March 10 , 2009 - The Pefferlaw Post

2Letters to the EditorRe: MPACGreat article. You are correctwhen you say you cannot get onto view other properties. Nobodycan do it. I think they put thatlittle note in there just to give ushope and hope we would goaway. I can almost guarantee youthat if you contest their assessment,they will come back with amuch reduced figure. I did it forthe first time and they droppedmine. Everyone I have spoken tosays the same. One guy that Iknow lives on an industrial propertybeside John Link on BoundaryRoad and his was droppedfrom $200,000 to $8,000. Yes,$8,000. Go figure. Doug GibsonPost Editor: Re: MPAC articleHow dead on you are! Our modest50 ft. lakefront on McRaeBeach has been assessed an increaseof $65,000 over 2009-2012. Everything you say is trueabout MPAC’s availability.When the notice came last fallthe website was not accessible. Iwrote...nothing happened. A second“revised” statement came inDec...I called and was told Icould write again asking for up to10 comparisons and to be patient.The requests were backlogged. Idid so. I got a call from a rep whoexplained I could gather infofrom the town assessment rollsand submit my request for a“consideration review”. I went tothe town office, gathered somedata which I thought maybe theyneeded. Mailed it in and just thisweek finally got a printout ofproperties on my own street only(told could be similar in generalarea) it does nothing to help meunderstand how to present a rationalargument against suchincreases in a falling market. Weshould NOT be taxed on valuethat is not credible. As seniors,limited income, it is critical to befacing such horrendous costs.Thank you for bringing this matterforward. Perhaps moregroundswell protest would causethe Ombudsman (among others)to look at the matter. Thank you.Madeline VossWe just wanted to let you knowwe had a wonderful time at your1st Annual Family Day FishingEvent. We came from Mitchell,Ontario with our two children.After driving three hours we arrived.Our children were veryexcited to learn what ice fishingwas all about. Little did we knowhow cold it would be out on theice. Thankfully some of the volunteerstold us we could warm upin one of the huts. (Much appreciated!)Our girls, six and fouryears, were so happy to receivetheir very own fishing poles forfree! Thanks to the sponsors ofthis super event. That’s not all! Avolunteer came around and gavethe kids some lures and keychains. At lunch, free hotdogsand hot chocolate was servedending with free draws whereone of our girls won a new skimmerwhich made her so happybecause she just got through losingher Dad’s minnow net. Ourother daughter won a gift certificatefor a local restaurant wherewe were served the yummiesthome cooked Valentine’s Daydinner. It’s great to see a communitycome together and organizesuch a fun event for families.Even though the fish decided togo south, we still had a great firsttime ice fishing experience.Thank you. The Belfours—Dan,Juanita, Bree & MayaPublisher/EditorKaren Wolfe(705) 437-1216karen.wolfe@sympatico.caAdvertising Sales & InquiriesKaren Wolfe(705) 437-1216karen.wolfe@sympatico.caDistribution InquiriesThe Pefferlaw Post Offices17 Otter CovePefferlaw, OntarioL0E 1N0(705) 437-1216www.thepefferlawpost.comThe Pefferlaw Post publishes on the10th and 24th of every month(except December 24) and is distributedthroughout Georgina and beyond.The contents of this publicationare protected by copyright andmay only be used for personal andnon-commercial use. The PefferlawPost accepts no responsibility forclaims made for any product orservice reported or advertised.

