about the correctional facility in August.

So, all of the funding had been confirmed by then. I know some people think Council wouldn’t oppose the Correctional facility because of the need for CR 43 funding- and nothing could be further from the truth. By last July, the paperwork was being signed and we were on our way. In fact, the provincial government had already recommended CR 43 for funding to the federal government in July of 2019. We had waited another year for the federal government to give it their green light, which, with some pushing by myself and Minister Clark, we got in July of 2020.

In any case, when the correctional facility was announced, it required Council and the Municipality to shift its thinking very quickly. Our first thought was, of course, could the province do this without consultation from the community and the answer was overwhelmingly, yes.

The correct zoning was in place. So the next questions was how quickly could we get information out to the community? How could we fortify ourselves in terms of a better understanding of impacts?

How much land would the proposed correctional facility use? Could we access some of the lands that, maybe, they weren't going to use?

And that's why we pushed really hard to accelerate some of those public engagement and stakeholder engagement pieces last fall, a year in advance of what had been proposed. At the same time, Council didn’t necessarily know all the questions we needed to ask. And that's why the Deputy Mayor and I started to reach out to other Mayors to say, help us ask the right questions. What do we need to watch out for?

So, I think in the weeks and months after the announcement, we were in a process of really coming to terms with "what does the facility mean?". And David, I've said it to you before, there were and are people who were expressing enthusiasm about the opportunities the facility would generate. But, obviously, we also have heard a lot of distress and anxiety too.

Consequently, I and other members of Council wanted

to ensure we were getting as many answers to the questions that members of the community were asking. Because, overwhelmingly, the questions were good questions and they were fair questions.

David: What position was council in, in terms of being able to do anything about this?

Mayor Peckford: Well, I think, at the time, we wanted to have as much information as possible, so that we could be clear with the community about what we thought the short term and long term impacts of a correctional facility would be. And I think, to some extent, those questions have been answered, and to some extent there is much more to be determined, in terms of impacts.

Regardless, however, we know there are some very important lands and buildings on the farmside lands from the Kemptville College days that should be preserved and utilized for agricultural community-related initiatives. And, because of the fact that we have the International Plowing Match coming in September 2022, and we had already been contemplating how the IPM could generate momentum to bring agricultural opportunities back to Kemptville, we have used the last several months to advance North Grenville’s interests regarding access to those remaining lands and buildings.

Because what we could see, based upon the many conversations we had with the Ministry subsequent to the announcement, was that there was no going back for the province. None. The reality is the province has decided to build that facility. And by the time they announced it in this community, that decision was made, signed, and sealed.

It wasn't aspirational. It wasn't "we're thinking about it". No matter what you think of this selection process for the facility, the decision was made.

Given this, for me or Council to have locked heads with the province on whether or not it was legitimate for them to put the facility there, I think would have been a nonproductive conversation. We would have spun our wheels for a year and we would have lost months, if not more than a year, banging our heads against the wall and ignoring where, in fact, we had an opportunity to assert control.

If we communicated straight opposition, nothing else, we were losing time on

the opportunity that I think we had, which was to leverage our conversation with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and our local MPP Steve Clark who sat around the cabinet table, to say, we need other community activities on those lands. In other words, how do we gain control over as much land as possible as quickly as possible.

Frankly, it would be a wasted opportunity and a loss for the community if the only thing that came out of the farmside lands was a provincial correctional facility. It would be an insult to the deep agricultural heritage that these lands represent and the role that Kemptville College played for over 100 years.

So, our mindset has been, how do we work with Steve Clark and the Ministry to secure an agreement to save every building we can, to ensure that we in North Grenville pursue some community related agricultural activity on the lands that won’t be used by the correctional facility.

That is why Council released the letter that was written to me in May from the Deputy Solicitor General.

It publicly confirms a shared intent between the Ministry and the Municipality to move forward and create the agricultural opportunities that are vital for our community’s future. This letter is the result of the many stakeholder and engagement sessions where we have heard loud and clear that there must be community-driven agricultural initiatives on those lands.

Yes, some are objecting to a correctional facility entirely, but our objective has been, if nothing else, to have more than a facility there, so we can leverage the agricultural and related opportunities coming our way via the IPM, Kemptville Campus, and beyond.

And, as I have said, David, sadly, this announcement has created division in the community. That division is not lost on myself and Council. We have an incredible community, and I’m so proud of it. I meet people every day who are struggling with the prospect of this facility. And I also meet people every day who are genuinely excited and think it's a good thing for North Grenville. And I feel its my responsibility to ensure that both sides get as much information as possible from the Ministry, and we do everything in our power to have control of some of the lands that will be available.

There is no doubt that the future of these farmside lands

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The Voice of North Grenville

is different than what we expected. We offered to buy. We offered to lease. Those things didn't happen. The province comes up with a whole other plan for those lands over which we have absolutely no input. It was announced in a way that didn’t account for how North Grenvile has changed since the old correctional facility in Burritt’s Rapids closed in 2004, and how this new one would be perceived, especially being so much closer to town.

David: So the basic fact of what you're saying is that this is something the province came and imposed on the community. There was no room for negotiation about this. There was no question that it's not happening.

Mayor Peckford: No, we have nothing to negotiate, as its not our land.

David: And nothing to negotiate with.

Mayor Peckford: No. In terms of authority or jurisdiction, no.

David: And you've got groups who are opposed to this. Where should they be focusing their energies?

Mayor Peckford: This decision rests with the province of Ontario. I think some of the arguments that the opposition groups have used around the value of provincial jails, who is housed in them, whether or not they get adequate programing, those are legitimate questions. Those are good questions to ask and we should all be asking them.

David: But not a municipal jurisdiction?

Mayor Peckford: Not questions we can answer. We can be alerted to them, we can ask that they absolutely be answered by the province.

As I have said, the decision for the establishment of a facility in Kemptville is part and parcel of a commitment to transform provincial Corrections in eastern Ontario that was initiated under the Wynne government. The Ford government saw merit in it, and the cabinet table signed off on a significant budget investment which resulted in the announcement.

David: The things that have been brought up by members of the community; what about water and sewer, and related infrastructure?

Mayor Peckford: The Ministry has already initiated those conversations with the Municipality. For example, the correctional facility will opt into our wastewater facility and pay the same as any other institution, like a hospital or school. They are not

exempt. I recognize those arrangements will not alleviate the concerns around some of the implications of the facility. However, we have to focus our attention on where we can exert the most influence, the most quickly, and come out better as a community for what we can control.

David: Perhaps the organizations who are opposed should be camped out on Steve Clarke's doorstep, rather than council meetings?

Mayor Peckford: Well, certainly, if you have real issues with the amount that's being spent, or about the criminal justice system generally, I would really encourage residents to ensure they're fully communicating with the province on some of those concerns, and they're legitimate. It's not that those critiques don't have value.

Incarcerating people is never the full answer, and nor should it be. At the same time, people do deserve to do their time in modern and humane facilities where they don’t fear for their lives, they have access to mental health support, and which can serve as a ‘reset’ for them. But I very much encourage people to reach out directly to the Solicitor General around their concerns about how the criminal justice system operates. Here in North Grenville, we have connected members of our community with senior level Ministry officials to start some of that dialogue on rehabilitation.

I understand that those who are opposed are not satisfied, necessarily, with how Council has managed the announcement, but they are members of my community and I will treat them with respect. I respect who they are, and I completely understand their need to ask hard questions.

Our door is always open, and it has been since the beginning. I really feel that - in this day and age of hyper divisive politics - that we have to keep an open mind and heart. I hope that, despite everything, the communitydriven activities which we expect to take place on these farm side lands will enhance community cohesion and agricultural opportunities.

Because we have got a good thing going in North Grenville, and given our heritage and given where we are located in Leeds and Greenville, what happens on those lands is incredibly important to the future of this community. www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

Municipality needs community input for new Strategic Plan

by Rachel Everett-Fry

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Municipality of North Grenville is developing a new Strategic Plan to help guide the community’s services and development for the next ten years.

Municipal Council and staff encourage residents to complete a survey on their vision for North Grenville. The results of this survey will directly inform the Strategic Plan.

Is your priority improving sidewalks and road safety? Or would you prefer to see greater attention paid to environmental stewardship? It could be that you are keen to foster development by attracting young families.

Or perhaps your concern is how we will maintain the rural character of the area. This is the time to consider these questions, and express your opinion to the Municipality.

A Strategic Plan involves developing a vision for the future and building a roadmap for how to achieve this vision.

This includes economic, environmental, social, and political aspects. The community’s last Strategic Plan was approved in 2013 by the previous Council.

In 2018, the current Council was elected and committed to completing an update. Developing a plan that truly reflects the community’s needs, priorities, and expectations is crucial for a satisfying Strategic Plan.

Mayor Peckford stated that, “This is an opportunity for us to collectively plan for the future, as we seek to build on our community’s strengths and contend with the high rate of growth in North Grenville.” Though

each resident will have different priorities and concerns, she noted that, “the beauty of this process is that everyone has the right to be heard. I know there’s a lot of opinions in this community about what the future looks like, so it will be great to get a diversity of perspectives and try to put it al l together.”

Councillor John Barclay wanted to, “emphasize to the community how important this process is.” This survey is an opportunity for each resident to think about, and then weigh-in on, what kind of community they want to be living in 5 or 10 years from now. He said the survey is, “very broad-ranging, and it’s very important that we get as much public feedback as possible to get the most robust Community Strategic Plan to take us forward.”

As our community continues to grow over the next decade, as we continue to try to balance the needs and wants of those in more rural areas with those in the Town of Kemptville, and as we go through a municipal election, the input that residents can offer today will be critical.

The survey, which only takes about 7 minutes to complete, is available now.

Residents, businesses, and community groups can now provide their input through the link at www. northgrenville.ca/vision.

For those who prefer a hard copy, the survey is also available at the Municipal Centre and the North Grenville Public Library. Additional public consultation can be expected through open town-hall sessions in the Fall.

The Voice of North Grenville

UPDATE For updates related to COVID-19 and the North Grenville Municipal Centre visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus Municipal Centre Office hours are between 9 am and 4 pm (Monday-Friday).

Sign up for weekly e-news that features activities from our events calendar and message from the Mayor at: www. northgrenville.ca/connect.

