North Renfrew Times

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NORTH RENFREW TIMES DEEP RIVER FREEZES 2013 WATER & SEWER RATES

> STORY, PAGE 4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Murder trial begins PARRY SOUND MAN ADMITS SHOOTING DAUGHTER-IN-LAW BY

TERRY MYERS

The man charged in Deep River’s first homicide admits that he shot and killed his daughter-in-law, Michelle Martel Cameron, a 27-year-old mother of two, on March 15, 2011. But lawyers for John Craig Cameron, now 54, say he should be found “not criminally responsible” on a charge of first degree murder because he acted in a robotic or “automatistic” state and did not understand the nature of his actions or that what he was doing was legally and morally wrong. Cameron has been in custody since he turned himself in to police in Parry Sound, Ontario, where he lived with his wife of 32 years, Sandra, late in the afternoon of the day Michelle Cameron died. > CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

MARCH MADNESS: “You may be bigger, but I’m fiercer!” Jamal Munir was determined to maintain his ground against Aaron Harley, who was covering him during last week’s Valley Hoopstars pickup game. (And yes, the referee did catch this blatant foul.) Valley Hoopstars is a local basketball club that supports positive coaching by adults, the teaching of basketball fundamentals, fostering the joy of physical activity and the building of self-esteem. The program is divided by age and gender groups. Registration for Hoopstars is ongoing through the season. For more information, contact Ike Dimayuga (584-1725). Photo: David Rhodes 2013

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TM The Hyundai names, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. *Sourced from Autodata and Honda.ca on 09/26/2012. †Finance offers available O.A.C. from Hyundai Financial Services based on a new 2013 Elantra L 6-Speed Manual/Elantra GT GL 6-Speed Manual/Veloster 6-Speed Manual/Sonata GL Auto/Santa Fe 2.4L FWD Auto with an annual finance rate of 0.99%/0.99%/0.9%/0%/0.9% for 84/84/48/84/48 months. Bi-weekly payment is $99/$118/$207/$139/$278. No down payment is required. Cost of Borrowing is $616/$732/$386/$0/$519. Finance offers include Delivery and Destination of $1,495/$1,495/$1,495/$1,565/ $1,760 fees, levies, and all applicable charges (excluding HST). Registration, insurance, PPSA and license fees are excluded. Delivery and destination charge includes freight, P.D.E., dealer admin fees and a full tank of gas. Financing example: 2013 Sonata GL Auto for $25,350 at 0% per annum equals $139 bi-weekly for 84 months for a total obligation of $25,350. Cash price is $25,350. Cost of Borrowing is $0. Example price includes Delivery and Destination of $1,565, fees, levies, and all applicable charges (excluding HST). Registration, insurance, PPSA and license fees are excluded. †♦Prices for models shown: 2013 Elantra Limited/Elantra GT SE Tech 6-Speed Auto/Veloster Tech 6-Speed Manual/Sonata Limited/Santa Fe 2.0T Limited AWD is $24,830/$27,980/$24,630/$30,700/$40,395. Prices include Delivery and Destination charges of $1,495/$1,495/$1,495/$1,565/$1,760, fees, levies, and all applicable charges (excluding HST). Registration, insurance, PPSA and license fees are excluded. ▼Fuel consumption for 2013 Elantra Sedan L 6-Speed Manual (HWY 4.9L/100KM; City 6.8L/100KM)/ Elantra GT GL 6-Speed Manual (HWY 4.9L/100KM; City: 7.2L/100KM)/2013 Veloster 6-Speed Manual (HWY 4.9L/100KM; City 7.2L/100KM)/2013 Sonata GL Auto (HWY 5.6L/100KM; City 8.7L/100KM)/2013 Santa Fe 2.4L FWD Auto (HWY 7.2L/100KM, City 10.4L/100KM) are based on Manufacturer Testing. Actual fuel efficiency may vary based on driving conditions and the addition of certain vehicle accessories. Fuel economy figures are used for comparison purposes only. Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., iPod® is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. ‡Price adjustments are calculated against the vehicle’s starting price. Price adjustments of up to $350/$7,500/$6,500 available on 2013 Sonata GL/2012 Genesis 5.0L R-Spec/2012 Veracruz Limited AWD. Price adjustments applied before taxes. Offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other available offers. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be assigned. No vehicle trade-in required. †♦‡Offers available for a limited time, and subject to change or cancellation without notice. See dealer for complete details. Dealer may sell for less. Inventory is limited, dealer order may be required. ^Based on Natural Resource Canada’s 2012 ecoEnergy award for most fuel efficient full-size car. ▲Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). ††Hyundai’s Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use and maintenance conditions.


page 2 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

NORTH RENFREW TIMES VOL. 60, NO. 12

21 Champlain St., Box 310, Deep River ON K0J 1P0 Phone: 613-584-4161 Fax: 613-584-1062 Email: NRT@magma.ca Website: northrenfrewtimes.com www.facebook.com/ NorthRenfrewTimes

Editor-in-chief: Terry Myers Business Manager: Kelly Lapping Associate Editor: Vance Gutzman Advertising Supervisor: Jane Barkley Advertising Sales: Rasa Smith (Deep River), Brenda Pelletier (Pembroke and Petawawa) Classified Ads: Barbara Morin

NRT OFFICE HOURS Monday to Friday: 9 am - 5 pm Closed Saturday and Sunday

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Local & Digital: $44 per year $55 per year to the rest of Canada (including Pembroke and Petawawa). Prices effective January 1, 2012. Prices include HST. The North Renfrew Times acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

PLEASE RECYCLE The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with any advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid. Opinions expressed in opinion columns, editorials and reprinted articles are not necessarily the opinions and philosophies of the Deep River Community Association or its board of directors.

Murder trial begins CONTINUED FROM PAGE

1

Cameron is now on trial before a jury of seven women and five men in superior court in Pembroke. The presiding judge in the case is Madame Justice Julianne Parfett. The Crown attorney prosecuting the charge is Jason Nicol, while Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon is acting in Cameron’s defence. The defence admits the basic facts of the case, which were read into the record by one of the investigating officers, OPP Detective Constable Susan Norris-MacInnis, over two days of testimony last Wednesday and Thursday. In addition to the detective’s testimony, the Crown also presented as evidence physical items such as the rifle and ammunition used in the killing, a book of photos, and various audio and video tapes, including statements Cameron made to police on the night he turned himself in. Based on all of the evidence, the “narrative” of Michelle Cameron’s death began early on the morning of March 15, 2011, when John Craig Cameron - Craig as he was known to his friends and family - got up at 5 am after a restless night. He had breakfast of coffee and toast with his wife Sandra after she rose at roughly 7 am, and then after she left for work, he went to their bedroom closet to retrieve a gun case containing a Remington .308 calibre semi-automatic rifle he had owned since he was about 20 years old. From a separate locked cabinet, he collected a box of 44 shells, and then carried the gun case, rifle, two ammunition clips and the box of shells outside to his truck. At about 8 am, he drove his 75-year-old mother-in-law, who lived with the couple,

to a medical appointment in Parry Sound, and then continued on to his place of work, Muskoka Auto Parts, where he transferred the weapons to the company car. At roughly 8:30 am, after saying good morning to at least three of his co-workers, Cameron got into the company car, a 2004 gold Pontiac Sunfire, ostensibly to make sales calls in the Parry Sound area, but instead drove directly to Deep River. Cameron made no stops along the way until he pulled into the Canadian Tire gas bar on Highway 17, where he filled up the Sunfire with $28 of gas and paid at the pump by credit card. Cameron then drove down to the parking lot at AECL’s JL Gray Centre, where Michelle Cameron worked as a technical designer, arriving around 12 pm. Cameron said that he wanted to meet with Michelle, perhaps to have lunch, to talk over the problems between Michelle and her estranged husband, Cameron’s son Rick.

“I went up there with the attitude that I had to fix this”

The couple had begun having marriage problems in the fall of 2010, and in January 2011, Michelle moved out of the family home in Chalk River the couple shared with their two children, aged three and seven at the time, and moved into a new home at 1 Claremount St, Deep River. Cameron told police that things had been going from “bad to worse” between Rick and Michelle in their efforts to come to a separation agreement regarding finances and custody of the two children. Cameron said that things had come to a head at a mediation meeting in Pembroke on Friday, March 11 between Rick, Michelle and their lawyers, at which point Michelle was making new demands for custody and financial support. Cameron said he went to Deep River hoping to talk to Michelle, to see if they could come up with “some sort of solution.” “I went up there with the attitude that I had to fix this one way or another,” he told police. But when he was waiting at the JL Gray Centre, he missed Michelle, seeing her get into her car and drive Sweet cream away. to police, she ice cream, wasAccording heading home to collect yellow cake her running shoes to go for a and lunch-hour run with her new boyfriend. rich frosting. Craig Cameron then drove straight to 1 Claremount, pulling into the driveway behind Michelle’s car. Get yours today for your Easter celebration. Once parked in the driveway, Cameron loaded his rifle with four or five shells in one of the ammunition DEEP RIVER • 613-584-9933 clips and walked to the side

Hop on in!

Easter Bunny Cake

door of the house under the carport. After knocking several times and getting no answer, he opened the door and walked up a short flight of three stairs into the kitchen of the home. At the same time, Michelle appeared around the corner, about 10 to 15 feet away. “Your being here is not going to make any difference,” Cameron said she told him. He raised the rifle, told her he was “sorry, so sorry it had to turn out this way,” and shot his daughter-in-law twice in the chest. After she fell, forward towards him, he fired a third shot, through her head, because “I wanted to make sure she wasn’t suffering.” Cameron left the house immediately, stopping only to pick up one of the shell casings. Back at the car, he unloaded the rifle, replaced the trigger lock, put the gun, case and ammunition in the trunk, and left Deep River by Highway 17. He stopped only once on the way back to Parry Sound, pulling into the beer store in South River to buy a six-pack of Budweiser to try to calm his nerves, “because I was shaking so bad I couldn’t hold onto the wheel.” Back in Parry Sound, he drove to his wife’s Service Canada office, told her he loved her and what he had done, and then went on to Muskoka Auto Parts. There he parked the car, transferred the weapons to the front seat of his red Chevy pickup truck, and went inside to tell his co-workers that today would be his last day and that it had been a pleasure working with them. At approximately 4:30 pm, he arrived at the Parry Sound OPP detachment, where he announced that he wanted to turn himself in. Speaking to a police dispatcher by phone from the call box on the detachment wall outside the main door, Cameron said “I’m not wanted yet, but you will want me.” “I just shot my daughter-in-law,” Cameron said. Is she dead, the dispatcher asked? “Yes,” Cameron replied. “She found someone else in September and she and my son could not work things out.” Cameron was taken into custody a few minutes later by arresting officer Constable Barb Nixie and has remained in detention ever since. Rick Cameron was in Parry Sound visiting his parents with his children for the March Break at the time of the shooting. “Throughout the day of March 15, Richard Cameron remained in Parry Sound with his children, completely unaware of what his father had done,” Det. Norris-MacInnis said. In her opening address to the jury, Justice Parfett said that to find him guilty of first degree murder, members of the jury would have to be satisfied that the Crown had proven “beyond a reasonable doubt” that, not only did John Craig Cameron cause the death of Michelle Cameron, but that he had “the state of mind required for murder” and that the murder was “planned and deliberate.”


NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 3

‘There would have been another way’ BY

TERRY MYERS

John Craig Cameron says he killed his daughter-in-law, the mother of his two grandchildren, because he “had no choice.” In a series of statements to police after his arrest for the murder of Michelle Martel Cameron on March 15, 2011, Craig Cameron said he shot her because he could find no other way to solve the issues resulting from the breakdown of her marriage to her son Rick. “I did it - I’m not trying to hide anything,” Cameron told OPP officers Constable Barb Nixie and Staff Sergeant Ron Campbell in a videotaped interview the evening of his arrest. “I spent the last three weeks trying to find a different way... I tried to find a different way to protect my kid and his kids and I couldn’t find it.” Why did you go to Deep River to see her, the officers ask? “To stop her any way I could,” Cameron replies. “My kid and my grandkids have been suffering for three months... It’s been three months of tyranny when she just keeps saying no to whatever’s proposed.” Rather than getting closer to a separation agreement, Cameron said Rick and Michelle were losing ground, with Michelle making more demands for money and custody. “It was ridiculous to the point where it was like she was trying to get him to turn her down,” he said. NOT DENYING IT

“I’m not trying to get out of it. I’m not denying it... I didn’t see another way.” “I just didn’t see another option,” Cameron says again at another point. “The lawyers just couldn’t find a solution that she found acceptable... We’ve been trying for months to find a way to work this out so the grandkids and my son wouldn’t suffer as a result.” “There would have been another way,” Campbell says softly. “It would have taken a little longer, but there would have been another way.” After a pause, Cameron says the family has been “throwing money at this” but they were not getting any closer to an agreement, in fact they were getting “farther apart.” “She can’t make them suffer any more.” Cameron is composed throughout the interview, showing a flash of emotion only once, when Campbell asks if there is anything else he wants to tell them. “That’s pretty much the story,” Cameron says. “I’m not trying to hide anything.” “I’m not insinuating you are,” Campbell replies. “It’s not every day someone walks in and tells you this story.” Campbell also notes that Cameron has red spots on his pants. Is that her blood, he asks? “Probably,” Cameron replies.

