February 2008 

New Civic Holiday:

Family Day

A reminder to everyone, Monday, February 18^th, 2008 is Family Day.  This is a recognized civic holiday and thus, the Township Office and other government agencies will be closed.

  

Dog Tags

 Dog Licences are now available at the Municipal Office.  The cost is $7.50 for a spayed or neutered dog or $15.00 otherwise.  A licence must be purchased by March 1, 2008, after which there is a $15.00 penalty – per dog.  If you cannot make the deadline please contact the Township Office at 779-2992 or lorraine@twp.prince.on.ca and we will be pleased to accommodate you.

Please remember that all dogs must be leashed in public areas. 

 

 

 

 

 

First Interim Instalment of Taxes

 

The first interim instalment of taxes is due Friday, February 22, 2008.  Remember we are now set up for telephone banking and web banking for your convenience.

  Recreation Committee News

  Sincere Thanks to: 

-     Archibald Brothers for leveling and grading our skating surface at such a low cost to our committee that their work was mostly a donation to Prince Township.

 -     Tony D’Agostino, Consultant at the Ministry of Culture, Recreation and Tourism for his help in accessing a grant of $3,700 through the Communities in Action, to buy new rink boards.

-     Volunteers who helped erect our new rink boards.  Ron and David spent hours assembling the boards.

 -     Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corporation, for lending us a snow blower.

 -     Fire fighters who will be helping to make the ice surface

 The Rink is Ready

 -     The rink is ready for use at the Township Hall site, along with lights and a warm-up shack.  Contact Christina for hockey or skating schedule at  779-2025. 

 SKATING PARTY   Sunday, February 17^th, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. for ALL AGES

 -Skating, broom hockey & hockey. Please bring your equipment.

 -The Banquet Hall will be open for washroom facilities and to warm-up.

-Bonfire to cook wieners ($1.00) and marshmallows! Hot chocolate and marshmallows provided free by Recreation Committee.

Volunteers are invited; call anyone on our committee

 -To maintain the rink.

 -To join our committee.  We meet on the third Tuesday of every month at 7pm.  Upcoming events include the skating party (Feb 17) & Fun Day (Aug 23), along with the purchasing of playground equipment.

 

Recreation Committee Members:  

Ron Amadio:                          779-3721

Bev Couch:                             779-2764

Debbie Kempny:                    779-3121

Christina Luukkonen:            779-2025

Lou Madonna:                       779-2583

Connor Moore:                      779-3814

Bobbi Williamson:                  779-3238

David Yanni:                           779-3170

 

               

            

Prince Township Best Start Hub

(Formerly Ontario Early Years Site)

 Mother Goose and Story Time

Come on out and enjoy Mother Goose Time! We will be having interactive stories and songs with all the materials we use, participants can take home to keep. Begins Wednesday, January 9 2008 at 10:30am, for six weeks.  We will be having these sessions in our Prince Township Public Library. Come on out and enjoy some singing and a story!

 Tiny Tot Gym Time

This gross motor activity will work on you and your child’s balance, coordination and cardio, while playing fun games and singing songs. Beginning Friday February 1, 2008 at 10:30am for six weeks. Come on out and get some fun exercise!

 Circle Time

We will include a variety of fun, interactive and hands-on activities for children reinforcing listening and socialization skills.  Beginning Monday January 8, 2007 at 11am every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

 

 Hearty Animals

This fun art project encourages children to be creative by making heart-shaped animals using a variety of materials.  EXPLORE, DISCOVER, AND CREATE!!  Thursday February 14, 2008 from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

 

Please note the Prince Township Best Start Hub will be closed Saturday February 16, 2008 and Monday February 18, 2008 for the new statutory holiday.  Our regular hours resume Tuesday, February 19, 2008.

 Hours

Monday to Friday                               9:00-3:00pm

Tuesday and Thursday, also               6:00-8:00pm

Saturday                                              10:00-3:00pm

 

Wendy[s Smile Corner...

YAY - there have been smiles a-plenty being shared!
 
...'mmm'- the smell of homemade bread sitting on the counter!
... the absolute Joyfulness of Redemption team participants!
... phone calls that encourage parenting skills!
... the kindness of neighbours (especially those that stop when we're stuck)!
... a special card and angel from a dear friend...thanks VB!
... husbands and wives holding hands - setting life-long examples!
... stick'em notes that give a boost...atta girl KV!

