Truth and Reconciliation - Good Morning from Rockland - Episode #1

In the inaugural episode of "Good Morning from Rockland" the new, weekly breakfast show by TVC22 host Thomas Stockting provides a news round up including: Truth and Reconciliation Day ; COVID-19 Update ; City's Finances assessed ; Fire at the Walmart parking lot ; & local backlash to vaccine passports.

Truth and Reconciliation Day

We start this week’s show by diving into the events of this Thursday as the country recognized the first official Truth and Reconciliation day. 

In Clarence-Rockland, the public library located just over the road from our station here at TVC22 put on a bilingual display of workshops, stories and more, presented by Abigail Collins & Louise Vien, from the Mi’kmaq and Métis First Nations respectively; stick around as later in the program we will bring you interviews with Abigail’s father & Catherina Rouse.

Mayor of the City of Clarence-Rockland Mr. Mario Zanth addressed residents later in the day with a speech from city hall.

COVID-19 Update

Now, let’s take a look at the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in Prescott-Russell.  At the time of recording there were 36 active cases in the United Counties, of which 9 were in Clarence-Rockland.  Ear marked as a region heading in the wrong direction last week, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit explained that although most areas are doing well, Cornwall’s case count is worrying. With 85% of active cases and 100% of the hospitalizations and ICU admissions in residents who haven’t received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine Dr. Roumeliotis hinted at a direct correlation between a lack of vaccination and the higher number of active cases. 

Across the region, 88% of residents aged 12 and above have received their first doses, with the 18-29 year old age group still the lowest. Last week, the EOHU released a statement encouraging businesses to implement a vaccine policy, and on Monday afternoon, Dr. Roumeliotis clarified why. 

Fire at the Walmart parking lot

A Prescott-Russell community services van caught fire late last week in the parking lot of Walmart in Clarence-Rockland. The fire, which started about 1pm on Thursday 23rd September, was dealt with quickly by the local firefighters. Chief of Protective Services, Mr. Pierre Voisine explained that thanks to the 10 firefighters who responded to the call, arriving on the scene within 4 minutes, the fire was extinguished before it could spread. When asked about the likely cause Chief Voisisne said : “It is very hard to determine the cause of a vehicle fire, but we suspect it was battery related.” No-one was injured during the incident.

City's Finances assessed

Recycling in the City of Clarence-Rockland was brought into question earlier this week as a review of the City’s operations took place. Yielding some positive results, such as the kind of stable finances that not all municipalities across the province can boast, the review naturally suggested some ways to reduce costs, increase efficiency and reduce waste. One of which was to increase the frequency of recycling collection and reduce how often garbage is collected in order to bring the City closer to the provincial average; although Councilor Don Bouchard acknowledged that the city is behind because of the lack of “green bins”.

Local backlash to vaccine passports

Ontario’s provincial vaccine passport system officially came into effect last Wednesday, meaning that if you would like to do certain activities such as eating out at a restaurant or attending a concert you must have received your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days beforehand. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even announced that those wishing to get on a plane or a train will soon be asked to do the same. There has been some vocal backlash to these decisions and, as reported by CBC and Global news, the owner of a local restaurant in Clarence-Rockland was subject to abuse the day the restrictions came in. I went down to Benny’s All Day diner to speak with Bill Mahfouz to ask him about the incident as well as the realities of running a restaurant in the 4th wave…