As published in The Erin Advocate
If you going to try your hand at naturescaping, be sure to let your neighbours know it is part of a plan. Who knows, they may even want to get in on the project, extending an area of ground cover, wildflowers, ferns and flowering shrubs over multiple properties.
"Keep it neat and communicate with your neighbours," said Melanie Kramer, a residential greening specialist with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC). "If you trim the area or use a border, it looks more intentional."
Plants should not be too orderly within a naturalized landscape, but you can still treat your land like a living, three-dimensional canvas, with groupings of colour and varieties of texture. Planning the view from different vantage points (your window, the street or a bench in the middle of the zone), you can plant taller elements in the background and shorter ones near the front.
"Ask yourself what is missing from your yard, and look for opportunities," said Kramer, who presented the Your Green Yard Workshop recently in Orangeville. "Over time you can build it up. Start with hardy species that you know will survive."
Become familiar with your soil type, how the water drains and what may be buried underground, like well pipes, septic systems and cables. The Ontario One Call utility notification service has a toll-free line: 1-800-400-2255.
If converting a lawn area, it is recommended that you remove the grass or kill it off by covering it with plastic, or a layer of newspaper and soil. It is a dramatic commitment, so it is perhaps best to start with a small area.
Low maintenance is one of the goals, so it makes sense to use native plants that thrived in this area for thousands of years before European settlement. Native species are drought tolerant and will not require chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
Groupings of trees or shrubs provide shelter and resting sites for birds, butterflies and small mammals – berry or nut-producing shrubs will attract wildlife year-round.
More trees are always good news – only about 12 per cent of this area has tree cover, and Environment Canada recommends 30 per cent. Species like Sugar Maple, Black Cherry, Yellow or White Birch, Basswood and White Ash should do well if you want to create a deciduous canopy.
For primarily sunny areas, pick prairie and meadow plants like the purple Wild Bergamot, the yellow Black-eyed Susan, the orange Butterfly Weed or the pink Spotted Joe-pye Weed. There are many attractive tall grasses as well. Learn more through the native plant database at www.evergreen.ca or try the Canadian Wildlife Federation site: www.wildaboutgardening.org. Photos of various plants are easily accessed through Google Images.
For shady areas, choose woodland plants like the blue Wild Geranium, the red Wild Columbine or the showy white Bloodroot; some are better suited to moist conditions. For shrubbery, consider Serviceberry, Chokecherry or Flowering Raspberry. You can also cultivate a rain garden by directing water run-off to a low area well away from the house.
There are many plants that are considered "invasive" – not just the poisonous ones like Giant Hogweed, but more common ground covers like English Ivy and Periwinkle. These two are acceptable if they are not allowed to "escape" to a natural area where their aggressive growth could crowd out other plant species. Others, like Curly Pondweed, Goutweed and Japanese Knotweed are considered a risk anywhere. Check out www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca.
If buying plants from a nursery, consider native varieties instead of "cultivars" that have been grown to enhance specific characteristics. Also, plants like Queen Anne's Lace are not encouraged, since they were imported from Europe and are not true "natives". Learn more from the Ontario Society for Ecological Restoration: www.serontario. Also, the Canadian Wildlife Service has "Planting the Seed" guides on aquatic plants and meadow communities at www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife (click Publications).
CVC's ecological landscaping web page has a list of landscape architects that can assist with large projects, which could include low-maintenance lawns, permeable paving and "green" structures. Go to www.creditvalleyca.ca/landscaping. You will also find there a list of Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Sources where you can get advice, ranging from Humber Nurseries in Brampton (www.gardencentre.com) to Baker Forestry in Erin (905-877-9390).
Additional fact sheets will soon be added to the CVC site, including lists of which plants grow best in various soil types. More workshops are planned for this fall.
June 30, 2010
June 23, 2010
Highway corridor will go south of Georgetown
As published in The Erin Advocate
The idea of a major highway corridor connecting Brampton and the north end of Guelph has been rejected by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). One of four routes under consideration, it would have sliced through the Niagara Escarpment and the farms of south Erin.
At an open house last week in Brampton, Senior Transportation Planner Jin Wang said the MTO has narrowed the plan to two possible southern routes, as part of the GTA West Environmental Assessment. All methods of moving people and freight are being studied, with a 20-year time frame.
"Very high growth is expected in the GTA area, and we have to plan now," said Wang. "We need a full suite of transportation improvements."
A new highway, likely with a parallel bus transitway that could be converted to rail in the future, will start at Hwy. 400 in Vaughan, as a third major east-west route north of Hwys. 401 and 407. Coming west, it will merge with the recently completed Hwy. 410, and continue along the Mayfield Road corridor towards Georgetown. At that point, it could have cut north towards Erin.
"That would have had a very high impact on the environment, on farmland and on communities," said Wang. Instead, the route will go south of Georgetown, linking to Hwy. 401 either at the Hwy. 407 interchange near Winston Churchill, or further west near Tremaine Road in Milton. The fourth option, now rejected, was to run the highway from Georgetown, parallel to the 401, making a new cut through the escarpment to join Hwy. 6 south of Guelph.
Milton Regional Councillor Colin Best, representing Halton Region on a municipal task force reviewing the plans, had lobbied to have the highway take one of the northern routes. This would have preserved industrial and farm lands near Milton, taken more commuters off the 401 and provided an alternative to Hwy. 7 through the Georgetown-Acton area.
If the highway heads south along the Peel-Halton border to the 407, it will be part of an already-planned municipal freeway, which will intersect with a Hwy. 7 bypass of Norval. Hwy. 401 would have to be expanded to 12 lanes (express and collector) leading to Milton. The MTO plan is to be finalized by the end of this year, and public comments are still welcome. Go to www.gta-west.com.
The route through Erin would have deferred the need to widen County Road 124 between Guelph and Caledon, with an Erin bypass, so that pressure will continue to increase.
MTO Information Officer Will MacKenzie, however, suggested that evolution of the highway web might eventually give Erin some relief from the truck traffic between the Alliston Honda plant and the Cambridge area. Alliston is on Hwy. 89, west of Hwy. 400.
With current improvements to Hwy. 89, plus eventual widening of Hwy. 400 to 10 lanes, shippers may find it easier to go east to the 400, then south to the new highway, instead of coming west through Erin.
Public transit is touted as the top priority and a new study is being undertaken of "inter-regional transit opportunities". The MTO wants to "identify rural areas that warrant transit connections", which could mean a GO bus link from Erin to the "spine" – the GO Train station in Georgetown. We could also be a stop along the way if a bus link is established between downtown Guelph and downtown Brampton.
They are even studying the possibility of new rail connections, including the "potential to implement commuter rail transit on active tracks or on reconstituted abandoned tracks". It seems unlikely, but it is interesting to imagine a resurrection of the Elora-Cataract rail line that put Erin on the map 131 years ago.
With the population exploding all around us, who knows what might happen?
The idea of a major highway corridor connecting Brampton and the north end of Guelph has been rejected by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). One of four routes under consideration, it would have sliced through the Niagara Escarpment and the farms of south Erin.
At an open house last week in Brampton, Senior Transportation Planner Jin Wang said the MTO has narrowed the plan to two possible southern routes, as part of the GTA West Environmental Assessment. All methods of moving people and freight are being studied, with a 20-year time frame.
"Very high growth is expected in the GTA area, and we have to plan now," said Wang. "We need a full suite of transportation improvements."
A new highway, likely with a parallel bus transitway that could be converted to rail in the future, will start at Hwy. 400 in Vaughan, as a third major east-west route north of Hwys. 401 and 407. Coming west, it will merge with the recently completed Hwy. 410, and continue along the Mayfield Road corridor towards Georgetown. At that point, it could have cut north towards Erin.
"That would have had a very high impact on the environment, on farmland and on communities," said Wang. Instead, the route will go south of Georgetown, linking to Hwy. 401 either at the Hwy. 407 interchange near Winston Churchill, or further west near Tremaine Road in Milton. The fourth option, now rejected, was to run the highway from Georgetown, parallel to the 401, making a new cut through the escarpment to join Hwy. 6 south of Guelph.
Milton Regional Councillor Colin Best, representing Halton Region on a municipal task force reviewing the plans, had lobbied to have the highway take one of the northern routes. This would have preserved industrial and farm lands near Milton, taken more commuters off the 401 and provided an alternative to Hwy. 7 through the Georgetown-Acton area.
If the highway heads south along the Peel-Halton border to the 407, it will be part of an already-planned municipal freeway, which will intersect with a Hwy. 7 bypass of Norval. Hwy. 401 would have to be expanded to 12 lanes (express and collector) leading to Milton. The MTO plan is to be finalized by the end of this year, and public comments are still welcome. Go to www.gta-west.com.
The route through Erin would have deferred the need to widen County Road 124 between Guelph and Caledon, with an Erin bypass, so that pressure will continue to increase.
MTO Information Officer Will MacKenzie, however, suggested that evolution of the highway web might eventually give Erin some relief from the truck traffic between the Alliston Honda plant and the Cambridge area. Alliston is on Hwy. 89, west of Hwy. 400.
With current improvements to Hwy. 89, plus eventual widening of Hwy. 400 to 10 lanes, shippers may find it easier to go east to the 400, then south to the new highway, instead of coming west through Erin.
Public transit is touted as the top priority and a new study is being undertaken of "inter-regional transit opportunities". The MTO wants to "identify rural areas that warrant transit connections", which could mean a GO bus link from Erin to the "spine" – the GO Train station in Georgetown. We could also be a stop along the way if a bus link is established between downtown Guelph and downtown Brampton.
They are even studying the possibility of new rail connections, including the "potential to implement commuter rail transit on active tracks or on reconstituted abandoned tracks". It seems unlikely, but it is interesting to imagine a resurrection of the Elora-Cataract rail line that put Erin on the map 131 years ago.
With the population exploding all around us, who knows what might happen?
June 16, 2010
Disabled still face long-term accessibility obstacles
As published in The Erin Advocate
The steps at the doorways of some Erin stores present an impossible barrier for people in wheelchairs. Improvements have been made at many locations, but even with new customer service regulations coming in 2012, the town will still have a long way to go before it is truly accessible.
Nicole Valentine lives near downtown Erin village, and deals with the frustration all the time because her six-year-old son Pierce needs a wheelchair. He had meningitis as a baby, causing delay to his development and damage to his sight. When driving through town with her children, she would like to be able to stop and bring them into a store.
"I usually don't shop in town, that's the sad part," she said. Sometimes, she gets a babysitter so she can run errands on her own.
Newer stores generally have level entranceways, but at many older, historic buildings, there is not sufficient room on the sidewalk for a ramp, and only an expensive reconstruction of the storefront would enable easy access.
Valentine does not expect owners to tear up their storefronts, but in cases where there is enough room, she is hoping for more ramps, and doors that can be activated with the push of a button. These also help people who are frail, and those pushing strollers.
About 1.85 million Ontarians (15.5 per cent) have a disability. Within 20 years, as the population ages, 20 per cent will be disabled. Already, more than half the population feels the direct impact, if immediate family members are included.
“As caregivers and supporters, they also experience the reality of disability,” said Lieutenant Governor David Onley.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is gradually bringing in standards in various areas: Customer Service, Built Environment, Transportation, Communications and Employment. The goal is full accessibility by 2025.
