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The Greater Sudbury Police Service Traffic Management Unit (TMU) is undertaking a new program starting January 1^st 2012 intended to address traffic related issues within the City of Greater Sudbury. The intention of this program is to enhance the safety of our roadways and to promote public awareness of proper driving, vehicle operation behaviors and roadway use.

During the month of January 2012 officers will concentrate their efforts on pedestrian safety issues and winter driving behaviors. Officers of the Traffic Management Unit and Uniformed Officers will be attending intersections throughout the City of Greater Sudbury conducting enforcement of pedestrian and vehicle related offences.

The monthly roadway safety initiatives have been identified through public complaints, driver and pedestrian errors identified through the use of collision investigation data and the use of intelligence driven policing.

Officers will be attending at various intersections and roadways that have been identified through research and strategically enforcing those locations.

The results of each monthly roadway safety initiative will be reported through our media partners along with the launch of the next month’s safety initiative.

Safety Tips for Consideration

As a driver

Pedestrian and vehicle collisions can be avoided by following a few simple tips:

• Match your speed to the road conditions, even if it means driving slower than the posted speed limit. That way you can maintain control of your vehicle and have ample time to stop.
• Constantly scan the road for potential dangers. Be especially cautious when blowing snow or heavy plumes of exhaust impair your vision.
• Be when you do stop for pedestrians, understand that it takes time to cross icy streets safely. Give pedestrians the time and space they need, and don't proceed until they've completely cleared the road.

As a pedestrian

Pedestrians must take ownership over their own well being by following basic safety rules:

• Stay on sidewalks whenever possible because they offer protection from vehicles. If you must walk on the road, travel on the shoulder of the left lane, facing oncoming traffic.
• Before crossing the street, you must look left, then right and then left again to see any oncoming traffic. Give drivers enough time to stop in icy conditions and, when the road is clear, proceed as quickly as is practical to minimize your time on the road.
• If possible, always try to cross the street at an intersection. Crossing in the middle of the road, or jaywalking, is extremely dangerous because drivers don't expect to see you there. This is particularly true when snow is piled high on curbs and medians.

Children at play

Snow piled high on curbs and medians is dangerous for kids. Children should never climb these mounds because they risk tumbling onto the road, giving motorists little or no time to react.

As a driver, you need to be cautious if you see kids playing near the road. By slowing down and staying alert, you'll help everyone make it safely into spring.

Biosolids Plant

After a few years of working on this initiative, I am so pleased that the biosolids plant will be coming to fruition beginning in 2012. That will finally put an end to the archaic practice of dumping sewage in lagoons and in our landfill sites.

Sudbury nabs funds for biosolids project

December 19, 2011 - Northern Ontario Business

The federal government will contribute up to $11 million for a new biosolids management facility in Sudbury.
The project will include the construction of a centralized wastewater sludge treatment and biosolids end-product storage facility at the current wastewater treatment plant. The new facility will respond to the current restraints placed on Greater Sudbury's disposal practices; build an environmentally responsible and sustainable plant that is safe to all surrounding communities and residents; and deliver a long-term, modern approach to wastewater management.
FedNor Minister Tony Clement made the funding announcement while visiting Sudbury on Monday. Funding will come from the P3 Canada Fund.

"Canada needs to invest in modern and green infrastructure projects to be a world leader today and in the future," he said in a news release. "Our government believes that public-private partnerships can build public infrastructure faster and provide better value for taxpayers' dollars."

Sudbury will contribute the balance of the funds for the project. Private sector partners will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the biosolids management facility. The private sector proponent will be responsible for financing project costs during construction and over the term of the operating contract.

"The City of Greater Sudbury gratefully acknowledges the Government of Canada for presenting an option to municipalities that effectively addresses the gap between a limited local tax base and the need to invest in aging infrastructure," Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk said in the release. "Once complete, the Greater Sudbury biosolids management facility will be a model for environmental sustainability and responsible economic stewardship."

City of Greater Sudbury Introduces New Committee Structure

In order to make the most effective and efficient use of meeting time, Greater Sudbury City Council has adopted a new committee structure and revised the meeting schedule. These changes will take effect as of January 1, 2012.

The City of Greater Sudbury’s new governance structure will now follow the Standing Committee model. In this model, three permanent committees and five standing committees will report to City Council. These committees are made up entirely of members of Council. Communities that currently follow the standing committee model include: Barrie, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, Oshawa, Ottawa, Thunder Bay and Toronto.

“The Standing Committee model will allow Members of City Council to spend less time in meetings, but spend more time debating policy in a meaningful way,” said Executive Director of Administrative Services Caroline Hallsworth. “Another benefit of this governance model is the expertise gained by Councillors who sit on a particular standing committee. They often become great advocates for that committee’s work.”

Agendas and minutes for all committee meetings are available online at http://agendasonline.greatersudbury.ca .

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Media Contact:

Shannon Dowling, Corporate Communications

City of Greater Sudbury, 705-674-4455, ext. 2539

Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatersudbury

Twitter: @greatersudbury

Backgrounder_Committee Structure.pdf

Committee Structure_Glossary.pdf

Committee Structure-BILING- Nov 25-11.pdf

For Immediate Release Friday, November 25, 2011

Market Square sold

By MIKE WHITEHOUSE, THE SUDBURY STAR

Greater Sudbury city council has agreed to sell Market Square to Laurentian University as the future home of the school of architecture for $3.3 million.

The deal, approved by council Wednesday in a recorded vote, was reached following a couple of days of negotiations between city and university staff.

Laurentian will pay $1.3 million as the agreed fair market value of the property, as well as a contribution of $2 million to build a new facility for the market elsewhere downtown. The total price is $300,000 more than was on the table when the city agreed in principle to sell the property in October.

As well, the configuration of the property Laurentian will be buying is not the same as the one it first approached council with in August.

The university will buy the CP Rail Telegraph Office and assume the tenancies of Allstream and Casa Mexicana, but will not purchase the sliver of a parking lot stretching south along Elgin Street, allowing the city to retain 70 parking spots.

Previously, Laurentian had offered the city $1 million for a larger piece of land, based on the university's valuation of the property, and up to $2 million toward relocating the market.

It was, council was told, a firm offer of $3 million.

Since then, the city has completed its own appraisal of the property based on its revenue-generating potential.

Based on that appraisal, and following a couple of days of negotiations, Laurentian agreed to up its offer.

The $3.3 million the university is offering comes from the school's $41-million project budget.

The $2 million is roughly what it would have cost the university to find and develop a new site, officials said. Offering it to the city now for what is by far the university's preferred site is a worthy investment.

Laurentian will begin preparing for the first 70 students to be admitted to the downtown school in the fall of 2013.

In the meantime, the farmers market will reopen at Market Square next spring for the 2012 season.

The city is also looking for two interested citizens to be a part of an ad hoc committee, which will discuss options for the best location for the new downtown market. That decision is anticipated for early spring 2012.

In a recorded vote, only Ward 10 Councilor Frances Caldarelli and Ward 11 Councilor Terry Kett declined to support the sale, both citing concerns not enough has been done to placate the vendors being displaced from the market.

"The vast majority of phone calls I've received in my ward do not support this sale," Caldarelli, in whose ward the market sits, said.

Immediately following the vote, the city and university issued a joint press release heralding the agreed sale and its benefits for the city and its downtown.

"From its inception, this project was based on a vision of a thriving academic presence in the centre of the city, with all of the creative and economic benefits that will derive from that," Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux said.

"The decision made by city council is a win-win for our community, Market Square vendors and Laurentian University," said Mayor Marianne Matichuk. "I'm very pleased with the work done to move this project, and our city, forward."

mwhitehouse@thesudburystar.com

On November 7^th, the Police Services Board hosted the 26^th Annual Awards Banquet at the Caruso Club to recognize police personnel, concerned citizens, organizations and partners of the Greater Sudbury Police Service.  The following people were honoured at this year’s ceremony.

