HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-03-07, Page 24 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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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,