QNetNews.ca

High School athletes compete

Marc Venema — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:53:04 +0000

Fifteen schools in the Quinte area participated in the Bay of Quinte Track and Field meet at Mary-Anne Sills Park, May 16. Students will return May 24 for COSSA.

New call centre opening its doors in Belleville

Marc Venema — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:37:08 +0000

By Marc Venema

Officials with the company opening a new call centre in Belleville say it’s here to stay despite closing the doors on one of their Canadian locations last week.

On-Line Support (OLS), a Canadian company based out of Prince Edward Island, announced Wednesday afternoon that Belleville would soon be home to their 11^th location in the country.

“We are hoping to have 400 plus jobs by December,” said Ross Beattie, president and CEO of OLS.

The announcement came just days after a decision by OLS to close their site in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It was the company’s first closure of a centre.

Kathy Follet-Lloyd, vice president of human resources at OLS, said Belleville residents have nothing to worry about.

“Having to make the decision to close Antigonish was one of the most difficult things we have ever done,” Follett-Lloyd said. “We tried everything we possibly could to avoid that.”

Beattie said the company plans on hiring 70 customer service associates, and 15-20 management positions in the next 5-6 weeks to get things up and running by mid-July.

Beattie said the company would then hire 200 additional customer service advisors in September, and another 200-250 again in December, which would bring the total to well over 400.

Employees will take inbound calls from clients in the technology, and telecommunications fields, as well as clients in financial markets.

Beattie said the jobs would pay $11 per hour with benefits.

Follet-Lloyd said the problem in Antigonish was, the company couldn’t keep enough employees working. She said they tried keeping 180 people employed, but struggled to do so in the small town with a population of just over 4,000.

“That’s the only location we have had that challenge,” Follett-Lloyd said. “It’s a very small community.”

Antigonish Mayor Carl Chisholm said he couldn’t blame OLS for leaving town.

“From where I’m sitting, nobody better complain about OLS closing their doors because no one was applying to work there.

“I can’t blame them for pulling out if they can’t keep operational.”

Chisholm said the company advertised throughout the city and in local newspapers looking to hire, but in the end, they ending up closing the doors.

“It’s like any other business,” Chisholm said. “If you can’t find anyone to work, you’re left with no choice.”

Follet-Lloyd said Belleville has a higher population and labour market.

“We did a job fair in December and it was very successful,” Follet-Lloyd said. “We had 1,600 applicants in just two days.”

“We are very, very confident that Belleville can meet the market demand for many, many years into the future.”

Lisa Benoit, an employment consultant at Community Employment Services in Belleville, agrees that the new call centre can work in this area.

“It’s been proven that we have the people to do it because of contact centres that used to be here,” Benoit said. “Those positions have been filled before, they can be filled again.”

Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis said despite call centres coming and going in the past, he’s confident OLS can become successful.

“Look at Stream (Global Services Inc.), that’s been here for 12 years, and employed a lot of people,” Ellis said.

Benoit said a lot of people are struggling finding employment, so the new call centre is a good thing for Belleville.

The new OLS Belleville location will be located at 610 Dundas St. East. For more information on the company or to apply, visit www.joinols.com

Quinte West awaits approval of Official Plan before methadone clinics can move forward

Tyson Leonard — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:41:38 +0000

By Tyson Leonard

A report that recommends new methadone clinics be allowed to open up in Quinte West is awaiting the approval of the city’s new zoning plan.

An interim bylaw was introduced more than a year ago prohibiting new clinics. The bylaw was introduced so a report could be done studying the potential regulation of methadone clinics. If the report is approved the by-law will be lifted and the report’s legal suggestions will be put in place.

Charlie Murphy, director of planning and development services for Quinte West, was tasked with developing the report. The report was presented last August but is now going through the administrative process, said Murphy.

“It’s basically on hold pending the approval of the new Official Plan that’s with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs right now for final approval,” said Murphy.

The interim bylaw came into effect May 16, 2011, and was initially in place for one year. Earlier this year it was extended.

“It’s a matter of this waiting out the administrative process of implementing the changes,” said Murphy.

The report covers what methadone clinics do, and how they affect the community. Most of the suggestions made regard zoning laws for clinics.

The three areas in Quinte West that are suggested as appropriate for methadone clinics are, along Front St. from Bentwick St. to Fraser Park Dr., along Glen Miller Rd near the 401, and along Dundas St. E near Bay St.

Some specific suggestions include clinics being opened no less than 400 meters from each other, and clinics being opened no less than 80 meters from any elementary or secondary school and public parks.

