Highlands East should consolidate fire stations, consultant, Loomex Group, told the township Aug. 12 when delivering its final fire master plan.

They recommend closing station 6 in Paudash – and relocating firefighters and equipment to Station 1 in Cardiff. They also urge the township to renovate the Cardiff fire hall in the short-term, and plan for a future replacement.

Terry Gervais of Loomex Group added the municipality should close station 2 in Highland Grove and Station 4 in Wilberforce and relocate to a new fire hall near Wilberforce. He further said they should upgrade station 3 in Gooderham.

Gervais said all stations were built in the 1970s, are more than 50 years old, and at the end of their life cycles.

“Most of the fire stations are currently in poor condition, and some are projected to fall into critical condition by 2029. The fire stations also lack the functionality that is required to meet the needs of the department and the community it serves,” he said.

Gervais added they recognize the township can’t afford to replace all stations, but cannot maintain the status quo. He said they looked at the fire department’s current response zones to devise a new deployment model. The proposed model also included reviews of GIS mapping, vehicle deployment, fire station conditions, and financial considerations.

Loomex Group said the Cardiff station is in better shape than Paudash, and a move would house 15 firefighters. Gervais said Highlands East could sell the other property, as well as unneeded fire apparatus and equipment, to raise money for other fire needs.

As to closing stations in Highland Grove and Wilberforce, Gervais said a new central fire hall could be staffed by 19 firefighters.

“Highlands East should build a new fire station that could be established in a location that will allow the department to provide coverage for its current response zone, as well as the entire municipality,” he said.

Gervais added it could accommodate the department’s current and anticipated needs, such as a dedicated administration, with office, training, and storage space. Gervais said the municipality owns property at 2752 Loop Rd., which could accommodate a new fire station. Again, it was suggested they sell the Highland Grove and Wilberforce stations to raise some money.

They added the Gooderham station is in “relatively good condition” and its location at County roads 503 and 508 allow the department to respond to incidents in the western third of Highlands East.

He said Loomex Group estimated cost savings of $6.4 million in fleet and fire station replacements. That includes eliminating six fire vehicles.

All up, the overall plan contains 33 recommendations, including around recruitment and retention, occupational health and safety; service levels and performance standards.

Not convinced

Coun. Angela Lewis asked what made a building condition “critical.” Gervais said it was based on functionality and operations. “Does it meet current Ontario Building Codes, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, health and safety guidelines?”

Lewis responded, “I just can’t see how you are going to have the same fire services when you are recommending closing two of the fire stations.”

Mayor Dave Burton said, “we will have time to deal with that, Angela, believe me.”

Coun. Cam McKenzie said there were a lot of references in the report of things the fire chief “should” do, which he said backed hiring a deputy chief.

Council received the report for information only.

A standing-room-only crowd filled the Robert McCausland Community Centre in Gooderham recently, as concerned citizens gathered to confront what they think is a growing wave of crime and theft in Highlands East.

Organizer, Todd Byers, of the newly-formed Highlands East Local Patrol (H.E.L.P.), said about 140 people attended, including speakers, MP Jamie Schmale, Haliburton Highlands OPP detachment commander Deb McClure and officer Roy Haddan, Highlands East deputy mayor, Cecil Ryall, and paralegal Krystle Pegg.

Byers said the meeting was, “born from rising frustration and concern among residents. H.E.L.P. was created to support community safety through increased vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement.”

He added, “the meeting served as both a call to action and a platform for discussion on the impact of repeat offenders and what many view as lenient bail and sentencing policies.”

Schmale talked about “Canada’s revolving door justice system. Unfortunately, local police continue to deal with a small number of people who are alleged to commit multiple crimes, many times even when released on bail. This has left many residents feeling vulnerable and increasingly frustrated.”

Schmale said Bill C75 and C5, “can be directly linked to the feeling of unease in our once quiet and peaceful cities, towns and hamlets. Bill C75 gives high priority to releasing repeat violent offenders, while C5 took away mandatory jail time for certain violent crimes.

“As a direct consequence of the government’s soft-on-crime ideology, the number of murders has increased by 43 per cent while gang-related homicides have increased by 108 per cent since the Liberals formed government in 2015,” he said.

Schmale said the Liberals need to “reverse course immediately, stop the madness and implement bail reform for repeat violent offenders.”

During the meeting, one attendee commented, “there’s a sense that our justice system is failing us. People committing multiple crimes are walking free, and our families and businesses are paying the price.”

Byers said, “despite the sobering subject matter, the mood in the room was one of determination. Local leaders expressed support for stronger measures to protect the community and praised the formation of H.E.L.P. as a proactive step forward.”

Byers thanked all who participated, especially the volunteers from The Gooderham Community Action Group, who brought the gathering together.

“This is about coming together to make sure Highlands East remains a safe place for families and businesses,” he said.

The Highlander reached out to OPP for statistics to back up claims of a growing wave of crime and theft in Highlands East but they had not responded to our request as of press time Aug. 13.

If you would like to know more about H. E.L.P., or would like to contribute to the discussion, they have a Facebook Group.

Dr. Adam Wade – a chiropractor for Canada Skateboard’s Fay de Fazio Ebert at the 2024 Paris Olympics – is leading an introduction to women’s mountain bike clinic at Glebe Park Aug. 16.

Wade has a family place on Haliburton Lake and is a member of the Haliburton Mountain Bike Club, which is hosting the clinic this Saturday.

Club president Jason Bradley said Wade volunteered to offer the workshop to area women.

He added it is open to anyone, members or non-members. “They’re going to learn introductory mountain bike techniques, skills, safety, and riding practices,” Bradley said. He added, “you can never have been on a mountain bike before and you can show up Saturday.”

The clinic starts at 9 a.m. and people are encouraged to reserve a spot by emailing haliburtonmtb@gmail.com .

It’s been a big season for the club, which hosted its firstever annual general meeting in the spring. It now has a constitution, and elected Bradley as president along with three directors: Owen Flood, Luke Lester and Graham Borgdorff. The club has about 70 members.

The Glebe Park Committee looks after the park on behalf of Dysart et al. The mountain bike club, cross-country ski club, and snowmobile association all have a hand in maintaining trails.

So far, the mountain bike club has had four volunteer sessions for trail work.

Bradley said, “part of the club’s mandate for this year was to increase accessibility; so, beginners and kids and youth can access the trail network.”

The trails are marked one through 10. One to four are now for beginners, and marked green. They also have intermediate trails, marked blue, and expert, marked black.

“We’ve brought in a bunch of fill and just made them more accessible to beginners. That was our whole idea, so people could have a 30-minute loop to build their confidence and then progress.”

He said they’ve also built a kids loop behind the Haliburton Highlands Museum.

New signage was expected this week for the mountain bike trails sections.

Bradley said they’ve also lucked out with some corporate sponsors, so “good community involvement.” He added that Sir Sam’s Ski/Bike had given club members a discounted rate.

Bradley said the other key thing is group rides every Wednesday night at 6 p.m., for both a beginner’s easy ride and an intermediate ride. “We’d love to have more people show up. Anyone can show up on the Wednesday and people help you, and your ride will be according to your skill level. You will be accommodated.

“You’re in the woods. Membership is $25, which is super affordable. You don’t have to have a membership to ride in Glebe, but you would be contributing to trail maintenance and insurance, which is expensive.

“It’s a fantastic resource we have within Glebe Park. It’s beautiful and we’re lucky to have it and there’s a club that wants to embrace it and have fun together.” For more information, go to haliburtonmtb.ca