FREE INSIDE… Railway Station update, p.10 Township lawyer criticized, p.7 Kashub Day, p.12 FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

May long weekend BAY DAY RAIN OR SHINE

Combermere gigantic sale

Umbrellas were open on Bay Day 2018 but a few drops did not stop the fun in Barry’s Bay. It was the first Farmers’ Market of the season. Vendors will be at the Railway Oliver and Lily Cannon were excited Station on Fridays until fall. Passersby were taken unaware by a flash mob organized with their new toy workbench at by Chelsea Clarke of Madawaska Valley Dance Studio, with dancers of all ages smiling the Combermere Gigantic Bake & through the showers. Later, the Barry’s Bay BIA sponsored a free Heritage Walk led by Yard Sale. The event was organized Ken Ramsden, Mark Woermke and Joanne Olsen through Railway Station Park. No Bay by the Combermere and Area Day is complete without the annual Classic Car Show, Fran’s Band, community groups Recreation Committee and the fund-raising, lake associations recruiting members, Fire Fighters with educational and Madawaska Valley Friendship Club fun giveways for kids, plus all the merchants’ special offers, draws and discounts. MV’s to raise funds for future local events soon-to-be CAO Sue Klatt was spotted in the crowd. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: SHARON GARDINER and community betterment.

www.madvalleycurrent.com 2 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT Six partners in Eastern joining forces to implement EHR SHAFIQUE SHAMJA MADAWASKA VALLEY

Editor’s Note: St. Francis Memorial Hos- pital is one of six hospitals in the region to partner in this significant advance in healthcare technology. Consider the care journey many patients face as they negotiate their way through multiple hospitals in the healthcare sys- tem to be diagnosed and treated. A patient in a rural area, for example, might first go to the nearest hospital for tests and initial treatment. There would be registration, care visits and scans performed. If there’s a need for spe- cialized care outside the scope of that facility, then the patient is referred to a specialist at a larger hospital for more treatment. As the patient moves from one hos- pital to the next, he or she might have to repeat basic information multiple times or there could be a lag between when diagnostic results are transferred from one hospital to the other. All of this is an extra burden on patients at a FROM LEFT: Shafique Shamji, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer; time when they need to focus on their Michelle Leafloor, Program Director; Dr. Glen Geiger, Program Medical Lead; Yvonne health. Wilson, Program Clinical Lead, at The Hospital, believe the Epic Health Ontario is moving forward with a Information System will harness technology to create a better patient experience. 10-point implementation plan for its PHOTO: JACINTA CILLIS-ASQUITH Digital Health Strategy, aiming to en- hance access to health information and Patients will become active partners services, strengthen quality, effective- Epic, an industry leader in electronic in managing their health. ness and accountability, and stimulate health record software. The Epic HIS will improve the expe- innovation and growth. When this digital hospital network rience of care, the work life of health- In step with the province, my goal at launches in June 2019, there will be one care providers, and the health of our The Ottawa Hospital is to harness tech- integrated electronic system to manage populations, and it will reduce costs. It nology to create a better patient expe- patient information, chart across spe- will provide: best-practice order sets; rience. And I am very excited about a cialties, and manage research data and electronic documentation tools; care pivotal project underway involving five physician documentation. pathways; care process management; partner organizations in eastern On- Epic provides a patient-centered inter-provider communications; clini- tario. platform, with an electronic health cal decision support tools; and perfor- The Ottawa Hospital, The Ottawa record that is accessible regardless of mance measurement. Hospital Academic Family Health where patients receive care. That means Recently, I met Lamia Almorsay, who Team, Hawkesbury and District Gener- informed decisions can be made with has the unique perspective of looking al Hospital, Renfrew Victoria Hospital, the most up-to-date information. at the healthcare system through the St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry’s Through Epic’s MyChart, patients eyes of both a provider and a patient. Bay, Ont., and the University of Ottawa will be able to view their lab or radiol- Almorsay, who is a pharmacist, worked Heart Institute have come together ogy results using their mobile devices. overseas for much of her career in qual- as the Atlas Alliance to implement a They will have access to education ma- ity management, patient safety and Health Information System (HIS) by terials, pre-visit questionnaires, and post-visit summary of care. hospital administration. www.madvalleycurrent.com 2 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 | 3

