Water charity nears 2020 fundraising goal

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December 3, 2020

Minden-based charity, Help A Village Effort (HAVE), is $5,000 short of its goal of raising $24,000 to help bring clean drinking water to a cyclone-ravaged part of West Bengal, India.

HAVE chair Ron Reid said five community wells, one school water supply, and three water filtration systems for high schools are to be installed. He said HAVE had raised $19,000 of the money needed.

Reid said each well will benefit between 250 and 300 people and each high school filtration system means clean water for 1,200 to 1,500 students.

“We are so blessed to have an abundance of clean drinking water just by turning on the tap and we need to help those who are less fortunate,” Reid said in a news release. “Imagine your children or grandchildren attending a school without having fresh drinking water,” he added. “Please help HAVE by donating whatever you can, to assist communities in West Bengal, who have been devastated by the cyclones. Being able to have fresh drinking water has an incredible impact on their daily lives.”

Local members of the HAVE board, including Reid, Paul Heffer, and Carolyn Langdon, have made visits to India over the years to document HAVE-funded drinking water systems.

HAVE was founded in 1982 in Minden and today has branches in Newfoundland and B.C.

Those interested in learning more can go to HelpAVillageEffort.org or email Reid at re9id@interhop.net. A tax receipt will be issued for any donation of $20 or more; people can also donate using Canada Helps – a link to which is on the website. Cheques can be made payable to Help A Village Effort and mailed to P.O. Box 553, Minden, ON, K0M 2K0. E-transfers are also accepted, see details under “How you can help” on their website.

Board backbone of Storm

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Lisa Gervais

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December 3, 2020

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As the Highland Storm heads into its 20th year in 2021, it continues to be the board of directors that steer the ship of this successful, small town, minor hockey association.

The Storm came into being in 2001 when minor hockey associations in Minden and Haliburton amalgamated to represent a large area that goes as far as Wilberforce to the east and past Minden, towards Kinmount in the south. It stretches north of Carnarvon along Highway 35 and west of Carnarvon along Highway 118 W.

It utilizes the Keith Tallman arena in Wilberforce, the A.J. LaRue arena in Haliburton and the S.G. Nesbitt arena in Minden.

Without a doubt, it is experiencing one of its most challenging years, with a global pandemic, a recent failure of the well at the Haliburton arena and the newly-built Minden arena not yet ready for use.

Despite that, an adaptable and hard-working 16-member executive has not only gotten children on the ice, ranging from initiation to midget, but coaches, trainers, and referees this fall.

President Jason Morissette says he is quite proud of the Storm, not just his board, but the families that have put safety first, which has allowed their children to head to the rink twice a week, putting some normalcy back into their young, pandemic, lives.

Morissette said the board varies in size and roles. For example, they have a COVID lead for the very first time. Amanda Rowden has stepped into that job after being the fundraising representative. Craig Smith had been the tournament convenor, but since there are no tournaments, he has switched to overseeing the initiation group, which are the youngest players. Another example is Jessica Lloyd. She was the local league representative but has taken on the registrar’s role. It’s vast with so much online registration this year, as well as a new season format and new fees.

“It’s always been varying, where we see a need or there’s been a constitutional change,” Morissette said. He added, “some might take on multiple roles as well.” This year, a lot of people are taking on different jobs and responsibilities “to make this whole set-up work and try to get kids on the ice.”

A lot of matching volunteer board members to jobs is based on their skillsets and interests, the executive head added. The executive is elected at the association’s AGM every year and members sit for two-year terms. Morissette said the key to making the Storm work is communication among not just board members, but parents, volunteers and any paid staff, such as referees.

“And you have to look at the big picture, instill in everybody that whole together thing. You can’t let the needs of one particular age group, or player, compromise your whole organization.”

He said they have to keep the interests of all in mind, looking at the longer, and bigger picture versus what is happening at any given moment. He noted departing board members tend to mentor incoming board members, to share their experiences. That said, change is inevitable, as children grow older and leave the organization. Morrissette said there is no doubt they will be looking for more volunteer board members come the 2021 AGM.

