Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-08-20, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2009. PAGE 3. Pending approval of the Bluevale Community Hall Board tenders will be called for an addition to the hall to solve access issues. Morris-Turnberry councillors accepted a proposal (one of two offered by Dar Cad Designs) which would erect an addition on the north side of the building to provide an entrance. The proposal will be shown to the hall board before tenders are called. An application for a Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) Program grant was approved earlier for the project. The preliminary estimate for cost of the project is $30,000. *** There are more building projects on the go in Morris-Turnberry than a year ago but the value of construction is down by one-third. Steve Fortier, chief building official, told council that there have been 58 building permits issued so far in 2009, up 10 from last year, but the value is less than $2.5 million compared to $3.6 million last year. Most of the difference in value comes from one large barn that was built last year, he said. *** Director of public works Mike Thomas told council that preliminary work for the reconstruction of Helena Street in Lower Town Wingham, such as moving hydro poles, has been proceeding but there is no word yet when the contractor will be ready to start the project. *** Council supported a resolution circulated by the new organization, Community Schools Alliance, that calls on the provincial government to implement a moratorium on disputed school closings “to provide an opportunity for the ministry of education, school boards and municipalities to work together to develop policies addressing such issues as planning for declining enrollments, a mutually agreed upon Accommodation Review Committee process, a review of funding to rural and small community schools, and transparency and accountability between municipalities and school boards.” *** A report on the progress of research for a new Morris-Turnberry history book showed the project has received $27,000 in grants to date against a cost of $38,994 in 2008 and $35,363 so far in 2009 ($91,500 has been budgeted for 2009 expenses.) *** Council approved the request from Howick Lions Club to operate a voluntary toll booth on County Road 12 at Belmore on Sept. 4. My sister Nancy Daer of Wingham and I visited with Vera Evans of Sarnia who is a patient in University Hospital, London. She is hoping to go back to Sarnia in the next few days. We have waited a long time for this blast of summer and should not complain but I am one that doesn’t like the humidity. The crops needed the heat units to develop so in that case, we won’t complain. Once again a group is riding thelocal food trend, and making plansto feast on the Huron Countyharvest this fall. Several books have challengedfolks to eat local food, promoting ‘the 100-mile diet’– eating food that has grown within 100 miles. The goal of the group will be to celebrate the abundance of good food, support each other in the challenges and strengthen community. Best efforts will be made as we attempt to follow a local food diet for 100 days from September to December. There are many reasons to eat locally grown food. Eating locally builds relationships with local producers, builds the local economy, and has us eating food when it is most nutritional and at its freshest. Food that travels less also results in less transportation pollution. Anyone who is interested in attending an initial meeting is invited to 442 Mill St., Blyth on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. For more information call Gary or Kathy at 519-523-4380. SHEAR TALENT HHaaiirr DDeessiiggnn && TTaannnniinngg ffoorr mmeenn && wwoommeenn 45 West Street GGOODDEERRIICCHH 551199--552244--66555555 Walk-Ins Welcome BBllyytthh AArreeaa FFaarrmmeerrss'' MMaarrkkeett Every Saturday 1:00 - 4:30 pm until September 12 Fresh fruits & vegetables, home baking, jams, jellies, pickles, maple syrup, meat products, wool & woollen products, sheepskins. Corner of Queen & Dinsley Streets Vendors Wanted Phone: 519-523-4792 By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk NEWS FROM BLYTH Now serving... The Blyth Festival Young Company held a fundraising breakfast last weekend at Memorial Hall where they all adorned their most interesting outfits and took on serving duties. From left: Becca Beardsley, Reuben Elliott-Fisher, Dan Moran, Danielle Dobbyn, T.J. Robertson, Amelia MacIsaac, Katey Bornath, Sadie Chalmers and Beth Beardsley. (Shawn Loughlin photo) A meeting will take place between education minister Kathleen Wynne and the executive committee of the Community Schools Alliance to discuss a “smart moratorium” for disputed school closures in Ontario. The Alliance’s concept, called a “smart moratorium” would provide the ministry, school boards and municipalities more time to work together to develop policies addressing issues such as planning for declining enrollment, a mutually agreed upon Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) process, a review of funding to rural and small community schools and establishing a working relationship between municipalities and school boards that will provide transparency and accountability. There are currently 100 schools in Ontario currently undergoing accommodation reviews and 146 schools closing or being recommended to be closed including Blyth, East Wawanosh, Wingham and Turnberry Central Public Schools. Community Schools Alliance chairman Doug Reycraft said, “We regret that Minister Wynne is unable to attend our inaugural meeting on the 17th of August due to a prior commitment. However, we are looking forward to the opportunity to sit down with the minister in a different forum on the 18th of August to discuss our ‘smart moratorium’ concept.” For more information on Community Schools Alliance go to www.communityschoolsalliance.ca Cty. Rd. 25 BlythCarlow Cty. Rd. 15 G o d e r i c h B e n m i l l e r Hwy.#8 Londesborough Clinton H w y . # 4 GreyhavenGardens N W E Open 7 Days a Week ALL TREES, SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS 25%OFF 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --99 77 88 11551199--55 22 33 --99 77 88 11 ROSE OF SHARON NOW ON SALE FOR $15.00 2 GALLON BUTTERFLY BUSH NOW ON SALE FOR $10.00 Located 500 yds. west of Londesborough on County Road 15 TROPICAL MANDEVILLAS ARE NOW $18.00 Construction Ph.:519-523-9354 Cell:519-525-8615 Custom 5" seamless eavestrough in aluminum or steel N e w Ed. minister discusses smart moratorium 100 mile dietgroup in Blyth M-T building projects up from last year Morris-Turnberry council briefs