HOS hits the stage with final opera

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August 23, 2019

LG-HOS .jpg WEB — Brigitte Gall will be performing in the Highlands Opera Studio's final production.

The Highlands Opera Studio is gearing up for its final performance of the 2019 season with the opera, Ariadne Auf Naxos set to hit the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion stage.

It will be shown Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

In its description, HOS said, “what happens when a circus group and a serious opera company are unexpectedly requested to perform exactly at the same time? The shows must go on.”

In the opera, a wealthy patron has commissioned two pieces of entertainment for a private dinner party: an opera based on the myth of Ariadne in exile, and a capering troupe of clowns for comic relief. \

The catch is that the two acts must perform simultaneously so a fabulous pyrotechnics display can conclude the evening as promised.

HOS said it ties in with this year’s theme of Women in Opera.

“Ariadne auf Naxos provides an interesting exploration into various psychological archetypes of women reflected through the characters of Zerbinetta, Ariadne, and even the composer, played by a woman. The cast will also include popular local, Brigitte Gall, who will play Der Haushofmeister (Major Domo).

The schedule is: Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 24 at 2 p.m., Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. and Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $37.50 and available via the box office 705-457-5646 or 1-855-455- 5533. People can also order tickets online from highlandsoperastudio.com

Rainbow rises over Minden

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 22, 2019

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LG-Minden pride 6.jpg WEB — Jerelyn Craden sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow at the flagraising.

Jerelyn Craden honoured Judy Garland in singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow to kick off the fourth annual Minden Pride Week on Monday.

Co-founder Sinclair Russell spoke about the history of the Pride flag.

Chair David Rankin welcomed people for “the celebration of diversity and inclusion in Minden Hills.”

He spoke of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City, seen as the beginning of the gay rights movement. He went on to discuss how the Criminal Code in Canada is still not equal for members of the LGBTQ community so “we still have work to do.”

And, with the Minden Pride banner being removed from the bridge in town by unknown vandals, he acknowledged there was indeed still work to be done.

“This week, Minden, we come together as an inclusive and diverse community, to celebrate who we are and to show that we are proud of ourselves, our friends and our family members.”

Ward 1 Coun. Jennifer Hughey thanked the co-founders and the Pride committee for “creating this genuine feeling of pride and sense of community.” She added, “We’re all just looking for the practice of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized … I just want to say happy pride week, be safe, have fun and be kind to one another.”

Monday’s flag raising was followed by a Tuesday movie night and a Wednesday meet and greet. Coming up: Aug. 22, 8-11 p.m. trivia night at the D; Aug. 23, 8 p.m. to close, Drag Experience & Dance Party at the Pinestone; Aug. 24, 4-8 p.m., tea dance at the Dominion Hotel Pub; Aug. 25, 1 p.m., inter-faith church service and 12:30-3:30 p.m. Street fest.

County prepares for municipal cuts

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Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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August 22, 2019

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JQ-municipal cut AMO — County of Haliburton Warden Liz Danielsen said although municipal cuts are coming, province also made promising announcements at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference Aug. 19. File photo.

County of Haliburton warden Liz Danielsen said the municipality is preparing for provincial cutbacks.

Premier Doug Ford addressed the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference Aug. 19, which Haliburton’s municipal leaders are attending. With the address came announcements the province would forge ahead with previously considered cuts to public health and childcare spaces, forcing municipalities to foot more of those bills. The province is also expected to cut into its main assistance grant for municipalities.

Danielsen said the county is working to find savings in preparation for expected cuts.

“The County, in cooperation with the four lower-tier municipalities, continues to work aggressively to improve and streamline the delivery of services throughout the county to realize savings,” she said.

But Danielsen said there was promising information in the province’s announcements. She said the province has assured there will be no privatization for ambulance services, which they were considering. The county has previously expressed concerns over the province changing the ambulance system.

Besides that, Ford also announced more funding for the ambulances.

“The county will be eligible for up to a four per cent increase in funding for EMS next year,” Danielsen said.

