Police arrest Minden man suspected in taser-armed robberies

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November 2, 2020

JQOppbriefsweb.jpg.e4021104 — File photo.

Orillia OPP has charged a 46-year-old Minden man after a series of armed robberies involving a taser.

In a press release, OPP said a suspect approached a person using an ATM inside a Coboconk bank Oct. 25, brandishing a taser and demanding cash. The victim surrendered $300 and the suspect fled on foot. Nobody was injured.

In a similar incident, Oct. 26 at a drive-thru ATM in Orillia, an unknown suspect brandished a taser and demanded cash. The victim drove away, leaving their card in the ATM, but the suspect was unable to withdraw cash. Police attended and attempted a search but were unable to find a suspect at the time.

Police also believe the suspect was also responsible for two attempted armed robberies at convenience stores in Gravenhurst Oct. 26. In both cases, a suspected entered a convenience store with what appeared to be a firearm and demanded cash, but was unable to obtain any.

On Oct. 30, OPP arrested a suspect in the Township of Ramara.

Police charged the suspect from Minden with robbery with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and unauthorized possession of a weapon.

The accused is scheduled to appear Dec. 1 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia.

OPP said the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released when it is available.

“The OPP would like to thank the concerned members of the public that assisted in the identification of the suspect which led to his arrest,” police said in a press release.

SIRCH opening bistro and marketplace

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Lisa Gervais

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November 2, 2020

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JQ - SIRCH Bistro - 1-web — SIRCH Community services helps equip employees with soft skills, via training sessions, and also helps workers gain culinary experience in their open-to-the-public bistro. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

SIRCH Community Services is creating a new bistro and marketplace with the help of a three-year, approximately $800,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The organization is shifting its main office to a new building at 49 Maple Ave., with the bistro portion soft-launching Nov. 4. At more than 3,900 square feet, it is more than twice the space of its previous building. The organization plans to use the building as a training centre with a commercial kitchen, that will allow it to expand its programming.

SIRCH executive director Gena Robertson said the move is a way to boost its Ready for Retail and Cook It Up programs, which train people for retail and kitchen jobs.

“Be able to support graduates better after they left us and got employed,” Robertson said. “Having this space provides so many opportunities.”

The new location, which also has a separate office space on the upper floor, will serve breakfast and lunch five days a week. SIRCH also plans to develop a marketplace featuring local artists and entrepreneurs. It will also be the new home for its free-meal production, which SIRCH increased to 500-per-week at the start of the pandemic but scaled back due to affordability.

Robertson said they hope to help fund those free meals through their annual Gifts from the Heart fundraising campaign, which runs from Oct. 13 to Dec. 31.

“We know the need is there for prepared meals,” Robertson said. “Sometimes if people are depressed or ill or frail or homeless, they need prepared meals. And we want to be able to do that for the County.”

Robertson added it is not their intention to compete with local eateries.

Marketplace co-ordinator Wendy Ladurantaye said SIRCH will strictly follow health protocols to ensure safety at the new facility. She said they are still developing the marketplace but hope to give local artists and craftspeople space to rent. It will also act as a training opportunity for its Ready for Retail students.

“Our Ready for Retail people will be able to help with merchandising, to learn about displays and the customer service end of things,” Ladurantaye said.

Food Initiatives Coordinator Jay McIvor said the larger space will make a significant difference for the organization.

“It’s certainly going to increase exponentially everything we do,” McIvor said.

The three-year Grow Grant requires SIRCH to successfully get people employed, Robertson said. SIRCH made the application in October 2019, with the sudden pandemic presenting an unexpected layer of challenge.

“We have to do the best we can with the circumstances we’re dealt,” Robertson said. “There’s lots of opportunities. I hope that other things will spin out of this as well, that will contribute to the community health.”

More need to Share the Warmth this winter

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Lisa Gervais

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November 1, 2020

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JQ - Share the Warmth - 1-web — SIRCH increasing connectivity co-ordinator Rebecca Anderson holds some of the early donations for the Share the Warmth campaign, starting Nov. 1. Photo by Joseph Quilgley.

Winter is coming and SIRCH Community Services is readying itself to meet greater demand for its Share the Warmth campaign to provide warm clothing for families in need.

