Animal lovers give back to Feed Co.

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September 23, 2019

JQ - Great Haliburton Feed Co. - 1 - web — Great Haliburton Feed Co. owner Maureen Adams is closing her business after 24 years. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

After 24 years serving people and finding thousands of homes for animals, Maureen Adams is ready to close down the Great Haliburton Feed Co. Sep. 27.

The business struggled through tumultuous years, with a destructive fire in 2014, difficulty finding a facility in 2018 and the sudden passing of Adams’ husband and store co-owner Charles McAleaney in January. Adams sought a buyer for the business for months, but no sale came together.

The shelves of the store are clear. The last of the pet supply – a trio of older cats – have found good homes, Adams said.

“It makes me very sad that I’m leaving,” she said. “I’m proud because I’ve heard back from people how either my helping them with their animal, or them adopting an animal, had an impact on so many people’s lives. I’m very proud of that.”

The store spent decades uniting stray and rescued animals of all kinds with people who loved them. Now, those people are sharing that love with Adams.

Famed designers and television hosts Collin McAllister and Justin Ryan are two of the people to get pets from the Great Haliburton Feed Co; their cats Beamer and Brutus Small. The pair started a GoFundMe Sept. 20 to help Adams as she closes her doors and enters what may be retirement.

“We’re a business of two as well,” McAllister told The Highlander. “The thought of my partner not being there to support me … we really felt for Maureen.

“We decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign to try and give her a bit of a send-off.”

The campaign started with a $7,000 goal and raised more than $5,000 in three days. Dozens of people have left messages to Adams about her work and the impact of the pets they got from the store.

“Maureen was our black cats’ godmother and has protected and cared for so many furry loving souls. She’s made an impact in so many Hali hearts and homes! She deserves so much,” wrote Claudia and Steven Bekker.

The impact of the business on Haliburton is evident, McAllister said.

“This is a really good, feel-good story, which is why it should have a really good, feel-good ending,” he said.

Adams said caring for animals never made her rich and she appreciates the support.

“I don’t have words to express how grateful and thankful I am,” Adams said. “Those words don’t sound like enough to express feelings. I’m very humbled. They’re very kind, kind people.”

The closure of the store now leaves a gap in coverage for animal care in Haliburton County, which has concerned neighbouring groups like Minden’s Cat Angels.

Adams said she’s shared many laughs and tears with people over the years who she will miss. But she added there are many people out there helping issues like animal welfare without recognition.

“Civilization boils down to lots of people doing small, good deeds,” she said. “There’s many millions that do small things on their own that improve the lives of animals or children or people. We just never see it.”

You can donate to the GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/f/animal-saviour-desperately-needs-your-help.

Minden debates insurance “red tape”

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Lisa Gervais

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September 23, 2019

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JQ - Minden Insurance - 1 — Minden Hills Coun. Jennifer Hughey said insurance requirements are impeding event organizing during a committee of the whole meeting Sept. 12. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Minden Hills council remained at an impasse after a debate about how onerous the township’s insurance requirements are for running events.

Staff presented a report on liability and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) insurance requirements during a committee of the whole meeting Sept. 12. The municipal events committee raised concerns that first-party insurance requirements are impeding event organizers.

Coun. Jennifer Hughey, who serves on the events committee, said this is giving the township a bad reputation.

“There are certain risks I feel we need to take to improve our reputation in the county for being a place where people can do things and there won’t be as much red tape,” Hughey said.

Hughey said the township’s insurance requirements are causing vendors and artists to turn away, creating hurdles for organizers.

“Events in our community have not been as successful and I know there are many vendors who have chosen not to work in Minden anymore,” Hughey told The Highlander.

Into the Blue Bakery is one of those vendors. Owner Janine Papadopoulos said after a lengthy back-and-forth this past summer trying to adhere to the township’s specific insurance requirements, despite years of having her insurance in place, she opted to stop attending Minden events for now.

“I love going to Minden and I would continue to go to Minden. However, as a small business owner, it wasn’t the easiest process,” Papadopoulous said.

She added for years, the township has required more liability from her than neighbouring Haliburton townships. She’s required $5 million coverage in Minden, compared to $2 million elsewhere in Haliburton, which amounts to an additional $250 per year.

Chief administrative officer Lorrie Blanchard spoke about how the municipality seeks proof of insurance from independent operators, contractors and service providers. When it comes to liability, Blanchard said the municipality generally seeks assurance by being named as an additionally insured on other people’s policies.

