Opening the purse strings for new blood
Budget 2008
By Chris Simon
      Town council was in a bit of a hiring mood last week. During 2008 Operating Budget deliberations, a town committee passed recommendations to hire two new employees. If approved in the budget as planned, the town would hire a supervisor of purchasing for $30,982 and an administrative assistant for...
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Reading raises money
      The second annual Read for Cancer Challenge, initiated by children's author and illustrator Mary-Jane Martin, raised more than $7,600 for the Royal Victoria Hospital's Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre. Participating schools included Father F.X. O'Reilly in Tottenham, St. Michael the Archange...
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Making sense of Innisfil's budget
A political point of view
By Brian Jackson Mayor, Town of Innisfil
      Each week, The Scope will feature a column from Innisfil's political leaders. This week, Brian Jackson explains the town's proposed 2008 Operating Budget. Once a month, Jackson will also answer letters from Scope readers.
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NVCA chair re-elected
      Fred Nix, Town of Mono appointee to the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority's board of directors, was elected to the position for the third consecutive year at the authority's 48th annual meeting last week.
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French courses being offered
      Beginning in Grade 5, the Simcoe County District School Board offers extended French as a second language at specific host schools throughout the county. Half of each day's instruction takes place in French and the other half is delivered in English. At the secondary school level, the program off...
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Town plans permit fee increase
By Chris Simon
      It could get a little more expensive to build in Innisfil this year. A town committee gave provisional approval for an increase in building permit application fees, during deliberations for the proposed 2008 operating budget. While the increase needs to approved by council, the proposed five per ...
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Teaching award nomination deadline is fast approaching
      The Premier's Award for teaching excellence recognizes outstanding teachers, and school and board staff. Do you know an exceptional educator? Nominate one for a Premier's Award for Teaching Excellence. Candidates could inspire kids to read, write and communicate, teach students to be good citizen...
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Valentine dance tickets for sale
THORNTON NEWS
by Cathie Miller
      Tickets are on sale for the Thornton Area Action Committee's annual Valentine Dance. It will be held at the Thornton Community Centre starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 per person and include a lunch served at 11 p.m.
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Some dates to remember
CHURCHILL NEWS
by Linda Gerow
      Since this paper reaches us all by Jan. 16, I decided to see what momentous historical events occurred on the same day.
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Robbie Burns dinner explanation
LEGION NEWS
by Ed Collins
      Robbie Burns dinner: We have had a few strange questions asked about our dinner, so maybe I can enlighten everyone. Our haggis is made from an old Scottish receipt of Maggie's mom, and it does not contain all the ingredients people have heard about. I am not Scottish but I think it is great.
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Artist Mackey coming to the Gibson Centre
      Canadian landscape artist Linda Mackey is art liaison for International Polar Year, director of Arctic Quest and founder of the Polar Artists Group.
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Alzheimer society hosting several fundraising events
      The Alzheimer Society of Greater Simcoe County will host several meetings and fundraisers over the next few weeks. On Jan. 27, the 2008 Manulife Walk for Memories will take place at the Bayfield Mall in Barrie, with registration starting at 9 a.m.
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Going Japanese at Goodfellow
By Chris Simon
      Callan McKenna has new friends living on the other side of the world. As one of 20 students attending Juanita Germaine's Grade 3 and 4 class at Goodfellow Public School in Alcona, McKenna helped collect fairy tales, toys and holiday videos that have since been shipped to children living in Japan.
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Looking back before moving forward
By June Chambers
      "We need to look back before looking ahead." David Chambers illuminated this thought during his presentation on heritage preservation and designation to the members of the Innisfil Heritage Committee and the public at their Jan. 3 meeting, held in the historic Knock School House.
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