Cameron repeated his story to OPP Detective Sergeant Rob Hagerman and Detective Constable Tracy Allan on the long drive from Parry Sound back to the Upper Ottawa Valley detachment late the night of March 15. Allan asks Cameron what he was thinking by going to Deep River in the first place. “When you were thinking about it, what were your thoughts about what you were going to do when you got there?” she says. “I went up there with the attitude that I had to fix this one way or another,” Cameron replies. “It’s been tearing my son and his kids apart... Yeah, I thought it might go this far because she just keeps saying no to everything.” “It’s really hard for me to understand,” Cameron continues, noting that Rick and Michelle had been together seven years, even before they were married in 2006. “Since day one we’ve worked to make her feel like she was one of our kids,” he says. “(But) since May of last year, she turned into someone I don’t even know... “I kept trying to talk myself out of it but I knew I had to fix it. I’m the dad, I’m supposed to protect these people.” BREAKING POINT

Allan said that between the marriage problems and the issues around the separation, “it sounds like it’s been a battle for some time.” “What was the breaking point for you?” “I haven’t slept well since January, trying to figure out a way to fix this,” Cameron said. “It just got to the point, I thought there was no way out. If something wasn’t done, it was going to destroy Rick and those kids. “Unfortunately, all three a probably going to hate me for the rest of their days... I couldn’t find another option.” “Originally I thought I could drive up there and have lunch with her, try to come to some sort of agreement,” Cameron says later. “I knew I had to fix it one way or another. I was hoping for the best and planning for the worst.” “It all seemed so unreal, like I was watching it happen,” Cameron told Allan. At the house on Claremount, he never got a chance to talk to her, he said. “Before I could say anything, she said my being there didn’t make any difference. I don‘t know if she didn’t see the gun or didn’t understand... “I told her I was so, so sorry... She was still smiling when I pulled the trigger.” Was she still alive after the first shots, Allan asks? “I wasn’t sure,” Cameron says. “When you hunt a deer and they go down, you don’t want them to suffer. It’s not about... I don’t know.” After the first shots, did Michelle say anything then, Hagerman asks? “No... I don’t think so,” Cameron replies. > CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Michelle Cameron, in a 2010 photo. The 27-year-old Deep River woman was shot and killed by her father-in-law, John Craig Cameron, on March 15, 2011.

Accused did not understand what he was doing: doctor BY

TERRY MYERS

John Craig Cameron was a dedicated family man who was driven by depression and stress into a state where he didn’t understand what he was doing when he shot and killed a woman he loved like his own daughter. That was the testimony at Cameron’s murder trial Monday by Dr. Reghuvaran Kunjukrishnan “Dr. K” - a forensic psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. Dr. K treated Cameron over a period of about two months in 2011, starting with an outpatient assessment on May 28, followed by an indepth court-ordered stay at the Royal Ottawa from June 16 to August 8. Cameron is on trial for first degree murder in the shooting death of his daughter-in-law, Michelle Martel Cameron, on March 15, 2011. On the witness stand Monday, Dr. K said there were two possible explanations for Cameron’s actions - either he was “angry” at Michelle and planned to kill her, or he was in a

“dissociative” state of “insane automatism” where he was not able to think rationally about the consequences of his actions. In his opinion, Dr K said, the second explanation is “more likely.” Dr K said that based on his diagnosis, Cameron had a long history of “major depression,” with thoughts of suicide dating back to his 20s. In addition, Dr K said Cameron suffered from a condition of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the result of physical abuse as a child at the hands of his alcoholic father. At the time of Michelle’s death, Cameron was under extreme stress because of the problems in the breakup of his son’s marriage. Up until about a week before March 15, Cameron had been drinking heavily, “self-medicating” with up to 12 beers per night every night. Confronted by his wife Sandra, Cameron stopped drinking “cold turkey” - which had the effect of increasing his stress levels, Dr K said. > CONTINUED ON PAGE 22


page 4 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

Town freezes 2013 water & sewer rates BY

DENISE WALKER

Food and gas prices may be on the rise, but Deep River residents will get a break on their water and sewer bills this year. Last week, Deep River council passed the 2013 water and sewer budgets without increasing the rate from 2012. This means residential users will pay a flat rate of $537 a year for water and $419 a year for sewer. Deputy Mayor Daniel Banks ran the council meeting, filling in for Mayor Dave Thompson who was away. Banks told council “This is good news, rates are not going up.” Banks also pointed to other good news – the sewage treatment plant will be paid off years sooner than originally planned. He reminded council that the loan on the sewage treatment plant came up for renewal last year. The new lower interest rate netted the town a substantial reduction in the interest portion of the debt payment. Council opted to use the savings, around $80,000 a year, to pay down the principal. Treasurer Chris Carroll later said the extra payments meant that the original 40-year term was now reduced to 22 years. The combined budget for water and sewer comes in at $2,011,727. Debt and interest costs still take a large slice of the $2 million budget. The town will pay $241,000 in debt and interest on the sewage system, together with $291,700 in debt and interest for the water system. The other big ticket item in the two budgets

is the contract costs for the town’s operator, OCWA (Ontario Clean Water Agency). In 2013, the town will pay OCWA $442,000 to manage the water treatment plant and distribution system, together with $291,000 for the sewer system. At an earlier committee meeting, Councillor Terry Myers explained the public works committee had decided not to make changes to the budget this year. “It’s good news in that the rates stay the same, while there was still room for some minor capital works and to put some cash into the reserves.” The budget will send $72,000 into the reserves for water and sewer, with another $199,000 set aside for repairs, upgrades, equipment and materials. METERS

Changes may be in store for water bills in the future, however. Last week council approved the issue of a request for proposals for “a water monitoring system Phase 1.” Phase one covers multi-residential, commercial, and institutional users. Council also agreed to a proposal from Myers that the request for proposal also solicit information on Phase 2, which would extend the water metering program to all users. “At the committee meeting we didn’t close the door on residential meters,” Myers said, adding, “It would be good if we could ask for information on residential meters, even informally.”

FABULOUS

> CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

WE HAVE LIFTOFF!

EASTER

Aly Pruszkowski was performing a delicate balancing act last week while demonstrating her homemade hovercraft. Pruszkowski's vacuum-powered device was one of several projects designed and built by students in St. Mary's School's annual science fair.

Capture the joy of Easter with our fresh and beautiful flowers.

Council OKs $2,000 for Taste of the Valley

FLORALS Calla Lily Hydrangea Hyacinth

Easter Lily Tulips Spring Bouquets

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PINECREST FLORISTS

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Photo: Vance Gutzman

BY

DENISE WALKER

There was a buzz of excitement when it was announced that Deep River will be one of the host sites for the popular “Taste of the Valley” festivals this year. The events bring together a sampling of wares from producers across Renfrew County, giving visitors a chance to sample local food, crafts and other products. Musicians and good weather (fingers crossed) usually bring out a crowd. Last week, Deep River council put their seal of approval on the event by donating $2,000 towards the costs. The other host sites this year are Barry’s Bay, Cobden, and Renfrew. Deep River will host the event on October 5.


NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 5

The Return of the Reeve BY

DENISE WALKER

The 2014 municipal election will have some Deep River residents getting that déjà vu feeling. Council voted last week to change the composition of council when their term ends next year. Gone is the position of Deputy Mayor and in its place comes the return of the Reeve. There will still be a Mayor, to be elected as head of council, and five councillors. The Reeve will be the person who sits on both Deep River council and is the designated representative at Renfrew County council. There are no substitutes on this bench – no other council member will be eligible to sit at county council. There was little discussion as council approved the bylaw. They had approved the changes by resolution back in June 2012. Deputy Mayor Banks later recapped the arguments for the change. “There were two main reasons,” he said. The first was to “increase the focus,” explained Banks, “so that the mayor can concentrate on local issues and the reeve can focus on county issues.” The second reason was the time commitment for the mayor’s job. “It takes a lot of time to do both,” said Banks. He explained that workload and time commitment could limit the choice of candidates for mayor. “Basically you need to be retired or self-employed, and able and willing to cut back on your own business work hours,” Banks said. As to the concerns in the past that Deep River was disadvantaged by not having the head of council sit at the table at county, Banks said that council did not see there would be any problems. “The reeve will be a member of Deep River council and will able to take our concerns to the county”, he said. Renfrew County council consists of 17 municipalities. Fourteen of them send their head of council to represent them at county council. The towns of Arnprior, Renfrew and the Whitewater region are the only ones currently not represented by the mayor as head of council, but by a separately elected reeve.

Water & sewer CONTINUED FROM PAGE

4

CAO Michelle Larose explained that the request for proposal could be amended to add a request for “information purposes” on residential meters. Deputy Mayor Banks welcomed both the decision to put out the request for proposals, and to getting information on residential installation. “I am glad we are getting to this part,” he said. “We have talked about it for some time, right from our first budget deliberations, so I am glad we are ready to take this next step.” He later said that some councillors did not believe they had a mandate to proceed with residential metering at this time. “Some residents are in favour of meters, (so) it will be useful to have some basic information available,” he said. He promised there would be plenty of public consultation before residential metering became a reality.

Bag tags heading Deep River’s way? BY

DENISE WALKER

Are garbage bag limits and bag tags coming soon to Deep River? The answer could be yes, if Councillors Terry Myers and Ruth Symes have their way. The two councillors are the Deep River representatives on the North Renfrew Landfill Operations Board that oversees the management of the Baggs Road landfill site for the towns of Laurentian Hills and Deep River. At committee recently, they told their fellow councillors that the board had received disturbing news from the annual audit of the landfill. The audit predicted that the site would be full within 18 years. This represents a switch from last year, when the site was estimated to last for another 22 years. (Information from the board’s website states that the site opened for business in 2002 with an anticipated life of 25 years. (It had a total capacity to accept 191,250 cubic metres of waste, including fill, or 7,650 cubic metres a year. (Annual amounts of waste have varied over the years from a high of 9,473 cubic metres in 2003 to 4,900 in 2009.) RECYCLABLES

Part of the problem seems to be that too many recyclable products are ending up in the landfill. Councillor Ruth Symes explained that two waste audits that examined bags of waste showed over half of the contents were items that should have been recycled.

Myers explained that the amount of garbage coming to the site was steadily increasing from the low of 4,900 cubic metres five years ago to 6,800 last year. He told the protection to persons and property committee that this meant the town was only a few years away from starting the search for a new site, saying “this would be very expensive.” “I come at this as a cost issue, not from an environmental issue,” he added. “Either way we should set an aggressive goal for waste reduction to get as much life as possible from this site.” Meeting that goal might require both more public education and a new garbage collection bylaw. Councillor Symes pointed to the nearby townships of Head, Clara & Maria who have a strict bylaw allowing residents 52 bags of waste a year. “They have reduced the amount of garbage they collect by half. We could use their bylaw as a starting point instead of having to start from scratch,” she said. Whatever measures are introduced, Councillor Myers wants the town to move swiftly. “Our collection and recycling contracts are up in September,” he told the committee, “so we need to tender by July. “That means we only have April to June to get a handle on this.”

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page 6 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

Water issues raised at rezoning meeting BY

VANCE GUTZMAN

How high is the water, mama? Well, that depends on who you’re asking. Both the proponents and opponents of a rezoning application had differing opinions on the matter when Laurentian Hills council held a public meeting to discuss the matter last week. The meeting focused on two lots on Legere Drive that are owned by Chris Quirion. They were originally two lots, that is, when he purchased first 64 Legere Drive in 2009 and then 66 Legere Drive the following year. Although the two properties have separate legal descriptions, and retain separate assessments for property tax purposes, they were merged on title into one lot. Quirion tried to sever 66 Legere drive from 64 Legere Drive last year, but his application was turned down by the county’s land division committee. Quirion has appealed the land division committee’s decision to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and in the meantime has filed the rezoning application with Laurentian Hills. The rezoning would create an exception zone for the property and reduce the minimum required lot size for each home by 700 sq m, from 2,025 sq m to 1,354 sq m. Lot frontages would also be reduced and there would be a reduction in the setback for an existing garage. Hearing the request for rezoning now, the town feels, would enable any appeal of the rezoning decision to be heard by the OMB at the same time as it deals with the severance decision. The root of Quirion’s dilemma can be traced back to the early 1970s, when the 24 lots on Legere Drive were created without an actual plan of subdivision. “All the lots were created by conveying them to different owners,” Quirion’s legal representative, Bill Instance, said at last week’s meeting. That was in 1971, and the waters were muddied a little further in 1976 when the municipality of the day (Rolph, Buchanan, Wylie an McKay) entered into an agreement with the landowners recognizing they were appropriate building lots. When the municipality of current record (Laurentian Hills) passed its new zoning bylaw, it served to increase minimum lot sizes, meaning the property in question is not large enough to meet the new requirements. Laurentian Hills supported Quirion’s severance appli-

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%

WATER

Some of the local residents in the area, whose properties front Highway 17, have expressed concerns in the past about increased development along Legere Drive having a detrimental impact on the local water table. Brian Whitehead, of the engineering firm Jp2g, was in attendance at last week’s meeting to try and allay those concerns. Whitehead cited the results of a hydrogeological study commissioned to determine if there was both an adequate quantity and quality of water for the proposed lots, and also to determine suitability for septic service. The dwelling at 64 Legere Drive is currently serviced by an in-ground septic system, and also has a drilled well. The lot to be severed (66 Legere Drive) doesn’t have a septic system, but does have a drilled well, albeit one which is not yet in service. “The lot to be severed is big enough for a septic system,” Whitehead said. In terms of potable water, meanwhile, Whitehead said the hydrogeological study’s review of five water well records from residential wells along Legere Drive showed flow rates vary between 3.5 and 25 litres per minute. The groundwater from seven nearby residential wells, meanwhile, were sampled for bacteriological content, and none showed any presence of either total coliforms or E.Coli. Tests on the two wells in question at 64 and 66 Legere Drive, meanwhile, also came up clean, according to Whitehead. “There wasn’t a single health or aesthetic parameter

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cation anyway, last year, but the county did not, hence the current appeal before the OMB. The whole situation could have been easily avoided, according to Instance, if Quirion had put the second lot in his wife’s name, instead of having both in his own, when he purchased 66 Legere Drive. “We wouldn’t be here today,” the solicitor said. The county’s chief concern about minimum lot sizes, Instance went on to say, is unfounded when the other properties on Legere Drive are taken into consideration. “Virtually every lot on that street is undersized, so that’s not a reason to not allow it,” Instance said. “We’re trying to put things back to the way they were in 2009.”

