Wednesday, April 4, 2007 · Page 2 `Stepping stone' to arena completion in place, says councillor CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "Even if we had a facility oday without any structural oncerns, recognizing our udget today, we'd still have o give consideration to the trains on ice time," he said. Scheduling problems ave forced the Essex Minor ockey Association to rent ce from an arena in eamington to accommodate the EMHA's 500 players. "Now that we've got the provincial funding, I don't know what the stumbling block is," Voakes said. "Collectively as a council, we should commit and move forward." Voakes said fundraising will be stimulated if residents and corporations are told that council is behind the project "100 per cent." The $2.5 million provincial commitment came as the result of an increase in rural infrastructure grants announced March 23 upon the release of the 2007 budget. Mayor Ron McDermott received a phone call from Essex MPP Bruce Crozier prior to the announcement telling him to "put the cheque in the bank." "We were praying for it and we got it," McDermott said. "It'll be used for building a twin pad arena or a single pad at least." The Arena Steering Committee met with architects Rounthwaite, Dick and Hadley this week and are expecting to receive a cost analysis for the project in the near future. The 411 on 211 Following the approval in February by Essex County Council, Windsor City Council has voted to support 211 service for residents. The 211 service is a three-digit phone number providing free, confidential, multilingual access to information about the full range of community, social, health and government services. Just as 911 means access to emergency services, 211 is the pathway to these nonemergency human services. All 211 calls are answered by live operators who are certified information specialists. They will assess each caller's needs and link them to the best services and programs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A version of the comprehen- sive, continually updated 211 database will also be available on the Internet. Windsor City Council has not only agreed to help fund 211 service but also to provide the service through its 311 call centre. Sheila Wisdom, Executive Director of the United Way / Centraide - WindsorEssex County, described 211 as the best possible way to connect people with the health and human services that are available to them. She lauded both councils for their commitment to the well being of residents of the City and the County. "City and County Councils have together taken a huge step toward building upon the assets that already exist in our community. The current economic realities have meant that many people who have never needed help before need it now. Most of these people have no idea where to find that help. 211 will Essex Ward 1 Coun. Randy Voakes ensure that the people who need these services can easily find them." The 211 service will be delivered by City of Windsor 311 with funding from the County of Essex, City of Windsor and United Way. United Way has always provided financial support for information and referral services. With the participation of the City of Windsor and the County of Essex, United Way funding is leveraged to create a service which will be available around the clock, every day of the year. It is expected that 211 will begin operation in the late fall of 2007. The service has been available to residents in Toronto since June 2002; in started up in 2004 it Edmonton; and in the spring of 2005 it was introduced in Calgary. With these three centres operating, 15 per cent of Canada's population has access to 211. In the United States, where 211 started in 1997, 137 million people (46 per cent of the population) now have 211 access. K OF C PICKEREL 1 pc. Fish 2nd Piece of Fish $5.00 Children's Meal $10.00 Friday, April 6th Holy Name of Jesus Hall Essex · 4:30-7:00 pm Use Entrance off Fairview Parking Lot Rear Entrance TAKE OUTS AVAILABLE (under 10) Hot Dog, Pop & Chips $2.50 PASTA AVAILABLE $7.00 CARPENTRY SERVICES Specializing in Kitchens & Bathrooms and all your interior & exterior needs. STEVE WOJTALA Call 519-776-4268 ADVERTISE! IT PAYS TO 519-687-3955 · Comber, Ontario