Lakeshore Advance, 2013-08-21, Page 6',. - .-row t.wmiialW::.1[7!C S7761FWING
Wednesda
ust 21, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 5
community
letters to the editor
Boaters would like their
concerns addressed
CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 4
(locks on the municipal
property. As this appears to
4:0
)ntradfct the contents of
Jur letter, please confirm
this to ale in writing.
Alternatively, 1 know that
all boaters would be recep-
tive to the Municipality pro-
viding us with reconstructed
docks that will provide us
with safe and ready access
to our boats, thus eliminat-
ing the need for us to have
our own.
The steps leading down
to the docks have the hand
rails overgrown by the
neighbouring vine hedge
rendering them unusable
and a safety issue. We are
now part way through
August and no trimming
work has yet been
undertaken?
Part of our annual lease
provides us with washroom/
shower facilities. 'these facil-
ities are very outdated and
in poor condition. Water
pressure is very poor and
cleaning appears to be a hit
and miss affair. What is to be
(lone to bring these tip to a
proper standard?
It is true that we kept a
lawn mower 011 municipal
property at one time. This
was (Ione because lawn
maintenance was not being
)ertornit'd on a regular basis
)1d we thought that we were
Helping out. 1.awn cutting
improved and the lawn-
mower was taken away,
however there was an occur-
rence this year where the
municipal person operating
the plower blew all of the
cut grass onto the boats,
Further, in addition to cut-
ting the grass, trimming
511001(1 be (lone around all
of the walkways, picnic
tables etc. Please confirm
that this will be don('.
It is true that we have
HBO's, but it is also true that
there are several of the sante
type of H13Q's at the munici-
pal docks in the south basin.
In fact, there has been one
right at the door of the har-
bor building. Did these peo-
ple receive the same letter
and do they have to abide by
the same rules? Also, I
believe that the municipal
docks (referred to as the
Love docks) have boaters
with many of the same
banned items outlined in
your letter. Did they receive
the same letter and do they
have to abide by the same
rules?
It is unfortunate that there
is not a more collaborative
way of trying to deal with all
the issues, however it
appears that this council
wants to take a less per-
sonal, adversarial approach,
hence this letter. We remain
very open to sitting down
and having open discus-
sions about this, however in
the meantime, W(' Would
appreciate a written reply
addressing the above issues.
Please hear 111 mind that
many of these issues are
health and safety issues that
need to be addressed in a
timely fashion.
Finally, since it appears
that the issues, as outlined
in your letter, have been
published in the local paper,
it is only fair that "the other
side" be made public as
well. 'Therefore, this letter
has bt'('n copied to the local
11('1Vspai)('1'.
We look forward to your
early reply.
Sincerely
Wayne and Dobbin Riddell
Barry & Darlene Miller
Bob and Jen Doraad
Ted & Tanya O'Brien
Shannon Doell
Great storm committee looking for partners
RH: Remembrances for Nie Great Lakes
Storm of 1913
()ne hundred years ago - Just as 1hur-
ricane Sandy devastated the north-east-
ern states in 2012 - a terrible weather
bomb, known as the "White I hurricane,"
exploded over the Great Lakes. It
brought destruction, especially to the
Lake I luron area. in a three-day period,
this evil "November Witch" carried over
260 sailors to their watery graves, sank a
dozen ships and destroyed almost three
dozen more. There were no survivors!
A small group of volunteers has
undertaken the onerous task of creating
suitable Centennial Remembrances and
ceremonies to commemorate this, the
worst Great Lakes maritime disaster of
all time.
We are building a permanent memo-
rial. We are hosting major activities, 100
years to the date(s) of this tempest,
November 8, 9, and 10 in Goderich.
'Ihese include a marine career/trade &
heritage show called Careers on the
Water and More. Also, we are working in
partnership with museums, heritage
societies, along with many cultural and
arts groups along the entire Lake I luron
shoreline - on both sides of the border
- from Port Huron to Tobermory - to
ensure that these overwhelming events
are remembered in a meaningful way.
Events are Happening now and continue
through September, October and
November. 'Pickets are already selling
out for some events. See details and a
calendar at www.19I3storm.ca.
