Review-Mirror

Boats travelling from Newboro through to Kingston Mills should expect the amount of draft to be reduced to 4' 3" by September 2. Parks Canada's warn- ing about navigation depths is just one response to high temperatures and little rain this summer which have lowered the waterway which is depen- dent on its reservoir lakes to maintain navigation levels. The Cataraqui Water Response Team has decid- ed to maintain the Severe drought declaration it declared on August 10 despite some rain in the last two weeks. The declaration of "Severe" conditions is not a declaration of an emer- gency, but an indicator of the severe dry conditions, and the impacts which are being felt across the Cataraqui Region Conser- vation Authority (CRCA) jurisdiction. Grass and other vegeta- tion has greened up with the rain, and while creeks and groundwater levels have responded to the rainfall, they are still very, very low reported the CRCA this week. Until conditions show an improvement, the Water Response Team will maintain the Severe drought declaration. Lake levels had risen with the recent rainfall, but the last week of dry, hot weather has meant that evaporation has started dropping the levels to near winter levels which could cause problems for remov- ing boats and docks from lakes this fall. While they are still lower than normal for this time of year, they are clos- er to normal by a few cen- timeters and still above winter levels. The Water Response Team recommends water conservation across the jurisdiction, for all water users, residential and com- mercial and especially those areas that are sup- plied by a ground water well or shore well. The team is asking resi- dents and businesses of the region to be wary of water usage, and to try to con- serve water anywhere they can; this includes the out- side watering of plants and lawns, and washing drive- ways, sidewalks, cars, etc. By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Last weekend a series of open houses presented the many ways the Town- ship of Rideau Lakes could reinvent the size of council and ward bound- aries. Residents can also par- ticipate through the town- ship's website at www.twprideaulakes.on.ca where there is information on the project and a short six question survey to complete. Around 100 people attended the Saturday and Sunday 90-minute open houses with 20-plus attending the gatherings at Elgin, Newboro, Portland and South Elmsley. The poorest showing, along with the poorest time on the two-day schedule, was at North Crosby when the activities on a good-weather Satur- day evening proved more attractive than a 5 to 6:30 p.m. open house to think about council size and ward structure. "It's hard to get most people excited about it. It's not something people think about on a regular basis," said South Elmsley Councillor Arie Hoogen- boom, who attended the event Sunday morning session at the South Elms- ley hall. "I think they are doing what they need to do. They were looking at the quality of the input," said Hoogenboom who wasn't surprised with the atten- dance. "I'm looking forward to some sort of change. I expect the consultants will be making some recom- mendations along those lines," he said. "What I've been get- ting is a fair amount of apathy to the whole process," said Bastard and Burgess Councillor Doug Good. The public is encour- aged to get involved even if they missed the open house. Offline access to the public consultation lit- erature is available to resi- dents at the local libraries and the township office where surveys are also available. "This is the communi- ty's input instead of 'this is the decision.' What do you think?" said John Matheson, a principle in StrategyCorp, the consul- tants who were hired to complete the project. Matheson and his team will create a report after public input this month. Council will make a deci- sion after the submission of the report which will present options they could adopt for 2018 municipal elections. An online version of the consultation materials is available at www.twprideaulakes.on.ca through a link on the home page. Mirror The Review Thursday, September 1, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 125, No. 35 $1 incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Weekend Ward re-structuring sessions draw 100 "In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus Overlooking Lake, Locks & Falls at Jones Falls, Elgin Exceptional Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 613-359-5500 Reservations Recommended. HOTEL KENNEY Since 1877 Rideau Lakes Day Camp children entertained their families on Friday with presentations based on the camp ses- sion's theme- The Olympics. The camp had four two-week sessions at the Sand Lake Park off of Delong Road. Drought continues despite some rainfall Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Range •Self Clean •Hidden Bake Element •Express-Select® Controls Regular 1099.00 Model #CGEF3030PW $ 899 00 Refrigerator •Smooth White Doors •2 Spillsafe® Glass Shelves •Freezer Shelf Model #CGTR1825SP $ 899 95 Take Both Pieces for $ 1698 00 Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available 24 Family Lane, Smiths Falls Hwy. 15 S. & Bay Rd. 613-205-1212 streetmotorsales@cogeco.net streetmotorsales.com Charlie Franklin Sales Representative 2013 Dodge Ram Diesel Outdoorsman Crew Cab 4x4, 49,000kms $49,995

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