Barbershop serving brews with a trim

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December 12, 2020

JQ - New barbers - 3 — Nick and Kirstley Folco opened a new barbershop in downtown Haliburton Dec. 8, with a bar and café section to be added later. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The Folco family has long dreamed of coming to Haliburton to open their own barbershop – with a twist.

The family made that dream a reality opening The Noble Barber Dec. 8. The barber shop is located at 209 Highland St. It will start as a traditional barber service, but their vision is to make it something more, with a café and bar service, as well as an apparel store.

“Our vision with the shop is to create something that’s not Haliburton. Not that there is anything wrong with that, we just want something that could live in any city, anywhere and be something different than what people are used to in Haliburton,” Nick Folco said. “Gentlemen can come to just feel comfortable.”

Kirstley and Nick Folco recently moved from Peterborough, where Nick Folco worked as a barber. He said it was always their hope to live in Haliburton, having grown up in the area.

“We didn’t plan on all this happening, especially during a pandemic,” Kirstley Folco said. “The pieces just fell into place and we just ran with it.”

They plan to open carefully given the pandemic, using online booking for cuts. The bar will not be opening until next year, with appropriate limitations, they said. Nick Folco said the store concept stems from him starting his career at the Village Cigar Company and Barbershop, established in 2012 in Burlington, which offered a more expanded experience and hosted events.

“You would have people like myself. Obviously, I have long hair, I’m not getting a barber service, but I’d still want to go for their events,” Kirstley Folco said. “It kind of brings people into the business that might not normally be going into a barbershop.”

The barber said anyone skeptical of the idea should take a look.

“It’s going to be beautiful, it’s going to be very welcoming and it’s going to be really cool,” he said. “It is going to have a wild effect when people walk in here. “I’m just very excited to meet everyone in Haliburton and start making good relationships and friendships with people.”

Environmentalists ‘need to keep trying’

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Lisa Gervais

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December 11, 2020

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LG-EH! AGM 2 — A screen capture from the EH! AGM on Dec. 2. Photo by Lisa Gervais.

Extreme weather events including worldwide forest fires and unprecedent flooding were clearly evident in 2020, Environment Haliburton! president Susan Hay told the annual general meeting Dec. 2.

She added that climate change, which has also come about due to deforestation, brought COVID-19, and “the world to its knees.

“We’ve learned there is a relationship between deadly pandemics and deforestation. As man destroys natural spaces, the likelihood of diseases transmitted from animals to humans increases, and yet the destruction continues,” she said.

Due to COVID-19 public health protocols, the AGM was held via Zoom, covering EH!s work since May 2019 when the last AGM was held.

During her president’s report, Hay discussed the work the group had done since the last AGM. Its summer speaker series featured Trent University professor, Dr. Dan Longboat, who shared an Indigenous understanding of man’s responsibility to nature before a crowd of more than 70 people Aug. 10, 2019.

In January, 2020, biologist, Paul Heaven, spoke about the importance of wetlands at the enviro café.

Hay said last Wednesday, “but by using COVID as an excuse, the Ontario government authorized ministerial power to override planning processes, without public consultation or the chance to appeal. And then if that wasn’t bad enough, now they are trying to remove conservation authority’s ability to protect against overdevelopment,” She said while only a small part of Haliburton County is served by a conservation authority, it is still an important issue.

Public education continued with a talk in February by Russ Christianson, who spoke about how General Motors in Oshawa could have gotten into green vehicle production. In March, Paul MacInnes of the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners Association and Terry Moore discussed the importance of shoreline vegetation.

Hay noted the County of Haliburton’s shoreline preservation bylaw is not expected until April 2021, a delay she said was a major concern for environmentalists.

She noted while EH! shifted its programming online for May, they were able to still spread their message, including hearing from Eco Choice Pest Control on environmentally-friendly options; Dr. Bob Sandford of University of Alberta on the need for a local and global reset and Christianson on economic development through co-ops; a ‘no planet B’ webinar with Moore and Sue McKenzie of Climate Action Muskoka. EH! was also instrumental in the Sept. 25 Haliburton Highlands climate action day.

Hay also paid tribute to two local environmentalists who passed away this year; Gerry Hunnius, and Donald A. Smith.

