Top 10 stories of 2007

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

29 December 2007

Posted By Greg Peerenboom

Here it is - our official list of the top news stories of 2007. Sure, it's fodder for coffee shop debate, but it's also a look inside the stories that made 2007 stand out as one of the newsiest years since, well, 2006. So enjoy.

No. 1 - Strange scenes inside, and outside, the Cornwall Public Inquiry

The Cornwall Public Inquiry continued to dominate local headlines in 2007, but it was probably more for what went on outside than inside the formal proceedings.

While the inquiry continued to hear sometimes disturbing testimony from alleged sex abuse victims, the biggest news was that star witness Perry Dunlop didn't say anything at all.

The former city cop, who blew the whistle into alleged abuses by high-ranking individuals in the community, refused to answer questions on the stand in the fall, saying he had no faith in the inquiry.

Weeks later, three divisional judges in a Toronto courtroom found Dunlop guilty of contempt of court and ordered him to appear at the inquiry on Jan. 14.

Dunlop's brother-in-law Carson Chisholm came close to pulling his Coalition for Action group from the inquiry, citing a lack of financial assistance from the inquiry.

His demonstration on Montreal Road rankled the gay community when he displayed a sign: 'Prosecute the Pedo-Sodomites not the Whistle blower.'

And then there's the bill all of this is creating. City taxpayers and council are becoming increasingly concerned with the ballooning bill for operating the inquiry, headed by commissioner Normand Glaude.

As of late November, the total cost was pegged at nearly $12 million. A further $3 million has been allocated with phase 2, which deals with the healing and reconciliation of the community.

Controversy arose last fall when it became apparent there was no cost-sharing formula for the provincial government to help the city pay for its police services' inquiry involvement.

The police service has racked up $4.6 million in expenses, of which the province has paid around $4 million.

Circumstances around the abuse allegations got even murkier rather than clearer in late spring.

Witness Ron Leroux recanted earlier statements he made that he witnessed bizarre sexual rituals involving high profile members of the community.

No. 2 - Local ethanol plant dies after never seeing the light of day 15 years after it was conceived. Thousands of residents lose millions

It was a dream that attracted thousands of local investors, including many farmers, who raised about $13 million to build an ethanol production plant in the city that would be supplied with locally grown corn.

But it became an epic struggle which plunged plant management into the ruthless and unforgiving world of high finance.

Despite countless promises "the shovels would be in the ground" the best the Seaway Valley Farmers Energy Co-Operative could do was build an office on the industrial land it leased from the city.

Along the way, millions of senior government assistance was promised.

Brownell election, shopping, arena made headlines in 2007

Despite patience from the shareholders and the city, the co-op could not land a building contractor to actually show up at the site.

Meanwhile, ethanol plants were springing up in the rest of Ontario, including one less than an hour down the highway in Prescott.

Valuable, city land was not being used to its potential, finally provoking councillors to discontinue the city's lease with the co-op.

The dream had become orphaned and neighbouring municipalities did not want to foster it.

The co-op finally admitted defeat and, in an emotionally-draining meeting last October, directors agreed to dissolve the organization. Unfortunately, much of the money won't be returned to the first wave of investors before a final offering in 1999, which raised about $7.6 million.

No. 3 - MPP Jim Brownell is re-elected after convincing provincial election win.

It was easy to understand why Liberal MPP Jim Brownell won handily in 2003: his main rival had no political experience and voters had tired of the Progressive Conservative so-called Common Sense Revolution.

Last October saw a near repeat as Brownell coasted to a win over well-known city businessman and activist, former councillor Chris Savard, the runner-up Tory candidate.

While many voters were upset over his party's health tax and intrusive rural legislation, Brownell avoided the back-lash.

Voters apparently accept his own view of himself - a compassionate and hard-working constituency politician.

Shortly before the campaign, Brownell announced that Liquiforce, a "green" company would eventually hire more than 500 workers in the area.

The Liberals in general were handed a gift by the Tories who advocated equal educational funding for all religious-based schools. Brownell and others claim the funding would erode the public education system.

