Echo recognized as Purina pet hero

by Jim Moodie

TORONTO-When Tish Smith and her canine pal Echo were on the verge of capsizing in the stormy waters of the North Channel last July, the shepherd-collie wouldn't tolerate a life jacket. But on Monday of this week, Echo was a bit more co-operative in allowing a representative of the Purina Hall of Fame to drape a medal around her neck.

The spirited pooch, whom Ms. Smith credits with saving her life after the two floated together in chilly water for nearly 12 hours, was among four animals inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame this week in Toronto.

Ted Smith, who remained on Manitoulin to tend to the family farm while his wife and their prized pet attended the awards ceremony, said that the relationship between Tish and Echo has deepened considerably since their scary ordeal last summer.

"Ever since the canoe accident, they've been joined at the hip," he said. "A dog that used to guard the garden from the deer at night for me has now taken my place on the pillow at night," he laughed.

For a farm dog like Echo, the fanfare in Toronto might have been a tad overwhelming. "They're treating her like a diva down there," said Mr. Smith, noting that a handler had been provided to take care of Echo should her master feel like stepping out on her own to sample some of the city's allures.

But chances are the two will be sticking close to each other, as they have done since surviving the North Channel nightmare together.

The incident occurred on the final day of a five-day canoe trip that Ms. Smith had undertaken, with Echo as sole companion, among the islands of the North Channel near Kagawong. After setting out from Clapperton Island at 6 am, the two encountered a sudden storm, and although Ms. Smith said she tried to retrace her route back to Clapperton, she realized it wasn't going to work.

"I talked to Echo and said, 'we're going in (the water)', because I knew," she told the Expositor last year, a day after being plucked from the channel by a search and rescue team.

Those searching for the missing woman say it was the sight of Echo swimming in circles around her master that first caught their attention and allowed them to rescue both Ms. Smith and the dog.

Ms. Smith was extremely hypothermic and had blacked out by the time the rescuers reached her, while Echo, whom she'd initially supported in her arms, had been dogpaddling for the entire time that Tish was unconscious-a period she suspects was several hours.

"She's the most amazing dog," Ms. Smith told the Expositor after being released from the hospital and reunited with Echo. "She's my best friend."

The Smiths, who operate Gypsy Family Farm near Poplar, got Echo, who was the runt of her litter, from a family in Little Current who felt the spunky dog would have a better life in the country.

Joining Echo on the podium this year for the Purina Hall of Fame awards were a golden retriever named Jango, who awoke his owner during a house fire; a cat named Mel-O, who is credited with preventing a young boy from going into diabetic shock; and Ki, a police dog who tracked down a man who had become lost in the woods near Haliburton.

"Tish said it was kind of embarassing," noted her husband, "because one dog is owned by the police and the other is owned by a dog trainer, so they're both pretty well trained, and here's Echo bounding all over the place."

Trade fair attendance pushes 10,000

by Alicia McCutcheon

LITTLE CURRENT-The hustle and bustle of the Manitoulin Trade Fair was back for its ninth year at the Northeast Town recreation centre last weekend.

The three-day event saw 161 exhibitors of every description within the arena, curling rink and upstairs level with another 11 outside and including things to do for the whole family.

During the opening ceremonies, Mr. Trade Fair himself, Frank Reynolds, told the crowd that during the first Trade Fair in 1989, it was a sell-out with 114 booths and a staff of five (the staff this year numbers 16) and the show has been sold out ever since. This year, the show sold out in March, a new record for the popular event.

In his speech, Mr. Reynolds apologized to the exhibitors who ordered extra supplies for last year's show, only to have the Trade Fair cancelled.

"We hope you sold it all and got new stuff for this year," he joked.

"We wanted to provide a show that's of dual nature-that represents both cultures," he explained of the show since its inception.

MP Brent St. Denis, MPP Mike Brown, Northeast Town Mayor Jim Stringer and many others were all on hand to kickoff the event and congratulate the Trade Fair's newest organizer, LAMBAC, who took over the reigns with the help of outgoing organizers Frank and Connie Reynolds.

