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Intimate concert keeps Lochlin rockin’

By
Lisa Gervais
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0
Rob Lutes is a singer-songwriter, coming to Haliburton County Dec. 6

The Lochlin Community Centre will be the setting for the next offering of the Haliburton County Folk Society.

Guitarist and singer-songwriter Rob Lutes will be hosting an intimate ‘house concert’-style show Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. said the folk society’s Sue Shikaze.

Shikaze said Lutes’s masterful fingerstyle guitar work and soulful voice brings an unmistakable intensity to his live performances.

She added that since the release of his first album, Gravity in 2000, Lutes has steadily built a collection of “exquisite” songs that inhabit the intersection of blues, folk, Americana, and the contemporary singer-songwriter genre.

Originally from New Brunswick, the long-time Montreal resident is a former Kerrville New Folk award winner and a multiple Maple Blues, Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA), and Lys Blues nominee. In 2018, he was named CFMA Contemporary Singer of the Year.

To reserve a seat, text Shikaze at 705-457-0943. Cost is $20 per person, with all proceeds to the artist.

She said if you aren’t familiar with Lute’s music, you can check out a video youtube.com/watch?v=XvpoVmx6iuo from a recent show in Burnstown, at the Neat Cafe.

“You are in for a treat. Hope to see you there,” Shikaze said.

Making seniors smile at home

By
Lisa Gervais
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0

I’m lucky. I have a full-time job with benefits. I can go to the dentist every year to have my teeth cleaned and my mouth examined to make sure there’s no issues.

I haven’t always been this fortunate. There have been times I’ve worked but not had benefits. There was one stretch where I didn’t see a dentist for four years.

Across the County, that’s the reality for many low-income earners, especially seniors. Many have not been to a dentist in years, or have taken their dental problems to emergency departments.

In fact, in 2015 (the most recent stats), there were almost 61,000 hospital emergency visits for dental problems – at a cost to Ontario’s health care system of approximately $31 million.

According to provincial government research, two-thirds of low-income seniors do not have access to dental insurance.

In Haliburton County, the situation hasn’t been as alarming thanks to Volunteer Dental Outreach (VDO).

It was founded in 2010 to provide free, urgent dental care for low-income residents of Haliburton County.

However, it hasn’t reached every lowincome resident or senior. And, the services now available under the Ontario program include preventative care and treatment, such as fillings and extractions.

That’s why we welcome the Nov. 20 launch of The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP).

Under it, Ontarians aged 65 and over, with an income of $19,300 or less, or couples with a combined annual income of $32,300 or less, and who do not have dental benefits, can qualify for care.

When it was first discussed in the spring, there was talk of Haliburton County patients having to travel out of the Highlands to receive care, with Port Hope, Whitby and Peterborough mentioned.

While we welcomed the government’s initiative at the time – as did the HaliburtonKawartha-Pine Ridge District Health Unit and VDO – they, and we, had to question the feasibility of low-income seniors travelling to those cities.

We knew many did not have their own vehicles. If they did, the cost of gas could be prohibitive. And, there was no public transportation. We knew few would be able to avail themselves of the service.

So, we were ecstatic with last weeks’ further news that the dental services will be accessed through public health units, community health centres and Aboriginal Health Access Centres across the province.

The VDO and the health unit further told The Highlander last week that they are planning to make the program accessible at the VDO, which is on Mountain Street in Haliburton.

It makes sense since the VDO already services the population this program is looking to target – and it would be a much more convenient location for locals.

However, the VDO does expect an influx of new patients when a workable arrangement is approved.

We’ll be anxious to see how that will look. In the meantime, we would urge lowincome seniors to look into whether or not they qualify and get their applications in.

People can apply through Ontario.ca/ SeniorsDental or at health unit offices.

The VDO said they hope people can start accessing the program by the end of the year or early 2020.

Highlands East faces $2.2 million in repairs

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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0
Highlands East municipal office. File photo.

Highlands East is grappling with a more than $2.2 million price tag in recommended repairs to the 36 buildings it owns.

Council went through reviews of all of its facilities Nov 26 provided by consultant WalterFedy. The reviews highlighted several as being in poor condition and recommended a total of $2,221,506 worth of fixes for 2020.

