Issue 39 2020 September 30 NG Times

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The Voice of North Grenville

Vol 8, NO 39

Sept 30, 2020

New COVID-19 Testing Assessment Centre opens in Kemptville WeWantto BuyYourOld Furnace.

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Beginning Thursday, September 24, 2020, North Grenville residents now have access to a community-based COVID-19 Assessment Centre, located at Bell Hall on Kemptville Campus.

Hours of operation are from Monday to Friday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm.

The North Grenville COVID-19 Assessment Centre is a collaboration of five community partners: Rideau Crossing Family Health Centre, Leeds, Lanark and Grenville Health Unit, Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service, the Municipality of North Grenville, and Kemptville District Hospital.

"I am thrilled that we have been able to pull this assessment centre together so quickly, and that our North Grenville residents now have

access to testing,” said assessment centre’s Clinical Lead, Dr Suzanne Rutherford, a family physician at Rideau Crossing Family Health Centre.

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support that we have received from local residents who want to help out in any way they can.

Many of the administrative, nursing, and cleaning staff have offered to work on their days off to make this assessment centre a reality. As with any new endeavour, we can expect to have hiccups along the way and we ask that our community be patient as we work to create the most efficient and thorough assessment centre possible," added Dr. Rutherford.

“As a partner in this initiative, we are pleased to

be helping to get the North Grenville COVID-19 Assessment Centre up and running in record time,” said Frank Vassallo, CEO of Kemptville District Hospital. “North Grenville should be proud of this community-based, primary care-driven endeavour,” he added.

“Providing additional testing capacity for our community will allow people who have symptoms, or who have been advised by public health to be tested, an opportunity to do so close to home,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “This is critical to prevent COVID-19 transmission in our community.

Working with community partners has been the key to facilitating testing in this

area.”

Testing for COVID-19 will be performed on individuals over the age of two with COVID-19 symptoms and/or close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Symptoms include cough, fever, and shortness of breath.

Time-stamped tickets will be given out upon arrival.

People are asked to leave campus until their assigned time window to return.

People wishing to be tested are to enter Kemptville Campus from College Road (off County Road 44), where they will be met by assessment centre workers and assigned a time window to return. Prior to that window, they will be directed off the

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When their time window arrives, they are to turn on to Campus Drive (off Concession Road) and park in P3 (off McPhail Street). There will be signs directing traffic. Assessment Centre clients will only be able to enter the campus from Concession Road if they have time-stamped tickets obtained at the College Road entrance.

This route has been carefully selected to reduce traffic

Reopening schools safely matters to everyone That’s why the government of Ontario has worked with health officials, school boards and educators to develop a comprehensive plan to keep kids and staff safe.

A Lifesaver

by Paul Rochon In 2012, Sutherland was just over fifty. He followed medical advice by having a colonoscopy. Two polyps were removed and found non-cancerous. At the time, it was recommended he should have the same procedure in eight years time. In January of this year he had his second colonoscopy at the Kemptville District Hospital.

Again, polyps were found but this time, unfortunately, one of the polyps was found to be malignant. After several consultations with his physician and surgeons, the best course of action to beat the cancer was to remove part of the large colon, specifically the ascending colon, which is located just above the junction of the small and large colon.

The surgery took place on

• Physical distancing measures will be implemented such as desk separation, signs, floor markings and one-way hallways.

• Face coverings will be required for staff and students in Grades 4-12.

• Hand hygiene will be enabled with hand sanitizer and hand washing.

• More nurses will be in schools.

• School cleaning will be enhanced.

The Voice of North Grenville around the schools situated at the Kemptville Campus.

Additional security will also be on site to support the flow of cars and people. [See accompanying map] “Council has been acutely aware of the need for a COVID-19 testing centre in North Grenville, and are pleased to support this communitybased assessment centre,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford.

“We appreciate the patience and collaboration of school board partners, families, students and other campus ten-

ants”.

For more information about the North Grenville COVID-19 Assessment Centre visit: www.northgrenville. ca/coronavirus.

For information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, or test results, call the Health Unit at 1-800-6605853, or visit https://healthunit.org/health-information/ covid-19/assessment-testingresults/.

Please see page 20 for map of Covid Centre in Kemptville

July 21 at the Ottawa General Hospital using the less invasive technique of laparoscopy.

While in the recovery room, his blood pressure dramatically dropped. It was determined Sutherland was bleeding internally. After losing four units (almost two litres) of blood, he was near death.

All of his veins had collapsed.

He was rushed into surgery where he was operated on and given four units of blood. The source of the bleeding could not be found. The day after surgery, he required an additional blood transfusion of one unit. He remained in the hospital for a week.

Sutherland thinks he came close to death. His body had gone into shock after the heavy blood loss. Internal bleeding from the laparoscopy is unusual, but to have

blood available for him when it was required saved his life.

Sutherland is most appreciative of all the blood donors that were his lifesavers.

He added: “Without them, I would not be talking to you today”. He is now home in Kemptville enjoying retirement living with his wife on the way to a full recovery.

When medical procedures don’t go as planned, it is comforting to know blood is there, should the need arise. Donors saved Sutherland’s life simply by giving up an hour of their time to donate. You can help save lives too by becoming a blood donor. There is a Blood Donor Clinic in Kemptville every first Monday of each month. Become part of Canada’s Lifeline. To book an appointment go to blood. ca, or call 1-888-2 DONATE .

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Sept. 30, 2020

2

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

On behalf of Joyce Wilson and family

Now that we’ve had a little while to breathe, we want to send out a HUGE thank you! Our community, friends and colleagues are amazing! All of the comments/messages, cards, baskets, food and phone calls were so kind. To see the turnout for Howard’s processions, from the streets being lined, to all those that came to join in, was truly heart warming.

The firefighters and tow operators sure brought peace of mind, knowing Howard got exactly what he wanted! Thank you all

so much for everything you did!

A few special mentions are needed.

North Grenville Fire Service and all the firefighters who helped give Howard the most amazing send off.

Howard was so proud to stand along side of you and would be beaming watching over!

Julia O’Grady from ITM Events in all your planning.

You were a true life saver and we are so grateful to have had you along side us through a difficult time!

Bob Beshara, Class Axe

Johnny Etheridge and Bill Ewing for standing guard with Howard.

And all the people who have watched videos and shared in our time of mourning.

He will he missed by so many, but especially our family. He was a kind, overgiving comedian. His witty one liners while sitting in his chair in his overalls will be remembered by many!

We ask you to continue to share your favourite stories, stop by for visits, and always remember what a true gem he was.

Thank you again to everyone! We couldn’t have done it without all of you.

Guitars for providing the tent, PA and piano! Howard may not have gotten in for his guitar lesson, but he was proud to call you a friend!

Municipality of North Grenville for allowing us to use the college campus to hold Howard’s service!

Ron Donnelly for your amazing music! Playing Howard’s favourite songs brought us to happy tears!

Rev Randy Jansen and Rev Arnold MacLauchlan for taking part in delivering Howard’s Service!

Rev William Morehouse for speaking and the music!

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CARP commends federal government CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons), on behalf of its over 320,000 members across Canada, commends the Government for including seniors in Governor General Julie Payette’s Speech from the Throne.

Given the devastating toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on older people across the country, it’s critical that solutions to support seniors be at the forefront of planning Canada’s economic recovery.

In particular, CARP was appreciative of the government’s commitment to help people age safely at home and to establish national standards for long-term care in collaboration with provincial / territorial governments.

Better support for front line care workers, and acknowl-

edgement of their essential service in caring for vulnerable seniors, was also mentioned—a step CARP has been advocating for in the wake of the recent deaths in care homes. The speech also promised an accelerated plan to national universal pharmacare. However, details around all issues including the promised increases to OAS and the CPP Survivor’s Benefit were frustratingly vague and repeated the message we’ve been receiving for months.

“The impact of COVID-19 on our older population has been immeasurable,” says Bill VanGorder, CARP’s Chief Policy Officer. “Seniors in every corner of our society are at significant risk in many ways—poor mental health from social isolation, financial insecurity and the obvious threats to their health are at the top of the list of urgent issues the government needs

to act on now as we plan our path forward as a nation.

We’re relieved to see some of these concerns reflected in today’s speech.”

Over the course of the pandemic, CARP has been consistently lobbying for urgent action on priority issues affecting older adults, including: A substantive investment in home and community care to keep vulnerable seniors safe at home and promote healthy aging in place The promised increase to Old Age Security by 10% for people 75 and older and Canada Pension Plan Survivor Benefit by 25% for people 65 and older.

Greater protections from insolvency for defined-benefit pension plans Increased financial support for unpaid family caregivers, making the Canada Caregiver Tax Credit refund-

able or a rebate and a drop-out provision of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for full-time caregivers who have had to leave work A comprehensive Dementia Care Strategy A fully-funded vaccine program for all seniors, including the best, most effective vaccinations for influenza, shingles and pneumonia Universal, comprehensive and evidence-based pharmacare “These are the things that matter most to our members,” says Bill VanGorder. “Real issues affecting real people in every part of Canada. A true commitment to protecting our aging population means taking real steps to address these concerns, and it needs to start at the top with the federal government.”

For more information on CARP’s advocacy visit www.

CARP.ca.

the north grenville

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Editorial

The North Grenville Times

Where do I begin?

by David Shanahan More and more, recently, I’ve been thinking about one of my favourite lines from movies. This one is from 1970's Love Story, where Jennifer Cavilerri says: “I’m not talking legality, Preppie, I’m talking ethics”. And the reason I’ve been thinking about this line is that it seems to me to sum up my reaction to so much that’s going on in the world these days. For example, there are many people who are demanding their right not to wear a mask. There are high school students in Kemptville who are hanging around in groups with no social distancing and no face masks. It may not be technically illegal to do so, but it is definitely not ethical.

More and more, it seems, people are standing on their rights, ignoring the effect on others, and neglecting to consider their responsibili-

ties. Ethics, integrity, honour: all seem attributes that are not much in vogue. To be honest, I am really tired of hearing people complain about the restrictions imposed on us all because of the pandemic.

Of course, it is not a happy situation. No-one wants it, and very few are enthusiastic about having to remain isolated, restricted and forced to deal with something they don’t really believe affects them.

I would love to be able to get back to Ireland and visit with my mother on her 96th birthday. But I can’t. I’m not allowed. We all have stories and complaints like that. But I am reminded constantly about those we call “The Greatest Generation”, those who lived through the Second World War. They had to deal with loss, danger, grief, fear, and all the other horrible results of war. And they did that for six years, not six or seven months, like we’ve had since

The Voice of North Grenville

covid-19 reared its ugly head.

Even more than that, they dealt with war after almost a decade of the Great Depression. How on earth can we yell and scream that we’ve had enough of restrictions after a few months?

Are your personal rights and freedoms really so threatened and disrupted by wearing a mask to protect your friends and neighbours from infection? Even if you don’t believe masks work, what’s the harm in keeping others from needless worry and fear? We all have rights; but we all also have responsibilities as members of a civilised community. And the fact is that, the more we emphasise our rights over our responsibilities, the less civilised our society becomes.

The pandemic has reinforced the power of conspiracy theories, converted the more gullible that the world is really being run by secret groups of Jews, celebrities

and politicians who like to abduct children and drink their blood. Really? Are we that stupid? Are we that ignorant of history?

Because this is not new.

These lies have been circulating for centuries, sometimes leading to the most heinous anti-Semitic atrocities. The Holocaust was built on the QAnon lies and claims, long before that nasty group existed. Think about this: if the Jews were running the world, secretly and with malice, why were they subject to such persecutions and genocide?

