Developing the future: Woodstock’s plans for expansion

By Michael MacDonald

WOODSTOCK – The Town of Woodstock is planning for the future with a strategy to expand important community infrastructure, including the Carleton Civic Centre. In partnership with government, town council and the Woodstock Rotary Club are working through the development phase with plans to improve the L.P. Fisher Library and the Woodstock High School theatre as well.

“It’s very, very exciting,” said Woodstock Mayor Arthur Slipp. “It’s going to continue the momentum that we’ve had on regional economic development and growth opportunities.

“The town has basically outgrown the current facilities that we have. It’s been a tremendous economic development tool for the area. Not just for the town of Woodstock, but for the Woodstock region as well. We see this showing up in economic development and we’re very concerned about the future of the community.”

Mayor Slipp said once town council has government approval, they would be approaching their partners and the local service districts to talk about the contents of the expansions, as well as funding for operational expenses of the civic centre.

There are three aspects to the expansion: health and wellness, literacy and arts and culture. Proposed expansions to the civic centre fall under health and wellness, where plans include increasing seating from 800 to between 1800 and 2000. Another major aspect of health and wellness includes a field house, a large heated open-concept space for indoor soccer, basketball, track and field, gymnastics, martial arts and other activities and events, such as small tradeshows. The expansion committee is also planning to improve fitness center facilities, as well as increasing the size of general community and meeting space.

Improvements to the L.P. Fisher Library fall under literacy. An analysis was conducted that noted specific needs: these included improved entrances, extra space for staff and storage, as well as room to allow for better access of computers. As well, it was decided an area was needed to display two important collections of the library, the Raymond Collection and the Dalton Camp Canadiana Collection. These needs culminated in a plan to build a large two-floor open concept space at the rear of the existing building.

The third aspect, arts and culture, involves plans to improve the high school theatre for better community access. The town decided it was prudent to improve on existing facilities, rather than building a brand new theatre. They plan to increase the size of the stage, as well as building a new entrance for easier access. Plans also exist for green rooms, dressing rooms and storage areas.

“We’re at the stage now where we’re getting proposals from architectural firms,” said Ken Harding, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Woodstock. “We’re waiting to see what that might look like, but we’re getting ideas from architects as to how those projects might evolve.”

Harding explained the project is a proposed $12 million dollar undertaking. Funding for all three aspects of the expansion is being divided three ways, between the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government. The town is also dividing their $4 million dollar municipal share two ways with the Woodstock Rotary Club.

“One of the best things to hear was the impact on economic development. We heard from larger companies that it was a great recruiting tool,” said Harding.

“When people were looking to move into the area, with young families, they want amenities, and we had amenities in a small town that were equal to what a lot of larger towns they were coming from had. They were quite amazed when they saw what we had to offer for sports and recreation.”

Blaine Tompkins lives in Jacksonville and is an instructor at NBCC Woodstock, as well as the Educational Director for the Woodstock Slammers. He said even though the expansions probably won’t be complete in time for his children, he’s happy to support these types of projects.

“As a taxpayer, I’m glad to see that some infrastructure for our town is being improved. I think we spend a lot of our tax money on things we need, but sometimes the things that are important to the youth, and important beyond the everyday grind of life, are always the last ones to get addressed,” said Tompkins. “I’m glad to see that this is being addressed by the town.”

But all of these improvements do come with a price tag. The Town of Woodstock spends about $600,000 dollars annually on civic centre operating costs. When the centre was built, the town consulted with the local service districts (LSDs) around the municipality in an effort to raise funds. Seven LSDs, Woodstock, Lower Wakefield, North Hampton, Upper/Lower North Hampton, Inner Debec, Outer Debec and Richmond, all committed two cents on every dollar towards operating costs. Because operating costs will increase after the expansion, the town will be looking to these partners for additional support.

“Once the project announcement has been made, one of our steps will be to meet with each of the LSDs after we’ve arrived at a new figure for support,” said Mayor Slipp.

“Then we can discuss, with the surrounding LSDs, to make sure that it is a number that they’re comfortable with, that will also allow us to deal with the operation expenses at the civic center. And that’s the only component that we’re asking them to fund – just the operating expenses at the civic center.”

Jeff Wright of Wright’s Esso sits on the expansion committee. He also served as mayor when the idea to expand the centre was first discussed. Wright said the cost to people living in the service districts is not significant compared to what they are getting.

“I know a lot of people within the service districts will say they don’t want their taxes raised because of something that’s going on in the town of Woodstock,” said Wright. “But to be perfectly honest with you, when the civic center was put there to begin with, they all benefitted from the civic centre.

