Condo development proposed for Haliburton

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September 16, 2021

The Highlander asked Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock candidates three questions. They were:

• Pick one of your party’s issues. Give us a concrete example of
how it will help people in Haliburton County.

• If you were elected and in a position to put forward a Private Members’ Bill, what it would be?

• What issue from your
party’s platform would you vote against in an open/free vote and why?

Zac Miller, NDP

A: There are so many issues that affect Haliburton such as the environment, housing and economic recovery but I think the most urgent to address would be longterm care. Throughout the pandemic it is clear that private corporations have lost the right to run these facilities. Though Haliburton did not experience the tragedy that occurred in Bobcaygeon, or a large outbreak that occurred in Lindsay, every resident deserves to live with dignity and respect. I have organized the community to highlight the needs of removing profit from long-term care and implementing national standards. This means that whenever someone needs to move into a long-term care home, their basic care is met and exceeded. This will benefit residents in Haliburton who have family in LTC or will need to use the health services.

A: In a minority government there is a higher likelihood that it would pass. I would introduce a bill that reworks the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation so that they once again transfer money to municipalities and counties in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock to build homes that meet each respective region’s growth targets in the riding. Housing is a human right and governments on all levels need to work together to build 1.7 million homes and the NDP supports.

A: We’ve seen what happens in our communities when politicians don’t keep promises. What’s important is to vote for what I have platformed on and said I would do during this campaign. It’s easy to talk platform ideologies during a campaign but it’s so much more important to work every day to execute those promises, turning words into real legislation, real houses, real infrastructure, real improvements in healthcare. I’m a New Democrat and believe our platform is the most supportive for all Canadians. My only negative vote would be if we weren’t trying to do everything we have committed to.

Angel Godsoe, Green Party

A: The environment, period. It is the reason I became Green. The GPC is the only party that acknowledges the climate catastrophe we are experiencing and has a sciencebased plan to address the problem. And no band-aid approach, no denial; rather a 60 per cent reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. This is what we must do for our planet, never mind our riding. We must have bipartisan politics on this issue, we need to work together on this now. Now, or never.

A: I would propose a federal regulation of shoreline and wetland areas that supports responsible and sustainable development, and provides for effective enforcement against damaging practices that we see are on the rise in our local riding and across Canada. The pressure for development on our shorelines and wetlands is immense, and we need to make sure that future generations can thrive with healthy intact ecosystems to support their well-being and enjoyment of our natural areas. Why should Canadians continue to have such a confusing system of overlap between federal, provincial, and municipal regulations that fall short of offering the kind of protection we need?

A: Consensus politics must be the future. The goal must be to attain bipartisan support on issues to avoid gridlock and the resulting anger and misbehaviour by MPs and constituents. The GPC believes this and allows its MPs to vote with their conscience on issues. On this date, Sept 9, 2021, I would vote against the release of personal health information to anyone and everyone who asks for it. I think it sets a dangerous precedent and am yet to be convinced that the giving up of that freedom, for questionable security, is required.

Jamie Schmale, Conservative

A: The cost of everything is going up – grocery bills are up five per cent and gas prices have skyrocketed. With inflation at the highest level in 20 years and rising, families are struggling to make ends meet. If I had to pick a single party issue, it would be to secure affordable and reliable internet for the constituents of HaliburtonKawartha Lakes-Brock. Through securing Infrastructure, Canada’s Conservatives will take real action to reduce how much Canadians pay for this essential part of life by building digital infrastructure to connect all of Canada to high-speed Internet by 2025; promoting investment in communications facilities by local and regional communities and businesses. While also fostering competition by bringing in new internet companies and upholding high levels of accountability.

A: At the beginning of every new Parliament (after an election) a draw is held to determine the order in which parliamentarians can submit PMBs. As such, many MPs can go an entire career without ever being able to submit a private member’s bill. That is why most MPs consult organizations and constituents in the riding before determining what their PMB will be. I would not want to predetermine what that issue might be.

A: Should I be elected as Member of Parliament I would have the duty to review all bills that are introduced in the House of Commons. I fully intend to adhere to that responsibility entrusted to me by the constituents of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. Additionally, as all platform proposals could be votes of confidence, we are not able to answer that question.

Alison Davidson, PPC

A: The main issue right now for me is the COVID passport and other health mandates being imposed right now. The government has been completely ignoring our rights and freedoms. All these mandates need to be stopped and freedom restored in Canada.

A: If elected, I would put forward a private members bill to limit the governments’ authority to make arbitrary mandates that violate our constitution, our rights and freedoms, without parliamentary procedure.

