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Drag and Spruce Lakes continue war on Eurasian Milfoil

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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Jim Miners stands next to a sign at Drag Lake warning people of locations with Eurasian Water Milfoil in 2020. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The Drag and Spruce Lake Property Owners’ Association (DSLPOA) is pulling out all the stops in its fight against Eurasian Water Milfoil, raising more than $32,000 to combat the invasive species.

After years of effort, the association launched a new project this summer to tackle Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM), an underwater plant that has plagued lakes across the province. To combat it, the association has partnered with Trent University to use biodegradable, coconut fibre matting to suppress its growth. It has hired a specialized dive company to install the mats, costing thousands of dollars.

It was a long process for the association, which first confirmed the species at its lake in 2017 and worked to get a permit this year from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to install the mats. DSLPOA working group member Jim Miners said he is pleased with how the project has gone so far, though added there is a lot of work to do.

“There’s no easy solution. There’s no onetime application and we’re done. It has the potential to become an ongoing project,” Miners said.

The plant competes with native species and its decomposition can reduce oxygen levels in lakes, harming fish, Miners said. An outbreak can deflate property values by five to 10 per cent over time, he added. Miners said the plant has spread to four locations in Drag Lake, likely by boating.

“If you don’t take some steps, some way to control the growth of this species, it really is invasive and it really will take over an area,” Miners said.

The organization installed matting this year on a trial basis, covering one-third of a large bed at Harris Beach. The matting is supposed to help starve the plant of resources, though Miners said there is a concern the plant could adapt and grow over the matting. Besides that, the association has also launched a public awareness campaign, spreading information and putting signs up.

Lake steward Bert Bicknell said that has gone well, with celebrity decorators Colin and Justin getting involved with an Instagram post.

“Cottagers have been actively engaged and supportive of the program and have identified additional sites of concern where EWM outbreaks may be occurring,” Bicknell said.

The plant has not spread far in Haliburton County, Miners said.

The project this year must wrap up by Oct. 1, the limit of the ministry permit. After that, the association will strategically plan for its approach next year. Although they have raised more than $32,000, they hope to reach $50,000 to carry on the fight.

“For me to call it successful, I need to believe that we have enough people,” Miners said. “So that we can, together, take on the challenges controlling Eurasian Water Milfoil.”

Local group pushing for better long-term care

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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A new advocacy group is pushing for improvements to long-term care. File photo.

Locals are banding together to push for improvements to Ontario’s long-term care system and call for that care to be under the Canada Health Act.

The Haliburton-CKL Long-Term Care Coalition is a new public group made up of people from across both Haliburton and Kawartha Lakes. It formally announced itself Sept. 24 and seeks to address the deficiencies in long-term care made apparent by COVID-19.

Member Bonnie Roe said they feel bringing it into the Canada Health Act will help address those issues.

“There’s a real issue around the quality of care,” Roe said. “With COVID, it stretched staff, working hours, training. I think it’s just stretched people too thin.”

The coalition is also calling for an end to private, for-profit nursing home companies and a change in long-term care culture to become more resident-centred and rights-based. Roe said they have established contacts in other organizations, like the Ontario Health Coalition, with similar objectives. She said the group is getting a positive response.

“It affects everyone,” she said. “This issue is not new.”

Long-term care in the province came under scrutiny when the military, called in to assist amidst the pandemic, reported terrible conditions at some private long-term care homes. That prompted the province to launch an independent commission.

“Every publicly funded dollar and every dollar paid by the residents of long-term care should go to their care, not to profit corporate entities and their shareholders,” Haliburton member Brigitte Gebauer said in a press release.

Kawartha Lakes member and former federal NDP candidate Mike Perry said they have ambitious goals but there is a great need.

“We need to help our seniors, front-line workers, and families,” Perry said. “To build things back better, as any of us may need long-term care ourselves one day.”

