Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Township of Rideau Lake councillors are look- ing at how they can renew and invest in infrastructure and keep taxes affordable while absorbing a $390,000 increase in policing. Last Thursday's budget discussions evolved into council decisions on tax rates which could increase overall as little as 2.3 per cent. Rideau Lakes, like other municipalities across the province, will be tak- ing advantage of tax 'room' left by upper tier municipalities which have had some of their legisla- tive obligations relieved by the uploading of costs to the province. "We've never had to do it to the same degree as other years," said Mayor Ron Holman of the oppor- tunity of increasing the township tax rate as the county and education rates fall. The township tax rate would go up 9.4 per cent while the United Counties would fall by one per cent and the province's educa- tion rate go down four per cent. The township is faced with a $390,000 increase in OPP costs along with an estimated $250,000 it is obligated to spend to cap and close the Delta landfill site. The $390,000 in polic- ing costs is in addition to Skate the Lake's oval on Big Rideau Lake will become a reality this week much to the relief of orga- nizers who have been hop- ing for an end to mild weather. Volunteers' efforts to lay out the oval on Wednesday should result in the skateway being opened this Saturday in time for the January 23-24 weekend of races. The thickness of the ice will need to continue to strengthen to safely allow machinery on the ice. Last week organizers were looking for some warm weather to do some of the ice resurfacing for them after winds blowing in the first freeze rough- ened up the surface of the ice in the bay. "The rain did its job this past weekend and lev- eled things out," said Port- land Outdoors president John Bongers who noted some caution was going to be needed on what could be put on the ice. "The Olympia is still going to have some work to do. The warm weather did a lot of the job for us," he said. Next weekend's races include a 10 km and a 25 km race as well as a kids 5 km (under 12), a 5 x 1 km team relay and a Special Olympics race on Satur- day. Public skating to music will be available after the last race of the day fol- lowed by Fireworks at dusk. There is music all day as well as bon fires, curl- ing, hockey and food which include Skate Tails, chili and the famous Dutch pea soup Snert, A ham and bean supper will be held Saturday from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Sunday's skating events include 50km and a 5 km races and on Sunday morning there will be a demonstration of "Ice Stock" by the Kingston and Area Ice Stock Club on Sunday January 24. Online registration is available until midnight Thursday, January 21. A full schedule of events is available on the website. More information about the event, including the opening of the skating oval will be available at www.skatethelakeport- land.com. Justin Martin President 613-530-0773 RR 2 Westport, ON K0G 1X0 jtmartin@kingston.net 4 Septic Systems 4 Excavating 4 Landscaping 4 Road Work 4 Rock Excavating 4 Trucking 4 Residential & Commercial Snow Plowing & Sanding 4 Damp Proofing LTD. Mirror The Review Thursday, January 14, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 125, No. 2 $1incl. tax The Westport and Rideau Lakes Chamber of Commerce got a new board of directors at a meeting last Wednesday evening Front-(l-r) Marty Hawkins (co chair); Georgia Ferrell, past president; Marilyn Benn, director; (rear) Barb Lavoie, secretary; Elaine Freiday, director; Ken Rose (co-chair); Cindy Thake, director; Kerry Parsons, Direc- tor; Tracey Phillips, director. Weather sets ice conditions to make Skate the Lake a go u shot Get your Don't go viral eet (613) 273-2922 h Str c 3 Chur .A. estport Village I.D W u shot. Get your Don t go viral. Public Health *Source: a a Agency of Canada c Health al.ca vir dontgo By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror The Westport and Rideau Lakes Chamber of Commerce began a new year with the appointment of a new board at a meet- ing last Wednesday evening attended by 30 members. Marty Hawkins and Ken Rose have agreed to be the co-chairs of the renewed organization which will begin recruit- ing new members this month. Other new board mem- bers include Marilyn Benn; Catherine Keet, Treasurer; Cindy Dopson; Georgia Ferrell, past presi- dent; Elaine Freiday; Bar- bara Lavoie, secretary; Glenn Majkszak; Kerry Parsons; and Tracey Phillips. The meeting has put the organization in a position to begin negotiations with the Village of Westport on the use of the Welcome Centre. The municipality had put $7500 into its budget to operate the welcome centre if the chamber was not willing or able to con- tinue its management. A point of contention between the two parties had been the right of West- port businesses to place their promotion materials in the centre without being chamber members. A motion at the meeting approved members' will- ingness to allow business- es outside the chamber membership access to dis- play their materials. "I think that if people put information in there we'll get them as business- es sooner or later," said Ken Rose, expressing the opinion that ideally the benefits of chamber mem- bership should have greater value than just the visitors centre. "The visitors center is great for all of us and I think we do a great job," he said. Local businesses can anticipate they will be approached to join the renewed group which will begin soliciting member- ships for 2016 in the com- ing weeks from their already sizable 312 name mailing list. The next directors meeting is scheduled for Wed., Feb. 17, at 7 pm with a venue in Rideau Lakes to be determined. More information can be found at www.therideaucalls.com. Chamber draws more interest as 2016 board chosen Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Rideau Lakes overall taxes could go up as little as 2.3 per cent NEW MOVIE RELEASES at the Old 'n' New General Store and Sandwich Shack Groceries, Snacks, Gifts, Antiques Hwy. 15 & Cty Rd. 42, Crosby 613-540-1812 •Continued on page 3 Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available LAUNDRY PAIR 4.5 cu. ft. Front Load Washer •Ready Select® Controls •Tumble Action Cleaning System Model #FFFW5100PW 7.0 cu. ft. Electric Dryer •Precision Moisture Sensor •Silent Design™ Model #CFQE5100PW Pedestals available at extra cost $ 1798 00 for the pair

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