The fifth annual campaign provides winter clothing, including coats, hats, gloves, boots, socks and more for free to residents. The donation drive runs Nov. 1 to Nov. 12, with pick-up day Nov. 14. SIRCH increasing connectivity co-ordinator Rebecca Anderson said the campaign remains extremely important.

They handed out 337 coats last year and with the pandemic, Anderson said they expect that demand to increase.

“It’s important because winter outerwear is extremely expensive and it’s also a basic need with rural living,” Anderson said. “COVID not only exacerbates the existing vulnerabilities that were in our community last year, but it also creates new vulnerabilities.”

In a press release, SIRCH asked that donations be clean with no rips, tears, stains or smells. Due to COVID-19 protocols, all donations must be cleaned by the donor beforehand. Drop off locations include Haliburton Foodland, Todd’s Independent, Algonquin Outfitters, Dollo’s Foodland, Easton’s Valu-Mart and St. Paul’s Anglican Church. In previous years, Anderson said they have been able to give everything they received away. But she added she is not worried about getting enough donations to meet the growing demand.

“We have a generous community,” Anderson said. “I’m always awestruck with how generous our community members are. Getting enough is definitely on our mind, but it’s not a concern.”

Pick-up days are Nov. 14, at St. Paul’s Anglican Church from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and at the SIRCH main office in Haliburton from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Anderson said people cannot try on clothing due to COVID. SIRCH will require masks and maintaining social distancing.

For more information contact SIRCH at 705-457-1742 or email Rebecca_ anderson@sirch.on.ca.

“Thank you to every single community member who donates,” Anderson said. “Thank you for helping our neighbours stay warm this winter.”

Tekrider: government forgets ‘little guys’

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Lisa Gervais

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October 31, 2020

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JQ - TekRider Contract - 1-web — David Brown works machinery at the Tekrider facility in Minden Oct. 19. The business says the end of a government order could force layoffs. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Tekrider TekVest owner Steve Brand answered the call to a province needing medical gear at the start of the pandemic, transitioning from high-end recreational clothing to personal protective equipment (PPE).

The move was costly during a pandemic – Brand said he took out a second mortgage on his home and business in addition to a $40,000 small business loan from the federal government. But with advocacy from the County and the province expediting the licencing process, he was successfully able to start producing equipment, including medical gowns and non-medical masks, in early April. A recent one-time order for 12,000 reusable medical gowns from the provincial government helped further sustain the business and allowed it to buy more equipment. As orders came in, Tekrider expanded from nine to 26 employees, with the possibility of hiring more.

“We did it on our own,” Brand said. “It was the right thing to do.”

But all of that is up-in-the-air with the end of the order, with Tekrider’s last shipment going Sept. 18. Brand said they hoped for an extended contract, but it never happened. With thin margins, he said there is a good chance he will have to cut a lot of the staff he hired to produce more PPE.

“We’re collectively disappointed at the lack of leadership on the part of the government,” Brand said. “Doug Ford says he stands up for the little guy, well clearly that’s not the case.”

Ministry of Government and Consumer Services spokesperson Barbara Hanson said the contract was a one-time purchase order.

“Our efforts, and those of local companies, were a great success with Ontario holding sufficient stock of reusable gowns,” Hanson said.

The province has invested millions in recent months to improve PPE manufacturing supply, such as $23.3 for the 3M plant in Brockville for N95 respirators and $1.8 million at Southmedic in Barrie for oxygen masks and face shields.

TekRider director of community outreach Lisa Schmidt said it is not about growing the company, but helping more people get by.

“It’s to keep a community going,” Schmidt said. “This is not one of the economically most advantageous parts of the province… It’s not like we’re looking for a handout. It would be great to have the orders continue knowing COVID isn’t going away.”

“I could have had an immediate increase of 10 (employees),” Brand said. “But now I may have to reduce in the opposite direction.”

Schmidt said although the government’s move may be cost-saving, keeping local businesses going helps keep people employed and off government assistance.

“There are many parts of the province that are really working hard to build up their local communities. Steve is an example of what that looks like,” she said. “They’re not making a profit on any of these gowns – basically the whole point was to keep people employed.”

