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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-09-05, Page 9oiiiiiii Lakosbiro Alp PUBLISHED WEEKLY P.O.BOX 1195 58 Ontario St., North Grand Bend ON NOM 1TO phone: 519-238-5383 fax: 519-238-5131 email: Iadvance@bowesnet.com SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher/Advertising Manager nclifford©bowesnet.con LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY Editor ladvanceat?bowesnet.com STEVE NORTHEY Advertising Sales MARK STEPHEN Advertising Sales JULIE HARRISON Typesetting/Classifieds KATHY YOUNG Accounts Receivable SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE: Regular $39.95 (38 0541.90 GST) Online subscriptions available --same rates Publications Mall Agreement No 40064683 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-mail: Iadvanco*bo wesnet. com Changes of address, orders for subscriptions, and undeliverable copies (return postage guaranteed) are to be sent to LMesboreAdvance at the address indicated here. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the event of a typographical erns, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertise- ment will be paid at the applicable rates. We acknowledge the Mandy support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CP1) for our publishing activities. Canada (� P1 w e the cenaam end munity Ms On trew.prper AaocMMm rad tM Onpob Corm un -y **Wen A..oc-Mbn Cern Ivey ' Ng— Paul Ciufo Bryan Beattie Brian Dale Celebrating Superheroes on October 28 Wit,n the idea of Community Leaders of the Decade was first discussed by the Board of the Grand Bend Community Foundation, one of the Directors was, well, unenthusiastic. Ile said he didn't want any recognition and downplayed his many contributions. i told him firmly that no matter what he said, we would he recognizing hhn as a Community Leader of the Decade on October 28, After all, who is more deserving of this recognition than former mayor Cam Ivey? As many of you know, Cam's sometimes gruff exterior conceals a passionate dedication to our community. He is a visionary who is generous with his time and expertise. Among many other contributions, he helped resolve the public ownership of the beach, brought the 2001 Canada Gaines here, and gut the beach and main street enhancements on the agenda. It was his vision that led to the establishment of the Grand Bend Community Foundation. Cam is one of the "superheroes" we will be celebrating on October 28 at a gala event at Hessenland Country inn. Unassuming on the surface, these people are always ready to step up to meet a community need. Maybe they can't leap a building in a single bound, but boy, do they make a difference. Here are just a few more of the Community Leaders of the Decade we will be celebrating: 'there aren't many villages that have their own resident playwright, but that's what Paul Clufo is, Financial advisor by day, Paul is a brilliant writer whose plays have been produced at the Blyth Festival and nominated for a Governor -General's Award. You'd think that writing and raising a young family would he enough, but Paul is an always -willing volunteer leader with the Rotary Club, the Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Bach Festival and the South Huron District I lospital, atnong others, With support from his Rotary friends, Paul fundraised and helped a woman who had lost her home to fire move to a new home. Now, that's a superhero! And then there's Bryan Beattie. What doesn't Bryan do? Grand Bend United Church, the Canadian Food Grains Bank, the Rotary Club, Drayton Entertainment, the Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre - a few of the organizations that have benefited from his professional skills and calm, thoughtful leadership. (Ile knows a lot of jokes, too, hut I don't know if that counts . . , ) Grand Bend's musical life is in the good hands of another Brian. Brian Dale is a consummate singer -songwriter who contributes his talent to virtually every charity event and his time to nurture younger musicians. He provides the soundtrack of our community, and he does it with an easy smile and an irresistibly warm personality. And one more Brian - Brian Hall, who is being recognized with his wife Irene. The Halls exemplify leadership and philanthropy with a quiet, unassuming manner. Among their involvements: the Grand Bend Rotary Club, United Way, Grand Bend Area Health Services Foundation, Southcott Pines Park Association, Grand Bend Community Foundation, Friends of the Pinery, Winter Carnival, the Grand Bend Yacht Club and the Village Ilarbour, and the Canada Summer Games. Superman and Superwoman, maybe? Already, some 40 Grand Bend superheroes have been noniinnted! What a wonderful reflection on our community. Nominations will soon be closed, but if you know someone who should be recognized as one of Grand Bend's Community Leaders of the Decade, go to www.grandbendcommunityfoundation.ca now and follow the links. Be sure to Join us on October 28, to visit celebrate the superheroes of Grand Bend. Tickets are limited, so call soon. Here are the details: Grand Bend Community Foundation Community Leaders of the Decade Gala Hessenland Country Inn Friday, October 28, 2011 Reception: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner and awards: 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $30 per person, includes Tapas-style dinner and cash bar Dass: Semi -formal Call 519-238-2190 or E-mail gbcfehay.net See you there! Pat Morden, Chair, Grand Bend Community Foundation www.takeshareadvance.coln letter to the editor "Makers" vs. "Takers" if Bluewater is to become a 21st cen tury municipality of which all its resi- dents can be proud, our elected Council must ensure that the legitimate con- cerns of our farmland, urban village, and lakeshore interests are all addressed in an open and objective manner. Negative statements such as "the rift between urban and Lural residents is too wide to be bridges': as noted by liev I 1i11 in a recent letter to the editor; do not contribute to the creation of a harmoni- ous community. Nor does his reference to parts of our community as "takers" and "makers", Considering taxation to pay for the costs of operating our Municipality, our County, and our local school boards, the "makers" are those who pay the hills and the "takers" are those paying the least, but reaping the greatest benefit. What are the facts as shown in Rluewa- ter financial reports? Since 2003, the share of the total municipal tax burden has shifted from farmlands and all other tax c lasses to the residential taxpayer. In 2011, Blue - water residential property taxes will comprise 86% of total tax revenue, whereas taxes from farmlands and all other classes now each contribute only 7% of the total. Current value assessment has resulted in higher assessments for lake- front properties. As a result, every year since 2004 the total tax burden has shifted further away from the four inland wards. Of the total 2011 Bluewa- ter residential taxes, the two wards of Hay West and Stanley West will contrib- ute 499%; the four inland wards com- bines, 28%. Including all tax classes, these two shoreline wards contribute 43% of the total; the four inland wards combined, 36%. More striking is the fact that, compar- ing the total 2011 taxes with the total collected in 2010, residential properties will pay more in total, but the total taxes from farmlands and other classes will be less. Shnilarly, the total taxes collecte from the two shoreline wards shows increase in 2011, whereas the total tax revenue from the four inland wards combined is less than in 2010. 'these facts show clearly who are the "makers" and who are the "takers': Mr. 1lill's invalid inference serves only to create the very rift to which he refers. Keith Locking Dashwood inline Iakeshoreadvance.com Get all of your news, sports and more. Serving Grand Bend and surrounding area