Walking through the crowded pathways, it was not uncommon to hear people marvelling at the number of businesses and services Manitoulin has to offer.

At one end of the arena, people could try their luck at the Little Current Fish and Game Club booth-who won best large booth-with a shooting game on loan from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters where would-be hunters could shoot their choice of duck, quail, or pheasant for $1, while at the other end sinful treats of bear claws, chocolate-dipped marshmallows, truffles and cookies from Garden's Gate restaurant tempted passers-by at the Manitoulin Chocolate Works booth.

Needed some advice on a tax return? The Trade Fair had you covered with Revenue Canada on hand for all your financial questions. Had a design in mind for that perfect purse you'd been searching for but just couldn't find? Coco's Creations from Mindemoya offered a variety of handmade purses in a variety of textures and designs and will do custom orders, too.

Walking by the Manitoulin Physio Centre booth saw people lined up to receive a massage from registered massage therapists Joanna Rosenbaum and Lisa Corbiere, or to seek advice on their aching back from physiotherapist Derek Debassige.

The Liquid Rubber display boasted many visitors, each leaving with their own unique way to use the new wonder-product, while the Friends of the Norisle booth was pleased to see so many people who care about their cause. They sold more than 60 memberships over the weekend and promoted the launch of their new website norisle.com.

Kids were busy performing experiments and having their faces painted with Mad Science or playing at the Toy Library upstairs. Pony rides  with Honora Bay Riding Stables and lots of fun with Bounceyland Amusements was also popular with the younger Fair fans.

In need of a break from the crowds, some sought out the henna tattoo booth where traditional Indian designs were drawn by the hand of Masooma Azhar. Further down the hall, people eagerly tried the newest fitness craze: the Power Vibe-a machine which vibrates the entire body at various frequencies and is said to have effects on weight loss, circulation and flexibility.

Susan Allan won the best of the fair ribbon for her work on the Rain Barrel booth, showcasing the latest in giftware and made-on-Manitoulin products while the number one small booth prize went to the Great Spirit Circle Trail for their creative and traditional approach.

By the end of the busy weekend, close to 10,000 people had walked the Trade Fair floors, bringing in over $10,000-the largest amount of gate receipts ever for the show. Trade Fair coordinator Mary Nelder says this is in part due to the fact that admission was raised 50 cents from $2.50 to $3.

"It went very well; it was very positive," said Louise McKeen, chief organizer for the fair for LAMBAC.

The two say that all of the exhibitors were asked to perform a survey to be handed in by the end of the weekend as "homework" and received no complaints and plenty of good suggestions for the next show.

"Some made sales, but exposure was the big thing," said Ms. McKeen of the exhibitors. "People who offered services and were taking bookings felt they got a lot of business."

"People were just amazed at how much time could be spent at the Trade Fair," said Ms. Nelder. "They were blown away by the number and diversity of the businesses."

"Many business owners know they are not here to make direct sales-but the spin-off is huge," she added.

A general comment the two organizers received from the vendors was that a 10 pm and 9 pm close on the Friday and Saturday evenings, respectively, was too late.

One concern was that some visitors to the fair were missing either the curling rink or arena surfaces, even though the signs pointing to both directions were numerous. The idea of a staff member directing people in the lobby surfaced.

"We can't say enough about the recreation centre staff and the Trade Fair staff-they've been wonderful," they both said.

"It was great to work this last time with Frank and Connie (Reynolds)," Ms. Nelder said. "We now have an appreciation of the number of hours that go into it," Ms. McKeen added, saying she herself hopes to get at least a six-month respite from the fair until the organization begins again for 2009.

One thing the two will definitely be looking into for 2009, they said, is more space for exhibitors. They're expecting an even bigger response next time.

Little Current's health team

starts setting plans in motion

by Lindsay Kelly

LITTLE CURRENT-The Northeastern Manitoulin Family Health Team has received a big boost from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, which has approved a $1.5 million building project which will see the construction of the health team's clinic in Little Current.

The health team made the announcement last week, in co-operation with the Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) and Little Current Medical Associates, in a press release issued by health team director Judy Miller.