The meeting also heard a presentation from Kevin Skerrett on pension fund capitalism (which can be found at youtube.com/watch?v=COW5g2zn8l0).

Hay said November’s viewing of ‘Living in a Time of Dying’ offered advise on how environmentalists can go forward when they are starting to lose hope.

She said what resonated for her was, “even if we can effect some positive change on our governments, and in our communities, protect some wetlands from development, some species from extinction, keep the increase in global temperatures down to a level we can exist, we need to keep trying, support each other, build community and seek ways to be resilient and resourceful.”

Arena most controversial project to date

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Lisa Gervais

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December 11, 2020

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LG-Minden Hills mid-term — The new Minden arena is nearing completion. Photo by Lisa Gervais

Minden Hills voters largely opted for the status quo when they took to the polls in the fall of 2018.

While maintaining the core of council (Mayor Brent Devolin, Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell, Councillor-at-large Ron Nesbitt, and Councillors Jean Neville and Pam Sayne), the addition of newcomers Bob Carter and Jennifer Hughey has brought a new look.

Carter’s attention to detail, particularly around the arena renewal project, has been appreciated by both the media and ratepayers. While less vocal at meetings, Hughey has stuck to her election promise of ensuring transparency at the council table.

For Sayne, who was often on the losing end of 6-1 votes during the 2014-2018 term, she has gained some like-minded allies on certain issues, with Carter and Hughey sometimes agreeing with her.

Without a doubt, the biggest project as of the mid-way mark of this council is the arena and community centre refurbishment. Devolin, Schell, Nesbitt and Neville have never wavered in their belief in it, despite challenges that have included a global pandemic. The Minden “ice palace” will be their legacy.

It has also been the most controversial project in the term, splitting those who vehemently wanted a swimming pool against the arena crowd. It has also ushered in using a large loan to finance it.

Ratepayers who believe in this investment, including for a walking track and gym, would cite it as a major accomplishment. Detractors would say with no swimming pool, it’s merely saddled ratepayers with a 25-year, $12.7 million, debt.

Some of the other achievements would have to include finally hiring key members of senior staff, including CAO Trisha McKibbin, fire chief, Nelson Johnson, and director of community services, Craig Belfry.

Recruitment and retention continue to be a challenge for this township. It started with the departure of former environmental operations manager, Ivan Ingram. Former director of community services, Mark Coleman, left during the arena project and most recently, economic development destination and marketing officer, Emily Stonehouse, moved on. Other departments have had a hard time finding and keeping staff.

Without a doubt, the number one challenge and failure to date has been the Scotch Line landfill. Despite promises of cleaning up leachate seeps, bringing landfill attendants in-house, changing the footprint, bringing in weigh scales and other recommended measures, what improvements have been made are largely Band-aids. With respect to staff managing the site, they have inherited major problems from predecessors and councils that have been unwilling – or unable – to make major changes.

At times, the township has also been slow in implementing new programs. It’s the last lower-tier municipality to tackle septic inspections, for example. Some might argue this is prudent, learning from others first. Others might say it’s due to inefficiency or a lack of staff.

Some other pluses include: getting their house in order, with things such as an updated Official Plan and bylaws; a very cautious and safe approach to handling the pandemic; pushing forward on the flood portfolio; getting some major bridge and roadworks done, including the Sunnybrook bridge and IGA road; and ensuring more social housing and better daycare.

Some of the other cons are that the road network needs much more work, particularly major arteries such as Bobcaygeon and Blairhampton roads.

Heading into budget talks [which started Nov. 16], the council and staff have to establish a clear set of projects and priorities for the next two years. They can perhaps begin to do that now that the County

Warden election will be telling

By

Lisa Gervais

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December 11, 2020

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I found the recently-released services delivery review for Haliburton County and its four lower-tier municipalities to be lacking.

That being said, StrategyCorp., of Toronto provided the eight County councillors with exactly what they had asked for Nov. 25. They wanted a services delivery review only. They did not want any research done on a possible amalgamation or move to a single-tier government. So, they got a document that is recommending 12 better ways of collaborating to save $1.18 million.

That document’s recommendations include hiring five additional staff. It also could take years to implement the changes.

Those of you who were around for the September 2018 mayor’s and deputy mayor’s debate would remember that some ratepayers pushed the idea of amalgamation at that meeting.

