Issue 5 2021 February 10 NG Times

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February 10, 2021

Local food service industry needs heroes We're all spending more time at home.

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Erick Le Pors, Dial a Chef

Natalie Castallas, Catered Affairs

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Industry Leader in Diesel Performance Paul and Lisa Castonguay, Paul’s Bistro half capacity, making it difby Hilary Thomson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ficult to turn a profit. A joint study by Statistics Canada There is no doubt that and the Canadian Chamber the COVID-19 pandemic of Commerce released in has devastated the restaurant late August predicted the industry across the country. possibility of 60% of CanaEven when restaurants were dian restaurants failing in able to have people in their the following three months. dining rooms, they had to Industry association, Resadhere to strict social distanc- taurants Canada, predicted ing measures which often had that the restaurant industry their dining rooms sitting at would loose between $21.7

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Ken Baird & Shelley Stinson, South Branch Bistro billion and $44.8 billion in would usually make up most annual sales in 2020, and with of their revenue.

Erick Le Pors owns Dial the way 2021 is looking, it doesn’t seem like the numbers a Chef catering in downtown will be any better this year.

Kemptville. He says that, Locally, the food service since the pandemic broke in industry is struggling. Both March, operating his small casit-down restaurants and local tering business has been hell. caterers are feeling the effects His niche is doing in-house of either not being able to parties, which is something welcome diners into their res- that has not been possible for taurants, or the cancellation of cont'd on page 3 large parties and events that

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Heritage Week, 2021

Stop the Spread

by David Shanahan Every year, Ontario celebrates Heritage Day on the third Monday of February, and that entire week is dedicated to heritage of all kinds.

This year, Heritage Week begins on Monday, February 15, and it will be marked by events across the province.

This year, of course, most of those activities will be virtual, as we’ve (almost) come to expect. One day, in the not too distant future, we will be looking back on the Pandemic of 2020 with the same amazement as we remember the Spanish Influenza of 1919-1920, or even the Great Ice Storm of 1998.

But for us here in North Grenville, and across Eastern Ontario, 2021 marks another milestone in our shared story, one that will be marked throughout this year in the pages of the Times.

On April 25, 1791, 230 years ago, Jesse Pennoyer, a young surveyor sent from Montreal, wrote in his Diary: “Made a Cabbin to secure the provisions, came down to the Point and began the Survey of the Township of Oxford”.

But it didn’t even start there. On January 26, the

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Surveyor General set out the work plan for the year, item sixth being: “To Survey and lay out a Township between the South and West Branches of the River Rideau to satisfy the Officers and others of Edwardsburg, Augusta and Elizabeth town who are desirous of Settling there”. On March 30, he and his team had “Set out for the River Rideau”, to begin the work of laying out the new Township.

And it didn’t end there, either.

In March, a piece of legislation was introduced into the House of Commons in London designed to divide the Province of Quebec in British North America into two separate jurisdictions. The new, westerly section was to be called Upper Canada, the origin of the Province of Ontario. On June 19, the Act was given Royal Assent. As Jesse Pennoyer was laying out Oxford-on-Rideau, Upper Canada was being laid

out in the Constitutional Act in London. This makes 2021 quite an historic year for all Ontario, but even more so for North Grenville, and we’ll be publishing a series of articles throughout the year on various aspects of that story.

Heritage means our buildings, our origins, our stories, our songs and everything that goes into making us the community we are. In next week’s special Heritage issue, we’ll celebrate some of the aspects of that heritage, just a few items out of the myriad strands that go to make up the tapestry of our times.

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February 10, 2021

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KemptvilleHeating.com

100% locally owned and operated cont'd from front page the better part of a year due to COVID-19. “People cannot gather,” he says. “Over Christmas, I did parties for six or seven people, but that is not enough. It’s too small for me to make a living.”

To try and make ends meet, Erick has been running a meal delivery service. He puts together a menu every week and makes deliveries both locally and to Ottawa, from Tuesday to Friday. He also does special dinners for holidays like Valentines Day, which is coming up this weekend. “It’s generating some cash flow, but it’s certainly not generating any profit.”

Erick says he is lucky because he works from home and doesn’t have any large overhead costs. That being said, the catering business is his only income, and he doesn’t qualify for any government support. Over the last 25 years, he has built up a loyal customer base, and, while some are ordering his meals on occasion, without large gatherings and parties it is difficult to make ends meet. “Mentally, you have to be resilient and try to find something to do and try to find new markets; but it’s hard.”

Natalie Castellas, the owner of another local catering business, Catered Affairs, agrees that the pandemic has made running her business extremely challenging.

Many of her 2020 bookings were cancelled, and looking ahead to 2021, it doesn’t look like things are going to be any different. “All the weddings we had booked for 2021, they’re either saying they’re just going to the Justice of the Peace or City Hall to get married, or completely cancel the wedding,” she says. “So now we’re dealing with everyone looking for their deposits back, which we’ve been using for our cash flow.”

Natalie’s business was hit doubly hard because of the teacher’s strike in October, 2019. “We used to do a lot of catering for the teachers. For their PA Days, their hot lunches, all of that, got cancelled.” Catered Affairs was just able to recover from February 10, 2021

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that financial setback when COVID-19 hit. “We kind of got double whammied in the two years.”

Much like Erick, Natalie has been putting together a weekly menu and doing curbside pick up for meals serving two or four, from Tuesday to Friday. They have been offering this service for 52 weeks and Natalie and her team have created a completely new menu each week. They also create special packages, like a Superbowl dip kit, and a special Valentines Day dinner.

“It’s been slower businesswise, financially. The workload has been more, because there’s less people actually doing the job and coming up with new ideas and executing new things.”

Natalie has been keeping on top of all the grants being made available by the federal and provincial government; however, keeping Catered Affairs going from a financial standpoint is always on her mind. “It’s trying to decide how many loans to take out to stay afloat before you dig yourself into such a hole that you can’t get out.”

Right now, Natalie’s goal is just to stay operational long enough to be able to get back to business as usual. She is very thankful for the support of those in the community who have been ordering meals throughout the pandemic. “Just thinking about North Grenville in general, it’s amazing the support we’ve received from the community.”

It is not just the local caterers who are struggling.

Many sit-down restaurants are finding it hard to make ends meet while they can’t welcome people into their dining rooms. Paul and Lisa Castonguay, of Paul’s Bistro in Oxford Station, are finding it difficult to adapt as rules and regulations change from week to week. Having opened for the first time just as the pandemic hit, they started with take-out and were happy when restrictions loosened, and they were able to open fully from July until the end of December. “We were just getting busy, like fully booked at weekends, and just starting to get our name known, and

then we had to close down,” Lisa says.

Thanks to the community’s support, Paul’s Bistro does run a pretty busy takeout businesses and also has a little general store, however revenues have still dropped over 25%. Paul has wanted to have his own restaurant for over 10 years, and it has been very frustrating for both him and Lisa to have finally realized that dream only to have it limited by the pandemic.

“There’s so much more that I want to be doing with specials and whatnot,” Paul says. “It doesn’t translate very well when you’re sticking it into a box or takeout container. Sure it’s fine and stuff, but it’s all in the presentation, and meeting people, and interacting with them. It’s the experience that we’re not getting.”

Lisa and Paul are also frustrated that North Grenville has been lumped in with big cities like Toronto, where most of the cases are. “It’s very frustrating to have to be closed when we are one of the places that definitely has room to socially distance, and we are following all the rules when we’re open and people are enjoying being here,” Lisa says. “It’s frustrating for the regulars that we’ve already established that are now ordering take-out, but they’re just waiting for us to open again.”

Shelley Stinson of South Branch Bistro in downtown Kemptville is also very frustrated with the government mandated shut down. Since they were allowed to reopen from the first shut down in June, she and her partner, Ken Baird, have spent thousands of dollars on plexiglass dividers and have put in place many other protocols to keep their staff and customers safe.

“I don’t believe we should be locked down,” she says.

“I don’t believe that small businesses are the problem.”

Right now, South Branch Bistro is doing take-out; however, Shelley says revenue is down at least 50%. Their main goal is to keep their staff employed and busy until they are able to open again, hopefully mid-February. They

have received a government loan; but Shelley said that it is almost all gone into paying their overhead costs. “I really hope the lockdown lifts sooner than later, because, otherwise, I don’t know what we are going to do. I don’t know how much longer we can go without scraping the bottom of the barrel just to pay the expenses.”

Shelley says running the restaurant during the pandemic has been a lot of work, and now that they are not able to be open, there is no payoff.

“I’ve been sad, I’ve been angry, I’m just trying to get through it. It’s stressful, and that comes out emotionally and physically, so it has been hard on us for sure.”

No matter how hard things get, Shelley and Ken are very thankful for their loyal customers and the support of the community. Shelley says the municipality has been very supportive, and they have many regulars that keep coming back. “Nobody wants to see businesses closing, so that’s a good thing to see. If anything came out of this that’s good, it’s that.”

Dial a Chef: 613-860-2539. www.dialachef.ca.

Catered Affairs: 820 Heritage Drive, 613-324-3136. www.cateredaffairs.ca Paul’s Bistro: 2110 County Road 20. 613-258-9995. www.paulsbistrotogo.com South Branch Bistro: 15 Clothier Street E. 613-258-3737. www.southbranchbistro. com

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A word of caution and clarification

by David Shanahan It has been brought to our attention here at the Times that there is a company, based in the U.S., that is offering deals to our readers. If someone has figured in a story in the Times, the company contacts them and offers to mount the article on a plaque for them. These plaques are quite expensive, starting at $214 US. The company is called That’s Great News, and we are unsure how they find the contact information for our readers. Their correspondence states that “We’ll contact you when we see you featured in a press article”. The main point we wish to make is that they are not in any way connected with the Times, and have not asked our permission to use the material, nor our logo, in making these plaques.

As they are based in another jurisdiction, there may not be any way for us to object to their use of our name or brand, whatever the intellectual copyright law may be in such cases.

It may be noted that they do state, though not in a clear and obvious way, that their company is “not affiliated with The North Grenville Times [sic]” They do state “All Rights Reserved” in relation to their plaques, whatever that may mean.

This activity may, or may not, be legal; but it is rather bad business practice, in our opinion. In any event, such plaques can be easily made by local people, and probably at a price that is more fair, and charged in Canadian currency. A definite reason to shop locally.

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Merrickville newcomer channels passion into new local business

The Voice of North Grenville

North Grenville’s first Van Turken Day promises lots of virtual fun

Shuya Yanagisawa and Leia Atkinson (Photo provided by Leia Atkinson)

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Merrickville-Wolford residents now have a new business to turn to for clothing and accessory repairs, alterations, and custom work.

