Wednesday, March 21, 2007 · Page 2 Mandatory membership, BIA levy opposed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Bill Arps, who owns an auto repair shop, brought the petition to the industrial sector. When Arps ran for Ward 1 councillor in November's municipal election, eliminating mandatory BIA membership for business owners was a main part of his platform. He said he was hearing complaints about the levy mostly from members in the industrial sector. Although the petition is titled "Dissolve the BIA," Arps says he simply wants merchants to have the choice about whether or not they want to be represented by the BIA. "All (businesses) want is the opportunity to be treated the same as the other three wards (which don't have a mandatory BIA involvement)," he said. "We are only doing what the merchants asked." Arps said he is not promoting BIA disbandment, but suggested a volunteerbased chamber of commerce as an alternative source of support for businesses. "You've got this many people signing (the petition) and why are they signing it?" Arps said. "What happened to the freedom for Ward 1 merchants? It's gone." Arps said the petition 1 pc. Fish 2nd Piece of Fish $5.00 Children's Meal th would probably be sent to town hall within the next few weeks. Town Clerk Jerry Marion said it must be signed by one-third of local business owners before council will bring it forward for consideration. If that happens, Marion said a notice would be sent to all businesses asking whether they want to continue their membership in the BIA. If more than half of the number of businesses representing more than half of the assessed value of the BIA levy want out, then council can repeal the bylaw that imposes mandatory membership. Marion said the entire process could take months before a final decision is made. In the meantime, business owners like Arlene McCormick of Bennigin's Dining Lounge will continue paying for a service they feel is too costly. "I think the BIA is a great idea my biggest complaint is with the wages," she said. "I think it's a lot of money for what we're getting. I think we need it, but we shouldn't be paying that much into it." If the levy is decreased, many of the advertising and initiatives promotional spearheaded by the BIA to benefit businesses would suffer, said BIA manager Marlene Markham. Markham said when the BIA budget was drafted earlier this month and made available for members to view, only one person visited her office to take a look. She also said during the BIA board's regular meetings, very few members show up to voice their concerns. "We're not getting the feedback," Markham said, adding that when nominations were held for the board in November, only six people came forward, leaving two vacancies. Two people had to be recruited to fill the positions on a board that was made up entirely of returning members, she said. Scarce attendance at meetings and virtually no interest in viewing the budget has Markham puzzled as to why business owners are now coming forward and signing the petition. "If there's that many people (upset), why wouldn't they want to see (the budget)?" she said. Markham expects council to approve the BIA's budget for 2007, which stands at approximately $94,000, up from $85,000 in 2006. She said she believes that without the BIA, local businesses "would have a hard time." K OF C PICKEREL $10.00 Police warn ATV thefts on the rise Essex OPP are warning residents about a "disturbing trend that has surfaced in Essex County." A string of thefts has claimed a number of offroad vehicles, including snowmobiles, dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles. Since Feb. 10, police have investigated three separate incidents regarding a total of six stolen off-road vehicles. The first occurred in Lakeshore, during the early morning hours of Feb. 9. In total, three ATVs were stolen in separate incidents; a 2004 red Arctic Cat, a 2004 green Yamaha Grizzly and a blue Polaris. Police said the Yamaha Grizzly was taken from out of the bed of a pickup truck. On Feb. 10, police believe thieves were after another ATV in Lakeshore when they were scared off by a homeowner's dog. Two weeks later, two more ATVs were stolen from a residence on County Road 14 East in Kingsville. One of the vehicles is a 2005 yellow Suzuki 500 valued at $8,725. The other is a 2005 yellow Suzuki 700 valued at $9,740. Both were being stored on a trailer outside before the theft. Two days later, a red Friday, March 23 Use Entrance off Fairview Parking Lot Rear Entrance Holy Name of Jesus Hall Essex · 4:30-7:00 pm TAKE OUTS AVAILABLE (under 10) Hot Dog, Pop & Chips $2.50 Cabbage Rolls $7.00 $8.00 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF TECUMSEH REQUIRES VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS The Town