CFN –  Mixed communications coming in regarding some bed closures at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital.

PC MPP Jim McDonell sent out the following press release:

Winchester District Memorial Hospital announced the permanent closure of 14 beds earlier today, which equates to more than 22% of their total capacity. MPP Jim McDonell is concerned with the impact this will have on the community. The WDMH recently received the highest honour from Accreditation Canada, when they were given the designation “Accreditation with Exemplary Standing”.

 

“At a time when the senior population of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry has increased and requires access to acute and chronic healthcare, the Government’s funding approach is causing local beds to close” – said MPP Jim McDonell. “We have seen the present government slowly and silently eroding the provision of health services. While they may claim to be encouraging home care and other alternative health provisions, they focus more on creating expensive levels of administration and agencies such as Local Health Integration Networks, rather than actually delivering patient services. WDMH provides an essential service in an area that does not have easy access to either the Cornwall area or Ottawa hospitals – their ability to respond to any health situation that may arise is dependent on their capacity.”

 

The Auditor General may undertake a review of Community Care Access Centres, the agency responsible for administering money allocated for home care. According to some media, some CCAC’s top executives earn approximately $300,000 per year in salary.

 

“The Liberal government removes essential funding from modern and necessary hospitals such as WDMH, but can always find $1.1 billion to waste cancelling power plants, or $2 billion to throw away at E-Health” – MPP McDonell concluded. “WDMH is an essential service for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, providing excellent care and stable, local skilled jobs. Enough is enough. The funding cuts that led to this closure are unacceptable and the Minister of Health must be held to account. I have created a petition against the closure of the 14 beds at WDMH, I encourage the community to sign in so that I can present it in the Legislature and show the Minister the terrific support for our highly recognized hospital.  It is available on my website and at my office”.

 

The Minister of Health, the Honourable Deb Matthews, was not in the Legislature to take questions during Question Period.

Cholly Boland, CEO of the hospital sent in the following response to MPP McDonell’s release:

While it is factually correct, it contradicts the message the hospital is giving the community and the message the CEO gave to MPP McDonell.

It omits the fact that these beds have not been in use for over a year, and that these changes will not impact patient care nor the community.

What are your thoughts CFN viewers? You can post your comments below.

Mark A MacDonald, Traci Trottier, Ron Leduc – Submitted photo

CORNWALL Ontario – Mark A. MacDonald, Fundraising Chair of RCAFA Wing 424, announced today that all proceeds from the fundraiser Variety Show & Dinner on Saturday March 29^th, will donated to the BFO- Cornwall & Area in honour of the late Mr. Si Miller and his family.

“Si touched so many of us and this community is much better off because of the contributions he made,” stated MacDonald. “There will be live music, good company and a great roast beef dinner all for $20.00, and all going to a worthwhile cause,” he went on to say.

“It’s never easy losing someone, we are a support group and we appreciate their help,” said Traci Trottier, BFO Executive Director. “Some of our members participate actively with the Wing and it provides an opportunity to enjoy some genuine companionship for people coping with the loss of a loved one,” Traci stated.

“Si was well known to our Wing members and it is our privilege to host this event,” said MacDonald.  

CORNWALL Ontario –  In these days of trendiness and pushing the limits its comforting to see an old haunt from the past still running.  Jack Lee’s in Cornwall Ontario still serves what we Gaijin refer to as Chinese Food.   Egg Rolls, Won Ton Soup, Pork Spare Ribs soaking in a garlic soy sauce, fried rice, chop suey, and  all of the comfort foods of yesteryear.

Jack Lee’s is the last Traditional Old School restaurant left in the area.   Walking in is almost walking back in time to 1966 when it first opened.

Alas all things change and the place is for sale as the family that have been there is looking at their own futures.   Hopefully another family will take over and continue the tradition for the restaurant in the downtown core of Cornwall.

In the mean while I still have a place to walk to when I have a craving for their old school yummy mini egg rolls!

Pictured in front of the buffet; June & long timer server, Stephanie.

CFN –  The first major trade of the 2013/14 season has occurred, and it’s an interesting whopper!

Buffalo sends out Ryan Miller and Steve Ott to St. Louis.

In return the Blues get Jaroslav Halak, a UFA himself and most likely to be traded again, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a 1st in 2015 and a 3rd in 2016.

Who got the best in this deal?  Clearly Buffalo and I’ll share with you why I think that way.

Traditional thinking is that the team that gets the best player wins.   While I love Halak I have to admit that Miller edges him although I could argue that Halak has better play off number and potential.

In getting Miller and Ott St.Louis has gone all in for this year’s play off run without selling the farm.  It was a smart hockey trade.   Halak is UFA and injury prone on a team that needs to win now.  Miller is no slouch and is more durable.   Can and does St. Louis resign Miller?  That changes the complexion of the deal down the road as does of course what happens with the draft picks that Buffalo gets.

