Storm Midgets make finals for second year

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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March 18, 2019

JQMidgetHockeyWin1web.jpg.957ca706 — Joseph Quigley

“The greatest feeling in the world.”

That’s how Highland Storm Rep Midget captain Shawn Walker described his emotions after their 5-3 victory over the Bancroft Jets at A.J. LaRue Arena March 9.

The win clinched their playdown series and gave them a ticket to the Midget CC final. It is the second straight year the team has made it this far.

“Feels great, honestly, going to the finals back-to-back,” Walker said after the win. “We worked for it. We deserve it, every second of it.”

The Storm came out strong against the Jets, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period off two goals from Braedon Robinson and one from Nick Dollo.

A flurry of goals near the end of the second period cut into the lead, with the Jets potting two goals while the Storm’s Nigel Smith answered. The Storm went into the second intermission up 4-2.

The Jets would claw to within one with over 12 minutes left in the final frame. But the Storm held onto the 4-3 lead up until the final minute.

“Heart. A lot of heart,” Walker said about the team’s defensive effort. “We wanted it really badly. We did everything we could. Glass and out, we didn’t screw around in our end.”

The Storm came close to tallying an insurance goal, with a penalty shot by Nigel Smith followed by a powerplay opportunity late in the third. But the Storm could not convert on either chance, leading to the Jets pulling their goaltender to try to tie the game.

Walker fired the puck into the empty net from his own end, giving his team a 5-3 lead with a minute remaining
and cementing the win.

Head coach James Reilly said his team overcame a physical beating in the series, one that saw four players exit the lineup with injuries.

“I don’t know where they’re finding it from, but they’re finding something deep down inside. They’re working really hard and it’s a team effort,” Reilly said.

The victory gave the team three wins to one in the series.

The team will next go up against the Twin Centre Stars. Walker said it will be a tough final. But he wanted to take time to enjoy the win of the moment.

“I’m not really thinking about it tonight,” Walker said. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll start thinking about it. But basically, it’s just who wants it more.”

Haliburton wrestlers compete at provincials

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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March 18, 2019

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JQOFSAAWrestling2web.jpg.bf7b38d1 — Joseph Quigley

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School’s wrestling team earned the school a 40th place in a provincial competition March 4-6.

The school had five wrestlers qualify for the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) competition at TD Place in Ottawa. Aiden Coles, Nic Graham, Connie Oh, Charlotte Paton and Austin Weller all competed.

Coach Paul Klose said the team wrestled well despite its provincials inexperience.

“They all wrestled as they should have. They had tough matches and for three of them it was their first time at OFSAA, so it was a bit of an eye opener,” Klose said. “They didn’t let that get to them.”

The highest finisher from the school was Coles in the 95kg weight class, seeded number four in the tournament. He finished fifth with a 4-2 record.

Close said Coles, who finished fourth in OFSAA in 2018, could have easily wound up with a higher finish.

“He could have been anywhere in the top two down to six. He wrestled against the eventual champion in his fourth match, so he lost that one and that put him on the consolation side,” Close said.

“(Coles is) a hard worker and he’s a very intelligent wrestler. It’s not just about body being ready, but mind being ready as well.”

Haliburton’s other wrestlers picked up wins but could not manage to place in their weight categories. But Close offered praise for how the team finished amongst the 200 schools represented.

“What we did like was the group that was there consistently worked hard and they performed well,” Close said. “While our numbers are smaller, our quality is decent. We have a good base to build with.”

Close said Haliburton’s wrestlers learned plenty from the experience.

“The wrestling community is wonderful. They get to chat with other coaches and athletes,” Close said. “This year it was excellent and each one of the wrestlers gained a lot by seeing that level of play. The ones that are returning will know to bring that to the mat next year.”

Smith defends position on arts funding

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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March 15, 2019

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JQJohnSmithweb.jpg.97a0be82 — Joseph Quigley

Dysart et al Coun. John Smith defended his comments on arts and cultural facilities at a town hall in the West Guilford Community Centre March 7.

