Brighton012518

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THURSDAY January 25, 2018

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PPLPS chair says society defrauded $60,000-$70,000 SARAH HYATT sarah.hyatt24@gmail.com

Brighton – The Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse Preservation Society (PPLPS) has lost thousands of dollars. Last Friday afternoon, Dave Sharp, chair for the society, quite visibly upset, appeared in a video posted on the society’s Facebook page. “Over the last four years, dozens of volunteers and hundreds and hundreds of donors have worked hard to achieve our goal of restoring our Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse,” Sharp said in the video. Just recently, the society announced its official plans to complete the project in 2018, after several years of hard work and hosting various fundraisers. “…Sadly, on Thursday, Jan. 18, we were notified that our charitable organization has been defrauded of about $60, to $70,000, but we still need to determine the actual amount by reviewing the financials,” said Sharp. The chair went on to say, “This person has come forward on his own behalf and claimed responsibility for the fraud. We have contacted the OPP and charges will be laid. This theft was by a board member, who will remain nameless at this time, until

Sarah Hyatt/Metroland file photo

The Presqu'ile Point Lighthouse is shown here in this file photo, surrounded by scaffolding 69-feet-high. The scaffolding was to remain throughout the winter months and until new shakes are put on.

the police investigation is complete.” In December, Sharp appeared before Brighton council, to ask if the municipality would consider helping the society with its projected shortfall of about $12,500 and highlighted the many successes for the society and reflected on its evolution over the years. This news however, will potentially change the timeline for restoration efforts. Insurance will not cover “this type of internal fraud, so we’re out this very large amount of money,” said Sharp. The chair was “quite upset” and “disturbed” that this has happened, he said. It hurts, he continued, knowing how hard volunteers have worked to achieve the society’s goal of restoring the lighthouse. “It hurts, when you know how generous our public has been in supporting our financial cause,” said Sharp. “I can assure you however, now more than ever, the remaining board of directors is determined to not let this stop us from achieving the goal of restoring the lighthouse.” Now, more than ever, Sharp said the society needs the community’s financial support and understanding. The chair is also asking

residents to please mark the date and show their support come June 23, when the society is set to host its ‘Charity Auction Evening’ fundraiser. He is assuring residents that in 2018; membership fees and donations will be properly monitored and deposited. In Sharp’s closing remarks in the video, he said many residents will likely hear rumours about this incident and some may be true and some may be false. He followed up this statement with, “Let me say this, gambling addiction is a very powerful and mind-impacting tool on the human brain. What has happened is sad and we hope that this individual gets proper medical treatment and will learn from the experience…” Sharp said the public and supporters of the project will be kept informed as more information becomes available. “If you have any questions about the solidarity [or] determination of the remaining board of directors to achieve our goal of restoring the lighthouse, or if you want to show your support by any means possible, please reach out to myself or any of our board of directors…”

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Presqu’ile lighthouse still matters, society will persevere, says board of directors SARAH HYATT sarah.hyatt24@gmail.com

Brighton – The Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse Preservation Society may have lost thousands of dollars, but its board of directors refuses to be defeated by that loss. On Friday afternoon, chairman Dave Sharp, appeared in a video posted on the society’s Facebook page and announced the charitable organization had been defrauded. “This is a huge step backwards,” said Sharp in a phone interview later Friday. “This has been a very emotional 30 hours…” Still, the chair remains hopeful, despite the recent setback and news that the society is likely out some $60-$70,000. “We, as the board of directors, remain determined to make this happen,” said Sharp. This year was supposed to be the year to wrap up restoration efforts for the long-cherished and iconic lighthouse. The society has been striving to refurbish and repair the structure originally built in the 1840s

John Campbell/ Metroland file photo

Dave Sharp, chair of the Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse Preservation Society. since 2012. Just recently, the society was boasting in its January newsletter about heading into the final chapter of fundraising and board members were confident restoration of the beloved lighthouse would be complete in

coming months. Ruth Kerr, who also serves as a volunteer director for the board, recalled stuffing those newsletters into envelopes and the excitement she felt doing it, as the society was so close to its goal. No one expected this to happen but the board won’t throw in the towel, instead it will pick up the pieces, said Kerr. The board has a responsibility to move forward, it can’t look back and just cry the blues, it has to get this job finished, she said. This recent incident however, has set the society back with certainty at least $55,000 and the full review of the financials isn’t done, said Sharp. Insurance won’t be much help either, as it won’t cover “this type of internal fraud.” Nevertheless, the board will push on to complete the project this year. Sharp believes the board can get it done. This does hurt, knowing how hard volunteers have worked and knowing how generous the public has been supporting the society, said Sharp. The posi-

tive news, at this point, is people are already calling, e-mailing or sending messages, and they’re asking how they can help, said the chairman. The board of directors learned of the loss of money on Thursday, Jan. 18. On Friday, Jan. 19, Constable Steve Bates confirmed police have an investigation underway. No other details were provided, as he said it was too early in the investigation. Kerr has also has been thinking of the many, many volunteers who’ve helped the society and the many who’ve made donations, whether in-kind or monetary. “We have to see this project through for them,” said Kerr. “Our board made a commitment and I, for one, have no intention on giving up on this project.” The goal remains to keep this lighthouse standing for future generations, stressed Kerr. Growing up in Prince Edward County, Kerr remembers the many lighthouses that once surrounded the area, which

now, like many others are just gone. The lighthouse is the centrepiece of so many childhood memories, as families made trips to the park or went camping at Presqu’ile, said Kerr. What would events like Christmas at Presqu’ile be like, without looking out and seeing the lighthouse, she continued. It’s a key part of the park, it brings tourists into town and it’s “one of the few pieces of our history we have left,” said Kerr. And this is why, fundraising activities and the society’s work will continue. Kerr is heading to Bloomfield next week, to collect a “significant donation there.” Still, the society says it needs the community’s financial support and understanding, now, more than ever. Sharp is assuring residents that in 2018; membership fees and donations will be properly monitored and deposited. “We really need the help, through memberships, by donations and by way of support for our charity event on June 23,”

said Sharp. This June, the society will host a charity auction fundraiser. Sharp is asking residents to consider helping with a unique donation to be auctioned off. Donations can be creative and service-oriented. So, if someone has a boat and can take a family out or a carpenter can donate a couple hours, if a housepainter or babysitter even, wants to donate services any of that works, said Sharp. People are also needed to attend and make bids, he added. This event was meant to be the society’s last fundraiser. As a result, the society secured the arena floor, wanting a larger space. Tickets are also being sold at-cost, maybe even a bit less, as the society wants as many attendees as possible. Sharp has promised supporters and the public will be kept informed as information becomes available. “We really appreciate the support we are already seeing in response to the Facebook post and through other communications,” he said.