30 Year Bar – 30 years of exemplary police service –

 Cst. Gayle Cividino

20 Year Medal – 20 years of exemplary police service - Sgt. Tim Burtt, Sgt. John Valtonen, Cst. Dean Brownlee, Cst. Randy Hosken

20 Years Service – Kevin Deforge, Kimberly Desroches

25 Years Continuous Service – Inspector Robert Keetch,

Sgt. Robert Mactaggart, Sgt. Peter Orsino, Cst. Grant Dokis,

Cst. Wayne Gibson, Cst. Albert Lapalme, Cst. Daniel Staneckyj,

Denise Fraser, Marilyn Legault, Karen Levesque, David Sabourin

Auxiliary Unit Long Service – 5 years –

Auxiliary Constable Tyler Cook

10 years – Auxiliary Sgt. Charles Beauparlant,

Auxiliary Sgt. Steven Waytowich,

Auxiliary Cst. Scott Champagne

15 years – Auxiliary Staff Sergeant Jerry Villeneuve

Larry Kilby Memorial Award – Auxiliary Constable Jeffrey Sajatovic – Jeffrey contributed 658.5 service hours to the Auxiliary program in 2010.

Retirements – Sgt. Loretta Ronchin, Sgt. Stephen Walker, Cst. Ron Albert, Cst. James Gibson, Cst. David Linnington, Diane Adam

Heroic Actions – David Ranger – On November 28^th, 2010, David was following a vehicle that went down an embankment and was partially emerged in freezing water.  David crawled into the back set and released the driver’s seatbelt, preventing the driver’s head from being submerged in the water.  He then went for help.

Chief’s Recognition – Roch Lafond – Rocky Lafond is a retired police officer.  Since his retirement he has invested hundreds and hundreds of hours as a community volunteer at our local hospitals, as a driver with operation Red Nose, Rosery Florists and at the 2009 Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference and Global Showcase.  He also volunteered in 2011 at the Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Floor Hockey Championships.

Cst. Linda Burns – Cst. Burns is the GSPS Senior Liaison officer.  She goes beyond the call of duty for the less fortunate in our community, giving of her time and heart to the elderly in need of protection.

Cst. Darin Heffern – On February 3^rd, 2011 Cst. Heffern, while off duty in his personal vehicle, observed a speeding vehicle, swerving on the road and driving dangerously.  He called police dispatch and followed the vehicle at a safe distance until Uniform officers were able to stop the vehicle and take the driver into custody.  The driver’s alcoholic readings showed more than twice the legal limit.

Csts. Shawn Rainville and Lindsey Rhodes – On October 19^th, 2010 Cst. Rainville and Cst. Rhodes were able to locate a missing 13 year old boy in the middle of a pit, surrounded by sand in the bush area off Falconbridge Road.  The boy had been pinned underneath his quad and the officers pulled the quad off him and called for medical services. 

Cst. Ryan Johnson and Paula Johnson – In October 2010, while on vacation in Mexico, Cst. Johnson and his wife Paula assisted a victim of a heart attack, who was staying at the same hotel.  Cst. Johnson performed CPR and he and his wife Paula tended to all the needs of the individual’s wife.

2011 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Floor Hockey Championships Games Organizing Committee – Sgt. Joanne Pendrak, Sharon Baiden, Sgt. Marjorie Jeffery, Rosalie Charlebois, Natalie Corcoran, Severina Bazinet, Melissa Lariviere, Melissa Bamberger, Heather Lewis, Caroline Ross, Cst. Bert Lapalme, Cst. Ken Birtch, Paul Notman, Jeff Kuhn, Irene McCormick, Julia Ahola, Sheila Kelly-Petrin, Alexandra Holmes, Emilia Luczak, Mandy Hryciw, Anna Barsanti, Sarah Burden, Christina St. Onge, Patricia Bleau, Amanda Thirkill, Insp. Todd Zimmerman, Cst. Stephane Brouillette and Special Olympics Ontario President and CEO Glen MacDonnell and Games Advisor Jim Murray

Certificate of Merit – Community Mobilization Unit – Sgt. Marc Brunette, Cst. Ken Birtch, Cst. Randy Hosken

Police Assistance – Jill Riva-Patey – On April 7^th, 2011 a multi-vehicle collision occurred in MacRae Heights.  Jill, a nurse, provided triage and first aid to the victim’s and ensured bystanders remained out of harm’s way as the involved vehicles were leaking chemicals.

Debbie Casera – On May 29^th, 2011 Debbie Casera, a nurse, assisted a victim of a motor vehicle collision where the vehicle left the roadway and rolled over in a ditch.

Mason Family Donation – In 2006, The Mason Family lost their son Jeffrey when he was tragically murdered.  In November 2010, the accused killer was sentenced to 10 years for Manslaughter.  The Mason Family recently approached GSPS to make a donation in Jeffrey’s memory.  This money will be used in the funding of a youth basketball program, coupled with literacy opportunity, run and supported by police mentors.  Frances Mason, John Mason and Mike Mason presented the cheque.

Police-Community Partnerships – Len Walker – Len is an assistant Crown Attorney with the Sudbury Office.  He has attended every training session for Citizens On Patrol since 2005 to instruct new volunteers.  He has also participated as a guest lecturer at GSPS In Service Training as the Expert Crown and has participated on other courses as required.

NOAH – New Opportunities and Hope – Noah is a police advisory committee made up of neighbourhood residents of the Donovan, Flour Mill and Louis Street neighbourhoods, along with community partners and local businesses.  NOAH’s role is to mobilize neighbourhood and community members and engage them in collaborative partnerships with a variety of public and not-for-profit organizations and groups in Sudbury in order to initiate and support sustainable community and social development in the Donovan/Flour Mill and Louis St. areas.

Police – Community Leader – Elizabeth Davis- Elizabeth has been a great asset since she joined NOAH.  She formed a Louis Street sub-committee within NOAH and helped form the Louis Street Association to make the Louis St. area a safer place to live by getting the residents more involved.

City of Greater Sudbury Partnership – Sudbury Transit Services – Sudbury Transit provided transportation services in 2009 for the Chiefs of Police and Police Leaders from across the province as well as in 2011 for the Special Olympics Ontario Floor Hockey Championships.  Sudbury Transit provided services that were second to none.

The Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire – Sgt. Joanne Pendrak,

Sgt. Marjorie Jeffery

Sgt. Pendrak and Sgt. Jeffery have dedicated many years to improving the lives of disadvantaged youth in our community and have worked with Special Olympians for years.  Both are actively involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run and both launched the Christmas event “Shopping with Cops”

Special Tribute – Heather McIntyre – Heather was a treasured friend and colleague who passed away this summer after a very short illness.  At the time of her death, Heather was working in the Property Branch of the GSPS.

November 1, 2011                                                                       For Immediate Release

New Name Unveiled To Reflect New Direction

Sudbury --- To better reflect its mandate as a leading academic health sciences centre, the Hôpital régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital is changing its name to Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord (HSN).

“We are not just introducing a new name, but a whole new approach to health care,” says Dr. Denis Roy, HSN President and CEO. “Over the past year, we have redefined how health care services are being delivered in our region. Health Sciences North / Horizon Santé-Nord is part of that evolution towards a broader mandate in health care that encompasses innovative approaches to patient care, research, teaching and health promotion. “

The redefining exercise was launched by the institution in 2010. In that time, over 1,600 consultations took place with a wide range of stakeholders including front-line staff, physicians, volunteers, community agencies and health care partners both locally and across northeastern Ontario.

“Our new name and vision was transpired from the dialogue we had with our constituents,” notes Russ Boyles, Chair of HSN Board of Directors. “This was a strategic revisioning initiative where we worked together with our stakeholders in reviewing, evaluating and redesigning the health care services offered by our institution.”

“There is no doubt that the new vision for health care in our community is defined in our new name,” stated Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Sudbury MPP. “I am so excited with our new name and logo which not only speaks to where we are today but where we’ll be in the future as we evolve in the provision of health care services for Sudbury and Northeastern Ontario.”

“Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord truly reflects what we have become as an institution,” says Dr. Chris Bourdon, HSN Chief of Staff, Vice President of Medical & Academic Affairs, and an Emergency Department physician. “I have the pleasure of working with front-line health care workers who are embracing and applying the academic health sciences mission of innovative care, research and teaching and it is improving the care we are giving our patients.”

Since setting a direction to become an academic health sciences centre, many changes have taken place within the various programs and facilities of HSN. The former Memorial Site has evolved to become a centre of excellence for outpatient care, where new clinics have been created to help patients manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. An outpatient centre for mental health and addictions has been created downtown on Cedar Street.

One of the managers of the new outpatient services centre applauded the institution’s future direction. “Our transition to an academic health sciences centre is an exciting prospect for every one of us, and we will all reap the rewards,” says Joanne Guizzo, Clinical Manager, Ambulatory Care Clinics. “Who better to research innovative solutions to health challenges facing our fellow Northerners, than the people who live and work here? In partnership with NOSM, we are educating the next generation of health providers and health policy makers. This combination of innovation, research and education will bring world-class patient care much closer to our doorstep.”

A series of surgical innovations are also being undertaken at HSN where procedures not performed in other parts of the province or country are taking place. Earlier this summer, the provincial government announced its approval for a Learners Space at HSN which involves a 20,000 square foot expansion for training medical students and other learners.

“NOSM congratulates Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord for selecting a name that reflects the academic health sciences network of partnerships that contribute to better health care for Northern communities. From the beginning, HRSRH has been a key contributor to the success of NOSM’s model of innovative education and research, and the new name, Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord, speaks to an exciting future of world leading health care, education and research for all of Northern Ontario,” said Dr. Roger Strasser, Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

“Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord is a crucial component in our growing health research cluster in northeastern Ontario,” said Laurentian University President Dominic Giroux.  “Through our collaborative work with the hospital, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and other institutions in health and education, we are together building the foundations of health education and medical research for the future.”  

In describing his Harvard of the North vision, HSN CEO Dr. Roy cites the significant benefits an academic health sciences centre brings to patient care and to the local economy. “There is great economic value in research. Research attracts talent, dollars, business creation and jobs. The spin-off occurs when investigators make discoveries, get patents and create companies,” explains Dr. Roy. “It is also one of the most powerful recruiting tool for physicians and specialists.”

"The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce is very supportive of the evolution of Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord as an academic health sciences centre and the development of a health care hub in our city," says Debbi M. Nicholson, President and CEO of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce. "Not only will it mean a significant boost to our economy and reputation abroad, but we believe Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord will help attract even more health-related investment and expertise to our city, and that's good for all our citizens."

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Backgrounder attached

Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord is grateful for the ongoing support of the community through the Health Sciences North Foundation, the Northern Cancer Foundation and the Volunteer Association.

Contact: 

Dan Lessard

Media and Public Relations Officer

(705) 523-7118, ext. 4

(705) 507-4031 c

dlessard@hrsrh.on.ca

For further information about HSN, please visit our website, www.hsnsudbury.ca

Backgrounder – November 1, 2011

Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord (HSN) is a new approach to delivering the highest quality patient care, research, teaching and learning to our region and beyond.

It is a network of integrated facilities and programs working together for the benefit of our patients, communities, physicians, researchers, staff and learners in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.

The new HSN logo features a stylized DNA helix woven in the shape of an S, to emphasize sciences, santé and Sudbury. The dominant blue helix points towards the northeast, reflecting HSN’s emphasis on the health issues of northeastern Ontario. The interwoven strands of the helix represent the levels of connectivity and cooperation among the partners of the health care corridor at the heart of the HSN concept. A double helix is also an icon for health-related research.

Under the Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord banner are a number of centres, each providing specific areas of care and expertise. The main campus is now known as the Ramsey Lake Health Centre. It is the main site for inpatient acute care. The former Memorial Site is now the Sudbury Outpatient Centre, with an emphasis on outpatient care. The Children’s Treatment Centre continues to provide care for special needs children. The Northeast Cancer Centre is the new identity for the Regional Cancer Program, and the Sudbury Mental Health and Addictions Centre has two locations (Cedar Street, Kirkwood) providing both inpatient and community-based mental health services.

Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord will continue to benefit from the diligent and valuable work of its two foundations. Health Sciences North Foundation will focus on raising funds for the academic health sciences centre, while the Northern Cancer Foundation will raise funds for all matters relating to cancer care.

FAQ.pdf

For Immediate Release Thursday, September 22, 2011.

PRESS RELEASE

Porter Airlines, Canada’s 3rd largest scheduled air carrier, began service in Sudbury in March of 2010 with one

For Immediate Release                                                                   Thursday, June 16, 2011

Walden Public School leads WALK for ALS on Thursday, June 23rd

Walden Public School will lead a WALK for ALS on Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 from 1:40 pm to 2:40 pm. Staff and students will take to the streets, pathways and sidewalks in Lively to raise money for research and services to support those living with ALS and their families.

“We invite the community to join us and help raise funds and awareness for ALS,” said Walden Public School Principal Lesley Fisher.  “In recent years, ALS has affected many of the students, families and friends of Walden Public School. We welcome this opportunity to give to a cause that has touched our hearts.”

This event was initiated by Walden School Council Chair, Bill Clarke.  Chair Clarke is a strong advocate for families affected by ALS and welcomes the opportunity to showcase Walden Public School's community involvement.

The Walden Public School WALK for ALS will be a fun, family friendly event. “We plan to walk down 6th Avenue to Main Street, up Main Street to 9th Avenue, and then back to the school,” said Principal Fisher. 

The Walk has garnered enthusiastic support from Chief of Police Frank Elsner and Fire Chief Marc Leduc. Police and fire vehicles will escort students, staff and guests.

Secure online donations by credit card can be made for the Walden Public School WALK for ALS at the following link:

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=3046860&Lang=en-CA

Donations are also being accepted at Walden Public School, 249 Sixth Avenue, in Lively. For more information, please call 705-692-3602.

ALS is a fatal neuromuscular disease with no known cure, cause or effective treatment. The WALK for ALS supports provincial ALS societies and their programs to help people with ALS and their families, and the ALS Society of Canada’s investment in breakthrough research…help and hope!

Fast Facts:

• Two to three Canadians die of ALS each day

• Approximately 3,000 Canadians currently live with ALS

• In at least 90 per cent of cases, ALS strikes individuals with no family history of the disease

• Between 5 and10 per cent have a familial form of ALS, devastating families for generations

• ALS can strike anyone, regardless of age, sex or ethnic origin

• While the usual age of onset is between 55 and 65, many younger people, often parents, are afflicted

• Nearly 90 per cent of people with ALS died within 5 years of diagnosis. While some live longer, others die within a few short months

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Media Contact:

Lesley Fisher, Principal, Walden Public School

Rainbow District School Board, 705-692-3602.

Festivals and Events Honoured by Sudbury Tourism Partners

The Sudbury Tourism Partnership honoured five volunteer groups at its annual Invite the World gala held at Dynamic Earth last night. This celebration and awards ceremony provides a forum for recognition of past and current event organizers who work tirelessly to offer exciting events and festivals to our community, giving families across the north the opportunity to celebrate our rich history and multicultural diversity.

"Volunteers and organizers of these special events work hard to showcase our city's community spirit," said Ian Wood, Acting Manager of Tourism and Culture for the City of Greater Sudbury. "The City is excited to celebrate the vitality of our very diverse community; it is an honour to reward the efforts of those who made these events possible - and inspired others to take part."

Winners were chosen in five categories: Arts, Culture and Heritage, Sporting, Meetings and Conventions and New Events.  Added this year was the "Chair's Award" for new and significant events. Winners were selected by the 114-member Sudbury Tourism Partnership. 