The province also announced it would maintain the structure for the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) in 2020, the primary municipal assistance grant. Ford also announced additional transitional funding in 2020.

“To help our municipal partners pursue greater fiscal sustainability and protect the future of public services,” Ford said in his address. “So you can continue to deliver important services people rely on every day.”

Municipalities are bracing for future cuts to the OMPF, but Danielsen said there will at least be some stability for 2020.

“While there is little doubt the OMPF funding will be reduced in the future, the actual structure of how the funding is delivered will remain fundamentally the same,” Danielsen said.

Municipalities will soon be expected to pay for 30 per cent of public health costs and 20 per cent of new childcare spaces. Danielsen noted the City of Kawartha Lakes remains responsible for overseeing childcare spaces, which it does in Haliburton on behalf of the county.

“Members of the joint advisory committee will be meeting to discuss the impacts on childcare and other services in September and we will know more then,” Danielsen said. “Ultimately, decisions are theirs to make and we are prepared to manage whatever change comes our way.”

Minden kayaker captures podium at nationals

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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August 22, 2019

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Minden kayaker Coleman Heaven cartwheeled, twisted and flipped his way to a silver medal before his hometown crowd in the national junior men’s freestyle competition Aug. 16.

Heaven put up a score of 260 for the final round at the 2019 Canoe Kayak Whitewater National Championships on the Gull River, good for second place. He beat out most of the field of 13 kayakers throughout the day, getting through three rounds before his finals’ performance.

“I’m pretty stoked,” Heaven said. “You kind of get in the groove and the tricks were just clicking.”

Heaven called it “redemption” after narrowly missing the podium with a fourthplace finish at the 2018 nationals in Alberta.

“I definitely wanted to make the podium this year,” Heaven said. “I didn’t care where.”

The recent Haliburton Highlands Secondary School graduate got his start kayaking on the same Gull River. After watching a cousin kayak, Heaven picked the sport up and never looked back.

“I just got to a point and people started talking to me, ‘you should go try out’,” Heaven said.

Live interview with Coleman Heaven after his silver medal victory.

Heaven has only kayaked competitively for two years. His discipline is freestyle, where competitors perform on a single rapid, aiming to get the highest score possible. Athletes twist and flip into the air, performing tricks such as the “Space Godzilla,” an aerial loop with a 90 degree or greater rotation.

“I don’t like being told what to do. I just follow my heart,” Heaven said of his discipline selection. “I’m pretty stoked that freestyle gives me that opportunity. Plus, I find it more intense.”

However, his family said it can be hard to watch. Competitors intentionally dip themselves beneath the rushing water. Getting spit out downstream is common. “There’s a point where you just have to start looking away,” dad Paul Heaven said. “That’s a given.”

Mom Irene said Coleman’s love for the sport has helped him succeed.

“For him, I think kayaking is such a joy. When he gets stressed with school or something, he goes kayaking. I don’t know if it is a lot of work for him, as opposed to a lot of fun,” she said.

Heaven has no plans to stop. With his last year of junior men’s competition behind him, he plans to perform on the world stage at the senior level by making the men’s national team.

“I’d like to compete at worlds in Nottingham in 2021. That’s my goal right now,” Heaven said.

Although the competitive season is wrapped up, Heaven said he’ll continue working on his chosen sport through the rest of the year, taking to the waters he loves.

“I’ve always been really comfortable in the water. I’ve never had any fear,” Heaven said. “That overall helps me be comfortable when I’m kayaking.”

Capturing Eden loses in cannabis lottery

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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August 22, 2019

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Haliburton’s Capturing Eden was not successful in its attempt to become the county’s first recreational cannabis store.

The medical cannabis assessment clinic was not amongst the 42 applicants selected for retail store authorization, announced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) Aug. 21. The store was one of 4,864 eligible expressions of interest submitted in
the draw, which occurred Aug. 20 and was overseen by a third-party fairness monitor according to an AGCO press release.

In a statement, Capturing Eden spoke against the lottery system being used.

