As published in The Erin Advocate
Transition Erin has asked Town council to ban single-use bottled water at the municipal office, to install water bottle refilling stations at the arenas and to discontinue the sale of bottled water.
Councillors were not ready to make any immediate decisions, but they did welcome three Water Rockers from Erin Public School, who presented the politicians with re-usable water bottles.
The told council they are hoping to expand their Blue W campaign to 50 more businesses outside the Erin village core. The program to allow people to fill their own bottles with tap water is already endorsed by downtown stores.
Jay Mowat and Liz Armstrong said that 48 municipalities and five school boards have formal bans on the sale of bottled water, and reminded Mayor Al Alls that during the election campaign he supported a ban on bottled water in municipal facilities.
They suggested that the sulfury taste of well water at the Town office could be eliminated with a filter system. Council made no commitment to study a ban at the office.
Councillor John Brennan liked the idea of filling stations, essentially a high tap with room for a bottle, successfully being used at Erin Public and Erin District High Schools.
“It seems to be a no brainer to give people a choice,” he said.
Councillor Jeff Duncan said he would not support a ban that would restrict people’s freedom of choice, preferring education and persuasion. Council agreed with his suggestion to consider the cost of filling stations as part of the 2015 budget process.
Staff will also report to council on the issue of discontinuing the sale of bottled water at arenas. If that happens, people would still be allowed to bring their own bottled water to the sites.
Transition Erin and other community groups are concerned about the possible impact of Nestlé Waters Canada pumping up to 1.1 million litres of water per day at its Hillsburgh well and that even with up to 70% of bottles being diverted to recycling, huge volumes of plastic are still being dumped into landfill sites and ditches.
December 24, 2014
Soldiers well-fed at training camp
From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
The Government has set aside Sunday, January 3 as a special day of prayer for a speedy end to the war.
Members of the second contingent in camp at the Exhibition Grounds, Toronto, number about 4,000 men. In the matter of food they are well provided for. Nine tons of food are disposed of every day. Each man receives daily 1 lb of meat, 1.25 lb of bread, 1 lb of potatoes, 6 ozs of fresh vegetables, 2.5 ozs of bacon, beans, butter, sugar and jam, 1.5 oz of cheese and split peas, 1.25 oz of tea, and 1.125 oz of coffee, salt and pepper. An increase of bacon and sugar and an allowance of one pint of milk per man will be made in a day or two as soon as authority is sent in from Ottawa.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Charles Hull, Publisher and Editor of The Advocate, along with staff members Corey Herrington, Freda Hull, George Ware and Jeff Barry, wish everyone in the community the peace and happiness of Christmas. Greetings also from the correspondents: Dorothy McKinnon in Hillsburgh, Mrs. R. McCreary in Cedar Valley, Mrs. Robert Sloan in North Erin, Mrs. D.C. Kirkwood in Erin, Mrs. John Trimble in Belfountain, Mrs. D.G. Robertson in Ospringe, Mrs. K. Raeburn in Caledon, Mrs. F. MacArthur in Churchill, Mrs. H. Thompson in Marsville and Judi Petherick in Alton.
A proposal by Peel County Council to straighten and widen Winston Churchill Boulevard north of Terra Cotta to promote safety in the area has been temporarily stopped after objections from the Credit Valley Conservation Authority. Chairman R.K. McMillan said CVC must be notified of any future plans for the road.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
Al Johnson’s 22-month-old bull terrier Gus won two competitions at the Credit Valley Dog Show held at the Canadian National Exhibition site. The Erin dog was the best male, and the best of both males and females in his class.
Many Erin residents were surprised on Sunday morning to discover they had been without power for up to four hours. Erin Hydro spokesman Weir Winter said workers had to shut off power to repair wires near the Greening Donald plant that were damaged in a wind storm last Tuesday.
Erin Village Fire Chief Wib Scott told council recently that the department needs a new $35,000 pumper to meet its obligations to fight fires in sections of Erin Township. The Township currently pays $11,000 a year for the service, but it is being renegotiated and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office is investigating the situation. Scott says two reliable pumpers are needed so the village is not left unprotected while fighting a fire in the Township. If the Village gets out of the rural service, the Township could be forced to set up a substation, possibly in Ballinafad.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
About 40 residents of Cedar Valley expressed their displeasure with a development proposal that would double the size of their hamlet. Sue Orr of R.J. Burnside and Associates, representing developer Don Kilgour, said 41 lots are proposed for the 75-acre site. A letter from Triton Engineering said limited development could be done with private wells, plus a possible fire-fighting storage reservoir, but that if there is to be even more development there in the future, the new homes should be on a communal water system. Residents were concerned about changes to the rural character of the area, the loss of farmland, the strain on already overcrowded schools and increased traffic flow. The land is currently agricultural. Council will decide on rezoning in about eight weeks.
The Government has set aside Sunday, January 3 as a special day of prayer for a speedy end to the war.
Members of the second contingent in camp at the Exhibition Grounds, Toronto, number about 4,000 men. In the matter of food they are well provided for. Nine tons of food are disposed of every day. Each man receives daily 1 lb of meat, 1.25 lb of bread, 1 lb of potatoes, 6 ozs of fresh vegetables, 2.5 ozs of bacon, beans, butter, sugar and jam, 1.5 oz of cheese and split peas, 1.25 oz of tea, and 1.125 oz of coffee, salt and pepper. An increase of bacon and sugar and an allowance of one pint of milk per man will be made in a day or two as soon as authority is sent in from Ottawa.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Charles Hull, Publisher and Editor of The Advocate, along with staff members Corey Herrington, Freda Hull, George Ware and Jeff Barry, wish everyone in the community the peace and happiness of Christmas. Greetings also from the correspondents: Dorothy McKinnon in Hillsburgh, Mrs. R. McCreary in Cedar Valley, Mrs. Robert Sloan in North Erin, Mrs. D.C. Kirkwood in Erin, Mrs. John Trimble in Belfountain, Mrs. D.G. Robertson in Ospringe, Mrs. K. Raeburn in Caledon, Mrs. F. MacArthur in Churchill, Mrs. H. Thompson in Marsville and Judi Petherick in Alton.
A proposal by Peel County Council to straighten and widen Winston Churchill Boulevard north of Terra Cotta to promote safety in the area has been temporarily stopped after objections from the Credit Valley Conservation Authority. Chairman R.K. McMillan said CVC must be notified of any future plans for the road.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
Al Johnson’s 22-month-old bull terrier Gus won two competitions at the Credit Valley Dog Show held at the Canadian National Exhibition site. The Erin dog was the best male, and the best of both males and females in his class.
Many Erin residents were surprised on Sunday morning to discover they had been without power for up to four hours. Erin Hydro spokesman Weir Winter said workers had to shut off power to repair wires near the Greening Donald plant that were damaged in a wind storm last Tuesday.
Erin Village Fire Chief Wib Scott told council recently that the department needs a new $35,000 pumper to meet its obligations to fight fires in sections of Erin Township. The Township currently pays $11,000 a year for the service, but it is being renegotiated and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office is investigating the situation. Scott says two reliable pumpers are needed so the village is not left unprotected while fighting a fire in the Township. If the Village gets out of the rural service, the Township could be forced to set up a substation, possibly in Ballinafad.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
About 40 residents of Cedar Valley expressed their displeasure with a development proposal that would double the size of their hamlet. Sue Orr of R.J. Burnside and Associates, representing developer Don Kilgour, said 41 lots are proposed for the 75-acre site. A letter from Triton Engineering said limited development could be done with private wells, plus a possible fire-fighting storage reservoir, but that if there is to be even more development there in the future, the new homes should be on a communal water system. Residents were concerned about changes to the rural character of the area, the loss of farmland, the strain on already overcrowded schools and increased traffic flow. The land is currently agricultural. Council will decide on rezoning in about eight weeks.
