Southpoint Sun - Jan. 23, 2019

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Business license fees cut in half in Leamington By Bryan Jessop

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After much debate, municipal council decided to make doing business in Leamington a little more affordable. The most contested item on the agenda for the regular Tuesday, Jan. 15 meeting was the first of nine proposed amendments to the existing business licensing bylaw — whether to leave initial fees as is, reduce them by an agreed upon percentage or eliminate the fees outright. After hearing a report presented by director of legal and legislative services Ruth Orton, who recommended that existing fees remain untouched, council narrowly passed a motion to cut initial fees by 50 per cent. Orton explained that although some business owners viewed the business license fees as a tax, the amounts were actually established to offset the costs associated with the bylaw’s administration, overhead and inspections. While some members of council noted that the fees should not serve the purpose of generating revenue, others felt that a reduced or eliminated licensing cost “The fact that would evolve into an extra burden to we’ve ticked off taxpayers. a bunch of “The Business Licensing Bylaw was business people does created to get people who weren’t folnot sit well with me. I lowing the rules to follow the rules,” don’t want to see people said mayor Hilda MacDonald. “That moving to the was the whole point — to get rid of those next town.” people, not to create a revenue stream. It was something to get people in line, — Hilda making it easier for building inspectors MacDonald to keep people safe. The fact that we’ve ticked off a bunch of business people does not sit well with me. I don’t want to see people moving to the next town.” While councilor Tim Wilkinson stated that license fees are a cost recovery method rather than a revenue stream, councilor Paul Tiessen noted that there are already two pages of other existing fees for business owners in Leamington and that for some, a licensing fee could serve as “the straw that breaks the camel’s back.” After voting to cut the initial fee in half — an amount that varies according to the type of business an owner is opening — council shifted its focus to business license renewals. Options included keeping the current annual rate, changing to a renewal once ever three years, once every five years or eliminating the requirement for license renewal. While council members agreed that five-year licenses would make it too difficult to keep an up-to-date registry on existing businesses, a debate unfolded as to whether the present one-year rate or a renewal once every three years would be ideal. Orton, who recommended maintaining the one year rate, explained that even a three-year renewal system would make it difficult to maintain valid information on whether or not businesses are still operating, if they’ve changed owners, moved to new addresses or have altered the type of business they’re providing to the public. Wilkinson explained that with the outcome of the first vote on the bylaw, he was not receptive to increasing the periods of validity on business licenses. “It’s not a popular bylaw in our town, but I think it’s important,” Wilkinson said. Meanwhile, Tiessen explained he was unconvinced that yearly renewals were necessary and that the annual rate may only create more work for municipal staff. After three consecutive motions were defeated, council went on to vote in favour of yearly renewals with the same fees as the newly-reduced initial costs.

Guests take turns spinning the wheel for a chance for prizes in the front lobby of the Leamington Portuguese Club upon arrival at the 24th annual Erie Shores Health Foundation Gala Saturday, Jan. 19. This year’s fundraiser drew an estimated $125,000 in support of Erie Shores Healthcare equipment and capital projects. (Southpoint Sun Photo)

“Just Roll With It” Gala raises $125,000 for hospital foundation By Bryan Jessop

LEAMINGTON – A crucial yearly fundraiser was not greeted by the best of weather conditions, but hundreds of supporters decided to ‘Just Roll With It’. The Erie Shores Health Foundation’s 24th annual Gala challenged guests with what was by far the worst weather and road conditions from the winter of 2018-’19 thus far, but the outcome proved favourable nonetheless. Although proceeds raised through the event were still being tabulated in the days to follow, organizers estimated that about $125,000 was generated — a sum similar to the outpouring of support for last year’s gala. This year’s fundraiser, held at the Leamington Portuguese Club Saturday, Jan. 19, featured a Vegas theme dubbed ‘Just Roll With It’. Once again, tickets to the gala sold out to the host site’s maximum capacity of approximately 480 guests. The gathering was also supported by about 40 major sponsors, offering contributions of $5,000, $2,500, $2,000 or $1,000. About a dozen more local businesses provided complimentary services or food items for this year’s gala. Another 50-plus businesses and groups donated items for the silent auction portion of the fundraiser. “Our sponsors are fabulous — without them, we couldn’t do this,” explained Susan Liovas, who represented the Gala committee along with Shelly Gabriele Gale, Betty Sleiman, Jill Taouil, Lily DiCiocco and BrieAnna Bento. “It’s a wonderful accomplishment,” added Erie Shores Health Foundation executive director Christine Colautti. “The sponsors are integral. (Continued on Page 18)

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Southpoint Sun - Jan. 23, 2019 by Southpoint Sun - Issuu