Blanchard said the township could cover these independents under its own general liability coverage but their provider has advised against it.

“It’s about council setting that level of risk,” Blanchard said. “It’s okay to take on that risk, it’s just knowing you are taking on the risk.”

Deputy mayor Lisa Schell said council should consider reducing insurance requirements for low-risk independents.

“I for one highly recommend those kinds of things that are obviously extremely low risk, in my opinion, that council would have a discussion,” Schell said. “We’re just pushing stuff away.”

Not all vendors have minded the township’s requirements. Boshkung Brewing event co-ordinator Kasara McKay said getting insurance for events in Minden is not an issue for them.

“It’s a pain in the butt, anything bureaucratic is, but if you want to get it done, you do it,” McKay said.

No motion came forward from the council discussion.

Hughey said if nothing else, the township needs to be consistent and communicate. She recommended an information sheet be created to tell people about insurance requirements.

“We need to work together as an organization to make both pitching events and running events a little bit easier and a little bit more attractive.”

Haliburton Dance Academy expands for new season

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 23, 2019

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JQ - Dance Academy - 2 — Charlotte Gage hangs in the air at the Haliburton Dance Academy open house Sept. 4. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Haliburton Dance Arts founder Terri Matthews is returning to a studio much different from when she left it.

Renamed the Haliburton Dance Academy, the studio has doubled to approximately 150 students since Matthews departed in 2012. That has prompted the studio to hire three new instructors, including Matthews, to help with the workload.

“I’m excited after having some time to recharge to come back,” Matthews said. “(Owner) Chyna (Schell) has some world-class instructors coming up to Haliburton. I don’t think people realize how fortunate we are. These teachers are really high in demand.”

The academy held an open house Sept. 4, inviting new and returning dancers to get ready for the season. Schell credited passion for the group’s growth, which allowed it to bring on more staff.

“I really think that the kids thrive when they’re shown how much we care about it and how much our heart is in it. This is home to us and it always will be,” Schell said. “This entire space just absolutely is fuelled by love.”

With growth comes other changes. Schell said the studio plans to run more day classes this year to accommodate different schedules. She is also in search of new studio space for the 2020/21 season to provide more room for the larger number of students.

“We’re looking for something that’s really going to accommodate our growth,” Schell said. “We really want to give them what they deserve.”

Current instructor Shay Hutchings said she looks forward to having new instructors on the dance floor, who can garner more focus than older teachers.

“We’re like the ‘mom voice,’ when they hear us, but they kind of tune us out a little bit,” Hutchings said. “I feel like having new faces and new styles in will be really good and push them.”

Her brother, Wyatt Hutchings, is in his last year as a student at the academy. He said he is excited for the season ahead and reuniting with his classmates.

“It’s like a huge family. There’s going to be some times where we butt heads but that’s just because we love each other,” he said. “Once you’re connected with us, even if you leave, you’re still going to be connected forever.”

“Chyna’s really looking to the future, to expand the studio,” Matthews said. “So that kids, local kids in the Haliburton County area, have the same kind of advantages as if they lived in a bigger city.”

The dance season started Sept. 16

Do you have the right stuff?

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 19, 2019

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With the federal election about a month away, we’ve started our coverage by introducing you to the candidates in Haliburton-Kawartha-Lakes-Brock.

Last week, we profiled People’s Party of Canada candidate Gene Balfour. Today, we have the NDPs Barbara Doyle. Next week, we’ll bring you Liberal Judi Forbes, then Green candidate Elizabeth Fraser, followed by Conservative Incumbent Jamie Schmale.

We’re also working on a Q and A … pondering what we will ask these candidates that will provide real value to readers – not just provide a free platform for their, and their party’s, propaganda.

It isn’t easy. Politicians have always been good at dodging questions to get their speaking points across.

There was a good op-ed piece written by Jennifer Rubin in the Washington Post following the latest round of presidential candidate debates in the States. She wrote that her favourite question came at the end of the debate. “What’s the most significant professional setback you’ve had to face? How did you recover from it? And what did you learn from it?”

Sure, it sounds a bit like a question you might be asked at a job interview. But, interview questions such as this speak to a candidate’s character.

For example, we all know about Justin Trudeau’s run-in with ethics commissions on things such as flying on the Aga Khan’s private jet to his Caribbean island when Canada sends millions of dollars to his foundation. Unless we’ve been living under a rock, we also all know about the SNC Lavelin affair.