The Built Environment Standard, however, will apply only to new and significantly renovated buildings. Store owners will not be required to retrofit existing structures just to meet the standard. Other exemptions are planned, where compliance would be structurally impractical, be detrimental to a building's heritage value or create "undue hardship".
Customer Service was the first standard to come into effect, in January this year for public sector facilities. As of January 2012, it will apply to the private sector. An IPSOS REID survey last month found 68% of Ontarians polled were either not very aware, or had never heard of the new rules, which are based on the principle of equal opportunity.
Private firms will have a legal obligation to train staff and accommodate the needs of customers with a variety of disabilities: physical, hearing, sight, cognitive and intellectual. Goods and services must be provided in a way that respects their "dignity and independence". Firms must communicate with customers in a manner that takes into account their disability, and unless otherwise prohibited, allow guide dogs onto the premises. For more details, go to www.mcss.gov.on.ca.
The Town of Erin has trained its staff on the new service standards. They will take action to meet the needs of a disabled person at the municipal office, though in some cases they will need advance notice. This could include providing larger print or even braille materials for a visually impaired person, hiring an interpreter for a hearing impaired person or holding a public meeting on the main floor instead of the basement, since there is no elevator. There is $9,900 in the current budget to raise the sidewalk slightly at the front entrance and install an automatic door.
Most public sector buildings in Erin are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the upstairs banquet hall at the Hillsburgh arena. Since that building is considered quite old now, accessibility will likely have to wait for a new facility.
The Royal Bank office in Hillsburgh has no room for a sidewalk ramp, but they have still made helpful improvements with a heavy-duty hand rail and automatic door. The Family Health Team medical centre in Erin has a small ramp of pavement from the parking lot to their sidewalk. There are no markings on the pavement, however, so drivers may not realize they are parking on the ramp, blocking the access. The Erin Post Office has a large ramp, but like many facilities, a heavy door that is awkward for anyone in a wheelchair, or pushing one. This would be an ideal spot for an automatic door.
Charles Beer, a former Minister of Community and Social Services, released a review of the AODA in February. He said a major effort is needed to educate people about the new regulations, and that standards need to be harmonized and streamlined. "I sense a tremendous angst among representatives from the obligated sectors and fears that the cost of compliance will be burdensome," he said.
The rights of persons with disabilities are protected under both the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Those rights don't mean much until there are regulations in place, with adequate enforcement.
"Accessibility turns legal rights into practical, everyday realities," said Beer. "As accessibility increases, Ontarians with disabilities will bring their talents to bear more effectively in the workplace and in all other aspects of Ontario life. Youth with disabilities will have more opportunity for educational achievement and seniors will live more fulfilling lives.
"Consumer spending by persons with disabilities will rise. And our quality of life will be enriched by the fuller inclusion of Ontarians with disabilities in our social relationships and community activities. Most important, the realization of accessibility will demonstrate our shared commitment to each other — and reinforce the values of decency, fairness and respect for individual dignity that bind Ontarians together."
The steps at the doorways of some Erin stores present an impossible barrier for people in wheelchairs. Improvements have been made at many locations, but even with new customer service regulations coming in 2012, the town will still have a long way to go before it is truly accessible.
Nicole Valentine lives near downtown Erin village, and deals with the frustration all the time because her six-year-old son Pierce needs a wheelchair. He had meningitis as a baby, causing delay to his development and damage to his sight. When driving through town with her children, she would like to be able to stop and bring them into a store.
"I usually don't shop in town, that's the sad part," she said. Sometimes, she gets a babysitter so she can run errands on her own.
Newer stores generally have level entranceways, but at many older, historic buildings, there is not sufficient room on the sidewalk for a ramp, and only an expensive reconstruction of the storefront would enable easy access.
Valentine does not expect owners to tear up their storefronts, but in cases where there is enough room, she is hoping for more ramps, and doors that can be activated with the push of a button. These also help people who are frail, and those pushing strollers.
About 1.85 million Ontarians (15.5 per cent) have a disability. Within 20 years, as the population ages, 20 per cent will be disabled. Already, more than half the population feels the direct impact, if immediate family members are included.
“As caregivers and supporters, they also experience the reality of disability,” said Lieutenant Governor David Onley.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is gradually bringing in standards in various areas: Customer Service, Built Environment, Transportation, Communications and Employment. The goal is full accessibility by 2025.
The Built Environment Standard, however, will apply only to new and significantly renovated buildings. Store owners will not be required to retrofit existing structures just to meet the standard. Other exemptions are planned, where compliance would be structurally impractical, be detrimental to a building's heritage value or create "undue hardship".
Customer Service was the first standard to come into effect, in January this year for public sector facilities. As of January 2012, it will apply to the private sector. An IPSOS REID survey last month found 68% of Ontarians polled were either not very aware, or had never heard of the new rules, which are based on the principle of equal opportunity.
Private firms will have a legal obligation to train staff and accommodate the needs of customers with a variety of disabilities: physical, hearing, sight, cognitive and intellectual. Goods and services must be provided in a way that respects their "dignity and independence". Firms must communicate with customers in a manner that takes into account their disability, and unless otherwise prohibited, allow guide dogs onto the premises. For more details, go to www.mcss.gov.on.ca.
The Town of Erin has trained its staff on the new service standards. They will take action to meet the needs of a disabled person at the municipal office, though in some cases they will need advance notice. This could include providing larger print or even braille materials for a visually impaired person, hiring an interpreter for a hearing impaired person or holding a public meeting on the main floor instead of the basement, since there is no elevator. There is $9,900 in the current budget to raise the sidewalk slightly at the front entrance and install an automatic door.
Most public sector buildings in Erin are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the upstairs banquet hall at the Hillsburgh arena. Since that building is considered quite old now, accessibility will likely have to wait for a new facility.
The Royal Bank office in Hillsburgh has no room for a sidewalk ramp, but they have still made helpful improvements with a heavy-duty hand rail and automatic door. The Family Health Team medical centre in Erin has a small ramp of pavement from the parking lot to their sidewalk. There are no markings on the pavement, however, so drivers may not realize they are parking on the ramp, blocking the access. The Erin Post Office has a large ramp, but like many facilities, a heavy door that is awkward for anyone in a wheelchair, or pushing one. This would be an ideal spot for an automatic door.
Charles Beer, a former Minister of Community and Social Services, released a review of the AODA in February. He said a major effort is needed to educate people about the new regulations, and that standards need to be harmonized and streamlined. "I sense a tremendous angst among representatives from the obligated sectors and fears that the cost of compliance will be burdensome," he said.
The rights of persons with disabilities are protected under both the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Those rights don't mean much until there are regulations in place, with adequate enforcement.
"Accessibility turns legal rights into practical, everyday realities," said Beer. "As accessibility increases, Ontarians with disabilities will bring their talents to bear more effectively in the workplace and in all other aspects of Ontario life. Youth with disabilities will have more opportunity for educational achievement and seniors will live more fulfilling lives.
"Consumer spending by persons with disabilities will rise. And our quality of life will be enriched by the fuller inclusion of Ontarians with disabilities in our social relationships and community activities. Most important, the realization of accessibility will demonstrate our shared commitment to each other — and reinforce the values of decency, fairness and respect for individual dignity that bind Ontarians together."
June 09, 2010
Take care of your land (and save your planet)
As published in The Erin Advocate
I've been thinking of letting part of my back yard grow a little wild, but really don't know where to start. The goal is to have it look attractive – not like a weedy patch of untended grass that I was too lazy to cut.
Of course, one person's weed is another's wildflower, but I really need a plan that will give some design to the project. So when I heard that Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is hosting a free workshop on ecological landscaping, Your Green Yard – Discover the Possibilities, I signed up to attend.
It is on June 16, 7-9 pm, at the Orangeville and District Seniors Centre, 26 Bythia Street, presented in partnership with the Orangeville Sustainability Action Team. Register on the CVC Stewardship Hotline, 1-800-668-5557, ext. 221, or at www.creditvalleyca.ca/bulletin/events.htm.
Of interest to both urban and rural residents, the event will provide fact sheets, design tips and plant lists. The idea is to create a diverse landscape that will improve local air, water and soil quality, conserve energy and water, avoid flooding and even reduce the impact of global warming.
Using native plants, you can have a low-maintenance area that enhances the habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. You can branch out, so to speak, with green walls, living fences, natural pools and permeable paving.
The workshop is one of many presented by the CVC during the year, for those who are keen to learn about the local environment. There is a monthly email newsletter from CVC called The Source, covering various events.
Another of particular interest is a free workshop called Your Guide to Caring for the Credit, helping rural residents who are not farmers learn how to be better "stewards" of their land. Designed for those with more than two acres of land, it will be held at Terra Cotta Conservation Area on Winston Churchill Blvd., June 24, 7-9:30 pm. Register by June 17 at 1-800-668-5557, ext. 221. There will be another one on November 13 in Alton.
Participants get a self-assessment manual produced by the University of Guelph, aerial photos and maps showing natural areas and features on their own property and a stewardship kit with free samples of environment-friendly household products. They will also be eligible for free on-site advice from CVC experts and free admission to a follow-up expert speaker series.
People sometimes buy rural property without a full understanding of how to care for the land, and how their actions could either enhance the environment or put themselves and their neighbours at risk. The workshop will help people see how their property fits into the local ecosystem.
A series of worksheets will deal with rural issues like wells, septic systems, ponds, woodlots, drainage, meadows, wetlands, wildlife, wind breaks, stream banks, energy conservation, fertilizers, fuels, pesticides, invasive plants and the benefits of native plants. The goal is an action plan, tailored to the individual property.
The CVC is concerned about the impact of climate change on the watershed, which is already under a lot of stress. Since most of the land is privately owned, the CVC has increased its educational efforts in recent years, urging residents to take more responsibility.
"We need to get the watershed into the best shape possible, to withstand the effects of climate change," said Lisa Brusse, CVC's Headwaters Stewardship Coordinator.
On the final night of the Fast Forward Environmental Film Festival at the Erin Legion last month, Liz Armstrong of the Climate Change Action Group of Erin, urged both governments and individuals to act boldly to reduce the negative impact of human activity on the planet.
"Climate change is real, and happening faster than most scientists predicted," she said, claiming that the Baby Boom generation, which was spared the trauma of war, is now "rolling the dice" on the well-being of their descendants.
"Previous generations put their lives on the line in the face of grave danger. We need to take radical action that will have future generations thanking us, instead of spitting on our graves. Let's answer the call, and be remarkable."
I've been thinking of letting part of my back yard grow a little wild, but really don't know where to start. The goal is to have it look attractive – not like a weedy patch of untended grass that I was too lazy to cut.
Of course, one person's weed is another's wildflower, but I really need a plan that will give some design to the project. So when I heard that Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is hosting a free workshop on ecological landscaping, Your Green Yard – Discover the Possibilities, I signed up to attend.
It is on June 16, 7-9 pm, at the Orangeville and District Seniors Centre, 26 Bythia Street, presented in partnership with the Orangeville Sustainability Action Team. Register on the CVC Stewardship Hotline, 1-800-668-5557, ext. 221, or at www.creditvalleyca.ca/bulletin/events.htm.