Yanagi Repair Store is owned and operated by Merrickville newcomer Shuya Yanagisawa.

Originally from Osaka, Japan, Shuya moved to Canada with his fiancé (now wife) Leia Atkinson in 2017. The pair met in Tokyo in 2016 at a Japanese/ English meet-up, when Leia was over there teaching with the government. When they got engaged, Leia wanted Shuya to get to know her family and learn more about her background, so they made the decision to move to Canada.

Shuya has a university education and was working at a large advertising firm as a salesperson in Japan. However, he has always loved fashion, and was drawn to working with fabric. His job was to find new clients for the advertising firm, and he always gravitated towards trying to get artisans and craftspeople on board, because he was interested in what they did for a living.

When they moved to Canada, it was difficult for Shuya to find work in his field, so he started working at a Japanese restaurant. After taking a sewing class in 2019, he met a veteran in the field of repairs who took him on as an apprentice and taught him how to use an industrial sewing machine. In January, 2020, he was hired at Swedish company Fjallraven, working at one of their retail stores in Ottawa fixing bags and clothing. Unfortunately, when the pandemic hit in March, Shuya was let go because they didn’t have the capacity for as many employees in the store with social distancing.

It was the pandemic and being out of work that spurred Shuya to start Yanagi Repair Store, and he was able to build February 10, 2021

up a good customer base in Ottawa. Although they had always lived in the city, Leia and Shuya had visited Merrickville in the past and were drawn to its charm and the fact that so many makers live in the Village. “Shuya fell in love with Merrickville,” Leia remembers.

When Leia started working remotely, the couple decided to take the leap and make Merrickville their home. They bought a house in October of last year and moved in on January 18.

Even before they moved, they joined the Merrickville and District Chamber of Commerce and Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford, so that they could get to know more people in the community. Shuya loves that people already know them when they go into the local stores and is really pleased with their move to Merrickville. “It’s so nice.

When we were in Ottawa, it was so hard to be part of the community.”

Shuya is very passionate about what he does, as he loves working with fabric and enjoys the sustainability aspect of his profession.

“Shuya loves fixing things,” Leia says. “Every time we get something, he does a lot of research into it to make sure it’s good quality and will last a long time, and I think he wants to do the same thing for his clients to help their products last for a really really long time.”

Shuya is now looking to build up his customer base in Merrickville-Wolford. He is very versatile and can fix clothing and accessories, do alterations, and is also open to custom work. For more information, or to get in touch with Shuya, visit www.yanagirepair-store.com. You can also find him on Facebook and Instagram under Yanagi Repair Store, or you can reach him at 613-985-0829.

Van Turken looking for coffee last year.

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

North Grenville’s Van Turken Day is fast approaching, and a small group of dedicated volunteers have planned a week of virtual activities to mark the occasion. Van Turken was first spotted in December, 2019, along her namesake Van Buren Street. Throughout January, 2020, and into February, the female turkey wandered around town, often hanging out on the busy thoroughfare of County Road 43. She even made a visit to the Municipal Centre and chased an employee through the parking lot.

After evading the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for two days, Van Turken was finally captured on February 13 and released in a safer location.

Photo by Marguerite Boyer

Van Turken captured the hearts of the people of North Grenville, with many people sharing photos and videos of her antics. Resident Lisa Brownrigg created the Facebook Group Van Turken- Kemptville’s favourite turkey, which now has over 2,200 members.

Residents created t-shirts, mugs, pillows, ornaments, and more to honour North Grenville’s favourite turkey, and the South Branch Bistro even created a signature cocktail called the Van Turkentini. At its meeting of February 18, 2020, North Grenville council voted unanimously to proclaim the second Saturday in February as Van Turken Day in the municipality.

This Saturday, February 13, is the first annual Van Turken Day in North Grenville. A small group of volunteers, including Lisa, Fiona McKenney, and

Dana Collings, have been planning ways to celebrate and bring the community together since last year.

However, many of their plans are not doable due to COVID-19. Instead, they planned a virtual celebration which includes Van Turken themed challenges that families can do from the safety of their own homes. Writing and performing an original Van Turken song, building a snow turkey, creating a Van Turken portrait, and doing a Van Turken impression are all ways that residents of all ages can get involved in Van Turken Day. Organizers encourage participants to share their challenges on the Van Turken Facebook page, so everyone can enjoy the fun.

Many local businesses are also joining in on the festivities. Liz Woods of Swamp Doll Studios has

uploaded a free Van Turken paint night video that is available all this week on YouTube, and Matthew and Kristine Loguisto of You Design HQ have created a build-your-own Van Turken kit, available for $10 each.

To make sure mealtimes are filled with Van Turken fun, Mr. Mozzarella will be offering their DIY pizza kits, which include colouring/activity pages to complete while the pizza bakes.

North Grenville’s Corporate Media Relations Officer, Jill Sturdy, says that, while they are limited to what they can do this year due to the stay-at-home order, the municipality will definitely be sharing and supporting the activities promoted on Van Turken’s Facebook page.

Lisa hopes that the virtual Van Turken Day will help residents remember the joy that Van Turken brought to the community last year. She is most looking forward to seeing kids/ families participate in the activities and have a bit of non-COVID fun. “We hope that we can bring smiles to the community, just as Van Turken did; that we can highlight local businesses, and that a fun daily distraction is a welcome change during these difficult times.”

To learn more about each of the activities and get involved, visit the VanTurken – Kemptville’s favourite turkey Facebook page.

North Grenville welcomes new Director of Planning and Development After serving as Acting Director since July, 2020, Ms. Amy Martin has accepted the full-time position for Director of Planning and Development. “On behalf of Council and the Municipality of North Grenville, I wish to congratulate Ms. Martin in her new role as Director of Planning and Development,” said Mayor Peckford.

Ms. Martin obtained her Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Queens University in 2012 and has spent her Planning career in Eastern Ontario. She joined the Municipality in May, 2019, as a Senior Planner. Prior to that, she was the Community Planner in North Stormont.

Amy has a passion for community planning and engagement and looks forward to interacting with the North Grenville community on planning and development matters. In her spare time she enjoys camping, curling and spending time with her husband and two young sons.

“Ms. Martin has been a valuable member of the Senior Management Team, and has a strong understanding of the new vision and direction we are championing as we move the Municipality forward,” said CAO Gary Dyke. “Her actions as Acting Director have resulted in a significant positive reaction from the public and the development community in 4

their dealings and interactions with Ms. Martin and with the department as a whole.”

Amy’s new position as Director was formally acknowledged at the February 2, 2021 Council Meeting.

The Municipality is accepting applications for a permanent full-time position of Senior Planner – Housing Policy. This position will play a key role in overseeing the Municipality’s affordable housing policies, including the advancement of actions outlined in the North Grenville Affordable Housing Strategy. More details on the website at www.northgrenville.ca/careers.

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Mayor Peckford asks Premier to reopen February 2, 2021 Doug Ford Premier of Ontario Legislative Building Queen's Park Toronto Regarding Adoption of a Regional Approach to Business Re-opening Plan Dear Premier Ford: On behalf of North Grenville, I want to thank you, members of cabinet, and our local MPP, Minister Steve Clark, for such leadership during these extraordinary times. I fully recognize and appreciate that governing during a pandemic is not for the faint of heart, and that hard choices need to be made.

I am proud to live and serve in a province and a country where public health is taken seriously, COVID contagion has been minimal in most rural areas in Ontario, and municipalities have been well supported.

Your leadership, alongside Minister Clark’s, in supporting communities and working collaboratively with your federal counterparts is to be commended.

However, as North Grenville’s non-essential local businesses go into their sixth week of significant COVID

restrictions, many of them are at a breaking point. As you know, non-essential retailers have had to revert to curbside pick-up, or delivery options only. Many service-based businesses such as stylists, spas, fitness studios, gyms, and related athletic facilities have been forced to close their doors entirely.

It is clear that these entrepreneurs and their families have paid an enormous price.

The burden they bear is significant. I see the pain and worry on many of their faces, the uncertainty about the future. Many of these same businesses invested heavily in new infection control protocols just this past summer, which had the effect of reducing their revenues before the December 26th closure.

Since the spring of 2020, the Municipality has led a robust COVID adaptation strategy for local businesses, in addition to launching a sustained buy local campaign, #LoveNG. Of course, we are not alone. Campaigns, like #LoveNG, are active in many towns and cities, in an attempt to help protect the livelihoods of our entrepreneurs.

But in many cases, our efforts have not been enough.

Too many of our small businesses are struggling more than they were during the initial lockdown of the pandemic. Further, the rates of COVID are not the same in every community and region.

In fact, we are fortunate in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark to have very low and stable COVID cases in recent months. Our Public Health Unit has done an excellent job with contact tracing. As Mayor of North Grenville, and a member of Council at the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, I am incredibly proud of the efforts of our health care and other frontline workers, as well as staff at long term care facilities and those of so many individual residents across the region.

Given this reality, on behalf of all local businesses in North Grenville, I am formally requesting that the Government of Ontario recognize that, where COVID numbers remain low, a province wide shutdown of local businesses is no longer warranted after February 10th , 2021. I understand that the province-wide restrictions are scheduled to end on Thursday, February 11th, and I am imploring you to adopt a regionally-respon-

sive approach to re-opening local economies as you move forward.

Quite simply, ending the province wide shutdown next week is imperative for the health of our local economy, survival of so many businesses and well-being of our communities. A regional approach to local business re-openings would mirror the approach being taken with school re-openings. Premier, I know how much you care about the business community in Ontario, and how much of a toll this pandemic has taken on you and your team.

I understand how committed your colleagues, including our own MPP and Minister Steve Clark, are to ensuring the province, and eastern Ontario, grows and thrives, even during pandemic times.

As Mayor of North Grenville, you have my full support in implementing a regionally responsive business re-opening strategy that upholds public health considerations but gets local business in communities like ours up and running at full speed.

Sincerely, Nancy Peckford Mayor

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The CECCE’s New Director of Education

Marc Bertrand, a family man dedicated to the interests of students and families

Teaching: a passionate family tradition Marc Bertrand’s passion for education is a family affair. His parents, sister and one of his brothers are career educators. His father was a teacher and Vice-principal, then a trustee and board chair. Fun fact: One of his brothers is actually the Director of Education for a francophone school board in the Toronto region!

In addition to his experience in education, Marc Bertrand is well acquainted with the construction industry, which he got to know as a child alongside his father, who was also a real estate developer. That led to his service as Superintendent of facilities, maintenance and education with the CECCE.

Serving students and their families The Director of Education Marc Bertrand with Sarah Donatien, student in a special education class at the Collège catholique Samuel-Genest The Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) kicked off 2021 reinvigorated and hopeful under the leadership of Marc Bertrand, its promising new Director of Education.

