|
|
|
Sampling food is still theft!
We watched this person walking around a local grocery store. He didn't just take
the odd grape as some shoppers do. He grabbed small handfuls of items from
the deli and bakery section. That's stealing! (Click on pic to enlarge.)
|
Back to top |
|
|
Rockland's Pierrette Levesque wins lottery
A retired Canada Post employee from Rockland, Pierrette Levesque, is the newest multi-millionaire
after hitting the jackpot and winning $20,113,060.60 from the Nov. 16 Lotto 6/49 draw. She bought the winning ticket
at Grenon Independent on Laurier Street.
Levesque says her only regret is that her husband is not here to share in her joy, as he passed
away almost exactly five years ago. Read more and watch video.
|
| Back to top |
|
Results of the special meeting - Monday, October 28, 2013
1. To discuss the rearrangement of City Halls and Council Chambers
2. Dr. Annie Powers tree, 1887 Laurier Street
(Rockland, Monday, October 28, 2013) After a false start last Thursday (Oct.24) when there were
not  enough council members to make up a quorum (at least five people have to be present), this morning's
meeting included: Mayor Marcel Guibord, and councillors Guy Félio, Diane Choinère, René Campeau
and André Henrie.
The first item was the Powers tree:
There was much discussion but no strong direction and the matter will go back to full
council. Councillor Campeau did make a sugestion that the tree (or Dr. Powers) should be commemorated with a plaque,
which would be put on the property and would then be affixed to any building that may be erected in future. It
was further suggested that the owner of the property, Roger Beaulne, would donate $500 towards the purchase of
a plaque.
Towards the end of this item, the president of the Clarence-Rockland Environmental Society (CRES),
Claude Vachon, approached the table to read a prepared statement regarding the matter, however he was advised that
this was not the forum to do this, and that he would have to appear before the next council meeting (on November
4).
City Halls and Council Chambers:
Couincillor Félio made a motion to spend $150K towards three requirements which would go towards returning
the City Hall to Clarence Creek:
- Communications - upgrading Internet and telephone service
- City Staff - moving certain departments to Clarence Creek and reorganizing others to remain
in Rockland
- City Council - moving the council chambers to Clarence Creek
After some discussion, the motion was agreed to in principle, with the proviso that the money
($150,000) would be included in the 2014 budget.
After a recess, the council members and several department heads, including the Chief Administrative
Officer, returned to the table to begin the budget process.
The following notice appeared on the C-R website later this same day:
The special meeting of the Committee of the Whole in regards to the budget / strategic planning
will continue on Tuesday October 29th at 7:00 p.m. Counsel Chambers - Town Hall
|
| Back to top |
|
Grass roots movement initiated to petition C-R Council
to return to polls and ballot boxes 
By Patrick Meikle
(Hammond, Wednesday, October 23, 2013) Given all of the problems from the E-voting system
in the 2010 election, Rockland resident Jacques Taillefer is heading up a non-partisan movement to start collecting
names for a petition that will be sent to the Clarence-Rockland City Council, with the aim of reversing the voting
system, from electronic voting, to the traditional "personal voting, in a polling station".
Mr. Taillefer (left) was invited by the Hammond Community Association to hold an information
session at the Alphonse-Carrière centre. During the gathering of 14 persons, he:
- outlined his concerns about the problems with E-voting;
- highlighted similar problems and concerns from a June 2013 report by Elections Ontario - Alternative
Voting Techniques;
- presented a copy of the proposed "Petition to the Municipal Council of the City of Clarence-Rockland,
and
- showed a Facebook page "True Vote Clarence-Rockland" where members of the
public can sign an online petition as well as keep abreast of updates and developments
Mr. Taillefer said that he will be working hard in the coming months to have a petition in hand
before the next municipal election in 2014.
The photo at right shows Eric Paquette demonstrating the online Facebook page to Rockland resident
Suzanne Normoyle. (Click on photos to enlarge.)
