The hunt is on!

Deer population 20,000 to 25,000

as 10,000 hunters visualize venison

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-It's that time of year again when the Island's population nearly doubles and its deer numbers dwindle by almost a quarter.

"You can expect an influx of 10,000 hunters on Manitoulin," says Don Mark, information specialist with the Sudbury office of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). For an area with a year-round population of just 13,000, that's quite a few extra folks.

Bucks and does, meanwhile, are estimated to number "between 20,000 and 25,000," according to wildlife biologist Wayne Selinger. "And the harvest is normally between 4,000 and 5,000."

That rate of reduction is pretty much par for the province. "About 25 percent of the herd is harvested annually in Ontario," says Mr. Mark.

Last year the MNR issued 6,900 antlerless deer tags for Manitoulin, which comprises Wildlife Management Units 43A (the West End) and 43B (eastern Manitoulin). Recipients of such tags are permitted to shoot a doe or fawn, while a buck may be killed by any licensed hunter.

This year the number of doe tags was down marginally, with 100 fewer issued for hunters on Western Manitoulin. "This is in response to a decline in the deer population on the West End," says Mr. Selinger. "Local hunters are reporting that they're down, and we believe it's the case."

Establishing the reason for the dip "is mostly guesswork," says the biologist, but it's clear that "it's not related to winter severity." Hunters tend to blame wolves for the decline, but Mr. Selinger's hunch is that "it's more related to habitat."

With forestry on the West End having all but ceased since the departure of the QUNO paper company, and relatively little agricultural activity in this area, the biologist says browse is simply less abundant. "Deer are reliant on cutting," he says. "Wolves are always a factor, but I don't think they're the primary factor."

But if deer are down slightly on Western Manitoulin, there has been no such sag in the east, where the number of white-tailed ruminants remains "fairly high," says Mr. Selinger. "We've made every effort over the last few years to decrease the population, because if it's too high you have agricultural problems and accidents."

Raising doe tags for this area, however, "doesn't do much," says Mr. Selinger, since "if you want a doe tag in 43B, you get one, and if we up the tags, they don't get picked up."

What has been effective, on the other hand, is the issuing of additional seals, which allow hunters to harvest an extra deer. "That second tag has been a real tool for us in increasing the harvest," says the biologist. "We're pushing the herd down slightly, in the right direction."

This year, 1,250 additional tags have been made available, the same amount that was distributed in 2006. "There were 3,000 in 2005, when the highest harvest was recorded, so we've slowed down a bit," allows Mr. Selinger.

Assessing the exact size of the herd is tricky. "We don't count deer, so we don't have an accurate survey for deer abundance," he says.

That said, the MNR has a number of indicators upon which to base an estimate, including "deer seen per hunter day and motor vehicle collision data," notes the biologist. "Both these indicate that the population peaked around 2003 and has declined slightly since."

The ministry can also glean a picture of herd health (and, to some extent, population) through studies of carcasses leaving the Island. Last November, the MNR revived a check station for the first time in five years, setting up in Espanola collect biological data such as weight of animals and antler growth.

"We sampled 1,074 deer," relates Mr. Selinger. Since the station wasn't staffed around the clock, some concerns were expressed that the sample size would be too small, "but from my perspective, 1,000 is plenty to get an idea of fawn weights, etcetera," the biologist maintains.

Of those deer studied, a third were fawns, another third were yearlings, and the final third were adults. In terms of gender breakdown, 56 percent were bucks and 44 percent were does.

One of the more encouraging signs yielded by the check-station data is that "the antler beam diameter of yearling bucks showed a definite increase" from the measurements taken in 2001, says Mr. Selinger. "Some of the growth indicators are coming up."

On the other hand, "fawn weights and yearling weights were still a little low compared to areas like St. Joseph Island and the northeast States," he says, which suggests that there are still too many deer competing for available food on Manitoulin. "We've been pushing the herd down, but it's still a little high."

The mild winter is likely to have only added to the population's growth. With such conditions, "you get low winter mortality and a good fawn crop," says Mr. Selinger.

And because of this trend, "the deer populations are booming all over the province," he points out. "If we continually see mild winters, they'll continue to increase and push north. They're already well north of Highway 17."