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that came close to being exceeded,“ said Whitehead. “The water quality is perfect in those two wells.” Water quality and quantity aside, Whitehead also recommended that an existing fence encroaching on a neighbouring property be relocated, and that a lot grading and drainage plan be prepared to meet that neighbour’s concerns. That neighbour is Neil Baird, who was also in attendance at last week’s meeting. Baird took issue with parts of the hydrogeological study - in particular its description of the surface geology as being “silty sand to sand textured on precambrian terrain.” > CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

Auditors give town clean bill of health BY

VANCE GUTZMAN

Laurentian Hills continues to accumulate its accumulated surplus. That was the message handed down last week by accounting firm Scott Rosen & Dempsey in its 2012 audited financial statements. The annual audit revealed the municipality continues to maintain good fiscal health, having wrapped up 2012 with an accumulated surplus of $8,948,139 - an increase of $411,200 from the year before. Accumulated surpluses are the new fiscal bottom line that municipalities now look at to comply with Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) principles. They are calculated, essentially, by subtracting a municipality’s liabilities from its financial assets, and then taking stock of its non-financial assets, which are mainly comprised of capital assets such as roads and buildings. Auditors Wayne Dempsey and Ryan McGauley walked town council through the report, pointing out some highlights along the way. Among the highlights was the fact unpaid taxes and associated interest owed to the town stood at $382,606 at year’s end - an increase of $102,000 from the year before. Call it a result of economic malaise. “That’s a sad situation,” Deputy Mayor Anne Giardini commented. A number of businesses and municipalities are in the same boat, McGauley was quick to point out. “Receivables are up across the board,” he said. The town, meanwhile, continues to set aside money for the decrease in the useful life of its tangible capital assets. “That’s exactly what you want,” McGauley said. “You’re holding steady.” Laurentian Hills, at year’s end, posted a tangible capital asset balance of $17,517,349, with a net book value of $6.2 million after $11,281,097 in amortization was taken into account. The town also continued to make strides in 2012 in planning for staff-related matters, and retiring staff in particular. Although the municipality is still $12,500 short in postemployment benefits (in the worst-case scenario where all its workers retire at the same time), that’s still better than $58,000 hole which with it ended 2011. Laurentian Hills also made strides in 2012 in continuing to build up its reserves, transferring in $360,000 into contingencies to bring its total reserves to $1,154,492. Reserve funds, meanwhile, for things like roads and fire equipment, totalled $1,636,336 - an increase of $183,000 from the previous year.


NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 7

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MP Cheryl Gallant was on hand last week to join the townships of Head, Clara and Maria in the awarding of a federal infrastructure grant for $72,250 towards the expansion of the Stonecliffe community hall. “The community centre with the library and municipal hall under its roof are the hub of the neighbourhood in Stonecliffe. If an emergency situation were to arise, that is where people would find shelter and comfort,” Gallant said. “I am delighted to see our Conservative government’s funding going toward this worthy community.” Joining Gallant for the announcement were HCM councillors, from left to right, Bob Reid, Doug Antler, Debbi Grills and Jim Gibson. Submitted photo

Townships get second grant for town hall BY

KAY MCQUADE

Head, Clara, Maria has received a second grant to help with the expansion and upgrade of the municipal hall in Stonecliffe. Township council learned on Friday that they had been successful in their application for a New Horizons grant in the amount of $25,000 for upgrades to the kitchen at the township hall. Councillor Jim Gibson, acting as chair in the reeve’s absence, expressed his pleasure. “This is good news for us and very timely,” he said. “We can now move forward with both (the hall and kitchen expansion).” The New Horizons grant is in addition to the $70,250 the townships will receive for the project under the federal government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF). Referring to comments in the North Renfrew Times (March 13) stemming from the previous council meeting where Reeve Tammy Stewart denied supporting the hall upgrades, Councillor Gibson asked if anyone at the table did not believe that the hall expansion was a go. Gibson stated that “council has already put in motion the hall expansion.” Councillor Bob Reid reported that he had been asked by a “number of residents to vote against the expansion and that council has been through this a couple of times.” Gibson said that council as a whole makes a decision and councillors have to abide by that decision. Reid remarked that “was not the way it was explained the first time.”

Gibson summed up by saying, “the hall expansion has a green light and we are proceeding in that direction.” Council then turned to discussion of the resolution deferred from the last meeting concerning the hiring of a design firm to provide drawings for the project. Chief building official Robert Labre recommended obtaining both engineering and architectural designs for the project. He admitted the designs “will be expensive because it is a small project,” but in his opinion “it is a wise way to spend money to make sure it’s done properly.” Council directed staff to hire Morris Thuemen for the architectural design and Jp2g for the engineering design, and to select dates for planning meetings. In discussions concerning building occupancy, Labre explained that according to the building code, maximum capacity is determined by use and/or door width and/or number of washroom facilities - whichever is the lower number. When alcohol is served at a function, the deciding factor on capacity is the number of washrooms. The current washrooms allow for a maximum occupancy of 90. He explained that if there were two more stalls for each sex the occupancy could be raised to 140. Labre also indicated that without additional washrooms, the hall could have two occupancy loads; 90 when alcohol is served and 135 for functions where no alcohol is involved. A stipulation written into the rental agreement would be required to cover this

arrangement. Gibson commented that “anything with respect to the hall makes sense to do while we are expanding.” He speculated that “we are not likely to see grant money like this again.” Labre asked council about plans for the kitchen renovation, specifically commercial grade appliances. He noted that special sprinklers may be required with a commercial grade stove.

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At the last meeting, council agreed to form an advisory committee comprised of a member from each of the three major user groups: Linda Chartrand from the CWL; Marlene Gibson for the library; and Todd Dowser to represent the Missing Link Snowmobile Club. Gibson asked about council representation on the committee. It was decided that all members of council would be welcome to attend but a minimum of two would be required at any user group meeting. Councillor Doug Antler remarked that “we have appointed three people to the committee - should we ask if anyone else from the community is interested?” CAO Melinda Reith stated you “don’t want to invite someone to play devil’s advocate.” Gibson clarified that “anyone who serves on the committee should be someone who uses the hall more than a single use.” Antler noted “it may be a way to include some naysayers.”

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page 8 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

NORTH RENFREW TIMES

EDITORIAL

Published by the Deep River Community Association, Inc. PO Box 310, Deep River, ON K0J 1P0

NRT Editorial Board: H.M. Angell (HMA), K. McQuade (KM) - chair, T. Myers (TM), H.A. Rose (HAR), S. Sunder (SS)

Whither AECL? For those of us in North Renfrew and beyond, that’s the $64,000 question, isn’t it? Over the past couple of months we’ve heard about possible shipments of highly enriched uranium through Eastern Ontario to the United States, continuing problems with the NRU reactor, government plans to “sell” Chalk River to private bidders, plans to stop producing medical isotopes at CRL, and now, more billions of dollars in nuclear “liabilities.” In the midst of all the media noise about AECL, it would be no surprise if local residents, even those who work there, are asking, just what the heck is going on? It would be grand to pretend we could answer all your questions, but hey - some of these things are just going to take time to work themselves out. In the meantime, here are at least three things we DO know: 1. Whatever you hear or read, remember that the media in general love the word “nuclear.” It’s one of those irrational, touchstone kind of words that gets viewers’ pulses racing, whether there’s any basis for it or not. The truth is, of course, that Canada’s nuclear industry, including the Chalk River labs, is probably more heavily regulated, more closely scrutinized and generally more transparent than any other industry in the country. Except in cases where there is a genuine security risk, like those enriched uranium shipments, meetings and hearings of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission are held in the open, and the documentation - reams of it - is all there for public review. 2. Based on the experience of the past five or six years, the money will be there. Since 2008-09, federal funding for AECL has ranged anywhere from a low of $550 million to a high of $870 million. Much of that money has gone to pay for commercial operations, such as the cost overruns involved in the Point Lepreau refurbishment project, but the government has also supported major investments at Chalk River. This year’s funding was originally announced at roughly $211 million, a far cry from the highs of the past several years - but that has been the pattern every year, base funding supplemented by major additions of cash as the year has gone on. There’s no reason to believe that support will stop this year. And 3., whatever you think of it, the government’s direction with AECL has been consistent since it first announced restructuring plans in 2009. Putting the commercial side of the company on a competitive basis, moving Chalk River to a “government-owned, contractor-operated” (GoCo) model, public-private partnership, whatever you choose to call it - it’s exactly what was promised four years ago. Consistent, slow but steady progress towards a defined goal might not sell like alarmist stories about the end of the world as we know it, but it should give us all, if not assurance, at least a greater sense of comfort in the future. TM

The rice table, decorated in a spring theme, was just one of the popular stops at FEN’s annual birthday party at Mackenzie CS on Saturday. Photo: Terry Myers

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Responsible pet owners

I grew up on a farm in western Canada where we had a dog and many cats at any given time. They were outdoor animals that rarely entered the house and I have long regarded dogs and cats as outdoor animals as opposed to house pets. As a result, despite pleas from growing children over the years, the largest pets our home in Deep River has ever seen have been gerbils and tropical fish. However, I recognize the role that dogs and cats play in some families and would suggest that while number limits are, in the end, necessary in the proposed Deep River bylaw, the numbers must not be too restrictive. We have had close neighbours for more than 20 years who almost continuously have had three dogs and two cats in their household (mostly indoors). During this time period we have never had cause to complain about feces, noise, or other

problems with the dogs and, apart from one or two rare glimpses, I have not seen the cats outdoors. Our family are keen birdwatchers and there has never been a problem in our yard or around our feeders (or the said neighbours’ feeders) with their cats attacking the birds. I would urge council to look very carefully at the number limits it imposes on responsible pet owners and develop a bylaw that instead has enforceable penalties for those owners who allow their pets to interfere with the property and rights of their neighbours.

Jim Ungrin

Not so fast

Re: “Water meters now,” letter, NRT March 20. Ms. Nussbaumer-Roth is all very gung-ho to implement water meters town-wide, but she has not bothered to do the math on what this “cost-saving” measure would actually cost us. Using Port Elgin as a model,

their published cost for installing water meters in every house, adjusted for inflation, would cost the town of Deep River in excess of $600,000. This price is only for the installation of the meters; residents of Vancouver pay in excess of $100 per year in “meter service charges” to cover the maintenance cost of the meter installed on their property. I, for one, do not want a twometre deep hole dug in my front yard so that I can have the privilege of installing a water meter. I would suggest a better way to control water usage would be to supply residents with a garden hose timer ($15), and hire a summer student to perform bylaw enforcement and ticket residents who are watering outside of the posted watering schedule. While I am sure that all residents who sit on the Centennial Rock Terrace will agree that the river, and the water it provides us, is a precious resource, it is precious because of its beauty, not because the water is scarce.

Paul Joynes


NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 9

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MCS Interactors take part in a group dinner during their March visit to El Salvador.

Interactors visit El Salvador BY

PIA DIMAYUGA

After months of preparation, Spanish lessons, and fundraising, the group of eight Mackenzie Interactors have gone to - and come home from - El Salvador. And what an amazing trip it was. During the trip, we spent a lot of our time painting. Whether it was a mural or a house, many of our days started or ended with a trip to a hardware store. Though painting sounds like a pretty simple task, those couple coats of paint made quite the difference. On the panels surrounding La Voz del Autismo, a centre for children with autism, murals brought colour and movement to the children’s play yard. Several coats of paint and a number of murals changed a gloomy wing of Benjamin Bloom Hospital – the only public hospital for children in El Salvador - into a bright space for children and parents alike. In San Jose Villanueva and Talnique, we transformed cement buildings into houses

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alongside the families who would soon make that house their home. While there, we also brought down suitcases of medical equipment and donations of clothing, shoes, and toys. Jeremiah Point, the team leader of this year’s trip, summed up our contributions concisely, and with what else – numbers. “We have 10 Interactors lead by five chaperones from Canada. We have travelled 4,800 km, carrying about $9,000 dollars, 600 pounds of clothing and about 100 pounds of medical supplies for donation. “In 10 short days we’ve painted five houses in Talnique and San Jose Villenueva and three rooms at Benjamin Bloom with murals (plus a few more at the La Voz del Autismo School for Autistic Children). “(We did all this) while having fun, laughing, and sightseeing.� Thank you again to the supportive communities of Deep River and Chalk River for supporting our group this year. The group hopes to give a presentation in the next month or so about the trip to the public.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 10 am - 4 pm, Canadian Clock Museum fall/winter hours (Tuesday to Saturday, closed Sunday & Monday), 60 James St., Deep River * 12-1 pm, Soup & Sandwich Luncheon, St. Andrew’s United Church, Chalk River * 12:30 pm, Weekly Progressive Euchre, play starting at 1 pm, Chalk River Legion * 1:30 pm, Social Bridge, sponsored by Friends of the Library, Deep River Library program room * 6 pm, Rotary Club presentation, with guest speakers Alan and Mona Fox - cancelled (for information, call 584-4239) 7:30 pm, THEOP presents dancer Peggy Baker, “The Power of Gesture,� Childs Auditorium, Mackenzie Community School 7:30 pm, Toastmasters meet, North Renfrew Long Term Care Centre (for information, call 584-2505) * THURSDAY, MARCH 28 6:30 pm, Lions bingo, Chalk River Lions Hall * 6:30-8 pm, “Get WITH It!� walking program (Tuesday & Thursday), Mackenzie Community School * 7 pm, Al-Anon meeting, everyone welcome, Laurentian Hills municipal hall, Point Alexander *

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 10-11:20 am, Coffee morning, everyone welcome, Deep River Community Church * 1:30 pm, Casual cards, North Renfrew Long Term Care Centre, 47 Ridge Rd. * 8 pm, Friday night Fun Darts, Deep River Legion * 8 pm, Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, Pt. Alexander municipal building, Hwy 17 * SATURDAY, MARCH 30 1 pm, Four-Hand Euchre, Chalk River Legion