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Clarence-Rockland City Council met on Monday
(Click on pic to enlarge... Photo: Patrick Meikle)
 By Patrick Meikle
Editor
(Rockland, Monday, October 21, 2013)The meeting started at 6:30 p.m. with the usual opening prayer,
etc., however the councillors soon retired to the anti-room for an "in-camera" session, dealing with
topics (5.1 to 5.4) you can read from the agenda.
When this reporter arrived at 7:00 p.m. the closed meeting was still in session and Inspector
Pietro Di Rinaldo, Detachment Commander, Russell County was observed talking to council members, the mayor, clerk
and CAO. About what? Probably item 5.4, Security Planning.
The "in-camera" broke up shortly before 8:00 p.m. when council members returned to
their semi-circle. Of course nothing about the closed meeting was offered to the public.
The next item to come up was the Question Period (QP), however before it started, Mayor Guibord
advised the public of the conditions of the the QP and to reinforce his comments, he had the Bylaw Director, Yves
Rivard outline in both official languages, what the terms were. (You can read part of the explanation, also shown
under Item 8 of the agenda.
The announcement seemed to have the desired affect because the QP was a much tamer affair than
the one at the previous meeting on October 7.
You should be able to catch the QP on local cable TVC22 website sometime Tuesday, or view it on Tuesday evening if you get Cable
channel TVC22.
Editorial observations:
As per usual, I can only record my observations, as 95 per cent plus of the meeting was conducted in the French
language only and with the rinky-dink sound system, the ambient noise in the chamber, and the continuous
outbursts from the (peanut) gallery (remember Howdy Doody?), it is impossible to give an accurate report. However
without going in to detail, here are some comments:
- the mayor again arbitrarily stopped the QP while there were still people waiting to speak
- someone, or something, literally pulled the plug on the sound system and the main TV camera
that focuses on the mayor, during the QP, so a pee break was called. (This delay and counter questions by some
council members, took up the 30 minutes dedicated for questions, so that three or four people were stopped from
advancing to the microphone.)
- As you know, the council is split four and four (Félio, Choinière, Henrie, Campeau)
-vs- Surrurier, Payer, Desjardins, Thivierge) so when there is a tie vote, the Lord Mayor sides with F,C,H.C.,
so on any of the contentious issues voted upon this evening, you know who won.
- One reliable source advised that prior to the QP, Councillor Payer evidently had a dust up with
Councillor Félio and perhaps the mayor, so he (Payer) refused to participate in the "huis clos"
and was seen sitting all by his lonesome at the table.
- At one point during the long waiting period, around 7:30-ish, several members of the gallery
started to clap their hands, reminding one of a theatre audience when the show doesn't start in time. I guess stamping
one's feet doesn't work on a concrete underlay.
- In case you missed it, only a few saw it, there was a humorous incident at the council table,
when Councillor Thivierge went to take a drink of water from his cup, only to find a fly had drowned in it
- It looks like the council is going to vote on cutting down the famous Dr.. Annie Powers tree
on Laurier Street. (Councillor Payer seemed to express his frustration saying that enough is enough, they keep
discussing this thing and it's time to finish it.
- A person well known to the Canaan Connexion, and part of the City of Ottawa administration, when I covered City Hall in the 1980s, happened to be
at this meeting, and could only voice his "disgust" with the way this council conducts itself, as well
as the way many of the public conduct themselves. I can only agree. (The only worse that I can think of is what
is currently going on during question period in the House of Commons. The mayor and the P.M. must have skated for
the same team.)
- An while we are talking about conduct, what's with all of these men wearing their hats in the
council chambers. I guess I come from a different era, when there was a certain hat etiquette observed... reference...)
- ( this space for news updates...)
Estimating that the meeting would probably drag on until midnight, the Canaan Connexion left the meeting at 9:50 p.m., with many more items
of seemingly less importance, to be discussed.
