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Vol. 8, No.48

The Voice of North Grenville

December 2, 2020

Community Christmas Dinner Continues

Once again this year, an open and entirely free Community Christmas Dinner will be held in Kemptville on Christmas Day. Residents are invited, one and all, to celebrate the day with a curbside pick-up, or a meal delivered to your door.

The Dinner has been held for a number of years now, and has always attracted a good crowd to enjoy the full turkey dinner and desserts, all of which is the work of volunteers and generous businesses in North Grenville. St. John’s hosted the Dinner after Leslie Hall became unavailable a few years ago, and organisers are grateful to the congregation

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at St. John’s for opening their building to the community for this wonderful event. But this year, as we know all too well, is different, and we can’t enjoy St. John’s hospitality in 2020. But that won’t stop this community celebrating Christmas together, one way or another.

The original idea for the Dinner was that it would provide an opportunity for those who might otherwise be alone, as well as all who might want to enjoy a Christmas Day social event, with company, fellowship and fun. The entire event is free of charge, because all of the food, cooking, preparation and serving is provided by

the community - a fantastic example of what North Grenville is all about. There was even live music!

At the core of the event are just a few individuals, who wish to remain anonymous, who pull together the work of the volunteers and arrange the collection and preparation of the food. Meals are delivered to homes around the region (by volunteer drivers, of course), so that everyone who wishes can be part of the event, even at a distance.

An average of 35 deliveries are made each Christmas Day, so if you would like to have a Christmas meal brought to your home, call 613-2233979, or else email: com-

visit us at kemptvilleinteriors.ca

Free Local Delivery

munitychristmasdinner613@ gmail.com. The same contacts can be used if you want to volunteer with the event this year.

This is a community event, designed simply to allow people to drop by and enjoy a lovely atmosphere, seasonal music, and a time of friendship with friends and neighbours, new and old. Oh yes, and a really fine Christmas meal. But, as we experience a Christmas that we hope will be unique this year, we can still be a part of this Christmas Day’s Community Dinner.

More details on location and times will be released in the coming days.

Thank you to We're our front line OPEN workers

Tues . to Sat. 11:30am to 9pm Tuesday - Saturday

TAKE OUT ONLY

4:00 pm to 8:00 pm www.nakhonthai.ca to view take out menu

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Hospice Happenings Jac’s Boutique for the Holiday Season supports Big Sky Ranch book page and raised $655, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with everything going for above the starting bid. OwnJ a c ’s B o u t i q u e i n er, Jackie Taylor, decided Kemptville held a silent to match the dollars raised, auction last week to raise bringing the grand total to money for Big Sky Ranch $1,310.

Animal Sanctuary. It “It feels amazing, eswas Jac’s Boutique em- pecially around the holiployee, McCall Lafram- days,” McCall says about boise, who came up with the success of the auction. the idea for the auction. Big “I know they need food for Sky Ranch is in desperate the animals, and it’s great in need of support, because that we were able to help they had to close their doors out in this way.” to the public due to the This time of year is difpandemic. This meant that ficult for the sanctuary, many of their programs, because of higher costs. which usually help with They have to keep in mind fundraising throughout the that hay will have to be year, had to be cancelled. ordered for the spring, so “They do great things this auction couldn’t have at Big Sky Ranch,” McCall come at a better time. “We says. “This way I could are humbled and amazed support them and support by the dedication, generous Jac’s Boutique.” hearts, kindness, and comBig Sky Ranch’s Office munity spirit of everyone Manager, Pauline Lafleur, in Kemptville, and all the says they were thrilled surrounding communities,” when McCall reached out Pauline says. to them to offer their supBig Sky Ranch is still port. “We were very happy open for adoptions and surand grateful that the ani- renders, and they currently mals were remembered, have about 119 animals even though we have been at the sanctuary, most of closed since March because whom are now in the barns of COVID-19,” she says. for the winter. The ranch “The animals are still in has been in operation for people’s hearts!”

15 years and has found forJac’s Boutique ran the ever homes for over 3,500 auction through their Face- animals, and housed many

by Hilary Thomson

by Sue Walker Since 2020 has been such a difficult year for all of us, the team of staff and volunteers at Beth Donovan Hospice wanted to do something different to help our community members stay socially distanced, shop local for Christmas, and support the programs and services of Beth Donovan Hospice. So, they created Everything Under the Evergreen!

This unique online event is an auction that will be live starting December 1 through until December 15, and offers a large variety of items for everyone on your shopping list. With thanks to Rideau Auctions for hosting our auction, you may visit www.rideauauctions.com, click on ‘online auctions’, and search for Everything Under the Evergreen Auction for Beth Donovan Hospice. A BIG thank you to all of the community members and local merchants that made this event possible; together, we all make a difference!

As you visit your favourite stores in town, you may also notice some beautifully decorated Christmas Trees on display.

These are also in support of BDH, and you can purchase a ticket to win one of these trees for your very own at the following participating merchants: Catered Affairs, Escape Salon & Spa, My Local Markets, and B&H Grocer.

As we reflect on a unique year, we are truly grateful for all of the support we have received from our community to enable us to continue to serve our clients and their families.

We are proud to be part of such a special place, and encourage everyone to continue to support one another, be kind, and be proud of our community. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish to thank the team of staff and volunteers of BDH. They have been beacons of kindness, support and hope throughout the pandemic.

Wishing you a holiday season filled with peace and happiness.

others who needed a safe, comfortable place to spend the rest of their lives.

They are currently in need of Lysol wipes, Clorox bleach spray, and bleach, as well as feed for the animals, which can be purchased at Willows Agriservices in the South Gower Business Park. Monetary donations can also be made through their website www.bigskyranch.ca.

We’re still enjoying Mudpuppy Nights

by Dr. Fred Schueler Mudpuppy Night in Oxford Mills has resumed its annual winter observations at the dam on Friday nights - but this year it’s COVID-Style. Participants are limited to 10, recommended to be a single household or “bubble”; and, even though it’s an outdoor event, we‘ve been pleased that our visitors over the past few weeks have arrived equipped with masks, as well as lights and boots.

Aleta’s new task of organizing participants into separate 8:00 pm and 8:30 pm time slots has been made easier by a “Book Now” button on the Mudpuppy Night in Oxford Mills FaceBook page www. facebook.com/MudpuppyNight. The handy registration form also has a link to an appointment calendar, so people can book ahead as far as they like, taking their chance on a good Mudpuppy viewing night (no guarantees of course, Mudpuppies do their own thing, and that’s what we’re studying). Aleta responds promptly, with advice and booking confirmations, and reports that the new system is working smoothly. Donations are welcome!

Local Oxford Mills biologists, Matt Keevil and Amanda Bennett, are with us for most nights, teaching us about fish and aquatic plants, as well as keeping the Mudpuppy count. Every year is different, and each week brings new surprises as the season progresses and the weather changes.

This Fall, we’ve been seeing three species of frogs on the creek bottom, and fish and crayfish are still active. So, Friday nights at the Oxford Mills dam, from either 8, or 8.30 p.m. Book your time with Aleta at www.facebook.com/MudpuppyNight.

December 2, 2020

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The Voice of North Grenville

Emerald Ash Borer a concern in North Grenville

cally found in low densities Local Journalism Initiative Reporter and doesn’t cause significant damage. However, it is an Local biologist, Dr. Fred invasive species in places like Schueler, is voicing his con- Europe and North America, cern over the threat of the where it poses a significant Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) threat to native ash trees. to the natural environment Local governments are curin North Grenville. Fred rently trying to control it by prepared a report about the monitoring its spread, diverbeetle for the municipality’s sifying tree species, using Environmental Advisory insecticides, and biological Committee, which detailed control. its increase in the Ottawa area When the EAB got to and the significant threat it Ottawa, it took out almost all poses to the ash trees in North the Green Ash trees that had Grenville. been planted to replace elms According to Wikipedia, that had been killed by Dutch the EAB is a type of jewel elm disease. However, Fred beetle and larvae feed un- notes that, although there derneath the bark to emerge are a modest number of ash as adults in one to two years. trees that are infested by the In its native area, it is typi- EAB in the municipality,

by Hilary Thomson

it doesn’t seem to result in sudden complete mortality.

A paper by Robert C. Venette and Mark Abrahamson suggests that the area is on the margin of temperatures cold enough to kill the larvae (-30 degrees Celsius). Fred also notes that a higher number of woodpeckers in some North Grenville areas may also play a role in protecting ash trees from the beetle.

Ash trees affected by the EAB stand intact for years before falling, which is caused by fungi feeding on what the beetle has left behind. Fred says that, as North Grenville trees continue to die, the potential for intact-looking trees falling across roads will become a hazard, and many

roadside trees will need to be taken down. Fred also mentions that, as ash trees die, there is the potential that the invading European Buckthorn species will take over the area, inhibiting the establishment of tree seedlings and making it unlikely that other species will be able to move in to replace the dead ash. Because of this, replacement planting of a diversity of appropriate species (rare or southern) may be appropriate.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported in 2018 that it has approved four species of parasitoid wasp as biological control agents for use in Canada. Fred notes that the approval of these wasps is part of a long-term strategy

designed to reduce the population of the EAB in Canada.

As of 2018, only three of the four species of wasp had been released in Canada, and reporting has been lax, as is common with the progress of biocontrol agents. Resistance is something that may be more important to focus on in the local area, as some individual ash trees seem to be significantly less attractive to the EAB than others. Fred says it will be important to notice the trees that have not succumbed to the pest, so that they can be used in future breeding for resistance.

Ashes have taken over much of the area where elm trees affected by Dutch elm disease lived, and have be-

come widespread on abandoned farmland and roadsides. Because of this, Fred says ash trees are likely the most abundant trees in North Grenville, and managing their demise and restoration is perhaps the greatest current environmental problem in the municipality. His suggestion is to focus on getting the maximum value from dying trees as fuel, and use the “coarse woody debris” as habitat for salamanders in maturing forests, while minimizing the hazards to people and maximizing the chances of recovery of ash trees and their habitat.

Huntingdon - very nearly half a million acres of land. This in itself was a huge gift, but, earlier, the same men, along with other ex-militia officers, had actually petitioned for 30 townships. Although they were serving members of the Land Board, there seems to have been no impediment to obtaining such large tracts of land to sell and settle as they chose. The potential financial benefit to the five was enormous.

On September 14, 1793, the five thanked Simcoe for the grants and justified them by claiming that they could help secure settlers for the land, and this would save the Land Board a great deal of work. This was an odd rationale, considering that they were the Land Board, to all intents and purposes.

The creation of a landed aristocracy in what is not Eastern Ontario seemed set to

succeed; but it was not to be.

The five had bitten off more than they chew, and attracting paying tenants to their seven townships proved extremely difficult, especially when the same settlers could acquire land of their own at no cost.

Loyalist refugees were entitled to at least 200 acres free of charge, so why would they choose to become tenants instead? In 1794, the Township Grants were abolished, and on May 25, 1796, all the township grants were cancelled and the land resumed by the Crown. It was found that, of 32 townships granted under Simcoe’s scheme, only six were reported to have received settlers. And of these six, four were found to be actually empty of settlers: the reports had been faked. It was a complete fiasco. The Order cancelling the grants stated: “That the townships of Osgoode, Wolford, Montague,

Russell, Kitley, Loughborough, Huntingdon, Rawdon, Murray, Clarke, Whitby, and Windham, are, and they are hereby declared to be vacant and free for the admission of such persons as shall be desirous of occupying and settling the same agreeably to the terms and conditions of the proclamation as aforesaid.”

But don’t feel sorry for our five speculators. They received 1,500 acres each in compensation, adding to the thousands of acres they already held as Loyalists and from purchases. Peter Drummond owned the land that would become Kemptville, and each of the others enjoyed positions of status and prestige in the society of their day. But, for a brief period, they almost became owners of it all.

History

The men who wanted it all

by David Shanahan Very few people today will recognise the names of Richard Duncan, Thomas and William Fraser, John Munro, and Peter Drummond; but in 1793 they were on the verge of owning a large chunk of Eastern Ontario. In fact, the Lieutenant Governor of the day, John Graves Simcoe, actually granted them almost 500,000 acres of land on which they were free to settle immigrants and Loyalist refugees. All the money earned from the sale of the land would go to these five men. It would have been the basis for a very powerful landed gentry in the new Province of Upper Canada.

All five men were Loyalist refugees themselves, having lost all they had when they chose to oppose the American Revolution and fled to

Canada. Richard Duncan had served in the British forces during the Seven Years War, and when the American War of Independence broke out, he rejoined the militia and was commissioned as a captain in the first battalion of Sir John Johnson’s King’s Royal Regiment of New York. In 1789 he was appointed to the Land Board, which assigned land to prospective settlers. There he was later joined by Peter Drummond, John Munro, and Thomas Fraser.

Duncan was responsible for arranging the survey of Oxford-on-Rideau Township in 1791, and was appointed County Lieutenant for Dundas County, as well as being one of the nine-member Legislative Council, appointed to assist in governing the Province. Peter Drummond only arrived in America in time to become involved on the British side in the Revo-

lution, where he fought, was captured, spent some time in prison, before escaping to Canada where he and the Fraser brothers, along with John Munro, were commissioned into the King’s Loyal Rangers. After the war, all of these men were in a position to assign land through the Land Board of Luneburgh District.

