i

Co-op is on the block to wind up its debts

Pension debts, market forces causing Island

institution to sell assets

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-Formed in the waning years of the Second World War as a way to sell cattle, the Manitoulin Livestock Co-operative is now hastening its own end by putting its assets on the auction block.

Last week, members of the Co-op, which operates grocery, hardware and fuel outlets in several Island communities, authorized the company's board of directors and management team to consider buyers for any or all parts of the business.

"It's sad to see it going this way," said board member Hugh Moggy, who spent 35 years working for the Co-op, latterly as its general manager. "But things have changed a lot."

Farming, the sector the Co-op initially catered to, is not nearly as robust as it once was, Mr. Moggy noted. And while diversification into grocery and hardware concerns has proven generally successful, competition from big-box stores is taking its toll.

Many Islanders still prefer to buy their animal feed, rubber boots and fertilizer from a local source, not to mention human food, fuel and hammers, but others are increasingly tempted by the bargains to be had in bigger centres.

"I can recall a time when you wouldn't think of going to Sudbury and back in the same day," Mr. Moggy said. "Now it's a half-day trip. People are doing things differently than they did before."

The straw breaking the Co-op's proverbial back, however, is money it will soon have to contribute to make up for a shortfall in pension payments, owing to the 2003 collapse of a plan serving superannuated co-operative workers from across Ontario.

Since that time, retired employees-Mr. Moggy, included-have been receiving just 50 percent of what they were due. And while the province is committed to making up some of the difference, co-ops themselves are certain to also take a hit.

Speaking at the organization's annual general meeting held on January 14, acting manager Mike Addison said, "The bottom line is, by the summer we will have an invoice for the pension plan."

Meanwhile, the Co-op has an obligation to pay off its investors. "That's our first responsibility," said Mr. Moggy, "because it's unsecured investment." Much like a credit union, the Co-op is owned by its members, who pay as little as $5 to belong, but also invest larger amounts in the expectation of reaping dividends-or at least getting their original contribution back.

"There are 1,600 people who are members," said Mr. Moggy. "And probably close to 800 have larger amounts of money invested. That money's due now, and we don't have the money to pay them." The Co-op incurred a loss of $63,000 in 2006, and owes its investors nearly $1.4 million, members learned at last week's AGM.

Also driving the tough decision to sell off parts, or all, of the Manitoulin institution is a concern for the franchise's employees. Over 60 workers are on the payroll of the company, and the administration is committed to preserving both the service these businesses provide and the livelihoods of their staff.

"We want to protect the employees and make sure there's still a viable service to people on Manitoulin," said Mr. Moggy. "If and when these businesses are sold, we want to make sure they continue, and doors aren't boarded up."

Apparently there are some local entrepreneurs who might be willing to take over a Co-op store or two. "There is interest," Mr. Addison assured the 30-plus members in attendance for last week's AGM. "And if we receive approval and authority tonight, we will go out and see how serious they are."

Joyce Foster, mayor of Gore Bay, noted that the Co-op in her community, comprising both a grocery store and hardware concern, "is a very important component for the town, and it would be devastating if it closed." Indeed, the grocery store is the only one of that scale in Gore Bay.

She feels fairly confident, however, that the business will live on. "From what I understand, it won't be closing," she said. Nor would existing employees be likely to lose their jobs should a change of ownership occur. "If a private entrepreneur buys it, I think they'd certainly want to keep trained staff," said Ms. Foster.

Still, the disappearance of such an enduring brand and Island-wide symbol is far from a happy scenario. "It's been here an awful long time, and it's too bad it's come to this," said the mayor. "But if this is what it takes to bring things around and allow investors to recoup their money, then I guess it's what has to be done."

While she recognizes that "some people will be upset if it's not a Co-op any longer," Mayor Foster also feels that Islanders should "appreciate the effort made by the board and staff to keep it going to this point."

The Co-op has certainly played an important role on the Island over the course of its 64-year run. 'Up By Their Bootstraps,' a history of the operation penned by Heather Jefkins in the early 1990s, describes the story of the Co-op as one of "innovation, hard work and loyalty to the cause."

