August 20th, 2014

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Vol. 2, No. 33

The Voice of North Grenville

Kinderwood Trail officially opens August 28

The North Grenville Times is Locally Owned and Operated

by Beth Nicol All parents want their progeny to mature into healthy, responsible and caring adults. Outings and family gatherings provide excellent opportunities to pass on life lessons and positive values. The Ferguson Forest Centre, with the support of the Friends of Ferguson Forest and the Municipality of North Grenville, has created a forested walking trail geared for children 3 to 8 years of age. The purpose of KinderWood is three fold: to educate; to promote an interest in and respect for our local forests; and to encourage

healthy outdoor activity.

It is an opportunity for the voters of tomorrow to learn to appreciate the inherent value of our forests today. The Official Ribbon Cutting takes place on the Trail on August 28 at 10:30 am.

Located on an acre and a half of pristine pine forest in the Ferguson Forest Centre, KinderWood Trail can be found in Anniversary Park at the end of Veterans’ Way. There, young hikers will be introduced to forest animals, their habitat and habits, by a series of cutouts of nine woodland animals. An informational plaque accompanies each cut-out. It is the perfect

photo courtesy of Mike Pacitto location for a late summer Art departments of North or autumn walk for young Grenville and St. Michael’s families, pre-school groups, High Schools took on the kindergarten classes, and responsibility of cutting out and painting the animal early primary grades.

T h e c o n c e p t f o r templates. Alf Campbell KinderWood came from made sure the information local artist Don Muntz. on the signage was accurate He and fellow volunteer, and appropriate. A $1000 Adam Shewchuk, brought p l e d g e w a s r e c e i v e d forward the concept to the f r o m t w o s u p p o r t e r s Ferguson Forest Centre of the Friends of the Board. Permission for Ferguson Forest to help the project to proceed cover expenses incurred. was given. Preparations Collaboration and cobegan early in the spring. operation at work.

Forestry staff pruned back For visitor convenience, lower tree branches and picnic tables and a shelter used the chipped wood a r e n e a r b y. P a r k i n g for a trail base. Sheets is available. It is also of marine grade plywood conveniently located close were supplied by Cory to the Turtle Trail and the Lockwood. The Shop and Giving Garden.

August 20, 2014

The North Grenville Times

Annual Book Fair changes hands T h i s y e a r, N o r t h Grenville residents will be enjoying the 11th Annual Book Fair, but will see some new changes. The Kemptville Youth Centre was invited to take over the book fair by Pat Babin and the Friends of the North Grenville Public Library. In looking for a new charity to take over the event, Pat expressed “YOUTH was the key ingredient” needed for the book fair. “Brawn was getting to be a precious commodity. The book fair has become an indispensable event in our municipality, judging by the fantastic support we have received during the last decade.”

The Kemptville Youth Centre has taken it on with its strong backbone and youthful exuberance.

This year, book lovers can expect to see a new name on the signs going up all

over Kemptville. It will be named “The Country Walk Book Fair,” named after book lovers and supporters from Urbandale Construction’s Country Walk development.

"We felt the Book Fair was a great event to support because it brings together different groups within the community," explained Matthew Sachs, General Manager of Urbandale Construction. "Everybody loves a good book."

Businesses and sponsors are encouraged to join Urbandale Construction in making this book fair more exciting this year. There will be door prizes every half hour, a silent auction and refreshments provided by local businesses, and bakers from the community and the youth centre to feed the book fair volunteers and customers.

This year, the hours

have been extended as well. The sale will be Friday, September 5 from 9 am to 8 pm and both Saturday and Sunday, September 6 and 7, from 9 am to 5 pm. The Youth Centre is looking for volunteers to sell books and restock shelves for all of these hours.

Setup will start at Ferguson Forrest Centre Monday, August 25 at 8 am each workday for the two weeks leading up to the sale and will end between 6 and 8 pm each evening.

Volunteers are welcome to sign up ahead of time by calling 613-258-5212 or drop by during those hours to lend a hand in setting up. Volunteers will be given Book Sale Coupons as a thank you for their time. Book donations will also be taken at this time.

Robin Heald, Executive Director from The Kemptville Youth

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Centre explained that Ferguson Forrest Centre has generously agreed to lend their space again this year. “The location is huge and will allow us to continue to grow bigger every year. Ed and the Ferguson Forrest team are invaluable in supporting the book fair.”

“The biggest change this year is where the revenue will be spent.

Every dollar will stay local and support our youth programs at The Kemptville Youth Centre.

The goal this year is to raise enough revenue at the book fair to pay for the total 2014 expenses for heat, hydro, water and sewer bills that total just over $7,500,” explained Robin. “Book lovers will get a chance to support a great cause while feeding their souls with good books.”

Why was County Road 22 re-paved?

Some residents of South Gower have been asking questions about the re-paving of a section of CR 22 north of Bennett Road recently. Normally, residents are quite pleased to see local roads being maintained and re-paved when needed, but, in this case, the work on the road has only caused suspicion and upset. That is because,

August 20, 2014

in short, there is a belief that the reason the road needed re-paving was because of damage to the road surface by the number of heavy trucks going back and forth from local pits and quarries.

This suspicion was heightened by remarks by Les Shepherd, Director of Works, Planning Services and Asset Management

impacts on all the taxpayers of North Grenville. In spite of the very high value of the material trucked out of North Grenville by the pit and quarry owners, their combined and total contribution to the municipality in pit revenues is a paltry $31,000. But the cost of re-paving that one section of CR 22 was estimated by Les Shepherd to be $362,823, “ including shoulder gravel”. Does this mean that the taxpayers of the UCLG have been subsidising the pit and quarry owners to the tune of $330,000 by paying for the damage they had caused to our roads?

This is something which Tony feels needs to be addressed by the North Grenville council and staff, particularly mayor David Gordon, who sits on the County Council which authorised the expenditure on the road. Tony Marcantonio wonders how this use of taxpayers’ money to support pit operations in North Grenville can be considered part of our socalled Green and Growing identity. Perhaps, it is thought, it is time we either curtailed such operations in North Grenville, or made the operators pay their share of the damage they cause to our roads and environment.

with the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville [UCLG].

In response to inquiries from local resident, Tony Marcantonio, the Director stated that the road had received work far earlier than usual because “the surface had ‘polished’ and the skid resistance was deemed to be deficient”.

When asked why only the stretch of CR 22 north of Bennett had been re-paved, Mr. Shepherd replied: “That stretch was paved at the same time with the same mix. South of Bennett road, the skid resistance has not deteriorated to the same extent”.

