CFN – John Tavares season ending injury should be the moment that the silliness of NHL players at the Olympics ends.

Tavares, like many of his NHL bretheren are paid millions of dollars per year to perform against the World’s best talent.

There is nothing about the Olympics that benefit the NHL, or really the players.  Does it matter if you score a hat trick against Latvia?

It does however matter when a marquis player goes down to injury after getting checked by a player that will never play a game in the NHL.

Sports fans commit to their teams and players.   Dumping teams together for two weeks just makes no sense.  Frankly it’s up there with the Shoot Out as a stunt to spike interest.   I think for many fans they simply lose interest in the season and get distracted during the break.

Hopefully Tavares recovers fully and returns to the NHL next year.   Let this be a lesson to never again let NHL players risk injury for any event during a season.

It should be interesting to see what the oddsmaker’s say about the play off races and how this injury impacts the trade market?

What do you think hockey fans?  You can post your comments below.

CORNWALL Ontario – The buzz around City Hall via the Chem Tanks is that shortly Economic Development head Mark Boileau will be shifted out into Stephen Alexander’s gig, and that Bob “Vienna Sausage” Peters will take over the department.

Now of course this is rumour and speculation; but it sadly is almost believable based on how the Kilger council operates.    With Transport Canada and the Mayor admitting that the department was contacted in February and June 2013 and they refusing to answer why those communications never made it to open council it kinda looks stinky.

After all, City Hall still has not dealt with Mr. Peters working on the mayor’s campaign last term while on City Time when Mr. Peters submitted and discussed the mayor’s campaign banner with CFN during office hours.

And what better way to reward someone’s silence and black ops than a promotion?  It’s how it’s done at Cornwall City Hall, right?   The not so deft selling out of our waterfront by the Kilger council is embarrassing; a corrupt government doling out a favour in the last year of its mandate.

In my opinion there should be no management promotions at City Hall until there is a new duly elected council.

Frankly City Hall needs to come clean on the tank fiasco and Council needs to ask next Tuesday in open council through the mayor the basic question.

Why didn’t Economic Development notify council about the Trillium communications?

Then again maybe they did and there is a deeper and darker answer to that question that voters may never learn the truth of?

The real negative of the Chem tanks won’t be their appearance, but the impact of having freighters pull up across from the condos and the impact of all those trucks on Montreal Road, and streets, and who will pick up the tab of repairing those roads from the heavy trucks?   You dear CFN viewers.

Remember that come election time or when you’re stuck in single lane traffic sucking diesel fumes.

If you have an issue you want discussed in the 11th Councilor email jamie@cornwallfreenews.com

CORNWALL Ontario – One of the reasons I didn’t run for office last term is that CFN was still in its infancy and frankly the other media have been less than civil.   Note in question is that the two that covered my announcement yesterday both went yellow bringing up the political smear of last week.  Corus Radio ignored the first mayoralty candidate announcement even though I talked to their News Director, Bill Kingston in advance.

Fast forward four years and things have changed.  CFN is number one in Cornwall and the ills at 360 Pitt are much more apparent to me.

I have to apologize to the public for endorsing Mayor Kilger; something I will have to live with; but its said that any apology has to have action to back that up and yesterday after much prodding, I took that action by filing my papers to run for Mayor of Cornwall Ontario.

I had earlier stated that I would only do so if the Mayor filed; but frankly with the pouring of the concrete at the Chemical Tanks and the Political and Personal smear I was given last week along with the urging of the public, I decided to take this step.

I also announced yesterday that I will be putting my stake in CFN on the open market because frankly there are not enough hours in the day, and when elected I could not handle all of my duties at CFN.    We have had three asks in the last 12 months and each wanted me to stay on in some capacity.   Nothing will change in the day to day workings although we do have some new talent about to start to show up and take some of the burden off of me as my campaign evolves.

Cornwall is at a critical point in its history.    Change is coming whether people want it or not.   As many of you reading this know I was not born here in Cornwall.  I chose to live here and have now for ten years.

I am Cornwall’s Canary in the Coal mine.    I don’t want others to experience some of the behaviour that I have endured.   I want us to be able to honestly invite investment and talent, and not be embarrassed after.   My neighbours, also a Montreal transplant that invested heavily in their retirement home, have expressed regrets at moving to Cornwall as have others.  I want to help change that.

Same for young people.    It’s time to keep our people home.

How do we do that?  Well there’s not one simple answer, but there is one simple step and that’s for us to stop trashing Cornwall and building our brand.      That starts with our elected officials and management to stop selling us cheap as though something is wrong with us; there isn’t other than we, like some other communities, failed to elect leaders.

We don’t need to freeze taxes, we need to cut them and I feel that a proper audit of the budget by true leaders will show that we can cut taxes without cutting services.  This is something  I am committed to.

Corporate welfare is not the solution.   We need to invest in our people first.   No more 12 months waiting for permits to open a business in Cornwall as one new restaurant owner shared with me.   Can you imagine paying rent and overhead for a year while being jerked around by officials who instead of providing clear lists keep returning piece meal sometimes even having previous work demanded ripped down?     Do we not realize that people talk and it discourages small business from coming to Cornwall?

At a recent meeting it was mentioned that there are 17 available storefronts on Montreal Road.   Le Village has issues that can only be dealt with by taking some honest looks in the mirror and realizing that we have to do better.  Look what Brockville did with King Street?   Look at Westboro.   We have to start the Gentrification process sooner rather than later.  We need to start or assist in the creation of business and cultural incubators.

We can change.  We can do better, but one person will not be that change.   We all have to be that change.  We can make the difference, but only if we put petty past grievances aside and work together.   We need to hold those responsible accountable and heal.