But that’s just one aspect of the problem. Rights and responsibilities. Integrity and honour. Losing them, we lose more than we know. There has to be such things in our world if we are not to retreat into more profound cynicism, more disillusionment with the way things are. There is real need for a renewal of faith in one another, for value to be returned to truthfulness,

surge in crime, which leads to the question: ‘just why these people are being incarcerated in the first place”? I read an article recently on the Toronto South Detention Centre, in which the situation was so bad that the Ontario Supreme Court has characterised conditions there as “Inhumane, and fail to comport with basic standards of human decency”.

We have every right to be outraged that our town is being used to expand a failed and inhumane correctional system.

Building new jails is an admission of failure in controlling the system. The money being put aside for this would be better spent on restoring funding to social programs, such as crime prevention, mental health, workers education, etc., that keep people out of jail in the first place.

If Ford cared about keeping communities safe, if he cared about basic humane treatment inside our institutions, if he cared about good financial stewardship, new

jails would not be built in anybody’s back yard. But Ford has admitted that he is looking at this complex to fuel, in part, our economic recovery.

It is all about money.

Personally, I am more in tune with the opinions of your correspondents, Colleen Lynas and Veronique Roy, inasmuch as it is also about our quality of life, and what this prison is going to do in degrading it, particularly with it being built just across the road from the Kemptville Campus, in which so much of our time and energy has already been invested.

Then, when you factor in that this building is being located on prime farmland, and that there is a major concern regarding the lack of infrastructure in place to service this facility, you have to wonder just what Ford and Clark were thinking.

Colin Creasey Kemptville

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, After I had got over my initial outrage at the arrogance and high-handed way in which Ford and Clark had handled the jail announcement, my next thought was “welcome to the perils of a safe seat”. I have read with interest the views of supporters of this government, for whom taxes and property values seem to be paramount, and can’t help but notice that these same people remain silent when the Ford government decides to do similar anti-democratic, anti-social and anti-environmental things to others. This is what happens when you don’t hold governments to account. Our chickens have indeed come home to roost.

They aren’t wrong to be concerned about taxes. After all, it was a Harris Conservative government that downloaded police costs from the province onto municipalities, (and a few other things as well), so no doubt there will be some fiscal price to pay there. When these people complain about municipal

taxes, they might want to remember that they were complicit, having supported a government that does these sort of things.

This seems to be a mantra of Conservative governments, cutting programs to save taxes, or dumping them onto municipalities, though they seldom tell you that last part when campaigning for election. We still end up paying for it, one way or another.

Cuts in support services not only cost jobs, they force the poor and the disadvantaged among us into desperate situations whereby they make poor decisions, and end up on the wrong side of the law. We then end up paying far more to incarcerate them than we would in supporting them.

That is both unfair and counterproductive.

It is interesting that, in order to reduce the chances of Covid 19 outbreaks in our prisons, hundreds of inmates, mostly those who have been accused of minor crimes, have been released on bail.

There has been absolutely no

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Editor David Shanahan david@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

613.258.3493 4

It is my firm belief that society has come to a crisis point. It can continue on its present path to cynicism, selfishly demanding rights and privileges at the expense of others; or we can decide that we aspire to being more than that, more honourable, more caring of others, more patient in adversity. If we can pull our heads away from screens full of rumour, gossip and falsehoods, and take a look around us to see where we can help, then we have a chance of surviving this drift into meanspirited, selfish, divisiveness.

Does this sound naive and foolish? Perhaps. But we’ve seen this befall other cultures, other societies in history. It is not a pleasant record, not a place we would want to end up. But it is up to us, each of us, to do the right thing, to ask the question raised in that other famous quote: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country, or community, or friends, or strangers. It’s up to us.

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Dear Editor, By the time the next edition of your paper gets published, I expect this note will be one of many commending Pippa Wright on her balanced and fact-based insight, derived from firsthand experience.

Chicken Little need not live in Kemptville.

Wayne Brown, Kemptville

The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc.

24 Prescott St., Kemptville WGP@wgpcas.ca

Sept. 30, 2020

principle, and even sacrifice.

There’s another favourite saying, this one by the Irish orator, Edmund Burke: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. We have seen the truth of that in the U.S. Yes, I believe Trump and everything he stands for leads to evil, and his success is largely due to good men in the Republican Party doing nothing. Never has the integrity and honour of John McCain been missed so much. But even in our own country, with our own local representative in Ottawa, there has been a decision to follow cynical and divisive ways, and to ignore the hypocrisy that requires.

The other newspaper in this area has recently published an article by our reporter, without crediting the Times. Not illegal, Preppie, but definitely not ethical.

Metroland Media have many reporters in many regions, although their commitment to this community has practically ceased. But you would think that they could find one or two reporters of their own, instead of “borrowing” ours.

Once again, honour and integrity: where have they gone?

Accounting cfo@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

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TIMES

Staff Reporter Hilary Thomson hilary@ngtimes.ca

production@ngtimes.ca 613.215.0735

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

SD&G OPP INVESTIGATING SERIOUS ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Crime Unit is continuing to investigate a serious assault with a weapon that occurred on Spruce Drive in North Dundas Township.

On September 17, 2020, shortly after 6:00 p.m., SD&G OPP responded to an assault where one adult male approached an adult female victim and assaulted her with an edged weapon. The individual then fled the scene fled the location on a red bicycle.

Further information has been received in the course of the investigation. Details of incident described as the following: Approximately height : 165cm (5'5") to 170cm (5'7") Approximately weight: 73kg (160 lbs), slim individual.

Approximate age: 50 to 60 years old.

Caucasian male Facial hair Believed to be wearing: blue shirt, blue pants, blue canvas sneakers.

Last seen on Spruce Road, &

Marionville Road in North Dundas Township.

Last seen operating a 10 speed bicycle believed to be red in color, with possible silver, handlebars that are straight, not curved like most 10 speeds. Last seen traveling north on Spruce road.

The SD&G Crime Unit, with the assistance of the East Region Crime unit, are continuing to investigate and requesting the public's assistance in identifying this suspect.

OPP are looking for any witnesses, who may have seen or recognize the individual in the sketch. Investigators are also looking for anyone who traveled that roadway(or surrounding area) between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. that day who may have an on-board camera in their vehicle.

Police are continuing to canvass the area and review video footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact SD&G OPP to speak with the investigating officers at 1-888310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at www. seawayvalleycrimestoppers. ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

OH DEER! OPP WARNS DRIVERS TO BE WATCHFUL Minimize your chance of a wildlife collision The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging all motorists not to veer for wildlife after responding to multiple car/ deer collisions.

"If you spot a deer or other animal on the road ahead, stay in control, reduce your speed as much as possible and steer straight", says Inspector Dave Tovell, OPP Manager of Traffic and Marine Programs in East Region. "Don't veer for deer. By changing your direction quickly, you increase the risk of losing control, running off the roadway and rolling your vehicle. This increases the likelihood of sustaining greater damage to your vehicle and serious injury."

Some other helpful hints to ensure a safe journey during this time of year are as follows: • Scan the ditches and not just the road ahead of you. You may spot deer or other wildlife approaching the road and be able to take precautions.

• Where you see one deer, expect more.

• Slow down. The slower you go, the more time you have to react should you encounter any wildlife on the roadway.

• Wildlife can move across roads at any time of the day or night.

• Watch for glowing eyes at night.

• Don't veer for animals. Reduce your speed quickly, steer straight and stay in control.

• Don't be distracted behind the wheel.

• Ensure you are wearing your seatbelt. If you need to stop in a hurry, you want your body restrained to prevent unnecessary injury or possibly death.

Road safety is everyone's responsibility. Please, stay safe.

Sept.30, 2020

UPDATE UPDATE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

The Municipality has created a dedicated webpage for updates related to COVID-19 (www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus)

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETING October 06, 2020 at 6:30 pm

OPP Report DRIVER CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED

On September 16, 2020, at around 10:30 p.m. Grenville officers from the OPP responded to a motor vehicle collision on Smith Road, North Grenville Township.

Upon Police arrival a vehicle was located off the road in the treeline. The driver had superficial injuries and after a brief investigation was arrested and taken to a nearby hospital for an evaluation.

A male, aged 32, from Kelowna, British Columbia, was charged with Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs - Criminal Code (CC) s.320.14(1)(a); and Failure or refusal to comply with demand – CC s.320.15(1).

The accused was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on October 9, 2020.

OPP are reminding the public that a 90 day automatic drivers licence suspension and a seven day impoundment of your vehicle accompanies any impaired driving charge. The Grenville County OPP remains committed to reducing impaired driving. Your help is requested in assisting with keeping our roads safe. If you suspect a driver is impaired call 911. You could be responsible for saving a life.

MISCHIEF On September 19, 2020 at around 9:30 p.m. Grenville officers from the OPP received a mischief complaint on Prescott Street with regards to damage to a mobility scooter. Police spoke with the owner who advised that at some point that afternoon soil, cat litter and an unknown substance had been poured on to the seat of the scooter.

The investigation is ongoing at this point.

SINGLE MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION On September 20, 2020, at around 4:00 a.m. Grenville officers from the OPP responded to a report of a single motor vehicle collision on Highway 416 southbound just north of the Spencerville exit. A witness reported the vehicle had left the paved portion of the road and rolled the vehicle in the median of the Highway. The driver was ejected from the SUV as they had not been wearing their seatbelt. The driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

If you have any information on the above investigations or any other please contact Grenville OPP on 1-888310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-(TIPS) 8477 or submit your tip on-line at www.tipsubmit.com. Crime Stoppers does not want your name, you don't go to court, and you could earn cash reward.

While members of the public are invited to attend the meeting, seating has been arranged to facilitate physical distancing and accordingly is limited. Pre-registration at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca is required. Persons arriving without pre-registering will be accommodated where there is sufficient seating capacity to permit attendance while complying with safety protocols. All attendees will be required to self-screen and masks must be worn when physical distancing cannot be maintained. If you require accommodation, please advise the Clerk when pre-registering so that we may best assist you.

This meeting will be live streamed at https://www. northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-andminutes.

Comments on the agenda may be submitted to the Clerk on or before noon on the day of the meeting.

PLANNING PUBLIC MEETING – Wednesday, October 14 at 6:30 pm -Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment –Patterson’s Corners -Site-Plan–382 Townline Road, ERA Cannabis **NOTE: Those wishing to speak at the October 14, 2020 Public Meeting must pre-register with the Municipality by noon on October 14, 2020, by sending an e-mail to amartin@ northgrenville.on.ca. Alternatively, members of the public can provide written submissions ahead of the Public Meeting to the same e-mail address.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS Community Economic Development Advisory Committee – Monday, October 5 at 3:00 pm Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee – Tuesday, October 6 at 4:00 pm Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – Thursday, October 8 at 4:15 pm Health Wellness & Fitness Advisory Committee – Tuesday, October 13 at 4:00 pm **NOTE: Committee Meetings are being conducted electronically via Microsoft Teams. Should you wish to participate in the meeting or have any questions, please contact the Committee Clerk (jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca) by 2:00 pm the day of the meeting for instructions to access the meeting. Any deputations can be e-mailed and will be read aloud to the Committee and will be made part of the public record.

NORTH GRENVILLE MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS The Municipal Office is open to the public between the hours of 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Residents and businesses can continue to access Municipal services by phone, email and online. For more information visit www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus.

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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The North Grenville Times

New public health measures implemented In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and other health experts, the Ontario government has amended order O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, to tighten public health measures in response to the recent rise in cases of COVID-19.