“But at the end of the day, every household in the local service district would be probably paying in anywhere from $50 to $100 dollars a year for the civic centre, and I don’t think that’s an unreal amount of money for what they’re getting.”

Scott Dunlop owns and operates Homezone Electronics in Woodstock and Florenceville, and is a member of the Rotary Club. He also sits on the expansion committee. He said these plans are very important for the community.

“If you talk to a real estate agent, they will tell you that when someone comes to McCain’s, or Barrett’s or Sabian, they all tell you the same thing. One of the first things they ask is what is there here for my son or daughter to do,” said Dunlop.

“That alone speaks volumes to why it’s important to have it in our community. And I would still like to have the thought that rural NB is shrinking, urban NB is growing, and we’re in the middle. We’re a small town, but unless we grow what we offer, we could start to go the other way.”

Dunlop said they hope to be able to make a public announcement soon.

“We think that we’ll have some announcements very soon, hopefully by April.”

Amer Fort – A refuge of kings

By Michael MacDonald

AMER  - In the small town of Amer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, the historical stronghold of the Rajputs perches high on a hill, a shining example of the power once wielded by its ancient tenants.

Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort, is a magnificent palace that was built in 1592 by Raja Shri Man Singh Ji Saheb (Man Singh I). Man Singh I was one of the nine gems of the royal court of Akbar, one of the most famous Mughal emperors in Indian history.

Well maintained to this day, Amber Fort can be found approximately 11 kilometres north of Jaipur, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in India. Thousands of tourists from all over the world visit to marvel at unique combination of Hindu and Mughal design.

Amer Fort also houses a temple dedicated to Sila Devi, an incarnation of the goddesses Kali or Durga. The practice of animal sacrifice was conducted at this temple every day until 1980, when the state government of Rajasthan banned the practice.

For more information on visiting India, visit www.incredibleindia.org, or call the Indian tourism office in Canada at 416-962-3787.

Amber Fort perches majestically above Maota Lake on the Jaipur-Delhi highway. The fort lies about 11 kilometres north of Jaipur.

A snake charmer entertains tourists outside the road to the fort. Although snake charming is illegal in India, many still ply the trade.

A large group of elephants waits to ferry tourists up to the fort and through the Sun Gate, named for its eastern facing. The Sun Gate was reserved for dignitaries and guests of the king.

An elephant driver’s bright turban contrasts distinctly against the sandstone of the fort. Workers in the background keep the way clean.

An intricate display of craftsmanship awaits the sightseer at every turn. The Indian government has gone to great lengths to protect and preserve the fort.

A beautiful garden in the style of the Mughals sits in the courtyard of what was once the private quarters of the Maharaja (king) and his family. Suhk Mahal, or the Hall of Pleasure, can be seen to right.

Hand-in-hand with the law – an unnamed officer poses for a photo with Michael MacDonald (L) and Steve Forbes in front of Jai Mandir, the Hall of Mirrors.

This opulent mirrored inlaying covers all the walls and ceiling of the Hall of Mirrors, also known as Sheesh Mahal. Historically, the hall would be filled with candles at night, presenting reflective wonders to the Maharaja and his guests.

Raja Singh, friend and driver, poses with a baby boa at Amber Fort.

The colorful dress and embroidery of India is well known throughout the world. Indian tourists are as common at Amber Fort as those from foreign lands.

Municipal Charity?

Sandra Ogden-Olmstead, executive director of Volunteer Family Services in Woodstock, said the Christmas Season is the most demanding time of year. 

By Michael MacDonald

WOODSTOCK – Volunteer Family Services (VFS), otherwise known as the Woodstock Food Bank, is tucked away behind a small strip mall on Main Street. Finding it for the first time is easy if you notice the sign of the faceless mother with her two sad children. But regrettably, many people are finding it for the first time.

Luckily, the food bank has been able to find funding over the years to support its cause. The Town of Woodstock hasn’t been approached to support the organization financially.

“I’ve been here for three years, but I haven’t requested municipal support other than having the town office join us in some of our fundraising campaigns,” said Sandra Ogden Olmstead, executive director for VFS.

Olmstead said the municipality supports the food bank in variety of other ways. She said they would partner with media to promote various fundraising activities and events, as well as make appearances.

“Being leaders of the community, their voice is sometimes heard and recognized more than mine would be,” said Olmstead.

Woodstock Mayor Arthur Slipp said the town doesn’t have a formal relationship with the food bank, and has not had to support them financially. He said they do help out in other ways whenever they can.

“Some of the ways that we help them is that we certainly give them moral support; we can help them with a small construction project,” said Mayor Slipp.