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she started a year-long journey that enabled her to look at the health- care system through a patient’s eyes. The view was quite different from the one she has had as a pharmacist. Many things could have been done in a better, faster and safer way. I hated the redundancy of repeating myself to every healthcare provider who I con- sulted with or was referred to. This re- dundancy or repetition of information may result sometimes in missing infor- mation, forgotten information or even misinterpretation of information, said Almorsay. It’s stories like these that compelled the partner hospitals to look for a bet- ter approach for patients and staff alike. The scope of the project is broad, the pace is fast, and the dynamic collabo- Combermere Craft Cabin clean-up crew from left: Standing: Carol Burnett, Jane Corbett, Kristin Marchand, Barb Schaeffer Seated: Linda Shulist, Pattie Knight. ration of analysts, developers, stake- holders, and trainers across six health- care centres is what will ensure we will reach our goal of implementation. Over Combermere Craft Cabin now open the 20-month project our analysts and The Combermere Craft Cabin reopened on May 19 after a thorough spring trainers will configure a system that clean. The cabin welcomed eleven new makers this year and volunteers re- involves all workflows that support pa- stocked the shelves with artisan goods from more than 30 local vendors by tient care and billing. opening day. The artisans themselves staff the cabin and no tax is charged Interface developers and business on sales. intelligence developers will manage Hours for 2018 are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays in May, June, September device integration and data conversion. and October. Wednesday through Sunday during July and August. Epic application managers and coordi- nators are working in concert with the analysts and the developers for each of the 29 modules to support the de- velopment, testing and integration of the Epic system, the successful Go-Live and post-Go-Live support. Stakeholders, including clinicians, radiologists, porters, clerks, and patient advocates, are providing input, review- ing material and making decisions when necessary for the build. Trainers will be leading mandatory training for 18,000 end-users. 8629 Highway 60 • Eganville, ON • 1-888-213-3172 At Go-Live, we will empower staff to deliver 21st-century care using this 21st-century solution. And, we will enable patients to navigate their care journey effortlessly, so they can con- centrate on what matters most – the quick return to good health. About the author: Shafique Shamji is Executive Vice President, CIO, The Ot- tawa Hospital Reprinted with permission from the May 2018 edition of Canadian Health- care Technology www.madvalleycurrent.com 4 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT New CAO to start May 28 DANIELLE PAUL said she believes the reason they were MADAWASKA VALLEY successful with this OCIF top-up appli- cation is because the municipality in- During her opening remarks at the May vested in the engineering and the work 4 Council meeting, Mayor Kim Love to produce a “shovel-ready” applica- announced,“Ms. Suzanne Klatt has ac- tion for this grant. cepted the position of CAO/Clerk for Councillor Peplinski who chairs the the Township of Madawaska Valley as of Operations Committee paid credit to May 28. Ms. Klatt is already well known Operations Manager, Hilary Kutch- to our community from her time as koskie, saying, “My compliments to Hil- an Administrative Assistant, Asset ary and the staff for doing what they’ve Management Clerk and Community done because it was [his] recommen- Emergency Management Coordinator dation that we do the engineering and for the Township. Since then she has that was really what got us over the Suzanne Klatt outside MV township office. served as Deputy Clerk and Treasurer hump. Thank you.” and then as CAO/Clerk for the Town- The project includes making a small residents will be notified of construc- ship of South Algonquin. Most recently section of Old Barry’s Bay Road through tion plans. Ms. Klatt has been the CAO/Clerk for Kaszuby near the Scout camps an Ac- Love concluded with, “It will be a bit the Township of Horton. Horton Town- tive Transportation zone with wider difficult this summer but think of the ship’s loss is definitely Madawaska Val- shoulders to allow for more pedestrian great road we’re going to have at the ley’s gain. Ms. Klatt brings a wealth of use of the road. Kutchkoskie confirmed end of it.” knowledge, skill and plenty of diverse municipal experience to this leadership position. On behalf of Council it gives me great pleasure to welcome Sue Klatt Algonquin Forestry Association contractors back home to Madawaska Valley.” Also during her address, Love wel- comes Ms. Judy Gutz to the municipal services team. Gutz will be the Comber- mere Recreation Facilities Coordinator. OLD BARRY’S BAY ROAD PROJECT Council approved a recommenda- tion from the Operations Committee to complete the remaining 2.7 km of Old Barry’s Bay Road in conjunction with the current construction project in 2018. Mayor Love pointed out that Council’s approval means this project (estimated at $405,000) will be included in the 2018 budget. The reason for advancing this project Nathan Mieske accepts the Contractor Safety Award from Steve Bursey, AFA is to take advantage of economies of scale Manager of Operations (L) and Keith Fletcher, AFA Area Manager. PHOTO: SUBMITTED while the equipment and labour is there DANIELLE PAUL to do the previously-approved section of the road. Love said, “We don’t usually MADAWASKA VALLEY make a decision on a large capital project The Algonquin Forestry Association (AFA) held its spring meeting at the Royal outside of the budget workshops process Canadian Legion — Branch 406 in Barry’s Bay on May 3. but it absolutely makes sense to get on The annual event for AFA contractors and third party operators provides with it and get some good pricing.” attendees with an opportunity to hear industry speakers, get some training After consulting with members of updates and enjoy the chance to mingle over lunch. The AFA also presented Council and staff about whether they its annual Contractor Safety Award, won this year by Mieske Forestry Inc. of could speak publicly now, Love then Bancroft for recording 8,820 person days on the job with no lost time injuries announced, “We got $1.7 million from and no medical aids. During 2017–18 overall AFA contractors recorded 23,540 the Ontario Community Infrastructure person days with no lost time injuries and only two medical aids. Fund to go towards this project.” Love

