Tourists of the winter kind

By

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January 31, 2020

Last Saturday, I was pulling out of the high school parking lot when it hit me. Looking towards the Haliburton train, I noticed two snowmobilers stopped to take pictures.

I parked and strolled over, curious to know where they were from and why they were there. The couple were from Pefferlaw, in Georgina. They’d driven to Fenelon Falls and then gotten onto the rail trail for the trip to Haliburton. After I took a picture for them, they wanted directions to McKecks. They were heading for lunch.

Other sledders were waiting to cross the road onto Head Lake. Still others were exiting the lake for the snowmobile staging area inside the park itself. Suddenly, I became aware of sledders everywhere. They were at both gas stations in Haliburton. They walked the main drag in snowsuits, helmets in hand. I got that feeling I hadn’t had since late August. Tourists. Of the winter kind.

Despite puberty-like, unpredictable, winter weather, snowmobilers from all over our region, and points beyond, descended on our trails this past weekend. Based on my early week walks, they’re here to stay.

That is a very good thing as Haliburton County businesses lurch through another winter season, warily watching their businesses’ bottom lines.

You may recall that last June, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs released a new economic impact study.

Based on the report’s data, the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA) estimated that snowmobilers spent approximately $29 million in Haliburton in the 2018-19 season, further contributing a total of $8 million in taxes across all government levels.

The HCSA figures were based on the OFSC’s district statistics. In District 6, made up of 14 clubs including Haliburton, snowmobiling visitors spent approximately $99.458 million and contributed $28.5 million in taxes. HCSA’s stats for Haliburton County are 29 per cent of those figures, based on the HCSA having 29 per cent of the total snowmobile club memberships in the district.

While it is difficult to know just how accurate this data is, we do know that snowmobilers inject millions into the local economy – at a time when it is much badly needed.

The HCSA has always used these numbers to lobby the tourism sector to support it.

They have, with a snowmobile section on their website. The club is working on townships for more staging areas.

The HCSA is an incredible organization that every year calls upon countless volunteers to maintain an impressive trail system. They groom and sign 370km. In a good winter, that means 2,000 hours of grooming.

The Highlander has long recognized the importance of the sport to the local economy in the dead of winter. That’s why next week we’re kicking off our first Trail Report.

We’ll have information on conditions for the weekend; a forecast for the coming month; upcoming events; information on all county trail systems and associations and how to find them.

In February, we’ll take a look at that economic impact of the industry and in March tell you how the season went as well as early plans for the 2020-21 season.

In the meantime, happy sledding!

Tourists of the winter kind

By

Lisa Gervais

-

January 31, 2020

0

Last Saturday, I was pulling out of the high school parking lot when it hit me. Looking towards the Haliburton train, I noticed two snowmobilers stopped to take pictures. I parked and strolled over, curious to know where they were from and why they were there. The couple were from Pefferlaw, in Georgina. They’d driven to Fenelon Falls and then gotten onto the rail trail for the trip to Haliburton. After I took a picture for them, they wanted directions to McKecks. They were heading for lunch.

Other sledders were waiting to cross the road onto Head Lake. Still others were exiting the lake for the snowmobile staging area inside the park itself. Suddenly, I became aware of sledders everywhere.

They were at both gas stations in Haliburton. They walked the main drag in snowsuits, helmets in hand. I got that feeling I hadn’t had since late August. Tourists. Of the winter kind.

Despite puberty-like, unpredictable, winter weather, snowmobilers from all over our region, and points beyond, descended on our trails this past weekend. Based on my early week walks, they’re here to stay. That is a very good thing as Haliburton County businesses lurch through another winter season, warily watching their businesses’ bottom lines.

You may recall that last June, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs released a new economic impact study. Based on the report’s data, the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA) estimated that snowmobilers spent approximately $29 million in Haliburton in the 2018-19 season, further contributing a total of $8 million in taxes across all government levels.

The HCSA figures were based on the OFSC’s district statistics. In District 6, made up of 14 clubs including Haliburton, snowmobiling visitors spent approximately $99.458 million and contributed $28.5 million in taxes. HCSA’s stats for Haliburton County are 29 per cent of those figures, based on the HCSA having 29 per cent of the total snowmobile club memberships in the district.

