Fallen tree spoils family weekend

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September 14, 2020

JQ - Fallen Tree - 2 — Paul and Adrienne Winslow stand in front of a tree that fell on top of their house in Minden. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Paul and Adrienne Winslow were at the back of their Anson Street home in Minden Sept. 3 when the winds began to pick up in the evening.

Paul Winslow investigated their bedroom to ensure the windows were closed. He said he noticed pieces of a tree had appeared there and then saw a branch had broken a hole in the ceiling.

The tree at the edge of their property had fallen on the front of their house – enough to cause significant damage, but not enough to completely break through the roof.

“An act of God, an act of nature, but boy, it sure can do a lot of damage,” Adrienne Winslow said. “But we’re lucky because some people lose their homes.”

The township saw heavy winds that night, felling branches and splitting trees on the street, requiring a cleanup effort the next day. But none was hit harder than the Winslow family, who had four holes punctured in their roof and a broken satellite dish. Their insurance company is still assessing the damage.

“Nobody was hurt, that was the main thing,” Adrienne Winslow said. “All the neighbours came out, just like when it floods here on Anson Street.”

The downed tree also caused some power line damage, which created sparks, the family said. Power was not down for long, but they called the fire department and Hydro One to deal with that damage and stop the fire hazard.

Despite the unfortunate start to their long weekend, the pair said the damage is repairable and it could have been worse. “I went and bought a lottery ticket,” Paul Winslow said. “Maybe my luck will change.”

“Anybody that’s had this, they know how scary it is,” Adrienne Winslow said. “We were lucky and there’s a lot of people that aren’t so lucky.”

Fatal collision in Highlands East

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Lisa Gervais

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September 14, 2020

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Haliburton Highlands OPP is investigating a fatal two-vehicle collision on Loop Road in Highlands East.

Police, the Highlands East fire department and the Haliburton County Paramedic Services responded to the scene Sept. 11. In a press release, OPP said a passenger vehicle attempted to conduct a U-Turn in front of a dump truck that was travelling south on Loop Road. The road was closed for several hours while investigators worked at the scene.

OPP said the driver of the passenger vehicle, 58-year old Danny Linkert of Highlands East, was pronounced deceased at the scene. A post-mortem examination is scheduled.

Police said they will release further information as it becomes available.

Algonquin Highlands council grounds airport sale talk

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Submitted

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September 14, 2020

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LH-AH discusses airport sale — New airport co-ordinator Steve Dewey at Stanhope. File.

By Lisa Harrison

A suggestion that The Township of Algonquin Highlands consider selling the Haliburton/Stanhope Municipal Airport didn’t fly during the Sept. 3 regular council meeting.

Councillors are discussing larger, strategic priorities for budget preparation, in part in relation to asset management plan development, and the airport was on that day’s agenda.

Councillor Jennifer Dailloux said she has raised the prospect of selling the airport in past discussions, and did so again, listing several concerns that included losses of $100,000 annually and what appears to be a low number of local users.

Dailloux acknowledged that there are other AH assets (such as some community centres) that run at losses, but she noted those expenses primarily benefit local taxpayers.

Mayor Carol Moffatt was among those opposed to selling the airport. She said she heard Dailloux’s concerns, but airport losses have been reduced over the years and she (Moffat) has always believed that much more can be happening at the airport than has been implemented so far.

“I think that there’s more effort that needs to go into exploring what those things are,” said Moffatt.

Deputy Mayor Liz Danielsen added AH has had “really bad luck” in recent years in staffing the airport manager position, which includes responsibility for many growth initiatives.

Councillors also discussed the business park plan for neighbouring airport lands. They generally agreed it would be wise to commission a market assessment report, as a 2013 plan of similar nature is dated and not considered to be particularly helpful. A more current and effective assessment would help determine what investments and job opportunities a business park could draw, especially considering the township’s older demographics.

Danielsen maintained there’s hope for future airport site use, beginning with the latest census findings that AH had the highest population growth in the County. “And I think because of the pandemic, we’re seeing more people, as evidenced by the number of kids that are being registered in school from families coming from the south,” said Danielsen.

