Infrastructure funds flowing inconsistently to Manitoulin municipalities

by Lindsay Kelly

MANITOULIN-While the Grits and Tories argue over the progress being made on stimulus projects approved across Canada earlier this year, construction on Manitoulin is advancing at a moderate pace, with at least four communities benefiting from infrastructure outlays-albeit ones that mostly came through an earlier federal program.

Late last month, infrastructure critic Gerard Kennedy released a report critical of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, suggesting that "just 12 percent of the flagship $4 billion was supporting any construction as of the end of August, eight months after it was announced."

In the Conservative camp, meanwhile, Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird proclaimed success, noting that of the 1,365 projects planned under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF), more than 75 percent of them were under way as of September 1.

"Without the help of cities and towns in every corner of the country, getting contracts awarded, tenders issued, and projects under way, we wouldn't be seeing the effects we are today," the minister said in a press release. "They deserve an A+ for this tremendous effort. Together, we are helping Canada get through the tough economic times and emerge stronger than ever."

On Manitoulin, monies from the ISF and other funding initiatives have been beneficial to some Island communities that are seeing much-needed programs and projects come to fruition, while others feel they've been bypassed by the ISF gravy train.

Central Manitoulin Township was banking on some of that funding to fix up one of its arenas and area roads, but found it was left out of the process altogether, said Reeve Richard Stephens.

"We came up pretty short on funding," he objected. "We didn't get a cent."

The township had hoped to get enough to do some work on the Providence Bay arena, including putting in new boards and glass, a reflective low-energy ceiling, rehabilitated ramp access, and a new compressor plant-similar to the work done at the Mindemoya arena earlier this year, funding for which came from the first intake of the Build Canada Fund (BCF) which predated the ISF. The total estimated cost of the project was $262,400.

"We were not successful in that, and we were not successful in getting upgrades to roads improvement for our roads system," Reeve Stephens said, referencing the town's other application to the ISF.

It requested funding for the continuation of the Yonge Street rehabilitation project, which is estimated to be completed over a two-year period at a cost of $1.541 million. It would have included drainage, road widening, and sidewalk construction.

The town was also seeking money for a $1.163-million project to build, rehabilitate and hardtop a series of roads in the community.

But the community, despite being shut out, is determined to continue with its work upgrading local facilities. "We have a lot of projects under way that aren't dependent on the infrastructure funding," the reeve noted.

Last month, the community celebrated a major milestone during the grand opening of the Central Manitoulin Welcome Centre, the skateboard park, which was constructed last year, and three bridges in the community. It's all work that has been conducted over the last three to four years.

The community is now planning to go ahead with its Yonge Street road project, while tying in an improved water system. "We've started to bring the engineers in and we're looking at how we can improve water flow," Reeve Stephens said.

The goal is to start construction this fall and finish by spring.

Assiginack Township wasn't any more fortunate in its appeal. While it didn't apply to a second round of BCF funds, the municipality did apply to the ISF for funding for a facelift to the community centre, and upgrades to four roads in the municipality, including hard surfacing, smoothing out bumps, and replacing culverts. The municipality was also seeking to renew its waterfront park with new lighting and better accessibility at Burns Wharf. The total cost of the projects was $2.5 million.

But the municipality was successful in a bid for funding to fix up its docks, which received ice damage during the last winter season. FedNor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) provided the money.

"We had a truncated season because we had to take everything out," Assiginack clerk Alton Hobbs noted.

Docks A and B were removed to repair structural damage on dock A, and council is now faced with the decision of whether to remove and store them through the winter months or leave them in the water.

"There's a 50-50 risk of damage taking them out and putting them back in," the clerk said, "and there's also a risk of leaving them in."

Assiginack is now looking to move forward with the recycling and composting depot it had planned after receiving funding under the first intake of the BCF earlier this year.

"We're rolling out the public education and awareness next month," he said in August. "We're on schedule and have started on the depot itself. We should be on track and operational by the end of the year."

