CJRO News May 30 - June 3, 2022

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

Power outages from the derecho have almost all been restored except for small pockets. We are back on-air in all our communities except Sarsfield, where the Dessaint’s farm, which hosts our transmitter, has had significant damage. Throughout the emergency we have posted relevant information on our website, including some storm photos.

The Original Navan Market team has set up a group which will match helpers with persons who need help in Navan and Cumberland. Services you can offer or request include chainsaw operators, physical labour, childcare, tree removal, freezer/fridge space, farm walk/debris clean up and food preparation. Contact them at: onmnavanstormcleanup2022@gmail.com In the City of Ottawa tree debris and branches can be brought to the curbside for collection. The villages of Navan, Sarsfield, Cumberland and Carlsbad Springs are prioritized for clean up. Smaller debris that is bundled will be picked up during regular collection.

The City has asked the Ministry of Natural Resources for forestry staff to help with clean up. The City’s landfill at Trail Road is open extended hours and will waive tipping fees for residents with storm-related materials only. Navan, Sarsfield and Cumberland are also getting extra collection. There are bins for food waste only at the Navan Memorial Centre and at the Orléans Public Library at 1705 Orléans Blvd.

The François Dupuis Recreation Centre at 2263 Portobello Boulevard is still offering showers and charging stations. They will also have representatives from agencies with information about insurance, housing and financial services, building and demolition permits, public health, and psychological and social support.

This is the week we vote in the provincial election. There are so many issues, and not one of the candidates in either Glengarry Prescott Russell or Orleans has directly contacted CJRO about their stances on those issues.

However, the Covid pandemic highlighted a big one, which is for-profit long term care, and what appears to be neglect of patients in long term care. The NDP, Liberals and Greens all have a plan to change for-profit homes into not-for-profit homes. The NDP would fund the acquisition by municipalities of these homes. The Liberals would not renew for-profit licenses and would finance the transfer of homes to not-for-profit organizations or municipalities. The Greens would increase long term care funding to support a shift to non-profit. And Conservations have focused on increasing capacity, but are not opposed to the for-profit model.

In the riding of Orleans the candidates are Liam Randall for New Blue, Ken Lewis for Libertarian, Vince Clements for the Ontario Party, Michelle Petersen for the Greens, Gabe Bourdon for NDP, incumbent Stephen Blais for the Liberals, and Melissa Felián for the PCs.

In the GPR riding the candidates are Victor Brassard for New Blue, Stéphane Aubry for the Ontario Party, incumbent Amanda Simard for the Liberals, Stéphane Sarrazin for the PCs, Alicia Eglin for the NDP and Thaila Riden for the Greens.

In Carlsbad Springs there are several residents who won’t be voting PC after an election sign kerfuffle. A resident has always moved signs put on public land directly across from the end of her driveway—any election signs regardless of party—so the signs are not in her face. Last week she moved a Melissa Felián sign over about six feet. The person installing the sign noticed and reported it to the police, who then attended the person’s house. Is this a way to win the hearts and minds of voters?

A paper was left listing the phone number for the Felian campaign’s deputy manager Doug Hotston, and the number for the returning officer for the Orleans riding. The Felian campaigner’s phone was not answered and calls were not returned, so CJRO called returning officer Richard Lalonde. He said Elections Ontario is not responsible for signs, for their placement or for their removal and he was surprised to find his contact information listed by the PCs. He also said the deputy campaign manager has contacted him previously complaining about sign removal and it has been the subject of meetings already.

Covid hospitalizations are going down as more persons are vaccinated with three doses and the weather has allowed for outdoor gatherings. We hope that this summer will be better than the previous two summers as far as the pandemic goes, but monkeypox in nearby Quebec is a new concern. If you have been in contact with anyone who has it or may have been exposed talk to a doctor. There is treatment available and contacts may need to receive a smallpox vaccination, which also inhibits monkeypox.

The Russell Lions Club’s food drive will be this Saturday, June 4th, at the Russell Foodland parking lot, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also donate electronically by sending an e-transfer to fooddrive@lionsrussell.com.

The Russell Community Market's second season starts Sunday, June 12th at the Russell Fairgrounds and organizers are still accepting vendors. For information write TheRussellCommunityMarket@Gmail.com or get an online application and send it to that address. The first market will feature live music by Two for the Road.

Do you have storm damage photos? If you would 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.