09 January 10, 2009 - ObserverXtra

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6 | NEWS THE YEAR IN REVIEW: 2008 Looking back at some of the top news items that made the pages of the Observer in the past 12 months JANUARY Water and sewer rates on the rise Waterloo Region announced a 9.9 per cent increase in water rates and a 14.9 per cent increase in sewage rates for 2008, adding $12.72 and $14.98 respectively to the average household bill. Flooding widespread as winter disappears A brief respite from what would be a snowy winter brought flooding to parts of the township during the early part of January. Warm temperatures and heavy rains saw rivers spill over their banks in West Montrose and Conestogo, among other locales. Woolwich tax hike at 6% Woolwich residents learned they’d be facing a six per cent increase in the township portion of their property taxes, representing an additional payout of $27 a year on the average home. Councillors approved a 3.95 per cent jump in the general levy, plus another two per cent to put towards a slate of new recreation facilities. Regional levy up 2.7% Meeting Jan. 16, Waterloo Region councillors approved a take increase of 2.72 per cent, adding another $36 a year to the average property tax bill in 2008. Blaze destroys farm building A fire at a Maryhill farm 2009 200 2009 MEMBERSHIP MEMBE MEMBERSHIP $ 99 99 99 9 LIMITED TED D TIME E OFFER OFFE OFFER Jan. 17 destroyed a driving shed and some equipment, with total damages pegged at $500,000. The farm’s owner suffered smoke inhalation as he attempted to remove a new combine from the building. An investigation determined the fire started on a faulty block heater in one of the tractors. Head-on collision closes Line 86 A 39-year-old Linwood woman was airlifted to a Hamilton hospital in critical condition Jan. 23 after the van she was driving collided with another van on Line 86 near Herrgott Road. A St. Clements man was driving westbound on Line 86 when he lost control on the icy roadway, striking the eastbound vehicle head-on. New arena to honour McLeod A longtime community volunteer will have his name affixed to a new arena when the Woolwich Memorial Centre opens in the fall of 2009, Woolwich council decided Jan. 24. The Jim McLeod Memorial Arena will recognize the contributions of the Elmira man who succumbed to cancer in March at the age of 58. Elmira tenants forced to find new lodgings Residents of Pilgrim’s Provident Retirement Home in Elmira learned Jan. 28 many of them would be forced to move out after the Region of Waterloo cut subsidies to the business, citing violations of health and safety standards. DRIVER SEARCH IS ON NOW! YOUTH, TEEN, ADULT ROOKIES WANTED www.erbsvillekartway.com .erbsvilleka .erbsvillekartway.com 519.884.5650 FEBRUARY Council backs removal from CPAC Deemed a disruptive influence, Alan Marshall was formally removed from the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee by Woolwich councillors meeting Feb. 5. The longserving member was voted out by other committee members following a struggle involving CPAC’s consulting hydrogeologist. As CPAC is a committee of council, the township had the final say. Power centre clears final hurdle Woolwich signed a cross-border servicing agreement with the City of Waterloo Feb. 5, giving the official go-ahead to the long-delayed construction of a Wal-Martanchored power centre adjacent to the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. Feds chip in for Riverside project The federal government agreed to kick in $600,000 toward the reconstruction of Elmira’s Riverside Drive West, representing a third of the then-estimated cost of $1.8 million. Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht made the pledge Feb. 19 in Woolwich council chambers. Fire destroys Wellesley harness shop An explosion at a Linwood-area harness shop Feb. 22 caused a raging inferno that saw firefighters from all three IN 1 HOUR AND STAY QUIT with our exclusive LaserQuit TM program 304 - 684 Belmont Ave W, Kitchener 880-1237 | Toll Free 1 877 868 8818 www.fr e edo mlase r . c a Wellesley Township stations, plus assistance from Floradale, converge on the scene. Damage to the building and inventory was estimated at $800,000. Collision claims truck driver’s life A 37-year-old Kitchener man died Feb. 27 after two tractor trailers collided on Line 86, west of Wallenstein. One driver perished in the resultant fire. MARCH Jacks take first round to seven games Coming back from a slow start to make the playoffs, the Wellesley Applejacks ultimately fell in the first round, losing in seven games to the Burford Bulldogs. The deciding match, played Mar. 1, was a 2-1 squeaker. Heidelberg barn goes up in flames Some 130 hens and six horses died in a barn fire on Kressler Road south of Heidelberg Mar. 4. The building was completely destroyed in the blaze, with damages estimated at $400,000. No to troop decals There will be no “support the troops” decals on Wellesley Fire Department vehicles, township councillors decided Mar. 18. The decision was part of a series of debates involving emergency vehicles across Waterloo Region. Wellesley gets $2.2 million from province Wellesley Township secured $2.2 million in funding from the province to help fund the reconstruction of Hawkesville Road. The money was allocated from the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative. APRIL Husband charged in Elmira murder Valerie Ferguson, a 44-year-old mother of two, was murdered in her Elmira home Apr. 3. Her husband, Kenneth Michael Ferguson, 