There has been a slight change to the overall plan, however. The composting part of the facility will be delayed due to an issue surrounding the town's certificate of approval.

"We're not sure we'll be able to roll it out at the same time as the recycling," Mr. Hobbs said. "The paperwork may delay it until next year."

The facility will eventually look similar in scope to the waste-diversion plant in the Northeast Town, with the ultimate aim of extending the life of the municipal landfill.

In the Northeast Town, work on the Limit Street bridge in Sheguiandah is nearly complete. The project involved an entire refurbishment of the aging structure, which spans Bass Lake Creek, including repairs to the entrances, replacing the decking, and new guardrails and abutments. The cost of the project was $250,000, with $172,000 coming from the provincial and federal governments under the first intake of the BCF.

Under the second intake for the BCF, the town applied for four projects, including the rehabilitation of the rec centre to improve energy efficiency, water treatment plant filters, road money, and marina money to rehabilitate two piers at Spider Bay Marina. It was successful in three of the four applications.

Under the BCF-2 program, the town received money to upgrade the rec centre's energy efficiency, including the replacement of the curling club's compressor and chiller.

"Basically it's two-thirds funding, so it's about a $400,000 project, and we got about $273,000 in funding on that," noted CAO Dave Williamson.

The town has a unique relationship with the curlers in that the club will be contributing to the one-third required by the municipality.

In addition, the town received money to replace the water treatment plant filters, specialized cassettes that are expensive to reinstall. The town has accepted a tender from GE-Water and Process Technologies in the amount of $493,810 for the replacement of membrane cassettes.

Indian Mountain Road is also receiving an upgrade thanks to infrastructure funding. The town applied for funds under the ISF. The $223,750 project is currently under way.

"We've been very fortunate that the various levels of government have pitched in here," Mr. Williamson noted. "We've been successful with both Build Canada Funds and the stimulus funding, so we're quite pleased."

Tehkummah is already well on its way to rebuilding the two-lane Government Road bridge over the Manitou River, putting to work the $600,000 the municipality received from the first intake of the Build Canada Fund last winter.

"We're at the environmental stage of it," said Reeve Gary Brown of the project. "That's not going to happen until the spring now because the fish are coming up. The on-shore work, like the road widening, will probably happen this winter."

The initial plan was to build on the north side of the present bridge, although the south side is now looking more favourable, as it would involve a shorter bridge span (40 feet versus 75 feet).

"Rather than have all those S turns, we can have a C turn, and it comes right out in line with the Government Road...so we're hoping to have just one long turn," he explained.

The change in plans would also mean a savings of funds, but the reeve said any surplus would go into the construction of the road.

The township was also the recipient of some infrastructure funding for a new firehall. The current facility, located beside the garage, is older and in need of replacement.

"It was actually an old barn that they tore down and put between the previous municipal office and the garage," Reeve Brown explained. "The water leaks in the back door and we have other problems like that, so with a new structure, we'll have a roof that doesn't leak, walls that don't leak, and something we can heat."

The three-bay garage will measure 20 to 30 feet in width by 40 feet in length, and will include showers and washrooms, an exercise room for firefighters, and a training room. The building also calls for automatic doors and a sophisticated exhaust system, but the reeve concedes that some of the extras may have to be delayed until additional funds can be secured. The township, the province, and the federal government will share in the cost of the building, each paying about $100,000 of the final $300,000 tally.

The project is currently in the planning stages, and Reeve Brown anticipated presenting plans to council last night (Tuesday); following approval, they would return to the engineers for final planning.

The design calls for the structure to be located beside the municipal building, and Reeve Brown estimated the construction of the road, as well as the levelling of the lot, could be completed this fall. He sees it as a sound investment for the future of the community.

"It's being built for the future," the reeve said. "It may look like quite the building now, but as the township grows, we might as well have something that's going to be good for 100 years."

