Environmental Biosphere group opens three more reserved areas

by Lindsay Kelly

MANITOULIN-The song of a black-throated green warbler echoed through the forest at Fossil Hill, while a few kilometres away, two herons danced an elegant, mid-air waltz before settling down to feed in a nearby wetland.

Manitoulin was abuzz with nature's activity on Saturday afternoon, and now its beauty has become more accessible with the opening of a trio of new public nature reserves.

Three parcels of land on the eastern end of Manitoulin have been acquired by the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC), a land trust whose goal is to obtain property, through purchase or conservation agreement, along the path of the Niagara Escarpment in the name of protecting nature. On Saturday, the group officially dedicated the three properties and opened them to the public.

Just off Highway 6, at the New England Road turnoff, an 85-acre piece of property has been purchased by the EBC. Known locally as Fossil Hill, the area encompasses a dense patch of forest, and is well-known for producing the fossils after which it is named.

The idea, said EBC executive director Bob Barnett, is to encourage both locals and visitors to enjoy the area and take in the natural surroundings it has to offer.

"I'm very happy to open this nature reserve," he said in dedicating the site. "We want to put a sign up by the road so that people will stop and see Manitoulin instead of screaming by here."

The area currently remains mostly inaccessible, but ultimately the EBC's goal is to cut a trail loop through the forest, ensuring it has low environmental impact while allowing visitors to take in as much of the area as possible.

A few kilometres down the road at Ten-Mile Point, 15 acres of land awaits a similar trail-clearing exercise. The land, also purchased by the EBC, follows a steep incline leading from Highway 6 through the dense brush to the shoreline. The land trust plans to build a stairway so that people have a short walk from the lookout parking lot to the trail.

"We want people to park over in the parking lot, and we'll put a sign up inviting people to walk up here," Mr. Barnett explained. "We have 80 metres, or 250 feet, of shoreline, so you can walk right up to the water."

Roughly eight acres has been acquired at White's Point through a conservation agreement with Dr. Ron Andrews of Sudbury. "Ninety-five percent of the value has been donated," Mr. Barnett said. "So $82,000 of the $86,000-worth of property here has been donated, so we're very pleased."

A popular site for locals, the area has already been accessed via a trail cut through the surrounding wetland. The property includes 1,500 feet of shoreline, where a variety of plant and animal life finds shelter.

The EBC is relieved that it was able to acquire the land when it did, since the area had been considered for dumping fill from a nearby construction project. "In other areas, there would be a conservation authority to regulate it," Mr. Barnett said. "But there are no rules here."

The weekend dedications bring the EBC's total number of properties to 16, and the land trust is in the process of acquiring two more parcels of land, one of which encompasses 85 acres on the southern end of the Island. When complete, it will mark the second conservation agreement set up by the EBC.

For more information about the land trust and its mandate, visit www.escarpment.ca.

AOK minor hockey denied community club member status

by Alicia McCutcheon

M'CHIGEENG-For the second time in a row, the Aundeck Omni Kaning Minor Hockey Association (AOKMHA) has been given a 'no' to icing teams in the Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association (MMHA) for the 2008-09 season.

Peter Nahwegahbo, president of the AOKMHA, attended the MMHA annual general meeting last Tuesday, pitching his idea to the executive and community representatives for a peewee and midget team from AOK. AOK have typically played for teams in the Little Current Minor Hockey Association, as do players from Sheguiandah First Nation.

Mr. Nahwegahbo explained that due to community demographics, a peewee and midget team was quite possible and already had a list of interested players. Adding local female talent to that list would add even more, sending the numbers well over what is required by the MMHA-at least 11 players.

The group took turns asking Mr. Nahwegahbo questions until Tom Moffat of Manitowaning asked what was on the minds of everyone.

"How will this affect Little Current?" he asked.

"They had a few concerns, but it doesn't seem like anything they can't overcome," Mr. Nahwegahbo replied.