December 22, 2014
On-line votes needed for book store grant
East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) is hoping for community support to win a $10,000 grant to improve its Bookends Store.
The $10,000 competition is sponsored by ADP, a company that provides payroll and human resource services to small business. EWCS supporters can go to www.adpgrant.ca, register in the Entries section, and vote up to once a day for the local project.
Councillor John Brennan urged Erin residents to participate, at last week’s council meeting. The five businesses getting the most votes will have a chance to get the grant.
EWCS would use the $10,000 for new flooring, a desk and other improvements to the Bookends used book store (and on-line store) on Main Street in Erin.
For more information, visit the EWCS Facebook page, or read about Bookends at www.eastwellingtoncommunityservices.com.
The $10,000 competition is sponsored by ADP, a company that provides payroll and human resource services to small business. EWCS supporters can go to www.adpgrant.ca, register in the Entries section, and vote up to once a day for the local project.
Councillor John Brennan urged Erin residents to participate, at last week’s council meeting. The five businesses getting the most votes will have a chance to get the grant.
EWCS would use the $10,000 for new flooring, a desk and other improvements to the Bookends used book store (and on-line store) on Main Street in Erin.
For more information, visit the EWCS Facebook page, or read about Bookends at www.eastwellingtoncommunityservices.com.
December 17, 2014
The Art of Believing an evening of fun
As published in The Erin Advocate
The quality of fun is not strain'd. It droppeth – not unlike a gentle rain – among those that seek it.
And thusly doth it go in the current Erin Theatre production, entitled The Art of Believing, served up with a nice buffet dinner at David’s Restaurant until this Friday.
It is their 8th Annual Christmas Dinner Theatre, written by Susanna Lamy and directed by Kathryn DeLory. It’s a comedy, ostensibly about a ritzy art auction attended by the audience, but mainly about the antics of the auction house staff and several art buyers.
It could be characterized as an art forgery who-dunnit mystery, in which the plot can be put on hold at any time for some light-hearted singing and choreography. Audience members get to fill out a form to guess the culprit, with the correct answers entered in a prize draw. (Beware of cast members mingling with the crowd, and avoid choosing the obvious suspects.)
There is a real art auction involved as well. The pieces used on stage (famous Impressionist and early 20th Century Modernist works) were created by local artists Susanna Lamy, Jayne Reid, Melissa Staples, Richard Day, Barb McKee and Rhonda Williamson. They are being auctioned off silently, with proceeds to East Wellington Community Services.
Bids can be made in person at the shows or by phone. Go to www.erintheatre.ca to see the images, check the auction procedures and learn about the local artists. As of Monday, bids were in the $50 to $225 range.
The play is also a crash course in Art History, presented in the unstuffiest of manners by the frugal Cora Moneypenny (Carol McCone Day). She and her ever-complaining husband John Carp (Peter King) have many hilarious bits, sparked mainly by his poor hearing.
Helena Beckett (Susanna Lamy) is an art gallery curator of speckled reputation who has rounded up some multi-million dollar masterpieces for auction. She and uptight art historian Nellie Holt (Denise Rowe) try to figure out how they ended up with a fake Monet.
They work their shticks with panache, as does Christina Penner (Laura Schnablegger) a nosey reporter, eager for scandal and ready to twist people’s words against them. So unrealistic.
Bob Holler (Howard Lopez) is a used car salesman who brings a delightful sprinkle of lechery and lowbrow art commentary to the mix. His attentions are directed to the slightly disreputable auctioneer Jamie Gavel (Pamela Keyes), whose frantic live auction routine adds a generous bolt of energy to the show.
The mysterious Brother Bruno (John Carter), delivering a Van Gogh from a French monastery, tries valiantly to honour his vow of silence by communicating with a very humourous series of mimed messages.
The crew list for the production features many of the cast, along with Richard Day, Mike Russell, Jill Rogers, Melissa Staples, Barb McKee, Paulina Grant, Brenda Wainman and Katherine DeLory.
Together, cast and crew have produced a delightful diversion, a lighthearted lark, a respite from reality, a thespianic thpectacle. Label it as you like – it was fun.
The quality of fun is not strain'd. It droppeth – not unlike a gentle rain – among those that seek it.
And thusly doth it go in the current Erin Theatre production, entitled The Art of Believing, served up with a nice buffet dinner at David’s Restaurant until this Friday.
It is their 8th Annual Christmas Dinner Theatre, written by Susanna Lamy and directed by Kathryn DeLory. It’s a comedy, ostensibly about a ritzy art auction attended by the audience, but mainly about the antics of the auction house staff and several art buyers.
It could be characterized as an art forgery who-dunnit mystery, in which the plot can be put on hold at any time for some light-hearted singing and choreography. Audience members get to fill out a form to guess the culprit, with the correct answers entered in a prize draw. (Beware of cast members mingling with the crowd, and avoid choosing the obvious suspects.)
There is a real art auction involved as well. The pieces used on stage (famous Impressionist and early 20th Century Modernist works) were created by local artists Susanna Lamy, Jayne Reid, Melissa Staples, Richard Day, Barb McKee and Rhonda Williamson. They are being auctioned off silently, with proceeds to East Wellington Community Services.
Bids can be made in person at the shows or by phone. Go to www.erintheatre.ca to see the images, check the auction procedures and learn about the local artists. As of Monday, bids were in the $50 to $225 range.
The play is also a crash course in Art History, presented in the unstuffiest of manners by the frugal Cora Moneypenny (Carol McCone Day). She and her ever-complaining husband John Carp (Peter King) have many hilarious bits, sparked mainly by his poor hearing.
Helena Beckett (Susanna Lamy) is an art gallery curator of speckled reputation who has rounded up some multi-million dollar masterpieces for auction. She and uptight art historian Nellie Holt (Denise Rowe) try to figure out how they ended up with a fake Monet.
They work their shticks with panache, as does Christina Penner (Laura Schnablegger) a nosey reporter, eager for scandal and ready to twist people’s words against them. So unrealistic.
Bob Holler (Howard Lopez) is a used car salesman who brings a delightful sprinkle of lechery and lowbrow art commentary to the mix. His attentions are directed to the slightly disreputable auctioneer Jamie Gavel (Pamela Keyes), whose frantic live auction routine adds a generous bolt of energy to the show.
The mysterious Brother Bruno (John Carter), delivering a Van Gogh from a French monastery, tries valiantly to honour his vow of silence by communicating with a very humourous series of mimed messages.
The crew list for the production features many of the cast, along with Richard Day, Mike Russell, Jill Rogers, Melissa Staples, Barb McKee, Paulina Grant, Brenda Wainman and Katherine DeLory.
Together, cast and crew have produced a delightful diversion, a lighthearted lark, a respite from reality, a thespianic thpectacle. Label it as you like – it was fun.
Ten Nights in a Bar-Room
From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union will hold an Entertainment in aid of the Patriotic Fund, in the Erin Town Hall, on December 29, 1914, at which the play entitled “Ten Nights in a Bar-Room” will be given. Full particulars in Bills later.