SUNDAY, MARCH 31 1-3 pm, Easter Fun Day, bring a bag or basket to collect your goodies, Chalk River Legion 7-9 pm, Old Time Square Dancing, beginners welcome, Pt. Alexander municipal hall *

MONDAY, APRIL 1 10 am - 1 pm, Deep River and Area Food Bank open, at the Deep River and District Hospital (for more information, phone 584-2484)* 1 pm, Golden Oldies Euchre Club, CR Legion * 7:30-10 pm, Country Line Dancing, Bear’s Den, Hwy 17 Deep River (for information, call 589-2644 or 589-2146) * 8 pm, Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, Pt. Alexander municipal building, Hwy 17 *

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 1 pm, Deep River & Area 49ers euchre, Deep River Legion * 1:10 pm, Duplicate Bridge Club, Faith Lutheran Church *

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 1 pm, Jabez Blanket Ministry meets, new members welcome, Our Lady of Good Counsel hall (for information, call 584-3404)

An asterisk (*) indicates weekly events.


page 10 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

Deep River Community Church

Easter Sunday is a central time in the church’s year as it is the particular time when we celebrate the life and resurrection of Jesus. On March 31, Community Church’s 10:15 am celebration includes communion and the choir anthem, “This joyful Eastertide,” accompanied by Brenda Forsythe. There is a Good Friday service at 11 am, where you will see that the Lenten prayer tree is now a cross. The previous day, Thursday, March 29, a 6 pm service is followed by supper in the Christian Education Centre, adjacent to the church on Deep River Road. There is no Friday coffee this week but it resumes in the lower level of the church on April 5. The entry is by the back door that faces the car park - look for the bright notice on the door. This is also the entry for the office, which is open Tuesday to just Thursday morning this week, where our minister can also be reached at 5842812. HAVE YOUR SAY

In 1637, a market-woman called Jenny Geddes launched the Reformation in Scotland with her reaction to a preacher in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. Mistress Geddes accompanied her

comments with throwing her stool at the minister, which by today’s standards seems a bit extreme. Still, have you ever felt an urge to have your say on a meditation or sermon? After our service on April 7 our minister, Rev. Paul Evans is having a discussion on the service’s meditation. Possibly to allow stool-throwing urges to die down, there will be time to have coffee before congregating at the front of the sanctuary. In two weeks time, on Thursday April 11 at 12 noon, our annual Lunch and Card party takes place. This is a fundraiser for our infrastructure fund and a great social time of fellowship and fun - though stoolthrowing is highly unlikely. Lunch is homemade buns and a choice of chilli followed by dessert, tea and coffee. Jacquie at 584-3677 or Elaine at 584-2244 have tickets and information. Looking ahead to May 25 and spring we are planning our first ever Carnival for the community. It’s anticipated that every inch of the church property will be a-buzz with booths showcasing community groups, vendors, games, individual “boot sales,” eats and entertainment. This is so open-ended an event that you could even consider garnering publicity for your activity with appropriately controlled demonstrations of - what else but? - the long-lost skill of accurate stoolthrowing! Watch this space and around town next month to learn more.

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Very Easy To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. There is only one possible solution.

We have wonderful news. Our Euchre team consisting of Gord & Linda Stewart, Tammy Stewart and Butch Lallier clinched 1st place in District Euchre last Saturday in Gananoque. That means they’ll be representing us in the Provincial Euchre Tournament on May 4 in Hespler.

Also, because they won 1st place, our Branch will be hosting District Euchre next year. We also have the team of Pat & Hazel Sullivan and Jim & Lorraine Lamure who finished as the first alternate team, which means they will go if any of the winning teams can’t make it. Way to go, Chalkers! PENNY SALE

There’s still time to donate new or slightly used items to our Penny Sale, which takes place on Sunday, April 14 from 10 am to 2 pm. You can bring your donations to the Branch or to 38 Church St. or call Irene at 589-9739 to arrange for us to pick them up. The Penny Sale is really shaping up with donations from local Home-Based Businesses, in addition to hundreds of other items, such as a collection of Thomas trains and tracks, doll strollers, a child’s stroller, a baby’s entertainment centre, brand new toaster oven and rice cooker and a portable house generator, just to name a few. And you could end up with one of these marvellous items by spending as little as $1, although we are hoping you will spend a little more, since all profits go into the Youth Fund to be spent on children’s events. EASTER FUN DAY

One of these events, our Easter Fun Day, will be taking place on Easter Sunday, March 31 from 1 to 3 pm with crafts, games, prizes and an Easter Candy Hunt for children under 12. Don’t forget to bring a bag or a basket to carry away your goodies! We’d also like to remind you that on this coming Saturday, March 30, there will be 4-Hand Euchre at our Branch starting at 1 pm. At St. Barnabas, we believe our worship to be both ceremonial and down to earth, orderly and joyous, heartSt. Barnabas felt and mindful. Anglican Our worship includes scripture readings, contemporary and traditional music, sermons that emphasize a BibChurch lical message of God’s unconditional love for humanity and all created beings, prayers for the world and our own thanksgiving and needs, and the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. The evening of Maundy Thursday begins the Great Three Days of our Lord’s passion, death and resurrection — the journey from the supper table to the cross, from the cross to the Easter dawn. “Maundy” is derived from the Latin mandatum novum, “a new commandment” (John 13:34). After Jesus washed the feet of the disciples he said, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” This meal commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles, and established what we know today as our Holy Eucharist. Our Last Supper Meal and Maundy Thursday service will be held on March 28 at 6:15 pm. As seating for the supper is limited, please contact the church office (584-4131), or sign the Last Supper sheet in the narthex, to reserve your spot. The Good Friday service will be held at 11 am on March 29; it is the Friday preceding Easter Day, and commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus, the most somber day of the Church year. There will be only one service of Holy Eucharist on Easter Sunday, March 31, at 10 am, as we celebrate the glorious wonder of the resurrection of Christ and the empty tomb. No time during the year means more to us as Christians. It is the most joyous day of the church year and the centre of the church’s faith and worship. Easter immediately follows Lent, and like Christmas, is more than a single day. The Easter season (Eastertide) lasts 50 days and concludes with the Day of Pentecost.

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NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 11

BEAVER TALES

Some of the many people who have helped out with North Renfrew Family Services’ Healthy Lifestyle Program (HeLP) are, from left to right, Beta Sigma Phi’s Dora Cecil, Bert Fleury, Baila Studio’s Lesley Levinski, program facilitator Kelly Hawley, HeLP participant Michelle John, community contributor Margaret Miller, Mike Ueltzhoffer of the Deep River and Area Community Foundation and Real Hope Pastor Gary Burt. Leanne Kennedy, of StepsCount/Diabeaters, was absent from photo, as was the Food Bank’s Charles Packer. Photo: Vance Gutzman

Family Services “HeLP”s boost lifestyles

The name says it all... The new and improved North Renfrew Family Services (NRFS) 20-week kitchen program, formerly known as the Deep River Collective Kitchen, is now known as “HeLP” - the Health Lifestyle Program. NRFS has been able to run this program for the past 15 years because our community has collectively participated. HeLP would not be in existence if it weren’t for our community, from our humble beginnings with a grant from Health Canada, then two Trillium grants, the County of Renfrew National Child Benefit, sponsorship from local service organizations, to the present. This year our first HeLP 10-week session (January to April) is being funded with the interest received from the Deep River and District Community Foundation’s NRFS Endowment fund. The second 10-week session (October to December) will be funded by the Fleury’s Valu-mart save-a-tape program of $3,556. This would not be possible without the members of the community who drop off their cash register receipts, either at Valu-mart or the NRFS office. The receipts are then counted and rolled by members of Beta Sigma Phi organization and their volunteers. Bert Fleury donates a percentage of the total tally to NRFS. Another community partner is the Deep River and Area Food Bank. Each Monday the facilitator of HeLP takes a list to the Food Bank to obtain available supplies they may have on hand to contribute to the meal being prepared on Tuesday. In this way our program also benefits from the generous community donations to the Food Bank. Prior to the weekly cooking class, the facilitator and the participants gather at the Real Hope Christian Assembly Church for an hour-long discussion of the previous week’s issues. Following this, everyone heads to the Baila Studio where owner Lesley Levinski instructs a one-hour exercise class - the newest

The band of the bestest, the makers of musical magic, the packages of perfection, the ones, the onlys, “The Beaver Tales” will be lighting it up Saturday, April 6, at the Legion from 8:30-12:30 and believe you me, this is the tune-fest you don’t want to miss. If you’re not dancing or yelling or foot stompin’ to these musicians of magnificence, check your pulse. For the low low low cost of $5 you can enjoy all this awesomeness! See you there and bring your best dancing shoes. Calling all you naughty, not paidup members, best be helping our hard working membership chairman Comrade Les clean up his records. Please note soon it will be time to vote in your executive and you must be paid up to be eligible to vote. Also if you are a paid-up member, you are eligible to play mixed darts in Eganville on April 13. Sign up in the lounge. The snooker league sign-up sheet in the lounge is filling up, awesome! We just might hit 32 players. Come on ladies, let’s show these machos who’s the real player. $20 covers all table time and the league fees. Unbelievable folks, Donna is on a roll, two weeks in a row she’s had a winner in the Rusty Dillabough Memorial Draw. Will the wonders of the heavens ever be figured out? The attendance draw that had built up to $75 was won by Bill Ward. Other winners were Nathan Lee, Steve Langfield, Marion Chennette, Roger Hopkins, Sue Parker, Kendall Miller, Lynne Kelly, Stella & Louis, Stella & Louis, Allison McMullin, Pat Hogue, James Slattery, Caveman, Bruce Insley, and John Arnold. At Thursday night euchre, Gib Lukus was a double winner taking both the hi man and most loners. Jean Wilson was hi lady and Gyula Pech was low.

component of our program. Then it’s back to the Real Hope Church to do our magic in the kitchen. We are grateful to StepsCount/ Diabeaters.com for their donation of pedometers and portion plates used in our program. This session, members of our community were invited to share their expertise with the group. Michelle Martel, of employment services, shared information regarding soft skills (eg. communication, organization, resume writing, time management), and Carmen Wilson of Northern Credit Union spoke to the group about handling personal finances, including budgeting. To finish up the season a member of the Horticultural Society will speak to us on herb gardening. This really is a community program. All the dollars, food and facilities come directly Northern Credit Union Delegate Committee from our community and presents go back directly into our community. Our goal is overall health. When you’re eating healthily, exercising, and having a social outing with like-minded women, with you’re going to be healthier overall. author of The NRFS office at 584“The Bully and the Bystander” 3358 can provide information to anyone interested in FAMILY PRESENTATION joining the group, getting 6:30pm • Wednesday, April 10 general information on the Childs Auditorium, Mackenzie Community School program, or making a donation.

S.M.A .R.T Tips Constable Rick,


page 12 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

Golden Oldies Euchre Club

Euchre results from games played Monday, March 18 read as follows: High lady - Lorraine Lamure Second - Joan Emonds Most loners - Vivian Mussell High man - Basil Rousseau Second - Jim Lamure Most loners - Jim Lamure.

Keep up to date with us on Facebook: “like” us at FEN Early Years (Deep River & Area). FEN HOURS

Euchre results from games played Tuesday, March 19 read as follows: High Man, Basil Rosseau 2nd High Man, Gerald Marion Most Loners, Basil Rousseau High Lady, Dawn Nykorak 2nd High Lady, Elsie Young Most Loners, Marlyn Chaput.

Deep River: M-F mornings 9-11:45 am and M-Th afternoons 1-3:15 pm Chalk River: M, W, F mornings from 9-11:45 am Pt. Alexander: Tues and Fri mornings from 9-11:30 am. All locations are closed Good Friday and Easter Monday. WHAT DOES FEN MEAN TO YOU?

Find out more about the people behind FEN. Check out Amber’s story on being FEN’s member at large. You will find her story on our Facebook page, FEN Early Years (Deep River & Area). KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION

Because of various timing and scheduling problems, the March 27 Rotary Club meeting is cancelled. The presentation by Alan and Mona Fox is being re-scheduled for July. Meanwhile, the next regular meeting will be Wednesday, April 10, beginning at 5:30 pm in the Bear’s Den. Guest speakers at this meeting, will inform the public of the proposed Youth Crisis Support Clinic pilot project in Pembroke. See next week’s Rotary column for more details.

Hallelujah, Christ arose! On Good Friday, at 10:30 am, come and thank God with us for His ultimate sacrifice. The theme will be “Life is is the Blood” - four provisions. Easter Sunday morning, the sermon is titled, “Who Will Roll Away the Stone?” from Mark 16:2. This service begins at 10:30 am as well and families are welcome. For more information about Real Hope Christian Assembly, contact Pastor Gary at 584-4344. Sweet coverage! With State Farm home insurance, your experienced agent will help guide you through all aspects of your policy. From advice on policy specifics to information about discounts, our extensive product knowledge has you covered. Welcome to insurance with icing on top. Get to a better State . Get State Farm. CALL ME TODAY. ®

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MATCH UP

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SKIS, SNOWBOARDS: Used skis and snowboards, the older the better, are needed for a Tamarack passage assignment. If you have any that you’d like picked up, please call Liam at 584-4023.

SPRING YARD SALE: The Deep River Lawn Bowling Club is again collecting items for its annual spring yard sale. Please call Barb Nagy at 584-4968 or Marion Stewart at 584-3519, if you have items to donate. We are not accepting any TV’s or furniture. Again we wish to thank all those who contributed to the last spring sale. It really helped in the recovery of our club. DRESSES: The Valley Cinderella Project is once again looking for donations of gently used formal, semi-formal, summer and first communion dresses to distribute to girls who may not be able to purchase new. Please call 613-281-0214 or 687-8641 if you can assist this worthy cause.