The event attracted more than 40 people asking questions of the first-time councillor. Much of the discussion centred on Smith proposing to cut municipal funding to the Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre and Haliburton Highlands Museum during budget talks. Smith had suggested the facilities should be more efficient and operate more independently using private donations.

Based on a show of hands, Smith said about half of the people attending were from outside his ward, adding that is a result of those comments.

Smith said it was a very respectful discussion.

“That’s what a town hall ought to be, so I’m delighted,” Smith said in an interview. “My past comments stirred up a number of people in the arts community … it’s great that people get engaged about something they care for.”

“The museum and the Rails End Gallery aren’t the most important thing to everybody in our community,” Smith further said. “I’m going to continue to challenge those organizations to demonstrate they have community support by getting more money from things other than taxes.”

Smith said he hosted the town hall to engage with members of the public. He plans to hold them twice-yearly.

Daniel Manley, a member of the Haliburton Highlands Arts Council, said there are issues associated with relying on donations.

“Trying to put the onus on the public to support these things, you get donor fatigue,” Manley said.

“The community does an incredible amount of (work) raising money,” attendee Barb Bolin told Smith. “People, I think, have given until it just about bleeds in this community.”

Smith responded that he prefers to have more choice in where his money goes. He further said there must be change to achieve the things people are clamouring for, such as a new community centre.

“Some people say just maintain the status quo. Keep giving the Rails End Gallery their building and their money. Keep giving the arena their money,” Smith said. “If we keep doing all those things, the other things that folks are talking about will never happen.”

Other topics included tax increases, tourism, short-term rentals and environmental issues.

Attendee Ted Parent said the night progressed well.

“He (Smith) stood there tonight in a room full of people who started out not all positive. We are now in a place where we will all work together,” Parent said, to applause from the crowd.

Smith said it would be important to acknowledge different perspectives as council decides on its objectives this term.

“We need to recognize that we’re a diverse community,” Smith said after the meeting. “Find ways of ensuring all those perspectives are reflected in our goals.”

Business owners schooled on cannabis in the workplace

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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March 15, 2019

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JQCannabisintheworkplace1web.jpg.6269a54d — Joseph Quigley

Business owners discussed how to deal with the legalization of cannabis within their workplaces during an Algonquin Gateway Business Association (AGBA) meeting Feb. 20.

The meeting, held at the South Algonquin Diner in Wilberforce, centred around how business owners could handle employees impaired by cannabis. It featured an OPP drug recognition officer and speakers from Peninsula, a consultant company which offers HR and health and safety support for small businesses.

AGBA board member Barbara Kraus said it was important to educate the organization’s members on cannabis.

“Since the cannabis issue is relatively recent and most of us don’t have any experience with the new laws, we thought it was an important item as we head into the (summer) season,” Kraus said.

Haliburton Highlands OPP Const. Kevin Brown, a drug recognition officer, detailed different types of cannabis and how business owners could identify signs of people under its effects. He noted symptoms to look for, such as bloodshot eyes, paranoia and disorientation.

Brown also said although OPP could charge someone for breaking laws around cannabis, a business owner is limited if they do not have a proper cannabis policy. “

If you wanted to let that individual go, unless you have policies and procedures in place, kind of hooped on that,” Brown said.

Peninsula’s Tracey Harvey presented on how businesses should implement cannabis into their contracts and policies.

“As employers, you have more control over this situation with cannabis in the workplace than you probably think you do,” Harvey said. “You have the right to put together policies that protect your workers and your workplace.”

Harvey said although employers are not trained sobriety officers, they can look for symptoms to help support workplace cannabis policy. She said such policies should be clear and signed off by employees.

“You can put the limit on where you want to put it so long as it’s communicated in advance,” she said.

She added confronting someone you suspect of being cannabis impaired should be done in private to protect privacy. But a witness should also be present to observe, she said.

AGBA board member Linda Middleton said she was happy with the approximately 20-person turnout.

“It went really well, when you get a good response, a good question period,” she said. “Part of the success was we had the legal side here and we also had the business side here,” Kraus added. “That gave us all a perspective on what we do to make cannabis policies fly”

Athletes prove you’re never too old to compete

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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March 13, 2019

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JQOSGA55Wintergames10web.jpg.80abd6c3 — Bev Kerr

Haliburton’s elderly athletes took to the ice, courts and slopes to compete at the Ontario 55+ Winter Games March 5-7.