To n y M a r c a n t o n i o is convinced that the difference between the two stretches is the use of the worn section by heavy trucks. “If both sides were paved at the same time, why is the north more dangerous? I would say it's the heavy truck traffic.

Therefore the heavy use by the pit operators are a major contributor to the wear and tear.” That, in itself, is an issue that he feels should be kept in mind by municipal staff when it comes to permitting roads in the municipality to be used as truck routes to and from these pits, especially in South Gower should the planned Lafarge pit on Bennett Road go ahead.

But there is another aspect to the story, one that

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Municipality Matters

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Council Business

by David Shanahan The North Grenville Municipal Council has passed two important bylaws in the past session, both of which are directed at dealing with issues that have arisen in the past. One is a new by-law to consolidate the provisions of six existing bylaws governing the control of animals in the municipality.

The “Consolidated Animal Care and Control By-Law” was prepared largely in response to the numerous incidents which had taken place in the Heckston area, on Slater Road, over a number of years. Large Highland cattle had regularly gotten loose from fields and through fences, sometimes ending up on the public highway, and often on the private lands of a neighbour, Doug Shirley. It took a long and difficult campaign by Doug and his neighbour, Vicky Stamison, before the municipality finally had the cattle removed.

It became very clear during that campaign that

there was no single by-law in place that covered the specific circumstances of the case. It seemed it was easier to remove chickens from a 4H member’s garden than it was to protect residents from dangerous animals running wild on the roads. The Consolidated By-law is one of the results which has come from placing responsibility for by-law enforcement under the supervision of Fire Chief Paul Hutt and his Department. It is a comprehensive and detailed measure which tries to cover all the bases.

There are a number of sections dealing with dogs, kennels, animals running at large, dog bites, stoop and scoop and even the number of dogs that may be kept. Sections on cats, livestock, pigeons, rabbits and prohibited animals make this a major piece of regulation and is a tribute to the work of municipal staff, as well as to Doug Shirley and Vicky Stamison.

The other major by-law to be passed by council last week was the new Code of

Conduct for Members of Council. One of the listed purposes of the Code is to “Ensure that Members perform their duties with integrity, avoiding any improper use of the influence of their office and conflicts of interest, and promoting public confidence”. The Code lays out in detail the role of Members of Council and the Mayor, as well as those of staff and other employees. There is a long list of definitions for the terms used in the Code, so as to minimise confusion and maximise understanding by all parties of their obligations under the Code.

There are also rules governing the protection of confidential information, relations of council with staff, inappropriate conduct or harassment, and areas of conflict of interest. It lays out procedures for investigating any complaints made under the Code and makes provision for the appointment of an Integrity Commissioner to investigate such complaints as are not handled satisfactorily by the

mayor and council internally.

This Commissioner has been a source of confusion and concern for many. But the background notes for the by-law simply state that: “Upon adoption of the Code of Conduct, staff will proceed to investigate the appointment of an Integrity Commissioner and bring a staff report to Committee of the Whole”. It is understood that such an official would be appointed only on a caseby-case basis, and would not be a permanent, fulltime position. The person appointed in any particular case could be a local lawyer, judge, retired official, or some other qualified individual.

The provisions of the Code of Conduct were also to apply to the North Grenville Police Services Board and the North Grenville Public Library Board. However, the Police Services Board is not under municipal authority, and is a Board under the Ontario Police Services Act, and so is outside municipal jurisdiction . It is an important set of regulations, as it acknowledges the problems

that may arise regarding conflict of interest for those engaged in municipal business, the temptation to show favourable treatment to certain corporate or individual interests, and the importance of council and staff showing proper respect to each other and, most importantly, to the public. The roles of mayor and council, as defined in the Code, emphasise the fact that their primary job is to represent the people of North Grenville, first and foremost.

The most relevant clauses in that regard state: “It is the duty of all Members of Council to...

Represent the public and consider the wellbeing and interests of the municipality at large;...

Make sound, effective, and timely decisions based upon objective data and open debate of issues;...Be honest and respectful of each other in their communications with the public, media, and staff;...Maintain the financial integrity of the municipality”.

Online Official Plan Consultation now underway

When is a council a lame duck?

The first stage of the 2014 Official Plan Review Process is now underway, as North Grenville residents and community members participate in online consultation through PlaceSpeak.

This new location-based tool enhances public participation because residents can create an account and get involved in the community discussion on their schedule and from the comfort of their own home.

Residents are able to provide input on ‘hot topics’ throughout the 2014 Official Plan Review process by visiting www.placespeak. com/StrengthenNG. Topics on the discussion forum include maximum height and density of new development in Kemptville and the possibility of permitting backyard chickens in residential areas.

Creating an account is quick, free, and residents can even login through a Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn account. All residents are encouraged

No, that is not a joke, or a comment about this council. But, once the election campaign begins on September 12, and until the end of this council’s term on November 30, there are rules governing how much authority any council has to pass by-laws. This is referred to as having a lame duck council.

In fact, there are very few limitations placed on a lame duck council, but those that are in place are designed to ensure that an out-going council cannot make budgetary decisions that bind the incoming council unfairly. Not every council is a lame duck after September 12. There are two periods under consideration here. The first is between the start of the campaign and the election itself; the second is between the election and November 30. For the first period, the question is whether the new council “will include less than threequarters of the members of the out-going council”. This depends primarily on whether 75% of the current council are running in the election, or retiring. In the case of North Grenville, 75% of the current

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to login and have their say.

Municipal staff will be on hand at the Kemptville Kinsmen Farmers’ Market from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday, August 24th, to discuss the Official Plan and get your feedback and opinions.

The Farmers' Market is located at 200 Sanders Street at the corner of Rideau and Oxford in Old Town Kemptville.

This online consultation is taking place in addition to traditional methods of consultation, including a Public Information Session to be held in November 2014.

It is important to the Municipality of North Grenville to hear your ideas and feedback. Your involvement will affect decisions surrounding land use policy and other key issues throughout the course of the 2014 Official Plan Review.

For more information contact Phil Mosher, Planner, at 613-2589569 ext. 118 or email pmosher@northgrenville.on.ca.

council means 3.75 people (yes, you have to use the exact figure). As of this week, we know of only two current members who are running this time, as Barb Tobin has yet to declare her intentions.

[Ken Finnerty and Terry Butler are not running again].

Even so, there would be a maximum of three current members running, less than 75%, therefore the current council will be a lame duck from September 12.

The second period will also mean a lame duck council, as, in that timeframe, at least 75% of the current council would have to have been re-elected.

Even if all three run and are elected, they still comprise less than 75% of the current council. So, as of September 12, we will have a lame duck council. What will this mean?

