Officials are inviting locals in the area to pass their photographs of the township, with the winners getting the opportunity to have their pictures published in the Township of Rideau Lakes’ 2010 Calendar.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be published then join up. The contest is open to just about anybody with a camera, just as long as he or she owns property in the Township of Rideau Lakes.

The photography contest kicked off on the 1st of January, and will run until the 31st of August, 2010.

Photographers are encouraged to submit their shots in either 4″x6″ prints, or as high resolution (at least 6 megapixels) JPEG files in CD format. You can drop your entries off at the township office or e-mail them at aschur@twprideaulakes.on.ca.

Pictures of the fast scenery in the township are preferred since photos of people will require the township to ask their permission to be part of the calendar.

Each photographer can only submit 4 entries. Join now!

According to Holman, the use of solar energy will allow the communities involved to reap immense benefits. He’s totally for solar energy, he said. However, having a solar farm built near a residential area for example, will be problematic for the township, he added.

Officials from Ontario recently announced to the public an agreement between South Korean electronics giant Samsung. Apparently, the company will be responsible for construction solar farms across the province, which will generate a total of 2,500 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. Announced by Premier Dalton McGuinty late last month, the deal stipulates that the Samsung group gets to reap 437 million in subsidies over the next 25 years.

Officials from the Rideau Lakes Township are currently debating if a solar farm will really be beneficial to the community.

Newly elected Senator Bob Runciman, formerly the MPP of Leeds-Grenville, has requested that his designation in the Senate be changed from the current “Ontario” to “Ontario – Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.” If his request is approved, the new designation will be used on government documents and correspondence.

According to Senator Runciman, he wants to change the designation as a way of paying back the community he owes everything to. He also hopes that the new designation draws attention to what he describes as one of Canada’s most beautiful and scenic regions.

The newly elected senator spent some 29 years in service of the region, and he vows to continue to do so with his new and higher position in government. One of the things he will try to do is work for the interests of the Rideau Lakes and Thousand Islands region.

One of his primary concerns will be the rural development of Eastern Ontario, he said.

On January 29, Friday, Runciman was named to the Senate. He will be officially sworn into office on the 3rd of March at a ceremony to be held in Ottawa.

After completing his apprentiship, Keith worked in a marina in portland for the next 23 years. He then moved to another dealership that carried almost every power equipment known to man. As his expertise grew, he aquired his Interprovincial Motorcycle License and made the big move of starting Stickland Marine.

So far he says he has met a lot of very nice people in the Village of Westport. Come the spring he will be assisted by his wife Theresa who has 9 years in the industry dealing with parts, acc and with client relations. The two were married in Westport in 1989 and have lived in the area ever since then.

Stickland Marine is your local small engine repair and boat storage facility. Keith Strickland is clearly passionate about his trade therefore you know there will be no hastels and he will locate your problem and fix it in a timely fashion.

The Westport Village Boutique has a Winter Clearance Sale! 60% off a large selection of Winter apparel.

The sale ends February 28, 2010 so hurry in to our biggest Sale of the Year!!!

The Board of Selectmen had no issues whatsoever in unanimously voting for the permanent conservation of 2 new parcels of land last Monday which include a 72 acre property located on Main Road, the one just adjacent to the Durham Brook area – another property being conserved. The second property might not be that big in number with only 11 acres just in front of the Westport Rivers Winery, but is still equally important.

These 2 properties now join other parcels of land throughout Westport that like the one in Route 177, where the Brookside Restaurant is, and the farm on Adamsville Road.

Now, everything is set for the head of the Energy and Environmental Affairs to approve for the preservation efforts to take effect. After the nod from the state secretary, then the said properties composed of mostly woodlands and wetlands will be among the properties under the Westport Land Conservation Trust’s name to preserve for all of Westport.

While the company understands the demand and excitement for newer TV channels, they plant on making a smooth transition by slowly adding programs to each neighborhood on their network list. The company has announced the addition of 45 new digitals for its Westport customers. Furthermore, cable subscribers have the option of signing up for the Digital Sports View – a package with an additional 17 channels for only $5 a month.

Charter’s existing digital cable subscribers are currently being notified by mail and telephone on the necessary changes and additions to digital equipment needed to avail of the new services. All they have to do is head for the nearest Charter center to swap their Motorola digital receiver for a new Scientific Atlanta digital receiver.

According to Gregory A. Garabedian, Charter’s Vice President and general manager in the New England area, Charter aims to update and improve the technology and services they offer to subscribers in Westport. Their new array of digital channels is just one step in the right direction of more and better features for their customers.

Westport cable subscribers are certainly excited by this news, as more entertaining TV options make for a better bonding experience for friends, as well as family.