www.madvalleycurrent.com 4 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 | 5 Conway highlights unique Valley identity and political history MARK WOERMKE frew and based his “fictional” village MADAWASKA VALLEY of Blairlogie in What’s Bred in the Bone on this Valley town. Nobel laureate Al- The old Burnstown school house was ice Munro’s mother grew up in Lanark packed to capacity as the Valley’s elder County. “Distinguished from any other statesman, , took to the place on earth” is how she described stage in the Need to Know speaker se- the Ottawa Valley in her short story ries hosted at the Neat Café on May 2. collection Friend of My Youth. Conway’s talk, Aspects of a Distinct Conway also recounted how A.Y. Society: The Economics and Politi- Jackson, a member of the Group of cal Culture of the Ottawa Valley in the Seven, told him about stopping to Nineteenth Century, was Valley story- paint an old house in Combermere one telling at its best, what Conway himself day. The owner Kathryn Farmer, who calls “Celtic volubility.” was well known in the Madawaska Val- The former MPP drew on his expan- ley, stormed out and challenged him, sive knowledge of the Ottawa Valley’s “You’re not going to paint my house economic, cultural and political his- without knowing something about the tory to regale the audience. Beginning lady who lives in it.” with the Valley’s first summit between Another interesting story was the Algonkin Chief Tessouat and Cham- Brudenell Riot of 1872. In the federal Sean Conway addressing the crowd at plain in the early 17th century, Conway election, Sir John A. MacDonald in the Need to Know speaker series. PHOTO: highlighted important events, families an attempt to get Catholic votes con- WILLIAM ENRIGHT and individuals in our history. He ex- vinced a Kingston lawyer, Irish Catho- plained how events such as arrival of lic, James O’Reilly, to run for the Con- Conway’s audience included Val- the Laird McNab, the Shiner Wars, and servatives in South Renfrew. O’Reilly ley notables such as Art Jamieson, Ray the “khaki” election of 1918 shaped was well known for prosecuting the as- Chapeskie who provided some tradi- our political history. sassin of Thomas D’Arcy McGee. In the tional Ottawa Valley tunes, and Jackie He identified lumbering and political day when electors had to announce Agnew the provincial Liberal candi- families like the Wrights, Eddys, Bron- their vote publicly and money and li- date in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. sons, Egans, Bonfields, MacLarens, quor were standard campaign mate- Agnew, who over the previous week- Booths, Deacons, Whites and Dunlops rial, it is no surprise that riots broke end attended a meeting of the Ontario who built our economy. He also fea- out in poling centres across the Valley. Woodlot Association, enthused, “Lum- tured individuals like Sr., One such riot occurred in Brudenell bering is the foundation of Renfrew Charlotte Whitton, his own grandfa- where Renfrew Protestants attempted County, an important part of our his- ther Thomas P. Murray, Jim Dempsey to interfere with the poll and clashed tory, and the way Sean tells a story… I and the Maloney brothers, Jim and with the local Catholic lads. O’Reilly wish he had been my high school his- Arthur, who were raised and cut their won that especially because of the tory teacher.” teeth in the Valley’s unique cultural voters who had trekked to Brudenell No one but Sean Conway could ad- and political milieu. from five townships: Sherwood, Jones, dress the complex history, economics, Conway’s presentation was pep- Burns, Hagarty and Richards. Accord- cultures, languages, literature, and pered with references to writers and ing to the 1871 Census, 200 eligible the unique characters of the Ottawa artists. Of particular note was Joan voters lived in these five townships Valley and then, as he said, “refract Finnegan who hailed from Shawville and O’Reilly beat his opponent by 270 them through the prism of politics” to and whose relative the Reverend Ralph votes. help us come to a better understand- C. Horner once served in Combermere. After the election it was discovered ing and appreciation of our unique He founded an Ottawa Valley sect that that several votes cast in Brudenell Ottawa Valley identity. Hopefully it gained North American attention. were by residents of the nearby cem- encourages us to be proud of our Officially known as the Holiness etery and seventy names were found small town, rural and Ottawa Valley Movement, his followers were known in the Pembroke city directory. It was roots, like the former judge and om- in the Valley as Hornerites. Another also thought that a number of newly- budsman Arthur Maloney who once writer, Robertson Davies famous for arrived Polish immigrants had been opened a meeting by saying, “Impor- the high school staple Fifth Business, bribed to vote for O’Reilly on the tant people come from small towns, spent part of his childhood in Ren- promise of additional land. and I am from Eganville.” www.madvalleycurrent.com 6 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT How to get unstuck BEN FILIPKOWSKI MADAWASKA VALLEY