A: There are no issues in the PPC platform that I am opposed to. If a vote did come up that I am against, I would be free to vote against it as we do not have a party whip and are free to vote for our constituents.

Gene Balfour, Libertarian

A: This pandemic can end if only our Public Health establishment focusses on immunity and not just vaccines. Immunity can be determined by a simple blood test. My summary of Dr. Noorchashm’s key advice: Test your antibody levels before taking the jab. If you already have high antibody levels from a prior COVID-19 infection or from a prior successful vaccination, you don’t need the jab because you are already immune; test your antibody levels before accepting the jab to protect yourself from vaccine harm. If you take the jab while infected with SARS CoV-2, the jab can kill you; test your antibody levels after each jab to see if it worked. The mRNA molecule is the most unstable molecule known to medical science.

A: Federal government employees must join a union as a non-negotiable condition of employment. Existing labour legislation empowered union executives to increase the cost of government services to taxpayers unfairly. Proposal: collective bargaining must coexist with collective voting. Union representatives can negotiate a labour contract for all members. Empower them to also issue a single election vote on behalf of all members. No individual voting allowed federal elections. If collective voting is rejected, then union memberships become voluntary, all union-organized work actions become illegal, and unions must submit to annual audits reported to the public.

A: All political parties represent a spectrum of ideas about the appropriate extent of government powers. The LPoC is no different. Some “anarchocapitalist” Libertarians want no government at all. I prefer ‘minarchy’ (aka LibertarianConservatism) which restricts the role of government to “defend and protect individual persons (their mind, body and efforts) and their property from intentional and unwanted harm imposed by others including the state or any “collective” that acts to game public policy for self-serving special interests at the cost to others.”

Judi Forbes, Liberal

A: Housing; a challenging housing market and high rental prices have made housing a major concern locally and nation-wide. When elected I will work to help everyone in our community realize their goals and dreams of home ownership. Our plan is to: build and/or repair 1.4 million homes; improve access to housing via programs for rent to own, reduced closing costs, and temporary ban on foreign ownership and increase the accessibility tax credit to help seniors stay in their homes longer.

A: Provide a Universal Basic Income (UBI) to all Canadians. The pandemic has helped bring this issue to the front burner for me, and I will work to push this forward. The independent Parliamentary Budget Officer indicates such a program would boost the average disposable income of Canada’s lowest earners by just over $4,500, reducing poverty across the country. The impact on high earners of such a program would be modest. I would work to couple this with other initiatives such as pharma care, sickleave and other flexible work policies.

A: I fully support all elements of our platform and when elected I will work to ensure its successful passage and implementation. I would vote against anything that reduces our commitment to provide economic security for all Canadians. We must continue our work on many fronts: recovering from COVID-19, climate change, and indigenous relations and I will work to ensure this continues and oppose any legislation that impedes this

Turning cans and bottles into community food

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September 16, 2021

Cole Dobson and his mother Carolyn might have been the Beer Store’s most regular customers this summer, but they weren’t shopping for drinks.

The teen has spent the summer collecting more than 10,000 cans and 3,500 bottles from Koshlong Lake cottages, donating all $1,650 in proceeds to the Haliburton 4Cs food bank.

“It’s important to give back to the community,” said Carolyn, whose family lives in Stouffville. “The community is there for us, provides a wonderful environment to come enjoy with our family and friends and especially in COVID when people have lost jobs.”

Carolyn said she encouraged Cole to take up the project as a way to interact with the community and practice social skills. The teen is part of the ABLE Network, a program that helps people with intellectual disabilities develop job skills in placements and around their communities. Cole had been working at a bottle shop in his hometown, Carolyn said, prompting them to pick up a similar project at their summer community.

Cole said helping people is very important to him, and the project meant a lot of hard work. He and Carolyn spent about four or five hours a week collecting empties from five drop-off bins around Koshlong Lake.

“And they have been full, very, very full!” said Carolyn, mentioning how the cottagers on the lake were supportive of the project.

In an email, the Koshlong Lake Association said that “all those that participated on Koshlong are all very proud of what Cole and Carolyn Dobson have achieved and happy to have helped the Haliburton community.”

Judy MacDuff, of the 4Cs Food Bank in Haliburton, said she was surprised when Carolyn and Cole approached her about the summer bottle drive.

Judy MacDuff of the 4Cs Food Bank in Haliburton, along with Cole Dobson and Carolyn Dobson.

“It was wonderful!”

MacDuff said the donation will fund the food bank’s food box program for an entire month.

“That’s what keeps us going,” she said.

