> Grimsby/Lincoln set to share cost on two fire department hires /Pg 5 > Poster contest winner earns pizza party Pg 6 > Bartlett extension gets $1 million for EA Pg 8 > Nelles Manor events in works Pg 15 Thursday, March 14, 2019 Vol. 8 Issue 43
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Up Front Kinettes host babysitters
The Kinette Club of Grimsby are ready to host its annual babysitting course, starting Thursday, March 21. The program runs on consecutive Thursdays through the end of April from 7-8:30 p.m. at Grimsby Fire Station 2 at 167 Mountain St. The class is open to area students who must be at least 11 years old at the start of the program. Cost is $25. Call Tracy, 905-9459540, to register or email: tj.normie@gmail.com
Health Care Town Hall
Niagara Health Coalition will host a town hall meeting on protection and improvement of health care issues. The meeting is set for tonight (Thursday, March 11) at 7 pm at Grimsby Town Hall.
Rock n rollers mark March 23
Great Lakes Christian High School will be the scene of a 50s&60s Rock n Roll Diner event Saturday, March 23. The event is a school fundraiser. Tickets are $10pp, $5 for kids aged 4-12, Under 3 free. Show starts at 6 p.m. Email: rocknrolldiner@bell.net
Mini-Putt Champs
First time attendees, Sicard’s RVs, earned the best score at the Kinsmen Club of Grimsby’s 24th annual Greater Grimsby Open. The mini-putt sold out in just over 24 hours, helping generate $14,000 for West Lincoln Memorial Hospital
Foundation. On hand for the top team presentation were (L to R) Peter Trzecak, Mark Powell, event organizer Bruce Bond, Roger Sicard and Brian Ridgway. For details, please see Page 2. Williscraft - Photo
Lincoln budget increase hits 7.29 per cent Increase facilitates growth pressure, service demands, says Mayor Easton By Mike Williscraft NewsNow Despite a 7.29 per cent budget increase, Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton says residents are getting great value for their tax dollar. Lincoln council passed its 2019 budget last Wednesday night with an eye to facilitating ongoing growth in the municipality, says Mayor Sandra Easton. The result translates to an impact of $118.08 more in taxes for the Lincoln por-
tion of residents’ tax bills, based on an average assessed home of $380,000. Niagara Region recently passed its 3.8 per cent increase budget, making the blended increase to Lincoln taxpayers 4.45 per cent annually or $204.14 for a blended total. “We do collect a lot of taxes,” said Easton, noting the town portion is only one-third of the overall property tax bill. “Lincoln is the fourth fastest growing community in Niagara but we are the sec-
ond lowest in property taxes. We are in a very respectable position.” One of the items which pushed the increase over the seven per cent mark was an additional $50,000 in funding for the Twenty Valley Tourism Association. In recent years, several members of Lincoln council questioned the initial $50,000 which had been committed to TVTA for many years, even suggesting it be cut. See BUDGET, Page 3