> Big Brothers Big Sisters issues request for more “Bigs” /Pg 4 > Get outdoors, but don’t forget sunscreen: Turcotte Pg 7 > Summer GO train re-launched Pg 9 > Jordan Lions host wing fundraiser Pg 11 Thursday, June 24, 2021 Vol. 10 Issue 8
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Grimsby Council
Information requests questioned, repeatedly By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Many people are searching for the meaning of life...and Grimsby Coun. Dave Sharpe may issue a request for information from Town staff to get an answer. At Monday’s council meeting, Sharpe launched into a lengthy tangent about requests for information, asking clerk Sarah Kim if an inquiry of any kind could be issued. The matter arose after Coun. Dorothy Bothwell issued a request for information at the June 7 committee of the whole meeting but did not see any confirmation of that in minutes presented. The request focused on an email exchange between Mayor Jeff Jordan and the Town’s legal counsel. Jordan characterized the exchange as informal and not a formal legal opinion which would typically be issued on letterhead and in a formal manner. A legal opinion is disseminated to all of council for their
information. Coun. Kevin Ritchie claimed the email constituted a formal opinion and should have been circulated. Kim confirmed three information requests had been sent to legal and answers would be forthcoming at the July 5 council meeting. This led Ritchie to inquire about costs being incurred from such a request, which Kim confirmed are typically internal and regard operations, administration of financial impacts. “If there is one (a cost) it should be through a motion of council,” said Kim, who added allowing the requests was accepted at the June 7 meeting. Ritchie alluded to a review of the process and Sharpe later suggested the procedural bylaw be changed again to control how information requests are made and sought a definition of a request. Kim noted the bylaw does not include a defiSee QUESTIONS, Page 2
Grimsby approves 2-year joint fire services pilot Grimsby council approved the same joint fire services pilot merger on Monday as Lincoln approved last week to combine both fire departments. The project is a two-year pilot geared to preserving the volunteer firefighter system.
Sweet as strawberry
The Niagara Christian Gleaners invited the community to visit their facility in Smithville for an opportunity to both learn about their mission and also to reconnect with each other at the charity’s Strawberry Social on Saturday. Janet and Klaas Stell (right) were among the volunteers serving strawberries and ice cream with visitors like John Van Doorn (left). Marks - Photo
Lincoln to consider town-wide heritage district implementations By Tristan Marks NewsNow The Town of Lincoln will soon have a new tool, or rather many tools, to utilize in protecting its heritage. Council voted Monday to initiate a study into the possibility of declaring not just one Heritage Conservation District (HCD), but many distributed throughout Lincoln’s many hamlets. Coun. Tony Brunet introduced the motion, but noted it came in conjunction with the entire Heritage Committee and carried
their “full endorsement”. This included the support of Brunet’s fellow committee member, Coun. Lynn Timmers. Brunet noted that the idea of setting up a HCD had been “on the radar for two years”, and in earlier meetings Councillors had floated the idea. Mayor Easton even suggested a location for a heritage district during a meeting earlier this term: along Academy Street and Main Street in Beamsville. However, Brunet explained that this motion was designed
with a town-wide scope in mind. “It was our intention all the time to consider heritage districts, plural,” he said in an interview before the meeting. “We want to make sure that we’re maintaining the history and the culture that make all of our Town unique, even hamlets like Tintern and Campden as well- the entirety of Lincoln.” He further noted that the Heritage Committee recognizes that every one of Lincoln’s hamlets has features that “merit study See HERITAGE, Page 3