The group is planning its first event in Haliburton Oct. 8, in solidarity with a day of action organized by the Ontario Health Coalition to call for long-term care improvements. Anyone interested in the group is encouraged to contact Roe at 705- 286-2414 or hckllongtermcarecoalition@gmail.com.

Roe said improved standards could help local care providers and prevent situations such as the roof leaks at the Highland Wood Long-Term Care Home in February 2019.

“We feel that the regulations, if they were under the Canada Health Act, would be for all long-term care facilities,” Roe said. “Hopefully, that would help prevent the issues.”

County responds to shoreline bylaw concerns

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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County CAO Mike Rutter directly addressed a letter about the bylaw. File photo.

The County of Haliburton sought to correct the record and respond to accusations of an “underhanded” step in its shoreline bylaw process Sept. 23.

CAO Mike Rutter reported to council about a widely circulated letter from landscaper Michele Bromley, which The Highlander also published as a letter to the editor Sept. 17.

The letter responded to the County committee of the whole meeting doing an in-depth review of the draft shoreline protection bylaw Sept. 9, which Bromley said occurred without enough prior public notice. She also alleged the County modified the agenda after it was first sent, to add the report about the bylaw’s content, which she said “occurred underhandedly.”

“The public is constantly asked to trust the councillors and the process, but that’s hard to do when things like this happen. This feels sneaky,” Bromley said.

Rutter did not name Bromley but reported about an online public feedback process on the first bylaw draft, with further feedback opportunities to come. He also said the allegation that the agenda was modified is untrue and there was a proper notice for the item on the committee agenda two days in advance, per legislated timeline.

“This isn’t something I normally do,” Rutter said. “But I really felt since a lot of the facts were not correct in the letter, and some of the facts were widely distributed, I think it was important to clarify.”

Rutter said staff also sent an additional email to 157 individuals and organizations about the meeting in advance. They filled that list with those who had previously written to the County about the subject.

“Thank you for bringing this,” Coun. Brent Devolin said. “We live in Trumpian times and sometimes it’s important to correct the record.”

Bromley declined an interview request on the matter.

Special meeting coming

Director of planning, Charlsey White, brought an updated bylaw to council based on feedback from the committee of the whole meeting. But with some council questions needing ministry response, they agreed to hold off and have a special meeting later to go through the bylaw in detail again.

White also defended the 30-metre protected shoreline zone the bylaw proposes, which Coun. Patrick Kennedy challenged at the Sept. 15 meeting. She noted the science behind that and how provincial policy already recommends that 30-metre setback as a minimum.

Deputy warden Andrea Roberts said although there has been criticism about the bylaw, her emails have also been overwhelmed by messages supporting it.

“There’s going to be a lot of support for this going forward,” she said.

Women and the war – part 1

By
Lisa Gervais
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By Mabel Brannigan

Struggling out of the Great Depression with 900,000 Canadians unemployed, there was an easy source of manpower for military recruiting and for staffing ammunition factories. But, by the end of 1941, so many men were overseas or had been killed in action that the pool was dry.

The National Selective Service (NSS) was established in Ottawa to tap an unheard-of source, no, not manpower, but womanpower. Prime Minister Mackenzie King told the House that young and single women were most important to the war effort. It became compulsory for women up to 24 years old to register with the NSS.

Selling this program to the public was not easy. A woman’s place in the war was the same as in peace – in the home, and the idea of women making bombs was the last straw. But the NSS persisted by telling taxpayers that women saved them tax dollars because they would do boring jobs that would drive men crazy and they would do it so much cheaper.

The NSS needed only a bit of propaganda to convince the taxpayer and it was found in ads showing women in ammunition factories with the caption, “Brave men shall not die because I faltered.”

Within a few weeks, 75,000 female workers dressed in overalls and wearing bandanas, were manning the lines. Women loved their money and newfound freedom.

I fibbed my age to get into the arsenal in Lindsay to work and can remember the men gaping into the machine plant from the foundry door in disbelief at eight girls dressed in coveralls and wearing bandanas, manning the machines.