But while there's no shortage of deer on Manitoulin, this is no excuse for hunters to shoot indiscriminately or engage in illegal tag swapping. Mr. Mark says there will be "increased enforcement" on the Island this week, with extra conservation officers in the field to keep an eye out for infractions.

"Remember: your tag is your tag," says Mr. Mark. "If you are party hunting, and half your group is leaving on Wednesday, make sure they utilize their tags because you can't transfer them."

The MNR spokesman also urges hunters to consider the impact of an unlawfully harvested animal. With moose, the removal of one cow "represents 11 calves," he notes. "And if you extrapolate for deer, one doe can have 42 fawns over a lifetime."

Manor update:

New administrator and director of care

to help implement Extendicare systems

by Jim Moodie

LITTLE CURRENT-Having weathered some rocky seas with a skeleton crew over the past few months, the Manitoulin Centennial Manor finally seems to be on a more even keel.

Last month, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care imposed a control order on the nursing home, seizing responsibility for the seniors' residence from the local board of management and appointing Extendicare to run the facility in place of the previous provider, Jarlette Health Services.

Since that time, Susan Enouy, on loan from an Extendicare home in Kirkland Lake, has been in charge of implementing strategies to boost staffing levels and meet ministry standards of care. And for the past week and a half, the acting administrator has been doing so in tandem with incoming administrator Carol McIlveen, a veteran of the long-term care sector with Manitoulin ties who is slated to take over the position.

"Right now Carol and I are working together so that there's a nice, smooth transition from one administration to another," said Ms. Enouy last week.

Ms. McIlveen brings considerable experience to the role of administrator, having worked in that capacity for 20 years at other homes for the elderly in the province, most recently with Leisureworld in Toronto. She's also intimately familiar with Manitoulin, as both her father, Leland McIntyre, and her grandparents were born here. "I've come here every year of my life," she said, adding that she and her husband have now taken up residence at the family home in Providence Bay.

The new administrator is comfortable with the changes that have been initiated by Extendicare. "Their goals are the ones I've always had in my homes," she said. "They're doing nothing that is foreign to me-it's what I'd expect in any long-term care facility."

A month has now passed since Extendicare assumed management of the home, and in that time "we've had some huge accomplishments," according to Ms. Enouy. "We've implemented many of Extendicare's systems."

A key change, in her view, has been "the introduction of primary care," an approach which pairs teams of caregivers with particular residents. "We've gone from 12-hour shifts to eight hours, which provides consistency of care," said Ms. Enouy. "The same caregivers are taking care of the same people, so the staff get to know what the residents need. It promotes continuity."

Ms. McIlveen concurred, noting, "if I'm a personal support worker, I always have the same residents to look after, so I can give individualized, specialized care."

Another positive change has occurred in the way meals are served, said Ms. Enouy. "We've revamped the whole dining experience, and it's working extremely well." Residents are presented with choices between "a main course and an alternative," she said, to simulate "a meal service like you'd have in a restaurant." The flow of food preparation and delivery "has been unhurried and uncluttered" since the new system has been put in place, she said, adding that "we're also in the process of looking at providing meal service downstairs."

In terms of staffing, significant progress has been made to address a shortage of registered nurses. "We've been successful in recruiting two full-time nurses and one registered practical nurse, which has helped to manage the requirement for 24/7 coverage," said Ms. Enouy.

Additionally, the home has brought in a new director of care (DOC). As of last Friday, the Manor had officially hired Judy Black of Providence Bay, a nurse and team leader with Warmhearts Palliative Caregivers Sudbury/Manitoulin, and "we're really pleased that she has accepted the position," said Ms. Enouy. Ms. Black assumed her new role on Monday (November 19).

Many homes require one individual to fulfill the responsibilities of both administrator and director of care, noted Ms. Enouy, "but we made the decision here to have both an administrator and DOC."

The Manor does still require more staff in certain departments, allowed Ms. Enouy. "We're still hiring," she said. "We need a part-time registered nurse and part-time RPN. And we've hired some front-line nurse's aids but need more."

Some new workers have been brought in to join the housekeeping and dietary crews, while one registered practical nurse has been fired.

Ms. Enouy acknowledges that the restructuring has been difficult for some staff, but overall believes the mood among employees is upbeat. "Some have a harder time with changes than others, but most are really committed to making it work."