Budget negotiations3Chippewas of Georgina Islandelect new council for two yeartermMembers of the Chippewas ofGeorgina Islandelected anew councilon Monday,March 2which resultedin threeincumbentsreturning totheir positionsand one newface joiningthe administration.Lorraine Big Canoe electedto council.Lorraine Big Canoe joins incumbentsPatricia Big Canoe,Continued from page 1.of council.Of particular note, an effort toreduce the cost of the town’sbeautification program, valuedat $212,000, was voted down.For organizations asking thetown for financial support tohelp fund annual events,the town is implementing anew process by which to assessthese submissions. Each requestfor funding will be forwardedto the Economic DevelopmentCommittee forconsideration. In the 2009budget $40,000 has been setaside to fund events that qualifyas economic developmentactivities and $25,000 will beawarded to those groups staging“community building”events.Council did approve a $60,000grant to the Red Barn theatre,down from $115,000 approvedin 2008, and a grant of $75,000was approved for the GeorginaArts Centre and Gallery.Other groups receiving fundingincluded the Georgina MilitaryMuseum ($18,000); GeorginaTrades and Training($120,000); Georgina Chamberof Commerce ($90,775); Behindthe Lens Youth FilmSchool ($5,000) and the SuttonAgricultural Society ($4,500+a $40,000 loan). Council alsoapproved $136,500 for theGeorgina Health Council toassist in their physician recruitmentactivities.Capital expenditures approvedwith funding coming from reservesinclude approximately$768,000 for new vehicle replacementsfor leisure services,fire, administrative services,engineering and public works,new IT hardware and repairand maintenance to the CivicCentre. Other improvementsfunded from reserves includethe Belhaven Hall ($7,400);parking lot marking and oilingat the Egypt Hall ($4,000);carpet replacement at the PefferlawHall ($5,500); improvementsat the Pefferlaw YouthCentre ($8,500); tile replacementin the Port Bolster Hall($7,000); and a budget toreshingle the roof at the UdoraHall ($25,000).Another round of discussionswill be held the week of March16 and the final budget will besubmitted to council for theiradoption on March 23.Bill McCue and Brett Mooneyon council for atwo-year term.Donna Big Canoewas acclaimed asChief.Ms. Big Canoehas spent her entireprofessionalcareer working forvarious departmentsadministratingaboriginalservices and islooking forward to applyingher skills and knowledge servingher own community.

41st Pefferlaw scout receives highesthonour in scoutingNineteen year-old Virginia native Brandyn Hollands received theMedal of the Maple for distinguished youth service and excellencewithin the scouting movement at an awards ceremony onSaturday, February 28 during the 1st Pefferlaw Scouts AnnualAwards banquet. The Medal of the Maple is a National ScoutsCanada award presented for the first time this year. Brandynjoined Beavers at the age of five and is now a Beaver Leader aswell as studying to become a veterinarian at the University ofGuelph. Pictured above from left to right are: Steve Clementson,Brandyn Hollands, Amy Jones and Bob Pearson.March 21 Keswick Ice Palace 10am-3pmSutton Arena 10am-3pmMarch 28 Keswick Ice Palace 10am-3pmApril 4 Keswick Ice Palace 10am-3pmFinal Sutton Arena 10am-3pmRegistration

Georgina Health Council needs data to support funding applicationIf you or someone you know is living inGeorgina and does not have a family doctor,the Georgina Health Council is urgingyou to contact a new provincial HealthCare Connect Program designed to helpmatch orphan patients with a local physicianwho is taking new patients.According to Dr. Bob Bebbington, thephysician recruiter and deputy chair of theGeorgina Health Council, the more peoplewho contact 1-800-CONNECT, thestronger Georgina’s position will be toapply for funding to establish a new FamilyHealth Team in Georgina.Dr. Bebbington says a Family HealthTeam is a comprehensive patient caremodel that brings together attending physicianswith a number of para-health careprofessionals specializing in various medicaldisciplines such as cardio, rehabilitationand diabetes.“The benefits of a Family Health Teamconcept are better access to comprehensivecare and less wait times for patients,” Dr.Bebbington said. As a government-fundedprogram, care by the para-health care professionalson the team would be covered.“Probably 50 per cent of our clientele haveaccess to benefits from their employer sothere is 50 per cent ofthe populace that hasto pay to see a physiotherapistor chiropractoror they line up atthe hospital for a threeor four month wait,”he said. Within thisfamily health teammodel, these parahealthprofessionalswould be fundedthrough the Ministry ofHealth.However, according toDr. Bebbington, applicationsfor funding areapproved based onneed and at the moment,the GeorginaHealth Council doesGeorgina Health Councilposter encouraging familieswithout a doctor to contact 1-800-CONNECT.not know how many families in Georginaare without a doctor.“There are four million people in Canadawith no family doctor but we don’t know5the exact number in Georgina,” he said.By calling 1-800-CONNECT, those residentswithout a family doctorwill help the Georgina HealthCouncil collect the data itneeds to support their applicationfor funding a FamilyHealth Team in Georgina, Dr.Bebbington said.He said establishing a FamilyHealth Team in Georginawould also become a recruitingtool as many new doctorsare looking for communitiesthat support a comprehensivehealth care environment. Inaddition,“Young doctors will notcome here without a familyhealth team and up to datefacilities,” he said.When looking forward, Dr.Bebbington suggests that ofthe 16 doctors currently located in Georgina,ten of them are over 50 and they willbegin to consider retirement within 10years. “So attrition becomes a big issue,”

