Manitoulin Co-op begins selling off its assets

Manitowaning hardware location first property sold

by Jim Moodie

MANITOWANING-The first chip off the Manitoulin Livestock Co-operative block has now occurred with the acquisition of the Manitowaning store by Allen's Automotive.

Last week, Reuben and Sharon Allen, who live in the community, unveiled the new NAPA sign gracing the front of the Highway 6 facility and welcomed patrons to check out a somewhat reconfigured retail space. About half of the store is now taken up by an auto parts and marine accessories section, while the type of goods that customers are accustomed to finding at the Co-op-from pet food and work clothes to barbecues and hardware-can still be found among the remaining shelves.

"We're going to sell pretty much all the lines that were already here," indicated Mr. Allen. "But it made sense for me to move the parts up here and put two businesses into one."

The former location of Allen's Automotive in Manitowaning will now be sold, Mr. Allen said, while the Little Current NAPA outlet will remain as is.

A number of Co-op jobs unfortunately haven't survived the transition, Mr. Allen admitted, although veteran employee Les Hughson has been kept on. "He's been here 16 years and all the farmers ask for him," the new owner noted.

Agricultural products have always been a big part of the Co-op inventory, and that will remain the case under the new owners. "We're keeping feed, baler twine, salt licks and all that stuff," said Ms. Allen.

Gasoline will also continue to flow through the pumps outside, although the Allens plan to switch suppliers within the month. "We're going to be Esso, supplied by McDougall Fuels," said Mr. Allen.

The only immediate change, other than the introduction of an auto parts wing, is that the greenhouse side of the enterprise is temporarily on hold. "It's too late in the season for this year, but we're definitely going to have that up and running next year," said Mr. Allen.

Wife Sharon, who is more partial to plants than parts, is looking forward to overseeing that aspect of the operation, as well as to enhancing the existing merchandise. "I'd like to expand on houseware and clothing," she said. "Something else I'd like to bring in is a line of fishing tackle, and we've talked about having a convenience store in the near future and perhaps keeping the gas pumps open later."

At present, the store is open on Monday through Friday from 7 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 5:30 pm, and on Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. "This is a big change for me," conceded Mr. Allen, "because the parts store used to close at noon on Saturday. But we want to look after customers, and this way you can get parts seven days a week."

While the Allens have no immediate plans to open a service garage, such as Reuben (a licensed mechanic) operated earlier in his career, they are considering the creation of a small-engine shop to service chainsaws, lawnmowers and the like.

For now, blending the auto parts outlet with the Co-op wares and fielding questions from curious customers is keeping them busy enough. It's got their two teenage kids hopping too, as both their son and daughter have been recruited to work for the summer.

"It's become a bit of a family business that way, which is nice," said Ms. Allen. "And it's nice because we live nearby and it's a wonderful thing to walk to work."

The family is looking forward to the new challenge and proud that they will be keeping a community fixture in place. "We're excited we bought the place," said Ms. Allen. "Having lived here, and having certainly used the Co-op in the past, we know it's something the community needs."

The store was put on the block by the Livestock Co-operative earlier this year following a decision by its board of directors-endorsed by Co-op members-to part with any or all of the company's assets. The move was precipitated by a looming bill for the Co-op's share of a pension-plan shortfall, dwindling sales in key departments, and an obligation to investors.

The sale, which took effect on June 27, "is certainly good news for the Co-op," the organization's general manager Mike Addison told the Recorder last week. "This is the first step to selling off all our buildings and assets."

The Co-op also operates a hardware store in Gore Bay and grocery stores in both Gore Bay and Little Current. While no takers have yet officially appeared for these businesses, Mr. Addison indicated that negotiations "are still progressing."

John McNaughton, chair of the Co-op board, expressed satisfaction with the deal struck in Manitowaning. "As much as we wished as a board that we didn't have to sell off any of the business, we are satisfied with the price we received, and that this part of the business is going to people like Reuben and Sharon who are so active and involved members of the community."

The Manitoulin Livestock Co-operative was formed in 1944 as method of hosting a cattle sale, with retail outlets soon sprouting up in both Little Current and Gore Bay.

The Edwards Mill in Manitowaning became that community's first Co-op presence in 1950, and by 1958 the group had aligned itself with the United Co-operatives of Ontario and established a petroleum side to the enterprise. The existing Co-op store in Manitowaning was built in 1976.

