Residents feeling sting of high material prices

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May 6, 2021

Local builders and residents are feeling the pinch of high material costs, but housing demand is keeping business steady.

The cost of lumber and construction materials have skyrocketed in recent months, part of an upward trend throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A common 2 x 4 western spruce-pine-fir is at $1,330 (USD) per thousand board feet as of April 23 – nearly twice the 52-week average of $773.

Haliburton County Home Builders Association (HCHBA) vice-president Glenn Evans said those costs can hurt contractors when they lock in project prices months in advance.

“These volatile price increases, it’s difficult to maneuver that when you’re already locked into a price,” Evans said. “It’s impacted the construction industry, I would say right across the board. Doesn’t matter who you are, how you operate. It’s having a negative impact.”

But builders remain busy thanks to a booming real estate market, which Evans said often goes together with the construction sector. Real estate company Royal LePage said March 23 after a 16 per cent increase in home prices in Canada’s recreational property regions in 2020, it projects another 15 per cent increase in 2021.

“Life during the pandemic has made cottage country and country living more desirable than ever,” Royal LePage president and CEO Phil Soper said. “Canadians young and old [are looking for] properties with more space, easy access to nature, and the ability to achieve that everelusive work-life balance.”

“It’s a little bewildering that the price of materials hasn’t seemed to slow down the demand yet, but that’s the reality,” Evans said. “People are still seeking to leave the city.”

That has made it a “very positive market” for builders, Evans said. With properties up for sale drying up, he said people are turning to vacant lots or teardowns to build the new home they are looking for.

Although the pandemic’s end could be coming, Evans said he does not foresee prices falling anytime soon. He said there are other factors to the price increases, such as large forest fires.

“I’m not convinced you’re going to go back to a pre-pandemic kind of price,” he said. “They will recede to a degree, but I’m not convinced you’re going to see prices plummet.”

Although companies might be able to bear the increases, he said the “do-it-yourself” projects are the ones that will take a hit.

“To build a little deck that used to be $700 or $800 for materials pre-pandemic is now $2,000,” Evans said. “That really takes you back when you experience that.”

Commission calls out long-term care failures

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Lisa Gervais

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May 6, 2021

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The Haliburton-City of Kawartha Lakes Long-Term Care Coalition praised a report from a provincial commission highlighting systematic failure in the sector.

Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission released its final report April 30. The province tasked it July 2020 with investigating the state of the province’s long-term care (LTC) homes after hundreds of COVID-19-related deaths in the early days of the pandemic.

The report highlights the province as illprepared for the crisis and that the sector was an easy target for outbreaks after decades of neglect.

For coalition member Bonnie Roe, the information is not surprising.

“The neglect of our elderly has been systemic for probably 30 years,” Roe said.

The commission said there were numerous warnings LTC needed a significant overhaul and much of the infrastructure was outdated. It makes 85 recommendations for addressing LTC and pandemic preparedness, including a comprehensive inspection regime, increased funding, improving the level of care and licensees making counselling available for residents and staff.

Although the commission notes many of the issues were longstanding, it also lays blame at the current government for a slow response to the first wave of the pandemic and a lack of preparation for the second wave.

In a press release, Minister of LongTerm Care Dr. Merrilee Fullerton said the province is already making improvements and vaccinations have decreased outbreaks at homes.

“There’s no question that residents and staff at long-term care homes and their families were disproportionally impacted by COVID-19,” Fullerton said. “We cannot let their experience be in vain – and we won’t.”

Advocates such as Roe and the Ontario Health Coalition have been calling for reform and the end of for-profit care. But the commission fell short of recommending that, stating that although COVID-19 has undermined their reputation, private “mission-driven” enterprises have a part to play going forward.

“The commission accepts that there are owners of ‘for-profit’ homes, mostly those that are mission-driven, who provide good care to their residents,” the report said.