Companies began to woo women from western farms and towns to Ontario and Quebec. The government offered day care for married women, and the men received full married tax status if they “allowed” their wives to work.

While Rosie Riveters, Winnie Welders, and Louella Lathers took over these jobs, others took over more male jobs such as bus and streetcar operator. They had to fully take over farms, and in 1942, with women for the most part driving horses and operating machinery, Canada saw record grain crops. As well, new highs in poultry and egg production were recorded.

In Haliburton County, a typical rural area, a lady doctor, endeared to everyone, would purchase the Crowe’s practice when he and Mrs. Crowe went overseas. Later, when Dr. Carroll joined the army, these three courageous souls, Dr. Jamieson, Olga Myles and Sylvia Howard, both nurses, cared for Haliburton County.

Another unsung heroine was Ruth Sawyer, who had operated the Stanhope switchboard since 1928. She had often gotten out of bed at night to deliver a baby or, without the use of antibiotics to perform her unusual gift on children with flu, pneumonia, or communicable disease. Some cures included the Eaton or Simpson catalogue wrapped in a handknit woolen sock and placed in the oven of a wood stove for extra bed heat. Onions, goose oil and camphor were included to make a cough syrup, and, of course, there was the mustard poultice. Laundry irons heated on the stove and wrapped also provided bed heat.

War brought another duty for Ruth. While she had three brothers, a boy she had raised like a son, all overseas, a daughter on active service, when a telegram came to the CNR of a boy killed in action, Ruth set out on foot, always to a mother, either a relative or friend, to deliver the sad news. Ruth and other women like her served their community and country extremely well. No medals were struck for women such as these.

Minden business owner fined for non-mask compliance

By
Lisa Gervais
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The owner of a Minden business has been fined for posting a sign asking customers not to wear masks when in her store.

OPP have confirmed they fined a Minden business owner $880. They do not specify names of those who receive tickets under Part 1 of the Provincial Offences Act but confirmed they had addressed the matter with the owner under the Reopening Act.

Amandha Vollmer is the owner of YumNaturals Emporium, which posted a sign asking customers not to wear masks.

Detachment commander, Liane Spong, said, “in cases where an approach of education and discretion to gain compliance has not worked, enforcement is applied with an $880 Part 1 under Fail to Comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order under the Act. Should matters persist, a Part 3 summons would be an appropriate next step depending on the circumstances.”

Spong said OPP encourage businesses and individuals to voluntarily comply with federal and provincial regulations surrounding COVID-19. She added while education, awareness and compliance are preferred, officers will apply discretion to lay charges under the Reopening Ontario Act.

She said on Sept. 10, her detachment responded to complaints, and it was determined the contravention was related to parameters regarding the mandatory requirement to wear masks and a fine was issued.

The Highlander left a telephone message and sent an email but had not heard back from Vollmer as of press time.

Turning a housing corner?

By
Lisa Gervais
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When the Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing Corporation announced some of its future targets a while back there was some skepticism in Haliburton County.

One of the goals – reported in The Highlander on July 4, 2019, was a plan to bring 5,500 additional housing units to the wider region over the next 20 years.

Contained in the ‘From Housing Assets to Housing People’ report, Lisa Oliveira said it translated into 40 units in the County annually.

At the time, at least one County councillor, Dysart et al Mayor Andrea Roberts, wasn’t entirely convinced, noting there had not been a lot of success getting private developers to jump into the affordable housing market locally.

She was not wrong. The County has struggled to get affordable housing since it has had to come on the backs of municipalities, with help from the provincial and federal governments. Some other charitable organizations, such as Places for People, have been doing their part but could only provide a small number of units when waiting lists ballooned into the thousands across the region. Private developers indeed had little interest in social housing.

