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ARTICLES Globe & Mail
Article, Feb. 2,2010
Weed Killer can turn male frogs into females...Study Finds
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/weed-killer-can-turn-male-frogs-into-females-study-finds/article1485580/
Erin Calder
Lake Water Quality Coordinator
City of Sudbury
(w) 674-4455 x 4604
(c) 665-5043
Sudbury groups land provincial money
Jan 21, 2010
By: Sudbury Northern Life Staff
Five local not-for-profit organizations have been awarded a combined
total of $216,400 through the provincially-funded Ontario Trillium
Foundation (OTF).
“These organizations are important to the growth and vitality of our
community,” said Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci, in a press release. “I am
proud of our government’s continued support of local services in
Sudbury.”
The following organizations received funding:
- $19,000 for the Sudbury Canoe Club to expand the junior program with
the purchase additional boats
- $15,000 for the Sudbury Amateur Radio Club to upgrade equipment
- $120,000 for the Social Planning Council of Sudbury to hire a staff
member to support its local poverty strategy to benefit vulnerable
children and families
- $14,400 for the Walden Cross Country Fitness Club to purchase trail
grooming equipment and an all-season rescue sleigh.
- $48,000 for the Whitefish Lake First Nation to purchase fitness
equipment and hire a recreational activities coordinator.
Walden Cross-Country Ski club constructs new chalet
The Walden Cross-Country Ski Club has erected a new chalet on the
property of the Naughton Ski Trails. The chalet is expected to open
mid-January. Pictured is John Mullock, ski club president, Sue Murray,
chalet operator, and Harry Sheppard, ski club board member.
By: Laurel Myers - Sudbury Northern Life
After a relaxing jaunt or an exerting sprint through the Naughton
cross-country ski trails, skiers will soon have a new place to warm up
and unwind, with ample room to stretch their arms and legs.
The Walden Cross-Country Ski Club is building a new ski chalet at the
mouth of the trail system, with improved facilities, and additional
storage space.
John Mullock, president of the club, said the chalet was a necessary
addition primarily because of the rising number of members and day
users.
“We had close to 800 members last year... and more than 700 day users,”
he said. “We have a jack rabbit and junior development program that
involves about 100 kids.”
And once you squished that many kids into the existing 1,000 square foot
chalet, Mullock said there was no room left to move. The new 2,400
square foot chalet could accommodate as many as 120 people.
The membership at the club has been steadily increasing over the past
five years, due in part to the economic accessibility of skiing, as well
as the increased interest in being physically active and healthy,
according to Sue Murray, chalet operator. “People are really wanting to
be fit now,” she said.
Funding for the project has come through various sources, including
$91,000 raised by the club, $20,000 from the city’s stimulus funding,
and $10,000 in corporate donations.
The builders — mostly volunteers and members of the club — put the
shovel in the ground in October. Mullock said the plan is to have the
chalet operational by Jan. 15, 2010.
The additional space will also make it easier for the club to host
regional ski races, as well as provide much needed room to store rental
equipment.
“Last season, we started doing a school program,” Murray said. “There
was probably two classes each week coming out to ski. We had to get more
rentals to accommodate the program.”
The new chalet will be completely wheelchair accessible to accommodate
the skiers who participate in the Para-Nordic program, which the club
launched last year.
“We have more sit-skiers here than they have in most of the province,”
Murray said. “With the Para-Nordic program being centred here, we really
needed a facility that would accommodate them.”
Harry Sheppard has been skiing on the Naughton trails for years and
raved about the quality of the trail system. “They have exceptionally
good trails, and that brings the people from the city out here,” he
said.
The trail system offers one, three, five and nine-kilometre routes, as
well as a three-kilometre loop that is fully lit for night skiing.
Trails are groomed to accommodate both traditional and skate skiing.
The youth racers with the club’s junior development program (aged 14-18)
will offer ski lessons over the holidays as a fundraiser for their
upcoming race season. The lessons will last 45 minutes to one hour and
cost $10 per person.
For more information, phone the Walden Cross-Country Ski Club at
692-2321, or visit www.waldenxc.com
The slots brings more than $600,000 back to Sudbury
October 20, 2009 - Northern Life - Posted online
The City of Greater Sudbury is now $644,665 richer, thanks to the
Sudbury
Downs' slots.
The earnings are the second-quarter share of the profits the city earns
for
hosting the OLG slots at the race track in the former town of Rayside
Balfour. Since opening in Nov. 1999, the facility has attracted more
than
5.6 million visitors.