“Consequently, I see that [the parents] are going to be looking for opportunities for things to do, for businesses to start … We don’t have a downtown, we don’t have a commercial core, we don’t have many opportunities for growth, and this is one.”

Local e-commerce platform hopes to ‘keep the money here’

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Lisa Gervais

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September 13, 2020

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JQ - ShopCloseBuy - 1-web — A mock-up of the Haliburton e-commerce platform ShopCloseBuy, set to launch later this month. Photo submitted.

The new e-commerce platform ShopCloseBuy is planning to launch this month to provide a central online source for local shopping.

Local web developer TechnicalitiesPlus has created the platform in a bid to provide a local alternative to the likes of Amazon for online shopping amidst the pandemic.

The company hosted information sessions Sept. 3 and 9 with another slated for Sept. 15 to get more businesses on board for the service.

TechnicalitiesPlus Owner Donna Enright said she has consulted with the County of Haliburton, the Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC), the Haliburton BIA and the Arts Council Haliburton Highlands to get support and feedback on the initiative.

“Rather than sending our money outside of the community, let’s find a way to have people shop here and keep the money here,” Enright said at the Sept. 3 session.

The platform will allow businesses and organizations to sell products and host auctions. For now, it will be for pre-ordering and curbside pickup, but mail order is still in the works, Enright said. There is a $235 set-up fee and a $40/per month fee, along with a 2.9 per cent transaction fee.

But Enright said that SIRCH Community Services and HCDC are offering a subsidy to cover costs for 20 businesses. She added it should be taken advantage of and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

Enright said those are costs for the online payment processor Bambora as well as some recovery for TechnicalitiesPlus, though she has said they are covering website development, estimated at $24,850. The company hopes to break even, though if the model works, Enright said they will sell it to other communities to make more of a profit.

Business partner Ryan Anthony said it is easy for people to get set up on the website.

“It kind of mimics a Kijiji form. It’s really quite simple to get your products up and visible on the site,” Anthony said.

The County of Haliburton is not providing any dollars but is offering social media promotion. Local councillors have also voiced their support.

“Terrific contribution to our local economy,” Minden Hills Coun. Pam Sayne said during the first session. “We need alternative to Amazon.”

Signups are set to open after the final information session. The website will launch once there are 10 businesses ready.

“I do think it will grow,” Enright said. “It has incredible potential to promote everything that’s available in Haliburton County.”

The site will launch at shopclosebuy.ca

Man drowns in canoe mishap

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Lisa Gervais

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September 13, 2020

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A 39-year-old North York man drowned Sept. 12 when the canoe he and his family were paddling on Moore Lake capsized.

OPP said they recovered the man’s body about 6 p.m.

They said they were called out shortly after 2:30 p.m.

A family of four, a man, woman and two children were on the lake when their canoe capsized. Police said boaters arrived on the scene to support the family in distress.

“The woman and the two children were pulled safely from the water. The man … passed one of the young children to an individual on one of the rescue boats before slipping under the water,” OPP said Sept. 13.

The OPP helicopter and Underwater Search and Recovery Unit were dispatched to support recovery efforts. They worked with the Minden Hills fire department to locate and recover the body.

The release said investigators are citing the absence of safety equipment as a significant contributing factor in the tragedy.

Schools staggering back during pandemic

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Lisa Gervais

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September 12, 2020

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JQ - First day of school - 1 — TLDSB began its staggered start to the school year Sept. 8. File photo.

The Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) began its staggered start to the school year Sept. 8 as in-person classes began for one-quarter of elementary students.

The board is slowing the pace of the opening of the school year to adjust students to new COVID-19 routines. Elementary students are attending class one day during the first week, while secondary students are not starting classes until next week.

Director of education Wesley Hahn told trustees at a Sept. 8 committee of the whole meeting that early reports on the first day were positive.

“They kind of had that fear and anxiety, but we did get a sense from hearing people throughout their day as they got in and they got working – which we knew would happen – they got into a really good feeling of being at school,” Hahn said. “This is going to be a good thing for the mental wellbeing of everyone if we can get this going.”