Mr. G. Arnett of Erin received a letter on Monday from his son, who is on the firing line with a detachment of the Royal Horse Artillery, in which he says, “I am well. This is different from the Boer War. It is only the big guns we care for. We call them ‘Jack Johnsons’. Where they burst it tears up the ground making a hole large enough to put four horses in. We are losing a few men.”
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Students from Erin Public School took the first prize Co-op trophy for their float in the Santa Claus parade, with an entry called Christmas in Mexico. Second was Hillbilly Christmas by “The Gang” and third was the Erin Boy Scouts float. The parade featured 20 floats, new model cars, snowmobiles, comic characters, Alton’s new band and majorettes and of course Santa, surrounded by elves.
The responsibilities of Wellington County Council are being whittled away by the Ontario government, according to Warden Norman Roszell. The province recently took over property assessment. With many nearby areas planning to switch to “regional” government, and a study of the same concept between Guelph and Wellington, Roszell said the county would have to prove its validity if it hopes to remain intact.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
A Toronto-based electronics firm says it could provide Erin residents with 24 channels of high-quality colour television using the space-age technology of satellites. Since Erin village is not served by cable TV, the company would install a satellite receiver for about $50,000 and broadcast the signal through the village, if enough residents are interested to make it viable. Terry Howes said 200 families could maintain the system for $6 to $8 per month, about the same cost as cable. He said once the debt is paid off, the service would be free. Many communities use such satellites, even though they are illegal. More liberal regulations are expected soon. Howes said a community group would have to operate the service, and he warned that “freeloaders” tapping into the system without paying could hurt its viability.
The Erin Church of Christ held a special reception as a Christmas gift to the Ly family, which arrived recently as refugees from Vietnam. Annie Cook chaired the service of songs and messages, which included a talk by Mrs. S. Spencer of Marsville, who had come to Canada from Holland unable to speak English. A musical program was provided by Marj Sinclair, Jean Robinson, Kathleen Kirkwood, Maureen Wood and Darlene Fallon.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
Erin Township has applied for 50% funding of community projects through the provincial PRIDE (Program for Renewal, Improvement, Development and Economic Revitalization) Program. Residents have been given a list a possible projects and are being asked to indicate their priorities. It includes replacing the façade of the community centre ($35,000), burying overhead wires ($150,000), decorative streetlighting ($50,000), retrofitting light standards ($10,000), replacing concrete sidewalks with paving stones ($20,000) and cleaning up the river front and developing parkland ($25,000).
Township Council unanimously rejected a suggestion from Erin resident R.E. Oliver that it investigate the use of depleted gravel pits as possible dumpsites for Toronto’s garbage. He referred to an ad in the Toronto Sun from a company looking to buy pits for that purpose, and said the coming waste management crisis could be an opportunity for industrial growth and tax revenues.
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union will hold an Entertainment in aid of the Patriotic Fund, in the Erin Town Hall, on December 29, 1914, at which the play entitled “Ten Nights in a Bar-Room” will be given. Full particulars in Bills later.
Mr. G. Arnett of Erin received a letter on Monday from his son, who is on the firing line with a detachment of the Royal Horse Artillery, in which he says, “I am well. This is different from the Boer War. It is only the big guns we care for. We call them ‘Jack Johnsons’. Where they burst it tears up the ground making a hole large enough to put four horses in. We are losing a few men.”
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Students from Erin Public School took the first prize Co-op trophy for their float in the Santa Claus parade, with an entry called Christmas in Mexico. Second was Hillbilly Christmas by “The Gang” and third was the Erin Boy Scouts float. The parade featured 20 floats, new model cars, snowmobiles, comic characters, Alton’s new band and majorettes and of course Santa, surrounded by elves.
The responsibilities of Wellington County Council are being whittled away by the Ontario government, according to Warden Norman Roszell. The province recently took over property assessment. With many nearby areas planning to switch to “regional” government, and a study of the same concept between Guelph and Wellington, Roszell said the county would have to prove its validity if it hopes to remain intact.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
A Toronto-based electronics firm says it could provide Erin residents with 24 channels of high-quality colour television using the space-age technology of satellites. Since Erin village is not served by cable TV, the company would install a satellite receiver for about $50,000 and broadcast the signal through the village, if enough residents are interested to make it viable. Terry Howes said 200 families could maintain the system for $6 to $8 per month, about the same cost as cable. He said once the debt is paid off, the service would be free. Many communities use such satellites, even though they are illegal. More liberal regulations are expected soon. Howes said a community group would have to operate the service, and he warned that “freeloaders” tapping into the system without paying could hurt its viability.
The Erin Church of Christ held a special reception as a Christmas gift to the Ly family, which arrived recently as refugees from Vietnam. Annie Cook chaired the service of songs and messages, which included a talk by Mrs. S. Spencer of Marsville, who had come to Canada from Holland unable to speak English. A musical program was provided by Marj Sinclair, Jean Robinson, Kathleen Kirkwood, Maureen Wood and Darlene Fallon.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
Erin Township has applied for 50% funding of community projects through the provincial PRIDE (Program for Renewal, Improvement, Development and Economic Revitalization) Program. Residents have been given a list a possible projects and are being asked to indicate their priorities. It includes replacing the façade of the community centre ($35,000), burying overhead wires ($150,000), decorative streetlighting ($50,000), retrofitting light standards ($10,000), replacing concrete sidewalks with paving stones ($20,000) and cleaning up the river front and developing parkland ($25,000).
Township Council unanimously rejected a suggestion from Erin resident R.E. Oliver that it investigate the use of depleted gravel pits as possible dumpsites for Toronto’s garbage. He referred to an ad in the Toronto Sun from a company looking to buy pits for that purpose, and said the coming waste management crisis could be an opportunity for industrial growth and tax revenues.
Environmental Assessment for Hillsburgh dam
As published in The Erin Advocate
The Town of Erin has announced the start of the Environmental Assessment for the Station Street dam and bridge in Hillsburgh. Triton Engineering was hired last June for the process, which will study options for long-term safety.
Emergency repairs were done in 2012 after an outlet pipe failed, and the bridge is nearing the end of its design life. Completion of the EA is not expected until 2016.
Anyone wanting to be added to the contact list, to provide comments or request more information, should contact Roads Superintendent Larry Van Wyck at the Town office or Triton Project Manager Paul Ziegler at pziegler@tritoneng.on.ca. Project updates will be posted at www.erin.ca.
There has been ongoing debate about whether to retain the 19th Century mill pond. Council has allocated $190,000 in its 2014 budget for the EA, but the full project is expected to cost well over $2 million.
The Town of Erin has announced the start of the Environmental Assessment for the Station Street dam and bridge in Hillsburgh. Triton Engineering was hired last June for the process, which will study options for long-term safety.
Emergency repairs were done in 2012 after an outlet pipe failed, and the bridge is nearing the end of its design life. Completion of the EA is not expected until 2016.
Anyone wanting to be added to the contact list, to provide comments or request more information, should contact Roads Superintendent Larry Van Wyck at the Town office or Triton Project Manager Paul Ziegler at pziegler@tritoneng.on.ca. Project updates will be posted at www.erin.ca.
There has been ongoing debate about whether to retain the 19th Century mill pond. Council has allocated $190,000 in its 2014 budget for the EA, but the full project is expected to cost well over $2 million.
