Changing the guard at Haliburton curling

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September 17, 2019

JQ - Curling Club - 2-web — The Haliburton Curling Club is prepared for a new season. Left to right: Curler Rachael O’Neill, director Jackie Bradbury, president Mary Hillaby, curler Sue Pettitt, director Glenn Scott, director Sue Mason, director Wanda Stephen. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

As Haliburton Curling Club president Mary Hillaby prepares to pass the torch, she said she is happy with the state of her organization.

Hillaby and her fellow board members started registrations at the club Sept. 4-5, with new and existing curlers signing up for the season.

After four years of heading the club and making many changes, Hillaby is planning to take a step back into a past president position after the October AGM. She reflected positively on her efforts to modernize the club over her term.

“I’m a very organized person. I wanted to make some improvements to safety, security, communication, which I feel is all my team has done,” Hillaby said. “I just wanted the club to stay alive. I didn’t want to be that rural club that has to close its doors. So, in order to do that, you have to make some changes that are current.”

Hillaby presided over some significant changes, including a new, more flexible season schedule, new equipment, extending the season into April and a push toward an online presence.

“The changes we’ve made, Mary and the executive have made, have really, really improved the club,” membership director Sue Harrison said.

“This is such a well-run club,” director David Moss said. “Everybody’s keen. Everybody wants to get back at it. It’s a great place to spend your winter.”

This season will bring less change, Hillaby said. She added curlers are happy with the formatting of the season.

The board plans to have current vice-president Kent Milford become the next head of the club. Milford said he has plenty of experience on curling club boards and is ready for the position. He added he hopes to get members more involved with running the organization.

“Getting more members involved in what goes on behind the scenes of a curling club,” Milford said. He added he is looking forward to the season. “The club is very well-positioned,” Milford said. “Our registration process is well underway again. I think we’re going to have another happy and successful year.”

“My team has worked really hard and we have made some good, positive changes to the club and people want to curl here,” Hillaby said. “They want to come back.”

Whispering Pines provides new homes for 12 families in need

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Lisa Gervais

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September 16, 2019

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JQ - Affordable housing - 1-web — Officials cut the ribbon for the completion of the Whispering Pines Phase 2 housing project. Submitted photo.

Haliburton celebrated 12 families finding new homes Sept. 4 as a ribbon was cut at the Whispering Pines Phase 2 housing project.

The Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing Corporation (KLH) and municipal officials marked the completion of the 12-unit expansion to the complex outside of Haliburton village. The approximately $3.44 million development was built over a year and filled with families on the corporation’s affordable housing waitlists.

KLH CEO Hope Lee said it is exciting to be able to open the new development.

“KLH has always been working toward ensuring tenants have safe and affordable places to live,” Lee said.

Residents began moving there in July. The townhouses were funded principally by provincial and federal funding, as well as KLH reserves. The County of Haliburton contributed $144,000 while Dysart et al waived building fees.

A woman, who asked her name be withheld, moved into Whispering Pines in September. The single mother said she was glad to be in a new space after moving six times in five years.

“It’s been a long time coming for me. I’ve been on this list a long time. It means the world to me.”

The initial Whispering Pines complex was built in 2013. The new townhouses are designed for families, with two and three-bedroom homes. All but one of the units are at an affordable rate, about 80 per cent of market value. That amounts to $860 for a two-bedroom and $997 for a three-bedroom per month. Some tenants also qualify for a housing allowance to help with costs.

The woman who spoke to The Highlander said it is difficult finding affordable rentals in Haliburton.

“They need to build a lot more of these because there’s a big problem here,” she said.

Lee said she recognizes the demand. KLH has reported its financially assisted housing waitlist has ballooned by 375 per cent since 2013 and sits at approximately 1,700 households.

“There will continue to be a big waiting list,” Lee said. “But I think we have to look at tenants that are there now, that have a place to call home. That is really exciting. Maybe it’s a drop in the bucket but realizing the changes they’ll make for those 12 households is really significant.”

