Serving Lake Erie’s North Shore Friday November 28, 2014
INSIDE Letters Port Stanley needs another seniors residence. Would the location where the silos are not make a wonderful place for seniors STORY PAGE 2 to reside,.
The Annual General Meeting of the Port Stanley Village Association
War of 1812 Report British naval and military expedition under Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane and Major-General Sir Edward Pakenham lands near New OrSTORY PAGE 2 leans.
What the Toronto Star is saying about us! There’s also a busy port, one of many lovely inlets on the north shore of Lake Erie, where brilliant white boats bob in dark waters surrounded by deep green hills. STORY PAGE 3
Linda Easton The weather was nasty but some hardy souls did attend the general meeting of the Port Stanley Village Association. After welcoming the members, President Linda Easton, introduced each of the speakers for the evening. A new board for the PSVA was elected made up of: Andrew Hibbert, Margo Karda, Darcy Taylor-Vedova, Harry Bishop, David McCarthy, Joe Fournier, Janet Kennedy and Linda Easton.
1812 Plaque Trail Nears Completion The finishing touches are being placed on nine colorful interpretive signs dotted throughout Elgin County. STORY PAGE 4
Port Burwell Report
Andrew Hibbert discussed the problem of accessibility for tourists with handicaps visiting Port Stanley. He is investigating Elgin County and Central Elgin’s role and any future actions required. He also displayed possible new signage for the village entrance. It was agreed that a more attractive sign was needed.
Very few properties are too small for leaf composting. The resulting product does wonders for vegetable and flower gardens. STORY PAGE 4
Losing my Poppy This year, I had the honor of assisting laying the Lions wreath at the cenotaph in Port Stanley. STORY PAGE 5
Karen Vecchio enters race to succeed Joe Preston Born and in raised in Elgin County, Vecchio has been an active member of our community throughout her life, volunteering her time, skills and efforts with countless community groups and not-for-profit organizations. STORY PAGE 6
LOOK AHEAD Community Events
Page 6
Classifieds & Service Directory Page 7 Business Roladex
Page 8
Comments were made about the clutter of signs as people enter the village. It was also mentioned that the sign for the Fishermen’s Memorial gives no indication of the actual location of the Memorial. As well, people who park in the harbour lot near McAsphalt, need signs to direct them to the beach. Harry Bishop described his work to establish a dog park. The Lions Club has agreed to contribute and there is a possible site on Catherine Street. Linda Easton talked about the preservation of the Port Stanley lighthouse. Central Elgin had to explain to Parks Canada/Fisheries and Oceans that our lighthouse is not a multi storey building accessible building and so does not require the usual renovations. It does have lead paint that has to be replaced prior to the transfer. Ted Halwa presented his plan to preserve one of the Richardson silos. The silos are slated to be dismantled
Discussions at the Port Stanley Village Association Annual Public Meeting included LtoR: A dog park, a new village entry sign and the Save A Silo project. with the crushed concrete to act in a containment cell for the dredgate that will be taken from the harbour to create the new Sylvia Hofhuis park to the east of the pier. Halwa would like to see one of the silos preserved as a possible observation deck and landmark for boats and tourists. The timeline is tight as Central Elgin will be deciding in December or January. The cost would be a concern as well. A straw vote showed a majority in favour of preserving the silo. Sheila Pinder, principal of Port Stanley Public School, put two rumours to rest. There is no move to close the school, which will be getting students from the Mitchel Hepburn new subdivision. There will be the usual five-year school review, ARC, in a Continued On Page 7
Elgin CIP Workshops Andrew Hibbert Elgin County has initiated the development of an exciting Regional Community Improvement Plan (CIP) that will help promote the unique economic development advantages of the County. On Tuesday November 18th the County held two workshops to which elected representatives and community members were invited. The meetings were Focus Group style round table discussions, at which, a number of questions were asked by the meeting facilitators, Nancy Reid of Median Planning and Jon Linton of TCE Management Consultants. The workshops were designed to bring community input to the development of the Elgin County Community Improvement Plan. A Community Improvement Plan is a planning and economic development Nancy Reid of Meridian Planning shows Instrument that sets out tools and one of the idea pages from the workshop.
strategies for improving the built, economic, and social environment of a municipality and region through the development of a CIP, the meeting delegates discussed the Needs and Opportunities that might present themselves, which communities or sectors of the County should be included in the program. Which projects or businesses could qualify for grants and what other funding agencies should be part of the CIP program. When the CIP is established the County will be able to offer financial incentives to local business and landowners to assist with improvements to private property. Specifically the CIP will focus on assisting with downtown beautification and revitalization efforts and supporting new and existing agriculture and agri-business opportunities. The program could also assist with marketing a community or business. Continued On Page 7