And we need to fix our house.  And once we’ve fixed our house we need to go to our neighbours and say it’s time to amalgamate and create an Eastern Ontario powerhouse of Economic Development; especially with the ways things are going with our neighbours in Quebec.

Remember, one step at a time.   The first step is for you; the voters of Cornwall, to start to focus on the issues that matter to you and to get involved in the process.  We have seven months to harvest these first seeds. We have seven months to create the new Cornwall.    I’m ready if you are.

You can email me at jamie@cornwallfreenews.com

CORNWALL Ontario – I emailed Cornwall Ontario Mayor Bob Kilger who in spite of telling people that he will be running for Mayor again in the Fall has yet to file his papers as he’s busy selling out our Waterfront for Chemical tanks.

It was a simple note I sent to our Mayor.    I think the future of our City is the issue in the next election.  I have been told by some that he has said around his favourite breakfast haunt, Napoleon’s (now that’s ironic) that he will refuse to debate me during the campaign.

If he truly cares about the future of the people of this city and has any testicular fortitude he will pick the time and place in March.

We have many issues facing our city and with his history of being a long time MP and two term mayor he should be able to stand up and be able to account for himself.

Bob you pick the date and location in Cornwall in March 2014.  

 

I challenge you to a debate, one on one on the future of Cornwall Ontario.

 

CFN – This is Tom Manley reporting from the floor of the national convention in Montreal of the Liberal Party of Canada. I am traveling from Cornwall and Stormont Dundas South Glengarry. With me are Del Jones of Morrisburg, president of the SDSG Federal Liberal Association and declared candidate for the Liberal provincial nomination. I am also with David Jones of Morrisburg who is currently studying in Toronto.

David’s participation is motivated by Justin Trudeau, the Party Leader, his leadership style and his ability to connect with Canadians. Justin is a breath of fresh air in contrast to Stephen Harper. David is excited by the new momentum that the Party has acquired.  He is also looking forward to the discussion on the policy proposal for a guaranteed minimum income.

Del comes to the convention keen on seeing how Justin’s key economic message for the middle class will translate into policy resolutions. Del piloted several policy proposals from SDSG through the regional and provincial prioritization process. He is pleased to see several proposals find common ground in other ridings and get blended with other proposals.

I am here for the political process. Keen on seeing a Liberal win in 2015, I observe and note the game, the machinations, the energy and enthusiasm, and the platform being assembled for 2015.

This is my fourth Liberal national convention in a row after participating in Dion’s election, Ignatieff’s election, the reconstruction convention in Ottawa and now here today.

This convention is different from the others. There is no leadership race. The executive council elections are limited with many positions acclaimed. The other conventions had lots at stake and felt open to differemt possibilities. This convention seems constructed. The highlighted banners carry Justin’s message “Hope and Hard Work – J’embarque”. The opening discussion with the former US Secretary of the Treasury set the stage and the justification for Justin’s key messages about a mixed market economy, long term investments in people and infrastructure, and smart regulations. Don’t get me wrong. I support almost of what was said.  I merely observed how the stage was crafted to construct the platform at a national convention intended to allow the resolutions bubble up from the grass roots.

Justin’s opening speech was good and stirred the thousands in the audience. But it was not intended for us in the room. It was clearly intended for a national audience. He opened at length in French only praising his home town of Montreal. He took direct aim at the PQ’s charter of values but attacked it differently in English and in French.

It will be a great convention of a Party building its momentum. As one long time Liberal MP told me : “Things are getting better and many things still have to get better yet”.

(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)

Ontario Provincial Police News Portal [STORMONT DUNDAS and GLENGARRY] SD&G Charges Laid February 14-20, 2014 2014-02-21

CFN – It’s that time for another Beat the Clock Special on CFN!  Today’s deal is a one month in our   Video Insertion box!   For only $49 +HST, but you have to buy before Saturday February 22, 2014 at noon!

Insertions can be used for any month in 2014 and you can buy as many months and slots (up to 8 videos are rotated in our box) as you wish.

(CFN reserves the right to refuse any ad and limit quantities.)

Charities, Groups, Events, Venues, Artists, Notices.

Don’t be left out!   Remember you have to purchase before noon EST on Saturday February 22, 2014!

Email info@cornwallfreenews.com to reserve yours at this insane price!

Check CFN regularly to catch our amazing Beat the Clock specials!

Are you kidding me, city officials are powerless to stop the construction of the illegal chemical storage tanks that are being built on our waterfront!

This is insane. The company ignores the “Stop Work Order” and they forge ahead with the tank farm. If an ordinary guy ignored an Order, he would have been arrested and in jail by now.

I call on our elected officials to use all means necessary and immediately stop any further construction at the site. Who the heck is in charge?

If our elected officials have given up, we deserve to know.

Mark A. MacDonald

Cornwall ON

(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)

CFN –  Tom Manley, pictured with Stephane Dion & David Jones from right to left above, reports from Day 2 of the big Liberal AGM in Montreal.

On media access:

Terry highlighted that this issue is not one of media treatment for the sake of the media. Who cares about the media? The question is more about the target audience of the purpose being served. Is the Party in question being well served by controlling media access and hence public access to its people and activities?

 

According to a senior volunteer Liberal director, the media has free access to the hallways, the crowds, the plenary sessions, learning sessions, and policy workshops. However the media and observers from other parties are restricted from the “green” and “blue” workshops covering campaign strategies, campaign training, organizing, branding, party governance. These are considered internal party affairs of a partisan competitive nature and should remain internal.

TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH STORMONT

Contact Information

Town Hall

Telephone: 613-534-8889 or 1-800-265-3915

Fax: 613-534-2280

Address: 2 Mille Roches Road, PO Box 84, Long Sault, ON K0C 1P0

Email Address: info@southstormont.ca

Council

Mayor Bryan McGillis 613-937-3116 bmcgillis@southstormont.ca

Deputy Mayor Tammy Hart 613-984-2543       tammy.farms@xplornet.com

Councillor Cindy Woods 613-537-2977 cindy_woods@xplornet.com

Councillor Barry Brownlee 613-537-9753

Councillor Richard Waldroff 613-537-8226        rwaldroff@bell.net

Regular business hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Latest news and information:   visit www.southstormont.ca.

Council Meetings

March 12 and 26th at 7:00 PM

Planning & Building Standard Committee

March 11 at 4:30 PM

Budget

2014 Budget preparations are underway; the first was held on January 21 and the second is scheduled for March 5 at 9:00 AM. The public is welcome to attend.

The public is welcome to attend.

Click to visit the South Stormont Facebook page!

NOTICES 

Municipal Election 2014

On October 27, 2014, electors across the Township will exercise their right to vote in the municipal election.  If the required nominations are received,

voters may cast their ballots for:

One Mayor;

One Deputy Mayor;

• Three Township Councillors;

• Two SeparateSchool Trustees (English and French); and

• Two Public School Trustees (English and French).

Nomination forms are available at the Town Hall, 2 Mille Roches Road, Long Sault or through the Township website www.southstormont.ca.

Surfing …..Anytime of the year!

Catch the wave and surf the “NEW” Township website at www.southstormont.ca A refreshing and informative experience.

FINANCE

Utility Billing (Water/Sewer for the period July-December, 2013)

Water bills for July to December 2013 (Ingleside, Long Sault, Eamers Corners/St. Andrews West) have been mailed and are due February 21, 2014.

The Township offers many methods of payment such as automatic withdrawal, telephone/internet banking, in person, by cheque, and at most financial institutions. Please ensure that your method of payment allows sufficient time for processing; payments must be received at the Township office by the due date. 

For your information a penalty of 1.25% is added to all outstanding tax accounts the day after the payment due date and continues to be added on the first day of each month until the account is paid in full.  

Thank you for your cooperation. Should you have any questions, please contact the Township office.

Dog Tags

2014 dog tags are now available for purchase at the Town Hall:

Fees: Intact Male or Female $20.00

Neutered Male or Spayed Female $15.00

FIRE & RESCUE

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

• Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as 2 minutes to escape safely once the alarms sounds.

• The largest percentage of fire deaths in the home occur at night while people are asleep. A working smoke alarm can provide an early warning that can make the difference between life and death. Have a home fire safety strategy that includes fire safe behavior and developing and practicing a home fire escape plan.

• The Ontario Fire Code requires a smoke alarm between each sleeping area and the remainder of the home. The Code requires alarms on every level.

• Install a new battery at least once a year or as per the manufacturer’s instructions. If the low battery warning beeps, replace the batteries immediately.

• Test your smoke alarms every month using the alarm test button or follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years or as recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Check your smoke alarms monthly, by pressing the “test” button AND annually by using smoke in a safe manner. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

PUBLIC WORKS

Parking Requirements

Please park your vehicle in your driveway, well off the road, until street and sidewalk cleaning operations are complete.  This allows our crews to do their job and make the streets and sidewalks safe for everyone.(Vehicles interfering with snow removal or blocking sidewalks may be ticketed at a cost of $40.00)

WINTER MAINTEnance INFORMATION

Winter weather is still here. Your assistance during the winter season will help the Township of South Stormont Public Works Department provide efficient and effective winter maintenance. Please keep the following points in mind throughout the winter season:

• Trucks with flashing blue lights are working to clear the snow. Please give them room to work and pass very carefully.

• It may be less frustrating to wait until the plow trucks have completed their street before shoveling the end of your driveway.

• Snow from the end of the driveway should be shoveled to the right, facing the street.

• If you hire a contractor to plow your driveway, please remind them that pushing snow back into or across the street is prohibited. Doing so not only creates hazards for drivers, but also makes it difficult to keep the streets clean.

• The Township’s mailbox policy states that the Public Works Department will only replace a mailbox if the post or box has a direct hit from the Township’s snowplow.

• If your garbage and / or recycling pickup day coincide with plowing activities, make sure your trash can and recycling bins are behind the curb or in the driveway so that it avoids the plow.

Did you know that the average completion time for each plow route is six (6) hours? Some factors that can affect this approximate time include:

• snowfall accumulation,

• type of precipitation (i.e. freezing rain, wet snow or “just plain” snow), and/or

• the time of day the precipitation occurs.

All concerns or requests relative to snow removal should be directed to the Town Hall at 613-534-8889, please allow our equipment operators to do their job.

RECREATION BILLBOARD

Parks and Recreation Department (Long Sault Arena)

Telephone: 613-534-2419

Address: 60 Mille Roches Road, Long Sault, ON K0C 1P0

Email: kevin@southstormont.ca

Long Sault Arena - MARCH BREAK FREE Public Skating The following times will be available for free public skating courtesy of Tim Horton’s:

• Sunday, March 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, March 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, March 12 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Thursday, March 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

South Stormont Spring Programs & Events

The Parks and Recreation Department is currently working on the 2014 Spring Programs and Events brochure.  If you have an event or program taking place within the Township,please send the information to kevin@southstormont.ca   The brochure will be circulated to all homes in South Stormont in March, deadline to submit information is February 26.

South Stormont Sports Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame is now accepting induction nominations for the next ceremony scheduled for September, 2014.  Forms are available at the Long Sault Arena and can also be downloaded from the official website at www.southstormont.ca/halloffame, deadline to submit nominations is May 1.

TOURING THE TOWNS

South Stormont Chamber of Commerce

We welcome everyone to attend the next South Stormont Chamber of Commerce meeting on Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00 PM at the South Stormont Town Hall, 2 Mille Roches Road, Long Sault.  We hope to see you there!