In 1792, Simcoe issued a Proclamation authorising the granting of entire townships to individuals or groups, with the intention of establishing a landed gentry in Upper Canada, a natural aristocracy to counter the “mob mentality” of democracy as exemplified in the new United States.

Our five individuals, with so many connections to each other through their army service, were granted seven townships: Osgoode, Wolford, Montague, Russell, Kitley, Loughborough, and

Pandemic sees surge in Do-It-Yourself investing The COVID-19 pandemic may be causing a surge in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) investing. More than 1.2 million new online trading accounts were opened in Canada in the first half of 2020, according to stats from national research firm Investor Economics - this compared to 846,000 new accounts opened for all of 2019. With these high numbers, Canada’s investment watchdog is encouraging investors to be informed and ask themselves important questions before embarking on the path of doing it yourself.

In a new investor bulletin, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of December 2, 2020

Canada (IIROC) cautions that, as implied by the words “Do-It-Yourself”, investors are responsible for their investment decisions and actions. For this reason, they have to be comfortable with managing their own investments, whether that means a financial gain or loss.

Instead of working with an investment advisor, DIY investors use discount brokers, also known as OrderExecution Only (OEO) online trading platforms.

While DIY investors cannot receive recommendations or advice, OEO firms can offer them a broad range of investment products to buy and sell, such

as stocks and Guaranteed Investment Certificates.

The appeal for many DIY investors is that, even though OEO firms typically charge fees for each trade, these fees are at a much lower cost than working with an investment advisor.

“Since the start of the pandemic, IIROC has seen a dramatic surge in contacts from DIY investors – up by 180% compared to the same timeframe in 2019,” says Lucy Becker, IIROC’s Vice-President, Public Affairs and Member Education Services. “For this reason, it was important for us to issue an investor bulletin to highlight key questions to ask yourself

when confirming whether DIY is right for you. An informed investor is a protected investor.”

Some key questions to ask yourself: Are you comfortable with not receiving advice about your investments?

Do you have ample time to devote to investing, research and monitoring?

What is your level of investment knowledge – do you understand products and their features, benefits and risks, and do you understand what is most suitable for you? How complex is your financial situation?

(Generally, the more complex it is, the more you may benefit from receiving

4

financial advice.)

IIROC’s bulletin also outlines common mistakes made by DIY investors.

Among them: Buying wrong products for your circumstances, because you misunderstood features, benefits, risks.

Engaging in trading strategies without understanding the benefits or risks.

Over-extending yourself financially by borrowing to fund investments (lines of credit or credit cards).

Not checking account statements and being surprised by fees that have eroded your investments.

Misinterpreting investment research and subsequently “betting the farm” (and

losing).

Lucy Becker also notes that older Canadians represent a significant number of calls to IIROC about DIY. “Since 2017, more than half (or 57%) of the people who call IIROC about DIY investing have been over the age of 55. This is an interesting fact because many might assume that only younger Canadians are interested in – or involved in – DIY investing.”

Read IIROC’s Investor Bulletin to determine whether DIY is right for you. Be an informed investor.

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Meet Daniel Nepssy

by A/SLt (NL) Mathew Nepssy, TRG O, NLCC Assiniboine “It’s not what I expected – in a really good way!”

Meet Daniel Nepssy, a highly energetic young man who has always walked to the beat of a different drummer.

His Dad was in cadets when he was a boy, and always talked about how great it was.

His older sister is in cadets (you met her in a previous article) and talked about how much fun she was having.

He didn’t really want to join cadets at the time, but figured “why not” Yup! When I asked him what he wanted to share about his voyage so far with Kemptville’s Navy League Cadet Corps Assiniboine,

the first thing he said was: he really didn’t want to be in cadets when he started out.

At 9 years of age when he joined, the discipline proved to be particularly challenging for him. It was only a small part of the evening routine, but learning to stand still for colours and sunset (the opening and closing ceremonies of a parade night), and learning to be precise in his movements for drill, proved difficult. Still, there was something there that he couldn’t put his finger on, so he stuck it out. He learned to iron his own uniform. He learned to polish his own boots. He learned to take pride in what it was to be a cadet, and share in the joys

The Voice of North Grenville

United Counties report

Safe Restart Emergency Fund: Counties Council has received a Safe Restart Emergency Fund usage report presented by staff at the Committee of the Whole. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced to Ontario’s 444 municipalities earlier this year $4-billion in emergency assistance to assist with COVID-19 responses. The first stream of funding allocates $2.16-million to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The funds are to support operating costs and pressures due to the pandemic.

Since the pandemic began, Counties staff has tracked all COVID-19 related costs. They have identified the following areas where the money will be used.

Lost Revenues: Provincial Offences Court (POA) significant revenue decline due to the cancellation of court due to the pandemic. The deficit to date in 2020 is $392,496 with courts not expected to resume until March 2021 at the earliest. Additional Safe Restart funds will be used to cover the Counties’ share of losses in 2021.

The Province has not updated the Current Value Assessment (CVA) for 2020.

This means the Counties will not realize any current value assessment increase (non-related growth) within the 2021 budget. Based on a four-year average, the estimated loss for 2021 is $712,973.

that came from being a part of a corps. He learned that he really did enjoy this after all!

Now in his third year, he looks back at the competitions and parades he has been a part of, the friends he has made, and the life skills he has developed, and he tells me he is happy that he stayed the course in those early days when he wasn’t sure if it was for him. His only regret is that he missed out on the opportunity to attend a week-long summer camp last year, due to the restrictions imposed for everyone’s health and safety – but he holds out hope for next year.

Still, he has learned that perseverance and dedication have their own rewards. This year, he has been learning communications skills online, like Morse code, semaphore, and some of the basic principles of marine radio, as he works towards earning his rank of Petty Officer 2nd class. Then he winks and shares that: “Who knows… with another year to go, maybe I can even make Chief Petty Officer”. Apparently, ambition is something he has picked up along the way.

Like the rest of the cadets in his corps, he has learned that you get back what you put into something. So long as he continues to apply himself, in cadets as in life, while he may (or may not) achieve his goal of becoming a Chief Petty Officer, he will most certainly be able to stand tall, shoulders back, head held high.

Operating Costs: Liabilities related to unused vacation: Some staff members have not been able to use full vacation entitlements due to the pandemic, including paramedics and Maple View Lodge employees. At the year end, an employee has the option to carry over two weeks of vacation or be paid out. Currently the increase in vacation accrual over the 2019 year end is over $700,000.

Short term leave costs: Staff were able to use their short-term disability to cover self-quarantine, the out-ofcountry travel mandatory 14day quarantine, or in response to school closures requiring a parent to remain home. The Counties self-finances its short-term disability program.

Further analysis at year end will need to be completed to determine the full cost of accessing it during 2020 due to the pandemic.

Miscellaneous Physical distancing measures, personal protection equipment, Zoom for virtual meetings, signage, and increased cleaning supplies.

Appointment of External auditors: Council has passed a by-law to reappoint Allan and

Partners LLP as external auditors for the United Counties for the fiscal years of 20212025. The Counties receives approximately $43-million annually in provincial funding in the areas of Paramedic Service, Maple View Lodge and Community and Social Services with each area having unique funding guidelines and reporting requirements.

Allan and Partners have indepth knowledge of Public Sector Accounting Board standards and provinciallyfunded municipal programs, which have resulted in the delivery of financial reports in a timely and efficient manner.

For more information, contact Treasurer Pat Huffman at 613-342-3840, ext. 2468.

Upcoming meetings: The Committee of the Whole meeting is on Tuesday, December 8; the Joint Services Committee on Wednesday, December 9; and the inaugural and regular Counties Council on Thursday, December 17. All regular meetings begin at 9 a.m. and members will be participating electronically. For more information, contact County Clerk Lesley Todd at 613-342-3840, ext. 2454.

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TIMES Gord Logan

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

OPP launches Festive R.I.D.E. Campaign

Between robust mandatory alcohol screening laws, vigilant citizens and dedicated officers, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reminds drivers they'll have plenty to worry about if they choose to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs over the holidays. The OPP's Festive R.I.D.E. campaign kicked off last week and runs until January 3, 2021.

With more than 21,800 calls to the OPP to report December 2, 2020

suspected impaired drivers so far this year (2020), the OPP is praising these proactive citizens for doing their part to help keep these dangerous drivers off our roads. Close to 3,300 such calls were placed during the 2019/20 Festive R.I.D.E. campaign and reflect the 'zero tolerance' attitude the OPP encourages everyone to adopt every day.

Motorists are reminded that officers regularly conduct Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) with

body.

Under impaired driving laws, the OPP can also demand that a driver submit to a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) and a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Evaluation. SFST-trained officers and DREs have the expertise to detect impairment by alcohol, drugs or both in a driver.

In launching the program last week, Thomas Carrique, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner, said: "As Ontarians celebrate this physically distanced holiday season, an important part of staying safe is ensuring you have a solid plan that prevents you and your family from driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. The OPP encourages citizens to continue reporting impaired drivers to police. Combined

drivers who are lawfully pulled over and they will be ramping up this investigative measure, including at R.I.D.E. stops, throughout the campaign.

Now heading into its third year, under the MAS law, an officer with an approved alcohol screening device can demand a breath sample from any driver without having reasonable suspicion that they have alcohol in their body.

Drug screening equipment that detects cannabis (and cocaine) in a driver's saliva is another important resource officers have at their disposal. These devices are used to enforce the provincial "zero tolerance" sanctions that apply to young, novice and commercial drivers who are suspected of having the presence of drugs in their 5

with the dedication of our frontline officers, our collective efforts can significantly help keep you and your loved ones safe on our roads during the holidays and throughout the year."

Drivers and passengers are reminded to adhere to strictly-enforced laws relating to the transportation of cannabis in a motor vehicle. Forty two (42) people have died on OPPpatrolled roads so far this year (2020) in collisions that involved an alcohol/ drug-impaired driver. OPP officers conducted more than 8,800 R.I.D.E. stops, charging 605 motorists with impaired driving, during the 2019/20 Festive R.I.D.E. campaign.

The OPP Festive RIDE Campaign runs from November 26, 2020 to January 3, 2021.

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Development Corporations adding to Small Business Pandemic Relief Funding

Heather Lawless and Tom Russell at Leeds & Grenville Economic Development Summit at Kemptville, 2019.

The Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation and the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation are very pleased to announce that businesses in our service areas may be eligible to benefit from enhanced support funding through the Government of Canada’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).

In total, an additional $1,960,000 is being invested by the Government of Canada to complement the $2,140,000 announced earlier this year, for a total of $4,100,000 in COVID-19 relief funding for

December 2, 2020

local small businesses and not-for-profits.

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan has helped to protect millions of jobs, provide emergency support to families and keep businesses afloat as they contend with the impact of this devastating pandemic. A central component of this strategy is the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, which helps support those who may not be eligible for other programs or who may require additional relief.

Since RRRF was launched earlier this year, more than a thousand businesses have been assisted,

helping them to retain employees, cover operational costs and play a critical role in our economic recovery.

Community Futures Development Corporations have provided crucial financial and counselling support for southern Ontario’s rural businesses, helping to maintain 3,500 jobs across the region. Locally, the Grenville CFDC and 1000 Islands CDC combined to fund 58 businesses who maintained 379 jobs.

Commenting on the increased funding, Heather Lawless, Executive Director, Grenville CFDC, said: “With the support of FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada, we are committed to delivering even more relief funding to the Grenville County business community through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. We are here to help businesses that have had their revenues adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Support will be offered in the form of interest-free loans in amounts up to

$40,000 to address fixed operating costs of businesses who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Loans will not be repayable until December 31, 2022 and a portion may be forgivable upon repayment. Priority will be given to sole proprietors, main street businesses (such as retail shops, restaurants, corner stores and social enterprises) as well as businesses of strategic importance.

Businesses that have already received funds from other government programs are also eligible to apply but may not be eligible for the loan forgiveness feature.

Additional information and funding applications are available at www.ticdc. ca and www.grenvillecfdc. com and businesses are strongly encouraged to apply early as funds are limited.

CFDCs deliver a wide variety of programs and services to support community economic development and small business

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The Voice of North Grenville

growth. They employ local staff and are each governed by a volunteer board of directors made up of local residents representing the community. Through RRRF, Grenville CFDC provided $995,000 in liquidity support to help 31 local businesses impacted by the pandemic to cover fixed operating costs and maintain 111 jobs. Principal repayments can be made at any time after January 1, 2021, and 25% (not to exceed $10,000) of the loan can be forgiven provided the recipient has paid 75% of the original loan amount prior to December 31. 2022. If the

RRRF loan recipient has received a Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan, the recipient does not have access to the RRRF loan forgiveness feature. Recipients can only receive the benefit of forgiveness from one source of COVID-19 related financial support from the Government of Canada.