“To me, that’s a step backwards considering how progressive the rest of the report is,” Roe said. “I don’t think profit should be involved in any way.”

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) president and CEO Carolyn Plummer said the report is a “critical step in the right direction.” She said many of the report’s recommendations are already happening at their homes, but more work – and funding – will be needed for others.

“I am hopeful that this report will help form the basis for meaningful change,” Plummer said.

Roe said she is unsure of whether this report will bring about change.

“It could happen, I think, if the political will was there, and that’s what we need to see,” Roe said. “There’s a true lack of respect and I truly hope that maybe, with more public pressure, that the government will listen.”

LTC petition gains traction

The coalition is mounting that pressure, garnering more than 2,400 signatures for a petition after three weeks of circulation.

The petition is in support of ensuring four hours of direct care per resident per day; increasing infection prevention and health care expertise; improving working conditions; reinstating thorough inspections with consistent enforcement; changing nursing home culture to being more resident-centred, family/caregiver-centred, and rights-based; and taking the profit motive out of long-term care.

The petition is online and at Minden Pharmasave.

“We are very encouraged with this incredible level of support for fixing long-term care.” Said Haliburton resident and coalition member Lyn Ritchie, who was key in drafting the petition.

Kawartha Lakes representative, Mike Perry, added “fixing long-term care is topof-mind for local residents. The survey numbers demonstrate the level of concern.”

The coalition, formed last May, has received support from Concerned Citizens of Haliburton County, the Canadian Federation of University Women and Haliburton County Council.

The group said it is awaiting a motion of support from Haliburton Highlands Health Services.

The petition is available at ltcneedsyou.ca or by contacting Roe at 705-286-2414.

Chamber pushes for more paid sick days

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Lisa Gervais

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May 6, 2021

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The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is advocating for governments to put more support into sick day initiatives.

The province unveiled a sick days’ program April 28, providing employers up to $200 for up to three days per employee. It aims to help keep ill workers home during the pandemic but falls short of the two weeks of sick days Ontario’s COVID19 Science Advisory Table has highlighted as key.

Chamber president Andrea Strano said it is a step in the right direction and a lot of local small businesses will take advantage of it. However, she said the days do not run long enough.

“I am not certain that three days will deter people from staying home if they are right on the edge, from paycheque to paycheque,” Strano said. “There needs to be longer support in place.”

The province will reimburse employers through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), running retroactively from April 19 to Sept. 25. The province is also pushing to add funding to the federal Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit program (CRSB), which supports people not working due to self-isolation.

“It is a tremendously positive step that the federal government has signaled their willingness to continue discussions on the CRSB. Now, we can fix the outstanding gap,” Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton said in a press release.

Strano said that proposal is encouraging but does not address other shortcomings, such as processing delays. She also said there is some confusion about who qualifies for reimbursement under WSIB.

“The process should be easy and seamless,” Strano said.

Businesses cannot bear the brunt of paying for more sick days, Strano said. She said her organization supports a program paid for by the government during the pandemic.

“Most small business owners are challenged enough,” she said. “They need all the help they can get to ensure their staff can take the time off they need.”

In a joint statement, Strano and Ontario Chamber of Commerce CEO Rocco Rossi said more changes are needed.

“We would like to see all levels of governments open to further adjustments of their programs – as they have been with other programs rolled out in the pandemic – to ensure programs meet the needs of workers and the market in the Haliburton Highlands,” they said.

County gets $3 million for outdoor infrastructure

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Lisa Gervais

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May 6, 2021

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The federal and provincial governments will spend approximately $3 million towards municipal infrastructure improvements, including the Rail Trail, Rotary Beach and the Kinark Outdoor Centre (KOC).

Officials announced the funding April 29, which will be used to rehabilitate and add to the facilities. The upper government dollars include approximately $1.1 million for the Kinark Outdoor Centre, $657,700 for better accessibility at four other Minden facilities, $219,990 to rehabilitate Rotary Beach Park and $196,616 towards the County Rail Trail.