With a long history in the military and peacekeeping, including a tour in Afghanistan, Brand said he used to governments acting slowly. In contrast, he said he was appreciative of just how quickly governments moved in April to ensure he and other businesses could pivot to making PPE.

“The government did move very quickly,” Brand said. “Things have changed. I give the government – both levels – high marks in the initial three-to-four months, but failing grades now. Because they’re focused on bigger issues, bigger people etcetera, etcetera, and they’ve forgotten the little guys.”

Watch for witches – at a distance – at Abbey Gardens this Halloween

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Lisa Gervais

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October 30, 2020

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JQ - Abbey Gardens Halloween - 2-web — A picture from a poster for a special Halloween show at Abbey Gardens. Photo via Bass Witch Coven.

Abbey Gardens will play host to a night of fear, fire and magic as ‘The Witches’ descend upon the outdoor area for a socially-distanced show on Halloween.

Entertainment companies NorthFIRE Circus and the Bass Witch Coven are collaborating on a new performance. In socially distanced bubbles with limited numbers, the performers will invite guests on hourly tours through the forest for a storytelling experience, capped off with a fiery display.

“Typically, we always do really big fire shows,” NorthFIRE Circus owner Isabelle Hoops said. “There definitely is a theatrical sense to this one and much more of a story. Walk through the backwoods of Abbey Gardens, might stumble across some witches. There will definitely be some theatrical acting moments. Some scary things can happen.”

The show will feature COVID19 protocols, with staggered entry, mandatory masks and social distancing enforced. The one-hour experience will also invite people to enjoy food, music and drinks at Haliburton Highlands Brewing afterwards. All four performances of the show, running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., have already sold out.

“We are so grateful to the community,” Bass Witch Coven owner Jessica Clayton said. “We feel very supported.”

Based in Toronto, Clayton said she loves Haliburton. The show came about when she and Hoops approached Abbey Gardens about a performance. The local organization was receptive.

“That’s what we’ve been doing during COVID. Every performance we’ve been able to do this entire time is because we’ve asked,” Clayton said. “Normally, during the summer, we don’t have time to catch our breath. This summer was obviously quite quiet for us.”

The two entertainment companies also described themselves as having feminist undertones, which reflects in their work.

“It’s been a really strong thing for us as women working together,” Hoops said. “When I started fire spinning, there wasn’t a lot of women, it was mostly men … When I first started my own company and bringing other people in, I just kept on veering toward more and more women and we both just kept pulling more women into the circle.”

Although their Halloween show is full, the performers said they expect to return to Haliburton in the future.

“We look forward to doing more things like that in the area,” Clayton said. “Filled with more artistic people who really understand what we’re doing. This won’t be the last time.”

Left to Tell: Part 16 – After 75 years

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Lisa Gervais

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October 29, 2020

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By Mabel Brannigan

In the 75 years since the war, Canada, and in particular Haliburton County, have seen many changes – changes made possible by the Allies’ victory and the sacrifices of the men and women who joined the cause.

Even without a war, 1939 was an eventful year. Two-thirds of Canada’s population lived below the poverty line. Yet, many people from Haliburton got to Toronto to see the award-winning movie Gone with the Wind. That year we travelled ‘Over the Rainbow’ with Judy Garland. Great movies helped take our thoughts away from the Great Depression. We danced to such songs as ‘Deep Purple’, ‘San Antonio Rose’ and Gene Autry’s ‘South of the Border’. Kate Smith, America’s sweetheart, bellowed ‘God Bless America’ to the whole world.

At the end of the Second World War, Canada was transformed from a struggling colony into an independent nation, no longer to be ignored. Men and women exchanged uniforms for a very changed Canada, and for a changed Haliburton that would change just as much the next decade.

Although Canada was built on the principle of immigration, the arrival of 48,000 war brides and 22,000 children was a strange sight indeed. While Canada was building faster than Britain or the US, there was a serious housing shortage.

Thousands of new married couples, including myself, got down to the business of starting the baby boom. It was 75 years ago and we hadn’t heard of credit cards, instant coffee, ballpoint pens, pantyhose, fast food and countless foods and goodies considered normal today.