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Brighton council tackles capital projects for 2018 SARAH HYATT sarah.hyatt24@gmail.com

Brighton — On Thursday, Jan. 18, council took its first run at capital projects for 2018. This year’s budget initially proposed an increase in capital spending of about $781 over last year. As council reviewed and discussed department proposals Thursday, there were no firm additions for capital projects, though council has asked staff for a number of reports on items, which may down the line mean additions in the second-draft budget. There was however a firm reduction in capital of $20,000, as Jim Millar, director of parks and recreation, proposed the municipality not update its King Edward Park study this year. The study will help the town with a new plan for the development of the park, considering the town’s expansion plans and southeast six-acre land purchase, as well as aging infrastructure and pressures for further outdoor recreation. Millar is now suggesting due to timing and other projects that $10,000 be allocated under operating and those funds be transferred into a reserve to complete the study in another year. “With the decrease of $10,000 (to the overall budget) and with the (estimated) proposed county levy having a 2.21 per cent impact, we’re at 1.74 per cent for our blended increase and 1.04 for the municipality,” said Linda Widdifield, director of finance and administrative services. “Of course, that’s going to change soon, as we start adding items.” Capital costs reviewed Thursday included those for general government, fire, public works, parks and recreation, and the water and wastewater departments. Under general government, the municipal building and library expansion still stands as the biggest project for 2018. An additional $20,000 is proposed for furniture, chairs and desks for municipal offices following the renovations. Another $35,000 is earmarked for a new development charges study,

Sarah Hyatt/Metroland

Deputy Mayor Roger McMurray is chairing this year’s budget meetings. which needs to be done every five years. The town’s current bylaw expires in 2019. As for other projects topping the list in terms of price tags, the fire department needs to replace a 2008 Ford truck. The department is proposing purchasing a new command truck estimated at $51,000, which would be used by chief officers and the 2008 truck remain in service, used solely for transporting firefighters and equipment to-and-from emergency scenes, training and meetings. The 2018 Freightliner fire rescue truck, coming in at $368,950, will also be purchased this year, though this is a carry-over item previously approved for 2017. As the largest operating department and with “the most significant and costly infrastructure,” public works is proposing an overall increase in capital spending of $44,481. Capital expenditures in the first-

draft budget total $4,447,890, with total road construction costs coming in at $3,437,890. Funds are earmarked for the storm water master plan, a plow truck, a Black Cat traffic and speed monitor and sidewalk planer, as the town’s “sidewalks are in dire need of attention.” The big one this year, though subject to a grant application is the Main Street road construction project, coming in at $2,175,000. Main Street, from Young and George streets to west of Maplewood, has been identified as a priority project, with the asphalt in poor condition. Aging underground infrastructure also needs to be replaced. The municipality would borrow $1 million externally for the project, if the grant comes through. Simpson Street, from County Road 2 to the end, will also make the surface treatment reconstruction list, costing about $175,000, but only if the grant comes through for the Main Street project. Should the grant not come through, Simpson and Main Street would be deferred and staff is proposing asphalt projects for Russell Street (from Ontario to Centre streets) and Napier Street (from Napoleon to Monck streets). The budget has been built so Main and Simpson could easily be taken out and swapped with Napier and Russell and with little impact to the numbers, said Widdifield. Residents in the area of Whites

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Road will also be pleased to hear 2.4 kilometres of surface treatment, from Scriver Road to Walt Street has made the first-draft budget. Costs are estimated at $240,000. Gravel surface treatment projects currently proposed include; Hobbs and Jamieson roads and Sumach Lane. Roads listed in the first-draft budget were based on the 2013 roads needs study, as the 2017 study was still in draft format as of last Thursday. Council is anticipating reviewing an additional list of potential asphalt roads projects at a later budget meeting, once the 2017 study is finalized. Under parks and recreation, $200,000 is earmarked for the Memorial Park project, which would include a larger performance stage

put in, as well as accessible public washrooms and landscaping. About $40,000 would come from reserves, $60,000 from local clubs and organizations and the town is hoping for a $100,000 grant. Under wastewater and water, the largest chunks of money will again go toward Main Street reconstruction, but also to rectify overdue wastewater maintenance issues identified in the town’s environmental assessment. At this time, staff has proposed $360,000 for these maintenance items. Council will wait for staff reports concerning ditching on Huff Road, work on Lakehurst, live-streaming and for info on a potential type of emergency response reserve, as well as the additional roads projects.

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EDITORIAL

Connected to your community

COMMENTARY Helping readers distinguish 'news' from 'opinion' We live in an age where the term ‘fake news’ is used like a shield to deflect criticism from those under public scrutiny. Whether covering the nation or reporting on your community, news organizations around the world are grappling with a crisis of trust in journalism. We believe it is important for the media to be transparent with our readers and one way to do that is to ensure you know whether you are reading “news” or “opinion”. News is defined as “verified information based on the impartial reporting of facts” and opinion as “articles based on personal interpretation and judgment of facts.” Within the category of news are “Analysis” -- a critical and contextual examination based on factual reporting, but which does not contain the authors’ opinions and “Investigation” — in-depth reporting in the public interest that reveals wrongdoing and/or systemic John Campbell/Metroland problems and holds power to account. Opinion is defined as being based on the authors’ interpretations and judgments of facts, Siblings Theresa Paul and twin brothers Anthony, on the left, and Logan took advantage of data and events. Opinion articles include editorithe nice weather last Saturday to play outdoors at King Edward Park. als, columns written by staff and commentary

That spring feeling in January

from non-staff contributors. Other forms of opinion journalism include Editorials, which present a strong point of view rooted in this news organization’s progressive values; and Letters to the Editor, Reviews, Advice, First Person articles and Blogs. We have spent the last few weeks establishing guidelines to promote consistency in how we identify “opinion” articles in print and online. In print look for labels above headlines that identify the article as “opinion”; and below an author’s photograph identifying it as a “column”, “analysis” or “review”. Online, you will see labels within the article’s URL; and above or below the headline. At the bottom of columns, you will find what we call a “tagline” qualifying who the author is to put context to the weight of their opinion. Torstar has long strived to be a leader in editorial ethics and excellence. Being transparent with you about how our content is gathered and whether it is news or opinion is an integral part of that leadership and we believe key to earning your trust.

