Catégorie : Vision (Clarence-Rockland)

La province de l’Ontario propose d’étendre les pouvoirs de maire fort aux chefs de conseil de 169 municipalités à compter du 1er mai 2025. 

La Ville de Clarence-Rockland figure sur la liste des municipalités qui recevront ces pouvoirs supplémentaires. 

Les pouvoirs de maire fort ont d’abord été introduits en 2022 pour les villes de Toronto et d’Ottawa. Depuis, ils ont été étendus à 47 municipalités. 

Ces pouvoirs permettent au maire de nommer le directeur général de la municipalité, d’embaucher certains chefs de services municipaux et de créer ou réorganiser des services. Le maire peut également créer des comités du conseil, leur attribuer des fonctions et nommer les présidences et vice-présidences. 

Le maire peut proposer un budget municipal — sujet à des modifications du conseil et à un processus distinct de veto et de renversement — et déposer certains règlements municipaux s’il estime qu’ils pourraient faire progresser une priorité provinciale. Le conseil peut adopter ces règlements si plus du tiers de ses membres votent en leur faveur. Le maire peut également opposer son veto à certains règlements s’il juge qu’ils nuisent à une priorité provinciale, ou soumettre une question au conseil s’il estime qu’elle pourrait faire avancer une priorité du gouvernement. 

« Les chefs de conseil sont des partenaires clés dans nos efforts pour construire des logements et des infrastructures à travers la province », a déclaré Rob Flack, ministre des Affaires municipales et du Logement. « En élargissant les pouvoirs de maire fort à ces municipalités supplémentaires, nous fournissons aux maires tous les outils nécessaires pour accélérer la construction. Les maires connaissent bien leur municipalité, et nous les soutenons dans leurs actions audacieuses pour leurs communautés. » 

Le maire de Clarence-Rockland, Mario Zanth, a affirmé qu’il reconnaît la décision de la province d’accorder ces pouvoirs aux municipalités. 

« Nous avons la chance d’avoir un conseil municipal qui travaille ensemble dans l’intérêt des citoyens de notre ville, a déclaré M. Zanth. Sommes-nous toujours d’accord sur tout? Non. Mais nous nous respectons, nous discutons des enjeux, et nous travaillons ensemble pour répondre aux préoccupations des citoyens. » 

Le conseiller municipal Trevor Stewart a pour sa part indiqué que les pouvoirs de maire fort ne font pas partie des demandes des municipalités confrontées aux défis liés à la croissance et au développement. 

« C’est un processus antidémocratique, a affirmé M. Stewart. Les villes réclament un soutien financier, pas cela. J’ai beaucoup de chance d’avoir des collègues qui respectent le processus démocratique et avec qui nous entretenons un respect mutuel. » 

 

The snow is gone, and that means one thing — it’s market season. 

The team behind Live Love Shop Local, a group that hosts monthly markets to highlight small businesses and local vendors in Clarence-Rockland, has partnered with Jump Around Inflatables, a Rockland-based business, to launch the first annual Jump-A-Palooza Spring Fling on May 24 and 25. The event will be held at the soccer fields outside the Clarence-Rockland Arena. 

The partnership was first formed last fall, when the two groups collaborated on a seasonal market. 

“Any type of collaboration we can make benefits our community,” said Chantal Cleroux, who runs Live Love Shop Localalongside her sister-in-law, Stephanie Bellefeuille. “The market community is great. We help promote each other’s events, I reach out to other organizers, and we really bounce ideas off each other.” 

Each market gives visitors a chance to discover local vendors and their original creations, while also enjoying activities for all ages. The markets also serve as fundraising opportunities for local non-profit organizations, while raising awareness for Rockland-based businesses. 

The May market will support the Rockland Food Bank, which will also host a booth during the event. 

Cleroux said about 30 vendors have already registered, and she hopes to attract at least 50. On average, 50 or more vendors participate in each market, though attendance often depends on the weather. 

“With outdoor markets, we have more flexibility,” she said. “Vendors can do their own thing, we have more space, and we can set things up the way we want. Having markets indoors can be tricky depending on the space.” 