The report also suggests the city work with local health organizations to establish a Community Working Group. The group would identify what role the community can play in addiction and methadone treatment.

Public input on the report was done through a series of meetings held over the year since last May.

“The public had an opportunity to come to any of the planning advisory committee meetings to express their concerns,” said Murphy.

One change made to the report because of public input was removing the Batawa and Frankford districts from areas where methadone clinics can operate.

Until the interim bylaw is removed and a methadone clinic opens its doors in Quinte West, the closest clinics are in Belleville.

Belleville has two methadone clinics. First Step operates out of the Bayview Mall in east Belleville. The other clinic is owned by Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres. It has been running out of downtown Belleville since March 2003.

Officials from both clinics were unavailable for comment.

The Canadian Public Health Association describes methadone as an opiate that is used to treat people addicted to drugs in the same family, such as morphine and heroin. They say methadone ‘prevents withdrawal symptoms and cuts down on the person’s drug cravings’ and does not interfere ‘with their ability to work, go to school, or care for their family’.

Methadone is also used to treat addiction to prescription drugs such as OxyContin and Percocet.

The Canadian Public Health Association website says methadone has been used to treat drug addiction since the 1960’s.

OPP enforcing road safety for Canada Road Safety Week

Tyson Leonard — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:40:53 +0000

By Tyson Leonard

The OPP will be out on the roads this weekend to enforce the rules of the road during Canada Road Safety Week.

“Our goal is to see every Ontario citizen survive the weekend safely,” said Dave Rektor, a media relations officer with the OPP.

Some of the road safety issues the campaign targets are aggressive driving, impaired driving, distracted driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

Officers will be along the highways with laser radar and up in the air in helicopters, said Rektor.

Canada Road Safety Week “focuses on increasing public compliance with safe driving through enforcement action,” according to a news release issued by the OPP.

Canada Road Safety Week has always been held over the Victoria Day weekend.

“Traditionally the Victoria Day weekend does yield some fatalities. Last year was no exception, with four dying on provincial roadways,” said Rektor.

The goal of the program is to make Canada’s roads the safest in the world.

Transport Canada’s website says in 2008 Canada was ranked 10th in fatalities per billion vehicle kilometers traveled, compared to the other 30 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Ontario’s roads are some of the safest in North America, said Bob Nichols, the Senior Media Liaison Officer at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

In 2008, the latest year the MTO has traffic information for, Ontario’s traffic fatality rate of 0.70 per 10,000 licensed drivers was the lowest ever recorded in Ontario, and the lowest in North America, said Nichols.

Rektor said the trend is continuing.

“In general we have seen a reduction in fatalities on the roads,” said Rektor.

Lonne Foeller of the OPP said being unsafe on the roads could hurt your wallet too.

“Any fine you get your insurance company has the right to view those fines and it can increase your insurance by quite a lot,” said Foeller.

The campaign started May 14 and continues through the Victoria Day long weekend to end on May 21. Canada Road Safety Week is sponsored by Transport Canada and supported by the OPP.

Belleville fire prevention officer reminds people to check their smoke alarms

Jack Carver — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:40:36 +0000

By Jack Carver

A working smoke alarm is the difference between life and death, senior fire prevention officer Dave MacMullen says.

“Working smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms make the difference between fatalities and survivals,” said MacMullen.

MacMullen’s reminder stems from an apartment fire in downtown Belleville earlier this week.

Due to a misplaced cigarette, a working fire started in apartment 302 on 294 Front Street. If the smoking alarm had not gone off, the man inside would have died, said MacMullen.

“He’s alive today because of it (smoke alarm),” said MacMullen. “If he didn’t have that working smoke alarm it would have been fatal. He would have died from smoke inhalation.”

MacMullen says that the main reason smoke alarms don’t work is from negligence on the landlords and houseowners part. Checking your smoke alarm monthly isn’t hard as long as you make it part of your schedule.

“Make it a way of life, put something on your calendar, some sort of reminder. Build it into your way of living. All it takes is one push of the button to make sure it’s working and if its not working, find out why or change the battery. Do something that provides a network of safety for your family or for yourself.”

New grants for local youth

Kristen Oelschlagel — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:42:01 +0000

By Kristen Oelschlagel

Youth in Hastings and Prince Edward County could get a helping hand from the United Way of Quinte.

A new youth grant will be used for projects, programs and events that are designed by youth for youth.

“It can include some adult assistance, but we want the projects to be organized and executed by youth,” said Brandi Hodge, United Way community engagement director.

Hodge said they want to support and encourage youth in the area.

