HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-11-23, Page 16mbers discuss future of PEAC committee
uestions surface at
ctober Goderich
it meet that urge
members to review
ate
ue Milburn
Signal -Star
ird item on the agenda of the
in Economic Action Commit -
ember 17 meet was the status
remittee itself.
ving an unexpected inquiry
g the committee's need to be in
ring the October 24 meeting of
h Town Council, PEACo Chair
wford invited members of the
tee to share thoughts on what
o take going forward,
'scussions at the PEACo meet
y sternrned from comments
a .council meet that suggested
,o be disbanded. Crawford told
embers she "felt [the sugges-
premature" and the commit -
consulted before further
'on.
bject was raised last month at
'cipal council table by Goderich,
Mayor John Grace, who
d doubt for the necessity of the
n light of further committees
formed within the town following the
August 21 F3 tornado that deal with
similar issues. Following a motion to
approve $2Q,000 from PEACo's 2011
operating budget be used in 2012 by the
Community Economic Revitalization
Program committee, Grace noted the
future of PEACo be considered.
"There was no questions, [Deputy
Mayor Grace said] 'yes, we'll approve
this money but 1 think we should look at
disbanding IPEACoJ, ' Crawford said.
The Partners in Economic Action
Committee was officially minted in
April of 2011 following the dissolution
of the former Community Development
Partnership Committee (CDPC). The
CDPC itself was formed in 2007 to solicit
funding partnerships for community
projects through collaboration with
service groups, individuals and federal
and provincial governments. At incep-
tion, it contained 11 members, includ-
ing councilors, health, business, senior,
and recreation representatives. After
structural shuffling, the original .com-
mittee disbanded in late 2010.
"I was very disappointed with how
the comment was abruptly brought up
and didn't provide any back up or rea-
soning behind it," said PEACo member
and Goderich Councillor Kevin
Morrison.
"I think it's time that we actually were.
a little bit more aggressive as to what
this committee is all about. This com-
munity doessnot need any more com-
mittees that are made up of staff and
politicians only. l am of the very strong
opinion that community involvement is
critical at this point as it has been in the
past and as it will be in the future."
The current PEACo includes Craw-
ford, Mike Strickland, Earnie MacDou-
gall, Phil Maier, Melissa Campion, Peter
Shephard and Goderich. councillors
Morrison and Michele Hansen.
1 think the representation we have
here including the non -politicians is
something that is very important," said
PEACO member Phil Maier. "Although
there are other committees that are
involved and have been formed since
the tornado, not all of those are totally
functional, they have their own issues. I
think there is some degree of stability
from this particular committee; I think
it's got good representation as far as the
community is concerned. We have been
looking at getting together a Strategic
Plan and 1 think we should be allowed
to show what we think our purpose
would be prior to council making any
decisions to suddenly disband us
Following a motion by Morrison,
PEACo members voted in favour of
inviting Grace to a future PEACo meet
to discuss the committee.
ey says free parking a plus for beach visitors
e Milburn
Signal -Star
nits are in and generally favour-
. wing the Partners in Economic
ommittee (PEAC) beachgoer
ey is part of a plan the PEAC is
on to engage in focus groups to
e how people see the Town of
information that will help the
rrn an Action Plan. The surveys
target audiences including youth
econdary graduation, residents,
tourists.
undred and sixty-seven surveys
pleted along Goderich's three
this summer, conducted by rep-
ves from the Chamber of Com-
o urism Goderich and Business
ment Area. Respondents were
the area and were asked a series
ns about what they enjoy, busi-
ited and plans to return.
iggest thing that this tells us is
63 respondents that indicated
or would be visitlng a
restaurant during their stay:
k House
fdygNel,s
4t StreetWilly's
Horton's
bby Joe's
Donalds
ey's
-ton Pitta
that people are stopping and shopping,"
said PEAC Chair Judy Crawford. "They are
not just using the beach, and leaving, and
85 per cent of the people surveyed were
not summer residents.
"It's a good start for us and something
we may want to continue next year:'
Though respondents ranged in home-
locations from throughout the U.S. and
Canada, 12 per cent were from Kitchener
Waterloo, nine per cent from London,
and six per cent from Toronto. Only one
out of 242 noted they did not enjoy their
visit to Goderich, and. 56 per cern marked
the beaches,. lake and Square as "special"
In the comments section, free parking
was noted numerous times as an advan-
tage, rocky sand was not favoured, espe-
daily in the open dog run arm The board-
walk, homes and gardens were praised,
but a lack of waterfront restaurants or cof-
fee shops was noted.
The last three weeks of beach surveys
were suspended indefinitely following the
August 21 tornado in Goderich. Crawford.
said even without the additional com-
ments, the surveys have offered a glimpse
into what is going on at Goderich's
beaches.
"Beautiful beach, pleasure to showvisi
tors, dull in winter"
"Best place in the world:)"
"Install bike rack, four -people carts,
paddle boats, water fountain, volleyball
on beach and much more ... "
"Lacking restaurants at beach (Cove),
not aware of the shopping."
"Too rocky, dirty, gross, not tours of salt
mine, Square is too confusing, dislike the
town."
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 • Signal -Star 15
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