HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-11-23, Page 9Enhanced site gives
an aerial view
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County and Sarnia-Lambton
unveil project
For the Lakeshore Advance
The County of Lambton and the Sarnia-Lambton
Economic Partnership are announcing new
enhancements to Lambton's Geographic
Information System (GIS) that will serve both
residents and businesses well in their on-line
mapping needs.
Among the enhancements are new aerial pho-
tography of Lambton County, a "parcel identifica-
tion" tool that provides public MPAC information
for each land parcel in the county, access to digital
municipal zoning layers (where available), and
built-in Statistics Canada data, which can be tai-
lored to provide demographic information around
user-specified mapping points.
The site, located at www.lambton.gis.ca/sitese-
lector, continues to allow users to find addresses,
businesses, schools, libraries and many other
points of interest across the county. It also allows
industrial site selectors the opportunity to view
Ai
This is the next generation of GIS
mapping, and an incredible tool
for both economic development
and the general public
— Lambton County Warden Steve Arnold
mapping and information on Sarnia-Lambton's
industrial business parks.
"This is the next generation of GIS mapping, and
an incredible tool for both economic development
and the general public," said Lambton County
Warden Steve Arnold. "The launch of this new site
is a great way to celebrate World GIS Day, which is
this Wednesday."
The County of Lambton Information Technol-
ogy Department, led by project leader Jason
Hannigan and GIS specialist Greg Spiridonov,
managed the project.
County eyes `Rapid Response' units
CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 8
funding available for facilities
seeking to introduce or change
programs.
Among other highlights of
McDonagh's report are statistics
that show 41 per cent of the
families with children in
daycare receive some sort of
subsidy.
More Time
EMS Chief Dave I,ew says
more time will be needed
before how his department can
gauge the success of the Rapid
Response units that were
introduced to the county's
„Obulance fleet 111 order to
irrAter meet new response rules
being meted out by the prov-
ince. The units, introduced in
July, are designed to be imme-
diately dispatched to any emer-
gency call as a tool in better
meeting the province's new
eight -minute emergency
response time.
While Coun. Bernie MacLel-
lan (Huron East) wondered
whether the program, which
involved removing two ambu-
lances from the fleet, is proving
successful, Coun. Neil Rantoul
(Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh)
says his primary concern is
ensuring the safety of citizens
and not cutting costs.
Rantoul further argued the
units should not be called
"Rapid Response" since their
drivers are not allowed to drive
at a faster pace than ordinary
ambulances. Further, say
Rintoul, if the ambulances were
stationed where the Rapid
Response units are, their
response times would be just as
good.
The EMS Chief says while
Rintoul's arguments ring true,
putting ambulances in the
Rapid Response locations
would require "a lot more
money" since the Rapid
Response units feature only one
paramedic.
"Not everything is about
money when it comes to saving
a life," says Rintoul. "I have a big
concern."
After some discussion, coun-
cillors agreed to review all of the
pertinent data related to the
Rapid Response Units once a
minimum of 12 months has
passed.
"I don't know why we keep
beating at this ... it needs more
time," says Coun. Bill Siemon
(Huron East).
*7.30/day
Homes Administrator Barb
Springall reports it is getting
tougher to make ends meet for
the department's per person
food budget.
With the rising cost of food,
particularly with dairy and
meat, the $7.50 per day allot-
ment from the province is "a
challenge."
During an exchange with
councillors about buying local
produce and meat where possi-
ble, Springall notes a past
Request for Proposal drew only
two local bidders, one of which
was the winning bidder, Metzger
Meats.
Coun. lames Ginn (Central
Huron) reports it is welcome
news to hear Ontario lamb is
being served since New Zealand
lamb was once served at the
county's homes.
Meanwhile, County CAO
Larry Adams noted that while
buying local is preferable where
possible, there is a process that
must be adhered to when
purchases are made.
Exemplary Service
One of Huron County's own is
being honoured for exemplary
service.
During a special presenta-
tion, County EMS Chief Dave
Lew presented Liz Brown, a
primary care paramedic, with
an Exemplary Award in
acknowledgement of her will-
ingness to go above and beyond
the call of duty.
"Liz is well -deserving of this
award," says Lew, who notes she
has more than 20 years of serv-
ice on the job, 10 of which have
been with Huron County.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 9
NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE
Detailed Design and Class Environmental Assessment
Highway 21 Rehabilitation
G.W.P. 3952-01-00
THE PROJECT
Dillon Consulting Limited has been retained by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO)
to complete the Detailed Design and Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the
rehabilitation of Highway 21 from Grand Bend north limits northerly 7.5 km to 0.1 km north
of Hendrick Road.
The proposed rehabilitation includes the
replacement/rehabilitation of culverts and
the resurfacing of the highway. Other
improvements include the replacement
of partial illumination at Highway
21 and Huron Road 83 and entrance
modifications/removals within the project
limits in accordance with MTO access
management principles. The project
may also involve a temporary closure
of Highway 21 for the replacement of
culverts. Details on the rehabilitation
are available on the project website at
www.Highway211mprovements.ca. The
website will be updated throughout the life
of the project. /
PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE (PIC)
Public consultation is an important part of
the environmental assessment process.
We encourage everyone who has an
interest in this project to provide input. A
PIC to obtain public and agency input on
the design options identified and evaluated
by Dillon and the MTO for the proposed rehabilitation will be held on:
TLsaday, November 29, 2011
4 p.m. - 8 p.m. (informal drop -In session)
Dashwood Memorial Community Centre
158 Centre Street, Dashwood, Ontario
Representatives from the MTO and the project's consultant team will be available to answer
questions and discuss the next steps in this study. A brief presentation will be made at
5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to provide an overview of the project and the proposed construction
staging and traffic management plan.
THE PROCESS
This study will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Class
Environmental Assessment (EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) (MTO's
Class EA) as a Group '8' project. The MTO's Class EA allows a Group 'B' project to be
"stepped -down" to a Group 'C' project, if there are no significant environmental or property
issues, no need to provide formal documentation of environmental issues and limited
likelihood of a "Part II Order" request ("bump up"). Following the PIC, the project may be
stepped -down to a Group 'C' project if the environmental screening process indicates
that there will be no significant detrimental environmental effects. If the project is stepped -
down, a Transportation Environmental Study Report will not be prepared. However, a notice
of step-down will be issued and a 30 -day public review period provided.
COMMENTS
The MTO is interested in receiving any comments or concerns you may have regarding this
project by December 15, 2011. If you wish to provide comments or have any questions
regarding the project, please contact:
Christine Costa, P.Eng., Project Engineer
Ministry of Transportation
West Region, Planning and Design Section
659 Exeter Road, London, ON N8E 1L3
tel: 519-873-4574 fax: 519-873-4600
toll free: 1-800-265-6072
e -mall: Ch►istlne.Costaeontario.ca
Loft Hiroo
h'ENORCX ROAD
MUNICIPALITY
OF ILUEWATER
COUNTY OF HURON
MUNICIPALITY
OF SOUTH HURON
Kevin Welker, P.Eng., Project Manager
Dillon Consulting Limited
Box 426, London, ON NSA 4W7
tel: 519-438-6192
toll free: 1-888-345-5668 ext. 1283
fax: 519-672-8209
e-mail: kw lkeredilion.ca
Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and
Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will
become part of the public record.
EPOntario