SPRING CLEANING?: Don’t forget to keep the Jabez Blanket Ministry in mind if you come across any unwanted yarn. We are grateful to everyone who has donated so far - it’s been a great help to our members who knit and crochet colourful and warm blankets for orphans in need throughout the world. Contact Claire at 584-2083 for pickup. Interested in joining our group? Call Lydia at 584-3404 for more information.

March 27, 6-7 pm, St. Anthony’s, Chalk River FEN is offering evening workshops for parents with children entering kindergarten in September 2013. Child not enrolled yet? You are still welcome to attend one of the above evenings. Parents will learn more about the Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program and how to help prepare your child for learning. The children will enjoy play-based activities with the FEN staff in the school environment. Please register: call FEN at 584-4886 or email fen.oeys@bellnet.ca. An enhanced Kindergarten Transition program will be offered by FEN in May or June which will be a morning, four-session series for children and their parents. Registration will be open closer to the date. PRENATAL NUTRITION PROGRAM

Deep River FEN, Fridays from 11:45 am – 1:15 pm The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program will be moving from Chalk River to Deep River FEN for the next while. It will be held on Fridays from 11:45 to 1:15 and includes a healthy lunch, resources about healthy pregnancy and baby’s first year as well as lots of friendly discussion. A healthy grocery voucher and free prenatal vitamins are also available. Please call FEN at 584-4886 for more information or to register. PROGRAMS

Mondays: Baby Circle Time in Deep River at 10:45 am. Tuesdays: Pt. Alexander Story Time at 10:45 am. Wednesdays: Playgroup at the North Renfrew Long Term Care center from 10:30-11:30 am. Wednesdays: Baby Circle Time in Chalk River at 10:45 am. Thursdays: Circle Time for You and Me in Deep River at 10:45 am. Fridays: Circle Time for You and Me in Chalk River at 10:45 am. For more information, visit us online at www.earlyyearsrenfrew.ca, call us at 584-4886 or email: fen.oeys@bellnet.ca. DONATIONS

Our Fun in the Sun winner for November was Eileen Burke with ticket #228, the seller was Susan Owens; the December winner was Sue and Glenn Doncaster with ticket #162, the seller was Sue Doncaster: the January winner was Roger Leclair with ticket #108, the seller was Pierrette Tapp: the February winner was Glenn and Sue Doncaster with ticket #133, the seller was Sue Doncaster; the March winner was Doug and Velma Connelly with ticket #152, the seller was Lynn Allan. The Knights have made donations to the Deep River Science Academy for the Renfrew County Regional Science Fair, to the Sisters of Saint Joseph for First Youth Work Experience, to the Deep River and area food bank, and to the North Renfrew Family Services for the Christmas baskets. Donations were also made to Our Lady of Good Counsel for the parish hall, a new fridge and for a new organ for the church choir. A donation was made to St. Mary’s school for a youth trip and to Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy. The Free Throw Basketball council contest had 106 participants with one student winning at the district level. The substance abuse poster contest had 48 participants with two winners at the district level. There will be a Parish dance on Saturday, May 4, from 8 pm to midnight, at the Deep River Legion with a live band, the DJ’S. The cost is $15 per person with a lunch included. Tickets are now available from OLGC at 584-3696, Digital Copy Express, Bruce at 584-3951, Rolland at 584-3819, Bob at 584-4180 and Jody at 312-9924.


NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 13

LAURENTIAN HILLS FIREFIGHTERS HONOURED FOR LONG SERVICE Laurentian Hills held a special ceremony last week to honour four members of its Fire Service. In front row, from left to right, Captains Robert Boulanger, Shawn Panke, and Grant Sidsworth each received 20-year exemplary service medals, while Fire Chief Kevin Waito was presented with his 30-year bars. The medals were presented to the firefighters by Tawnya Roberts, of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, and Laurentian Hills Mayor Dick Rabishaw, as their firefighting brethren looked on with pride. “These are also for the families who supported you over all these years,” Roberts told the medal recipients. “Congratulations to everyone,” Rabishaw said at the ceremony. Boulanger, meanwhile, has recently retired from the Fire Service, and was presented with a signed helmet on behalf of the department by his son Richard and a $200 gift certificate from Deep River Outfitters by Sidsworth, who serves as vice president of the firefighters association. Photo: Vance Gutzman

Lumberjack memories wanted

A Quebec researcher is looking for testimonies from former lumberjacks, log drivers and pulp and paper industry workers. Did several generations of your family work in the paper mills or the forest? You don’t know what to do with all those boxes of old photographs? Share your treasures with us! The team at Boréalis, Pulp and Paper Industry Exhibition Centre, located in Trois-Rivières, Québec, needs you.

During the week of April 1, 2013, Borealis will be in the local area to conduct filmed interviews with families who have worked in the forest / paper industry for more than one generation. These interviews will be part of a temporary exhibition entitled “Generations, When Paper Is A Family Affair.” All those interested in taking part in this initiative are invited to contact Simon Rodrigue by phone at 1-450-416-1259.

We will have our Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 4, when the snow has finally disappeared. There will be lots of leaves and pine needles to be raked and we hope to see as many of our members as possible out to help. We will also welcome any volun-

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teers who would like to lend a hand. We will be holding a Barn Dance on Saturday, May 25 at the Chalk River Lions Hall. Running from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am, admission is just $10 per person, with music provided by “The Entertainers”. A light lunch will also be served, so circle your calendars now. Our annual Strawberry Tea takes place this year on Sunday, June 23 from 12-3 pm, and we are also planning more events for the summer.


SPORTS

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page 14 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

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SPORTSWEEK WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 10-11 am, Senior Skating (40+), Deep River Arena (M, W, F) * 11:30 am - 12:45 pm, Public/Adult Swim (split pool), Deep River Pool (M-F) * 4:15-5:15 pm, Public Swim, Deep River Pool * 5:30-6:30 pm, Adult Swim, Deep River Pool * 8:30 pm, Deep River Volleyball Club, Mackenzie Community School gyms* THURSDAY, MARCH 28 5:30 pm, Deep River Skating Club Ice Demonstration, Deep River Arena 6:30-7:30 pm, “Loonie” Public Swim, Deep River Pool * Among the Deep River Candu I Can Swim swimmers enjoying Session 2 of the club’s season were: Lydia Dillenbeck, Perrine Thiriet, Sydney Davenport, Mckayla Mackenzie, Abby Blimke, Hannah Ward, and Ailish Patterson. Submitted photo

Candu swimmers stay busy

The Candu Swim Club’s Session 2 wrapped up March 11, and after a rest during March Break, the swimmers and coaches are back at the pool for Session 3. Training has resumed, and our annual swima-thon is underway. This is a transition time for the competitive swimmers as they move from the short course season, swimming races in 25m pools, to the long course season where meets will now be held in 50m pools. The Candu competitive team represented “Small Town, Big Waves!” at every planned competition in the region during the short course season. These ranged from fun, learning oriented development competitions to the Divisional Championship meet where over 600 other kids swam alongside Candu’s finest. We also brought an eager team to our region’s short course championship where we placed in finals for the majority of our entries and even took home gold! The competitive swimmers have been preparing for a regional kick competition where

Corporation of the Town of Deep River www.deepriver.ca

they will be ranked against similar kids from Eastern Ontario, to see how they are doing in this fundamental skill. This is another great example of how the sport of competitive swimming focuses on high quality and foundational skills for safe, healthy and balanced (and fun!) athlete development. PERSONAL BESTS

Each one of our competitive swimmers has shown incredible improvement in technique, kicking and speed. They continue to post personal best times at every race and move towards their individual goals. This is done through a carefully designed program incorporating new training focused games and sets. Thanks to support from the town of Deep River, through the Junior Instructional Grant program, the team has now invested in underwater filming equipment. Athletes are videoed and immediate feedback and analysis is provided by the coaches enabling the athletes to gain additional perspective on stroke development. This further increases their efficiency in the water, and thus their speed. And it is fun!

Recreation Dept. 613-584-2000 ext. 103 Deep River Community Pool 613-584-2112

EASTER SWIMMING

Friday, March 29 ADULT SWIM: 11:30 - 12:45 pm PUBLIC SWIM: 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Monday, April 1 ADULT SWIM: 11:30am - 12:45pm PUBLIC SWIM: 1:00 - 2:00 pm

(Special Easter Egg Hunt)

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 11:30-12:45 pm, Adult Swim, Deep River Pool 1-2 pm, Public Swim, Deep River Pool SATURDAY, MARCH 30 3:30-5 pm, Public Swim, Deep River Pool * 5-6 pm, Adult Swim, Deep River Pool * SUNDAY, MARCH 31

MONDAY, APRIL 1 11:30-12:45 pm, Adult Swim, Deep River Pool 1-2 pm, Public Swim (and Easter Egg Hunt), Deep River Pool TUESDAY, APRIL 2 7-8 pm, Adult Swim, Deep River Pool *

An asterisk * indicates weekly events.

River Fitness holds onto first

With the number one playoff seed still up for grabs, both top teams took care of business during the penultimate week of the Pembroke Gentlemen’s Basketball Association 2012-13 regular season. In the early game, remembering a stinging loss in February, River Fitness took a solid 15-point lead into their halftime battle with Shots Sports Tap ‘n Grill. With five minutes remaining in the game, River Fitness’ offensive strategy to slow things down worked against them, allowing Shots to get within three points with one minute remaining on opportunistic steals, and hot outside shooting from Zack Mundt. This proved to be as close as the game would get, with a final score of 9083 in favour of the league leaders from Deep River. For River Fitness, Nick Hallett led the way with 20 points, followed by Mika Pehkonen and Elliot Atienza each dropping 17 points in support. Immediately after the first game, Hollett’s Hawks took on second-place Mahood’s Construction, who needed a victory for any chance of taking over > CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 top of the table by the end of the regular season. Offence ruled the day, with the teams combining for a league season-high 204 points, and three players topping the 30 point plateau. Once the fire department hosed down the scoreboard at the end of the game, the final score read 108-96 in favour of Mahood’s. Next week in the regular season finale, Mahood’s faces off against Shots, followed by the Petawawa Stags looking to play spoiler against River Fitness, who need at least BICYCLE LIVERY a tie in order to be guaranteed the crown of PGBA RegAuthorized Jamison and Brodie dealer Sales, Service, Repairs, Rentals • est. 1989 ular Season Champions, which comes with a much needed bye in the first round of the playoffs. 613-584-9196 33672 Hwy 17 W

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NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 15

PEEWEE HOUSE KNIGHTS WRAP UP 2012-13 SEASON The Deep River Peewee House Knights closed out their 2012-13 season this past weekend at the East Ferris March Wind-Up Tournament. The team managed to persevere through a tough schedule and make it to the championship game. In the end, the Knights were unable to solve a tough team from Timmins that had the Knights' number all weekend. In 2012-13, the Knights finished third overall during regular season play, made it to the league semifinals, took two of four tournaments, and played in the A and B finals of the others. The parents, coaches and especially the players are congratulated for a very successful season. Submitted photo

Squash club to host hometown pro

On Saturday, April 6, Canadian squash pro Samantha Cornett will be returning to her home town for a SquashFest against local players at the Deep River Curling and Squash Club. Samantha is currently ranked #1 in Canada and #33 in the world! Games begin at 3 pm with a mini-tournament for local players to determine “challengers” to win the opportunity to play a world class player. Spectators are welcome (membership not required).

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What’s up with SUP? STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING COMES TO HELL OR HIGH WATER

The sport of stand up paddle boarding, or “SUP” as it is best known, has been around for centuries but over the past decade the sport has skyrocketed in popularity. Combining the tranquility of canoeing, the balance of yoga and the power of paddle sports, every year the sport

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sees more and more people literally getting on board. If you are having trouble imaging this, think of it as a modified surf board on which you stand, or kneel, and paddle with a long, single bladed paddle. It offers a great abdominal work out, develops core strength and balance and is a ton of fun. The distance above the water, as you are standing, provides a great vantage point for fishing or simply watching the world float by. > CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Senior Recreational Leisure Programs

A Community Seniors meeting will be held in the Deep River Town Hall Council Chambers on Thursday, March 28th at 1:00 pm

This meeting is open to all seniors to discuss the review of the “Express your interest to Senior Programming” and the implementing of moving forward for 2013.

For further information please contact the Recreation Department at 613 584-2000 ext 104


page 16 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

The competition between 12 partnerships at the Duplicate Bridge club meeting of March 19 produced a tie

for first place. Both the P. Mellors/ K. Amunds pair and the F. Muirhead/B. Recchia pair had identical scores of 60.8%. Third place was J. Harrington/ J. Moore with 57.7%, fourth were F. Lane/ R. Nicholson with 57.2% and fifth were L. Watson / I. Towner with 54.8%. The club changes back to its Tuesday evening sessions starting at 7:15 pm with the meeting of April 2. They would be delighted to see the younger bridge players who couldn’t play in the afternoon come and try their skills against the seniors.

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NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 17

Artist Angela Richmond, left, and Family Enrichment Network coordinator Ruby Manio unveiled the new panel on Saturday which will hang outside the FEN classroom at Mackenzie Community Photo: Terry Myers School.

Family Enrichment Network turns 24! BY

PIA DIMAYUGA

This past Saturday, Mackenzie’s multi-purpose room was filled with children and parents celebrating FEN’s birthday. Not only did the centre turn 24 this year, FEN also celebrated 10 years of being an Ontario Early Years Satellite. FEN, which stands for the Family Enrichment Network, has three locations - Deep River, Chalk River, and

Point Alexander - and has served many families since it started in 1989. The centre offers a drop-in program, as well as parenting workshops and outreach for parents with children ranging in age from newborn to school-age. The special occasion was marked by the unveiling of a “special surprise”: a large panel conveying some key values of FEN, painted by Mackenzie student, Angela Rich-

mond. Richmond was a co-op student last semester, and designed and painted the four by eight wood panel, after consultations with art teacher Cathy Walsh, and FEN co-ordinator Ruby Manio. Ruby Manio said of the mural, “(it) really captures the essence of FEN’s family support work in the community.” Feel welcome to come down to Mackenzie and see the panel in its new home at Mackenzie.

