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SDHU
issues boil water warning for Gore Bay
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by Neil Zacharjewicz
GORE BAY - Higher than acceptable levels
of turbidity have led the Sudbury and District Health Unit (SDHU)
to issue a boil water warning for anyone utilizing the municipal
water system in the Town of Gore Bay. The order was issued by
Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury and District Medical Officer of
Health, on Monday, September 24. "There is no evidence of bacterial
contamination," Dr. Sutcliffe noted. "However, tests are being
done." Turbidity is best described as the presence of suspended
tiny particles which scatter light and make the water appear
cloudy. These particles are made from matter such as clay, silt,
spores, plankton and other micro-organisms. The concern with
the elevated level of turbidity in the municipal water system,
she explained, is that it may inhibit the effectiveness of Gore
Bay's chlorination system. It is believed the high levels of
turbidity may have occurred due to high winds and rainfall.
It is expected that the advisory will remain in effect until
such time as turbidity levels return to normal. The SDHU pointed
out the order is only being issued as a caution until it can
determine that the disinfection capacity of the chlorine has
not been compromised. Under a boil water advisory, residents
who take their water from the system should not drink the water,
use it to brush their teeth, or use it to wash foods, such as
fruits and vegetables, which will be consumed without cooking.
Water should be brought to a rolling boil, and allowed to boil
for one full minute. The water is considered safe for bathing
and washing clothes. Electric kettles should not be used for
boiling water if they have an auto shot-off because they do
not keep the water boiling for a full minute, the SDHU noted.
Furthermore, only water which has been boiled and cooled should
be used for brushing teeth or washing vegetables and fruits
which will be eaten uncooked. If the disinfection capacity of
the chlorine in the water treatment system was compromised,
Dr. Sutcliffe indicated, there may be bacteria present which
could cause diarrhea. She suggested people should take the same
steps they would take anytime they suffer from similar symptoms.
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Wiky-Killarney
ferry proposed
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by Diana Smith
WIKWEMIKONG---An air of optimism was the mood
of the evening during a public meeting held last Thursday in
Wikwemikong to inform people of the logistics surrounding a
Wiky-Killarney ferry proposal. Peggy Young, of the Ministry
of Northern Development and Mines, Stig Purchell of FedNor,
Band councilors, and interested public made up the audience
for this presentation. The Mariport Group, represented at the
meeting by its President Christopher Wright, are an advisory
service for Ports and the Shipping Industry. They have extensive
experience working with Ferry Systems and have been doing quite
a detailed evaluation for the two communities involved with
the proposed ferry. They have been involved with the evaluation
process step by step from the choosing of the site for the Ferry
terminals to the selection of the actual ferry itself. Also
doing a presentation was Charity Clarkin an ecologist with ESG
International. The prospective site for a ferry terminal in
Killarney ended up being the Channel Street Cove location, situated
between the General Store and Killarney Mountain Lodge, with
access from Commissioners Street. The Wikwemikong location was
at Prairie Point. The crossing is nine and half miles in length.
