Category: Uncategorized

First published July 2006

Something that I have been working towards even before I entered local politics is finally happening.  I am pleased to announce that the GPAEDC is undertaking a county wide business retention and expansion survey, which will include North Kawartha Township.  In partnership with the provincial BR&E program, a number of surveys will be completed by local businesses throughout our region between now and March 2007.  Studies have already been completed for the Automotive, Aerospace/Electronics and Plastics sector.  Strategic planning sessions have indicated that Tourism is a key sector for our region so the next study currently underway is focused on tourism businesses followed by Service/Retail and then Natural Resources.  Now you may be wondering “Why do we need a BR&E study?” Well consider the following: 

• 40% to 90% of new jobs come from existing businesses 
• Existing business sector is a local resource 
• An effective business attraction strategy 
• Less costly means of job creation 
• Improve business and community competitiveness

The goals of the study are to provide an early warning mechanism for urgent business issues, to strengthen the relationship between local businesses and community and to retain jobs and support expansions.  A number of volunteer interviewers have been assembled from across the county including fellow North Kawarthans Abe vanDuelman, Robin Miszuk, Caroline Elder, Helen Osborne and myself.  I am also the North Kawartha representative on the BR&E task force.  Since announcing this project at our local Community Economic Development (CED) meeting in September there has been a lot of interest generated and we hope that local businesses will work with us to gather our information.

If you would like to find out more about this project and/or the local CED meetings or are interested in helping out please contact me at 656-1103 or elcm@eelslake.com.  I want to encourage the North Kawartha business community to help out by completing a survey.   The more that get involved with this project the more valuable information will be gathered, leading to the development of strategies for sustainable economic development in our community.  

The community of Apsley is faced with a very serious issue.  The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) is looking at the possible closure of Apsley Public School along with the schools in Young’s Point and Buckhorn and either sending them all to Lakefield or consolidating them in a central location with no community infrastructure like Burleigh Falls.  Jeff and I feel that it is important for all cottagers on our lake and in this area to be made aware of the possible negative effects, not only for the children but also for the future of your cottage community.  In 1997, the province introduced a funding formula for public education in order to deal with inequities and make funding fair across Ontario.  Unfortunately, this formula does not serve the needs of smaller schools (which make up more than half of Ontario elementary schools), as it is based on spaces not pupils and is therefore geared towards larger schools that can accommodate 400 plus students. 

In the fall of 2002, the KPRDSB completed a school accommodation study to identify options regarding future enrollment demands and long term plans.  This study identified that Apsley PS was grossly undersized (80 student capacity with currently 160 students) and it was deemed ‘prohibitive to repair’ with provincial funding in the amount of $1.6 million provided to replace the school in 2004/05.  Yet, now the board is considering closing the school and sending the children (along with the $1.6 million) further south.  We, along with many others in North Kawartha strongly oppose this closure.

The elementary school has been in Apsley for over 50 years and is a part of the heart of our community.  It is linked with a vital community infrastructure that includes a medical facility, ambulance, pharmacy, a library and lifelong learning centre, a community centre and many other shops and services.  If the school is closed the threat of losing these vital services becomes very real.  Some children will face spending 2.5 hours on a bus every day, which many feel is unacceptable.  Removing the school would also reduce parental involvement in their children’s education and extra-curricular activities would disappear.   Local people who commute daily to work may decide sell and relocate elsewhere.  Apsley’s population and economy has been stable for many years and we are now starting to see growth in both areas.  Losing the school would kill this growth.  The list of negative effects goes on and on.

There are many reasons why Jeff and I have chosen to live and work here, with one of the main reasons being that we feel that Eels Lake is wonderful place to raise a family.  The loss of Apsley Public School would greatly affect our plans for the future.  Please get informed and get involved.  The school board Trustee is Diane Lloyd (diane.lloyd@sympatico.ca).  The board superintendent is Sylvia Terpstra (Sylvia_Terpstra@kpr.edu.on.ca).  The Ontario Minister of Education is Gerard Kennedy (info@edu.gov.on.ca).  Please add your voice to ours and fight to save Apsley Public School!