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Seasons change

By
Jack Brezina
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There is always a tinge of sadness when Labour Day comes around on the calendar.

The holiday weekend marks the end of one of the last flings of the summer. The colour showing on some of the trees and the light fading too soon in the evening, the cooler temperatures, even hints of frost to come … yes summer is indeed just about done. The boat trailers and packed cars heading south Labour Day weekend, a reverse of the parade north in May, provide more signals of summer’s end. Those who haven’t closed up their cottages, know that the next visits will require sweaters and windbreakers with the bathing suit folded and tucked away for another year.

It was a summer in which the extra layer of concern brought on by COVID-19 made things a little trickier for everyone. While cottages provided ideal hide-aways, places to avoid the crowded cities, gatherings in town or with neighbours were tentative and reserved. Masks were de rigueur as shoppers lined up outside stores, for the most part, six feet separating one patient customer from the next, waiting for the nod from the door monitor, grabbing a freshly wiped cart and following the arrows. Restaurants pushed their service out of doors, commandeering the fresh air, while inside, tables carefully distanced, offered another option when the weather was not conducive to alfresco dining.

Municipal council sessions, church services, family get-togethers and all manner of meetings moved on-line, with Zoom taking on a whole new meaning … and it appears those sorts of gatherings are destined to remain in that format for some time to come.

Missing from the summer scene: just about every activity and event that makes this a vibrant community. Without live theatre, opera, festivals, agricultural fairs, and outdoor events predicated on a large gathering, the vibe in the community wasn’t quite the same. Attempts to bridge the gap with drive and boat-in events had some appeal, but fell short of the full-blown events. Children of the internet age were able to discover, with their parents, the magic of movies on a big outdoor screen while curled up with their family in cars. The artists of our community continue to be productive and present their work individually or as part of weekend tours.

Labour Day also heralds a return to classes for students of all ages. New beginnings and exciting challenges await them and their parents this year, as they juggle the staggered opening schedule, many new rules and wrestling with the decision to go back to a classroom or continue with at home, on-line education. There appear to be no easy answers.

As summer fades into the most colourful season of the year, there is another tinge of worry in the air. So far, we have confronted this pandemic during a period of hospitable weather. With the arrival of winter, the social distancing and restrictions of large gatherings will increase the isolation that many have found emotionally draining even in good weather. Reaching out to neighbours and friends, looking for opportunities and contacts now, will help ease the burden we will all feel as the fight continues through the coming winter. We have come this far and can find common cause as we forge ahead together

Minden Hills projects ‘sizeable’ budget surplus

By
Lisa Gervais
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File photo.

The Township of Minden Hills is projecting a sizeable surplus at year end, director of finance/treasurer Lorrie Blanchard told the Sept. 10 committee of the whole meeting.

Reporting up to July 31, 2020, she said the municipality was showing a $918,452.23 overall surplus. Of that, the general surplus is $767,195.43 and the water and wastewater department surplus $151,256.80.

She said overall expenditures are below anticipated 2020 budgeted amounts due to a number of factors.

They included wages and benefits, at $322,530.

“And that is due to positions that we still continue to try to recruit for,” Blanchard said.

There was also a significant amount of money not spent on major equipment purchases, repairs and maintenance, and capital, materials, supplies, and building repair and maintenance, totaling $364,100 combined.

Blanchard noted various revenues are also below anticipated 2020 budgeted amounts due to COVID-19, such as not accepting landfill items for a period of time during the pandemic, impacts on building permits and planning application fees; decreased interest due to outstanding taxes; cancellation of events and programs; and the arena closure this year.

She said COVID-related costs were about $82,935, primarily for wages and benefits. However, she noted that had been offset by Provincial Safe Restart Agreement Funding.

As far as revenue from taxation, she added, “folks have decided to go ahead and pay their taxes for the most part, which is very good news.”

Last year, the township ended 2019 with a $528,000 surplus.

