The United Way of Bruce Grey is 100 backpacks away from its 2008 total!

August 6, 2009

The United Way of Bruce Grey is once again seeing an unprecedented increase in need in the community due to economic pressures.

This will be the 5th year that the United Way has sought to provide back to school supplies to low income families throughout the region. In 2008 the United Way saw a tripling of the need, when the back to school allowance was removed from families on government assistance.

At that time, it was hoped that the peak had been reached and the need would stabilize.

But the economy is challenging and jobs paying living wages are difficult to find, so the need is increasing.

The number of requests is already at 1105, in 2008 a total of 1240 backpacks were required to meet the need. The United Way anticipates a need of at least 1500 with the possibility of reaching 2000.

“The agencies in the region provide us with a list of what they need for their clients, we know these families are in need,” Francesca Dobbyn Executive Director of the United Way of Bruce Grey states. “We’ve been also fortunate to have the two county social services departments communicate to their clients that this is a service they can access.”

The United Way has heard directly from teachers that the program is significant in reducing bullying and the marginalization of poor students. “The kids show up on the first day of school with all the tools they need, no one stands out as poor” Dobbyn asserts, “our goal is to have a backpack in these kids’ hands prior to the Labour Day weekend.”

The United Way is looking for support from the community for this project. “We were fortunate this year to get a summer student grant and Michael Hay is running the project for us. It’s very labour intensive, but it also means that all the donations go directly to providing the supplies, not to administration,” Dobbyn adds.

Donations can be made at Staples in Owen Sound, any TD Bank or Meridian Credit Union in Bruce and Grey Counties, or at by visiting the United Way at 380 9th Street East Owen Sound. Mastercard and VISA donations can be made by calling 519 376 1560 during regular business hours.

For more information please call Francesca at 519 376 1560

-30-

United Way of Bruce Grey
380 9th St. East
Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 1P1
ph: 519-376-1560 fax: 519-376-5458
www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com
www.informationbrucegrey.ca
www.volunteerconnection.ca
www.211brucecounty.ca
www.211greycounty.ca

Written by Deb · Filed Under Community, Participation, Press Release, The Area

Open letter to Mayor Lovell and Owen Sound City Council

July 27, 2009

July 21, 2009
Open letter to Mayer Lovell and Owen Sound City Council
Re. Sydenham Holdings development proposition and proposed change in zoning

Dear Mayor Lovell and Council,

Last night, I attended a portion of the Council Meeting after reading Christy Hempel’s column in the Sun Times. Unfortunately, I did not read the article until five minutes before my arrival at City Hall, too late to hear the presentation of Sydenham Holdings, citizens input or the debate. Thus if my remarks are redundant, I apologize.

Firstly I wish to acknowledge the very difficult job you are faced with in these difficult economic times and facing challenges of a magnitude such as climate change hitherto undreamed of, or should I say unnightmared of! Additionally, I want to say, knowing several of you personally, I am sure of your sincerity in desiring a sustainable future for the citizens of Owen Sound.

Having said that I wish to share some comments and concerns arising from the reading of Ms. Hempel’s article and subsequent attendance at the Council meeting.

Let me vigorously voice my support for the substance of Ms. Hempel’s column, specifically her call for development in accordance with Ontario’s “Smart Growth” policies. I would as vigorously support her suggestion that council “review the long-range vision for our commercial area on the east side”.

Last night I heard several councilors talk about the responsibility Owen Sound has as regional centre. Hear, hear. I also heard enthusiastic reference for the prospective increased tax revenues that would ensue as a result of this development proposal. One question this raises is this proposal part of a sustainable solution to the economic problems we face as a city?

In about 1965 Owen Sound in what certainly seemed a good decision gave, as in zero cost, a piece of land to PPG to build a plant. It can’t be argued that this did create both revenue from taxes and many jobs for over forty years. With the recent closure, by definition, this has to be deemed, by definition, a non sustainable initiative. Was there an alternative that could have been pursued that would have been sustainable? I don’t know. Could the council of the day been more perspicacious in their decision making? It is hard to imagine given the virtually consonant world view at time.