Carolyn said she wanted to thank the staff of the Beer Store in Haliburton, who she said were accommodating of her and Cole’s large weekly returns.

GO-VAXX coming to County

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September 13, 2021

CLINICS AT HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS SECONDAY SCHOOL Sept. 14-15

HEALTH – The local health unit and the Ontario government are teaming up to have the GO-VAXX bus come to Haliburton County Sept. 19.

A pair of GO buses have been temporarily retrofitted to serve as mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics as part of the province’s efforts to target those who have yet to receive a first or second dose.

Since hitting the road in August, the buses have visited Canada’s Wonderland, Rogers Centre, BMO Field, select shopping malls, various universities/colleges, farmers’ markets, festivals and more to provide COVID-19 vaccines.

Now, the GO-VAXX bus is coming to this region to provide COVID-19 vaccines as follows:

Sunday, Sept. 19, 1-4 p.m. at Abbey Gardens (1012 Garden Gate Dr.) in Haliburton County. The site is located 10 minutes from Haliburton Village, towards Carnarvon, just off Highway 118.

“We’re pleased to be working with the province and Metrolinx to bring the GO-VAXX bus to our communities,” says Doreen Boville, a health promoter with the HKPR District Health Unit. “We encourage anyone who still needs COVID-19 vaccine to get aboard the bus and get a first or second dose so they are fully protected against COVID-19, especially as we head into a fourth wave.”

Anyone wishing to take advantage of the GO-VAXX bus to receive a vaccine is reminded to:

Bring your health card. If you do not have a health card or your health card is expired, bring another form of government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, Status card, or birth certificate.
Eat and drink something before you arrive to prevent feeling faint or dizzy while being vaccinated.
Dress for the weather in case there is a line-up.
Wear clothing that allows for easy access to the upper arm such as a loose-fitting top or T-shirt.
Wear a mask that covers your nose, mouth, and chin.
Do not visit the GO-VAXX bus if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

HIGH SCHOOL CLINICS

Schools within Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) will have clinics run 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students and staff only of the respective school, and then 4 to 7 p.m. for students, staff, parents, and members of the community:
• Haliburton High School – September 14 and 15

Terry’s committee calling for volunteers

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September 10, 2021

Since 1994, Minden’s Terry Fox run has motivated runners and walkers to raise more than $329,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation and its efforts to cure cancer.

While this year will, again, be a socially distanced and solitary affair, the committee behind the run hopes to motivate fundraisers and new volunteers to ensure the event’s future is just as bright as its past.

“We have people who do it every year. They go around to all their friends and relatives and they collect sponsorship money. They’re proud to wear their Terry Fox shirts. I guess it’s just part of the small town mentality,” said Minden’s Terry Fox committee chair Barb Millington.

This year the run is titled ‘Terry Fox Run. One Day. Your Way.’

Participants still raise money and submit pledges, but can take part wherever they are, for whatever distance they want.

“Terry had to stop his Marathon of Hope 41 years ago when his cancer returned,” said Fred Fox, Terry’s brother, in a foundation press release. “He asked Canadians to keep fundraising for cancer research without him so that his dream of finding a cure would one day be realized, and that is exactly what we need to do.”

Besides this year’s virtual event, Millington is hopeful a new generation of organizers will energize fundraising efforts for future runs.

“The main thing we need to keep things going is someone to look after it, to chair it,” she said. But anyone can volunteer; they need people to fill in for jobs like working the registration table, putting up signs and more.”

Millington has been a volunteer on the committee for 19 years. She said each year she sees the community come together in a special way for the usual 10 kilometre run or walk down Deep Bay Road. “It’s tradition and we’ve been doing it for so many years,” she said.

It’s a tradition she and the rest of the committee intend to keep alive, even through two years of COVID19. For many, it’s also a way to pay tribute to Terry himself, who gave hope to thousands of Canadians through his 5,373 kilometre run, Millington said.

“I think he just captured people’s hearts when he did that.”

To register for the hike visit terryfox.org/ run, and enter Minden, Site 1033 when recording donations.

Huskies getting ready

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September 10, 2021

Locals Kaine Brannigan, Dylan Keefer and Isaac Little have been invited to the Haliburton County Huskies Blue versus White game scheduled for Sept. 11 in Minden as the club finalizes its roster for the Ontario Junior A Hockey season.

Head coach and general manager, Ryan Ramsay, said the three impressed during the team’s rookie camp in late August.

The Huskies are offering free admission for fans to watch the intrasquad match which is scheduled for noon at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena.