Over the past five weeks, Ontario has experienced an increase in the rate of new COVID-19 cases. Private social gatherings continue to be a significant source of transmission in many local communities, along with outbreak clusters in restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments, including strip clubs, with most cases in the 20-39 age group. To ensure the continued health and safety of Ontarians, reduce the risk of transmission, and limit future outbreaks of COVID-19, the amended order came into effect provincewide on Saturday, September 26 and will:

Apply additional measures and restrictions to restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (including nightclubs) by prohibiting the sale of alcohol after 11 p.m., and prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on the premises after 12:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. (including employees), and requiring establishments to close by 12:00 a.m. and remain closed until 5:00 a.m. except for takeout or delivery; Close all strip clubs across the province; and Require businesses or organizations to comply with any advice, recommendations, and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening for COVID-19.

"Last week our government took immediate action to respond to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, by setting new limits for certain social gatherings and organized public events across Ontario.

As the number of cases have continued to rise, it is evident that despite the tremendous efforts of Ontarians further

The Voice of North Grenville

KYC Golf Tournament raises funds

action is required to prevent the spread of the virus," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

"On the advice of Ontario's public health officials, we are moving forward with these measures to help keep Ontarians safe by limiting the potential for exposure in locations where the current risk of transmission is higher, and to avoid future lockdowns. Protecting the health and wellbeing of Ontarians will always remain our top priority."

In addition, the province will work with the municipal sector and other partners to encourage increased enforcement of existing businesses, facilities, workplaces, etc. to comply with all public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in the Stage 3 regulation.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts continue to closely monitor the evolving situation to advise if public health measures need to be further tightened.

The Kemptville Youth Centre’s 2020 Golf Tournament at Rideau Glen on September 25 was well attended with 72 golfers taking part. The event raised funds and was a lot of fun.

Picture shows KYC Bruce Wehlau presenting winning team prize to Jack Jansen, Rhett Maclean, Carter O’Brien, Hudson Urquhart.

By cancelling the Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Nationview Golf Course this year in support of the fight against the Covid-19 Pandemic, all are encouraged to reach out and support the following businesses who contribute to our charitable endeavors.

Baird’s Water Conditioning Canadian Tire Dr. Leonard & Dr. Evans Hulse, Playfair & McGarry Rekmans Automotive Falsetto Landscaping Fast Eddie's Diner Ferguson Forest First Stop Rentals Back in Motion Gord Robins Electric Body & Sole Grahame's Bakery Brigadoon Restaurant Harvex Byers Funeral Home The Heat Source Castleview Fine Dining Hoffman Materials Classic Graphics Howard Wilson Motors Coco Paving Hudson Auto Body The Co-operators Jansen Law Dentistry @ Kemptville JB & FB Enterprises Drew Reynolds Car Wash John Carkner, Sue Barnes, Elmer & Kim Whetung Royal LePage Jonsson's Independent 43 Autoworks B & B Small Engines B & H Your Community Grocery

416 Tire Service Back on Track Brewed Awakenings Bulk Barn CAA Dr. Eamon, Optometrist E B Sales and Service Five Star Restaurant

Connie Lamble Law Office Kemptville Smiles Dentistry

Kemptville Bowling Alley Kemptville Suites Kemptville Windows & Kitchens Kinnear Construction KrisAlis Inc. Manotick Dental Clinic McGahey Insurance Myers Motors Kemptville North Grenville Times O'Farrell Financial Patterson Hadden & Brown Pixel Eye Centre Randy’s Performance Automotive Laurier Optical Lesley Wilson Ottawa Fastener Supply Pete & Sue Baribeau Pure Hair Design Quintan Products Reis Equipment Rideau Auctions

The Flower Shop Giant Tiger Hair Dynamics J.T. Auto Parts Jac's Boutique Kemptville Animal Hospital Kemptville Family Restaurant Kemptville Home Hardware

RB Heating Climate Care RONA (KBC) R. Rose Automotive Sauve Heating Sheila Pratt, Ron Littau, Royal LePage Solution One Financial Sugold Jewellery Surgenor Barrhaven Tackaberry Construction Thomas M. Byrne - Solicitor Timely Touchups - Sheds Trojan Acres Studio Valley Sanitation Services Weiner's Chip Wagon Rush Truck Centres Shoeless Joe's Spa Jada Esthetic Centre TLC Medical TSC Store Turffer Inc Westerra Homes Willis Kerr Contracting

The Knights of Columbus are dedicated to supporting our community and are looking forward with confidence to your continued generosity.

Sept. 30, 2020

6

The North Grenville Times

More prison details from Steve Clark’s office The following letter was sent to local resident, Ron Patterson, in response to his letter to Steve Clark regarding the proposed prison for Kemptville. It contains more detail than we have heard up to now, and refutes some of the rumours that have been circulating.

Good afternoon, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you very much for your email and inquiry to MPP Clark regarding the new correctional facility announced for North Grenville.

You are correct with regard to the 180-acre parcel of provincially owned land on which the facility will be built. However, please understand that there will be a robust public consultation process before any shovels go into the ground.

The site was chosen after an extensive review by the Ministry of the Solicitor General as part of the government's modernization strategy for the corrections and justice system in Eastern Ontario. The Kemptville location is part of the province’s surplus property inventory.

Building the complex on this site provides good value for taxpayers as it avoids the need to purchase privately owned land elsewhere.

The facility would have inmates over the age of 18 who fall under the following: Those serving sentences under two years. Those on remand awaiting trial or sentencing. Those being held for an immigration hearing or deportation.

This is not a maximum security institution, as that is a designation in the federal prison system for inmates serving lengthy sentences after being convicted of the most serious offences. As a modern, publicly run correctional facility staffed by the finest corrections officers anywhere, security will be stringent.

As MPP Clark has stated, in the design, construction and operation of this stateof-the-art facility, the safety of residents and staff will be his top priority. Finally, with regard to the Burritt's Rapids site, as I mentioned above, the government conducted a thorough search and determined the location announced was the most appropriate. Thank you again for taking the time to write and MPP Clark looks forward to the public consultation process, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks by the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

Community Living North Grenville unveils new affordable housing complex

Sept.30, 2020

lege across the road has been made, it's too late. Once all of this has happened, it's too late for the town. And so that is why consultation ahead of time, real consultation is important. Pre-decision consultation is absolutely necessary.

Now, if a large number of people decided this wasn't going to happen, we could organize. And I think there would be a very good chance that, given the amount of noise and the amount of discomfort we could apply to them to the political level, who knows? I think there would be a chance that this could be taken back.

If we bring forward sufficient points and argue them, well, I would suspect that we could put up enough pressure on our council. Our council, I don't think, is representing the town very well on this, but we could put enough pressure on our council to stand up for us, and we could put enough pressure on the province to give us some slack on some of these. For example, who's going to pay for the waste water system that's going to have to be built and maintained, not

$880 for a two-bedroom apartment. As of September 1, 10 out of the 11 units were rented, and Sandra says there is already a long waitlist.

Although the project was spearheaded and will be managed by Community Living North Grenville, it was made possible through a nearly $1.5 million investment from the Federal and Provincial governments. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, MPP Steve Clark, local MP Michael Barrett, Warden of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Pat Sayeau, and North Grenville Mayor Peckford were all on hand on Friday to mark the occasion.

“There is no better feeling when you come to an affordable housing project like this one, and for people to see it in their eyes the fact that they

can call those units home,” Minister Clark said. “I know that’s something that I think Community Living North Grenville and I share. This is a wonderful opportunity for a number of residents who have been waiting a long time to have a facility like this.”

Mayor Peckford said she was thrilled to be there along with the other local dignitaries and partners to celebrate the opening of the Jack Street complex. She knows there is no doubt that North Grenville is facing an acute need for affordable housing of all kinds. The results of council’s mayoral task force on affordable housing made over 18 recommendations, all of which are focused on creating the conditions for more private and public builders to expand housing options in the Municipality. North Grenville is looking towards several more projects in the future, including a Habitat for Humanity build, which will expand affordable housing even more.

“I think that’s why this project means so much, because it’s part of the path we need to go down to ensure that people, seniors, families, or those facing significant mental health, economic, or health crisis aren’t forced out of the community unnecessarily,” she said.

been so good to have all of that information, including what I will call so-called information, coming from our government before a decision was made.

And one last thing would be: if you're interested and motivated to oppose this and you want to get some ideas on what to do and work with others who are going to do something about it, I would ask you

to contact me at my Website, or by email. And then you will become a member of the group called JOG, Jail Opposition Group. If you're motivated to do that, I spoke earlier of getting up and doing something. We're getting up and we're doing something and we need recruits. So if you're interested, I await your e-mails. jim jaybert12@ yahoo.com.

L-R - MP Micheal Barrett, CLNG Executive Director Sandra McNamara, Minister Steve Clark, Mayor Nancy Peckford, and Warden Pat Sayeau

gated homes, and we wanted to make it inclusive for everyone,” she said.

The development, built

by Lockwood Brothers Construction, is a mix of newly constructed townhomes and a renovated duplex, including one-, two- and three-bedroom units. There are nine barrierfree units, three of which are wheelchair accessible and feature wider doorways, roll in showers, and lower counters and switches. The development is located in a park-like setting, with mature trees and a community gazebo. The cost for the units is set up as 80% of the market rent, as defined by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, on an annual basis.

This works out to about

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Community Living North Grenville [CLNG] unveiled their new 11-unit affordable housing complex on Friday at 224 Jack Street in downtown Kemptville. CLNG Executive Director, Sandra McNamara, stated that, in taking on this project, their hope was to provide the people they support with an affordable place to live, but also to extend the opportunity to others in the community looking for affordable housing.

“Although we support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to advance our mission and vision of inclusion we did not want any otherwise segre-

Consultations? What consultations?

The NG Times spoke with Jim Bertram recently, as part of our Conversations with... series of podcasts. The topic was, naturally, the proposed prison, and the full podcast can be found on our website at www.ngtimes.ca. Here are excerpts, in which Jim discusses the issue of public consultations: I believe the government of the people owes it the people to include them in decision making. To include people in decision making involves real, true consultation. It does not include, basically, an announcement that a decision has been made which will have an impact on the future of the people without their having any input whatsoever. And just to make it clear: input, call it consultation, if you will, has to happen before a decision is made. If that happens after, it is two things: mere information, and window dressing.

Because, once it's built, once it's here, it's too late.

Once that land has been used, it's too late. Once the impact on the schools and on the col-

The Voice of North Grenville

called consultations, which aren't consultations. But the point is, if enough people are there, enough people who are as direct as I am. And I ask you to be at least that direct, and not let your natural good manners lead you to sit back and be quiet. You could be handing out fliers. You can be doing a petition of some kind, electronic or otherwise.

So this is something that requires your motivation, your authentic motivation, and your imagination and your energy. If you don't have those things, you simply won't be effective. And if we are not effective as a community, as a group, not just one person or two, as a community, if we're not effective, if we can't make Mr. Clark think twice about this and say "I better go and see the boss about reworking this thing”, well, enjoy your new prison, folks, because that's what you're going to get, and you're going to get all of the stuff that comes with it.

We have to look at really legitimate information. And, you know, it would have

just one shot, but over the years? Is the province going to come with a yearly sum adjusted for inflation to help with that? Are they going to help with your drinking water? Are they going to make sure that that is guaranteed?

Are they going to help with your additional costs in policing? And will they make sure that the police have instructions not to go off down to the 416 to do their patrols?

Are they going to do all that?