“Short of something significant presenting itself that would incur significant expenditures to the township … we’re looking at another sizeable surplus I would say for 2020,” Blanchard said.

Coun. Bob Carter commented, “one of the things is obviously our wages and benefits. We still have vacancies and in fact we have more vacancies [since the report] so that number is not going to be used up and will continue to increase.”

He added, “one of the things we have to be careful of for 2021 is the fact we can’t have our normal projects plus all the projects that we missed in 2020. We probably just don’t have the physical manpower and administrative power to be able to handle all those projects, so we’re really going to have to take a hard look at what is realistic. There’s no use budgeting for X million dollars’ worth of projects when you don’t have the manpower to be able to accomplish that. It just becomes bad budgeting.”

Opera Studio ‘love letter’ concert cancelled

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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Tenor River Guard and soprano Lauren Margison will perform at an outdoor Highlands Opera Studio concert on Sept. 20 in Haliburton. Photos submitted.

Highlands Opera Studio’s 2020 season was “an enormous success” despite the pandemic, says Valerie Kuinka.

She added they are planning an outdoor concert Sept. 20 to thank and support the community. However, the concert was cancelled Sept. 19 due to the province increasing limits on private outdoor gatherings, decreasing it from 100 to 25.

HOS invites up to 25 emerging operatic talents to the Highlands each summer to train with leading opera professionals from around the world and perform in several local concerts. The program is operated by internationally-acclaimed Canadian tenor Richard Margison and former Metropolitan Opera stage director Kuinka, who serve as artistic director and general/co-artistic director, respectively.

The program ran online this year, with 17 participants. However, they could not train in Haliburton, and there were no performances to raise money.

Kuinka said the pandemic brought operatic careers to an abrupt halt and is causing significant psychological damage, but also gave participants time to slow down and reflect.

“The priority was on positivity, clarifying and realigning personal career goals, building skills, and looking toward making positive change through opera,” said Kuinka.

Conversations focused on topics such as personal and professional reflection and growth, emotional health, community, adaptability, systemic racism in opera, and vision for the future of professional opera. As part of that future, HOS also officially launched the HOS Racial Equity Advisory Council, which had been several months in the making.

Participant Geoffrey Schellenberg, a baritone from Vancouver, said in a Facebook video that HOS provided “absolutely incredible resources” that changed everything about his singing for the better.

“This is more important than ever now when performing is very limited,” said Schellenberg. “[To] have something that is as inspiring and as helpful as Highlands Opera Studio really makes a difference in all of its participants’ lives.”

The success extended to funding, where the pandemic had a lesser effect than it might have done. This was in part due to existing and new sponsors and supporters such as BMO Financial Group, the Azrieli Foundation, and Haliburton County Development Corporation, but also due to very dedicated private donors, many of them local. HOS is extremely grateful to all, said Kuinka.

The concert was planned as a “love letter” to the community because the usual performances and community interaction are “a very important half” of the program and they were deeply missed, said Kuinka.

“This little moment is going to be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect in a small way with the community.”

Soprano Lauren Margison and tenor River Guard was to perform a variety of music styles with pianist Stéphane Mayer . at the Head Lake Park bandshell in Haliburton.

Although the concern is not going ahead, the studio said it would record much of the music that was going to be performed and post it in social media.

“We will continue to miss all of you and will bring this concert to you as soon as possible!” HOS said in an email.

HOS has been operating since 2007. The program is valued at up to $15,000 per participant and is free to Canadians. The housing costs generally charged to international participants may be offset by sponsorships.

This season’s participants have been invited to return next year. To learn about 2021 performances and buy passes, visit highlandsoperastudio.com.

If a tree falls

By
Lisa Gervais
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Does the County of Haliburton need a new shoreline preservation bylaw?

Yes.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2020, the County of Haliburton has received 114 shoreline tree preservation bylaw property complaints. That’s more than double the concerns from last year.

