“Overall these are exciting times for Wolfe Island,” Mayor Jim Vanden Hoek said in reference to the Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. wind farm project recently approved for the island. “The Provincial Government moved very aggressively to make wind towers fit into rural areas when they made wind farms an acceptable use on agricultural land, sending a strong message about their expectations. “And we will work hard with the issues that come forward as a result,” he said

“Everything starts now and everything that is important will role out quickly. The EA has not been submitted and the Official Plan amendment is not complete. In terms of money (for the township) nothing has been settled, but the discussion with the developer has gone very well.” Mayor Vanden Hoek said that the township has hired a consultant, Howard Allan Chartered Accountants, who will guide council to an agreement with the developer that will take care of the concerns which arose when the Province removed the assessment from the towers.

“Members of council realize there has to be money in this (wind power) and are looking for long term financial stability for the community. This is a large project for the island and the developer knows it requires a supportive community and they will make every effort.”

The Mayor said some concerns have been expressed about material requirements for the project and ferry use, but previous discussions indicate that when the time comes, Canadian Hydro Inc will use the ferry on off hours, along with their own barge system to transport materials etc. “They are also talking about a mobile plant on the island.

“We’ve known for some time that Wolfe Island would end up with wind towers at some point. While this project raises much opportunity for the island, council will have to balance it out because many people don’t want towers in their back yard. Certainly there is investment. There will be jobs. The business community and the landowners will do well, as will the overall island economy,” he said.

“Looking at the challenges that face the municipality, this project could provide needed revenue. Without some kind of development, we could talk about trying to do things forever. The trade off is that the wind farm is going to change the skyline on the west end of W.I., so we will have to take into consideration set backs, etc. There is a lot to do. There is much to consider,” Mayor Vanden Hoek concluded.

Historical Society Formed on Wolfe Island: Caught up in the wonderful stories about Wolfe Island and its facinating history, Vicki Stewart, a relatively new resident, decided that a Historical Society for the island would be a good thing. To that end, up went the posters with date and time for an inaugural meeting at the General Wolfe Hotel. And wouldn’t you know it, people came, they also interested in island history.

An executive was formed and plans for the future were discussed. Named to the executive: Captain Brian Johnson, President; Vice President, Hendry Connell; Secretary, Vicki Stewart; Treasurer, Brian MacDonald. Theresa Broeders, John O’Shea as well as Norma Kelly and Donna Ivy, new Marysville residents, also attended the meeting.

The proposed mission of the society is to ‘protect, promote and preserve the heritage of Wolfe Island and all that embraces.’ Immediate areas of interest include genealogy of island families and general island history.

Ms. Stewart noted that 2009 marks the 250th Anniversary of the death of General James Wolfe at Quebec and could provide an ideal opportunity for Wolfe Island to celebrate his life. The W.I. Historical Society meets in January, date to be announced. For further information contact Vicki Stewart at 385-2934.

W.I.’s Annual Ecumenical Advent Service: was held at Trinity Anglican Church where together Rev. Canon Chris Carr, U.C. Pastor Terry Wood and Sacred Heart’s Fr. Ray Vickers and parishioners from the 3 churches joined organist Murray McNeely and a 20 member choir for worship and singing in preparation for Christmas.

The homilist, Pastor Terry Wood spoke of and demonstrated the importance of staying awake and watching for the coming of the Lord as he blew up a balloon so big, all held their breath waiting for the big bang.

The offering of food items and donations was taken up for the Partners in Mission Food Bank.

Clothes For Kids Challenge, 2005 In 2004 then 9-year old Katie Norris, daughter of Clair& Paul Norris, Howe Island, took up the 96.3 JoeFM “Clothes for Kids” challenge and raised $335. which allowed her to purchase seven snow suits for distribution to those in need.

This year, 10 year old Katie was at it again, making and selling Christmas ornaments to relatives, friends, and at Westbrook United Church. She also received the support of teachers at J. E. Horton School. Her efforts resulted in Katie presenting a $604. cheque to the Christmas “Clothes for Kids Campaign.” Congratulations Katie. Great effort.

Around Town* The St. Margaret’s Guild held a very successful Turkey Supper (200+ meals ) in support of the parish. Congratulations to the Guild who bought 2 goats for a family in a Third World country from the proceeds of Christmas Puddings sales. Cindy Day, owner of The Factory, recently announced its sale.. * Hey how about that wonderful Santa Claus Parade, the wonderful floats including one with the singing members of the W.I. Women’s Institute and the party afterward. Don’t forget, the Fire Dept. Calendar is now on sale, Great Gift. * It’s true, Council will call upon the Ministry of Transportation ( through the Honourable John Gerretsen) to implement the recommendations of the 1994 IBI Ferry Study for improved transportation. *This is the perfect time of year for me to say, Thank You to our family, friends and neighbours for their ongoing prayers, support and concern for the health and well being of Walter,( a miracle in our midst.) I wish you, with all my heart, the Love and Joy that is Christmas and abiding Peace in the New Year.

