County reserves lagging behind peers

By

-

February 17, 2022

County council decided to put $500,000 of unspent money from 2021 into reserves during a meeting Feb. 9. The move came after a presentation from an accountant saying the municipality was in last place out of 18 comparable municipalities when it comes to reserve contributions.

Oscar Poloni of KPMG delivered a sobering reserve and reserve fund analysis during last week’s committee of the whole meeting.

“The intention of the analysis is to provide the County with insight into its reserves and reserve funds in comparison to other counties, as well as some potential courses of action that could be considered by the County as part of its broader financial planning,” Poloni said.

In the last 10 years, the County’s reserve balances have increased from $4.3 million to $6.8 million, due in large part to provincial funding, such as modernization and the Safe Restart program.

Poloni said under $2 million is in working funds – a contingency for unexpected needs – and the rest is “other”.

However, the size of the County’s budget has increased as well, with reserves and reserve funds now representing a smaller percentage of total expenditures.

In comparison to 18 other Ontario counties with 50,000 or fewer households, the KPMG report found Haliburton County’s reserves and reserve fund balances “towards the lower end of the group.”

In fact, they were dead last in reserve funds – $6.8 million compared to an average of $51.4 million – and last in reserve funds per household – $321 versus the average of $1,532. They came in 15 out of 18 as a percentage of expenditures and 17 out of 18 as a percentage of TCA cost.

Poloni said the challenge is that “ultimately, the County’s reserve and reserve fund policy needs to balance its financial needs with the issue of affordability.”

That being said, he noted the County’s residential tax rate was the second lowest among the counties studied.

He suggested three courses of action:

• A long-term financial plan that outlines planned operating and capital expenditures and associated funding sources, allowing the County to introduce a phased-in approach to adjusting reserve and reserve fund levels.

• Adopt a formal reserve and reserve fund policy that outlines: types of reserves and associated uses; minimum and maximum balances; policies for financing and reporting.

• Consider alternative approaches to financing that can supplement reserves and reserve funds, such as debt, development charges or special levies.

Councillors respond

Warden Liz Danielsen said, “I know we’ve done a lot of work to put ourselves on an appropriate path to sustainability but it’s quite obvious from your numbers that we’ve got a way to go.” She said she welcomed the suggestion about a reserve fund policy. Further, “it’s becoming more and more apparent that we really do need to investigate or take a deeper dive into development charges and see how that will support our moving forward.”

Coun. Pat Kennedy noted some of the County’s challenges include a high percentage residential tax base, versus commercial and industrial. He noted the municipality “has jumped seven years into the future” in terms of growth. It’s required more staff and the hiring of consultants. He thought special levies and development charges were worth looking into.

Coun. Brent Devolin asked CAO Mike Rutter about the work involved in a formal reserve and reserve fund plan. Rutter said treasurer Andrea Bull had been working on it for a couple of years and they could have something for the council to consider before the end of its term.

Coun. Andrea Roberts commented that a combination of reserves and debt is probably a better mix. She also spoke in favour of looking into development charges. Coun. Cec Ryall questioned whether there was a recommended debt to reserve average. But Poloni said it is very much a municipal perspective.

Later in the meeting, during a discussion about a $500,000 surplus from the 2021 budget, Devolin suggested that money go into reserves.

“Given Oscar’s discussion that he had with us today, I would put forward that we move that money into reserves … does the rest of council have an appetite to add a half-a-million dollars in one stroke of a pen to that with a tax rate increase that I think is definitely lower than inflation, given the rate of inflation, is quite good?” he asked. Council passed its 2022 budget at the meeting with a 3.22 per cent levy increase.

“I don’t think that Haliburton County wants to be the lowest,” Roberts said of being 18 out of 18.

Provincial grant funds arena equipment

By

Sam Gillett

-

February 17, 2022

0

The Minden arena will soon be open at full capacity and thanks to a $150,000 provincial grant, it’s now stocked with sports and exercise equipment for Highlanders eager to get moving.

“It’s to get more people active and help flesh out this fantastic arena and community centre we have now,” said MPP Laurie Scott, who attended a Feb. 15 press event.

Delivered through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the fund helped purchase hockey nets, ball hockey sticks, soccer balls and basketballs, fitness equipment and basketball and volleyball nets. It also funded the construction of a retractable stage and roll-up curtains for the gym.

In a press release, director of community services Craig Belfry said, “this grant will allow the township to foster more active lifestyles in the community, as this initiative is helping with infrastructure for unstructured and structured physical activities, and will have an impact on the lives of residents for years to come.”

