HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-06-03, Page 3File photo
Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt, seen here in 2008 with a Lake Huron Chater guide book, has been
selected by the Ontario Miunicipal Water Association to represent them on the Canada -US Great Lakes
Advisory Panel. The appointment could mean a say in future agreements.
Mayor joins Great Lakes panel
Dominiaue Milburn
signal -star staff
Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt may soon
have a say in a new agreement for Great Lakes
protection.
The Ontario Municipal Water Association
(OMWA) has asked the Goderich mayor of
more than 15 years to represent the organiza-
tion on the Canada -U.S. Great Lakes Advisory
Panel, by the Council of Great Lakes Gover-
nors.
"They're coming up on the 100th anniver-
sary celebration up there for the signing of the
Boundary Waters Treaty between the United
States and Canada," Shewfelt recently told The
Signal -Star. "What they're attempting to do is
to create a new agreement that's as transparent
as possible, and this is going to give us (The
OMWA) some input as to what happens in this
new agreement."
According to Shewfelt, the OMWA repre-
sents 80 per cent of municipalities in Ontario
that draw their drinking water from the Great
Lakes, along with 180 Public Drinking Water
Authorities serving over 7,000,000 customers.
In 2005, the eight U.S. Great Lakes Gov-
ernors and the Premiers of Ontario and Que-
bec signed the landmark Great Lakes -St.
Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Re-
sources Agreement. The document was finally
given the force of law when it was signed by
former President George Bush last Fall. The
Agreement protects Great Lakes Basin waters
against removals or transfers of water out of
the basin. It also promotes common goals and
objectives across the basin that will lead to pro-
grams in each state and province to conserve
water and use it more efficiently.
The Advisory Panel is expected to work
with the Charter Annex Council and its com-
mittees, which are responsible for establishing
rules and procedures and for implementing
the Agreement. The Advisory Panel will help
to ensure transparency, the representation of
diverse interests, and access to technical ex-
pertise. For Shewfelt, this means a number of
upcoming conference calls and study.
"I think anything that is happening in the
Great Lakes we have to hang our hat on here
in Goderich and Ontario because of what hap-
pens at our own harbour, which is now our
biggest employer" Shewfelt said. "One of our
big issues to tackle is the question of where our
water is going ... I. think the more information
you can glean, the more input you can have."
The Great Lakes contains nearly 20 per cent
of the world's fresh surface water and 95 per
cent of North America's fresh surface water
supply. It is a source of drinking water for over
40 million people. In 2007, the Ontario Gov-
emment enshrined into law a provincial ban
on water transfers from the Great Lakes, or
between Great Lakes, in the Safeguarding and
Sustaining Ontario's Water Act.
In response to his appointment to the Great
lakes Advisory Panel, Shewfelt said, "It is vi-
tally important to have a strong voice at the
table representing municipal drinking water
providers. Protecting both the quantity and
quality of waters in the Great Lakes is vitally
important to Ontario communities and the On-
tario economy".
OUffefCO MMIDIA
Bowes Publishers Limited
A Subsidiary of
Sun Media Corporation - A Quebecor Company
The Goderich Signal -Star, published every Wednesday, 52
times per year, at Goderich, Ontario is one of The S
Publishing Group of Community Newspapers. The
Signal -Star shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad or for
typographical errors in publication except to the extent of the
cost of that portion of the ad in which the error occurred. The
Goderich Signal -Star reserves the right to reject or edit any
advertisement.
Subscription rate is $42.00 per year plus GST. The Goderich
Signal -Star is a member of The Canadian Newspaper
Association (CCNA), The Ontario Community Newspaper
Association ( NA), and the Ontario Press Council.
For any non deliveries or delivery concems please call 519-
524-2614.
Return all undelivered copies, changes of address and sub-
scription order to address below.
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683
PAP Registration No. 7602
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept.
P.O. Box 220, 120 Huckins St.,
Goderich, Ont., N7A 4B6 (519) 524-2614
email: sspdreObowesnet.com
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of
Canada through the Publications Assistance Program towards
our marling costs.
Canada
� '1 t -11 I 1 .t ,c I) /1.v# r( - 3 11. gI
1 '1 C )t
Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, June 3, 2009 - Page A3
1)t11 1 1 t .\IZ( 1111111 \ 11k)N11t ()1th '.11•\1)1 \
KEEP THE SUNLIGHT.
LOSE THE HIGH ENERGY BILLS.
Discover Duette Architella• shades.
This patented honeycomb -within -a -honeycomb
innovation puts three layers of Insulating air at
your window. Call today to learn more.
And reduce energy loss at the window up to 50%
For your FREE
In-home
consultation
Paul & Finola
MacGinty
519-524-5773
MCGEE MOTORS 80TH ANNIVERSARY NOSTALGIA PICTURE
DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE?
Identif the Bannister Motors Studebaker Team and WIN!
The year is 1951 and pictured is Reg McGee - Founder
of McGee Motors Ltd. - presenting his trophy to the
Bannister Motors Studebaker Team after winning the
Pee Wee tournament during Young Canada Week. The Reg
McGee Trophy is the only Lions Club Pee Wee tournament
trophy that has been presented for 60 consecutive
years. How many people can you identify? We have all
the names! Lets have a fun contest, send us a list (email
preferred) of all the ones you can identify before
next weeks Signal Star. Whoever correctly identifies
the most people fl: st will receive a TS" LUBE, OIL,
FILTER & WASH JOB! The next 6 are welcome to drop in
and pick up a large jug of GM Windshield washer solvent!
'mail us at:
mcgeemotors@gmcanada.com
Mail us at:
McGee Motors Ltd.
180 Suncoast Drive,
Goderich, N74 4N4
www.mcgeemotors.ca 519-524-8391 or 1-800-265-5507
0.1410LET
Inwilehe
362556