The delicate process of making bloomers out of flour bags There always seemed to be a supply of empty flour bags for sale at the grist mill. I asked Mother how they got there, since I knew the mill sold only full bags of flour. She explained that some people had no use for their own empty bags and sold them back to the grist mill for a few cents, who in turn sold them to people like my mother for a hefty sum. Mother, who could always find a use for a flour bag, had run out that winter, and after we had done our Saturday errands in Renfrew, we headed for the grist mill. There were all the bags, piled in a corner and sorted into sizes, with prices for each pile written in chalk in front of them. Mother never bought a flour bag without negotiating for a better price, and we finally came out with several which she considered the best of the lot, and at a price she was willing to pay. Getting the flour bags ready to be put to another use was a challenge in

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Mary Cook’s Memories MARY COOK

the winter time. In the summer, they could be laid out on the grass after washing, where a good soaking with Javel water and the hot sun helped rid the bags of the red and blue printing that covered the entire fronts of each one. But in the winter, it all had to be done indoors. That night, my sister Audrey and Mother set to the task of getting the bags ready for whatever use Mother had planned for them. With the steel picks, they carefully undid the seams, removing the heavy cords which held the bags together. Now they would be ready for the Monday washing. When we came home from school

VICE PRESIDENT & REGIONAL PUBLISHER Peter Bishop pbishop@metroland.com 613-283-3182 Ext. 108

Published weekly by:

EDITOR IN CHIEF Ryland Coyne rcoyne@metroland.com 613-706-8341

that day, there they were, washed and draped over every chair in the kitchen, circling the Findlay Oval to dry ... clean and ready. The talk between Mother and Audrey told me why we were in need of another pile of flour bags. A batch of tea towels, a couple of sheets and some pillow slips had been given to a family off the Barr Line who had lost everything in a fire, leaving our supply low. Unfortunately, being winter time, the bags couldn’t be spread outdoors on the grass, taking the hot sun to fade the printing, and so there they were, clean, but exactly like they had come from the grist mill. “They’ll have to do,” Mother said, holding them up and looking at the bright red and blue writings that declared them “The Pride of the Valley.” Within a couple of days, Mother had stitched up a sheet using four of the bags, made a pair of pillow slips, two or three dish towels, and there was still the front part of one bag left over. REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION Greg Esnard 613-706-8385 For delivery concerns call 1-705-742-8450 or toll free 1-855-742-8450 SALES MANAGER Adam Milligan 705-761-7990 ADVERTISING SALES Jean Convey, 613-966-2034, ext 527 Tim Sheppard, 613-966-2034, ext 528

I should have known what was going to happen to that piece. Too small for a pillow slip, but just the right size for a pair of new bloomers for me. Usually thrilled with anything new, new flour bag bloomers did little to excite me. Certainly, they would be well hidden under my navy blue fleece bloomers, but I would be well aware that I was wearing flour bags. I was pretty sure that just about every girl at the Northcote school wore flour bag underwear, too, except bad Marguirite, of course. She delighted in telling us whenever she got a new pair of underwear, not the least bit shy at sharing that bit of information with the entire girl population at school. Hers came from Walker Store’s in Renfrew. I wasn’t considered old enough to decide what I would be wearing to school, and every morning, on the chair by the stovepipe in the bedroom, Mother would have carefully laid out what I was to put on that morn-

ing. And there they were ... the new bloomers, red and blue printing and all, piled on the chair with my skirt and middy. I had no choice but to put them on, and I said a silent prayer of thanks that they would be hidden under the navy blue fleecies. No one would know but me. Under my outer clothes would be a new pair of flour bag bloomers, with bright red and blue printing still there, declaring that my underpinnings had “The Pride of the Valley” written across the seat. Interested in an electronic version of Mary’s books? Go to https://www. smashwords.com and type MaryRCook for ebook purchase details, or if you would like a hard copy, please contact Mary at wick2@sympatico.ca. Mary Cook is a longtime writer with several books in print and in electronic copies. She appears as a regular columnist.

CLASSIFIEDS 1-888-657-6193 EDITORIAL Brighton Independent John Campbell jcampbell@metroland.com Sarah Hyatt sarah.hyatt24@gmail.com PRODUCTION 613-966-2034 Read us online at https://www.northumberlandnews.com/northumberlandcounty-special/brighton-news/

4 Brighton Independent - Thursday, January 25, 2018


Cramahe will make decisions on 2018 spending proposals next month JOHN CAMPBELL jcampbell@metroland.com

Cramahe Township — Council will decide at its Feb. 6 meeting what to do with various projects staff have brought forward in issue papers, and requests for funding it's received from community organizations. Its decisions will shape the 2018 municipal budget that currently sits at $11.2 million, first presented in draft form Jan. 9, and scheduled for approval Feb. 20. Among the expenditures council has been asked to authorize is renovation and expansion of the Colborne Public

Library at a cost of $251,000. Application has been made to the Trillium Foundation for the maximum capital grant of $150,000. The rest would come from development charge reserves. The Colborne library and the one in Castleton are also among four facilities that have been earmarked by staff to have their internet service upgraded to high-speed fibre optic technology. Both libraries “have struggled to accommodate the growing number of users” who rely on the internet for business, school, research and personal matters, according to one of the issue papers.

Both “often get bogged down” with internet traffic, “making these facilities limited in what they can provide” in terms of online services. The two other locations are the Keeler Centre and town hall. The internet has “become the primary conduit to access information” and to promote business as well as personal and social well-being, staff said in an issue paper. The Keeler Centre, as a recreation/ banquet hall, would benefit from having high-speed internet to accommodate business meetings and banquets and other functions. The total cost for

the upgrades was pegged at $30,660. Staff have also proposed the municipality spend $60,000 to begin repairing and rehabilitating sewers in need of attention. As issue paper points out sewage flows at the wastewater treatment plant indicate storm and groundwater are infiltrating into the sanitary sewer network. Colborne “has several development applications under review” and there are plans for additional industrial and commercial development. “Additional sewer capacity is required to accommodate future growth (and) fixing the infiltration (problem)

will be the quickest and most cost effective way to reduce load on the sanitary sewer system and gain back capacity.” Cramahe Township will use almost $200,000 it received from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund to begin a closed circuit television inspection of Colborne's sanitary sewers this spring to determine where “inflow and infiltration are significant.” The information will be used to develop a comprehensive two-year repair program. Chief administrative officer Craig Brooks estimated as much as 30 per cent of the flow at the treatment plant is the result of infiltration.

Council hears new treatment plant won’t happen under current EA class SARAH HYATT sarah.hyatt24@gmail.com

Brighton – Council is now hearing that construction of a new mechanical treatment plant is not possible under its current environmental assessment (EA) class. Chief administrative officer (CAO) Bill Watson has confirmed a meeting with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), municipal staff, J.L. Richards and Associates, and GSS Engineering Consultants will happen in the coming weeks. “…We’re going to do some brainstorming and try and come [back] with a resolution to move forward,” said Watson. In advance of that meeting however, additional clarification regarding the class of EA in order for council to move ahead with a new mechanical plant has already been obtained. In the midst of the CAO’s update to council regarding the town’s Schedule B Class EA, he said J.L. Richards, the consultants handling Brighton’s EA, had recently asked the MOECC for clarification regarding construction of a new plant and what class that would need to occur under, should the new plant not increase capacity. The MOECC, through its technical staff, have provided that additional advice and indicated Brighton would need to switch to a schedule C EA to move forward with a mechanical plant, Watson told councillors. Back in December, council did hear otherwise, as civil engineer Steve Saxton, representing J.L. Richards visited with council to discuss its want to pursue a new plant under its current class. At this time, it was said that this was possible, given council was now opting to not pursue an increase in capacity.