Each facility hosting an OLG slots-at-racetrack facility receives five
per
cent of the gaming facility's gross slot machine revenue for the first
450
machines, then two per cent for each additional machine. In total, OLG
issues more than $18.9 million in second-quarter gaming revenue payments
to
23 municipalities that host OLG Casinos and OLG slots-at-racetrack
facilities.
"OLD Slots at Sudbury Downs is an important community partner providing
substantial benefits to the City of Greater Sudbury since 1999," stated
Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci, in a press release. "Through the sharing of
gaming revenue, we are able to continually invest in our community and
support local initiatives and programs."
The Sudbury Downs and other racetracks, and their horse people also
benefit,
receiving 20 per cent of gross slot machine revenue split evenly between
both groups. Since 1998, more than $2.9 billion has been shared between
the
groups.
Every year, the Government of Ontario allocates two per cent of gross
revenue from slot machines at casinos and slots-at-racetrack facilities
to
the province's problem gambling program for research, treatment and
prevention programs.
An estimated $39 million will be allocated in 2009/2010.
http://forums.greatersudbury.ca/sudburynews/messageview.cfm?catid=168&threadid=10320
Hike for a Hero(PDF)
Southwest bypass plan cuts access to Hwy. 17: Kett
Date Published | Apr. 20, 2009
Terry Kett, former Walden mayor and Greater Sudbury city councillor,
said plans by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for the
city's southwest bypass will cut off access to Highway 17 for nearby
1,300 residents and businesses. File photo.
Advertisement
Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Bill Bradley
Terry Kett, former Walden mayor and Greater Sudbury city councillor,
said plans by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for the
city's southwest bypass will cut off access to Highway 17 for nearby
1,300 residents and businesses.
“The latest version of the southwest bypass plan has nasty implications
for everyone from Jarvi Road, Moxam Landing Road, and Kanata Road to
every home from Bonnie Drive to Hillcrest Drive in the Mikkola area, as
well as Fielding Road businesses,” said Kett in a letter he is
distributing.
He has formed an action group with other concerned citizens to “protect
our homes, families and businesses.”
He is helping to organize a meeting this Tuesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at
the Kinsmen Hall, which is located next door to the Lively Public
Library.
Here are his points:
-For those in the Jarvi to Kantola area, the latest MTO version (of the
bypass plans) denies residents access to Hwy. 17 at both Jarvi and
Kantola- “think of the implications for school buses, emergency
vehicles, property values and think of getting to work and back or to
shop,” said Kett.
-Up to 15 km would be added to residents' trips to access the bypass,
depending on where they live.
-For those in the Mikkola area, the plan states “Moxam Landing and
Kantola traffic will use the existing means of access (to Lively)
through the Mikkola area" - Bonnie Dr., Patricia, Hillcrest and Mikkola
would get the brunt of the new traffic with huge line-ups at the
Hillcrest or Westview intersections-it would discourage many from
shopping in Lively.
-970 homes would be affected in Mikkola.
-There would be no access for Fielding Road to the bypass - over 1,000
people work on this road - a continual stream of traffic enters and
exits Fielding Road using the bypass- “think of all those Fielding Road
trucks trying to turn left off of RR55 to get to the bypass,” said Kett.
-The plan continues access to Southview Drive using a service road
linking Kantola and Moxam Landing Roads to Jarvi and thus to Southview -
“the plan would force too much traffic to use this very poor quality,
congested road as it becomes the only way to access the south end.
Southview would have no access to the bypass," said Kett.
However, Ward 1 Coun. Joe Cimino said he does not believe Southview
Drive would have a lot more traffic as a result of the plan.
He did agree with Kett that there should be an interchange at Fielding
Road.
“The MTO got it half right. We want no interchange at Southview Drive
and are happy with the flyover we will get. But there should be an
interchange at Fielding Road. I do not agree there should be not be an
interchange there,” said Cimino.
He said Southview Drive residents have complained they were getting
heavy transport traffic off the bypass for years.
Cimino said what the MTO has done is shift the problems Southview Drive
has experienced to the Hillcrest subdivision area.
“An interchange at Fielding would leave Hillcrest the quiet
neighbourhood it has been all along. Instead, they will inherit our
problems with the new plan,” he said.
Cimino also refuted Kett's contention that there should be an
interchange at Southview Drive.
“An interchange at Southview, as was originally presented by MTO, would
significantly increase traffic off the bypass. Residents do not want
that or what exists today.”
He said he suggested to MTO officials that if they put an interchange
in, they should extend the Big Nickel Road to Southview Drive and block
off the residential area, allowing truck traffic to avoid the
residential area on Southview Drive.
“MTO did not want anything to do with that. They do not want to take
responsibility
for the effects their projects will have on the surrounding area.”