“They’re all voluntary, quite time-consuming, but rewarding positions. You meet great people, and you see kids doing what they love to do and families taking part in community events and exemplifying community spirit.”

He added it doesn’t just have to be parents, either. “We’d be more than happy to have a spry baby boomer say ‘I’ve got time, I’ve been involved in ice hockey, I’m a fan of the game, I have coaching skills’.”

Morisette said that for him personally, the job has come with challenges, but ultimately, “I’ve certainly enjoyed it.”

The board: Jason Morissette, president; Tony Prentice, vice president; Amanda Manning, OMHA rep; Ron Hall, teams official; Cheryl Smith-Hamilton, social media rep/public relations; Cory Valentini, local league rep; Craig Smith, tournament convenor; Kori Consack, treasurer; Nikki Latanville, fundraising rep; Amanda Rowden, COVID-19 lead; Darlene Armstrong, secretary; Brad Park, ice conveynor; Jesse Johnson, equipment manager; Ben Decarlo, time clock/gate rep.; Brad Tait, referee rep

A good first two years but more to be done

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Lisa Gervais

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December 3, 2020

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When Algonquin Highlands ratepayers elected an all-female council in the fall of 2018, the township garnered provincial and national attention. In the early days, even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then Minister for the Status of Women, Maryam Monsef, held a private 10-minute phone call with the newly-minted council.

Since then, this council has gotten down to business in a mostly efficient and proficient manner. While a small population base, and a municipality that only owns half a town – it shares Dorset with Lake of Bays – AH is a progressive council that definitely punches above its weight.

It is doing a good job with its landfills, for example. Ever heard of the Waste Wizard? It’s an app that helps the public to figure out where it can bring items, with an emphasis on reduce, reuse, recycle. It started at Algonquin Highlands and has spread to neighbouring Minden Hills. It was also one of the first townships to go contactless at landfills when COVID-19 broke out. And when it comes to making the tough decisions, such as closing the Hawk Lake landfill, council stuck to its guns despite the protests of ratepayers because it was the right thing to do.

Veteran councillors, Mayor Carol Moffatt, Deputy Mayor Liz Danielsen and Lisa Barry provide good stewardship for newcomers, Jennifer Dailloux and Julia Shortreed. Dailloux brings a ton of international development experience and asks questions upon questions as she traverses the learning curve of the shift to small town politics. While less talkative at council meetings, Shortreed is clearly taking it all in. When she does pose a question, or offer an opinion, it is always something that has not been covered by one of her peers.

Dailloux sometimes rattles the status quo, such as suggesting the township sell Stanhope Airport, which was defeated but was food for thought.

It’s been a logical term of council so far. They have taken care of the paperwork, passing an updated Official Plan and reviewing bylaws, policies and procedures. They have also done some physical lifting, such as work at the Dorset Heritage Museum, the Dorset Recreation Centre, the Stanhope Museum and the township office. They’ve made some progress on bridge and road works.

That being said, there is always more work to do, with North Shore Road a perfect example. Having a quick look at the recent asset management plan, the municipality has a lot of infrastructure, including 111 kms of roads to finance. A consultant recommended they should be increasing taxes substantially from historic rates to meet the need. Herein lie some of the challenges. There are others. For example, they need to figure out what to do about docks and landings in future. They have to see the airport start bringing in a bit more revenue to offset what they are spending on it and they must decide if they are going full steam ahead with an airport business park or not.

For the most part, factoring in a worldwide pandemic that has brought unexpected revenues to the Haliburton Highlands Water Trails, the council and township has had a good first two years. However, there is still work to be done.

Algonquin Highlands looking to hire in 2021

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Lisa Gervais

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December 3, 2020

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Staff told Algonquin Highlands councillors Nov. 26 they need some help for 2021 in the form of some new hires.

The additions were just one part of the annual, pre-budget, projects and priorities discussion.

CAO Angie Bird said despite COVID, which created logistical and financial challenges, the township was able to complete many planned projects in 2020. However, she said as Mayor Carol Moffatt often says, the community is changing, even more so with the pandemic. She said staff are mindful of those changes and are planning accordingly.