Of interest to both urban and rural residents, the event will provide fact sheets, design tips and plant lists. The idea is to create a diverse landscape that will improve local air, water and soil quality, conserve energy and water, avoid flooding and even reduce the impact of global warming.
Using native plants, you can have a low-maintenance area that enhances the habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. You can branch out, so to speak, with green walls, living fences, natural pools and permeable paving.
The workshop is one of many presented by the CVC during the year, for those who are keen to learn about the local environment. There is a monthly email newsletter from CVC called The Source, covering various events.
Another of particular interest is a free workshop called Your Guide to Caring for the Credit, helping rural residents who are not farmers learn how to be better "stewards" of their land. Designed for those with more than two acres of land, it will be held at Terra Cotta Conservation Area on Winston Churchill Blvd., June 24, 7-9:30 pm. Register by June 17 at 1-800-668-5557, ext. 221. There will be another one on November 13 in Alton.
Participants get a self-assessment manual produced by the University of Guelph, aerial photos and maps showing natural areas and features on their own property and a stewardship kit with free samples of environment-friendly household products. They will also be eligible for free on-site advice from CVC experts and free admission to a follow-up expert speaker series.
People sometimes buy rural property without a full understanding of how to care for the land, and how their actions could either enhance the environment or put themselves and their neighbours at risk. The workshop will help people see how their property fits into the local ecosystem.
A series of worksheets will deal with rural issues like wells, septic systems, ponds, woodlots, drainage, meadows, wetlands, wildlife, wind breaks, stream banks, energy conservation, fertilizers, fuels, pesticides, invasive plants and the benefits of native plants. The goal is an action plan, tailored to the individual property.
The CVC is concerned about the impact of climate change on the watershed, which is already under a lot of stress. Since most of the land is privately owned, the CVC has increased its educational efforts in recent years, urging residents to take more responsibility.
"We need to get the watershed into the best shape possible, to withstand the effects of climate change," said Lisa Brusse, CVC's Headwaters Stewardship Coordinator.
On the final night of the Fast Forward Environmental Film Festival at the Erin Legion last month, Liz Armstrong of the Climate Change Action Group of Erin, urged both governments and individuals to act boldly to reduce the negative impact of human activity on the planet.
"Climate change is real, and happening faster than most scientists predicted," she said, claiming that the Baby Boom generation, which was spared the trauma of war, is now "rolling the dice" on the well-being of their descendants.
"Previous generations put their lives on the line in the face of grave danger. We need to take radical action that will have future generations thanking us, instead of spitting on our graves. Let's answer the call, and be remarkable."
June 02, 2010
Seniors Survey could lead to service improvements
As published in The Erin Advocate
What do seniors in this area really need? East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) is conducting a major survey, to get answers that will help it plan improvements in the coming years.
The questions cover four topics: housing requirements, transportation needs, social activities and health services. Substantial deficiencies exist in all these areas, forcing many seniors to move away.
"From this survey, our goal is to be able to provide a community where our seniors will want to stay and where they will feel involved," said EWCS President David Robart-Morgan.
The Seniors Advisory Committee, including seniors from across the Rockwood-Erin district, has been working on the survey. It is available this week at libraries, churches and doctors' offices, through service clubs and seniors' groups, and at EWCS facilities. For information, call EWCS at 519-833-9696.
The survey is intended for anyone 55 and older, though a younger person could fill it out on behalf of a senior. It is anonymous, encouraging people to speak their minds freely. The goal is to make a survey available to everyone who is interested, even if it means delivering it personally, and providing assistance if requested.
"We will sit and help them fill it out," said Sherri Plourde, EWCS Manager of Seniors Services.
The process is being supported by a $25,000 grant from the federal government's New Horizons for Seniors program, which is designed to help non-profit organizations improve the quality of life for seniors. A staff member is being hired to support the work of the committee.
A separate survey has been designed to get input from groups that provide services for seniors. Once all the data is analyzed, there will be a final report, scheduled for August.
"We will distribute it to funders and government agencies," said EWCS Executive Director Glenyis Betts. "We can look at partnerships to bring in services to make it a more senior-friendly community."
The committee may be able to carry on as an independent Seniors Association that could seek funding for programs, and organize ways for seniors to help each other. EWCS is hoping to organize public meetings for people to share ideas, and will hold their Seniors Expo this fall.
Of course, there are many needs within current activities, plus programs or facilities that do not yet exist. The survey will help determine what is most important to the people who are directly affected.
Do we want a dedicated seniors' centre, with several separate areas, so different activities could be held at the same time? Currently, there is the permanent Seniors Room at Centre 2000, but in Rockwood, EWCS has only occasional use of space at Rockmosa Community Centre.
Do we want a retirement home or a nursing home? Do we want more apartments or condos? Do we want some smaller houses? "Low-cost" accommodation in Erin may not be possible under current market conditions, but could we hope for housing on the less extravagant side of the market?
Do we want better public bus service? Do we want better accessibility to public buildings? Do we want more specialized health services? Do we want better support to help people grow old in their own homes?
Do we want more fun?
Seniors certainly do not have to be passive recipients of social services. As they become an ever-larger part of the population, they will not only have the political clout to demand things that they need, but the community support to create what they want. If they set their sights high, there's no telling what might be achieved.
What do seniors in this area really need? East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) is conducting a major survey, to get answers that will help it plan improvements in the coming years.
The questions cover four topics: housing requirements, transportation needs, social activities and health services. Substantial deficiencies exist in all these areas, forcing many seniors to move away.
"From this survey, our goal is to be able to provide a community where our seniors will want to stay and where they will feel involved," said EWCS President David Robart-Morgan.
The Seniors Advisory Committee, including seniors from across the Rockwood-Erin district, has been working on the survey. It is available this week at libraries, churches and doctors' offices, through service clubs and seniors' groups, and at EWCS facilities. For information, call EWCS at 519-833-9696.
The survey is intended for anyone 55 and older, though a younger person could fill it out on behalf of a senior. It is anonymous, encouraging people to speak their minds freely. The goal is to make a survey available to everyone who is interested, even if it means delivering it personally, and providing assistance if requested.
"We will sit and help them fill it out," said Sherri Plourde, EWCS Manager of Seniors Services.
The process is being supported by a $25,000 grant from the federal government's New Horizons for Seniors program, which is designed to help non-profit organizations improve the quality of life for seniors. A staff member is being hired to support the work of the committee.
A separate survey has been designed to get input from groups that provide services for seniors. Once all the data is analyzed, there will be a final report, scheduled for August.
"We will distribute it to funders and government agencies," said EWCS Executive Director Glenyis Betts. "We can look at partnerships to bring in services to make it a more senior-friendly community."
The committee may be able to carry on as an independent Seniors Association that could seek funding for programs, and organize ways for seniors to help each other. EWCS is hoping to organize public meetings for people to share ideas, and will hold their Seniors Expo this fall.
Of course, there are many needs within current activities, plus programs or facilities that do not yet exist. The survey will help determine what is most important to the people who are directly affected.
Do we want a dedicated seniors' centre, with several separate areas, so different activities could be held at the same time? Currently, there is the permanent Seniors Room at Centre 2000, but in Rockwood, EWCS has only occasional use of space at Rockmosa Community Centre.
Do we want a retirement home or a nursing home? Do we want more apartments or condos? Do we want some smaller houses? "Low-cost" accommodation in Erin may not be possible under current market conditions, but could we hope for housing on the less extravagant side of the market?
Do we want better public bus service? Do we want better accessibility to public buildings? Do we want more specialized health services? Do we want better support to help people grow old in their own homes?
Do we want more fun?
Seniors certainly do not have to be passive recipients of social services. As they become an ever-larger part of the population, they will not only have the political clout to demand things that they need, but the community support to create what they want. If they set their sights high, there's no telling what might be achieved.
May 26, 2010
Aaron Muir country CD celebrates family tradition
As published in The Erin Advocate
Whether it is a jamboree, a church event or Saturday night at the bar, Aaron Muir and the Muir Family Band have a versatile mix of country tunes to suit the occasion.
"We adapt to the venue and the crowd," said Aaron, who is releasing a self-titled CD next month. It seems there's a strain of country music in the family DNA. Aaron and his brother Brandon, who plays drums, were surrounded by music while they were growing up and have been performing since the mid-90s.
Their mom Donna, who sings harmony vocals on the CD, used to sing locally in a band with her brother Jeff Barry. She helped her sons produce the album, along with Bruce Ley, who did the recording at his studio in Mulmer, Ontario.
If you are at the 5th Annual Erin Rodeo, presented by the Erin Agricultural Society on June 5 and 6, you'll find the Muirs providing dance music for the cowboys and cowgirls. For more on the rodeo, go to www.erinrodeo.com.
The following weekend, everyone is welcome at the CD release party – Friday, June 11, upstairs at the Erin Legion, 8 pm - 1 am. Admission is free.
Aaron has picked music from some of his heroes, especially Dwight Yoakam, for the CD. I listened to Yoakam's recordings of songs like 1,000 Miles, Miner's Prayer, Two Doors Down and I Sang Dixie, and can tell you that Aaron's versions stand up very well in comparison.
His voice is engaging and confident. It is on the raunchy side for upbeat songs like Rockin' My Life Away (written by Mack Vickery and a hit for Jerry Lee Lewis), which has a nice boogie-woogie feel; and suitably mournful for songs like Crying Time (written by Buck Owens and a hit for Ray Charles). Vickery's The Fireman, a hit for George Straight, is a strong lead-off song for the CD.
Overall the music is professional and well-balanced – not bad, considering they treat it more as a hobby than a career. The mixing is uncluttered, so the instrumental solos come through pure and clean.
The project features Aaron Muir on guitar and vocals, Paul Holmes on bass guitar, Brandon Muir on drums and percussion, Gerry Companion on electric lead guitar, Mike Slauenwhite on fiddle, Bruce Ley on piano, organ and guitar, Doug Johnson on steel guitar and dobro, Kim Ratcliffe on acoustic guitar and Donna Muir on vocals. Also with the group is Mark Parrish on fiddle.
They are working in the tradition of the Bakersfield sound (or California country), which is strong on electric and steel guitar and has its roots in American honky-tonk. It is a contrast to the slicker production of the Nashville sound, which is known for string orchestration, and "New" country, which is more pop-rock oriented. A medley from Bakersfield star Buck Owens is the final track on the CD.
Donna hosts a show on Erin Radio called Country Grass, on Thursday evenings. If you miss the CD party and want to get a copy, call and leave her a message at 519-856-9159.
Whether it is a jamboree, a church event or Saturday night at the bar, Aaron Muir and the Muir Family Band have a versatile mix of country tunes to suit the occasion.
"We adapt to the venue and the crowd," said Aaron, who is releasing a self-titled CD next month. It seems there's a strain of country music in the family DNA. Aaron and his brother Brandon, who plays drums, were surrounded by music while they were growing up and have been performing since the mid-90s.
Their mom Donna, who sings harmony vocals on the CD, used to sing locally in a band with her brother Jeff Barry. She helped her sons produce the album, along with Bruce Ley, who did the recording at his studio in Mulmer, Ontario.
If you are at the 5th Annual Erin Rodeo, presented by the Erin Agricultural Society on June 5 and 6, you'll find the Muirs providing dance music for the cowboys and cowgirls. For more on the rodeo, go to www.erinrodeo.com.
