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12 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2007 ??????????? ?? ?????? ????? ???????????????????? ?????????????? ??? ??? QUALIFIED TEACHERS Education Finance Plan Available from $120 per month READING WRITING MATH STUDY SKILLS HOMEWORK SUPPORT COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY PREP 27 Woodlawn Rd. W. 160 Kortright Rd.W. (Hartsland Market Square) Tel: 823-5711 Fax: 823-5781 I tried everything to help my son with s chool. I wish wed tried Sylvan first. If your child is struggling in school or just not being challenged enough, call Sylvan today. Our personalized programmes and individual attention can help with reading, math, study skills and ACT or Provincial Test Prep. Why Wait? Call Today. START THE NEW YEAR OFF WITH GOOD GRADES If your child is struggling being challenged enough, FOR FALL EWAG NEWS RINK RESPONSIBILITY: Eden Mills outdoor ice rink at Memorial Park is enjoyed by the surrounding community. Like the other five rinks in Guelph/Eramosa, it is built and maintained by volunteers. The Eden Mills group is disput- ing a volunteer policy proposed by the township. Rebecca Ring Photo Last Call for Seniors Trip to Canada Blooms Would you like to go to Canada Blooms in Toronto this year, but cant stand the thought of driving in the city? Let EWAG take care of that for you. On Friday, March 9, the warm, safe EWAG wheelchair accessible van will be heading down the 401 to enjoy a day at this amazing garden show. Spaces on the bus are limited, so dont delay call today to book your seat. The cost is $35, which includes transportation, entry into the show and the show magazine. Pick-ups are available in Erin, Hillsburgh and Squires Lodge in Rockwood. For more information and to book your spot, please call Mary Ellen at 519-833-0087. EWAGs Thrift Shop in Rockwood Needs Your Help Do you have 3-4 hours per week you can spare to volunteer at EWAG? We are currently looking for volunteers to fill some spots in the thrift shop in Rockwood. If you are a people person, enjoy the idea of working in the ever changing envi- ronment of a used clothing shop, if you dont mind working independently and would like to give back to your community, here is your chance! Please call Sue at 519-856-2113 to discuss the vacancies we currently have. You wont regret it! Annual Income Tax Assistance Available If you live in a household with no dependents with an annual income of $15,000 or less or if you live with dependents and have an annual income of $22,500 or less, you could qualify for free assistance with your income taxes this year. We will be hold- ing a tax clinic the first week of March. For more information please call Gillian at 519-833-9696. Continued on page 16 By Rebecca Ring Since January 2006 , Guelph/Eramosa Township and volunteers who construct and maintain the outdoor ice rinks have been trying to reach an agreement on a pol- icy. The purpose of the policy is to establish guidelines for the staff and volunteers responsible for the manage- ment of outdoor ice rinks and to identify and eliminate the risk for accidents. After months of negotia- tions and consultation with township lawyers and insur- ance professionals, a final draft was proposed but vol- unteers who operate the Eden Mills rink have so far refused to accept the policy. The sticking point is the request for volunteers to document ice inspections in a daily log and to declare the rink open or closed, in- dicated by a sign. Volunteers Reid Kennedy and Alex Weir appeared before council Mon- day to voice the concerns of the group of nine. Used own equipment Weir first constructed a rink in Eden Mills seven years ago using his own equipment. Now the township provides equipment and water for flooding and maintaining the ice on township property. Kennedy thanked council for allowing his group to go forward with the rink despite having no official policy. He said, Weve had one month of good skating and we ap- preciate the effort of council to resolve issues for the vol- unteers in Eden Mills. The last draft of the policy was proposed at the February 5 meeting of council, which Kennedy attended. He took it back to the volunteers and got an opinion on personal liability from a home insur- ance agent. Kennedy said the agent agreed that the volunteers are protected un- der the townships insurance policy but completing a daily inspection log and declaring the rink open/closed incurs a far greater risk of liability in a lawsuit. He added that the volunteers feel the township is putting them in a vulner- able position and they cannot agree to the new policy and will have to cease operations. Weir said he was told that the policy would be based on that of the City of Guelph but they do not require a daily maintenance log or the responsibility to open and close. Covered by Twp. Council lor Breen ex- plained that the volunteers are covered by the township insurance policy and will be less liable if they complete the daily log. Steve Smith, a representative from the townships insurance com- pany, Frank Cowan Ltd., was on hand to clarify is- sues. He said, If an injured party takes action against everybody the township, volunteer committee, and the individual our program provides coverage. He went on to explain that the onus is on the complainant to prove negligence and the best way to prove due diligence is to document and keep records, You need to prove what you did or did not do. He added that it is good risk manage- ment and no different than road maintenance logs. Councillor Knapp said, The intent is to limit the li- ability of the volunteers and show due diligence. Youre not meant to sign your life away. Mayor White asked Smith if the volunteers are more liable if they fill out the log. Smith confirmed that the log would provide a defence if a judge did not accept ver- bal confirmation. The volunteers want town- ship staff to sign inspection logs and declare the rink open/close. Councillor Scott said, To make this work, we will have to sign the log. White retorted, How will we do that on Sunday? He added, We are all trying to get to the same place. We Who is responsible? Volunteers reluctant to sign policy