A joint HKPR and Peterborough Public Health working group met Nov. 16 to begin talks about a possible voluntary merger of the two health units.

HKPR chief medical officer of health, Dr. Natalie Bocking, said voluntary mergers have been put forward by the province of Ontario.

The Ford government is offering funding to units that want to merge as it works on a longer-term approach to public health that clarifies roles and responsibilities, health minister Syliva Jones said in August.

The PCs proposed consolidating units in 2019, but COVID-19 put the plans on hold.

In a speech to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, Jones suggested the government is again looking at the structure of the public health system.

“We are also going to work with the sector to clarify public health roles and responsibilities to reduce overlap and ensure public health care is aligned with provincial priorities as outlined by the chief medical officer of health,” Jones said.

She added, “we will be providing one-time funding and support to public health units that voluntarily merge, to increase their ability to provide care to more people.”

The health minister also said the province will increase base funding for public health units by one per cent a year over the next three years and will reverse cuts to a public health funding formula.

The Progressive Conservative government in 2019 moved from funding 75 per cent of public health costs, with municipalities paying for 25 per cent, to a 70-30 costsharing formula.

Bocking said they had already shared publicly, as well as with employees of both boards, about the ongoing conversation.

She said the next step is a feasibility assessment “to determine the positive and negative impacts of what a voluntary merger could look like as well as any of the risks and liabilities associated with it.”

She said the working group will bring the feasibility study back to the two boards for discussion.

Highlands East deputy mayor Cec Ryall sits on the HKPR board on behalf of the County of Haliburton and updated that council at its Nov. 22 meeting.

He told council the boards had hired a company to do the feasibility study.

“They will assist both boards of health on a go-or-no-go decision on whether we do or do not merge. And if we choose to proceed, will put together a business case of one-time, and ongoing funding, with a draft report mid-January, and a final report with a recommendation at the end of January,” he said.

County councillors have signed off on the final draft of a short-term rental bylaw that is now headed to the townships for licensing and regulating. Meanwhile, a request for proposals for a third-party administrator of the program is expected to come back to the next County council meeting, scheduled for Dec. 13.

Director of planning, Steve Stone, had presented the draft of the bylaw to Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills. He was accompanied by director of economic development and tourism, Scott Ovell, who updated the lower-tier municipalities on a municipal accommodation tax, or MAT.

Stone said Dysart et al’s building department suggested a couple of changes in the definitions section, for accessory building or structure, putting the size at 10 sq. metres, or 107.64 sq. ft., in line with the Ontario Building Code.

He said a member of the public also raised the issue of short-term rental use of municipally-owned shore road allowances. He said he added a clause prohibiting such use.

Stone said when it came to the question of commercial short-term rentals operating in residential zones, it was a municipal zoning bylaw issue.

“What we’re trying to do here is really regulate the rental of homes very specific to the tenure of 28 days or less. It is the responsibility of municipal staff to look at their bylaws to see if they need some changes,” he said.

With regards to bunkies or sleeping cabins, Stone said each township could put its own spin on what is allowed but the intent of the County bylaw is that bunkies can only be rented out as part of a rental of the whole property, not just the bunkies themselves.

The bylaw now goes back to lower-tier municipalities for final adoption.

Coun. Bob Carter did express some “real concern” about telling short-term rental property owners they cannot do temporary leases if they do not own their shore road allowance.

He said there could be hundreds affected by the rule. Right now, he said the Township of Minden Hills processes between eight and 10 shore road allowance purchases at every council meeting, and he is concerned about staff being inundated with requests. “We are not going to be able to react,” he said.

Warden Liz Danielsen countered people should not be operating short-term rentals on municipally-owned shore road allowances.

However, Carter said he thinks the council will be challenged, possibly in front of the Ontario Land Tribunal. He said they risk losing appeals or winning but it costing a lot of money.

However, Stone said property owners cannot take municipalities to the OLT over shore road allowances, as it is not a landuse planning matter. He noted under the STR bylaw, a property owner can appeal to the County if it doesn’t like a lower-tier township decision with regards to short-term rentals. CAO Gary Dyke said the ultimate authority would come via a court challenge.

