Wednesday, January 31, 2007 · Page 3 Compassion, hard work recognized CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "She's aware of the circumstances that put people in poverty because she hears so many people's stories. A lot of people probably don't understand the dynamics of poverty the way she does." For the past two years, Boutette has been able to help the food bank in his own way by representing is two parishes in akeshore's annual Polar ear Splash that forwards ll its proceeds to the food ank. In that time, Boutette has een how Clifford has been ble to motivate the busiess community into suporting her cause. "People are very aware f her compassion," he aid. "She's got wide-rangng support." Receiving no governent funding for the food ank, Clifford has put her aith in support from local esidents. "They're wonderful," he says of the community. The food bank serves a healthy diet to about 150 families per week. Clifford says the need is stronger now than ever, with layoffs at Windsor's Big Three automotive plants trickling down their effects to smaller feeder plants in the county. "Once there's a problem in the industry, it's the little guys who are going to have a hard time," Clifford said. "It's not a good situation. When you get both a mom and a dad coming in and they're both on unemployment, that's hard on the kids. I feel for the kids, that's why I work so hard. I'm the world's greatest beggar and I've been very blessed." Clifford has been a recipient of the Queen's Gold Medal and was named the Essex Citizen of the Year for her ongoing efforts with the food bank. On Feb. 21 at the U of W's Vanier Hall, she will be joined by her husband Ed and the food bank's 40 volunteers in accepting the social justice award. Cottam United Church For All Your Financial & Insurance Needs... All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner & Salad Bar SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2007 See Us Today! 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. DPM INSURANCE GROUP Phone: (519) 776-6457 TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE WWW,FORSYTHTRAVEL.COM 29 Talbot Street North, Essex, Ontario TRAVEL Ltd. ESSEX 776-6439 Established in 1948 · OT 0046911 76 TALBOT ST. N. Feb 14 - 15 Valentines, Brantford & Niagara Falls, show, meals & winery $239.00! Mar 8 - Canada Blooms, flower & garden show, Toronto $92.00 Mar 8 - Toronto Shopping, motorcoach transportation, Eaton Centre $75.00 Mar 19 - 28 Myrtle Beach ocean front rooms, breakfasts included $1229.00 Apr 2 - 6 Blossom Time, Penn Dutch, Sight & Sound Theatre & Washington DC $749.00 Apr 16 - 21 Branson, 5 shows $899.00 April 28 Tanger Outlet Howell Michigan $45.00 May 1 King Lear, Stratford $123.00 May 10 Tulip Time, Holland Michigan & Turkeyville $219.00 May 15 - 17 Chicago, city tour, Navy Pier, Tommy Guns & more $365.00 May 22 Shipshewana Flea Market $65.00 July 30 - Aug 12 The Maritimes, Cabot Trail & New England $2099.00 Brochures available for all tours listed, prices based on double occupancy, in CDN dollars, includes all taxes Eileen and Ed Clifford are honoured that the Essex Area Food Bank was selected as the winner of the Centre for Studies in Social Justice's project of the year award. Each year a person or project is honoured for making an effort to improve the lot of oppressed or marginalized people. Small libraries under review CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Those views were not all shared by the staff of the small libraries, who "vigorously defended" these branches, according to the report. "The ability to serve seniors and children who are within walking distance of the libraries was repeatedly stressed," the report states. "In some cases, it was also felt that future population growth in the hamlets would increasingly justify maintaining the small branches." The issue is not a new one for the Town of Essex, which has already faced the closure threat in relation to the small library in McGregor. "Originally, the library board singled out the McGregor library. That was totally unfair. We told them to look at all the branches," said Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche, who also represents Ward 2. "They said Essex has three libraries, but those libraries serve three different urban areas. You should have libraries where the people are," said Meloche, who maintains that the McGregor library is not large enough and is outdated. "We need to look at that - expand - let's build it larger," he said. As a result of discussions about McGregor's library needs, Meloche said the town has started to budget $50,000 a year to be placed in a reserve fund as a show of support for an expanded facility. The facility needs to be larger to accommodate the needs of the community and should add a French language section and more computers, he said. Edward George, chief librarian for Essex County Library, acknowledged that closing smaller library branches "is one of the issues" addressed in the study, but noted that the draft report does not include recommendations. "It is really at the very early stage. Public meetings have not been scheduled yet," said George. "It is part of a much larger study." "It is months and months away," said George, speaking of recommendations that will be drafted in a final report, which will include input received from public meetings. George said there were many other factors to consider in determining the future of the 14 library branches and the librarydelivery service in Essex County, including population growth and new technology. The draft consultation report also contains the results of an online library user survey, completed by 406 respondents, a random selection of library patrons. The majority of participants, over 92 percent, completed the survey at the library closest to their place of residence. When asked what would encourage them to use a library branch more often, participants asked for an increase in the hours of operation, a wider selection of materials, adult programming, more public workstations, more programs for children, and Sunday openings. Environmental Farm Plan workshop The Essex Soil and Crop Improvement Association will be holding an Ontario Environmental Farm Plan workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 14 starting at 9 a.m. at the Essex Civic Centre, Room C, 360 Fairview Ave. W., Essex. Environmental Farm Plans are assessments voluntarily prepared by farm families to increase their environmental awareness in up to 23 different areas. Through the local workshop process, farmers highlight their farm's environmental strengths, identify areas of concern, and set realistic action plans with timetables to improve environmental conditions. Environmental cost-share programs are available to assist in implementing the projects. For more information, contact Ernie Konrad at 519-825-4588. Need CPR Certification? CPR instruction includes new standards of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. · Heartsaver course (general public): $40.00 · Basic life support for health care provider: $50.00 · Course lasts approximately 3-4 hrs. Includes instruction through DVD video and practical experience with mannequins. · Flexible hours for courses, located in Essex. You will receive: · Resource book with CD · Certification for CPR · Invaluable knowledge of how to save a life Personal and Business Groups are Welcome! Call Jacey or Nicky at (519) 776-4117 Correction: In the last issue of the Essex Free Press we reported that Essex Police Sgt. Gary Gamberta spoke to members of the Essex Retirees' Social Club about phone scams and con artists. Gamberta actually spoke to members of the Essex Ladies Take a Break program.