Slowly, we are beginning to see a change. Take last Thursday’s public news that a private citizen, Bill Switzer, had donated land to the corporation in hopes of developing 30 units in Minden. It is the first public-private partnership of its kind here. Having land donated makes developing a project such as this – 15 townhouses – a more realistic proposition for the corporation. It also gives them leverage to go to other sources of funding.

The exciting news of the $6.8 million development for a swathe of land between Rotary Park and the Legion comes on the heels of another breakthrough by Places for People, announced at a Dysart council meeting in the summer. Tapping into social bonds for the first time, it is hoping to spend $2-$2.5 million on 10-12 affordable units in Dysart by the fall of 2022.

Those two announcements alone – 30 units in Minden and 10-12 in Haliburton – hits that lofty target of 40 units a year right on the mark.

What is most encouraging about the two projects announced this summer is that there is private sector involvement. That may become the deal breaker to get over the affordable housing hump here in Haliburton County. We hope both act as models of housing going forward.

Of course, there is other development occurring as well. The Whispering Pines housing development on County Road 21 just opened its phase two of 12 units, bringing the number of units at phase one and two, to 36. The units near the Minden Arena are also now offering a combined 33 units. We have seen the owner of Minden Pharmasave get into the real estate game, putting five units into downtown Minden. Other landlords are creating rental spaces. And, of course, residents have been watching the Gardens of Haliburton take shape at the Highway 118 entrance to Haliburton Village, this on the heels of other recent condo projects. It’s anticipated older people will leave their homes in the County to fill those 70 units, thus freeing up valuable housing stock to those who have long been unable to find an affordable place to live.

While some of the lofty goals remain, at least we can see some movement on the housing front after years of frustration for County residents. Let’s hope this trend continues.

Dysart identifies $700K in potential cash flow

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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StrategyCorp made a series of recommendations for Dysart to improve its services, which could provide the municipality an extra $700,000 in its budget annual. File photo.

Dysart’s service delivery review found $700,000 the municipality could make by tackling issues such as short-term rentals, a new strategic plan and recreational facilities.

The Toronto-based consulting firm, StrategyCorp, presented to council Sept. 25, outlining seven major policy areas the municipality could improve on. The review, paid for by a $75,000 provincial grant, also makes comparisons and recommendations for how the municipality could improve on strategic customer service, landfills, sewage treatment and digitizing the roads department.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said it was a big undertaking.

“It’s no longer good enough in the municipal world – and in other businesses really – to say this is how we’re always done it, so this is the way we’ll continue to do it,” Roberts said. “There’s something proactive and great about not being afraid to look inward.”

StrategyCorp’s recommendations are wide-ranging. The company found more than 50 potential improvements, though only flagged seven as high priority, which they focused on at the meeting.

StrategyCorp principal John Matheson said the $700,000 is a conservative estimate and the figure could be much greater. He added the report was not to criticize.

“No sense we’re saying, ‘Oh, it’s shocking this hasn’t been done already,’” Matheson said. “In a lot of cases, the maturation of the opportunities has only happened in fairly recent times … Really valuable things you can do to take the organization to the next level.”

The firm recommended Dysart create a new strategic plan. Manager Chris Salloum said Dysart lacks a true “north star” document which would help improve co-operation and efficiency.

The review comes at the same time StrategyCorp is also working on a shared services delivery review across the County. Deputy Mayor Patrick Kennedy said the two reports should work in conjunction.

“With the County also doing the shared services, we’d just incorporate those things (in that report) that will help us become even better,” Kennedy said. “A blend of both reports will end up serving the community a lot better.”

Other key recommendations from Dysart’s review included:

• Creating service level standards for customer service across the organization.

• Increased enforcement of proper waste disposal, including increased bag overage fees.

• Centralizing construction and demolition at one landfill.

• Providing a unified vision for a new joint-recreation facility and canvas to find potential partners.

• Implementing long-term planning for Dysart’s sewage treatment plant.

• Digitizing more of the roads department operations.

As for short-term rentals, StrategyCorp reviewed what other municipalities are doing and recommended Dysart either implement a licencing system, an accommodations tax, or both.