MMHA secretary Sue Van Horn asked if the prospective players-22 in total-all currently play for Little Current. He explained that some play for M'Chigeeng as well as Little Current.

Roy Knobel, Little Current's community representative, told the group that the idea was voted down unanimously at his organization's AGM.

President Kevin Bailey had each of the community reps voice their opinions on the issue with Mr. Nahwegahbo out of the room.

Mr. Moffat said he supports AOK wanting to start its own program but was concerned on the effect it would have on Little Current.

"What about ice time," he asked. "Where will they play?"

Eli Fox of M'Chigeeng said he saw AOK's move as "a positive step for the MMHA to expand." He noted the organization was starting to grow more at a higher level of play and said he was pleased to see the opportunities for area youth were there.

"Minor hockey in M'Chigeeng is growing just like AOK," Mr. Fox said. "Each year they (AOK) ice three or four teams for the Little NHL-all from the community. I would like to see this happen for AOK."

"I knew this would be a contentious issue," Mr. Knobel said next. "We have had problems at the school, split teams. We feel that if it becomes the two communities, it will not be a healthy level of competition."

"The kids go to school together and they should play hockey together," he continued.

Mr. Knobel said Little Current Minor Hockey had canvassed Sheguiandah, Little Current, Whitefish River First Nation and Aundeck Omni Kaning and did not find much support for the idea of AOK making a split, with the exception of Sheguiandah.

"The other communities have an arena," Mr. Knobel noted. "It was made unanimous that our program continues to include AOK. It will impact our program."

"The most important voice should be Little Current's voice and they certainly have some valid concerns," said MMHA treasurer Larry Karns. "The fact it's going to impact on Little Current's program should be of concern for us."

Randy Thibault of Gore Bay said he worried that AOK's plans were "too short term." He suggested Mr. Nahwegahbo's organization do some more planning and see whether or not Little Current could sustain its own teams.

"I can see AOK's point of view-it's about community pride," said Wikwemikong representative John Manitowabi. "But can they sustain these teams. Some of these players are just starting peewee-I'm concerned about the level of play."

Mr. Manitowabi suggested AOK come back to the table when they have a beginner level team and start from the beginning.

Andre Leblanc of Mindemoya said he worried Little Current would lose out either way. If the players find out they won't have a team of their own this year, they may opt not to play for Little Current either.

Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) representative Mike Payette explained that the NOHA had denied the AOKMHA before, but said the organization can come back as many times as they want.

"We look at sustainability and the impact on other clubs," Mr. Payette said. "If one town is going to suffer, we're not in the business of doing that."

"They were initially denied because of the lateness in the season and a lack of information," Mr. Bailey said. "One year later and a prompting later, they still have no real information-just the two teams and the executive. We wanted to know about the future-where they'd play, a list of kids. They're no better now, one year later."

After putting it to a vote, AOKMHA was denied 6-2, with M'Chigeeng and Mindemoya in favour of AOK.

There was a hush in the room as Mr. Nahwegahbo was invited back and was told the outcome of the vote.

"My association will not be happy with this," Mr. Nahwegahbo said. "I've been blindsided again. Little Current is on its own. This is very disappointing. My association will not be in support of MMHA or Little Current."

He then stormed out of the room.

Late last week The Expositor spoke to Mr. Nahwegahbo who said the parents he spoke to were very upset.

"I think there's collusion and underhandedness going on," he said. "I had met with them previously stating our intentions and thought it was going to go through."

Mr. Nahwegahbo said Little Current's worries over team, and community, rivalry, were unfounded. "You do need competition as part of a growing experience and at the same time, they're (the players) expanding their relationships beyond the game."

"Their demands are outrageous," he said. "Asking for a list of players names? We can't predict who will be playing in the fall. Little Current has a bigger catchment area than we do and if they can't support teams with the loss of one community then they are in dire straits."

Mr. Nahwegahbo noted that Little Current would only be losing some players in two divisions and said they were people in the community, including himself, that would probably be willing to do "double duty" for both organizations, in terms of coaching staff.