The grant was awarded in 2019 but pandemic-related delays mean equipment is still arriving.

“I’m going to be extremely excited that everybody in the community can come use [the arena] to its full potential,” said Mayor Brent Devolin.

Opened in 2020, the arena has been primarily used by the Haliburton County Junior A Huskies and as a mass vaccination clinic.

Devolin said while he wished the public had full access to the space earlier, he was glad it could play a role in the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the end, it worked out well, but the path to get here was anything but what was predicted,” he said. Soon the arena will be allowed to open at full capacity.

“We’ve been prepared all along. We’ve gotten our staffing in place,” said Belfry. He added they’re planning on increasing hours and announcing new programming soon, as well as an official opening event. “We’re excited, we’re ready,” he said.

HCSA discourages trail use due to poor weather

By

Sam Gillett

-

February 17, 2022

0

Snowmobiles on Head Lake — Snowmobilers ride across Head Lake in Haliburton Feb. 12

The Haliburton County Snowmobile Association urges riders to stay off trails due to overnight rain and mild weather.

In a Feb. 17 press release, the HCSA said it has suspended trail grooming operations until further notice.

“Any kind of traffic in these conditions will damage the trail surface and create ruts when the refreeze occurs. While the forecasted snow is encouraging, it will take several hours for the HCSA to assess when trail grooming can resume,” wrote the HCSA

Snowmobilers are encouraged to check trail availability at www.hcsa.ca

Minden Hills municipal offices reopening

By

Sam Gillett

-

February 16, 2022

0

Minden’s municipal offices will open its doors to the public once more Feb. 22.

The township has not offered in-person services since Dec. 2021.

“Residents and customers are encouraged to continue to access municipal services online at mindenhills.ca or by phone at 705-286-1260 as much as possible to support physical distancing,” the Township said in a Feb. 16 press release.

The release added that “the municipality will continue to communicate all information by means of media broadcasting and media releases to radio stations, local newspapers and our website.”

Ontario accelerates plan to end proof of vaccination requirements, eases capacity limits

By

Sam Gillett

-

February 14, 2022

0

Close-up medical syringe with a vaccine. — Vaccinations are underway in the County. Photo via Flickr.

Starting February 17 Ontario will increase gathering limits and remove capacity limits at places where vaccination certificates are required.

On March 1 businesses won’t be obligated to check proof of vaccination certificates though mask-wearing will continue to be enforced.

“Given how well Ontario has done in the Omicron wave we are able to fast track our reopening plan,” said Premier Doug Ford in an Oct. 14 press release. “This is great news and a sign of just how far we’ve come together in our fight against the virus. While we aren’t out of the woods just yet we are moving in the right direction.”

In a Feb. 14 press conference, Ford insisted the acceleration of the reopening plan was “in spite” of the ongoing anti-mandate protests, and not because of them.

Ford and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health said declining case rates and hospitalization numbers are behind the decision.

“Thanks to the province’s high vaccination rates and the continued sacrifices of Ontarians, we are now in a position where we can move forward in our plan earlier than anticipated,” said Elliott. “With hospitalizations and ICU admissions continuing to decline, we are committed to maintaining a gradual and cautious approach to protect our hospital capacity and ensure patients can access the care they need when they need it.”

The Haliburton Kawartha Lakes Pine Ridge District health unit reported similarly optimistic trends in recent weeks.

“We are seeing multiple indicators that things are improving and that COVID-19 transmission is decreasing,” said chief medical officer of health Dr. Natalie Bocking.

As of Feb. 14, COVID testing, now limited to high-risk people and settings, showed a case rate of 114 cases per 100,000 people, considerably lower than over 500 cases per 100,000 people in early January.

“We are now in a position to lift more public health measures, but it is important to stay vigilant, as we don’t want to cause any further disruption to people’s everyday lives,” said Ontario’s chief medical officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore. “We must continue to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities by following the measures in place and by vaccinating those who have not yet received their doses.”

Rundown of reopening

Effective February 17, 2022

Ontario will further ease public health measures, including, but not limited to:

Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms Cinemas

Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.
Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.
Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.

Effective March 1, 2022

Capacity limits on all indoor settings are lifted.

Proof of vaccination rule will be lifted.