One member of the public pointed out we have one of the highest poverty rates in Ontario, lower incomes and higher unemployment than the Ontario average. Yet, at the time, there were 15 municipal employees on the sunshine list, making more than $100,000 each, adding up to more than $1.7 million.

The speaker noted the City of Kawartha Lakes had cut back to just eight councillors in a newly-amalgamated council.

We are headed into budget time at all five local councils and we will see once again that it is wages and benefits that gobble up much of our tax dollars.

It is not councillors that cost us money. They really don’t make a lot of money. It’s the staff salaries that drive the spending.

During that debate two years ago, it was only Minden Hills incumbent mayor Brent Devolin who spoke most passionately about the need for one-tier.

In his opening remarks to that debate more than two years ago, Devolin said our current municipal structure of 24 people in 32 political positions in a County of less than 20,000 permanent residents was not sustainable.

He added that a four-year term of council was enough time to assess, consider, plan and execute the possible changes in time for a municipal election in 2022.

Without a doubt, amalgamation has become a polarizing issue in Haliburton County. There are those who think one-tier will provide better value for money. There are others who argue it will lead to a loss of identity for our townships. Others say it will cost more, not less.

At this stage, even with a services delivery review, we don’t have answers to those questions. Would amalgamation be good or bad for our region?

That’s why I find the current services delivery review lacking.

It will be up to this council to decide if it wants to take the debate one step further.

Which leads me to speculate on the race for County warden. Traditionally, the post is decided upon behind closed doors, and an uncontested winner robed. They used to share it amongst the municipalities. This year is different. We have two candidates squaring off.

Some would say Devolin wants the warden’s seat back because he wants to take the governance review to the next level. Others say current warden, Liz Danielsen, isn’t as sold as Devolin on going to a single-tier.

The election by councillors and swearingin will occur Dec. 15. The decision could provide the answer as to where this term of County Council is headed for 2022.

Don’t get me wrong. Doing a services delivery review in the first place was the right thing to do. Identifying $1.18m in savings is important for ratepayers. However, those questions about amalgamation raised at the 2018 mayor’s and deputy mayor’s debate still have to be answered

Tourism gets $350,000 gift from province

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Lisa Gervais

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December 11, 2020

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LG-tourism announcement 2 — MPP Laurie Scott speaks during a tourism funding announcement Dec. 8. Photo by Lisa Gervais.

The province announced Dec. 8 it is giving the tourism organization representing the Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley region $350,000 in new funding to combat the effects of COVID-19.

Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Lisa MacLeod, made the announcement for RTO 11. MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Laurie Scott attended the online event.

MacLeod visited the Highlands July 9 and although a funding announcement was expected then, RTO 8 received $1.4 million later in the day during a press conference in Bobcaygeon.

The new funding is in addition to $2.9 million that has already come to the region, including $734,000 for SIRCH’s bistro café and market and operating money for the Haliburton Highlands Museum, Minden Hills Museum, and the Haliburton County Public Library.

MacLeod, who lives in Ottawa, said in part, “I know that our sectors were hit first, hardest and will take the longest to recover as a result of COVID-19.”

She said the money for RTO 11 is so “they can engage and support hyper-local tourism activities within the region in order to position us for a comeback for the year of the staycation in 2021.”

She added “it’s about community. It’s about where we live. It’s about pride of place and pride of people.”

Scott said, “Tourism is so important up where we live.” She said while operators have been able to pivot well in rural areas, “we know this is an ongoing struggle.” However, she said there is hope with a vaccine on the horizon, with this funding “to help organizations bridge to that better time we know will come.” Executive director of the OHTO, Nicole Whiting, said while some operators have had their best years ever, others are struggling.

“Of course, the devastating impact this crisis has had on our sector is significant,” she said in welcoming the funding. However, she added they’re confident of coming out of the crisis stronger than ever.

Forest cancels 2021 Poker Run

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Lisa Gervais

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December 11, 2020

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For the first time in more than 30 years, the Haliburton Forest is cancelling its annual poker run. It had been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. General manager Tegan Legge said they made the tough decision for the safety of staff, guests and community.

The event has brought in hundreds of snowmobilers annually from all over Ontario. Last year, between the efforts of staff and volunteer, the Forest raised $15,000 for the local fire department.

