With election day just around the corner, the race for the Mayor’s seat here in Carleton Place is heating up, and things got even hotter and spicier over the weekend.

The two candidates running for mayor, challenger Wendy LeBlanc and incumbent Mayor Paul Dulmage, participated in an all chili battle royale on Saturday, the 11^th of September, at the Carleton Place Farmer’s Market’s chili contest.

While the Carleton Place’s mayoralty race has been pretty friendly so far, it was obvious that things at the contest turned up a notch higher, mainly because of the spicy food served courtesy of Tijuana Tilly’s Mexican restaurant.

Earlier this month, Dulmage announced his plans to run for a third term 24 hours before the closing of nominations, this after receiving the blessings of his family and close friends. The incumbent mayor looks to continue his vision of growth and progress for the community.

Opponent Councillor Wendy LeBlanc on the other hand, formally kicked off her campaign for mayor on the 24^th of June.

Though the candidates certainly made their delicious choices of chili known, Carleton Place’s voters will have to wait until the 25^th of October to vote for who they want as mayor.

With the resounding success of the first phase of the Carleton Place-Comrie ‘Sister Cities Student Exchange,’ the contingent from Carleton Place is gearing up to play host to their Scottish counterparts when they come on over for a two-week stay next month.

Three female students from Carleton Place High School (CPHS), together with six female students from Notre Dame Catholic High School, were selected to be part of a contingent that got to enjoy a 10-day tour of Scotland. The students visited the country from the 20^th to the 30^th of August, and were joined by 5 adult members and guardians who made up the Carleton Place Sister City Committee.

These were committee chairman Jeff Maguire and his wife, councilor Wendy LeBlanc and husband Frank, and Debbie Burn. Together, these adults were in charge of being chaperones throughout the students’ Scotland visit.

The contingent had the opportunity to visit Comrie, a quaint village in the highlands of Scotlands, also recognized as Carleton Place’s twin community since 1992. The link between the two communities was made official in simultaneous ceremonies held in July 2007.

With the success of the trip, plans of sending another contingent for the 20^th anniversary of the “twins” in 2012 are already shaping up.

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Ontario’s finest were pretty busy last Friday, but they weren’t chasing criminals. Instead, they were on a merry chase in Carleton Place, tracking down a black bear cub, and successfully sedating it thanks to the officers from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

The chase first began at 11 in the morning on that fateful day, on the streets situated near the northern bank of the Mississippi, and finally ending in an old neighborhood on the south side of town. The bear cub climbed up a tree in the residential area, allowing policemen to corner the animal and keep an eye on it while waiting for personnel from the MNR to arrive on the scene. According to Carleton Place Police Constable Sean Trahan, the incident finally ended on a relieving note at around mid-afternoon.

While the cub was hiding up the tree, residents in the area couldn’t help but be curious, but policemen were quick to warn them to stay inside their homes. Children were also advised to stay in school and keep away from the area.

When a wildlife officer finally shot the bear cub with a tranquilizer dart, it seemed like ages before the drugs took effect – at least that’s what some eyewitness report.

The bear then tumbled into a tarpaulin and was safely released back into the wilderness.

There will be an NHL alumni game against the Local Law Enforcement All Stars of Carleton Place this February 18 at 7 pm. The game, presented by ScotiaBank, shall exceed expectations as it promises to become the best yet.

The NHL alumni shall be led by Rick Vaive, Brad Marsh, Lauri Borchsman, and many more famous ex-NHL players. They promise an exciting game against the Local Law Enforcement All Stars in order to raise money for the Special Olympics in Ontario.

This very entertaining event is considered suitable for the whole family. There will be an exhilarating skills competition; on-ice gag shows that promises to be hilarious, most importantly, high-profiled former NHL players will be there to showcase their talents.

The proceeds of this event will be used to support the Law Enforcement Torch Run in their mission to provide sports to more than 16,000 athletes with mental disabilities, so not only will the event be exciting, it also has a contribution to a worthy cause.

The players can also be met after the game. They will be hanging out at Broadway Bar and Grill.

Tickets can be acquired through the campaign office. You can call them at 1-877-431-0685.

A young girl from Carleton Place, Eastern Ontario recently received a bravery award along with 47 other people. Kelsea Roy saved her mother’s life when she was still 8 years old. Her mother fell through the ice into the freezing water while she was having a winter getaway with her daughter, Kelsea. She yelled at Kelsea emphatically, telling her to leave, fearing that she might also fall into the water, but Kelsea instead slithered along the dangerously thin ice, pulled he mother out and saved her life.

Governor General Michaelle Jean was the one who gave Kelsea the bravery decoration last Thursday along with 47 other brave and heroic people — 3 of which were Regina men who yanked a woman out of a burning vehicle just seconds before it exploded.

The bravery awards are intended to recognize acts of selflessness and heroics that rescued lives and sometimes sacrificing the rescuers own. 46 of the awardees received Medals of Bravery whilst 1 U.S. Coast Guard officer received the Star of Courage.

Some of the awards were given to people who have already died. The recipients who attended the ceremony which was held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa were composed of police officers, electricians, elevator repairman, soldiers, volunteer firefighters, and even children.