Seventy-five years have gone quickly so it is possible only to reflect on a few highlights.

Queen Julianna and her three girls went home to lead The Netherlands through post-war problems. The Netherlands is forever grateful to Canada for liberation and keeping their queen safe.

The United Nations and Human Rights legislation emerged after the Second World War.

To safeguard medical atrocities, as those performed in the war, the Nuremberg Code was adopted in 1946.

Also in this decade, King George VI died and the present Queen Elizabeth became Queen of the Commonwealth.

Newfoundland joined Confederation in 1949.

Summing up his platform in Unity in Equality, Louis St. Laurent became Canada’s new post-war prime minister in 1948. A new vision of world affairs inspired him to be among the architects of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO).

Another young man in Ottawa, who had distinguished himself as a debater and orator in the House of Commons, John Diefenbaker, attended the United Organization meeting in San Francisco, in 1945. He took office as prime minister on June 21, 1957 and on his re-election in 1958 he received the largest majority ever recorded to a federal party. He is best remembered for the Canadian Bill of Rights, emphasizing individual freedoms as well as the Northern Vision.

Also on the scene at the time was another brilliant politician, Lester B. Pearson. He handled negotiations which led to the formation of NATO in 1949. In recognition of his achievements of peace, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957.

Internationally, Canada’s reputation was known as a peaceful nation. They had the know-how to build the atom bomb, but chose to dedicate nuclear knowledge to peaceful purposes. Mr. Pearson became Canada’s prime minister on April 22, 1963. Canada’s first flag-raising was celebrated in 1965.

Arts Centre Foundation shoots for the stars

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Lisa Gervais

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October 29, 2020

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The man behind the vision of bringing an arts centre to Haliburton County says one model they have looked at is the Midland Cultural Centre.

The Haliburton Highlands Arts Centre Foundation (HHACF) held its inaugural annual general meeting Oct. 20.

Daniel Manley, Wil Andrea and Brent Wooten formed the fledgling foundation in the Spring of 2018. Manley said it came about after orchestra rehearsal get-togethers on Friday afternoons. Michael Clipperton is also on the team.

“There was quite a bit of talk of looking for a place that would be good for us to play in and how the County needs it,” Manley said.

The HHACF was incorporated that December, developed a logo and website, has now been designated a charitable organization, worked with U-Links on a needs assessment, and secured a $5,000 grant from the Haliburton County Development Corporation. That allowed them to hire Melissa Johnston to synthesize and add to the Fleming College students’ report, which is due soon. They’ve also met with arts organizations and held a roundtable discussion and workshop.

Setbacks have included an unsuccessful bid for a $75,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant and COVID-19.

Despite that, Manley said the fiscal year 2020 was a very successful one since, “our three main goals were to officially become charitable, raise awareness of the HHACF within the local community, and to kick-off research.”

He said although they would like to see an arts centre built as quickly as possible, feasibility studies and business plans are essential to understanding what will be the right fit for the County and sustainable in the future.

He said goals for 2021 include growing and developing the board of directors; developing a strategic plan including fundraising, and raising awareness.

Tammy Rea and Beth Kipping were acclaimed as new board members.

Rea said, “I’ve just been on public record for about the last 20 years saying this is my dream before I die so I guess I better put up.”

She added with her HIFF family, including Marci Mandel and Lisa Kerr, “when we go to a film festival and we’re having a glass of wine this is what we always talk about so the whole movie committee is really strongly behind this.”

During a question and answer session, it was asked if there was a possible location in mind. Manley said they have some potential candidates but aren’t ready to reveal at this time. They were also asked about their vision.

“We’re trying to cover and include as many facets of the performing arts as possible,” he said, adding it will come down to funds and sustainability. However, he mentioned ideas such as acoustic shelling, theatre, orchestra pit, rehearsal space, office space for arts groups, a shared library of music, gallery, meeting and small conference space, audio and video for movies, a lobby for drinks at intermission. If in a downtown urban centre, possibly a café.

“Make it lived in, so it’s always used.”

One attendee suggested they study centres in other communities, such as North Bay, Parry Sound, Huntsville and Bracebridge.