Coun. Cec Ryall suggested that, similar to the self-attestation short-term property owners will fill out for licensing, for example that their properties comply with the Ontario Building Code, the townships can ask that people swear they will purchase the shore road allowance in front of their property to get licensed as a short-term rental. Stone said that could be done.

Side-by-sides will not be allowed on the Haliburton County Rail Trail – after council denied a request for a two-year pilot project during a County meeting Nov. 23.

The decision followed a June 14 delegation from Carolyn Richards of the Kawartha and Haliburton ATV associations, seeking the trial. Council deferred a decision pending a staff report. Friends of the Rail Trail also voiced its concerns with the idea during the summer meeting.

Public works deputy director, Sylvin Cloutier, delivered information pertaining to both sides of the debate at last Wednesday’s meeting. He did not make a recommendation either way.

During deliberations, coun. Bob Carter expressed concerns with the ATV associations’ request.

“This trail is intended to be a multi-use trail and I don’t see how I could take my family, children, grandchildren or dogs along a trail where there are vehicles travelling at 50 km/hr. I just don’t think that would be responsible of me to do that,” he said.

He added he believes the trail is too narrow to add vehicles, which Cloutier said would be 64 inches across (5.3 feet). Carter said that would no longer render it a multi-use trail, but just a vehicle trail.

The Minden Hills mayor said it seems there are a lot of trails in the County dedicated to, or used, for ATVs and other motorized vehicles. And while understanding the rail trail is considered somewhat of a spine to access other trails, he was not convinced.

Warden Liz Danielsen agreed. While she complimented the associations on their work, she said the rail trail and its usage has been one of the biggest and most controversial files to cross the County table over the past decade.

‘True multi-purpose trail’

She said what is supposed to be a multi-use trail is leaning far more towards motorized use. She added the argument is it benefits the economy, however, “we might be failing in looking at the benefits to our economy from cycling as well. I just see that the more motorized vehicles we put on the trail, the more challenges there will be for walkers, hikers and cyclists… Naturalists enjoy the condition the trail is in now.”

She also expressed concern with the County’s ability to enforce bylaws, and extra trail surface maintenance costs, including the possibility of having to widen the trail.

She said with side-by-sides being able to travel on roads, “I’d rather see us not do this at all… and for it to remain a true multi-purpose trail for all users.”

Coun. Murray Fearrey also felt it best not to proceed at this time, sharing enforcement concerns. He also thinks it would be hard on the trail surface, causing ruts.

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux said the County has “a wonderful series” of trails for ATVs and side-by-sides. “What we don’t have in the County are any dedicated, maintained pathways for cyclists. We don’t have one apart from the rail trail.

She added, “given the number of kilometres we have for ATVs and snowmobiles already, we might preserve just this one stretch for non-motorized vehicle use, such as bicycles.”

Danielsen said, “I’m generally hearing that we want to retain the status quo.” Council then voted to deny the request.

Three weeks into his debut exhibit at the Highlands’ newest studio space, Haliburton resident Scott Walling believes he’s found his calling as an artistic curator.

‘I’m Coming Out’ launched at The Space, located on Highland Street beneath Russell Red Records, amid much fanfare Nov. 1. It’s a compilation of 37 works by eight artists, ranging from paintings and sculptures to live, in-person performances.

An artist who dabbles in various mediums, from painting and photography to metalwork, Walling has long dreamed of establishing a local showroom that caters to everyone

“There aren’t many places for up-and coming artists to showcase their work, especially in smaller, rural communities. There are no labels at The Space – it’s just somewhere that, hopefully, can bring some attention to the amazing talent we have here in the County,” Walling said.

In preparing for his inaugural show, Walling welcomed submissions from friends and acquaintances familiar to him from his years living and working in the area, and from completing programs at the Haliburton School of Art + Design.

The result was a display that he said fit like a glove.