"The approved funding will enable a new building to be erected next to the hospital, which will house the newly hired members of the Family Health Team, as well as facilitate renovations within the existing medical clinic space," the release reads. "The tentative start date for construction is August, 2007, with a targeted completion date of April, 2008."

The new building will measure 3,753 square feet, and will be added onto the existing facility, while the current clinic, which measures 3,390 square feet, will receive renovations. The new design is being created by Nicholls Yallowega Belanger Architects.

Before construction can begin, however, a bungalow situated on the future clinic's site adjacent to the Medical Associates' clinic on Vankoughnet Street must be removed.

An invitation to purchase and remove the house, approved at a recent MHC board meeting, has gone to tender, with the stipulation that the structure must be removed by June 7 in order for the clinic to stay on schedule with its August 1 construction start date.

When complete, the clinic will be owned by the MHC; however, the clinic will be responsible for the maintenance.

Staff are currently using the portable office space set up in the clinic's parking lot last month while the family health team continues to expand.

Since the hiring of the nurse practitioner in September, Judy Miller has been hired as the director, beginning the position in January. Ms. Miller, who has 18 years of experience working in hospital settings, complimented Little Current's present team of health professionals at a recent board meeting.

"You are very lucky to have dedicated hospital staff and a number of dedicated physicians serving Manitoulin and the surrounding area," she told board members.

Ms. Miller has recently hired a medical administration assistant, and when the health team is complete, it will include the director, the administration assistant, two nurse practitioners, two registered nurses, one registered practical nurse, and one social worker, as well as a dietician and a pharmacist, both of whom will work part time. This is in addition to the six physicians who currently operate out of Little Current Medical Associates.

The health team will employ the registered practical nurses and registered nurses from the Little Current Clinic, while the remainder of the positions will be recruited outside of the current staff.

"They will integrate with the present clinic staff and the physicians to improve wait times for patients, improve access to primary health care, and improve the overall health of patients because of the emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion," Ms. Miller indicated in the press release.

This interdisciplinary, provider-led approach to medicine is designed to offer a variety of first-line services to patients in one location, she noted, adding that a Community Advisory Committee will be established which will include representatives from the hospital, community partners and community members.

The family health team model is very much centred around the client's needs, and Ms. Miller emphasizes that patients will still have access to their doctor. The family health team will actually enhance patients' care by offering them easier access to a wider variety of health professionals.

"Family health teams are a group approach to health care where your doctor will be able to focus on your complex medical problems, but you'll have access to different health-care professionals according to your needs," she noted at the board meeting.

Rostering-the process of signing up with a specific doctor which was introduced this past winter-will make the family health team work much easier, Ms. Miller indicated.

For example, through the family health team, patients can still see their doctors during regular office hours, but will also have access to other physicians during extended hours. Each visit with a physician will be documented and the information will be passed along to your regular doctor so that he or she always has up-to-date information about your health status.

"One of the benefits of the family health team for patients is to provide timely preventative strategies to maintain their health," Ms. Miller noted in the release. "Matching the patient needs to the most appropriate health professional is an ultimate goal. Having patients rostered to a physician will facilitate timely access to the family health team. Rostering will in no way change your doctor/patient relationship but will enhance your health-care team."

MNR_not acting on cormorant file

Birds' defenders hold weekend symposium

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-All, for a change, is weirdly quiet on the cormorant front.

Two years ago at this time, Islanders were gearing up for a long-weekend cull. While that vigilante action never actually happened, the threat helped spur an intensive-and expensive-study of the fish-eating birds' impact on Manitoulin's inland lakes.

Last year, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) launched a postcard campaign, circulating a stark image of cormorants and defoliated trees beneath the blunt slogan, "Cormorants Kill: Save our trees and fish." Meanwhile, shooting of the black birds continued at Presqu'ile Park on Lake Ontario, much to the dismay of cormorant defenders, who bobbed near the cull site in small boats, wielding video cameras.

So what's happening this year?

Not much, really. The birds have returned to Ontario waters, as they are wont to do, although circumstantial evidence suggests that they aren't coming back, to this area at least, in the sort of Hitchcockian flocks that have darkened the skies in the past.