 Sporting Events:   Sudbury & District Kennel Club & Dog Show
Celebrating its 35th annual dog show in 2010, the Sudbury & District Kennel Club drew hundreds of fans of "man's best friend" to the Coniston Arena last spring to take in the competition.  With over 350 dogs and 14 judges coming from across Canada and the US to compete, it's no wonder this event has been growing in leaps and bounds over the past several years to become an important part of Greater Sudbury's sport and tournament event roster.
 
Meetings and Conventions:  Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards and Conference
The 2010 event marked the seventh annual Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards (NOMFA) and the third annual NOMFA Conference. Since the first Awards Program launched in 2003, Music & Film in Motion (MFM) has had the opportunity to present 84 awards to Northern artists; in addition, more than 1,900 audience members have joined us to celebrate the industry's achievements. This grassroots industry conference features three days of music and film panels, showcases, mentorship sessions and other networking opportunities led by music and film industry professionals across Canada and the North.

Arts, Culture & Heritage:  Northern Lights Festival Boréal
Last year's NLFB event marked 39 years for Canada's longest-running outdoor festival, which has become renowned for its three days of music, food, art, entertainment and activities, with something to suit diverse tastes and all ages.  Proudly bilingual, this festival will take its place in the newly refurbished Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Bell Park this summer - a fitting location for its 40th anniversary event.

New Events:    Theatre Cambrian Dinner Theatre Festival
For its first annual event, Theatre Cambrian's Dinner Theatre Festival provided Greater Sudbury with a new way to be entertained last winter, warming up audiences with a good meal, a nice glass of wine and lots of laughs.  The event offered three different dinner-theatre productions over two weekends and provided an innovative new component to Theatre Cambrian, first established in 1985.  The festival continued to draw audiences this past year with its second annual festival, proving that this new event is here to stay.

Chair's Award:  2010 Ontario Summer Games
The 40th Ontario Summer Games attracted 3, 000 athletes competing in 32 different sports, over 600 coaches, managers and officials along with families and spectators in Greater Sudbury over 4 days of sport.  The success of this event represented hundreds of volunteer hours and the significant collaboration of various groups, with economic benefits indicated at over $5.1 million in economic spin offs and spending within the community.  It's also helped to build our City's resume in the hosting of major events, and will have lasting positive effects on Greater Sudbury's reputation as a fantastic destination for sporting events of all types and sizes.

In 2009, events in Sudbury brought in 210,000 participants, filled more than 30,000 hotel rooms and accounted for more than $44 million in direct spending, supporting hundreds of local jobs.

Last night's gala event also provided an opportunity to encourage participants to enter the newly launched Découvrir Sudbury Discoveries contest, with a chance to win a Sudbury Family Adventure for four.  The contest features an online quiz that challenges locals to test their knowledge of our community's "hidden gems" while perhaps inspiring new visitors to stay longer and explore more of the city this summer.  The grand prize winner will receive two nights' accommodations, four Dynamic Duo Passports for Science North and Dynamic Earth including IMAX and Digital Planetarium experiences, and an Exclusive Sudbury Discoveries V.I.P. Family Adventure Kit featuring more great ways to discover Greater Sudbury this summer.
 
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Media Contact:
 
Kelli Sheppard, Corporate Communications
City of Greater Sudbury, 705-674-4455, ext. 4618
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatersudbury
Twitter: @greatersudbury

Greater Sudbury Transit Launches Real-Time Bus Information Website

The City of Greater Sudbury announced the launch of Greater Sudbury Transit's  "real-time" technology to council on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.  Visiting the enabled website notifies users of when their next bus will arrive at any bus stop throughout the city.

By pointing a browser to mybus.greatersudbury.ca, whether it be from a smartphone, a computer or a tablet, users will be able to check on their next bus, or the following bus and see exactly how many minutes away the bus is.

"This is another example of Greater Sudbury's commitment to embracing technology and City staff's commitment to providing the state-of-the-art services our community deserves," Greater Sudbury  Mayor, Marianne Matichuk, said. "Fuelled by a passion to both serve and provide for this City, the ability to launch an amazing program such as real-time technology, advances Greater Sudbury as a leader in technology and a follower of none."

"This is going to change the way people take the bus," Roger Sauve, director of Transit Services said. "Never before has our ridership had access to this kind of on-the-spot information. This will allow them to anticipate delays, or plan trips based on information that is being constantly updating and pushed directly to their electronic devices."

In 2009 Sudbury Transit purchased a stop announcement system through Nova Bus. This system tracks the movement of all buses in relation to all bus stops and routes. This new system also has the ability to predict when a bus will arrive at any given stop.

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Media Contact:
Kelli Sheppard, Corporate Communications
City of Greater Sudbury, 705-674-4455, ext. 4618
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatersudbury
Twitter: @greatersudbury

For immediate release                                Saturday, May 14, 2011

Finance Committee Discusses Framework for 2012 Municipal Budget

As part of its commitment to the long-term financial sustainability of the municipality, Greater Sudbury Finance Committee met today for a working session to begin discussions around the framework for the 2012 municipal budget.

Some of the main themes and challenges discussed at the session include:
- The desire to maintain low property taxes and ensure financial sustainability;
- The need for additional capital funding to offset current capital deficit;
- Ways to maintain reserves and debt at appropriate levels.

Over the course of the day, the Committee discussed the 2012 forecast, as well as a number of changes that might be implemented to achieve a more streamlined budget deliberation process. The preliminary forecast represents staff’s best estimate of the municipal tax increase for 2012; however, as updated information becomes available through the year, estimates will change. The preliminary forecast estimates a tax increase of 4.5%, which accounts for service level maintenance, inflation, contractual obligations, and costs for programs and services approved in 2011 that will carry over into 2012. The preliminary estimate will change as further efficiencies and savings are identified as a result of the framework identified at today’s meeting, upcoming policy decisions and external variables (such as grants received through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, assessment growth, economic factors including diesel costs, etc.) are defined.

At the meeting, Council identified major themes and directed staff to explore options within those themes to reduce the potential tax increase and find efficiencies. As well, as part of the 2011 budget process, Council has already approved approximately $494,000 worth of reduction options within the framework of fiscal sustainability.

The major themes identified by the Committee for further analysis include: fleet reduction strategy, efficiencies across departments, rationalization of municipal buildings and land, overview of staffing levels, and opportunities to increase revenues.

One of the major topics of discussion at the working session was the need to rethink the budget option process to allow Council and staff more time to review submissions, decide policies, and spread ideas out over time, with the aim of enhancing long-term sustainability, forecasting, and financial planning.

Work on the 2012 municipal budget began in April and will continue until its approval, scheduled for January 2012.

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Media contact:
Eliza Bennett, Corporate Communications
City of Greater Sudbury, 705-674-4455 ext. 4507
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatersudbury
Twitter: @greatersudbury

For Immediate Release Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

VALE Surrenders Willisville Mountain

I am very pleased to be able to tell you that we have succeeded in our quest to ‘Save Willisville Mountain’.

Vale has responded favourably to the petition presented by the Village of Willisville and the La Cloche Mountains Preservation Society. Vale has removed Willisville Mountain, and the areas north named B, C and D, from their aggregate licence #20568.

Willisville Mountain will now be preserved for generations to come!

This is a historic day for Canada, the La Cloche area, Willisville Mountain and the village of Willisville. Vale must be sincerely congratulated for their move to preserve the Willisville Mountain area for our future generations who will enjoy the beauty and spirituality of our area.

It is especially significant with the recent announcement of the new Franklin Carmichael Gallery in Sudbury. The Group of Seven member, Franklin Carmichael, and his contemporaries, along with hundreds of present day artists and photographers make the La Cloche area an inspiration for all.

On behalf of the residents of Willisville, the La Cloche Mountains Preservation Society and their many supporters I applaud Vale on their leadership and resolve to save this pristine wilderness.

Special thanks must go to: Angie Robson of Vale; Ruth Steedman of the MNR; Tom & Linda Kelley of Willisville/Boulder,Colorado; the residents of Willisville and Whitefish Falls; the thousands of people that signed our petition; the Board of the La Cloche Mountains Preservation Society – John Mastin, Brian O’Neill, Kris Puhvel and Ian Tamblyn; and my family – Kerry, Loren, Vanessa & Sam.

