The Creemore
Echo
Friday, February 25, 2011 Vol. 11 No. 8
Inside the Echo
Avening Rules
Notty Farmers
Page 6
PAGE 7
Special bowling party helps refugees!
News and views in and around Creemore
Out in the cold.
Publications Mail Agreement # 40024973
Heading South to Help Out
Packed and ready Trina Berlo shows off donated supplies that she will distribute while on a humanitarian relief trip to the Dominican Republic.
By Emily Worts Avening resident, Trina Berlo, is off to the Domincan Republic this March. Berlo isn’t going for March Break and she’s not visiting one of the all-inclusive resorts Dominican is famous for. Berlo is joining a team of 32 other people, mostly Rotarians from the Wasaga Beach Rotary Club, on a Haitian refugee humanitarian assistance and relief trip. The group flies into Puerto Plata on March 3 and will do much of their work on the Dominican north coast with the help of Dominican Crossroads, a Christian mission with programs designed to meet the most basic needs of impoverished Haitian people living in the area. The purpose of this trip is to bring much needed medical and dental services, and humanitarian assistance to six villages in the area. The group will distribute hygiene products, mosquito nets, work boots and gloves, soccer balls, colouring books and more. “Crossroads coordinates groups that come through on humanitarian
Paying for Garbage by 2012 Echo Briefs By Emily Worts Simcoe County residents will be joining 60 other Ontario municipalities in paying for their garbage. The new County Council has agreed to implement a user-pay system by July 2012. Under the new plan every bag you throw on the curb will need a garbage tag (for now the suggested cost is $2), replacing the present one-bag limit (with additional bags costing $2). “In the past four years we have been number two in waste diversion, out of 217 municipalities,” says Mayor Ken Ferguson. “That’s the message; we’re serious about garbage.” The change is said to be revenueneutral, reducing a waste levy of about $150 per household to $80. “People in rural settings, like my
parents, will produce one IGA bag every couple of weeks,” says Ferguson. “Those types of people, that are doing the right thing, will be rewarded.” A staff report states a full userpay system can be more equitable as residents are paying for the garbage they actually produce. The change will also address concerns of seasonal residents, who now pay for year-round service through the levy. With the userpay system they will only be charged for the garbage they generate. Not all County Mayors and Deputy Mayors agreed with the plan, listing reasons like discrimination against families and apartment dwellers and increased illegal dumping. But less than four Mayors and Deputy Mayors out of 32, raised their hands in opposition to (See “some may not” page 3)
Spring Passport Clinic
A passport clinic will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2 pm to 7 pm at Clearview Township Council Chambers in Stayner. Call 1-866-435-1809 or (705) 4456762 for more information or visit www.pptc.gc.ca to find out what documents are required.
Tourism and Golf Guides are Ready
The 2011 Tourism Simcoe County Guide Map and Golf Guide are ready for distribution. If you would like copies for your business contact Gayle McKay at (705) 726-9300 ext 1234 or gayle.mckay@simcoe.ca.
trips,” says Berlo. “They tell us what to bring and who to give it to, but we distribute it.” Berlo is a reporter for the Wasaga and Stayner Sun newspapers and although she has been writing about similar relief missions for years this is the first time she has participated. In fact, this is her first time visiting a developing country. In preparation for her trip Berlo took on various fundraising efforts with much success. Earlier this month she hosted a ‘Bowlerama’ at the Avening Hall. Berlo called on friends, family and co-workers to come out, eat and bowl all for a good cause. Berlo, along with Dunedin resident Leslie Evans, prepared the entire meal. Over 50 people showed up with cash and hygiene supplies in hand. “I’m really grateful to everyone in the community,” says Berlo. “We filled a huge bin, to overflowing, with hygiene supplies.” The event, along with a chili lunch Berlo hosted at work, raised over $1500 plus supplies. (See “willing to give” page 6)
Ski for the Museum
The 4th Annual, Warden’s Ski for the Museum will be held Thursday, March 3 at Horseshoe Resort in Horseshoe Valley. This Simcoe County Museum fundraiser includes skiing or snowboarding (tickets, lessons and equipment), breakfast, après ski featuring The Moonglows, ski and snowboard demonstrations, a Zipline experience, chair massage, contests and prizes. The cost is $150 per person and a portion of the event fee is eligible for a tax receipt. For more information contact the Simcoe County Museum at (705) 728-3721.
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