Blues keep Pat going

By

Sam Gillett

-

February 11, 2022

0

Three hundred shows. That’s a milestone Patrick Monaghan thought he might not achieve before he slipped on the headphones Jan. 25 to start another edition of the Buckslide Blues Cruise.
Monaghan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019.
Difficult months of cancer treatment, surgery, and recovery meant many past hobbies were out of reach. His weekly twohour deep dive into the world of blues kept him going.
“It’s really been a blessing. I can distract myself and get buried into the next blues show I’m working on. It’s given me a reason to go forward.”
Monaghan was spotted by CanoeFM volunteers at the Haliburton farmers market five years ago. They said his voice was perfect for radio.
Monaghan agreed to the gig, and Blues was the genre that fit him best.
As a teen, Monaghan didn’t know his favourite rockers could trace their musical lineage to the Blues. The Buckslide Blues Cruise sails from “Lead Belly to Led Zeppelin,” Monaghan said. “And there’s a lot of music in between.”
He’s a bit of a perfectionist: pouring over his CD collection, crossreferencing notes on artists and songs and ensuring he adds some trivia to the mix: ask him how Led Zeppelin got its name.
“I enjoy teaching [listeners] something they didn’t know,” he said.
Since Monaghan took over the Blues slot at Canoe he’s dived into the Blues community. He won a National Campus Radio Award for the Best Jazz or Blues Music Show in 2020.
In producing the show he’s developed a network of listeners and friends who love the soulful songs and bassy rhythms of the Blues too.
It’s meant he’s been able to work directly with Blues bands across Ontario, lining up shows at festivals and clubs, as well as developing relationships with studios that will send music for Monaghan to check out, and hopefully play, on his show.
“They’ve come to trust me. I have a few bands that will give me a call and ask questions. I never thought my opinion mattered, but obviously it does and I’m rather proud of that.”
Friends in the Blues put on a benefit concert for Monaghan in 2019, raising money to fund the expensive burden that is cancer treatment. “One of the most difficult things was to get up on stage and keep my emotions together,” he said.
“I thought I was just … bugging these people. I became part of that community and I became very grateful. That’s something I’ve loved all my life and I never imagined being on the inside.” In 2020, Monaghan went to Memphis, Tennessee for the International Blues Challenge.
Photos from the time show him flashing his signature thumbs-up beside up-andcoming blues talents from Canada and the U.S. nearly always dressed in CanoeFM hats and shirts.
“I try to colour-coordinate,” he said with a chuckle.
He recorded nearly 200 “stingers,” with musicians lending their voice to segments played on the CanoeFM show regularly. “I kind of think with what I’m dealing with, when I’m well enough to go to these events, that’s my reward for dealing with the disease,” Monaghan said.
As he hit show 300, Monaghan said he wanted to extend “gratitude to all the people involved” in his Blues journey. “Whether it be the people at the station, the listeners, the promoter.”
Every Tuesday he’s able, Monaghan will slip on the headphones and thumb through his notes, bringing listeners far and wide on a journey of rhythm and soul.
“My job is to go out there and keep the blues alive,” he said. “For the past while, the Blues has been keeping me alive.”

Fatal collision in Algonquin Highlands

By

Sam Gillett

-

February 11, 2022

0

One person is dead after a two-vehicle collision in Algonquin Highlands on Highway 35 Feb. 11.

At approximately 12:10 p.m. OPP officers responded to a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a flatbed truck near Shoe Lake Road south of Dorset.

One driver was pronounced deceased. In a press release, police say their identity will be withheld until family members are notified.

Highway 35 is expected to remain closed in both directions for several hours as OPP officers complete their investigation.

Police urge witnesses who have not yet spoken to police contact the Haliburton Highlands OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Ice racing returns to Minden fairgrounds

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 10, 2022

0

The Minden fairgrounds was the place to be Feb. 5-6 as Canadian Automobile Sport Clubs Ontario Region ice racing returned to the frozen oval. The Minden Kinsmen Club had the track in perfect condition for two days of racing. Fans lined the snowbanks.

Ice racing director, Brad Elkins said, “the racers are extremely happy to be back at the fairgrounds ice racing. It’s a fun and exciting activity that helps break up the long winter months. There was a good turn out of competitors throughout all 12 classes of rubber to ice and street stud cars. It was encouraging to see a large number of rookies willing to give ice racing a try. It was good to see our local fans returning to watch.”

He thanked The Minden Kinsman Club, The Township of Minden Hills, the staff in the food booth and all the Peterborough Motor Sports Club volunteers that help make the event happen.

Each weekend is run by a different member club of the Canadian Automobile Sport Clubs Ontario Region.