To be crystal clear, the County has a shoreline tree preservation bylaw. However, staff and councillors are now working on a new, far more reaching, shoreline preservation bylaw.

According to the County, every complaint has been followed up with the owner.

We’ve been told staff have completed 199 site visits. Some sites require return visits. There have been 17 stop work orders. There have been five tickets issued. There are currently 20 sites where staff are working with owners to remediate damage and replant. And, there are 15 sites where remediation and tree planting is completed. There have been 11 forestry permits issued.

The County has a contract with Kestrel Forestry to provide bylaw enforcement for the shoreline tree preservation bylaw. Going forward, staff have been asked to provide ideas in the draft 2021 budget on the impacts of this new bylaw and what that looks like will be determined by the final content of a bylaw, should it come into effect.

The folks at the County would not say that people are rushing out to alter their shorelines because they know this new bylaw is in the works. However, they think that due to COVID, more people are around and paying attention to what their neighbours are doing. In addition, more people have time at their property to do work they may have put off.

Regardless, the numbers are high and should be a concern in a County that relies heavily on the health of its lakes for a thriving economy.

Is the County going about this new bylaw in the right way?

That is a bit more questionable. Michele Bromley of Boshkung Tree Service doesn’t think so. In a letter to the editor in today’s Highlander, she said they only found out about the agenda item on Sept. 7 for the Sept. 9 meeting and it was not handled in the way they said they expected it to be. She said they didn’t anticipate councillors to go through it line-by-line.

County Coun. Andrea Roberts said it’s probably the most controversial thing that the County has put forward in its current term of office. As such, the councillors have to make sure they are fully engaged with the Haliburton County Home Builders Association and the group of six landscaping businesses that have banded together to fight for what they believe should be a more sensible bylaw.

While councillors had foreshadowed a line-by-line review, and could argue their approach should have been anticipated, they must communicate with the affected parties beyond what would be considered normal protocol. Otherwise, they open themselves up to criticisms of a lack of transparency.

What the builders and landscapers need to know, or be told, is that the line-by-line review will deliver a final draft bylaw, which will then be presented to the public for its input. It is not the end of the process. Nevertheless, one should never presume that the public knows its way around the machinations of municipal government. For the most part, it does not.

So, should the County have a new shoreline preservation bylaw? Yes. Could County councillors and staff do a better job of working with the HCHBA and landscapers? Yes.

To be crystal clear once again: an updated draft of the bylaw is expected at the next council meeting Sept. 23. We encourage all interested parties to log onto the Haliburton Civic Web site and follow the prompts to find the meeting agenda. Fair warning: sometimes they are only posted a few days before the meeting. If you have any thoughts or concerns, contact your councillors. That’s why you elected them.

Korean War veterans honoured

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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Highlands East Korean War veterans James Lee and Chuck Viner (left) were honoured by Korean Veterans Association of Canada Unit 26 project director HooJung Jones Kennedy Sept. 11. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

After putting his life on the line to protect South Korea during the Korean War, Tory Hill resident James Lee was honoured with an Ambassador for Peace Medal Sept. 11.

Government, Legion and Korean Veterans Association officials gathered at the Wilberforce Legion branch to honour the 92-year-old. Korean Veterans Association of Canada Unit 26 project director HooJung Jones Kennedy bestowed him with the commemorative medal, issued by the Republic of Korea to those who served there during the war.

Lee said he was surprised to be awarded.

“Lot of people probably deserve it more than I do,” Lee said. “Guess I’m lucky to be able to receive it.”

Lee was honoured alongside fellow Highlands East Korean War Veteran Chuck Viner, who previously received his medal during a Korean War revisit program in 1986. Dignitaries gave speeches and discussed the history of the Korean War and the 26,791 Canadians who served during it.

Korean Veterans Association of Canada member and retired Major Don Kennedy said the medal is made with pieces from the barricades at the demilitarized zone splitting North Korea and South Korea.