If the recipient is unable to repay the loan by December 31, 2022, the loan will be converted to a three-year term loan with 0% interest rate effective January 1, 2023. The full balance must be repaid by no later than December 31, 2025.

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The North Grenville Times

Thinking for Oneself

by Jim Bertram Imagine the following analogy for a moment: you are feeling ill. Chills. Slight temperature. Given that it’s “Covid Time”, you do what is necessary: get a Covid test and go home to wait for results. For several days.

Finally, you get a call from your doctor calling you to their office to discuss your situation. You arrive. The doctor outlines the various information bits, and summarizes your symptoms.

“Well?”, you ask. Your doctor looks at you and says: “Well, I’m waiting for more information from the Ministry of Health in Toronto – and they’re very busy you know.”

You reply: “But you have my physical symptoms, my positive test, and months of medical reference information concerning possible effects and treatment of the disease. What ARE we waiting for?”

“Well”, says the doctor, “one never knows. There just might be something new that we don’t know about right now, don’t you think?”

You reply: “ Look, we know what Covid is. And what it does. We know I’ve got it. Medicine already has compiled a huge amount of useful information on this illness. So, let’s go. Use your medical skills to treat me.”

Of course, the patient

in the analogy is becoming impatient because the doctor, with great amounts of information at hand owing to research over the last several months, insists on waiting for possible small additions to that accumulated pile of information before launching a treatment program for them.

Now let’s jump to another problem where I feel a similar degree of frustration.

That problem is the threat posed economically, taxwise, crime-rate wise, social development-wise, and environmentally by the prison which Mr. Clark’s government has decided, without a moment of consultation, to abusively inflict on the town of Kemptville. A series of articles, comments, and letters by various community members have pointed to serious “symptoms”, which the jail, like an illness, would cause with the completion of the jail project - a life sentence for the people of Kemptville, once built.

Such results, or “symptoms”, are known to be associated with the imposition of prisons in small towns.

These results have been tabulated in many studies carried out in Canada and the United States. I have written on the subject and distributed references concerning those research projects to all who asked. Those who read the

studies became more informed on the subject, as did I myself after having read them in early September.

And yet, there are those, like the doctor in the Covid analogy above, who can’t make up their minds about the problem before them, notwithstanding the great amounts of information readily available on the subject.

I expect they have refused to take the opportunity to inform themselves from the voluminous research work already done and available.

They do, in fact, declare that they must wait for further information to come from the very people who have made the very bad political decision to impose the jail on Kemptville, in order to satisfy their own political needs. They really believe they will get a complete and honest picture from those in government who are doing their level worst to hide the truth about the jail from the people of Kemptville.

Am I the only person who sees what’s wrong with such a naive and dependent way of thinking? I have expended quite a bit of effort, working with other members of our community, to get our provincial government to take the jail decision back and allow Kemptville residents time to become fully aware of what is happening to their little town with the proposal

of this jail. Of course, that would allow residents to learn that no long-term economic development would ensue following the building of the proposed jail. Only heavy taxes, increased criminal activity, and a long-term economic decline relative to other small towns which have no prison. Readers: that is not MY opinion. It is the condensed opinion of numerous American and Canadian researchers studying the economic and social effects of jails on small towns. Once again, if you don’t want to take my word, write me and I’ll send you references to research in the field. I have yet to find an independent research report which contradicts the above findings.

To conclude: we are told by some that we need to wait for information. Personally, I prefer the information available from disinterested researchers to the shaped and very smooth and selective presentations of a provincial government which seeks to save money and satisfy interests in Ottawa on the backs of Kemptville and other North Grenville taxpayers. That is basically the nub of the issue. So, beware my friends. Covid is not the only dangerous disease out there at this time. Fight back by being independently informed.

Celebrate the Holiday Season safely The holidays are going to look a little different this year due to COVID-19. To support Ontarians as they begin to safely plan for the season, the Ontario government, based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and input from the Public Health Measures Table, is providing preliminary guidance on how to safely celebrate this year and protect your loved ones.

Details were provided by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health.

"I know there are many people looking forward to their traditional family celebrations at this time of year, but to keep your loved ones safe, traditions will have to be adjusted," said Premier Ford. "We're asking everyone to please stick to your own household when celebrating.

Avoid big holiday parties or large family dinners to help us stop the spread of this December 2, 2020

deadly virus. By following this public health advice, we can all have a safe and fun holiday season."

No matter where you live in the province, the safest way to spend the holidays this year is by only celebrating in person with the people you live with and celebrating virtually with everyone else.

If you live alone, consider exclusively celebrating with one additional household as a safe way to spend the holidays.

While public health measures to keep Ontarians safe may be different in communities across the province, the following is some general advice to consider when planning your holiday season: Safer Holiday Activities: • Virtual holiday gatherings or events with family, friends or co-workers.

• Outdoor holiday activities such as building a snowman or going on a sleigh ride with members of your household.

• Visiting Santa Claus,

• • • • • • • •

•

Mrs. Claus or their elves outdoors and taking photos while keeping two metres apart.

Attending a drive-in or drive-through event.

Watching holiday or other movies with your household.

Decorating your doors and putting up lights around your home.

Lighting your menorah.

Baking holiday treats with your immediate household.

Donating to your favourite holiday charity or toy drive.

Riskier Holiday Activities: In-person holiday gatherings or events, particularly gatherings where masks or face coverings must be removed to eat or drink.

Indoor holiday activities such as having overnight guests or sleepovers with friends or people outside your household.

•

Visiting Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus or their elves indoors and taking photos without being two metres apart. Children are not permitted to sit on Santa's lap this year.

• Visiting family and friends for non-essential reasons.

• Individuals and families in higher transmission areas should avoid going to lower transmission areas, except for essential reasons.

• Hosting or attending social gatherings or organized public events that do not adhere to provincial or local requirements. See below for information about the gathering limits that apply in the various zones.

While the above is recommended advice from public health officials, please remember you must adhere to public health and workplace safety measures and rules in your region. A new holiday 7

The Voice of North Grenville

UPDATE

UPDATE

For updates related to COVID-19 visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus 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 the Municipal service by phone, email and online.

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 14, 2020 AND Tuesday, December 15, 2020 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.

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than 2 hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca

PLANNING PUBLIC MEETING – Wednesday,

December 9 at 6:30 pm

- Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment – 1590 County Rd 20 - Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment – 2600 County Rd 43

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Heritage Advisory Committee – Thursday, December 3 at 4:30 pm Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Monday, December 7 at 3:00 pm Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – Thursday, December 10 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.

GARBAGE & RECYCLING

Please be advised that the new Garbage and Recycling Calendar between November 2020 to January 2021 is available for download at www.ngrecycles.ca. Remember to have your bins out by 7:00 am.

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

www.NorthGrenville.ca

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Editorial

The North Grenville Times

Respect

by David Shanahan

There was a genuine touch of irony in the news that, just the day before the public “consultation” was to be held regarding the proposed prison in Kemptville, a prisoner had “walked away” from a correctional facility near Brockville. Embarrassing for the province. Then again, the entire farce that has been played out since the Solicitor General, Steve Clark, and the Premier made the grand announcement that the Greater Ottawa Correctional Facility was coming to Kemptville.

The manner in which this has been handled by the province has been nothing short of incompetent. When a government leaks information in dribs and drabs, as they have done in this instance, they’re either trying to hide something, or they don’t know what they’re doing.

In this case, I don’t think they were necessarily trying to hide. In fact, all accounts suggest that they were feeling quite proud of themselves,

and were shocked to find people were not lining up to congratulate them and thank them for being so generous to the people of North Grenville.

The reports published in this issue indicate that these bureaucrats and politicians have still not registered how badly they have handled this, yes, I’ll say it again, this farce.

I have been saying all along that there was not sufficient information on which to base an opinion on the prison.

By the way, let’s be honest: this “facility” has doors that only lock from the outside.

The occupants do not hold the keys. There are staff in large numbers whose job it is to stop the residents “walking away”. That, friends, is a prison.

No, the one thing that everyone can agree on in this mess is that there has been a complete lack of respect for our community shown by all the provincial players involved here. It is obvious that there was a lot of time and planning that went into the new deal for Eastern

The Voice of North Grenville

Ontario correctional services; yet none of that time or planning involved the residents of North Grenville. The municipal mayor and council were not consulted. Even the original name for the place was insulting - Greater Ottawa? Really? I think we, as a community, have the right to be outraged and furious.

Reports from last week’s “consultation” Zoom call indicate that there has been no sign of respect yet from those same bureaucrats and politicians. What comes across is an impatience, a sense of annoyance that they have to justify themselves to these North Grenville people, who clearly don’t appreciate what they’re being given. It’s important to remember that, from their point of view, the Kemptville prison is just one part of a much wider project that involves Brockville, Ottawa, and Napanee. Problems with the Kemptville segment would only throw the entire project into disarray. Sorry about that, bureaucrats, but we aren’t really concerned

with the big picture. We are concerned about the dismissive attitude and the total lack of respect you and your political masters have shown to us.

Mayor Peckford and council seem to think that they have no authority to object to the prison. But they do: they represent the people of this municipality, and they speak with our authority. At the very least, there should be loud and angry cries from them about the lack of respect, the lack of consultation, and the arrogance shown by the provincial players. They may have no actual legal powers, but they certainly have strong moral authority in this, given the way it’s been handled, and they should be speaking out, not trying to work behind the scenes to mitigate the effects of the proposed prison. Council says that their reading of the situation suggests that opposition and support for the prison is divided relatively equally in the population; but that is not the impression I get. Judging from letters and articles submitted to the

Times, there seems to be very little support. Of course, that is often the way: opponents make more noise. Supporters don’t have to.

On one level, it doesn’t matter if it does no good to complain. Complaining is the point, and not a surrender in silence or mild protest. Can anything be done to stop this thing? Probably not. The fact is that the province has put too much time, money and planning into this to walk away as easily as a prisoner in a correctional facility. We could appeal to that reliable community supporter over many years, Steve Clark. Oh, right.... This is not a matter of having a small town mentality, as some have suggested. It is a matter of trying to change an entire Eastern Ontario project.

It reminds me of the controversy that surrounded the building of the Municipal Centre years ago. There were those who protested that we couldn’t afford such a white elephant, that it would cost us huge sums for the foreseeable

tended to be a "Mixed facility". Presumably this refers to a mix of criminals classified by seriousness of crimes and risk of escape requiring maximum, medium, and minimum security. Such models have been known to be training grounds for criminals since Dickens' days. Why is Ontario perpetuating such errors? The resulting costs from training neophyte criminals to be master criminals also need to be part of the costs above.

Offsetting these costs are some benefits accruing to each of Ontario and Kemptville. Each of which need to be established. Benefits, such as having criminals off the street, may accrue largely to Ontario, but, we suspect, much less so to Kemptville, despite its rapid population growth.

Peter Gunther

thing like the Eastern Ontario Ottawa prison, in our town.

No one seems to know why this Ontario Government proposed Prison project was placed here. Why do we not know?

It seems Ontario owns the land and, under present governance systems, there seems to be NO onus on our central Ontario Government to come to the community before a decision is made.

So, under the present system, a sort of bidding is opened to the various Ministries to put “DIBS” on Ontario Lands for needed projects. And, being overwhelmed, Mayor and others speculate: well, let’s see what benefits can accrue? Widening C.R. 43; expanded water and sewage infrastructure; expanded CR 44; transportation into Ottawa (how will day parolees get into Ottawa?); other? But will Ontario be able to commit to such expenditures, given the growing debt in time of COVID? Does anyone have the facts?

Where does future plan-

ning come in? Every hamlet, and Housing? Perhaps this town, city, and township etc. is not consultation, because goes through a future plan- we do not have the details to ning process. North Grenville study ahead. had one, which is now obsoBuilding prisons is not lete because the Ontario Gov- an overnight decision! Even ernment has decided to put a in the most dysfunctional prison in our town. Why? administration system, there I submit that, if we can is normally the sketching build economic development out of a plan, budgets and by “shop local”, we should time/ money to be spent, and also demand community then a decision on feasibility planning starting from local. based on pros and cons. If not, Were modern town/com- why not? Was it a brain child munity planning tools even of some overworked civil considered? Can we see the servant, and presented to the documents?

Ministers who then said yes to Actually, I would submit the idea?? Perhaps except for there is not enough informa- Mr. Clark, none of the plantion provided to react other ners have ever been to our than as we have done. Letters area? Perhaps, as rumoured, to MPP, Solicitor General, Ottawa City said no to this Premier, and Mayor and try- prison? ing to get feedback.

Our MPP is the Minister Finally, “Feedback“ has of Municipal Affairs and been scheduled by a virtual Housing and did not, accordmeeting in which we are in- ing to our Mayor’s article in vited to submit questions the newspaper, communicate AHEAD. Is this an open ap- ahead. But, is that: ‘did not proach? Should we settle for communicate ahead of the this? Or, is it a box ticked on announcement’, or, ‘did not the To Do list of the Solicitor General and our MPP, who is Minister of Municipal Affairs continued on page 8

future. Others pointed out that municipal council and staff could not go on trying to work out of the Ferguson Forest Centre buildings. Much heat was generated, some rather unscrupulous behaviour too.

