Catégorie : Tribune-Express (Hawkesbury)

The weather for the last weekend of August was perfect for the triumphant return of the Riceville Agricultural Fair.

« The fair was extremely successful., » said Jennifer Fraser, Riceville Agricultural Society president (RAS). « We couldn’t be more happy. »

The August 28 weekend marked the 155th edition of the Riceville Fair, one of the most venerable and continuous annual agricultural fairs in Ontario. During the two past years of the pandemic, the society organized a scaled-down version of the event, including virtual exhibitions of the region’s agricultural heritage.

This years marks the return of the fair to its traditional live displays of livestock, horse shows, and popular entertainment activities like the antique tractor pull. Fraser noted that about 4000 visitor entries were recorded at the fairgrounds gate during the two days of the event.

« Which is huge for us, » she said, adding that most of the feedback she heard over the weekend from fairgoers was relief and excitement at having the fair back as a summer event.

« People were just glad to be able to be out and be able to see everybody again, » she said.

A new addition to the Riceville fair was the St. Lawrence Valley Jersey Show on Saturday, with entrants, young and old presenting their handraised Jersey calves for judging. The Russell Fair has been the regional host for the event in past years. The Riceville Fair won the honour of hosting this year’s event because its exhibition date proved more convenient for most competitors.

« We should be able to host this event for a few more years, » said Fraser.

RAS executive and volunteers are already reviewing results of this year’s Riceville Fair and collecting suggestions and ideas to start planning next year’s event.

« So we can make our fair bigger and better, » said Fraser.

Simon Guindon is a newcomer to municipal politics but he would like to work towards positive change if he is elected to Hawkesbury municipal council in October.

« You can feel a division among the councillors, » said Guindon, during a phone interview August 29. « I want to be part of a positive way forward, instead of the division we have now. »

Guindon, 40, is a professional plumber, 18 years in his trade, who has decided it is time for him to become more active in helping develop the future of his hometown.

« I want to be able to contribute to my municipality and to help out, » he said, noting that Hawkesbury’s location along the Ottawa River could become a big part of its tourism trade.

« We live beside a very nice river, » he said, adding that the municipality could work on supporting and attracting more events and businesses that cater to marine tourism.

The current lack of affordable housing in the area is also a concern to him. It’s one factor, he indicated, why many young people move away from Hawkesbury to other places to work and where they can find either a home they can afford to buy or an apartment they can afford to rent.

« We need to make sure that we’re growing, » he said.

Guindon also wants council to give more priority to keeping the strategic management plan for the municipality up to date. He emphasized that the plan is critical to ensuring continued growth for the municipality.

He would also like more opportunities for public input on municipal affairs and issues through the use of citizens advisory committees. Guindon also would like to see more students at local schools involved in municipal issues, either through direct representation to council or through advisory committees.

“I was astonished by the people here. Crazy amount!” said Al Nixon, president of the Fair committee.

While no official number has yet to be compiled, Nixon is assured the amount of people in attendance at the Vankleek Hill fair has by far surpassed any previous number.

“Even Friday night with the combine derby, it was great,” he said. “There was a pile of people here. It is by far our biggest income year too. Our gates and bar are probably up $120,000 from 2019.”

Nixon believes this was partly due to the COVID-19 restrictions being loosened.

“Everybody here seemed to be so happy to be able to get out and talk to people, to mingle with people,” said Nixon. “The whole weekend went perfect”.

Both habitual fairgoers and newcomers were happy to have the fair back in town.

“It’s just wonderful!” said Mary Higginson, A long-time resident of the area.

Stands were full and spectators packed standing areas near the fences on Saturday night for the demolition. “It is by far the biggest crowd we’ve ever had at our derby,” said Nixon.

According to Nixon’s estimates, the derby usually attracts 5000 to 6000 spectators. This year, he estimates about 9000 spectators for the derby alone.

There were 47 cars with their driving teams signed up for the Derby. Maxime Lalonde was the winner of heat 1 for 8-cylinder cars, and Guillaume Gareau won the 8-cylinder free-for-all. Marc-Antoine Bissonnette and Jean-Marc Gareau were winners of heat one and two of the 4-cylinder category, and Maxime Séguin won the free-for-all

“Even Friday night with the combine derby, it was great,” said Nixon. “There was a pile of people here.” The combine derby on Friday also attracted a large crowd of nearly 5000 people.

Roadwork in L’Orignal slowed down when Cornwall Gravel Company employees, members of Labourers international Union of North America (LiUNA), went on a month-long strike in July in hopes of a new agreement with the National Capital Road Builders Association (NCRBA).

A new agreement was reached between LiUNA and NCRBA on July 24, putting an end to the month-long strike.

Wharf Street was originally planned for closure July 20 for upgrade work, but planning staff for Champlain Township had to push the date back to August 2.

Wharf Street and King Street from Court Street to Peter Street will be closed from August 22 to the end of September. A detour is planned for King Street through Queen Street. A detour through Peter and Marston Street is planned for Wharf Street.

The municipality expects to have all the work schedule for 2022 completed by the end of the year and be on schedule for next year’s roadwork plans.

“The focus for me has always been small business in the community, and coming out of the pandemic, trying to continue to support those business and back on their feet,” said Barton. “That’s one side for me, the other one is good governance and leadership.”

He noted that the past two years have seen many small businesses struggling to survive the pandemic.

“It’s been a challenge, » he said. « From a staff side, a business is trying to do something, if they’re trying to develop, if they’re trying to grow or expand or if they’re having challenges from whatever direction whatever direction be it financial or otherwise, it’s making sure that staff is accessible from our side to answer questions or provide direction and to help them in whichever way they may be moving. It’s to support them, it’s not to develop policy that’s going to unfairly infringe in what they’re trying to do or prevent from trying to grow and expand. It’s trying to help them move forward. »

Barton said he is committed to the Vankleek Hill community, as he was born and raised here. Following graduation he did his post-secondary studies and worked in various cities in Canada for studies before returning home, which he thinks gives him a diverse background useful to council.

“We need to make sure we’re making good decisions as we move forward,” he said. “There is so many challenges and I’m trying to get the experience, continue to develop the experience to be able to provide that. I think I do have that with my diverse background so hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to get back in and help the community.”

Barton believes it is important for council to communicate with staff and work with members of the community.

“Council members and councillors aren’t experts, we’re the representatives of the community that get to make policy decisions but we need to rely on the experts,” he said. “In my opinion, a good councillor has the ability to take in information and deal with different things.”

There are at present no challengers for any of the council seats in Champlain Township. All candidates will be elected by acclamation if there are no new registered candidates by August 19.