While it is difficult to know just how accurate this data is, we do know that snowmobilers inject millions into the local economy – at a time when it is much badly-needed.

The HCSA has always used these numbers to lobby the tourism sector to support it. They have, with a snowmobile section on their website. The club is working on townships for more staging areas.

The HCSA is an incredible organization that every year calls upon countless volunteers to maintain an impressive trail system. They groom and sign 370km. In a good winter, that means 2,000 hours of grooming.

The Highlander has long recognized the importance of the sport to the local economy in the dead of winter. That’s why next week we’re kicking off our first Trail Report. We’ll have information on conditions for the weekend; a forecast for the coming month; upcoming events; information on all county trail systems and associations and how to find them. In February, we’ll take a look at that economic impact of the industry and in March tell you how the season went as well as early plans for the 2020-21 season. In the meantime, happy sledding!

Dysart discusses scaling back septic progam

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 31, 2020

0

A plan to essentially scale back Dysart et al’s septic re-inspection program met with some resistance at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Chief Building Official Karl Korpela came seeking revisions that would bring the program more in line with what Algonquin Highlands is doing, and what Minden Hills is planning to do. They included: eliminating the mandatory pump out; using a single source third party contractor and notifying owners of inspection dates.

Dysart et al initiated a level 4 program starting January 2017. Since then, there’s been a trial in the Kennisis and Little Kennisis Lake areas. Korpela said 112 of 964 properties have not complied with the requirement to complete their re-inspections or had failed to submit a third party inspection report.

“Although this represents only 12 per cent of properties, beyond issuing 112 orders to comply, dealing with even a quarter of these infractions is not possible with our current staffing,” Korpela said. He added they could hire a lawyer but the courts would slow things down considerably. He said before they begin area two, they should make the changes. He said while the mandatory pump-out would be eliminated, tank lids would still have to be exposed for inspection. He said the inspector would do a sludge judge test to verify if tanks require pumping and check the condition of the tank. He said it would be quicker since haulers won’t have to follow inspectors around.

“The mandatory tank pump out has strongly been the lead complaint and most controversial aspect of our current program. Tanks will now only require to be pumped out under the maintenance requirements of the building code which is far easier to defend and closer to the province’s guidelines on re-inspections,” Korpela’s report said.

The second change is moving to a third party firm to do inspections rather than a list of 12 qualified inspectors. Algonquin Highlands, for example, uses WSP Canada and charges under $180 per inspection. With notifying owners, Korpela said it allows better coverage of an area. He further suggested that those 112 properties be added to area two inspections.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said, “I think we have to listen to staff. They say it’s not working.”

However, Coun. Larry Clarke had some concerns with scaling back the program, asking if there could be scenarios requiring pump outs, such as property sales, certain types of tanks proving problematic or being old, or the absence of septic paperwork. Korpela said it would add a level of complexity but could be done. Clarke thought the issue should go to the environment and climate change committee before a decision is made.

Deputy Mayor Patrick Kennedy said he had only received the report the preceeding Thursday and was not ready to make a decision.

Coun. John Smith said he was “very surprised” when he saw the report in the council agenda. He said the previous council was clear it wanted the highest level of oversight. He added while 12 per cent were not compliant, 88 per cent were, which he said was indicative of “a tremendous buy in” to the program. He felt now backing away was a disservice to residents. He said he was worried that without pump outs, deficiencies would go undetected and threaten lake health.

“To walk away from that would be foolish.”

But Roberts argued, “I feel like we’re trying to catch the big tuna but it isn’t working for us.” She said they could send it back to committee but did not think there would be any new information to debate.

The item was deferred, however, to the Feb. 13 environment and climate change meeting.

Sun sets on Eastmure’s career

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 31, 2020

0

Recently-retired Sun Life financial advisor Curtis Eastmure recalls delivering a $1 million life insurance cheque to a client after his wife died – even though the policy had only been in force 14 months.

Eastmure said the client was embarrassed to take it, since the policy was so new. But Eastmure told him he had signed a contract with Sun Life, and he was very proud to give him the money.

The client told him to photocopy the cheque, black out the name and use it is a motivation story.

“I will miss that,” Eastmure says of his interaction with clients over a 27-year career. Most people would know him as a Sun Life advisor and through his work with the Chamber of Commerce group insurance plan. He finished up on Dec. 31, 2019.