The next KLH development in the County of Haliburton, a 21-unit expansion to Pinegrove Place in Minden, is well underway. Lee said construction tenders closed Sept. 10 and the corporation aims to have residents move in by the end of 2020 or the beginning of 2021.

The woman said the need is still high, but she is grateful to have found a place for her family.

“There’s still hundreds and hundreds of people out there that don’t have homes,” she said. “I’m really happy I do now. Thank God for that.”

Highlands East talks possible fireworks ban

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Lisa Gervais

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September 16, 2019

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JQ - Highlands East Fireworks - 1-web — Coun. Suzanne Patridge said Highlands East council should have a discussion about a fireworks bylaw. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Highlands East could become the next local municipality to restrict fireworks.

Council voted unanimously Sept. 10 to direct staff to bring forward a draft fireworks bylaw. The motion came in response to residents’ concerns about the environmental and noise effects of fireworks, as well as the passage of the Dysart et al fireworks bylaw in June.

Coun. Suzanne Partridge said residents have contacted her about the issue.

“I have brought this to council in previous years,” Partridge said. “We need to take a really hard look at this. Enforcement will be horrendous, so I don’t know where we go. But we need to talk about it, have a serious conversation.”

Members of the Koshlong Lake Association raised the issue. In a letter to council, the members noted Dysart et al’s fireworks restriction – which limits fireworks to select holiday weekends – has split the lake, which is shared between the two municipalities.

“By having both municipalities with similar bylaws in place, Koshlong Lake would be fully covered,” association members Melissa Gordon and Peter Carruthers said. “We offer our very strong support for Highlands East to put in place a stringent fireworks bylaw.”

Acting fire chief Chris Baughman identified several issues with a bylaw, depending on the approach taken by the municipality. He said there could be an economic impact on local stores selling fireworks.

He further said restricting fireworks to certain weekends, like Dysart et al, does not necessarily address the negative environmental impact of fireworks. He added it is not inclusive to people who celebrate different holidays.

But the biggest sticking point identified was enforcing the bylaw, given the challenge of locating perpetrators.

“Don’t write bylaws we can’t enforce. This is an enforcement issue. You could get 10 calls, if we have a total ban, within 10 locations,” Coun. Cam McKenzie said. “Difficult unless someone would own up to doing it.”

Chief administrative officer Shannon Hunter said members of the public would likely want to provide input and present to council on the matter.

“It may be a bylaw that garners a lot of interest,” Hunter said.

The draft bylaw is expected to come before council for discussion at a future meeting.

Seniors complex takes step in “frustrating” process

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Lisa Gervais

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September 13, 2019

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JQ - Garden Retirement - 2-web — Gardens Retirement Development Inc. consultant Greg Bishop and president Bill Mardimae present to Dysart et al council Sept. 9. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Dysart et al council gave its official blessing to a site plan agreement to push forward a new 70-unit seniors housing complex.

Council quickly voted unanimously during a special meeting Sept. 9. to pass the site plan. The approval gives the project at 1 Sunnyside St. what it needs to start lifting an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) holding provision, which is preventing construction from proceeding.

Gardens Retirement Development Inc. president Bill Mardimae thanked council for their co-operation.

“It’s been a bit of a bumpy road getting here,” Mardimae said. “This sort of opens up the log jam to get us going.”

The site plan outlines the details of the development and includes various provisions the developer must adhere to.

With the approval, the developer can now apply to a local planning appeal tribunal to issue a final order on the OMB ruling, at which point Dysart council can lift the holding provision. The property can then be rezoned, and a building permit issued.

The ruling stems from a previous development years ago, which never went forward on the property.

“It’s been frustrating,” Mayor Andrea Roberts said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like this, Usually, Ontario Municipal Board decisions are final, and they are clear, and this was very murky. Plus, you take on top of that time and how many years have gone by.”

Meanwhile, Gardens Retirements Inc. are preparing to do blasting work on the site to make way for future development. Roberts said council would call another special meeting if needed to lift the holding provision as soon as possible.

