Over the past several years membership has steadily declined, as has participation in the monthly meetings and volunteer efforts to help support the many events and activities that the board delivers to the community, according to the group’s new president.

“There are a number of things that would stop, and who’s going to pick them up?” asked Chris Franklin, owner of the Futher-Franklin Funeral Home in Wellesley.

Chris Franklin, the newly elected president of the Wellesley Board of Trade, is worried that declining interest in the group will threaten its long history of community works. [james jackson / the observer

After the board received zero nominations for the position of president this year, Franklin volunteered for the position because he didn’t want to see the board dissolve, along with all the positive contributions it makes to the community. Its events not only help support the community, but help local businesses through promotion and networking opportunities.

Franklin was voted into the position unanimously by those present at the meeting.

A number of factors are likely contributing to their decline, said Franklin, a member of the Board of Trade for the past three years. He and other members believe that younger parents in the village are often so busy with their children, their families, and other extracurricular activities that they simply don’t have time to attend their monthly meetings, which start at 7 p.m.

He also said that as the community has grown over the years, many residents take advantage of the events held by the Board of Trade but perhaps fail to understand who exactly is responsible for them each year.

To help remedy that problem they have begun a self-promotion blitz and advertising campaign to spread the word about who the group is and what they offer the citizens of Wellesley and the surrounding area.

Another issue is the aging demographic of the members; at 48 years old, Franklin said he is one of if not the youngest member, and they need to attract a younger core of participants.

Franklin said that they cannot let the group fold, even for one year, if they want to ensure its long-term survival.

“If it folds it would be a lot harder to get it started again than it is to find new members. People will find other things to do,” he said.

For more information on the Wellesley Board of Trade, visit http://wellesleyboardoftrade.com/ or contact Chris Franklin, chris@futher-franklinfuneralhome.com.

“We are launching early because our biggest task is getting the message out and getting as many people back to participate in the 75th anniversary as possible. That’s the total objective,” said Mike Forler, one of the organizers and the co-op coordinator at EDSS. “We have started our campaign two years ahead to recruit as many people as we can.”

The reunion committee would like to see as many former students return to the hallways of the school as possible.

“We have such a wide range of ages and our rational is that we want to see young people, people in their 30s and 40s all the way up to the 80 years old,” said Forler. “Obviously some people have moved away from the area, but they still have connections here so we are using the grapevine, tapping into the grandparents, parents, and friends to help contact everyone and get them all back.”

At the launch to be held May 30 at 11 a.m., alumni teachers along with the reunion steering committee will be giving all the details of what former students of the school should expect at the 75th anniversary reunion.
The kick off will take place in front of the school’s new sign placed in the University Avenue U at the front of the school.

“It will be a great way to kick off the entire event,” said Forler

The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1989 and had more than 3,000 people attend. For the 75th event organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout.

“The last reunion was hugely successful and really big and we are aiming for more attendees for this next one and are aiming to go through so many more generations.”
Organizers are hoping for a whole cross-section of former students to attend the event.

“We don’t just want people from 50 or 60 years ago we would like to see this become a real community event,” he said

“This is about the community; the focus should not be just on the school. Our committee, which is made up of many alumni, has laid out a great program for everyone to enjoy and we are excited to share it with everyone at the launch.

“We want to be completely inclusive as possible and our goal is to not leave anyone out from the celebration who wants to come.”

“Studies have shown that such signs are effective in lowering speeds in both the long term and the short term,” said Dan Kennaley.

A 2010 traffic study showed 55 per cent of eastbound traffic exceeded the 50 km/h speed limit (with some 15 per cent doing more than 70 km/h), while 25 per cent of westbound drivers did so. The speed signs are the preferred traffic-calming measure, as stop lights or all-way stops are not warranted given the amount of traffic, he explained.

The township has already undertaken a passive measure, painting lines to effectively narrow the lanes, which encourages slower travel.

While supportive of further investigation into the use of the signs, estimated to cost $2,000 to $4,000 apiece, councillors had reservations about Kennaley’s plan to complete another traffic monitoring study.

Such studies are typically carried out with the township’s own equipment, but there’s already a backlog of locations to be monitored, so the plan is plan to contract out some of the studies this summer, Kennaley said, adding his department is looking into the costs.

Noting that it’s clear drivers are speeding on Whippoorwill Drive, Coun. Julie-Anne Herteis said the township will have to do more than it’s done so far – “people just aren’t paying attention.”

