Upcoming Events
May 03, 2007
Spotlight on Africa
Wolfe Island Women’s Institute
Presents
Spotlight on Africa
An evening to raise awareness of the social issues in Africa
Thursday, May 3, 2007
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart School
Marysville, Wolfe Island
Everyone Welcome!
Presenters:
· Donna O’Connor and Lynn Hall of Kingston Grandmother Connection will speak of their commitment to raising funds for the Stephen Lewis Grandmother to Grandmother Campaign
· Lt. Colonel David Patterson will provide an update on Canada’s involvement in Darfur.
· Vicki Johnston will describe her volunteer work in Tanzania.
This program is presented as part of the Rural Ontario Sharing Education initiative of the Federated Women’s Institute’s of Ontario.
Donations at the door will be sent to the “Gogo Granny Outreach Project” which is supported by the Ontario Branch of the Federated Women’s Institute of Canada and works in conjunction with the Stephen Lewis Grandmother to Grandmother campaign. This campaign aims to spread awareness of HIV /Aids and encourages Canadian Grandmothers to support the struggles of grandmothers in Africa. Many African grandmothers are being forced to become full time mothers raising their grandchildren because their own children have died of Aids.
A Reminder: Sacred Heart is a Peanut Free School
May 08, 2007
May 12, 2007
May 13, 2007
Mother's Day Walk at Big Sandy Bay
The Friends of Big Sandy Bay invite you
to take your mother by the hand (or in your heart)
and join us for a
Mother’s Day Walk along the trail to Big Sandy Bay on
Sunday, May 13 at 1:00 p.m.
There will be refreshments and a Craft Table for children.
Spring wild flower and turtle identification materials will be available.
Each family will receive a FREE butterfly bush for spring planting.
For further information call: (613) 453-8438
May 14, 2007
May 15, 2007
May 16, 2007
May 17, 2007
May 19, 2007
Bicycle Poker Run
A Bicycle -Poker Run
will be held on Wolfe Island
Sat. May 19th
The Poker Run begins at the:
Wolfe Island Town Hall Square at
9:30 a.m.
The Poker Run consists of either a 20 km or a 40 km ride.
Cost $25.00 and includes:
a T-shirt, a BBQ lunch and prizes.
The ferry departs from Kingaston to Wolfe Island at 8:15 a.m.
For Further Information Contact:
Pat Sandford @ 613-385-1585
May 22, 2007
Frontenac Islands Official Plan & Zoning By Law Cause Residents Grief
While a large part of the Frontenac Islands May Council meeting was taken up with the concerns about the process around establishing a wind plant on Wolfe Island, other items were on the agenda.
A major zoning issue has put the plans of a Wolfe Island couple hoping to build their dream home on hold once again. Sherry and Jarda Zborovsky had gone through a difficult 18 month process regarding land owned by the Bolton family and to acquire a small piece from the Township so that the property could be severed into two building lots. Mayor Vanden Hoek summarized all that has gone on with the property since the fall of 2005. “Now this property and a number of others are identified as part of a Waste management Assessment area,” he said.
Mrs. Sherry Zborovsky spoke about the most recent turn of events regarding the property they finally purchased in March 2007. “We are disappointed and bewildered that the township did not notify the Bolton family or any other property owner about the zoning bylaw, approved in 2005, creating a 500m Waste Disposal Assessment zone,” she said outlining their costs to date, building plans, septic assessment, etc. “Specifically my husband and I have been paralyzed since we requested a building permit and were informed that no buildings may be built on our property. Why didn’t we know. Why didn’t anyone else know,” she asked. She called upon council to abolish the assessment zone and to study the information provided in the most recent Totten Sims Hubicki and Associates report on the Wolfe Island Landfill site to make it happen and correct the problem. She noted that 16 other property owners are affected by the assessment zone.
Speaking to the same issue was Peter Bowers owner of a property, zoned for a single family dwelling between the 7th Line Rd. and Going Street fears he might also fall within the assessment zone, something his lawyer was not made aware of. In this case Bowers asked the township to move quickly to resolve the issue so he can move ahead since he sold a house in Kingston, paid for building plans, and made financial commitments that impact his family’s future.
The Mayor advised Mrs. Zborovsky and Peter Bowers that council will discuss their situations and seek the advice from the Township Solicitor and their Planning Consultant and be in touch as quickly as possible. ”The debate will be how do we make it work,” he said.
