The Creemore
Echo
Friday, July 17, 2015
Vol. 15 No. 29
thecreemoreecho.com
News and views in and around Creemore
Inside the Echo
Tequila!
Best Blooms
Draft Horse Exhibition August 1-2
Hort Society hosts Flower Show
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Hendry hired on merit: Mayor by Trina Berlo At the opening of Clearview Township’s council meeting July 13, Councillor Robert Walker moved to go in camera at the end of the meeting to discuss a personnel matter. Just before 9 p.m., council and staff began a two-hour closed-door session to discuss the employment of Tim Hendry, the township’s newly hired communications and marketing coordinator. During the meeting both shouts and laughter could be heard from council chambers at different times. At the end of the in camera session, Clearview Mayor Chris Vanderkruys said during the meeting he had declared a conflict of interest and passed the chair to Deputy Mayor Barry Burton. He said rather than answer questions, he preferred to release a statement the following day. “Council has determined that after much discussion with senior staff and members of council that Tim Hendry achieved the position on his own merit, without any influence from myself, my position as mayor or from our personal relationship. The senior staff members who participated in the interview process with the various candidates were not aware of any personal relationship and did not become aware of the personal relationship until after the decision to hire had been made and communicated publicly. It was only after the decision to hire had been made and communicated publicly that the personal relationship was made known,” reads the statement. “It was clearly stated that I did not disclose the personal relationship with Tim Hendry as I did not want the hiring process to be positively or negatively influenced by my position (See “Township” on page 3)
Buie medals at PanAm
Rower Matthew Buie has won two medals at the PanAm Games. Buie earned a gold in the men’s quadruple skulls on July 14, with teammates Julien Bahain, Rob Gibson and Dean Will. The day before, he won a bronze medal in the men’s double skulls, with Pascal Lussier. Buie, 27, is from Duntroon.
Backyard glam Bleu Venue Events is hosting the Backyard Glam Tour in Creemore this weekend. The tour features six area backyards professionally styled by local designers and decorators. The Creemore Log Cabin will be the host venue site for guests. A night tour will take place on Friday, July 17 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the day tour takes place the next day, on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $25 and are available Seasons, The 100 Mile Store and Flowers by Ms. Design. Visit www.bleuvenue.com for more information.
Clearview Arts Festival in Stayner Saturday Staff photo: Fred Mills
jersey girl Emma McNabb, of Stayner, was one of many who got to pet a cow at Miller’s Dairy Day July 11. For the fourth year, Marie and John Miller have invited everyone near and far to come and look at their beautiful, spotless farm and meet the girls, of course. Both young and old got to meet the staff and tour the facility. For more photos, visit www. TheCreemoreEcho.com.
Clearview eyed for solar by Trina Berlo Toronto-based Invenergy Solar Canada is proposing a large-scale solar project in Clearview Township. The project is proposed in partnership with First Ontario Energy on Somerville Nurseries property that is more than 400 acres in size located near New Lowell between County Road 9 and Hogback Road. Invenergy S olar manager of business development Ryan Ralph told council July 13 that the project
was originally developed by First Ontario Energy for the provincial government’s feed-in-tariff program. The project was pitched in 2013 as the Clearview Sun Solar Project. It is now being rejigged as a bid in the provincial government’s Independent Electricity System Operator under the large renewable procurement (LRP) request for proposals, due Sept. 1. Ralph said the detailed engineering is still in the works but the project (See “Solar” on page 7)
The Clearview Arts Festival promises a day of arts and entertainment at Station Park in Stayner, presented by the Stayner Chamber of Commerce. The day begins at 9 a.m. with an art exhibit featuring more than 30 artists. The featured artists work in a variety of mediums. Art show coordinator Frieda Linke said there will be everything from fine art to artisans including people who paint on rocks and gourds, jewellers and even a tea blender who makes exotic teas. The exhibit continues until 6 p.m. A line-up of performers will take to the stage throughout the day including the Jeans for Teens fashion show and dancers from Dance by Design and The Danceroom. Musical performances begin with Linke Band at 11 a.m.; Jessica Bowman is on at 2 p.m.; David Russel at 3 p.m.; James Stevenson at 4 p.m.; Jason Redman at 5 p.m. and headlining is The Spoons at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Taking care of buyers and sellers in Mulmur and the Creemore hills for 39 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