The politics of water levels:

Georgian Bay Ass'n suspicious of IJC report exonerating

St. Clair River in water level woes

by Michael Erskine

LITTLE CURRENT-Members of the Georgian Bay Association (GBA) and their allies expressed dissatisfaction with both the timing and the conclusions contained within a draft report of the first phase of the International Upper Great Lakes Study (IUGLS) commissioned by the International Joint Commission.

The study's status quo remedial recommendations on the St. Clair River, along with the report appearing before an outside peer review process was completed-and without inclusion or release of reports offering countervailing assessments-has done little to ameliorate that dissatisfaction.

This phase of study, which examined the impact of water flowing out of the Great Lakes through the St. Clair river system, was in itself largely a reaction to pressure from the GBA. The GBA has posited in its own study-known to all and sundry as the Baird Report-that increased water flow caused by continued navigation dredging on the St. Clair River was a large contributing factor to the low water levels experienced on Lake Huron over the last few years.

In response to GBA concerns expressed last year, the study group agreed to split the study into two phases. The first, looking at the immediate concerns posed by the St. Clair flow, was to be completed first, while the second ongoing phase is to examine a wider range of factors impacting water levels on the Great Lakes.

While it would be easy to dismiss the concerns of the GBA as anti-all-things-government-paranoia, the actions in the timing release of the draft report by the IUGLS board have certainly fed those concerns. First, the timing of the input sessions so early in the season all but ensured a poor showing at the public input session (there were only three non-media attendees at the Little Current session). While the rising water levels in Lake Huron (up by over a foot this year) could be cited as a reason for the poor turnout, the more likely reason this session did not attract the significant numbers as last year's session did is that the seasonal residents, those most impacted by lake water levels, have not yet arrived here from their winter refuges.

The emcee of the event, Dr. Eugene Stakhiv, delivered a largely concise and well-informed presentation, which was as free of technical jargon as one could reasonably expect of such a technical study. The presentation took place through the use of an Internet connection which patched together public consultations in Manitoulin; Cleveland, Ohio; Evanston, Illinois; and Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Thanks to the technical expertise of support personnel like Tribly MacDonald of Ann Arbor Michigan, along with board member Jon Gee and Public Interest Advisory Group member Doug Cuddy, the presentation was largely technical-glitch-free.

Dr. Stakhiv was comfortable, projected an open and engaging persona that comes from substantial public engagement and experience.

But it is highly unfortunate that Dr. Stakhiv's 37-year career with US Army Corps of Engineers-the people (rightly or wrongly) suspect of being the culprits behind the lower water levels and diversions into the US-serves to offset his considerable and justly-earned credibility as an advisor on difficult water management and engineering issues in the minds of those suspicious of the study.

Dr. Stakhiv's clearly backed up assertion that the study is an amalgam of the work of hundreds of "disinterested" scientific researchers and that the report has been heavily peer-reviewed through an internal process fell on less-than-fertile ground.

The report found that the human impact on the flow through the St. Clair River system has been largely static since the early 1960s, the earlier boundary of its study mandate, and that the increased flow through the system has come about through a natural impact-namely a 1980s ice jam of Herculean proportions which, the study postulates, brought about the deeper scouring of the river bed and a corresponding drop in water levels.

This argument was given considerable weight through the use of colour charts, which superimposed water level data from a corresponding period of time before a similar event in the 1920s. The two data sets overlapped with compelling coincidence. The increased flow through the St. Clair accounts for a 23-centimetre (9-inch) portion of the drop in water levels since the last major dredging took place in 1962. According to the study's findings, the ice jam factor accounts for 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 inches) of that drop.

Climate, a second major factor accounts for between 9 and 27 cm (3.5 to 10.6 inches) of water level fluctuations. This factor is becoming increasingly important according to the report, accounting for a whopping 75 percent of the decline between 1996 and 2005.

The third, less influential but even more relentless, factor is the geological impact of the springing back of land compressed by the passage of the glaciers 10,000 years ago. While that decompression only accounts for 4 cm (1.6 inches) of the change in water depth (as opposed to level), and the degree of its impact varies wildly from region to region depending on soil composition, it cannot be stopped.

As the term "remedial" suggests, remedial efforts are used to offset human interference. The danger of the remediation of Mother Nature's activities is that of discovering unintended consequences, explained Dr. Stakhiv. That being said, the study group left open the option of countervailing action following the findings of the second phase of the project.