However, as mentioned above, you can catch all of the exciting action on TVC22.
|
| Back to top |
| |
|
Clarence-Rockland Council meeting a stand off between protesters and a mayor
who will not resign 
Just a few of the protesters waiting for Mayor Marcel Guibord outside of the
Bourget
location for the Clarence-Rockland council meeting - Photos - Patrick Meikle
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Bourget, Monday, October 7, 2013) In a (French) story in Monday evening's online edition, the Vision Newspaper quoted Mayor Guibord
as saying: "It's been three years since we were elected. We were elected for a term of four years. We have
a right and an obligation and we are not obliged to leave here. Read more...
Further coverage:
-
- In a related CBC Monday evening news story, reporter Waubgeshig Rice, live from the Bourget
council location, offered a brief update as protesters started to arrive. More...
- Ottawa Citizen says: ‘We are going to stay’ defiant mayor tells
hostile crowd - Beleaguered Clarence-Rockland politicians face ratepayers at first meeting
since criminal charges laid. To read more and to view the many photos, Click here....
- CBC Ottawa News reports: Protesters call
for Clarence-Rockland mayor to resign - Monday night city council meeting ends abruptly after more than 100 people
turn out to protest. Click here...
- Le Droit reports: "Citizen demand the
mayor's removal" - The French story here...
- MSN/Radio-Canada - French coverage of the meeting, with video.
Click here...
- Local Cable TVC-22 - full coverage of the meeting. Click here...
- For more information on the protest, its fallout and links to other items, you can visit the
Citoyen de Clarence-Rockland
Citizen Facebook page.
- An internet website has also been put up for anyone who wishes to sign a petition requesting
that the three members of council "rescue themselves from their positions of trust as members of Council of
the City of Clarence-Rockland." Click
here...
Who says the Canaan Connexion wasn't there? Can you spot the C.C. Editor?
(Captured by CBC News... click to enlarge)
Clarence-Rockland Council - Continuing News
Roundup:
(These three members of Clarence-Rockland City Council, along with lawyer Stéphane
Lalonde have been charged with breach of trust. Photo collage - Vision Newspaper)
|
|
EDITOR
Patrick Meikle
Canaan Connexion
To follow recent events, we have collected and isolated a number of news items
taken from different sources. Click
here to read our previous stories, including: |
- The results of the first court apperance... click here.
- Clarence-Rockland mulls arrest powers for by-law officers
- Clarence-Rockland councillors ponder handcuffs for unruly protesters at council meetings
- Catholic school board places teacher Diane Choinière on leave in view of Rockland corruption
scandal
- Rockland resident requests "immediate resignation" of certain council members
- Citizen editorial untangles the web in Clarence-Rockland
- Guibord intends to stayon as mayor
- Clarence-Rockland mayor, councillors and lawyer formally charged in political corruption probe
- Daniel Gatien soulagé (Daniel Gatien relieved)
- Former C-R CAO threatens legal action against city
- Clarence-Rockland City Council meets behind closed doors
- "Old guard" responds to mayor's statement
|
| Back to top |
| |
UPDATE on Frank Kenny hit and run:
Vehicle in fatal Navan hit-and-run was likely a dark red GM, police say
(Thursday, September 26, 2013) Ottawa police have released new details about a vehicle
that may have been involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Navan in mid-August. More...
The original story:
 Man killed in hit-and-run in east end On Frank Kenny Road near Navan
(August 2013) A man was killed in an early morning hit-and-run on Sunday. Ottawa Police
were contacted by a motorist who spotted a body in the middle of Frank Kenny Road, near Navan, around 5:30 a.m.. Read more...
|
| Back to top |
| |
Rockland Ontario Provincial Police:
Looking for three suspects in violent home invasion 
(Monday, September 16, 2013) Local Police are looking for three suspects after a violent home invasion
in Rockland on Sunday. It happened on Raymond Street Sunday at about 6:30 p.m.
Three armed suspects forced their way into a townhouse and threatened the male resident. Police said the man suffered
minor injuries, but would not provide further details.