From its humble beginnings as a mechanism for a cattle sale in September of 1944, the business slowly but surely began to expand, first with "a tiny store" in Gore Bay, and "another outlet near the CPR tracks in Little Current," the historical account notes. In 1950, the Edwards Mill in Manitowaning was purchased, and by 1958 the Manitoulin co-op aligned itself with the United Co-operatives of Ontario and established a petroleum side to the enterprise.

It was during this era that Mr. Moggy first gained employment with the Co-op. "When I started out, I was taking soil samples, then driving a fuel truck," he recalled. "At that time, Manitowaning's Co-op was at the feed mills on the waterfront." He subsequently became manager of that operation, and remained in the role when Manitowaning's current store was constructed in 1976.

Gore Bay's original Co-op was located at the site of the former Bank of Montreal building, and "about the size of a chicken coop," according to Harris Baker's recollection in 'Up By Their Bootstraps.' Perhaps it's no accident that co-op, minus a hyphen, is a coop.

But it would outgrow those modest trappings. By 1949 the Gore Bay outlet had moved to the corner where the present-day hardware store stands. And in 1968, a combined feed, grocery and hardware complex took shape on the town's main drag, with Valu-Mart replacing the IGA as food retailer (and expanding upon the venue) in 1992.

Little Current's hardware, clothing and farm products store, at the corner of Water and Worthington streets, flourished from 1968 until 2005, when sales were finally judged to be too slow to justify an investment in needed upgrades to the building. It has subsequently become the home of Boarderline, a retailer of skateboarding apparel, as well as revamped apartments.

The cattle sale enjoyed over 60 years of uninterrupted success at its Little Current barn following its inaugural incarnation in 1944, but was indefinitely postponed following damage incurred during the 2006 wind storm. The site remains in disrepair, but could gain a new lease on life as the location for a proposed abattoir.

While recent developments, most notably the unforeseen pension problem, have certainly contributed to the current crisis gripping the Co-op, the writing was probably on the wall much earlier. Mr. Moggy notes that the demise of the United Co-operatives of Ontario-which went bankrupt in 1994-meant that the local Co-op ceased to be a true co-operative, instead becoming part of the US-based Growmark system, which deals "mainly in agronomy, not hardware."

While Growmark "can't be blamed for the financial situation we have today," Mr. Moggy feels the association with the US parent was not ideal, as "they weren't the best suppliers of products for us, particularly hardware."

The fuel side of the business, once a mainstay, has suffered losses from increased competition, while the grocery line, though profitable, would require an outlay for equipment upgrades in order to remain viable, members were told at last week's meeting.

Given all these pressures, the best course of action is to consider a sale of assets, Mr. Addison regrettably informed the membership. "We have insufficient profits to retire the exiting debt," he said. And the bulk of the Co-op's investors "are seniors who invested years ago to help the business grow," he noted. "Many of these people are counting on their investments to carry them through retirement."

The decision to recommend this course of action was not taken lightly. "We have spent a great deal of time investigating our options and we believe that, by selling all or part of our business, we may have the ability to satisfy our investors," said Mr. Addison.

Mr. Moggy agrees this is the responsible, if difficult, move to make at this point, although he admitted that, having spent the majority of his working life involved with the organization, he had trouble sleeping on the night following the decision, and was worried how some farmers might react once word got around. He felt better when a couple of people expressed support-or at least understanding-the following day.

"It's very sad," he said. "But the last thing we want to see happen is bankruptcy-which is why we had to make these hard decisions now."

Alleged links to ill-gotten

gains vex Island Eatery

Belgian police

charge owners of Royal Michael's Bay with illegal trade in bovine hormones

by Jim Moodie

MICHAEL'S BAY-The owners of the Royal Michael's Bay resort will be in Belgian court this spring to answer to charges that money invested in their Manitoulin business was obtained through illegal trade in bovine growth hormone (BGH) products.

According to Het Laatste Nieuws ("The Latest News"), a Dutch-language daily based in Brussels, Claire and Walter Vandroemme, who operate an animal feed business in Europe called Voeders Vandroemme as well as the Michael's Bay enterprise, are suspected to have amassed "a fortune" through international sales of BGH. The substance, used to boost milk production in dairy cows, is outlawed in both Europe and Canada.

