Catégorie : Tribune-Express (Hawkesbury)

The Hawkesbury Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a collision at the intersection of Highway 17 and County Road 9 that claimed the life of a 28-year-old woman. The accident occurred on August 16 around 5:15 p.m. when an eastbound vehicle struck another vehicle that had stopped for construction on the road, causing two more cars to crash as well.

In addition to the one fatality, a 43-year-old woman is in critical condition and has been airlifted to the hospital. A 33-year-old woman and a 9-year-old boy received minor injuries. Names are being withheld pending the ongoing investigation and the notification of next of kin.

Anyone with any information about the accident should contact the Hawkesbury OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Changes will be made to the rink’s refrigeration system, the exterior façade will be beautified, and the interior will be upgraded to meet accessibility and safety standards. The estimated cost of the renovations is $3.1 million.

The community centre was built in 1978, at approximately the same time as almost every other arena in the region. Eastern Ontario communities take turns renovating their sports facilities while providing an opportunity for the region’s sports teams to organize with other communities.

The arena is home to the Vankleek Hill Cougars who play in the NCJHL. The hockey club is in talks with the Hawkesbury arena to find a temporary home.

« We hope to have an official answer soon, » explains Greg McEachern, co-owner of the team. « So far it looks positive. I don’t think it’s going to have a big effect on attendance. »

Zoning bylaw amendment Z-03-2022, if approved, would rezone a Duval Road property from Rural to Commercial Tourist Special Exception (CT-1). That would permit the development of a commercial tent and trailer park with 10 seasonal tent or trailer spaces combined with accessory outbuildings and vehicular parking, and would acknowledge the existing dwelling unit on the property.

The 11-hectare property is located on the corner of Duval Road and Aberdeen Road, with its frontage situated on Duval Road.

The application submitted May 22, accompanied by an environmental impact study, was deemed complete by township staff before being presented to council. The environmental impact study concluded there are no foreseen adverse impacts on the environment with the proposal.

Council has not made a decision on the proposed amendment as council members felt key information was necessary to make a decision, and many written submissions had not been received on the report. At the time the report was published, only two written submissions had been received. Since the report was published, council has received several more submissions. The final report to council will summarize and consider all comments received throughout the review of the application.

Provincial and Regional Policy

The 2020 Provincial Policy Statement promotes recreational tourism and other economic opportunities in rural areas while requiring proposed developments to be compatible with the rural landscape and can be sustained by rural services levels. In rural areas, the need for unjustified or uneconomical expansion of service infrastructure shall be avoided.

The Official Plan for the United Counties of Prescott and Russel (UCPR) designates these lands as a Rural Policy Area. Tourism commercial uses like motels, hotels and eating establishments as well as recreational commercial uses such as marinas, golf courses and campgrounds are permitted in Rural Policy Areas.

The UCPR Official Plan identifies natural heritage features throughout the region such as fish habitat and significant woodlands which were noted in this area. The landowner prepared and submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment in support of the proposed zoning by-law amendment.

Public Opposition

The public meeting is a requirement of the Planning Act was held to allow the public to voice their opinions, comments and concerns with regards to the proposed amendment.

A person or public body would otherwise have the ability to appeal the council’s decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), unless they had not made an oral submission at the public meeting or a written submission before the bylaw is passed, in which case the person or public body would not be entitled to appeal the council’s decision.

Following a decision of council, there will be a 20-day appeal period as prescribed by the Planning Act.

Dozens of Champlain residents living in near the property presented themselves at the public council meeting to show their opposition to the proposed zoning by law amendment.

Geordie Maclaren, resident of the area, was in contact with many neighbours who had asked him to speak on their behalf. “I’m happy they postponed it until more information comes in,” said Maclaren. “They have to have a good bunch of reasons to stop it. What I’m worried is that they’re going to pass the small zoning bylaw, and then they’re just going to do another exemption and do a bigger campsite. It’s smoke and mirrors right now with the 19 lots, but it doesn’t take long for council to put another resolution to it.”