The invaders among us

Zebra mussels well established in N. Channel

EDITOR'S NOTE: Beginning this week and continuing over the course of the summer, MaryEllen Shain, a student of conservation biology at Laurentian University and invasive species watch liaison with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), provides Expositor readers with a detailed look at the unwanted intruders that threaten our local ecosystem and provides tips on how to stem the alien tide.

Hi everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the fantastic weather this summer! My name is MaryEllen Shain and I am working on behalf of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) to deliver a message about an issue that is very important and often overlooked. While we are all taking advantage of the fun and excitement that our lakes have to offer, we can sometimes forget that these activates can leave our lakes vulnerable.

Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that are introduced into a new ecosystem, so they lack natural predators and therefore their populations are able to explode. They aggressively out-compete native species and their presence almost always leads to a transformation of the ecosystem that they invade. There are over 185 known invasives in the Great Lakes including round gobies, carp, rusty crayfish, Eurasian water milfoil and everyone's favorite, the zebra mussel. Invasive species cost the Canadian economy $15-34 billion dollars a year in damages and cleanup. Unfortunately, once an invasive species is introduced into an area, their removal is next to impossible. However, this does not mean that we should give up hope. There are still many inland lakes that remain unaffected and deserve our protection!

Since education is our best defence, it has become my job to inform and hopefully convince boaters, anglers, campers, swimmers and anyone else interested to take those steps necessary to keep our lakes clean. Over the course of the summer you will find me around the Island and North Shore posting signs, giving presentations, handing out brochures and writing future articles for the newspaper about different invasives in the area. I will also be taking water samples from a variety of lakes to identify possible contamination. If you would like me to test your lake, or if you have any other suggestions, comments or concerns, please call me at 348-0117. Or, you can call the OFAH invading species hotline at 1-800-563-7711.

Zebra mussels

Zebra mussels have been a particular concern for us Northerners for a long time. We have all seen their small sharp edges smothering the rocks on our beaches and many of us have suffered the battle wounds of this small freshwater clam without even realizing it. The zebra mussel has been responsible for clogging water intake pipes, is capable of sinking buoys, crashing natural fisheries and is the greatest threat to Ontario's most endangered species, the native clam.

The zebra mussel is a small (3-5 cm long) freshwater clam with a brown and cream-colored striped shell. Females can lay up to a million eggs each year beginning from when water reaches 12 C. Unfortunately for us, the cold, calcium-rich waters of Manitoulin Island serve as the perfect habitat for these invasives, yet our lakes contain no organisms which will keep their populations in check.

The microscopic larvae (called veligers) of the mussel are free-floating and can easily be transported by water currents, wind and wave action. Because the larvae are not visible to the naked eye, it is very important to ensure that no untreated water is transported from one lake to another such as in bait buckets and hauls. Each adult can filter up to one litre of water a day, increasing the clarity of the water and allowing more light to filter to the bottom. Weedy plants are then able to thrive, dramatically changing the nature of the lake's ecosystem. Between 1988 and 1991 the transparency of Lake Erie increased by 77 percent due to the action of zebra mussels, resulting in the elimination of natural fisheries. The more our lakes become infected with zebra mussels, the greater the overall threat to biodiversity.          

Zebra mussels were first discovered in Lake St. Clair in 1988 and were introduced, like 70 percent of all other invasives, by the ballast water of large export ships from Europe. The spread of zebra mussels into our inner northern lakes can be attributed to adult mussels hitchhiking on recreational watercraft. 

Lake Huron is infested. This is why it is important for us to practise precautionary steps to prevent the spread of zebra mussels to our inner lakes. If you are travelling from one lake to another, especially when you know the lake of origin is infected, please take extra care to protect the lakes we love and depend on.

Rinse with hot water of 50 C, spray with pressure of 250 psi, or dry for five days before moving your boat or other equipment to a new lake.

Hardy Peltier joins North's Country Hall

of Fame Fiddler Doug Hore new member of Great Northern Opry

by Michael Erskine

WIKWEMIKONG-When you think of country music on Manitoulin Island, there are names that will spring right to the fore-and two of those names are Hardy Peltier and the "Fiddling Barber" Doug Hore. Both these gentlemen were honoured on Sunday with the announcement of awards from the Northern Ontario Country Music Association. Mr. Peltier was honoured with induction into the Northern Ontario Country Music hall of Fame while Mr. Hore was inducted into the Great Northern Opry.

The occasion of the announcements was Hardy's Music Fest, a country music show honouring Mr. Peltier's late wife of 50 years, Sara.