Wind farm opponents confer with researchers studying health issues from turbine humming

Sheg chief expresses reservations about McLean's Mountain project

by Lindsay Kelly

SHEGUIANDAH-A former pharmacist is bringing forward new research to demonstrate the negative health effects wind turbines have on people, following a series of independent surveys undertaken in southern Ontario.

Carmen Krogh, a retired pharmacist and the former director of pharmacy at Edmonton General Hospital, and her assistant Lorrie Gillis, were on Manitoulin last week to discuss with residents their consultations with southern Ontarians about health issues that have cropped up since wind turbines were installed near their homes. The pair arrived at the request of an Island citizens' group who has been lobbying for more studies about wind turbines before the Northland Power wind farm proposed for McLean's Mountain is allowed to go forward.

During their time on Manitoulin, the pair heard from residents of Sheguiandah First Nation who say they remain undecided about their involvement with the Northland project following less-than-agreeable discussions with company representatives.

While Northland claims to have undergone the appropriate consultation with the First Nation, Sheguiandah Chief Georgina Thompson says their first meeting "was not a consultation, it was an information-sharing meeting," and the chief is dismayed at Northland's approach.

"Certainly the UCCM (United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin) is not happy at all with the whole process," she said. "We haven't even got to the point of considering whether we would agree with those wind turbines or not."

Among her concerns are the health effects that would come to her community along with the structures.

"I think you're very wise to be concerned about your health," Ms. Gillis told Chief Thompson. "Because what we're seeing in Ontario are problems with every wind farm they've put in because they're putting them so closely and so densely to people's homes."

Working closely with those who have suffered adverse health effects following their contact with wind turbines, Ms. Krogh and Ms. Gillis embarked on their survey to determine patterns and provide anecdotal evidence of experiences of residences who suffer from headaches, sleep deprivation, dizziness, and other illnesses, which they believe have been caused by turbines.

Ms. Krogh was inspired to undertake the work based on her own experiences-she gets immediately dizzy and experiences headaches when near turbines-and she has since founded a victims' group to provide support for those who are affected.

"I'm affected even though I don't live with the turbines, so I know what it feels like," Ms. Krogh said. "When I'm away from them, I'm okay, but they do affect me. We started to hear of quite a lot of problems in the areas where wind turbines were established, and that's why we started with the health survey. We've got a lot of information and evidence that there's enough of a problem there that we need to do some health studies that are studying people very closely."

The retired pharmacist said they've noticed how the symptoms mirror those that have been recorded in other parts of the world. She believes the province needs to do more studies before going ahead with turbine projects, and suggested there should be a mechanism by which residents can report illness to the province.

She disagrees with the province's practice of testing for the best case scenario, which doesn't take into account low-frequency noise-the issue that most people complain affects them the most. She also disagrees with setback measurements because there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to the problem of travelling noise.

"Studies in New Zealand have shown if it's hilly the noise will bounce and travel-they call it the contour effect," Ms. Krogh said. "They experienced noise really, really far. Sometimes some people could hear it up to seven kilometres away depending on where they were situated in the valleys, and there was a court order issued in New Zealand that they had to revisit all their studies to ensure that people were protected there."

Ideally, in Canada, studies would be done utilizing the expertise of doctors, engineers and other experts to assess the setback requirement on an individual basis, depending on the kind of terrain on which the farm is situated, Ms. Krogh said.

What the studies have shown is that the biggest problem for people is sleep deprivation. Either they wake several times at night, or they can't get to sleep at all, Ms. Gillis said.

"Some people don't even realize how broken their sleep is but they wake up the next morning just exhausted and not feeling rested," she said. "This goes on night after night so that they start to become foggy. People are reporting headaches, they're reporting muscle and joint aches, and tinnitus; they're reporting palpitations, and some people are getting sores that won't heal."

To date, they've spoken with more than 100 people who have provided personal comments, but there are others who shy away from commenting publicly for fear of being ridiculed; neighbours will make fun of them, or don't believe them and dismiss their concerns, Ms. Gillis said.

