Wednesday, June 16, 2010

District Living
the proposed bylaw to amend Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw #2002-39, which comes almost a year after the township began reviewing its zoning bylaw pertaining to group homes after Weechiit-te-win Family Services sought to relocate its Training and Learning Centre (TLC) there from Watten Township. Before it was rural residential, he noted. We expanded it to residential and rural residential. Its down in black and white, its not genericnow its nailed down, Reeve Hammond stressed. Before it was just sitting there, it could go either way. While the proposed changes to the zoning bylaw dont disallow a group home from being established in Alberton, it does outline certain criteria that must be met before one could be established in a rural and rural residential area. Some of these proposed changes include: Site plan control shall apply to the group home and crisis centre uses in order to ensure the size, scale, and appearance of such facilities are compatible with, and integrate seamlessly with, existing residential structures and uses in the neighbourhood in which the facility is proposed to be located; Group home and crisis centre uses shall be permitted only where it can be demonstrated that such a use can be undertaken without any adverse long-term impact to the environment, to neighbouring properties, and to the rural character of the neighbourhood in which such a facility is proposed to be located; and Group home and crisis centre uses shall be permitted only where it can be demonstrated that there is a need for same to be established in the township in order to serve present and future residents of the regional market area, as same is defined in and governed by the provincial policy statement, in which the township is located. The issue first arose last summer when Alberton resident Gayle Arpin requested a zoning bylaw amendment that would have seen a portion of her land located along Highway 11/71 re-zoned from business park to institutional. If the bylaw amendment had gone through, Weechi-it-te-win planned to purchase the property for the TLCs new site. Alberton council eventually vot-

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ed down the re-zoning request in August, based on concerns the proposed use of the land did not sufficiently conform to the townships official plan and the intentions behind the business park zoning currently in place there. As well, council had noted at the time there was a clear mandate from the constituents [that were present] that a significant portion of Alberton residents did not want a group home of any kind in their township. At that time, it also was noted Please see Alberton, B6

Alberton invites input on zoning changes for group homes

By Peggy Revell Staff writer Alberton has scheduled a public meeting for next Wednesday (June 23) concerning proposed changes to its zoning bylaw concerning the establishment of group homes within the township. Set for 7 p.m. in council chambers at the municipal office, the meeting will give residents the chance to learn more about the proposed changes as well as give council feedback. Its more expanded, Alberton Reeve Mike Hammond said about

Watson declared senior-of-year for Alberton

By Peggy Revell Staff writer Alberton has named life-long resident George Ray Watson as the recipient of the townships Senior of the Year Award for 2010. Watson was honoured at last Wednesday nights council meeting for his years of service to the community, which included six terms sitting on council and several years working on the rec committee. If it wasnt for people like you, our recreation centre at the Millennium Park would not have progressed to the point it is today, said Alberton Reeve Mike Hammond while presenting the award to Watson. As you now see it, its become quite a complex, with the ice rink, sliding hill, picnic area, kids play area, he noted. And this summer, the installation of exercise equipment for the adults to use while the children are playing. Ray, on behalf of the council, residents, and community, I present to you this award for the Senior of the Year for the Township of Alberton, added Reeve Hammond as those on hand for the meeting gave Watson a hearty round of applause. [I was] very surprised and honoured, Watson recalled upon learning he was this years recipient. I was quite surprised when it came out in the newsletter, it was quite an honour. I lived here all my life, and enjoyed the community. Its a really good community, he added, referring to why its been important for him to contribute to the community. I think Im retired, Watson laughed when asked about any future plans. I think its time for new blood, younger people to get in and get involved, he remarked. We always pick someone who has served the community, Reeve Hammond explained after the council meeting, citing Watsons years of service on past councils and his involvement with the rec committee. If youre on a council like this, theres no money in it and its time-consumingand then you get people yelling at you if you happen to be in a restaurant, the reeve laughed. Its not a thankful job [but] everybody does it for a reason. While Watsons time spent on the rec committee occurred several years ago (before the community even had the ice rink), Reeve Hammond reasoned Watsons involvement was one that eventually led to developing what facilities are now in place at the Millennium Park. The park is coming along really good thanks to the government funding, the reeve noted, pointing to how the township has been able to take advantage of the infrastructure fundingsuch as the Build Canada Fundthat has been available over the past couple of years. Accessing this government funding required projects that were shovel ready, he explained something that was possible thanks to the rec committees ongoing work over the years. You just dont start something todayit takes people from way back to keep it going to have it ready and have a wish list, Reeve Hammond said, also praising other township residents like Beth Logue for their work on the committee. It takes people like that to keep it moving, he stressed. If nobody had done anything, [the facilities] wouldnt be here today.