Mayor Dave Burton said council would strive to meet the needs of the municipality.

“We need to return to sustainability and can the public afford it. Do we need all these assets?” Burton said. “Do we keep the status quo and allow all our assets to deteriorate?”

Council voted to receive the reviews as information. Deputy Mayor Cec Ryall said it is a lot to handle and council would need more direction from staff.

“Nothing mentioned was minor or secondary, it’s all big stuff,” Ryall said. “The problem is it’s all big stuff and we don’t have the ability to handle all of it at once.”

Chief administrative officer Shannon Hunter said if the municipality decides to keep all of its assets, it would need to borrow money or raise taxes.

The priciest building to repair is the Highland Grove fire hall, with WalterFedy recommending $567,500 for 2019 and 2020, including fixes to the exhaust systems, septic system and roofing. Coun. Cam McKenzie said not all of the costs are necessary as health and safety issues.

Responding to the $150,720 in repairs recommended for the Highway 28 fire hall, he said it would not make sense to spend too much on the repairs before deciding its future.

“We’re going to decide where the fire halls are going before we start spending money on something that, two years later, might not be in the system,” McKenzie said. “I’m not saying it’s not going to be a fire hall but I think that big decision has got to be (made).”

“This makes it look like this building has actually been ignored and not kept up over the years,” Coun. Suzanne Partridge said about Station 2.

Burton responded that they have spent a “fair bit” on the fire hall itself but did not offer specifics before press time.

Another building at issue is the Cardiff pool, which WalterFedy identified as needing significant upgrades. The consultant said ideally, a replacement would get built for $2.5 million. But the consultant recognized the high cost and suggested a new change room and mechanical room structure for $600,000. It also recommended $309,800 in repairs for the whole facility in 2020.

McKenzie said he would like to see grant funding to help with the cost.

“Are we going to spend $300,000 on something that really needs to be replaced?” McKenzie said. “I want to see it open this summer. I think once it closes, it’s gone.”

Intimate concert keeps Lochlin rockin’

By
Lisa Gervais
-
0
Rob Lutes is a singer-songwriter coming to Haliburton County Dec. 6.

The Lochlin Community Centre will be the setting for the next offering of the Haliburton County Folk Society.

Guitarist and singer-songwriter Rob Lutes will be hosting an intimate ‘house concert’-style show Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. said the folk society’s Sue Shikaze.

Shikaze said Lutes’s masterful fingerstyle guitar work and soulful voice brings an unmistakable intensity to his live performances.

She added that since the release of his first album, Gravity in 2000, Lutes has steadily built a collection of “exquisite” songs that inhabit the intersection of blues, folk, Americana, and the contemporary singer-songwriter genre.

Originally from New Brunswick, the long-time Montreal resident is a former Kerrville New Folk award winner and a multiple Maple Blues, Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA), and Lys Blues nominee. In 2018, he was named CFMA Contemporary Singer of the Year.

To reserve a seat, text Shikaze at 705-457-0943. Cost is $20 per person, with all proceeds to the artist.

She said if you aren’t familiar with Lute’s music, you can check out a video youtube.com/watch?v=XvpoVmx6iuo from a recent show in Burnstown, at the Neat Cafe.

“You are in for a treat. Hope to see you there,” Shikaze said.

Group wants to repower Dysart bioheat project

By
Lisa Gervais
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0
Mike Rutter, Jamie Stephen and Malcolm Cockwell speak to Dysart et al council.

Proponents of a district energy system for Haliburton were back before Dysart et al Council Tuesday hoping to repower their plans via an Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) grant.

Jamie Stephen, the managing director of TorchLight Bioresources, Mike Rutter, of BioThermic, and Malcolm Cockwell, managing director of Haliburton Forest, spoke at the Nov. 26 meeting.

They’re the same three who helped Dysart et al council secure a $2.8 million Municipal Greenhouse Gas Challenge fund grant for a $5.8 million project in 2018, only to have the money clawed back after Doug Ford was elected.

Their pitch is for a larger project – estimated at $15-20 million in capital costs, that would see the heating system go into homes, not just businesses and institutions.

