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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-09-21, Page 7tide goal Star 150-4SSIJE X StaO. WEEKLY -- EST. 1860 tial Star Publishing 0 Huckins St. tench ON N7A 3X8 9-524-2614 .goderichsignalstar.com SUN MEDIA WES :cher Manager KRUM cwas &subscripsons E JOHNSTON . unting SHRIER e Manager ECZNY. MORELAND MCIVOR Lays lr twsg?bowesnet. corn • rtsebowesnet.com i ci'bowesnet. COM ..nchadswesnet COM Frill deadline Friday at t, pin 1tjr1 e copy M RATES ADVANCE: $42 plus GST $38 plus GST $218 tto plus GST $396 60 plus GST Si 25 including GST )t s Mat tern 4164683 44N UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES: TION DEPARTMENT ► K kir St GoOench ON N/A 3X8 deliver or delivery concerns 4 "1 4 EMM starsslesebowesnet corn ,r Sinal Star sham not tM hahle tor failure ►r in ad for typographical errors in puhllcabon the extent of the cost of that portion ol the ad ttne error occurred The Godertat Signal -Star the right fo reel or eft any advertisement rch Sigrid -Star a a proud member of the Ca ly Newspapers Association (CCNA) anti Community Newspapers Ainocia ion (OCAS owIcddr the financial ituppotrt of the mend of Canada thmugh the Canadian .al Fund KW) for our publishing activities, Canadf MonaconlnM ransom CIWT ITU dy Piewapnpsr Aseociwion and tM Ottani howrissne Apply for ODRAP funding now! There are crucial and important steps facing the town, its residents and businesspeople in the short term. Now that cleanup is well in hand the process of restoring, rebuilding and renewing the town have to start taking some shape. The fundraising process is taking definitive shape thanks to the unbelievable spirit of gener- osity and giving that exists not only in this com- munity, but also from points across the county, province and country. There as a certain ethereal quality about Goderich and Ws amazing the effective reach and pull this town and its people has on others. The outpouring of support and concern has been nothing short of remarkable. The community is so thankful for words of encouragement and support and the financial commitments made by people who know and love Goderich. Now it's time to look after the immediate con- terns of residents. The Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Pro- gram (ODRAP) is fully operational and ready and northing to help all residents who have experi- enced property damage as a result of the tornado. Located on the third floor of town hall, ODRAP staff is ready and willing to accept appli- cations from residents and help steer them through the process. Through this program, money can be made available over and above insurance costs to cover people's loss. The claims will be processed by a committee of citizens. The important thing now, is to get people to apply for assistance regardless of their losses. Do not MilliMiZe or trivialize your loss in the storm, whether its dents, loss .of clothing, furniture, Vehicles or severe damage to a home, it's all eligi- ble for funding. Whether you rent or own a building does not matter; what matters .is that people who have suffered any financial .loss should apply for ODRAP funding. But the window of opportunity is short. Fund- raising must be complete before the committee can begin to distribute to monies to pay claims. The deadline is Oct. 28 for fundraising and claim applications. To file a claim, you can get an application form online or at the town hall, YMCA or any bank. As Mayor Deb Shewfelt and Program Co-ordi- nator Duncan Jewell have stressed; Get the application filed now even if you don't have all the necessary information. Other details and documentation can be added to your file later. The key is to get your file activated now. To contact the ODRAP office call. 519-524- 4441. Get moving on the process now so that every- one gets the help they need. DS Plant our own native trees on The Square To the editor, To restore The Square to its former glory, Town council and the heritage Committee should consider not only the character of old buildings but also the landscaping trees. Goderich should discontinue planting non- native Norway maples, now considered an invasive tree. Since we hope the trees will be with us for decades to come, the decision about what to plant should not be taken lightly or without considering the variety of native trees that helped make us "the Prettiest Town in Canada: The trees originally planted in the Square and along the surrounding streets in the 1800s would have been native species moved from the surrounding forests- beautiful sugar maple, oak, sycamore and many others. In towns where the invasive Norway maples were_ planted when they became fashionable, they are now being replaced with more suita- ble native trees. By planting our own native trees in and around The Square we could create a true heritage look, increase biodiversity and pro- vide an educational opportunity for school groups and families to learn about our natu- ral atu-ral heritage. Leslie Cudmore Goderich Don't let the past slow us down in rebuild 7b the editor, The Second Storm The first storm ended on Aug 21 but 1 feel the longest storm is just beginning. 1 have always loved living in Goderich. The location, the heritage and the people have made this a great place to live and work and raise my chil- dren. Aug 21 permanently changed our com- munity. Many of our historic sites were dam- aged, possibly beyond repair. Since this time I have seen what really makes this community special and it is the spirit we possess. We helped our neighbours, friends and complete strangers to clean up and attempt to return to some level of normality. Now is the time to rebuild our homes, our businesses and our lives. This needs to be done quickly and effi- ciently before frustration and complacency sets in and stalls the process. The red tape which will naturally accompany rebuilding our community has to be minimized. I love our old and heritage buildings but anything that has to be rebuilt whether it be from old or new pricks is no longer authentic. It is just a new building made of old bricks. We have to embrace logic over nostalgia. Most of the building owners cannot afford and may not be able to rebuild according to heritage guide- lines. Heritage house owners that had their houses severely damaged or destoyed do not deserve to be delayed in being allowed to demolish their old and rebuild their new homes and lives. t do not mean to Ignore our. heritage but we cannot let our past slow down our future. Business owners want to reopen but delays and red tape will only frustrate and possibly drive more business away. i realize respect should be paid to heritage but within reason please. This community has shown its spirit and resolve and we do not deserve to have it choked by red tape and self centered interests. History will remember not only the storm but how we triumphed or failed. Sincerely Perry May Goderich