In many ways, it won’t mean a lot. Such a council cannot hire or fire any officer or employee of the municipality. They cannot dispose of any real municipal property with a value exceeding $50,000, and they cannot authorise any expenditures or incur liabilities that exceed $50,000. The Municipal

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Act does say that outgoing councils can delegate the hiring and firing power to staff, most likely the Chief Administrative Officer. But this must be done before September 12.

The other restrictions do not apply if the disposal of property, or the expenditures and debts are part of the annual budget, approved before September 12. This means that the budget amendments passed in the last few weeks to borrow more than $1 million are not affected by the election lame duck provisions. However, the question does arise in the case of the Development Charges by-law that was postponed until the council meeting on September 8.

Two questions are raised

here: would a vote by council passing a by-law that accepts a $27 million shortfall in infrastructure expenditures be considered a debt that is being incurred aside from the annual budget?

And, secondly, if th ePublic Meeting on the issue is being held on September 8, can council vote through the bylaw that same night, or wait until the following week, that is, after the September 12 deadline?

The question remains: when is duck not a duck?

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Editorial

The North Grenville Times

You will read elsewhere that our municipal council have passed a new Code of Conduct that will cover Council and Mayor in their official duties. There have been some doubts expressed by the public about both the need and the possible implications fo such a Code in the long term. Some of these questions were based on misunderstanding about the role of a so-called “Integrity Commissioner”, who would be introduced to arbitrate complaints against members of Council under the new Code. Some thought that this Commissioner would be a new, full-time bureaucrat, but that is not the case. In practice, this role would be filled on a case-by-case basis, as required.

I must say, I have no problem at all with the idea of a Code of Conduct.

It may not be needed right

now, with a well-behaved group of people sitting on Council, but that is not always the case, as we know all too well from the recent past. Perhaps it is true that those elected to Council should not need to be told to behave in an honourable way.

Perhaps the first line in the description of the role of a Councillor or Mayor in the Code of Conduct should be taken as read: “It is the duty of all Members of Council to...Represent the public and consider the well-being and interests of the municipality at large”.

Perhaps it should also be taken for granted that “Members of Council shall not bully, threaten, coerce, or otherwise harass, or intimidate employees...the public, or his/her colleagues”, or that they “shall not engage in any form of slanderous, malicious, or demeaning communications in regard to other members of Council, municipal

Letters to the editor

New OPP approach to municipal contracts

by David Shanahan

Editor, I believe Deron Johnson has it right about the Kemptville College, that it should return to college status. Business courses, training in various work skills and continuing education are all excellent suggestions.

Hobby farming and learning to grow one’s own food, growing sustainably, and a local craft brewery with raw ingredients grown locally are all great ideas. I wish Mr. Johnson was running for our local council. He would most likely get my vote!!!

Kath Piché P.S.: Another person who suggested much the same a few months ago was Diana Fisher. Maybe she should run for council also!!

The Ontario Provincial Police have presented municipalities with a new funding model for services which they describe as “fairer, more transparent and easier to understand”. Under the old system, the contract which North Grenville would have with the OPP for services from this year would have amounted to about one-third of the entire municipal budget.

The new model, which takes effect January 1, 2015, reflects input from the Auditor General and municipalities to, as the OPP put it, “more fairly and transparently distribute policing costs”.

The model includes two components: base policing costs such as crime prevention, proactive policing, o ff i c e r t r a i n i n g a n d administrative duties, and cost for reactive calls for service. Base policing will account for approximately 60 per cent of the bill, reactive calls will account

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staff, or the public”. You might wonder, especially if you are a newcomer to North Grenville, why such language is necessary in a Code of Conduct for members of council.

Those of us who have been here for more than four years know precisely why this language is needed, or even, perhaps, the inspiration for it.

These phrases almost perfectly describe the actions of previous members, or one in particular, who indulged in all of the above abuses.

I welcome this Code of Conduct because I know very well what has happened in the past when there was no such Code, no such process in place to deal with abuses by members of Council. We could have done with it in the past; but I fervently hope we never need to use it in the future. To be honest, it is almost hard to believe, looking back, that former

members of Council got away with turning o ff th e micr o p h o n es when the public dared to question or criticise them; that staff members could be browbeaten and intimidated, members of the public abused and shouted down in council meetings.

So, you would think I would praise council for introducing this new Code of Conduct: but I cannot. I have to ask them: why did you wait eight years to do this?

Some of you were around for the worst excesses of the past. All of you, you four Councillors who are so eager to appear on the side of goodness and light: you sat in your Council seats while the public was abused, while the process was abused, while people were treated with disdain and disrespect. You were prepared to condemn it all in private, while you sat silent in public, refusing to say a word to stop the

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for approximately 40 per cent. This new model is expected to provide municipalities with better data so they can understand the types of calls for police service in their community and direct crime prevention strategies. The new model will be phased in over a period of up to five years to allow municipalities time to adjust their budgets.

The North Grenville Police Services Board have been looking at the OPP service contract, trying to find ways to cut the cost to the municipality. The fact is that this municipality, in common with most rural municipalities in Ontario, is facing severe budgetary pressures, and future cuts in provincial funding are expected to make matters worse over the next few years.

The OPP has something of a monopoly when it comes to providing policing services to Ontario municipalities. It

is far cheaper to contract with the OPP than to provide the same level of service through separate municipal police forces.

The average per property cost for OPP services in 2015 is estimated to be $355, compared to an average of $787 (es timated) for selfpoliced municipalities.

The OPP provides policing services to 324 Ontario municipalities.

It is still uncertain if, or to what extent, the new funding model will affect North Grenville. CAO, Brian Carré explained: Based on discussions last fall at an O.P.P. training sessions, it would appear

August 20, 2014

Marketing Peter Peers peter@ngtimes.ca 613 989- 2850

that our cost would be less. Having said that, it is premature at this time to make such an assumption. I have left a message with O.P.P. Contract Policing staff in an attempt to obtain a more accurate figure for

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something said many times during those dark days: It is necessary for the triumph of evil only that good men do nothing. It should not be forgotten that these four people did nothing. Moral cowards and failures when it came time to protect the public they were meant to represent.

If this Code of Conduct had been in place before 2010, they would all have been guilty of breaking it.

Think about that, North Grenville, before you vote in October.

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North Grenville. Once an amount is determined, it will be presented to Council”. The current OPP billing model was introduced in 1998 and has not been updated since then.

Mailing Address P.O. Box 35, Oxford Mills, ON, K0G 1S0

ISSN 2291-0301

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

disgraceful actions that were taking place.