Ms. McIlveen added that "we're not just putting systems into place and expecting staff to figure it out; we're working beside people to show them how do it and why it's being done."

As well, "we're offering in-service training for registered staff," pointed out Ms. Enouy, "and we'll be having more with front-line workers, so everyone will understand the changes and can stay abreast of the latest trends in long-term care. We're starting a whole education plan."

Improvements in security are also in the works. "We're getting quotes right now to secure all our doorways and look at a wander prevention system," said Ms. Enouy. With the latter, residents "assessed at risk for wandering wear a small bracelet that triggers the door not to open," explained Ms. Enouy. "Or if they follow through with someone else, an alarm would be triggered."

The 60-bed facility currently has space to admit seven new residents, as well as one respite client, but "we're still not admitting," allowed Ms. Enouy. "We won't for a while yet, until we know all the systems can be sustained. We're hoping that will happen in a month or month-and-a-half."

Meanwhile, the management of the home is eager to strengthen ties between the Manor's residents and staff and the broader community. Last month, the administration initiated a Hallowe'en celebration that was open to volunteers, families of residents and well-wishers. "The goal was to have community involvement," said Ms. Enouy. "There was fabulous food, everybody dressed up, and it was a really positive night."

The Red Hat Ladies also showed up in droves, and "have indicated they want to come back and visit on a monthly basis," she added.

For Ms. McIlveen, whose grandmother was admitted to the Manor in 1973, as were several other relatives over the years, the home has always been dear to her heart, and she is encouraged by the direction that has been set in motion by Extendicare.

"It's a beautiful facility," she said. "And there's no reason why we can't meet ministry standards and sustain the systems that are being put in place."

She believes staff will take to the new schedule and focus on primary care. "With the restructuring, it's made the staff's ability to do their job easier, because they have routines to follow," said the new administrator. With the shorter shifts of eight hours instead of 12, "this way they're doing really good care and a lot are saying they have a home life," she added.

"It's definitely a work in progress," said Ms. Enouy. "It can't all be put in place overnight."

Yet both women sense that the changes will reap rewards, both in terms of resident comfort and employee morale. "I've just been here since November 5, and people seem happier," said Ms. McIlveen.

Federal Tories reintroduce bill

rescinding long-gun registration

by Alicia McCutcheon

MANITOULIN-Just in time for deer season on Manitoulin, the Conservative government reintroduced its bill to end the long-gun registry in the House of Commons on Friday.

The bill, if passed, would end the requirement for owners of rifles and shotguns to register their guns with the government.

"These legislative amendments will allow us to continue focussing on more effective measures to tackle crime and keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals," Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day announced on Friday. "Our goal is to provide law enforcement with the tools and resources they need to combat gun violence and other serious crimes."

Robert Pye, former communications official with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), called this announcement "the final nail in the coffin" for the long-gun registry.

He noted, however, that it is only the registration of rifles that is being contested and not the hunter's licences (the licence awarded to hunters once a course is passed and needed to hunt)-something the OFAH supports fully.

"The registry is the tracking of each individual firearm and that makes absolutely no sense," said Mr. Pye.

"The previous Liberal government was wasting money on duck and deer hunters," Mr. Pye told the Expositor. "They have reintroduced this bill to scrap the long-gun registry."

He allowed that the OFAH has been working on the abolishment of the registry for "years and years" and they were able to predict the escalating costs involved with the registry. "Major policing associations quickly recognized the gun registry has done nothing," and that crime has not been reduced, he said.

The Ministry of Public Safety website states that of the 2,441 homicides recorded since the long-gun registry's introduction in 2003, only 47, or two percent, of those homicides involved a registered rifle or shotgun.

"We see firearms as a tool for hunting," said Mr. Pye, noting that his 82,000-member organization is concerned that Canada's "hunting heritage" will come to an end if those with unregistered long-guns see their rifles confiscated.

"Criminals don't register their guns-it's that simple," he said. "Why is the government spending so many tax dollars on people who have taken hours and hours of training? Why would the government be interested in going after people who haven't had more than a speeding ticket? This (the long-gun registry) is the worst piece of legislation the government has ever introduced, in the federation's opinion."

"It's important for hunters to bend the ear of your local MP," said Mr. Pye.