In the end, where are we with that building? Well, both sides were right. The Municipal Centre sucks up lots of taxpayer dollars, and will continue to do so for some time to come. On the other hand, it is impossible to imagine municipal, sporting, and social life in North Grenville without it. If the proposed prison is inevitable, it will probably turn out like that: both supporters and opponents will be found to have been correct in their predictions. At least, we can only hope so. In the meantime, all we’re really asking for is a little respect.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This note is in respect of public Consultations on the proposed jail in Kemptville.

The notice is biased against anyone spending time participating in the process, because it states that the jail "will be built" and fundamentally flaws the consultation process. There is no public benefit cost study of the jail's impacts on each of Kemptville and Ontario. For Kemptville, such costs must include data on: 1. Migration of criminal families and loved ones into Kemptville and surrounds to be in sufficiently close proximity to visit. (What is your evidence? Don't say "None," because that is blatantly false.)

2. Resultant uptake in the distribution of illicit drugs; What are your estimates?

3. Increased deaths resulting from those practices (n.b., The United States Department of Transport places the value of road fatalities in the US at $9 million (USD),

The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc. Marketing Gord J. Logan gord@ngtimes.ca 613-258-6402 December 2, 2020

Presumably, Canadian lives are no less valuable). How are the people of Kemptville to be remunerated for related loss of loved ones?

4. As anyone who has spent any time in ER wards these days is aware, not all overdosing patients die, but go on to recurring visits to the ER at $1,500/ night, or over $500,000 per year, while stressing out staff at the hopelessness of their efforts. How is Kemptville to be remunerated for such costs?

5. What are the subsequent costs of well recognized drug related additional robberies and home invasions to support the inevitable additional drug habits?

6. What are the subsequent costs of increased numbers of highway and machinery-operator accidents from those attracted populations driving under drug influence?

7. How is Ontario going to remunerate the people of Kemptville for the above costs?

We also note this is in-

Dear Editor, The residents of our corner of Ontario have varying opinions about the projected building of The Greater Ottawa Prison, renamed some-

the north grenville

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TIMES

Editor Marketing David Shanahan Shannon Lever shannon@ngtimes.ca david@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

OFFICE 613-215-0735 Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671

Copy Editor editor@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671

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Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Staff Reporter Hilary Thomson hilary@ngtimes.ca

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The North Grenville Times

Prison benefits bureaucrats, not North Grenville

by Stephen Harris I was a participant in the briefing provided by the Ontario Solicitor General’s staff on the proposed detention centre for Kemptville at the Campus property. My overarching sentiment of the experience was one of disappointment. My disappointment is rooted in the cavalier attitude of the government’s participants towards the community – particularly having completely ignored its character, and egregiously failing to acknowledge both the municipality’s original debate to buy the campus, and its interest in acquiring the vacant farmland across the road.

First, the presentation by the bureaucrats focused on how the province’s requirements would be satisfied by using this so-called “surplus” land, without acknowledging the needs and wishes of the community itself. The bureaucratic argument for why the Kemptville site was chosen was based on the fact Letters continued communicate about the project at all’? Why would the information to do with this prison project not be released at the first stage to the community to study and consider?

Which scenario has unfolded?

We are being treated as collateral, and not as most affected, deserving of real consultation! This is a small town, and this proposed prison would have a disproportionate impact on our “community” life, as compared to larger places. I do not know if my objection, both of intellect and visceral, would, in fact, represent a majority opinion.

The point is, those who made the decisions ALSO DO NOT KNOW!!! Is that what we should settle for? Is one virtual question session enough?

Or are we as irrelevant as it appears?

The Central Ontario Government holds the purse strings, and jobs and economic benefits have been dangled in news stories. But very arable land and its agricultural possibilities will be ploughed under at a time when food security and climate change are threatening. So, to me, the choice becomes a prison, or an agricultural based future. Think the Manotick endeavour, SUNTECH? Which type of possible development should we strive for?

Oh, but I forget, that is not the question before us!

December 2, 2020

The Voice of North Grenville

THOMAS M. BYRNE Barrister and Solicitor

that it was free – although there was some weak acknowledgment that potential employees lived south of the 417 highway. No concrete evidence was provided. Also, we were told that the site provided easy access to the 416 highway. There are many acres of vacant land along the 416, particularly just south of Barrhaven, where at least two large commercial buildings are being erected, and where a detention centre would be more appropriate, and where no residential properties are located. The fact that the government, in reality, didn’t want to absorb the cost of a new piece of land simply means that the externalities of the decision to locate the facility in Kemptville would have to be absorbed indirectly by members of the Kemptville community, rather than directly by residents of Ontario more generally.

Second, the bureaucrats, to support their case, pointed to other communities in

Ontario where the siting of prisons has been successful.

Indeed, they had the audacity to suggest that the residents of these communities (Windsor, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Brampton, Lindsay) would have moved away if they were not satisfied with their situation. What a silly and disingenuous assertion. Moreover, the noted municipalities are considerably larger, both in area and particularly population (by multiples of 100’s in some cases), where a new institution would have little but marginal impact on the community compared to the situation in Kemptville with only 4,000 residents. Indeed, the character and culture of Kemptville will be under attack.

Third, if Kemptville needs anything to spur its economic development, it is having viable innovative industries providing good paying jobs. What the bureaucrats offered was grass cutting, snow removal, res-

taurants, and coffee shops.

Economic development is not built on the shoulders of low wage jobs associated with the bureaucratic argument.

Indeed, research undertaken in the United States on the siting of prisons in rural areas shows no positive effects for economic development.

Comparing prison towns with non-prison towns, the former perform worse, in economic terms, than non-prison towns.

Actually, unemployment is higher, poverty is higher, and average wages are lower in prison towns than nonprison towns. The increase in housing values is also lower.

So, what the government is offering Kemptville is more of the same – low wage, low education requirement jobs, and increasing inequality in exchange for some free land.

If the land could be “commercialized”, we would all be better off: good paying jobs in innovative industries and positive flow of property tax revenues. At the meeting,

I asked the bureaucrats for the cost-benefit analysis of the policy decision to locate the facility in Kemptville. It was obvious from the answers - which droned on - that no such analysis had been undertaken. Indeed, the decision process reflected an observed pattern by this government: seat of the pants decisionmaking pushing aside rigorous analysis that would balance the issues raised here.

And it was all done in secret.

Finally, one could ask, where do we go from here?

This community has a history of reacting to bad decisions, and as a community

We get to “suggest” some design and placement on lot details? That is the crux of my objection. I do not see the “Local” advantages for COMMUNITY building.

Think how the Kemptville Hospital and Library were built. Community involvement was key.

Before proceeding further, how about finding out the majority opinion in our community. Is one virtual session in a pandemic situation adequate? Is it enough to be told other much larger towns, in the end, settled to accept their prison projects?

Obviously, I do not accept the method from start to finish.

Best wishes to keep safe and well.

Nadia Gray

Planning Act and allows Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister, Steve Clark, to make a ruling on how a piece of land is to be used in the province, with no chance of appeal by municipalities, citizens, or environmental groups!

MZOs have traditionally been used by the provincial government in emergencies, or to quickly advance a major initiative of provincial significance. Times have changed.

In just over a year, Minister Steve Clark has issued over 33 new MZOs, which is many more than the past government did during their entire 15 years in office!

Currently, despite opposition, no public consultation, no infrastructure in place to support the proposed jail development and the loss of prime agricultural lands and opportunities, the provincial government is assuring us that they know what is best for your community. Developers are being selected, and all regulations under the Planning and Environmental Assessment Acts that normally would apply are set aside under a MZO, in order to fast track the project. The principles of good governance, accountability, and transparency, to say the least, are not being respected. The democratic process seems to be an inconvenience, and so

is being swept aside and one wonders why? The legislation and processes to enact these legislations were put in place to ensure the public good, and in one swipe of a pen, overthrown?

Let’s not sit back quietly while the province tramples all over your rights, your official plans and zoning bylaws, in favour of back door deals with developers.

Minister Clark needs to stay in touch with community, work together with Councils, respect the processes in place...the Planning Act, Municipal Act, public consultation requirements for developments, democracy rather than dictatorship.

Protect your community... contact your local council and Steve Clark. Let them know how you feel and how it will effect your next vote!

Evelyn Lorey, Merrickville

Other owners of vacant lots in the area regularly mow their properties.

Finally, we initiated a formal complaint under the Municipality's property standards bylaw, because the land is not maintained to "local standards", as required by that bylaw. The Municipality refuses to enforce the bylaw.

Why? Because the land is their property and the Director of Public Works does not want to mow it.

Should one conclude by this debacle that an employee of this Municipality gets to choose whether or not a Buren St. Municipal212 lawVan is enforced?

Does it reveal a conflict of interest with respect to bylaw enforcement? And what about the Councillor responsible for liaison with Public Works?

Well, he simply washed his hands of the matter and kowtowed to Public Works.

Victor Jarjour

Dear Editor, Years of effort to get a neighbour to take care of their adjoining property have failed. All we have been asking is that the owner of the roughly half acre property mow it occasionally during the growing season. It's not just about aesthetics, but that land has become a weed farm, spreading weed seed all over the neighbourhood.

Dear Editor, Re: Former Kemptville College lands approved to host 2020 IPM. Why are these people so fixated on our small town? I have a much better idea about where to have the Ploughing Match. MPP Clark’s back yard would be the perfect place. Then they could have all that wonderful extra business as a by-product with my

Dear Editor, Wake up people...a provincial prison will not be the end of Steve Clark’s land grabs. The Ontario government is using a tool to speed up controversial developments by eliminating expert analysis and public input.

It’s called a Minister’s Zoning Order. It was meant for special cases, but has now become routine, and is being used by Steve Clark to push through the Kemptville prison project.

A Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) is part of Ontario’s

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General Practice Corporate / Commercial Family Law Estates Real Estate Wills & Powers of Attorney tom@tmblaw.ca 613.258.1277 222 Prescott St., Kemptville we should continue to put pressure on provincial politicians. Moreover, our municipal politicians should be less than even-handed in their deliberations with the local MPP and other politicians, because the location of the prison offers nothing to Kemptville residents. The mayor has suggested from time to time that some business people are supportive of the facility because it will generate business.

The rigorous policy analysis, which is available to local bureaucrats if they look for it, tells us that business will not be stimulated by the facility.

If the mayor thinks this is not the case, then some empirical analysis ought to be brought forward. Alice in Wonderland policies, or policies of hope, hope that everything works out, will not work.

Dr. C.L. Eamon

613.258.7438

blessing.

All that extra traffic by his front door, rather than mine. All the fooderies in Brockville (or wherever he lives) could benefit. This is a ‘small’ town. That’s why I like it. Let’s not destroy it!

What else does this government wish to surprise us with?

Kath Piché www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

New fitness for Downtown Kemptville

way of exercising works for everyone. After many years in the fitness industry, Catherine knows that modifying and adapting to her clients’ needs is the name of the game.

Debbie Wilson, Board Chair of Old Town Kemptville BIA, noted how well Catherine’s business fits into the area. “Downtown Kemptville seems to have naturally evolved over the past few years into a health and wellness hub. Catherine’s business is a perfect fit as part of that evolution. Her experience, her knowledge, and her passion for helping people reach their fitness goals is tremendous, and we have no doubt that she’ll make a positive impact on the downtown

The Board of Management of the Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA) are excited to announce the grand opening of Reborn by CatherineFit in the heart of Downtown Kemptville.

Catherine Swail’s journey in fitness began quite a few years ago, when she was at university and wasn’t quite happy with the 200lbs that she saw in the mirror. From there, she went to the gym with a purpose, and ate with more control and awareness. Her fat loss journey didn’t stop there. With some starts and stops along the way, she continues to adapt and change her eating and workout routines to suit her lifestyle. No one

as a member of our Old Town Kemptville BIA family.

Catherine’s own connection goes back a long way. “I grew up in Kemptville, and I love the history of downtown.

When the opportunity came about to open my own studio, I knew that my growing personal training business was ready for its own location. I wanted a spot where I could train my clients - a space to call my own, where they could get out of their house, de-stress, and take an hour just for themselves.

Reborn studio is exactly what was needed in Kemptville. A place that focuses on an inner and outer transformation. This studio is a reminder that exercise is more than

Old Town Kemptville BIA home decorating contest

"Celebrating 60 years in business" Resta ura & Pat nt io

bia@northgrenville.on.ca to be entered into the contests to win a $100, $50, or $25 gift card from Canadian Tire.

Submissions must be in by Saturday, December 12, at 9:00pm.

On December 13, the BIA will publish a list of homes that have been entered into the contest, so that everyone in North Grenville will have the opportunity to check out the decorated homes. By submitting a

The Old Town Kemptville BIA is encouraging North Grenville residents to get into the Christmas spirit with their Ho Ho Home Decorating Contest. Sponsored

by Frank Hoffman of Kemptville Canadian Tire, the contest is open to all North Grenville residents, not just those in the downtown core.

