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www.gregmonforton.com Volume 1, Issue 43
Weekend Weather Thursday
H 13º L 3º
Friday
H 3º L 3º
Saturday
H 4º L-2º
Sunday
H 5º L 0º
As reported from Environment Canada www.weatheroffice.gc.ca Harrow AAFC
A special birthday Page 6
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010
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Bell looks back on four years as LAAC chair By Sheila McBrayne Leamington’s Carol Bell is winding down her four-year term as the chair of the Leamington Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC). Because the LAAC is a committee of Council, Carol’s term coincides with the outgoing Council on December 8. Carol is very pleased with the progress the committee has achieved during its term. Carol counts four major milestones that the committee has achieved over its four years. The most recent accomplishment was the creation of a video Carol Bell promoting the “We Assist” program. Earlier this month, Leamington’s Metro grocery store and the LAAC worked together to produce a video about “We Assist”. This video will appear on the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ website to encourage other communities to implement the “We Assist” program with their local merchants. Metro Manager Rick Lucier and Carol Bell appear in this 2:31 minute video, which explains how the store assists those with disabilities. The “We Assist” program can also be found in Leamington at Great Canadian Superstore, Price Chopper, Zellers, Canadian Tire and WalMart. The video can be found online at: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/ mediaRoom/preview/play.aspx?url=/mcss/metro_WeAssist. flv “We’re trying to get smaller stores aware that by 2012 all businesses will have to comply with the provincial government’s new accessibility legislation,” said Carol. She explained that the LAAC has a brochure for small businesses with ideas to become compliant to the new legislation. The brochure can be found on the Municipal website at www. leamington.ca. Another project completed in the past four years was the installation of a scanner in the Leamington Library for visually impaired residents to read material. The audio books are good, but limit what a visually impaired person can read. “With the scanner they can read so many more items,” said Carol. Another improvement within Leamington has been the installation of four audible traffic signals that have been installed. Any future traffic lights will have the audible signals. The fourth accomplishment that the LAAC and chair Carol Bell are very proud of is their contribution to the entire province by initiating the installation of pebbled surfaces at the ends of sidewalks so that the visually impaired can detect curbs with their canes. “We were instrumental in having the Ontario Traffic Manual changed to include the pebbled surfaces,” said Carol. “I think we’ve definitely made progress during the past four years in terms of improving accessibility for residents and increasing awareness,” said Carol. The LACC is always looking for new members - check out the municipal website for information on becoming a member.
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Diamonds and Denim Gala sparkles These two young ladies both won diamond bracelets at the Diamonds and Denim Gala held on Friday, November 19 at the Leamington Portuguese Club. At left, Nadia Ingratta won the Diamonart Bracelet valued at $789 and Karen Willan won another diamond bracelet valued at $300 which was given to one lucky person who randomly had a hidden gem on her program. The evening was enjoyed by 320 people and raised more than $21,000 (and counting) for the South Essex Community Council. (SUN Photo)