“What it signifies is James and Chuck and other veterans, they formed a barrier with their bodies across the Korean peninsula,” Kennedy said. “By doing so, they saved South Korea.”

Federal dignitaries also offered letters of appreciation, including Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schmale and Senator and honorary patron of the Korean Veterans Association of Canada Heritage Unit Yonah Martin, who was unable to attend in person.

Viner said it means a lot to see more recognition for the conflict, which occurred between 1950-53 with 16 United Nations countries coming to aid South Korea to repel an invasion by North Korea, eventually ending in an armistice.

“When I first left the military way back in 1953, the Korean War, nobody knew about it. It was so close to the Second World War, that the Korean War was kind of a non-entity by comparison,” Viner said. “For a long time, it wasn’t even considered to be a war, it was a police action.”

Both veterans described the difficulties of being on the front lines. That included near-death experiences, with the sides battering each other with shells. In total, 516 Canadians died in the conflict, with 1,558 wounded and 21 missing in action.

“It was crazy sometimes,” Lee said.

“It was frightening,” Viner said. “A lot of times at night I’d be on guard duty and I’d be alone, it was scary. You didn’t know what was around.”

But the ceremony recognized that sacrifice, and the difference it made to the people of South Korea.

“I’m just happy to have been there and did my bit,” Viner said. “I’m just glad I was a part of it.”

Police investigating after Pride flags stolen

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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Pride flags hang outside the Prettypaws Pet Boutique and Spa. Police are investigating after other Pride flags were stolen from the business earlier this month. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Police are investigating, and the community outraged, after a Haliburton business owner had his Pride flags stolen.

Prettypaws Pet Boutique and Spa owner Christopher O’Mara is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the charging of individuals seen on camera outside the business Sept. 6.

O’Mara posted videos Sept. 7 showing two people taking Pride flags but leaving the Canadian flags also hanging up. O’Mara said it is not the first time he has experienced discrimination during his past seven years in Haliburton for being openly gay, from nasty letters to having a slur spray-painted on his windows.

“It was important to me to call this out publicly because I truly believe if you just ignore this sort of behaviour, it will continue,” he said. “Whether it was hate motivated or not, it was vandalism and it isn’t welcome in our town.”

A video from outside Prettypaws Pet Boutique and Spa in Haliburton Sept. 6, showing people stealing the Pride flags hanging there. The video was originally posted to Facebook. Video via Christopher O’Mara.

The post went viral, attracting 193 comments and 321 shares, with most expressing support for O’Mara and outrage at the perpetrators. The videos have more than 23,000 views combined.

O’Mara said he hopes this sends a message about how this behaviour is unacceptable.

“Haliburton is a safe and welcoming community and no one should be concerned about being harassed. I think it has shown that our community is supportive and full of allies. I hope it can reduce or eliminate further instances of homophobic behaviour.”

He added despite those bad experiences, Haliburton is still a fabulous community to live in as an LGBT+ person.

“Haliburton is vibrant with art and culture – pre-pandemic, anyhow – and is full of allies,” O’Mara said. “We mustn’t let a bad apple spoil the lot.”

Central Region OPP posted a video about the incident on its social media channels and asked for any information people have.

Haliburton Highlands OPP Const. Amanda Gilbert said they are investigating the theft.

“Any information in relation to the identification of the individuals seen in the (O’Mara) video would be appreciated,” Gilbert said. “With respect to whether or not this was a hate crime, we cannot say as it is still under investigation.”

O’Mara’s video appears to show two women stealing the flags at night with faces covered, ripping them from the poles.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. In his post, O’Mara said he is sick of being bullied in his home.

“When hateful acts happen, I believe the message that they won’t be tolerated can be quickly proliferated,” O’Mara said. “I want to express my gratitude to Haliburton, once again, for their love and support.”

