Royal Michael's Bay Resort being seized by Belgian government

Owners convicted in Beligan court on charges of laundering money from

illegal sale of bovine growth hormones; an appeal of the verdict is anticipated

by Jim Moodie

VEURNE, Belgium-The Belgian owners of the Royal Michael's Bay Resort are facing jail time and seizure of their Manitoulin holdings following a conviction on charges of illegal trade and money laundering.

Last week, a court in Veurne, Belgium meted out stiff punishment for Walter and Claire Vandroemme, who were found guilty of amassing nearly 7 million Euros ($11 million Canadian) through traffic in banned growth hormones and diverting this fortune through foreign investments such as the 400-acre development on the Island's south shore.

A prison sentence of four years was ordered for Mr. Vandroemme, plus a fine of 5,000 Euros. His wife was issued the same sentence, although "half of her prison time has been postponed," according to a report from Het Nieuwsblad, a Dutch-language daily based in Brussels, Belgium.

The judge also fined the couple's Voeders Vandroemme feed business 50,000 Euros and ordered that the fodder company be dissolved, which "is a rare occurrence in this country," according to Nieuwsblad.

Of the 6.8 million Euros obtained through the couple's dealings in bovine growth hormones-which increase milk production in cows and are outlawed in Europe as well as Canada-over half (4 million Euros) of that was channeled into the couple's resort enterprise at Michael's Bay, the Belgian press reports. The remainder was invested in two companies in Romania.

All of that income, and the assets associated with it, must now be forfeited to the Belgian government, the court has ruled.

"The Belgian justice system requested that all their enterprises were to be impounded," reads the Het Nieuwsblad story. "According to the judge, the money laundering was done on such a large scale that severe punishment was justified."

Apart from the prison term and steep fine associated with this white collar crime, Mr. Vandroemme was additionally penalized for insulting and threatening two federal police officers during an investigation into the money-laundering scheme.

"For this offence he must pay a fine of 500 Euros," states the Nieuwsblad article. "He also has to pay each insulted and threatened officer 2,500 Euros for damages, and furthermore has to pay their legal costs."

The prosecutor in the case, fearing the couple might flee the country, asked that they be taken immediately into custody, but this request was denied by the judge.

The Vandroemmes, for their part, maintain their innocence and hope yet to be vindicated. "We are appealing this court ruling," communicated Ms. Vandroemme in an email to the Expositor.

While the lengthy legal saga may not be over yet, Islanders with an interest in the Michael's Bay property are attempting to find out more information and assess how the court ruling might play out locally.

Matthew Young, manager of the restaurant at the Michael's Bay resort, said that nothing has changed yet as far as the operation of the facility, nor does he expect any immediate hitch in the routine. "All I know is that we're still open for business, and will be for the foreseeable future," he said.

The restaurant is not actually open at the moment, but that's not unusual given the time of year-it always shuts down over the winter months. The doors are slated to open again soon, though, with a dinner in the works for St. Patrick's Day, noted Mr. Young.

Following that, "we'll be open on Easter, and then full-time beginning on Mother's Day," the manager said, adding, "we're already booked up until December for weddings."

He was aware of the legal drama overseas, but felt it was too soon to conclude that a major shakeup would occur.

"I expected I would get a call from the RCMP, but I haven't," he noted. "I'm looking forward to all this becoming clear, but I'm just trying to keep my nose out of it in the meantime."

Ed Sagle, chair of the Michael's Bay Historical Society, has been a bit more aggressive in finding out information, as his organization has a longstanding interest in the historical town plot of Michael's Bay, the Island's first settlement and only true ghost town. He made a number of calls last week, among them to Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, but is still awaiting a response.

Equally curious about the status of the property is Gary Brown, reeve of Tehkummah Township-which encloses the Michael's Bay property-and vice-chair of the historical society.

"We've gotta find out who owns it-whether it's the Belgian or Canadian authorities," he said. "The government might put it on the auction block."

If so, the historical society "has a bit of money together already" for a potential purchase of the former town site, which occupies a small portion of the bigger acreage, Mr. Brown noted. "And if we could put in an offer, I think a lot more pledges would come forward."

From a municipal perspective, Mr. Brown said "it would be nice to see that whole area developed the way it was supposed to be," by which he means a mixture of commercial enterprises and conservation land.