“This is a really good day,” Roberts said. “I want to thank staff and also Bill for your patience and continuing to want to continue with this project that we really do need here in Haliburton.”

Workshop to help seniors embrace aging

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Lisa Gervais

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September 13, 2019

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LG - bridging the gap. — EVENT --- MP Laurie Scott and MPP Jamie Schmale hosted the last seniors seminar in Haliburton.

Bridging the gap between independence and assistance is the theme of an upcoming workshop for aging adults and their advocates in our community.

Aging Well Haliburton County and CARP Chapter 54, with funding from the Haliburton County Development Corporation, are putting on the Sept. 27 event at the Haliburton Legion.

“We plan for retirement. We try not to think too much about long-term care until we have to. But what about that gap called aging that happens in between the two?” asked Sheila Robb of Aging Well Haliburton County. “Sooner or later, each of us has to accept that we are aging,” she added. “Everyone’s journey may be different with some experiencing few issues and others experiencing many.”

She said that’s why they decided to present the Bridging the Gap: Independence to Assistance workshop. The event is free and will feature presentations on: hearing loss from the Canadian Hearing Society; vision issues from the Haliburton Vision Care Centre; and when to call 911 from Haliburton County Paramedic Services.

A presentation from Aging Well will encourage participants to begin considering housing options and Community Support Services will provide information about supports available to help Haliburton County seniors age in place as long as possible, including the Community Paramedicine program.

The morning will conclude with a presentation from Claire Kadwell, a lawyer originally from the Haliburton area, who is now practicing in Kingston. She will talk about some of the legal and financial concerns that can arise with aging.

Robb said several other agencies and local businesses will have display tables, providing even more information and resources to participants.

After a light lunch provided by the Haliburton Legion Ladies Auxiliary, an hour has been set aside in the afternoon for one-on-one consultation with participating agencies and businesses.

The workshop will run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seniors, their advocates or family members are welcome. Admission is free but seating is limited. Register in advance by contacting Sheila Robb at 705-489-4201.

Playing TAG from Toronto to Algonquin Park

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Lisa Gervais

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September 13, 2019

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LG-TAG — Local rail trail and cycling advocate Pamela Marsales after her first ride on a fat bike in 2013. Photo by Mike McLaughlin.

The Toronto-Algonquin Greenway, or TAG, committee is hosting a reception next Tuesday, Sept. 17 to announce details surrounding a summit they will be hosting in November.

TAG is an initiative to develop the Toronto Algonquin Greenway as an international sustainable travel route.

Promotional partner, Haliburton County director of tourism Amanda Virtanen, explained, “TAG’s founders have curated a series of parks, paths, waterways and rail trails between Toronto and Algonquin Provincial Park. It is a cycling-friendly route, which allows for more cycling tourism within the Haliburton Highlands (as part of the Greenway). Along with initiatives like Ontario by Bike and Share the Road – TAG is a cycle-friendly tourism product that will hopefully bring even more visitors to our region.”

The TAG committee is part of the Haliburton County Community Cooperative. Its mandate is to “encourage, develop and support entrepreneurial initiatives that contribute to the social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being of Haliburton County and its residents.”

In a media release, TAG co-ordinator Pamela Marsales said “Toronto-Algonquin Greenway is being planned as a long distance tourist travel attraction that will benefit 30 individual communities along its route.”

The public media reception, at Rails End Gallery on Sept. 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., is to announce a TAG Summit for Nov. 3-4 at Sir Sam’s Ski and Ride. Marsales said that thanks to a grant from the Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC), they will be able to bring in an international guest speaker.

“Everyone is welcome to learn about the ‘slow travel’ greenway, its international tourism potential, and the guest speakers who will participate in November,” Marsales said. The summit will welcome stakeholders from the GTA to Algonquin Park and showcase Haliburton Highlands as an innovator in sustainable tourism, she added.

“I’m very excited for TAG. This is a big idea that I hope will make a leap forward,” said Barb Bolin, a board member of HCDC.