Ott, a fierce warrior is also UFA and has a lot of miles on his clock.  While he does a lot of things well, scoring is not one of them nor does he have a particular shiny play off record.   In some ways he’s an upgrade over Stewart and in someways not.  Stewart has one more year t $4.1M which he should earn with the ice time he will get more of playing for the Sabres.

The Blues do get a bit older.  Miller is 33 to Halak’s 28 and Ott is 31 compared to Stewart’s 26.

The Blues clearly win because frankly Halak isn’t really a step down when he’s healthy than Miller.    Even in his limited play off time for the Blues he shined.  His shut out rate; something I consider significant for goalies is higher than Miller’s.   He’s younger and has a smaller cap hit and will have a smaller cap hit next year too.    The Sabres can try and resign him or send him out right away for a good return; especially with Miller off the market now.

Chris Stewart was rumored to be a trade piece heading to NY for Ryan Callahan.  While rumors aren’t worth much teams are always looking to get bigger and stronger.   Stewart is no goon.  He can and has scored goals and is only 26 with no major injury history.   He’s also locked in for one more year; a contract year.   Buffalo will get good value from him on the ice next year and again will have an asset decision to make on him.     Both Halak and Stewart have the ability to yield more for the Sabres which again makes them great acquisitions for letting go of Miller and Ott.

William Carrier is a promising Pierrefonds Quebec talent.  He is not chopped liver.    He has shown growth, grit, and some play off ability.  If his skating evolves he may be a third line talent for Buffalo.      As for the draft picks, well it’s always good to have extra ammo to play with and while St. Louis 1st will near the end of the round it’s still a 1st round pick.

Blues get Miller and Ott for play off run.  Possibly resign both;  Miller for 3-5 years at $7M.

Sabres get Halak to flip or resign, Stewart for one more year at $4.1, possible NHL player in Carrier and two draft picks.

Buffalo wins this trade, but it’s a seller’s market and Ryan Miller was the cream of the crop.  Kudo’s to new Sabres GM Tim Murray!

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

CFN- Justin Trudeau, who is leading by approximately 10 points in the polls, looms as a very plausible winner of next year’s election in the aftermath of the generally successful Liberal meeting in Montreal last week. Concerns about his depth and gravitas persist, but the allure of his personality is undeniable.

A condensed version of Justin Trudeau’s speech to the Liberal convention last Saturday might read as follows: “We want to give middle-class Canadians who work hard a real chance at success, through a growth agenda that creates good jobs so they can pay off their debts and retire. We’re also all about freedom, opportunity and did I mention Laurier?”

OK so it was light on specifics, heavy on the buzz words. But that doesn’t mean it was without content. Slowly, by stages, we are beginning to get a sense of Trudeau’s thinking on the economy. There will be time enough to get into the specifics of policy closer to the election, when presumably the party will favour us with a platform. What’s more interesting at this stage is the thinking behind it.
It is clear already that his staff is capable and they must all be aware that his opponents are counting on his being vulnerable when familiarity with the principal issues becomes critically important. There is no evidence that Trudeau lacks the intelligence necessary to get, as his father used to say, “on top of the dossiers,” and any strategy based on assuming that he will disintegrate in direct competition with his analogues would be hazardous.

After two terms, the public is apt to be tired of almost any government, unless there is an overwhelming issue where it retains an advantage, as was the case with Pierre Trudeau and the threat of Quebec secessionism, or unless the incumbent leader can fire the voters’ imagination with a new issue every four years. This was in part the secret of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unheard of victories in four consecutive U.S. presidential elections.

The Harper government is not long on inspiration; it has put all its presentational eggs in the basket of prudent government. There is no flair, no panache, no humour, no vision, and not much charm or empathy. There have been no interesting initiatives, apart from the prime minister’s brilliant visit to Israel, for many months, and the government now looks merely like placemen, throwing raw meat to their more reactionary supporters with floggings of the dead horse of harsher sentencing and humbug about marijuana. The whole regime is starting to look like it is simply waiting to be defeated, manoeuvring to ensure that Nigel Wright doesn’t have to give evidence under oath, though its record in office has been adequate to avoid the creation of an unstoppable public desire to turn them all out of office.
As I have written here before, more than any other modern prime minister, Harper resembles W. L. Mackenzie King. But King always tried to strengthen his government, both in talent and in political support. And he always had the mighty tribal vote from Quebec that Sir Wilfrid Laurier had secured by opposing conscription in 1917, keeping Quebec out of the hands of the semi-separatist Henri Bourassa, accepting that his party would be defeated in the election that year but would thereafter have a huge electoral advantage, and governed for 52 years between 1921 and 1984.

This raises two interesting questions about what a Trudeau government might try to do. From the time of the establishment of responsible government, (i.e. all internal affairs determined by the provincial legislatures and not decreed by the colonial governors), and the installation of the Great Ministry of Robert Baldwin and Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine in 1848, through to the patriation of the Constitution and the proclamation of the Charter of Rights under Trudeau, there was always a double majority for every major initiative of public policy — a majority in French and English Canada, and not just an English party imposing a majority on the country. Conscription in 1917 was the only exception, and Laurier saved federalism through his deft handling of it.