Mayor Todd Cowan went beyond that, suggesting traffic lights, stop signs or even speed bumps would be more effective than the radar signs, which could just become part of the background ignored by drivers.

Complicating the matter is a conflict between the township’s designation of Whippoorwill as both a no-truck route and collector road, which would be expected to carry truck traffic, said Kennaley. There will be no change to the truck prohibition in the foreseeable future, however, as Woolwich wants to keep construction vehicles off of that road during the development of the sprawling Lunor subdivision on Church Street West.

As there’s no room in this year’s budget for any of the proposed traffic-calming measures, any changes would have to wait until 2013 at the earliest, he added. In the meantime, the township will be talking with other municipalities about their experience with the dynamic speed display signs.

Addressing township council May 22, WYSC president John Collinson said the ban would be a logical extension of the smoking prohibition already in place at Ontario schools and their play areas. Some 18 municipalities in the province have outdoor smoking restrictions in effect, he added, pointing to the likes of Barrie, Midland, Welland and Woodstock.

Elsewhere, Ottawa last month banned smoking at all outdoor restaurant and bar patios, city-owned parks, playgrounds, beaches, sports fields and fruit and vegetable markets. Hamilton this month rolls out a smoking ban on all city-owned properties used for recreational purposes.

Karen Makela, director of recreation and facilities, oversaw a similar ban with her previous employer, the City of Elliot Lake. The process here would involve public input into such issues as where smoking would be prohibited and how much of a perimeter would be set up around play areas.

Mayor Todd Cowan said the township should brace for a backlash from smokers.

“There will obviously be a minority that disagree with the suggestion we have,” replied Collison, likening the expected reaction to the initial resistance to a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars.

While acknowledging there will be negative feedback, Coun. Julie-Anne Herteis argued most smokers would see this as the proper thing to do, especially with kids involved.

“Parents don’t need to smoke right there,” she said, noting smokers can move away from the sidelines to more appropriate spots.

If the prohibition is adopted, the township would likely use a “soft sell” approach to winning compliance from smokers. Signs with kids reminding adults that ‘we play here, please don’t smoke,’ typically prove effective, said Makela.

This week, however, chief administrative officer David Brenneman said the visa situation has yet to be sorted out, which means the township may have to go back to the well.

“If the position becomes vacant, normal practice would be that the township would proceed with a recruitment process to fill the position.”

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the employee is responsible for obtaining a work visa. The township, however, is responsible for obtaining a labour market opinion (LMO) from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada stipulating that the job is open to foreign workers due to a shortage of qualified Canadians. That process is still underway at the township.

This is the latest turn of events in what has become a controversial hiring. Koning, who is a friend of the mayor, beat out some 120 other candidates despite a résumé that does not seem to line up with the qualifications stipulated by the township when it advertised for an executive assistant to the mayor/council and corporate communications assistant.

Both Brenneman and Mayor Todd Cowan have defended the hiring of Koning, calling her the best-qualified candidate. They have, however, refused to discuss her qualifications. But publically-available information shows Koning is listed has having graduated from the University of Cape Town in December 2010 with a degree in film and media production. In an online forum for ex-patriots, she listed her profession as video production assistant. In Canada on a temporary visa that is to expire next month, she had been working as a waitress at a Kitchener restaurant prior to joining township staff on Apr. 26.

Citing privacy issues, the township has refused to discuss specifics of Koning’s qualifications or the visa issue. Officials have also declined to discuss the pay scale for an administrative assistant’s job – $43,000 to $53,000 a year, plus generous benefits – that are out of line with HRSDC data for similar jobs in the private sector. The township position pays about 50 per cent above private-sector averages for administrative assistance jobs – about $35,000 – and much more than entry-level offerings, which run closer to $25,000. Executive assistants, with more experience and responsibility, can earn closer to the range offered by the township, according to figures available from federal employment websites
Pay levels for the new position, the same range as existing administrative assistant’s jobs at the township, were approved by councillors during budget deliberations in February.

The total compensation package for the position is the equivalent of about a one per cent tax increase, though Cowan notes money was found in the budget without increasing taxes. The extra expense was prorated for 2012, as the job didn’t start until late April.

“It should be noted that council’s support for the executive assistant/corporate communications assistant position did not result in a tax increase of one per cent, rather it was council’s direction that the approval of the new position not result in an increase to the tax rate, and this was achieved,” he said in an email.

