Removal of tire pile anticipated

MANITOULIN-A solution could be secured soon to the tire hazard at the Zhiibaahaasing First Nation, with the removal of the scrap rubber anticipated to begin in coming months.

Representatives of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) were reluctant to discuss the plan in detail as of press time, but sources indicate that a request for proposals (RFP) was in the process of being issued by the department for the removal of the tires. Parties responding to the RFP were to indicate both a method of transport and the cost of the operation to INAC.

"I can say that there is movement forward on this file," said Carrie Latham, senior funding services officer at the Sudbury INAC office, on Monday. "But the costs will be significant and the process is fairly lengthy, so I don't want to comment anymore than that at this point."

Repeated calls were made to officials at the INAC office in Toronto but no response had been received as of press time.

According to a reliable source, however, an official with INAC recently indicated that the removal operation should start this winter, with most (if not all) of the tires taken away by spring.

The same official confirmed that the First Nation has not had a permit for the storage of waste, and that the pile has not been separated into smaller piles, but that no additional tires have been accepted for some months now.

The tire stockpile, estimated to number 1 million tires or more in total, accumulated as a result of Zhiibaahaasing continuing to collect tires after its recycling equipment broke down.

Lake Huron cormorant monitoring continues 120 birds harvested for diet study

by Jim Moodie

NORTH CHANNEL-The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is wrapping up yet another summer-long study of the cormorant population in Lake Huron, aspects of which this year included the banding of 400 birds to track their movement and the 'collection' of 120 in order to analyze their stomach contents.

The scope of the 2006 research program was downsized from last year, conceded MNR research scientist Ken Abraham, with both egg-oiling and inland-lake analysis being put temporarily on the back burner. But other prongs of the study were extended and new features added, such as the banding program.

"The study was scaled back from previous years, but two elements of the summer's work were initiated in the five-year study," said Mr. Abraham. Colony inventory and nest counts, for instance, first undertaken in 2000, were carried out once more, with a contractor being engaged to visit "all the known colony locations by boat, and count the number of active nests," said the scientist.

Apart from counting nests, "we look for evidence of disease and the stage of hatching," Mr. Abraham noted. "It's a general reconnaissance of each colony, which allows us to estimate how large the population is and how it has grown over a 30-year period."

With the data from this summer yet to be analyzed, it is premature to precisely assess the size of the population compared to previous years, but Mr. Abraham said that, "in general, in visiting the colonies, we found nothing startlingly new in terms of new colonies or the size of them growing." Some population fluctuations may have occurred in certain areas, "but it's safe to say that if there was any great increase, we'd already be aware of it," he noted.

The five-year study that was wrapped up last year-but is still awaiting peer review by scientists outside the ministry before it is published-determined, among other things, that the number of cormorants in the North Channel and Georgian Bay had dwindled appreciably due to a collapse in the alewife population in 2003 and 2004, which the ministry attributes to cold winters.

But that doesn't mean the MNR isn't continuing to gauge the species' impact on local waters, or continue the research done to date. Another element of this past summer's study that built upon previous work was the culling of birds to examine their stomach contents. "Last year on Manitoulin we collected cormorants after they'd been feeding to conduct an analysis of which species they're eating," noted Mr. Abraham, "and we did more of that this year."

MNR staff visited four sites in Lake Huron-two in the North Channel, and two in Georgian Bay-at two different times of the summer, shooting 15 birds each time, at each location, for a total of 120 birds harvested for research purposes.

"The birds were collected in June and July and frozen for later analysis," Mr. Abraham said. "Our biologists are still in the lab studying the stomach contents."

One of the things they will be looking for is whether round gobies-which have moved into Lake Huron as the alewives decline-make up a significant part of the cormorants' diet, said Mr. Abraham. As well, the MNR will make use of an isotope technique to determine whether the fish consumed by the birds originated in Lake Huron or inland lakes.

New this year has been the banding of birds. "We banded about 400 at several colonies," said Mr. Abraham, explaining that a crew of seven or eight volunteers would visit a nesting site early in the season "when the young are flightless," and separate a few from the flock. The unfledged birds are placed in small sacks, and tagged with an aluminum band as well as a coloured plastic band indicating their location, before being released.

"This has been done by other jurisdictions, such as New York State and Michigan," noted Mr. Abraham. "So we're trying to work with these other jurisdictions to see how 'open,' in scientific terms, the population is-how much they interchange among areas, and where we can expect new recruits to come from."

The mobility of cormorants and their willingness to relocate to new areas are significant factors in determining the effectiveness of culling and egg-oiling initiatives, said Mr. Abraham. If new birds will simply move into an area "where the population has declined, due to natural factors or culling, then that limits the effectiveness (of population control measures). It could mean everybody has to do it on a global Great Lakes scale," he said. "This is partly why we haven't moved ahead with oiling or culling."