For most of that time, the political and cultural leaders of French Quebec called for real biculturalism, and not just a small group of bilingual French-Canadians to mediate Quebec’s participation in the whole country. The nationalist Quebec leader in the 1930s, Dr. Philippe Hamel said: “Conquer us with goodwill, my English friends. You will be astonished at the easy victory which awaits you.” Yet when this was put to the test, 30 years later, by the Pearson and Trudeau governments, the same elites and often even the same individuals rejected biculturalism as an assimilationist trick, a Trojan Horse.
It was never generally expressed in quite these terms, but the federalists felt betrayed and Trudeau patriated the Constitution without the Quebec government, though he seemed to have the support of most Quebeckers. Brian Mulroney tried valiantly to square the official equality of the French and English with the spuriously over-applied notion that all the provinces are equal, and the Meech Lake accord was rent by the premier of Newfoundland and a single native person in the Manitoba Legislature. The Charlottetown Accord, put to a national referendum, was rejected by the French of Quebec, offended at the desertion of English Canada over Meech Lake, and by most English Canadians, unwilling to make cultural concessions to a Quebec that was oppressing the English language despite liberality toward French outside Quebec.

Instead of the French and English-speaking populations of Canada having a reciprocal veto over major pan-Canadian policy initiatives, the Quebec nationalists have barricaded themselves into Quebec, abandoning the French outside that province. They are now trying to replace the unborn who result from their post-Catholic collapsed birthrate with Haitians and North Africans who, though French speaking, don’t care about the independence of Quebec, leaving the separatists to attempt to achieve independence in increments through trick referendary questions. Quebec was seduced by the Trudeau-Mulroney bribe of transfer payments to accept a white collar debtor economy and is now practically unable to secede, or even credibly to threaten to separate. The Quebec nationalists only represent about half the French Quebeckers, 40% of that province, 10% of all Canadians, and simply can’t frighten the whole country as they once did. Harper is the first person to govern effectively without significant support in Quebec since Borden. Canada is waiting for Quebec to come back to the party.

Whether Trudeau or the French Canadians realize it, he is their last ticket to resume the great role they played in the whole country from Lafontaine to Jean Chrétien  Justin Trudeau is the last train leaving the station for the double majority of French and English in the whole country, and the alternating French and English Liberal leaders and governors-general (a completely anachronistic position that has become a semi-animated fig-leaf for ceremonious multi-culturalism).

Whether Trudeau or the French Canadians realize it, he is their last ticket to resume the great role they played in the whole country from Lafontaine to Jean Chrétien, including 37 out of 38 years with prime ministers from Quebec between 1968 and 2006. If he fails, the French Canadians will be just another group of hyphenated Canadians, semi-autonomously festering and playing house in their capacious and over-lyricized ghetto of Quebec.

The second intriguing aspect of a Trudeau government arises from the endless prattling at the Liberal convention about a “national strategy” for almost everything. Tiresome, evasive and vacuous as much of this undoubtedly was, it does reopen the possibility of public sector-private sector co-operation that has been responsible for most of the grand projects that have built the country, including the railways, the great hydro-electric projects, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, Air Canada, atomic power, the Trans-Canada Highway and pipelines, and most large cultural initiatives. As I have written here before, this will be what is needed to make Canada a proprietary, as opposed to merely a branch-plant, country in the automobile business and to take our defence and aero-space industries to a level appropriate to a G7 country. The Conservatives have cloth ears on the subject.

The government has a year to show that it still has some ideas and deserves a renewed mandate. In all of Canadian history, only Macdonald, Laurier and King have served over 10 years consecutively, and they did great things to do it. Harper will have to raise his game radically to join that eminent fraternity.

Conrad Black is the founder of the National Post. His columns regularly appear in the National Post on Saturdays. For more opinion from Conrad Black, tune into The Zoomer on VisionTV (a property of ZoomerMedia Ltd.),  Visiontv.ca.  Mr. Black graciously allowed us to reprint this article on CFN.

The  2nd year (Graduating) Social Service Worker students at St. Lawrence College are  holding a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

for Seniors Recreational Services for Glen Stor Dun Lodge, St. Joe’s Villa, and Parisien Manor.

They want to raise a minimum of $1000.

Saturday March 22, 2014 starting at  6 PM

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids

So get some of the Knights of Columbus famous spaghetti sauce

and help a great cause!

CORNWALL Ontario – Two struggling teams off the ice met on the ice on Saturday night at the Civic Complex.

A total of 3,215 fans took advantage of $5 tickets and watched the River Kings skate to a 6-2 win over Saint-Georges in LNAH action. Nicolas Corbeil led the offensive attack with 2 goals and an assist.

It was Cornwall’s biggest crowd of the season. The team is looking to topple that mark next Saturday night when they’ll have tickets available once again for $5. Laval will be the visitors.

