Lanark, North Leeds & Grenville - Hometown News June 2024

REGIONAL - Laurie Weir

editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Family, friends, community members, and politicians alike showed their true colours across Lanark County as Pride Month kicked off with flag raising ceremonies, a drive-out parade and fair over the weekend.

Lanark County Pride — a collaboration of Pride in Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place Pride, Smiths Falls Pride and Queer Connection Lanark — chose “Free to be you and me” as the theme, acknowledging the continued struggle to be themselves.

Lanark County administrative staff raised the pride flag at the Perth office on May 22, and on May 31, the flag was raised in Perth at Crystal Palace.

Elizabeth Snyder is part of Queer Connection Lanark, a group that celebrates 10 years in 2024. She was at Crystal Palace Friday to welcome more than a dozen people who came out to see the flag raising.

“In 66 countries in the

world, it is illegal for me to be gay,” she said. “Of those, seven countries would kill me. We can’t let up on celebrating Pride. We live in a fabulous country where we can do this – where we can adopt kids, have kids, marry, keep our jobs, and can’t be kicked out of our homes because we’re gay.”

Snyder encouraged everyone to celebrate what has been done, and who we are, and where we are going.

“Free to be you and me. That’s so poignant, isn’t it? All of us are trying to find ourselves.

This year, Queer Connection Lanark is fundraising for Capital Rainbow Refuge – those individuals who are fleeing countries where it’s not safe to be, she said.

On June 1, the remainder of Lanark County hoisted their Pride flags, including in Almonte, Carleton Place, and Smiths Falls, culminating with a parade in Perth that finished at Last Duel Park.

In Smiths Falls, Mayor Shawn Pankow was joined by councillors Steve Robinson and Jennifer Mill-

er, along with members of Smiths Falls Pride and Smiths Falls Police Service.

“We’re pleased to see the community come out to kick off Pride month by raising the Pride flag,” Pankow said, who mentioned last year’s celebration included the unveiling of two rainbow crosswalks, which had been repainted in May and cleaned Saturday.

“I’m very proud to be part of a community that is progressive and inclusive,” Pankow said, “that recognizes

Smiths Falls is truly a place for all. We all have a right to live our lives as we choose, without prejudice, without bias, and without hatred.”

The mayor said he knows these types of incidents arise every now and then, but we all have the responsibility to step up when they do arise.

Kathryn Baker-Reed is a co-chair of Smiths Falls Pride.

“I just want to give a big appreciation to everyone for showing up today,” she said. “Visibility matters. Every time you wear a rainbow and every time you speak out it really does make a difference. It’s important we’re always helping elevate the visibility of communities

that experience oppression.”

She also thanked the Town of Smiths Falls.

“Not all towns and townships in Lanark County make the commitment to this kind of visibility so it really does make a difference,” she said, “and it means a lot to have the Town of Smiths Falls take this kind of action on an annual basis.”

Baker-Reed spoke of the June 29 picnic in Victoria Park, Smiths Falls, from 1

to 5 p.m. to enjoy the ice cream truck, taco truck, entertainment, kids’ entertainment and there will be goodies to give away.

“It’s going to be a lovely afternoon to celebrate with your friends and family.” Back in Perth on Saturday afternoon, a parade across town made its way to Last Duel Park where guests enjoyed entertainment and a community fair. Rainbow Champion Award winners for 2024 included:

• Nicole Croteau: of Lanark County Big Brothers Big Sisters;

• Jennifer Miller: Lanark County Big Brothers Big Sisters;

• Meredith Toivanen: The Perkolator;

• Pennyann Bell: Penny's Place; and,

• Perth Tourism Team: Kathryn Jamieson, Karen Szabo, Cathy McNally and Crystal Reinhard.

“Thank you for your commitment to supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and for making Perth a more welcoming and inclusive place for all.”

JUNE

Keith Johnston helps raise the Pride flag in Smiths Falls on June 1 to mark Pride Month. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

YAK Youth Services float was a hit in the Lanark County Pride parade in Perth on Saturday, June 1 as it made its way through town and into Last Duel Park. Pictured, Perth Coun. Isabel Anne McRae waves to the crowd, alongside People First of Canada’s Kory Earle of Carleton Place, and a few of the youth from YAK in their inflatable unicorn. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

Members of the community joined Perth town staff on Friday, May 31 to raise the Pride flag. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

Members of the Smiths Falls Police Service, along with Erin Lee, executive director of the Lanark County Interval House and Community Support, and Mayor Shawn Pankow and his wife Tracey Pankow, are pictured during the Pride flag raising in Smiths Falls on June 1. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

Page Two

JUNE 6

2SLGBTQI+ panel discussion

Almonte Public Library, evening TBA

JUNE 7

Bowl & Mingle

7 - 9 pm The Spare Room Bowling, 2 Wilson St. W. Perth.

Fundraiser for Capital Rainbow Refuge.

JUNE 8

Lanark Speaks: Queer Speaker Series

1 - 3 pm Perth & District Union Library Mason Flatla, Ottawa Pride Hockey.

JUNE 15

The Canadian Library

Grassroots art installation project to act as a memorial to all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Children. Mississippi Valley Textile Museum.

Board Game Café

Perth Pie Co. (afternoon).

JUNE 22

Dance & Drag Show

7 pm Carleton Place Arena

JUNE 29

Pride Picnic in the Park

1 pm Victoria Park in Smiths Falls.

JULY 13

Lanark Speaks: Queer Speaker Series

1 - 3 pm Perth & District Union Library

Tamara Lopez, federal public servant who has been actively promoting diversity, inclusion and the importance of mental health both inside her workplace as well as within her community.

AUG. 10

Lanark Speaks: Queer Speaker Series

1 - 3 pm Perth & District Union Library

Ksenia Knyazeva, owner of Patriam Coffee in Kingston, is a fun, queer, hardworking business owner who moved to Canada from Ukraine.