Jon Butler
President
La Cloche Mountains Preservation Society
Sudbury Condominium Corp #5 – The Village of Willisville

1-705-285-0823
www.lacloche.ca
http://laclochemountainspreservation.tumblr.com/

--

La Cloche Mountains Preservation Society information

'Visions of La Cloche' by Jon Butler

News Release

2011 ‘Rock The Farm’ Summer Concert Series…New Partners! New Radio Sponsor! The AFM Heritage Society is excited to be hosting our 3^rd annual ‘Rock The Farm’ Summer Series of 5 FREE Concerts, Wednesdays from 6-8pm, outside the Stable, at the Anderson Farm Museum, in Lively.

 “…Our ‘Rock The Farm’ Line-Up is confirmed- starting with Tom Fyfe and the Whiskey River Blues Band June 29^th…We’re keeping our concerts series, low-key and relaxed–with everyone bringing their own chairs or blankets- but plan to add a few surprises this year! Watch for details.”

               Darryl Orser, Chair, 2011’Rock The Farm’ Concerts, 705-692-0703

Thanks to new Partnerships with: FarmOn Alliance/Eat Local Sudbury, Market Square/City of Greater Sudbury, Northern Ontario Agri-Food Education and Marketing Inc. and Greater Sudbury Museums we’re adding a new feature to our 5 Summer Events- a ‘Rock The Farm’ Farmers’ Market, in the Centre Court area, at AFM, from 4-7pm. If there is enough demand to proceed with our Market, it will offer locally grown produce and value-added products (jams, jellies, pickles, flavored vinegars, dry/canned goods from local producers).

 “…Our new ‘Rock The Farm’ market will be relaxed-with farmers/agri-producers selling their produce/value-added products from their vehicles or tents- a new, mid-week market location in Sudbury West…We are currently recruiting for our Farmers’ Market series…Deadline for Applications is May 13^th, 2011.” Amy Hallman, Chair, FarmON Alliance/Eat Local Sudbury

"With the increasing demand for locally grown produce, Market Square is exploring more ways to connect the consumer to the product.  By introducing a mid-week farmers market at Anderson Farm we are hoping to provide consumers with another chance to buy fresh produce and shop locally…Applications are now being accepted from local agri-producers and farmers. For more information visit www.mysudbury.ca/marketsquare."

                                                           Michelle Fex, Market Square Officer

If you’re interested in applying to be a Farmers’ Market Vendors please contact Amy Hallman at 705-855-5686, Michelle Fex at 311 or Pat Marcotte at 705-694-5686

And the AFMHS is excited to announce our new Partner & Radio Sponsor for the 2011 ‘Rock The Farm’ Summer Concerts and Farmers’ Market- KICX 91.7 Sudbury’s Hot New Country…a wonderful opportunity for the AFMHS, our performers, Community Partners and volunteers!

                                                           Gwen Doyle, CIO, AFMHS 692-3021 

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Gwen Doyle, CIO AFMHS 692-3021

Michelle Fex, Chair, ‘Rock The Farm’ Farmers’ Market 674-4455 ext 4622

NR_budget2011_finalapproval.pdf
 

The Art Gallery of Sudbury Invite You to

Rock With The Boss

A Bruce Springsteen Experience

Tuesday, March 29^th, 2011, Sudbury, ON – Come and enjoy a live concert celebrating the music of Bruce Springsteen, a pre-concert dinner and the opportunity to win incredible prizes. Spring is coming and in anticipation of the warmer weather and the retirement of our winter layers, the Art Gallery of Sudbury is presenting its annual spring fundraising event

Inspired by our natural surroundings and landscape, we’re changing things up a bit and inviting the community to Rock with the Boss as we rock into spring with a theme event featuring Glory Days, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band whose roots are firmly planted in Northern Ontario.  With Vale as the Presenter of this event, what better theme than to take advantage of our natural heritage to Rock!

On April 15th, 2011, please join the Art Gallery of Sudbury and Vale to Rock with the Boss where the dress code is casual and encourages anything from jeans to Dockers.  Our event will be held at Laurentian University’s Great Hall as we kick-off the weekend to the tune of Springsteen’s songbook of musical memories.  Admission includes fantastic food, the opportunity to win incredible prizes and extraordinary entertainment.  This promises to be an unforgettable evening in signature “Rock” style. 

To reserve advance seating for your team to enjoy an “Evening With the Boss”, please contact Rosie Horne, Manager, Operations and Development (rhorne@artsudbury.org - 705-675-4871, ext. 222), or Dominique Quinn-Chartrand at the gallery’s Reception (dquinn-chartrand@artsudbury.org – 705-675-4871, ext 221).

Tickets are $100 per person or $700 per table of 8 and available on a first-come first served basis, so reserve your table now before tickets sell out.  Funds raised through Rock with the Boss will support the Art Gallery of Sudbury’s exceptional exhibition and education programs.

About the Art Gallery of Sudbury

The Art Gallery of Sudbury has announced its plans to build the first ever purpose-built art gallery in the Greater Sudbury Area.  Once erected, and with a commitment from the Carmichael family, the Art Gallery of Sudbury will be renamed the Franklin Carmichael Art Gallery, after one of the Group of Seven.  This new venue will dedicate 14,000 square feet to the permanent collection, national touring exhibitions as well as studio and teaching spaces.  The Gallery offers exciting exhibitions, lecture series, art classes and special events that continue to make the gallery a gathering place for the local community.

The gallery is located at 251 John St.  It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit us online at www.artsudbury.org or call 675-4871.

Media Contacts:

Rosie Horne

Manager, Development and Operations

705-675-4871, ext. 222

e-mail:  rhorne@artsudbury.org

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 8, 2011

AbitibiBowater NAFTA settlement has privatized Canadian water, trade committee hears

Ottawa – The record-setting $130-million NAFTA settlement with AbitibiBowater has effectively privatized Canada's water by allowing foreign investors to assert a proprietary claim to water permits and even water in its natural state, says trade lawyer and Council of Canadians board member Steven Shrybman, in a presentation to Parliament today.

"It would be difficult to overstate the consequences of such a profound transformation of the right Canadian governments have always had to own and control public natural resources," says Mr. Shrybman in his presentation to the Standing Committee on International Trade, which is studying the AbitibiBowater NAFTA settlement from last August.

"Moreover, by recognizing water as private property, the government has gone much further than any international arbitral tribunal has dared to go in recognizing a commercial claim to natural water resources."

In 2008, AbitibiBowater, a Canadian firm registered in the United States, closed its pulp and paper mill in Grand Falls-Windsor, NL. The company asserted rights to sell its assets, including certain timber harvesting licenses and water use permits. These permits were contingent on production. More importantly, under Canada's constitution they are a public trust owned by the Province, not by private firms. So the Newfoundland government moved to re-appropriate them as it has a right to do under Canadian law. AbitibiBowater sidestepped the courts to challenge the Newfoundland government.

"The case clearly put the concept of water as a public trust on a direct collision course with treaty-based corporate and commercial rights. However, rather than defend public ownership and control of water, the federal government has agreed to settle AbitibiBowater's claim," says Mr. Shrybman. "By stipulating that the payment of compensation is on account of rights and assets, the government of Canada has explicitly acknowledged an obligation to compensate AbitibiBowater for claims relating to water taking permits and forest harvesting licenses."

By settling with the company rather than challenging its case, we have no response from the federal government to refute the company's proprietary claims to water and timber rights, explains Mr. Shrybman. The settlement also fails to identify the particular rights for which compensation will be paid, and makes no attempt to exclude any of the company's claims, "thereby acknowledging the validity of the claims."

"Moreover, by recognizing a proprietary claim to water taking and forest harvesting rights, Canada has gone much further than any international tribunal established under NAFTA rules, or to our knowledge, under the rules of other international investment treaties," he says.