Yves Sarault, with a one-timer from the hashmarks, opened the scoring for the River Kings at 8:49 of the first period. With Cornwall on the powerplay, Sarault deposited a perfect pass from Doug Andress right under the crossbar. Stéphane Goulet had a tap-in goal for Saint-Georges at 14:35 of the first.

It was an intense opening 20 minutes which featured four scraps. Chris Cloutier, Francis Lessard, Ryan Sullivan and Jean-Rene Forget had spirited tilts for Cornwall.

The River Kings got two quick powerplay goals to start the second period. First, Julien Corriveau went in on a semi-breakaway and beat Jeremy Duchesne only 44 seconds into the period. Then, less than one minute later, Corbeil went in all alone and beat Duchesne with a nifty backhand deke.

Goulet beat Loic Lacasse low glove side at 7:15 of the middle frame for his second of the evening.

Jean-Francois Laplante, who also had two assists on the night, beat Duchesne at 5:59 of the third. It was his first as a River King. Seventy-six seconds later, Sasha Pokulok finished off a nice passing play with Julien Corriveau.

Cornwall’s penalty killers had a busy night. They were particularly impressive killing off an 8-minute Saint-Georges powerplay after Francis Lessard had 10-minutes in penalties up on the clock. Toward the end of the lengthy powerplay, Corbeil scored a breakaway goal for his second of the night.

Lacasse was solid in goal, earning the victory with a 27-save performance. Corbeil (first), Laplante (second) and Sarault were the announced stars.

The Kings are back in action on Sunday afternoon in Saint-Georges, as the teams make up a recent game that was cancelled due to weather. The puck drops at 3:30 p.m.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Paul Bourbeau Jr. backstopped the River Kings to a 2-1 victory at Thetford-Mines. The backup was sensational in goal, turning aside 36-of-37 shots he faced. Nicolas Corbeil’s shorthanded marker with 2:53 to play in the second period was the eventual game-winner. Bobby Mazerolle added a goal and an assist for Cornwall.

Canadians for Coexistence presents:

Interfaith Celebration

Venue: Shaare Zedek Congregation, 5305 Rosedale Av., Montreal, QC. H4V 2H7

Date & Time: Sunday, March 9, 2014, at 1500 hours.

http://interfaithcelebration.ca/

 Canadians for Coexistence, have been actively involved against Bill 60 which, if passed, will no longer allow public sector employees to wear a hijab, kippah, turban or any other religious garb or “ostentatious” ornamentation while in the workplace – government office, hospital, school, etc. It will also equally affect any private sector commercial or industrial enterprise that deals with the public sector.

Spiritual leaders of six major religions will be speaking out with one voice for freedom of religious expression, for love, harmony, and generosity of spirit. It is our hope that this will provide encouragement to our legislators to quash Bill 60.

Speakers:

Rabbi Alan Bright, Shaare Zedek Congregation.

Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom.

Granthi Balkar Singh, Spiritual Leader of the Sikh Community of Montreal.

Jaiseema Kaur, Sikh Community of Montreal.

The Reverend Darryl Gray,

Bishop Thomas Dowd,   Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal.

Father John Walsh,

Reverend Wipulasiri Dodampahala (Bhante), Leader of Buddhist Monastery, St. Laurent.

Imam Azeddine Hmimssa, president of Bel Agir and Imam of Al-Ihsane center, Montreal.

Imam Zijad Delic, Resident Imam of South Nepean Muslim Community, Ottawa Gatineau Imams’ Council (OGIC).

Presenting: – The Imani Family Choir. The Keertan Hymns Choir.

Master of Ceremonies – Anthony Housefather, Mayor of Cote St. Luc.

All Mayors and borough mayors in the Montreal area have received invitations.

It’s that time for another Beat the Clock Special on CFN!  Today’s deal is special geared for Ontario Municipal Candidates, but not exclusive to!  Great for Business, Charities, and Organizations as well!

It’s  only $399 +HST, but you have to buy before Tuesday March 3, 2014 at noon!

What you get!

1 Sky scraper banner ad for one month (300×700 pixels)

1 Corner banner ad for two months during 2014

1 video insertion box ad for one month during 2014

3 full page ads usable at any time in 2014

(banner ads can be placed any month at clients choice based on availability)

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

Don’t be left out!

Special Election Bonus!  

Any candidate that purchases $500 or more in election ads gets an election blog on CFN for free!

Remember you have to purchase before noon EST on Tuesday March 4, 2014!

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

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

(CFN reserves the right to refuse any ad, and limit quantities.  All banner ads rotate and are based on availability.  Artwork  & content provided by client)

CORNWALL Ontario –  Looks like Cornwall Ontario secondary schools have improved in Fraser Institute rankings from 2011/12!

L’Heritage leap frogged into first moving from 164/725 ranking to 122/740 with a score of 7.6 from 7.3!  Kudos to the kids and staff at the school.

Overall it was good to see four out of six schools on the chart finish in the top half of schools ranked!  Even CCVS rose from 679/725 and a 3.1 score to 656/740 and 3.9!   Way to go students!