Marsales is also enthusiastic about the upcoming summit.

“TAG Summit 2019 is an opportunity for the community to welcome a diverse mix of partners coming at our invitation to collaborate in an international tourism innovation. TAG’s particular approach to integrated travel and community development has attracted attention from greenway peers in Europe and the USA.”

Peacock ends her run as Terry Fox event chair

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Lisa Gervais

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September 13, 2019

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LG-Terry Fox run for paper — Committee members, politicians and others gather for the Terry Fox flag-raising.

After 13 years as chair of the organizing committee, and 20 years as a volunteer, Diane Peacock will step down from the Terry Fox run in Minden following Sunday’s event.

“It’s bittersweet but it’s time to move on,” Peacock said following the Terry Fox flag-raising at the Township of Minden Hills Sept. 9.

“Hopefully there’ll be somebody step forward and continue the great tradition of what Minden does for the Terry Fox Foundation,” Peacock added.

The event is expected to pass the $300,000 fundraising mark this year. In fact, Peacock said her family has set a personal goal of raising the $1,900 needed to surpass the milestone.

Looking back, she said her personal highlight was having Terry’s brother, Fred Fox, visit the community in 2018.

Peacock said another reason she is stepping down is changes at the foundation that she doesn’t necessarily agree with. She said she will likely take a couple of years off but the cause will remain true to her heart.

“I lost a cousin who is 11 months older than I am this year to cancer, very quickly and it’s made me realize my family’s important. But we have a team, in memory of a friend who was a national lacrosse member, we’ll keep that up but not be involved as deeply.”

The committee raised the Terry Fox flag this past Monday, Sept. 9 at the Minden Hills township office. The annual run takes place on Sunday, Sept. 15 from the Minden HIlls Community Centre. Registration gets underway about 8:45 a.m., the opening ceremonies about 9:15 a.m. and the run about 9:30 a.m.

County to contract out service delivery

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Lisa Gervais

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September 13, 2019

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LG-service delivery review finalized.jpg WEB — County councillors met Sept. 6 to discuss the latest in a service delivery review.

Haliburton County council has formally given the green light to proceed with a service delivery and governance review.

During a special meeting Sept. 6, councillors approved Warden Liz Danielsen and CAO Mike Rutter attending upcoming meetings at Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills to present their proposal and seek resolutions of support.

Rutter has also been directed to work with the local CAO’s, Angie Bird, Tamara Wilbee, Shannon Hunter and Lorrie Blanchard, to draft a request for proposal (RFP) – to tender out the work to a consultant.

The county will pay 50 per cent of the cost, with the lower tier municipalities chipping in 12.5 per cent each. The overall cost estimate is now $150,000.

“These are exciting days,” said Minden Hills mayor Brent Devolin. “I’m looking forward to the next year.”

Algonquin Highlands Mayor Carol Moffatt agreed it was exciting. She’s also “curious about where we’ll all end.”

In a report to last Friday’s meeting, Rutter said the process would be co-ordinated by the five CAO’s with some involvement from elected officials. He said they would draft the RFP, evaluate responses and recommend a consultant.

Warden Liz Danielsen suggested that short-listed candidates come before county council so they can get a feel of, and be comfortable, with them, since it’s a “very big deal and will affect everything we do.”

Rutter agreed and said CAOs and some politicians will then approve the consultant’s workplan and schedule, monitor the process and review final recommendations for presentations to county and lower-tier councils. As part of the review, Rutter said councils will be called upon to make choices.

“What services to deliver, what outcomes the municipality expects from its services, who should pay for them, whether and what citizens should pay for certain services, whether a service could be provided at a lower cost, whether all the things that go into delivering a service are really necessary, and who should deliver those services?”

Once the consultant has delivered their final report, each council would review and make comment on the recommendations. The decision-making process for any changes in how services are to be delivered would be the subject of a subsequent report to be developed as the service delivery review unfolds.

Rutter emphasized that service levels have to be determined before they can decide on governance. The county CAO added that if there are any significant changes in governance, those changes should be ready to be operationalized at the beginning of the next term of council.