December 10, 2014
Grass looks greener on the other side
As published in The Erin Advocate
I had to laugh a few days ago when a Caledon resident said some people there would like to join Erin as part of Wellington County, since it would better match their rural character. I told him some people in Erin would like to join Peel or Halton Region, to be supported by a huge commercial and industrial tax base.
The Belfountain Community Organization (BCO) is actively fighting efforts to increase tourism and a plan by Peel Region to spend $31.5 million on new infrastructure in their area. They are feeling overwhelmed and want to be left alone.
I’ve told them that if they could just forward any unwanted money down the road, Erin could put it to good use. We won’t hold our breath for that, but it’s interesting to see the contrast, as Erin tries to figure out if it wants to increasingly base its economy on tourism. Communities have to be careful what they wish for.
A number of Belfountainites were quite skeptical, at a public consultation meeting last week, when Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) asked for their opinions as part of a Master Planning Process to refurbish Belfountain Conservation Area (BCA). Some wondered how the area could be made more attractive without attracting more tourists.
A new Management Plan could see about $3 million spent over several years to create a new Visitor Welcome Centre (including office, meeting and workshop space), more efficient parking, improved accessibility, better education on natural and cultural features, a redesigned central pumphouse (with washrooms), a covered picnic pavilion and fresh landscaping.
“We have to plan for the future, so the area can be used safely,” said CVC Chief Administrative Officer Deborah Martin-Downs. She suggested that instead of doing minor repairs annually to the deteriorating facilities, it would be better that this jewel in the CVC system be “reset and polished”.
The park gets about 25,000 visitors a year, but the parking lot has only 45 spots. When it is full, visitors look for scarce parking spots in the hamlet. Laura McDonald, Conservation Lands Planner with CVC, said no targets have been set, and that they simply want to make the best use of limited space, not generate more visitors. And while more revenue is always welcome, it is also not one of the objectives, she said.
Jenni Le Forestier, President of the Community Organization, called for a Social Impact Study, saying use of the conservation lands cannot be considered in isolation from the effect on nearby residents. She also said it is important to know whether the Visitor Centre would be a rentable space that would generate extra visitors, and to what extent visitor hours might be increased in the future.
Senior Conservation Lands Planner Eric Baldin said traffic and other impacts on the community will be studied, and that the uses of the visitor centre have not been decided.
Caledon Ward 1 Regional Councillor Doug Beffort has advocated a new pathway from the hamlet’s businesses to the conservation area, away from the road, and an arrangement that would allow visitors to use the washrooms there. He said while CVC seems to be doing a good job of planning improvements, he cautioned that, “Maybe what you’re doing doesn’t fit with the overriding concerns of the community.”
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is being done on the dam, which is central to the conservation area, and on the pond that is filling with sediment. All options, including removal of the dam, will be considered. A previous EA in 2003 was shelved when no agreement could be reached on possible actions.
Entrepreneur Charles Mack first opened the park to the public 100 years ago, and CVC hopes to preserve the early 20th Century style of the facilities. The current vision is to make it an “iconic destination” for “sustainable” escarpment experiences such as hiking, photography and picnicking. CVC has identified 534 species in the area, 10 of which are at risk.
Wellington could raise half a regiment
From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
Wellington will consider raising half a regiment of soldiers, consisting of 500 men, and fully equipping them for war service. Warden R.F. Bale has given the matter serious consideration and will soon recommend it County Council in the current session. He estimates the scheme will cost $90 per man, amounting to an expenditure of $45,000.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
A fight is shaping up over a $3 million plant Canada Brick plans to build near Cheltenham on the Credit River. Chris Yaneff, who owns 140 acres next to the proposed 254-acre site, and a neighbour, David Buxton, say they are ready to fight Chinguacousy Township, whose planning board has already approved the project. Other residents are complaining about possible pollution of the Credit River, noise and dust, and the cost of rebuilding roads. “It’s zoned agricultural and estate residential and on the official plan this area is designated green belt,” said Buxton. “It’s inconceivable the township would allow spot zoning for industry and that the wishes of so many people can be ignored by council.”
A report to the Ontario government recommends purchasing 610 square miles of Niagara Escarpment lands for $31 million, leasing other nearby lands and restricting development through zoning controls on another 300,000 acres. New gravel pits would be banned within 2 miles of the escarpment face, while old pits would be restored as parks. Premier John Robarts said the government has not necessarily accepted all the recommendations, but agreed that escarpment lands are a recreational wonderland that should be preserved.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
Erin Village’s 100th birthday celebration got off to an enthusiastic start Saturday. On hand to unveil a plaque on The Founding of Erin were Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon, MP Perrin Beatty, MPP Jack Johnson, Township Reeve Bert Wheeler, Ruth Schatz of the Ontario Heritage Foundation (which provided the plaque), and Erin Reeve (County Warden) Larry MacKenzie. Sarah Kiteley, President of the Shamrock Senior Citizens group, presented Mrs. McGibbon with a porcelain doll dressed in a 19th century costume made by former village resident Vera Brown.
Laurie Graham, 19, of Inglewood, daughter of David Graham who owns Graham Fibreglass in Erin, had a third-place finish in a World Cup ski race at Val d’Isere, France.
David Graham told village councillors and Stanley Park residents protesting noise levels at his plant that he hopes to reduce the levels to within Ontario environment standards within a year. Councillor Evelyn O’Sullivan said she has been forced to sleep at a friend’s house to seek relief from the noise, and others are concerned about property values.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
Village Councillors had many questions and reservations about a proposed four-storey, 120-unit retirement home on Dundas Street in Erin. Sanvac Investments urged them to approve the project, but they deferred the decision. At a recent public meeting, area residents said it did not fit the neighbourhood. Councillor John Pritoula said firefighters would have difficulty fighting a fire on the fourth floor. Councillor Deborah Sutherland said the building would be too far from the downtown core. Councillor John McDougall was concerned about increased traffic, and Deputy Reeve Carolann Osborne said water problems in the area would be made worse, and Reeve Terry Mundell said there was not enough information to pass the zoning bylaw.
The Belfountain Task Force residents’ group is working with Caledon’s mayor, members of the Niagara Escarpment Commission and Credit Valley Conservation to oppose a 600-acre housing plan by the Enterac company. A 10-day hearing at the Ontario Municipal Board is planned for March, and the residents group has hired a hydrogeologist, a planner and a lawyer to present their concerns. Issues include threats to Belfountain’s rural heritage and existing wells, to the Credit River, to farmland and environmentally sensitive land near the escarpment.
Wellington will consider raising half a regiment of soldiers, consisting of 500 men, and fully equipping them for war service. Warden R.F. Bale has given the matter serious consideration and will soon recommend it County Council in the current session. He estimates the scheme will cost $90 per man, amounting to an expenditure of $45,000.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
A fight is shaping up over a $3 million plant Canada Brick plans to build near Cheltenham on the Credit River. Chris Yaneff, who owns 140 acres next to the proposed 254-acre site, and a neighbour, David Buxton, say they are ready to fight Chinguacousy Township, whose planning board has already approved the project. Other residents are complaining about possible pollution of the Credit River, noise and dust, and the cost of rebuilding roads. “It’s zoned agricultural and estate residential and on the official plan this area is designated green belt,” said Buxton. “It’s inconceivable the township would allow spot zoning for industry and that the wishes of so many people can be ignored by council.”