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Brent St. Denis pointed out, however, that the Conservative government cut the Canadian Firearms Centre's (CFC) budget by $6 million. The centre is responsible for the registration of the long-guns and the cutbacks have caused the CFC to become "bogged down," causing registrants to experience processing delays.

Mr. St. Denis doubts the there will be any debate on the subject until next spring and said "it is doubtful I'll support the Conservatives or the bill. I expect I'll continue with my position on the gun registry."

National news reports are stating that it is unlikely the bill will pass as the Liberals, NDP and Bloc all heavily favour the long-gun registry. It is also popular among urban areas, especially in Ontario and Quebec.

Shirley Cheechoo, Dave Nahwegahbow win national acclaim

Two out of 14 National Aboriginal Award winners have Manitoulin roots

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-Two local luminaries are among the 14 exceptional First Nation individuals from across the country who will be honoured this spring for their contributions to both their own culture and the broader Canadian society.

David Nahwegahbow, a lawyer hailing from the Whitefish River First Nation, and Shirley Cheechoo, an artist, playwright and filmmaker based in M'Chigeeng, were named last week as recipients of a prestigious National Aboriginal Achievement Award.

While the awards ceremony won't occur until March 7 in Toronto, with the proceedings to be aired on both Global TV and the Aboriginal Peoples' Television Network, winners were announced in the House of Commons last Thursday, with all of the honorees present to take in both the parliamentary session and a dinner and reception that followed.

"I think it's outstanding that two recipients are from the Manitoulin area," said Mr. Nahwegahbow, who made the trip to Ottawa last week for the announcement, as did Ms. Cheechoo.

The Birch Island-bred lawyer was also proud, and humbled, to be in the presence of legendary Northern Ontario artist Norval Morrisseau, also on hand in Ottawa, despite a frail condition brought on by age and illness. Mr. Morrisseau, credited with inspiring the Woodland School of Aboriginal art, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Each of the 14 awards doled out by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation covers a specific category, with Lifetime Achievement being the most prestigious.

Mr. Nahwegahbow is the winner of this year's Law and Justice award, while Ms. Cheechoo is being honoured in the Arts category.

Both recipients were in transit this weekend. Mr. Nahwegahbow had travelled to Manitoulin to visit his mother, Mary, in the Wikwemikong Nursing Home, before returning to his current home on the Rama First Nation, while Ms. Cheechoo was in Winnipeg for a film festival and then bound for Toronto.

Reached on his cell phone during the drive back to Muskoka, Mr. Nahwegahbow said he continues to be drawn north to Birch Island and Manitoulin, where he counts numerous relatives and mentors, "particularly my mom and dad."

His father, Arthur Nahwegahbow, served as chief of the Whitefish River First Nation for an eight-year span during the 1960s and '70s, passing away in 1998, while mom Mary, at 91, "is the oldest person from Birch Island," he proudly noted, and still provides him with inspiration and guidance in her twilight years.

Mr. Nahwegahbow left Birch Island in the early 1980s to do an undergraduate degree at Carleton University in Ottawa, subsequently completing his law degree in the same city. "Then I set up a practice there," he said, making Ottawa his base until seven years ago, when he relocated to the Rama First Nation.

Currently, the lawyer is the senior partner of the Nahwegahbow Corbiere law firm, working alongside Diane Corbiere of M'Chigeeng, a former articling student. He's been practising law for 25 years now, focussing "strictly on Aboriginal law," he said.

Of his quarter-century stint in the legal profession, Mr. Nahwegahbow laughed, "it's gone by so fast-when I started out, I worried I'd never be old enough for people to take me seriously."

He does take his work very seriously, though, particularly when it comes to settling issues of land resources and treaty rights that represent ongoing challenges for First Nation communities.

His firm conducts a variety of work for Native bands, but his personal focus is "advocating claims," he said. This "involves litigation, increasingly, but also negotiations."

Mr. Nahwegahbow is also active in the Indigenous Bar Association, of which he is a founding member. "When I came through law school, there were still not a whole lot of First Nation lawyers, maybe 40 or so across the country," he said. "A group of us thought we should get together to provide mutual support and talk about issues affecting Aboriginal people, and at the same time provide positive encouragement to up-and-coming lawyers."

At this point, there are "so many new lawyers attending our meetings that I hardly know them all," he said, but of course this is a welcome, if occasionally anonymous, infusion.