The following weekend, everyone is welcome at the CD release party – Friday, June 11, upstairs at the Erin Legion, 8 pm - 1 am. Admission is free.
Aaron has picked music from some of his heroes, especially Dwight Yoakam, for the CD. I listened to Yoakam's recordings of songs like 1,000 Miles, Miner's Prayer, Two Doors Down and I Sang Dixie, and can tell you that Aaron's versions stand up very well in comparison.
His voice is engaging and confident. It is on the raunchy side for upbeat songs like Rockin' My Life Away (written by Mack Vickery and a hit for Jerry Lee Lewis), which has a nice boogie-woogie feel; and suitably mournful for songs like Crying Time (written by Buck Owens and a hit for Ray Charles). Vickery's The Fireman, a hit for George Straight, is a strong lead-off song for the CD.
Overall the music is professional and well-balanced – not bad, considering they treat it more as a hobby than a career. The mixing is uncluttered, so the instrumental solos come through pure and clean.
The project features Aaron Muir on guitar and vocals, Paul Holmes on bass guitar, Brandon Muir on drums and percussion, Gerry Companion on electric lead guitar, Mike Slauenwhite on fiddle, Bruce Ley on piano, organ and guitar, Doug Johnson on steel guitar and dobro, Kim Ratcliffe on acoustic guitar and Donna Muir on vocals. Also with the group is Mark Parrish on fiddle.
They are working in the tradition of the Bakersfield sound (or California country), which is strong on electric and steel guitar and has its roots in American honky-tonk. It is a contrast to the slicker production of the Nashville sound, which is known for string orchestration, and "New" country, which is more pop-rock oriented. A medley from Bakersfield star Buck Owens is the final track on the CD.
Donna hosts a show on Erin Radio called Country Grass, on Thursday evenings. If you miss the CD party and want to get a copy, call and leave her a message at 519-856-9159.
May 19, 2010
Alton's cedar forests create hiking opportunities
As published in The Erin Advocate
I recently took a pleasant hike to one of the major forks of the Credit River; not the scenic juncture east of Belfountain known as Forks of the Credit, but further north, where Shaw's Creek joins the river. It is definitely worth the 15-minute drive to Alton, where there are two fine protected natural areas.
Just east of Alton, bounded by Beechgrove Sideroad and Porterfield Road, nestled by the Osprey Valley Golf Club, is the 350-acre Alton Grange property. It was purchased from the Grange family by the Ministry of Natural Resources back in 1974. The community volunteers of the Alton Grange Association signed on as partners in 2002 to help manage the land. The easiest access is via Station Street, off Main Street.
Shaw's Creek flows east through Alton, where it once powered the historic mill (now a beautiful arts and heritage centre), then into the Grange property. The East branch of the Credit River flows south from the Island Lake Reservoir near Orangeville, which was created in 1967 by a dam that flooded 445 acres of farm, forest and swamp. The reservoir helps dilute the discharge from Orangeville's wastewater treatment plant.
Where the creek joins the river in the Grange tract is a towering cedar forest that is eerily quiet, filled with mossy undergrowth. The network of trails takes you through meadows, hardwood forests, highlands that were reforested back in the 1930s and vast wetlands with many a gnarled, uprooted tree stump. Steel bridges enable river crossings, and a boardwalk traverses part of the swamp. I encountered turkey vultures, ducks and woodpeckers on my two-hour tour.
Included in the network is the Alton Side Trail, which runs north from the Bruce Trail, along McLaren Road. It starts at Forks of the Credit Provincial Park near Cataract village, passes through Charles Sauriol Conservation Area, the Grange property and Alton, and ends at the Pinnacle lookout. There it meets the northern terminus of the Grand Valley Trail, which turns towards Orton, on a 275 km trek along the Grand River system to Lake Erie.
If you head north out of Alton on Peel Road 136, you'll find the relatively new Upper Credit Conservation Area, created by Credit Valley Conservation (CVC). You won't see any signs at first, but turn right at the Canadian Pacific Railway line (turn left and you're in gravel pit territory).
The small network of trails, complete with free doggie clean-up bags, can be hiked in less than an hour, covering both meadows and established forest areas. There are educational signs along the way, courtesy of AGCare and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, explaining how farmers are doing their bit for the environment.
The land was acquired with the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Region of Peel and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Since 2007, volunteers including the Conservation Youth Corps have planted more than 10,000 trees and shrubs in open areas near the Credit there, to stabilize the banks and extend the wildlife corridor.
It is worth departing from the beaten path to explore the edge of the river through part of the cedar forest – a truly memorable environment. It is amazing how many natural treasures are available, so close to the large cities of Southern Ontario. The fact that they are practically in our backyards does not make them less spectacular, just easier to take for granted.
I recently took a pleasant hike to one of the major forks of the Credit River; not the scenic juncture east of Belfountain known as Forks of the Credit, but further north, where Shaw's Creek joins the river. It is definitely worth the 15-minute drive to Alton, where there are two fine protected natural areas.
Just east of Alton, bounded by Beechgrove Sideroad and Porterfield Road, nestled by the Osprey Valley Golf Club, is the 350-acre Alton Grange property. It was purchased from the Grange family by the Ministry of Natural Resources back in 1974. The community volunteers of the Alton Grange Association signed on as partners in 2002 to help manage the land. The easiest access is via Station Street, off Main Street.
Shaw's Creek flows east through Alton, where it once powered the historic mill (now a beautiful arts and heritage centre), then into the Grange property. The East branch of the Credit River flows south from the Island Lake Reservoir near Orangeville, which was created in 1967 by a dam that flooded 445 acres of farm, forest and swamp. The reservoir helps dilute the discharge from Orangeville's wastewater treatment plant.
Where the creek joins the river in the Grange tract is a towering cedar forest that is eerily quiet, filled with mossy undergrowth. The network of trails takes you through meadows, hardwood forests, highlands that were reforested back in the 1930s and vast wetlands with many a gnarled, uprooted tree stump. Steel bridges enable river crossings, and a boardwalk traverses part of the swamp. I encountered turkey vultures, ducks and woodpeckers on my two-hour tour.
Included in the network is the Alton Side Trail, which runs north from the Bruce Trail, along McLaren Road. It starts at Forks of the Credit Provincial Park near Cataract village, passes through Charles Sauriol Conservation Area, the Grange property and Alton, and ends at the Pinnacle lookout. There it meets the northern terminus of the Grand Valley Trail, which turns towards Orton, on a 275 km trek along the Grand River system to Lake Erie.
If you head north out of Alton on Peel Road 136, you'll find the relatively new Upper Credit Conservation Area, created by Credit Valley Conservation (CVC). You won't see any signs at first, but turn right at the Canadian Pacific Railway line (turn left and you're in gravel pit territory).
The small network of trails, complete with free doggie clean-up bags, can be hiked in less than an hour, covering both meadows and established forest areas. There are educational signs along the way, courtesy of AGCare and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, explaining how farmers are doing their bit for the environment.
The land was acquired with the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Region of Peel and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Since 2007, volunteers including the Conservation Youth Corps have planted more than 10,000 trees and shrubs in open areas near the Credit there, to stabilize the banks and extend the wildlife corridor.
It is worth departing from the beaten path to explore the edge of the river through part of the cedar forest – a truly memorable environment. It is amazing how many natural treasures are available, so close to the large cities of Southern Ontario. The fact that they are practically in our backyards does not make them less spectacular, just easier to take for granted.
May 12, 2010
Water Watchers promote tap water alternative
As published in The Erin Advocate
Ontario has some of the best tap water in the world, but many people choose to pay extra for bottled water. Wellington Water Watchers is working to reverse this trend, both to preserve the resource and to fight what they see as wasteful consumer spending.
Strong demand for bottled water has been "manufactured" by the bottled water industry, they say, scaring people away from tap water. Bottled water is not always purer or better tasting, and its quality is definitely less regulated.
For soft drink companies, it is all about marketing liquids in plastic bottles, and that is where much of the controversy swirls. Mike Nagy of Water Watchers, who has been a Green Party election candidate, was a guest at the recent showing of the film H2Oil in Erin, part of the Fast Forward Festival.
He held up a plastic water bottle, one quarter full of oil, representing the energy it takes to make that bottle. Arlene Slocombe, the group's executive director, said that the manufacturing process uses three times the volume of a bottle of water, to make one bottle. The group made a presentation to Erin high school students recently, urging them to use refillable water containers.
"Bottled water is one of the most energy intensive products," said Nagy. "I'm all in favour of making a profit, but we should not profit on water. Water is the new gold. Water is life – we cannot afford to waste it."
There are environmental costs not only to make the bottles, but also to ship the water, and dispose of the bottles – many of which end up in landfills or shipped overseas.
Erin has a special interest in the industry, since bottling giant Nestlé has a well in Hillsburgh, with a steady stream of tanker trucks shuttling to a plant in Aberfoyle. They have a permit to take up to 1.1 million litres per day, but usually only draw about 25 per cent of that.
Nagy said that although the Nestlé well has not caused discernible harm to the local water supply, he is still concerned. "We do not understand the long-term cumulative effects," he said.
Nestlé has made an effort to demonstrate care for the environment by installing attractive containers for "public spaces recycling" at Erin's new McMillan Park. Gail Cosman, President of Nestlé Waters Canada, said this "will help to put the community at the forefront of environmental sustainability in this province." She said the same thing, word for word, about Aberfoyle when containers were installed there.
Nestlé says the bottled water industry uses just .02 per cent of all permit-controlled water in Canada (compared to users like power plants, manufacturers, municipalities and farmers).
"We are committed to operating our business with no adverse effect on our neighbours, even in the event of drought conditions," said Cosman. "We only harvest what can be replaced by nature."
A well protection agreement between Nestlé and Erin is designed to provide rapid response to any complaints by well owners. The firm promises to pay for scientific evaluation and to fix or replace any well that fails because of their water taking. They also promise to cut back or stop production during drought conditions, if they decide it is necessary.
Nagy would like to see those cutbacks mandated by law. The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario has recommended that step-by-step cutbacks for low water conditions be built into the permit process.
Nestlé has access to a valuable resource through a low-cost provincial license, without paying fees to the Town. Nestlé improved its reputation on that front by donating $30,000 last year towards construction of McMillan Park.
Erin Mayor Rod Finnie was quoted as saying, "This is the latest example of the company's commitment to working with Erin to further enhance the quality of life in what is one of the very best communities to live, work and play in Ontario." A few days later, I saw those same words in another newspaper, but in reference to Aberfoyle, spoken by the president of the Optimist Club there after Nestlé donated $50,000 to a recreation centre.
It is simply a sign of a coordinated public relations effort. Naturally, Nagy is unimpressed, calling these "token" donations. "They do this all around the world," he said.
Some municipalities have banned the sale of bottled water in their facilities, and last month the Nova Scotia was the first province to announce they would do so. The Polaris Institute is organizing a petition to have Ontario do the same.
Check out www.bluew.org for information on the Water Watchers-supported effort to map places to fill up your water bottle for free. Some other interesting sites: www.storyofbottledwater.com, www.insidethebottle.org and www.h2oildoc.com.
Ontario has some of the best tap water in the world, but many people choose to pay extra for bottled water. Wellington Water Watchers is working to reverse this trend, both to preserve the resource and to fight what they see as wasteful consumer spending.