Mary Lynn Odjig, of the Wikwemikong Development Commission's
Business Development Officer, commented, " This project was
one of two identified in a 1999 community survey that the public
wanted to see developed. The other was the hotel resort. Fed
Nor funded the Ferry Study and this public meeting marks the
end of that study. This is the first of several public meetings
and on going consultations." Mr. Wright said the Prairie Point
location is ideal for several reasons, not only will there be
ferry docking, but a small cruise ship dock will run off the
ferry dock into deeper water and will be able to accommodate
cruise ships for shore excursions. There is also room at this
site for the Wiky Marina to be reestablished from its present
site. The Marina has been closed to larger boats for several
seasons due to low water and silt build up. It has been identified
that there is a lot of opportunity for walk-on traffic from
Killarney Park for day-trips. A ferry has been located in Quebec
on the Gaspe, called the Trois Rivieres, that is for sale at
a good price ($750,000), in good condition and would be perfect
in size for this operation. Size was definitely a consideration
both economically suiting the projected market and because of
the Killarney location negated too large of a boat. The ferry
of choice can carry 50 vehicles, has a capability for one or
two coaches and can hold 200 passengers. A season capacity of
nine months from April through December could see 107,000 vehicles
and 439,000 passengers aboard the ferry. In a shorter term of
six months (still longer than Chi-Cheemaun) the ferry can still
be economically viable. It will probably be recommended that
the ferry run for six months at the beginning, and extend running
time as the market increases The market study for this project
shows automobiles will be attracted from between Manitoulin
and Highway 69 and 17 via 64/17. Band travel to and from Point
Grondine and Highway 69 will be available. Killarney travel
to and from the Island as well as walk on traffic from Killarney
Provincial Park will have an impact. Add to this the potential
of coach circle route tours. A conservative assessment on market
size using a low traffic flow in 1994 still shows a favorable
outcome, and a more liberal analysis suggests base traffic would
probably be 50 per cent higher. Out of a potential 39,000 visitors
to Killarney Provincial Park a conservative 25 per cent of those
could be considered interested in day trips to Wiky. Coach tours
still note access as a problem for visiting Manitoulin. Using
coach tours to Sault Ste Marie (350) as a range finder, Mariport
Group felt there is a potential of 82 coaches using the new
ferry. Analysis shows the establishment of this ferry has its
strengths, it would cut driving time between Manitoulin and
Toronto, scenic tour possibilities for Highway 17 travelers
via creation of a circle tour for travelers, and increased local
spending therefore strengthening community economies. On the
down side, competition with all road routes and the Chi-Cheemaun
could be a problem, as would continued improvement of Highway
17 and further decline in lake levels. Potential growth in motor
coach business, development of RV business and increase traffic
flow for Killarney and Wikwemikong were all seen as opportunities
to be created by a new ferry. A season pass for people would
be under consideration. Fees will be competitive and variable
pricing can be used to entice passengers to go on slower days,
therefore increasing the maximum use of the ferry. Reasonable
expectations show the first year of operation will see one third
of expected travelers, two-thirds the second year with capacity
coming to full expectations in the third year. The economics
impact of the project (eliminating the already established marina
in Wiky), there is a 3 per cent internal rate of return expected
on the investment shared between Killarney and Wikwemikong.
As well, jobs will be created, hopefully between 22 to 24, with
18 of those from Wikwemikong and Killarney. Jobs like that of
Captain and other licensed personal might come from off Island.
Another spin-off might be a Three Fires resort and Conference
Center. And increased traffic to the Anishinabe Historical Village.
Tent and Trailer Parks, increased store business, and an increase
in galleries were some of the prospective spin-offs. One word
of caution did come from Mr. Wright, "People can't just fold
their arms and wait for business to come. You have to work at
creating the reasons for them to come. You have to work to create
the spin-offs and have the programs." Ecologists Charity Clarkin
said that her firm has done a screening level assessment at
both sites. Biological assessments were done on vegetation,
wildlife species were identified as well as bedrock examined.
She identified dredging would not be required neither would
blasting be done. Best management plans will be established,
as well as a fisheries compensation plan. Fuel Spills will be
addressed, fuels tanks will be away from the water's edge, and
a double skinned fuel storage tank is being investigated. Management
for erosion and plans for sediment screening will be addressed.
Mayor Laurier Low of Killarney was contacted as his community
hosted this same meeting with Mariport and ESG the next evening.
He thinks the meeting went well. One concern over availability
of parking was raised. He says this will certainly be addressed.
Mayor Low said, "Now it is up to the two communities to get
together and work out the funding." The Killarney Ferry Committee
met and another meeting with Killarney's Council is emanate
This is the wrap-up of Mariport Group's involvement with the
project. "If there is a decision to go forward as I hope there
will be, we are certainly available to help take it forward,"
Mr. Wright said. "There have been lots of complaints this season
from people not being able to get on the Chi-Cheemaun. This
means more people are travelling to Manitoulin Island, which
is good news for those looking at a new ferry." When asked about
the Mariport Group becoming involved in running the service,
he replied "If a client wants us to do it, we certainly can
do it." If both communities have the electorates and Council
support, the search for funding will begin.