SEPT. 7

Lanark Speaks: Queer Speaker Series

6:30 - 8:30 pm Ages 14+

Perth & District Union Library

Diane Skoll is a comedian and a transgender woman who performs standup and sketch comedy that runs the gamut from one-liners and observational humour to edgy and ribald. Diane was born in South Africa, grew up in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is now based in Ottawa.

OCT. 5

Drag Show Mississippi Mills Textile Museum, Almonte. Watch for times.

‘Everyone’s best friend’: Chris Saumure named Smiths Falls’ Citizen of the Year

Smiths Falls - Laure Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Chris Saumure has been named the Citizen of the Year during an evening of fellowship at the Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club on Monday, June 3.

Hosted by the Smiths Falls Kinsmen Club and the SFGCC, Saumure, president of the Saumure Group of Companies was recognized by his family, friends and peers at this 55th annual event.

The Dr. T.O. Ashwell Memorial Award — Citizen of the Year — is given to an individual (or couple) who has demonstrated significant contribution within the town.

Mayor Shawn Pankow said Saumure has made “unparalleled contributions to the Town of Smiths Falls. Through his unwavering commitment to community, business acumen, and family values, Chris has left a lasting mark on our town, where he has spent the majority of his life.

“Chris has been instrumental in addressing the critical need for housing here with the building of over 200 apartments and affordable housing projects,”

Chris Saumure receives a standing ovation from attendees at the Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club after being named Citizen of the Year. Photo credit: Saumure Group of Companies Facebook page [facebook.com/saumuregroup].

the mayor noted. “Chris has also been instrumental in ensuring that Smiths Falls will now have transitional housing. A project that will save lives. Because of this project, homeless people will be able to find a safe space, and begin to rebuild.”

The Saumure Group of Companies purchased Willowdale, the former longterm care home, which will be opening this year to help provide housing to more than a dozen people with precarious housing situations in Lanark County.

Chris Haines, vice president of the Saumure Group,

Friends of the

said he has known Saumure for over 17 years and can “begrudgingly say that he is my best friend … He’s everyone’s best friend.” Further driving Chris’s commitment to better the town is his love for his family. He and his wife Pam have raised their three daughters here, and now have the joy of watching three, soon to be four, grandchildren grow up here.

Tay Watershed Award two $1,000 Bursaries

Perth - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca

The Friends of the Tay Watershed recently awarded two $1,000 Water Guardian Bursaries to high school students who reside in the Tay Watershed. Clara Misener and Orria Nielsen, students at Perth and District Collegiate Insti-

tute, were the much deserved winners of the Bursaries.

Clara is planning on studying Bioengineering and Life/Biomedical Sciences at McGill. While attending PDCI, Clara was a member of the Youth Climate Circle, Climate Network Lanark Youth Climate Action Group as well as the David Suzuki Foundation’s

Butterfly Way Project. Orria will be attending Trent University to study Archeology. She’s also a volunteer with the Youth Climate Circle, Butterfly Way Project, Guatemala Stove Project, local music festivals and summer camps. Through their university years, both Clara and Orria will continue to be advocates for the environment, water sustainability and for indigenous practices protecting our ecosystem.

The Friends of the Tay Watershed congratulate Clara and Orria and wish them much success in their studies, future careers, and continued interest in the environment.

Every year, since 2011, the Friends of the Tay Watershed have extended an invitation to students at local high schools, and, recently, university students who attended a local high school, to submit applications for this Bursary. Candidates wishing to apply should watch for notices from the Association’s web site, taywatershed.ca or next February in local papers and high schools for application requirements.

Cartoon by Patrick Labelle.

Friends of the Tay Watershed Board members Carol Dillon, left, and Judy Buehler, right, and President, Glenn Tunnock, centre, present a $1,000 Water Guardian Bursary to Orria Nielsen, second from left and Clara Misener, second from right, of Perth and District Collegiate Institute.

Photo credit: Submitted [Rhonda Wright].

Photo credit: Saumure Group of Companies Facebook page.

Mystery spill near Le Boat docks cleaned up, source unknown

luxury cruise line expands to trent-servern waterway this summer

Smiths Falls - Laure Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

A contaminant spill near the Le Boat docks in Smiths Falls caused some fast action on Saturday as the luxury cruise line staff alerted the appropriate parties to help clean it up.

Lisa McLean, marketing manager, long haul markets, North America, Australia, South Africa, Asia and Latin America, told this publication that the spill didn’t come from any of their vessels.

“We don’t have much to tell you because it wasn’t a Le Boat spill,” McLean stated on Tuesday, May 21. “We confirmed with our staff and no one did anything in error. They followed all procedures when it comes to fuelling.”

McLean said they worked closely with the Smiths Falls Fire Department, “to make sure the contaminant was contained,” she said. “We also took action and contacted a local environmental company to also help clean up the contaminant.”

McLean said she still doesn’t know where it came from (as of Tuesday, May 21).

FIRE DEPARTMENT CANNOT CONFIRM SOURCE

Smiths Falls fire Chief Rick Chesebrough said they too are unsure where the contaminant came from. “We cannot confirm if it was from Le Boat or not,” Chesebrough told this publication on May 21. “The spill is believed to be diesel. There was a huge sheen on the water.”

The chief said he’s not aware of any charges being laid due to the spill, but his crews left the scene prior to the environmental team coming in to clean up the spill. “It is my understanding that Le Boat contracted a company to clean up the spill,” he said.

Concerns of the environment and waterway are at top of mind for them, McLean said, as they worked together to clean up the spill.

“It was a really small containment, but they know it wasn’t a Le Boat over-fuel, or staff error, (and) we were happy to help with the clean-up.”

Over the past two seasons, Le Boat had a spill of diesel fuel into the basin while refueling a vessel. Staff was required after last year’s incident in July to take additional training to ensure this didn’t happen again, McLean said.

“We do have the fuel cap and water cap painted different colours. We implemented some new fueling procedures. All of our new staff have been trained differently as well, too,” she explained. “We had them do spill action training – some extra precautions to make sure there isn’t staff error or fueling issues.”

McLean said their staff didn’t know what time the spill had happened as they showed up for work at 8:30 a.m. on May 18, “then the fire department came on site at 9 a.m. We too were not aware of why they were there. It was either a minor spill or contaminant in the waterway. We had the same questions as everybody else.”