“For a time, I was on the board of the food bank, and having lived here, we were able to get them into contact with the carpentry program down at the community college, and we were able to facilitate the right person to come to their assistance to help them with something that was a specific issue at the time.”

Mayor Slipp said there is a very important reason council does not support the food bank, and other charitable organizations, financially. They fear setting a precedent for charitable contributions would mean spending an unrealistic amount of money annually in support of these groups.

“Council has to be very, very careful of what we do in terms of charitable contributions,” said Mayor Slipp. “We receive so many letters from very worthy groups and individuals looking for financial support. Council has only twice given an annual grant or an annual contribution.”

The two instances in which council has contributed financially include the establishment of Carleton Manor on Deakin Drive, and a donation to the NBCC Woodstock Scholarship Fund.

“It’s very difficult to say yes to some, and no to others, so we’ve had the policy of saying no.”

Trade troubles? NBCC staying positive

By Michael MacDonald

WOODSTOCK – For all the talk of economic turmoil and forecasted downturns in the industry here in New Brunswick, instructors and students of the trades from the New Brunswick Community College are remaining positive.

Earlier this fall, the Construction Sector Council and the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council both released national reports suggesting the province’s construction industry is headed for a downturn.

“That doesn’t really concern me because a lot of the contracting companies are losing a lot of business because they are overpriced,” said Bruce Polchies, a carpentry student from NBCC. “But now individual carpenters are making more money doing odd jobs here and there after they get their certification.”

Polchies is like many other hopeful students of the trades. He agreed that prospects are not always the best in small towns like Woodstock, and understands that he may have to look for work in other places.

Jerry Grant is an instructor who has taught at NBCC for seven years, and said the industry has always been that way. He has worked in the trades since 1974.

“You may not have a lot of work in downtown Woodstock or Canterbury or any small community around. We know there might not be a lot going on at the present time, but there are always bigger places that you can go to,” said Grant.

“I mean, even today we have a lot of people are going west, but when I started in the trades, it was a big deal to go to Saint John or Moncton to work. You’re talking 38 years ago, and they’d say ‘oh, there’s no work around Woodstock.’ Well you go to where the work is. It’s always been that way since day one.”

Grant said regardless of what you choose to do, you have to be happy in your work.

“I guess the philosophy that I use now is one I first heard my son say - when I go to work, if I don’t enjoy my work, then I’m not going to work at it.

“Money isn’t everything, and I can say that now because I’m 57 years old and I’ve made some good money and I’ve made some poor money, but you’ve got to be happy.”

Amid the sounds of hammers and saws, Polchies was optimistic about his own futures in the trades.

“Five years from now I hope to be running my own business. In five years I hope to be running the business for at least a year and a half already at that point.”

Polchies laughed it off when asked what he’d do if he couldn’t find work.

“Look harder, or just find something else.”

Foul Fundraiser Actualizes Ambitions

Cliff McLeod sprints to finish the race at the Mud Grinder Challenge at Connell Park Raceway on Saturday, September 24. The obstacle course competition was a fundraiser for the Upper River Valley Cancer Support Group. 

By Michael MacDonald

WOODSTOCK – On Saturday, September 24, a soon-to-be muddy group of people gathered at Connell Park Raceway for the inaugural Mud Grinder Challenge, a fundraising event in support of the Upper River Valley Cancer Support Group.

Julie LaPage, who runs the well-known Julie’s Bootcamp, was the driving force behind the organization of the event. She is a certified group fitness instructor, and a student at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.

“I’ve just grown up always surrounded by sports and fitness and I wanted something a little more competitive than a marathon race or something like that, so this is why we put together this craziness,” said LaPage.

Although LaPage’s family has not been immediately affected by cancer, she was sure of the positive work that the Upper River Valley Cancer Support Group does.

“They do so much with such a small team. There are only six of them and they do fundraising… they make little comfort kits and they send them to the hospital for anybody who’s been newly diagnosed with cancer.

“They also arrange transportation for cancer patients who have any kind of appointments in Fredericton, Moncton or Saint John.

“They also give them as much financial support as they can, so we just want to put them on the map a little bit so more people will donate,” said Lapage.

All of the participants finished the event completely covered in dirt, but that wasn’t their only reason for attending.

Andrea Bell, or Android Andy, was sure to point out all of the reasons her and her team were in attendance.

“Well, we’re here to support cancer research – supporting families with cancer. We’re here because we’re all boot camp girls, and we’re here because we all wanted to have fun.”

More than 20 teams of varying sizes registered for the event, raising more than a thousand dollars.