Mr. Bertrand has over 20 years’ experience in the field of education. Over the past 12 years, he quickly climbed the ladder from teacher to Vice-principal to Principal to Superintendent of Education, and he is now taking on the challenges by serving as the CECCE’s Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer.

February 10, 2021

Mr. Bertrand, a seasoned education professional who describes himself as “confident and excited” about his new mandate, is known and admired for his active engagement with students, their families and his staff.

“I’ll be counting on the support of the entire CECCE team as I strive to ensure ongoing access to top-quality education in French and to offer a unique and stimulating educational experience that ignites and fuels students’ desire to learn,” said Mr. Bertrand, himself the father of four CECCE students.

“Making sure students and staff feel good at school is important to me, so I will continue to prioritize their safety and well-being while fostering a caring environment and nurturing their sense of belonging and inclusion in harmony with the CECCE’s Catholic values,” he added.

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Water and Wastewater Operating Budget 2021

by David Shanahan There are quite a few interesting aspects to the 2021 Waste and Wastewater budget for North Grenville.

Not only is the wastewater treatment plant (the Water Pollution Control Plant, to give it its proper name) being expanded to cope with increased demand as Kemptville continues to grow, but the County Road 43 expansion project also has implications for the operating budget.

The total cost of operating the WPCP in 2020 was $4.7 million, and that has grown for 2021 to $5.53 million, almost all (99%) of which is covered by user fees. It should be noted that residents living outside Kemptville do not pay for this service. The average annual household water utility bill for 2021, “including both water and sewer, was $1,141.44, an average annual decrease of $80.28, or 6.6% over 2020.

Of this, 30.25% is for the treatment and distribution of water and 69.75% is for the collection and treatment of sewer by the Municipal-

ity of North Grenville.”

The main expense under the Water and Wastewater operating budget for 2021 will be the expansion of the treatment plant, at a cost of $2.6 million. This is a project that has been on the municipality’s radar since an Environmental Study report in 2010 and the 2015 North Grenville Potable Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update.

The budget presentation gave background on the issue.

“The MNG Environmental Study Report outlined a 2-stage development process for expansion of the WPCP. The first phase would occur from 2020 to 2023. Phase 1 was to provide equalization storage and attenuate peak flows with a cost of approximately $20.7 million. The second stage will take place between 2025 and 2028 and provide increased treatment capacity for the 20-year outlook of the study. The cost for the second phase is estimated to be approximately $9.5 million.”

Population increase, and expanded residential development, has led to strains

on the capacity of the water treatment plant, and the design for the expansion work has been awarded to JL Richards & Associates for approximately $1.0 million between 2020 and 2021. It is anticipated to have a detailed design and tender completed in the Fall of this year.

Capital costs also now include $457,868 as part of the County Road 43 expansion project. Of this, $338,455 will be spent on the new bridge crossing, and $119,413 on piping along CR 43. It is planned that 64% of these costs will be covered by Development Charges.

OPP budget for 2021

by David Shanahan The North Grenville municipal budget for police services will remain unchanged from last year. Total cost of the contract with the Ontario Provincial Police [OPP] stays at $2.4 million, accounting for 11% of total operating budget. The estimated cost of this service for each household in the municipality amounts to $321.91 per year.

The OPP contract has often been a source of controversy, and the negotiation of each renewal has been followed with great interest by residents. The contract is based on service per household. The 7,507 residential and business properties have a levy of $177.48 each for Base Service, and an additional $129.57 for Calls for Service. The Municipality is charged $201,991 per month for the contract.

This is a definite change since 2015, for example, when the cost of Police Services in the community was 24% of the total budget, with each household being levied $417.45 for police services.

The Voice of North Grenville

Just when you thought it was safe..

by David Shanahan It has been so nice to get reassurances from various provincial government officials that the proposed prison in Kemptville will be completely safe and poses no threat to the community. And then the Solicitor General’s Office issued a press release announcing that they are installing ion scanners at 10 adult correctional facilities across the province “as part of an effort to combat contraband entering facilities, enhance security, and improve staff and inmate safety.”

"Detecting and preventing the entry of contraband is critical to keeping Ontario's correctional facilities safe," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. "Our government is committed to equipping our corrections staff with the modern tools and technology they need to do their job safely and ensure continued security."

Ion scanners are security tools used to detect and identify trace elements of drugs and are an added layer of security available to correctional staff to help prevent illegal substances from entering facilities. Adult correctional facilities in Ontario currently use various methods to prevent, detect, confiscate, and reduce contraband within institutions, including body scanners, hand-held and walk-through metal detectors, strip searches, and canine units.

Ion scanners will be operational in regions across Ontario at adult correctional facilities, including in the Eastern Region at the Central East Correctional Centre and the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre.

The Co-Chair of the Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee, Chris Jackel, welcomed the move as it would “go a long way in providing correctional staff with the added tools to detect contraband before it enters our institutions, enhancing staff, inmate and public safety even further." The part about enhancing public safety is very reassuring indeed.

The statement specifically links the expansion of ion scanner facilities to the increased investment by Ontario of more than $500 million over five years to transform adult correctional services in Ontario. It is also, it said, part of a broader strategy to combat contraband in adult correctional facilities.

By the time the Kemptville prison is up and running, staff will have had lots of experience with the scanners, which should make us all feel much more reconciled to having the facility here.

A provincial Stay-at-Home order is in effect until February 11th Stay at home as much as possible and only go out when required. Do not travel outside your health region unless absolutely necessary.

Show your Support and Shop Local Now more than ever we need to support our local economy!

Many businesses offer safe pickup and delivery options.

Gift certificates are also available from many businesses that are unable to operate right now.

Discover the local businesses that make our community great. www.LoveNG.ca “We are fortunate to have low COVID numbers in North Grenville, we have an incredible community and an impressive array of local businesses that have worked so hard to serve their customers during unprecedented times. It is now time for us to rally and give them our full support to get through another COVID-19 disruption.”

– Mayor Nancy Peckford.

For more details on the Provincial order visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca February 10, 2021

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

No tax increase in the 2021 budget for North Grenville

by David Shanahan The draft budget which was approved at last week’s Council meeting contains no increase in property taxes for 2021. Although the Operating Budget did increase by 4%, revenues are expected to increase to cover that, leaving no need for further taxes to be levied. According to the budget presentation to Council, “The fiscal and budgetary management modernization efforts undertaken by staff over the past number of months have created an environment that can facilitate a 0% tax rate increase for 2021 while maintaining – and in some cases improving – the level of service delivery and implementing a diversified capital investment program for North Grenville”.

Expenses for 2021 are projected to be $22.7 million, of which the largest part goes to salaries and employee benefits, which rose by 37%, account for 20% of total expenses. This increase of $1.3 million in salaries and benefits, totals $8.3 million, and was explained by Brad Brookman, Director of Finance for North Grenville, as being necessary to bring staffing levels up to what is needed to provide the services residents expect.

“The total salaries and benefits increase is a direct

result of several years of staffing levels not keeping up with the increase in service levels needs commiserate with a high growth municipality”, he reported to Council. “The historic lack of investment in adequate staffing for the municipality resulted in a deterioration of services levels and an inability to provide the required resources to adequately undertake the level of capital investment projects in support of our growing community.”

Municipal staffing has been increased by the addition “four new seasoned management staff”, and “four new staff to support Administration”.

Contract Services was another major part of the Operating Budget for 2021.

This expense rose by 14%, from $4.4 million in 2020 to $4.9 million in 2021, and accounts for 22% of total operating expenses. Budget documents note that “Contracted services that fall under this category include waste management contract, various insurance programs, technology services, as well as other contracts related to delivering various programs within the municipality”.

Not all property taxes paid

by North Grenville taxpayers goes to the Municipality. The United Counties of Leeds & Grenville receive around a third of that revenue, while Education accounts for 14%, leaving 53% of the total for

the Municipality. There will be no increase in the tax rate for Education, and a 1.45% increase for the United Counties. These tax revenues provide 72% of all municipal revenues, out of which many services have to be covered.

The average cost of these services to each household is around $2,400.85 per year.

Of that, $663 per year goes to Public Works (waste, recycling and engineering); Parks & Recreation gets $263.58 per year, while other sectors using those funds include Emergency & Protective Services ($160.14 per year), and Finance & Treasury ($130.59).

Although the Ontario Government has maintained some transfer funds to municipalities during the pandemic, other programs are being phased out. In 2021, these transfers will decrease from $2.2 million to $2 million.

The Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) will provide just over $1 million to North Grenville in 2021. It is the Province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities, primarily supports northern and rural municipalities across the province. The Fund has been reduced from $550 million in 2018, to $500 million this year.

This demands a proactive approach to finding other potential sources of revenue in the form of grants and other funding programs, and the Municipality has hired a

Grants & Funding Analyst to focus on that research. This is a pilot project and it is recognised by all in business that grant applications have become a specialised and complex field which requires a dedicated person.

Costs for capital projects in 2021 are assessed at $10 million. Of this, work on roads will take $4.7 million, sidewalk work will cost $122,000, and paving Wellington Street in Kemptville will cost around $1 million.

Other projects to be funded in 2021 include lighting for the tennis courts in Riverside Park ($44,350), lighting at the Municipal Centre ($400,000), and rehabilitation work at Maplewood Hall in Oxford Mills ($50,000). The Municipality’s share of the County Road 43 expansion will be $2.6 million in 2021.

The Municipality has been restructuring the budget process over the past year, and staff and council expect their new approach will make annual budgets more predictable, transparent, and flexible.

In the Budget Document for 2021, estimated expenses and revenues for each year until 2024 are included. Further information on the 2021 Budget and the full 2021-2024 Consolidated Budget can be found on the municipality’s website at: https://www. northgrenville.ca/budget.

North Grenville Public Library budget set

by David Shanahan In the Municipality’s 2021 Budget documents, the North Grenville Public Library [NGPL] celebrates the fact that they are still operating, albeit at a reduced level, in spite of the pandemic’s effects on the community. “Resilient in 2020 despite closure and restrictions due to COVID-19" is the headline.

As might be expected, NGPL circulation for 2020 was around 75% of 2019's total; and e-book circulation went up 17.5% as more people stayed home and acFebruary 10, 2021

cessed NGPL services online during the shut down periods.

The Library’s Wi-fi signal was boosted to cope with the demand. Staff reported that curbside pick-up was very successful in keeping readers supplied.

When possible, NGPL held outdoor programs at local parks and trails with small groups and taking the expected precautions. Online programs also continued, and the NGPL presence online was reflected in 570 posts on Facebook, with more than 16,000 contacts. There were 116 original videos posted, and the website was improved and expanded.