Cleroux said she hopes to build more partnerships as Live Love Shop Local continues to grow and gain recognition. 

“We’re going to be able to offer some fun events with Jump Around, and next year, we certainly plan to have events that are bigger and better,” she said. “Rockland is so family-oriented and family-centric, and our local businesses play a huge role in that.” 

An 83-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after a stabbing in Rockland on Friday afternoon. 

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were called to a home on Laurier Street shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, April 4, following reports of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, identified as Dharmesh Kathireeya—an Indian national in Rockland on a work visa—being transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

The suspect, Gilles Martel, was later taken into custody. 

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of an Indian national in Rockland near Ottawa, due to stabbing,” the Indian High Commission in Canada said in a statement posted to X. “Police have stated a suspect has been taken into custody. We are in close contact through a local community association to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved kin.” 

Tributes and condolences have since poured in on social media. A crowdfunding campaign was launched to help support the victim’s family. The GoFundMe page, created by friends, has raised more than $31,000 since it was launched on Friday. 

Kathireeya arrived in Canada as an international student from India in 2019 and was working as a manager at the local Milano’s pizzeria. 

The GoFundMe page described him as “a kind-hearted, hardworking, and gentle soul who always greeted others with a smile and was there to lend a helping hand. He was a newlywed, full of dreams for the future, and had a bright future ahead of him. His loss leaves a deep void in all of our lives.” 

Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth, who was contacted by the local OPP detachment regarding the incident, said the entire community extends its condolences to the family. 

“Everyone who lives in our city is a valuable part of our community,” said Zanth. “What happened is just awful. I commend our emergency services and first responders who rallied around this person and tried everything they could.” 

The victim was reportedly the main breadwinner for his family. The GoFundMe campaign will help cover funeral expenses, legal proceedings and provide financial relief during this difficult time. 

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact the Russell County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca. 

 

 

The Clarence-Rockland Expo is set to return to the Clarence-Rockland Arena on May 3 and 4 after a one-year hiatus. 

More than 130 booths will be on site, giving local organizations and community groups the chance to showcase the goods, products and services available to residents across Clarence-Rockland. 

From small local vendors to major developers, the Clarence-Rockland Expo is a one-stop shop for all. 

Due to maintenance needs at the C-R arena, the Expo had to take the year off in 2024. 

“Nothing compares to an event like this,” said Micheline Dupont, a corordinator with the event which has become a must-attend attraction in Clarence-Rockland. “We’ll have booths showcasing what they offer, and something for everyone in the family.” 

Organizers have secured big-name sponsors like Cardel Homes and Desjardins. In addition to exploring the services and products offered by local organizations, attendees can enjoy a fashion show, a demonstration by the Rockland Academy of Martial Arts, face painting, a showcase by Clarence-Rockland-based animal shelter Meet the Keepers, and more. 

New this year is a breakfast with Glengarry–Prescott–Russell MPP Stéphane Sarrazin, scheduled for Saturday, May 4 at 8:30 a.m. The gathering will feature a presentation from the recently re-elected MPP, who will discuss his government’s accomplishments in the riding since taking office. 

“It costs nothing to attend, and it will be a great opportunity for people to talk to us, ask questions and discuss how we’re doing as a government,” said Sarrazin. “This Expo has been such a great event in Rockland, and there’s another great one in Hawkesbury. It’s great for the community to see what’s out there for them.” 

Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth called the Expo an important event not only for businesses and groups showcasing their goods, services and products, but also for residents who want to enjoy some entertainment under one roof. 

“This is a win-win for everyone,” said Zanth. “The organizers put on an absolutely fantastic event that has become an important part of our community.” 

This year, the Expo will take place on ice pad 2 at the arena, rather than the usual ice pad 1, which is undergoing maintenance. 

Italian panzarotti and calzone and their Sicilian cousin ’mpanatigghi, Jamaican patties, the Cornish pasty, Mallorcan panades to which you can add Indian samosas and gujias: just about every country in the world has its own form of a compact, handheld street food that is a spiced and seasoned savoury stuffing contained by a baked or fried pastry envelope. 