A report to the Ontario government recommends purchasing 610 square miles of Niagara Escarpment lands for $31 million, leasing other nearby lands and restricting development through zoning controls on another 300,000 acres. New gravel pits would be banned within 2 miles of the escarpment face, while old pits would be restored as parks. Premier John Robarts said the government has not necessarily accepted all the recommendations, but agreed that escarpment lands are a recreational wonderland that should be preserved.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
Erin Village’s 100th birthday celebration got off to an enthusiastic start Saturday. On hand to unveil a plaque on The Founding of Erin were Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon, MP Perrin Beatty, MPP Jack Johnson, Township Reeve Bert Wheeler, Ruth Schatz of the Ontario Heritage Foundation (which provided the plaque), and Erin Reeve (County Warden) Larry MacKenzie. Sarah Kiteley, President of the Shamrock Senior Citizens group, presented Mrs. McGibbon with a porcelain doll dressed in a 19th century costume made by former village resident Vera Brown.
Laurie Graham, 19, of Inglewood, daughter of David Graham who owns Graham Fibreglass in Erin, had a third-place finish in a World Cup ski race at Val d’Isere, France.
David Graham told village councillors and Stanley Park residents protesting noise levels at his plant that he hopes to reduce the levels to within Ontario environment standards within a year. Councillor Evelyn O’Sullivan said she has been forced to sleep at a friend’s house to seek relief from the noise, and others are concerned about property values.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
Village Councillors had many questions and reservations about a proposed four-storey, 120-unit retirement home on Dundas Street in Erin. Sanvac Investments urged them to approve the project, but they deferred the decision. At a recent public meeting, area residents said it did not fit the neighbourhood. Councillor John Pritoula said firefighters would have difficulty fighting a fire on the fourth floor. Councillor Deborah Sutherland said the building would be too far from the downtown core. Councillor John McDougall was concerned about increased traffic, and Deputy Reeve Carolann Osborne said water problems in the area would be made worse, and Reeve Terry Mundell said there was not enough information to pass the zoning bylaw.
The Belfountain Task Force residents’ group is working with Caledon’s mayor, members of the Niagara Escarpment Commission and Credit Valley Conservation to oppose a 600-acre housing plan by the Enterac company. A 10-day hearing at the Ontario Municipal Board is planned for March, and the residents group has hired a hydrogeologist, a planner and a lawyer to present their concerns. Issues include threats to Belfountain’s rural heritage and existing wells, to the Credit River, to farmland and environmentally sensitive land near the escarpment.
December 03, 2014
Emergency Info Vials save time in a crisis
As published in The Erin Advocate
Storing a vial of crucial medical information in your refrigerator could help paramedics to quickly provide the care needed in a crisis – and perhaps save your life.
The Emergency Information Vials are being offered free of charge to residents in the Erin-Eramosa area through the efforts of volunteers with the Town of Erin Community Oriented Policing Committee.
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Allen Welke of Erin’s Community Oriented
Policing Committee
(at back) joined participants in the Centre 2000 Adult Day
Program
and Sherri Plourde, Manager of Senior Services with
East Wellington
Community Services for the launch
of the Emergency Information Vial program.
|
The free kits contain a plastic bottle, special stickers for the refrigerator and front door, and a medical form where you would list your emergency contact person and details about your medications and medical conditions.
Having the vial accessible on the door inside the refrigerator will give police and ambulance personnel a head start in assessing the situation and arranging the treatment you need. The information will also save time for hospital emergency room staff.
Each person in the household would fill out their own copy of the medical form, which could include details about having diabetes, an allergy to penicillin or use of a pacemaker.
Allen Welke of the COP Committee said that Jones Packaging of London, which manufacturers the vials, has donated 500 of them to help get the program started.
The Committee will be arranging to distribute the kits through various community sources, but anyone wanting one now should phone East Wellington Community Services at 519-833-9696 or drop in at 45 Main Street in Erin.
Erin’s COP Committee deals with various issues of safety and protection of property, and normally meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Centre 2000 at 7pm. All meetings are open to the public. Go to www.erin.ca to confirm meeting dates and access links to a wide variety of Ontario Provincial Police resources.
Patriotic Assembly a major social event
From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
The Patriotic Assembly in the Town Hall on Thursday evening last, given by the young Ladies of Erin, was a big success, and is conceded by all who took part in it, as being one of the best social events ever held here. There was a large number present, including many from the neighbouring towns and cities. The music by Markle’s Orchestra, Elora, was of the best variety. The hall was prettily decorated with flags and bunting, showing the patriotism of the young ladies. A choice lunch was served. The nice sum of $56 was cleared, which was presented to the Belgian Relief Fund.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Starting January 1, 1970, sex education will be a compulsory course in all schools under the Wellington Board of Education. The school board was informed that a family life program in Guelph last year was well received by teachers, parents and students. Regular teachers will handle the course unless they feel they cannot properly teach it, in which case another teacher, a doctor or a Health Unit staff person will do it. The plan covers kindergarten through Grade 12. Parents will have the right to withdraw their child from any family life class.
New parking signs have been erected in the Village of Erin, after a bylaw that came into effect last week. During the winter months, parking on the streets of the village is prohibited between 1 am and 7 am.
The As We Were column recalled an article 50 years earlier, in The Advocate of 1919. J.M. Dods & Co. of Alton had leased the large brick building owned by C.E. McMillan in Erin. In 1969 it was the site of a Laundromat and tuck shop. They also leased C.H. Walkers wagon manufacturing shop, which later became the site of the public school. At these Erin locations they would manufacture finished cotton products, employing 50 people.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
A delegation to Village Council has complained about noise from the new Graham Fiberglass factory. Stanley Park resident Yolanda Reimann said residents of that area and Erin Heights are upset about a continual high-pitched noise and its possible health effects, and 31 residents have signed a letter to the company. The Ministry of the Environment will be taking measurements. Graham’s Marketing Manager Roy Ralph said the firm wants to be a good neighbour and has hired a consultant to advise them. Council member Evelyn O’Sullivan said she has been complaining to the company since August without success.
Wellington County Council plans to spend $1.6 million to rehabilitate and restore the 1843 court house on Woolwich Street in Guelph. With a new addition, the complex will provide a headquarters for administration of county business. Architect Carlos Ventin said it is “probably the most historic building in this part of Ontario.”
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
After using Tanker #2 for more than 20 years, Hillsburgh Fire Chief Wayne McIsaac has purchased a new tanker truck. Erin Township Council considered several tenders, and agreed to a purchase of $92,000. The truck will be manufactured by Dependable Emergency Vehicles of Brampton, with a 240-horse diesel engine and a 1,600-litre aluminum tank.
The AIDS committee of Guelph and Wellington opened its new information office in Guelph last week, and welcomed an announcement from local MP Perrin Beatty, Minister of National Health and Welfare, that they would receive a grant of $150,000. The centre will help small rural communities to provide accurate AIDS information, considered essential in defeating the disease.
The Patriotic Assembly in the Town Hall on Thursday evening last, given by the young Ladies of Erin, was a big success, and is conceded by all who took part in it, as being one of the best social events ever held here. There was a large number present, including many from the neighbouring towns and cities. The music by Markle’s Orchestra, Elora, was of the best variety. The hall was prettily decorated with flags and bunting, showing the patriotism of the young ladies. A choice lunch was served. The nice sum of $56 was cleared, which was presented to the Belgian Relief Fund.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Starting January 1, 1970, sex education will be a compulsory course in all schools under the Wellington Board of Education. The school board was informed that a family life program in Guelph last year was well received by teachers, parents and students. Regular teachers will handle the course unless they feel they cannot properly teach it, in which case another teacher, a doctor or a Health Unit staff person will do it. The plan covers kindergarten through Grade 12. Parents will have the right to withdraw their child from any family life class.