HCM declares war on geese BY

KAY MCQUADE

The townships of Head, Clara, Maria have declared war on Canada geese at Old Mackey Park. Township council agreed last week to enlist the aid of staff and volunteers to mount a campaign to help deter the geese at the popular municipal park at the end of Jennings Road starting when the water opens in April. In addition, “scarecrows” will also be made, at a cost of $200, to create visual deterrents. In her report to council, based on

current research, CAO Melinda Reith recommended a number of different tactics to deter the geese, including noise, action and movement. - Mylar balloons tied to poles and suspended on heavy weight nylon line. These balloons will wave in the wind and make the geese nervous. - Wide pieces of coloured tarp installed and moved from place to place every second day or so to act like scarecrows. - Reinstall ropes and ribbons from last year at 3” and 8” heights. - Use noise, either firecrackers or banging pots and pans, after dawn

and before dusk. - Visual deterrents should be moved around to different locations so that the geese do not become used to them. Reith noted that some of these techniques could be installed and moved by staff from time to time but volunteers would be required to take dawn and dusk shifts for a number of weeks. Councillor Jim Gibson volunteered to “take a few shifts in the early morning” and all councillors agreed to help find volunteers to man the “goose patrol.”

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page 18 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

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The NRT advises all readers that any advertisement requesting you to send money for any reason is most likely not properly representing their promises of services or products. Please be aware that this is not the way most businesses operate and caution should be used.

LANDFILL SITE HOURS

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Clean firewood harvested from the Cobden & Pembroke area. Kindling also available. Delivery available. 519-820-9938.

Firewood – Hardwood, maple, beech, yellow birch. 613-5862562.

Calling all Adventurous Eaters. Wellspring Gardens in Deep River still has a few places left in their 2013 veggie share program. Sample foods outside the mainstream offerings and experience the freshness of produce delivered directly from field to fork. Guarantee your supply of fresh, sustainably grown produce by subscribing to our on-farm basket pickups. For info, call 613401-0879 or email sheilaselby@rogers.com. Signup deadline April 15.

Finding solutions for your financial needs. Agnes Branecka

Dougherty General Contracting Interior/Exterior Renovations and Additions. Roofing, Garages/Carports, 613-5842117, Cell 613-281-8081. For all your building and repair needs.

CONSTRUCTION CROSS Snow Removal, Home Improvements, Stonework, Landscaping – Excavation Foundation, Waterproofing, Sean Cross 613-401-9821.

WANTED

FOR SALE RETAIL

STEEL ROOFING, SIDING & LINER. 29 gauge. Galvalume $68sq. 20yr. paint $86sq. 40/45yr paint $94sq. Canadian/American Steel DELIVERED. Spirit Steel Sales 705-384-7151 www.sbsteel.ca

Craft that’s better than chocolate. A delicious selection of Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs. Valley Artisans’ Co-op Hwy 17 west. Open Daily at 10am, 6135 8 4 - 4 4 8 3 www.valleyartisans.com 362days a year.

FOR RENT

Houses and unfurnished & furnished apartments in Deep River and Area. Call 584-2039 for more information.

Cozy 2 bedroom house. Fridge, stove, washer, dryer. In walking distance to all amenities in Deep River. Garage. Available May 1st. $850/mth +utilities. 613-584-9519

BUSINESS PERSONALS

Philip Orpen Computer Solutions. Windows, Mac & Linux Troubleshooting, Repairs, Upgrades & Systems, In-Home Tutoring. 613-584-2995 / phil@drpcs.ca

Adventurous Eaters. Wellspring Gardens in Deep River still has a few places left in their 2013 veggie share program. Sample foods outside the mainstream offerings and experience the freshness of produce delivered directly from field to fork. Guarantee your supply of fresh, sustainably grown produce by subscribing to our on-farm basket pickups. For info, call 613401-0879 or email sheilaselby@rogers.com. Signup deadline April 15. Antiques – Vintage Jewellery, Metal Toys, Trains, Old Hunting & Fishing Collectables, Glassware, Crocks, Sterling Silver, Gas Station collectables, Old Coins, War Collectables, etc. Call Orio 613-584-2258.

NOTICE

PHOTO REPRINTS! Colour prints are available of most photos appearing in the NRT. Other shots of events pictured may also be available. Drop by the North Renfrew Times office, 21 Champlain Street, or call 613-584-4161.

EXHIBITORS: get in touch with doug@showcaseinpetawawa.c a for information about taking part in SHOWCASE 2013, April 19, 20, 21.

Financial Advisor 454 Pembroke St. W. Pembroke, ON K8A 5N7 (613)732-1925 • 1-800-370-9310

www.edwardjones.com

Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund

COMING EVENTS

It’s Living Dinosaurs time at SHOWCASE 2013. WOW!! Watch our website for a “spectacular” announcement this week. www.showcaseinemail petawawa.ca. doug@showcaseinpetawawa.c a

CARDS OF THANKS

Thank you for making my Birthday so special. Saundra

IN MEMORIAM

“In Memoriam Cards” for donations to the North Renfrew Long-Term Care Centre are a thoughtful memoriam that continues to give. These donations are very much appreciated by the Long-Term Care Centre. They are available at the North Renfrew Long-Term Care Centre, Northern Credit Union, Bank of Montreal, ScotiaBank or call 584-1900 for more information.

EASTER GARBAGE PICKUP CHANGES

Regular garbage pickup on Friday, March 29 will be RESCHEDULED to THURSDAY, March 28. Regular Tuesday garbage pickup will NOT change.

Temmy Latner Palliative Care Centre, Leaside Retirement Residence and caregivers Bella, Celia, Fae and Venus, all of whom made her life more comfortable over the last few months. Private funeral. No flowers please. If desired, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to one with special meaning in her life: Sunnybrook Foundation, Temmy Latner Centre, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada, World Wildlife Fund, Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Lung Association or to the Canadian Cancer Association would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles Chapel Limited, Toronto, 1-800-616-3311. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

DEATHS

HARROP, Elma

Born February 13, 1918 in North Dalton, Yorkshire, England. Died peacefully on Thursday, March 21, 2013 in Toronto from congestive heart failure. Beloved mother of Corinne Falconer; much loved by son-inlaw Robert Falconer and grandchildren Siobhan HarropMcDiarmid (John) and Clark Harrop (Katherine). Predeceased by sister Margaret Goodlass, husband James H. Harrop, daughter Ann Marie (Twinkle) and son Crichton. Long-time resident of Deep

PHOTOGRAPHY by Olivier Thiriet Passports, Weddings, Portraits www.olivier-thiriet.ca 27 Laurentian St., Deep River 613-635-1797 or 613-584-2175

Corporation of the TOWN OF LAURENTIAN HILLS

River. Elma was a remarkable, wise and principled person who made an excellent companion, wife, mother and grandmother. Formative years in Yorkshire and during WWII endowed her with a good work ethic, abundance of common sense and love of all things outdooors. Her genuine interest in people, ability to converse easily and happily with all ages, and her formidable culinary skills rewarded her with a wide number and range of friends. She very much appreciated Canada… spending hours walking in the country observing birds, other wildlife and the natural landscapes. Keeping very fit, until recently she could be found doing training laps around her senior’s residence. She leaves behind many rich and fond memories, most recently of bedside cuddles with the family dogs. The family offers sincere and heartfelt thanks to the staff associated with her care through Virtual Ward, the

DEEP RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

55 Ridge Road, P.O. Box 278, Deep River, ON K0J 1P0

SUMMER STUDENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Library is seeking a self-motivated and creative student to co-ordinate its summer program. Duties include the planning and implementation of a summer reading program for children, public service duties and special projects assigned by staff. Employment is 35 hours per week and runs from June 17 - August 23, 2013. Salary is $12.10/hour.

Letters of application with resumé to the attention of Tom Wiwcharuk will be accepted until April 12, 2013.

Employment Opportunity

SUMMER STUDENT

Duties to include assisting the editorial staff in production of the weekly newspaper & general office duties. Position suitable for High School grad or University Student.

berin g Rem em Ian and Connie,

Jan and Tim

Although the years have passed, the fond memories persist. Missing you.

No experience necessary but pleasant, outgoing personality, good writing skills & some computer knowledge would be an asset. Send resumé by April 12 to: Kelly Lapping North Renfrew Times P.O. Box 310, Deep River, ON K0J 1P0 or by email: nrt@magma.ca

NORTH RENFREW TIMES


NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 19

Candus 14

Our precompetitive program continues to be very popular. It was designed to fill the gap between our popular I Can Swim (ICS) program and our competitive program. With the transition of sessions, we CONTINUED FROM PAGE

have one swimmer moving from precompetitive to competitive (way to go Noah Gallagher!) and six ICS swimmers are moving up to precompetitive (Abby Blimke, Andre Chin, Sydney Davenport, Liam McDonald, Ailish Patterson, and Hannah Ward). The club also welcomes returning swimmer Connor Adams from Petawawa. The precompetitive program con-

CLASSIFIED

Corporation of the Town of Deep River

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

for water meter supply and installation for commercial, institutional and high use multi-unit residential (turn key water metering operations program) AND quote for possible phase two implementation of residential water metering

Sealed Tenders clearly labeled “PROPOSAL FOR WATER METER SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION FOR COMMERCIAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND HIGH USE MULTI-RESIDENTIAL (TURN KEY WATER METERING OPERATIONS PROGRAM” and QUOTE FOR POSSIBLE PHASE TWO IMPLEMENTATION OF RESIDENTIAL WATER METERING will be received by the undersigned at the Public Works Department at the following address: Mr. Khizar Hayat Town of Deep River 100 Deep River Road P.O. Box 400 Deep River, ON K0J 1P0

Tender Closing Date & Time: May 23, 2013 by 11:00 a.m.

Contract documents are available at the Public Works Department, Municipal Office at the Town of Deep River or requests can be made to krista.cadoreth@deepriver.ca to have the documents e-mailed.

LOWEST OR ANY TENDER WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE ACCEPTED.

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION INSTALLATION OF A SHOWER AT THE TOWN HALL

PROJECT TITLE: Installation of a shower PROJECT NUMBER: 2012-02 ADDRESS OF THE WORKS: 48 de l’Église, Rapides-des-Joachims The municipality asks for quotations for the installation of a shower.

The interested persons can get the information by addressing our office, situated in 48, de l’Église in Rapides-des-Joachims every Tuesdays between 1 pm and 6 pm or by e-mail at rapides-des-joachims@mrcpontiac.qc.ca. A visit of places is compulsory, and must be made by appointment.

The supplier, only because of the deposit of his submission, declares not to have, in the context of the present call for tenders, acted against the federal law on the competition (L.R., on 1985, ch. C-34), which stipulates in particular that a criminal act the fact establishes of participating in a special effect of the submissions, namely:

· The agreement or the arrangement between several persons by which at least one of them agrees or makes a commitment not to present submission in answer to a call for tenders; · The presentation of submissions which are the fruit of an agreement or an arrangement between several tenders.

The date of the beginning of the works is to be determined.

The municipality of Rapides-des-Joachims makes a commitment to accept neither the lowest nor any of the received submissions.

tinues to teach stroke improvement, adds more emphasis on starts and turns, increases stamina for distance swimming and provides an opportunity for competition when the swimmer is ready. We are looking forward to swimmers improving their base line times from the local Great Harvest Meet in November with the upcoming Sundaes on a Sunday and Blackfly competitions. Our I Can Swim program is developing swimmers. We had 44 swimmers in Session 2 and currently have 35 in Session 3. Nineteen of the 24 precompetitive swimmers this year are graduates from the ICS program. The ICS program was developed by Swimming Canada and is dynamic, flexible and fun. The goal with ICS is to develop lifelong swimmers with a program that encourages participation, fun, and success. Swimmers progress at their own pace through three stages, as they master basic skills. During Session 2, ICS program co-ordinator Heather Pentney organized a Valentine’s Day mock meet where many swimmers achieved personal best times and other swimmers had their first swim meet experience. They finished the mock meet with a group

Stand Up Paddling CONTINUED FROM PAGE

15

Also popular, the practice of yoga - already a great core workout, requiring a lot of balance is made even more challenging when performed on the floating stand-up paddle board in calm water. “We are blessed in this area to have access to clean, clear rivers and SUPs are a great way to get ‘above’ the water for a clear view of it all. “HOHW will have demos and ‘just for fun’ races throughout the day,” says Kim Barrington, event co-organizer. “The many islands and channels of the Ottawa River provide a spectacular playground for this sport.” This year, Hell or High Water (www.hohw.ca), Canada’s premiere paddlesports event, brings SUP to the Ottawa Valley. Throughout the day on Saturday, May 10, the public is welcome to visit the Jubilee Lodge and Marina or the “Catwalk” at Centennial Park in Petawawa to try their hand at this sport. All the equipment is provided, free of charge, and experienced paddlers will be there to assist.