She said they didn’t get into a debate about the issue on social media, where photos of the clean-up were posted in Smiths Falls group chats.

“We don’t comment on social media,” McLean said. “There has been a lot of vandalism against Le Boat recently, too. We don’t know if it was local vandalism so we did let the authorities know what vandalism happened along the Rideau Canal.”

McLean said there was some “graffiti put on one of our buildings down below, and recently, at the lower lock there was graffiti on one of the buildings that we lease from Parks Canada.”

Parks Canada has been asked to clean off the graffiti, McLean said.

An inquiry to the Smiths Falls Police Service noted

that the town had “quite a bit of targeted graffiti that was investigated, charges laid,” noted Acting Chief Jodi Empey in an email May 21. If it was the same graffiti that had been on a white storage shed for the past couple months, “they were advised of it by the town to clean it up.”

EXPANSION TO TRENTSEVERN WATERWAY

Le Boat has also just moved eight of the fleet of 32 boats to Trent-Severn Waterway with a base camp in Peterborough for the 2024 boating season.

“We’re now open on the Trent-Severn,” McLean said. “We opened on May 17, so it’s too early to tell how that is going.”

She said they’re hoping to expand in the Canadian market, but the boat builders aren’t building new

vessels until 2025.

“Dock space became available along the Trent-Severn, so we took the opportunity to launch a test model for this year and when new

boats are available, we’re hoping to get more from the global team,” McLean said.

“We took some of the boats from the fleet in Smiths Falls. We have been investi-

gating other canals in Canada and were excited that a marina became available for use for Le Boat, so we took the opportunity to do a test pilot this year.”

Regulating fireworks in Rideau Lakes goes back to fire chief for adjustments

Regional - Laure Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

A new fireworks bylaw will be tweaked in Rideau Lakes Township to try and curb excessive use of them.

Gene Richardson, the township’s fire chief, brought his report to council’s committee of municipal services meeting on May 27. The report included a survey conducted last year that showed more than half of the 498 respondents wanted to have year-round fireworks for personal and event use.

Canada Day and New Year’s Eve topped the list of dates that residents would like to be able to watch or set off fireworks.

More than 80 per cent of respondents said fireworks should be limited between dusk and 11 p.m.

Concerns about fireworks

that were expressed included:

• Terrified pets and harmed wildlife;

• Upset neighbours who didn’t know beforehand; and,

• Random times going off.

People are now setting off fireworks for birthdays and anniversaries, not just special occasions, committee members heard.

“It’s not a simple issue for us,” Mayor Arie Hoogenboom said, as it’s almost impossible to do any effective enforcement other than education.

Coun. Marcia Maxwell said she realized it’s difficult with the enforcement, and perhaps someone wanting to complain about it doesn’t know the exact location.

“I don’t understand why they’re allowed to be sold in every corner store, the back of trucks in parking lots

across the province,” she said.

Maxwell said the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations is “very involved” with the regulation of fireworks. “Maybe that’s who we’ve got to go back to because I think in a lot of cases it is around the waterfront and cottage properties where people have concerns.

She also had concerns about lanterns – whether there is a fire ban or not.

“Them going off lit can land on a roof or anywhere at any time and set a building on fire,” she said.

Coun. Sue Dunfield said after the previous weekend, she is concerned that the bylaw should look at fireworks being set from public docks, the waterfront and floating apparatuses, and maybe they should consider adding

such stipulations.

The chief said it comes back to a matter of enforcement, but he could see education as key in their social media posts.

Hoogenboom said one of the options available to them, “which is very difficult to enforce,” would be to restrict locations and dates.

Coun. Deborah Anne Hutchings agreed with Dunfield saying that should be added to the bylaw. “If we state what we want, there are people who do follow the law.”

Hoogenboom added: “I think the key is education rather than regulation.”

The motion was referred back to the chief for fine-tuning of the open-air burning bylaw and the fireworks bylaw. It will come back for future consideration and approval by council.

Le Boat vessels are lined up in the Victoria Basin in Smiths Falls. The Canadian market is expanding this year to the Trent-Severn Waterway with a homebase in Peterborough. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

community

Carleton Place crowns 'Mr. Plow' champion: McCamon wins roadeo

Carleton Place - Laure Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

It was all about the Mr. Plow signage.

Dan McCamon, the town’s public works waterworks operator, won the Lanark County Roadeo, held in Perth recently.

McCamon was presented with an armload of memorabilia to mark the occasion during a regular meeting of the Carleton Place council on May 21.

Each year one of the Associations of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) local associations hosts the roadeo. Their responsibility is to set up a committee of municipal and private sector volunteers to ensure the success of the event.

“I had an opportunity to attend (the public works facility in Perth) for a majority

of the day,” Carleton Place Mayor Toby Randell said.

There were about 45 people signed up for the event, and 41 employees from across the county competed.

Randell said all but one county was represented, “but we won’t say who that was … because we don’t want to embarrass Beckwith … Just joking, Beckwith, we love you.”

The mayor said he was able to watch this for the first time, and for those who have not had the opportunity to sit in a snowplow “to find out how truly intimidating it is and how big it is, it’s amazing to watch these men and women go through the course and how precise they can be.”

Out of a possible 370 points, McCamon scored 345.

“Dan did a fantastic job

Perth - Laurie Weir

editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Landowners along the Perthmore corridor in Perth will not have the op-

portunity to purchase a small slice of the easement after council voted to deny the sale of it during a regular meeting on May 21. With three in favour of

and won the thing,” Randell said, as McCamon will represent Lanark County at the provincial championship on Sept. 25 in Douro, Ont. (just outside Peterborough).

“We wish Dan all the luck in the world there.”

Council joined in a round of applause while Randell presented McCamon with a plaque that his name will be engraved on.

“We also have a little plaque to hang in the office … and a little token of our appreciation and I’m sure that this is the one everybody wants to see — (the Mr. Plow sign) — and you get to hold onto that for a year and brag about it with the lads in the public works office, so congratulations, sir.”