We could offer our local opposition candidates ink to criticize Trudeau but what real value is that to our readers? I think we would all agree Trudeau was very much in the wrong on both occasions. So, I would rather ask a question such as, “Describe something you’ve done in your work life that was ethically borderline? What were your feelings around that?”

Often with local federal election coverage, we see candidates simply parrot the party line and wonder if they have any original thoughts. Sometimes we don’t vigorously question those platforms enough. For that very reason, another strong question would be something such as, “Which of your party’s policies do you not agree with, and why?” Or perhaps, “Is there any issue that would make you cross the floor?” It’s the type of question aimed at knocking the parrot off of the perch.

As Rubin rightly pointed out in her Post editorial, “voters honestly don’t pick presidential candidates on the details of policy. They do, however, pick someone they trust, who understands their problems and who conveys empathy.” Arguably it’s the same with Canadian politics.

So, we want to know who is up for the challenge locally? Not just for now, but for the future. Do they know the riding? Do they grasp what’s important to local voters? Does their party’s platform reflect our existing, and changing, values here in Haliburton County?

We know people here are worried about climate change. They’re concerned about health care and long-term care beds. The economy is another key issue, as is how much they have to pay in taxes and what their retirement incomes are going to look like.

But they also want to know the character of those who would purport to represent them.

If you have a question you think we should ask the candidates, please let us know at editor@thehighlander.ca

Highland Wood family upset over travel costs

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 19, 2019

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HHHS File Photo.jpg web — A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Haliburton hospital.

The daughter of a man evacuated from Highland Wood due to roof leaks earlier this year is livid that her mother is not being compensated for the costs involved in driving to Lindsay up to four times a week to visit her husband.

However, Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) CEO Carolyn Plummer said they provided free, out-of-town, transportation to family members and pursued all avenues with their insurer to get other costs reimbursed, but were unsuccessful.

Jennifer Wilson said her dad, Herbert Debes, was forced to relocate to Lindsay when the home was closed for roof repairs.

She said despite HHHS telling families at an initial meeting to keep their receipts, her mom was told last week that she would not be reimbursed.

Wilson said the entire family took turns driving to and from Lindsay but her mom, Sigrid, travelled several times a week.

She conceded HHHS did provide transportation at least once a week, and sometimes twice, but “that wasn’t enough. My mom visits my dad almost every day. She drove two, three, four times a week to Lindsay to be with my dad. That’s a lot for an 80-year-old and a lot of use on her car.”

Wilson said her mother spent more than $350.

“With any normal insurance claim, like if your basement was flooded and you were displaced, that would all be covered … your accommodation. These residents were paying full pop as if they were in their own home at Highland Wood.”

Wilson said she was speaking out on behalf of her family, and other families, since the issue involves “the most vulnerable sector, the elderly.

“This has nothing to do with the care he received but with management and insurance and I believe I really do need to let people know. Others don’t have a voice and are not financially able to swallow all these bills,” Wilson said.

“You can’t stress enough, this is our most vulnerable sector. How are we not protecting these people? Here my mom is 80 years old and was running the roads.”

Plummer said during the evacuation, HHHS immediately made arrangements to provide support to families, including free transportation through Community Support Services and “a number of families accessed these supports.”

She said families asked HHHS if additional transportation expenses could be reimbursed and HHHS agreed to work with families to see how HHHS might be able to support them.

“HHHS inquired with our insurance provider, but was informed that our policy would not cover such expenses. HHHS conducted an exhaustive search to determine if alternative funding sources or supports were available for families, but despite many conversations and inquiries in the months since the temporary closure, HHHS has been unable to find any other funding sources,” Plummer said.

She went on to say, “HHHS will continue to work hard to ensure that we remain in a good financial position, while dedicating as many resources as possible to direct resident, patient, and client care, so that we can provide the local healthcare and support services that our community depends on each and every day.”

School support workers vote for strike action

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 19, 2019

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A slew of non-teacher educators could be heading to the picket line at Haliburton County schools later this month.

Educational assistants (EAs), janitors, early childhood educators, secretaries, librarians, IT workers, maintenance, cafeteria, child and youth staff and speech language pathologists are all members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) that is threatening to strike Sept. 30 if a deal cannot be reached with the province and local school boards.