Mr. Nahwegahbow also prides himself on providing an opportunity through his own practice for young Native lawyers to cut their teeth. "Because I've practised for over 10 years I can take on articling students, and one of the things I try to do is mentor young Native lawyers," he said.

His own children are now university-age, but neither is following in their father's career path at present. "My daughter is going to Guelph (University) for Art History, and my son is in Theatre Arts at Guelph," he said.

Given his kids' creative bent, it was somewhat fortuitous that he would bump into Ms. Cheechoo at the awards announcement in Ottawa last week. "I was talking to Shirley about things they could do," he admitted with a laugh.

Ms. Cheechoo, who hails from the James Bay Cree community but has called M'Chigeeng home for many years, certainly knows a thing or two about the arts scene.

A co-founder of the Debahjehmujig Theatre Company, not to mention a playwright, actor, painter, gallery operator (with husband and fellow artist Blake Debassige), and filmmaker, she has expressed herself in just about every form of art that exists.

She has also, like Mr. Nahwegahbow, endeavoured to share such knowledge with a younger generation of Natives and taken steps to broaden their creative opportunities. Her films have provided a training ground for youth hoping to get into the field of movie-making, and she is in the process of developing a film institute on Manitoulin that would allow for more formal training of future First Nation auteurs.

An attempt to reach the multi-disciplinary artist on her cell phone in Winnipeg resulted in a one-way non-conversation-we were able to hear her, while she didn't have a clue who was babbling at the other end-but fortunately the reception was better once Ms. Cheechoo taxied into Toronto's Pearson Airport on Monday.

"I'm just very honoured to be recognized for what I've done," said Ms. Cheechoo, adding that her current focus "is trying to get the film school up and running."

Last year the artist received funding from FedNor to set up an office for the fledgling Weengushk institute and staff it with a couple of people, and her hope, she said, is to be able to offer a course for students by September of 2008. "That's my plan-to have the first Aboriginal youth program start next year."

The prolific writer and director has a few of her own projects in the works, although nothing is set to go just yet. "I've always got things in development," she said.

Last week, her film Johnny Tootall was screened on APTN, but Ms. Cheechoo said it was just a coincidence and not meant as an acknowledgement of her Aboriginal Achievement Award.

The multi-talented artist has received numerous other awards over the years, but feels this one is particularly special, as "it's coming from the Aboriginal community and it helps you move forward as an artist, because you know you have support."

Sometimes, "you get to feeling that people are stabbing you in the back and dragging you down," Ms. Cheechoo noted. "But when you get an award like this, at least you know someone's behind you."

When asked, half-jokingly, whether she'd picked out what outfit she will wear for the awards gala in March, Ms. Cheechoo replied promptly and seriously. "I'm going to wear a coat that my mother made me, a long buckskin coat." She noted that her late mother "was a really great craftsperson, and it will be an honour to wear the coat she made me. If it weren't for my mother, I wouldn't be where I am now."

Her father also played a key role in encouraging Ms. Cheechoo to find her own path in life. "He would say that there's space for everyone in this world to grow as a human being."

The artist further credits husband Blake Debassige and son Nano for "all of the support" they have provided over the years, which has "given me the freedom to create what I have."

The experience of being chosen for an award, attending a raucous session of Question Period at the House, and being grilled by programmers for the awards ceremony has all been a little surreal, said Ms. Cheechoo. "They're asking me what legacy they think I'm going to leave behind, so I almost feel like I'm going to die tomorrow," she laughed. "But you don't think of legacy when you do your work-you just do what you feel you have to do."

Other recipients of Aboriginal Achievement Awards include sporting star Reggie Leach, a Philadelphia Flyers alumnus and recent visitor to Manitoulin; urban activist Sylvia Maracle, a tireless champion of Aboriginal health and women's issues; and Bernard McCue of the Beausoleil First Nation, a scientist whose designs have made significant contributions to the aircraft and television industries.

EDITORIAL

Police should be forthcoming about tragic events

Police forces, like teachers--and, for that matter, newspapers--are in the public eye constantly and this same public feels it is its right to pass continuous judgment.

This has the effect of keeping police forces in a constant defensive mode as they await the next onslaught of public comment.

