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Sparks fly at debate
As for tough measures, Villeneuve Robert- son pledged that a Conservative govern- ment “will not fire teachers and direct care workers,” urging voters to reject “fear-mon- gering” by “union bully bosses.” The Tories can balance the budget and cut 100,000 public sector jobs without affecting vital services, she contended. Crack noted the government is investing in an expansion of the Hawkesbury and Dis- trict General Hospital. “I would be afraid for rural hospitals if (Conservative leader Tim) Hudak wins,” said Crack. But Villeneuve Robertson said the Liberals have helped their friends while ignoring “the most vulnerable in our society.” Perso- nal support workers are grossly underpaid, she said, repeatedly relating that her father, former Conservative minister Noble Ville- neuve, a stroke victim, is able to stay in his home primarily because of the support of his family. Crack countered that Hudak has made no commitment to expanded social services. Villeneuve Robertson charged the Liberal government had given millions of dollars to companies from a “slush fund.” Crack re- plied that the money helped create jobs in the riding, support communities and local dairy farmers. The Tories would cut corporate taxes, and would “line the pockets of people who own companies such as Wal-Mart,” stated Crack. Villeneuve Robertson said voters want change after years of scandals and mis- management. Crack said he want to “build communities, not tear down.” Sabourin stressed the need for the region to promote tourism and small businesses. St. Martin said he represented a new voice, offering to donate 50 per cent of his M.P.P.’s salary to the community if he wins.
RICHARD MAHONEY RICHARD.MAHONEY@EAP.ON.CA
Weed wars The good news for milkweed and butterfly larvae lovers is that their favourite weed, a source of sustenance for monarchs, is no longer on the official weed “hit list.” The bad news is that two other invasive plants have been identified as threats to the butterfly population. For years, people have been trying to help out butterfly larvae by maintaining patches of milkweed, which monarchs eat. But the plant had also been identified as a noxious weed, one that could affect crops. However, since it was originally added to the Schedule of Noxious Weeds under the OntarioWeed Control Act, more management options for farmers to deal with common milkweed have been developed. Thus, the milkweed has been removed from the bad weed group. But, two other menaces have emerged – the dog-strangling vine and black dog-strangling vine. The names alone could make a person recoil, gird the loins and reach for the machete. As an aside, there must be a special office somewhere where inventive minds conjure up names for evil flora. What process is involved in imaging a vine that is so vile that it could choke an animal? Where do the names such as giant hogweed, goat’s beard, nodding thistle, come from? Anyway, dog-strangling vine and black dog-strangling vine are aggressive, invasive plants that can interrupt the monarch butterfly’s life cycle. The monarch butterfly is attracted to the plants, but any eggs laid will not survive. All of this information comes from the United counties of Prescott-Russell, our regio- nal government, which has issued its annual warning to property owners that they are required to destroy all noxious weeds on their property. Relax -- if your weeds are far enough away from fields and horticultural operations. But if your unwanted growth could perturb production, you had better keep it under control. The preferred mode of elimination has always been a source of contention. The United counties of Prescott-Russell “strongly encourages” people to use non-che- mical means to obliterate noxious nuisances while the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry roads counties department still sprays herbicides to control roadside growth. Anyone who has ever encountered wild parsnip would understand the temptation to call in lethal, non-green weapons, regardless of their long-term impact on the planet. The wild parsnip looks like a dill plant and has hundreds of yellow flowers. Its effects are brutal. Exposed skin burns, and eventually blisters form. Inevitably, anyone who ventures outside runs the risk of coming into contact with some really dangerous weeds. At this time of year, mowing enthusiasts are in their ele- ment. Lush new grass requires constant grooming and dandelions must be regularly attacked. The zealous cutters have once again resumed their widespread cutting opera- tions. It seems that every year, eager mowers extend their fields of activities further and further, reaching beyond their own property lines, and grooming ditches and clipping shoulders alongside public roads. At the other end of the spectrum, there is a movement to opt for low-maintenance, planet-friendly, soft-impact methods. Instead of maintaining large tracts of grass, many homeowners are going for wild flower gardens. Perennials are a lot of work, but then everything worthwhile requires some effort, right? This is the best time of year for gardeners, despite the hordes of mosquitoes. The days are not yet muggy, the landscape is verdant, seeds are germinating, garden work has yet to become a chore, the sweet smells of lilacs and freshly-cut grass perfume the air. These are the days that we dream of during the long, harsh winter. Yes, it is a time to dream of that perfect oasis, of butterflies, babbling brooks and of hot summer days spent watching clouds and coming up with new names for weeds.