The NGPL operating budget took something of a hit with the suspension of late fees, and the 2021 budget request was for around $480,000 in their Municipal Grant. Expenses for 2020 were $526,552, and those for 2021 were estimated at $538,616, an increase of 2.29%. The increase included

a 1% rise in salaries, largely due to a Cost of Living element.

Under the Consolidated Budget process, the Library’s budget until 2024 is generally set out, and the expectation is that revenues will match expenses once the complications of the pandemic have been oversome.

UPDATE

UPDATE

For updates related to COVID-19 and the North Grenville Municipal Centre visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS

Council meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube commencing at 6:30 p.m. To view the live stream visit: https://www.youtube. com/user/NorthGrenville/featured.

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

• Council Meeting – Tuesday, February 16, 2021 – More Details to Be Announced • Council Meeting – Wednesday February 17 (Closed Session) – More Details to Be Announced

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 5 pm

NEW WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FEBRUARY 2021 30-day grace period for use of old bag tags. NO bag tags required for weekly organics collection (green bin). For more information visit www.NGrecycles.ca.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers for more details: Senior Planner – Housing Policy: Closing Date – February 19, 2021 at 4 pm Engineering Summer Students: Closing Date – February 19, 2021 at 4 pm Spring/Summer Student Positions 2021: Closing Date – February 26, 2021 at 4 pm Call for Volunteers – Advisory Committees The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking applications from individuals interested in being appointed as a volunteer member of the following Advisory Committees for the remaining term of Council (November 2022): •

Active Transportation Advisory Committee – two vacancies (evening meetings – last Thursday of every other month at 5 pm

•

Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – one vacancy (monthly meetings – first Monday of every month at 3 pm

•

Health, Wellness and Fitness Advisory Committee – one vacancy (monthly meetings – second Monday of every month from 4 pm

•

Heritage Advisory Committee – three vacancies (monthly meetings – first Thursday of every month from 4:30 pm

Candidates must be 18 years old, a Canadian citizen and a resident of North Grenville. Further information is available by contacting the Deputy Clerk at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca or 613-258-9569 ext. 171. Application forms are available at www. northgrenville.ca/careers. Please submit applications by 4:30 pm on Friday, March 5, 2021 to the Deputy Clerk by email at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca or by using the online application tool. Should you require a paper application, please contact the Deputy Clerk.

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 7

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Editorial

The North Grenville Times

Another brick in the wall

by David Shanahan There is one aspect to the entire Shop Locally campaign these days that has been somewhat neglected.

It is really assuring to note that, over the past few weeks, people are shopping at local stores more and more, rather than just going online, or to big box stores. It may be more inconvenient to go out for curbside pickups, but it is helping our friends and neighbours, and that is never a bad thing.

But there’s something else that’s come to my attention and which gives me some concern. It is the increasing presence of do-it-yourself check-out machines in some stores. You know the ones I mean: instead of lining up to have your purchases rung up by a real live person at a cash register, you can use a machine and total up your own buys, pay the machine, and bag your own stuff.

Yes, interesting, if a little daunting at first. But once you get to know how to scan those black and white bar things, and can manage to scan, bag,

and pay without getting completely confused by the politely spoken demands of the machine (“place the purchase on the...”, “please insert...”

What? Money? Credit card?

A box of cereal?).

There is a tendency to feel a little rushed by the whole thing, as if you should be as smooth and efficient as a professional, and not the slow-witted amateur that you feel yourself to be. There comes a moment, depending on the number of your purchases to be processed, that you have to resist the urge to scream at the machine: “Stop talking to me! I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.” Ah yes, technology is our friend.

We must obey the voice in the machine. Big Brother is watching you, and he’s mightily unimpressed by your scanning talents.

But none of that is really what I wanted to say. What is really concerning me is the way in which these machines are putting real people out of work. Supposing we all start resorting to automatic check-outs? What happens to the already underpaid people who are being by-passed in

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, With regard to Mr. Van Dam’s recent letter commenting on a previous one from Lorraine Rekmans, it would appear that he has now taken it that the Green Party is going to tax what he refers to as a “garden variety” millionaire, those who earn between $1 to $5 million.

At least that is a jump from what he was stating in an earlier letter, that the Greens were going to tax incomes of $100,000 or more. However, he is still wrong.

Those on the right, (I assume that this is where Mr. Van Dam’s political affiliations lie, as he does nothing but talk about money), falsely claim that favouring the wealthy and powerful will send benefits trickling down to the rest of us. I cannot think of one instance where that has happened, but Conservatives still cling to this mantra, hoping against hope that one day they will be proved right. The economy is a human construct. It can The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc. Marketing Gord J. Logan gord@ngtimes.ca 613-258-6402 February 10, 2021

be whatever we want it to be, so there is no need to follow blindly what has gone before in the forlorn hope that it will rescue us again. The world has changed dramatically.

We need different solutions for what we are, and will be, facing.

In Canada, the most affluent 0.5% of families holds 20.5% of the wealth, some $2.4 trillion, and income inequality continues to grow.

Some of these same families have made billions of dollars off of this pandemic, while far too many of us struggle with keeping a roof over our heads and food on the table.

This 0.5% are the people that the Greens are primarily talking about, getting them to pay their fair share of taxes, not the “Garden variety” millionaires. One policy is to close the tax loopholes that the rich enjoy, which the “garden variety” millionaire can’t afford anyway.

Greens have long been pigeonholed as only being

The Voice of North Grenville

the process? Will they be retrained for other jobs in the store, or are they just redundant, in every sense of the word?

I am not against technological innovation. But I am against planned obsolescence, particularly if it is hardworking people on minimum wage who are being made obsolete. At the moment, it seems to be only the chain stores that have these machines: Shoppers Drug Mart, Macdonald’s, and that other one I refuse to name, but begins with a W. These big operators don’t need small operators, it seems, especially operators of check-out cashes. But it must be tempting for smaller stores and businesses to consider making a one-time purchase of technology to replace an on-going expense of actual people, who want breaks, holidays, weekends, or health benefits.

There’s another part of this that leaves me uneasy.

There has already been a problem with scanning machines in stores, even when operated by humans beings.

Does the price marked on the

shelf, or on the product, equal the price programmed into the scanner? How can we be sure we’re being charged the correct amount? If you’re standing there, watching someone scan your goods, you can also watch the cash machine and make sure the price being charged is the one you saw on the shelf. But, if you’re busy trying to keep a machine happy by getting your goods through the scanner at a speed and smoothness of technique that is to its satisfaction, it is much harder to slow down and make sure the prices match.

As the Retail Council of Canada admits: “Incorrect prices can result in poor customer relations and legal sanctions”. The problem has led to the introduction of “The Scanner Price Ac-

curacy Voluntary Code (“the Code”)”, which gives customers significant rights if there is a discrepancy in the marked price and that charged by a scanner. It’s worth (dare I say?) checking it out on their website (https://www.retailcouncil. org/scanner-price-accuracycode).

Did you know that, if the correct price of the product is $10 or less, the retailer will give the product to the customer free of charge; or if the correct price of the product is higher than $10, the retailer will give the customer a discount of $10 off the correct price? Worth knowing, that is.

But, I ask again, how easy is it to question a machine that is scanning things incorrectly, or to even notice

a mistake, when you’re the one trying to use the machines without crying? No, these machines may have their place (I could think of a few recycling sites), but not if they are making life easier for corporations at the expense (literally) of their customers, or, much worse, the expense of their employees’ jobs. So shop locally, know your local merchants, and support local jobs and businesses. And avoid the temptation to look knowledgeable and trendy by using the infernal machines. After all, they won’t smile and ask you how your children are getting on, or if you enjoyed your trip abroad (remember them?).

All in all, it’s just another brick in the wall that’s being built between us.

about the environment, but they have a fully integrated platform that covers social, environmental, and economic aspects, because all are interrelated. Check out www. greenparty.ca , and click on Vision Green, to see their 149-page policy document.

This policy document has been fully costed by Kevin Page, who was a former Parliamentary Budget Officer, so if anybody wants to look for some actual facts, then just go to https://www. greenparty.ca/en/mediarelease/2019-10-19/kevinpage-assists-green-party-setting-record-straight As for taking economic policy from a book written in 1996, a quarter century ago, the world has already moved on from there with discussions about Modern Monetary Theory, so the reference work is way behind the times. It is also fascinating how many of those tied into outdated economic theory also quote people who have long been dead. I fully understand that things like greed and avarice

haven’t changed over the centuries, but it should be remembered that a lot of these quotes have been about governments supported by the rich and powerful. If we keep electing them, then nothing will change.

As to the statement that taxing the rich won’t eliminate the deficit, that misses the point, which is that it will obviously bring it down by a considerable amount, thereby saving the taxpayer from footing the bill either directly, or through service cuts. All governments have to carry some debt, because they are borrowing against the needs of future populations. As these future populations are not here, they aren’t around to pay the taxes. The point is that, by taxing the super rich, we can pay for the programs that we need now. When the wealthy hoard billions, that reduces private sector capital investment. Government’s job is to secure revenue for the things society needs. We can tax that hoarded capital, and/or we create an environ-

ment where it is attractive to invest in Canada, and get these wealthy hoarders to participate in a vibrant economy rather than just bleeding it dry so shareholders can get bigger dividends.

What this pandemic has shown is that our current way of doing things needs to be rethought, particularly in how we treat and pay our essential and front line workers, and what with climate change upon us, getting back to “normal” is no longer an option, particularly if we care about what sort of planet and society our grandchildren will inherit.

One last rebuttal regarding the inference that Greens and the NDP are the same; they aren’t. While it is true that they have similar policies, how Greens go about implementing them is not the same, due in part to their funding coming solely from party members, so there are no outside influences on policy and operations. That does make a difference.

Colin Creasey,Kemptville

Dear Editor, I would like to thank the anonymous person who left me a gift at the B&H. It was very emotional for me, due to the fact that every year a good friend of mine (who now is in a nursing home) would bring me back a scarf from Florida around this time.

Thank you for bringing this memory back to me.

Name withheld

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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Dear Editor, I wanted to say how much we love the “Baldwin’s Birds” feature. My husband and I have enjoyed the flashing and aerial acrobatics of the little winter birds that are always on the side roads, but they always move so fast, we have struggled to identify them. Now we know! Snow Buntings.

Delightful!

Thanks for a great feature!

Janice Atkey Videto letters cont'd on page 9

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

Letters cont'd Dear Editor, Survey results on COVID19 and our community I wanted to share the results of a recent on-line survey regarding COVID19 and our community.