6Cryderman’s ChroniclesCongratulations to DorisMurray who turns 95 onMarch 22. Doris is a life-longmember of this communityand is a wonderful resourcewhen it comes to rememberingour history. Happy BirthdayDoris!I just heard that the EconomicDevelopment Officer for theTown of Georgina, MelissaScaman, has left her positionthere after only six months onthe job. No word yet on whatthe Town is going to do toreplace her.Our best wishes and congratulationsgo out to ClarissaTaylor and Christian Petersenon the birth of their firstbaby, Jonathan Petersen, whoarrived on Tuesday, February24 weighing in at 7lb. 11 oz.The very best to you all.Congratulations to greatgrandmomMarion Lovell onthe birth of her first greatgrandson, Aiden Longo, 9lbs.1 oz. Proud parents are Jenand Adriene Longo.Why not stop by the MansionHouse on St. Patty’s Day onTuesday, March 17 and give alisten to Nothin’ Serious(formerly Irish Stew)? Or, ifyou are in and around Pefferlawthe Fullbrooks will beplaying their Celtic music atthe Belevedere.Anyone wishing to purchaseany of the community mapscreated by the Alliance for aBetter Georgina can contactKaren Wolfe at (705) 437-1216. These beautiful mapsrecord the historical, culturaland environmental features ofBelhaven, Baldwin, Udora,Pefferlaw, Georgina Islandand the Historical LakesideCommunities. Maps are $10each or $15 for two. Visitwww.georginamaps.caMGPS Slammers drum concertMore than 30 Morning GloryPublic School students, parentsand staff have been practicingfor months on Djembé Africandrums to prepare for a concertin the school gym.The Morning Glory SwampratSlammers, led by Ron Cross,exhibited their expertise onTuesday, March 3 by poundingout a series of drumming routinesbefore the school audience.Audrey Bodkin, the librarian atthe school, says the art ofdrumming helps to enhanceself esteem, strengthen memoryskills, listening skills, coordinationand improves thestudents’ attention span andconcentration.With the help of an arts grantand donations from the Parents’Council, the school hasbeen able to purchase 21Djembé African drums.