Now what do we do? And the number of things you can do ranges from having a Facebook presence, a significant one that teaches opposition, and not just opposition, but thoughtful opposition. You can be writing to The Times, which is a local democratic point of focus. Lots of very interesting ideas go through there. You can produce materials summarizing your argument, have them photocopied and distribute them in your neighborhood. You can have neighborhood meetings, electronically. You can pay attention to any of the meetings that are coming up, the so-

7

There is a new podcast available on our website. Given the growing opposition to the proposed prison for Kemptville, we talked with Jim Bertram, ex-municipal Councillor and community activist, about the arguments he raises and the research he has done on the issue of prisons and their impact on the community. The question of public consultation, or lack thereof, is a major feature of our conversation. Go to www. ngtimes.ca to listen to the entire conversation. www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

South Nation Conservation Indigenous and environmental partners plant trees for reconciliation holds Online Art Auction for Local Tree Planting

South Nation Conservation (SNC) will be holding an online silent art auction called “Art for Trees” in October to help raise funds for local tree planting.

Over a dozen pieces of environmental-themed artwork have been donated by local artists for the auction, including (but not limited to) the works of Carrie Keller of Winchester, Carey’s Carving in Russell, Laura Stevens of Finch, Aleta Karstad of North Grenville, Paul Schibli of Russell, Ina Schneider of Cornwall, and the late artist and entertainer Ronald Leonard of Toronto.

All funds raised will go towards helping SNC reach its milestone goal of planting over 200,000 trees across its 4,441 squarekilometer watershed jurisdiction in Eastern Ontario next spring.

Since 1990, SNC has planted more than 3.4 million trees across its watershed thanks to community and municipal partnerships and fundraising initiatives.

The most trees ever planted by the Conservation Authority in a single year was

Project partners pictured onsite, September 23. Front row, left to right: Melanie Brook (Enbridge), John Sanna (OPG), Scott Jackson (Forests Ontario), Chief Wendy Jocko (Algonquins of Pikwakanagan). Second row, left to right: Matt Mulvihill (OPG), Chris Craig (SNC), Larry McDermott (Plenty Canada) Back row, left to right: Curtis Scurr (Assembly of First Nations), Stephen Sliwa (UCDSB), Bill Montgomery (UCDSB).

On September 23, over 250 culturally significant native trees were planted on the traditional territories of the Algonquin and Mohawk First Nations in Shanly, Ontario to form “The Healing Place”.

Twenty-five community and First Nations partners gathered to plant the trees, and learn and share traditional knowledge, mark a step towards cross-cultural dialogue, and create and maintain a healing space.

This partnership journey to reconciliation involved Plenty Canada, the Mohawks of Akwesasne, Algonquin First Nations, South Nation Conservation (SNC), Forests Ontario, Ontario Power Generation; and was sponsored

by the Assembly of First Nations, TD Bank Group, Enbridge Gas, and Ontario Power Generation.

A variety of native potted and caliper-sized trees and shrubs were planted, including oak, hickory, maple, nut, and fruit trees. The planting took place on one of SNC’s newly acquired properties in the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal. The site is traditional First Nations territory, and its grasslands are home to several species at risk including the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark.

The Conservation Authority has plans to undertake additional restoration work at the property to help protect its natural legacy, increase

Franco-Ontarians can request new ID

The Ontario government is to make more government services available in French by adding French Language Characters, such as accents (e.g. ç, è, é, ê, ë), to driver's licence cards and Ontario Photo Cards. This initiative is a first step in the province's plan to make French characters available on all Ontario government products.

"I am so proud to announce on Franco-Ontario Day that our government is adding French language characters to more provincial documents, beginning with driver's licences and photo cards," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister

of Transportation. "Ontario's Francophone community will now see their identity reflected in these products through the use of proper French spelling and characters. This demonstrates our government's ongoing commitment to supporting Ontario's Francophonie."

Since Monday, September 28, for the first time, FrancoOntarians are able to request a free replacement driver's licence or Ontario Photo Card displaying their name using French Language Characters.

"Ontario is among the first provinces in Canada to offer French Language Characters on driver's licences and photo

the north grenville

TIMES Shannon Lever

Marketing Consultant Phone 613.791.8317 Email: shannon@ngtimes.ca

Sept. 30, 2020

biodiversity, and protect the local environment.

The idea for a local Reconciliation Climate Change Planting started at the 2019 Climate Change Summit hosted by the Assembly of First Nations in Whitehorse, Yukon, where those in attendance made a commitment to offset their carbon emissions by planting trees.

The project partners have worked diligently since the beginning of 2020 to carry out this commitment and create an event at the intersection of connections to land, ecological restoration, and truth and reconciliation.

roughly 190,000 in 1993.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, several of SNC’s in-person fundraising events, including its annual charity golf tournament, were cancelled this year.

These fundraising events have also previously funded environmental education programs for local youth and property upgrades at public Conservation Areas.

SNC is close to reaching its 2021 tree planting goal: over 140,000 trees are currently reserved for projects next spring; but the Conservation Authority is looking for a push past the finish line and hopes the Art for Trees auction can help plant more trees.

“A portion of our annual operating budget is made up of self-generated revenue and fundraising,” explains Taylor Campbell, SNC’s Communications Specialist. “The local arts community has been extremely supportive of this initiative, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with them to break a new tree planting record.”

Starting October 1, residents can visit

www.32auctions.com/artfortrees to view available artwork; bidding will take place online from October 8th to 29th. More information and a full list of participating artists can also be found by visiting www. nation.on.ca/artfortrees.

Taylor Campbell notes that it is not too late for interested artists to submit a donation. “This is a unique opportunity to promote your artwork and raise funds to plant more trees in your community,” he adds. Paintings, photographs, drawings, and woodworking projects are being accepted. Those interested can contact SNC at info@nation.on.ca or 1-877-984-2948.

Anonymous cash donations can also be made to the Conservation Authority anytime online at www. nation.on.ca/donate or by calling 1-877-984-2948.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Taylor Campbell, Communications Specialist, 1-877-984-2948, tcampbell@nation.on.ca.

Grand Opening mental health supports and services

cards," said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. "We will continue working with our partners to make French Language Characters available on additional products delivered

by ServiceOntario."

People who want to add French Language Characters to their documents are encouraged to consider delaying their visit until they need to renew their driver's licence or photo card to help reduce crowding and long wait times.

Customers will be required to visit a ServiceOntario centre with supporting identification documents to request their new ID. The government continues to ask the public to only visit a ServiceOntario centre if necessary and follow all public health measures such as physical distancing, wearing a face covering, and thorough and frequent hand washing. For the list of acceptable identification documents to update your driver’s licence, please visit drivetest.ca/licences/iddocuments.html.

The Board of Management of the Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA) are proud to announce the grand opening of Courtney James Counselling and Psychotherapy on the second floor at 210 Prescott Street in Downtown Kemptville.

Courtney James Counselling and Psychotherapy offers a variety of mental health supports and services including counselling and psychotherapy. They offer individual therapy, couples and family therapy and foster care and adoption therapy. They take the utmost care when considering your emotional, physical and spiritual well-being, your trauma experiences and current life influences.

If you’re looking for relief, encouragement or personal growth, they are proud to offer you a safe space to explore and accompany you on your journey toward 8

hope and healing.

“We’re always excited to welcome new faces to the Old Town Kemptville BIA family. Courtney brings a positive attitude and energy to the downtown and is clearly motivated to be successful. We wish her and her team every success and are confident that they’ll contribute significantly to the mental health and wellbeing of our community.” Debbie Wilson – Old Town Kemptville BIA Board Chair.

“Kemptville is my community and my home. I am proud to offer mental health services that will benefit us as a whole. We all long for connection and support; and sometimes those needs are left unmet. Asking for help isn’t easy, but please know that it shows great strength.“ Courtney Vezina – Owner/Director of Courtney James Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Please join us in wel-

coming Courtney and her team to Downtown Kemptville. Due to health unit protocols, there will be an outdoor by-invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, October 2, at noon at the front of the building at 210 Prescott Street.

We expect all participants and visitors to respect all current public health unit protocols by maintaining social distancing and wearing a mask where applicable as part of this very special event.

For more information on Courtney James Counselling and Psychotherapy, visit their website at www. courtneyjamestherapy.com, email them at contact@ courtneyjamestherapy.com or call 613-706-2571.

The North Grenville Times

Covid alerts in Kemptville

by David Shanahan There have been two covid-19 alerts in Kemptville during the past ten days. This reflects the general increase in confirmed cases in this area, and a worrying, though not unexpected trend. The staff at WalMart in Colonnade Mall were tested after an individual who was later found covidpositive had been recorded to have been in the store. The individual was not from this area.

The Leeds Grenville Lanark District Health Unit [LGLDHU] was informed and followed up with a visit to the WalMart store to ensure no-one there had contracted the virus.

In a statement to the Times, a spokesperson for the Health Unit said: “Consistent with public health requirements,

the Health Unit has followed up on potential exposure of the employees at the Kemptville Wallmart to an individual with COVID-19. The store had all required public health precautions in place for employees.

Being very careful, the Health Unit has recommended that the employees, at low risk of having had close contact with the individual, self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the employee was present in the store.”

The Health Unit could also reassure the public that they were not at risk from this incident: “Our risk assessment identified that customers were not at risk, so the public does not need to do more than continue with the regular public health guidance about staying home when sick, wear a face covering/mask when

in enclosed public spaces, maintaining a 2 metre distance when out, and regularly wash hands”.

The second alert was at Holy Cross school on Clothier Street, when a teacher there reported having symptoms of covid. Once again, the Health Unit was informed and investigated on site. Students in the teacher’s class were tested and their parents informed by letter. Other students were not considered to be in as high a risk situation, but that assessment has changed. The Health Unit issued statement saying: “Based on the initial investigation, all students and staff were assigned a level of risk. As the investigation has evolved and more information has become available, some students and staff that were initially identified as low risk are now being

identified as high risk. The Health Unit has been in contact with all staff and parents/ guardians of students whose level of risk has changed to provide updated guidance.

Adjusting recommendations based on new information is an essential part of our ongoing public health response.

Staff or parents/guardians with questions can contact the Health Unit’s school team at 1-866-236-0123.”

The Health Unit’s policy is not to identify individuals by name, nor will they provide details on which grades were affected. “We kindly ask that if you know details to refrain from posting these publicly; be kind and resist the temptation to speculate or share rumours.

We all deserve to have our personal health information protected.”

There has been a significant increase in confirmed cases in the area known as UCLG East, consisting of North Grenville, Merrickville-Wolford, Augusta, and Edwardsburgh-Cardinal. Between September 18 and 21, there were three new cases confirmed. That number increased by two by the 23rd, and another two the following

Funding for skilled trades, advanced manufacturing and logistics training

St. Lawrence College President and CEO Glenn Vollebregt.

St. Lawrence College is receiving $774,000 in Ontario government funding to help train people in the skilled trades, advanced manufacturing and logistics sectors. Up to 200 participants in Eastern Ontario will benefit through two programs: Mobile Learning Labs - Skilled Trades and Personal Wellness; and Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics.

“As Ontario’s economy continues to recover from COVID-19, I’m proud we’re making these investments in the Brockville and Cornwall area to help people improve their skills and match them to the jobs that exist today," said Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark.

The announcement was made earlier this month at Northern Cables, one of the Sept.30, 2020

local companies partnering with the college to help shape program deliverables.

MPP Clark was joined by Stormont-Dundas and South Glengarry MPP, Jim McDonell, St. Lawrence College’s President and CEO, Glenn Vollebregt, Associate Dean of Skilled Trades, Stephen Finnagan, and Manager of Skills, Training and Economic Development, Jamie Puddicombe, as well as Northern Cables CEO, Shelley Bacon.