The Laatste Nieuws states that "Walter Vandroemme got into trouble in 1993 and 2003 for the use of hormonal substances in animals." The recent charges, according to the news source, originate from an attempt by Mr. Vandroemme to develop a version of the growth enhancer that would be untraceable in feed. A scientist engaged to test the hormone alerted police.

The Vandroemmes deny any wrongdoing. "As we told you already there is no laundering of money; it was money we had and we earned a lot on the stock market," communicated Claire Vandroemme in an email to the Expositor. "That money was invested on the Island."

But if information compiled by the Laatste Nieuws is correct, the Belgian government appears to have a strong case against the Vandroemmes. The paper cites the accusation of a former employee, who declared that the feed manufacturer "already mixed suspected powders in cattle fodder for eight years and exported hormones to, among other (countries), France." As well, a police investigation turned up traces of hormonal products on equipment used by Voeders Vandroemme.

The article states that the Vandroemmes spent approximately six million Euros ($7.8 million US) on the Michael's Bay development, which spans over 800 acres. An impressive clubhouse and restaurant facility was realized on the waterfront, while work on a golf course was begun but abandoned several years ago.

An RCMP investigation of the business and subsequent freeze on the sale of assets has led to assumptions among some Islanders that the business is closed, or is about to close, but the Vandroemmes stress that this is not the case.

"Our business at Michael's Bay is not closed and was not," stated Ms. Vandroemme. "Our business did not change in Canada. For the moment we are closed, but have some special events coming up, (such as a) Valentine's dinner. We reopen for the season at the beginning of May."

The same month, the couple will appear in Belgian court to plead their case. "I can tell you that our case will be at court in May," Ms. Vandroemme communicated.

Awaiting the outcome of that trial with some interest will be members of the Michael's Bay Historical Society, who still hope to acquire a 50-acre section of the Vandroemmes' property that comprises the old town site of Michael's Bay, now a ghost town. Should the Vandroemmes be found guilty of money laundering, the entire operation could become the property of the Belgian state.

Ed Sagle, chair of the historical society, said that however this situation plays out, his group will "hopefully make a proposal for the purchase of the town site." If the Vandroemmes are vindicated and retain their holdings on Manitoulin, he hopes they will consider donating that part of their land, which represents roughly 5 percent of the acreage-an amount that "would have to be donated to the township anyway if someone subdivided," he pointed out. If there are new owners, "we hope we're going to be the first in line to talk to them."

While the fate of the property remains up in the air, the historical society has proceeded to conduct research into the genealogy of the historic town and identify the location of five cemeteries, the presence of which could be highlighted to discourage commercial or residential development at the town site.

"There's 100 graves there, at least," said Mr. Sagle, adding that each faith in the village had its own cemetery. The society hopes to have each cemetery registered and properly demarcated with fences.

The Vandroemmes had earlier explored developing this and other parts of the Michael's Bay property, but cannot do so until their legal issue is resolved.

Rural mailboxes subjected to safety audit

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-If you live in the country, chances are this newspaper arrived in your mailbox, reliably delivered there-along with a bill or two, some flyers, perhaps even an actual letter-by a Canada Post driver.

For many Islanders, the mailbox is a fixture of the rural fabric, a key portal to the outside world. And the arrival of the mail carrier, through rain, sleet or snow, is as predictable and reassuring as the dog's daily woof (meaning: walk time) or the anchor's voice on the nightly news.

But what if your mailbox is actually a hazard? What if your road is too dicey in winter to really warrant a person risking their life to bring a few envelopes to the foot of your lane?

These are questions that are in the process of being asked on a nationwide basis by a team of traffic safety experts engaged by Canada Post. Beginning last year, the corporation launched a Rural Mail Safety Review to assess the routes travelled by pastoral posties and ensure that these drivers are not being put in undue jeopardy.

The corporation cites over 1,000 safety complaints from its rural carriers, as well as 1,300 accidents, as the impetus for the undertaking.