In response to questions about the need for yet another staff position, Cowan referred to the original staff report that described the breakdown of duties, a half-time assistant for mayor and council and half-time communications assistant.
“The public expects this council to be more active, responsive and engaged than the previous council, and part-time staff support is needed to help meet this expectation,” reads the justification for the executive assistant.”
No additional rationale was offered.

Previous mayor Bill Strauss, who held the office for 13 years prior to the 2010 election, sees no reason the mayor needs an assistant.

“I just don’t see it as being necessary at all,” he said of the new position in an interview last week, noting that previous staffing levels served the mayor just fine.

“I was happy with the way we operated. There was adequate support staff there at all times.”

This time around, only 16 contestants will be taken, as last year’s starting number of 20 was deemed too unwieldy, said organizer Wendy Richardson, adding there’ll be an afternoon start-time for the event rather than running late into the evening.

Ali Carol was crowned the 2011 winner of Wellesley Idol at the ABC festival last September. [observer file photo

The contest will be judged by Gary Goeree of the Community Players of New Hamburg, Tavistock musician Charlene Zehr and former Idol winner Scott Malloch.

Following the first round, the semi-finalists will square off at the Wellesley-North Easthope Fall Fair on Sept. 11, with the eventual winner chosen Sept. 29 at the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival. First prize is $500, with $300 going to the runner-up and $200 to the singer who finishes third. There will also be $125 awarded to the People’s Choice at the fall fair.

For more information, call Wendy Richardson at 519-656-2961. She’ll take registrations and provide a complete set of rules, as well as answer any questions. Applications are due by May 29.

Add in some prime rib for those who choose not to indulge in the lobster, along with a wide range of salads, potatoes, a secret baked bean recipe and dessert, and everyone is sure to go home with a smile on their face.

“There are two secrets – you need to start with a big fresh lobster and you have to cook it just right,” said Tom Hendrick, committee chair and founder of the event. “We’ve cooked about eleven tons of lobster over those 31 years. When you’ve done so much for so long, you get pretty darned good at it.”

Eleven tons of lobsters cooked to date.

Kiwanis club member Tony Dowling said the event has become a fixture in the community over the past three decades, and is an important fundraiser for their ongoing work in the community, including the Kiwanis Music Festival, the Kiwanis Santa Claus parade, Meals on Wheels, the Kiwanis food drive, the Woolwich Memorial Centre, and others.

Some 500 to 600 people come out annually, helping to raise anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000.

“We’ve had a pretty steady core over the years,” Dowling said.

Aside from the great food, diners will enjoy live east-coast music during dinner, with a DJ and a dance to follow. There will also be a cash bar, and one of the highlights of the evening is the so-called “lightening raffles” for great prizes ranging from sporting events to weekend getaways.

Introduced two years ago, Dowling said the raffle is a real hit. After dinner a handful of ticket sellers are given about ten tickets to sell, but once they’re gone they’re gone, and it usually only takes about two minutes for them to be sold out. Once they are sold the item is raffled off immediately, and the next round of tickets are made available.

“It doesn’t last more than 20 minutes for the whole thing,” Dowling said.

“A lot of time you try to do raffles you lose the crowd because it goes on and on. This is very entertaining.”

The 31st Kiwanis Lobsterfest is on May 26 at Lions Hall in Elmira. Tickets are $39 per person for the early bird seating at 5:00 p.m. or $49 for the late sitting, which starts at 7:00 p.m. For tickets visit Read’s Decorating or call Tony Dowling (519) 669-1281 or email tony@elmirastoveworks.com.

Approximately 4,200 kilograms of BLE 25, a mixture of diphenylamine and acetone used as an antioxidant in the making of some rubber products, and 112 kg of acetone were released Sept. 27, 2010 when a rupture disc burst as designed due to the pressure build-up in the storage vessel. The company subsequently spent $1.7 million to clean cars, houses and other personal property of nearly 300 affected neighbours in the immediate area, as well as its own property.
Since the incident, Chemtura has taken steps to ensure something like this won’t happen again, said plant manager Josef Olegarz.

The company has added new layers of protection, including interlocks, changes to the process alert/alarm system to include visual and audio triggers to allow for earlier detection and new staff training. As well, no processes will run unattended: leading up to the incident in 2010, there were no operators present to heed visual and audible alerts.

As a result of the release, Chemtura reviewed the processes in place throughout the facility, he said.

“We don’t see issues with other parts of the plant.”

