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The Citizen, 2015-12-10, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015. Continued from page 1 with a request from G2G Inc., requested that the $16,000 be re- directed to the organization to be used for trail construction. Orchard said the money has an additional benefit that it would go towards the $70,000 G2G Inc. needs to raise to match the potential grant award that was applied for late last month, whereas staff time obviously wouldn’t. The $70,000 of matching funding required by G2G Inc. is currently sitting at approximately $45,000 ($35,000 from Regional Tourism Organization 4 and $10,000 from a private citizen). The $16,000 from the county would get them very close to their goal, Orchard said. Several councillors, however, were uncomfortable with this proposed change. Howick Reeve Art Versteeg, who had previously stated that he is in favour of the trail but felt no funds should be given to its development, said he felt it was inappropriate for things to change this late in the game. “That staff support has already been given. That resource has already been spent,” Versteeg said. The Citizen reached out to the county for a firm number of staff hours, and a corresponding monetary figure, that has been committed to the G2G Trail already, but Orchard said the numbers couldn’t be crunched in time for The Citizen’s deadline. Those calculations, however, will be part of a report that is scheduled to be presented to council later this month. The accounting aspect, however, was just one of the problems Versteeg had with the proposal. He said that in his opinion, the trail initially sounded like low impact renovations were being made to an existing railbed, with costs being borne by the users. What it is turning into, he said, is something completely different that he felt could evolve into a substantial burden on Huron County taxpayers if and when the county assumes the trail’s lease. He also wondered if the demand for the trail was really there and if usage would justify the time and effort being spent, both by the county and by G2G Inc. and its volunteers. Versteeg was also concerned that contributing money to a recreational asset would set a dangerous precedent. The county had never given money to things like arena improvements before, so he felt that paying into a trail would open the door to lower-tier municipalities coming to Huron County Council looking for funding the next time a community centre needs capital repairs done. Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan also acknowledged that he was worried that funds being contributed to the trail by the county could get out of hand. He mentioned the $20,000 handed to the trail by the Economic Development Board and the proposed $16,000. After those contributions, he said, the county should step back and re- evaluate its position within the G2G framework and come up with a strategy, rather than giving small sums of money whenever it’s asked. Bluewater Mayor Tyler Hessel, who has supported the trail since it was first proposed, added that he had some concerns with the proposed timeline, suggesting that perhaps the county shouldn’t assume the lease in 2016, as proposed, and perhaps give G2G Inc. a little more time on its own to see how things work out. He suggested that the G2G group should consider a membership model, similar to various other trails in the area to create a dedicated group of supporters that will also drive usage and fundraising. Warden Paul Gowing disagreed, saying that the county should continue to support G2G Inc. “This group is creating an asset for Huron County and I think we need to find a way to be supportive of that,” Gowing said. North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent said that Perth County Council is waiting to see how Huron County develops a relationship with G2G Inc. before they decide how to proceed and that they’re very concerned about the whole arrangement. Hessel felt there were too many questions without answers and made a motion to table the recommendation, which was passed. In other G2G news, Orchard said that after consultation with county solicitor Greg Stewart, the county has signed an agreement with G2G Inc. to apply for provincial funding. The decision was made at council’s final committee of the whole meeting in November, but could not be ratified by way of a council meeting in time to meet the deadline, so the money was held in escrow until ratification, Orchard said, ensuring that council was being transparent throughout the process. Continued from page 19 re-crowned as well, and the track around the field will be re-graded to drain properly to make it better for athletics. Plans are also included for a field house at the lower field so equipment doesn’t need to be dragged from the school. The final piece of the plan is the joint environmental learning grounds. “We worked with students and a landscape artist to creat a naturalized learning ground,” Becker said. “Currently, we have an amphitheatre, outdoor class and sitting circle for students to enjoy classes outdoors. We have also planted lots of trees. More shrubs and plants will go there before the final piece is completed, which is naturalizing the area to make the wet zone between the schools a place for classes to study instead of one students are kept away from.” The funding goals for each project include an additional $170,000 for the playground, an additional $50,000 to complete the environmental learning grounds and $500,000 for the improvements to the Madill sports fields. So far $70,000 has been invested in the MRES playground and $30,000 in trees and shrubs are installed in the learning grounds. The expenditures include accessible swings and sandboxes. Cameron noted that the majority of that work was accomplished in the last six months when she and Becker took over the organization as co-chairs. They mentioned that the organization tries to have several events a month to continue fundraising throughout the year, pointing to the MRES Christmas Market hosted at the end of November and a “toll booth” they held in Wingham at the same time. “We’re trying to get a lot of the community involved,” she said. “The next event we have planned is photos with Santa with the [Wingham Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion] during their Christmas breakfast. We’re trying to get community groups working together to help with funding. “Along with that, we’re also approaching councils like yourselves,” she said. “We’re looking at all municipalities that feed into both of the schools.” Becker joked that “no one is safe” from their fundraising efforts. Mayor Paul Gowing said that the program looks great. “This is an ambitious initiative you’ve started into,” he said. “I want to congratulate the two of you for being involved.” Gowing asked how the school boards were going to be involved and Cameron and Becker said that much of the Avon Maitland District School Board’s budget had been funnelled into projects at Howick Central Public School to restore the school. They did say that the board had contributed and would be involved with maintenance of the changes the campaign hopes to affect. “We’re not letting them off the hook,” Becker said. “Right now, however, all their funds are going to old school restorations for heating and ventilation systems.” Becker explained that they couldn’t rely on the school board, however, as playgrounds are not part of their mandate anymore. “If we sit back and wait for the school board to get involved, our kids will go without,” she said. Becker and Cameron then presented their $40,000 request, which Gowing called timely, as the municipality started their budget process earlier this week. Councillor Jim Nelemans, however, reminded everyone that the money wasn’t council’s to direct to a project like that. “This is not our money to spend,” he said. “These are tax dollars. Sometimes people think that money should go towards roads and services and not projects like this.” While neither agreeing or disagreeing, Gowing followed up Nelemans’ comment by asking whether or not the provice would help fund the project. “We’re having schools rebuilt here and playgrounds are missing,” he said. “It’s not our job to do this. Why aren’t they helping out?” Becker and Cameron said that, aside from the funds requested, if council heard of any grant opportunities to pass them along to the group. Councillors question G2G model after funding request Dashing through the snow The Kindergarten A class put on their own rendition of “Jingle Bells” as part of a matinée of “An Olde-Fashioned Christmas”, North Woods Elementary School’s annual Christmas concert. The matinée was held on Dec. 7. Shown above is Alisha Burchill-Beitz helping Katie Bernard to keep time with the tune. (Denny Scott photo) Gowing congratulates Bridges group You are entering the Independent Republic of Elm Tree Valley IN THE ROAD By Keith Roulston Enjoy a comic look at the rural/urban divide in the novel When a forgotten village finds itself in the path of a new super-highway it tries to attract attention to its plight by declaring itself an independent country. But things get out of hand when the town drunk organizes an army and those who have most to gain by the highway’s completion fight back. Enjoy In the Road FREE in 15 installments on our website www.northhuron.on.ca REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. ALL ARE IN COLOUR 4x6 - $4.00 5x7 - $5.00 8x10 - $8.00 Phone to order ~ 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Doll Clothes 398 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4276 #1 And We Still Try Harder Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community-Owned Since 1985