Several of those accidents have been fatal ones. "Three drivers have died while on the job in the past couple of years," noted Andy Patterson, communications manager for the Rural Mail Safety Review. "One occurred in Quebec and two were in Eastern Ontario."

So far, some 47,000 rural Canadians have had their mailboxes examined, noted Mr. Patterson. But that is just the beginning of a sweeping inspection that will eventually span 843,000 mailboxes and cost $5 million. "At some point over the next two years we will be looking at every mailbox in Canada," Mr. Patterson indicated.

Manitoulin has yet to have its rural post scene evaluated, but local carriers expect this could occur any day now. "We know they're coming across Canada safety-wise," said Judy Linley, who has been delivering mail in the Gore Bay area for 21 years. "They're supposed to be in our area soon."

While Mr. Patterson couldn't specify the exact date when evaluators would arrive on Manitoulin, he said that residents can expect to receive "a postcard in their mailbox, letting them know that we're coming to do the safety inspection, then a letter explaining the project."

If a mailbox fails the safety test, "there will be a door-knocking phase where we try at least three times to contact that individual," the Canada Post spokesman added.

This blitz of mailbox analysis is just the latest in a series of measures focussed on health and safety for rural carriers. Delivery vehicles are now required to sport flashing amber lights, for instance, as well as signs identifying them as Canada Post employees. Drivers can no longer step out of their vehicles to slide mail into a box. And veering across a road to access boxes on opposing shoulders is similarly out-drivers must now stick to the right side of the thoroughfare, just like everyone else.

To compensate for such restrictions, and ease the ergonomic problems posed by leaning across a vehicle to pass mail through the passenger-side window, Canada Post has provided some carriers with paid assistants who travel shotgun, from which position they have handier access to the receptacles.

Cathy Moffat, a delivery gal working out of the Mindemoya post office, is one of the local carriers who have qualified for an assistant. "Most drivers have a van, so can slide across the seat, but I have a centre console," she explained.

Prior to the new regulations, Ms. Moffat admits that she would "jump the road" in some instances to access mailboxes on her left, but said she doesn't mind adjusting to the new drill if it means her safety is being protected.

Her only complaint is that some Islanders have been slow to catch on to the idea that a flashing yellow light denotes a mail car. "I've had some close calls because people don't see the Canada Post sign and they'll try to get past you on a corner, the same way some people try to get ahead of a school bus," she said. "It's a minor thing but just enough to annoy me."

Ms. Linley is also skeptical about the effectiveness of the lights. "A lot of people don't respect that," she said. "They'll skim past really close."

Neither driver has experienced a major accident or serious scare in their many years of delivering mail-although both have dodged deer, and gotten stuck in snowy ditches from time to time-but they also count themselves lucky in this regard, and generally welcome the renewed emphasis on health and safety.

For her part, Ms. Linley says, "I can hardly wait for (the safety inspectors) to get here."

Mail recipients may not be so eager, particularly if they live at the bottom of a hill or behind a sharp corner, as such circumstances could result in their mailbox being deemed a danger. According to the Canadian Press, almost a third of the boxes examined so far by the safety team have failed to pass the test.

This, in turn, is fuelling suspicion that many rural residents will lose their delivery privileges and be forced to access community boxes or post-office slots.

It's not that sinister, insists Canada Post. In a statement issued last week, the corporation was eager to "firmly dispel any misconceptions that might have arisen, from recent media reports or other sources, about the future of rural mail delivery."

While the ongoing review aims to provide a safe work environment for carriers, "our second priority is to maintain delivery to rural mailboxes," emphasized Mr. Patterson. If a mailbox is deemed unsafe, "we would first look for a better place to move that box, perhaps clustering it with (those of) neighbours." Failing that, the alternative, he admitted, "would be a community mailbox, or a post office box that would be provided free."

Mr. Patterson acknowledged that "not everyone is going to be happy" about the outcome of the review, particularly if they are forced to retire their box altogether and adjust to a different method of accessing mail, "but hopefully people understand that this is something we have to do by law," he said. "This is about minimizing risk, not just to our drivers but to other drivers."

