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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-03-07, Page 24 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, March 9, 2011 opinion www.lakeshareadvance.cam tlkesluoro Advanee PUBLISHED WEEKLY RO.BOX 1195 58 Ontario St., North Grand Bend ON NOM 1TO phone: 519-238-5383 fax: 519-238-5131 email: Iadvanceebowesnet.com UN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company 441k- 44 ,w NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher/Advertising Manager ndmordaDbowesnet.com LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY Editor STEVE NIAMEY Advertising Sales JUUE HARRISON lypesetting/Clasalfleds KATHY YOUN0 Accounts Receivable SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE: Regular $39.95 (36 05 r 1.90 GST) Online subscriptions avaNable—eume rates Publications Mall Agreement No. 40O84883 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7594 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO LAKESHORE ADVANCE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT P.O.Box 1195 58 Ontario St. North Grand Bend ON NOM 1 TO For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519.238.5383 e -mall: IadvanceObowesnet. com Changes of address, orders for subscriptions, and undeliverable copies (return postage guaranteed) are to be sent to Lakeshore Advance at the address indicated here. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by Me erroneous Item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance o1 the advertise- ment will be paid at the applicable rates. •ll saarowtedge the /111011oW supportol the Qpusrrrrnent of Ga** through the AiOMogeorrAsokhlro, Program (RUQ) bttwndour malting carte Canada Aocna ape letters to the editor What's so bad about having fun? Dear editor: Whitt an insightful editorial Lynda (Lakeshore Website)- thank you. It really speaks to the needs of the local business and residential community. ! lopefully people will read this and understand the issues that the business sector face. We contribute almost 50% of the taxes of all of the commercial properties hi I,aunbton Shores, we create significant employment, we Operate in a very short season and we hopefully add to the "Package" that Is Grand Bend. We are up against significant com- petition for the tourist dollar and minimal use of the beach is essential to creating an environment that will attract these visitors. 1 am a business owner and a resi- dent also and 1 understand the bal- ance between business and com- munity needs. But the events that are proposed for the beach not only are a catalyst to much needed eco- nomic activity - but just as impor- tant, they provide a level of enter- tainment and activity that we want in this town. They attract the exact visitors we are looking for that hope- fully have a positive experience in our town, 'They leave a significant financial footprint and contrary to some reports do not leave a physical one. 'These events also connect the community as well, bringing people together and creating long lasting memories. Itis these very events that have been part of Grand Bend since the days of Ida Ecclestone. A report was done on a city in the US called San Luis Obispo - anti it was voted the "happiest city in North America (see Oprah special Jan 27 2011) 'they achieved this by widening the sidewalks, encourag- ing patios; having as many outdoor events as possible and creating envi- ronments where people can inter- act. l want to live in community that can achieve these goals and we are almost there. We have made a huge commit- ment to the new beach enhance- ment and streetscape projects and these events are the finishing touches to this development. 1 an impressed by Council's actions on this development anti 1 will be there with 1(X)9( support of these events - because what is so bad with just having fun? Jim Archibald Archies Where is the legislation? Dear editor: The government of the day, through the Minister of Veterans Affairs has made several announcements and promises on Bills C-55 (New Veterans Charter), which has received first reading in the House of Commons but has not progressed to the Committee level. Similar announcements and promises have been made on Bill - 480 by the Minister of Finance. (Removal of GST from poppies and wreath purchases) for which no legislation has yet been tabled. As your renders know, the tabling and passage of these bills with Royal Assent will not he possible should the government decide to call an election. The Royal Canadian Legion has written to both ministers on the matters of legislative procedure and has received assurances that these platters are being looked into. 'These bills, however, may die on the order paper if all election is called and leave Canada's disabled veterans, their families and 'Ihe Royal Canadian Legion without the legislation they all need. 'Ihe Royal Canadian Legion writes this letter because we care. Patricia Varga Dominion President The Royal Canadian Legion Grand Bend WI reviewing books about everyday life Unbroke 1 lorses by Jeanette Walls was reviewed by Grand Bend Won - en's Institute Book Club on February 24 at the Grand Bend Library. This book is full of life's lessons that can be applied to everyday life today. It was an entertaining and enlightening read, It was a story about human spirit, the courage of adventure and choices that were made. Club members agreed it was a good entertaining book to rend. The next book to he reviewed by April 7 is Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. 'Ihe story is about the discovery of a dead infant in an Anlish barn in Lan- caster County. A previously reviewed hook was "Water For Elephants, It was noted this movie will be released April 11. If anyone Is interested in joining this Grand Bend WI Book Club contact Barb Khlback at 519.243.1 1(33 for more information. Sands of Time Lynda Hillman-Rapley Editor, Lakeshore Advance td) Your beach —your voice Being in the communica- tion business you have the opportunity to speak to a lot of people. This week as I was waiting to interview an offi- cial in Waterloo, his secretary asked how things were "at the beach." "I love Grand Bend," she said adding her days of fun were the 1960s where she roller skated, played volleyball on the beach and listened to great music --"right on the beach". This woman, sound- ing envious of anyone who actually got to live here, had memories so many of us have and so many others are creat- ing. She said she was hack last year and loved the inpmvenlerlts and was glad to see so many people on the beach --"doing stuff and hav- ing fun like she did 50 years ago." 1.aunbton Shores Council's has a commitment to pro- mote economic development -they say they are committed to helping promote business, and hopefully to support the businesses already here. 'Ihe treasurer tells rue the Grand Bend commercial properties are 48',K> of the total Imminent t Shores commercial assess- ment and that is up 2% over lust years amount. In dollars that means (using the 2010 tax rate) Grand Bend portion of the commercial taxes is $294,596.00. Lanlbton Shores total of commercial taxes is $601,671.00. I I m nl m. 1)o the math. They need to thrive to survive. If there is no activity on the beach, our greatest asset, there are no spin offs. And what is the spin off effect of beach events? I hotel room bookings, restau- rant business, shop business, etc. even brewers retail and the liquor store. With so many beautiful beaches to select from --this area has to do their part to make that decision easy,'lltke your tourism dollars to Grand Bend -because that Is where the most fun is. lithe Service Clubs are behind the beach useage to raise dollars to go hack into the community -that can't be a bad thing -right? 'the business sector are the same people who make important contributions not only with their taxes, the employment they offer our young people, sponsoring youth sports teams. "hey own homes here, shop here and donate back to the commu- nity with their time and dol- lars. By supporting events on the public beaches, they get a return just as Ida Ecclestone, owner of the 1.rtkeview Casino did when she rented bathing suits for a dime in 1919, so everyone could enjoy the beach, she provided a large pavilion for people to rent when they wanted to have their events on the beach, the original Lion's Club having their holiday weekend events on the bench, the Chamber of Commerce partnering with beer companies for volleyball and radio stations to bringing a stage and bands to the beach -for the enjoyment of everyone. And Colonial - Gables owner 1 laroici KI(>pp with his boat dock to the north of the former casino property. 'These Were com- mercial enterprises than brought people to the beach and in turn made money for the businesses. Beach usage, in the "old days" was not an issue -it suns what brought people here. ibis council promised to think economic benefits, future and what's best for the majority. 'Ihx payers have a realm of opinions as to what they want or don't want. Attend the pub- lic information centre on Mauch 24th at the Legion and let your voice be henn1,