While thousands of homes are sure to benefit from the clean and green energy coming from the solar farms currently being built in the region, benefits for the affected municipalities look to be on the low side.

According to Mayor Ron Holman of Rideau Lakes, close to $400 million will be used for the seven solar projects in his municipality. This also includes the two huge solar farm facilities being constructed along Bay Road—both expected to cost at least $120 million.

While Holman wants local residents to benefit from the solar farms, he’s not so pleased with the tax payments the Township of Rideau Lakes will receive from the companies behind the projects.

He commented that he’s a supporter of the use of green and renewable energy, but is troubled with the project’s assessment from a municipal perspective. He made it clear that the assessment would not only affect the local government, but also all of the township’s residents.

A number of other mayors who have solar farm projects in their municipalities have also voiced similar concerns.

The matter is currently on its way to being discussed with the provincial government.

Looking for a summer job here in the Township of Rideau Lakes? The Lower Beverley Lake Park is currently in need of Canteen Sales Attendants, so go through the details below and check the requirements. You just might be qualified for the job.

As a canteen sales attendant, you will be under the direct supervision of the Canteen or Housekeeping Supervisor. Your main responsibilities will be to prepare and serve food and sundries at the Lower Beverley Lake Park’s canteen. You’ll also be tasked to make sure that your general work area stays clean and neat.

Applicants who have received food safety training and have a certificate from the local Health Unit will be prioritized. It would also help if you have experience and knowledge in cooking, preparing, and serving food to customers.

The Lower Beverley Lake Park is looking for a candidate who is mature and responsible, and willing to work in a team and individual environment.

There are two positions available, both suitable for students who have free time this summer. To apply, all you have to do is sent your cover letter and updated resume to William Morris, the Park Manager of
the Lower Beverley Lake Park, via mail, fax, or e-mail.

Are you looking for a job in the Rideau Lakes area? If you have the experience and the know-how when it comes to regional and urban planning, then you’re in luck as the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes is looking for somebody to fill the town’s post of Associate Planner.

The Associate Planner will primarily be responsible for the reviewing and processing of development applications from those interested in investing in the township. He, or she, will be tasked to prepare and be present during regular reports to the Committee of Adjustment and Planning Advisory Committee. The Planner will also need to be present during  most of the committee’s other meetings.

As Associate Planner, you will be assigned to attend to the public and answer their inquiries on developments and prospective projects. You will also conduct development site inspections, and together with Manager of Development Services, will attend to planning issues when needed.

Needless to say, the qualifications of an Associate Planner are not what you would call ‘typical’. First and foremost, applicants have to possess a Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, or any other course related to the field. Applicants must also be able and willing to communicate and work as a team.

Interested? You can send your resume to slaidman@twprideaulakes.on.ca.

Township of Rideau Lakes looking for Associate Planner

Are you looking for a job in the Rideau Lakes area? If you have the experience and the know-how when it comes to regional and urban planning, then you’re in luck as the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes is looking for somebody to fill the town’s post of Associate Planner.

The Associate Planner will primarily be responsible for the reviewing and processing of development applications from those interested in investing in the township. He, or she, will be tasked to prepare and be present during regular reports to the Committee of Adjustment and Planning Advisory Committee. The Planner will also need to be present during  most of the committee’s other meetings.

As Associate Planner, you will be assigned to attend to the public and answer their inquiries on developments and prospective projects. You will also conduct development site inspections, and together with Manager of Development Services, will attend to planning issues when needed.

Needless to say, the qualifications of an Associate Planner are not what you would call ‘typical’. First and foremost, applicants have to possess a Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, or any other course related to the field. Applicants must also be able and willing to communicate and work as a team.

Interested? You can send your resume to slaidman@twprideaulakes.on.ca.

The plan to build a solar farm in the Rideau Lakes area is now one step closer to becoming a reality as the Rideau Lakes Township’s Planning Committee gave its approval to site applications concerning 2 properties within its jurisdiction. Of course, the approval came with terms and conditions.

Graham Bell, who owns a 100-acre plot of farmland near the Tower Road, and Robert Edwards, who owns a site about the same size in the area, have both agreed to lease their properties to EDF EN Canada Inc., for the construction of the solar project in South Elmsley.

Some of the conditions stipulated by the Planning Committee cover issues such as the direction of traffic, financial costs for road damages, clearing of construction debris, and many more.

Rideau Lakes Mayor Ron Holman also added that the contractor should use measures to control the dust during the construction period, so as to prevent the surrounding communities from being disturbed.

EDF representatives told township officials that they understand the community’s worries about the project, and have assured that they will keep in line with the conditions, as well as keep noise levels to a minimum, both during the day and night.

The Township of Rideau Lakes Council recently announced the 19th to the 25th of April as the township’s Pitch-In Week.

“Pitch-In Canada”, a national non-profit and charitable organization, hopes that local groups and volunteers from different communities from all across the country try to set aside one week during the Spring as “Pitch In Week”, where community members go out and help keep their areas and neighborhoods cleaner and greener.

The Township of Rideau Lakes is an officially recognized member by Pitch-In Canada, and is thankful to the exemplary work its volunteers have shown in making the region better.

Spring is fast approaching, and that means tons of work cleaning up the mess left by the winter season. Pitch-In volunteers are requested to drop by the township office, library, or post office to get their free pitch-in yellow bags. You can call the office to register for the event.

Collected garbage can be placed inside the bags, which will be collected on the regular scheduled days.

Again, Pitch-In Week takes place on April 19 to 25. Let’s help one another in keeping Rideau Lakes a better and cleaner community to live in. Call the township office and register now.

Mayors from the Leeds and Grenville Counties are worried that the costs of building solar farms in the region outweigh the tax revenue it will generate for the community. At present, a new solar farm to be built in the Rideau Lakes Township is in the planning stages, but Mayor Ron Holman is worried that the construction will deteriorate and affect the roads around the site badly. Furthermore, he admits he’s a little apprehensive about the project not being done with the consultation of the involved municipalities.

According to Holman, the use of solar energy will allow the communities involved to reap immense benefits. He’s totally for solar energy, he said. However, having a solar farm built near a residential area for example, will be problematic for the township, he added.

Officials from Ontario recently announced to the public an agreement between South Korean electronics giant Samsung. Apparently, the company will be responsible for construction solar farms across the province, which will generate a total of 2,500 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. Announced by Premier Dalton McGuinty late last month, the deal stipulates that the Samsung group gets to reap 437 million in subsidies over the next 25 years.

Officials from the Rideau Lakes Township are currently debating if a solar farm will really be beneficial to the community.

Ontario has a new Senator, and he’s promised not to forget his roots.

Newly elected Senator Bob Runciman, formerly the MPP of Leeds-Grenville, has requested that his designation in the Senate be changed from the current “Ontario” to “Ontario – Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.” If his request is approved, the new designation will be used on government documents and correspondence.

According to Senator Runciman, he wants to change the designation as a way of paying back the community he owes everything to. He also hopes that the new designation draws attention to what he describes as one of Canada’s most beautiful and scenic regions.

The newly elected senator spent some 29 years in service of the region, and he vows to continue to do so with his new and higher position in government. One of the things he will try to do is work for the interests of the Rideau Lakes and Thousand Islands region.

One of his primary concerns will be the rural development of Eastern Ontario, he said.

On January 29, Friday, Runciman was named to the Senate. He will be officially sworn into office on the 3^rd of March at a ceremony to be held in Ottawa.