I grabbed a light hoody before I went out the door that afternoon. My edi- tor had sent a message about a fire on some quiet road. I gathered my cam-

era, notebook, and an extra pen or two, HOTO: WIKIMEDIACOMMONS.ORG tossing them all in my bag. I slipped into my shoes, out the door, and into a windy spring day. Eight months earlier, I’d bought a truck — brand new — with my own money. It was a small piece of freedom. Living in Barry’s Bay wasn’t my first choice, but I was making it work. At 24, I was just thankful someone was willing to employ a smart-ass English major in, waiting for a moment to talk to the In seconds, I’d dialed up a tow com- with no real job skills. fire chief. To save time, I decided to turn pany and explained the situation. They I’d stumbled into reporting for the around. I started the engine so I could were polite and understanding — not a local paper in 2013 after moving into perform a flawless three-point turn. word about four-wheel drive. my parents’ place, fresh from univer- I pulled across the road, put it in re- Tow truck en route, I hopped out of sity, then stumbled again into working verse, then eased off the brake to back my vehicle and wandered over to the for the other paper. After months of up. The wheels rolled for a second, then farmer and fire chief. work and saving, I bought my own set stopped. I put my foot down on the gas, “You stuck?” asked the farmer. of wheels. hoping the push would get me out. “Yeah,” I answered, “didn’t really The truck had one minor flaw: it was The spinning wheels splattered mud think it through.” two-wheel drive. everywhere. He laughed, looking at the field. It wasn’t really an issue, but part of I was stuck. “Think about how I feel!” me was convinced I was an impostor, The road’s shoulder was dry on the “You from the paper?” asked the fire driving around the Valley without four- surface. Below, the spring thaw made chief. wheel drive. the shoulder a muddy mess. I said yes, asking if he could com- I dreaded talking about it, but still, it Panic crept in. How would I get out? ment. was a piece of freedom. Would I need a tow? Who’d make it out He recited a speech about outdoor I hopped in the truck and drove off to here? fire safety and the dangers of high catch the fire story. How much crap would I get for get- winds. The farmer stared at his feet. By the time I found the place, the ting a two-wheel drive truck stuck? Thanking the chief for his time, I fire trucks were already there. Smoke I took a moment to curse myself out. went back to my truck. The tow truck was trailing in the heavy winds over a Pulling out my phone, I did what any had arrived. In moments, I was free. I charred field, and the crew was clean- nervous millennial would do. I called parked carefully, hopping out to pay ing things up. my mom. and thank the driver. The dirt road looked dry, if narrow. “What do you want me to do about As I finished up, the chief came over. No trouble! I parked and hopped out it?” she said, laughing. “Can someone “Did you call the tow truck?” for a few photos. Introducing myself there pull you out?” I nodded, feeling my face flush, ready to the owner of the farm, I asked what She simply didn’t understand there for ridicule. “Oh, yeah, it’s embarrass- happened. He sheepishly looked back was no way I could ask anyone for ing, it’s only two-wheel drive-“ out over the field. help; I’d never hear the end of it! How He didn’t bat an eyelid. “Thank God “I dunno,” he said, “I feel like an idiot. was I supposed to look people in the you called them. Our trucks are stuck I just wanted to have a bottle of wine by eye after this? too.” the fire with my wife, it was so nice out.” My mom laughed. “Just call a tow Needless to say, none of this made it I nodded, struggling to keep my truck.” into the paper. notebook open in the wind. When I hung up, I messaged my edi- Editor’s note: This article has been I went back over to my truck and got tor for a number. “Don’t ask,” I added. abridged for print. www.madvalleycurrent.com 6 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 | 7 Rosien asks Court to fire Township’s lawyer MARK WOERMKE PHOTO: THEDAILYOBSERVER.CA of “inaccuracies” in her Affidavit. MADAWASKA VALLEY Rosien’s request was originally sched- uled to be considered by the judge on In its March print version, The Current April 26 in Pembroke. However, The reported that MV Township’s former In- Current has been advised by the Court tegrity Commissioner, Jack Rosien, had that an adjournment was requested commenced a legal action against the and granted, with the result that a new Township for breach of contract. The date of June 7 has been set. The Current Current has now learned that Rosien has it has demonstrated in representing will continue to follow this case and re- asked the Court to stop the Township’s both the councillor and the township.” port any developments. lawyers (Belleville firm Templeman) Mayor Kim Love has sworn an Af- Editor’s note: Readers should note this from continuing to represent it in the fidavit responding to Rosien’s charges is a report of allegations made in court proceedings. The reasons given include which he has countered with another of proceedings about which no decision allegations of conflict of interest on the his own in which he refers to a number has yet been reached. part of the law firm. This relates to Tem- pleman representing, at the same time, both the Township and a member of council under investigation by Rosien. In addition, the Court has been told of To advertise in The Current, a prohibition in Council’s Code of Con- please call 613.639.1524. duct that bars councillors from using the services of the Township’s lawyers. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Current has accessed the public We welcome letters to the editor. Send letters to lettersmadvalleycurrent@gmail. court file which contains evidence filed com or The Madawaska Valley Current, PO Box 1097, Barry’s Bay, ON K0J 1B0. Please with the Court by Rosien including the include your first and last name, address and phone number for verification (these legal opinion of John Mascarin, a part- will not appear in print; your name and municipality will). Please provide the title ner in the Toronto firm of Aird Berlis. and date if you refer to an article in The Current. If you are responding to an online Mascarin has many years’ experience article in The Current, please note that you can comment in the “Reply” box follow- ing the article. We monitor all comments to ensure these guidelines are followed. practising exclusively in the area of Please note that due to volume, we cannot respond to individual letters. Keep your municipal law and is currently the ap- letter short. While longer letters are sometimes published, we prefer letters of under pointed Integrity Commissioner for a 200 words — even a sentence or two. Keep it civil, even if you are writing to disagree dozen municipalities in Ontario. He is with someone. We cannot run every letter we receive and will edit for length, clarity also an adjunct professor at Osgoode and style. We look forward to hearing your voice. Hall Law School and has taught courses there since 2006, including a course on The Madawaska Valley Current provides balanced and stimulating local coverage municipalities and ethics. of community growth, current affairs and cultural matters in the area. The Current In his report, Mascarin lists the facts is your year-round online community news source, with limited print distribution that caused him to arrive at his conclu- available monthly at selected local outlets. We want to keep The Current free and sion that the Templeman lawyer “… free-flowing. You can visit www.madvalleycurrent.com and download this month’s clearly placed herself in a position of issue to print copies for your friends and family. The Current is published by MadValley Media, Barry’s Bay ON K0J 1B0 conflict of interest, rendered the coun- Opinions and information published in The Current, in whatever form, do not nec- cillor in contravention of S. 5(c) of the essarily reflect the opinion of The Current. Code, and inappropriately interfered All the writing, artwork, and photographs published in The Current are the copy- with the Integrity Commissioner’s in- right of the author or artist or The Current in the case where no author is specified. vestigation. It is my conclusion that the solicitor and the law firm acted in The Madawaska Valley Current www.facebook.com/madvalleycurrent an improper manner and contrary to PO Box 1097, Barry’s Bay ON, K0J 1B0 the rules of professional conduct. The T: 613.639.1524 www.instagram.com/madvalleycurrent solicitor and the law firm have com- E: [email protected] W: www.madvalleycurrent.com promised their duty of impartiality and twitter.com/mvalleycurrent loyalty to the township.” PERMITTED USE Mascarin also states that for these You may display, download or print the information on the site for your own internal and non-commer- cial purposes provided that you observe all copyright and other propriety notices contained on such reasons “It is my opinion it would be information. You may not, however, use, display, distribute, modify or transmit any information includ- entirely improper or inappropriate for ing any text, images, audio or video for commercial or public purposes without the express prior written permission of its owner. You must not transfer the information to any other person unless you give them the solicitor and/or law firm to be de- notice of, and they agree to accept, these same obligations. fending your action for breach of con- Printed by Bayberry Design, Barry’s Bay, Ontario. tract given the clear conflict of interest www.madvalleycurrent.com 8 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT

PORCH VIEWS Serving the community

MARK WOERMKE MADAWASKA VALLEY

For the first time this year, I am enjoy- ing my morning coffee on the porch. It’s pretty quiet on my corner this Sat- urday morning, but the sun is shining and things look promising for Wilno’s Kashub Day. I have an excellent view of Bay Street and the Township of Madawaska Val- ley municipal office. From this vantage point I have watched councillors and mayors of Madawaska Valley Township and the previous municipality of the Village of Barry’s Bay coming and go- ing. I suspect they were too busy with council affairs on top of their family and work commitments to look up the etymology of the word “municipal, but I am confident they understood it deep- ly. Bob Kulas, Linda Neuman, John Hil- debrandt, Phil Conway, Bonnie Mask, David Shulist, Shaun O’Reilly and oth- ers put the original Latin meaning of “municipal” into practice, “service per- formed for the community.” May 1 was the first day for citizens to declare their candidacy for the 2018 municipal election. I wasn’t in the Bay, but I wish I had been on my porch that morning to see who queued up to sub- Fred Dean. PHOTO: MARK WOERMKE mit their nomination papers. Maybe there was no one, because ratepayers who are mulling over a possible career the Association of Municipalities of Mr. Dean covered topics such as the in politics have until July 27 to file. Ontario and one of the partners in Am- scope of local government, municipal I attended a presentation on April 23 berly Gavel — a group of former mu- powers, accountability and transparen- in Renfrew for folks interested in run- nicipal lawyers which provides train- cy; roles and responsibilities of mayors, ning for their municipal councils. My ing for mayors, councillors and staff; councillors and staff; significant chang- reason was curiosity. I was hoping to closed meeting investigations; and in- es coming to the Municipal Act vis-à- see a few familiar faces from Mada- tegrity commissioner services for On- vis codes of conduct; conflict of inter- waska Valley, but I think I was the tario municipalities. Strangely enough, est; and how one’s life changes when only MV citizen in attendance. That I had come across his name earlier that elected. I could write on these topics at was disappointing because I earnestly very day. While researching the legality considerable length, but I will highlight hoped to see reasonable and progres- of in-camera municipal meetings I dis- only three. sive folks rising from our ranks to serve covered that Amberly Gavel had given a STEERING NOT ROWING the greater good. report to The Corporation of the Town- The first topic is the proper relationship The speaker was Fred Dean, the for- ship of Madawaska Valley in 2013 criti- between the executive and administra- mer solicitor for Sudbury, a trainer for cizing its penchant for closed meetings. www.madvalleycurrent.com 8 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 | 9