Previously recommended interference in the water levels could have had disastrous impact, he suggested, pointing out that a 1973 plan could have raised the lake levels another six inches during the dramatic rise in water levels-causing more flood damage and wreaking billions of dollars in added damages.

This assertion was challenged by a Cleveland attendee, who pointed out that the proposed intervention was to build an adjustable control system, not a static one.

The second phase will be looking at environmental impacts of global warming and a host of other factors, including outflow through Niagara and the St. Lawrence, and Dr. Stakhiv noted that there may be compelling evidence that human intervention is called for in many areas, including the St. Clair. In this case, time may well be of the essence.

"If we are going to need a major project in place in two decades, and it will take 20 years to build, then we would need to get to work on the project soon to get it into place," he said.

Ann McGregor, of the McGregor Bay Cottagers Association, was on hand for the presentation and took part in the question-and-answer period following the presentation. She questioned the timing of the input session prior to the completion of reviews of all of the reports included in the study.

Dr. Stakhiv replied that 42 of 43 studies were in and assessed and that hundreds of scientists had taken part in the internal peer review and assessments. He also pointed out that a 30-day extension of the time period for peer reviews was being considered. He explained that the external peer review was being handled by the International Joint Commission.

The main concerns of the GBA, backed up by the $130,000 study in 2004 of shoreline alterations and gravel and sand mining by Baird & Associates, whom the GBA refers to as "a respected coastal consulting engineering firm," are manifold.

First, that although the study found a 5-percent increase in conveyance through the St. Clair River, or 6 billion gallons a day from Michigan, the Baird Report found that number to be 12 billion gallons a day and increasing.

The IUGLS report findings are that the flow through has stabilized. Dr. Stakhiv counters that the Baird Report was a $130,000 study completed by one firm. The IUGLS study cost upwards of $20 million and involved literally hundreds of groups.

The GBA also questions the decision to not release the Baird & Associates verification of the water flow out of Lake Huron and a study on remediation requirements by Ralph Pentland, former director of water planning and management at Environment Canada.

Ann McGregor noted that the maintenance dredging of the St. Clair is ongoing and that studies of that impact will not be released until after the public consultation is complete.

"Millions of taxpayers' dollars have been spent on this study to understand what is causing this huge loss of water through the St. Clair River, but the study board has published a premature report based on incomplete findings," said Mary Muter, the GBA lead on the water level issue and a GBA board member, in a release on the issue. "We need a serious, consensus-based, scientifically sound solution to protect this important ecological and economic resource."

Dr. Stakhiv noted that the IUGLS group is only in place to study the factors impacting on Great Lakes water levels on behalf of the International Joint Commission and that the group has no regulatory or coercive powers of their own. At the end of the day, those decisions are to be made by the representatives of the two countries involved in managing the Great Lakes water system.

While it would perhaps have been more productive for the draft report to have been more complete before its release and public input consultations conducted-particularly in light of the controversy surrounding the ignored data and studies-and while the public input sessions could hardly have been better timed to limit public participation (not to mention that the reasons given for the decision to hold them now was somewhat lacking), the entire study is still in early days yet, and the recent rise in Lake Huron water levels suggests that those water levels really are more cyclical in nature than was earlier feared the case.

Time will certainly tell who is right, but the dire economic and ecological implication of being wrong makes a correct prognostication the vital question to be answered for the next seven generations.

UCCM_community leaders caucus trade ideas for improved social health

by Sheila Bowes

M'CHIGEENG-Community leaders and representatives of the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin (UCCM) held hands and prayed as they concluded a summit in M'Chigeeng last week that dealt with empowering communities to deal with social problems and crime.

Over a 100 people turned out for the event that lasted two days, and conjured up proactive solutions to issues that face all six First Nations in and around Mantioulin Island.

Themed "Let's Do It Right," and operating on the principle that healthy families make healthy communities, the free pre-registered event was open to all band members of Aundeck Omni Kaning, M'Chigeeng, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Whitefish River, Zhiibaahassing, and staff and board members of Kina Gbezhgomi, Kenjigewin Teg, the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, UCCM police, Mnaamodzawin, Noojmowin Teg and the UCCM Tribal council.

Following a police commission meeting over a year ago, members of the UCCM decided an action plan needed to be put into place after seeing the same issues were plaguing Aboriginal citizens in a repeat cycle.