“We continually strive to find efficiencies while providing the best possible service to the public. But we are now at a point where that is not sustainable for the long-term. Additional staff are needed in a variety of different areas to support the increasing workloads,” Bird said.

Some of the staffing requests included a communication coordinator on a contract basis. Treasurer Jean Hughes said the person would do website upgrades including modernizing it for fillable forms and online payment options.

Building and bylaw’s David Rogers is asking for an increase in hours for himself and the deputy chief building official to 40 hours during the busy summer months. They currently work 35 each.

Parks, recreation and trails’ Chris Card has asked for an increase in trails-related staffing and training to accommodate the continued jump in user attendance. He would like one new seasonal trails technician/by-law officer position added. While presenting his report, Card said “we’re now well over 150 per cent higher in attendance in all of our areas with the same staff base that we had back in 2006.”

And director of public works, Adam Thorn, said his department is also stretched. He said they currently hire one seasonal roads operator annually from May to November, but he’s proposing to hire two seasonal operators for annual operations. He said when poor winter weather comes, it is not unusual for staff to work 14-16 days in a row. He said in 2018, staff worked 27 days out of 31 in December.

No dollar figures were attached to the staffing asks but will be presented during 2021 budget talks.

Some other key projects discussed at the meeting included a basement renovation at the municipal office to create three new offices and a new columbarium for cremations. Planning is looking to do a development charges study and bylaw in conjunction with the County and further examine short-term rental regulations. Building and bylaw hopes to complete year three and four of its septic re-inspection program and buy two tablets and software to modernize permitting. Parks, recreation and trails wants to update signage at the Frost Centre trails, campsites, put up swings at the Oxtongue Lake Community Centre, implement better software for water trails reservations, install new lightning protection at the Dorset Tower, possibly replace the peekaboo rock stairs with landscaping, do work at the Skin Lake landing, possibly buy a mobile event stage, and replace a snowmobile and canoe. Public works hopes to do reconstruction on North Shore Road and do work on Bear Lake bridge, the Buckslide Dam bridge and possibly St Peters bridge. It’s looking to purchase three trucks. Thorn also wants to complete a lift for Stanhope library, among numerous other projects at community centres and museums, the airport and landfills. The full lists of projects and priorities can be found on the council agenda for Nov. 26.

Danielsen, Devolin square off for warden’s chair

By

Lisa Gervais

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December 3, 2020

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JQ - Vs election — Brent Devolin and Liz Danielsen are vying for the warden's chair for next year. File photo.

The position of County warden will be contested this year as both incumbent Liz Danielsen and Coun. Brent Devolin are vying for the position.

The two councillors delivered speeches at the Nov. 25 council meeting about their candidacy for the role. Deputy warden Andrea Roberts and Coun. Cec Ryall backed Devolin’s nomination, while councillors Carol Moffatt and Dave Burton backed Danielsen’s. The final vote by councillors and swearing-in will occur Dec. 15.

Danielsen is attempting to break recent historical precedent. Hers was the first multi-year warden term since Murray Fearrey in 2011-2012, and there has not been a three-year warden since at least 2004. Danielsen said her attempt may seem extraordinary but argued for the need for continuity in a time such as this.

“I just have tried to remain steadfastly available every single day since the pandemic began,” she said. “I believe that continuity is vital. We do remain under a state of local emergency and I’ve been working closely with a lot of the department heads since early March. And continuity in such times brings consistency in decision making.”

Danielsen went unchallenged for the position last year and beat out Burton for the role in 2018. Before that, there had been a one-year cycle for warden since 2013. Devolin, who served as warden for one year in 2017, said the County would face significant changes in the second part of council’s term, with COVID-19, population growth, and diminishing upper government funding.

“Changes that will need to occur in Haliburton will involve municipal, County, City of Kawartha Lakes and Eastern Ontario governing bodies to achieve the best possible outcomes. I have a keen interest in nurturing these relationships to achieve outcomes that cannot be achieved alone,” Devolin said.

He added he is not an unknown quantity to anyone on council.