In Argentina, and other Latin countries, they are called empanadas, a word which literally means “in bread,” given the verb empanar denoting something like “to bake in bread or pastry.”

That said, I’m not sure what marketing company makes such proclamations or why, but it turns out that April 8 is Empanada Day – the fact that I love empanadas is good enough reason for me.

A world of sweet and savoury pastry pockets

The origin of the empanada is uncertain, but in the world of food it is likely that similar versions of the simple foodstuff popped up across the globe at perhaps much the same time at one moment or another: the Moors stake a claim as do the Persians, as do the Mexicans.

Just one more example of the morsel’s ubiquity: if you break down the word, it’s easy to see the connection to the French word “pain” in the pana of empanada.

In fact, in France there’s a puff-pastry pocket, half moon-shaped, that is filled with beef stew, a creamy roux-based white sauce and perhaps bits of ham and cheese: the chausson (which also may have a sweet filling of apple). The rissole is another French pastry pocket filled with sweet or savoury ingredients in many regions of the country.

So, it seems, the world of food – and especially so-called street food – is a large family of cousins and distant relatives.

A proper empanada, however, is one that is constructed with a judicious balance of beef, chicken, or vegetable stuffing that is not overwhelmed by the dough – or by an unnecessarily heavy, dense dough.

The handheld can be stuffed with virtually anything making it very versatile; they also can come in different sizes: an empanada gallega is a pie-like dish large enough to feed a family, while the diminutive, empanaditas, are “little empanadas.” 

The empanada maker prepares a pastry dough and rolls out a circular, thin disk of dough and then adds the filling before folding it in half into a pocket and closing it.

The edge of semi-circle is often trimmed and detailed artfully, the crimping often used to signify the type of filling inside the empanada.

A bit of travel to find authentic empanadas

Sadly, there are few places to enjoy empanadas in our region.

You can find them in boxed frozen form in grocery stores’ snack and appetizer freezer cases, but they don’t do the humble pastry much justice. 

For now, some travel is required to find real empanadas.  

West of Ottawa, in Carp, Ont., is the base for Delights by Mama where sisters-in-law Jessica Gutierrez (a Carleton University grad) and Ivana Hernandez (an Algonquin College grad) make a range of empanada flavours and stuffings that you can find at farmers’ markets in and around Ottawa.

The two specialize in the Argentine and Colombian versions of the empanada and also make aji sauce, a green sauce made with cilantro that is akin to chimichurri; they also make the Argentine confection alfajores, a pastry that often includes the delectable dulce de leche. 

Gutierrez and Hernandez’s handheld handiwork, according to the pair, is made in the Argentine tradition of a bite to “tame your hunger” as you await a bit of beef from the huge chunk that is being slowly cooked over a smouldering “asado,” or open-pit barbecue. 

Scaling operations may help our sourcing of empanadas

Good things come to those who wait – including when it comes to empanadas: Delights by Mama empanadas are, at the time of this writing, scheduled to be found at this season’s Navan and Orleans markets, 613flea (Aberdeen Pavilion in Lansdowne Park), Parkdale Night Market (Wednesdays), Urban Art Collective Market (Thursdays) and the Beechwood Market.

Delights by Mama will be at festivals in the area, and they pop up at the Canadian Tire Centre during Ottawa Senators games until April 17.

According to Gutierrez, the small mom-and-mom company is planning “to scale our operations” to include selling empanadas into a variety of shops in Ottawa and outlying areas, but the small pocket of street food deliciousness has even more ambitious plans, she hints, that we can look forward to. 

“Our biggest project, which we’re very proud of, is our upcoming brick-and-mortar shop on Stittsville Main Street, and we hope it is set to open in summer 2025,” says Gutierrez. “This will be a production kitchen, which will allow us to provide regular deliveries to clients and offer a space for customers to purchase fresh empanadas.”

That’s great news for a small food operation that focusses on local ingredients – including preparing gluten-free, vegetarian and Halal foods – for a local consumer market. Let’s hope they can find a place for their empanadas in stores in our neighbourhoods.