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Radio
Station Little Current to soon boast community radio station
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by Michael Erskine
LITTLE CURRENT---Radio Manitoulin is now
on the air, for testing purposes at least. The Canadian Radio-Television
and Telecommunication Commission has approved an application
for a broadcasting license for a developmental English language
FM community radio station based in Little Current. The new
station will be run by a not-for-profit organization currently
being formed by Craig Timmermans of Little Current. The membership,
management operation and programming will be conducted by members
of the community at large, with a board of directors headed
by Mr. Timmermans being ultimately responsible for adherence
to CRTC Radio regulations. "Oh and there are a lot of regulations,"
laughed Mr. Timmermans. "When I started working on this over
a year ago, the first manual was over three inches thick. The
red tape is unbelievable. Now I know why there are not a lot
of radio stations around." Mr. Timmermans is still finalizing
who the members of his board of directors will be. The new radio
station will broadcast on frequency 101.1 from a low power (1.4
watts) digital FM transmitter based in Little Current, and will
be on-air 24-hours a day officially starting in mid-October,
until then the station will be on-air for testing purposes.
The station programming will be aimed at young adult listeners
and will include music by new and local talent, music not generally
available through commercial stations, local information and
spoken word programming. The station will provide information
on upcoming events, local churches, girl guides and different
sports teams. "We are already working on safety messages for
the fire department and Ontario Provincial Police," said Mr.
Timmermans. "We want to focus on promoting anti-drinking and
driving messages to young people as well." "Peter Nelson and
Laura Baker will be doing the jingles for commercials and community
service announcements for us." Mr. Timmermans said that the
other goals he had in mind for the radio station will be to
create jobs, promote Manitoulin and to have fun. "Life is too
short to not take time to enjoy life," he said. The CRTC license
is for a three-year period, which includes a one-year setup
period, followed by a two-year operating license, renewable
nine months before its end. "The Department of Industry has
to come down and check the transmitter," said Mr. Timmermans,
to make sure we are not drifting into the navigational frequencies."
Mr. Timmermans is confident that the inspectors will not find
anything amiss with his setup. "Communications was part of my
training as a Electronics Engineer," he said. "They had me check
every single connection, every inch of the cable to and from
the transmitter and the antenna for any leakage. They made me
provide the formulae I used to determine the results, everything.
I have been working on this for over a year now." Mr. Timmermans
said the success of the application was due in large part to
the hard work and determination of his wife Lisa and the staff
at his company MSD Computer Corporation. "I couldn't have done
it without her," he said. "She helped me wade through the mountain
of paperwork and forms we had to fill out to get this off the
ground." Mr. Timmermans also said that the extra work by Cindy
Campbell-Madahbee for the not-for-profit MSD Radio Communications
was also greatly appreciated. The application process leading
up to the granting of a broadcast license allowed for community
input, support and objections. Although there were a number
of submissions in support of the proposed station, there was
a single objection, from CKNR-FM's owner North Channel Broadcasters
Inc. North Channel Broadcasters Inc. owner Walter Hume noted
that CKNR is the only commercial radio station to serve the
Algoma/Manitoulin market completely and that the services the
applicant indicated they would deliver to the area were already
supplied by CKNR as part of its commitment to the area and noted
that there was no provision in the original application for
Aboriginal broadcasting. Mr. Hume also cited concerns about
the fragmentation of already dispersed radio markets in the
North. Mr. Timmermans noted in his reply that he had met with
Chief Patrick Madahbee of the Sucker Creek First Nation and
assured him that Aboriginal language programming will be part
of the new station, a service Mr. Timmermans pointed out was
not included in CKNR's programming. Mr. Timmermans pointed out
that the station will only be broadcasting to a market of 1,575,
barely .02 per cent of the 40,000 person market CKNR serves.
"We don't pose a threat to CKNR," said Mr. Timmermans. "We even
offered to rebroadcast their news feed free of charge." The
CRTC was satisfied that Mr. Timmermans answered the concerns
raised by Mr. Hume when it granted the license. Mr. Timmermans
plans to eventually expand the range of 101.1 FM to cover the
entire Island as a multi-community not-for-profit station. "But
we are going to get the kinks out of the system first," he laughed.
The new station will be providing a venue for local artist's
music and Mr. Timmermans encourages anyone with a CD to contact
him about having their work added to his playlist.
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