KOC program director Jane Isbister said the organization had waited since 2018 for the grant funding to come through. The centre provides recreational and therapeutic programs for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“This is fantastic news for the kids. It’s a great investment in our program,” Isbister said. “We’re thrilled about it.”

The projects came due to applications through the Community, Culture and Recreation steam of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

Mayor Andrea Roberts said Dysart made its applications more than a year ago and MPP Laurie Scott said the province decided on what it would fund last fall, before awaiting approval for federal dollars.

“These projects will enhance our communities by so much,” MP Jamie Schmale said. “It was a slog, but we got there.”

Warden Liz Danielsen thanked Scott and Schmale for championing the proposals.

“The residents of Haliburton County have had, and continue to experience some difficult times,” Danielsen said. “It’s really heartening to get some welcome and good news about projects being approved for all of our residents to enjoy in the future.”

The initiatives will also require municipal contributions. Minden will spend $396,930 on the Kinark Outdoor Centre, with improvements including increased accessibility, extending the service life of the dining hall and creating a new dorm. The municipality will also provide $239,230 towards improvements at other facilities, including the Minden Library and Cultural Centre, the Lochlin Community Centre, the Irondale Community Centre and the Minden Curling Club building.

Meanwhile, Dysart will contribute $80,010 towards Rotary Beach Park, including repairs on sports courts, a new play structure, a bike rack and an off-leash dog park. The project will also add a Wi-Fi network.

“The upgrades to this area of Head lake park will be appreciated by so many residents and visitors alike,” Roberts said. “Our parks and outdoor facilities are more important than ever.”

The County will spend $71,509 towards the Rail Trail, which will add a granular overlay to 30 kilometres, 15 benches, 500 metres of barrier and informational signage.

Isbister said KOC hopes to complete construction over a three-year term. She said it is difficult for the organization to make infrastructure improvements and this funding will go a long way.

“The needs of our families and our visitors are changing,” she said. “To be able to build a new dorm is super exciting to be able to meet the needs of our target audience.”

Projects in Kawartha Lakes and Brock also received funding, with a combined cost of $12 million for eight different initiatives across all three jurisdictions.

Up to 40 cell towers coming to Highlands

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Lisa Gervais

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May 6, 2021

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Rogers Communications is preparing to bring 30-40 new fifth-generation (5G) cell towers and upgrade 21 existing ones to improve coverage throughout Haliburton County.

The company presented to a special County council meeting April 28 with information on the Eastern Ontario Regional Network’s (EORN) cellular project, which aims to provide 99 per cent coverage throughout the region, with 95 per cent of areas supporting cellular web browsing and 85 per cent supporting video streaming. Rogers was selected for the public-private partnership, which has a more than $300 million combined investment.

The company plans to start upgrading existing towers this spring, with some finished by the summer. It expects to complete all upgrades by the end of 2022, with new tower construction to finish by 2025.

“It’s a very aggressive schedule,” EORN CEO David Fell said. “We are confident we will meet or exceed those coverage goals for the project.”

The County is contributing $441,765 towards the initiative. The process is underway, with Rogers indicating it is scouting new tower locations, which will require municipal approval.

Council members expressed excitement about the initiative but also discussed the hurdles it could bring.

Algonquin Highlands Coun. Lisa Barry asked about long-term studies on exposure to radiofrequency, alluding to health concerns about 5G.

County wary of ‘nimby’ concerns

Rogers senior director of 5G product management and customer readiness Sameer Sheth said the company follows the highest safety regulations from the Canadian government. Health Canada has stated there are no health risks from exposure to cellphones, towers and 5G devices.

Dysart et al mayor Andrea Roberts said residents could protest the towers as they go up – despite how necessary they are to improve coverage.

“Like a lot of things … the old nimby (not in my backyard) comes around,” Roberts said. “They want service, they don’t want the cell towers.”