“By now, all of you pretty well know my strengths and weaknesses that I would bring to the position of warden,” Devolin said. “I wear my heart on my sleeve as you know and I’ll put time and energy to fulfill the role.”

Danielsen also recognized the change to come with the County services delivery review.

“I can honestly say that I have no preconceived bias or thoughts on the outcome of the services delivery review other than a willingness to work hard to see improvements made,” Danielsen said. “I’d be proud to continue as your warden. I believe I have good community support and a good rapport with all of you.”

Correction: The print version of this story stated that Andrea Roberts and Cec Ryall supported Danielsen’s nomination, while Carol Moffatt and Dave Burton supported Devolin’s nomination. In fact, it was the other way around – Moffatt and Burton backed Danielsen, Roberts and Ryall backed Devolin. The Highlander apologizes for the error.

Councillors question algae bloom responsibility

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Lisa Gervais

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December 3, 2020

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Minden Hills Coun. Bob Carter, at a Nov. 26 council meeting, was critical of the local health unit’s response to a recent blue-green algae bloom on Bob Lake.

CAO Trisha McKibbin said the bloom was recently detected by a property owner. That person alerted the Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks. The MOECP inspected and took samples. It took about a week for results to come back. The MOECP then contacted the individual, the lake association, the township and the local health unit. At that point, McKibbin said the municipality reached out to the health unit to find out what it should be doing next in terms of communicating the results to the public. She said she was advised there is information on the health unit website, and the health unit directs the public there. She said by then, the bloom had dissipated and the test results determined it was small and isolated with a very low detection limit.

Blue-green algae blooms were also discussed at the Nov. 25 County council meeting, where health unit board representative Andrea Roberts said the health unit’s job “is to show what it looks like and what you should do if you see it. The health unit is doing what they’re supposed to be doing in terms of warning what blue-green algae looks like, what to do if you see it. But it isn’t their responsibility to then contact Mrs.Johnson in Grass Lake to tell her she has it near her property.”

Carter said he thinks health units should do more since blooms are dangerous to animals and humans.

“When we have a bloom, we get the MOECP involved. It takes them a week or so to do the testing after they arrive. And then what do we do once we get that information? There’s now a bloom. If that bloom is on Kashagawigamog, we have about 1,000 or so people that we should notify because there’s an awful lot of people who are living on the lake and rivers, who are taking their water directly from those lakes and rivers and not taking them from wells. And it’s not enough the health unit would send you something if you asked for it. Who’s going to tell the people and how? What is the communication process by which people are going to be notified and then who is responsible for it because if we’re talking death … there’s probably something here that should be codified and put into a process that can alert people,” Carter said.

At County council, it was determined that a delegation will be made to the MOECP at The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference. Carter said it should go to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLT), however Mayor Brent Devolin said they only get one delegation and the MOECP is the overarching authority for the chain of response.

Devolin said, “I think it’s about responsibility so when these things happen in our community, from individuals to municipalities, to the provincial government, we all have a role to play in this and need clarification on who is responsible in these matters.”

He added the situation reaffirms for him that the County is doing things within its control for lake health, such as the shoreline preservation bylaw and septic re-inspections.

What other County councillors had to say:

• Warden Liz Danielsen: “Health units aren’t consistent in their treatment of this. There are some health units that do communicating to the public and some that don’t … I’m just afraid someone is going to consume too much green algae bloom and sue the municipality for not letting them know there’s a problem. It’s pretty hard to deal with something if they don’t know there is a problem.”

• Coun. Carol Moffatt: “Fully understand the desire of privacy and secrecy in preventing any effect on property values. But I would like to think preservation of life trumps that … Municipalities represent all taxpayers. That’s what I can’t quite reconcile. The right to know versus the need to know, who delivers the message. It’s a little bit more complicated than one might originally have thought.”

Art gallery keeps drums beating

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Lisa Gervais

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December 1, 2020

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JQ - Drum circle - 1 — Toby Fergenbaum participates in a drum circle at the A.J. LaRue Arena Nov. 20

Upstairs at the A.J. LaRue Arena, the beating of the drums echoed through the walls.