But the board is continuing to work at all the changes required this year, from getting online schools ready to addressing transportation to getting timetables for secondary students. Hahn said late registrants for remote learning have challenged the transition.

When asked about parents who have not yet received communication about remote learning, Hahn said that is happening over the next couple of weeks and patience is needed.

“We wished we could have done it all at once, right away, but it’s just not possible,” Hahn said.

There is also an issue with bus driver shortages. Superintendent Tim Ellis said there is a shortage across the sector – with several boards significantly low – and there were 12 routes impacted in the TLDSB area. He said they are working with providers on the issue.

Ellis said the transportation department is also working to update routes based on online registrations. He said the shortage could be alleviated by reduced routes due to online learning. But he added there is a concern with more drivers resigning as the year progresses.

“As we ramp up to 100 per cent, some of the drivers might get that overwhelming feeling, particularly with the enhanced procedures we are asking of them,” he said.

As far as outbreak protocol, Hahn said staff have worked with the Ministry of Education’s management guide for their school setting. He said they are ready to address any cases as they arise.

“We can act quickly and make sure we can isolate those situations and make sure people within the buildings stay safe,” he said.

Cottager figures overblown

County of Haliburton trustee Gary Brohman brought up a rumour circulating that approximately 300 new students had registered at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School from cottagers choosing to move to Haliburton permanently.

Hahn said that is incorrect and they were working to find an accurate number for that.

“Those numbers are quite inflated,” Hahn said. “Not nearly that many.”

College staying online for start of fall

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Lisa Gervais

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September 12, 2020

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IMG_5534 - Copy-web — Haliburton School of Art + Design. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The Haliburton School of Art + Design will go without students in its halls this month as it runs only three courses this semester – all starting entirely online.

Fleming College has decided to begin with online-only learning across all of its campuses, including Haliburton, due to COVID-19. The school plans to return to some in-person learning in November depending on the course of the pandemic.

Fleming College president Maureen Adamson said the Haliburton campus has been the hardest hit by the format, given how experiential it is. She stressed safety when asked about the online-only decision and how it contrasts to grade schools returning to in-person learning.

“Every decision we’re making is based on safety,” Adamson said. “If we can’t set up a classroom that’s appropriately socially distanced, then we won’t run it because the worst thing that could possibly happen for Fleming is to have to shut down again. It’s an extraordinary challenge.”

Like all schools, Fleming closed its doors in March at the onset of the pandemic, switching to online delivery and cancelling its dozens of weeklong summer courses. Many post-secondary schools are taking a similar approach this fall, going to primarily remote delivery, with some allowing blended courses with limited in-person instruction.

Fleming has had to cut down on its 12 full-time Haliburton programs for this semester, as well as other weeklong courses. This semester, the college will deliver its drawing and painting certificate program, as well as its integrated design and digital and creative design diploma programs, with each running between 12 and 20 students.

“The faculty has retained all of the learning outcomes but converted to a digital format,” Adamson said.

The decline in courses has hit enrolment. Across all its campuses, Adamson said domestic enrollment is down 30 per cent and international is closer to 40. That has led to layoffs as well, though Adamson said they have tried to keep as many people employed as possible and they hope layoffs are temporary.

The decline in college students is concerning to some in the Haliburton community.

Landlord Nicola Jowett has offered rooms to students in Haliburton for 12 years but finds several of them empty this September without a student population.

“Frustrated. We’re all in this together and it’s a very difficult situation. Some schools are going back, some places are not,” Jowett said, adding she is considering moving away from offering student housing. “It does put me in a precarious situation.”

Adamson said the college is doing everything it can to support students through the semester ahead.

“We know students, parents, everybody’s nervous and anxious,” Adamson said. “Fleming College has really pulled out all the stops to make all students – new and returning – comfortable, and most importantly, safe.”

Runners stride from the hills of Haliburton to the streets of Boston

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Lisa Gervais

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September 11, 2020

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LG-marathon man 4-web — Sue Shikaze is about to run her fourth Boston Marathon. Photo submitted.

