ALMAGUIN NEWS, Thursday, June 25, 2009 - Page 7 Powassan freeway concerns lengthy, not gaining traction Mary Beth Hartill Line and Purdon Line to the inter- not be including a median cross- concerns. Pilon also said that they will News Staff change, and an east side service over in the preferred plan. According to Pilon the con- be making improvements to the road would connect Proudfoot “The ministry is completing cerns were addressed with prop- existing intersection of Chiswick POWASSAN – The Ministry of Road, Loxton Line and Chiswick this planning and preliminary erty owners and the road will be Line and Main Street but does Transportation (MTO) plan to Line to the interchange. The ser- design study to improve the safe- relocated about 289 metres further not anticipate any changes in the upgrade the four-lane Hwy. 11 vice roads would also connect the ty of Hwy. 11 by removing grade east. immediate area or east of the rail- through Powassan to freeway stan- municipal road network,” said intersections and entrances. The “Any areas where existing fenc- way tracks, which council would dards is still in the planning stage. Rennie. potential high speed collisions ing is removed or disturbed by like to see repaved. According to MTO regional The MTO would construct the that can be associated with right future construction will be rein- The town also made an effort issues advisor Gordan Rennie no interchange and service roads. The angle or turning movements at stated in kind or at the adjusted to have a snowmobile crossover construction timetable has yet service roads would be transferred a median crossover outweigh the property boundaries,” said Pilon. located at the Purdon Line/Chis- been set. to the municipality. benefits of the proposed cross- Council recommended that the wick Line intersection which Powassan council received a “This interchange location over. The ministry ensures that MTO purchase 100 acres at the would allow the snowmobile trail notice from the MTO on recently was selected because it minimiz- appropriate emergency and main- foot of a steep hill at the end of to lead tourists in to the busi- to following up concerns that the es property and environmental tenance access is provide to con- English Line preventing it from ness area or travel south on the municipality had regarding the impacts, while providing a south trolled access highways and, in being a year-round maintained east side of the highway to con- proposed construction. access to Powassan,” said Rennie. this particular case, the preferred road. They state the preferred plan nect with the Proudfoot road and According to Rennie, an access MTO engineer Roch Pilon plan will provide emergency vehi- would encourage those travelling continue on. It was recommended review study began in Nov. 2007 responded to a number of concerns cle turnaround opportunities at north on Maple Hill Road to use that the MTO obtain a 100 foot to determine how to provide local of council in an April 24 letter. the existing median crossover and the steep area to reach the new road allowance so that a recre- access to and from the highway, Council is arguing for an emer- the new interchange.” highway faster. ation trail could travel the east side while removing at-grade intersec- gency access to remain at the Concerns were expressed in Pilon stated that an upgrade to of the service road ditching. tions and entrances. current Proudfoot Road cross- respect to the service road run- Maple Hill is not required. “The costs associated with ded- “The plan includes a future ing because of concerns about ning north of Purdon Line to the “The preferred plan provides icated culvert or bridge crossing of interchange on Hwy. 11 between response time, rerouting of traffic, Whitmell property ranging from reasonable access to the inter- controlled access highway are the English/Loxton Line and Purdon/ and impacts of road closures due traffic to impacts on farmland. change through the existing road responsibility of the snowmobile Chiswick Line. A west side ser- to weather or incident. Council had recommended network and the new service club and not the ministry,” said vice road would connect English However, Pilon stated they will fencing be installed to mitigate roads,” he said. Pilon. OMB member has right to dissolve wards Mary Beth Hartill Both Steve Sainsbury and Barry letter, exhibit three, prepared by Veldboom stated that Varty’s Veldboom stated that he will News Staff Dingwall who filed the appeal with Mayor Jeff Johnston that stated that statement is a “great way for the be calling Mayor Jeff Johnston as a the OMB, say the ward system council has the ultimate authority board to have a picture of the raw witness and potentially one other KEARNEY – Ontario Municipal should be dissolved in an effort to to overturn the decision made by data.” He