41, was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in the strangulation death. Kings claim Cherrey Cup The Elmira Sugar Kings capped a first-place season by defeating the Cambridge Winter Hawks to take the Cherrey Cup in six games. A 6-1 decision Apr. 5 clinched the Mid- Western Junior Hockey League championship. It was the Kings’ first title since 2002, and their fifth since 1978. Wellesley taxes up Wellesley taxpayers faced a 5.5 per cent hike in their township property taxes as council approved the annual budget Apr. 7. The increase meant an additional $37.63 a year to the average tax bill. MAY Kings call it a season After making it through the round-robin portion of General Contracting Residential Commercial THE OBSERVER | Saturday, January 10, 2009 the Sutherland Cup finals, the Elmira Sugar Kings fell in four games to the Tecumseh Chiefs, the deciding game played on May 3. Hall of Fame welcomes Don Martin Elmira’s Don Martin, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, was inducted into the Waterloo County Hall of Fame May 11. He earned the recognition for his entrepreneurship and community service. Water study approved for Breslau Ongoing groundwater woes in Breslau prompted Woolwich council to approve a $100,000 study. The project, approved May 13, will help the township come up with a long-term solution to wells running dry, including the possibility of extending municipal services to the older parts of the village. JUNE Seniors petition for apartment project Elmira seniors, making a pitch for an apartment complex on the former Procast Foundries site, presented a petition to township council June 10. The Woolwich Seniors’ Association says the location would be ideal, located within walking distance of downtown. The township, however, would prefer to see commercial development on the vacant lot. Former councillor dies Former Woolwich councillor Howard Shuh passed away June 13 at the age of 83. Shuh served two terms on council, 1994-1997 and 1997-2000. Agricultural New Buildings Renovations 8012 8th Line.RR #2 Drayton, ON | 519-638-5462
THE OBSERVER | Saturday, January 10, 2009 NEWS | 7 Pedaling along with Lance Elmira’s Morgan MacPhee found himself taking a ride with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong June 13-14. The 13-year-old raised more than $10,000 for cancer research to earn a spot in the special fundraising event. EMSF doles out grants A strong turnout at the 2008 Elmira Maple Syrup Festival allowed the organizing committee to distribute $42,000 in grants to community groups June 18. The Elmira and District Association for Community Living was the largest single recipient at $16,800. JULY Wellesley seeks reduction in traffic Following complaints from Wellesley council, the Region of Waterloo agreed to review its use of a municipal well in St. Clements. The township expressed concerns about truck traffic as the region hauls water from the well to augment other parts of the region. Bloomingdale raid nets drugs, weapons Two men were charged with drug and weapons offences following a police raid July 4 on a Bloomingdale-area farm. Cocaine, marijuana, stolen goods and weapons were seized. Elmira man dies in Alberta collision An Elmira man involved in a bus crash north of Fort McMurray, Alberta died in an Edmonton hospital July 9. Randy Wilkin, 55, was a driver with Cherrey Rebecca Cannon B.A., N.D. Homeopathy • Clinical Nutrition Herbal Medicine • Hydrotherapy Lifestyle Counselling • Acupuncture Naturopathy is a complementary approach to healthcare where your body is stimulated to heal itself. Quality care available for all ages and all health conditions. 26 Centre St., ELMIRA T: 519-669-2405 Bus Lines. He and a coworker were the only two aboard the bus when it collided with a flatbed truck. Dan Snyder tournament raises $115,000 The fifth and final Dan Snyder Memorial Golf Tournament played out under sunny skies at the Elmira Golf Course July 14, netting another $115,000 toward the construction of the Woolwich Memorial Centre. The event easily surpassed the $500,000 goal set when the tournament began in 2004. Elmira boy drowns in pond An innocent summer swim in a Hawkesvillearea pond turned tragic July 15 when 10-year-old Joshua Weber of Elmira died after sinking below the surface. Wellesley firefighters from the St. Clements station searching through the murky water believed the boy may have been underwater for more than 20 minutes. Damaging downburst strikes Elmira In a summer memorable for being wet and cool, July 21 had an added touch in Elmira. A violent rainstorm that lasted just 10 minutes brought tornado-like winds that uprooted trees and knocked out power lines, leaving a significant amount of damage in its wake. AUGUST Ernie Kendall celebrates 100 years Elmira stalwart and longtime EDSS teacher Ernie Kendall celebrated his 100th birthday Aug. 1. Born in Guelph in 1908, he moved to Elmira in 1933 to began a career that would span 35 years teaching science at the local high school, followed by another 15 years as a supply teacher. Jobs on the chopping block Workers at the Price Chopper in Elmira learned Aug. 12 they would be out of work by Sept. 9, as parent company Sobeys decided to close the grocery store after just over two years in business. Trying to keep groceries downtown Worried about the impact on Elmira’s core, a group of citizens launched a petition aimed at stopping the move of the Foodland grocery store to the soon-to-be vacated Price Chopper location at the south end of town. SEPTEMBER Three killed in twocar collision A two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Hawkesville and Kressler roads Sept. 7 claimed three lives, including that of an infant. It was the second fatal crash at the intersection in as many years, prompting Woolwich council to press Waterloo Region for improvements, including rumble strips, at the location. Floradale gets new fire station Awaiting a new home for more than two decades, Floradale firefighters moved into their new building Sept. 8. At 6,400 square feet, the $1.3-million facility on Florapine Road was a welcome replacement for the cramped 2,400-sq.