Other local residents running were NDP Lori Taylor and Green's Elaine Kennedy.

The rest of the top 10, in no particular order

Arena issue grips city council.

Deciding what to do with the city's aging ice surfaces is no skate on the pond as many options exist.

In December, council took one step in not considering a four-pad facility, citing costs ranging up to $33 million. But that decision was greeted with heavy criticism by some members of the public and Coun. Glen Grant, who touted the four-pad as a great draw for tournaments and to meet increased use.

River Rats take provincial crown, almost win baseball nationals.

The Cornwall Little League River Rats made it to the national baseball championships last August in Thunder Bay after winning the provincials in Windsor.

It took the eventual gold medallist Whalley, B.C. team to eliminate the River Rats in the semifinals.

The River Rats had been up 6-2 early in the game, but Whalley charged back and edged Cornwall 7-6.

Jobs scene remains in flux.

Manufacturing layoffs have gripped the area in recent years and many looked for a reversal after a high-tech firm, Liquiforce, agreed last summer to hire local residents for new positions in the company.

Liquiforce said it was drawn to the city by a partnership with St. Lawrence College, which will set up a training program. Eventually, Liquiforce has plans to hire more than 500 workers.

This good news was offset by another big layoff announcement in November.

The Satisfied Brake plant will shed about 180 employees by February.

Cross border shopping renewed.

Local residents started heading across the international bridge in numbers not seen in many years after the high-flying Loonie promised savings in New York State.

Local businesspeople cried foul and pressured the federal government, through MP Guy Lauzon, to get tougher with shoppers heading back over the border. They wanted border guards to ensure shoppers were playing by the rules when it came to bringing purchases back into Canada.

Business people, via the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, later backed away from their previous statements, and the Loonie has likewise backed away from reaching as high as $1.10 U.S.

Ground-breaking time for female professionals.

It took more than 150 years, but the United Counties of S,D and G finally got its first female head of council when Warden Estella Rose of North Dundas Township was sworn in. A few months earlier, Shawna Spowart was promoted to sergeant in the Cornwall Community Police Service - a first ever female to rill that role for the force.

Cornwall almost becomes Hockeyville.

After making it all the way to the top five in the 2007 Kraft Hockeyville competition, Cornwall fell just short of the top prize last March in the national contest, losing out to North Bay.

The competition became a rallying point for many in the community, as city pride swelled.

Blaze at former Domtar plant attracts many.

A massive blaze at the former Domtar paper mill property partially destroyed one of the biggest structures on the site and brought out throngs of people from around the city.

Emergency crews were called to a fire in the cardboard recycling plant, which was started by a cutting torch that was being used to cut a stainless steel pipe as part of the ongoing demolition work.

Billowing black smoke from the fire could be seen from around the city.

Honourable mentions

While these stories were important in their own right, they weren't strong enough to crack our top 10. But here are 2007's honourable mentions.

Local activists want changes to Ontario Disability Support Program.

There were hunger strikes to protest income from the ODSP last winter as well as a petition to lobby for changes at Queen's Park and a constitutional challenge against unfair discrimination.

Aultsville Winter Filmfest debuts.

Just in time to ward off the winter blues, the city got its own film festival at Aultsville Hall when it arrived last January. For just $50, movie lovers enjoyed a number of acclaimed films, wine and cheese and also enjoyed some great high school skits.

New St. Joseph's Villa opens.

Residents of the redeveloped St. Joseph Continuing Care facility were moved into the expansion in December when the $34-million project was finished earlier this year.

Winchester Hospital plans new course.

Health Minister George Smitherman announced the Winchester District Memorial Hospital will be transformed into a state-of-the-art health-care centre after a $54-million redevelopment.

Cops in trouble.

Police in the area were caught in public glare thanks to a couple of hearings looking into misconduct.

RCMP Insp. Jean-Yves Lemoine was ordered last fall to resign for his role in an affair with a junior officer's wife.

Also, there's an ongoing hearing involving two local OPP officers after a woman brought forward complaints regarding their conduct.

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