The five-year study "revealed that oiling, on its own, is not able to reduce the population of cormorants," Mr. Abraham said. Analysis of that egg-oiling initiative "is still ongoing," the scientist indicated, but some striking observations were made, chiefly that fish rebounded initially at sites where oiling had occurred, only to dwindle again a couple of years later. "The hypothesis is that other birds compensated (for the decline in the number of cormorants at the colonies) by coming in from somewhere else," said Mr. Abraham. "This raised the question regarding the mobility of birds within the system, which led to the banding program."

The MNR plans to expand this tracking system, as well as extend the nest counts and diet studies, next year. Additionally, the ministry will be devoting more resources to studying the birds' impact on mainland lakes across Ontario in the coming year. "We are designing an inland lake monitoring program for very large areas," said Mr. Abraham.

He said it's "not a surprise" that cormorants are moving inland, "given the alewife collapse" in Lake Huron, but "what we want to explore is whether they are establishing colonies on the lakes or if it's just non-breeding birds coming in to feed. We're trying to get ahead of the birds."

MTO minister swings  through Little Current

by Michael Erskine

MANITOULIN-Ontario Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield came to tour the Island's highways last Friday, spending over eight hours travelling the roads and meeting with local politicians and officials before settling in at a friend's cottage for a weekend of rest and relaxation.

"It is wonderful to be here on your lovely Island," said Minister Cansfield, "especially as I am going to take the opportunity to spend some time this weekend sitting on the deck with my feet up and enjoying your wonderful sunsets."

Despite being a self-described "wuss," the smartly-dressed minister gamely braved Friday's rain storm to climb the steep stairs into the control room of the Little Current swing bridge. While atop the bridge, Minister Cansfield got an in-depth explanation of how the bridge functions and the work recently completed on the structure and its controls from swing bridge operators Ron Lewis and Colin Beckett.

Northeast Town Mayor Joe Chapman squired Minister Cansfield around his municipality for much of the afternoon following lunch at Little Current's Garry's Restaurant, with a trip along the Highway 6 connecting link, upon which work is to begin shortly, a visit to the bridge and a stop to inspect car seats at the Northeast Town fire hall.

"It was a great pleasure to host the Minister for the day," said Mayor Chapman. "It is important to recognize that the MTO portfolio is one of the most important positions in the provincial cabinet, so we are very grateful that she came and personally inspected our requests for highway upgrades. I first met the Minister in Ottawa and I was very pleased that she accepted the invitation to come and visit NEMI."

The morning hours of Minister Cansfield's visit were devoted to a three-hour tour of the Island's highways, including a trip down the Meredith/Cardwell Street corridor which connects the community of Wikwemikong to Highway 6, and which has been a jurisdictional nightmare for the Township of Assiginack and the federal and provincial governments, not to mention a travelling obstacle course for the residents of Wikwemikong and Assiginack.

"We went bumpity, bumpity, bump down the road," said Assiginack Reeve Les Fields, who hopes the trip will impress upon the minister just how dire the situation there actually is. "We appreciate the interest and concern the minister showed for our predicament and we are hoping that, with her help, we can find a solution to this very serious challenge."

The corridor, while actually a municipal responsibility, requires so much work, including widening and upgrading, that it lies beyond the capability of the tiny muncipality-but the jurisdictional quagmire it represents has so far stymied the best intentions of politicians at all levels.

Most of the minister's visit, however, featured much smoother sailing, and she expressed a delight in being able to visit a Northern community to get the view from the ground.

"Now I can say I know what those roads are like, because I have driven on them," she said. "I have always said to my cabinet colleagues that there is more to Ontario than just what you find below Highway 7."

Minister Cansfield also stopped by the Northeast Town fire hall during her 'official' visit-getting an opportunity to take part in a baby seat inspection and meeting police, health and social service agency members.

Manitoulin OPP detachment commander Bruce McCullagh took the opportunity while meeting the minister to discuss the concerns of rank and file officers who work on Ontario's rural highways.

Commander McCullagh noted that 60 percent of the collisions in the Manitoulin area are a result of deer-car interactions, and he had a suggestion involving a British highway program the minister took quite seriously-calling one of her aides over to take note of the suggestion.

The program, called 'Wolf Eyes,' uses a simple reflector in high-risk deer crossing areas to simulate a wolf's eyes. Activated by approaching car lights, the inexpensive reflectors use the deer's natural defense instincts to scare them away from the path of approaching vehicles.

"Detective Constable Steve Redmond first brought the idea to my attention," said Commander McCullagh. "He has seen it being used in England quite successfully."

While the minister's tour was clearly a 'feel good' event, with a number of photo opportunities designed to highlight the minister's presence in a positive light, Minister Cansfield also charmed her hosts by displaying an attentive and empathetic ear to the concerns they voiced.

"It was a very good day," agreed Reeve Fields, who went on to add that the minister came to visit Manitowaning's 130th fall fair, without fanfare or media photo-ops, the following Saturday afternoon. "It was very nice," said Reeve Fields, who happened to be at the Assiginack arena when Ms. Canfield came through. "She was just being another visitor admiring the quilts and other entries without any fanfare or special attention."

EDITORIAL

Terrorist focus a curious commentary on the times

It is an old political trick-ancient even in the days of Caesar-to focus on an external enemy in order to unite or distract the populace from problems at home.