Tennyson TidbitsHappy belated birthday wishesto Brook Marchand whoturned 10 on February 6.Brook, your grandmotherpromises to get it in the rightissue next year.We also extend our bestwishes to Dan Landers whoturned the big 5-0 on March 6.Happy Birthday Dan andmany happy returns.Birthday greetings go out toBarb Scott who celebrates herspecial day of March 14.Cheers Barb.It is with great sadness andregret that we express ourheartfelt sympathies to BarbKibbleand herfamily onthe loss ofher husbandBob,71, onWednesday,February25. Bob Kibble was along-time resident of Pefferlaw.He and his family ownedKibble’s Variety Store(currently the Village Store) intown for many years and hemade a valued contribution tothe community as a member ofthe Pefferlaw Lions Club andthe Pefferlaw Fire Department.He is survived by hiswife Barb, their three childrenMark, Tracey and Marty andseven grandchildren. Therewill be a memorial service atthe Legion in Woodville onApril 19 from 2:00 pm to 4:00pm.We would also like to expressour deep sympathy to the familyand friends of Lou DoveSr., 86, who passed away atUxbridge Cottage Hospital onSaturday, February 28. Louwas a familiar face aroundtown for most of his life and inhis later years could be seentraveling into town on hisscooter. He worked for manyyears for an automotive partssupplier in Beaverton and wasa valued member of the GeorginaPolice Drum and FifeBand. Lou is survived by hisson, Lou Jr., and three grandchildren.A memorial servicewill be conducted at the BeavertonLegion on March 21 at1:30 p.m.Happy Birthday wishes go outto Nicole Wilson who turns 24on March 24. Nicole has lotsto celebrate because we congratulateher and Andrew Lafaveon their recent engagement.The couple is planning awedding in St. Lucia. All thebest to you both.Peter Wilson celebrated his48th birthday on March 7.Happy Birthday Peter fromyour loving wife.Congratulations go out toCameron Millar Carter ofPefferlaw for receiving his“Invitation to the Ritual of aCalling of an Engineer”. Cameronreceived his iron ring onMarch 7, 2009 in Halifax aftercompleting his two degrees—Bachelor of Applied Sciencefrom Acadia University andhis Bachelor of Engineering(Mining) from Dalhousie University.Camerson has accepteda position with XstrataCopper, Kidd Creek Mine, inTimmins, Ontario. We wouldlike to thank the many teachersand staff at Miliken MillsDay Care, Mount Albert PublicSchool, Morning GloryPublic School and Sutton DistrictHigh School—they alldeserve credit for Cameron’ssuccess.Dr. David Sadler7

8PIP book and bake sale at Lions HallA Book and Bake sale at the Pefferlaw Lions Hall on Saturday, March 7 netted thePefferlaw Ice Pad committee $674.05. Thousands of books and delicious home-bakedgoodies were donated by local residents to support the Pefferlaw Ice Pad Committeein their fundraising efforts.Photo above (left to right): Nadya Edwards, Tin Hois, Susan Gorman and MargRossen join PIP Fundraising Committee Chair, Megan Keith stocking books. Ms.Keith said the event was tremendously successful and she is planning another booksale later this year. “Thanks to everyone who helped at the sale and with the donations”.Cobacabana at Leacock CentreDress rehearsals for the upcoming live theatre showing of Copacabanaare well under way to prepare The Queensville Playersfor six shows between March 27 and April 5. The musicalcomedy is directed by Patsi Szabo and the story is based onBarry Manilow’s hit “Lola”, a show girl in the 1940s. Supportedby 28 singers and dancers dressed in bright, colourfulcostumes, the show brings the excitement of New York and theLatin rhythm of Cuba to the stage.Above left to right are: Brian Hargan as Tony Stephen, Ian FitzGerald as Sam, Katie McClure as Lola, Christine Ford as ConchitaAlvarez and David Rice as Rico Castelli. Adult tickets foreach performance are $20 and seniors and children are $18.

The many faces of Pefferlaws Black River School9Above Photo: A circa 1900 photo of the students attending Black River School No. 4 located on the Pefferlaw Rd. close to where theRiverview Camp is now located in Pefferlaw. Students and their parents were attending a flag raising ceremony. Tom Corner was theteacher at the time however, if anyone can identify anyone else in the photo, please contact Melissa Matt at the Pioneer Village (705)437-2210. Melissa tells me the photo was donated to the museum and anytime the Pioneer Village receives a photo, she is alwaysanxious to identify the people in it. “I think this should be a project,” she says. “To identify this photo while there is still hope. I’msure there are folks out there that can recognize their parents or grandparents. I can’t wait to see what your readers come up with!”Pro Hardware and a whole lot more...This photo of another version of the Pefferlaw Black River Schoolwas taken in 1939 and we gratefully acknowledge Joyce Josie andJack Wheaton for submitting it. (Both are in the photo). FortunatelyMr. Wheaton has provided the names of the students.Back Row (L to R): Tom Quinn, Mary Shier, Don Fontaine, VeraFairbarn—teacher, Clara Hales, Yvonne Corner, Eunice Dawson.Middle Row (L to R): Joyce Beechener, Pat Scott, Patricia Quinn,Helen Corner, Reg Shearer, Lawrence Godfrey, Dick Ablett,George Shier.Front Row (L to R): George Beechener, Jack Wheaton, Art Scott,Ted Quinn, Ted Long.This school was located on highway #48 on the south west cornerof the highway and Riverview Beach Rd. in Pefferlaw and closedin 1976.SHAW PRO HARDWARE533 PEFFERLAW ROADPEFFERLAW, ONTARIOL0E 1N0Telephone: (705) 437-2397Fax: (705) 437-2638Brent ShawOwnerSTORE HOURSMonday—Friday 8:30 a.m.—7:00 p.m.Saturday 8:30 a.m.—6:00 p.m.Sunday 9:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

