Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror More participants skat- ing and racing, the best- ice-ever, wonderful fire- works and a delicious catered meal on Saturday night, were some of the highlights for Skate the Lake organizers. The event's dedicated team of volunteers contin- ued their tradition of meet- ing whatever weather throws at you when you are holding a speed skat- ing event on a frozen lake. "The challenge this year was getting people from the shore to the ice. The ice on the oval was the best they'd ever had," said volunteer Doug Good. The foot thick ice on Portland Bay was ren- dered smooth by the an earlier freeze thaw which last Thursday required the installation of a ramp from Hanna Park on to the race site. Getting vehicles onto the ice required laying some planks over the ice, conditions which kept vehicles on the ice to a minimum. While the weather was- n't something to be tamed volunteers seemed to have Faster, more reliable internet access will be coming to some local broadband-deprived areas, thanks to a partnership announced last week between Westport-based WTC Communications and the federal govern- ment's Connecting Cana- dians program. The investment through Connecting Canadians means that up to 220 households identified as "underserved" when it comes to internet options will be within the target range of the internet expansion funded by the program. The Connecting Cana- dians program defines underserved as not having access to internet speeds of at least five megabits per second. Locations identified by the program are in South Frontenac, Rideau Lakes, Leeds and the Thousand Islands, and Tay Valley townships. WTC was selected by the Connecting Canadians program to expand its existing high-speed net- work into areas where homes and businesses may not have sufficient internet options. In announcing the part- nership, Minister of Inno- vation, Science and Eco- nomic Development, Navdeep Bains noted, "We can no longer consider high-speed internet a luxu- ry. Internet access is now an essential part of every- day life. Canadians go online for education, health services, entertain- ment and shopping. Faster internet connections allow Canadians to innovate and to get the skills and train- ing they need to qualify for well-paying jobs." Thursday, February 2, 2017 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 126, No. 4 $1incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 WTC gets up to $250,000 to extend high speed internet Saturday and Sunday's Skate the Lake event was declared a success in part for hav- ing a spectacular ice surface. It attracted more skaters, more of the public, more sponsors , more volunteers and more good times on Saturday night with a special Canada 150 dinner at the Portland Hall. 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net •Continued on page 3 Great ice, fireworks and more participants at Skate the Lake Christine Jennings, Owner 20 Whelan St., Westport, Ontario 613-273-9800 Full Service Dog Grooming Salon Mirror The Review •Continued on page 9 with full results Sweets' parents question logic of potential school closure By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Sweets Corners Ele- mentary School parents believe bringing South Crosby Public School's English stream students to their school could boost their enrolment and elimi- nate the Elgin school's triple grading. Of the 161 students at the Elgin public school 31 students who are enrolled in the English stream are triple graded. That was just one of the suggestions, including an adjustment of boundaries that Sweets' parents coun- cil brought to light with a presentation at an Accom- modation Review Com- mittee (ARC) public meet- ing in Smiths Falls on Monday night. A staff report released in September proposed moving Rideau Centennial students to South Crosby and eventually closing Sweets Corners after capi- tal funding is obtained to rebuild the school to accommodate the addi- tional students. The ARC, a committee of parents and staff repre- sentatives is gathering information to inform a staff report to the board on February 15. After the release of the report delegations will have the opportunity to address the trustees in reaction to the proposals at a meeting on March 2, just three weeks before a deci- sion is to be made by the board on March 23. On Monday night David Duggins, on behalf of the council, had tenth spot in the 11 presenta- tions to the ARC, which also heard presentations from the public in Novem- ber. Following nine other presentations with the oft- repeated theme of the value of a rural school to its community Duggan focused on numbers. •Continued on page 3 Rideau Lakes Building Centre YOUR TRUSTED BUILDING SUPPLY PARTNER 7719 Hwy. 42, Crosby 613-272-0209 www.RideauLakesBuildingCentre.com Special Offer Ambiance 100% Hardwood Pellets $ 5. 69 per bag when purchasing a skid of 75. *Delivery available Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available Front Load Washer •4.3 cu. ft. •Luxecare™ Wash •20 min. Fast Wash •Stain Treat™ Option Model #EFLW417SW Front Load Dryer •8.0 cu. ft. •20 min. Fast Dry •Perfect Steam™ •7 Cycles Model #EFMC417SIW Regular $2,298.00 Pair Price $ 1898 00 Duncan ' s APPLIANCE SALES & SERVICE LAUNDRY SAVINGS

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