A small group kept the rhythm steady, headed by Rails’ End Gallery Curator Laurie Jones. Masked and spaced apart, the players improvise, as they have done throughout the pandemic.

Diane Burchert joined the circle in the summer when it started back up after a pandemic-induced hiatus. She does not remember drumming without a mask.

“It’s very empowering,” Burchert said. “It’s really quite satisfying to pound on it and perhaps let go some of the frustration of days and weeks past.”

The drum circle has been one of the programs the gallery has kept running in the pandemic – moving indoors this month at a new location to get out of the cold. Jones said it has run successfully and helped keep people connected in a difficult time.

“It’s a form of nonverbal communication that is very powerful,” Jones said. “It’s not like we’re planning to go on a stage or rehearsing numbers of performers. It’s a very in-the-moment experience and so it’s good for your brain, it’s good for your body.

“COVID is a very stressful time for a lot of people so we wanted to do something that is joyful and also restorative.”

The gallery has continued to run programming and exhibits during the pandemic. Jones said they have prudent fiscal management and reserves but have struggled six months into COVID-19.

“It’s not sustainable the way it is. But if we don’t plan for the future, there will be no future, so we have to act like everything is going to be okay and keep innovating,” Jones said. “I don’t know how you monetize all this stuff. That’s the big question for everyone in the arts.”

For the drum circle and some other programs, any fees are kept low to maintain accessibility. Despite some of the pandemic’s limitations, the gallery has kept the art – and music – beating steadily.

“It’s a chance, an opportunity to connect with people to enjoy learning a new skill and make some music in a very safe, COVID-friendly environment,” Burchert said.

Affordable housing units get landing spot

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Lisa Gervais

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December 1, 2020

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JQ - P4P Land - 2 — Places for People has found the land it plans to use for a new affordable housing development in Haliburton. File photo.

Places for People (P4P) will build Haliburton’s newest not-for-profit housing development on Wallings Road with the blessing of the municipality.

Dysart et al council passed a resolution of support in principle to dispose of the property to begin the process of providing it for P4P. The not-for-profit is planning to develop affordable housing units for $2-$2.5 million by fall 2022, raising money with community bonds.

Since P4P first proposed this in August, deputy mayor Patrick Kennedy said the municipality has worked with them to find a municipal property that would work for the development. The road is off County Road 21 just past the high school, next to the Haliburton Bus Lines site.

“It’s a suitable piece of property, we believe. It’s close to the town for walking, very close on the sewage line,” Kennedy said. “I’m excited about moving this project forward.”

Mayor Andrea Roberts said the municipality will work on a memorandum of understanding and a subcommittee with P4P to get all the needed elements in place to advance the project.

P4P chair, Jody Curry, said the group has assembled a design team including an architect and a planning consultant ready to go to work. She said they know how to develop this land and plan to incorporate green space.

“We’re excited to hear it may absolutely be possible you may grant us this property,” Curry said. “For us, this is just a perfect fit, so we can’t say enough about this piece of property.

“Thanks, Dysart, for providing a great, big, exciting light in our future. And we’re hoping you’re going to make it a green light.”

Coun. Larry Clarke said the project is vital to address the housing shortage in the area.

“You talk to any business in town and there’s no place for them to house staff, even if they want to hire,” Clarke said. “This is a critical element for this community.”

“We’ll keep the ball rolling on this one,” Roberts said. “You guys are shining lights of volunteerism in our community.”

International gratitude for local Lions

By

Lisa Gervais

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November 30, 2020

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Lion Mary Lawr (2) — Lion Mary Lawr was awarded the International Leadership Medal for her role as local club Service Chair

The Haliburton and District Lions Club has received recognition at the international level thanks to the dedication of two members.

Mary Lawr was awarded the International Leadership Medal for her role as club Service Chair, with the club placing among the top 20 in Canada. Betty Mills was awarded the International President’s Medal as Global Service Chair for local District A-16, which was counted as one of the top 10 districts in Canada.

These honours are made even more important by the club’s small size, at 32 members. The club covers Stanhope, West Guilford, Haliburton, Wilberforce, Harcourt, Cardiff and Highland Grove regions.