The purpose of the AORS Provincial Safety

Sale

Truck Roadeo is to showcase the expertise of the best municipal equipment operators in Ontario.

According to the AORS website, competitors are the winners of roadeos in their local associations. They have already been successful in elimination rounds, and are among the best equipment operators across the province.

The Roadeo promotes safety, courtesy and professional public works driving skills in a challenging competition. The AORS Provincial Safety Truck Roadeo started in 1994. Each year the top three drivers are awarded trophies, plaques and cash prizes at an awards ceremony, and the winner is presented the Roadeo trophy at the AORS AGM the following spring.

of Perthmore corridor will not move forward after a 3-3 vote, motion is defeated; mayor abstains

the sale, councillors Isabel Anne McRae, Jim Boldt and Dept. Mayor Ed McPherson, and three against, councillors Barry Smith, Gary Waterfield, and David Bird changing his vote from the previous meeting, the motion was defeated with the tie vote. Mayor Judy Brown abstained from the issue as she declared a conflict of interest.

The land in question has been a bone of contention for property owners along the corridor and those who have used it as a pathway. The issue has entangled the community and left two terms of councillors flip-flopping on a decision to keep it

open, make it accessible to all, close it, or sell it.

On May 8, the issue to sell the land to the adjacent landowners was brought back to the council table by Coun. Isabel Anne McRae during a committee of the whole meeting. She said six property owners were prepared to purchase this easement, and two are not. The town would have access to the utilities along the easement.

Ray and Elaine Hook are adjacent property owners and would have liked the opportunity to purchase a portion of the easement.

“We, as affected property owners, are quite happy to purchase the land and

French Café serves up charity: Montague students raise $4,000 for four local charities

Smiths Falls - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Students from Montague Public School rewarded four local charities in May, after raising more than $4,000 through their core French Real-World Learning project, ‘Café Days.’

Three intermediate classes teamed up to create a French Café, where they could practice and increase their French language skills, all while raising money for charity.

The students brainstormed food and drink options that would be appealing to their customers - aka elementary students - and discussed price points that would be affordable for families.

Proposal letters for help were submitted to community partners, and they pitched their idea to the Real-World Learning Team. From there, students built a

“café kiosk” with help from J.A. Hannah & Son Electric of North Gower, and created French posters and menus to share within the school and send home with students, printed by Coba Studios in Merrickville.

Students created and practiced coffee shop dialogues and reviewed number amounts in French, chose the Café name along with a logo, and voted on local organizations to donate their proceeds to.

Three Café days were held in April (one for each class) where students rotated through different tasks: tech crew, baristas, kitchen staff and French support personnel. Violets on Main Village Bakery in Merrickville supplied baked goods for them to serve. In all, the team raised a total of $4050 for their efforts, donating it to the following organizations:

$1,300 to the Champion 4 Kids Foundation (C4K)

$1,300 to the Lanark Animal Welfare Society (LAWS)

$1,300 to the Canadian Cancer Society

$150 to the Merrickville Food Cupboard

“I am immensely proud of these students for their incredible dedication and hard work on this Real-World Learning project,” said Montague

French teacher Carly Mossip-Cameron, who supervised the project.

“Not only did they gain invaluable skills and experiences, but they also managed to make a meaningful difference in our community, which is truly inspiring,” Mossip-Cameron added. “They have proven with passion and hard work they can make the world a better place.”

to have it recognized (for a second time mind you!) as an easement, with the only right of way to enter the property being for the adjacent property owners or municipal staff as required for maintenance of public utilities.”

Hook said that with the property being an easement, they knew that they couldn’t develop this property in any way, but that wasn’t the issue.

“The issue is having the creation of the peace and quiet and unfettered enjoyment of our properties,” he said.

“The easement strip of land is approximately three metres wide, and it would be divided between the two adjoining properties, which isn’t very much land at all. But with ownership, it would return our peace of mind! We would all continue to integrate these small strips of land into our yards for grass cutting and weeding purposes, as we have done for many years already.”

During the council meeting discussion, Bird said he changed his mind.

Accessing land owned by someone else is an issue for him, he said.

“We declared it an easement; we didn’t go either way on it. I cannot go forward with this because I’m not prepared to reverse that decision by council.”

Bird said he felt it would only create further problems down the road.

“So, heads-up … I’m changing my vote.”

Coun. Jim Boldt disagreed “respectfully,” with Bird saying they're trying to put some closure on a long-term issue.

“It’s closed. The barriers are up. By selling the adjacent lands to the majority of landowners who are directly affected by it, we are bringing closure to the whole thing,”

Boldt said, “and washing our hands of having to deal with it in the future.”

With respect to accessing the property for repair to underground infrastructure, Boldt said there are easements that will allow them to do that, “like on many other easements in this town.”

Coun. McRae said it would cost too much to create an accessible pathway, and “the only way to do that would be to buy property from people living on both sides of it. The likelihood of that ever happening is almost impossible.”

McRae also noted that they have already received a legal opinion who suggested that they move forward with the sale, “and that’s why I brought this motion forward at the last meeting.” Bird reiterated that the “matter was solved” by council that this corridor would be an easement.

“That was it,” he said. “That was the decision. We have reopened it, and we will be taking a side — one position or another. Whether you like to admit it or not, that’s the fact of the situation.”

Because the motion was defeated, the easement will remain the property of the town, and will remain closed.

“We do hope that the town will now re-assume the responsibility to regularly maintain the maintenance of the easement properties that we adjacent property owners have been doing for the past number of years, to avoid the grounds becoming an eyesore,” Hook added. “We are obviously disappointed with the vote, but we are somewhat placated with the official easement status finally being recognized as town property.”

Students from Montague present a cheque to C4K Foundation President Casey Nelson. Photo credit: Submitted.

Dan McCamon (left) is presented with some hardware after winning the Lanark County Roadeo held in Perth. On May 21, Carleton Place Mayor Toby Randell (right) presented the public works employee for the town with the awards. McCamon will represent the county on Sept. 25 at the provincial championship held in Douro, Ont. Photo credit: Submitted.

