Review-Mirror

•Continued from page 1 who noted that a patch- work of first responders provide the service across the province including full time firefighters, volunteer firefighters and para- medics. Country Roads execu- tive director Marty Crap- per believes the time for firefighters to have the use of naloxone kits is now. "Every public health researcher is warning that fentanyl laced street drugs are here now and that recreational use will lead to overdoses in higher and higher numbers," said Crapper. "I want to know the risks and the cost to tax- payers before council makes a decision. I want council to make an informed decision. We didn't say we won't do it. We need more informa- tion," said the mayor. There were 336 opioid- related deaths in Ontario from May to July 2017, compared with 201 during the same time period in 2016. From January to November 2017 in the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark area there have been 436 emergency room visits related to opioids compared to 390 in 2016. The Gananoque Police Service, Brockville Police Service and Smiths Falls Police Service as well as the Gananoque Fire Ser- vice had purchased their own naloxone earlier this year and have already been trained by the Health Unit. The Township of Leeds and the Thousands Islands council has endorsed seek- ing funding from senior government for a $10.8- million addition and reno- vation to its community centre in Lansdowne. Council has committed $2 million of its own funds to the project but has made no plans to move ahead with the project with long term financing. Last week a presenta- tion by architect Gerry Shoalts of Shoalts and Zaback Architects brought the plans to council where most members were quick to identify a larger 'enhanced' version of the renovation as the preferred option to the $8.9 million 'base' version. Shoalts estimated a $4 million saving in keeping the existing building. Since its engagement with the township last February the firm, with the recreation coordinator has undertaken consultation with user groups and the library to assess the town- ship's needs for a new facility. The project in its enhanced version includes 35,753 sq. feet, which is 7,000 sq. feet larger than the 28,892 base option. The enhancement includes 4,660 sq. feet more common space allowing a full-size gym- nasium and a community hall large enough to parti- tion into multiple rooms The facility also includes an up-to-modern standards archive facility, a new library, a commer- cial size kitchen to accom- modate events and wash- room facilities for the adjacent playground. While the new building would be more energy efficient, and built to mod- ern LEED energy saving standards, costs of opera- tion for the new building are estimated to surpass the present 50 year old building because of greater usage. Existing operating costs of $46,000 are anticipated to increase to $83,000 with the opportunity to bring existing recreation programs to the new town- ship facility. Further information about the project will be brought to an April meet- ing of council where staff will present potential options for long-term financing. •Continued from page 1 municipality brought dif- ferent features to the table. Some had high assessment. South Elms- ley had a high assessment but was half the size physically. For some there wasn't the assess- ment base which would have led to the improve- ments," said Mayor Ron Holman. "We've tried to improve all the township as a whole, regardless of the assessment of the wards-one township one service level. When we amalgamated there were a number of combina- tions but there was the same mil rate. Now we've provided equal service," he said. Since amalgamation a new program of house- hold waste and recycling pick up has been offered to residents, including those on private roads and to seasonal residents, a first in Leeds Grenville. "We are unique in pro- viding this service. Very few go on private roads. We go seasonal proper- ties. The alternative to that was to continue to have people drive to one site with some of them having to drive 50 kilo- meters return. We've been able to provide bet- ter services which were more environmentally responsible," said Hol- man. Household waste pick up has gone hand in hand with the closure of the Delta, North Crosby and South Crosby land fill sites and the trucking of waste to Moose Creek. Along with services zoning regulations and planning has been amal- gamated from five offi- cial plans and zoning bylaws to one set of rules across the board. Pollard is pleased with the gains his ward has seen since amalgamation including the building of a new community hall, new tennis courts, hard surfacing of the majority of roads in his ward and the purchase of the air- field. "It was on our wish list for years to purchase it. Transition money was used to purchase it. It's been an amazing asset to our community he said. "We've done very well to get some of those roads done up. That wouldn't have happened. We're still paying for some of them but it's a low price," said Pollard who has been pleased with the township's abili- ty to access infrastructure dollars over the years which has brought the percentage of hard sur- faced roads across the township up to 60 per cent. "Getting to 70 per cent would provide the opti- mal savings and provide residents the service they deserve," said Holman Pollard sees the new larger municipality as better equipped to cope in the current regulatory environment where there is more risk to manage. "Right now with the liability suits that go on, so much can happen. You'd spend much of your time in the court- room if you didn't have the right people. We had to change our profession- alism. It was no longer a jack of all trades and master of none. You just couldn't afford to fill all of those positions in a small scale," he said. Mayor Ron Holman remembers insurance as a cost which was dramati- cally less as an amalga- mated municipality, an amount which dropped from $145,000 for the combined municipalities to $85,000 for the new township. Other direct savings included going from five clerks to one clerk and finding other efficiencies across the board. While the geography of the township hasn't changed the number of permanent residents and where they live has evolved over 20 years to provide greater assess- ment and greater demand for services. "People have retired and converted cottages to full time residences. The expectations of residents have changed. The pres- sure has been to provide services which people were used to in other municipalities. A point of pride for Holman is the building and renovation of three community halls with modern comforts and emergency generators in South Elmsley and the building of halls in Elgin and North Crosby which are warm in winter and cool in the summer. "The beauty is they are all paid for. They really form the core of our halls that's not to pre- clude the other three halls I'm very pleased that we've been able to upgrade the quality of our facilities," he said. Holman is pleased that the continued growth in the municipality has been one of the highest in Leeds Grenville and one of the lower tax rates. "I'd hate to see the impact on a small munic- ipality of the costs of the implementing of new legislation if we weren't amalgamated," he said. The Review-Mirror January 11, 2018 – 3 Rideau District High School's drama and band group came to Rideau Vista just before the Christmas break to perform carols and "Beauty and the Beast" for stu- dents and staff. Amalgamation brought services former municipalities couldn't afford to provide: Pollard Township considering $10.8 million upgrade to Lansdowne Community Hall NORTH LEEDS SOCCER ASSOCIATION 2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Mon., January 29, RDHS Library, 7-8 pm Positions are open. If interested, contact Scott Halladay at snhalladay@sympatico.ca Rideau Lakes Yoga Seniors, Gentle, Mixed Levels Monday, Wednesday & Thursday Classes start Jan. 15 in Westport and Elgin. Call to register. sprentice88@gmail.com 273-4218 www.rideaulakesyoga.com Upper Rideau Branch 542 10099 Cty. Rd. 10, Westport 613-273-3615 1952 2017 UPPER RIDEAU #542 We are the Guardians of REMEMBRANCE Follow us on Facebook for the latest on Legion 542 events Cribbage Wednesdays, 10 am Darts Sundays, 12:45 pm Lounge hours Tues. 4-7•Wed 4-7•Thurs 4-7•Fri 3-7•Sat 2-6 If you want to assure your date is reserved for 2018, call the branch for a tour of our facilities. Hall rental chairperson Juanita 613-273-8455 Bingo 7 p.m. • BONANZA • JACKPOT PROGRESSIVE TOONIE POT MONDAY Some police and fire services now have kits

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