Food writer Andrew Coppolino lives in Rockland. He is the author of “Farm to Table” and co-author of “Cooking with Shakespeare.” Follow him on Instagram @andrewcoppolino.

La Police provinciale de l’Ontario (PPO) croit que la disparition d’un homme de Clarence-Rockland, porté disparu depuis le début février, pourrait être liée à un acte criminel.

Robert Prévost, 63 ans, a été vu pour la dernière fois à son domicile sur la rue Laurier. Sa disparition a été signalée à la police à la mi-mars, déclenchant une enquête menée par le détachement de la PPO du comté de Russell. Les policiers ont depuis sécurisé la résidence.

M. Prévost est décrit comme mesurant 1,68 mètre (5 pi 6 po), de corpulence mince, avec de longs cheveux brun clair et gris, ainsi que les yeux bleu-gris. Il pourrait porter un manteau d’hiver brun clair, jusqu’aux genoux.

L’enquête se poursuit et est maintenant dirigée par l’unité des crimes du comté de Russell, sous la supervision de la Direction des enquêtes criminelles de la PPO.

La police invite toute personne ayant des renseignements sur la disparition de M. Prévost à communiquer avec la PPO du comté de Russell au 1-888-310-1122, en mentionnant le numéro d’incident RM25061375. Il est aussi possible de transmettre des informations de façon anonyme en communiquant avec Échec au crime au 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) ou en ligne à l’adresse ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

The manager of the Milano Pizzeria on Laurier street is dead following a stabbing in Clarence-Rockland Friday afternoon, April 4.

A heavy police presence was seen in Rockland Friday afternoon as Russell County Ontario Provincial Police responded to a stabbing on Lalonde Street near Laurier Street around 3 p.m.

Police indicated that one individual died and another arrested but did not state what charges have been laid. The death has since been rules a homicide.

The suspect, an 83-year-old Clarence-Rockland man named Gilles Martel was charged with second degree murder and remains in custody until his court appearance today, April 7, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa.

The victim has since been identified by Milano staff as manager Dharmesh Kathireeya, an Indian national here on a work visa. According to a GoFundMe page set up for his family, Kathireeya came to Canada as a student in 2019.

Police have not confirmed the identity of the victim or the apprehended suspect.

Increased police activity is expected in the area.

It’s a product that is changing the way families approach the subject of dental hygiene in children. 

Now, a husband-and-wife team from Rockland is getting the chance to showcase their My Friend Toothy brand to the hard-nosed jury on the hit Canadian television series Dragons’ Den. 

“We are very excited. It’s been pretty surreal,” said Keith Lanctot, speaking about his and his wife Stacey Laviolette’s reaction to being selected to appear on Dragons’ Den. “We’ve been out there, business as usual, coming up with new ways to expand the brand and let as many people as possible know we’re out there.” 

Laviolette is the creator of My Friend Toothy, a series of books and other products designed to turn the chore of brushing and flossing teeth into an engaging activity for the whole family. While she has pitched to Dragons’ Den before, what makes this time different—and more special—is that her husband, Keith, is now on the journey with her. 

She had pitched to Dragons’ Den before but had never made it to the point of appearing on television. 

Together, they are attending trade shows and doing everything they can to spread the word about My Friend Toothy, taking into account feedback from previous attempts. They’ve partnered with schools, dental offices and other organizations to share their message of making dental hygiene fun and informative for the entire family. 

“We know the value we bring with our brand,” said Laviolette. “It’s generational—everyone has teeth—and from experience, it’s not always fun trying to get your kids to brush theirs.” 

Laviolette and Lanctot struggled to get their own children to brush their teeth and have since launched books and other products designed to make brushing a fun, informative and educational experience for both kids and adults. 

Their daughter, Piper, developed tooth decay and required several dental surgeries—an ordeal that not only affected her mental health, but was also difficult for her parents to process. 

“We have so many ideas on how to take My Friend Toothy to the next level,” said Laviolette. “We’re just at the tip of the iceberg.” 