tive branches. Mr. Dean made it clear their conflict of interest complaints to Wow. This all sounds daunting, but that, according to the Municipal Act, municipal integrity commissioners and it didn’t stop the community build- mayors and councillors are required to if the complaints are not frivolous or ers I used to see walking into the town leave the day-to-day management of vexatious, the integrity commissioners hall back in the day. Al Burant, Dennis the municipality to the CAO and staff. will forward them to the courts at no Yeretch, , Mary Blank, Staff is expected to undertake research, cost to the complainant. Dean expects Chris Briggs, Willie Serran, Eric Hues- to advise the mayor and council, and “a tsunami of requests” to integrity tis, Ursula Burchat, Roy Woermke, Dr. to establish administrative practices commissioners because, “Transparen- Joe Cybulski, Hillary Jones, Ron Briggs, and procedures in order to carry out cy and accountability are areas where , Horace Landon and Council’s decisions. According to Dean, many municipalities struggle.” Henry Chapeskie all met the challenge. “Council should steer the boat rather I imagine that in small, close-knit So did lots of other folks from the pre- than row it.” communities like the Madawaska Val- amalgamation municipalities of Rad- I always wondered about this, be- ley or some of its neighbours, elected cliffe, and Sherwood Jones and Burns. cause some of the municipal councils officials have to be particularly scrupu- Real democracy requires effective I monitor get more involved in the de- lous. In the short term these changes leaders, but we can’t have (or don’t de- tails than I ever did in my role as a for- will likely cost municipalities (taxpay- serve) effective leaders if we are not mer director of a board. I wasn’t sure if ers) a lot of money. Ultimately, it is a good citizens. this was common practice in municipal good thing because by increasing ac- Good citizens are informed; government, but now I know, defini- countability and ethical behaviour, the Good citizens vote; and tively, that micromanagement is nei- provincial government protects the in- Good citizens run for office. ther the ideal nor the norm. terests of taxpayers. It requires the sacrifice of personal time and privacy, but for the sake of THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE IS OFF SACRIFICES FOR THE COMMON GOOD our community, residents who have the LIMITS Despite the rain yesterday and a stop in necessary qualifications must run. By The second consideration is conflict Wilno to drop off a friend, I made good qualifications I don’t mean the residen- of interest. At every meeting, mayors time on my trip home from the city. Be- cy, 25 signatures and hundred dollar fee and councillors have an obligation to fore the wind and the rain, I even had requirements on the nomination form. declare their pecuniary interests in a chance to enjoy a beer on my porch. I mean the vision, empathy, sound any matters coming to the table. That I saw the Mayor loading bags, likely judgment, courage, understanding of means, if appropriate, they must dis- containing homework for the weekend, the community, ability to collaborate, close that their participation in a dis- into her car which reminded me of Mr. integrity and the desire to maintain cussion or decision pertaining to the Dean’s comments on the workload of a the Township of Madawaska Valley as affairs of the municipality might give mayor or councillor. These jobs are 24/7 a thriving, caring and culturally rich them some kind of financial advantage and life changes dramatically after one home for all residents. or disadvantage. This declaration must is elected. In addition to council meet- There are many talented folks in be recorded in the minutes and the in- ings, there are committee meetings to the Madawaska Valley, from Comber- dividual must remove himself or her- attend. According to Dean, it is impor- mere, Wilno, Barry’s Bay and points self from the meeting for that particular tant for effective and efficient meetings in between, with these qualifications. item. that elected officials are prepared for They are women, men, retirees, young To clarify this point, Mr. Dean used meetings, “You had better love to read. adults, volunteers, labourers, skilled the example of municipal roads. If work The expectation is that you have read tradespeople, craftspeople, employees, on a street would affect the value of a every single page.” business people, educators, homemak- mayor’s or councillor’s property, that One of the most important consider- ers, artists, professionals, recent arriv- individual must declare a pecuniary ations for a potential candidate is the als, folks with deeper roots and people interest and be recused. He went on impact on privacy and family. When from various cultural backgrounds. If to say that pecuniary interest could be one is elected, or perhaps when one you feel ready, or if your neighbours direct (affecting the individual alone) enters a race, he or she is subject to and colleagues are encouraging you or indirect (affecting the individual’s public scrutiny, and folks in the Mada- because they see leadership potential spouse, parent, child, sibling, cousin, waska Valley excelled at public scrutiny in you, please