"The historical society is interested in the town site, but couldn't purchase the whole thing," he said. "It would be nice to have the historic site set up with interpretive trails and become an attraction for people to come to, and for local people to enjoy as well, and then have development around it."

The township is "not against development" in this area, "but we'd like to keep some conservation and recreational property too," said Reeve Brown. "If done properly, this could all blend together."

Apart from the historic significance of the Michael's Bay town plot, the site on the Manitou River has plenty of scenic and environmental attributes, he noted. "It's been designated as one of Ontario's ghost towns, plus you have the natural beauty of the falls," he said. "It's worth saving."

If more subdivision and development of the broader property were to occur, the town site, which spans a small portion of the acreage and includes several graveyards, could be either purchased outright by the historical society or set aside as the 5 percent allotment that a municipality is entitled to maintain as a public asset, said the reeve.

Either way, he pictures this parcel falling under municipal purview at some point. "We've always said to the historical society that, if it was purchased, it could be put into the township's name," said Mr. Brown. "That way, you're not paying taxes. And the society might not be there later."

The reeve said the site was identified "30 years ago by council as something we should set aside as a historical attraction and park land," but the opportunity to affordably acquire the land has yet to occur.

While the status of the property remains uncertain at this point, Mr. Brown hopes a window might finally open for both more development and better preservation in this unique corner of the Island. "I've got great hopes for Michael's Bay," he said.

Subsidized daycare spaces under scrutiny

while DSSAB awaits funding confirmation

by Alicia McCutcheon

MANITOULIN-The Manitoulin-Sudbury District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) is getting increasingly antsy that the provincial promise to continue funding for the Best Start (childcare) programs will soon come to an end.

Gary Champagne, chief administrative officer of the DSSAB, explained that since Best Start's inception, the province has funded the program 100 percent. The apportionment given to the DSSAB is then handed out in the form of childcare subsidies.

Parents/guardians can either be partially or fully subsidized based on family income and living expenses, and currently the number of subsidized children in daycares can be high-perhaps, said Mr. Champagne, even as high as 50 or 60 percent in some facilities.

The DSSAB has been trying to get an answer from Deb Matthews, Ontario minister of children and youth services, as to whether or not, come March 31, 2010 (the end date), the province will continue to fund Best Start 100 percent or whether the DSSAB will be asked to fund 20 percent of the money, as was the case before the Best Start program was implemented. This 20 percent, said Mr. Champagne, could amount to close to $400,000.

The board has written Minister Matthews asking her to inform the DSSAB by September what will happen so they may, in turn, informs parents and guardians as to what's going on with the funding.

For months now, the DSSAB has been trying to coordinate a meeting with Minister Matthews, but without much luck. The board has been in touch with the office of Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown to see if he might help their cause. The DSSAB has other concerns with the ministry, including the funding of family resource centres, including the one operated by Manitoulin Family Resources in Little Current, which is funded 80 percent by the province and 20 percent by the DSSAB. Ontario Early Years Centres, which play the same role in communities and fill the same functions as the resource centres, are funded 100 percent by the province-unfair in the eyes of the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSSAB.

"We may have to serve notice to the transfer payment agencies that they may be facing trouble," the CAO said during last week's monthly meeting of the board. "The province has not yet given the DSSAB any plans beyond March 2010."

Come September, if the province says it will no longer fund the program 100 percent, the DSSAB will have to come up with a new formula as to which parents/guardians will no longer be eligible for funding.

"Not giving them (parents) money would probably affect their (the centres') viability," explained Fern Dominelli, director of social services.

"It's not a good financial situation for the operators," Mr. Champagne added.

Wanda Disley, a childcare provider in Little Current, agrees.

Ms. Disley explained that her daycare provides care for nine children through Manitoulin Family Resources. Two of the families pay her directly, while the other families are fully subsidized by the DSSAB through the Best Start program.

"If funds were to be cut off, I'd lose most of my children," she said. "This will put my job at risk."

Although Ms. Disley remains hopeful that the DSSAB and the province will come up with a resolution before next March, she still worries.

"It's going to put a lot of kids up in the air, and the providers, too," she said. "A lot of my children are from single-parent families and if you want parents working, you need childcare."