The time it takes for people to be affected varies greatly as well. While some notice an immediate difference, others may wait months before feeling the effects of the turbines, but the symptoms tend to be more severe in people who spend more time in their homes, she reported. They believe that the experiences of wind turbine sickness are actually underreported.

Of particular concern to Ms. Krogh is the children living under the shadow of turbines. Children aren't influenced by the politics surrounding wind farms, and yet they have seen several children who are sick. She and Ms. Gillis are embarking on a study looking specifically at the illness in children, and continue to lobby for turbines to be set back further from schools.

Research done by US-based turbine researcher Dr. Nina Pierpont suggests that children need a quiet environment to learn and that the noise levels set out in the Green Energy Act are too high to create an appropriate learning environment, Ms. Krogh noted.

She would like to see a more concerted effort of communication between provinces so that a comprehensive picture is created of the issues associated with turbine illness. The government also needs to take notice of the work that's being done and start listening to the people who are being affected by these projects, she added.

"No matter how hard and what evidence we have shown...it's ignored," she said. "So my sense is that there's a public policy there that's overriding health concerns and no matter what we do to prove it, we're being ignored."

Panthers to host district-wide peewee playdowns in March

by Jim Moodie

LITTLE CURRENT-A Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) tournament will be visiting Little Current this spring thanks to a convincing pitch by the Manitoulin Panthers organization.

On March 5-7, the Little Current-Howland Rec Centre will see up to eight NOHA teams, including a Panthers entry, compete for the peewee B title of the Tournament of Champions. Gayle Payette, a member of the Panthers board, said Manitoulin has never hosted a championship for this division, and the last time an NOHA tournament touched down here was in Wikwemikong in 1984.

"It's a prestigious event and teams will be coming from across Northern Ontario," she said. "It's not a major fundraising event for us but it will boost the local economy."

The Panthers were among five hockey associations that submitted a bid in June to host the 2010 tournament, with other applications coming from such communities as Kirkland Lake, Timmins and Cochrane. News that the NOHA selection committee had approved the Manitoulin pitch arrived in early September.

Ms. Payette credited Lori Green-Case of Little Current with making a persuasive case for the Island to be considered above the other applicants. "She put together a spectacular package for us," she said. "If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have been successful getting it."

While Manitoulin doesn't have the sort of hotels and shopping malls that exist in larger centres, Ms. Green-Case spoke with motel owners on the Island and was able to get assurances that enough space will be available to accommodate the visiting teams.

Mike Payette, a council director with the NOHA, said the exact number of teams that will be participating in the tournament won't be known for a while yet, as attendance isn't mandatory and associations have until December 1 to decide whether or not to register for the event, but he expects there will be at least six and possibly eight entrants.

He feels it's quite a coup for the Island to secure the hosting honours. "It's usually a long shot because we're way out in left field, and people from the cities like shopping centres, swimming pools, the whole nine yards," he said. "But it's nice to get it because there haven't been that many tournaments on the Island over the past few years."

While he's a member of the NOHA council, Mr. Payette had no direct influence on this decision. He wasn't a member of the selection committee, nor would he have been able to vote for the Panthers' submission if he had been.

The NOHA will take care of details such as the scheduling and officiating for the tournament, while it will be up to the Panthers organization to "take care of the volunteers and work the door," said Ms. Payette.

While the organization isn't desperate for volunteers, Ms. Payette said "we may be looking for sponsors," and "if anyone wants to donate something like drinks for players, that would be great."

Mostly, she hopes Islanders will support the event by turning out to cheer on the local team. "I want to get a push on for people to come out to watch, and support the players that way," she said.

Every team in the peewee B division is eligible to compete in the championship, so the Island entry will be a given regardless of its regular season record.

Mr. Payette noted that the Panthers "were the runner-up one year in Cochrane," so could have a decent chance to win the tournament, particularly if a home crowd gets behind them.