Highlands East deputy mayor Cec Ryall said pushback may prove less than anticipated, adding the pandemic has changed some mindsets.

“I don’t think we’re going to have as much resistance as we had in the past, although I’m sure there will be,” Ryall said.

Internet not included

The project stands to improve data capabilities but does not necessarily improve internet coverage. EORN staff also presented about the Big Gig initiative, a $1.2-$1.6 billion proposal to bring gigabyte download speeds throughout the region that has yet to receive funding.

Minden Coun. Bob Carter asked about using wireless technology from the new towers for internet improvements, adding data plans can be cost-prohibitive as a substitute.

Fell said the government funding for the project is limited to cellular coverage. But he added Rogers is interested in providing fixed wireless internet from the new infrastructure.

“It’s absolutely something we have supported,” Fell said. “Any broadband is good broadband.”

Warden Liz Danielsen said the project has come with a tremendous amount of work – and frustration.

“It’s going to take some time for us to get connected – and probably longer than most people want,” Danielsen said. “But we’re really pleased to see this going forward.”

Huskies make Minden arena home

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 6, 2021

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TRENTON, ON - MARCH 7: Kyle Robinson #7 and Andrew Suriyuth #53 of the Trenton Golden Hawks battle for the puck with Oliver Tarr #92 of the Whitby Fury during the third period. Whitby Fury vs Trenton Golden Hawks on March 7, 2020 at Duncan McDonald Memorial Gardens in Trenton, Ontario, Canada. (Amy Deroche/ OJHL Images)

Minden’s newly-refurbished arena is now home to a Junior A Hockey Club.

The former Whitby Fury are on the move and will begin their training camp as the Haliburton County Huskies in mid-August, if allowed by the Province of Ontario during the pandemic.

Minden Hills director of community services, Craig Belfry, shared details during the April 29 council meeting when he brought a tenancy agreement before council.

He and staff have been negotiating for months to bring the club to Minden. It’s owned by local businessman Paul Wilson.

Belfry said it was an “exciting development” for the township.

He said the team sought formal approval from the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the relocation approved Feb. 15.

Huskies head coach and general manager, Ryan Ramsay, told The Highlander, “We’re ecstatic to say the least.”

Junior A hockey club moving from Whitby

He said the group that bought the Whitby Fury a couple of years ago knew they were going to have to relocate as they weren’t getting the fans and there was no atmosphere in the arena.

Then, last year, they heard about Minden’s new rink nearing completion. He said he and Wilson came to tour the rink and facilities.

“A great centre up in cottage country. From an operations point of view, it was a no-brainer for us. With the County being a hockey town and a sports town, we think it could really be something special for fans, the community and our players.”

Belfry said the benefits of having the team move to the facility are “enormous.”

“It fills gaps in our scheduling of ice time. It brings a new element to the community which will help foster and develop the minor hockey and minor skating programs in the community. It provides an entertainment value to the community as a whole of a new product in the facility.”

He said the agreement is for seven years, with review at the three-year mark. Belfry said the township is offering a reduced rate for ice time to help the team establish a foothold in the community. It will rise incrementally.

He noted the Huskies will be spending about $100,000 to renovate the area known as the Scout Hall for use specifically by the team. This includes the creation of a dressing room, lounge, training rooms, office and showers.

In addition to renting ice time, the team will use other areas of the facility, including the viewing area and adjoining community hall and gym.

Further, the team will be running the canteen. “That’s a great deal for us, that we have somebody already agreeing to work with us to run that snack bar,” Belfry said.

The team would also like fans to be able to have an alcoholic beverage when watching the games and the township is open to an arrangement.

Belfry noted the Huskies will be responsible as they will require insurance, Smart Servers and security at games.

He tabled a report from Hockey Canada showing the overall impact “of how minor hockey, and hockey in general, generates revenue in small communities like ours and it’s a very positive report.” He said the Huskies are also committed to developing youth in the community.