“A grant needs to be secured in order to restart this project,” Stephen said.

The system involves using wood chips to heat water via a boiler and then piping it into homes, institutions and businesses.

Stephen said it’s a proven system in Europe although relatively new to Canada and North America.

Not only has the provincial government changed since Stephen, Rutter and Cockwell came to council in 2017 and 2018. The council has also changed with a mayor, Andrea Roberts, and deputy mayor Patrick Kennedy as well as new councillors. Nothing has happened with the project since August 2018.

To restart the process, Stephen reiterated that “we believe municipal partnership is essential” and “right now, the best option is the ICIP.”

Under the ICIP, the federal and provincial governments will chip in 73.3 per cent of the cost of approved projects, leaving municipalities to finance 26.7 per cent. However, Stephen stipulated a district energy system would not cost the township anything, with the money coming from the private sector.

Stephen said that under the ICIP, there is $2.5 billion earmarked for green stream projects.

The township is already part of the Haliburton Village Bioenergy Corporation with representation on the board. They had discussed putting an energy centre near the Dysart library and getting buy-in to heat municipal buildings and businesses.

Now, Stephen said they are talking about an expanded project involving three clusters: the downtown; the Haliburton Highlands Health Services and schools; and the Haliburton School of Art and Design. He suggested starting with HHHS and the schools to show residents the technology actually works.

He said they could then go after single family detached homes, offering them the best value to heat their homes with the greenest energy available.

He said proceeding was “a way for Haliburton to set a high bar, take the opportunity while funding is available and take leadership for your residents.”

The proponents’ ask of council was to be able to work with the CAO and mayor on an application for a Spring 2020 intake.

Roberts commented on how Dysart has wood all around it, yet people rely on heating oil in their homes.

“It makes a lot of sense,” said Coun. Larry Clarke. “Haliburton is a forestry area.” He asked Cockwell if The Forest could supply enough woodchips to meet the demand and Cockwell said they could easily accommodate a district energy system.

Kennedy wanted to know where the project fit in with council’s fiscal priorities, and wanted more details on the financials in light of competing interests. “We need another meeting on this, your honour,” he told Roberts.

The delegation was received for information purposes only. More information is expected to come back for council’s December meeting.

Arena sneak peek

By
Lisa Gervais
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0

Patrick Brousseau, a design-build estimator for McDonald Brothers Construction Inc., tours the public through the in-progress S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena in Minden on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

The township offered a sneak peek at the $12.5 million project.

People are pictured on the walking track.

Resident Linda Brandon said she uses the Riverwalk and is looking forward to using the walking track. She was also impressed with the site of the future gym and basketball court.

“It’s all about keeping people active. It’s what we need in terms of the overall health of our community,” she said.

An enthusiastic Brousseau, while walking past the NHL-sized arena space added, “I believe in this project. People are going to fall in love with this thing.”

Gooderham firefighters turn to GoFundMe for side-by-side

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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0
Gooderham fire chief Brian Horner stands next to an ATV the department is raising money to replace. File.

Gooderham firefighters are fundraising to get a vehicular upgrade for their rescue missions in the bush.

The firefighters launched a $25,000 GoFundMe campaign Nov. 18 for a new rescue side-by-side. The hall hopes to use the vehicle to improve their capabilities over their current ATV.

The station’s fire chief Brian Horner said they got a lot of use out of the ATV this past summer, as much of their area can only be accessed by off-road vehicles. But he said firefighters found the vehicle limited as it could only carry two people.

“You need to get more firefighters into the bush to do rescue and a paramedic and get somebody out as well,” Horner said. “The sleigh we pull behind our four-wheelers works, but it’s not the greatest. It gets caught on stuff all the time.”

He added a side-by-side would be significantly better to handle the rough terrain and allow for more occupants.

Horner said the hall has fundraised for equipment dating back to 2009 when they worked toward a new Jaws of Life. Typically they only do events such as barbecues to raise money but Horner said they wanted to expand their reach through GoFundMe.

“It seems to use social media better,” Horner said. “Cottagers might find out about it now.”