M'Chigeeng, Wiky wind power

initiatives waiting on Ontario's

proposed new Green Energy Act

by Michael Erskine

M'CHIGEENG-Just a few short weeks ago, the environment played front and centre as the most pressing issue identified by the public at large and the media in general, but recently green concerns seem to have been pushed to the background by an economy spiraling out of control, raising spectres of a new Great Depression. But according to Roberto Garcia, marketing and membership services manager of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA), the way forward lies in going green.

"A Green Energy Act will bring economic prosperity and new 'green' jobs to Ontario, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and allow individuals, communities and companies to become energy producers and conservers," said Mr. Garcia, during a recent workshop on the Green Energy Act Alliance, of which the OSEA is a founding member.

His organization recommends that Ontario take a page from the German playbook when it comes to green energy initiatives.

"The fundamental components we expect to see in Ontario's Green Energy Act flow from similar legislation adopted in Germany," he said. "That country is now a world leader able to produce 20,000 MW of new green power."

The beauty of the German approach, claims Mr. Garcia, is that is was able to develop that green energy in less time than it would take to build a single 1,000 MW nuclear plant.

"Germany is also able to meet tough climate change targets by avoiding the emission of 100 million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere a year," Mr. Garcia went on to say, adding that a quarter of a million new green collar jobs were created in the process. "All for just an extra $5 a month per household."

In order to spur rapid development of renewable energy, suggested Mr. Garcia, the Green Energy Act Alliance is recommending guaranteed access to the electricity grid for all producers of sustainable energy; priority purchase of green electricity before more atmospheric harming coal and long-term waste producing nuclear power; prices set on the true cost of energy-including variances that recognize areas with less commercially 'viable' wind resources; green energy prices for producers that are guaranteed over the long term to provide stability to the market, and a strong commitment to continually improve conservation and efficiency.

Development of green energy resources will provide a badly needed boon to farmers, whose fields would host wind turbines as well provide jobs and a tax base increase to smaller rural communities, but there needs to be a strong infrastructure investment in grid access on the part of the province's electricity carrier in order to facilitate that process.

The issue of grid access was also highlighted in a presentation by Roger Peltier, Wikwemikong's energy planner. Mr. Peltier noted that Wikwemikong's energy project with its long-term goal of 200 wind turbines, could act as an "anchor" for Island grid expansion.

Lewis Debassige, an interested individual attending the workshop, noted that if the Island produced enough green energy to supply its own needs, it could be argued that the Island is powered by green energy, providing a valuable cachet to the area's economic development.

Gmewin Migwans, a youth attending the workshop, expressed dismay upon learning that the Ontario government is committed to building more nuclear reactors to provide future energy.

"Haven't they learned anything," she said, noting that youth and members of the younger generation are very concerned about leaving the planet's environment in better shape than they found it, rather than continuing to add to the problem.

"M'Chigeeng First Nation has been waiting patiently for the province to recognize and confirm our participation in the renewable energy industry," said Grant Taibossigai, manager of M'Chigeeng's MERE Wind Farm Project, in a news release. "The long-awaited Green Energy Act will confirm the province's commitment to truly support this industry and further recognize First Nations as crucial players and partners. First Nation communities have current wind development projects ready to capitalize and can become leaders of small community projects within this industry. We look forward to the many economic and environmental benefits the province's Green Energy Act will provide."

Mr. Garcia urged those in attendance to talk to their friends and neighbours and to get them to send in Green Energy Act Alliance postcards supporting Ontario's new Green Energy Act, to contact their local MPP Mike Brown in support of the Green Energy Act, or to sign the alliance's online petition at www.greenenergyact.ca.

Californian expat hangs a cold 10 surfing the ice on frozen Meldrum Bay

by Jan McQuay

MELDRUM BAY-In mid-February, Bob Grover took his homemade ice windsurfer for its first test runs on the ice of Meldrum Bay. It was an unusual sight.

"I've been out on it several times now," said Mr. Grover when asked about it a few weeks later. "It's a skateboard and windsurfer on skis. Jim Joyce, who has a farm here, built the mount attaching the skis and board for me, and the skis themselves are old downhill skis. I cut the skateboard."