Meanwhile Cimino said he has been fighting to reduce existing traffic
congestion on Southview Drive.
“Coun. Jacques Barbeau and I have been co-operating on this since we
were elected.”
He said city council will spend up to $130,000 to calm traffic on
Southview Drive as a way to promote a safer neighbourhood.
He said it took countless phone calls to trucking firms to pull their
trucks away from Southview Drive.
“Southview Drive is a no truck zone, but it has been used as a short cut
to get to Vale Inco by connecting to Kelly Lake Road, then to Copper
Cliff. We have bylaw officers and police out there along with signage to
discourage trucks coming off the by-pass on to Southview Drive. An
interchange at Southview would reverse all that effort and make it
worse.”
Ward 2 Coun. Jacques Barbeau echoed Cimino's remarks.
“I have put a lot of effort into this myself, to resolving this issue.
By having a flyover at Fielding Road, the MTO may be making it safer at
Kantola Road, but they are creating five more problems, especially in
the Hillcrest subdivision area.”
Barbeau said city council will be having further discussions with the
MTO about the issue. “We will be meeting with MTO Minister Bradley in
mid May.”
Cimino and Barbeau said they would be attending Kett's community meeting
about the bypass. For more information on the meeting, e-mail Kett at
terrykett@gmail.com.
Diamond cutting facility to be located in Sudbury
April 6, 2009 - Northern Life - Posted online
Ontario's first diamond cutting and polishing facility will be located
in
Greater Sudbury, creating 50 jobs.
Crossworks Manufacturing, part of the HRA-Sun Diamond Group, which
qualified
for a supply contract with De Beers' Diamond Trading Company (DTC), will
cut
and polish an estimated $25 million worth of rough stones a year at the
facility.
The stones will come from the Victor Mine, located 90 kilometres west of
Attawapiskat First Nation on James Bay.
The facility is expected to be built by later this year, although a
location
has not yet been finalized.
The announcement was made by Minister of Northern Development and Mines
Michael Gravelle Monday.
"This is the first cutting and polishing facility of its kind in
Ontario,
creating 50 highly skilled jobs. Crossworks is a Canadian company, well
respected in their field," said Gravelle, speaking at a Chamber of
Commerce
event at Bryston's on the Park in Copper Cliff.
"The establishment of our factory is a great beginning for us in Ontario
and
will put Greater Sudbury on the global diamond map. As a Canadian
company,
we are excited about the possibilities that this offers the jewellery
industry, the City of Greater Sudbury, the province of Ontario and
Canada,"
said Uri Ariel, president Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd, in a release.
Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci said he was excited about the news.
"The definition of Greater Sudbury has just been broadened. We are still
the
mining centre of excellence for the world, but we are expanding into the
cutting and polishing of De Beers diamonds," said Bartolucci.
"We are getting into value added growth. That expands economic
opportunity
and jobs. This exciting initiative will provide new avenues of
employment
and expertise. It will enhance Greater Sudbury's reputation as a centre
of
mineral excellence."
Mayor John Rodriguez was also optimistic about the opportunities the new
industry would bring the city.
"We are going to add value to a northern resource, some of the best
diamonds
in the world. I am looking at my crystal ball and I can see a cluster of
industries around diamonds, necklace manufacturers for example, just as
we
have had a cluster of hundreds of companies develop around the major
mining
companies here," said Rodriguez.
The diamonds will come a source that is regulated, where the resource is
tapped in a sustainable fashion and where local people in the area can
benefit, said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said negotiations and been underway for almost a year between
the
companies and the city.
"I have to give credit to city staff such as Guy Labine, chair of the
Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, his staff and many other people
in
this community. It was a group effort," he noted.
http://forums.greatersudbury.ca/sudburynews/messageview.cfm?catid=150&threadid=9159
A Boy Needs a Grandma
A boy needs a Grandma to spoil him a bit
Someone with time on her hands who will sit
In an old fashioned rocker that shivers and squeaks
And listen to words that a little boy speaks.
Someone who knows who a gingerbread man
All crumbly and fragrant and warm from the pan
Can comfort a fellow who feels a bit blue
When nothing just right seems to happen to you.
A boy needs a Grandma to teach him the words
That run like a hymn in the song of the birds
Someone who knows where the Orioles go
When the garden is covered in inches of snow.
And only a Grandma remembers to say
“ Now be a good boy” as she tucks him away
Under the covers and pats them down tight
For little boys sometimes get scared in the night.
A boy needs the comforting knowledge of love
Steady and sure as the stars up above
To carry him safely through sunshine and tears
A light in the darkness, a stay through the years.
A boy needs a Grandma to hold in her chair
And give him her blessing by just being there.