Members of the local union, 997, voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion for a strike mandate on Sept. 7 at Archie Stouffer Elementary School in Minden. Local president William Campbell said they had almost twice as many members attend that vote as they did for a 2015 strike vote. He said custodial maintenance were 98.8 per cent in favour while office clerical, technical and EAs voted 974 per cent in agreement. Across the province, the number was 93 per cent.

Bargaining is continuing at the central level with CUPEs provincial bargaining team meeting this week with the Council of Trustees’ Associations, the province and a mediator. Talks were continuing as of press time for this week’s edition of The Highlander.

“We’ll continue to do everything we can to avoid a labour disruption, but the strike vote results announced [Sept. 16] are a confirmation that CUPE members are ready to stand up for students, services and workers,” the union said in a bargaining update to members.

The communique, jointly written by Ontario School Board Council of Unions or OSBCU president Laura Walton and CUPE Ontario School Board Coordinator Darcie McEathron encouraged members to continue talking to parents, families and community allies; “tell them that we are preparing for job action so that we can deliver the high-quality services that Ontario students deserve.”

Earlier this year, the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) confirmed an overall reduction of 54.58 full time equivalent support staff positions. TLDSB board chair Louise Clodd, in a statement to The Highlander yesterday, said, “We are continuing to monitor central negotiations. We have not been provided with any additional information about potential job action by CUPE, and for now, it is business as usual in our schools.”

Former church minister to host concert

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Lisa Gervais

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September 19, 2019

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LG-Ed Moll concert.jpg web — Ed Moll performs.

A former United Church minister in Minden Hills and Algonquin Highlands is returning for a visit, hosting an upcoming concert on Saturday, Sept. 21.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Edward Moll served as minister for congregations in Minden, Carnarvon, and Maple Lake.

“That was another life, another time,” he told The Highlander. “I am now a singer songwriter living in Barrie.”

Moll said he writes and sings original songs crossing genres between folk, jazz, blues, and European chanson.

“My beloved wife, an accomplished musician herself, has trouble defining where I fit in,” he said.

“If you can think of Bruce Cockburn, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, and Gillian Welch getting together over a few whiskeys and jamming, you can get the general idea of what I do.”

Moll has a CD of original music produced by Don Bray, “Small Things Shining Bright” and has just finished recording another CD, “Caught,” at Crush Studios, produced by Ray Dillard.

The Haliburton Highlands Brewery will be hosting his concert on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 7-9:30 p.m. Cost is $20. To read more about Edward Moll [aka Edward St Moritz] see edwardstmoritz.com

Music conveys message of hope and possibility

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Lisa Gervais

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September 19, 2019

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LG-fold society concert 3.jpg web — Danny Michel will kick off the Haliburton County Folk Societ season.

He recorded an album on a Soviet-era icebreaker, and played at David Suzuki and Jane Goodall’s birthday parties. Now, Danny Michel is coming to Haliburton to perform at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion.

His concert will kick off the Haliburton County Folk Society 2019-2020 season Friday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.

Society spokeswoman Sue Shikaze said Michel is an amazing performer, and it will be a great show.

“Danny Michel is a multitalented singer, songwriter, producer and filmmaker. He is an artist who defies genres and whose music has influences of rock, pop, folk, world and even classical,” she said.

Shikaze added that in his 20-plus years as a musician, Michel has released 12 albums, including “Klebnikov,” possibly the most northern album ever recorded, aboard a Soviet-era icebreaker. He toured with Stuart McLean and the Vinyl Café, with McLean describing him as, “just fabulous … kind of like Paul Simon in the rhymin’ Simon days.”

Michel has also collaborated with Commander Chris Hadfield.

“Danny’s adventurous spirit has taken him to 25 countries and unique corners of the world. He’s always armed with a story and a song … from the Arctic, to the jungles of Belize, his scholarship program, the environment and more. All this conveyed with great writing, guitar playing and arrangements that convey a message along with a sense of hope and possibility. His music appeals to people of any age,” Shikaze said.

Local singer/songwriter Cassidy Taylor will do an opening set. Tickets are available online at haliburtonfolk.com or in Minden at On the Spot Variety and Haliburton at Halco/The Source. Adults $25, students and HCFS members $20. $30 at the door.

Youth: the Earth belongs to you

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 19, 2019

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JQClimateChangeProtest2web.jpg.25ef1faf — Joseph Quigley

People around the world are preparing to mobilize for climate strikes Sept. 20 and 27.