Ray Hook looks down the Perthmore corridor from the edge of his property in Perth. The town decided at the council meeting on May 21 that they would not sell the easement to the adjacent property owners.

Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

New OPP commander prioritizes mental health, community engagement & building transparency

Regional - Laure Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Lanark County Ontario Provincial Police has a new commander.

Inspector/Detachment

Commander Kerlous Tawdrous has taken over the reins from outgoing (retired) Insp. Karuna Padiachi.

In April, Tawdrous made it official with a message to his team.

“I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to be the new Detachment Commander in Lanark,” he wrote. “I want to thank the Police Service Board members for their commitment to their communities and trust in my leadership. I look forward to continuing the strong collaboration with our community partners and (partners) to coordinate on community safety and wellbeing. I am fortunate to have excellent officers and civilians at this Detachment who care about the communities they serve.”

A few weeks later after settling into the role, Tawdrous was available for an interview.

When asked what his inspiration was to be a police officer, he said he always wanted to be one.

“For me, the chance to be able to serve and make a positive difference in (the) community is rewarding,” he said.

Tawdrous has worked in various roles. He was in the Crime Unit as a detective in Grenville Detachment, worked at the Provincial Communications Center in Smiths Falls as a sergeant, and transferred to Lanark to work as a front-line supervisor in 2021. For the past three years, he has been the Lanark County OPP staff sergeant and was recently promoted to detachment commander.

When asked about his leadership style, Tawdrous said, “I think that leadership needs to be flexible. I would hope that I am seen as an empathetic leader who cares about our community and our members. I believe in the importance of collaboration, but there are also times when you need to be authoritative. At the end of the day, if you follow the Golden Rule and treat everyone as you would like to be treated, you are creating a welcoming atmosphere.”

What does he see as the most pressing challenges in law enforcement in Lanark County?

“We have seen an increase in mental health and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) incidents in Lanark County,” he said. “In response, and to ensure we support individuals experiencing a crisis, we have introduced a Mo-

bile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) made up of officers and workers from Lanark County Mental Health. The officer is paired with a nurse or social worker and they are able to attend and provide community resources to those who are dealing with a crisis.”

Lanark County OPP has also implemented an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) officer at the detachment and has provided frontline officers with more training on IPV incidents.

“Victim support remains a priority; working in collaboration with community partners including the Victim Advocate (Lanark County Interval House and Community Support), Lanark County Victim Services, VWAP (Victim Witness Assistance Program) and Lanark Crown attorney office to provide wrap-around victim support,” he explained.

Building trust in the community is also important.

“In 2023 we created a Detachment Community Liaison Committee (DCLC) that is made up of various members of the community and police officers,” Tawdrous said. “We work with those community members to gain different perspectives. They also provide valuable input that helps ensure we

are meeting communities’ needs. I also believe it is important that we continue to build trust through community engagement.”

When asked how he plans to prioritize community policing initiatives to serve the diverse needs of Lanark County residents, he said they have a Data Analytics unit in Lanark County that provides valuable information that helps them make decisions on setting priorities and the allocation of resources.

“We also have engaged Police Service Board members who care about their communities and ensure our priorities are in line with the needs of the community,” he said.

What role does the new commander envision technology playing in enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts within the detachment?

Tawdrous said all frontline officers are equipped with Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and cruisers have InCar Cameras (ICC).

“This new technology helps to ensure that we are providing the best evidence in court,” he said. “It has also played a crucial role in ensuring transparency in terms of police response and interactions.”

When it comes to mental health inside the detachment, and how he will address it, the commander said policing can be a difficult job.

“There are days when our officers are exposed to traumatic events. We need to destigmatize mental health, so that officers are encouraged to get help and support when required. The OPP has a Healthy Workplace Team (HWT) that can provide a wide range of health and wellness services to our members. As the detachment commander I need to ensure that our people are comfortable to be able to engage with those service,” Tawdrous explained.

The new commander said integrated response is an important part of community safety.

“The previous detachment commander, Insp. (Karuna)

Padiachi (Ret.), worked hard to ensure that our detachment had strong collaboration with our community partners. I look forward to continuing that legacy and working with those partners for a shared vision on Community Safety and wellbeing, I am very proud of the work that our officers do daily, in collaboration with all the great agencies in Lanark.”

Insp. Kerlous Tawdrous has been promoted to detachment commander of the Lanark County OPP. He’s pictured at the detachment in Perth on May 15, 2024, after taking over the reins from Insp. Karuna Padiachi, who retired earlier this year. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

(Ret.) Insp. Karuna Padiachi was the previous detachment commander in Lanark County, at the Perth detachment, after nearly five years. Photo credit: Submitted [OPP].

lifestyle

Smiths Falls Youth Arena ‘may

be an option’ for current pickleball

Smiths Falls - Laure Weir

editorial@pdgmedia.ca

The Smiths Falls Pickleball League is hopeful it can work with the town to enhance the game for their members – and any new participants who would like to join.

They don’t have enough courts for their current membership, which has reached about 100 participants.

Following a plea at a recent council meeting looking for more space, the pickleball club’s concerns were heard by staff.

Stephanie Clark, the town’s director of community services, told this publication on May 23, that they will monitor how quickly the sport is growing.

“Any new indoor facility will likely need to be multiuse, and will only come as a result of a strong business case indicating community need in conjunction with affordability,” she said. “At this time, the town is not undertaking a needs assessment for a new indoor sports facility, however we are advancing the feasibility study for the

current Youth Arena.”

Clark said while it’s difficult to say what the results of this study will be, she’s said it will likely shed some light on the upcoming landscape of indoor recreational infrastructure for the community.

“Unfortunately, costs for such an undertaking (like building an indoor sport court) are significant, and while we would certainly work with community groups to help find funding, this type of space would be a significant investment of both capital and operational dollars from the town,” Clark indicated.

The town has a Parks and Recreation Master Plan which is the guiding document for the town, as it relates to the management of existing and the development of new infrastructure in the community. It does not call for a new pickleball facility at this time, but they’re watching the trends, Clark said.