“We felt very confident that we could accommodate this team and work with them over the next few years.”

Councillors ask questions

Coun. Jennifer Hughey asked questions to address some community concerns.

She said some organizations, such as figure skating and Girl Guides and Scouts, want to ensure they are not unduly impacted. She asked Belfry what he meant by filling gaps in the scheduling of ice time.

Belfry said he looked at the arena schedule prior to closure and there were a lot of gaps. He noted the Highland Storm use both Minden and Haliburton arenas. However, he said there were openings alternating Friday and Saturday nights. He said minor hockey traditionally finishes by 5 p.m. Saturday.

“You’re wide open on a Saturday night with nothing going on in the facility.”

He said the Huskies plan to play Friday and Saturdays. He said they are already in discussions with minor hockey and there will be a full user group meeting in about a month to examine scheduling. He said they will practice during the day when the arena is underutilized.

Hughey and Coun. Ron Nesbitt also expressed concerns about serving alcohol. Belfy reiterated the clause about volunteer security for events. He added if there are issues, the township has the right to ask the club to employ police.

Coun. Bob Carter and Coun. Pam Sayne also asked if the team could hold off on alcohol sales in the stands until the township sees how it goes. Meanwhile, the Haliburton County Huskies went live with their website May 5 at huskieshockey.ca.

The variants revisited

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 6, 2021

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by Dr. Nell Thomas

What is scarier than the fear of losing the global race to vaccinate enough persons before we are overwhelmed by escape mutations?

Every time the virus is transmitted to a new human host it copies (replicates) itself and inevitably makes mistakes (mutations) in this copying process. From some of these mutations a new variant is born. Some of these become variants of concern, meaning they spread faster and cause more severe disease.

The E484K mutation is found in all three global variants of concern (P.1 Brazil, B.1.351 S. Africa, and B.1.1.7 UK). This mutation contains changes to the part of the coronavirus spike protein that our antibodies target when fighting the virus. Thus, it can slip past our immune system defences – natural antibodies acquired from previous infections. It could change its genetic code enough to slip past vaccinations and the antibody treatments we use for patients with COVID-19.

Another mutation in the UK variant, N501Y, has made the virus more contagious, causing a surge in cases when it first appeared. That mutation helps the virus bind to doors on our cells called ACE2 receptors and enter our cells to start their business of replicating.

After you are vaccinated, or after an infection of COVID-19, your body makes antibodies to the virus (an army of soldiers with memory of the virus). Your immune system is smart and has a good memory so if it is exposed to the virus down the road it will mount a defense using these soldiers. E484K is called an escape mutation because it helps the virus escape this standing army. With this mutation, the virus may slip past our immune defenses, making us sick.

Data about the three variants of concern (VOC) are accumulating. People infected with VOC are more likely to be hospitalized, require ICU, and die. As well, patients are younger.

The variant most prevalent in India right now is B.1.617. Reported in late March 2021 (identified in December, 2020) it contains an E484K mutation as well as another mutation called L425R, earning it the title, double mutant. Unlike the three variants of concern, the WHO considers India’s double mutant only a variant of interest, acknowledging that it appears to have higher transmissibility with potential to cause more severe illness and evade vaccine immunity. B.1.617 is reported in 17-plus countries. (GISAID, Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data).

But India’s lack of swabbing and therefore gene sequencing data has left scientists and public health officials guessing just how virulent B.1.617 really is. Political rallies and religious festivals and failure to social distance and wear masks have all contributed to the devastating rapid increase in India’s cases.

As nightmarish as the spectre of virus mutations may be, we still have a powerful toolbox to defend and protect ourselves. Vaccines, social distancing, handwashing, masks. Lab studies suggest Covaxin, a vaccine developed in India, appears capable of neutralizing the variant. Public Health England, working with international partners, stated so far there is no evidence that the Indian variant causes more severe disease or renders the current vaccines less effective.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the leveling of new cases and the re-opening of the UK is not a result of their successful vaccinating endeavors so much as it is attributable to the success of lockdown.

