The Creemore
Echo
Friday, November 18, 2016 Vol. 16 No. 47 www.creemore.com News and views in and around Creemore
Inside the Echo
Offensive Manoeuvre
Hockey players speak at budget meeting PAGE 3
Creemore Remembers
Legion hosts Remembrance Day service PAGE 7
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Leitch ups security
Simcoe-Grey MP and Conservative Party leadership candidate Kellie Leitch is enhancing security after a security alarm sounded at her Clearview Township home last Friday night. “I have received a number of threats during the course of my time in public life,” said Leitch in a public statement released Sunday. “They are, nevertheless, disquieting. This weekend, I was notified by a volunteer in our local riding association that someone was purporting to know my address and was offering it up online to anyone who was interested in doing me harm. ” She said she met with police on the evening of Nov. 11 after having reported the threat. “Later that night, at approximately 1:55 a.m., my home alarm sounded. I called 911 and left the house. On leaving my house, I noticed that the garage lights were on. These lights are never left on. I waited across the road from my house for the OPP to arrive. When police arrived, they reviewed my property with me and checked my alarm system. In our review of the garage, we found that the lights had been turned off subsequent to my leaving the house and before the police arrived. Fortunately, there was no intruder present. My house was found to be secure. The entry closest to the garage was found to have been the trigger for the alarm. “The officers speculated that someone trying to gain entry could have set the alarm off. The police left me locked in for the night. “The alarm sounded again at approximately 3 a.m., but that appeared to be a fault in the system causing the alarm. “I am grateful to the OPP for their professionalism and diligence. “My campaign team is taking further steps at my expense to enhance security at my home and on the campaign.”
Staff photo: Trina Berlo
Clearview Township Deputy Mayor Barry Burton and IT coordinator Miglena Valeva accept a donation of surplus computer equipment from the County of Simcoe, delivered by fleet and asset manager Brian Barkley.
Clearview Youth Centre opens by Trina Berlo Finishing touches are being made to the Clearview Youth Centre as it prepares for its grand opening. Renovations are complete, the painting is done and the set-up is underway. Last week, eight surplus computers were donated from the County of Simcoe CAO’s office. Some of those computers will be setup at workstations throughout the centre, where youth can do homework, search for jobs or watch YouTube. Others will be setup in three private offices that can be used for meetings with counselors and tutors and as a quiet workspace. A large area in the back of the youth centre is set up as a lounge with sofas, televisions, video games, a kitchenette, musical instruments and a pool table. In addition to regular after school drop-in hours, The Door and Big Brothers Big Sisters will be using the space for its programming. The youth centre has been a labour
of love for Clearview Township Deputy Mayor Barry Burton, who originally pitched the idea to council. He set out to create a safe drug-free, bully-free environment for youth 1218 that would offer positive social interactions and opportunities for personal development. Burton has spearheaded the initiative and with council approval, set up a committee to oversee the creation of the centre. He said the committee has been putting in a lot of hours, doing what work they can to fix up the leased space at 7458 Highway 26, to keep renovation costs as low as possible. Burton said he has outfitted the centre with more than $1,000 in LED lighting, which he donated through his company. Committee members and youth have also been painting and fixing up furniture. “It has taken a little longer than I thought,” said Burton. “It has been a lot of work. I have been here a lot of nights
working, along with other committee members and the youth.” Initially $100,000 was set aside for the youth centre with $78,000 of that earmarked to pay the lease over three years but accessibility renovations in the range of $34,000 put the project cost up. To meet accessibility standards, the youth centre has one gendre neutral washroom and a second that doubles as a wheelchair accessible washroom. Onsite counselling will be offered through the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Elizabeth Fry Society. Burton said the three meeting rooms have been fitted with windows to provide a safe environment for counsellors and youth. Burton says there will always be a youth centre coordinator on site when meetings and programs are being held. Until a permanent coordinator is hired, committee member Michael Fish has volunteered to fill the role, to (See “Centre” on page 3‘)
Taking care of buyers and sellers in Mulmur and the Creemore hills for 40 years
RCR Realty. Brokerage
Ginny MacEachern
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