DRAINAGE PLAN SPLITS COMMUNITY Colchester Country Club divided CURTAIN CALL FOR LOCAL CAR BUFF `71 Dodge Charger to be filmed HOME ICE FAILS TO INSPIRE ESSEX 73'S Penetang leads series 2-1 See NEWS Page 3 See COMMUNITY Page 11 See SPORTS Page 17 $1.00 "Serving Essex and Community Since 1896" (GST included) Whole Number 6236 Registration No. 08565 Volume 128 No. 18 Phone: 519-776-4268 Fax: 519-776-4014 519-776-4021 32D Arthur Ave., Essex Wednesday, May 2, 2007 http://essexfreepress.reinvented.net Economic group to transform input into action BY ANDY COMBER Over 120 people, representing a broad cross-section of the community, contributed their input at the first economic summit hosted April 28 by the Shores of Essex Resource Corporation (SOERC), a not-forprofit group working to build a strong local economy with a thriving tourism industry. Held at the Canadian Transportation Museum and Historic Village, the event was designed to solicit ideas on economic development and tourism that SOERC can use to create a strategic plan for the Town of Essex. "All great ideas remain a great idea without a plan," said Bill Baker, president of SOERC. "We can't do it alone, we need he input of every citizen," he said. The summit opened with a numer of guest speakers, who outlined he realities and changes affecting he local economic landscape. "Large business is not creating he jobs," said keynote speaker atthew Fischer, CEO of the indsor-Essex County Developent Commission. SEE ECONOMIC, PAGE 2 Spring tea honours war brides BY ANDY COMBER Andy Comber / Free Press FOND MEMORIES Essex resident Bernadette Szejbut views a wartime photo album containing pictures of her husband William, during a gathering of war brides at the Church of the Living Word in Woodslee, April 24. The event organized by Joanne McMurren was attended by about 120 people, including 35 war brides. Smiles, laughter, songs and tears were all a part of the mix at a special celebration held in Woodslee April 24 to honour war brides who made Windsor and Essex County their home. "These are remarkable ladies," said Joanne McMurren, who decided to organize the luncheon after learning that many of the women had missed celebrations in 2006, the "Year of the War Bride." "We are here to recognize their sacrifices, and their contributions," McMurren said. Although they were the guests of honour, the 35 war brides in attendance rose to their feet, leading a standing ovation in honour of McMurren for creating "a most memorable event." The local war brides were among 45,000 British and European women who left behind everything that was familiar to start a new life in post-war Canada, in the process creating some of the most fascinating and romantic stories of World War II. SEE WAR BRIDES, PAGE 9