Shoreline bylaw put back on County table

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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The County of Haliburton is once again bringing forward legislation to restrict more development on shorelines. File photo.

The County of Haliburton is restarting its efforts to create a new shoreline protection bylaw. County committee of the whole reviewed the draft bylaw and discussed a public consultation process Sept. 9.

More than 60 people watched the livestream of the meeting, as the controversial document re-emerged after the County shelved it for months due to the pandemic.

It seeks to limit development within 30 metres of shorelines to protect natural vegetation and, by extension, protect lake health. Council members also discussed the need to address many properties doing major construction along the shoreline this summer, severely damaging them but not technically breaking rules.

But groups pushed back on the bylaw in February. Both the Haliburton County Home Builders Association and a group of six landscaping businesses have said though they support the bylaw’s principles, the draft is too far-reaching.

“It’s probably the most controversial thing that the County has put forward,” deputy warden Andrea Roberts said.

The committee of the whole reviewed the bylaw section-by-section, asking for adjustments. They also agreed to communicate more about the plan, including online town halls for different sections.

But there was some disagreement between councillors over whether the push against parts of the bylaw was going too far. It started over the section disallowing the destruction of any natural vegetation unless specifically exempted in the bylaw.

Coun. Carol Moffatt questioned the broadness of that and said it is extremely problematic.

“How far is too far?” Moffatt said. “The definition of vegetation is making me really nervous. Where are we crossing over from responsible maintenance to treating people like children?”

Director of planning Charlsey White said there are many exemptions and they will still allow people to maintain their yards.

“This is really the crux of the bylaw and if we’re not considering keeping this language in, the rest of the bylaw falls apart,” she said, adding they may need to adjust the language to indicate they will not nitpick at landowners.

Coun. Patrick Kennedy agreed with Moffatt’s critique and questioned whether the protection zone should be reduced to 15 or 20 metres.

“I’m really frustrated with this bylaw the more research I do,” Kennedy said. “We’re trying to paint such a broad paintbrush approach that we may not be achieving the goals we really want to.”

Coun. Brent Devolin pushed back and said though the bylaw will need work, he is “all in” on it.

“I don’t kid myself that this is going to be easy,” Devolin said. “But water quality and natural habitat is the underpinning of the economy of Haliburton County, full stop. I see no other route.”

Warden Liz Danielsen said it is going to be a difficult process going through and communicating the bylaw, but it is necessary.

Moffatt replied that she felt it is important to ask questions and fully understand the implications of the bylaw before sending it out for public consultation.

“There is not a person whose face is on this screen who doesn’t want something to move forward,” she said during the online meeting. “We’re supposed to ask questions and understand what we’re all in for.”

An updated draft of the bylaw is expected at the next council meeting Sept. 23. The current draft is available via haliburton. civicweb.net and the County has left the meeting up on its Youtube channel.

Part 9: Awards

By
Cindy
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by Mabel Brannigan

Across the Atlantic on the war front, bravery and superior soldiering was taken for granted among Canadians. Because exceptional skill and coolness was not always reported to higher authority, many persons who deserved special awards did not receive them.

However, I mention the few of whom I know from Haliburton County and I would like to hear from soldiers’ families from whom I am unaware.

Sgt. Clifford Skelding of the Lincoln and Welland Patrol was detailed to send a fighting patrol across Brugges to gain enemy disposition. He secured the enemy’s patrol with accuracy, leading his men with heroic action, and without the loss of life that would have been expected. Sgt. Skelding received the Military Medal. He and his wife raised their family at Carnarvon.

Company Sgt. Major Cecil Yearwood of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, along with his captain, rushed a strong point north of the Moro River in Italy, disregarding hearty enemy fire. They surprised the enemy with their Thompson submachine guns and stormed the post. Fourteen of the enemy were casualties and 18 were taken prisoners. By the dauntless and ferocious attack, the enemy was completely bewildered, and the position fell to Canadian troops. Enemy morale was lowered, and confusion was caused in enemy ranks. Sgt. Major Yearwood received the Military Medal. Cecil and his wife Louella raised their family in Minden where he retired from Ontario Hydro.