The Kemptville Pool is open. You must reserve your tickets in advance for public swimming. Registration for swim lessons begin 14 days prior to the start date. Details at: https://www.northgrenville.ca/play/recreation-programsevents/program-registration.

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS

Council meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube commencing at 6:30 pm.

To view the live stream visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured.

For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing clerk@northgrenville. on.ca. To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please pre-register with the Clerk’s Office at the same e-mail address. Please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting. If you require accommodation, please advise the Clerk’s Office when pre-registering so that they may best assist you.

Council agendas (including for closed sessions) may be found here: https://www.northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes

• Council Meeting – August 11, 2021

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committee meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing Jessica Workman at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca.

• Active Transportation Advisory Committee – July 29, 2021 at 5:00 pm • Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – August 3, 2021 at 3:00 pm • Agriculture and Rural Affairs – August 4, 2021 at 4:15 pm • Heritage Advisory Committee – August 5, 2021 at 7:00 pm

NORTH GRENVILLE’S COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

The Municipality of North Grenville has launched the strategic planning process that will illustrate the community’s vision for North Grenville and create a roadmap for how to get there. Residents, businesses, community groups, and youth can now provide their input through an online survey available at www.northgrenville.ca/vision as well as at upcoming public consultations. Hardcopies of the survey are also available at the North Grenville Municipal Centre (285 County Road 44) and the North Grenville Public Library (1 Water Street).

CAPTURE NORTH GRENVILLE PHOTO CONTEST

Explore North Grenville and take pictures of your favourite places, activities, and people for a chance to win amazing prizes. For more details visit: www.northgrenville.ca/news/1604-photo-contest

ACCESSIBILITY SURVEY

The Accessibility Advisory Committee of North Grenville invites you to complete a short survey to determine your accessibility needs and concerns. The survey can be completed at: http://www.northgrenville.ca/surveys. A print version of the survey is now available at the North Grenville Public Library and the Municipal Centre. if you require any assistance with this survey, including receiving it in an alternative format, please email the Clerk’s Office at hbabcock-cormier@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569 extension 178.

Le Comité consultatif sur l’accessibilité de North Grenville vous invite à répondre à un court sondage pour déterminer vos besoins et vos préoccupations en matière d’accessibilité. Le sondage peut être rempli à: http://www.northgrenville.ca/surveys. Une version imprimée du sondage est maintenant disponible à la Bibliothèque publique de North Grenville et au Centre municipal. Si vous avez besoin d’aide pour le remplir, y compris pour le recevoir en média substitut, veuillez envoyer un courriel au Bureau du greffier à hbabcock-cormier@northgrenville.on.ca ou composer le 613-258-9569, poste 178.

TAX BILLS

All 2021 final tax bulls have been mailed. If you have not received your bill, please contact the Administration Office. The due date is September 30. Payments can be made by credit card when paying online through our website.

The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 x211 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

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Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

July28, 2021

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Editorial

The North Grenville Times

What was it you wanted?

by David Shanahan To quote Bob Dylan: “we live in a political world, where mercy walks the plank”. There are times when it seems that no-one is willing to listen to anyone else, when each side is talking in an echo chamber.

But not in the Times! No, this is where we can talk to each other and know we live in a place where we listen and care and can even, sometimes, give the other person the benefit of the doubt. This is an issue of the Times with a lot of emphasis on talking to each other, of asking others to listen and believe what we say.

We have given a lot of space to an interview with Mayor Peckford on the subject of the correctional facility, or prison, as many who enjoy precise use of the English language like to call it. Obviously, people will read what she has to say and choose not to believe her. I would caution against that approach. As someone who was the other party to this conversation, I would say that this is an honest and open account of things. The problem these days, of course, is that we have learned to be cynical and suspicious, unwilling to believe that anyone is really

sincere. Is that what we want for our community?

One of the things said in the interview is something that everyone in North Grenville can certainly agree on: the prison issue has divided a community in a way that we have not often seen before.

Overall, this is a good and decent place, a place where volunteers make things happen, where residents put in the hours and the effort to make North Grenville what it is. People don’t usually want to know what political leanings others have before they’ll work with them on a fundraising effort for the food banks, or the Hospital, or some other worthy cause.

There’s no party political interview before someone can join a service club, or charitable organisation. And that is how we like it, isn’t it?

It has always been my opinion (I have one or two, sometimes) that the focus of the debate on the prison issue should always have been on the province, on Steve Clark, and the manner in which this entire project was announced and handled. That is where the decisions were made, and that is where the questions, for and against, need to be directed.

The Voice of North Grenville

Whether you’re for or against the thing, it is important that we are not distracted from where the focus of discussion should be, if we are to have a proper understanding of what has happened and what is planned. I believe that Mayor Peckford’s words need to be taken at face value, and that we all begin with the assumption that everyone wants what’s best for North Grenville in general, and Kemptville in particular.

On a more party political story, there is an announcement in this issue that Lorraine Rekmans has been nominated as the Green Party of Canada candidate for the federal election that is expected later this year.

The more observant among you will have noticed that her name has not appeared in the Editorial of the Times for the past few weeks. Now you know why. With the formal announcement of her nomination, we can speak about her departure from the position of Editor. Party political involvement and being Editor of a newspaper do not sit well together, and Lorraine has returned to a political career that has been at the forefront of her interests and commitment for many years.

We have really appreciated her time with the Times, and she brought a new and welcome perspective to the work here, and to the community. This departure was always in the cards, and we discussed the possibility when we first talked about her assuming the job of Editor.

Personally, I am very grateful indeed for her willingness to take over from me, and there was always a hope, for me, that there would never be an election at all, and Lorraine could continue for a long time. But, here I am, back again. To some readers: “hello again!”, and to others: “my deepest apologies. Get over it!”. I believe someone once complained that “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” Quite.

One other point I was asked to make following a previous editorial. Last week, I referred to the fact that the “last council was dismissed because, in part, they actually told residents that they, the council, were above criticism”. This happened in a letter they rather unwisely published in this newspaper.

However, one member of that council refused to sign that arrogant letter dismissing the public’s right to comment on

their political betters, and that was Jim Bertram. He rejected attempts to get him to sign along with the others, in what was a typically honourable and independent stance by him. Jim did not run in the election to retain his status as Councillor, and was bested in his campaign for Mayor by the current incumbent.

He has, however, been often assumed to have been a signatory to that politically fatal document, and I must apologise for giving the impression in the last editorial that he was one of that previous and unlamented gang. He doesn't wish to be associated with his former council colleagues.

Before people learned better, Jim was thought of as a one-issue candidate. That was seen as a bad thing, but he was able to overcome that label. In the next municipal election, we may well find ourselves faced with other one-issue candidates, and that would be equally unsettling.

The prison issue has tended, in the minds of many, to overshadow everything else over the past year, in spite of a pandemic. Whether you are for or against, or apathetic about, the proposed prison, this community will continue to exist whether it comes or

not. The next few years will see us facing very serious challenges as we move away from lockdowns and restrictions. Local businesses will continue to need support for some time. Housing will continue to be an enormous problem in this municipality, as house prices, rents, and land costs will deny residents, especially young families, any hope of living here. It will take hard work and cooperation across the length and breadth of this place to accomplish what must be done to ensure a future that we all want.

We cannot afford to be divided, in the long term, by any issue, no matter how the prison turns out. Let’s debate, discuss, argue, swop surveys and studies, protest for and against, and exercise our democratic rights in all freedom. But let’s do it the way we usually do things: together, with generosity and fair play. Place blame and praise where it actually belongs. Because “We live in a political world, where mercy walks the plank.” Let’s not go there.

someone else’s lawn, because it causes a severe burn”. Well some Kemptville folks let me have it through their verbal diarrhea. Until the very last post when a female member of that group wrote: “For God’s sake why is someone else’s lawn your business, it’s just a f….n lawn. Society has changed since I arrived in Kemptville in 1975. I received a lot of positive comments from the community as well. One prominent member said: “This Social Media Generation likes to argue”. That’s ok until they start slinging mud. It’s an awful feeling that I have been treated in such a way by some bad apples in the Kemptville Community, which I served for 46 years.

So, your article, Mr. Shanahan, hits me right in my heart.

My brother-in law said to me one time: “Don’t let negative people occupy space in your

head”. So, I deleted the entire Kemptville Facebook Group from my Facebook, which meant I also lost all the good members I served and had a good relationship with.

It is sad that we live in a society of people who are selfish, discontented, and disrespectful, and ……they show a lack of empathy.

Thank you for having the courage to write the article “Beware of Darkness”. As Jeff Bezos said the other day when he returned from his space flight: “Courage and Civility”, that’s what brings success to a community: “Courage to do the right thing and Civility to bring the Community together”.

William J. Langenberg

Dear Editor, RE: Where I Stand, by Councillor John Barclay.

On the one hand, many residents will be pleased that at least one municipal councillor feels responsible and courageous enough to put his position in print where it can be scrutinized. For that, John should be commended.

On the other hand, many residents may be dismayed that it took ten months to do so.

During those ten months, Councillors had ample time to challenge the province's claims and talking points, to consult experts and to delve into research concerning incarceration in Ontario.

I should note that CAPP has repeatedly asked Council to share the list of experts it consulted, to no avail.

Discounting any evidence in favour of anecdotes and personal opinions is simply

bad decision-making. For example, if Kemptville residents were to express their concern about community safety, John could reassure them that this is not an issue. Why? Because experts know and the evidence shows that provincial jails are not a threat to public safety. It may seem counterintuitive, but that's what the research shows, here and in the US. Now if residents want to know if jails are a boon to the local economy, John could inform them that they are not. Why? Because experts know and the research shows that jails do not confer such benefits. It may be counterintuitive, but that's what the research shows, here and in the US. That is why on an issue like the proposed prison, evidence is useful and anecdotes are not.

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I’ll be honest, I’m scared.

It’s only mid July and Canada is already on track for one of the worst wildfire seasons in history. And, that’s saying nothing about floods, drought and other impacts of the extreme heat we’re seeing this summer.

I’m scared not just because climate change is clearly here, but because our government isn’t acting at the pace and scale we need to meet this crisis head on.

If Justin Trudeau was serious about tackling the climate crisis, he would be acting decisively right now to put out this proverbial fire by stopping fossil fuel expansion and passing a Just Transition into law.