135 people participated in the online survey between January 21-31, 2021. Overall, there is strong support within the community for dealing with COVID19 as a community. For instance, when asked about the efforts of all levels of government in dealing with COVID19, North Grenville’s municipal government scored highest in terms of positive feeling about its efforts.

People also felt safe in their community, with only 11% saying they did not feel safe here. Community support for local businesses was also high, with almost 80% saying they shop more locally than before COVID. However, almost the same number of respondents say they on-line shop more.

To a greater extent, people felt governments could do more to support businesses, rather than for individuals and families, though there was still strong support for doing more for the latter (43%).

Most people found gov-

ernment COVID19 requirements reasonable, though one third of respondents felt negatively about the requirements. Frustration seems to be building in having to deal with COVID, with almost one quarter of respondents “beyond frustrated”.

Over 37% of respondents have been tested for COVID. In terms of views on vaccines, while 57% get the flu vaccine, almost 80% are planning on taking the COVID19 vaccine.

Mitch Bloom Oxford Mills

Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Paul Cormier and his wife Beth for their contribution to The Food Corner.

It is nice to see that a local restaurant owner, struggling to keep their livelihood afloat, still has time to contribute to the voice of North Grenville.

A locally sourced and oriented newspaper.

I personally have not yet tried the recipe for this mushroom soup dish but when I do, I believe I might adapt the recipe to fresh shitake mushrooms from our local grocery stores in Kemptville. Thank

The Voice of North Grenville

An urgent letter to all Members of Parliament

you for your suggestion of T&T in Ottawa, remembering Ottawa is only 3 miles from Kemptville. Yes, cross the Rideau River and you are in Ottawa!

From what little I know, dried or fresh shitake mushrooms are not the main issue.

In these trying times, people need the ability to adapt, adjust and do their own thinking. A recipe is a guide, just as the order to stay at home other than emergencies. You! define what is an emergency in your situation. If people have to have that defined, they should stay away from anything sharp, i.e., pen or pencil, and do not approach anything requiring power.

In closing, success is measured on how you adapt to situations, some can, some can't. Lesley, what a sadly wasted opportunity to end a letter that started on such a positive note. Dried shitakes are a suggestion, not a direct police enforced requirement.

Adjust and lighten up, and order take-out from Salamanders! I recommend the mushroom soup.

Dr. W.J. Young Ottawa

We have a very serious situation in this country, and we are delighted to hear that Minister of Heritage Steven Guilbeault said last Monday that the government is preparing legislation to force tech giants to fairly compensate content creators.

Google and Facebook, two of the richest companies in history, control the onramp to the internet highway in Canada.

They decide what we as a sovereign nation see and don’t see in the news. To make matters worse, they take the news produced

by Canadians and don’t pay for it.

Meanwhile, all Canadian news media companies, big and small, are suffering for two reasons: First, they don’t get paid for their content by Facebook and Google; and second, Facebook and Google take over 80 per cent of all Canadian digital advertising industry revenue. These massive American companies get virtually all of the revenue

and don’t pay for content.

Movie content doesn’t work that way in Canada.

Music content doesn’t work that way. TV show content doesn’t work that way. So why is news content treated differently?

We only have to look south of the border to see what happens when real news companies disappear, and social media platforms distribute divisive, fake news. We need to support healthy, independent, diverse news companies as the backbone of our democracy.

This is urgent. It’s a fact that news companies across Canada are going out of business. COVID-19 is accelerating the

Dundas Manor

Virtual CAREER FAIR February 23, 2021

Now Hiring!

Are you looking for a fulfilling career in the healthcare field?

Our home is currently looking for reliable and dedicated individuals to apply for available opportunities and join our team to help look after our seniors.

We look forward to hearing from you!

We are looking for: •Personal Support Workers •Summer Students (RN/RPN) •Registered Nurses (RN/RPN) •Temporary Social Service Worker February 10, 2021

•Hairdresser •Cooks •Dietary Aides •Housekeeper 9

services

decline. Journalism jobs are disappearing. That means real news keeps disappearing and hate and fake news will be all that’s left to distribute. Let’s not let this happen in Canada.

But there is good news.

Australia has figured out the solution. They created a law that forces the trillion-dollar monopolies to pay fairly for news content. This costs the taxpayer absolutely nothing.

We e n c o u r a g e a l l Members of Parliament to move quickly. Canada needs your leadership.

John Hinds President/CEO News Media Canada

Joe Gauthier Master Electrician

613.802.4608

joe@oldschool-electric.ca

"No Job Too Small"

Refer to our home’s website for more information on job qualifications www.dundasmanor.ca VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS WILL BE scheduled BETWEEN 10:00 – 4:00 To schedule an interview, please forward resume to ursula.lamoureux@ dundasmanor.ca or fax to 613-774-4015 www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

GIFT BASKET DRAW NEXT WEEKS DRAW Feb 15 - 20 To Be Continued

Order something from TBC and your name will be placed in a hat for the chance to win a $200 gift basket.

Choose from three gift baskets

SPONSORED BY

Ontario Covid-19 Vaccination update Pfizer and Moderna: On January 19, the province was notified by the federal government of further reductions in Pfizer-BioNTech allocations, resulting in: • no allocations in the week of January 25 • 26,325 doses in the week of February 1 (reduction of approx. 82%) • 27,300 doses in the week of February 8 (reduction of approx. 81%) • 130,650 doses in the week of February 15 (reduction of approx. 8%) • 155,025 doses in the week of February 22 (increase of approx. 9%) No allocations have been provided beyond the week of February 22. On January 29, the province was advised by the Federal Government that the allocation of Moderna for the week of February 1 will be decreased by 18,200 doses (approx. 22% decrease). Ontario is expecting to receive 63,400 doses of Modernaby the end of the week of February 1.

Despite these challenges in supply, the province and vaccination sites have worked together to accelerate the vaccination of long-term care, high-risk retirement and First Nations elder care home residents and continue to administer second doses based on availability of supply provided by the federal government. As a result of recent delays in shipments, the province has updated its goal of visiting these settings to administer first doses by February 10.

The province is expecting approximately 310,000 doses to be delivered in the remaining weeks of February. Once sufficient doses are available, vaccinations will resume to provide first doses for staff and essential caregivers in the settings for the most vulnerable populations.

Long-term care homes update: Residents, staff, essential caregivers (including family caregivers) and other employees in congregate living settings for seniors were identified as an initial priority due to: age, clinical risk/vulnerability and risk associated with living in a congregate setting.

Specific public health unit areas were identified and prioritized based on highest risk categorization including rates of disease transmission in the community. All LTC home residents will receive a first dose vaccine offer by February 10.

Second Dose Update: To enable the implementation of the extended dosing interval, the Chief Medical Officer of Health has provided public health guidance under Section 2 of the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, 2020 to clarify that all sites should schedule, or reschedule as required, all second dose appointments for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 35 days after the administration of the first dose, and no later than 42 days, for all vaccine recipients other than residents of long-term care, high-risk retirement and First Nations

February 10, 2021

elder care homes.

The dosing interval for residents should be maintained at 21-27 days.

The extended dosage interval is a direct response to the temporarily reduced vaccine availability from the federal government and uncertainty regarding the stability of supply in the near-term, as well as the current provincial epidemiology of the pandemic.

Next steps: Ministry of Health continues working with vaccination sites to accelerate the vaccination of long-term care, high-risk retirement, and First Nations elder care residents across Ontario.

We are working with partners to plan next steps for when additional vaccine supply is restored to the province: • Remaining staff and essential caregivers in longterm care, high-risk retirement and First Nations elder care homes • Retirement homes and other congregate care for seniors (e.g., number of residents, staff, etc.)

• Health care workers • First Nation, Inuit, and Métis populations • Adults in chronic home care Ontario continues to be ready to administer doses – and expand the number of locations administering – as soon as we receive them from the federal government. The province has capacity to vaccinate nearly 40,000 people per day and is building capacity to triple or quadruple that capacity pending federal government supply, including municipally-run vaccination clinics.

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The Voice of North Grenville

A success story for local man

by David Shanahan Matthew Leyenaar is someone who has achieved much in his life to date, and the latest achievement is certainly one to celebrate. Matthew attended Merrickville Public School and North Grenville High School. He trained as a paramedic and was based in Kemptville for several years. While working as a paramedic, he enrolled at Carleton University and after graduation, he attended McMaster University for post-graduate studies.

Most recently, he was the Executive Director of the Ontario Community Paramedic Secretariat. He has worked extensively on community paramedic practice and care planning. While doing that job, he worked on his PhD in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University. In 2019, he was presented with the Paramedic Association of Canada’s Award for Excellence for Innovation and Research.

He completed his PhD program in December and in early January moved with his family to work in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. And his new position is a mark of recognition for his talent, hard work, and commitment. Matthew has been appointed as Director of Emergency Health Services with the Department of Health and Wellness, Government of Prince Edward Island.

Congratulations to Matthew and his family for this wonderful success.

The mystery is – almost – solved!

by Jane Adams Here’s a great idea!

Why not celebrate Valentine’s Day next year by taking your sweetheart to the WDMH Foundation’s 1920s Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre event?

This special event, originally planned for last June, has now been confirmed for Saturday, February 12, 2022.

“Our focus has been on ensuring that everyone stays safe and well, and now we want to look ahead and imagine everyone being together again,” says Cindy Ault Peters, Manager of Direct Mail & Events. “We will truly have a reason to celebrate

next February 12!”

The event will be held at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners and will include a four-course dinner and a live murder mystery FOR TAKE OUT ONLY theatre production. There will also be silent and live auctions, prizes, raffles, and much more. Funds raised will be directed to the Family Care Fund – to support families just like yours.

And more good news!

Between now and next February, the WDMH Foundation is organizing other events to keep us connected. The popular Sip, Savour & Support event is being planned for September 2021 – dependent on COVID-19 guidelines.

Watch for all the details on these and other fundraising activities coming soon. We can’t wait to see everyone again!

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Be prepared for Spring flooding

from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Dreaming of spring? Prepare for it, too! The spring freshet is just around the corner, and RVCA staff are using stream gauges, weather stations, snowpack measurements, meteorological forecasts and computer models to determine the potential for flooding. RVCA staff can then estimate the severity, location, and timing of possible flooding and warn communities based on the four stages of the Flood Warning Index.

Our flood forecasting and warning system aims to reduce danger to people and property by providing as much advance notice and information as possible. Should flooding occur, the first response is up to you! As a property owner, you need an emergency plan to minimize

flood-related property damages. If you don’t have a plan, now’s the time to make one – there are plenty of excellent resources online.

If the flood is beyond your capability, the Municipal Emergency Response Plan kicks in. Your municipality is responsible for emergency response services during severe floods. This is a good time to explore your municipality’s website and familiarize yourself with its emergency preparedness plan. Have local emergency phone numbers handy!

