FREE INSIDE… The Current as watchdog — 2019 in review ...p.2 James DI Fiore on parenting ......................... p.4 Community safety and well-being plan ........ p.6 FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 Valley residents rally round good causes DANIELLE PAUL MADAWASKA VALLEY Wherever you look in the Valley at this time of year you will find neighbours helping others in need; it’s truly the time for giving. The Current highlights just a few instances of old-fashioned Valley generosity witnessed during the past several weeks. This year’s Tree of Lights Celebration on December 6 at the Barry’s Bay train station was well-supported as the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation raised funds for its Christmas cam- paign to purchase much-needed X-ray equipment for the hospital. On December 7 the Madawaska Val- ley Lions Club held their annual Santa Claus Parade and clothing/toy give- away at the children’s Christmas Party after the parade. Kids got a visit with Santa, a free hotdog lunch, face-paint- ing by Paige Mask and balloons twisted Balloon artists Sarah Wright (wearing hat) and Mary Lou Wills. by mother/daughter duo Mary Lou Wills and Sarah Wright. Daly Contract- efit CPAN Child Poverty Action Net- more than 90 Valley seniors to load the ing gave out one hundred turkeys at the work in Renfrew County. Madawaska “Angel Tree” at the Opeongo Seniors arena that day. Valley Family Health Team had a mitten Centre with toys and gift cards for lo- The annual MooseFM Radiothon tree this year. Executive Director Susan cal children and teens. The occasion to benefit the Madawaska Valley Food Farrar said this was their First Christ- was marked by a visit from 1st Barry’s Bank ran from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 5, mas in the Valley since the FHT was of- Bay Spark/Brownie/Guide/Pathfinder/ with volunteers taking two-hour shifts ficially launched last January, so staff Ranger Unit who received a donation to help MooseFM morning man Trevor were very happy to return the warmth of $100 from the Seniors Centre in rec- Smith-Millar. The one-day fundrais- they’ve received by collecting hats, mit- ognition of the girls’ work in the com- ing marathon netted $9825 for families tens and scarves for local residents in munity. in need in the Madawaska Valley and need. Following on from their Food For Just about every Valley church, area. The Current arrived at the studio Fines drive during Library Week earlier school, business and service club as Smith-Millar was chatting with for- this fall, Madawaska Valley Public Li- worked hard to raise funds to help oth- mer MooseFM DJ Devon Jolander who brary continued to collect donations of er residents and non-profit organiza- had called in from his new radio station non-perishable food items during the tions in need; e.g. giving table space at in Regina to see how the Radiothon Christmas season. The Barry’s Bay Post craft and bake sales. And then there are was going. Jolander wished the Radio- Office participated with collections for those who give their time, like our hos- thon team well and said how much he its annual Food and Toy Drive. Access pice volunteers and grief counsellors missed the Valley and the friendships Work Service shared skills this season who help families and individuals with he had made here. with a Christmas Card workshop on end of life concerns. MV Hospice Pal- In the run-up to Christmas, many Dec. 11. The first card was free and sub- liative Care held a Help for the Holidays businesses actively engaged in giving sequent cards cost just $2 each, all ma- seminar at the Opeongo Seniors Centre back. Northern Credit Union held its terials provided. to ease the challenges many recently- third annual winter wear drive to ben- A Christmas dinner set the scene for bereaved peo- — Continued on page 2 www.madvalleycurrent.com 2 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT Continued from page 2— reation Committee, Combermere and ple feel during the first Christmas sea- Area Recreation Committee, and Bar- BARRY’S BAY son without a loved one. ry’s Bay Recreation Committee (along We must also thank the volunteers with both Halls from the Madawaska OPEN who make it possible to enjoy winter Valley Fire Department) for their help to 7 DAYS FAMILY RESTAURANT A WEEK sports. Yes, minor hockey, figure skating prepare the outdoor rinks so each com- Serving our customers for 50 years! and sledge hockey couldn’t exist here munity can enjoy skating, broomball, with the support of countless residents. pick-up hockey and more. So whether HOME-COOKED MEALS • ALL-DAY BREAKFAST NESTLE 45 FLAVOUR ICE CREAM PARLOUR But let’s also give kudos to our volun- you participate in winter sports or you ICE: BLOCKS AND CUBES Try our milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits! teers who clear trails ready for snow- rely on year-round tourism for employ- 15 Dunn Street • BARRY’S BAY • 613-756-2018 mobiles and cross-country skiers. Out ment (or for your business survival), re- in all weathers in December were stal- member the volunteers! warts from the local snowmobile clubs There are many other hard-working Opeongo Snowbirds and Peterson Valley residents who, through their giv- Pathfinders. Equally industrious were ing to those in need both at Christmas the cross-country ski volunteers who time and all year long, help to make this cleared the Opeongo Hills trails in time such a great place to live. Let us know for kids programs starting in January of any good cause dear to your heart, as Family Dining and the annual loppet on Feb.2. Let’s The Current loves to feature great com- Historic Polish Pub also give a shout-out to the Wilno Rec- munity stories. • OPEN TUESDAY to SUNDAY • wilnotavern.com 613-756-2029 The Current as watchdog — 2019 in review ROGER PAUL as so many of them had fallen on hard MADAWASKA VALLEY times and had folded. This meant that residents of those communities were In my review of The Current’s 2019 con- being “underserved” through being de- tribution to local news coverage, two prived of the “watchdog” function that events stand out as being especially re- Classified Ads community newspapers are expected to vealing. I refer to the bland response by Employment opportunities provide. The Initiative, which applies to members of council to one of their own Real estate • Birth notices both print and digital media, was there- swearing at and threatening me during fore felt necessary so as to maintain Death notices • Personals a Madawaska Valley council meeting, “public awareness, transparency, knowl- Place an ad now! 613.639.1524 followed by the manufactured and ma- edge so that citizens can hold their gov- [email protected] licious attack on me and The Current’s ernment and institutions accountable.” editor during the August 27th council In March the National Post published meeting. These events served to con- an article entitled “As newspapers close, firm that, as was the case in 2018, The role of government watchdog disap- Current continued to ruffle feathers as pears” and said the following: “Newspa- a result of its reporting. pers typically have played the lead role It is perhaps ironic that The Cur- in their communities in holding local of- rent had started off 2019 by reporting ficials accountable. That includes filing on a local panel discussion entitled requests to get public records or even fil- “Newspapers – our community link.” ing law suits to promote transparency.” Among the speakers was Gerald Tracey, At the time of the arrival of The Cur- publisher of the Eganville Leader, who rent in January 2018, the Valley did disclosed that the Leader’s first edito- not benefit from having a journalistic rial in 1902 stated that its aim was to be “watchdog” holding “their government “bold enough to be honest and honest accountable.” Residents were able to enough to be bold.” In modern par- read reports of what elected officials lance that objective is commonly de- said and did at public meetings, but no- scribed as “speaking truth to power.” body was “looking under the hood” and Later in the year came the announce- holding them to account for their ac- ment of a new federal government pro- tions when appropriate. The Current’s gram entitled “Local Journalism Initia- owners were motivated to fill this void tive.” It was conceived in recognition of after learning of a number of instances the fact that community newspapers, where obligations of transparency, ac- especially in smaller communities, were countability and integrity seemed to becoming a diminishing commodity www.madvalleycurrent.com 2 | MADAWASKA VALLEY CURRENT FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 | 3 V & J Shulist INCOME TAX SERVICE First in income tax preparation First in electronic fi ling (Efi le) Welcoming new and returning clients Penny Shulist • 613-756-2419 153 Wilowski Drive BARRY’S BAY have been flouted with no consequenc- growth during 2019 of our readership es, let alone public disclosure. numbers for both the online and print SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT The Current continued performing editions. This is in large part due to our Website Design Google My Business Listings Help its watchdog role last year adding more design and production team who are Social Media Training information to justifiable concerns responsible for the much-appreciated, Call Travis Richards 613-281-9419 about, for example, the financial bur- clean, uncluttered look of both print Facebook.com/TravisRichOffice den placed on taxpayers through undu- and online versions of The Current. A ly long and correspondingly expensive shout-out as well to our talented con- Integrity Commissioner investigations tributors, both regular and occasional, followed by some head-scratching de- whose work has attracted the many cisions.