Four years ago, when you last stood for election, you were content to pose as the “Team” behind the man who had brought the entire process into disrepute: a man you claimed in private to despise. I assume that some of you will campaign this time on the strength of introducing such a wonderful Code of Conduct, now that you feel safe to bring it in just two months before the next election? Yes, this is a good development: such a Code of Conduct is a great security against overweening arrogance and bullying by people i n p o w e r. B u t t h e hypocrisy of those four people bringing it in now, too late, just before an election and as some of them leave council for good, is upsetting.

So let me do my part at this election time and remind people of

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Accounting Staff Reporter cfo@ngtimes.ca Beth Nicol 613-258-4671 beth@ngtimes.ca 613-258-0033

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Friends of the Library Barbecue

DID YOU KNOW

The Voice of North Grenville Erick Le Pors

A Kemptville Miscellany Did you know that.... when Lyman Clothier STRESS FREE ENTERTAINING first set foot in what was 613-860-2539 to become Kemptville, Catering For All Occassions www.dialachef.ca the entire population of Oxford Township was just fourteen - all one family? The North Grenville Times is Locally Owned and Operated The Harris family, from Ireland, were renting land For near Burritt’s Rapids.

Advertising ...when Kemptville rates please separated from Oxford in 1857, there had to be a contact special Act passed, because Peter Kemptville didn’t have the at 1,000 inhabitants required peter@ngtimes.ca for independence? or call ...”Squire” Bottum’s 613 989 2850 home, now 319 Clothier west, was once the only house west of Rideau Street? It was the Squire’s TAKING PART IN OUR COMMUNITY manor house. He owned all the land between Rideau and Somerville, and between Concession and 43.

LIVING / VOLUNTEERING / SHOPPING / REPORTING/ SPONSORING

Frank O’Rouke , Liz O’Rouke and Doug Thompson manning the cooking station and prep operation with Fran (not pictured) overseeing the event. photo courtesy of Gord Logan Fran and I would like to thank all of our wonderful friends for their support of our barbecue held August 14 to aid the North Grenville Library programs for Adults and Children. Without your support we would not have been able to raise $1066 for those programs.

In addition, we would like to thank Jonsson's Independent and Beveridge's B & H Foodliner grocery stores for the provision of Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Drinks and condiments that allowed us to provide the noon meal at the OPP Detachment.

Our special thanks to Officer Cathy Lindsey, her able assistant Laurin, and Frank and Liz O'Rourke for their help. We would also like to thank all those who could not attend but donated funds to raise the total.

Fran and I appreciate all the assistance we received from everyone and hope that all of you had a great time, in spite of the brief rain.

Fran and Doug Thompson

Police search leads to arrest Grenville County Ontario Provincial Police have arrested a North Grenville man with a local residential break and enter on June 7 where an undisclosed amount of money and jewelry was stolen.

On August 11 at approximately 9:45 am, the OPP received a tip from the public that the wanted man was seen running into a field behind the University of Guelph's barns; east of County Road 44, North Grenville. The area was contained by police and a search was conducted by the OPP Canine Unit and the OPP Emergency Response Team. Shortly before noon, Allan Terry Dawe, 26 of North Grenville was located armed with a knife. The accused was charged with possession of marijuana under 30 grams, break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and possession of property obtained by a crime under $5,000. The accused was held in custody pending the results of a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville.

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301 Rideau Street, Kemptville

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Regular Store Hours: Mon.- Fri. 8 to 8, Sat. 8 to 6, Sun. 9 to 6

613.258.3014

Prices effective: Friday, August 22 to Thursday, August 28, 2014 “We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements” “We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements”

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The North Grenville Times

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Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame Committee Announces 2014 Inductees The Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce the 2014 Inductees: • Christopher Tobin (Athlete – Swimming) • Rosemary Bennett, Melissa Bennett, Len Sheedy and Robin Sheedy (Builders – Kemptville Storm Girls Hockey) • Peter Derycke – (Builder – Taekwondo) • KDMHA Pee Wee Rep Team 1975-1976 (Team – Hockey) The Committee is preparing for the ceremony which is being held on Thursday, September 25 at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. The general public is invited to attend this celebration and are asked to RSVP to Bob Schrader at rschrader@ ripnet.com or 613-6124625. The community is also encouraged to consider attending the Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament the following day at eQuinelle Golf Club in Kemptville. For details contact Doug Rigby at drigby@ttctruck. ca. Proceeds from this tournament support a bursary for aspiring athletes.

The Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame has been established to instill in young and old a sense of pride and recognition of sport accomplishments; to provide continuity in linking our past with current and future events; and to celebrate those who contribute to sport through recognition of athletes and builders, public display of their achievements and preservation of sport heritage. To learn more about the Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame please visit www. ngsportlegacy.ca.

For more information: Doug Rigby, Co-Chair, Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame Committee, 613-3232592

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UPDATE UPCOMING MEETINGS REGULAR COUNCIL Monday, August 25th, at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers, North Grenville Municipal Centre. For agenda information, please contact the Clerk’s Office or the Municipal website.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL Tuesday, September 2nd, at 6:30 pm at Burritt’s Rapids Community Hall, 23 Grenville Street, Burritt’s Rapids.

2014 BURN PERMITS

Residents are reminded that in accordance with By-Law 33-12, a Burn Permit is required to conduct open burning on property located outside of the urban area. Burn Permits for 2014 are available at the Municipal Office or at the Fire Hall at 259 County Rd. 44 for a fee of $15.00. Please contact the Fire Hall at 258-2438 ext. 5 for conditions prior to burning.

RABIES CLINICS

Rabies Clinics will be held on Wednesday, September 10 and Wednesday, September 17 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the North Grenville Fire Hall, 259 County Road 44, Kemptville. Dogs and Cats must be on a leash or in a carrier. CASH ONLY FEE $20.00 per animal (HST included). For more information contact: 613-345-5685 or 1-800-660-5853.

GARAGE SALES

Garage Sales in North Grenville are regulated by By-Law 10-03. No licence or fee is required, but there are regulations which you must follow.

Signage is NOT permitted in traffic circles or attached to traffic signs. Please ensure signage is removed after your sale. Before having a garage sale, please obtain a copy of this by-law from the Administration Office or the Municipal web site.