The United Way of Quinte is a non-government agency that funds local organizations throughout Hastings and Prince Edward County. Each year the United Way holds campaigns to raise money to fund organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Belleville YMCA and Gleaners Food Bank. Their last campaign raised over $1.8 million.

The agency will also be funding two other grants, the collaboration grant and the organizational capacity grant.

The collaboration grant will be available for two or more organizations that are working together on a project.

The organizational capacity grant was designed for not-for-profit organizations that are working to be more effective.

“We believe internal efficiency is important and we want agencies to be strong internally,” Hodge said.

The $50,000 available for grants will be divided between the three streams. Hodge said this is something they have always wanted to do.

“Agencies can apply annually for sums of money but we have not always had the ability to support to these streams,” Hodge said.

The first deadline for the grant applications is June 28.

A team of five trained volunteers will review the applications and decide what organizations receive the grants and how much money they will receive.

Final Hercules of new fleet touches down at CFB Trenton

Marc Venema — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:41:40 +0000

By Marc Venema

TRENTON, Ont. (11/05/2012) Pilots work inside the cockpit of the 17th and final CC-130J upon its arrival to CFB Trenton on Friday. The first CC-130J, aircraft 601, arrived in June of 2010. Photo by Marc Venema.

A puff of smoke rolling off the tires of aircraft 617 landing at CFB Trenton last week officially marked the completion of Canada’s newest fleet of aircrafts.

The 17^th and final CC-130J Hercules touched down Friday afternoon, just under two years after the first arrived.

Lieutenant-General André Deschamps, commander of the Royal Canadian Force, called the feat a dream come true.

“When I was a pilot on the legacy CC-130s, we used to dream of days like this,” Deschamps said. “Now I can proudly say those dreams have become a reality. The J-model family is complete.”

Plans to purchase the fleet were announced in 2006. The contract for 17 aircrafts was awarded to Lockheed-Martin with a price tag of US$1.4 billion. The first two aircrafts, 601 and 602, arrived in June of 2010, six months ahead of schedule. The final aircraft to arrive this past week was also ahead of schedule and on budget according to a RCAF press release.

Like its predecessor, the CC-130J is known as the “workhorse” of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

“The Herc fleet has always been the backbone of our tactical transport,” Deschamps said.

He said the plane is very modernized compared to Hercules of the past, but is still a workhorse.

“It’s still very rugged,” Deschamps said. “That’s what you need with these tactical airplanes.”

“They have to be tough, and this airplane is tough.”

Captain Ian Wright, Aircraft Commander on the CC-130J has been a pilot for 12 years, spending the past five years flying Hercules.

“It’s my favourite plane so far that I’ve flown in the Canadian forces and my aviation career,” Wright said. “It’s pilot friendly, everything is within reach, and it’s a small tightknit crew.

“As a pilot, it allows me to have more control over every system in the plane within easy arm reach of me.”

Before the new model, Wright flew the H-model Hercules. There are currently 13 H-models in operation, ranging in age from 10-39. The other model Hercules still flying are the E-models. There are still three flying, ranging in age from 44-48. With the addition of the 17 new J-models, the RCAF currently operates 33 Hercules aircrafts.

The fleet is primarily used for tactical airlift, tactical air-to-air refueling, and fixed-wing search and rescue.

“We are the trash haulers of the air force,” Wright said. “We move people and supplies wherever they need to go.”

Wright said for a larger aircraft, the J is very responsive.

“For a large style cargo plane, you can really whip it around if required.”

In its short career, the aircraft has been involved with missions across the country, including evacuating Canadians from forest fire areas last summer.

“In less than two years since the first CC-130J was delivered, they have literally spanned the country and the globe in support of Canadian Forces operations,” said Julian Fantino, associate minister of National Defence.

In years past, Hercules aircrafts have been involved in missions not only across the country, but also around the world. They were involved in missions to Afghanistan to assist in the international campaign against terrorism. They were also used to assist the aid effort in Haiti after the earthquake.

Since the first CC-130J arrived in June of 2010, the fleet has logged more than 5,800 hours of flight time.

Moira student crushes records at Bay of Quinte Track and Field

Jack Carver — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:41:07 +0000

Jeff Radford of Moira Secondary School throws the record-breaking toss at the Bay of Quinte Track and Field meet in Belleville on Wednesday. Photo By: Jack Carver

By Jack Carver

Breaking records isn’t anything new for Jeff Radford of Moira Secondary School.

“It feels good,” said Radford. “Feels good to break records, that’s what I came here to do.”