"We kept finding the same things were happening again and again," said Albert Beaudin, chief of the UCCM Police. "The same issues of violence, alcohol and drugs were going on and nothing was changing. We know that the resources are there, but many community members were just not capturing on them as much as maybe they should be."

The police commission decided it should hold a two-day summit to figure out a way for Aboriginal individuals to capitalize on opportunities available to them and break the cycle of violence and substance abuse.

"For more than a year we were discussing how we should go about developing the community through government and spiritual initiatives," said Pat Madahbee, tribal chair of the UCCM.

"We wanted to facilitate development," he said. "But to do that we knew we needed to do a lot of healing. Community members and leaders needed to sit down and form an integrated approach on how to deal with issues."

On day one, the summit focussed on empowering people, and touched on 14 key issues including strengthening cultural awareness, knowledge of language, creating a strong government, and a sustainable economy.

"We had testimonials from young men and women who had made positive choices," said Mr. Madahbee. "It was important for them to talk about what they did to avoid falling into a negative environment. People fall through the cracks when they don't know how to get the services they need. Instead of dealing with the after effects of someone who has had a lack of education and training, we need to spend more time on proactive approaches to make sure that doesn't happen."

According to Beverly Roy of the UCCM, many bands have lots of resources and services, but there needs to be a way to improve the success of them.

"The meeting is good because it is a way to decide how to better serve the needs of people," said Ms. Roy. "It's been good to see all of the community members who came out to support our ideas."

Although the meeting is not an instant solution, those involved certainly maintain that it is a step in the right direction.

"There is no overnight solution," said Mr. Madahbee. "What we identified here today were starting points that will help create a long-term sustainable approach toward developing healthier communities and healthier individuals."

Tracy O'Donnell, facilitator of the summit, and a member of the Red Rock Indian Band in Thunder Bay believed the meeting was a "great success- it was the first time UCCM and affiliates came together to talk about integrating services."

She was pleased by the strong turnout and participation to facilitate the meeting.

"Only good could come from this," she concluded.

Herbicide, pesticide ban eliciting mixed reaction

by Heather Pennie

ONTARIO-Ontarians who enjoy the look of a beautifully manicured lawn and who maintain weed and pest-free gardens will now have to do so without any chemical assistance.

The province-wide Cosmetic Pesticide Ban, effective April 22, 2009, now supersedes all municipal bylaws, and all residents, businesses, and municipalities are expected to comply.

Zdenek (Derek) Malacek of the Lake Manitou Area Association is a proponent of the new ban.

"Of course it's a good thing," explained Mr. Malacek. "They don't belong on our lawns to start with."

The ban is part of the government's strategy to address public safety from toxic chemicals, as well as pollution reduction.

Mr. Malacek feels that banning the use of pesticides and herbicides is of particular importance to Manitoulin.

"We live so close to water on the Island...what goes on the ground stays in the ground and it gets into the water," he said.

Together with his wife, Mr. Malacek has been working diligently to spread the message about the dangers of chemical usage on our landscape. "Let's be brutally honest-we've got to get the message across-Mother Nature can only take so much," he said.

It seems that the Ontario government is spreading that same message. All homeowners and horticulturists must adhere to the new guidelines. This means that they may no longer apply herbicides to unwanted grass in driveways and patios. Gardeners will need to find organic means of treating pest infestations and weed dilemmas for both vegetable and flower gardens.

Carol Loveridge of Manitowaning, an avid gardener, is pleased with the province's ruling.

"I'm 100 percent in favour of banning chemicals," she said. "I've always tried to be an organic gardener." By using a roto-tiller and weeding by hand, she has been able to keep weeds at bay and maintain a productive vegetable garden.

"I think if people may be willing to do a little more work themselves, then they may not need to go out and buy chemicals...we just need to learn to live with a few weeds," she added.

Garden pests aren't a huge concern for Ms. Loveridge either. "If I get bugs eating the plants, I plant enough so that some are sacrificed to the bugs and still have enough for my own use."

She also noted that she has learned over the years which vegetables are more susceptible to pests, and won't grow those items. Or, in the case of cabbage plants, which are prone to worms, "I just peel off the outside layers" before eating the vegetables, she explained.

The Cosmetic Pesticide Ban is not only pertinent to individuals; businesses also are affected by the ban.

Manitoulin Turf, based in Spring Bay, is a new lawn-maintenance and landscaping business to the Island. Owner Ron Wouthuis is opposed to Ontario's legislation banning pesticide use.