FINAL THURSDAY FAMILY FUN DAY! Thursday August 28th Movie: 10am

(See www.northgrenville.ca/Movies.cfm for movie titles)

Public Skating: 12pm JEAN-GUY BEAUDRY: 2pm All for $8.00 Show-only $5.00 Skate or Movie $2.00

AUGUST 28

JEAN-GUY BEAUDRY

See www.northgrenville.ca/familyfundays.cfm

The Municipality of North Grenville

285 County Road #44 PO Box 130 Kemptville, K0G 1J0 Tel: 613.258.9569 Fax: 613.258.9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613.258.4424 Fax: 613.258.1441 Fire Services Info: 613.258.2438 Fax: 613.258.1031 By-Law Services: 613-258-2438 ext. 6 Police Administration: 613.258.3441 Animal Control: 613.862.9002

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The Voice of North Grenville

The North Grenville Photography Club

"Kayaking on the Rideau River allows a perfect opportunity to photograph nature at its best".

Photo by Barbara Heal, Spencerville, ON

Put your money where the Miracles are...

Last Thursday, August 14 was a very special day for our local DQ to support a local cause.

All proceeds from every Blizzard Treat were donated to your local Children's Miracle Network (CHEO) member hospital to help children in need. Together we can provide hope and healing to the sick and injured children of our community.

Funds raised have gone to support research and training, purchase lifesaving equipment, and ensure excellence in care, all to save and improve as many children's lives as possible.

Standing left to right are the local DQ Manager, Anish Bharadia with local supporters Chal Conn and Wendy Stringer enjoying one of the many treats DQ has to offer.

FREE

M vie

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In the Park

Brought to you by the

Photo courtesy of Gord Logan

Kemptville Churches

Sunday August 24th

Riverside Park -­‐ Kemptville

SHOWING: FROZEN

S

✓Movie will start at dusk. ✓Free snacks will be provided star*ng at 7pm. ✓Bring lawn chairs and blankets for sea*ng.

✓ ✓

✓

For informa*on about the Movie in the Park or the Kemptville Churches visit...

www.kemptvillechurches.webstarts.com August 20, 2014

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The North Grenville Times

Where’s the future for North Grenville?

By Frank Onasanya I have been coaching soccer and doing other volunteer work in this community for many years, and every year I have to watch as our young people pack up and leave their home and family because they have no future in North Grenville. There are no jobs to keep them here, and no jobs to bring them back after they finish school. We are losing our heritage. Our young leaders see no reason to stay in North Grenville and there doesn’t seem to be any plan to change that.

We s e e K e m p t v i l l e changing. Every day we lose more and more of our rural identity. We are becoming a place where people sleep and drive to their jobs somewhere else. Most of the working people in North Grenville go to work outside the community. Many of them will shop in Ottawa, for example, and go there for recreation.

But at the same time, the things that attracted them to North Grenville in the first place -- the country lifestyle and the small-town atmosphere -are being built over and this leaves no room for people. There is a dangerous lack of sidewalks along our roads and in shopping malls.

Development seems to be centred on using cars to get around, but walking or biking is getting more and more dangerous on busy roads.

As we lose our young people every year, we are becoming an older community. But we are not supplying our older residents

with facilities where they can maintain healthy living and where we can provide better and engaging living for our elderly. We are growing, but are we growing in the way we should be, the way that promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle?

For many of us, it seems that decisions about how we grow are being made without our involvement. We can see all the things we value about North Grenville in danger of being lost. Our rural location gives us a link to the natural world, a place to call home where the moon, the stars, the smell of fresh air and the sound of birds comfort us. We can see the stars at night. We can hear the sounds of nature around us -- and that is something that is impossible in cities. But as we build up our residential and commercial areas, we may lose all that and become the thing we have left behind when we moved here.

We can prevent this.

We can have a growing population and development to create jobs – and we can preserve our small-town, active country atmosphere.

Our plans have to include the bigger picture and include all perspectives from our community. If we are to keep our young people, we must have jobs for them here at home. This means promoting and encouraging initiatives that foster progressive and equitable returns for our local businesses. Instead of just creating retail jobs, we need to attract employment that provides stability for young people to marry and start a family here. We have to encourage local businesses to hire more

The Voice of North Grenville

CROSSWORD

young people, and we have to bring in to our community the kind of businesses that will provide those kinds of jobs.

We have an educated and energetic youth, so there must be companies interested in that asset in our community. And we have to ensure that our children and youth live in a safe community with plenty of activities and engaging things to do. We need trails for walking and biking, and we have to make our roads safer to use by pedestrians and cyclists. All of this means that the community needs to be involved in planning the future.

Municipal decision-makers need to make sure there is better communication and involvement for the residents of the community -- in the building of our community.

This is the time to make those decisions and get involved. We are changing so quickly, and losing so much potential in our young people. There is a need for individuals to live healthy and productive lives. And the municipality of North Grenville needs to do that as a community too.

ACROSS 1. Among 5. Stairs 10. Gambit 14. Mongolian desert 15. Leg bone 16. Wander 17. Anagram of "Sire" 18. Insubordinate 20. Hopelessness 22. Spire 23. And so forth 24. Donkeys 25. Vulnerable 32. Earthquake 33. Noblemen 34. Neither ___ 37. Sea eagle 38. Attempted 39. Dad 40. Soak

41. Nigerian monetary unit 42. Of a pelvic bone 43. In the same manner 45. Scrawny one 49. Mesh 50. More difficult 53. Witness 57. A diplomat of the highest rank 59. Reasonable 60. Retain 61. Astound 62. Hawaiian strings 63. Being 64. Increased 65. In order to prevent DOWN 1. Matured 2. Not less 3. Nile bird 4. Disseminate

5. Unbending 6. Layer 7. Diminish 8. Desserts 9. Sodium chloride 10. Jimmies 11. Eyelets 12. Small egg 13. Affirmatives 19. Conducts 21. "Smallest" particle 25. Applications 26. Roman emperor 27. Engine knock 28. Creepy 29. A marker of stones 30. Delicacy 31. A late time of life 34. Found on a finger 35. Iridescent gem 36. Risqué 38. Little bit 39. More than enough 41. Approaches 42. Frosts 44. Anagram of "Binder" 45. Investment 46. Arrives 47. Yokels 48. Slack-jawed 51. Brother of Jacob 52. Incline 53. Exude 54. Garden tool 55. Contends 56. At one time (archaic) 58. Dip lightly

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The North Grenville Times

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CLASSIFIEDS

First 15 words are FREE for North Grenville Residents.

Extra Words: 50 cents a word

SERVICES

Commercial/Residential cleaning- Kemptville area. For quote email Mrandmrsclean613@gmail. com or call 613-867-2184

Modern Square Dancing, Mondays, Leslie Hall, 7:30 pm. Ray 258-4994 or kemptvillesquaredance@gmail.com Faced with a drinking problem? Perhaps AlcoholNutritional Counselling to ics Anonymous can help. customize a wellness plan Contact 613-316-6329 or onfor all your health concerns. line: District 48 aa w h o le su m a p p r o ac h.co m 613-258-7133 Cinderella does housework, laundry & ironing, gardenSpinning lessons, 2nd & 3rd ing, shopping, closet & baseSun. each month, on spindle ment re-organization. 859or wheel, free spindel and 4644 wool. 613 269 4238.