Roberts said with every municipality in the County examining the issue, it would be good to make the systems as similar as possible.

“A lot of places have figured it out,” Roberts said. “It’s time for us to figure out what works for us.”

Council voted to receive the report as information. Matheson said he expects municipal staff to bring forward separate reports addressing each of the key priorities.

“This is a menu of ideas for you to use over time,” he said. “It will be up to you what makes the most sense.”

Ups and downs at start of school year

By
Lisa Gervais
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Matt Burk brings daughters Avery and Lucy to school at Stuart Baker Sept. 14. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

By Kirk Winter

Trillium Lakelands District School Board staff shared the success and frustration of reopening schools at the Sept. 22 board meeting.

Superintendent of business, Tim Ellis spoke about the challenges board transportation staff have had making bus schedules work.

“We have had to put in an exceptional amount of work to streamline transportation this year,” Ellis said, “and in less than two weeks we were able to make most of the 7000 changes necessary in our routes.

“We are short of drivers and we have already had to cancel a few routes because of sick drivers,” Ellis added. “By Thanksgiving, I expect the driver shortages (due to illness) to be much worse. I wouldn’t blame drivers one bit for quitting considering the older demographic [they] most come from.”

He expects rolling cancellations of buses by October as drivers get ill. Ellis added their transportation partners are only covering routes now by doubling up on runs and using qualified office staff.

Director of Education, Wes Hahn tried to balance his return to school update by praising staff and students and admitting how difficult parts of this September’s opening have been.

“We have made incredible connections with our people as we have tried our best to have staff prepared,” Hahn said. “We have seen different people take the lead at their individual workplaces. Leadership is coming from teachers, custodians and office staff right across the board.

“We need to maintain positivity and we heard really great things regarding our staggered start from staff, parents, and students,” he said.

Hahn shared a story from a secondary school principal “who had never seen kids so settled and so connected with a teacher as they are in the octabloc system that is currently in place.”

“For some kids this is a really good environment,” Hahn said, “with them focusing on the one credit only.”

The director also discussed the Learning at Home program, calling it “a challenge.”

“We have five administrators working day and night to make this a reality. It is a work in progress and we appreciate the patience parents and students are showing. We will make this a success,” Hahn vowed.

Routines around mask wearing have been very good so far, Hahn added, both on buses and at school.

Hahn praised students for their appropriate behaviour on breaks and lunches, stressing how important mental health timeouts are for them. He also thanked parents.

“We will continue to work on behaviour in the community with our students and we will treat it as an educational opportunity moving forward,” Hahn said.

Terry Fox runs through pandemic

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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A group of 10 set out from the Minden Community Centre Sept. 20 for the annual Terry Fox Run. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Without cheers, crowds or fanfare, runners set out from the Minden Community Centre Sept. 20, carrying the spirit of Terry Fox despite the pandemic limiting the event.

Social distancing rules cancelled the traditional masses of people joining to raise money for cancer research, in honour of the famed runner who lost his life to the disease. Instead, the Terry Fox Foundation asked people to join in its first-ever virtual event, having them run or walk in smaller numbers wherever they could.

Minden Terry Fox Run organizer Barb Millington joined with 10 locals to traverse the traditional route and carry on the 25-year event. Last year, it raised $20,500, but Millington said that figure decreased to more than $5,000 with fewer participants.

“It’s disappointing that we can’t get the numbers of people, which translated into dollars,” Millington said. “But we’re doing what we can. That’s the best we can do.”

Runners across Haliburton County participated in the virtual run, joining with thousands across the country.

Despite the circumstances, participants in Minden said it was important to carry on the tradition. Breast cancer survivor Kim Goyne said though the run is not as uplifting without the crowds, the cause needs support even during COVID-19.

“I’m sure I, as well as millions of other people, have benefitted from that research,” Goyne said. “In these times where people’s incomes are very challenged, it’s important we still remember charities need support as well.”

