Clearview council pauses affordable housing funds

by Trina Berlo

In the words of Clearview Township Mayor Doug Measures, council went through a “save and spend” exercise on Feb. 2, trying to find ways to reduce taxpayer funded budget spending while also adding items that have been on council’s wish list.

A public meeting was held for the budget Feb. 9 (after presstime), when the public would be offered a chance to comment.

The initial staff-proposed budget reflected an increase in municipal taxes of 9.31 per cent, but after being massaged by council, went to the public meeting with a 7.6 per cent increase – and a blended rate of 4.98 per cent, once estimated policing costs, county and education tax rates are factored in, lowering the increase.

Council reduced the tax increase by borrowing from municipal reserve funds, and cutting funding for affordable housing for seniors.

Off the top, $250,000 was cut from a reserve fund that was set up to create a nest egg with the hope that the municipality would one day be in a position to partner with the County of Simcoe, or a developer to build affordable housing for seniors if the opportunity came along.

Councillor Marty Beelen tabled the motion to cut the spending explaining, ironically, that people are struggling financially.

“When I was out campaigning, the number one thing that people said to me was taxes are high enough and they can’t afford a tax increase,” he said.

(See “Budget” on page 3)

Ongoing

• Join The Creemore Sanctuary's February Challenge. Commit to yourself and enjoy unlimited yoga. Take part in as many as six classes each week, available at various times and levels. Email, call or visit the website for discount and details. www.thecreemoresanctuary.com, thecreemoresanctuary@gmail.com, 705 888-7729.

• VON SMART free fitness classes. Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Anglican Church Hall, Creemore. For community members looking to improve strength, balance and mobility. Ages 55+. Call for more information or to register: 705-355-2200.

• The Station Café is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St. E., Creemore. $2 fee for a bottomless cup of coffee or tea. Everyone welcome.

Friday, Feb. 10

• Join speakers from St. Luke's Community Food Bank, The Orillia Sharing Place Food Center, The New Farm and Hogwild Farming Company at Station on the Green in Creemore from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a discussion on Food Insecurity: The intersection of sustainable, equitable local food systems and the role of our food banks. Local wine and snacks will be served from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact vsmith@sothebysrealty.ca for more info or to RSVP for this free event.

Saturday, Feb. 11

• Creemore Farmers' and Craft Market, Station on the Green 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh, local and unique items from our bakers, makers and growers! Plus breakfast by La Cucina.

• Creemore Coyotes vs Saugeen Shores Winterhawks 7:30 p.m. at the Creemore Arena.

• The Creemore Skating Club will be having a Bake Sale in the lobby at the Creemore Arena from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Stop by to find our skaters' favourite treats: cookies, brownies, tarts and more.

• Valentine fundraiser for NDACT and Food and Water First at the Dufferin Public House, 214 Main St. E., Shelburne. The venue will be romantically decorated for Valentine’s. Food, DJ and dancing as well as silent auction items. Tickets cost $75 each, available via Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3Zx3ywK. Cocktails and silent auction: 5 p.m. Welcome and food service: 6 p.m. Close of silent auction: 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

• Public Skating at the Creemore Arena. Parent and Tot Skating. Free. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Adult Skating 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. $2 admission fee.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

• Creemore Horticultural Society Meeting with speaker Paul Zammitt, “The Soul of the Garden.” Zoom meeting at 7:30 p.m.; March 15, speaker is Dugald Cameron “Lilacs.” Meeting at Station on the Green at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 17

• 1944 RCEME Army Cadet Maple Syrup Fundraiser. Order by Feb. 17 and get a one litre glass bottle for just $22, after Feb. 17 $25. Contact 1944rcaccsc@gmail.com.

• Sunnidale Winterama events rescheduled due to weather: Support the New Lowell Firefighters' Association's annual Spaghetti Dinner at the New Lowell Legion from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. $10 for 13yrs and older, $5 for ages 6-12 yrs old, 5 and under free. Beard + Moustache Contest judging at 6:30 p.m. and meet Winterama Willie. Live music by Jenny & Dave Duo. The Burning of the Green from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the New Lowell Recreation Park. North Star Fireworks starts at 8 p.m. The brand new "Den of Hilarities" comedy show at the New Lowell Legion. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, cash sales, at the door only. 19+ event.

Saturday, Feb. 18

• Soup for the Soul. A new healthy eating initiative by St. Luke’s Anglican Church. From 10 a.m. to noon. Space is limited. Contact Rev. Lorna May at 705-352-2759 to reserve a spot. Children 10 and older are welcome if accompanied by a guardian. Bring your own slow cooker or one can be provided if need be.

• Jimmy Stone Radio Show with Bigfoot's Hand at the Palace Tavern, Elmvale, 8:30 p.m. $5 door.

• Winter is a Drag but the Queens are back to warm it up! Enjoy music and fun with some of Simcoe County's finest drag performers while raising money for Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society and the Creemore Legion. Tickets $25 on sale now at www.phahs.ca.

Monday, Feb. 20

• Canadian Air & Space Conservancy at Edenvale Aerodrome, “Home of the Avro Arrow” will acknowledge the 64th Anniversary of the Avro Arrow program cancellation. To commemorate the date of this tragic event, we are hosting three museum tours slots on Family Day – 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. CASC located on Hwy 26 Please register though the website at www.avroarrow203. com.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

• Friends of the Mad Meeting at Station on the Green from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Get an update on plans for upcoming Mad River restoration work and what has been accomplished so far. Input from community members, stakeholders, and all Friends of the Mad welcome. Snacks and shareables also welcome.

Saturday, Feb. 25

• The All Peaceful St. Luke’s team will once again be walking in Creemore in support of The Coldest Night of the Year, leaving from St. Luke’s at 2 p.m. This walk supports Home Horizon in Collingwood. Please contact Rev. Lorna May at 705-352-2759 for details on how to participate and donate. Donations may be made payable to The Coldest Night of the Year, and brought to the church.

Wednesday, March 8 & Thursday, March 9

• Theatre Collingwood Fundraiser - Girl's Nite Out. Enjoy an all-female, all funny troupe of improv and stand-up comedy performers that will have you in stitches with their side-splitting sketches. Tickets are $40 and selling fast. For more information contact Theatre Collingwood 705-445-2200, www.theatrecollingwood.ca.

Friday, March 17

• Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Station on the Green, featuring Shipyard Kitchen Party and Strange Potatoes. 6 p.m. to midnight, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $40. Available at ticketscene.ca/events/43490. Come get your green on and support your community hall.