“This process lacks the acknowledgement of people within the industry that demonstrate cannabis knowledge and store legitimacy,” the business said. “Store authorizations have resulted in access being clustered in areas, thus failing to meet the needs of Ontarians as a whole.”

The AGCO distributed the selections across five regions. Haliburton is located in the east region, which stretches into the Ottawa area. The east region will receive seven new stores. The closest proposed store to Haliburton went to Huge Shops Ontario Inc., located in the City of Kawartha Lakes at 566 Frank Hill Road, just north of Peterborough.

Three of the east region selections went to Innisfil, a town of approximately 37,000 people. All three of the proposed Innisfil stores are on the same street, Commerce Park Drive. The other three proposed stores in the East region are set to go to Nepean, Collingwood and Barrie.

Lottery winners can now apply for a retail operator licence. Only stores that meet all legal and regulatory requirements will be authorized, the AGCO said.

“The lottery process does not address the social needs within rural Ontario,” Capturing Eden said.

Paving roads with debt not so bad

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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August 22, 2019

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Debt.

It is often viewed as an ugly word. It inspires anxiety and fear for the future. It can get viewed as failing to uphold responsibility. It is a spectre hanging in the halls of every level of government. It is a stamp political cartoonists keep on their desks at all times, when they are out of ideas.

The County of Haliburton is considering taking on $3 million in debt to improve its roads situation. Roads are a critical county responsibility, but one can argue the move is not strictly necessary. County staff argued it stands to significantly improve the road network, particularly on the worse roads to traverse in the spring.

Although some may protest, the county is well-positioned to do this. In this context, this $3 million debt could stand to be a positive thing.

Few things earn more ire than bad roads. Just about everyone in Haliburton probably experienced some of the roads which “blew up” in the spring, as director of public works Craig Douglas put it. Several roads we can recall were unsafe or felt damaging to our vehicles. Few would question our local municipalities putting an extra priority on fixing up roads.

But given how much road rural municipalities have to cover, that is always an uphill battle. Costs get high quickly and municipalities have to find money somewhere.

One option is to increase tax rates, which is never popular – big ones especially so. The tax increases needed to fund $3 million would probably make the 2020 budget deeply unpopular and more than people could bear in a one-year span.

There is always the option to make cuts, or “find efficiencies” as the province likes to say. Those certainly are not popular, either. Municipalities cannot run deficits and although there is always spending you can point to as wasteful, finding $3 million to cut out of a budget is no small task. It would probably stand to hurt other important services.

There is grant funding, which all municipalities use to make projects happen. But that is always uncertain and never seems to amount to enough. Ironically, taking on debt could attract more grant dollars, by making the county seem poorer.

So, if the county wants to do more for roads in the short-term, debt is the only other option. In the long-run, it is naturally the most expensive option with interest charges. Given that, it should be used sparingly, which the county has fortunately done. The county has only approximately $1.5 million in debt it is paying off, currently amounting to an annual payment of $157,712.

The county is well short of its annual debt repayment limit of $3.3 million. At current interest rates, taking on $3 million in debt would amount to a total interest payment of about $184,215 over five years, based on figures from a county finance report.

Some will scoff at that. But given how little the county pays to service debt currently, it is far from unreasonable.

The county is not close to a final decision on this loan. Council members will secondguess it, as they should do. Debt should not be taken lightly. Were the county more prone to taking on debt, this move would probably make little sense. Better long-term planning is a stronger alternative than debt, but more is already being mandated to help, such as asset management plans.

In the meantime, this is debt we can live with.

County plans to give roads “shot in the arm

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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August 22, 2019

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JQ - Roads Loan - 2-web — County of Haliburton director of public works Craig Douglas argued for a “shot in the arm” to the roads capital budget through a loan. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The County of Haliburton is planning to budget a $3 million loan to give its roads a “shot in the arm” in 2020.

The Haliburton County Roads Committee voted Aug. 14 to recommend staff include a one-time, $3 million budget increase to supplement the 2020 roads capital budget.

Director of public works Craig Douglas argued for the budget increase, citing the troubles the municipality experienced with roads “blowing up” in the spring.