Dance the night away…….

Dance and Silent Auction“Back to the Past” ~ Dress in your finest vintage attire

When: Saturday, February 22

Where: Finch Community Centre Upstairs, 4 John Street, Finch

Cost: $10.00 per person and may be purchased at:

South Stormont Seniors’ Support Centre 613-537-8644

North Stormont Seniors’ Support Centre 613-984-2436

Doors open at 7:00 p.m., Entertainment by D. J. Dan, Prizes will be awarded throughout the evening, Refreshments and light lunch will be served at 10:00 p.m. All proceeds to benefit the seniors of the Townships of North and South Stormont.

SPRING AHEAD !

SUNDAY, MARCH 9 is daylight saving time so spring ahead and turn your clock forward one hour on

• Alarm clocks
• Wall clocks
• Watches
• Desk clocks
• Kitchen appliances (microwave, coffeemaker, etc)
• TV/VCR
• double-check that your computer and cell phone have adjusted themselves.

Don’t Forget to Check the batteries in Your Smoke Detectors

SD&G Home Business Trade Show

Saturday, March 8 at the South Stormont Community Hall, 2 Mille Roches Road, Long Sault. Free admission, for more information please contact britanniaeventsandgifts@hotmail.com or visit www.britanniatrophies.com We hope to see you there!

CORNWALL Ontario – Wednesday February 26th is wear a Pink Shirt Day to celebrate Anti-Bullying.

Bullying in our Politically Correct world is a scary thing.  It’s about conforming and what happens to those that don’t.  It’s what happens when an honest person confronts a group or person that is lying or abusing  whether they be a kid on the bus or a mayor.

What is Anti Bullying?  Is it simply not being a bully?  Is it confronting Bullies?   Does anyone think that a bully will stop simply because you point out they are bullying?   Most bullies have no issues nor care because whether genetically or culturally they are bullies.

How do you ask a child to not bully when they see their parents or grand parents being bullies?  Likewise if kids see no repercussions to bullying what are they to think?     We have always lived in a world where people learn behavior.   Laws for example are only really observed if enforced?   If most people think they are just laws people will speak up.  For example drive the wrong way down a one way street or throw large litter on the ground and usually someone will say something to you.

What happens when you see someone getting bullied?   These days we see metric tons of cyber bullying?   Do you stand up?

This weekend I myself was bullied.  A group of malcontents are upset that I’m running for mayor.   I won’t go into details or specifics, but one brave soul didn’t so much as take a side, but simply try and reflect what the mob mentality was doing.    This person is a strong defender against bullying.  He was bullied.  He was bullied to the point that a threat was made to his employment and he pulled down his comments.    Did the bullies win?  Yes as he was silenced; but in the end of the day their behavior was not changed except for one that actually sent a private apology.

My grand-father was a pro boxer.   He taught me that when confronted by a gang of bullies to swing for the leader.  He even told me that I may get beaten up but that bullies generally look for weaker foe.   That’s human nature except that if you’re the weaker foe that can mean a life of being a victim.

One of the remarkable things I’ve seen here in Cornwall is that when I have stood up to bullies.  When I have metaphorically smacked them back, they are the biggest ones to cry like baby kittens and cry foul.  I actually get called a bully.

A case in point is one Nicholas MacNaughton who now works for the CIBC as a Mortgage broker.    Mr. MacNaughton decided to take a shot at me when we had our April Fools joke a few years ago and was talking smack.    Like a comedian handling a heckler I asked why he was attacking me as I didn’t make fun of him for dating a tranny.

His girlfriend got it and made a witty reply.   He didn’t.    The bully was slapped down as most bullies should be.   Was my comment tart, stinging, and possibly painful to his insecurity of his own manhood?  Yup.   Did it slur his charming and delightful girlfriend?  Probably not as women have much better senses of humour than men usually.

Mr. MacNaughton then made himself even sillier.    I started to get emails from people sharing that he was telling people that he was going to “beat me up”, again, more intimidation and bullying.   He allegedly went to many of our clients leaning on them to dump CFN as their choice of advertising.   He allegedly bullied them; after all bullying doesn’t have to involve baseball bats.  It can be subtle even.

A few months later he actually called me asking for help.  Not knowing his antics I obliged him.  He was a city bus driver and the Freeholder had run a story about another bus driver having an accident using a stock photo of Nick in front of a bus. I took a few steps and the photo was taken down.  He even thanked me.

Did he stop his antics though?  I’m not sure as recently I discovered  he allegedly leaned on some of our clients suggesting that they’d have more business if they dumped us.

When I was politically smeared recently in other media, Mr. MacNaughton, not having learned from his past bullying actually posted the transcript from our old Facebook whirl while taking another run at me.

Boggling.   This is the culture of bullying.   Most people of course don’t stand up to bullies.  They cough up their lunch money or take the abuse.

Another case of local bullying was Ian Wilson of Stormont Stationers here in Cornwall.   He shared with me that he was going to stop his activism to save the Cornwall General Hospital and in general because it was impacting his sales gig and that CCH and other City Hall connected agencies were cutting him off.   Could he directly prove it?   No, these things are never done on company stationary.   They are subtle at that level.  But it silenced him and of course impacted the fight to keep CGH open and alive.

Wearing a Pink Shirt once a year really isn’t a solution.    Maybe, just maybe it creates some awareness, but the bullies big and small are usually the first to wear the shirts and laugh at the rest of us.    The irony is that bullying is so ingrained in some of the people of this culture that they don’t even realize it and get angry when you point it out to them; angry to the point of bullying you.  It’s divisive and keeps a community down unless they buckle under the bullies.

