I sure hope that everyone survived last week’s heat wave. They are calling for warm temperatures again this week.
On July 4, residents of Waltham and our neighbouring municipalities attended an important meeting at the R. A Centre in Campbell’s Bay, concerning a recently released map of flooding areas in our towns and villages. The implications of this designation are quite serious for home owners and seasonal residents. The Quebec government has declared a moratorium on any construction of building in this so called flood plain. More seriously, they have also declared that residents are forbidden to repair their homes or make any attempt to recover from the flood damages.
The news is even more shocking when you realize that the so called flood plain includes almost the entire village of Waltham, which has never seen any flooding this year or in the past. The presentation was made to a packed RA Centre of worried and distraught residents. The government officials read from the proposed Draft Regulation and described the intention of the government to impose drastic measures on the population.
Officials expressed no obvious sympathy or concern for the flood victims, but merely read the Draft Regulation before opening the floor to members of the assembly for questions. If applied as described at the meeting, citizens would witness their homes and property made virtually worthless. One would be forgiven for believing that our provincial government is treating flood victims as the cause of the terrible flooding. In fact during the entire meeting these officials avoided any mention of who may be responsible for this flood. It was only when members of the audience asked that question that an official offered a brief answer stating that rain was the cause of the flooding. An answer that seems highly unlikely to most of the people present. Officials have stated that a decision on the final regulation will be announced on July 15.
On Saturday afternoon, we attended a get together and barbecue at Veletia and Bill Richards in Petawawa, Ont. It was an end of the year party for CDE Dance Academy. The children enjoyed swimming in the pool and just hanging out with one another. A few of the senior dancers will be moving on in the fall so they presented Miss Dana with an unusual and touching tribute. She was presented with a door painted white and with the photographs of each of the students who are leaving for higher education in various universities and colleges. The door is symbolic of the next chapter in their lives that is now about to open. Much love and appreciation was showered on Miss Dana.
Special anniversary wishes and love are extended to my sister Joyce and her husband Jim Quenneville of Cornwall, Ont. who are celebrating their 52 wedding anniversary on July 15. May you share many more years of God’s richest blessings of health and happiness.
Carolyn and Gerard Pharand are celebrating their 52 wedding anniversary on July 15. May you be blessed with many more years of God’s richest blessings.
