Arnprior Chronicle-Guide EMC

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ARNPRIOR

205 Madawaska Blvd., Arnprior 613.623.4256 R0011317716-0315

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ARNPRIOR

Chronicle Guide Proudly serving Arnprior and surrounding area since 1879

132nd Year, Issue 11

March 15, 2012 | 48 Pages

www.yourottawaregion.com

Town back to square one New CAO quits job on day he was expected to start Derek Dunn

McNab-Braeside resident Christopher Skarica has been named Canadian Engineering Professional of the Year. – Page 12

Arnprior District High School graduate Avaleigh Eastman has been chosen the Ottawa area’s Rose of Tralee. – Page 25

derek.dunn@metroland.com

EMC News – A bombshell fell on Arnprior council during Monday’s meeting. The town’s newly-hired top bureaucrat, Kevin McLlwain, has backed out of the job. Councillors got the news at an in-camera meeting Monday evening, the same day McLlwain was due to start as the town’s new chief administrative officer (CAO). “On behalf of the Town of Arnprior, I wish to inform that on March 12, 2012, a letter was received from Kevin McLlwain stating that he has to withdraw from the position as chief administrative officer with the town due to unexpected circumstances beyond his control,” reads a media release signed by acting mayor Ted Strike. Mayor David Reid is on vacation in Florida for the month. Reeve Walter Stack helped set up living accommodations for McLlwain, a 38-year-old Goderich native, and was as surprised as anyone to learn the news. He indicated that the reason is justifiable. “He has serious personal issues, family issues, that have left him with no choice,” Stack said. “He has all kinds of regrets that he’s not able to come.” He added that staff and council were “all excited” to have McLlwain on board and “get rolling.” This year’s budget suffered in a variety of ways because the town was without a permanent CAO. Increases to fees and charges weren’t discussed at committee and board levels because they were introduced late in the process, something that may have been better handled with a leader in place. Decisions on hiring an economic development officer, setting up a tourism booth, revamping the website, guiding a marketing strategy and more are back on hold now that McLlwain has turned down the position. See NEW CAO, Page 2

Photo submitted by Stacey Reid

LAST BLAST OF WINTER FUN

Arnprior Brownies Claire Yetman and Bella Hamilton enjoy the ride as they toboggan down the sliding hill during a visit by the Fourth Arnprior Brownies to Pinto Valley Ranch. The girls enjoyed some winter fun just before the temperatures started soaring. Spring officially takes over from winter at 1:14 a.m. Tuesday, March 20. For more on the Brownies outing, see Page 42.

Broomball championship comes to Arnprior STAFF

To find out what’s coming up recreation-wise this spring and summer, check out the Arnprior Life magazine included in this edition of the Chronicle-Guide EMC. There is information on a wide variety of pursuits and hobbies from swimming to scrapbooking. – Page 34

EMC news - The broomballers are coming. Arnprior, which is fast gaining a reputation for hosting major broomball events, is expecting as many as 2,500 people in town this weekend for the Ontario senior broomball championships. The tournament is anticipated to be a boon for the local hospitality industry. The games will be good practice for organizers, many of whom are playing key roles when Arnprior and neighbouring communities host the 2012 World Broomball Championships Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.

Arnprior, which has hosted major broomball events before, earned the admiration of the broomball world by expertly hosting the National championships on short notice in 2010 when Goose Bay, Labrador had to bow out. The provincials begin this Friday, March 16 at 6 a.m.. Games continue throughout the weekend, with the title games scheduled for Sunday. All the action occurs on the Nick Smith Centre rinks, with the exception of a spattering of games at the Pakenham arena. Several teams have strong contingents of local players. For more on the tournament, see the story on Page 19.

Packer power

Happy St. Patty’s Day, everyone

EMC news - By the time you read this, the Arnprior Packers could be Eastern Ontario Junior B hockey Valley Division playoff champions for the first time in 14 years. The Packers had a chance to win the title Wednesday evening (after press deadline) on home ice, as they built up a 3-1 series lead over Perth last week. For more on how they have come within a game of the title, see story on Page 16.

24 McGonigal St. W., Arnprior 613-623-0641

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