Doubtless it was this frame of mind that drove the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Vancouver to admit that a would-be immigrant from Poland had been "tasered" to death at their hands in the Vancouver International Airport where he had recently arrived.

There is not a great deal more that can be said about this incident. On its face, it was clearly a needless death and the (literally) overkill tactics used by four RCMP officers to subdue one tired, frustrated and angry traveler will haunt the force for a long time to come, and rightly so, as the inevitable independent public inquiry examines the tragic incident.

What is almost as disturbing as the actual death at the Mounties' hands is the fact that the RCMP were admitting nothing, even to the dead man's mother, for some hours after the taser tragedy.

If the RCMP was trying to get its story straight, it only creates a worse image in the public's mind--that same public that is inclined to criticize and second-guess police actions in any case.

We have our own version of this sort of thing on Manitoulin Island from time to time, in kind if not in degree, and likely for the very same reasons.

An example: on Good Friday of 2006, a young man, confronted by several members of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police, mortally injures himself as they watch in horror.

A coroner's inquest was eventually convened (a year and a half after the young man's death) and earlier this month, a coroner's jury heard the facts of the tragedy and made recommendations.

One of the  most interesting things about the local mishap was the complete silence on the part of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police. No press release was issued at the time of the incident. Nothing was said.

The young man's family grieved at his funeral and afterwards and, eventually, the inquest was announced by the regional coroner's office. And that, almost 18 months after the event, was the first public scrutiny the event was subject to.

Just as with the RCMP in Vancouver, a decision was made within the hierarchy of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police to say nothing about the incident, at least not for as long as possible.

The irony is that in an effort to avoid a public relations fiasco by saying nothing, or at least by deferring to say anything, the public is left with time on its hands in which it contrives reasons for the police silence. And often the conclusions the public draws, in the absence of statements of fact, are not flattering to the police authority.

The fact is, it is better, much better, for both the image of the police and the public's confidence in the police, to make a statement directly following any mishap that is in any way unusual.

There is a sure and certain guarantee that the Vancouver Mounties will wish they had been more forthright, and more quickly, as we learn more about what actually happened at the Vancouver airport.

Letters to the Editor

MP slams Tories for refusing to sign UN declaration

The signal is that Aboriginal rights aren't worth defending

To the Expositor:

An open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Dear Prime Minister Harper:

I am writing today on an issue that is very important to me and my constituents. On September 13, 2007 your government failed Canada's Aboriginal peoples and embarrassed Canada internationally by voting against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

By opposing this declaration, your government has signaled to Aboriginal Canadians that their rights are not worth defending and has weakened Canada's role as a global human rights leader. For two decades Canada was instrumental in the development of this declaration, including the drafting of the document's current text.

On October 22, 2007 United Nations Human Rights Commissioner and former Canadian Supreme Court Judge Louise Arbour expressed her "profound disappointment" that Canada chose to vote against the declaration while speaking at a human rights conference in Ottawa. She later told reporters that she feared Canada was flagging in its historic commitment to multilateralism on the world stage.

Luckily, only four countries voted against this important declaration and it was passed 143 votes to four.

In writing this letter, I, along with my constituents, ask that you explain the reasons your government voted against this important declaration. Additionally, can you explain how your government intends to promote Canadian values abroad when it will not safeguard the rights of its own citizens?

I thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Brent St. Denis, MP

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

Landowners irked by effort to develop archaeological attraction

We don't want tourists in our backyard!

To the Expositor:

My husband and I attended a Northeast Town council meeting last week and were quite perturbed at the mayor's actions.

We were quite surprised to hear that the CDC (Community Development Corporation) wanted to reopen the door to the archaeological site in Sheguiandah. It was our understanding that they wanted council to pass a bylaw to let them form a non-profit corporation to direct the development of the site and transfer title of the property to this corporation.

It was pointed out to them by council that they already were a corporation and that council was not interested in letting this happen.

After it was put to a vote and turned down by council, our esteemed mayor asked if a compromise couldn't be reached.

If the motion was defeated by council, what business does the mayor have to bring it up again? In the end another motion was made and it was decided that the CDC should go and visit the landowners to see if they could get them on board.

I think you jumped the gun a little bit, boys and girls, because you already know that some of the landowners are against anybody trespassing on their property regardless of whether council gives their blessing or not.