Mr. Grover noted that the board was very slippery on the first day, so he's since added a traction pad. "It's actually a Home Hardware welcome mat," he said. "The rest is windsurfing stuff I already had. The sail was custom-made in California and the universal joint came from British Columbia."

On February 14, the day of the test runs, there were areas of sheer ice on the bay, as well as areas where a few inches of snow covered the ice. It turned out the skis worked well over the snow, but on the patches of sheer ice they tended to skid around unexpectedly. So now he's working on a second design that incorporates skates to maintain direction on the ice.

"It's a project I have been thinking about for a while," said Mr. Grover, who is a surfing and windsurfing enthusiast. "I wanted to find a way to have fun on the ice in winter. The inspiration to actually tackle the project came when I read an article in the Expositor about a man in Little Current who made an ice sailboat."

The January 7 article shows a photo of White's Point resident Dave Organ, 73 years of age, sailing along the Strawberry Channel on an iceboat he made this winter.

Mr. Grover spent most of his life in California, so winter on Manitoulin is a completely new experience for him. He and his wife Shirin moved to Meldrum Bay in 2007, but this is his first full winter here. In fact, he walked on ice for the first time ever this year.

The snapping and cracking sounds that ice fishermen are familiar with can be a bit unnerving at first, but after being on the ice several times now, he's getting used to it.

Although an ice windsurfer is a novelty here, there are a few elsewhere. "I looked online on YouTube and found some ice windsurfers in the Maritimes, Maine and Europe," Mr. Grover explained. "You can go up to three times the wind speed, so even if the wind is just 10 kilometres per hour, you could get up to 30 kilometres per hour."

"I got out on the windsurfer here a few times last summer, but the inn and restaurant keep me too busy to get out on the water much," he said, referring to the Meldrum Bay Inn and Restaurant which he and his wife now own and operate.

Asked why they chose Meldrum Bay as their home, the Grovers said that in the spring of 2007 they were looking to purchase a bed and breakfast, and found the Meldrum Bay Inn and Restaurant advertised on the web, "at the end of the rainbow," as Shirin Grover says.

It's a long way from California, but Mrs. Grover is a Canadian citizen with family in Ottawa. They bought it, and in just a few hectic months they had moved across the continent and were open for business in time for the 2007 season. Last summer their daughter, a pastry chef, joined them and her desserts became a specialty of the house.

This winter the Grovers have kept the inn open, and the restaurant is open on weekends for lunch. As the chef, Mr. Grover is working in the restaurant mid-day, but if weekend visitors stick around later in the afternoon, they might even see his ice windsurfer skimming across the bay.

EDITORIAL

Venerable old swing bridge still plays pivotal role

That sound our tires make as we cross the furrowed deck of the swing bridge has lately amplified into rumblings of a broader political nature, as various municipal leaders lobby for a replacement of the historic span-the argument being that the aging structure is both a driving inconvenience and potential safety hazard if it is allowed to deteriorate further.

Proposals range from the vaguely plausible idea of erecting a new, modern bridge in its stead (and possibly moving the historic swiveller somewhere else as a tourist attraction, though it's hard to imagine the crane capable of completing this task, or the location suitable for its reinstallation) to the nearly absurd notion of excavating a tunnel under the channel.

Neither of these options is necessary. The existing bridge remains structurally sound-remarkably so for its 96 years of age-and a process is already in place to remedy the problems that do exist.

Of those, the rutted wooden driving surface is the most glaring, but hardly a reason to scrap the entire edifice. You don't tear down a house because a hardwood floor needs fixing.

Were the bridge poised to flop off a crumbling foundation, or freeze up in mid-spin due to a seizure of its pivoting mechanism, then perhaps it would be throwing good money after bad to continue investing in the structure. But the base is essentially solid, and the span-all 368 feet of it-continues to rotate reliably whenever called upon to do so, which is pretty much hourly in the summer months.

Originally powered by a gasoline engine, the mechanism was upgraded to electric motors and computerized technology in 2003. "It runs so well," remarked Marcel Quenville of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) in a conversation with the Expositor last year. "It's been wonderful ever since we adapted the old technology to the new-it's very quiet and smooth now when it turns."

The MTO obviously believes this old bridge can perform many more years of useful service, as a plan has been carefully laid out and funds budgeted through the Northern Highways Program to undertake a new round of refurbishments.