"This funding will allow us to pursue important initiatives that will reach an even wider pool of students which will then in turn benefit our communities, and the local economy," said CEO Vollebregt.

The local investments are part of a $37 million commitment from the Ministry of Labour, Training and

The Voice of North Grenville

Skills Development to help more than 15,000 Ontarians upgrade their skills and train for new work. The projects target students, apprentices, job-seekers, mid-career workers, newcomers and Indigenous peoples.

Mobile Learning Labs – Skilled Trades and Personal Wellness: Funding of $500,000 will provide technologyenabled experiential learning in the skilled trades including electrical, welding and carpentry, while participants will also learn skills to support healthy, independent living through a Personal Wellness Lab. The learning labs will visit businesses and increase access to indemand training in remote locations.

Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics: Funding of $274,000 will go toward funding 12 micro-credentials in highdemand fields including, inventory and fleet optimization, supply chain software, quality assurance and compliance, 3-D printing, cloud computing and cyber security. By providing short-duration skills training, this project will support the development of a talent pipeline to ensure continued prosperity and sustainability of businesses.

For more information, contact Jamie Puddicombe via email, or by calling 613213-3830.

day. There were another two new cases the day after that.

That is seven new confirmed cases in a week. As of last Friday, there were four active cases in UCLG East, the highest number in the Health Unit’s area, and the highest in this area for many weeks.

There is real concern that this number could rise as a result of the two alerts reported last week.

It may, or may not, be a “second wave”, but it is certainly not helped by the groups of young people hanging around together outside the Curling Club and other locations, without social distancing, or masks.

Most of the new cases around the world seem to be in the age group 17-35, as young people assume, wrongly, that they are in no danger. They also seem to ignore the fact that they could infect their parents, grandparents, and other more vulnerable members of their community. Parents should check with their children that they are aware of these dangers.

Happy

100th

Birthday to my mom

Nonie Martineau Sept 12th , 2020 She had balloons, Cake and even a visit from a BagPiper Thanks for all for the wishes Faye

OCT•3 & 4•2020

ON LINE STUDIO TOUR

Jim Weller MAG Artist

www.mag-artists.ca

www.facebook.com/MerrickvilleArtistsGuild

We go VIRTUAL on October 3rd & 4th 24 artists will be displaying their art through videos of their work in their studios or galleries. Artists will have videos posted on their social media platforms & websites.

Visit "MAG Marketplace” to view examples of Tour artists' work for sale.

Stunning new works of paintings, pottery, glass, sculpture, photography, jewelry and prints will be featured. This year, we are delighted to add the work of author and poet Lesley Strutt to the MAG Virtual Studio Tour.

For information, contact Nick Previsich: nprevisich@bell.net

9

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

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Fire Prevention Week, Oct 4-10, 2020

Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!™ With Fire Prevention Week just around the corner, the North Grenville Fire Service is reminding residents to take simple steps to prevent kitchen fires in their home. This year’s Fire Prevention Week runs from October 4 -10, and the theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!™” This year’s theme focuses on the prevention of cooking fires and staying fire safe in the kitchen. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in Ontario. The majority of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Most home fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

"Often, when we're called to a fire that started in the kitchen, residents tell us they only left the kitchen for a few minutes. That's all it takes for a dangerous fire to start,” said North Grenville Fire Chief John Okum.

“We know cooking fires can be prevented. Staying in the kitchen while cooking, and avoiding any and all distractions, are steps everyone can take to keep families safe in their homes.”

Stand By Your Pan!

UNATTENDED cooking is the leading CAUSE

OF HOME FIRES www.brooksandcryderman.com Plumbing . Heating . Cooling Electrical Service, Installation & Supplies

Simple steps to serve up fire safety in the kitchen include: Always stay in the kitchen when cooking, and turn off the stove if you must leave the kitchen.

Keep a proper fitting lid near the stove. If a pot of oil catches fire, slide the lid over the pot and turn off the stove. Do not move the pot. Never throw water on a burning pot.

Keep anything that burns - plastic utensils, dishcloths, paper towels – at a safe distance away from the stove.

Cook responsibly and be alert. You will not be alert if you

have consumed alcohol or drugs.

Wear tight-fitting or rolled up sleeves when using the stove. Loose, dangling clothing can easily catch fire.

Keep young kids and pets at least one metre away from the stove. Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge so they can’t be easily knocked off.

If you burn yourself while cooking, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes. If the burn is severe, seek medical attention.

“As busy parents and professionals, it is tempting to multi-task while in the kitchen. Unfortunately, however, the consequences can be disastrous,” emphasized Mayor Nancy Peckford. “Some things must simply wait while you are cooking.”

“Please follow the safety tips provided by our local Fire Service, and help keep our community safe by always being diligent while cooking food,” added Kristin Strackerjan, Councillor and Emergency and Protective Services Liaison.

New this year – the North Grenville Fire Service has created an online contest on Kitchen Fire Safety.

School-aged kids can fill out the Kitchen Safety Quiz and enter to win a fire safety gift from the North Grenville Fire Service. Visit www.northgrenville.ca to test your knowledge and enter to win!

Fire Prevention Week is an annual campaign to educate everyone about fire safety with simple, but important, actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. For more information, visit www.northgrenville. ca,and follow the North Grenville social media channels for safety tips in the kitchen.

Tips for better fire safety at home

(NC) Fire safety is essential for keeping you and your family’s well-being, especially as we spend more time at home. With October 4, 2020 marking Fire Prevention Week across Canada, Duracell, in partnership with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, is urging everyone to be better prepared for a home fire emergency.

“It’s important that each family member understands how they can prevent fire and protect their household,” says Chief John McKearney, president of CAFC. “These simple but essential recommendations will maximize fire safety for your family and home.”

Create a fire escape plan that clearly outlines the best escape routes in case of a fire emergency. Post the plan on the fridge for every family member to see often.

Install at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home, and preferably in every bedroom as well.

Make sure to test alarms monthly and replace batteries yearly when you reset your clocks in the fall. Use trusted batteries like Duracell that can be purchased at your local Home Depot store.

Make sure to never overload electrical outlets with too many plugs and do not run extension cords under carpets or across doorways.

Blow out all candles before leaving a room or going to sleep. Battery-powered candles are a great alternative.

For power outages, rely on flashlights instead of candles.

“Your first line of defence is a working smoke alarm,” adds McKearney. “So remember to put fresh trusted batteries in every alarm in your home at least once a year.”

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The Voice of North Grenville

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

The Voice of Merrickville/Wolford

Village shares in Digital Main Street Grant

Presentation group in Spencerville: from left to right: OBIAA Executive Director Kay Matthews; Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MP Michael Barrett. Leeds Grenville Counties CAO Andy Brown, representing the Counties Economic Development Office; Leeds Grenville Warden Pat Sayeau and MPP Steve Clark.

by David Shanahan Merrickville-Wolford is one of thirteen Leeds Grenville municipalities to receive a share in a Digital Main Street (DMS) $127,345 grant to fund Digital Service Squads. Five such squads will be assigned to help area small downtown businesses across

the region improve their online capabilities. Funding for the grant is provided by FedDev Ontario, a federal program.

The project is part of an initiative in which the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, will coordinate the squads on behalf of Merrickville-Wolford, as well as Ath-

ens, Elizabethtown-Kitley, Front of Yonge,Rideau Lakes, and Westport, in partnership with Leeds and the Thousand Islands and Gananoque, Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh Cardinal; North Grenville, and Brockville.

Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MP, Michael Barrett,

Redesign of parkette moving ahead

Jonah Robinson, CAO Doug Robertson and Owen Sparey in the parkette to be redesigned this Fall.

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Municipality is moving ahead with redesign of the parkette at the corner of Main Street West and Mill Street in the Village. The project is being funded by the Main Street Revitalization Initiative grant from the Association of the Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) that the Municipality received in May, 2018.

The $40,558 grant is part of Sept. 30, 2020

$26 million that the province committed to supporting small businesses by helping municipalities implement Community Improvement Plans and/or encouraging strategic public investments in municipal and other public infrastructure within main street areas.

The decision to invest in the parkette near the blockhouse was made through the recommendation of the Main Street Revitalization Ad Hoc

Committee, which suggested that it would be the best way to spend the funds, based on the criteria laid out by AMO. Although the project was approved by council in September last year, there have been several delays in the implementation of the project.

There wasn’t enough time last year to design and carry out the work before the end of the construction season on October 31. Pushing the work to the Spring was also an is12

MPP Steve Clark, Warden Pat Sayeau, OBIAA Executive Director Kay Matthews, along with staff and community members, gathered in downtown Spencerville for the official launch of the Digital Service Squads.

“I’m pleased that our government is helping to fund the Digital Main Street Ontario program as part of our ongoing efforts to support small businesses as the province’s economy continues to recover,” said MPP Clark. “The collaboration between local municipalities and the federal and provincial governments on projects like this one in Leeds Grenville is critical to helping businesses modernize and reach new markets.”

The Digital Main Street Ontario program was first introduced in 2018, and later extended through an investment of $42.5 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, and $7.45 million from the Ministry for Economic Development, Job Cre-

ation and Trade. The Ontario BIA Association administers the DMS grant program for Ontario’s main street small business.

“Ontario’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the keystone of our economic recovery,” said Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

“That is why we have invested in Digital Main Street to help these enterprises adapt to doing business in a digital world and take advantage of the record number of people shopping online. Congratulations to all the municipalities in Leeds Grenville for partnering together on this initiative. The work you’re doing with small businesses in your community will help keep our main streets vibrant, support good local jobs and help our economy come back strong.”

Digital Service Squads are fundamental to Digital Main

Street’s design and success, with trained specialists who meet with small business, at no cost, to help them improve their online presence.

Squads will also assist qualified small businesses through the application process for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant.

“The COVID-19 pandemic hit Ontario’s main streets hard, so Digital Main Street is needed more than ever,” said Kay Matthews, executive director of OBIAA. “We know that businesses that participated in Digital Main Street last year were better able to cope when the pandemic hit, and we’re excited that FedDev Ontario and MEDJCT are providing the funding to extend this important program to help businesses across the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.”

For details on the Leeds Grenville program, visit investleedsgrenville.com/digitalmainstreet.

sue, because the grant had a deadline of March 31, 2020.

Thankfully, with the help of Steve Clark’s office, staff were successful in acquiring an extension to October 31, 2021. This was especially helpful because COVID-19 caused further delays.

However, at the last council meeting, CAO Robertson gave a very positive update to council, advising them that the project is set to get underway in mid-October. The Municipality engaged with two local businesses for the design and construction of the new parkette. Owen Sparey, of Your Garden Gurus, designed the layout, and Jonah Robinson will be carrying out the work. The total cost of the design and implementation of the hard landscaping is $41,819.70.

CAO Robertson hopes the new parkette will serve as a welcoming entryway to the Village and the Blockhouse Park. It is currently a very closed off area, but, with the new design, it will become a more open, town-square-type space that will serve as a gathering place for local events

and a meeting place for visitors to the Village. The design includes four irregular-shaped armour stone slabs that will be placed at each corner of the square to serve as seating/ presentation platforms to be used by the Mayor, other visiting dignitaries, or for events like the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the Village.

The current map and trash receptacles will be moved closer to the higher-pedestrian area at the north-west corner of the intersection of Main Street West and Mills Street, to improve exposure and convenience. There will also be flower beds lined with stone to match the heritage feel of the Village, planted with hardy, native species to withstand the climate while providing a broad array of colour throughout the seasons.