They intend to continue in 2022, on Saturday, Feb. 12.

Legge said trails will remain open to those wishing to purchase day passes and for those already staying with them. The Cookhouse will be hosting outdoor BBQs on weekends all winter with bonfires and comfort foods.

All day pass fees for Saturday, Feb, 6, 2021 will be donated to Dysart et al fire department.

Social services bracing for pandemic demand

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Lisa Gervais

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December 10, 2020

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JQ - Central Food Network - 2 — Central Food Network has seen an 11 per cent increase in demand for its services since the pandemic started. Highlands East Food Hub workers, left to right: Lisa Ayles, Ken Mott, Donny George. Photo submitted.

Central Food Network and other social service organizations are seeing an increased demand for services – and are rising to meet the need.

The Highlands East food bank announced Dec. 4 it was preparing to up its numbers for its annual Christmas hamper drive in response to an 11 per cent increase in food bank visits since March. Similarly, Heat Bank Haliburton County announced its plans to increase the value of the grants it provides to lower-income households by 25 per cent, from $400 to $500.

Central Food Network executive director, Tina Jackson, said the pressure of the pandemic and rising food costs are being felt. Social services have been preparing for months for higher demand come winter.

“It really underscores the need for things like a living wage, so that people that are working aren’t struggling … As well as for a guaranteed basic income,” Jackson said. “In the meantime, we will continue to be here for people who do fall through the cracks.”

Jackson said the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) flattened the curve of demand over the summer. That trend was similarly seen across the province according to Feed Ontario, though in its Nov. 30 Hunger Report, it said other factors such as new pop-up meal programs made an impact.

Regardless, Jackson said the demand started to increase again when CERB ended in October.

“We started to receive more calls,” she said. “For people now transitioned to EI (employment insurance), they’re getting less money per month.”

Still, food banks and service clubs are working to meet that demand.

“We don’t want to see anyone going hungry,” Highlands East Food Hub manager Ken Mott said. “Although our doors aren’t physically open the way they used to be, our hearts are and we want people to reach out if they need help.”

A surge in community generosity has helped, Jackson said. She highlighted a recent $6,400 donation from 100 Women Who Care and a Rhubarb Restaurant fundraiser providing more than $13,000, both to the Heat Bank.

“We are so grateful to help play a role in this very worthwhile project,” Rhubarb Restaurant owner Terri Matthews-Carl said.

“The number of people donating for us has been unprecedented,” Jackson said. “We are well prepared to weather at least the next six months and I’ve certainly heard that echoed with the other food banks within Haliburton County.”

Still, Jackson said she would like to see more pandemic support from the federal and provincial levels.

“If we think to the beginning of the food bank, we were supposed to be a Band-aid solution. It was supposed to be a short-term thing,” she said. “There’s obviously still a need for food banks, we still need to be here and people need to eat. And we need to have a social safety net.”

Police investigate armed robbery of pharmacy

By

Lisa Gervais

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December 10, 2020

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Police established a perimeter around the Highland Pharmacy Dec. 19. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Haliburton Highlands OPP is investigating a Dec. 9 armed robbery at the Highland Pharmacy.

In a press release Dec. 10, police said they received information about two unknown masked suspects entering a business on Highland Street with a firearm. They responded at approximately 6 p.m.

“The suspects demanded and received narcotics, then fled the scene. The employees were not injured,” the press release said.

The OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), Canine, Emergency Response Unit (ERT) and Forensic Identification Services (FIS) were called to assist, police said. OPP central communications tweeted around 7 p.m that a large police presence was conducting an investigation in the Haliburton to Tory Hill area and asked residents stay inside. The presence cleared within the hour.

Police established a perimeter around the pharmacy shortly after 6 p.m., closing off the area, with at least three police cars on scene.

The press release said the incident is still under investigation and more information will be released when it is available.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspects’ identity to contact the Haliburton Highlands Detachment at 705-286-1431 or toll-free at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Chamber calls for County economic focus

By

Lisa Gervais

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December 10, 2020

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The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is welcoming the prospect of the County taking on economic development.

The County services delivery review unveiled Nov. 25 recommended the municipality hire an economic development officer. Consultant StrategyCorp, estimated the position would cost $200,000 including $80,000 in salary, $24,000 in employee overhead and $96,000 in service expenses.

Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce board president, Andrea Strano, said she is optimistic about the recommendation, adding it is something needed in the County.

“There’s a really good opportunity here for forward-thinking and forward planning,” Strano said. “We can’t always keep having the same group of 10 people in the community getting together in a bunch of groups and then talking about it, kind of like hamsters on wheels. We need to have more planning and more doing.”

Economic development is presently handled at the lower-tier level, with townships taking different approaches. StrategyCorp held a workshop about economic development with stakeholders including the chamber, Haliburton Village BIA, Algonquin Gateway Business Association and the Highlands East Economic Development Committee. The report found stakeholders wanted increased government support and coordination at the County level.

“It was a really productive process,” chamber executive director, Jennifer Locke, said. “The timing of this conversation is really key, especially with COVID.”

The report said economic development must be distinct from tourism, which already has a County position. Locke said the success of that has motivated a desire for an economic development staff.

“Easier … than having these piecemeal, silo-based activities at the lower levels,” Locke said. “The stakeholders and the business community, they are behind a centralized role.”

She added expanding the scope of the economy beyond its seasonal nature is important.

“Come winter, everybody’s on vacation. That’s the root of that,” Locke said. “There’s kind of a recognition it creates these cycles that are perhaps not ideal for our entire community … Perhaps other opportunities that would allow for a more year-round economy, diversified economy. As we’ve noted through COVID, tourism can be precious in ways that we don’t expect.”

The report said there is a community need for more economic development, citing the County’s below-average income and above-average unemployment rate (13.1 per cent in August 2020, compared to 10.6 per cent for the province). The report notes the position would likely lead to increased revenues but does not estimate that figure.

It added with provincial and federal economic programs likely coming due to the pandemic, this can take advantage of them. It recommends implementing the position starting in 2021.

There is an opportunity cost to lacking economic development, according to the report. Locke said she has received calls from businesses interested in coming to the area, but the lack of centralized resources is a difficult hurdle. She further said economic development also needs to consider environmental and social aspects, also known as a triple-bottom-line approach.

“It cannot just be about dollars and cents. It needs to be about the community, environment, everything because there are risks when we d

Ministry investigates blast

By

Lisa Gervais

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December 4, 2020

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Blasting Signs — Construction signs near Ground Zero.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is looking into a blast Dec. 2 in Algonquin Highlands that reportedly damaged some homes and had some residents thinking there’d been an earthquake.

Residents experienced a large rumbling about 2 p.m.

MECP spokesman, Chris Johnston, said Dec. 4 there was a blast at the Francis Thomas Contracting (FTC) quarry on Highway 35 in the township. He said it wasn’t FTC that blasted but subcontractors, Fowler Construction and Austin Powder. Ltd.

He said the blast exceeded the ministry’s applicable noise limits.

“The blasting company reported the incident to the ministry,” Johnston said.

“Members of the public also contacted the ministry reporting property damage. The ministry is working to ensure the quarry owner and its contractors take appropriate action to address the public’s concerns and to ensure similar incidents do not occur in the future.”

Johnston said the ministry is working to determine the cause of the blasting noise limit exceedance and address public concerns. He said it is too early to determine the results of the ministry’s review and assessment of the incident.

“We are requiring that the company conduct inspections of the reported damage to determine what steps are necessary to restore the property. The ministry will monitor the progress of these inspections and ensure that the parties involved take appropriate action.”

Algonquin Highlands Mayor Carol Moffatt posted to her Facebook page shortly after the blast.

She said she made some quick calls and was advised the blast occurred in the aggregate pit on North Shore Road.

“Although notifying the broader community is not required under the Act, Francis Thomas Contracting has historically notified the township and we, in turn, put out public notice. It doesn’t appear there was any notification today [Nov. 2],” she said.

She said after speaking with Francis Thomas Contracting and Fowler Construction, “we will be seeking better and more appropriate notification going forward.”

Resident Cheryl Richman wrote on the mayor’s Facebook page, “I have someone coming to check on my home as I am concerned about structural damage due to the violent shaking caused the shockwaves from the blast. There should be limits on the strength of dynamite being used near residences.”

Elaine Smith added, “we are directly across from North Shore Road, on Beech Lake. We thought the earth had moved.”