Another two Highland Storm alumni, Braeden Robinson and Colin Glecoff, will be affiliate players with the club, Ramsay said.

Robinson will play for North Kawartha Knights and Glecoff will lace up the skates for either North Kawartha Knights or a Central Ontario midget AAA squad.

The late August rookie camp featured 49 skaters, including 16 goalies.

Ticket prices and availability for the other home games, as well as remaining preseason away games, will be announced shortly.

The Huskies are home to the Aurora Tigers, Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m., and the Collingwood Blues, Sept. 25 at 4:30 p.m.

The Huskies regular season home opener is on Oct. 2 versus Lindsay.

Season ticket holders can pick up their tickets at the arena on the dates of the BlueWhite game and the two exhibition games.

Forever ‘Mrs. Walling’ to thousands of students

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September 10, 2021

Known as Mrs. Walling to thousands of kids, a woman who taught at the Victoria Street School in Haliburton for 36 years has passed away.

Bonnie Walling was in her 89th year.

Her daughter, Susan Baszczynski, returned to the school that is now home to Community Living Trent Lakes Sept. 6 to reflect on her mom.

Sitting at a picnic table overlooking what would have been Mrs. Walling’s Kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms, Baszczynski said her mom spent the bulk of her career there and was also a student herself.

“It’s a reminiscing spot. She has a picture of the school that was painted for her when she retired. I brought it to the funeral home and I’m going to hang it in my home. It’s a nice print.”

Baszczynski said there is no doubt her mother had an impact on the community. She said it’s been “heartwarming” having former students reach out in tribute to the woman who lived in the village until she was 85.

“I think she truly gave a lot of kids a very positive start with their school education. They began in a happy spot. I think it carried a lot of them throughout their years. Anybody I’ve talked to that had her [as a teacher] has fond memories.”

Many have commented how Mrs. Walling would recognize them.

“She amazed me how she remembered names. Not only would she remember the child, she would remember other kids in the class and the year the kid was in Kindergarten. She had it all down. That was up into her 80s she was still doing that.”

By the end of her career, she was teaching kids of kids.

Bonnie Walling (Lee) grew up in the village, just up the hill from the former school. The family had a cottage on Drag Lake they would go to the day after school ended right up until Labour Day. They would come into the village for the annual Rotary Carnival parade.

Baszczynski said her mother showed her and other kids at the cottage a good time every summer. For example, she would set up treasure hunts and hide clues. “And it always included a treat at the end.”

Although she lived to be nearly 90 her life was not without its health challenges. She was a three-time cancer survivor, had Crohn’s and in the end died of congestive heart failure. Despite that, she remained a caregiver, undergoing radiation for breast cancer in Kingston while caring for her husband who had Alzheimer’s in the early 1980s.

Baszczynski said she would joke with the doctors that her mom’s nickname should be “lucky” for all that she had survived.

With her dad being a road surveyor, Baszczynski said she and her mom were close growing up.

“She was my rock. We did a lot together growing up. And we share a similar sense of humour so we got along. She came to anything I ever had or did. That was always nice to know she was there.”

Of the many tributes on the Haliburton County Funeral Home website, Jacoba Lilius wrote, “Forever Mrs. Walling to me. What an impact a caring teacher can have and she certainly did. She nurtured my love of learning and reading and inspired me to become an educator too. Sending my sincere condolences to her family.”

Live dance returns to Haliburton Sculpture Forest

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September 10, 2021

Live dance is coming back to the Haliburton Sculpture Forest.

Forest spokesperson Youkie Stagg said on Sept. 2 that the Throwdown Collective and five other dancers have devised and choreographed dances inspired by the art of the Sculpture Forest.

From Sept. 13-18, visitors will have a chance to see Brian Solomon, Noriko Yamamoto, Phylicia Browne-Charles, Madeline Friel, and Throwdown Collective’s Mairéad Filgate, Brodie Stevenson with Irvin Chow perform.

Stagg said, “these selected artists have been invited to take an existing work or idea perhaps halted by the pandemic and to re-engage, re-configure, and adapt it to the outdoor environment, exploring it through a new lens.”

The event has been dubbed Re-emergence and Re-engagement.

Stagg added it coincidentally occurs during the week of Hike Haliburton, so hikers taking a guided tour of the Sculpture Forest will be able to see the dancers at work.

The artists will be in the Sculpture Forest (weather permitting) from noon to 4 p.m. each day. Community members are welcome to come and see their work in progress. There will also be a community forum on Friday, Sept. 17 for people to talk with the artists about their process. In light of COVID-19 restrictions, organizers are asking the public to bring a mask for when social distancing is not possible.

