Moose FM CFBK 105.5 - Today’s Hits, Yesterday’s Favourites - Huntsville, Ontario

A local lawyer is filing a class action lawsuit against the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) over damage incurred during the recent flooding.

Michael Ann MacDonald says she’s commencing the action on behalf of a number of property owners on Lake Muskoka, the Indian River below the dam in Port Carling and on the north and south branch of the Muskoka River.

She’ll be applying to the court to have it certified as a class action on behalf of all property owners affected by flooding.

MacDonald says the MNR, having taken control of the watershed and regulating it by dams, has the obligation of regulating it properly not negligibly. She says the dam system was not properly operated to allow for sufficient drawdown.

MacDonald anticipates others will join the action. The government needs 60 days notice before you can file a claim, then you have to publish it and your application to the court to be certified as a class action. MacDonald says she has expert evidence that tells her that the whole story has not been told. We have contacted the MNR about the accusations, but they have not yet been able to respond.

An Almaguin Highlands Secondary School student comes home with an award at a recent drama festival in Hamilton. Sandi Robertson was given the Outstanding Stage Manager Award at the All Ontario Sears Drama Festival earlier this month. AHSS was also given the Award of Excellence for the Acting Ensemble. Their play, “Lessons of Childhood” was one of eleven shows that participated in this event. This is the second time in four years that Almaguin has made it to the All Ontario level.

James Street in Parry Sound will be closed Friday for filming of the latest movie being shot there.  A Very Larry Christmas will be filming downtown tomorrow morning from 7-11.  The temporary closure will be on James Street between Seguin Street and Mary Street.  Leisure Services Coordinator April McNamara told council Tuesday night that the film crew says filming will happen during that time rain or shine.

The School Communities of Whitestone Lake and Magnetawan Central Schools are inviting you to LEGO EXPO 2013.  Parents and community members are invited to attend the Junior First Lego League Expo taking place this afternoon from 4:30 until 6:00 at Magnetawan Central School.  Participants will have a chance to meet with students from ages 6-9 belonging to ten Junior First Lego League teams and view their models and displays.

It’s a night to thank our volunteers for a job well done. Over 100 residents from Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Parry Sound and Magnetawan will be honoured at the Ontario Volunteer Service Award tonight for their countless volunteer hours and dedication to better our community. It’s happening at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville at 7:00pm. These awards are given to residents for their continued volunteer work to a single organization.

Go to www.ontario.ca/honoursandawards to see the list of award recipients.

Bracebridge is hosting the 2013 Community Volunteer and Sport Awards Celebration at the Rene M. Caisse Theatre on June 6th.

It’ll happen at 7pm. A number of local residents will be honoured for their outstanding achievement in volunteerism and sport. Town Council, through the Bracebridge Community Recognition Advisory Committee, annually submits nominations for Provincial awards to the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s Honours and Awards Program and to the Ontario Heritage Trust. Nominees to be recognized include a variety of people whose volunteerism has made a significant impact in the community.

They include:

Bill Quemby: He’ll receive the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship, which honours people who have made outstanding contributions to their communities over many years.

Morris Hudasek: He is receiving the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award For Volunteerism It recognizes individuals and groups that have made an exceptional contribution to Volunteerism in Ontario.

John Purchase: He will receive the Senior Achievement Award, which honours those who have made outstanding contributions to their communities after turning 65.

Sidney Rosenblatt: He will receive the Senior of the Year Award, which gives each municipality in Ontario the opportunity to honour an outstanding local senior.

Penny Joiner: Joiner will receive the Senior of the Year Award, which gives each municipality in Ontario the opportunity to honour an outstanding local senior.

Ruth Veitch: Veitch will receive the Volunteer Service Award, which honours the thousands of people who have volunteered their time to a single organization for several years.

Doug Ingram: Ingram will receive the Volunteer Service Award which honours the thousands of people who have volunteered their time to a single organization for several years.

The evening will also include the presentation of the 2013 Bracebridge Community Sport Awards. The Sport Awards are presented annually to the athlete, coach and team of the year. The Award winners have shown excellence in their sport; display good conduct on and off the playing surface; are a credit to the community; have displayed good character; and serve as excellent role models for young athletes in the community. This year a new award in memory of Christopher Todd Lang to recognize outstanding accomplishments which result in equal opportunities for persons with disabilities within the Town of Bracebridge will be unveiled at the award ceremony.