The Times Advocate, 2008-01-23, Page 39Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Times–Advocate
39
Funds still needed for Lucan Area
Heritage and Donnelly Museum
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
LUCAN — It's been months of planning, and with a couple of difficult decisions
made, the Lucan Area Heritage is looking forward to its brand new Lucan Area
Heritage and Donnelly Museum — while still fundraising to cover the expenses of
the new building.
The new museum, which will be found on the former site of the Grand Central
Hotel on Main Street, is approximately 3,100 square feet, substantially bigger than
the current museum which sits at about 300 square feet.
The building was originally planned with an elaborate exterior facade to mirror
Lucan's historic Grand Central Hotel, as well as a basement. But both fea-
tures have been cut out of the budget, a decision the group didn't take lightly.
Lucan Area Heritage secretary Sheila Hodgins commends the community
support, saying the donations were overwhelming. Hodgins says the Lucan
Lions Club donated $148,000, including $65,000 for the land, while the town-
ship also gave $100,000. Lucan Area Heritage was able to raise almost
$100,000 over the past five years through community fundraisers.
But with no funding from the government, cuts were needed.
"It was a hard, difficult thing to do," says Hodgins. "It was a tough deci-
sion." Another smaller cut included changing the customized lighting to stan-
dard lighting, but Hodgins says some customized lighting will still be incorpo-
rated into the museum. Hodgins says if more money is raised, several items
can be added along the way.
"A lot of things are being roughed in," says Hodgins Some of the interior
items include a railing and stairs to the mezzanine and a kitchen area.
Two special items the museum will feature are a research centre, allowing
the public to research different histories of Lucan and area. It will also fea-
ture a "Wall of Fame."
The "Wall of Fame" in the museum's entraceway, showcases donations
made by the public that are over $100.
"Be a part of history. Have your name or your family's name included for
generations to view," says IIodgins. All the donations collected will support
the construction costs of the museum.
Most of the history will stay the same in the new museum, but there will be
items added with the more spacious building. Several other artifacts will be
displayed, while a section on Wilberforce will also be showcased in brand
new rotating exhibits.
With the Lucan Area Heritage still needing donations, a couple of fundrais-
Making more history — The new Lucan Area Heritage and Donnelly
Museum is set for construction weather permitting at the end of March
or early April. Fundraising is still needed to support the interior con-
struction of the museum.Above from left are Lucan Area Heritage com-
mittee first vice-president Jackie Martens, secretary Sheila Hodgins,
newest member Joan Finkbeiner and second vice-president Carla
Revington holding up the design of the new museum, while standing in
the crammed old museum. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout)
Defibrillator arrives at Lucan arena
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
LUCAN BIDDULPH — An arena
update was part of the agenda
Monday night, with council com-
menting on the annual Lucan
Christmas Craft Show held Nov. 9 to
Nov. 11 at the Lucan Community
Memorial Centre.
Lucan Biddulph Mayor Tom
McLaughlin says the craft show was
a huge success this year, raising
about $1,000 more than last year.
The craft show featured unique
and top quality items from more
than 75 different vendors.
The arena defibrillator has
arrived, with the training to begin
next month. Training includes First
Aid, C.P.R. and defibrillator training
A defibrillator is a medical device
used to restore a normal heartbeat,
while applying a brief electric shock.
Council discussed holding training
for some arena user groups, saying
it would be beneficial, especially if
regular groups were educated with
the machine.
Council says the under -17 World
Junior Hockey Championships held
at the end of last month and the
beginning of January went well.
A meeting will be held this week to
gather more information on the
event.
No petitions or delegations were
presented at Lucan Biddulph coun-
cil.
ing events are coming up.
Tickets for a draw which includes a full packaged trip to Ireland, featuring Lucan,
Ireland, will be on sale soon. The tickets are $25 per person and will be sold at
Clarke's Food Market, Earthen Elegance Floral Artistry and the Ausable Community
Centre.
The annual Heritage Dinner is Feb. 19. Tickets are $20 per person. To get tickets
contact Muriel Culbert 227-4766.
The museum will begin construction weather permitting at the end of March or
early April.
For more information on the Lucan Area Heritage and Donnelly Museum visit
http://lucanheritage.tripod.com
Hydro One Networks is
seeking OEB approval to
harmonize its customers' rates
Starting in 2000, a number of people across the province became Hydro One
Networks customers when we acquired their local utility. While the customers we
acquired have seen changes to their delivery rates in recent years, many acquired
customers continue to pay rates lower than other Hydro One customers receiving the
same type of service.
Hydro One believes that all customers deserve fair, reasonable and affordable rates.
In order for rates to be fair, they must be applied consistently across our customer
base and reflect the true cost of delivering electricity to homes and businesses. For
this reason, Hydro One is seeking to have all its customers pay the same rates for
the same services. In some communities this could mean an increase to delivery
rates. Under the proposed rate structure, all customers in the same rate class would
be charged the same delivery rates, regardless of where they live.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) regulates the rates charged by all electric utilities
in Ontario, including Hydro One, and must approve any changes to our delivery
rates. On December 18, 2007 Hydro One applied to the OEB to harmonize or
consolidate the rates in your community with other communities across Ontario
served by Hydro One (OEB file number EB -2007-0681).
Based on our application, the delivery rate increase would be phased in over four
years. This would limit the increase to less than10 per cent on the total bill in any
one year for an average Hydro One customer. (The average Hydro One residential
customer uses 1,000 kWh per month and the average general service energy -billed
customer uses 2,000 kWh per month). The table below shows the proposed delivery
rate increase for your community for 2008 and over four years for an average
customer's electricity use.
Average Delivery Rate Increase on the Total Bill
"Community Name"
from Hydro One's
Electricity Bill
Residential customers
using 1,000 kWh
per month
General Service
energy -billed customers
using 2,000 kWh
per month
Average
2008
Increase on
Total Bill
Average
Increase on
Total Bill at
the end of
4 years
Average
2008
Increase on
Total Bill
Average
Increase on
Total Bill at
the end of
4 years
Exeter
9.2%
15.0%
8.7%
27.7%
How do I know if this might affect me?
You can confirm if you have community -specific rates by checking on page two of
your Hydro One bill. If your bill states either "Your service type is Residential –
Exeter" or "Your service type is General – Exeter" you will be affected.
If approved by the OEB, the proposed rate increase will affect the Delivery line
on your bill. For more information on our rate application, please go to
www.HydroOneNetworks.com/2008RateApplication or call 1-866-543-8031.
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Do I have a say?
Yes, you can participate in the OEB process. The OEB will undertake a public
process, which includes a public hearing before rates are approved. Interested
parties can intervene, observe or provide written comment. Public participation
helps ensure the OEB makes an informed decision on our rates.
Information on how to participate may be obtained by visiting the OEB's website
at www.oeb.gov.on.ca or by calling the OEB's Consumer Relations Centre at
1-877-632-2727.
hyd r°one
Bringing Power to the People of OntarioTM