To get up-to-date information on local watershed conditions, subscribe to RVCA’s flood forecasting and warning emails at www.rvca. ca — look for “Get RVCA News.” For more information contact BRIAN at brian.stratton@rvca.ca.

Ice Safety Reminder Think twice about ice! At any time throughout the season, ice thickness is unpredictable and can change quickly. The shorelines of lakes, rivers and creeks are especially slippery and pose serious hazards. Falling into open water can result in hypothermia or drowning. Please use extreme caution around all waterbodies by: • Regularly testing ice thickness and staying off ice that may cover flowing water; • Reminding children about the dangers of playing on or near ice-covered surfaces and open water; • Keeping pets on leash near frozen water bodies.

The RVCA does not monitor or maintain ice conditions anywhere, including its 11 public conservation areas. This includes the Rideau River and its tributaries, as well as the ponds, lakes and other bodies of water within our parks.

The Voice of North Grenville

FFCC Board of Directors elects new Executive

by Wes Herring, Vice President, FFCC Board During this pandemic challenged time, the Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation held its annual election for executive officers virtually on February 3, 2021.

Board Executives reelected were Carl Doucette (President), Wes Herring (Vice President) and Andre Rancourt (Treasurer). Carl Doucette was also elected as the Secretary in an acting role.

Further, on January 27, the Corporation held its Annual General Meeting and welcomed new Board Directors Randy Marusyk and Doug McCarthy. Randy Marusyk has extensive experience on both public and private boards and has a legal and biochemistry

background. Doug McCarthy is a retired member of the Canadian military (Colonel) and Professor of Economics.

Also present at that meeting were new Corporate members Sarah Herring and Shannon Nicholson. The Corporation continues to welcome applications from potential new Corporate members including those that may wish to serve on the Board as a Director in the future.

Ferguson Forest Centre is 1100 acres (445 ha) of multi-use forested lands and tree nursery located in the Municipality of North Grenville. The Centre boasts walking and hiking trails, cross country skiing trails, snowmobiling, an arboretum including a tobogganing hill, off leash dog park, children’s areas and a waterfront park

with a picnic area and canoe and kayak launch dock.

The Centre is governed by a not-for-profit FFCC, which oversees 360 acres (145 ha) of municipal land and 740 acres (300 ha) of provincial lands.

The Corporation’s wholly owned tree nursery grows native and non-invasive naturalized trees and woody shrubs through which it funds the operation, management, and maintenance of the Centre.

The Corporation has committees established for the trails, arboretum, parks, public relations and communications and the use of the Centre’s land to assist in implementing the Corporation’s mandate and vision. Anyone interested in volunteering as a committee member or becoming a Corporate member should review the FFCC web page at www.fergusonforestcentre.ca, and contact Wes Herring at wes@ffccboard. ca, or phone 613-722-2922.

GIFT BASKET DRAW

NEXT WEEK'S To Be Continued Feb. 15 to 20

Order something from TBC and your name will be placed in a hat for the chance to win a $200 gift basket.

Sponsored by

Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Bursary Program Applicants for the Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Bursary Program are still being accepted for this academic year.

If you are a student attending a college, university, or any other post-secondary institution, you may qualify for a bursary of $750.

Eligibility: • Former or currently serving members of the Canadian Forces (Regular, Reserve, and Merchant (Navy) and their children and grandchildren.

• Ordinary and Life members of the Royal Canadian Legion and their children and grandchildren.

• Associate members of the Royal Canadian Legion and their children.

• Ladies’ Auxiliary members and their children and grandchildren.

• Step children and step grandchildren may be considered.

Application forms are available at branches of the Royal Canadian Legion. Application forms can also be downloaded from the Legion’s Provincial web-site (on.legion.ca). Please note: completed application forms must be mailed to the address shown on the application form.

Forms sent by email or fax will not be accepted.

Application forms must be received by Legion Provincial Command by March 21, 2021.

For further information contact the Legion Branch nearest you or Douglas Brunton Zone G-3 Bursary Chairman at 613-258-5111, or email d.c.brunton@sympatico.ca.

WE NEED HEROES

ACT NOW

DONT MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

A GIFT BASKET

This week's Gift Basket is sponsored by Westerra Homes. Only three days left!

Order a meal, from either Catered Affairs or Dial a Chef for the week of February 8, and your name will be placed in a hat for the chance to win a $100 gift basket.

One draw for each Business.

February 10, 2021

GIFT BASKET DRAW

11

NEXT WEEK'S DRAW Feb 15 - 20 To Be Continued

Order something from TBC and your name will be placed in a hat for the chance to win a $200 gift basket.

Choose from three gift baskets

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The Voice of North Grenville

Senior Times Seniors’ Community Services seeks support from Ontario Seniors’ Community Services calls on the province to invest $595 million in crucial home and community care services to ensure that all seniors and people living with disabilities who want to live safely in their homes and communities are able to for as long as possible.

The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated that at home and in their community is a safe place for vulnerable Ontarians to receive care, especially during a crisis.

Ontarians have been clear that they prefer to receive the care they need at home and in their communities. In an increasingly over-stretched health system, home and community care remains the most cost-effective place to

treat people. A robust and well-resourced home and community care sector can alleviate the pressure off the system and would enable the most appropriate use of acute care hospitals and long-term care, as well as generate significant cost savings across the system.

Our services, such as Meals on Wheels, Footcare, Transportation, Telephone Safety Checks help support seniors and people with physical disabilities to remain safely at home by meeting their everyday health and social needs. In order to ensure all Ontarians have the ability to avoid premature institutionalization and live safely at home for as long as possible, we are calling on the

province to: 1. Take a home first approach as the primary priority of the health system by investing $350 million in home and community care organizations and services.

2. Achieve wage and job condition parity for staff across health sectors by infusing $235 million into the salaries of key front-line staff.

3. Ensure the sector plays a main role in the province’s digital care strategy by investing of $10 million in digital and virtual care for the sector.

“The pandemic has demonstrated that living at home is the safest place for a vast majority of vulnerable members living in North Grenville and the surrounding areas,” said Dawn Rodger, Executive

Director of Seniors’ Community Services. “It is time to properly invest in our organization and our services to ensure our clients can live safely at home for as long as possible.”

For more information about programs and services offered through Seniors’ Community Services, visit www.seniorscs.ca, or contact 613-258-3203.

Paul A. Jansen, BA, LLB.

215 Van Buren Street, Kemptville 613.258.7462 jansenlaw.com

Real Estate - Wills & Estates - Family Law - Corporate

Throughout these challenging times, we are continuing to provide essential services:

d~ e t c e n n o ep C Let’s Ke are Stronger we r e h t e g o T

· Meals on Wheels (frozen), delivered to your door · Regular telephone calls from our volunteers · Essential Transportation Footcare clinic - Income Tax Clinic - Seniors’ Centre Without Walls - NEW Virtual Programming - Exercise etc.

Revenue Canada Charitable Number 118979111RR0001

215 Sanders St., Suite 101, Kemptville

Rachel S. Jansen, B.Comm., J.D.

613 -258-3203

www.seniorscs.ca

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Local hero

WE NEED HEROES Last Tuesday, Mayor Peckford and Salvation Army Food Bank Coordinator Estiban presented NG resident Manon Kuilder with a certificate of thanks. This was to mark Ms. Kuilder's creative community initiative whereby she challenged 50 local residents to support a local coffee shop on a single day. If the challenge was met, she volunteered to donate $100 to the local food bank. By the end of the day, so many residents had taken up the challenge and offered to match her donation that ultimately, and by Monday approximately $1500 was raised and Bubba and Bugs coffee shop had a very busy day.

It is the commitment, generosity and creativity of local residents like Manon that is sustaining many local businesses, as well as supporting vulnerable residents who need to rely on community services in North Grenville.

February 10, 2021

12

ACT NOW

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The Voice of North Grenville

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Double-reed woodwind 5. Circle fragments 9. Stitched 14. A soft sheepskin leather 15. Sandwich shop 16. Japanese verse 17. Percolator 19. Made a mistake 20. Something of value 21. Out-of-date 23. 30th 25. Shield from danger 28. Greatest possible 29. Mesh 32. Idolize 33. Ripen 34. Audible exhale 35. Not under 36. Extreme happiness

38. Unit of land 39. Stars 40. Petroleum 41. Chatterbox 43. Aye 44. Grayish brown 45. A type of keyboard instrument 46. Rebels 48. Units of force 50. Backsides 54. Sound 55. Gatekeeper's residence 57. Not back 58. Anagram of "Dome" 59. By mouth 60. Breviloquent 61. Arid 62. A crumbling earthy deposit

DOWN 1. Killer whale 2. Razzes 3. Clods 4. Enchains 5. Citrus drink 6. An essay 7. Influence 8. Posings 9. A protective covering 10. Our planet 11. Cable 12. Barely managed 13. Clunker 18. Aromatic solvent 22. Despised 24. Locked in by ice 25. Lacking wit or imagination 26. Variety show 27. Roasters 29. Cuts 30. Heron 31. Not here 33. Suffer 34. Showroom 37. Ancestries 42. First Hebrew letter 44. Indicate 45. Beaver 46. Wreckage 47. Clearing 48. Unadulterated 49. Smell 51. Emanation 52. Russian emperor 53. Peddle 54. Astern 56. An uncle

Puzzled over Real Estate.....Give us a call ** Broker

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville Despite that last bit of snow, and maybe I’m anticipating a bit too much, but I smell Spring in the air. So, the heck with Punxsutawney Phil, the famous Pennsylvanian groundhog who is predicting six more weeks of winter (besides, old Phil hasn’t visited the Ottawa Valley that I know of). Anyway, I’m doubly motivated to keep providing you with great recipes to ease you along through the rest of the Winter. This very simple dish is sure to delight you fish lovers.

Salmon and Lime Cakes Ingredients: 3 potatoes, peeled 1 small can of salmon 1 onion, finely chopped 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons finely chopped lime 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or butter 1 teaspoon horseradish Pepper Preparation: Boil and mash the potato Drain the salmon and mash it into the potatoes Stir in the eggs, onion, lime and horseradish Season as desired, e.g., with pepper (no salt required) Form into 3 inch patties; the mixture will be soft Coat the patties with panko breadcrumbs Fry at medium heat in vegetable oil or butter, carefully turning them over once and till golden brown Serve up while hot with a yoghurt and parsley or aioli sauce.