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As previously explained by consultants and staff, construction of a new plant is generally a schedule C activity, as it usually goes hand-in-hand with an increase in capacity. Brighton initiated its EA in 2016. Consultants did not recommend a class C EA, nor construction of a new plant. Their preferred solution recommended to council in 2017

“…We’re going to do some brainstorming and try and come [back] with a resolution to move forward.” BILL WATSON CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

was the installation of a specialized treatment system, which would be an addition to the town’s current lagoonbased sewage treatment plant. As council debated proposed technologies and the need for increased capacity for much of last year, the EA was put into abeyance for almost six months. Only towards the end of 2017, did council choose to resume its current B class EA and decided more information was needed to look closer at construction of a new plant under its current class and with no increased capacity. Despite the recent information from the MOECC that cannot happen, Watson said the working group would move forward with that discussion during the upcoming meeting. At this time, the working group will look at all the options available to council under both the B and C class to find a solution to the town’s immediate ammonia problem and also look at other means of treating sewage, both in the short and long-term, said the CAO. “So, we’re just going to look for all the avenues and see where it goes,” said Watson.

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Councillor Steven Baker made it clear he wasn’t pleased with the recent news. He recalled how he asked repeatedly if council could proceed under its current class, because he was confused, he said, with all the information coming forward and after receiving conflicting answers every time he asked the question. “…This whole thing has been a mess,” he said, as he reiterated his frustration. Other members of council didn’t say much and it appears they will wait to engage in further discussion until after the working group meeting. Coun. John Martinello did ask for an explanation though, given the new information. The new plant under a B class isn’t appropriate because it would result in completely different operating parameters and means of treating sewage, and the final outcome of that is very similar to when capacity is increased, said Watson. Following the working group meeting with the ministry, council is expecting an update from staff in February.

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Council debate gets heated over contract for stormwater master plan SARAH HYATT sarah.hyatt24@gmail.com

Brighton — Council wants more information before awarding the contract for the town’s stormwater master plan. At the latest January meeting, council did not accept the staff recommendation to award the contract and at times, the discussion got heated. The staff recommendation was to award the contract to update the stormwater master plan to G.D. Jewell Engineering Inc., for a cost of $106,119.17. “I haven’t reviewed all of their work, but I can tell you that they are fully qualified engineers,” chief administrative officer Bill Watson told councillors, as some voiced concerns and questioned staff regarding the two bids for the plan. “I don’t know how or what the expertise in this room is to make judgment on that …” The municipality received just one other bid for the project, which came from

Emmons and Olivier Resources Inc., for a total of $204,870.55 before HST. For Coun. Steven Baker, the lack of respondents and the discrepancy in the two bids were both cause for concern, he said. And those weren’t the only concerns among councillors despite staff’s review and report, which stressed both proposals met the appropriate requirements and specifications set out by the municipality. “We looked at prices, we asked the questions — my staff have gone over and qualified these people and that’s the recommendation staff is giving you,” said Watson. “If you don’t want to follow it, I don’t know where you can turn to get recommendations then. I’m really not sure, I’m confused.” The CAO also provided a quick overview of the local contractor’s proposal, which would help advance drainage systems and minimize or eliminate drainage issues.

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He said GDJE would essentially create three plans; the stormwater master plan and then maintenance and capital works plans. It’s said this work would also benefit the town, as annual costs to operate and maintain each facility would be known prior to improving or accepting any new facilities. GDJE would also assemble all facility documentation, host two public information sessions and make two presentations to council, as well as provide direct consultation to the province and other agencies like the conservation authority, said Watson. Following the review of the stormsewer network, major drainage systems, facilities and the like, a draft report would come to council in August and the final report in December. “It is my belief that G.D. Jewell is qualified (and) the people they have on staff understand the problem …” said Watson. The CAO’s overview failed to satisfy some councillors’ questions and worries. “My biggest concern is the 10-month timeline,” said Coun. Brian Ostrander, who wants to know how long EOR would take to complete an updated plan. The timeline was not known at the meeting, but the goal according to staff was always to have the plan completed within the year it was put out for tender. Councillors like Baker and John Martinello made it clear they want to know

how many stormwater plans both companies have developed in the past before awarding the contract. “I appreciate the recommendation that was brought forward,” said Ostrander, adding he understood it wasn’t based simply on a dollars-and-cents analysis. “ … But, I also want to make it clear that I’m not here to be a rubber-stamper, I’m here to do an analysis based on the recommendation … and I think the suggestion to refer it back to staff is a good one, so that we can fill in some of the gaps here tonight.” Council will now wait for further information on timelines and has also asked the companies to provide some history of similar completed plans. Both proponents that applied qualified under the terms of the request for proposal and that in itself says something, staff looked at the bids and made the recommendation for the lesser amount, which is prudent for staff to do, said Mayor Mark Walas. The discussion took a more intense turn, when a majority of council decided the company proposals should be made available to all of council and the public. But council can’t direct such action, as that is the firm’s decision whether those documents are released under the Professional Engineers Act, Watson explained. Only when a proposal is approved, then it becomes public and council can make that call, he said. Council will have to wait for the OK

from the companies to make those proposals public, but can, as councillors, visit the public works office to see the documents. For Baker, given there was “such a discrepancy in the two bids,” he wanted to sit one document beside the other and go line-by-line, to satisfy in his mind it was an apples-to-apples comparison, he said. Walas was quick to interject, saying technically that is the role of staff. Baker understood that, he said, but his concerns remained and as a result, would appreciate the extra information. The discussion later got so heated, Walas had to remind staff and council, nobody speaks until they are recognized by the chair. Walas, alongside councillors Mary Tadman and Laura Vink, did not support the push for the proposals to be made public following the CAO’s advice. Council can look at the documents at public works, said Vink. Further, Vink didn’t want to go down the road of council reviewing RFPs or any other kind of request, she said. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, it is what we have staff for and we can ask staff questions …” Tadman took a similar stance casting her vote, saying she trusted staff to do their jobs. Passing the motion to release that information without contacting the companies first, wasn’t something Walas said he would vote in favour of.

Students need up-to-date vaccination records to avoid school suspension Northumberland — Some 2,500 students within the HKPR region need to update vaccine records or face school suspensions. Starting this week, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit is sending out notices to students whose vaccination records are not up-to-date. Families that receive a notice are urged to review kids vaccinations and update those records with the health unit immediately. “The last thing the health unit wants to do is suspend students, but we are legally required to ensure students attending school are fully immunized against certain vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Marianne Rock, manager of communicable disease prevention and control for the health unit. “Vaccines are free, safe and

Meeting will take place Friday January 26th, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the Municipality of Brighton Council Chambers, 35 Alice St., Brighton, On. Any questions please email psb@brighton.ca Members of the public are cordially invited and encouraged to attend.

effective and protect young people against serious illness.” In Ontario, the Immunization of School Pupils Act requires all students attending school to be fully immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), varicella (chickenpox) and meningococcal disease. If records are not updated or a valid exemption is not provided to the health unit, students could be suspended from school later this spring. (Students may be exempted from vaccines for medical reasons and/or issues of conscience or religious beliefs.) All too often, staffers say many students have their required vaccines, but records are not updated with the health unit. Families receiving a notice should follow these steps:

Check if the vaccine record is up-todate. The list of required vaccines is available via www.ontario.ca/vaccines or by contacting the health unit. If a student is missing vaccines, see a health-care provider or contact the health unit to get those vaccines. Update records with the health unit by calling 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1507 or visit www.hkpr.on.ca. Immunization Connection Ontario (ICON): It’s never been easier to update vaccination records online, say health unit staffers. Login to the new Immunization Connection Ontario website (http://hkpr.icon. ehealthontario.ca) to track, manage and update records online. It’s a secure, online tool that parents and guardians can access any time and anywhere on any device, reports Rock.

