Laurier plans to cut programs Page 3
A look inside the Sgt. WIlliam Merrifield Armoury of Brantford Page 6
Youth offenders living a life in the justice system Page 12
Issue 10 | Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 | www.thesputnik.ca
MAKING IT BIG
IN THE
LITTLE CITY
{
A grant program is being issued to help small businesses survive in Brantford’s downtown
Davis Vallesi Staff Recent times have proven challenging for small businesses within Brantford’s downtown as can be seen in the case of restaurants and cafés. Throughout the year, dining establishments within the downtown core have suddenly closed, like, Brown Dog Bootleg Café and Cobby’s Market St. Diner. The news comes as a surprise to many, since the restaurants appeared quite popular and received generally favourable reviews.
}
These developments raise the question: What can be done to improve this situation? To help remedy the problem, the City of Brantford is offering a grant program to improve the aesthetics of the downtown community for tenants and small business owners. The grants will offer financial support to those wishing to improve the curb appeal of existing commercial or mixeduse spaces in the downtown improvement area. The Façade Grant Program states that it will offer funds for “projects such as enhancement of storefronts, brick repairs, accessibility, and other aspects that contribute to the beautification and maintenance of commercial and office buildings in Down-
town Brantford.” The city’s downtown economy has been slowly improving in the last decade or so, which can be partially attributed to the development of post-secondary education in Brantford. A 2012 study conducted by Adventus Research Inc. found that, “The total actual estimated economic impact of the downtown Brantford-based post-secondary institutions is $43.3 – 58.5 million annually.” Although, these numbers are now at risk of collapsing due to Mohawk College and Nipissing campuses pulling out of the Brantford downtown core. The components of the grant program include the Façade Grant with a maximum value of $7,500 to improve the structural
quality of buildings and the Design Grant with a maximum value of $2,000 to assist tenants and business owners in securing the services of an architect or engineer. These grants have the potential to relieve businesses of maintenance costs, allowing them to commit more funds towards improving the consumer experience. According to a release produced by the City Planning Division, “The City grant is intended to apply to construction costs to improve (and/or restore) the visual appearance and integrity of the building fabric or facades.” City council has approved 24 grants. Applications for the grant program must be submitted to the city by Feb. 15.
Since 2013, The Family Literacy Committee of Brant annually selects one book to be read live by its author and then given out to the community through their “Let’s Read” event. This year the committee has selected a reading of “Little Jack Horner LIVE! From His Corner”, by Helaine Becker. Becker will make two appearances in the county on the Sunday before Family Literacy Day on Jan. 25, reading her book at the County of Brant Public Library, Paris Branch at 1:00 pm and then at the Brantford Public Library, Main Branch at 3:00 pm. Alongside the visit from Becker, participants will be able to participate in crafts and each family will be given a free copy of “Little Jack Horner LIVE! From His Corner”.
“Lots of times homes don’t actually have a book in it, and we think that this is a great way to add to their personal library” says Paula Thomlison, Manager of Communication and Partnerships at the Brantford Public Library. According to Tomlinson, Becker’s book was carefully selected by a number of “literacy experts” after considering a handful of titles. It is a “fun” and “silly” book says Thomlison, which connects its readers to a number of nursery rhyme characters. “It gave all of us an opportunity, we thought, to introduce a lot of kids to nursery rhymes.” says Thomlinson, “I know a lot of people don’t know those nursery rhymes anymore.” Kathryn Drury Manager of Community
Focus at the Brantford Public Library says that objective of “Let’s Read”, is to select a book that appeals to all members of the family. “We invite all families to come down and experience the fun of literacy,” says Drury. To Thomlinson, “literacy is a social determinant for good health”- suggesting that parents begin reading to their children early and to read to them as often as possible, be it through recipes, road signs, or books, “Read, read, read!” “Let’s Read” typically draws upwards of one hundred people to each the county and city event, “people really enjoy it,” says Thomlinson.
Children’s author Helaine Becker to visit Brantford
Taylor Berzins News Editor
The Family Literacy Committee of Brant is gearing up to host award-winning children’s author, Helaine Becker, in celebration of the love of reading. Family Literacy Day began as an initiative of Canada’s ABC Life Literacy in 1999, as a means to raise awareness about the importance of reading. The event has been celebrated annually on Jan. 27, and has become part of the yearly routine for a number of groups across the country- including The Family Literacy Committee of Brant.
Brantfords Farmers’ Market Open year round . Friday 7am - 5pm . Saturday 7am - 2pm Laurier Students get 10% discount Located close to Laurier downtown campus & residences . 79 Icomm Drive