Vol. 9, Issue 14
FREE OF CHARGE
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Booked
Getting buzzed
Council narrowly green-lights pricey plan to expand Bright Grove library
A
PHOTOGRAPHER RONNY D’HAENE had his eye on an Eastern screech-owl in Canatara Park on May 13, but couldn’t figure what it was looking at. The owl, which was inside a bird box on an island in Lake Chipican, appeared to be staring off into space. Only when this image was enlarged on his computer was the mystery solved – the owl was transfixed by the buzzing of a pesky mosquito, one of the first of the year. RONNY D’HAENE Special to The Journal
No fire boats leaves island residents worried
C
TARA JEFFREY THE JOURNAL
ottage owners on Stag and Fawn islands are concerned after learning St. Clair Township firefighters have no approved boats to cross the St. Clair River in an emergency. Residents are worried because of a new interpretation of an existing Transport Canada law that prohibits firefighters
from reaching the islands on boats that aren’t commercially licensed, Derek Rideout told St. Clair Township Council last week. Rideout, a cottager on Stag Island just offshore from Corunna, was also speaking on behalf of residents of Fawn Island, near Sombra. “This is now a decrease in the level of service compared to what existed previously — and this is a cause for concern for
residents on the island communities, as you can imagine,” he said. St. Clair Township firefighters have traditionally used the ferries at both islands to respond to 911 calls, said Richard Boyes, who was appointed township fire chief last fall. But a New Year’s Day fire on Fawn Island prompted Boyes — former director of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) — to look into the
response requirements for the roughly 200 dwellings on the islands. During his investigation he discovered any boat transporting firefighters must be registered as a commercial vessel, according to Transport Canada. “Both the island associations confirmed the boats are pleasure craft, and are exploring the possibility of registering as commercial vessels,” he said. Continued on 3
TARA JEFFREY THE JOURNAL
long-awaited and hotly contested expansion of the Bright’s Grove Library is one step closer to reality after council agreed to add it to Sarnia’s 10-year capital plan. “We’re thrilled,” said Kirsten Kilner Holmes, who co-chairs the group spearheading the proposed ‘community hub’ at 2618 Hamilton Rd., home to Gallery in the Grove and a Lambton library branch. “It was a lot of work, and honestly a lot of really courageous initiative from city council members to recognize the importance of this project, and we appreciate it.” The proposal calls for a 7,000-square-foot expansion at historic Faethorne House with a larger library and art gallery, elevator and accessible washrooms, and indoor gathering space for youth programs, meetings and special events. The cityowned building is located near two schools and a large park, but is cramped and inaccessible, especially a long staircase leading to the second floor gallery showcase for local art. Continued on 3
Dear Readers:
The Journal will not be publishing on June 2. The print newspaper will return to a weekly schedule again starting June 9. For the latest local news, visit the website at www.thesarniajournal.ca or on Facebook.
CR-V 0.99
MODEL RW2H9NKS
RESERVE THE 2022
LEASE FROM
% APR
FOR UP TO 24 MONTHSΩ ON ALL 2022 CR-V MODELS
ENDING SOON
• HONDA SENSING™ TECHNOLOGIES* • REMOTE ENGINE STARTER • HEATED FRONT SEATS • PUSHBUTTON START 755 CONFEDERATION ST, SARNIA, ON N7T 1M8
519-344-1123
WWW. AUTOHOUSEHONDA.COM
Dealer order may be required. Anticipated delivery of July 2022. ΩLimited time lease offers available through Honda Financial Services Inc. (HFS), to qualified retail customers on approved credit. Weekly payments include freight and PDI (ranges from $1,780 to $1,950 depending on model), tire & environmental fee ($21) [This fee covers the cost to Honda Canada of collecting and recycling tires], A/C charge ($100), and OMVIC fee ($10). Taxes, licence, insurance and registration are extra. Representative weekly lease example: 2022 CIVIC LX SEDAN (Model FE2F2NE) // 2022 CIVIC SPORT SEDAN (Model FE2F5NJ) // 2022 CR-V Touring (Model RW2H9NKS) // 2022 Pilot Black Edition (Model YF6H0NKN) on a 60 // 60 // 24 // 24-month term with 260 // 260 // 104 // 104 weekly payments at 3.99% // 3.99% // 0.99% // 2.99% lease APR. Weekly payment is $68.96 // $80.46 // $190.26 // $250.36 with $1,875 // $1,875 // $0 // $0 down or equivalent trade-in and $0 total lease incentive included. Down payments, $0 security deposit and first weekly payment due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $17,929.83 // $20,919.47 // $19,787.04 // $26,037.66. 100,000 // 100,000 // 40,000 // 40,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. PPSA lien registration fee of $40.00 // $40.00 // $16.00 // $16.00 and lien registering agent’s fee of $6.50, due at time of delivery are not included. 2022 Civic Sport Sedan shown in Rallye Red // 2022 CR-V Touring shown in Radiant Red Metallic. Additional charge of $300.00 applies for premium paint colour. *None of the features we describe are intended to replace the driver’s responsibility to exercise due care while driving. Drivers should not use handheld devices or operate certain vehicle features unless it is safe and legal to do so. Some features have technological limitations. For additional feature information, limitations and restrictions, please visit www.honda.ca/disclaimers and refer to the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual. For all offers: licence, insurance, PPSA, other taxes (including HST) and excess wear and tear are extra. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price. Offers only valid for Ontario residents at participating Ontario Honda Dealers from May 03, 2022 until May 31, 2022. Dealer may lease for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary (but may not be available in all cases). Colour availability may vary by Dealer. Vehicles and accessories are for illustration purposes only. Offers, prices and features subject to change without notice. See your Ontario Honda Dealer or visit HondaOntario.com for full details.