“Additionally, while the pickleball group utilizes the space in the Seniors’ Activity Centre and the pickleball players have joined forces with the Harmony Seniors’ Club, many of the issues that Mr. Fawcett raised are oper-

Rideau Lakes tries to tackle fishing tournament parking

Regional - Laure Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

The Township of Rideau Lakes will leave anglers alone when it comes to licensing fees – but parking will be studied for future events.

Shellee Fournier, the township’s chief administrative officer, brought to council’s committee of municipal services on May 13, the legal opinion of their lawyer.

In her report, Fournier stated that while the Municipal Act permits the township to use its broad powers to regulate all matters of importance and the legal jurisdiction to regulate fishing tournaments, to take advantage of this jurisdiction the matter must be a municipal issue — protecting bass populations.

“What the township can’t do is apply boating regulations, as this is federal jurisdiction,” she stated. “If the township wishes to regulate noise, boat congestion and nuisance behaviour, that is outside the township’s jurisdiction.”

The legal opinion of Cunningham Swan also cautions that the township would have difficulty justifying not allowing live wells and weigh-ins, or limiting the number of tournaments per year.

“Recognizing that the 2024 season is upon us, staff are just recommending that we receive the legal opinion

at this time,” Fournier said.

Coun. Jeff Banks said he spoke with the manager of the Rideau Canal who said they’re “open to have some sort of wording around the licensing to say they have to be 150 feet away from a dock … but that is something that needs to happen with our CAO, a couple councillors and the people who are involved with the fishing (tournaments).”

He said they should try and find some common ground.

Mayor Arie Hoogenboom said it’s a question of whether council wants to entertain licensing in the first place. “Then the question becomes enforcement. Who is going to enforce it?

We know that Parks Canada doesn’t do a super job, nor do the OPP do a super job of enforcing all the rules and regulations that are on the water now.”

Hoogenboom said there are two stipulations they can control if they decide to do so.

“One is parking, and the other is access to our boat launches.”

He cautioned that there are private and public launches in other municipalities which would mean the tournaments could go elsewhere.

“There is the economic development side of this argument as well,” Hoogenboom said, “in terms of

pre-fishing and these teams coming in for several days in some cases, and the money they spend in the local community for our businesses in some of our hamlets.”

The mayor said they don’t want to discount that either.

He asked council to think about what is doable and perhaps have a further discussion at another time.

“I know at one of the bass tournaments they paid us some money – to the CEC actually – to park at the soccer pitch in Newboro,” Hoogenboom said. “That was a good arrangement.”

The mayor added, on the other hand, if you have two days of rain beforehand you wouldn’t want them on the soccer fields. Kids sports –like soccer and baseball –would come first.

“I don’t think the people who run these tournaments want to create havoc,” he said. “But they also don’t want a rigorous licensing scheme that will drive them away,” or to another municipality.

Coun. Paula Banks said Parks Canada employees who reached out to her said they would be hiring an enforcement officer and they do look after the licensing for tournaments. “I think we should leave (the licensing aspect) alone,” she said. “They also said they’d be interested in working with the township in enlarging the Newboro parking if we

would be willing to look after the butternut trees.”

The butternut tree is protected under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, and P. Banks said in a follow up interview that if the township were to look after replanting these trees, then Parks Canada would help create larger areas for boat parking.

Dep. Mayor Linda Carr said how can they distinguish between tournament and pleasure anglers.

“How can you possibly make rules for these guys here in a fishing derby and I can go out there as a person and do what these guys can’t do? It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. This is not our territory.”

Hoogenboom said he’d have a problem banning tournament anglers from launching from their facilities, which are free to users.

“I think the only place where we can tighten things up a little bit would be on

the parking … and if staff have some ideas on that, a report might come forward for that,” he said. “It would be difficult for us as elected officials, to justify buying additional property that is close to our boat launches for parking for three or four tournaments a year. So, it’s a great inconvenience when the tournaments are on, and we know that. For the most part, I think people in Newboro and Portland are semi-accepting of that. Part of it is us not knowing when the tournaments are on.”

Coun. Deborah Anne Hutchings said nearby farmers may have an open field for parking, and perhaps a shuttle could be organized.

Council decided to ask staff to look at parking issues and to let tournament organizers know where it’s legal for them to park. The recommendation to accept the report was approved by the committee.

needs

ational in nature and come down to ensuring that there is adequate space for storage (much of the identified issues around safety relate to this, and the club’s utilization of existing storage),” Clark said.

Bud Fawcett is the president of the seniors’ club who raised concerns with parking, space, and safety issues at that council meeting.

Clark said that council approved a memorandum of understanding between the Harmony Seniors’ Club and the town just last year that outlined a mechanism for communication between the town and the club.

“Many of the items that Mr. Fawcett brought forth have recently been identified via this communication plan and are either projects that are underway this year, or have been added to the capital project ‘wish list’ for the coming year so that we may address these concerns,” Clark said. “Unfortunately, our department was not advised of any major capital issues in a manner that would have allowed us to incorporate these into the 2024 capital budget.”

Clark said the phenomenal growth of the Harmony Seniors’ Club is a testament to the work that people like Bud Fawcett and Ron Hughes have undertaken for years in that space.

“However, at this time there is no immediate plan to expand the town’s facility that they utilize,” Clark said. “While we are not against looking into this in the future, as with an indoor sport court facility, this would need to be accompanied by a strong business case. Our current focus is on ensuring that the infrastructure that is existing is adequately taken care of and used. I am, however, open to examining this in the future.”

Clark did note that the lawn bowling facility is being examined for alternative use at this time, but no decisions have been made. As for using the Youth Arena for pickleball, Clark said that is an option.

“We would be open to installing temporary lines with an approved substance,” Clark noted. “However as this is a multi-use facility, we would not entertain something more permanent (e.g., paint) at this time on the dry floor.”

Patricia Lynch is a member of the pickleball league in Smiths Falls.

