MP Tony Clement said he was pleased tohear that the Kearney Graphite Mine has been re-commissioned and will commenceoperations.

The Kearney mine anticipates creating 80full-time jobs, and up to three times more in spin-off positions. The re-openedmine is expected to produce 20,000 tonnes of natural large flake, high carbongraphite concentrate annually for 30 years.

Ontario Graphite has committed to severalsustainability measures when the mine re-opens. Waste rock on the property willbe crushed for third party construction projects. The recycling of 85% of thewater used in the mill will reduce the need to draw water from nearby lakes.

The Kearney deposit contains 43.5 milliontonnes of material.

The Town of Huntsville has announced that the majority of the town dock has been temporarily repaired and will be reopened for public use as of today. The section that is still barricaded continues to be off limits to the public.
The Municipality hopes to have this last section temporarily repaired in time for the July long weekend.

The province will be doling out $18 million dollars between several communities in the province that suffered damage during the spring floods.  The town of Huntsville has applied for $3.4 million dollars and that number may rise with the news that the town dock has suffered damage to the tune of over $1 million.
Besides Huntsville, Lake of Bays and Bracebridge qualify for assistance from the province. 
For personal property loss, the town must help set up a provincially mandated committee to operate at arms length to raise funds and distribute them to affected homeowners.  However anyone living in a flood plain is disqualified for relief.

King St. residents packed the council chambers yesterday inopposition to a re-zoning of the Hart House that would see additions to thebuilding almost triple the size square footage of the historic home.  The owner wants to build a 3000sq ft homeoffice adjacent to the existing building and along with a granny suite, indooroutdoor pool and other upgrades.

Neighbours counter that the home business is more of acommercial entity that would cause significant congestion on local roads andinterfere with their enjoyment of their own properties.

Two of the five members of the committee came out againstthe re-zoning when a motion was made to defer the decision to a May 27thcouncil meeting.  Mayor Doughty remindedcommittee members that the owner has the right to demolish the original HartHouse under current Heritage rules. The decision was referred to council on May27^th.

The Huntsville Planning Committee gave the go ahead for a new 100 unit residential complex at the corner of Hanes & Centre Streets yesterday.  But many residents from Vernon View Condos off of Legacy Lane already concerned about traffic on the private road,  implored the committee to restrict the use of Legacy Lane to current users.  Residents say sight lines and increased traffic would greatly increase on the already dangerous road if the new complex were to use the private roadway instead of Hanes Rd.
Mayor Doughty has also made it clear that Hanes Rd access would be preferable; however that decision would be made at a later stage in the development.

This is the last day to apply to the town for the spring tree planting program for 2013.  The town is asking residents to pay 50% of the cost of planting a tree on their property to help make our town more beautiful.  The trees will be installed by the town, along the front of your property to help give the area a more urban forest look.
The scheme is part of the Urban Streetscape Tree Planting Program and details and the application form can be found on the town’s website at www.huntsville.ca

With the real threat of a strike by LCBO workers before the Victoria Day long weekend, the provincial agency is strongly suggesting drinkers stock up before next Friday’s strike or lockout deadline.
 

“In advance of the first long weekend of the summer, customers are encouraged to shop early for the best product selections,” Bob Clevely, LCBO’s senior vice-president, retail operations, said in a statement released Friday.
 

“Customers entertaining this weekend can avoid any possible service disruptions by shopping our stores early and stocking up,” he said.  The LCBO says regardless of the status of labour negotiations, all LCBO stores — except for some locally-owned agency stores — will be closed on Victoria Day, which will be celebrated on May 20 this year.

Yesterday Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound – Muskoka took the opportunity to support a motion calling on the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to undertake a review of the current  Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program.

Miller said that “We are talking about a program that dates back to the 1960’s” Miller said that there is some room for improvement, particularly to meet the needs of small rural communities where it may not be possible to raise sufficient funds.

Under ODRAP, funds raised locally for relief efforts are matched by up to 2 to 1 by the Province. Through the application process however, these funds are not available immediately, when the support is often needed the most.

“There is real frustration in the communities affected by the recent floods.” Miller said. People have pulled together to work through these tough times, and it is important that they get the support that they need”.