10YRP warns anglers of ice dangersReports of twovehicles goingthrough the icewithin a weekshould give anglersfair warningthat conditions onLake Simcoe havedeteriorated considerably.York Region Police,the LakeSimcoe RegionConservation Authorityand theMinistry of NaturalResourceshave all issuedwarnings to alertice travellers of the dangers.Those residents who enjoy icefishing are reminded that allfishing huts must be removedfrom Lake Simcoe by midnighton Sunday, March 15. York RegionalPolice and the Ministry ofNatural Resources will be enforcingthis regulation.Unsafe ice conditions on Lake Simcoe maketraveling by car extremely dangerous. A seriesof new pressure cracks have recently been spotted.Extreme caution is advised.“For those residents that are removingtheir fish huts from thelake, you are strongly encouragedto contact your local fishhut operator to check on ice conditions,”reports the York RegionalPolice. Information mayalso be found atwww.georginafishingseries.ca

Nine of York’s 10 worst performing schools are in Georgina—why?11When the Fraser Institute, an independentinternational research organization releasedits report card on Ontario’s elementaryschools last week, it was painfully obviousthat nine of the 10 elementary schools inYork Region that scored the lowest in province-widetesting ofGrade 3 and Grade6 students werelocated here inGeorgina.The York Regionschools with thelowest overall ratingin the2007/2008 schoolyear were: Fairwoodin Keswick;Prince Charles inNewmarket; DeerPark in Keswick;Morning Glory inPefferlaw; Jersey inKeswick; LakeSimcoe in Keswick;Prince of Peace inKeswick; BlackRiver in Sutton;R.L. Graham inKeswick and SuttonPublic in Sutton.Their overall rating scores ran from 2.9 to4.2. The York Region school with the highestranking was Roy H. Crosby PublicSchool in Markham which ranked first outof 2,778 schools in Ontario with an overallranking of 10 out of 10.Nancy Elgie, the York Region DistrictSchool Board trustee for Georgina, said theresults do not reflect the level of supportand the superior quality of teachers deliveringeducation programs in Georgina.“All of those schools are performance plusschools which means they get extra supportacademically and financially,” she said. “IBottom 10 EQAO ScoringSchools in York — 2007/2008School Name Location RatingFairwood Keswick 2.9Prince Charles Newmarket 3.0Deer Park Keswick 3.4Morning Glory Pefferlaw 3.6Jersey Keswick 3.8Lake Simcoe Keswick 3.9Prince of Peace* Keswick 4.1Black River Sutton 4.2R. L. Graham Keswick 4.2Sutton Public Sutton 4.2* Catholic SchoolData supplied by the Fraser Institute.don’t think there is one linear thing. I thinkit is simplistic to think there is one linearcause and effect relationship. It is the dynamicrelationship of many things.”Every year, Ontario students in grade threeand grade six complete testing protocolsdelivered by the EducationQuality andAccountability Office(EQAO). TheYork Region DistrictSchool Board usesthe data to: drawincreasing publicattention to studentachievement; engageschool staff and parentsin dialogueabout improvement;support public discussionabout thecomplex issues ofeducation; highlightthe Ontario Curriculumand its reasonableexpectations forstudents and; improveinstructionaleffectiveness.Both Ms. Elgie andthe York Region District School Board opposethe use by the Fraser Institute of thedata to compare schools.“School boards, teacher federations andprovincial education officials uniformlyoppose the ranking of schools because it ispotentially damaging and misleading to doso,” said Ross Virgo, Manager of PublicAffairs and Communications for the YorkRegion District School Board.“EQAO data are not intended for comparingone school to another. They are for planningschool improvement approaches in eachparticular school,” he said.However, in a discussion with Ms. Elgie,she felt the performance levels of Georgina’selementary schools when comparedto other rural areas in Ontario, were similar.The Fraser Institute results show BeavertonPublic School with a rating of 2.6, CanningtonPublic School with a rating of 5.1 andSunderland with a 4.5 rating.“I know that we have such devoted teachersup here and wonderful school administrators,”she said adding, “Believe me, we aredoing everything that needs to be done andmore,” Ms. Elgie said.