Strong demand for bottled water has been "manufactured" by the bottled water industry, they say, scaring people away from tap water. Bottled water is not always purer or better tasting, and its quality is definitely less regulated.
For soft drink companies, it is all about marketing liquids in plastic bottles, and that is where much of the controversy swirls. Mike Nagy of Water Watchers, who has been a Green Party election candidate, was a guest at the recent showing of the film H2Oil in Erin, part of the Fast Forward Festival.
He held up a plastic water bottle, one quarter full of oil, representing the energy it takes to make that bottle. Arlene Slocombe, the group's executive director, said that the manufacturing process uses three times the volume of a bottle of water, to make one bottle. The group made a presentation to Erin high school students recently, urging them to use refillable water containers.
"Bottled water is one of the most energy intensive products," said Nagy. "I'm all in favour of making a profit, but we should not profit on water. Water is the new gold. Water is life – we cannot afford to waste it."
There are environmental costs not only to make the bottles, but also to ship the water, and dispose of the bottles – many of which end up in landfills or shipped overseas.
Erin has a special interest in the industry, since bottling giant Nestlé has a well in Hillsburgh, with a steady stream of tanker trucks shuttling to a plant in Aberfoyle. They have a permit to take up to 1.1 million litres per day, but usually only draw about 25 per cent of that.
Nagy said that although the Nestlé well has not caused discernible harm to the local water supply, he is still concerned. "We do not understand the long-term cumulative effects," he said.
Nestlé has made an effort to demonstrate care for the environment by installing attractive containers for "public spaces recycling" at Erin's new McMillan Park. Gail Cosman, President of Nestlé Waters Canada, said this "will help to put the community at the forefront of environmental sustainability in this province." She said the same thing, word for word, about Aberfoyle when containers were installed there.
Nestlé says the bottled water industry uses just .02 per cent of all permit-controlled water in Canada (compared to users like power plants, manufacturers, municipalities and farmers).
"We are committed to operating our business with no adverse effect on our neighbours, even in the event of drought conditions," said Cosman. "We only harvest what can be replaced by nature."
A well protection agreement between Nestlé and Erin is designed to provide rapid response to any complaints by well owners. The firm promises to pay for scientific evaluation and to fix or replace any well that fails because of their water taking. They also promise to cut back or stop production during drought conditions, if they decide it is necessary.
Nagy would like to see those cutbacks mandated by law. The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario has recommended that step-by-step cutbacks for low water conditions be built into the permit process.
Nestlé has access to a valuable resource through a low-cost provincial license, without paying fees to the Town. Nestlé improved its reputation on that front by donating $30,000 last year towards construction of McMillan Park.
Erin Mayor Rod Finnie was quoted as saying, "This is the latest example of the company's commitment to working with Erin to further enhance the quality of life in what is one of the very best communities to live, work and play in Ontario." A few days later, I saw those same words in another newspaper, but in reference to Aberfoyle, spoken by the president of the Optimist Club there after Nestlé donated $50,000 to a recreation centre.
It is simply a sign of a coordinated public relations effort. Naturally, Nagy is unimpressed, calling these "token" donations. "They do this all around the world," he said.
Some municipalities have banned the sale of bottled water in their facilities, and last month the Nova Scotia was the first province to announce they would do so. The Polaris Institute is organizing a petition to have Ontario do the same.
Check out www.bluew.org for information on the Water Watchers-supported effort to map places to fill up your water bottle for free. Some other interesting sites: www.storyofbottledwater.com, www.insidethebottle.org and www.h2oildoc.com.
May 05, 2010
Making sure our water stays plentiful and safe
As published in The Erin Advocate
I once rented part of a farm house, where the landlord was so worried about his well water that he would turn off the water supply if I ran the shower for more than 15 minutes.
My habits have become more conservative over the years, but like most environmental efforts, it is never quite enough. Now I'm being challenged to limit showers to three minutes.
The advice comes from Wellington Water Watchers, a non-profit group dedicated to preserving this valuable resource. Ontario has one-third of the entire earth's fresh water supply within and along its borders.
They are also urging people to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth, get a rain barrel for watering gardens, install low-flow shower heads, switch to low-flow toilets and give up drinking bottled water – both to save money and reduce the demand on well water.
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has still more advice, asking people to choose drought-resistant grass and avoid mowing it short, to reduce the need for watering. They suggest using soaker hoses instead of sprinklers, and leaving clippings on the lawn.
"Here in the Credit Valley Watershed, we've had a relatively dry fall and winter," said John Kinkead, CVC Director of Water Resources. "If this trend continues, we're going to see lower groundwater tables and reduced flows in area streams. Water conservation measures will be even more important this year."
Erin homes rely on wells, whether private or municipal, and it is easy to take that supply for granted. The Town reports that the average urban household uses 750 litres per day: 35% for showers and baths, 30% for toilet flushing, 20% for laundry, 10% for kitchen/drinking and 5% for cleaning.
Opportunities for waste abound. Dishwashers and laundry washing machines are often run without full loads. A slowly-leaking faucet may waste 70 litres per day, adding $10 to your 90-day water bill. A steadily running toilet could waste 2,500 litres a day.
Erin Water Superintendent Frank Smedley said a dry summer is not likely to force restrictions on the municipal supply, since the Town's wells are quite deep, and are not directly affected by short-term variations in surface water. Shallow private wells are at greater risk of shortages and contamination.
Get more information on local water at www.erin.ca. Check out the Ontario Drinking Water Surveillance Program, which includes Erin, at www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/dwsp.
While the Town does extensive testing for bacteria and chemicals, owners of private wells are legally responsible for the quality of their drinking water. The Ministry of Health recommends testing each summer, fall and especially spring, when surface water is plentiful.
Test if you notice any change in the clarity, colour, taste or smell of your water, after major plumbing work, after an extended dry spell or after a lengthy period of non-use. Three samplings spaced one to three weeks apart are needed to be sure of a stable supply.
Testing for bacteria is free, but I am sure many people do not do it, because of the inconvenience. You can pick up a test bottle at the Town of Erin offices on Trafalgar Road, but the bottle has to be delivered in person to the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health offices in Guelph, Fergus or Orangeville, with restrictions on acceptable times.
Results are mailed out, with the most common issue being "total coliform" contamination. These bacteria do not usually make people sick, but you may need to repair or disinfect your well. Evidence of E. coli bacteria is serious, meaning you must stop drinking the water until it is treated. For advice, call the health unit at 1-800-265-7293.
Testing service is much better in Halton Region, where they will mail you a test bottle if you phone, or request it on-line. Halton Hills residents can drop off samples not only at the health office at 93 Main St. S. in Georgetown (as I do too), but at the Acton and Georgetown libraries, including some evening hours. You can sign up for testing reminders by mail or email.
Halton also provides additional free testing for nitrates, a compound that can come from fertilizer, sewage or plant decay. It is particularly dangerous for infants, and cannot be boiled away. The Ministry of Health recommends testing once a year for nitrates, but in most places it is at your own expense.
For nitrate and all other chemical testing, you have to shop from a long list of labs published on the Ministry of the Environment website. Google "Ontario accredited labs", or call 416-235-6370 for assistance.
I once rented part of a farm house, where the landlord was so worried about his well water that he would turn off the water supply if I ran the shower for more than 15 minutes.
My habits have become more conservative over the years, but like most environmental efforts, it is never quite enough. Now I'm being challenged to limit showers to three minutes.
The advice comes from Wellington Water Watchers, a non-profit group dedicated to preserving this valuable resource. Ontario has one-third of the entire earth's fresh water supply within and along its borders.
They are also urging people to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth, get a rain barrel for watering gardens, install low-flow shower heads, switch to low-flow toilets and give up drinking bottled water – both to save money and reduce the demand on well water.
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has still more advice, asking people to choose drought-resistant grass and avoid mowing it short, to reduce the need for watering. They suggest using soaker hoses instead of sprinklers, and leaving clippings on the lawn.
"Here in the Credit Valley Watershed, we've had a relatively dry fall and winter," said John Kinkead, CVC Director of Water Resources. "If this trend continues, we're going to see lower groundwater tables and reduced flows in area streams. Water conservation measures will be even more important this year."
Erin homes rely on wells, whether private or municipal, and it is easy to take that supply for granted. The Town reports that the average urban household uses 750 litres per day: 35% for showers and baths, 30% for toilet flushing, 20% for laundry, 10% for kitchen/drinking and 5% for cleaning.
Opportunities for waste abound. Dishwashers and laundry washing machines are often run without full loads. A slowly-leaking faucet may waste 70 litres per day, adding $10 to your 90-day water bill. A steadily running toilet could waste 2,500 litres a day.
Erin Water Superintendent Frank Smedley said a dry summer is not likely to force restrictions on the municipal supply, since the Town's wells are quite deep, and are not directly affected by short-term variations in surface water. Shallow private wells are at greater risk of shortages and contamination.
Get more information on local water at www.erin.ca. Check out the Ontario Drinking Water Surveillance Program, which includes Erin, at www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/dwsp.
While the Town does extensive testing for bacteria and chemicals, owners of private wells are legally responsible for the quality of their drinking water. The Ministry of Health recommends testing each summer, fall and especially spring, when surface water is plentiful.
Test if you notice any change in the clarity, colour, taste or smell of your water, after major plumbing work, after an extended dry spell or after a lengthy period of non-use. Three samplings spaced one to three weeks apart are needed to be sure of a stable supply.
Testing for bacteria is free, but I am sure many people do not do it, because of the inconvenience. You can pick up a test bottle at the Town of Erin offices on Trafalgar Road, but the bottle has to be delivered in person to the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health offices in Guelph, Fergus or Orangeville, with restrictions on acceptable times.
Results are mailed out, with the most common issue being "total coliform" contamination. These bacteria do not usually make people sick, but you may need to repair or disinfect your well. Evidence of E. coli bacteria is serious, meaning you must stop drinking the water until it is treated. For advice, call the health unit at 1-800-265-7293.
Testing service is much better in Halton Region, where they will mail you a test bottle if you phone, or request it on-line. Halton Hills residents can drop off samples not only at the health office at 93 Main St. S. in Georgetown (as I do too), but at the Acton and Georgetown libraries, including some evening hours. You can sign up for testing reminders by mail or email.
Halton also provides additional free testing for nitrates, a compound that can come from fertilizer, sewage or plant decay. It is particularly dangerous for infants, and cannot be boiled away. The Ministry of Health recommends testing once a year for nitrates, but in most places it is at your own expense.
For nitrate and all other chemical testing, you have to shop from a long list of labs published on the Ministry of the Environment website. Google "Ontario accredited labs", or call 416-235-6370 for assistance.
April 28, 2010
Waste initiatives show strong community spirit
As published by The Erin Advocate
They may seem to have little in common, but Erin Auto Recyclers and East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) have a natural sort of partnership when it comes to making the best re-use of valuable materials.
EWCS is primarily a social service agency, but it raises money by recycling clothing at its New To You and Bookends stores. These provide affordable options for people who need to make their money go further. Erin Auto Recyclers deals in scrap metal, but also sells used auto parts, an essential service to help people keep older vehicles on the road.
The two already work together through the Auto Angel program. People can donate cars and trucks to EWCS for a tax receipt. Erin Auto Recyclers takes possession of the vehicle, determines its value and makes a cash donation to EWCS.