Canada’s fossil industry is our largest source of emissions, but our government continues to support their ex-

pansion. And, they aren’t supporting workers. In his 2019 campaign, Trudeau promised to pass a Just Transition Act, but with another election on the horizon, nothing has happened.

We deserve better. It’s been more than two years since our government declared a climate emergency, it’s past time they started acting like it.

Sincerely, Steve Gabell Dear Editor, Mr. Shanahan I know how you feel and your article “Beware of Darkness” hits a point with me. I received some nasty Facebook posts for roughly four days in a row in a local Kemptville Facebook Group this week.

All because I posted “Don’t let your female dog pee on

The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc. Marketing Gord J. Logan gord@ngtimes.ca 613-258-6402 July 28, 2021

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Letters to the Editor cont'd Unfortunately, Municipal Council has largely chosen to not challenge the province's claims and instead rely on anecdotes and personal opinions. Council as a whole has not demonstrated a sense of responsibility or courage to study the evidence and share it with the public, whether for or against the prison. That is why CAPP has stepped up to fulfill that role, with the best available evidence on the CAPP Kemptville website (www.cappkemptville.ca).

Victor Lachance Dear Editor, I came back from a modest shopping trip yesterday and two experiences made me understand that I have to not pay attention and get frustrated re the irksome downloading of the responsibility for climate change on to consumers’ individual shoulders.

If the huge conglomerates who manufacture, package, enrobe, produce goods, or sell stuff in the mega quantities do not change their outputs, how can I, the individual consumer, reduce my footprint? As a household, we do what we can and what we can afford.

I went to buy a bit of meat, fruit, vegetables, and a few other items. Once home, the packaging of some items defied my strength to easily open. That led to a whole series of why’s. Perhaps many of these were because I had shopped in a mega super market? Why was I wrestling to open the salad plastic container and failing? Why are dill pickles encased in a plastic container that entails using implements such as knives, scissors, and finally pliers to take the top off the container? This container is also non compostable, non biodegradable, and the company took it upon themselves to say it was reusable. Sounds good...reusable, doesn’t it?

But how many reusable such trays are in fact needed by one customer!? And for a similar cost, could the container be easy to open and biodegradable?

Why is meat in the supermarket in non-recyclablenon-biodegradable styrofoam trays? Why is such strong plastic used to encase so many products? Why is it so hard to find “unscented” cleaning and other stuff, when, more and more, the public spaces are signed “no scents allowed”? Why are grapes in heavy plastic ziplock non-compostable bags, pre-filled with more grapes than two people need? And many other why’s.....

July28, 2021

Having wrestled my purchases into submission, I decided to watch a favourite program and to relax. A Government announcement caught my attention during a break. Each person must be careful to reduce, or watch, or to take care of the size of their carbon footprint, was the gist of the message. Well, why are these announcements not accompanied by information on what the government has achieved in reductions to this point, since the start of their mandate? Why are governments of all levels not urgently coordinating their efforts to put forward STANDARDS to advance the day so I, the consumer, can achieve a carbon neutral footprint in going about my daily life? BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, why are not more manufacturers and purveyors of products not more vigorously proactive in changing their products to be more “carbon neutral”, more healthy, more environmentally friendly, less encased in packaging that goes to landfill? Why should they?

Because they, too, should care about the health of our Earth!

There are costs to any change. But to change, shouldn’t there be substitutes available? But perhaps the consumer’s duty is to NOT CONSUME, if possible, whatever it is that has been declared by the experts to be less than optimum for health, safety, economy, or efficacy?

However, perhaps not always practical?

Consumers, otherwise known as Customers, have a great deal of power to drive change by their choices. In many instances they have.

We do know the oceans are in trouble due to plastic fill, etc. We do know species are disappearing. We do know space around Earth is full of junk. We do know that without farmland we cannot grow food. And there are so many other things we know regarding what needs urgent action. Now we need to act individually and to push for governments and industries to ACT for the next era. Hopefully, it is a change from the plastic to the biodegradable era? The ONUS is not on one area, it needs to be an across the board revolution!

Where will the leadership come from? I am frustrated by announcements regarding 2030 or 2050! Now? Rather than a general defining of climate change as the driver of urgency, the issue is more stark if the endangered are articulated!

on your sword, admit the error, apologise, and we all move on. Nobody expects perfection.

Like many in the Green Party, I was left wondering what I could do to make Ms. Paul understand the discord that she is sewing, so I temporarily suspended my monthly financial support. I probably wasn’t the only one who did that, but it didn’t seem to make one iota of difference to Ms. Paul. I believe that she is on a mission to reshape the Party in her own image, and damn the torpedoes. It is the only way that I can make any sense of her behaviour.

H o w e v e r, u n l i k e other parties, the Green platform is shaped by the membership, not by the Party hierarchy. Ms. Paul has no more say in the Party platform than I do, so I am comforted by the fact that this is still the same Party that it was before she became leader.

This country, indeed, the planet, needs the policies and values that the Green Party espouses.

When you see all around you the massive fires and floods that have been inexorably linked to climate change, we have to be concerned. This was all predicted 30 years ago, and we still do not have the political will in this country to do what is necessary for our grandchildren to have a liveable planet.

The current Liberal government has given $23 billion to the oil and gas industry over the last 3 years. Failure to reign in this industry will ensure that Canada has no chance to meet its climate targets, as weak as they are.

They are now talking austerity to get us out of the supposed financial mess that we are in, and they will no doubt trot out that tired old analogy that compares their budget to our household budget.

That is both dishonest and disingenuous. Federal governments can print money. We cannot. Federal governments don’t have to worry about budgets. What they have to worry about is inflation, so they have to ensure what they do doesn’t drive up the cost of living beyond a certain point.

We just have to look back to World War 2, and to see what a powerhouse Canada became in the

If the birds in the air, the fish in the oceans and waters, the animals and mammals, the air and the water, and the land for growing food: all are compromised. Is there time to change to a new manufacturer and consumer? Will the Earth be helped by us in enough time, so elephants and dolphins and monarch butterflies, and fireflies and many other wonders will go on?

As you see, dear Editor, this thinking has been simmering a long time. I never thought styrofoam would crystallize it in such a way.

Thank you.

Best wishes, Nadia Gray Dear Editor, I was waiting to see how the leader of the Green Party of Canada, Annamie Paul, was going to handle yet another attack on the Green Party by one of her hacks, before writing to agree with your correspondent, Constantine Kritsonis.

Yet again, she is failing to disavow this attack, leaving many in the Party to surmise that she approves of this mode of conduct.

I am one of those who don’t. While I would prefer all this to go away until 6 months after the election, when there is an automatic leadership review, Ms. Paul seems to be preventing this happening by still stoking the fire, this time by hiring an arbitrator, meaning that the proceedings would now be conducted in private, away from the full view of the membership.

As a result, the GPC’s ability to speak openly about this matter has been constrained, and remains constrained.

The GPC is about participatory democracy, respect for diversity, social justice. Transparency and truthfulness has been lacking in these legal proceedings, and so now the GPC has gone to the Superior Court in Toronto in order to bring some openness to this matter, because, as a National P a r t y, t h e p r o c e s s e s must be conducted in a democratic way, in full view of the membership and the voting public. As I write, this is where the matter stands.

I accept that a new leader of any Party is going to make mistakes. The proper thing to do is to fall 9

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TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

manufacture of war materials. Major industries were created in short order, and the whole country was mobilised, and put to work. So how did we manage to spend all that money, and where did it come from? We have been fed a neoliberal mantra that says that if we spend like that, then taxes either go up, or social programs get cut. Absolute nonsense. During World War 2, neither happened.

I would encourage you all to read “The Deficit Myth”

by Stephanie Kelton, who explains all this in some considerable detail.

We c a n a ff o r d t o transition away from

fossil fuels, which is a major influence on climate change. We can do exactly what we did in World War 2, we just need to elect a government that is not beholden to the oil and gas industry, and who has the vision to see what is possible.

Colin Creasey, Kemptville

Send in your letters to the editor to editor @ngtimes.ca

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Where do we go from here?

Mr. Ford: Can we clear a few things up? a) Are vaccines a good idea? I think you have been very clear on this...the answer is a definite 'Yes!' b) Are vaccines of all kinds a good idea for attendance in public schools?

Again, 'Yes!' It is a legal requirement, I think. c) Should those people who are NOT vaccinated be allowed into schools or workplaces alongside people who are vaccinated? A resounding 'Maybe!' for that one? Why? Let me go out on a limb here and suggest that it might be politically expedient for you to sit on the fence for this one. You don't want to lose the vote of those people who, in this case, have joined the 'anti-vaxers' club of selectively-informed people. Let me see if I can shed a bit of light on the situation.

If our provincial population is remotely similar to the American demographic (shudder), then the situation just might be this: those who are the skeptical types, those who don't trust any government, the same people who think that the doctors and scientists, plus politicians, are nincompoops who are trying to pull the wool over the public's eyes (why?) and do not want to be injected with what they think might be a lethal dose (of what? Common Sense?). They just might be the very same right-wing leaning, anti-left-wing types who traditionally, habitually, eternally vote for the Ontario Conservative Party, and who, by the way, have to swallow an arbitrary, unpopular prison

location decision along with the rest of us.

Now, Mr. Ford, we wondered how you would do in the Big Chair of Ontario politics. Your stint on Toronto City Council was less than stellar and far from distinguished. Indeed, when you ran for the leadership of the party, way back when, there was a significant difference between your potential political capabilities and those of the three women who were also in the race. But, the Conservative Party, having watched Kathleen Wynne for too many years, was not going to be led by a woman, no matter how talented or brilliant she might be. It was a vote decided by gender, rather than by merit. But you surprised a lot of Ontarians when we were hit by the pandemic.

You listened to the 'Big Brains' in the room and followed their advice (just as an aside, Trump Style news conferences with Cabinet Ministers lined up behind you is a ridiculous image). But, over time, things changed.

Your popularity dropped due to too many reversed decisions. You stepped back and let the Cabinet Ministers step up and make the announcements. All great generals lead from behind, right?