It costs a lot of money to support these
undertakings.
We, the undersigned, have each taken
on a major "creative" role to support
fund-raising for these various remem-
brances: [)avid has written ten dramatic
maritime songs and created the com-
panion music for a wonderful CI) to cel-
ebrate this heritage event. Paul has writ-
ten yet another book to commemorate
the lives and ships lost. We each com-
From the countryslde
John MINN
Seventh In series on Guiding Beacons
of North Lambton, currently featured
In Shine; Spotlight on wornen of
Lambton exhibit at the Lambton
Heritage Museum
We are pleased to feature this week, a
women who does not know the word
no. Local minister, the Rev, Dr. Christine
O'Reilly is renowned in our community
as that busy person whom you go to, to
get things done. Nominator Julie Stel-
Iingwerff says, "She continually inspires
the to be a better person, a better Chris-
tian and to be a better woman for the
betterment of our community." Nomi-
nators Nick and Carla Sitter wrote,
"Christine Is not only a minister at Knox
Presbyterian in Medford and Watford,
she is very active in the community, at
13osanquet Central school, Vacation
Bible Camp, in sports groups, choirs
and many other programs. She has
changed many lives for the better, is
always right there when needed and
overall a very important person who
deserves this honour."
1 Iutnble to a fault, Christine was once
quoted as saying that the best thing she
has done in her ministry is wash dishes
at church dinners. In talking to others
about this article, I found this humble-
ness to be a much repeated theme. She
once wrote, "No man is an island. This
is particularly true in a small commu-
nity." Her methods of leadership are
inclusive and many have reaped the
rewards of the results of working
together with her. This week the yearly
Vacation Bible School is on for four days
at the Legacy Centre and through her
leadership she has attracted a cadre of
driven volunteers who help in deliver-
ing programs to over two hundred chil-
dren. Result based actions with little
command and control.
1n 2007, Christine was asked to report
on rural poverty to the Standing Senate
Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
Widely respected for her views on the
issue, reporter Emily Wierenga writes
that Christine stated "Hometown lead-
ers need support, encouragement and
assistance to be part of the answer to
rural poverty. They need to be included
in decisions, programs and implemen-
tation strategies... The role played by
rural congregations is part of the fabric
of community life. Church buildings
offer spaces for meetings, shelter in cri-
sis and places to mark the transition of
life. Church members live out their
beliefs by providing much-needed
tnitted a full year of our time to com-
plete these tasks.
Yes, our Small committee has
received some grant funding and we
are truly grateful to the municipal gov-
erntnents and the marine -centred
industries and others that are support-
ing our cause. But we need to invite
others to contribute cash to complete
the task. That is the purpose of this
open request to organizations, busi-
nesses and the general public.
Please send a cheque, payable to
"GLS1913," at Great Lakes Storm of
1913, 590 Pentland Avenue, 11112
Goderich, ON N7A 3X8. Help us keep
these memories alive! Please (do it
today.
Respectfully,
David MacAdam, Chair Paul Car-
roll, Committee Member
MacDonald Marine & Marine Commu-
nity Author, Marine Heritage Community
assistance to local communities."
Walking that talk. Christine's ministe-
rial charges help to alleviate that rural
poverty by providing a church benevo-
lent fund, assisting families with utility
bills and necessities like groceries, pro-
viding transportation to medical
appointments in nearby urban centres
and mentoring local students. A com-
munity garden' has sprung up behind
Knox, which provides fresh produce for
locals and was given honourab)e men-
tion by Community in Bloom judges.
She says, "Small churches matter
because their heads aren't too big. They
don't offer all the bells and whistles, but
on Sunday mornings where you find lit-
tle congregations you'll find people
gathered fot worship --who, in their
small way are saying to the world, wor-
shipping God matters. Without our rural
churches, without the values they
express and beliefs they live out, Canada
would he an impoverished place;'
In this part of Canada we are blessed
to have a community nity leader, a wise
counsellor and a shirtsleeve minister all
rolled up into the wonderful women that
is Christine O'Reilly. Her energy, her
humility and her giving heart have made
her a friend and a mentor to many and
an inspiration to the rest of us.
Ainnomem
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