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Trent Hills rejects request for $150,000 to help build hospice care centre JOHN CAMPBELL jcampbell@metroland.com

Trent Hills — Community Care Northumberland (CCN) has its answer: It won't be getting any money from the municipality of Trent Hills to help build a $7 million Northumberland Hospice Care Centre near Cobourg. Council needed only six minutes at its meeting Jan. 16 to decide on a response to a formal request for funding from CCN executive director Trish Baird and campaign chairs Gord and Patti Ley. Coun. Rick English said Trent Hills has a hospice in its own “backyard” — the Bridge Hospice in Warkworth — and “what a gem” it is. Having recently witnessed firsthand the services it provides, he lavished praise on “the whole operation of it,” from volunteers to staff. “I think we should be more supportive of that,” he said. Coun. Cathy Redden expressed the same sentiment while noting the municipality has never donated to the Bridge Hospice, other than to make in-kind contributions. She said council is “supportive in principle” because “the concept is phenomenal” — a 10,000-square foot facility housing six beds that will also, in the words of Baird and the Leys, serve as “a centre for excellence in hospice palliative care, grief and bereavement support.” But, Redden added, “financially at this point it puts us in a very difficult position. We need more time to consider the situation.” All seven municipalities in Northumberland are being asked to contribute approximately $12

per resident to the project over a three-year period. Trent Hills' share was $150,000. Mayor Bob Crate said he was “in total agreement” with the two councillors. The municipality waived fees when the Bridge Hospice was built “but that's all we've done, and we have not made any other financial contributions,” he said. Trent Hills is “very lucky” to have the hospice in Warkworth “and we should maybe looking at supporting our own before we start venturing out into the world,” Crate said. Coun. Bill Thompson proffered the same view: “I just can't see the municipality getting involved in funding (the project). It's just another download (from the province).” Crate agreed, alluding to figures in the letter, drawn from a report written in 2014 that found hospice care costs on average $450 per day for a stay, compared to between $600 and $700 per day for a hospice palliative care bed in a hospital, and $1,100 per day for an acute care bed. “That is unfortunate,” Baird said when told of council's decision. “We'll just have to find that $150,000 from another source. Maybe there's an opportunity for Trent Hills council or the municipality to support us in another way.” Community Care is hoping to get $1.2 million in capital funding from the province and had set a target of $1 million from the seven municipalities. Baird did receive good news last weekend, an email saying Cobourg had approved Community Care's request for $240,000, but it's to be parcelled out over four years, not three.

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Sports Comets into playoffs on a high – seven games without a loss JOHN CAMPBELL jcampbell@metroland.com

John Campbell/Metroland

Assistant captain Andrew Moran outraces a Loyalist Jet for the puck in Brighton's 3-1 win at home last Sunday.

Brighton midget Braves sweep opening round in CC playdowns JOHN CAMPBELL jcampbell@metroland.com

Brighton's midget team swept the Loyalist Jets in the opening round of the Eastern Ontario Minor Hockey League CC playdowns. Two of the three games were close – 2-0 and 3-1, both played at home – while the third was a one-sided contest, 7-1, that the Braves won on the Jets' home ice in Amherstview Jan. 20. In the series-clinching win played the next day at the King Edward Park Arena Austin Schmoll and Raine Minnie gave the home side a 2-0 lead in the second period with a pair of goals 43 seconds apart while Brighton held a two-man advantage. The visitors halved the lead with 6:25 to play, ending Denver Watt's bid for a shutout, but Benny Scarr-Crosmas sealed the win with an empty net goal 45 seconds before the final buzzer. Dakota Ball collected two assists. Brighton finished the regular

Brighton – The bantam B Cold Creek Comets head into the playoffs on a sevengame undefeated streak. The Comets’ five wins and two ties to close out the regular season propelled the team into second place in the East Division of the Lower Lakes Female Hockey League. Their record of 11-3-8 placed them one point ahead of the Napanee Crunch and three better than the Toronto Leaside Wildcats. The Scarborough Sharks finished in first with 38 points. Cold Creek will face the seventh-place Peterborough Ice Kats in a best-of-three series in the opening round. The first game is scheduled for Feb. 3 at King Edward Park Arena. Game time is 4 p.m. The novice B Comets are also in the playoffs. They play John Campbell/Metroland at the Keeler Centre in ColKieran Gerow of the Cold Creek Comets heads up ice borne Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. Their opponents are the Kingston in a 3-0 win over Durham. The goal scorers were Jadyn Schmoll, Gillian Forestell and Cassandra Elder. Ice Wolves.

Losing streak hits eight for Northumberland Stars Junior A team returns to action this Friday vs Oshawa John Campbell/Metroland JOHN CAMPBELL

Surprisingly

Northum- taking over from Aaron Es-

berland's hold on sixth-place posito. Raine Minnie, who scored a goal, had an added incentive jcampbell@metroland.com Northumberland closed Colborne – This is one hasn't been challenged during to helping his Brighton Braves win the game and the seout its six-game homestand its victory drought. slide where no one goes ries: a date to the high school prom with Logan Dekeyser. season in second place with a record of 17-3-1. Loyalist ended up in 14th spot, managing only three wins and two ties. Brighton's bantam Braves trail their series against Campbellford, dropping the first two games 8-1 and 4-0. The peewee team has also fallen behind, losing two games

10 Brighton Independent - Thursday, January 25, 2018

on the road to the Loyalist Jets, 5-4 and 3-2; they were sandwiched around a 6-5 win at home. The novice Braves won 5-2 at Bancroft in their first match of the post-season. They play the Campbellford Colts Jan. 25 at King Edward. Game time is 6 p.m.

'Wheeeee!' Not when it's an eightgame losing streak that started Dec. 16, 2017 and continued last weekend with two more losses for the Northumberland Stars. The pair of defeats dropped their record in the South Division of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League to 14-14-0-5.