Stagg said the dance event aims to bring back collaborative dance to Haliburton after a year and a half of lockdowns. The Sculpture Forest is working with Dance Happens Here Haliburton.

Stagg added there will be an event later this winter as well, called Re-connection. She said the dancers and choreographers will reconvene for a live event to discuss their work, sit in for a question-and-answer session and possibly perform their work live depending on pandemic restrictions.

She also encouraged the public to visit the Downtown Haliburton Sculpture Exhibition, an exhibit of six sculptures in downtown Haliburton. The sculptures are available for purchase until Oct. 28.

The Haliburton Sculpture Forest is home to 38 outdoor sculptures and six unique sculptural benches by indigenous, international, and Canadian artists.

People can find guides for both the Haliburton Sculpture Forest and downtown exhibit at the Haliburton Welcome Centre on York Street, at the entrance to the Sculpture Forest, or online at haliburtonsculptureforest.ca.

For more information on COVID19 guidelines and tours go to: haliburtonsculptureforest@gmail.com or call 705-457-3555.

New enterprise lighting up the Highlands

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September 10, 2021

Brandi Hewson is shining stylish light on design for local consumers and trades through her new company, Kohara + Co.

Hewson will officially launch the interior/ exterior lighting, décor and design business on Sept. 16 and 17 with grand opening events at the showroom and store on Industrial Park Road in Haliburton.

“It is our mission to deliver exceptional lighting solutions and a very tailored experience to our clients,” said Hewson.

“We work very hard to collaborate with designers, trades, consumers, or homeowners to provide functional and elegant lighting enhancing interior and exterior spaces.” in addition to highquality lighting fixtures, Kohara features home décor pieces, candles and lamps and provides free design consultations.

“We will also be offering select custom furniture and already are looking at other items to expand into as our vision to provide a full home solution.”

The name Kohara is rooted in Hewson’s beginnings as an entrepreneur in New Zealand. In the Indigenous Māori language, it means “to gleam, to brighten, to shine, to be passionate,” said Hewson.

Kohara is a division of another Hewson business, WAI Products Ltd. Hewson said WAI’s customer base has been “95 per cent non-local,” distributing water supply, irrigation, and landscape lighting products throughout Canada to trades and the country’s largest national retailers. WAI also operates a business development consulting division for international manufacturers.

When COVID-19 hit, Hewson saw potential for both risk and opportunity in her field and the Kohara concept was born.

“Having been in the landscape lighting industry over the past eight years, we were being asked by our valued trades for interior and exterior lighting solutions. The challenge of supply to local trades and consumers presented the gap we needed to dive in. It is important to me that we contribute to our own local economy and support so many local talented trades as well.”

Hewson thoroughly researched the market before taking the plunge, including considering client input, local contractor and designer needs, competitors and the best quality manufacturers to ensure the right selections for every budget and style.

“Haliburton has drastically expanded over the past couple of years as the dream of lakeside living and cottaging grows but also as COVID hit our market, and [that] lifestyle is very much desired. The contractors are all overwhelmed with work and opportunity so what better time for Kohara to provide full support on quality lighting solutions?”

While business at WAI dipped as predicted at the start of the pandemic, it “took a major growth leap” a few months later, creating a juggling challenge with the Kohara start-up. Hewson credits Tamara Bain, lead account and office manager, with helping to keep things on track and aligned with the Kohara + Co. vision.

“I am very grateful to have someone equally as committed, excited and passionate on my team,” said Hewson. “No matter what style of fixture or spec of ceiling fan you need, Tamara will find it for you on your budget.”

Kohara design consultations will feature not only Hewson’s WAI experience but also her 10-year background as owner of Elegant Details Wedding Event Planning and Decorating, which she sold just over two years ago.

“I have always had a passion for interior and event décor and a vision to fully transition spaces.

I have built and personally designed two of my own homes and our cottage and just have a love for every aspect.”

Kohara + Co. will host an invitationonly event on Sept. 16 for family, friends and customers who supported Kohara’s creation, and a public grand opening on Sept 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both events will include gift bags for the first 40 guests, display discounts, draws, and giveaways for new lighting fixtures such as a Kichler chandelier, a Monte Carlo ceiling fan, a Matteo wall sconce and more. Visitors to the public event can take advantage of the chance to sign up for free in-house consultations.

Kohara + Co. is located at 175 Industrial Rd., Haliburton. Phone 705-455-9417; email info@koharaco.com; visit koharaco. com.

Sending a Libertarian ‘suitcase’ to Ottawa

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September 10, 2021