Council does not have any say in what we do with our property. We do, and we do not, under any circumstances, want the tourists in our backyard in any way, shape or form. We purchased our property for our own absolute use, not for tourism purposes.

Since the CDC didn't see fit to consult us in this process, they don't need to come around now to do so either. Keep out!

Maria and Ted Willis

Sheguiandah

Expositor, veterans, helpers lauded for Remembrance contributions

Old Mill Heritage Centre creating permanent military exhibit

To the Expositor:

I would like to thank everyone who made a point to honour our veterans and their families through their participation in Remembrance Day events on Manitoulin Island. I was especially touched by the volume of people who were interested in learning more about our local veterans by visiting the Military Exhibit at the Old Mill Heritage Centre in Kagawong. 

Commendations go to the folks at the Expositor and the Recorder for their excellent Remembrance Day stories. I'm a strong believer of reminding people of the sacrifices our military and their families have made on behalf of others over the years. Thanks for your contribution in that quest.

I would also like to thank everyone who helped develop the Remembrance Week theme at the Old Mill Heritage Centre. That would include the Billings Township Museum Board for their advice and heavy lifting, Candy and Kathy in the municipal office along with council, Mandy Pickard for the posters, the Kagawong Cenotaph Board, the community churches, Nicole at the Gore Bay Museum, Jim Woods and the folks at the Gore Bay Legion, Turners of Little Current, Tweebles, SEC Graphics, Bridal Veil Esso, Jake's Home Centre and Moose FM. If I have left anyone out I apologize profusely.

I certainly cannot forget our veterans and their families, especially those who willingly and enthusiastically participated in the development of this exhibit.  Dennis Zylstra, Murray Thompson, Don Freeborn Sr. and Allan Tustian were enormously helpful. Mr. Freeborn and Mr. Zylstra agreed to tell their stories for the camera so their families and the Old Mill Heritage Centre would have a permanent record of their exploits. I can think of no better way to preserve the memory of a veteran and I believe it is vital to document their testimonials. If you agree, please call me at 282-1442 and arrangements can be made.

I would like to also acknowledge the help and support of Anneliese McIntyre. Her late husband Bill was a well known and respected veteran heavily involved in Remembrance Day activities in the region. We were honoured when Mrs. McIntyre chose the Old Mill Heritage Centre as the location to permanently display Bill's uniforms.

Remembrance Day comes but once a year, but at the Old Mill Heritage Centre our goal is to make sure Remembrance Day is honoured every day through a permanent exhibit. The invitation is extended to you to make this possible. Mrs. McIntyre commented that her husband would have been pleased to see his military uniforms on display. If you would like to follow suit please contact the Old Mill Heritage Centre.

Thanks again to our veterans for helping to save the world!

Rick Nelson

curator, Old Mill Heritage Centre

Kagawong

Sally Smith

Guardian Pharmacy,

Little Current

Sally Smith of Little Current has been a member of the Little Current Guardian Pharmacy family for almost 10 years and has loved every minute of it. She has seen the store go through many transformations-the biggest one being the move from Little Current's main street to Highway 540.

"My title is the front shop manager but I also work in Sears and help Chris (Gauthier) and Steve (Bondi) dispense medication," Sally says. "I do everything!"

She explains that she further does the ordering for the front of the store as well as some of the giftwares, and acts as the store's banker.

"Customer service is very important," says Sally. "We do a lot of special orders for people. As long as we can keep them happy we'll continue to do that."

She explains that working at the pharmacy is great as they are equipped with an "awesome staff."

"We have lots of fun-everyone's so upbeat and happy," she says, noting that having a great boss helps too. "Steve's a great boss. He really supports the staff and he's excellent with the customers."

Mr. Bondi, for his part, predicted the customers would be really pleased to see Sally as this week's neighbour, as she's so well known among the pharmacy's shoppers.

Sally is also well known for her fierce love of her two dogs and can often be spotted with them at Low Island Park. She says that the park is one of her favourite haunts during the summer months. It is also not unusual to find Sally with her nose buried in a book or getting her hands dirty in her flower garden.

"I really like socializing and just being with my friends and family," she adds.

Shopping at local businesses like the Little Current Guardian Pharmacy provides lasting employment for people like Sally Smith.