Keep your parents or spouse Braided mat lessons, 2nd & at home. Cinderella has cer3rd Sun. each month at Be- tificate in Alzheimer, Demenginning Again School. 613 tia & Parkinson care. 859269 4238.

4644 Qualified English tutor: read- Helen’s Sewing Room All ing, writing, grammar, etc...I kinds of sewing 613 258 5584 make it fun! 613-269 2367.

Looking for Avon Products?

Call Joan at 258 7644

FOR RENT

Green space, 2 bedroom conHouse Cleaning-Every work- do, appliances, water, and ing Mother and Father needs parking included. $1250.00/ a House Wife. Sandi 613-219- mth Available September 7277 13th call 613-229-5564.

HANDYMAN, no job too big or too small. I can do it all.Free estimates and references available. Paul 613-791-8597

Old Town Kemptville, 10 Prescott St. - commercial retail space, 800 sq.ft., avail. immediately. 258 0552.

DRUM LESSONS - Professional drummer/teacher accepting students. All levels welcome!

Bryan Valeriani 613 298 5913 www.drumhead.ca

3 bedrooms,main floor family room gas heat, nice yard,parking 2 cars,walking distance to amenities. $1125.00 + utilities.Gary 613-720-5004 FOR SALE

Rock My House Music Centre offers lessons in Piano, Violin, Complete wine making equipment.

Guitar, Drums, Bass and Vocals. 5 carboys/handles, elec. wine filter, 613 258 5656 corker, hydrometer, wine thief, 8 air traps, bottle tree, much more $350.

Bowen Therapy. Restore your 613 258 0055 health. Pain, Respiratory, Digestive & more. 613-799-3315. www.

BowenKemptville.ca Mastercraft spin saw kit, used once -$95; another brand I Can Sew It: Rhonda Cybul- new tool kit, $75. Email for skie-613-258-5248 Rhonda@ photos:Gilliantrojan@gmail.

ICanSewIt.ca com or call 258 5558 Al’s Cleanup Services Dump runs, Inglis washer & dryer, great Grass, Landscaping Al Scott R R shape, can deliver in Kemptville #1 Oxford Station(613) 258-3847 area. $175 for the pair. Call 613720-0942.

House Cleaning - Kemptville area.

For quote call 613-294-0385 or Custom built pine dresser suite: dhlacombe@gmail.com dresser with mirror, high boy, night stand, Pine Ridge CabiProperty Clean up, yards, ga- net. Call 258-7851. rages, basements, loads to dump,anything removed. 613- HAY 4x4.5 rounds, 600 lbs, 258-7955 mostly grass, excellent quality, Jon 613-227-3650 Sienna Fine Arts Art Classes and Supplies www.siennafinearts. WOOD seasoned mixed hardcom 613-878-9706 wood, cut and split, delivery August 20, 2014

The Voice of North Grenville

from $95 a cord, Jon 613-2273650 Dog house, very large, custom built with siding/shingles, $300 or b .o. 613-258-5558 Firewood, cut, split and delivered $100/cord. Call Peter at 258-5504 HOUSE FOR SALE-317 Joseph St. 3 bedroom. Must see gardens. $299,000. 613-258-5151

Aug 21 Aug 24

Sept 5 Sept 6 Sept 7

WANTED

Sept 14

Retired senior needs old car batteries - making canon balls (weights used for deep sea fishing). 258-6254

Sept 19

Wanted- Black Currants & Gooseberries (or other fruit) for jam & jelly sales to aide the Eric Gutknecht Memorial Bursary-a registered charity. Call Billy 258-4529

Sept 20

Weekly and recurring events W ed

GARAGE SALE Thurs

Classy Sale - Aug. 23 - 10 am to 1:30 pm: Antique clocks, Nautical items including 53” ship’s wheel and bronze rudder, counter top scales with weights, 1929 drill, Student’s with seat, toddlers’ toys and Art (works

by Dave Yeatman and Ben Babelowsky). 22 Oxford Street.

Burritt’s Rapids.

W ed Tues

WORK WANTED

Fri

Painting Int/Ext, hedge trimming, house cleaning, eavestrough, interlock, concrete, driveway sealant. Kelsy 613-215-0904 Sat

Need a bathroom remodel? Experienced, licensed plumber specializing in bathroom renovations, drywall, tile and carpentry. 613 519 5274

Kemptville Players Inc. is holding Auditions for their fall play Rumors by Neil Simon, 7:30 pm, I.O.O.F. Hall (corner Barnes & Clothier St.) Need 5 women & 5 men. For more information, call 258-6047.

Kids Day at the Farmer’s M arket. Today we celebrate our little ones! Vendors are decorating their booths in their personal “Birthday Style”. This will be one GIANT birthday party. There will be cake, loot bags, children’s music & balloons, not to mention Art with Bonnie, all FREE!!!!!!

Blood Donor Clinic from 12:30-3:30 pm and from 5-8 pm at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemptville. To donate, call 1 888 2 Donate (1888-236-6283). It’s in you to give.

2nd Annual Golf tournament at Rideau Glen. 1 pm shot gun start followed by dinner at the church. Registration no later than Sept 1. Please contact Sue Lauton at 258-0486 or Joyce Lamont at 258-5389 to register. All are welcome.

K emptville Legion D inner Dance, 1-5 pm. Dinner at 5. M usic by Ron Donnelly. Silent auction and door prizes. Cost $15.00 per person. Sponsored by the Ladies Auxillary. Contact Sally Thorburn 613-292-7311 or Marg Parker 613-258-5291 for tickets.

Kemptville Legion, live performance of the Kemptville Legion Pipe Band and Highland Dancers, 12:30 pm.

Kemptville Legion, Euchre Tournament, 7 – 11 pm. $10.00 per person. Cash Prizes.

Kemptville Legion, Pig Roast & Dance, Dinner 6 pm. Dancing 7:30 to 11:30 pm. Music by W ildflower. Tickets $15.00 per person. Tickets available at the bar.

Sun

M ,W,F

The North Grenville Photography Club - Meeting first W ednesday of every month at the Auditorium at the Municipal Centre on Hwy 44. For more info see ngphotoclub.ca.

Bingo- First and third W ednesday of the month, K emptville Legion. Games start at 1 pm. All welcome. Refreshments available.

