CJRO News April 15 to April 21, 2024

Hello bonjour and welcome to CJRO News on CJRO Radio. I'm Candice Vetter reporting from Embrun.

Casselman Mayor Genevieve Lajoie is asking members of the public to meet with her to discuss ideas and options to improve the quality of the Town of Casselman's municipal water supply. Last year the town's water supply became so affected by manganese in the water that it turned yellow, orange or brown. The manganese occurs naturally in the South Nation River, from which Casselman draws its water, and is particularly noticeable during years the river is low. Drought conditions and increasing upstream demands on the river, including additional sewage effluent due to population growth, loss of forests, and removal of riparian areas also contribute to the degradation of water quality. This year the river is forecast to be low again, due to the lack of snow melt and an exceptionally early spring. To meet with Mayor Lajoie attend the meetings on Monday, April 15 at 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 17 at 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 18 at 1 to 2 p.m., or Friday, April 19 at 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Town Hall at 751 St. Jean Street, Casselman. For more information on some of the options listen to CJRO's interview with the mayor on Local First.

People living within the drainage area of the Wood Eadie drain, which is the drain which runs through the 417 Industrial Park should have received notice of a meeting to change the drain on April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Township Hall in Embrun. Nearby residents in Russell Township or the corner of the City of Ottawa which abuts that area are directly invited and other concerned or curious citizens can also attend.

Russell Township has announced a public consultation session on Russell Township's new official plan will be held on May 27 at 4 p.m. at the Township Hall. New official plans affect all residents and the proposed new plan adds significant areas to be developed to the northern edges of the villages of Russell and Embrun. In Embrun all lands, including farmland, up to Route 300 are proposed as future development. It also includes the controversial changes proposed to the 417 Industrial Park.

Speaking of development, Russell Township's land sale to the Nubuild Factory, which was proposing to put a 24/7, 650,000 square-foot, robot-operated house construction factory behind farms along Eadie Road, has fallen through. A few months ago CJRO asked Nubuild owner John Liptak for an interview but he stated he had signed a non-disclosure agreement so could not speak about it. However, from Mayor Pierre Leroux's comments to CJRO later it appears municipal water and sewer was a condition of the sale. In the same bylaw cancelling the sale the Township has announced another sale to Jenna Foods in the industrial park, but with few details. However, CJRO was able to receive a map showing a parcel of land which appears to be the one in question.

The Carlsbad Springs Optimist Club is offering two $2000 post-secondary scholarships to graduates from the Carlsbad Springs, Edwards & Ramsayville area. Deadline to submit a 300 to 500-word essay about why the student deserves the scholarship and how the Optimist Club impacts the area is May 10.  Essays should be sent to cluboptimistecarlsbad@gmail.com. Presentation will be May 26. 

Registration for the City of Ottawa's Cleaning the Capital program is open. Search for Cleaning the Capital Program for details of how to register and get cleanup starter kits. The program runs until the end of May.

The rural summit exercise by the City of Ottawa has begun. The Ward 20 workshop, which includes Carlsbad Springs, Metcalfe and Vars will be April 24 at the Greely Community Centre at 7 p.m. For more information on participating contact Councilor George Darouze.

CJRO wants to report on the local news that matters, so send news ideas, issues and comments to newscjro@gmail.com by Monday mornings. Listen to the news, Local First and Priorite Locale on cjroradio.com anytime or on the Tune In or Radio Player Canada apps. I'm Candice Vetter for CJRO at 107.7 FM. We're last on the dial and first for local news.

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