For the sixth time in eight contests, the Stars gave up a half-dozen goals in losing on the road to the North York Renegades Jan. 20. Doug Andrews and Benjamin Crowchild on a penalty shot replied for the Stars who were outshot 77-55. Ilshat Zaripov faced 30 of them and didn't give up a goal in the third period, after

Jan. 19, losing 5-3 to the Bradford Bulls, twice giving up one-goal leads. The visitors broke a 2-2 tie with three power-play goals in the third period. Northumberland's Malik Henry finished out the scoring at 19:41. The Stars host the Oshawa Riverkings this Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.


Bon Appetit conference to help entrepreneurs satisfy hunger for success JOHN CAMPBELL jcampbell@metroland.com

Northumberland County — New and established food and beverage business owners and operators who are “hungry for success” can learn how to become better entrepreneurs and make connections at a Bon Appetit Food Conference next month. The two-day event begins Feb. 8 with an open house and tasting showcase at the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre in Colborne. Food entrepreneurs who are on their way to success will provide samples of their products and share stories about their business. The rest of the conference will take place at the Best Western Plus Inn and Convention Centre in Cobourg. Concurrent learning sessions on

three learning streams — value added agriculture, ready to eat processing, and beverage making — will be held Feb. 9 and include a wrap-up talk on selling food online by consultant, coach, trainer and author Gary Morton, of SKU Foods, who will also deliver the keynote address and lead a “Value Adders Bootcamp” workshop. Morton's clients include farms, agribusiness and industry organizations in a variety of sectors, as well as government. “He really helps people think strategically about the future of their business,” said Ashley Honsberger, executive director of the Agri-food Management Institute (AMI), which has organized the event, the third in a series of conferences. “Our mandate is to help farmers

as well as food processing businesses increase their business management skills,” she said. “We have access to a lot of experts and potential mentors. The networking is usually one of the biggest benefits to the businesses themselves because that's what makes their connection to new knowledge lasts.” AMI is funded through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' Going Forward 2 program. The Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre is “a really great facility that can help businesses test out new ideas” and take them “all the way up to a commercial scale, where they can launch into their own facility, potentially,” Honsberger said. “Oftentimes there's that critical

Lower Trent issues flood outlook statement with arrival of warm, rainy weather Brighton — Residents may wish to keep an eye on the Lower Trent Conservation Authority’s water level bulletin. On Friday, Jan. 19, Lower Trent issued a flood outlook statement. This type of statement is issued to raise awareness. “Based on weather forecasts for heavy rain, snowmelt or high wind, a change in conditions on local waterways is possible,” the conservation authority states. The flood outlook statement applies to the Lower Trent watershed region, which stretches from Grafton to Quinte West and from Lake Ontario to Rice Lake. “Stream flows and levels across the Lower Trent Conservation watershed region are currently slightly elevated from recent rainfall and snowmelt. “Above freezing temperatures are forecast for the next five days with up to 50 millimetres of rain predicted for late Sunday through to Tuesday. Run-off from rain and snowmelt may result in the potential for flooding to occur.” Ice breaking up on local waterways can also result in ice jamming and can cause further flooding concerns. Lower Trent will continue its monitoring, but should residents observe sudden increases

in water levels or the formation of ice jams, they should call the conservation office.

“Under these mild conditions, all local rivers, streams, and lakes should be considered extremely dangerous.”

point where they have a really great idea and they need help assessing whether or not it's a business or just a passion project, so that's where establishing a strategic business plan, doing a bit of a market assessment kicks in,” she said. When they get up and running, they reach “a certain size and they recognize there's the next frontier” that requires scaling up. The “leap ... can be a little bit scary because that requires a lot more investment as far as time, equipment,” and possibly bigger labour force, Honsberger said. “The complexity of the business increases, as well as the risk but the reward also increases.” Relying on the local business advisory community “is really essential

during the scaling up process” to really understand their costing and pricing, she added. “It can be daunting because the risk does go up significantly from the smaller-scale business,” Honsberger said, “but if you connect with that good mentor who's in the industry and really has food business knowledge, that makes it a lot easier.” The Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre plays a valuable role, because it's “where you can see what other people are doing in their businesses, learning from peers as well as learning from the experts on staff.” There are still spaces available at the Bon Appetit conference. The cost to register is $32 if you book by Jan. 28. To learn more visit www.takeanewapproach.ca.

Suspected opioid overdose in Cramahe Township CRAMAHE — Police in Northumberland County are continuing to investigate the death of a 26-year-old woman in Cramahe Township, but at this time say that drug activity likely played a role. On Jan. 9 officers from the Northumberland OPP attended a residence where they located the woman without vital signs. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Northumberland crime unit continues to investigate the death under the direction of Det. Staff Sgt. Paul Rosato of the criminal investigation branch. Opioid abuse and overdoses have been a growing problem across Canada, reaching epidemic proportions, the OPP said. “OPP members and other first response agencies recognize the devastating impacts

relating to illegal drugs and the growing toll this is taking on the communities we serve,” said Chief Superintendent John Sullivan, commander — organized crime enforcement bureau. “We continue to do our part to communicate the potentially deadly risks to the public at every opportunity.” More information on this incident is expected as the investigation continues, police said.

“Under these mild conditions, all local rivers, streams, and lakes should be considered extremely dangerous. Ice cover will become unstable and hazardous, and should be considered unsafe.” Parents are urged to keep kids away from all waterways. Areas around water control structures should be avoided at all times. Anyone with concerns about water levels should contact Lower Trent at 613-394-4829. This flood outlook statement follows a water safety statement, which was in effect previously for three days and until Saturday, Jan. 13. The safety statement is issued during high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or when other factors could be dangerous for recreational users like anglers, hikers, kids and also pets.

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Council asked about having a commercial marijuana grower in Trent Hills JOHN CAMPBELL jcampbell@metroland.com

Trent Hills – A Warkwortharea resident has sounded out council about becoming a licensed producer of marijuana. Mike Perricone said he’s considering two options. One is to set up a greenhouse on his 107-acre property (or grow the plants outdoors in a fenced-in secure area). “If that is not viable ... we would probably pursue being a nursery, where we would provide seedlings and seeds to other growers (who are licensed producers),” he said in a presentation to council Jan. 16. He rents the land to an organic dairy farmer, James Glover, who is “also interested in pursuing the same endeavour” that he and his wife are, Perricone said. Before they “start the ball rolling” on what they have in mind, he wanted to make sure council “was behind the proposal.” “I didn’t want to spend the money, and the time and the aggravation of going through the licensing procedure (with Health Canada) which is very arduous,” without knowing in advance if council was in sup-