New parking signs have been erected in the Village of Erin, after a bylaw that came into effect last week. During the winter months, parking on the streets of the village is prohibited between 1 am and 7 am.
The As We Were column recalled an article 50 years earlier, in The Advocate of 1919. J.M. Dods & Co. of Alton had leased the large brick building owned by C.E. McMillan in Erin. In 1969 it was the site of a Laundromat and tuck shop. They also leased C.H. Walkers wagon manufacturing shop, which later became the site of the public school. At these Erin locations they would manufacture finished cotton products, employing 50 people.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
A delegation to Village Council has complained about noise from the new Graham Fiberglass factory. Stanley Park resident Yolanda Reimann said residents of that area and Erin Heights are upset about a continual high-pitched noise and its possible health effects, and 31 residents have signed a letter to the company. The Ministry of the Environment will be taking measurements. Graham’s Marketing Manager Roy Ralph said the firm wants to be a good neighbour and has hired a consultant to advise them. Council member Evelyn O’Sullivan said she has been complaining to the company since August without success.
Wellington County Council plans to spend $1.6 million to rehabilitate and restore the 1843 court house on Woolwich Street in Guelph. With a new addition, the complex will provide a headquarters for administration of county business. Architect Carlos Ventin said it is “probably the most historic building in this part of Ontario.”
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
After using Tanker #2 for more than 20 years, Hillsburgh Fire Chief Wayne McIsaac has purchased a new tanker truck. Erin Township Council considered several tenders, and agreed to a purchase of $92,000. The truck will be manufactured by Dependable Emergency Vehicles of Brampton, with a 240-horse diesel engine and a 1,600-litre aluminum tank.
The AIDS committee of Guelph and Wellington opened its new information office in Guelph last week, and welcomed an announcement from local MP Perrin Beatty, Minister of National Health and Welfare, that they would receive a grant of $150,000. The centre will help small rural communities to provide accurate AIDS information, considered essential in defeating the disease.
Council wants involvement in EA study
As published in The Erin Advocate
Some members of Town Council should be attending meetings to plan the next phase of the Environmental Assessment (EA) on Erin’s wastewater system, according to Councillor John Brennan.
Council received a report from Christine Furlong of Triton Engineering on an October 28 meeting to discuss Phase 3 of the EA, following from the Servicing and Settlement Master Plan study. The meeting included Erin’s CAO, lawyer and financial consultant, plus Triton, Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Environment – but no one from council.
“As we go into the EA, I would certainly like to see that that process includes some or all of the members of council in the deliberations,” said Brennan.
“Council should be directly involved in this – there are some weighty decisions to be made at the end of the EA process or through the EA process, and having council as well informed as possible is only to our advantage. I would suggest that for the new council, we have Triton provide us with an outline of the activities and consultations that they are undertaking in developing the Terms of Reference, along with regular updates on progress.”
CAO Kathryn Ironmonger said that Triton would be updating council on the activities, but that it was important to consult with provincial officials to make sure the Terms of Reference (TOR) would meet their requirements. Once the TOR is approved by Council and the MOE, the Town can hire a firm to conduct the EA.
Council voted unanimously to accept the update letter from Triton – its last decision before the new council takes office this week. There was discussion during the election campaign of a “performance-based” EA process, which has general support on the new council.
This could include not only Public-Private Partnership (P3) financing, which would come late in the process, but competitive bidding by private firms to manage the process and competition among other firms to provide the best technology.
Furlong said it was agreed by all in attendance at the October 28 meeting, that “it is premature to undertake a P3 procurement model at this time as the project is not defined (facility sites have not been determined, the division of growth between Hillsburgh has not been decided, etc.) During Phase 3 of the Class EA, P3 procurement can be considered and evaluated as a financing alternative.”
Wastewater EAs always have target performance criteria, especially regarding the quality of the effluent going into the river. A traditional Class EA report would specify in detail the technology selected to meet those targets. Furlong said Infrastructure Ontario (IO) is suggesting that the report not be too detailed.
“For a project to be more compatible for P3 procurement and to allow for design and construction flexibility/innovation, specific treatment equipment should not be included in the Environment Study Report (ESR). For example, there are several types of filters on the market for tertiary treatment of wastewater and IO is suggesting that the ESR should simply indicate the need for filtration and not be specific on the type of filtration.”
Some members of Town Council should be attending meetings to plan the next phase of the Environmental Assessment (EA) on Erin’s wastewater system, according to Councillor John Brennan.
Council received a report from Christine Furlong of Triton Engineering on an October 28 meeting to discuss Phase 3 of the EA, following from the Servicing and Settlement Master Plan study. The meeting included Erin’s CAO, lawyer and financial consultant, plus Triton, Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Environment – but no one from council.
“As we go into the EA, I would certainly like to see that that process includes some or all of the members of council in the deliberations,” said Brennan.
“Council should be directly involved in this – there are some weighty decisions to be made at the end of the EA process or through the EA process, and having council as well informed as possible is only to our advantage. I would suggest that for the new council, we have Triton provide us with an outline of the activities and consultations that they are undertaking in developing the Terms of Reference, along with regular updates on progress.”
CAO Kathryn Ironmonger said that Triton would be updating council on the activities, but that it was important to consult with provincial officials to make sure the Terms of Reference (TOR) would meet their requirements. Once the TOR is approved by Council and the MOE, the Town can hire a firm to conduct the EA.
Council voted unanimously to accept the update letter from Triton – its last decision before the new council takes office this week. There was discussion during the election campaign of a “performance-based” EA process, which has general support on the new council.
This could include not only Public-Private Partnership (P3) financing, which would come late in the process, but competitive bidding by private firms to manage the process and competition among other firms to provide the best technology.
Furlong said it was agreed by all in attendance at the October 28 meeting, that “it is premature to undertake a P3 procurement model at this time as the project is not defined (facility sites have not been determined, the division of growth between Hillsburgh has not been decided, etc.) During Phase 3 of the Class EA, P3 procurement can be considered and evaluated as a financing alternative.”
Wastewater EAs always have target performance criteria, especially regarding the quality of the effluent going into the river. A traditional Class EA report would specify in detail the technology selected to meet those targets. Furlong said Infrastructure Ontario (IO) is suggesting that the report not be too detailed.
“For a project to be more compatible for P3 procurement and to allow for design and construction flexibility/innovation, specific treatment equipment should not be included in the Environment Study Report (ESR). For example, there are several types of filters on the market for tertiary treatment of wastewater and IO is suggesting that the ESR should simply indicate the need for filtration and not be specific on the type of filtration.”
Council supports call for Clean Soil Act
As published in The Erin Advocate
The difficulty of regulating the disposal of excess soil from construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area has Erin Town Council supporting a call for the province to enact a Clean Soil Act.
While municipalities and conservation authorities have responsibility for the actual dumping of soil on rural lands, it is difficult to control without provincial regulations to ensure that the fill is not contaminated, that the activity does not cause excessive disruption to rural residents and that the businesses involved pay the full costs of regulation, enforcement and road damage.
Anna Spiteri of Citizens Against Fill Dumping appeared as a delegation to council Nov. 25, and they voted in favour of a resolution she proposed, asking the provincial government to “develop a comprehensive strategy to regulate fill”, including new legislation to assist municipalities.