And now, with part of the population wearing masks, social-distancing, getting themselves and their families vaccinated, you have to decide what to do with those others; the ones who will not comply, the proudly independent ones who say, 'Nobody tells me what to do!', or, 'They don't know what's in

Consume like your kids live here

that stuff!'

Well, I have a suggestion.

Kick Them Off The Island!

Off they go! If anyone is unconcerned about the health and well-being of others, then, in our version of civilized society, where you have a responsibility to look out for the well-being of yourself and others, you have just disqualified yourself, and do not get to be part of the 'civilized society club'.

Now, what happens to them? They could go to Alberta and hang out with likeminded wanna-be Americans.

Along with their like-minded Alberta-Cons, they could mount a truck convoy and head for Texas or Florida.

They could join up with the righteous: those Fox News, Tucker Carlson watching, Trump-supporting, non-vaccinated, gun-totin', anti-lefty, anti-Liberal, proudly independent individuals. (That group really makes me shudder.)

Mr. Ford, I wish you good luck and good health. I am assuming that you and your loved ones have been vaccinated. It's a nice feeling isn't it? It's nice to know that your family and those you hold dear are protected from a disease that has already taken nearly 4.15 million people from their loved ones. Just don't tell it to some of your fervent supporters. They tend to be a suspicious lot and just might think you are part of the conspiracy.

Peter Johnson (Upper Oxford Mills, Ont.)

by Ralph C. Martin stitute, emphasized that the A car salesman once advised One of the road signs most effective way to reduce me, ‘buy more car for your that inevitably grabs my at- energy use is to consume buck’ and I wondered how tention is “Drive like your less. Like President Carter, much vehicle heft is required, kids live here.” Last week, he recommended putting on when so many trips are in bithis sign pulled me out of my a sweater and turning down cycle range. How often does distracted mental meander- the thermostat. our lithium laden electronic ings about how pandemic Over consumption of food gadgetry need to be updated? easing may lead to pent up is an ongoing habit. In 1965, Billionaires blowing bunexcess consumption. I slowed when the global population dles to boost space tourism are down, paid attention to my was 3.3 billion, the average among “the richest 400 Amersurroundings, and then it hit consumption of food energy icans, owning more wealth me. “Consume like your kids across the world was 2358 than the bottom 150 million live here.” It seems we’re kcal/person/day. By 2017, Americans combined.” “The consuming faster than 100 consumption of food energy wealth imbalance is now km/hr when the safe speed is had increased 123% to 2908 more extreme than it’s been 30 to 50 km/hr. kcal/person/day, even though in over a century.” Ecological J.B. MacKinnon, with ref- the number of consuming systems do not have a sense erence to his book, The Day people had increased 227% of humour about catapulting the World Stops Shopping, to 7.5 billion. I acknowledge consumption. Taut social noted that over consumption that the striking trend in this systems are prone to violence surpassed overpopulation data set does not tease out as our planet’s poorest people as the greatest driver of our shortages in some parts of scramble for food, water, and eco-crises in about 2000. an inequitable world, and relief from extreme weather.

Even if population peaks and that food energy does not Dr. Gray Merriam, my declines to 7 billion by 2100, account for vitamin, mineral, Ecology professor decades a decrease of 1 billion from and other requirements of a ago, writes with clarity in his today, over consumption is healthy diet. recent book, Caring for Our racing to trump any ecologiAlthough chowing down Homeplace, “The excessive cal gains from slower rates of is unusually high today, it is emphasis on human comfort population increase. still not keeping up with how and profitable economic outMacKinnon calculated much food is wasted. If we comes at the expense of ecothat an average person in a applied the best current meth- system processes and strucrich country now consumes ods (excluding further inven- tures is immoral, unworkable thirteen times as much as tions) to reduce wasted food and the root of many of our an average person in a poor across the world, 1 billion major problems.” country. To bring it home, he extra people could be fed. In Citizens have a responasserts that if everyone lived Canada, the value of wasted sibility, proportional to their like an average Canadian, food per year is $49.5 billion income and wealth, to conwe’d need four Earths worth (with associated costs it is 2.5 sume not only like our kids of resources to sustain the times higher) and the total of live here, but like all our all global population. Are we avoidable and unavoidable relations will live here for so addicted to the human wasted food is tallied at 58% millennia. There are real limconstruct of economic growth of all food. its. Social systems will only that we will literally consume Today, as our changing thrive if we apply political ourselves out of house and climate descends into wonky pressure to act (not pretend) home? weather and global species like we are all in this together.

Energy use continues to numbers plummet, humans Ecological systems are demultiply. “Per-capita energy have the responsibility to as- signed with roles of resilience consumption has climbed sess our excess consumption for all species. Life increasby a factor of eight since in the context of our ecologi- ingly depends on reducing the Industrial Revolution.” cal impact. How much avail- total human consumption.

Green technology and clean able food does each person Ralph C. Martin, Ph.D., energy will reduce fossil fuel really need? Are our energy Professor (retired), Univeruse and improve efficiencies, consuming and greenhouse sity of Guelph. Information but efficiency is not enough, gas-emitting flights neces- on book, Food Security: From and every technology carries sary? How many square feet Excess to Enough at www. some ecological cost. Total per person of living space ralphmartin.ca. demand mustCFDC: decrease. does -each need?

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July 2021

Plank by plank, help Baxter build a better boardwalk for all by the RVC Foundation Plank by plank, together we can bridge the gap in accessibility at Baxter Conservation Area.

The popular hiking destination in south Ottawa needs a new bridge and boardwalk, and the Nature for All project aims to replace them with the gold standard of accessible infrastructure.

But the committee can’t do it alone: we need people like you to support our vision by donating a plank, adopting a metre or even covering costs for a bag of bolts or a metre of railings.

“You can be a plank on the path toward equity and inclusion,” said Diane Downey, executive director of the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation, which is leading the campaign.

“Nature should be accessible for people of all ages and abilities, and this project will bring that vision closer to reality.”

The Plank by Plank campaign aims to raise $25,000 to cover the 1,000 wooden planks required to build the new bridge and boardwalk, which has a total project cost around $1 million.

Members of the public can donate one plank for $25 or adopt a metre for $100. They can also donate a metre of accessible railings for $50 or a bag of hardware for $10. Of course, any and all donation amounts are welcome to get the project to its goal.

“This is a transformational project, one that will turn Baxter into Eastern Ontario’s most accessible nature destination,” Downey said. “We invite you to be a part of this exciting endeavour that will make Baxter accessible for all.”

To donate, visit www.canadahelps.org and choose your amount.

To learn more about the Nature For All project, visit www.rvcf.ca/nature-for-all.

July28, 2021

The Voice of North Grenville

Career Opportunity Executive Director Applications will be accepted until 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 3 Visit our website for details:

GrenvilleCFDC.com/Careers 11

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Career Opportunity

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National PlayDay is coming August 4

Lorraine Rekmans to carry Green Party banner

by Tyler Thomson, Communications Director Leeds Grenville Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes Federal Green Party Electoral District Association The federal Green Party Electoral District riding association is pleased to announce that Lorraine Rekmans is the officially nominated candidate to represent the Green Party of Canada, in Leeds Grenville Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes (LGTIRL) in the next federal election.

“Lorraine will be carrying the Green banner for a fourth time in this riding, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have her represent our party and its values and policies.

She is a long time champion for the environment and sustainable development that addresses climate change,” said Heather Kinsley Finnie, CEO of the LGTIRL Green EDA. As a long-serving member of the Green Party, Lorraine has written policy for the GPC through several national conventions and has served as the Indigenous Affairs Critic in the GPC Shadow Cabinet for 12 years. John Carley, of the Citizen’s Democracy Forum was pleased to support Rekmans’ nomination saying, “In the last seventy years that I have been privileged to vote, there has been only two candidates who have gained my confidence. The first, I helped elect in 1968, and he became

an excellent representative for the constituents of that riding. The second is Lorraine Rekmans, and I have greater confidence in her. I shall do as much as I can to help the citizens of Leeds and Grenville know and appreciate Lorraine's attributes, and commitment to being our voice in the Peoples Parliament, not just a Party member, but our representative.” Gananoque Artist and Activist, Steve Behal endorsed Lorraine saying, “With Climate and Indigenous issues being at the forefront of Canadian’s urgent concerns, Lorraine Rekmans has the most experience and expertise and knowledge to get meaningful things done. More than any other candidate from any party.” Lorraine Rekmans is a small business owner in partnership with her husband Gerry. She also served as Editor of the North Grenville Times in North Grenville for a brief period. She is a member of the Serpent River First Nation. She is a wife, mother and grandmother. Her career was centred on nonprofit organizations dealing with questions of sustainable resource development.

“I am very proud to represent the Green Platform, as I believe we have the best action plan to address climate change, to shift to green technologies, and to create employment as well as address societal justice issues.

I am prepared to work hard on behalf of the people in this riding. I stand for people and the planet,” said Lorraine.

by the International Play Association Canada Play is the heartbeat of childhood. At home, in the neighbourhood, at the beach, in community parks and school grounds children embrace the opportunity of making their own fun through play. On August 4, join the International Play Association (IPA) Canada and create your own National PlayDay event.

IPA Canada’s National PlayDay is a celebration of wonder, curiosity, discovery and adventure. It’s all about what children do best. Intuitively children know that play is a renewable source of joy and fun but of course its impact is far broader. In fact, play is one of the defining characteristics of our humanity.

Play resonates with children everywhere. Child-directed play has a universal appeal. It is a heady expression of freedom whenever children are granted the space and time to shape their own activities unencumbered by ongoing adult supervision.

The ‘right to play’ is enshrined in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The General Comments document on article 31 provides additional details that speak to the connection between play and well-being and affirms its critical role and relevance in an increasingly complex world.

Research demonstrates that play exerts a profound influence throughout childhood shaping how we learn, how we express ourselves and how we assess risk and opportunity. Studies from a variety of disciplines reveal that play nurtures children’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual development.

It is a foundational activity that helps kids interact with and make sense of the world around them.

Play can help children develop resilience and cope with mental health concerns, such as anxiety, that were on

Roger Pharand leaves WDMH

by Jane Adams The patient voice is the most important voice. To ensure our patients are at the centre of everything we do at Winchester District Memorial Hospital, we need to hear from them and their families.

WDMH’s Patient & Family Engagement Committee (PFEC) helps us to do July 28, 2021

just that.