The Ontario Senior Games Association biennial event hosted in Huntsville offers a chance for older people across the province to participate in 10 different sports. They include hockey, skiing, curling and volleyball.

Mary Johnson is the District 11 co-ordinator, comprising Haliburton, Minden, Kinmount, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Huntsville. The Haliburton native said the games are important for keeping older people active.

“In our area alone, we have a vast range of people. We have people in their 90s that have been participating. It keeps them active physically or mentally,” Johnson said. “They can socialize and meet new people who are interested in the same things.”

The event is comprised of 36 geographic districts and approximately 1,000 participants, according to District 11 media relations person Bev Kerr.

Local participants included Haliburton’s Barbara Ablett in alpine skiing and two men’s hockey teams from Haliburton and Minden, one 55 plus and the other 65 plus. District 11 hockey team representative Larry Molyneaux said the teams are made up of players from the local old-timers league. He said the event is an opportunity to play the sport they love competitively.

“Getting together, getting some exercise and meeting other people that are playing hockey,” Molyneaux said. “Making some new friendships.”

“Our main thing is to be out there, be competitive, have some fun, and make sure nobody gets injured,” he added. T

The District 11 medal finishers were both from Huntsville, with skier Mary Spring taking gold and a silver medal for Huntsville men’s 65+ hockey team.

Johnson competed in bridge. She said the competition can be fierce.

“Seniors like to win but it’s totally under control,” Johnson said. “Nobody gets upset that they don’t win. They don’t slack off either.”

However, Kerr said social experience is an important part of the event.

“Winning isn’t the sole purpose. It’s about meeting people from across Ontario, to get out, exercise and have fun,” Kerr said. “Winning is satisfying, but it’s the entire experience of socializing with other athletes.”

HE budget sits at 3.56 per cent rise

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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March 12, 2019

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JQHighlandsEastBudget3web.jpg.7ff6626b — Joseph Quigley

Highlands East council approved of a 2019 draft budget which would see the municipal residential tax rate rise 3.56 per cent.

Council passed the budget at a March 12 council meeting.The $5.9 million draft budget features increased spending for capital projects across all departments totalling $1.9 million, $475,507 more than 2018.

“It’s an ambitious year,” chief administrative officer and treasurer Shannon Hunter said during a March 5 budget meeting. “Every department has major projects happening in 2019 if this budget is
approved.”

The largest capital projects are in the roads department, with $615,000 allotted to rehabilitating Dyno Road and $544,207 for the second phase of road work at the Cardiff townsite. Other new expenses include $55,000 for this year’s building renovations, $50,000 for a facilities review, and $28,000 for an organizational review.

Councillors spoke positively of the budget and the number of included projects.

“I’m sure all of us would prefer to see the tax rate lower,” Coun. Suzanne Partridge said. “But I don’t think there’s anything to add on this budget besides the projects we’ve already agreed upon. So, I’m comfortable.”

Deputy mayor Cec Ryall agreed and complimented staff’s work.

“We try to keep the taxation dollars down to zero, we’re going to cut off our nose to spite our face. We’re going to pay for it somewhere,” Ryall said. “Everything you pay hurts but I think the value is there and I think we’re getting great value for our money. I think our taxpayers are getting great value.”

The budget highlights also indicate staffing changes, including a full-time bylaw enforcement officer, a new septic inspector and increased hours for the part-time economic development co-ordinator.

Hunter credited a high assessment growth of 4.16 per cent as helping to lower the tax increase.

The municipality is also drawing from reserves this year. Hunter said if all proposed projects are complete by the end of the year, the reserves will decrease from $4.263 million to $3.267 million.

“A lot of projects we’re working on this year, it’s amazing,” Mayor Dave Burton said March 5. “You guys still have time to look at (the budget) but I’m quite content with it.”

The tax percentage increase represents $16 per $100,000 assessment.