The planting beds and armour stone seating areas have been oriented to be able to accommodate a modestlysized “Merrickville” sign that, if approved by council, will serve as a focal point for the square. The Municipality is currently working with

TD Graham & Associates on the design of the sign, and specifics, including cost, will be brought back to council this Fall.

According to Jonah, construction is set to start the week after Thanksgiving, and it should take about 2-3 weeks to complete. All the materials are being sourced locally, with the natural stone coming from Tackaberry & Sons Construction Co. Ltd., and the man-made pavers and curbs coming from Hoffman Materials Inc. “We try and source as much locally as possible,” Jonah says. Owen really enjoyed working on the project, and is looking forward to seeing it all come together. “It’s a gateway to why Merrickville exists,” he says, referring to the parkette’s strategic place on the Rideau Canal. “I can’t wait to see it happen.”

CAO Robertson is also looking forward to seeing the project materialize. “It’s a small space, but I am really excited about it,” he says. “I think it’s going to become a place that is much more usable, and much more memorable for people.”

The North Grenville Times

Dear Editor, RE: Skate Park in Merrickville My name is Myles Devlin and I am 11 years old and I am a student at Merrickville Public School. I enjoy riding my scooter and hanging out with my friends at the park and library.

My friends and I enjoy going to the skate park in Kemptville, Brockville, or Carleton Place. I believe the children and teenagers who live in the Village would like to have a skate park in Merrickville.

If a skate park were built in the village, I think it would benefit residents and tourists. It would help keep children active and want to try new things. I think it would bring more families to visit the village, and they would want to come back too. The visitors would shop and eat at the restaurants or chip wagons while they are here. I believe that going to the skate park helps people come together and make new friends.

I have attached a picture below to show some different skate park ideas.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

Myles Devlin

grow@yourgardengurus.com yourgardengurus.com 613.619.7031

The Voice of North Grenville

Centennial ’67 PS receives community donation for outdoor space

Centennial 67 School Council and donation for the playground of Johnstown in the spring.

Centennial ’67 Public Sabrina Winchester, co-chair School in Spencerville has of the school council, decided received a $15,000 donation to ask for the total amount from the Port of Johnstown they needed to complete their to go towards the school’s fundraiser.

Playground Upgrade FundThis grant is part of a raiser. As part of the school’s new program to support orfundraising efforts for the ganizations that boost the playground upgrade, the community. A maximum of school council submitted a $75,000 is planned be given Community Capital Projects to deserving candidates each grant proposal to the Port year for the next five years.

The $15,000 from the Port of Johnstown was used to purchase three new playground structures at the school. The play equipment was installed in August and is being enjoyed by students.

Over the past three years, the school council has been working with school administration and the Board to make significant upgrades and improvements to the outdoor area of the school property. The school has organized numerous in-school and community fundraisers from selling Little Caesars, to dance-a-thons, movie nights and Christmas markets, to name a few.

“I am so proud to say that I am a member of the Centennial ’67 family and community,” says Principal Leann Bruley. “Our school council set a goal to fundraise for a new playground structure and the entire school community

and the greater community at large rallied to accomplish this goal. They creatively worked together to ensure that the students benefitted from their efforts.”

“This has been an longterm project for the Centennial ’67 school council. The focus and hard work they have put in to making this playground upgrade a reality is remarkable. I’m proud to be part of a community that cares so much about kids and wants to invest in their future. Thank you to the Port of Johnstown for their contribution, and to the Township of Edwardsburgh-Cardinal and school board staff who that helped to make this happen,” adds UCDSB Trustee Lisa Swan.

In addition to the donation from the Port or Johnstown, the Township of Edwardsburgh-Cardinal contributed $500 to the school’s outdoor transformation.

Our summer birds are gone - no kidding!

Help Support Your Local Businesses SHOP LOCAL

Virtual Parkinson Canada SuperWalk raises over $56,000

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Despite the fact that the Parkinson Canada SuperWalk looked different this year, the group, based out of Perth, still raised over $56,000 for the cause. On September 12, there was no stopping Lou McCann, who is a member of the Parkinson’s Boxing Group out of Smiths Falls. Although Parkinson SuperWalk participants could not gather in a group this year, Lou was determined not to let the day go by without supporting his “Parkinson’s family.”

He organized a relay from Smiths Falls to Perth, which allowed participants to walk in their own bubble for a section of the route. Participants included Bob Arnold, golfer Brooke Henderson’s great uncle, and Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Panko, who joined in for the last leg of the relay to Perth’s Sept.30, 2020

Centennial Park. “This was certainly different than the past three years, but just as successful,” Mayor Pankow said. “You are all an inspiration. I will see you at next year’s walk. No matter what.”

The Parkinson SuperWalk has been taking place across Canada for 30 years.

The Lanark North Leeds SuperWalk started in 2017, and has since raised over $200,000 to support a better life for people living with Parkinson’s today, and a cure for tomorrow. This is due to the generous support of the community, including people like Rob and Deborah Campbell from Campbell’s Trucking, who raised $3,500 this year through sponsorship and collecting donations. The support of the community is welcome and much needed, as the number of people living with Parkinson’s Disease is expected to rise dramatically over the next decade.

“Relative to the size of the population, and the impact of COVID, the amount of money we have raised is incredible,” says Pat Evans, a local advocate who has Parkinson’s. “I continue to believe that it is because so many in this area have been touched by Parkinson’s.

And, unfortunately, with a high percentage being older than 50, the number is sure to grow. The support we receive from the community provides them means to continue to address service gaps and ultimately find a cure.”

General donations to Parkinson Canada are accepted year-round, but donations to the local SuperWalk must be made before September 30. To donate, visit donate.parkinson.ca/ lanark or call 1-800-5653000 ext. 3427.

by John Baldwin I had a lovely surprise, the other day, when driving to the township dump, I spotted two young “Billy Goats Gruff” sunning themselves, on a man-made gravelly tump.

They were still there on my return trip and, of course, my camera was not to hand, So a rush back home to get it, which happens when things are seen, unplanned!

Of course, on returning, the pair of them had vacated their sunny spot, And I was left ruing a lost opportunity and wondering if I would get another chance, or not!

Well, perchance, today is sunny, so off I go, again, to seek their sunny mound, And they didn’t disappoint me, they were back there and gave me a plaintiff bleating sound.

I started taking pictures, but in my haste and to my chagrin, I had a camera warning that no memory card was within!!

With many mutterings and curses a rapid trip, back, to home, was made, To get the vital essential from the computer, where, after its last down-loading it still laid!

Back down the road, as fast as reasonably possible, I can tell you it wasn’t easily done, But my luck was in and they were still there, basking in the sun.

To take my pictures I was able, maybe not of visiting birds in song, For as I said here in the title - the summer birds are gone! - No “kid”ding!

Do you get it - baby goats are, - oh I give up!!?? Just stay safe and healthy.

23 September 2020 ( The year of Covid 19) 13

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The North Grenville Times

Parents concerned about UCDSB plan

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Parents of elementary school children in the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) are concerned about the Board’s new COVID-19 plan that was rolled out on Monday.

The Board’s plan includes four different learning models that allow families to choose whether they want their children to learn inperson, online synchronously from home, online (digital) asynchronously from home, or offline (nondigital) asynchronously from home. Originally, the two first options were to be administered by teachers at the school, who would be teaching students both in class and virtually, in real time. Both the asynchronous models were to be taught through a virtual school set up by the School Board, similar to what they did for their high school students.

However, the UCDSB was not expecting the volume of students who would

opt for asynchronous learning, and has stated that they don’t have the qualified staff to support a virtual school for their elementary school students. According to a UCDSB staff presentation at the board meeting on September 23, a total of 1,931 students signed up for the asynchronous digital and asynchronous nondigital models. Staffing a virtual school would mean collapsing in-person classes, making them larger, when the UCDSB’s goal is to deintensify schools and classrooms as part of maintaining optimal conditions in light of COVID-19.

Instead of the virtual school, the Board announced last week that in-class teachers would now be responsible for teaching all four models.

This means that teachers would have to juggle their full class load, which would be comprised of in-class students and synchronous at home learners, as well as students following both the asynchronous models.

UCDSB parent, Jessica Roberts, believes this new

Susan Rutters, noted that classroom teachers will also have the support of 29 teachers in their Distance Learning Department, who will help prepare materials for asynchronous learners that they can use at their discretion. She also said this model will allow students to move between synchronous and asynchronous learning seamlessly, as their needs, or the restrictions of the pandemic, evolve throughout the school year. “Whether [the teachers] are serving them face to face, or synchronously, or asynchronously, is really a matter of a conversation between the principal, the teacher, and the parent to determine what model it is that they would require at a given time,” she said.

Several trustees around the board table had concerns about the plan, specifically the effect it would have on their teachers and the quality of education for the asynchronous students. Ward 6 and North Grenville Trustee, Lisa Swan, noted that the new asynchronous model is

plan puts an immense amount of pressure on teachers and will not serve students well.

Jessica’s daughter has special needs and is immunocompromised, so she will be doing synchronous learning at home. Jessica’s main concern is for the teachers, who have always been amazing supports for her daughter.

“I felt that it was completely unfair to put that undue stress on any educator, as they are already having to deal with in-person teaching, live streaming, not to mention implementing all the very rigorous safety protocols,” she says. “It is an added stress that they never had to have before, and I felt that those things were more than enough to handle.”

Director of Education, Stephen Sliwa, said at the board meeting that UCDSB teachers are already used to accommodating a wide array of program differences that make up the modern classroom, including special education and English as a second language learners.

Superintendent of Schools,

Local entrepreneur looking for community support

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A local entrepreneur is looking for support to help his unique business through COVID-19. Darren Boyd has been running Reptile Rainforest in Kemptville for the past 25 years. After graduating from Zoological Animal Sciences from Central Florida Community College, he worked at several Zoos in Florida, caring for both large and small exotic animals. When he returned to his hometown of Kemptville, Reptile Rainforest was born, and he has been dedicating his life to educating people about these often-misunderstood creatures ever since.

Darren’s main business is doing reptile shows in the Eastern Ontario area.

Usually, his touring season starts in March and ends in September, with very little over the Winter. Darren was preparing for his March Break shows when the pandemic hit, and his bookings started to get cancelled. “I had shows booked into August and, of course, everything is just blown out,” he says.

Even without the pandemic, Darren’s reptile business just breaks even, after paying all the costs of caring for his Sept. 30, 2020

roughly 100 animals, including snakes, frogs, turtles, and lizards. He also breeds snakes for sale; but is not raising as many this year, because he was unsure what the market would be like. Without his usual season of shows, he is unsure whether Reptile Rainforest will be able to survive the Winter.

“Most small businesses are struggling right now; but mine is impacted a little bit differently, because just being a one-person operation, I can’t very well just put my supplies on the shelf and wait for it to blow over,” he says.

“I have animals to feed.”

Even Darren’s other career as a musician isn’t doing much to help his financial situation right now. At the beginning of the pandemic he had released his first solo album, which was getting great reviews all over the world.

“All that momentum that started to pick up just kind of plopped down,” he says. “It just kind of happens to be a double whammy that I’m an artist and I have the business doing reptile shows.”

Right now, Darren is keeping the lights on with the job he has at the North Grenville Public Library, and is working on his second solo album, which is set to drop next month. He says that,

besides the economic impact of COVID-19, not being able to do what he loves with his reptiles and his music has been very difficult. Responsible breeding, and educating people about reptiles, is something he has always been very passionate about, and he loves when he sees his audience being entertained and educated through his presentations. “It’s even bigger than that, in a sense that everybody wants to save the planet now,” he says. “But a lot of people don’t realize that our planet is the scorpions and the toads and the snakes. It is very important for people to gain appreciation of the wildlife we have here in our own backyard.”