For the past seven years, Roger Pharand has served as PFEC’s co-lead.

In that time, the committee has worked on many projects, from patient brochure and policy reviews, to input into WDMH’s quality and senior friendly plans.

In the past few months, the team has also provided

The Voice of North Grenville

feedback on COVID-19 planning, such as visiting hours. In addition to leading the PFEC, Roger also provided patient insights as part of WDMH’s research and ethics teams.

“We want to recognize and thank Roger for his years of service and sage advice,” notes Nathalie Boudreau, Vice President, Clinical Services and PFEC co-lead. “We are so grateful for his support and advocacy to ensure the voice of patients in our community is heard at WDMH. Thank you, Roger!”

“Thank you to all of our PFEC members,” sums up Nathalie Boudreau. “We welcome your insights.”

12

the increase during the first wave of the pandemic. For more information about play in times of crisis, free downloadable resources published

by IPA World, IPA Canada’s international governing body are available here with translations in Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Thai and Turkish.

IPA Canada’s goals are to increase play’s visibility, create greater awareness of the pressing need to get children playing more and encourage parents and communities to be strong agents of play.

There is evidence that change is needed. In Canada, ‘active play’ gets an F in the latest (2020) ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. In practice this means that only 21% of 5- to 11-year-olds engage in active play for more than 1.5 hours per day on average. Two years earlier, active play was given a D. We are moving in the wrong direction.

Canada is not alone.

Higher income countries are witnessing a declining incidence of outdoor play and a decrease in independent mobility for kids. These are notable societal shifts that have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recently concluded series of national consultations led by IPA Canada confirmed that there is a growing understanding of play’s role as an important contributor to the healthy development of children. Our discussions with parents, early childhood educators and municipal government representatives are helping to inform new initiatives linked to play leadership and provision as well as the development of resource materials focusing on children’s right to play.

IPA Canada benefits from the support and experience of the IPA international member network. Here in Canada, many accomplished groups and organizations are associated with children’s play. It

truly takes a village to make a difference.

There is no time like the present to get involved, lend a hand and have some fun working toward creating the conditions that will help play flourish in our homes and communities. Here are some simple ideas to consider and possibly incorporate into IPA Canada National PlayDay events: explore the neighbourhood to discover playful spaces draw on childhood memories of favourite play places and activities for inspiration invite friends to play at home or at a local park in busy households, schedule time for play with children and/or for independent play explore play ideas and resources online For more information on IPA Canada visit our website: www.ipacanada.org, and download your copy of the IPA Canada National PlayDay poster and guide. IPA Canada is a not-for-profit national organization whose mandate is to protect and promote the child’s right to play.

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Eastern Ontario officials respond to Provincial Broadband Funding

70 per cent of Ontario nonprofits unable to access pandemic relief

Elected officials across Eastern Ontario are hopeful that the Government of Ontario’s new $4-billion broadband program will help deliver Gig level speeds across the region.

The Province announced that the program, Ontario Connects, will connect every home, community and area to high-speed internet by the end of 2025.

The program will provide funding directly to Internet Service Providers, who will be selected to serve different geographic areas through a series of reversebid auction events.

The substantial investment is applauded by the Eastern Ontario Regional Network [EORN], along with the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus [EOWC] and the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus [EOMC].

EORN, which has been leading improved connectivity across the rural region for more than a decade, has proposed a regional project to deliver broadband speeds of one gigabit (1G) across the region. This project would deliver ultra-fast internet to at least 95% of the region, including some areas that have little service today.

The organization offers its support to ensure that its residents get access to Giglevel speeds wherever pos-

COVID-19 government measures have failed to reach Ontario nonprofits and charities, with seven out of 10 organizations not receiving any provincial supports, and only 35% benefitting from federal programs. Almost two-thirds of nonprofits reported an increase in demand for programs and services, while half reported pandemic-related losses in revenue.

The new data comes from a bilingual survey conducted by L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) and the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) to understand the impact of the pandemic on the nonprofit sector one year after the crisis began, with nearly 3,000 nonprofit organizations responding.

Rural, remote and Northern nonprofits were especially impacted. More than one third of these organizations have budgets under $500,000.

The impact of the COVID-19 crisis has not just been financial, with 61 per cent of nonprofits having lost volunteers since the beginning of the pandemic. Faith groups, arts, and sports groups were among the most affected.

“This is a critical opportunity for governments to invest now. Nonprofits

sible. It is also encouraging the federal government to continue investing eastern Ontario. EORN is currently delivering on a $300 million Cell Gap Project to improve cell service coverage and capacity. The project is jointly funded by federal and provincial governments, and Rogers Communications.

“We appreciate that the federal and provincial governments heard EORN, the EOWC, and the EOMC about the urgent need for broadband expansion in our region. Public investment is critical to expanding broadband in rural areas,” said Debbie Robinson, Chair of the EOWC. “We congratulate the Minister and the provincial government on this historic $4 billion investment.

EORN is prepared to lend our expertise to deliver our Gig Project in support of the Government’s commitment to connect 100% of eastern Ontarians. Our work has demonstrated that collaborative, publicly funded broadband projects can deliver results,” said J. Murray Jones, Chair of EORN. “ E O R N ’s a n a l y s i s demonstrated the economic value of connecting our communities to future-proof, Gig-speed internet and we are hopeful that Ontario Connects and

federal funding programs will ultimately help deliver this level of service to our communities,” said Diane Therrien, Chair of the EOMC. EORN, a non-profit created by the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), works with governments and community organizations to improve and leverage broadband access to fuel economic development and growth.

It is currently working on a $300 million project, funded by public and private sector partners, to improve and expand cellular services across the region.

Building on that project is beginning in 2021.

From 2010 to 2014, EORN helped to improve broadband access to nearly 90% of eastern Ontario through a $175 million public-private partnership.

The network was funded by federal, provincial and municipal governments and private sector service providers. As a result of the project, 423,000 homes and businesses are now able to access services of up to 10 Mbps download.

It also spurred more than $100 million in additional private sector investment in the region, over and above their initial commitments.

will play a central role in rebuilding and recovery. We are seeing collaboration, new ideas and emerging technologies by organizations. But we are coming to an enormous cliff this year, and so far there is no bridge after existing programs, like the wage subsidy, end”, said Cathy Taylor, executive director of ONN. The good news: nonprofits have gotten creative to continue serving communities, such as repurposing kitchens for mobile food programs, using telephone trees to reach isolated seniors, providing pre-loaded phones with wellness supports for Indigenous youth, and much more.

“With the province moving into step three, Ontarians will expect nonprofits to be there - from minor sports and recreational programs, to seniors drop-ins, to arts programs and much more. We know needs will continue to grow, such as health and social services and mental health supports,” said Ms. Taylor.

The survey report includes six policy recommendations: Offer a new round of Small Business and Nonprofit Grants, echoing the call by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Ensure recovery efforts focus on organizations and communities that need the most support Introduce a broadbased microgrant program for volunteer-only nonprofits to help those organizations largely left out of government measures which focused on those with paid workers.

Target new funds to nonprofits and grassroots groups serving communities that suffered the most during the pandemic, including Black and other racialized communities; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

Provide permanent sick days by amending the Employment Standards Act. Continue to invest in and increase access to high-speed internet.

Extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).

As a sector, Ontario nonprofits receive less than half of their revenue from governments, which means they can leverage these public investments - via business activities, donations, and volunteer contributions - into programs and services that directly benefit the people of Ontario.

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CROSSWORD

KDH announces its 2021-2022 Board of Directors

by Jenny Read Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce that Elizabeth MacPherson has been elected Chair of its Board of Directors, and will be supported in this role by Directors Jeff Nolan, who was elected Vice-Chair, and Stephen Saslove, elected Treasurer.

The elections took place at the hospital’s 61st Annual General Meeting, held June 24, 2021.

In addition, the Board is pleased to announce three new Directors, who were welcomed to the Board in January 2021: André Carrière, Shawn Mincoff, and David Thompson.

New Chair Elizabeth MacPherson joined the KDH Board In 2017, bringing a wealth of experience in industrial relations and law.

She was Chairperson of the Canada Industrial Relations Board from January 2008 to December 2014; prior to that appointment, she was the Director General of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Ms. MacPherson holds a B.A. in Industrial Relations from McGill University and an LL.B. and LL.M. from the University of Ottawa. In 2012, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contribution to labour relations in Canada. She has served as Vice-Chair of the KDH Board’s Governance Committee for the past two years.

Ms. MacPherson succeeds Robert Morais, who has brought three decades of diverse business experience to the KDH Board as an entrepreneur/founder, a leader within a corporate group, and a facilitator of funding solutions for large corporations.

Mr. Morais joined the Board

in 2014, serving as Chair of various committees before being elected Board Chair in 2018. Mr. Morais remains on the Board as Past Chair.

As the Board’s new ViceChair, Jeff Nolan brings an indepth understanding of technology and its alignment with business operations, gained over 20-plus years’ working in the high tech industry in both Canada and the United States. Mr. Nolan joined the KDH Board in 2018.

Stephen Saslove is reassuming the Treasurer role, which he held from 2018 to 2020. He is a semi-retired Chartered Professional Accountant who acts as an independent financial consultant and Certified Executive Coach. He joined the Board in 2016. Mr. Saslove succeeds outgoing Treasurer Peter Currie, who has completed his full term on the KDH Board, having been first elected in 2012. He served as Board Treasurer from 2013 to 2018, and again in 2020 to 2021.

New Board member André Carrière is currently Manager, Health Security and Regional Operations, with the Public Health Agency of Canada. A Registered Nurse by training, he is an expert in Quality Improvement and Patient Centered Care with more than 17 years’ experience in the mental health field.

Shawn Mincoff is a Chartered Professional Accountant currently advising public and high growth private companies as MNP LLP’s Regional Assurance Partner for the Eastern Ontario region. Mr. Mincoff is excited to continue his community service by bringing his skills to the KDH Board.

David Thompson has an Honours degree in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. Mr.

Thompson was named as one of the top 40 business people in the City of Ottawa under 40 years of age. A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal, he was the youngest person to ever serve as a municipal councillor in the Town of Deep River and the youngest Reeve to ever serve in Renfrew County’s 150 year history. Mr. Thompson has also served as a Public School Board Trustee and most recently as Mayor of the Town of Deep River.