The show featured a lineup of familiar stars of the local country music scene, including Henry Peltier, Herman Peltier, Urban Mejaki, Ronnie Wakegijig, Wayne Bester, Glen McDougall, Debbie Robinson and Scott Infanti, and as MC the incomparable Cuzin Pete, aka Peter Pennie, who also graced the stage performances of song with the country band Magnum.

Northern Ontario Country Music Association president Dave Patterson of Sault Ste. Marie was on hand to make the announcement of the awards along with regional directors Glen McDougall of Providence Bay and Charlie Smith of Sheguiandah.

Mr. Peltier was clearly taken by surprise by the announcement, having been inducted into the Great Northern Opry himself only just last year.

Mr. Patterson thanked the people who have supported country music and the association in the region over the years, and noted the great pleasure it gave him to be able to announce the latest inductees into the association's Hall of Fame and the Great Northern Opry. He sent out an special thanks to the 100.7 Island radio station. "They have held pretty true to supporting traditional country music over the past few years," he said. "Keep up the great work."

"I want to thank you people who have supported me over the years," said Mr. Peltier. "I also want to thank the many people who helped me with the passing of my wife last year."

Mr. Peltier made note of the many friends and supporters from all across Manitoulin who were attending the event, and those whose schedules made attendance that Sunday impossible.

"All of us who live here on Manitoulin are Natives of this beautiful Island," he said.

Great Lakes Cruising Club Rendezvous:

First time in Little Current since 1984

by Jim Moodie

LITTLE CURRENT-The town docks will soon be ablaze with colourful burgees-those, for the landlubbers among us, would be the tapered pennants you see flapping from rigging-as nearly 100 yachts arrive for a four-day rendezvous of the Great Lakes Cruising Club (GLCC) beginning this Saturday.

"The whole dock is reserved," noted Debbie Turner, who is helping to organize the event along with husband Jib, who serves as port captain for Little Current. "We'll be using all of the finger docks as well as the main wall."

It's this very capacity which has made the annual rendezvous, which last visited Little Current in 1984, possible again at this location. "The significant thing is that we are now able to handle this kind of a crowd," pointed out Mr. Turner.

When GLCC craft last converged on Little Current two dozen years ago on the occasion of the club's 50th anniversary, "Spider Bay (marina) had just opened and they didn't have the seasonal traffic yet," noted the port captain. "But the rendezvous got bigger and since then we've needed to have our facilities upgraded. Now we have."

Mr. Turner travelled to Sarnia in the spring of last year along with Northeast Town CAO Dave Williamson to pitch the community as a rendezvous site to directors of the cruising club board, who were swayed by the improvements the municipality had made to the waterfront.

"It's the culmination of a lot of work, and a bit of a historic event that should bode well for the future," said Mr. Turner.

The event also harkens to the past, as the very first rendezvous of the club's modern era was held in Little Current in 1965. "The reason for that rendezvous was to honour my grandfather (Grant Turner), who was one of the club's founding members and spent a lot of years promoting boating here," noted Jib. "He would go on speaking engagements to yachting clubs and exploring clubs and give talks on the remoteness and beauty of the area."

Jib's father Barney, who died a couple of years ago, was also quite active with the GLCC, becoming its first Canadian commodore. "So we're kind of proud that (the rendezvous) is going to be back here, but sorry he won't be here to see it," said Ms. Turner.

Festivities get under way on Saturday, with registration of visitors and a welcoming barbecue at the waterfront, followed by a host of activities over the following three days. Events are largely playful in nature, with such challenges as a blindfolded dingy obstacle course and cardboard boat races, although there are also informative sessions on boatbuilding heritage and local geology, and a half-day is set aside for a directors' meeting which could touch on such serious topics as water levels.

One of the more novel traditions is a so-called "bilge auction," in which sailors dredge up an assortment of dubious items from the bowels of their boats for sale to the highest bidder, while a pet show encourages them to show off their fuzzy mates. The whole thing wraps up with a "Blessing of the Fleet," which is conducted by the fleet chaplain along with help from local clergy.

Activities are restricted to club members, but members of the public are welcome to stroll the docks for a gander at the visiting vessels, and local businesses will no doubt benefit from the infusion of "transients." Ms. Turner pointed out that, apart from the 92 boats that are scheduled to arrive, some members are also coming by car and RV, for a total of 200-plus guests.