Coming Events
1. W.I. Christmas Church Services : Trinity Anglican, Dec. 24th at 7:30 p.m.; Wolfe Island United, Dec. 24th at 7 p.m.; Sacred Heart Dec. 24th at 5 p.m. Dec. 25th at 9:30 a.m.
W.I. Youth, Island Angels Concert Dec. 22nd Sacred Heart School at 6 p.m. Admission non-perishable food items or cash donation for the Food Bank.

Three local athletes are in Montreal for the National, Under 20, Team Canada Football Team Tryouts. Josh Maveety,(17) kicker for the Regiopolis Notre Dame Panthers and the Limestone Grenadiers football club; Devon Millar,(17) offensive tackle to the Regiopolis Notre Dame Panthers and the Limestone Grenadiers Football club; and Tim Cronk,(18) fullback for the Holy Cross Crusaders and the Grenadiers were among the 36 players chosen to represent Ontario at the Montreal Tryout following a (two day) Provincial tryout attended by 150 football players held at Guelph University in November.

There the local boys were subject to intense scrutiny by coaching staff and scouts from a number of Ontario and Quebec Universities.

“This is a very exciting time for the boys,” according to Peter Millar, Devon’s father. “A challenge to their skills, these tryout’s will involve a lot of intense hard work.”

In Montreal, Devon, Tim and Josh will be among the Team Ontario 36, competing against 36 from Quebec and groups from the West and the Maritimes for the right to represent Canada in a “shoot-out” style jamboree tournament in Detroit, against teams from the United States, Japan, Mexico and Germany during the week leading up to Super Bowl in January 2006.

Under the watchful eye of Danny Maciocia (head coach of Team Canada and the Edmonton Eskimos) and his coaching staff – the team of 36 will be chosen (from among these top young Canadian football players) and move on to the NFL Global Junior Championship X at the Silverdome in the new year, as well as the prestigious tournament in Detroit where last year, undefeated Team Canada won for the first time.

Good Luck to Tim Cronk, Devon Millar and Josh McVeety in their effort to wear Team Canada colours and look to repeat last year’s success.
For further information please contact Peter Millar – pkmillar@kos.net or 613-385-2428 or 613-532-1505

No more waiting. No more wondering. Canadian Renewable Energy Corporation (“CREC”), now a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc.(“Canadian Hydro”) of Alberta was awarded a 20-year, 197.8 MW, Renewable Energy Supply (RES) contract for Wind Power Development on Wolfe Island.

Islanders are familiar with CREC founded in 2000 by Ian Baines, an enthusiastic, long time proponent of wind power on Wolfe Island, where he has become a familiar figure, and friend. GAIA Power began collecting island wind data in parallel with CREC and signing up land option leases for a wind project at about the same time

Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. recently acknowledged the resources and previous work of CREC as well as GAIA Power Inc. and Hearthmakers Energy Cooperative. A letter from Canadian Hydro, notified all landowners with Option and Licence to Lease Agreements with CREC, that pending regulatory approvals and financing, and the finalization of land leases, construction for the project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2007 with commercial operation targeted for October 2008.

A further letter was sent to all landowners (60) who have a Licence and Option to Lease Agreement with GAIA Power Inc., (or any of its predecessors) notifying them, that it is now time, to transfer all option agreements held by GAIA Power etc. to CREC. Early in the new year Canadian Hydro will meet with them to facilitate the formal transfer of the Option agreements. “Having all the options signed under the same agreement is a first step in moving the wind project forward,” according to the letter.

Ross Keating, Canadian Hydro President and Chief Operating Officer explained it this way , “knowing that the Ont. Government was going to call for bids, we approached GAIA Power with their partners Sky Power Corporation and Citizens Energy, (for this project known as OWEP, Ontario Wind Energy Partners) saying it made no sense to submit competing bids. We made an offer to acquire GAIA’s interest which means they signed their landowner options to us only for the purposes of the bid. In other words if we did not win the bid, we would go back to our separate thing (but if we did) we now have the legal right to the option agreements,” Keating said. “When it came time to submit the bid, certain affidavits needed to be signed by the core team they did not sign.”

(GAIA Power has issued a press release clarifying that under the contract, the project will be designed, financed, constructed and fully owned and operated by CREC (Canadian Hydro).

According to Keating, “it was a joint bid plan that went a little sideways but that’s all history. We now look forward to moving forward, working with the community and using local contractors. All our major civil work is done in pieces – sized for local contractors (electrical, trucking, gravel, etc.).”

Keating said there is a memorandum of understanding with Siemens, a Danish company for turbines, a preliminary layout of the turbines, plans for aerial photography work of the proposed wind farm. The 86 wind turbines (2.3 MW each), are 83 metres high and 93 metres wide, and will be strategically located on the western end of the island. Infrastructure needs will be determined after obtaining regulatory approvals (EA; Official Plan amendment). Preliminary work for the wind farm (poles, wires, cement foundations, etc.) is expected to be completed by the end of 2007 including the underwater cable to the substation in Kingston. Expected delivery of turbine components is spring 2008, possibly when the seaway opens.

So far, reaction by island residents is mixed. Some are delighted, some dismayed, others see economic benefits to the community while others acknowledge the need for green power and accept the project’s inevitability.