Red Hawks hockey earns COSSA silver, loses final 1-0

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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March 12, 2019

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JQRedHawksCOSSAweb.jpg.d579503c — Joseph Quigley

The Red Hawks hockey team playoff run and season came to an end as they fell in the regional final 1-0 March 4.

The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School boys team competed at the Central Ontario Secondary Schools Association (COSSA) tournament in Cobourg for a chance to play provincials.

After a 2-0 win over Central Hastings Secondary School in the semis, the team was unable to score in a shutout loss to St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School. After finishing with COSSA silver, head coach Jason Morissette said his team played excellently against tough competition.

“Play from them was not any underperformance,” he said. “If we’d gotten a few more fellas to capitalize on some of the goalscoring and finish, the outcome could be different.”

Morissette said the team had strong goaltending and defensive play – letting in only one goal during COSSA. But they struggled to generate offence, which has been an issue for the team this season.

Although the team had two breakaway opportunities in the final game, Morissette said they could not convert and their opponents had strong goaltending.

“St. Mary’s is an excellent hockey team,” he said. “We tried to battle back and change things up. We just didn’t capitalize on our chances.”

The team qualified for COSSA with an 8-0 win over Holy Cross in the Kawartha Championships semifinals March 1. They narrowly lost the chance to host COSSA after falling to St. Mary’s 2-1 in that tournament’s final.

Morissette said it is no small feat to make it to the COSSA final.

“People don’t really realize, it’s rare,” he said. “It’s hard to win because a lot of people play hockey. So they (the team) are proud of that and we are such a small school.”

He said the team has been great to work with and the coaching staff is proud of what the players accomplished.

“They’ve been really good citizens with the school and even with the refs,” Morissette said. “They’re some really good hockey players and some really good young men.”

Hockey Haven releases 2019 summer evening ice

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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March 9, 2019

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Dysart et al and Haliburton Hockey Haven have agreed to free up summer evening ice for 2019.

Dysart council unanimously voted Feb. 26 to authorize its agreement with Hockey Haven to be changed. The change will see summer camp relinquish the majority of its evening ice time at A.J. LaRue Arena.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said the change is a great compromise to benefit other organizations using the ice.

“For the summer of 2019, so the organizations that were doing some evening ice time in the summer can pursue that again for this year,” she said.

Hockey Haven will no longer have ice time from 6-9 p.m. Monday to Thursday in the summer, Roberts said. It will keep the daytime summer ice it has had for years.

The evening ice was originally provided to Hockey Haven Sept. 24, 2018. The move was later criticized by other programs which had used the ice time for years.

Hockey Haven could not be reached for comment.

M-Power Hockey’s Mandy Cronin ran a girls-only summer hockey camp through renting Hockey Haven facilities in 2017.

After cancelling due to a lack of available day ice in 2018, she said she’s happy evening ice is available again.

“It’s important that the whole community gets to use the rink,” Cronin said.

However, Cronin said her camp will not run again this year. She cited difficulties using evening ice, such as the squeeze on the camp schedule considering travel and change room time.

“It’s definitely not what we were hoping for,” Cronin said. “That’s the same reason Hockey Haven doesn’t want to give up the daytime ice.”

Roberts said the municipality has to make a decision on a business case.

“You have one entity guaranteeing you all this time and you have another entity that wants one week in the summer. Really, we have to take what is better value for the municipality,” she said.

Providing Hockey Haven summer evening ice was expected to generate an additional $25,000 in revenue for the municipality this year.

“I doubt we’ll get the full revenue in there,” Roberts said. “But for the sake of those people who have had programs for several years, it was seen as a goodwill gesture.”

The municipality’s current agreement with Hockey Haven expires Sept. 2, with the option to renew for two additional five-year terms after that. Treasurer Barbara Swannell said it is council’s intention to renew the deal.

The municipality’s current agreement with Hockey Haven expires Sept. 2, with the option to renew for two additional five-year terms after that. The municipality’s current agreement with Hockey Haven expires Sept. 2, with the option to renew for two additional five-year terms after that.

For summer 2020, Roberts said there is time for other groups to arrange to sublet summer ice time from Hockey Haven.

Roberts apologized for how the new agreement with Hockey Haven was initially done.

