HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore 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
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