Amy McLeod, who has been going to Julie’s Bootcamp since it began over a year and a half ago, was quick to praise LaPage’s efforts to revitalize fitness in Woodstock.

“Julie has gotten a lot of women in Woodstock back into exercising and she’s very motivating and has done a great job for the town of Woodstock,” said McLeod.

The Meduxnekeag – Conserving Habitats for the Future

WOODSTOCK – The founding of many of Canada’s first towns can be said to be due in large part to the use of river systems winding inland, especially in New Brunswick. The Saint John River in particular has many communities along its shores.

In Woodstock, New Brunswick’s oldest incorporated town, the Meduxnekeag River joins the St. John in its southeastern course. Woodstock is the center of a large catchment community otherwise known as Carleton County. The Meduxnekeag River ends in Woodstock, and is similar to it in many ways.

Rivers and other bodies of water are invaluable. Using them for navigation and transportation has long been a standard.  The founding of Woodstock by Loyalists following the American War of Independence was made possible by the presence of one. They are widely used as a source for water, an inextricable part of human life, as well as a source of food.

People who live outside of Woodstock depend on the town for many things. Services are more widely available. They can access grocers, health care practitioners and many other desirable resources. The Meduxnekeag provides many of the same things in different ways.

We are still only considering the uses that human beings have found for themselves. When you consider the impact a river has on the area through which it flows, it is not measurable through the uses we humans can derive. The well being of the entire surrounding ecosystem is directly correlated to the presence and health of the river, just as towns like Woodstock are directly connected to the people that surround it.

Protecting the natural world through conservation is a movement that has been gaining momentum for many years. As human populations grow, increasing amounts of resources and land is used to satisfy our demands. Some put a high value on the conservation of ecologically significant habitats as it becomes increasingly more important to protect them from encroachment.

The Meduxnekeag River Association is one such organization that does place a high value on said habitats.

“A lot of things that govern our lives are administered through government, but there’s still a large area of inactivity when it comes to watersheds and conservation in general. I think communities fill a void that governments (can’t) because of either jurisdiction or limited resources.”

Stephen Wilson is the President of the Meduxnekeag River Association. He said that watersheds, particularly in New Brunswick, tend to define communities.

“I think the community can kind of tap into that void to deal with those important things that relate to watersheds, everything from clean water, to biodiversity to recreation. You can even say cultural pursuits, if picking fiddleheads is part of N.B. culture. The Meduxnekeag is probably one of the last great habitats for the ostrich fern.”

Their small office in downtown Woodstock overlooks the Saint John River just before it reaches the mouth of the Meduxnekeag. It is just large enough to accommodate two work areas, and the space is well used. The walls are covered with posters from children and other groups thanking them for their work. The largest wall is covered with two giant posters of the Meduxnekeag watershed - one from the past, one from the present.

“We have a number of interrelated mandates. The primary one is to protect the ecologically and environmentally sensitive land in the Meduxnekeag watershed.”

George Peabody is one of two Program Coordinators with the organization. When first visiting with him, his large insulated rubber boots backed up his claims that the trails were in good conditions that time of the year, even with all the snow.

The Meduxnekeag River Association wasn’t always called by that name. In fact, the association originated as the Meduxnekeag Trout Association. Its original impetus was the protection of the river and its tributaries as trout habitats.

The Meduxnekeag has native populations of both brook trout and brown trout. It is also one of only two rivers in New Brunswick to have native populations of brown trout coexisting with brook trout.

As time went on, the founders eventually became aware of some unique qualities of the Meduxnekeag, and there was a much stronger desire to protect those remarkable qualities.

“Land trust wasn’t part of the original plan. I guess it’s getting to be a bit of a cliché now, but Appalachian Hardwood forest covered the rich soils of the St. John River valley, and west of the valley in particular,” said Wilson, president of the association.

“Those forests were typically cleared for agriculture. The land acquisition was (started) partly because 1% of the original Appalachian Hardwood forest exists when you look at its historical range, and 45% of that 1% is along the Meduxnekeag valley.”

In 1997, the Provincial Nature Trust of NB conducted a survey of Appalachian Hardwood Forests. The results showed that the Meduxnekeag watershed had the highest concentration of Appalachian Hardwood forest sites in New Brunswick, as well as the richest and most diverse sites.

According to the Provincial Nature Trust of NB, Appalachian Hardwood Forests are found nowhere else in Atlantic Canada. They occur in the sheltered confines of the St. John River valley. What was once a continuous woodland ranging as far north as Grand Falls is now a patchwork of small areas, cut off by potato fields and settlements.