John Campbell/Metroland

Mike Perricone sounded out Trent Hills council about setting up a business to grow marijuana on farmland he owns near Warkworth. port, Perricone said. He and his family currently live in Toronto but are in the process of moving back to the community. “We’re trying to set up a via-

ble business, that would make it (worthwhile) for us to be on the farm full-time,” he told council. “We want to have our kids to go to school here. But we don’t want to be known as the weed

grower. Either you’re for it or you’re totally against it. It’s a black-and-white issue.” Perricone said his proposal makes sound economic sense, citing Canopy Growth Corp., one of the world’s largest legal marijuana companies, located in Smiths Falls. The town lost hundreds of jobs when Hershey, the chocolate bar maker, pulled out of the community. Canopy Growth bought the factory and its business has become “very profitable for the town” and is “employing a lot of people.” “They’ve really turned that community around,” Perricone said. “It’s now becoming a tourist destination because of this factory.” Perricone said his “dream” is to set up 20 acres of greenhouses to serve a market that will open up when recreational marijuana use becomes legal in July. “That to me would be winning the lottery (but) I can’t see the federal government allowing us to do that,” he added. “Realistically I think it would probably be (as) small craft growers ... very smallscale, (with a) graduated licence (to increase production, and) a

lot of reporting to do. From the seed to the plant it’s all regulated,” he said. Mayor Bob Crate was the first to respond to Perricone’s presentation, saying his proposal was “very interesting.” Councillor Cathy Redden also thought it “an interesting concept,” noting the Smiths Falls company “is a huge operation (that’s) expanding tremendously.” Council supported a staff recommendation that director of planning and development Jim Peters prepare a report outlining the zoning regulations associated with the production of marijuana. Peters said “it wouldn’t be (a matter of) changing the allowance for this to occur” in rural agriculture and highway commercial zones where commercial greenhouses are permitted, “it simply would be augmenting the requirements. It might be fencing, it might be setbacks, different things like that.” Peters said it’s for others to “worry about what the regulations are” for what’s being grown inside the greenhouses. “I look at this as similar to what’s gone on in the alcohol industry where you now have

vineyards ... craft breweries,” he said. “We have a distillery in Hastings.” Perricone said in an interview his preference is to have an “open air” small-scale organic operation that has less of a “carbon footprint” being outdoors than if it were inside a warehouse using “a lot of hydro” for heating, cooling and lighting. He said “there’s now a big rush by the federal government to get lots of licences approved” before the law legalizing recreational marijuana takes effect this summer. Glover said he is “curious” at this stage about exploring ways to diversify his farm. “When it comes to finances, we’re sound,” said Perricone, who works in the marble and tile business. “We can pursue this without having to borrow money.” The plan is to keep it as a family business and not go public. Perricone said he firmly believes legalizing marijuana “could help remedy the opioid epidemic we have right now. It could go a long way in pain relief.”

District health unit encouraging residents to participate in ‘Ontario Budget Talks’ SARAH HYATT sarah.hyatt24@gmail.com

The Municipality of Brighton invites applications from members of the public who are interested in serving on a Committee of Council. We are seeking interested people from the Brighton community to serve on the following Committee.To apply you must be a resident of Brighton. Heritage Advisory Committee: This Committee provides assistance and recommendations to Council associated with the identification, conservation, and celebration of Brighton’s cultural heritage resources as governed by the Ontario Heritage Act and the Official Plan. Public Appointments: 2 people from the public If you are interested in becoming a member of this committee, please express your interest and applicable background, in writing by Monday, February 5, 2018 to: Vicki Kimmett, Deputy Clerk vkimmett@brighton.ca P.O. Box 189, Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 Or, drop off your application at the Municipal Office at 35 Alice Street. Please be sure to include your residential address, telephone number and email address. 12 Brighton Independent - Thursday, January 25, 2018

Northumberland – The health unit is urging residents to weigh in on the Ontario budget. “This is your chance to make your voice heard and shape the future of our province,” said Sarah Tsang, health equity co-ordinator with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit. Tsang is encouraging residents to consider voting on the different wellness initiatives that could be funded by the province. “Money talks and so can you when it comes to picking initiatives that can support healthy living, child care, seniors, small businesses or student success,” a statement from the health

unit reads. The ‘Ontario Budget Talks’ process offers people the chance to choose the items they would like to see funded. Online via the Ontario Budget Talks site it says, “Cast your vote for up to three of your favourite ideas before 5 p.m. on [Friday] Jan. 26. In the 2018 budget, we’ll announce which ideas received the most votes and spend up to $5 million bringing up to five ideas to life.” Around noon Monday, 2,821 Ontarians had already cast 8,157 votes. The health unit would now like to see local residents also have a say in the upcoming budget. Visit www.ontario.ca/budgettalks to participate or for more information.


Brighton Lions sign on as fundraising partner for skate park expansion SARAH HYATT sarah.hyatt24@gmail.com

Brighton — Advocates for an expanded skateboard park in Brighton are off to a solid start in 2018. “I think it’s a bit of a good news story,” said Jim Millar, as he announced the Brighton Lions Club would partner with the community for the project. Millar made the announcement at council’s latest January meeting and provided an update on financing for the project. “A couple months ago, the skateboard committee, president Tania Light and myself attended the Lions Club meet-

Sarah Hyatt/Metroland

Jim Millar talks with council about the proposed expansion of the Brighton skateboard park.

ing as a delegation and presented them with our ideas for expansion of the skateboard park,” said Millar. “The Lions took a month or so, in order to get enough information and background that they felt comfortable to make a decision and they’ve decided to support us and help with the fundraising.” Brighton’s skateboard park was built in 2005 through municipal funding and with help from an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. At the time, it was a first for the area, which utilized prefabricated concrete ramps and metal rails. In more recent years, the demand for a newer expanded

Cramahe adding customer service co-ordinator JOHN CAMPBELL jcampbell@metroland.com

Cramahe Township — The municipality has created a new full-time position, customer service co-ordinator, in response to record levels of building permits and applications for severances and rezoning, along with “anticipated increased levels of development.” A staff issue paper presented to council at a special budget meeting held Jan. 9 said the coordinator will assist both the township's chief building official and its planning co-ordinator to allow them “to better focus/concentrate on their legislated duties.” The new position will also “ensure corporate continuity in the event of any future staffing changes.” That's an important consideration, given recent history. The paper noted the township's building and planning sections “experienced major reorganization and staff changes” in the last two years. Based on the current collective agreement pay grid, the new full-time position's annual cost in salary and benefits is $53,755. Having a customer service co-ordinator is “desperately” needed in order to “properly respond and provide timely and knowledgeable services” to Cramahe ratepayers, the paper argued. The new person will handle daily inquiries, schedule appointments, process the intake of permit and planning application fees, “develop and streamline administrative process and institute record and file management.” The paper further noted that user fees for

building and planning services are being reviewed “to ensure adequate levels of cost recovery” for the services being provided, and that “they are comparable to neighbouring municipalities.” Planning fees, it added, have not changed since 2008 and the current building permit fees were set in 2013. Mayor Marc Coombs emphasized the decision to hire a co-ordinator is “solely based on the huge volume of work that we're handling, and the expectation that's not going to lessen any time soon.” “We've got subdivisions on the horizon and we've got lots of development happening,” he said. The issue paper noted two major subdivisions have been proposed to create more than 300 residential units. To accommodate the new position, and to improve the working conditions of other staff members, renovations will need to be made on the third floor of the municipal building at a cost of $90,000. A separate issue paper said the office space currently being used by the chief building official, planner and compliance co-ordinator “is both ill-equipped, poorly laid out and ... spacewise, underutilized.” The plan is to have the manager of operations work primarily from an office on the third floor as well, rather than from the Keeler Centre and the south public works office as is now the case. The proposed changes would create four offices, a meeting room and an open work area for the customer service co-ordinator.

