Clearview council approves 2018 community grants

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Councillors did some last minute tweaking to the 2018 Clearview Township budget Monday, while maintaining an overall tax increase under two per cent.

During the final budget workshop, a $395,000 rescue fire truck, to be funded from reserves, was deferred to next year. Councillor Deborah Bronée asked Fire Chief Colin Shewell to come back with a justification for the vehicle. The truck would replace an older vehicle, but would have some add-ons.

Council agreed to add $40,000 in additional summer staff for general maintenance and $25,000 from the tax stabilization fund will be earmarked for Clearview’s 25th anniversary celebration in 2019.

A grant request from SilverShoe Historical Society in the amount of $2,700 for ongoing promotion of Bethel Union Cemetery and the restoration of Sunnidale Pioneer Cemetery sparked a conversation about cemetery restoration across the municipality. It was noted that many inactive cemeteries are in need of restoration and that there is new legislation coming down the pipe that will require it.

Councillor Kevin Elwood said it was unfair that one organization was being given money and funds should be available equally. He said it was not being budgeted properly.

Bronée said of the inactive cemeteries (those no longer open to burials), “They are going to crumble and disappear if we don’t do more than cut the grass.”

SilverShoe Historical Society was looking for funds to restore tombstones and the commemorative arch, add flower beds and interpretive signs.

Councillor Connie Leishman, a member of the grant selection committee, said, “When this came up we jumped on it because this will clean it up quite nicely.”

At the suggestion of the CAO, a reserve fund was created for cemetery restoration, with an initial contribution of $5,000. SilverShoe Historical Society was earmarked to receive $2,000 but that amount was reduced to $750.

Community assistance grants

During the final budget workshop on Nov. 27, council doled out $24,950 in community assistance grants for 2018. Requests totalled $43,250. The grant recipients are chosen by a committee of council.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Georgian Triangle $1,000 (to provide mentoring programs).

• Breaking Down Barriers $1,000 (to provide accessibility support/services).

• Brentwood Horticultural Society $600 (for community beautification projects).

• Clearview Community Theatre $2,000 (youth theatre production).

• Clearview Stayner Food Bank $2,000 (provision of food resources).

• Creemore Cats $1,000 (spay/neuter program)

• Creemore Horticultural Society $600 (community beautification projects).

• CyberGnomes Robotics $1,000 (robotics team).

•  Duntroon Stayner Road Race $500 (to promote physical fitness).

• Georgian Triangle Anglers Association $250 (enhance area fishing opportunities).

• Georgian Triangle Humane Society $3,000 (spay/neuter assistance program).

• Highlands Youth for Christ/The Door $1,000 (youth/family outreach programs).

• Home Horizon $1,000 (counselling/housing for homeless).

• Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation $2,500 (professional palliative care/support).

• Magic of Children’s in the Arts $750 (children’s art programs).

• My Friend’s House – Collingwood Crisis Centre $1,000 (women/children safe refuge).

• Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society $350 (building community by cultivating and promoting arts and heritage).

• Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 397 Creemore $500 (Canada Day Celebration events).

• SilverShoe Historical Society $750 (promote Bethel Union Cemetery/Sunnidale Pioneer historical site).

• South Simcoe 4-H Association $250 (youth learning opportunities).

• Stayner Chamber of Commerce $500 (support Chamber programs).

• Stayner Heritage Society $300 (promote heritage preservation/appreciation).

• Stayner Horticultural Society $600 (community beautification projects).

• Stayner Lawn Bowling Club $1,200 (promote lawn bowling for all ages).

• Teddy Bears Picnic Children’s Centre $1,000 (to support affordable non-profit daycare).

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