With the final closing of the Hillsburgh Transfer Station this weekend, and the lack of a County facility in Erin for large usable goods and bulky waste, EWCS is planning to open a re-use centre.
EWCS can proceed knowing it has strong public support. It would be best if the County provides funding to get the project started, but Executive Director Glenyis Betts is confident that funding will be found.
The re-use centre will enable residents will drive their donations of household items right into the building, to be inspected by EWCS volunteers.
"If we don't want them, we'll send people over to Rob," said Betts.
Rob Smith, owner of Erin Auto Recyclers, has offered his site just down the road as an alternative drop-off point for some material that will normally have to be driven to the Belwood Waste Facility. His staff are already qualified to handle hazardous material like freon, motor oil, antifreeze and batteries.
He will accept appliances, electronics and all sorts of metal. It is mainly an extension of his regular business, but there is an element of community service as well. There will be more traffic, and more items to handle and store – not all of them profitable.
"When you're doing the right thing, it pays dividends," said Smith. He is willing to cooperate with the County if they want to take advantage of his site.
Since buying the business four years ago, he has worked to improve its public image, with a new roof over the open storage area, a better parking area and a computerized parts inventory. The timing is good, as the public takes more interest in environmental issues. "It's a great time to be in the recycling business," he said.
The company was recognized by the Clean Air Foundation as the first in Canada to recover mercury switches from ABS brakes, removing a harmful neurotoxin from the waste stream.
Smith said that land he owns next to the auto recycling yard could be used for a permanent re-use/recycling centre, if and when EWCS is ready to make that move. This would provide convenience to the public, while ensuring that any household hazardous wastes could be stored on the auto yard, which is licensed for them.
How this centre would be financed and operated has not been determined. Ideally, such facilities should be publicly owned, and on a larger scale. A partnership with a private business could be a benefit for Erin residents, though, if the County is not able to provide local service.
Councillor Lou Maieron points to the Bolton Recycling Centre as an ideal type of small-scale transfer station. It handles a wide variety of material, including excess household garbage, as a supplement to curbside pick-up. According to a Wellington County consultant, the Bolton facility was built in 1997 for about $2 million and costs $1.2 million a year to run. Caledon Community Services has a ReUstore on site, selling everything from jewelry to antiques. The agency leases its building for about $25,000 a year – 10 per cent of the store's annual net revenue.
Peel Region was forced to take serious action on waste diversion when it ran out of landfill space and had to start paying to ship trash to Michigan. Wellington County still has landfill space, but it will not last forever, and the Province may not approve any more in this area. Perhaps it will soon be in Wellington's financial interest to start investing in a better network of waste diversion facilities.
They may seem to have little in common, but Erin Auto Recyclers and East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) have a natural sort of partnership when it comes to making the best re-use of valuable materials.
EWCS is primarily a social service agency, but it raises money by recycling clothing at its New To You and Bookends stores. These provide affordable options for people who need to make their money go further. Erin Auto Recyclers deals in scrap metal, but also sells used auto parts, an essential service to help people keep older vehicles on the road.
The two already work together through the Auto Angel program. People can donate cars and trucks to EWCS for a tax receipt. Erin Auto Recyclers takes possession of the vehicle, determines its value and makes a cash donation to EWCS.
With the final closing of the Hillsburgh Transfer Station this weekend, and the lack of a County facility in Erin for large usable goods and bulky waste, EWCS is planning to open a re-use centre.
EWCS can proceed knowing it has strong public support. It would be best if the County provides funding to get the project started, but Executive Director Glenyis Betts is confident that funding will be found.
The re-use centre will enable residents will drive their donations of household items right into the building, to be inspected by EWCS volunteers.
"If we don't want them, we'll send people over to Rob," said Betts.
Rob Smith, owner of Erin Auto Recyclers, has offered his site just down the road as an alternative drop-off point for some material that will normally have to be driven to the Belwood Waste Facility. His staff are already qualified to handle hazardous material like freon, motor oil, antifreeze and batteries.
He will accept appliances, electronics and all sorts of metal. It is mainly an extension of his regular business, but there is an element of community service as well. There will be more traffic, and more items to handle and store – not all of them profitable.
"When you're doing the right thing, it pays dividends," said Smith. He is willing to cooperate with the County if they want to take advantage of his site.
Since buying the business four years ago, he has worked to improve its public image, with a new roof over the open storage area, a better parking area and a computerized parts inventory. The timing is good, as the public takes more interest in environmental issues. "It's a great time to be in the recycling business," he said.
The company was recognized by the Clean Air Foundation as the first in Canada to recover mercury switches from ABS brakes, removing a harmful neurotoxin from the waste stream.
Smith said that land he owns next to the auto recycling yard could be used for a permanent re-use/recycling centre, if and when EWCS is ready to make that move. This would provide convenience to the public, while ensuring that any household hazardous wastes could be stored on the auto yard, which is licensed for them.
How this centre would be financed and operated has not been determined. Ideally, such facilities should be publicly owned, and on a larger scale. A partnership with a private business could be a benefit for Erin residents, though, if the County is not able to provide local service.
Councillor Lou Maieron points to the Bolton Recycling Centre as an ideal type of small-scale transfer station. It handles a wide variety of material, including excess household garbage, as a supplement to curbside pick-up. According to a Wellington County consultant, the Bolton facility was built in 1997 for about $2 million and costs $1.2 million a year to run. Caledon Community Services has a ReUstore on site, selling everything from jewelry to antiques. The agency leases its building for about $25,000 a year – 10 per cent of the store's annual net revenue.
Peel Region was forced to take serious action on waste diversion when it ran out of landfill space and had to start paying to ship trash to Michigan. Wellington County still has landfill space, but it will not last forever, and the Province may not approve any more in this area. Perhaps it will soon be in Wellington's financial interest to start investing in a better network of waste diversion facilities.
April 21, 2010
Computers should not be buried with the garbage
As published in The Erin Advocate
It's finally time to get rid of my Windows 98 PC. No tears will be shed when I bring it to the Electronics Recycling Day this Saturday in Erin at Centre 2000. Only memories will remain, mostly about hours spent dealing with viruses, unloadable software, malfunctioning peripherals, glacial processing, and of course, dial-up internet.
I am not ready, however, to part with my pre-internet Macintosh. It is resting comfortably in the crawl space, primarily as an antique for the benefit of future generations, an amusing relic of simpler times.
Our family has a reluctance to discard electronics that still work. I still have the black and white Zenith TV I bought with my first summer job paycheque in 1971.
Then there is the Nikon digital camera that cost $999 in 2002. It hit the ground during a hike last week, disabling the auto-focus. Now I have a choice: buy a used one of the same model on e-Bay for $49, buy a new camera that is three times more powerful for $99, or get the broken one repaired for $349.
The E-Waste Recycling Day hosted by Wellington County starts at 9 am and ends promptly at 3 pm this Saturday. There is no charge, but residents are encouraged to make a donation of food or cash to the East Wellington Community Services food bank.
Bring your computer equipment, answering machines, cameras, phones of all types, TVs, stereos, MP3 players and electronic typewriters. Not accepted: tools, games, toys, fluorescent tubes and appliances like microwaves and toasters. For more details, go to www.wellington.ca.
Wellington's first e-waste days were in other towns last October, with 1,200 vehicles delivering 120,000 lbs of waste. The line-ups were too long for some people.
"The response from the public was incredible,” said Cathy Wiebe, Administration Supervisor for Solid Waste Services. “We are extremely pleased that residents took the opportunity to drop off their old electronics to ensure they go for recycling, instead of taking up space in a landfill site.”
Some environmentalists believe that hazardous e-waste metals like lead, cadmium, beryllium and mercury are a serious problem in landfills. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says they are not a threat to human health if handled properly.
The EPA still promotes e-recycling to reduce environmental impacts and energy demands from mining and manufacturing. It says recycling one million laptops saves enough energy to power 3,657 homes for a year. And circuit boards have far higher concentrations of gold and copper than ore mined from the earth.
Recently I took a printer to the transfer station. The ink cartridges were saved as Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), but the rest went into the regular garbage. The Belwood Waste Facility is set up to handle HHW and re-usable items, but not electronics as a separate waste stream. Addition of that service would be a logical improvement over the once-a-year event.
Staples has just expanded its recycling services. Their stores have offered bins for discarded ink and toner, cell phones, pagers and chargers and batteries, and they now accept TVs, computers and many other products.
Locally, alkaline batteries up to Size D can be dropped off at any library branch. For more options, go to www.dowhatyoucan.ca. Enter your waste item and postal code, and get a list of destinations.
An estimated 100 million cell phones are discarded every year in the US, along with 32 million computers. Millions of tonnes of e-waste are shipped to impoverished areas of China, in violation of a UN treaty. There it is torn apart and melted under appalling working conditions to extract reusable plastics and metals, resulting in severe environmental damage.
The County has contracted Global Electric Electronic Processing (GEEP) to recycle material from its seven e-waste event days, one in each municipality this year. GEEP has locations across Canada and abroad, with ten facilities and 350 employees, diverting 200,000 tonnes of e-waste from landfill annually. Based in Barrie, they boast the "largest, most comprehensive state-of-the-art processing facility for e-waste…globally."
They re-use what they can, including purging and re-imaging hard drives ("If there's any value left in it, we'll find a user for it!"), and the rest is crushed and sorted into salable commodities. In February, GEEP was designated as a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, allowing them to install Windows XP on recycled computers.
So my PC may live again, but it will have to live somewhere else.
It's finally time to get rid of my Windows 98 PC. No tears will be shed when I bring it to the Electronics Recycling Day this Saturday in Erin at Centre 2000. Only memories will remain, mostly about hours spent dealing with viruses, unloadable software, malfunctioning peripherals, glacial processing, and of course, dial-up internet.
I am not ready, however, to part with my pre-internet Macintosh. It is resting comfortably in the crawl space, primarily as an antique for the benefit of future generations, an amusing relic of simpler times.
Our family has a reluctance to discard electronics that still work. I still have the black and white Zenith TV I bought with my first summer job paycheque in 1971.
Then there is the Nikon digital camera that cost $999 in 2002. It hit the ground during a hike last week, disabling the auto-focus. Now I have a choice: buy a used one of the same model on e-Bay for $49, buy a new camera that is three times more powerful for $99, or get the broken one repaired for $349.
The E-Waste Recycling Day hosted by Wellington County starts at 9 am and ends promptly at 3 pm this Saturday. There is no charge, but residents are encouraged to make a donation of food or cash to the East Wellington Community Services food bank.
Bring your computer equipment, answering machines, cameras, phones of all types, TVs, stereos, MP3 players and electronic typewriters. Not accepted: tools, games, toys, fluorescent tubes and appliances like microwaves and toasters. For more details, go to www.wellington.ca.
Wellington's first e-waste days were in other towns last October, with 1,200 vehicles delivering 120,000 lbs of waste. The line-ups were too long for some people.
"The response from the public was incredible,” said Cathy Wiebe, Administration Supervisor for Solid Waste Services. “We are extremely pleased that residents took the opportunity to drop off their old electronics to ensure they go for recycling, instead of taking up space in a landfill site.”
Some environmentalists believe that hazardous e-waste metals like lead, cadmium, beryllium and mercury are a serious problem in landfills. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says they are not a threat to human health if handled properly.
