The New FM 105.5 Muskoka's Lite Favourites

We have a fiery situation shaping up in Muskoka. As you may know, the Huntsville Lake of Bays volunteer firefighters are on a work-to-rule action in protest of an investigation swirling around their Chief because of an apparent breach of national security leading up to the G8 (search the front page for Huntsville Fire Chief for background). While this won’t have an effect on the safety of the public because the firefighters will still respond to emergencies in a timely manner, it will impact town staff. That’s because the volunteers are refusing to do day to day maintenance at the station, leaving appropriate town staff to pick up the slack.

As we all wait with baited breath on how the work-to-rule action will pan out in Huntsville Lake of Bays, a more drastic situation is playing out in Muskoka Lakes Township. That’s where some volunteer firefighters have handed in their pagers. According to one Station Deputy Fire Chief the walk-out is due to the recent firing of Chief Jim Sawkins, a move council has not publicly explained. The Torrance/Walker's Point fire station has lost about half of their volunteers by the walk-out. The Milford Bay fire station, which was undermanned to begin with, has lost about a third of its volunteers. The volunteers have either requested a leave of absence from the department or have quit altogether.

So, what does this mean for residents of the Musoka Lakes Township? Both fire stations have been put on Code 2 status, which means for any call, whether it be medical, fire or accident, another station will be called in. This could mean longer response times as volunteers will have to come from longer distances to respond to calls for service.

We have been told part of the problem is the Muskoka Lakes firefighters don’t have proper apparatus, equipment and personal protective clothing, and they have to fundraise for the tools of their trade and new money has recently been denied by council.

Now, this has ignited a conundrum within me. These are VOLUNTEER firefighters. We should be putting them on the highest of pedestals, in my opinion. These men and women take time from their families, their jobs and the comforts of their bed at any hour, to head out the door and put themselves in danger to help complete strangers. Without them, we would be at a loss should our house catch fire, our loved ones get caught in a serious car accident or we be hit with a weather disaster that leaves us stranded with only the clothes on our backs in the middle of winter. I don’t need to be telling you this, you know what good these giving members of our community do for us. But I do need to ask, is it right for them to walk in protest of the firing of Chief Sawkins, putting the safety of others at risk? Not to mention the added pressure on area volunteers who will be called in to cover for them.

Clearly they need changes for their stations and better communication with council however, why not take a cue from the volunteers in Huntsville Lake of Bays and put a work-to-rule action in place, instead of handing in the pagers?

I'd love your thoughts, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Alright, obviously she doesn't go to Huntsville High. I just used that to grab your attention. But, she would no doubt benefit from our Moose Trax project if she lived in Huntsville!!

Moose Trax 5 is on sale now at any Moose FM station near you or at retail stores in our community so keep an eye out. The Moose Trax CD is a compilation of local musicians that we audition every year. Out of hundreds only about 16 make it onto the CD. We also put the songs into rotation on our air-waves. All proceeds from the CD's go to music progams at our local highschools. They're only $10 and make awesome gifts for people of all ages.

Press play for the reason on why we need to nuture our talented youth and support local music programs! This is too cute....

As you know, the situation in Haiti is devastating. It's going to take efforts from across the world to help the families of victims and the country rebuild. Canadians are there. Some were visiting friends or families. Some are there on humanitarian missions. Our troops have touched down to assist with relief efforts. Although you may not have been directly affected by this tragedy, you are undoubtedly among the many Muskokans overcome by sorrow and a sense of helplessness. Here's an easy way to help alleviate your sadness. Text "Haiti" to 45678 if you're a Bell or Rogers customer and you'll be billed $5. Your donation will go to the Salvation Army. If you do not text, head to our home page and click on the link in our news story entitled "Help Relief Efforts In Haiti". That will take you to the Red Cross website where you cand donate as well.

He smokes, is overweight and takes extreme sports to the next level with his chimney jumping and roof surfing without a helmet, but does that make Santa Claus a reckless role model for kids? Nathan Grills and Brendan Halyday think so, according to an article published December 16th in a British medical journal.

This led me to think, who is the good role model on the tube or shelves these days for our kids? Barbie? Well, she did just have a recent makeover. Her eyes have been made to take on a more almond shape, her eyebrows are less tweezed and pointy and she’s now got a cell phone. And then there’s the 50+ fashionista’s major competition, the Bratz dolls. Just the name of these new icons who are taking over our 7 year olds bedrooms irks me, never mind the amount of make up plastered on their face or their mini skirts with their platform lace-up to the knee high heel boots.

My daughter, who’s 8, loves both these dolls. She adores Sponge Bob too, who is also geared toward boys (along with the all American hero, gun toting GI Joe). Sponge Bob was allowed to enter my family room until I heard the word “idiot” come flying out of the speakers. These characters are geared toward 5 year-olds!

I could carry this rant on but I’ll spare you. My point is, get off Santa’s back. Sure he eats a lot of cookies and enjoys the odd puff of a pipe now and then, but more importantly he’s the epitome of goodness all round. He teaches kids kindness is what makes you likeable, not what you look like or what you have.

Sponge Bob has made it back into our house, only because of the long talks we’ve had with the kids about what they are seeing on TV. My daughter and I love to dress up, don the latest fashion and paint our face with make-up together. My son spends hours playing with his Lego and almost every time his designs revolve around the guns that came with the set.

As parents it’s our duty to make sure our children are protected from and understand negative outside influences. It’s our job to make sure they live a healthy, active life modeled after non-violent, polite ways. Let’s nurture their creative side, even if that means playing with make-up or toy pistols at such a young age. As long as we pass along the message that there is no place in this world for violence or excluding others because they aren’t up to speed on the latest fad, the future of the globe will be in good hands.

Barbie, Sponge Bob or Santa do not shape our kids entirely. They influence to a degree but the ultimate responsibility lies in the hands of the caregiver.

Enjoy making memories this season, and throughout the New Year. Happy Holidays!

PS – consider heading out to Huntsville’s Olympic Torch Relay Celebration. It’s a day both you and the kids will never forget! Rivermill Park, Wednesday December 30th . Keep an eye on our website for details.