“In order to provide 24 months for the substantial planning that would be necessary to implement a change of such magnitude, it is recommended that the RFP be released in late 2019, with a report back to council(s) no later than Fall 2020.”

County picks five goals for remainder of term

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Lisa Gervais

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September 13, 2019

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LG-county priorities horizontal.jpg WEB — Consultant Erik Lockhart leads county councillors and staff through a visioning session on Friday, Sept 6.

County councillors and staff emerged from a six-hour meeting Sept. 6 with five clear goals for the remainder of the 2018-2022 term.

Warden Liz Danielsen said it was “an excellent session. [Consultant] Erik Lockhart has a very streamlined process that helped us focus on our mission, our vision statement and our primary goals for the term along with some objectives to help us achieve those goals.

“It was very heartening to see that council and staff were very much aligned in our goals for the county and its residents,” she added.

She said the goals are: to complete the governance and service delivery review; to consider placing a greater focus on regional economic development; to achieve financial sustainability and remain in alignment with their asset management plan; to achieve appropriate climate change adaptation and mitigation in partnership with the four member municipalities and to improve countywide broadband service.

“To ensure success in each of these goals we have established a number of steps to take as well as timelines,” Danielsen said.

She said a formal document detailing the overall plan should be available to the public in their November agenda.

“Details of our finalized vision and mission statements will be available at that time.”

Affordable housing an election issue

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Lisa Gervais

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September 13, 2019

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While we welcome the ribbon cutting at Whispering Pines 2 in Haliburton last Wednesday, we continue to worry about the lack of affordable housing in Haliburton County.

In case you don’t know, Whispering Pines is the housing project that is located along the road between Haliburton and Minden, just west of the Tim Hortons. The first phase was built in 2013. On Sept. 4, phase two was officially opened, with 12 townhouses.

The good news is 12 families have found affordable housing as a result of the expansion.

Whispering Pines is a partnership of the federal and provincial governments and the Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing Corporation (KLH). The County of Haliburton kicked in some funding and Dysart et al waived fees.

Another project is also in the works for Minden. It, too, is a second phase. This time to Pinegrove Place, near the arena. It will see an additional 21 units. Construction tenders closed this past Tuesday and the corporation aims to have residents move in by the end of 2020 or the beginning of 2021. All up, that means 33 households will have found housing thanks to recent initiatives.

The sad part is, despite spending millions of dollars on both projects, the KLH has barely touched its ballooning waiting list. It’s CEO, Hope Lee, said that list has grown a whopping 375 per cent since 2013 and now sits at about 1,700 households. Of course, that’s not just for Haliburton, but Kawartha Lakes, too.

The problems are many. Builders are more interested in erecting family-owned homes, versus rentals. As a result, vacancy rates are low for rentals. Since new units can’t match the demand, rent costs are naturally going up.

One thing that has to happen locally is encouraging developers to build more rental housing. We are seeing that locally. Gardens Retirement Development Inc. for example looks to be going ahead with its 74-unit housing complex at 1 Sunnyside St. in Haliburton. And, Greg Bishop is planning to build 40 units of student housing next to the college. However, in both cases, the target market is well-off seniors and students, so it isn’t going to tackle the KLH waiting list.

According to a 2018 story in the Lindsay Advocate, at a municipal level, the aspirational goal for builders is to do 25 per cent rental housing. However, real estate agents say that will never happen. A more realistic goal might be five to 10 per cent. That would help the local picture.

There is some hope in Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan, with goals of increasing the housing supply, greater rent controls and better tenant protection. Minden Hills’ housing task force is lobbying for the creation of more garden suites and accessory units; clusters of tiny homes; downtown revitalization, such as housing above retail; and a made in Minden Hills seniors campus.

With the federal election looming, the question of housing is also a good one for local candidates. Where do they and their parties stand on federal government support for affordable housing in Canada? This truly is an issue that will require all three levels of government to tackle in the coming years.