Youth in Haliburton are planning to join the fray and leave their classrooms for the protest. It is not the first time, nor is it likely the last. It is to them I address this piece and say: join the movement, shout all you can and fight for your future – even though you probably won’t see immediate change.

Young people hardly need moralizing from adults like me, even if supportive. Count this as an effort to amplify the message in whatever little way I can.

Climate change is as real a threat as ever. The science on this is settled. There is no debate on this to be had. The younger you are, the longer you stand to suffer because of this. Drastic, radical change is needed. It is incredible to see youth rise for this cause and it is a sight that is terrifying to old power.

Sadly, the world is not ready to fully embrace this movement. At a national level, people running for our federal office have derided this movement and Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old activist who kicked it off. There are people running in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock who deny climate change or would like to ignore it, idiocy which cannot be tolerated.

Across the world and in Haliburton, there are those who upturn their noses at the protest. They charge parents they have never met with manipulating their children, as if young people have no minds of their own (or as if educating your children about climate change is something abhorrent).

To the youth, I suggest this: ignore them. Ignore those who refuse to heed your voice. Ignore them as you change the world.

But that change can be hard to see. At the end of the day, when you walk away from the protest, the world will likely still be spinning toward climate catastrophe. Gas-powered cars will still line the streets. Business will probably proceed as usual. It may seem like your voice has died in the same air you are defending.

In a world like that, it is all too easy to remain inert. You did not ask for this fight and it is not fair for progressively minded adults to expect it of you. Navigating this world is hard enough as it is. If you choose to stay home, or in class, no one has any right to blame you. It is not your sins which are destroying this Earth.

But I hope you keep fighting.

It will take a mile to gain an inch. The hands of old men grasp too tightly onto the world they have built to suit them. Real change often comes too slowly and is fueled by far too much blood, sweat and tears.

But that world belongs to you. It is your right to reach out and take it from those who wish to destroy it.

I can only ask: fight on. Fight for tomorrow. Fight because change does come, even if beyond a horizon we can see. Fight like lives depend upon it because they do.

Stay determined.

Candidate profile: People’s Party of Canada – Gene Balfour

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 18, 2019

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Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate Gene Balfour is no stranger to elections.

The longtime Libertarian has previously run for office six times – five in provincial elections for the Ontario Libertarian Party and once with the Libertarian Party of Canada in the 2015 federal election.

Balfour said he jumped ship to the PPC because of how well aligned it was with his own ideas about economic priority and smaller government.

“Over the years, I’ve watched the growth of government in general. As a person with as strong an economics background as I do, I see that in some ways as a threat,” Balfour said.

Balfour retired three years ago from a career as an IT recruiter. He has also spent time as the chairman of the Ontario Libertarian Party and is a partial owner of the Hardwood Ski and Bike in Barrie.

A father of two medical professionals, Balfour now lives with his wife and mother-in-law at their Fenelon Falls residence. He said he is an avid athlete, frequenting trails on Nordic cross skates.

“We love being in the country, surrounded by forests,” Balfour said. “We get up in the morning and pinch ourselves, not believing what great fortune we have living here.”

As a candidate, Balfour said he brings a strong passion and understanding of technology, economics and the job sector from his experience as a recruiter.

“I look at myself as the job candidate for this riding. I know that this is a riding that is not the top economically rated,” Balfour said. “Jobs is the world I know. I will come to this election race with a perspective on jobs and what kind of environment will create healthy and prominent jobs”

One concern that Balfour said he has heard on the trail is splitting right-wing voters. He said he would rest easy if Conservative incumbent candidate Jamie Schmale is re-elected
but added he feels Maxime Bernier is the best person to be prime minister.

“If people want to vote for Jamie because they like him and he’s well known here, that would be great,” Balfour said. “I have a strong background in jobs and economics and technology … if enough people see that message, then my chances are quite good.”

The PPC has garnered notoriety for climate change skepticism. Balfour said he shares that skepticism but that the party does care about protecting the environment. He added his opposition to the taxation and regulatory approaches used by governments to address climate change.

“What we should be doing is looking at getting private-sector corporations with their scientists and their engineers and get them to address real climate issues,” he said.

Those who seek a better economy should vote for Balfour, he said.

“If they are really concerned about improving the economic conditions and the environmental and regulatory issues that affect our local economy, that affect jobs, that affect attracting businesses and capital into this area,” Balfour said. “They should vote for me.”