"We can't make a dollar doing lawn care and controlling the weeds for the customer," explained Mr. Wouthuis. "To me it was wrong because you are killing an industry. It was going to be a part of my business here to do lawn care."

Although he is a licensed professional, Mr. Wouthuis noted that "it is basically null and void" as he is no longer able to use pesticides and herbicides in the treatment of clients' lawns and gardens.

He feels that in the right hands, chemicals do have their place. "I'm not saying that chemicals are all wonderful and perfect, but they do have their place in society," he said. "Ban it from the homeowner, that's one thing, but ban it from a business, that's another."

On the positive side, Mr. Wouthuis did rationalize that the provincial ban will force people to "become a better grower than using chemicals."

It was explained that by letting your lawn grow longer than you are used to between trimmings, the longer grass height shades the soil, cutting down on the germination of weed seeds. Aeration is also important, as is correct fertilization "to develop root system and top as well."

For homeowners looking for ways to deal with unwanted plants in their lawn, there are no easy solutions. "Only way to keep up with dandelions and thistles is to pull them out by hand," Mr. Wouthuis acknowledged.

There are exceptions to Ontario's new cosmetic pesticide regulations, which allow some sectors to continue to use pesticides.

Agricultural use is one avenue that does not fall under the Cosmetic Pesticide Ban, and farmers will continue to follow their current rules for the handling and use of pesticides.

Jim Anstice, a member of the Policy Advisory Committee of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), explained that the OFA "supports a science-based use of pesticides and herbicides."

It was stated by Mr. Anstice that "they (the OFA) don't agree with any misuse of pesticides" and that the use of these products should be limited to "people licensed, doing the right thing."

Mr. Anstice noted that there are probably more pesticides being used in non-agricultural applications and that unlicensed people "buying Round-Up are not necessarily applying it properly."

Farmers, on the other hand, have to have their own licences to apply pesticides, which are "expensive products-they are not going use any more than they have to."

The public health and safety exception to the pesticide ban means that municipalities can continue to use pesticides for the essential maintenance of public works. Use on sidewalks, rest areas and other areas of pedestrian use, though, is banned.

The new restrictions will not have much, if any, effect on local municipalities.

According to Denise Deforge, deputy clerk for Central Manitoulin, it will not change the municipalities' practices in any way. "It doesn't really affect us at all," she said. "We have never sprayed chemicals." With a chuckle, she added, "Let the weeds rise!"

Gary Brown, reeve of Tehkummah Township, also responded that the banning of chemicals for pest control will create no changes within their community, as they do not use any chemicals either.

The Municipality of Assiginack holds a similar sentiment. This municipality has never been a regular chemical user either, and therefore, past maintenance routines will continue, unaffected by Ontario's pesticide limitations.

George Rhijnsburger of Rainbow Gardens Greenhouses has some reservations about the pesticide ban, however. "I think they're going overboard," he said.

By way of explanation, Mr. Rhijnsburger used the example of the City of Sudbury. "How are they going to keep their parks from weeds, such as dandelions, unless you have some sort of pesticides?" he questioned.

Mr. Rhijnsburger expressed concern that large urban centers could end up with skyrocketing labour costs for manual removal of weeds and pests from large parks and other public areas.

Within his own greenhouse business, Mr. Rhijnsburger emphasized that he does not use the banned substances on his plants. "I don't use any pesticides or herbicides-only chemical fertilizer," he emphasized.

An alternative solution for dealing with garden pests that could be used by individuals and businesses was offered by Mr. Rhijnsburger: "Instead of a pesticide, use soapy water."

This doesn't seem as appropriate for all instances, however. "Can you imagine doing a baseball field with soapy water?" he exclaimed.

Mr. Mathouis of Manitoulin Turf summed it up with an observation that the pesticide ban is something that people will need to adapt to. "This is a condition that has to be lived with," he said. "You become a better grower."

Island wind, solar institute gets under way on Manitoulin, partnering with Sault College

by Lindsay Kelly

M'CHIGEENG-Conservation, job creation, and education are the three pillars of the new Manitoulin Wind and Solar Institute, which celebrated its official launch in M'Chigeeng over the weekend with the signing of an articulation agreement with Sault College.

Formed by a group of concerned citizens in M'Chigeeng, the institute aims to raise awareness of the benefits of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, with the ultimate goal of providing training and creating jobs for Islanders working in the field of renewable energy.