Chemtura has also changed its communications procedures so that there are no delays in alerting the public in the event of a problem at the chemical plant. The company was criticized for the slow process following the BLE releases, taking more than four hours to notify Woolwich Township officials. It did, however, inform the Ministry of the Environment and Waterloo Region’s spill centre immediately after the incident.

The incident occurred at 3 p.m., but with the township out of the loop for so long, it was almost 10 p.m. before the Community Alert Network systems was activated, with automated phone calls going out to some 850 households in the area nearest the plant. As a precaution, notification also went out to locations deemed more vulnerable, such as schools and nursing homes.

Facing complaints from residents immediately following the incident, the township laid the blame for the delays squarely on Chemtura.

Olegarz said the company has fixed the process, and apologized for both the release and the lag time in notifying residents. A year and half later, he is satisfied with the cleanup effort, noting he’s not hearing any complaints from residents.
“Everything that could be done has been done.”

Chemtura is still looking for feedback, though: a community meeting has been scheduled for June 19, tentatively set for Lions Hall, to allow those affected by the BLE release to meet with company officials and to learn what steps have been taken in the aftermath.

A full slate of activities is planned throughout the region, from quilting demonstrations, appraisals and workshops, to the now famous Mennonite Relief Sale, which auctions off quilts on the 25th and 26th to raise funds for Mennonite Central Committee projects around the world. Some 200 quilts will be auctioned that day and the event takes up the entire fairgrounds.

“(Visitors) can spend a couple days in St. Jacobs easily, and visiting all the other ones in the area I guess you could be here all week,” Brubacher said with a laugh. Not a quilter herself, she appreciates the hard work and time that goes into each design.

While quilting may have its roots in the Mennonite culture of Waterloo Region and beyond, one avid quilter believes the act of making a quilt has moved past those historical to become almost an art form.

“I think it started out that way, but now there are just as many non-Mennonite quilters as there are Mennonite quilters,” said Irma Buehler, a member of the St. Jacobs Mennonite Church and who has helped out with the event for the past 15 years or so.

“It really has become an art form more so than a utilitarian thing. We’ve taken them off the bed and put them up on the wall.”

The annual Quilt and Fibre Art Festival runs from May 22-26 throughout Waterloo Region and the surrounding communities. For more information on the wide range of activities and classes that are available, visit www.stjacobs.com/quilt-fibre-festival for a complete calendar of events and times.

Yet the systemic-onset form Kandis suffers from is a rarer and more severe type of JA. It occurs in about 20 per cent of all children with JA and affects both boys and girls equally. Kandis’ problem began last August when she started complaining of joint pain and was not able to walk on her own for extended periods of time.

Four days of tests later at the children’s hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, and they finally had their answer.

The diagnosis of arthritis was actually a relief for Kandis’ parents, Bailey Palmer and Ron Braid, as doctors had completed a wide range of tests including a bone marrow tap to check for signs of Leukemia, unsure of what was causing her such pain.

“It was a relief, but then at the same time there was the medication she needed and she had to go for physiotherapy,” said Bailey. “So it was two seconds of relief followed by being overwhelmed with everything else.”

On May 25 the family will be holding a fundraiser called Kickin’ it for Kandis at Lions Hall in Elmira to raise money for JA research and to help offset some of their own costs. The event includes a family fun portion including a bouncy castle, cotton candy, face painting, balloons and a barbecue. There will also be a 19+ dance later in the evening and a raffle table with a wide range of prizes, including a gas-powered lawn mower and weed-eater.

“It will have a stag-and-doe type feel to it so we can include all of our friends,” said Bailey. “Not all of our friends have kids and they want to help out so they are more inclined to come to the later one.”

Kandis is currently taking two drugs for her pain, prednisone and tocilizumab, and her parents are trying to wean her off of the prednisone because of the harsh side effects, including swelling, and they say the new medication is working well. The family receives funding to cover the $25,000 annual cost of the tocilizumab but their insurer is trying to avoid paying for their other drug prescriptions even though the couple is covered under their insurance policy.

They must also pay about $350 every three months for the tocilizumab, as well as their incremental costs of travelling to London and missing work.
Bailey and Ron want to donate the other half of all their proceeds they collect to the children’s hospital which has a partnership with the University of Western. They want to raise $7,500 for a three-year bursary for someone studying JA or who is working towards finding a cure.

Kickin’ it for Kandis is on May 25 from 5 pm to 1 am at Lions Hall. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and $25 for a family. Tickets can be ordered ahead of time or bought at the door. For more information email bailey_palmer89@hotmail.com or visit http://kandisjajourney.blogspot.ca/.