“We’re sorry for that confusion,” she said. “I really appreciate Hockey Haven released the ice time … they’re a really great community partner.”

Dysart, Ribfest strike deal

By

Simon Payn

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March 9, 2019

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Haliburton Ribfest and Dysart et al have reached a resolution over the money the event provides the municipality, according to event organizers.

Coun. Larry Clarke reported on Ribfest negotiations at the Feb. 26 council meeting. The Events and Programming Committee recommended approving the event to proceed Aug. 9-11 at Head Lake Park.

One of the points of negotiation is the amount the event donates to the municipality. In 2018, RibFest donated $2,500 to the community skate park.

“The park is a very valuable asset for this community,” Clarke said. “We still see it as not being a profit centre, but we’d like to see some money recovered from some of the events there so we could improve that facility.”

Ribfest organizer Ricky Brooks said in negotiations since the council meeting, the sides have agreed on a donation to a local charity to be limited to 10 per cent of gate receipts.

“When we promote Haliburton Ribfest, we are actually marketing Haliburton,” Brooks said. “We’re not asking for any funds and so in exchange, we’re asking the town not to place any mandatory financial fees.”

Mayor Andrea Roberts said the municipality does not have a bylaw or fee structure in place for the park.

“So a donation to a local charity is still a generous offer,” she said.

Coun. Walt McKechnie said given the park’s value, there should be more charged for groups to use it.

“You don’t get anything for nothing,” he said.

McKechnie also said as the committee pressed the issue, Brooks said he might have to pull Ribfest out of Haliburton.

Brooks said there is a misconception about how much money the event pulls in as food vendors keep their sales, separate from the event.

“People thinking we’re making lots of money when in fact, we are basically trying to make sure we cover our costs,” he said.

He further said the event did have a new location lined up. But after further negotiating, Brooks said he is happy.

“We’re going to continue the success of Haliburton Ribfest into its second year. We do not want to relocate.”

Clarke said pushing further on cost recovery with events will require more work on a fee bylaw first, which would not be complete for the 2019 Ribfest.

“We were pushing him,” he said. “But the reality is we have to have a fee bylaw in place.”

Red Hawks volleyball captures COSSA silver medals

By

Joseph Quigley, Local Journalism Initiative Repoter

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March 7, 2019

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JQCOSSAVolleyball1web.png.e769b92a — Joseph Quigley

The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School Red Hawks senior volleyball team capped their season with a second-place finish at the Central Ontario Secondary Schools Association (COSSA) finals.

The girls team was unable to overcome the now five-time consecutive champion Quinte Christian High School. Quinte took the best-of-five match 3-0, winning their sets by scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-11.

Red Hawks co-coach Dan Gimon said they ran up against a better team with stronger serving. But he added there is no shame in how his team played.

“I told the girls they should be proud of how they played,” Gimon said. “They went to double-digits, high double-digits in two of the games.”

Despite multiple rallying efforts, the Red Hawks were unable to overcome an early lead from Quinte Christian in the first set.

The Red Hawks would jump out to a 4-1 lead in the second set but soon found themselves trailing again, with a 21-6 run by Quinte Christian giving them a commanding lead before a timeout. The Red Hawks would rally but a flubbed serve ended the set in Quinte’s favour.

Down 2-0 in sets, the Red Hawks were unable to break through. Quinte opened the third set on a 9-0 run and never gave up the lead.

“It is demoralizing,” Gimon said. “But that’s all a part of the mental thing too. What we’ve been trying to teach them. Yeah, you get behind but you got to get back up again.”

Red Hawks captain and Gimon’s daughter Natalya Gimon is graduating this year and intends to play volleyball in post-secondary. She said the silver medal will be a nice reminder for her going forward.

“We played really well. It was a nice end to high school volleyball for me and the other seniors,” she said.

Coach Gimon credited the team’s success to their hard work and his daughter’s play.

“The commitment was there, I think that’s a big part of it. The girls that came back from last year were all-in,” he said.

The team played well in front of its home crowd, after earning the right to host the COSSA finals, Gimon said.

“It’s good for their self-esteem and their morale,” he said. “To play in front of the home crowd, show off what you have and I think they should be proud.”