"We have always been a sports-minded community and we're just trying to carry that on but we can't with obstacles like the MMHA," he said. "And we used to have teams in the league-how soon they forget."

Mr. Nahwegahbo has until February 1, 2009 to come back to the MMHA with the proper data, NOHA approval and a letter stating approval or disapproval from all six Island minor hockey organizations.

Landen likes to get letters!

Manitowaning toddler in Sick Kids' Hospital undergoing chemotherapy

by Alicia McCutcheon

MANITOULIN-Manitoulin's thoughts and prayers are with two-and-a-half-year old Landen Harasym-Demontigny of Manitowaning as he begins his treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto.

Mother Marilee Harasym and grandmother Marilyn Harasym have taken up post at his room at the children's hospital and are keeping their spirits high.

The grandmother explained that his diagnosis was sudden, last Thursday, after she and Marilee took Landen to the Mindemoya hospital after he failed to recover from a cold.

"Marilee knew something more was wrong," Ms. Harasym said.

At his mother's insistence, Landen received a blood test and by the next day, the doctor phoned to tell them the results came back far from normal and thought it was leukemia. The family rushed to see a pediatrician in Sudbury and by 2:30 am Friday night, Landen was on a plane to Sick Kids to start his treatment.

The little boy is on four different chemotherapy treatments-two through his spine, one intravenous and one intramuscular. Landen most also take an oral steroid, a laxative, allopurinol for a build-up of uric acid and four antibiotics and has blood work twice a day.

Landen's grandmother said the first couple of days were hard and there were plenty of tears shed but know they have to keep looking at the positives. The doctors told the family that Landen has an 80 to 85 percent chance of survival and has one of the most curable forms of leukemia-plus the fact he is over one-year old and under 10. The family holds this news close to their heart.

Landen has his good days and his bad days, Ms. Harasym said. Sometimes the thought of taking his medications gets him so upset he gets sick to his stomach, although so far, the medications or treatment have not made him sick.

The little boy will soon lose his hair, which makes his grandmother sad as he has always taken great pleasure in coming his hair. Landen also loves to open mail and the family is encouraging people to send him mail-cards and letters-to help keep a smile on his face.

The community has rallied together to help little Landen too. Norma Sprack and Sue Deforge have placed collection jars for the family in Manitowaning stores and hope to have similar jars placed throughout Manitoulin soon. A benefit dance is also in the works.

A trust account for Landen has also been set up at the Bank of Montreal and donations would be greatly appreciated to help cover the costs of travel and the stay in Toronto. The family is currently camped out in Landen's room.

To send Landen mail, the address is: Hospital for Sick Children, 55 University Ave., Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, (8a haematology/oncology), c/o Landen Harasym-Demontigny.

EDITORIAL

Volunteerism will aid those locally and abroad

The two girls enthusiastically collecting loonies and twoonies that will ultimately help the victims of the recent and devastating earthquake in China are themselves the embodiment of the spirit of altruism and inspire the same motivating force on the part of those who give them their loonies, twoonies and five dollar bills.

Once in a while - fairly frequently, if truth be told - one of these spontaneous acts moves us to think "isn't that great!"

In the illustration referred to above, it was the two girls resolutely collecting loonies and twoonies outside Little Current ValuMart last Saturday.

They'd clipped graphic photos from newspapers of the chaos caused by the earthquake and had made a simple display they could quickly point to.

They also gave people the option of signing a pledge form so that their donations were duly recorded.

In the late afternoon, when the air was growing chilly, the father of one of the girls brought each of them a jacket to keep them warm and his pride at the initiative being publicly demonstrated by the two "best friends" (as they referred to themselves) was palpable.

Indeed, anyone who came close to them couldn't help but being touched by their enthusiasm.

It was a clear example of "paying it forward" and will have an impact not only on the victims of the China earthquake (where an agency of the Canadian government will match the girls' collections dollar for dollar) but on those people who happened to wander into the girls' ambit of enthusiasm last weekend.