Now the goal for next year should be for all of our city schools to get into the top half.     I wish our school boards would work with CFN as I think we could help achieve that.

Congrats Cornwall kids!  You earned it!

Now, I’m wondering of those that criticized the Fraser Institute will this year

And speaking of students;  some St. Lawrence College students are having a fund raiser to help seniors!

Please help if you can.

CORNWALL Ontario – Cornwall’s waterfront is in play.    The Chem tank situation is the Canary in the Coal mine and now our Mayor is at play with the Federal government.  Akwesasne is involved is well.

What should be alarming to the public is that this is all being conducted behind closed doors in an election year?

Does Cornwall Mayor Bob Kilger have a mandate to do this from the public?  Was this part of his election platform?  Was there a public consultation?

Nope.  Can he do it legally?  Maybe.  But it’s morally wrong for him to be participating in secret meetings over our waterfront lands at this point of his term especially as he’s refusing to put his name on the dotted line for re-election.

The Chem tanks in my opinion has been a game since the first story appeared in other media with faux surprise issued by all concerned.

It was CFN that shared the info from Transport Canada that the city knew via Economic Development in February and Spring 2013 of the project.

Why did ED not put it in any of their monthly reports to council and why if council truly was upset did they not ask that exact question through the mayor in open council?

Again, we in the media and taxpayers can’t do much if council is not open, transparent, and public regarding issues like this.

The city issues this recently:

City officials participate in meeting to discuss port divestiture

Officials from the City of Cornwall met with officials from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and Transport Canada on Friday, February 28th to discuss the divestiture of the Port of Cornwall.

Earlier this week, Cornwall City Council agreed to file a joint letter of intent with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne to begin negotiations with Transport Canada on the divestiture of the Port of Cornwall. Transport Canada received the documents during today’s meeting for their signature. Meetings will be established in the near future to initiate the formal divestiture talks.

Meanwhile, City Council held a special in-camera meeting on Thursday, February 27th to receive an update on the situation surrounding the storage tanks development site in the harbour area of Cornwall. Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MP Guy Lauzon and Transport Canada representative Doug Smith, Chief of Staff to the Federal Minister of Transport, were also in attendance.

I asked the city for a copy of that joint letter from the city as well as the MCA.  The MCA did not respond and Norm Levac replied, but we still do not have that letter.

Remember this is a waterway that in meetings last year said we could not have a beach in Cornwall due to threats of disturbing sediment.   Now it’s ok to have tankers side up next to the Legion Ball Diamonds?

For the city of Cornwall to acquire Federal waterfront property in Cornwall is something that needs proper public consultation and proper environmental studies done.    If the City of Cornwall ends up with lands that need expensive clean up who’ll foot the bill?  Certainly not Bob Kilger or his council of rubber stampers.

It’s enough of this secrecy.  It’s time for some answers and it’s time for council to step up to the plate and fulfill their Declaration’s of office and defend the rights of we taxpayers.

Of course we still are in the dark on many issues.  Does anyone really expect Grand Chief Mitchell and the MCA to give up on land claims so that Cornwall can have some harbour properties?  I mean why would you negotiate that even, if you thought they already were yours?   Again, silence from the MCA is not helping get to the truth of what’s happening.

And that’s something we in Cornwall and our neighbors in Akwesasne need more of; the Truth.

The people of Cornwall and Akwesasne have clearly spoken and they don’t want the Chem tanks, yet according to media reports it was Mayor Kilger that asked Grand Chief Mitchell to stop their request for a review that led to the continuation of construction.

We have one shot to develop our waterfront here in Cornwall.    Corruption should not hold back our community.   And no deals should be made until the next election when a new mayor and council have a clear mandate from the people of Cornwall.

CORNWALL Ontario –  Mark A MacDonald posted on Facebook today that he will be filing at City Hall to run for Council in the 2014 Municipal elections.

Mr. MacDonald, a former two time councilor, ran for Mayor in 2010 losing to Bob Kilger as well as losing to PC MPP Jim McDonell.   He won  stunning first ballot victory over favored candidate Pat Finucan for the Liberal candidacy.

Mark has focused this term on his work with the Air Force Wing in Cornwall which is still trying to get a new lease and stay in their long time home as well as campaigned to save the Cornwall General Hospital facility for the community.

He stated that he’s looking to focus on two campaign issues and hoping to find like minded people to support those issues via telephone this morning.

He ended his post with the twitter hashtag #occupycornwall

Cornwall Police Chief Dan Parkinson

IMPAIRED

Cornwall, ON – Carol Ladouceur, 49 of Green Valley was arrested on March 1^st, 2014 and charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and over 80. It is alleged that on March 1^st, 2014 the woman was found to be operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. She was taken into custody during a traffic stop in the area of South Branch Road and McConnell and charged accordingly. She was later released to attend court on March 18^th, 2014.