The Branch Artisans Guild, North Grenville Community Church,, 2659 Concession Street every 3 rd Tuesday, 7 pm. New members welcomed!

Bridge - St. John’s United Church, 6:45 pm. Cost $5, partner preferred but not necessary. For more info, contact Sandra at 613-258-2691.

North Grenville Toastmasters - Meeting 1 st & 3 rd Thurs. of the month, 7 pm at O’Farrell’s Financial Services, Cty Rd 44. Info, call 258-7665.

Klub 67 Euchre every second and fourth W ed. of the month beginning Sept 10, 1:15 pm, St. John's United Church downstairs. Everyone welcome, $5.00.

BNI Netw orking Group Breakfast- Alumni Building, University of Guelph, 7-8:30am. Call 613-258-0553 for more information.

Bridge- St. John’s United Church, 12:15 pm. Cost $4. "All levels of bridge players welcome. Come discover Duplicate Bridge. "Info, contact Sandra at 613258-2691.

M others of Preschoolers Support Group-St.John’s United Church, 6:30-8 pm.

W hether you’re a townie, rural, stay-at-home, working, teen, adoptive, specialneeds, single or married, MOPS is for you! For more information, call Angie Brown at 613-223-3979.

Kemptville Cruise Night, Hwy 43 Car Club, May 2 to Sept. 26 at Food Basics – 6 - 9 pm. Rod Rafter, 613-258-7567 or www.Hwy43CarClub.com for more information.

Beth Donovan Hospice Companion W alk for those Living in Grief. Please join us at 11:50 am in the parking lot of the North Grenville Community Church, 2659 Concession Road. Hospice volunteers (wearing red) will lead the walk.

For more info, call the Hospice 258-9611.

The Canadian Foodgrains Garden M arket, 8:30 -11:30 am, St. John's United Church parking lot, 400 Prescott St. There will be fresh organic vegetables, homemade baking, plants and preserves. Additional contributions welcomed.

Kemptville Kinsman Farmers' M arket, 200 Sanders St. (the B&H parking lot) 12-4pm, rain or shine. Come and meet your local producers and checkout our FREE Kid Zone".

Free co-ed Ultimate Frisbee, 10:30-noon at Riverside Park. All skill levels welcome, 16+.

Kemptville and Area W alking Group, Municipal Centre - Early birds: 8 am, others 8:30 am. Contact: Eva 258-4487.

FIREARMS AND HUNTER SAFETY COURSES Beginning Sept. 2nd Evenings, in Kemptville.

Minimum age 12.

Pre-registration required, limited seating.

Tony Gundy Home:258-7816 Cell: 355-2607, Office 258-1876

10

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History

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Temperate Prohibition

by David Shanahan The Ontario Government is making noises about making alcohol more widely available through convenience stores and supermarkets, ending the monopoly that they have enjoyed since Kemptville native G. Howard Ferguson introduced the LCBO in 1927.

The control of alcohol by Government is not a new idea by any means, though it is no longer as strict, or accepted, a power as it once was.

The idea of Prohibition seems rather dated these days: the idea that there could be a Government-legislated ban on the making, selling and public consumption of alcohol is not in keeping with twenty-first century Canadian thinking. But for many decades, especially between the 1870's and the 1920's, the Temperance Movement was a strong and influential one in Ontario, and throughout the country. Among the many organisations that made up this movement, two were particularly active in North Grenville in those years. In 1898, a national Plebiscite was held on the question of prohibition, and local committees of the prohibitionists were found in Kemptville, Oxford Mills, Bishops Mills, South Gower and Heckston. In fact, only Burritts Rapids does not appear to have had an active temperance organisation, so far as available records tell us.

The Sons of Temperance had “Divisions”, as they were called, in most of the hamlets and villages of the area. The name is quite misleading, as the organisation contained both men and women in its ranks. In fact, women were to be found holding at least half of the executive positions at all levels. The records of the Sons for the Oxford Mills Division, dating from 1891 until around 1898, show that temperance was a useful issue around which a very sociable group of people gathered. Divisions met every week, and had all of the paraphernalia associated with groups like the Masons or the Orange Order: Regalia, passwords, impressive titles for the executive members.

The President of the Division was the Worthy Patriarch, the Treasurer was the Financial Scribe, etc. Aside from only occasional references to temperance activities, Division No. 237 seems to have spent most of the time behaving rather like a glee club. As soon as the business August 20, 2014

of the evening was dealt with, usually consisting of voting in new members, the Good Order section of the meeting began and individuals “favoured” the group with songs, recitations, musical pieces on piano, etc.

Some of these performances seem rather out of keeping with the purpose of the group: in September, 1892, Brother F. S. Jones recited a humourous piece entitled, “When May A Scotchman be Termed Drunk”. The previous month, Sister Scovill gave a reading which certainly makes one think. It was called “How She Completely Conquered Her Husband”, and the minutes describe it thus: “showing very beautifully that when a woman wills, she will, and when she won’t, she won’t”.

Oxford Mills was, apparently, not unique in its stress on social entertainment.

The Kemptville Division, No. 236, called, rather cleverly, the Olive Branch, also provided such diversion for its members and the two groups often visited and provided entertainment for each other.

Other very popular activities for the Divisions were socials, box socials and picnics. But there were serious attempts to influence the Oxford Council on temperance matters too.

Strenuous attempts were made in both Kemptville and Oxford Mills to have the liquor licenses of local hotels cancelled in 1893, and the extensive involvement of the various groups in plebiscites in 1892 and 1894 was impressive and effective.

It is interesting to note that when, finally, a compromise solution on prohibition was reached in Ontario in 1927, Kemptville was at the

centre of it. The compromise between open licensing of the liquor trade on the one hand, and prohibition on the other, was Government control through the establishment of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the familiar LCBO still doing the job today.

The LCBO was established by the government of G. Howard Ferguson, native of Kemptville and onetime Reeve of that Village.

Ferguson’s mother had been very active in the other major temperance organisation operating in North Grenville in those years, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

The WCTU was a very influential organisation for many reasons. Not only was it part of a worldwide network campaigning for prohibition of alcohol, it also provided women with experience of political activism at a time when there were few outlets for such interest. Like the Sons of Temperance, the WCTU gave women an equal voice in political, educational and social activism in the nineteenth century. Built, as the name suggests, on an evangelical Christian base, the WCTU learned from experience that, without the vote, women were severely limited in what they could achieve. The Union broadened its scope and worked for enfranchisement of women, better education for all classes in society, and improved working conditions for women and working class men. An illustration of how these women thought is seen in an 1899 statement: “Woman: first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of her country, last at the ballot box”. In fact,

the first time women were given even a limited vote in Ontario was in the plebiscites on prohibition. Two of the Famous Five women who won constitutional recognition of women as “persons” in the 1920's, Nellie McClung and Louise Crummy McKinnon, belonged to the WCTU. Historians refer to such activists as “evangelical feminists”, another phrase that requires a rethink of assumptions in today’s society.