Which is where we started. Viruses cannot mutate if they don’t replicate, and they can’t replicate if you socially vaccinate by staying apart, and medically vaccinate widely and quickly, putting brakes on mutations

Huskies may assist economy

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 6, 2021

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With Minden Hills taxpayers paying off the loan for the Minden recreation complex, news the town is getting a junior hockey team helps somewhat with that financial burden.

The former Whitby Fury – now renamed the Haliburton County Huskies – have made the Minden arena their new home under a draft tenancy agreement discussed at council’s April 29 meeting.

Director of community services, Craig Belfry, said the team is investing in the township. That includes renovating the Scout Hall area to create their own dressing room, lounge, training rooms, offices and showers. He estimated they’ll spend $105,000 plus HST.

They’ll also run the concession stand. While the township will derive no revenue from snack bar sales, it means they don’t have to run it, find someone to operate it, or spend any money.

And, of course, the Huskies will be buying ice time.

The township has been generous with taxpayers’ money on this front, offering heavy discounts for the seven-year term of the agreement. It begins with 30 per cent of the applicable hourly rate in the first year, climbing incrementally to 65 per cent in year seven.

Belfry said the discount is to give the team a chance to become established.

The latest ice rental fees I could find on the township website include a ticket ice rental rate of $80 per hour plus HST or a prime-time rate of $112 an hour. If the team is using ice in both categories, it averages out to about $96 an hour. At their former rink, the Iroquois Arena in Whitby, they paid $99.75.

The discounted rates here will see them pay, according to my math, a little under $30 an hour in their first year, climbing to about $62 in their seventh year. That’s a pretty hefty discount.

However, Belfry said it’s still nearly $87,000 over seven years, and since the team will fill scheduling gaps, it’s money the township wouldn’t have made otherwise. They’ll also spend $6,500-a-year using a room at the community centre, he pointed out.

One also has to look at the economic impact for the community at large.

When the squad rolls in for training camp in August, it is going to bring a bunch of team personnel, players, and their families. These people may commute but are likely going to be looking for somewhere to stay and eat. The team will need goods and services and we would hope they would source those locally. On a Friday or Saturday night, a home game could attract 300 spectators, all of whom may want to grab a bite before the game, or a drink after.

Belfry shared bits of a Hockey Canada report from 2015 on economic, community and sport benefits. Hockey Canada found that the impact of hockey on Canadian communities directly relates to the generation of $2.6 billion annually across the nation. In particular, hockey-related tourism in small towns acts as a key driver of direct impact. More than $1 billon of that $2.6 billion flowed into communities of less than 100,000 people.

Looking at the Neepawa Natives, a junior team in small-town Manitoba, it’s estimated they have spent $6.2 million from the time they started operating in 1989 to 2016. That money has gone to billets, for equipment, ice rental, salaries and team expenses.

Economic studies show money spent in a local economy has a 1:7 ratio, that every dollar gets circulated seven times. That means the Natives have generated an economic impact of more than $42 million in Neepawa since 1989.

We look forward to seeing the numbers when the Huskies complete their seventh season, in 2028.

Electric vehicle chargers gaining momentum

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Lisa Gervais

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May 5, 2021

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JQ - Electric vehicle update - 3 — Rhubarb Restaurant owner Terri Matthews said she is glad to see the County invest in electric vehicle chargers after installing one in 2017. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The owner of Haliburton’s first publicly accessible electric vehicle charging station welcomes local municipalities forging ahead with their own.

Rhubarb Restaurant owner Terri Matthews introduced a Tesla vehicle charger at her business in 2017. Now, municipalities have begun to approve new stations in all four townships.

Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Minden Hills and Highlands East councils have all agreed to an option that would install the stations by fall. Matthews said it is a great idea.