In the letters filed on report to council, residents of the area expressed many different concerns including environmental impacts, noise, traffic, waste management, light pollution, groundwater consumption, sewerage, and loss in property value. Comments we’re also made on the fear of future expansion.

Municipal councillors also expressed worries about the campground. Sarah Bigelow, councillor in the ward of Vankleek Hill, expressed her own concerns about further expansion. She also revealed the council’s fear in denying the zoning application.

“If this council were to vote against it, and they appealed and brought it to a court, we could lose,” said Bigelow.

Councillor Michel Lalonde had a very different stance. “There’s 50 people showing their opposition here tonight. I think that’s reason enough to deny it,” said Lalonde.

Dr. Brian Nadler, 35, was charged last year with the death of Albert Poidinger, 89, a resident of Pointe-Claire, Québec, who was a resident patient at Hawkesbury and District General Hospital. A charge of first-degree murder against Nadler resulted after police were called to the hospital March 25 2021 to investigate Poidinger’s death.

Nadler, who lives in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Québec, remained in police custody until July 2021 when he was released on bail.

Hawkesbury OPP continued investigating other deaths at HGH while Nadler was a doctor there. Today police announced three more charges of first-degree murder filed against Nadler as a result of the investigation.

Those charges relate to the deaths of Lorraine Lalande, 79, of Hawkesbury, Judith Lungulescu, 93, of East Hawkesbury Township, and Claire Briêre, 80, of Rigaud, Québec.

The investigation continues. Nadler’s lawyer has stated in past media reports that his client maintains his innocence.

Anyone with information related to the police investigation can call the Hawkesbury OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the CrimeStoppers confidential tips line at 1-800-222-8477 or go online to www.crimestoppers.ca.

HGH issued a statement that the hospital is working the OPP on the investigation and expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased.

The United Counties of Prescott-Russell council (UCPR) confirmed Éric Larocque as the new administrator for the long-term care residence during a special meeting August 10.

Larocque has been a UCPR employee for 21 years, including 13 years as superintendent and as emergency services deputy chief since 2019. He lobbied for several key projects in regional health care services, including distribution of defibrillators at various public buildings and recreational facilities in Prescott-Russell, coordination of regional emergency measures, and development of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

« With the construction of the new Residence currently underway, » stated UCPR Warden Daniel Lafleur, « the shortage of health care professionals, and the ongoing pandemic, the challenges ahead for Mr. Larocque are significant. However, Mr. Larocque’s extensive health care experience and his outstanding management skills make him the ideal candidate to maintain our residents’ safety and quality of life. »

Early in July Alexandre Gorman tendered his resignation as the facility’s administrator, citing personal reasons. Larocque became the interim administrator for the PR Residence while UCPR council and administration reviewed options for Gorman’s replacement.

« I would like to acknowledge Mr. Gorman’s remarkable professionalism, courage, and determination throughout his time at the UCPR, and, more specifically, during the pandemic, » stated Stéphane Parisien, UCPR chief administrator. « Despite his young age and extraordinary circumstances, he provided great leadership, led his troops, and ensured the safety of residents with success. We sincerely thank him for his exceptional work, and wish him all the best in his professional and personal endeavours. »

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) warns residents to be cautious if they find a bat inside their homes or outside. A bat collected as part of the EOHU’s rabies monitoring program tested positive for the disease.

The test result indicates that rabies is present in the region among some species of wild animal. There are no human cases of rabies at present.

Precautions against rabies

Rabies is a neurological disease that can prove fatal. It is most often found among bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, but other animals like coyotes and wolves may also get the disease. Humans and domestic pets can also become infected.

The disease is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animals. A bite from a rabid animal is the most common means of infection. Saliva that gets into an already open wound or in the mouth or eyes can also pass on the disease. The disease can be fatal if not treated immediately.

If a bat is found inside a building, trap it inside a room with the lights turned off and a window left open so it can go outside. Do not try to catch it and avoid touching it. If the bat avoids efforts to move it into a room or to leave, call a pest control company for help.

Do not touch or pick up a bat found dead inside the house or outside in the yard or woods. Call animal control and the EOHU.