The changes to the KDH Board for 2021-22 were acknowledged at the conclusion of the June 24, 2021 meeting of the Board. CEO Frank J. Vassallo expressed his pleasure at Ms. MacPherson’s election as Board Chair and his eagerness to begin working together, commending outgoing Board Chair Robert Morais for “his sage advice, his leadership, and his ability to leverage the rights skills of the Directors at the right time.”

In turn, Mr. Morais expressed his thanks to outgoing Treasurer, Peter Currie. “Your mentorship and guidance have been deeply appreciated and will be very much missed,” he said. “You are a very hard act to follow,” added incoming Treasurer, Stephen Saslove, “and one of the greatest minds I’ve ever worked with.”

In her new role, Ms. MacPherson thanked Jeff Nolan and Stephen Saslove for stepping up into their new roles, and expressed appreciation to André Carrière, Shawn Mincoff and David Thompson for choosing KDH to be the beneficiary of their expertise and volunteer time in joining the KDH Board.

ACROSS 1. Shadow 6. Terror 10. Tot 14. French for "Sister" 15. Skin disease 16. Unit of land 17. Lacquer ingredient 18. Hack 19. Midday 20. Snakelike 22. "Darn!"

23. Praise 24. Order of business 26. Attired 30. Buff 31. Black gunk 32. Solitary 33. Wings 35. Enumerates 39. Including everything

41. Unwind or flatten (2 words) 43. An official in India 44. 365 days 46. Roman moon goddess 47. Loving murmur 49. American Dental Association 50. Winglike 51. Lunatic 54. Liturgy 56. Norse god 57. Abstract 63. Notion 64. Component of urine 65. Sexually aroused 66. Religious offshoot 67. "___ we forget" 68. Seaweed 69. Tall woody plant 70. Carry 71. Scoundrels

DOWN 1. Applications 2. Infiltrator 3. Ale 4. Backside 5. Disney mermaid 6. In a factual manner 7. Spiny anteater 8. Again 9. Echo 10. A decorated dart 11. Fruit of the oak tree 12. Wide 13. Busybody 21. Area of South Africa 25. Effrontery 26. Lummox 27. Great affection 28. Once more 29. Displace 34. Destroy completely 36. Essence 37. Bluefin 38. Sun 40. Dwarf buffalo 42. Give a speech 45. Sincere 48. Supernatural 51. Slightly wet 52. Venomous snake 53. Daughter of a sibling 55. Ancient unit of dry measure 58. Chocolate cookie 59. Lacquered metalware 60. Desire 61. A Freudian stage 62. Caustics

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

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The Voice of North Grenville

Baldwin's Birds

Freshly baked goods

"Down by the riverside" ted it at all, but whilst talking artist from Manotick, •to an Brakes • Vehicle repairs who had just set himself up • Class “A” Mechanic • Suspension close-by Salesbench to paint • Sale of Quality Pre- •on aTire the scenery, I spotted a Blue • Air Conditioning Owned Vehicles Heron right in front of us • Flat Bed Tow Truck • Alignments both. I left him to get my own pictures and also spotted, just beyond the Heron, another County Rd 1, Mountain Ontario bird wading. The view of it I got was quite distant, so I am not sure what it is! My own research seems to point me to a Wilson's Plover, but that is supposed to be a more coastal bird, and I cannot see a black neckband under the ted on the nesting platform, chin, maybe one of you could just before the other bridge, help me out with that?

Our garden birds seem to from which a good view of the marshes and rapid flowing have finished with their nestwater could be observed. Car ing activities, for now, and parked and walking back to my nesting box area has gone view the marshes and the wa- back to being quite quiet, ter activity, gave me sightings once again. This, of course, of the very elusive Redwings doesn't mean that all activity flitting amongst the reeds, and has stopped, but it just means also Grackles. What sounded that you have to look that like a Pileated Woodpecker much harder to see it. Enjoy kept up quite a noise, as it and stay safe and well.

Cheers, moved through the densely John Baldwin wooded area of the riverside.

Unfortunately, I never spot-

613-989-3839

A launching of a friend's home built cedar strip canoe took me out of the garden and down to the riverside and all that it offers in the way of human water activity, and that of nature too. The ceremony was witnessed by a pair of Osprey chicks, who watched from above in their man-made nesting platform, one of several dotted along the banks of the Rideau and visible either from the road, or on foot. A parent bird provided the "Flypast", as it

passed by to feed its brood.

A lovely black and yellow Swallowtail butterfly also gave a much smaller flight display, as it flitted down onto the ground gathering moisture from the sand.

A successful trial paddle concluded, the trip back home was taken via a road running alongside the river to one of its accessible locks with a double bridge crossing, via a lock and a "Bailey Bridge".

After the lock crossing, a lone Osprey chick was spot-

Foundation Board chair Jason Kelly retires after decade at the helm

by the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation After 11 years, RVCF Board chair, Jason Kelly is hanging up his Foundation hat as he takes his many talents to Hong Kong in pursuit of attaining his doctoral degree.

“We are excited for Jason and his family as he begins this new chapter,” said Foundation executive director Diane Downey.

“Jason has left an indelible mark on the Foundation’s status and recognition as the Rideau Valley’s most effective and efficient environmental charity.”

Mr. Kelly joined the board and became its chair in April 2010. Since then, he has overseen countless efforts in support of watershed conservation, including: Raising more than $5.3 million for conservation efforts in the watershed; Acquisition of 15 land parcels to conserve sensiJuly28, 2021

tive wetlands, shorelines and forests; Launch of the Species At Risk program, starting with butternut tree protection; The Foundation’s first social marketing effort to secure funds for a new footbridge at Chapman Mills Conservation Area through the Molson Cheer program in 2013; Improvement of the Hutton Creek Marsh and the acquisition and development of the Motts Mills Conservation Area and its dam replacement; Celebration of major tree planting milestones including: 4 million in 2011, 5 million in 2015, and 6 million in 2019; Launch of the Shoreline Naturalization program, which has now planted more than 2 million native trees and shrubs across the watershed; Creation of the Carbon Neutral Calculator to help families and businesses offset their footprint and plant more trees in the watershed.

He has overseen internal improvements at the Foundation, led the fundraising campaign to build RVCA and RVCF’s LEED-certified

said. “We thank him for giving so much of his time and himself to the cause of conservation and wish him all the best on his new adventure.”

At a meeting on June 9, the Foundation board elected Andrew Harkness as the new chair and Allison Brown as the new vice-chair.

“I have the utmost respect and confidence for Andrew as he takes the helm of the Foundation and trust him to keep up the good work we were able to do together for all these years,” said Mr. Kelly. “I look forward to supporting him and the efforts of the Foundation in the years ahead in any way I can.

The Foundation will always be close to my heart.”

Mr. Harkness joined the board in 2012 and was elected vice-chair in 2014.

He served as acting chair for several months into 2015 and was appointed chair of the governance committee in 2019.

To learn more about the Foundation and how it operates, visit www.rvcf.ca.

headquarters on Rideau Valley Drive and forged the Foundation’s membership in Imagine Canada’s Ethical Code Program.

Jason also helped rename the Conservation Land Endowment Fund in memory of past board chair Steve Simmering, which has allowed the fund to thrive in the name of perpetual land protection. Throughout his tenure, Jason Kelly has been recognized for his conservation and community service efforts through the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award in 2012, the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2017, as well as the TriValley Awards.

Mr. Kelly has never hesitated to put himself out there in the name of conservation.

He personally hit the courts in support of the Foundation during the 2012 Hope Volleyball Summerfest at Mooney’s Bay, and routinely uses his position as a respected businessman and community leader to promote the Foundation’s conservation goals.

“Jason’s warmth and humour will be missed around the Board table, as I suspect it will be missed in the broader community,” Ms. Downey 15

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Ontario introduces new measures in Transportation The government is introducing the option for people to receive digital reminders – including email, text or voicemail – to renew their licence plate stickers, driver’s licences and health cards. The new service will allow Ontarians the option to receive digital reminders 30 and 60 days in advance of their renewal date.

“To serve Ontarians better, our government has introduced this fast and user-friendly option that will help Ontarians stay on top of the renewal dates for their driver’s licences, licence plate stickers and health cards,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. “For the first time, most Ontarians can get reminders and renew their driver’s licences, licence plate stickers and health cards without any wasted paper or time spent waiting in line. For those Ontarians who must complete their transactions in person, ServiceOntario has introduced online appointment booking for many of its busiest locations to ensure people aren’t waiting unnecessarily in lines.”

Once they receive digital reminders, Ontarians can renew their documents through ServiceOntario. ca, where over 40 transaction services are available online, 24/7.

“Our government continues to ramp up delivery of in-demand digital services and drive online uptake of ServiceOntario’s highest performing transactions,” said Kaleed Rasheed, Associate Minister of Digital Government. “We have a plan to deliver seamless digital services and are committed to make it easier for people to interact with government online, from the comfort of home during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”

Signing up for digital reminders is simple and fast at Ontario.ca/Reminders. www.ngtimes.ca

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613.860.2539 www.dialachef.ca

Tuesday to Friday meals are $23.50 plus HST. Delivery is $6.00

Tuesday August 3

1- Herbs and lemon roasted chicken, sautéed pasta in chicken drippings.

2- Lemon, herbs and vegetable pasta in creamy cheese sauce, side salad.

Wednesday August 4

1- Duck magret in sour cherry sauce, duchesse potatoes & vegetables.

2- Tomato, mozzarella& mustard tart topped with caramelized garlic and basil.

Thursday August 5

1- Beef emincé in curry spices, coconut milk and cilantro over basmati rice.

2- Tofu emincé in curry spices, coconut milk and cilantro over basmati rice.

Friday August 6

STORE HOURS Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 6:00pm Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm

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The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Comfort food from the past... Even on warm summer days, my (very French) mother would fill the house with savoury scents. Today’s recipe is a modern adaptation of her Poulet aux Pépères (literally, chicken with grandpas). It is, of course, Chicken and Dumplings.

This recipe calls for something most of us have around the house these days, a slow cooker or Crock Pot. The advantage of using the slow cooker is that you don’t have to do a thing but throw in the ingredients. This dish goes well with a fresh summer salad and a cold white wine.