Founding member and institute chair Joe Hare said it was fitting that the launch of a wind and solar institute is taking place on Manitoulin, as it has always been a sacred place for First Nations people. But he emphasized that the responsibility of fighting pollution and encouraging conservation is shared by everyone who enjoys Manitoulin's gifts.

"First Nations people have always been at the forefront of taking care of all things given by Mother Nature," he said. "I think we are taking a more active position to make sure the gifts we have and enjoy will be better taken care of by all of us on Manitoulin Island."

Founding members include Mr. Hare, Lewis Debassige, Dan Simon, Lynzii Taibossigai, Tom Hare, and Nano Debassige, and Mr. Hare said he was encouraged to see younger generations become involved in conservation efforts.

One of those younger members, Ms. Taibossigai, said she is excited to be part of a new conservation effort for Manitoulin Island, as she's "very passionate about conservation for Mother Earth."

The institute's mandate will take a multi-pronged approach, she noted, but "in general, our goal is to encourage and enable the people of Manitoulin Island to participate in and benefit from solar and wind energy as consumers and producers," she said.

Through its articulation agreement with Sault College, people living on Manitoulin would be trained in green energy generation-the installation and use of equipment-with the ultimate goal of developing more wind and solar energy projects on Manitoulin, Ms. Taibossigai explained. The result will be increased economic development, lower energy costs, and a reduced effect on the environment.

There are currently 20 wind energy projects waiting to be developed on Manitoulin, and once these projects receive approval, the institute is confident that job creation in the industry will follow.

Although the institute's initial scope will include solar and wind energy, members envision branching out into biomass and hydroelectric energies as well. Once the program is fully operational, the members see Manitoulin's green energy initiative becoming a tourist attraction, and an educational hub where students can come to learn about renewable energy.

"We're offering membership to anybody who wants to join," Ms. Taibossigai said. "And I agree with the younger generation getting involved, because we will be the ones to carry this forward."

On hand for the signing of the articulation agreement was Sault College President Dr. Ron Common, whose association with the M'Chigeeng First Nation goes back more than two decades.

He joked about being warned, during his first trip to the Island in the early 1980s, of the seductive quality Manitoulin holds, but in sincerity suggested that he welcomes an opportunity to engage in green energy projects to further the conservation efforts on Manitoulin.

"I have a home on Manitoulin Island and I will always have a home on Manitoulin Island, so I appreciate very much the opportunity of the college to be involved in renewable energy project on Manitoulin Island," he said. "This is now one of my homes and it's a very special place."

Sault College is at the forefront of green energy training, offering the three-year Natural Environment Technologist-Conservation and Management course. It includes learning about renewable energy planning and site evaluation and using the school's own wind turbine during training.

"We're the only post-secondary school in Ontario that is powered partly by a wind turbine, so we're modeling good practices for our students," Dr. Common said. "I'm very proud of that."

Sault Ste. Marie is also in final negotiations with a solar energy company to "open up a solar farm in the Sault," he said. When operational, Sault College students will be involved in the research and maintenance of the solar panels, which "fits our mandate very well," he noted.

It is through these programs that education and training will be provided to those on Manitoulin who are interested in working in the renewable energy industry. "Certainly we feel we're leaders right now in post-secondary education in those programs," Dr. Common added.

The institute is actively seeking new members, with all membership fees working to offset the costs associated with the institute's initial startup.

Though its beginnings have been modest to date, Mr. Hare is confident that support for the institute will grow as people begin to realize the benefits it can bring.

"Whenever you start something, sometimes people are skeptical and to get the word out is often difficult as well," he said. "But I think the idea of a wind and solar institute's time has come, because with the things we want to do, I think any person who cares about what we enjoy in life from the Creator and Mother Earth on the Island we live on, people will come to support as time goes by."

More information about the institute and membership, as well as updates about its progress, is available at www.manitoulinwsi.com.

EDITORIAL

Wind institute an impetus for Island power generation

The new Manitoulin Wind and Solar Institute received its formal recognition this past weekend through the formalizing of an agreement with a related diploma program at Sault College.

This association with an already-recognized college program gives the fledgling Manitoulin organization some instant bona fides as well as offers the local group access to expertise it might otherwise take years to achieve.

Through Schneider Power's investment on Manitoulin, there are already two giant windmills in place and visible from Highway 542 just east of Spring Bay. The Toronto-based company has proven the efficacy of their site and plans to add three additional windmills as soon as 2010.