My Friend Toothy is expected to be featured on Dragons’ Den later this fall. Their episode will be filmed between May 10 and May 12. 

For more information, visit MyFriendToothy.com. 

Editor’s Note: A printed version of this story stated the My Friend Toothy episode of Dragons’ Den will be featured in May. In fact, the team’s episode will be filmed between May 10 and May 12, and will air some time this fall. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. 

Préparez-vous à être éblouis, divertis et émerveillés. 

Une nouvelle édition de Showbizz est sur le point de voir le jour. 

Un peu plus de 60 élèves de l’École secondaire catholique L’Escale sont prêts à présenter un spectacle immersif et varié dans le cadre de l’édition 2025 de Showbizz, une tradition bien établie à l’école secondaire de Rockland. Cette année marque la 35ᵉ production de Showbizz par les élèves de L’Escale. 

« Ils ont travaillé très fort, et c’est formidable de voir à quel point ils sont enthousiastes à l’idée que leurs camarades, mais aussi l’ensemble de la communauté, puissent voir ce spectacle », a déclaré Patrick Bergeron, enseignant à L’Escale, qui a accompagné les élèves tout au long du processus. « C’est touchant de voir que leur travail acharné porte fruit. » 

La production de cette année met en vedette une combinaison de talents : chant, théâtre, danse, instruments de musique, ainsi que des rôles essentiels en coulisses, comme l’éclairage et l’assistance à la production. 

L’histoire se concentre sur l’avenir d’un village minier, après qu’un nouveau propriétaire ait mis en place des changements qui bouleversent la vie des familles qui y résident. 

« Je pense que la partie la plus difficile de tout le processus a été le travail en coulisses et l’organisation de tout le monde », a expliqué Trinitée Boileau, élève de 12ᵉ année à L’Escale, qui participe en tant que chanteuse et comédienne. « Nous sommes très impatients de montrer à tout le monde ce que nous avons créé, et nous espérons que cela leur plaira. » 

Showbizz est le fruit d’une collaboration entre les élèves et une équipe du personnel de L’Escale depuis sa création en 1987. Les élèves offrent six représentations : quatre pour les écoles voisines et deux pour le grand public. 

« Nous voulons perpétuer cette belle tradition dans notre école », a souligné Zoé Cousineau, élève de 11ᵉ année, membre des équipes d’écriture et de théâtre de la production. « Nous avons beaucoup d’élèves talentueux. Nous avons hâte que tout le monde puisse voir à quel point nos camarades sont doués. » 

Fendlay Adescat, élève de 12ᵉ année qui joue des instruments, dont la guitare, dans la production de cette année, a affirmé qu’il s’agissait d’un honneur de faire partie d’une tradition aussi importante et bien ancrée à L’Escale. 

« C’est quelque chose que tout le monde attend avec impatience », a-t-il déclaré au sujet de Showbizz. 

Pour plus d’informations, visitez le site showbizz.lescale.com. 

The Rockland Nationals are off to round two of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) playoffs after completing a 4-0 sweep of the Cornwall Colts in the opening round of the postseason.  

While the Nats were able to fend off their opening round opponents in four straight games, each contest, aside from game four, was decided by one goal, with game two needing overtime to declare a winner.  

The Nationals will hope to keep the momentum from their first round series win into round two, which begins this Friday night in Rockland.  

 

                                                                             Series clinching win in Cornwall  

 

With a high scoring game three in the rearview mirror, the Nats traveled to Cornwall with a chance to close out the Colts with a sweep.  

The home team led 2-1 to start the third period, but then it became the Gabriel Le Houillier show, as the Rockland forward scored the visiting team’s next three goals, including the game winner, to lift the Nationals to a 4-0 series sweep of the Colts. He was named the game’s first star.  

Rémi Gagné scored Rockland’s other goal, while the Nats outscored Cornwall 41-24.  

 

                                                                               Round 2 battle with Smiths Falls 

 

Now that round one is behind them, the Nats will welcome the Smiths Falls Bears   when they begin their second round, CCHL matchup at home on Friday, April 4. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.