As for the Presqu'ile cull, it's on hold this summer, as is any form of control program for other areas of the province.

The OFAH and our local United Fish and Game Clubs of Manitoulin (UFGCM) seem to have tired of the fight, and aren't printing any new postcards or proposing any new extralegal posses.

The inland lakes study is presumably complete, and has been for some time. But not only has the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) declined to release it, they don't seem to be facing any pressure to do so. Neither the OFAH nor the UFGCM has been banging on the ministry's doors, let alone filing Freedom of Information requests.

Here's one thing that definitely did happen recently: despite the fact that the province has scaled back its cormorant management activity to the point that virtually nothing is happening, a coalition of animal rights groups that have joined forces under the banner of Cormorant Defenders International (CDI) went ahead and held a symposium this past weekend in Toronto, geared to "sorting out the facts from the 'fishy' myths about (cormorants') impact on the Great Lakes ecosystem."

Reached on Thursday of last week, Julie Woodyer of CDI explained that the cormorant symposium, the first of its kind, was "focussed on trying to get accurate information to the public, because so much is misinformation."

On deck to discuss the subject of cormorants, and their misrepresentation, as the CDI group sees it, were Linda Wires, a "renowned cormorant researcher who has done a lot of work for the US government," said Ms. Woodyer, and Dr. Mary Richardson, a veterinarian from Muskoka, with whom the Expositor has spoken in the past, who feels the cull at Presqu'ile has been anything but humane.

Ms. Woodyer said the symposium grew out of a failure, on the part of the MNR, to extrapolate from the data that it collected during its five-year study of the cormorant situation at Presqu'ile.

While she said her organization is "very pleased" that the rifles have been put away for this year, she feels the ministry has failed to follow through on its pledge to interpret the information it has collected so far. "What they needed to do in response to that five-year management plan is analysis," she said. "They didn't, so they couldn't go forward with more culling this year, and what we're doing with this symposium is essentially an analysis of their plan."

The Cormorant Defenders group takes exception to characterizations of the fish-eating bird as 'invasive,' as well as to the notion that they will entirely deplete fish stocks.

"They're native to the area," said Ms. Woodyer. "And, despite what some say, they can't fish themselves out. Predators don't control prey species. The only predator that will fish everything out is humans."

Jim Sloss of the UFGCM feels differently, arguing that pressure from cormorants has all but wiped out the sport fishery in a number of Island locations, particularly the salmon fishery at Meldrum Bay and along the south shore.

Meldrum Bay once sported several happening charter operators, but with the decline of salmon stocks, those businesses, along with others that flourished as a result of the angling traffic in the community, have dwindled to nearly nothing, he said. "You go to Meldrum Bay now, and what have they got?" he said. "There's no general store, no post office, no liquor store, and no facility for fuel."

Providence Bay and South Baymouth, meanwhile, "have become ghost towns," he said, at least in regard to their fishing-related facilities. Whereas space at those two communities' marinas used to be at a premium, "you'll see all kinds of spots open now at the docks," said Mr. Sloss.

As convinced as he is, however, that cormorants have been responsible for a "real downturn in the economy," the UFGCM co-chair said he's tired of making these points. Jaded and bitter over the lengthy and largely fruitless battle his group has waged to have something done about the scourge (as they see it) of cormorants, Mr. Sloss suggested that another sector will have to take up the fight.

"The way I feel at this point is that it's not a one-man show," he said. "Why weren't the municipalities involved? Why aren't the Chambers of Commerce saying anything? It's time for other people to step up to the plate."

The MNR's position is that numbers of cormorants are on the decrease in Georgian Bay and the North Channel, removing the urgency for action in this area, while the situation at Presqu'ile, while still considered serious, requires a hiatus from culling so that ministry scientists can assess the impact of the control strategies they've taken so far.

"This is what the scientists tell us is the best way to go about it," said Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay in a recent Toronto Star story. "So they'll assess that impact this year, look at the populations being now undisturbed by a cull, and  see really if this action has made any difference or not."

For others, this smacks of a stalling tactic-a reluctance to ruffle feathers, as it were-during a time when Ontarians are poised to go, once more, to the polls.