 

Have you seen the email that asks,

 " Why did GOD made Moms"?
(Answers given from 2nd grade school children)
... because she's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
... mostly to clean the house.

"What kind of little girl was your Mom"? 
... I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
... They say she used to be nice.

"If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be"?
... I'd like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head!
 
Remember to share your smile ... it truly does make a difference!

Christ Church Sunday School

‘Community Baby Shower’

Sunday February 17^th

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

585 Allens Side Rd. 

The students of Christ Church Sunday School

joyfully invite you to celebrate life with us!

 Please bring a friend with you and a ‘new, unwrapped baby item or product’. All baby items will be donated to The Algoma Pregnancy Centre.

 Mothers and families in our community can ‘earn’ the items through their participation in the prenatal programs offered. Join us for ‘family fun’ and fellowship! Games, Prizes, Refreshments & Lunch

 If you have any questions call Darlene of The Algoma Pregnancy Centre. (705) 759-9100

Library News

RECOMMENDED BOOKS: Our selections are from the McNaughton collection that has been leased with the money raised from the sale of calendars.

Sara Paretsky's novel BLEEDING KANSAS is set in the Kaw River Valley where Paretsky grew up. It tells the story of two families whose histories trace back to the 1850s. When 18-year-old Chip Grellier dies in Iraq, it is the catalyst for momentous, even monstrous changes in the Valley, which will haunt you the reader.

Our Non Fiction is SHOCK DOCTRINE: the rise of disaster capitalism. Naomi Klein takes aim at governments and their corporate allies for using large-scale disasters: wars, terrorist attacks, or hurricanes as excuses for adopting harsh economic measures.

DIARY OF A BAD YEAR takes on the world of politics and explores the role of the writer in our times with an extraordinary moral compass, written by J.M. Coetzee.

We have your favourite authors: M.G.Vassanji's THE ASSASSIN'S SONG, Patricia Cornwell BOOK OF THE DEAD, Danielle Steele AMAZING GRACE, Dean Koontz THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR, William Bernhardt CAPITOL CONSPIRACY and Loren D. Estleman GAS CITY. There also are many donated paperbacks in the book tower.

BOOK CLUB: Our next book selection will be INFIDEL by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. It tells of her astonishing life story from her traditional Muslim childhood in Somalia to her intellectual awakening and activism in the Netherlands and her current life under armed guard in the West. The date will be Thursday, March 13^th, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

PRINCE CENTENNIAL BOOKS: We still have copies of this anecdotal book “Prince Township 1897-1997 A Royal Experience” for sale in the Library for $10.00. Share a chuckle and a tear as you read about our residents' memories.

DVD POOL from OLS-N: Movies are for all ages but must be borrowed by an adult patron. It is a 5-day loan period.

Winter Hours. Monday 1-3;Tuesday 1-3 and 6:30-8; Wednesday 10-Noon and 1-3; Thursday 1-3 and 6:30-8; Friday 10-Noon. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Recycling and Garbage 

BLUE BOX DATES – Feb. 13 & 27

GARBAGE DATES – Feb. 6, 13, 21 & 27

 Please sort recyclables. Blue box and garbage containers should be placed for collection by 7:00 a.m. Please remember that the bins in the back of the Township Hall are clearly marked.  DO NOT PLACE GARBAGE OR ITEMS THAT DO NOT BELONG IN THE BINS!

Prince Township Survey 

As you may be aware, in 2006 the Prince Township developed a new Strategic Plan.  This Strategic Plan is composed of a Vision, a Mission and Strategic Goals.  The Vision states that the Corporation of the Township of Prince is a tranquil community, supported by economic development that respects the environment and contributes to businesses, services and programs that enhances our quality of life.  The Mission of Prince Township is to facilitate and promote economic development that is consistent with our community vision, enhancing the viability of the Township.  

 The Strategic Goals are: 1. To facilitate the development of businesses, programs and/or services that fit with the culture, vision and mission of the Township. 2. To attract more residents to the Township of Prince. 3. To provide ongoing opportunities for dialogue with residents. 

As a way to provide ongoing communication with its residents, the Prince Township has devised a community survey.  This survey will not only give the Township valuable information about its residents, but it will also allow those residents to communicate their thoughts and feelings about various issues.  This survey will be distributed again every 3-5 years and will become a valuable tool for tracking the progress of the future development in which the community is about to partake in while enacting the Strategic Plan.