Manley said the Midland Cultural Centre “is a really close model of what we’re looking at because they have a gallery and they have a café, they have a concert hall, they have a movie theatre, it’s more configurable and they have a rehearsal space. It’s almost exactly what we’re looking for.”

Clipperton added they have also talked about teaching space and studios.

As to timeline, Manley added it will depend on funding, and could take five to 10 years.

“We want to build an arts centre for all and together we’ll reach that goal,” Manley said.

Minden Hills staff remain in office despite COVID

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Lisa Gervais

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October 29, 2020

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Minden Hills staff will continue to work from the office, not at home, councillors decided during a special council meeting Oct. 22.

The meeting was called by CAO Trisha McKibbin who tabled a working at home policy. It came after the Emergency Control Group (ECG), which comprises senior staff, the mayor and deputy mayor, recommended a return-to-home in the face of rising pandemic numbers across the province.

Following the beginning of COVID-19, staff did work from home until returning July 6. Since then, like the neighbouring municipalities of Algonquin Highlands, Highlands East and Dysart et al, staff are at their various offices, meeting with ratepayers by appointment only.

McKibbin said she’d like staff to remain.

“At this current moment, based on all the safety procedures and protocols that we have in place, I would like, my personal preference is, to have staff, as long as we can, in the workplace.”

McKibbin said the ECG has created an operational guide which lays out the practices that all staff need to be undertaking to ensure all health and safety requirements are met during COVID-19. She cited social distancing, non-medical masks, disinfectant on all desks, in all washrooms, and communal areas. She said washrooms have been assigned to staff and are cleaned after each usage, there’s a visitor questionnaire and sign-in sheet for contact tracing, staff sign-in and staff COVID-19 staff assessment.

She added the policy isn’t just for this pandemic.

“This is a good policy to have in place that lays out the guidelines and responsibilities for any time staff may have to work from home. Whether that is during emergency times or those one-off situations.”

Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell agreed staff should stay where they are.

“I do not see any reason at this time that we would be sending staff home to work again. We have spent a lot of money as a municipality to be sure all the safeguards are in place for staff. It’s a large building. Everybody has their own space. We have all of the stations, even bathrooms individually separate for people,” she said.

She was also in favour of the work-from-home policy, not just for a pandemic, but other future circumstances.

Coun. Bob Carter said there didn’t appear to be an imminent health and safety issue “because we have put into place parameters … procedures to maintain the health and safety of our staff. I’m having a difficult time in seeing why we would go ahead with something like this.”

Mayor Brent Devolin said he agreed but it was worth discussing, “being mindful that this can change in a moment.”

Coun. Jennifer Hughey said the policy could apply in a number of circumstances, for example staff expecting babies, or sickness, so “we should be treating this as an overall discussion for our work from home policy …”

Coun Pam Sayne noted the township is also responsible for home work spaces and Carter said there are also privacy issues with some staff working from home.

Council received the report as information, voted to maintain the status quo as of now, and requested a more comprehensive report to follow. There has not been a new confirmed COVID case in the County since Oct. 10.

Still in this together

By

Lisa Gervais

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October 29, 2020

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Usually at this time of year, Haliburton County’s small businesses are winding down from a busy – and profitable – summer and preparing for the leaner months ahead.

This year, as we all know, is different.

As County director of tourism, Amanda Virtanen, noted at a recent council meeting, we’ve all heard the anecdotal accounts that some businesses had their best summer ever and others were on the verge of having to close permanently.

We’ve heard grocery stores have done well, as have hardware outlets and garden centres. Some tourism outlets say they have benefitted from the mass exodus from the city. But some retailers and restaurants have clearly struggled.

On the plus side, from an economic perspective, we hope the cottagers do continue to come late into the fall and over the winter.

From a public health perspective, we’re a little bit leerier. We only ask that everyone, local or visitor, continue to follow health unit guidelines.

It’s only just recently that we have received some statistics to go along with those anecdotal accounts. Both the Haliburton County Chamber of Commerce and Virtanen’s department of tourism did some September surveys.

The chamber received 2.5 times the response rate of any other survey it’s done. The tourism department had a 20 per cent response rate.