"It's an election year," sighed Robert Pye, communications director with the OFAH. "To give this government credit, they're the first to have moved the yardstick on cormorants, but they haven't gone far enough. And Ontario needs more cormorant studies like Ontario needs more cormorants."

Mr. Pye pointed to more concerted actions being undertaken in other jurisdictions to scale back the spread of the species, such as in New York State and Michigan. Mr. Sloss made the same point, noting that biologists in Michigan have made a direct correlation between a rebound of perch in the Chenaux area to a cull of cormorants that was authorized there.

Both commentators argue that the problem is a basin-wide issue, and that Ontario is out of step with Great Lakes states that seem more prepared to implement control measures.

Cormorant Defenders International, as its name suggests, is also approaching the issue from a binational perspective, however, albeit from a markedly different angle. "Our focus is the basin," said CDI's Ms. Woodyer. "We want to dispel myths on both sides of the border."

Her group continues to feel that the bird is being unjustly maligned, and has put together a film titled 'Cormorants in the Great Lakes-Dispelling the Myths,' which was screened at the symposium this past weekend. Ms. Woodyer said the plan is to also show the film, which includes footage of the cull at Presqu'ile, in a number of film festivals over the next year.

"It wasn't a humane cull," she said of the Presqu'ile initiative. "It was done in such a haphazard way, with nests being bashed out of trees to begin with, when chicks were in the nests, which is such a horrific, archaic idea." Once the MNR personnel focussed on shooting the birds, this wasn't much better, she said, as many were injured, while chicks were orphaned.

Not only that, Ms. Woodyer maintains that the population control measure didn't even come close to achieving its goal, and in fact worsened the situation, as "the birds just moved up to other inland lakes, like Rice Lake (near Peterborough), where they wouldn't ordinarily nest." Rather than make an appreciable dent in the population, the culling and egg oiling at Presqu'ile just resulted in a diaspora of the birds, while adolescents stepped in to take on the reproductive role vacated by the slain adults, she said.

Mr. Pye of the OFAH agrees that the birds are moving inland, alarmingly so, although his take is that this has little to do with culling or egg oiling, and everything to do with the cormorants simply exhausting their food supply in the Great Lakes. He said that cormorants are now plentiful on Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park, among other popular inland waterbodies such as Lake Temagami and Lake Nipissing, and that spells trouble for economies in these areas that depend on traffic from anglers.

"I don't believe in the argument that we should let nature take it's course," he said, noting that invasives like sea lampreys, not to mention indigenous species like white-tailed deer, are managed so that numbers don't balloon and create skewed ecosystems. "We, as a society, have experts, through our tax dollars, to give us sound advice and deal with these things," he argued. "But politics are trumping wildlife management here."

As for the inland lakes study conducted on Manitoulin, the MNR remains moot on the findings for now. Don Mark, communications specialist with the Sudbury district of the ministry, said, "I can tell you that all divisions are reviewing the inland lakes study, and looking at the Great Lakes situation and other jurisdictions to develop a basin-wide protocol."

The issue, he said, goes well beyond Lake Huron, stretching across central and northern Ontario, not to mention "all the way down to the Mississippi delta." In Europe it is an issue too, with some countries calling "for a massive cull."

But generally speaking, Ontario has fewer cormorants than it did before. "Populations have decreased 31 percent across the board" for the province, said Mr. Mark. "But fish populations," he conceded, "have also dwindled."

EDITORIAL

Manitoulin Trade Fair once again a huge success

The Manitoulin Trade Fair that provided much useful information and entertainment to so many people this past weekend was well worth waiting an extra year to see.

But one extra year was wait enough. Readers of this newspaper will recall that last year, 2006, should have been Trade Fair year, based on the every-other-year schedule. In the winter of 2006, a strike of municipal employees in the Northeast Town, with no clear end to the labour interruption in view, caused Trade Fair organizers to postpone the event for a full year and so the gap between this fair and the last one stretched to three years.

Organizers promise, though, that the next one will be back on schedule: 2009.

And that's great.

At the opening ceremonies last Friday, retiring Trade Fair organizer Frank Reynolds stated that there were no fewer than 40 new Manitoulin businesses that had taken booths to introduce themselves and their services to the public.