“Fill dumping is an ever-increasing problem in Ontario,” said Spiteri. “We all know that ultimately the provincial government must take leadership in dealing with it.”
She thanked council for setting up a committee that is working on a new Site Alteration Bylaw, and Councillor Deb Callaghan for chairing that committee.
Councillor John Brennan spoke in favour of the resolution, saying the Good Roads Association has an interest in the issue. “A lot of other communities like us are finding a heavy toll being taken on our roads,” he said.
The resolution says that the provincial policy of intensifying development within urban areas, to reduce the sprawl of development into farmlands, has created the fill problem. It urges the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to work with conservation authorities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and other provincial ministries to deal with compromised soil. The MOE has already been reviewing provincial policy on this issue.
The citizen group wanted support from its home council before meeting this week with MPP Ted Arnott and Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Gord Miller, who reports on the government’s compliance with the Environmental Bill of Rights.
The new Erin Council will be asked to confirm its agreement with the effort, and support will be sought from Wellington County, other municipalities, and groups such as AMO, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) and the Greater Toronto Countryside Mayors’ Alliance.
The soil issue has attracted considerable media attention recently, with other citizen groups demanding provincial action and the Toronto Star investigating irregularities in the disposal of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of soil from the Pan Am Athletes’ Village project.
Environment Minister Glen Murray told The Star in October that better controls are needed to deal with what he termed a “serious issue” that for him is at the “top of environmental and economic concerns” in Ontario.
The difficulty of regulating the disposal of excess soil from construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area has Erin Town Council supporting a call for the province to enact a Clean Soil Act.
While municipalities and conservation authorities have responsibility for the actual dumping of soil on rural lands, it is difficult to control without provincial regulations to ensure that the fill is not contaminated, that the activity does not cause excessive disruption to rural residents and that the businesses involved pay the full costs of regulation, enforcement and road damage.
Anna Spiteri of Citizens Against Fill Dumping appeared as a delegation to council Nov. 25, and they voted in favour of a resolution she proposed, asking the provincial government to “develop a comprehensive strategy to regulate fill”, including new legislation to assist municipalities.
“Fill dumping is an ever-increasing problem in Ontario,” said Spiteri. “We all know that ultimately the provincial government must take leadership in dealing with it.”
She thanked council for setting up a committee that is working on a new Site Alteration Bylaw, and Councillor Deb Callaghan for chairing that committee.
Councillor John Brennan spoke in favour of the resolution, saying the Good Roads Association has an interest in the issue. “A lot of other communities like us are finding a heavy toll being taken on our roads,” he said.
The resolution says that the provincial policy of intensifying development within urban areas, to reduce the sprawl of development into farmlands, has created the fill problem. It urges the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to work with conservation authorities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and other provincial ministries to deal with compromised soil. The MOE has already been reviewing provincial policy on this issue.
The citizen group wanted support from its home council before meeting this week with MPP Ted Arnott and Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Gord Miller, who reports on the government’s compliance with the Environmental Bill of Rights.
The new Erin Council will be asked to confirm its agreement with the effort, and support will be sought from Wellington County, other municipalities, and groups such as AMO, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) and the Greater Toronto Countryside Mayors’ Alliance.
The soil issue has attracted considerable media attention recently, with other citizen groups demanding provincial action and the Toronto Star investigating irregularities in the disposal of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of soil from the Pan Am Athletes’ Village project.
Environment Minister Glen Murray told The Star in October that better controls are needed to deal with what he termed a “serious issue” that for him is at the “top of environmental and economic concerns” in Ontario.
Council bids farewell to a stormy four years
As published in The Erin Advocate
Erin Town Council members bid each other some polite farewells at the end of their tumultuous four-year term of office.
Councillor Barb Tocher presented Mayor Lou Maieron with the council gavel as a souvenir of his service. It had been donated to Erin Township by Henry Wheeler in 1973.
“I’ve had the opportunity to serve this municipality as a councillor, mayor, county councillor and warden over the last 20 years,” said Tocher, who presented the others with stuffed Erin beany-baby bears. “It’s been an honour, it’s been a privilege. I will miss it, there’s no doubt. There isn’t a more interesting line of work. I’m looking forward to relaxing.”
Councillor John Brennan is the only member who is continuing in public office.
“The past four years haven’t been the most joyous for any of us, but despite that we have accomplished a lot, and I’m sure that we were acting from the best of intentions,” he said. “My thanks to all of you. It’s been not always enjoyable, but it’s been very real and also gratifying to work with you and overcome the obstacles that we did.”
Councillor Deb Callaghan, the only member not standing for office in the recent election, said her experience on council was not as enjoyable for her as for others.
“I would like to thank staff for their hard work, dedication and professionalism. I also want to thank my fellow council members – it has been a pleasure working with you this term. It has certainly been a challenging year – words like frustrating, trying, exasperating and discouraging definitely come to mind.”
She advised the new council to “look head, not behind; learn from the past, but do not focus on trying to place blame; you need to be cohesive and treat each other with respect; the mayor frequently said we need to paddle the canoe in the same direction – unfortunately we were not even in the same canoe.”
Councillor Josie Wintersinger was not at the meeting.
Mayor Maieron said it had been an “arduous” term but felt they had accomplished the majority of goals in his platform and that the new council has “a cleaner ship to sail”. He said he was frustrated when people had complaints about the Town, but were afraid to make them public.
“You elected a mayor for change, but did not bring a council with that much ambition for change. There are some great staff that work here, but there was also a sense of entitle-ism that needs to change.
“I sleep well at nights, because I did what I thought needed to be done. The incoming county councillor wishes to build bridges and I wish him the best of luck. But you’re going to find it difficult when the county takes a big portion of our taxes.
“I’ve kept my promise to the taxpayers and I’m proud of the job I did. It was a pleasure serving you.”
Erin Town Council members bid each other some polite farewells at the end of their tumultuous four-year term of office.
Councillor Barb Tocher presented Mayor Lou Maieron with the council gavel as a souvenir of his service. It had been donated to Erin Township by Henry Wheeler in 1973.
“I’ve had the opportunity to serve this municipality as a councillor, mayor, county councillor and warden over the last 20 years,” said Tocher, who presented the others with stuffed Erin beany-baby bears. “It’s been an honour, it’s been a privilege. I will miss it, there’s no doubt. There isn’t a more interesting line of work. I’m looking forward to relaxing.”
Councillor John Brennan is the only member who is continuing in public office.
“The past four years haven’t been the most joyous for any of us, but despite that we have accomplished a lot, and I’m sure that we were acting from the best of intentions,” he said. “My thanks to all of you. It’s been not always enjoyable, but it’s been very real and also gratifying to work with you and overcome the obstacles that we did.”
Councillor Deb Callaghan, the only member not standing for office in the recent election, said her experience on council was not as enjoyable for her as for others.
“I would like to thank staff for their hard work, dedication and professionalism. I also want to thank my fellow council members – it has been a pleasure working with you this term. It has certainly been a challenging year – words like frustrating, trying, exasperating and discouraging definitely come to mind.”
She advised the new council to “look head, not behind; learn from the past, but do not focus on trying to place blame; you need to be cohesive and treat each other with respect; the mayor frequently said we need to paddle the canoe in the same direction – unfortunately we were not even in the same canoe.”
Councillor Josie Wintersinger was not at the meeting.
