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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-06-12, Page 7Wednesday, June 12, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 7 More Blue Flags will in Canada this summer Bluewater, Lambton Shores beaches marinas certified "Beaches and marinas across Canada proudly fly the Blue llag because it is a sym- bol Of excellence;" said Brett Tryon, coordi- nator of the Blue Mag Canada program. "Wherever you see a Blue Flag, you know For the 2013 sun, scurf, and sand season, the leach or marina has great water quality, 18 beaches and four marinas in Canada is working to protect natural areas, has life - have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag guards or lifesaving equipment, and helps eco-certification.'Ihis internationally recog- to educate the community about how to nlzed and respected evo-lithel Is awnrded 10 protect and improve the local beaches and marinas that have achieved environment." international standards in water quality, 'Ihe Blue Flag program has been in Can - environmental management, envimnnlen- ada since 2005 with certified beaches and- tal education, and safety and services. marinas currently in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Application for accessible pedestrian signals falls through When the capital budget was passed on January 10, 2013 the "Street lights & Traf- fic lights" section was approved including a total of $36,000 to Install accessible pedestrian signals at the two -lighted inter- sections in Grand Bend, and the two lighted intersections of Forest. At that time it was noted that the municipality had applied for funding from the "Enabling Accessibility Fund" to help offset the capi- tal costs so that the total municipal expenditure was $9,000, and if funding was not received the capital -funding plan would have to be reviewed. Lambton Shores staff has been informed that the municipality's applica- tion was not successful. As a result the capital plan needs to be amended to reflect the project that will take place in 2013. In a letter from 1 luman Resources and Skills Development Canada (1IRSI)C) it states they had completed their assess- ment of Lambton Shore's proposal and "even though their project met the eligibil- ity criteria they did not did not rank high enough to be approved for funding:" 'the letter saki applications undergo a thorough review by program officials to assess projects against project objectives, including the degree to which the project responds to the needs of people with dis- abilities, while enhancing community accessibility; how much of a priority the project is for the community, the degree of community support for the project, the feasibility of execution of the project and the project's value for the money. Top ranked proposals are then recommended for funding and in this case Lambton Shores diel not rank high enough. They will, however be kept on file. And they recommend that council approve a total expenditure of $18,(X10 in the "Street Lights 8/ Traffic Lights" section to install accessible pedestrian signals at the existing street lighted intersections in Grand fiend to be limited from the Trans- portation Reserve, and further that acces- sible pedestrian signals for the Forest street lighted intersections be referred to the 2014 capital budget. "I low do we not rank high enough?" asked councilor Doug Bonesteel in asking that question be raised with IIRSI)C. "1 low can we rank higher?" I le said they have been going after these signals for two years and asked what the requirements ate supposed to he to rank higher. "'11tis is unbelievable,' he sacci. tounciI rejects letter from Chamber Lynda Hillman-Rapley Lakeshore Advance municipalservices/planning .coning. ham), the Council Agenda package of May 2, 2013 (www.Iambtonshores.ca/liv- A letter from the (rand Bend Chani- Ing/localgovernment/cotutcil _meetings. ber of Commerce (that was reported in ham) and the various parking and cash - the Lakeshore Advance May 22nd) has in -lieu reports to Council by Lambton been rejected by Lambton Shores coon- Shores Municipal staff. ciI and stripped from the agenda. The Grand Bend Chamber of Com - Councilor Doug Bonesteel !)lade a 1111'rce was reacting to "t he recent motion to reject the letter and send a unsigned letter to the downtown husi- note back to the Chamber suiting since neesses and to 0 recent correspondence this group receives public funds they they received expressing displeasure to should not be sending out letters with the municipality and council with Ms. political connotations. Richtarison's continents" from a meeting The letter was sent out signed by the earlier in May. president Glen Baillie and vice Mark In their letter to Charmer of (;om- Lewis to provide the membership "with coerce members, the Board said they are a factual context around which Members in fill support of I,tunhton Shores coun- rnay assess parking and cash -in -lieu cli and staff efforts in reviewing parking issues affecting (rand Bend businesses." and cash in lieu alternatives to result in 'Ihe information contained in this coin- parking solutions. munication was obtained with a review Bonesteel said the reference to the of Lambton Shores 'Zoning Bylaw 1 of anonymous letter was too political and 2003 (www.lamhtonshores.ca/living/ council agreed to this motion. Ontario and Quebec. This year, the program welcomes Birch Cove Beach in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia as its newest Blue Flag certified member. It is the first Nova Scotia beach to receive the Blue Flag. "This is quite an honour," says Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Mike Savage. "'Ihe Blue Flag will contribute significantly to awareness of Birch Cove Beach and will help in promoting Birch Cove Beach as a sustainable beach destination to be enjoyed by both the residents and visitors." Around the world, 3,100 beaches and 625 marinas have been certified.'lhe Blue Flag award is administered in Canada by Envi- ronmental Defence and is managed inter- nationally by the Foundation for Environ- mental Education (FEE). With vast and beautiful coastlines, Cana- da's fresh and salt water ecosystems have significant environmental, cultural, social and economic values to Canadians. With beaches as important recreational and tour- ist areas, Canadians can be assured that Blue Hag certified beaches are safe and clean, sustainably managed and great for swimming. Ontario: • Port Stanley Main Beach on Lake Erie in the Municipality of Central Elgin • Grand Bend Beach, Grand Bend Marina and Port Franks Marina on Lake Huron in the Municipality of Lambton Shores • Bayfield Main Beach and Bluewater Marina on lake Ilium in the Municipality Of Blucwater • Station Beach on Lake Moron in Kincardine • Saubte Beach on Lake 1 luron in the 'linen of South Bruce Peninsula • Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, on (Geor- •an Bay • Bluffer's Park Beach, Centre island Beach, Cherry Beach, Gibraltar Point Beach, I lanlan's Point Beach, Kew -Balmy Beach, Ward's Island beach and Woodbine Beach in'1'omnto. Invitation to COMMUNITY LIVING - SOUTH HURON BOARD OF DIRECTORS' 45TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, June 19, 2013 7:00 p.m. - Meeting Agenda Election of Officers Community Living - South Huron 146 Main Street Dashwood, Ontario Please RSVP to 237-3637 or for further infornurtion Lots of Stuff Antiques Glass Wear Pottery Collectables Vintage Clothing 4a4e4 91.444:04i4 Suits Dresses Sweaters Shoes Tops Sizes 2-24 Open Thurs. Fri. Sat. • 11 am - 4pm 21 Main St., Grand Bend ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm . Graixi Bend 11oAdv_-_-_::IMO 58 Ontario St. S, Grand Bend PH: 519438-5383 htedva nce @ a u n med la. c a OFFICE HOURS: Mon. & Fri. 8am - 4pm Thurs. & Fri. 9am - 4prn CLOSED TUESDAYS