The EPA still promotes e-recycling to reduce environmental impacts and energy demands from mining and manufacturing. It says recycling one million laptops saves enough energy to power 3,657 homes for a year. And circuit boards have far higher concentrations of gold and copper than ore mined from the earth.
Recently I took a printer to the transfer station. The ink cartridges were saved as Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), but the rest went into the regular garbage. The Belwood Waste Facility is set up to handle HHW and re-usable items, but not electronics as a separate waste stream. Addition of that service would be a logical improvement over the once-a-year event.
Staples has just expanded its recycling services. Their stores have offered bins for discarded ink and toner, cell phones, pagers and chargers and batteries, and they now accept TVs, computers and many other products.
Locally, alkaline batteries up to Size D can be dropped off at any library branch. For more options, go to www.dowhatyoucan.ca. Enter your waste item and postal code, and get a list of destinations.
An estimated 100 million cell phones are discarded every year in the US, along with 32 million computers. Millions of tonnes of e-waste are shipped to impoverished areas of China, in violation of a UN treaty. There it is torn apart and melted under appalling working conditions to extract reusable plastics and metals, resulting in severe environmental damage.
The County has contracted Global Electric Electronic Processing (GEEP) to recycle material from its seven e-waste event days, one in each municipality this year. GEEP has locations across Canada and abroad, with ten facilities and 350 employees, diverting 200,000 tonnes of e-waste from landfill annually. Based in Barrie, they boast the "largest, most comprehensive state-of-the-art processing facility for e-waste…globally."
They re-use what they can, including purging and re-imaging hard drives ("If there's any value left in it, we'll find a user for it!"), and the rest is crushed and sorted into salable commodities. In February, GEEP was designated as a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, allowing them to install Windows XP on recycled computers.
So my PC may live again, but it will have to live somewhere else.
April 14, 2010
Meet the new pro at Try Tennis Day
As published in The Erin Advocate
Smaller racquets, smaller courts and slower balls are some of the innovations planned by Erin's new tennis pro, to help beginners have fun while learning the basics of the game.
As a coach for 35 years, Doug Ing works on both the physical and mental skills that tennis players need in order to meet their goals – whether it is being competitive in a tournament, or simply getting the ball over the net.
Adults and children are invited to attend Try Tennis Day, hosted by the Erin Tennis Club this Saturday, April 17, from 9 am to 1 pm, at the courts behind Centre 2000. It is free and racquets are provided, along with prizes and a barbeque.
A club membership costs $85 for adults, $50 for juniors and $140 for a family. It includes free use of the courts, house league play, a singles ladder, various themed fun nights, tournaments, junior house league on Tuesday mornings (starting July 6), ladies' tennis on Saturday mornings and men's tennis on Sunday mornings.
It also includes four free group lessons, on Monday evenings starting April 26 for the kids, and on Tuesday evenings starting April 27 for adults. For more information on the club, call Brian Gentles at 519-833-9715.
Children as young as five and six are encouraged to learn the game. Special equipment helps beginners of all ages, but it is especially important for the younger ones. The softer balls are less likely to go flying out of control and Ing starts with a mini court, just 36 feet. Students can keep the ball going back and forth, even on their first day, which is almost as fun as winning.
It is called Progressive Tennis, an official coaching initiative of Tennis Canada. There are three training stages: each step brings a livelier ball, longer racquet and larger court size. This helps the player stay in control while they work on proper positioning and stroke technique.
"The idea is to get kids to a secure place, with values like sharing and cooperation," said Ing. "We start with movement, and it's important to understand that everyone learns at their own pace." He offers free assessments to determine the level of each child, so they can be grouped with compatible players.
Tennis is a livelihood for Ing, so members (or non-members) can sign up for lessons at an additional cost. There are also clinics for adults, including Cardio Tennis, Beginners, Doubles Strategy and high-paced drills. Ing can be reached at 519-217-8772.
"I just love coaching," he said. "That's really the drive for me – it's exciting to work with people and develop them."
In addition to the free lessons, the Junior Spring After-School Clinics offer eight sessions, at a cost of $80 for members. There is also a Competitive Player Development Program, which includes intensive drills and video analysis.
The Summer Tennis Camps are back, with six one-week sessions, 1-4 pm. The cost is $115 per child, per week. It includes physical exercise, skills training and match play.
With support from the Optimist and Rotary Clubs, the Tennis Club offers up to 3 slots per week for kids that need financial help to attend. Application for these slots can be made through East Wellington Community Services.
The Erin Tennis Club is a self-financing committee of the Town of Erin, which owns the courts. Guests are welcome to play when accompanied by member. The guest fee is $5.
Smaller racquets, smaller courts and slower balls are some of the innovations planned by Erin's new tennis pro, to help beginners have fun while learning the basics of the game.
As a coach for 35 years, Doug Ing works on both the physical and mental skills that tennis players need in order to meet their goals – whether it is being competitive in a tournament, or simply getting the ball over the net.
Adults and children are invited to attend Try Tennis Day, hosted by the Erin Tennis Club this Saturday, April 17, from 9 am to 1 pm, at the courts behind Centre 2000. It is free and racquets are provided, along with prizes and a barbeque.
A club membership costs $85 for adults, $50 for juniors and $140 for a family. It includes free use of the courts, house league play, a singles ladder, various themed fun nights, tournaments, junior house league on Tuesday mornings (starting July 6), ladies' tennis on Saturday mornings and men's tennis on Sunday mornings.
It also includes four free group lessons, on Monday evenings starting April 26 for the kids, and on Tuesday evenings starting April 27 for adults. For more information on the club, call Brian Gentles at 519-833-9715.
Children as young as five and six are encouraged to learn the game. Special equipment helps beginners of all ages, but it is especially important for the younger ones. The softer balls are less likely to go flying out of control and Ing starts with a mini court, just 36 feet. Students can keep the ball going back and forth, even on their first day, which is almost as fun as winning.
It is called Progressive Tennis, an official coaching initiative of Tennis Canada. There are three training stages: each step brings a livelier ball, longer racquet and larger court size. This helps the player stay in control while they work on proper positioning and stroke technique.
"The idea is to get kids to a secure place, with values like sharing and cooperation," said Ing. "We start with movement, and it's important to understand that everyone learns at their own pace." He offers free assessments to determine the level of each child, so they can be grouped with compatible players.
Tennis is a livelihood for Ing, so members (or non-members) can sign up for lessons at an additional cost. There are also clinics for adults, including Cardio Tennis, Beginners, Doubles Strategy and high-paced drills. Ing can be reached at 519-217-8772.
"I just love coaching," he said. "That's really the drive for me – it's exciting to work with people and develop them."
In addition to the free lessons, the Junior Spring After-School Clinics offer eight sessions, at a cost of $80 for members. There is also a Competitive Player Development Program, which includes intensive drills and video analysis.
The Summer Tennis Camps are back, with six one-week sessions, 1-4 pm. The cost is $115 per child, per week. It includes physical exercise, skills training and match play.
With support from the Optimist and Rotary Clubs, the Tennis Club offers up to 3 slots per week for kids that need financial help to attend. Application for these slots can be made through East Wellington Community Services.
The Erin Tennis Club is a self-financing committee of the Town of Erin, which owns the courts. Guests are welcome to play when accompanied by member. The guest fee is $5.
April 07, 2010
Good riddance to the Hillsburgh Transfer Station
As published in The Erin Advocate
I am going to miss the Hillsburgh Transfer Station when it closes next month. I will have to forgo the satisfaction of loading my vehicle with trash and spending 45 minutes on Saturday making the round trip from south Erin. I will have to figure out what to do with the $200 per year I will save on gasoline.
Actually, when rural pickup starts, the main thing I will miss is the ability to deal with my garbage and recycling on my own schedule. Soon, I will have to put them at the end of my driveway early in the morning on every second Thursday. But I will be glad to never again wait in line at "the dump".
Some people are upset about closure of the station, and I do respect their sentiments. There will be new inconveniences, affecting some residents more than others. Urban dwellers will no longer have the option of skipping their pickup and bringing garbage to Hillsburgh for just $1 per large bag. Now both urban and rural residents will have to buy special bags at local stores ($1.75 for large, $1 for small).
Rural pickup every two weeks is not ideal, but it is manageable. Overall, I think the advantages of the new system far outweigh the disadvantages, and there are still opportunities for improvement, especially weekly pickup in the summer.
Environmentally, the benefits are clear. It takes a lot less labour and gasoline to operate garbage trucks than it does to have between 700 and 925 residents making weekly trips to a fully-staffed station. Rural pickup is an economical service that has been unreasonably withheld from us by Wellington County for the past ten years.
The Hillsburgh site has to be closed because it sits on an old garbage dump that is leaking pollutants. Presumably it was a matter of expedience for the Township to put a transfer station on top of a closed landfill site in 1984, but in hindsight, not a good idea. The last day of operation for the Hillsburgh site is set for May 1, but Councillor Lou Maieron is asking the County to postpone closure until the end of May.
The County's strategy, when it took responsibility for the site in 2001, was to propose a new station near Ospringe. There was opposition in Erin, forcing the County to scrap the plan. I thought the environmental risks at Ospringe were minimal, but I knew that if they built a new transfer station, we would never get rural pick-up. Instead of coming up with a new plan, the County studied, and waited.
In its March newsletter, County Solid Waste Services (SWS) brags about being "good custodians" of closed landfill sites. It appears, though, that it was primarily pressure from the Ministry of the Environment that prompted closure of the Hillsburgh site after so many years.
Here is the SWS comment on the Ospringe site controversy, from its newsletter: "Unfortunately, the County was unable to proceed with the development of this facility due to public and political opposition."
Unfortunately? That is like saying: "Unfortunately, democracy worked." Or: "Unfortunately, we had to listen to the taxpayers." What is truly unfortunate is the arrogant attitude that Erin often senses from County officials.
Fortunately, Mayor Rod Finnie and Councillor Maieron have listened well to residents and worked hard to advance Erin's interests at County Council.
Now, Erin residents are upset that they will have to drive to the Belwood Waste Facility to drop off bulky garbage, scrap metal, wood, tires, reusable items and household hazardous waste. The cost of a new comprehensive facility to handle these items for Erin-Rockwood would be far less than that of a full transfer station.
Belwood is not "conveniently located" as the County claims. Councillor Maieron said other areas in Wellington are well-served with convenient transfer stations that have far lower usage than Hillsburgh. He also estimates that garbage bag sales could cover the full cost of Erin garbage collection. "Our taxes are going to subsidize service in other parts of the County," he said.
The Belwood site is 40 minutes one way for me, but I will only have to make the trip three or four times a year. It is about 30 minutes (31 km) from Erin village, and 20 minutes (23 km) from Hillsburgh, taking County Road 22 west, north on the Town Line (Road 26) through Belwood village, then west 2 km on Road 19. The alternate route through Marsville is a bit slower.
Nothing definite yet, but there are ongoing discussions with East Wellington Community Services about creating a reuse store, where people could donate good used bulky items (not garbage), which could be sold to the public at low prices.
"We would like to generate revenue to support our other programs," said Executive Director Glenyis Betts, who hopes a location can be opened soon.
