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Thursday, December 16, 2010 • 60 pages
Year 140, Issue 26
ce Borke urcaenBr Irnasn 1
www.yourottawaregion.com
Politicians rally to save rail line
Rails could be lifted by February DESMOND DEVOY
ON WITH THE SNOW!
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WHITEWATER TO MEET WITH OPP On Dec. 8 Whitewater Region’s finance and administration committee passed a motion authorizing Mayor Jim Labow to meet with representatives of the Ontario Provincial Police in relation to a recent issue involving the tendering process of municipal property. According to Mayor Labow, the meeting will focus on the issue of a formal investigation by the OPP into the facts surrounding the recent disposal of township equipment. “From the outset of this issue, our council has been committed to being open and transparent to ensure that best interests of the ratepayers of Whitewater Region Township are foremost in the process,” he said. A formal report of the internal investigation was presented to council on Nov. 22. The report was completed by County of Renfrew director of human resources Bruce Beakley.
Politicians from Lanark and Renfrew counties took their message to save the Ottawa Valley Railway right to the front door of Parliament Hill this week. During a noon-hour rally on Dec. 9, politicians from Renfrew down to Smiths Falls converged in front of the centre block of parliament to demand that the rail line be preserved for future generations. “Once those rails are gone, they will never be back,” said Perth Mayor John Fenik, who is also the Warden of Lanark County. “That rail line has economic value, that train has environmental value.” Peter Emon, reeve of the Township of Greater Madawaska, agreed that the rail issue was something that both areas had a desire in preserving. “This is a very significant issue. It represents the thread to both of our communities and northern Ontario,” said Emon. “We don’t know what the future holds…but we know that it will be limited (without the line).” Canadian Forces Base Petawawa is a major employer and economic driver in the north end of the Ottawa Valley, and Emon stressed that rail links were an important part of keeping the military happy. See RAIL, Page 4
Future of rail uncertain: Greater Madawaska Reeve Peter Emon surveys the scene in front of Parliament Hill on Dec. 9, as he took part in a rally to save the Ottawa Valley Railway. Mercury photo by Desmond Devoy
Admaston-Bromley focus in Faces in Farming calendar STEVE NEWMAN steve.newman@metroland.com
The death of Admaston-Bromley dairy farmer Arie van Lindenberg in 2009 touched many community residents, but especially
members of the farming community. He was a cheerful, driven and friendly man whose positive spirit rubbed off on others. His death to prostate cancer left a big hole in the van Lindenberg family, but they soldier on while remembering the legacy of
the Dutch-born farmer. A few months after his death, Arie’s widow, Marja, received a call from the Ontario Farm Animal Council to appear in its 2011 calendar. See FACES, Page 12
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The first stop on the Snowcross Canadian Championships circuit was a successful debut at Calabogie Peaks Resort.
desmond.devoy@metroland.com