of Tecumseh Fire Rescue Service is seeking applications from persons interested in serving as Volunteer (partial-paid) Firefighters at Tecumseh Fire Station #1 (985 Lesperance Road) and Station #2 (5520 Walker Road). Persons interested in applying must possess the following skills and education: · Minimum of a Grade Twelve (12) Diploma or equivalent. · Ability to engage in work activities that are physical in nature. Ability to attend required training. · Ability to complete a mandatory training program. · · Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality at all times. · Ability to exercise discretion and tact. · Effective oral communication and strong interpersonal skills to deal with members of the public, and staff. · Good written communication skills. · Possess a valid Class "D" driver's license for the Province of Ontario with a "Z" endorsement in good standing, within one year of employment. Preference will be given to persons: · Possessing First Aid/CPR certification training; Previous related experience and/or training is an asset; and · · Residing within 3.5 kilometres of the Fire Stations. Volunteer Firefighters are subject to the provisions of a Collective Agreement and a probationary period. Compensation is paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement. Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete resume detailing education, experience and references to the undersigned no later than 4:30 pm Thursday, April 5, 2007: Laura Moy, A.M.C.T., Director Staff Services/Clerk Town of Tecumseh 917 Lesperance Road Tecumseh, ON N8N 1W9 Phone : (519) 735-2184 Facsimile : (519) 735-6712 Email :lmoy@tecumseh.ca All applications are appreciated, however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act 2001 and will be used only for candidate selection. Town of/Ville de Lakeshore SHAPE THE FUTURE OF YOUR TOWN The Town of Lakeshore invites the public to attend its next informal Public Open House relating to the new Official Plan, and review draft study(s) and master plans prepared by the Municipality's various consultants. PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE: MARCH 29, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 1303 COUNTY ROAD #22, EMERYVILLE Study(s)/ Master Plans to be discussed Draft Official Plan · A 1st working draft including updated land use policies and identifying growth areas (copy available @ www.lakeshore.ca) Transportation Master Plan Status/ Update · An update regarding the study detailing transportation services and improvements for the municipality Water & Sewer Master Plan Status/ Update · An update regarding the study detailing water and wastewater to service both existing and future development for the municipality Community Services Master Plan · A draft study detailing recreation & leisure services, multi-use facility requirements/ development, heritage, arts & culture and tourism development services and improvements for the municipality The purpose of the Public Open House is to receive your input into the study(s), provide background on the draft study(s) and work done to date on the Master Plans, answer any questions you may have, and help further define and develop creative solutions to address the issues impacting your community. Consultation with the public is a key component in this ongoing process. Information will be available and on display regarding each study. If you are unable to attend the public open house and wished to be notified of future public consultation events regarding these study(s) or master plans, please contact: Sue Mailloux (519) 728-2700 ext. 251 smailloux@lakeshore.ca 1999 Honda ATV, valued at $5,000 was stolen from another nearby residence. On March 14, police recovered three of the stolen ATVs in Kingsville. Two teenaged boys, one from Kingsville and the other from Leamington, were diverted for the thefts through the Windsor-Essex Youth Diversion Program. Additionally, a 37-yearold male resident of Kingsville was was charged in connection with the two ATVs stolen in February. Essex OPP and its street crimes unit are asking people who own theses types of vehicles to anchor them with chains to prevent any further incidents of theft. Many of the ATVs recently stolen were kept in locked buildings, but were not secured with an anchor or chained to a utility trailer, police said. Police are also recommending that owners make the vehicle inoperable by removing the spark plug. Many thieves are simply driving away on the vehicles, police added. "When thieves venture to the small communities of Essex County where everyone knows each other, can any place be safe?" said Const. Janet Hayes in a news release. Police are asking anyone with information about the thefts to call Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477.