Their ATV was stolen around Oct. 27 but firefighters recovered it Nov. 3. Horner said the ignition needed replacement but the vehicle was in good condition. He added fire vehicles typically have a 10 or 20-year life cycle. The township is not paying for a replacement since it is not due until 2026.

“I understand why. There are other, more important, pressing vehicles that need to be replaced,” Horner said. “They can replace something better for us when it comes to our turn again.”

Highlands East acting fire chief Christ Baughman said the ATV is from 2006. In the years since, the municipality has replaced ATVs with side-by-sides in other halls when they are due.

“It’s great that they’re taking it upon themselves to improve the equipment,” Baughman said. “We completely encourage it and gladly accept it.”

The campaign has raised $1,755 as of Nov. 29. Horner said he is glad about the response, though he would have liked to have seen the campaign go more viral.

“Sometimes, these GoFundMe pages, they move a little quicker but I guess we just have to get the word out more,” he said.

The GoFundMe is accessible at gofundme.com/f/Gooderham-st-3firefighters-new-rescue-vehicle.

Unions win where others don’t

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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0

The province is fighting its education-sector unions and people are feeling the ripples.

The circular headlines have become repetitive; negotiations stalling, cutbacks at issue, union taking a strike vote, union taking work-to-rule job action. We have seen it with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association. We have yet to see actual strikes or school closures but they seem to be close.

To some, these negotiations and headlines are bothersome. The unions threatening to strike may seem selfish. The instability is a headache in the already hectic lives of parents.

But it cannot be denied these unions’ efforts have succeeded at pushing back government cuts. They are the group best equipped to do that.

Consider some of the major changes the province is implementing to save costs. It initially planned to cut funding to push the average high school class size from 22 to 28 students over the next four years, with smaller increases at the elementary school level.

That sent shock waves through the sector, which were felt locally. Across Trillium Lakelands District School Board, there were 50 support staff layoffs, 24 retiring teachers that went unreplaced and 100 fewer programs on offer.

Plenty of protests have occurred against these cuts in the months since, from the streets to the board rooms to newspaper columns. Justified concern was raised about the harms of ballooning class sizes, with students getting less time with their teachers. But the province did not budge – not until they were facing down a lot of angry unions.

The province relented Oct. 24 amidst tense OSSTF negotiations, announcing it would instead provide funding to make the class size average 25. Not a complete victory – the OSSTF is still fighting on this point – but significantly better. Where concerned students, parents, pundits and administrators failed, unions succeeded.

The unions scored another point on the province’s plans to mandate high school students get four online course credits to graduate. Pitched as a step into the future, the idea falls flat in rural areas like Haliburton, where good internet connectivity is not universal. Online courses should be explored and expanded, but the mandating seemed an idea much more concerned with provincial pocketbooks than student betterment.

But the unions got concessions here too. The province reduced its planned mandate from four courses to two. The OSSTF seems intent to make that number zero but it is a significant gain that could have a very tangible impact on our students.

Unions are often unfairly maligned as greedy and their concerns get boiled down to money. But they are often fighting for more than just compensation. The ETFO, for instance, is trying to get issues such as a rising amount of school violence addressed.

If you find yourself grumbling about a union, it is worthwhile to dig into what is being fought over and think critically about where you stand on these issues. These negotiations are always complicated and deserve more thought.

It is vital the governments of all stripes – and businesses, for that matter – get held to account. Unions are an important check and balance to them.

Red Hawks fall to late-game stinger

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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0
Desi Davies controls the puck through traffic. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The Red Hawks boys hockey team suffered a stunning defeat as opposing I.E. Weldon scored with just 40 seconds left to take the win in Haliburton 4-3 Nov. 25.

The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School team battled back repeatedly throughout the game, erasing 2-1 and 3-2 deficits. But the Wild Cats dashed their hopes when Jackson Allen scored off the rush to steal the game.

“You have to always expect the unexpected. You have to work right till the end,” Haliburton head coach Jason Morissette said. “You can learn from it.”

The Hawks started the game well with an unassisted goal from Dylan Keefer in the first period. But I.E. Weldon answered with two goals in the second to go up 2-1.