OVERCOME RESISTANCE, ASSAULT, THEFT UNDER, FORCIBLE CONFINEMENT, BREACHES

Cornwall, ON – A 33-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on February 28^th, 2014 and charged with assault, theft under, overcome resistance, forcible confinement and eight counts of breach of probation for failing to keep the peace and being in the possession of alcohol. It is alleged that on two occasions during the month of January the man choked, slapped, pushed his 25-year-old girlfriend and prevented her from leaving the apartment all the while taking her phone from her. Police were later contacted and an investigation ensued. On February 28^th, 2014 the man was located by police at a local truck stop. He was taken into custody and during the arrest the man was found to be in possession of a bottle of alcohol. He was charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. His name was not released as it might identify the victim in the matter.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION, THREATS, POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

Cornwall, ON – Shawn Valade, 39 of Cornwall was arrested on March 2^nd, 2014 and charged with threats to life and possession of a controlled substance as well as being intoxicated in a public place. It is alleged that in the early morning hours of March 2^nd, 2014 police located the intoxicated man at the Nativity Center. He was taken into custody for being intoxicated in a public place and while on rout to police headquarters he threatened the officer’s life and the life of the officer’s family. Once at police headquarters the man was also found to be in possession of a small quantity of marihuana. He was charged accordingly and later released to appear in court on March 25^th, 2014.

THREATS TO LIFE

Cornwall, ON – A 40-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on March 4^th, 2014 and charged with threats to life. It is alleged that on January 16^th, 2014 the man threatened to kill his 23-year-old ex-girlfriend. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. On March 3^rd, 2014 the man was spotted by a member of the Cornwall Community Police Service. He 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.

OPP

OPP INVESTIGATING 2^nd FATAL MSV CRASH IN 3 WEEKS

(SOUTH GLENGARRY, ON) – On March 2, 2014 at approximately 4:30am, officers of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG) detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a fatal Motorized Snow Vehicle (MSV) on County Road 2 near 4^th Line Road, South Glengarry.

A passenger, Alex Miller, 21 of South Glengarry, was killed when he struck a pole while riding on the MSV.  The driver, a 27-year-old Cornwall man was arrested and held for a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice, Cornwall on Monday, March 3, 2014.  He is facing charges of:

·         Impaired Operation Cause Death
·         Over 80 Cause Death and
·         Drive While Disqualified

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact the SDG OPP at 1-88-310-1122.

This is the second alcohol related death on a MSV in the past 3 weeks.

On February 11, 2014, SDG OPP officers charged a 22-year-old South Stormont man for Impaired Cause Death, Over 80 Cause Death and Possession of a controlled Substance when the MSV he was driving lost control, ejecting both occupants.  One male passenger, Daniel Andre, 21 of South Stormont died when he struck a tree.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs results in dire consequences,” said Inspector Paul Bedard, Manager Traffic and Marine, East Region. “Driving a snowmobile or any other vehicle under the influence is completely irresponsible. Don’t be that driver. Your family and friends appreciate it.”

CORNWALL Ontario –  The RCMP would like to warn snowmobilers of a serious safety hazard that was recently found on a local snowmobile trail.

Recently, members of the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) were conducting routine patrols on a trail in Bainsville, Ontario. As the members were approaching the Wood’s Creek Bridge, CRTF members noticed that a rope had been laid across the trail, suspended from the bridge overhead. Fortunately, members were able to avoid serious injury by ducking after the rope had made contact with the snowmobile.

From the members’ assessment, it is clear that the rope was intentionally positioned in such a fashion that any snowmobile operator going through this area could have been seriously hurt or killed. The members of the CRTF have cut down and have destroyed the rope to avoid any possibility of injury.

The CRTF would like to warn the snowmobiling public to be on the lookout for man-made devices that may seriously impact their safety. 

CORNWALL Ontario –  Since my political smear involving my being charged by Cornwall Police Services, and my announcing my candidacy for Mayor I’ve seen a tremendous amount of frankly, hate. A small group of people started a boycott page against CFN on social media.  They plunked people into the group.  That’s how I discovered it myself as they added me as a joke.   But things got quite ugly and I left right away as I certainly wasn’t going to give them any legitimacy, and frankly you never argue with a mob, or crazy people, or a mob of crazy people. There was no rational.  It was just digging and looking for blood. Cornwall City Councilor David Murphy was there.  Now it’s no secret that Mr. Murphy has boycotted CFN since day one whether via Benson’s , the City, or now with MPP Jim McDonell’s office.  However when contacted to verify, Mr. Murphy immediately removed himself from the group.  He however refused to issue a statement.  After all while he may not like CFN we are a local business and he is supposed to represent local interests as a city councilor. Dave is pictured with one Vanessa Regnier.  More about Ms Regnier later.  (and no, I will not bring up those rumors….) Who added Ms Regnier to the hate group; which her boyfriend Nicholas MacNaughton who works at CIBC has actually posted in; but Guy St. Jean of Neo Vintage Furniture who is …running for council.  I kid  you not.