The Muskoka Fire Chiefs advise that the Fire Danger Rating for Muskoka is now set at MODERATE.  Small fires are permitted in most  areas of Muskoka keeping in mind that no daytime burning is allowed. You must have adequate tools and water to extinguish the fire if the need arises and you must be with your fire at all times.

Senior Climatologist David Phillips of Environment Canada is the first speaker in a new series called the Environmental Lecture Series being offered by the University of Waterloo and Education Huntsville.  Phillips will be asking the question “Whats up with your weather” on May 15th.
The series features 4 other speakers that cover topics from sustainable forestry to energy to black bears.
Tickets are $10 per lecture or $40 for the series.  For more information visits www.uwaterloo.ca/waterloo-summit-centre . Tickets are available at www.algonquintheatre.ca

A grade four student from Pine Glen School who is a victim of child sexual abuse is leading the way tomorrow on the Victor Walk in Huntsville.  The Victor Walk spearheaded by NHL hockey play Theo Fleury, is designed to shed light on child sexual abuse and walks will be held across Canada.

Kealin has made it her life’s mission to help other kids so they don’t suffer like she did and she has become an advocate for children, being quoted in Glamour & People magazines. Kealin will be bringing her message to Prime Minister Harper later this month.

The Huntsville Victor Walk takes placebuilding. on Saturday at noon.  Participants will be meeting at 81 Main St West in front of the Family, Child & Youth Services

The Huntsville Sports Hall of Fame will be inducting 13 new people on Saturday. The event – hosted by HBR’s Grant Nickalls – will be held at the Active Living Centre at 7pm and athletes from a variety of disciplines will be honoured.
In addition 2 people will be tapped for Sports Persons of the Year and the Jan Glenn Award.
Andy Mattice is being inducted for Waterskiing, Don McCormick for Triathlon, Don Stinson for Lacrosse, Ethan Moreau for Hockey, Jim Meridith for Lacrosse, Paul Kennedy for Golf, Shannon Meunier for Figure Skating, Tiffany Finley-Tsuyuki for Wakeboarding, Carl Nelson for Basketball, Bob Wild for Duathlon & George Hoo for Basketball.  Also being inducted for their support of Huntsville Sports are Peter Jacob, & Roy MacGregor.
The Jan Glenn Award will go to freestyle skier Dara Howell and Justin Crawford for his work with Girls Hockey.
The event starts at 7pm and is open to the public.

Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement said yesterday that the Government’s new measures to combat international tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance marks a victory for Parry Sounders and Muskokans who work hard and pay their taxes.
“We are committed to ensuring our tax system is administered fairly for the vast majority of Canadians, and recognize that international tax evasion is a serious issue that hurts law-abiding Canadians,” said MP Clement.
Yesterday Ministers Gail Shea and Maxime Bernier announced the new measures, which include:

• A $30 million investment over five years to increase the Canada Revenue Agency’s audit resources dedicated to international compliance issues
• The creation of a dedicated team to implement the international tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance measures outlined in Economic Action Plan 2013

“Since 2006 our Government has introduced over 75 measures to improve the integrity of the tax system for the benefit of all Canadians.  We are committed to cracking down on individuals who avoid paying their fair share of taxes,” Clement said.

Lake of Bays Mayor Bob Young asked township staff to set the wheels in motion to formulate evacuation routes in case a natural disaster were to occur in the future.  The request comes on the heels of a major flood that saw people stranded as roads became impassable.

Young instructed staff to talk with homeowners in risk areas and formally devise plans for people to make a safe escape if the need arises.

Ontario Disaster Relief officials took it on the chin from the Lake of Bays Council yesterday as the municipality expressed its frustration with the Ontario Governments rules of qualification.  Mayor Bob Young told officials that there disaster relief program was “useless” as it came to light that millions of dollars of personal property lost during the flood would not qualify for assistance.  Young said that 90% of the population on the water on Lake of Bays were seasonal residents who did not qualify for any relief despite paying significant taxes.  Government officials countered with “boathouses are not essential” unless they were part of a marina or other business that would qualify for relief.
Council later approved the application for Disaster Relief Assistance program, knowing full well that the majority of property damaged would not qualify under the government’s rules.