For more information and a description of the men, click here. |
| Back to top |
| |
Another gift from Ottawa...
Heavy rain has sent more sewage into the Ottawa River, which quickly flows east to Rockland and
beyond.
Downpours earlier this week have pushed 6.5 million litres of sewage and stormwater into the Ottawa River. It's
the 29th overflow so far this year.
The City has a plan to build bigger underground storage tanks to prevent the spills, but wants millions of dollars
from the upper levels of government before moving ahead with the project. More...
Speaking of sewers:
On May 29, 1929, a series of explosions in the sewers of Ottawa, Canada, killed one person. Read about it here..
(Click on ic to enlarge.) |
| Back to top |
| |
Ottawa Police charge Rockland man with robbery
(Friday, September 13, 2013) The Ottawa Police Service robbery Unit has has charged an
18 year-old Rockland man after yet another incident on the Transitway involving a cellphone robbery -- this time
at gunpoint.
 On September 10, 2013, at approximately
9:00 p.m., a teenaged male victim met with the suspect at the Fallowfield transit station after a meeting was arranged
using an online site. The victim was selling a phone and was contacted by the suspect. At the meeting, after the
phone was turned over to the suspect, it became clear the suspect had no money and then showed the victim that
he was carrying a handgun. The victim fled the immediate area and contacted Police. Police attended and arrested
the suspect who still remained in the area. There were no injuries. The phone and handgun, determined to be a pellet
gun, were recovered.
Mattieu Poulin, age 18 of Rockland, is charged with robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, use of firearm during
commission of an offence, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. Poulin appears in court again on
September 13, 2013.
Steps
to Deter Smartphone Thefts & Protect Personal Info |
| Back to top |
| |
|
FOR SALE - Blue Jay - Forest Hill
Why are houses not moving?
(This Blue Jay residence is one of several that are up for sale - Photo Patrick Meikle)
Some six to eight houses are up for sale in the Blue Jay and Forest Hill residential areas off
of Canaan Road, but none of them seem to be moving. Why? Is real estate not moving? Are the prices too high? Are
the mortgage conditions too strict for first-time buyers? Will an open house work for this family? Check out the
price and features and take the virtual tour. Click here...
|
| Back to top |
| |
|
OPP charge Blue Jay resident with drug
offences
(What looked to neighbours like a stolen car at the end of a dead end, turned in to a major
drug bust as several police units converged on a home on Blue Jay Drive, off of Canaan Road. Residents reacted
with total surprise when they learned that one of their own had been cultivating a grow-op. - Photo Patrick Meikle)
(Clarence-Rockland - September 3, 2013) Members of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB),
Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) - Project Paradigm, the Russell County Crime Unit, the OPP Emergency Response Team
(ERT), Canine unit and the Russell County OPP Detachment executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search
warrant at a residence on Blue Jay Drive, in the City of Clarence-Rockland Ontario.
Police seized 63 mature cannabis marihuana plants, 2 small cannabis marihuana plants, 7 cannabis
marihuana clones, 72 grams of cannabis marihuana (buds), 2110 grams cannabis marihuana shake and digital scales.
The estimated street value of the drugs seized is approximately $ 65,000.00.
Mark BEDARD, 45, of the City of Clarence-Rockland is charged with:
- Production of cannabis marihuana
- Possession of a Schedule II substance (cannabis marihuana) for the purpose of trafficking.
- Possession of a Schedule II substance (cannabis marihuana)
The accused has been released with conditions and will appear is scheduled to appear in court
on November 6th 2013 at the Ontario Court of Justice in L’Orignal (ON).
|
| Back to top |
| |
|
Clarence-Rockland has a new radio
station... CHRC-FM 92.5
Still testing the local signal but it has put up its website.
(Tuesday, September 17, 2013) Clarence-Rockland's new radio
station, CHRC-FM 92.5 is now on air but only playing continuous music, as they test the local signal. They are
asking residents to contact them by email, "if you experience any signal problems".
There is a link
on their page so you can listen to the music.
