18 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
MacDonald named to new transportation task force
LONDON – On Tuesday, Caroline Mulroney, Ontario Minister of Transportation, announced a locally based transportation task force in southwestern Ontario, which includes Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald. The Southwest Task Force will focus on improving connections between transportation modes such as rail, bus, and local transit services across the region and will ensure that transportation planning is informed by local needs and considerations. “We’re working to address transportation needs in regions across Ontario and feedback from leaders who live and work in the local community will be essential,” said Mulroney, “The Southwest Task Force will ensure transportation plans for the southwest reflect the diverse voices within the community and help determine the most important transportation needs in the region.” Establishing a task force was one of more than 40 recommendations set out in Connecting the Southwest: A Draft Transportation Plan for Southwestern Ontario. The task force includes representation from southwestern mayors and Indigenous communities and will meet regularly over the next 12 months. Through consultation and discussion,
exciting work to better connect the economically diverse communities in southwestern Ontario,” added Dilkens. “As our region has grown over the past few years, our transit and transportation networks have just not kept up. Pre-
By Abby Neufeld-Dick LEAMINGTON — SECC Children and Youth Services Staff have adapted to current restrictions in order to provide a dynamic and engaging program for their SPARK After School program participants. They have developed the Snack Attack Program to provide practical cooking experience over Zoom. Cooking helps children to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and even mathematical and scientific concepts. Program Leader Vicki Noland said, “They will develop many essential skills such as reading, following directions, and measuring. We could see the excitement on their faces after seeing what they had created.”
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Fun in the
GUESS THE YEAR - LOCAL 1.
The Frank T. Sherk Aquatic & Fitness Centre opened in Leamington.
2.
Kingsville was one of the finalists in CBC’s Kraft Hockeyville competition.
mier Ford and Minister Mulroney have demonstrated that they are aware of the infrastructure needs of our region, but through this Task Force, the government is allowing regional leaders to have a major role in shaping the road ahead.”
SECC develops Snack Attack program for participants
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the task force will look at ways to improve transportation in the region and present recommendations to the Ontario government. The members of the task force include London Mayor Ed Holder, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston, Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, Strathroy Mayor Joanne Vanderheyden, Chief of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Jason Henry, Councillor of Nawash Unceded First Nation Sidney Nadjiwon, Chair of Owen Sound Transportation Marta Leardi-Anderson, and VP of Bluewater Bridge Duty Free Shop, Tania Lee. “I am honoured to lead this task force, and look forward to collaborating with my colleagues across the region to develop transportation solutions that will better serve not only our individual municipalities, but southern Ontario at large,” said Mayor of London, Ed Holder. “Improving how people get around their communities, how they travel across Ontario, and how they travel to and from work are all absolutely essential components of building a strong post-COVID economy. We are tremendously excited to get moving on this important work.” “I’m pleased to get started on the
For the first week, the children made baked cinnamon apple chips. The Spark After-School Program provides a safe and inviting place for children in Grades 1-8, living in the Leamington area. It combines planned learning activities and recreational activities to help children learn, gain skills, and prepare for the future. Activities are specially designed for the unique needs of the children and focus on building their abilities, confidence, and connection to their community. “We are currently offering online homework help on Wednesdays from 1-4:30pm or by appointment,” said Noland. For more information you can call SECC at 519-326-8629 or email at info@ secc.on.ca.
With many of you spending more time at home than usual, we wanted to provide you with more games and puzzles to help pass the time. We know it hasn’t been easy, but thank you to everyone who is staying home and helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
KID’S KORNER Name the Disney movie that each song appeared in: 1. Part of Your World
6. Bare Necessities
2. Let It Go
7. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo
3.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Leamington on Canada Day.
3. When You Wish Upon A Star
8. How Far I’ll Go
4.
Hiram Walker built the Mettawas Hotel in Kingsville.
4. A Whole New World
9. Be Our Guest
5.
Previously known as Pegtown, Postmaster William Buchanan renamed it Wheatley after its first settler.
5. Circle Of Life
10. You’ve Got A Friend In Me
6.
The first Kingsville Folk Festival was held in Lakeside Park .
7.
An F1 tornado hit Leamington, causing extensive around Highway 18 in and around Seacliff Park and the Leamington Marina.
8.
Jack Miner became the founder of the Migratory Waterfowl Refuge System by establishing the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary .
9.
Point Pelee was designated as a Canadian national park .
GUESS THE CELEBRITY By Their Childhood Photo
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10. The Heinz plant closed in Leamington . 11. What year did Rick Hansen come to our area on his Man In Motion tour? . 12. Migration Hall officially opened in Kingsville. 13. Wheatley native Brad Selwood plays his first game with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
ANSWERS ON PAGE 20