Still reluctant to ask for help, Darren has created a GoFundMe campaign to help his business survive through the Winter. “I estimate a loss of $15,000, but I really just want to make it through the slow season and hopefully be able to get back to the work that I feel is so important,” he wrote on his page.

To support Darren and Reptile Rainforest, go to gofundme.com, and search for COVID support for Reptile Rainforest. You can also learn more about supporting Darren through his music at www. darrenboyd.com.

The Voice of North Grenville

not what parents signed up for at the beginning of the year. With teachers already working full time, she is concerned that they might not have a capacity to address the needs of the asynchronous learners, along with those of students in the classroom. “I don’t think we’re supporting asynchronous learners enough with this model,” she said. “Can we not invest more in this area?”

Susan says that, with the asynchronous model, the expectation was never to have access to a teacher during the regular hours of the school day. She hopes that classroom teachers will be able to respond to inquiries from asynchronous students and parents within 24 hours.

Jessica, as a parent of a child with special needs, knows that teachers have to juggle the needs of the various students in their class.

“This is above and beyond that juggling,” she says. “My fear is that, come October, like Thanksgiving, there will be teacher burn out.” She also says that, with this plan, there

will most likely be a lack of quality education for students with special needs. “There just won’t be the time to put that effort in.”

Jessica has created a petition online asking the School Board to reconsider their plan and create one that puts students first. The petition is also asking for the Board to undergo an independent audit to impartially assess their financial situation, and for Director Sliwa and Trustee Chair of the Board, John McAllister, to resign. As of the end of last week, it had over 3,000 signatures.

Jessica agrees with what board staff said in the meeting: that they are facing unprecedented times. However, she believes this means they need to come up with an unprecedented solution. “Be creative in thinking how this can be done,” she says. “I find that they are not being creative at all.”

Garden Musings-Gardening through the Seasons

by Claudia Sutton "How wonderful the colour yellow is. It stands for the sun" [Vincent Van Gogh] As Summer Fades.......into Autumn, with cooling temperatures and richly coloured leaves, we find ourselves here at the nursery scurrying to finish up the garden and greenhouse chores of snipping and pruning perennials to prepare the gardens for their winter's sleep (leaving some for the birds to perch on in the cold months), gathering ripened tomatoes, putting aside garlic, and, harvesting herbs, most of which will be kept aside for the herb dryer.

The herbs that cannot tolerate cold are brought inside such as Rosemary, Lemon Verbena and Scented Geraniums. The Lemon Verbena is dried for a calming tea and baking and lavender flowers put aside for bath salts and 14

potpourri. Before we know it, the gardening seed and flower catalogues arrive and we sit in the garden enjoying the last hurrah of warm sunshine while we pour over ideas and dreams of next year's bounty of flowers, vegetables and herbs to sell.

One way we have found to keep summer alive is to plant sunflowers, which are not only cheerful flowers as they follow the sun's path as it crosses the sky, but being the bird lovers that we are, we are able to collect the seeds not only for our feathered friends, but roast in the oven for a snack on a chilly autumn night. In the Circle of Friends garden, the sunflowers tower over the Helen's flower and nod at us cheerfully with the autumn breezes. It stands to reason that in the Language of Flowers, sunflowers represent happiness.

When we first started on our journey of running the nursery, there was really

only one variety of sunflower, but over the years this has stretched to at least 33 varieties, with varying colours and height. Did you know that the head of a sunflower is made up of 4,000 tiny flowers that become the sunflower's seeds?

A homemade bird seed recipe that we have used includes one cup of black oil sunflower seeds, 1 cup of chopped plain peanuts, ½ cup of striped sunflower seeds, ½ cup of cracked corn and ⅛ cup of dried fruit, such as raisins, dried apples or cranberries During difficult days, sometimes we just need to stand tall and press our face to the sun like the sunflower does Here is some advice from the stately sunflower Be bright, sunny and positive, Spread seeds of happiness.

Rise, shine and hold your head high.

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

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The Voice of North Grenville

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The Green Party: Guaranteed Basic Income for All: A Rebuttal

by Willem Van Dam The Green Party contends that there is no time like now to correct economic disparities, since Canada and Ontario are wealthy, and because the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other laws, declares every person has the right to food, housing, social security, a certain standard of living etc. In addition, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the security of person.

John Locke also indicated that each person has the right to freedom and liberty, that is, not to be subordinated to the will of others, and no individual should infringe on that freedom. That includes the right of the individual to the security, use, and disposal of personal property. All these freedoms are to be exercised according to the proper use of one’s personal abilities and responsibilities. In fact, Locke argued that these rights supersede the right of the state to impose its will on the individual.

The Greens argue that the state should exercise its power to curtail the individual rights to these freedoms.

The Green Party seems in opposition to Locke, for their claim is that all persons have “rights” that must be “afforded” to them, being the responsibility of others.

Sept. 30, 2020

Historically, persons have had “access to income sufficient to meet their basic need and live in dignity” by conducting themselves properly with their talents, abilities, knowledge, and seeking of opportunities.

The Greens claim that the “Government” should now take on the responsibility previously reserved to the individual, and must do so to protect the “right” of those that do not take on their personal responsibilities. One may ask, what dignity does an individual express when that individual will claim a “right” to “rob” another of their “property”.

“Given the wealth of Canada, basic income must be promoted from a perspective of abundance” the Greens claim. What “abundance” are they referring to? Canada has had chronic deficits since 1975 for a 2019 total of approx. $685 billion, and the 2020 closing level is estimated at $1.2 trillion. Before Covid, Canada spent $29 billion annually on debt financing.

Today’s interest rates are at historic lows, largely due to world debt levels. Any increases in interest rates will be devastating to the world economy, so we are told.

The Greens claim that the basic income must be “accessible to all persons and not contingent on work or any other participation requirements”. This is defi-

nitely contrary to Locke’s ideas of freedom, that the individual has a right to “their own property”, whereas the Greens advocate that others have a right to “your property”. Since the government generally gains “property” by taking it from those who have “property”, it seems the Greens endorse higher taxation, that is, remove the “right” of the property owner to the use and disposal of their “property” and substituting the “right” of a “stranger” to the “use and disposal” of the original property owner’s “property”.

The Wynn Liberals initiated a “basic income pilot” in Ontario, and a guideline was a basic income of $34,000 annually for a single person. In such a case, it would appear that any single person would be entitled to that amount, which means such an individual would be paid $17/hr., have healthcare, daycare , affordable housing, education, pay equity, etc., and never work in their life. It would wipe out all minimum wage jobs, as any person has the “right” to the aforementioned amount.

So much for entry level jobs, where the individual has the opportunity to learn, experience, and become competent for higher valued work.

“The basic income must be legislatively protected from garnishment by creditors and debt collectors”

according to the Greens. I might then ask, what business would participate in extending any person on the “basic income” credit of any kind, if a business has no “right” to seek compensation for services or property contracted for?

According to CRA records for 2014, over 27.5 million people filed a tax return. Of that, over 9.1 million people paid no income tax at all. That means 18.4 million tax filers paid all the federal and provincial income tax that year, while one-third of filers paid zero.

Those who should suffer at the hands of the Greens with a more “progressive tax”, that is, those making over $100,000, represent 8.5% of tax filers and pay 51.7% of the total income tax collected, while they earn 33% share of total income. Then they must still pay Provincial and municipal taxes. So you can see that the Greens seek votes by appealing to the 9.1 million who paid no income tax at all, as there are more potential votes there than from the 8.5% in the high income group, those who would be “progressively taxed” to pay for the “Green Scheme”.

It should be noted that the “Greens” only put forward the “rights” of certain individuals, and, according to the article, never address their “responsibilities”.

Neither do they address

16

the “rights” of those the Greens would “plunder for their property”. The Greens would have the individual “abdicate” his responsibility and leave it to the “nanny state”, which is much wiser, to handle properly the individuals’ “responsibilities”.

I wish to conclude with some down to earth observations. During this Covid 19 epidemic, there are doctors and nurses risking their lives and family’s health and working phenomenal hours each week. I personally know of nurses that live in trailers, away from their families, in order to protect the health of their families. There are truckers

PRO

Com Ove

Qualit

who work 60 or more hours a week to keep the food and supplies flowing; there are hydro workers who keep the electricity flowing; there are managers who make less than $100,000 per annum and work 60 hours a week.

Those are the exact people that the Greens desire to “progressively tax” and “rob them of their property”. All in their self-perceived claim of “righteousness”, claiming to hold to the higher moral ground, when, in reality, they rob the many individuals who work diligently with dedication to their profession and families. The position paper of the “Greens” is morally detestable.

Kut

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

CROSSWORD

FOOD CORNER

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville I love rice of every kind: Basmati, brown, white, purple even. Now, down South in Cajun country, they make something called Dirty Rice. It is often served as a backdrop for fish dishes, such as Blackened Catfish, or for seafood, such as Jumbo Shrimp (ya know, the old oxymoron). Anyway, Dirty Rice started as leftover rice with whatever leftover meat was on hand mixed in. It gradually evolved into something really interesting and one of my favourite side plates; it can even serve as a full meal. Now those of you who are squeamish about chicken livers are allowed to stick with the sausage only; however, I recommend you try the full recipe to see if Dirty Rice might join the list of your favourite recipes. I think it might!

Dirty Rice Ingredients: 1 pound of bulk pork sausage (sausage meat not in casings or, strip the meat out of the casings) 1 pound of chicken livers, finely chopped 1 cup chopped onion (Vidalia onions are nice) ½ cup chopped green bell pepper 4 cups hot cooked plain white rice ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves Salt and freshly ground black pepper Preparation: Cook the sausage and chicken livers in a large skillet until nicely browned. Add the vegetables and sauté until soft. Gently fold in the rice and parsley. Season to taste, with just enough salt and pepper.

This makes enough Dirty Rice to accompany a main dish for 6 folks.

Many thanks for sending me your feedback and recipe hints at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

Highlights from the UCDSB Trustees Meeting Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 for a regularly scheduled board meeting. Trustees conducted the meeting in person at the Brockville Board Office, with the option for staff and trustees to call in, as per regular practice.

Update on School Operations: UCDSB staff updated the board on current school practices for responding to students and staff exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

The local health units have developed a COVID-19 School Management Toolkit, which schools are now using. This toolkit includes a printable version of the COVID-19 school screening tool, school protocols for when staff or students show symptoms or test positive with the virus and the return to school protocol for those with symptoms. This school management toolkit can be found on the UCDSB website.

Redesign of the Elementary Remote Learning Model: Student requests for the elementary asynchronous program remain high with an enrolment of 1,931 students, making the original program design unsustainable from a staffing and budget perspective.

Elementary asynchronous remote learners (students in Kindergarten to Grade 8), both digital and non-digital, will now be connected to their local school, like their classmates who are learning through the remote synchronous method. Their regular classroom teacher will provide and assess student work, and be available for periodic check-ins. This is still an independent-study model with parents providing the daily support for students.

Updating the model in this way allows the UCDSB to keep in-person class sizes as small as possible to help keep students and staff safe, provides parents with the choice and flexibility to move between learning models as they need, and ensures the model has qualified teachers.

Fifty-six of our 80 elementary program sites have less than 15 students in the asynchronous digital program and only three have more than 31. Fifty-four of our 80 elementary program sites have less than 15 students in the asynchronous non-digital program and only two have more than 31.