consider running for business partner, employer.) long before Facebook came along. So the offices of mayor or councillor. If An indirect pecuniary interest could candidates and their families can ex- you are apprehensive, think of all the even apply if the elected representative pect aggressive conversations, mid- citizens who have served us in the past is a member of an association or club night phone calls, gossip, anonymous and remember the words of Charlotte that has brought a matter to council. letters, savage emails, comments on Whitton, the Renfrew girl who became Currently, if an elector believes an social media and the probing of the Ottawa’s first female mayor, “When one elected representative has a conflict of press not to mention possible investi- must, one can.” interest which should have been dis- gations by integrity commissioners and And, someday when I am rocking on closed, a court action must be initiated ombuds-persons. Says Mr. Dean, “This my porch, I’ll see you entering the front at the elector’s expense. After March job requires total commitment — it will door of the municipal office. 2019 ratepayers will be able to make consume you.” www.madvalleycurrent.com 10 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT Report on Railway Station negotiations MADAWASKA VALLEY CULTURE the tourist booth. gramming that made the AND HERITAGE SOCIETY In addition, they station a thriving creative have offered to release space for all ages. It would In response to many questions about $24,000 of “non-tax mon- also underfund our efforts the status of our negotiations with the ey” — funds raised and to research and create ef- township, MVCHS regrets that so far, left in trust for the Railway fective grant applications the process has been unsuccessful. Station by the Madawaska to bring outside funding Despite our offer to renew and rein- Valley Arts Council, former into the community to re- vigorate the station, its programming, operators of South of 60 at pair and run the facility in and the other events associated with the Station. future years. Railway Station Park, while at the same The budget assigned Doug De La Matter In our initial presenta- time reducing the tax dollars spent there to the Railway Station in representing the tion, we stated that we Madawaska Valley Culture in years gone by, council’s negotiators 2016 was about $150,000. would need two years of and Heritage Society have refused to provide any tax funding We can do a good job with addresses MV council municipal funding be- to run the station. They have offered to 60 percent of that funding. fore we thought we could keep the building operational (lights on But it is obvious that their latest offer become financially independent. Al- and the toilets running, etc.) and they would underfund our efforts to hire though full council endorsed working will hire summer students to manage knowledgeable staff to rebuild the pro- with us, that aspect seems to have been overlooked. The MVCHS volunteer board of di- rectors (three local business owners, two teachers and two health profes- sionals) believes strongly in the value of the Station to the township community. We still hope to work with council to revitalize the Railway Station program- ming, but so far their offer would result in a barebones operation that would function in name only. We feel strongly that the community deserves better. MVCHS had hoped to (and still hopes to) access funding that is unavailable to municipalities and bring outside resourc- es into our community. Unfortunately, it appears that we do not have a municipal partner in this effort, at this time. With the help of interested citizens, VALLEY HERITAGE we will run various events (possibly as soon as the July 1 long weekend) and St. Casimir’s Church, Round Lake we will work toward celebrating the ar- rival,125 years ago, of the first train in BOB CORRIGAN | BARRY’S BAY Barry’s Bay with events on the Labour The first Catholic Church at Round Lake, not counting the one at Tramore, Day weekend, 2019. That will be fun! was in operation by 1925 and was named St. Bronislawa. Look for us on Facebook (Madawas- It was built on land donated by Stephen and Josephine Laginski in 1922. ka Valley Culture & Heritage Society). However, this small church was replaced by a much-needed larger one Please contribute your creative that was built in the very same spot in 1930. This new church was named ideas to our efforts to work as a united St. Casimir the Confessor. This is the church that appears in the accompa- community, to help make our town- nying photograph. Perhaps some reader might have a picture of St. Broni- ship an attractive and welcoming slawa that could be shared with The Current. place to live and to visit. (info@mv- I presume that the older building to the right of the church in the picture cultureandheritage.ca) is the priest’s house. If so, it was eventually replaced by a modern pres- Help us if you can, by buying a mem- bytery. Unfortunately that residence burnt down in 2011, resulting in the bership at our website www.mvculture- death of Fr. George Olsen, the resident parish priest. A new priest’s house andheritage.ca. More background in- has been built since then. formation on these negotiations is also available there.