Due to pandemic precautions, the certificates and medals were couriered to the winners.

“I was very honoured and proud, but I would not have received this medal without the work of our club members,” said Lawr.

Mills called her award “a wonderful surprise” and also pointed to her team for their part in the achievement.

Lawr’s service has included tree planting and gathering food for the Food Bank. She operated the Good Food Box program, which is now overseen by the local Rotary Club branch.

“My passion with Lions is really Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides program and raising funds through our Walk for Dog Guides, and of course our wonderful Santa Claus parade with our great float,” said Lawr.

As Global Service Chair, Mills worked for two years to help the 52 clubs in District A-16 improve their service reporting.

“Those clubs were doing lots of service work, they just weren’t telling anybody about it,” said Mills. She held workshops and increased reporting significantly.

Mills noted that service reports help the international office prove to large investors that funding Lions projects is worthwhile. They also enable clubs to encourage local fundraising by demonstrating effective results.

The local club raises at least $15,000 annually from the popular Polar Plunge alone. Fundraisers such as the toll bridge campaign have gone virtual because of the pandemic. With everything the club takes on, it appears there’s never a pause in finding good causes. According to Mills, local Lions are now investigating whether service clubs can be helpful when coronavirus vaccinations are available to be administered.

Lawr and Mills have been full club members for 15 and 14 years respectively and highly recommend the experience.

“Being there for the community when they need us is important and if you decide you want to join our club be prepared to work hard, enjoy social events, and just be proud to serve your community,” said Lawr.

“Consider joining a service club, helping others and enriching your life,” said Mills.

A safe festive season

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Lisa Gervais

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November 28, 2020

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Minden Hills held a Christmas in the Village event Nov. 21.

There was an afternoon gathering followed by a ticketed nighttime tree lighting.

It was strange during these COVID times to see cars parked along the road and people lined up.

There is no doubt that organizers did a good job. They had a fenced in and barricaded area. There was a sign-in table with hand sanitizer. The number of people entering and leaving was tracked. I was told there was someone from the health unit on site. Organizers requested everyone wear masks, and they did. They had pavement markings to ensure social distancing but there were instances where people were not six feet apart as they walked through the outside heritage village.

It was interesting to see the social media reaction. Some people could not believe a township would organize such an event as a second wave of COVID-19 continues across the province. Others pointed out we are in a green zone and we can still host outdoor gatherings of 100 people. They said it was wonderful to have something festive to do with their family and friends.

By contrast, I attended an Algonquin Highlands council meeting Nov. 19 in which that council voted to scrap any in-person gatherings for this festive season. They have instead opted to do a virtual tree lighting in Stanhope, Dorset and Oxtongue. The only people who will be there are the councillors and their families and whoever is operating the Zoom link.

Every community is adopting a somewhat different approach. Haliburton put up its village tree Nov. 22 but it was not a public event, only some Lions Club members such as Jim and Marilyn Frost, some folks from Emmerson Lumber and some Dysart volunteer firefighters were there. And the Rotary Community Christmas Party will be a drive-through format at Curry Chevrolet Dec. 5.

As most of us know by now, another major event, the Christmas Shindig, will be presented virtually this Saturday night.

Before judging anyone, the public should familiarize itself with the rules and restrictions for regions in the green zone. For example, here in the Highlands, we’re still allowed private gatherings of 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors; we can still have organized public events and gatherings of 50 inside and 100 outside; our restaurants remain open; our sports and recreation fitness facilities are allowed to be open with limited numbers. We can still meet, like the Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association did for its AGM this past Sunday, by limiting numbers. Our retail stores remain open.

Some confuse what’s happening in hotspot areas, such as Toronto and Peel, with what is happening here.

As we head into the festive season, people are trying to come up with innovative ways to still gather, or fundraise, or do the things we traditionally do this time of the year. We’re not going to like some people’s choices. Some people are not going to like our choices.

But as a community, as long as everybody follows the rules and regulations that are in place at any given time, there’s no reason we can’t have a safe festive season.