And what a range of useful products and services this 40, together with the other 100 or so exhibitors, brought to the public's attention.

This has been the case ever since this current series of Trade Fairs began in 1988, under the LAMBAC umbrella.

And the last nine Trade Fairs built on an earlier series, also called the Manitoulin Trade Fair, that was organized by the old Manitoulin Economic Development Association (MEDA) on an annual basis for four years, beginning in 1979.

These were successful events too, but the focus on producing one big fair actually made them less popular both for exhibitors who eventually balked at having to come up with a display, staff, and new ideas every year, and with the public who, after the second annual event, came to see it as a bit 'ho-hum.'

The five- or six-year gap between the end of the first series of trade fairs and the beginning of the current series was useful and important as it gave time for a new organizer to become involved, and to use the past shows' experience to determine that an every-other-year schedule could be better all around.

And it certainly has been, for the two-year break gives both organizers and participants the opportunity of coming up with new themes and new products that keep the Manitoulin Trade Fair a vital event.

So here we are, waiting for only two years until the next one gives us lots to anticipate in its buildup, lots of information as we walk around it and lots to talk about after we've been there-rather like we're doing right now.

Congratulations to everyone involved in Manitoulin Trade Fair IX. You've done it again and it was great.

And just a little note: No doubt future trade fairs will be just as successful without Frank Reynolds' infectious enthusiasm now that he's retired. But it won't seem quite right, somehow.

Well done, Frank (and Connie Lee too).

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Former trade fair organizers pleased to pass the torch

This year's show demonstrated wealth of innovation

To the Expositor:

After almost 20 years for myself and 18 years for my wife Connie, we have retired from the Manitoulin Trade Fair.

Thank you to all associated with this event who supported our efforts to help put Manitoulin's best foot forward.

We have been honoured to have had this opportunity to serve and to work with our area's entrepreneurs for the economic growth and betterment of the lives of our people on Manitoulin.

The Manitoulin Trade Fair demonstrated that there is a lively and vibrant myriad of innovative business people bringing quality, well-priced products and services to you.

It is a collective effort under the LAMBAC banner that brings together trade fair organizers and show staff, NEMI and Rec Centre staff, our sponsors, our media and exhibitors who bring this energetic and quality show to the public.

We draw people from all across Ontario and Northern Michigan, and have visitors from across Canada and from other parts of the United States.

Connie and I have passed the torch to Louise McKeen and Mary Nelder of LAMBAC, and we are confident that your new show coordinators will continue to grow and improve this wonderful event.

Once again thank you for your generosity and support of our work.

Frank Reynolds

Orillia

Legal Aid should benefit less fortunate, not repeat offenders

More accountability regarding how our money is spent required

To the Expositor:

It was interesting to read the opinions of both Larry Killens and Michael Shain on the issue of an additional $51 million increase to the Legal Aid system in Ontario. The point that I believe Mr. Killens was trying to make, though, is that millions of dollars are abused within the system each year, by repeat offenders who are able to seek legal aid time and time again. And all at the taxpayers' expense, because the law is all nicely worded in legal terms so that under the name of justice, equality, and ensuring a fair trial, lawyers can expect the repeat business that is continually sent their way because of thousands of repeat offenders-who are criminals in every sense of the word, have no concern about their criminal behaviour because they know that the system will bail them out, and look for every angle and legal loophole to keep them at large.

I certainly feel that in a country like Canada, the less fortunate who are law-abiding citizens should have access to the Legal Aid system, especially in relation to combating inter-governmental bureaucracy, or given priority if one is a victim of crime. But what I have a problem with, as does Mr. Killens, is that taxpayers have no idea of the actual costs of an average criminal trial. And on top of that, some accused individuals can go to trial with two, maybe three lawyers. In my mind this is big-time abuse and a system out of control.

I have been retired from police work for over 12 years now, so I don't have access to figures, but I'd venture a guess at around $50,000 to $70,000 for most trials, and try $700,000 to over a million for serious indictable offences. I think that an infusion of more monies into the system for law-abiding citizens is good, but I believe it is high time this country established a 'three-times-to-the pot-and-you're-on-your-own' policy for those with criminal intent who could not care less what it costs the taxpayer.