The past week's media focus on the horrors of 9/11 shows just how caught up we in the West have become with a preoccupation with those who would murder and kill innocent people in the name of God, politics and culture.

Wacky conspiracy theorists deftly dull the logic of Ocam's Razor and try to place the blame for the horrific attacks-in which fully-loaded passenger jets were crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001-on President Bush, or even President Clinton, rather on the misguided murderers and those who sent them on their missions. That is utter nonsense and sadly illustrates how the television generations have been so insulated from the brutality of the acts on their video screens that they can sit calmly as armchair analysts and blithely entertain themselves with wild conjectures.

It is fine to dislike the policies of George Bush and his advisors; it is perfectly right to disagree with those policies and to oppose them non-violently in a free and democratic society. But to accuse one of the leaders of the Western World of the kind of brutal assassination of his fellow citizens, as the conspiracy nerds would have us believe on the basis of flimsy or completely erroneous information, is morally and intellectually reprehensible.

The world was a nasty and deadly place before 9/11-despite our peace-induced denial-and it remains so. But each and every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are murdered at the hands of their fellow citizens in a country which largely still practices the ultimate of punishments for those crimes. It is a fact that does not diminish the horror of 9/11, but it is also a fact that should make us think that perhaps our greatest threat comes, not from without, but from within.

There will be further atrocities committed by terrorists in the years to come, and a vigorous offensive to stop them will be a far more effective deterrent than any defence through curtailment of civil liberties can ever be, but armies, missiles and bomber jets in the sky will not defeat that terrorist threat, any more than those same tools could stop thugs in the street from committing murder with a black market handgun for the sake of a rock of crack cocaine.

For now, let us all remember those hundreds of thousands who have died for our freedoms, including those within the collapsing twin towers, and not toss aside that for which they perished in timid fear of what might happen.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Gun registry vote looms this fall

Let your MP know where you stand on health, education and gun control

To the Expositor:

Do you have a loved one or even a friend who is awaiting cancer treatment, an urgent operation or treatment for some other health issue? Is the reason for the delay a result of the lack of monies from the government that you and I pour into their coffers daily?

Are you frustrated with the state of our educational system, its bussing, its costs, crowded classrooms, problems with OSAP, the rising costs for university and college?

Remember that the federal politicians are facing a free vote on their return from summer vacation on whether or not to abolish the federal gun registry. The gun registry has already cost taxpayers in excess of  $1 billion dollars.  The Conservative federal government would like to pour more money into it. For your health, your education and that of your family and friends, call your member of parliament with your instructions on what is important to you.

Larry Killens

Mindemoya

Skateboard park fundraising dance well attended

No suggestive dancing or inappropriate dress was in evidence

To the Expositor:

I am writing in response to the letter in the Expositor regarding the teen dance held in Mindemoya over the July 1 weekend ("'Teen dance' for preteens ill-conceived," July 5). I was very surprised when I read this letter because I was at this dance with my 10-year-old son.

This dance was held to raise funds for a skateboard park that will hopefully be built in the very near future for our children. This dance was put on by a very small group of volunteers who are trying to create a space where our children can be children and I am pretty sure that skateboarding is a sports activity. Everyone who helped organize this event was very pleased with the turnout and hopefully another one will be arranged for next year as well.

This dance was very well-attended from children varying in ages from six-10 and was also attended by their parents and grandparents. I watched my son at this dance and I did not see children dancing suggestively or dressed inappropriately, although many had shorts on because it was a hot day.

What I did see was a group of kids dancing with their friends and having a very good time. I saw lots of parents taking pictures and smiling because their children were enjoying themselves with their friends. Sleepovers are still a very "cool" thing for my child but so is being with his friends and listening to music.

There were a lot of parents who attended this dance with their children, and I know for a fact that they did not take their children to this dance to find love or self-respect because they have been taught that at home.

As parents, we all try to do the best we can and of course mistakes will be made, but I know I didn't make one when I allowed my child to attend this teen dance.

Hats off to all the organizers for this great time and I know my son can't wait 'til next year.

Pauline King

Mindemoya

A farmer responds to McDermid criticism

Next time you are hungry and eat-thank a farmer!

To the Expositor:

This letter is a reply to Mr. McDermid's letter on September 6 ("Reader invokes a time when streams ran full and free.")

I have worked in agriculture all my life and am proud to be a farmer and would not want to do anything else. Mr. McDermid makes some comments which upset me and should upset all farmers on Manitoulin.

We as farmers are stewards of the land and water and no-one cares more about them than we do. I am not saying we do everything right but Mr. McDermid should realize that in Canada the consumer has the confidence that the food they are buying is the safest in the world.

In many cases, we the farmers, do not even get paid for the cost of production, so I would like to know how we could ever afford to fence off every bit of water and pump or haul it to the cattle. The reality is that if this is forced upon us, there will be few farmers left on Manitoulin.

Next time you get hungry and eat, Mr. McDermid, you should thank a farmer instead of writing a letter about something you know nothing about.

Dave Wood

Manitowaning