The Creemore
Echo
Friday, April 24, 2015
Vol. 15 No. 17
thecreemoreecho.com
Inside the Echo
Directionally challenged
In conversation
Terry Fallis talks publishing
St. John's Choir seeks director
PAGE 3
News and views in and around Creemore
PAGE 12
Publications Mail Agreement # 40024973
Planning director no longer with Clearview Township Michael Wynia is no longer employed with Clearview Township. Clearview Township CAO Steve Sage confirmed that the director of planning, development and information services position was vacated as of April 14. Sage said he could not comment further except to say, “we wish Michael well.”
Small Halls get provincial funding
Staff photo: Trina Berlo
Talking trash Nottawasaga Creemore Public School students, including Grade 3s out with Mr. Souch, were on clean-up duty throughout the village Wednesday, during the school’s Earth Day activities.
Tuesday is do-or-die for bridge deal by Trina Berlo Tuesday is do-or-die day, according to Clearview Township Deputy Mayor Barry Burton. That is the day a four-year battle to save the Collingwood Street Bridge comes to a head. “If we die, the bridge will be gone this summer,” said Burton. On Tuesday, Burton and Mayor Chris Vanderkruys will sit as part of county council and will attempt to forge a deal that will see Clearview Township take ownership of the 102-year-old steel Collingwood Street Bridge and secure enough funds to pay for its restoration. “I am not very optimistic,” said Burton. “I am going into a poker game and I am not holding the cards I need to be holding and I don’t mind saying
that. I have to convince the county to give me $1.5 million and they are offering somewhere between $700,000 and $900,000.” On April 13, Burton received the blessing of Clearview Township council to proceed with a bid for the bridge, which is slated to be replaced with a two-lane concrete bridge this summer, if the county will transfer $1.5 million of the money set aside to pay for the replacement to the township. The majority of Clearview councillors agreed to accept ownership of the bridge, as long as the money was there. On April 20, Clearview councillors gave Burton a little wiggle room by agreeing that Burton and Vanderkruys, along with CAO Steve Sage, “be authorized to negotiate with county staff
and county council to bring proposals from Simcoe County regarding the Collingwood Street Bridge back to Clearview council for consideration.” There is an urgency in getting a deal worked out with the county since the bridge replacement was moved forward one year to this summer and the tender has already closed. Proponents of bridge preservation say the steel bridge adds character to the village of Creemore and acts as a tourist attraction. They also say that based on quotes from local experts, restoring the one-lane bridge will save taxpayers $1 million, given that the county has budgeted $2.5 million to replace the bridge. “County staff’s recommendation has always been to replace the bridge,” said Burton.
The provincial government announced this month that Clearview Township will receive $44,100 in grant money from Celebrate Ontario for the second annual Small Halls Festival. The Celebrate Ontario program aims to give tourists more to see and do at Ontario’s festivals and events. Small Halls Festival events are being planned for the first weekend in October at all of the township’s community halls.
Bike rodeo May 2 In honour of this year’s Lions Day of Service, the Stayner Lions Club will be hosting a free bike rodeo for local youth from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 at the Stayner Jubilee Presbyterian Church. Participants are asked to bring their bikes and bike helmets to learn tips and tricks on bike helmet safety, bike maintenance and to practice riding a bike safely. Work through each station to learn about these and other tips and receive a certificate of participation and a bike lock, just for participating. This event will be held in partnership with Kamikaze Bikes in Collingwood, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and Clearview Community Policing Committee
Taking care of buyers and sellers in Mulmur and the Creemore hills for 38 years
RCR Realty. Brokerage
Ginny MacEachern
(705) 444-1414 10230 Highway 26 East, Collingwood E-mail info@collingwood.toyota.ca
B.A., Broker
The Town & Country Agent with the City Connections 1-800-360-5821• 705-466-2607 • maceachern.ginny@gmail.com www.ginnymaceachern.com