Photos of decked out homes, along with family name, street address, and phone number, can be emailed to

613-258-2630

28 Clothier St E, Kemptville

December 2, 2020

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photo and address, you are agreeing to have your address published. A group of celebrity judges will be choosing the winners; but the BIA is encouraging people to email them with their top three picks. Winners and photos will be posted on the OTK BIA Facebook page by January 3, 2021.

OTK BIA Executive Director, Deron Johnston, hopes that lots of North Grenville residents will par-

just aesthetics, but mental health too.

“At the moment, I mainly perform one-one Personal Training, and my clients love that it is just me and them.

The rapport that I have with all of my clients is amazing. They tell me a lot about themselves, and how they want to feel better, and I aim to help them make that a reality. My goal with every session is to put sayings like ‘no pain, no gain’, and ‘more is better’, to rest. I want my clients to be able to move better, get stronger, and have less pain. Everything else is a bonus. The future of Reborn is to continue to help people in Kemptville become a better version of who they were yesterday. To enter each workout with purpose, and leave feeling proud and accomplished”.

For more information about Reborn by CatherineFit, visit her website at www. catherinefit.com, follow her on Facebook at @CatherineFit Personal Training, or on Instagram @cat_fitpt, or email her at catherineptfitness@gmail.com. You can also call for an appointment at 613-327-5756, or drop by the gym at 138 Prescott Street.

The gym hours are Monday to Friday, 6am to 9pm, Saturday 7am to 4pm, and closed on Sunday. Please join us in welcoming Catherine to Downtown Kemptville.

ticipate in the contest and enjoy venturing out to see all the festive homes.

"There are two things I love about this contest: one is that it symbolizes the positive things that can happen when you create new partnerships, like the one we now have with Frank and his team at Canadian Tire Kemptville. It also brings the community together by giving people the opportunity to get out of their homes safely and enjoy the creative festive efforts of others throughout North Grenville.”

This is just one of many activities that the OTK BIA has planned as part of this year’s Old Town Christmas.

Stay tuned for a special online event on Saturday, December 5, and to find out about even more ways that you can get involved in the holiday celebrations.

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex

by Patricia Habberjam Community Engagement Session Via Zoom, 26 November, 2020 I joined the above meeting, at 5pm, to learn more about this new proposed Correctional Complex. Who comes up with these names? Everyone knows it will be called the Kemptville Jail by the locals. The Ministry of the Solicitor General was the host for the evening.

When I signed in, I was allowed to activate my camera, but not my mic. Fair enough, no interruptions, but we could see each other, those who chose to be seen. I have done a few Zoom meetings these last few months, but always with a smaller number of people. Half way through the session, my video was turned off.

Anyone who knows me knows that I show my feelings on my face, and it must have been too much for the Chair. To be fair, he turned off everyone’s cameras. I found this action sinister, someone was controlling my participation. I also didn’t like not being able to see all the people who attended this meeting. Why was I on Zoom, if not to see everyone?

If this meeting had been held in ‘normal times’, would they have asked us to cover our faces, as well as staying silent?

At the start of the meeting, the Chair spent a large amount of time explaining how we were to be respectful of each other; no interruptions when someone was speaking, no bad language, etc. We would

December 2, 2020

have two minutes to put our questions at the end of the presentation. This was strictly adhered to and all questions were answered, although not always satisfactorily. I thought everyone was respectful.

The presentation was long and covered all aspects of the future prison; a lot of time was spent showing us pictures of how lovely and welcoming the inside would be. This is a prison, right? It made me think of all the homeless people, and others in our area, who are not living in anything like the luxury depicted in these pictures, even the ‘before’ photos, I thought, looked ok. I was not that interested in seeing or hearing about the inside of the prison: I wanted to know why Kemptville was chosen as the site for this future correctional facility.

Eventually, a few written questions were read out by the Chair and duly answered. I asked a question, which I didn’t think was taken very seriously, about the closeness to Ottawa and the fact that the Southern Ontarians have no idea of how this area is administered, evidenced by the original name ‘The Greater Ottawa Correctional Complex’.

They claimed to know exactly where Ottawa is located, but then went on to explain that the future prison would be working in close proximity with the Ottawa facility. As far as being advantageous to North Grenville, I see no benefits for us.

The Complex will be high tech. Court appear-

ances will be via video as well; family visits will be encouraged to occur over the internet, which would solve any lack of local transportation. Drones were mentioned as surveillance assistants, and I got the feeling that living anywhere near the future prison would be interesting from a technical point of view.

A few people asked the Question: ‘Why was the fact the prison is to be built in our community kept quiet until it was a done deal?’ The answer was always the same, they didn’t want any one muscling in on the deal and buying up the land (how could they, it is government owned?), or developers coming along and making money!

I think it is obvious from the touchy way the Correctional Complex Team handled the meeting that the real reason is they didn’t want an outcry from the residents before they could present us with a fait accompli. My feeling from the whole three hours was that it is a done deal; no one really cares what any of us thinks.

The project will probably begin building 2023/4.

Before that, consultations and measurement of land will take place, request for tenders from local builders could result in short term employment in the building industry in this area.

In the long term, if any local work is forthcoming, it will be in the service sector. No hope was held out that well-paying jobs would be available to the present members of this community. It was suggested that prison workers may choose to relocate to the local area. It is expected that the prison will be up and running by 2027.

This is my opinion, I do not live in close proximity to the proposed complex, but I have lived in towns with prisons. The prisons were there long before I was, thus I moved there knowing what to expect.

I did not move to North Grenville 11 years ago expecting this rural area to be the home of a new High Tech Prison! This complex will definitely change the feel of the place, perhaps Ottawa will get even larger!

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Please phone in your Christmas Baking orders well in advance to avoid disappointment!

Thank You!

To all the businesses that supported the North Grenville Times to help us celebrate 60 years in business. From those proceeds, the NGTimes was able to donate $1000 to the House of Lazurus through the NG Community Funds project in your name.

(PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO THE HOUSE OF LAZARUS) Also to all our friends and clients who sent us their personal congratulations via email, phone and in person.

We would not be 60 years in business without the support of our community! tmas and Happy

Ne w r Yea

M e

h r is C rry

YEAR

Heritage wood-fired oven operating commercially since 1885

Regular Bakery Hours

Looking forward to 2021

115 Clothier St. E., Kemptville

613.258.2317

Tuesday- Friday 5:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday 5:30 am-3:00 pm Closed Sunday and Monday

www.grahamesbakery.com

People in pain need protection from false pot promotion

What’s the worst kind of pain? At the top of the list is debilitating chronic pain that, despite painkillers and other treatments, is unrelenting, day after day. Chronic pain gradually destroys the soul. A study of suicide cases between 2003 and 2014 found evidence that as many as 10% of cases involved chronic pain. Now, with the availability of marijuana for medical treatment in Canada and most US states, is new hope being corrupted by false advertising?

No one should suffer pain that can be safely managed.

The addition of medical marijuana as a treatment option has helped many. But, despite heavy regulation, there are unscrupulous entrepreneurs ready to make a quick buck, and they are banking on your trust. What hurts, is that they are taking your money while also betraying your hope for pain relief.

People enduring chronic pain have probably heard their doctor say, “You have intractable pain and there is no cure.” Given new availDecember 2, 2020

ability of medical marijuana, it should not be surprising that many have wanted to try it.

Chewable gummies are particularly attractive, because they are so easy to take. You can find dozens of products online marketed as “300mg CBD Gummies”.

CBD is short for cannabidiol, derived from the hemp plant.

Hemp contains less THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana plants. While research continues, there is substantial evidence that CBD can help with both musculoskeletal and nerve pain.

But the marketing and labeling of these gummies is a despicable mess.

Let’s focus on the dosage.

Getting the dosage right for any medication is important, and for hemp or marijuana it can be tricky. So, it’s good advice to consult your doctor.

Don’t rely on the misleading information found on websites promoting these products. Typical dosages for CBD can range from less than 10 to more 300 milligrams daily. That’s a big

range. Finding the dosage that meets the needs of different people usually means starting with a low dose and gradually increasing by about 5 milligrams daily until the desired effect is achieved.

Most research to date suggests it’s safe to take up to 1,500 mg daily.

So, back to those CBD gummies. It is very important to know what dose is in a single gummy. We shopped around to find out. Misleading, and downright fraudulent, information abounds.

Dozens of products mislead consumers into thinking there are 300 mg of CBD per gummy. Not true. This is the total CBD in each bottle of 30 gummies. Other products falsely state on the label: “300 MG Per Gummy”, when, in fact, there are only 10 mg in each gummy. Indeed, a single gummy at 300 mg of CBD is an extremely high starting dose! Just two gummies would be 600 mg of CBD. It’s absurd. A phone call to these producers confirmed the outright error, and yet, these

products remain on the market. Some companies have received warnings, but seemingly with no consequence.

For unsuspecting consumers seeking pain relief, this amounts to gross negligence by producers and regulators alike. Product websites show people cured of pain.

But there’s scant information to clarify dosages and guide consumers on how to use this kind of medication in the treatment of pain. How can this be allowed by health authorities?

P.T. Barnum, the circus promoter, said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”

Entrepreneurs make a lot of money with such deceptive, slick promotion. How many people in chronic pain, with limited funds, are fooled by ads about quick relief of pain and are still suffering. It’s shameful, and people in pain deserve better.

If readers have experience in easing chronic pain with CBD gummies, contact us.

Sign-up at www.docgiff. com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com.

It’s going to be a different Holiday Season this year, and the opportunities for festive activities and entertainment will be really limited. This will particularly affect people who can’t get out of their homes to even see the usual lights and decorations.

And so we invite you to come and join us on Saturday, December 12 at 6:00 pm in a Christmas celebration to

BRING THE LIGHTS TO BAYFIELD

Friends, families and all members of the Kemptville community are invited/ welcomed to walk or drive by the front windows of Bayfield in a festive Christmas Parade for the benefit of the residents. We hope to have vehicles (and people!) decorated in a display of lights and ornaments that will provide a Christmas Holiday memory for 2020 that will brighten everyone’s hearts.

Details to follow.

100 Elvira St. Kemptville T: (613) 258-7484 F: (613) 258-3838

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

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

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

The Voice of Merrickville/Wolford

New book of poetry reflects on pandemic

by Hilary Thomson A local writer has published a book of poetry that reflects the highs and lows of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Katie Nolan is no stranger to creative writing; but she says she hadn’t written a lot of poetry until the pandemic hit in March. “It just seemed like there were so many unbelievable things happening that I just got an urge to start writing about it in little, short, observational ways,” she remembers. “Haiku is such a great format for that.”

Katie has not only been writing daily haikus, but she has also been sharing them on Facebook, garnering a lot of support from her network.

As soon as she started posting, she found that a lot of people connected and resonated with her poetry, which drove her to write and share even more. “I sort of got to the point where I had this table at home that was just covered with post-it notes with all the haikus on them.

There were so many things to say. It just happened very organically and, as I saw that people were enjoying reading the poems, I just kept going.”

Katie’s new book of poetry includes 238 haikus, one a day from March 25 to October 31, which reflect the variety of feelings and emotions that come with living through a global pandemic. At first, some of them were kind of funny, reflecting the disbelief that many people were feeling during the early days of COVID-19. As the pandemic drew on, they morphed into having a more serious tone, epitomizing some of the other world events happening at the time, as well as the deteriorating mental health that many are experiencing as a result of COVID-19. “A lot of the poems deal with how we can maybe help each other through hard times. But there is also a kind of back and forth between us as humans and this virus that has turned our

Merrickville Estates residents want McLean Road paved

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Merrickville Estates Residents Association (MERA) is asking council to include the paving of HF McLean Road in the 2021 Public Works budget.

Resident, Graeme BonhamCarter, submitted a letter to council on November 16, asking for the opportunity to make their case to council about why paving McLean would be beneficial to the municipality from both a community and financial perspective.

The letter notes that the developer has now sold 100% of the lots in the subdivision, which means they will soon have 69 families living in Merrickville Estates. Greame writes that almost all of them are members of MERA and have said that they agree with the request to have the road paved.

“It has become very clear that the increased traffic (vehicular and pedestrian) on the steep, narrow section of ColDecember 2, 2020

lar Hill Road is an accident waiting to happen,” the letter states. “A paved HF McLean would divert much of the [Merrickville Estates] traffic away from this section.”

Deputy Mayor Michael Cameron voiced his support for MERA’s request, stating that, as this item has come to council a few times over the past few years, it is something that council should be seriously considering. He said that, given phase 3 of Merrickville Estates has been sold, and council recently passed a bylaw to redirect heavy traffic in the village, it would make sense to make HF McLean a priority in the 2021 budget.

“St. Lawrence and Read Street are now the major thoroughfares for all truck traffic going through, and HF McLean is the contact point at which all of these vehicles are contacting Merrickville Estates,” he said at the meeting. Although the Village’s Operations Manager, Brad Cole, stated that he did not have a concrete estimate for

roads, there are people in Wolford who would also appreciate having the roads that lead to their homes paved.

“Really, this is a priority matter for council to determine who needs roads, and we’ll base that on information from Public Works,” he said.