This fall, work will begin on the deck replacement, with panels of prefabricated stress-laminated wood laid down in place of the rutted and patchily surfaced timbers, upon which asphalt was never able to properly adhere due to the creosote in the wood.

As well, the MTO is committed to repairing all the concrete piers and abutments, plus apply a new coat of paint (flat black, of course!) to the upper portion of the bridge.

These scheduled renovations come on the heels of extensive work carried out over the winter of 2006/2007 to sandblast and repaint the lower half of the bridge, as well as conduct structural steel repairs. That project added up to roughly $1 million in provincial investment.

Built in 1913, and converted from rail use to accommodate car traffic in the 1940s, the swing bridge has proven an extremely durable device. It is unlike any other in the province, and has no peer on the Island in terms of functional architecture.

The historical and aesthetic value of the span is obvious-it's our gateway, and its fretwork of girders forms a unique, overarching welcome for anyone who accesses the Island by car or boat-but it is not enough, of course, to maintain something merely for its quaint appeal.

It has to work, particularly if it's our only firm link to the mainland.

The swing bridge does work, in more ways than one, providing access not only for motorists but for marine visitors. Were the pivoting bridge to be replaced by a fixed span, akin to the one that connects St. Joseph Island to the mainland, many vessels-such as tall-masted sailboats, and most cruise ships-would be prohibited from passing through.

This isn't a huge issue for relatively small St. Joe, but how many sailboats would relish passing around the entire circumference of Manitoulin before resuming their journey through the North Channel?

Drivers and boaters have learned to be patient while waiting for the bridge to swing. Surely we can wait a year, even two, for the province to fix up the parts of the structure that require attention.

If we can't, we might not know what we've got 'til it's gone.

Why are jobs contracted to companies outside Canada?

Conversation with Bell Expressvu representative an exercise in frustration

To the Expositor:

Yesterday, February 26, 2009, I had a chat with the billing department folks at Bell Expressvu. Actually I think they now call themselves Bell Television or something generic like that. But I digress.

You may be wondering where I'm going with this! Please hang in as there is a point.

You see, we decided the latest price increase was a bridge too far and consequently I call Bell on February 2, 2009 to remove the "theme packs" from our programming. A very friendly, young-sounding lady informed me that would not be a problem and the changes would take effect on February 25, 2009. She was right.

On the 25th I turned on the TV and, poof, they were gone.

The same day I received my bill for the upcoming 30 days (billed in advance for programming) and surprise, surprise, the charge for the "theme packs" was included. Hence the chat I referred to at the beginning of this rant.

After 15 minutes of mind-numbing, circle-spinning discussion with a male representative, I asked him where he was. Some of you are probably thinking India or some federal penitentiary, but no. In fact the billing folks are located in the Phillipines. When I said, "that accounts for it" (meaning my circle spinning), he was quick to point out he was fully qualified to handle all my concerns. He was wrong. I then asked to speak to a supervisor or manager. Anton appeared on the line. I thought, "Now all will be resolved." I was wrong.

After another 15 minutes of mind-numbing, circle-spinning discussion we ended the conversation. Here is the riveting conclusion:

1. February 2, 2009: call to cancel programming. Will take effect February 25, 2009.

2. February 25, 2009: bill arrives for upcoming 30 days.

3. February 25, 2009: call to question charge for discontinued service. Bill is generated on February 7, 2009 and as "theme packs" are still in place the charge is carried over. Credit will be issued on the bill of March 25, 2009. Meaning for 30 days I pay for a service that was removed.

4. Anton and I agreed I would deduct the cost of the "theme packs" plus tax from my current bill. My next bill will show I paid less than I should have but will be offset by the credit applied. Anton also stated Bell may impose a "late payment" fee for not paying in full. I suggested that may not be wise.

You should know I bear no ill feeling towards the folks in the Phillipines who, like many Canadians, are just trying to make a living any way they can.

Folks, we're talking about Bell Canada here. An institution forever!

Why are the jobs not in this country? Am I the only one who didn't know?

In hindsight it's too bad the Teachers Pension Fund didn't buy BCE, the parent company of Bell. It would have been so much easier to just talk to the SK teacher at the school and maybe more rewarding. Imagine, a whole boatload of Bell reps right next door to me. Alas it was not to be.