“I had been thinking about putting artists together that are kind of in the same circles, but hadn’t necessarily been showing together, or worked together before. I knew in my mind what I wanted to achieve, but when I was done, I was blown away by how everything pieced together,” Walling said. “I keep using the word ‘serendipity’ to describe it, because it felt like the pieces, where I placed them, came together almost on their own.”

There is a Raku pottery piece designed by Renee Woltz, a fractured plate reassembled, that fits perfectly with a pair of wood panel paintings completed by Sophie Creelman. Across the room, one of Walling’s hanging metal sculptures complements a set of David Partridge’s large pixel paintings.

“It looks like we had each collaborated with one another to come up with this larger display, but we had no prior communication. It’s quite amazing how people’s works matched so well together,” Walling said.

Other featured artists include Tiffany Howe, Zach Warne, and Jake Walling. Poet Ever has been a recurring presence, bringing three interactive performances to life this month. They will be back at The Space Nov. 26 for a special exhibition reception, headlined by musical performances by Evangeline Gentle. The event will run from 6 to 10 p.m. and will also include a curator talk, hosted by Walling, and snippets from the artists discussing their works.

‘I’m Coming Out’ will run for three more days before ending, Nov. 24 to 26 from noon until 6 p.m.

“It’s been an amazing ride this month. I’m ecstatic with how it’s all gone. I’m buzzing every time I’ve been in there. It’s been nice having people stop in, walking around the works with me and giving me the opportunity to talk about the amazing pieces featured – it’s been everything I hoped it would be,” Walling said.

Another exhibit, this one festively-themed, will debut Dec. 1 and will provide locals with an opportunity to find the perfect unique Christmas gift for a friend or loved one. ‘Deck the Halls’ will run Wednesdays, through Sundays until Dec. 23.

To keep up with the offerings at The Space, follow on Instagram at thespace_hali.

The U11LL Carquest Highland Storm participated in their home Silver Stick tournament this past weekend in Haliburton.

The Storm started the tournament off with an early game at 8 a.m. against Bancroft. This game was a hard-fought affair. Bancroft opened the scoring half-way through the first period. The Storm answered with two shorthanded goals by Reed Brown less than a minute apart. The goals were assisted by Nolan Frybort, Brayden Collins and Harper Hamilton. Bancroft responded at the beginning of the second and nearing the end of the period, the Storm answered back with a goal by Jaxon Demerchant, assisted by Brown and Hamilton. There was no more scoring until late in third when Bancroft scored twice to take the 4-3 win.

In game two, the Storm faced off against eventual tournament champs Apsley. The Storm tried their best but lost in the end. The scoring for Apsley was held in check by amazing goaltending by Nathan Lowe. The Storm was able to sneak two goals by the Apsley goalie, from Brown and Demerchant, assisted by Kora Reid and Madison Foisey

In the third and final game, the Storm played Ennismore. The Storm won this game 9-6. The Storm had the following goals: by Brown (4), Demerchant (2), Reid, Foisey, and the game-winner by Raelyn Adlam. Goals were assisted by Brown, Adlam, Reid, Frybort, Bobby Walker and Hamilton. The Storm fell a little short to play in the finals, however they showed great determination and never gave up.

The Haliburton County Huskies shared some pre-Christmas cheer Nov. 18, giving the hometown fans a 5-1 win over the North York Rangers.

A couple of Husky players appeared in the Minden Hills Santa Claus parade earlier in the day as a festive crowd of 511 filled the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena.

Fresh off of the Eastern Canada Cup, blue and white captain Patrick Saini had early jump, as he opened the scoring at 9:59 of the first, with assists to line-mates, Ian Phillips and Ty Petrou.

The Huskies scored the lone goal of the second, as Nicholas Lamont potted one, with helpers to Lucas Vacca and Saini.

Noah Lodoen scored his first Husky goal at 4:42 of the third, from Saini and Jack Staniland.

The Rangers’ Carson Brown broke Husky goalie Brett Fullerton’s bid for a shutout, though he would go on to save 23 of 24 North York shots.