“We truly believe that it’s necessary. That electric cars are the wave of the future,” Matthews said. “People have to spend half an hour to one-hour charging, so why not walk around town, shopping, visit restaurants?”

The initiative comes from the County level. The approved stations would tentatively be located at the A.J. LaRue Arena and Head Lake Park welcome centre in Dysart, the township office in Minden and at the Wilberforce municipal office in Highlands East.

Dysart, Highlands East, Minden Hills and Algonquin Highlands also all opted to join a federally funded program from Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One instead of owning the stations at a municipal level. This will mean the companies will own the charging stations, with no up-front municipal cost but an annual service fee between $2,400-$4,000 depending on the site. Comparatively, owning them municipally could cost municipalities $15,000-$25,000 to install (but with an up to $10,000 grant reimbursement per station) and a $500-$1,800 annual fee.

Dysart deputy mayor Patrick Kennedy said he did not want to invest in a municipally owned station only for it to go out of date. He also said the municipality should do the minimum until more private companies start installing.

“I’m a little reluctant, with technology changing so fast, to buy one of these stations,” Kennedy said.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said the chargers represent economic development, given people will plan their routes around stopping to charge.

Matthews said that has happened at her restaurant.

“It’s brought people into the County who may not have come otherwise because it shows up on people’s (phone) apps,” she said. “We’ve had people numerous times come off of the highway because we’re the closest charger.”

Matthews said they installed one because there were no other options at the time. She also said although she expected the County to move forward sooner, it is positive that there are public chargers coming.

“It’s necessary,” she said. “It’s good for the town and good for the visitors. Especially since everything in the County is a fair distance apart.”

Students champion Haliburton’s forgotten athletes

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Lisa Gervais

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May 2, 2021

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JQ - Athletic murals - 2 — Dysart is considering new murals after a push from an elementary class to recognize two black athletes. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Dysart et al is considering adding two murals to the A.J. LaRue Arena after a campaign from an elementary school class attracted widespread attention.

The cultural resources committee on April 22 discussed the prospect of adding murals for track-and-field athlete Lesley Tashlin and Canadian Football League player Taly Williams. The committee opted to create a subcommittee to review and make recommendations for a policy on who should be honoured with murals on public facilities. The move comes at the request of the J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School Grade 7/8 French Immersion class. It felt the municipality should recognize the two athletes alongside the professional NHL and football players currently depicted at the arena.

Teacher Marina Thomazo said the effort has received support from the community and beyond.

“I don’t think they can stop it from happening,” Thomazo said. “It’s time for Haliburton to make amends because those people, they deserve it just as much as the others. They were here, they grew up here and they did something absolutely amazing.”

The black athletes both competed at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) before achieving at a top level. Tashlin competed for Canada at the 1996 Olympics in the women’s 100-metre hurdles and 4 x 100 metres relay. Williams was a defensive back with the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats between 1994-1996.

The arena currently has murals for five white athletes: NHLers Bernie Nicholls, Ron Stackhouse, Matt Duchene, Cody Hodgson and CFLer Mike Bradley.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said the town has no policy on the matter. She said it began with Nicholls and Stackhouse before an anonymous donor came forward who felt the tradition should continue, fully funding the three other murals in 2012.

“I really was thrilled that students looked at that and it was about honouring all athletes,” Roberts said. “Is the arena the best place to do that?”

She noted the new Haliburton Sports Hall of Fame will also be honouring athletes soon and there is no fund for arena murals. Committee member Anna Babluck said it is critical the two athletes do not slip through the cracks. She said they could be role models for people of colour in the community.

“It’s really important to have that representation,” Babluck said. “I just don’t want to see that lost because of policy.”

Thomazo said she is confident the class could fundraise for the murals and is preparing a GoFundMe. She said her students have taken a lot of pride in being able to make a difference.

“They witness social injustice, and they want to fix it.”