A few local groups stand to gain from the traffic, as Legion and hospital auxiliaries, as well as church groups, combine to put on fundraising breakfasts and bake sales, but the main benefit to the community won't likely be measured in immediate dividends. Rather, the event is a chance to highlight the improved amenities in the town and ensure that the visitors put the port on the itinerary of future cruises.

"This rendezvous is basically going to show off our new facilities, and it's wonderful that we can host them," said Mr. Turner. "For years the market was going right back and forth past our door."

Now, he believes the tide has turned. "We have a lot here now, and the investment in the new docks is paying off."

EDITORIAL

Manitoulin has a proud musical heritage

The occasion of the recent announcement of Hardy Peltier's induction into the Northern Ontario Country Music Association's Hall of Fame and the inclusion of Doug Hore in the Great Northern Opry gave us an opportunity to reflect on this Island's rich musical heritage and the depth of its talent past and present.

The just recognition and gratitude expressed to Herman Peltier and Henry Peltier for their lifetime contribution to the enrichment of Wikwemikong's musical scene could certainly also easily be extended to those gentlemen for their contributions to the musical scene of the entire Island community.

A few short weeks ago we were also reminded of three wonderful musicians who are no longer with us in body, but whose tradition certainly remains in our hearts and minds: Bill Omnet, Ron Gilchrist and Dwight McGauley. Sometimes we do not realize the treasures we have here among us until they are gone.

To begin to list those who remain with us runs the all-too-real danger of missing many who are deserving of credit and accolades-both for their talent and for their willingness to share that talent with the rest of us.

Certainly among any list would be the redoubtable Dorothy Anstice and the Island Singers, whose classical and sacred repertoire rings out joy to the heavens to the delight of the earthbound.

Jane Best must be congratulated for her more recently formed Manitoulin Community Choir and other choral efforts that have expanded the joy of song to even more people.

Certainly the long musical careers of Ronnie Wakegijig and Eugene Manitowabi and friends will soon be given their due-although those who know them would say that those gentlemen would be among the first to demur and tell you that the greatest accolades come from the joy to be found in entertaining their audiences.

Manitoulin also has a great educational tradition of music, as Wikwemikong's elementary schools, and Little Current, Central Manitoulin, Charles C. McLean and Assiginack Public Schools have also found recognition regularly in the Kiwanis Music Festivals in Sudbury.

Manitoulin Secondary School has also had a fine tradition of presenting musicals, and the efforts of Charles Adams in fostering a school band is helping to lay the foundations of a whole new generation of musicians at that school.

Just this past spring, David Smith and Marilyn Wohlberg brought the Island community a highly successful production of the HMS Pinafore at Burns Wharf Theatre and we look forward to a Taste of Broadway by the same producers also at Burns Wharf.

There is no question that we are leaving out far too many deserving artists, living and dead, and failing to adequately recognize all those living here on Manitoulin who have contributed so much of their heart and souls to our musical enrichment-but to all of you, our gratitude.

Thanks to your efforts, the song goes on.

Municipal policies should be well communicated to the public

Assiginack has lost a valued treasure in David Smith

To the Expositor:

In the week since my previous letter ("Assiginack hiring policy excluded honest student," July 2) I have discovered some minor discrepancies in the information that I was given. These need to be corrected. It is true that the student in question was the only one interviewed who was not hired; however, others applied and did not even warrant an interview. Why? Who made the decision? Once such student is entering third year of university. Did he not qualify for a summer job with the township? Are there more out there? People should know.

The next issue is more complex and much more intense. Why did a life-long, hard-working and honoured volunteer (as identified in the April 30 issue of the Expositor) feel that it was necessary for him to resign from his beloved position as museum board chair, a position he has held for over 30 years? David Smith is the most respected person I know. His integrity is beyond question. Rarely does he fail to get any government programs that would benefit this community. As with any grant, you fill out the application (pages and pages of criteria) and apply months in advance, hoping for success. Often the money comes because of Mr. Smith's history of success and job completion. It is the job that is important, not who is doing it!

This entire episode was poorly handled. Perhaps no-one is totally blameless, but municipal policy should not be used as a crutch-something to fall back on when it is convenient-any other time the existing policy is either changed or ignored all together. Resolutions can be passed by council to change policies on an ad-hoc basis if there is a problem. Many policies exist, unknown, in this and other municipalities. Why is it that the taxpayers are unaware of policies until we contravene them? Shouldn't policies be known or published?

I hope that everyone who reads this will respond to The Expositor and/or to council.

Both the taxpayers and tourists of Assiginack have lost a valuable treasure in David Smith, and we will continue to lose unless the answers to many questions are forthcoming.