A statement by the government that the settlement shall not set a precedent is "entirely ineffective," because of NAFTA's National Treatment clause which grants foreign companies treatment no less favourable than national companies in like circumstances.

"It is not therefore an overstatement to describe the consequences of this settlement as effectively representing a coup-de-grace for public ownership and control of water and other natural resources with respect to which some license or permit had been granted."

Shrybman suggests water takings by tar sands operations in Alberta, a golf course in Ontario or a water bottling plant in Quebec are other examples of where even a partial recovery of water rights by the provinces could detrimentally affect business. If any of these companies were foreign owned they could claim compensation on the same terms granted AbitibiBowater.

***

The Council of Canadians strongly believes there is no place in existing or future trade agreements for such overstretching investment protections. It has repeatedly called on the federal government to reopen NAFTA to remove the investor-to-state dispute process. The Council also recently joined several other Canadian organizations in writing to all members of the European Parliament urging them to reject the inclusion of NAFTA-like investment protections in the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which could be signed by the end of the year.

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For more information:
Dylan Penner, media officer, Council of Canadians: 613-795-8685, dpenner@canadians.org
 
To read Mr. Shrybman's full presentation to the trade committee: http://www.canadians.org/trade/documents/Submissions_AbitibiBowater.pdf

The Advisory Committee to the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board on Multicultural and Racial Relations is hosting the annual “International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination” luncheon.  It will take place at 1200 hrs on Monday March 21^st at the Caruso Club, lower hall, 385 Haig St. Sudbury.

Local dignitaries representing the City of Greater Sudbury, the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board and the Greater Sudbury Police Service will be in attendance.

Local media is invited to cover the event.

Porter adds new service to Windsor and Sault Ste. Marie

MEDIA RELEASE

Feb. 24, 2011

Alliance concerned about river power proposals

SUDBURY, Ont. -- Environmentalists, recreational users and tourism operators have formed a coalition to protect the health of Ontario river systems.

“We are hearing concerns from across Ontario that the provincial government’s Green Energy Act could actually damage our ecosystems,” says Linda Heron, interim chairperson for the Ontario Rivers Alliance. “Like most people in this province, our members thought green energy would involve projects that would produce power without causing environmental harm. But our research indicates that the government needs help in assessing what damage might be caused to our watersheds by energy producers whose prime motivation seems to be profit.”

Heron said that lack of shared information about the impacts of proposed hydro-electric dam projects was a common thread in concerns expressed by participants in the inaugural ORA meeting.  Heron, a member of the Vermilion River Stewardship -- one of 13 river systems represented to date by alliance members – said the meeting attracted attendees from the Muskokas in the south to as far north as Timmins. 

“We heard from marina owners, engineers, paddlers and First Nations citizens—all of whom came together in a common cause:  to speak up for healthy rivers,” she said.  “We feel we can play a key role in raising public awareness about the importance of our most precious natural resource – our water.”

The Ontario Rivers Alliance is expanding its network and canvassing prospective members in advance of a meeting scheduled for April  2^nd in North Bay.

CONTACT:

Linda Heron

Ontario Rivers Alliance

Tel: 705-866-1677

Email:  LindaH@OntarioRiversAlliance.ca

Website: www.OntarioRiversAlliance.ca

News Release

Cross Country Skiing - Ontario Midget Championships, March 5th & 6th

...Hosted by Walden Cross Country Fitness Club at Naughton Cross Country Ski Trails

Walden Cross Country Fitness Club will be hosting the Ontario Midget Championships for Cross Country Skiing on March 5^th and 6^th, 2011. 

This event will attract children between the ages of 10 and 13 years from across Ontario to participate in the activities.  The event will be held over 2 days of racing.  Saturday will start with an Individual Classic race in the morning, followed by a Skate-style Pursuit race in the afternoon.  A Banquet will be held Saturday evening to bring everyone together in a social atmosphere.  Sunday’s event will be Team relays where the children will compete together with their team-mates for their home ski club’s honour.  The Championship events will be held at the Naughton Cross Country Ski Trails. 

This is the second time the Midget Championship has been hosted by the Walden Cross Country Fitness Club for Cross Country Ontario.  The race organizing committee is expecting 150-200 children to come and participate in the event.

For more information, contact Patti Kitler, 705-692-3818,  pattikit@vianet.ca

Len Wiseman,

Secretary, Walden Cross Country Fitness Club,

97 Hillcrest Drive

Lively  ON

P3Y 1A7

News Release

Meet Our 3 New Board Members & See them in Action

…Art, Music & Photos at AFM Heritage Society AGM!

Meet Our 3 New Board Members & See them in Action at the Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society (AFMHS) Annual General Meeting, Wednesday, February 23^rd, at 7pm in the Stable, at the Anderson Farm Museum, in Lively.

Part One: ‘A Celebration of 2010…AFMHS Activities/Events at the AFM’ – will feature brief Reports from our Board members.

“…2010 was a banner year for the Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society- thanks to Long-Term SPONSORS & Community PARTNERS! We hosted: a Media Conference, in the Loft of the Barn, on June 2^nd to announce the major renovations to the Stable- just in time for summer; our 2^nd Annual ‘Rock the Farm’ Summer Series of 4 FREE Concerts; our 4^th Annual Fall Fair/new Farmers Market, with over 4,000 attending the FREE one-day event and our 4^th Annual Christmas Tree-Lighting Celebration, with over 1,000 attending the FREE 2 hour event! And we recruited 3 new members to work on our volunteer board.

 …The 14acre Anderson Farm- bordered by subdivisions, a school and Regional Rd. 24- in Lively, is becoming one of the busiest sites in Walden (Sudbury West)! Exciting achievements for the AFMHS- since incorporation in 2007.”                                   Gwen Doyle, Chief Information Officer, AFMHS

Part Two: Meet our 3 new Board Members & AFMHS Plans for 2011

Andrea Martin, our new Secretary, will give a Slide Presentation of her Photos taken at our 2010 Fall Fair and Christmas Tree-Lighting Celebration.

Kerry Mitchell, President of Walden Art Club will describe their plans -as our Community PARTNERS- to expand and enhance their ‘hands-on’ art/craft activities in the Creighton Log Cabin, for our 2011 Fall Fair. And there will be an opportunity to ‘try your hand at painting’ too.

Darryl Orser, Singer/songwriter/musician and Chair of our 2011 ‘Rock The Farm’ Summer Series of 5 FREE Concerts at the AFM, will give us an update about the 2011 ‘line-up’ for the concert series and perform live.

Our new 2011,2012 AFM Heritage Society Board includes: Brian King- President, Elsie Stephenson- Vice-President, Les Burford-Treasurer, Andrea Martin-Secretary, Gwen Doyle- Chief Information Officer and Members: Kerry Mitchell, Darryl Orser, Sheila Prusila and Reggie White.

     “…I am excited to be involved with a group that combines youth and experience…with new people and new ideas ensuring that our popular events such as the Summer Concert Series, Fall Fair and Christmas Tree-Lighting spectacle continue to grow and evolve…Partnering with Councilor Barbeau, the CGS and community groups in Walden gives us a unique opportunity to bring a sense of family to our communities of Walden”

                                                                   Brian King, President, AFMHS

We hope that you will join us, in the Stable, on Feb.23^rd. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome!

Please park in the Parking Lot and not in front of the Stable.

To learn more about the AFMHS see the AFM page www.Walden-CAN.com and watch for our Articles/Notices on www.URSudbury.com.

For details, call Gwen Doyle, Chief Information Officer, AFMHS at 692-3021

Community Meeting re:  New Walden Family Health Team/Black Lake Rd site

News Release

GREATER SUDBURY FIREFIGHTER WINS WORLD FIREFIGHTER COMBAT CHALLENGE

** Photo attached - Trevor Fera competing in the the World Firefighter Combat Challenge **

A Greater Sudbury firefighter, Trevor Fera, was named World Champion in the "King of the Jungle" category during the World Firefighter Combat Challenge Competition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, November 13, 2010.