We've recently observed National Volunteer Week where communities and agencies took advantage of this particular time to thank everyone who volunteers their time and talents, making an enormous difference in the lives of virtually every one of us.

Well, judging by the perseverance of these girls - and of other youthful volunteers - this tradition of volunteerism will continue to be an important factor in their lives, as well as the life of the collective community.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Conservatives manipulated Elections Canada

'Backroom boys' conducted unscrupulous business

To the Expositor:

The Harper Backroom Boys' election law uber-manipulation, with their wide-scale money laundering 'in and out' scheme, was not granted by Elections Canada because the local riding associations (all 67 of them) never had any control over the money that the National Conservative Campaign spent. If these same manipulative Harper Backroom Boys want to try to create a false analogy between Conservative money laundering and Liberals going to their bank manager for an extension on a loan then let them try!!!

It's a thing of beauty to watch these clever unscrupulous Harper Backroom Boys expose themselves for all to see.

Sincerely,

Mark Brown

Sault Ste. Marie

Island consumers should beware automated metering

Hydro rates will not be reduced as promised

To the Expositor:

I cannot imagine any person in the Province of Ontario who did not receive Ontario Hydro's spring 2008 news flyer, Staying Connected. In this flyer Ontario Hydro announces the coming of the automated meter reading.

They rave that it will eliminate the need for estimated bills under normal conditions and, more importantly, reduce the number of times they need to access your property or translation less labour hours to read meters a huge cost saving.

Anyone want to lay odds how much they will reduce the hydro rates for us Ontarians?

I do not think so either. We have to pay for that $82,000-flight from Mexico for Brenda Martin and the fine handed down by the Mexican judge.

Larry Killens

South Baymouth

Stewardship's call for crane hunt shortsighted

Economy depends on more than just farming

To the Expositor:

The Manitoulin Area Stewardship Council's endorsement of an application to permit sandhill crane hunting is a poorly devised plan. Shooting sandhill cranes would have a highly negative financial impact on the tourism and nature conservation dollars that have steadily increased in our economy over the last 10 years. The diversification of Manitoulin's economy depends on a broader vision of growth and long-term success than shooting birds. Localized calls, such as that of the Manitoulin Area Stewardship Council, for culls, hunts, and species specific kills are shortsighted in that they fail to recognize that all of Manitoulin depends on an economy that extends beyond farming. The health of a good portion of the farming economy is strongly connected to the seasonal, tourist, and eco-tourist dollars that are infused into our communities from visitors as far away as Switzerland and Asia. These visitors, with deep pockets, want to shoot photographs, not rifles.

Sandhill cranes mate for life and primarily depend on aquatic animals, although they do not feed on fish. Their healthier numbers in rare areas of North America can be directly attributed to the legal protection and conservation of populations via the Federal Migratory Birds Conservation Act. It took almost 100 years for the tide of near extinction, due to trophy hunters, to be turned towards a return of their native grounds. The act specifically maintains the protection and conservation of populations, individual birds and their nests. It also bans the deposit of any harmful substances in or near a place that may be harmful to migratory birds. The federal government goes to the trouble of upholding the Migratory Birds Conservation Act and funds Nature Canada (formerly the Canadian Nature Federation) through federal tax dollars because, in addition to conservation benefits, there exist strong economic benefits to all of Canada in protecting certain species and their wetlands.

If our solution to shifting crop prices, poor yields and lack of employment is to shoot whatever species is the easiest scapegoat, then we are only shooting ourselves and our future livelihood. In addition, I would warn both Mr. Laberge and Mr. Willis to think twice about making a good meal of sandhill cranes, given that avian borne illnesses are not uncommon.

An open mind and unity in supporting a diverse and healthy economy for all will be a far better solution for Manitoulin and the North Shore-not just now but for years to come. You can support the tourism economy of Manitoulin by contacting the Canadian Wildlife Service at 1-800-668-6767 and registering your opposition to the OFAH hunt.

Shelagh Saul

Spring Bay