park, much like what is seen in other neighbouring municipalities has been made clear. Brighton students even petitioned council and provided a design for a renovated space sometime back in about 20112012. Around September 2017, council officially got word that a new group wanted to revisit the idea of revamping and upgrading the King Edward skate park and that fundraising efforts were already underway. This new group, led by Light as president, will serve as the Brighton skateboard park committee. The committee believes youth should have a functional local space and would like to see fewer youth travelling to use skate parks in places like Trenton or Frankford. While the committee is expected to meet “in the very near future” and at that time will look at its overall fundraising goal, in his report, Millar reflected on the original ask for an upgraded park, which put estimates at about $150$250,000. Staff has proposed $10,000

for the expansion in this year’s budget, which if approved, would top up the $42,500 already sitting in the reserve account for the project. Considering these figures, “it’s pretty clear” that more fundraising efforts will need to take place to see the expansion happen, say staff. In other words, municipal funding and any potential grants likely won’t be enough to fund such a project. Some funds have been raised in the community already, as residents like Kathy and George McCormack with their Harry’s Hots hotdog cart spent time in previous months collecting monies for the expansion. The Lions have also initially provided $500 and with the club agreeing to join the fold to help with fundraising activities, these are some good steps in the right direction, said Millar. “You have a known entity in the Lions, which will give us a lot of goodwill in the community,” the director told council. In addition, this partnership is a positive when it comes to applying for grants, said Mil-

lar. The McCormacks, as members of the Lions Club, will also serve as representatives for the project and will attend working group meetings, as well as co-ordinate fundraising activities in support of the project. Once a monetary goal is decided on, the famous "fundraising thermometer" will be set up near the skate park, so residents will be able to keep tabs on the progress for the project. Following Millar’s report, council endorsed and welcomed the news of the Lions participation as a fundraising partner in the project. “I don’t see a downside here at all,” said Coun. Brian Ostrander. “I see an opportunity to partner with a local community organization to get some much-needed funds for a project that has been identified in the community, so I’m fully supportive.” Mayor Mark Walas said he would also bring the information shared at the meeting to the Rotary Club of Brighton.

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DEATH NOTICE

DEATH NOTICE

BARRON, Frederick Douglas Passed peacefully, surrounded by his family at the Belleville General Hospital on Saturday, January 13, 2018, age 90 years. Loving husband of 68 years to Lorna (Fletcher). Dear father of Linda (Peter), Doris, Jane (Nick), Valerie (Dan), and Bob (Laura). He will be sadly missed by his eight grandchildren, Lisa, Sheri, Carrie, Jennifer, Paul, Amelia, Danielle, and Anthony, as well as his ten great-grandchildren, Daniel, Joseph, Sarah, Lucas, Sebastian, Thomas, Jade, Wyatt, Owen, and Finn, and his many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. The family received friends at the Brighton Funeral Home, 130 Main Street, Brighton on Friday, January 19 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Service was in the funeral home on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at 11 o’clock. Cremation. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Northumberland Community Care Brighton, or the Alzheimer Society, would be appreciated by the family. www.rushnellfamilyservices.com.

DEATH NOTICE

At his home in Belleville on Sunday, January 14, 2018, age 88 years. Ron Glennester, son of the late Thomas Glennester and the late Violet (Middleton). Loving husband of Edna Kathleen (Parker). Dear father of Stuart Glennester of Conscecon. Predeceased by his daughters, Gail Glennester, Terry Keast, and Janet Glennester. Survived by his son-inlaw Mike Keast of North Carolina. Predeceased by his sisters, Glenne Smount, Doreen Smout, and his brother William Glennester. Sadly missed by his grandchildren, Tracy Randall, Kevin Keast, and his great grandson Brayden Keast, all of North Carolina, and his many nieces, nephews, and family and friends in Canada, the United States, and England. A Celebration of Ronald’s Life will be held at the Brighton Funeral Home, 130 Main Street, Brighton, on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11 o’clock. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Community Living Campbellford Brighton or the Brighton Fare Share Food Bank, would be appreciated by the family. www.rushnellfamilyservices.com FOR SALE

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Passed away peacefully on December 30, 2017 at Simcoe Manor in Beeton at the age of 87. Beloved wife of the late Trevor Drewett. Loving mother of Julia (Ken) Meyer and Anthony (Diane) Drewett. Cherished grandmother of Jeff (Carrie) Meyer, Brandon and Emmaline Drewett. Greatgrandmother of Katie, Isabella and Trevor Meyer. In keeping with Doreen’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Interment will take place in the Spring. Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, Lewy Body Dementia. Messages of condolence can be left at www.peacefultransition.ca “Safe Journey Mom - We will miss you” WANTED Buyers of Standing Timber -hard maple, soft maple, red and white oak, etc. Work is done through good forestry practices with professional foresters and certified tree markers on staff. 705-957-7087.

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Employment Opportunities Currently, we are looking to fill the following vacancies: • Manufacturing Attraction Specialist (permanent, full-time) • Housekeeping Aide, Golden Plough Lodge (temporary, part-time/casual) • Employment Caseworker, Ontario Works (permanent, full-time) Check out the full job postings on our website at www.northumberlandcounty.ca Please note that accommodations are available, upon request, to support applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Please e-mail your request to accessibility@northumberlandcounty.ca or call 905-372-3329 ext. 2327.

Winter Curbside Collection Tips

THE 2018

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY WASTE CALENDAR IS HERE!

Extra copies of calendar are available at the County office (555 Courthouse Rd., Cobourg), local municipal offices and Northumberland News office (Unit 212, 884 Division St. Cobourg).

Don’t miss the truck! ALWAYS have your waste & recycling to the curb by

7AM! Help our waste collectors do their job safely • Place your waste & recycling on the ground, not on snowbanks • Do not hide your waste & recycling behind snowbanks–keep your waste & recycling on the right side of your driveway so your collector can see it as they approach • Keep your driveway shovelled and clear of ice to avoid slips, trips and falls • Do have your waste to the curb by 7AM on your collection day

Collectors start their routes at 7AM, but there is no set collection time for any given address, as routes can change from week to week.

For more information on our programs and services, please contact us

For more information on our programs and services, please contact us

1-866-293-8379

1-866-293-8379

northumberlandcounty.ca wastedept@northumberlandcounty.ca

northumberlandcounty.ca wastedept@northumberlandcounty.ca

Kate Campbell: 905-372-3329 x2335 campbellk@northumberlandcounty.ca Alternative formats of this information are available upon request: accessibility@northumberlandcounty.ca or 905-372-3329 ext. 2327.

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