Mayor Maieron said it had been an “arduous” term but felt they had accomplished the majority of goals in his platform and that the new council has “a cleaner ship to sail”. He said he was frustrated when people had complaints about the Town, but were afraid to make them public.
“You elected a mayor for change, but did not bring a council with that much ambition for change. There are some great staff that work here, but there was also a sense of entitle-ism that needs to change.
“I sleep well at nights, because I did what I thought needed to be done. The incoming county councillor wishes to build bridges and I wish him the best of luck. But you’re going to find it difficult when the county takes a big portion of our taxes.
“I’ve kept my promise to the taxpayers and I’m proud of the job I did. It was a pleasure serving you.”
Looking for clues in the funding puzzle
As published in The Erin Advocate
Is Erin truly being cheated in the financial shell game operated by the Ontario government with its municipalities, or are we just feeling hard done by when money is dangled before us, and then snatched away?
The complexity of the system makes it difficult to tell, so the best we can do is look for clues.
The latest disappointment at Town Hall is the denial of two grant applications: $1.8 million from the $50 million competitive section of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) for the Daniel Street Infrastructure Renewal Project, and $1.6 million from the Small Communities Fund for the Station Street Rehabilitation project.
Senior governments like to take credit for offering millions of dollars in funding, but when more than 350 municipalities in Ontario want a slice of the pie, the odds of getting a large piece are slim. They’ve told us our projects were not deficient, but won’t say how they were ranked, only that “other applicants with highly critical projects had more challenging economic conditions and fiscal situations.”
Seems it doesn’t pay to keep your debt low. The province is saying that with Erin’s assessment and average income, it can well afford to pay (that is, borrow) for the things it wants. Financial Analyst Larry Wheeler called the criteria “absurd”, in a report to council.
“Being a municipality on the fringe of the GTA brings with it two hugely detrimental characteristics when it comes to winning prospective provincial and federal grant funding: i) Erin household income almost 60% higher than the provincial median, ii) Erin weighted assessment per household 94% higher than the provincial median,” he said.
“Infrastructure funding is not a social welfare program, so why therefore is ‘household income’ being used as a key determining factor? It is paradoxical that ‘weighted assessment’ is being used to steer and channel infrastructure funding in the opposite direction to where it is most crucially required.”
This competitive situation is just one piece of the funding puzzle. Here are a few other recent examples.
• Erin will get $179,100 over three years from the non-competitive section of the OCIF, according to a complex formula to divide up $50 million.
• Erin will get unconditional Ontario funding of $585,800 in 2015 through the regular Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF). That is up $2,200 over 2014, but way down from the $654,000 we got in 2012. The province is eager to point out that while it is reducing that funding overall, it is busy “uploading” various costs to the provincial level including Ontario Works benefits, Disability Support, Drug Benefits, and Court Security.
The Town of Erin has never paid for these services, but the uploading will provide $4.8 million in savings for Wellington County next year, the equivalent of 4% of all municipal property tax revenue in the County. That will more than offset the reduction of the County’s OMPF grant from $3.6 million to $2.9 million.
For OPP service, Wellington expects to save more than $2 million per year under a new billing system that is based more on actual calls for service.
Erin residents and politicians need to find out just how much of these County savings will trickle down locally. Let’s hope they are not all siphoned off to pay for hospitals that we don’t use.
It is not surprising that Erin councillors have been treating Town taxes and County taxes as a package deal. The County is so well off financially that it should be able to adopt minimal tax increases – allowing the Town room to tax for what it needs while keeping the overall increase reasonable. Or perhaps the County could do some uploading of its own, essentially paying for more of what the Town now covers.
In a report to council, Director of Finance Sharon Marshall highlighted a statement in a recent letter from the Minister of Finance Charles Sousa and Municipal Affairs Minister Ted McMeekin concerning the upload savings for upper tier governments like Wellington County:
“It is important to acknowledge that in two-tier systems, the removal of these costs off the property tax base benefits all local taxpayers including those residing in lower-tier municipalities. We encourage upper and lower tier municipalities to engage in discussions to ensure that the savings resulting from the uploads benefit their shared taxpayers in the most effective way possible.”
Is Erin truly being cheated in the financial shell game operated by the Ontario government with its municipalities, or are we just feeling hard done by when money is dangled before us, and then snatched away?
The complexity of the system makes it difficult to tell, so the best we can do is look for clues.
The latest disappointment at Town Hall is the denial of two grant applications: $1.8 million from the $50 million competitive section of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) for the Daniel Street Infrastructure Renewal Project, and $1.6 million from the Small Communities Fund for the Station Street Rehabilitation project.
Senior governments like to take credit for offering millions of dollars in funding, but when more than 350 municipalities in Ontario want a slice of the pie, the odds of getting a large piece are slim. They’ve told us our projects were not deficient, but won’t say how they were ranked, only that “other applicants with highly critical projects had more challenging economic conditions and fiscal situations.”
Seems it doesn’t pay to keep your debt low. The province is saying that with Erin’s assessment and average income, it can well afford to pay (that is, borrow) for the things it wants. Financial Analyst Larry Wheeler called the criteria “absurd”, in a report to council.
“Being a municipality on the fringe of the GTA brings with it two hugely detrimental characteristics when it comes to winning prospective provincial and federal grant funding: i) Erin household income almost 60% higher than the provincial median, ii) Erin weighted assessment per household 94% higher than the provincial median,” he said.
“Infrastructure funding is not a social welfare program, so why therefore is ‘household income’ being used as a key determining factor? It is paradoxical that ‘weighted assessment’ is being used to steer and channel infrastructure funding in the opposite direction to where it is most crucially required.”
This competitive situation is just one piece of the funding puzzle. Here are a few other recent examples.
• Erin will get $179,100 over three years from the non-competitive section of the OCIF, according to a complex formula to divide up $50 million.
• Erin will get unconditional Ontario funding of $585,800 in 2015 through the regular Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF). That is up $2,200 over 2014, but way down from the $654,000 we got in 2012. The province is eager to point out that while it is reducing that funding overall, it is busy “uploading” various costs to the provincial level including Ontario Works benefits, Disability Support, Drug Benefits, and Court Security.
The Town of Erin has never paid for these services, but the uploading will provide $4.8 million in savings for Wellington County next year, the equivalent of 4% of all municipal property tax revenue in the County. That will more than offset the reduction of the County’s OMPF grant from $3.6 million to $2.9 million.
For OPP service, Wellington expects to save more than $2 million per year under a new billing system that is based more on actual calls for service.
Erin residents and politicians need to find out just how much of these County savings will trickle down locally. Let’s hope they are not all siphoned off to pay for hospitals that we don’t use.
It is not surprising that Erin councillors have been treating Town taxes and County taxes as a package deal. The County is so well off financially that it should be able to adopt minimal tax increases – allowing the Town room to tax for what it needs while keeping the overall increase reasonable. Or perhaps the County could do some uploading of its own, essentially paying for more of what the Town now covers.
In a report to council, Director of Finance Sharon Marshall highlighted a statement in a recent letter from the Minister of Finance Charles Sousa and Municipal Affairs Minister Ted McMeekin concerning the upload savings for upper tier governments like Wellington County:
“It is important to acknowledge that in two-tier systems, the removal of these costs off the property tax base benefits all local taxpayers including those residing in lower-tier municipalities. We encourage upper and lower tier municipalities to engage in discussions to ensure that the savings resulting from the uploads benefit their shared taxpayers in the most effective way possible.”
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