Thanks again for your mails and keep ‘em comin’ at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

SEND IN YOUR CLASSIFIED to classified@ngtimes.ca

BUY AND SELL LOCALLY Easy

Medium

FIRST TEN WORDS FREE

GoFundMe created to support families of Oxford Mills Fire Hard

February 10, 2021

by Hilary Thomson A GoFundMe account has been created to support the families of the victims of the house fire in Oxford Mills. Bob and Gina Juneau and Johnny and Carol Rouillard were killed tragically in a house fire caused by a dry Christmas tree on January 10. The Juneaus had the Rouillards over for dinner, and when the tree caught fire, flames spread quickly throughout the home giving the couples no time to escape.

Last week, a GoFundMe account was created to help support the families as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.

“This tragic event is something that nobody could be prepared for, let alone navigate during a lockdown in a pandemic,” it says on the page. “The loss of a family home built by the patriarch is nothing compared to two families who mourn the loss of Johnny, Carol, Bob and Gina. To many of us, they were friends, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, and so much more. Our hearts are broken and we crave the hugs and touch that lift the soul.

Since we cannot mourn and heal together as a community, we ask that you help the Rouillard and Juneau families with your prayers and love.”

In just four days, over $10,000 was raised to help pay for the many unforeseen costs that may lie ahead for the two families. Any extra money will be donated to charities that honour deceased. To donate, visit the GoFundMe website and search Juneau and Rouillard Families.

Solution to last week’s Crossword

13

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SERVICES

SEND IN YOUR CLASSIFIED to classified@ngtimes.ca

HANDYMAN RETIRED CARPENTER Renovations, kitchens, SERVICES bathrooms, additions, Painting, Demolition, decks, home repair.

Drywall, Call George at Carpentry, etc 613 462 7637 Bill at 613-774-2922

BUY AND SELL LOCALLY FIRST TEN WORDS FREE

FOR SALE

Winter tires 225 / 70 R 16, on rims, very good condition, altimax arctic $ 500, 613 258 4457

Cedar, Spruce and Pine Posts for sale. Call Jim 613.258.3561

The Voice of North Grenville

Indoor and outdoor storage for vehicles, boats and RVs. Call Jon at 613-227-3650 HP-Compaq Notebook $20 email jgwalnut@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Hunters Paradise Deer and Turkeys Bow and Bkack Powder Season Call 613.258.3561

Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.

The North Grenville Times is Locally Owned and Operated

Shannon Lever

Marketing Consultant

Phone 613.791.8317 Email: shannonlever@ndtimes.ca

The Rideau Glen Ladies Golf League

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

wish to our friend and "senior" golfing partner,

Joyce Charter a

Happy 90th Birthday!!!

May you stay healthy and safe.

All our love. RGLL.

WE NEED HEROES

TENDER # 21-007 COMMERCIAL GRASS CUTTING / TRIMMING UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Invites tenders for COMMERCIAL GRASS CUTTING AND TRIMMING for the 2021 & 2022 seasons at our schools in the following regions: ATHENS BROCKVILLE GANANOQUE NORTH DUNDAS NORTH GRENVILLE

ROCKLAND ROTHWELL-OSNABRUCK RUSSELL SEAWAY TAGWI

Tender closes at 3:00:00PM, February 25, 2021 Tender documents may only be obtained at www.biddingo.com Inquiries may be directed to: Chris Groenewoud, CSCMP, Assistant Manager of Purchasing chris.groenewoud@ucdsb.on.ca or 613-342-0371 ext. 1264 February 10, 2021

GIFT BASKET DRAW

NEXT WEEK'S To Be Continued

Order something from TBC and your name will be placed in a hat for the chance to win a $200 gift basket.

Choose from three gift baskets Sponsored by Westerra Homes

Study underlines the impact of Covid on businesses

by David Shanahan The Rural Ontario Institute has issued a report examining the impact of the pandemic on non-metro Ontario up to October of last year. Non-metro means businesses based in smaller and rural municipalities and towns in the province, or “the population outside the commuting zones of a Census Metropolitan Area”. The report is based on data compiled by Statistics Canada, and found that in non-metro Ontario, the number of active businesses in October, 2020 was 7% lower than in January.

This represents a recovery from 15% fewer businesses in May, 2020. There were a large number of business closures in April and May, 2020 and although many businesses were opening (or re-opening) in June and July, the number of active businesses in October, 2020 has remained at 7% below ‘normal.’

It should be noted that these figures do not take into account the impact of the latest lockdown and the loss of trade and revenues experienced by businesses 14

over the Christmas and New Year season.

On a provincial level, the sectors with the largest decline in active businesses from January to October, 2020 were: -15% : arts, entertainment and recreation.

-12% : accommodation and food services.

- 9% : administrative & support, waste management & remediation services.

- 9% : other (personal) services. These sectors had a slow but steady increase in the number of businesses during 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The businesses in these categories are the most obvious victims of lockdowns.

Entertainment, recreation, food services, and accommodation (hotels, etc,) have been significantly affected by having to close, or restrict operations.

- 9% : transportation and warehousing. This sector had a somewhat faster increase in the number of businesses during 2017, 2018 and 2019. The increase, however, was halted and reversed when people stopped travelling to work, on holidays, or in moving homes.

- 9% : real estate and

rental and leasing. This sector had a small decrease in the number of businesses in the second half of 2019. This sector is experiencing a strange effect, in that homes are increasing in price, demand remains high, but some obstacles are preventing many deals from being finalised.

People cannot move to their new home, and so cannot finalise the sale of their old one.

The effects along the chain of buying and selling affects everyone involved. Builders are facing increases in the cost of materials as movement is restricted, but have committed themselves to agreements based on lower costs.

Overall, the ROI report is only an interim update on the effects of the pandemic on non-metro business. Once the impact of the post-December lockdown is factored in, the picture is bound to be even bleaker. Statistics Canada reported last Friday that Ontario lost almost 153,000 part-time jobs last month, notably in non-essential retail ordered closed by the Ford government.

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cl ng

The North Grenville Times

POSITION AVAILABLE We are looking for a mature salesperson.

Sales and Optical experience preferred.

Must work well with others in a busy environment.

Part-time hours: 20-30 hrs per week Job Types: Part-time, Permanent Salary: From $15.00 per hour Email resume: info@laurieropticalkemptville.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES We currently have two positions: Designer with experience, Garden center / Greenhouse staff

Practice random acts of kindness

The successful candidates will have: Valid drivers licence, Able to work all holidays, Two weekends a month, Full time hours, Multi task, Have interpersonal skills and proper phone manors.

Pay will vary with experience, decided after a three month probation period.

There are TFSA contributions.

Design experience and or Plant knowledge is a must.

Please email resumes to gen@kemptvilleflowers.net

The Voice of North Grenville

Council approves funding envelope for 2021 community grants

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

North Grenville Council has approved a funding envelope of $140,000 for community grants this year.

Council considered a total of 15 grant requests at the meeting on Tuesday, February 2, as part of the municipality’s 2021 operating budget deliberations. This was after hearing presentations from most of the organizations and community groups on January 19, when council was able to learn more about what the money would be used for, and ask questions.

A few of the requests that came in were relatively straightforward for council to consider, including a $15,300 grant for expanding counselling services at Beth Donovan Hospice, and $12,500 for Seniors Community Services’ escorted transportation service.

“Some of the items are regular items that we see every year, and I’d like to see,

probably in the future, that they just be budget items, so we don’t see them popping up every year,” Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman said.

Other grant requests garnered more discussion around the table, including a $13,000 request from the Oxford Mills Community Association to install a generator and better Wi-Fi capacity in Maplewood Hall.

According to Director of Emergency and Protective Services, John Okum, Maplewood Hall is designated as an emergency gathering place for the hamlet of Oxford Mills. CAO Gary Dyke suggested that staff consider this request internally and report back to council with costs, as Director of Public Works, Karen Dunlop, indicated that there may be some cost savings if the municipality takes on the project.

Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan raised some concern about the event-based requests, including the Surya Yoga Festival ($7,232),

OXFORD-ON-RIDEAU PUBLIC SCHOOL

JOIN OUR SMALL SCHOOL FAMILY FOR A GREAT BEGINNING TO YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY

A place called Kindergarten We are now accepting registration to our Kindergarten Program for the 2021/2022 school year. Children who were born in 2016 or 2017 are eligible to enroll.

Please register online through MyFamilyRoom at http://www.ucdsb.on.ca/for_families/registration/kindergarten We will be holding a Virtual Information Session for parents and children, on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Kemptville BuskerFest ($16,600), and Meet Me On Main Street ($11,450).

“My concern is, given the news tonight about vaccines and COVID, I really don’t think any large gatherings are going to be advisable this year at all,” she said.

Councillor Kristin Strackerjan said that she would like to see council support these events, even if they may not be able to take place this year. “The way I look at the yoga festival or the BuskerFest is that I would like to see support for them even if it winds up not being possible, because I think there is a great opportunity there.” Councillor John Barclay agreed, stating that he didn’t think they should be predicting where they will be in the fall or spring regarding COVID-19.

“If it has to be postponed or cancelled due to COVID, then that’s what will happen and the funds won’t be expended,” he said. “I would like to see both the yoga festival and BuskerFest supported by this council in the hopes that they are able to take place later in the year.”

One submission that came in late in the process was from the North Grenville Historical Society (NGHS) for $30,000 to write an official history of North Grenville in anticipation of the 25th anniversary of amalgamation in 2023.

The request also includes a magazine-style publication to recognize the 230th anniversary of Oxford-onRideau this year. Because the request was submitted late, Mayor Peckford canvassed council about whether they should defer consideration until 2022. Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan commented that, if council did defer the request until next year, there might not be time to complete the history in time.

“I’m just kind of thinking that if there’s some of these things that we cannot do this year, then maybe we could even partially fund that,”

she said.

As some councillors had further questions about a few of the requests, council decided to approve the funding envelope only, and reach back out to some of the organizations or community groups for more information. “If it’s not settled on now, it can be revisited by council based on finding more information, or any other circumstances going forward,” CAO Dyke said.

Because of a few requests that came in late, including the one from the NGHS and a $3,500 request from Bishops Mills Community Association to paint the roof of their community hall, the 2021 community grants budget was raised from $125,000 to $140,000. CAO Dyke says this will have no affect on the 0% 2021 budget increase. Deputy Mayor McManaman noted that this amount is only about .75% of the entire budget, and that he feels many of the organizations and community groups bring great value to the community. “I think it adds up to quite a bit of goodwill and good value to our community,” he said.

Council is looking forward to having a more robust structure and process for community grants in the coming years to make sure that the public and taxpayers know exactly what is expected in an application for funds. “I think we all look forward to a more streamlined process for next year that will enable us to perhaps have a slightly easier conversation than the one we are having this year,” Mayor Peckford said. “But I want to thank all of the community groups in the community for coming forward as they have and being innovative and creative and fiscally prudent, in terms of wanting to see certain things off the ground and doing it in ways that are efficient and important for the quality of life of so many of our residents.”