Many boys from Haliburton County fought bloody battles in Italy against the best Nazi troops and were wounded or killed. One who fought there with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment was Corp. Aubrey Maxwell. His platoon was north of the Moro River. The company sergeant was wounded and Cpl. Maxwell was ordered to continue the attack. He laid a smokescreen which aided the company in its attack.

Ensuring that the men were in good position, he went forward in full view of the enemy, under heavy fire, and rendered first aid to the wounded men. He brought back the commander to the platoon. He rushed and got the sergeant before he was taken prisoner of war. By his calm determination and total contempt for the enemy, Cpl. Maxwell was awarded the Military Medal. He, his wife, and most of his large family lived and died in Minden.

Many veterans in Haliburton served with the Hasty P’s, a loyal, proud group. Once a Hasty P, always a Hasty P. When he died, he was transferred to the White Batallion, the last posting for a Hasty P.

Harold Rowden stormed Juno Beach as  a dispatch rider. He is featured in Reader’s Digest, written by his daughter. If you search Reader’s Digest/Harold Rowden, World War II veteran, there is an excellent account. For his bravery, he received France’s highest honour, the rank of Knight of the French National Order. He and his wife Nellie Miscio raised a large family in Blairhampton, Haliburton County.

There are 135 veterans buried in Minden.

More veterans from Haliburton County:

Lieut. Ross Davidson, killed in action. His brother, Col. Bernard Davidson, wounded in Normandy. Mervyn Harrison, killed in the Netherlands. Arthur Carnohan, killed in action and buried in Groesbeck Cemetery, Holland. Russell Dean, wounded in Italy with Hasty P’s. Sgt. Frank Hargreaves, wounded in Italy. John Calhoun, Jack Dart, Glen Dart, Harold Douglas, Ralph Daniels, Wilfred Carey, Sgt. Joe Day, Wm. Carducci, Harvey Iles in North Africa. Lloyd Whittaker. Robert Carnohan, a brother of Arthur in the navy. W.A. Crofts. Burt Fielding died during the Second World War, D.J. Carnoyer. More veterans: Lance Easton, Ray Jones, Clifford Lytle, Frank Barnum, Oliver Barnum, Ray Scott, Bob Barry, Reg Cook, Bill Woodcock, Charlie Woodcock, Wallace Woodcock, Arthur Cooper, Russell Packard, Bob Packard, both fought in Italy, Maurice Cooper, Ray Cooper, Wes Cooper, Verne Cowen killed in action in Holland, Lyle Boice, killed in action in Holland. Walter Winn, killed in action. James Wright, killed in action, Vance English, Russell Woodcock. Gord Martin and his two brothers. Gord was past president of the Minden Legion. Harvey Cowen, Richie Harrison, Ken Lewis.

We cannot afford complacency

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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It is relatively easy in a place such as Haliburton to feel safe from the pandemic ravaging the world We have wide open spaces and a small population.

We have had only 15 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Sept. 8, and even though that figure would exclude any cottagers with primary residences elsewhere, it is apparent cottagers have not spread the virus much, if at all. We have not had to write many COVID-case updates in the past few months because the cases are so few and far between.

But with provincial cases spiking and kids returning to school this week, we cannot afford to be complacent.

The virus is very real – contrary to whatever distorted information is appearing on your Facebook feed. Although we have been well in control of it for months thanks to public health and community efforts, cases in the province are on an upward trend. There are many more months – perhaps years – to go in this battle and we can ill afford to forget.

That is especially important with kids going to school this week for in-person learning. Although our schools have put a lot of effort into making things as safe as possible, there is no getting around the possibility the virus can spread around our classrooms. Even with mandatory masks and enhanced cleaning, the province’s failure to ensure smaller class sizes adds a fair amount of risk to back-to-school.

