29 December 2008

The Standard-Freeholder has compiled a list of the top 10 news stories of 2008.

Our newsroom has discussed the stories and issues that have been reported throughout the year and today present a ranking of the stories that have become water-cooler fodder throughout 2008.

We have also asked readers to rank the stories, through an online vote.

Please enjoy this look back at 2008's top stories - and leave us a message at standard-freeholder.com if you think something was missed, or would change the order.

Police tape cordoning off Cornwall's residential neighbourhoods was an all too common sight in 2008. There were four murders within the Cornwall area alone, three of which were in consecutive months from March to May.

"Alissa was a blinding ray of light, introducing sunshine into people's lives," said Father Matthew Brunet at the young girl's funeral. "She touched the lives of so many who are better having known her."

On May 12, a 16-year-old boy was stabbed by a classmate at T. R Leger School.

The hottest topic at city hall in 2008 was, and continues to be, the multi-pad arena project. Choosing a site for the arena was a volatile process that is still drawing fire. Then it was three pads, two pads, should we have a soccer area, maybe tennis courts?

Funding the project is one of the biggest hurdles left. Discussion over the year ranged from a public-private partnership to an interest-free loan from the provincial government that hinges on power dam funding.

3. Perry Dunlop spends seven months in jail for refusing to testify at inquiry

The Ontario Divisional Court also convicted Dunlop, 46, of criminal contempt after he disregarded a subsequent court order to return to the stand. He received an additional 30 days for a total of seven months behind bars.

He knows what it's like to sleep in prison," said Lee. "And there's a laundry list of perpetrators who have no idea what that feels like."

4. Inquiry gets end date

On Oct. 21, the province handed down strict orders to the Cornwall Public Inquiry that the final witness must leave the stand no later than Jan. 30.

Since testimony began in February 2006, the long-running probe into how institutions responded to allegations of historical abuse has heard from more than 150 witnesses, including victims, police officers, church officials, probation officers, and social workers.

"A commissioner is subject to the directions of lawful authorities," said inquiry Commissioner Normand Glaude after the order came from the Ministry of the Attorney General's office.

"Cabinet has directed this inquiry in terms of the timing of the end of testimony, timing of submissions, and timing of the report. I intend to do everything to meet the timelines established."

5. Smuggling deaths of elderly couple on Cornwall Island

On Nov. 14, Edward and Eileen Kassian, both 77, of Massena, N. Y., were killed near the U. S. border when a cigarette smuggler attempted to flee from Akwesasne Mohawk police officers.

"There's no reason for that," said island resident Wanda Sjarrow, who was at the scene of the collision, returning home from Cornwall. "The chase shouldn't have went on as long as it did. What if there were more people on the road? More people could have died, it could have been a lot worse."

Eileen was born in Cornwall and later became a U. S. citizen.

The incident is still under investigation by the OPP, who was called in by the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service.

6. 13 school closures

The Upper Canada District School Board's restructuring plan, known as Boundary 2020, was some three years in the making, and a revolutionary decision in Ontario education.

In May, the board voted in favour of the plan, effectively closing 13 schools under its control. The consolidation and boundary alignments would also incorporate a grades 7-12 structure at some high schools, as well as reorganize its French-language programs.

 David McDonald, who represents the Cornwall area on the board, commented on the decision at the May 14 meeting.

"By delaying this any further, we just delay the inevitable," he said.

The move is intended to save money in the face of declining enrolment. The implementation of these changes is now known as Building 2020.

The board is currently working on a communications strategy to convince the province to let it hold on to some of the $58.6 million over 25 years that will be saved from the closures.

The Ministry of Education begins a working review of Ontario school closures in 2010.

7. No Liquiforce jobs, more layoffs

When word came on Nov. 14 that green-collar jobs expected to come to Cornwall were on hold, there was much ado about an alleged guarantee from MPP Jim Brownell during a 2007 election debate.

Last fall the environmentally-friendly sewer renovations company announced that after consultations with Brownell it had decided to open a new facility in Cornwall that would bring 563 jobs to the region by 2011.

"This is just typical of what we've seen from the McGuinty Liberals in the past," said former Conservative candidate Chris Savard in November.

"They say one thing when they need our vote at election time, and they do something else as soon as they come to power."

The year was also marked by layoffs at a number of area companies such as Satisfied Brake, Valspar and Premier Wire.

 8. Guy Lauzon returned to office for third Tory term in Liberal stronghold

Lauzon earned more than half of the total vote to claim his third straight election victoryoverastrongfieldof challengerssuchas Liberal Denis Sabourin and New Democrat Darlene Jalbert.

The Tory MP ran largely on his record during the campaign, pointing to the establishment of a new $15-million RCMP station and the creation of 218 new federal government jobs in Cornwall as two of his biggest accomplishments to date.

"No doubt I was running on my record in this election, and I find it funny how the other candidates were criticizing me for doing my job," Lauzon said after election day. "My strategy was to show my constituents what I've done for them, and let them know that if they re-elect me they can expect more of the same."

Lauzon was also named chair of the Conservative caucus in early November.

9. Hospital completion of phase one, plus controversy

On June 26, the Cornwall Community Hospital opened state-of-the-art birthing suites as part of the hospital's phase one $6.3-million capital redevelopment project.

"It's what can be done by a community that puts its heart and soul into improving health care," said area MPP Jim Brownell.

Much of the good news, however, was marred by an agreement that may shut out many local workers from employment on the hospital's redevelopment in 2009.

Union incompatibilities was the primary reason for the lengthy controversy that made headlines in the latter part of the year.

10. Cornwall hosts RBC Cup

The week-long tourney, which ran from May 3-11 brought in as much as $1 million to the local economy, said Hockey Canada officials.

"We pulled a lot of people from the community who aren't junior A fans, just hockey fans," said RBC Cup host committee chair Candy Pollard after the event. "With all these teams it was a recipe for great hockey."

Eventual champions, The Humboldt Broncos, dominated the tournament.

A total of 24,685 tickets were sold and given out for the entire tournament, roughly 10,000 less than last year's RBC Cup in Prince George, B. C.

A breakdown of how readers ranked our top stories

We asked readers what the top story of 2008 was.

The following list ranks the results by percentage of votes:

1. Multiple murders -29 per cent

2. Dunlop jail time -29 per cent

3. Multi-pad arena -16 per cent

4. Inquiry end date -eight per cent 5. School closures -five per cent

6. Liquiforce jobs -five per cent

7. Hospital issues -four per cent

8. Smuggling-related deaths -three per cent

9. Lauzon victory -two per cent

10. RBC Cup -zero per cent

Why oh Why do I have to read both hard copies and net copies of the Standard Freeholder stating the top stories in Cornwall are about multiple murders and a coward cop. Thanx for the positive promotion you idiots 

1)tap your heels together, 2) repeat over and over, "this is not true", "this is not true", "this is not true", "this will all go away", "this will all go away".....repeat until 2010 and start over; i.e.)healing and reconciliation. And yes, I agree, to be reminded yet again; the obvious "cowardice" cops and justice personel who intentionally or through error, misrepresented the facts, while testifying at the "Glaude Inquiry".....,sorrowful, isn't it.  Again, "Itinerant", as you have documented repeatedly on these posts for many months now, YOU are right.....now, now, now, yes,....YOU are right.....now, now, now, yes, you are right......everything will be okay.....

(My, my, the anger, the desperation, the hate.) "The truth is cruel, but it can be loved and it makes free those who have loved it." "Truth will set you free". Those who are "free" are not desperate to express hate and their anger to other "men". The very best to you in 2009 "Itinerant"...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

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