Lawyers will always combat this argument with equality for all, and everyone is entitled to a fair trial. Fair enough, but what happened to fairness, equality and consideration for the rest of us who pay for the system, plus much better accountability as to how our money is spent?

Colin Pick

Manitowaning

Sisson Park facility constructed without enough thought

Will this area become a giant flower pot?

To the Expositor:

Well isn't this interesting! I'm referring to the article in last week's Expositor regarding the problem with skateboarders downtown. Now as I remember the comments at the public meeting, while the whole Sisson Fund debate was going on, we were assured that the skateboarders were consulted as to the design and location of the park and that there would be a bylaw put in place to make skateboarding downtown illegal, and that the OPP would be enforcing this bylaw (I'm not sure the OPP were consulted regarding this). Well, here we are. The park hasn't even been finished. Skaters are downtown because the park is boring! The Sisson Fund has been depleted-no going back now-and no bylaw has been put in place.

I again make the point that this park, while not necessarily ill-conceived, was constructed without enough thought, enough investment by the young people who are supposed to be using it, or enough common sense. Will this area become a giant flower pot?

While I have pen in hand, I might as well get some other small points off my mind. I also read the letter regarding roadside garbage a few weeks ago. Some 30 or so years ago, I approached a member of the MTA about this. We had just returned from a trip out west and in one province, there were strategically placed garbage cans and garbage bag dispensers, which were to assist in keeping roadsides clean. I suggested that since roadside garbage here was a big problem, especially during ferry season when there seems to be an increase in unwanted items being discarded (disposal diapers are especially disgusting), maybe this could be considered for the Highway 6 corridor particularly. I was practically laughed out of the building at the time; however, I still feel this may have some merit.

My next comment has to do with human nature. When the downtown upgrade was done a few years ago, there were two walkways put in place near the Bank of Montreal. It wasn't long until a new foot path appeared across the lawn. As a society, are we in that much of a rush (aka too lazy) that we can't walk 10 more steps to actually walk on the sidewalk provided? Last week I noticed that someone had moved the planter/seat in front of the BMO to block this footpath. As I sat in my vehicle, waiting for my husband, I noticed that a lot of people didn't get the hint-they are making a new footpath.

Walk on the stone path! We are supposed to take 10,000 steps daily-add these 20 or so to the ones you are already taking.

Thanks for your space; now I feel better having vented.

Gail Gjos

Sheguiandah

I'm your neighbour

Sue Vanhorn is a busy lady. The grandmother of 14 has been working at Cindy's Clothesline in Mindemoya for a year-in fact, since it's been open.

It's Sue you go to when you need some advice on fashion-whether the top suits the skirt, or if a different size is in order-something she loves to do.

"Oh, I love it," she says of working for Cindy Wright, her boss. "I really like working here. I like to make people look nice."

Sue has been living in the Mindemoya area for 15 years since she moved here with her husband Dennis, from the Northwest Territories.

The couple met while Sue was working as a cook and Dennis was running his own business.

"We decided to come back home," she says of Northern Ontario, where she is originally from, adding that her husband was born and raised in Mindemoya.

She says she's been fortunate to have always found work in Mindemoya since she moved to Manitoulin.

In Sue's spare time, she enjoys quilting and ceramics and visiting with her children and grandchildren, none of whom are on Manitoulin.

"We have seven children between us and 14 grandchildren," she says. "It keep us busy."

With children in Toronto, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and British Columbia, there's always lots of travelling to do.

"We can travel coast to coast without a problem," she says.

This is the first summer in 15 years that Sue and her husband will not be travelling the country. The couple recently built a cottage near Lake Mindemoya where they plan to "escape" this summer.

"I really like Mindemoya," she says. "I wouldn't move away. I've got a great boss to work for and we have a lot of fun."

"I work with good people."

Shopping at local stores like Cindy's Clothesline creates lasting employment for people like Sue Vanhorn.

Sue Vanhorn

clerk at Cindy's Clothesline,

Mindemoya