For those of you who stayed with me through this, bless your heart.

I feel better now. Thank you. Now I'm going for a nap.

Colin Senior

Little Current

Lynzii Taibossigai commended for work in Guyana

More education needed to elevate Canadians

To The Expositor:

Lynzii Taibossigai of West Bay is to be complimented for her pictured report of her visit to British Guyana ("Guyana trip proves to be rewarding experience for M'Chigeeng woman," February 18).

As an old sea captain, teacher and reporter-having some personal knowledge of British Guyana and having had the pleasure of talking to Guyana's Past President Cheddi Jagan as a seaman and teacher-may I say that, in the course of transporting hitchhiking students from Little Current to Manitoulin Secondary School, I ask them if their instructors mention such giants as Doctors Bethune and Morgantaler, or of the giants' monument, or even the characteristics of a Tamarack tree only to receive a blank stare.

Canada is a very sick country suffering from the disease of capitalism. It needs university-level education in history of development and youth to lift Canada to a public-ownership level of development.

Guyana tried to surpass Canada and its US boss by moving for a public-ownership level of development.

Venezuela next door, despite its oppressive Roman Catholic Capitalism, is trying to move upwards to a public ownership level of development.

Assisting Lynzii to help persons economically at a lower level of development than Canada is to educate West Bay, to a university-humanities, public-ownership level of development. We then can help the Guyanas of the world.

I will shortly be visiting public-ownership Cuba again with two bags of medical supplies.

Roman Catholic capitalists are trying to turn off this light for the world and return the country to Roman Catholicism and the mafia.

While trying to elevate Canada, Lynzii, I have to feebly assist Cuba, a light in a darkening capitalist world.

Guyana, since Jagan's day, is in a USA/bauxite/aluminum vice grip, the workers of which are manipulated by their varying skin colours.

Captain D.K. Campbell

Honora Bay

Northeast Town council should cap donation budget

Respsonsibility for money spent rests on taxpayers' shoulders

To the Expositor:

The NEMI Ratepayers' Association remains committed to fiscal responsibility by our council. We have become increasingly concerned over several areas of the budget and would like to address one of these concerns through this letter.

In 2008, council set approximately $8,000 as the budget figure for donations. During that year, council actually spent approximately $26,000 on donations. This greatly overspent the budget on this one item. That $26,000 represents 1 percent on the tax levy that is paid by all taxpayers in NEMI. This year, they split the budget for donations in two. They kept the $8,000 for donations and created an Economic Development and Tourism line item on the budget, automatically budgeting for the increase, warranted or not. The figure attached to this budget item is $19,000. Again, these two lines represent 1 percent on the tax levy that is paid by all NEMI taxpayers. There are an abundance of worthwhile causes that require donations. However, what is our tax dollar supposed to do? It is supposed to run the municipality by establishing and maintaining services for the taxpayer. Every time an organization requests a donation from council, be that through services provided by the staff of the town or through an actual cash donation, someone, namely the taxpayer, must pay for that donation. Many users of the recreational complex are experiencing financial difficulties. Many have needed to apply for forgiveness on taxes and interest on outstanding amounts owing. We believe that what council needs to be doing is looking at why these groups are having difficulty with the fees established for their use of the complex and streamlining the operations at the complex to make them more efficient and financially affordable for the users. The building must be maintained, cleaned and upgraded with adequate staff to do this. However, budgets are set for a reason. They are to give parameters for those in charge of the spending to stay within the affordability of the taxpayers. Currently, we believe council is not living up to this. Donations given by council need to be addressed in a much more consistent and fair manner than has been witnessed over the last two years. We would call upon council to remember what the tax dollar is entrusted to them to accomplish. It is not to be arbitrarily used in overspending the budget at the expense of the taxpayer. Council should encourage economic development. It should continue to support the users of the complex by getting to the bottom of the overruns on the budget for that building.

We believe that the donations budget needs an overhaul and, perhaps, a cap for the present until council gets its financial responsibilities sorted out. These are tough economic times and council should be demonstrating restraint instead of adding to the financial burden of its taxpayers. The donations budget is merely one of the issues of fiscal responsibility that this council needs to address.

the executive of

the NEMI Ratepayers Association

Little Current