During that long career, he said without a doubt the most important aspect was selling life insurance “since it makes the most difference in people’s lives if tragedies happen.”

While it’s only been a month, Eastmure said he has slipped easily into retirement. He had just gotten off the curling ice when The Highlander rang. He’s been a volunteer for years and now has more time to do that. He helps out at Abbey Gardens, with the Haliburton Fine Arts Society, occasionally takes the stage of the Highlands Summer Festival and does ski patrolling. He and wife Brenda love to ski and do two trips a year.

He said he was ready to quit the day job. When Kyle Brewer took over after Sean Hagerman passed away about five years ago, Eastmure, now 69, told Brewer he’d give him four years and that ended last April. He noted that Brenda has been retired for seven years.

He said the insurance and investment industry has changed a lot since he started in 1993, with heightened compliance and “astronomical” amounts of paperwork.

Leaving now, he is confident that clients – many of whom have become close friends – are going to be well taken care of with the likes of Chris Salmans, Kyle Brewer and Abby Blythe-Luck. “My clients are going to be just fine.”

Brewer remarked on Eastmure’s “constant striving for honest and hard work and making sure clients’ best interests are always forefront.” He said they’d miss him and his stories but “we’re excited for his next phase of life for sure.” Brewer is also enthusiastic about the recent addition of Sean’s daughter, Abby. He commented she already has a lot of relationships locally that will be enhanced by the work she and The Sun Life office does. He said her ability to relate and empathize with clients “is better than most.” He is looking forward to watching her develop into a successful young businessperson.

Eastmure said losing his business partner and friend, Sean, was one of the most difficult times in his life. He recalled writing his resignation to Sun Life and, “It was certainly poignant. Sean never got a chance to write this letter and I did.”

Repair cafe diverts more than 50 per cent from landfills

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 31, 2020

0

An excited Carrie Pearce, holding an antique pole lamp, was one of the first through the door at the repair café this past Saturday in Haliburton. Pearce said the lamp held sentimental value because it came from a cottage she and her late husband rented.

“He loved it and restored it but it doesn’t work,” she said as she made her way to one of the fix-it stations inside the high school gym.

“I think it’s fabulous,” she said of the SIRCH initiative birthed with help from Environment Haliburton! and an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant.

“I wish there was more of this. So much stuff is going to the landfill.”

At one of the general repair areas, Pearce was met by volunteer Bob Hudspith. He explained he’s had lots of opportunities to do handiwork and he’d always been comfortable using tools. When he saw the poster looking for volunteers, he concluded it was something he could do.

As the two worked on the lamp, an official ceremony marked the launch of the inaugural café with Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, along with SIRCH executive director Gena Robertson, repair café coordinator Chris Varga and volunteers.

Scott represented the OTF at the opening. She gave “a shout out” to the once-a-year application program encouraging people to apply since “it all helps our community.” She added the day was about reduce, reuse, recycle and repair.

Robertson said OTF funding allows organizations such as hers to try new programming. She noted it was launching in a rural and remote community so “if it goes here … it will go anywhere.”

Varga thanked the numerous fixers who had volunteered their time, offering everything from wood and furniture, to general repairs, computers, small appliances and electronics, clothing and cloth, and jewelry. As a fixer and environmentalist, he thanked SIRCH for the opportunity.

“This is amazing. This is the start of it.”

At the end of the day, Varga said 48 repairs were attempted; 26 were a success; 16 needed parts and will be fixed at a later date; one could not be tested and four could not be fixed.

“We achieved a very respectable 54.2 per cent repair rate and 33.3 per cent can still be fixed. “That is an amazing outcome. Even if we don’t get more than 54.2 per cent, that is still over 50 per cent less stuff going to landfill. And in the process, we shared knowledge, had fun and got to know our neighbours.”

Location chosen for new Welcome Centre

By

Lisa Gervais

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January 31, 2020

0

LG-welcome centre update 2_Easy-Resize.com — Rotary's plans for the new Welcome Centre in Head Lake Park.

Residents of Dysart et al are closer to having a new visitor centre and washrooms in Head Lake Park after council, on Tuesday, decided where they’d like to see the new infrastructure put.