Duncan Farthing-Nichol is about to run the Boston Marathon – in Haliburton.

When organizers of the iconic footrace were forced to cancel this year’s event due to COVID-19, they instead offered qualifiers an option of running a marathon in a place of their choosing.

Farthing-Nichol chose a 42.195 km route in his adopted home of Haliburton. He’ll run it Sept. 12.

The 31-year-old said he wasn’t surprised by the Boston cancellation.

“It was mid-March and it looked as if the world might not last much longer,” he said.

The marathon was originally scheduled for April 20. It was rescheduled to Sept. 14 before being called off entirely.

“I couldn’t grieve too much over it. And, to tell the whole truth, I was a little relieved because the delay meant I could take a break from my training regime,” Farthing-Nichol said.

He is back at it now, though. He runs four times a week. Monday is a steady eight or nine-kilometre run, Wednesday is hill repeats (run fast up the hill and slowly down, five or six times), Friday is kilometre repeats (run a kilometre fast, stop and rest a minute or two, then do it again), Saturday is a long run, up to 32 kilometres.

While naturally disappointed he’s not headed to arguably the most famous marathon in the world, Farthing-Nichol said he loves the virtual option.

“Even if I’d prefer Boston, I’d much rather run at home than shelve the whole thing and try again another year. Plus, this way, no travel, no worries, finish at your front door, couldn’t be easier. And the race organizers have done a wonderful job making sure we’ve the things we need to make it special – a custom audio track for the race, a website to design your own finish line, a medal in the mail.”

Farthing-Nichol qualified for Boston during the 2019 Ottawa Marathon. He ran track and cross-country in high school and started again a few years ago “because I can’t press a bench to save my life and being a skinny dude at the gym is no fun.”

He decided to run his first marathon because he was planning to run a halfmarathon and then thought, “in for a penny, in for a pound.”

This marathon will be his third. He has chosen a route that begins and ends at his girlfriend Jessica Slade’s house.

“I tried to avoid the highways, taking quiet, picturesque roads like Wigamog and Caribou instead. I may have erred in choosing the brutal hills of Pine and Harburn for my next-to-last stretch, but it’s too late now and maybe I’ll catch a second wind on the decline. I find the stretch near Fleming College among the most relaxed in Haliburton; I thought it’d work its pleasing magic as I make my way home.”

He ran his last marathon in 2:56:14. He doesn’t think he’ll make that same time due to the hills but thinks he’ll clock 3:15 and hopefully faster.

He said he loves running in the Highlands.

“People around here are lovely. Twice now I’ve gotten lost and needed to make a phone call (I don’t carry my phone while running), and neither time was it difficult to flag down a stranger to help me out.”

Sue Shikaze to run fourth time

Meanwhile, Sue Shikaze is planning to run her fourth Boston Marathon at home Sept. 12.

She ran in 2004, 2008 and 2015, each time in a different age group since they go in five-year increments.

“I made it a goal to run in another consecutive age group (55-59) in 2020,” she said.

She qualified at the Hamilton Marathon in 2018, receiving confirmation in September, 2019 that she was in for 2020.

Initially, when it was announced the Boston race had been shelved but she could run at home, she said she wasn’t all that keen.

“Training for and running a marathon is hard enough when it’s a big event, never mind running one alone. But I finally did register. It is only open to runners who were scheduled to run in April 2020, and instead of thinking of it as just a solo marathon, I reframed it to this being the Boston Marathon in 2020. It’s a unique experience.”

She said more than 17,000 people have registered worldwide.

“It has actually been more motivating than I thought it would be, and good to have an event and goal to be training for. I haven’t done quite as much mileage as I normally would for a marathon, but I’ve definitely been consistent and done some long runs that make me pretty confident that I’ll be able to finish in a reasonable time,” Shikaze said.

With Boston organizers bringing the marathon to the world, Shikaze said there is an app that all runners have access to, which has printable start and finish lines, signs for each town, sounds of cheering crowds and tracking, as well as the leaderboard. There’s also a medal, T-shirt and program.