The EOHU urges residents to make sure that rabies vaccinations are up to date for any pets and livestock. Pets should not be allowed to wander unsupervised and children should be taught not to touch any pets they do not know and to avoid touching wild animals.

Avoid any wild animal which appears sick or exhibits strange behaviour, including unexpected aggressiveness. Contact the local animal control office instead. If bitten, get medical treatment right away and also call the EOHU at 1-800-267-7120. More information on bats and rabies is at www.eohu.ca.

Assaly sent out an email to media August 8 announcing her plan to seek reelection. She filed her nomination papers at the municipal office June 29. She explained that she delayed her official election campaign announcement because “it was preferable to give precedence to the (July long weekend) multicultural festival” and the summer holiday break.

Assaly noted that the pandemic has put extra pressure on Hawkesbury and other municipalities to deal with continuing infrastructure improvement needs and essential services, like snow removal, while also trying to help both residents and local businesses deal with financial and social upset related to the lockdowns and other public health safety measures. She indicated those and other related issues continue to be priorities for the municipality.

« The housing shortage, the municipal land shortage, the labor shortage, the condition of our roads, » she stated, « the construction of a new municipal garage, the creation of a municipal pedestrian path with forest cover, the exchange of services with Champlain Township as well as customer service are among the concerns for which the Town will have to provide innovative solutions. »

Achievements

Assaly listed a variety of municipal improvement projects that have taken place during her past term as mayor. They include rebuilding the Mill Creek retention wall at the intersection of Main Street and McGill streets, renovation work at the municipal water plant, storm sewer upgrades below the intersection of Cameron and Main streets. All of these projects included cost-sharing between the municipality and senior governments.

She noted that interior renovations at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex are in progress, a study is underway about the future cost for shoreline work on Isle Chenail to deal with erosion issues, and the municipality is working with the United Counties of Prescott-Russell to lobby the provincial government on traffic safety issues related to planned reconstruction of the overpass at the intersection of County Road 17 and Highway 34.

Assaly also noted that in 2019, before the pandemic, Hawkesbury was designated a “Welcoming Francophone Community” and received $1.8 million in federal funding for two dozen related projects, including the multicultural festival in July, a community garden project at Old Mill Park, and recruitment missions in France and Belgium for francophone immigrants with needed skills or investment potential.

The municipality also now has an asset management plan to help future budget planning for municipal infrastructure improvements. The town is also involved in a climate change partnership project to help determine potential energy savings for municipal buildings.

Assaly repeated her desire for a council with “new blood” that includes young people sitting at the table “with new ideas” to help guide the municipality during the next four years after the October municipal election.

Johnson claims to have only been playing the lottery for the past couple of months, and was influenced by his father who always plays the ENCORE.

“I would always tell people that winning never happens,” said Johnson in a press release. “When the terminal shut down, I started celebrating before I even knew how much I won.”

Winning this amount of money is particularly meaningful to Johnson and his girlfriend. The two have been trying to start a family for years and the winnings will help pay for fertility treatments.

“This win will help our dreams come true,” said Johnson.

Johnson purchased his winning ticket at the Ultramar on St. Catherine Street in St. Isidore.

Hawkesbury council agreed to revise the current bylaw dealing with signage in the municipality to allow local businesses, both commercial and industrial, to install rooftop signage. The main condition to the change in the bylaw is that the businessowner be able to prove that the new rooftop addition does not prose any safety problems.

The decision to alter the bylaw resulted from a request to the municipality from Pierre Manthas, owner and founder of the Artist-in-Residence distillery in Québec. Manthas is in the process of expanding his company with construction of a second distillery in Hawkesbury. He wants to set up a rooftop sign on the facility when it is completed as part of his overall promotion plans for the business.

Chief Building Officer Daniel Tessier indicated to council that rooftop signage for commercial or industrial buildings may be feasible. But, he noted, the building owner must provide a certified engineering report that confirms that a rooftop sign will not pose any safety problems with the overall structural integrity of the building.

Council agreed with the recommendation and approved the revision to the bylaw. Administration also confirmed that the revision allowing rooftop signage only applies to commercial and industrial buildings.