Porch Views, editorials and more
Public question period At its last meeting Hastings Highlands Township Council passed a motion adding a second public question period to its Council meetings. It already provided for one question period at the end of each meeting, but has now added one at the beginning. This will allow attendees, according …
My English students have heard a lot of stories about Barry’s Bay and the Madawaska Valley. Many are humorous, a number are inspiring, some are poignant, others are not altogether flattering and a few are downright disturbing. All of them are true, but don’t worry, I never use names. On …
OPINION I’ve been an obscure writer for a pretty long time. With some modest success I’ve managed to consistently get published writing about things that infuriate me, especially political and social issues. Part of the deal obscure writers make with themselves is the willingness to take day jobs that can …
The routine use of non-disclosure agreements without any consideration of the public’s best interests has become a legal epidemic that undermines the very idea of an open and accountable society. Andrew Nikiforuk, How Non-Disclosure Agreements have become a cancer on democracy, published on October 18, 2018 in The Tyee. OPINION …
EDITORIAL The criminal charges laid against the Calabogie bar server which The Current reported on April 1 2019 has resulted in considerable media coverage and public comment. The Eganville Leader made it its lead story and added an editorial about it on April 3. It reported that a GoFundMe campaign has …
OPINION Wednesday was the first day of spring and it was met with weather appropriate to the occasion. Walking around town one could not help but notice a collective lifting of the spirits. On the same day there also came the news of the $620,000 windfall payment to the Township’s …
OPINION Editor’s note: This is the first of occasional articles The Current will publish relating to the 2019 federal election. It is election year and Canada is about to get ugly. Our traditionally polite dispositions will soon be replaced by venom, pointed at those we have deemed our enemies — our …
It’s been too cold to sit on the porch. Even if I did, I doubt I’d be able to see over the snowbanks. Social media, however, provides another means to observe and comment on local issues. One item that recently caught my attention was a My Barry’s Bay Now Facebook …
Editor’s Note: The Current has received the following opinion about the proposed review of the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act discussed in an article dated Feb. 4. Click HERE to read it. I offer kudos to the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) and the government for looking …
The Current’s publishers extend the compliments of the season to our readers, with our very best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2019. We also take this opportunity to thank all our readers both near and far for your support during the first year of our existence. Your many comments have been …
On a snowy October 28 I got off the porch to take in some of the natural beauty of the Madawaska Valley. I had the pleasure of accompanying Steve Brunke of Valley Adventure Tours on his last ATV excursion of the season. Truth be told, it was my first experience …
OPINION On November 20 2018 the provincial government issued a media release entitled Ontario Working to Stop Violence Against Women and Support Survivors. It announced that it is investing $11.5 million this year to better support frontline shelter workers serving women and children and delivering counselling programs across the province. Minister …
OPINION Integrity Commissioner Guy Giorno presented two reports to MV Council on Nov. 5 regarding complaints made against Councillors Peplinski and Maika. Giorno’s opinion was that neither councillor had breached the Code of Conduct. During the public question period afterwards some individuals urged the township to bring legal claims against …
Editorial As we luxuriate in the aftermath of another election spared from signage blight it is worth considering what we have learned about what should occupy the new Council’s attention. Handover is only a month away. Before we get to that, The Current congratulates all of the successful candidates. Councillors Archer …
Reinhold Hildebrandt Photo courtesy Beverley Glofcheskie My dad and I used to tour Renfrew County visiting German settlements and pioneer cemeteries. Now it’s a tradition for me. This year I jokingly referred to it as my “Oktoberfest” tour to make a point. Valley residents may think Oktoberfest is an expression …