July 28, 2021

Poulet aux Pépères Ingredients: As much chicken as you want to cook or your slow cooker can hold. I use chicken thighs and count on two per person. Breasts are fine, as are legs with the thighs attached.

1 large onion; you can also throw in vegetables like peas and carrots, if you wish, but no potatoes (too much starch) ¼ cup of chicken stock (I prefer the Knorr liquid) 2 tablespoons of garlic (if you wish) Healthy shakes of Thyme and Sage Parsley flakes for trimming up the dumplings Unless you have your own recipe, some dumpling mix such as

1- Baked salmon in white wine and home grown tarragon, tomato and quinoa pilaff.

2- Quinoa risotto with tomato, tarra-

Week-end special for August Back yard summer BBQ

Tomato, shallots, basil salad, balsamic vinaigrette.

Cucumber, fresh mint salad, yogurt dressing.

Summer mix with my own special vinaigrette.

Rosemary, peppercorn marinated steak.

Lemon garlic oregano chicken.

Salmon papillote with pastis and herbs de Provence.

Ratatouille niçoise.

Creamers potatoes.

Berry and custard crêpes.

Minimum 10 people, $37.50 per person plus HST

The Voice of North Grenville

Menu # 71

Tuesday Aug 3rd - Friday Aug 6th Order & Pay online www.cateredaffairs.ca 613-324-3136 $37.50 Complete Meal for 2 + HST $70.00 Complete Meal for 4 + HST Easy prepared Summer Meals All BBQ Friendly All Meals include; Chef's choice of Appropriate Side Dishes & a Light Dessert

Chicken & Beef Fajitas (Vegetarian available)

Soft flour tortillas, Pico de Gallo (chunky salsa), Sour cream, cheddar, rice & beans, pineapple Salsa, House fried Corn Tortilla Chips, Greenhouse Greens & Cabbage Salad with Vinaigrette,

Butter Chicken or Butter Veggies

Tender boneless chicken in mildly spiced cream sauce, Basmati rice, Samosas & tamarind sauce 1 per person, Flatbread & Salad

Shepherd's Pie G/F

Saucy Ground Beef topped with Carrots, Corn, peas and Whipped Potatoes, Market Veggies, Salad

Shrimp and Pork Shanghai Noodles

Stirfir fried Shrimp, Pork and Egg| Shanghai Noodles with Vegetables | Egg rolls with plum sauce | Wonton Soup |

Cottage & Backyard BBQ Ready Kits

for a Family of 4 $90.00 or for 2 $45 Fully prepared and ready for you to grill & reheat sides on the BBQ: Select Vegetables | Garlic & Herb Roasted Potatoes | 3 Kinds of Salads | Chef’s Dessert Memphis Chicken (whole split in ½) & Ribs (1 Rack Slow cooked just finish on BBQ) Surf n Turf - Beef Medallions (4oz pp) & Shrimp with Chimichurri sauce Kit

Upcoming Events at Heritage Hall

Bisquick Preparation and Cooking: Wash your chicken thoroughly (even if frozen, give them a good rinse under running water.

Place in your slow cooker (I start mine at about 11 am and set it for 4 hours).

Cover with the chicken stock and an additional 1½ cups of water.

Cut your onion into wedges and drop among the chicken pieces. Sprinkle with Garlic, Thyme and Sage. Let cook, while enjoying the fragrance.

About an hour before dinner, make sure you have

16

plenty of liquid in your pot, since dumplings act like a sponge. If needed, add a bit more chicken stock and water and let it come back up to a boil.

Mix up some dumplings from the indications on the package, or from your own recipe. Drop heaping tablespoons-full into your slow cooker. Shake some parsley flakes on top and let your dumplings rise and bake for an hour. Serve on your favourite platter.

And that’s it! It doesn’t get any easier. Don’t forget the salad and the wine. Let me know how it turned out at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

Thursday August 12th My Local Market Shop ‘n’ Live Music by Scott & Kate Thursday August 26th Jaq’s Boutique Fashion Show & Dinner 820 Heritage Dr. Kemptville Campus 613-324-3136 info@cateredaffairs.ca (Weather & Health Unit Restrictions Dependant RSVP ONLY)

Book your event with Catered Affairs on the picturesque Kemptville Campus Corporate Events, Special Occasions, Weddings www.cateredaffairs.ca

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KDH Auxiliary announces second Early Bird Winner for 50-50 fundraiser

Will social media companies ever make fighting online abuse a priority?

Hey Day Coordinator Jolene Stover presenting Hey Day 50-50 Bonus Draw winner Brian Meloche with his winnings. Image provided by the KDH Auxiliary.

by Rachel Everett-Fry

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

This year’s virtual Hey Day 50-50 Draw has already been a historic first for the Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary as an online fundraiser. This is also the first year in which multiple 50-50 Draws will take place, and the first time in which a second early bird bonus draw is awarded.

The winner of the second $500 bonus draw was Brian Meloche. This one-time second bonus draw was sponsored by EQ Homes.

The Grand Prize draw, held on July 27, is estimated at over $7,400. If you didn’t get the jackpot this month, make sure you purchase your tickets for next month’s draw.

There will be a monthly draw through December, so purchase tickets each

month, since they will not be rolling over month-tomonth.

Participating in the Hey Day 50-50 online draw supports the purchase of equipment and technology for our Kemptville District Hospital, allowing all residents access to better health care than government funding alone could provide. It truly is a win-win. To purchase your tickets, visit www. kdha5050.ca.

Contemporary Gourmet Catering Services for Your Special Event Your preferred local catering service in the Greater Ottawa area and Eastern Ontario.

We would love the opportunity to make your next catered event effortless and sublimely successful.

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When you want gourmet wedding catering, corporate catering, or private event catering services in North Grenville and Eastern Ontario, call Catered Affairs.

We are committed to providing you with the highest level of service, delicious and fresh-made food.

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FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @CATEREDAFFAIRS

July28, 2021

The Voice of North Grenville

17

by Nick Kossovan Is it just me who believes we've lost our ability to have civil discourse? Every day, we rely on social media platforms to engage with likeminded people, promote ourselves, our work, and/ or business. Unfortunately, the downside of increasing your visibility, especially when you wade into an online discussion with an unpopular opinion, is you become a lightning rod for online abuse. Online abuse can be especially relentless if you are a woman, identified as a member of a race, religion, ethnicity, or part of the LGBTQ+ community.

I believe social media companies can reduce, even come close to, eliminating, online abuse. The first step: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, et al. becoming more serious and urgent about addressing the toxicity they’re permitting on their respective platform.

The second step: Give users more control over their privacy, identity, and account history. Here are five features social media companies could introduce to mitigate online abuse.

Educate users on how to protect themselves online: I'll admit social media companies have been improving their anti-harassment features. However, many of these features are hard to find and not user-friendly.

Platforms should have a section within their help center that deals specifically with online abuse, showing how to access internal features along with links to external tools and resources.

Make it easy to tighten privacy and security settings: Platforms need to make it easier for users to fine-tune their privacy and security settings and inform how these adjustments impact visibility and reach.

Users should be able to save configurations of settings into personalized "safety modes," which they can toggle between. When they alternate between safety modes, a "visibility snapshot" should show them in real-time who'll see their content.

Distinguishing between the personal and professional: Currently, social media accounts are all-encompassing of your profes-

sional life and personal life.

If you want to distinguish between your professional and personal life, you must create two accounts. Why not be able to make one social media account that toggles between your personal and professional identities as well as migrate or share audiences between them?

Managing account histories: It's common for people to switch jobs and careers and their views over time. Being able to pull up a user's social media history, which can date back more than a decade, is a goldmine for abuse. Platforms should make it easy for users to easily search old posts and make them private, archive, or delete.

Credit cards and/or phone number authentication: All social media platforms allow the creation of anonymous accounts. Ironically, much of the toxicity permeating social media stems from people hiding cowardly behind anonymous accounts. Anonymity enables toxic behavior by facilitating and backhandedly encouraging "uncivil discourse." Eliminating the ability to create an anonymous account would literally end online abuse.

Anonymity allows people to act out their anger, frustrations, and their need to make others feel bad, so they feel good. (I'm unhappy, so I want everyone else to be unhappy).

Being anonymous allows someone to say things they wouldn't even think of, or have the courage to, speak publicly, let alone face-toface.

All credit cards and telephone numbers are associated with a billing address. Social media platforms could prevent anonymous accounts by asking new joiners to input their credit card information, to be verified but not charged, or a telephone number to which a link, or code, can be sent to authenticate. (Email authentication is useless since

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email addresses can be created without identity verification.)

Undeniable fact: When people know they can easily be traced they’re unlikely to exhibit uncivil behaviour.

Yeah, I know—for many, handing over more data to social media giants isn't appetizing, even if it eliminates the toxic behavior hurting our collective psyche. Having to go through a credit card or telephone authentication will be pause for many to ask themselves why the feel they must be on social media.

Such reflection is not a bad exercise.

Online attacks have a negative impact on mental and physical health, stops free expression, and silences voices already underrepresented in the creative and media sectors and in public discourse.

Respective platform user guidelines (aka. Community Standards) are open to interpretation and therefore not enforced equitably. Content moderators (human eyes) and AI crawling (searching for offensive words and content) aren't cutting it.

Social media companies can't deny they could be doing a much better job creating a safer online environment.

Unfortunately, a safer online environment will only evolve when social media companies begin taking online abuse seriously.

Nick Kossovan writes the column ‘Digitized Koffee With Nick’ which appears in several newspapers. On Twitter and Instagram, follow @ NKossovan.

Send in your letters to the editor to editor@ngtimes.ca

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LEACH, William Howard

William Howard Leach of Kemptville, Ontario, passed away with his family by his side on Saturday, July 17th, 2021 at the age of 73. Loving husband of Vera Lynne (Richard) Leach. Cherished and loving father of Robert, and Tammy (Andrew). Adoring and loving Papa to his grandchildren Bradley (Gyneen), Melissa (Phil), Robbie (Emma), Katelynn and Amelia, and Great Grandchildren Oakland and Daxton.

Beloved son of Ruby Leach and the late Edgar Leach. Dear brother of Cheryl (Kevin), Richard (Joanne) and the late Terry (Elizabeth). Fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Howard’s love of sports, both playing and watching, was well known. Howard spent summers playing fastball and winters playing hockey.