Pouring the pad

Despite some delays due to the unpredictable weather of late, the cement was poured at the Emo spray park on Monday. There still are several tasks which need to be completed, however, if the park is going to be ready for July 1. Anyone wishing to volunteer should call 482-1548 or 482-2540. Dave Ogilvie photo

New Alzheimer co-ordinator settling in

By Ken Johnston Editor, R.R. Record While some people may have thought the local Alzheimer Society had forgotten about fundraising efforts here in Rainy River District, the fact of the matter is they were in a state of flux as they replaced their executive director. Lynn Moffatt took over the post on May 31 that was vacated by long-time executive director Margaret Schonewille earlier this spring. Moffatt is a native of Kenora but has ties throughout Rainy River District (in Rainy River, she is related to Ron and Mary OConnor). She brings eight years of experience in the business and marketing administration field. Her previous job was as a marketing officer for Red River College in Winnipeg, and she felt heading up the Kenora-Rainy River Alzheimer Society would be a perfect fit for her skills set. I thought it would be a neat position to utilize both my business and marketing skills, Moffatt noted last week. The organization also has a personal connection for her. Both my grandparents had Alzheimer Disease, she said. While Moffatt is just getting settled into the new job, she knows people are wondering where the Lynn Moffatt has taken over the reins as executive director for the Kenora-Rainy River Alorganization has been. We missed the Walk for Memo- zheimer Society. While a few events were missed in May, she said everything is back on track ries in May, but I am looking at a for upcoming ones. Submitted photo walk later in the summer; perhaps August or September, she reexplained. Meanwhile, all regularly-sched- rial Supper in Rainy River and the marked. The Alzheimer Society offers uled events throughout the district Chefs Dinner in Fort Frances in Right off the hop, Moffatt has found herself in an exciting new public education and also respite will continue as they did in the the new year. past. I am looking forward to renewprogram being run by the society. care services. We are currently in the process Moffatt said they are holding the ing existing contacts in the area Called First Link, it involves two co-ordinators reaching out to new- of replacing our respite center annual Ride for Memories motor- and making new ones! Moffatt co-ordinator, noted Moffatt (the cycle trip on Aug. 28. enthused. ly-diagnosed Alzheimers patients. former co-ordinator was SchoneAs well, the cash calendars for We are always looking for volOnce a doctor gives a diagnosis, willes husband, Dick, who retired 2011 will be available in the next unteers which are so very imFirst Link will be notified. They will then, in turn, contact the pa- not long after she left the organiza- few weeks, and she definitely plans portant to our organization, she to hold the Linda Johnston Memo- added. tients and offer our services, she tion).

George Ray Watson, left, was presented with Albertons 2010 Senior of the Year award last Wednesday evening by Reeve Mike Hammond. Watsons contributions over the years to the community include sitting on council for six terms and sevPeggy Revell photo eral years working on the rec committee.

Luft to open barn concerts

By Dave Ogilvie Emo correspondent This years Barn Concert series at Cornell Farms in La Vallee will kick off this Sunday (June 20) with the folk and traditional roots music of singer/songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire, Cara Luft. One of the founding members of the Juno Award-winning folk trio, The Wailin Jennys, Lufts music has been described as a rich roots travelogue whose traditional heart beats with a wholly contemporary pulse. Luft has a wealth of experience in the Canadian folk/roots music industry, and has travelled extensively around the world spreading her laughter and love of music. She has appeared on stage at Lilith Fair, and also played at the Please see Luft, B6