added that if Varty pro- councillor, although he did not Board (OMB) vice chair Susan gain what Dingwall has referred the OMB. This was submitted with vides opinion he will reserve the identify which councillor, if any, Campbell says she has the right to as “fair representation”. There exhibit four, a resolution of coun- right to cross-examine. he would call upon. to dissolve the ward boundaries are currently about 300 taxpayers cil dated Nov. 27, 2008 that council Dr. Robert Williams will be Veldboom said he might also under the Municipal Act. in ward 1, 900 in ward 2 and 1,400 would abide by the decision made called as an expert on political sci- bring forth a comparable witness “Section 22.3 of the municipal in ward 3. at the end of the hearing. ence with respect to his expertise to Williams, dependant on the act allows me to dissolve the ward The written portion of the peti- “They are absolutely not going on the ward system in Ontario. decision of council. boundaries,” said Campbell at tion, not the signatures, was sub- to ignore my ruling. There is no Williams is a professor with the Other participants will be invit- June 23 preliminary hearing. mitted as exhibit one for an OMB way the municipality is going to University of Waterloo and a con- ed to express their concerns but However, Campbell added that hearing to take place later this ignore my order,” said Campbell, tact advisor for the Laurier Uni- will be limited. she didn’t see where she could summer. questioning Johnston’s legal exper- versity. “Everybody is entitled to express reduce the number of councillors Campbell noted the coopera- tise. “There’s no way these dudes Veldboom stated that he would their concerns and I want to hear under the act. tion between Dingwall and Sains- are going to ignore my order.” like an opportunity to review Wil- everybody’s concerns, but I don’t The petition filed to the OMB bury and Ed Veldboom of Russell, Three witnesses will be called liam’s credentials and be allowed want to hear the same concerns recommended that the current Christie, LLP Barristors and Solici- in favour of disolving the ward cross-examination of the expert. fifty times,” said Campbell. ward system be abolished and the tors who is representing the town. system in Kearney. Former clerk Both Williams and Varty will A joint document will be pre- number of councillors change from Exhibit two was presented as Elwood Varty will be utilized for provide witness statements. pared and submitted to the OMB seven to five, with the inclusion of a letter removing the issue of the his “wealth of knowledge on the Dingwall will also be a witness prior to the hearing and the cost of the mayor and that all members of number of councillors. background of the Town of Kear- based on his experience as the the document shared between the council be elected at large. Sainsbury then submitted a ney,” said Veldboom. wards committee chair. appellants and the town. Fraud can come from many directions, so be cautious say police Continued from Page 1 where you must pay upfront in urging the recipient to act now or police in a recent press release, relative, close friend or banker. phone to obtain private banking order to win, or if you must pro- miss out. adding that legitimate business “Be aware of your finances and information or credit card num- vide your personal financial infor- Police also offer some tips for people would be happy to provide never be pressed to sign a docu- ber to further commit frauds and mation, cash or a money order to consumers to protect themselves that information. ment without seeking advice first,” thefts, or using the phone to obtain claim your prize. against bogus sales representa- Always exercise caution when state police. money fraudulently in any way. They also advise against people tives or salespeople. providing confidential personal For information on the dif- Police say there are ways to claiming to be managers, those “You have the right to check out information, especially banking ferent types of schemes visit recognize a scam. A reoccurring who want to be best friends, and any salesperson and/or telemar- information or credit card details, the Phonebusters website at theme runs through scams, includ- those who are more excited than keter by requesting written infor- unless certain the company is legit- www.phonebusters.com or the ing the adage that if it sounds too the recipient of the phone call. mation, a call-back number, and imate. If there are doubts about a Ministry of Government Services good to be true, it probably is. Some telemarketers will claim references. And most of all, take caller, police say it is wise to ask at www.ontario.ca/consumerpro- Police warn against prize lots that it is a limited opportunity, time to think over the offer,” say someone else for help, such as a tection.

