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Chronicle Guide Proudly serving Arnprior and surrounding area since 1879
133nd Year , Issue 2
January 10, 2013 | 40 Pages
www.yourottawaregion.com
School’s out Friday The community mourns the loss of a respected former ADHS principal, teacher and coach. Page 2
The Junior B Packers wrap up a six-game homestand this weekend. They went 3-1 in the first four. Page 19
Province imposes contracts, elementary teachers respond with one-day protest Steve Newman Steve.newman@metroland.com
EMC news – Ontario’s public school elementary teachers will walk off the job this Friday, Jan. 11 in a one-day protest against Education Minister Laurel Broten’s imposing of contracts on them. It will be the second walkout in less than a month by teachers, education assistants and counsellors upset over the provincial government’s Bill 115 that allowed Broten to impose contracts on all teacher groups not coming to an agreement with their school boards by Dec. 31. The teachers had voted strongly in favour of holding a oneday political protest in addition to the Dec. 13 walkout. That decision is being followed through despite it being declared illegal under Bill 115. Instead of picketing at their schools, teachers are expected to congregate at Queen’s Park and several cities around the province this time to give the protest maximum exposure. In response, the Renfrew County District School Board announced that all of its 24 elementary schools will be closed to students Friday. The board said it couldn’t keep the schools open and guarantee student safety. “We’re disappointed to learn education opportunities for our students will be disrupted again,� said board chairman David Kaiser. As of press deadline there was no indication that public high school teachers would follow suit and the board said all secondary schools would be open Friday. See FATE OF EXTRA-CURRICULARS, Page 6
Arson charged in Hart fire Sherry Haaima Sherry.haaima@metroland.com
An Arnprior family has Renfrew County’s first baby of the new year and a Blakney couple has Lanark’s New Year’s baby. Page 25
EMC news - A 24-yearold McNab-Braeside man has been charged with setting a Dec. 28 fire that damaged contents in the Hart store and forced a store closure that is still in effect.
Arnprior OPP announced earlier this week that the suspect has been charged with arson-damage to property, and mischief over $5,000. Jason Dennis was released on an appearance notice for court in Renfrew on Jan. 30. See ARNPRIOR, Page 5
JOHN CARTER/METROLAND
Jayci Whalen and Ava Bertrand were among many sledding enthusiasts to go hurtling down Havey’s Hill near the Nick Smith Centre Saturday. The Arnprior Optimists are making a family toboggan party on the site, also known as Tank’s Hill, a part of their winter carnival this year. The party will be held Friday, Jan. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Organizers optimistic winter carnival events to be lot of fun Sherry Haaima sherry.haaima@metroland.com
EMC events – It’s a community event that’s been a mainstay for more than 30 years. Organizers are gearing up for the 32nd annual Arnprior Optimist Club Winter Carnival and with many of the favourite activities on offer and several new events being planned, including a Friday evening family toboggan party, it’s shaping up to be another great one. From the children’s activities and free swimming and skating to the AC/DC cover band and wine tasting, there are plenty of events being planned to help people young and old beat the winter doldrums. The club could not offer the carnival each year without the support of the community and generous donations from local businesses, said club vice-president Chris Toner. “The Arnprior Optimist Club is grateful for all of our local sponsors. Their support is so greatly appreciated,� said Toner. “We are so blessed to live in a strong local community that happily supports each others’ endeavours. The Optimist Club prides itself
as a service club that fundraises in Arnprior – for Arnprior. Supporting our local businesses is very important to us, everyone should shop local.� Toner made note that local schools can pick up some fundraising dollars and gain bragging rights by getting involved in the area schools snow/ice sculpture contest. Judging is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 18 and cash prizes are available. Another unique addition to this year’s schedule of events is a program run by the Arnprior Masons on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Masonic Hall at 31 James St from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Masonic Chip child identification program consists of five major components – vital child information, digital fingerprints, digital photographs, video and a dental bite impression or intra oral swab for DNA. All of this data is burned onto a CD, and given to the parents or guardian – nothing is kept on file. The Optimists and Masons hope parents will take advantage of the opportunity, said Toner. See CARNIVAL, Page 4
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