These same conditions do not maintain today. We have knowledge of climate change. We have knowledge of peak oil and natural gas. With the greatest of respect to LEED(Leadership in Environmental and Sustainable Design) Gold designation, to point to having a big box retail development, epitomizing urban sprawl, achieving a LEED Gold standard as an example of sustainable development is akin to applauding the attachment of flotation devices to deck chairs on the Titanic.

In conversation with local Engineer Jim Farmer today, he told me the cost gap between goods imported from China and those manufactured locally has narrowed to five percent from the previous 20-30 percent. What happens when the products contained in “Big Box” retail are not cheap because of the cost of shipping, regardless of manufacturing costs? What happens when people won’t drive distances to shop because the cost of fuel has doubled tripled or quadrupled in cost. These circumstances, according to lots of people way smarter than me are a when not an if proposition. Not to mention the morality of burning carbon in a climate change crisis world.

May I respectfully suggest that Owen Sound can take a real leadership role in developing a sustainable, region with a healthy economy by helping to develop a regional plan based on self sufficiency and vertical integration That is, we eat food and consume goods and services produce and process and manufactured here. I moved here because I saw in Grey-Bruce the possibility of a sustainable, self-sufficient bio region for my children and future grandchildren to live in.. And I am not saying 100 percent. I want my fair trade coffee too. But could we shoot for 80 percent self-sufficiency.

I would urge you; no beg you, on behalf of the future generations, to be the exception as political leaders and develop a long term vision that is truly sustainable, not just pay lip service to the notion and be complicit in “Greenwashing”.

After attending last night’s meeting I called a friend, a local business man deeply involved with local affairs who cares deeply about a sustainable future for our community. I asked where were the people who share these values at last night’s meeting. He said sadly, “people don’t believe that council will listen”. I am sure that is not true of all of the councilors all of the time, but for it to be said at all, for me, is a problem.

Prove him wrong, please.

Sincerely,
Kevin Best

Written by Deb · Filed Under Community, Guest Post, theOwen

A Knight Out in Owen Sound – Music & Movies at Kelso Beach

July 22, 2009

The Celebrate Summer Owen Sound Music & Movies series runs Friday nights (July 17, 24, 31, August 7 and 21). Enjoy a movie and some musical talent.

Friday, July 17 was the first in the series at the Kelso Beach Park Amphitheatre featuring area artist Erica Knight. Some compare her sounds to the likes of Kt Tunstall, the folk-rock bounce of Natalie Merchant and at times the country-soul groove of Norah Jones.

Details for each music and movie night can be foiund on the Celebrate Owen Sound website

Written by Deb · Filed Under Community, Concerts, Feature Video, Get Out, Music, Owen Sound, Video, fun

Harry Potter Event at the Galaxy

July 16, 2009

For all you Harry Potter fans out there… the next installment of the magical world is upon us. Harry Potter The Half-Blood Prince is now showing at the Galaxy Cinemas in Owen Sound.

In conjunction with this there is a contest… All you have to do is visit the Galaxy Cinemas between July 15 – 19th, 2009 for a chance to enter to win the “Bruce Grey Magical Aventure” Raffle. The winner will receive a backpack filled with great Grey Bruce adventures including: Admissions to area attractions, Tickets to Special Eents, Golf Opportunities, Dining Experiences, A night out at Galaxy Cinemas and much more! All proceedss from the raffle go to the United Way of Bruce Grey’s Back-Pack program. Full prize list and available at the Galaxy Cinemas.

This magical event is sponsored by: Cineplex, Getaway to Grey, Bruce County, Staples, United Way and Warner Bros.

Check out the great photos of the Galaxy staff getting the place all Hogwarted up and ready for the event. A great big thank you to Francesca Dobbyn of the United Way of Bruce Grey for supplying the photos.