When I called out Principal Patricia Brown and the UCDSB over the Swastikas on their school walls the head of the School Board, David K Thomas, called me up and tried to bully me by threatening me with either reporting me to a journalism group I don’t belong to or legal action.  Even now they still are trying to bully us legally over my calling them out on the handling of leaving a sign of hate on their school walls.

In the end I may succumb to bullying.   I may choose like the brave young man that waded into the chat this weekend to simply move down the road.    I don’t think that would happen; but if even one person develops some bravery by wearing a Pink Shirt today that’s awesome.

We need to learn how to deal with bullies in our world.    In my opinion the best way is to out them and expose them like a vampire to sunlight.

I know that part of the trials and tribulations I endure is because of systemic bullying from the Mayor and his friends.   I live with the day to day results of seeing some of our clients bullied; usually the ones dependent on some business  or patio permits from City Hall.

But if we all work together and stand up to bullies one by one we will make our world a better place.

Do you have any bullying stories of your own?   You can post your stories and comments below.

(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)

Cornwall Ontario –   The City of Cornwall has updated the fire at the Aevitas PCB fire in Cornwall yesterday.

The Event
At approximately 12:20 pm on Monday, February 24th, a call was received by the 911 operator advising of a fire at Aevitas Inc., a business on Industrial Park Drive in the Cornwall Business Park.

The Response
The Fire Department responded with 14 personnel.  An additional 18 personnel were called in for support. 

The Summary
A high pressure light bulb inside the building accidently blew and fell on cable paper wrap, starting a fire.

There were extremely low levels of PCBs (below 1%) in the area of origin. The situation did not pose a significant health or environmental risk to the public.

All personnel precautions and safety procedures were followed and the Cornwall Fire Department’s Haz Mat Team was in contact with CANUTEC, the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre operated by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Directorate of Transport Canada. The Directorate’s overall mandate is to promote public safety in the transportation of dangerous goods by all modes.

Minimal damage was caused to the building as a result of the fire.

One employee was treated by Paramedics for smoke inhalation upon exiting the building and was transported to hospital as a precaution and was later released.

The fire investigation is complete and the building has been released to the owner.

CFN- Asset management in the cap age is critical to any NHL team’s success.   You have to get value whether it be via a players contract versus their output or long term planning.   Sometimes you don’t mind paying a premium if it’s for a quality that your team needs, but never long term and never for something you can easily replace.

Long time Hab D man Andrei Markov is a test for Habs GM Marc Bergevin.   While Montreal is hovering with a play off spot after last year’s end of season plunge and early play off demise there has to be concern, especially with the team not really addressing the needs of this year.

Frankly this season has been a lucky one for Montreal.  It’s point total’s are greater than its overall performance.

While Carey Price had a great Olympics his season this year has not been his finest and while his over all numbers are good it’s the impact that he’s had that has some questioning.  Too many untimely goals.   The bigger question is whether it’s the goalie or the D in front of him?

PK Subban is having a fine year and will either be getting a big fat raise or there will be clouds on the horizon for Habs fans.   While the team can trade him they certainly cannot replace him.

That brings us to the Markov situation.     Ottawa recently went through something similar when it let an aging Sergei Gonchar walk.   While Gonchar’s numbers declined with age, some things can’t be quantified even in this day of micro statistical observations by fat guys in basements with too much time on their hands.

Erik Karlsson’s season didn’t take off until Ottawa addressed the loss of Gonchar, in this case bringing up 1st rounder Cody Ceci which has worked out really well.

In Markov’s case his asking price is not that steep at $6M per.  The question is the amount of years.   Gonchar headed to Dallas at the age of 39 with a two year $10M contract.   The Islanders Andy MacDonald is looking for those kind of numbers and he’s not putting up as good numbers getting number one ice time.

Can it be as easy as simply giving Markov 2 years at $6M?    It might; but is Montreal at a stage where that’s the best move?   They clearly still are a team in flux with a lot of shiny bits and bobs and pieces, but what is the team’s core?

Is it Carey Price, PK Subban, Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec (who doesn’t get enough respect) and maybe Brendan Gallagher?

I’m not sure and only the Hab’s brass can answer that.

Is Montreal ready for a deep play off run?  Not really with the squad.   While Price can get hot they are weak up front and have a few question marks on D.

What can Montreal get for Markov?  Well they can easily get a 1st and a NHL player and top prospect, and that certainly could help long term; but it also could leave a hole and possibly hurt the development of some of the younger defensemen.

Montreal could do a side move; say trade a Markov to Dallas and bring in Gonchar who has one year left at $5M which would give them a minor downgrade and bring back an Erik Cole who besides having had previous success with Pacioretty and Desharnais has had a few good play off runs.   His $4.5 cap for next year isn’t poison for what he brings to the tank as the Habs have missed his productive year with them and his physicality.

Or Montreal can resign him up for two years.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

What would you do hockey fans?  You can post your comments below.

CFN – On February 22, 2014, Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) members were called to Cornwall’s Port of Entry (POE) to process a domestic contraband cigarette seizure. Phillip ARQUETTE (age 52) from St. Regis, Quebec was arrested and charged for possessing nineteen (19) cases of flavoured contraband cigars. ARQUETTE was processed at Cornwall RCMP Detachment and released from custody on his own recognizance with $500 deposit. The conveyance, a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck was also seized.

Early on February 13, 2014, while conducting surveillance in the South Glengarry, Ontario, area, CRTF members observed three (3) snowmobiles, with toboggans in tow, traveling northbound on the frozen St. Lawrence River towards the shore. Minutes later, members located an inhabited shoreline residence where it is believed the snowmobilers had attended and seized two vans loaded with 22 cases of contraband cigarettes. The snowmobilers were observed by the police departing the area in a southwesterly direction and were too far out on the ice for members to effect arrests.

