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Arnprior Chronicle-Guide S E R V I N G
A R N P R I O R
130th Year, Issue 23
A N D
S U R R O U N D I N G
A R E A S
S I N C E
1 8 7 9
June 10, 2010
44 pages
Knock, knock: any pets? Bylaw officers to check door to door for dogs and cats DEREK DUNN derek.dunn@metroland.com
Photo by Sherry Haaima
Brent McLaren shows how it’s done at Robert Simpson Park last weekend. The hope is a town crier will be found for this summer.
It’s not an issue Arnprior councillors went sniffing after. Mayor Terry Gibeau even recalled a predecessor who said the best way to get a whole bunch of voters angry is to talk about dogs and cats. But they did it anyway at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting. The issue was a recommendation by town clerk Jacquie Farrow-Lawrence to conduct a comprehensive registration system for both dogs and cats this year, meaning a door to door count by bylaw officers. Only 154 dogs were registered so far this year, with 104 still outstanding from last year. McNabBraeside registered 761 last year. “Inquiries have been received by residents as to why the number of registered dogs in the town is very low,” reads Farrow-Lawrence’s report, “with the speculation being there is likely close to 1,000 dogs in town.” Coun. Mark Willmer was worried the private bylaw enforcement company would sacrifice time investigating other complaints during summer and early fall door-to-door canvassing. He was assured
the company, Municipal Law Enforcement Services, would hire new officers for the project, along with keeping 50 per cent of licensing fees collected. The revenue boost to the town could mean about $2,600 based upon an additional 200 registrations and $5,000 if there are an additional 400 this year. Reeve Walter Stack took a dislike to the emphasis on dogs. “I think the dogs are better controlled than cats,” he said. Coun. Jack Lammert insisted a report be submitted to council by mid October. Coun. Eric Burton was told about the necessity of registering animals: to ensure owners are held responsible should a dog prove a nuisance; to help manage population by having strays spayed or neutered; and to track possible rabies cases. Mayor Terry Gibeau mused aloud about the political implications. “Regardless of what we do, this is going to jump up and bite us,” he said. Council agreed to allow the door-to-door canvassing. After this summer, it will take place every two to three years. See COUNCIL, Page 5
Arnprior cries out for town crier candidates SHERRY HAAIMA shaaima@msn.com
Here ye! Here ye! Do you have what it takes to be Arnprior’s town crier? The White Pine Festival and Arnprior Toastmasters have put out the call for
candidates to fill the position in time for the Aug. 27-29 festival. Organizers were hoping to hear from potential candidates last weekend at a gathering at Robert Simpson Park, but no one has come forward so far. Perth town criers Brent and Shelley McLaren were at the park to give
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attendees an idea of what to expect and to promote the position. “We really would like to see Arnprior with a town crier. It is a wonderful position for a man or a woman,” said Brent. He estimated there are about 10 female criers among the 75 officially registered
in Ontario. He and Shelley love the roles and encourage people to give it a try. “It takes a good voice, but it takes more than that, it really takes a love for your community,” said Brent. See TOWN CRIER, Page 29 Recycle your 1995 or older vehicle & recieve up to $3300 in additional cash incentives.
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