Written by Pearl Wolfe, 1857
Brenda Salo’s Grandma
CARP – SUDBURY CHAPTER
On Thursday, January 29, 2009 at the Parkside Centre in Sudbury,
Ontario, Mr. Paul Crawford, community and public affairs advisor for the
Ontario Energy Board (OEB), made a presentation on “What You Need to
Know about Energy Contracts” to approximately 80 in attendance. The
presentation centered around key areas such as: What are your rights &
what actions can you take. A question & answer period followed on all
aspects of these various Hydro, Gas & other types of energy contracts.
The OEB is responsible for regulating natural gas & electrical utilities
& deregulation in 1998 resulted in gas & electrical marketing companies
going door to door requesting consumers to by from them, promising great
savings & fixed rates, which in many cases, weren’t so.
Mr. Crawford’s advice was to do your homework, make sure you understand
what you are signing & take the time to review the materials before you
sign on the dotted line.
Mr. Crawford also had some tips for those contemplating changing
suppliers:
1) You have options as your energy can be supplied by your utility OR an
electricity
Retailer/natural gas marketer.
2) Know who you are dealing with. Agents who come to your door must have
the proper
Identification & show ID with their name, company name & the OEB license
number.
3) Be aware as to when you show your gas/electricity bill(s). You are
under no obligation
(Nor should you), to show the agent a copy of your bill(s) until you are
satisfied with
the process & then agree to sign a contract.
Note:
A) If you have signed a contract at the door, there is a ten (10) day
waiting period in
which you can change your mind.
B) There is also a reaffirmation period within forty (40) days where you
will be
contacted by the energy company who will ask you some questions and if
you answer
“NO” to any, the contract is null & void.
The bottom line is “Buyer beware” as it is very difficult to get out of
one of these contracts, financially, once completed.
ed.
From: "Newspaper Database" <joanne.henri@city.greatersudbury.on.ca>
To: "Joanne Henri" <joanne.henri@city.greatersudbury.on.ca>
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 8:34 AM
Subject: Government uploading programs to save city taxpayers millions
Government uploading programs to save city taxpayers millions
October 31, 2008 - Bill Bradley - Northern Life - Posted online
Mayor John Rodriguez shares a happy moment with Sudbury MPP Rick
Bartolucci
and Greater Sudbury Police Services chief Ian Davidson (on right).
Bartolucci announced Friday a major uploading of provincial programs
city
taxpayers are forced to pay millions of dollars for. Photo by Bill
Bradley.
City taxpayers got some treats prior to Halloween evening.
Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci came to Mayor John Rodriguez's office Friday
afternoon to offer him and local taxpayers a bag of goodies worth $21
million by 2018.
Luckily, there was no trick or hoop the city had to jump through to get
their treats, said Bartolucci.
The City of Greater Sudbury can expect to see costs of Ontario Works
benefits and the Sudbury Court House paid by the province, phased in
over
time, according to a new report by the province.
"For Greater Sudbury, this means $7,938,000 in increased annual benefits
for
social assistance and $1.5 million for court security and prisoner
transportation by the time the upload is complete in 2018," said
Bartolucci.
"With these uploads, the City of Greater Sudbury can build and repair
more
infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, libraries, sewer systems and
water
plants," he said.
Currently, municipalities like Greater Sudbury pay for some provincial
programs directly from property taxes. The Court House security costs -
over $1 million - have been continually an irritant to city councillors
and the mayor, said Bartolucci.
"I know Ward 9 Coun. Doug Craig has been vocal in his opposition to the
city
being forced to pay for policing the provincial Court House. He paid me
a
visit about this matter," he said.
Bartolucci also said there was intense involvement by many other
councillors
and the mayor to get the upload accomplished.
"Mayor John Rodriguez called me every week about this proposal. We
discussed
it intensively," said Bartolucci.
For his part, Rodriguez said it took a lot of courage for the province
to
upload services at a time when the general opinion is that the economy
is in
a tailspin.
"I have never seen a government take this action when everyone is saying
the
sky is falling," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez also appreciated that provincial transfers to the city will
remain
the same in 2009 despite the upload and that future funding formulas
will
have municipalities like Greater Sudbury at the table to work out the
details.
"I find that refreshing," said Rodriguez.
So did Greater Sudbury's financial officer, Lorella Hayes, charged with
keeping the city's finances viable during the upcoming 2009 budget
process.
"It is good news. I appreciate the Ontario municipal partnership fund
will
be intact in 2009. As to how much the city will save in 2009, that will
be
known by December," she said.
http://forums.greatersudbury.ca/sudburynews/messageview.cfm?catid=133&threadid=769
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