In consultation with the Rotary Club of Haliburton, which is putting money towards the new building, they chose the area where people now enter and exit onto York Street between the Rails End Gallery and the caboose.

A report to council by recreation program co-ordinator Andrea Mueller said, “this area will be large enough to receive and accommodate visitor centre, washroom and possible small seasonal food service activities associated with the new building.”

In addition, she said a new pedestrian plaza entrance to the park, with benches and bike racks, is recommended. There’s talk of some permanent interpretive panels about the history of the old mill, banner poles and a park map.

It is further recommended there be a driving lane to access the main parking lot across from Baked and Battered.

“With approval of the new building location and proposed site plan, the Rotary Club may advance the building and site designs to a construction-ready level,” the report said.

Approval will also allow the refinement and completion of the park master plan that Dysart has contracted Basterfield and Associates to do.

As reported in the May 30, 2019 Highlander, Rotary has so far committed up to $75,000 for the washrooms and welcome centre.

Coun. John Smith did query the driving lane but fire chief Mike Iles said it was needed to provide EMS coverage of the park.

Mayor Andrea Roberts asked if they’d need a well and CAO Tamara Wilbee said they were investigating whether to drill a well or draw water from the lake and treat it.

Roberts said in addition to the welcome centre, there would be seven washrooms.

“It’s very exciting,” she said, noting that people out walking or grocery shopping rate public washrooms as a number one requirement.

She added staff and councillors have asked Basterfield and Associates to break the overall park master plan into phases at it will be done over time.

Wilbee said there’d be another meeting with stakeholders about the overall plan in March.

Deputy Mayor Patrick Kennedy said park users would also be disrupted this summer. For example, the farmers market is moving to the other side of the park. However, he said while it will take time to do it all, “I’m really excited about this project.”

School board limits high school extracurriculars

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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January 31, 2020

0

JQ - High school - web — Trillium Lakelands District School Board is no longer allowing extra-curricular activities during the school day in the wake of ongoing teacher job action.

Trillium Lakelands District School Board has effectively decided to put a hold on secondary school extracurricular activities in the wake of a protracted battle between the province and unions.

TLDSB announced Jan. 29 it would request all secondary extra-curricular activities be scheduled outside of the instructional day. This stands to stands to impact most extracurricular activities, including sports, which tend to take place during the school day.

Director of Education Larry Hope said TLDSB has heard sporting events may not be rescheduled. He said the decision was made to protect classroom programming in the wake of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) pulling back from on-calls Jan. 20, meaning teachers will not cover for absent colleagues.

“We know this is unpopular … We did not take this decision lightly and are aware that this is not an ideal situation,” Hope said. “Our decision was made with the goal of protecting classroom programming to the fullest extent possible. For us, this means we want to make use of the limited number of secondary supply teachers to support classroom programming first and foremost.”

Hope explained that the OSSTF action means absent teachers must now be covered by supply teachers or school administration. Given that situation, Hope said TLDSB seeks to reduce absenteeism via extracurricular activities.

“For TLDSB, the ongoing challenge is being able to cover classes when these things occur. By reducing or eliminating the known absenteeism of our staff, we feel we are in a much better position to adequately maintain classroom programming,” he said in a release.

OSSTF District 15 president Colin Matthew pushed back against the decision, noting all school boards across the province face the same situation but no others he is aware of took this step.

He said although TLDSB would like activities to be rescheduled, given it competes against other boards willing to play during the day, that is “highly unlikely.”

“Disappointment,” Matthew said. “Frustration that we’re the only board doing this.”

He said the decision came down Jan. 21, resulting in hockey games getting cancelled in Fenelon Falls and Huntsville. The impact has not yet been felt more widely due to sports being on a moratorium during exams, but they were due to pick again Feb. 3.

Matthew reported that parents flooded the TLDSB board of trustees meeting in Lindsay Jan. 28 to protest.

“It’s a bizarre decision,” he said. “The community is disappointed.”

Elementary school students are also on the verge of losing out on extracurricular activities.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) announced it would escalate its withdrawal of services starting Feb. 3. While teachers previously were not taking part in extra-curricular activities outside the school day, they will now no longer take part in them at any time.

One-day rotating strikes are also set to continue. TLDSB elementary schools are set to close Feb. 3 and Feb. 6 due to strikes unless a deal can be reached between ETFO and the province.