 We ask for your participation in assisting the Prince Township to meet its goals as well as your own. Your participation will be greatly appreciated and rewarded. Every household that completes a survey and returns it to the Town Hall or Airways General Store by the deadline, will receive a ballot for a chance to win one of three prizes.  The 1^st prize is a $25 Gift Certificate from Airways General Store.  The 2^nd prize is a $20 Gift Certificate from Boot and Saddles. The final prize will be a copy of the “Township of Prince: A Royal Experience” from the Prince Library.

 The survey will be mailed out to all the residents the first week of February with the tax bills. The deadline for ballot entries is Friday, February 22, 2008. The draw for all three prizes will be held on Monday, February 25, 2008.    The winners will be contacted on the draw date and will also be announced in the March newsletter. 

 We would like to remind you that participation is completely voluntary.  All of your responses will remain completely confidential.  No responses will be used individually.  Results of the survey will be published in a report, to better improve the development of programs, services and economic gains in Prince Township.   This report will be made public in the June 2008 newsletter. Thank you for your support!

Call for Volunteers for the New Tourism Committee 

The Strategic Goals put forth by the Strategic Plan must be approached in various simultaneous steps in order to be achieved to the fullest potential possible.  The Township needs to first build a tourism base.  Once tourism attractions has been established, and the local programs and services had been put into place, efforts can be put forth to entice new comers to move to the area and contribute business development.  Increased business development causes increased economic development, which causes more programs, services and more residents.  It’s a continuous cycle.

 The Township of Prince is looking for volunteers for a new Tourism Committee.  This new Committee will be responsible for the new development projects such as the Wind Farm Tours, the Marina and the Prince Museum and Historical Culture.  Each of these projects shall be lead by a project head. The project head for The Wind Farm Tours will be (who).  The project head for The Marina will be (who). The project head for The Prince Museum and Historical Culture will be (who). The Project Heads shall be the designated spokes person for each project at all committee and general meetings.

 The Tourism Committee shall have a board.  This board shall be comprised of a President, Vice-President, and a Secretary.  Committee members shall elect board members. The purpose of a board is to organize and conduct regular bi-monthly meetings, and to make diplomatic decisions about each project.

 The duties of each board member are as follows: The President shall oversee all Committee activities, chair the Committee & general meetings, represent the Committee, and they shall only vote for tie breakers.   The Vice-president shall Deputize for the President, and help other Committee members where needed.  The Secretary shall take minutes of Committee & general meetings, attend to correspondence, issue notices for meetings, remain in constant communication with the Council and the Community Economic Development Officer and make known of any assistance needed with any projects. If anyone wishes to be nominated for any of these positions, please contact Margaret Lacourciere. 

The Community Economic Development Officer will be available to assist in the organization of this committee and to assist them with government and business contacts as well as other day-to-day administrative and research duties.If there are any comments or questions regarding the Prince Township Survey or the Tourism Committee please contact Margaret Lacourciere at 779-2992 or Margaret@twp.prince.on.ca.

Friends of the Prince Township Library News

 MAMMOTH BOOK SALE, APRIL 3-5:

  The Friends of the Prince Township Library will hold this year’s Mammoth Book Sale in the Station Mall from Thursday, April 3^rd to Saturday, April 5^th.  Transportation and set-up in the mall will begin on Thursday.

 The Mammoth Book Sale offers hardcover and paperback books, jigsaw puzzles, videotapes, and musical compact discs at low prices. Most items sell for $1.00 or lower, so now’s the time to stock up on summer reading.

 If you already have a houseful of gently used books (not yellowed or torn) and working CDs and VHS tapes you don’t need, we’ll gladly accept them as donations.

 Our Friends group also needs volunteers to transport, sort, and sell the donated items.  If you can work a two-hour shift, we’ll be happy to have you join us.   We also welcome high school students who want to earn community service hours toward graduation.

For further information, or to volunteer, call Marguerite La Haye at 779-3653 or 779-3907 or Judy McGonigal at 779-3643.

 

Employment Connection

 Come and meet with an Employment Consultant who can assist you in your job search. An Employment Connection consultant will be available on Thursday, February 21, 2008 from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Prince Township Municipal Offices.

