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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-04-16, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2009.Morris-Turnberry council-lors voted, at their April 7meeting, to go back to thedesigner of a plan to expandthe municipal office to seekcheaper alternatives.The discussion opened when Nancy Michie, administrator clerk-treasurer, told councillors a $50,000 federal grant to help solve accessibility issues in the building is available but must be applied for by May 4. “Is that (the original $270,000 to $300,000 addition designed by Darrell Weishar of Dar Cad Designs) the plan you want?” Michie asked, warning council couldn’t apply for a grant for one plan, then change and build a different building. “If you would like an alternate plan we should be asking for it.”Deputy-mayor Jim Nelemanssaid he’d like to see adifferent plan that addressedthe need to meet newprovincial accessibilitystandards and provided an office for the chief building official (CBO) at the least cost. Speaking of the original plans for the addition councillor Bill Thompson said “I’m sure hearing flack on this.” “I would be voting against a $300,000 addition,” said councillor Mark Beaven. He suggested council needed to “think outside the box” in addressing the accessibility issues and the need for a CBO’s office. He wondered if space could be found in the Turnberry public works building.In the end council decidedto seek a meeting withWeishar on April 20 to look atalternatives. Also on theagenda for that meeting willbe a discussion about changes required to the Bluevale Hall to have it meet the provincial accessibility requirements. “I think it’s going to be difficult to get public support for that kind of expenditure,” said councillor Paul Gowing. Thompson and councillor Lynn Hoy said they had both been getting a lot of negative feedback on the expense, estimated by Weishar at $60,000 to $75,0000. If upgrades will cost that amount of money, Thompson said, “I don’t see any other option but to close it.” Looking good The Brussels Legion Pipe Band just received a $15,000 Trillium grant from the government of Ontario to put towards equipment, which the band has decided to use for new uniforms to spruce up their appearance. (File photo) M-T revisits office plans The Brussels Legion Pipe Band was awarded a $15,000 Trillium grant from the government of Ontario last week to help accommodate more members and improve the band’s equipment. The band has chosen to appropriate the funds to new uniforms, which is something the band has needed for years, says pipe major Don Martin. “The uniforms are important when you’re in a marching band. When you’re marching down the street, people only see you for maybe one song, or a part of a song, so the visual appearance is a very big part of what we do,” he said. The band was set to have a fitting this week and expects the uniforms in three to six months. Up until now, Martin said, uniforms had been used by band members, then donated back to the band when members left. The Trillium grant will provide the means for newer uniforms that band members can call their own, he said. The band applied for the grant back in November, but the recipients were announced earlier this month. As far as members are concerned, Martin says the membership of the band fluctuates based on the year. He said that sometimes the number will go down in a year, but that he can often count on the members then going back up. Nearly $1 million was spread throughout Huron, Perth, Grey and Bruce Counties from this recent funding announcement. The grants were spread over 30 different organizations or groups and the Ontario Trillium Foundation said that many of the grants in this latest round of funding will help people overcome barriers to employment and self- employment, develop literacy and work-related skills to ultimately broaden their work choices and improve their overall quality of life. Other area recipients were the Bruce-Grey-Huron-Perth Georgian Triangle Training Board, Huron County Crime Stoppers, the Van Egmond Foundation and Victim Services of Huron County. Pipe band gets Trillium funds By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen A look at famous artists in Huron County’s history is the theme of a special night to be held in Brussels. The Huron County Historical Society is hosting a dinner meeting at St. John’s Anglican Church on April 23 beginning at 6 p.m. Guest speaker for the night is noted historian David Yates of Goderich. His topic, said Society spokesperson David Armstrong is “people who have made their mark beyond Huron County.” Tickets for the dinner and presentation are $12 and can be ordered by contacting Armstrong at 519-524-1156. There may, he added, be limited space available for anyone who can’t make the dinner, but would like to hear Yates’s speech. Historian talks of county artists 1. Sun hat. 2. Yoga mat. Just two things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. Learn more about healthy lifestyle choices. Call the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333 or visit www.cancer.ca.