The chamber had half of its respondents say they’d had to lay people off permanently or temporarily. That is a big hit. Business confidence is also, naturally, shaky. But confidence here is better than in cities such as Toronto, where businesses are starting to close their doors. In Haliburton County, nearly half the survey respondents believed in their ability to thrive, versus 39 per cent who said no. Thirteen per cent were unsure. That is good to hear.

The tourism survey also held some positive numbers. More said visits to their business was up this summer, than down. However, more said revenue was down this summer over last. More than 40 per cent said if they’d had more staff they would have done better. About one-third reported a better September to last year.

What does all this mean?

Certainly, Haliburton County is doing fiscally better than some areas of our province forced to retreat to Stage 2 reopenings. And whether you like the fact cottagers are coming more often and staying longer, it has a positive impact on the economy. It is the same for those people choosing to renovate their cottagers to stay longer, even permanently. We are seeing that boom in real estate and building.

Chamber board president Andrea Strano, in addressing the local layoffs, said it will impact the community for many months to come.

She’s right. We will likely see more businesses opt to close over the winter months instead of struggling to cover costs with the prospect of little return on investment. We’ll really see the full impact next spring, when some of those businesses will opt not to reopen at all. Some have said a vaccine might be ready for the spring which will certainly bolster business confidence. But, like all things with this pandemic, only time will tell.

In the meantime, County residents can do their part by continuing to shop local and helping the businesses that have supported them over the years, whether donating to charitable fundraisers or sponsoring our kids’ sports teams. After all, we remain in this together.

Highlands small business feeling the pinch

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Lisa Gervais

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October 29, 2020

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Half of local businesses taking part in a chamber of commerce survey said they’d had to permanently or temporarily dismiss staff due to COVID-19.

It was just one of the findings in a September Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce survey.

Chamber executive director, Jennifer Locke, said many small businesses across the County are feeling the pandemic pinch.

The chamber recently released findings of a micro-survey it conducted in conjunction with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“As our communities wind down from the busy season in the Highlands, this survey provides a snapshot of the local business conditions and attitudes,” Locke said.

She added many local chamber members participated in the questionnaire and as a result there are some regionally-specific results.

Those include getting a pulse of how businesses feel about their local communities and their ability to thrive in those regions, despite what might be a pessimistic national or provincial outlook.

She said 39 per cent of survey respondents said no to their ability to thrive, 48 per cent yes and 13 per cent were unsure. In addition, 32 per cent reported a lack of business confidence in the local economy, while 50 per cent of local respondents lacked such confidence at a provincial level.

Chamber board chair Andrea Strano said, “it is not surprising that half of our local enterprises had to temporarily or permanently dismiss employees; this is going to result in community-level impacts for many months to come.”

She added, “the pandemic has disproportionately affected certain sectors – accommodations, food services, arts, entertainment, recreation and retail have all been hit heavily.”

Locke said regional insights can be further explored on the OER Survey website.

The next wave of the survey is currently underway. The new survey link is research.net/r/2020_Wave 2_OCC?Local_ Chamber=[Haliburton].

The three-minute survey on business confidence, pandemic recovery and government support programs will help inform the upcoming Ontario Economic Report and the advocacy of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Locke said.

This survey was fielded by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce from September 3-23.

Tourism survey results

The County of Haliburton’s Department of Tourism also conducted a survey in mid-September.

Director of tourism, Amanda Virtanen, said the department had been hearing conflicting anecdotal accounts that some businesses were having their best summer ever and others were on the verge of having to close permanently.

“Therefore, we wanted to ask specific questions about revenue and visitation post-summer and leading into fall,” she said.

She said the survey was open for a two-week period, closing Sept. 28, and was sent to all tourism-focused operators. She said they got a 20 per cent response rate. Of those, 38 per cent were accommodators, 22 per cent experience providers, 20 per cent food establishments, 12 per cent retail and 18 per cent other.

She said highlights included: • 38 per cent of respondents noted visitation to their business was up this summer over 2019 (32 per cent said down); • 34 per cent of respondents noted revenue was up this summer over 2019 (40 per cent said down); • 41 per cent of respondents cited insufficient staff limited their capacity to do business this summer; • 30 per cent of respondents said September 2020 was on track for being up over September 2019.