The Highlander will update this story as more information is made available.

Dysart drives snowmobiles off main streets

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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January 30, 2020

0

JQSnowmobilingeconomics1web.jpg.42b1f489 — Joseph Quigley

Snowmobilers will no longer be allowed to drive along the streets of Haliburton’s downtown core.

Dysart et al council passed a new snowmobile bylaw Jan. 28.

The bylaw restricts snowmobiles from driving on Highland Street between Cedar Avenue and Dysart Avenue, as well as Maple Avenue between York Street and Mountain Street. It also formalizes $200 fines for rulebreakers per offence.

Deputy Mayor Patrick Kennedy said the bylaw lays the groundwork for the municipality to better direct snowmobilers and avoid mishaps. He said the Jan. 25-26 was “pure pandemonium” with the number of sleds in town.

“The goal of this bylaw is to help everybody and make things better,” Kennedy said.

The bylaw allows for snowmobiles to cross roads in the restricted zone at right angles and to traverse other roads in Haliburton. The bylaw specifies snowmobiles are allowed in public parks or municipal land but prohibits them on sidewalks.

The bylaw also shows where snowmobilers can park. Daytime parking is available by the arena, the Head Lake Park parking lot and just before the restricted zone on Maple Avenue.

Overnight parking is also being set aside at Head Lake Park for snowmobilers. Kennedy said staff have worked to make parking amenable.

Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA) director of marketing John Enright said the new bylaw strikes a fair balance.

“It’s a great compromise,” Enright said. “The views of non-sledders have to be respected but the other side of the coin is the economic impact of our recreation and people have to have access to the town. (The bylaw) does both.”

Enright said the season has proven trying for the HCSA, with rainfall and warm weather making for poor trail conditions. Land-use disputes have also arisen to close some trails, which the HCSA is trying to address.

Incidents of misbehaviour have also been highlighted. Kennedy posted a picture on Facebook Jan. 25 of a snowmobiler driving on the wrong side of the road on Maple Avenue, over a sidewalk.

“HCSA and the municipality working hard to make Haliburton snowmobile friendly,” Kennedy wrote. “Not helping folks.”

“We have weather challenges. We have land-use changes and closures,” Enright said, adding it has frustrated members of the HCSA.

Despite the downtown getting closed off, Enright said the association has plenty of trails riders can use.

“It’s not a heartbreaker,” he said. “We have 375 kilometres of trails in three municipalities.”

Mayor Andrea Roberts said the parking setup should work well for snowmobilers and the municipality still wants them to come through.

“We need the business. We appreciate the business,” she said.

Clearing the air on fire halls

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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January 29, 2020

0

Highlands East is facing decisions that are probably more difficult than any other municipality in our County.

It recently conducted a large-scale review of its buildings, many in need of significant repair. Based on a report, the municipality is convinced it has too many structures. Choosing whether treasured buildings, such as fire halls, get axed has proven timeconsuming and contentious.

It is apparent there is some will in the municipality to cut fire halls, probably in Highland Grove at least, despite some public outcry. But doing so is going to take an open, frank and brave dialogue that we have yet to see.

Highlands East has undoubtedly had its struggles communicating as it reviews fire halls and services. As acting fire chief Chris Baugham put it, the fire committee has been too preoccupied with “chasing rumours and covering our butts.” Firefighters and citizens have assumed the guillotine is already overhead from the get-go, when a 2011 report recommending closures was presented at the first fire committee meeting last March 11.

The backlash was swift, and the committee responded by tightening up and playing as close to the book as possible. It has since slowed to a crawl while it faces far more public scrutiny than any subcommittee in the County.

The municipality assured the public they have made no decisions and councillors are not inclined one way or another. They have played that tune ever since, even as more evidence comes forward hinting towards closures. The tune seems truthful.

But a new one will be needed soon.

Councillors are certainly not dismissing the idea of closing halls. The fire committee formally put it on the table before doing much evidence-gathering beforehand. A recent organizational review indicated some people in the municipality already think it is what should happen.

The inherent conflict in the municipal position, versus the direction this file appears to be moving in, has generated more distrust, atleast in Highland Grove.