VITAMINS, ORGANIC OATS, FRUIT SPRITZERS, FLAXSEED, DAIRY FREE ICE CREAM, GLUTEN FREE PRODUCTS, PROTEIN POWDERS, SUMMER AT ZAK’S SMOOTHIES, HERBAL REMEDIES, HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES, PIRATES, DINOSAURS, BOARD BOOKS, ORGANIC SHAMPOOS, INFANT TOYS, Proudly serving our communities through quality healthcare An open letter to residents of East Parry Sound Over the past two years, we have talked to family physicians, hospital staff and community leaders about how we can best meet your healthcare needs. As a result of these discussions, we have developed a plan to ensure that we continue to deliver the highest quality healthcare to this community. The plan includes closing the Burk’s Falls and District Health Centre. We are working with family doctors in East Parry Sound to establish a Family Health Team. This will provide you with the same level of care you now receive and relieve some of the pressure on family physicians in this community. Treat your feet! Birkenstocks make feet smile! Our decision was based on a number of factors: 1. Currently, residents of East Parry Sound who have more serious conditions SUMMER CLOTHING SALE ON NOW are taken to the Huntsville District Memorial site for treatment. This will con- tinue to be the case. SAVE 20% OFF ALL FASHIONS 2. The seven beds at Burk’s Falls and District Health Centre are primarily many styles, colours and sizes to choose from occupied by patients who do not require acute care. These patients can Open July 1, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. receive the level of care they require and enjoy a better quality of life in a Happy Canada Day! setting other than a hospital. 3. The Burk’s Falls facility is aging and will require signifi cant investments 705-384-0884 simply to repair and maintain it, without any benefi t in terms of improved Hwy. 11 Sundridge Monday - Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. healthcare. Sundays: 10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 4. The family physicians who now staff the Burk’s Falls and District Health WINDUPS, BIODEGRADABLE SOAPS, BUGS REPELLENTS, MASSAGE OILS, SPA PRODUCTS, PAJAMAS, JEANS, CAPRIS, BERMUDA SHORTS, Centre have resigned their privileges at the Centre effective July 1, 2009 in SUN DRESSES, SARONGS, SKORTS, HATS, PURSES, CARDS, BIRKENSTOCKS, WOODEN CHIMES, BEESWAX CANDLES, JEWELRY CANDLES, BEESWAX WOODEN CHIMES, BIRKENSTOCKS, CARDS, PURSES, HATS, SKORTS, SARONGS, SUN DRESSES, order to focus on their family practices. We will ensure a smooth transition as these changes take place. • Effective July 1, the Urgent Care Centre at Burk’s Falls will be closed. Ambulances will take patients directly to the Huntsville District Memorial site, just as they do now. RUNNING W RANCH • Any resident of East Parry Sound with serious medical condition should immediately call an ambulance or drive directly to Huntsville emergency. Offering affordable English, Western and Trail Riding Lessons • Patients with minor conditions can continue to see their family doctors during Also Solo or small group trail rides - $20 / hour per person offi ce hours or travel to Huntsville emergency after hours. • Physicians will continue to provide care to patients in the seven beds at Burk’s Cowboy Adventure Camp Falls until more appropriate care settings are found. A day camp where campers receive riding lessons, • We are working with community leaders and physicians in East Parry Sound learn general knowledge of horses and perform farm activities daily to help them establish the Family Health Team. $250 / week per child We are committed to delivering the highest quality healthcare to every resident of East Parry Sound. Camp dates for 2009 (more dates may become available): July 13 to 17 • August 10 to 14 That commitment has guided all of our discussions with doctors, hospital staff and community leaders in East Parry Sound and is at the heart of every decision we have made. With these changes, you, as a resident of East Parry Sound will be better served and we will continue to meet your needs by delivering the highest quality health- care. Signed by Running W Ranch can also customize a day, weekend or week of horseback riding Mike Provan Barry Lockhart Dr. David Mathies Chair, CEO, Chief of Staff, 374 Goreville Road South River, Ontario Muskoka Algonquin Muskoka Algonquin Muskoka Algonquin 705-492-9554 Healthcare Healthcare Healthcare [email protected] www.runningwranch.ca