She’ll start at 8 a.m. from her place on Gelert Road (south of Donald), to Lochlin Church Rd., Tom Bolton Rd, Kash Road and back home. It’s about 15.5 miles. She’ll do the remaining distance out and back on the rail trail towards Haliburton. She anticipates it will take about 4.5 hours and said, “spectators welcome!”

New retail development proposed for Haliburton

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Lisa Gervais

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September 11, 2020

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JQ - Dysart new development - 1 — The site plan for a new retail development in Haliburton. Photo via Dysart et al

Dysart et al council got its first look at the site plan for a massive new retail development in Haliburton but are getting pushback on the municipal securities requirements.

The municipal committee of the whole reviewed a proposed development at 10 Hops Dr., along County Road 21, featuring a 10,000-square-foot retail store, a restaurant with a drive-thru and a gas bar. The tenants of the buildings are undetermined.

But the developer, Toronto-based Marnac Management Corp., is disputing the cost of securities to be held by the municipality. The municipality is requiring $201,390 based on work-cost estimates, while the developer is estimating $153,597. Council received the report for information, with the developers scheduled to make their case at the Sept. 26 council meeting.

“There’s probably some room to negotiate here,” Deputy Mayor Patrick Kennedy said. Mayor Andrea Roberts said there is the possibility to adjust the percentages on securities, considering how significant a development this is for the community. “We know development on that property will be good for our community,” Roberts said. “We have to weigh that out.”

But Coun. Larry Clarke said they should defer to staff.

“We have to be consistent,” Clarke said.

“There’s a precedent that’s established. We have to be professional in how we address this.”

Drive-thru questioned

The municipality has several requirements for the development, such as compatibility with local landscaping and compliance with the official plan.

Coun. John Smith asked about requiring the removal of the drive-thru, concerned about the environmental impact of idling cars.

“There will certainly be many people who will be upset at the thought of a drive- thru restaurant,” Smith said. “Many other communities have already placed a limit on them because of the impact in terms of greenhouse gases.”

Roberts said the municipality has previously refused a drive-thru development due to proximity to a residential area.

Senior planner Kris Orsan said there is nothing in the official plan for limiting drive-thrus, but it is something that could be considered.

Coun. Walt McKechnie did not agree with cutting it out entirely.

“I don’t think I’m the only guy who has a car that shuts down when sitting on a red light,” he said. “Are we really discussing not being open for fast-food restaurants for drive-thru? This is 2020, isn’t it?”

Major roadworks planned for 118

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Lisa Gervais

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September 11, 2020

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People advised to remove docks

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is advising people who live on Highway 118 between Carnarvon and Haliburton to remove docks and related structures in advance of planned roadworks.

Project manager Judith Baldasaro confirmed the deadline for removal is Sept. 15.

She said that would allow the ministry enough time to prepare the area for utility relocation work.

The MTO is planning a rehabilitation of the highway, from Highway 35 east to 0.7 km west of Haliburton County Road 21, a stretch of 23.4 km.

According to a letter sent to affected residents, dated Aug. 31, the MTO said AECOM is finalizing a detail design study. It said improvements will include: slope stabilization works at Head Lake; highway resurfacing; culvert repair and replacement; drainage improvements; treatment of frost heaves and distortion areas; guiderail replacement or adjustment and intersection improvements at Kennisis Lake Road. The slope stabilization works involve placement of rock fill along the highway embankment.

“This project is being undertaken to improve the pavement condition, ride quality, safety and operational characteristics of Highway 118,” Baldasaro said.

She said utility relocation is scheduled to begin in October with construction scheduled to begin in 2021, pending funding, clearances and approvals.

As for owners removing docks and other infrastructure, she said, any “remaining after Sept. 15 will be removed and disposed of by the ministry to ensure the utility relocation work is not delayed. The ministry will not be reinstating the docks and related structures.”

Anyone seeking more information can contact Baldasaro at 705-497-6936 or Judith.Baldasaro@ontario.ca