With just two minutes left in the frame, the Hawks would lose a key defenceman. I.E. Weldon’s Cam Marshall hit Keefer into the boards from behind. Marshall was ejected, along with receiving a five-minute major. Keefer was able to move but was taken out of the game for precautionary reasons, in case of concussion.

“It’s a very dirty hockey play,” Morissette said. “It’s always upsetting because yes, you want that player in the game but you also want them to be healthy.”

Morissette added he told the team not to retaliate and they listened.

Instead, Brendan Coumbs made the Wild Cats pay on the ensuing power play, scoring with just three seconds left to tie the game 2-2 going into the third.

I.E. Weldon surged ahead with a goal in front of the net midway through the third period. But Haliburton answered, getting several good chances until Paul Turner scored off the rebound to tie the game with just 3:19 remaining.

“I just saw the rebound, goalie out of place, so I put it in,” Turner said. “All in all, we played well. Everyone did their job pretty well and we just barely lost.”

Morissette said the team will learn and work to improve defensively. But he expects more close games from here on.

“You’re working hard, you’re kind of staying in there. You’re trying to give it your best and I still think the boys did really, really well.”

The Red Hawks followed it up with a 5-1 loss to St. Mary’s in Cobourg Nov. 28.

“We had the score at 3-1 at the start of the third period but just could not keep up the pace,” Morissette said. “Good effort from all especially Carson Sission in net and our defencemen. I feel the team learned a lot about saying with a system and playing against a very experienced and talented team.”

Teachers begin work-to-rule, call one-day strike

By
Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter
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0
Haliburton Highlands Secondary School teachers gather outside before the school day as they began work-to-rule action Nov. 26. Photo by Lisa Gervais.

Local teachers showed solidarity with colleagues across the province as they began work-to-rule action in their schools Nov. 26 with a one-day strike looming Dec. 4.

Both Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) members demonstrated in front of County of Haliburton schools before class. Their unions are at standstills in negotiations for new collective agreements with the province and have decided to stop certain administrative tasks.

Local OSSTF District 15 president Colin Matthew said the province is using their power to limit salary and impose increased class sizes. The OSSTF has said it is seeking an inflation-based compensation increase.

“We’re disappointed to be at this point,” he said. “These cuts are negatively affecting our students through bigger classes, less individual attention, fewer course options and more combined classes.”

The OSSTF also announced it would commence a one-day strike on Dec. 4 if a deal is not reached, citing poor negotiations in the days following the work-to-rule.

This week we began a job action carefully devised to have no impact on students,” OSSTF president Harvey Bischof said in a statement. “It is clear from these last two days of bargaining, however, that our action is having no impact on the tone or substance of negotiations.”

The province has moved to reduce its education funding, raising class size averages. Initially, the province planned to go from an average of 22 to 28 students per class in high schools, but that figure decreased to 25 students amidst negotiations. Still, the cut resulted in Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) laying off support staff, not rehiring for 22 high school teaching positions and offering about 100 fewer courses.

TLDSB ETFO teacher president Karen Bratina said their work-to-rule will not impact students.

“Our current strike action is directed at the government and school boards and will not in any way affect students, their learning or their safety,” Bratina said. “There are real issues that need to be addressed.”

She added their union is trying to address things such as violence and more support for special needs and high-risk students.

Both unions work-to-rule includes ending participation in EQAO testing, limiting or removing comments on report cards, not participating in board or ministry professional activities and not attending staff meetings, among other tasks.

Education minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement the actions are regrettable. He said the government “has remained a consistent and reasonable force at the negotiating table.”

“There is a path to a deal, and it requires all parties to be reasonable and fair and put the needs of our children first,” Lecce said

In response to OSSTF’s strike declaration, Lecce said the government has made “reasonable offers,” citing the reductions to class size increases and mandatory online courses.

“Strikes hurt kids. Our government has been clear, we want deals that keep students in class,” Lecce said. “For teacher unions to leave the table, to turn their back on our children, and to escalate to the point of compromising their education, is deeply troubling for parents and our government.”

In a press release, TLDSB confirmed its secondary schools and adult and alternate education centres will close Dec. 4 if the strike goes ahead.

“We hope that a provincial agreement with both ETFO and OSSTF can be reached very soon,” TLDSB said.

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