-ft. predecessor on Ruggles Road, so small replacement fire truck purchases were put on hold because newer vehicles wouldn’t fit in the facility. A century of firefighting The Elmira station of the Woolwich Fire Department celebrated 100 years of service with a community bash Sept. 13. ELMIRA WELLNESS CENTRE 24-B Arthur St. S., Elmira (Located behind W.C. Brown & Sons) 669-4425 MASSAGE THERAPY AT THE ELMIRA WELLNESS CENTRE • Evening Appt's • Relaxation • Hot Stones • Deep Tissue • Gift Certificate Available • All Registered Therapists Krista A. Sandelli RMT & Associates Elmira VIC to close its doors After crunching the numbers, Woolwich Township opted to close its Visitor Information Centre in Elmira, concentrating instead on the VIC in St. Jacobs. Meeting Sept. 30, councillors decided some of the functions served by the Elmira centre would be handled at the township’s new administrative building, to be opened by the end of 2008. OCTOBER Albrecht re-elected in landslide Conservative MP Harold Albrecht cruised to victory in the Oct. 14 federal election. The incumbent took almost half of the votes cast; his 23,525 votes easily outstripped Liberal candidate Orlando Da Silva’s 11,876 votes (24.9 per cent of 47,698 total ballots). Rod Mc- Neil of the NDP earned 7,173 votes, while Jamie Kropf of the Green Party got 5,124. Former planning director succumbs to illness Dave Gosnay, who shaped the pace of development in Woolwich Township as director of engineering and planning for 17 years, died Oct. 11 after a lengthy battle with scleroderma. He was 54. Amalgamation a no-go in Woolwich More than two years in the making, the final report from Citizens for Better Government recommending a single-tier government in Waterloo Region met with a frosty reception from Woolwich council Oct. 20. The township indicated it’s not buying what CFBG is selling. HEARING HEALTH AT THE ELMIRA WELLNESS CENTRE • Hearing Tests • Hearing Aids No referrals necessary Andrea Hoffman Audiologist Juliane Shantz Doctor of Audiology “MEETING ALL YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS NEEDS” Wellesley chief resigns Wellesley Township fire chief Dave Geil, a firefighter for 38 years and chief for eight, stepped down from the job effective Oct. 27, citing personal reasons. NOVEMBER Project to reshape northwest Elmira Plans for a 1,400-unit residential subdivision in Elmira’s north end were unveiled at a public meeting Nov. 3. The Lunor Group development is slated for some 180 acres of what is now farmland on the north side of Church Street West. Sgt. Knechtel retires Waterloo Regional Police Sgt. Merv Knechtel, in charge of the Elmira detachment for a decade, retired Nov. 14 after 35 years with the department. He was succeeded by Sgt. Siegfried (Sig) Peters. New township hall opens A $4-million facelift completed, the former Glencree building on Church Street West became the new Woolwich Township administration building when the doors opened on Nov. 18. Foodland makes its move The Foodland supermarket in downtown Elmira made the move to the south end of town Nov. 21, opening in the former Price Chopper location. A grocery store had anchored the core for more than 60 years. DECEMBER Cyclist dies after being hit by truck A Woolwich man rid- Since 1929 Monday - Friday 10:30am - 6pm Saturday 11am - 5pm 103 Ontario St., Kitchener ing his bicycle to work early on the morning of Dec. 4 died when he was struck by a pickup truck. Melvin Martin, 34, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on Arthur Street near Florapine Road. He had been hit from behind on a poorly lit stretch of icy road. Drugs linked to suspicious fire Police were searching for two men following a suspicious fire that caused $200,000 damage at a Wellesley home Dec. 9. The two men emerged from a duplex at 1020 Molesworth St. at the onset of the fire, both with flames coming from their clothing. They extinguished the flames, and then ran off. Police subsequently discovered marijuana and drugextraction equipment at the house. Wellesley admin building renovated After some seven months in cramped temporary quarters, Wellesley Township staff moved into the newly renovated administration building on Lobsinger Line. The 3,200-square-foot addition, with a budget of $800,000, doubled the size of the building. No need to dream about it There was no doubt about a white Christmas to end the year, as a wave of snowstorms passed through the area, leaving us with a December snowfall total in excess of what we saw in 2007. That winter went on to set records not seen since the early 1970s. Our online archives go back to 2005 with more years to be added in weeks to come. www.ObserverXtra.com The Area’s Best Selection! SPECIALIZING IN: • MOVING • RECOVERING | REFURBISHING • POOL TABLE SALES & SERVICE • SUPPLIES & ACCESSORIES • DART EQUIPMENT | SHUFFLE BOARDS • ACCESSORIES | LIGHTS 519.745.4053 Free Customer Parking
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09 January 10, 2009 - ObserverXtra

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