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Volume 7, Issue 03
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The budget that Leamington Municipal Council has endorsed proposed a 1.5 per cent tax increase. The document reflects change in the municipality. It reflects the traditional commitment to maintenance and improvement of resources as well as clearly defining the strategic priorities that Municipal Council is counting on to attract prosperity. The one strategic priority that stands out prominently is economic development. As CAO Peter Neufeld puts it, economic development rests on three pillars: business retention and attraction, tourism, and community amenities. Virtually every aspect of the 2016 budget can be linked to a desire to enhance Leamington’s position as a potential ‘hub’ of economic and tourism activity. Council dedicated some of its time to deliberating over and deciding on grants to award and withhold. For the first time ever, Council has approved a small grant to the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in recognition of their effort to bring their particular kind of cultural enhancement to Leamington. Likewise, a grant to the Folk Festival has been continued because it is an economic benefit, while The Bank Theatre and the Art Gallery have had their grants increased to accommodate aggressive plans to expand their impact on Leamington’s cultural scene.
EXCELLENCE
INC.
Joe Barile presented a $10,000 cheque from Essex Power to be used for Youth in Community projects in Leamington. From left to right are students Kiara Clement, Alexander MacDonald, Cameron Stockton, Councillor Larry Verbeke, Mayor John Paterson, student Peter Bot, general manager of Essex Power Joe Barile, and student Karla Kroslak.
Essex Power presents cheque for Youth in Community Mr. Joe Barile, general manager of Essex Power, was present at the Council meeting Monday evening, Feb. 8 to present a cheque for $10,000. The money is intended to be used for Youth in Community Projects. This is the third year for this Essex Power initiative. The Mayor’s youth committee is tasked to advise how this money is spent, and once again it will benefit all grade 9 students who live in Leamington. The Recreation Department will extend free Complex memberships to all grade 9 students who live in Leamington, including those who may attend a school outside the municipality. Complex administration believes there are about 400 students who will qualify to apply next school year. This school year, almost 150 have used their free memberships from last year’s donation.
The request for a municipal grant to the Tomato Festival organizers was turned down because it appears to be an event that has run its course and is on the decline. It was the consensus that the money would be better spent on a municipally-organized, new festival planned to debut this summer. Leamington boasts a great recreation centre, excellent ball diamonds, top notch
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soccer pitches that will have a brand new $600,000 field house, and, this summer, professional quality white sand volleyball courts on the beach in Seacliff Park. There are a great number of volunteers for all these sports. Now Leamington will have staff who will not only be able to assist local initiatives, but also be sent to major sports organizing bodies to promote the mu-
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nicipality. The 2016 budget continues the planned maintenance, replacement, and expansion to the municipal services. The following list of approved capital items target the needs of citizens: • Over $2 million in improvements to agricultural drains including a decadesold Sturgeon Creek problem. • Over $2 million in pollu-
tion control centre improvements. • Over $1.4 million in new and replacement water mains as well as a study looking into how to deliver water to greenhouses without compromise. • Over $1.5 million in expansions to trails and park improvements. • Almost $4 million in engineering projects throughout the municipality.
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