Two other organizations, Northland Power and Brookfield Power, have secured land leases for future windmill sites atop McLean's Mountain just west of Little Current, together with access to a future power corridor, through an arrangement with the Northeast Town, where poles can be erected to distribute the wind-generated power to the grid.

There has also been continuing interest in windmill projects in both M'Chigeeng and Wikwemikong, both at the band level and by entrepreneurs in these communities.

On the other side, there has been some concern expressed about the negative visual impact on the landscape of these large built structures, together with the impact on migrating birds, many species of which fly over Manitoulin on their migratory routes.

The Manitoulin Wind and Solar Institute will, hopefully, be a meeting place for the discussion between the proponents of these sources of power, including those who are already in the market, and those who have concerns about the long-term impact on both the people and the other creatures who call Manitoulin Island home.

With discussion and the exchange of ideas come compromise and new ways to look at, and potentially resolve, areas of concern.

The Manitoulin Wind and Solar Institute should also set as a goal the determination of how much locally generated power, if left contained within Manitoulin's hydroelectric distribution system, would be required to keep Manitoulin "going" in the event of a major grid failure such as the one most of Ontario experienced in 2003.

As an Island that draws its entire supply via the two large towers that sit on either side of the North Channel just beside the swing bridge in Little Current, it is conceivable that, in the event of a major grid failure and the loss of power supply to Manitoulin, the Island could be immediately isolated from the grid and derive its needed hydroelectric power from the solar and windmill sources that were already in place and pumping power into the Ontariowide grid.

Granted, a cycling device would have to be installed so that when these solar and windmill devices were solely powering Manitoulin (in the event of an emergency) they would be doing so in the usual 60-cycle alternating current format and our electric devices would continue to run as usual, neither faster nor slower.

Such a challenge, initially as a theoretical case, would be an interesting one for the Manitoulin Wind and Solar Institute to undertake, working with its Sault College partners.

It would certainly spark interest and support for major wind and solar installations if citizens understood that, potentially, this also meant the creation of a massive emergency power supply for Manitoulin Island.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Schools are forums for discussion of world views

Ideological inclusiveness breeds tolerance, understanding

To the Expositor:

Re: "Tree teaching suggests excuses for criminal behaviour," letters, May 20.

I would like to thank John Corliss for writing that excuses should not be made for vandalism.

However, I disagree with any idea that suggests there is no place for religious instruction in public schools. Mr. Corliss writes, "I was quite surprised to see that religious instruction is permitted in a public school setting where students from a variety of religious and irreligious backgrounds are in attendance."

As a public school teacher, I would not suggest that captive student audiences be force-fed religious dogma. What public schools are responsible for is to model the Great Marketplace of Ideas. In the Great Marketplace of Ideas, different worldviews can be shared in a setting of mutual respect and trust, including religious world views. If I were to start being selective about the ideologies that my students are eligible to receive, my behaviour would not be fit for public education, but would be appropriate for private or "statist" schools instead.

I submit that public schools should always strive to be ideologically inclusive. I am proud that Little Current Public School is such a school. The alternative would be for public institutions like schools to start making decisions about what ideas are acceptable in society and what ideas are not.

There are, of course, countries in the world where government institutions decide what realms of knowledge are permitted for its citizens. By contrast, Canadians share their knowledge and beliefs with each other and learn to get along. If we plan on modelling understanding and tolerance to the rest of the world, we must do so in our public schools.

Ray Scott

Big Lake

Sandfield family came to the rescue during Highway 542 stranding

Kindness of Islanders made visitors feel at home

To the Expositor:

I want to take the opportunity to publicly thank Kevin Hutchinson of Little Current, his father, and Hal Love of Sandfield for the help they gave me and my family when we were stranded on Victoria Day Monday.

As we were leaving Lake Manitou, we experienced mechanical problems, resulting in our being stranded on the side of Highway 542. Our solution, we thought, was from a garage that was 45 minutes away and closed until the next day. But to our great luck, we asked for help from the aforementioned and can't possibly thank them enough for what they gave. Mr. Hutchison and Mr. Love went above and beyond when they helped us out.

As a past observation, I have, for some strange reason, felt at home when on the Island, as though many I've met were like trusted family. Today I truly felt at home with the kind of help I got from these fine gents, or perhaps unknowing ambassadors. Not only do I thank them, but I also thank their wives and anyone else who was expecting them, and vow to pay it forward. Once again, thank you sirs, and I hope to meet up with you again, but under better circumstances.

Rick Sasseville

Garson