ALEXANDRIA | Sparks flew Wednesday night in Alexandria as six of the seven candidates vying for votes in Glengarry- Prescott-Russell in the June 12 provincial election tangled over a wide range of is- sues. Electricity rates, jobs, taxes, health and support for the handicapped and disabled were just some of the topics debated du- ring the two-hour meeting organized by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. While Liberal M.P.P. Grant Crack and Conservative Roxane Villeneuve Robertson were backed by their cheering sections, New Democrat Isabelle Sabourin, Green Party candidate Raymond St. Martin, inde- pendent Marc Antoine Gagnier and Liberta- rian Darcy Neal Donnelly also occasionally received applause from the crowd that pac- ked the Sandfield Centre hall. On hydro rates, Crack said the Liberals had to invest in the system to repair “decades of neglect” by the Tories, the debt retirement charge would be eliminated by the end of 2015, green energy had to be part of the mix, and that assistance was available to low-income earners. Villeneuve Robertson stated that rates are so high for some, “They must choose between paying their bills and feeding their children.” A Tory government would abolish the Green Energy Act, rely more on nuclear energy and import more power from Qué- bec, she said. The NDP would remove the harmonized sales tax from hydro bills, said Sabourin. The Greens would deal with the “insane” rates by switching to a green energy program that would create jobs while cancelling nuclear power plant refur- bishing, said St. Martin.
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Photo Richard Mahoney
Voters crammed into the Sandfield Centre in AlexandriaWednesday night to fire off questions at six candidates.
Bertrand Castonguay , President, bertrand@eap.on.ca Roger Duplantie , D.G. / G.M., roger@eap.on.ca François Bélair , Sales & Development, fbelair@eap.on.ca François Legault , Directeur de l’information/News Editor, francois.legault@eap.on.ca Yvan Joly , Sales director (Hawkesbury), yvan@eap.on.ca François Leblanc , Directeur (Lachute), francois.leblanc@eap.on.ca Gilles Normand , Production & Distribution Mgr., gilles.normand@eap.on.ca Julien Boisvenue , Layout & Prepress Mgr., julien.boisvenue@eap.on.ca
7 candidates on the ballot A crowded ballot awaits Glengarry-Prescott-Russell voters when they go to the polls in Ontario’s 41st provincial general election June 12. Seven candidates, one more than in 2011, are vying for the support of about 84,600 eligible voters. Incumbent Liberal Grant Crack is on the ballot along with Libertarian candidate Darcy Neal Donnelly, independent Marc Antoine Gagnier, Freedom Party hopeful Carl Leduc, New Democrat Isabelle Sabourin, Green Party representative Raymond St. Martin and Conservative Roxane Villeneuve Robertson. Voter turnout has slipped in recent years. In 2007, about 52 per cent of electors cast ballots. In 2011, the turnout was about 487 per cent. In the last election, Crack won by a 1,372-vote margin over Conservative conten- der Marilissa Gosselin. The Liberal got 17,345 votes, or 43 per cent of all ballots cast, while Gosselin got 15,973, or 39.76 per cent. The NDP, represented by Bonnie Jean-Louis, received 5,721, or 14.24 per cent, while the Greens, represented by Taylor Howarth, received 770, or 1.92 per cent. Libertarian Phil Miller and Carl Leduc got 199 and 164 respectively.
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