Only the people in the group which was started by one Kevin Dockery whose claim to fame I believe was that I blocked him on Facebook because he was….well nasty.   I’m not big on wasting time on this planet.  It’s always easier to block than debate, not because I’m afraid to debate; simply because it’s a waste of time if not for a reason.  I really don’t need to practice on monkeys.

I sent a few messages to Mr. St. Jean including one today; but he chose not to respond.   Only he  can answer for his actions which I’m sure he’ll have to once the campaigns really heat up.

Also in the group are Councilor Denis Thibault and Mrs. Todd Lihou.  Todd is of course editor of The Seaway News.  Denis Lapierre of the Seaway News also is in the group.

And of course Deputy Mayor of South Stormont, Ms Tammy Hart was there to embarrass her community that CFN has a terrific relationship with.   I was at a special council meeting tonight as a group of medical professionals want to sell their building to their young and talented pharmacist and build a new larger health centre.

Ms Hart was the sole vote of dissent in what could have cancelled a near $1.5M project in her community.   Before the meeting started I asked her about her being in the boycott group.

Ms Hart has announced that she’s running again for Deputy Mayor.  Frankly from what I’m hearing she won’t be winning in 2014.

There are more I can list; but frankly I think they’d enjoy me naming them, so I won’t.

Hate is a funny thing.  It holds communities back.  It hurts innocent people caught in the middle like a dear friend and client I lost because frankly, she was afraid to tell the truth, and that’s what bullies do.

They make good people afraid to tell the truth; live their lives, advertise with whom they wish; have lunch with whom they wish.   The divide loyalties and break friendships.  It’s why there are over 20 empty store fronts in Cornwall.  It’s why a lot of things are the way they are in Cornwall.

I want to change that, but I’m one single person who isn’t that strong and mighty.

This year I’m losing a bunch of friends who have had enough and are moving away from Cornwall.   As we get a trickle of Quebecer’s feeling the circus that is Quebec; people in Cornwall are fleeing for many of the same reasons.

It’s time to change.  It’s time to draw the line in the sand.  Enough with bullying.  Enough with corruption, ignorance, pettiness, nepotism, and frankly backward uneducated short term thinking.

As we were sharing in a phone conversation today; I may not win this election.  I may finally get fed up with the bs here in this city and leave myself; but come October   2014 things will be different and my friends that means I’ve won.  Some have said I’ve already won as they have never seen as much election talk this far out of the vote.

Be the change.  I dare you.

And remember we don’t have to let the petty monsters be anything other than petty monsters.   Shine lights on them. It’s like sunlight to a vampire; trust me!

UPDATE 

Facebook removed the boycott group for promoting hatred.

j

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BREACH

Cornwall, ON – A 42-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on March 3^rd, 2014 and charged with breaching a recognizance for being within 100 meters of someone for which he has conditions to stay away from and for failing to keep the peace. It is alleged that on February 28^th, 2014 the man drove by his 36-year-old ex-girlfriend’s house despite being on conditions to keep away. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. On March 3^rd, 2014 police attended the man’s residence, took him into custody and charged him accordingly. He was transported to police headquarters and held for a bail hearing. His name was not released as it might identify the victim in the matter.

Cornwall, ON – Shawna Mitchell, 35 of Cornwall was arrested on March 3^rd, 2014 and charged with breaching an undertaking for having failed to attend for prints as directed and for failing to keep the peace. It is alleged that on February 24^th, 2014 the woman failed to attend for prints and as a result an investigation ensued. On March 3^rd, 2014 the woman was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing.

THEFT UNDER $5000

Cornwall, ON – Jonathan Derouchie, 40 of Cornwall was arrested on March 3^rd, 2014 and charged with theft under $5000. It is alleged that on January 27^th, 2014 the man attended a Brookdale Avenue store and selected razors then made his way out of the store making no attempts to pay for the items. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. It was also learned that the man failed to notify a change of address therefore breaching his recognizance. On March 3^rd, 2014 the man who attended police headquarters for an unrelated matter was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing.

DRUG WARRANT

Cornwall, ON – Norman Travers, 24 and Carole-Anne Berniquez, 23 both of Cornwall were arrested on March 3^rd, 2014 as a result of a drug warrant being executed. On March 3rd, 2014 members of the Cornwall Street Crime Unit executed a warrant at a Walton Street address and a vehicle belonging to the occupants. As a result of the warrant being executed two persons have been charged as follows:

Norman Travers:

• ·         Possession of Fentanyl
• ·         Possession for the purpose of trafficking Fentanyl
• ·         Possession of Marijuana
• ·         Possession of Oxycodone
• ·         Possession of Buprenorphine
• ·         Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

Carole-Anne Berniquez:

• ·         Possession of Fentanyl
• ·         Possession of Marijuana
• ·         Possession of Oxycodone
• ·         Possession of Buprenorphine

It is alleged that the Cornwall Street Crime Unit seized the following drugs:

• ·         4.2 grams of marijuana; Street Value of $42.00
• ·         2.5 Oxycodone 5mg. pills; Street Value $15.00
• ·         2 Soboxin pills; Street Value of $20.00
• ·         A quantity of Canadian Currency
• ·         13 Fentanyl Patches 100mg; Street Value of $3000.00

Both were taken into custody, charged accordingly and later released to appear in court on April 17^th, 2014.