This category measures the fastest time for the entire event and Fera, 28, is only the fifth person to complete the course in less than one minute and 25 seconds. Fera's time was one minute and 24 seconds.

"Year after year our team competes with world-class firefighters and continues to come out on top," Mayor John Rodriguez said. "I am so proud to have such a dedicated group of firefighters in this city who work hard every day to keep the citizens of our community safe."

A nine-year member of the Greater Sudbury Fire Service, with three years in the Coniston Volunteer Fire Fighter Brigade and six years as a career firefighter, this was Fera's sixth year on the Combat Challenge course.

"This is just another example of the kind of dedicated and hard-working team we have here in Greater Sudbury," Greater Sudbury Fire Chief, Marc Leduc said. "Trevor worked hard for his accomplishments and is a true testament to the heart and soul our team has. We are all proud of his achievements and the team effort it took to make them happen."

Fera was born and raised in Coniston. He graduated from the Pre-Fire Service course at Cambrian College, and, after gaining valuable experience as a firefighter in southern Ontario, returned to Greater Sudbury.

More than 900 firefighters from across the world were in Myrtle Beach for the Scott World Firefighter Combat Challenge. The challenge attracted firefighters from countries such as New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, Chile and South Africa.

The Challenge, dubbed "the toughest two minutes in sports," seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the profession's rigors to the public. Wearing full bunker gear and the Scott Air-Pak breathing apparatus, participants simulate real-life firefighting by climbing a five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 79 kilo (175 pound) "victim".

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Media contact:
Marc Leduc, Fire Chief
Greater Sudbury Fire Service, 674-4455 ext. 2771

Join us at the Anderson Farm Museum Dec.11^th

…For Our 4^th Annual Christmas Tree-Lighting Celebration!

The Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society (AFMHS), The City of Greater Sudbury and Ward 2 Councilor- Jacques Barbeau invite everyone to join us at the Anderson Farm Museum, on Saturday, December 11^th - for our 4^th Annual Christmas Tree-Lighting from 6–8pm It's a real old-fashioned community event- with outdoor and indoor activities for people of all ages! Last year the site was packed with 1,000 people!  

“…I would like to invite all residents of CGS to share with us the spirit of Christmas at the AFMHS Tree-Lighting Celebration. A night of celebrating and welcoming the magical season with our friends and families in true community spirit.”  Councilor Jacques Barbeau

There will be FREE Family Fun from 6-8pm.

At 6:15pm we’ll all gather– in front of the Greater Sudbury Firefighters’ decorated Christmas Float- and listen to Christmas Carols & Songs performed by Choirs from Ecole St. Paul, St. James School & R.H. Murray PS. Then we’ll have our Official Tree-Lighting Ceremony- followed by performances by Walden PS Choir & Lively District Secondary School Choral Group and members of the Greater Sudbury Firefighters Choir.

In our newly renovated Stable: Warm up, have a FREE Hot Chocolate and cookies and visit Santa Claus by the fireplace. Visit Santa’s helpers in the Granary and see our Display of Vintage Toys. And outside: sliding & winter fun for kids, a Fire Truck & Volunteer Firefighters Crew, FREE rides on a Horse-Drawn Wagon , or walking through the snow with Santa! 

“ …Thanks to the CGS, all our Business Sponsors & Community PARTNERS the 4^th Annual Christmas Tree-Lighting is sure to be another magical, Christmas celebration! Admission is FREE…Donations of non-perishable food will be collected for the Walden Food Bank. …Although there is NO Parking on Site you can park along Main St or 1^st & 2^nd Ave. or in the Walden Arena Parking Lot…Watch out for the horse-drawn wagon. We hope you’ll join us at the Anderson Farm Museum, in Lively” Mary Barr, Chair-AFMHS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, November 17, 2010

 Home Instead Senior Care launches Be a Santa to a Senior campaign

SUDBURY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010 – Home Instead Senior Care^Ò has launched its Be a Santa to a Senior^Ò campaign. This year the organization, which is the world’s largest provider of home care and companionship for seniors, hopes to collect and distribute more gifts to seniors in Sudbury than ever before. Seniors gift requests are expected to be up this holiday season as more seniors on fixed incomes struggle to keep pace.

Lisette Wirta, of Home Instead Senior Care, expects to collect and distribute 250 gifts in Sudbury through this year’s program.

Home Instead Senior Care, which has 29 locations across Canada, makes Be a Santa to a Senior a reality by partnering with local retailers, non-profit agencies and volunteers from the community. This year retailers and community partners such as CCAC, Zellers (South End and New Sudbury), Hart Store (Downtown, Hanmer and Chelmsford), The Parkside Centre, Big Brother Big Sister and Meals on Wheels, are taking part in the program.

Throughout North America, the program has attracted upwards of 60,000 volunteers over the past six years, distributing 1.2 million gifts to more than 700,000 deserving seniors.  According to the 2006 census, more than 1.1 million Canadian seniors aged 65 and up were living alone, and 28 per cent of all seniors in private households were living alone. Be a Santa to a Senior isn’t only about gifts. The program is designed to give back to deserving seniors, as well as help stimulate human contact and social interaction for older adults who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.

There have been extraordinary stories over the years about seniors whose holiday season has been joyous and whose lives have been touched by the Be a Santa to a Senior program. A woman, who was very independent and lived in her own home, requested a wheelbarrow that she could not afford, to help her bring in her firewood for the winter. Though an unusual request, the woman was ecstatic that her dream came true when she saw her shiny, red wheelbarrow with a big bow on it standing next to the Home Instead Christmas tree.

Another woman requested her favourite brand of perfume. When she received her gift, she cried tears of joy explaining that every Christmas her husband used to buy her the perfume. Since he passed away, she had no one to buy it for her and couldn’t afford it for herself.

“There is no shortage of seniors who would benefit from Be a Santa to a Senior. Most people aren’t aware that there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of seniors in every community who have no family and are alone,” said Wirta. “What’s more, this holiday season finds many seniors struggling because it’s been a tough year economically.”

The program runs from November 13^th through December 15^th, here’s how to get involved:

1.      Visit the website www.beasantatoasenior.ca. Enter your postal code to find the location of a participating store.

2.      Remove an ornament, which has a gift idea printed on the back, from the Christmas tree in the store.

3.      Purchase a gift.

4.      Give both the unwrapped gift and ornament to a store employee.

Be a Santa to a Senior has a knack for bringing out the best in people in the community. For example, last year an employee with a major hospital saw a tree with Be a Santa to a Senior gifts and ornaments at a retailer that was taking part in the program. She thought this was such a great idea that she introduced the program to her department, which then collected more than 100 gifts for deserving seniors. Likewise, when a cable TV station devoted an entire segment to the Be a Santa to a Senior program, the producer was so touched that she encouraged her own station to select Be a Santa to a Senior as its charity to support in the holiday season. The staff provided gifts to over 60 local seniors.

“Last year we experienced unprecedented giving in our community,” Wirta said. “We hope to reach out to even more seniors this year with gestures of holiday cheer and goodwill.”

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help out on the gift-wrapping day, contact Lisette Wirta at (705) 523-1600.  Businesses are encouraged to contact Home Instead Senior Care about adopting groups of seniors. For tree locations in your area, or for more information about the program, log on to www.beasantatoasenior.ca.