For many years, delivery folk on Manitoulin-as elsewhere across the country-operated as independent contractors, but that changed five years ago when they became members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and direct employees of Canada Post.

While the union obviously shares concerns about employee safety, it does not appear to be driving the current review of rural delivery. Deborah Bourque, president of CUPW, told the Canadian Press that the corporation "is not involving the union at the local level and they have this third party assessing the mailboxes."

As for the theory that Canada Post may, in the name of safety, be angling to phase out mailboxes in favour of community boxes, "I worry there is some truth to that," said Ms. Bourque.

Criteria being taken into account for the review include "traffic volumes, the nature of the roads (narrow or no shoulder), and visual obstructions like curves and hills," according to Canada Post.

Tony Mandamin, new Federal Court judge, has roots in Wikwemikong

by Lindsay Kelly

OTTAWA-Justice Leonard (Tony) Mandamin, who hails originally from Wikwemikong, has made Canadian history by becoming the first First Nations judge to be appointed to the Federal Court of Canada.

Justice Mandamin's appointment actually occurred last spring, but the year has proved a busy one for the judge. Following his appointment on April 27, the judge spent a few months travelling and then settled into his busy new role as a judge for the Federal Court. The Expositor recently had an opportunity to catch up with the justice over the phone from his new appointment in Ottawa.

Despite the prestige of being named to the Federal Court, Justice Mandamin plays down the historic aspect of his appointment, noting that "there may have been judges appointed before who were Aboriginal." Yet he recognizes the rarity of Aboriginals in the law system.

"When I was called to the bar there were about 80 Aboriginal lawyers across the country," he said. "It was a small group."

The Canadian justice system is organized into four tiers, in which courts at each of the levels serve different purposes and cover different areas of the law. In being appointed to the Federal Court, Justice Mandamin joins 32 other judges at the second tier of the justice system, which hears "matters of a federal nature," explained the judge, including intellectual property, immigration, admiralty law, and Aboriginal titles. The court also hears claims against the government, civil suits in federally regulated areas and challenges to the decisions of federal tribunals.

Justice Mandamin says that, while it hasn't necessarily been a lifelong goal of his to get to the Federal Court, when the opportunity arose to be appointed, he did express his interest in the role. But it's been a long road getting there.

"I decided to go to law school a number of years ago at the University of Alberta Law School, and following that, I practised law for 17 years," Justice Mandamin explained. "I had my own law firm and it was a wide-ranging practice-primarily in what is designated as Indian country-acting for First Nations people, non-status Indians and MZtis, but I also had non-Native clients as well."

He focussed primarily on criminal family law, First Nations governance, treaties and community litigation, which he calls "a very broad practice in that sense; I was a general practitioner rather than a specialist."

In 1999, Justice Mandamin was appointed to the criminal division of the Provincial Court of Alberta, and was assigned to the Tsuu T'ina Peacemaking Court-an on-reserve provincial court that addresses violations of federal and provincial statutes and First Nations bylaws. An associated peacemaking program operated by the Office of the Peacemaker uses culturally appropriate mediation and alternative dispute resolution techniques to address underlying causes of offending behaviour and promote a peaceful community.

To be eligible for a federal court judgeship, candidates who have indicated their interest must have 10 years' experience as members of the bar in their respective province or territory, and can be judges, lawyers or legal scholars.

In some instances, Justice Mandamin explained, there is one outstanding candidate being sought out by the government, although Justice Mandamin believes that in this case, the other judges being considered by the court were equally qualified.

Candidates are screened to determine their eligibility and interest in taking on the position before having their names sent to the Department of Justice.

"At that point, the person's name goes through to the federal Minister of Justice," Justice Mandamin explained. "When he decides to make an appointment, he looks at the available candidates and makes a decision to nominate that individual to cabinet. Once cabinet approves it, the candidate is appointed to the federal court."

While there is little in his role that changes, the area of law with which Justice Mandamin deals in Federal Court is somewhat different. He describes the provincial court as "very much a people's court" in that the judge deals with people appearing in court on a daily basis, while the federal court is more an examination of laws of Canadian society.