Although council is not taking delegations at this time due to COVID-19, they directed staff to encourage Graeme and MERA to send in their presentation for consideration in the 2021 budget process. Mayor Struthers did note, however, that council has to be prudent with their capital expenditures next year, in order to build up the municipality’s capital reserve. “[We] will take it into consideration with the many, many other things that are on the list of responsibilities we have, not just in roads, but the other parts of our municipal infrastructure.”

council on how much paving that stretch of road would cost, Deputy Mayor Cameron said that a cost estimate was completed in early 2019, which had the cost sitting at roughly $121,000.

The Deputy Mayor has been an advocate for upgrading roads throughout the municipality ever since he was elected to council in 2018.

He believes that looking after roads as a municipal asset should be a priority, and noted at the meeting that the amount of money needed to care for the roads in the municipality will sit at approximately $12 million, as of 2023.

“I think it’s important that we start tackling these roads, one at a time, and accomplishing an upgrade as we move forward,” he said. “These items should be identified and become a priority in our upcoming budgets.”

Councillor Bob Foster said that, while there is no doubt that the residents of Merrickville Estates would love to have access to their neighbourhood via two paved

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lives upside down.”

Katie decided early on that she wanted to put together a collection of the poems, so that her readers online could have a hard copy of the haikus. She partnered with local artist, Meredith Luce, who illustrated the collection with one black and white image for each of the months represented in the book. “Seeing Meredith’s concepts for each month was so emotional for me, because she’s pulled out the phases of the pandemic and kind of what some of our hot issues were as you span that given month. To see them all depicted like that as a flow of images is really amazing.”

For Katie, writing the haikus has been a very meditative practice and an interesting way to connect with the community. “It’s kind of a way to connect with people and maybe give voice to some of the things that are hard to say sometimes. It’s just a small thing everyday

that I do. It doesn’t take much time. But, taken all together, it becomes a bigger piece that really tracks the trail we’ve walked.”

The first edition of COVID Pandemic in Seventeen Syllables is being printed locally at COBA Studios in Merrickville. It is $10 and is now available for pre-order at www.luceends.com. All profits from the book will be going to support local charities, and books ordered before November 25 are guaranteed to arrive before Christmas.

Katie hopes that this collection of haikus will help people feel connected, and that they see some of themselves reflected in the pages. “[I hope] they enjoy having a kind of diary, if you will, of what this year has been about.”

To keep up with Katie’s writing and her daily haikus (which are ongoing), find her on Facebook under Katie Nolan, author.

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Where I’m at with COVID. I live in a “jewel” of a village that, so far, has been fairly safe. It’s an historic village and mecca for tourists. As much as I’d like our businesses to prosper, I am concerned that now, during this pandemic, the-powers-that-be have seen fit to advertise a welcome to visitors “from far and wide” for our scaled down annual “Christmas in Merrickville” celebration on December 5 & 6. They advise all to take the usual precautions “…so that Merrickville doesn’t become known as a super spreader”.

And that the shopping celebration will now be two days instead of one, “to hopefully spread out the number of visitors… to make sure the stores are aren’t overwhelmed with shoppers”. I wonder how visiting shoppers coming from far and wide will be cognizant of that, and somehow coordinate their numbers over two days.

What this plan really does is allow for a greater number of visitors, and therefore greater risk.

Having said all that, I do welcome all to enjoy our village, once there’s a handle on

COVID and the vaccine has rolled out. Merrickville has so much to offer and excels at entertaining visitors.

Perhaps the safest thing for a resident (or someone considering to visit) is to not take part in the event. And to hope that safety and common sense will prevail among visitors regarding the wisdom of travel to other villages to shop during this pandemic, especially for goods that are not necessities. We’re forgetting to treat our stores like our homes, pandemic-wise.

It seems that I must choose to isolate myself from the village amenities, and perhaps even the little bubble of friends I’ve been blessed with, for the required time after the event. I can become an on-line/delivered-to local shopper, so that the village can invite visitors from far and wide, which is basically what our elected official suggested when contacted with my concerns. Well, we all have our priorities. letter cont'd on page 14

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times letter cont'd My son is a designated essential worker whose workplace, he told me this morning, has just been designated as a red zone in itself. His work is essential for others.

Also, my brother was taken to hospital having contracted COVID last week. They live outside our area, and, needs be, our contact has been mostly virtual for some time.

The pandemic is very real for us. I truly hope it does not become more real for the village and visitors after Christmas in Merrickville. Pouring rain or cancellation would be nice solutions, but, sadly, I’ve no control over that.

And so, that’s where I’m at with COVID. Jan Schryburt Merrickville

Library looks to council for support with building repairs CAO Doug Robertson confirmed that the estimated cost of the roof and exterior wall repairs is $20,000. “We have an issue where there are requirements for the building that the Library Board needs to take care of, and the money to meet those funds should not be coming from the operational programs that the library runs,” he said. “It would be a detriment to the children, teenagers, adults, seniors in the community.”

Councillor Molloy suggested that council meet with the Library Board to go over their concerns and discuss the possibility of renegotiating the terms of the lease.

pality to lease the building at Local Journalism Initiative Reporter $1 a year, with the caveat that they take responsibility for The Merrickville Public the upkeep and maintenance Library Board is looking of the building. for financial support from Councillor Timothy Molthe municipality to repair loy, who sits on the Library the roof and some exterior Board, said that, despite the walls on the library building. terms of the lease, the library Municipal staff presented should not be responsible for a report to council at the the maintenance of a buildmeeting of November 23, ing that they do not own. As outlining their current lease of December 31, 2019, the agreement with the library. Library Board had $84,051 In 2010, the building that sitting in its reserves; but he currently houses the library argues that, as this money has was donated to the munici- been accumulated through pality by the Merrickville donations, it should go toLions Club. At that point, the wards library operations and library entered into a 25-year programming, not building agreement with the munici- repairs.

by Hilary Thomson

New name and owner for Portside Boutique and Julia is planning on taking advantage of this to make the store her own. They will be closed in January, February, and the beginning of March to do renovations. “It will be a lot of work for my poor husband,” Julia laughs.

“He’s a contractor, so at Abel Mountain he’s built 90% of the displays. Anything I dream up, he will build it for me.”

Julia admits that running two stores, especially during a pandemic, is a lot of work.

But she keeps going because she feels it is in her blood. “I always really liked Marilyn and Tim, and I’ve always sort of had a vision for how I would like this place to look.

So I thought: why not try it?”

Hazel’s Boutique will remain very similar to Portside, in that it will focus on women’s clothing and accessories; but it is clear that Julia is looking forward to putting her own personal touch on the shop. “I’m excited to see it come to life,” she says.

Hazel’s Boutique is open at 312 St. Lawrence Street, from 10am-4pm, SundayThursday, and 10am-5pm on Friday and Saturday.

Owner Julia Provost at the cash in Hazel's Boutique.

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There is a new women’s clothing store in Merrickville. Hazel’s Boutique is owned by Julia Provost, who is also the owner of Abel Mountain, next door. She took over the store at the beginning of October from Marilyn and Tim Boyce, who ran Portside Boutique for the last seven years.

“I’ve been shop neighbours with Marilyn and Tim who owned Portside, and she had kind of hinted at wanting to retire,” Julia remembers. “And, one day, I jokingly said I should just take over for you, because I’ll miss your store.”

Soon after, Marilyn and Tim came to her with a rough outline of some numbers. Julia talked it over with her husband, Carlos, and decided to go for it. “It just made sense.” Marilyn and Tim retired at the end of December 2, 2020

The Voice of North Grenville

September and Julia opened up Hazel’s Boutique the second week of October. It was a seamless transition, as Marilyn was able to set her up with many of the brands she has worked with for years, and she even took over some of the stock Marilyn had already ordered. Julia says the first few weeks in business were good, especially since they didn’t have a sign in the door for most of October.

Hazel’s Boutique is named after Julia’s ten-year old daughter, Hazel. “Abel is my son, and Hazel is my daughter, so it just made sense that they each have their own store,” she says. Hazel loves having a store named after her, “She’s always like: are we going to Hazel’s? With a little giggle in her voice.”

Opening a new store during a pandemic has definitely been a challenge for Julia.

The most difficult part has been getting enough stock, because supply is down due

to COVID-19, even with local and Canadian brands. “You’ll spend hours sourcing something, and then people will get back to you and half the stuff you’ve spent time sourcing isn’t available.”

Julia and her three employees also spend a lot of time cleaning the store to make sure it is safe for customers to shop. They sanitize everything every 20-30 minutes and limit the number of people in the store to four. They also steam all the clothes every time someone tries something on, to make sure the items are safe for the next shopper.

Despite the challenges, Julia says the local support has been amazing. “People either liking or sharing your posts on Facebook, shopping in your store, trying to shop more local. COVID has really brought the community together, which is nice.”

Portside Boutique always shut down over the winter,

Help Support Your Local Businesses

SHOP LOCAL 14

Deputy Mayor Michael Cameron noted that, should they renegotiate the lease and start charging the library for the use of the building, they would have to include the cost of building upkeep in the rent. “Indirectly, they would be paying for the repairs anyway,” he said.

According to the staff report, the library did have a building reserve fund that sat at around $64,000 at the end of 2009. Councillor Bob Foster suggested that, if they could discern if there was any money left in the library’s current reserve, that stemmed from this past building reserve, it could be used to pay

for the repairs.

Mayor Doug Struthers committed to council that he would meet with the chair of the Library Board to hear more about what they think might need to be adjusted with the current lease. Council is also encouraging the board to put their concerns in writing, to be considered by council. “There is no question that our library is a very important asset in service to all the residents of our municipality,” he said. “We are all on the same page on that one.”

Pressure grows to remove Schedule 6 from Bill 229 Municipalities have joined the call to remove proposed changes to conservation authorities from the provincial budget bill. More than just a budget, Bill 229 proposes legislative changes that will weaken conservation authorities’ ability to protect people, property and the environment.

Such changes do not belong in a budget bill, which is exempt from consultation on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. That’s why many municipalities are calling for Schedule 6 to be withdrawn from the budget bill and for the province to engage in meaningful consultation on the proposed changes.

“We understand that the province has a desire to improve conservation authorities,” said Sommer Casgrain-Robertson, General Manager of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA). “But we need the Province to work with conservation authorities and municipalities on those changes, to ensure they are effective and do not jeopardize our fundamental ability to protect people and the environment – a responsibility Rideau Valley communities have relied on us to deliver for more than 50 years.”

Conservation authorities have identified several major concerns with the proposed changes, which will directly affect municipalities, residents and watersheds. These include changes to Board governance, including who a municipality can appoint to represent them; new powers enabling the Minister to override a conservation authority and issue a development permit in a watershed without a hearing and with no appeal; the removal of enforcement tools and a conservation authority’s ability to appeal planning decisions; potential provincial interference in local budgets and fees; and limitations on programs, with a decreased focus on environmental monitoring, stewardship and outdoor education.

In short, these are not small changes. They will bring increased administrative costs and burden for municipalities and conservation authorities, an erosion of local decision-making, patchwork program delivery across watersheds, decreased resources for capital renewal, and an undermining of the integrity, transparency and effectiveness of our planning and permitting processes.

Residents, groups and associations who are concerned about these changes need to make their voices heard this week before the bill goes to Standing Committee.

You are encouraged to: Contact your local MPP and Ontario’s Minister of Finance (Hon. Rod Phillips); You can also contact Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks (Hon. Jeff Yurek), Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Hon. Steve Clark) and Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (Hon. John Yakabuski).

Written comments can also be submitted to Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

In Memoriam

LA DEVELOPMENTS – MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH GRENVILLE MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NOTICE OF STUDY COMMENCEMENT

Northwest Quadrant Water Distribution System Expansion LA Developments is initiating a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to increase the groundwater supply capacity of the existing Kemptville Water Supply System. In 2015, the North Grenville Potable Water and Wastewater Master Plan (Master Plan) was updated to evaluate the servicing alternatives to accommodate the anticipated development by the build-out year of 2034. The Master Plan identified the needs to increase the existing supply capacity to accommodate the long-term growth needs in the Municipality.

613.206.7279

heaphyscleaningservice@gmail.com WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY AND MONTHLY CLEANS AVAILABLE

An increase in groundwater supply capacity will include an additional groundwater supply source, to provide a maximum day flow capacity of 2,000 m3/day and an additional storage reservoir capacity of 1370 m3. New watermains and/or upgrades to the existing water distribution system to allow for the connection of the new supply well to the existing system will be required.

The Class EA study is being conducted according to the requirements of a Schedule ‘B’ project under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document (October 2000, amended in 2007, 2011 & 2015). The purpose of the Class EA study is to identify the preferred location to establish a new municipal groundwater well, pumping station and storage reservoir at the new well location.

Public consultation is an integral component of the Class EA process, and we value your input during the planning process. A Public Information Centre (PIC) will be conducted as a part of the study, and at this time is planned as a virtual information event. Notification of the PIC will be advertised on the Municipality website and in local newspapers.

