Cottage Country DARK? Call GENERATOR SOLUTIONS and Building make sure the lights never go out. Supplies Talk to us about fi nancing. 15492 Highway #35. | Carnarvon | Ontario 705-489-2212 | [email protected] HOME OF THE HIGHLAND STORM TheHighlanderThursday March 16 2017 | Issue 279 INSIDE: CHAMBER AWARD WINNERS AND PHOTOS – PAGES 7 & 10-11 FREE Skiers compete in the International Ski Federation races at Sir Sam’s this past weekend. See the full story, results and additional photos on p. 20. Photo by Lisa Gervais Pretrial set in David Palmer murder case By Mark Arike Ministry of the Attorney General. released. saw suspicious activity is asked to call Savage was arrested in Fenelon Falls “That forms part of the evidence, which Det. Const. Matthew Carmichael of the A pretrial in the David Palmer murder last October and charged with first-degree going forward will obviously form part of City of Kawartha Lakes OPP Crime Unit case will take place later this month. murder. He was 47 years old at the time. the case before the courts,” said OPP Sgt. at 705-324-6741. William Savage of Fenelon Falls has Palmer, also 47, but from Bowmanville, Peter Leon. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime made eight court appearances by video was last seen alive on Oct. 2, 2015. His The men were known to each, but police Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), since November of last year. During abandoned car was found 12 days later wouldn’t elaborate further at the time of online at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca his most recent appearance on March near Spruce Lake Trail, a few kilometres Savage’s arrest. or Crime Stoppers at www.stopcrimehere. 2, a pretrial was set for March 27 at the north of Haliburton village. Seven months Police have still not found Palmer’s ca. Lindsay courthouse. later, investigators found his remains in wallet, black Samsung flip phone and his Informants may be eligible for a cash A trial date has not yet been set, said the Spruce Lake area. St. Louis Blues hat, said Leon. reward of up to $2,000. Emilie Smith, a spokesperson with the The cause of death has not been Anyone who finds the missing items or MINDEN SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER... MARCH BREAK ...and we’re getting ready! DOCK SALE 15% OFF (705)286-1351 ALL DOCKS 16 Bobcaygeon Rd, Minden AND ACCESSORIES 2 TheHighlander Thursday March 16 2017 | Issue 279 Energy Audits Home & Septic Inspections Thermal Imaging Robert Ramsdale Certified Master Inspector ® Certified Energy Advisor ® Highlander news www.indepth.energy Anyone Else Is Just Looking Around.® Health unit wants Moving the more money By Mark Arike The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has told health units “not to anticipate Although more than two-thirds of the any additional growth funding,” according Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District to a press release. Health Unit’s (HKPR) budget is funded by Since 2015, employee salaries have the province, it’s not enough because of increased 5.25 per cent, including a Highlands rising operational costs. negotiated 1.5 increase this year. Further To meet the shortfall, it’s asking for a two increases of one per cent annually are [email protected] per cent increase from the municipalities expected for the next two years. it serves as well as the government. This The HKPR employs 136 full and part- means an $8,000 increase for Haliburton MovingTheHighlands.com time staff, including 15 at its Haliburton County, or 9.6 per cent of the total share, office. Ten employees in the organization from $397,000 last year to $405,000 in earned more than $100,000 in 2015. The DIRECT 2017. 705.935.1011 highest paid employee was the medical “Like other health units across the officer of health, who earned nearly province, HKPR has not received a $300,000. provincial increase to its base budget Insurance costs also went up 1.5 per since 2014,” said Chandra Tremblay, cent to $110,000. Most of this covers communications services manager. the HKPR’s equipment, but there is also liability insurance that enables staff to Like other health units participate in community events. across the province, Brent Devolin, county warden and Minden Hills reeve, is frustrated with the HKPR has not onus being placed on municipalities and received a provincial says it’s another example of government Sales Representative increase to its base downloading. “Downloading has many faces,” said budget since 2014. Devolin. “This (with them not increasing the base funding) is about to begin the step Chandra Tremblay to reconstructing the pay formula.” communications services “I take great offense on whatever level. The province creates constructs ... that we manager have no input or control to pay scales and budget. And then, [we] are left with the