CJRO News June 6 to June 12, 2022

Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on CJRO Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from North Russell.

PC candidate Stéphane Sarrazin took the riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell from Amanda Simard in the provincial election last week. As reported in la nouvelles, Sarrazin’s election party at the community centre in Casselman heated up as the results, projected on a giant screen, leaned in his favor. Sarrazin's victory was announced when he had a lead of more than 1,600 votes over Simard.

She had been elected as a Progressive Conservative in 201. She left the party less than six months later due to cuts to French-language services in Ontario. After more than a year of sitting as an independent MP, the native of Embrun joined the Liberal Party in January 2020.

On the Orleans side, Stephen Blais was re-elected without a hitch. He beat his closest opponent, Conservative candidate Mélissa Feliàn, by more than 6,300 votes. The former Ottawa city councilor had won 46 per cent of the vote, while the PPC and the NDP obtained 32 and 14 per cent of the votes respectively.

Following up on our news piece last week where we reported CJRO was able to speak with Doug Hotston, the campaign manager for Melissa Felián, about the election sign kerfuffle in Carlsbad Springs. A resident had moved a sign which was directly across from her home, and the campaign team, including Hotston, reported it to the police. In defence of that action Hotston said that the person had moved the sign, and when it was replaced, had taken the sign again and put it in the garbage, which he said was theft. “Our concern was about the rest of the signs once we left,” he said. “They were all installed in accordance with Elections Ontario Bylaw 2003-520.” The bylaw stipulates that election signs on public property must be twelve feet from private property. Hotston also said his personal preference is that in the future election signs will no longer be used be any candidates.

Russell residents Sarah Ball and Andrew Charron were walking past the Russell Legion the morning of Sunday, May 29th, and spotted smoke at the back of the building. Charron went inside, where the smoke alarm was buzzing and told people there it was a real alarm and time to leave. Everyone did and the Russell and Embrun fire departments arrived quickly. For more on this story listen to my interview with Andrew on Local First. The Legion is currently closed for repairs.

Fortunately, the interior of the Paroisse St-Hugue church in Sarsfield had little damage during the storm of May 22nd. The spire and the steeple fell in the parking lot. Assurance Catholique Mutuel hired the firm Integricon to manage the cleaning operation, the temporary construction of the roof and other repairs. In addition, an engineering firm will do a complete inspection to ensure the safety of the building. The church is expected to reopen soon.

Pierre Leroux, Mayor of Russell invites residents to participate in his municipal election campaign. For every resident who takes a photo with one of six cutouts and uploads it, the campaign will donate $2 to a local project up to $7500. There are six places to take pictures, Giant Tiger, IDA Downtown Pharmacy, Russell Restaurant, Foodland in the village of Russell, and the Bonichoix market and Tuques de Broue brewery in Embrun. For more information see pierreleroux.ca.

Register now for Township of Russell Summer Programs. There are gymnastics, science activities, a Minecraft lab, and more. Register online before June 13th for early bird pricing.

The Russell Community Market's second season starts this Sunday, June 12th at the Russell Fairgrounds. The first market will feature live music by Two for the Road.

The Sarsfield Community Association’s AGM will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 17th. It will include a barbecue (or pizza if there is rain), live music and a food drive.

For the third year, Drouin Farm is hosting a Drive-In Gathering on June 25th at the farm near Casselman, for all electric and hybrid vehicle owners. Gasoline vehicles are welcome too. Electric car owners will answer questions about their vehicles during the gathering which starts at 4:30 p.m. At 9 p.m. projection of the movie Spider-man: No Way Home starts. The movie will be broadcast in French and English on two different radio frequencies. For more details and prices, see DRIVE-IN.teslamodel3.quebec

South Nation Conservation is hosting its annual Youth Fish Camp for nine to 13-year-olds this summer for the 13th year. camps are held in July and August 2022 at the Cass Bridge Conservation Area in Winchester, High Falls Conservation Area in Casselman, Jessup’s Falls Conservation Area in Plantagenet, and new this year, the Cardinal Legion Way Park in Cardinal. Young anglers will get two fun days of environmental education, water quality testing, catch and release fishing, and learning the fundamentals of fishing. Sign up online at: https://www.nation.on.ca/resources/watershed-education/youth-fish-camp To learn more about recreational fishing: www.nation.on.ca/recreation/fishing.

Do you have photos you’d like to share? Send them to newscjro@gmail.com to be posted on our website.

Email us at newsCJRO@gmail.com. For interviews regarding local affairs, listen to Local First on the Tune In or Radioplayer Canada apps, and follow us on Facebook. I’m Candice Vetter for CJRO News. CJRO – Last on the dial, first for local news.