If you wish to be placed on the mailing list to receive notices and information, or, you wish to provide comments at any time during the process you can do so by contacting: Anne Anderson Thomas Rapley, PMP Administrator, LA Group Class EA Study Lead Kemptville, ON CIMA+ 613-271-9644 905-695-1005 ext.5789 anne@lagroup.ca thomas.rapley@cima.ca

Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

This notice was first issued on November 17, 2020.

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HOMEMADE GARDEN TRAILER, GRILL AT FRONT,OPEN SIDFOR SALE 45 original Bosson ED $ 125.00 12 HP KOHLER Heads, mint condition, ask- ENGINE,ELECT START,FROM ing $600. for all, call 613- A GENERATOR $ 250.00 CALL 215-0884 JOHN 613-269-3113 MERRICKVILLE 4 Goodyear Nordic P195/70R14 Winter Tires on greenhouses,Large quanity 5 bolt pattern Rims for Sale. of bedding plant containers Asking $130.00. Contact Rob and pots. 613-258 3053 613-265-7596 FREE: 2 JBL speakers, ap4 Snow tires 195/65P15 no prox. 22x14x12 inches in teak rims. good condition $50 . cabinets. Also, asstd. 3-ring Call 613-713-3347. binders all in good condition.

Call Bill 613 258 6544.

11 Sept. 1936- 6 Dec. 2019 Sadly missed, quietly remembered!

No longer in my life to share, but always in mu heart!

Love Paul McManus

HEAPHYS CLEANING SERVICE

The 2015 Master Plan update recommended a new source water well with storage, distribution, collection and treatment in the Northwest Quadrant to increase the local water supply in the Municipality.

FOR SALE

Norma McManus

Deal 2 Hybrid Adams Irons 5&6, 28 inch snowblower, auto- HOUSE FOR SALE: At 114 NEW $150 for pair.. Call 613- matic starter, new motor Hagan St Kemptville. Call 614-5730 $475.00 613 215 0625 613 258-2753 or jbleizert@ ripnet.com Blue Lazy-boy $45. Tan sofa Mixed seasoned firewood for bed $65. 613-258-3761 sale, $110 per cord delivered, Hunters Paradise Deer minimum 3 cord order for de- and Turkeys Bow and Snow tires on rims, Altimax livery, Jon 613-227-3650 Bkack Powder Season Call Arctic 225/70 R 16. 5 bolt 613.258.3561WMISCELLA$500.00 613-258-0589 7 pairs of custom made NEOUS drapes,sheers & black 4 Michelin X ice 215/60/16 outs,mint condition. with ANTED on wheels 5X114.3 used one rods, all for $200.00 call 613winter $550.00. 613-862- 215-0884 Looking to Rent Farmland for 9816 Organic Cash Crops Specifi2 Bridgestone Tires 16" used cally looking for land that's one summer $150. Call 613- fallow/overgrown or old 614-5730 hay/pasture. Also interested 15

in conventional cropland to transition to organic. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204 FOR RENT Indoor and outdoor storage for vehicles, boats and RVs. Call Jon at 613-227-3650.

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cl ngt

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. What we eat 5. Sandwich shop 9. Add 13. Chills and fever 14. Slack-jawed 16. Connects two points 17. Collections 18. Engaged 19. Adjutant 20. Assists 22. Lie 24. Afflicts 26. Bog hemp 27. Carnal 30. 2nd largest country 33. Councillor 35. Exotic jelly flavor 37. 56 in Roman numerals 38. Be 41. Chart 42. Exams

45. Shares 48. Exhibited 51. Wood-eating insect 52. Went ballistic 54. Puppy sounds 55. Spoken in soft hushed tones 59. Encounters 62. Hindu princess 63. Beauty parlor 65. Plus 66. Countertenor 67. Name of a book 68. Attired 69. Hireling 70. Tardy 71. Sister of Zeus DOWN 1. To vex 2. Curved molding 3. Eccentric 4. Scorn 5. Black bird

6. Quaint outburst 7. Type of beer 8. Vomitive 9. Mesa 10. 53 in Roman numerals 11. Annul 12. Observed 15. Swelling under the skin 21. Disparage 23. Engine knock 25. Identical 27. Sodium chloride 28. Santa's helpers 29. Lenient 31. Young unmarried woman (archaic) 32. ___-garde 34. Bite 36. Church alcove 39. Drunkard 40. 3 43. A twisting force 44. Exchange 46. Snip 47. Incriminate 49. Excrete 50. Wreck 53. Triangular formation 55. Envelop 56. Fit 57. Moving within 58. Airhead 60. Russian emperor 61. Fizzy drink 64. Born as

Why Do You Donate?

by Paul Rochon Over the past fourteen months, I have been writing a monthly article for the North Grenville Times about blood recipients who would not have survived a tragic event or situation had they not received blood. My last story is focused on the responses I received first hand from donors at the June and July Blood Donor Clinics in Kemptville.

I asked donors why they donate, and why do they come back every two or three months to do it, time after time, on each occasion losing an hour of their precious time. The following are some of their responses.

“I feel good doing it, particularly knowing that I can help someone.”

“My sister’s twin needed a blood transfusion. I made a blood donation and have kept on.”

A first time donor: “With Covid 19, and everything that I hear on the radio, I thought it was the right thing for me to do.”

“I was a foster parent, and one of the children developed leukemia. She required many units of blood. She, unfortunately, died, but since then I try to help by donating blood, stem cells, and anything else I can.”

“I was a medic in the military. I saw the need for blood in numerous cases. I consider it a civic duty.”

“I started to donate when two members of my family were killed in an accident. Today was my 69th donation.”

“I think everybody should receive blood if they need it.”

“I donate to benefit society.”

“It’s a moral duty to donate. My mother had leukemia and she received many units of blood. That’s when I started to donate, and I haven’t stopped.”

“I’m a paramedic in Ottawa, and I see many situations where blood is required.”

“My mother used to be a regular donor, but was recently deferred for life. I picked up where she left off.”

“My brother required many units of blood before he died three years ago. I want to replace some of the blood he received.”

“My father made over two hundred blood donations. I guess I take after him.”

“For the well-being of people.”

“I’m O Negative. I hear the commercials stating the need for this type of blood because everyone can receive it. I have kids, and I want to make sure there is blood for them, should they ever need it.”

“It’s an easy way to help, and it impacts on people who need blood.”

“A friend of mine needed blood and I decided to donate, and have kept on.”

“It’s part of being a good citizen.”

“I was involved in a motorcycle accident in 1983. If nobody had donated then, I would be long dead. I’m paying back.”

“It’s in you to give.”

“I came because my husband decided to come after being called by Canadian Blood Services a number of times. I decided to go with him and donate” “I started when I was young, hoping there would be blood for me. My daughter had health issues and needed blood.”

“My girlfriend’s father has type O negative, but can no longer donate because of medication. I started to donate to replace him.”

“My dad always donated, and I guess I’m following suit.”

“I’m new to the area, and I want to help out.”

“My dad always gave. Some years ago, my mother-in-law needed a liver transplant.

My wife was a live liver donor. During the operation, there were complications and she needed some blood transfusions.”

“Our medical system requires a constant blood supply. Without donors, it would not function as it should.”

“My son required a lot of blood while he battled cancer. That’s when I became a blood donor. Unfortunately, he passed away, but I continued donating.”

“One of my high school teachers was a passionate blood donor. Under their guidance, a bus load of students went to the city to donate. As a result of this experience, I’ve kept on donating.”

“It is a way to help people and our community.”

“Because I can.”

“Because I can” - how many of you can, but don’t donate. What is your reason? Less than four percent of Canadians, who are eligible, do. Please, become a blood donor and be part of Canada’s Lifeline. There is a Blood Donor Clinic every first Monday of each month in Kemptville. For further information, or to book an appointment, go to blood.ca, or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easy

Hard

December 2, 2020

Medium

Solution to last week’s Crossword

16

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

UCDSB Trustees’ Meeting report

Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, November 25, for a regularly scheduled board meeting.

UCDSB Presents 20202023 Mental Health Strategic Plan: Staff presented the 20202023 UCDSB Student Mental Health Strategic Plan to trustees and highlighted the progress achieved from the 2017-2020 strategic plan.

The UCDSB Student Mental Health Strategic Plan (2020-2023) will continue to focus on four priority areas, which will be embedded in the UCDSB Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Wellness (BIPSAW). These four areas include educating students and staff on mental health resources; enhancing access to supports for stress and coping using evidencebased programming in all of our schools; articulating pathways to care ensuring appropriate levels of support for our vulnerable student; and, enhancing staff, student and family access to reliable, evidence-based and evidenceinformed information and resources.

For the 2020-2021 school year, the UCDSB Student

December 2, 2020

Mental Health Strategic Plan will focus on continuing to emphasize classroom programs delivered by classroom staff and encouraging help-seeking by clarifying pathways to care.

Remote Learning Sees Increased Enrollment for Inclass Learning Model: Staff presented its monthly remote learning report to the board, and outlined that as of Nov. 16, 80 per cent of Kindergarten to Grade 12 students were enrolled in the in-class learning model while 20 per cent of students participate in the remote learning model. These numbers show a one per cent increase for the in-class learning model.

The school board also witnessed an increased shift to “non-digital asynchronous” learning for remote learners where workbooks based on the curriculum has been developed and distributed to students.

To support this shift to non-digital learning, the remote teachers’ team create bi-weekly elementary curriculum-based resources that include workbooks featuring daily lesson plans across all grades and all subjects for a 10-day period. These resources are posted centrally

for all elementary teachers to use as part of daily classroom instruction, in addition to their own materials.

Monthly Financial Update on Potential Funding Sources: During this month’s financial reporting to trustees, administrative staff outlined sources of revenue for 20202021 that were not incorporated into the revenue estimates for the approved budget for 2020-2021. In advance of the beginning of each fiscal year, the UCDSB board of trustees approves a budget representing an estimate of the coming year’s revenues and expenditures, based upon the best available information at the time.

Since that initial budget approval in July, 2020, more than $6 million has been allocated to the UCDSB from Aug. 4 to Oct. 28. Most of the increased revenues comes from provincial and federal funding to cover COVID19-related expenses. Listed as Priorities and Partnerships Funds, this $6 million will be dispersed to previously committed budget line items as well as to COVID-19 response expenses.

Grade K-6 Virtual School Feasibility Study Presenta-

tion: To support students and their families for learning opportunities and in response to Ministry requirements, the UCDSB created a unique remote learning model during this time of the pandemic., On Sept. 2, 2020, trustees arrived at a motion requesting further study and a follow-up report on the feasibility, cost and implementation schedule related to the set-up of a stand-alone concept for a virtual school for all students K-6 model.

At the November 25 meeting, UCDSB staff presented a 24-page report created by an education consultant, who worked with senior-level staff for input and consultation.

The report’s findings rejected the idea of creating a Virtual K – 6 Elementary School at this time. Specifically, changing from the current remote learning model to a separately staffed virtual school for the remainder of the pandemic would not be in the school board’s best interests. The absence of adequate provincial funding for synchronous remote learning as a standalone school was identified as a significant restriction for this type of approach.

17

The Voice of North Grenville

Project Warmth and Heat for the Holidays

by Joselyn Morley It's cold out there! Help make a family's holiday warmer this year. You can help warm the home of a family in need.

Project Warmth and Heat for the Holidays are made possible in North Grenville by the coordinated efforts of The House Of Lazarus, Community Foodshare, and BMR in Winchester.

Project Warmth provides plastic window insulation for families in need. $25 will provide window kits to seal out drafts for three families in need.

Heat for the Holidays provides Eco-energy compressed wood logs for those in need. $75 will provide a week's worth of compressed logs for a family in need. $300 will provide enough compressed logs for a month.

You can donate through House of Lazarus, or donate directly through www.canadahelps.org. Call 613-989-3830 or email cashby@houseoflazarus.com for more information.

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The North Grenville Photography Club

The Voice of North Grenville

New independent hearing clinic opens in Kemptville

Hearing Instrument Specialist Karen McCallion explains hearing testing process.

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

North Grenville residents now have a new place to go for all their hearing needs. The Kemptville Hearing Clinic celebrated their grand opening on Friday November 27, at their new location they now share with the Kemptville Optometric Centre at 2674 County Road 43.

Hearing Instrument Specialist, Karen McCal-

Photographer Sandy Archibald was drawn to the textures on the back of this old building in downtown Brockville.

613-258-7800 www.kvrl.ca

Kemptville Retirement Living has been expertly designed to offer a full range of Lifestyle Options:

•Independent Lifestyle •Full Service Lifestyle •Care & Service-By-Design

613-445-5200

www.russellmeadows.com December 2, 2020

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lion, officially opened the doors to the clinic on November 2, along with the clinic’s Client Care Coordinator, Brooke Barkley. Karen has been working in the hearing instrument industry for 16 years and decided to open her own business after she and Brooke were laid off by another hearing clinic in Kemptville due to COVID-19. “I love my career choice,” she says. “When Brooke and I lost our jobs, I never thought about doing something else. This just worked out really well for us.”

According to Karen, their business is the only independent hearing clinic in Kemptville, which means they have access to any brand of hearing product that is on the market. “We don’t have agreements with any hearing aid manufacturers,” she says. “It gives us a lot of options,” adds Brooke.