Participant and long-time Minden Terry Fox Run volunteer Joan Taylor said it is an event that is not going to die.

“Everybody’s family has been impacted by cancer,” Taylor said. “It’s just such a moving moment. We’ve lost young people in our family to cancer. I hope they’re there with us today.”

Millington said it is uncertain whether a full-scale event can carry on next year. If it does go ahead, Millington said she could not organize it and they will need to find someone new. But this year, the Terry Fox Run persevered despite the difficult circumstances, much like the person who inspired it.

“It’s important to keep it out there in the spotlight,” Goyne said. “It’s something that helps a lot of people in these times when there’s a lot of challenges. It’s nice to be able to do something positive.”

Heaven’s mystery disappearance could go unsolved

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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Documentary filmmakers Mike Mildon and Jackson Rowe stand in front of their crew packing up equipment in Minden Aug. 14. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Documentary filmmakers Mike Mildon and Jackson Rowe hit a wall in their attempt to solve an 86-year-old mystery.

The pair have spent months working on their film “For Heaven’s Sake,” about their attempt to uncover what happened to Mildon’s great, great-uncle Harold Heaven, who disappeared in Minden 86 years ago. Police reports at the time suggested suicide, but the filmmakers have explored alternative theories. But they said they have struggled to uncover concrete evidence.

After being unable to find Heaven’s body with a lake search and land dig Aug. 12, the two said they are unsure of how to progress.

“It’s hard to know what the direction is,” Rowe said. “We’re re-assessing everything, talking to people, figuring out where the best plan of attack is now.”

The pair have a suspect in mind who they believe may have killed Heaven based on the testimony they have received, but said they have no conclusive proof. They had hoped to find Heaven’s body in a dig on family property based on a ground-penetrating radar scan, but what looked like a skeleton in those results turned out to be an assortment of rocks.

“On that day, we were ready to find him,” Rowe said. “In my gut, it was always closer to 50-50.”

Without a body, trying to prove Heaven was murdered was more difficult. Although they said multiple sources have relayed rumours their suspect may have killed Heaven, nothing is certain.

They said they were fixated on their suspect, but after speaking with the suspect’s family, came to realize their investigation could hurt people. Mildon said they apologized to the family after their production finished and were no longer pursuing any suspects.

“When it comes to family of people named in the police reports, it wasn’t fun for them,” Mildon said. “Many of the family members shared our excitement for solving the mystery, helping out anyway they could, but I’m sure they never thought we we’re going to actually explore their relatives as suspects the same way the police did. We want them to know and feel assured that the intention and end result of this documentary is not that their family did it. And honestly, we don’t have enough evidence to ever truly say who did.”

They left Minden with their crew Aug. 14, without any further concrete lead. Mildon told The Highlander Sept. 23 that they had finished their investigation and were ending their production. They expect the film to release in early 2021.

“That’s something we’re starting to grapple with for sure, is the reality of time and money and people’s willingness to put up with us,” Rowe said, adding they do not want to “become the boy who cries wolf.” “We want people to watch it. Every time we say something is going to happen, (and) it doesn’t happen, no one wants to watch that.”

The duo, whose filmography was primarily comedic sketches before now, said they have learned how difficult it is putting true crime stories together. Mildon compared them to how campfire stories work.

“Trying so hard to make a campfire story a true crime documentary,” Mildon said. “Saying we’re searching for the truth – we were searching for the best story and it just goes back to campfire stories in general. You’re messing up the details a little bit, just because it fits the narrative better.”

Despite the difficulties, the pair said Minden was a wonderful place to film and the community was great to work with.

“It just felt like everybody was playing along as detectives,” Mildon said. “Everyone really wanted us to come to a conclusion and that answer.”

The two said in August they were still determined to find an answer to Heaven’s disappearance – and were not ready to say how the film would end.

“How do you end a mystery without an answer?” Mildon said.

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