T h e Te m p e r a n c e movement was not always temperate. A group of women workers tried to hold meetings in Hull and were forced to withdraw by angry and violent mobs. Nor were the violent emotions raised by temperance activism confined to the major centres. In Kemptville, the Methodist Church on Prescott Street, a centre of temperance organisation in the area, was burned down in 1888. It was a clear case of arson, but it is not known if anyone was ever charged for the crime.

One other unexpected aspect of the temperance movement was that it appears to have been carried on more by younger people.

A leader of the movement from Toronto made this point in 1898 when visiting Kemptville. He “strongly urged the desirability and need of more older people of the village joining hands with the younger people now labouring in the Division and thus help on the good work”.

Prohibition, or Temperance, as an issue, seems strange and rather illiberal to many today. But the records show that groups like the Sons of Temperance and the

11

WCTU were anything but reactionary and conservative.

They provided women with opportunities and training in activism, raised the profile of causes such as education, suffrage and working conditions in both homes and manufacturing, and put them on an equal level with men in running and directing major social and political enterprises. Analysis of the North Grenville records to date show that these two groups in particular had a major impact on society and politics throughout the nineteenth and into the early twentieth centuries. The WCTU still exists, but the Temperance Movement had passed its peak by the time the LCBO opened its doors.

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Not so foolish

Breaking the Line

Touchstone, the Duke’s jester (played by Catriona Leger) is despondent that the summer season is done so soon. Catriona will return next year as director of the Fools 2015 production.

Submitted by Mark Meyer When A COMPANY OF FOOLS wandered into Oxford Mills last Tuesday rainy night, the hamlet did bid them welcome, and did gather in numbers under shelter of roof of Maplewood Hall to view their show. And a fine show it was, with the company rising to the challenge of restaging the Shakespeare play “As You Like It” for the close quarters the hall had to offer. Erick of Dial A Chef was kept busy supplying audience members with tasty crepes, Rowan Meyer, with his bagpipes, announced loud and clear that merriment was afoot in the hall, and Glenna Hunter and Doug Hendry of the MAPYLEWOOD MINSTRELS kept things hopping with fiddle tunes accompanied by guitar. All that and the show hadn’t even started yet.

A respectable audience gathered, sixty or so strong, to add to the twenty cast, crew, volunteers, and Community Association organisers already present. Phil and Rebecca, representing the new public forum initiative PlaceSpeak, were in attendance promoting that program’s recent launch.

Two Suffolk ewes rounded off the list of attendees, making themselves comfy in a stall near the front door. They were not above adding their own commentary on the show, which all agreed was spectacular.

Staged without backdrop, the strength of the acting, and its delightful sense of playfulness and humour, rose to the fore.

Audience and actors shared in an interplay of experience that was much to the gain of both. Kazoos proclaimed the arrival of Dukes, thunder drums added their eerie rumble behind certain scenes, and sheep bleated on cue.

It really was the most fun you could have on a rainy night, and credit is due not only to the incredible talent of the players, and the tireless promotion of the organisers, but also to the show’s sponsors; the good spirit trio of OHeaphys Irish Pub, Brewing Oasis, and Blue Gypsy Wine, and Davidson Geothermal (based just across the road on Maplewood Ave).

The Fools promise to return next year.

August 20, 2014

The Voice of North Grenville

photo courtesy of Mike MacIntosh dinner in Kemptville

by Doug Hendry before, augmented by local worthies, they boarded the A part of Kemptville’s gleaming, steaming train and history disappeared last heading down to Prescott for m o n t h , u n h e r a l d e d ( I another drunken celebratory would guess) by most of dinner. Then started the long her citizens. And with that trip homeward.

The line would disappearance, her future eventually reach Bytown, also becomes less certain.

One hundred and sixty and regular service from years ago, on August 10, Kemptville into the city 1854, the railway line from became a reality. Imagine Prescott reached Kemptville how life in Kemptville and at the end of the month, would be today, were it still the first train departed. possible to catch a train and This was a special train, be in the heart of the city filled with passengers who in 30 minutes, without the had taken the steamboat hassle of parking!

Alas this was not to be, from Bytown and had a rather drunken celebratory for trains in this country

12

have, for the past century, been playing second fiddle to the internal combustion engine and the companies that now run the railroads seem completely blind to their possibilities.

Last month, CP crews tore up the rails that ran through the campus grounds and link up with the main trunk at Bedell. This month, they are tearing them up between van Buren and Hagan and along Wellington, leaving decaying timbers and scattered spikes as the only tangible memory of what was an important part of Kemptville’s history. In fact, a large impetus for the incorporation of Kemptville was to try and avoid having to pay local taxes that Oxford had promised to the construction company.

So what now? Well, CP Rail has asked an exorbitant price for the land where the rails once lay (although didn’t the citizens of Oxford help to pay for them in the first place?). This is in some way understandable. CP Rail is a business (although it seems not too interested in the railway business these days) and the land at Wellington is certainly wide enough for some developer to build more chipboard and vinyl garages with attached houses.

But the part of the track from Bridge Street to Bedell cannot be used for this purpose and should surely be sold as a separate entity and would provide an excellent multi-use path from the centre of town down to the Agroforestry

Centre at Bedell. This would keep the path of the former track available should we ever have need of it again.

Why would we ever need it again? Well I for one do not hold out much hope that the current way of life we enjoy will last too much longer into the future.

I believe that one day soon, we will regret not being able to bring goods into town by rail – and being able to commute to the outside world from Kemptville via Smiths Falls and into Ottawa.

In fact, were I a speculator, there would be no safer bet for me than to buy the old co-op on van Buren, which has a spur track of rail, and purchase the rail bed from Bridge to Bedell and sit on it. In 15 years, I believe that such an investment would pay back ten-fold. To have a warehousing/distribution operation still linkable with a national rail-line (even if it would require the re-laying of track); well, you could name your price and get it.

I walk regularly along the old rail line and think about these things. I feel saddened that this link to the outside world is broken. It seems to break faith with the past and worse, to limit our future. I wonder what those citizens of Bytown and Kemptville, feasting and celebrating such a landmark day in 1854, would have thought about the tracks one day disappearing almost without notice. They would probably scratch their heads and call us crazy.

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