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10 | 08 | 2015 VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 41
REGISTRY MARKS 15TH YEAR WITH EXPANDED LINEUP ARTS PAGE 16
COMMENT PAGE 6
IT’S NOW UP TO WOOLWICH TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT
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OUT FOR A COLOURFUL RIDE
Parents fear region could close Elmira child care centre LIZ BEVAN PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN Elmira could soon be without a local public child care centre if Waterloo council decides to follow recommendations made by an outside consulting firm. The Region of Waterloo is trying to save a few million dollars, and KPMG has suggested closing all five publicly-funded child care centres run by the municipality, including the Elmira Children’s Centre on Mockingbird Drive. At a public meeting in Waterloo council chambers on Sept. 30, parents from all over the area were very vocal about their objections to the potential closure. Julie Forth has two children who have been enrolled at the Elmira centre for the past two years and says if the centre were to close, it would be a big loss for the residents of Woolwich. “I can’t say enough wonderful things about our experience there and the excellent program they offer for young kids,” she said in an email to the Observer. “If this centre were to close, I really believe that this would be a great loss to the community. The Region currently provides a child care program that is high quality. CHILD CARE | 2
Katelyn Culliton, Arlene Pol and Robbin Hewitt get pumped up for the annual Ride For Refuge in Bloomingdale on Oct. 3. Almost 1,000 riders braved the frigid weather and raised over $342,000 for 53 charities. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]
Woolwich reverses Breslau school decision Township ready to sell parkland to Catholic board for $1.75 million, with money to fund park upgrades
STEVE KANNON A FLIP-FLOPPING COUN. MARK Bauman delivered up a chunk of Breslau parkland for a new Catholic elementary school Tuesday night. His vote, coupled with that of Coun. Scott Hahn, who missed last week’s meeting, was enough to reverse Woolwich council’s decision about the controversial joint project on
township land. The new vote was 4-2 in favour (Patrick Merlihan and Larry Shantz stayed the course), whereas councillors were opposed 3-2 at the Sept. 29 committee of the whole meeting. The decision clears the way for the township to sell a portion of Breslau Memorial Park to the Waterloo Catholic District School BRESLAU | 28