Valerie Phillips

Manitowaning

Native father questions CAS commitment to his child

Society inaction tantamount to co-conspiracy

To the Expositor:

As an Aboriginal person, I have been dealing with the Sudbury Children's Aid Society since March of 2004 regarding my child-protection concerns. Since that time my ex-partner had lived with a person who was charged with murder and was banned for life from having weapons in his possession. My ex-partner was fully aware of her new partner's background and weapons restrictions.

In December 2007, her partner was charged with discharging a weapon in their home. I can only imagine what might have happened had my son been home, as I had my son for my regular weekend access. The society was notified twice by myself, once in April 2006, and verbally in November 2007, of the weapons in the home and the potential for violence, as my ex-partner has her own violence issues. Consequently, nothing was done by the society. I had sent letters to a CAS supervisor, the CAS director of services, including the CAS executive director, asking why my son was allowed to be in an unsafe and stressful home environment in light of my notifying them of my concerns and in light of the evidence.

To date, and after numerous attempts to seek answers, the society is unable or unwilling to provide me with any answers as to why weapons were allowed in the home of my ex-partner or why children were allowed to reside in such an environment. In my view, this is unacceptable and deplorable behavior on the part of any child welfare agency. I have come to the conclusion that the society has become co-conspirators in the abuse and neglect of my son who is an Aboriginal child. I am not sure if the society has identified my son as being from First Nation heritage, or whether or not they have taken this fact into consideration when determining the "best interests" of my son.  

I should note that from March 2004 to November 2007, and since I reside in a community near Little Current, not one member from the society, either from Little Current or from Sudbury, had ever visited me regarding my concerns or to verify the evidence that I have. I should also note that I have represented myself in family court. As a result, my ex-partner went from sole custody to a joint custody arrangement as of April 1, 2008.

Overall, I have had nothing but problem after problem with the society since my contact with them in 2004. They choose to drag their feet, or worse yet, they fail to respond to my concerns altogether. It seems that it is not enough that I have evidence that my son's health and wellbeing was being neglected or that he has to live in overcrowded conditions or that he attended a Family Violence Program with the Child and Family Centre in Sudbury. It is not enough that I have evidence that my son has to endure "age-inappropriate" discussion with his "primary care giver," or that he is physically stressed when his "primary caregiver" engages in physical violence with his siblings and other family members and/or partners. It is not enough that my son has been made to cry during access times when his "primary caregiver" calls my place of residence. It is not enough that I have evidence that during access times my son has moved a total of six times in a two-and-a-half-year period, disrupting a safe and stable home environment for my son, or that his dental care is being neglected. Indeed, it is not enough that my son's "primary caregiver" was living with someone who has a criminal history, or that this particular relationship was violent and physically stressful on my son. This seems to be acceptable to the society, as they have done nothing substantial to address my concerns.

Due to my volunteering a psychological report on my ex-partner's daughter, the society has since prevented the daughter from babysitting my son. This person was prevented from doing so through court order as well, which was breached by my ex-partner and her daughter on the very day she signed the order. My son continues to be "at risk" as a result. The society has also called a pediatrician on my ex-partner's behalf, suggesting neglect and the fact that my able-bodied ex-partner was unable to do so on her own accord. The same with housing, as the society seems to be is in the habit of finding homes for women who are physically capable of doing so themselves. 

Overall, I feel that the society is so blinded by a biased Euro-western feminist perspective and the assumption that my case is a child-custody matter, so that the society has failed to see the child-protection issues inherent in my case. Since I am Aboriginal, I have been dealing with the society's First Nation/Rural Team who service off-reserve clients. I see this particular team as token First Nation family service workers peddling a non-Aboriginal child-welfare mandate to off-reserve First Nation people. This has rendered them ineffective in meeting the socio-cultural needs of First Nation people and children. If anything, the First Nation/Rural Team is a reflection of the conflict of interest that has been inherent in the society's contemporary and historic relationship with First Nation people.

In my case, I question whether or not race and gender are significant factors with the Sudbury Children's Aid Society of the districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin. Regardless, the issues continue to mount with each passing day and as long as the society continues to blatantly and willfully neglect my concerns as an Aboriginal father, and those of my son, the society will continue to act as co-conspirators in the abuse and neglect of my son.

A concerned father

Whitefish River First Nation

EDITOR'S NOTE: The name of the letter writer has been withheld to protect the identity of the child.