Wednesday, January 3, 2007 · Page 3 March Despite a call for more transparency in the budget process from Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara and Deputy Mayor Tom Burton, county council approved a 2006 capital and operating budget of about $98.7 million, an increase of $5.7 million over the previous year's budget. O Steven Richardson, secretary of the Essex Fun Fest Board, was named one of the top four special events volunteers in Ontario at the annual Festival and Events Conference held in Niagara Falls. At the same event, the Essex Fun Fest was recognized as one of the Top 50 Festivals in Ontario for the second year in a row. O Repairs to the town's cannon got underway as the wooden wheels were removed and sent off for refurbishing. After sandblasting was completed in late September, an inscription revealed that the artillery piece was manufactured in 1905 in Essen, Germany. The cannon, which has stood guard since coming to Essex after the First World War, is 101 years old. The project was jointly undertaken by the Rotary Club of Essex and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 201. O The EDHS senior boys' basketball team took the 2006 A/AA WECSSAA title, defeating the Walkerville Tartans 49-46. Their quest for a berth in the OFSAA finals, however, came to an abrupt end when they were ousted by the Chatham-John McGregor Panthers 51-44. O The junior girls' volleyball team came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the General Amherst Bulldogs and capture the 2006 WECSSAA A/AA championship. The girls went on to take their third straight SWOSSAA title. O The Essex Area Food Bank celebrated its 10-year anniversary. Founder and coordinator Eileen Clifford reported that the food bank helps about 1,200 people a month. O The Essex Retirees Social Club celebrated the organization's 30th anniversary with an open house and recognized seven founding and pivotal members including Phyllis Armstrong, Eunice Henderson, Mary Malott, Ethel Queen, Lois Tapping, Ted Wilcox and Norma Scarlett. O Members of the CAW Local 444 chose International Women's Day, March 8, as the day to protest changes in the national child care program. Union members marched outside the Essex office of MP Jeff Watson to voice their concern about the Conservative government's plans to cancel childcare agreements reached between the previous Liberal government and the provinces. The government's plan to pay childcare subsidies directly to parents took effect in July. O Essex town council put the wheels in motion for a 10-year roads plan by directing the administration to prepare a plan for paving all gravel roads in the municipality. In September, council approved the $21.5-million plan to pave about 80 kilometres of roads. Work on the project is expected to begin in June 2007 and will include Laird Avenue, Alice Street and the Gesto Sideroad. O Canadian Olympic gold medalist Meghan Agosta signed autographs and dropped the ceremonial first puck at an Essex 73's playoff game against the Dresden Jr. Kings. The 73's eliminated Dresden in four games to advance to the Great Lakes Junior C finals. O The Red Raider boys' hockey team clinched the 2006 SWOSSAA Hockey Championship and advanced to the OFSAA finals in Timmins where they placed third. O Two St. Thomas of Villanova High School students won gold at a landscaping competition at the Canada Blooms show in Toronto. Josh Martin of Essex and Ryan Girard of McGregor competed against seven teams from high schools across Ontario and won first place for constructing the most imaginative garden. O Details of the United Way 2005 campaign released this month showed a decline in donations, causing the agency to withdraw funding for four area social service agencies including Community Living Essex County. Financial support for Community Living Windsor, Children's Crisis Service and the residential program of St. Leonard's House was also withdrawn. O Power companies began conducting studies in Essex County to determine suitable locations for wind farms. By November, two sites in close proximity to Essex had been identified the proposed North Malden Wind Farm, located southwest of Essex, and the Naylor Wind Farm northeast of the town. If approved, construction could start in June 2009, according to Gengrowth, a Toronto-based wind energy company. For All Your Financial & Insurance Needs... See Us Today! DPM INSURANCE GROUP Phone: (519) 776-6457 29 Talbot Street North, Essex, Ontario TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE WWW,FORSYTHTRAVEL.COM Established in 1948 · OT 0046911 76 TALBOT ST. N. Feb 14 & 15 - Valentines, Brantford & Niagara Falls, Music Show, Meals & Winery $239.00 Feb. 19 - Mar. 10 - Arizona, Las Vegas, New Mexico, Grand Canyon & more $2799.00 Mar. 19 - 28 - Myrtle Beach, ocean front rooms, breakfasts $1229.00 Apr. 2 - 6 - Blossom Time, Penn Dutch, Lancaster & Washington DC $749.00 Apr. 16 - 21 - Branson, 5 shows incl. Mickey Gilley, Bill Medley, Roy Rogers museum $899.00 May 10 - 11 - Tulip Time, Holland Michigan, & Turkeyville Dinner Theatre $219.00 May 15 - 17 - Chicago, city tour, Navy Pier, Tommy Guns dinner show & more $365.00 Jul 4-14 - Alaska Cruise and tour with Holland America...from $4325.00 Jul 4-11 - Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Holland America from $2575.00 All pricing includes tax and is in Canadian dollars. TRAVEL Ltd. ESSEX 776-6439 April Essex County Council and the City of Windsor agreed to form a new regional economic development commission to draw business to the region. A new board of directors was formed and Remo Mancini was elected as its new chairman in October. The new board includes the chief administration officers for the City of Windsor and the County of Essex as the funders of the commission, and nine other members selected from applicants representing a range of economic sectors and business development experience. O The Essex 73's clinched their fourth Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League title in five years when they defeated the Wheatley Sharks 2-1. Despite a valiant effort, they would be dethroned as Ontario champions by the Penetang Kings in a five-game series. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 169 IRWIN AVE. Phone: 776-8699 Ages 3 Months - 12 Years Quality Child Care with a Before/After School Age Program. Hrs. 6:00 am - 6:00 pm Open House and Information Night For Grade 8 Students and Their Parents/Guardians Essex District High School Your Community High School For PARENTS (Begin your night in the library) We Welcome....Anderdon, A.V. Graham, Colchester North, Gosfield North, Holy Name, Maidstone Central, Maplewood, Puce, St. John, St. Mary, St. Ursule · OVERVIEW OF EXPECTATIONS of High School · ACADEMIC INFORMATION · LEARNING SUPPORT TEACHER AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS Tuesday, January 16, 2007 7:00 P.M. sharp Please enter by the front door For GRADE 8 STUDENTS (Begin your night in Gym B) · Tours of each Grade 9 classroom area with teacher overview/question period · Display of clubs, teams, organizations in hallways · Option sheet package available for those who do not receive it at their home school The Essex 73's celebrate their fourth Great Lakes Junior `C' Hockey League championship in ive years in early April. Please feel free to call the Student Service Office at the school if you require further information 776-7344