CHRC will broadcast an English language adult contemporary format on the frequency
of 92.5 MHz/FM. The station is owned by Evanov
Communications. Read more...
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Other headlines of local interest...
|
Calypso
Water Park is being sued
Former Rough Riders, Renegades season tix holders to get first
crack at RedBlacks seats
North Glengarry man and woman killed on cycling trip in northwestern
Ontario
Brigil plans 15-storey buildings near Petrie Island
Clarence-Rockland one of few hyphented cities in Ontario
High-speed Internet is gaining ground in Eastern Ontario including
Rockland, Bourget
Orléans to get new movie theatres at Town Centre on Centrum
Blvd
Ottawa
councillor wants to set up toll for Rockland drivers going to Ottawa
|
| Back to top |
 Selective
Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) for July:
The Gatineau Police Service and Ottawa Police Service’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) will focus
on cycling safety and unsafe vehicles safety during the month of July
as part of its ongoing commitment to keeping Ottawa’s roads safe.
Read more... |
|
Click here to see links to our feature pages, gas prices,
Ottawa Police Services' monthly S.T.E.P. program..
and all of our more recent news stories.
|
| Back to top |
 Ardeth Wood murder, ten years ago...
Ten years ago, Orleans resident, Ardeth Wood, home for a summer holiday from her university
classes, was murdered. Read our initical coverage of the story here.
And read the sepcial coverage by CBC Ottawa, here. |
| Back to top |
Product recall:
Molson Canadian Cider, glass fragments in bottles
 (Thursday, July 11, 2013) The Canadian
Food Inspection Agency and Molson Coors Canada are warning people not to drink certain bottles of Molson Canadian
Cider because they may contain glass fragments.
Both the single glass bottles and the six-packs are potentially affected. The affected single 341 ml bottles are
stamped with UPC 0 56327 00866 3 and three different bottle codes. The six-packs are stamped with UPC 0 56327 00824
3 and three different bottle codes listed online.
Molson Coors Canada recalled the cider from stores. The CFIA said there have been no reports of injuries.
The Canaan Connexion checked with Rockland's
Beer Store and LCBO and learned that the bottle product was not sold
in either store. The LCBO does sell the cider in cans, however it was only the bottled product that was affected
by the recall. |
| Back to top |
|
Clarence-Rockland:
Former Ottawa mayor named to CAO position
(Photo taken from his Twitter page)
(Tuesday, June 18, 2013) The Ottawa Citizen is reporting that Michel Bellemare, a former Ottawa
city councillor and one-time acting mayor has been hired as the new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the
City of Clarence-Rockland. He will be replacing Pierre Tessier, 68, who is retiring after 18 months on the job.
Read more where we
have a link to his biography...
|
| Back to top |
Watch for horses on rural roads
 (From Orleans EMC News, Jun 20, 2013) According to a story just published in the Orleans
edition of the EMC News, with warmer weather arriving, Ottawa police report an increase in complaints relating
to aggressive drivers approaching riders on horseback.
The police would like to remind motorists, especially those travelling in rural areas, to drive with care when
approaching and overtaking drawn or ridden horses.
According to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, drivers must exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the
frightening of a horse or other animal and to ensure the safety of the rider. |
| Back to top |
Upcoming Queensway(417)/174 ramp closures
and lane reductions if you drive in to Ottawa
(Friday, July 19, 2013) Starting Monday, July 22 there will be additional lane closures on Highway
417 in both directions between Nicholas Street and the 174 split.
The City of Ottawa has put together a long list of upcoming ramp closures and lane reductions on Highway 417 and
Regional Road 174. We offer this information to our readers because many of our residents drive these main traffic
arteries.
You can follow the upcoming ramp closures and lane reductions by reading the City of Ottawa "Media Advisories".
Click
here. (We will continue to pass on this information as we get it.)