The Kemptville Hearing Clinic provides free hearing tests to adults, and you don’t need a referral to book a test. The initial test usually takes about 1½ hours, so that they can do the testing and get a good understanding of the cli-

ent’s lifestyle and hearing needs. They can not only recommend hearing aids, but also custom hearing protection for people like musicians and construction workers, and earplugs for sleep or swimming.

They love their location in the Cornerstone Mall, which houses many other health-based services. They have already seen the value of sharing space with the Kemptville Optometric Centre, because they have been able to refer patients back and forth to each other. “Part of why we chose this space is we figured it would be mutually beneficial. It’s going to be a great relationship.”

Even though they opened their doors right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Karen believes it is actually a great time to be starting a new business, as many people are looking to stay local. They are working hard and creating a safe experience for patients by requiring masks, offering hand sanitizer, and doing COVID-19 screening before every appointment.

They can also facilitate curb side drop-offs or pickups, if needed. “We are taking every precaution,” Karen says.

Karen’s main goal is to continue to help people in North Grenville and surrounding communities hear better and protect their hearing. “We hope to be their go-to in the community and continue to provide the best service in North Grenville.”

The Kemptville Hearing Clinic is open Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm. To book a free hearing test you can email them at khc@hearme.ca, or call the clinic at 613-215-1501.

For more information, or to book an appointment online, visit their website, www.hearme.ca, or follow them on Facebook under Kemptville Hearing Clinic. www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Open For Business Support Local, now more than ever!

Menu #39 Tues Dec 8st - Dec 11th

613.860.2539 www.dialachef.ca

NEW STORE HOURS Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm

Saturday

8:00am to 6:00pm

Sunday

9:00am to 6:00pm

Delivery time in Ottawa is 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. Order at the latest, the previous day.

Tuesday December 8 1- Poached chicken breast, Supreme sauce, steamed vegetable & potatoes.

2- Camembert and potato tart, endive radicchio salad.

Wednesday December 9 1- Prune stuffed roast loin of pork, creamy mash potato, vegetables.

2- Vegan stuffed acorn squash with chick peas, roasted peppers & tomatoes .

Thursday December 10 1- Braised beef with carrots in red wine sauce, egg noodles.

2- Braised winter vegetables in red wine sauce, egg noodles.

Friday December 11 1- Fish curry in coconut milk, Basmati rice.

2- Tofu and eggplant curry, Basmati rice.

Cold day? Have s soup to go with your meal, 8oz, $5.00 plus HST. This week : Slow cooked beans and vegetable soup Pre-order your tourtière for Christmas. Serve 4, $20.00 + HST. Fully cooked. Ready on the 21st of December Vegetarian tourtière also available upon request

Starting on the 24th of December :

301 Rideau Street, Kemptville

613.258.3014

Snow Removal - Small Driveways, Walkways & Steps - Decks

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

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

December 2, 2020

The 11 Days Of Christmas

Includes choice of soup or salad and choice of dessert.

Meals come with homemade baguette.

Apple cider onion soup Or Turkey vegetable noodle soup (available after Christmas) Or Hot Bloody Mary Soup *** December 24 & 25: Turkey dinner, includes stuffing, sweet potato mash, carrots, Brussels Sprout, cranberry sauce & gravy.

December 26: Roast prime rib of beef, creamy scallop potatoes, carrots, broccoli, horseradish and le gravy au jus.

December 27: Duck leg confit, Salardaise potatoes, green beans. (limited quantities, order fast).

December 28: Salmon fillet poached in red wine, with mushrooms and glazed pearl onions, steamed potatoes.

December 29: Roasted Cornish hen, orange cranberry sauce, wild rice & vegetables.

December 30: Shrimps, scallops, clams and mussels ragout in a light creamy cari sauce, rice.

December 31: Surf & turf ( Beef tenderloin peppercorn sauce, broiled lobster tail in garlic), croquette potatoes, vegetables.

January 1st: New year day brunch: assortment of croissants and muffin, Cinnamon oatmeal, French toasts, poach egg with red wine mushroom sauce, home made sausages, home fries, apple syrup crêpe.

January 2nd: Roasted chicken with red wine and mushroom sauce, Duchesse potatoes & vegetables.

January 3rd: Slow braised lamb shoulder with winter vegetables and potatoes. *** Chocolate mint trifle, Or Mince meat tart Or Pumpkin cheesecake $42.50 per person, plus HST $5.00 delivery fee.

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Please Preorder the day before for next day Curbside pick up.

Order & Pay online www.cateredaffairs.ca

613-324-3136

$37.50 Complete Meal for 2 + HST $70.00 Complete Meal for 4 + HST All Family meals include Chef's choice of Soup OR salad, Appropriate Side Dishes & Dessert.

Gift someone a “Night off from the kitchen”...

Gift Certificates for Curbside meals are available!!

Shanghai Chow Mein

Stir Fried Pork & Vegetables & Noodles, Wonton Soup, Crispy Spring Rolls with Plum Sauce

West Indian Style Stewed Chicken (GF)

Trinidadian style braised chicken (NOT SPICY), Kidney beans and rice, Cabbage Slaw, Dahl soup Chicken Parmesan Boneless skinless chicken breast, topped w/parmesan and mozzarella cheese, on a bed of marinara sauce, Alfredo pasta, House baked Garlic Bread, vegetables

Tandori Chicken OR Tofu Bowl (Vegan)

Mildly spiced chicken breast, cilantro & tumeric scented basmati rice, curried potatoes & chickpeas, raita & flatbread, samosas with dip & Housemade Hot Sauce

Shepherd's Pie

Saucy ground beef with peas and carrots topped with whipped potatoes, House baked buns

Pre order your Christmas Turkey or Glazed Ham Dinner $110.00 & Appetizer Platters

(order by Dec 18th … these meals are always sold out) Local Beurbre turkey sliced white and dark meat (gluten/dairy free) * Herb & sweet onion confit dressing * Whipped mashed potatoes * Vegetable medley * House made gravy * Fresh cranberry, spice & orange sauce * Sticky Toffee Pudding with caramel sauce Brown Sugar & Mrs McGarragles Mustard Glazed Ham * Scalloped Potatoes * Vegetable Medley * Brown Butter & Sugar Glazed Carrots * Butter topped rolls * Cookies & Cupcakes for Santa Holiday Entertaining Appetizer Packages (Available Thru December) (5-8 pieces per person Minimal Home Chef assembly required with heating instructions).

Asian Affair - Platter for 4 $65.00 Mexican Fiesta Platter for 4 $70.00 Middle Eastern Platter for 4 $65.00 Indian Platter for 4 $65.00 Fun Fare Platter for 4 $65.00 Seafood Lovers Platter for 4 $90.00 Catered Affairs has a beautiful venue space & creative ways to keep friends, family & staff socially distanced & safe… contact us for availability & our Festive menu. info@cateredaffairs.ca 613-324-3136

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The North Grenville Times

Help Support Your Local Businesses

SHOP LOCAL BACKYARD ASTRONOMY

A telescope for Christmas

by Gary Boyle - The Backyard Astronomer As we move closer to the most wonderful time of the year, what do you get that budding astronomer? I always suggest, for those who have an interest in the night sky, to begin with a pair of wide-angle binoculars such as 7X35. This translates to seven power magnification with 35-millimetre objectives lenses located in the front. These are not too

large or heavy, especially for children. It will capture a wide field of sky and show a lot of stars. With such low power, you will not see great detail on specific objects as you would with a telescope but is a great tool in locating these targets like star clusters etc. and learning the night sky.

If you are confident a telescope is a must, there are a few things to consider, first of which is where to purchase the item. Purchasing

at a big box store or camera dealer is not advisable.

These are usually lower-end telescopes that might look like a great bargain, with splashy images on the box and statements of “400 power” magnification, but, in the long run, will most likely end up at the next garage because of disappointing views and mechanics. There are many reputable dealers online, and local telescope stores that know about these instruments and astronomy.

Next is the price. Although spending $500 to $800 might seem a lot of money, remember the ‘ole saying: “you get what you pay for”. I bought my first serious telescope (an 8-inch f/6 Newtonian reflector pictured here) back in 1977, and I am still using it today during public speaking star nights, and it is very portable.

This exact size will run in the $600 to $800 range, depending on the manufacturer. I have viewed spectacular lunar craters, the rings

of Saturn, as well as the bands of Jupiter and moons of both planets. From dark sky locations, I have seen hundreds of remote galaxies residing tens to hundreds of millions of light-years away.

The 48-inch long tube rests on a wooden Dobsonian mount that does not have motors. This is a great way to locate distant celestial objects using star maps, and learn the sky rather than push a button.

I would highly recommend this model telescope for the intermediate astronomer.

As mentioned, the Dobsonian mount has no electronics whatsoever, and relies on simple balance when pointing to an object.

Push power to celestial treasures is the only way to get around. Without motors that compensate for the earth’s motion, photography with a DSLR camera attached to the telescope will only capture extremely bright objects with quick exposures like the moon and the sun (with an approved solar

Did you know that group insurance, on average, will only cover you for two years?

Look at that statistic again for the 35 year old. The average duration for a disability at that age is 3.5 years. It makes you wonder what will happen after the group insurance runs out.

Also, many group plans have what is known as a NEM, or a non-evidence maximum. The NEM is the maximum amount of benefit that the insurance company will provide to employees, unless they provide medical evidence of good health.

Remember, most group plans will pay you 66.7% of your gross monthly insurable earnings. Example, you make $10,000 per month and the NEM is $5,000 per month.

On disability, you would only take home the $5,000 and not $6,670 (or 66.7% of your salary), unless you had given medical evidence to the

insurance company prior to the claim.

Do you know if your group disability insurance with your employer is taxable income? Or will it come to you tax free? If your employer pays the premiums for the disability insurance, chances are you will be taxed.

However, if you pay the premiums, the benefit will be paid to your tax free.

So, while having disability insurance through an employer is an amazing benefit, it may not always cover you entirely when your health fails, or if you have an accident. Looking at an individual plan to cover you for a longer period, or having additional coverage above the non-evidence maximum, might prove to be a good idea.

When it comes to WSIB, many workers think they are covered for everything. The definition of WSIB is a disability resulting in an inability 20

The Voice of North Grenville

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filter). For those wishing to take up astrophotography, be prepared to spend $2,000 to $5,000, or more, on a computerized model that is designed to track the sky and has a built-in database containing the positions of thousands of objects. With the click of a few buttons, these telescopes will move to the desired object. It is best to set your goals with something small and simple to use and enjoy the wonders of the night. You can always upgrade down the road. Feel free to contact me with your questions.

Till next time, clear skies.

Known as “The Backyard Astronomer”, Gary Boyle is an astronomy educator, guest speaker and monthly columnist for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. He has been interviewed on more than 50 Canadian radio stations and local Ottawa TV. In recognition of his public outreach in astronomy, the International Astronomical Union has honoured him with the naming of Asteroid (22406) Garyboyle. Follow him on Twitter: @astroeducator or his website: www. wondersofastronomy.com.

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

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

Disability Insurance

by Sharyn Hillier, B.A., CHS, Hill Life Financial Some call it “pay cheque insurance”, but it is otherwise known as Disability Insurance. Complicated? It seems to be, for many. Will you use it? There is a fairly good chance you will.

There are so many different types of disability insurance. Short term, long term, creditor insurance, WSIB, disability plans under group insurance, etc. How can you keep track? Or decide what is the best option for you?

Some people don’t realize that their greatest asset is not their home, their car, the family cottage, or their boat.

A person’s greatest asset is themselves, their ability to earn an income and keep earning an income.

The likelihood of having at least one disability that lasts longer than 90 days before you reach age 65 is inversely proportional to your December 2, 2020

actual age. The older you get, the less likely you will have a disability that takes you away from your work. However, the duration of that disability will grow as you grow older.

For example, if you are currently 35 years old, the probably of a disability before age 65 is about 50%. The duration of that disability will be about 3.5 years. If you are 55 years old, the probably of a disability before age 65 drops to 23%, but the duration rises to about 5 years.

Let me address some common myths about disability insurance. The two main ones involve group insurance and WSIB. Having group insurance at work is a particularly good thing.

People’s minds are put at ease by knowing it’s there.

Yet many people don’t look at the group benefits booklet or know exactly what they have until it comes time to actually make a claim.

to work due to an occupational accident (that means on the job, not at home), or an occupational disease. It must be sudden and unforeseen.

Only 5% of disabilities happen on the job. That means that 95% of a person’s disability risk is not covered

by WSIB. This gives a false sense of security, and many people turn down personal disability insurance on the premise that they have WSIB.

Chances are, when a disability occurs, they will not be covered under WSIB. Education when it comes to disability insurance is an education in peace of mind.

Know what you have. Know what your risks are. Ensure that your greatest asset is covered.

Need to protect those close to you?

Need to protect your business?

Hill Life Financial can help you protect what is important to you.

We specialize in life insurance, critical illness, disability, travel insurance and long term care

Sharyn Hillier, CHS

Life Insurance Broker sharyn.hillier@gmail.com 613-252-2403 www.ngtimes.ca