tab,” he said. The HKPR board recently approved a In order to decrease expenditures, the budget of $16,256,835, which includes the HKPR closed a branch in Brighton. Some Let s Talk increase. The total municipal contribution positions have been left vacant after people is more than $4.2 million while the one- resigned or retired, including two program ’ time request from the province is $177,500. director positions vacated last year. If the HKPR is unsuccessful getting Further, the organization is “examining more money from the province, it won’t ways to redesign its organizational expect the municipalities to increase their structure to capture efficiencies and ensure contribution and instead “will continue the organization is poised to meet future Exposure to implement changes to our budget to program and service requirements from the address the shortfall,” said Mary Catherine province.” Masciangelo, director of corporate services. This year’s budget includes a voluntary A total of 72 per cent of the cost- separation program that provides an shared budget is funded by the province. incentive for eligible non-union and The remaining 28 per cent comes from management staff who wish to resign or Haliburton County, Northumberland retire. An allocation capped at $100,000 County and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Strategies has been set aside. For 2017, Northumberland County was The HKPR expects to hear from the assessed at $2,013,449 (47.9 per cent) and province sometime in September, said Kawartha Lakes at $1,786,930 (42.5 per Tremblay. cent). 2014 2015 FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Craig’s Eggs Benny Eggs Benny WHAT’S ON House Made (Served (Served Burgers! Until Noon) Until Noon) $13.95 WeekdayTHE Specials AvailableMENU... Until 2 PM Only 17 18 19 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Spicy Chicken Mushroom Craig’s House Quesadilla With Ravioli With Eggs Benny Eggs Benny CLOSED! Chorizo Mac Made Burgers! Sour Cream And Parmesan (Served (Served & Cheese With Salad Corn Salsa With Cream Sauce Until Noon) Until Noon) DIRECT 705.935.1011 Fries Or Salad With Salad Or Fries 20 $10.95 21 $13.99 22 $11.95 23 $12.95 24 18 19 OFFICE 705.286.2911 Cottage Bakery 705-457-BAKE • Fish Fry 705-457-2252 TOLL FREE 1.800.567.1985 . • . . Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our entire team at Baked & Battered! Thank you for your continued support. Thursday March 16 2017 | Issue 279 TheHighlander 3 Highlander news Blake O’Byrne Sales Representative A proposed change in the tipping fees for compaction trucks and bins came to council March 9 but with councillors Jeanne Anthon and Lisa Schell absent, the issue will be 705-935-0011 brought back to the March 23 meeting. File photo. Neville says major problems FREE Property at Scotch Line landfill staff.” Evaluation! By Lisa Gervais Ingram said, “Staff has been contacted Minden Hills councillor Jean Neville thinks several times by the MOECC regarding too many recyclables are being dumped into You will get the full bene t of my our dumping and recycling practices, and the Scotch Line landfill. in each case the township was found to be 20 years of real estate experience. But Ivan Ingram, environmental and compliant with MOECC standards.” property operations manager, insists the Blanchard responded to criticism that the township is compliant with Ministry sector is being subsidized, reporting that, “It of Environment and Climate Change You will receive professional advice costs the township approximately $100.03 (MOECCC) standards. And, CAO/treasurer to address 10 cu. yards of compacted Lorrie Blanchard said the municipality isn’t and a customized marketing plan. material, and $613.28 for the same amount subsidizing compaction trucks and bins. of construction waste.” She said that if A proposed change in the tipping fees for anything, the township is subsidizing the compaction trucks and bins came to council construction sector. March 9 but with councillors Jeanne Anthon You will be working with a Ingram said they could always do better and Lisa Schell absent, the issue will return but the life of Scotch Line landfill was to the March 23 meeting. recognized expert in the recently extended to 33 years, from 31, Ingram said the proposed change came “So are we going the right way? I think we about because of disagreements between Re/Max Hall of Fame. are. It’s really a determination of what’s landfill attendants and the compaction contaminated.” truck and bin drivers over whether a load However, Ward 3’s Neville disagreed. A portion of every had six per cent or more of recyclable “I think there’s a major problem at Scotch material. Loads of six per cent or more Line – maybe the MOECC don’t want to transaction is donated are charged more per cubic yard in tipping look that deeply,” she said.