PMSC hosted the Feb 5-6 weekend and will also host the CASC CO-OP Feb 12-13. The British Automobile Racing Club takes its turn Feb 19-20; the Twin Lakes Motor Club Feb 26-27 and the Toronto Auto Club Mar 5-6.

“We continue to run for the next four weekends subject to suitable weather conditions. Hoping our friendly groundhog was right,” he said about a projected later start to spring.

Covering the fringe

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 10, 2022

0

Half-a-dozen readers complained about our Feb. 3 edition – in particular, a story about two local truckers who attended the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa, and a small group of protestors rallying against a mask mandate at a local elementary school.
“While I am a firm believer in freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, two articles this week went too far,” one wrote.
She wanted to know how in good conscious we could give a platform to the man, whose co-truckers, she said, were carrying Nazi and Confederate flags?
As for the school, she conjectured some of the protesters were vehement anti-vaxxers without science-based information. She wanted to know if we’d interviewed them and asked the right questions.
Another wrote, “how disappointing to see a whole-page spread for an anti-vaccine protester and also an article with a picture of the four anti-mask people protesting at one of our local schools. It seems you are having trouble coming up with some real news stories.”
We appreciate feedback and it gives us pause to ask the same questions of ourselves.
At The Highlander, we believe it is important to present as many sides to a story as we can, and hopefully enough information so that the reader can make up his or her own mind about anything.
In doing so, we also feel it holds up a mirror to our community, to reflect what is going on. We know there is a divide over COVID-19 and its handling. The majority back public health measures. A fringe does not. Does that mean we simply ignore the fringe? Pretend it’s not going on?
We don’t think it’s an option. It would be like not covering a People’s Party of Canada local candidate because the majority has discounted this candidate’s views. Censoring that person, or the Freedom Convoy-types in our community only opens the door to us being accused of suppressing the news, being part of the conspiracy, fuelling more fire for their social media platforms. We feel it is best to have it out in the open, rather than tiptoe around it.
Another reader told us it was “refreshing” to see another side presented. Another applauded the truckers for taking part in the Ottawa protests. Yet another said while it was unfortunate we had to cover these things, at least we’d done it well.
Is it uncomfortable covering so-called fringe groups? It sure is. I attended the local Freedom Convoy gathering outside Kawartha Dairy Saturday morning because, like it or not, it was news. There was a large crowd gathered. I was the only one wearing a mask. Did I agree with them? No. Was I doing my job? Yes.
And if you read these stories, for example the protestors outside the elementary school last week, you’ll note we quoted them and then followed each quote with contradictory information from reputable sources. In our opinion, that is good journalism. We are not simply offering a platform to the fringe, but challenging their beliefs. Could we do a better job. Of course.
And, let’s not forget, nearly every week we provide a platform to Dr. Nell Thomas via her COVID corner.
We know how divisive this issue has become. It has separated some of us from family, friends, acquaintances and co-workers. We don’t agree. We don’t have to. But we have to respect our rights to have different opinions. And it wouldn’t be prudent for local media to allow their personal biases to stop them from covering viewpoints that they don’t necessarily agree with.

Storm return to action with win

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 10, 2022

0

In their first meeting this year, the visiting team from Parry Sound and our own Highland Storm played a fast and furious game in Haliburton Saturday afternoon, Feb. 5.

The rafters were shaking and the game started out fairly even. Midway through the first period though Callum Merritt dangled a few slick moves and lit the light, completing a beautiful individual effort to make it 1-0 Highland Storm.

He did it again a few minutes later for a two-goal lead. The solid defence of Katie Lavalle, Jordyn Braun and Koen Kerkhof, including our all-star Goalie Moss Davis, kept Parry Sound at bay for the entire first period.

The second period was more of the same. Some solid play up front by Evelyn Mardus, Bently Bull and Olivia Rickard resulted in a well-earned goal by Rickard to make it 3-0 Storm. It could have been 4-0 as Bull went bar down only to have the puck deflect on top of the net.

Parry Sound began to push the play into the Storm’s end more often. Several great saves by Davis kept the score at 3-0.

Our team was fortunate to have a new spark-plug suit up. He didn’t disappoint. Wyatt Braun potted two third period goals and it was 5-0 Storm.

To their credit, Parry Sound never gave up and scored two in the third period to make the game closer.

Credit to the Haliburton Storm. The team was shorthanded and only had eight skaters. This was a well-deserved win, and the first of the year.