> Niagara Region’s NRT OnDemand transit program launched /Pg 7 > Wheelchair athlete now author Pg 2 > WL Fire salutes Jimmy Hiscott Pg 5 > Jammin’ Bros ready for farmers’ market Pg 8 Thursday, August 20, 2020 Vol. 9 Issue 17
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Grimsby posts $1.1 million 2019 surplus By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Higher than expected revenues and frugal spending by department heads culminated in a $1.1 million budget surplus for the Town of Grimsby in 2019. Steve Gruninger, Grimsby’s director of finance, informed council of the surplus at Monday night’s August meeting of council. The surplus was generated despite some significant overages. “The Planning department suffered a deficit of $279,410 during 2019. There were two main factors for this loss. One, planning application fee revenues were under budget by $122,000 as the number of applications submitted did not meet expectations,” noted Gruninger in his presentation. “Two, professional fees were over budget by approximately $212,000 primarily due to ongoing legal support and legal actions. These two factors were partially offset by savings in salaries due to the postponement of the hiring of the new Planning Director.” See SURPLUS, Page 3
Rooted in faith
(L-R) Grace and Eric Stieva, Harry and Cisca DeVries, Bert and Tina Mans, and Helen and Wayne Van Sydenborgh were the original couples from the Vineyard Canadian Reformed Church in Jordan Station who were present at a ceremonial tree planting on Saturday. The event marked the church’s 50th anniversary and drew many members from the congregation. Marks - Photo.
Grimsby council gets “sales pitch” for Century Condos Project deferred to allow for one more round of negotiation, decision to come Aug. 27
By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Despite ongoing concerns among councillors and residents regarding density, mass and parking shortages, Grimsby’s new director of planning presented a “cherry picking” report on a downtown condo development on Monday, according to one councillor. With a project which was initially proposed at an eight-storey, 86 unit building but has evolved to four-storey with 90 units, Coun. Dave Sharpe
said information contained in the 13 -page report presented to council was “cherry picking” the facts. “This is the all-pro side of this development,” said Sharpe, noting the proposal has key facets which oppose the Town’s Official Plan and small town character strategies. “We have to look at the good and the bad.” The report was received for information and a decision deferred to an Aug. 27 meeting planned for council
after one more round of negotiation. In her report, Antonietta Minichillo, Grimsby’s new director of planning, building, and bylaw, cited the following under “Demanding the BEST of this Application” as the only ways to improve the condo project proposal: • High quality materials • Lighting Plan • Rooftop Garden/Community Garden • Public Realm Enhancements • Safety for children – road treatment • Improve sustainability
• Urban Design Review – Alex Taranu (Founder of the Council for Canadian Urbanism (CanU) and founding member of Ontario Professional Planners’ Institute Urban Design Working Group) • Create an Animated Walkway • Public Art with school children “That was a great sales pitch. I have to say, part of me feels like DeSantis could have written it,” said Coun. Lianne Vardy. See CONDO, Page 11