“We are excited by the prospect of using the Youth Arena infrastructure, and we have many ideas for its use by our pickleball club members, as well as the non-members of the community and the surrounding areas,” she said, as they’re going to launch an online survey around the use of this facility from its members.

The Smiths Falls Pickleball Club. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

Smiths Falls Youth Arena ‘may be an option’ for current pickleball needs.

Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

Fishing tournaments in Rideau Lakes are under scrutiny when it comes to congestion from parking. Photo credit: Submitted.

Food & Drink

The Travelling Sommelier

rosé, craft brews & travel tales

Column by Brian Preston | The Travelling Sommelier | brianpreston@hotmail.com

This month we will explore summertime wine, Rosé in particular. LCBO is featuring this versatile and easy-drinking wine in their Vintages Release publication too. I will tell you about my discoveries cruising Hawaii and the Alaska panhandle in early May, list the Eastern Ontario 2024 Canadian Brewing Awards, and I will reference a few local LCBO good deals in wines.

We combined a sailing to three Hawaiian Islands and then crossed over to mid-Alaska to see the fjords and glaciers starting near Juneau as we sailed south to end in Vancouver. In Alaska, we discovered that those independent northern craft brewers are putting out some nice brews, just like here in Eastern Ontario. In Juneau we dropped into the Alaskan Brewery (and

saloon) for some grub and beers. We tried a flight of 4 beers each including Amber, Kolsch and Porter, letting us sample the wide range of beers they make. I even bought the red Amber Ale T-shirt featuring an Alaskan fishing trawler sailing down the fjord. It was classic amber with a clean finish. Then at Skagway, the gals in pantaloons were hanging out the second storey windows haranguing the meek tourists walking by below trying to engage the crowd in banter. As Skagway was the jump off point for the gold fields, and not being shy, I went into character and yelled up asking, “How many nuggets”. She replied, “Five”, so I told her I would return from my claim with 2 more nuggets! She smiled and life went on as the tourists scurried in and out of all the authentic 1890s storefronts looking for souvenirs and Alaskan gifts for loved ones back South. Skagway Brewing Co., established in 1897, served up fantastic grub like halibut mixed seafood chowder. Their Spruce Tip chicken wings and dipping sauce with onion rings were the biggest I’ve ever seenalmost drumsticks - and the onions were thick and juicy inside a light beer batter. They were the best that I have ever eaten! Washed down again with many of their great beers including a Spruce Tip Blonde, Grapefruit IPA, Pilsner, Cream

Ale, and Russian Imperial Stout. At ‘The Asylum’ bar in Ketchikan, we sat at the bar where only a couple of customers had arrived by 11:30 in the morning, and we sampled the beers -it’s 5 o’clock somewhere! Between Jessica the bartender and the owner, a Puerto Rican named Carlos, we had a custom tasting and the fun and banter between us had us telling tales and laughing like we were old time regulars. To finish they gave us a Duck’s Fart – a shooter made from just over a third Crown Royal and equal parts Baileys and Kahlua. Quite tasty! We almost wobbled back to the ship, having experienced not only the food and beverages of Alaska, but the real people and their down to earth hospitality. Alaskans and folks in rural Ontario have that same wonderful sense of humour!

Years ago on a vacation throughout Brittany and Normandy, we discovered that our go-to and most versatile wine for many meals and simply tasting was Rosé. With all the various shellfish and seafood that the northern coast of France is famous for, we usually tended to the crisp and palate cleansing Loire valley, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine. Rosé, on the other hand, has many versions from dry to sweeter (remember Anjou or Mateus). The driest and tasty one featured in LCBO this

month is the Tavel area of the Rhone by Famille Perrin, LCBO680801 at $23.95. The foothills of Adige Valley in the Trentino area of northern Italy, produces Albino Armani Rose, LCBO19852 at $15.95 with a note of minerality and wild strawberry. Lastly, Petalos de Aresan Rose, new at LCBO# $13.95 from the Castilla region of central Spain, produces this 100% Tempranillo rose with a food-friendly crisp acidity. All are from the 2023 vintage. Try them on their own as a summer sipper or with a range of salads, seafood, white meat and ham or pork dishes.

The winners of the 2024 Canadian Brewing Awards have been named, with a number of Ontario brewers included. This year’s awards had 61 style categories, with three winners per category, each receiving a gold, silver or bronze award. In Ontario, there were 45 winners.

The following list of winners in Eastern Ontario is in order of the category, award level, brewery name, beer name and location:

• Wheat Beer - Belgian Style (Wit), bronze award: Flightriskbrewing’s Flight Risk Wit (Ashton)

• Wheat Beer - German Style (Weiss), bronze award: Brauwerk Hoffman’s Hefeweizen (Rockland)

• Oatmeal Stout, silver award: Flora Hall Brewing’s Oatmeal Stout (Ottawa)

• North American Style Amber/Dark Lager, silver award: Tooth and Nail Brewing Company’s Bunker (Ottawa)

• American-style Brett Beer, gold award: Flora Hall Brewing’s Foeder Aged

Dubbel (Ottawa)

• Smoked Beer, gold award: Cold Bear Brewing Company Ltd’s Anniversary Ale (Arnprior)

• Barley Wine-Style Ale, bronze award: Tooth and Nail Brewing Company’s Old Imperious (Ottawa)

In the LCBO 8 June Vintages Release, also look for the Gerard Bertrand Viognier 2022, LCBO#147985 at a great price $14.95. For something different, try the Graciano grape varietal, Agramont Graciano 2021, LCBO#37262 at $15.95 and a 97 point Decanter World Wine Award winner! And lastly, on sale is a perennial favourite M. Chapoutier Le Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Ruissillon-Villages on sale at $14.95 (Save $2). This consistently highly rated wine delivers intense yet elegant big flavours of red and dark fruit with earth

and spice notes that goes well with burgers, ribs or lamb. And Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port is on sale at $30.95 (save $6) until 23 June.

Let me know if you like this travelogue style of writing and I will, when possible, continue to do so. I find that like drinking a wine on the piazza under the stars with a companion and enjoying the food, wine and conversation; when you buy a bottle and try it back home, it just doesn’t taste the same! With this style of writing, I am trying to make it less a technical product review and more of a light conversational experience. My email is: brianpreston@hotmail.com. And feel free to reach out to me if you want a beverage recommendation for a meal you are having! Cheers!

