Porch Views, editorials and more
OPINION In an approaching world where there is no longer truth nor love … where the Earth is viewed as dirt, and trees as lumber … a desperate cry for justice, the last trumpet, breaks the silence of the indifferent majority. … Anonymous Society’s current reaction to inevitable disasters is denial, …
OPINION If you go for a walk in the woods today, tomorrow you could be in for a big surprise. Vast forests could be slated for clear-cutting before they even reach maturity. Above: Area clear-cut showing residual regeneration. Photo C. Huggett Going against the age-old forest sustainability principle of “harvesting …
OPINION The fight to save the Pine River in Madawaska Valley encounters a bizarre clash of values — Commercial logging has traditionally been the main threat to Canadian forests. But now other competing interests join the foray leaving conservationists baffled. “Wheresoever the carcass is; there the eagles shall be found …
OPINION Nestled north of the Wilno Hills, the hamlet of German Settlement is cloistered in a pastoral setting and dominated by a stone church. The Wilno uplands comprise of woodlots, hunt camps and the arts community. The surrounding valley is made up of hay fields, cattle raising, and hobby farms. …
Paradise in Ruins – Part 2 Submitted by Christopher Huggett, retired Conservation Biologist. OPINION Only those with memory of Algonquin’s distant past can be rightly appalled with what they see today. Complaints arising from inadequate law enforcement within Algonquin Park reflect a generational shift in both demographics and social expectations. …
Editorial On April 5 2021 The Current drew its readers’ attention to an article published by the Canadian Anti-Hate Network (CAHN) which focused on Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College (SWC) policies and the College’s links to conspiracy theorists. It mentioned its anti-LGBTQ policies and its links through faculty members …
Opinion In my article dated Mar.20 (Scroll down for link) I explained the purpose, good and bad points of Development Charges (DC). At the Madawaska Valley Council meeting held on Mar.22 2023 and after a heated debate, a proposal by MV staff that DC be reintroduced was rejected. Councillors Shulist, …
Opinion Development Charges (DCs) are fees imposed by municipalities to increase revenue and pay for infrastructure services. Infrastructure includes roads, sewers, water, wastewater and other services that a homeowner expects. They are imposed on private owners and developers, whether you are severing land to provide your son or daughter a …
Editorial Last August the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) published a report on the cost of municipal insurance. It said, “Rising municipal insurance costs continue to be a major concern for AMO members. Many municipalities in Ontario are reporting increases of more than 20 percent. These costs are being driven …
Editor’s note: The Current welcomes a new occasional contributor, Barry’s Bay resident Roger Prince, who provides the following commentary about the proposed redevelopment of the Kamaniskeg Lake waterfront in Barry’s Bay. On Jan.17 I attended our township council meeting when the consulting firm Beacon Environmental presented their Concept Plan Report …
Editorial At the Jan.17 Regular Council meeting, the newly-elected Council of Madawaska Valley passed a By-Law to appoint Tony E. Fleming of the firm Cunningham Swan Lawyers as Integrity Commissioner for the Township. Fleming is based in Kingston, where he is the supervising partner in the firm’s Municipal Law group. …
Opinion What would Hockey Canada, the Ottawa Police Servoce, and the Catholic Church have in common? Lately, these three entities have been in the news due to issues related to a problematic internal culture, leadership and governance structures, and a reluctance to change. In the last week of October, we …
Opinion Editor’s Note: This opinion by BLR resident Michael McCloskey is part of our ongoing investigation into the questionable practices arising from the collaboration of Expertise for Municipalities (E4m Solutions), Wishart Law, and Investigative Solutions Network (ISN). It is a follow-up to our article “BLR Councillor objects to high costs …
Editorial Yesterday The Current published an article reporting on misinformation being spread by one of the incumbent candidates for Madawaska Valley (MV) Council. His ability to mislead the public has been assisted by the inexcusable refusal on the part of the Valley Gazette and The Eganville Leader to report to …
With Labour Day delivering the inevitable farewell to summer, we at The Current are gearing up for a busy fall. As readers will have noticed, we have recently been operating on a reduced basis. This is largely because we have been enjoying an extended visit with our family in the …
