Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2013-11-20, Page 11Gerard Creces Clinton News Record Welcome back It was a long five weeks for staff and customers as the Clinton Tim Horton's coffee shop underwent extensive renovations. The restaurant officially reopened Friday, Nov. 15, with owners Liz Borrowman and Larry Zaleski cutting the ribbon. During the renovation period, Tim Horton's was operating out of a mobile trailer, and Borrowman offered her thanks to customers for putting up with the discord. Pictured, Borrowman, Mayor Jim Ginn, Zaleski, Councilor Alex Westerhout and local customer Jarle Fisher cut the ribbon. United Communities, Libro merge to form new credit union Gerard Creces Clinton News -Record Two of Ontario's largest credit unions have merged into one. This past week, United Communities Credit Union and Libro Financial Group coming together under the name Libro Credit Union. While the merger was first announced June 5 of this year, the announcement came Thursday, Nov 7 following a meeting of board members and CEOs of credit unions in London. In order to approve the merger, three dif- ferent groups had to vote in favour of the deal - patronage shareholders, members and investment shareholders. The aggre- gate vote for all groups and braches was near unanimous at 98 per cent in favour of the merger. "Our board has always looked to the future," said President and CEO of the United Communities Credit Union, Jim Lynn. "How do we remain relevant? The main benefit is we will be able to expand our services, both branch and mobile' Along with the increased technological capacities of the merged credit unions, another very big selling factor is the ability to increase commercial agricultural lend- ing. Lynn said the ability to meet loan demands is directly related to the size of the credit union. One of the issues facing rural credit unions is the loss of young clients when they head off to school in urban areas. The merger creates a much larger service area, spanning from Windsor to London to Kitch- ener -Waterloo, Listowell and all places in between - including branches in Clinton and Goderich. "It really gives us a great connection," said Lynn. "Not just employment opportunities but the branches dovetail nicely with no closures:' There are also employment guarantees for staff, he added. Under the new model, each branch will have a locally elected council, making deci- sions on community investment, based on the current Libro practice. Part of the fear of any merger between smaller institutions is getting too big, Lynn said. The local input body will make sure community needs are first and foremost. The initial slate of branch and agricultural advisory committee members were elected with 99 per cent of the vote, he said. The board is currently on a one-year election cycle but terms will be staggered after that. All of this helps to keep the focus on branch communities, including where to spend corporate donation monies for com- munity betterment projects. Clinton is one of the largest branches under the United Communities umbrella. The new Libro Credit Union has 27 branches in 21 communities across the province, with 556 employees and 95,000 member owners. THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21 • 6pm - 9pm Enjoy complimentary refreshments 9n% • Prints • Mirrors • Table lamps OFF • Accent tables • Coffee & end tables PLU$ NO HST STOREWIDE FINE FURNITURE & FLOOR COVERING 11 Albert St., Clinton 519-482-9505 Wednesday, November 20, 2013 • News Record 11 A 44 you in oFrk hardjall weeks year To und: but they yu��u�ar DbntoWfl Mr®verfletr‘ 21 atiefich 4pmlP t instore nibbles, give-a-ways,1 - h instore draws! now what lady wouldn't PARTICIPATING STORES: All Around the House Radiant Life Center Wuerth's Shoes Schaefer's Ladies Wear Anstett Jewellers Cravings Louise's Cottage and Home Status NV Spa Chisholm TV and Stereo Fincher's Collins and Wright The Culinary Poet Luann's Flowers and Gifts Our Soul Center Shanahan's Deli and Meats Pat and Kevin's Homescapes by Lynn Rader's Country Market Winstons Mens Wear Hair Haven 360 Bikes and Boards Goderich Skin Essentials Paddy O'Neil's Riverline Nature Company Quilter's by the Sqaure Wholesale Jewellers Elizabeth's Art Gallery Something Irresistible West Coast Kitchens Rexall Pharma Plus Garb and Gear Source for Sports Kulpepper's Kitchen store.