Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/724050
Township of Rideau Lakes councilors voted to hire an ombudsman to review an accumulated deficit of $1.18 million which was reported last fall by the municipality's newly hired auditors. Work is currently being completed to create finan- cial statements from the general ledger from 2008 onwards to produce a cash statement from those years when council appears not to have been aware there had been a series of annu- al shortfalls. Fuel increases, high winter maintenance costs, and unanticipated capital expenditures accounted for the overspending, which should have been paid for out of reserves before the new financial year began. After their auditor, Brent Burns, in 2013 did not renew his license to be a public auditor, the town- ship was forced to have 2013 and 2014 audits re- audited by a licensed audi- tor. Council set aside $30,000 in the 2016 bud- get for the re-auditing and it is anticipated claims can be made against the audi- tor and applicable insurers to recover the expenditure. Mayor Ron Holman's motion to postpone an ombudsman's investiga- tion until the auditors had completed their work later this fall fell on deaf ears At its core, the Ontario Festival of Small Halls is about celebrating commu- nity. The Festival of Small Halls is set to get hands clapping and toes tapping this month as it welcomes an inspiring combination of big names in music and local opening acts to trea- sured small halls across eastern Ontario from Sept. 14 to Oct. 2. The Festival expanded to include 24 rural locales this year, paying tribute to cherished small town spaces with history and heart. National and inter- national musicians includ- ing Breabach, Basia Bulat, Jim Bryson, Elliott Brood, Hat Fitz and Cara, Tomato Tomato, April Verch, Har- row Fair and more are ready to share small stages with opening acts which are local to each commu- nity. This month, the Festi- val of Small Halls is announcing community events surrounding several of the small halls shows. The Festival encour- ages local hall boards, vol- unteers and organizations to team up and expand on the concert in an effort to further build community. From markets and dinners to community walks and a fine art and craft exhibi- tion, the host halls are throwing open their doors to make the 2016 perfor- mances of the Festival of Small Halls even more memorable. "Building community is such an important com- ponent for the Festival of Small Halls," said Kelly Symes, manager of the Ontario Festival of Small Halls. "The Festival takes place in cherished local halls that residents and visitors hold near to their hearts – it's only fitting that the exciting Festival performances are aug- mented with traditional community events to fur- ther showcase these spe- cial spaces." The festival shows in Delta, McDonald's Cor- ners, Lyndhurst, Spencerville, Chaffey's Lock, Winchester, Beck- with and Morton have events in the works. Be sure to plan ahead: reser- vations are required for most of the community happenings. Community dinners are planned in: Chaffey's Lock at The Opinicon; Beckwith at Stonefields Heritage Farm with a fam- ily barbecue preceding the show; Delta at the Old Town Hall with a buffet dinner before the concert; Lyndhurst at St. Luke's Anglican Church Hall before the show at the Legion; and at the McDonald's Corners Agri- cultural Hall with a scrumptious menu planned preceding its show. Furthermore, the mati- nee concert at the Morton Community Hall is accent- ed by a community event at Wendy's Country Mar- ket just down the road. Aside from community Mirror The Review Thursday, September 8, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 125, No. 36 $1 incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Festival of Small Halls starts Tuesday •Continued on page 3 •Continued on page 3 "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 Members of the Ontario Fishing Club of the Deaf held their 30th anniversary tourna- ment last week at Lower Beverley Lake Park. On Wednesday some of the members enjoyed a tour of the Old Stone Mill with guide Anna Greenhorn, whose historical interpretation of the site got accompanied by some American Sign Language inter- pretation. Council confirms support for ombudman's deficit review 24 Family Lane, Smiths Falls Hwy. 15 S. & Bay Rd. 613-205-1212 streetmotorsales@cogeco.net streetmotorsales.com Charlie Franklin Sales Representative 2011 Chevrolet Colorado LT, reg. cab, auto., air, cruise, 84,000kms $13,995 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 5.0 cu. ft. Front Load Washer •Luxcare™ Washer System •Perfect Steam™ •18 Minute Fast Wash Model #EFLS517SW 8.0 cu. ft. Front Load Dryer •Instant Refresh™ Cycle •Largest Capacity Dryer Model #EFMC517SW Regular $2,898.00 Pair Price $ 2298 00 The April Verch Band is playing two nights at Chaffey's Lock Community Hall. Tickets are still available for the Sept. 14 show. Westport's StringTease will open for them. The Sept. 15 show is sold out.