www.madvalleycurrent.com 10 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 | 11 Raised beds and root cellars featured at YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL INFORMATION in the Madawaska Valley and area MV Horticultural To list your event, business or organization www.pinewoodinn.ca email [email protected]. Society talk 1-855-756-1333 • [email protected] Most listings are free.

DANIELLE PAUL MADAWASKA VALLEY

Hugh Russell of Hillsview Farm and Studios shared his experience of raised bed gardening and root cellars with members of the Madawaska Valley Horticultural Society at their May 17 meeting. Russell said raised beds mean the soil warms earlier in spring, does not compact from foot traffic and allows for both greater yield and better water control. He recommended the use of row covers to protect crops. The basic, really fundamental thing needed for root cellars is good airflow, said Russell. It is important to be able to control temperature and humidity. Typically air circulates through a root cellar, entering at floor level and go- ing out a roof chimney to maintain circulation. MV Horticultural Society holds its annual Strawberry Social on June 21 at 6:30 p.m. followed by Robin Cun- ningham talking about birds and their FREE PUBLIC TALK THURSDAY JULY 12 FRIDAY JULY 13 habitats. OPEN TO ALL 6 pm to 10 pm 6 pm to 10 pm Dom Michel RODRIGUE, Paul J. Yakabuski Combermere Rec FABL of Amos Québec Community Centre Centre Hall Lounge 1095A Farmer Road, The Times 65 Arena Road, COMBERMERE, Are Urgent For BARRY’S BAY K0J 1L0. Farmer Rd K0J 1B0 is off Hwy 62N, Home The Church Hardware is on the corner.

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Hugh Russell pictured here at the Barry’s Call 613.639.1524 or email [email protected] Bay Farmers’ Market. Let The Current help grow your business.

www.madvalleycurrent.com 12 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT Wilno welcomes all to Kashub Day

The Wilno Heritage Society celebrated its 20-year anniversary on May 5 with the annual Kashub Day Festival at Wilno Heritage Park. Guests enjoyed non-stop entertainment from 11 a.m. until after sundown. The annual celebration commemorates pioneer ancestors and helps keep the unique Polish Kashub cultural heritage alive in the Valley. On Kashub Day everyone is welcome in Wilno thanks to a vast army of volunteers and helpers. For many years volunteers such as the Stoppa Lake Melodiers have performed, often playing two sets like they did this year. PHOTOS: SHARON GARDINER

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