He broke the current Bay of Quinte junior shot put record with a distance of 14.41 metres, breaking the record he set last year of 14.26 metres. Earlier in the day he also claimed the new record for junior discus, tossing the disc 48.97 metres, two metres over the previous record.

Radford was one of the 10 competitors who altogether broke 14 records. The track meet brought in around 400 students from 15 different schools from the Quinte Athletic Association.

Rachel Faulds is one of Trenton High’s record breakers, breaking the record for the senior 3000 metre run by 20 seconds, finishing with a time of 10:04.40.

“This is my fifth meet this year,” said Faulds after winning the 1500 metre run. “We went to Toronto and Brockville this year, and I won the 15k there (Brockville).”

Faulds family is full of runners she said. Not only does she run, but her father, his brothers and her grandfather run also. Her grandfather is the same Bruce Faulds that the Bruce Faulds Track facility in Belleville is named after.

East Northumberland Secondary School took the win this year, totaling 684 points. St. Theresa and Bayside from Belleville got 396.5 and 383.5 points, finishing 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.

Opening of walleye season is a family tradition

Tyson Leonard — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:04:37 +0000

By Gail Paquette

[Show as slideshow]

Mike Frost hasn’t missed the annual walleye fishing derby in 30 years.

Every year he makes the 4,883-km trek across Canada from Carmacks, Yukon, to join family and friends and fish the Bay of Quinte, where he grew up.

“I arrived early Friday got into my boat and waited for the season to open at 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning.” said Frost.

Frost left behind two feet of snow in the Yukon for the balmy plus 20 degree temperatures all weekend.

Methods have changed and gear has become more sophisticated over the 32 years the Kiwanis Walleye Fishing Derby has taken place but for many it is just for the love of it all.

Cathy Haggarty of Cobourg couldn’t think of a better place to be.

“I’ve been coming to this derby since 1989. The prizes are great but the last few years I have come just to enjoy getting away for the weekend. It is so tranquil.” said Haggarty.

Over $250,000 in cash and prizes could be won including Lund fishing boats, tackle, rods, reels and trips. Youth prizes included bikes, helmets and tickets to next year’s derby.

The Kiwanis also tagged and released 150 fish in different locations around the bay offering $1000 for each caught.

“One of the greatest things about this derby besides this bay being the best walleye fishing in the world is that all money raised goes into the community.” said organizer Remco DeGooyer .

Centennial Park in Trenton was home to hundreds who set up camp Friday and stayed for the weekend.

“Where else for $35 can you get a campsite, boat docking, electricity and a really cool hat,” said Trenton resident Steve Whiteford, who has been attending the derby for 21 years.

” We picked our spot two weeks ago and brought the trailer down to reserve it.”

The derby officially opens the beginning of walleye season on the Bay of Quinte the first weekend in May every year.

Skyhawks land in Trenton for season opener

Tyson Leonard — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:02:56 +0000

By Gail Paquette

[Show as slideshow]

The Skyhawks, Canada’s only military parachute demonstration team opened their 2011 season in their hometown of Trenton Ontario, May 9.

Fresh from their training camp in Perris Valley, California, they captivated hundreds, including students, the community and local dignitaries at the football field at Trenton High School.

“This is a great opportunity for our school to show our awesome school spirit and support for our military.” said Tigers cheerleader and student Jami Kendall.

Since 1996, the Skyhawk’s have called CFB Trenton their home and it was important for them to open this year’s demonstration season there.

“We have left our foot prints all over North America,” said Lt. Col. Paul Lockhart, Commanding Officer of Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre, “ We want to be better connected to this community. This is where we live, shop and where our kids go to school.”

Team members come from the three elements of the military; army, navy and air force.

“There is not really one type of person who becomes a Skyhawk,” said team member Corporal Teri Fralick, ”We are all from vastly different trades.”

“I have never loved anything more and most jumpers will tell you the same thing.”

Applications are accepted from any member of the forces regardless of trade or rank. Applicants must have their military free-fall and basic parachutist qualification or experience from the civilian world including an A license and 50 free-fall jumps.

Announcer Captain Indira Thackorie energetically gave a detailed play-by-play of what was happening in the skies above Trenton High as each jumper left the plane at 6000 feet in the air.

The high school’s website stated the school was very proud to be hosting “Canada’s World Renowned Parachute Jumping Team” and challenged both staff and students to

to show the Skyhawk’s and the various dignitaries in attendance ‘Tiger’ spirit by wearing black and gold.

When Sergeant Kevin Walker parachuted down with the flag of Trenton High School the crowd responded with cheers and applause.

The team will perform their aerobatics at over 30 events in North America this year.