CJRO News August 29 to September 4, 2022
Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on CJRO Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from our brand new studio in Embrun. I wasn’t planning to do News this week but there’s lots going on so here we are.
In Casselman, the integrity commissioner filed a report listing 36 ethics charges against two of Casselman’s elected officials. Mayor Daniel Lafleur is at the heart of the investigation. The first complaint sought to determine the legality of an informal meeting — potentially a disguised closed session — held on May 27th, 2021 via videoconference. The second complaint handled by the Ontario Ombudsman alleged that Casselman's elected officials failed to pass a resolution outlining the general nature of the matter to be considered in camera before going there to discuss it in private during the meeting, in person this time, on October 26th, 2021.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 55,000 workers including custodial staff, librarians and early childhood educators, will open the vote in September for a strike mandate. The union wants annual increases of 11.7 per cent, while the government has offered two per cent per year for workers earning less than $40,000 and 1.25 per cent for everyone else.
The OPP has reported 259 road and waterway fatalities and 27 drownings since the start of this year, and is urging the public to be extra vigilant. OPP spokesman Kerry Schmidt reported 19 fatalities in just one week in mid-August, and eight cyclists have died since the start of the year compared to two at the same time last year. The OPP urges cyclists to wear their helmets, boaters to wear a life jacket and motorists to buckle up, avoid distractions, drive sober and slow down.
Does your child have a bus route? Despite the major recruitment operation that took place this summer, there is still a critical shortage of drivers within the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority, which manages school transportation for the two English-language school boards in the region. This summer, 35 drivers were hired, but 26 are still missing. A total of 2,400 students are at risk of being affected by the shortage of drivers, which could lead to a change in bus routes for the start of the school year in September.
Canadian Blood Services recently opened a brand new plasma donor center in Orléans at the Center commercial de la Place d'Orléans (exterior access only - next to Mark's at 110 Promenade Place d'Orléans). For more information see blood.ca under the plasma section.
Public Works continues to pick up large storm-related debris based on service requests, but demand has waned, so beginning September 16th, removal of tree debris and organic waste will revert to normal leaf and yard waste collection. The City asks residents to bundle and bag their leaves and yard waste, and also encourages residents to explore beneficial reuses of logs or firewood. Be aware that crews may need to access residents' backyards
On September 10th the Russell Agricultural Society presents the RCMP Musical Ride at the fairgrounds in the village of Russell. Also performing will be the Capital Cowgirls Drill Team and the Canadian Canine Training Academy. For more information listen to my interview with Sylvia Smith of the Lions on Local First.
The 2021 Carlsbad Springs Community Association AGM will be held in person at the Carlsbad Springs Community Centre on September 15th at 7 p.m. Carlsbad Springs residents are invited to participate. Election to elect a new President, Secretary and three Directors will take place. If you are interested in a position please email info@carlsbadsprings.ca .
In Embrun on October 1 at 7:00 p.m., the Embrun Country Soiree will take place at the Community Centre. Several artists will be performing, such as Les Filles de…, Fred Delorme, Yvan Petit, Reynald Lafleur and Phil Denault. For information or to obtain tickets, contact Diane Lalonde at 613-899-1946. The event is organized by the Club Joie de Vivre 50+ of Embrun.
The Company of Fools will perform Hamlet (in English) at J.T. Bradley's in Navan on September 26th at 7 p.m. Incorporating clown, slapstick and puppet elements, the show is suitable for all ages and fun for the whole family. For more information, visit fools.ca.
The Harvest Market returns to the Cumberland Village Heritage Museum on September 24th. Vendors are encouraged to submit an entry. Visit the Cumberland Farmers Market website for more information on how to apply.
Notice to residents of Carlsbad Springs — Broadband Maintenance Inc., on behalf of Rogers, has begun work in the following three areas over the next few weeks:
Carlsbad Lane, from Russell Road to North Dead End.
Farmers Way North, from Leitrim Road to the northern cul-de-sac.
Russell Road, Farmers’ Way north at 5039 Russell Road.
Speaking of Rogers, in the weeks following their major July outage, Rogers said it will spend $10 billion over three years to increase monitoring, testing and the use of artificial intelligence to ensure reliable service, and will spend $150 million dollars in customer credits. Even CJRO Radio was affected by this outage as our server audio is sent via Rogers internet service to the FM transmitters in Embrun, Vars and Sarsfield.
In the Village of Vars the City of Ottawa is planning modifications and improvements to the Buckland Road crossing. The work includes new concrete sidewalks as well as a new road base and asphalt between Tina Street and Buckland Road in the village. The upgrades are necessary to meet Transport Canada's requirements for pedestrian facilities at a grade crossing. Construction work will require the temporary closure of Buckland Road at the level crossing. Local access will be maintained at all times and Buckland Road will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists. The work is scheduled for this fall or next spring.
Ottawa residents can register cleanup projects for the Cleaning the Capital 2022 fall campaign by September 30. The cleaning will take place between September 15 and October 15. Cleaning kits can be picked up at any of the seven City of Ottawa regional offices.
In Carlsbad Springs the tennis court will soon be completely renovated. Construction began in early August and is expected to be completed by the end of September. There will be areas for tennis, pickleball and basketball, located at Harkness Park on Piperville Road behind the Carlsbad Springs Community Center.
Desjardins and the Conseil de la coopération de l'Ontario (CCO) are calling on their members and the community to submit candidates for the 2022 Desjardins Collective Excellence Awards. The Desjardins Collective Excellence Awards are given annually to recognize the commitment of cooperatives and social enterprises, as well as large collective entrepreneurs. To propose any person, any cooperative or any social enterprise that deserves to be recognized for accomplishments in the field of the social and solidarity economy in Ontario. The link is available in the August 29th newsletter at coopontario.typeform.com.
As you know, the next municipal and school board elections will take place on October 24th. If you are a homeowner or tenant in Ontario, and a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older on election day, you can register to vote. In Russell outgoing mayor Pierre Leroux was acclaimed as mayor. For councillors, Charles Armstrong, Tony Baas, Lisa Deacon, Eric Greer, Marc Lalonde, Jamie Laurin and Mike Tarnowski are candidates.
In Osgoode there are five candidates: George Darouze, Doug Thompson, Dan O'Brien, Bob Masaro and Bruce Anthony Faulkner.
Russell Kin Club’s Catch the Ace jackpot is still climbing and now estimated at over $48,000, and the weekly prize is estimated over $3,500. Tickets are $10 and are available online and at many retail locations in the local area.
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Tune in to Local First for interviews regarding local news, follow us on Facebook, listen to our podcasts on cjroradio.com or on the Tune-In and Radio Player Canada apps. I’m Candice Vetter for CJRO News. CJRO – Last on the dial, first for local news.