St.Thomas/Elgin Volume 7 No. 37
Great People. Great Cars.
519-633-1640 • www.theweeklynews.ca
See Page 3
January 19, 2012
United we stand Elgin County and St. Thomas councils agreeable at Information Exchange
St. Thomas Minor Baseball will be hosting a special Blue Jays Instructional Camp for kids this summer.
Play ball!
Qualified Blue Jays instructors will teach boys and girls between 8 to 14 years old the fundamental skills of baseball in a fun and structured atmosphere. Some of the skills they will learn and practise include hitting, throwing, fielding, pitching and base running. The Blue Jays clinic fee is $40 per player. Each attendee is asked to bring a glove, bat and helmet along with a small snack.
Blue Jays clinic for kids coming to St. Thomas
If your children are keen on improving their baseball skills, sign them up for a special camp being offered by the Toronto Blue Jays baseball club in St. Thomas in June. St. Thomas Minor Baseball will be hosting the instructional clinic to be held at Emslie Field on June 22 from 4:30 to 8:30pm. “We are excited to offer this MORE INFO… camp here for the first time,” Blue Jays Instructional Camp said Diane Wakefield, president stthomasminorbaseball.com of St. Thomas Minor Baseball.
“Have Fun Out There” GET A GREAT DEAL AND A GREAT DEAL MORE!
Regular communication between the city and the county is paying off. In the latest information exchange January 11 at the Elgin County Administration Building, St. Thomas and Elgin County councils met in a friendly atmosphere to discuss joint initiatives. The informal discussion was a continuation of the intention started last year to keep each other informed about projects each council had a stake in. “It was time for an update,” St. Thomas Mayor Heather Jackson-Chapman said. St. Thomas council members were especially interested in the presentation of tourism initiatives by Alan Smith, general manager of economic development. Aldermen had previously voiced concern about getting value for the money they gave the county for tourism, but seemed impressed after Alan discussed the success of the many programs his department is using to raise awareness of St. Thomas and Elgin County’s attractions. He summarized efforts in
2011 and plans for 2012 for campaigns such as Experience Elgin County & St. Thomas, Savour Elgin, Ports of Elgin, Summer in Elgin, Railway Capital of Canada, and Elgin Arts Trail. Alderman Jeff Kohler asked whether visitors were going to London for accommodation and Alan agreed there was a lack of places to stay overnight in the both the city and the county. Alderman Mark Cosens suggested hosting a triathlon to bring people to the area and Heather Jackson-Chapman recommended that the annual Doors Open events be incorporated into the tourism strategy to provide a county-wide presence. After reports by Ontario Works director Barbara Arbuckle and
Elgin County CAO Mark Mac- money and that the one in Stratdonald, the St. Thomas Elgin ford had been completely comGeneral Hospital was a lively munity raised. Alderman Dave topic of discussion. All members Warden said that many hospital agreed that the hospital was funds were raised by a separate crucial to the community and levy. that the recent governance con- “But whatever approach we flict and the funding request for take, we should be united,” redevelopment were separate Dave said. issues. Bill Walters agreed and sug“But how are we going to ac- gested that an ad hoc commitcommodate it so that when the tee be formed to come up with ask comes in, we’re working to- recommendations for both gether,” said Elgin County War- councils to present to their den Bill Walters. members. Councillor Bernie Wiehle “We have to be on the same asked if anyone knew how other page,” said Heather Jacksonmunicipalities had generated Chapman. funds for recent hospital devel- “The hospital is the engine opments. Mayor Jackson-Chap- driver of Elgin St. Thomas,” said man said Woodstock hospital Councillor Jim McIntyre. “United had been funded by casino we stand.” ALL VEHICLES FULLY RECONDITIONED AND CERTIFIED
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Elgin County Warden Bill Walters shakes hands with St. Thomas Mayor Heather Jackson-Chapman in a show of support at a joint council information exchange January 11.
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