“Hard for me to sleep at night in that spring,” Douglas said. “Status quo isn’t necessarily going to change anything next spring … I think the roads budget needs a one-time shot-in-the-arm.”

Douglas outlined three options including: status quo; a $6 million loan and a $3 million loan. He discussed what impact each would have on roads quality in the municipality, in terms of network performance rating.

Coun. Brent Devolin said the municipality would have to make some fundamental decisions as it works on its long-term asset management.

“This is the first of a whole bunch,” Devolin said. “This is a great step forward. You’re either doing this in a big way or you stick with the status quo. I’m not a supporter of in-between.”

The motion does not represent a firm commitment, with council still able to change direction in the budgeting process. Council also directed staff to bring forward a report breaking down different approaches to the multi-million-dollar loan and how it could be repaid.

A staff report presented at a subsequent finance and correspondence committee meeting found that the municipality has an annual debt repayment limit of $3,391,370. Currently, it is only spending $157,712 across two loans. As of Oct. 31 2018, the county has $1,568,817 in outstanding debt.

“Historically, the county has minimized debt,” the report from treasurer Elaine Taylor said. “Many of our roads are in poor or fair condition and require replacement. Utilizing debt to decrease the infrastructure gap could assist the County in reaching sustainability for road and bridge infrastructure”

Douglas said the improvements may be hard to conceptualize across a massive road system, but more funding should make for a notable impact on bad roads.

“We’ll have a lot less stuff that’s blowing up,” he said.

County takes ownership of Minden daycare

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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August 22, 2019

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JQ - Minden Day Care - 1 - web — The County of Haliburton is taking on ownership of the Ontario Early Years Centre in Minden. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The Ontario Early Years Centre board is transferring ownership of its daycare facility in Minden to the County of Haliburton.

County council announced the move at a special meeting Aug. 14. Council authorized the purchase of the facility for $2, giving the municipality control over the building. In June 2018, the Ontario Early Years Centre (OEYC) nearly terminated daycare services there on a week’s notice.

But the City of Kawartha Lakes, which oversees daycare in Haliburton on behalf of the county, struck a last-minute deal to save it. Minden Hills Mayor Brent Devolin said the municipal control should prevent that situation from happening again.

“It remains in control of the local community,” Devolin said. “This is a good day and it ensures we never have the challenge we did over a year ago.”

Lisa Tolentino knows that challenge well. Her son attended the centre’s after school program when the closure was imminent. She said it had a significant impact on the community who used the facility.

“I’m happy to see it in the hands of the county, for sure. I think it’s a good choice,” Tolentino said. “I was just really upset about the impact it had on the staff, as well as the children of the other parents.”

The property was originally donated by the Dollo family for the community.

“We feel this aligns with the original intent,” the OEYC board said in a statement. “While also enabling the County of Haliburton to be involved in the future of licensed childcare in the community.”

Devolin said this will not change the day-to-day operations of the facility. Compass Early Learning and Care manages the daycare under the oversight of the City of Kawartha Lakes.

“It’s just strictly the asset comes into possession locally, so it guarantees in perpetuity that it couldn’t go away,” he said.

OEYC executive director Pippa Stephenson said the move has been in the works since 2017 and discussions were initiated with the county in summer 2018. The board decided it no longer wanted to operate the facility due to limited resources.

“The OEYC is not a large organization,” Stephenson said. “The board had hoped that an organization dedicated to childcare would be able to offer enhanced services to families and better support to staff.”

The facility is in line for significant improvements too. It is due to get 23 new childcare spaces, with up to $750,000 in capital funding from the province, which was announced July 2018.

The province announced Aug. 19 it would soon go ahead with funding changes for new childcare spaces, which will require municipalities supply 20 per cent of the cost. Previously, the province fully funded it, but warden Liz Danielsen said this may not impact the Minden facility.

“The timing of approvals may allow the project to move forward without encountering any issues,” she said.

Tolentino said she is optimistic for the future of the facility.

“I’m hoping whatever they do is going to make things better for everyone,” she said. “I suspect it will.”