Although we cannot all control what is happening in schools, as communities, we need to do our best not to spread the virus to help ensure it does not get into our classrooms. That is not foolproof, but for whatever it is worth, it is what we should do for the sake of our children and brave educators.

Haliburton should be commended for how well we have handled things so far. We are blessed by our circumstances, but by-and-large, most people are following the rules well. Masks have quickly become normal. Businesses and organizations have taken those needed extra safety steps. Our health unit has worked tirelessly to guide us through this. We have become seen as a sanctuary; though it is hard to verify, we are hearing rumblings about cottagers deciding to make Haliburton a permanent home due to the pandemic.

But all it takes is a few slip-ups to cause an outbreak. Authorities have warned us for months about a second wave and we must brace ourselves for that possibility. With summer soon over, it may be tempting to gather with others indoors to escape the harsh chill of fall and winter, but we must continue following social distancing protocols. For the safety of ourselves and the people around us.

Perhaps this is all just beating a dead horse – we have all been bombarded by this messaging for months now. But as this pandemic keeps stretching on, I fear it has become increasingly difficult for people to resist breaking recommendations out of a desire to interact more closely with friends and family we have missed. Especially in a place such as Haliburton, where it feels as though we are relatively safe from the virus.

But if we want to keep feeling safe, we all must do our part. We are in a marathon and we have a long way to go.

Give businesses a fighting chance

By
Lisa Gervais
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Driving to an Ontario staycation this weekend, I listened as CBC radio reported how a recent survey has one in five Ontario tourism-related businesses saying they will close as a result of COVID-19.

One in five. Twenty per cent. And that was the businesses that honestly admitted they would likely have to fall on their swords before all of this is finished. Not to be a cynic, but surely some of those other four out of five, or 80 per cent, aren’t going to make it either, despite their rose-coloured glasses.

The survey was tourist-related. We are not sure how operators of other businesses feel in Ontario, or closer to home in Haliburton County.

And for that very reason, we encourage business owners to attend the last of the workshops being presented by TechnicalitiesPlus – for their ShopCloseBuy e-commerce platform they hope to launch in late September.

It is basically a central, online, source for local shopping. So, rather than sending our money outside of our towns, let’s find a means to have people shop local and keep the money here.

The local web developer has created the platform in the hopes of providing a made-in-Haliburton County alternative to national and international online shopping conglomerates such as Amazon. Businesses and organizations will be able to sell goods and hold online auctions. For now, it will allow them to handle pre-orders and curbside pickup. Mail order is still in the works. It was explained that it’s Kijiji-like, quite simple to get products up and visible. The County is helping with social media promotion.

They’ve already held two sessions, on Sept. 3 and 9. The next is Sept. 15.

For those who may be concerned this is a private business looking to profit at the hands of small businesses, you should know that TechnicalitiesPlus has talked to the County of Haliburton, the Haliburton County Development Corporation, the Haliburton BIA and the Arts Council Haliburton Highlands about their idea.

Yes, there is a cost. You will have to shell out $235 to get set up and then $40 a month. There is also a 2.9 per cent transaction fee. But SIRCH and HCDC are offering a subsidy to cover costs for 20 businesses.

In Haliburton, TechnicalitiesPlus hopes to cover its costs. If it takes off like they think it could, they will put on their marketing hat and hit up other communities at profit.

How many of us, over the course of this pandemic, have turned to Amazon or another online shopping platform simply because we did not have to leave the comfort of our home, and it was a simple click to get an item to our doorstep?

We encourage local businesses to make the investment in ShopCloseBuy so we can at least have an alternative in the hopes of keeping our paycheques or CERB payments here at home. One or two purchases could pay off that $235 very quickly and one purchase could cover the additional monthly cost. Spend the money, overcome your fear of technology, and give your business a fighting chance.

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