Hawkesbury, ON

The ongoing tension at the Hawkesbury council table has taken a toll on Mayor René Berthiaume's patience.

Following a number of contentious debates at recent meetings, Berthiaume made it clear he won't tolerate any further disrespect around the council table.

"My job as mayor is to ensure council meetings run smoothly," he said during the meeting held on Monday, March 25. "That has not been the case, particularly at the last council meeting."

HAWKESBURY – The Town of Hawkesbury has finally agreed to allow the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) to take the helm of its aging information technology (IT) system, but not without a fight from some members of council.

HAWKESBURY – Demand for the services provided by the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank has increased so much that the agency has made a decision that isn’t sitting well with some of its board members or members of the community.

Teamwork makes it happen.

This is the philosophy behind a new venture for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR).

At the committee of the whole meeting on Wednesday, February 13, UCPR chief administrative officer (CAO) Stéphane Parisien presented a list of priorities for regional mayors for 2013.

Among items such as the construction of a new Prescott-Russell Residence and creating transportation master plan, was the possibility of creating a MAP (municipal area partnership).

Proud parents Tara Conklin and Stuart Meyers, of Boileau, Quebec, were pleased to welcome their little bundle of joy, Sierra, who was the first baby of the new year born at Hawkesbury and District General Hospital. Sierra was born at 1:09 a.m. on January 1 and weighed in at nine pounds, five ounces. Pictured here are dad, brother Gavin (9), mom, sister Dakota (7) and brother Logan (4).

Justin Leblanc is facing his battle with cancer with a strong heart and a smile on his face.

Mayor René Berthiaume is "ready to defend" the town's efforts to facilitate renovations at Place Mont-Roc in the wake of what he calls "unfortunate and unfair" comments made by the owner of the facility.

Berthiaume called a press conference during the regular meeting of United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) council last Wednesday, October 24 to respond to allegations made by Paul Delacourt that the town's actions resulted in the delay of renovations at the retirement residence following a fire in May that left two seniors dead.

The fate of Hawkesbury regional fire dispatch is currently up in the air.

The town desperately needs the co-operation of its neighbours if it wants to reduce the large deficit it currently incurs to operate the system.

At a recent United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) committee of the whole meeting, Hawkesbury Mayor René Berthiaume said he was not pleased with the emergency services committee's proposal to operate the dispatch system with the UCPR in order to maintain the service in Hawkesbury.

Though details are few, The Review has confirmed that Montebello Packaging has issued layoff notices to about 50 of its employees.

The company, which is located at 1036 Aberdeen Street in Hawkesbury, is once again under strain as a result of decreased demand for the products it makes.

It remains unclear how many employees are affected, but an information session for affected employees, organized by Service Canada and Ontario Works, was held on Monday, October 1.