The Panthers are icing teams in four divisions this year: atom, peewee, minor bantam and major bantam.

Seniors to get flu shots ahead of H1N1 vaccine

MANITOULIN-The Island's elders should prepare to roll up their sleeves later this month, as the Sudbury and District Health Unit (SDHU) travels to Manitoulin for its annual flu shot clinics.

Flu shot clinics-for people aged 65 and over-will be held on Manitoulin on the following dates: Wednesday, October 14, from 3 pm to 7 pm at C.C. McLean Public School in Gore Bay; Thursday, October 22, from 3:30 pm to 7 pm at Little Current Public School in Little Current; and Wednesday, October 28, from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Silver Water Community Centre in Silver Water.

"We know that people 65 and over are most at risk for complications from seasonal flu, and less so from the H1N1 influenza virus," medical officer of health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe said in a press release. "That's why we're recommending that seniors receive their seasonal flu shot in October."

Clinics for the H1N1 flu vaccine-formerly known as the swine flu-will be held in November, and clinics for the seasonal flu shot for those aged 64 and younger will be held following the H1N1 clinics.

The health unit will then hold a second series of clinics for anyone who would like to receive their seasonal flu shot, likely in December or January.

Residents can also make an appointment at the Manitoulin health unit branch in Mindemoya by calling 377-9200, or by visiting their family physician.

EDITORIAL

A new social stigma must be attached to alcohol

Many of us raised over the last century were taught that a little alcohol is a good thing for pregnant mothers. "It helps build the milk," we were told by our doctors and nurses. "It helps calm the nerves, settle the stomach-just makes us able to cope, it's good for the soul," we advised ourselves.

As we settle into our turkey and stuffing, our pumpkin pies and other bounties associated with the fall feast, a glass of wine often will beckon from across the plate.

But like too many other "common sense" admonishments of yore, the reputed "benefits" of alcohol during pregnancy come at far too high a price.

All incidents of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can be prevented through the simple expedient of not drinking during pregnancy. That is over 2,000 babies a year who would not have to live with the debilitating impact of FASD.

For our youth, and our not-so-young, alcohol is the main lubricant of social interaction. We loosen up a bit with a pint or two, drop our social guard enough to engage in social intercourse and, too often, the other kind as well after a few more pints. Judgment is one of the first casualties of drinking, which is why bartenders and other servers are required by law to limit consumption by patrons, and why they are often held liable when impaired driving injuries are suffered by drinking and driving patrons and their victims.

Society has successfully changed its attitude toward drinking and driving to the point where it is now perceived as a social badge of honour to prevent a friend from drinking and driving. We need to do the same thing with drinking and pregnancy-and we need to enforce that social more across social and community boundaries with zero tolerance.

Our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and our siblings from every generation must toss aside the mistaken belief that alcohol is good for pregnant mothers. Those mothers are entering in a tenuous time of vulnerability-a time when they are seeking our assurances and our wisdom. Let us be truly wise in what we tell them, even if we don't want it to be true, the evidence is too overwhelming to ignore. The consequences of drinking alcohol are akin to playing a game of Russian roulette with our unborn children-where each and every drink could fully load the chambers.

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving weekend, a time when so many of us have much to be thankful for, we can do so much to create a thankful future generation by refraining from alcohol during pregnancy and preventing a terrible affliction being visited those most defenceless of society.

Together we have in many ways built a better world. People live much longer lifetimes with generally a much higher standard of life across communities. Working together, we all have much to be thankful for in Canada-let's make an FASD-free society one of those things.

Letters to the Editor

Newspaper elicits fond memories of Island childhood

Familiar names in the news welcome to reader

To the Expositor:

I haven't been a subscriber for a few years but this summer, my nephew brought me a copy of the newspaper, which told of the plaque being unveiled at the Assiginack Museum honouring the young people killed in that horrible car crash at Easter in 1970. Two of my nephews, Hugh and Paul Morrison, were among them.

