Serving Lake Erie’s North Shore Friday September 11, 2015
Port Stanley Sparta
Central Elgin Re-Opens The West Breakwater In Port Stanley
Saturday September 19, 2015 See Pages 4-7
INSIDE Social Isolation Decrease in mobility, age, medical conditions, and the lack of accessible transportation are all major factors in social isolation. STORY PAGE 2
Port Bruce Report The proposed mobility mats for accessibility to the Port Bruce beach are closer to reality. STORY PAGE 2
What is Doors Open? From April to October 2015, communities open the doors to some of Ontario's most intriguing and charmSTORY PAGE 4 ing heritage sites.
Congratulations And on this sunny summer day memories came flooding back. STORY PAGE 4
Port Stanley Report The 5th Annual Port Stanley & Regional Art Fair took place on Saturday and Sunday September 5 & 6. STORY PAGE 8
New Road Safety Rules In Effect September 1 Penalties for distracted driving will include an increased set fine of $490. STORY PAGE 10
LOOK AHEAD Community Events
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Classifieds & Service Directory Page 11 Business Roladex
Pages 8 & 12
LEB Circulation The Lake Erie Beacon is delivered free of charge to over 6000 homes, apartments and businesses along the north shore of Lake Erie. In addition copies are available at selected locations in Rodney, West Lorne, Dutton, St.Thomas, Copenhagen and Port Stanley for a total print run of 7000.
Above: The new lights allow strollers to enjoy the West Breakwater in the evening.
Andrew Hibbert This has been and exceptional year for Port Stanley with the opening of the new boat launch and now the West Breakwater. On the morning of Saturday September 5th a very impressive ceremony was held on at the entrance to the newly rebuilt West Breakwater in Port Stanley known locally as the Pier. The event celebrated the reopening of the Breakwater to the public after being closed because of three deaths for more than 16 years by Transport Canada, who owned and operated the breakwater at the time. The Pier in Port Stanley has a long history dating back to 1911 as noted in the opening address by Mayor David Marr. For many visitors to Port Stanley walking on the Pier was a very exciting and memorable experience. I have fond memories of myself as a young boy walking with my parents out to the Light House whenever we visited Port Stanley from London.
Left: The Grand Opening with MP Joe Preston, Mayor David Marr and public representative Joan Sutherland cutting the ribbon. The blue construction fence is temporary and indicates where the new Hofhuis Park will be located beside the West Breakwater. Central Elgin obtained ownership of the Breakwater through the transfer of lands from the federal government in 2010. The rehabilitation of the breakwater cost a total of approximately 3.1 million. The money expended came from the harbour contribution funds and investment income that the Municipality received from Transport Canada in 2010, and had no impact on property taxes. The Breakwater had fallen into very poor condition and both the upper structure and the structure underneath the concrete had to be refurbished. In attendance at the opening were
Central Elgin Mayor David Marr, Deputy Mayor Sally Martyn, members of the present Council and past Councils and several former mayors, as well as Brian Riggs of Riggs Engineering who managed the project. Also in attendance were representatives of the concrete forming company, the lighting company and others who were involved in the project. Mayor Marr said he especially wanted to thank Federal Member of Parliament Joe Preston who he said was a great help in expediting the transfer of ownership of the harbour and harbour lands to the Municipality Continued On Page 3
Heritage Guidelines for Port Stanley Dan McNeil The organization “Heritage Port” is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the history of Port Stanley. Heritage Port members are a talented and diverse group who have contributed greatly to today’s Port Stanley. Several years ago they united with the Port Stanley Village Association and the Business Improvement Area in an attempt to get Central Elgin’s Council to consider a “Heritage Conservation District” (HCD). The complete story of the bid to get an HCD in Port Stanley can wait for another day. It resulted in many interesting and controversial public meetings and the expenditure of some municipal resources including a $50,000 contract for a necessary study called: “HCD Plan and Guidelines”. In
Main Street Port Stanley Circa 1910’s.
the end, the most concerned property owners made it clear that they did not support the ‘restrictions’ that are required to codify an HCD. So, my real aim is to examine the excellent work that was done, and, how to best use the results of that work. So, this story is about how lemonade was made from the excellent historical research and published studies behind the HCD. The Phase One “Historical Report and Area Study” was undertaken by volunteers Dr. Craig Cole and Dr. Robert Burns with no cost to the municipality. Robert Burns is a professional historian who lives in Sparta. Craig Cole is a long time supporter of Heritage Port, having been one of the Continued On Page 8