Valentine’s Day themed relay race where swimmers raced to collect floating hearts to fill up their teams bucket. Session 2 finished with a spring themed fun day where swimmers picked “flowers” with swimming activities or games hidden on the reverse side. Upcoming events for the Candus include our developmental meet “Sundaes on Sundays” for I Can Swim and precompetitive swimmers on April 7. We will host developmental swimmers from ROCS (Ottawa) for this event. The competitive team starts the long course season with a one-day meet hosted by ROCs Swim Club at Carleton University on April 13. We have a sports therapist workshop for swimmers Saturday, April 20, followed later that day by the ever popular Community Pasta Dinner Fundraiser, featuring Chef Gary Festarini. Organization is also underway for our big home meet of the year - the Blackfly Meet in May. Spaces are available in all programs and flexible program arrangements are possible! Please contact us at deeprivercandus@gmail.com. Already familiar with SUP? For the experienced paddlers, or those people who want to take in the action, Hell or High Water will be hosting a series of “fun” races throughout the day at the Jubliee Lodge. Running the same course as the dragon boats, SUPs will go head to head and end to end on the 200 metre course. The cost to enter the race is only $5 per person, and it should provide spectators with a great show. If you are interested in participating in the race, send an email to HOHWPetawawa@hotmail.com or visit www.hohw.ca. Hell or High Water, now in its fifth year celebrates rivers and recreation in the Ottawa Valley while raising funding for three local charities close to the hearts of people here in these communities: Soldier On; Whitewater Ontario and the “Image Matters” campaign to bring an MRI machine to the Pembroke Regional Hospital. Hell Or High Water is Canada’s largest whitewater races, featuring canoes, kayaks and rafts on the rapids of the Petawawa River. Dragon boats and SUP events will be held at the Jubilee Lodge on the Ottawa River. The event is proudly supported by Trailhead Ottawa Paddleshack and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.

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page 20 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

Life is like a box of pedometers

rants, I still can’t fathom why the beer store has to shut down for a day just because some guy rose up 2,000 As much as I enjoy being healthy, I’m also concerned years ago. “Vance is risen!” the wife cries out on those rare moabout the prospect of wearing spandex and a fanny ments when I’m sober enough to do so, and she cries pack. out hallelujah, but I don’t see anybody shutting down It’s bad enough already that I have a pedometer. the LCBO on my account. I’ve been walking a lot, see. My mother, I’m sure, would like to throw her harp at And that would have surprised my parents back in, say, 1969, because I didn’t actually start walking until I me right about now, and that might hurt my head but not my feelings because mom played the guitar anywas three years old. way. Oh, I knew how to walk, don’t get me wrong... I just Harps are for sissies, of which my mom was not one. chose not to. I, on the other hand, now have a pedometer so, yeah, It was much easier having people carry me around. I might as well start carrying mom‘s harp around I didn’t start talking until I was three, either. with me too on my walks after she throws it at Again, I knew how to. I just didn’t have me from heaven. anything to say. Assuming I can catch it, that is, beBesides which, oftentimes discrecause catching and throwing and running tion really is the better part of valour. and stuff was never really my forté. So, yeah, I was a virtuous little Did I mention I was a tubby little tyke in that regard, but I’m sure my christer? parents were worried that I’d grow up Yeah, mom and dad they had to put me not knowing how to walk or talk. on a diet when I was a baby because, while A limp mute, if you will. I wasn’t fond of walking, I was quite partial to Just ask my wife on any given Friday food. night after I’ve consumed too much wine. And I still am, along with beer, wine, vodka, rum and But, yeah, if my parents could only see me now. cigarettes. Well, one of them can on this mortal coil, but I’m I also crave cocaine and would like to purchase pot sure my mom, up there in heaven, gazes serenely down but the afore-mentioned vices slash addictions pretty from heaven upon me when I go on my walkabouts, well take care of any discretionary spending money I sending comforting thoughts of love to her little boy. might have. “Little christer!” she’s saying, shaking her fist at me. And with the wages I’m paid for working at a com“Why weren’t you walking when you were two, like munity newspaper, I really should be the recipient of normal kids! Damn near wore my back out carrying salutations and congratulations for my budgeting you around for the first three years of your life!” prowess. She’s got a point there, because on top of everything I even chaired the finance committee when I was else I was also a tubby little christer. mayor but back then I could afford cocaine and, quite And, yeah, with it almost being Easter and all you’ll have to forgive my use of the word “christer”, but it re- frankly, it wasn’t optional. But, yeah, I’ve got my vices and I just turned 45 ally was one of my mom’s favourite expressions so I years old a few months ago, realizing not long afterdon’t really care whether you forgive me or not. ward that if I want to maintain a diet rich in sodium, Besides which, and at the risk of resurrecting ancient nicotine and alcohol, my natural metabolism just wasn’t going to cut through the mustard anymore. So I started walking. Canadian Forces Base Petawawa Kind of like Forrest Gump, Personnel Support Programs which is a little weird because that COMMUNITY RECREATION DEPARTMENT was the last movie I ever saw in a movie theatre. BY

VANCE GUTZMAN

CONTRACT FOR SERVICES

Required Pre-qualification: Business Registration number Applicants for qualification will be accepted for tendering purposes until 16:00 on April 29th, 2013. Requests for a detailed tender package or general enquiries are to be submitted electronically or in person to the following address: Community Recreation Department Attention: Trish Burke 30 Festubert Blvd. Building S-117 CFB Petawawa, ON K8H 2X3 Email: trish.burke@forces.gc.ca

RENFREW COUNTY & DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

TEST SHOPPER (Casual, Temporary)

Competition # TS 13-01

CLASSIFIED

The Community Recreation Department invites submissions of proposals for the following CONTRACT FOR SERVICES for Petawawa Kids In Action Gymnastics Club (KIA) in Petawawa, Ontario. KIA is a non-profit recreational and competitive gymnastics club with approximately 300 registrants aged 1- ADULT. The current competitive gymnasts compete at the interclub level with hopes of developing into provincial gymnasts. The gymnastics season runs mid-August to the end of June. The Contract for Services will include the management, supervision and remuneration of coaching staff and will work directly with the club executive.

The woman I watched it with wanted to see The Exorcist instead, but that was only because she was fascinated by demons - the ones on the silver screen and also the ones in her head. The only reason I stayed with her for as long as I did, come to think of it, was because she was really, very good at rolling up my sleeves. Now I know how to roll up my sleeves, don’t get me wrong, but have always had trouble at getting them to stay rolled up. In the same vein, she was also really, very good at applying tourniquets to my right arm because I was also dabbling a little bit in heroin back then, assuming correctly that I might need that particular skill-set should I ever decide to take a run at politics. Which I did, but now I’ve started walking. It’s just like being three years old all over again, only now I’ve got coloured TV and Nixon’s no longer the president. Good things, those, but on the downside, nobody claps their hands anymore, squealing with delight, when I manage to go potty all by myself. The wife, she’s not big into celebrations, so sometimes I’m forced to throw a little party all by myself. “What are you doing in there?” she asks from the hallway when I’m in the bathroom. “Clapping my hands and squealing with delight,” I reply through the door. “Why?” So, yeah, I’ve come to the conclusion that walking is good or my health, especially after making comments like that to the wife, because I’m safer outside. I’ve got a pedometer now to tell me how far I’ve walked, though back in high school I didn’t need one. I knew it was 10 miles down the Wylie Road and back into the parties in town so I did simple math, multiplying that number by two because I was always walking from side to side. But back then I did it because I was drunk. Now I do it so I can get drunk afterwards. There’s a difference. Hey, I’m not setting out to do a marathon or anything. I’m just saying that a journey of a thousand trials begins with a single footstep. Call them baby steps, if you will. And I bet you mom’s so proud that she’s breaking out her guitar and throwing a little potty for me up in heaven right now. Clapping her hands and squealing with delight. Walk on, mom.

Test Shoppers accompany and assist Tobacco Enforcement Officers in conducting tobacco sales/supply compliance and/or enforcement checks. Test Shoppers are expected to enter tobacco retail premises unaccompanied and to initiate the purchase of tobacco products. Qualifications: Rate:

Attending high school; Good communication (verbal and written), observation and problem solving skills; Good organizational skills $12.04 per hour

Hours of Work: Variable and intermittent (Evenings and possibly weekends)

Closing Date:

April 15, 2013

Please forward resumé indicating Competition # Test Shopper 13-01 to: Renfrew County and District Health Unit 7 International Drive, Pembroke, ON K8A 6W5

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.


NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 21

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Kudos to Kiwanis

We were treated to an outstanding night of music at the Kiwanis “Festival of Stars” on Thursday. Such talented youth from the Ottawa Valley! Deep River musicians figured prominently and wore ruts in the stage collecting their awards. We would like to say “thank you” to all of the music teachers who have nurtured the children over the past year. Personal thanks to Peter Morris for directing the Mackenzie Community School Secondary School Choir who

opened the evening with an energetic, “Rhythm of Life” and Susan Morris for accompanying the choir and for directing the Mackenzie Community School Concert Band. The high quality music shared by all three of the Mackenzie School Choirs and the School Band at Kiwanis is made possible by Peter and Susan generously donating their time and talent to these young musicians. The parents and students are deeply appreciative. Thank you! Congratulations to all of the musicians who participated over the threeweek festival. We are blessed to have such a passion for music in our community. Gordon Burton

More defibrillators on the way BY

KAY MCQUADE

Renfrew County is working to improve its heart health. Micheline Turnau, health promotion specialist from the Heart & Stroke Foundation, recently outlined the steps the foundation, in partnership with Renfrew County Paramedics, is taking to improve the health of residents to members of county council. She focused specifically on defibrillators and physical activity as a way to reduce the number of deaths from heart and stroke related diseases. Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency which leads to death if not treated immediately and approximately 7,000 cardiac arrests occur in Ontario every year, with over 80% occurring in public places or homes. Turnau reported that an individual’s chance of survival can increase 75% when early CPR is used in combination with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Turnau stated that the most recent data indicates that Ontario has a survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests of only 5-6%. For every minute that passes without help, a person’s chances of surviving a cardiac arrest drops by 7-10%. Research shows that 35-55% of out-of-hospital arrests are witnessed by a bystander, but very few victims receive CPR. Just calling 9-1-1 and pushing hard and fast, repeatedly on the centre of the victim’s chest until help arrives will go a long way to helping the person survive, Turnau said. It is estimated that 48 lives have been saved thanks to AEDs in Renfrew County during the eight year partnership between the paramedics and Heart & Stroke. The Heart & Stroke Foundation is recommending that municipalities implement a broad public education campaign to raise awareness around issues such as the ease of CPR training and the use of an AED. In addition, they are encouraging municipalities to work with the Heart & Stroke Foundation through the Ontario Defibrillator Access Initiative (ODAI) to ensure AEDs are place in all sport and recreation facilities and schools. Turnau reported that Renfrew County paramedics in partnership with the Heart & Stroke Foundation have placed 67 AEDs throughout public buildings in the county and another 45 are scheduled, bringing the total to 112. There are many more AEDs located throughout the area, funded privately and located in businesses and community and sports facilities. More are expected in the future with the federal government announcing additional funding for AEDs. Turnau reported that the benefits of regular physical activity are well known and can reduce heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity. Renfrew county has a higher incidence of these conditions than the provincial average and one way to decrease the risk of contracting these diseases is to build physical activity into everyday life. The way in which communities are designed affect levels of physical activity and active transportation by encouraging or discouraging walking, cycling, playing in parks, driving cars, taking public transit and using recreational facilities.

Two lots in one CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 “This is not sand. It’s hard pan and scrabble,” Baird said at the public meeting. “I’m not a hydrogeological expert, but I can put a shovel in the ground and not hit sand.” Baird also took exception to the study’s conclusion about available water supply. “A dripping tap will run my well dry in 35 minutes,” Baird said. John Wright, another homeowner fronting onto Highway 17, shares Baird’s concerns, and offered up a little history himself at the public meeting. Wright said he purchased the property where his house now stands 49 years ago from Carl Gutzman, who resided on the property south of him. Gutzman’s house was the original farm house on the Gutzman farm, and the lot Wright purchased had been the site of the barn. “The chief reason I selected this lot ahead of lots in the McKee subdivision west of Deep River was that this lot had an existing well on it,” Wright said. “It was the original farm well - a a hand-dug stone-lined well about 15 feet deep with about three feet of water in it. “I was assured by Mr. Gutzman that I would never have to worry about water supply as this well had supplied all the farm animals throughout his lifetime.” Within just two years, however, Wright was experiencing an inadequate water supply, despite having deepened his well by two feet. “What neither Mr. Gutzman nor I had fully appreciated was the extreme demand that seven residences containing 14 adults and 23 children, and one business along the highway between the two ends of Legere Drive would have on the water table in the area,” Wright said. Although he was later able to get water from a drilled well, even that source eventually dried up until he had the well hydra-fractured, with the end result that he is currently getting a flow rate of about two gallons per minute. “My concern about the density of the development in the subdivision behind me is not only about water supply but also about water quality,” Wright told council. “Any contamination that reaches the bedrock has the potential of draining into my well, and I have received one ‘surface contamination’ test since construction of these houses began.” Laurentian Hills planning committee will take all the presentations and concerns presented at last week’s public meeting into deliberation next week.


page 22 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

“Another way” CONTINUED FROM PAGE

3

“As I said, it was like watching it in a movie... It was not something I wanted to do... I couldn’t find another solution. I couldn’t think of another way to stop her.” “My family’s never been through this kind of thing,” Cameron says later. “I didn’t know how to handle it. My wife and I have been together 30 years, her parents were together 50 years, my parents were together almost 60 years... “It was just going from bad to worse... I don’t know what changed in her life to make her become this other person. It was like night and day... “I guess I should say, it’s not something I did out of anger,” Cameron adds. “I wasn’t mad at her. I was more afraid of what she was going to do emotionally to Rick and those kids.” Did he ever think about trying not to get caught, Allan asks? “No,” Cameron says. “I decided if it ever got to that point, I was going to the police.“ “Just take the consequences,” Allan says. “Trying to get away was never a consideration,” Cameron says. “That’s why I didn’t feel I should get a lawyer or try to withhold anything.” Cameron took the stand to testify in his own defence on Friday. Under questioning by his lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, Cameron said the whole experience of March 15, 2011 seemed “unreal.” The drive from Parry Sound to Deep River, a threehour or more drive, “for whatever reason that day felt like 15 minutes,” Cameron said. “It felt like no time.” When he arrived at Michelle’s house on Claremount, he felt “detached.” “It was like I was watching it, like I watched myself load the gun.” When he confronted Michelle in the kitchen, “the gun came up and went off, twice I think.”