On February 7, 2014, CRTF members received a complaint from a South Glengarry waterfront property owner advising of an abandoned van on his property. CRTF members attended the residence and seized the Dodge Caravan along with its contents of 333 kilograms of fine cut tobacco.

In the evening of February 5, 2014, while conducting snowmobile patrols in the Bainsville, Ontario area, CRTF members observed four (4) snowmobilers each towing a fiberglass toboggan loaded with contraband tobacco, traveling northbound on a trail. The members followed the snowmobilers at a distance until they stopped on the trail at what appeared to be a rendezvous location. CRTF members attended and identified themselves as police officers but all four snowmobiles fled the scene with their contraband product in tow. One snowmobiler could not start his 2010 Bombardier snowmobile, and opted to flee the scene by diving onto one of his friend’s toboggans to avoid apprehension thereby abandoning his snowmobile, toboggan and contraband. CRTF members followed the trail and later located three (3) additional toboggans, all full with contraband product.

It is believed the smugglers opted to abandon their product to avoid police apprehension. In addition to the snowmobile and four large white fiberglass toboggans, a total of 1,646 kilograms of fine cut tobacco was seized.

During the early morning hours of February 3, 2014, while on patrol in the South Glengarry area, CRTF members observed three (3) snowmobiles pulling toboggans loaded with contraband product near the 4^th Concession. Members were able to track the snowmobiles to a location on County Road 18 where a take-down ensued. Two suspects, Marc CUILLERIER (age 28) of St. Zotique, Quebec, and Patrick DESJARDINS (age 40) of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, were arrested at the scene for being in possession of contraband tobacco. In addition to 82 cases of contraband cigarettes, two tan coloured 10’ fiberglass toboggans were seized. CUILLERIER and DESJARDINS were processed and later released by way of their respective Promises to Appear.

On January 20, 2014, while working in the South Glengarry, Ontario, area, RTF members encountered several snowmobiles pulling sleds from east to west across County Rd 27. One of the snowmobiles nearly collided with an unmarked police vehicle as it was crossing the road. All of the snowmobiles fled west into a nearby field. Two of the snowmobilers dumped their sleds which contained in total 47 bags of fine cut tobacco. Homemade aluminum sleds and contraband product weighing a total of 630 kilograms were seized.

On the evening of January 13, 2014, CRTF members observed two (2) individuals walking, each with a large hockey bag, along the bike path near the RCAFA in the City of Cornwall. When police approached to speak with the individuals, both fled on foot. Amanda TRYON (age 23) of Cornwall, Ontario was apprehended by CRTF members a short time later. The other individual, a male, was successful in avoiding apprehension and remains at large. TRYON was arrested and charged for being in possession of two (2) cases of contraband cigarettes, also faces a breach of Probation charge and was held in custody pending her bail hearing.

On December 24, 27 and 28, 2013, CRTF members were called to Cornwall’s Port of Entry (POE) on all three (3) separate dates to process domestic contraband cigarette seizures.

On December 24, 2013, Braiden MATTICE-SUNDAY (age 18) of Hogansburg, NY, was attempting to cross the border with seven (7) cases of contraband cigarettes in his Chevrolet Impala. The contraband and conveyance were seized.

On December 27, 2013, Keshia THOMPSON (age 26) of Akwesasne, Ontario, had six (6) cases in her Ford Excursion. THOMPSON’s vehicle and contraband were seized.

On December 28, 2013, Lucy LACELLE (age 64) of Cornwall, Ontario, attempted to cross one (1) case of contraband cigarettes.

MATTICE-SUNDAY, THOMPSON and LACELLE were processed and released from custody to attend court at a later date.

On December 16, 2013, acting on information received and observations made, CRTF members executed a search warrant at a Cornwall, Ontario residence. During the search, the following four (4) Cornwall, Ontario residents were arrested: Claude HOULE (age 50), Karen HOULE (age 46), Paul INGOLA (age 60), and Chad LAFRANCE (age 25).

During the search, approximately three (3) cases of contraband cigarettes, approximately 12 grams of marihuana and related paraphernalia, and $1,250.00 in Canadian currency was seized.

All accused were brought to Cornwall RCMP Detachment for processing and later released on their respective Promises to Appear. All face Excise Act 2001 charges and Karen HOULE faces an additional drug possession charge for the marihuana seized.

The individuals noted above, who have been charged under the provisions of the Excise Act, 2001, also face charges under the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of unmarked cigarettes.

If you have any information regarding criminal activity in your area, you can contact the CRTF at 1-613-937-2800 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The CRTF is a joint forces partnership that includes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Ontario Provincial Police, Cornwall Community Police Service and the Ontario Ministry of Finance.

CFN – Cornwall Ontario City Councilor David Murphy has filed his papers for re election.  The first time councilor has been a part of the most dysfunctional council in the city’s history.

Murdering Beavers, Pigeons, Geese, Coyotes, the Fitzpatrick scandal, the firing of HR Manager Robert Menagh to move into a new direction which still seems an awful lot like the old direction, and helping cover up and beat up the three whistle blowers in the City of Cornwall to date this term.

Mr. Murphy also volunteers with sports related events in addition to his positions with Benson’s and working for PC MPP Jim McDonell.

He proudly boycotts CFN and refused comment for interview regarding his candidacy.  He actually was a member of a boycott CFN group, and while removing his id refused to issue a public statement regarding how it came to be there.

Cornwall Ontario – Today was wear pink shirt day about anti-bullying.    I think by now after a day of talking about anti bullying most of you reading this know about bullying.  And yes, my pic on the left was on a site that is attempting to bully me into silence by stirring up a lot of wild and crazy stuff.