Though it will be a new area of law for the justice, he believes it will be an opportunity to expand his scope of knowledge of the law and so far has enjoyed his post. Yet there are things about his former post that he will miss.

"It was a real honour to work with the Tsuu T'ina Court out west and certainly this experience is different from that, and that's something I'll miss," he said. "But you move on and carry forward the experience and what you've learned from it and certainly that's what I'm doing."

There has been an increased interest by high schools taking part in mock trials, which are designed to give students an idea of how the Canadian justice system operates and what goes on inside a courtroom. Wasse-Abin High School in Wikwemikong is the latest to join this trend, and Justice Mandamin was asked to weigh in on his thoughts about the usefulness of these exercises in educating Aboriginal students about the law.

He believes they give students a very realistic impression of what takes place in a courtroom and the students do a good job of taking on the various roles.

"They're known to be carried out in Alberta schools on the First Nations as well, and as is typical at the high school level, students always make it a very interesting exercise," he said. "Their part in it and what I learn from watching them is quite interesting. They do it very well."

While a provincial court judge, Justice Mandamin took part in the Kawaskimhon Aboriginal Rights Moot, held at the Tsuu T'ina Court, which was designed to bring awareness of Aboriginal issues to the forefront of the law community and give law students an opportunity to debate Aboriginal rights. Conducted as the court on the reserve would be conducted, including the use of the Peacemaking Program, teams of law students from across the country argued major Aboriginal issues.

The result was that students were exposed to alternative resolution techniques, as opposed to the traditional litigation techniques they are taught in school, Justice Mandamin said.

"There were a great many young people who were very bright, very articulate," he said.

Students seem to be appreciative of the opportunity to learn these alternative dispute resolution techniques, he added, noting that more of these peaceful non-litigation-based methods modelled on the traditional Aboriginal approaches are starting to show up in the curriculum at law schools.

With his successful law career, Justice Mandamin recognizes that Aboriginal youth may look to him as an example, and he said he makes a point of speaking to students in elementary and high schools, as well as university and all the way up to law school, on a variety of subjects. It's something he started doing as a lawyer and hopes to continue to do as a federal court judge.

He has a long, respected career, and stands out as a role model for Aboriginal youth, both locally and across the country, as an example of how hard work and perseverance can pay off. Yet despite that, he's hesitant to label himself as such.

"I don't know if one styles themselves a role model, but certainly someone else may say that of you," he mused.

EDITORIAL

Safety is paramount in nuclear plant considerations

Much has been said in the past couple of weeks about the Chalk River nuclear reactor, the dependence on that facility for the production of radioactive isotopes for use in nuclear medicine health testing procedures, and the firing last week of Linda Keen, head of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) by the federal government.

Well, there's going to be more said in this space.

The public firing of the head of any regulatory agency is a very serious thing. The firing of the head of Canada's nuclear regulator, AECL, goes well beyond merely "serious" because of the post-Cold-War baggage still associated with anything nuclear.

The federal minister who did the firing complained about Ms. Keen's competence: not suggesting that the methods used by AECL under her management were incompetent, exactly, but that they failed to take into consideration the effect on the health of Canadians (and citizens of other nations), as the supply of nuclear isotopes dwindled when the reactor was inoperative and some medical tests requiring this product would have to be put off.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper also publicly faulted Ms. Keen for being a Liberal appointee.

Presumably AECL shut down the Chalk River reactor for a reason, notwithstanding Ms. Keen's political affiliations (as if that was relevant, in any case).

If Ms. Keen erred, it was on the side of public safety with respect to the Chalk River nuclear reactor and it is certainly to be hoped that in its haste to keep a large portion of the worldwide trade in nuclear isotopes for nuclear medical tests made and purchased in Canada, the federal government will not restart the Chalk River nuclear reactor without the due diligence and maintenance that clearly some people in high places at AECL considered absolutely necessary.

Certainly it is regrettable that Ms. Keen and AECL had not made alternative arrangements for the supply of nuclear isotopes for medical purposes before the Chalk River nuclear reactor was shut down.