He enjoyed being a volunteer with the Kemptville 73’s Junior A team and looked forward every year to a new season. He also enjoyed getting out for a round of golf and going camping with family and friends. Howard was a retired employee of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, and after amalgamation, the City of Ottawa.

The family wishes to thank all the special nurses and doctors at the Ottawa General Hospital ICU Unit for their wonderful care given to Howard and family during his final days with us.

Friends may call at the Kemptville Chapel of Hulse, Playfair& McGarry, 805 Prescott Street, Kemptville on Friday August 6, 2021 from 1 pm to 3 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm. Attendance is restricted to RSVP on the funeral home website at www.hpmcgarry.ca.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. James Anglican Church, Clothier Street, Kemptville on Saturday August 7, 2021 at 10:30am with in person attendance by RSVP on the Funeral Home website. For those wishing, the service will also be livestreamed and can be accessed on the Hulse, Playfair & McGarry website. Interment will follow the Service at Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery in North Gower.

In Howard’s memory, for those wishing, donations may be made to the Chrones/Collitis Foundation or Charity of your choice.

Condolences/Tributes Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-258-2435

July 28, 2021

The Voice of North Grenville

Does mowing down the Golden Parsnips sustain them?

A mature Parsnip Webworm emerging from its webby tent to feed on flowers and tender green seed capsules. Bishops Mills, 23 July 2021

by Fred Schueler & Aleta Karstad Anyone driving Hwy 416 in early July would have wondered why its tourist name isn’t “The Golden Parsnip Highway,” and long stretches of county roads, such as County Road 20 between East Oxford and Oxford Station, have also been brilliant with the blooms of this escaped garden vegetable. Parsnips are biennials, growing for one year, and storing reserves in the carrot-like taproot.

In their second summer, they bloom with yellow flowers in flat umbels on a tall stalk, and then die after setting seed.

The sap of Parsnips can cause what is termed "phyto-photo-dermatitis", if it gets on tender skin which is subsequently exposed to the sun. This is a severe rash and blisters, quite painful, although not itchy. These blisters are much longer-lasting than those of Poison Ivy, and the scars last for years.

Different people seem to have different degrees of sensitivity to this effect.

It seems that, over the past 30 years, the "Wild" or "Poison" Parsnip has become more widespread in Ontario, and it's likely that the combined increase in populations of Parsnip, and the recent prevalence of vegetation-shredding machinery, have increased the rate at which sensitive skin simultaneously comes in contact with Parsnip sap and sunlight. Operators of hand-held rotary weed trimmers are especially

likely to have painful and prolonged blistering when their skin is sprayed with Parsnip sap on a sunny day.

Parsnip flowers are a wonderful nectar source for flies and other small insects, and Parsnips are a host plant for gorgeous Black Swallowtail caterpillars, which mature as one of our handsomest butterflies.

The major “natural enemy” of Parsnips is the Parsnip Webworm Moth, Depressaria radiella, whose caterpillars blankets the flowerheads with webby silk, and feed on the developing seeds.

The toxins that cause the phyto-photo-dermatitis are furanocoumarins, which serve the plant as a defence against the webworms.

Because of the alarm about the toxicity of Parsnips, counties spray herbicides to kill both roadside Parsnips and other broad-leaved “weeds”, while issuing warnings about the frightening danger that Parsnips pose.

The Friends of Lanark County have extensively researched the problems of these herbicidings, which (google their name) is on their website.

Deliberately introduced biological control agents, like the tiny Galerucella beetles that have done a good job of knocking back Purple Loosestrife in our meadows and wetlands, often bring an introduced weed under control, but the Parsnip Webworm has been overlooked as a biocontrol agent, because it was already here. The

18

word “webworm” does not appear on the Friends of Lanark County website, and the control the webworms could provide isn’t mentioned in the various Parsnip control efforts. The webworms have only one generation per year, and pupate in the stem of the plant, so control by mowing, with or without previous herbiciding, results in new leaves and flowers sprouting from the cut stems, producing a second, smaller but adequate, crop of seeds, while the webworms are killed off.

Stands of Parsnip with lots of webworms are ragged and brown from the caterpillars’activity, while those along the 416 and other roads are uniform and golden, and it seems to me that this difference is due to the control activities knocking back webworm populations. I’ve measured this in two different stands: a 20m long, 1m wide stand between a field of wheat and County Road 18 had one webworm web per metre on 20 July, while one 2m tall plant in our “brushy oldfield” in Bishops Mills, had 20 webs, destroying about 80% of the flower area, and other plants in the site were 19 with webs, many with 50% of the flower area webbed, and four, mostly under overhanging tree limbs, without any webs on 19 July. Both of these surveys were early in the flowering season, so webbing would be expected to increase as the caterpillars grow.

If it's necessary to remove Parsnips from an area, the plants can be pulled up in the evening, or on an overcast day, while wearing clothes.

I've managed Parsnip in neglected gardens which were yellow with their bloom, by working after sunset, wearing gloves, and piling the pulled plants

so the seed heads are off the ground. If the seed can't fall down onto bare soil it won't (in my experience) germinate.

One Parsnip plant isn't a threat, nor is contact with unbroken leaves, because the dermatitis isn't contact dermatitis, but is due to the sap from broken stems and leaves. It's the combination of sap+sun that's the problem. Extensive stands can be repeatedly mowed, when the Sun isn’t out (and washing up afterwards): mowing only once will just result in the sprouting of smaller flowerheads.

The tastiest way to diminish any threat from the sap of the tall secondyear plants is to dig and eat the roots of the firstyear plants after frost.

These are just as edible as their domesticated cousins, though the daughter's infant name for them -"Rattails" - suggests their average size. The leaves are also edible as a potherb, and in internet discussions it’s only those who haven’t tried them who are spooked by potential toxicity.

If, however, no one is going to crush the plants, it would be more interesting to leave a stand of Parsnips alone, leave the stems standing through the winters, see how much of a webworm population builds up, and to what extent it diminishes the Parsnips in subsequent years. I’ll be interested t o h e a r o f a n y o n e ’s experiences with Parsnip or webworms at bckcdb@ istar.ca.

Send in your letters to the editor to editor@ngtimes.ca

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The Voice of North Grenville

Do you want to try

Hearing Aids?

How accurate is your blood pressure reading?

Having your blood pressure taken during an annual checkup is always part of the routine. In fact, compared to CT scans and MRI procedures used to detect complex problems, most people don’t give blood pressure readings much thought. As long as the doctor reports normal readings, there’s no reason for concern.

But have you ever wondered if your blood pressure reading is accurate?

Multiple studies have shown that 15 to 30 percent of those who have elevated blood pressure in a doctor’s office or other health care setting have normal blood pressure when checked at home.

It is not shocking news. You must be a pretty cool patient not to be somewhat uptight in medical offices. There is always the concern the doctor will have bad news.

What may be a surprise is that there are 19 requirements to obtain a true blood pressure reading! How many of these measures are followed in a busy doctor’s office?

For instance, patients are required to sit for five minutes before a blood pressure reading is taken with back supported and feet flat on the ground. This means that perching on an examining table with feet dangling is a no, no. So is crossing your legs. Never place the cuff over clothing. And at least two measurements should be taken during the visit, with the average being recorded.

Patients should also relax and breath normally. Smoking before the test, consuming caffeine, or exercising all forbidden before a blood pressure reading. And it you are on hypertensive medication, don’t take it just before the visit to the doctor’s office.

Another important no-no which you may not have considered is that blood pressure must not be taken when you have a full bladder. So, have the courage to say, “Doctor, before you take my blood pressure, could you wait for a few minutes so I can use the bathroom?”

What about the blood pressure cuff? A cuff that is too small or large can cause an unreliable reading. So can a cuff that is too tight or not tight enough. Your arm should be resting on a table roughly the height of your heart while blood pressure is being taken. A series of readings over time are more accurate if taken at the same time of the day in a similar context.

Do you still have blind confidence in your blood pressure readings? If you have been prescribed blood pressure medication, do you need it? Or was the diagnosis the result of “white-coat hypertension”?

If these basic blood pressure requirements are not filled during a medical examination, patients left with a quandary. It requires a strong personality to say to the nurse or doctor, “I’m worried this may be not an accurate blood pressure reading because you failed to follow the standard procedures.” It’s not the best way to engender good relations between doctor and patient. So, what else can be done?

For anyone taking blood pressure drugs, it’s prudent to purchase an automatic digital blood pressure monitor. These are more accurate than the traditional manual devices used in offices that require a squeeze of the rubber bulb to inflate the cuff. All you have to do with a digital device is to wrap the cuff around the arm, push the button to inflate the cuff, and in a few moments, you have the result.

Now it’s easy to say, “Doctor my digital cuff says my blood pressure is consistently 130/80 when I am at home. Maybe I just have white coat hypertension.”

Visit www.docgiff.com for past articles. For comments, contact-us@docgiff. com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones.

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KDCA Canada Day Wrap Up winners Here is the list of the winners in each event and category in the Kemptville District Community Association’s Canada Day competitions.

Paddlers Poker Run Winners: 1st Place - Kari Marceau 2nd Place - Jason Tessier 3rd Place - Caroline Marshall Worst Hand - Tammy Keith Spirit Award - Chris & Hunter Churchill GooseChase Winners: Team EDSC Adventures Home Decorating Contest Winners: 1st Place- Christine Boyer & KC Gervais 2nd Place - K.M Pritchard 3rd Place - Gisela Winter Business Decorating Winners: Bayfield Manor Long Term Care & Retirement Community B&H Your Community Grocer Restaurant Challenge: Most Canadian - Mr. Mozzerella Most Creative Mr. Mozzerella Most ColourfulKat & Jordy's Kitchen Kahoot's Trivia Winners ( Session 1&2): 1st Place - The Naphans & Caroline Dunn 2nd Place - Christina DiTomaso & Selina Parnell 3rd Place - Melissa Garlough & Bram Schouten Colouring Contest Winners: 1st Place - Elsie 2nd Place - Chiara 3rd Place- Brinn 4rth Place - Shelby Please contact us at kemptvilledistrictca@gmail.com if you see you are a winner and have not received your prize!

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