Appalachian Hardwood forests are characterized by the presence of four hardwood tree species: basswood, butternut, white ash and ironwood. Despite the aggravated situation, the Nature Trust found “thirty-five provincially uncommon, rare or very rare plant species.”

“When you look around the world and you see how quickly these natural green spaces are disappearing, it is very critical that we protect and preserve some of these lands so our children and all these future generations can actually see what we are seeing,” said Renata Woodward, Executive Director of the Provincial Nature Trust of New Brunswick.

When the Provincial Nature Trust approached the Meduxnekeag River Association to talk about the unique characteristics they had discovered, it awakened an interest in more than purely the river.

Up until the time the survey was conducted, the organization had been focused on the river and its tributaries. They had surveyed populations of fish and other organisms and undertaken some streambed restoration projects. But after learning of the significance of the surrounding forest, the concern was taken beyond the river to include the forest that the river is part of.

In the fall of 1998, one of the Appalachian Hardwood forest sites that were surveyed came on the market. It was a prominent hill of mature hardwood, which is typically bought and sold for its timber. This news was brought to the board of the Meduxnekeag River Association, and two of the members bought a thirty-day option to purchase.

On a Sunday afternoon soon afterwards, half a dozen of the directors and some of their family members drove out to the site, known as Wilson Mountain. When they had climbed to the top of hill, an eagle circled slowly above them. The members quickly agreed that the Meduxnekeag River Association would purchase the land for $130,000.

The association had less than $150 dollars in the bank at the time. They bought it using a bank mortgage that was individually guaranteed by ten directors and supporters of the organization. They organized a 5-year fundraising plan to pay for the property; the success of the fundraiser was impressive enough to pay the mortgage in only four.

This series of events has led to the Meduxnekeag River Association continuing with property purchases, now owning more than 10 properties, all within the ecologically significant watershed area.

Wilson Mountain was the first property to be purchased, which now has more than 10 kilometres of well-marked, low-impact trails. This initial purchase was followed by the acquisitions of Leonard Woods, Bell Forest and Morrison Lake. They have also received a donation of property on the north bank of the Meduxnekeag named Keenan Ridge, honouring the donor.

As of March 31^st of this year, the Meduxnekeag River Association has confirmed the purchase of three additional properties acquired with the support of a very well recognized conservancy group in Canada.

“Of late, we’ve partnered with the Nature Conservancy of Canada,” explained Wilson. “Their partnership is an acknowledgement of the fact that it is an important natural habitat to try to protect.”

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is “Canada’s leading national land conservation organization.” In 2007, the NCC received a grant from the federal government, which they decided to sub-grant to local land trusts in an effort to further their goals of conserving important areas.

“For projects that are being done within areas that the NCC has recognized as priority areas to do land conservation because of their ecological significance, groups can apply for support – up to 50% of the project,” said Paula Noel, Program Manager for New Brunswick with the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

“Whichever province we’re in, we work closely with local land trusts, such as the Meduxnekeag, to promote and help groups to do land conservation in the province.”

The Meduxnekeag River Association holds an annual dinner and auction each spring that typically nets $15,000 to $20,000. About half of that goes towards property purchases, with the remainder funding other organizational expenses.

The organization received official charitable tax status in 2002, opening up the door for charitable foundations. The Woodstock Rotary Club generously donated each year for the purchase of the Wilson Mountain and Bell Forest properties. They have also received support from four different Canadian charitable foundations for property purchases, as well as financial support from both the Provincial Nature Trust of NB and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

New Democrats have a new leader

WOODSTOCK – “I want us to be one of the richest places in the entire world.”

That was Dominic Cardy in Woodstock prior to his succession as the new leader of the NDP in New Brunswick. His vision for the future of the province is bright, and Cardy said he has creative ideas to stimulate growth.

“We want to encourage good businesses, so we’ll push for the New Jobs Tax Credit.”

This idea gives businesses a fully refundable tax credit for new jobs.

Cardy also believes literacy is one of the biggest problems that New Brunswickers face and is the single most important thing he would change.

“Politicians here have been happy to sit and preside over a province where we have an illiteracy rate that’s more than 50%,” said Cardy.

“I don’t think that you can expect people who don’t have the ability to read and write, to be able to compete with well organized interests no matter what they are.”

Cardy enters the leadership role following Roger Duguay, who resigned after the NDP failed to win a single seat in the last provincial election. The party only earned 10% of the vote, a percentage the party rarely improves.

Cardy has worked overseas for many years for political organizations in countries like Afghanistan and Cambodia. He writes for Inroads, the Canadian policy journal, and has been involved with the NDP since his time as President of the Nova Scotia NDP Youth Wing. He holds a degree in political science from Dalhousie University.