But, on route to 45 shots, the Huskies scored two more: Lodoen, from Aidan Yarde and Vacca and then Isaac Larmand, his first goal of the season, from Adam Smeeton and Lucas Marshall to make it a 5-1 game.

Saini told The Highlander it was a busy week after he and Petrou played four games in the Eastern Canada Cup before hitting the ice last Friday and Saturday, and again this past Wednesday. (Game not complete as of press time). Saini scored two goals and two assists in the showcase, while Petrou had a goal and an assist. The team, coached by Ryan Ramsay, had two wins and two losses.

“Obviously, it was good. It was also really nice to have Ty Petrou there. It’s always nice to have a teammate when you go to one of those things because there are so many variables, especially a linemate. I was pretty happy with it. I had a really good experience,” Saini said.

The captain added he feels good and is enjoying playing with Petrou and Phillips.

“That takes some of the stress off and kind of makes it easier just to skate around and be a little looser when you have two great players with you who really make it easy for me to do what I want to do out there.”

Commenting on the team playing at about .500, Saini said, “we’re ready to take that next step and win a bunch in a row, and I think we can make a pretty good run here and jump up the standings.

“I think everyone knows we’re not where we want to be right now, and we’ve expressed that in the room, but I think if you look too far ahead you start to suffer the game that you’re playing, so I think you have to be present and play in the moment, take one game at a time, but also understand that every game we’re pushing towards a common goal of jumping up in the standings and eventually winning a championship.”

Collingwood 4 Huskies 0

The Huskies came out of their mini-break Nov. 17 with a tough 4-0 loss to the red-hot Collingwood Blues.

The home team got off to an early lead at 9:02 of the first, off the stick off Calum Chau. In the second, Lucas Texmo padded the lead to 2-0. In the third, Spencer Young scored at 8:54 and Cameron Eke late, at 18:39, to seal the deal.

Fullerton turned aside 26 of 30 shots, while his counterpart, Noah Pak, saved all 19 of the blue and white attempts.

Saini said, “obviously, they’re a good team but I don’t think we performed very well. We weren’t happy with it as a group. I think we’re right there. We start putting together some things here and we can definitely give those guys a run for sure.”

Next up: The Huskies host the Aurora Tigers Nov. 25 for the Pink in the Rink Conquer Cancer event. Puck drop is 4 p.m. at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena.

Brett Fullerton prepares for an Eric He shot on goal.

The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School junior boys volleyball team are consolation winners after hosting COSSA Nov. 16 in Haliburton.

The boys lost their first match to Quinte West last Thursday morning. However, they rebounded with a consolation victory over the Kenner Rams in the afternoon, to finish third.

The Thursday morning loss was the team’s only defeat this season.

Coach Justin Collins said COSSA third was an accomplishment although, “there was certainly a feeling of disappointment in the moment. But I know in talking with a lot of the guys after the fact, there was a huge sense of pride in the fact we had a goal of being the Kawartha champions and we were able to achieve that. I think there was a feeling of motivation for next year knowing Kawartha champions is really good but now we have a taste for it and our eyes are certainly open on something bigger.”

The team comprised Graham Backus, Josh Scheffee, Owen Whittaker, Caleb Manning, Chase Winder, Benjamin McMahon, Carlito Barbosa, Hudson Horsley, Atticus Jorritsma, Isaac Borgdorff, Deegan Davison and Fynn Gooley.

Collins said he and co-coach Mike Gaffney set a goal two years ago to lay the foundation for a team that was not going to be “one and done” but that they would build a volleyball program at HHSS that is going to be continuously competitive.

“My hope is that it’s something the community can get behind. I’ve had a lot of really good feedback from people that came up and said ‘we saw that game and my son was watching it, he didn’t know volleyball was so cool’ and stuff like that. There’s some really good messaging there,” Collins said.

The face of sports is changing at HHSS with no football and hockey this year.