In other business Brian Ritchie of the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, presented his report entitled “Looking Forward, Frontenac Islands 2007 & Beyond, the result of a community consultation process on both islands to identify 4-5 community priorities and/ or projects that might be acted upon by council in the future. “A challenge was identifying priorities that were common to both islands,” Ritchie said. “One that bubbled up was the use of public lands and the creation of walking trails, public parks, access to the water and enhancing cycling routes.”
The report recommends that council establish a committee of council to spearhead the development of a comprehensive inventory/assessment of all township public lands, (suitable for recreational purposes or for sale with proceeds used to develop other properties).
A second priority is the need for enhanced recycling programs which could be considered and proposed to council through its newly formed Waste Management committees.
The quality of life for the elderly was identified as a significant issue but the prospect of Senior’s home is unlikely since water and sewer were not identified priorities. It was recommended that a committee of council research innovative solutions and services (safety & security) to prolong quality of life for its most senior residents.
According to Ritchie, Wolfe Island’s community centre is a major priority The report asks council to consider the results of the feasibility study they commissioned. The revitalization of Marysville through a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) a Planning Act mechanism allowing Council to offer incentives to business owners to improve properties was suggested. Also that the township consider First Impressions Community Exchange (FICE) program supported by OMAFRA. Ritchie said the County’s Economic Development Department is completing a Business Retention and Expansion exercise that included Frontenac Islands businesses. It might identify priorities that did not surface in the consultation. He also suggested independent groups might be interested in partnering with council or to take the lead on priorities. (HIRA, WIBTA, etc.)
A touch of humour was added to the meeting when David Hurley, a Simcoe Island property owner asked council to refund the $225.00 special Simcoe ferry charge added to his tax bill. He has no land access to his property, only by boat. “I wish I did, it would make my land twice as valuable,” he said. “But I don’t and my neighbour has gracefully declined land access to me.” Council agreed to the refund but a further request to build a small accessory building on the property was denied.
Council received the report of the WI Recycling and Waste Disposal Advisory committee presented by councillor Doyle . The report includes recommendations for further recycling items, changes in fees etc. and is available for review at the W.I. Town Hall
Howe Island will appoint a Social, Cutural , Recreational Committee and a Waste Management Committee. The Stone Heron Gallery will open at the WI. Community Hall June 23-Sept.3rd.
Next Council meeting - Howe Island, June 11th , 6:30 p.m.
Wolfe Island resident, Janet White believes she was misquoted in an article about the W.I. Wind Plant written (by me). Ms. White wants a correction to say:
“For 6 years, 3 companies have knocked on our door and we have said no. No means no. In this day and age of zero tolerance I feel I have been bullied by this council and by these companies with there ‘done deal’ attitude. Jim, if you didn’t follow procedure, rescind the bylaw. If you don’t do that, then that is anarchy.”
Around Town: *The Environmental Review Report (ERR) / Environmental Impact Statement (“EA”) for the proposed Wolfe Island wind plant is NOW available in DRAFT form for review on the Project’s website (www.wolfeislandwind.com) with hard copies at the WI. Town Hall & Library, Kingston City Hall & libraries, Cape Vincent, etc.) Send comments to Stantec on or before 4:30 p.m. on June 29, 2007.
*It’s picture taking time for 2007 Wolfe Island Photo Contest (watch for details).
May 26, 2007
Wolfe Island Spring Plant Swap Social
Come and Join a friendly gatheing in the garden
Bring your extra plants, cuttings, bulbsor gardening items
And
Take home that perfect plant from a friend’s garden
Seeds and seedlings most welcome
Saturday, May 26 in the Village
Ten O’Clock
mid morning tea served
27 Division Street across from the W.I. Town Hall
Donations appreciated
This is an Early Years Centre Fundraising Event
Inquiries please call 385-2641
May 31, 2007
Seniors Day at Big Sandy Bay
Hosted by The Friends of Big Sandy Bay
The Friends of Big Sandy Bay are pleased to host another
Seniors’ Day at Big Sandy Bay on
Thursday May 31st (Rain date Friday, June 1st) from
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Members of the Friends of Big Sandy Bay will be on hand
to take you on a guided tour along the trail to the beach.
Transportation along the trail will be provided by Alston Moore Golf Links, Roly’s Backhoe Service and the Township of Frontenac Islands.
and seating will be provided on the beach .
Refreshments and wild flower identification materials will be available.
Senior (or not) - if you haven’t been able to walk in - this is your opportunity to visit this beautiful area.
For further information, call David Clark 385-2929 or David Field 385-2910