The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2007 THE NEW TANNER 13 Council ChipsGuelph/ Eramosa by Rebecca Ring Castles TeaBerry Cafe 111 Main St., Rockwood (519) 856-0188 Reservations Highly Recommended Fully Licensed DINNER SPECIALS Plus Regular Menu Items WEDNESDAYS Mussels FRIDAYS Baby Back Ribs SATURDAYS Rib Eye of Beef/ Yorkshire Pudding/ Au Jus GUIDE DOG IN TRAINING: This 12-week old Lab puppy, Sari, is being trained by her foster family to become a very special helper for a visually impaired or otherwise challenged person. The family, who will raise her for just over one year, takes Sari into many different places to get her used to being in public. With Sari, from left, are Jacob Wegman, Adam, Alex and Liz Ostrander, who is also a staff vet for Dog Guides of Canada. To foster a puppy, call 1- 800-768-3030. Rebecca Ring Photo Procurement by-law deferred At the request of council clerk/CAO Sheppard presented a proposed procurement by-law, which would govern the purchases of goods and services and increase overall ac- countability. The sticking point was the statement that formal quotations from $25,000 to $75,000 will be chosen by the department head, submitted to the CAO for approval if terms and conditions are met and the item is under budget. Councillor Knapp said that amount is too high and these purchases should come back to council for final approval. If the amount has already been approved in the budget than why does it need to come back to council? asked Councillor John Scott. Sheppard said this could hold up operations. White suggested that department heads could e-mail council once a budget item is purchased, and if anyone has issues, a special meeting could be called. Council agreed that Public Works Manager Ken Gagnon would need to be consulted, as his department would be most affected. As Gagnon was absent, the decision was deferred. Taxi by-law approved in principle Clerks assistant Meaghen Reid made her first presentation to council regarding a taxi and limousine by-law. The goal is to protect consumers, prevent nuisance, and ensure health and safety. The main point it that any taxi or limousine work- ing in the township must be licenced in the municipality in which it is based. White congratulated Reid on a job well done, and council approved the draft in principle. Breen added that staff directly contact operators based in the township. Environmental Committee report Scott updated council on the Environmental Committees progress. Each member submitted ideas, including build- ing and school programs to reduce waste and use energy efficiently, education in responsible agricultural practices, in- creasing roadside biodiversity, reviewing waste management, identification of old growth trees as heritage trees, addressing septic waste disposal, reviewing the official plan, greening power sources, terminating cosmetic pesticide use, branding the township as green and identifying its natural features. The next meeting will feature township planner Bernie Hermsen discussing zoning. Heritage wishes to honour vets Council agreed to fly more flags at Rockwoods cenotaph in honour of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, as 2007 marked the 90th anniversary. Mayor White pointed out that it is meant as a tribute to all veterans, not just WWI. We are currently at war, and the idea here is to bring rec- ognition of the sacrifices made for our freedom to the front and centre of peoples minds, said White. There were some concerns regarding protocol. The committee will meet with the presidents of area Royal Canadian Legions before any decisions are made. Guelph/Eramosa currently has no fencing regulations to govern height, location, and prohibit hazardous or inappropriate fencing materials such as barbed wire, chicken wire, etc. Clerk/CAO Janice Sheppard presented a proposed by-law to council as a result of complaints and inquiries from resi- dents, especially in urban areas. With increased growth and density, fencing becomes an important step for homeowners to protect children, pets or simply for privacy. Suitable standards are necessary, Sheppard says. The proposed by-law was modeled after the City of Guelphs because they have a very good template. She pointed out that the by-law only addresses residen- tial fences, not agricultural. This was the sticking point that resulted in deferring the by-law for revisions. Councillor Doug Breen said a category is needed for property that abuts agricultural land. Mayor Chris White said, Make it simpler. Define urban areas, and properties that abut agricultural lands dont apply. Council also agreed that specific definitions are needed for hazardous and scrap materials after Councillor Roger Knapp pointed out that railway ties leach creosote, a harmful toxin. Council working on fence by-law An automobile is usually the second most valuable purchase that people make in their lives. Wellington OPP would like to remind the public of the need to protect this purchase and prop- erty from would be thieves. With warmer temperatures and some have the win- dows down to keep the auto from getting too hot inside; thieves find this time of year ideal for stealing from the insecure autos or even taking the car itself. Here are some tips that may prove useful in pro- tect ing yourself f rom becoming the next victim: * Take your keys. Statis- tics show one out of every five vehicles stolen had the keys left in the car. * Lock and secure your car even if you are at home. Almost half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked. * Dont hide a second set of keys in your car. Extra keys can easily be found if a thief takes time to look. * Park in well-lighted areas. * Dont leave your car run- ning unattended. Vehicles are commonly stolen at con- venience stores, gas stations, ATMs, etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on days when the owner leaves the vehicle running to just run inside the store for a second... * Completely close car win- dows when parking. Dont make it any easier for the thief to enter your vehicle. * Hide your valuables and packages. Dont make your car a more desirable target for thieves by leav- ing valuables in plain sight. * Never leave your purse or wallet in the car, take them with you or leave them at home. Two Acton teens and a young offender from Guelph have been charged following a mischief spree on Saturday June 16, involving mailbox smashing on Wellington Road 50 and Wellington Road 24 in Erin Twp. Officers found a total of 14 victims with mailboxes and solar lights damaged, with a total damage of approximately $1,250. Wellington OPP officers 17-year-old male from Guelph with14 counts of mischief and 1 count of possession of stolen property he appears in Guelph Youth Court on July 25. Two 19-year-old Acton teens are charged with 14 counts of mischief and 1 count of possession of stolen property. Both appear in Guelph Court on July 23. Three charged in mischief spree Some tips to avoid car theft