What I’d like to do is talk about the culture of bullying in Cornwall Ontario.   It’s systemic.   In the ten years I’ve lived in this town I’ve seen the deepest, ugliest and darkest sides and impacts of it.

While I can give you some of my experiences I won’t.  I’m going to talk for a bit about Ryan Gosling.  Ryan of course has become a major star in Hollywood.  He still comes “home” to Cornwall; usually around the holidays to visit his family.

There are a lot of people with Ryan Gosling stories.  Ryan was a bright sensitive precocious kid.  He had artistic sensitivities even as a child running to Montreal to do auditions, and eventually leaving Cornwall and making it big.  I get that, and although having done it in reverse, we both are probably the only Cornwallites who’ve ever had our work nominated for Oscars and yet….

Ryan was bullied.  I’ve actually met people here in Cornwall that smile and talk about themselves or family members “putting the beats on the little ………”   I won’t finish the quote but I’m sure many of you can figure it out.

There are some here in Cornwall that complain that Ryan doesn’t talk about Cornwall much publicly; but can you blame him?  Imagine if you lived in a city as a child and you suffered name calling and abuse.

From what people have told me they did or witnessed, I can only imagine what the happy faced boy in the video above must have felt.

Cornwall isn’t a city that cherishes its history much.  Many of our old buildings are long gone; just images on postcards.   There’s a nasty flavor and social caste that really isn’t productive.   For years the political movers and shakers, connected to the mills kept other businesses out of Cornwall or made it really hard; some say they still do; especially if you want to open a small business with some Restaurants taking 12-18 months to open while having to pay their rent or mortgages.  There are over 20 empty stores in Cornwall and there aren’t that many to start with which in itself should be a warning sign for our community.

What I’ve discovered most in my years living here is that the bullies and powers that be hate it when you stand up to them; but what’s weirder than that is when you stand up to them and knock them down harder than they knocked you,  they resort to lies, and some of those lies lead to people getting hurt.  False criminal charges, statements patently untrue that become grist for facebook and gossip, friendships break up from stresses put on the friends of targets like what happened to me this very day.

Where does that leave a community at the end of the day?   People should be judged by their deeds and actions.   They should be judged on the merits of what they can do, and do in fact do.  Not because they’re someone’s cousin or donated to a politician’s bag man.

For Cornwall to move forward we need to change the culture of our city from hate and bullying.   We need to stop punishing the victims for speaking out like what happened in Project Truth which was nothing more than a $50M cover up or with the three whistleblowing cases in the last few years.

We need kids like Ryan Gosling to grow up and want to say nice things about Cornwall Ontario.  We need to celebrate people like Ryan and make them want to come back for those celebrations.  I mean why isn’t November 12th Ryan Gosling Day in Cornwall?

And we if we’re going to fight over an issue we have to call a spade a spade and realize that some of our friends and family may not be perfect, and sometimes have to be called out for their crimes and yes, bullying.

The voices silenced are always worth far more than the ones remaining.

The choice of course is all of ours.  We can keep the status quo and chase more good people away like the half dozen or so that I know of in my tiny social circle here in Cornwall that are leaving, or we can choose to become a more inclusive, inviting, and a fair society and culture.   Believe me word spreads and frankly our rep can use some improvement.

That change starts with each of you who reads this.   And if you look deep in your hearts and minds, if you have either of those, you’ll know the answers and you’ll know what to do.

Nobody should go through what Ryan Gosling did, or I have, or a few others this weekend who tried to stand up to a small group of bullies on social media.

It’s time for change Cornwall.

(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)

ASSAULT, ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON, INTIMIDATION, BREACH

Cornwall, ON – A 29-year-old Inkerman man was arrested on February 26^th, 2014 and charged with assault, assault with a weapon, intimidation and breach of probation for having consumed alcohol and failing to keep the peace. It is alleged that on February 26^th, 2014 the man was involved in a verbal argument with his 33-year-old girlfriend when he threw items at her, threatened to harm her and pushed the woman to the ground. Police were contacted to attend the Ninth Street apartment and an investigation ensued. During their investigation the man who was under the influence of alcohol was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. His name was not released as it might identify the victim in the matter.

WARRANT

Cornwall, ON – A 35-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on February 26^th, 2014 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged that a probation warrant had been issued for the arrest of the man for having breached his conditional sentence. On February 26^th, 2014 police attended the Cornwall Courthouse as the man was being held in custody for an unrelated matter. The warrant was executed by police and the man remained in custody to await a bail hearing. His name was not released as the warrant stems from a domestic matter and might identify the victim in the incident.

Cornwall, On – Marcel Delorme, 49 of Cornwall was arrested on February 26^th, 2014 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of the man as he breached his probation order and his whereabouts was unknown. On February 26^th, 2014 the man attended police headquarters to deal with the matter. He was taken into custody and later released with a court date of April 3^rd, 2014.

BREACH

Cornwall, ON – Dustin Bedingfield, 24 of Cornwall was arrested on February 26^th, 2014 and charged with breaching his probation order and conditional sentence order for having consumed alcohol, marihuana and failing to keep the peace. It is alleged that on February 26^th, 2014 police attended his residence to confirm the man was abiding by his conditions. The man was found to be in breach of his conditions therefore taken into custody and charged accordingly. He was transported to police headquarters and held for a bail hearing.

BREACH

Cornwall, ON – Kyle Shaver, 27 of Morrisburg was arrested on February 27^th, 2014 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged that on February 27^th, 2014 the man was spotted walking in the area of McConnell Avenue and Second Street by a member of the Cornwall Community Police. Upon speaking with the man it was learned that the man was wanted on a warrant for failing to report as directed. He was taken into custody and held for a bail hearing.