 (Wednesday, July 24, 2013) Changes
to traffic movements and overnight lane reductions on Rideau Street... more... |
| Back to top |
|
Click here to read the older news stories and to
visit our main News
and Features page which carries links to all of our website pages.
|
$50,000 reward:
For info in woman’s hit and run death in Fournier
 (March 22, 2012)The Ontario Provincial
Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons
responsible for the death of Jessica Godin, last seen alive on the evening of last Sept. 22 at a park near Du Parc
Street in Fournier.
Read More with a link to a video... |
|
Back to top
|
|
Health Tip: What would you do
if you saw someone who had an apparent heart attack (sudden cardiac arrest)? Would you know how to help? Watch
this video. It could help you to save someone's life. Click here...
(Put your mouse over the scrolling to
stop it)
|
Back to top
|
Your weekly smile
(We provide the occasional slice of humour...)
|
|
(Previous jokes)
|
|
Quotable Quotes
|
Erma Bombeck: “When your mother asks, "Do you want a piece of advice?" it's
a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway.”
(Put your mouse over the scrolling to
stop it)
|
Back to top
|
FYI:
Weather satellite for the eastern seaboard |
|
(Editor's Comment: Sometimes trying to get
weather reports for our area is like trying to catch a firefly... very difficult. I think it is just as easy to
look out the window, or to read the current Farmer's Almanac, but this satellite shot may show what's
coming.)
|
| Back to top |
|
THIS IS ARCHIVES PAGE 6
|
|
FROM HERE GO TO
ARCHIVES 5
|
NOTE: If you have a suggestion for a story, please contact
us: 
(Put your mouse over the scrolling to stop it)
|
|
|
 Forget what's below...
we went back to the "Daily Buzz".
We've changed our masthead!
You may have noticed that our
masthead (logo at top of page) has
changed... from "The Daily Buzz" to
"Community News -
Clarence-Rockland and beyond"
This is to reflect a more practical
approach to our news coverage.
Unlike our big sister colleagues in
the daily and weekly news sources,
we do not have the resources to
compete or produce information on
a daily basis. We will now attempt to
offer our coverage on a timely basis.
Thank you for your continuing
support. If you have any comments
or ideas, please let us know:
|
|
|
LETTERS...
TO THE EDITOR
Patrick Meikle
Canaan Connexion
 Rockland resident
Carole Gagnon
requests "immediate resignation from our city council" of : M. Guibord, Mr. Felio et Mme Choinière,
Read more
|
|
Ward 5 Meeting
The turn out was small, but a meeting with Ward 5 Councillor Guy Félio and his constituents,
along with C-R's Gilles Maranda, Director of Infrastructure and Engineering, proved very helpful, as well as providing
a few revelations for the City as a whole. Click here for more...
|
|
Bus-Train Collision
Updates... 
OC Transpo staff work together to recover from trauma of fatal bus-train crash
More...
Investigators revisit accident scene seeking causes of OC Transpo bus crash
More...
|
|
Prière infaillible
à la Vierge Marie
Fleur toute belle du Mont-Carmel,vigne fructueuse, Splendeur du ciel,Mère bénie
du fils de Dieu, Assistez-moi dans mes besoins. More...
|
|
|
Suzanne Lalonde
(Née Desormeaux)
A member of the Jean-Marc, Richard, Raymond family.
More...
|
|
( So far, the remains of 42 of the 47 people presumed to have perished in the July 6 train explosion have
been found.)
|
Beware of summer thieves
Every year about this time we seem to get a rash of thefts from
Watch and slow down for
turtles on the road
 It's the warm
season again and turtles are on the move. Please keep an eye out. More...
|
|
Could Clarence-Rockland council take a page out of the Hawkesbury book? Click here
|
|
and 
This website
may contain graphics or written material that may be copyrighted without my knowledge. I assure you that no infringements
are intentional. If you are aware that this website is using copyrighted material without permission or without
giving proper credit, please email the Publisher/Edditor immediately so that the situation can be remedied as soon
as possible. Some of the material on this site has been compiled from other websites and online resources. 