Lake of Bays CAO Don Chavellier is retiring after a long time career with township that  started in 1994.  The announcement was made by Mayor Bob Young following a closed session at yesterdays council meeting.  Chavellier started with Lake of Bays as treasurer, but held other positions including tax collector, deputy clerk, clerk & emergency management co-ordinator before assuming the top job. Chavellier will leave on August 30th.

Residents affected by the flood watched the proceedings at yesterday’s council meeting as councilors voted in favour of submitting a request for disaster relief from the Province for area residents. 
But that doesn’t mean that most of the affected homeowners will be eligible for funding.  The province has stringent guidelines that won’t fund homes built in a floodplain.  Those who do qualify will have the basic necessities replaced only and will have to apply through a independent committee that will have to raise funds for families affected.  The Province will match all funds raised $2 for every dollar raised by the community.

The Town of Huntsville has revealed its new Sustainable Huntsville logo. The new logo, uses three colours and the infinity symbol.  The Sustainable Huntsville logo will appear wherever sustainability projects are taking place in the town.
“The new Sustainable Huntsville logo will help us better communicate to residents the efforts that community groups are making to improve our town” Deputy Mayor Scott Aitchison said.
Rebecca Francis, Huntsville’s Sustainlibility Co-coordinator said that corporately, the Town of Huntsville is also making great strides in becoming more sustainable in the way they conduct business.

The after effects of the flood will before council today as they meet to discuss Ontario Disaster Relief.  Public Works will be presenting a report that will try to outline the scope and cost of damage to roads and other town infrastructure.  
The town must file a request for relief within two weeks of the flood in order to be considered for funding.  The Provincial Government has indicated that a fund will made available for disaster relief, but a number of communities have been and still are affected by this year’s rush into spring.  How Huntsville will qualify for funding has yet to be determined.
The full cost of repairs is expected to top $1 million.

MPP Norm Miller said the Government continues to spend more than we can afford following yesterday’s budget. Miller said that spending continues to grow by 3.6 billion dollars this year while economic growth is predicted to be just 1.5% and the deficit will go up to 11.2 billion dollars.
 “At a time when there are over 500 000 Ontarians out of work and a nearly $10 Billion deficit
that needs to be addressed, our province needs a bold plan to move forward on the right path, he said.
It is disappointing that the new spending plan appears more concerned with appeasing the
NDP than taking the measures that are necessary to get Ontario back on the right track”
Miller concluded.

The Muskoka Fire Depts advise that the Fire rating is now set at HIGH.   Extreme caution must be taken with all open flames. Small fires are permitted in most rural areas of Muskoka keeping in mind that no daytime burning is allowed. You must have adequate tools and water to extinguish the fire if the need arises and you must be with your fire at all times. Consult with your local Fire Department for outdoor burning regulations in your municipality.

Ontario’s minority Liberal government is set to unveil its budget at Queen’s Park, today, one that will likely include a number of measures aimed at appeasing the NDP and keeping the government alive.
Finance Minister Charles Sousa will deliver the budget at 4 p.m.
The Liberals have gone out of their way to secure NDP support for the budget, knowing the Progressive Conservatives vowed to vote against it even without seeing the fiscal plan.
The budget will reduce the number of large companies eligible for an exemption from the employer health tax, one of the NDP’s key demands.
Sousa also plans to delay tax breaks for big businesses set to take effect in 2015, and has written to federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to request a three-year extension.
Sousa has already announced the budget will set a target for a 15 per cent average cut in auto insurance premiums, but will not mandate an across-the-board reduction in rates as the NDP requested.
The budget will also include $295 million to cut youth unemployment, $185 million to reduce wait times for homecare, and $100 million to repair roads and bridges in rural and remote communities — all areas the NDP wanted addressed.

The Town of Bracebridge is assisting property owners and tenants with the clean-up of damage resulting from the  Flood , will be issuing Waste Disposal Vouchers to provide free access to the Rosewarne Transfer Station in Bracebridge.

Property owners who do not have insurance coverage that would compensate them for solid waste disposal costs and require the town’s assistance will be able to obtain a voucher to facilitate the disposal of debris from the flood.
Mayor Graydon Smith said that property owners who are not able to obtain assistance from their insurance carrier will be helped by this initiative.
The vouchers can be picked up at Town Hall.