12On March 12, at the Sharon arena, residentsliving in the Lake Simcoe watershedare invited to participate in a pilot workshopdesigned to support environmentallysustainable management practices on private,non-agricultural properties. Call(905) 713-7375 for info.The Sutton Legion will be hosting a St.Patrick’s Day Celebration on Sat. Mar.14 at 7:00 pm. Music, green beer andKaraoke. Wear green.The Brechin Mara Legion Ladies Auxiliarywill be hold a fish fry on Sat. Mar. 14from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Cll the Legion at(705) 484-5393.On March 20, the Salvation Army will beholding a fundraiser spaghetti and meatsauce dinner at the church on Metro Rd.Starts at 5:30 til 8:00 pm and the cost is$10 per person.The Ice Owl hockey team will play thecoaches of the Georgina Minor HockeyAssociation at the Sutton arena on Sunday,Mar. 15 in support of the Red Barn Theatreand Hospice Georgina. Game starts at 2:00p. Cost $2 or $5 per family.The Lake Simcoe Gardeners invite youto their meetong on Mon. March 23 atComing Events & AnnouncementsKeswick United Church at 177 Church St./Guest Margaret Nevett will speak on HorticulturalTherapy and Enabling GardenTools. Call Nancy at (905) 476-3750.York Environmental Stewardship ishosting a free Species at Risk stewardshipOpportunities Workshop for rural landownerson March 26 from 7:00 to 9:00 pmat the Ray Twinney Complex in Newmarket.Call (905) 713-7732.The Queensville Players will be presentingthe musical “Cobacabana” starting onMarch 27, 28 and April 3 and 4 at 7:30 pmat the Stephen Leacock Centre in Keswick.Box office (905) 476-0193.Morning Glory Public School is hostinga conference called “Together We Matter…”on Friday, March 27 from 9:00 amto 2:00 pm. Lunch provided.Skate Canada Lakeside is having theirend of season ice show entitled S.KA.T.EF.M on Sat. March 28 at 3:00 pm at theSutton Arena.The Georgina-Brock Garden Club isinviting you to attend their March 29 meetingto help celebrate 50 years in gardening.Call Tracey (705) 437-7834 for info.CLASSIFIED ADSEavestrough cleaning and protectionsystem installed. Fast serviceand reasonable rates. Free Estimates.Call Eric (705) 513-0136PefferlawEAGLEWOOD GIFT SHOPBuy local artisan gifts in our newgift shop—jewellery, knit-wear, folkart, quilted items, artwork, ETC.New vendors welcome.9715 Morning Glory Rd. PefferlawCall Marilyn (705) 437-1634PART TIME BOOKKEEPINGPOSITIONWe are a small family business locatedwithin Brock Township. Dutiesinclude accounts receivable,accounts payable, bank reconciliation,other office duties.Position requires previous experiencein Quickbook, previous bookkeepingexperience, honest andreliable and able to workindependently.Please fax your resume and referenceletters to (705) 437-4383.