Brett

Skagway working girl. Photo credit: Brian Preston.

Alaskan beer Photo credit: Brian Preston.

culture

Three 'tines' the charm: Fork returns to

Regional - LAURIE WEIR

editorial@pdgmedia.ca

The Fork in the Road art installation has re-turned to Elizabethtown-Kitley Township.

Artist Chris Banflavi, and Bill Gibbons, who has commissioned three forks for the juncture near his property, have erected the 12-foot steel utensil with reinforced re-bar, cement and boulder base, attached to a steel I-beam to deter any further thievery. This one weighs well over 800 pounds.

Twice over the past several years, the Fork in the Road has been removed. While police reports were filed, no leads were ever discovered.

The whimsical art piece sits at the fork of Leacock Road and Kitley Line 8, marking a path to Gibbons’ walking trail and art gallery – the AOG Gallery,

which is a private contemporary art collection.

Gibbons said the piece was erected on May 31 and would be painted in a few days.

“It is in place with lots of bracing to hold it up,” Gibbons said. “Mixing concrete this afternoon … should be freestanding and painted in a few days.”

As of June 3, the piece is looming large at the fork in the road, but has yet to be painted.

In a recent interview, Mayor Brant Burrow said they were looking forward to having the art piece reinstalled at the fork.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing the landmark utensil back in its rightful home, and to having it once again fork out a little inspiration and humour to all who pass by it.”

The original stainless-steel fork was installed in 2019, and it

Elizabethtown-Kitley’s table

wasn’t long before someone removed it. Banfalvi (Dark Genesis Corporation) crafts distinctive artworks from recycled metals, showcasing many of them at his home just

south of Frankville. These pieces range in price from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Each creation is entirely unique, incorporating a diverse array of

scrap metal and additional elements such as crystals. The fork piece was estimated at $3,600.

Gibbons covered the cost of the first piece, the township paid for the second one, and Gibbons will foot the bill on this third installation. Gibbons’ AOG Gallery is open by appointment: email aoggallery47@gmail. com or visit aoggallery.ca for more information.

Smiths Falls’ Spirit of the Drum Powwow cancelled due to funding shortage

Smiths Falls - LAURIE WEIR editorial@pdgmedia.ca

It takes about $50,000 to host the Smiths Falls Spirit of the Drum Powwow and this year, funding came up $15,000 short.

Julia Crowder, the town’s economic development manager, told this publication Monday morning, May 27 that she was hoping the funding would come through, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.

“We are extremely disap-

pointed we weren’t able to proceed with the powwow this year but fully expect to bring it back in 2025,” she said. “The planning committee and other (partners) are meeting to discuss the future of powwow and how to ensure it can be sustainable for years to come.”

Held here since 2017, the Spirit of the Drum Powwow has been a community partnership between the town and the Indigenous Studies Program at Smiths Falls Collegiate Institute.

Hosted over two days, it’s been an interactive and educational celebration.

SFDCI’s objective was educating and sharing First Nations culture with youth and the community. Students worked throughout the year to develop art installations and historical exhibits, showcased on Duck Island, which identified issues central to the history of First Nations in Canada and the importance of Reconciliation but also ReconciliAC-

TION. This term was coined by Gord Downie of the Downie Wenjack Foundation, and is meant to inspire people to not just talk about what needs to change, but to actually do something to change it. Spirit of the Drum Powwow is meant to represent this call to action.

Each year the powwow grows and we continue to host thousands of people over the two-day event, Crowder stated.

The Spirit of the Drum Traditional Powwow continues to be an extension of SFDCI’s Indigenous studies program and Real-World Learning opportunities for students, which partners with Indigenous Cultural Advisors and Knowledge Keepers who come into Indigenous Studies English and Art classes to provide real-world learning opportunities for students.

The powwow is meant to showcase the culmination of the learning that has taken place over the school year.

The Smiths Falls community has embraced Indigenous heritage and the stories of the First Nations people found throughout the Lanark Leeds Grenville and Frontenac region. Smiths

Falls resides on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.

“A powwow is an important event for First Nations peoples,” Crowder stated.

“It’s a chance for them to remember and celebrate their traditions through drumming and dancing and ceremony. For powwow visitors, it’s a vibrant, colorful and exciting opportunity to experience traditional Indigenous culture, and get a better understanding of the issues they face.”

Crowder said the powwow planning partners had to make the hard call to cancel this year’s event due to lack of funding needed to pay for the full cost of executing the event this year.

Annual core funding is provided by the Upper Canada District School Board and the Town of Smiths Falls. The UCDSB provides a contribution of $10,000. The town this year increased its contribution to $20,000.

“Parks Canada has also been an ongoing partner providing both monetary and in-kind support since the event started in 2017 and this year, we received a contribution of $5,000. An-

other smaller grant was also awarded to the school from Desjardins to cover the cost of the Grand Feast. This left a short fall over approximately $15,000,” she said. The planning partners applied for two additional grants to cover the cost of the remaining funds needed to host the event, being Celebrate Ontario (provincial) and the Canadian Heritage Trust Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (federal).

“On April 30 we were advised that our Celebrate grant was unsuccessful (we were also unsuccessful last year). And we still have not heard back on the other grant. Over the last three years we have seen past grant opportunities for special events become less available and therefore more competitive, favouring larger events that draw huge crowds, which leaves small communities and events at a disadvantage.”

The planning partners waited until the last possible second to make the call and advised participants and partners, in the hope grant funding would come through, Crowder noted.

Spirit of the Drum Powwow, Smiths Falls, 2022. Photo credit: Kathy Botham.

The Fork in the Road art piece has returned to the junction of Kitley Line 8 and Leacock Road east of Frankville. This is the third art piece after thieves made off with two previous forks. This one is reinforced with rebar, is welded to an I-beam, and has a cement base. This one tips the scales at more than

800 pounds. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.