The secondary Virtual School is in full operation, with 743 students registered in courses as of Friday, September 18. These students are learning asynchronously using independent study, submitting completed learning assignments and projects, while receiving periodic support from a Virtual School teacher.

ACROSS 1. Booty 5. Smelting waste 9. Adept 13. Spouse 14. Flies alone 16. Swimming hole 17. Related 18. Wear away 19. Small mountain 20. More pleasant 22. Ruinations 24. Colored part of an eye 26. French for "The end" 27. Impassive 30. A government tax 33. Keystone 35. A dish of tomatoes and greens 37. American Dental Associa-

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tion 38. Locations 41. "___ Maria" 42. TV, radio, etc.

45. Slang for a jail 48. Mask 51. Convent 52. Cost 54. A basic knitting stitch 55. Impersonation 59. A machine for baling hay 62. Razzes 63. Leave out 65. Big party 66. Doing nothing 67. Contests of speed 68. French for "State" 69. Accomplishment 70. Deliver a tirade 71. Lairs

DOWN 1. An aquatic bird 2. A collaborative website 3. Devotee 4. Nonproprietary 5. South southeast 6. A titled peer of the realm 7. Cool 8. Large wading bird 9. Inability to understand language 10. Be agitated 11. Take it easy 12. L L L L 15. Ringworm cassia 21. Wealthy 23. Evergreen trees 25. Exhausts 27. Shut 28. Surged 29. 52 in Roman numerals 31. Whip 32. An act of gracious kindness 34. Greatest possible 36. Wet, as morning grass 39. A very long period 40. A type of liquid food 43. Levied 44. Haughtiness 46. Give the cold shoulder 47. Angered 49. Fertilizer ingredient 50. Relating to the eye 53. Genus of heath 55. Footnote note 56. Style 57. Barbershop emblem 58. Biblical garden 60. Distinctive flair 61. Rodents 64. Eastern Standard Time

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

The Marijuana scent of autumnal 400-series highways!

Dyssodia papposa along Hwy 416 near Kemptville, 16 September 2020. In some years and areas this narrow band would be expanded into a metre-wide stand. Here it’s growing outside late-blooming White Sweet-clover (Melilotus albus). of Saskatchewan, Manitoba,

by Fred Schueler & Aleta Ontario, and Quebec. As he Karstad – Fragile Inheriwent home along the 401, tance Natural History Even those who drive he collected specimens of with their windows closed this abundant, but previously unreported, species in every may have noticed the distinctive waft of Dyssodia county along his route.

Dyssodia is native to the papposa along Hwy 416. western and south-central This low-growing annual Great Plains of the US, but species, with small intensely has scattered introductions yellow composite flowers, is afflicted with a variety east into New England, mostof English names, includ- ly on the shoulders of highways. Its light fluffy seeds ing Fetid Dogweed, Fetid Marigold, Prairie Dogweed, make it a prime candidate to and False Dog-fennel. The be whirled along roads, or to scent of crushed Dyssodia is be carried long distances on sharp and pungent, like pine vehicles. Since Mike Oldham told us about it in 2009, we’ve and skunk - and as fresh and penetrating as menthol found it across Ontario along the entire length of the 401, or eucalyptus. Dyssodia grows on you: each time and have seen it in each of the prairie provinces, where you step out of the car on it, you’ll be surprised by its it is also considered nonnative. Locally, we seem to be perky pungency, and after several encounters you’ll be near the northern limit of the range: the populations along pleased that you’ve found the 416 generally drop out it again!

Dyssodia entered our south of the 417, and we have world on 2 October, 2009, only a few records from Hwy when Mike Oldham an- 417 through Kanata, while nounced that he was leav- east of Ontario it doesn’t even get as far into Quebec ing our slug identification workshop in Bishops Mills as Montreal.

As soon as you know early, in order to survey it on his way home to Pe- about it, you can notice the terborough. Mike is the narrow carpet or border of this species along the edge of botanist at the province’s the pavement of the 416 or Natural Heritage Information Centre, and he’s 401. In September, it’s yellow famous for noticing inter- and green, turning brownish esting plants growing in this year while the flowers neglected habitats. In 2009 are still open, and becoming he’d been documenting the reddish brown in the winter. spread of Dyssodia along It’s all along the superhighthe superhighway roadsides ways, but as you drive off the Sept. 30, 2020

interchanges, the Dyssodia drops out. It simply isn’t found along 2-lane highways or county or municipal roads.

Since this failure to thrive away from superhighways was so general, and since it’s an invasive species that only invades an artificial habitat, we figured there’d be no harm in seeing how long Dyssodia would persist if it were introduced to an ordinary roadside. So, in November, 2018, we sowed seeds along a few metres of County Road 18 south of Bishops Mills, across from a driveway and above a culvert, where the Counties' recent harrowing had made the gravel shoulder a full metre wide.

In August, 2019, the seeds at the driveway site had produced a dense 2 m long, 8 cm tall, stand 40-70 cm back from the pavement, and the culvert sowing had produced a very few small plants 90 cm back from the pavement.

On 27 August, as flower buds were beginning to show as pale yellow dots, the driveway stand was missed by the Counties' harrowing of the road shoulder (perhaps because the blade had been raised in areas near houses) and the few plants at the culvert were also missed by the harrowing, with the survivors at the edge of the vegetation among Common Ragweed and Foxtail Grass.

On 6 September, Dyssodia flowers were fully open in the driveway stand, which we hedged with flagging tape to show the adjacent landowner not to mow it, but on 19 September the Counties' mower bar cut reduced the flowerheads by about half, cutting up the marking tape we had around the stand. This mowing reduced the culvert stand to two small plants along the edge of gravel shoulder of the road. At the driveway stand on 13 October, most seeds were shed, and at the culvert stand there were at least two

small brown plants that had shed their seeds.

On 8 May, 2020, the plants of the driveway stand were no longer evident, swept or scrubbed by a Counties harrow for a width of 80 cm back from the 25 cm sand shoulder, and it was 30 June before we recognized 4-5 cm seedlings there, among a much denser growth of Matricaria matricarioides (Pineappleweed). On 15 July the still-small plants were driven over by the wide wheels of a trailer taking a house south through the village, and on 28 July they were mowed over by the Counties' tractor, but without much disturbing the low plants. On 23 August the outlying plants of the driveway stand were 16 m apart, about 50 cm back from the pavement, growing mixed with Green Foxtail grass, though the dense growth was only about 3 m long. The first few blooms opened on 2 September, a day when the driveway stand was mostly mowed by a Counties tractor, but the patch of the biggest plants was spared, apparently by the mower bar's interfacing with a pile of brush left from some clearing of adjacent land. The mowing reduced the culvert stand to one small plant in bloom.

We will see how things go in future years, but for now we conclude that roadside mowing and harrowing oppressed the two road-shoulder stands of Dyssodia that we tried to establish in Bishops Mills, and that this more intense maintenance along county roads may be one of the reasons Dyssodia is only found on superhighway shoulders.

Whatever the reason, this restriction is especially striking when you pull off Highway 43 onto the northbound entry ramp of the 416, where the puffy shoulder-edge stand of Dyssodia begins in the first few metres.

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ALL NATURAL PRODUCTS

Celebrating the generous spirit of our community

by Susan Smith, Executive Director, Seniors' Community Services As a small community service organization, we rely on donations to bridge the gap our funders are unable to fill.

The generosity of individuals and families, as well as local businesses and service groups, is critical in helping us maintain the quality and quantity of our services and programs.

That generosity was on full display through the contributions three local businesses recently provided Senior's Community Services, as we transitioned from our former name of Kemptville & District Home Support.

Donations of money and services from Grenville Mutual Insurance, TD Graham + Associates Marketing Com-

Life & health insurance • Employee benefits RRSPs/RRIFs • Disability insurance • Mutual funds* Estate and Financial Planning Services

Bryonie Baxter*

Tel: 613-258-2939 Cell: 613 878 1367 bryonie.baxter@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/bryonie.baxter 222 Prescott Street, 2nd Floor Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 *Mutual funds distributed by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2020.

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munications, and ProBase Web allowed us to plan the transition to our new name and look, develop our new logo, update and launch our new website, and purchase and install new external and internal signage. These important changes are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that the people who can benefit from our services know who we are and how we can help them.

As I recognize the generous spirit of our community, I also want to recognize the volunteers who support me and my staff in raising money for the organization through our Fundraising Committee.

From planning and running revenue raising events to reaching out to potential donors, these volunteers give of their time, energy and creativity in immeasurable ways. If you have an interest in joining the Fundraising Committee, please reach out and I, or another member of our committee, would be happy to talk with you about it.

Seniors' Community Services delivers communitybased services and programs designed to enhance the independent living and quality of life of seniors, and adults with physical disabilities. To learn more about us, please visit www.seniorscs.ca or call us at 613-258-3203.

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Open For Business Support Local, now more than ever!

Geronimo Coffee House CLOSED MONDAYS

Our current hours are Tuesday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Sat. & Sun 9:00am to 2:00pm.

Orders can also be placed ahead by phone at 613-258-2782.

46 Prescott St, Kemptville

Curbside Menu #30 -

Meals are now offered Tuesday through Friday.

The delivery time in the Ottawa will be early afternoon, in the Kemptville area, mid afternoon.

The cost of a meal is $23.50, the delivery is $5.00 per drop. HST extra

Tuesday October 6

1- Roast leg of lamb, mint sauce, peas & carrots, Lyonnaise potatoes.

2- Quinoa risotto topped with a rich tomato sauce, side salad.

Wednesday October 7

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1- Meat loaf in tomato sauce, boiled potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

2- Vegetarian “meat loaf” in tomato sauce, boiled potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

Thursday October 8

1- Pork Shoulder confit, white bean ragout provençal style.

2- Vegetarian cassoulet, garlic crumb gratin

Friday October 9

1- Mushroom stuffed fillet of Sole, leafy spinach, Basmati rice.

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19

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North Grenville marks Franco-Ontarian Day

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Councillor Kristin Strackerjan delivers remarks on behalf of Mayor Peckford, accompanied by École publique Rivière Rideau Principal, Josée Bédard, and Académie Catholique Notre Dame Principal, Angela Certosini.

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Friday last, local dignitaries and representatives from North Grenville’s two French schools gathered at the Municipal Centre to mark Franco-Ontarian Day. Normally, the students from Académie Catholique Notre Dame and École publique Rivière Rideau would have attended the raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag at the Municipal Centre. However,

due to COVID-19, the ceremony was live streamed, so that they could watch online from their respective classrooms or at home.

Although Mayor Peckford was unable to attend the ceremony, Councillor Kristin Strackerjan, whose three children go to École Rivère Rideau was on hand to welcome everyone to the Municipal Centre and say a few words to mark the occasion.

She mentioned how proud the Municipality is to have

Municipal Centre. September 25 was officially named Franco-Ontarian day in the province in 2010; but the flag was first flown on September 25, 1975 at the University of Sudbury. It was created by history professor Gaétan Gervais and political science student Michel Dupuis. In 2001, it was officially recognized as the symbol for the Franco-Ontarian community in the province.

two French schools in North Grenville, and that FrancoOntarians will always be respected in the community.

“Nous sommes reconnaissant de votre contribution au développement de l’histoire, de la culture, de la société, de l’économie ainsi que le structure politique de l’Ontario,” she said. “Joyeuse journée aujourd’hui!”

This is the fourth year that North Grenville has participated in raising the Franco-Ontarian flag at the

North Grenville Covid 19 Assessment Centre

Sept. 30, 2020

20

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TIMES Gord Logan

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

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