On January 28, Paul Dulmage said at Carleton Heritage that the town’s downtown area is slowly transitioning to service-based businesses from being retail-based. The statement was spoken by the mayor during the Business Improvement Association’s Annual General Meeting.

According to the Carleton Place Mayor, in his opinion, not all businesses will be able to handle the change.

There were about 60 members from the Carleton Place’s business sector who attended the meeting in order to hear about BIA’s progress last year and this year’s plans.

For this year, the BIA plans to embellish the town’s downtown with flowers and new lightings. They also plan to continue with their marketing and promotions by organizing events in order to attract both residents and outsiders. One of those events is the planned Free Comic Book Day in May, sponsored by Heroes Lounge and the BIA.

The evening’s mood changed its course when the discussion of the budget came up. Partners Advantage Real Estate representative, Ralph Shaw, said that he wanted more support regarding the repayment of the main street budget.

He said that the BIA should not be responsible for paying 25 percent of the budget as opposed to what has been agreed upon. According to Shaw, the town council should “step up” and realize the importance of improving Main Street.

Dennis Burn retorted by listing down some of the projects that the town has helped. Surprisingly, Paul Dulmage stepped in to offer his opinion. He said that it is not the government’s responsibility to create a healthy retail core.

Ultimately, the BIA’s budget was passed with a 3 percent increase by a 16-4 vote.

Tom Bonhomme of Almonte, together with 5 other residents, has packed up his bags and left for to India on account of the Rotary Group Study Exchange Program.

The Rotary team is composed of Kemptvilles’ Anna Van Adrichem-Rochon as leader, Kingston’s Marie-Claude Vallee, and Jessica Brown and Lianne Kay of Ottawa. They left on January 29 in order to arrive at New Delhi on January 30. Their itinerary officially began on February 1. This trip, which will last for four weeks, is for the group to experience India’s customs and culture, discuss ideas and build personal and professional relationships, and see the landmarks. The group members shall meet with the Indians who took part of a Group Study Exchange Program last fall in Kemptville.

According to Van Adrichem-Rochon, the essential features of a GSE is for the visiting group to meet, talk, and dwell with the Rotarians and their respective families in the spirit of hospitality and friendship. She said that their team will act as the ambassadors of goodwill.

Van Andrichem-Rochon is the only Rotarian of the team. The others are not Rotary members, but only sponsored by the clubs in their respective districts. Bonhomme is sponsored by the Carleton Place and District Rotary Club. Nevertheless, the airline tickets are covered by the Rotary Foundation.

For more information, the team’s blog can be visited at http://gseindia2010.blogspot.com . The blog shall be updated throughout the extent of their trip.

Perth’s Orion Theatre Company with their crazy and wild ‘Into the Woods’ music will be coming to the stage this February 4, 5, 6 at 8 pm; and in February 11, 12, 13, at 2 pm. Matinees will be on the 7th and 14th. The venue will be on the old Perth Shoe Factory: The Myriad Centre. Tickets are sold at $25, and can be availed by calling 613-264-9610.

There are 3 events booked in Perth’s Studio Theatre this month. The first was last February 1: the Buddy Holly Lives. This coming 12th and 13th, the New Ottawa Repertory Company will have a presentation of Mother Butterfly by Paul Dervis. Tickets are sold at $18 through The Shadowfax and The Book Nook.

On February 26, 27, and 28, Director Cathy Clarke has assembled a live radio show similar to how it was done in the 1930’s, with advertising tunes and live bands, for the Valley Players of Almonte’s production of ‘The Almonte Radio Show!’ The audience will have the privilege to enjoy the music of the 1930’s era through recreation of famous acts by Burns and Allen and many more.

In Carleton Plane, at the Heritage Inn, the Mississippi Mudds are practicing for their presentation of ‘Death of a Doornail’ which they will present on March 19 and 20. Tickets are sold at $45 which already includes a Heritage Inn meal. For reservations, call 613-257-2525. More information is available through their website at www.mississippimudds.ca.

The councillors of Carleton Place are so determined to provide the town a local post-secondary education that they are willing to put their own money to fund it. The town concurred on January 26 that it will donate $10,000 in 5 years to Algonquin College’s expansion of its campus in Perth. In the last days of January, representatives from the college came to the Town of Carleton Place looking for financial support for its expansion project.

MP Scott Reid and Jim Watson last year announced that they will contribute to the project under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

The estimated cost of the project is $10 million. $4.8 million of which will be from the provincial government, and $4.2 million will be from the federal government. Algonquin College is now processing the remaining $1 million.

Situated at Craig Street in Perth, A new edifice is being constructed on a 12 acre property where the existing building is located. According to statistics, Algonquin College has 13 students from Carleton Place out of its 250 students. 4 staff members are also from Carleton Place.

In order to raise the $1 million, the college’s representatives are soliciting from municipalities whom they feel would benefit greatly from having the campus nearby. They hope that each town would contribute $10,000.

Carleton Place Mayor Paul Dulmage contributed an additional $10,000 from his own pocket on top of the town’s contribution. He believes that education is any community’s foundation.