Cornwall ON –  There’s a lot of smoke right now as certain political types; mostly rookies with no comprehension of how the system works, about turning le Village in Cornwall into some sort of Arts Enclave.  People dream big when spending tax dollars.

Odd.  Le Village was at one point a hearty community; the French soul of a city with a proud French heritage.

Now it’s got a few pawn shops, a few tattoo places, and a few bars and restaurants.   It’s also got The Port Theatre; a 73 year old original Roxy Theatre that the Sylvain family have purchased and are in the process of cleaning up and trying to bring back to life.

The odd thing is that the only true location of Arts and Culture in le Village, The Port; isn’t really being supported by some of these same wannabees.     How many times has Todd Bennett been to the Port for any of the near 20 events that have been run there since the Sylvain’s took over?  Has Betty Healey ever stepped foot inside?  Elaine MacDonald?

While Arts and Culture are hot buzz words by some wanting to be elected they really aren’t an issue in the city’s life.  We’ve had an Arts Council and Committee for nearly two years?  They’ve sucked up tax dollars; but what have they accomplished?

The tax supported Art Gallery was closed for the month of July; our city’s alleged busiest cultural month when we have festivals devoted to eating BBQ Pork or looking for balloons over the sky.      Major events miss Cornwall, and most of those put on at such places as Aultsville Theatre (puffed up by nearly $100K per year of tax money) rarely fill the hall or break even.

So what exactly could be done in le Village?   Well generally poorer areas attract aspiring artists because most young professionals have little money or resources.   While that’s true here, in that le Village isn’t as expensive as Pitt Street or Brookdale, to open any space nowadays requires expensive utility deposits, permits which in Cornwall can take up to 18 months or longer (while paying rent!) and of course promotion.

Should the city spend tax dollars to credit artistic businesses?  Is that the role of taxpayers?   Should we create a red zone and give tax credits to artistic businesses?  Wouldn’t that open up a can of worms for people like OBO Studios that grabbed the space above the old Freeholder building?  If you give money to le Village should Tracy & Emily  get some bucks too?   Should the Grind not get some money too for showcasing some area artists and performers?   The Seaway News even offers up one of its windows to artists.   Would it be fair to dump money into le Village and not to those that actually have been trying to support the arts in other areas of our city?

Right now the city is burning nearly $400,000 per year giving monies out to Aultsville theatre, TAG or whatever they’re called  this week, the Woodhouse museum (which hardly seems open), and a few events.   That’s a petty large envelope and very little of that money really gets spent on Arts and Culture, or artists themselves.  It does get spent on salaries for bureaucrats and those that are employed to run the facility.

Should we be supporting the arts.  Yes, of course, with our own money.   Any investment of public dollars should make sense and gain something for the community.  When the info session that was held at Aultsville theatre a few years ago to form the arts council it was attended by less than 75 people with only tiny group voting themselves positions.   Does Cornwall even honour artists?  I mean heck, the city doesn’t even honour Ryan Gosling and he’s a star!

Artists need to bring something to the table that makes sense.  It should not be city officials leading the way as Elaine MacDonald has been trying to do by sitting on the board of Art Gallery.

There are many fiscally prudent ways to promote the arts and culture in our community; to support early stages and work with the community to help it grow.

Throwing city money at it, or pimping up a run down section of the city isn’t the solution.       Le Village is a part of town in flux.   It’s from a time and place that really is over and has changed.   It will be gentrified one day; but if you look at areas close by like Westboro in Ottawa, much of that change occurred via demotion and rebirth which in the end is what will most likely happen via the private sector in Cornwall.

So let’s stop baby politicking and if you truly want to support the arts; buy a painting with your own money.  Buy a concert or event ticket.  Help people like the Sylvain’s who are investing their hearts, souls, and pocket books and are trying to raise funds to bring in pro digital projection.

In other words put your money where your words are and stop spending others.   And as for those wannabee politicians I hope you make these kinds of issues loud and proud with voters so that they can decide if they want to bank roll such dreams of Xanadu on Montreal Road.

OPP agrees to Chief Blair’s request to assume oversight role in Project Brazen 2

Wednesday, March 5, 2014 – 12:01 PM
Corporate Communications
416-808-7100

On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, Chief William Blair wrote to Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Chris Lewis:

Dear Commissioner Lewis,

As discussed in our recent phone call, I am writing to make a formal request that the Ontario Provincial Police assume an oversight role with respect to Project Brazen 2. As you are aware, Project Brazen 2 arose from the Toronto Police Service’s year-long Project Traveller, focusing on organized crime, violence, guns and drugs.

I am taking this step to avoid the distractions that have assumed such recent prominence. The only public interest here is the continued investigation, without fear or favour, into evidence of possible criminality.
Yours truly,

William Blair, C.O.M.
Chief of Police