I am going to miss the Hillsburgh Transfer Station when it closes next month. I will have to forgo the satisfaction of loading my vehicle with trash and spending 45 minutes on Saturday making the round trip from south Erin. I will have to figure out what to do with the $200 per year I will save on gasoline.
Actually, when rural pickup starts, the main thing I will miss is the ability to deal with my garbage and recycling on my own schedule. Soon, I will have to put them at the end of my driveway early in the morning on every second Thursday. But I will be glad to never again wait in line at "the dump".
Some people are upset about closure of the station, and I do respect their sentiments. There will be new inconveniences, affecting some residents more than others. Urban dwellers will no longer have the option of skipping their pickup and bringing garbage to Hillsburgh for just $1 per large bag. Now both urban and rural residents will have to buy special bags at local stores ($1.75 for large, $1 for small).
Rural pickup every two weeks is not ideal, but it is manageable. Overall, I think the advantages of the new system far outweigh the disadvantages, and there are still opportunities for improvement, especially weekly pickup in the summer.
Environmentally, the benefits are clear. It takes a lot less labour and gasoline to operate garbage trucks than it does to have between 700 and 925 residents making weekly trips to a fully-staffed station. Rural pickup is an economical service that has been unreasonably withheld from us by Wellington County for the past ten years.
The Hillsburgh site has to be closed because it sits on an old garbage dump that is leaking pollutants. Presumably it was a matter of expedience for the Township to put a transfer station on top of a closed landfill site in 1984, but in hindsight, not a good idea. The last day of operation for the Hillsburgh site is set for May 1, but Councillor Lou Maieron is asking the County to postpone closure until the end of May.
The County's strategy, when it took responsibility for the site in 2001, was to propose a new station near Ospringe. There was opposition in Erin, forcing the County to scrap the plan. I thought the environmental risks at Ospringe were minimal, but I knew that if they built a new transfer station, we would never get rural pick-up. Instead of coming up with a new plan, the County studied, and waited.
In its March newsletter, County Solid Waste Services (SWS) brags about being "good custodians" of closed landfill sites. It appears, though, that it was primarily pressure from the Ministry of the Environment that prompted closure of the Hillsburgh site after so many years.
Here is the SWS comment on the Ospringe site controversy, from its newsletter: "Unfortunately, the County was unable to proceed with the development of this facility due to public and political opposition."
Unfortunately? That is like saying: "Unfortunately, democracy worked." Or: "Unfortunately, we had to listen to the taxpayers." What is truly unfortunate is the arrogant attitude that Erin often senses from County officials.
Fortunately, Mayor Rod Finnie and Councillor Maieron have listened well to residents and worked hard to advance Erin's interests at County Council.
Now, Erin residents are upset that they will have to drive to the Belwood Waste Facility to drop off bulky garbage, scrap metal, wood, tires, reusable items and household hazardous waste. The cost of a new comprehensive facility to handle these items for Erin-Rockwood would be far less than that of a full transfer station.
Belwood is not "conveniently located" as the County claims. Councillor Maieron said other areas in Wellington are well-served with convenient transfer stations that have far lower usage than Hillsburgh. He also estimates that garbage bag sales could cover the full cost of Erin garbage collection. "Our taxes are going to subsidize service in other parts of the County," he said.
The Belwood site is 40 minutes one way for me, but I will only have to make the trip three or four times a year. It is about 30 minutes (31 km) from Erin village, and 20 minutes (23 km) from Hillsburgh, taking County Road 22 west, north on the Town Line (Road 26) through Belwood village, then west 2 km on Road 19. The alternate route through Marsville is a bit slower.
Nothing definite yet, but there are ongoing discussions with East Wellington Community Services about creating a reuse store, where people could donate good used bulky items (not garbage), which could be sold to the public at low prices.
"We would like to generate revenue to support our other programs," said Executive Director Glenyis Betts, who hopes a location can be opened soon.
March 31, 2010
The two-furrow riding plow
The Advocate's Devil – Historical Flash Fiction
“MONEY TO LOAN: – I have any amount of money at a low rate on first mortgage. W. HULL”
It was just the sort of filler that Wellington Hull loved to drop into the pages of his newspaper. Like most businessmen, he wore several hats.
Case in point, the advertisement on page one of today's Erin Advocate (Wednesday, March 30, 1910) from J.W. Turner, the Hillsburgh funeral director: “Our wallpaper has been tried and found guilty and condemned to be hung. Call early and get the bargains before they are all hung. Four cents and upwards per single roll.” Hillsburgh humour at its finest.
Here in Erin village, Mr. Hull was in the business of knowing everyone else's business. People who didn't qualify for a loan at the Union Bank could simply go upstairs to the newspaper office and make a deal with Hull. He was constantly auctioning farms and machinery, offering eight months of credit on sums over $10.
Hull was also the Erin “Correspondent” for the Standard Mercantile Agency of Toronto. That meant he was not only a debt collector for far-away wholesalers, but was empowered to rate the credit-worthiness of any Erin businessman. Information was the key to his success, which is why I was in his office. A printer's devil always gets the dirty jobs.
“Robert Campbell wants to borrow money from me, but he's new in town, so no one knows much about him. Last fall he showed me a brand new horse-drawn gang plow. Two-furrow. Seat for the driver and big wheels. International Harvester. Wants to put it up as collateral, but I don't think it he owns it. Suspect he borrowed it from his brother in Rockside, just for show.
“Now I have it on good authority that he and his family are going by stage coach to Fergus today to visit his uncle, who has taken ill. Take this letter to Campbell's farm, and when you find no one home, take a look in his barn. I need to know what implements he has there now.”
I took my 25 cent bonus and smiled about the things Hull didn't know, like the fact that I knew the combination to his office safe. And the distinct possibility that Campbell's 17-year-old daughter Edna would be home, alone. I packed a flask of Erin's finest and set off.
Caught a ride with a buggy headed for Alton and got off at the Tenth Line. As I neared the farm on foot, I saw a man on horseback riding down the lane from the house. I ducked into the swampy bush beside the road, and when he turned and rode by I saw it was George McCutcheon, a slimy sort who hung about the hotels and loaned money at usurious rates.
My friend at the post office said McCutcheon had received a mail order package of Phosphonol, advertised as an “Electric Restorer for Men” that would return every nerve in the body to its proper tension. “Premature decay and all sexual weakness averted at once.” Just $3 a box – almost half a week's wages.
Running up the lane, I found no one at the house. I stepped into the barn and heard a curse from the horse stalls. Edna stepped out, covered in straw, fastening the buttons of her blouse.
“Ethan! So nice to see you. Come here. Let's have a li'll dance.” Her words were slurred as she stumbled and grabbed my shoulders. I remembered last year's Fall Fair, when we had danced, then snuck off into the woods near the river. “What's the matter, you don't wanna dance?”
“Did he force you?”
“Ha!” She started laughing, caught herself, then put on her serious face. “No.”
“Why was he here?”
“I invited him. He was here last week, arguing with papa. We owe him 5 dollars. Or should I say, we used to owe him.”
“You shouldn't have.”
“Don't worry. I didn't.” She started to giggle. “Georgie Porgie wasn't up to the task.” She laughed, coughed, gagged, and soon the whiskey she had consumed was on the barn floor.
As she composed herself, I looked around. There was a small harrow, a rusty mower, a big wagon and an old-fashioned one-furrow walking plow.
I took Edna to her bedroom and laid her down on the bed. I covered her up, placed a kiss on her temple, breathed in the soft scent of her hair, and left.
“Yes, sir. I had a good look around Campbell's barn. There was a small harrow, a rusty mower, a big wagon and a brand new two-furrow riding plow.”
“Did anyone see you?”
“Not a soul.”
“MONEY TO LOAN: – I have any amount of money at a low rate on first mortgage. W. HULL”
It was just the sort of filler that Wellington Hull loved to drop into the pages of his newspaper. Like most businessmen, he wore several hats.
Case in point, the advertisement on page one of today's Erin Advocate (Wednesday, March 30, 1910) from J.W. Turner, the Hillsburgh funeral director: “Our wallpaper has been tried and found guilty and condemned to be hung. Call early and get the bargains before they are all hung. Four cents and upwards per single roll.” Hillsburgh humour at its finest.
Here in Erin village, Mr. Hull was in the business of knowing everyone else's business. People who didn't qualify for a loan at the Union Bank could simply go upstairs to the newspaper office and make a deal with Hull. He was constantly auctioning farms and machinery, offering eight months of credit on sums over $10.
Hull was also the Erin “Correspondent” for the Standard Mercantile Agency of Toronto. That meant he was not only a debt collector for far-away wholesalers, but was empowered to rate the credit-worthiness of any Erin businessman. Information was the key to his success, which is why I was in his office. A printer's devil always gets the dirty jobs.
“Robert Campbell wants to borrow money from me, but he's new in town, so no one knows much about him. Last fall he showed me a brand new horse-drawn gang plow. Two-furrow. Seat for the driver and big wheels. International Harvester. Wants to put it up as collateral, but I don't think it he owns it. Suspect he borrowed it from his brother in Rockside, just for show.
“Now I have it on good authority that he and his family are going by stage coach to Fergus today to visit his uncle, who has taken ill. Take this letter to Campbell's farm, and when you find no one home, take a look in his barn. I need to know what implements he has there now.”
I took my 25 cent bonus and smiled about the things Hull didn't know, like the fact that I knew the combination to his office safe. And the distinct possibility that Campbell's 17-year-old daughter Edna would be home, alone. I packed a flask of Erin's finest and set off.
Caught a ride with a buggy headed for Alton and got off at the Tenth Line. As I neared the farm on foot, I saw a man on horseback riding down the lane from the house. I ducked into the swampy bush beside the road, and when he turned and rode by I saw it was George McCutcheon, a slimy sort who hung about the hotels and loaned money at usurious rates.
My friend at the post office said McCutcheon had received a mail order package of Phosphonol, advertised as an “Electric Restorer for Men” that would return every nerve in the body to its proper tension. “Premature decay and all sexual weakness averted at once.” Just $3 a box – almost half a week's wages.
Running up the lane, I found no one at the house. I stepped into the barn and heard a curse from the horse stalls. Edna stepped out, covered in straw, fastening the buttons of her blouse.
“Ethan! So nice to see you. Come here. Let's have a li'll dance.” Her words were slurred as she stumbled and grabbed my shoulders. I remembered last year's Fall Fair, when we had danced, then snuck off into the woods near the river. “What's the matter, you don't wanna dance?”
“Did he force you?”
“Ha!” She started laughing, caught herself, then put on her serious face. “No.”
“Why was he here?”
“I invited him. He was here last week, arguing with papa. We owe him 5 dollars. Or should I say, we used to owe him.”
“You shouldn't have.”
“Don't worry. I didn't.” She started to giggle. “Georgie Porgie wasn't up to the task.” She laughed, coughed, gagged, and soon the whiskey she had consumed was on the barn floor.
As she composed herself, I looked around. There was a small harrow, a rusty mower, a big wagon and an old-fashioned one-furrow walking plow.
I took Edna to her bedroom and laid her down on the bed. I covered her up, placed a kiss on her temple, breathed in the soft scent of her hair, and left.
“Yes, sir. I had a good look around Campbell's barn. There was a small harrow, a rusty mower, a big wagon and a brand new two-furrow riding plow.”
“Did anyone see you?”
“Not a soul.”
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