But the municipality should not be faulted for exploring this topic. Finances are not unlimited and when you are dealing with communities this small and far apart, big changes may prove prudent. I doubt they would have undertaken this if the idea had no merit.

The mouth cannot continue to be at odds with the hands. Whichever people at the municipality think this is a good idea – and it is obvious they exist – need to give more of an indication as to why. As far back as June, before the fire committee had any substantive evidence before it, some in the municipality suggested closing one or two halls. They must have had reasoning or evidence to do so. Let’s see it already.

The municipality has appeared choked with fear over even arguing about the merits of exploring closing halls. But frankness about what challenges are driving this could go a long way. Something to really indicate why this gigantic headache is worth it.

Maybe we will get there, eventually. The municipality appears intent to show it has not put the cart before the horse, but that’s become increasingly hard to believe. If any pretenses exist, perhaps some should be removed.

At the end of this road, when we probably get a public meeting on this, however long it takes, we will get more answers. But if closures prove to be the right idea, how is anyone in the public supposed to buy-in if nobody was ever willing to stand up for it along the way?

Suicide or foul play? The mystery of Harold Heaven

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

-

January 29, 2020

0

JQ - Documentary story - 3 - web — Filmmakers Jackson Rowe and Mike Mildon address an audience at the Dominion Hotel Jan. 27. Submitted photo.

Mike (Heaven) Mildon remembers learning about the 1934 disappearance of his great-great-uncle Harold Heaven around a campfire.

The Minden-based family passed down the tale about the mystery for generations, letting it take life as a ghost story.

“Just trying to scare the younger generation, trying to make them think Harold is still with us,” Mildon said. “It’s a fun thing to have, but on the underlying side of things, it was a real family tragedy.”

Inspired by the story, the award-winning sketch comedy filmmaker has returned home with a film crew to take on a new project: uncovering what happened to Heaven for a documentary titled ‘For Heaven’s Sake.’ Mildon and his friend and film partner Jackson Rowe are shooting around Minden to unravel the mystery over the next two months. They plan to conduct interviews and search for Harold’s missing body.

Despite the disappearance happening more than 80 years ago, they said believe they will likely solve the case.

“We’ve done a lot of work,” Rowe said. “We have a lot of resources. We’re confident. We have some blanks to fill in certainly, but we feel like we’re making real progress.”

What documents show

Heaven was known to be a lonely man, who lived in his cottage on Horseshoe Lake according to police reports posted by Mildon. He went missing around Oct. 26, 1934, and despite large searches in the brush and nearby lakes, his body could not be found.

That impeded OPP investigations. As police interviewed people, they moved away from the idea of foul-play. Instead, reports raised the idea he died by suicide.

“It has been suggested that this missing man has become somewhat deranged in his mind,” one report said. “There are also suggestions he might have done away with himself and this is being investigated very carefully.”

Police also reported a second-hand account that his mother had indicated Heaven had considered suicide the year previous.

But the family has other theories. Harold’s brother Boyd posited in a letter at the time that Harold was doing well, excited to work on a property he had recently bought there near his father’s cottage.

Boyd Heaven felt Harold was unlikely to die by suicide and suggested accidental manslaughter was more likely. Since Harold kept to himself, Boyd suspected the young farmers in the district disliked him – and set out to annoy him after a Saturday night drinking.

“They might stop and call out a few objectionable remarks … a fight would probably result, which in turn might quite logically result in Mr. Heaven’s death,” Boyd Heaven wrote.

He said it would explain the body’s disappearance and cited evidence that Harold’s departure from home did not seem premeditated; the door was open, the keys there and his oil lamp was still burning.

The documentarians said they are leaning toward the idea this was manslaughter.

“The police in our minds made up their mind this guy was crazy, he was a loner and he just had a mental breakdown,” Mildon said. “I don’t think it’s fair to paint him as this troubled individual.”

But the two do not want to discount any possibility yet.

“There are many theories we’re looking at. Even aliens, even supernatural, we’re not stopping at the traditional,” Rowe said.

Mildon said it would mean a lot to his family to get closure.

“It’s only fair and I think it’s kind of justice for Harold,” he said. “Everyone benefits from the truth, whether it’s a hard pill to swallow or not.”

The filmmakers are looking for anyone who might have information on the case. They can be contacted at 1-800-858-9710 or findharoldheaven@gmail.com.