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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-23, Page 12Page 12 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 23, 2009 Seili, council at odds over who pays for culture in Huron Budget time, argues Coun. Deb Shewfelt (Goderich), may be too late. "We need every cent we can get going over the next few years," says Shewfelt, suggesting coun- cillors are forgetting 1,200 county residents are currently on layoff. "Thirty -thousand is peanuts," says Shewfelt. "Let's get on with it." Bezaire also thinks now is the time to act. "We need to get our priorities straight," he says, noting it is no small irony the county officially recognizes culture as o,1,• of its four economic pillars but at the same time refuses t ) fund it in any tangible way. "We need to make a commit- ment to cultural services. Give it a budget," says Bezaire. "At some point this county has to put cul- tural services as a true priority or take it out as a priority." As it stands, the county pub- lished a cultural plan in 2008, which was designed as a working document and framework for cul- tural development. Since then, a number of popular events, includ- ing Doors Open Haunted Huron and Taste of Huron, have taken place, but funding for them was facilitated via outside partners and one-time grant GODERiCH Canada's prettiest town Attention Goderich Community Groups, Sports Groups And Service Clubs! The Town Of Goderich Is Pleased To Announce The Launch Of Our New Website At www.goderich.ca Offering You A Fresh New Look With Easy Access To All That Goderich Has To Offer. We Are Currently Updating Our Community Organizations Page. If You Want To Be Listed Please Submit Or Re -Submit Your Information Online By Going To Our Website. For More Information, Please Contact Bob Marshall At Tourism Goderich, 519-524-6600 Cheryl -Health signal -star publishing Does culture count? That proved to be the question at Huron County's Sept. 15 com- mittee -of -the -whole session. The query arose after Beth Ross, the county's cultural servic- es director, sought permission to apply for matching grant funding from the province's new $9 -mil- lion Community Prosperity Fund, which is designed to help munici- palities create culture plans since such things are currently being touted as economic saviors. The fact that if the grant was awarded, it would require match- ing county funding proved to be a concern to Councillor Joe Seili (Huron East), who asked that funding be allocated from the existing department's budget and not from the projected 2010 coun- ty budget. "There is no cultural services budget," reports Ross, noting Sei- li's request could only be accom- modated by dipping into either the library system or museum's budgets. In noting an earlier county cul- tural ser- vices review was notably short, Ross NciticeiPsoductRecalt Patton Utility Heater Canadian Tire is voluntarily recalling the Patton Utility Heater (Canadian Tire product number 43-5956). It has been determined that the product may have a defect where the unit may overheat, causing the outer plastic housing to deform (melt) and produce smoke. While we have not been notified of any instance of injury, it is requested that customers immediately discontinue use of the product and retum it to their nearest Canadian Tire store for a refund. These products were sold at Canadian Tire from September 2008 through June 2009. Products included in this recall will have two identifying features: 1. The product will have a date code on the prong of the plug that falls between A186DH through to A322DH. If the date code identified does not fall between A186DH through A322DH the product is NOT included in the recall and the customer can continue to use as directed. 2. If the product contains a date code that falls between A186DH through A322DH, examine the silver rating label located on the back of the product. If the product does NOT have a round green sticker on the rating label it is included in this recall and should be retumed to Canadian Tire for a full refund. Example of Date Code on the plug: tA305DH Example of silver rating label: Product with round, green sticker is NOT included in recall. Regardless of the date code, those products with a round, green sticker on the rating label are NOT Included In this recall and the customer can continue to use as directed. If you are unsure whether your heater is included in this recall, please call Jordon Consumer Solutions at 1-800433-1930. NM sod O..r.O eM 1001 says, "We get lots of credit for activities that the county is actually not funding right now." Ross says the motivation for applying for the provincial fund- ing is a simple one. "This is the first time the prov- ince has been willing to put mon- ey into developing culture, but we have to provide matching fund- ing," she says, noting it would be difficult to find $30,000 in either the 2009 museum or library bud- gets. Coun. James Fergusson (Blue - water) says given that culture has been identified as important to the community, it only makes sense for the county to move forward with developing a plan. "How did we get this far with- out supporting this?" he says. Seili, however, remained un- swayed, noting the county al- located $50,000 for a museum study. "I'm well aware of the study," says Fergusson. "I think they're two different things." Coun. John Grace (Goderich) supported Ross's request, noting it would be difficult for her to find $30,000 given there isn't a set budget for culture while Coun. Dave Johnston (Bluewater) said he'd prefer to review the request at budget time. Local dignitaries to do time behind bars for Jail and Bail wenn._ - - -- - signal -star staff Local dignitaries, celebrities and VIPs are going on trial November 4, and odds are, they'll serve some time behind bars. The Crime Stoppers' Jail and Bail fundraiser is coming to the Goderich Wal-Mart this year, and the docket is already getting loaded up with some well-known names. Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt, and chair of Grand Bend Area Health Services Stephanie Don- aldson must have broken parole, as they are making repeat performances, having attended last year's Jail and Bail in Exeter. First-time offenders appearing at this year's Jail and Bail include Goder- ich Chamber of Commerce chair Judy Crawford, TD Bank manager Matt Hoy, OPP Constable Arden Farrow, radio personality Ally Anderson, Garb and Gear manager Steve Coleman, and ap- proximately 25 others. Crimestopper's Police Coordinator Shawn McFalls said that in previous years, the Jail and Bail has been a great fundraiser, bringing in $21,000 in Ex- eter in 2008, and $18,000 in Goderich in 2006. However, they are setting their sight a little lower this year. "Given the economic times, I would think that $15,000 would be realistic, but we're hoping for more obviously," he said. The Jail and Bail volunteers try to raise as much money as possible to make bail and avoid doing hard time in the big house. If the on-site judge feels they can do better, the volunteer will be sentenced to more time behind bars, where they will have to contact friends and family to raise more money to get them out. McFalls said volunteers should aim to have at least $500 to cover their bail before they make their appearance. They can expect approximately two hours' jail -time regardless. Anyone interested in participating can contact McFalls at 519-527-1353, or e-mail him at crimestopper@ezlink. ca. Anyone interested in pledging need only contact a volunteer. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit orga- nization, and relies on fundraisers like Jail and Bail for support. Since inception, the organization re- cieved more than 4,000 tips, and pro- vided information to police that has led to 452 arrests and more Chan 1,000 charges. Based on those tips and arrests, $31,200 has been paid to those provid- ing tips, and police have recovered $728,682 in stolen property and confis- cated $5,776,276 in illegal drugs.