 An Employment Consultant can help you: 

-         Prepare/review your resume

-         Write a cover letter

-         Brainstorm employment prospects

-         Job search on the Internet

-         Provide advice/support 

This service is brought to you FREE of charge and is funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

  

Prince Township Council

 The following resolutions were passed at the Regular Meeting of Council held January 8, 2008 Council Meeting:

 Present:         

Reeve:                        Lou Madonna

                      Councillors:                 Ron Amadio

Ken Lamming

Roberta Williamson

David Yanni

Resolution 2008-2

 Moved by                                              Ron Amadio                                                                                                  

Seconded by                              Roberta Williamson                                                                                 

“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Prince hereby support Durham Region with regards to Employment Insurance Eligibility and Links to Increased Poverty.”

Carried.

Resolution 2008-3

 Moved by                                              Ron Amadio                                                                                               

 Seconded by                              Roberta Williamson                                                

“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Prince hereby support the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) to ban smoking in cars transporting children.”

Carried.

If you have any questions regarding the above or any resolution, please contact any member of Council:

 

Reeve Lou Madonna      779-2583

                                      949-1978

                               Cell 254-8989

Councillors

Ron Amadio                   779-3721

Ken Lamming                 779-2875

Bobbi Williamson           779-3238

David Yanni                    779-3170

 

Snow Machines

 Council reminds everyone of the following laws with respect to snow machines:

 a. Anyone operating a snow machine beyond private property needs insurance, proof of ownership and either a valid Ontario driver’s licence or a snow machine operator’s licence (issued to persons 12 years and over who have passed a snow machine safety course)

 b. Snow machines must have two licence plates complete with validation stickers, one plate on either side of the cowling

c. Anyone driving a snow machine on the shoulders of a road must be sixteen years of age and hold a valid driver’s licence or snow machine operator’s licence

 d. Where the posted speed limit on a road is 50 k.p.h. The speed for snow machines traveling along the shoulder is 20 k.p.h. NOT 50.  Where the posted speed limit is 80 k.p.h. The speed limit for snow machines is 50 k.p.h. 

e. Snowmobiling is prohibited on the shoulders of Airport Road between Base Line and the airport entrance.

 f. The fine for speeding on a snow machine is $90.00.

Complaints have been received with respect to snow machines crossing private property - please respect the property of others.

 

Venmar Ventilation Implements a Safety Retrofit Program for Heat Recovery Ventilators Due to Fire Hazard

 Toronto, ON – The Electrical Safety Authority in cooperation with Venmar Ventilation is notifying the public that Venmar Ventilation is voluntarily and immediately implementing a Safety Retrofit Program of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using the affected units immediately.

 Name of Product: Heat Recovery Ventilators

Units: About 1, 000 in Ontario.

Manufacturer/Importer: Venmar Ventilation

Manufactured in: Canada

Hazard: The thermal protector in some of these units may not be effective, posing a potential fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description/Models: The Safety Retrofit Program covers the units produced between October 2006 and August 2007 and distributed under the brand names of: Venmar, Venmar AVS, vänEE, Rheem, Ruud,  Protech, Carrier, Bryant and Broan.

Sold by: Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning wholesale distributors nationwide, and selected building supply stores such as Home Depot and Home Hardware.

Remedy: Consumers should turn the affected unit off, unplug it and contact Venmar Ventilation as soon as possible. Venmar will send a field technician who will inspect and fix the affected units, free of charge.

Consumer Contact: Contact Venmar Ventilation by phone at 1 866 441-4645, by visiting Venmar’s  website at www.venmar.ca, or by mail at SUP, 550 Lemire blvd, Drummondville, QC, Canada, J2C 7W9.

Remarks: This notice is subsequent to news releases issued on December 21, 2006 and January 19, 2007 (www.esasafe.com/pdf/Safety_Alerts/07-01-AL.pdf ) by the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal and the  Electrical Safety Authority regarding similar issues with models manufactured between 1991 and 2001.

Brand Model:

-Venmar 40225

-Venmar AVS 457XX, 16016XX, 43XXX, 451XX, 45400,           45709IEH, C32042

-vänEE 458XX, 16016XX, 43405, 43828, 45405, 45808

-Rheem, Ruud,

-Protech

-84-ERVXXX, 84-HRVXXX

-Carrier ERVCCLHU1200, HRVCCLHA1250, HRVCCSVU1200,

-ERVCCLHU1150, HRVCCLHA1150, HRVCCLVU1150,

HRVCCLVU1200, HRVCCSVU1150

-Bryant ERVBBLHU1200, HRVBBLHA1250, HRVBBSVU1200

-Broan ERV200HC, HRV200H, HRV100H

NOTE: The « X » digit used in the model numbers can be either a letter OR a number.