BREACH

Cornwall, ON – A 16-year-old Cornwall youth was arrested on February 25^th, 2014 and charged with breaching her probation order and recognizance for not abiding by house rules and failing to keep the peace. It is alleged that on February 23^rd, 2014 the youth failed to return home at a pre-arranged time as per house rules. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. On February 25^th, 2014 the youth attended police headquarters to deal with the matter. She was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. Her name was not released as per provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Cornwall, ON – A 35-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on February 25^th, 2014 for breaching his conditional sentence order. It is alleged that on February 25^th, 2014 during a traffic stop the man was found to be in the presence of his 25-year-old ex-wife despite being on conditions not to. He was taken into custody and held for a bail hearing. His name was not released as the matter stems from a domestic incident and may identify the victim.

BREAK AND ENTER

Cornwall, ON – Crystal Square, 31 of Cornwall was arrested on February 25^th, 2014 and charged with break and enter. It is alleged that on February 25^th, 2014 the intoxicated woman forced her way into a friend’s apartment while no one was home. When the tenant returned to the apartment the woman refused to leave and police were contacted. During their investigation police took the woman into custody, charged her accordingly and later released her to appear in court on March 25^th, 2014.

From the OPP:

DRUGS SEIZED

(South Glengarry) -  On 22Feb14, at approximately 1:36pm, Ministry of Transportation (MTO) officers, in conjunction with Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Long Sault Highway Safety Division (HSD) officers, conducted a routine commercial motor vehicle inspection on County Road 2, South Glengarry Township.

During the inspection officers found the 34 year old male driver (Mathieu BELANGER of Boisbriand, Quebec) and the 36 year old female passenger (Catherine VILLENEUVE of Boisbriand, Quebec) in possession of small amounts of suspected marihuana, cocaine and methamphetamine.

The two vehicle occupants were arrested and face charges of:

• Possession Schedule II Substance – Cannabis Marihuana – under 30grams
• Possession Schedule I Substance -  Cocaine
• Possession Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine

They are scheduled to appear 02Apr14 in Alexandria court.

IMPAIRED DRIVER

(North Dundas)- On 23Feb14, at approximately 8:57pm, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police (SD&G OPP) officers had the occasion to conduct a traffic  stop on County Road 43, North Dundas Township.

The 37yr old male driver (Christopher BLOOMSFIELD of North Dundas) was found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended driver’s licence.

He was arrested and faces charges of:

• Driving while Ability Impaired
• Driving with More than 80mgs of Alcohol in Blood
• Driving while under suspension

He is scheduled to appear 04Mar14 in Morrisburg Criminal Court and 15Apr14 in Cornwall Provincial Offences Court.

It’s always fun going over numbers and stats and here are some of ours for January 2014!

It’s amazing to see our growth continue at the pace it is.

 January 2013 vs January 2014 we saw some impressive up ticks.

Unique Visitors

 January  2013  41,530

January 2014  60,316  up 45.2%!

Total Visits

January 2013 117,429

January 2014 193,936 up 65%!

Page Views

January 2013 1,770,374

January 2014 2,397,912 up 35%!

Canadian traffic 87.7%

US  6.8%

Most Popular Day on CFN?

Tuesday!

Busiest Hour of the Day?

4 PM EST

70% of our Canadian Traffic comes from Ontario! 

1,357,552 visits!

Our Top 25 City Viewers for 2013

1) Cornwall

2) Ottawa

3) Montreal

4) Toronto

5) Gatineau

6) London ON

7) Kingston

8.) Vancouver

9) Calgary

10) Mississauga

11) Brockville

12) Hamilton

15) Alexandria

16) Clarence Rockland

17) Prescott

18) Waterloo

18) Brampton

19) Petawawa

20) Guelph

21) Hawkesbury

22) Morrisburg

23) Oshawa

24) Edmonton

25) Oakville

Average time per page visited

26 seconds

Bounce Rate

(google analytics)

0.33%

Our Top Five Most Viewed Stories in January

(google analytics)

1)  2014/01/someone-scored-in-cornwall-ontario-restaurant-staff-find-odd-item-left-behind-january-27-2014/

2)  2014/01/breaking-rcaf-wing-in-cornwall-ontario-to-be-torn-down-for-condos-petition-jan-25-2014/

3)  2014/01/mohawk-council-of-akwesasne-rejects-opening-of-new-bridge-to-cornwall-ontario-on-friday-january-24-2014-mca/

4)  2014/01/fire-on-louisa-montreal-road-in-cornwall-ontario-kills-cat-jan-28-2014/

5) 2014/01/cornwall-ontario-driver-finds-unique-parking-spot-at-4th-york-tuesday-jan-7-2014/

Watch out for our Beat the Clock specials on CFN!  You have a brief time to save huge dollars on some of our hottest banner spots and full page deals!  Great for election candidates, charities, organizations and businesses.

CFN is proud to initiate an Economic Development & Marketing plan for Municipalities and regions called Celebrate!

The Celebrate program is a simple and powerful tool to help promote areas and the businesses, services, and organizations that are the life blood of their communities.

We have rolled out our first community, South Stormont Ontario.

The program showcases local concerns, features South Stormont and will include full page items on featured facets of what make South Stormont so special.

If you are a business, service, or organization in South Stormont call Reg at 613 537 9701 to be a part of Celebrate South Stormont or 613 361 1755 to book your spot for Celebrate Cornwall!

If you are spotted wearing a CFN pin you can win valuable prizes.   Click the banners that you see on CFN later this month to find out where to pick your pin or email info@cornwallfreenews.com

We at CFN  could not do it without you.    And if you love CFN as much as it looks like you do, and want to help please keep viewing.

Read us on Facebook and Twitter.

CFN is also a proud sponsor of your Cornwall River Kings!

Check out our coverage and if you catch me at a Kings game wearing my number 31 jersey you could win free tickets !

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