But was Ms. Keen fired for being a Liberal appointee, as Prime Minister Harper seemed to imply, or because Canada stands to lose worldwide business in this particular commodity the longer the Chalk River reactor is inoperative, or both?

Public health and safety, it goes without saying, trumps both political and business considerations especially since many, many Canadians are (at best) nervous about the nuclear industry.

At the very least, the Stephen Harper Conservative government must be very, very transparent about the steps it takes to allow the restarting of the Chalk River nuclear reactor together with any maintenance the facility requires.

Letters to the Editor

Suggestion to shoot cats devoid of any human feeling

Feline owner stunned by comment of elected official

To the Expositor:

I am very disappointed having read the brief article in The Expositor of January 16, 2007 ("Clerk advises to restrict animal bylaws to canines," Assiginack Notes). I was left stunned by the comment made by an elected official and that of Councillor Rohn. His mere suggestion in dealing with problem cats must have been a misprint I only hope. His suggestion to "shoot them" referring to these defenceless animals is truly beyond reason and devoid of any human feeling.

Can I soon expect an open season on rogue or uninformed councillors in this region to follow?

Patricia McEachren

proud and loving cat owner

Tehkummah

Councillor must be sensitive to other people's thoughts

Shooting cats not the answer to feral population

To the Expositor:

This letter is in response to a comment made by Councillor Rohn regarding animal bylaws in Assiginack "Assiginack Council Notes," January 16).

Thank goodness we live in a country where freedom of speech is acceptable. Mr. Rohn must also understand that one must be sensitive to other people's thoughts and views. As an animal lover and owner of two cats, "shooting them" is not the answer to the problem. The responsibility for pets must always go back to the owners. Spaying, neutering and keeping your pet inside or in an enclosed run would be much better.

Whether a stray or not, at one time the cats did belong to someone.

Bev and Richard Lynch

Tehkummah

Students are having difficulty getting an education

Government should help students at home first

To the Expositor:

Our government regularly donates taxpayer dollars in the millions to countries whose youth cannot afford their education, and yet I say our own kids are in the same boat. Look after them first.

In Ontario, the government explains we have student loans that our government make available to cash-strapped students so they can afford an education.  Generous government? Those same students cannot afford to repay those so-called generous loans. It is then reported through the media that our students have difficulty repaying bank loans, which is true. It is not reported that they are having difficulty obtaining an education because of lack of finances.

Mike Brown, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, in a newspaper interview recently reported with pride that his government earmarked $300 to each student who qualified in this year's budget. For those who do not have offspring or relatives in the educational system, this would be the cost of one textbook.

This current government also has been cited by the United Nations as being discriminatory in regards to hiring practices based on religion.

Consider these factors when you do not pick up the phone and call your member of parliament. 

Larry Killens

trustee, Rainbow District School Board

Jenna Benton

The Pantry

Little Current

I'm your neighbour

Those who frequent The Pantry in Little Current during the week can always look forward to the smiling face of 20-year-old Jenna Benton as she whips up one of "Manitoulin's best sandwiches" or serves a pot of tea. Jenna has been a familiar face at The Pantry since the summer of 2006 when she first moved to Manitoulin with her mom, dad and siblings from Blackfalds, Alberta-a place she describes as "oil patch country."

Jenna was first hired on to the downtown restaurant and tea shop to run the gift shop, build the website and all around handle The Pantry's Internet dealings.

"I love the people I work with and the customers are great," she said with a big smile, noting that she and Barb the cook "really hit it off" and have a great time joking with each other.

Jenna said she cannot think of any place she would rather be than on Manitoulin. In the summer, she explained, she spends most of her spare time swimming off of the docks at Low Island or biking around town. People don't understand, she continued, that swimming every day is somewhat of a luxury for people from Alberta.

"I never saw a tall ship until the summer I moved here-I thought it was the greatest thing ever!" she exclaimed.

The young woman also likes to write poetry and short stories when she has a few moments to herself, which are few and far between these days as she and a friend are in the process of moving into a home they just started to rent.

Jenna said one of the best things about working the counter at The Pantry are the stories she gets to hear from the customers she serves each day.

Patronizing local businesses like The Pantry provides lasting employment for people like Jenna Benton.