ACCIDENT & INJURY
LEAMINGTON 1-888-827-0731 HIGHWAY 3 BYPASS - LEAMINGTON
•Car Accident •Slip & Fall •Medical Malpractice
519-258-6490
AARON SETTERINGTON www.southpointford.ca 1-888-827-0731
www.gregmonforton.com
Volume 4, Issue 12
THE BEST KEEPS GETTING BETTER
Quality Windows and Doors
AUTHORIZED FACTORY DEALER
Exceptional Value 0% INTEREST for 12 months O.A.C. CANADIAN MADE
1964 Rd 3 East Kingsville
519-326-8551
(west of the new roundabout) Mon - Fri 7:30 - 5 , Sat 8 - 12 www.tmurrexteriors.com
family dental care dr. karen archer D.D.S.
Mon 8 am - 4:30 pm Tues 8 am - 6 pm Thurs 8 am - 6 pm Fri 8 am - 12:30 pm 57 Erie St. N. Leamington
519-326-3313
www.leamington-dentist.com
Mechanical Contractors Limited Home Comfort Systems
PLUMBING ELECTRICAL WATER HEATERS HEATING COOLING
REBATES or
FINANCING March 25 - June 14
1559 ALBUNA TOWNLINE S., LEAMINGTON
519-326-9259
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
FREE
www.southpointsun.ca
Major investment in Leamington’s road system announced Road improvement work is set to begin soon at one of Leamington’s busiest intersections – Erie Street South and Oak Street – thanks to funding announced April 11th by the Government of Canada and the Municipality of Leamington. Federal Gas Tax funding is being used to improve the intersection with the addition of new left-turn lanes. As well, the traffic signal system and street lights are being replaced with more energy-efficient LED systems. Finally, the nearby Heinz Parkette will receive a new landscape feature, and a nearby pedestrian trail is being extended so that walkers, joggers and cyclists can more easily access the trail. Together, these changes will reduce commute times, reduce energy costs, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, promote alternative modes of transportation and beautify the area. “With the start of a new construction season, there is no better time to celebrate road upgrades that will contribute to the creation of local jobs and long-term economic growth in Leamington,” said the MP for Chatham-Kent-Essex, Dave Van Kesteren, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. “Not only will these investments improve commute times and road safety, they will also reduce future maintenance costs and save taxpayers’ money.” “The Municipality views the Erie/Oak intersection as an important people mover, including vehicles, walkers and cyclists,” said John Paterson, Mayor of the Municipality of Leamington. “Getting rid of the old infrastructure, providing a better design and installing energy efficient and reliable LED lighting and traffic signals is long overdue.” The Municipality of Leamington will use just over $1 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund transfer towards this project. The total cost for the improvements is close to $2.1 million. The Gas Tax Fund, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, provides long-term funding to help every municipality across the country build and revitalize public infrastructure. The Government of Canada has invested over $10 billion to date in municipal infrastructure through this fund alone, which is now a permanent transfer of $2 billion per year. Between 2010 and 2014, the Municipality of Leamington will receive $3,537,809 from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure. “Canada’s Gas Tax Fund acknowledges that all orders of government must work together to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in our municipalities,” said Russ Powers, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). “Stable and predictable, the Gas Tax Fund is supporting long-term investment in local priority projects right across Ontario.” Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports Canada’s infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
Leamington budget passed: 1.32% increase for urban, .89% increase for rural
By Bill Chaplin, Municipal Correspondent At the Monday, April 15th Leamington Council meeting, final approval was given to the 2013 Municipal Budget. The taxes you will be paying are a combination of the municipal levy, the county levy and the school levy. This year that totals a 1.32% increase for those paying the urban rate and 0.89% for all others. To apply this to the average household within the Municipality of Leamington it equates to $35 more for an urban house valued at $150,000 or $21 for a rural dwelling of the same value. The urban rate is always a bit higher than the general rate due to the costs of street lighting, sewer maintenance, and servicing the debt related to the pollution control plant, but this year there is an added $1,378,500 in planned capital expenditures as well. One of these, the Erie Street South Pumping Station construction, is carried forward from last year when it was begun. Since its total budget is well over $600,000, it accounts for about half of the capital projects being charged to the urban levy. Of your total tax bill, 63.2% is money the municipality collects for its own use. 24.8% of your taxes are for the county levy, and 12.0% is for schools.
Asset Management Software Purchased
Municipalities had it made clear to them that in order to qualify for upper tier government grants they would have to have an asset management plan in place by the end of this year. That is why money was in the budget to purchase the necessary software and expert training. Monday evening Leamington Council approved the price of $46,099 (+HST) for this item. Leamington already has a tangible capital asset inventory. This software will help staff keep track of the life expectancy of these assets and the budgeting appropriate for their replacement and maintenance.
2013 Jetta Trendline Plus Own From
Autobahn for All
$129 2.4% Freight and PDI included $0 5 Speed Manual Transmission • Air Conditioning • Heated Seats • Cruise Control $18,960 6-way Manually Adjustable Front Seats • Remote Central Locking System bi-weekly for 84 months* +HST
Sales Event
ice Sales and Serv
519-326-1156
LEAMINGTON’S ONLY FULL SERVICE RV DEALER
New Models Arriving Daily!
www.sturgeonwoodsrv.com “Stop by for a visit!”
APR
down payment
MSRP
WINNER OF THE
VOLKSWAGEN OF WINDSOR
+HST
10280 Tecumseh Rd. East Windsor 519-735-7706 www.vwofwindsor.com