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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 11THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, MAY 17, 201810 Around TownROCKWOODThe Miller Did you receive an emergency alert on May 7, and do you believe they are necessary? with Vivien Fleisher WORD IN THE VILLAGE Pete Degan: "Yes, I did. Of course, I think it's absolutely necessary. I think in our times, when there are so many bad things happening in the world, the little that we all can pitch in and help each other makes for a better world." Tom Delmoro: "No, not on May 7. I wasn't in town. Today, I did; I got an amber alert. I do think it's necessary. I think it's brilliant. It gives people a heads up to keep an eye out." Peter Guillemette: "Yes, I did. I do think it's necessary to let people be aware of emergencies sooner." Scott Currie: "Yes. They issued two amber alerts today. It's definitely necessary for those. Although, it can be a little startling when you are driving because they are so loud. It can be distracting." Guelph / Eramosa CounCil Chips By: Vivien Fleisher Financials "Consistant" RLB Chartered Account- ants Murray Short and Michelle Steele presented GET's financial report card up to December 2017. The overall picture was solid and steady, with the town funding a lot of infrastruc- ture through judicious use of debt. Short described Guelph/Eramosa as a di- verse municipality that, especially compared to others who refuse to take on any debt, is paying it down steadily while meeting the needs of the township. He added that the organiza- tion is in a strong position by doing a good job fund- ing capital asset additions. At the conclusion, Coun- cillor Bouwmeester agreed that "everything is hunky dory", while Mayor White affirmed, "the reality is we do take it seriously. Every- one's doing a great job." Provincial Emergency Management: Wireless Public Alerts Well ington County Community Emergency Management Coordinator Linda Dickson presented two reports regarding emergencies. The first gave an overview of provincial practices begun in 2016, completed last August that resulted in 52 recommen- dations from four different reports, most famously the 2013 ice storm and the El- liot Lake inquiry. Climate change looms large through- out. Report two covered wireless alerts; tests went out that day--May 7--al- though not all received them as some phones are in- compatible. Initiated by the CRTC in 2009, by 2014 the "Alert Ready System" was mandatory for broadcast- ers. Since Canadians have shifted en masse to mobile devices, and away from landlines, the onus falls on wireless service providers to take on the National Pub- lic Alerting System. If the county wants a message to go out however, they must go through the province, not directly. Camp Brebeuf Chief Building Official Dan Sharina presented a request by Camp Brebeuf owners for a conditional permit agreement to expand and renovate the dining and assembly hall at the camp. The Catholic Youth Organ- ization through the Diocese of Hamilton must assume all risks of starting before per- mit requirements are met, necessitating a $40,000 security deposit to be put in place should the pro- ject fail to be completed. A normal permit could not be issued because of sep- tic issues. The applicant was present to explain the non-denominational nature of the organization, citing their presence in the com- munity for almost 80 years, while clarifying the changes they were making, and that they didn't have the budget for the security deposit, but emphasizing they will finish the building. Mayor Chris White responded that it was council's responsibility to protect the municipal- ity and didn't want to set a precedent. Sharina said that whether the amount was $40 or $20,000, it still would not cover the real cost, so council agreed to lower the deposit to $20,000, ad- mitting the risks are not especially high. Mayor White added that "with 4H at the top of the hill, and Camp Brebeuf in town, they bring hundreds of kids into town" which boosts Rock- wood's downtown. Older Adult Centre Gets Financial Boost Parks and Rec Direc- tor Robin Milne was very pleased to announce an "in- fusion" of just over $42,000 annually in funding to the Older Adult Centre pro- gramming. After years of building up programming through a variety of large and small one-time grants, this year they start receiv- ing the SALC grant for which they must report on targets. In applying, they stated their primary need for staff: coordinator Mel- issa Biffis will now be free to expand programming, while a part-time employ- ee can physically oversee existing programs, such as welcoming at events, etc. Milne played a recently produced video about the senior's program, which Mayor White loved. By: Vivien Fleisher Rockwood Lioness Doris Ens is a dynamo. At 82, she still has the energy and enthusiasm to pull off one of Rockwood's biggest events: the Good Brothers Dinner and Dance at Rock- mosa to raise funds for the Walk to End Cancer. Using her personal connection to the band from manag- ing a bar years ago, Doris started out helping daugh- ter Colleen raise the funds needed to enter the Prin- cess Margaret cancer fund raiser. Each walker had to raise $2,000 for the two- day event. That eventually turned into $1,500 for one day, but either way it was a tall order, so she stepped in to help out 11 years ago. The team was origin- ally five, but last year the numbers dwindled rapidly when one walker had a heart attack, and Doris's own daughter died sud- denly one week after the concert last May. Doris was convinced she would not go on with the concert. But one year on from that devastating loss, she decided to give it one more go in Colleen's hon- our, and the band was still willing. What makes this event particularly success- ful is her personal touch: not only does she success- fully collect donations from local businesses for the gift baskets raffled off during the evening, she follows through afterward, personally delivering hand-written thank you notes to all. People say to her it's a lot of work but she wouldn't have it any other way, adding she knows sometimes mer- chants don't receive any follow-up after they do- nate. It's why this year there were 73 baskets up for grabs, at a combined value of over $7,000. Add to that the 50/50 draw that pulled in so much money this year they split it over three draws--any leftover funds will go to help walk- ers elsewhere who couldn't raise the $1,500. But that wasn't all: for Mother's Day, Doris put her artistic talent on display and pre- sented the band's wives with framed pictures she made herself. Doris was recently hon- oured at Guelph/Eramosa Council for her volunteer- ing and dedication, with Mayor White describing her as "a warm caring indi- vidual" and "an inspiration to the community." At Saturday's concert, newly minted Senator Rob- ert Black presented her with the 2018 Commun- ity Recognition Award for Guelph/Eramosa. As for next year, she says every- one's getting older, but if she and the Goods are good, it'll be another go. 11th Annual Good Brothers Concert in Rockwood huge success The Good Brothers' wives, Beth, Susan and Margaret, received beautiful artwork from Doris Ens (second from right).