With volleyball, Collins said it is not something a lot of athletes have access to. The closest club program is in Peterborough. They have one team member who travels to Barrie to play. “For the majority of our students, this is their only access to volleyball.”

He said he and Gaffney are happy to be building the program. “And my hope is that it sparks something in the school, sparks something in incoming athletes, so playing volleyball at Hal High is something they aspire to be part of.”

The coach said this team has chemistry.

“They are, to say friends, is an understatement. This is a brotherhood. They are together in the halls, they sit together in classes, they eat lunch together. This isn’t a situation where the season ends and I won’t see you again until next September. Some really good bonds have been formed.”

Collins credited the turnaround to a real commitment to work the student athletes have put in. He noted that was not just during the season. He said the Grade 10s have been working since last season ended. “We’ve got guys who have been training all year to get ready for this because they didn’t want another bad season. They wanted to be competitive this year. The guys have worked really hard. We talked about the turnaround, they earned it.”

Collins said he’s proud of the team.

“There’s a sense of unfinished business and I know one through 12 and both coaches are excited to get back to work next year.”

Hudson Horsley goes up high to hit the ball in the consolation final.

After watching his Red Hawks junior girls’ basketball team win a Kawartha A Championship in its first season together, coach Mike Rieger is excited about the future of the program he’s attempting to rebuild.

The team wrapped up its season with an appearance at the COSSA regional championships Nov. 15, losing 36-18 in the semi-finals to the North Hastings Huskies of Bancroft.

While the young Red Hawks went 2-7 on the season, there was plenty to be proud of, Rieger noted – not least the Kawartha A Championship trophy they hoisted on home court Nov. 6, after a 26-15 victory over Peterborough’s Kenner Rams.

“These girls came such a long way in a short period of time. For some of them, it was their first time playing organized basketball,” Rieger said. “They were able to pick up a lot in terms of having three or four different defensive sets to switch between, which was one of our big strengths this year and helped us win that Kawartha title.”

This was the first junior girls’ basketball team in Haliburton for over a decade. Rieger coached a varsity squad last year, made up largely of graduating Grade 12 students, but felt there was enough young talent to establish a program.

With nine committed players – Hazel Jones, Freyja Neumann-Rowe, Haydyn Aggett, Rosie Lafleur, Renato D’Ambrosio, Tory Byrnes, Maddy Walker, Jordanna Jennings, and Jordyn Hurd – the group gathered for practices starting in mid-September. The focus then, Rieger said, was on developing the fundamentals – passing, dribbling, and shooting.

Their opening two games of the season ended in high-scoring defeats to I.E. Weldon and LCVI, two larger schools from Lindsay. Later practices centred on defence, and though the Red Hawks suffered three further defeats – to Peterborough’s Crestwood and Adam Scott Oct. 5, and at home to the Fenelon Falls Falcons Oct. 12, Rieger saw progress.

Their hard work paid off Oct. 26 with a 35-27 win on the road over Kenner, giving the team home advantage for the Kawartha A championship.

Rieger was proud that the team secured wins in both games against the only other ‘A’ designated school in the division. In high school sports, a team is classified as A, AA, or AAA based on the school’s student population.

Now the girls have a base level of skills, Rieger said they’re excited to return next season to test themselves against the better teams.

“With this group being so young, the hope is that having them come back for three, four more years, they will continue building and developing,” Rieger said. “The girls are hungry. They’re looking at the bigger schools and trying to chase them down.”

After seeing the positive feeling the championship win generated throughout the school community, Rieger hopes it can be the catalyst for not only a revitalized basketball program, but a resurgence of all extracurricular sports post-pandemic.

“We know in Haliburton, pretty much for any sport, that it’s a four-year process to get a program up and running. We’re in the early stages here, so to get off on the right foot with a great group of girls and have a really positive result at the end of year one – those are the blocks you need to put together successful programs and foster that sporting spirit.

“Being involved in sports feeds into so many other things these students do. It keeps them organized, builds teamwork and determination. And it’s a great way for them to make new friends, and become a bigger part of the school community,” Rieger added.