Radiothon beats funding goal for heart equipment

By

Meagan Secord

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August 22, 2019

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MS - HHHS RADIO3 — Nancy Lowes got people in their cars involved in the fundraiser. Photo by Meagan Secord.

The 12th annual Radiothon fundraiser for the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHSF) raised $30,645, $5,000 more than this year’s goal.

HHHSF executive director Lisa Tompkins said the community always comes together in support of the hospitals.

“This community is extraordinarily generous to health services and many other causes that they have throughout the county,” she said.

The Radiothon at 99.5 Moose FM took place on Aug. 16 and 17 and raised money to go towards new echo cardiographs (ECG’s) for the hospital’s emergency department.

Volunteers from both the hospital and the radio station spent two days on air, encouraging people to donate. On the ground, people outside asked people passing by to get involved.

Sue Black, a morning host for Moose FM, said on air that the radiothon helps the hospital work more efficiently.

“It would be an administrative nightmare if they had to send people out of town everytime they needed a machine,” she said.

Tompkins said the timing gives seasonal residents a chance to get involved.

“Because the equipment we’re fundraising for is for the emergency departments that might be pretty relevant to visitors,” said Tompkins. “We hope that people don’t need to use the emergency departments but we’re thankful that if they do, we’ve got great medical professionals and equipment.”

HCDC sees RED over student housing

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 21, 2019

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LG-RED funding 1.jpg WEB — People take part in the food and agricultural economic development forum on March 5 at the Minden Hills Community Centre.

Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC) will use up to $50,000 in provincial government money to commence studies in hopes of bringing 40 student housing units to the college.

HCDC executive director Patti Tallman told The Highlander on Tuesday, they’re working with Greg Bishop of KOB North Lake Holdings on the project. Bishop first pitched student housing to Dysart et al council last fall.

The province announced HCDC is getting up to $50,000 under its rural economic development (RED) program, while the County of Haliburton is getting up to $20,000 for food tourism initiatives.

Tallman said in their case, “the project will see the development of studies of the sewer services and property easements to enable services to be connected to the municipality’s sewer systems.”

She said it will include professional services for design drawings and municipal approval processes which will require consultants, legal and planning costs.

“The funding is available now so once costs have been incurred expenses can be reimbursed,” Tallman said.

She added that the outcome will be building design and drawings, plans and approvals to be put in place

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to work with KOB North Lake Holdings to investigate the feasibility of a student residence next to the Haliburton campus. A student residence would be an incredible asset for our community,” Tallman said.

On Nov. 27, 2018, Bishop told Dysart et al staff and councillors the project would require the severance of nearly three hectares of property from a nearly 16-hectare lot off of College Drive near Glebe Park, an easy walk or bike ride from the campus, where lack of student housing has been an ongoing issue for years.

The RED program is aimed at helping rural and indigenous communities attract investment, create and keep jobs and boost economic development.

County Warden Liz Danielsen said for their part, “The County of Haliburton has been working on the development of food tourism, in support of many local businesses for the past several years.

“With the funding from the Rural Economic Development program, we will be able to launch a number of exciting programs in the back half of 2019 and support a contract position as well. It’s an exciting and delicious time for the Haliburton Highlands.”

Harvest Haliburton hosted a food and agriculture economic development forum in Minden on March 5 to discuss a growing local industry.

Ernie Hardeman, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, which oversees RED, said, “our government’s priority is to create jobs and economic growth in every corner of the province. We have updated the Rural Economic Development program to better align with our commitment to supporting rural Ontario and focus on projects that will bring real benefits to communities.”

Applications to the updated program are now being accepted until Sept. 9, 2019.

It has two new project categories: an economic diversification and competitiveness stream: projects that remove barriers to business and job growth, attract investment, attract or retain a skilled workforce, or strengthen sector and regional partnerships and diversify regional economies; and strategic economic infrastructure stream: minor capital projects that advance economic development and investment opportunities.

All program details, including the program guide and application form, are available online at ontario.ca/ REDprogram.