It will take me a while to shake off a bit of journalistic rust but I’m looking forward to getting a firmer grip on the issues facing communities between Mattawa and West Nipissing.
Once things get settled, I’d like to explore a regular audio podcast that involves interviewing local characters who have in-depth knowledge and the gift of experience to share. Sometimes, a conversation can be more informative and entertaining than the written word.
As an example, I sat down for an hour to chat with my first journalism professor, Don Curry, who has an arm-long list of interesting ventures on his resume. Curry, 73, hasn’t slowed down at all and now works as an immigration consultant. We had a wide-ranging discussion, including a bit of fun talking about his last journalistic adventure covering East Ferris and Bonfield as editor of the Near North News in the 1990s.
Here’s a small sample clip to give a taste of what I’m proposing. The long form of the interview will be available in the near future. If it gives you some ideas for potential interview subjects, let me know.
At the same time, I’ll be trying my best to keep the news stories flowing. No doubt, I’ll be stumbling into the muck a few times along the way.
My first story about West Nipissing politics a couple weeks ago was what I call a self-detonated ‘stink bomb.’ It reminded me to not rush and do the homework before putting pen to paper, so to speak.
I still don’t understand, however, why there’s a 60-day deadline for council to form a plan to fill the vacant seat in Verner. Turns out, there’s no ramifications if they remain split on the options. Unless someone bends, it could remain a stalemate. I assumed the province would make the decision for them but an afternoon of emails with a Municipal Affairs media flak in Toronto set me straight: Nothing governmental has to make sense.
As for the Bonfield drag strip quagmire, I genuinely feel for the Development Road area neighbours to the facility. There’s been more than a decade of angst over what they call noise pollution making it impossible for them to enjoy their otherwise peaceful paradise.
I also understand the position of gear heads and the Bonfield Event Park owners who consider drag racing good clean fun. With no obvious legal battles left to fight, they look at the constant complaints as undue harassment.
One person, siding with those who don’t enjoy the revving of engines, suggested there are only two options: close the track or reimburse residents for their property values declining and lost joy of life. Another said the whole argument for the facility was economic development, which they argue never materialized. They think the drag strip actually repelled investment in the area.
It makes me wonder. Have property values actually declined over the past 10 years (or to be fair, is the increase significantly lower than comparable communities)? And has anyone actually measured the economic development impact of the drag strip over the years? Or will they gauge the benefits going forward while taking into account the Bonfield Event Park’s potential under new management?
Maybe COVID-19 will solve the issue once and for all. But what then for Bonfield? Hopefully, we’re not in for another decade of grumbling and toxic relations interrupted by the occasional letter mailed in from left field.
Closer to home, I left out a great angle to the ProtectON face shield story this past Friday and it never left my mind all weekend.
Don Champagne, owner of North Bay Plastic Molds, was rightfully proud to host all the players involved in the innovative, collaborative product launch. The new facility on Highway 94 in East Ferris is impressive and represents several decades of entrepreneurial spirit.
Dyed in Conservative blue and surrounded by mostly PC brethren, he was in his glory as part of a big Made-in-Ontario story.
Champagne, who provides engineered plastic parts for clients around the globe, joked about how he’s been in business for more than 30 years but suddenly it’s “an overnight success.”
He then gave tribute to his late wife Jackie, who passed away almost two years ago. Married for 49 years, she was by all accounts – and he would quickly agree – definitely the better half. He almost choked up for a split second while mentioning her role in building the business but quickly turned the page to the positivity of the gathering.
I saw them together in coffee shops pretty well everywhere. The first time was at a nice little diner at Corbeil Corners while he was deputy mayor more than 15 years ago. A Bonfield product of the Menard clan, she had a big smile and eyes that saw through pretense.
The political knives were out and sharpened in public at the time. I don’t need to rehash old news, but battle lines were definitely drawn across the township. It was an interesting time to be a reporter.
But on Friday, as Champagne was giving Rotary Club of Nipissing members a tour of his plant, his love of Jackie was front and centre. He was so proud to describe a decorative tree ornament featured in the front entrance foyer. She loved it at first sight but wouldn’t think of spending the asking price on a novelty. Champagne said he had to buy it for her. I thought that was genuinely touching.
Champagne has his detractors, some of them well-earned. He has kicked a few people in the shins over the years. But it was good to see his soft side. And I think he’s going to do a little something to help the Rotary club help others. Watch for more news on that front.
Don Champagne, of North Bay Plastic Molds, describes why he bought tree art his late wife, Jackie, liked during a tour with Rotary Club of Nipissing members Sept. 28, 2020. Dave Dale Photo