I decided to subscribe again, as there might be other articles of interest.

I was born and raised at South Baymouth, the daughter of Nellie and George Morrison. I never did like the Haweater name. During the Second World War, I went back to live with my parents in Manitowaning, both of my children Morrison and Anne were born on Manitoulin.

I have many fond memories of my childhood, and when I read this week's paper, the Mindemoya School Fair sure brought some back. How we looked forward to our school fair, held at Tehkummah each year.

My dad had a large truck and would put fish boxes and planks in the back, which would hold most of the kids (no seatbelts in those days).

Here we would sit, holding our exhibits of flowers, baking, sewing, etc. By the time we got to Tehkummah, the water would mostly be jiggled out of the flower vases, so we would have to refill them at Russell's pump next door to the hall. Also a big deal, I remember having 50 cents to spend, which would buy our treats for the day. Each school put in a parade depicting special themes.

I remember my Grade 8 parade, themed Children around the World. I was Chinese, complete with a bowl of rice and sticks. Little did I think then that I would have the pleasure of a tour to China in my later years. I still can't eat with chopsticks.

I notice so much in the paper of First Nations activities, but some of the place names have changed. Where is M'Chigeeng?

When I was a little girl, my dad had the dock at South Baymouth. I remember Gabe and Cecile Trudeau coming up the bay in a sailboat with fish to sell, as my dad was a shipper for Booth Fisheries in Chicago. In the maple syrup season, Cecile would always bring me maple taffy in a birch bark container.

Many enjoyable summer holidays were spent on the Island. My kids loved to go to the grandparents'. How our lives changed with families scattered.

Now I am in a beautiful retirement home in Owen Sound. Much time to live in my memories of days gone by.

I am enjoying the paper. I still see a few familiar names.

N. Hurley

Owen Sound

Sheg voter feels distribution of campaign literature one-sided

Band members urged to seek out other candidates

To the Expositor:

An open letter to the Sheguiandah First Nation off-reserve band members:

As some of you may be aware, Sheguiandah First Nation is having an election on October 27. Secondly, you may have received unsolicited campaign material in the mail. Unfortunately, only certain people within the band office have access to these names and addresses of band members living off reserve. This constitutes an unfair advantage because other candidates do not have access to these same names and addresses. It is also unfair to the Sheguiandah First Nation community as whole because people have lived all their lives here and know each candidate personally. And then to have the community's decision ignored or trumped on election day because one candidate had access to all this insider information is both disheartening and unconscionable! Therefore, I humbly ask that if you have received election material in the mail and have not requested any that you either not vote or you seek out the other candidates to make an informed decision. Please do not allow these unscrupulous people to play political games with people's lives. We have to live here.

On behalf of the Elders that have built this community, the youth that are going to inherit it, and those in between, I say chi-miigwetch.

Rob Manitowabi

Sheguiandah First_Nation

Chi-Cheemaun is inconvenient

Highway drive less frustrating

To the Expositor:

I read Rich Crouch's letter about the Chi-Cheemaun ("Ferry in need of upgraded operational initiatives," September 2) with interest and couldn't help but utter a resounding here, here!

The operations of the ferry leave a lot to be desired when it comes to customer service. I've used the ferries to Manitoulin since before the Chi-Cheemaun was born-sorry, launched-but nowadays I rarely use it in the main season. I refuse to pay a surcharge to book during that season and will not use the ferry without a reservation. Even with a reservation, having to be at the dock one hour before sailing is an unnecessary waste of time. So nearly always I drive from my home in Waterloo to the Island via Parry Sound and Espanola.

The extended Highway 400 and much of Highway 69 is now such a good road that I can put the car into cruise control for most of the fast, but relaxing, journey, stopping at my convenience for a leisurely breakfast and lunch. The whole journey takes about the same length of time whether I drive around or use the ferry, and the cost is about the same. So why should I put up with the inconvenience of the ferry?

John K. Morton

Waterloo and Pike Lake