Did not understand CONTINUED FROM PAGE

3

Cameron is a “dedicated father, dedicated grandfather and dedicated husband” with no previous history of violence or police record, Dr K added. “One morning he goes and shoots her (Michelle) down. We have to say, why?” Dr K said that based on his diagnosis of major depression, the withdrawal of alcohol as a coping mechanism, and the chronic PTSD - combined with Cameron’s own statements about how the whole sequence of events seemed “unreal,” like he was “watching it” in a movie “I think that explanation (that he was in a dissociative state) has to be given credence.” “Which explanation do I think is more likely? It may be (by) a small percentage but I think the second is more likely,” he said. “You don’t accept the thesis that he was a man at his wit’s end - that he was at his wit’s end but that he knew what he was doing?” said Crown attorney Jason Nicol. “It’s possible,” Dr. K replied. “(But) I am a psychiatrist - I look at the person as a whole. “With my way of looking at a human being, it doesn’t jibe with that.” But if Cameron didn’t know what he was doing, why then would he apologize to Michelle just before he pulled the trigger, Nicol asked? “He knew her as his own daughter,” Dr. K said. “Of course he was able to appreciate that he was killing one of his closest family members.” But there’s a difference between knowing and under-

After the first two shots, Michelle fell to the kitchen floor “in very slow motion.” “When she hit the floor, I wanted to make sure she wasn’t suffering, so I shot her again in the head.” Cameron said he remembered nothing about the drive back towards Parry Sound until he reached South River, when he was “shocked back into reality.” “I was shaking so bad I couldn’t control the car.” “Why did you do it, Craig?” Greenspon asked. “At the time, I didn’t think I had any other choice,” Cameron told the court. But in his cross-examination, Crown attorney Jason Nicol challenged Cameron’s story. Nicol said that Cameron’s statements to the police show that using the gun to shoot Michelle was one of the options he was considering to “fix” things before he left for Deep River. “You pack your gun and ammo because that was one of your options?” Nicol said. “True,” Cameron replied. “Killing was on your mind?” “Only as a very last case scenario.” If he was still hoping to talk to Michelle, to negotiate with her, then why did he load the gun and take it into the house, Nicol asked Cameron? “Don’t you think it’s strange, sir, you were trying to negotiate with a gun in your hands?” “I agree,” Cameron said. “It’s kind of unreal to me.” When he entered the house and Michelle met him with the statement that his being there did not make a difference, “you knew at that point negotiation was useless?” Nicol said. “That’s fair,” Cameron replied. “Your immediate response it to raise the rifle to your shoulder?” “That’s when the gun came up, yes,” Cameron said. “I don’t remember making the decision to bring it up.” “You can’t explain that?” Nicol said. “No, I can’t consciously remember making that choice,” Cameron said. But Cameron was aware enough of what he had done that he decided to shoot Michelle a third time, Nicol said.

“You came to the conclusion that you had to end her suffering?” “Yes.” And Cameron knew he had to turn himself in to police because he knew what he did was a crime, Nicol continued. “You knew, you always knew that what you did to Michelle was a crime?” “Yes,” Cameron said. “You knew what you did was wrong, was not justified under any circumstance?” Nicol added. “No, I would not agree with that,” Cameron said. “I believed it could be justified, in my thinking back then...” It was “something horrible” but it was “my last choice,” he said. But Cameron told police he knew before he got to Deep River that he would have to turn himself in, Nicol said. “I knew that if it got to that far I was going to turn myself in,” Cameron agreed. In fact, Cameron has always taken full responsibility for his actions and co-operated fully with police, Nicol said. “You don’t even blame Michelle for the position you’re in?” he said. No, Cameron agreed. “Some of it was where fiction was stranger than truth,” he said. “I wanted to make it clear as possible what happened so they didn’t start investigating my son.” “You had to turn yourself in because what you did was wrong?” Nicol said. “Yes.” “At no point do you tell police or suggest to police that you weren’t in control of your actions?” “No.” And in the moment before he pulled the trigger, Cameron apologized to Michelle for what he was about to do, Nicol said. “You were well aware of what you’re doing at that point?” he said. “I would have to agree,” Cameron replied.

standing, Dr. K added. In his state at the time, Cameron was not able to understand the consequences of his actions, for everyone involved, including himself and his family. “There was a disconnect between his actions and his thinking.” “He still does not understand why he did it,” Dr. K added. “He himself does not have an explanation for his actions.” “If you look at the series of events, it would appear it was a calculated murder. That’s one explanation,” Dr. K said. “(But) why would he do this? I’m just offering another explanation for the jury to consider.”

gether on the morning of March 15, 2011. When he returned to Parry Sound and visited her at her office, “I knew something was wrong but I didn’t understand,” Sandra said. “He told me that he loved me and that he hoped we’d forgive him for what he did... “He told me she was gone - I didn’t understand. “He told me he shot Michelle... It still doesn’t make sense,” she said. “He loved her,” she said of her husband and his daughter-in-law. “He wears the tattoo that she designed for him on his shoulder - she made the appointment for him.” Court heard that Cameron had been drinking more than usual in the months leading up to March 2011. He was also on the medication Effexor, which had been prescribed by his family doctor several years earlier to help control “mood swings.” In his testimony on the witness stand Friday, Cameron said that in the leadup to March 2011, he was “worried” and “scared” and dealing with what he now knows was depression. But Cameron said he never missed work, took time off or sought treatment because “I saw it as a sign of weakness.” “I just felt I had to man up,” he said. “I was having trouble with it, but until I spent time at the Royal Ottawa (during his incarceration), I never thought of it as an illness.” The trial was scheduled to continue Tuesday with testimony from a psychiatric expert for the Crown. The Crown and defence will then present their final statements on Thursday, and Madame Justice Parfett will give her charge to the jury next Tuesday, April 2.

“HE WAS PROUD OF HER”

On Friday, Sandra Cameron testified that in over 30 years of marriage, she had never seen her husband Craig act violently or threaten anyone. Sandra said Cameron was a “great” father and grandfather and that he loved Michelle “like a daughter.” “He was proud of her,” she said. When Michelle got pregnant with her first child with their son Rick, “we thought she wouldn’t finish school, but she did,” Sandra said. “I think he (Cameron) was the one yelling the loudest when she got her diploma.” Sandra said it was hard for her husband to deal with the breakup of Rick and Michelle’s marriage - “it was hard for all of us” - but she had “no idea” he was going to Deep River to see her. Sandra Cameron said there was nothing unusual about the way her husband was acting as they had breakfast to-


NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013 - page 23

Men fined for night hunting

Two Renfrew County men have been fined $1,200 for night hunting and the careless discharge of a firearm. Jeremy Schroeder of Pembroke pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting at night. He was fined $500 and received a two-year hunting suspension. He must also successfully complete a Hunter Education Course before he is eligible to purchase a hunting licence, and was ordered to make restitution to all affected parties. Schroeder still faces charges under the Criminal Code and will appear in court in April 2013. Cole Fitzgerald of Eganville previously pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting at night and was fined $500. He was also found guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm without due care for people or property and was fined $250. Fitzgerald was also suspended from hunting deer for two years and suspended from all hunting for one year. He must successfully complete a Hunter Education Course before he is eligible to purchase a hunting licence. Court heard that on November 23, 2012, the two men shot a beef cow in a farmer’s pasture field during the night or early morning hours. They also caused damage to other residents’ property. Justice of the Peace Ray Switzer heard the Schroeder case on March 18, 2013, and Justice of the Peace Nancy Mitchell heard the Fitzgerald case on January 23, 2013, both in the Ontario Court of Justice, Pembroke.

OPP

Youths charged

Three young men have been charged with mischief after the OPP investigated reports of damage to mailboxes. Police say that on March 19, the Upper Ottawa Valley detachment of the OPP was advised that 16 mailboxes were damaged on Wylie Road in the town of Laurentian Hills. As a result the investigation, three male young persons have been charged with 16 counts of mischief causing damage under $5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code. P/C Wayne Desjardins is the investigating officer. On March 22, a report was also filed in which a mailbox was damaged on Kean Road in Laurentian Hills. No charges have been laid in connection with that report.

Crime scene DEEP RIVER POLICE REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2013

Anyone with information regarding these crimes or any other crime is asked to call the Deep River Police Service at 613584-3500 or the Renfrew County Crimes Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. • Don’t let the end of winter change your good winter driving habits. Expect the unexpected and continue to give yourself extra room and time. Look for more pedestrians and the arrival of cyclists as the weather warms.

General: The Deep River Police Service responded to a total of 124 police related issues during the month. There was one Liquor Licence Act issue dealt with in February. Six volunteer record checks were conducted for individuals performing service in our community.

Traffic: Officers issued a total of 43 provincial offence notices during the month. There were nine motor vehicle collisions in February. Five traffic complaints were received in the month, all of which were related to Hwy 17. One RIDE check program was run in February. A total of 48 vehicles were checked with the following results; one roadside tests, and a seven-day notice of suspension. Three other drinking and driving suspensions were issued during the month.

Crime: There were eight criminal incidents investigated during the month. Three of the month’s crimes were for thefts. The remaining crimes were; 2 assaults, 2 frauds, and 1 impaired. • February 7, Constable Matt Barker stopped a vehicle in the downtown area.

The adult male driver had been consuming alcohol and was given a roadside test. The driver failed the test and was taken to the station for further testing. Breath tests were conducted and readings obtained. The driver was charged with driving with a blood alcohol content over 80 mgs and released to appear in Pembroke court. • February 8, Constable Darin Faris received a complaint of fraud from a local resident. The resident had ordered some tools from a website on Kijiji. After contacting the seller, payment was made to an address in the Toronto area. The complainant did not receive the tools and attempted to contact the seller. All contact attempts failed and the police were notified. Police could not reach the seller, and efforts were being made through alternate security to contact the seller. Citizens are reminded to use the most secure payment process available to them in processing purchases over the Internet. • February 9, Constable Dave Newell completed a theft report concerning a stolen coat and keys. The victim advised their coat had been left unattended while visiting an establishment on McElligott Dr. It was later observed that the jacket containing his keys was missing. • February 11, Sergeant Barry Swarbrick investigated a theft occurrence. Information was received from a parent that their son had come home with items he had not paid for. It was obvious the items had been stolen from a downtown store. The items were returned and the youth issued a written warning in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act. • February 13, Constable Rob Medeiros commenced a fraud investigation concerning money being taken out of a bank account. The complainant advised that someone had been writing unauthorized cheques on

her bank account to an amount totalling almost $3,000. Investigation resulted in the officer obtaining several production orders on the bank account and related video evidence from other banks where the cheques were processed. The investigation is ongoing. • February 13, Constable Darin Faris completed a theft occurrence involving a child stealing from downtown stores. The child’s mother has been trying to resolve the issue, but without success. The officer spoke to the child and the items returned to the store. • February 20, Constable Matt Barker attended an institutional premise along Brockhouse Way regarding a possible assault. Information was provided by management staff that led to investigation of several witnesses and a victim. Further investigation led to a male youth being interviewed. Following an interview, the male youth was charged with assault with a weapon, causing a disturbance, uttering death threats, and two other weapon offences. The youth has been suspended from the institution for an extended period of time. • February 22, Constable Marek Brela commenced an assault investigation involving two adult males. Information was received that the two former friends had been feuding. The one male attended to a residence along Hwy 17 West. When the door was answered the two males got into a physical confrontation. The investigation is still ongoing. • February 26, Sergeant Barry Swarbrick received information regarding a theft from an institution along Brockhouse Way. A staff member advised that a piece of equipment containing personal information had been taken from the premises. A check had not turned anything up. There was no further information at this time.

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page 24 - NORTH RENFREW TIMES - MARCH 27, 2013

Hoping to break the Top 20! BY

Emma Minigan has her eyes set on one of the most coveted jobs in Canadian television. The Deep River native, currently living in Inuvik, is among the top 40 contestants in the MUCH VJ Search competition. Submitted photo

VANCE GUTZMAN

“It’s a balmy minus 17,” Emma Minigan says over the course a phone interview. The wind chill is making it feel like minus 25. The 26-year-old Deep River native is only half-joking when she says that, being located as she is on the other end of the line in Inuvik, NWT. For those needing a geography lesson, Inuvik is 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, where the townsfolk bask in 56 straight days of continual sunlight and 30 days of polar night each year. Minigan, meanwhile, is vying to be in a different kind of light. The spotlight, to be precise. Minigan, has been selected as one of the Top 40 finalists in the Much Music VJ (video jockey) search - one of the most coveted jobs in Canadian television. If Minigan gets narrowed down to the top 20 in that competition (four names a day will be announced, starting March 25) she’ll be put on a tour bus with the other 19 and roll through eight Canadian cities, with the contestants facing a series of road eliminations. And if she gets the top job she’ll be wind up working in Toronto, ironically enough, for she just spent six years living there. “I found Toronto wasn’t doing it for me anymore,” Minigan says, recounting the start of her excellent northern adventure. So she went out west, to Vancouver Island,

to find herself, so to speak and applied for a hospitality job online, and now she finds herself working at one of the hotels in town - the only one that also features a restaurant. “The closest Tim Hortons is three hours away,” she says. “And that’s a plane ride!” Minigan is saying it’s a little isolated where she’s been living and working since November, even if the scenery is spectacular. “I’m just as far from Deep River as Deep River is from Chile,” she says. Applying to be a video jockey on Much Music seemed like the most natural thing in the world to Minigan when the contest opened up. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid,” she says. And while she’s still young, Minigan is old enough to know that the music industry is a young person’s game. “Unfortunately, 26 is almost considered old in that business.” She’s made her own video for the competition, even though she had to train herself to do editing and that kind of thing. You can see it on the web along with the other competitors at muchmusic.com/vjsearch. She’s the one wearing a parka. Minigan’s keeping her fingers crossed this week, hoping she’ll be whittled down to the Top 20 in the competition. “I’m so scared to go down south. I won’t be able to handle the heat,” she says


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