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED, LOCALLY EMPLOYED FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM

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The North Grenville Times queues have been met with condemnation.

The question remains, should you and your children be playing contact team sports or even games with social distancing? The answer is a resounding yes, but with a caveat. Just like porcupines making love, engage in these activities very carefully.

Why is there not more commonsense advice from public health experts about the fortification of our natural immune systems as a protective measure against the virus? Athletes may be the healthiest among us, but even they need robust immune systems. How? Get ample sleep – without it, you will be weakened.

Eat a good diet and drink plenty of water, not sugary drinks. Take a daily dose of immune-boosting vitamins C and D – in the high doses required for a good fight with a viral opponent, not the small amounts for general health. Make sure you are getting enough magnesium and zinc. Then wear a mask.

Keep a distance. And enjoy the exercise!

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Can athletes escape Covid virus?

Professional sporting events have never been entirely about the game. Team owners, player sponsorships, media contracts, ticket sales, and merchandising licenses are the playgrounds of big business. But the tiniest of offensive players, the novel coronavirus, has upended the sporting world. It has become a matter of great debate whether your grandmother or your favourite sports star should have priority for a vaccine.

Take NHL hockey as an example. A delayed season has started. Only a handful of arenas are allowing limited spectators to attend the games. The league is working hard to keep players safe from COVID-19, but games have been delayed and postponed due to positive tests among players, coaches and staff. As one wise sage remarked, “It’s hard to escape the wind.”

Health officials urge all of us to take precautions against spread of infection.

But how can hockey players “social distance” while driving the opponent into the boards?

Teams will take every possible precaution. But this is easier said than done when traveling from game to game.

The NHL reports players are being tested daily. But testing is only one step to prevent the spread of the virus.

As this article goes to press, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to take the field in Tampa, FL. Exhausted health officials are losing more sleep, worried that huge sporting events like these will cause another winter surge, once again stretching the healthcare system to the breaking point.

One can hardly blame starved restaurant owners from doing what they can to sell a few meals. But even outdoor seating was a problem for Los Angles in hosting the NBA finals in October.

The L.A. Times reports, “More than 9,000 COVID-19

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deaths have been reported in L.A. County since Nov. 1, more than half of the county’s cumulative COVID-19 death toll of 16,127.”

So it has been proven that professional athletes will play on amid this pandemic.

With the amount of money at stake, it should not surprise if there are nefarious ploys to secure vaccine supplies.

Stay tuned for a Hollywood thriller!

But what of Olympic athletes? Woe be Tokyo and the still questionable Olympic Games. According to a recent poll, nearly 80% of Japanese think the games should be canceled or postponed again.

For many athletes, there is only one chance to compete.

So most are understandably keen to partake.

The International Olympic Committee is in a pickle, since its revenue is largely dependent on broadcast contracts. The IOC insists the Games are a go. Suggestions that athletes be permitted to jump national vaccine

TIME TO GET READY

FOR WINTER

624 Harts Way, Kemptville

Heart Month Salt and heart health

by Danielle Labonté, MAN, RD, Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit When we eat more sodium, or salt, than our bodies need, the amount of blood in our arteries can increase, which raises our blood pressure. When we have high blood pressure, we are at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Generally, most people eat more salt than they need, so everybody – even those with normal blood pressure – can benefit from reducing their salt intake. Research has found that the majority of the salt in our diets comes from bakery products, such as breads, muffins, and cookies, mixed dishes such as pizza, lasagna, refrigerated or frozen entrées and appetizers, and frozen potatoes and prepared salads.

Fast food, processed

Merrick Prep offering scholarships to local students the country for over 30 years.

Two years ago, Merrick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Prep started thinking about opening up enrollment to Merrick Preparatory local students who wanted School is offering full schol- the chance to have the same arships to local students for quality education and expethe 2021/2022 school year. rience as their international The international boarding students. They felt that having school has been welcoming local students at the school high school students from all would give their international over the world to Merrick- students the opportunity to ville since 2012. Their focus learn about Canada through has always been on giving the eyes of their peers. Local international students the op- kids would benefit, not only portunity to earn their Ontario by getting a quality education, Secondary School Diploma but also learning from and in a welcoming and uplifting making friends with kids from environment. The classes are over 27 different countries.

Kevin says Merrick Prep small, with a maximum of has been exploring their op10 students, and their teachers are highly qualified with tions for the past year, and Master’s degrees, specializa- came up with the idea of oftions in their fields, and guid- fering five full scholarships ance counsellor certifications. to local Grade 9 students.

Since the school’s inception, The scholarships cover day they have also maintained a student tuition, valued at just 100% university acceptance under $25,000. “Merrickville rate to some of the top uni- has been such a great home versities in the world, many for us, and has give so much with scholarships. “I really do to us and our students,” Kevin think we have something very says. “We wanted to give unique and very special here back to the community.”

The scholarship is guarthat I haven’t seen anywhere else,” says Principal Kevin anteed for the rest of the Farrell, who has worked in student’s high school career, education systems all over based on need. Merrick Prep

by Hilary Thomson

February 10, 2021

will be using an accounting firm called Apple Financial Services to assess the student’s ability to pay some, all, or none of the tuition.

Although the scholarships are only open to students starting Grade 9, Merrick Prep is also offering $40,000 in bursaries for students from Grades 9-12. “The bottom line is: how do we support local families to attend Merrick Prep, because a private school education is very expensive.

It’s a big financial commitment,” Kevin says. “How do we help local families have this experience, because we think it’s so valuable.”

Kevin is very passionate about the educational experience that the school offers. He has seen amazing life-long connections forged between students from all different races, religions, cultures, and backgrounds. Between classes and debates in the dining hall, students get to experience what life is like for people their age all around the world. “The very cool thing is the opportunity for our international students to experience the world through a Canadian student’s eyes,

and an amazing experience for a local Canadian student to see the world through international eyes.”

Applications for the scholarship program are now being accepted. The process is quite simple, but does involve a report card,

interview, entrance exam, confidential reference, and a personal profile. Anyone interested can email admissions@merrickprep.com, or Kevin directly at kevinf@ merrickprep.com, and they will guide you through the process.

Brooke Barkley

meats like lunch meats or hotdogs, canned soups, packaged dressings, sauces, and gravies, and snacks like chips and crackers also contribute to the amount of salt in our diets. To lower our salt intake, we can try to make most of our meals at home to control the amount of salt added to our food. Use the nutrition facts table on packaged foods to check how much sodium they have – 15% daily value or “DV” or more means it has a lot and 5% DV or less means it has a little. Look for foods that have little or no salt added, and when using foods such as canned beans or vegetables, drain and rinse them well to get the salt off.

For more information, visit the Health Unit website at www.healthunit.org, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-660-5853.

Kevin says they hope to get lots of applications by the deadline of April 6. “One of the things I am most excited about is to give back to the community, because the community has given so much to us,” he says.

karen Mccallion

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Quiet at the park..

Support Your Local Lions Club JOIN TODAY! the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Splash of colour on a Winter's Day I hope all is well with you all and you are staying safe. As mentioned in my last communication, I have been trying to get some pictures of a Snowy Owl. Another trip out did the trick and I was lucky enough to get some. Of course it was a bitterly cold -26 C, with the wind chill provided by a punishing North wind, despite the bright sunny day! Initially, when spotted and alighting from my car, I had to shelter on the leeward side of it and brace myself against it, to get pictures of the owl perching on the top of a hydro pole. After getting a few shots, the bird suddenly disappeared from view and re-appeared on a lower perch on top of another pole. To get more pictures now entailed a walk down the road in the freezing wind! My face, although hooded, soon told me that this wasn't the ideal spot to be, so after a few, very quick, snaps, it was back to the car and some warmth and then home!! Another trip out failed to capture any owl sightings, but some more pictures of Snow Buntings were taken. Quite exciting times, despite the cold and the pandemic.

All the best of health to you all, Stay safe and well, John Baldwin.

[Editor’s note: After John’s photo arrived, it was announced that a snowy owl has been spotted in New York's Central Park for the first time in 130 years. News of the sighting saw US bird watchers flock to the park hoping to catch a glimpse of the owl. John is ahead of them all!]

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Friday February 19 1- Chicken Jambalaya style, with shrimps and Chorizo. Cajun corn and kale salad.

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February 10, 2021

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Mealshare and A&W partner to help end youth hunger

Mealshare, a national social enterprise on a mission to help end youth hunger, is thrilled to announce its new ongoing national partnership with A&W Canada. For every Mealshare Item purchased at an A&W location, one simple healthy meal will be provided to a youth in need.

Scope of partnership: The partnership has a goal of sharing 1,250,000 meals per year. All of A&W’s locations are participating – that’s 1,000 locations stretching across the entire country. Meals are provided through Mealshare’s network of 450

February 10, 2021

local charity partners across Canada. 80% of Mealshare’s financial support stays in local communities where the Mealshare Item was purchased, and 20% goes internationally to Save the Children.

How the program works for A&W customers: On ‘Mealshare Mondays’, customers can order a Cheddar Bacon Uncle Burger Combo and one meal will be provided to a youth in need through Mealshare. Any day of the week, customers can “Make it a Mealshare” by adding $1.00 to their order. When customers do this, one meal

will be provided to a youth in need through Mealshare.

Customers can participate in-restaurant, through drivethru, or by using the mobile app.

“A&W is an amazing organization and a leader in the industry through its many environmental and social initiatives,” says Jer-

emy Bryant, Co-Founder of Mealshare. “The support of A&W restaurants will make a huge impact for Mealshare and all the youth we support across the entire country”.

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country. Local franchisees from coast to coast are excited to be a part of this program because they’ve seen first-hand the needs in their communities and how these programs can provide immediate benefit and support,” says Susan Senecal, Chief Executive Officer at A&W Canada. “No child should ever go hungry, especially in a country like Canada, so we’re thrilled that we can be a part of this initiative.”

Mealshare believes nutritious food is essential for all children, especially when 1 in 5 children are food insecure in this country. We are committed to creating a world where it’s easier to share with those in need, and every child and youth is fed as a result. We won’t stop until we’ve seen the end of

youth hunger.

Mealshare was founded in 2013 with four partner restaurants in Alberta. Now, the organization has expanded to 1200+ restaurants across Canada and partnering with A&W Canada is the next milestone for the organization.

This social enterprise has provided over 3.8 million meals since inception, with our simple “Buy One, Give One” model. Canadians can purchase a Mealshare menu item at a participating restaurant and one meal will be donated to youth struggling with hunger through our network of local city charity partners and our international partner, Save the Children Canada. For more information, visit our website at Mealshare.ca.

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