In Canada, there are 29 independently owned Home Instead Senior Care offices. In addition to Sudbury, there are 19 in Ontario – 10 in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as in Ottawa, Peterborough, London, Windsor, Waterloo, Kingston and Barrie. Five are in B.C. – Kelowna, Port Coquitlam, Vancouver, Victoria and White Rock. There are also locations in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Halifax and Charlottetown. Services include companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and escorts for errands and shopping. Home Instead Senior Care services are available at home or in care facilities from a few hours per week up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Founded in 1994 in Omaha, the Home Instead Senior Care^® network is the world's largest provider of non-medical in-home care services for seniors, with more than 900 independently owned and operated franchises in 14 countries spanning four continents. Home Instead Senior Care local offices employ 65,000+ CAREGivers^SM who provide more than 40 million hours of client service each year through activities including companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, errands and shopping. Home Instead Senior Care founders Paul and Lori Hogan pioneered franchising in the non-medical senior care industry and are leading advocates for senior issues throughout the world. At Home Instead Senior Care, it’s relationship before task, while continuing to provide superior quality service that enhances the lives of seniors everywhere.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Mary Ann Freedman

Freedman & Associates Inc. for Home Instead Senior Care

Tel: 1-866-453-6824

Email: mafreedman@freedmanandassociates.com

Ten Popular and Economical Gifts for Seniors

1.      Blankets or Throws

2.      Slippers and Socks

3.      Toiletries such as lotions, bath soaps, cologne and perfume

4.      Pyjamas and Robes

5.      Food such as sausages, cheeses and chocolates

6.      Kitchen and Bath Towels

7.      Clothes such as sweat pants, sweaters and underwear

8.      Large-Print Books and Puzzles

9.      Cards and Stamps

10.  Gift Certificates to grocery and discount stores.  Don’t forget companionship services.

Editor: Please credit Home Instead Senior Care

For Immediate Release

For more information on Heart, please visit: www.heart-music.com

For Immediate Release Wednesday, October 27, 2010.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                            Date:  September 23, 2010

Unique Approach Proven to Help Children’s Learning Ability and Self Esteem

Sudbury, ON -- Great Minds ~ Tutor & Life Coach (T.L.C.) recently opened its doors to Sudbury and surrounding area  children and families offering  affordable,  fun services to meet  both the educational and mental health needs of children and youth.  Great Minds T.L.C. is a unique program to this area.

One of the many features of Great Minds T.L.C. is the use of Animal Assisted Therapy (A.A.T.) provided by Cyrus, a Certified Therapy Dog.   Working with a Therapy Dog, is highly effective in increasing children’s attention span, motivation and their ability to focus.   It also helps children to develop confidence and empathy, while reducing depression, anxiety and physical aggression.   A.A.T. is a proven method in helping children increase academic and social-emotional learning.   Strengthening social-emotional skills is critical to achieving academic and personal success.

Using Play Therapy techniques is another innovative approach offered at Great Minds T.L.C.   Play Therapy helps children to communicate their feelings, learn new ways of thinking and behaving and develop healthy decision making skills.  Play therapy is also widely used to facilitate healing from stressful and traumatic events and to build healthy attachments between children and caregivers.

 “Parents are looking for affordable, quality and professional help for their children.  Great Minds  Tutor & Life Coach offers an ideal blend of therapeutic and educational strategies to help your child succeed. We help children with personal, family and school related issues, as well as children with specific learning needs who require the extra support to develop and master their skills and abilities.”                                                                 

                                                                                                                                Elvira Bratfisch CYC Cert., RECE, PTI

                                                                                                                                                Director of Programs

Great Minds Tutor & Life Coach provides accredited, confidential, quality services based on students’ strengths and needs.  For more information, please contact Elvira Bratfisch at 705-919-9878 or email elvira@vianet.ca.

                                                                                                                -30-

Media Contact: Elvira Bratfisch, available for interviews

Business (705) 919-9878  

Email:  elvira@vianet.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

7^th Annual Anishnaabe-kweg Water Journey on September 17, 2010

Relay Style Journey Around Ramsey Lake to Raise Awareness of Water

Sudbury, Ontario 

September 10, 2010

The Water Journey which was created by Ghislaine “G” Goudreau, begins with a sunrise ceremony at the Tipi in Founder’s Square at Laurentian University. After the ceremony, Anishnaabe women and other participants will walk in relays around Ramsey Lake (approx. 20km). They will carry a bucket of water around the lake to raise awareness of the sacredness of water and the importance of keeping the water clean. Upon completing their journey, the participants will gather to celebrate and sing the water song, followed by a Traditional Feast at Canisius Hall, University of Sudbury.  The journey is hosted this year by the Aboriginal Women’s Ad Hoc Sharing Committee.

Today, Water is being polluted by chemicals, vehicles, emissions, motor boats, sewage disposals and the list goes on. Aboriginal women from the Sudbury and District and nearby First Nations gather together for a Water Journey around Lake Ramsey.  Women are guardians of the Water, it is their responsibility to ensure a healthy Mother Earth and keep the Water clean for the future generations. Water is precious and sacred, it is a basic element for life and important for our survival.

The sunrise ceremony will begin at 6:00 am, in Founder’s Square, followed by the Water Journey at 7:00 am.  All people are welcome to the Anishnaabe-kweg Water Journey, including men, as Water is for everyone.  During the Water Journey, participants should walk behind the bucket of Water and Eagle staff to show respect for those items.  Women are strongly encouraged to wear long skirts or a wrap. 

For more information, please contact Randi Ray, Anishnaabe Kweg Water Journey Coordinator  at (705) 690-8423 or waterkwe@gmail.com

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT GRACE HARTMAN AMPHITHEATRE

Construction began this week at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Bell Park. The amphitheatre, which was demolished earlier this year, has been redesigned by Castellan James and Partners Inc., with input from the community. The tender for construction was awarded this week to a local company, Tribury Construction of Sudbury.

The new amphitheatre will feature 450 hard seats and 1,500 soft seats in the grass surrounding the stage. Provisions are also being made to incorporate foundation supports that will allow for the possible addition of a roof over the seating bowl  in the future.

“This is a thrilling moment in our community’s history,” said Mayor John Rodriguez. “I’m excited to see work beginning, and excited to think about the fabulous entertainment that citizens will be able to enjoy less than 12 short months from now. The Grace Hartman Amphitheatre is a piece of our past – but renewed, revisited, reimagined, it will be an even larger piece of our future.”

Work on the amphitheatre is set to be completed by March, 2011. The construction of the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre is made possible by a three-way funding arrangement under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The total cost for the new amphitheatre is $5 million.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be organized in 2011 to celebrate the grand reopening of the amphitheatre.

 

News Release

> CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO AUTHORIZE COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT

> 

> At aspecial meeting of Council today, Greater Sudbury Council voted

> toauthorize a collective agreement negotiated with CUPE Local 4705.

> Thenew contract is a three-year deal, retroactive to April 2010.

> 

> “Bothsides of the bargaining table worked extremely hard to come up

> with anagreement that respects our employees, and meets the needs of

> afiscally responsible and sustainable organization,” said the

> City’sChief Administrative Officer, Doug Nadorozny. “The flexibilities

> andefficiencies that were struck during bargaining will provide value

> formoney, and significantly streamline some of the City’s operations.

> I’dlike to commend all parties for their tireless efforts and

> continueddedication to service to our community.”

> 

> The new deal includeswage increases for municipal employees of 2.5%

> retroactive to April2010, 2.4% in 2011 and 2.3% in 2012. In addition,

> the deal:

> 

> - negotiates significant flexibility to perform the full scope of

> winter control road duties on afternoon and night shift; -streamlines

> the posting process for limited jobs, with the aim ofdecreasing

> turnover within the organization on limited job postings;and

> - introduces flexible shift arrangements for some sections tomatch the

> working schedule of employees to the hours of the day whencitizens

> expect services to be provided or maintenance work to beperformed.

> 

> As part of the agreement, the City and CUPE willalso work together to

> ensure that some work currently being performedby external contractors

> is done in-house, recognizing that municipalemployees have the

> expertise and the equipment to do the work well, andat a lower overall

> cost to taxpayers.

> 

> “It was a long process,but ultimately well worth the long hours and

> effort,” said the City’sDirector of Human Resources and Organizational

> Development, KevinFowke. “An agreement that meets so many needs on so

> many fronts couldnot have been achieved without strong leadership on

> both sides of thetable. I would particularly like to thank Kristy

> Davidson, Rick Lerouxand Mike Brady for their respectful conduct and

> hard work during theprocess. I think it is a credit to both teams that

> we had the courageto move away from some of our original positions and

> by listening towhat was really important, we were able to find better

> solutions thatmade good sense for our citizens and our business”.

> 

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